npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Star. — 1824-11-20 (London, England)

ACT.  The sth Section of the New Vagrant Act, which.goes on to describe who shall be deemed incorrigible rogues and vagabonds, and specifies the quantum of punishment which offenders of that dais become liable to on conviction, seems to have caused much diversity of opinion among the Magistrates; and, as the greater number are those whiCh haie been previously convicted of vagrancy under the 3d of Geo. IV. cap. 40, it was by some considered that the former conviction should stand in force, and on any subsequent repetition of the offence, after the passing of this Act, the person convicted should be considered an incorrigible rogue and vagabond, and be treated as such. To remove all doubts on this important point, the case was submitted to the Attorney-General for consideration, who has given the following opinion: " I am of opinion, that a person convicted of any offence uncles the new Vagrant Act, which shall subject him to be dealt with a a rogue and vagabond under any former Act of Parliament, thereby becomes' an incorrigible rogue, within the sth of Geo. IV. c. 83, and is subject to be punished as such. (Signed) "J. S. COPLEY, Serjeant's Inn." Prom the above, it is evident that offences against former Acts are provided for by this. •  A letter from Bayonne of the 9th inst. states, that' on the 6th inst. an extraordinary' courier arrived at that place from Paris, on his way to Madrid, with (as it was rumoured) orders for,the suspension of the march of the French troops. A considerable number of sick had arrived at Bayonne, and alsd nineteen soldiers, under escort, to be tried for crimes committed in Spain. . We learn, by private letters, that the Ex-Queen of HAYTI arrived at Florence on the 21st ult. She is ac-1 companied by her two daughters, who are perfectly black, but genteel in appearance, and well educated. An English Lady travels also 'with her, and several English servants. Mr. TELFORD returned to town last night, having completed his survey of the line of theintentled Canal which will form a communication between the Bristol Channel and the English Channel, for vessels of 200 tons burden. Mr. T. is now' about to commence a stirvey of that part of the Isle of Dogs which is intended for Fortune's Colliers Dock. When William Dewhirst, the unfortunate man who stands charged with the murder of his child, was cons eyed from Union Hall, after his examination, to Horsemonger lane Gaol, on Thursday, he exhibited strong marks of insanity. He was immediately placed in the strong room of the prison, along with two men, uho were appointed to watch him. In this place his conduct was described as that of a man labouring under strong mental derangement. He due* hiinself on the bed, and during the whole night talked in as incoherent manner. Yesterday morning, upon rising, he was admitted into the yard, which he paced up and down, and apparently unconscious of all passing around him, kept constantly muttering to himself, thereby inardekting to those who observed his actions, the most decided symp, trims of insanity.
Star. — 1824-12-20 (London, England)

KENT ASSIZES.  MAIDSTONE, DECEMBER 17. MURDER AT BECKENHAM.  Thomas Coombs, aged 23, was indicted for the wilful murder of Thomas Morgan, under gardener, in the stn. vice of Emmanuel Goodhart, Esq. of Langley Park, in the parish of Beckenham. Mr. BeODRICK stated the case for the prosecution, and gave a succinct detail of the circumstances by which he proposed to bring the charge home to the prisoner. All the particulars of the case, and the evidence, have already been made public through the medium of the Police Office examinations, and have appeared in our Paper. The following are the only new facts which came out : _ _  Mr. James Watkins, a tobacconist, of Kent-street, in the Borough, looked at some pieces of paper found in the prisoner's room, and comparing them with the paper wadding taken from the gun and pistol, had no doubt that they formed part of the wrappers used in his shop in the way of his trade. They corresponded Two pieces of paper taken from the pistol and fitted to a third piece found in the prisoner's room, formed one entire bill, with his name and address upon it. The prisoner being called upon for his defence, said, that some parts of the evidence against him were untrue; but be did not state in what particulars it was false.— He said he had no friends to assist him in his defence. Mr. Benstead, a Maidstone hoyman and stone merchant, said he had known the prisoner for ten years.— For seven years of that period he had employed him as a labourer, during which time he had conducted himself with great propriety. For the last three years he had known very little of him. Mr. Justice Bunnouon summed up the case for the Jury, as one requiring the peculiar attention of the Jury, making such observations as were calculated to assist them in coming to a satisfactory conclusion, from the various minute circumstances upon which the question of guilt or innocence depended. If the Jury were convinced, by what they had heard, that the prisoner was the murderer, they ought to say so by their verdict; but if they entertained any sober, rational doubt upon the subject, they ought to incline in favour of innocence. The Jury deliberated a few minutes, and found the prisoner Guilty. Mr. Justice BURROUOH immediately pronounced the awful sentence of the law, and ordered the prisoner to be executed on Monday next (this day.) Two other capital convicts, one named Ingrain fora burglary, at Sheerness; the other, George Sti-mbaele, for stealing 29 sheep, were also left for execution. The Assizes ended on Friday evening about seven o'clock.  The translation of the Private Journal of MAciAsix CAsseaw c.smptislng her Correspondence, &c. will be published re Thursdi:y nest. Died, on the,ixth ult. in Italy, at the house of his brother-in-law, the Right Honourable Hamar Viscount Sr. Jowx Lord BotiseELMER, Biron of Battersea, of Lydeard Park,Wiltshire. His Lordship is succeeded in his titles and estates by his eldest son, the Honourable Ilarotsr Sr. Jonx (now Lord Boum...one). sent Lordship mazritd a sister of Sir Joins His
Star. — 1824-02-03 (London, England)

