npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1859-01-05 (London, England)

MARYLEBONE.—A woman named Esther Griggs was charged with throwing her infant child out of a first-floor window.  Sergeant Simmonds, 20 D, said,—At half•past one o'clock this morning, while on duty in Eaststreet, Manchester-square, I heard a female voice exclaim, " Oh, my children ! save my children !" I went to the house No. 71, whence the cries proceeded, and the landlord opened the door. I went up-stairs, accompanied by two other constables, and while making our way to the first-floor front room I heard the smashing of glass. I knocked at the door, which I found was fastened, And. said, " Open it ' • the police are here." The prisoner, who was in her nightdress, exclaiming, " Save my children!" and at length, after stumbling over something, let me and my brother officer in. When we entered we found the room in total darkness, and it was only by the aid of our lanterns that we could distinguish anything in the room. On the bed there was a child five years old, and another three years of age by her side. Everything in the place was in great confusion. The prisoner told me that she had been dreaming that her little boy had said the house was on fire, and that what she had done was with the view of preventing her children from being burnt to death. I have no doubt (added witness) that if I and the other constable had not gone to the room all three of the children would have been flung into the street. Humphreys, 189 heard the breaking of glass, and saw what I imagined to be a bundle come out of the windofv, but on taking it up I found it to be a female infant. There was blood running from its temple, and it was insensible. I took it to the infirmary. Pollard, 314 D—l heard loud cries of "Oh ! save my children !" and when I was in her room she said, " Has anybody caught my baby, Lizzy ?" One of the little bovs,three years old, and who was clinging to his mother, had blood upon his clothes. He had upon his breast some marks which appeared to have been caused by cuts from glass. The sergeant left me to take care of the prisoner while he went for her husband. She told me she had no wish to hurt any of her children, and that it was all through a dream. Mr. Henry Tyrwhitt Smith, surgeon at the Marylcbone Infirmary, said that when the infant was brought to him, soon after one in the morning, he found, upon examining it, that it was suffering from concussion of the brain. It was quite insensible.  Dir. Broughton—Do you consider it to be in danger now P  Witness—Decidedly so. The parietal bone i$  broken, and death might ensue in the event of an ) effusion of blood on the brain.  Mr. Lewis submitted to the magistrate that there had been no attempt to murder the infant. The prisoner had always evinced a kindly feeling towards her children, and he hoped that the magistrate would allow the husband to have her under his care during the temporary remand which, of course, would take place. The dream under which the act was committed showed that she had not at the time any consciousness of what she was doing. Mr. Broughton remanded the prisoner.
The Sun. — 1859-05-17 (London, England)

LAMBETII.--CHARGE OF CHILD MURDER AT PECKHAM.—Elizabeth Reagan, about 37 years of age, a single woman, was charged before Mr. Elliott with having caused the death of her illegitimate male child.  Inspector Dunn, P division, said that on Saturday night last, between six and seven o'clock, in consequence of information, he, in the company of Hull, a constable of the division, called at No. 16, Camden-square, Peckham, where the prisoner resided. Upon seeing the prisoner he told her that he had been informed that in the month of October last she became the mother of an illegitimate child, that she had caused its death by lying upon and smothering it. He stated to her that he was also told that neither its birth nor death had been registered, and that it had been buried in the back garden. The prisoner was for a short time much agitated. When she recovered she remarked, " I will tell you the truth as I hope it will go furthest. I had a child at the time mentioned. It lived four or five minutes. I fainted away, and when I came to myself the child was dead. No one but the surgeon and myself saw it alive. It was buried in the back garden. Ido not kaow who buried it. I did not think it necessary to register the birth and death of so young a child." Witness directed Hull to search the ground. Hull, a detective, said that the prisoner showed him the spot wheal she stated the child was buried. He got a spade and removed a quantity of loose earth. He then found the remains of the child at about four inches from the surface. There was a quantity of lime mixed with the earth, amid which were the bones, the skull, and ribs of the deceased. There was 'also a piece of coarse cloth. He had the remains taken away. He told the prisoner what he had found. She said that it was all right, and that her sister took the child away to bury it. She herself did not see it buried.  Mr. Thos. Denne, surgeon, Cottage-green, Southampton-street, Camberwell, said he attended the prioner at her confinement on the 22d of October last, when she had a male child. It was a healthy child and alive. He left and called the next day. She then stated that she had made arrangements with a person to take care of the child. He attended her daily after that. About two months subsequent to the birth of the child he asked her where it was. She said that it was in the country but did not say where. Witness during the confinement of the prisoner went to her sister to tell her to call.  The prisoner, in answer to the charge, stated that after Mr. Donne left she was for some time insensible. When she recovered she found the child by the side of her and nearly cold. She thought she might have lain upon it. Mr. Dunn now stated that the prisoner had admitted to him that her sister's husband was the father of the child.  The prisoner was remanded for a week.
