npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1864-04-01 (London, England)

AGORA.VATED ASSAULT eN A WlFE.—Frederick George, a young man, was charged with an aggravated assault on his wife, Mary Ann George. Mr Edward Lewis, of Great Marlborough-street, appeared for the prosecution, which was instituted by the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, Dukestreet, St• James's.  Mary Ann George said—l live at No. 6, Red Lion-court, Seven Dials, and the prisoner is my husband. I am 21 years of age, and have been married 18 months. On the 21st March, between 5 and 6 in the evening, my husband met me where we live, and told me to come upstairs. He asked me what I had been speaking to the landlord about, and I said, "About the rent." He then took hold of me by the ears and bumped my head against the wall, and kicked me and struck me in the lice, blacking both my eyes. He said,'" You shall not go out of the b— room Alive. I will have your b-- head off your shoulders." I aa;:ed him to let me go, for the sake of my child u„t2ich I held in my arms. He told mo to put the ch;2(l down, and, having a knife in his hand, he said, " I'll have ;our life. Make up your mind not to go out of the room alive." As I would not put the child down, he threw it out of my arms, and on my stooping to pick it up he caught hold of my leg, and in so doing cut it. I screamed for assistance, and some persons came and burst the door open and liberated me, and then my husband tried to grt over the balusters after me. He has often beaten me before, and the things I get together to make a home ho breaks up.  Mr. Lewis—He has been in prison, has he not ? Complainant—Yes, sir ; once for an assault, and once for thieving. . .  Ellen Welsh, living in the same house, proved hearing cries of " murder" proceeding from the room occupied by the prisoner and his wife. Mr. Lewis—How long have you known the complainant, and what s,rt of character does she bear ? Witness—l have known her nine years, and she is a steady, hardworking woman. Mr. Charles Dowd, of Poland-street, surgeon—l saw the complainant some days atter the 21st, and her face was much contused. She had bad black eyes. I saw a wound on her leg, an incised wound, but in consequence of its being nearly healed cannot say positively how it was caused. A knife like the one produced would cause such a wound. Prisoner—My wife mixes up with the people in " the Dials," and because I have brought some of them to justice she has an ill feeling towards me. 1 wish to call Sergeant Cole to speak to my character. Sergeant Cole was called, brat his evidence was far from favourable to the prisoner, inasmuch as he said he knew the prisoner as a thief, and believed he had robbed him (the sergeant).  Prisoner—My wife aggravates me and calls me a " cod." She was very violent. I did strike her, but it was because she dropped the child. The prisoner was committed for six months with hard labour, and ordered at the expiration of the sentence to find one bail in 120 for another six months to keep the peace towards his wife.  There is little doubt that, but for the exertions of the society's agent, Mr. C. Albert, the prisoner would not have been brought before the magistrate.
The Sun. — 1864-08-30 (London, England)

TRIAL STAKES.  Dübiay East Lynn Hiss Armstrong  3  Six ran.  Brindisi Lot here.  Murder throug.li Jealousy  •  Yesterday morning a murder was committed in Crossstreet, Hatton-garden, the murderer being a man named Henry Wilkinson, aged 29, a stonemason's labourer, residing at 9, Cross-street, and the unfortunate victim his wife, Eliza, a woman of prepossessing appearance. Between one and two o'clock this morning a fearful disturbance was heard in the apartments occupied by the prisoner, his wife, and another lodger. On police-constable Cock, 116 G, entering the room he found the deceased woman lying on the floor. She had been attended by 1)1', Gibson, who said that death bad been caused from the combined effects of kicks and blows in the stomach. There was but little blood about the deceased's person, although there was a good deal about the.place. It would appear that yesterday some friends of both parties called to see them, and spent the clay with them. In the evening', they all partook of a little drink, but none of them got intoxicated. Shortly before thedeparture of the last train on the Metropolitan Railway, the deceased and her husband went to see their friends off. Before they parted one of the men kissed the deceased. This seemed very