npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1855-12-18 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

THE BIIRDON SLOW. POISONING CASE was brought to a close on Tuesday, at Durham, after four days' investigation, when the jury, after a deliberation of ten minutes, arrived at a verdict of "Not guilty" as against Joseph Snaith Wooler, who stood indicted for the wilful murder of his wife by administration of small doses of arsenic, which were undoubtedly the cause of death. The evidence at first turned with suspicion against the prisoner, but there appeared no motive for the crime, and anything like positive proof was wanting. The judge, Mr. Baron Martin, summed up for an acquittal in the most peremptory terms. The last words of his charge to the jury are—" It is for you to say whether you can safely come to the conclusion that the prisoner administered the arsenic. I may observe that if I were to make a surmise, there is a person upon whom my fancy would rest rather than the prisoner." After the verdict had been delivered, Mr. Baron Martin observed that he would have interfered at an earlier stage of the trial—that is, he would have stopped the case ; but he thought, upon the whole, it would be more satisfactory that it should be fully heard. The Times says the following ten names exhaust the list of persons about Mrs. Wooler during her last illness. Her husband; her brother; her sister, Miss Brecknell ; a maid-servant, Ann Taylor • the three medical men, Dr. Jackson, Mr. Henzell, his assistant,: and Dr. Haslewood ; a clergyman, the Rev. Robert Simpson ; and two ladies, Miss Middleton and Miss Lanchester. And of these it would be preposterous to presume that many of them had either the opportunity or the will to do her injury. On the other hand, Mr. Wooler had lived long and happily with his wife ; he had no motive for desiring her death ; he attended her during her illness with the most affectionate anxiety; he called in her friends, he summoned medical men, and then another phySician of yet higher name, to attend the case ; when the suggestion of poison was thrown out, it was he himself who urged an investigation. Another and a very remarkable point is this :—As early as the 7th of June, Dr. Jackson said that he suspected poison ; • but• he took no step such as any reasonable man should have adopted who was answerable for his patient's life. He even concealed his suspicions from Dr. Haslewood. "The conduct of the medical witnesses," said Mr. Baron Marin, "as detailed by themselves, was reprehensible." The indignation of the public will supply a harsher term. Thus, then, for the present the case must remain enveloped in yet deeper mystery from the very fact of Mr. Wooler's clear acquittal. The concluding words of the judge must not, however, be forgotten. Suspicion rests upon another person whom we do net think ourselves justified in naming at this stage of the proceedings ; but these words were not spoken to idle ears. This is, upon the whole, one of the most remarkable cases in our criminal records, both from the circumstances and manner of the murder and from the mystery which yet surrounds it.
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1856-01-29 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

IMPUDENT ROBBERX.—Three young men, named William Joving, Joseph Reynolds, and John Armstrong were charged at the Police-court, yesterday, with having, on Saturday night, robbed Mr. Meredith Roberts, a gentleman residing in Hope-place. From the evidence it appeared that the prisoners, who are well known to the police as dissolute characters, and who are a pest to -the neighbourhood, were lurking about the corner of Murray-street and Marble-street, when the prosecutor, who was slightly elated with liquor, went into a public-house in that place, kept by a man named Jones, and he was immediately followed by the prisoners. They called for three glasses of ale, which were supplied. The conductor of the public-house asked them for payment, when one of them said, the "old gentleman" would pay, meaning the prosecutor. On being asked, Mr. Roberts said he did not mind, and pulled out his purse to do so. Immediately on his taking out his purse, Joving seized him by the wrist, and twisted the purse out of his hand. The other prisoner, Armstrong, then called out, " sling out." In answer to this, Joving put his hand behind him and gave the purse to Armstrong. The conductor, likewise named Jones, seized the two, and called for assistance, when Smith, a police-constable, came and secured them, along with the purse, which was found to contain £4. The prisoner Reynolds did not interfere in the robbery. He was accordingly discharged. The other two were committed for trial. AUDACIOUS ATTEMPT AT ROBBERY AND MURDER: On Thursday morning, about ten o'clock, a most daring attempt at robbery and murder was made in the shop of Mr. Durandu, bullion dealer. At the time mentioned Mr. William Hughes, clerk with Mr. Durandu, left the shop in the charge of a lad named Stoddart, the errand boy, while he went for the cashbox, which had been deposited for safety, as was usual, in Mr. Hornby's, a few doors oft. Immediately on Hughes leaving, two young men, brothers, named William and Henry Eyre, entered the shop, knocked down the boy Stoddart; and placed him behind the counter, threatening to murder him if he spoke or stirred. They then placed themselves behind the door, in waiting for Hughes, whom they assailed with a poker and a lifepreserver, striking him over the head with such violence as to cut him severely, and to knock him down. He still struggled and called out " Murder," which brought hint assistance, and the ruffians were secured. So desperate was their assault upon Hughes, that both the poker and the life preserver were broken. He was taken to the Northern Hospital, where his wounds were dressed ; and he is now, we understand, recovering. The two robbers were taken before the Police-court, and remanded to Thursday. They are the sons of a man who, in August last, was sentenced to six years' penal servitude for appropriating a bank post bill for £5OO, which he found in the street, to his own use, by forging the name of the party to whom it was addressed.
