npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Blackpool Herald. — 1886-11-05 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

OFFICIAL REPORT.  On Wednesday morning Superintendent Stafford personally conveyed the offioial report of the double murder at Lytham to the Coroner, who at once fixed the inquest for 3-30 on Wednesday afternoon, at Lytham Police Station. The report, dated Nov. 2nd, which has reference to the death of Sarah Mellor, of 27, Cecil - street, Lytharn, married woman, aged 58 years, andoßetty Kent, of the same address, single woman, was as follows: At 4-30 p.m. to-day, James Mellor, of 27, Cecil. street, met P.C. James Murray in Westby.street, in Lytham, and told him that he wanted him to go to his (Mellor's) house. He asked him why. He at first refused tic' say, but afterwards said, " There is two women there who have hurt themselves." The constable went with Mellor to his house, and in , the kitchen found Mrs. Mellor lying on the sofa on her back quite dead, with her head battered in. On going into the yard behind the house, he found Betty Kent, sister to Mrs. Mellor, lying on the ground dead, with her head battered in, and a large pool of blood close to her head. He asked Mellor if he could explain the cause of their death, but he refused to say anything. He then took Mellor ; towards the police-station, and met Sergeant Harrison, to whom he gave the particulars. , Harrison at once took prisoner to the station, and I asked him who the women were, and if he could give any information as to their death. He replied, "One of them should be nay wife : the other is her sister. I hope you will forgive me for what I have done." Harrison afterwards examined the premises and the bodies. He found they were quite warm. Mrs. Mellor was lying on her back, as described above, and appeared to have been attacked while asleep, as she had not struggled, and her head was beaten to pulp, and a hole cut through her left cheek. The injuries appeared to have been done with a hammer. The body of Betty Kent he found lying in the garden on her left side, with the right side of her head battered in. She was quite warm, and appeared to have had a severe straggle with some one. Near the body he found a pair of spectacles which she wore, and a little farther off under an open shed he discovered a large hammer with blood on the head. The shape of the hammer corresponded with the marks on both bodies. He af;er wards asked Mellor if the hammer belonged to him, and he replied, "Yes." The bodies were afterwards seen by Dr. Fisher, of Lytham. He examined them carefully, and says that the wounds on the head were the cause of death, and he thought they were caused by a hammer. Betty Kent is sister to Mrs. Mellor. She lived with the Mellors, and kept a lodging-house. Mr. Thomas Whittaker and his wife were staying at the house, but they went out about 2 p.m., and did not return until 5 p.m. They say that Mellor was paving the garden footpath when they went out. He appeared all right. Miss Kent was washing at the time. She appears to have been engaged potting the clothes on the line when attacked.
The Blackpool Herald. — 1886-09-03 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

FLEETWOOD FETE. TO THIS EDITOR..  Silt, --Id reading your last week's issue, I was somewhat gejeved (though not surprised) to find that it was the intention of the Committee to apply for an extension of time to the licensed houses during the fete. Now, sir, lam quite ignorant as to the necessii yof such an application. I under- , stand the anticipated demonstration is to bring I this town more prominently forward as a health resort, so that it may receive more patronage than it has during the past. Every person who has but , a limited knowledge of the place knows very well that we do not need to apply for an extension of I licensed houses to bring our town "forward" to entice people to drink, for already our name is made, and holds a conspicuous place amongst small towns as being difficult to be beaten for inebriates. If this wants confirmation b any of your readers. I refer them to our worthy magistrates' speeches on more thau one occasion. If the Committee will visit the vicinity of some of these houses for one or two evenings, they will be convinced that an extension of time is quite unreasonable. Again, I presume the Sunday school scholars will march in the pr cession. Now, how can the two be harmeniseg ? The one which finds this curse its greatest obstacle, striving to lift up higher the moral life of mankind, and the other which degrades and lowers. Conscientiously Christiau men must have same reluctance in consenting to mix themselves in any way with a demonstration which desires an extension to licensed houses. That we want the fete to be a success and creditable to the town is our great desire, and to assist in accomplishing this end we should endeavour te lessen those evils which have a contrary effect to this object. Trusting that space will permit you to insert this letter,—[ am, sir, yours &c., W. M.  