npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1836-01-12 (London, England)

FALMOUTH, JAN. 7.—The following are sonic 'of the particulars of the melancholy shipwreck of the S p Francis Spaight, of Limerick, T. Gorman master, 3f3 tons measurement, from St. John's, New Brunswick, bound to Limerick, with a cargo of timber left the former port on the November, and on the_ night of the 3d of December, whilst lying to 'in a heavy gale of wind from. the westward, was hove on berbeam • caj.s, aril turned nearly bottom up, all her masts and yards being undar water-; the crew got upon her side, and suceeeded, .acme time, in cutting away the weather lanyards of the fore and main rigging, when the masts happily broke; and the ship righted, the mate and two seamen being washed away, together With everything on deck, and not leavin;t the smallest particle 'Of provisions or water (which were iunfortunately stowed in the poop) for the survivors, pow 14 in number, to subsist on. They continued in this dreadful -condition, without food and scarcely any clothing; the sea making, - a -fair breach over them, until the morning of the I Set (15 days),:v.then,finding it impossible to exist any longer Without satisfying the cravings of hunger, they were driven to the neaessity of drawing lots who 'should die for the others, when it fell on a boy, whose body they subsisted on until the 20th, when one of the remaining crew became insane, having drunk of salt water too freely ; and being near expiring, they put an end to his sufferings, to save his blood to quench their increasing thirst. On the morning of the 23d another grew insane, and his life was also taken for the same encL The number Was now reduced to eleven ; they became more reeeneiled to their hcpeless state, and they continued drivina. about at the `nervy of the wind and sea, until a sail providentially appeared 1 sght on the 23d December, which proved to be the brig Arglwra.' of and from St. John's, Newfoundland, then in latitude 47 north, and longitude 37, west, bound to Teignmoutb Jenard master, Who succeeded 'aften great risk in rescuing , them from the wreck-, and brought-them into this port last his who; not wsiptletsatkandiinn'gthief evening. Captain Grornraa and highest praise of Captain Miura, was attended with great personal risk,' went himself in his ey boat to take them off, and afterl ttlother were on,as of tr boardt his vessel, behaved with the greatest humanity and kindness: thel\ nlirasr.vellorrli, tells herl°Pe'arrettie oil:gders that there are amusingnoold maids in France,; for that ladies who find themselves unmarried at thirty generally hang or dPoAcitEn.—The crime of poachino- seems to he greatly on the increase in no 1 1 „ a , lead as usual to- murder. In a s ilseivP''' addition t well s districts of Scotland .; and will, if not checked,• doubtles.; too n many y villaget other some bands, tins part of the country has been' visited`; d; as last s season, by strangers from the west, icl'oininn• the English. -border. This gang is most daring,- entering into the park and woods of country seats early at night, and shooting game of alisorts, within a few hundred -yards of the mansion-house and offices.--Kelso 1 1 ile
The Sun. — 1844-01-06 (London, England)

WIGHTMAIY.) CHARGE OF MURDER.— Samuel Maddocks, aged 33, was charged with the wilful murder of one Matthias Bailey, g. me • keeper to Mr. Wilbraham, at Cuddington. The Attorney-General, Mr. Townsend, and Mr. Egerton, were for the prosecution; the prisoner was defended by Mr, Temple. It appeared that the prisoner was a tailor, and lived with his brother, who is a farmer, in the vicinity of the place where the murder was committed. The deceased was gamekeeper to Mr. Wilbraham, of De/amerc.ball, and had frequently suspected the prisoner of poaching. On the 28th of July, the deceased went out about 4 o'clock with his gun, and John, the brother of the prisoner, was seen soon after runr.ing without a gun, the deceased running after. It was the habit of the deceased to pull off his coat and throw down his gun on those occasions, to enable him to run faster. The prisoner had a gun, and when the deceased was running after his brother, it was alleged that the primmer came behind the deceased, and di: charged the gun, the charge of _which penetrated the nape of the neck ; he instantly fell and died. The principal w itness in the case was Joseph Clarke, who, upon examination before the Magistrates, had sworn to have been an eye-witness of the murder. Several witnesses were called on to prove the state in which the body  was found. Joseph Clarke then deposed—l am a labourer, residing in Noxley. I remember getting up on the 2801 of July to get turnips; it was about half-past three o'clock. I met Matthias Bailey at. Smallbrook, about four o'clock. I knew Bailey before, and I asked him to give me leave to get some turnips from Mr. Wilbraham's field that spas alongside Camomile-lane, where the murder was eornsoitte.l. Ba.ley and I parted at the turnip field gate. Bailey went along the woodside when he parted from me. I heard the report of a gun shortly after ; it came from the direction in which the body lay. In five minutes I saw Samuel Maddocks coining down the lane into the turnip field. lie had a gun with him. As aeon as he saw me he laid himself down. I was then 100 yards from him, and then I saw Bailey running down the lane, and as he was going past Samuel Maddocks, the latter rose up, clapped his gun to his shoulder, and shot him. He was about two yards past him when the prisoner fired. He was running very fast. He did not run above a yard or two afterwards, but the hedge intercepted my view, and I did not see any more. The prisoner then jumped over the hedge, and ran down the lane. I did not speak at all. I stopped about five minutes, pulled a few plants, and then went home. I did not say anything about it. I have known the prisoner a great while. I did not attend the inquest. I heard of a reward being offered soon afterwards. I gave no information of what I had seen. I first gave information three weeks ago last Saturday. I did not give information at the time, as I wanted to let it stop till near the assizes. I gave it to Mr. Wilbraham. I went myself. I heard of the Maddockses being taken up about a week after the murder. I have never had any quarrel with either of them. Cross-examined by Mr.
The Sun. — 1844-01-06 (London, England)

