npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1880-09-25 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE EVENTS OF THE WEEK.  AN INDISCREET POETESS.  Miss Fanny Parnell, the sister of Mr. John Stuart Parnell, has written a poetical address to Irish tenant farmers, entitled, "Hold the Harvest." It possesses considerable literary merit, the versification being free and flowing, but the tone of it, unfortunately, seems to indicate that the young lady is of such a sanguinary tarn of mind that she would rejoic3 if she saw her countrymen plunge themselves into the abyss of war. She says "Oh. by the God who made us all, the seignior and the serf— Rise up! end swear this day to hold your own green Irish turf; Rise up! and plant yonr feet as men where  11017 you crawl as slaves, And make your harvest fields your camps, or make of them your graves. The birds of prey are hovering round, the vultures wheel and swoop— They come, the.coronetted ghouls! with drum  beat and with troop-- °— They come to fatten on your flesh, your children's and your wives' Ye die I:ttt once, hold fast your lands, and, if " "  ye can, your lives." It is to be hoped that her hapless countrymen will not follow her per'icons advice, and "rise up" and make " camps " or " graves " of their "harvest fields." Seeing how some of the most ardent of them have lately refused to pay rent, have killed and intimidated landlords, and have mutilated helpless cattle in the fields, it is rather hard that they should be accused of " crawling as slaves." However, they may console themselves with the reflection that the fair poetess is even harder on those who escape from the land of " ghouls " and 0 vultures " than upon them. She calls the Irishman who emigrates a " trembling emigrant," a "lucre-loving wretch," a .` coward," a "sordid churl," a "caitiff," a "recreant," a " desert,,r," and the "black parallel in shame" of traitors and spies. She accounts in a somewhat singular way for the fertility of Ireland :  " Three hunareit years your crops have sprung,  by murdered corpses fed— Your butchered sires, your fimished sires, for ghastly compost spread; Their bones have fertilised your fields, their blood has fall'n like rain; They died that ye might eat and live—God! • have they died in vain ? " The last line would appear to imply that she imagines the land of the country to be in farther. need of fertilization. Meanwhile, •:owerer, she lays the flattering unction to her soul that  " Goa is en the pmeant's shle, the God that  the poor, His ungels steed with flaming swords on every  ii at Fuld moor ; They gnarl the poor man's flocks and herds, tiny gnarl his ripening vrain, The rebber sinks beneath their curEe beside his ill-got gain." In view of these lines it is rather surprising that she should deem it necessary to inflame the passions of her countrymen in the way she has done. It it a pity that a woman of, apparently, great ability should prostitute her powers.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1880-10-16 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SEDITION IN IDELAND.  Mr. P. J. Smythe, M.P., has addressed to the Irish Times a letter, the manly utterances of which will strike respensive chords in the breasts of all intelligent well-wishers to Ireland. He says:— " Not without a deep sense of pain and humiliation do I feel called upon to notice the fast that publications undi-gnisedly murderous and blasphemous are being scattered through the land. There is no concealment. Reporters lutvo stated that at several meetings iii the west the publications to which I refer were distributed 'in bundles' among the people. Here is a sample: London must be laid in ashes. Ten skirmishers, favoured by language, skin-colour, and dress, will get into London. In order to guard against treachery they will be unknown to each other. The captain only will know the stopping places. They will be provided with dynamite, gun cotton, etc. The signal will be given, and in 24 hours London will be in ashes. Millions rendered homeless will burst into revolution, and over the ruins the English and Irish republics will shako hands.' Demoniac ravings lika this would be unworthy of notice if it were not for the fact—and it is a terrible fact— of their gratuitous distribution among the multitude by hands heretofore supposed to be clean. Another sample— 'O'Connell, a gross and inhuman impostor.' 'His life a lie l' This of O'Connell, the centenary of whose birth was celebrated five years kt,o by all Christendom. Another great Irishman, the chevalier sans peur et sans reproche, he whose public virtues would nave done honour to Rome when Home did honour to mankind, he, William Smith O'Brien, is placed 50 degrees below Beckham, a hired murderer, a homeless tramp, a wretch who expiated his crimes upon the scaffold. And these atrocities are circulated, and it is charged, with the aid of public moneys and by the hands of persons holding the position of leaders among the Irish people. Then there comes Paudeen O'llafferty's Landlord's Ten Commandments,' a vulgar parody of our blessed Lord's Commandments, and a tissue of blasphemy. 1 will not ask for what purpose, with what intent, and with what design all this filth is scattered. Time was, and that not very long ago, when all the armies of England could not have protected the base distributors from the vengeance of an outraged people. I will not assume, God forbid ! that the fundamental principles of morality have lost their hold among us or that damnable doctrines can over strike root in this land of ancient piety and faith; but I ask, is it right, is it fair, that the purity and virtue of a simple, guileless race should be subjected to an ordeal such as this 2" It is really time that the authorities did something to put a stop to the horrible things of which Mr. Smythe speaks in such well-merited terms of contempt and indignation. The Irish are a noble and impulsive people, and should be protected from the sickening contaminating influences to which they are now subjected. ..."•
