npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1839-05-21 (London, England)

DEATH PUNISHMENTS.  (From the Glasgow Argus.) The public anxiety about the unfortunate lad left for execution at the last Circuit continues to grow in intensity as the day fixed for that event approaches. Two circumstances conspire to augment this feeling. The first is the indecorous eagerness with which the presiding Judge pressed for a conviction—more after the manner of a public prosecutor than a judge. The second is the recent escape of Medhurst, under circumstances of a much blacker character. The execution of Johnston, if it take place, cannot fail to engender a suspicion that there is one law for the rich and another for the poor. Either justice has been defrauded of its due in the case of Medhurst, or Johnston, in the event of his execution, will have been murdered. These are serious matters for the consideration of all. In our estimation, they are far more weighty than the party warfare which threatens at present to obliterate them from men's minds. The citizens of Glasgow have done no more than their duty in pressing .these considerations in influential quarters ; but they will have done lea? than their duty if, now that the fatal day is so rapidly approaching, they do not seek to guard against the danger that men in office overlook the subject in their anxiety about their own affairs. Private letters in town intimate a reprieve, but there must be no relaxation until an official announcement is received.  ------" THE BANISHED," EDITED BY JAMES MORIER, Ese.—Tbe historical personage who gives the title to this exciting romance, is the celebrated Duke Ulerich of Wurternburg, whose life forms so romantic a feature in the annals of his country. The portion of his career which is here chosen, with the view of illustrating the habits and manners of the times in which he lived, is that when he was contesting the authority of the League, and the chief historical incidents referred to are the assem. bling of the Imperial forces at Ulm, their subsequent conflict, and the defeat and banishment of the recusant Duke. In connection w;tli these stirring events, we are introduced to a large number of other historical personages, and several fictitious characters—from the latter of whom is drawn what may be. called the domestic interest of the story. The Banished" conveys a striking and highly entertaining picture_or rather a series of pictures—of the singular state of manners and society which prevailed at the period in question, and the whole forms a work of unusual entertainment, blended with a degree of information which cannot fail to be equally acceptable."—Naveland Military G Weazette. have before us the official estimate of the damage done by the fire on the 7th April, which destroyed almost the whole of the village of Stockheim. The losses amount to he sum total of 381,000 francs for 198 houses burnt, household furniture, &e. 43 houses were insured, 11 of them with their furniture, for 110,000 francs, which have been paid by the Insurance Companies.—Brussell's Paper. A
The Sun. — 1839-08-28 (London, England)

EXECUTION OF GLEESON.  (From the Barbadoes Liberal of June 26.) Yesterday morning the extreme sentence of the law was carried into effect at St. Ann's Garrison, upon the person of Corporal Patrick Gleeson, of the 36th Regiment, who was convicted at the late Sessions of the wilful murder of Acting Sergeant-Major Fletcher, of the same regiment. There was a very large assemblage of persons present, especially the lower orders, whose conduct before the arrival of the unfortunate man was unsuited to so awful an occasion. At a quarter after ten o'clock a square was formed around the gallows, composed of a detachment of the 36th and the regiments in garrison. At 20 minutes to 11 o'clock the criminal arrived at the foot of the gallows, accompanied by his spiritual adviser, the Rev. - Rogers, Roman Catholic priest, and surrounded by the mounted and foot police. A solemn stillness now pervaded the vast multitude of spectators, and the soldiers seemed deeply affected. After an interval of about five minutes spent in prayer, the unhappy man pulled off his boots, loosed the green cravat, from his neck, bound his head with it, and ascended the drop. There was not the slightest alteration in his countenance from what be exhibited in the Court-house during his trial ; the same settled calmness and apparent resignation. The rope having been adjusted by Sam Oddin, one of tl-e felons recently convicted of theft, he proceeded to address the soldiers around him in substance as follows : " Brother soldiers and comrades, take warning by my example ; listen to my dying words—abstain from drinking intoxicating liquors, for that has brought me to ! this untimely end. A report was in circulation that a conspiracy to take the life of the sergeant existed with two or three men of the company, and that I was the leader. With my dying .breath I assure you there was no such `thing ; no mortal knew my intention ; it was known to myself alone and to my God, in whose awful presence I shall soon be. I pray you all to forgive me. I have no one to blame but myself, and the use of strong drink." During the delivery of this address, which he made in a strong and clear voice, the conflict was indeed terrible ; his bosom heaved frightfully, and twice he raised his eyes to heaven and gasped for breath. After concluding the last words of his address the drop fell, and after slight convulsive struggles it was all over! He was not blindfolded, and we ere told that green being the colour of his regiment, was the cause of his binding his head with a green handkerchief. He appeared very penitent, and there was, we believe, but one feeling pervading the whole assemblage, that of sympathy for the unfortunate sufferer. We have since learnt that the unfortunate man addressed two very affecting letters, one to the jailor. and  the other to his deputy; thanking them for their humane conduct towards him whilst in imprisonment, and under condemnation.