much to annoy and exasperate the prisoner, who swore and threatened her in a most dreadful manner, and it is stated that whilst standing in the Farringdon-road he struck his wife in the face. Being fearful that she should be still further ill-used and beaten if she stayed there, the unfortunate woman returned home, and telling one of the other lodgers that the was afraid the prisoner would injure her, asked her if she would allow her to sleep with her until morning, when she thought her husband's wrath would be appeased. Her wish was complied with, and both women retired to rest, As before stated, the husband returned home shortly after one o'clock, and finding that his wife was not in his room he called for her. He then went into the lodger's room, and finding that his wife was in bed swore at her and pulled her out with great violence, He knocked his wife down, and while she was on the ground he billeted a most fearful kick in the stomach, The poor woman said to her husband, "You have now given me my death blow," rolled over, and fell insensible. She never spoke more, and the prisoner, who then appeared very sorry, went out and fetched a surgeon, and when he returned he was taken into custody. Information has been forwarded to Dr Lankcster, the coroner for Middlesex, and the inquest will be held this day.  At the King's-cross police station, when the charge was read over to the prisoner by Acting Inspector Baldock, I G, he said, "I know she is dead, but it is not from the many blows I have given her now, She has died from those I gave her on Friday."
The Sun. — 1864-03-08 (London, England)

THE CONVICT HALL.  In reference to the case of the murder of the convict's wife, at Birmingham, three weeks ago, particulars of which, and of the husband's trial at Warwick assizes, have been already reported in The Sun, we have now to add that the horrible circumstances are exciting an unprecedented interest in the county, and persons who have no sympathy 'with foul crimes are using every effort to procure a remission of the sentence of death on the ground that the prisoner's provocation was intolerable, and that great allowance should be made for the anguish of an iej tired husband, smarting under such a wrong as that which he bore. A great mass of evidence has been laid before Sir George Grey which was advisedly kept back from the jury, because it did not amount in law to proof that the provocation was of such a nature as would reduce the prisoner's crime from murder to manslaughter. There were many witnesses at Warwick, but they were, for this reason, not called. They prove that the wretched wife left the comfortable home her husband had provided for her on the very day of her marriage,was next day brought home by her parents, and that she visited on the third day a man named Joy, for whose society she eventually left her husband at the end of the first week of her married life. Her husband was brought to the door of the theatre on the Saturday night and saw them coming out together, and asked her what she meant. She replied in Joy's presence, " I mean what you seer" and attempted to strike him. The man became incensed, but did not know what to do. He grieved for a month, frequently seeing his wife at her mother's, and implored her to return. At last on the 16th February he visited her, and after an affectionate interview he shot her. In the interval it is now proved that she had been receiving the visits of Joy, and that adultery had been repeatedly committed, and that after she was shot and before her death Joy actually was with her in her bedroom at her mother's. All this may well have unsettled the husband's mind. At all events, it has produced great commiseration for the prisoner at Birmingham. The excitement in the various manufactories, where the workmen crowd to sign petitions for mercy, is very great. We understand the legal and medical profession are sending up separate memorials, and that the solicitors' memorial already numbers 100 signatures, while the general town memorial is signed by many thousands. These documents will reach Sir George Grey this morning. The prisoner's employer, Mr. J. S. Wright, and others, with the counsel and solicitors iu the case, have seen unremitting in their efforts.  The old Star Chamber in the House of Commons has been alloted to the Parliamentary reporters for a club room, in which they will be able to get all the delicacies in and out of the eeason, and be at peace for a moment from intrusion.—Court Journal,
The Sun. — 1864-03-08 (London, England)

