The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-11-22
TIE CECIL. WF4IG ELKTON, SATURDAY, EBER 49, 1884
gradually became quite exaggerated.

gradually became quite exaggerated.
One night the people of Babbicou be
were startled by the discovery of flames
issuing from the mansion in which Miss
Key resided. The villagers went to the
scene in body, and the coast guard and
local police soon got control of the fire
from without. They found that the
mansion had been securely closed, and
that the windows and doors had all been
securely fastened. An entrance was
forced and the fire eXtinguished.
Miss Key was found lying upon the
parlor floor dead. Her person was nude,
and the body was partly charred. An
investigation revealed the facts that her
throat had been cut and her skull frac-
tured. There were evidences that the
lady had been dragged down stairs be-
fore she was killed. and that, preceding
all this aud after a terrible struggle in
her private apartments, she had been
shamefully used. All the .jewelry and
portable valuables belonging to the lady
were missing. The murder was at once
set down to jealousy and the robbery
was set down as ruse to misdrect suS-
picion. No trace of john Lee could be
found. The country was at once secured
for him. After an all night search. he
was found next morning concealed in IA
stable not far from the scene of the
murder. n large sum of money and
much of the missing jewelry We're found
upon his person. He was at once ar
rested and charged with the crime. He
confessed his guilt, and fully told the
story.
tie admitted he was an ex-conyict aid
had obtained employment in the service
OF Miss Key by means of forged letters.
lie said he had fallen in love with the
lady, and, having no means to secure an
acquaintance with her, resorted to this
deceit for the purpose. After he had
been III her employ for Il time and had
secured kindly recognition III his capacity
OF valet his ardor getting the better Of
his judgment, he mist0ok the lady S
favor for more than it meant aud made
an av0wal OF love. Miss Key was hurri
| fed, and attempted to correct his folly
by showing him that mis- suit was both
| hopeless and absurd. He persisted, and
Miss Key finally ordered him out Of her
service, and accused him Of being NOR
| cenary adventuIer.
On the evening OF the murder he forced
another interview upon his mistress and
when she again treated his oyertures;
with contempt he became enraged and
attacked her. His passions once aroused
lie lost all control of his moral sense. he
said; and after the assault he struck her
senseless SO that she could not interfere
with his escape. When he saw that the
blow was apparently fatal he resolved to
rob the house and flee
After he had gathered up his plumber
he noticed signs of consciousness in his
victim, and then, being desperate broke
in her skull and cut her throat. 1t then
occurred to him to drag the remains
down stairs, close the doors and window
and fire the house, in the hope of bury
ing the crime in mystery. He believed
that if he could have got ont of the coun
try the crime would never have been at
tributed to him.
The prisoner is nnder special guard,
threats of mob violence having been
made against him.