npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1889-02-23 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

MUSWELL-BILL BURGLARY.  COMMITTAL OF TIM PRISONERS. At the Highgate Police-court, the three men, Lyster, Clarke, and Burdett, were on the 18th inst. finally examined on the charge of having committed a hocgluey at Muswell-bill, on Jan. 8, and of having shot Mr. H. D. Atkin, intending to murder him. Mr. Atkin was called, being now for the first time able to give evidence. Ile still looks very pale, but he was in good spirits, and told his story with zest. Describing what he heard from the tool shed at the side of the house at Muse-ell-hill, he said : On the Plight of the Bth of January I heard the report of firearms. It seemed like one shot only, and to come from the front of the house. I took a chisel and went to the door, and then heard two more shots very closely following each other, and I heard my father call out, "George." I walked across the fowl. yard to the front, and then heard another shot, making the fourth. When I got to the front I beard a noise behind a bush on my left, and knowing whoever was behind it could not get away on the side he appeared to be, as there was a wire fencing th re, I made a feint to go one side, but went the other, but when within two feet of the bush I heard a shot, and felt a bullet enter my, abdomen. A man then came from behind the bush and ran away. He went towards the front of the house. I followed and saw the man burst open a side gate and run across the tennis lawn. I kept after him, and when I was about half-way across the lawn the man turned sharply round and fired a second shot at me, and I felt the bullet enter my chest. I was about five feet away from him, and he took deliberate aim at me. I am certain it was aimed direct at me. The man then resumed running. I still followed, and when neat the end of the lawn he turned sharply again and fired a third shot at my head. I was so close that the flash blinded me for a moment, but I was not hurt. After firing this shot he crossed the path and got into the bushes, where I lost sight of him. The man was about two inches taller than myself—about the height of Lyster. I only saw him sidefaced for a moment, and I cannot identify any of the prisoners. The man I saw had only a moustache at that time. He had on a short-cut jacket. He was not dressed as a working man, but rather as a gentleman. After losing sight of the man I walked back into the house. One of the magistrates asked the witness if he had any conversation with the man that shot at him, to which the witness replied, " No, we had no time for compliments." Upon this and other evidence Alfred Lyster, Charles Burdett. and James Clarke, charged with burglary, and with attempting to murder Mr. George Atkin, were committed for trial.
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1889-06-01 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

DISCOVERED.  The body of Dr. Cronin, the Irish Nationalist, who disappeared from Chicago on the 4th of May, has at length been found under circumstances which leaves no doebt that the deceased w. murdered. The body was discovered by some labourers, who, as they were clearing out some ditches at Lake's View, a suburb of Chicago, noticed a peculiar odour rising from the catch.baski of a sewer, and, having priced off the top of the basin, discovered the body, which was nake I with the exception of a towel wrapped round the head and a Catholic Agefll Dei charm fastened round the neck. Six deep cuts were noticed on the head, severing the scalp and indenting the skull; the worst being a large and diffused wound at the back of the head, which suggested that an axe had been used. Over the right eye there was another cut, which appeared to have been inflicted by the edge of a blunt axe. There were other wounds on the parietal bone and over the left eye, all indicating the use of •blunt instrument. Besides the cuts on the head there were some bruises on the left leg, and severe contusions' apparently caused by a bludgeon, on the forehead. It is believed the body was carried to the culvert in the trunk which was recently found in the vicinity, and the police are of opinion that the body had not been in the catch-basin for more than a week. They account for the charm being left round the neck by suggesting that the murderer was unable to bring himself to disturb it. The body had apparently been thrown into the basin, for the bead was downwards and the feet and legs were in the sewer opening. In spite of its mutilated appearance, and the period which has elapsed since the murder, the corpse was fully identified by the friends of the deceased, who assert that the murder is the outcome of a foul conspiracy, and declare that they will spare no expense to secure the apprehension of the amassins. It appears that Dr. Cronin was summoned on the night of May 4 to attend a supposed patient, and it Is believed that the first blow was struck when he was sitting by or s'ooping over the bed. His friends say that since his break with the members of the National League In Chicago be had made a number 6f enemies, and, considering his life in danger, carried a revolver. One reason given for his removal is that he had prepared a minority report as a member of the committee of the League which was appointed to Inquire into certain rumoured mis-uses of money. This report is said to have implicated a number of prominent officials of the League, and would have been read at the meeting of the League in January. According to other reports, some members of the Clan-nae Gael who were opposed to his views had him removed; while other persons who are declared to be well informed say that it is impossible that any Irish society can have been concerned in the murder, and regard the crime as the outcome of a personal quarrel. The police have one man under surveillance on suspicion of being implicated in the murder.
