npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1894-03-16 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

THE TWO BARRELS. Two barrels met in a station once, And never felt barrels prouder; One was a barrel of finest beer, And the other a barrel of powder. Said the barrel of beer to the powder keg— "Ho, friend unto foolish auction, I think we two should take the prize As weapons of sure destruction." "Oh. bah !" said the powder keg in scoria, "Your power to mine's but a trifle; Just think what death I send abroad, When rammed in cannon and rifle. "I blow blood-dripping limbs about, Stop heart-beats in a minute; And whirl off a head in the wink of an eye With the brains and all that's in it. "And count what widows I make in a day. What orphans of babes that prattle— When the cruel word goes forth to slay In the sad fierce game of battle." "Fshaw I" said the cask of ale with a sneer, "You certainly cause some trouble, But the ill I do compared with yours Is ten and ten times double. "Look, here are some of the things I do, As sure as we two are barrels, You'll soon perceive that powder's woes Are naught to alcohol's perils. "You talk of blowing off heads, fosooth, I make men lose their heads too,. But next day find them full of aches, And pains each drunkard dreads too. "And as to putting bullets in hearts, That nothing again will wake them. That's all very well, but hearts I take i And slowly n tortures break them. "I break the hearts of sweet young wives, And those of glad young mothers, I break the hearts of many who love Their husbands, sons, and brothers. "I'll take a clerk and lead him on Till sin on folly has risen, And at last for stealidz his master'es.cseh He lies disgraced in prison./ "I take a man and CI his head, Till nothing could be absurder, And passion and drink shall lure him on To frenzy mad, and murder "I take a man and ruin his tome, For to do it I well am able, And I'll make him drink, excuse the joke, Why, even the chairs and table. "And the children cry aloud for bread, And the mother weeps despairing; But what carol, and what cares he, For the misery we're not sharing? "My powder friend, no doubt you're strong At mischief with a bullet; But lean work a horrible change When hold of the human gullet. "I rob a man of heart and brain, And I easily steal his senses; And war may be a costly thing, But it's nothing to my expenses. "I break up homes and I fill the jails, And I starve one-half the nation, And I revel in all my evil deeds Like the demon of devastation. "Oh. powder cask, if I told you all 1 have wrought in every station, From the peasant up to the peer and prince, You would tire with indignation." But here the barrel of ale stopped short, And was wheeled away by a porter; But his tale was such a terrible one That the powder had wished, it shorter. And the powder said, as he shook his head, And that is the stuff men sop! I'm sure, had he stayed a second more, I'd have really blown him up I"  Now, don't you think you oau get that off? We will finish up with a little short story I have written for you. Here it is
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1909-07-02 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED WIFE MURDER.  On Monday Samuel Smith, 37, wearer, was charged on remand at Preston Police Court with haring attempted to murder hi. wife, Annie Smith.  Mrs. Smith, who was now able to appear, gave evidence. She said she was living at 40, Stanhope-street, and for a short period had been living apart from her husband. At ten o'clock on Saturday night, the 19th of June, she was asleep on a chair in the house, and was awakened by hearing hcr mother screaming. "Oh, it's Sam." She then ,aw her husband come from under a table. He rushed at her and her mother, and knocked both of them down. Afterwards he got hold of her by the hair of the head, and dragged her on to the sofa. He then knelt on her, and pulling a knife out of his pocket cat her throat. She aruggled with him, and got hold of hi, hand which 17.e1d the knife, the fingers of her left, hand being cut. Her mother than went to get assistance, and prkoner got. up and ran out of the house by the aok way. She lost a quantity of blood, and was ...fterwards removed to the infirmary.  Prisoner made the following statement at the s'olice Station " I got revert days for threatening ro use a knife to my mother-in-tam. It was false. never threatened her, but to-night I went to ...er house, and have /tabbed both her and my wife .vith a masked cobbler's knife. I don't know what t have done at them. It was dark. I struck at Joth of them, but the knife broke, and I ran out ,f the houee. I don't think I have done them much harm. They caid I had used a knife before, i..ut I did not, but I want with the intention of using it to-night." Subsequently Smith made an addition to this Aatement us follows:—" I did net go with the intention to this end whatever to commit this crime. I went up to meet a brother who had been watching a football match. I had a drink or two in the Plungington Tavern, and then I went to the houee—l cannot coy what time—to see the wife. I went round by Queen's. Mill and Oxbey's Mill. I eaw my mother-in-law upstairs with a ight, and the wife was &deep in a chair facing the door. I got behind the door." . .  