Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-05-19
THE ROAD HILL MURDER.
CONFESSION on mss CONSTANCE KE

CONFESSION OF MISS CONSTANCE KENT
Our readers have, probably, not forgotten tht
Road Hill murder in England on the 29th o.
June, 1860, in the family of Mr. Kent. Mr.
Kent had been twice married. His fnmily by
the first wife consisted Of three daughters and q
son, the two elder daughters heiug grown.up
young women, and the third Constance, Il girl
of sixteen the son, William, was aboui fifteen.
by tho second wife he had three chdron-a
daughter, five years old /; q son, Frauois Saville
Kent, nearly four years old, and another dlugh,er
still younger.
On the night Of the murder the inmates Of
the house were Mr. aud Mrs. Kent the seven
children we have mentioned, aud three servants
"A cook, house-maid, and Elizabeth Cough,
the nurse. During the night tho child Francis
was taken out of his cot, stTangled stabbed, his
throat was cut, and his body, wrapped IN
blanket which had been drawn out from over
him, WAS thrown down privy belonging to the
house. II WAS very evident that the murder
was committed by some one in the house But,
Notwithstanding every effort was made to dis
cover the mystery, tho murder has remained
secret until now. Suspicion was directed
toward Mits Constance Kent, but nu inyestiga-
iion, absolyed her. Suspicion llen fell on the
nurse, aud there were not wanting those who
be, up theory which involved even the father
vi the child in the guilt of the murder. The
corouer's inquest did not satisfy the public, and
the Coroner was loudly blamed.
Slowly the public curiosity subsided, but not
without that feeling of disappointment which
follows the unsuccessful attempt to penetrate a
mystery. The Kent family broke up their
establishment and quilted the neighborhood
Nothing more Of reliable character was
heard Of the case until the I'D OF April, when
the startling intimation was conveyed to the
Chief Magistrate at Bow street, that Miss
Constance Kent was in custody upon her own
confession upon the terrible charge, having been
accompanied to London by the Rev. Mr.. Wagner |
of ST Paul's, Brighton, to whom she had rec
yeAled her guilt.
Her confession is in her own handwriting. and |
though not signed, iH as follows:
|, Constance Emile Kent, alone and unnded, |
on the night of the Goth juno, 1860 murdered, |
ut ROnd Hill House, Wiltshire, one Franca
Savle Kent. Before the deed none knew OF |
my Intention nor after il of my guilt. No one
assisted me in the crime, nor in my evasion of
discovery
The London Star says Of Miss Keuts appear
ance 10 court
Miss Constance Kent was brought into court
amid the hushed silence of those present, She
was attiTed in deep black and walked into the
dock with firm step. Shc was accompanied
by Miss Green, who was allowed to occupy
scat near her in the dock. Although Miss Kent
wore thick veil, her countenance could be
seen very plainly, aud those who remembered
Miss Constance Kent as the tleuder girl Of
sixteen could scarcely recognize the same person
In the robust and heal,hful form of Miss
Constance Kent Of twenty-one. She had won
derfully changed, and in FIVE years had grown
into womanhood, and seemed the very picture
of health and good living Her conduct in the
dock was OF first marked with great composure,
and her replies 10 the questions addressed to
4 al.
in n clear and firm tone Of voice; when, how
ever, Inspector Williamson was giving his eyi-
dence, and read out her written confession of
the murder Of her brother, she could no longer
restrain her feelings, and, bursting into food
Of tears, she sunk into seat and buried her
face in handkerchief on the breast of Miss
Green. Her sobs were loud aud biter, and, as
may be well imagined, this scene created no
little sensation and excitement in the crowded
court. Miss Green, who had at iist assumed
an almost masculine stetnuoss, could not remain
lnconcerned when this event took place, aud
she, too, INDUCED in copous flow OF tears,
Ultimately, Miss Kent regained her composure,
and nothing atterwarl occurred TO outwardly
mark her sense of the awful position in which
ihe is placed.
The Rev Mr. Wagner, of Brighton, who oame
% London with Miss Kent, testified that he had
inown her about twenty-one months. In re.
As far as can remember, an English family
wrote TO me, asking fIr her admission to 81
,larys Home, or Hospital, in consequence Of her
ing no home, or OF some difficulty respect
ng her The "Home," or rather "llospital,"
II ii ia now called, is house for religious
aides, mud is attached to 81. Mary's Church
She came about that time MS visitor, and has
leen there up to the present day
The confession is entirely her own voluntary
ct, to the best of my belief 1t was about
orlnight ago, as far rs can recoleci, that the
first came TO my knowledge II !
vas entirely her own proposition that she should
70 taken before London magistrate. She =
leiself proposed to come to London for the
purpose. The nature Of the confession she
made 70 me was the same, in substance, as the
tatement produced in her own writing, aud
opied upon the charge sheet.
| wish 10 mention that many are in the habit
# coming to confess to me as religious '
xerciae, but | never held out any iuducement A
o her to make public confession, did not :
eek her out, or in any way ask her to come to =
onfession. She herself wished 10 do go.
The prisoner was removed from the doOk and
emanded to jail, TO be arragn on tho 4ih of
lay TIE greatest excitement prevails in
.ngland in regard TO this case The public
ceiling was arrested only by news Of MIR. 8
.incOln's assassination. d