MANSION-HOUSE.  George Rummer teat brought before the LORD MAYOR, charged by his father, a respectable old man, with having committed a breach of the peace. The son, when asked by the Loan MAYOR what he had to say in his deserce, was so much agitated that he built into tears. Ile said it was extremely panful for him to be placed at a bar under a charge preferred by his father, but it was another imputation of an awful nature, no less than that of having murdered his brother, which had been cast upon bins by his family, that had for along time made him unhappy, and worked hint up to commit those breaches of the peace which he'now lamented. The Loan MAYOR questioned the father upon this extraordinary statement.—The father said, that he had never made such a charge against the unhappy young man at the bar, and never would have mentioned the subject, had it nht been thus publicly alluded to. The truth was, that he had another son named Robert, who some years since was set sip in business at St. Alban's, where he succeeded in establishing himself as a stay-maker. It was on the 18th or 19th of November, seven years ago, that Robert, who bad then been separated from his wife upwards of twelve months, was said to have observed her walking in a lonely part of the town of St. Alban's, with a man, of the nature of whose acquaintance with, her he seemed to have nu doubt. Ile dipappeared from St..4laps the next days without communicating with any of his acquaintances, disposing of, or making any arrangements for his business, trisin which it could be supposed that he contemplated an absence of any length. The state ut affliction to which his family were reduced upon hearing of this unaccountahle departure and absence, was indescribable. Mrs. Plummer said, that the prismer told her about a month after Robert was missed, that he WAS either dead or coon would be dead, and that she might be convioced of the truth of it. The dreadful fears occasions sl by this communication were not alleviated by an assurance made soon afterwards by George, that Robert was stead—an assurance accompanied by the words, " I know where he is; I know where lie lies." Frequently since that period George had alluded to the dreadful subject, but never had he been accused of being a party to the disappearance of his brother. There was a 'younger brother now at St. Alban's, who had mentioned that' George bad told hint that Robert was dead ; that he (George) knew of Isis death, but would not snitch (tell tales). Both father and mother bad until this statement bren in doubt whether their child bad gone abroad or been destroyed. The prisoner here ;said he was sorry to be obliged to contradict his parents, for whom he had the utmost respect. Ile never .had made ary ass:rtions to the effect stated. 'the Loun Mayon considered it necessary to remand the prisoner until the younger brother can be brought from St. Alban's.  Feb. I, Airs.  ,street, Grosvenor-square, of a son.
Star. — 1824-03-29 (London, England)

SINGULAR ANECDOTE OP A MAN &WAR'S MAN.— When his Majesty's ship ACTIVE was employed in the Mediterranean in the late war, a seaman was pressed front a merchant-Vessel by an Officer of that frigate. Jack felt his lot so extremely hard, that he remonstrated with considerable nautical ability 2nd eloquence upon the folly of pressing for the King's service a man who had only the use of one arm. The Lieutenant, however, suspetted his arm was more sound than his logic ; but cut the matter short, by promising him his release upon his removal to the frigate, if the Surgeon pronounced him unserviceable ; but as no disease was at all discoverable, or any apparent cause for its hanging by his side like a supernumerary limb," he was in consequence detained for his Majesty's service. Two years, however, rolled dyer the ACTIVE'S servitude on that station, and though narrowly watched night and day, never •did Jack's faithful arm betray the slightest muscular emotion. As he was an excellent seaman, every inducement was held out to hinh to disclose the deception—hat he, bent on his discharge, though subject to the most degrading duties, continued indelible to the last. It, however, happened that the AcTHE was, in 1811, engaged with the enemy's squadron, and Jack, in order to be under the eye of the Captain, was stationed on the quarter-deck. During the heat of the action, though he " lent a seining hand," he never lost sufficient presence of inii.tl to cause hint to forget his arm was the reverse, yntil just at the montent that the pliant Captain (the present Sir JAMES Goitomi) fell, wounded— when that, which neither encouragement, time, threats, nor danger could accomplish, did—for Jack was, with a truly generous tarlike feeling for his esteemed Commander, the first to run and pick Nifll up with froth arms. This semi-comic circumstance drew, alt ough dreadfully wounded, this cool observation froM the gallant Sir Jasses—" Well, my buy, if I have lo! `a leg, d—n ir,you have r:d an arm !" Monday, James Bridgemon underwent the awful sentence of the law, at the drop in front of the county of Limerick gaol, for the barbarous ass:.ssination of Richard Going, Esq. Chief Alagistrace of Police, near Cappagh, in 1821. Previous to the unfortunate wretch leaving the cell, he acknowledged the justice of his sentence, and net bred he Was not only a participator in that inns-der, but was uPo present at four other pturders in that county. On reaching the scaffold he appeared perfectly resigned, but his countenance betrayed strung emotions of fear. After praying for a few moments, the signal was given, the drop removed, and he was launched Into eternity—he appeared to suffer but little pain, and died without a struggle. The hand of litvise Patovinennx, iu bringing This wretched criminal to an ignominious and just fate, was truly exemplified, as he . was three times in gaol under charge of Mr. r;oing's murder, and was discharged without trial. It is singular that Bridgman was married a few hours before his execution, to womais who cohabited wth
Star. — 1824-01-01 (London, England)

