npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Glasgow Courier. — 1846-06-04 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

HORRIBLE TRAGEDY IN SPAIN.  BAYONNE, MAT 15.—One of those rugged and solitary valleys, formed by the spurs of the Navarrese Pyrenees, has just been the scene of a shocking tragedy, which, if possible, excited increased horror in the neighbourhood from the fact of its having occurred within a short distance from the spot where the famous Christino Guriello Plorrio was assassinated only a few days ago. A fortnight has not yet elapsed since a woman entered an isolated house, situated In the above locality, and begged its inmates, consisting of a peasant, his wife, and their infant, to give her shelter for the night. No sooner was the prayer made than it was granted with that hospitality for which the Inhabitants of northern Spain are proverbial, and the stranger sat down to rock the baby's cradle whilst the patrona lit the candle for the purpose of preparing supper. She and her husband then observed that the new comer, whose rough voice had previously excited their attention, had a very masculine aspect, and they were not long in finding out that a man, disguised as a female, was beneath the roof. One rapid glance exchanged between the dismayed couple sufficed to show that each had made this alarming discovery at the same time, and the peasant, under pretext of looking after some pigs, went out to seek the assistance of his nearest neighbours. No sooner was he gone than the pretended woman, assuming a ferocious aspect, approached his trembling companion, who precipitately shut herself up in an adjoining room The robber, for such he was, tried to burst open the door, but, finding it resisted all his attempts, desisted, threatening that ifs sum of money received the day before by the peasant for some maize was not immediately given up, he would kill the child which was sleeping near the miscreant. The poor woman, half dead with fright, and not imagining that a threat could be put into execution, refused to leave her place of refuge, and in a minute afterwards the screams of the little innocent, and Its subsequent silence, sudden and profound, told its agonized mother that the monster had murdered it. This deed of blood consummated, the wretch strove to break through the mud wall separating him from his other victim, and in a short time he made an orifice sufficiently large to admit his head and shoulders, through which he strove to make his way; hut the peasant's wife, rendered desperate by the death of her child and her own danger, caught hold of a sickle, and seizing the assailant by his hair, hacked at his neck with such energy that she severed his head from the trunk. This done, she fell to the ground.in a fainting fit, just as the peasant returned with aid, whose horror and consternation may be Imagined on discovering his infant dead and weltering it its blood, the body of a decapitated man extended on the floor, and his unfortunate wife in a swoon, with the robber's head at her feet.
Glasgow Courier. — 1857-07-04 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

YOUNG—He said he did not wish his hand writing to be known. Janet M'Hougall, keeper of the post-office at Row— In the course of the years 1855 and 1856 some letters came to the post-office addressed to Miss Bruce, to be called for. Mr. Smith's servant got them. I think her name was Jane Lindsay. There was no person in the family of the name of Bruce to my knowledge. Catherine M'Donald,lodging-house keeper, Bridge of Allan—l remember Mr. Smith and his family coming to me in March. Miss Madeline Smith was with them. They went on the 6th and left on the 17th. Dr_ Corbett—l am a physician in Glasgow. I assisted at a post mortem examination of the body of L'Angelier. My conclusion was that the deceased had died from the effects of irritant poison. The morbid appearances were of two different kinds. The ono showing the effects of recent action, and the other of action at a previous time. The ulcers presented might be characteristic of the effects of irritant poison administered a month previous. The intestines were characteristic of the action of arsenic. The appearance of jaundice is a symptom of the action of arsenic. A dose of arsenic generally shows itself in half an hour or In hour. Longer periods have been known, but they ye unusual. The early appearance of the symptoms said depend more on the mode of administration and state of the stomach than the quantity. It would Ate more quickly, I think, if there had been repeated I have read of oases of murder in which large have been administered. I cannot say I