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1909-08-21 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

LUXURIOUS 'OLERO*.*"  „ RASTHANI VICAR'S PROTIST.  In the current issue of the "Burton :AVocid Parisb Magazine" the Rev. A. M. Afitchell has some remarkable things to piny of oertain-of WS brother clerics.  • "It is true beyond ...all question or doubt ..(be writes) ihat not a few of the peat ••army of parsons do live very comfortably,  in some cams even luxuriously. Upon some !the frooked' the world has nothing to .4 bestow but loving kindness; they are its !darlings, its pa.mpercd pets. These are they among the clergy, and they are no inconsiderable body, who enjoy fat and comfortable livings, concort with the isentry and the gentry only, take things 'ignite easy, do nothing more than is ahem„lntel', required of them, keeping a curate 'to do `the rough work,' thus leaving them;selves free to practise knife and fork Chris4:tianity, with entire satisfaction to the  'stomach and to the greet delight of ading, religious worldlings. ; "Good diners out, sherry and port men, • after dinner smokers, bridge players, whist drivers, and, in the pulpit all treacle and no'.; a grain of brimstone, these be the par-sons who, as doing well to themselves and . their children, are well spoken of and are 'warmly welcomed, as being- most desir_able units at feeding functions, summer ' •garden parties, winter house dances, and . who, further, are considered indispensable • hutterflies at grand bazaars and fancy . . "The life of _a person of worldly mind 'may be made very pleasant and well worth From the worldly standpoint alone •ithe parson is the man, above all others, 'Pirko has the chance of a 'good time,' who isAl downright fool if he ia not alive to his .obantie, it his does not rims to his splendid :epportnuftf for doing well unto himself. -6 man is more _envied in „some quarters than the favourably-circumstanced parson, the incumbent to whom the lines have - fallen in pleasant places. . . . , 'Let the parson refuse to ignore social unrighteousness, to wink at the cruel enormities of the drink trathc, to hobnob _  . and be 'hail fellow well met' With brewers, publicans, gamblers, and tricksters, to sf hold his tongue concerning the corruption and dodgery of officialism, the ignorant ' blundering and inoresaing tyranny of the :medical profession det him refuse to condone sweating,- to support and bolster up - -traditions and customs which rob 'the :common people' of health and wealth, which undermine the national strength, 'which abnormally develop the power and -capital of vested interests; in one word, let him 'speak out regardless of consequences, let him be true to God, true to Dian,- true to the-dumb animal, and, as in' moment, a inishty temperit will be stirred round shout him. •"Prating,-hypoeritical officials, self-oore.plaCent- libertines; self-righteous rogues, Well-veneered scoundrels whose wives, if •,4they 'weir/ea; indeed, further the work of .sunder and 'reputation murder, will all ' Antis a aliy, eye many shies, at the parson , ;sake is conscientious enough to open his . swath for -the down4rodden and the oiREV. W. E.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1909-02-13 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

WINTER.  "Yes, two, and one of them with murder I In his eyes. We stood a Lew paces from eaeli other preparing for the fight, and then he say in very formal tonee, " Monsieur Simard, alias bulletin, I don't wish you any harm, but you have that winch belongs to me. Don't foolishly resist. I.mid gracefully; acknowledge your deteat."f will tight, Monsieur,' 1. said..' 1 am not defeated; only at a dieadvsomgc.' 'rhea he whistled, and brought three other men. The odds were great, and we fought and fought." " My poor Simard," said Gretchen, pressing his hand. Yee, ma chere, your poor Simard was flung on the straw, a rag was forced in his mouth, something wet was laid on hie face —Snore! I could not breathe: it was dark, 'very dark. I seemed to be falling into space, and after that taere was nothing till I woke and baw the face I love bending over the bed on which I (dept." Simard folded his arms, waiting for his guests to digest the story. "1- went on a foraging enedition yesterday," said Chinhery, "and roaming about old Paris I encountered the chiffonier who was the direct means of our rescuing you from that dismal cage." Simard' and Gretchen slightly shuddered at the recollection. "The police, while raiding the house, arrested the owner and four of his eatellitesi in a cellar. The poor devil who ventured to stop us in the pasea-ge w-as discovered in the cage, his head swataed in bondages. 