Pall Mall Gazette – Thursday 20 November 1884:
THE BABBACOMBE MURDER.
John Lee, aged twenty, was brought before the magistrates at Torquay yesterday charged with being concerned in the murder of Miss Emma Keyse, who was found dead in her drawing-room early on Saturday morning last. The hatchet and knife with which the crime is supposed to have been committed were produced. Medical testimony was given that there were blood stains on each. The knife had been rubbed on fresh earth. The blood was that of a mammal, but the evidence was not positive as to its being the blood of a human being. Evidence was given that the furniture had been saturated with paraffin and set on fire. It was also shown that a can of Alexandra oil, which was nearly full before the fire, was empty, and the prisoner’s clothes smelt of the oil, and were stained with blood.
The postman who, at the inquest, spoke of a conversation with the prisoner, in which the latter had threatened some one in the house, now added that on October 29 Lee told him that he had had a quarrel with his mistress on the previous day, and he would not have stayed any longer in the house but that there was a prospect of his being engaged by the gentleman to whom Miss Keyse hoped to sell her estate. The prisoner was remanded till Tuesday.
A correspondent telegraphs to-day:—A fact has transpired in connection with the murder of Miss Keyse, which may have an important bearing on the case. It is ascertained that a valuable diamond ring is missing from the Glen. Miss Keyse was in the habit of wearing this ring with others, and of taking it from her finger and placing it on the dressing-table in her bedroom on retiring. The other rings which the deceased wore were found on her body, but the diamond ring is missing. A search has been made for it, but as yet without success. Information was given that Kate Farmer, the young woman with whom the prisoner had been keeping company, had been induced to wear a diamond ring, but on its being shown to the relatives of the deceased it was seen to be very different to that worn by Miss Keyse, which is at present missing.
