npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1879-04-19 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

DOGS IN THE WRONG PLACE.—A daring robbery has been committed at Kingston-cross, Portsmouth. A publican named Roffey, who is also a wholesale and retail butcher, placed in an unlocked cupboard in the bar parlour the combined receipts of his business for the week, amounting to over .C. 500 the bulk being in specie. The house was, however, burglarlonely entered from the rear, the kitchen window being forced and all the money stolen. The thief was evidently acquainted with all the domestic arrangements of the house, although trying to divert suspicion by turning everything topsy-turvy. The money was to have been banked the following morning, and the week's accounts have been regularly stored in the cupboard from Saturday to Monday, a gas jet in the room being left burning. Two dugs, which are usually fastened in the bar parlour, had inadvertently been put for the night right away from the premises. FRATRICIDE IN R'MfE.— Am assassin, condemned to death for fratricide, has escaped capital punishment. Eugenio and Francesco Bianchi were shoemakers in Albano. Eugenio lent some twenty francs to his brother Francesco, and could not get back his money. Eugenio lout his snuff-box, and suspected his brother of stealing it. The paltry sum of money and the shabby snuff box turned the brothers' love to hate, and made Eugenio resolved to commit murder. Francesco had business which celled him from Albano to Rome, and Eugenio accompanied him, sitting sullenly in the same carriage with his brother, but not speaking a woe d Arrived in Rome, the brothers parted, each. going his separate way. At last on the 10th of September, 1877, Eugenio espied his brother walking near the Piazza de Catinari, and struck him four times with a carving-knife in the neck, severing the carotid artery. The murderer made no attempt to deny his. crime, hub quietly gave himself up to a policeman, saying, "I have killed my brother, and am ready to go with you to prison." The jury found him guilty without extenuating circumstances, but the Royal amnesty, granted on the accession of Ring Humbert, caused the death sentence to be corn-. muted into forced labour for life. THE STATUE OF PRINCE BISMARCK, at Cologne, unveiled on the Ist., the 64th birthday of the Prince, is the work of the sculptor Fritz Schaper, of Berlin. The cost of it-40,000 marks—has been covered by two legacies for the purpose—one of 20,000 marks by Herr Christoph Andreae; and the other, also of 20,000 marks, by Baron Friedrich von Diergardt. The pedestal is of reddish polished granite, and bears on the western side the inscription, in golden letters, "Bismarck." The bronze statue is 283 metres in height. THE RECENT FLOODS IN HUNGARY,—A concert on a grand scale is being organised in aid of the sufferers by the late disastrous Roods in Hungary, and will be given on Monday afternoon, May 5, at the Royal Albert Hall. The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will probably attend. Tne musical arrangements will be undertaken by Sir Julius Benedict.
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1879-04-19 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

DLSCHARGE OF CHURCH.  The two prisoners, Catherine Webster, alias Webb, Gibbs, Gibbous, and Lawler, aged 30, and John Church, aged 41, landlord of the Rising Sun beerhouse, [lose Gardens, 11 eimmersmith, were again brought up a the Richmond Courthouse; oi Thursday charged with the wilful murder of Mrs Julia Martha Thomas, at 2, Vole Cottages, Richmond Hill, on or about the 2nd of March lest.  The Chairman having read over:the charge to the prisonersMr Poland said: Sir, since the last occasion the inquiries a the police have been going on, and the prisoner Webster has made a further statement, but before reading it to you I think I ca.ght to call the officer who x.ok it down in writing, and I will explain to you the circumstances under which it was made, sad when it has been proved I propose to read it to you, and to explain the course I purpose to adopt. The solicitor for Webster communicated with Inspector Dowdell, informing him that Ina client desired to maim this further statement, and acting under my advice, it was thought sight that the officers should go to the prison, and that the solicitor for Webster should attend and tell her that they heti come to hear her statement and that if she wished to make a statement they would