LETTER FROM THE CULPRIT. Joseph Laycock, who murdered his wife and four children at Sheffield, in July last, and was executed yesterday, was visited on Saturday by his mother, two relatives resident in Leeds, Mrs Fowler (his younger sister), and her husband. The parting was, of course, a painful business, Laycock’s grief being great.
On Saturday morning Mrs Fowler received a letter from him in which he said:
“I received your letter this morning, and was glad to hear you was all right, and was glad to hear you that my health is all that can be expected, and also that I am making preparations for a better place, where I trust to meet you all. Do try and live that when your time comes you will be prepared for it.
I have made open confession to the governor, which when you will set your mind more at rest, because it is so very black against me, you that knows me will know more about it, but those who do not know me will learn more when they see my confession.
You must make every effort to come on Saturday to see me, for I want to see you very much. My time is now getting very short, so do not neglect to come.”
BNA copywrite – Aberdeen Evening Express – Wednesday 27 August 1884
