npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1850-10-10 (London, England)

STREET. SHmlPcile aged German, and his Gasper W wife, Deborah Wasner, were placed at the bar before Mr. Arnold, charged upon suspicion of having caused the death of their infant child, six weeks old. Police-constable Gifford, fl 89, stated that in consequence of information he received that the prisoners were believed to have murdered their child, whibh had died under sudden and suspicious circumstances on the preceding day, he repaired at one o'clock that morning to their house in George-street, White, chapel, and, upon entering a lower room, observed a coffin. upon the table containing the dead body of an infant. He questioned the female prisoner as to the time and circumstances attending its death, when she told him that it had been affected with violent purging for two or three' days, which had terminated fatally about eight o'clock on the preceding morning. She further stated that she herself had administered to it a teaspoonful of castor oil, but that no medical gentleman had been called in to attend it. He then asked the husband if he had lately had any quarrel with his wife or others in the house, but he denied that anything of the kind bad taken place. .On examining the person of the child he observed a small bruise at the side of the head, upon which there was an abrasion of the skin about the size of a sixpence,  and both prisoners were then conveyed to the station. Sarah Bigmore, a married woman, living next door to the prisoners, stated that shortly after twelve o'clock on Tuesday night she was disturbed by a loud uproar in the prisoners' house, and heard screams of " Murder" in a woman's voice, accompanied by the exclamation, " Oh, you are murdering the child!" After listening a few minutes, during which he heard the voice of a man in vehement altercation with the woman, the latter commenced crying bitterly, and observed, in an agitated manner, " Oh, you ---, you have killed my child !" Both the voices were soon afterwards hushed, and nothing further occurred to attract her observation. Samuel Bigmore, the husband of the last witness, fully corroborated the facts deposed to in her evidence, and added that, on the afternoon of the same day, observing that the shutters were up, he asked the male prisoner, who was standing at the door, if his child were dead ; the prisoner answered that it was, and witness then said that he had heard a strange noise during the night, and he hoped he had not " muddled" the child out of its life ; to which he answered, " Oh, no; it was .only my wife, who caused a slight disturbance." Police-constable Button, H 215, the officer upon the beat, also deposed to having heard the noise and altercation in the prisoner's house at the time in  question. Mr. ARNOLD said that the case was one of much suspicion, which required the fullest investigation, and ordered the prisoners, who remained perfectly silent throughout the proceedings, to be remanded for a week, to await the result of the post mortem examination of the infant's body.
The Sun. — 1850-05-20 (London, England)

MARLBRO'-STREET.-(THIS DAY.) A BRUTAL HUSBAND AND A WOMAN'S LOVE.— Henry Postlethwaite, an artist, residing at 76, Margaretstreet, Cavendish-square, was placed before Mr. Bingham, charged with violently assaulting his wife Henrietta, and threatening to kill her by blowing her brains out with a pistol. The complainant, a delicate woman of lady-like appearance, stated, on Saturday evening, about 7 o'clock, as she and her husband were sitting at dinner, the latter without the least provocation whatever started up from his chair, and said, in a most excited manner, that he would kill all foreigners, as he thought there would be a war between France and England, and as a beginning, he would kill her first, and would do it by shooting her through the neck. She said, " What have I done that you should use such words to me, and why do you always get so excited after dinner." He replied it was not only after dinner that be had those feelings, he always had them. He then rushed upon her and, catching her by the throat with both hands, tried to strangle her. With great exertions she contrived to get from his clutches, and ran to the window. He followed her, and throwing up the sash, said if she did not throw herself out he would do it for her. She screamed most violently and ran towards the door, when he took up a loaded pistol, which was lying on the sofa, presented it at her, and swore he would shoot her. Before he presented the pistol he took a cap from the mantle-piece, and placed it on the nipple of the pistol. Believing that he re ally intended to murder her, she ran out of the room, and, in order to escape his violence she threw herself down the kitchen stairs, calling upon the landlord of the house to protect her. Her landlord came to her aid, and a constable was sent for, and the prisoner was secured and conveyed to the station. She did not now wish to harm hire; all she wanted was protection from his violence, as he had on many occasions threatened to take her life.  The accused, in defence, said he occasionally laboured under very excited feelings, which deprived him of all power to restrain himself from committing violence. He denied a greater portion of his wife's statement, which was totally false. Mr. BINGHAM ordered him to find two sureties to keep the peace for six months, and directed that a medical man should see him in order to examine him as to the state of his mind.  Bail not being forthcoming, the prisoner watt about being led from the dock to his cell, when a most affecting scene in court took place. The complainant rushed from the witness- box, and, crying bitterly, threw her arms round her husband's neck, and begged the officer sot to take him from her. The husband likewise begged the magistrate not to separate him from his " dear " wife. They embraced each other so closely that it took the united strength of two officers to separate them. The complainant was then carried out of court in a state of insensibility.
