npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Miner. — 1863-03-14 (London, England)

LANGIEWICZ." The proclamation has produced a prodigious effect.  The Czas of the 4th says : " The murders and cruelties of the Russians exceed all idea. The Cossacks, when returning from the expedition to the village of Flabogora, near Miava, attacked the Chateau de Debsk. M. Kanigowski, who was on a visit to his neighbour the proprietor of the above-named chateau, having shown himself on the balconywhile the troops were approaching, the soldiers, observing that he wore a gold chain, killed and robbed him. The Russian Government is endeavouring to deceive Europe with false despatches, which represent the insurrection as completely suppressed, whilst in reality it is increasing and becoming more general. Each defeat is followed by the creation of fresh bodies of insurgents, who precipitate themselves upon the enemy with an enthusiasm and a contempt of death worthy of the first Christians. The murder, pillage, fire, and ill-treatment which are the constant proceedings of the Russians towards the Poles, far from inspiring terror among the population, seem on the contrary to still farther excite tho courage of the nation. Their most evident result is to augment the legions of despair."  The well-known French writer, Edgar Quinet, has addressed the following letter to the Roman Catholic ' priesthood : "I witnessed the resurrection of Greece, of Italy, of Romania; I pray Heaven that it will yet permit me to see that of Poland. This resurrection depends especially on the catholic clergy. Too long has it justified me in accusing it of repressing modern right and ranging itself on the side of the strongest. I now entreat it to refute me, and I say to it, with clasped hands, "You have a solemn, unique opportunity, not only of closing our mouths, but of compelling us to return you thanks. Profit by it. It was you who in the last century struck down the heart of Poland, and thereby caused its ruin. Undo that. You can do this better than anyone else. Bring back to life this corpse, call forth this Lazarus, and we shall be compelled to bless you. It is true that I do not ask of you simply words collections, remote sermons, in the walls of the church. I ask you for that in which you are so rich when you choose—for acts. You have a hundred times had acts for despotism; have one for liberty. You knew how to make a Vendee against revolution; make a Polish  Vendee. Remember what you have been able to do for the cause of the past. Arm yourselves withthe same weapons for the cause of the future. Crush us with your victory. I call for it, I salute it, Twill recognise it. Take the cross; march at the head. Let your tocsin sound from the top of St. Peter's at Rome. Let it be heard from the vistula to the Niemen, in every village of Poland. Let a whole people at this signal leave its fields and be free— be free through you. To you shall remain the honour—to you the power. You will have obtained two things—you will have the glory of having saved a nation and of having dispelled the illusions of your adversaries. It will be shown that the force which you have exerted to compress, you possess also for setting free." E.
The Miner. — 1863-03-28 (London, England)

THE EXECUTION OF THE OXFORD MURDERER.  Noah Austen was executed on Tuesday, in front of Oxford Castle, having been convicted of the wilful murder of James Allen, at Heyford. Last week, the criminal, in the condemned cell at Oxford Castle, made a voluntary confession in presence of the Rev. Philip Wynter, DD., the visiting justice. He said :--" I did not buy the pistol with the intention of shooting Mr. Allen. On Wednesday, the 11th of Feb., Mr. Allen had behaved ill to his daughter by turning her out of doors. She sent for me on the following morning, and after telling me of his treatment, said she wished some accident would happen to him. I said 'I will see, but we shall be found out.' She said, Oh, no, we shall not; be sure you come down in the evening, and we will arrange it.' My impression was that she wished her father to be got rid of. I went to the mill again on Thursday evening and saw Miss Allen; she again said she wished that something would happen to her father. More words passed between us, but I do not remember exactly what they were. Her father then came in tipsy, and I felt anxious to avoid a quarrel, as when he was iii that state he could not. say anything against me bad enough. I felt sure that Miss Allen wished me to get rid of her father, and I left the mill with the intention of carrying out what I believed to be her wish; but I do not think she knew that I should do so the next day, though I am sure she thought I should do so at SOMA time. I then determined to go to Bicester next day with my father for the purpose. I carried the pistol in my pocket. I could not have done it unless I had had some drink. I went to a strange place in Bicester that I might not be known, either the Nag's Head or the King's Head, and had but two glasses of strong beer. I then returned with Mr. Allen, as stated in the evidence, and when sitting by his side raised the pistol to his cheek and fired the first shot, which caused him at once to fall over the off side of the cart. While he was falling I fired the other shot, and when he was lying on the ground I took the purse out of his pocket. There were only a few shillings in it. I knew he had the £5 note in his breast pocket and the cheque, but I did not want his money. I took the purse to make it appear that he had been robbed as well as murdered. I tied the horse to the gig, as stated in the evidence, and on the way to the mill I placed the pistol in my father's gig, and then went to my sister's room and put the purse in the desk, where it was found by the police. I make this statement to ease the mind of my poor afflicted father, to whom I have caused so much sorrow, and believing there was no hope of forgiveness from Qod without confessing to man that I so grievously injured.'
The Miner. — 1863-05-09 (London, England)

