Star. — 1829-03-04 (London, England)

HORRID MURDER.  PORTSMOUTH, MARCH 2.—A most atrocious and sanguinely murder was perpetrated in this town last evening (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. Langtrey, 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 answer 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 orInnate 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, containing some tea and table spoons, five half sovertigns, five half guineas, and some deeds; upon the bed alongside was found a silver cream jug, the whole evidently betraying that the assassins were distu•bed when separating 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 particularly distinguished by his having the stick tightly grasped in his right hand. The attack was most probably 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 hammer, which was found clotted with blood. Mr. Langtrey 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.