npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1831-06-02 (London, England)

EXTRACT OF A PRIVATE LETTER.)  The calamities we suffer increase from day to day. The frightful aspect of the country through which the Russians have passed can scarcely be conceived. You may pass over two or three miles, and not find a single house unburned or sacked from top to bottom with extraordinary care. We lately went to head-quarters, which are at a small handsome country house, eight leagues from Warsaw, at Ruda. You cannot imagine how every thing is destroyed. Not only the windows are broken, the doors split open by axes, but there is not a single piece of furniture left whole. The harpsichord has lost all its strings, and the keys are scattered about the garden. The beds and mattrasses are torn to pieces, and their contents thrown out of the window. There was a small library; and all the time that the Russian Generals inhabited the house, they would not allow a single log to be put on the fire—they burnt nothing but books ; and as they could not burn them all, they threw what remained into the river that runs through the gardens. These details will show you how these troops behaved, and in what manner the Generals amused themselves. But the horrors they commit at every moment are still more shocking. Massacres are forbidden, but the soldiers individually commit the most atrocious crimes. Women and children have been found murdered. One woman had her breasts cut off, that she might not nourish another revolutionist, old men have had their eyes torn out—it is horrible. All the waters are poisoned ; everywhere legs and arms or whole corpses are thrown into the wells or springs. All this, we are told, is nothing to what passes in Samogitia and Lithuania. There the revolution has taken a character of despair. It is known that mercy cannot be expected, and the people have resolved, therefore, to perish rather than to surrender. They fight like lions. The Russians are enraged, and burn and destroy whatever they can lay their hands on. They chase the unhappy people into their houses, and setting them on fire, receive all The those e atrocitiesw 110 et ab de ye acvoomu rmtiot cannotescape obne their ebi vaeydo andets. Europe contemplates with calmness these scenes in the extermination of a whole people, whose existence  and independence are so united with all the central and western part of our Continents And where 4. France, our ancient and powerful ally; and whie has she done in our behalf? • FRENCR FINDS -PARIS, MAY ja-Five per Cents., 91f. 90f. 90c. 80c. 75c. SOc. 60c. 70c. 60c. M.. 90f. 75c. 70c. 65c. 70c. ; New Loan of Mil, 91f. 10c. 30f. 90c. • Four per Cents. 75f. 60c. ; Three per Cent., 65f. 40c. 30c. 40c. 30c. 20c. 25c. 9:)c. 25c. 20c. 65f. 15c. loc. tk 65f. 15c. ; Bank Stock, 1,627 f 50c.; Rente de Naples, 73f. 72f. 75c. 50c. 60c. 75c. ; Reute d'Espagne, 13% 34 ; Royal Spanish Loan, 6734 ; Rente Perpetuelle d'Espagne, 5.1 53;ti 54 53% 53% % 3,4. Exchange on London, one month, paper, 25f. 15c. ; money, 25f. 15c.; three months, paper, 2.5 f. ; money 25f-Cours AmPhentique,
The Sun. — 1855-07-04 (London, England)

CENTRAL CRIMINA L COURT. (THIS DAY.)  (Before Mr. Baron Parke.)  Rebecca Turton, 33, was placed at the bar to take her trial for the wilful murder of her husband, Thomas Turton.  It will be recollected that the offence imputed to the prisoner was committed nearly two years ago, but when she was arraigned it appeared that she was insane, and consequently not in a condition to plead, or take her trial, and she was therefore removed to a private lunatic asylum, where it appears that her mind has becomEcompletely restored, and, under the order of the Secretary of State, she has been committed to take her trial for the offence with which she was originally charged. Mr. Ballantine, who appeared for the prisoner, now applied to his lordship to postpone the trial to the next session, on the ground that he was not at present prepared with the medical testimony, which would be of great importance to the prisoner in her defence.  