npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1833-01-25 (London, England)

CORONER—Did you notice the hair on the head of the deceased ? Witness—l did, it was very long in front as well as behind, and turned apart like a female's.  Juror—How long was it before you discovered that the deceased was a man 2 Witness—About four hours. I was certainly very much surprised. Mr. Oilier, the surgeon, said, that as soon as it was known at Guy's Hospital that the deceased was a man, information was sent to the parish authorities, and from that the inquiry took place. Mr. Arber, one of the overseers, said that he had seen the body, and from what he had seen of the manner in which it had been returned, he should have no objection to give his own body for dissection.  A desultory conversation took place between the parish authorities and some of the medical gentlemen from Guy's Hospital, as to the propriety of continuing the dissection of the body after the extraordinary discovery took place. The students of the hospital interrupted the proceedings several times, and were rsbuked by the Jury, who said that such conduct was highly indecent.  A Juror said that it appeared to him to be a most extraordinary case of depravity, and he was of opinion that the body ought not to be buried in the usual way, and that some proceeding should be adopted ►o warn others from such unparalleled acts of turpitude, which reflected the highest disgrace upon human nature.  A person here stepped forward, and said that from what he had seen in the newspapers, and understanding that the deceased came from Dublin, he was satisfied that he knew the party. About twelve or thirteen years ago the deceased sometimes passed for a man and sometimes a woman. She had lately performed on the stage in the country, in the principal tragic characters. Juror—Did you know her sister? Witness-1 never knew the deceased had a sister.  Another gentleman stepped forward and said that he believed he knew the party, and the father was a gunsmith in Dublin.  The room was ordered to be cleared of strangers, but from the great crowd this was found impossible, and the Jury retired to an adjoining room, and after a few minutes' consultation, the following verdict was returned—" That the deceased died by the visitation of God; and in returning this verdict, the Jury are compelled to express their horror at the unnatural conduct the deceased had evidently indulged in, and strongly recommend to the proper authorities that some means may be adopted in the disposal of the body which will mark the ignominy of the crime."  While the Jury were in the adjoining room, for the purpose of considering the verdict, the conduct of several of the medical students present called forth some severe remarks from gentlemen present. Some idea may be formed of their conduct, when we state the fact, that several of them called the Jury a set of humbugs and jackasses.  A respite for " three months from the sth of February, the day appointed for his execution," was received at Newgate on Tuesday evening, for ROBERT CIIANNINS, who was convicted of murder at the last Admiralty sessions.  FIRE AT HA It
The Sun. — 1833-10-11 (London, England)

LAING—Did he ever threaten your life before? Witness—He did ; and often swore that he would never die until he did for me.  -Mr. LAING never heard of a more outrageous or aggravated case ; it was almost equal to murder, and the parish authorities were bound to take it up and prosecute the prisoner. All that he regretted was, that the law would 'not allow him to inflict more severe summary punishment than to fine him or  imprison him. The parish officers pledged themselves to attend to the case, and prosecute to the extent of the law. The witness continued—The prisoner had frequently beaten his children, and they were afraid of their lives when they were at home with the prisoner. He beat her daughter Mary Ann, who is nine years old, and broke her collar-bone. -Mary Anne MsGill, aged nine years, deposed— On Wednesday evening, the 19th of September, my mother received 19s. 6(1. from my father to buy articles for the burial of my sister. There was a quarrel between my father and mother. He told her that she had spent sixpence more than was necessary. My mother said that she would account for the money, when my father struck her with his fist on the temple, and dragged her by the hair of the head, and beat and kicked her and threatened to kill her. I was frightened and ran out for a policeman, but could not get one, and I was afraid to return again. Daniel Humphries, 74 G, found the injured woman lying at the steps of a door bleeding and covered with bruises. She appeared much injured, and said that she had no home, and he then took her to the station-house. \Then he found her she was surrounded by a mob of persons. Inspector Busain stated, that the prisoner's daughter voluntarily told him that he had broken her collar-bone.  The little girl stated that to be the fact, and she was laid up fora considerable time with it. John Robinson, 57 G, was at the station-house on the evening when the prisoner's wife was brought to the station-house. She was thought to be intoxicated, until he found her mouth clogged with blood, and unable to speak. She was asked who had 111-used her, and she replied as well as she was able, "My husband." Inspector Busain stated, that in the course of the evening the prisoner and another man came to bail the prosecutrix out, when he was detained. On being told she was in a state of insensibility and in danger, and asked whether he would pay 7s. 6d. for a doctor to see her, he replied, that " he would not pay that sum to save her life." Witness ultimately procured the attendance of their own doctor, who pronounced the woman to be in danger. He took the prisoner to see her, and he said that he beat her for getting drunk. Mr. LAING asked the prosecutrix whether she suspected that he had been instrumental in the death of her child. Prosecutrix—l do not, your Worship. Mr.
