npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Northern Daily Times. — 1857-05-19 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

NIURDER.—At the W etshio-street Police office, London, on Sature,y, Themes Andrews wa., brought up on remand, charged wile attempting to murder Letti,a D dton, a youne woman, ninecen years of aee, and living with her parents in Dive-row, B:tional-Breen. Charles Hodtees said : I ain a eotman in the Acorn public house, in Great Cambridge-street. About five minutes past el yen o'clock, on Wedne,:day night lest. I was rear. \largiret-street bridge, aml saw the prisoner and Louisa Dolton, whom I slightly knew. She was standing a few feet from him, and face to face, Kr hack towards C am. brdge-STreEt I stopped a 'ew seconds, and then I saw a flash and heard a report, but could not see which hand pteener ex ended at he fired, or how he fired it. He appeared to hold it towards Cambridge-street. The young woman fell instantly, and prisener ran off a few p ices, then re urned, picked her up, and said, " was all your own fault that has brought me to this." He kissed her, and I said, " lily God, you have killed the woman." Prisoner then put his hand on her be d, and exclaimed, "My God, it is wet," then he dropped her, and ran off hastily. I followed, but he turned round, end with something I to .k to be a knife, called not, " I will give you, something if you come near me " The accused now denied that any bullet had been used, and insisted that he only meant to frighten her. Fully committed for trial, and hail refused. FRIO HTEtL ACCIDENT ON TRH SHREWSBURY AND HEREFORD RaILWAY.—OI Thursday, about noon. an accident of a :tearful nature occurred upon the above line, at thelele'shbrook station, eboet fifteen miles from Shrewsbury, whereby a man and woman lost their lives. At this station is a level crossing on to the turnpike road leading to Church Stretton, at which place a pleasure fair was being held. Among the perons who were waiting to cross was an old woman, natne.d Bright. who was very deaf. Just before the express train (tame up, and which train does not stop at Mershbrook, she attempted to cross. While on the line the train came dashing along ; the driver sounded the alarm signet, but she appeared not to hear it, es she pr. emded hisurelv. Seeing her imminent danger, a labourer on the line, a fine youtig fellow, named Williams, rushed forward and attempted to drag her out of the way of the speeding train. His gallant and humane effort was without avail, for the train dashed upon them, killing both upon the spot. Their remains. were conveyed to the Station Inn, to await the coroner's inquest, On Saturday an inqnest was held at the Railway Million Inn, at Marshboro', near Church Station, on the bodies of Ann Bright, a widow lady, far advanced in years, and Richard Williams, a pla'e layer, who were ltillei' on the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway, und o. the above circumstances. The engine driver was exonerated from any neglect. The verdict was " accidental death." TuaLUNDIIILL
The Northern Daily Times. — 1857-04-14 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A FEMALE.  At the Southwark Police Court on Saturday, Edward Atkins, a tall man. was charged with attempting to murder Elizabeth Firman by cutting her throat with a razor. The prosecutrix, whose face was bandaged, sated that she lived at 2, Union street, Borough road, and she had formerly lived with the prisoner. A short time ago they quarrelled, and he left her. Witness saw nothing mete of him until last Monday, when she met him in the street, and she asked him to come and fetch away his things, which consisted of a writing desk and dressing ease. Accordingly, on the following morning, about 11 o'clock, the prisoner came, and as soon as she had admitted him he said, "You don't mean what you say ?" Witness replied that she did, and she would thank him to take his things away, when he picked up a tableknife and made a plunge at her with it. The knife came in contact with the bone of hor stays, which bent the blade. He afterwards caught hold bold of her, and threw her on the bed, and, while holding her down with one hand, he took an open razor with the other, and attempted to cut her thr :at. She put up her hands to prevent him from injuring her, when she received several severe cuts on her tigers. They struggled together several minutes,' when her screams of murder brought a constable into the house, and the prisoner was secured. The left side of her throat was severely cut, and she was still suffering very much. She handed in a medical certificate stating that the wound on her neck was very extensive, and that if erysipelas. ensued it might prove fatal to her. Mr. Combe asked her whether they had any quarrel before he attempted to cut her throat. She replied in the negative. She merely told him to take his thinrrs away, as she wanted to have nothing more to do with him, when he snatched up a table knife and made a plunge at her. She then tried to get away from him, when he caught hold of her, and having thrown her on the bed, he Wel to cut her throat. Police-constable Keith, 474 A, said he was on duty in Union street on the morning in question when he heard a female scream "Murder" mid " Police" in No. 2. He immediately entered and met the complainant running towards him with her throat cut. The prisoner was in the room, and he took him into custody. Its hands were bloody, and there was a quantity of blood on the bed. He took the female immediately to Mr. Smith, the surgeon in Black. friars .road, who sewed up the wound in her throat and strapped it up. At ter that witness went back to the house, and found on the floor an open razor covered with blood, and a table knife much bent. When the complainant recovered her senses, she told him that the prisoner had attempted to eat her throat. The prisoner, when called upon, did not deny the charo, and Mr. Contbe. considering the female was not entirely out of danger, remanded him until Wednesday next.