have heard trains, but I have road of cases in which the describe the doses as being very large. ,xamined—Twenty grains would certainly be • dose. It would be a large dose to be ad• and certainly a very large quantity to be stomach. I cannot tell of any case of ministration In which so large a dose was y upon the authority of Dr. Taylor that vmptorn. (Shown Taylor's work, and it the passage.) I do not know the fact 'ng. can give me a single line except the In which Taylor refers to Marshall —at yon to show it to me, and enrare ls a life d,epending in -4herlty _in  off on the Thursday, I don't know whether she had taken clothes with her. When she returned she had a small carpet bag containing things of her'e. The bag was not a very small one. It was in India Street that I was first desired by the mother not to receive letters. Charlotte M'Lean—l was cook in Mr. Smith's family. I was there six months op to last Whitsundity. I never saw any gentleman visiting Miss Smith without the knowledge of her family. She never gave ins any letters addressed L'Angelieri I never received any letters for her. I never saw any letters coming addressed to Miss Bruce. I remained In the kitchen One night with Christina Haggett. She said there was goose person speaking to Miss Smith. I did not hear anybody speaking. I afterwards heard Miss Smith go into bar own bedroom, and we went to our's. I remember Christina being unwell on 22d March. I was up-stairs at family worship. I did not see Miss Smith till next day. I did not hear anything that night. By the
Glasgow Courier. — 1857-12-15 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THE OVERLAND MAIL. INDIA.  Indian letters arrived late last night.  The Times' Bombay correspondent writes on the 17th that there is little news, but that little is all of an encouraging character. Districts lately the most disturbed are rapidly settling down; districts lately threatened by the movements of large bodies of the rebels are for the present, at least, safe from the anticipated visitation; and farther, especially, the insurrection is more and more centreing itself in Oude, and about the capital of that province, where we shall be able to deal it such a blow as must be fatal to its vitality. English reinforcements are pouring into Calcutta by thousands, and in the two smaller presidencies and Nizam's country all is perfectly quiet, while in Rajpootana alone has there occurred any fresh outbreaks.  The telegrams have fully anticipated all the leading items of news. Very little has arrived from Lucknow. The position of the rebels is strong, involving an attack by our troops in narrow streets, end upon houses and walls held by the enemy. It is not known what number of troops Sir Colin Campbell took with him across the Ganges, but it is probably 1500. The re are 12,000 European troops at Calcutta. At Mohidpore, Lieut. Samuels daugerously wounded. The 3d Dragoon Guards have gone up to Kirkee. Horses are dearer than ever.  The Times' Calcutta correspondent writes that Sir C. Campbell, persisting in travelling with his staff without an escort, when near Shergotty came on some mutinous companies of the 32d Native Infantry. They were leisurely crossing the road, the men sitting on elephants, with parties of horsemen, probably of the 12th Light Cavalry (Holmes' murderers), to protect each flank. The coachman announced their approach, and the Commander-in-Chief, resisting a wild proposal to show fight, retreated for ten miles till he came up with a bullock train filled with Europeans. They escorted him to Benares, whence, it is believed, he then pushed on without a guard. Altogether he ought to have at least 50J0 Europeans, and some 5000 Sikhs and Ghoorkahs at his disposal. He will not have so many for the actual relief of Lucknow. He has received a letter from Outram, declaring the garrison can hold out for some days yet, and begging that no thought of danger may interfere with a complete victory. It is understood that Sir Colin, when all is ready, will cross the Goomtee, advanee on the bank opposite the town, and from that vantage ground shell the enemy out. He will then recross, and perhaps enter the presidency without the loss of a man. Lucknow, once secured and fortified, will become his head-quarters, whence inch by inch he may reconquer Oude. At villahabad, Lieut Glubba and 17 privates were kiiled. Centrsl India is in trouble, anarchy and banditti springing up in every direction, and troops are wanted in fifty points at once. Outran, had a ball wound in his right arm; Captain Havelock a severe musket shot in his right arm; and Lieut.-Colonel Tyler a severe bayonet wound in his right groin.
