MARRIED 21, KILLED 9.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16320, 8 January 1921, Page 10

MARRIED 21, KILLED 9.

U.S. BLUEBEARD.

Joseph Gillam, better known as “ Biueueard '* W atson, conlessed lo marrying twenty-one wives at least, lime of whom ho murdered within the brief spun ot twenty mouths.

How he mauagul to intrigue ko many is not easily understandable. In the short space of ten months Gillam ** married' 1 and disposed ot eight “wives.” There was a. break of ten months between the committal of the eighth and ninth merder.

A chain of circumstantial evidence was drawn round him by skilful detectives, but'still the authorities were unable to secure sufficient definite facts until Gillam personally led them to the place wherye he had buried the woman who is supposed to have been his last victim. But he refused to divulge any information until he had succeeded in exchanging a confession for the recommendation of a life sentence as against prospective capital punishment. His method was simple. A notice in the daily Press, of which the following, found among his papers, is a fair example, was the bait by which he got into touch with his victims :

** Gentleman, neat appearance, courteous disposition, well connected in business way, has quite a little property, also connected with several corporations. and has nice bank account, us well as nice roll Government war bonds, would be pleased to correspond with refined young lady or widow, object matrimony. This advertisement is in good faith, and all answers will be treated with every respect. His last “ wife ” became curious about a small black bag which Gillam carried wherever he travelled, and when her curiosity grew beyond all restraint who quietly paid a visit to a private detective agency and engaged a. man to investigate the mystery. To explain his long absences from home Gillam had posed ns a secret service man. But it so happened that liis absences coincided wil h dates on which several hank robberies hnrl taken place. He was arrested dhe morning while taking a stroll.