npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1900-03-16 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

LEYDS, JOSEPH CHAMBF.R.LAIN, CECIL RHODES, all met to decide who had attained the greatest success in the art of yang, there would not be one of them prepared to place the wreath of superiority in that art on the brow of the other. They had heard a great deal of the brutality of the Boers, they should in all fairness be told of the brutality of the Outlander, and the brutality of the Briton. He then referred to a statement he had read of an English Outlander, who murdered in cold blood his Kaffir servant, yet the jury of white men acquitted him, and his fieflow Outlanders proceeded to eseourt him back from the Court room to the accompaniment of a, band of music. When they were told that Kruger had spent hundreds of pounds in buying the advocacy of his cause, by men of both parties, there was something else that made terribly against, us here, and that was that THE PRESS in South Africa had been bought by a single group of British financiers, and the press had I worked into their hands. Men read these papers because there were no other papers to read, and our newspapers at home selected the information conveyed by them. He pleaded for fairness on this score, that they might at least know the justice or injustice of their cause.—Man's views on any particular question must be based on the evidence presented to him, and what he wanted to say was that the evidence had been partial. They might drown the cause of one man, but they could not stifle the truth. If Cecil Rhodes had as many more millions at his back as lie already possessed, and so got as much more shrapnel and lyddite as he had already fired from his guns, he could never destroy the truth, which was mighty and must prevail. Mr. Hollinshead went on to speak of the Jingoism which existed, and said that not long ago one of our generals made a statement to the effect that he would support any Government which kept war going on. It was high time that. such a man was told that he was WORSE THAN A PAINTED SAVAGE, glorying in seas of blood and devastation. He had no objection to extending territory, if it could be honestly done, but he would not have his patriotism impugned because he refused to he dragged at the heels of such a anon as Cecil Rhodes. The preacher went on to refer to the attitude of the directors of the Consolidated Goldfields Company, South Africa, one of whom stated at a meeting that. they hoped to be able to .get Kaffir labour to a greater extent, and more cheaply if the territory became British, and said it was stated on one occasion that Joseph Chamberlain had white-washed the honour of Rhodes in the How of Commons. Mr. Hollinshead concluded by declaring it to be his conviction that Cecil Rhodes never had any honour to whitewash. (Laughter).
Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1900-05-25 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

MURDEROUS ASSAULT AT COLNE.  MAN'S JAW BROKEN IN TWO PLACDS. COWARDLY " PUNCHING."  The harmony of the proceedings in comtection with the relief of Mafeking, at Colne, were disturbed by a murderous assault which took place in Windy Bonk. A man named Edward Mitchell, cf in-dium stature and red complexion, went up to a man named William Sharp and struck him a violent, blow on the jaw. The blow was given with such force that the n•muilted man fell over like a ninepin, bleeding prefti,ely, his jaw being serm.ely fractured in twa places. After Sharp fell down, Mitchell, it is alleged by an eye-witne,s. punnued himn .severely and then made off. When Sharp was found by tivt police he wa.. bleeding at the ears and at the mouth and no e. Splint, were on his jaw and his face wa; bandaged. Information against. Mitchell wa; given by a woman called "Anni Blakeman," and this led  to his arrest. At I nine Borough Police Court on limnlay, liefor. the Mayer (Aid. roulds.), Mitchell, who did net appear to he at all disconcerted, was charged with unlawfully wounding Win. Sharp. Annie Blakeman, wife of Joseph Blakeman, of fnion,,treet, Wile, said: Last Saturday night I was standing in my doorway. Mr. Pilgrim: What did you seer—l saw the defendant. He was standing agalud a lodging house window in Windy Bank. What did he do?—I saw him come up and hit another man ia the face. What was the effect of the blow ?—Blood flowed from the man's mouth.  What eL happened t—The man fell down and then the defendant " punched" him with hi: feet.  Mr. Pilgrim: Who struek the first blow?— That man (pointing to the defendant). How far off were you?—About 15 yard:. What became of the other man went to tell Mr. Dunn that his windows were going to get broken. When I came back both men were gore. .  He struck him once in the mouth and then kicked him when ho waa down I"—Yes.  Plain clothes Officer Symou stated that about 9 o'clock on Saturday night he was called to King-streot. He there saw Wm. Sharp lying in bed with splints on his jaw and his face bandaged up. There was blood coming from his mouth, his jaw, and from his left ear. He made a statement to him which witness took down in writing at the time. In COItieqUOILCP of that statement he went in search of the prisoner and apprehended him in Market-street. At the police station he was charged with inflicting grevious bodily harm on Wm. Sharp by striking him on the face with his fist in Windy Bank bAween and 8 p.m. on Saturday night. The accused replied: That will do for me. I know the time.  - ----In,peetor McLean asked for a remand till the following 3londay. Ho said that Sharp's jaw was broken in two places and that he WWI new in Burnley Workhouse Infirmary, and the doctor had stated that it would he three weeks before he could be discharged. The accused: I should like to call witnesses. I have my own witness. Mr. Pilgrim: It will not do you any good to call your witne•ses now. You had better call your witnesses when the Magistrates try your eme.  The prisoner was remanded till Monday next.  ME
Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1900-02-23 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