Mr. Bodkin, who was instructed for the prosecution, said he had no objection to offer to the postponement, and the trial was consequently ordered to stand over. Jeremiah, Foley, 24, a ruffianly-looking fellow, was charged with the wilful murder of Hannah Bell. Mr. Ryland prosecuted. The prisoner was defended by Mr. Sleigh. It appeared that the deceased was what is termed as unfortunate girl, and she lived in a low brothel in a Place called Five Bell Alley, Limehouse. On the evening of the 11th of June, a girl named Mary M'Auley, who lived in the same house, took home with her the prisoner and another man, and the prisoner, who appeared to have been previously acquainted with the deceased, went into the room, and the other man and M'Aulay proceeded up-stairs. Very shortly afterwards, and, as it appeared, without any provocation, the prisoner assaulted M'Aulay and her companion in a brutal manner, and he then made a most savage attack upon the unfortunate deceased, knocked her down, and kicked her in the face and neck, and inflicted such serious injuries upon her that she died the same night, the death being clearly occasioned by the violence she had received from the prisoner. It was proved in addition to these facts, that the prisoner had previously conducted himself in a most brutal manner, and that he was a complete terror to the whole neighbourhood ; and it also appeared that on the evening of the occurrence the prisoner told one of the witnesses that he was determined to be revenged upon the deceased, and that he had a hammer in his pocket with which he intended to knock out the brains of the deceased, and at the same time Paid that he intended to warm the hammer first upon the head of the girl M'Aulay. It appeared, however, that he was in a drunken condition at the time he made these threats.  The jury found the prisoner guilty of manslaughter, and he was sentenced to fourteen years' transportation.
The Sun. — 1855-07-04 (London, England)

CENTRAL 01?IMINAL COURT.  (TILTS DAY.)  (Before Mr. Baron Parke.)  Rebecca Turton, 33, was placed at the bar to take her trial for the wilful murder of her husband, Thomas  Turton.  It will be recollected that the offence imputed to the prisoner was committed nearly two years ago, but when she was arraigned it appeared that she was insane, and consequently not in a condition to plead, or take her trial, and she was therefore removed to a private lunatic asylum, where it appears that her mind has become completely restored, and, under the order of the Secretary of State, she has been committed to take her trial for the offence with which she was originally charged. Mr. Ballantine, who appeared for the prisoner, now applied to his lordship to po,tpone the trial to the next session, on the ground that he was not at present prepared with the medical testimony, which would be o; great importance to the prisoner in her defence. Mr. Bodkin, who was instructed for the prosecution, said he had no objection to offer to the postponement, and the trial was consequently ordered to stand over. Jeremiah, Foley, 24, a ruffianly-looking fellow, way charged with the wilful murder of Hannah Bell. Mr. Ryland prosecuted. The prisoner was defended by Mr. Sleigh. It appeared that the deceased was what is termed an unfortunate girl, and she lived in a low brothel in a place called Five Bell Alley, Litieeliouse. On the evening of the 11th of June, a girl named Mary MgAuley, who lived in the same house, took home with her the prisoner and another man, and the prisoner, who appeared to have been previously acquainted with the deceased, went into the room, and the other man and Mg.:inlay proceeded up-stairs. Very shortly afterwards, and, as it appeared, without any provocation, the prisoner assaulted McAuley and her companion in a brutal manner, and he then made a most savage attack upon the unfortunate deceased, knocked her down, and kicked her in the face ane: neck, and inflicted such serious injuries upon het that she died the same night, the death being clearly occasioned by the violence she had received from the prisoner. It was proved in addition to these facts, that the prisoner bad previously conducted himself in a most brutal manner, and that he was a complete terror to the whole neighbourhood; and it also appeared that on the evening of the occurrence the prisoner told one of the witnesses that he was determined to be revenged upon the deceased, and that he had a hammer in his pocket with which he intended to knock out the brains of the deceased, and at the same time said that he intended to warm the hammer first upon the head of the girl McAuley. It appeared, however, that he was in a drunken condition at the time he made these threats.  The jury found the prisoner guilty of manslaughter, and he was sentenced to fourteen years' transportation.
