npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-03-17 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

HIGH COURT OF JUSTICIARY.  TIIE LATE ACCIDENT ON THE NORTH BRITISH RAILWAY.  The High Court met on Thursday for the trial of Mr. Rowbotham, general manager, Mr.Petre,latelocomotive superintendent, and James Jeffrey, telegraph-worker, in the employment of the North British Railway Company, who were charged with culpable homicide, as also culpable neglect of duty, in so far as each of them had failed to discharge his duty—the first in having failed to issue proper orders for the working of the telegraphic offices between Edinburgh and l'ortobello, instructing the officers in the working of the same—Mr. Petre for not properly instructing the telegraph officers under his charge in their duties—and Jeffrey for not making himself acquainted with his duties. The libel went on to state that, in consequence of the remissness of the parties libelled, a passenger train was, on the evening of the 7th Dec. last, allowed to run into a goods train which had just cleared the mouth of the Calton Hill tunnel, the result of which was that the couplings of the passenger train got detached, and the train separated in two, one half remaining with the engine, and the other part, consisting of three or four carriugPs, going back down the incline. The detached carriages gradually acquired considerable momentum, and were encountered at the lower end of the tunnel by a pilot engine, coining up on the same line of rails. A collision was the consequence, when one man named Sinclair was killed, and several others severely hurt. Two or three of the carriages were injured. The object of the prosecution was to show that it was owing to negligence in not turning a danger-signal at the end of the tunnel, under the charge of Jeffrey, that the accident had octiurred ; and that proper orders for the workin,g of the signal were not communicated to Jeffrey by Mr. Rowbothain, as general manager, and by Mr. Petre, under whose orders the telegraph men were placed. The evidence on these points occupied the attention of the Court till nearly six o'clock, when the case for the prosecution closed.  The evidence was of very little interest, and so far as it went, did not seem to press very heavily against either the general manager or the locomotive superintendent. The former in his declaration declined any responsibility for the management of the locomotive department; and the latter stated that Jeffrey, the telegraph worker, had been appointed to his situation under the conviction that he was well acquainted with his duty in reference to the signal at the mouth of the tunnel. Jeffrey, on the other hand, declared that he bed no instructions with regard to that signal, and that his understanding was not to put the danger signal up unless a train stunk in the tunnel, which was not the case in the present instance.  _ To-day (Saturday) the driver of the passenger train and the telegraph worker at the next station to the east of Edinburgh are to be tried on a separate indictment In connexion with the same accident.
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-03-01 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE  ARRIVAL OF TIIE AFRICA.  On Tuesday evening the steamship Africa arrived at Liverpool, with three days later intelliu.ence from the United States, her dates being New-York, 1311 i Feb. She has had a stormy passage. She brings $362,791 81c. and .£14,600 in specie. . _ . _  The Maine liquor law has passed the Senate of Indiana by a majority of ten. A prohibitory liquor law has just passed both branches of the Illinois legislature. The penalty on the British steamship Alps, bonded for $75,002 on a charge of smuggling, and subsequently declared forfeited to the United States by a decision of Judge Ingersoll, has been remitted by the government of Washington on the payment of the costs. The steward of the Pacific was found guilty of smuggling watches, &c., at the last term of the United States Circuit Court. The captain of the vessel is, by the statute, also liable for the act of his officers, but the government at Washington have in this ease remitted the fine to which Captain Nye was liable for the smuggling by his steward. In the United States Senate a bill to amend the act to carry the reciprocity treaty with the British North American provinces into effect was passed. The bill giving three years' extension of credit for ditties on irun to railroad companies was taken up. The steam-ship Prometheus has arrived at New-Orleans with Californian dates to the 20th January. The steam-ship Northern Light left San Juan on the 6th Instant for New-York, with 200 passengers and 