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1889-08-24 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

WIFE MURDER IN A CARAVAN. Early the other morning a murder was committed In a showman's van at Woodhouse, a village a few miles from Sheffield, the victim being Emma West, wife of Robert West, proprietor of "Aunt Sallies," cocoanut shies, and other like attractions. West's van and several others arrived at Woodhouse for the annual feast, which commenced the next day; and he and his wife were in the habit of travelling with a number of shows with which some persons named Twigden are connected. Their previous stooping place was at Clay Cross, in Derbyshire. At Dronfield West left the van and took a train for Sheffield in order that he might make scone purchaims. In the evening he drove over to Woodhouse in a cab, and was then the worse for drink. In spite of this he and his wife went to several public-houses in the village, where they remained till closing time. They then returned to their van, and nothing more was seen or heard of them till between five and six o'clock the next morning, when West went to a van occupied by Tom 0. Twigden and called him up. On Tirgden making his appearance at the door of his van, West raid," I have killed my wife, Tom." Twigd.en refused to believe this, and Went then said, "I will take my oath of it; she's dead enough in the van." West then asked Tvrigrlen to go with him to the police-station. They went there, but the police-sergeant was out. The latter soon afterwards was walking through the village asd saw West leaning against a wall. On West seeing him be told him that he had killed his wife. They then went to the van and found that the prisoner's statement was true. A doctor was immediately sent for, and on his entering the van he found th 6 murdered woman lying in bed with her throat deeply cut. The windpipe was nearly severed, and the wound extending aeries the centre of the throat was five inches in length. A large quantity of blood hid flowed from the wound and had can down from the bed to the floor. The poor woman had been dead about two hours. A man named Warwick, who was the first to enter the van, found • child asleep in bed with the murdered woman. On West being taken to the policentation, Woodhouse, he made • statement which is believed to be • confession of the murder. He treated his crime with a good deal of coolness, and soon after he had been removed to Sheffield he fell asleep in his cell. From the appearance of Mrs West's body, it is believed that she was murdered whilst she was asleep. It is stated that West has the reputaton of being quarrelsome. Ile had several times threatened his wife, and in consequence of his conduct she left him but three weeks or so ago she returned at his request. The murder was committed with a table knife. The deceased woman was 29 years of age. West is 44, and has aix children, three by a woman with whom he had previously lived, and three by the deceased.
