npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Widnes Examiner. — 1887-08-20 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

JONPESSI. ON. A remarkable circurnstane,e in connection with the Lipski case occurred on Sunday afterhoon, the prisoner having made a full confession a/ the crime to the Rev. S. Singer. The confession was in the following terms : " I, Israel Lipski, before appearing before God in judgment, desire to speak the whole truth concerning the crime of which lam accused. I will not die with a lie on my lips. I will not let others suffer eVen on suspicion for my sin. I alone was guilty of the murder of Miriam Angell.. I thought the woman had money in her room, so I entered, the door being unlocked and the woman asleep. I had no thought of violating her and I swear I never approachod her with that object, nor did I wrong her in this way. Miriam Angell awoke before I could search for money, and cried out, but very • softly Thereupon I struck her on the head, and seized her by the neck and closed her mouth with my hand, so that she should not arouse the attention of those who were about the house. I had long been tired of my life, and had bought a pemy.wctrth of aquafortis that morning for the purPose O ptitting an end to myself. Suddenly I thought of the bottle I bad Au my pocket, and drew it out and poured some of the contents clown her throat. She fainted, and recognising my desperate condition I took the rest. The bottle was an old one, which I had formerly used, and was the same as that which I had taken with me to the oil shop. The quantity of aquafortis I took had no effect on me. Having an idea of people coming upstairs I crawled under the bed. The woman seemed already dead. There was only a short time from the moment, of my entering the room until I was taken away. In the agitation I also fainted. I do not know how it was my arms _became abrased. did not feel it, and was not aware of it. As to the door being locked on the inside, I myself did this immediately after I entered the room, wishing not to be interrupted. I solemnly declare that Rosenbloom and Schmuss know nothing whatever of the crime of which I have been guiltY, and I alone. I implore them to pardon me for having in my 'despair tried to cast the crime upon them. I also beseech the forgiveness of the bereaved husband. 'I admit that I have had a fair trial, and acknowledge Hie justice of the sentence that has been passed upon me. I desire to thank Mr. Hayward for hisefforts on my behalf, as well as all those who have interested themselves in me during this unhappy tamp. This confession is made of my own free will, and Is written down by Mr. Singer at my reqtest. May God comfort my loving father 'and mother, and may He accep4 my repentance and my death as an atonement for all my sins.—Sunday, August 21st, 1887. "(Signed) ISIIAXL Lima. "Witnesses :--S. Singer, minister; E. L. dfilmaas Governor of Her Majesty's Prison, Newgate." This statement was at once forwarded to the HOMO Secretary.  OF BRl'rTli
Widnes Examiner. — 1887-08-13 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

EXECUTION OF THE CREWE MURDERER-C9.NPESSION OF THE CULPRIT,  —.—. Thomas Henry Bevan, 20 years of age, was executed at Enutsford Gaol. Cheshire, on Tuesday morning, for the murder of his aunt, Sarah Griffiths, at Crewe. in March last. The prisoner, while spending a day at his aunt's house, managed to steal her purse, containing 17s. fid., and being caught in the act, he knocked her down with a dolly-peg, and kicked her to death. His little half-sister entered the house at the moment of the murder, and Bevan made a brutal assault on her, also.leaving her insensible When arrested, the culprit displayed the utmost caHousness, and while in gaol pending his trial he seemed very anxious to know what sort of fare persons condemned to death got. When told they could order anything they liked, he said he would 'make the prison ;iutborities keep him well between the time of his conviction and execution. This dout, however, but took the ordinary per Latterly he became very penitent. ea, h prison not ft er carry. and told the whole story of his crime to the deputygovernor.and the prison chaplain. Acting on his directions,th,oofficials went, to Crewe and found the stolen purse, with. tt)(3 money untouched, concealed under a hedge, precisely as the prisoner described. His halfsister made a sensation at the trial by asserting that a Mrs. Parsons 'entered the house .cluring the murder, and exclaimed.' Stop it. Mister: you'll kill her." Mrs. Parsons denied this at the time, and the prisoner, in his revelations, said Mrs. Parsons never entered the house. He had an interview with six relatives on Saturday, and expressed deep penitence. On Sunday he partook of Holy Communion for the last time, and onMonday he wrote eight letters to relatives, which he directed to be posted after the execution. At night he went to ttel at a quarter-past eleven, slept soundly till 5 30 a.m on Tuesday, and took breakfast an hour later. He bade farewell to the warders in an unfaltering voice, and, without uttering another word, walked to the scaffold with a firm step. Berry was the executioner, and, as the prisoner was a very light-made youth, weighing only Sat. gibs., he was given a drop of six feet. Bevan died without a struggle, death being, to all appearance. instantaneous Only the officials and five reporters vrera present at the execution. The culprit had made a full and detailed confession of his crime to the murdered woman's sister. He admitted that he murdered the old woman in order to get her money, and stated that the little girl, Mary Tones, hie half-sister, returned to the house before the woman was dead. He tried to strangle her, and afterwards he went into the room where the old woman lay on the floor and jumped upon her body many times. This bears out the testimony of the doctor who examined the woman, and who declared that all her ribs were broken. Bevan then possessed himself of her purse, which contained about 155., and then left the house. He begged in a written statement that Mr. Griffiths, the murdered woman's husband, an old man nearly would forgive him.
