npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1857-09-14 (London, England)

WORSHIP-STREET.—Mary Ann Villiers, the wife of a retired publican, residing in Mansfieldstreet, Kingsland-road, was chargedwith feloniously cutting and wounding her husband, with intent to murder him.  Oa entering the witness box the complainant, who appeared with his face nearly covered with adhesive plaister, and presented a most ghastly spectacle, said—lt is not my intention to proceed with this case, as I have reason to believe that the injuries T have sustained were accidentally inflicted by my wife, and .I hope you will allow•me to abandon the prosecution. _ _  Ile magistrate, peremptorily refused to accede to the request in a case of.such a serious nature, and having inquired if there was any other evidence, Sergeant Townsend,- No: 23, stated that in consequence of information he had received, he proceeded on the previous evening to the residence of the prosecutor, whom he found seated in the parlour with the blood gushing down from two frightful wounds in the face. Witness asked him how he had received the injuries, and before he had time to reply, the prisoner, who-was standing near him, stepped boldly forward and exclaimed—" It was done by me, but I meant to cut Lis throat, and now you may lock me up." The prisoner was immediately taken into custody, and on her way to the station-house, she declared that it was her settled determination to murder her husband, and assigned as her motive for such vindictiveness that he had boastfully acknowledged the fact of his having formed an improper intimacy with her sister. Police-constable, -N 370, gave corroborative evidence, and added that the prisoner had attacked her husband with, the carving-knife produced, which had been since handed to him by the laudlady, stained with blood, as it now appeared. Mrs. Jane-Jones, the wife of a builder in Mansfield-street, stated that the prosecutor and his wife had occupied apartments in her house for several months; during which period they had lived on very unhappy terms together, and consequently quarrelled from morning to night. On the previous evening she heard-an unusually violent commotion in their apartment, on entering which she observed the prosecutor -in the mang:eS and bleeding conditi:m. described by the officer. The prisoner, who was standing over him in a menacing attitude, coolly avowed that she had inflicted the wounds in his face while attempting to cut his throat, at the same time pointing to knife- on the table, the blade of which was stained with fresh blood. Witness instantly secured the weapon, with which she hastened into the street, and gave information to the police. The witness added that the prosecutor hail formerly been in affluent circumstances, but was of such profuse and extravagant habits that he bad expended no less than 5,0001. within the last tine.) .yelr.-1.  Mr. 7 G. 11. Coward, the divisional surgeon of police, having deposed to the serious nature of the wounds, one of which had completely cut through the cheek to the extent of four inches. The prisoner, who exhibited throughout the most reckless indifference, was remanded for depositions.
The Sun. — 1857-09-14 (London, England)

JOHN JACOB."  HORRIBLE MURDER OF A LADY IN LEIGH WOODS, NEAR CLIFTON,  • BRISTOL, SATURDAY. Great sensation was created in this city and Clifton last evening by a report that a murder had been committed, apparently under very atrocious circumstances, in that romantic spot, Nightingale Valley, Leigh Woods, near Clifton. On inquiry we learn that about seven o'clock last evening, as a gamekeeper, in the employ of W. Miles, Esq., M.P. was passing along the north side of Nightingale Valley, near the rabbit warren, he was horrified by discovering the body of a female lying on the ground, with her arms extended, and her face covered with blood, quite dead. The keeper raised an &arm, and on examining the body it was found that her throat was cut from ear to earand. the head nearly severed from the trunk. There is also a wound on the right side of the head, apparently caused by a bidlot, +l-inrigh fhie nan be only aeoor tained by a post mortem examination. Thera were no other marks of violence on the body, and no instrument of death was found near it. The deceased female appears to be about 30 years of age ; she is of diminutive stature, rather handsome, and is dressed in a grey alpaca gown, frilled round the neck and down the front, with kid boots, and two skirts, one grey and the other white. She had no bonnet. At present the deceased lady is unknown, and there can be no doubt but that she has been cruelly murdered. The gamekeeper states that ho passed the spot on Thursday afternoon in going his round,., and from this, as well as from the freshness of the wounds, the crime was apparently perpetrated in the course of yesterday. Since her death some of the flesh of the throat has been torn away, it is supposed by rats. " The body has been removed to the New Inn, at Rownham Ferry, and information of the melancholy occurrence has been forwarded to the county coroner, B. Fry, Esq., who will forthwith hold an inquest. The body of the unfortunate lady may probably be identified inthec hourasvee takenthisof place day, but n i ooD at present the deceased ihseuennknp rownlnge.d summerLeih Nvsoe ovde la and c -ni havec parties uorinngsetmhee occalons until midnight, and poisons have taken refreshment at the cottages in the wood, and then strolled away to Nightingale Valley, and in many cases the females have left their shawls and bonnets at the cottages. This may possibly furnish a clue to the identification of the body, and explain the fact that the deceased was without a bonnet. The crime has been commit'ed in the county of Somerset, beyond the jurisdiction of this city, but the city police are on the alert. A married woman is missing, having eloped with a ticket-of-leave man, with a sum of money in her possession, but the husband believes, from the description given to him of the dress and body of the deceased, that she is not his wife. Ho will, however, be permitted to see the corpse this morning.