THE CONVICT HALL.  In reference to the case of the murder of the convict's wife, at Birmingham, three weeks ago, particulars of which, and of the husband's trial at Warwick assizes, have been already reported in The Sun, we have now to add that the horrible circumstances are exciting an unprecedented interest in the county, and persons who have no sympathy with foul crimes are using every effort to procure a remission of the sentence of death on the ground that the prisoner's provocation was intolerable, and that great allowance should be made for the anguish of an inj tired husband, smarting under such a wrong as that which he bore. A great mass of evidence has been laid before Sir George Grey which was advisedly kept back from the jury, because it did not amount in law to proof that the provocation was of such a nature as would reduce the prisoner's crime from murder to manslaughter. There were many witnesses at Warwick, but they were, for this reason, not called. They prove that the wretched wife left the comfortable home her  usband had provided for her on the very day of her marriage,was next day brought home by her parents, and that she visited on the third day a man named Joy, for whose society she eventually left her husband at the end of the first week of her married life. Her husband was brought to the door of the theatre on the Saturday night and saw them coming out together, and asked her what she meant. She replied in Joy's presence, " I mean what you see," and attempted to strike him. The mac} became incensed, but did not know what to do. He grieved for a month, frequently seeing his wife at har mother's, and implored her to return. At last on the 16th February he visited her, and after an affectionate interview he shot her. In the interval  it is now proved that she had been receiving the visits of Joy, and that adultery had been repeatedly committed, and that after she was shot and before her death Joy actually was with her in her bedroom at her mother's. All this may well have unsettled the husband's mind. At all events, it has produced great commiseration for the prisoner at Birmingham. The excitement in the various manufactories, where the workmen crowd to sign petitions for mercy, is very great. We understand the legal and medical professions are sending up separate memorials, and that the solicitors' memorial. already numbers 100 signatures, while the general town memorial is signed by many thousands. These documents will reach Sir George Grey this morning. The prisoner's employer, Mr. J. S. Wright, and others, with the counsel and solicitors in the case, have been unremitting in their efforts.  The old Star Chamber in the House of Commons has been alloted to the Parliamentary reporters for a club room, in which they will be able to get all the delicacies in and out of tho season, and be at peace for a moment from intrusion.—Court Journal,  lORK v.
The Sun. — 1864-08-15 (London, England)

THOMAS DE QUINCEY.--Thomas de tattni:neY, in his autobiographical sketches, records the fact o:,nis having, at the age of 15, gained a certain public distinction —to wit, a prize for a copy of English verses. Three prizes were given, of which De Quincey's was the third. He describes with amusing egotism, how he became, for the first time in his life, something of a " lion," and he states that all his friends, excepting his mother, assured him that his verses ought to have stood the first. Ho adds, that from what he could r2collect of the verses after the lapse of 50 years, it was his opinion that although they might be perhaps less finished ,than the others, they were superior in the structure of the metre, and in the choice of expressions. And he launches out into remarks upon the eoi-disant poets of the day, and the reasons why he has declined to take his place among them. It may be worth preserving among the minor literary memoranda of that period, that each of De Quincey's rivals in this competition became, like himself, in due course of time, men of no e. The first was J. H. Leigh Hunt, and tho second one of our most distinguished topographers, George Ormerod, D.C.L., F.R.S. The prizes were offered by the publishers of a long forgotten periodical, called the Afonthly Preceptor, and the versa were a translation of the "Integer vitro" of Horace. It may be added that the translations themselves are found in the Afenthly Preceptor of the date, and that while they are highly creditable to boys of 15, the composition of the now venerable historian of Cheshire is by no means inferior to either of the other two.