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1856-02-05 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.  EARLY on Sunday, a mother and her three children were murdered by the husband and father. William Bousfield about 34 years old, resided at 4, Portland-street, Wardour street, Oxford-street, London, where he kept a small cigar and newspaper shop. He was a carpenter ; but, having a turn for the stage, he neglected everything in order to gratify his desires in that respect, and has recently attended the Princess's Theatre, where he was employed as a supernumerary at is. per night. He had been married several years, and his wife had borne him three children. Being an only daughter, she was much beloved by her father, Mr. Jones, a man of some property. He lived in the house where they resided, the shop and parlour of which he allowed them to occupy rent free. The wife was a very industrious woman, and paid great attention to the business, which, under her management, was progressing very favourably. Lately the murderer has been jealous of his wife ; but, it is said, without the slightest clause. Matters at one time became so unpleasant between them that Bousfield was offered by Mr. Jones a sum of money to enable him to go to America if he would leave his wife behind ; but he refused ; his jealousy appeared to increase ; and it is believed he then formed the determination to commit the horrible crime which he carried into effect. On Saturday last, about midnight, Mrs. Bousfield closed her shop, at which time the husband was at home, and, what is extraordinary, no noise was heard during the night, by the persons living in the house. About six o'clock, on Sunday morning, the murderer presented himself at the Bow-street police station, and informed the constable that he had murdered his wife and family. He was taken to the inspector on daty, to whom he repeated the intelligence. The inspector at once despatched some men to the place mentioned. Upon gaining admittance from the street, they proceeded to the back parlour, and finding the door locked, they broke it open, and entered the room. On one bed lay the eldest child, a girl, about eight years old; she was covered with blood, and it was found her throat was cut, the wound dividing all the arteries, and extending nearly across the neck. On the other bed were the bodies of the mother and the two other children—a girl, about four years old, and a boy, about eight months old. Mrs. Bonsfield's neck had a wound in it about four and a-half inches wide, and very deep, from which the blood was flowing fast. On her arms were five other wounds. The infant's throat was also cut. They had all been dead some time, the bodies being cold. It was soon ascertained that the instrument with which the dreadful deed had been committed was a carpenter's chisel, which was found covered with blood. The four bodies were removed in shells to St. James's workhouse, in Portland-street, and the murderer remains at Bowstreet station, for examination before the magistrates.
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1856-02-05 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.  EAILLY on Sunday, a mother and her three children were murdered by the husband and father. William Bousfield about 34 years old, resided at 4, Portland-street, Wardour street, Oxford-street, London, where he kept a small cigar and newspaper shop. He was a carpenter ; but, having a turn for the stage, he neglected everything in order to gratify his desires in that respect, and has recently attended the Princess's Theatre, where he was employed as a supernumerary at is. per night. He had been married several years, and his wife had borne him three children. Being an only daughter, she was much beloved by her father, Mr. Jones, a man of some property. He lived in the house where they resided, the shop and parlour of which he allowed them to occupy rent free. The wife was a very industrious woman, and paid great attention to the business, which, under her management, was progressing very favourably. Lately the murderer has been jealous of his wife ; but, it is said, without the slightest clause. Matters at one time became so unpleasant between them that Bousfield was offered by Mr. Jones a sum of money to enable him to go to America if he would leave his wife behind ; but he refused ; his jealousy appeared to increase ; and it is believed he then formed the determination to commit the horrible crime which he carried into effect.  On Saturday last, about midnight, Mrs. Bousfield closed her shop, at which time the husband was at home, and, what is extraordinary, no noise was heard during the night, by the persons living in the house. About six o'clock, on Sunday morning, the murderer presented himself at the Bow-street police station, and informed the constable that he had murdered his wife and family. He was taken to the inspector on duty, to whom he repeated the intelligence. The inspector at once despatched some men to the place mentioned. Upon gaining admittance from the street, they proceeded to the back parlour, and finding the door locked, they broke it open, and entered the room. On one bed lay the eldest child, a girl, about eight years old; she was covered with blood, and it was found her throat was cut, the wound dividing all the arteries, and extending nearly across the neck. On the other bed were the bodies of the mother and the two other children—a girl, about four years old, and a boy, about eight months old. Mrs. Bousfield's neck had a wound in it about four and a-half inches wide, and very deep, from which the blood was flowing fast. On her arms were five other wounds. The infant's throat was also cut. They had all been dead some time, the bodies being cold. It was soon ascertained that the instrument with which the dreadful deed had been committed was a carpenter's chisel, which was found covered with blood. • The four bodies were removed in shells to St. James's workhouse, in Portland-street, and the murderer remains at Bowstreet station, for examination before the magistrates.