listen to what she had to say and it would be taken down in writing I Now call Inspectt:w Jones. Inspector H. Jones said: I went yesterday with Inspector Dowdell to the House of Detention, Olerkenwell. I met Mr 0' Brien there, in accordance with a previous man:lenient, and we than saw the prisoner Webster. Mr O'Brien spoke to her. Afterwards we were called in, and Mr O'Brien cautioned Webster that it was a very serious matter the statement she was about to make, and that ii; would undoubtedly be given in evidence, and that she hut better tell the truth, as Be Lie)ieved she had told it to 'him; it might have the effect of bringing Porter to *tine. fie then left her with us. I said' "Now, you have heard what Mr O'Brien has said to you, I can only repeat the caution he gave you, and whatever you state may be given in evidence." Upon that she made a statement to lig. I took it down in writing. I put no questions to her, but simple took down the statement she made. The statement produced is that I took down. When she had linished I read it over to her. She said, "That is all, I think;" esidiknew by_that when rile had finished. She said "Yes, that is correct. I did no like to say anything against Porter. That is alt."  Mr Poland than read the statement, after whiCh he asked premiesion to withdraw the charge against Ch,rch. To this course the Bench assented and Mr Poland expressed his intention of calling Chitin as witness  everal witnesses were then exannued, whose evideree tended Lo iaereatinate Webster, and the ease wee adjourned ftr a week,
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1879-02-01 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

THE BANNERCROSS MURDER. ATTF.MPTED ESCAPE OF PEACE.  ..... On the day which was appointed for his being again brought up at Sheffield, Peace left King's-cross Station, early in the morning, in the custody of two warders from Pentonville. When about a dozen miles from Sheffield he asked that the carriage window might be opened for his convenience, and on this being done he deliberately jumped right through the open space, and the warder, who was standing behind him, was just in time to catch one of his legs as he was disappearing. A terrible struggle ensued. Peace, hanging head dcvniwards, used both hands and theleg at liberty to drag himself from the grasp of the warder, and frequently kicked the hand of the officer to make him let go his hold of his boot. The struggle, it is mid, lasted several minutes, and all that time the train, one of the fastest expresses of the day, was running at full speed. Eventually the boot by which the , warder was holding Peace slipped off, and the convict fell. His head struck the footboard violently, and then he rolled over into the snow. Several passengers had witnessed the fierce encounter from the windows of the compartments, and they tugged at the communication cord, but it would not act, and the train ran on nearly two miles before the attention of the engine-driver was attracted and the train brought to a stand. The two warders and one of the passengers hurried back to the spot, and found Peace lying by the side of the line in an unconscious condition. Blood was flowing freely from a severe wound on the back of the head. He was carried back to Shireoaks Station, and a slow train coming up almost immediately, he was put into the guard's van and brought on to Sheffield. A strong body of police met the train by which Peace was expected, and the excitement that was produced when they found in the compartment nothing but a rug, a bag which had belonged to one of the warders and the officer's sword, may be readily imagined. The news that he had escaped spread rapidly, and was soon convoyed to the police-court, where the magistrates had taken their seats, and where the lawyers engaged were in their places. Mrs. Dyson was in attendance, ready to be cross-examined. Meanwhile the slow train arrived in Sheffield. Peace was carried in an almost insensible condition into the prison van, and drawn hurriedly to the police-station. Here two medical men were speedily in attendance upon him, and they certified that he was suffering from concussion of the brain. He was placed in a cell, and appeared in a very distressed condition. He vomited several times, and was unable to take the brandy that was offered to him. After a while, however, he recovered, and was then unwilling to take any stimulants, but they were forced upon him, and after a time he readily took the brandy.