Widnes Examiner. — 1887-04-23 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

PARK -MURDIRS AND MR. PARNELL.—A GRATE CHARGE. I Monday's Times concluded a series of articles 'on "ParnelEsm and Crime," We (said The Smos) intimated that, besides the damning. facts which we there recorded, unpublished evidence existed which would bind still closer the links between the "constitutional" chiefs and the contrivere of murder and outrage. In view of the unblushing denials of Mr. Sexton anellfr. Healy on Friday night, we do not think it right to withhold any longer from public knowledge the fact that we possess, and have had in our custody for-some time, documentary evidence which has, a most serious bearing on the Parnellite conspiracv, and which, after a most careful and minute scrutiny, is, we are satisfied, quite authentic. We produce one document in facsimile to-day by a process the accuracy of which cannot be impugned, and we invite Mr. Parnell to explain how his signature has become attached to such a letter. It is requisite to point out that the body of the manuscript is apparently not in Mr. Parnell's handwriting, but the signature and the "Yours very truly" unquestionably are so; and if any member of Parliament doubts the fact, he can easily satisfy himself on the matter by comparing the handwriting with that of Mr. Parnell in the book containing the signatures of members when they first take their seats in the Hons. of Commons. The body of the letter occupies the whole of the first page of an ordinary sheet of stout white notepaper, leaving no room in the same page for the signature, which is placed on the fourth page near the top righthand corner. It was an obvious precaution to sign upon the back instead of upon the second page, so that the half-sheet might if necessary be torn off and the letter disclaimed. It is right and neciposary to explain that the "Dear Sir" is believed to be Egan, and that the letter was addressed to him in order to pacify the wrath of his subordinate instruments in the Phmnix Park murders —then (on May 15, nine days after the tragedy) still at large and undetecte44 The anxiety of the writer to keep his address unknown will be noted, and is curious in connection with a belief prevailing at the time that Mr. Parnell was so impressed by the danger he had incurred by denouncing the ammssinations as to have applied for the protection of the police on the plea that his life was in peril. In the facsimile which we place before our readers the paper lies open, the first page being to the right, and the fourth to the left. 15/5/82. DEAR 'SIR, I am not surprised at your friend's anger, but he and you should know that to denounce the murders was the only course open to us. To do that promptly was plainly 14ie-only-cour our best policy. But you can tell him and all others concerned that though I regret the accident of Lord Y.Cavendish's death I cannot refuse to admit that Burke got no more than his deserts.  You are at liberty *o show him this, and others whom you can trust also ; jmt, let not my a.ddraes be known. Be can write to Rouge of Commons. Yours very truly,
Widnes Examiner. — 1887-10-01 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

HIS CURATE. •••-.2%. HORRIBLE TRAGEDY. A fearful murder was committed at midnight, on Saturday, at the vicarage of Cretingham, a small village near Framlingham, Suffolk. The vicar, the Rev. William yeynott Farley, aged 73, suffered from partial paralysis, a year ago engaged as a curate a clergyman known as the Rev. Mr. Gilbert Cooper, but who is also said to have given another name. The curate had resided with the vicar and Mrs. Farley, and for a ' few days had complained of sleeplessness. On Saturday night Mrs. Farley offere,l to read him to sleep, but 'ids offer he declined, saying that the noise of her reading to the vicar jarred upon his nerves. All the household had retired to rest, when about midnight Mrs. Farley heard a knocking at the door of 'the bedroom occupied by herself and the vicar. Mrs. Farley asked, " What is that?" and on unlocking the door she saw the curate in his dressing gown with a candlestick in his hand. He was quiet. but deadly pale, and in reply to her question as to what he wanted, tried to fovea his way in. With some difficulty she turned the key, exclaiming to her* husband, "Why, he is mad." Mr. Cooper called out, "I want to come in and see the vicar." Mr. Farley replied. "Oh, poor fellow, open-the door and see what he wants." She then admitt,ed him, but did not notice any-weapon in his hand. He walked direct to the bedside and put his left hand in the direction of the vicar's throat. Mr. Farley exclaimed, "What do you mean?" The curate