The Sun. — 1835-06-26 (London, England)

HIGH COURT OF JUSTICIARY,  SCOTLAND.  MURDER AT PIERSHILL BARRACKS. Yesterday having been appointed for the trial of James Bell, late a private in the sth Dragoon Guards, for the murder of Troop Sergeant Major Moorhead, of the same corps, the Court was crowded at an early hour. From the great anxiety thus manifested on the part of the public to gain admittance, the Court ordered the gallery, which had been kept closed for a considerable time back, to be opened, upon which a tremendous rush took place, and it was immediately filled. Many of the officers of the regiment, and several of their ladies, took their places in Court so soon as admission could be obtained. The case of Bell having been called, and the indictment read, the prisoner, in a firm tone of voice, pleaded not guilty. Mr. MONCRIEFP, as Counsel for the prisoner, gave in defences, in which he denied generally the charge contained in the libel, and pleaded specially that he was insane at the time the offence was committed.  Witnesses being examined, The Jury, after retiring for about one minute, returned, unanimously finding the prisoner guilty, as libelled. The LORD JUSTICE CLERK then proceeded to pass sentence on the prisoner. The sentence of the Court was, that the prisoner be executed on Monday, the 13th of July next, between the hours of eight and ten, at the usual place of execution, and his body afterwards be buried within the precincts of the gaol. The Court was extremely crowded during the trial, which did not terminate until half-past seven in the evening. The prisoner, who is apparently about twenty-six or twenty-seven years of age, has rather a mild countenance than otherwise, and was quite unmoved throughout the trial and during the time he was receiving sentence. Immediately before the Jury had delivered their verdict, and when the result must be quite evident to all, including the prisoner, one of the officers of the Court presented some refreshment to the prisoner, which he declined, but at the same time politely, and with the greatest coolness, offered the same to the police officers who were sitting beside him.  THE STUDENT, BY THE AUTHOR OF " ENGLAND AND THE ENGLISH," " EUGENE ARAM," Sze.—" Mr. Bulwer," observes a contemporary, " has already attained a high rank in our literature, and he will be raised still higher by the present work. A more pleasant book than " The Student "—a book more abounding in strong and vigorous thinking beautifully expressed—it has not of late been our lot to meet with. Mr. Bulwer has assumed in it a new character. We knew him before as an exquisite writer of fiction, and a sound political thinker. We now know him as a delightful teacher of philosophy. He calls the Essays, Tales, and Criticisms which are contained in " The Student," " poetical philosophy," " the metaphysics of the heart and passions." Mr. Bulwer's work is, indeed, eminently beautiful. It abounds with novel and striking remarks, and consists of profound criticism on the greatest authors, and moral instruction conveyed in allegories and tales of the most terse and delightful kind. •
The Sun. — 1835-08-20 (London, England)

THE FUNDS.-(THIS DAY.)  CITY, TWELVE O'cLoCfc Cape of Good Hope papers to the 21st of June and Sydnet pers to the '24th of April, have been received at the North South American Coffee-house.  (From the Cape papers.) the The last post brings no official news from head quartereldia Governor was still at King William's Town, and the surron%ief, country was still infested by the enemy. Several of our new 'l' the Timgues had been killed. The Graham Town journal contains a letter with further Psi. culars of the death of Hintza. (Latest news from the Frontier.) " Colonial Office, June os „ His Excellency the Governor returned to Graham's Teell.'l3,e, the 12th inst., having left all quiet in the new pr°lltioe where matters were proceeding to his entire satisfecvrees The rapid and important operations of the troops bet 00 the 29th May and 7th June, along the outside of theor border line, from the sea upwards to the Buffalo inclusive, bane reti gether convinced those of the hostile tribes who had still 1,°P461; there, that their stay in that country will no longer be permit and they are now moving off beyond the Kei. ob° " The extirpation of the small marauding parties of Caffrfs'assl continue to infest the interior of the old border, will be the " object of his Excellency's attention. " JOHN BEL,.,:erO, Since the death of Hintza and the extermination of the L'lstro numerous parties of Caffres are within the old boundary, one le