The Sun. — 1839-10-19 (London, England)

BRITISH RESIDENT.  EXECUTION OF TWO NATIVE MURDERERS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.  Yesterday morning being the time appointed for the execution of Yerr-i-Cha. who was condemned in the Supreme Court last week for being engaged in the murder of William Duffell ; and Wang Nucha, who was condemned for the murder of James Thompson ; at an early hour in the morning preparations were made for the execution. A scaffold had been erected in front of the iron stores on the Park Land, North Adelaide, to which, at eight o'clock, the criminals were conducted in a cart, guarded by a strong body of police. James Croak, the interpreter, walked alongside the cart, to whom Wang Nusha kept talking most of the way, from the jail to the place of execution. By the time they arrived at the scaffold a considerable number of people had assembled round it. After the warrant for their execution had been read by the Sheriff, the unfortunate men were led, or rather dragged, upon the scaffold, and placed by the executioner on the fatal drop. They then seemed quite aware of the fete which was overhanging them. Their countenances, especially that of Yerr-i-Cha, betrayed every symptom of terror—exhibiting none of that stern de' termination which despises to show a fear of death—a characteristic of the natives of some countries—but on the contrary evincing every sympton of apprehension and dread of dying. Yerr-i-Cha's limbs quivered, and his whole frame was agitated ; while Wang Nucha, though showing fewer symptoms of trepidation, made violent protestations in his own language, as we understood him against being hanged. On the signal being given by the Sheriff, the drop fell, and, after a few struggles, the unfortunate criminals ceased to live. After hanging the usual time the bodies were cut down, and afterwards interred within the gaol in accordance with the sentence. By nine o'clock the persons who had assembled to witness the execution had dispersed, and in a short time everything was again as quiet as usual. One circumstance connected with this execution, we must not neglect to notice. It seemed quite evident, from the remarks and conversation of the other natives, many of whom witnessed the execution, that they were aware of the cause of the death of the criminals ; and most of them seemed to agree in the justice of the sentence ; and we have no doubt but the example thus shown them will act as a terror to them, and will be a means of deterring them in future from interfering in any way with the property or lives of the settlers. On passing the native huts immediately after the execution, we found the women and children and many of the men lamenting, in a most piteous manner, and with their sable faces bithed in tears, the death of the two men ; thus showing the sympathy existing among them in their native state, not only among the members of a family, but between all the members of a tribe.— South Australian Gazette, June 1.
