A STARTLING CONFESSION.

Kumara Times, Issue 1122, 4 May 1880, Page 2

A STARTLING CONFESSION.

[Pall Mall Gazette, Feb. 26. j

A woman who gave the name of Sarah Nelly Essam made an extraordinary statement to the police at Uxbridge in reference to the Richmond murder this morning; She said that five wee&s previous to Monday last she had been living with a man at Ealilig with whom she had been acquainted four years, and on Sunday fortnight he made a confession to her which she felt she could no longer keep secret. The Irian was a carmah and she mentioned his name, also telling the police where he might probably be found. The woman said that on Sunday fortnight they were sitting together at dinner, when the man suddenly jumped up and went into the parlor in a great state of agitation. She ’ followed and asked him what was the matter, and he replied, “For God’s sake, Nell, don’t ask me. t shall go, mad, I know ! shall.” She begged him to tell her, arid he then began to cry, and said the matter which troubled him occurred at Richmond, adding that if she spoke of it to . anyone she was a dead woman. She said she would not tell so long as he kept “straight,” and he then told her that he was present at thd time Mi's Thomas, of Richmond, was murdered, and that he assisted Kate Webster to cut up and dispose of the body. Kate Webster, he said, committed the murder while he was standing behind the door, and he remained in the house two. days aftfervyards. He had been acquainted ivith Webster for some years, and was thri father of her children. He also stated that he was on the bridge when the box containing Mrs Thomas’ remains was thrown into the river; They had some difficulty in getting the furniture away from the house, but he asserted that Church was entirely innocent. He also stated that Kate Webster obtained situations for the piitposd of i-bbbihg her employers, and that he had always been implicated. She (Webster) told him that Mrs Thomas had £IOOO in her house, and that she knew where to find it. He further said that he and Webster made up their minds to do away With Mrs Thomas a fortnight before the murder was committed, and that he had slept at the house two or three nights a week. He alsO spoke of a great robbery, in which he and a man whom she only knew by sight were concerned. Three weeks ago to-day he returned home from his work at Hanwell earlier than usual, and prepared to go out for some hours, telling her to go to bed. From his manner, and the cloth* ihg he selected, she judged that he was “upto no good but he declined to tell her where he was going till she saw him place a short poker down the leg of his trousers, and charged him with having it there. He theft told her that a woman whose husband had been sentenced to five years’ penal servitude had been brought down from Loildon by the other man referred to* and that she threatened to open “ unless ” they paid her a sum of £5. He did not have the money and she would not accept toss, find he and the other man therefore intended to entice her near a canal give her a bldw on the head, and throw her body into the water, adding that it would be some time before it rose the surface. . The woman who made her Statement, in a lucid manner* said that her reason for making it was that she thought the iftaft should be brought to justice. Moreover, she Was afraid that he would murder her, as he apppeared to regret having made the confession to her. He deserted her on Monday* and she gave up her house immediately because she Was afraid of him. On receiving the woman’s statement* Inspector Eames immediately placed himself in communication with the Oriminal Investigation Department and detained her.