npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1866-09-17 (London, England)

OLD COURT. (Before the Common Sergeant.) The September sessions of the Old Bailey commenced this morning.  The calendar contains the names of 147 prisoners for trial ; some of the offences charged aro of a very serious description. There aro for arson 2, burglary 19, embezzlement 6, forgery 2, murder 3, feloniously wounding 3, manslaughter 1, and the remainder consists of misdemeanours and larceny. The Common Sergeant, in charging the grand jury, said he regretted that the calendar was of a much more serious description than ho thought ought to have been the case considering the short time that had elapsed since the adjournment. Ono of the cases that would have to be disposed of was the indictment against Mary Butcher, who stood charged with murdering her two children. The second case of murder was that of Thomas Murphy, who was charged with the murder of a man named Sullivan, at Whitechapel, by stabbing him aftera drunken quarrel. The coroner's jury in this case returned a verdict of manslaughter only against the prisoner, but he was committed by the magistrate upon the charge of wilful murder; and their duty would be to ascertain whether there was a prima facie case against him. If so, their duty was to find a true bill, although the petty jury might, if they should think fit, upon the evidence, convict him of manslaughter only. There was also a third charge of murder against a man named Jefferys, for hanging his son, a boy between six and seven years of age, in a cellar in St. Giles, and it would be their duty to hear the whole of the evidence, and then say whether there was sufficient to enable them y would have nothing to return oo do o a true with the sbtialtle. ioTfhe mind of the prisoner that would be matter for the consideration of other parties'. Tho prisoner, it appeared, gave himself up to a constable at Halifax, because, as ho said at his examination before the police magistrate, suspicion naturally pointed to the father as the person who committed the crime. The constable, however, said the prisoner confessed to the murder, and upon that admission ho was taken into custody and brought to London. The evidence was clear, and in it there were many very important points, one of which was that the portion of the handkerchief found tied round the hands precisely of the same description, and bore strong resemblance, to of thoeneboyofwhwehniethhe diteadwabsod was discovered was known the prisoner possessed. However, they would consider the whole of the facts of the case and say whether there was sufficient to place the prisoner on his trial for the capital offence. There was a charge against a prisoner for causing the death of a child by not having proper control over the horse ho was driving. Tho prisoner was sitting on the shafts of the vehicle, and the unfortunate child was in a perambulator, which was overturned by the horse, and the child killed. They would have to say what the offence amounted to. 1 hero were various other charges of the ordinary description, none of which, ho anticipated, would occasion them any difficulty.
The Sun. — 1866-09-17 (London, England)

OLD COURT. (Before the Common Sergeant.) The September sessions of the Old Bailey commenced this morning.  The calendar contains the names of 147 prisoners for trial ; some of the offences charged are of a very serious description. There are for arson 2, burglary 19, embezzlement 6, forgery 2, murder 3, feloniously wounding 3, manslaughter 1, and the remainder consists of misdemeanours and larceny. The Common Sergeant, in charging the grand jury, said he regretted that the calendar was of a much more serious description than he thought ought to have been the case considering the short time that had elapsed since the adjournment. One of the cases that would have to be disposed of was the indictment against Mary Butcher, who stood charged with murdering her two children. The second case of murder was that of Thomas Murphy, who was charged with the murder of a man named Sullivan, at Whitechapel, by stabbing him after a drunken quarrel. The coroner's jury in this case returned a verdict of manslaughter only against the prisoner, but he was committed by the magistrate upon the charge of wilful murder; and their duty would be to ascertain whether there was a prima facie case against him. If so, their duty was to find a true bill, although the petty jury might, if they should think fit, upon the evidence, convict him of manslaughter only. There was also a third charge of murder against a man named Jefforys, for hanging his son, a boy between six and seven years of age, in a cellar in St. Giles, and it would be their duty to hear the whole of the evidence, and then say whether there was sufficient to enable them to return a true bill. They would have nothing to do with the state ;of mind of the prisoner, that would be matter for the consideration of other parties. The prisoner, it appeared, gave himself up to a constable at Halifax, because, as ho said at his examination before the police magistrate, suspicion naturally pointed to the father as the person who committed the crime. The constable, however, said the prisoner confessed to the murder, and upon that admission he was taken into custody and brought to London. The evidence was clear, and in it there were many very important points, one of which was that the portion of the handkerchief found tied round the hands of the boy when the dead body was discovered was precisely of the same description, and bore strong resemblance, to ono of which it was known the prisoner possessed. However, they would consider the whole of the facts of the case and say whether there was sufficient to place the prisoner on his trial for the capital offence. There was a charge against a prisoner for causing the death of a child by not having proper control over the horse he was driving. The prisoner was sitting on the shafts of the vehicle, and the unfortunate child was in a perambulator, which was overturned by the horse, and the child killed. They would have to say what the offence amounted to. 1 here were various other charges of the ordinary description, none of which, he anticipated, would occasion them any difficulty.
