Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-17
2 DOUBLE KILLINGS
REMAIN UNSOLVED
Police Free All Suspects After
Exoneration in Wallenbach
and Brancu Cases
ROBBERS GET NO LOOT

Two murders Of marked similarity.
both distinguished by brutality amaz-
ing even in these days of savage crimes,
remain unsolved. The police frankly
admit they are bafied in the cases OF
Louis and Fannie Wallenbach, the aged
couple beaten TO death in their little
store at 525 South Randolph street,
September 3. and John and Peter
Brancu, found dead after a clubbing
in the bedroom Of their home at G20
North American street.
In each case the crime apparently
was without any motive other than
robbery. and there is no evidence in
either instance that the murderers OBJ
tanned that for which they are sup
posed 70 have taken human life. In
both cases there were other people in
the house at the time of the murders;
in both cases these persons were ar
rested, and in both cases they were
released on eXoueration.
Brancu Saved Si4OO
Detectives trying to solve the mys-
tory Of the murder OF John BrnnCu and
his son. Peter. at Gas North American
street Thursday. found that Branch.
although living in apparently destitute
circumstances. had two bank accounts
agsregating S140O. This money nc
had saved over a period of years. hop
ing to return to his native land of Ru
mania.
His common law wife. known as Mrs.
Annie Goulash was released by police
yesterday after questioning. Blood spots
on her clothing, she said. were caused
by holding the boys head rs he lay
dying, while the ambulance was being
summoned.
Lieutenant of Detectives William Bel
shaw, who spent the entire day yester-
day securing the neighborhood for pos
sible clues. found nothing. He devel-
oped that Branch had but 81 on his
person. instead Of $400. He had given
the woman $40 to buy sugar for some
home made wine. and she returned 81
in change. The previous day BranCu
had made a deposit in the Rumanian
Bank, and il is considered possible that
seine one familiar with the family
thought he still had the money.
II can see nothing which the woman
would gain by being involved in this
affair, said Belshaw. Some time
ago he offered to divide his savings with
her. and she refused.
II ran down n rumOr of quarrel
he had with n fellow employc at the
brewery where he worked. but could
only find that it was a slight disagree
ment. 1t was some time ago and the
man carried no grudgc. I cant find
any one in the neighborhood who has
n word to say against the man. Both
he and his son were popular and never
had any trouble
ITO my knowledge We never had
Rumanian under arrest for any serious
crime. They seem to be q peace loving
people and | don't know OF any clan or
so called Black Hand among them
Branch. II was learned. came TO this
country about fourteen years ago. leav-
ing wife in Rumania. He had been
talking of returning in the spring. Mrs.
Goulash (which Is as near the spelling
as English will permit also has hus-
band in her native country.
Wine Found I'm Cellar
In the cellar of the little home were
found three barrels of wine, a total of
about 120 gallons. which had been
freshly made. There was also a guam
tity Of mash and a snail copper still.
Inquiry around the neighborhOod re-
vealed no indication that Branch had
sold thr iouor, but merely used il for