The Sun. — 1857-09-14 (London, England)

JOHN JACOB,"  HORRIBLE MURDER OF A LADY IN LEIGH WOODS, NEAP CLIFTON,  BRISTOL, SATURDAY.  Great sensation was created in this city and Clifton last evening by a report that a murder had been committed, apparently under very atrocious circumstances, in that romantic epot, Nightingale Valley, Leigh Woods, near Clifton. Ou inquiry we learn that about seven o'clock- last evening, as a gamekeeper, in the employ of W. Miles Esq., M.P. was passing along the north side of Nightingale Valley, near the rabbit warren, he was horrified by discovering the body of a lady-like female lying on the ground, with her arms extended, and her face covered with blood, quite dead. The keeper raised au warm, and on examining the body it was found that her throat was cut from ear to ear and the head nearly severed from the trunk. There is also a wound on the right side of the head, apparently caused by a bullet, though this eaut ba only ascertained by a pest mortem examination. There were no 'other marks of violence on the body, and no instrument of death was found near it. The deceased female appears to be about 30 years of age ; she is of diminutive stature, rather handsome, and is dressed in a gray alpaca gown, frilled round the neck and down the front, with kid boots, and two skirts, one grey and the other white. She had no bonnet. At present the deceased lady is unknown, and there can be no doubt but that she has been cruelly murdered. The gamekeeper states that he passed the spot on Thursday afternoon in going his round, and from this, as well as from the freshness of the wounds, the crime was apparently perpet rated in the course of yesterday. Since her death some of the flesh of the throat has been torn away, it is supposed by rats. The holy has been removed to the New Inn, at nownham Ferry, and information of the melancholy occurrence has been forwarded to the county coroner, B. Fry, Esq., who will forthwith hold au inquect. The body of the unfortunate lady may probably presentbe in the course of this day, but identified -Live() been prolonged on some parties have taken place in at prest tho deceased is unknown. During the summer vsoeod, vefs,laupdie occa-inns until midnight, and pars ns have taken refreshment at the cottages in the wood, and then strolled away to Nightingale Valley, and in many -cases the females have-left their shawls and bonnets at the cottages. This may possibly furnish a clue to the identification of the body, and explain the fact that the deceased was without a bonnet. The crime has been committed in the county of Somerset, beyond the jurisdiction of- this city, but the city police areon the alert. A married woman- is .missing,-having eloped with a ticket-of-leave man, with a sum of money in her possession, but the husband believes, from the description given to him of the dress and body of the deceased, that she is not his wife. Ile will, 'however, be permitted to see the corpse this morning.  THE _RECENT
The Sun. — 1857-09-09 (London, England)

FRANCE. PARIS, TUESDAY EVENING.  The last despatches received by the French Government from Honer Kong contradict the announcement in the 'American papers that the United States squadron in the Chinese Seas had taken possession of the Island of Formosa. The squadron in question, according to these despatches, consists only of the steam frigate Jacinto, of 13 guns, and the corvette Levante, carrying 18. A despatch received by the French Government from Captain Bilhau of the Spahis, dated from Fanaye, in Senegal, the 31st May, announces that he had defeated the Trarza Moors, who had devastated Gandon, killing 29 princes or chieftains of the Royal family of Tram, with the loss of one Spahl killed and another slightly wounded. 30 of the women and children carried off by the Moors Lad been recaptured by the Spahis. The Moniteur contains an Imperial decree, setting forth the treaty determining the frontier line between grance and Spain, concluded on December 2, 1856. It defines the boundary line from the embouchure of the BidasSoa to a point where the department of the Lower Pyrenees touches the limits of Aragon and Navarre. BOURSE, Sept. B.