000,000 in treasure. Twenty two ballots had been taken for the United States Senator without any choice being made. The markets were dull, with declining tendencies. We hose dates from Oregon to the 13th January. The Ulanth Indians had attacked and murdered five whites near Orleans, and the United States troops had gone in viirsuit of them. A general war is expected with the Indiana, as they are numerous and well armed. The steam-ship Orizaba arrived at New-Orleans, with dates from Mexico to the sth, and from Vera Cruz to the Bth instant. A provisional government has been established at Acapulco, with General Alvarez at the head, until the arrival of Ceballos. General Bahammurdo was confident that Santa Anna would be shot by the rebels. General La Vega will relieve General Woll of the command at Matamoras. The revolutionists at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec have declared in favour of Alvarez and Ceballos. A new revolution is talked of in Yucatan.  _ Twenty-six business houses at Granada, Miss, were destroyed by fire on the 4th inst. The loss is estimated at $163,000.. _  - Vireos thousand bales of cotton were burnt up at Troy, Miss., on the Bth instant. The engine-house and repair-shop of the Grand Trunk Railway at Goshen, N. 11., had been destroyed by fire. Eight engines in the house were B.lved. Two engines in the repair-shop (the Caeso and Gloucester) were destroyed, together with the tools. Loss not precisely known. The building cost about $5,000, and the tools $lO,
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-02-24 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

CRIME A.  Prince Mensehikoff telegraphs to St. Petersburg on the 12th as follows :—On the 30th we succeeded in diecovering subterraneous works of the French leading towards the fortifications. With the aid of the artillery we destroyed, on the 2d, a portion of the enemy's gallery. On the 6th, the French, trying the same means, attempted our countermines. The attempt turned to their own disadvantage. On the 9th, the play of a new mine enabled us still more to destroy the enemy's works. Meanwhile, our artillery successfully replied to the fire of the besiegers. At night detachments of volunteers continually harass the enemy in their trenches, and by obliging them to beat to arms compel them to suspend their works. The Vienna paper Presse of Thursday has the following, dated Constantinople, Feb. 15:—It is reported that Lord Raglan has tendered his resignation. On the 12th General Pelissier sent a message to Paris stating that no successful attempt could be made on Sebastopol for a month to come. The inclination of Persia in favour of Russia becomes daily more evident. Turkey and Greece have not yet come to an understauding. The Daily News understands that, although the na•vies only landed on the 20th January, they had made by the 6th inst. no less than three miles of the temporary road. The entire railway was expected to be completed in six weeks. The Herald's Crimea correspondent writes on the sth that the siege preparations were progressing:, but the writer is of opinion that the capture of Sebastopol is all but impossible while tne northern forts remain in the hands of the enemy, towards the reduction of which we have not taken one step. The condition of the camp was improving, but sickness continued undiminished ; from the 28th Jan. to 9th Feb., 1,533 men were invalided, and it was stated that 300 would be so on the 10th. The deaths during the above period were 600. A. Russian attack upon Balaklava was expected. The tram-way was making astonishing progress. The Times' correspondent's letters of 6th, 7th, Bth, 9th, and 100, have arrived. The details are not important. Fuel was still scarce. The army was partially butted. The Russians had cut into the gallery of a French mine, and destroyed an engineer officer and some men by smoke-balls, after which they blew up the mine. The murder of an officer's servant belonging to the 9th Regiment had caused mock sensation in the camp. The Russians worked actively at their defences. The English works are stated to be too dir:tant from the town; new batteries will be thrown up in front. At Balaklava the harbour and tows are in better order. The Russians are mulling round towards Balaklava. There is plenty of meat and bread inleSebastopol, but the men want spirits; thousands are employed in conveying provisions to Simpheropol for the garrison. Preparations are made against the expected Russian attack upon Balaklava. The Russian force in the rear is estimated at 35,000 men. If they take up a fortified position they ou3lit to be driven away. On the 10th the ground was covered with snow. The Russians have made no movement.