The Sun. — 1866-10-02 (London, England)

TEMPLE BAR.—" Lady Adelaide's Oath" is proceeded with at some length, and it is very eventful in this portion. We meet with several details of interest. Lord Dane has the audacity to take possession of all the goods which had been cast up by the sea, and especially of a certain box which had been claimed by the American who escaped shipwreck. The gradual way in which Lord Dane is sinking down into infamy is vary well described, and he is evidently working out his own destruction by the course he pursues. No doubt this box contained proofs which were not very agreeable to the haughty nobleman, and therefore he stooped to the mean trick of concealing it. " Archie Lovell " also attracts notice on account of the stage which it has reached. Archie is in sad trouble, more so in fact than Gerald himself, who is brought before the magistrates on a charge of murder. This is a very effective point in this story, for it shows in a forcible manner what evils accrue to those who take a wrong step. That may pass by unnoticed at the time, or indeed not be found out at all, but sooner or later the day of retribution will arrive, and woe botido the luckless offender then. Ralf Seton is a fine, straightforward character, and gives Archie the best possible advice under the circumstances. " Psis ce quo, dois : advienne quo peurra"is indeeda noble.maxim, and one that ought to be much more extensively acted on than it is. There would be far loss of sin and suffering in the world if all acted on the principles of Major Seton. " Truth uncompromising, unwavering, is the only rule of life that I have ever known to answer either ler man or woman. If pride and self respect and family honour had to be maintained by sacrificing it, they would not, I should imagine, be worth holding any of them." There is something original in this tale which attracts notice, and makes it appear out of the common. A " Tale of the War" is a curious sketch, which is effectively told. It ends sadly enough at last. " Through Somerset" is a very pleasing little sketch, which furnishes us with some good descriptions. The reminiscences of Bath are interesting, and there are some pretty verses en the city- of "thermal fountains." The "weird and wandering echo of its abbey chimes" haunts the traveller in foreign parts, and ho is glad to recur to the scene of former days, though twenty years have altered many things. An entertaining account of Bristol is given, and it is said that among the people of Bristol there is a quaint hereditary tendency to blunder. They are full of "energy, strength, and daring, but they miss their opportunities." Foreign scenes are not forgotten, for we meet with the records of a visit to the Mound Praries, taken from Vancouver's Island. "A Ramble on Salisbury 'Plain" is an-cither agreeable sketch, and an excellent article appears on "Cant" Some of the advice given is well worthy of regard by all. For poetical contributions we have an effective sketch called " The Magic More," and a Spanish tale, entitled " Hugo the Bastard." _ _ _
The Sun. — 1866-10-02 (London, England)

TEMPLE BAR.—",Lady Adelaide's Oath" is proceeded with at some length, and it is very eventful. iu this portion. We meet with several details. of interest. Lord Dane has the audacity to take possession of all the goods which had been cast up by the sea, and especially of a certain box which had boon claimed by the American who escaped shipwreck. The gradual way in which Lord Dane is sinking down into infamy is very well described, and he is evidently working out his own destruction by the course ho pursues. No doubt this box contained proofs which were not very agreeable to the haughty nobleman, and therefore ho stooped to the mean trick of concealing it. " Archie Lovell " also attracts notice on account of the stage which it has reached. Archie is in sad trouble, more so in fact than Gerald himself, who is brought before the magistrates on a charge of murder. This is a very effective