—Rente has been rather offered, but prices have been pretty well maintained, notwithstanding a kind of panic prevailed iu shares, and chiefly in Mobilier. An article in a London journal against the Credit Mobilier has caused rather a bad impression on this market. The market somewhat improved towards the close, when the following were the last quotaqens  _ cash. tr. End of month. li per Cents 3 per Cents 66 70 66 95 Bank Sharos 2,73') Credit Foncior 565 Credit Mobilier 855 Roman Do. Account B6O -- Austrian Belgian 44 .., -- Spanish Threes 4O Fiedmontese (5) OO -- Homo Debt  orchestras were placed in different parts of the garden, in all the allies of which crowds of persons were walking. At midnight a brilliant display of fireworks closed the marriage fetco The sauce letter states that Riza Bey, the Turkish Ambassador, has been accorded an audience by no Emperor, -at which he •Fesental his lottera of credence.  A painful accident marked the reception of the Emperor of Austria on the borders of -fte district of KaF'chau. While the burgomaster of that place was haranguing his Majesty, Lieutmant-Colonel Count Szirinay, an officer of great merit, who close to his Majesty, was suddenly struck with apoplexy, and dropped down deal from his horse, The Emperor was much affecied by the event, and immediately sent one of his aides-dc-camp to Besenyo to announce the melancholy intelligence to the family of the deceased.  The Madrid journals of the 4th contain no political news. It has I),:en decided that silk, wolllen, mid cotton fabrics prepare•! with gum shall pay au import duty of from 40 to 48 per cent, on their  The Corriere Mercantile states from Florence that the investigation into the late insurrection at Leghorn is terminated, and that '27 prisoners are to be tried for the murder or maiming of soldiers, and the remainder for high treason.  T.HE
The Sun. — 1857-01-07 (London, England)

AMBETH.  Yesterday Mrs. Marthaßacon,the unfort' nate woman charged with the wilful murder of her t o children— namely, Edwin Fuller Bacon, aged two ye rs and a half, and Sarah Ann Bacon, aged 11 months was brought up from Ilorsemonger-lane Gaol for furthe examination before Mr. Elliott, at the Lambeth Police ourt. The prisoner, whose general health seemed somewhat improved sines her last examination, was abeommodated with a seat at the end of the solicitors' table, and fronting the bench. While the witnesses well giving their evidence she kept her eyes steadily fixed n them, but i) did not utter a word, and even when the orribla scene which her house exhibited when the tour era were discovered, and the shocking state in which the poor little children were found, were being described, she did not evince the slightest emotion. Her huslia,nd, who was seated near to her, on the contrary, seemed deeply. affected, particularly at some portions of the evidence. Mr. Woodward, of the firm of Messrs. 'taylor, Collinson, and Woodward, solicitors, of John-street, Bedfordrow, attended, and said he was present, to watch the case at the request of the friends of Mr. Bacon, who were respectable persons at Stamford, in Lincolnshire. Since the last examination of the prisoner the case has assumed a very serious as well as a tragicicharacter—in the first place, from the fact of Mr. Bacon the prisoner's husband's assertion that between the time of his leaving home, at a very early hour on the morning of Monday, to proceed to Reigate, and returning to his house on the 1 Wednesday morning, it had been robbed of a suit of clothel, a watch, and 71. in cash ; and inithe next from circumstances that have occurred at Stamford, and from %bleb it appears that the poor children who have unfortunately become victims to the insanity of their unhappy mother have had a narrow escape from +destruction in another way—that of being burnt to death. The Stamford Mercury of last week, commenting on the report of the former examination of the prisoner at the police court, says : i " The above melancholy case will be read with painful interest in Stamford. The unfortunate woman