npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1844-05-29 (London, England)

COLONEL STODDART CAPTAIN CONOLL Y. Captain Grover has received a letter :rom Wolff, dated Meshed, March 24th, IVA, The Doctor strangely enough fell in with aaleh Mahommed, called khoondzadeh, whose statement of what he A said people had told him of the execution of Colonel Stoddart and Captain Conolly was published in all the papers, and on the faith of which, her Majesty's Government erased the name of Lieut.-Colonel Stoddart from the list of the army, and the East India Company that of Brevet Captain Conolly from their list. The latter officer has, however, it appears from the last accounts from India, been promoted to a troop in the 6th Light Cavalry. The Doctor thus. writes : " Saleh Mahommed told me, that the two persons who were put to death, and of whom he gave u circumstantial account to Colonel Shiel, may have )-,een two other persons, and the executioner who te,),d him the story may have belied him. Besides t„)':',s, I must confess that two things are suspicion,, to me in the extreme : he, first of all, told me that the executioner who told him the story had beep the executioner of Stoddart; on another day, when I asked him again which of the two executioners had put Stoddart to death, he replied that he did not know. He, more • over, makes a claim upon Colonel Shiel for 120 tomauns, which I have learnt from different quarter* he has received from Major Todd." Dr. Wolff takes presents to the King of Bokhara, to the value of between 500 and 600 gold totntrons ; and he appears to have acquired the good wishes and assistance of all the people with whom he. has been brought in contact. Ho thus relates remarkable circumstance : " I have written a most resPc_ctful letter to the Ameer of Bokhara, which I e:dall deliver myself ; in this letter I remind his I\l'.jesty of the hospitable reception he granted to me, when at Bokhara twelve years ago, and of my boldly having defended him in England, and throughout Europe, when I heard him accused of being the murderer of guests. I also petition his Majesty most humbly to allow me to take back my friends to their native country ; or should they have died on account of some fault committed, to inform me of the nature of their crime, and to permit me to carry their corpses to England, to he *buried by their relations. I gave this letter into tY,e hands of the Sheik at Islam of Meshed, who read it in the mosque of Gowker-Shah, in the presence of 5,000 people there assembled." 1 he Doctor also says : " A caravan arrived here some days ago from Bokhara, and ask whom you please, the invariable answer is—they may be alive, for nobody has seen theta executed; and the Goosh Bekee, or Prime Minister, who for five years was supposed to have been put to death, has suddenly come forth alive and well from prison. " The chief of the caravan of Bokhara, Mul)P.,ll Kereen by name, who leaves that city every /two month; and has a wife there, told me two dais ago, that if any one asserts that he has seen the r,:xecution of the two elchies (ambassadors), he is a 3:iar."
The Sun. — 1844-05-29 (London, England)

COLONEL STODDART AND CAPTAIN CONOLLY.  Captain Grover has received a letter from Dr. Wolff, dated Meshed, March 24th, 1844. The Doctor strangely enough fell in with Saleh Mahommed, called Akhoondzadeh, whose statement of what he said people had told him of the execution of Colonel Stoddart and Captain Conolly was published in all the papers, and on the faith of which, her Majesty's Government erased the name of Lieut.-Colonel Stoddart from the list of the army, and the East India Company that of Brevet Captain Conolly from their list. The latter officer has, however, it appears from the last accounts from India, been promoted to a troop in the 6th Light Cavalry. The Doctor thus writes :  " Saleh Mahommed told me, that the two persona who were put to death, and of whom he gave a circumstantial account to Colonel Shiel, may have been two other persons, and the executioner who told him the story may have belied him. Besides this, I must confess that two things are suspicious to me in the extreme : he, first of all, told me that the executioner who told him the story had been the executioner of Stoddart; on another day, when I asked him again which of the two executioners had put Stoddart to death, he replied that he did not know. He, more • over, makes a claim upon Colonel Shiel for 120 tomauns, which I have learnt from different quarters he has received from Major