THE SOUTHSEA MURDER

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13298, 29 May 1907, Page 5

THE SOUTHSEA MURDER

ENQUIRIES AT HOBART,

Presa Association-By Telegraph-Copyright HOBART. May 28.

In connection with ths Crumps murder it is significant tbat some time ago enquiries were made at the registry office in the name of J.- Langford, from Auckland in regard to the marriage of Moriarty.

CRUMPE'S HISTORY.

Per Press Association,

AUCKLAND, May 28.

The Hon. W. Beehan, M.L.C., -who was personally acquainted with John Langford Crumpe, who is charged with the murder at Southsea." says that, accused was' a nephew of tha late Dr Crumpe, an eminent surgeon. He was eccentric in his habits. When Dr Crumpe died about thirty years ago, he left a fortune, believed •to be about £40.000 in cash, besides landed properties. John Langford Grumpe was the doctor's n6phew. He early developed a roving disposition, and. was many times at sea as an ordinary sailor, and for many years he followed mining in various centres. Crumpe often related his troubles about his uncle's will. He has been brooding over tha matter for the past twenty-seven years. Crump? said that busybodies in Auckland sent letters Home which had a great deal to do with prejudicing him in the doctor's eyes. He was absolutely the next of lcin, and instead of being well provided for, he was left a matter of £l5O, and was debarred in tha deed from going to the Old Country. John Crumpe married here a widow of very good family. She had a number of children by her first husband, and two sons were born to 'Crumpe. One of these is still living. Crumpe mentioned • to Beehan that Mrs Moriartv wps certain to provide in her will for this son. Crumpe disregarded the terms of the will, - and went Home several time 3 to try and upseh it. He invariablv failed to sr-el" the. lawyers to take up the case, and was unsucencsful in his designs. He was a good hearted man, but of violent temper if put cu;, and was ea'ilv upset-.