Prisoner had nothing to say, and was committed for trial at Manchester Assizes. There was a further charge against him of unlawfully wounding Nancy Enna, his wife's mother, but Mr. Oakley said the wound was and with the consent of the Court he would not offer any evidenoc. Prisoner asked to be allowed to have a solicitor to prepare his defence, but it was pointed out to him by the chairman that he had disclosed no defence.  Prisoner : I have no need, sir. I wati thinking of receiving my defence until the Aecizes.  The Ch.:ire-Can You had better apply to the Judge at the Arkizee.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1891-05-22 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

THE BRITISH WORKMAN'S HOME. (WHAT HP KAN TO POT OP WWII AND CAN'T NNW.) ID • fourtisfloor front I at present reside— Just within a few feet of the tiles; In an odorous house where they sell fish tried To the gentry who live in the Dials. In the fourth-floor back there's a party who drinks, And a lady who deals an pig's feet; Who puts on the landing her stock when it stinks, That her room may be tidy and sweet. In the third-floor front there is " wsshing took in On the landing ti, hung out to dry; And there's always a flavour of soap suds and gin When my luck forces me to pass by. The third-floor back keeps a sewing machine, And a proper machine it must be— For it hasn't stopped once since here I have been, And it won't till its murdered poor me. In the seeond-floor front there's a numerous few, And at present • fever se well; And out of the room comes a whiff of burnt stew, And out of the pail conies a smell. In the second-floor back a "mystery" hides, For it never is seen out of doors; And the number who ask where " Sphynxns" resides I could reckon, 1 sin certain, by scores, in the first-floor front there's a school for the young, Amithe playground's the plumage and stairs. Each lesson they learn is, of course, loudly sung, And every man jack of 'em swears. In the first-floor back two ladies hang out— Perfect swells, sir, with feather and hats; Whose friends (they've a host) seem to me, without doubt, Quite a mixture of sharps and of flats. One kitchen is rented by "mangling' and "lush," And one by a dealer in dogs: And all the lot in the whole d— (hush) I Are a beautiful parcel of hogs. Mine's the only room that is fit to be seen, lu our palace so near to the sky; But my whole ten children can't keep the place clean, 'Tis no matter how much they may try. The staircase downstairs is a kind of Oremorne— For the chaps come there courting their gals; And the neighbouring gents, all tattered and torn, Hob-a-nob there and visit their pale. Our cistern's fixed over the But, alas! it runs out about four; Whilst the V.C. (you will please pardon me) Has for some time been lacking a door. The lodgers are "fly," nor play "skittles" in vain, And they all of 'em know bow to box; They study the "drama" in Petticoat-lane, And learn faces by bearing "Old Knox." What with fevers and smoke, stinks, lodgers, and lice— What with noises, with drink, and with smell, Our home of delight is a hot-bed of vice, And our Englishman's castle a hell I In this pastoral spot, full of pastoral shade, Twenty years of my life has been spent; And every week of that time 1 have paid One-fifth of my wages in rent. But I missed last week, so the brokers are in, And on Monday we march out galore ; And into the workhouse were going to spin, And well never come out any more. Oh, if some of our coves who've saved a few quids Could but gammon any mates to agree, We could build decent bomes for our wives and our kids. And be happy as birds on a tree I Appeared in West Central Sews, 1881. Said to have been written by a workman named Snelling.—F. K. 'Newton's predecessor.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1891-02-20 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