point in this story, for it shows in a forcible manner what evils accrue to those who take a wrong step. That may pass by unnoticed at the time, or indeed not be found out at all, but sooner or later the day of retribution will arrive, and woo betide the luckless offender then. It Soton is a fine, straightforward character, and gives Archie the best possible advice under the circumstances. "Fail coque dois : advienne quo pourra"is indeeda noble maxim, and one that ought to be much more extensively acted on than it is. There would be far less of sin and suffering in the world if all acted on the principles of Major Seton. " Truth uncompromising, unwavering, is the only rule of life that I have ever known to answer either for man or woman. If pride and self respect and family honour had to be maintained by sacrificing it; they would not, I should imagine, be worth holding any of them." There is something original in this tale which attracts notice, and makes it appear out of the common. A " Tale of the War" is a curious sketch, which is effectively told. It ends sadly enough at last. " Through Somerset" is a very pleasing little sketch, which furnishes us with some good descriptions. The reminiscences of Bath are interesting, and there aro some pretty verses en the city of "thermal fountains." The "weird and wandering echo of its abbey chimes" haunts the traveller in foreign parts, and he is glad to recur to the scene of former days, though twenty years have altered many things. An entertaining account of Bristol is given, and it is said that among the people of Bristol there is a quaint hereditary tendency to blunder. They aro full of "energy, strength, and daring, but they miss their opportunities." Foreign scenes aro not forgotten, for we meet with the records of a Iritlit to the Mound Praries, taken from. V.....ootavor'a 'amid. "A Ramble on Salisbury Plain" is another agreeable sketch, and an excellent article appears on "Cant." Some of the advice given is well worthy of regard by all. For poetical contributions we have an effective sketch called " The Magic Mere," and a Spanish tale, entitled "Hugo the Bastard."
The Sun. — 1866-08-03 (London, England)

EXTRADITION TREATIES ACT AMENDMENT  BILL. Lord STANLEY rose to move the second reading o: this bill, the object of which was the amendment of the act upon which the extradition treaty with France was founded. The principle laid down in extradition treaties was now almost universally adopted in all civilised countries, and nothing but the best results had followed the adoption, and now all that was sought by the measure was to remedy an oversight which now had become perfectly necessary. He did not think there was any person now who would wish that the old state of things should ever again, recur, when a man had committed a murder in London, and, obtaining six hours' start of justice, could on reaching the streets of Boulogne and Calais walk openly about, perhaps rejoicing in the perpetration of the crime. It had been said that the present bill was most extensive in its alterations, and that a great many present offences were not embraced within its provisions; such was not the case. The alterations made by the measure now under the consideration of the house were very limited, and to effect the object of the bill was t.o make certain documents in the French courts evidence an; the case under the treaty precisely in the eamebirllanlenfetr the they were in cases not under the treaty. Thethe s law just the same as it at present existed, and was°_l,°___!lb...ject he had in view was to remedy that whichi.iztthe sc'omplePo'f a technical error. The crimes comion 'Oa the treaty were murder, attembpoltio bankruptcy, and forgery. opposed, because it was saidas ready to agree to proposals political purposes, tvietgdminWthuiegrhdbetiribl ofwrauaussdetduolefbncert lie that Ho was prepared the bill ; because he otooonlideebtesdueefihnaend.objbeucttiohnopwrotvidedthosetpooaligtirceael tooff manyences of the assertions put fort knew