npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1865-07-07 (London, England)

THE COUNSEL AND THE REPRIEVE.---The execution of Chas. H. Walters for the murder of his mistress, Nancy E. Vincent, which was to have taken place at the Tombs yesterday, was postponed by order of Governor Fenton, until the 7th proximo. The reprieve did not arrive till within a few minutes of the time appointed for the execution. The prisoner's counsel, ex-Judge Stuart, had gone up to Albany, it appears, the day before for the purpose of making a final effort to obtain a respite, and on Thursday evening succeeded in obtaining the Governor's signature to the document. He at once telegraphed the fact to the Sheriff, and said ho would be on hand in the morning with the necessary papers. This was the only notice the Sheriff received, and the friends of the condeiimedman anxiously awaited the arrival of ex-Judge Stuart to see if the news was true. In the hurry and confusion attending the undertaking ex-Judge Stuart missed the train from Albany, which arrives in this city about half-past 10 o'clock, and was obliged to fall back upon the uncertainty of a steamboat, which ought to have arrived here about 5 o'clock. Unfortunately a thick fog set in on the river soon after the departure of the boat, which caused a delay of several hours, rendering the counsel's position decidedly uneasy. He knew that it was Walters's express desire that the execution should take place as early as possible, and he was fearful that the reprieve might not arrive in time. The fog still hung over the channel of the river, and the boat's progress was so slow that it was really a matter of doubt whether she would reach the wharf in time to be of any advantage to poor Walters. The captain was urged to push o IEI ahead, and no doubt did his best to make up for lost time, but the counsel was fidgetty, and insisted that he would be too late unless.they put on a little more steam. The suspense of the counsel in view, and thew ase nsoonptainovaesrs,uhreodwhevimer that he ehceiwt appearedu land him at the foot of Canal-street at half-past 8 o'clock, which would give him sufficient time to reach the Tombs before 9 o'clock, the hour appointed for the execution. True to his word, the captain landed his passengers at the appointed hour, and the way the ex-judge jumped ashore before the gang plank was out and made straight for a carriage was a sight worth seeing. As we have previously stated, he reached the Tombs in time to postpone the execution, and entered the condemned man's cell and acquainted him with his good fortune. Walters was conversing withhis moth er and sister when his counsel's arrival was announced, and before the turnkey could unlock the cell door the ex-judge and his client was shaking hands and congratulating each other through the iron gratings of the door, Walters wept like a child when he heard the news, and his counsel vented his feelings in the same way, only that he was more excited, and cried faster, louder, and longer than the prisoner did.—New York Herald, June 24. The names of the Countess of Fife, Lady Anne Duff, and Lady Caroline Villiers were omittedfrom the list of the Countess of Yarborough's guests on W sy
The Sun. — 1865-11-17 (London, England)

SUIT.  LONDON, FRIDAY, NOV. 17, 1865.  The arrival of the anxiously expected mail from the West Indies has at length brought us reassuring intelligence. It seems that the prompt and vigorous measures taken in Jamaica have so far repressed the rebellion, and that the principal ringleaders were not only captured, but had actually paid the penalty of their crimes when the mail left. It is probable that the extent of the loss of life and property is not as yet fully known, and while we may reasonably fear that the number of victims which is incomplete, we may also hope that in some isolated cases those supposed to have been included in the massacre have escaped with their lives. So fax from the outbreak being a casual or localised movement, it appears to have been part of a deepseated and wide-spread organisation, and terrible as the results are even now, it is evident that the white and mulatto population have had a merciful escape. It seems that, as in the larger case of the Sepoy rebellion, the insurrection was premature, and was provoked by the arrest of one of the principal movers on some totally different grounds. A riot took place when a prisoner was captured, and the police were beaten, and had to fly, leaving the prisoner at large. Summonses were, therefore, served upon the rioters, .being, of course, served by policemen. The first person served was PAUL BOGLE, one of the principal leaders, who at once sounded a signal whistle. Two or three hundred men arrived with sticks, and soon overmatched the police, compelling them to join their ranks. The Custos, who was afterwards so brutally murdered at once sent off to the Governor and the commanding officer of volunteers for forces. The next movement was the assault on the Court-house, which was evidently part of a deadly plan of general massacre, for the mob, without any provocation, commenced firing through the windows. The mob consisted of more than 1,000 men, for whom the few volunteers were no match, though they fought heroically, and soon paid for their assistance with their lives. The fearful details of the slaughter, the firing of the Court-house, the general massacre and plunder, have already reached us ; but we now learn that all this was part of an organised plan for the destruction of all whites and maroons in the island, and the seizure of the property and lands by the negro population. In bitter mockery at the attempt to Christianise them, the ruffians had selected Christmas-day for the general rising ;so that, had it not been for the fortunate chance of the dispute about the prisoner, England as well as Jamaica would have had good reason to remember the Christmas of 1865. It is probable enough that the negroes selected that day, knowing that it was a time of general festivity and holiday-making, and that persons would be off their guard, though it may well be asked what possible reason there could be4fo= distrusting a people which are admitted in "ell' respect • to equal privileges with the whites. The leader, ar GORDON, who wat4 IVO regret
The Sun. — 1865-08-24 (London, England)