—. Notes and Queries,  The Death of a Guardsman at the Wiml 4.00'a  Rifle Meeting,  This morning, Mr W. Carter, the eoroner for East St trrey, resumed the inquiry at the Rose and Crown, N orth 1 Wimbledon, into the cause of the death of Thomas Cooper ( If the Coldstream Guards. After several additional witnesses had been examine.  The Coroner, in summing up, said the jury would la, Ave to satisfy themselves that Sergeant Roberts had fired 1 he shot, and if so, what was the degree of homicide of ft .at act—whether it was felonious so as to justify a charge of murder, or whether there was such a want of considerat it n in the act which would make it the duty of the jury to sen d the case to another tribunal as a charge of manslaughtt•T.. Even if Roberts did not see deceased, who it was said, was behind the target, he would be liable for any consequ3ncea that might ensue from his carelessness or want of observance of those proper regulations which had been laid down for the due carrying on the business of the rational Rifle Association, in the promotion of rifle shooting at the Wimbledon meeting, and which were obligatory for the welfare of all parties engaged. The jury returned a verdict of death by misadventure. (Loud cheers in court.)  LAW INTELLIGENCE, Aug. 15,
The Sun. — 1864-09-22 (London, England)

THE MURDER OF MR. BRIGGS.  It has been decided that the prisoner Muller shall be present on Monday morning next, at the adjourned coroner's inquest. Mr Humphreys forwarded an application to Sir George Grey, to the effect that it was desirable Muller should be brought up before the jury, in order that his identity might be established to their satisfaction. This appliM cation being remitted to Sir Richard Mayne, the Chief Commissioner, atter consulting the detective inspectors who have charge of the case, reported his approval of the recommendation to Sir G. Grey, whoissued the necessary order. The prisoner will be taken direct from the Town Hall, Hackney, where the inquest is sitting, to the Bow-street Police-court, where the magisterial examination will be resumed. After his examination at Bow-street on Monday last, when removed to the cell, Muller inveighed bitterly against the evidence which had been given by Matthews respecting the hat which was found in the railway carriage. The prisoner stigmatised the evidence given about this hat as false, saying there was not one word of truth in it ; that Matthews knew he (Muller) had worn out the hat bought for him at Walker's long ago, and that the rim on one side was broken ; that the evidence had been given out of spite because he (Muller) had threatened to give a relation of Matthews's into custody for theft some time ago, Concerning the identification of the hat found in Muller's trunk on board the Victoria, and which is supposed to have belonged to the murdered gentleman, some further evidence is likely to be forthcoming. One of the shopraen of Mr Digance, the hatter, has, it appears, a distinct remembrance of selling the hat to Mr Briggs, who, at the time, because it did not fit him, had a peculiar alteration made in the lining, which the shopman can identify. It was, mere• over, a practice in the shop to mark on the inner side of tho leath.tr lining the date when the article was purchased, which may afford an additional clue. The follow77ng is a copy of the letter which was handed to Muller in New York by an agent of the " Society for the Legal Protection of Germans in London :"  New York, Aug., 1864. Mr Francis Millar, on board the victoria—I have been instructed by the Hon. Secretary of the Society for the Legal Protection of Germans inLondon, to communicate to you that the said society have taken your c.aso into their hands, and have appointed Mr Thomas Beard, solicitor, of No. 19, Basinghall-street, in London, to act in your behalf, You may address yourself, as soon as you arrive in England, to the President of the above-named society, Mr M. D. Luker, of No. 2, Tower Royal, Cannon-street, London, B.C. In the meantime, it may be advisable for you not to make any communication whatever to the authorities or to private individuals, without previous advice of a solicitor. Up to my latest advices from London, the German Society still consider you to be innocent of the c: io) yin are accused of, and have resolved, in case no further advices should alter their opinion, to save no trouble or expense to prove your being nut guilty, if this is the case.