is the wife of Thos. Fuller Bacon, formerly a whitesmith in this town. It will be remembered that some months ago Bacon's house on Peter's-hill was burnt in the night time, and that the poor children who have met such an awful death were then removed from the burning premises by a female servant, who was, with the father, apprehended on a charge of arson, but afterwards liberated, Bacon himself having been tried at the Lincoln assizes and acquitted. Mrs. Bacon was at that time in a lunatic asylum, where she remained a considerable period." The witness Harriett Payne, examined on the former day, was recalled, and her former deposition having been read over to her, she was further examined by the magic trate as to the expressions made use of by the prisoner when she first saw her on the Tuesday morning and subsequently on her way to the station-house and to this court, but she could not recollect anything beyond her saying that it was not she that did it, l_ut that a man
The Sun. — 1857-08-15 (London, England)

PEEP INTO WESTMINSTER-'HALL,  (Being as much as Mr. Punch can recollect of the Descriptions appended to the Wellington Monument Models.) The Duke of Wellington, supported by Foe- .i-tude and the Hon. East India Company, tramples on Alisre pres en l a.tion and Unconstit utionalit ti a, and brandishing the sword of Justice in the face. of Ingratitude, plants the Standard of Natic,rat Liberty under the protection of the British Li c; a. Motto, "Bonus, bona, bo;turn." The Duke of Wellington plucks the Symbols of Despotism from the Lair of Tyranny, and putting to flight at once Napoleon and Anarchy, introdi, cing History to the Speaker of the House of Lords, and calls upen Time to take notice of his spevelee. Mot'o, " Verbuin sat sapienti." The Duke of Wellington between Honour and Glory leads the British Grenadiers into acti,m, and pointing to the Angel of Temperance to show the moderation of his proceedings, beckons to Tiloflesty, Economy, and Charity to advance the flrkg of Eng land. Motto, " Dentine dirige nos." The Duke of Wellington sustains the form of Britannia (who is tottering from the effects of tl 0 earthquake of Revolution), and holds to her no e a restorative via inscribed " Waterloo," while the discomfited Marehals of France slink away in 1.11 directions, pursued by the avenging Furies. Mott ,y, " Bis dat qui cito dat." The Duke of Wellington, at the head of the Cardinal Virtues, repels the advance of Tippo &lib, add strkes terror into the Demon of Revolution, while Fame proclaims his deeds through the silver trumpet of Rectitude. Motto, "Go thou and ilo likewise." The Duke of Wellington, his foot firmly planted on the Constitution, defies Arrogance, Aggression, and Usurpation ; and, hurling the Bible at the Infidel Domination of France, transfixes with the spear of Uriel the ferocious serpent of Oriental treachery, and by the grant of Catholic Emancipation invites Hibernia to the bosom of Britannia. Motto "There is no mistake." The Duke of Wellington, mounted on his charger Copenhagen, whose bridle is held by Chivalry, Valour fastening the Hero's spur, while Protestant Religion delivers to him the Sword of Loyalty. Under the horse's feet are Murder and Treason ; and Foreign Invasion, mortally wounded, staggers -backward against the Boulogne column. Mottto, " Arma viruntque cam." The Duke of Wellington as Bellerophon delivers Europe from the clutches of the monster Bonaparte, places the British Crown upon the Proud Pinnacles of Mercy, Liberality, and Emancipation, while Time breaks his scythe in sign that he will never destroy the good work. Motto, "All is serene." The Duke of Welliugton, in classical costume, to show the simplicity of his mind, lea is the charge of the Guards at Waterloo, who are dressed in mf.dimval armour, to show that their glory was not for an age but for all time. Mercy and the G enius of Treaties fly a short distance behind hint,. and Britannia follows as Una on the milk-white lamb, while the British Lion frantically rends the tricolour, and the Fiends of Revolution cling affrigt•ted to the rock of Liberty. Motto, "Such is Lif e."