The excuraion steamer Bournemouth which went on the rocks near Higher Portland lighthouse on Friday night is now almost a complete wreck, and will probably part asunder with the next tide. She i, completely smashed forward. To CYOLlSTS.—Strength and staying power, with admirable nutritive, flesh-forming qualities, are retained in a concentrated form in Cadbury's Cocoa, providing an exhilarating hive -age—comforting: and sustaining, tor long or short trips.—Beware of imitations. William Eastwood, an old man, was committed for trial at Burnley, on Saturday, on a charge of 1 attempting to murder his wife. The prisoner, who I had been living apart from the woman, went to her house, and, without any provocation, shot her in the face. Jealousy is alleged as the motive for the crime. TOWLE'S PENNYROYAL AND STEEL PILLS FOR FFMALES quickly correct all irregularities and relieve the distressing symptoms so prevalent with the sex. Boxes is. Id. and Is. fld., of all Chemists. Sent anywhere for 13 or 34 Stamps, by The Lincoln and Midland Counties Drug Co., Lincoln.—Bzwanx OF
The Blackpool Herald. — 1886-06-04 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

THE KIRKHAM MURDERER. -VISIT OF HIS SlSTER—During the past few days there has been a perceptible improvement in the condition of the man Bligh, and it is expected that in the course of a fortnight he will be strong enough to undergo the ordeal of a magisterial examination for the atrocious murder of his three children. Although now declared to be quite rational, the culprit has kept a di.creet silence, and abstains from entering into conversation with the constables who are in constant attendance upon him. Never since the eventful night has he referred to the murder of his children. Dr. Shaw, junr., pays frequent visits to the house, and on Saturday morning he was considered sufficiently strong to have the wound in his throat stitched. , Last week he was visited by his sister, Mrs. Mellor, I of Ashton-under-Lyne, whom he at once recognised. She saw him several times during the day, and on one , occasion Bligh asked her where his housekeeper was. ' She replied, "She has gone to Blackpool," and he then inquired if she had taken the children with her. Mrs. Mellor replied in the negative, and shortly afterwards Bligh commenced to weep bitterly. He insisted on his sister remaining with him, but she informed him she was unable to do so, as she was required at home to discharge her own domestic duties. However, she consented to return when he should require her assistance and solace. Mrs. Mellor returned home the same evening. The event in the town of Kirkham and immediate district continues to I be the one topic of conversation, and a fund has now I been opeted for defraying the cost of placing a stone over the grave of the children. A hearty response has been made by the inhabitants, and sufficient 1, money has now been raised to carry out this project.— Mater account says: Bligh is now making rapid progress towards recovery, and so satisfactory is his condition that he was permitted to leave his bed on Wednesday. In the absence of the Rev. H. W. Mason, M. A., who is away from home, the culprit is frequently visited by the Rev. G. Fowles, vicar of Weeton. The unfortunate constable now apparently realises his position, but still he abstains referring to the eventful night, and there can be no truth in the rumours that have been circulated through the town that Bligh had divulged anything which would be likely to be brought against him when he is strong enough to appear before a bench of magistrates. In the course of a week or ten days Bligh will be removed to Preston gaol to await his trial. A hearty response has been made by the inhabitants of the town to the appeal for funds to erect a stone over the grave of the innocent victims of the tragedy, upwards of 211 having been received. Since the day the children were laid in the grave there has been almost a constant Stream of visitors to the town anxious to see the spot where their remains are interred.