The Sun. — 1839-09-14 (London, England)

RAILWAY CASUALTY THREE COWS KILLED.—On Saturday evening one of the railway trains from Liverpool to ninehester, when near Rai*ll. came is contact with several cows which had, by some means uct on the toad. and killed three of them. Two of the carriages were throvri, off the rails; but fortunately the ~.ngine was stopped without any further damage having hcen sustained. Another train, proceeding from Liver. pool, and the second class train trom Birmingham, were detained four hours by this accident. —Manchester Guardian. A new mode of stealing corn has been this season put in practice in the neighbourhood of Dorchester, viz., that of cutting off and stealing the ears of wheat, as they stand in sheaves in the field ready to be carried. On Tuesday several parsons were examined before the Magis trates of the division, charged with the commission of this crime in Fordington-field, and the examination terminated in two of the men being committed to take their trial at the ensuing sessions. .  i ... The north-west part of Bindley's Repository (late Beardsworth's), now occupied by a detachment of the Rifle Brigade, has been taken for the chief station of the I new Birmingham police.—Birmingham Advertiser.  COLLISION OF A STEAMER IN THE RIVER TnAmEs. —On Thursday night a most alarming accident, occurred in the Thames, off Deptford i the Pearl, Rail:agate steamer, proceeding to the Custom-house quay, having come in collision with a coal barge, heavy laden, with three men on board. So violent was the shock that the barge almost instantly sank, and the paddle-wheel and box of the steamer were carried away. The poor fellows on the barge were got on board the steamer, and their lives providentially saved. Galignani's Messenger contains the annexed ar. ticle :—., We hare received the following from Our Correspondent on the frontiers of Navarre, the Bth instant:— ' The battalions of Guipuicoa, which had been disbanded, I are scouring the country in parties of forty or fifty, corn_ a m,tting all sorts of excesses. The Marquis de Santa t Eulalia, the Countess de Negri, EanutiaoriNdlaod, aamnde were robbed of every thing on their road to Bayonne and ayonne, and two merchants of Tolosa were robbed and murdered on the heights of Goizueta. It was at that General Moreno was assassinated by some • soldiers 4 the 11th battalion of Navarre, who were devoted of rote. flasdng approached near Lim as dischateo.al'rdDtrilia:,ll-11`G . to r 4 , under pretenc ' " speaking to him, one of them raised his musket fir e of' it being dashed aside by an officer, it w ..to _, but kiln General ' 6t? 01_1 by another so ier, d air. At the same moment, however, •in the kiln a ball which had been fired Moreno and V . , .ell dead General which entered his breast Madame ter, who were with theer daurYarhAarrived yesterday at Ainhoa. DoeseJaped to FAlloce, and nan Ed , neral Basilio Garcia, and Colonel order tf Don c. , quitted the frontier for the Royal the insurreetiln of Vera, have, by Aguirre, the chiefs of head..quarters.. ~ '''' ' ar OS, ......................_,___
The Sun. — 1839-01-07 (London, England)

LORD NORBURY.  The victim is no more. Lord Norbury died about twAve o'clock last Thursday. A Leinster paper has the following particula:s : " The Surgeon-General arrived from Dublin on Wednesday, and extracted two swan-drops from the ;eft breast, but the lungs ha'ing been perforated by two slugs, and his Lordship being in a very weak state, it was impossible to proceed with any further operation—indeed, the SurgeonGeneral was of opinion that be could not long survive. Doctor Pierce from the commencement rendered the most prompt attention, and had very little hopes of his Lordship's recovery.  t‘ A man who had been in the employment of the Earl of Norbury, as watchman, and who was discharged fur misconduct, about five weeks since, has been arrested by Mr. T. Howard, C.C., Tullamore, (having received a description of the assassin from Lord Norbury's steward) without any previous knowledge of the man. The person charged has been committed to Tullamore gaol, for further examination."  On Friday an inquest was had. The steward was examined, and described the murder, but nothing elicited beyond what has already appeared. The Jury found a verdict of " Wilful Murder against some person or persons u:.known." The Lords Justices have issued a Proclamatiou for the discovery of the murderer, viz.:5001. for prosecuting to conviction the person who fired the shot. _ _ _  3001. for such information as would lead to conviction.  200/. for private information. Lord Oxmantown, the Lieutenant of the King's County, has addressed a circular to the Magistrates, requesting them to meet next Thursday, " To consider the measures proper to be adopted, in consequence of the atrocious outrage committed on the person of the Earl of Norbury." The preceding statement comprises all the facts positively known. The Dublin Evening Mail of Friday, recklessly and falsely observes that the crime of murder, and particularly the murder of Lord Norbury, has been " connived at, if not encouraged, by the Government." It adds, that it has been " undisguisedly recommended by the priests and the demagogues," and "shamefully advocated by a certain portion of the Press, supposed to reflect the opinions of the leaders of the party." The brutality—nay, the madness of this language, observes the Post, need not be pointed out. " What (continues our Ministerial Contemporary), were there no murders committed in Tory times, still more frightful—the Sheehan murders iu Tipperary—the murder of the Franks in Cork—the catastrophe at Wild Goose Lodge, in the County of Louth—and did it ever occur, in the fierce Opposition of the day, to charge the Government with abetting and encouraging these frightful enormities ? What a set of rascals these people are—nay, what a gang of fools. They even cry out for Martial Law ! They might as well cry out for a war with Louis Philippe, or the Czar Nicholas.  Theft appears to be on the increase in Berlin. According to the latest returns.there are now no less than 500 individuals in prison for robberies of various kinds, and the number increases weekly. The greater part of the prisoners are under 20 years of age.