The Sun. — 1833-07-15 (London, England)

HAMBURG PAPERS.  (FROM A IFTTE9  PETERSBURGII, JULY 3.—lt would be difficult to describe the painful impression produced on the population of our capital by the address which was presented to his Majesty th 6 Emperor, cm his late visit to Finland, and which has since been piiblishe'd fiete.--.(The address alluded to a plot against the Emperor's rife.) Eager in quiries are made respecting the circumstances that had led to ji, and on no occasion has the affection of the people to their sovereign been more evidently expressed than during this general consternation n The just abhorrence whirls the accursed plan of a band of conspirators against the life of our sovereign has excited here, will certainly bir felt also in foreign countries, and we therefore think it our duty to anticipate all conjectures and inferences that may he founded on this news by foreigners, by the comtnunic tion of what we have been able to learn. The band of assassins, instigated and directed by the Jacobin club , consists of Polish fugitives, many of whom had succeeded, under false names, and by the aid of false passports, in passing the Russian frontiers, with a firm persuasion that they should find it easy to execute their intended crime during the Emperor's journey. The Government, however, already informed of the plot, bad taken its measures so well, that the Serdes at the propaganda were put into safe custody before they reached the environs of Riga. It is generally affirmed that very important confessions have been already made, which will place in a clear light the infernal system of a party which, in its self complacency, prates about the rights of man, philanthropy, &c. We are very eager to learn what the French revolutionary papers, which contrive to palliate every crime perpetrated or intended by the adherents of their opinions, will comment at the official news of the happily defeated murderous plot. Probably they will take it for granted th.tt this wicked plot in the Russian empire gives ground to infer the existence of a fanatic party hostile to the Emperor. It is, nevertheless, an indubitable fact, that no Russian has had the smallest share in this criminal intrigue. Our Emperor, on his part, who knows that he may firmly rely on the love and veneration of his people, confiding in the fidelity of his Russians, has not made the slightest change in his usual mode of life, but continues to show himself, without any attendants, in the midst of his subjects, by whom he is always surrounded as a father by his children.  At the very moment that a member of the Polish emigrants conspired against the life of the Sovereign, he has pardoned 40 of their countrymen, and permitted them to return to their homes. While foreign writers continue to discuss the probable consequences of the generous and disinterested intervention in the East, we are here convinced that as soon as the Porte is secured against dange:, our troops will return within the frontiers of the empire. Another proof this of the ambitious policy of our Government
The Sun. — 1868-07-04 (London, England)

QUEEIV'S TIIEAT RE.  The new and original three-act drama, entitled "Time and the Hour," despite the heat of the weather, attracted a very fashionable audience laSt evening. It improves on acquaintance, and 31though we could have wished the joint authors Mr. Palgrave Simpson and Mr. Felix Dale-had infused a little more activity into the piece, yet the fact of getting an original play is quite sufficient to forgive any shortcomings. The story told in thethree acts is that of a roue and forger, Philip Dalton, who, after disappearing for 10 years, turns uP as a model country gentleman, Sir Philip Daverell, and who by the goodness of his_ outward acts becomes a magistrate, and, in fact, the chief personage of the district in which ho resides. The 01l crime, however, is revived by certain inquiries being made relative to the two forged bills, and a former associate of the now wealthy man attempts a recognition, but he is coolly repulsed by Sir Philip, who denies all knowledge of him. The banker on whom the forgeries have been committed entrusts the bills t 3 his son to convey to the police, and Sir P. Daverell, who has become a welcome visitor at the banker's house, sets out with the young man for London. On the road the forger murders the banker's son, but fe foiled in his purpose of obtaining possession of the