South Wales Echo, 5th October, 1893.
The Bath Mystery.
Remarkable Statements.
A remarkable statement is said to have been made to the
police. It is to the effect that some time ago two or three men were discussing
some sensational tragedy which was engrossing public attention, when the young man
Coombs, who is charged with the murder of the woman Wilkie, said, “I committed
a murder a long time ago, and it has never been found out.” The persons who
heard the remark are said to have paid no attention to it at the time.
On Monday next one of the witnesses to be called will be an
assistant at a boot shop in Bath, who will be able to state that the shoes
found in the cavern at Hampton Rocks were those purchased by the murdered woman
shortly before her disappearance.
With regard to the blood-stained cuffs and handkerchief
found by W. H. Dill, who has been examined before the coroner and the
magistrates, it is stated that he was told by a policeman who was informed of
their discovery not to destroy them, but to keep them in the same condition as
they were found. The police officer is also said to have made an examination of
the spot at the time, but he did not come across anything which would lead to
the conclusion that a horrible crime had been perpetrated.
The police have not yet recovered the gold Albert chain
attached to the gold watch found on the down, as it has passed through so many
hands since Dill found it.
Coombs, the accused, was educated at the Bath-forum
(British) School, being a scholar there from 1880 to 1887. His schoolmaster (Mr
W.J. Prosser) and old school-fellows give him an excellent character, saying
that as a boy at school he was quiet, industrious, and gentle in his manner.
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