The Northern Daily Times. — 1857-03-03 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

THE CHINESE WAR.  We have nothing to record that contains promise of a speedy termination of our troubles at Canton. The burning of the foreign factories on the 14th of December has been followed up by various acts and demonstrations, all showing that the quarrel gains in depth and breadth the longer it endures. The capture of the little steamer Thistle, and the murder of all on board, the placards and pro clamations of the neighbouring districts, the pursuit of the steamer Fei Ma, and the formidable attack of a large junk fleet upon the powerful steam squadron before Canton, all prove the increasing hardihood of the enemy, and induce the conclusion, that if ()Ur present means are thoroughly equal to the maintenance of our present position at Canton, they are, at least, insufficient to the attainment of the end originally proposed. Nothing, says the China Mail, can be clearer at the same time, than that to halt now would be to jeopordise, not only our own interests in the south, but the interests of every country trading with China at every point to which we have access. In the course of three months, the local government has been able so to stimulate the anti-barbarian prejudices of the population, that the intercourse between the mainland and Hong Kong may be said to have been all but suspended, while a number of respectable Chinese, directly and indirectly dependent upon us, have been scared home, lest their apparent attachment to the foreigner should involve their friends and relations ; such implication being in China the most common consequence of dissaffection, established or suspected.  The China Mail says that— We here crowed, as is our wont, at the ease and trivial loss with which our men-of-war have destroyed fleets and forts, and we are not now about to pursue the equally English course of desponding and complaining, when we find, that we bad over-estimated the value of our earlier efforts, and miscalculated the resources of the enemy opposed to us. Here, on our own ground, we have enough to keep government and private individuals both on the alert, and we are happy to observe, o❑ the part of both, something like a determination to act in earnest. Beyond our own limits, at all the ports abut Canton, we hear not only of no particular sympathy with the Cantonese, but even of some misgiving lest, as before, the misunderstanding with them should extend itself north. We must not, however, reckon too much on this good feeling. If we allow it to be seen that Canton is more than we can thoroughly manage, we must expect that such evidence will act disadvantageously upon our interests throughout a country, on the border of which we are only tolerated, because its people are persuaded that in war they are no match for us. It becomes hourly more necessary that Canton be dealt with speedily and severely. Our insecurity here, and all minor annoyances, will then probably cease. But, we doubt if all
The Northern Daily Times. — 1857-04-03 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

FRIDAY. APRIL 3, 1857.  THE DAY'S NEW g.  The usual weekly meetings of the Dock and Health Committees were held yesterday, but the proceedings at either were not of the slightest importance. The health of the town is fair. At the Liverpool assizes yesterday, the only-case calling for particular notice was that of Buckham v. the Anchor Insurance Company, tried in the Nisi Priut court. Mr. Buckham, who is a cotton waste dealer in Manchester, had insured his stock in the -company alluded to on the 13th. of April last. • About the middle of May., the premises in which-Mr. Buckham had his goods stored, were burncl doWri. The Company refused 'to pay the amount of the insurance ; they, along, with other insuranee companies, offering a composition The plaidtareftiSed this, and sued the defendants for their share of the insurance, and a verdict was given in his favour.. Atthe Chester Assizes, yesterday, Thomas Smith was placed on his trial for the murder of William Vaughan, a police 'Officer, at Birkenhead, on, the 23al of December last. The facts of the case will be well remembered by our readers. After the several. witnesses` were examined, the learned judge, Baron. Watson, -charged the jury- much in the prisoner's 'favour, and the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter. Smith has not been sentenced. Another embezzlement by a clerk will be found recorded 'in our pollee news to day.