The Sun. — 1855-01-17 (London, England)

THE FOLEY-PLACE TRAGEDY.  ADJOURNED INQUEST.-(THIS DAY.)  This morning, at ten o'clock, Mr. Wakley resumed (at the Board-room of the Middlesex Hospital) the adjourned inquest open the body of Mr. Lambert, who was murdered on the morning of Sunday, the 7th of January, at his residence in Foley-place, by Luigi Baranelli, now an inmate of this hospital. The first witness called was  Mr. Chambers Vigars, one of the house surgeons of the Middlesex Hospital. He said, I have a patient named Baranelli under my care in Latham's ward. When I was first called to him, upon Sunday week, he was quite'sensible, and had a wound in the right cheek. It had been made by a bullet. The skin was blackened round where the wound was, and the hair had boen singed.  Coroner—What state is he in now ?  Mr. Vigars—lle is in a state tending to recovery.  Coroner—ls he in a state to make any acknowledgment of what has taken place, or to bear the excitement which might be caused from the present inquiry being proceeded with.  Mr. Vigars—He is composed now, but scarcely in a fit state to bear any excitement. He has been delirious until within the last three days.  Coroner—Would you advise that any examination should now take place ?  Mr. Vigarz—No ; certainly not. Coroner—Can you say when he is likely to be in a fit state for this inquiry to be proceeded with ? Mr. Vigars—l cannot with any degree of certainty. I should say not by this day week.  Mr. Burford Norman, the medical gentleman in air tendance upon the woman, who passes by the name of Lambert, was next called in and examined as to her condition. He said that he was called to the house in Foley-place upon the morning of the murder, and there saw a woman who passed as Mrs. Lambert. She had a wound through the right fore-arm, and a corresponding one in the chest—both caused by a pistol-bullet, which had passed into her body. This gentleman then went on to detail the condition his patieht was in ; showing, that although there were symptoms of her recovery, she was wholly incapable of bearing the excitement of say exam i nation.  After some remarks from the coroner, the inquiry was  again adjourned.  Although every inquiry has been made by the police, and particularly-by the detective, Smith, all attempts to discover the right name of the Woman lambert or her connections has proved unavailing, and the same with regard to the woman Williamson, who, it is said, and with some apparent degree of truth, is enciente by the murderer. With the exception of the woman 'Williamson no one has called to see the murderer. Several Italians have been making inquiries, but nonq seem to be at all acquainted with him, and from what was told to our reporter this day by two foreigners who were having a comrnuuication'with the police, it would appear that, excepting the child which has been alluded to as being at nurse down in Kent, the unhappy man has not any relative or friends in this country.
The Sun. — 1855-08-09 (London, England)

THE MURDER OF A POLICE INSPECTOR AND RIOTS AT HASLEMER,E.  ADJOURNED INQUEST, AND APPREHENSION OF ANOTHER MAN.  HASLEMERE, WEDNESDAY NIGHT.  This morning Mr. C. J. Woods, the coroner for West Surrey, resumed, at the White Horse Inn, in this town, the adjourned inquest respecting the death of Mr. Wm. Donaldson, the unfortunate inspector of the Surrey constabulary who was brutally murdered during the riot that took place on Saturday week. The greatest excitement still prevails in the town, ' and no event that has taken place for many years in this part of the county has caused such a painful sensation amongst all classes here. The Learned Coroner, upon resuming the proceedings, remarked upon the fact that the magistrates had refused to allow the men who had been taken into custody on suspicion of causing the death of' the poor fellow Donaldson to be brought before the jury. He knew of no court except his own where such obstacles existed. His opinion was that the gentlemen of the jury could not be acting in conformity with the oath they had taken, by returning a verdict of wilful murder, or even of manslaughter, against persons with whom, perhaps they had never seen, only having heard of them by name. He had made up his_ mind that he would not be stultified himself by the prisoners being kept away, and he hoped the jury would not. If his officer was not to be respected when he applied for the prisoners to be brought before his court, the sooner the office was at an end the better. He bad, however, two courses open—viz., to apply to the Secretary of State, or to the Court of Queen's Bench for a mandamus to show cause why the prisoners should not be produced in court to hear the evidence against them. As the parties implicated were not in attendance,, he proposed to take the evidence of Freestone, the injured police-officer, and he would then adjourn the case pine die. The jury perfectly concurred in the remarks of the coroner ; and they proceeded to the residence of the unfortunate police-officer, who is not yet considered out of danger. The evidence of the man having been taken (which is only a repetition of what has previously been given this paper), the jury returned to the inquestroom, arid the witnesses signed the depositions taken on the previous occasion, with the exception of Mr. Bisshopp, whose head was severely injured from:the effects of the blows he had veceived. The Jury said that they could not separate without expressing their-thanks to Mr. Bisshopp for the manner he had'aeted on the occasion, and the great risk he ran of losingliis own life whilst assisting the deceased. The Inquest was then adjourned sine die. Another man named Smith, sworn to by some of the witnesses, has been apprehended at Andover by some of the Hampshire police, in consequence of the description given of him in the Police Gazette, and he was brought to Guildford this morning. He will be examined before I the magistrates on Saturday next.