The Sun. — 1859-07-13 (London, England)

USFECTED MURDER.  On Sunday morning a horrible case of murder, similar in circumstances and almost equal in atrocity to the one at Moat Colliery, Princes End, was made known, at a small place called Lower Gornal, which is a small town of cottages belonging to Lord Ward, in the parish of Sedgley. The scene of the awful event is not more than four miles from the Moat Colliery, the place of the late outrage. For some time a man of the name of William Hyson, a brewer, and occasionally a gardener, and who formerly was a publican, and kept the Old House at Home in Dudley, and has been in the police force of this county, has kept loving company with a sniart-looking and attractive young woman, of 18 years of age, named Mary Smith, daughter of Wm. Smith, a shoemaker, of Gornal Wood, who is very respectable, though humbly to do. Hyson is double Miss Smith's age. He represented. himself as Nsipgle _man and without incuml3raneq apd_she_ received him as a suitor for her " heart and hand." Through domestic differences with her sister she did not, though in opposition to her father's wish, reside at home, but lived with a woman named Mary Ann Hickman, as a lodger, during which time Hyson is said to have been received in favour, and that he by his manifestations purposed marrying her, having offered her two guineas a short time ago to buy her a new silk dress. She was receiving seven shillings a week as a letter-bag carrier for Messrs. Crosswell, ironmasters, Tipton, in addition to having a respectable dressmaking business. On Saturday she confessed to her sister that Hyson had ill-used her the previous night. She kissed her sister and sister's child repeatedly, telling them she should " never see them more." On Sunday morning, about 4 o'ciock, she was discovered:floating in Askey-b rid gepool. On being taken out she presented the appearance of having been used roughly, as both of her arms werebruised. She was neatly attired. She was found by two policemen. Two persons of the names of James Marsh anclgonah Hickin have declared to Policeman Taylor that they saw Hyson with the deceased from a quarter past 10 to 12 at night, on the Himley-road, near the National School, Lower Gornal.  On the discovery of the body, Taylor went and fetched Hyson out of bed. Hyson denied that he had been NI ith the girl at that time, but said that, on coming from Dudley, he overtook a girl on the Himley-road, near to the Cooper's Bank toll-gate, and merely walked with her along the road. An investigation into the cause of the death is to be made on Wednesday.—Manchester Guardian.  Yesterday fourteen war steamers were still at  Lussin.  The Bourse Gazette of Berlin states, on what it considers good authority, that when the Pru&sian proposition for establishing a corps of observation on the batik's of the Rhine was brought forward for decision at Frankfort, Holland voted against it, and Denmark reserved its vote. As to the minor States of Southern Germany, they reserved the right of asking for more categorical explanations as to the intentions of the Prussian Government.  [
The Sun. — 1859-10-05 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.—ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A FEM ALE—Michael Turley, a powerful-looking man, was brought before Mr. Combe, charged with attempting to murder Elizabeth Barwick, aged 70, by striking her about the head and body, and throwing her headforemost down a flight of stairs, thereby inflicting such serious injuries as to place her life in jeopardy. Thomas Smith, 72 M, said that between one and two o'clock that morning he wa on duty in the Borough-road, when he heard cries of " Murder," and " Police," proceed from Bond-street. He immediately went there, and saw a crowd round a female who was lying outside one of the houses, insensible and covered with blood. The prisoner was pointed out as the man who had inflicted the injuries on her, and before he could secure him the mob attacked him (the prisoner) and punished him severely about the face. Witness procured assistance, and conveyed the injured woman to St. Thomas's Hospital, when it was ascertained that her face was literally beaten in, and that she had received concussion of the brain. Witness had seen her recently in the hospital, and she was still insensible. It was the opinion of Mr. Morden, the house surgeon, that she could not recover. Witness handed in a certificate from that gentleman, setting forth that she was in a very dangerous state. After he had secured the prisoner he returned to the house in Bondstreet, in which the female resided, and found the stove torn out and broken up, the chairs and tables also broken, and blood scattered about in all directions.  