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-08-18 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

AUSTRALIA. CAPTURE OF BLACK DOUGLAS AND HIS GANG AT THE  It will give very general satisfaction to the public to be informed that the career of this notorious character, and his mates in crime, has sustained a check at the hands of the Maryborough diggers, whose assumption of the law in this instance is not likely to be condemned. The particulars have reached us to the following effect The whole neighbourhood of Simpson's, from Canisbrook to the Avoca and New Bendigo, has for several weeks past been kept in a continual state of terror and apprehension by the depredations of gangs of scoundrels, whose maraudings gradually increased in violence and brutality as the intention of government to reduce the police force become known. The crowning act of the barbarities committed by the ruffians was the murder of a woman at Avnea ; and the diggers became sensible that they must themselves take measures for secnring their own lives and property. The first intelligence of their active operations for self protection reached the camp at Maryborough about one, on Sunday, when information was brought that a gang of bushrangers had been captured at the Alma. About an hour afterwards, Shearman took a party of police to the spot and found a party of 200 or 300 diggers about to sit in judgment on Block Douglas and eight of his companions, whom, after a severe contest, they had succeeded in capturing, and all of whom were known to have been actively engaged in the outrages that had been committed. Lieut. Shearman persuaded the diggers to surrender the culprits into the custody of the law, and the whole body marched to the camp, with their prisoners in a cart, and delivered them with three cheers to the care of the police. The injuries sustained by the gang in their conflict with the diggers, who fought with picks, shovels, Sic.. are said to be very severe; three especially were very severely handled ; and one was so badly wounded that his life is in danger. About five o'clock on Sunday afternoon two more of the Rang were captured and taken to the camp. After giving their prisoners into the custody of the police, bodies of the diggers proceeded to varions tents which were known to be the resorts of bushrangers, and gave notice to the owners that unless they were removed by four o'clock on Monday they would all be razed, and all the people thus warned are said to have decamped. The diggers express their firm intention to rid the country of the rascals by whom it is infested, and are adopting measures for effectually carrying their object into effect. On Monday the prisoners were examined before the magistrates, and five of them committed for trial on distinct charges of robbery. The others, including the Black Douglas, were remanded for farther examination. Notwithstanding the reputation which this chief of robbers has obtained, it seems difficult to establish any serious charge against him, and it is thought that lie will have to be proceeded against milder the vagrant act, as a consorter with thieves and vagabonds.—Mslbourne Argus.
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-02-06 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THE RECENT MURDER AT CHATHAM.  There can be little doubt, from what has been discovered since the horrid murder in this town, that the girl Laws, the servant, is the murderer of the old lady, Mrs. Bacon. When the body was found in the bed-room it was surprising to every one present, including the high constable of the town and Major Boys, one of the county magistrates, that no marks of blood were seen on any part of her dress or on her person, except the crown of the head, which had been beaten in by the hatchet which was found in the coal-cellar with blood and hair on it: neither were there any marks of blood in the room or approaching to it, which is considered remarkable and mysterious. It was evident that the body had been placed there by some one, and carried up, and not dragged up, as was first considered. The body was partly dressed, having only the under clothing on, with a coloured petticoat and stays, all perfectly clean. The stockings had not a soil on them, and the shoes were off the feet. It now turns out, front what is disclosed,that as some suspicion arose from tha appearance of the dress, that that dress was not the one she was murdered in, and as a strict searca was made by Thomas Everest, the county superintendent constable, in the water-closet at the back of the dwelling, he drew out with a :tick the whole of the apparel the poor old creature was murdered in. There'was also a shawl, and from its being pinned, if is clear that after the murder had been committed the shawl was put tightly over the head, and firmly fixed, for the purpose of preventing the flow of hemorrhage from the crown of the head, as the false hair belonging to the deceased, with a cap, was inside of it and clotted with blood. The gown which the deceased wore that morning had been torn off her back, and that appeared also saturated with blood, as well as other articles of dress. The murderer, therefore, must have taken the trouble of washing the deceased and putting on fresh clothing after the body had ceased to exist. It is said that the girl is not quite 16 years old, and that, although so young, she is well known to some of the police at Rochester as keeping bad company, and associating with the worst of characters. In consequence of the gold ring and the gold brooch which dropped from the bosom of her dress on her being put to bed in the hospital at Fort Pitt, proving to be those of her late mistress, inquiry has been made, and a silk dress belonging to Mrs. Bacon has been found at Mr. Weeke's, pawnbroker at Chatham, which was pawned by the girl about six weeks back. There has not been a murder at Chatham for nearly twenty years. Up to Wednesday afternoon the girl remained in the hospital in a very low condition, and refuses to make any statement.