WIGHTMAN.) CHARGE OF MURDER.— Samuel Maddocks, ageds.3, was charged with the wilful murder of one Matthias Bailey, game • keeper to Mr. Wilbraham, at Cuddington. The Attorney-General, Mr. Townsend, and Mr. Egerton, were for the prosecution; the prisoner was defended by Mr. Temple. It appeared that the prisoner was a tailor, and lived with his brother, who is a farmer, in the vicinity of the place where the murder was committed. The deceased was gamekeeper to Mr. Wilbraham, of Delamere-hall, and had frequently suspected the prisoner of poaching. On the 28th of July, the deceased went out about 4 o'clock with his gun, and John, the brother of the prisoner, was seen soon after running without a gun, the deceased running after. It was the habit of the deceased to pull off his coat and throw down his gun on those occasions, to enable him to run faster. The prisoner had a gun, and when the deceased was running after his brother, it was alleged that the prisoner came behind the deceased, and discharged the gun, the charge of :which penetrated the nape of the neck ; he instantly fell and died. The principal witness in the case was Joseph Clarke, who, upon examination before the Magistrates. had sworn to have been an eye-witness of the murder. Several witnesses were called on to prove the state in which the body was found.  Joseph Clarke then deposed—l am a labourer, residing in Noxley. I remember getting up on the 28th of July to get turnips ; it was about half-past three o'clock. I met Matthias Bailey at Smallbrook, about four o'clock. I knew Bailey before, and I asked him to give me leave to get some turnips from Mr. Wilbraham's field that was alongside Camomile-lane, where the murder was committed. Bailey and I parted at the turnip field gate. Bailey went along the woodside when he parted from me. I heard the report s,f a gun shortly after; it came from the direction in which the body lay. In five minutes I saw Samuel Maddocks coming down the lane into the turnip field. He had a gun with him. As soon as he saw me he laid himself down. I was then 100 yards from him, and then I saw Bailey running down the lane, and as he was going past Samuel Maddocks, the latter rose up, clapped his g,,n to his shoulder, and shot him. lie was about two yards past him when the prisoner fired. He was running very fast. He did not run above a yard or two afterwards, but the hedge intercepted my view, and I did not see any more. The prisoner then jumped over the hedge, and ran down the lane. I did not speak at all. I stopped about fire minutes, pulled a few plants, and then went home. I did not say anything about it. I have known the prisoner a great while. I did not attend the inquest. I heard of a reward being offered soon afterwards. I gave no information of what I had seen. I first gave information three weeks ago last Saturday. 1 did not give information at the time, as I wanted to let it stop till near the assizes. I gave it to Mr. Wilbraham. I went myself. I heard of the Maddockses being taken up about a week after the murder. 1 have never had any quarrel with either of them. Cross-examined by Mr.
The Sun. — 1844-12-13 (London, England)