Mr. Combe asked what the female was. Witness said he believed she had a pension from the City, and he understood she had been living with the prisoner for some time.  Mr. Coinbeinquired whether there was any one in court who witnessed the occurrence. Wm. Gee, a labourer, said he resided at No. 30, Bond-street, Borough •road, in the same house where the prisoner and the injured woman lodged. About one o'clock in the morning he heard them quarrelling. After that the female s3reamed, and he heard the chairs and other things being thrown about. About a minute afterwards he saw the prisoner throw the old woman down the stairs, and she fell on her head. Witness went up to her, and he made sure she was dead, as she was quits insensible and her face was cut about and covered with blood.  Mr. Combe (to the prisoner)—Have you anything to say to this witness?  Prisoner (doggedly)—No. It is no use saying anything as I was drunk. Mr. Edwin (ehief clerk)—Do you know the serious position in which you stand? Prisoner—Yes • I know I am a blackguard. Mr. Edwin—Are you not aware that your life is in danger ? Should this woman die, you will be charged with murder.  Prisoner—l know that; I cannot help it. Mr. Combo--You are remanded for a week; and, should the woman die before, you will be brought up sooner.  The prisoner was then removed by the gaoler.
The Sun. — 1859-10-05 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.--ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A FEMALE—Michael Turley, a powerful-looking man, was brought before Mr. Combe, charged with attempting to murder Elizabeth Barwick, aged 70, by striking her about the head and body, and throwing her headforemost down a flight of stairs, thereby inflicting such serious injuries as to place her life in jeopardy. Thomas Smith, 72 M, said that between one and two o'clock that morning he wai on duty in the Borough-road, when he heard cries of " Murder," and " Police," proceed from Blnd-street. He immediately went there, and saw a crowd round a female who was lying outside one of the houses, insensible and covered with blood. The prisoner was pointed out as the man who had inflicted the injuries on her, and before he could secure him the mob attacked him (the prisoner) and punished him severely about the face. Witness procured assistance, and conveyed the injured woman to St. Thomas's Hospital, when it was ascertained that her face was literally beaten in, and that 'she had received concussion of the brain. Witness had seen her recently in the hospital, and she was still insensible. It was the opinion of Mr. Morden, the house surgeon, that she could not recover. Witness handed in a certificate from that gentleman, setting forth that she was in a very dangerous state. After he had secured the prisoner he returned to the house in Bondstreet, in which the female resided, and found the stove torn out and broken up, the chain and tables also broken, and blood scattered aboyit in all directions.  Mr. Combe asked what the female vas. Witness said he believed she had a pension from the City, and he understood she had been living with the prisoner for some time. Mr. Combe inquired whether there was any one in court who witnessed the occurrence. Wm. Gee, a labourer, said he resided at No. 30, Bond-street, Borough •road, in the same house where the prisoner and the injured woman lodged. About one o'clock in the morning he heard them quarrelling. After that the female screamed, and he heard the chairs and other things being thrown about. About a minute afterwards he saw the prisoner throw the old woman down the stairs, and she fell on her head. Witness went up to her, and he made sure she was dead, as she was quite insensible and her face was cut about and covered with blood. Mr. Combe (to the prisoner)—Have you anything to say to this witness ? Prisoner (doggedly)—No. It is no use saying anything as I was drunk.  Mr. Edwin (chief clerk)—Do you know the serious position in which you stand ? Prisoner—Yes ; I know lam a blackguard. Mr. Edwin—Are you not aware that your life is in danger ? Should this woman die, you will be charged with murder. Prisoner—l know that; I cannot help it. Mr. Combe—You are remanded for a week ; and, should the woman die before, you will be brought up sooner.  The prisoner was then removed by the gaoler.
