npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1858-01-05 (London, England)

ANOTHER DEATH OF A CHILD BY SUFFOCATION IN SOUTHWARK.  Last night, Mr. Wm. Payne, the coroner, held an inquest in the Board-room of St. George's Workhouse, on the body of a fine full-grown infant, which was found on Sunday morning, in Westsquare, Southwark.  Wm. Ratcliffe, of 33, Bird-street, Kenningtonroad, said, as he was passing through West square, at about 10 o'clock on Sunday morning, his attention was called by a man to a parcel which was lying a short way up a gateway, between Nos. 18 and 19 in that square. The man opened the cloth, when he discovered that it contained the body of a child. He immediately went for a policeman, and the body was taken to the stationhouse.  Police-constable George Marsh, 238 M, proved being sent fo-, and said he took the body to the station-house.  Joseph R. Reckstraw, sergeant of police, said he had made inquiries of all the surgeons in the neighbourhood, but could not trace any party to whom the child belonged. The body was found in a very retired place. Mr. T. G. Browne, surgeon, Blackman-st., said he had that morning seen the child, and it appeared to him to have been born two or three days. There was a mark of violence on the front part of the neck, as if from pressure against the throat. He could trace the mark of fingers. The navel-string had never bec n secured, and it had been torn, not cut, about four or five inches from the body. The child appeared to have been washed. On opening the body he found the lungs fully inflated and very much congested. The brain was also very congested, and the stomach contained a little milk. The liver was also congested. The Coroner—What was the cause of death I' Witness—Congestion of the brain and lungs.  The Coroner—and what was the cause of that ? Witness—Pressure on the throat. It died from suffocwion.  Coroner—Do you entertain any doubt about that? Witness—None whatever. Coroner—lt was not a natural death ? Witness—No ; it was not. Coroner—Can you judge how long it had lived previous to Its death ?  - Witness—No ; I cannot. The lungs were fully inflated, but how long► it had lived I cannot say. A Juror—Was it otherwise a very healthy child ? Witness—lt was so. The Coroner then addressed the jury and said— If it was their wish he would adjourn the inquiry, if they thought by so doing they could obtain any further evidence, but at present there did not seem much chance of it. If, however, they did not adjourn, they had the benefit of the surgeon's evidence that the child had been suffocated, and as the police would pursue their inquiries, if any person was apprehended who should be supposed to have murdered this child, then a magistrate could take up the case, and he would have the benefit of the surgeon's evidence, which had been placed on record. Ho therefore, left the case in the hands of the jury for them to consider under the circumstances what course they would pursue. The jury returned a verdict, " That tho child died from suffocation, but in what manner and by whom there was no evidence to show."  This is the second case of child suffocation in this district within a few days.
The Sun. — 1858-01-27 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.—John McCarthy and Owen M'Sweeny were charged before Mr. Burcham with assaulting Mr. John Francis and Mr. Arthur Jorr ell, medical gentlem en connected wit h St. Thomas's Hospital.  Mr. Ed win, of the Dover-road, appeared for the defendants. Mr. Francis said that shortly before one o'clock on the morning of Wednesday last he was with Mr. lorrell and another gentleman connected with St. Thomas's Hospital, near the latter place, having just left a patient. While bidding each other good bye, they heard an uproar in Maze-pond, which induced them to go and see what was the matter. On their arrival there they saws drunken man being carried into a house, surrounded by several persons, and while witness was passing, Mead hy came up to him, and asked him to fight. He refused to do so, and M'Sweeny rushed out of a house and struck him a violent blow on the head, which caused him to fall. Each time he tried to get up he was knocked down and kicked, and had not one of his friends fetched a constable, he would have been half-murdered. As it was, he was so ill-used that be could not leave his bed for 24 hours.  