npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1849-09-12 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

HORRIBLE HISCLOSURES: —.1.11e,.. GRAVEYARDS Or  '•-•—•-LoNooN.—An inquest was held on Tuesday by Mr. H. Wakley, on Louisa Price, aged sixteen, supposed ta have died from cholera. As the disease was believed to have _ . . . .  been caused by malaria from Spatiehis burial-ground, the inquest excited the greatest interest. Mr. Watt, the master of the deceased, stated that th SpafieLls graveard was exceedingly:obnoxious, especially lately, some of the old ground having been re-opened and pits dug for the reception of the dead. in the ground, which measured seventy-Iwo feet by seventy-tom, there had been lately buried, at several depths Not far removed from the surface, at least there thousand bodies. Each grave .contained  seven or eight bodies. How space was made for new corners he could not say, unless by the destruction of the bodies and coffins, lie was aware that coffins had been  made away with. Jo eonsequenve of the effluvia from the graveyard he had been compelled to send his children to boarding-schools, and remove the other members of his family. He went to the vestry-clerk to complain, but found him out of town. It was well known that the same grave had been fifty times opened for bodies, and by the systematic destruction of bodies and coffins room was easily made for new corners. Witness (lid not know what became of the bodies, but it was stated some years  ago that they and the coffins were burned. Mr. -Bird, the proprietor, drove a good trade there. The fees for burial were 95., and the undertaker got Is for every body  he brought. The Coroner thought this was a premium for crime. Mr. Watt said the system was little short of legalised murder. He had spent .C7O in endeavouring to put it down, and hail memorialised the Board of Health and Sir James Graham on the subject. Sir J. Graham authorised him to proceed against the proprietor, who pleaded to one thousand bodies having been annually buried there.—Mr. Dove, whose house abuts upon the graveyard, corroborated the above evidence. Six of his children had been poisoned by the effluvium from the grates.' His wife and himself had been seized with diarrhoea from die same cause, and he was obliged to remove his family to save their lives. Fifty thousand bodies had been buried there, and the ground had been raised to the level of the wall, six feet high.—Other witnesses corroborated these statements; and the Coroner expressed his readiness to forward a written statement of the facts to the proper authorities, in order to have the ground closed. The jury found that the deceased had died of Asiatic cholera, and expressed their opinion that the Spafields burialgrotund was injurious to public health, and ought to be closed. A correspondent of the .forting Post says—" It is a singular circumstance in connexion with the prevailing epidemic, that not a single fatal case has occurred amongst the Jews in Hounidstlitch, or the close i.nd badly-ventilated vicinity of Petticoat Lane, a neighbourhood not over remarkable for its cleanliness."
Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1849-10-24 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

DREADFUL MURDER.--..AS Mr. C. Gage, agent ' over the Endrim property, was riding into Ferbane one day last week, lie was fired at and shot dead. A farmer was walking by the side of Mr. Gage at the time. It is stated that two shots were discharged at the unfortunate gentlemen. Mr. Gage was obliged to institute proceedinss against several defaulting tenants. FATAL CoNFLtur.—On Sunday a large party assembled to carry oil' the crops of a farmer, named John Keyes, at Clonaslee, King's County, when the police endeavoured to prevent the removal, and a collision ensued, in which one of the constables was shot dead, and fur others were dangerously wounded. Several of the opposite party were shot, and one, it is believed, was killed.  The speech of the Marquis of Waterford at an agricultural dinner in the county of Waterford is worthy of notice. He acknowledged to having received on the day previously his annual Munster yearly rent, viz., £22,000—a fact which certainly makes him a prodigy amongst Irish landlords. Ile said, also, that he received : his Ulster rent of £1 1,,000, and his Northumberland rent of £20,000. On his health having been drunk amidst i vociferous applause, he remarked that "a great deal had been said about the reduction of rents—to whizli he did not wish to assent, as he did not think the land in the neighbourhood too high, the average being £1 103. per acre. If it were true—as he was sure it was—that an acre properly managed would support a cow and a pig, the profits of both he estimated at the lowest to be £5, consequently lie thought an acre of land may be put down at £3; at least let none of his tenants complain of their rents. If any of his tenants be over-rented, let them come to hini and state so to him, and it shall receive his immediate attention; and if lie find it so it shall be reduced; or if we cannot agree then let them give it up, and they shall be compensated for any substantial improvements effected, his tenants had difficulties to contend with ; they had to compete with Russia, Poland, & America in the grain market as those countries bad neither tithes, county cess, labour rate,lnor poor rate; hut he was at a loss to know how it was that people were so foolish as to be selling tlieircom at an average if 195., whereas at frieste it is at this moment averaging £1 Is. per barrel, and purchased by speculators to meet our future prices; and sore lie was they were investing in a successful speculation. Oats are selling at 7s. 6.1. per barrel, but he would purchase at this present moment 2,000 barrels at Bs. fid., and was sure to gain by his purchase, lie had 1,000 acres in his demesne, 300 acres of which were in cultivation, upon which he employed see men daily, and was ready to take 200 men more should they seek employment front him."
Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1849-05-30 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

