npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1825-12-15 (London, England)

MURDER AT BIRMINGHAM.  On Monday morning, an inquest was held at the Woolmick Inn, Birmingham, on the body of Mtn.Perry, who was murdered by Michael Ford. The Jury having viewed the body, which presented a shocking appearance, returned to the Wool-park to receive evidence, when some persons, who attended for the public press. having complained that not the slightest convenience W 11:. afforded them for taking notes of the proceedings, the Coroner rose from his seat, and said, " I have just been informed that two reporters are here, and I take this opportunity to caution them, that this-Court will not allow any report to be published, in any manner touching its proceedings this day. The Court of King's Bench has lately .decided that persons acting contrary to this order are liable to punishment for contempt of Coon." One of the reporters wished to reply to the Coroner's remarks ; but the Coroner said, " I do not sit here to answer questions. I am determined to act as I have expressed." Mary Perry, the deceased's niece, was the first 'witness. She proved that, after her uncle and Ford had been talking together some time in the shop, she heard a bustle, and on hastening up stairs she saw Ford with the cleaver, uplifted. She rushed at him, and seized the cleaver, which she forced from his grasp, and in the contest Ford was either knocked down or fell down. [The cleaver, the blade of which is about ten inches long, and four or five broad, was here produced, and identified by the witness.l Elizabeth Perry, the deceased's wife, was next examined.--She stated that her husband had employed Ford, who was an Irish Is. bourer, in the garden—that he was very kind to him, and, after fie left her house, credit was given him for what provisions he required in the counse of the week. _ _  Mary Groutage, who lives opposite Mr. Perry's house, said, on the day that the murder we committed she saw the prisoner try to open the cellar and window shutters. While lie was thus engaged, a person came out of Mr. Perry's shop, and the prisoner then entered. Soon afterwards she heard the cry of " murder." Several witnesses were then examined, who proved the facts of the cue as they have already appeared before the public. Mr. Elkington, the surgeon. said there were several cuts on the deceased's head, one extending from the centre of the frontal bone through the cheek bone, and another from the crown of the head to the lower and back part, and terminating behind the left ear. Some pieces of the skull had penetrated an inch into the brain. _  Boyer, the Liverpool police officer. proved having apprehended the prisoner at that place, u he was stepping into the City of Dublin steam-packet. He denied that his name was Ford, but said it was Hendon, and that he came from Manchester. The Jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict of " Wilful Murder againk Michael Ford," and he was committed on the Coroner's warrant to take his trial at the Assizes.
The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1825-02-17 (London, England)

RECORDER'S CHARGE--PUCiILIS3I. The Grand and Petit Juries having been sworn, The RECORDER addressed the former at considerable length. Ile was happy to congratulate the gentlemen of the Grand Jury that the calendar of prisoners was much lighter than it had been at correspooding Sessions in preceding years, nor were any of the offences marked with any extraordinary degree of moral turpitude. There was, however, a case of manslaughter, which would claim their particular attention, and it was probable that, in the CDC to which he alluded, a bill for murder would also be preferred against the accused. It would therefore be their province to find either one or the other of the bills or both, should they think proper, on the evidence which would be laid before them. The Recorder was extremely sorry to observe, that that part of the calendar which related to the count•, contained no less a number than five cafes of manslaughter, which were alleged to have been committed during the short interval since the last session. It appeared to him, as it had to others, that much of this evil was to be attributed to the encouragement held out to those notorious violator of the law, denominated pugilists, whose profession it was to fight for money ; hence it was that the lower classes of the people were frequently led Into disputes, and teimisated them in the disgraceful manner to which he alluded. It was lamentable that men of rank were to be found who debased themselves so low as to sanction and promote such proceedings, which were shameful and flagrant misdemeanors against the public at large. He (the Recorder) could not help regretting that persons of distinction should, by their patronage, sanction such violations of public peace and public decen. cy, and thereby contribute to the deterioration of public morals. In order, if possible. to stem this tide of iniquity, fraught as it WAS with destruction to human life, the Court was determined, as far as its power and influence went, to yield its assistance ; and should any case of this deseription come before it, the patties convicted should be punished with the utmost rigour of the law. The Learned Recorder also intimated, that not only the principal in each contests, but those who had provoked, excited, or abetted them, should also be prosecuted, and that neither rank net station should prove a shield against the powerful sword of the law. The Recorder attributed the diminution of offence in the City to the promptness with which the daily prowler had been prosecuted, and condignly punished (alluding to the crime of stealing handkerchiefs, &c.) ; it was therefore, by such a procedure, that crimes of other descriptions might, if Lot abolished, at least be rendered much less frequent. After the Recorder had made some general remarks on some of the cases contained in the calendar, the Gentlemen of the Grand Jury were dismissed until to-morrow morning. Several cases of assault were disposed of, but all totally void of interest. s
The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1825-11-15 (London, England)

