EXECUTION OF BUTLER.

Hastings Standard, Issue 375, 17 July 1897, Page 3

EXECUTION OF BUTLER.

PERFORMED WITH DESPATCH

(I Vr P/v .vs- .-Issui iatinii— ( Svdnkv, July 1(5. The execution was carried out with the greatest despatch. This was the result of a request mede by Butler yes tor lay, who, in reply to a Query by the governor of the gaol if he could do anything for him. said, '• Ail you can do is to hasten the execution as much as p;>s-ible."' lie did all he could to assist the executioner : got ready, stepped quickly on the trap, and immediately the rope was iixed said ; Oh, let go! The governor of the gaol lias furnished a report to the Attorney - General stating that Butler called to him to his cell yesterday and made a verbal confession of the murders of Preston, Weller, and Burgess. He also made a similiar confession to the Rev. ilr Lane, adding that he had been a very bad man, and, if it were possible, deserved hanging over and over again for the crimes he previously committed. Butler admitted to the governor of the gaol that the sentence was a just one. The governor's report to the At-torney-General makes it appear that the rumors regarding the man Price are unfounded. !-jo far as the prison ofiicials are aware Butler never referred to Price, but from bis demeanor and partial admissions it is believed the prisoner could have accounted for a man named Davis, who mysteriously disappeared, and whom the police endeavored to trace. I'ndor his will Butler left sundry small articles to the governor and other officials of the gaol. The residue goes to a sister 111 England. The authorities declined to disclose his real name. This day. Butler asked the authorities to write to Preston's parents and express his sorrow and contrition for the murder of their sou. The Westralian police have informed the authorities here that they are certain that Butler committed a series of crimes known as the Budoc murders.