npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1891-02-19 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

AGACT.  Another of the series of terriLr• crimea which save boon connected witla 1114 London during late fears was committed at an early hour on Friday .noming. The revolting features which characterised most of these murders hitherto were happily absent; put the circumstances of the crime, the character If the victim, anal the mysterious features by which Ile deed is environial, undoubtedly plaice it M the ane category. The time chosen by the murderer, Se locality, and the precautions taken to escape letection are in all respects similar to those followed an previous occasions. It appears tint shortly after o'clock in the morning Constable 240 11, while massing through an archway of the Great Eastern Railway, which, leads from Swallow-gardens to Orman-street, two thoroughfares running pers.:lel with the Whitechapel-road, but lying more towards the river, observed a woman extended on her back in the centre of the thoroughfare. Ile had passed the spot 15 minutes previously, and there was no one there. On approaching and turning his lamp on the prostrate figure, he was horrified to find that the woman lay in a pool of blood, which was flowing from a terrible wound in the throat extending literally from ear to ear. He at once blew his whistle for assistance, and was joined within a few minutes by Police-constable 327 11, whose beat is adjoining. The woman gave no signs of life, but the body was quite warm, and the policeman felt that the pulses were beating faintly. Further assistance was soon brought to the spot by whistling, and a man was despatched to the residence of Dr. Philips, the surgeon to the division, who resides near at hand. In the meantime, acting in accordance with instructions issued during the panic at the east end, nearly two years ago, the police allowed the body to remain in the position in which it was discovered, and took careful note of the surroundings ao as to be in possession of any available clue. 'The woman appeared to be from 25 to 27 years of age, and lay in the roadway, her feet crossed one over the other and towards the footpath. She was bareheaded, and while one arm was stretched by her side, the other was bent towards the breast. By her side lay a black crape hat, and in the pocket of her dress were several pieces of black lace or crape and a vulcanite earring. Strange to say, a second black crape hat lay partly hidden in the folds of her dress. An old striped stocking and a comb were also found in her pocket. By this time Dr. Philips had reached the scene, and after a short examination pronounced that the woman, although not quite dad, was expiring fast. As a matter of fact, she expired before preparations could be made to move her on a stretcher, which had been brought from the Leman-street Police-station. When the medical man pronounced life to be extinct the body was conveyed to the Whitechapel Mortuary, where it awaits an inquest. 'The blood stains were erased by the POliCe, who cut a cross in the woodwork on the side of the arch to mark the exact spot where the body was found.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1891-07-09 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

FRANCIL  CONVICTION OF THE LEADERS.  At the Assizes of the Department of the Nord, held at Douai, the trial haa taken place of M. Culine and Dr. Lafargue, charged with having—the former at Nourmies on May lat., and the latter in a speech delivered at Migirchies on April llth--excited the workmen to commit the acts which led up to the untoward events that created such a painful sensation throughout the length and breadth of the land. Dr. Lafargue denied that he had advocated murder, and M. Culine declared that be had implored the people to remain tranquil. The most interesting evidence,says the Daily Teleyrapis Paris Correspondent, was that of Major Chapus, of the 145th Regiment, who,with 150 men under his command,gave the order to fire. He said that he had several times vainly ex. hotted the crowd to keep quiet. Some of his men were wounded already by the stones thrown at them. One of them fell down with his face bleeding, and non-commissioned officer had been dragged away and knocked down. The military regulations, his own honour, and the safety of his men rendered it impossible for him to yield, so he gave the order to fire. Not one of his troops had replied to the insults and assaults with a single word. The Police-Commissary also deposed that the rioters were engaged in a struggle with the soldiers. An officer was dragged off by the men. Major Chapus advanced tows the people holding out his hands and asking them to withdraw, as he would have to fire on them, and he warned them that the rifles were loaded; but they came on with more energy than ever. Major Chapus ordered the troops to advance with fixed bayonets, but they could not move a step—they were completely hemmed in. Then he gave the order to fire in the air, and as this was of no avail the men were commanded to aim at their assailants. Another witness said that at the meeting held on April 11th M. Culine had unfurled a red Rag, but had not uttered a word. Dr. Lafargue, in the course of his address, had declared that the employer in these days was worse than the baron of the olden time. He had constructed immense bagnes, in which they were imprisoned 12 or 14 hours out of the 24, and as if that were not enough they who had no possessions had also to mount guard as soldiers for the protection of the wealth that had been thus amassed. He then went on to ask if they knew what a general strike of miners meant. It meant the closing of all the factories at the expiration of a fortnight, fireless hearths, no gas, no electricity— nothing but the dark night,which favoured crime. The English were more advanced than they in the matter of new ideas, but they were behind them in one respect. They did not know how to use the rifle. Well, those present were superior to the English in this matter. They had all been soldiers, and when they were wanted they would know where to find their weapons and how to use them. Eventually Culine was sentenced to six years' ci;nfinement and 10 years' police supervision, and Dr. Lafargue to one year's imprisonment and a tine of 100 t.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1891-06-18 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

