The Sun. — 1829-03-04 (London, England)

DREADFUL MURDERS AT  PORTSMOUTH.  PowrsmouTH, MAacit 2.—This town was this morning thrown into great confusion by the discovery of two murders, of the most dreadful description, perpetrated on the persons of Samuel Langtrey and his housekeeper. Langtrey was a retired bricklayer, and nearly SO years of age ; he resided in a house in Prospect-row, and had no other inmate than a female, apparently about 60. So feeble was the old man, that he had not been down stairs for some months, and the woman used to wait on him in his front chamber; he was enabled to walk abort his room with the assistance of a stick. They had lived in this house nearly 20 years, and in the evening a neighbouring female used to go to assist the housekeeper to get her master to bed. Last evening she went several times for that purpose, but could make no one hear; this did not create much suspicion, as it has happened before when the parties have fallen asleep; but this morning, on her again endeavouring to make them hear, she received no answer, which induced her to call on a neighbour, who got into the premises by the back way through the yard, and, on looking through the kitchen-window, he discovered a quantity of blood, and the old woman lying on her side. He instantly gave the alarm, and a constable and some persons entered, when they found the woman with several wounds given by an instrument like a slater's hamir.n. (which 'probably was on the premises, and was dir,-;ered bloody), and a knife, which cannot be found, from which she had received many stabs in the face and hands; and in the room was found the handle of a long brush broken to pieces, from which it appears she must have made great resistance; after she was on the ground the villain nearly severed her head from the body. On going up stairs, the old man was discovered lying on his back, dressed, with his walking-stick in his hand; he had received two blows, apparently from the instrument before mentioned ; one had penetrated the skull, and the brains had spattered across the room, and were seen on a blanket hanging on a chair, and the blood was seen .all over the wainscot ; he also had his throat cut in the most dreadful manner.  ..... As soon as the circumstances were known, the churchwardens (Messrs. Young and Grant), with a promptitude that reflects great credit on them, called a public vestry of the inhabitants, at which it was agreed that 100/. reward should be offered for the discovery of the offender, and 1001. more are offered by Langtrey's executors. The town is now in the greatest confusion—the constables are all on the alert. The old man must have been an easy prey to the villain, as he was deaf, nearly speechless, and could hardly hobble about.— Langtrey was in easy circumstances, and it is supposed had money in the house, as he was the owner of several how;es in the town. A curious circumstance took place in the morning before the murder was discovered. A man, about 25 years of age, about five feet nine inches high, with sandy hair, short whi,kcrs, and sbabinly dressed, apparently an Irishman, from his accent, applied in the town to have some guineas, which he had in a dirty bag, changed for sovereigns, and was refused. his description is forwarded to all the neigbouring 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 Langtrey. A jury is now sitting, and expresses have been sent with bills, offering the above reward, to every part ; and it is to be hoped, from the activity of our police, the murderer will not long remain unapprehended.  Earl Gower gave a grand dinner to the Duke of Cumberland, on Monday, at his residence in Hamilton, place. His Royal Highness afterwards honoured the party given by the Netherlands Ambassador, at his residence in Bryanstone -square, with his company.