Glasgow Courier. — 1857-02-17 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

MURDER AND HIGHWAY ROBBERY IN SURREY. On Saturday afternoon information was receiver] at the Metropolitan Police Station in Scotland Yard of a murder, accompanied by robbery, on the highway between the villages of Nutfield and Warwick town, In Surrey, a draper named Ovenden having been shot with a pistol on his return from Godstone, and robbed of between £4 and £5. The following, as far as we have been able to obtain them, are the particulars of this shocking affair :—Mr. ()vendee had been to the village of Godstone on a business visit, and was returning in his light cart to Warwicktown. About a quarter to five o'clock, while proceeding on the road to Nuttield, he was accosted by a pedestrian, whom he overtook on the road, and who asked him for a lift in his cart, stating that he was going to Redliill. Ile was accordingly taken up into the cart, and thay passed through Nutfield on their way to Redhill. They had not, however, gone a very great distance Dom the former village when they arrived at a very dull and lonely part of the road, and Mr. Ovenden was stir-prised by the man, who was a tall, strongly built fellow, suddeely turning towards -hint and demanding his money or his life. At first Mr. Ovenden thought that he was joking, but he was soon fatally undeceived by the man taking out a pocket pistol and pointing it towards his breast. The man assumed a determined aspect and persisted in his demand, and, on Mr. Ovenden, who was now seriously alarmed, refusing tocomply, the villain at once fired the pistol, the bullet of which was lodged in the left breast of his victim, a little below the shoulder; Mr. ()vendee, still hawing the reins in his hand, fell ta the bottom of the cart, thejerk pulling the horse up. The cowardly ruffian then proceeded in the most delibera.e manner to rifle the pockets of the unfortunate man, taking from them £4 in gold and about 10s. in silver with which he made off across the country, leaving Mr. ()vendee in a senseless state at the bottom of the cart. This occarrenca took place about five o'clock in the afternoon, in broad daylight. The following is the description of the man taken from the deposition of Mr. Ovenden ;—' About six feet in height, light figure, but having large bones, very sallow complexion, high cheek bones, and very hollow in the cheeks near the mouth; dressed in a close box cap, fitting tight to the head, and s short navigator's smockfrock much embroidered.' The pistol wish which the murder was committed was found lOng in the bottom of the cart covered with blood. It was an ordinary small pocket pistol. Since the commission of this murder the police have been nuceasing in their exertions to apprehend the fellow, but up to the present moment have been unsuccessful, although it is thought that from the very full description given of hini he cane t long escape detection. Information reached the police station on Sunday morning that Mr. Ovenden expired on Saturday morning:
Glasgow Courier. — 1857-01-08 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

REMARKABLE TRAGEDY.  The Rochester American has the following remarkable statement, contained in a letter from Monmouth, Warren county, Illinois, tinder date of December 12 A. bloody tragedy was performed at the Baldwin House in this city this afternoon. I was ooversing with a gentleman in Dr. Thayer's drug store about two u'clock, when the terrible cry of murder was heard, and we all started out to discover the cause. We were soon directed by the throng of people to the above-named hotel, distant only a few yards, and there, weltering in their blood, lay the victims of the most sanguinary single-hand conflict it has been my lot to witness. It is impossible to describe the horror depicted on the visages of that throng of spectators called there at a moment's warning. The circumstances are as follow : A. Mr. Fleming, an elderly gentleman, and two sons' about 2,5 to 28 years of age, had called upon a Mr. Crosier, at his rooms at the Baldwin House, armed each with a loaded pistol, to coerce the latter gentleman into a concession and retractation of a calumny affecting their daughter and sister, with which they charged Mr. Crosier. Mr. Crosier, after some pretty warm laoguage had passed between the parties, agreed to and did sign a retractation, in the presence of a friend whom the Nlessis. Fleming had brought with