committed some additional murders, and carried off a consicir:oo, number of cattle, reaching within a few miles of Graham's hot an evident token that we shall be obliged to expel the enemy' ce of our own territory before we can drive them out of the prolix' Adelaide. the The Sydney papers state that a Bill had been laid before_.o Council of Van Diemen's Land, the object of which was to Ino' the circulation of dollars and rupees. A petition has bee!jer,', posed against this measure to the following effect :—The,";" signed view with alarm any interference of the Legislative %Ate with the currency of the province. The history of every Stacie' Europe, shows that any Government interference with the rency of the land, had always produced evil. At present tboe no want of specie to transact the business of this colonYt 000 Bills of Exchange of the first description on banking-ho s, in London, during the last twelve months, have been sold iitlY average of 24 per cent. discount. While Government le' holds giving Treasury Bills for the currency of the colony, "as Di gislating one law for itself and another for the people. It °Lot° stating that these operations will lead the English mereinfir .cr.d their goods to New South Wales, in preference to Iraji men's land, where no different currencies exist. 0' A very great rise has taken place in the price of flour, 04_000'0 sequently of bread ; this is the more serious, because die crops generally have proved a failure. eOl The schooner Allen from Swan River 2d ult., has art .' Hobart Town. Flour was selling at Swan River 6d. 11f ib, bread the 41b. loaf, 2s. 2d. ; Mutton, Is. 6d. per lb.; fc°l each ; sugar, 7d. per lb. ; and potatoes, 6d. per lb.
The Sun. — 1835-08-21 (London, England)

NAPLES, AUG. 6.—" All our friends have departed, and are scattered in the neighbouring villas on the hills, and we are nearly alone here. At Castellamare there are Lady Barbara Ponsonby, Lady Rendlesham, Lord and Lady Wallscourt, &c. We had the other day an excavation at Pompeii, where two things were found in the highest state of preservation, and which are the first specimens of the kind found there, namely a full-sized bath, exactly tit shape of those-now in common use, and a vase of round form, both made of copper. In the same chamber where these were discovered were two human skeletons and four posts of a bed in wood inlaid, and ornamented with ivory; a beautiful mosaic pavement was also discovered at the same time. These interesting relics attract much notice, and the excavation is proceeding with great caution to prevent mischief. St: Carlo is our evening lounge after the drive on the chiaja ; but in the opera we are not by any means so well off as we are in the ballet, " Amore and Pysche," which is truly magnificent— probably the finest ever produced. Several of our English friends, now in London, are expected to return and spend the winter here."  Extract of a letter from Calcutta, dated April 2:—" We have just received accounts from Delhi, of the murder of Mr. W. Fraser, the commissioner on the part of Government in that part of the country. He had been out to pay a visit, and was returning homewards on horseback, with one mounted attendant behind him. A native, also mounted, joined the attendant, and talked to him for a little while, then rode forward, and on coming up on the left side of Mr. Fraser levelled a blunderbuss and fired, when that gentleman fell instantly dead from his horse. The horse of the attendant reared at the fire and report, and threw his rider, so that the the murderer escaped. On examining the body, it was found to have been struck by several slugs, and one had passed directly through the heart. Mr. Fraser was a man of daring courage, and, though a civilian, was all his life fond of partaking in military adventure. He had the official, or brevet rank of Major in the Regiment of First Local Horse, under command of the celebrated Colonel Skinner. At the late scige of Bhurtpore, Mr. (or Major) Fraser was in command of a part of the corps, which was on the look out to intercept any of the garrison which might attempt to escape : while so employed, he fell in with a strong force of the enemy, which had been detached from the fort to cut through a bank or dam, for the purpose of flooding the ditch surrounding the fortress. He came up with them just as they were about to succeed in their object, which lie fortunately prevented, and completely defeated them, killing several and making many prisoners. The siege must have been much protracted and rendered more difficult, if water had gained access to the ditch."