THE GREENWICH MURDERERS.After the conviction of Webster, private information was forwarded to the Magistrates, that Robert Smith. • the murderer, his brother James, and his father, had taken a passage :to Bombay, in the Mary Ann, Free • trader, Caput% Craig. On the receipt of this comma• ideation, Farmer, an active officer of Greenwich, was :dispatched after the Mary Ann to the Downs. He was prepared with the necessary documents, and letters to Captain M'Culloch, of the Preventive Service at Deal. He arrived at Deal about twelve o'clock on the night of Saturday week, and in the morning had an iaterview with Captain M'Culloch, who ordered a cutter to be got ready, which Was manned by six able' men belonging to the Ramillies, ands Farmer putout towards the Mary Ann, which was at'anchor in the Downs.-The cutter bad scarcely left the bead), when she was met by a heavy sea, and was turned dearly keel up-1 wards, but the crew escaped, ,and the cutter was carried by the surge' seven_ miles below the South Foreland. —Captain M.Ciilloch being of opinion that the Mary Ann was moored in, the trowns for the night, it was re= solved to make another attempt to reach her in the morning. and at three o'clock, Farmer and the six men attempted to launch the cutter, but die sot Crooning so high, the boat was overturned, and it was found impos; sible to put to Se.l. The pursuit was therefore deterred till day-light, and it was thenfound the. Mary -Ann had got under weigh. Captain M'Cufloch, finding it impossible, liom the impetuosity of the waves, for the boat to be put to sea, ordered the brig Industry to he cot ready to pursue the Mary Ann, and in less than ten minutes she was under sail, but it was coaisideied that she had got nearly a hundred miles down Channel, the wind blowing hard in her favour, therefare it would be. useless to follow. her. Farmer then returned to London, • arid soon after-a telegraphic dispatch was received at the Admiralty, that the Mary Ann was obliged, from contrary winds, to put into Portsmouth. The corrimu. Motion was forwarded to the Magistrates of Greenwich, and Farmer set out within ten minutes after its arrival for Portsmouth. Oa Ins reaching his destination, he had an interview with the Port Admiral, who 'tinkled the Isaac belonging to the Princess Charlotte to ke got ready, and Farmer was put off to the Mary Ann, at the moment she was getting under weigh at the Isle of Wight. On getting on hoard, the officer was intro4!aced to Captain Craig, to a horn he communicated his mission, and all the ship °s crew and passengers mere piped on deck; when Farmer, who was well acquainted • with the Smiths, inspected them all, but unfortunately the pursuit turned put unsuccessful, as neither of them were on board. It is therefore beyond a doubt, that the +Wort-nation emanatedfrom Smith himself, in older, to. . nod the officer upon a wrong scent, to give him and his father and brother an opportunity of escaping to America, whither it is supposed they have emigrated. The Piedmontese Gaulle of the 21st instant, stater, that there is no alteration in the health of his Majesty VICTOII Eat A
Star. — 1824-04-26 (London, England)