SELF-INSTRUCTION IN SPELLING.  THE ESSENTIALS OF SPELLING is admirably adapted to tic(' adults whose early education has been neglected, in mastering the difficulties of English Orthography, without a teacher. Sent post free for 12 stamps.  The announcement of the death of Major Francis Horatio De Vero, which took place at a quarter past ten o'clock on Tuesday night, could hardly have created any surprise. The constant changes of condition which he underwent left but little real hope that he would survive. The information of the death of the major was conveyed to the prisoner yesterday morning, at half-past 8 o'clock, by Mr. Superintendent Everist, who said, " Currie, it is my duty to inform you that Major De Vera is dead." The prisoner, who had partially eaten his breakfast, coolly said, " Is he ? What time did he die ?" On being told, he merely rejoined, " Oh ! did he," and resumed his breakfast with the most perfect unconcern. He has been exceedingly quiet and well behaved since his incarceration, and all that he has said about the matter has been that ho considered he had done quite right, and had nothing to regret in what he had done, and he hoped God would forgive him. Yesterday morning the prisoner was brought before the sitting magistrates on the charge of wilful murder. The magistrates present were the Rev. E. J. Marsham (chairman) and Mr. W. H. Nicholson. The prisoner was put back till 1 o'clock in consequence of the non-attendance of the witnesses; and on being placed at the bar, The Clerk to the Magistrates said—John Currie, it is stated that Francis Horatio De Vere, for feloniously shooting whom you have been under remand, is dead. The charge against you is, therefore, that you being a soldier, a sapper of the Royal Engineers, did feloniously, wilfully, and of malice aforethought, kill and murder the said Francis Horatio De Vero; he being an officer in the Royal Engineers. Alfred 'George Durnford deposed—l am a lieutenant in the Royal Engineers, stationed at Brompton Barracks, Chatham, in the parish of Gillingham. I have been stationed here since January. I knew Francis Horatio De Vera. He was first captain in the Royal Engineers and brevet-major in the army. I have come from the barracks this morning. I have been informed and believe that  Witness—l have told him from time to time how Major De Vero was going on—that he was recovering—that he was alive. On one occasion he said, "I am happy for what I have done ; I think I have done right, and I hope God will forgive me." I told him this morning that Major De Vera was dead, and that now he would be charged with murder. Ho asked me what time he died, and I said at a quarter to ten last night, and he said "All right," and turned round and sat down on the bed.  London: F. Pitman, 20, Paternoster-row, E.C.  Now ready, boards, price is. 6d.,  _ EFTS ; a Collection of the Best Tales contributed to "Temple Bar," " Once a Week," " Chambers's Journal," &o. By L
The Sun. — 1865-10-03 (London, England)

