The Sun. — 1862-06-23 (London, England)

FRIGHTFUL MURDER AT WATERLOO.  WATERLOO-VILLE, SATURDAY.  Early this morning one of the most barbarous murders on record was perpetrated, about half a mile from this usually quiet village, the inhabitants of which are in a state of intense excitement. Waterloo is situated seven miles to the north of Portsmouth, and is a rural retreat, chiefly consisting of villa residences. The murder was committed at a place called Billett's Stables, about half a mile on the Horndean-road. The murderer is a young gipsy, named Lee, aged 26 years, well built, and by no means repulsive looking. The victim is his wife, a tall handsome young gipsy woman, aged 24. The murderer travelled from place to place in a van, commonly used by gipsies. This vehicle and dwelling had been stopping in the yard adjoining the Wellington Tavern, kept by Mr. Silvester, of Waterloo ; and on Friday night Lee asked Mrs. Silvester to take his wife some wine-and-water, remarking that she would take nothing from him; and they appeared to be on unfriendly terms, as Lee had imputed to his wife improper conduct with another man while at Ascot Races, where they had kept an entertainment similar to that known as "Aunt Sally." The wife denied the imputation, and repeatedly told Mrs. Silvester he had no grounds for his suspicions. The unfortunate victim was in an advanced state of pregnancy. This morning, about 9 o'clock, Lee and his wife left the Waterloo Inn, where they had remained a short time, being en route to Odiham, accompanied by a boy named Wyatt, their nephew. About half an hour after their departure news reached this village that Lee had barbarously murdered his wife on the road, through jealousy. Police-constable Rody Deegan, of the Hants constabulary, immediately pursued the van, and discovered that the report was too true, for lying on the grass, about 400 yards from the van, was Lee, who, on seeing the officer, exclaimed, " I am glad you have come, for I have cut my wife's throat." He also said, " She slept with another man lam sure, the first night at Ascot." Deegan went towards the van, and perceived a track of recently spilt blood for about 15 yards along the road. On coming up to the vehicle, he perceived the young woman lying under the horse's heels. One hoof was on her long dishevelled and jet black hair, while the other rested upon her arm. Her throat presented a terrible spectacle, being cut from ear to ear, and she appeared to be quite dead. Prisoner said, " Have you found the razor I did it with ? to which question the constable replied, "Yes, I found it four or five yards from the van, lying on the road." Prisoner then said, "I did it to die." The body was placed in a car belonging to Mr. Silvester, and removed to a store or shed at the rear of the Waterloo Inn, to which place the van was also removed. An eye-witness describes the murder as follows : —Lee was driving the horse along the Horndeanroad, his nephew, the boy Wyatt, sitting on the foot board. Lee suddenly got into a passion, having reverted to the Ascot affair, and all at once he jumped into the van, wherein was seated the deceased. A struggle ensued, when he got his wife's head over the half door or hatch of the van, and having previously procured a razor, ho cut her throat in a most fearful manner, causing almost instant death. Having committed this horrible murder he threw her over the half-hatch under the horse's heels. During the murder the horse stood motionless, and the boy apparently unmindful of the tragedy being enacted. Lee never attempted to escape, but after the murder he took the boy to a house and gave him in charge of a woman, to whom also he gave either two or three sovereigns, with a request that she should not let him see his aunt. He then went and sat down by the road side, in which position he was found by the police constable. When taken before the magistrates he again confessed his guilt, and was remanded to Winchester Gaol.