npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1857-11-12 (London, England)

THREATENED CLOSING OF THE ROCHDALE WORKHOUSES BY THE POOR-LAW BOARD. —The Rochdale guardians met on Friday, to consider a letter from the Poor-law Board, in which they stated that, except some alteration wore made in the workhouses, they would close them. Mr. Heap presided. In July, Mr. Manwaring, the poor-law inspector, reported the workhouses to the Poor-law Board, as having no receiving wards, and without any provision for the sick and infections cases, or classification of the sexes. The paupers, he also reported, were allowed to associate together out of doors, and their clothing, in some cases, was in a very ragged condition. The guardians, in answer, told the Board they were doing all they could for the comfort of the inmates ; and the present letter was the reply of the board. Mr. Livesey said he thought the guardians had a just cause of complaint against the Poor-law Board ; for, by their sanction, they had made large alterations. Therefore, the Poor-law Board had acted the part of deceivers. They would not be satisfied until they had driven the Rochdale guardians to a hostile ; but be hoped they would take no notice of the Poor-law Board, but act as one man—and if the Board did anything, then resign, and see if the ratepayers would support them. This important course was approved of by a full board, who directed the workhouse committee to make any improvements that would be for the comfort of the inmates.—Manchester musicalbelbelieved ve dd up • aysthteiPmae,yst,h'a` thatshjeurset breeemnamineadde nothing ttVhinenice in the library of MUSICAL Dcits:VMEßaYr.:—"lt Anwae generally tcGoo uv ate hrr yd:i n s. ibrary present Stradella's compositions but the famous hymn which he was singing in the Sixtine Chapel at the moment when the three assa9sins despatched against him by the patricians of Venice were about to murder him. Last summer, however, two French gentlemen in examining unclassed manuscripts in a library came on a collection of 19 songs in Stradella's own handwriting. There are love songs which the celebrated musician composed in the palace of Contariui, when he was ealmoured of the daughter of that patrician, who instigated the other s nobles against him. The 19 pieces are aid to bea rem able for their melody and elegance; and what seems to prove their importance is that M. H alevh the composer of the "'hive," has not disdained to write for them a pianoforte accompaniment, in order to render them accessible not only to musicians, but to simple a nateurs.' A mysterious crime, bearing some affinity to the Waterloo-bridge tragedy, has just been discovered at Choisyle-Roi. About 10 months ago a barrel arrived from Paris at the railway station, directed " Bureau Restant—Provisions." As no one has since come to claim it, orders were given the day before yesterday to the railway clerks to open it, when to their horror they found that it contained part of a female body completely dried up. This bead and arm are wanting. An ungtigat:on has been ordered.
The Sun. — 1857-07-25 (London, England)

TRIAL OF BACON FOR THE MURDER OF HIS MO I'HER.  LINCOLN, FRIDAY NIGHT.  EXTRAORDINARY PROCEEDING.  It will be remembered that Thomas Fuller BacOn, who was tried a few weeks since at the Central Criminal Court for the alleg,d murder of his children, at Walwortb, and acquitted, was sent down here to be tried for poisoning his mother at Great Casterton, in the,. adjoining county of Itutl Ind, in the month of May, 1855. The Crown having taken up the prosecution, the necessary preliminary examination took place, and the depositions were returned to the Crown officers. On the 18th the briefs were sent down here from the Treasury. They were entrusted to Mr. Serjeant Mellor, Q.C., and Mr. Brewer. The indictment against the prisoner, which contained two counts, one for poisoning and another for administering arsenic with intent to poison, was sent up to the grand jury yesterday, and this day (Friday) was appointed for the trial to take place ; but up to the time of the grand jury leaving last night, Professor A. S. Taylor, who made the analysis, and who of course is the most important witness, had not arrived, and the consequence was that no bill could be returned. _ _  This morning a letter was received from the Professor, stating that he was engaged iu a trial. at Durham, and that he could net come here. The Court then proceeded to try a case of burglary, which lasted two hours. In the meantime Professor Taylor had been communicated with, and at three o'clock an answer was received