1 did hit rather hard, and this stick is not exactly a rattan," said Chin.nery, polishing the stout oak club with his handkerchief. "Thus chance has succeeded in dispersing a gang of thieves, where the skill and experience of the police failed," put in Simard. "How did you become possessed of this?" asked Bleindford. "I cannot explain," said Simeon, taking Count -Rodriguesh trick dagger from Blandford. " Where did you find it?" "Clenched between your fingers, when you were undressed." Simard premed the spring and the keen. blade darted from its sheath. After a careful examination he drew from a pocketbook A piece of steel, and joined the broken parts together. My poor Alphonse, you shall be avenged," said be, in a tone whose vibrant feeling east a depression on those who understood the meaning of this display of sentiment. The evening of the carnival wile, ending in melancholy. Simard had a man's dislike for any open display of weakness, end averted his head that he might hide the tears which had sprung to his eyes. "I'll wire information to Scotland Yard," be continued presently, his voice shaking with emotion. But why, Rafael, indulge in thoughts of vengeance. Alphonse cannot be restored to life," said Gretchen, in her most melodious and persuasive tones. "An eye for an eye.'" His sternness was so unexpected that his guests for the soul of them could not speak. "Do not fight your battles over again,' the woman pleaded. "Forget and forgive." In tones tender and full, he replied: "Only fools forget and forgive, the wise never. I have spoken. Let us go."
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1909-09-11 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

GET MONEY AT ANY COST.  The first essay in theft occurred on May 15th, 1907, when Mrs. Goold stole a sum of 300 francs and a gold trinket. This was no great sum, and a more general plan had to be thought of. The idea was to catch likely victims. Madame Emma Levin came on the scene by accident. She wore much jewellery, fine dresses, and was boastful of her means. The Goolds, by the exercise of a little adroitness, soon got an introduction—introducing themselves, in fact—to Madame Levin, who PM a silly sort of woman. The victim was invited to tea in the Goolds' fiat, a substantial homelooking place. She was given a liqueur called guignolet, of which two glasses were poured out.  While this was being presented to Madame Levin the awful tragedy began. Geoid stood behind the victim's chair with a pestle. She was struck on the back of the head and fell forward towards the table, smashing her gold eye-glasses. A second blow came, this stunning Madame Levin, her false hair falling off. Still Madame Levin did not lose consciousness even now, and fought gamely on for her life.  Mrs. Geoid became desperate. She seised the victim, gagged her, pushed her up to the wall, and stabbed her with an Indian dagger, while Goold was stabbing behind with a larger blade. Thed the struggle was over, and the body robbed. Thirty-two pounds in money and jewellery were obtained as the result of the murder. A trunk was found, but the corpse was too big for it, but the Geoids, now mad with murderous rage, fear, and remorse, proceeded to "fit" it. The head and feet of the body of Madame Levin were sawn off, and stuffed into the trunk with the larger section; the box was locked and roped, and off they went with it, their destination being London. They had got no farther than Marseilles when something happaned, and the great discovery was made! A lady and gentleman arrived by train from Monte Carlo just before 6 o'clock, and gave instructions to the porter to send on a trunk whieh was in the luggage van to Charing Cross Railway Station, London. 'The gentleman carried a valise in his hand.  While the couple drove off to an adjacent hotel, the Hotel du Louvre et de Is Pain, with two portmanteaux, the railway employee proceeded to execute his commission. He was wheeling the trunk to the goods station when he noticed some drops of blood oozing out through the lock. He immediately called a Customs inspector, who, after consultation with the principal station officials, decided that the trunk should be opened. A ghastly spectacle was revealed. Tightly squeezed inside was the headless and legless body of a young woman. The porter in charge of the trunk was immediately questioned by a police magistrate. He recollected the name of the hotel which the couple who had entrusted to his care the gruesome luggage had given the cabman when they drove from the station. The police lost not a moment in going to this hotel, where they found the elderly man and woman, arrested them, and seized their portmanteaux. In one of the latter they discovered the head and legs of the murdered woman.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1888-06-23 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE CASE OF ROBERT TRAVIS.  