The Sun. — 1855-08-13 (London, England)

THE RIOT AND MURDER AT HASLEMERE.  RE-EXAMINATION OF TifF PRISON FT AN • IDENTIFIC IMoN  - No ease that has di-graced the aimalm of crime in tai, part of the county of Surrey for many years has created a greater degree of alarm than the present, which has caused a feverish excitement to prevail in the locality, more especially as another riot and murder were apprehended would be attempted to be carried into execution by the friends of the parties already implicated. At an early hour on the morning of Saturday last, the prisoners, named respectively Eastwood, Blackman, Woods, Foyle, and Smith, otherwise White, were brought before the bench sitting at Guildford, consisting of G. Best, Esq., Sir A. M‘Donald, S. Haydon, Esq., J. Stedman, Esq., and the Hon. Colonel M. Onslow, The prisoners, upon being placed at the felons' bar, looked carelessly round the court, and did not appear to fcci in the slightest degree the serious position in which they were placed.  kr. George Parsons, of Haslemere, appeared to con. duct the case for the prosecution. William Bridger, of Baslemere, upon being sworn, identified the iron bolt which the prisoners had used in striking the deceased, and which had undoubtedly caused his death. He borroWed it of a neighbour, and bad not returned it. His house adjoined to one in which the prisoners lived.  George Lithgoe, of Haslemere. said that he had known the prisoners at the bar during -the last three months, and he identified the piece of wood (produced) which was used for fastening his back door. William Harding, brickmaker, of Haslemere, said that he lodged at the house of the deceased Mr. Donaldson. On the night of the riot and murder he (witness) was on his way home, when he met the prisoners, who were armed with bludgeons. Wood said, " Smith is in the lock-up, and we intend to get him out.", By the Bench—He was with the deceased when he died. He told his wife when he was brought home that he was dying, and he never spoke afterwards. Richard Carter, a labourer, said that he was near the market-place at laslemere on the night of the murder. He saw one man locked up, and five or six other persons come by, armed with bludgeons, who said they would rescue him.  Mr. W. Lawton, surgeon, of Chiddingfold, said that ha was at present attending Freestone, as Mr. Bisshopp was unable, he having been laid up from Tuesday last. He saw him on the previous day, and he thought it would be a fortnight at the least before he would be fit to be examined. He was glad to say that he was better. Mr. Bisshopp, who came into court during the day, identified Smith, one of the prisoners, as the man who knocked him down the second time.  Alwyn, ostler of the King's Arms, also swore to the identity of Smith as the man who had been locked up in the cage ; and the prisoners were then remanded for another week.