•• • - • • We have full Particulars of the news per the Overland Mail. At Canton great distress prevailed, and rice had gone up in price to 34 dots to 3z dols per picnt . The .pqcin Gdzette to the 6th of Feb. is to hand, but does not contain any allusion to the troubles with foreigners at Canton. The report is correct of an edict having been issued to the high officers of the coast provinces not to interfere with the quarrel at Canton. Yeh is said to have orders to establish peace, but nothing is said of opening. Canton. Dr. Parker, the United States Minister, addressed Yeh, asking him to, allow Americans to remove their property, from Canton. Yeh replied that all -approaches to the city were commanded by the British vessels, and reeommencled that Ainericans, .should remove to the other ports to trade. Alum, the partner, if not the sole proprietor, of the Chinese shop called the Esing 'shop,,had-heen' with nine, others, one of whom was his- father, tried at Hong, Kong on the charge of administering poison with intent to kill and murder James Carroll Dempster, ,colonial surgeon. The Honourable T. Cnishoini Anstey prosecuted. for 'the crown. The trial extended over five days,.and resulted in a verdiet of not guilty, -by- a majority of five jurors to one. Alum and the others were arrested on their leaving the court, under a recent ordonnanee Since then an application has been made, by inter. eated parties, that Alum should' be allowed, to settle his affairs, and then be voluntarily deported.
The Northern Daily Times. — 1857-03-06 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

MURDER OF 4 CHILD BY ITS FATHER.  At the Reading Assizes, on Wednesday, Chas, Forrester, aged 36, was indicted for the wilful murder of his infant son, Samuel Forrester, on the 14th. of November last, ha the parish of Wokingham, in Berkshire. From the evidence adduced, it appeared that the prisoner originally was a tailor by trade, but being rather of a religious turn of mind, he was sent to the training institution, at Bedford, in the year 1853, preparatory to his being employed as a home missiona,y. In the month of May, 1855, he was engaged by Mrs. Saltmarsh, a lady of religious and bene— volent disposition, living at Bill Hill, near the town of Wokingham, as a scripture reader, to visit the poor at their cottages, to read and expound the scriptures to them, and to preach at a chapel in the neighbourhood, every Sunday. He continued to perform such duties for about twelve months, when MrS. Saltmarsh, observing something rather eccentric in his manner, and that his mental powers were not such as to qualify him for the post he was occupying, gave him a notice of three months to find some other occupation. The wife of the prisoner was induced to open a shop for the sale of groceries at g place called Ernbrook, and was assisted in that object by Mrs. Saltmarsh, and the sympathy of the neighbours was such that she soon got a good e.annection. ImMediaiely upen the prisoner (whose health had been declining), ceasing the duties of home missionary, he was removed' to the Consumption Hospitil, at Brompton, in Middlesex., and remained there till towards the end of the month of October. He returned home on the 10th of November, and his-wife and neighbours observed him to be suffering from great mental depression. On the morning of the' 14th his wife rose soon after seven o'clock, leaving him and the little boy in bed. In less than an hour afterwards, he came down stairs, and immediately proceeded out of doors, but his wife, supposing him to have gone into the garden, took no notice at first. His long absence, how.. ever, occasioned surprise, and Mrs. Forrester went upstairs into the bedroom, where sh 2 saw her only child, a boy about Dire years of ace, quite dead on the bed, his head being nearly getered from the body. The prisoner, immediately upon doing this, went to the police station at Wokingham, and there gave himself into custody, saying that he bad murdered his boy. Mr. Huddlestone, in his address to the jury for the prisoner, remarked that he was prepared to show that for years previous the prisoner had shown an ecKettricity of conduct which could not fait to lead to the irresistiOe conclusion that the prisoner was insane at the time he deprived the child of life. After evidence to this effect had been i:iven, the learned Judge summed up, expressing the opinLon that proof was positive of the act being done in a momei.l when deprived of reason. The jury almost immediately returned & verdict of " not guilty" on the ground of insanit;'' Ilis lordship ordered the prisoner to be detained during rher Majesty's pleasure.