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-12-18 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

ISM.—Despatches by the Atlantic represent our affairs with England as wholly unchanged since the departure af the Canada. Mr. Buchanan says that Lord Clarendoa and the British Cabinet are endeavouring to patch ups reply to our government's commumeation in reference to the violation of our neutrality laws by British agents, in order, if possible, not to wound ear sensitiveness, and at the saute time to shield Mr. Crampton. Despatches brought by the Atlantic went ereeeldered by the cabinet this morning, which enabled the President to complete his message They are of the most pacific nature. The question of the Sound dues still remains unsettled, our government refusing to concede to the capitalisation proposed by Denmark.' In the Evening Express, of the 4th, we find-the following The national convention of our Irish brethren, to make arrangements for the invasion of Ireland, takes plaee at the Astor House to-day.' From Kansas there is exciting news. A collision has occurred between the free state and pro-slavery men, near Hickory Point. Blood has been shed on both sides, and dwellings given to the flames. The military has been ordered out, and the whole country is in arm*. Many families were flying into Missouri for refuge. It is alleged that in this instance the free state men were the aggressors. Governor Shannon hes telegraphed to the President at Washington, informing him that civil war is actually threatened, and requesting prompt assistance. The President has ordered the immediate despatch of troops from the nearest posts. The nen a front California is two weeks later. The financial condition of San Francisco was represented as being still somewhat gloomy, and the authorities were liquidating some claims by giving two dollars of scrip wth ten per cent. interest for one dollar indebtedness. The markets generally in San Francigco during the fortnight had been dull and quiet, although business in the interior towns was represented as being brisk, with the prospect of a great increase with the commencement of the rainy season. The anticipation of a rising of the Indians in the north had been more than realised, and the whole of that portion of the countty was in arms, reedy to take speedy vengeance upon the red men. The Novelty Distillery, In San Francisco, was destroyed by fire on the 2d inst., and one of the large stills in the establishment exploded, killing two firemen and wounding four others. The loss is said to be about $250,000. Two men were executed nt Coloma on the 26th of Oct. One of them was Crane, the epirittmlist, who was convicted of the murder of Miss Newhaht, and the other was a desperate character known by the name of Micky Free, who was concerned in the murder,' Mr. Howe. The executions were witnessed by about 6,000 persons, male and female, including children of all ages. Accounts of marvellous discoveries of gold in Table Mountain had been received. Deposits, it was said, had been laid bare which exceeded in richness all the former discoveries in the state. The mountain is 20 miles long, and 300 yards wide.
Glasgow Courier. — 1859-03-31 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THE CANE-BOTTOMED CHAIR. In tattered old slipper. that toast at the bars, And. milled old Jacket perfumed with cigars. Away from the world and its toile end its cares, Ire • snug little kingdom up four pair of stairs. To mount this realni Is a toil, to be sure, But the tire there to blight and the air rather pure; And the slew I behold on. sunshiny clay, is grant through the chimney-pots over the way. Thit snug little chamber is crimmed In all nooks With worthless old:nirk-koarks and silly old books. And foolish old odd., and foolish old ends, Cracked bargains from brokers,icheap keep sakea from friends, Ohl armour, prints, pictures, pipes china (all cracked), Old rickety tables, and chairs broken-backed; A twopenny treaeury, wondrous to see What matter 1 'Os pleasant to you, friend, nod me.  No better divan need the Sultan require, Than the creaking old of that basks by the Bre; And 'tin wonderful, surely, what manic you get From the rickety, ramshackle, wheezy spinet.  That praying iug came from a Turroman's camp; By Tiber once twinkled that brazen old lamp; A Mameluke fierce yonder dagger has drawn— 'Tis a murderous knife to toast muffins upon.  