npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Widnes Examiner. — 1909-09-04 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

MESSAGE FROM THE SEA.  _ "This morning some fishermen off the coast picked up a bottle, which they found floating on the water, and brought it ashore. When opened, it was found to contain a piece of Inner, on which a mesa was written in  pencil. The following words only were decipherable, the salt water having obliterated the rest:  "On board th " The boat is sinking, and there is in sigbt. In a few moments the end upon us all, and being about to die I declare that I murdered my husband at Ore years ago, and I ask forgive • . . .  or the -shadow of shame -that  all these years. Signed 0 Witness  "The bottle and its contents have been handed to the police, but it seems unlikely that any clue can be obtaineit' as to the meaning of this message from the sea." The paper fell from her hands, and she sat rigid and still, with the world grown black before her eyes. The thing she had expected had come at last. The warning to go—the message she had waited for was there lying at her feet in bold biack print. It had' come at the right time too, when Geoffrey was away, and she would have a chance of escape._ _ _ . _ _  She buried her face in her hands.- It was hard to go. Surely she had suffered enough for that one mad, passionate moment in Greatbridge Hall six years ago? Surely death could not be harder than the punishment she had suffered since? And what was it Dr. Dacre had said about a defence? Suppose— suppose there was hope for her after all? Suddenly she snatched up the paper again, 4.nd flint she drew a quick, harsh breath. She stared at the black lettering as though it waFt. a message of joy she saw, and then she threw it down again.  She need not go yet—not yet. She could see Geoffrey once again if she liked. He would* kiss her once more—hold her in his dear arms just once again before she went, foe, after all, the sea had cheated' justice—cheated the police. It had washed her confession 'clean—erased the names, wiped out the dates, destroyed all clues. How ,could they tell from that dilapidated bit of paper who it was who had confessed? The sea had done her a "good t i, after all. It had given, her another chance. She- sat still for a long time with the words of the message rpnning like a tune through her brain. She seemed to see them as she had seen them then when Dr. nacre wrote diem. HoNd lucky for her he had written in pencil! It had' been so easy for the sea te wipe that, out—the kind sea that had given her one more chance of life. She filled up the spaces in her mind where the sea had washed them out; and once moi.e full upon her came the meaning of that terrible afternoon when she had looked into Dr. Dacre s face and made her confession : ",On board the Stella.  "The boat is sinking, and there is no sail in sight. In a few moments the end will come upon us all, and, beinf, about to die, I, Olga Murray, declare 'fiat I murdered Stephen Henderson, my husband, at Greatbridge Hall, six years ago, and I ask forgiveness of Richard Sterry for the shadow of shame that has lain upon him all these years. "Signed
Widnes Examiner. — 1909-10-02 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

CHAPTER XXIV. Olga turned with a start. &lily sprang to Dick's side. " Dick, what is this—what is this?" hp said, hoarsely. "For heaven's sake tell zr,e it is true—tell me you know what you are saying." "I do," said Dick. "Geoffrey. she is not guilty. She has thought she was, but a scoundrel has been shielding himself behind her all this time, a scoundrel who was never even suspected. But we have got him now. his wife has confessed. It turns out that he married her bigamously, for her 'money. He has used her shamefully, and she has just undergone a term of imprisonment for a fraud he committed. - And now, finding that she is not his legal wife, she, is ready to confess. There is the murderer of Stephen Henderson !" _ _  Geoffrey nid.  Sam Perry was on his feet, and, as Dick pointed to him, he made a rush for the door. "It is a lie!" he ' shouted, and then was brought up with a start. Outside a row of policemen faced him. He turned blindly, at bay. The window vvas open. Ile made a rush and ran full tilt into Dick's arms. There was a struggle, and then he was handcuffed and placed securely between two policemen. Meanwhile the doctor was examining Olga, his fingers on her pulse and a frown on his brows.  "How long ace, is it that she swallowed the poison?" he asked Ethel. Ethel shook her head. "Not many minutes—oh, perhaps twenty minutes," she said.  "Are you sure it was p0130n?" he asked. Ethel lifted her head, and Olga gave him a startled glance. "Yes, I am sure," Olga replied. I know."  "I saw—  She stopped sharply. Tier eyes. had gone across the room to Julia, who still sat rigid and upright before the coffee-table. She had not moved since Olga began her story. She had sat quite still as they all had done, Listening, breathless. No one had thought to look at her. Now Olga suddenly started upright and pointed. , Julia was sitting a little in the dark. Thc room was but dimly lighted, and a shaded Lamp behind her threw her face into the shadow. Even now it could not be clearly seen; but something strange about it startled them all.  The doctor walked across the room, ane theu suddenly, sharply, Edward, who, overcome by the horror of their failure to givf Geoffrey the poison, had stood as rigid as she, threw himself suddenly at her feet. " Julia! Julia!" he cried.  She gave no reply, gave no movement. Tier head was leaning a little back agsinst her chair, her arm still resting on the tray, the other hung downwards at her side. A small slip of crumpled paper had fallen from her fingers to the floor. A detective stepped forward and picked it up. He unfolded it carefully. A few grains of white powder remained in the folds, and there was a queer grim look on his face as he folded it again. Edward caught at Julia's shoulder. "Julia! Julia! What has happened?" he cried.  The doctor thrust him away, and, bending, looked sharply at the grey-white face. The eyes, wide open• and glassy, stared back at him. The hand fell leadenly as he loosed it, and suddenly he began tearing the dress from her neck.
Widnes Examiner. — 1909-12-18 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

