RUAHINE MURDERS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 8 March 1915, Page 8

RUAHINE MURDERS.

ROTTMAN EXECUTED

BY TELEGRAPH—VKESS ASSOCIATION

WELLINGTON, March 8. Arthur Rottman, the young German sentenced to death at Wanganui on February 13th for xhe murders of Joseph McCann, Lucy Mary McCann, and John Joseph McCann, an infant, at Ruahine on December 28th, was executed at the Terrace Gaol at 8 a.m. to-day.

The arrangements, which were supervised by the sheriff, Mr W. A. Hawkins, were carried out without a hitch, and death was instantaneous.

On the scaffold, when asked by the sheriff if he had anything to say, Rottman in a firm but low voice remarked: "I know nothing of what I have done to these poor people. I am willing to pay the penalty of the crime; it does not appear to me like a horrible sentence, but a great relief. I Avill die happy, facing the great entrance into a better life, and may God forgive the man that caused my death and a great many more deaths. If this war had never taken place I would still be a free man. I say good-bye to you all, and God be with, you till we meet again."