The Sun. — 1850-05-20 (London, England)

LOVE.Henry Postlethwaitc, an artist, residing at 76, Margaretstreet, Cavendish-sqUare, was placed before Mr. Bingham, charged with violently assaulting his wife Henrietta, and threatening to kill her by blowing her brains out with-a pistol. The complain'ant, a delicate woman of lady-like appearance, stated, on Saturday evening, about 7 o'clock, as she and her husband were sitting at dinner, the latter without the' least provocation whatever started up from his chair, and said, in a most excited manner, that he would kill all foreigners, as he thought there would be a war between France and England, and as a beginning, he would kill her first, and would do it by shooting her through the neck. She said, " What have I done that you should use such words to me, and why do you always get so excited after dinner." He replied it was not only atter dinner that he had those feelings, he always had them. He then rushed upon her and, catching her by the throat with both hands, tried to strangle her. With great exertions she contrived to get from his clutches, and ran to the window. He followed her, and throwing up the sash, said if she did not throw herself out he would do it for her. She screamed most violently and ran towards the door, when he took up a loaded pistol, which was lying on the sofa, presented it at her, and swore he would shoot her. Before he presented the pistol he took a cap from the mantle-piece, and placed it on the nipple of the pistol. Believing that he really intended to murder her, she ran out of the room, and, in order to escape his violence she threw herself down the kitchen stairs, calling upon the landlord of the house to protect her. Her landlord came to her aid, and a constable was sent for, and the prisoner was secured and conveyed to the station. She did not now wish to harm him; all she wanted was protection from his violence, as he had on many occasions threatened to take her lite.  The accused, in defence, said he occasionally laboured under very excited feelings, which deprived him of all power to restrain himself from committing violence. He denied a greater portion of his wife's statement, which was totally false. Mr. BINGHAM ordered him to find two sureties to keep the peace far six months, and directed that a medical man should see him in order to examine him as to the state fif his mind.  Bail not being forthcoming, the prisoner was about being led from the dock to his cell, when a most affecting scene in court took place. The complainant rushed from the witness box, and, crying bitterly, threw her arms round her husband's neck, and begged the officer not to take him from her. The husband likewise begged the magistrate not to separate him from his " dear " wife. They embraced each other so closely that it took the united strength of two officers to separate them. The complainant was then carried out of court in a state of insensibility.