The Sun. — 1859-05-10 (London, England)

ADELPIII THEATRE.  The practical joke of placing a timid gentleman in the midst of circumstances that involve an unlimited quantity of bullying, was repeated last night to good purpose in a new farce, called " Ici on parle Francais," which, according to the bills, is of genuine English growth, albeit the title is French. Mr. Spriggins (Mr. J. L. Toole), the owner of a house on the sea-coast, being desirous of turning his property to the best advantage, resolves to let the chief rooms to lodgers, and though his command of the French language is anything but despotic he places in his window a card inscribed with the bold assertion that forms the title of the piece. Mrs. Major Rattan (Mrs. Billington), accompanied by M. Victor Dubois (Mr.. Billington), respond to the invitation, and the lady without hesitation takes an apartment on the first floor, while the gentleman, recognizing in the • landlord's niece, Angelina (Miss Laidlaw), a lady of whom he has become enamoured in Paris, secures a snug little chamber for himself. Spriggins at once concludes that his new lodgers are a married couple, but in reality their acquaintance is of the slightest, a mere accident having severed the lady from her lawful spouse at one of the railway stations, and induced her to accept the protection of the gallant foreigner, who happened to be travelling in the same carriage. All this has been done with the most innocent intention, but Major Regulus Rattan (Mr. Selby), a fire-eating officer of the old theatrical school, is by no means disposed to believe in perfect innocence. He is is of opinion that hls wife has intentionally eloped with his fellow-passenger, and rushing into Spriggins's house, accuses him of harbouring the guilty pair. Poor Sprigging is decidedly in a " fix," from which there are no obvious means of escape, and which comes as a finishing touch to previous miseries. He was dreadfully perplexed with the French of M. Dubois, he was terribly humiliated, and so likewise was Mrs. Spriggins (Miss Arden), when the Irish servant, Anna Maria (Miss Kate Kelly), struck for wages on account of extra work, and left her mistress to cook the dinner, her master to black the boots ; and now he is likely to be murdered by a whiskered barbarian, who loves to fight duels in the drawing-room, after a fashion most rare in actual life, but most common upon the stage. The avowed love of Dubois for Angelina proves a blessing in the emergency, for it causes the savage Major to abandon his jealous suspicions, and thus allows everybody to shake hands and be happy. The resolute "fun" with which the piece is acted has more to do with its success than the plot or the dialogue. Mr. Toole's terror is abject, and Mr. Selby's wrath is tremendous ; so that they play well into each other's hands. There is much spirit, too, in the Frenchman of Mr. Billington, though his talk is not much more Parisian than that of the gentleman who lets the lodgings. The character of the Irish servant, small but strong, is brought out with great force by Miss Kate Kelly. • - - •
The Sun. — 1859-05-10 (London, England)

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 10, 1859  ADELPHI THEATRE.  The practical joke of placing a timid gentleman in the midst of circumstances that involve an unlimited quantity of bullying, was repeated last night to good purpose in a new farce, called " lei on park Francais," which, according to the bills, is of genuine English growth, albeit the title is French. Mr. Spriggins (Mr. J. L. Toole), the owner of a house on the sea-coast, being desirous of turning his property to the best advantage, resolves to let the chief rooms to lodgers, and though his command of the French language is anything but despotic ho places in his window a card inscribed with the bold assertion that forms the title of the piece. Mrs. Major Rattan (Mrs. Billington), accompanied by M. Victor Dubois (Mr. Billington), respond to the invitation, and the lady without hesitation takes an apartment on the first floor, while the gentleman, recognizing in the landlord's niece, Angelina (Miss Laidlaw), a lady of whom he has become enamoured in Paris, secures a snug little chamber for himself. Spriggins at once concludes that his new lodgers are a married couple, but in reality their acquaintance is of the slightest, a mere accident having severed the lady from her lawful spouse at one of the railway stations, and induced her to accept the protection of the gallant foreigner, who happenod to be travelling in the same carriage. All this has been done with the most innocent intention, but Major