THEFT FROM THE MAYOR OF COLNE'S WAR FUND.  A CALLOUS THIEF. ROBBING THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. PROMPTLY BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.  In connection with the collection of money for the Mayor of Colne's War Relief and, a number of collection boxes, sealed and marked with an inscription that the money dropped in will be added to the local war fund, a number of collection boxes have been deposited at the inns and hotels of the town and other public places. These boxes are made out of empty cigar cases and are periodically returned to the Town hall. The contents of the boxes are taken out and the boxes sealed up and returned for further coutributious. In two instances the boxes have been deliberately stolen and the thieves are still undiscovered. A third attempt was made to steal one of these boxes on Monday, but this time without success. The box in question, numbered, inscribed, sod sealed up, was duly sent by the Town Clerk (Mr. Alfred Varley) to the Walton's Arms, the landlord being Mr. Simpson Wilson, and on Monday, at some time between four and five p.m., Edmondson Metcalfe, a spring maker, of. 14, Church Meadows, visited the commercial room in which the box which -.:intained LI ss. Id:, was placed for subscriptions. Before the prisoner entered the room the box was observed to be safe on the inantleshelf and immediately after the prisoner left the room the box was found to be missing. The landlord promptly informed the police and a search for the prisoner was at once made by I'S. McVey and P.C. Simon. On finding the prisoner the officers took him into custody and the prisoner at once admitted the theft and described where he :had secreted the money. It appears that he went from the Walton's Arms to a public place, behind the Theatre Royal, broke open the cigar box and took the money out, leaving the box there. He hid D. 4s. 2d. in the snow at the back of the house where he lived and kept the remainder in his pocket. On Tuesday morning the prisoner was brought up before Mr. H. Hewitt and Mr. A. B Newell and charged with the theft of the box, and admitted the offence. He was sent to gaol for three months imprisonment with hard labour, and it is a fortunate fact that the full amount of the mmey has been recovered.  A SERIES OF TRAGEDIES, FIVE YEARS FOR SIAN SLAUGID  At Liverpool .16.fizes on Saturday, Thome* Walsh, au iron roller, was indicted for the lad. ful murder of Joseph Swift, a puddler, al IVarrington, in the beginning of fast moath The parties, \vb..) had been drinking together had a quarrel, in the course of which the prisoner, who enjoy a souse reputation ai a pugilist, uade a violent attack upon Swift, in. ilictmg injuries which proved fatal a few day* later. Prisoner alleged that the deceased was the aggressor. Th.i jury returned a verdict of I..anstaughter, and prisoner %ALS ben tenced by itstiee • ran thaw to five )cars' pena! servitude.
Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1900-01-19 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