WAR ALL 111,IHT.—Several people were Making purchases in a Woodward avenue grocery yesterday when an old man with a cane in one hand and a bundle in the other stood in the door and asked: "Did any of you drive up here in a sleigh ?" " Yes, I did," replied one. "Was it an old white hoes ?" "Yes." "And an old woman in the cutter ?" "Yes." "And can she manage the hose 7" "1 guess she can. " Then it's all right," said the man of the cane and bundle. "The old hoss has ran away, and the old woman is hanging to the dashboard and yelling murder with all her might, but if she can manage him there's no use of anybody getting excited over it. Let me inimire what the price of cranberries is to-day."  Mita and Zits Court.  As Bijah put on his spectacles a qneer-looking old man, quaintly dressed, walked before the palings. The charge was disturbing the peace, and 1119 Honour observed, " You seem to be a stranger here?" lam but.% stranger hero,  - Far, far from home, WKR the answer. " What is your business in Detroit ?"  T came to sing—I came to see, And m this jug they gathered me. " Are you it poet ?" "I am." "I sort of sweet singer, I presume?"  I sweetly sing, when I'm in tnne, Of winter Pities and summer daisies; The songs I sing I write myself, And pet my hying in that waysea.  _ "That's very fair," said the court. "You BOOM to have considerable of the Shakspere about you." Thanks, noble duke; these words of praise Will linger with me many days. " But we can't have you singing on the streets and obstructing the walks. If you stay here you must be songless." I'll sing no more till I reach the other shore; My spirit shall be silent and sad; will ramble alone be the light of the moon, And commune with my own liver pad. "Very well," said his Honour, as he made tremendous efforts to keep a sober face, "you can go. Toledo is a great place for sweet singers, and you have time to catch the morning train." Down on the banks of the old Maumee, The is a town called To-le-do; They sigh for me and my sweet songs, And you bet your boots that 1 will go,  sang the old man in a quavering voice, and he backed out with an air that would have driven a French count will with envy. Then followed a strange incident. Bijah skulked out of the private door and intercepted him, and offered him half a dollar to write three verses descriptive of him. The old poet gladly consented, and in three minutes dashed off the following :  Shall his old bald head be forgot? Shall we forget hie eyes ? And who that look, upon hie feet Can e'er forget their size ? He submitted this verse as a specimen of what he could do, and while he looked for a smile of approval, Bijah suddenly seized hint by the shoulders, and ran him out with such vim that the poet upset two boys and rolled a dog clean across the street.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1888-05-25 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

SUPPOSED TRACES OF THE MURDERER AT OLDHAM.  TWO BURGLARIES COMMITTED BY THE  FUGITIVE.  MANCHESTER, Wedneedsy.  On inquiry at the prison this morning a reporter was informed that there Was nothing to add to the details of the crime published in the morning papers. The officials of the prison, like the public outside, seem to be considerably surprised at the expedition and quietness with which the murder was committed. Not more than three-quarters of an hour elapsed from the time Jackson was taken from his cell by the warder Webb and the moment at which the murder and the escape were discovered. The murder appears to have been the work of a moment. There are no traces of a struggle of any kind. The evidence is wholly circumstantial, but the theory which is entertained as to the manner in which the crime was committed is this: In order to reach the gas pipes which were leaking it was found necessary to lift a small portion of the floor. The leak, it is supposed, was discovered, and Jackson, still accompanied by Webb. went down into the kitchen to molt some lead with which to solder up the leak. When the lead had been melted, they appear to have gone upstairs again to resume the work. The lead appears to have been applied to the pipe, and the meter having meanwhile been turned on again, it is supposed that Jackson may have asked the warder to put his nose to the pipe in order to discover whether the gas was still escaping. The position in which poor Webb's body was found favours the theory that at that moment Jackson seized the hammer and dealt the warder the fatal blow. Having committed the crime, he must have lost no time in effecting his escape. -  Outside the prison two dozen men and women had gathered to see what was to be seen. All that could be seen was the hole through which Jackson had escaped. It is not a large hole, and as part of it is crossed by one of the rafters, it is difficult to understand how Jackson, small man though he is said to be, can have managed to wriggle through it. Once he succeeded in getting through the hole in the roof, his descent into Southall-street, on which the matron's house abuts, was a matter of no great difficulty. The police of Manchester, with the assistance of warders and officers familiar with the prisoner's appearance, have been scouring the country all night, and up to the time of writing, in search of the runaway, but no far their search has been fruitless. There is every reason to hope that it may not long be so. It hasibeen said that the prison clothes which Jackson wore will be of material assistance in his capture, but it is doubtful whether this is really so. A man who has been at the " burgling " business so long, has no doubt his confederates, who will give him such aid as he needs in getting rid of his prison raiment. But, apart from this, the ninrdcrer is so well known to the police of the district that with such a 'hoe and cry" as has been raised his arrest is doubtless only a ques. tion of time.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1888-02-24 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

