EXECUTION OF ROTTMAN.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13728, 17 March 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

EXECUTION OF ROTTMAN.

THE RUAHINE MURDERER

CRIMINAL'S STATEMENT ON;Till.;

SCAFFOLD.

[T/NirsD Phess Association.]

a*u T1 . Wellington, March 8. Arthur iiottman, the young German who was sentenced to death at Wan<ainuron 'February 13th for the murder* j °f eP h McCann, Lucy Mary McCann, and John Joseph McCann, an infant, at Ruahine, on December 28tfy was executed at the Terrace Gaol at 8 a.m. to-day. The arrangements were supervised by the Sheriff, Mr W. A. Hawkins, antl wera carried out without ;\- ---hitch, death being instantaneous. On the scaffold, when asked by theSheriff if he had anything to say, Rotiman, in a firm but low voice, remarked, "I know nothing of what I Jiavo done to the=se- poor people. I am willing to pay the penalty of my crime. It does not appear to nic like a horrible sentence, but a great relief. 1 will diehappily, facing the great entrance into a better life; and'may God forgive theman that caused my death and a great many more deaths. If this war had never taken place, I would st;ll be a free man. 1 say good-bye to you all and God bo with you tiil we meet again."