A correspondent, signing himself "Justice," writes as follows to the Standard :—The question slaked in the House of Commons on Thursday last respecting the carte of the unfortunate man Travis will, I hope, tend to bring before the people of this country the facts, which are at present only known to a few, and will be the means of gaining for the poor fellow that compensation to which he is most justly entitled. As I happened to be present at the trial of Travis,land heard all the evidence given and the summing•up of Mr. Justice Hawkins, perhaps you will allow me to say a few words upon the ease. Robert Travis was tried at the Chester Anises, in May, 1886, for the murder of Mrs. M'lntyre. Travis, who WA engaged to her sister, Elizabeth Platt, was eentlfor trial, with Elizabeth Platt, for the murder. For some reason, best known to the prosecution, the woman Platt was formally acquitted " under the direction of the learned ju&ge," and placed in the witness-box. She distinctly swore (when in the dock at Birkenhead, before the stipendiary, Mr. Preston) that Travis said to her, "If it had not been for the whisky I shouldn't have done it." Travis immediately leant over the dock to his solicitor, and begged that he would send for the bridewell-keeper, who Gould contradict this, but the solicitor did not do so. Since the condemnation of Travis the officers have stated that it was quite impossible for Travis to have said anything of the kind without their hearing it. Of course if this evidence had been given, the jury must have hesitated as to believing the evidence of the woman. But there is another strong point in favour of Travis. There were two medical men sitting in court, waiting to be called for the defence, who would have proved that the wound on Travis.' temple could have been and most probably was inflicted by the tongs which were produced in court. Why these witnesses were not celled remains a mystery. The man Travis bore a most excellent character; and was at the time of his arrest the landlord of an inn. He has been rained now, and hbeson-in-law also, through the great expenses of his defence and the obtaining of a reprieve. Somears ago the present Viscount Cross, then Home Secretary, granted a labourer named Hebron £l,OOO as compensation, and in the ease of Travis surely a sense of justice will compel the Government to compensate him for a most cruel wrong. Itis to be hoped that the people of Liverpool will not let the matter rest where it is.  GMAT SALE Or PIANOPORTAS, ORGANS, AND Heitmornows.—Mr. Edward joints, 50, Argylestreet, Birkenhead, has taken extra premises et 46, Argyle-street, for the purp..tse of having a great Clearance Bale of all second-hand pianofortes, organs, occ., returned from hire, or taken in exchange. About 100 instruments will be offered during the months of June and July, at prices whi.th must command a ready sale. Pula Coo Livia On..—Wooncocx's Pale Norwegian is the purest, most free from taste sad of Ibe highest medicinal virtue.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1888-02-22 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE LOGIC OF THE VACCINATION  SWINDLE.  TO THE EDITOR OF THE BIRKENHEAD NEWS. s believer in the principle that everybody should have liberty to do as they like so that they are not allowed to do harm to anyone else, I should not interfere if those who believe in the murderous fraud called vaccination chose to have it performed on their own carcases every morning; but what those who know its real character have a right to object to, resist, and defeat is the attempt made by political tyrants to force it upon people who do not want it. Depend upon it, if there was any real good in vaccination the tyrannical scoundrels who are now so sager to spread it would do their best to keep it out of poor people's way. It is because it does a great deal towards shortening people's lives that is the chief reason the law encourages the filthy superstition I The children of the rich are "vaccinated 'with a mixture of cream and glycerine, whilst they have got a deadly mixture of all the animal corruption they can scrape together from diseased horses, cows, pigs, and syphilitic human beings, with which they destroy health in infants, whose parents are ignorant or cowardly enough to take them to the dens of death, where the public vaccinator is taking his toll of human life! If persons can afford to pay the lines for refusing to comply with the Vaccination Acts, it is the best bargain they can ever get from that quarter, there is nothing so cheap as to be let entirely alone by the vaccinating cheats But where the money cannot be well spared a variety of plane may be adopted to defeat the devilish designs of politically supported assassins who get their victims entrapped in their deadly snares by the thuglike pretence of benefiting you, while it is their own benefit they are seeking by destroying you! Are they not Malthusians to a man? Do they not say on other occasions that the British Islands are over populated? The common people are in the way of the land-thieves—there you have the chief reason for the murderous plot of which vaccination is part, by means of which they out off at least a clear half from the duration of the lives of every one of their dupes. The second reason for vaccination is because it finds work for a great army of bogus doctors created by law to prey on human ignorance and credulity, whereas the imposters would be better employed in cultivating some of the land that is now labour-starved. In order to defeat the vaccination law, parents should always employ a woman as midwife, never • man; and to give preferenoe to a midwife who is not the vaccinating f " e to do so at the address where the child was bellhounds, wish thborn, then remove immediately . to another house, and if they find you you will. have the satisfaction of knowing you have given them some trouble, which would soon set them at defiance if many people adopted .that plan! " plat. " ad to Let meeltheTes keep: their vex is intrinsically good birth , out. Next, ed register