npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Widnes Examiner. — 1902-11-07 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

THE TELEGRAPH POLES AT WINWICK. It will be remembered that at the last mewing of the Council a resolution was passer] requesting ths Surveyor Co communicate with the anthorities to ascertain if the I telegraph poles alongside the Winwick Asylum wall I could he removed. The Surveyor said it appeared that when the poles were erected the Council agreed to them being placed in their present position. The County Surveyor was of the opinion that if they were now removed the Council would be charged with the cost, as the autheritiea would have power to charge them with it. He thought, however, that if the authorities were properly approashed they might be induced to put the wires underground. The Council decided to take no action in the matter for the present.  A letter just to hand from Bermuda says that the writer is a torpedo man, and his duties were taken up with guarding the B3er prisoners, of which there were several thousands there. Every night lae kept a watch, burning a searchlight all round the islands. For the first two or three months he used to reei anyhow the next day, but one of his churns recommended Vi-Cocoa. For a time he used it, and after a week or so found that the fatigued feeling bad entirely disappeared, and he new says that it is Vi—Cocoa that sustained him and his mates through tha cold nights of last winter. _ Mr T J Brown, H.M.S. •Medina," Bermuda, West Indies, who writes this letter rightly adds "This is not a light task for ten months at a atretch..'  At Solihul on Tuesday Mr Harvey Du Cris was fined £2 and costs for drivinx a motor car at 35 miles an hour. The car was said to be the fastest in the world.  It is said that Vice-Admiral Sir Gerald Noel commanding the home fleet expressed himself very forcibly the other day in regard to the big gun firing of the ships of his squadron. " Firing net at all satisfactory,'' Wag the comment which he signalled, while all the gunners who had made bad sheeting were ordered to be. reported to him. The mystery of the Duchy 33 of Buceleuch's missing bracelet is still uesolved, and an annoncement is made on behalf of her Grace efferine. £5O reward to anyone who will bring it to Messrs Garrard, jewellers, in the Itaynsarket. The Duchess of Buccleuch can only imagine that she lest the bracelet in Westminster Abbey at the Coronation. She went nowhere on that day save ' tne Abbey and Buckingham Palaeo. At Portsmouth, the coroner's jury returned a verdict of " Wilful murder " against Mrs Morgan, wife of a retired naval lieutenaut,who is in custody charged with killing her child. A case came before Jude Woodfall, he the Westminster County Gourt. in which a defendant, on 3 judgment summons for £47, convinced his Honour be was unable to pay, but as he left the box Ise said. " I really want to pay, your Honour. I will pay a shilling a month.." (Laughter). His Honour Na order. Defendant's offer, if accepted, would have taken seventy-eight years to pay it in.
Widnes Examiner. — 1890-12-27 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

WIDNES.  Theleatiyal of the nativity was celebrated in the, usual quiet fashion in these towns. It is essentially a time of ieasing and the tradesmen made a • great I display of their goods to attract purchasers, of whom there was no lack, as trade has been. getterally,good during the past twelve months. The frost 'of the past ten days has unfortunately thrown'many outdoor workmen out of employment, and they have lost wages they ,could ill spare; but there aro no cases of severe distress in the nei,g,hbohrliood. The thaw of the previous two .days had 'given place. to a keen frost, and people wk.ie able to rejoice in an "old-fashioned Cliristartas." The skaters made the most of their opportunity, and the Big • Pool, which was .covered with thick ice was crowded with hundreds of people. The streets generally had . a deserted appearance, family parties being the order of the day, but those who wished to travel to visit friends had the discomfort of walking to Widnes, as the Runcoru railway station was closed. In the morning services wc re conducted at the churches of the Establishment, which were appropriately decorated for the occasion. A service was also held at St. Paul's Wesleyan Chapel, Runcorn, where the Rev. 11. Burson preached an appropriate sermon, and service was also held at Victoria-road Wesleyan. Chapel, Widnss. At the several Catholic churches in the neighbourhood High Mass was celebrated. None have, felt the severe weather more than the canal boatmen, and Mr. W. Shaw, the missionary of the Mersey Missions, having obtained help from a number of friends interested in their welfare, provided a capital dinner for about 100 persons at the Mission Room, Bottom Locks. In connection with Newtown Mission School, soup was provided to about 80 poor people. Mrs. W. Whittaker, of Higher Runcorn, had kindly undertaken the task of making the soup and assisted by workers from the school, it was distributed by her at noon on Christmas Day, together with a quantity of bread. Each person was given according to the family they possessed and it was cordially welcomed in every case.  The " Gaulois "published a statement on Tuesday that the Emperor William intends very shortly to visit Paris and Cannes. The Emperor, the Gaul= " adds, would maintain a strict incognito. The Joint Committee of Liberal Unionists and CongerVatives—the formation of which was suggested by Mr. J. Chamberlain, in compliance with the hope expressed in Lord Salisbury's award—has held its first meeting in Birmingham. It was decided tohold a public demonstration of the Unionist party in that city.on January 27, A New York telegram on Sunday reports the collapse of a portiolt of the Cunard wharf at lialifax while work was in progress, six men being drowned. The Gouffe murder trial was concluded in Dugs on Saturday, Eyraud being condemned to death and Gabrielle Bonward to twenty years' penal servitude. The threatened strike on the North-Eastern Railway has been averted by the granting of numerous conces6100S to the men.
