npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1862-05-13 (London, England)

MURDER OF A BROTIIER.—A shocking fratricide was committed in Newcastle, about midnight on Saturday. A party of men, living. in the neighbourhood of St. Peter's Quay, had been drinking at the Grapes public-house, at St. Peter's, on Saturday night, and were ejected at 12 o'clock. A quarrel took place between two of them, named John Berry and Henry Shafto; and on another of the party, named Wm. Redhead, encouraging Shafto to fight, Berry asked Redhead to fight, and they immediately sgt to work. Berry got Redhead down, and was using a knife, when the brother of his antagonist and others pulled him away. Berry seems then to-have placed himself in an attitude of defence against a wall in the neighbourhood ; and on his brother, Geo. S. Berry, going up to him to get him home, he struck him such a blow with the knife in the lower part of the body, that death was almost instantaneous. The assassin gave himself up to the police. His unfortunate brother has left a widow and ore child, and his wife is again pregnant. The murderer has a wife and six children. Newcastle Journal.  The commercial letters from New York yesterday show that there is still a total absence of consideration with regard to the way in which the present and pros-;ective debts of the country are to be provided for. It was now doubted if any tax bill would be passed before next Session of Congress, so that meanwhile not only the expenditure for the war, but for the interest on the liabilities already incurred, will have to be met by an increase of inconvertible issues. Yet it is affirmed that a universal opinion prevails that before long Europe will be a large customer for Treasury notes and other Federal obligations. This belief has, it is said, considerable influence in upholding prices, and as the banks, in the absence of commercial paper, are lending to almost any extent on Government securities, there is a general readiness to speculate from the great rise which it is fancied will occur whenever the sudden announcement shall bo made from Washington that the subjugation of the South has been consummated. the chief cause of uneasiness to these or craters consisted in the apprehensions as to possible reverses at Yorktown and Corinth, but it is remarked that "whatever battles may be fought, noth ng will be heard of them unless we win." The reportoa oo_ cupation of New Orleans had not created much sensation, and the question t s to the prospects of a Northern garrison at that place during the fever months of July, August, September, and October were, of course, a subject of tin. easy contemplation. With regard to the Mexican question, great indignation has been excited by the news Jf the probable march of the French army on Mexico, and " a possible quarrel with the French Emperor" is discussed as if the Washington Government had no other matters on' their hands. The niotives of the visit of M. Mercier to Richmond were still deemed inscrutable ; but the journals are full of conjectures on the subject. Gold was leaving the country, and the rate of exchange was advancing, the latest quotations being 1121.
The Sun. — 1862-05-13 (London, England)

MURDER OF A BROTHEL—A shocking fratricide was committed in Newcastle, about midnight on Saturday. A party of men, living in the neighbourhood of St. Peter's Quay, had been drinking at the Grapes public-house, at St. Peter's, on Saturday night, and were ejected at 12 o'clock. A quarrel took place between two of them, named John Berry and Henry Shafto; and on another of the party, named Wm. Redhead, encouraging Shafto to fight, Berry asked Redhead to fight, and they immediately set to work. Berry got Redhead down, and was uslng a knife, when the brother of his antagonist and others pulled him away. Berry seems then to have placed himself in an attitude of defence against a wall in the neighbourhood ; and on his brother, Geo. S. Berry, going up to him to get him home, ho struck him such a blow with the knife in the lower part of the body, that death was almost instantaneous. The assassin gave himself up to the police. Ills unfortunate brother has left a widow and ore child, and his wife is again pregnant, The murderer has a wife and six children. Newcastle Journal.  The commercial letters from New York yesterday show that there is still a total absence of consideration with regard to the way in which the present and prospective debts of the country are to be provided for. It was now doubted if any tax bill would be passed before next Session of Congress, so that meanwhile not only the expenditure for the war, but for the interest on the liabilities already incurred, will have to be met by an increase of inconvertible issues. Yet it is affirmed that a universal opinion prevails that before long Europe will be a large customer for Treasury notes and other Federal obligations. This belief has, it is said, considerable influence in upholding prices, and as the banks, in the absence of commercial paper, are lending to almost any extent on Government securities, there is a general readiness to speculate from the great rise which it is fancied will occur whenever the sudden announcement shall be made from Washington that the subjugation of the South has been consummated. The chief cause of uneasiness to these operators consisted in the apprehensions as to possible reverses at Yorktown and Corinth, but it is remarked that "whatever battles may be fought, nothng will be heard of them unless we win." The reported occupation of New Orleans had not created much sensation, and the question as to the prospects of a Northern garrison at that place during the fever months of July, August, September, and October were, of ,course, a subject of uneasy contemplation. With regard to the Mexican question, great indignation has been excited by the news of the probable march of the French army on Mexico, and " a possible quarrel with the French Emperor" is discussed as if the Washington Government had no other matters on their hands. The motives of the visit of M. Mercier to Richmond were still deemed inscrutable; but the journals are full of conjectures on the subject. Gold was leaving the country, and the rate of exchange was advancing, the latestquotations being 1121. N
The Sun. — 1862-05-08 (London, England)