THAMES POLICE.  INIAraLArGHTER.—Robert Milne, boatswain of the Katharine Maria Forbes, was on Saturday last placed at the bar of this Office, before NV. J. BRODERI?, charged with the murder of John Skinner, the butcher of the same vessel to which the prisoner belonged.—lt appeared that on the 10th day of February Inst, she left St. Helena for this country, and about twelve o'clock of the same night, tke prisoner at the bar and Skinner had a dispute which of them had done his dut, bent on the voyage to St. Helena. Skinner asked the prLoner, in an a,..;gravating tone, " if he was his man ?" and the prisoner, without making any reply, struck Skinner a violent blow upon his cheeh kith a tin pot he held in his hand, and knocked hint down the tore-hatchway. Ile was picked up between decks, quite senseless, bleeding profusely, and expired upon the day followiug.—The prisoner was bully committed fur trial.  A Gentleman passing Milford Church-yard a few days since, observing the sexton digging a grave, addressed him with—" Well, how goes trade in your line, friend?" " Very dcad, Sir r was the reply.  COrt ONLVA WE hart already noticed the fatal occurrence which' took place on Wednesday lasi, upon a person named Perno, residing at Egham Hill, proceeding from London in his one-horse chaise, accompanied by a female named Ruth Mat koul. Attempting to pass on the near side or Ilrown and Co.'s Wincanton aggon, he met with a reptthe from the driver, who drawing his fore•horse across the road, obliged Mr. P. to back his horse and pass on the other side. What the driver's object was does not appear, for no sooner had Mr. Perno reached the fore-horse on the other side, than the animal turned aside, in consequence of what is alleged to have been done by the driver, and became entangled in the har, he's of Mr. Perno's horse. The driver aware, it is said,: of the entanglement, still proceeded, and, in a short time the gig was upset. Mr. Perno and Mrs. Mackon were thrown out with, great violence, and the off wheel,' of the waggon passed over Mrs. Mackoul's head, and she died immediately. After the examination of Mr. Pernol the driver, Liam Perrin, was called in. lie said, Mr. Perno a:. tempted to pass the waggon, when he brought his horses no the near side: Mr. P. then we:a on tlie other side; and came up to the heads of his horses, intending to drive him on the stones ; he apprehended danger, and gave them a cut with his whip ; they then went en a not, and he was unable to stop them. When he had got a short distance, he looked behind, and saw Mackoul lying in the road ; but did not return, apprehending there was no danger.—The Jury censured in the extreme, for his improper conduct, and proceeded to take a view of the body ; the spectacle it presented was distressing, it being impossible to distinguish a single feature. The CORONER, after observing upon the regulation cf the left the case for the Jury's consideration, to Ear whether it was intentional or accidental. After a shot t consultation, the Jury returned a verdict of Planslesteter against William Perritt, the driver grf the waggon.
Star. — 1828-04-11 (London, England)

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.  WESTERN CIRCUIT.—TAUNTON, Aran. S.  Rickard Gillam was this morning arraigned for the wilful murder of XlAria Bagnell, at Bich, on the 26th of January 14st. The pi isoner, a respectable 'middlesized man, on the indictment being read, in a very firm voice, pleaded Not Guilty. He appeared not to exhibit aay of those emotions which his awful situ4ti•'n would excite. He was also arraigned for the robbery, to which he also pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. Got:Onto and Mr. W.FOLLETT appeared for the prosecution t and Mr. Sergeant BOMPAES and Mr.Moomr for the prisoner. Mr. GUNNING —Genthmen of the Jury, the indictment has told you the nature of the offence with which the prisoner stands charged. Before I proceed in stating the facts, I have to request you most seriously to dismiss from your minds all that you may have heard for or against the prisoner. You are here not to try this case on vague reports you have heard, or spectacles which you may have seen.—(A model of the kitchen, with Maria Bagnell, in composition, has been exhibiting during the Assizes, and in consequence of this circumstance being mentioned to the Judge, it has been discontinued—this is what Mr. G. alluded to.);—. It is a satisfaction to find that a person in the situation of the prisoner has the assistance of able Counsel, who will take advantage of every fact sad circumstance which may appear in his favour. The prisoner is a person who was in the service of an old Lady, 80 years of age, living at Marlborough-buildings, Bath. The Learned Counsel went into particulars of the description of the premises where the murder was committed. The deceased and Mrs. Cox, her• mistress, occupied the best bed rooms, and the prisoner and his wife occupied the front room in the gar►et ; the prisoner has been in the service of Mrs. Cox about fifteen months. About half past two in the morning, the watchmen heard the report of pistols, and a coy of mu:der ; they went to the house, and some one up stairs directed them to go round to the back part of the house, and found the ' doors open. When they came to the house door, they found the bolts and• latches all undone. There was an iron bar, which had not been put up. They saw several sorts of property, some in baskets and others in bundles. They then proceeded up stairs, and heard some one say 44 we are shut in and cannot get out: When they got to the ff :or where Mrs. Cox and Maria Bagnell slept, they saw the prisoner at the bar. The watchmen found a gimlet which the prisoner took away, and it was afterwards tried in a hole, which the prisoner said it was in, and which had fastened him in. They then looked into the bed room of Maria Bagnell, and found that no one had been on the bed that night. They then proceeded down stairs, and found four bottles of wine on the table in the kitchen. They then went is other parts of the house, and on going to which some one said there is a noman murdered. The prisoneTexhibited no symptom of astonishment. They found her quite dead and cold. 'l•he Learned Counsel then detailed other facts, which will be found in the evidence. Ann Specimen, examined by Mr.