BRUTAL MURDER OF A SWEETHEART IN LIVERPOOL.— On Monday last, the borough coroner resumed the in. quest on the body of the unfortunate young woman, Eliza Jones, who was so brutally murdered by a young man named Pennington, a sailor, who had been keeping company with the deceased for about four years. On Thursday evening last, the murderer, Pennington, went to the residence of deceased's mother, in Earl. street, off Great Howard-street, and after staying sortie time, he, in company with his sweetheart, left for the purpose of going to a singing saloon in Williamson. square, kept by a man named Goodburn. It appears that deceased and Pennington reached Goodburn's at about ten o'clock at night, and entered the singing saloon, where Pennington had something to drink. Whilst there, Pennington had occasion to go to the bar, and when there, he complained to Goodburn that she  (meaning the deceased) "was making it up with some other chap." The bar-keeper states that Pennington appeared greatly excited at the time;, and Goodburn swears that he saw a dagger-knife—the one produced before the coroner—sticking in a belt underneath Penni:ngton's coat. Immediately after, the deceased and her murderer left the house, and about half an hour afterwards a report was raised that a woman had been murdered in St. John's-lane, and that the police had taken her to the Royal Infirmary. Goodburn, hearing of this, went at once to the Infirmary, and there identified the deceased as the woman who had been with Pennington at the singing saloon. The mother of the murdered girl stated that on Thursday night last, Pennington came to her house and asked for Eliza. He stayed some time, and then left with her daughter for the purpose of going to some place of amusement. On going out of tho house Pennington kissed witness, the deceased, and the children, _saying, "Ain't Eliza nice ?" Witness knew that Pennington was very fond of the deceased; they had been keeping company for about four years, and were to have been married in a day or two. She knew that Pennington was also very jealous of Eliza, and she (witness) had heard him say to Eliza, "I will cut your throat if I find you speaking to anybody else." Her daughter was a good girl, and 27 years of age.—John Weaver, a hairdresser, residing in Athol-street, off Great Howard-street, had known Pennington for 13 years, and on Friday night last he came to witness's shop and said, "Did you hear anything ? " He (witness) did not reply, but Pennington walked round towards witness, making a motion with his hand as if to stab himself in the left breast, and then said, "I did it. I am sorry I did it; but it was done in a bit of a lark." Witness then said, "flow is it ? " He then said, "I was acting Macbeth  as I was drank. I bought a knife; they wanted a dollar for it, but I gave them 35." Pennington then left witness's shop. Several other witnesses havivg been examined, the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against John Pennington, and a warrant was a 6 once issued for his apprehension. Sir George Grey, we understand, is about to grant a reward for the apprehension of the murderer.
The Miner. — 1863-05-30 (London, England)

SHOCKING TRAGEDY IN SOUTHWARK.  On Monday, Thomas Lidbetter, a short, stout man, aged 69, who for many years has carried on the business of a cabinet-maker and licensed victuallers' fitter, was brought before Mr. Combe, at the Southwark Police. court, charged with the wilful murdeu of Martha Lidbetter, his wife, aged 59; also with cutting and wounding Daniel Lidbetter, his son, aged 17, with intent to murder him, at his residence, No. 28, Borough-road, Southwark.  Joseph Allen, 39 M, deposed as follows :—About halfpast seven this morning I was on duty near the Obelisk, at the east end of the Borough-road, when my attention was called to No. 28, Borough-road, in the occupation of the prisoner, who has for many years carried on the business of a furniture-dealer and cabinet-maker. The shop was closed, but the street door was open. I went upstairs, and in the back room of the first floor I saw two beds close by each other. In one I saw Mrs. Lidbetter, the prisoner's wife, lying quite dead, with her throat cut from ear to ear, and on the adjoining bed a young man lying senseless on his back, with his throat cut in a frightful manner. lat once sent for Dr. Hart, surgeon, of Stones-end,, who immediately attended, and he directed Marsh, 92 M, to convey the young man to Guy's Hospital. I have since ascertained that the young man is the prisoner's son, and that he was a cripple and an imbecile. As soon as Marsh removed the young man, I went to Mr. Pugh's, the chemist's, across the road, at the corner of Great Union-street, and there I saw the prisoner standing near the counter. I told him that he was charged with the murder of his wife, and cutting and wounding his son. He said, "Yes, it's all right; I did it with a razor." I then took him to the station-house, and charged him with the murder and cutting and wounding. After I had locked him up, I returned to the house, 28, Boroughroad, and there I ascertained that the prisoner had made an attempt to hang himself after committing the murder. Ile has another son in the business, much older than the cripple, but he was not at home, having gone on a holiday excursion at a very early hour. Mr. Combe : Had the woman been dead long when you were called in ?—Witness: Dr. Hart said that the body was warm, and death most likely had taken place about an hour previous. John Marsh, 92 11, said he took the young man to the hospital, and on his return he asked the prisoner where the instrument was that he had used. He replied, "You'll find it in the front room." Witness went there, and found the razor produced covered with blood. There was also on the table a large long-bladed knife, vary  sharp. In reply to a question from the magistrate, the prisoner declined to make any statement, and was accordingly remanded until after the coroner's inquest. The circumstances connected with this fearful crime are only partially known. Nothing remarkable Lal been noticed in the man's conduct lately—certainly nothing approximating to madness. During the last few days he had been ailing, and had been supplied with medicine by-Mr. Pugh, also of the same road. Some of
The Miner and Workman's Advocate. — 1865-05-27 (London, England)