The Blackpool Herald. — 1892-09-02 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

PHOTOGRAPHER'S TROUBLES.  At the Blackpool Police Court, on Monday, before Messrs. E. Birley and H. Fisher, a young man named John Stuart, a photographer's assistant, was charged on warrant with assaulting Jos. Myers.—Complainant stated that he lived in Beach-street, Blackpool, and had a photographer's saloon at Raikes Hall. On Tuesday, the 16th August, he left Blackpool for the Isle of Man, and returned on Thursday, the 26th. He went home and discovered that his five children were alone. He next visited his studio in Raikes Hall, and found the prisoner, who was left in charge, and his (complainant's) wife sitting down together. Prisoner asked for some explanation of the telegram he had received giving him his discharge, in reply to which witness said it was because the place did not pay. They had some words on the subject, but ultimately had drinks together. They then returned to the studio, and here the complainant asked his wife to accompany him back to the Isle of Man, stating that he would bay her a new dress, hat, boots, &T. This she absolutely refused to do, and made use of a very improper remark. Witness then struck her twice, whereupon Stuart took her part and retaliated upon him, remarking at the same time that the woman was as much his wife as complainant's. After a struggle, in which complainant received a bad cut over the right eye, and which was afterwards sewn up by Dr. Billing, Stuart and the woman left together and went to Queenstown. Witness said that during his absence Stuart and his wife had lived together as married people.—Stuart told the magistrate a long and plausible tale of how he had acted the part of the Good Samaritan towards the complainant's wife during the absence of her husband, who had entirely neglected her. He said that Myers left his wife with ss. to keep herself and the five children while he was in the Isle of Man. Myres told him not to tall his wife where he had gone, nor to give her any of the motley taken at the studio, bat to keep it towards the payment of wages at the week-end. The woman and children were starving, and he gave her the takings at the studio, and at her solicitation told her Myres' address. After she had wired to him, a wire came in return, telling her to dismiss Stuart at once. He had given the woman the money to keep her children from starvation, and the only return he had received for a fortnight's wages was is., which he had taken for tobacco money. He interfered at the studio because Myres was then drunk and would have murdered his wife had not some one stopped his bridal behaviour. It was untrue he had been  on terms of intimacy with Mrs. Myres, and he could prove that he had slept on the sofa. —The magistrates did not think the evidence with respect to the assault sufficiently strong and dismissed the case, remarking that their decision would not affect any proceedings the complainant might deem fit to take in a higher court. Stuart subsequently left the court accompanied by Mts. Myers.
The Blackpool Herald. — 1884-11-07 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

SHOCKING OUTRACE ON A WIFE. TEN YEARS' PENAL SERVITUDE.  At the Manchester Assizes, on Saturday, before Mr. Justice Smith, M unshee heikh Gheesa, a Hindu, aged 32, a conjuror, whose erformances:at Hall Gardens, Blackpool, will be remembered by many of our readers, was indicted for having, at Torrisholme, feloniously wounded Alice Ann Gheesa, his wife, with intent to kill and murder her.—Mr. Cooper, prosecuted, and the prisoner was defended by Mr. Shee. The prosecutrix, whose face was disfigured in a shocking manner, gave evidence in support of the statement of counsel.—ln reply to Mr. Shee, said that they had had "some words" at breakfast time on the day the prisoner attacked her, and that in replying to a foul expression he had applied to her she had called him "a black nigger." She emphatically denied that she had given him any cause to be jealous of her. Mr. E. Allen, surgeon, Morecambe, gave evidence as to the nature of the injuries inflicted upon the prosecutrix. He said that in addition to a wound across the left cheek there was a deep cut on the forehead, and several cuts on the nose and other parts of the face. The cartilage of the right ear was cut through, and both hands were cut between the thumb and forefinger, and about the other fingers. She remained under his care for sixteen days, and was then removed to the Lancaster Itsfirmary. For the defence Mr. Shee argued that though the prisoner had undoubtedly inflicted the injuries, yet that he had no intention of murdering his wife, because, had he so intended, having her in his power and being armed with such a weapon he t could undoubtedly have done so. He contended that the prisoner had received considerable provocation, and asked the jury to say that he was guilty of unlawfully wounding only. After a brief consideration the jury returned a verdict that the prisoner was gbilty of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The Judge, in passing sentence, said he entirely agreed with the verdict of the jury. The learned counsel who had defended him had handed up to the Court letters from gentlemen, one of whom be knew personally, and others whose names bore witness to their responsibility and respectahility, in which it was stated that though. at times the prisoner had lived unhappily with his wife, it had not always been his fault, and that at other times he was an affectionate husband. He (the Judge) had no doubt that at the time the offence was committed the prisoner was in a frenzy of rage and that he was infuriated by the words of his wife. But in this country the use of a knife or a razor could not be tolerated. If the jury had found the prisoner guilty of an attempt to murder he should have passed upon him a sentence of penal servitude for life; as it was he would be sent into penal servitude for ten years.