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1889-11-30 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

MAJOR MURDERED. veaor-place, and of Eaton Hall, Thetford, in the The traoic shooting of Major Pettus in the open day county of Norfolk, sworn this 23rd day of November, . " in a crowded street of New York has produced mead, " lam the eldest son of the Duke of Grafton. I tense excitement. Mrs Snuthworth, who killed produce a copy of a newspaper called the .\)997i o.roi was at once arrested, is a fino.looking woman of London Press, issued on the 16th November, 1889. 30, handsomely dressed, and wore diamonds. she On page 5 Of the said newspaper, appeared a paragraph headed The West End Scandals; names of expressed no remorse at her deed, but said, "He has betrayed and disregarded me. He hes disowned me, some of the distinguished criminals who have escaped. The said paragraph continued, •In an an ve d has ruhim. He ined my re jaeserved utation all begot,a y and more y, issue of the 29th September, we stated that amongst ha shot nd and I m famil " The weapon used was a self-cocking five-barrel the numberly ofloathsome aristocrats who were mixed upCleveland-street th in e i revolver, and she discharged every barrel, and every ndescribab scandal in . shot dlreache im. Major Pettus, bawd,. being secTottenham Court-road, were the heir of the duke, and retary arid treasurer a the Brooklyn Elevated B the young son fad uke. The men to whom we then ission agent and member of the referred, were the Earl of Euaton son of the Duke of rs?",7at°,., Grafton. The former (meaning myself) we believe York t;xchange* He w" m" of "IT large means. Mrs.Southwo.th is an educated woman, has departed to Peru.' The paragraph continued, i • These men have been allowed to leave the couiatry, 1 v'h°. has moved n good society in the South-West, and thus defeat the ends of justice, because their having many relations and friends in Louisville Iler family say she had been deeply wronged. prosecution would disclose the fact that a few more distinguished and more highly placed personages than themselves were inculpated in this disgusting crime. The criminals in the case are to be numbered by the acore.' The paragraph concludes: It is full time that the severest examples should bring home to all that there are certain foul crimes (too prevalent of late by all accounts) that we could not tolerate unless London is to be regarded as the disgrace and opprobrium of modern civilisation.' I am the Earl of Boston referred to in this paragraph. It is untrue that I have absconded from England and gone to Peru. It is untrue that I have been guilty of any such crime. I produce the order of the judge directing that criminal proceedings be instituted • against the said Ernest Parke for the said libel on me, and I apply for a warrant for his apprehension. Mr. Vaughan: Is that the information and is the earl here? The Earl of Euston was then sworn, and stated that he had signed the information. Mr. Vaughan Then let the warrant issue.
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1886-08-07 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

FOR THE LITTLE FOLKS.  STORIES.  The stories of elephant sagacity might, indeed, fill a volume, for all their actions are marked, though in various degrees, by clear signs of this quality. In the year 143 an elephant was employed at a station in I India to pile up heavy logs—a work which these i animals perform with great neatness and speed. Then superintendent of the labour suspected the keeper of stealing the rice apportioned for the animal's food.; The man, of course, protested with all the vehemence of a native against the charge, and bemoaned his bard fate in being exposed to such a cruel suspicion. It so happened that the elephant was standing by during the loud discussion, and though no one supposed the creature understood the words uttered, the result was remarkable. The animal suddenly laid hold of a large wrapper which the man wore round his waist, and, tearing it open, let out some quarts of rice which the fellow had stowed away under the voluminous wrapper. Further evidence was needless, either of the man's guilt or the elephant's sagacity. The animal had probably seen the roguish attendant place its food in his cloth, and had simply taken the opportunity of recovering its rights. So closely do elephants remember the signification of the signs which have been taught them, that they will instantly obey the gentlest signal, such as the lifting of a finger or the alightesttouch on their  Bishop Heber tells of a malicious man who induced his elephant to kill a woman, by giving the sign of attack to the animal be was riding. Some natives had, however, witnessed the proceedings, and so clear was their testimony that the man was hanged for murder.  The Mohammedan soldiers in the Mogul's army trained their elephants to destroy the numerous small images of the Hindu divinities. Of course the soldiers pretended that the wise theological animals had an innate hatred of idolatry, which could not be restrained. The Hindus knew better, and divined that a secret sign was given to the well-taught beasts. Indeed there is scarcely an act, from the killing of a man to the uncorking of a wine-bottle, which these clever quadrupeds cannot perform ; perhaps to thread a lady's fine sewing needle might be beyond their power, but we are not certain. The Exeter 'Change elephant showed his reasoning powers in the following device, witnessed by Mr. Jesse  This gentleman was giving some potatoes to his huge pet, when one fell on the floor just beyond the sweep of the creature's trunk. A few inches behind the potato was a wall. The animal blew strongly against the vegetable. Of course thin sent it further otd still fro r the trunk against the wall, but the recoil brought the potato back nearer than before to the elephant, which then secured the price. It seems absurd to suppose that the animal knew anything about action and reaction, but the deed performed and the result attained were just what reason might have suggested to a clever child.