SENTENCE OF DEATH.  At the Leeds Assizes, on Tuesday, before Mr. Justice Day, David Pilmore, alias Charles Wilman, 26 years of age, was indicted for the murder of Edward George Copley, at Badsworth, near Pontefract, on the 29th April last year. Early in the morning of the day named the prisoner and a man named Roberts, who has not yet been apprehended, were detected poaching on the land of Mr. Jones, of Badsworth Hall. They were followed by two of the gamekeepers, by name Illingworth and Copley, and after a slight altercation a struggle took place in which, as the prosecution alleged, the prisoner fired his gun at Copley, and managed to stun Illingworth with the butt end of the same weapon. Both poachers then escaped. Meanwhile Copley was taken to a neighbouring honse, and he died the next day after having his depositions taken as to the appearance of the man who had shot him. Although rewards were offered for the arrest of the poachers, nothing was heard until, last Christmas Day, Pilroore made a statement to a corporal of the Berkshire Regiment, in which he had enlisted, and, in consequence, was handed over to the authorities. The prisoner was defended by Mr. C. Mellor, whose contention was that the gun had gone off accidentally. Pil. more was found guilty, and was sentenced to death. When asked if he had anything to say, he replied " Speech is useless now, sir.''  Lady de Grey, whose attack of typhoid fever has now run a 2.8 days' course, is in a very exhausted condition. The most recent accounts report a slight improvement.  ATTEMPTED MURDER Als'D SITICTDE AT A MASKED Bilt..—The Berliner Tageblatt reports the following tragic, occurrence which has taken place at Bremerhaven. Between 11 and 12 o'clock on the night of Shrove Tuesday, when the mask ball at the Volks. garten was at its height, the revellers were suddenly startled by three pistol shots which sounded in rapid succession from one of the corridors in the vicinity of the ballroom. A rush was made to see what had happened, and it was discovered that a young man named Neese, a cadet in the marine artillery, had attempted to murder another young artilleryman, named Holzwarth, and then shot himself. It appears that Neese had found Holzwarth dancing with a young girl, whose affections he belived he himself had gained. He went up to the couple and asked Holzwarth if he had ever seen the girl he was dancing with, she being, of course, masked. Holzwarth jokingly denied ever having seen her, and he and she went off laughing together. Instantly Neese drew out a revolver, and fired two welLaimed shots at the unfortunate artilleryman, who fell.. He then turned the weapon against himself, and with one-shot shattered his head. Both young men were immediately conveyed to the hospital, where Neese died two or three hours afterwards. At raid-day the next day Holzwarth was still living, but no hopes were enteilained of his recovet%
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1902-01-24 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

MYSTERIOUS CASE.  James Kershaw, of Higher-lane, Haslingden, aged 14, was rernandel at Haslingden, on Saturday, on the charge of murdering Edward Rostron, aged 12, son of James Rostron, of Church-lane, a weaver. Rostron had been missing since Wednesday, and every probable cause of his disappearance was exhausted without any light being thrown upon the matter.  An idea originated that on Wednesday afternoon Rostron was in the company of Kershaw, but Kershaw absolutely denied this. Then it was found that on Wednesday afternoon, at ten minutes to four, Rostron was fetched from Manchester-road School by another boy. Suspicion arose that Kershaw was that boy, and eventually it was ascertained that the two were together on Wednesday afternoon. Kershaw resolutely maintained that he knew nothing up to Friday. Then an aunt of Rostron's flung herself ou her knees before him, clasped him round the neck, and pleaded with him to help them. Kershaw relented so far as to say that while he and Rostron were in company near the reservoir at the Slate Rostron was throwing a stone, when he fell into the reservoir. When asked by his mother if he would look for the missing boy he replied that he would look about the Slate district. When Rostron's father reached the embankment of the reservoir his dog became excited, and