The Express.
London, England, 1861-09-18 00:00:00

CONFESSION OP A MURDER COMMITTED TEN

YEARS AGO.

In August, 18M, a girl of sixteen, named Sarah
Watts, was barbarously murdered at Woudlands, near
Fronde. Her father had left her at home alone, while he
went to market, and on his return he found her mangled
body iu the dairy, and the house ransacked. Subsequent
rumination showed that the girl bad been outraged
and probably drowned iu a milk-pail. Three Lad elm-
ractere, named Meese, Sparrow, mid "ironic Bob," were
apprehended, and the evidence against them ap-
peared so strong that they were committed for
trial on the capital charge, Lut a jury acquitted them.
Suldehie also fell upou a young man named Joseph Seer,
who lived near the Woodlands, but shortly after the murder
be left the neighbourhood, and enlieted into the army.
Withiu the lest few days lie has returned to Fr me, being
invalided. Yesterday morning he went to the police-station
in order to got his remittance form filled up, and whilst
there be made a voluntary confession that he was guilty of
the emus of murdering Sarah Watts. .%t the conclusion of
the other business, the prisoner was placed it, the dock. Ile is
visors in stature, and was attired in the uniform of an infantry
soldier. Ilie appearance was that of a sullen, pre.occunied
man. He was, however, quite composed, exhibiting nut the
slightest degree of excitement.
Mr. Turuer, the assistant magistrates clerk, read the
prisoner's mode:whin, which he had taken down at his re-
quest. It was as follows :—" I murdered Sarah Watts. I
Lupo the (dud &wive will let me lice to see her again in ano-
ther world. I have it no my mind a long time ; I have been
very unhappy ever since. 1 went away, I was so unhappy,
I hope the God above will wash away our Ries. I done it
for love. It was on a market day. I asked her to go up
Birch Hill.lene and pick some water-creases. She wouldn't
go. I asked her to go up on a Sunday, and then she wouldn't
go. I awl, played with her. It was in August it happened.
About 3 o'cliak in the afternoon, 1 went to the house.
I thought he was worth seine money, and she wouldn't
tell where it was. I told her to tell me where it was
and I would marry her amid take her to America I was
very feud of her, then we would live happy together.
She said, "Ile money don't le•loog to you.' I said, 'lf
you don't tell where it is, I will be the death of you.' I
took hold of her by the sock. I hail a poker in my hand.
and I hit her iu the load with it. I said I should have to
sailer fur it either in heaven or in hell. I struck her in the
hitches, and dragged her into the dairy. I caught her hold
by the feet, end put her heed first into the milk pail, and
left her in the dairy, deed.. I took two shillings out of a
cup ou the mantelpiece. I went up-stain and searched
about, and took some clothed, and went my way and went
to sea. I had connection with her in the settle before I
huockel her dowu. I was Llanied for it at, the time, and I
enlisted
mind.da soldliekriltio gedeiteruuitorofint!ie e. I
was very fond of hein
way.lhavenever gttrit
o
Mr. Ed. Bevan, superintendent of the police, said—tin
Tuesday morning the prisoner came to my office to got a form
tilled up 1 took him to Mr. l'arner's office to get, him the
form. While them the prisoner appeared very agitated.
I said then, "What's the matter ; you appear to be sery
unhoppy in your mind?' I also said, "Is it the Wood.
lands murder makes you unhappy?"
Harrison—What maile yea say that?
Witness--I had heard ho was suspected. Ile Raid,
"Yes ; and I cannot live down there." I then took him
dowuetairs to my office, in company with Mr. Turner. and
he then made a voluntary cuidession in my preseuce. I
then took him into custody.
The prisoner was remanded for a week.

AcctrmATThATioN or AN IMAIA—The Melbourne
Acclimatisation Society have reoeivid, per Benares, from
Gale, adona.iun of a spotted deer, a rea-ben, and a monkey,
which have been conveyed in onfety to the Botanic Gardens.
The Aberdeen clipper ship Borevian, which arrived in Holy
son's Bay on the lUth of July, brought out three Hereford
cows, is Leif ; ooc Ayrshire cow, with bull calf at foot;
three nerioo rams, selected from the Imperial flock at
Paris ; a number of song birds, compriaing canaries, gold.
finches, blackbirds, sod thrusbm ; several Spanish and
Dorking fowls, soil a few Berkshire pigs, all of which were
in good es/ler By the Lincolnshire some native Ash and
fresh water lobsters were forwarded to England.—dusts-
lion and New Zealand Ga:dle.