from him, stating that he could not come here until Monday. The assize should terminate to-morrow (this day). _ _ _  Just before four the grand jury came into court with the only three remaining bills, two of which were for petty offences, then handed to the clerk from the gallery, and the foreman appeared (to us) about to make some remarks, when Mr. Justice Erie said,—Gentlemen, we are in difficulty about one of those bills which his been laid before you. We have just received a letter of great importance in connection with it, but I do not think that it would be proper to discuss it in public, as I fear it would defeat the ends of justice, and do much injury. If you will retire again to your own room the officer of the court shall put a question to you, which you shall answer " Yes," or " No." It cannot be done in public. In fact, we are in considerable difficulty. What the nature of the question wag, we cannot positively say, but after Mr. Coleridge bad been with the grand jury some time, his lordship was fetched to them by that gentleman, and after some few minutes' conference the following telegraphic despa•ch was sent to Professor Taylor : d i::eTahtetejnuddagnec e. " All the bills have been found, and the grand jury wait for you. " Fail not at your peril. • "Send answer immediately." Up to five o'clock no answer had been received. The effect of the absence of Professor Taylor is, that as the assize for the county is just over, the prisoner, if the Crown is not prepared with the evidence, must be discharged. •
The Sun. — 1857-07-25 (London, England)

TRIAL OF BACON FOR THE MURDER OF HIS MOTHER.  . . LINCOLN, FRIDAY NIGHT. EXTRAORDINARY PROCEEDING. It will be remembered that Thomas Fuller Bacon, who was tried a few weeks since -at the Central Criminal Court for the alleged murder of his children, at Walworth, and acquitted, was sent down here to be tried for poisoning 11.;s mother at Groat Castel ton, in the adjoining county of Rutland, in the month of May, 1855. The Crown having taken up.the prosecution, the necessary preliminary examination took place, and the depositions were returned to the Crown officers. On the pith the briefs were sent down here from the Treasury. They were entrusted to Mr. Serjea.nt Mellor, Q.C., and Mr. Brewer. The indictment against the prisoner, which contained two counts, one for poisoning and another for administering arsenic with intent to poison, was sent up to the grand jury yesterday, and this day (Friday) was appointed for the trial to take place ; but up to the time of the grand jury leaving last night, Professor A. S. Taylor, who made the analysis, and who of course is the most important witness, had not arrived, and the consequence was that no bill could be returned. This morning a letter was received from the Professor, stating that he was engaged in a trial at Durham, and that he could not come here. The Court then proceeded to try a case of burglary, which laited two hours. In the meantime Professor Taylor had been communicated with, and at three o'clock an answer was received from him, stating that he could not come here until Monday. The assize should terminate to-morrow (this day). Just before fur the grand jury came into court with the only three remaining bills, two of which were for petty offences, then banded to the clerk from the gallery, and the foreman appeared (to us) about to make some remarks, when Mr. Justice Erlo said,—Gentlemen, we are in difficulty about one of those bills which has been laid before yott. We have just received a letter of great importance in connection with it, but I do not think that it would be proper to discuss it in public, as I fear it would defeat the ends of justice, and do much injury. If you will retire again to your own room the officer of the court shall put a, question to you, which you shall answer " Yea,' or " No." It cannot be done in public. In fact, we are in considerable difficulty. What the nature of the question was, we cannot positively say, but after Mr. Coleridge had been with the grand jury some time, his lordship was fetched to them by that gentleman, and after some few minutes' conference the following telegraphic despa' eh was sent to Professor Taylor : " The judge peremptorily demands your immediate attendance. "All the bids have teen found, and the grand jury wait for you. " Fail not at your peril. "Send answer immediately." Up to five o'lloek no answer had been received. The effict of the abence of Professor Taylor is, that as the assize for the county is just over, the prisoner, if the Crown is not prepared with the evidence, must be discharged.