Widnes Examiner. — 1890-12-27 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

MORE IMPROVEMENTS FOR BRIDGE-ST,  WARRINGTON.  Last week Mr. Thomas Sutton conducted a sale by public auction of two lots of property at Bridge-foot, Jot 2 consisting of a freehold dwelling-honse, with cottage adjoining, in the occupation of Mrs. Chrimes and Mrs. Byres; and lot 3, a freehold three-storey shop and furniture warehouse, in the occupation of Mr. R. W. Marsh. None of the lots at that time changed hands the reserve prices in no case being reached. Since the sale,however,we understand that the lots have been purchased by the Corporation for the sum of .£4,500. The object of the purchase is to enable the Corporation to effect further improvements in the widening of the street. The solicitors for the vendors are Messrs. W. D. Jeans, and Co., Warrington, and Messrs. Jeans and Morgan, Manchester. It may be added that at the same sale other two lots of property were offered, one consisting of the old-established freehold brewery, known as "Mersey Brewery," with the outbuildings. stables, &c., adjoining, for many years carried on by Mr. Joseph Chrimes ; and the other lot comprising a freehold, fully-licensed public-house. the " Head,";Overton, Prod sham, and the dwelling-house and shop adjoining. £l,BOO was the highest bid for the shop at Bridge-foot and .£1,400 for the " Bull's Head." No offer was made for the brewery or dwelling-house, aithouzh there' was an offer of £2,000 for the brewery and public-house together. With regard to the proposed Bridge-st., improvement this will necessitate the pulling down cf the shop bought by the Corporation, but at present the shop is held by Mr. Marsh under a lease which does not expire till the 2nd of July. 1893. Tbis intended farther extension of the widening of Bridge-st ,wilt be all the more important in view of the fact that the corporation are, we believe, likely to s-on makea move in order to bring about a wideniir.; of Warrington Bridge. which is now generally admitted to be much too narrow for the rapidly increasing traffic that has to pass over it.  sulkicti.deLoenroKiocnhdiaeyf torifroLwyhowns,hicironssemlf iftrtoent an upper window of the Central Post Oflice buildings. The Nihilist Mendelssolin, who lwas arrested in con— nection with the murder of General Seliverskoff in Paris, has been liberated, and intends to take up his residence., in LondonA destructive fire occurred on Monday in Praed-st, being nearly burnt out, and eight other. shops severely damaged. dPeaadiderivtsotore, London, a large waste paper and toy n The Berlin correspondent of the " Times " states that Major Von Wissmann has been obliged to recall Emin paslla on account of his habitual disregard of orders, and his persistent refusal to co-operate with Mr. Stokes. At the Central Criminal Court, London, on Saturday, William Jarvis, wool broker' Coleman-st., City, was found guilty of obtaining by false pretences, from Messrs. Glyn, Mills, and Co., bankers, the sum 0f13,000 with intent to defraud. Prisoner was strongly recommended to mercy on account of his age and previous good character, and sentence was postponed till nest. sessions.