The Northern Daily Times. — 1857-01-21 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

ANOTHER ATTEMPTED MURDER.  At the Southwark police court, on Monday, William Edward Phillis, a shoemaker, was brought before Mr. Bur= cham for final examination, charged with attempting to murder William Apps, an umbrella maker, residing at No. 2, Hatch row, Broadwall, Lambeth, by striking him on the head with a heavy shoemaker's Jammer. The prisoner bas been in custody since Saturday evening, the 13th of December, he having been remanded from time to time owing to the severe illness of the prosecutor, who was unable to at'end until to.day. He was considered for some time in a dangerous state. The prosecutor, who as led into court by the constable and his wife, had his head and eyes bandaged up, and he was so weak that he was seated at the table during the time he gave his evidence. Having entirely lost the sight of his left eye and partially that of his right, he had some difficulty in recognising the prisoner. On being sworn, he said that he had known him some years as a neighbour, living at No. 4, in the same row. About nine months ago he had some words with him, and had not' spoken to him until Saturday afternoon, the 13th of December, when he heard that be had ill used his wife, owing as he said to something he had spoken derogatory to her character. Witness had not done so, and he was vexed that the prisoner should beat his wife on that account, especially as he never spoke to her, that he determined to to go and speak to the prisoner, so as to prevent any further ill usage. Witness accordingly went to the prisoner's house and spoke to him about it in a friendly manner, when he took up a large hammer, and stood with his back to the partition, Witness's wife then came up and asked him to come away, when the prisoner suddenly struck him on the left eye with the hammer. When he did so he said, " take that you bb -." Witness fell down covered with blood, and he lost his senses. He was put to bed, and attended at his own house up to the present time by Dr. Jones, who now recommended him to go to Guy's Hospital, as he had entirely lost the sight of his left eye, and would most likely lose the sight of the • other. In fact he was in such a state that he did not think he could recover. Dr. Jones c.uld do nothing more for him. Mr. Burcham : What part of the hammer did he strike you with Complainant : With the thick flat end, sir. Had it been the other end it must have cut the eye out and stuck in his head. Mr. Burcham to the prisoner : Have you any questions to ask 'the complainant? Prisoner :We have been at variance some time about some keys, and he came into my house and aggravated me. Mr. Burcham to the prosecutor : Did you aggravate him to strike you ? Prosecutor : No, sir;" I merely went to tell him that I never had said anything about his wife, as I knew he ill used her. Prisoner . Well, lam very sorry for it now. Mr. Burcham fully committed him to Newgate for trial, and the witnesses were bound over to prosecute.