Long, long, through the hours, and the night, and the chimes; Here we talk of old books, and old friends, and old times; As we sit in a fog made of rich Latakie, This chamber is pleasant to you, friend, and use. But of all the cheap treasures that garilish my nest, There's one that I rove and I cherish the bent; For the 6nest of 0011031/114 IbsU 'Adds& 'Mb hair never could change thee, my cane-botlornedohair. 'Tis a bandy-legged, high-shouldered, worm-eaten seat, With a creaking old back, and twisted old feet; But sloe, the fair morning when F'snny sat there. I bless thee end love thee, old cane-bottomed chair.  If chairs hare but feeling, in holding such charms,.  A thrill must have passed through your withered old arms; I looked, and I longed, and I wished in despair— I wished myself turned to • cane-bottomed chair.  It was but a moment she sat in this place— She'd • scarf on her neck, and a smile on her face! A smile on her face, and a rose in her hair, And she sat there, and bloomed in my cane-bottomed chair.  And so I have valued my chair ever since, Like the shrine of • saint, or the throne of a prince— Saint Fanny, my patroness sweet I declare, The queen of my heart and my cane-bottomed chair.  When the candies burn low, and the company's gone, In the silence of night as I sit here alone— I sit here alone, but we yet are a pair— My Fanny I see in my cane-bottomed chair.  Jgbe somes from the past and revisits my room— She looks as she then did, all beauty and bloom; So smiling and tender, so fresh and so fair— And yonder she sits in my cane-bottomed chair.
Glasgow Courier. — 1859-02-15 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THOMSON.  This is an action of damages for slander, brought by Thomas Brownlie? gamekeeper on the estate of Murdiston, in Lanarkshire, against John Thomson, farmer at Bill of Murdiston. The come woa reported to the Second Division for adjustment of issues. The proposed issues, which are in the following terms, explain the nature and facts of the ease.  Issues proposed by the pursuer:— 'lt being admitted that the pursuer WU in July, 1857, and still is, gamekeeper on the estate of 'Hurdleton, Lanarkshire, belonging to Robert Stewart, Eisi., arid that the defender was' in July, 1857, and still is, tenant of the farm and hill of Murdiston, part of said estate:—  "1. Whether' on or about the 18th day of July, 1857, end at or near the gate of the east lodge of Murdiston Houma, in the parish of Shotts, and county of Lanark, the defender did falsely and calumniously say of and concerning the pursuer to James White, forester on the estate of Murdiston aforesaid, that be was a blackguard, and person of bad character, and that the said Robert Stewart would be no gentleman if he retained the pur• suer in his employment after becominir acquainted with , his had character; and, further, that the pursuer was a niurderer, or that he had been an accomplice in an act of murder, to the loss, injury, and damage of the pursuer? "2. +fltether, time before mentioned, and at or near to the front of Murdiston House aforesaid (or in the neighbourhood thereof), the defender dill falsely and calumniously way of and concerning the pursuer, in the presence and hearing of Andrew Armour, gardener on the said estate of Murdiston, and of James Forrest, re• siding at Onina Ironworks, and then overseer on the said estate, that the pursuer was a blackguard, and a person of bad and disreputable character, and that be was a murderer, or that he had been an accomplice in an act of murder committed near Edinburgh, to his loss, injury, and damage? " Damages laid at £500." Counter issues proposed by the defender " 1. Whether, on or about the summer or autumn of 1851, the pursuer was found poaching or trespaming in pursuit of game upon the said farm of Hill of Munliaton; and whether, upon the said occasion, the pursuer (or those with whom he was in company) pointed a gun at, and threatened to take the life of the defender? "2. Whether, on various occasions between the Bald autumn of 1351, and the month of December, 106, the  pursuer woo found poaching or trespassing in pursuit of game upon the estate of Murtliston, or immediate neigh hourhooti thereof?" _ _ _ . .  After hearing counsel the Court approved of the issues for the pursuer, and disallowed the counter issues for the defender.  Counsel for the pursuer—Mr Logan and Mr John Burnet. Agent—Mr John Thomson, S.S.C. Counsel for the defender—The Solicitor-General and Mr Cunningham Graham. Agents —Messrs. W. & Cook, W.S.  '