LIST OF THE ENGLISH VICTIMS.  The New York papers of the 19th September have the following despatch, which we publish as a curiosity :  "'WASHINGTON, Monday, Sept. 18. " Many of the holders of the Confederate Cot  ton Loan in England avoided the recent meeting in London, evidently for fear of an exposure of their individual complicity in the ridiculous transaction. As the London journals therefore seem to be at a loss to know who the happy speculators are, they will be enlightened by the following list of some of the British subjects, who have thus invested, with an estimate of the losses sustained by them respectively : Sir Henry do Hoghton, Bart. £lBo,ooo Isaac Campbell and Co., of No. 71, Jermyn-street, _ _  London, army contractors Thomas Sterling Bigbeo, No. 50, Mansion Houseplace, London, shipowner 140,000 The Marquis of Bath James Spence, Liverpool, correspondent of the Times (under initials) Mr. Berosford Hope 40,000 George Edward Seymour, stockbroker, Throgmorton-street, London 40,000 Messrs. Fernie 30,000 Alexander Callie and partners .20,000 Fleetwood, Patten, Wilson, L. Schuster, directors of Union Bank, London (together) W. S. Lindsay Sir Coutts Lindsay, Baronet John Laird, M.P., Birkenhead... M. B. Sampson, City editor Times 15,000 John Thaddeus Delano, editor Times Lady Georgians Fano (sister of Ld.Ne ootnwreland) 10,000 J. S. Gilliat, director of Bank of England D. Forbes Campbell, No. 45, Dover-street, Piccadilly, London BO,OOO George Peacocke, M.P 5,000 Lord Wharncliffe W. I Gregory,i eout 3i.P4 000 W. J. d proprietor London Morning Post 4,000 , t Edward Ackroyd, M.P. 1,500 Lord Campbell 1,000 Lord Donoughmore Lord Richard Grosvenor l,OOO Hon. Evelyn Ashley, son of Lord Shaftesbury, and Private Secretary to Lord Palmerston Right Hon. Wm. Ewart Gladstone  500 2,000  Total £898,000  Ax INFERNAL SCOUNDREL !—A man named George Price, of Islington, says the Spectator, has been charged with causing the death of his wife Frances under circumstances of the most atrocious cruelty. The poor woman was suffering from an internal abscess, and the doctor informed him that if it burst it would cause cancer and must be treated with poultices. The man refused to supply the money, the abscess did burst, and did cause cancer, but the husband still refused money to buy medicines, or even food, and the nurse had to expend her own means. Not content with this refusal, Price held up money in sight of his hungry wife to torture her, brought up candles "to light her soul to hell," held a Bible over her head that she alight, being unable to move, endure the agony of expecting its fall on her face, threw a prayer-book at her, and finally ate and drank the food supplied for her use by her brother. The facts were proved by nurses, and the solitary defence seems to be drunkenness. It is a defect iu our law, as we have had occasion to point out before, that it does not provide a separate punishment for torture. The man's offence is neither murder, nor manslaughter, nor assault, but torture ending in death, —perhaps the absolutely worst crime Of which a human b,;ing can be guilty.
The Sun. — 1865-09-01 (London, England)

CRYSTAL PALACE.-- ONE SHILLING DAY, Thursday, Aug. 31.—Admissions on payment, 7,998; ditto by season tickets, 2,lsB—total visitors, 10,156.  The Kurd6r by Germans at Stratford.  Yesterday morning Jacob Brenner, aged 24, and Charles Heins, aged 24, on remand for feloniously cutting and wounding Joseph Kuchen, aged 40, a master cabinetmaker, were again brought up at the West Ham policecourt, before Major Suart and H. C. King, Esq. The unfortunate man, Joseph Kuchen, having died on Tuesday night in the London Hospital, from one of the wounds received, the charge was altered to one of wilful murder against Jacob Brenner, whose eyes were much blackened and swollen, said to be received in the fearful affray in which he was engaged.  Mr. Standage said he should ask their worships to remand the case till after the inquest, but as there was no case against Heins, he should apply for his discharge. Mr. John Schwytze was again sworn as interpreter, and the depositions already taken were again read over. The depositions taken stated that Leonard Kuchen saw the stabs inflicted in the arm.  The witness wished them to be corrected, and for it to be stated that he only saw the stabs. The witness added he was quite sure he saw the wound inflicted outside the house in the belly, which the medical gentleman, Dr. Mugliston, said was the dangerous one. It was done by Jacob Brenner, and ho was wrestling with the deceased. The stab inflicted in the belly was given after Brenner had his hat. He did not see Heins till after his father was stabbed the last time.  In answer to the prisoner Brenner, the witness said ho was quite sure he saw blood on him.  Prisoner Brenner—Did you see any knife in my hand ? Witness—l did. I saw it glare in the light. The following dying declaration was then read. (John Klaiber, K, 312, in this case acted as interpreter) : " London Hospital, August 29, 1865.  "I, Joseph Kuchen, residing at No. 1, Edith-cottages, Chandos-road, Stratford, New Town, believe I am dying, and wish to make the following declaration—Yes. I know Brenner and Heins. Brenner was going with me about 11 o'clock on Sunday night last. Brenner had a quarrel with my son about three weeks ago, and while in the workshop on the Sunday night in question, without saying anything to me, he took a knife from the carpenter's bench, and stabbed me in the abdomen and on the arm. I never gave him any provocation to strike me. I always thought him a quiet man. He worked for me. I never had a quarrel with him before. I had been drinking with Brenner, and believe he was drunk, but I was sober. I did not know the reason he stabbed me, unless it was on account of the quarrel he had with my son about three weeks ago. I always behaved very kind to him, and paid him for what he did for me. I know nothing of Heins, nor did he strike me. (Signed) "
The Sun. — 1865-12-18 (London, England)