CHARGE AGAINST YOUNG LADIES.  At the Worthing Police-court, on Monday, an extraordinary charge was preferred against two young ladies named respectively Edith Spiller, 16, and Rose Brame, 17—viz., of conspiring together to feloniously kill and murder Edith Spiller, the firstnamed defendant. •  Three young ladies, named respectively Miss Goble, Miss Taylor, and Miss Hopper, gave the following evidence: On the previous Thursday they were on the boa-seat of a brake which went to Chanctonbury and back. The two defendants were sitting immediately behind them, and there were several other people on the vehicle. The defendants conversed together in a voice sufficiently loud for witnesses to hear the greater part of what was said. Miss Spitler remarked, "There will be a row tonight"; and then added, "It is years ago since I first met Jack." She appeared to be in great trouble, and all the way to Chanctonbury was talking about It to Miss Brame. On the return journey the witnesses heard the defendants mention prussic acid, laudanum, and choloroform. Miss Brame swore she would get it for Miss Spiller,and added that if they got it all at one chemist's it would look suspicious. She also said, "It will kill in 15 seconds.' Miss Spitler said she did not want to take anything that would burn her; she would rather have something that would send her to sleep. It was understood that two letters should be left behind, one for Miss Spitler's mother, and one for somebody else, to say why she did it. The defendants then began talking about after life. Miss Brame said to Miss Spitler, 'You are not bad enough for hell, and not good enough for heaven; you will go to purgatory." The impression which the witnesses formed from the zonversation was that they would go to two differmit chemists to get the necessary poison, and that 'he deed was to be done that night. The three witteases therefore decided to follow the defendants when they left the brake; and they did so. 'They law them go into a chemist's shop. The three ladies afterwards went into the shop, and on hearing that the two defendants had bought laudanum they told :he chemist what they had heard on the brake. Superintendent Long stated that in consequence of what the witness Aston told him he went to No. The Steyne, where the defendant, Miss Spitler, resided with her parents. After telling Mrs. ipiller what he had heard, he obtained the two tottles, produced, which were wrapped up in paper n a bedroom. The some evening he arrested Miss Spitler at her parents' house, and subsequently lie wrested Miss Brame at her home at Highgate. The solicitor (Mr. Nye) who appeared for Miss !paler, said his client bought the laudanum to ease ter toothache, and had no intention of taking her . .  ife. Everything else stated in evidence was the lubject of a joke, and he hoped the Bench would onk on it as a girlish freak, and dismiss the case. The Bench committed the two defendants for Mal at the next Sussex Assizes, but granted bail, Kiss Spiller in a surety of £.500 and Miss Brame in £lOO. Both defendants protested their innocence.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1888-11-15 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

