The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1869-10-30 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

MYSTERIOUS MURDER OF TWO LADIES IN BRUSSELS. The city of Brussels, which has long been happily free from crimes of a heinous character, has just become the scene of a barbarous murder, the vistims being two ladies named Vandepoel, who resided in one of the busiest thoroughfares of the city. Since the death of an only son a few months ago Madame Vandepoel and her daughter have resided alone in a large house in the Rue de Brabant, the street in which the arrival side of the Northern Railway station is situated. They have always been very reserved, hence their neighbours have had little inter. course with them and seen little of their movements. They possessed considerable property, but it is stated that they did not keep ranch money in the house. On the 17th instant, a relative called at the house, but found it closed and the word "absent "placed on the door. He called again twice during the week, and finding this unusual notice still on the door, and being unable to affect an entrance, his suspicions were aroused, and he communicated with the police. On Wednesday I evening the premises were forcibly entered, when both the ladies were found in one of the lower apartments dreadfully bruised by some blunt, heavy instrument like a hammer, and having been apparently dead several days. The elder lady, who was more than eighty years of age, was on a sofa, her head beaten in, and ber daughter, aged thirty-six, was in a pool of blood on the floor, her skull fractured in the same way. There seems to be an absence of motive for the crime, as the appearance of the house bears no indication of having been plundered, much portable property of value being undisturbed. In all probability the horrid tragedy was enacted on Thursday night, Ha the daily newspapers to which the ladies subscribed were lying in the lobby, having been placed under the door, and dating from Friday morning. The deceased had apparently partaken of supper, as the remains were on the table with a lamp, which had burnt out. It is probable that access to the house had been obtained through the garden, which adj,6ns the railway. The neighbours heard no noise or cries on the night of the murder. The authorities are endeavouring to unravel the mystery, and the premises are in possession of the police. Large crowds of spectators visit the scene of the tragedy. The further accounts received make it more myste rious than ever. Two examining magistrates have visited the house throughout, and from the fact of a sum of 500 f. in coin being found in an unlocked desk, as I well as securities payable to bearer for a considerable amount in a cupboard, the key of which was in the lock, robbery does not appear to have been the motive for the crime. A sketch of the positions in which the ladies were found was taken before the removal of the ie.. Seals were placed on the doors of the house, wide?. is guarded by gendarmes. Six weeks ago Mmes. Vanderpoel were paying a visit to Madame S., &friend of thiers, and the youngm iias complaining that they could not keep a servant, and relating that she had recently dismissed a woman who bad told her mother that she would eertsinly some day kill her, and that the old lady should die only by her hand.  Later advices say that it is now clear that the in- i citing motive to the commission of the dreadful crime Wahl plunder. It was not usual for the deceased ladies to retain large sums of money in the house ; but a few days ago Madame Van de Poel, went to her notary, and complaining of the small interest which her invest