The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-12-03 00:00:00

MURDER OF A GERMAN GENTLEMAN

IN LIVERPOOL.

A most diabolical and fatal outrage has been com-
mitted upon a welLknown German resident of Liver-
pool, Mr. Christian Flueck, who wee in extensive
practice rui a teacher of languages, and has a large
school at 4, Dinglrbil', a fashionable quarter of the
town, where he resides.

During the absence of his wife on Friday evening in
last week, Mr. Flueck was in his parlour alone, and it
is supposed, from the successful stature of the assault
committed upon him, must have fallen asleep on the
sofa, an he was found about six o'clock in the evening
in A frightfully injured and unconscious state. lie
had been eudilenly attacked by aline one with a heavy
door hinge, which has bees found, and with which the
assailant inflicted the znost deadly gashes upon the head
ttf his victim, through one of which the brain protruded.
The unfortunate gentleman remained utterly uncon-
scious, and died on Sunday.

At the Liverpool Police•eourt, on Monday, Richard
Edward Howchin was charged with the murder of
Mr. Christian Flueck.

Detective Superintendent Kehoe said that the pri-
soner was in the service f the deceased as Mot:. On
Friday evening, between five and sir o'clock, gr.
Flueck was found to have been greviotudy assaulted
in his own sitting room and he had since died. Tuere
was a considerable body of evidence to be brought
forward in the case, but it was not in such • state that
it could be gone into that day. Under the circum-
stances, he asked that the prisoner might be remandel
for seven days, and Mr. Cobb, who appeared for the
prisoner, raising no objection, the apphcation was at
once granted.
The following details have been ascertained :

- -
Mr. Flueck had returned home, after • short absence,
about half-put five o'clock on. Friday evening, and retired to
his customary siLtlng.roum over the kitchen of the house,
where his servants were at the time taking their tea. Shortly
after th-lr master's return they heard a heavy fall on the
floor above, but supposing It to result from the romping of
some of the pupils they did not investigate the cause Mrs.
',Meek Woe absent at the time, but on returning home she
at once repaired to the sitting-room referred to, and dis-
covered her husband lying on the floor to front of the fire
utterly insensible. Supposing his ailment, to be a tem-
porary Si, she immediately procured cold water for the
purpose f hathing his face, but on • closer examination she
found that hit head was covered with blood. On • closer
examination it was ascertained that his skull was fractured
In several places, and a portion of the brain was protruding.
Medical aid was Immediately procured. and the extensive
Injuries demonstrated a, once that they had been inflicted with
an iron her or staple which lay close to the victim. Dr. Barrett
and Messrs, hickersteth and Rodin,, were prom-oily convened
for consolation, and pronounced the case to be of the most
perilous charaeer. Sippicion attaching to Mr. Ilowchin, the
tutor, he was apprehended. It Is stated that Mr. Flueck had
iffyra him notice to leave at Christmas, and there is some-
thing said abut his refusine to give Mr. Hood:an a cha-
racter, or such an one as he desired. It Is also reported that
there had been some difference between them during the
week. The schoolroom is on the same floor a. Mr. Flueck's
sittiniproom, The fall on the fl or was heard shortly before
mix o'clock. lir. Howdah left the schoolroom—so it is said
—tor shout ten minutes between half-past five and six.
Whtu Mrs. Flueck subsequently raised the alarm llowchin
and others went to the sitting room, and he was the hest to
go for medical aid. Ills hat was noticed on the table during
his absence, but it Was afterwards accounted for by his having
placed it there before going out. A handkerchief bdonging
to Mr llowchin was found marked with blood. As, however,
he had assisted In lifting Mr. Flueck from the ti,or the state
of the handkereilef may be accounted for In a simple manner.
Ile Is quite a young matt, very intelligent, about Mt. bin. in
height, anti of a form not at all suggestive of great strength

An inquest was held on the body, on Tuesday, and
the order for interment made, the coroner stating, that
for very weighty reasons, not necessary or desirable to
particular ise, he had determined to PO ourn the inquest
to Wednesday, December 7.