npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1846-06-23 (London, England)

MURDER AT MANCHESTER  MANCHESTER, SATURDAY EVENING.—Thia morning consider,ble excitement was croatett in the neighbourboid of Oaf }rd-road, by the discovery of the body of a youth in what is commonly called the " Black- brook,", which runs through the adjoining township of Chorlton-upon-Medlock. Owing to the extreme drought of late the brook is almost dry, there not being more than three inches deep of water at the spot where the body was found. The body was lying with the face uppermost, but neither the face nor body was covered with water.  The body was first discovered by Mr. Batty's ostler, who had come earlier than usual to work, to clean the harness, being employed during the day at hay-making. On opening the window of the harness-room, which overlooks the brook, about four o'clock in the morning, he discovered the body. Ile and his companion immediately went out, and finding a polieeman at hand, told him of the circumstance, and on going round, saw the body as already described. It was taken out and laid on the bank, and was at once recognised as the body of a boy who had for some time been known in the neighbourhood as a hawker of blacking and blacklead. A tin box, with handle, in which he carried his blacking, was found near him, partly im. mersed in the water, with part of the lid broken off. Notice was, of course, immediately given at the police-office, the body was removed into Mr. Batty's stable, where it now lies, and in the course of the day a post mortem examination was made by Mr. Galland, who at once declared that death had not ensued from drowning, but from a blow on the head, over the right temple, which seems to have been inflicted by a blunt instrument, such as a heavy club or stick. There was no blood or external marks of violence on the body, but when taken out of the water and laid face downwards, some blood and water came from the mouth and ears. The name of the deceased is George Wray, whose father is a blacking manufacturer, residing at 324, Deansgate, and he had been out during the day, supplying the small shops in the neighbourhood. No money was found upon the boy when searched, although`his father states that he should have bad 16s. or 18s., from the quantity of blacking which had gone out of the box.  On the police making inquiries in the neighbourhood, it was soon discovered that the deceased had been seen in company with some boys near the spot where the body was found, as late as 11 o'clock on the preceding night. Two of these boys were immediately taken into custody, the oldest being about 17, named James Siddon, residing at 37, Jenkinson-street, the other fourteen, named Joseph Dean. On searching these boys, a knife, two combs, and two handkerchiefs, were found upon them, all of which have been identified by the parents of the deceased as his property. Some money was also found upon them, on some of which bits of blacking were found.  THE MELANctIiiL L:iss OF
The Sun. — 1846-11-20 (London, England)

MURDEROUS OUTRAGE AND ATTEMPTED ROBBERY. PRESTON, WEDNESDAY.—Last night, one of the most daring outrages which ever occurred in this neighbourhood took place at Broughton, about three miles from this town, at the residence of W. Miller, Esq., surveyor and land steward. Mr. Miller's house is at some distance from any other residence. About six o'clock in the evening, Mr. Miller and his daughter being in the house, and no other person there but a female servant, a smart knock was given at the front door, on which Mr. Miller observed, "It is some gentleman from Preston who wishes to see me on business." The door was opened by Miss Miller, when six men, armed with pistols, made a rush into the house, two of them subsequently retreating back, and remaining in front of the house. Miss Miller, terrified by the villians, cried out, "Thieves, thieves !" making at the same time a rush towards the lawn in front of the house, when one of the men outside shouted out, " Grab her." At the same moment a pistol was fired at her, which was immediately followed by the firing of another. Miss Miller then ran to the house of a neighbour screaming out "Murder." In the meantime the villains had gained full access to the house, and one of them, presenting a pistol at Mr. Miller, said, "We want your money.', Mr. Miller told them he had none; upon which the men said, " We know you have." Mr. Miller again denied having any, and called to the servant, whom the robbers had forced into an adjoining room, to ring the bell. The bell alluded to is an alarm bell, situated at the top of the house, from which there is a communication with the room into which, fortunately, the robbers had forced the attendant. At her master's call, the servant commenced ringing the bell, on which the men looked at one another in amazement, and then ran away. In less than ten minutes from the alarm bell having been rung, a number of neighbours arrived. From the cool determination evinced by the whole gang, there can be little doubt that the lives of the whole family would have been sacrificed, had it not been for the escape of Miss Miller and the ringing of the alarm bell. Mr. Miller's presence of mind, too, during the attack, was wonderful, especially _ considering that he is 75 years of ge. farmer, eMr,issshe Miller ,4,,vaa returning home, with a neighbouringvhee onrecdttehanttsof her one of the pistols having life had bmeuecnhinextrmhaustoesdt, imminentaud it was discovered ot grazed the front part of her head, to pe but, we are glad to say, is in no danger. The lady's be imagined, when it is stated that on the extent of about three inches. She bled considerably, alarm may ruck and broke a window in her excitement, the arm p arriving at the house of the farmer alluded to above, she stassing quite through the framework. It is said that Mr. Miller had, a few days previously, been receiving certain rents, and the presumption is that the delinquents were aware of that fact. We regret to say that they have not, up to the present time, been apprehended; but suspicion rests upon some characters in the neighbourhood, whom the police are on the look out for.