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1879-02-01 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

ROBBERY AND MURDER.  -------- At Worcester Assizes Enoch Whiston, described as a groom, and 24 years of age, was arraigned for the I wilful murder of Alfred Meredith, at Dudley, on i December 12. The circumstances of the case are: The deceased was at the time of his death a clerk in an iron works at Dudley, and was proceeding to his master's works with about £3OO in gold and silver, in a bag, when he was fund at, and received such injuries as to cause his death a week later. The prisoner was apprehended, and from his confessions no doubt could be entertained of his guilt. The attack took place shortly after three o'clock on the afternoon of December 6. The deceased was seen shortly before walking in the direction of his master's premises, and the prisoner following him. The deceased had cashed a cheque for £3.30 6s. 9d. at the Birmingham, Dudley, and District Bank that afternoon, depositing £3O, and taking the balance in gold and silver in a bag, and he was seen going in the direction of Messrs. Hill and Smith's works. He had to cross what is called a pit-field to go there. Police-constable Stephen spoke to a conversation with the prisoner in the police cell after his apprehension. He said that in running across the pit-field a lot of the money fell out of the bag. He added: "After I had shot him I was afraid I had killed him. I did not intend to kill him." Mary Terry, a young woman who had been "keeping company" with the prisoner, said she waste have married Lim on the day before Ohristmas Day. He told her a month before December 6 that he had saved £3O, and had bidden it in a wall. On the day before the murder he told her he was going into Shropshire, and would give her £25 before he left. On the day of the murder, about half-past four o'clock, he came to her house and laying his head on the table, said, "Oh, Lord! my head will drive me mad." He asked for her purse, and put some money in it, but she could not say how much, as a policeman came in shortly after and took him into custody. She gave him the purse; it contained £25 in gold. Evidence was also given of the prisoner taking the police to places where he had hidden some of the money, and which was found as indicated by him. £'2os 9s. was found in a bag bearing the names "Hill and Smith, Brierley Hill," hidden in a hole. He said to the superintendent of police (Burton), "I did not mean to murder, but I meant to have the money." Mr. Darling, for the prisoner, suggested that the crime was committed in p, fit of temporary insanity. The jury found a verdict of guilty. His lordship then passed sentence of death M the usual form, which the prisoner heard unmoved.  ANNTVERSATtY OF THE DEATH OF LOUIS XVI,  —The filet inst. being the anniversary of the death of Louis
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1879-09-13 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

THE MURDER AT CHINGFORD TWENTY•TWO YEARS AGO.  EXAMINATION OF THE ACCUSED.  Jonathan Hayden, 40, no—h—oine,—labon rer,—; as charged on his own confession, at the Waltham Abbey petty sessions, on Tuesday, with the wilful murder of Miss Mary White, of Chingford Hatch, in the year 1857. The deceased was 72 years of age. The murder was discovered by a niece of Mr Small, who reached the house at about noon on the day of the murder. When the deceased was found it was evident that she had first been knocked on the head with a stick, and that afterwards her throat was cut. An inpuest was held on the body, and a verdict of wilful murder was recorded against Jonathan Gayden, and at the same time a warrant was lased by the Waltham magistrates for his apprehension. In spite of great efforts made to tartest Gayden, he had eluded the vigilance of the police, and it was only on Friday last that, of his own accord, he gave himself into custody on the charge which was before the bench. He had mad• the following statement:— " Horsham, September 6, 1879, 7 p.m.—l, Jona. than Gayden, now in custody at Horsham Police Station. say I lived with my father at Church Hill, Walthametow, twriity years since. I came to Horsham on the sth, and told a constable that I wished to give myself into custody for killing a woman of the name of Small at Ghingford Hatch, , on a Sunday morning, during the absence of Mr ' and Mrs Small at church, about 20 years since. I was in Chelmsford Gaol for 18 months for horse stealing, and committed the murder directly after corning out." Mr John Small, a retired farmer, said Miss Mary White, who was his wife's sister, lived with himself and wife for over twenty years up to the time of her death. She was murdered on Sunday, the 2501 of June, 1857. Witness was away from home at church. Deceased was the only person in the bona., at the time cf the murder. Witness had known the prieoner Jonathan Gayden ever since he was a lad. Last Sunday witness recognised him from amongst ten or a dozen men at Woodford Police Station. On the day of the murder witness lost a suit of clothes, some old coins, a watch, and other articles.  James Wills, a gardener, said that on the day of the murder he was standing apposite Mr Small's farm, and prisoner passed over the bridge on the opposite aide of the road. Prisoner did not speak, but witness saw him go up to Small's gate, leading 1 to a footpath, and come away from it again on the opposite side. He then lost sight of the prisoner close against the gate. Detective Quinney said that when conveying the prisoner to the house of detention he said, "I talked with the woman at Mr Small's book door, knocked her down, and then out her throat with a pocketknife." The prisoner wee remanded.  BREAD RIOTS IN GLaatiow.-1 disturbance WBB created on Tuesday afternoon in Glasgow by about 300 unemployed men, who organised and attacked shops and overturvei eeteral broad YOWL VIA ringload•ra wars Awaited.