The Sun. — 1855-01-18 (London, England)

CLERKENWELL—WiIIiam Barker was charged with a murderous assault on his wife.  The complainant, a poorly clad woman, said—l have been married for eight years to the defendant. Yesterday morning he most cruelly struck me on the head with his fist, and knocked me down, and whilst I was on the ground he kicked me in the stomach and on :my breast. I now feel most dreadful pain. After he had kicked me and nearly made me senseless, he seized me by the hair of my head, dragged me out of the room, and threw me down'a whole flight of stairs, and I would have gone down the second flight only a woman was standing in the lobby and stopped me. (The coin plainant here produced an old but well-used knife, it appeared a formidable weapon, and was sharp at the point from frequent use and cleaning.) Yesterday morning, before he struck me first, be attempted to stick this knife in my throat, and when I held up my right hand to ward off the blow the knife cut my. wrist. Mr. Tyrwhitt—Has any surgeon seen your wound ? Complainant—No, sir, I put some ointment on it myself, but I feel so weak in my breast that after I leave here I will go:to the hoepital. Mr. Turner, warrant officer—Your worship, after the complainant took out the warrant yesterday she went to a public-house, in which the defendant was, and she scratched his face as you see it. (The man had the visible effects of nails on his countenance.) Mr. Tyrwhitt—How did that happen .  Complainant—Why, your worship, after I left here, I went home ; I found my children without anything to eat, and knowing where my husband was, I sent a neighbour to ask him for some money to get bread for thers. .He told her that she was to tell me that he had spent 6s. sd. that day to himself, but giving the woman 10. told her to buy "tarts" for the children. Feeling aggravated, I did go to ask him what he meant, when he told me to go and obtain money as all women could, and used other filthy language towards me, so that I did scratch his face.  Mr. Tyrwhitt—What is your husband, and what money does he give you to support your family ? Complainant—He is a cab-driver, and has only given me 10d. for the lait three days, and when he beat me I had neither fire nor victuals in the house. The defendant here said that his wife was a most dreadful temper, and he had witnesses to prove that she had provoked him and others to assault her. Mr. Tyr whitt—But in any way her conduct would not warrant you in using a knife or kicking her. I must remand yon until a medical man decides the state in which your wife is from your most brutal conduct. The defendant, who is of a most repulsive aspect, was then removed. He was scarcely ciut of the court before two parties slipped forward and asked if the charge was not bailable.  Mr. Tyrwhitt—Certainly the misdeamenour is bailable, but as he has used a knife, and the kick on the breast may produce a cancer, I don't feel warranted in giving any leniency to the defendant for an offence that may turn out to be a felony. THE Pocat S. has sent 10s. in postage stamps, and k. Q. ss. in porsta.go St.upay Ulu lo.LL•ca lA/i applied for the use of Garford's children.
The Sun. — 1855-10-12 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.  ASSAULT UPON A WIFE BY HER HUSBAND.— William Hands, a middle-aged man, described on the charge sheet as a watchmaker, was brought up on a warrant by Fenton), 227 M, one of the officers of the court, charged with committing a brutal assault on Emma Hands, his wife. The complainant, a decent-looking female, said she had been married to the prisoner six weeks, and a few days afterwards he commenced ill-using her. At times his conduct was so violent that she believed he would murder her, and then he broke every piece of china and glass ware in his reach. Wednesday night she was sitting up for him with her child upon her lap when he came home, pulled her off the chair, and struck her with his clenched fists on several parts of the body, besides kicking her in the faca in a violent manner until she was insensible. He then left her, and now she believed her jaw was broken. The magistrate asked her whether she bad been to a doctor ? She replied that she had, and he advised her to go to the hospital, but she had not done so at present. The magistrate asked her whose child it was she was nursing ? She said it was hers by a firmer husband, an she had two oldei than that, which the prisoner was quite well aware of before he married her, The magistrate asked her  what was the cause of his beating her on Wednesday. night f She answered, that when he came in he asked her for a silver gilt ring she had on her finger, saying that it would hang him. She was about to take it off when he seized her by the hand, and nearly bit her finger off. They then struggled, and he knocked her down, and afterwards kicked her. The Magistrate asked her what business her husband was ? She replied, that she did not know exactly. He sometimes bought watches and jewellery, and after doing something to them sent her out to pawn them all over London. She generally earned him as much as 30s. before breakfast by going to the pawnbrokers. If she happened not to be successful, on her return he beat her. She was, in fact, all over bruises ; but all she wanted was protection and a separate maintenance. Mr. Solomon, for the defendant, said that it was all through his wife's family that these quarrels took place, and his client was willing to allow her 14s. a week for her maintenance. The female was quite as violent as her husband, and assaulted him quite as much. She had a watch and ring of his on Wednesday, and because she would not return them they had a wrangle, and both fell on the ground.  The Magistrate said that the female had been grossly assaulted by her husband, and as he had promised her a separate maintenance, he should adjourn the case for further inquiries.