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1886-05-08 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

NARROW ESCAPE.  A Paris correspondent writes The express train from Cologne to Paris has just avoided by the merest chance a terrible accident, aluom.t similar to that which occurred a few weeks ago at MAL: Cs*. Count Milrister, German Ambassador to Paris, and his family were in the train at the time. It appears, Sc cording to one account, that when appnecklog Tergnier, the frontier station, the engine-driver found that he had no power over the brake. Ile, therefor& passed the Tergnier station, and his train went off the rails just as the train from Leon was coming up to that station. A collision recurred with an engine which was on an elevated pert of the line, hot nobody was hurt. One of the officials of the Northern Ilailwey Company gives a slightly different version of the occurrence, which, although evidently toned down, shows that the position of the Cologne train 1101 critical enough. He sap, that when about WO metres away from the Tergnier Railway Station the engine-driver of the train from Cologne nil' that his brake was out of order, hut could not tell bow He immediately whistled to warn the brake gust-chef the train to tighten the ordinary brakes. He Mee tightened his own and reversed steam. The relay. engine, which was to take the Cologne train nein Tergnier to Paris, was at this time on the line wen. ing to be put on, and it was with this that the dere of the Cologne triin came into collision while hacking. Two railway Carriages and struck went off die rails, and four passengcre—two ladies, a schoolboy, and a post-office clerk—received contusions. Ha the accident taken place on any other part of the line except Tergnier, where the engines were eliangrd, there would have been no danger. The eontenol have ordered a striet investigation to be made of he causes of the accident. The Smith and not the Westinghouse brake is used on the FrenehTiorthein line, and up to the present time it has minted no aceident. The Westinghouse brake is stil! used On some of the Fri nob lines, notably the western. It can, however, be easily broken, as was done by. murderer BOMB years ago on the Lyons and Heiner. ranean line. After he had accomplished ha nersrioul work he cut the brake, the train stopped suddenly, and he was able to get safely away.  MARI CIIESWORTH has been brought bef. re the Broar ton iCheshirei magistrate and remanded on a charg° of murder. The poor woman. who has a large Lundy, had been deserted by her husband, a drunken, uurlilets fellow, and in her agony and desolation ilst drowned a child, and endeavoured to put an end to her own life. Lenin RADNOI2£I allotments near Folkestone have all been taken up. One field of fif teen acres is appro. printed by 100 oceupiere. More land will be laid out for the purpose by his lordship, UM another field will be let in about f cry plot of ten percbes each.