laughed, turned 'round, and walked quietly out of the room. Before he reached the door Mr. Parley exclaimed in a weak voice," He has cut my throat." Mrs. Farley at first thought 'her husband delirious,and as she could see no blood replied. "Nonsense." She, however, followed Cooper and asked what he had in his hand. He replied "Nothing," and even then she could see no weapon. On going back she found Mr. Farley on the floor with blood rushing from his throat. She ran back to the curate and asked him to come and help, but he made no reply. She then despatched the groom for the doctor, hut long before the latter arrived Mr. Farley was dead. After committing the deed, Mr. Gilbert Cooper left the yicarase, but returned about five o'clock on Sunday morning, wren he was taken into custody by a policeman who then had charge of the vicarage. He was removed to Framlingham Police station, and when questioned by the parish clerk he said he first thought of doing it on the previous day. The murdered clergyman had a grown up family, one of his sons being a doctor in London. Cooper came from Tunbridge Wells, but nothing is known of his family in the neighbourhood of Framlingham. Ile undertook the whole of the clerical duties of , the parish, but does not appear to have gained the affections of the parishioners. He was generally credited with High Church proclivities, . whereas the vicar was an Evangelical. There does not, however, seem to have been any quarrel or dispute between the vicar and curate. On the contrary, circumstances seem to show t hat very blindly relations existed between Mr. Cooper and Mr. and Mrs. Farley. '
Widnes Examiner. — 1887-11-12 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

EXECUTIONS AT (3A RLISLE AND OXFORD.  Hunter, is blacksmith's striker, was executed in Carlisle Gaol, on Monday, for the murder of a child. mimed Isabella Steel, by the wayside. The condemned . man, who was atiout 30 years e age, had conducted himself very quietly in the prison. lie had to be wakened at six o'clock in the morning, and at ten minuted to eight he submitted to be pinioned by Berry. When he left his cell he shook hands with several of the warders and nodded to reporters and others near. He walked steadily to the gallows, with a half smile upon his face. When the chaplain, who was reeting the Litany for the dying, came to the words "May he rest in peace," the bolt was drawn, and the man died apparently instantanfemsly. Hunter had stated that he did not kill the child wilfully, hut he preferred being hanged to passing his life in penal servitude. Hunter received his sentence of death at the fast Cumberland Assizes for killing the (laughter of a woman with whom he cohabited. He was (ormerly a blacksmith, but for three mouths prior to the crime had been on tramp with a woman named Mary Steel. tie ill-treated her daughter (Isabella), and finally caused her death by kicking her on the roadside. The execution of Joseph Walker, who was sentenced to death at the Oxfordshire Assizes for the murder of his wife, on Sept. 16th, at Chipping Norton, by cutting her throat, took place yesterday morning, at the county gaol, Berry being the executioner. During the past fortnight. a petition fort a commutation of the sentence was entensively signed, on the ground of the provocation the condemned man had continually received from the deceased. Walker had been visited by his brother and by his two children, for whom he had a great affection, and the parting scene was especially painful. Walker appeared resigned to his fate. Yesterday morning there was a celebration of the Communion at St. Frideswide, in order to pray for the unhappy man. Several hundred persons assembled to witness the hoisting of the black flag, but tio expression of feeling was manifested. Walker was 46 years of age, and weighed 16 stone. The drop which Berry allowed was only 2ft. Win., which the executioner said was the shortest he had ever known. There was not the slightest movement after the drop fell, although the pulse beat feebly for a short time afterwards. The culprit had frequently alluded to the crime, but declared that it was not premeditated. He expressed a hope that, the public would not visit his sin on his children, but would help them to lead sober, industrious, and Godly lives. He displayed throughout the utmost fortitude, and partook at breakfast-time of a slice of bread and butter and a cup of tea.  For CI kinds of domestic sewing, Bagley and Wright' s cotton is tlie best —Ada.  Sir IfilliainiVArthur who was Lord Mayor of London in 1880-1 and M.P. for Lambeth from 1888 to 1885, died on Wednesday while journeying from Notting Hill Gate to Praed-street oil the Uniierground Railway.