THE STANFIELD HALL MURDERS.••••••DISCO.. VE RY OF THE WEAPON. WyniOttdhain, Wedne.‘day. The discovery of the weapon by which Rush perpetrated the murders at Stanfield-hall has created considerable interest in the county. The locality in which it was found certainly tends to show that the presumed search made by the county police was at least carried out in the most slovenly manner. For several weeks they, with 60 or 79 hired labourers, under the personal direction of Col. Oakes, the chief officer of the force, at a very great expense to the county, were engazed in almost the complete demolition of Potash, the turning up of land, and the emptying of the numerous pits of water which abound in the district. In fact, to such an extent was the search said to have been made, that, to use the words of one of the officials, had so small a thing as a pencil-case been secreted, it would have been turned up. It may be stated that the weapon had been so placed after the search by some person, for the purpose of obtaining a large reward, but a general opinion prevails that that portion of the farm where the discovery was made had not been examined at all. Although the process of ejectment has been served on Mr. James Rush, son of the deceased murderer, and the furniture disposed of by public auction, yet he continues to hold possession of the farm. It appears that in the course of last Saturday one or two of theilabourers were engaged in clearing away same muck which stood near a shed at the eastern extremity of the barn, scarcely 30 paces from the back door of Potash, when a double-barrelled short gun or blunderbuss was I turned up in the soil. The fact was instantly communicated to Mr. Rush, who took possession of the weapon. It had evidently been concealed a considerable period— several months, as it was corroded. To more properly describe it, it is a small double-barrelled carbine, about three-quarters of a yard in length, something similar to the arms carried in former days by mail-coach guards. It has a spring dagger or bayonet attached to it, which seems to have been added since its construction. The maker's name, it is said, does not present itself. Being without a ramrod, the one found in the hall of Stanfieldhall on the night of the murders was fitted to the wea port, and found to correspsnd in size and make in evi ry particular. That it belonged to the instrument was proved beyond a doubt. The finding of the ramrod in the hall favours the impression that he used it while there. , His reloading would account for the four shots fired- ! It is somewhat surprising that the police did not, after bearing the admissions of Rush that he had buried the , clothes he had worn on the night of the murders near the pigsty of the farm, institute some search in the locality mentioned by the murderer, if only to satisfy themselves as to the truth of the statement. Had they done so, the probability is, owing to the close proximity of the pigsty to the place where the weapon was found, that it would have then come to light.
Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1849-09-05 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

EXAMINATION OF MANNING.  On Saturday morning Frederick George Manning was brought before the magistrate at Southwark police court, and without any ev;dence being gone into, was remanded till Thursday, until winch day the examination of his wile is adjourned. Ile was removed to Horsemonger gaol. . . . .  I%4'am:in was subsequently removed to one of the cells, and Scrjeant Blandtord was placed w;th him to watch him in the event of his making any attempt upon his life. During the night he several times alluded to the murder, and attributed its perpetration entirely to his wife. Ile slept very little, and seemed uneasy and desponding. A marked change had been perceived in his manner and demeanour since he left Jersey. He made sonic very anxious inquiries about the fate of his wife, and on being told that she had been examined that day. he made no observation further that " Oh, was she ?" He next asked where she was taken to alter the examination, and w::s told that she was removed to Horsemonger-lane gaol. " Then," said he, it's likely I shall see her there and confront her, and it will be seen that she will exculpate me from all participation in the murder." Having expressed a desire to have some refreshment, coffee and bread and butter were supplied, of which, however, he partook very sparingly. During the time of his incarceration. in the cell, no persons were allowed to have any communication with him, as he expressed a wish to that effect. At tett o'clock the prisoner was brought front the cell by the gaoler and placed at the bar. He walked with a firm step, but he appeared to be dejected and downcast. Ile wes described in the charge sheet to be thirty years ,f age, but lie seems sonic years older, probably arising from the dissipated life he has been of late leading, and the fatigue consequent on the Journey from Jersey. Ile is a stout well built man, of fair complexion, sandy hair and whiskers, the latter appearing to have been shaven closely. His head presented a very remarkable appearance, being of an extraordinary large size, and his neck,whch is short, is of unusual  thickness. lie wore a blue frock coat buttoned up in front, and a red silk handkerchief round his neck, and altogether his appearance was not calculated to impress a favourable opinion in tis behalf. During the examination, which lasted hot a very short time, the prisoner seemed extremely nervous, and scarcely lifted up his eyes; and he only once or twice cost them round the court as if to observe whether there were any persons among the crowd whom he knew. Owing to the unexpected arrival of the prisoner, but few persons bad collected ; but the moment the circumstance of his examination became known, a general rush was made into the court by persona anxious to behold a man suspeeted of being concerned in such an atrocious murder.
Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1861-03-13 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