Widnes Examiner. — 1890-05-31 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

THE SHIP CANAL MYSTERY.  PRISONER BEFORE THE LEIGH MAGISTRATES. Contrary to expectation. Mr. Superintendent Weir brought the prisoner Vaughan to Leigh on Saturday afternoon, and the same evening he was taken before Dr. Evans and charged with wilfully killing Thomas Elliman, an engineer employed on the Ship Canal works at Rixton; On the 27th April. Mr. Weir gave evidence to the effect that he received prisoner into custody from the Ross police. On arriving at Leigh he charged Vaughan with wilfully killing Elliman. In reply he said "No. not wilful, it was an accident; he did it himself. We were neither of us doing anything. I had just washed my boilers out,and I was waiting for him to get the water away before I started to pump. He called toe and told me to bring that thing up. I took my revolver out of this coat pocket (meaning the one he was wearing), and put it in my blue coat pocket. I showed it to deceased. He was doing something with it. I turned my back and heard him call out almost immediately afterwards, Oh, I have shot myself.' I turned round again and saw he was going to fall. I caught him and he died with his head on my arm. I was frightened. The man that he lodged with came down and told me to go and fetch the walking ganger. I went away. I thought all the barrels (meaning chambers) were discharged." The prisoner was remanded until next morning. On Monday morning Vaughan was again brought before the magistrates at Leigh. There were on the bench Messrs. F. W. D. Bouth (chairman), C. Wright, M.P., R. Fletcher, A. Burrows 0. P. Lancashire, and W. Tunnicliffe.—Simerintenderit Weir gave evidence. He said that en the 27th April, or the morning of the 28th, he received information of an affair which took place on the Manchester Ship Canal Werka at Rixton. He visited the place, and found on inquiry there that a , person named Thomas Elliman, an engineer, had been shot dead in the cutting. An inquest was opened and adjourned, and there had been a still further adjourninept until the 3rd of next month. Thia man, Vaughan, was mentioned as having been seen at the place when the shot was heard; and on Friday last witness received him into custody at Ross 4 Herefordshire. He brought him to Leigh on Saturday, and on the way cautioned him, and then Old him he was charged with wilfully murdering Thomas Elliman by shooting him with a pistol and bullet in the cutting of the Manchester Ship Canal on Sunday, the 27th April. He replied: " Wilful I No, it was not wilful! it was an accident. I did not shoot him; he shot himself. I had nothing to shoot him for. I will tell you all about it." He then made a long statement, which it was not necessary to go into unless the Bench desired. Witness asked the Bench to remand prisoner to Warrington next day. The Chairman: What is the prisoner's name P—Mr. Weir : He has been known as Frederick Edwin Vaughan. He says now his name is Edwin William Vaughan.—The Chairman said the Iprisoner would be remanded to the Sessions at Warrington, and he was then removed.
Widnes Examiner. — 1890-07-12 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

THE PRISONERS AT EARLESTOWN. At the inquest on Wednesday night, Mrs. Morris, landlady of the Old Saddle Inn deposed that in course of conversation with her the male prisoner stated that they were on their way back to Earlestown. It appeared from inquiries made by our reporter next day, that the two prisoners occasionally visited Earlestown, where a married brother of the male prisoner lives with his family and is employed by Mr. John Axon, boot and shoe maker. The prisoner's brother is named Elias Pickavance, and resides in Duke-st. Yesterday afternoon he was away at Prescot, having left .his work in order to see, if possible, his unfortunate brother John, who, with his wife, lies under the Coroner's committal for wilful murder. Mrs. Pickavance stated to our reporter that her brother-in-law was a frequent visitor at their house, and on three or four occasions he had been accompanied by his wife. The last time the male prisoner was at Earlestown was about a month ago. Asked if she and her husband were expecting the committed coupled on Sunday or Monday last, she replied that they were not, but had since been informed by some relatives at Prescot that the prisoners had informed them they were going to Earlestown. She saw the two prisoners the last time about a fortnight ago when she and they were at a funeral of a brother-in-law at Bolton. In reply to a question as to whether.she had ever suspected or noticed anything like jealousy on the part of the male prisoner she said he did not appear to have had the least jealousy. They had always seemed to be a perfectly happy, and comfortable couple. She was very friendly and intimate with the female prisoner,and the latter had never mentioned a word to her about her husband's jealously. She thought the female prisoner would have done so had