In cross-examination, witness said he was only with his two friends, and they were all sober. They did not make any noise or call out " Fire." The assault was quite unprovoked. Mr. Arthur Jorrell said he was with Mr. Francis and another medical gentleman. They were quite sober, having just left a patient. When they heard the noise in Maze-pond they went there, and M'S weeny rushed out of the house and committed the unprovoked assault on Mr. Francis. Their friend went for a constable, and as soon as he came in sight the cowardly ruffian, M'Sweeny, ran away aanndd threi ed was to given vemte ci houseantrottehtyehuesettreudc yk. again.voitnn etshis e onw atyh et Witness,ositdhee that station-house otht net ht heeeapd complainants irnt the presence of the constable, 81 M. however, assisted the constable to pull him out, of the defendants Mr. Edwin said neighbourhoodter th and on his clients going out to see eiebdyical students got up a cries of " Fire " and were the aggressors. They fight, and a general row ensued. Re called a female and two men to corroborate his statement, but their was unsatisfactory. testimony alarmed the mat fined M'Sweeny Mr. Burnham 15s. and M'Carthy lOs or the alternative of imprisonment. what"Lur wlieatsyt,h"e .1  Mr. Self said there was no occasion for a warrant ; Frastr could be given in charge for felony wherever he could be found, and remitted to London. _ __  Mr. Howell—l was desired by the parish officers to make this application. Mr. Sells—Give him into custody whenever and wherever you can find him. You want no warrant to justify you in giving a felon into custody. Mr. Howell—We don't know where he is gone to. Mr. Selfe—Nor do I ; what would be the use of my warrant ?  Mr. Howell—We require a warrant to justify 113 in taking the delinquent into custody in the event of 'our tracing him. __ _
The Sun. — 1858-08-21 (London, England)

OLD COURT. (Before Mr. Justice Willes.)  Michael Murphy, 26, a man with a wooden lee, who was described in the calendar as a musician, was charged with the manslanehter of Eliza Simpson. Mr. Sleigh aid Mr. O'Connell conducted the prosecution ; Mr. Cooper was counsel for the defence. It appeared that tke prisoner lived in Kate-court, Spitalfields, and got his lining by going abut to different public-houses playing a fiddle. The deceased lived in the same court, and cohabited with a man named Fitzgerald, anti it appeared that she was acquainted with the prisoner, and on the night of the 6Lti of July they were at a public-house together and seemed to be upon ♦ery friendly terms. They left about three o'clock in the morning, and in a short time the lodgers iu the house of the deceased were awoke by her shrieking " Murder," and upon their going to see what was the matter the prisoner and the deceased were found upon the landing of the second floor, and the prisoner, who was in a very excited state, made use of very bad language towards the deceased and knocked her down, and while she was upon the ground he kicked her with his wooden leg about the head and face, and the exclaimed that he had kicked her eye out. One of the witnesses, a black roan, who lodged in the house, begged the prisoner to desist from his violence, hut, instead of doing es, he said to him, " You Mack --, I'll serve you the same if you are net quiet." When the prisoner appeared to have exercised his brutality to the fullest extent he went to his own house, and the unfortunate woman was taken to the London Hospital, where some assistance was rendered to her, add she was removed to her own house, where she died on the 12th of July, her death having no doubt been occasioned by the injuries she had received. Mr. Cooper addressee) the jury for the prisoner, and he commented upon the entire absence of evidence to show the first commencement of the quarrel. Ile also called the prisoner's brother as a witness, and he stated that on the night in question the deceased was drunk at a neighbouring public-house, and tint she had a quarrel with another woman, who seized her by the hair and knocked her head several times against the wainscoat. He also said that the deceased was constantly drunk, and he never saw her free from a black eye. He added that he was with her on the morning in question until nearly one o'clock; and efter he had been to bed he was disturbed by bearing a noise in the court, and upon looking out he saw the deceased holding his brother by the hair and the shirt, and he said be would strike her if she did not loose him but be said be saw no blow actually struck.  The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced to 12 months' bard labour.