CORONER'S INQUEST.  An inquest was holden on Saturday last, at tile Ring and Qneen public-house, in lizessatteet, Bethnal-green, on the body of an aged female named Ann Ashley, the circumstances attendant on whose death it was supposed implicated to a ccrtain'extent the hu. manity of the night-constable and watchmen belonging to Bethnal-green. From the evidence it appeared, that on Wednesday morning last the deceased exclaimed •' murder !" two or three times in the street ; in consequence of which a watchman took her to the watohhouse, where she was put into a horrible dungeon called the cage, notwithstanding the remonstrances of a person who was caatt• ally present. The evidence so far tended to inculpate the watchman and the night-constable, but a link being still wanting, the inquest was adjourned until yesterday, when the Juky again assembled.  Mr. Frederic Edgar, a surgeon, was of opinian that the death of the deceased was occasioned by her being expo►ed to wet and cold. combined with intoxication.  Juror—You love seen the cage? Witness—Yes ; and I think it a very. unfit place of confinement, much anore so a person in the condition of the deceased. Mr 'ohn Cordell, another surgeon, corroborated the evidence of Mr. Edgar. Several other witnesses proved that the deceased was very much intoxicated when brought to the watehliouse, and that the watchmen were cursing and swearing at her. Mr. John Cox gave evidence to the following effect :—About two o'clock on Wednesday morning I heard cries of murder, and went with the watchman to the place from whence they proceeded. We there found the deceased it] the state described by him, and removed her to the watchhouse. where we placed her by the fire. The night-constable wu about locking her up, when I requested of him not to do so until she dried her clothes ; this he refused, and she was thrown into the black-hole. She was making no noise whatsoever, for she could not speak at the time. She made no objection to be locked up, sod appeared quite insensible. The Coroner, in summing up, said that there was certainly proof of imprudence and inhumanity ; hitt none, as he thought, of criminality. The death of the deceased might have been prevented by proper care on the parts of the night-constable and watchmen. That it was accelerated by the manner in which she was treated he had no doubt ; but it was not in his power to take cognizance cf the fact. It rested with the parochial authorities to indict the parties • for a misdemeanor ; a measure he would strongly recommend, as it may serve to teach others to act. if not with natural humanity, at least with that-portion of it which the law requires. He left the verdict entirely in their handa, certain it would be such as would satisfy the ends of justice and humanity. The Jury, after a lengthened deliberation, returned a verdict of " Died from the combined effects of cold- and intoxication ;" and expressed a determination to prosecute the constable and watchmen for the misdemeanor, at the ensuing Sessions.
The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1825-08-29 (London, England)

EATH OF WILLIAM REFUS.—A correspondent, resident in the New Forest, who is perfectly conversant with its local history, having observed an extract from Dr. Lingartis History of England, in which the circumstances attending the death of William Rufus are erroneously stated, has favoured us with the following observations on this interesting event :—`‘ There is," he says, " in all good Maps of Hampshire, and amongst others in Carey's New Map now publishing, a ford marked in the Avon, called Tyrrell's Ford ; the manor in which this ford is situated is called Avon Tyrrell, because Sir Walter Tyrrell escaped by this ford from Hampshire into Dorsetshire, whence he fled to France; and the proprietor of this manor pays to the Seriff of HaMpshire, to this day, a yearly fine cd' five poundw imposed on it as a punishment on the then owner Toe having suffered Tyrrell thus to escape. This shows evidently that Tyrrell was put sued on the Spot, wrongfully or not, as 'Ong Rufus's murderer, and that he was so long beset that *se was tints. to alio crtletittifillblie It 'bell' the NJ.W. Forett,larinst Itifs..atherieiers b me con d have attached to the owner of the manor in question; and Tyrrell would not have fled, and waited an opportunity of escape, if he had not known that be was pursued for a .crisne.'—ifornpshire Chronicle. PILCHA BD Fisurae.—The accounts from time coast east and west of this port, during the past week, are of the most cheering description. Immense shoals of pilchards have made their appearance, and both the drift-boats and seans have been actively employed in securing the fish, which are found to approach nearer to the shore than for many years past. -The scans at Looe, Wrinkle, Fowcy, Mevagiusey, Cawsand, Yealm, and Bigbury Bay, have been more or less successful. Two thousand hogsheads were enclosed in Bigbury Bay on Tuesday evening and there is every prospect that this season, at least, will standcomely repay the adventurers.—Truro Paper. The potato° crop in Scotland is generally supposed to be; rather deficient ; but a successful agriculturist, whose farm is eight miles from Glasgow, had sold his on the foot at 241. per acre.—Glase. ow Chronicle. On Sunday week, a sermon was preached by Dr. Harris, at the Independent Chapel, Southampton, for the benefit of the College about to be established at Highgate, instead of the one at present existing at Holton. The Rev. Gentleman stated that the original building was only incanted for three sttultnts, that their present number was, forty, and tha, the enlargements had been by no means in proportion to their increase. Ile then stated that the plan now in hand being on a far more extensive scale, called for the libetal support of the congregation. Seven gold coins of the reign of the Roman Etnreror Constantine was lately discovered by a woman cutting turf upon Holyhead Mountain, about a mile distant from the South Stack. They are all of the same era, but struck I y two different dies. They are iu excellent preservatior.— Shrew:Lire Cleertictr. •
The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1825-02-07 (London, England)