bills, as they have been for safety, and unknown to Sir Philip, entrusted to other hands. The murder is attempted to be fixed on an innicent man, but an old clerk in the banking-house sets about dis' covering the assassin. His inquiries keep Sir Philip in such a sta'e of mental excitement that he is compelled to resort to opiates to obtain rest ; and it is during a fit of somnambulism, to which he has become subject, that he reveals the whole of his crimes in the presence of all those he has so deeply wronged, and only awakes to fall to the ground lifeless. Mr. Wigan sustained the part Of Sir Philip in his own effective style. Every phase of the part is vividly realised, and the smooth exterior of the guilty conscience is pourtrayed in the most artistic manner. Mr. Toole sustains a lively character in the play as a retired London trades' man,who,with his better half, is enjoying his otiunl • cum dignitate in the country. 01 course, this affords scope for more fun, especially as the nervous little man becomes for a time the possessor of the stolen bills. Miss Nelly Moore also has an excellent part in the pied, which of course she sustains with the greatest effect; the other characters being well sup' ported by Messrs. L. Brough, Stephens, Clayton, and Murray. The piece has been most elaborately mounted, the scenery rivalling in beauty anything that has yet been produced at any of the metropolitan theatres, and altogether an entertainment is now being given at this very elegant theatre that is worthy the most extensive patronage.
The Sun. — 1868-07-04 (London, England)

QUEEN'S THEATRE.  The new and original three-act drama, entitled "Time and the Hour," despite the heat of the weather, attracted a very fashionable audience last evening. It improves on acquaintance, and al" though we could have wished the joint authors Mr. Palgrave Simpson and Mr. Felix Dale had infused a little more activity into the piece, yet the fact of getting an original play is quite sufficient to forgive any shortcomings. The story told in the three acts is that of a roue and forger, Philip Dalton, who, after disappearing for 10 years, turns up as a model country gentleman, Sir Philip Daverell, and who by the goodness of his outward acts becomes a magistrate, and, in fact, the chief personage of the district in which be resides. The old crime, however, is revived by certain inquiries being made relative to the two forged bills, and a former associate et the now wealthy man attempts a recognition, but he is coolly repulsed by Sir Philip, who denies all knowledge of ' him. The banker on whom the forgeries have been committed entrusts the bills to his son to convey to the police, and Sir P. Daverell, who has become a welcome visitor at the banker's house, sets out with the young man for London. 00 the road the forger murders the•banker's son, but is foiled in his purpose of obtaining possession of the bills, as they have been for safety, and unknown to Sir Philip, entrusted to other hands. The murder is attempted to be fixed on an innocent man, but as old clerk in the banking-house sets about discovering the assassin. His inquiries keep Sir Philip in such a state of mental excitement that he is compelled to resort to opiates to obtain rest ; and it is during a fit of somnambulism, to which be has become subject, that he reveals the whole of his crimes in the presence of all those he has so deeply wronged, and only awakes to fall to the ground lifeless. Mr. Wigan sustained the part of Sir Philip in his own effective style. Every phase of the part is vividly realised, and the smooth exterior of the guilty conscience is pourtrayed in the most artistic manner. Mr. Toole sustains a lively character in the play as a retired London trades' man,who,with his better half, is enjoying his otiu cum dignitate in the country. Of course, this affords scope for more fun, especially as the nervous little man becomes for a time the possessor of the stolen bills. Miss Melly Moore also has an excellent part in the piece, which of course she sustains with the greatest effect; the other characters being well sup" ported by Messrs. L. Brough, Stephens, Clayton, and Murray. The piece has been most elaborately mounted, the scenery rivalling in beauty anything that has yet been produced at any of the metropolitan theatres, and altogether an entertain►nent is uow being given at this very elegant theatre 00 is worthy the most 'extensive patronage.