TEM ,LATE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IN INDlt.—Sir Hugh ROW, accompanied by Major Burne, A.D.C., arrived in London on Sunday morning from Paris. The Shah of Persia is expected on a visit to St. Peters' burg, and' from that city will proceed through the other capitals of Europe on a three months' tour. Tiptree Hall and estate are in the 'market. A eons• naittee of noblemen and gentlemen proposed to purchase -the property and present it to Mr. Mechi. Several of the journals publish a paragraph stating Waist a Russian lady has just presented so the Pope a vair of slippers, art which were placed 16),000f. in bank .'notes.  "The Life of Herat," a pamphlet purportiu,g bnrefute the,dootrines put forward by the Emperor in his "Life of ar," has been confiscated •by the French. Govern ment. The regiments of the Middlesex Militia, new out training, were reviewed in Hyde Park, on Tuesday, by the Prince of Wales. His Royal Highness was aeconapanied by the Duk.nof Cambridge. It appears from the ofUelalipast-naortem examination, of the late Czarewitch that the -brain seems to have been terribly ravaged, and the existence of two tumours in ,the vertebral canal was discovered. The death is announced of Commander Richard Smith Simonds, on the 18th instant, aged 76 years, and of Maier-General Wm. Fraser, who died at Bognor, • Sussex, the same day, aged .73 years. It is rumoured that efforts are being made to dramatise the murder of Mr. Lincoln, giving Booth a sort of Jack She.plaerd place in theatrical literature. An adaptation of The Milleir and his Men" to the same end is also spoken of. In tlinsix years from 1859 to 1864, hothiinelusive, the value of .property protected and saved by the Coastguard, was according to a return published on Monday morning, .Z 3,997,855 17s. Id. The number-of lives saved .was 3,998.  An excursion round the world is being organised at Antwerp. The. xoyage _will last two years, and the principal ports in both hemispheres will be successively visited. it is chiefly intended as a meaus.of educational. travel for young men.  The Emperor of Mexico having conferred on the Iting of Sweden the Grand Collar of tbe Order of the Mexican Eagle, his Swedish Majesty has acknowledged that courtesy by sending in return the Grand Collar of the Order-of Ina Seraphim. The Countess of Zetland died on Sundaf night, at the family mansion in Arlington-street, Piccadilly. The late Sophia Jane, Countess of Zetland, was daughter of the late Sir Hedworth Williamson, and married the Earl of Zetland ,6th September; 1823.  The little , journal La Rive Outdo, which ceased to appear in ,Paris in conscquence of the publication of Les Propos de Labienus," has been reproduced in Brussels. The number of May 14th contains articles signed by M. Rogeard Aira6-Cournet, and other writers. The late Mr. Alexander Henderson, chief magistrate of Thurso' has left the following liberal legacies: —To the Free Church of Scotland, £7,000; for building a public hall in.Thurso, £1,000; the interest of £6OO for the benefit ofdwor people in Thurso not receiving parochial relief.
The Miner and Workman's Advocate. — 1865-06-10 (London, England)