UNITED STATES. A murderous attack was made at Washington on the 21st of February on the Hon. Chas. H. Van Wyck, the republican member of Congress from Orange County, New York. Mr. Van Wyck-was returning late at night from the residence of the Hon. Preston King, and while on Preston Hill was suddenly assaulted by three ruffians, who approached him from behind. One of the villains made a ferocious lunge at him with a knife piercing all his clothes, • folded copy of the Congressiondl Globe, and a thick memorandum book, but not touching his person. The second assailant also made a similar thrust, which was also ineffectual, and both were knocked down by Mr. Van Wyck, who drew a pistol and tired atone, when the third made another attempt on his life. All three made off upon the report of the pistol. It is supposed that one must have been shot, although no clue has yet been obtained by which to determine. Mr. Van Wyck is coufined to his bed, but is in no real danger. A telegram from Nebraska City, Kansas, dated the 19th, says:—' Old Fort Kearney was taken possession of last night by a party of Seceeeioniets, and this morning a Palmetto flag waves over the fortress bearing the inscription, Southern Rights.' Great excitement prevails, and efforts are being made to take the fort by the Union party. Later.—An attack was made on tbe fort this morning at 10 o'clock, and amid great excitement the Palmetto flag was torn down, and the stars and stripes raised in its place." Governor Brown, of Georgia, in view of the fact that the arms seized by order of Superintendent Kennedy, in New York, have not yet been surrendered, has seen tit again to avail himself of his peculiar system of reprisals. He has seizedthree New York vessels at Savannah, with the intention of detaining them until the arms are delivered up. An infernal machine was found under Mr. Lincoln's seat in the train which conveyed him from Cincinati. The 'City of Baltimore,' from New York on the 23rd ult., has arrived. Tbe difficulties between Georgia and New York were still unsettled. The Governor of Georgia had seized three New York vessels, and had declared his intention to retain them until the arms seized by the New York police should be given up. An impression prevailed that a plan of adjustment would be adopted in the Peace Conference. Arkansas had declared for the Union by an overwhelming majority. President Lincoln continued to be welcomed everywhere en route. A demonstration against him was, however, expected to be I made at Baltimore. The Southern Congress had declared I the navigation of the Mississippi free. The Indians were ravaging the territory of New Mexi• co. Application had been made at Washington for troops to assist in suppressing hostilities. The 129th anniversary of the birthday of Washington was celebrated on the 22nd ult. The New York papers are filled with accounts of the celebration, and also of the progress of President Lincoln and the inauguration of President Davis.
Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1861-01-16 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