SUSPECTED WIFE MURDER AT COVENTRY.—A middle-aged man, named Frederick King, a weaver, living in Much Park-street, is in the custody of the police on sus • picion of having murdered his wife. It seems that the prisoner, a fellow of drunken habits, has for a long time past'indulged in the practice of beating his wife. On Monday morning, at an early hour, the prisoner called two neighbours into his house to look at his wife, who he said had been taken ill. They found her in a state of stupor, in which she continued till a few minutes before 9 o'clock, when she expired. There was no natural appearance to account for death, and the woman was in a perfectly healthy state on the previous day, when she went to the police to complain of her husband's ill-treatment. The countenance of deceased was discoloured in several places, as if from the infliction of blows, and there was a mark in the neck, as if strangulation had taken place. A suspicion of poison has been raised on account of a packet of nux vomica being given by the woman the day previously to the police, with the statement that her husband had given it to her on Good Friday, remarking at the same time that " he should like to see her struggling with it." The medical gentleman who examined the body after death is understood to confirm these suspicions ; in fact, he gave the information to the police which has led to the prisoner's apprehension on the charge above mentioned. The coroner, Mr. Carter, opened the inquest on the body on Monday, but no evidence was taken. The inquiry was adjourned.— II irming /min Daily Test.  THE STATIONS OF THE METROPOLITAN RAILWAY —Great progress has been made during the past week in the construction of the different stations of the Metropolitan Railway. Yesterday the station near Gower-street, Euston-read, was so far advanced that the work of fitting in the doors and window frames of the booking-office above the footpath was commenced. The platforms are under the roadway, and the whole station is comprised in a huge arch of 45 feet span. Ingress and egress to the station are obtained through the booking offices on the north and south sides of the Euston-road, and thence by wide exit and entrance stairs to the platform below. The Portland-road station is completed, the rails for the mixed gauge laid, and the booking-office a',ovo is nearly finished. The station at the Edgware-road is in an equally advanced state above and below the surface of the road. Ono of the principal halting places on the line will be the station at King'scross, where a junction is effected with the Great Northern Railway 20 feet below the surface of the ground. The elliptical iron roof, which is let in with glass to light the substructure, is now placed in position. The works for the great station in Victoria-street are progressing rapidly, there being now through communication into the Great Northern Railway, The earth is removed as fast as excavated. The foundation, retaining walls, bridges, &c., are advancing, and the timbers of the offices are already in frame, and can bo put together as 80011 as the site is ready to receive therill
The Sun. — 1862-05-08 (London, England)

SUSPECTED WIFE MURDER AT COVENTRY.—A middle-aged man, named Frederick King, a weaver, living in Much Park-street, is in the custody of the police on4sus • picion of having murdered his wife. It seems that the prisoner, a fellow of drunken habits, has for a long time past indulged in the practi6e of beating his wife. On Monday morning, at an early hour, the prisoner called two neighbours into his house to look at his wife, who he said had been taken ill. They found her in a state of stupor, in which she continued till a few minutes before 9 o'clock, when she expired. There was no natural appearance to account for death, and the woman was in a perfectly healthy state on the previous day, when sbe went to the police to complain of her husband's ill-treatment. The countenance of deceased was discoloured in several places, as if from the infliction of blows, and there was a mark in the neck, as if strangulation had taken place. A suspicion of poison has been raised on account of a packet of nux vomits being given by the woman the day previously to the police, with the statement that her husband had given it to her on Good Friday, remarking at the same time that " he should like to see her struggling with it." The medical gentleman who examined the body after death is understood to confirm these suspicions ; in fact, he gave the information to the police which has led to the prisoner's apprehension on the charge above mentioned. The coroner, Mr. Carter. opened the inquest on the body on Monday, but no evidence was taken. The inquiry was adjourned.—Birmingham Daily Post.  THE STATIONS OF THE METROPOLITAN RAILWAY —Great progress has been made during the past week in the construction of the different stations of the Metropolitan Railway. Yesterday the station near Gower-street, Euston-road, was so far advanced that the work of fitting in the doors and window frames of the booking-office above the footpath was commenced. The platforms are under the roadway, and the whole station is comprised in a huge arch of 45 feet span. Ingress and egress to the station are obtained through the booking offices on the north and south sides of the Euston-road, and thence by wide exit'and entrance stairs to the platform below. The Portland-road station is completed, the rails for the mixed gauge laid, and the booking-office a' eve is nearly finished. The station at the Edgware-road is in an equally advanced state above and below the surface of the road. One of the principal halting places on the line will be the station at King'scross, where a junction is effected with the Great Northern Railway 20 feet below the surface of the ground. The elliptical iron roof, which is let in with glass to light the substructure, is now placid in position. The works for the great station in Victoria-street are progressing rapidly, there being now through communication into the Great Northern Railway. The earth is removed as fast as excavated. The foundation, retaining walls, bridges, &c., are advancing, and the timbers of the offices arc already in frame, and can be put together as soon as the site is ready to receive
The Sun. — 1862-02-04 (London, England)