The Northern Daily Times. — 1857-01-03 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

CHARGE OF MURDER ON 7HE HIGH SEAS.  At Plymouth Guildhall, on Tuesday, Hugh Orr, a robust looking man, was charged with causing the death of Edward de Burgh on tho high seas, on the 3rd of July. Mr. Kelly appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Edmonds for the defence. Mr. Kelly stated the facts of the case, observing that the prisoner was the master, and part owner, of the ship Hannah and and Jane: In the early part of the year (185 G) the vessel left Newcastle, bound for the Cape de Verd Wands and Rio Janeiro, and from thence 'back to the first mentioned port. De Burgh shipped at Newcastle as the cook and steward of the ship, and sailed in her up to the 3rd of July, when he died. There was, however, no official entry in the log stating the cause of death ; but, on looking over it, he found on the 4th of June Orr became displeased with De Burgh, and he was fined 43 10s for• insolence and waste of provisions; and betweel. that date and the 4th of July there was also a large numbet of entries and fines, the latter amounting in all to £45. There was also the following entry in the leg, dated 3rd of July, and signed by the master :—" Th cook is in the sulks ; will not do anything, 7.30 a.m. 3rd July, the mate and crew told me he was dead. I gave orders to lay him on the deck, in the heat of the sun, to see if he was really dead. Got a looking glass to try if he could but steam the glass, that I might really know if he was dead. Found the glass not anything stained , however, I gave'orders to let him lie until afternoon, so that I could make sure about it. At one p.m. he was sown up and buried, and all his effects thrown overboard, being in a dirty state." Mr. Kelly then asked for a remand of the case, on that ground that he was not prepared for the investigation, as he had no time to examine the men who were to be brought for— ward as witnesses. Mr. Johns, the shipping master, said : Rearing of the death of one of the crew of the vessel, he made enquiries, and believing there was a doubt as to whether he ha l died by fair means, and as there was no entry in the log book of the disease he died of, which entry was required by law, communicated with the Board of Trade, who immediately ordered him to have the prisoner apprehended. Mr. Edmon, objected to the remand. The case was not brought forward. Queenstown, where the vessel lay nine days; but now, whet the crew were being fined, and certain deductions made fro their wages, they came forward with the statement whit threw his client into prison. In reply to the Bench, Mr. JohLt said he was of opinion the deceased had died of foul play. TL? case was then adjourned.
The Northern Daily Times. — 1857-01-02 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

DREADFUL MURDER LV BUC ZS.  On Tuesday evening the usually quiet village of Wing was thrown into the greatest state of excitement by the report that a most deliberate murder had been perpetrated at Littleworth, in the parish cf Wing, by a highly respectable widow lady. aged 66 years ; and what makes it appear worse is, that it was her own granddaughter who was the victim. From what we could lear❑ of the case, it appears that the murderess's name is Maria Beckett, widow of the late Jonathan Becket, a brewer, residing at Littleworth. At the time of hie death, two years ago, he left his property and business to his son Jerry, for him to provide a home and maintenance for his mother. Siece then, up to a few weeks ago, she has remained with her son and his family (he carrying on the businesses of brewer, butcher, and grocer), receiving an allowance of twelve shillings per week. A few weeks back she left her sou's residence, and went to live with a married daughter, of the name of Bowden, still in the same place. On Tuesday, about three o'clock, she left Bowden's house, and went to her son's. On her arrival the son's wife asked her how she did, and if she was come to see them. She replied, " I have not been here since the shop has been altered" (meaning the grocer's shop). Site then went into the house, and sat down, and said, "I have come to see you, but not on a very pleasant errand (site then closed the parlour door, where some tradesmen were at work), for I have come to kill you all." Tile son's wife made answer, " Don't say so mother." She replied, " Oh, I must do it ; I am mad, and the devil tempts me to do it, and he has given me a razor on purpose." She then, without a moment's hesitation, took a razor from her pocket, opened it, caught hold of the son's wife round the shoulders, and attempted to kill her. The daughter called out for assistance, and several workmen rushed into the house and took the razor out of Mrs. Becket's hand. Being thus foiled in her attempt here, she at once ran out of tho house into Bowden's, took up a knife, proceeded to the cradle where Mrs. Bowden's baby, eleve❑ mouths old, was asleep, and cut the child's throat in such a frightfnl manner that it expired almost instantly. Mrs. Bowden being up stairs, on hearing the child scream ran down, and there she found her baby weltering in its blood. Information was at once given to the proper authorities and the wretched woman was secured, and now remains i❑ custody to await the coroner's inquest, which will be held to morrow (Thursday). No motive can be assigned for this rash act, as it has been always remarked that the greatest amount of friendship and kindness appeared to exist between all the members of the family.