SHOOTING A GAIMP.RPER.—A wheelwright named Joseph English was on Tuesday committed by the Sheffield magistrates to take his trial at the next 'link assizes on a charge of shooting, with intent to murder, William Crookce, an assistant gemekeeper, at Smithy Wood, Ecclesfield, on the morning of the 15th of December. The circumstances are these :—Orookes lived in &lonely house in the middle of Smithy Wood, a preserve belonging to his employers, Mr. John Jeffcock and others. He got up at 3 o'clock on the morning in question to work a few hours at his trade as a file cutter, lie sat at a small stithy under the window of his house, the window being closed, but having a crevice in the centre. About half-past 4 o'clock Crooke. was shot at through the window and knocked almost senseless off his seat, the shot entering his right eheek, neck, and shoulder. Ile wasfirl a precarious state for souse days, but ultimately rallied. English was apprehended on the 17th of December, and, when charged with shooting Crookes, said to the officers, " I have been expecting you corning. I wish it had killed the brute. But I am all right, for I have not been out at night or fired a gun for a month." At the request ef the officers lie produced his gun—a double-barrelled one --and the left barrel was found to have been recently discharged and to contain only half a charge, with newapaper as wadding. The other barrel, however, which had not 1 fired so recently contained a full charge of ~.ot of the same sixes as the shot corns extracted •l'roolces' wounds; and the wadding of this barrel blue paper of precisely the same descriptio• as the found in the house of Crookes shortly after ho )ifi• In one of English's pockets was also found some liot and some paper corresponding to the shot and wadding used by the person who had shot Crookes. Being requested by the police-officers to fire off the powder in the two barrels after the charges had been withdrawn, he did so, and then said he wished Crookes's head had been at the muzzle of the gun. Heals° said when in custody at the Sheffield Town-hall that he expected he should get seven years for the offence, but if he got of he would "give it Crooke* if he was able." Mrs. Crookes, who ran for a surgeon a few minutes after her husband was shot, deposed that she overtook a man in the wood, who, immediately on seeing her, crouched down. She was frightened and screamed. She was sure the prisoner English was the man. It also appeared that the prisoner was three months ago convicted of trespassing in pursuit of game on the evidence of Orookes, and that he at that time threw stones at the prosecutor, and threatened to knock his head off. For the defence witnesses were called to prove an alibi, but the Bench considered the case one for a jury. An application was made to admit the prisoner to bail, but was refused. A second man, named Ibbetson, was in custody charged with being an aceomplice in the crime, but the evidence against him was unsatisfactory, and he was yesterday remanded.
Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1861-01-16 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

FEARFUL TRAGEDY IN IRELAND.  The Sligo correspondent of the Dublin Evening Post states that at Ballymote, in that county, a Mr. Callaghan, his wife, and a servant girl have been foully murdered. Mr. Callaghan and his wife kept a grocer's shop, and were in very comfortable circumstances. On account of the shop not having been opened on Wednesday morning a. usual, inquiries were set col foot, and, on an entrAuee being made into the house, Mr. and Mrs. Callaghan were found dead in their beds, much bruised, and with their throats cut, and in an outhouse the serwant girl was found dead, with her throat cut nearly from ear to ear. Mr. Callaghan WU about 80 years of age, and his wife was not much his junior, so that it is not probable , the murderer or murderers met with much opposition from the aged couple; but it is supposed that the girl heard a scuffle, by some means became acquainted with the dreadful work b ing on in the bedroom, and, in the hope of saving her own lfe, made for the back door, but had not time to proceed many stepe outside before she  W&5 overtaken and ;murdered. It is thought that the object of the perpetrators was plunder, and that the Callagbans were known to be possessed of considerable mesas; and from the appearance of some drawers, it is thought that robbery has been added to the great crime. Some time since a man named Matthew Phipps occupied a house and shop adjoiuing those of Mr. Challaghan. Phillips because a bankrupt, and subsequently left the town. On Monday evening he wee seen going into Mr. Callaghan's shop, and when the murder was discorered, two tumblers were on a table near Mr. Callagbau'a bed, who was lying ill at the time, and it was supposed that Phipps had been asked by the old man to drink something with him. In the town of Sligo, on Tuesday, Matthew Phipps went to a butcher named Conlish and ordered a neck of mutton, which he directed to be sent to the Imperial Hotel, and paid 3s. 6d. for the meat. He threw the silver on the scales, and as he did so Conlish observed that the coin was bloody, but thinking that it might have c nne in contact with the bloody part of the mutton, made no further observation, but sent a boy to accompany Phipps with the mutton to the hotel. On the journey from the butcher's stall towards the hotel, Phipps fell three times, as he was very tipsy. The boy called on one of the constabulary, and said it would be well to take the drunken man to the barrack, as he had a great deal of money about him. A umatable took him into custody, and when he was searched, with other money, was found £37 in notes, which was saturated with I,' -id. He was detained a prisoner until Wedneshe was set at liberty, and the money returned mi. Some time after he was let go the constabulary hi... 1 of the murder, information was sent in very direction and a mounted horseman traced the supposed murderei• to a small place called Riverstowu, where he came up with him. He was stupidly drunk at the time.