ITS MOTHER.  A shocking case of child murder, and one attended by circumstances of more than ordinary cruelty, has just occurred at the village of Foleshill, about a mile and a half from Coventry. The case has naturally created intense excitement in the neighbourhood, the alleged murderess being the mother of the deceased infant, and she is strongly suspected of having previously got rid of two other children to which she had given birth, by means of a similarly atrocious character. The name of the accused is Ann Lole, a widow of William Lole, a miner of Foleshill, who died about three years ago. The woman had three children by her husband, who are still living, and since his death she has led a very immoral life. The result of her profligate habits has been the birth of no less than three illegitimate children. All of these have ceased to exist, having died within a brief period of their nativity. With regard to the death of the two first, all kinds of rumours are in circulation, and it is with the murder of the infant of which she was last delivered that the prisoner now stands charged. This child, a female, was born on Dec. 26 last, and was then in an exceedingly healthy state. About a week or so subsequently, its mother called the attention of her neighbours to certain sores which were visible on the child's person, and especially about its face, and expressed herself as being at a loss to account for their appearance. On Jan. 10, she took the__th child to Mr. Orton, surgeon, of Foleshill, the whole of c f the.rhe :ace naot that time which would produce me denuded of surfacethe skin.o similar appearances, Mr. Orton asked her r e beingbe ing if the child had not been. 'scalded; but she asserted it had not. Feeling convinced most positively that that she was telling him an uutruth, Mr. Orton anything to do with the case. At mid-day, o on havetbe 7th inst., the child died, and within refused t an hour or two afterwards the woman sent for Mr. Orton's assistant (whom she had previously seen on the subject of the child's illness), and requested him to furnish her with a certificate, stating that she desired to bury it the same evening. The certificate was refused, and subsequently an examination was made of the child's body. The greater portion of the surface of the body was denuded of the skin, and it presented the appearance of having been dipped several times into boiling water. On Monday Mr. Alfred Carter, coroner, held an inquest on the body, when Mr. Orton and his assistant both pronounced death to have positively resulted from the repeated application of scalding liquid. Other witnesses deposed to hearing the violent crying of a baby in the house of the accused previous to the child's death, and to having suggested to her that her other children might have accidentally scalded the infant, when she stated that no one had nursed it but herself. The jury having heard the evidence, returned a verdict of wilful murder against the accused, who was subsequently apprehended and removed to Warwick gaol to take her trial at the next assizes.  A
The Sun. — 1862-04-08 (London, England)