ALDERSON.) G'horrles Dyer was indicted for realibiously wounding John Organ with a hatchet, with intent to kill and murder him. Mr. Prideaux conducted the case f r the prosecution ; Mr. Stone defended the prisoner. From the evidence it appeared that the prosecutor was a carpenter at Frome, and the prisoner was his apprentice. On the 20th of September the prosecutor and prisoner had been out together in a cart. On their return home the prosecutor found fault with something the prisoner had done, and the latter becoming abusive, the prosecutor struck him with a small stick. The prisoner went to another part of the shop, seized a hatchet, and struck the prosecutor with the hatchet on the head, and inflicted a severe wound, and afterwards said, if he had not split his skull he would do so. Mr. STONE, in addressing the jury for the prisoner, said he had not an opportunity of telling his story, or explaining his conduct. Mr. Baron ALDERSON said, that in his opinion every prisoner had a right to make a defence for himself, in addition to what might be urged in his behalf by his counsel, otherwise the Prisoners' Counsel Bill would be one of the most unjust things in the world. acted in self-defence, and suggcstea at the jury we e Mr. STONE then contended that the prisoner had oriy secure the prisoner punishment by finding him o' a common assault. Mr. Baron ALDERSON said, that it was not a case of common assault. If the prisoner hoe. only acted in defence, and had not done more then was requisite, 1would acquit him altogether. He was very sorry -; • ' the Legislature had introduced such a power, bees'.: enabled juries, as it were, to leglilat9. It was, in opinion, a very dangerous thing. The jury found the prisoner G eley. Mr. Baron ALDERSON said, he disapproved of a mast: r striking an apprentice ; at the same time, the prisoner had been guilty of great misconduct in abusing his master. The sentence of the Court wes that the prisoner be imprisoned for a year. Isaac Padfield was indicted for maliciously wounding John Horler. Mr. Stone conducted the case for the prosecution, and Mr. Edwards defended the prisoner. From the evidence of the prosecutor it appeared that he and the prisoner were going along the road, the latter riding on a donkey, when some persons who were with them pulled the prisoner off the donkey. The prisoner then threw two stones at the prosecutor, which struck him. It then seemed that Horler struek the prisoner's father and mother, who were present, several times. The prisoner then threw a third stone, which struck the prosecutor on his head, and inflicted a severe wound. He was attended by a surgeon for two months, and several pieces of bone were removed. Mr. Baron ALDERSON said, this was one of the eases which would justify a party being convicted of a common assault. The jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty. Mr. Baron
The Sun. — 1844-12-13 (London, England)

ALDERSON.) Charles Dyer was indicted for maliciously wounding John Organ with a hatchet, with intent to kill and murder him.  Mr. Prideaux conducted the case fur the prosecution ; Mr. Stone defended the prisoner. From the evidence it appeared that the prosecutor was a carpenter at Frome, and the prisoner was his apprentice. On the 20th of September the prosecutor and prisoner had been out together in a cart. On their return home the prosecutor found fault with something the prisoner had done, and the latter becoming abusive, the prosecutor struck him with a small stick. The prisoner went to another part of the shop, seized a hatchet, and struck the prosecutor with the hatchet on the head, and inflicted a severe wound, and afterwards said, if he had not split his skull he would do so. Mr. STONE, in addressing the jury for the prisoner, said he had not an opportunity of telling his story, or explaining his conduct. Mr. Baron ALDERSON said, that in his opinion every prisoner had a right to make a defence for himself, in addition to what might be urged in his behalf by his counsel, otherwise the Prisoners' Counsel Bill would be one of the most unjust things in the world. Mr. STONE then contended that the prisoner had only acted in self-defence, and suggested that the Jury might secure the prisoner punishment by finding hun guilty of a common assault. Mr. Baron ALDERSON said, that it was not a case of common assault. If the prisoner had only acted in selfdefence, and had not done more than was requisite, they would acquit him altogether. He was very sorry that the Legislature had introduced such a power, because it enabled juries, as it were, to legislate. It was, in his opinion, a very dangerous thing. The jury found the prisoner Guilty. Mr. Baron ALDERSON said, he disapproved of a master striking an apprentice ; at the same time, the prisoner had been guilty of great misconduct in abusing his master. The sentence of the Court was that the prisoner be imprisoned for a year. Isaac Padfield was indicted for maliciously wounding John Horler. Mr. Stone conducted the case for the prosecution, and Sir. Edwards defended the prisoner. From the evidence of the prosecutor it appeared that he and the prisoner were going along the road, the latter riding on a donkey, when some persons who were with them pulled the prisoner off the donkey. The prisoner then threw two stones at the prosecutor, which struck him. It then seemed that Horler struck the prisoner's father and mother, who were present, several times. The prisoner then threw a third stone, which struck the prosecutor on his head, and inflicted a severe wound. He was attended by a surgeon for two months, and several pieces of bone were removed. Mr. Baron ALDERSON said, this was one of the cases which would justify a party being convicted of a common assault. The jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty. Mr. Baron
The Sun. — 1844-07-27 (London, England)