The Sun. — 1839-01-11 (London, England)

THE POOR. LAWS.  TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.  confidently trust to the impartiality for which I have always given you credit, for your insertion of the following. For a series of years I have agreed with you to the full in almost every point, except your support of the new Poor-law— feelin sure that there is a large body of your readers and friends' in the same predicament; giving you, however, credit for fair and humane intentions, or we should neither read nor address you.  Whilst I approve your zeal, I scarcely thought the charge about " child-murder " worth answering. Whoever told that to Mr. Stephens—who, however intemperate and injudicious, appears to be an " honest" man—either was absurdly imposed upon, or told a wilful falsehood. No one in England would dare recommend open and " technical" murder, whether he were a Poor-law official, or an:opponent of the " Ten-hours' Bill." No doubt separation of natural ties, degradation, hard work, ronfinement, and poor diet, may lead to as virtual murders as if they were effected by public execution. And there is no doubt now, and I am sure there will be none hereafter, that thousands of lives have yearly been brought to a close by the new Poor-law. But, Sir, I confess that it deeply moved —not my " bile," but my " sorrow," to see you call the Commissioners " humane" men ! Why, Sir, until very lately, at any rate, they would scarcely have thanked you for this mode of defence. Humanity was a thing with which they desired to have nothing to do. Unbending, and far more than kingly supremacy, was the attribute they claimed. Have they not in every instance refused requests of mitigation and indulgence by Boards of Guardians, even so lately as last Chrismas-day, forbidding (at Gloucester) a dinner to the poor—a thing which, whilst it is almost unimaginable in stoicality and heartlessness in England, speaks " libraries" for the hearts of the originators. Did not one of their most favourite Assistants say to the inhabitants of a large metropolitan parish, " You must have no pity or feeling for any one I". lam not using the language of declamation, but appealing to facts. It is possible that, now they see the heart of the nation is roused, they may from policy simulate, or actually use a little lidding. But, Sir, let me candidly ask you, though you may still differ with us, would you advise us, " retaining our opinions," to trust or give way to them—to pull down the barriers of humanity we are raising against their experienced despotism, and once more trust the poor in their power? I cannot think you would. I will be fair—for, like you, I pre. fer candour. I will not deny that they may have what they consider a conscientious adherence to a system (though as much might be said for an Inquisition, or a Nicholas of Russia), but that system excludes " humanity." Yours respectfully, AN
The Sun. — 1839-07-02 (London, England)

ATTORNEY-GENERAL would even, after what had recently happened, undertake the defence of such a case in the Court of Queen's Bench. After a few words from Sir J. GRAHAM the amendment was agreed to. Several verbal amendments were then made in the Clause as amended. and was ordered to stand part of the Bill. Mr. DARB Y then moved that the Chairman do report progress, and ask leave to sit again, on which the Committee divided-Ayes Noes .  34 49  Majority against reporting progress... —l5 Mr. DARBY persisted in moving that the Chairman do report progress, which was ultimately agreed to without a division. The CIIAIRMAN then reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again on Saturday. The Register of Births Bill was read a third time, and passed. The Pleading in Courts (India) Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. The Report was received on the Public Works (Ireland.) The Bankrupts (Ireland) Bill was read a third time and passed. The Sale of Beer (License Duty) Bill, went through a Committtee, and the Report was ordered to be received to-morrow. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved for leave to bring in a Bill to consolidate the Acts relating to the duties on glass.—Leave granted. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then moved the consideration in Committee of the issue of Exchequer Bills on the Shannon Navigation. Col. SI BTHORP desired postponement ; but upon an explanation from the Chancellor of the Exchequer the Gallant Colonel yielded, stating that he should be most happy to see the Shannon so improved as to be likely to carry the present Administration speedily off to another world.