THE CRUMP MURDER

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43099, 1 June 1907, Page 4

THE CRUMP MURDER

Mr W. ißeehan, M.L.C., who was personally acquainted with Mr John Langford Crump, charged with murder at Southsea, says that the accused was a nephew of the late Dr. Crump, an eminent surgeon, but eccentric in habits. When Dr. Crump died about thirty years ago, he left his fortune, believed to be about £40,000* cash besides landed properties, to John Langford Crump, who was the doctors nephew. He early developed a roving disposition and was many times at. siea as an ordinary sailor, and for many years followed mining in various centres. Crump often related his troubles about his uncle’s will. He has been brooding over the - matter for the past twenty seven years. Crump said that busy-bodies in Auckland who sent letters home had a great deal to do with prejudicing- him in the doctor’s eyes. Though absolutely next of kin instead of being well provided he was only Left a matter of £l5O. Hie was debarred in the deed from going to the Old Country. John Crump married here a widow lady of very ■ good family, from Home. She had a number of children by the first husband. Two sons were born to Crump. One of these is still living. Crump mentioned to Mr Beehan that Mrs Moriarty Was certain to provide in her will for this son. Crump disregarded the terms of the Will and went Home several times to try to unset it, but invariably failed to get lawvers to take up the case and was unsuccessful in his designs: Crump' was la good-hearted man but of violent temper if put out, and was easily upset.