there been any jealousy. About five weeks ago she and her husband were over at Prescot on a visit to the two prisoners. The two prisoners accompanied them on the return journey as far as St. Helens. On the road the two brothers walked in front and their wives followed a few yards behind. w They talked over family and domestic affairs but the female prisoner never once mentioned or suggested that her husband was jealous, or that he ill-treated her. The female prisoner had also given her to understand that she was happy and contented. She had certainly never mentioned anything about Mr. Foster nor about Rainford. In the visits of the prisoners to Earlestown, or whenever they had been in their company, the male prisoner had never once complained about his wife ln any shape or form. The male prisoner, she thought, always seemed reticent in regard to such matters and, she added, "he was always close-fisted." The first intimation she and her husband had of the , shooting affair was by reading of it in the evening papers. She had lately noticed that something had been preying
Widnes Examiner. — 1890-04-19 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

THE ATHERTON MURDER.  EXECUTION OF WILLIAM CHADWICK.  _ On Tuesday morning, at eight o'clock, Wm. Chadwick 'was executed at Kirkdale Goal, for the murder of W. 'Bayles, pawnbroker's assistant, Atherton, on the 22nd JulYi 1889. Berry was the executioner. The weather was cold and damp, but this did not deter a small number of people from assembling near the goal to witness the hoisting of the black tag. The condemned man as pinioned in the corricjpr of the prisoner's receptionuouse. He submitted very quietly to the operation, giving Berry no trouble whatever and making no comPlaint. As soon as all was read!, the Under Sherriff (Mr. Wright) gave the signal to move on, and the procession, if it could be called so, went to the scaffold in the old coachhouse; which was only a few yards distant from the pinioning corridor. In the procession were the governor (Major Knox) and the Rev. D. F. Pigott, the chaplain, who was reciting the Litany for the Dying (not the Burial Service of the Church, of England, as is customary on these occasions). Closely following the Prisoner was Berry, the executioner, who was dressed and got up as he was an the occasion of Richard Davies, at linutaford. He had the same striking headgear, camely, a Turkish fez. Chadwick just before the e•aecutioner left him, and after the cap had been drawn, turned towards Berry and apparently whispered leraething to him.. Berry at once gave the informed( n ~ge was seeking. Chadwick turned aswell as he could Lo the chaplain, who was standing alittle in the rear, and said in a very distinct voice to him, "Give my love to 11/ dear wife." Then he turned towards some of the gaol officials, who he knew were standing close to him, although he did not see them, in consequence of the cap cg over his face, and said, in resonant tones, "Goodye, and the Lord bless you." The Chaplain, who was tieeply affected, replied "Good-bye:; God bless you, my ta4l." Berry then moved to the lever, and touching the andle the trap-door opened and the body fell into the Pit. Death must have been instantaneous. Chadwick, during the morning, behaved with calm-85 and in a manner becoming his dreadfnl position. Suite a friendship seemed to have sprung up between iin and his spiritual adviser, to whose ministrations the convict listened with willingness. Chadwida, however, on Tuesday morning, as belies •done all along, asted his innocence of the charge for which he suffered the death penalty. He acknowledged himself to be a thief, but he denied that he was a murderer. On Monday he made a long written statement with reference to .." ra crime. This doeument was handed to the Governor, °Y whom it will be forwarded to the Home Secretary, Major Knox refusing in the meantime to divulge the 'contents or to give any inkling of the nature of the document. The usual inquest was held, and thecustomary verdict returned. TILE DROWNING OF TWO ;WOMEN AT
Widnes Examiner. — 1890-04-05 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

THE PRISONERS VISITED BY THEIR FRIENDS.I The mother of the prisoners made •her first visit to them on Tuesday afternoon. She was accompanied to Knutsford Gaol by her eldest son, John, the laughter Emily, and the youbger boys. The party travelled by the train leaving Crewe at 10.40, having driven from the Hough in the trap which the murdered man was driving when he met with his doom. The trap was put up at the Royal Hotel, and the members of the family walked to the station without attracting any attention. The elder brother of the prisoners, John, had gone to Buntsford on the previous Thursday, but was refused an interview with the prisoners, as he had not obtained an order from the Governor of the gaol. He had been told that he could have an interview with the prisoners at any time, but had not been informed of the regulations which necessitated