The Sun. — 1846-09-28 (London, England)

PLATT.) MURDER.--THE LATE SALE OF POISONOUS BERRIES. —John Hilliard, a country-looking fellow, was indicted for the wilful murder of Thomas Parker, by administering certain noxious and poisonous berries called the deadly nightshade, he representing the same to be wholesome food, &c. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr. BODKIN stated the case on the part of the prosecution. The prisoner stood charged with the crime of wilful murder; but he would at the outset admit that the evidence was not sufficient to support that serious charge; but still it would, in his opinion, be sufficient to warrant the jury on finding him guilty of the minor •ffeuce of manslaughter. The prisoner was a countryman, and had for many years been in the habit of collecting herbs, berries, &c., and afterwards selling them in the public streets. On the 15th of August he was in the neighbourhood of Whitechapel, where he offered certain berries for sale, which he represented as sweet and wholesome ; and among other persons who were induced to purchase some of them of him was a Mrs. Parker, whose husband kept a beershop in Whitechapel. He told her they were very sweet and nice, and would make an excellent pie or pudding. She bought some, and, it being the anniversary of her wedding, made them up into a tart, of which she and her husband partook. Soon after having eaten it, they were both taken very seriously ill. Medical assistance was immediately called in, and every attention possible was paid to both of them. Notwithstanding which, the husband died on the following day; the wife remained in a very dangerous state, but ultimately recovered. The Learned Counsel was about to call his witnesses on the part of the prosecution, when he was interrupted by Mr. CLARKSON (who appeared as counsel for the prisoner) who said that the Learned Gentleman need not. call any witnesses to prove the statement which he had made to the jury, as he (Mr. Clarkson) was not instructed to dispute or deny any one of the facts of the case ; but his defence would be that the prisoner was ignorant that the berries were of a poisonous nature at the time he sold them.  Mr. Baron PLATT, in summing up the evidence, told the jury that they might altogether dismiss from their minds that part of the indictment which charged the prisoner with murder ; the only question for their consideration was, whether the offence of which he had been guilty did or did not amount to manslaugther; the Learned Judge then commented on the facts of the case, and having done so, left it to the jury. The jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict of Guilt yof manslaugter. Mr. Baron PLATT, on passing sentence, said it was necessary to protect the public from the carelessness as well as the wickedness of mankind. After some general observations, he sentenced the prisoner to be confined six months in the House of Correction, and there kept to hard labour.