DEBATE ON EDUCATION.  On the motion of Mr. A. Morley, a new writ was ordered for the election of a member for Dewsbury, in the room of Sir John Simon, resigned. Sir J. Fergusson informed Mr. J. Talbot that it was intended that the British and German squadrons on the East Coast of Africa should act separately, the operations of the German ships being confined to that part of the coast which was under German influence ; but full discretion had been left to the Admirals. Mr. Conybeare asked the Home Secretary whether he had seen that another terrible murder had been committed in East London, and whether he did not think the time had come for replacing Sir Charles Warren by some officer who would investigate these crimes. The Speaker,however, interposed, and pointed out that notice of the question must be given in the usual way. In reply to Mr. C. Graham, Mr. NV. H. Smith said it was not the fact that Sir C. Warren was at St. Petersburg. The House having gone into Committee of Supply, Sir W. Hart Dyke, on the vote to complete the sum required for public education in England and Wales, made the customary statement with regard to the work of the Education Department during the last financial year. Referring to the report of the Royal Commission on Elementary Education, he gave an assurance that the Government would carefully consider it with the view of stating early next year what course they would pursue in regard to it. As to the assumption which seemed to be abroad that the Government intended to make an onslaught on the present system of elementary education, he declared himself absolutely ignorant of any such intention, and he added that personally he believed that any attempt to overthrow or destroy the settlement arrived at in 1870 would be most disastrous to the cause of education. With regard to the work of the past year, the figures shewed a gratifying and steady increase; and judged by the test of juvenile crime, which was now less than half what it was 20 years ago, notwithstanding the increase of 25 per cent, in population during that period, the Education Act had been attended with signal success. In the course of the discussion which followed, Sir J. Lubbock described the present system of school teaching as too uninteresting and too bookish ; Sir R. Temple expressed the opinion that Board schools had an unfair advantage over voluntary schools in the matter of grants, and Mr. Molloy taunted the Government with having changed their front in regard to denominational schools. Mr. Mundella congratulated the Vice-President of the Council upon the satisfactory progress indicated by his statement, and expressed satisfaction with his declaration of adherence to the settlement of 1870, whereby a threatened controversy, which would have filled the country with sectarian strife, would be got rid of. The vote having been agreed to, progress was reported, and the House adjourned at 10 minutes past 12 o'clock.  House of Commons.—Monday.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1888-10-18 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

HORRIBLE MURDER OF A MOTHER. A murder, under most revolting circunistances, has taken place at Sherburn, a village near Selby. Late at night, Mrs. Mountain, an old woman between 70 and SO years of age, the landlady of a publichouse, was ferociously attacked by her son, who literally kicked her to death. He then stripped off her clothing, and threw portions of her body into the fire. A police-inspector stated that an arm and a leg were fractured, the face was unrecognisable, the teeth were strewn over the floor, and fragments of bones were in the fireplace. The man also threatened to murder the servant girl, and kept her in the room in a state of terror. The prisoner, who is a short, thick-set man of about 30 years of age, was brought up in custody the next day before Mr. H. E. Maxwell Stuart and other justices, and after formal evidence had been given by the girl Annie Hutchinson, he was remanded for a week. The prisoner presented a rather wild appearance, and said he did not know what he was doing; he thought it was some one who had come to rob the house. The man, it is said, is evidently a maniac. His indulgence in drink has, it is stated, rendered him quite ungovernable. Some weeks ago, after a carouse, he rushed about the village at night like a niadnian, and worked himself into such a paroxysm of rage that he had to be watched for several days. A revolver at that time was discreetly placed beyond his reach, but he succeeded in finding it, and this was the weapon with which lie menaced the servant on the night of the matricide. It reads strangely that the man was fond of his mother, for his mode of demonstrating affection was alike revolting and remarkable. Additional information about the murderer discloses the fact that he cunteniplated matrimony, but that ie mother was averse to the wedding.  James Dunn was evicted from the Singletone state, in county Louth, and died the same evening. He had lived in the same house and paid rent for half a century. He was $O years old, and exclaimed. as the emergency men carried him out, "I have not half an hour to live." His wife and daughter were miserably poor, and the efforts to effect a settlement with the agents were unavailing, the terms being far beyond their means.  CHINAMEN RIGOROUSLY EXCLUDED The enforcement of the Chinese exclusion law in America is causing serious difficulty. Several hundreds of Chinamen who have arrived at San Francisco on steamers are refused a landing, despite the efforts of the Chinese officials to secure admission for those having return certificates. The Chinamen who try to cross over from Canada are met on the border. Four have thus been stopped at Niagara, and others on the border of British Columbia. Mung Koon, a Chinese merchant of Montreal and a naturalised British subject, has been prevented from visiting New York, and he will probably solicit the Britihli Government's intervention.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1888-02-16 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