The Sun. — 1858-08-21 (London, England)

OLD COURT. (Before Mr. Justice Willes.) Michael Murphy, 26, a man with a wooden leg, who was described in the calendar as a musician, was charged with the manslaighter of Din Simpson. Mr. Sleigh aid Mr. O'Connell conducted the prosecution ; Mr. Cooper was counsel for the defence. It appeared that the prisoner lived in Kate•court, Spitalfields, and got his living by going about to different public-houses playing a fiddle. The deceased lived in the same court, and cohabited with a man flatbed Fitzgerald, and it appeared that she was acquainted with the prisoner, arid on the night of the 6,Li of July they were at a public-house together and seemed to be upon very friendly terms. They left about three o'clock in the morning, and in a short time the lodgers in the house of the deceased were awoke by her shrieking " Murder," and upon their going to see what was the matter the prisoner and the deceased were found upon the landing of the second floor, and the prisoner, who was in a very excited state, made use of very bad lasguage towards the deceased and knocked her down, and while she was upon the ground he kicked her with his wooden leg about the head and face, and she exclaimed that he had kicked her eye out. One of the witnesses, a black roan, who lodged in the house, begged the prisoner to desist from his violence, but, instead of doing 81, he said to him, " You black -- I'll serve you the same if you are net quiet." When the prisoner appeated to have exercised his brutality to the fullest extent he went to his own house, arid the uefurtunate woman was taken to the London Hospital, where some assistance was rendered to her, asd she was removed to her own house, where she died on the 12th of July, her death having no doubt been occasioned by the injuries she had received. Mr. Cooper addressed the jury for the prisoner, and be commented upon the entire absence a evidence to show the first commencement of the quarrel. He also called the prisoner's brother as a witness, and he stated that on the night in question the deceased was drunk at a neighbouring public-house, and that she had a quarrel with another woman, who seized her by the hair and knocked her head several times against the wainscoat. He also said that the deceased was constantly drunk, and he never saw her free from a black eye. He added that he was with her on the morning in question until nearly one o'clock ; and after he had been to bed be was disturbed by hi arieg a noise in the court, and upon looking out lie se; the deceased holding his brother by the hair and the shirt, and he said he would strike her if eke did not loose hin ; but he said he saw no blow actually shuck. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced to 12 months' hard labaur.
The Sun. — 1858-03-04 (London, England)

THE MEETING IN HYDE PARK.  Mr. Beadon, the Marlborough-street police magistrate, on finding that the foreign gentleman who was attacked in Hyde-park by the mob drawn together on Sunday week by persons who desired to give a public expression (ii opinion on the Conspiracy to Murder Bill, did not make his appearance when the prisoners were examined, remanded the case in the expressed hope that the gentleman would come forward at the future examination. In consequence of what appeared in the public papers, the magistrate received the following letter 2, Chura-court, Clement's-lane.  " Worshipful Sir,—l am informed loy Sergeant Dowd that it is your wish that I should appear on Monday next, but as I think the disturbance in the Park on Sunday was partly owing to some disagreements of party, and as I myself am a foreigner, I think it best I should not appear. At the same time I must inform you that the statement of facts in the papers is correct. —Your very obedient servant,  BESSET,  Mr. Beadon wrote to Mr. Lesset in reply, and the result was that Mr. Besset consented to attend to prefer the charge yesterday. George Cox was put to the bar charged with assault. ing Mr. Besset. Mr. Besset on being sworn said—l live at the Pavilion, Sloane-street. I wry; in the park on Sunday NI eek. I was in a carriage with ladies. As I was going home all at once I Ras attacked in Hyde Park by several people. The defendant was among them. The defendant took off ay hat by getting on the footboard behind the carriage, and struck me ou the head with my hat several times. I said to the cuachmau, " Turn round," but there was no chance of doing so for some minutes. The defendant continued striking me for three or f ,ur minutes. I could not get nay hat again—some people took it, and I lost it altogether. I do not think defendant spoke to me. The defendant, in reply, said—What the gentleman states is all true ; but lam not the man at ell, It was a man more respectably dressed than I am. Mr. Beadon, to Mr. Besset--Da you recognise this person !  Mr. Besset—l think I do, for I struggled for my bat. Mr. Beadon—Have you any doubt about him ! Mr. Beset--There were co many perions there that I may make a mistake ; but in my opinion he is the man.  Police-sergeant Dowd, who gave evidence previously, raid the defendant was the man. Mr. Boadon—l am satisfied that you (defendant) are the man. Your conduct has been such, prisoner, that I could not think if allowing you to escape all punishment, and therefore I desired Mr. Besset to attend at this court. I shad fine you 51. for the assault, and one month's imprisonment for the assault en the constable ; and I further say that, indisputably, when riots occur in this way, I will put on the heaviest penalty the law permit'.