PUBLIC MARRIAGE AND DISTURBANCE IN ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, PLYMOUTH.  On Tuesday lost was married, at St. Andrew's church, Major IV. II.)1loway, of the Royal Engineers, son of Major-General Sir Charles Holloway, of Stoke Cottage, to Amelia, youngest daughter of the late Captain Elphinstone, of B 't he friends of the parties assembled at Bellair and Stoke, and after breakfast the procession, of fourteen catriages, united at Devonport. An elegant chariot and four, containing the bride and two of her bridemaids, took the lead, followed by Sir Charles Holloway's coach and four, in which was the bridegroom. The footmen, postboys, and horses, were decorated with white favours ; fine carpeting was spread from the carriage steps to the communion table, over which the party walked. The bride was richly attired in a full dress of white satin and plumes. After the ceremony the processioa again drove off through Stoneltouse and bevenport, and the happy pair followed in their chariot and four. In the evening, after dinner, they set off for Exeter. The interest excited on this occasion was of the most extraordinary description. As early as eight o'clock in the morning the church was occupied by a multitude, of which a great part was composed of females ; but we have to regret that the sacrednetz of the place was little regarded. At ten, lying the hour of divine service, which is pert*, rmed in this church twice every day in the week throughout the year, the same was rendered impracticable by the turbufence of the populace. Cries of " Murder ! order ! help ! help !" whistling, and even swearing ! were heard in a house devoted to the worship of God, and the unruly mob was not restrained by any respect for the minister, or for the holy word, which was attempted to be read. Indeed, it was a scene of the most harrowing nature to those who reverence the sanctuaries of our religion. There could not be less than three thousand persons present: the pulpit, reading-desk, and even the edges of the pannels of the seats, were tenanted; persons were actually mounted on each other's shoulders, and the streets and houses outside were crowded with the multitude of spectators. At halfpast eleven the procession reached the church. The tumult was now increased, the press for a view was intense, and the crowd, notwithstanding the greatest exertions to prevent it, took forcible possession of the inner rails of the communion table, which are much injured, and rudely violated, with their clamour and contention, that most sacred portion of the church. In the midst of all this tumult, the marriage ceremony was performed, and the multitude shortly after disperser!.—Sherburne Journal.  A gentleman connected with a very respectable silk house has taken a commodious warehouse m Bohan, and intends in a short time to commence the silk-manufactory there on an extensive scale.—Stockport Advertiser. Mr. Harvey, gamekeeper to Lord Grenville, at Dropmore, last week, on Woburn Common, killed a snipe that that was completely black. So
The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1825-10-15 (London, England)