OUR SERIAL STORY.  [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.]  learnt to hate his- father liatellinCior hio likeness to that father. I've been tempteci more than once, during all these years, to cut myself adrift from him, and to leave him to his own devices. But that would not have suited me; that would not Lave fitted in with my scheme. It isn't for love of him that I keep Rufus hiddtrii." "Very well, then," nd urged more eagerly yet; "then why not give him up to justice r why not tell the tat& about the matter, and let this other man go free? His home is in ruins; he has suffered all the degradation that a man may suffer; at least give him back his life. This other man, Rufus Cridge, deserves to die for his sordid crime. Don't send an innocent man to the gallows." "The innocent man, as • you call him, is John Baxendale—and lie shall hang," she re plied. "There's no sentiment about the matter; but I suppose I shouldn't be the woman I am if I did not come here to-night to shew you what my power is, and what I can do. For the first time in all these years, during which I have waited and watched, and starved, and lived Miserably—for the first time I bold in my hands the balance between life and' death. That's a great thought; that's what I've worked for. A word from me can send Rufus Cridge_ into the place now held by John Ritxendale ; but that word shall never be spoken by me." He saw that she meant all she said; he saw also that argument was useless. He paced the room for a moment or two, and then came back to her. _  "Very well, then, there's no further need to talk; he said. "I will wish you good evening.' She laughed and shook her head at him. "Oh, wise man of law, and when I go out of this place you will have me followed, and so discover for yourself what I will not tell you, eh?"  He started a little at that strange reading of his thought •, made a deprecatory movement with his hand. "I had not thought of it, but still—" "Oh yes you had," she broke in. "And you thought, I suppose, that I should be fooi enough to lead anyone that followed me straight to him. I'm not so simple; Rufus Cridge is miles away. You may do what you will; you may have me arrested—but still I should not speak. I suppose you understand, by the way, fully what happens to the house of Baxendale? " she added.  "I don't understand you." He stared at her in some perplexity. "By the death of John Baxendale the house of Baxendale ends. It is already in —tins; but with his death its a convicted inur..erer his estates go to the Crown. I only tell you this—or remind you of it—inf older that you may see how completely I have done my work. John Baxendale dies a shameful death, and will be buried within the confines of a prison •, his home is in ashes; his estate will be confiscated. Could anything be more_ complete?" "Will nothing • move you?" asked the old man.  "Nothing," she replied calmly. " Suppoee I called from that window to that constable I see passing now, and told him to come up here; suppoce I gave you ifito his charge—telling him that you know where the real murderer of Bella Ogden was to be found ? " _ _
Widnes Examiner. — 1891-08-22 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