them. Immediately after delivering the paper into the possession of their friend, the Messrs. Fleming, or one of the brothers, says to Mr. Crosier, 'I am now going to cow-hide you;' and one of the boys, holding a cocked pistol to his head, directed the other to inflict the threatened punishment, which he immediately commenced. He had struck three or four blows, when Crosier pulled a dirk-knife from a side pocket, and, passing at the Fame time his left arm around the neck of the one who plied the lash, stabbed him in the left breast, and, as quick as thought, withdrew the knife and struck the one who held the pistol a backhanded , blow which reached, as did the first, to the heart of his victim. Both brothers received their death wounds in less than two seconds, and were both bloody corpses in 1 three minutes after they were trock. The old man had gone out Into the hall and locked the door, and stood upon the outside with a pistol to keep out assistance. The affair hes created an immense excitement here. I assure you. The young man Crosier is under arrest, having serreadered himself into custody, and is to undergo an examination to-morrow. The sympathies of the people are mostly with Crosier. He acts and looks the picture of despair. He is a young man, some 27 to 30 years old, and unmarried. He is said to have been engaged to the lady in question, who is at present out of the State. The other parties were respectable farmers, and two of them. I understand, members of the church in good , standing '
Glasgow Courier. — 1857-12-29 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THE EAGLESHAM MURDER.  CONFESSION OF THE CONVICT  On Thursday night, after receiving his sentence, Thomson was removed, under the care of Mr Superintendent Hunter, of the Renfrewshire Police, to the prison at Paisley, where he now lies awaiting his execution on the 14th of January. On the way toPaisley, Thomson, we understand, entered freely into a conversation with those accompanying him in reference to his trial, and alluded to it as being the most wearisome three days he had ever had in his life. He made no direct confession of his guilt at this time, but he tacitly acknowledged that he had uceived every manner of justice during the trial. He complained of one or two statements which had been made by some individual witnesses; but otherwise he refrained from asserting his innocence. The carriage containing the prisoner reached Paisley about half-past nine o'clock; and as his arrival was unexpected, he was lodged in prison almost unobserved. On Saturday Mr Sheriff Glasgow and Provost Brown visited Thomson in the condemned cell; and on asking whether he desired the services of any particular clergyman, Thomson explained that, when incarcerated in Paisley Prison previous to his trial, he had heard a sermon preached which had particularly impressed him, and that he was desirous of.having the same minister to attend him. On his describing the preacher, he proved to he the Rev. Mr Aitken, of the North Church, who, in accordance with the prisoner's wish, was in attendance upon him on S iturday. We also learn that in the course ' of the day Thomson fully acknowledged that be was guilty of the crime for which he is abont to suffer, and said that his motive for doing so was to obtain possession of the money which belonged to the deceased. The prussic acid was administered to his victim in a draught of beer as was brought out at the trial; and the prisoner sa3s that he only became conscious of the awful position in which he was placed when the poor girl fell upon the floor in the agonies of death. From that point he says he scarce'y knew what he did; he raised her up and put her on the chair, and left the house with the little g.rl Janet Watson. Thomson shows no disinclination to talk over the incidents of the trial, and appears to be thoroughly impressed with a sense of the awful position in which lie is placed, and of the necessity of making every preparation to meet the fate which awaits him. We believe that he has given evidence of being tolerably well informed upon religious matters, and knows h.s Bible well. On being asked if he had any wish to havie his thither sent for, he said no, that it was unnecessary. The prisoner is confined at present in is cell in the old prison, which was fitted up for Pine, who was hanged In 1837, for the murder of his wife in Paisley. There has been no execution in that town since that day.