The Blackpool Herald. — 1884-09-05 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

THE ATTEMPTED MURDER NEAR LANCASTER.  On Saturday, at Lancaster Castle, Munshee Sheikh Gheesa, a well known professional conjuror and snake charmer, who appeared at Raikes Hall Gardena, Blackpool, a short time ago, was charged with attempting is minder, Alice Ann Gheesa, at Torrisholme, near L incaster, on the 12th of July. The case hal been adjourned from time to time, owing to Mrs. Gheesa being too ill to appear. She still seemed very weak, and her face was shockingly disfigured. The evidence showed that the couple had been married about four years, ,and that at the end of July they came from London with their children on a visit to the wife's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ribchester, at Torrisholme, and prisoner completed a week's professional engagement at Morecambe Winter Gardens on the 12th of TAO,. On that morning some angry words ensued on Mrs. Cheese suggesting that he should return to London, and that she and the children should remain behind in order to visit an aunt for a few weeks. When Mrs. Ribchester left the room, prisoner seized his wife and said " Now I've a chance," at the same time drawing from his pocket a razor, with which he tried to cut her throat. A desperate struggle ensued, and, in protecting herself, Mrs. Gheesa was frightfully cut about the face and hands. She rushed out into the yard, where he threw her down, knelt upon her, and again cut her on the nose and cheek, and the lobe of her right ear was severed. Mrs. Bower, wife of a policeman, living next do ir, on hearing screams, ran for Mee. Ribchester, and when she returned prisoner loosed his bold of his wife, and chased her mother into the garden, and inflicted a gash on her shoulder with the razor. A blacksmith eventually came to the rescue, and on finding prisoner standing over his wife and hacking her with the razor he said, "Give over, you are going to kill her." Thee prisoner exclaimed, "Stand back ;" and Mrs. Gheesa then managed to escape intothe street,bleedingprofusely from her wounds. The prisoner then washed his hands and the razor in a tub of water, and set off in the direction of Morecambe, stating that he was going to give himself up to the police. Presently he was met by James Coates, a pork butcher, who knowing what had happened', invited him to ride in his cart. He and another man then drove the prisoner to SkertOn, and gave him into the custody of Police. sergeant Parkinson. On the road Coates induced prisoner to give up the razor, which was stained with blood. Dr. Allen, of Morecambe, was called to Mrs. Gheesa, who remained in a critical condition under his care until the 29th ult., when she was removed to Lancaster infirmary, where she had since remained. The Bench committed prisoner for trial at the next Manchester assiz.s, his solicitor stating that he reserved his defence and cross-examination of witnesses for the prosecution, as there were circumstances which would throw a different light on the ease. So much sympathy has been shown with the prisoner that a defence fund is being raised on his behalf.
The Blackpool Herald. — 1885-12-24 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

CATHOLIC AMATEUR THEATRICALS.  The Fleetwood Catholic Amateur Theatricals gave two of their much-appreciated eutertainments in the Albert Hall, Fleetwood, last Friday and Sitturday evenings, for the purpose of clearing off the debt on the church, the room being pretty well filled on each occasion. The piece selected was a drama entitled " Susan Hopley, or the murder at the Manor House." The parts were extremely well sustained, and reflect much credit on Mr. Ashton's careful tutoring and management Miss Mary Payne, as the heroine of the piece, took her part in faultless style, one which would have reflected great credit on professionals even. Mr. T. Maguire, as the costermonger, kept the audience in roars of laughter, and we may not be over-stepping the mark when we say that no one is better qualified to take a humourous part than Mr. T. Maguire. Mr. W. Carter was extremely pleasing as Jeremy Simpson ; and Mr. M. Tiernan, in the dress of a constable, caused much hilarity. Mr. J. Mulligan is worthy of great praise for the manner in which he took the part, and also as wooer of Susan Hopley. Mr. J. Whiteside, who toek the part of the murdered butler, quite threw a sensation into the piece, and evoked tremendous applause from the audience. Messrs. J. Hood and W. Paunting very ably took the parts of highway. men. The Misses Maguire and Lawrenson also did their quota in an efficient and appropriate manner. The Misses A. Lawreuson, M. Lawrenson, D. Haslam, and