DEFENCE OF BURNS-NOT WHISKY.  To the Edith of the "Nelson Chronicle."  Sir,—On the Tith of January, 1759, Robert Burns, Scotland's favourite poet, was born, and on Thursday next there will be meetings held in many a city and town not only in Groat Britain, but wherever the English language is spoken, to commemorate the poet's birth. One of the leading features at some of these meetings is the rather too free indulgence in that which did much to wreck the fine constitution of the poet and to bring the unhappy bard to an untimely end. This also led his former friends and admirers to forsake him in his poverty and grief, even when the consciousness that his approaching dissolution was at hand. Although we cannot separate what a man is from what he does, we may extend our sympthik‘s for the sad and suffering genius, though we may not extenuate the wrong in the man. Many frequenters of the public-house seem to claim Burns as especially one of their fraternity, and often they quote his convivial songs in support of that contention, as if there was no other side to his teaching on the drink question. His genius led him into company and customs to which he was a stranger previous to his going to Edinburgh. Burns fell not because he was inherently bad, but because he was weak and the temptation into which his genius led him was too strong for his genial nature and sociable disposition. If drink was the curse of Burns, as it was of our own genial Critchley Prince, and that American genius Edgar Allen Poe, and many other poets we could name, is not this a strong argument in favour of eschewing drink at the Burns' anniversary. True, Burns wrote several convivial songs, but he also wrote many things of an opposite nature to these. For instance his inscription written on a goblet:—  There's death in the cup, so beware! 0 beware! Nay, more, there's danger in touching; But who can avoid the fell snare, My friend and his wines so bewitching. If you will allow the diversion, I would my there are a few lessons from Burns which, if read and digested, tend to allay the jingo spirit so very prevalent amongst us. Take  I murder hate by field or flood, Though glory's name may screen us; In wars at harm, I'll spend my blood, Life-giving war, of. Venus.  The doities ['hat I adore Are social peace and plenty, I'm better plea,ed to make no more  Than be 'the death of tweutv. Ponder a little if you will over the insenption written on a church door one Sunday morning while a thanksgiving service was being conducted for victory over another nation: Ye hvpoerites I are the your pranks, • . . • ..  To ru.uArder mon, and gie to. God thanksi For. shame! gie o'er, proceed no farther.  God won't accept your thank, for murder! Yours, etc,
Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1900-08-10 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

SHAH. No one could expect that society would sit down quietly before such a series of atrocious crimes, all of which were distinguished by the same dastardly combination of cunning madness and deliberate ferocity. No doubt calm and level-headed persons in every country perceive that reaction and panic are of very little use against secret and seditious malevolence, and that coercive laws often take away the liberties of a nation without affording any real protection to those whose lives are menaced. But reaction is inherent in the very nature of humanity, and it is useless to expect that the world will ever be so wisely self-controlled as to be free from the danger of panic. The Emperor is a masterful monarch, and no doubt he will find many to agree with his ideas as to the necessity of fighting violence by violence, and sedition by active repression. On the other hand, monarchs and Governments have learned a good deal in the last few generations, and they are not as ready as they used to be to employ reactionary force as the best or only safeguard against the madness of Anarchy. Meanwhile, it is satisfactory to note that the new KING of ITALY, who bears his grandfather's name of Vievoit EMNIANUEL, is trying a better way. He has addressed his Fhple in a proclamation which makes no display of vindictive feeling, and does not even talk of the necessity for repression. It is a calm and dignified document, which laments the death of the blameless and benevolent King, but at the same time pledges his son to maintain the liberties and liberal institutions of Italy. The new monarch does not, apparently, believe in the old anti bad Boman maxim, "Let them hate me, so long as they fear me," but he throws himself on the attachment of his people, and bravely undertakes to imitate the father who has been murdered. Without doubt this is a wiser course than hasty resort to measures of repression, if only beo,ause it has hitherto proved so difficult to lay hands on those whom it is desired to repress, and any form of coercion which crippled the liberties of a whole nation, heenuse of the lawTes,ness of an insignificant minority, would inevitably be rented and would probably e. good. Nevertheless. tle .ituation is suffieiently serious, whatever means may be adopted to deal with it. We must be on our guard against accepting statements as to definite and deeply-laid conspiracies. The crimes of Hansa and SALSON are said to be the outcome of an Anarchist plot  to assassinate all the crowned heads in Europe. That may or may not be the case. People who would plan the death of one monarch would be quite as likely to plan the death of a number. If that. is so, it must be confessed that the assassins have gone somewhat clumsily about their work. BHISCI, indeed, has been successful; but if he had accomplices in so devilish a design, they have shown the white feather. It is fortunate for humanity that the great majority of coldblooded assassins, unless they be half-demented fanatics, are cowards when the time comes for them to strike.
Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1899-06-09 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