Todd." Dr. Wolff takes presents to the King of Bokhara, to the value of between 500 and 600 gold tomauns ; and he appears to have acquired the good wishes and assistance of all the people with whom he has been brought in contact. Ile thus relates a remarkable circumstance :  " I have written a most respectful letter to the Ameer of Bokhara, which I shall deliver m/self ; in this letter I remind his Majesty of the hospitable reception he granted to me, when at Bokhara twelve years ago, and of my boldly having defended him in England, and throughout Europe, when I heard him accused of being the murderer of guests. I also petition his Majesty most humbly to allow me to take back my friends to their native country ; or should they have died on account of some fault •committed, to inform me of the nature of their crime, and to permit me to carry their corpses to England, to be buried by their relations. I gave this letter into the hands of the Sheik at Islam of Meshed, who read it in the mosque of Gowker-Shah, in the presence of 5,000 people there assembled." The Doctor also says : " A caravan arrived here some days ago from Bokhara, and ask whom you please, the invariable answer is—they may be alive, for nobody has seen them executed ; and the Goosh Bekee, or Prime Minister, who for five years was supposed to have been put to death, has suddenly come forth alive and well from prison. " The chief of the caravan of Bokhara, Mullah Kereen by name, who leaves that city every two months, and has a wife there, told me two days ago, that if any one asserts that he has seen the execution of the two elchies (ambassadors), he is a liar."
The Sun. — 1844-01-03 (London, England)

THE POACHERS UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH. Although we are not of the- number of those who consider the infliction of the last penalty of the law to be either unje4 or inexpedient in cases of murder, yet we cannot refrain from expressing a hope that the awful punishment of death will got he inflicte on all the wretched men convicted of the murder of Lord Derby's gamekeeper. They are all, it is true, squall' guilty in the eye of the law, and those of them who did not 6,r the fatal shot are only a shade less guilty, even viewing the subject morally, than he who did ; but there is a shade of diP ference in their cases, and we trust that whilst none of them ell allowed to escape without severe punishment, the last peat,' of the law will only be inflicted on him who was the reurderet in act as well as in intention.  It is not merely on the ground of humanity, but also on tbSt of policy, that we consider that it would not be desirable to ii ilia the punishment of;death on the whole of these five met The difficulty of inducing juries to convict in such cases already very great, and if they should all be punished with death, their execution will produce a feeling of horror in 01 public mind which will give impunity to succeeding gangs !, poachers .for a considerable time, whatever crimes they in°, commit. We well remember attending the trial of twelve 0r fourteen poachers at the York assizes, several years ago, "sheev hanging was much more in fashion than it is now. They were all charged with having murdered one of the gamekeepey of Sir George Armytage, of Kirklees-hall, near lior dersfield, and all of whom were by the clearest el dente shown to have been present at the affray in whiff: he was killed. After the case had been brougll home to every one of the prisoners, and after the Judge bad laid down the law declaring that all present at the affray s° resisting the gamekeepers, were equally guilty with the j 350 who beat out his brains with the butt end of his gun, the retired, and after remaining out of Court the greater part 0 the night, came back and declared the whole of the prisoner* Not Guilty. This verdict was given in direct defiance of the evidence, and it was the general opinion in Court that tt would never have been returned if it had not been known that the Judge was a stern and inflexible man, quite capable leaving every one of the prisoners to be hung if they were convicted. The more humane spirit in which the law has been administered for the last dozen years has greatly diminished this unwillingness to convict, but anything like a wholessl: hanging will revive it with a greater force than ever, and render it, if not impossible, at least most difficult to conviv in luture.—Liverpool Times.  ST. PANCRAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS All
The Sun. — 1844-09-18 (London, England)