THE " LONDON :REVIEW" ON JAMAICA.—That this country has been profoundly affected by the executions in Jamaica, no one who takes even the most cursory glance at the newspaper reports can doubt ; and there is just as little doubt that if there ever was an occasion which justified public meetings, addresses to the Government, and appeals to the country, such an occasion is to be found in this Jamaica business. We have been very loth indeed to form a hasty judgment of men who, finding themselves confronted with what at all events appeared to be a great danger, may possibly in their eagerness to stamp it out, have committed excesses which they themselves, upon reflection, would be as willing to deplore as we are. On the contrary, we have urged their claim to a patient and considerate hearing, and we do not think that any one in England, judging their conduct dispassionately, and capable of forming a candid and intelligent opinion of it, would deny that the atrocities committed by the negroes at Morant Bay, if they could be coupled with evidence leading to the belief that a general rising of the blacks was contemplated, were quite sufficient to extenuate, if not wholly to justify, a resort to measures of repression which, upon a calm retrospect of the position of- affairs, might still be held to have been too severe. But so far as the evidence which has reached us enables us to form an opinion, we cannot resist the conclusion that it is not a mere excess of just severity which is to be charged to Governor Eyre and those who acted under his authority. The example of atrocity set by the blacks has been "bettered" by the race which claims a superior humanity, civilization, intelligence, and self command ; and it is for the latter to show that they stood in the presence of a danger so great and so imminent that nothing short of the bloody ferocity with which they confronted it could have saved them and the white population whom they protected from being overwhelmed by the alleged rebellion. As yet we have no evidence of such a state of things. We only know that for a savage onslaught of the blacks, retribution vastly in excess of the provocation given was taken by the whites. Hundreds of the former were made to expiate the murder of units of the latter. And in executing this horrible retribution there was exhibited such a coolness in bloodshed, such a devilish rioting of delight in the tatting and hanging of the " niggers," that if the surviving blacks should retain any traces of civilisation, it will be in spite of the example of savagery which has been set them by the whites.  The Loss of the Barque Mary Nicholson  British Consulate, Batavia, Sept. 30, 1865. Sir,—l have the honour to wait upon you with the minutes of a naval court held at this Consulate on the 2d inst., in order to examine into the circumstances attending the loss of the English barque Mary Nicholson, of Sydney, James Meredith, master, in Bali Straits. It appears therefrom that the said vessel was too hastily abandoned, and that the master has subjected himself to severe censure. —I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant,
The Sun. — 1865-12-18 (London, England)

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)  41 per Cents 97 40 Do. end month — 3 per Cents. 6B 45 Do. end month 6B 47i Credit Mobilier Do. end month Bank Shares 3780 Credit Foncier 1330 Italian Loan 66 10 Do. end month 66 10  DUBLIN, Saturday Evening. The first trial in Cork has resulted, by direction of the judges, in an acquittal. At the sitting of the court yesterday Charles Underwood O'Connell,  who had been a captain in the Federal army, was put in the dock ; but, on the application of Mr. Butt, his trial was postponed for the arrival of Mr. Lawless, solicitor. John M'Afferty, late captain iu the Confederate army, was put forward, and pleaded not guilty. Mr. Butt said that the prisoner was a native of Ohio, United States, and should therefore be tried by a jury half composed of foreigners. The Crown consented, and a mixed jury was accordingly sworn. There were eighteen challenges made by the prisoner, and three gentlemen were desired to " stand by" on the part of the Crown. The Attorney-General then stated the case for the prosetion, and the approver Nagle was examined to prove the existence of the conspiracy in Ireland. His evidence did not refer in any way to the prisoner. At 7 o'clock the Court adjourned until 10 o'clock this morning, when it resumed. At the sitting of the court Judge Fitzgerald asked the Crown counsel in what manner they considered overt acts alleged against the prisoner had been sustained by evidence. Counsel having been heard on the poilit, Justice Fitzgerald said—" Having carefully considered the case last night, the Court had come to the conclusion that there was no evidence to sustain an overt act on the part of the prisoner after the tender arrived at port. They would direct the jury to acquit him." A verdict of acquittal was accordingly returned. The prisoner will be detained until the close of the commission to give the Crown an opportunity of considering the course to adopt. All the parties charged with alleged Fenianism in the county of Limerick have been bailed out to ap • pear when called upon, except four or five persons who are detained in gaol, and who, with one exception, are in the very humblest class of life, and without means or intelligence, and against some of whom at least, if not all, so far as has been ascertained, there is no evidence of any importance. The evening papers announce that the Lord Lieutenant has, by a special letter, superseded the Board of Superintendence of Richmond Prison in the appointment of interim officers, and has dismissed the governor, Mr. Marquise, who IN as under suspension. This prison, you will recollect, is the one from which Stephens escaped, and has been under the supervision of the corporation. This proceeding is considered very arbitrary, and will, no doubt, lead to mia.ch discussion in our municipal council.  Eliza Adkins, who was sentenced to death by Mr. Justice Mellor at the Leicester Winter Assizes, for the murder of her son at Thringston, Leicestershire, has been reprieved.