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1886-10-16 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

HORRIBLE SCENE AT AN EXECUTION. .  Full particulars have now been received of the ! double execution of the most painful character which ! took place in the little town of St. Denis du Sig, in , Algeria, and of which a telegraphic summary has already been published in this country. In December last six natives broke into the house of M. hellier, a French baker, at St. Deals du Sig, and murdered him and his servant. A grown-up son was frightfully mutilated, but escaped with his life. The leaders of the gang, Milud Ben Lemma and El Hadji Buakaa were tried in July, and subsequently sentenced to death The scene at the execution is thus described At four a.m. the Procurator, followed by an interpreter and the prison officials, entered the cells in which the condemned Arabs were asleep. El Hadji Boma was first awakened, and the death warrant was read out to him. He listened NO h perfect calmness, and said, " Innocent though I am, I bear no maliceagainst my judges or the French. They have been deceived by Milud, who has borne false witness against tee. I desire to see my father and my mother and the Cadi. (live me water for my aloha. tions, and leave are by myself to pray." Here the prisoner lit a cigarette and ate some meat with apparent relish, after which he conversed with the Cadi. Milud Ben Lernna winehed under the sentence, and exclaimed, "I and 13uum are both guilty. Let the Cadi come to me. I will go on fasting." At half-past five the prisoners were pinioned, their hair and beards were cropped close, and their under garments cut away around the neck. During half an hour which these preparations lasted, they both sang verses of the Koren. When they were escorted to the traaff old between two rows of mounted police, Milud's wife burst into loud sobs, and tore her hair. It was she who informed against her ht:stand. It was broad daylight when 8097.1 was beheaded amid tte applause of a ferocious rabble, which, accordmg li, French custom, had been allowed to see the execution. Then it was Maud's turn, but the knife was jammed into the wooden framework, and only mutilated the wretched man's head.- Thereupon the executioner took out a handsaw and began to operate upon his neck, but to no purpose. To finish the , ghastly works razor had to be procured. The bodies ! were taken to the dissecting room of the hospital.  The twelfth annual Conference of Poor Law Guardians for Lancash;re and Cheshire has been held at Liverpool, and was presided over by Mr, J. T. Hibbert. Toe president said that they had been enabled to pass through that period of depression without any large addition to the pauperism of the country was not , only due to improved administration, but to the better 1 state of feeling of the industrial classes with regard to prudence, temrerance, and thrift.
Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1892-04-30 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

SALE OF FIREARMS.  It really does not appear to be such an impossible thing as Sir William Harcourt believes, says the Graphic, to restrict the sale and possession of firearms by a system of licenses. If every vendor were compelled, under heavy penalties, to sell a license with each weapon, and to report the fact, together with the buyer's name and address, to either the police or the Inland Revenue Office, that, in itself, would furnish a considerable restriction. No doubt there would be some evasions, especially when both seller and buyer were outside the trade : it may be admitted, too, that some inconvenience would result to dealers. But we have merely instanced this roughand-ready method to show that Sir William liarcourt's ' impossible "should be read "rather difficult." Given that meaning, his dictum may pass; no doubt it would require some brain-cudgelling to evolve a satisfactory remedy. But if there were any question of vote-catching at stake, the problem would have been solved long ago. Unhappily, it is more a question of vote-losing, the firearms industry being very powerful in some constituencies, where every vote is of value. Were either party to give it ! offence by injuring its interests, its support would assuredly be accorded to the other side. So men, women, and children must be accidentally shot by the dozen every year because British statesmanship lets "I dare not" wait en" I would." Sir William is no worse in that respect than others of his order on both sides of the House. And wiry? Because, although public opinion is almost unanimous in pronouncing that something ought to be done to check free trade in homicide, it can safely be set at defiance without endangering a single vote. Storm and rage as it does over the annual death-list, the question has never been made a " burning " one at elections, ' and never will be until some Prime Minister or Archbishop or Lord Chief Justice is inadvertently potted by someone who "did not know "that the gun or revolver which he had bought was loaded.  Orreconnes.--Cement for Broken •relclea, ed. • le. ; Po•Nre Id. Sold everywhere. home and ;throw;  A FEW mornings since two gentlemen were accosted iu the following magniloquent term by a beggar 'Gentlemen, will you administer the halm of consolation to a debilitated _constitution ?"  . . Tun Leicester Fire Brigade were called early on Saturday morning to a fire in a daelling.house in Horset-street, and although they were quickly on the scene, the fire had got a firm hold of the front room downstairs. On the flames being extinguished, the charred remains of an old woman named Ludlam were found. She had a bed in the room, and as she was under the influence of liquor the previous night, it is supposed she set fire to the bed with a candle. She had crawled to the front door, but had been unable to unlock it. There were several person. asleep in the rooms above, but they were rescued. - -  • • furs