A septuagenarian man, identified as John Langford Crumpe, was arrested in connection with the death of an elderly widow, Mrs. Crumpe, under distressing circumstances at her residence in St. Ronan’s-road, Southsea. The incident unfolded when Mrs. Crumpe, widow of a Tasmanian barrister named Moriarty, inherited a substantial property in Limerick. The deceased, who had assumed the Crumpe name, resided in Southsea after her husband’s demise and eventually took over the Limerick estate.
The tragic event occurred when Mrs. Crumpe received a visitor, believed to be a cousin of her late husband, at her home. Shortly after the visitor’s arrival, the household was startled by the sound of a gunshot. Upon investigation, Mrs. Crumpe was discovered dead with a gunshot wound to the chest, and the man had left the premises. The suspect then entered a nearby refreshment house, where he consumed a bottle of claret before proceeding to the police station. It was there that he made a statement leading to his subsequent arrest.
The arrested man, aged seventy-five, had recently arrived in Portsmouth from Australia, having stayed in Church-street, Landport. His feeble health was noted, and he had been observed walking about his room throughout the night. On the day of the incident, he hired a cab to reach Cromwell House, where Mrs. Crumpe resided. Due to his frailty, he needed assistance getting out of the vehicle. After knocking on the door and being ushered into the breakfast room, the fatal shot was heard.
During the court appearance in Portsmouth, where the suspect was charged with murder, it was revealed that he had obtained the necessary authorization to purchase a revolver on May 16. The legal proceedings concluded with the suspect being remanded.
The tragedy has a historical connection to Limerick, as Mrs. Crumpe inherited substantial property in the region following her husband’s passing. The circumstances surrounding the incident raise questions about the relationship between the deceased and the arrested relative, shedding light on the complexities within the Crumpe family history.
In other news, tomorrow’s engagements include the visit of Prince Fushimi to Portsmouth, the Federal Conference on Education with Lord Crewe presiding, and the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association’s 22nd annual meeting. Additionally, various events such as the Linnean Society’s anniversary meeting, Queen’s College annual gathering, and the Royal Institution’s lecture by Professor J. A. Fleming on “Recent Contributions to Electrical Science” are scheduled throughout the day.
As the community awaits further developments in the legal proceedings, the tragic incident involving the elderly widow and her relative has cast a sombre shadow over the historical ties to Limerick, adding a poignant chapter to the local narrative.
Pall Mall Gazette – Thursday 23 May 1907