CLERKEIVW E L L. MOST EXTRAORDINARY AND MYSTERIOUS CASE.— A fashionably attired man, who described himself on the police-sheet as Francis Drake, Esq., architect, 26, Penton-place, Clerkenwell, was charged with extorting money from Mr. William Hoyte, a dairyman, residing at 64, White Lion-street, Pentonville, on a threat that he would charge him with the murder of his own illegitimate child. Inspector Thatcher said that the prisoner had given a false address. He lived at 41, Kenton-street, Brunswick-square. Mr. Iloyte was then placed in the witness-box. He trembled violently, and seemed to regard the prisoner with feelings of terror. It appeared from his statement, which was most incoherent and confused, that he became acquainted with the prisoner five years ago, by his being served with milk from witness's establishment. A girl named Harriette Ramsay accused him with being the father of her child. Being in great fear that his wife would hear of it, he went to the prisoner, and sought his advice. The prisoner drew up an agreement, to be signed by the woman and by him (Hoyte), the former guaranteeing not to annoy him in future, and the latter promising to allow her Bs. as a weekly allowance for the maintenance of the child. Soon after this the prisoner asked him for the loan of some money ; he lent it to him. The prisoner continued these requests. Witness at length refused, and then, and almost daily since, prisoner threatened that he would acquaint his wife with the whole matter ; under the influence of these threats he gave him money, sometimes 2/. a week. The prisoner met him generally twice a day, and using this threat obtained sums varying from 4s. to 65., and sometimes more. The child died about two years and a half ago, and since that period the prisoner repeatedly declared that he would bring him before a magistrate for making away with the child. 'Witness was greatly terrified at this, fearing that he would be disgraced before his large family and all his friends. He must have given the prisoner between 50/. and 1001. On Friday last the prisoner met him again, and declared he would bring him before a magistrate for making away with the child, unless he gave him money.' 'Witness gave it to him. On Monday the prisoner used the same threat, but was refused, witness saying he had told all to his wife. On the previous night the prisoner came to his house, and having seen Mrs. Hoyte, told her all, and said he would settle the affair for 31., but she gave him into custody. The solicitor's clerk said that the prisoner never gave a farthing of all the money he had received to the mother of the child, who had never seen him. Mr. BROUGHTON said it was a most extraordinary case, and required the fullest investigation. On the whole he felt it his duty to remand the case until Friday next, and could not accept of bail t' a less amount than 1501. in the whole, to answer for his appearance. The requisite bail not being forthcoming, the prisoner was committed.
The Sun. — 1844-09-18 (London, England)

CLERKENWELL.  MOST EXTRAORDINARY AND MYSTERIOUS CASE.— A fashionably attired man, who described himself on the police-sheet as Francis Drake, Esq., architect, 26, Penton-place, Clerkenwell, was charged with extorting money from Mr. William Hoyte, a dairyman, residing at 64, White Lion-street, Pentonville, on a threat that he would charge him with the murder of his own illegitimate child. Inspector Thatcher said that the prisoner had given a false ,at 41, Kenton-street, Brunswick-square.ddrese' He li9 Mr. Hoyte was then placed in the witness-box. He trembled violently, and 'seemed to regard the aTGI prisoner with feelings of terror. It appeared from his statement, which was most incoherent and confused, that he became acquainted with the prisoner five years ago, by his being served with milk from witness's establishment. A girl named Harriette Ramsay accused him with being the father of her child. Being in great fear that his wife would hear of it, he went to the prisoner, and sought his advice. The prisoner drew up an agreement, to be signed by the woman and by him (Hoyte), the former guaranteeing not t. annoy him in future, and the latter promising to allow her Bs. as a weekly allowance for the maintenance of the child. Soon after this the prisoner asked him prisoner continued these requests. Witness at length rfoarfutaheed,loaan of ndtshoemn,e and dalmost daily since, prisoner money; he lent it to him. The threatened that he would acquaint his wife with tke whole matter ; under the influence