The Sun. — 1868-07-11 (London, England)

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JULY 11, 1868.  !;ATRAORDINARY CASE OF HOMICIDE.  At the Hertfordshire Assizes, on Friday, before Mr. -ustice Willes, James Blow, carpenter and builder, of Velwyn, was charged with the manslaughter of Reuben Cobbs, at Welwyn, on the 6th June. Mr. Clark and Ir. Douglas Walker prosecuted ; Serjeant Parry and Mr. Judlow defended. The circumstances of this case are very eculiar, and appear to have excited much interest. The risoner is a carpenter and builder in a large way of busi.ess, living at Welwyn, near Hertford, and the deceased, teuben Nobbs, was not only in prisoner's service, but ved in his house, was his trusted companion and confiant, and appears to have thoroughly reciprocated the ood esteem in which his master held him. Between nine .nd ten o'clock on the night of Saturday, June 6, a listurbance took place between prisoner and a groom lamed William Orchard, who had been " larking" with ome girls, and who had given some offence to the misoner Blow. The result of the altercation was that 31ow knocked Orchard down in the street, and then went al to his own house, and shut himself in. When Orchard :ot up, he was much excited; he took off his coat and .ap, and went and hammered at Blow's closed door, :Isallenging Blow to come out and fight. He, however, nade no sign at first, and Orchard went away, but preently came again, and renewed his knocking at the loor repeating his challenge for Blow to come out and ight. Blow (who was described as a man of very excit►ble temperament) then opened his door, and rushed out ipon Orchard with a poker in his hand. He struck )rchard twice on the arm, and drove him backwards to Le gate of the front garden, which was shut. It was 'early dark, but several persons in the street saw the ray. Among them was Reuben Nobbs, who was calking with his sweetheart, .to whom he was about o be married. He rushed forward towards the corn. satants, and it is supposed that he was bending town to open the gate, with the intention of assisting iis master, when Blow struck him a deadly blow m the skull with the poker, causing a severe fracture. 31ow expressed great sorrow, and repeatedly declared that ie bad no intention to strike Nobbs. He had the sounded man carried indoors, where he died next day, saving first expressed his belief that Blow did not mean to lo him any harm. The medical man who was called in sn Saturday night did not apprehend any danger at first, )ut a post-mortem examination disclosed the full extent if the mischief. Blow was committed for trial for manslaughter both by the coroner and the magistrates, end released on bail. Serjeant Parry contended that ?risoner was justified in self-defence, but the judge instructed the jury otherwise. They accordingly returned t verdict of guilty, accompanied by a strong recommenlation to mercy. Prisoner was released from custody on finding sureties to keep the peace for twelve months, and er4ertaking to appear for judgment if called upon.
The Sun. — 1868-07-11 (London, England)

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JULY 11, 1865.  ISTRAUBDINARY CASE OF HOMICIDE.  At the Hertfordshire Assizes, on Friday, before Mr. "ustice Willes, James Blow, carpenter and builder, of Velwyn, was charged with the manslaughter of Reuben irobbs, at Welwyn, on the 6th June. Mr. Clark and Ir. Douglas Walker prosecuted ; Serjeant Parry and Mr. 'udlow defended. The circumstances of this case are very eculiar, and appear to have excited much interest. The risoner is a carpenter and builder in a large way of busi.ess, living at Welwyn, near Hertford, and the deceased, teuben "..T.obbs, was not only in prisoner's service, but Ned in his house, was his trusted companion and confi'Ant, and appears to have thoroughly reciprocated the ood esteem in which his master held him. Between nine .nd ten o'clock on the night of Saturday, June 6, a listurbance took place between prisoner and a groom tamed William Orchard, who had been " larking" with ome girls, and who had given some offence to the irisorKT Blow. The result of the altercation was that Slow knocked Orchard down in the street, and then went in to his own house, and shut himself in. When Orchard :ot up, he was much excited ; be took off his coat and up, and went and hammered at Blow's closed door, challenging Blow to come out and fight. He, however, made no sign at first, and Orchard went away, but pre'ently came again, and renewed his knocking at the loor repeating his challenge for Blow to come out and ight. Blow (who was described as a man of very excitible temperament) then opened his door, and rushed out ipon Orchard with a poker in his hand. He struck )rehard twice on the arm, and drove him backwards to he gate of the front garden, which was shut. It was searly dark, but several persons in the street saw the ray. Among them was Reuben Nobbs, who was walking with his sweetheart, .to whom he was about :o be married. He rushed forward towards the com. )atants, and ' it is supposed that he was bending town to open the gate, with the intention of assisting sis master, when Blow struck him a deadly blow in the skull with the poker, causing a severe fracture. 