The Sun. — 1842-10-06 (London, England)

WILFUL MURDER.-1001. REWARD. " Whereas the dwelling house of the two Misses Goddard, at Stanley, in the county of Derby, was burglariously broken into, and entered early in the morning of the 30th day of September, and both of the inmates inhumanly beat about their heads and faeec . ~ one of whom, has since died from -the wounds inflicted;— Notice is hereby given, that a reward of 1001. will be given-to any person who shall give such information as will lead to the conviction of the perpetrators of the above crime, on application to Mr. R. W. Birch, solicitor, Derby. 0 Stanley, Sept. 30, 184'2." The following letter has been received by Sir Henry S. Wilmot, Burt., by which it will be seen that Government offered a reward of 1001. (in addition to the reward of the same amount offered by the friends of the deceased), for the disc9very and conviction of the murderer or murderers:— ti Whitehall, 3d October, 1842. " Sint,--I am directed by_ Secretary Sir James Graham to acknowledge the reti3ipt of your letter of the Ist inst., relative to the murder of a lady named. G odda rd, at Stanley, about four milesfrom Derby, on Thursday night last;—and I am to inform you. that M this . case a .reward .of 1001. will be paid by -the Government (in addition to the reward of like amount offered. by the  Enoch Maher resides at Hanley, and saw the mob at Earl Granville's engine; from thence they went to Dr. Vale's, where witness remained two hours. Saw Williams and Toft in the house; the latter had a teapot, and the people were drinking out of it. He afterwards rolled a barrel into the fire. Sampson Whitehouse helped to put a bed on the fire. Witness was at the police•office at Stoke when the windows were broken, and was taken into custody, but dis charged. Was in Dr. Vale's house, in the study, and up stairs in the bed-rooms, about a quarter past three o'clock. It was to see who the parties were that were doing the mischief. Was never charted with being concerned in the attack upon Dr. Vale's house.  James Carter saw Joseph Saunders breaking furniture in one of the rooms. He met him next morning, and told him he was sorry he had seen him so engaged the night before. Saunders had been in the witness's employment for some time previously. Samuel Bailley knew Hollins for several years, and saw him among the mob throwing articles upon the fire. Thomas Jackson was also engaged with a big stick breaking the windows. Witness had been previous!y with the mob when they were breaking the windows of the police-office, and was twice in prison. Was charged with having taken some money, and was fourteen days in primal, and on the second occasion two months. The man in the factory said to him, that if he would tell of somebody else there was a pardon for him. Hollins' uncle charged him with stealing money from his mantel-piece. Thomas Coke—Has known the prisoner Thomas Cotton for several years. Saw him in the study putting furniture on the fire. Ephraim Baxter saw John Powell breaking chairs and throwing them through the window. The
The Sun. — 1842-10-06 (London, England)

SHOCKING MURDERS BY POISON.  BOLTON -LE4I/ °ORS, TUESDAY.—No recent event has produced so deep a sensation as the crime which we are about to describe.  The prisoner, whose name is Betty Eccles, the wife of a man in humble circumstances, was brought into Court in the custody of the police. The evidence adduced on the present occasion was to the folloWing effect : The first witness called was Henry Eccles, the husband of the prisoner. He said he first became acquainted with her in 1840, and married her in 1841, in the latter part of the year. She had then three daughters, who all appeared very healthy. Shortly after that witness had a dispute with her, and did not go near her for about a month. When he returned he found the two youngest children were dead and buried. She informed witness the youngest died of the measles, but did not say what the other died of. In June last the prisoner had a child belonging to James Heywood to nurse, and witness left home in the day, and on his return next morning found the child dead. On Sunday, the 4th of September, witness saw his daughter Alice go to bed well. Next morning he left home, and returned on the following Saturday, when he found her dead, his wife informing him that she had been taken ill on the Tuesday with fits, and died on Saturday at noon. Last f.-lunday but one witness saw his son William alive and well on his going to bed. lie went to work on the following morning, and afterwards heard he was dead. Witness returned home on the Friday evening, and found it was so. A. little boy, aged twelve years, gave evidence respecting the leath of Heywood's boy, and his brother William, both of whom were well shortly before. The apprentice to Mr. Mosscropp, druggist, deposed to supplying the prisoner with a pennyworth of arsenic, which she said she wanted to destroy mice  with. Mr. John Denham, surgeon, of Bolton, deposed to examining the whole of the bodies in question. The stomachs and bowels of these bodies were given to Mr. Watson. _ _ _  Mr. Henry Hough Watson, analytical chemist, deposed to testing the contents of the stomach of William Eccles, from which he produced no less than twenty-eight grains of arsenic. The contents of the stomach of Alice Haslam he found to contain about thirty grains of the same poison. The stomachs, or their contents, of Nancy Haslam, the boy Heywood, and Hannah, were also subjected to similar tests, and arsenic was produced, with the exception of the cases of Hannah Haslam and Heywood, whose bodies were much decomposed. James Harris, police inspector, deposed to taking the prisoner into custody. She denied having purchased arsenic at Mr. Mosscrop's shop. The CORONER then briefly summed up the case to the Jury, who, after a consultation of about ten minutes, found a verdict of wilful murder against the prisoner, for having caused the death of William Eccles, Alice Haslam, and Nancy Haslam, by the administration of arsenic. She, on being committed, coolly turned to the Jury and thanked them for their kindness, and was then removed amid the hootings of the crowd.