of these threats he gave him money, sometimes 21. a week. The prisoner met him generally twice a day, and using this threat obtained sums varying from 4s. to 65., and sometimes more. The child died about two years and a half ago, and since that period the prisoner repeatedly declared that he would bring him before a magistrate for making away with the child. Witness was greatly terrified at this, fearing that he would be disgraced before his large family and all his friends. the prisoner met him again, and declared he He must have given the prisoner between 501. and 1001. On Friday last would bring him before a magistrate for making away with the child, unless he gave him money. Witness gave it to him. On Monday the prisoner used the same threat, but was On the previous night the prisoner came to his house, and having seen Mrs. Hoyte, told her all, and said he witness saying he had told all to his wife. refused, would settle the affair for 3/., but she gave him into custody.  The- solicitor's clerk said that the prisoner never gave a farthing of all the money he had received to the mother of the child, who had never seen him. Mr. BROUGHTON said it was a most extraordinary case, and required the fullest investigation. On the it his duty to remand the case until whole he felt Friday next, and could not accept of bail to a less amount than 150/. in the whole, to answer for his appearance. The requisite bail not being forthcoming, the prisoner was committed. U.11.710N-11A L L. THE ROBBERY By
The Sun. — 1844-01-02 (London, England)

AND POLICE.  At the Stafford Assizes on the 30th ult., Samuel Fellows, aged 19, Robert Purslow, 21, John Perry, 18, and Daniel Webb, who were acquitted at a late hour on Thursday night of the murder of Mary Jane Wild, were indicted for assaulting the unfortunate girl, with intent to commit a rape upon her, and found guilty. The Judge Mr. Baron Rolfe, sentenced them to 18 months' imprisonment with hard labour. Joseph Parnell, a respectable-looking man, and by trade a butcher, was indicted in the New Central Criminal Court for marrying Mary Ann Maria Wood, on the 16th of January, 1839, his wife being then and now living. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, with a recommendation to mercy. Mr. Commissioner Bullock said that he would not, for the sake of his children and his wife, to whom he had made some reparation, inflict a long imprisonment. The sentence was imprisonment for three calendar months.  At Queen-square police-court, James Strachan, a well-dressed young man, was committed on a charge of inducing children of a tender age to issue counterfeit coin.  At Marylebone, George Patmore and Robert Jerran, two canal boatmen, were charged with improper conduct towards a married woman between 50 and 60 years of age, and afterwards committing a brutal assault upon her when she remonstrated. The former was ordered to pay a fine of 5/. and the latter 40s. Being unable to pay they were locked up. At Woolwich, a middle-aged man, named Hammond, who has hitherto borne a most irreproachable character in the town of Woobi ich, was charged with stealing pots from licensed victuallers and others. The case excited the greatest interest, from the respectability of the prison?r's friends, and he being the last person to be suspected of carrying on this systematic sort of plunder. He was at the same time charged with attempting to utter counterfeit coin. After several witnesses had given evidence, the Magistrate said was it not from the urgent solicitation of those present to deal leniently with the case, he should decidedly commit him for trial, as it looked like a regular system carried on by him, and little expected as the party. He now should fine him the highest penalty the law allowed, that was 51., in default to be committed to Maidstone gaol. for one month and held labour.  Mr. Broderip, after disposing of the night charges at the Thames Police-office, remarked that the amendment in the habits and manners of the people of the district was very striking. A night of festivity—th going out of the old year and the coming in of the new one—had just taken place, and Sunday had also intervened, but there were only four cases of drunkenness ; none of them were attended w ith violence and disorder, and they were of the ordinary description. It was a great amendment indeed. The district to which the Magistrate referred comprises 'a population of 100,000 persons, including Shadwell, Limehouse, Poplar, and St. George'sin-the-East, where sailors most do congregate.