Widnes Examiner. — 1887-07-16 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN IRELAND. TRIPLE MURDER BY A LUNATIC. A sad tragedy occurred at Rathfriland, county Down on Saturday. A saddler named James Heslop, who had been for some time in a lunatic asylum, but who had been discharged as cured a couple of years ago, left his house in the morning carrying a bill-hook. He appears to have attacked with this instrument every person he met., for no less than five men and women were mutilated by him; three of them fatally. The victims of the homicide were a neighbour, William Spiers, add -his daughter, Maggie Smell, and Mrs. Mulholland; while Lliza Higgins and Samuel Heenan were so badly hurt that they are not expected to recover. All were horribly cut and hacked, the heads of Maggie Spiers and Mrs. Mulholland being almost severed from the body. The lunatic afterwards stripped himself and jumped into the lake. He was followed and captured by a sergeant and two constables. It appears the man had been discharged from Downpatrick Asylum, as his malady ivas not chronic, and up to a fortnight ago he pursued his regular avocation. Symptoms of lunacy again appearing, he was taken charge of by some friends. On Saturday morning he obtained permission to go out to re-open his shop in the Square, Rathfriland, and he appeared then perfectly sane. After leaving the house he walked over to his own house and took down the shutters. On coming out again he was seen to have a bill-hook in his hand, and walked in the direction of Ballyroney. He met Thomas Brennon and John Herron, two carters going to Rathfriland. They spoke infpassing, whereupon Heslop made a furious attack upon them with his weapon. The men whipped their horses and drove away without being seriously injured. An old man named Samuel Hemming, however, was found shortly afterwards lying on the road with shocking injuries from which there was no hope of recovery. The next victim was an elderly woman named Nancy Mulholland, who was found to be frightfully mutilated. Heslop then went into a hayfield, where a young woman named Maggie Spiers, her father, and two young men were at work with scythes. A dreadful conflict ensued as the madman rushed an the haymakers. Eventually Maggie Spiers and her father were left to confront the man, the others having fled. With one stroke he cut the girl's head nearly in two, and turned upon the father, who was felled to the ground and beaten with the handle of the implement. The maniac afterwards attacked a woman named Eliza Higgina whom he fearfully injured, leaving her unconscious. After this he went to a lake near, and divesting himself of his clothes, plunged into the water. On emerging, he made his way in a state of nudity to the house of a woman, who had a baby in her arms. He did not attack them, but killed a goat and returned to the lake. 'A number of people assembled, and Ileslip now and again rushed at them until the police from Rathfriland arrived, and plunging into the lake, secured the , madman after a desperate struggle. 1
Widnes Examiner. — 1887-02-26 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

CHA INMABERS.—At a meeting of signations. 3,000 chainmakers on strike, at Cradley, on Monday, All the Ministers, except Lard Ashbourne and Mr. Mat. Colonel Stewart and others, from London„ addressed the thews, attended a meeting of the Cabidet,Couneil held on meeting on the Importanne nf State-directed colonisation, Wednesday at the Foreign Office. and it was resolved to petition Parliament in favour of The Railway Rates hill will be istroduced in the House the movement. of Lords next week by Lord Stanley of Preston, the PresiThe death is announced at Bmckenhurst, near South- dent of the Board at Trade, but the exact day has not yet well, Notts, in the 87th year of his age, of the Rev. Thos,. been fixed. Coats Cane, for nearly half a century vlcar of ridding- On Wednesday, the Duke of CambridKe decided that ton, Southwell, and st the time of ..is death one of the the Easter manteuvres of the volunteers of the home countwo oldest surviving scholars of the Manchester Gram- ties shall be held at Aldershot, Portsmouth, Dover, and mar School. Eastbourne.  The Court of Session, Edinburgh, has ordered intim,- ---A-g-r;aigale prevailed in the Irish Channel on Tuesday tion of a petition by the British and African Steam night and on Wednesday morning; but, although many Navigation Company to reduce the capital from vessels put back to ports rather than lace it, no serious £600,000 to £51.5,000 by paying back £65,000 to the damage is reported. shareholders. Owing to the dulness of the shipping LINSEED LOZENGES, solidified linseed tea, laxative and detrade, the company ara unable to utilise their capital. mulcent, 6d.; postage 2d. Kay, Bros.. Stockport, and all The Commission on the Irish Land Acts held its final . THE nORTON MURDER —At the Worship-street Police sitting on Monday, Earl Cowper presiding. The report Court, London, on Wednesday, Thomas Wm. Carrell was of the Commission was finally adopted, and the secretary then drove with the report to the Home Office, where it brought up on the charge of murdering his sweetheart, was delivered by him personally. It is understood Lydia Green' .bY shooting her. The deceased's mother and ~. the report will be in the hands of members within a few anotner witeess 'laving given evidence, the prisoner was remended till Wednesday next. The 86th birthday of Cardinal Newman was celebrated THE BURY Mtnanae.—The Coroner's inquiry respecting on Monday in Birmingham. The cardinal attended the death of Emma Ann Wood, who is alleged to have been high mass at the Oratory, Edgbaston, a large congrega- murdered by her husband, Walter Wood, in a field at Bury, tion being present, including a number of Roman on the 17th inst., was resumed and concluded on WednesCatholic notables. A large number of congratulatory day, at the police court in that town. The jury returned a addreeees and telegrams were received from all parts of verdict or .. evritul murder" against Walter Wood, who is Europe and America, as well as from local churches, in custody. NAVAL ACTlVlTY.—lnstructions from the Admiralty DAMAGES AGAINST a