The Sun. — 1857-07-08 (London, England)

SECOO7IN4 WITH INTENT TO MITEDER,—WIII. Moyce wasindicted for feloniously shooting Jas. Joseph flickworth with intent to murder bin). From the evidence, it appeared that the prisoner had for many years occupied a piece of land and cottage at Bromley, used as a market garden. The prosecutor became the owner of the property, and brought an action of ejectment against the prisoner, and having obtained judgment and execution, he, accompanied by Gover and Phillips, two sheriffs' officers, went to execute it, when he was shot by the prisoner. Evidence having been given for the prosecution, Mr. Sleigh addressed the jury for the prisoner. The Judge having summed up the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of guilty of shooting with intent to do grievous bodily harm, with a recommendation to mercy. The prisoner was sentenced to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for two years.  POLICE IN (This Day.)  sourawAruc. CHARGE OF SHOPLIFTING —Mary Morland, a respectable looking female, 19 years of age, was brought before Mr. Combe, charged with stealing a pair of boots, value twelve shi lings, from the shop of Mr. Thomas Jones, boot and shoe maker, Cross-street, Blackfriars-road. Robert Milne, shopaian to the prosecutor, said, that about 8 o'clock on the previous night the prisoner came into the shop, and said she Ranted to be supplied with a fashionable pair of boots. Witness fitted a pair on, which she examined and said they would not suit, at the same time tellicg him that she should prefer another pair in the window. Witness went to the latter place and brought her the pair she wished, and, having fitted them on, she examinee them, and putonher own shoes again, then,whe butnshe shegot wocffailtdhecaclhi aaigraiantdansdaidpasy for them. Shehe could not take then 1-tft the chop, and after she was gone he missed a pair of boots, value 12'., from the place where she had been sitting. Witness immediately followed her, and having stopped her, he requested her to come back to\ the shop, as he suspected het of stealing a pair of boots. She then trembled violently and let the boots fall from her mantle. A police constable then came up, and he gave her into custody, when she begged to be allowed to go home and fetch the money. Mr. Combe asked how far she bad got from the shop when he stopped her ? Witness replied " near at!, doorway," but she was. going away. Police Constable 127 I.', sa'd he was on duty in Crossstreet about eight o'clock, when last witness gave the prisoner into custody for stealing the boots produced, I She denied having stolen there, and begged to be liberated, At the station-house she said her mother would pay for  peylas that she id them. reason e pshri:losnaitisahiderthmaottshheerdiwdonuoldt steal the boots. They must have dropped from a shelf near w the door. T dhe not want to be locked up. Mr. Combe asked whethe: her mother was in court She replied that she was not. Mr. Combe remanded her to enable the officer to make inquiries about her, as it was clear that she had stolen the boots if the witneis's evidence was to be believed.
The Sun. — 1857-07-17 (London, England)

CHARGE OF POISONING.  Harriet PAssinghain, 19, a domestic servant, was indicted for feloniously administering four grains of a preparation of mercury to Maria Read, her mistress, , with intent to kill and murder her, at South Stoneham, on the Gth of March last. Mr. Poulden prosecuted ; the prisoner was undefended. The evidence showed that she was a servant in the house for the previous twelve month.. On the 6th of March Mrs. Read had some purter for her dinner from a pint bottle, only a portion was drunk, the remainder being removed from the table by the prisoner. At supper time she was desired to bring the remainder, which she did, and placed it on the table. Mrs. Read poured out a portion into a glass and drank of t ; but immediately found that it tasted very disagreeable. The prisoner was called, and asked what she had put into the porter ? and she said " Nothing." But on Mrs. Read saying, "You must have put something," she said she had poured the b om of another bottle into it. Mrs. Read adr.-d her why she had done so, as she was not in the habit of doing it, and the prisoner made no answer. She was told to  take it away, and asked to taste it. She appeared to taste it, and then said it was very nasty. She removdd both the glass and bottle horn the room, but Mrs. Read recollecting that there was some por,,ter 1.-ft in the bottle, her daughter desired that to be brought in. The prisoner brought it back again, saying she had thrown what .was in the glasi under the grate.. Mrs. Read rapidly got worse, and felt a great burning in her throat and chest, with pain and sickness. Mr. Osborn, a surgeon, was sent fa- and Mrs. Read was ill fora long time. It was afterwards found that a bottle containin4 Ittrg mixture and labelled "Poison," had been left in Miss Read'sbedroorn. This mixture consisted of about 14 drachm of. corrosive sublimate, with sufficient hydrochloric acid to dissolve it, and water, but that it had been taken away, and Mr. Osborn asked the prisoner what sbe had put in the porter, and she said "some vitriol, which she had to clean the copper," and being further quesioned why she did it, she said Mr.=. Read was " so fidgetty and particula-." When before the magistrates, she said she was sorry she had done it, and should not if she had not been persuaded to do so.  The Judge having summed up; left it to the'jury ;o consider their verdict.  Tue Foreman asked if they were bound to return a verdict of guilty or to acquit the prisoner, or whether they could qualify their verdict I His Lordship said they mu,t either find her guilty of administering with intent to murder or acquit.  The jury then acquitted her, His Lordship observing that there was a defect in the law, which did not allow of a variation of count as to the intention.