Messrs. B. Maguire, J. Ashton, and J. Dickinson, were not lacking in their share of the performance the drmastis personee was as follows :  Sir Thomas Taylor (a magistrate) Mr. J. Bannon Mr. Cripps (an East Indian Nabob) Mr. J. Cross Mr. Wentworth (a wine merchant) ...Mr. J. Ashton Walter Gaveston (his partner) Mr. B. Maguire George Remardon (a roue) Mr. J. Dickinson Jeremy Simpson (a butler) Mr. W. Carter Andrew Hopley (a footman) Mr. J. Whiteside William Dean (a miller) Mr. J. Mulligan I)icky Dean (a oostermonger) Mr. T. Maguire Harry Leeson (an orphan) Master William Jones Joe (a footboy) Master R H. Carter Larkin (a footpad) Mr. NV. Paunting Gomm (his confederate) Mr. J. Fleod Vigors (a constable) • Mr M. Tiernan Caroline Cripps (daughter of Mr. Grippe Mies P. Haelam Fanny Wentworth (daughter of Mr. Wentworth)..... Miss Annie Lawrenson Mre. Dobbs (housekeeper) Mies Mary Maguire Susan Hopley Miss Mary Payne Gimp (a lady's maid) Miss Mary Lawrenson  At the conclusion of the drama Mr. J. Ashton favoured the audience with " I'm married," in character, after which an extremely amusing farce, entitled the "Happy Man," was given, the characters being as follows : Ram Rusti (the resolute) Foxi Film (the crafty) Mr. J. Bannon Rhun Phaster (the active) Mr. M. Tiernan Ski Hi (the star gazer) Mr. W. Panoting Paddy Murphy (the happy man) Mr. T. Magnin.) Koeket (the man catcher) Miss A. Cowell Sing Smahl (the subdued) Miss D. Haslam This report would be incomplete without mention. ing Mr. F. Flood, who undertook the onerous duty of stage manager. The careful manipulation of the scenery alone speaks for Mr. Flood's services.  A
The Northern Guardian. — 1893-02-03 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

SAT-NM:EKON : I beg to say that I did not call him a murderer. (" Oh, oh.") I simply called him a murderous ruffian. (Cries of "Divide," and " Withdraw.'') I was saying that these Gweetlore prisoners were set at liberty without a ticket of leave. (Renewed cries of "Divide," and "With. draw.") The Speaker having then risen, Colonel Saunderson resumed his seat amidst general confusion and cries of order. The Sertassit.: The hon, and gallant member is not to be interrupted in this manner. (Cheers.) Mr DThuas: : 1 wieh to ask you, sir, whether the hon. and gallant member is entitled to refer to a clergyman so revered by hon. members sitting on these benches. (Nationalist cheering.) The SPEAKER : I cannot interfere, but I think that the hon. and gallant gentleman will see that there is no necessity to express his views in a ' manner calculated to exasperate the feelings of hon. members. (Loud Ministerial cheers.) Colonel SAUNDERSON : I was proceeding to explain, sir--(cries of " Withdraw " and " Divide," drowning the voice of the lion, and gallant member.) Mr DILLON (rising amidst great excitement on the Irish benches) : I beg to move, sir, that the hon. and gallant member be no longer heard. (Load Ministerial cheers.) In support of the motion, I beg to direct attention to a most offensive expression he has used towards a respected priest of our Church. (Opposition laughter and cheers.) He has characterised him as a "murderous ruffian."  Mr BARTLEY : I rise, sir, to a point of order. Mr DILLON : In consequence of the refusal of the hon. and gallant gentleman to withdraw that offensive expression, I beg to move that he be no longer heard. _,(Ministerial cheers.)  The SPEAKER : I shall not put that motion. (Opposition cheers.) It is a motion which it is not ,-in my power to put. I have already suggested to the hon. and gallant gentleman that, without being I unnecessarily irritating, he may find language in which to express his views without impairing his . meaning. It is not neeeeFary to use language irri,ating to hon. members and I think the hon. _and gallant gentleman will see the necessity of usinl other language which will allay this scene. .(famtil Ministerial cheers.) jAdonel SAUNDERSON : I have no desire to excite tbe.aniniosity of the hon. gentlemen behind me, but Lcannot help taking my own view of the eiresolotecices that have happened. (Renewed cries ,of " and "Withdraw.") The House, I Main' see at least one reason why the Irish Hnionisas object to a Home Rule Bill. (Interiraption, and cries of "Divide, divide," which alrownedithe speaker's voice.) After a pause, he staid :illy% to move that the debate be now adjammed. (Opposition cheers.) Mr CsAsywroiis having intervened, triOIOIICI•EAUNDIRSON said: I am happy, so far na.lcan,, to terminate this unhappy scene, sir, and imerder ke,olo so I will substitute for the words I belie used" excited politician." (Loud and general iUuahter,) ILe debate then proceeded.