Star.
London, England, 1829-03-04 00:00:00

HORRID MURDER.

PORTSMOUTH, MARCH 2.—A most atrocious and san-
guinely murder was perpetrated in this town last even-
ing (Sunday), the undermentioned particulars of which
are gleaned from the Cotooei's Jury, now sitting (.even
'o'clock Monday evening), on the bodies of Mi. Lang-
trey, aged eighty, and his housekeeper, Chet icy J ;Kee
aged between fifty and sixty. By the eviJence of Ana
llyott, charwoman, aged -about sixty, it appeared that
she was in the practice of assisting Mr. Lsngtrey's
housekeeper in shutting up his house every evening, and
helping Mr. Langtrey to bed, he being a clippie t f
many years standing. For that purpose she proceeded
last evening, about six o'clock ; receiving no answer' to
the rapping, supposing the housekeepzr to be Assent,
returned again about eight, when, receiving no answer,
she concluded the family hid retired to rest.
This morning, at eight o'clock, she again proceeded
to the house, as was ber custom, but receiving no an-
swer she became alarmed, and sought for assistance,
when the back door was found open, and on inspecting
the house the body of the housekeeper was fo'iud in the
back lower room, with her throat cut as with a blunt
knife; her head seemly lacerated, and her arms much
cot, as if great resistance hid been offered by the unf or-
Innate female. Up stairs the body of Mr. Langtrey was
found in the back upper bedroom, with his throat
dreadfully cut from ear to ear, apparently with the
same instrument. Near the bed was a box open, con-
taining some tea and table spoons, five half sovertigns,
five half guineas, and some deeds; upon the bed along-
side was found a silver cream jug, the whole evidently
betraying that the assassins were distu•bed when sepa-
rating the plunder. Mr. Langtrey being very infirm,
used a wheel chair, and was provided with a stick to
knock for his housekelper; he had not walked for years,
even from one room into the other. It would therefute
appear, from his body being discovered in the bedroom,
and the chair in the sitting room, that fright had given
him the power of resistance, which was the more parti-
cularly distinguished by his having the stick tightly
grasped in his right hand. The attack was most pro-
bably by daylight, as no candles or sticks were found,
and the beds were undisturbed.

Mr. Langtrey was a master bricklayer, and many of
the blows appear to have been given by a slater's ham-
mer, which was found clotted with blood. Mr. Lang-
trey was of eccentric and miserly habits, and was sup.
posed to have sums of money in his house. He never
would allow the front shutters of his house to be
opened, which was situated in Prospect-row, and it
carried a gteat air of seclusion with it, and adjoined a
common passage leading into St. Mary's-strtet, through
which it is supposed the murderers made their escape.
The Jury, with T. Barbey. E.q. as their Foreman,
are diligently examining the different witcesses.
It is creditable.to tie town to say that the inhabitants,
assembled by the bellman, met at the church. and
instantly offered two hundred gainers reward, the
notice of which was posted by one o'clock. A partial
attack, it is said, was made on the preceding Monday,
but the alarm had died away.
It does not appear that any clue has yet been disco.
vered to ascertain the murderers.

PURTHER PARTICULARS.
The town is now in the greatest confssion—the constables are
an on the alert. The general supposition is, that the perpetrator
entered by a side passage, which was divided from the yard of the
house by some palisades, over which a person could easily get, and
that he encountered the old woman in the kitchen, who made
great resistance; that during this period the old man hobbled from
the front chamber to the back, as blood was perceivable on the
back staircase, as if from the bands of a person going up. The
old man must have been an easy prey to the villain, as he was deaf,
nearly speechless, and could hardly bobble about. Langtrey was
in easy circumstances, and it is supposed had money in the house,
as be was the owner of several houses is the town.

_ -
The general supposition is, that the murder was perpetrated last
evening, and that the villain was disturbed by the person who
occasionally knocked at the front door, as several articles of plate
and a watch were left in the house, and some money was found on
the floor. The man's pockets had been riled, his keys taken out,
and a chest opened, from which it is supposed some money was
taken. The woman had several keys in her pocket and some
money when discovered.
A carious circumstance took place in the morning before the
murder was discovered. A man, about 2.5 years of age, about live
feet nine inches high, with sandy hair, short whiskers, and shabbily
dressed, apparently an Irishman, from his accent, applied in thr
town to have some guineas, which he bad in a ditty bag, changed
for sovereigns, and was refused. His description is forwarded to
all the neighbouring towns; and if his purpose was honest, no
doubt he will come forward; if be does not, suspicion will fall on
him, as it is supposed such money was likely to be kept by Lang.
trey. A Jury is now sitting; and expresses bays been sent with
bills, offering the above reward, to every part ; and it is to be
hoped. front the activity et our police, the Warden/ will not lent
remain unapprekendeth