The Sun. — 1846-09-28 (London, England)

PLATT., MURDER.—TRE LATE SALE OF POISONOUS BERRIES. —John Hihiard, a country-looking fellow, was indicted for the wiltul murder of Thomas Parker, by administering certain noxious and poisonous berries called the deadly nightshade, he representing the same to be wholesome food, &c. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr. Bonnix stated the case on the part of the prosecution. The prisoner stood charged with the crime of wilful murder; but he would at the outset admit that the pvidence was not sufficient to support that serious charge; but still it would, in his opinion, be sufficient to warrant the jury on finding him guilty of the minor offence of manslaughter. The prisoner was a countryman, and had for many years been in the %shit of collecting herbs, berries, &c., and afterwards them in the public streets. On the 15th of August he was in the neighbourhood of Whitechapel, where be offered certain berries for sale, which he represented as sweet and wholesome ; and among other persons who were induced to purchase some of them of him was a Mrs. Parker, whose husband kept a beershop in Whitechapel. He told her they were very sweet and nice, and would make an excellent pie or pudding. She bought some, and, it being the anniversary of her wedding, made them up into a tart, of which she and her husband partook. Soon after having eaten it, they were both taken very seriously ill. Medical assistance was immediately called in, and every attention possible was paid to both of them. Notwithstanding which, the husband died on the following day; the wife remained in a very dangerous state, but ultimately recovered. The Learned Counsel was about to call his witnesses on the part of the prosecution, when he was interrupted by Mr. Cianicsow (who appeared as counsel for the prisoner) who said that the Learned Gentleman need not call any witnesses to prove the statement which he had made to the jury, as he (Mr. Clarkson) was not instructed to dispute or deny any one of the facts of the case ; but his defence would be that the prisoner was ignorant that the berries were of a poisonous nature at the time be sold them.  Mr. Baron PLATT, in summing up the evidence, told the jury that they might altogether dismiss from their minds that part of the indictment which charged the prisoner with murder ; the only qu'stion for their consideration was, whether the offence of which he had been guilty did or did not amount t 3 anslaugther; the Learned Judge then comment. d on the facts of the case, and having done so, I.ft it to the jury. The jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict of Guilt yof manslaugter. Mr. Baron PLATT, on passing sentence, said it was necessary to protect the public from the carelessness as well as the wickedness of mankind. After some general observations, he sentenced the prisoner to be confined sx months in the House of Correction, and there kept to bard labour.
The Sun. — 1846-08-22 (London, England)

THE LATE MURDER AT THE  GUILDHALL COFFEE-HOUSE.  The unfortunate young woman, Susan Tolliday, was the daughter of James Tolliday, a whitesmith, residing in Maye's-yard, Castle-eden, in this town. The deceased was the eldest child, being about twenty-one years of age. She left Cambridge fourteen months since, when she went to London and entered into the service of Mr. Walters, of the Guildhall Coffee-house, Icing-street, Cheapside. John Smith, the murderer, was distantly related to his victim through his wife. It appears that he was a man of violent passions and of intemperate habits. A great degree of intimacy existed between Smith and the deceased, consequent upon their relationship, though frequent quarrels took place between them. About six weeks ago, the deceased had arranged to pay a visit to her friends in Cam• bridge, but instead of coming, she addressed a letter to her mother, in which she stated that ,she could not come until she had received another month's wages, as she had lent some money to "John" and he had not paid her. This was the last communication her parents received from her. Last Sunday morning a messenger, dispatched by Mr. Walters, brought a letter to deceased's mother, stating that she was very ill and not  likely to live, and that unless her friends immediately hastened to London they would not see her alive again. Her eldest brother, an industrious well-conducted young man, who has worked for Mr. Finch of this town for many years—suspecting from the tenor of the message, that his sister was dead, pressed the man to tell him the truth, but the messenger declared that when he left London she was still alive. Not the slightest hint of the murder was given to the wretched woman's friends, nor did a suspicion of the horrid fact cross their minds until the Monday daily papers arrived containing the particulars of Smith's examination and of the Coroner's inquest. Mrs. Tolliday and her eldest son left Cambridge on Sunday, by the six o'clook evening train. The particulars we have been able to learn of the family of the deceased are as follows:—The father came originally from Histon, where there are several branches of the same family located. He is a man between fifty and sixty years of age, and has all his life been subject to fits, which have prevented his being employed in his trade, and he earns a subsistence by carrying water and collecting manure. His wife, a very industrious woman, takes in washing and goes out as a charwoman, and although there are seven or eight young children, they are spoken of by their neighbours as always being cleanly and neatly clad. The eldest son, as we have said before, works for Mr. Finch. There is a niece of the old man's living in Barnwell, and another married woman residing in King-street ; and a nephew is an ostler in some livery stables in town. The unfortunate deceased was a girl of prepossessing appearance, and bore a very good character for steadiness and industrious conduct among her neighbours.—Cambridge Advertiser.