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1879-09-27 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

MURDER OF A RAILWAY SECRETARY AT MELBOURNE.  In the forenoon of Monday, the 28th of July (says the Argus) a murder was committed at the Hobson's Bay Railway Station. Melbourne. The victim was Mr. Thomas Finlayson, the well-known and able secretary of the suburban railways, and the murderer a clerk in the goods department, named James Frederick Laurence. It appears that Laurence, who is 43 years of age and the father of a numerous family, some twelve months ago became insolvent. Since then he had given way to drink, and on several occasions would have been suspended, and perhaps dismissed, but for the intercession of Mr. Finlayson. For scene unaccountable reason, however, he seemed to have cherished a feeling of enmity against that gentleman, and he took an active part in an opposition recently raised among the emplo4ea to certain alterations in the departmental arrangements. On Monday, the 28th of July, he presented himself at the office as usual. Mr. Finlayson was in his room at the time, and Laurence, having stood gazing vacantlyat him for a few moments, went out again and Mood near the desk of Mr. Bradley, the chief clerk. Mr. Bradley asked him what he wanted, and he made some incoherent reply about having forgotten some papers. He then went again into Mr. Finlayson's room, and, behaving in precisely the same manner as before, he walked out of the office. This extraordinary behaviour, of course, did not fail to attract the attention of Mr. Finlayson, who, having communicated with Meson. Wakefield and M'Donnell, went out on to the platform. There they ascertained that Laurence had gone into Mr. Durant's oyster saloon. Mr. Finlayson, quietly smoking a cigar, entered the place, accompanied by Meesrs. Wakefield and M'Donnell. They proceeded to the table at which Laurence was sitting, and a conversation, which was 'conducted in a very quiet manner, followed. It became apparent that Laurence was under the influence of drink, and, as he was evidently incompetent to perform his usual duties, Mr. Finlayson informed him that he was suspended pending inquiry. The deceased and Messrs. Wakefield and M'Donnell then turned to go. They had proceeded a few paces towards the centre of the shop, when Laurence suddenly drew a revolver from his pocket and fired at Mr. Finlayson pointblank. The bullet struck him in the head above the right ear, and, passing through the brain, came out at the other side, grazing the under side of the brim of his hat. The arm of the murderer, who again attempted to fire, was instantly seized by Messrs. Wakefield and M'Donnell, who threw him into a corner and held him, though he struggled desperately and endeavoured to point the revolver both at his captors and at Mr. Durant. A doctor was fetched an soon as poseible, but Mr. Finlayeen had breathed his last. Mr. Finlayson was a native of Tain, in Scotland, and came to the colony in 1853. Soon after his arrival he was appointsd an accountant of the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company, and two years afterwards was promoted to the secretaryship, which he filled until his death.