UNION-HALL.  Yesterday morning, soon after the sitting Mvistrate, M. Swaby, Esq. had taken his sou on the bench, a man advanced in years approached the table. and holding out a letter in his hand, requested that the Magistrate would peruse it, as it contained a most diabolical threat against his life, and he had attended for the purpose of making an application fora warrant against the author of it, who would inevitably commit murder, and that before long, unless he was bound over in it good round sum to keep the peace against all his Allssty's subjects. The Magistrate remarked, that it was rather a singular application, and before he read that which was just put into his hands, he should wish to know the name and profession of the person applying ? . Applicant—My name, Sir, is Doctor Angus, and I am a minister of the Kirk of Scotland ; read the letter first, Sir, and after. wards I shall give you more potent reasons for the necessity of instantly granting that which I now apply for. The Magistrate perceiving that the Doctor was most anxious he should read the epistle that contained the threat of murder, proceeded to the task, and with difficulty, as it was a miserable scrawl, read as follows: _ _ _  " Surrey Grove, Oct. 12, 1825. " You old rascal of a parson, Doctor Angus, you have used me used me basely, under the cover of friendship. You have made two attempts to corrupt m wife, which your own letter proves You old Pope, you are a walking nuisance, you ought not to be admitted into any house. You will, if not stopped, tithe universal conjugal rebellion in the nation. (This latter sentence produced peals of laughter in the office, which even the gravity of the Ma. gistrate could not suppress. The poor Doctor stood like a statue, without changing a muscle in his countenance. When, however, silence was in some measure obtained, he exclaimed, ' Finish the letter,Sir, you have not come to the threats tomurder me yet.' Then tuming round to the auditory, he commanded silence, while he told them that it was no laughing matter, and appealed to them whether or no they should not be alarmed by the threats of a big fellow six feet and a half high, with a tremendous pair of whiskers and mus. tathios to set off a countenance already terrific, without the addition of such ornaments, who constantly paraded before his (the applicant's) deor with a large bludgeon, threatening to beat his brains out if he ventured across the threshold of his own door. The Magistrate here interrupted the Doctor in his energetic description of his very formidable opponent, observing, that unless be held his tongue, they should not be able to finish the letter, which contained the chief grounds of his complaint. The Doctor bowed to the suggestion, and was as silent as the tomb while the rest of the letter was read, which concluded in these words:)—l will make an example of you. I'll have your entrails to make fiddle-strings of, the very first time I meet you, that you may rely upon, Doctor Angus. (Signed) L.
The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1825-08-24 (London, England)

WELSH ASSIZES. BRECON GREAT SESSIONS, AUGUST 19.  MURDER• John Evans wan indicted for the wilful murder of Matgaret Williams, of the parish of Islandulu. It appeared that about two o'clock in the morning of Monday, the Bth inst. tht unfortunate woman was called from her bed by some one, when she went out of sluts, thinly clothed, and did not return. On its being ascertained that she had disappeared, a sus.' picion was raised that she had tome to an untimely end ; and as she was pregnant by the prisoner, means were taken for his appro.hettsion, and he Inn next day secured and committed to prison. The matter having caused a very strong sensation in the neighbourhood, great exertions were made to discover the supposed murdered body ; but Evan., all along denied any knowledge of it. It was still, however, confidently believed that he had perpetrated the mime; and it was also thought that his brother-in-law. Daniel Rowlands, was likely to know something of the !DRUM On some address being used by the constable, a few days afterwards, the bloody secret in a great measure cattle out ; and Rowlands stated that Evans brought the dead body to the house. on horseback, in the night, requesting him to lend a spade, and afford his assistance in burying the corpse. Rowlands likewise stated that the spade was lent, and that he went some part of the way with him, but from a horror of the proceedings he soon returned : he also de. scribed the direction in which Evans had taken the body, and the spot was at last discovered in a retired situation. On removing the earth the remains of the unfortunate woman were found buried, with the clothing she had on when she left her house, on her side, about two feet below the surface; the person burying her having covered the grave with the original sods, and trod them with his feet without shoes, and carefully spread the spare earth at some distance, to prevent a discovery. On examination of the body it was found that death was occasioned by the dislocation of the neck of the unfortunate woman. \Viten the circumstances attending I the discovery of the body were made known to Evans, lie acknow. 1 ledged his having buried it, but denied his committing murder. The Counsel for the prisoner matte strenuous efforts to substan' tiate a flaw in the indictment, from an alleged inaccuracy in its legal technicalities; but they were overruled by the Court; and, after a trial of nine hours, the Jury returned a verdict of Guilty. The JUDGE then pronounced the awful sentence, that the prisoner be executed on Monday at Brecon, and his body given for dissection.  The unhappy criminal, who appeared to be under thirty year, of age, and is said to be possessed of considerable property, heard his dreadful doom with leis apparent emotion than many of th,: auditors._  The miserable victim to the lawless passion of the prisoner, besides being again pregnant, had a child livOlg bx tie same barbarous father; and it has been stated that he WM paying his addresses to another female, who had discouraged his suit, in consequence of his former guilty connexion.