The Sun. — 1842-05-02 (London, England)

AFFGHANISTAN.  We find in the Belfast Vindicator the following extract from a letter written by Sergeant Brown, of her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, being a portion of Gen. Sale's brigade, shut up in Jellalabad, at the date of the last accounts. The letter is addressed to his sister, at Tandragee. With the events stated the reader is already acquainted ; but the fact mentioned regarding the shortness of ammunition, in the beleaguered fortress, is calculated to produce great uneasiness for the safety of the little...force in Jellalabad. Most earnestly do we hope that the next accounts will put an end to all anxiety on the subject : " Jellalabad, Jan. 13, 1842.  " Dear Sister,—We marched from Caubul on the 11th of October last, and were engaged on the 12th forcing a mountain pass, and had to fight our way from Caubul here. I may say we were engaged, day and night, from the 12th of October till the Ist ofDecember We arrived here on the 12th November; and I assure you I thought the whole world was after us, as the people from every. village turned out against us. 'After taking possession of this town, the enemy surrounded it in thousands ; but on the 14th, two days after We came in, we sallied out, and drove them off the plains, killing great numbers. Still they annoyed us very much until the Ist of December, when we dashed out, swept them before us, and drove hundreds into a large river, where they were drowned, leaving the plains covered with bodies. We suffered severely on our way from Caubul to this place, as the roads are through high mountains, and our men had to drive the enemy on the sides of the hills before any baggage or main body of the column could proceed on the road ; but still the Affghans shot all our camels, so that; at length we were obliged to burn almost everything we possessed, tents and all ; and when we came in here we had nothing whatever with us but three days provisions. • ." We are fortifying the town of Jellalabad, and doing our best against the enemy ; but we are short of ammunition. We coUld hold out a long time, if we had plenty of that ; but if we don't soon get relief, God knows what the consequences will be. '1 hough it three months since the disturbances broke out, still we haVe got no assistance from Bengal. This rebellion burst forth in one day, the 2d November. ,On that night the 'natives murdered Sir A. Burnes . and his brother, and every European that lived outside of cantonments in Caubul ; since that period, the whole people have been in arms to put every European in the province to death, or drive them out of the country. assure you we are now in a dangerous situation how long it is to last we don't know. The present force consists of hut 'our regiment and the 35th Bengal Native Infantry, one squadron of Native Cavalry, and some guns, with a detachment of Native Sappers and Miners. So here .we are besieged, .until relieved from Bengal.—l remain, your affectionate brother, "M.
