The Sun. — 1861-09-18 (London, England)

CONFESSION OF A MURDER COMMITTED TEN YEARS AGO.  In August, 1851, a girl of 16, named Sarah Watts, was barbarously murdered at Woodlands, near Frome. Her father had left her at home alone, while he went to market, and on his return he found her mangled body in the dairy, and the house ransacked. Subsequent examination showed that the girl had been outraged and probably drowned in the milk-pail. Three bad characters, named Maggs, Sparrow, and "Frome Bob," were appre hended, and the evidence against them appeared so strong that they were committed for trial on the capital charge, but a jury acquitted them. Suspicion also fell upon a young man named Joseph Seer, who lived near the Woodlands, but shortly after the murder he left the neighbourhood, and enlisted into the army. Within the last few days he has returned to Frome, being invalided. Yesterday morning he went to the police-station in order to get his remittance form filled up, and whilst there he made a voluntary confession that he was guilty of the crime of murdering Sarah Watts. At the conclusion of the other business, the prisoner was placed in the cloak. He is short in stature, and was attired in the uniform of an infantry soldier. His appearance was that of a sullen, pre-occupie4. man. He was, however, quite composed, exhibiting not the slightest degree of excitement. Mr. Turner, the assistant magistrates' clerk, read the prisoner's confession, which he had taken aown at his request. It was as follows :—" I murdered Sarah Watts. I hope the God above will let me I live to see her again in another world. I have it on my mind a long time ; I have been very unhappy ever since. I went away, I was so unhappy. I hope that God will wash away our sins. I done it for love. It was on a market day. I asked her to go up to Birch Hill-lane and pick some water-tresses. She wouldn't go. I asked her to go up on a Sunday, and then she wouldn't go. I often played with her. It was in August it happened. About 3 o'clock in the afternoon, I went to the house. I thought he was worth some money, and she wouldn't tell where it was. I told her to tell me where it was and I would marry her and take her to America. I was very fond of her, then we would live happy together. She said, ' The money don't belong to you.' I said, ' If you don't tell where it is, I will be the death of you.' I took hold of her by the neck. I had a poker in my hand, and I hit her in the head with it. I said I would have to suffer for it either in heaven or in hell. I struck her in the kitchen, and dragged her into the dairy. I caught her hold by the feet, and put her head first into the milk pail, and left her in the dairy, dead. I took two shillings out of a cup on the mantelpiece. I went upstairs and searched about, and took some clothes, and went my way and went to sea. I had connection with her in the settle before I knocked her down. I was blamed for it at the time, and enlisted a soldier to get out of the way. I have never got it off my mind. I killed her for love. I was very fond of her." Mr. E. Deggan, superintendent of the police, said—On Tuesday morning the prisoner came to my office to get a form filled up. I took him to Mr. Turner's office to get him the form. While there the prisoner appeared very agitated. I said then, " What's the matter ; you appear to be very unhappy in your mind P" I also said, "Is it the Woodlands murder unhappymakmesaydoeuyousayat tft h. p Dr. Harrison-What yWesi;tnaenss—l hadhearddl he was cannot live downthsuersep.e”cted. He said Ithon took,  him down stairs to my office, in company with Mr. Turner, and he then made a voluntary confession in my presence. I then took him into custody. The prisoner was remanded for a week.