The Sun. — 1857-07-16 (London, England)

TRAGICAL. AFFAIR NEAR PAVIS.  A tragical affair took place at St. Germain en Laye, near Paris, a few nights since. A young man named Decamps, for many years in the service of a gentleman of the town as valet, is married to a young woman five years younger than himself, and has two children by her. She resides with the children in an apartment in the Rue de Versailles, and her husband was accustomed to go to see her frequently, though, as her conduct was rather light, quarrels often took place bet ween them. 0,, the evening in question, the man took a gun and went out to shoot rabbits, but not finding the sport good he determined to visit his wife On knocking at the door he heard a noise in his wife's room, and after the lapse of a few minutes; she came down and let him in. He poked why she had been so long in coming, bnt she gave him some vague reply. They went up to the room together, and the man, instead of going to bed as his wife wished him to do, lighted a lamp, and after a few seconds reflection, went to a staircase which leads to a granary at the top of the house. At the top of these stairs he saw, crouch. ing down, a man whom he recognised as a Swiss named Duvillard, coachman to a gentleman residing in the town. Not doubting that this man had been with his wife, he rushed on him, and drawing a knife from his pocket, but not opening it, struck him repeatedly with one end of it. Duvillard defended himself, and presently the two men, who were struggling with each other, rolled down the stairs into the bedroom. A terrible fight then took place between them in the dark, the lamp having become extinguished, and the in• jured husband seemed likely to get the worst of it ; but he suddenly seized an old Spanish sword, given him as a curiosity by a previous master, which was- hanging on the wall, and with it he assailed his adversary with great fury. The Swiss defended himself as well as he could, and smashing the window, shouted out " Help ! murder !" but the other continued to cut at him with the sword. At length the Swiss fell mortally wounded. The occupants of the house awakened by the noise of the fray and the man's cries, arrived, and Decamps at once opened the door to them. He pointed to his victim, who had dragged himself to the landing pace, and who was in the agony of death. In a minute or two the Swiss died, and then Decamps calmly related the particulars ; after wh ch he said he would go to the commissary of police and give himself into custody ; the neighbours, however, begged him to remain, and they sent for the commissary, who soon arrived, accompanied by some officers and gendarmes, and arrested the man. When the quarrel commenced, the woman slipped from the house, leaving her two children, one aged seven, the other four, asleep in a cradle near the bed. The next morning, the woman presented herself before the commissary of police, and after being interrogated was allowed to return home • the man has been sent to the pr• on at Versailles. The Swiss was 30 years of age, and leaves a widow, a young woman in service at Paris.  [
The Sun. — 1857-10-03 (London, England)

THE MURDER AT BRA&IALL.  The inquest on James Henderson, farmer, of Brlmall, who was snot while in bed on Wednescl morning, was opened on Thursday evening by Mr. Johnson, coroner, Stockport. Mr. W. P. Roberts, attended to watch the case for the prisoner, James Henderson, jun. Jane Henderson said—l am daughter of the deceased, and resided with my father at Hard.) 's farm. He was ot) years of age. Two sons, and two daughters, including myself, lived at home. There war e three men-servants, a bay, and a woman. All slept in the house, except two of the men, who slept is the granary. My father slept alone for the last 14 months, in one of the front b2droomi. MY brother James slept alone in the other front bcdroom, and he had done so for a few months. I slept in one of the back bedrooms on the same floor,- to the left of my father's, and next to that of my brother James. My motiler and a married sist r (Mrs. Earlam) slept in another back bedroom on the same floor, to the right of my father's. My brother Thomas slept in one of the attics, where there were two beds. The granary adjoined the house, but there wits no internal communication with it. I and my mother went to bed about 12 o'clock on Tuesday night, and at that time all the other inmates of the house