The Sun. — 1842-08-31 (London, England)

NORTHERN CIRCUIT—York, August 29.  Thomas Carroll was indictod for having, on the 10th of July last, at the borough of Leeds, cut and wounded Hannah Al‘Cann, with intent to kill and murder her. Another count alleged the offence to have been committed with intent to do her some grievous bodily harm.  Mr. Hall and Mr. Hill for the prosecution. The prisoner was not defended by Counsel. The prisoner, it appeared, had for some time cohabited with the prosecutrix, and on the evening of Saturday, the 9th of July last, he came to the house where he lodged in a state of intoxication. Two young men with whom he was acquainted called upon bim, and more beer was sent for, with which the party kept up their carouse until an advanced hour on the Sunday morning, having during the time consumed a gallon and a half of beer. The prosecutor was in the room part of the time, and some quarrel arose between the parties, for the purpose of putting an end to which she induced the young men to go away, herself accompanying them from the house. On coming back she found the prisoner had -gone out, and traced him to a publichouse, from which, however, she induced him to accompany her home. Some angry conversation then took place between them on the subject of her going away with the men. They went up stairs, however, for the purpose of going to bed, and the prisoner, who was very drunk, asked her to untie his hoots. She consented, and seated herself beside the table on which the prisoner was leaning. He put his foot on her knee, and while she was engaged in doing as he had requested, she- felt something cold against the back of. her neck. She looked up to see what it was, when he immediately drew a razor which he had in his hand across her throat, inflicting a 'severe gash, the force of which, however, from the position in which she was sitting, took effect chiefly on the fleshy part under the chin. The windpipe was touched, but fortunately none of the larger blood vessels were injured. She sprung up and struggled to get away, but he held her, saying they should die together, and in the course of the affair, but at what precise period did not exactly appear, he inflicted a severe wound on his own throat. The people of the house, hearing the • noise, came up stairs and found both the parties lying on the floor, which was covered with blood. The prosecutrix was in the prisoner's arms, with her head upon his shoulder. A. medical man was sent for, and the wounds dressed, They were found to be, most fortunately, less serious than might have been anticipated. The pri3oner was very violent and abusive while the operation was being performed, repeatedly expressing his regret that he had not "done her job." From the prisoner's cross-examination it was evident that he had acted under the impression that something of a criminal nature had taken place between the prosecutrix and the young men with whom she left the house.  The Jury found him Guilty of cutting and woundwith intent to do some grievous bodily harm. To be imprisoned for one year.
The Sun. — 1842-11-10 (London, England)

DESPERATE OUTRAGE AND GALLANT RESISTANCE.  (From the Nenach Guardian.) At Bnllygraigue, in the vicinity of this town, on th.i ri ;11t of Monday, a number of men broke into the house of James and John Power. James, who was in the act of reading a religious book for his infirm mother, had a pistol pointed at his head by a miscreant, who swore that he would soon change his devotion, and ordered him to go on his knees until he shot him. The young man, notwithstanding the pistol being presented at him, sprung, lion- like, on his intended murderer, and wrung the pistol from his grasp, exclaiming, at the same time, "That if he was to die, it would not be on his knees." Two more ruffians rushed in to the rescue of their accomplice, beat Power to the ground, and deprived him of the pistol. John Power now joined his bro • ther; and having knocked down one of the fellows, who was trampling cn his brother; a pistol was presented at him, with an execration that his brains would be blown out if be stirred a hand. Henry. Power, who had been in bed, now came to the assistance of his brothers, armed with a shovel, and cleaved the head of the ruffian who held the pistol ; the miscreant fell, and while down, he gave him three blows of the edge of the shovel. Seven or eight men broke into the house, every second man of whom was armed with a pistol ; the candle being extinguished, the conflict became general and des perate, and there can be no doubt but it was the fear of shooting some of their own party that prevented the discharge of the pistols. Patrick Power, a young man, but blind, groped out and seized one of the fellows by the throat, and would have choked him, had it not been that the wretched being cried out for mercy, and the young man, from a religious feeling, let the miscreant go unstrangled. So desperate was the resistance the Powers gave, that they cleared the kitchen of their assailants, and barred the door against them. While taking other measures to secure the place they heard a bustle in the room, and turning in they found they had two of the fellows inside. Of these they determined to made prisoners, but they calling out, " sth Regiment, will you leave us to be murdered ?" the doors and windows were all smashed in with large stones ; the gang re entered, and the terrific struggle recommenced. The Powers fought for life and death, and owe their escape to the number of their opponents, who in many instances beat each other in an unmerciful manner through mistake. It being understood by them that one of the women had escaped out of the house and was giving the alarm, they retreated, bearing ono of their comrades almost lifeless on their shoulders, and leaving behind them a loaded pistol with the lock broken off, two hats, and a clan-alpine. There were traces of blood, and in one 1 spot there was nearly the full of a basin, and the straw about it was saturated.