The Sun. — 1858-06-24 (London, England)

TRUELOVE."  Here, sir, under ordinary circumstances, I should have ended, but the cowardly article which has appeared in this day's Times, in which that i. insinuated which the writer dares not assert, and in which allusion is made to me, calculated materially to injure my reputation, and yet in such a manner that I can bring no action against the Times for its dastardly proceedings, induces me to trouble you with a few further observations. That such a thing as principle is utterly unknown to the directors of the Times is too notorious, and needs no comment from me ; and thus they cannot understand that, in refuoing the overtures made to me, and in resolutely resisting the prosecution commenced by the Times' protege (Lord Palmerton), I was actuated by principle and by attachment to the liberties of my country which this preten led liberal Minister had attacked. It was then with extreme reluctance, as stated by Mr. James, that, notwithstanding the proffer a a verdict of not guilty, I gave my consent to abandon the further pub• lication of " Tyrannicide," which no more incited to assassination than your articles or those of the Times to murder or theft, there being the same difference between assassination and tyrannicide as between murder and justifiable, or even praiseworthy, homicide; but it was my intention, had the case gone on, and the jury delivered—as they must have dune—a verdict of not guilty, to have then voluntarily discontinued the publication, on the grounds stated by Mr. James. It was not till late on Monday night I reluctantly gave my consent, having previously refused a similar proposition, and I much regret that Mr. James not not protest against the issue of the warrant in the first instance as a gross abuse of authority by the Bow-street magistrate.  On the whole, on ca'mly reviewing the circumstances, a great and real progress has been made, so much so, indeed, that I trust a press prosecifsien by the State is for the future impuseible. But it should be placed on re• cord that, while none ha•t so deep an interest in the question as the Times itself, the liberty of the press was basely abandoned by that journal ; the advertisements of the Press Prosecution Defence CommMee refused insertion ; no notice taken of the trials until their termination ; and then noticed in a manner which will cal forth the disgust of every honest man, an insidious attempt being then made to blacken my character, but done in so dastardly a manner that I cannot call the publisher or proprietors to account for their slander. To you, sir, who have consistently and ably taken the lead of all the other journals of the country in defend• ing the liberty of the press, I render the expression of my warmest thanks, not on my own account, but as one of the citizens of this country ; and I feel assured that every true lover of his country joins in this expression of gratitude.—l am, &c., 240, Strand, June 23. E. TRUELOVE,
The Sun. — 1858-06-24 (London, England)

TRUELOVE."  Mee, sir, under. ordinary circumstances, I should have ended, but the cowardly article which has appeared in this day's Times, in which that is insinuated which the writer dares not assert, and in which allusion is made to me, calculated materially to injure my reputation, and yet in such a manner that I can being no action against the Times for its dastarely proceedings, induces me to trouble you with a few further observations. That such a thing as principle is utterly unknown to the directors of the Times is too notorious, and needs no comment from the ; and thus they cannot understand that, in refeeing the overtures made to me, and_in rimeiutely resieting the prosecution commenced by the Tines' protege (Lord Palmerton), I was actuated by principle and by attachment to the liberties of my cour.try which this preten led liberal Minister had attacked. It was then with extreme reluctance, as stated by Mr. James, that, net witlestanding the proffer of a verdict of not guilty, I gave my consent to abandon the further publication of "Tyrannicide," which no more incited to' assassination than your articles or those of the Times to murder or theft, there being the same difference between assassination and tyrannicide as between murder and justifiable, or even praiseworthy, homicide; but it was wy intention, had the case gone on, and the jury delivered—as they must have done—a verdict of not guilty, to have then voluntarily discontinued the publication, on the