bad retired except my brother James. I went to bed as soon as I got into my room, and fell asleep in about ten minutes. I did not hear my brother James go to bed. When I want upstairs I saw the kitchen door (the one mitering from the north) locked and barred. I did Rot look at the front (the southern or main) door. My mother generally looked to the doors. The front do 'or was usually opened every day, but I c inn. ()t say whether it was opened on Tuesday. My brother James frequently steppe 1 up after the other, reading and writiog ; and when I went to bed oa Tut sd ly night he was writing in the sittingro,llll. My father went to bed • between 9 and 10 o'clock on Tuesday nigh,. I was awoke about two o'clock on Wednesday morning, and the first thing I heard was the noise of footsteps on the stairs. I heard several footsteps, and immediately afterwards I heard my brother James open his door and fire. lam quite sure that I heard him oven his door. I only beard one report. I • aftrwards my brothers and not g out of my loom ; but s'hortly the two servants who were sleeping in the granary, and the one who slept with nafbrother Thomas in the attic, entErel my room and told me that nay father had b.en shot. I cannot say how long it was after I beard the report that they came to me, but it was shortly afterwards. I got up immediately and went into my father's rcom. I found him lying on his back with his head on his pillow, and hia'arms outside the clothes. He was in the same position that ho usually slept in. He was severely wounded in the face. When I went into
The Sun. — 1857-10-03 (London, England)

THE MURDER AT BRAMALL.  The inquest on James Henderson, farmer, of Bramall, who was shot while in bed on Wednesday morning, was opened on Thursday evening by Mr. Johnson, coroner, Stockport. Mr. W. P. Roberts, attended to watch the case for the prisoner, James Henderson, jun. Jane Henderson said—l am daughter of the deceased, and resided with my father at Hardy's farm. He was 60 years of age. Two sons, and two daughters, including myself, lived at home. There were three men-servants, a boy, and a woman. All slept in the house, except two of the men, who slept in the granary. My father slept alone for the last 14 mouths, in one of the front badroomi. My brother James slept alone in the other front badroom, and he had done so for a few months. I slept in one of the back bedrooms on the same floor, to the left of my father's, and next to that of my brother James. My mother and a married sist r (Mrs. Earlam) slept in another back bedroom on the same floor, to the right of my father's. My brother Thomas slept in one of the attics, where there were two beds. Tho granary adjoinad the house, but there was no internal communication with . I and my mother went to bed about 12 o'clock on Tuesday night, and at that time all the other inmates of the house had retired except my brother James. I went to bed as FOOll as I got into my room, and fell asleep in about ten minutes. I did not hear my brother James go to bed. When I went upstairs I saw the kitchen door (the one entering from the north) locked and barred. I did not look at the front (the southern or main) door. My "mother generally looked to the doors. The front do r was usually opened every day, but I elnnot say whether it was opened on Tuesday. My brother James frequently stoppe 1 up after the other, reading and writing ; and when went to bed ou Tuesday night he was writing in the sittingro ;m. My father went to bed between9boauntd two Iu o'clock on Tuesday nigh*. I was awoke a o'clock on Wednesda morning, and the first thing I heard was the noisy of footsteps on the stairs. I heard several footsteps, and immediately afterwards I heard my brother James open his`door and fire. lam quite sure that I heard him open his door. I only heard one report. I did not g 4 out of my room ; but shortly afterwards my brothers and the two servants who were sleeping in the granary, and the one who slept with my brother Thomas in the-attic, entered my room and told me that my father had been shot. I cannot say how long it was after I beard the report that they etme to me, but it was shortly afterwards. I got up immediately and went into my father's room. I found bim lying on his back with his head on his pillow, arid his arms outside the clothes. He was in the same position that he usually slept in. He was severely wounded in the face. When I went into