soon after the father found the boy's cap. The body was recovered at noon the same day. It was then found that a watch was missing from the body. This watch had been sent to the dead boy by his uncle from South Africa. The places at which the hours are usually denoted on the dial contained portraits of army generals. It is stated that when Kershaw called for the boy at the school on Wednesday afternoon he said Rostron's mother wanted him, and this was not true. Both lads were half-timers, and worked at mills close to each other. Kershaw frequently called for Rostron, and he even called for him on Thursday morning. Rostron is described as an innocent minded but sharp lad, and was popular with all who knew him. Kershaw lives with his mother and stepfather, whose surname is Ingham. .  Xt the Police Court, on Saturday morning, Kershaw was brought before Mr. T. Whitaker on a charge of murdering Rostron. Police-Inspector Whitaker stated that he desired a remand until the inquest had been held. Inspector Bond stated that the prisoner told them Rostron fell into the Slate lodge, and took witness and Sergeant Maxwell to the part of the lodge where he (Rostron) fell, and got out the body and conveyed it home. It was there found that Roetron's watch was missing from the body. Witness arrested the prisoner. Prisoner told them where he bad hidden the watch, which had been recovered. —ln answer to the magistrates, witness said the prisoner admitted being in company with Rostron when he fell into the water. He did not say anyone else was present. They had only just come from school. Prisoner was remanded. Mr. W. L. Whitaker attended the court on behalf of the prisoner. He oonsented to the remand, and said he did not ask fot bail.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1901-05-17 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

SYNOPSIS.  "A Weaver's Dowry" is a story of Lancashire mill life in the year 1871, the period when the operatives were agitating for what was known as the Twelve o'clock Saturday." Interest in this episode is now revived by a new agitation in textile circles, the object of which is to clove all textile factories by Act of Parlenient at twelve on Saturdays. A conference of employers and workmen with members of Parliament lies recently been held to discuss the proposed Bill on this subject, and the matter will be before Parliament at the time this story is publishing. Upon this historical and op-to-date background, which affords opportunities for studies of mill life and character, showing how the heroine and hero, a weaver sod pieeer resoeotively, are persecuted by their superiors in the mill (a very common practice), there is a romantic interest oentreing round the hiding and discovery of a suns of £20,000, and a love interest in the machinations of the villain of the piece against the hero and heroine. _  The story proper is prefaced by a prologue, cast in dramatic form, which gives the circumstances connected with the withdrawal of £20,0(1) from his investment by a Manchester merchant, named Thomas Dighton, in the year 1801. Dighton is alarmed at the trade and political prospects of the time, and he hides this sum in a trench he has dug on the Moss near Middleton Junction, half-way between Manchester and Oldham. The key to the hiding place is given to his daughter, Sarah Dighton, a young woman of seventeen, in the form of a cryptogram. It becomes known that Dighton has withdrawn this .£20,000; his house is attacked by thieves; his daughter flies for help. In her absence Dighton is murdered and his house fired. In Chapter I. "Owd Sally," an old half-witted lady Of nearly ninety, the butt of all the boys and girls in the neighbourhood—whose only protectors have been the heroine, Agnesidrezli, who lives near, and the hero, Jack Holt, a piecer by trade—sustains injuries from burns which prove fatal. Jack Holt breaks open her cottage door and extinguishes the flames. Agnes Hildreth volunteers to stay with the old lady as nurse. The shock has restored Old Sally's memory, and in Chapter H. she proves to be Sarah Dighton, and she tells Agnes of the buried treasure, and gives her the document relating to the biding place. She also makes Agnes the heiress to her property, and advises her to let Jack Holt share in her good fortnne. Previous to Ibis Agnes has bad only a very casual acquaintance with Holt. She has been courted by Arthur Bannister, the inside manager for the firm by whom Agnes is employed. From here the story develops in a very excit:nz and novel manner, and the fortunes of the hero and heroine will be followed with growing interest.  The district within which the large.r part of the action of the story occurs is familiar with a larue number of our readers, and the author's deseriptions will , , mime the locality to be recognised, thus imparting • vastly added interest to this romantic story.