EXECUTION OF CONWAY.  CONFESSION OF TIIE CRIME.  John Conway, otherwise Owen Gitlin, aged sixty-two, marine fireman, and latterly paid secretary of the Seamen's and Firemen's Union in Liverpool,was executed at Kirkdale Gaol. on Thursday morning, for the murder of , Nicholas Martin,aged 10, living in Bridgewater-st.,Toxteth,on Saturday, 16th May. Berry was the executioner. A small crowd of people assembled near the gaol between seven and eight o'clock, and waited the hoisting of the black flag at the latter hour, which indicated that Conway had paid the penalty for his crime. The murder was freely talked about, and it was generally admitted that Conway had deservedly suffered at the hands of the law.  As Berry was putting the white cap on Conway, the criminal, who was staring wildly about said :—" Hold on, hold on, I want to say something." Berry: • You can't say anything now." Conway: "I must. I want to say something.' Father Bonte stepped forward and stopped Berry, whe said—" Then say what you have to say quick." Conway then expressed his thanks to the officials for their kindness to him, and said he forgave his persecutors. After the drop fell Father Bonte read the statement made by Conway on Wednesday morning. In this Conway said he accepted his sentence as a just one, and offered his life in satisfaction to all whom he had offended. He protested that his motive was not outrage, and said that the cause of his ruin was drink, not lust. He was impelledby a morbid curiositytn observe the process of dying. During the whole time Father Bonte was speaking, says the representative of the Press Association, the bond from Conway's body was heard streaming on to the floor, and it was then said that the body was hanging merely by the muscles of the neck. As the Press representatives stepped forward to observe what had happened, Berry shouted to the warders to take them out, and they were immediately hurried away. Berry afterwards told the reporters, whom he followed into the warders apartments, that the officials would have given Conway another eight inches drop, but for him. If he had had his way he would not have given him above four feet six inches ; but they had given him a six feeb drop, on the advice of Dr. Barr, who at first wanted SiK feet six inches, which would have entirely decapitated the criminal.  At the inquest held at 9.30, a juryman asked why Berry was not present. _ _  The Coroner replied that the Governor had said everything had gone off as usual,so that there was no necessity for Berry to be present.  Dr. Barr said the execution was carried out in the usual way, there being no hitch as far as the execution was concerned.  The jury found a formal verdict that judgment of death had been carried into effect.  The reporters expressed a desire to see the body with the jury but were informed that the Governor would not permit it.
Widnes Examiner. — 1891-04-04 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

MURDER OF A SWEETHEART AT OLDHAM.  The neighbourhood of Townfield, Oldham, was thrown into a state of great excitement about midnight on Sunday, by the rumour that a horrible crime had been committed. The report turned out to be only too true. A girl named Moran had had her throat cut, as is alleged, by her sweetheart, a young man named Alfred William Turner. It seems that about nine o'clock on Sunday night Turner went to the Townfield Police Station in a state of excitement. He complained that himself and his sweetheart had been attacked by two tramps near the Woodstock Spinning Company's Mill at Higginshaw, and that thegirl's throat had been cut by the men. He added that she was now lying where she had been maltreated, and requested that a policeman might be sent along with him to assist in her removal. It was seen, however, by Inspector Warburton, who was in charge, that Turner's clothes were bespattered with blood, and suspicion was eacited in his mind by this fact. He sent Police-constable Conway along with the man and they proceeded to a Piece of waste ground near the Woodstock Mill. When they arrived the officer found the young woman lying full length on the ground in a pool of blood, and blood was yet issuing from a long and wide gash in her throat. Conway, it is stated, stooped down to her, and asked her who had caused the Wound in her throat. She was very weak from loss of blood, but she inclined her head towards the spot 'where Turner, her lover, was standing. Conway removed the injured woman to her home in Back Hope-st., and a doctor was sent for. Dr. Thomson arrived, and ordered her removal to the Infirmary. Conway then arrested Turner and took him to the Townfield Police Station, Where he was lodged in the cells after having been charged With the attempted murder of Moran. The poor girl was taken to the Infirmary, and it was found that she was in a very dangerous condition. Her conditienwas so serious at an early hour on Monday morning that at eight o'clock it was deemed advisable that her depositions Should be taken, and Dr. Platt, as the nearest magistrate, veas sent for to the Infirmary. The prisoner, in the custody of Police Constables Burgess and Boardman, was brought to the bedside of his victim, and heard the statement made by her. Her examination was a very painful task. She spoke with the greatest difficulty, as • may be imagined when it is stated that the wound .in her throat was at least half an inch wide. The prisoner was apparently quite unconcerned at his position. The prisoner was charged later in the day before the magistrates, and the Chief Constable stated that the girl in her depositions, swore that he took her into a field and there accused her of keeping company with another yoßth. This the denied, and he thereupon seized her by the throat, drew a knifie from his pocket, and cut her throat. He was remanded for a week. Turner is 21 and Moran 18 years of age. Moran died on Monday night.
Widnes Examiner. — 1891-05-09 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