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1880-03-13 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

DEATH.  At the Central Criminal Court, before Mr. Justice Grove, JohnWingfield, 34, described as a labourer,wae charged upon an indictment and also by the coroner's inquisition with the wilful murder of his wife, Mary Wingfield. Serjeant Ballantine, Mr. Poland, and Mr. Montagu Williams. prosecuted for the Treasury; the prisoner was defended by Mr. Forrest Fulton and Mr. Henry Kisch. From the opening statement of the learned Serjeant, the circumstances under which the charge was preferred against the prisoner were these The prisoner and the deceased had been married several years, but for many months they had separated, and the deceased went to lodge in the house of a person warned Dimmock, in the Canterbury-road, Kilburn. The prisoner appeared to have I been desirous that his wife should return to live with him, but she refused to do so, and this, coupled with a , feeling of jealousy, no doubt led to the terrible result 1 that subsequently took place. On the morning of the '27th of January, the deceased was walking along Denmark-road, Kilburn, about eleven o'clock in the morning, when the prisoner suddenly attacked her and inflicted no less than seventeen wounds upon her, the whole, or nearly the whole, of these injuries being of a mortal character, The prisoner did this in the presence of several persons, who seemed behave acted in the most extraordinary manner, inasmuch as none of them did anything to prevent him from attacking his wife in the way descriNsd. The prisoner paused after he had inflicted about half-adozen wounds upon the deceased, and then renewed his violence and inflicted a number of other wounds, at the same time saying, "I love you, and I will finish you ' and put you out of your pain." It was alleged on the part of the prosecution that the prisoner was under the impression that his wife had gone ton music hall with a young man, and this had led to his committing the fatal act. The defence set up for the prisoner was I that he was of unsound mind at the time be made the , attack, and a medical gentleman named Ring stated that he had attended the prisoner professionally, and was of opinion that he was of unsound mind. He gave evidence to that effect upon an occasion when the prisoner was charged at the police-court with assaulting his wife, and said that the magistrate ordered the prisoner to be sent to the infirmary of the workhouse. During the summing up of the learned judge, the prisoner, who was in a desponding and miserable state, and sat in the dock leaning his head on his hands, suddenly shrieked out, "Oh, my head; oh, my head," and fell down in a fiL He was promptly attended by a medical man, and recovered in a short time, when Mr. Justice Grove resumed his summing up. The jury, after a short deliberation, found the prisoner glilty, and the learned judge having put on the black cap, passed sentence of death in the usual form, the prisoner being removed man almost insensible condition.  A "
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1880-12-25 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

THE WEEK.  "ROWE OF TEM HILLS " has crowed the Irish Channel. A letter, somewhat similar in strain to that recently addressed to Mr. Justice Fitzgerald, has been received by the Rev. R. Richardeon, chairman of the Cheshire County Justices. In the usual style of such missives, the letter, which " breathed threatening and slaughter," also contained a rough drawing of a coffin with a skull and crossbones at the head. There was also an inscription on the sketch of a coffin, blanks being left for the dates of the intended victim's murder and death. The reverend chairman of the Justices banded the letter to Police-inspector Leah. Tux murder cameo at Sheffield and Solihull, near Birmingham, show that Rory does not confine himself to writing threatening letters when he co dies to this side of St. George's Channel. It is necessary, therefore, that the police, at a time like the present, should be doubly vigilant. A description is given of the Solihull assassin in the document which announces a Government reward of tlOO for his discovery. It is believed from the similarity of appearance, as given in the two deacriptions, that it was the same person, an emissary of a secret society, who committed both murders.  Pr is a wonderful thing to find a rent-collector not only highly respected bet even actually loved by the poorer class of tenants. But this was the happy lot of the late Mr. John Davies, who died recently at the age of 77, and was buried in East London, where he spent the moat of his days, living in Mile-endroad. It is a sure testimony that he must have done his work with unusual tenderness and discretion, seeing that he was much respected by the poor when living and lamented by them when dead. Men who do the work in which be was engaged in poor localities are too often inconsiderate and hard-hearted, and in oonsequeme are followed, no: by blessings, but by curses, to the grave. Ma. COLMAN, member of Parliament and mustard manufacturer, has some reason to feel gratified, if not absolutely proud. Ilia bullock which gained the champion prize at the Smithfield Club Cattle Show at lalington has been presented at Court. At all events, the animal, in obedience to a special command of the Queen, was taken to Winds-n-, and inspected by her Msieaty at the Royal Mews. It would be a pity to kill the bullock who has been thus exceptionallyhonoured. The incident shows the very great interest which her Majesty takes in the rearing of stock, and in the improvement of breeds.  THE folly of putting plays upon the stage which are likely to evoke displays of party spirit was shown the other night at the Theatre des Nations in Paris, when a play entitled "Garibaldi" was produced. Out of animosity to the real Garibaldi, the pit began ridiculing the piece, and the galleries, tilled with admirers of the Italian hero, showered down on ducking heads pebbles, beans, bits of glass, and orange—peel.