precisely what was, andagWhat was not, the object of the bill. TORRENS moved the second reading of the bill that day three months. He contended that the measure was not simply one to amend procedure, but that it contained principles that thev people erelookedof p greatest jealousy byHo opposed the bill as strongly as he possibly because ho was not disposed to do that which was only to be borne in countries not so happily governed as England. He was desirous of leaving the law as Sir R. Peel left it iu 1843, and if there was a measure which had for its object the abolition of all viva voce u l with England.t could, h the evidence the one now under discussion was of that nature. The bill laid it down that certified copies of the warrants and depositions should be considered sufficient for the surrender of any person ; but he, for one, was not disposed to meet all the demands of the French Government which had been made, and he presumed the present amendment of the Extradition Treaty was made as a peace-offering, in the hope that the Government of France would be satisfied 'with it. As such he opposed it, because
The Sun. — 1866-08-03 (London, England)

THE MURDER OF A CHILD IN SEVEN DIALS.— There now seems to be very little doubt that the poor little boy found dead in the Seven Dials, under circumstances described yesterday, has been murdered by his father, who is a tailor by trade, and about 31 years of ago. He is known among his associates as "Mad Dick." Ile has been separated from'his wife for some time, and the boy had been brought up by his grandmother, a poor old woman living in Eagle-street, Holborn. The child, being an unusually intelligent and nice-looking boy, was a great favaurite with the grandmother and an aunt who lived in the same room, but they could rarely obtain anything from either of his parents towards the support of the poor little fellow. Indeed, it now appears that the mother has been living with another man as his wife, and the father also had formed an illicit connection with another woman. The poor boy had consequently become a source of trouble to both of them, although the merest trifle was required for his maintenance. On Sunday evening about eight o'clock the father (Jeffrey) called at the lodging of the grandmother, in Eagle-street, and said ho had come for his boy. The grandmother asked him what he wanted with the child, who had just been put to bed ; but he became very violent, ordered the child to dress himself, and swore that " he would do for her (the grandmother) and the child too," if she did not mind. The old woman and the child's aunt both had some misgivings about giving up the child, and one of them consulted a neighbour and a policeman upon the subject, but they were told that a father had a right to demand possession of his child, and they reluctantly consented to part with it. It appears that Jeffrey then went to his sister in White Lion-street, St. Giles's, taking the child with him, and asked for a bed. He was accommodated with one, and went to bed with the boy; but at two o'clock in the morning he rose, and, making some remark, took the child away. The sister expressed a hope that he was not going to harm the child, but be made no reply. He could not have walked many yairds away, for Neal's-passage, where the body of the deceased was found, is close at hand. Horrible as it seems, it is apparent, from the condition of the body, that the cruel father tied its hands behind, and literally enacted the part of executioner of his own child--holding its legs, and forcing down its body to complete the strangulation. The man is described as about five feet five inches in height, sallow complexion, dark hair, whiskers, and beard, chin shaved, small moustache, short in stature, of rather smart appearance, and walks erect. It is. stated that when he took away the child from his sister's he took a piece of candle and some limiters with him, and was heard to tell the boy that "he WAS going a long journey, and would never return."