The Sun. — 1846-08-22 (London, England)

THE LATE MURDER AT THE GUILDHALL COFFEE-HOUSE.  The unfortunate young woman, Susan Tolliday, was the daughter of James Tolliday, a whitesmith, residing in Maye's-yard, Castle-eden, in this town. The deceased was the eldest child, being about twenty-one years of ago. She left Cambridge fourteen months since, when she went to London and entered into the service of Mr. Walters, of the Guildhall Coffee-house, King-street, Cheapside. John Smith, the murderer, was distantly related to his victim through his wife. It appears that he was a man of violent passions and of intemperate habits. A great degree of intimacy existed between Smith and the deceased, consequent upon their relationship, though frequent quarrels took place between them. About six weeks ago, the deceased had arranged to pay a visit to her friends in Cam bridge, but instead of coming, she addressed a letter to her mother, in which she stated that :she could not come until she had received another month's wages, as she had lent some money to "John" and he had not paid her. This was the last communication her parents received from her. Last Sunday morning a messenger, dispatched by Mr. Walters, brought a letter to deceased's mother, stating that she was very ill and not likely to live, and that unless her friends immediately hastened to London they would not see her alive again. Her eldest brother, an industrious well-conducted young man, who has worked for Mr. Finch of this town fur many years—suspecting from the tenor of the message, that his sister was dead, pressed the man to tell him the truth, but the messenger declared that when he left London she was still alive. Not the slightest hint of the murder was given to the wretched woman's friends, nor did a suspicion of the horrid fact cross their minds until the Monday daily papers arrived containing the particulars of Smith's examination and of the Coroner's inquest. Mrs. Tolliday and her eldest son left Cambridge on Sunday, by the six o'clook evening train. The particulars we have been able to learn of the family of the deceased are as follows father .came originally from Histon, where there are several branches of the same family located. He is a man between fifty and sixty years of age, and has all his life been subject to fits, which have prevented his being employed in his trade, and he earns a subsistence by carrying water and collecting manure. His wife, a very industrious woman, takes in washing and goes out as a charwoman, and although there are seven or eight young children, they are spoken of by their neighbours as always being cleanly and neatly clad. The eldest son, as we have said before, works for Mr. Finch. There is a niece of the old man's living in Barnwell, and another married woman residing in King-street ; and a nephew is an ostler in some livery stables in town. The unfortunate deceased was a girl of prepossessing appearance, and bore a very good character for steadiness and industrious conduct among her neighbours.—Cambridge Advertiser.