FOREIGN. The Journal of the Two Sidlies publishes the sentel pronounced by the military commission at Cosenza aPini, the seventy-six persons implicated in the insurrection March last. Among those on whom judgment has bo, passed, twenty-one have been condemned to death, tents,`° thirty years' imprisonment in irons, twelve to twenty yea, six to five years' solitary confinement; three have been Corr demned merely to pay the expenses of process, and twenti; four have been acquitted and set at liberty. The Gazettts the Two Sicilies of the 15th states that six of those condemn to death have already been shot, and that the King commuted the punishment of the remainder to confineznell in irons for life. It is stated that the French Government proposes to 01° important modifications in the tariff of customswith Belgium' waiting only for the close of the Chambers to bring the Pr; ject into execution. The entrance duties on machiPio oleagenous seeds, and leather coming from that countrylA be considerably increased, the introduction of foreign 01,'"ii restrained as much as possible, and, in a word, the r 9 ordonnance by which these changes are to be -regulated, /I,h, be in accordance with the Customs Bill, presented to kv Chamber of Deputies on the 26th of March last." A letter from Cadiz, of the 16th, states that the trooP„tb, the French squadron had landed at Algesiras. On the the French squadron consisted of three ships of the line9u steamers, a frigate, and a brig. They were establaw" hospitals there. On Thursday at Paris the thermometer stood at 86 deg in the shade. $ General Prim, Count de Reuss, Colonel Milans, and Carriquiri, banker of Madrid, who had been in Paris for saw days, left on Wednesday, on their return to Spain. , The Brussels journals mention a rumour that the Ji-02,.i the French, yielding to the earnest solicitations of the N„"; and Queen of the Belgians, has consented to visit Belgium his return from England. The Weser Gazette states that the Austrian Goverinne has opened negotiations with the different German SUt,tes with a view to the establishment of a perfect and unifoi' monetary system throughout Germany. Rullier, who was some time since condemned to death Of the robbery and murder of M. Peyronneau, near Aubetel and also for the attempt to murder his female servant, wh°, he left for dead, but who recovered, was executed at Cbt rente on the 20th inst. For some time before his death!' manifested great repentance, and met his fate with becolOg resignation. A Lille journal relates the following curious eircumstanc6 An inhabitant of Crespin, wishing to put an end to his 1, istence, went into the river Hogniau a few days ago, O°A, the water being shallow, was looking for a place deep enau''g to drown him, when he was perceived by a Custom-11,1 officer, who suspected his design, and, levelling his inn-;;, at him, threatened to shoot him if he did not come out of water. The man, who it seems had no desire to die by whatever affection he might have for death by water, olKej the injunction, and quietly left the river, and went and (111 himself.
The Sun. — 1844-06-06 (London, England)

SUNDAY, ONE O'CLOCIL-Our correspondent further writes :—We have just received information that the perpetrator of the diabolical outrage recorded above has been discovered, and has attempted self-murder by cutting his own throat, though not so severely as to destroy life. His name is Markham; he is about 45 years of age, and was originally apprenticed to a baker in Louth, and was formerly a keeper at the Lincoln Lunatic Asylum. Having some time ago threatened to revenge himself upon old Gainsley, for having informed upon a brother of his for riding upon the shafts of his waggon at the time Gainsley kept the Ashby toll-gate, he took the opportunity referred to to carry his passion into effect. By some means or other, he became acquainted with a Mrs. Desforges, a widow, possessed of some little property, residing ati Bilsby, near Alford, to whom he was actually paying his addresses at the time he attempted to carry out his sanguinary intentions. From information received the prisoner was traced to the house of Mrs. Desforges, at Bilsby, during the night of Saturday last,iwhere Superintendent Campbell arrived at half past eleven o'clock at night, accompanied by Chapman (Louth police) and Biggs (Alford police). On arriving at the house the superintendent knocked at the door. Mrs. Desforges asked " Who's there ?" The answer was, " A friend." She then ran up stairs, looked out of the window, and repeated the same question, asking, " What was wanted ?" He answered, " You need not be afraid, I want to speak to you." She then came down stairs, and opened the door. Campbell then asked who she had in the house ? She said, " I have only my children and Mr. Mark ham." He then said he wanted to speak to Mr. Markham, and requested her to show him the bedroom, which was only seven steps from the front door. She went up, and the officers followed. The door was open. Mrs. Desforges observed, " Do shut the door, Mr. Markham ;" but, on looking into the room blood was seen, and it was immediately discovered that he had cut his throat. Mr. Handsley, of Alford, was, sent for, and he very promptly arrived, and sewed up the wound, which extended four inches across his throat. The prisoner said it was his intention to wound Gainslay, and to give him a desperate fright, for having about three years back, laid an information against his brother for riding on the waggon-shafts. The prisoner was wounded by Gainsley in several places, and he stated that it was with difficulty he had made his escape. He had determined to cut his throat rather than be apprehended, and had his razor with him for that purpose ; he did the desperate act directly Mrs. Desforges went down for the purpose of opening the door. He was left in the custody of Biggs. Since Mr. Handsley, surgeon, of Alford, sewed up the gash in the man's throat, he managed while-alone to tear, ' out the stitches, and now lies in a most precarious state ; indeedi with scarcely a hope of recovery.  I-