CHARGE OV BRUTAL WIFE ASSAULT. At the Borough Police Court, yesterday, William Richardson, aged 28, paper hanger, residing in Naylorst., was charged under a warrant with assaulting and beating his wife Alice Richardson, aged 23, on the 11th of April. Mr. P. Davies appeared for the complainant and Mr. A. Browne for the defendant. Mr. Davies said there was a Royal Humane Society for the protection of animals, but he thought their worships if he proved his c.aee.would agree with him that there ought to be another society for the prosecutien of brute animals,and he should call the defendant one of these. Prosecutrix was a most respectable woman having been a servant both at Canon Dodd's at Stretton, and at the vicarage at Latchford. She fled to her father's, Mr. Ashurst's, at Hill Cliff, on the 12th inst., and he was so upset by her account of the manner in which she had been abused that he took to his bed, and died on the following Tuesday. The defendant, it could be shown, had attempted to murder her with a knife.—The complainant said on the night of the 11th ult, her husband came in about 10 o'clock, drunk. She was nursing the baby at nearly 12 o'clock, and without cause, thumped her on the ear,and knocked her to the floor, and said "Lie there and die,and if a drop of water would save you, I would not get it for you." Herears bled in consequence of the blows. He went to bed some hours later, and she stayed downstairs, having no sleep. He came down at half-past six in the morning, and thumped her on thearm and kicked her on the leg. She walked that morning to Mr. Ashbronk's her father's, at Hill Cliffe, through the rain, her ear bleeding all the way. She wheeled the child in the bassinette before her. Dr. Argo attended her that night. —By Mr. Browne : The whole trouble between them bad not been through her mother. He had quarrelled with the mother. She had sent a message to him making advances, although she had since applied' for a warrant. —Elizabeth Leicester, residing next door to Mr. Asbrook's, said she had known the complainant to come there twice for her husband. On the night of the 12th her ears were inflamed and witness saw a black bruise on her leg.—Dr. Argo deposed to finding the complainant suffering from bronchitis and pleurisy. It was a risky thing for her to walk to her father's in her condition which he thought she had endured more than three days. Her corning home through the wet would account for her condition. Mr. Browne maintained that the whole object of the proceedings was because Mrs. Ashbrook being lonely she wanted her daughter to live with her and have an allowance made her.—The defendant in reply to the Bench said he was willing to have her back. She was all right when the mother did not come. —The complainant, said she dare not live with him.— The defendant was bound over to keep the peace for six months, in two sureties of £lO and his own recognizances of £lO, and ordered to pay the costs, 195., or to be imprisoned for a month.
Widnes Examiner. — 1888-12-15 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

RELIEF OF COUGH AND ASTHMA IN TEN MINUTES BY DR LOCOCK'S PULMONIC WAFF.RS.—Frorn Mr. Fox, Omnibus Office. Liverpool—" After years of severe suffering, and fearing many and many a flight I should have died from suffocation, gc.. I was induced to try Dr. Looock's Wafers. Ten minutes after I had taken two Wafers I felt relief." In Asthma, Consumption, bronchitis, coughs, colds, rheumatism, and all hysterical and nervous complaints, they give Instant reliefs rapid curs, and taste pleasantly. Sold by all druggists a is. lid. and 2s. 9d. per bex.—Advt. .1  THH PARMILL Imaimir.—At Tuesday's sitting of tlie Parnell Commission the evidence was confined almost exclusively to County Mayo. District Inspector Fitzsimoti gave formal evidence of finding notices at Crossmolina calling on the people to avoid a former witness named Hogan;' and District Inspector IVPArdle, stationed at Swinford, produced notices warning people not to pay rent on pain of social ostracism, the notices being signed by Patrick Egan. Witnesses were next called regardhig a series of outrages. David Freely detailed the circumstances under which his son was murdered, but declined to say that the Land League had anything to do with the murder. Among the other witnesses was John Dillon, of Ballyhaunis, who said his father was shot dead after attending some evictions in 1881, and that he found a letter on his father, threatening him with death because of his action as agent. He did not hear the doctor say at the inquest that ' the wound was caused by a military or constabulary bullet. On Wednesday the cross-examination of Miss Lucy Thompson, landowner and agent, Castleisland, was continued. She said she thought the Land Court was unfair in many instances. The tenants were able to take care of themselves, and in several cases were paying too little rent. Mr. Edward Moore Richards, of Enmscorthy, a landlord, said he was on good terms with his tenants before the establishment ef the local branch of the Land League, when tenants who paid their rents had to do so secretly. Captain Boycott, late agent on Lord Erne's estate, was net examined, and narrated the circumstances which eventually compelled him and his family to leave Ireland altogether. This witness was not crossexamined, and several witresses substantiated the captain's evidence. District-Inspector Gamble afterwards gave evidence as to boycotting and outrages at Tralee, and the Court adjourned On Thursday, Mr. S. Smith, an of the agent for the-Marquis of Sligo said he and his father were shot at near Clogherin 1879 by men with blackened faces. Witness returned the fire and shot one man dead. A herdsman in the employ of Mr. Smith said he was visited at night for buying turf of a boycotted farmer, and theshock to his wife was se great that she went mad and died in an asylum. Ames Buckley stated that he lived at Causeway, near Tralee, and in November, 1880, was sworn in as a member of a secret society called"the Fenian Brethren. He was crossexamined with a view to proving that his testimony was untrustworthy.  A