The Sun. — 1846-08-22 (London, England)

THE LATE MURDER. AT THE  GUILDHALL COFFEE-HOUSE. The unfortunate young woman, Susan Tolliday, was the daughter of James Tolliday, a whitesmith, residing in Maye's.yard, Castle-eden, in this town. The deceased was the eldest child, being about twenty-one years of age. She left Cambridge fourteen months since, when she went to London and entered into the service Jf Mr. Walters, of the Guildhall Coffee-house, King-street, Cheapside. John Smith, the murderer, was distantly related to his victim through his wife. It appears that he was a man of violent passions and of intemperate habits. A great degree of intimacy existed between Smith and the deceased, consequent upon their relationship, though frequent quarrels took place between them. About six weeks ago, the deceased had arranged to pay a visit b her friends in Cam bridge, but instead of coming, she. addressed a letter to her mother, in which she stated that she could not come until she had received another month's wages, as she had lent some money to "John" and he had not paid her. This was the last communication her parents received from her. Last Sunday morning a messenger, dispatched by Mr. Walters, brought a letter to deceased's mother, stating that she was very ill and not likely to live, and that unless her friends immediately hastened to London they would not see her alive again. Her eldest brother, an industrious well-conducted young man, who hrs worked for Mr. Finch of this town for many years—suspecting from the tenor of the message, that his sister was dead, pressed the man to tell him the truth, but the messenger declared that when he left London she was still alive. Not the slightest hint of the murder was given to the wretched woman's friends, nor did a suspicion of the horrid fact cross their minds until the Monday daily papers arrived containing the particulars of smith's examination and of the Coroner's inquest. Mrs. Tolliday and her eldest son left Cambridge on Sunday, by the ....ix o'clook evening train:- The particulars we have been able to learn of the family of the deceased are as follows:—The father came originally from Histon, where there are several branches of the same family located. He is a man between fifty and sixty yearsof age, and has all his lie been subject to fits, which have prevented his being employed in his trade, and he eatas v. subsistence by carrying water and eollecting manure. His wife, a very industrious woman, takes in washing and goes out as a charwoman, and although there are seven or eight young children, they are spoken of by th..ir neighbours as always being cleanly and neatly clad. The eldest son, as we have said before, works for Mr. Finch. There is a niece of the old man's living in Barnwell, and another married woman residing in King-street ; and a nephew is an ostler in some livery stables in town. The unfortunate deceased was a girl of prepossessing appearance, and bore a very goad character for steadiness and industrious conduct among her neigh bours.—Cambridge A dverti,er.
The Sun. — 1846-09-16 (London, England)

THE HORRIBLE MURDER AT CHESTERFIELD. Connected with this horrid affair an opinion prevails that the deceased's body was cut up and carried away in parts to the cesspool, in which his mangled remains were discovered. This idea, however, is not supported by the surgeon who examined them.; he clearly ascertained that the first vertebrie, which connects the head with the spine, had not the appearance of having been separated by any violence, as it was found complete. But it must be borne in mind that the second and third vertebrEe are not to be found, and if the head were separated from the body after death, those bones would be so broken up as to be undistinguishable afterwards. The mangled remains were interred in St. Thomas's churchyard, Brompton, on Monday last, followed by a large party of friends and relations, including Ellen Beresford, and attended by an immense concourse of spectators. The .prisoner was removed to Derby gaol on Friday morning, in the custody of Sharpe, an active constable of Chesterfield ; a great number of people congregated at the railway station to witness his departure; he arrived a short time before the train, and made a request to see Mr. R. Statham, butcher, by whom he was employed, and with whom he conversed, seemingly without reserve, and did not seem in the least unnerved; when the train arrived, he was hurried through the crowd to the carriages, upon which he appeared pale and agitated. He shook hands with some a..quaintances, and bade them good-bye. He also told Mr. Statham that he was innocent of the murder. There was some groaning on his proceeclig? to the carriage, otherwise there was no strong feeling manifested by tire congregated throng. He is a very diminutive man, being only five feet one inch in height, stout built, active, and having a repulsive countenance. Among the fraternity he and his brother, in derision' of their small stature, were known by the ,inames of " Gog" and " Magog." A few days' ago he . addressed a letter to Mr. R. Statham, which contained little more than desiring his respects to his acqtiaintance and assertions of his innocence. He did not, however, forget his old friend " Nero." a favourite doe.. to %vh Q, be sent ployer as being remarkm ay temperate in his naM nits, ann a rather timid disposition. Collis, the supposed murdered man, was a good-looking person, 26 years of age, about the middle size, dark hair, and light whiskers, and well known and respected in the neighbourhood. Ellen Beresford, the young woman to whom he was betrothed, is a pretty and respectable-looking young woman, and her case has excited much sympathy, as it is stated to have been the intention of Collis to marry her had he live d. A number of benevolent individuals, feeling that she was deprived of a husband, and her child of a father, gy this tragical occurrence, have laudably determined to raise a subscription in her behalf, and there is no doubt but their praiseworthy object will meet with the success which its merits,—Derbyshire Courier.