The Sun. — 1864-04-16 (London, England)

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.  MURDEROUS ATTACK ON A CONSTABLE AT THE STATION.—Robert Allen, a low looking fellow who nightly hangs about the Haymarket, was charged with being drunk and disorderly, and he was further charged with assaulting James Paice, 315 A, at the Vine-street Police Station. Paice said—About one o'cloek this morning I saw a large crowd of persons outside the Royal Standard public house in Piccadilly. On going to see the cause I found the prisoner drunk and running about like a madman. I stopped him, and told him he had better go away, and as he refused I took him to the Vine-street station, At the station he struck me a violent blow in the face, and making use of the vilest language, said he would be hanged for me. This morning, while leaving him in the reserve room, he aimed a desperate blow at my face with a piece of iron taken from the cell, and which he had secreted up his sleeve.  Sergeant Cole, C division—About half-past 9 this morning I was at the Vine-street station, and saw the prisoner pass from the cell into the reserve room. Noticing some• thing up his sleeve I kept my eye upon him. Directly afterwards I saw the prisoner aim a blow at Paice's face with a piece of iron. I immediately seized the prisoner, and threw him on his back, and took the piece of iron from him, the prisoner exclaiming "Now, I'll kill the —." Mr. Knox—How near was the piece of iron to the constable's face. _ _  vY Cole—lt was not more than three inches from it, and had the blow taken effect the constalle wculd have been dangerously injured—the blow being aimed at his eye. Mr. Knox—Wheze was the piece of iron taken from ?, Cole--It is part of the iron work of the warm air apparatus of the cell. I saw it safe a few minutes before, and afterwards missed it. _ _  Prisoner—l was not drunk, and it was done because I would not take some beer to the constable one day. He said he would serve me out for it. He also swore at me. Mr. Knox—l do not believe a word of what you say, and you may think yourself fortunate you are not here on a more serious charge. You might have killed the constable, and had you done so you would have gone to the Old Bailey for murder. It was a lucky thing for you that Sergeant Cole saw you at the time. Inspector Bowles gave Paice an excellent character. Mr. Knox—l have always observed that his conduct has been particularly good, and I don't believe he threatened or swore at the prisoner at all. I shall fine the prisoner 405,, or a month for hie drunk and disorderly conduct; commit him for a month for the assault on the officer last night; and for another month for the assault with the piece of iron—three months in all.
The Sun. — 1864-08-03 (London, England)

ACCIDENT AT THE LUDGATE-HILL VIADUCT.— Yestarday considerable sensation was created in the neighbourhood of Ludgate-hill, in consequence of a most frightful accident, which it is feared will terminate with loss of life. The workmen were raising an enormous iron girder, sixty-eight feet in length, and weighing fourteen tons. When about twelve feet high, the chain of the crab by which it was being hoisted snapped in three places, and fell with a great crash, the workmen flying in all directions. One man, named Jones, jumped cff into the road from the top of the girder. The centre lodged on some thick piles of timber at the base of the derrick. The other end rested on the kerb, on the south side, where the men were at work. As soon as possible Sergeant Hurst E ELL, and Sergeant Trim, of the City police, with a body of constables, rescued James Peach, aged 50 years, with a frac.. tured skull; Samuel Coppoek, aged 44 years; and John Ryall, all severely injured. Cabs being procured, they were removed to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, where they now remain in a dangerous condition. ATTEMPTED caused —OnMonday some oWmle F El‘ excitementlu t wnElt I aN C was e ke • ford-street, Clerkenwell, in consequence of loud cries of "Murder" and Help" proceeding from the house numbered 341 in that street. On the police entering the house, they found upon the ground, in a pool of blood, the wile of E a gold polisher named Elias John Roland. The unfortunate woman was in an insensible state, and it was at first thought that life was extinct. A medical gentleman was called in, and finding that the female was not dead advised her instant removal to the Royal Free Hospital, which was done, and she was received by Mr John D. Hill, the resident medical officer of the institution, who placed her under care of Mr Wakley' the house surgeon for the week. Upon examining the poor creature those gentlemen found an incised wound on the top of the head. The skull was also fractured at the point of the wound. There were also two other contused wounds on the head, evidently inflicted with some blunt instrument. There was also a wound on the right arm, and one a little larger on the left arm, showing that the instrument employed had been used several times and with great force upon the person of the unfortunate woman. The wounds on the head having been dressed and proper stimulants administered, the poor creature became somewhat conscious, and gave to the medical men and Inspector Allen the following particulars of the affair :—About halfpast 4 o'clock in the afternoon her husband came to her and asked for some money, which she refused to give him, when he took up a chopper which was in the room, and struck her on the head, knocking her down and rendeting her insensible. The husband was at once taken into custody, and was charged at the Clerkenwell Police Court, ye3terday twining, with feloniously cutting and wounding his wife, Ann Roland, by strising her on the head with an axe, whereby her life WAS in danger. He was remanded,