—(Laughter.) Lord J. RUSSELL obtained leave to bring in a Bill for the purpose of better regulating Cathedral and other Ecclesiastical Revenues. Mr. FOX MAULE obtained leave to bring in a Bill to exempt certain Bills of Exchange from the operation of the Usury Laws. The Bill was then brought in and read a first time. The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of and the House adjourned at a quarter before Two o'clock.  THE CONVICT WlLLis.—The law courts are not to be opened for business at Maidstone on Thursday next until two o'clock, instead of nine o'clock, in consequence of the expected influx of persons to witness the execution of Willis for the murder of Sergeant-major Shepherd, which is fixed for that day. DEATH OF THE EARL OF LucAN.—We regret to announce the death of the Earl of Lucan. He was in his seventy-fourth year, having been born in December, 1765 ; he was married in May 1794, to the Lady Elizabeth Bellaysis, third daughter of tsenry, second and last R.rl. whose furmer,marrisge with Bernard Edward Howard, Esq., now Duk. or Norfolk, was dissolved in that year. She died in March, 1819, leaving issue the present Peer, late Lord Bingham, who is in his 40th year, and married to the Lady Anne Brudenell, daughter of the Earl of Cardigan. His eldest son, now Lord Bingham, was born in May 1830. By the death of the late Earl there is a vacancy in the Irish Representative Peerage.
The Sun. — 1825-11-10 (London, England)

MORNING CHRONICLE.] There is no county so famous for spring guns as Suffolk. Within the last twelve months, not less than a dozen people have been shot by, these Aristocratical inventions in that district, not to mention those deservedly prepared gentlemen who have had the luck of getting a taste of their own shot by divers accidents. It is certainly rather odd that this barbarous man-slaying and man-maiming practice should prevail to so great an extent in a county which is richer than any other in Parsons. Surely these Reverend Gentlemen might exert their influence to abate the unchristian custom of setting snares, and devising pit-falls for the steps of the unwary. In a Morning Paper of yesterday we observed the following' paragraph, which records the last casualty from spring-guns in Suffolk :—‘4 On Tuesday last a poor woman was shot by a spring-gun, , whilst getting acorns in the Link Woed, Bradfield, Suffolk, belonging John Moseley, Esq. The woman was conveyed home much wounded, and has been confined ever since the accident. On the same day a fine sow, upwards of 51. value, the property of Mr. George Biddel, was shot dead by one of the same engines whilst in search of acorns in the above wood."—The maiming of a poor woman 'is an event not likely to make any great impression on the 'Squires ; such accidents to human beings are common, and what are the guns set for but to shoot trespassers ? But the slaughter of the fine sow, worth upwards of five pounds, cannot but be considered in a serious light by the farming mind,, An( it must suggest to 'Squires the alarming reflection the lives of brutes are exposed to danger from these ~ engines. It was a Mr. Biddel's sow that came to an untimely end, but it might have been 'Squire —'s valuable pointer dog Ponte, —would it had been ! for no catastrophe short of such a one as this will bring the game preservers to their feelings. If it could once be made apparent that the lives of valued brutes were put in peril by these murderous machines, the humanity of the Country Gentlemen would take the alarm, and the spring-guns would fall into disuse. When uttering an 'aspiration for the murder of a pointer, however, we would be understood as being actuated by no feeling of to those sagacious brutes, for whom we protest, and call Heaven to witness, we entertain a truly British tenderness. But as we some time wander by wood sides, copses, and coverts, and feel at such times a passing concern for the integrity of our limbs,and the uninterrupted continuity of our dear skin (if we may be allowed a learned phrase), and also some sympathy with other folks' limbs and skins, the damage of which makes us think upon our own,—we should consider one dog as usefillip sacrificed, if by his untimely death the humanity of 'Squires could be alarmed, their canine sympathies awakened, and spring-guns an rendered hateful to spotten, by xeason of their dog-slaying properties.