grounds stated by Mr. James. It was not till late on Monday night I relue'antly having previously refused a similar gave my consent, proposition, and I much regret that Mr. James not not protest against the issue of the warrant in the first instance as a gross abuse of authority by the Bow-street magistrate. On the whole, on calmly reviewing the circumstances, a greet and rent progress Las been made, so much so, indeed, that I trust a press prosecution ty the State is for the future inipes:ii.de. But it should be placed on re• cord that, while none had so deep rn interest in the question as the Times itself, the liberty of the press was besely abandoned by that joutlial ; the advertisements of the Press Prosecution Defeece Ourenii•tee refused insertion ; ue notice talsen of the trials until their termination ; anti then noticed in a nuarint r which will cal forth the disgust of every honest man, an insidious attempt being then made to Lleclieu my character, but done in to dastardly a manlier that I cannot call the publisher er proptietore to account for their slander. To you, sir, who have consistently and ably taken the hal of all the other journals of the country in defending the libetty of the press, I render the expression of my warmest thanke' not on my own account, but as one of the citizens of this country ; and I feel assured that every true lover of his country joins in this expres- 1 sion of gratitude.—l am, See., 240, Strand, Juste 23. E. TRUELOVE,
The Sun. — 1858-06-24 (London, England)

WORSHIP-STREET.—John Hoare, a middleaged man, described as a labourer, was charged. upon his own confession, with violently assaulting Mary Hoare, his wife, and thereby causing her death.  Critchell, of the It division, said—Last night, at 11. o'clock, I was on duty in Bell-green, Sydenham, when I saw the prisoner standing against a fence, and I heard him say, "I hope God will forgive me for what I have done." I asked him what it was he had done, and he replied, "Go below, and you will hear what I have done ; it is very bad." He then hesitated, but added, " There was a piece of work at home, and I took the poker, struck my wife with it, and murdered her."  Prisoner—That is false ; I did not say that I had murdered her. Officer—Yes, he did say " murdered her." I then asked him where he came from, and he told me Sarah's place, Brick-lane, -Spitalfields. He was perfectly sober, and said no more about his wife then ; but I afterwards asked him where ho did it, and at what time, and he said about a fortnight ago. I then took him into custody and at the station at Sydenham he made a statement to the sergeant on duty, who took it down in writing. By the Prisoner—When you first met me you were standing on the footpath, and when you said 1-) 1 ,"I I:J.lglit y.O u.ean, gu do the hill to a public-house, as persons were aboul.. • S€rgeant Strength, 49 It—About a quarter past 10 last night I was in lower Sydenham, and saw the prisoner in custo ly of the constable Critchell, who, in his hearing, told me what he his now stated upon oath. White at the station-house prisoner expressed a desire to make a statement, as he was very unhappy. I gave him the usual caution, and then took down in writing this confession, wHch he signed. He afterwards remarked that his wife was buried at Bow Cemetery. The Sergeant then read the following :—" About a fortnight ago I was at home with my wife and the girl. Some words arose, and the girl took up the poker ; I thought to strike me with. I got it away from her, and then my wife took up a stool and struck moon the head, causing a wound. Iliad the poker in my hand, and struck her an the ribs with it. She called police-constable 81 H, but he seeing the blood on my head refused to take the charge. My wife got ill, and went to the London Hospital. They wished her to stay, but she came home, got worse, went again, stayed a few days, and returned. I fetched some medicine from a (lector's shop near Whitechapel Church, but she died on the following Monday.—John Hoare."' Sergeant Strength—When the prisoner signed this he was sober, but excited. Mr. D'Eyncourt—Have you ascertained how far this is correct  Sergeant Strength—l have not had time, sir, to make minute inquiries, but I believe the woman died from violence.  Mr. D'Eyncourt—l will remand the prisoner, and let the officer alluded to in the statement then be present. Prisoner—l had been drinking. I recollect nothing about it. The accmed was then ordered to be brought up on Wednesday next.