his having an order from the Governor of the gaol. The result of this attempted interview, however, was that the boys, Richard and George, informed the Governor of the gaol whom they would like to come to see them, and orders for admission were accordingly given to the mother of the prisoners, Mrs. Davies ' • John Davies, the elder brother, and his wife; Miss Emily Davies ; Mr. Samuel Pimlett. an old schoolfellow of the boys ; the boy who gave evidence, Freddy, of the age of ten ; and a younger boy. These, with another friend, travelled by the train leaving Crewe at 10.40 for Knutsford, and on reaching their destination lost no time in presenting themselves at the prison gates. They had an interview with the two prisoners together, at the same time, and the interview lasted nearly an hour and a half. As may be expected the interview was a most painful one, and during the whole time two warders were present. The convicts were much distressed during the whole of the interview, but managed to keep up their composure to a certain extent until the time came for parting. The mother, Mrs. Davies, was entirely overcome, and the meeting of the family was throughout of a most painful character. Although it lasted so long, little was said by any of the actors in the distressful scene, as all were too much overcome with emotion to speak. Not one word was said by any of those present as to the chances of a reprieve, and the interview was entirely of a family character, being characterized by erno ion which did not find words to express itself. The prisoners themselves kept up a sort of stolid outward calm, but at the end of the interview broke down completely, sobbing loudly and weeping copiously. The sad scene being ended, the visitors left the gaol, and returned to Crewe by the train arriving there at 6.53. The Crewe Station Was then comparatively quiet, and it being just about dusk, the sad party left the station with little notice.
Widnes Examiner. — 1890-06-28 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER AT ST. HELENS.  ATTACKING A STEPFATHER WITH AN AXE. At the St. Helens Town Hall, on Mondays serious charge of attempting to murder was formally heard by Mr. T. Pilkington and Alderman J. Harrison. The prisoner was a young married man named Dennis James Woods, of Nook-lane, Sutton, and he was charged with attempting to -murder his stepfather, James Oates, by striking him on the head with an axe early on Sunday morning. The prosecutor was unable to appear in court. Chief Constable Wood stated that the prisoner was charged with attempting to murder his stepfather by striking him two blows on the head with an axe and inflicting two very serious wounds on either side of the head. Oates married prisoner's mother about two years ago. At half past six o'clock on Saturday night, Oates left the house and returned very late. His wife complained to him about it and he thereupon threw his coat, vest and trousers upon the fire. Oates afterwards fell asleep near the table, and the prisoner came into the house with an axe. He dealt his stepfather two severe blows on the head with the axe. About 25 minutes past three on Sunday morning Police Sergeant Brooks heard a loud knocking at the door of his station inSutton-road, and en opening it he saw the prisoner, who said to him : "I have come to give myself up. I have murdered my stepfather. I have killed him as dead as a door nail. I got 'a axe and struck him twice on the head, and left the axe buried in his head. Come and see for yourself." The sergeant visited the house, and found the stepfather with the two severe wounds in his head. There was blood on the table, blood on the floor and blood on the axe handle. The prisoner was then apprehended and taken to the Town Hall, where he was charged with the offence. In answer he said "I wish I had done as I ought to have done with that axe. ouUht to have killed him so that I could 'be hung. I don't care about my life; it is not worth a button. I hit him twice with the axe on the head when he was asleep with his head on the table, and I went to you and told you I had killed him. I meant doing it, and I shall say no more now. I have told you what is true and short." The Chief Constable added that Dr. Casey had examined gates, and said that he would not be fit to appear far at least a week. Under those circumstances he asked for the prisoner to be remanded for a week. P.S. Brooks gave formal evidence in support of Mr. Wood's statement, and the prisoner was remanded until next Monday.  The brig Mazeppa, o bublin, with coals from S-hiehl.? to Kingston, sank on Wednesday morning 20 miles off Start Point, after being in collision with the steamer Opah, of Hull. The crew were taken on board the steamer ind landed at Dartmouth.  Pirx.s.—This painful complaint in its worst form speedily and permanently cured by Patent Pito-Cults. Astounding etiees tleotod. Testimonials. Send stamped envelope for I treatment, Agents wanted. —W. Shins, 10, Regent Place, Demonfiftti