The Sun. — 1866-08-03 (London, England)

THE MURDER OF A CHILD IN SEVEN DIALS.— There now seems to be very little doubt that the poor little boy found dead in the Seven Dials, under circumstances described yesterday, has been murdered by his father, who is a tailor by trade, and about 31 years of age. He is known among his associates as " Mad Dick." He has been separated from his wife for some time, and the boy had been brought up by his grandmother, a poor old woman living in Eagle-street, Holborn. The child, being an unusually intelligent and nice-looking boy, was a great favaurite with the grandmother and an aunt who lived in the same room, but they could rarely obtain anything from either of his parents towards the support of the poor little fellow. Indeed, it now appears that the mother has been living with another man as his wife, and the father also had formed an illicit connection with another woman. The poor boy had consequently become a source of trouble to both of them, although the merest trifle was required for his maintenance. On Sunday evening about eight o'clock the father (Jeffrey) ' called at the lodging of the grandmother, in Eagle-street, and said he had come for his boy. The grandmother asked him what he wanted with the child, who had just been put to bed ; but he became very violent, ordered the child to dress himself, and swore that "he would do for her (the grandmother) and the child too," if she did not mind. The old woman and the child's aunt both had some misgivings about giving up the child, and ono of them eonsulted a neighbour and a policeman upon the subject, but they were told that a father had a right to demand possession of his child, and they reluctantly consented to part with it. It appears that Jeffrey then went to his sister in White Lion-street, St. Giles's, taking the child with him, and asked for a. bed. He was accommodated with one, and went to bed with the boy; but at two o'clock in the morning he rose, and, making some remark, took the child away. The sister expressed a hops that he was not going to harm the child, but he made no reply. Ho could not have walked many yards away, for Neal's-passage, where the body of the deceased was found, is close at band. Horrible as it seems, it is apparent, from the condition of the body, that the cruel father tied its hands behind, and literally enacted the part of executioner of his own child—holding its legs, and forcing down its body to complete the strangulation. The man is described as about five feet five inches in height, sallow complexion, dark hair, whiskers, and beard, chin shaved, small moustache, short in stature, of rather smart appearance, and walks erect. It is stated that when he took away the child from his sister's he took a piece of candle and some lucifers with him, and was heard to tell the boy that "he was going a long journey, anal woulduever return."
The Sun. — 1866-01-23 (London, England)

THE QUEEN V. WINSOR, THE WHOLESALE MURDERESS.  This case came on for argument to-day before their lordships. It will be recollected that the prisoner was put on her trial at the assize held at Exeter charged with wilfully murdering the illegitimate child of another woman. It was stated at the trial that the offence with which the prisoner was charged was not a solitary instance of her wickedness, but that, on the contrary, other cases were ready to be proved against her. The trial was concluded, and after the learned judge hid summed up the case, the jury retired to consider ;their verdict. They remained locked up for a considerable time, as they were unable to agree, and, after vainly endeavouring to arrive at an unanimous opinion, returned into court and stated thatit was impossible for them to agree. They were told they must be of one mind before they could be discharged, and accordingly they were again locked up, and so remained until 12 o'clock at night. It being just on the verge of Sunday morning the judge was informed that there was no likelihood of the jury agreeing, he ordered them into court and discharged without giving a verdict. She was again put upon her trial for the same offence, and the mother of the child, who had been in the former case indicted with her, was on this occasion examined as a witness, and a verdict of guilty was returned, and the prisoner sentenced to death.  The counsel for the prisoner, Mr. Folkand, contended that it was against the law to place the prisoner in peril twice for the same offence ; that therefore the second trial was illegal, and that the prisoner ought to be acquitted. The motion wail ordered to be argued before the judges at Westminster, and this morning the learned counsel appeared before their lordships to argue the case. He went at great length into the authorities bearing on the case, and contended that the judge had no power to dismiss a jury in a trial for murder without returning a verdict, and that having been done, the prisoner was entitled to her. acquittal. The Lord Chief Justice asked, supposing the court-house was on fire, whether a judge would then have power to dismiss a jury without a verdict, or whether they were to be burnt to death rather than be discharged? Mr. Folkard said he apprehended the sheriff ought to take charge of them before such an eventuality arose.  The Lord Chief Justice asked where that officer was to put them—where were they to go to? Mr. Folkard thought the proper course would be to adjourn the case, or else that the sheriff should provide for them, as was the case at the Old Bailey. The arguments in the case seem likely to extend over the day. The condemned woman Winsor was in court in custody of the wardress of the prison in which she was confined, and sat in a corner of the court with her eyes cast on the ground, from which she never during the whole of the morning once raised them. She appears to be a person of about 50 years of age, with features of a very ordinary description.  Strauss Searchingly Reviewed.  BY A