CRITICISING THE ARMY.  THERE is, happily, no trace in the British mind of that resentment against critising the army to which .Mr. JOHN MORLEY referred in a note of warning. The British people do not seem at all likely to believe that it is had taste to object to some of the doings of a successful general in the field. The conduct of the Thelt campaign was constantly objected to, and in the early attempt to reach Khartoum there was a fierce controversy, which has not yet wholly died away. There will always be persons courageous enough to object to what is done on the battlefield, and it will be a lamentable day when the man who objects to the conduct or the tactics of a British general is held to be an " outre" creature, for whom no decent man should have any regard. There are constantly two sides to a general's action—his military and his politiml policy. The less there is of the latter the better for the general himself, and the better for the British name. Our officers are sent upon dangerous expeditions, and often with but very superficial instructions. They carry out difficult tasks with great success and courage. But what we must insist upon their observing is the fact that they c.re under the control and guidance of a certain Government, to whom they are bound to refer any complex question, if it be within their power to do so, before proceeding to action. Had Lord KITCHENER been able to ask the Goventment at home whether he should deseei ate the Mabdi's tomb, we cannot for a moment imagine that he would have received instructions to do so. The reasons pleaded in defence of the action seem to be in the nature of after-thoughts, and none of them is very powerful. But we have no desire to entangle curselves in any detail on this subject, our cbject being to re-bffirm the main proposition that criticising the army is not impolitic nor wtpatriotic, not even bad taste. The country, by its Government, orders something to be done and pays for it, and it is entitled to pass it under review without anyone venturing to say that the proceeding is unwise or insulting. We may admire the way in which the Soudan expedition was conducted and the victory achieved, and still hold the view that the SouIlan will never be of much value to Egypt or to anybody else. But Mr. sloatEr wanted another chance of assuring the world that he was not a mere Lilleral, and he has had it. It is true that be again enlarged on the MARDI'S body, but Mr. BALFOUR was happily able to prove that a good deal of misrepresentation has been current on this subject. Regrettable though the incident is, however, none could surely believe that we were going to withhold a reward from Lord IvITCDENER because of faults which have been committed. Dissidents there will always be in the Liberal party against the undue exaltation of military heroes. As YOUNG says: "One murder makes a millions a hero." The exploits of Lord KITCHENER have, however, probably Raved more lives than were sacrificed in wiping out Maldism.  RALLYING I'o
Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1899-02-03 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

NOTES ON NEWS.  Ws are pleased to see that the British Gcnernment intends to support our Board of Trade official at Antwerp, who has done lus best ti prevent British sailors from falling into the hands or Bel*an crimps. The campaign which has been carried on in Antwerp against this official has bees as impudent aa it is discreditable. Belgium should further be reminded that she has never given adequate satisfaction for the murder of Mr. Stokes, or for her cavalier treatment of Mr. Ben rillett.  TO an interviewer Mr. Yarrow, the great torpedo-boat builder, has expressed his entire disbelief in the value of the submarine boats. The new French boats of the Narval type are intended to run on the surface with the conning tower well above the water. How far these are open to the grave practical objections which exist in the case of the Gustave Zede remains to be seen. The  approach of such • boat at night would be hat d to detect, and it might do mikehief if it once ent.tred one of our harbours. An article in "Le Yacht" shows that French naval men have visions of this kind floating before their eyes. Whether these visions are ever likely to be realised is another question.  THE Press Association is informed that there appears to be some misconception with regard to the national memorial to Mr. Ciladstone. The subscription list up to Saturday last showed a total of £25,246., which is about one-half of the least amount which the Committee hope to bate available for the purpose specified, namely monumental memorials in the three capitals and a building for the St. Deinias Library. The Committee, therefore, do not consider that they have at present sufficient funds at their disposal, and subscriptions, whether large or small, are welcome, it is proposed to allocate a specific sum to the purposes of St. Deiniol's Library and not merely to hand over to the trustees any balance that may renuon after the statues are provided for.  MADAME PATTI'S wedding breakfast in a saloon carriage is by no means an unprecedented exploit, although it may have some claim to originality as a finishing touch to hymeneal rites. Last autumn M. Na.gelmakers, of the InternationaVileeping Car Company, took a large and fashionable party from Paris to one of his hotels on the Belgian frontier and gave them a ball in the train on the homeward journey. The Americans arc preparing to one better this spring; for it is advertised that a theatre car will be attached to the Pacific express, an that travellers can beguile the tedious evenings by witnessing performances of such popular pieces as require no great scenic effeets. By way of eon, mending the enterprise it is notified that the ear will be used for divine service on Sundays without extra charge.  GENERAL SnOTH, of the Salvation Army. Inis bow reached the ripe age of 70 years, and the 70th anniversary of his birth is to be celebrated by a great Salvation Army scheme, based partly on the Wesleyan Twentieth Century Fund. Au appeal is to be made to the Army to subscribe £l,