TOWNSIT., Edwin Coleman, 53 M, said th'at on Sunday forenoon, between 10 and 11 o'clock, he was en duty in Newington-causeway, when a )'oung man came running up to him and told him he believed a woman had murdered her husband in 'Overton' street, close by. The witness proceeded there, and on entering No. 11 in that street he saw the' prisoner in a very excited state. He was shown into a room, where he saw the injured man under the treatment of a surgeon. He was covered with blood_ His nose had been cut so deep' down fronif the bridge that it actually hung from a piece?, skin above the upper lip., The doctor Bh-el:veal" up as well as he could, and stopped the ho3morrh,gge' when the prisoner was pointed out as the perooll who inflicted the wound, and he then took her ins a custody. Witness understood that they (the prai:' soner and her husband) had beet quarrelling l' the morning, and that in her passioo she snatchhe ed up the knife, rushed at him, and cut h nose with it. t The prisoner hero said that the man was not bee' husband, but that she lived with him as his wifim over t He struck her first, and in a state of irritation she snatched up the knife to defend herself. Mr. Burcham observed that according to the., medical certificate erysipelas was apprehended, an it that took place death might soon follow. Under those circumstances he should remand her for a week' The Rev. Mr. Tugwell, the incumbent of St. Andrew's District Church, Stara ford-street, attended' before Mr. Burcham to complain of the annoyance caused by a large number of lads assembling on Sunday to gamble under the arches of the Charing' cross Railway, in the vicinity of his church. Their kept quarrelling and swearing all day. The nut' sance at last got so intolerable that he commut cated with Sir George Grey on the subject's result of which was that the police had odo:rs,;„° interfere and take into custody all offending. Sunday! during Divine service, there was a eOll, plete riot, and one of the constables was yet',roughly handled by the mob. Mr. Burcham said there had been cases of the same kind before but that he had been compelled t° dismiss the prisoners, as no one really annoyed Ns' prosecuted. Benjamin Smith, 35, a labourer, was chargecl with inciting a mob to assault the police, throwing stones, and causing the rescue of a prisoner. Police-constable 52 L said that on Sunday no °ll' he saw several lads tossing under the railway arellt in Brad-street. They were throwing up copPeL money, and swearing dreadfully. One of the lady was taken into custody by a constable, but 300 Oil 400 ruffianly fellows surrounded him and resale' him. The witness went to the officer's assistance' when he was attacked with stones and brickbats* One of the latter struck him on the head, cutting large hole in his hat and injuring him severely. 0 saw the prisoner throw something at that time' and, with the assistance of a railway constable) took him into custody. Stone, an officer employed by the Charing.eresps Railway Company, corroborated the constable statement. Mr. Burcham fined the prisoner 205., with the alternative of 14 days' hard labour.
The Sun. — 1862-12-25 (London, England)

HORRIBLE PUNISHMENTS. " They led us out into a field surrounded by a high iron wall. A vague feeling of horror crept over me when I saw this place, for I knew at once that it was the executionyard. The executioner, who was a negro man, approached and first singled out the old man who told me we should see the stars, and I soon saw what he had meant by these words. The negro sat him down and drew his dagger. The poor old man cried ont, ' I thorn,' which is, I will speak the truth ;' but the executioner plunged his dagger into his  heart, saying, It is now too /ate.' He drew his dagger out reeking with blood, and cut the man's throat to make sure of his death. Oh, horror I the poor wretch's eyes started half out of their sockets, and his tongue lolled out of his mouth, whieh was covered with foam. A camel was brought, and the body was laid on it and carted away. I shivered with fright ; my blood froze in my veins, and the rest of the prisoners stood like dead men, witnessing the fearful commencement of horrors. The first being thusdisposed of, they took a second man. Him they hung and a third was seized. He was laid flat on his face on the ground, a large sharp stake was then driven through his back, pegging him, writhing with agony, to the ground. He of course soon died. The nine other prisoners were then met down on zinc blocks of wood. The executioner then went to one of them, and with his knife made a gash in his arm, and he thrust a candle in under the skin—this he did again and again, till the man was covered with candles. When the nine poor wretches had all been served thus, all the candles were lit. Then the executioner told a man who stood by, with a paper in his hand, to read out the list, who these men were, and what were their crimes; and he read—The first was a spy. The man who had been hung was a robber who had killed a man and taken his horse. The nine men were murderers; end the man who was staked down was a fornicator who had defiled his own daughter. They were all Mahommedans. Who can imagine the state I was in when all this was over? My turn was come at last. A man told me to follow him ; I obeyed with a sickening feeling in my heart. He lead me to a large stump in the ground, through which were put planks of wood like see-saws, but so high up as to be quite out of my reach. I was tied by my hands to one end of !hese, my legs hanging down, but far from reaching the gri,unti ; a weight was put on the other end of the plank tobalance me, and I was left swaying in intolerable, and every na.ment increasing, agony. Oh, the torture I endured that dreadful day ; often I almost regretted ever having left Affghanietan, but even then I could not wish myself back among the Affghane. No, I thought, this trouble I have brought on myself by my own hot rashness. I was left on this rack all day, and in the evening I was taken down."