The Sun. — 1844-04-02 (London, England)

INQUEST. Mr. Wakley, M.P. the Coroner for Middlesex, having appointed the inquest on the body of the female murdered on Saturday by her husband, to be held yesterday morning at nine o'clock, at the Three Compasses,:Little Marylebone• street, a great crowd of persons assembled from an early hour in front of the premises, anxious to have a look at the murderer, as it was well known that the Coroner had determined on his being present during the proceedings. This morning, shortly before ten, at which time, for the better convenience of jurors, the inquest had been ultimately fixed, the wretched prisoner was conve •yed in a cab, in the custody of Inspector l'edman of the D division, and accompanied by Mr. Joseph, surgeon, of Great Marylebone-street, from the St. Marylebone Infirmary to the place appointed for the holding of the inquest. lithewaasPP:h raliccoens iodef rathil prisoner difficulty wasthatt a he signal for a yell of the most frightful character from the assembled mob, and posse of police was enabled to protect him. Mr. Wakley M.P., and Mr. J. G. Mills, his deputy, having arrived, the jurors were sworn in, . and the first witness called was Mary 'Lynes—l am a married woman, residing at No. 4, Little Marylebone-street, where the body of the deceased at present lies. On Saturday evening last, a few minutes before seven o'clock; I was scrubbing down the stairs, when William Crouch, the deceased's husband, came up, and said to me, " Is my mis Bus up stairs?" I said that she was. He then went up into my room, on the first attic, where she was nursing-her baby, and singing to it. The instant he went in she ceased singing. I was at the time only some three or four steps from the stair, and I heard my little girl, who was also in the room, scream out, e Oh, mother, mother, he has cut her neck." I ran up stairs, and saw Crouch standing at the door wiping a razor with a bit of rag. When I got inside the room I found Mrs. Crouch sitting on a stool, with her head leaning against the side of my.door, and her throat cut. I said to Crouch, • ' -- ob-, you villain, get out of the room ;" to which he replied, " If one man is not sufficient for her twenty is not." Deceased never moved nor spoke after. I ran down stairs and called Mrs. Mayhew, another lodger, and at the same, time Crouch passed me and ran out. I rushed down stairs after him, and found that he had reached the corner of Chesterfield-street. Mr. Davies, my landlord, followed him, and caught him in that street. On his being given into custody he was brought back to my room. He then asked, "Is she dead ?" and I said, " Oh, you villain." I did not see the razor then, and Crouch on being questioned said he had thrown it away. Mr. Joseph, surgeon, was sent for, and the prisoner was taken away. By the
The Sun. — 1844-12-04 (London, England)

TULLAMORE, DEC. I.—With feelings of poignant regret I have to announce to you the shocking murders of two human beings, brothers, named Thomas and William Sheppard, on the lands of Coolfin, barony of Ballyboy, in this county, about two miles on the mountain side of Frankford. The particulars of the sad circumstance, as gathered from the evidence of a surviving brother at the inquest held yesterday upon the scene of the catastrophe, are in substance as follow:  A family named Daly heretofore held a small farm, about twenty-four acres, on the lands of Coolfin, but, getting into arrear, they were ejected for nonpayment of rent, when Ambrose, Thomas, and William Sheppard (three brothers), got into treaty with the sub-agent, Mr. Fawcett, near Tullamore, for the farm. The negotiation getting publicity, a threatening notice was served at their then residence, Derrycooly, near Rahan, in this county. The Sheppards, no way daunted, got into the occupation in the latter end of August last, when another notice was also served at the said place, vowing death and destruction to them should they persevere. They still treated these notices with indifference, at the same time using, as they thought, all due caution (having the house on the lands on which they then lived at Coolfin well fortified against danger, baying plenty of fire-arms, with a supply of ammunition, and a fire-proof room erected therein, in which they nightlylay). Things latterly seeming to wear a friendly aspect, Ambrose weakened the garrison by quitting the place a few days ago for Derrycooly, to bring up his wife, family, and furniture, and on his return on Friday evening last, seeing their horse walking about the place with his tackling on him, and neither of his brothers appearing, he was much astonished, and going to the door he found it partly shut; he pushed in the door and called his brothers,from neither of whom he received an answer. He immediately ran into Frankford to alarm the police, who quickly repaired to the spot with him, and, on searching the house insid they found Thomas dead, with his head broken int Pi  Leces, and the brain escaping ! They then made e search about the place for William, but it proved a fruitless one, owing to the darkness of the night. They stopped there till morning, and when the daylight appeared they found William lying in a field, near the house, with his head equally broken, and the brain also escaping ! No other evidence calculated to throw" further light on the dreadful occurrence was obtained. It is supposed that the unfortunate men were murdered while at their work on Friday morning, as, from the caution they observed at night, it could not have occurred then without loss of life to the assailants; besides the horse being tackled, is another proof of the deed having been done in the day; and it is supposed that Thomas, on the attack, ran towards the house for the arms, and that William's retreat was cut off from it. No alarm was made until the brother's return, and the farm, too, is in an elevated position.