MURDER OF A MILLIONAIRE.  Details have been received concerning the murder by burglars of Mr. Snell, the Chicago millionaire. Mr. Snell's residence is a substantial structure, and the neighbourhood is a highly respectable one. Mr. Snell went to bed about 10 o'clock, the servants following half an hour later. A little after 2 o'clock the cook was awakened by the sound of five or six pistol shots, fired at short but irregular intervals. Between the shots she could distinguish Mr. Snell's voice crying "Get out; get out." She jumped out of bed and aroused another servant. Both crept into the hall on the fourth floor and listened. They could hear nothing, and no answer was made to their calls. Half an hour later they thought they heard a door slowly opened and closed in the lower hall, but they made no attempt to investigate the noise. A little after 6 o'clock the coachman ciune to the house to light the fires. He went to the basement door and found that just above the latch an oblong block had been cut out of the door by boring 18 holes with a half-inch bit, and through this the burglar's hand had been inserted and the bolt pushed back. The door stood partly ajar. The coachman entered and passed quickly through the hall to the front room in the basement which Mr. Snell used as an office, having it fitted up with a desk and a safe. Here he saw that the safe had been ransacked, while the floor was strewn with papers. He ran to the hall passage on the parlour floor, where he stumbled and almost fell over the dead body of his employer, who lay there cold and rigid. A revolver was lying on the floor beside him. It had five chambers, four filled and one empty. There was a bullet wound in the head, and another in the heart. His nightshirt was stained with blood, which was in little pools on the floor. An examination of the premises revealed the manner the murder was committed. The double parlour doors had been locked. By means of a chisel the burglars had broken open the doors and secreted themselves in the parlour. On hearing Mr. Snell descend the etaircase—the noise they made in open. jug the doors evidently awakened him—they shut the doors and took refuge behind them. This was after they had opened the safe.:Coming down with a loaded revolver, Mr. Snell discovered the presence of the thieves. He shouted to them to get out, and fired a shot through the panel in the door. The bullet lodged in the wall on the opposite side of the room. Two other bullet holes were in the door, having been fired from the inside by the intruders. Then it appeared that Mr. Snell attempted to force open the doors,when another shot was fired from within, ploughing a small furrow at the edge of the door as it swung ajar, and probably entering his body. While he was reeling along the hall front this fatal wound the assassins must have stepped out and sent another bullet through his brain. They then walked out of the house as they came, taking their booty with them, and leaving no trees behind.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1888-12-20 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

TWO YOUTHS SENTENCED TO DEATH. The trial of the young men, William Gower, 111, moulder, and Charles Joseph Dobell, 19, plumber, ma the charge of murdering Bensley Cyrus Lawrence, by shooting him through the head itt a timber yard adjoining the Baltic Sawmills, in Tunbridge Wells, Was concluded at the Maidstone Assizes on Friday before Mr. Justice Mathew. The two lads sat iq the dock quietly and oomposedly while the evidencq was given against them; nor did Gower exhibii any emotion even when his mother and sister appeared in the witness-box at the close of the day and gave testimony on his behalf. It will be remembered that owing to his having been frequently fined for unpunctuality by Lawrence, who WM its the same employment, Gower induced Dobell to joie him in a conspiracy to murder Lawrence, who, he said, WSW a "waster s man and against the workmen;" that the two purchased a revolver, and, having decided cpon the murder, drew lots as to which of them should fire the shot, and that the lot falling upon Dobell, he on the night mentioned entimd Lawrence out of his house and shot him through the head. No clue was discovered till October, when Gower, who, with his companion, had begun to attend Salvation Army prayer n.eetings, confessed the crime to William Cottrill, a "captain" of that organisation. Cowin in turn told the police, and the accused were arrested. " Captain " Cottrill having described the circumstances connected with the confession, produced a letter written by Gower whilst in prison: "Dear Captain Cottrill and Friends of the Salvation Army,-1 am now in my cell) waiting my trial. I cannot say that lam unhappy, because I know that Jesus is with me, and is willing to see ma through all my trials and temptations. All the officers and warders deem very kind. I was visited by the chaplain during the dinner-hour. He spoke to me very kindly, and told tne I was to prepare for what had got to come, but I feel sure that God will forgive me all my sins. Both n,c and my mate had a very happy journey. We kept our spirits up, and did not get down-hearted in the least. No sooner did via get into the cells than we began to whistle praises tn God for preserving us thus far. But We SOOn got stopped. Never mind. We can praise Him all the same. We are both in separate cells. We cannot coma municate with each other. Please let my mates see this. I have several prayers and "Advice to Christians" in my cell, also a Bible, a prayer-book, hymn-book, and a bound volume of solos. Fl captain, read this letter in the meeting, and my mother. Prepare to meet thy God. I have no paper to say any more, so please excuse. I see by my rules that I may be visited by not more than two persons on one day in the week, for &quartet of an hour at a time, under such regulations aft may be made. Please come and see me if you can. Give my love to all —I remain, yours truly, the happy gaol bird, Win Pas