31ow expressed great sorrow, and repeatedly declared that le bad no intention to strike Nobbs. He had the wounded man carried indoors, where he died next day, saving first expressed his belief that Blow did not mean to lo him any harm. The medical man who was called in sp Saturday night did not apprehend any danger at first, )ut a post-mortem examination disclosed the full extent .f the mischief. Blow was committed for trial for manslaughter both by the coroner and the magistrates, mad released on bail. Serjeant Parry contended that ?risoner was justified in self-defence, but the judge instructed the jury otherwise. They accordingly returned t verdict of guilty, accompanied by a strong recommenlation to mercy. Prisoner was released from custody on finding sureties to keep the peace for twelve months, and e...-dertaking to appear for judgment if called upon.  CHRISTIAN DEMOCRACY AND C Oaf
The Sun. — 1868-05-02 (London, England)

TWO TRAGEDIES.  MURDER OF A SOLDIER.—A murder has been committed at Hortiekl Barracks, near Bristol, by a sergeant of the 2nd Battalion 3rd Buffs, who killed one of his comrades by inflicting two bayonet wounds upon his head and side, and then shooting him through the body. The prisoner, Sergeant John Maxwell, was a sober, steady, well-conducted man, but would appear to have been possessed of an uncontrollable temper, which at times led him into acts of violence. We purposely preface our account of the tragic occurrence with this description of the accused, because it will be observed that the prisoner acted in such a manner that the only reasonable and at the same time charitable construction to put upon his actions is, that be was suddenly seized with a fit of temporary insanity. There is, however, no evidence to sustain this view, for beyond the fact that shortly before he committed the act LC had a quarrel with his wife, and in a sudden paroxysm of rage broke some of the f srniture of their room, the testimony is that he was throughout the day sober, steady, and orderly. Between eight and nine o'clock in the evening the occupants of the barracks were suddenly alarmed by hearing five distinct repoLts of the discharge of a rifle, following each other in rflid succession. Officers and non-commissioned officers ran from their quarters, and went in the direction of the sergeant's mess, whence the report had proceeded. Colonel Pearson, Colour-Sergeant Howarth, and Sergeant Jenner was first upon the spot, and they found Private Robert Synon lying upon the steps at the entrance to the mess-room. Colonel Pearson and Howarth lifted him up, and observed that he was dead. Colonel Pearson held the body up, and despatched a man for the surgeon, while Sergeants Howarth and Jenner, went into the mess-room in search of the person who had fired the shots and to call assistance. Behind the door they found Sergeant John Maxwell, rifle in hand, and having his sword bayonet fixed. They seized him, and Jenner took the rifle from him, while Howarth retained his hold of the prisoner, who struggled with him, trying to escape from custody, and they both fell to the ground. Assistance was speedily at hand, and he was then removed to the lock-up. Upon the surgeon's arrival he examined the body of Synon ; he was quite dead, and there was a bayonet wound upon the forehead and in the side, and a bullet wound in the back. No one saw the prisoner fire, but it is believed that the deceased, like his comrades, was alarmed at hearing the discharge of a rifle, and that he went to seize the prisoner to prevent him firing, when he attacked 'him with the bayonet and afterwards shot him. Deceased was an exceedingly well-educated man, and had not an enemy in the regiment, and so far from there being any motive for the outrage, there was not, as far as could be ascertained, the slightest feeling of animosity existing between. the accused and any of his comrades.