Glasgow Courier. — 1857-12-17 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

INDIAN MASSACRE.  The following is the letter from the Rev. Thomas Williamson, published in the St Paul's Times, the substance of which came by telegraph:--' Palutszee, Oct. 26, 1837.—A report reached this neighbourhood on the day before yesterday that 500 American soldiers have been cut off by a large party of Teetonwan near the Missouri river. The news was brought here by a man from near the upper end of Big Stone Lake, whose son-in-law (one of the upper Sissiton. wan) had just returned from a camp of the Ihanktonwan, on the Missouri river, where he heard the news. Ile reports that while he was there a number of Teetonwan came to the camp of the Ihanktonwan to dance the scalp dance, and that he saw them mounted on the dragoon horses, with the holsters and pistols which they had taken. They said that the Long Knives were going to war, and not very far from some fort on the Missouri, and as they proceeded westward they encamped near a large body of Teetonwan, who, hearing their drums in the night, surrounded the camp, and while they were nearly all asleep rushed upon them and killed them with their knives and war-clubs before the Long Knives could get their guns or horses, and not one escaped. It is common for warriors to magnify their exploits, and we hope there is much exaggeration in this report; but if 200, or even 100, of our soldiers have been thus cut off, it is a sad case. I fear there is truth in it. It is very improbable that not one should have escaped, and likely you will have some account of it from other sources not far from the time this reaches you. You doubtless remember that persons acquainted with the Sioux, almost without exception, apprehended that trouble would grow out of the neglect of our Government to send a detachment of our army to punish those who perpetrated the murders at Spirit Lake. The young man who brought the news to Big Stone Lake says that, at a feast to which he was called by the Ihanktonwan, he sat next to Inkpaduta, who said to him, Last summer you Sissitonwan tried to kill me for killing some Long Knives; now far more Long Knives have been killed, but I was not present. 1 have, however, found relatives among the Teetonwan, who will receive me kindly.' He confirms the report of the old man's entire blindness, and says that, besides himself, two of his sons and a son-in-law are in that region. I have confidence in my informant that he gave me the above news as he received it from the father-inlaw of the man who brought it from the Missouri, and he believes it true; but as he is not acquainted on the Missouri river, I could not learn from him on what part of the river the fort is situated from which the soldiers were going, but it was probably some detachment of the army marching to Utah. He says the place of the battle is only five or six days' travel (between 200 and 300 miles) from Big Stone Lake. As the messengers came express to bring the news, it is probably not more than two, or at least three, weeks since the battle occurred.'
Glasgow Courier. — 1857-03-31 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

EXECUTION AT MARSEILLES.  Matraccia, the Italian who, as reported in the Messenger, was some short time back condemned to death by the Court of Assizes of Aix for a series of extraordinary murders at Marseilles, was executed in the latter city on Saturday morning. At four o'clock he was awakened by the chaplain and directer of the prison, and told that the petition for a commutation of punishment which he had sent to the Emperor was rejected, and that he was about to be executed. He received the announcement with the greatest calmness, and getting up, seated himself on the side of the bed, and took some coffee and smokel several cigars. At six o'clock he attended mass, and during the service he appeared very devout. The mass was followed by a sermon, which seemed to make a great impression on him. The service was attended by all the prisoners. When it was concluded, Matraccia was taken back to his cell, and supplied with breakfast. Shortly before seven o'clock the Clerk of the Court of Assizes read to hire the text of his condemation, the chaplain translating it into Italian. Be listened to the reading and translation with great resignation, and when they were concluded embraced the clerk and all the persons present, most of whom were so affected that they shed tears. Shortly after the executioners of Aix and Nismes, accompanied by an assistant, arrived, and proceeded to pinion the condemned. He was then freed from the irons on his legs, and he asked if he could not he allowed to walk to the scaffold, but was told that he must be conveyed in a cellular van. He then begged, as a special favour, that he might be accompanied by one of Iris friends, a countryman, who had been with him all the morning, and that his parrot, which was in a cage in his cell, might be taken with him to the scaffold. Both these requests were granted, and he was placed in a van, the chaplain being in attendance on him. Arrived at the scaffold, which ivas erected in the Place St. Michel, and which was surrounded by an immense crowd, consisting, of at least 30,009 persons, the vehicle stopped, and the cage containing the parrot was, to the surprise of the spectators, first placed on the scaffold; the criminal, his friend, and the chaplain then alighted from the van, Matraccia cast a glance at the guillotine. and embraced several persons who were present. Then, supported by his friend and the chaplain, he ascended the steps of the seaffold, and in doing so it was observed that he slightly trembled. When he reached the platform he kissed with great fervour the crucifix which the chaplain presented; then he embraced the chaplain and his friend, and then, turning to the parrot, he said in Italian, ' Your master is about to die, and he embraces the front of the scaffold, and cried to the people, I demand pardon of the inhabitants of Marseilles for the scandal I have occasioned. Pray for mesfor in a few minutes I shall pray for you.' He was tlren seized by the executioners, and in a few seconds all was over.