The Sun. — 1857-02-19 (London, England)

THE CASE OF THE MURDERER MANSELL.  The execution of this prisoner was to have taken place on the, sth instant, but a respite has been sent, delaying the carrying out of the sentence until the lith of May, in order.that the legal point raised•by hie counsel, Mr. Russell, as to the validity of the jury oy whom he was tried, may be first disposed of; and as the Court of Queen's Bench decided not to enter into the argument until the conclusion of the present term, it was necessary for the sentence to be respited for ON long period. It will be recollected that at the trial the only defence set up for the prisoner was, that he was nit in a state of mind to be accountaUe for his actions the time be deliberately shot the unfortunate man for whose murder he was tried. There does not appear, ho‘sever, tie slightest ground for supposing that his mind is at al, affected ; but, on the contrary, he seems to be perfectly aware of the character of his crime, and his only desire appears to be that he may escape the capital punishment ; indeed immediattly after the trial he said that be should not have cared if be had been only sentenced to transportation for life. He eats and drinks heartily, and is now evidently strongly impressed with the idea that, after having been twice respited, and so long a delay being granted, the sentence of death will not be carried out; and although Mr. Hilliard, the newly appointed governor of Maidstone gad, has frequently impressed upon him the necessity of preparing for the worst, and explained to him the circutn, tances under which the respites have been granted, and that in the event of the point of law being decided against him, the sentence would no doubt be carried into efEct, it appears to have very little weight, and he evidently feels a strong conviction that his life will be spared. Two extra turnkeys are employed to watch the prisoner, one being constantly with him during the day, aid tie other at night, so that he is never left alone. It has already been explained that the ground upon which the prisoner has been respited, was'thoantethe of the counselitir for o jurors without the Crown cause, tiad but .untpirto speeeamy s challengedtha t since the matter has been brought before the Court of Queen's Bench, a new objection has been started, and it will be contended that the prisoner was entitled to have the juryman who was objected to empanelled to try him, and that having been improperly put in peril, by the juryman having been rejected improperly, the whole proceeding was not only invalid, but that the prisoner cannot again bs put in jeopardy upon the same charge ; and if this objection, upon argument, should be sustained, an order will be made for the discharge of the prisoner, and he will altogether escape the consequences of his act.
The Sun. — 1857-02-19 (London, England)

THE CASE OF. THE 211U.RDERER  MANS ELL.  The execution of this prisoner was to have taken place on the sth instant, but a .respite has been sent, delaying the carrying out of the sentence until the llth of May,'in order that the legal point rallied by his counsel, Mr. Russell, as to the validity of the jury oy whom he was tried, may be first disposed of ; -and as the Court of Queen's Bench decided not to enter into the argument until the conclusion of the present term, it was necessary for the sentence to be respite& for this long period. It will be recollected that at the trial the only defence set up for the prisoner was, that he was not in a state of mind to be accountable for his actions at the time he deliberately shot the unfortunate man for whose murder. be was tried. There does not appear, hoeever, the slightest ground for supposing that his mind is at al; affected ;' but, on the contrary, he seems to be perfectly aware of the character of his crime, and his only desire appears to bethat he may escape the capital punishment ; indeed immediately after the trial he said that he should not have cared if he had been only sentenced to trausportation for life. He eats and drinks heartily, and is now evidently strongly impressed with the idea that, after having been twice respitedi and so long a delay being granted, the sentence of death will nut be carrie.4 out ; and although Mr. Hilliaril, the ne:vly appointed governor of Maidstone gaol. has frequently impressed upon him the necessity of preparing for the worst, and explained to him the circumstances under which the respites have been granted, and that in the event of the point of law being decided against him, the sentence would no doubt be carried into eff:tct, it appears to have very little weight, and he evidently feels a strong conviction that his life will be spared. Two extra turnkeys are employed to watch the prisoner, one being constantly with him during the day. tend tee other at night, so that he is never left alone. It has already been explained that the ground upon which the prisoner has been respited, was, that the counsel for the Crown had improperly challenged one of the jurors without cause, but it seems that since the matter has been brought before the Court of Queen's Bench, a new objection has been started, and it will be cantended that the prisoner was entitled to have the juryman who was objected to emit-Paneled to try him, and that having been improperly put in peril, by the juryman having been rejected improperly, the whole proceeding was not only invalid, but that the prisoner cateett again be put in jeopardy upon the same charge ; and if this objection, upon argument, should be sustained, an order will be made for the discharge of the prisoner, and he will altogether escape the consequences of his act.