Regulus Rattan (Mr. Selby), a fire-eating officer of the old theatrical school, is by no means disposed to believe in perfect innocence. He is is of opinion that hls wife has intentionally eloped with his fellow-passenger, and rushing into Spriggins's house, accuses him of harbouring the guilty pair. Poor Spriggins is decidedly in a "fix," from which there are no obvious means of escape, and which comes as a finishing touch to previous miseries. He was dreadfully perplexed with the French of M. Dubois, he was terribly humiliated, and so likewise was Mrs. Spriggins (Miss Arden), when the Irish servant, Anna Maria (Miss Kate Kelly), struck for wages on account of extra work, and left her mistress to cook the dinner, her master to black the boots ; and now he is likely to be murdered by a whiskered barbarian, who loves to fight duels in the drawing-room, after a fashion most rare in actual life, but most common upon the stage. The avowed love of Dubois for Angelina proves a blessing in the emergency, for it causes the savage Major to abandon his jealous suspicions, and thus allows everybody to shake hands and be happy. The resolute "fun" with which the piece is acted has more to do with its success than the plot or the dialogue. Mr. Toole's terror is abject, and Mr. Selby's wrath is tremendous ; so that they play well into each other's hands. There is much spirit, too, in the Frenchman of Mr. Billington, though his talk is not much more Parisian than that of the gentleman who lets the lodgings. The character of the Irish servant, small but strong, is brought out with great force by Miss Kate Kelly. •
The Sun. — 1859-05-10 (London, England)

GREENWICH.--ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A WIFE BY HER HUSBAND.—SamueI Newbury, 35, described on the police-sheet as a gentleman, of 1, Content Cottages, Shooter's.hill-road, Greenwich, was placed in the dock before Mr. Traill, charged with cutting and wounding his wife, Mary Charlotte Newbury,.by stabbing her in the neck with a knife. Mr. Downey, solicitcr, appeared for the prisoner. George Mantle said he was servant to Mr. Williams, a gentleman residing at Charlton Villas, Shooter's-hill-road. About ten o'clock on Saturday night witness was fastening up his master's premises, when he heard a female screaming. He went in the direction whence the sounds proceeded, and was met by a young woman, who came running along, and said " For God's sake go to the protection of my mistress, for master is going to murder her." Witness hastened to the spot, and then saw the prisoner struggling with a female, who was holding on to a lamp post. The prisoner had a white handled knife in his hand, and witness asked why they were not quiet, upon which the prisoner asked what it was to do with him. Witness then saw blood on the female's neck, the prisoner at the time dragging her by the wrist. He then laid hold of her by the fleshy part of the arm with his left hand, and drawing her towards him remarked, at the same time putting his right hand, in which he held the knife, round her neck, "Now I will butcher your head from your body." Witness' then closed with the prisoner, and he was secured and taken into custody. In reply to Mr.• Downey, the witness said both the prisoner and the wife appeared to be under the influence of drink. Mr. Henry Tyser, surgeon, of Blackheath, said, he heard the disturbance, and on going to the spot saw the prisoner and his wife and the last witness all lying on the ground. Witness saw the prisoner with a knife in his hand, and observed him strike at her with it in the direction of the face or bosom. Witness seized hold of the prisoner, and afterwards gave him into custody. Witness had since examined the prisoner's wife, and found a superficial wound on the neck, two inches in rength. There was also a slight wound under the neck, and another wound on the nose, the :atter occasioned by the falling down.  Mr. Traill inquired if the witness could say what state the prisoner and his wife were in ? My Tyser said, they were both under the influence of liquor. Inspector Nimmo, R division, here produced a sharp-pointed dinner•knife, with a white handle, which had been taken from the prisoner. Louisa Lewis, a young woman, said said she was servant to the prisoner. During the whole of the  den, when searched, had upwards of £1 in gold and silver in his possession. Clowden had also given a false address.  The prisoners, in defence, denied any guilty knowledge that the note was a forgery. Mr. Corry remanded the prisoners for a week, and in the meantime the Bank authorities will be communicated with. Bail was refused.