THE PRITCHARD CASE. (Glasgow Morning Herald.) The indictment in the case of Dr. Pritchard was completed and in a printed form in the hands of the Crown authorities on Tuesday. On Wednesday a copy was forwarded to Procurator-Fiscal Gemmel of Glasgow, and after having been carefully compared with the productions in the case, was placed in the hands of a messenger-at-arms, who, between 5 and 6 o'clock in the evening, proceeded to the North Prison, in which Dr. Pritchard has been confined since his committal, and served the indictment upon him. The document bears that Dr. Pritchard is cited to appear at the bar of the High Court of Justiciary, to be holden at Edinburgh, on Monday, the 3rd of July next, to answer to two charges, the one of having murdered his mother-in-law, Mrs. Taylor, by administering to her doses of antimony or other poison or poisons, and the other of having murdered his wife by similar means. There are about 80 witnesses for the prosecution, and 150 productions. These consist of articles of clothing worn by the deceased ladies, those organs or parts of organs of the bodies which had been subjected to chemical examination, reports medical and otherwise, letters the prisoner's declaration, bottles of medicines, &c. It is said that the number of witnesses for the defence is only twelve, but we would think that it should, or will yet be larger. We believe, however, that amongst them there are one or two eminent toxicologists. It was arranged some time ago that the trial should take place between the 15th and 20th June, but at the request of the counsel for the defence, who wished that a longer period should tale place between the serving of the indictment and the period at which the prisoner should be called to answer to it, the trial was, by the Crown authorities, finally deferred till the day we have indicated. Dr. Pritchard's counsel are Mr. Clark—the same learned gentleman who conducted the defence of Mrs. INPLachlan—Mr. Watson, and Mr. Brand, and his Glasgow agent is Mr. Galbraith. The authorities in Glasgow were engaged precognoscing for the prosecution witnesses from the country up till within the last few days, so that probably this will explain why the indictment has been served upon the prisoner the very last day on which that could be done. We are assured, however, that, according to the law as respects "criminal letters," it is in the option of the authorities at Edinburgh to withdraw the present indictment, re-commit the prisoner, and frame another indictment. It is scarcely likely that there will be any necessity for the adoption of such a course, and the public may look forward to the commencement of the cause ce tare at Edinburgh on the 3rd July. The prisoner will remain confined in the North Prison, Duke Street, till within a day or two of the trial. We understand that, if the trial commences on the 3rd July, it must be concluded on the 10th July, for, should it be prolonged beyond that period, the prisoner can claim his liberty.
The Miner and Workman's Advocate. — 1865-05-13 (London, England)

THE ROAD MURDER.—Afterthe committal of Constance Kent to the assizes, the greatest excitement prevailed amongst the assembled crowd to catch a parting glimpse of the prisoner, who, throughout the thrilling proceed. ings of the day, had sat apparently the most unmoved in the court. She was convoyed from the court to a waiting-room, where she appeared perfectly calm and cheerful, and acted as though her mind was relieved of some great weight. She then had an interview with het father and Mr. Rodway, the family solicitor. She was then taken in a fly, accompanied by Mrs. Alexander, the matron to Devizes Gaol. Miss Green, the lady superior, was an object of as much marked attention as the self. accused, she being followed by a numerous assemblage to the railway station. Elizabeth Gough, the nursemaid, also was made a mark of observation, but being accommodated for the night at the Woolpack Inn, she was en• abled to depart in the morning without experiencing the discomfort of the previous evening. The circumstanee of the night dress, which was an important link in the chain of the evidence, is now cleared up. Miss Constance Kent, in the presence of Mr. Rodway, the solicitor to the family, asserted to her father that she obtained possession of the night-dr.ess and burned it in her bedroom. When her father went to see her in the gaol she was writing,,but on his entranco.she rose and met him kindly, but afterwards burst into tears. She was sinking, but her father caught her in his arms. She also stated that the wound in the side of the deceased child was inflicted by her with her father's razor, and in thrusting the deadly weapon in tho body she endeavoured to implant it in the heart. The interview was of a most painful character, Constance being more self-composed than her father. On parting she embraced him and persisted that the course she had taken was due to him and her God. She will remain under the care of Mr. Alexandet, the governor of Devizes Goal, until the month of July next when she will take her trial at the assizes —Star.— A letter in the Standard says :—Miss C. Kent had been 21 months an inmate of St. Mary's, Brighton. This is stated in the evidence of her confessor, the Rev. Mr. Wagner. Now, in the early part of this year Miss C. Kent became of ago, and entitled to and received £l,OOO from the Bank of England. This can be proved by inquiries at the Bank.. It would be satisfactory to know, if it could be ascertained, when she,first made her confeseion of guilt. Was it subsequent to her receiving her money in February last not much more than two months ago! Had she kept the secret in her own breast the previous 19 months, although she had regularly confessed during that time? If she had previously confessed, why has it been kept a secret until after she had received her money, and then 'divulged? What has she done with her £1000? Has she that sum by her; if not,.who has ' it, and who will find the money for her defence.