npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Express. — 1847-04-01 (London, England)

SCOTLAND.  EDINBURGH, MARCK  From all parts of ScoilanCl the accounts of the weather are moat cheering. Here we have had some smart rain and hail showers, but followed by sunshine the effect has been decidedly favourable. In the Ilebrides and other remote localities, the sowing appears to be finished. In the north the authorities are bus; in the apprehension of parties involved in the late food riots, and the fruit of their efforts will duly appear at the approaching Inverness circuit. The military still continue at Wick and Thurso, bat without requiring to be called out. The young man who was apprehended on suspicion of being concerned in the ,chow murder has been liberated, and as yet no clue to the real murderer has been discovered.  A proof of the increasing internal traffic of this II country is afforded by the augmented sums received tnis year for the sale of tolls ; and this, notwithstandlag that many of the keepers have for the first time been prohibited from selling spirits. Grass parks • have also considerably risen, but this is a less unequivocal proof of national prosperity. In Aberdeen the operatives have instituted a corn society for the wholesale purchase of provisions and the retailing of them to members at cost price. Ether is getting into disrepute here. A fatal case has occnred in the infirmary, and the profeesor of Clinical Surgery has performed several of his recent operations without it. Many of the principal farmers in Boas-shire have signed the following pledge : 'With a view to ensure a certain supply of corn food, and to allay the panic of a prospective dearth this summer, we, the undersigned, agree severally to keep five quarters of wheat or other grain on hand (besides seed, and the quantity of grain requisite for our respective establishments), until next harvest time, for each pair of horses employed on our respective farms, and we hereby pledge ourselves to exert our influence with all the proprietors and farmers in the county to join us in doing so, A movement has been made in Aberdeenshire for the subscribing of a similar document. The Glasgow community have made a bad beginning with their industrial schools—the annual remuneration offered to the first "teacher and superintendent" being 601. It is only by slow degrees that we are acting on Burke's maxim, that " education is the chief defence of nations." And yet few places stand more in need of remedial measures for its social grievances than Glasgow. The Edinburgh commissioners of police threaten a blow and discouragement to the font office Directory, notice having, at their last meeting, been given of the following motion : That in order to afford every facility in their power to , rectify the many errors and omissions which are reported to exist in the Post-office Directory, the board give permission to any person to have access to the police rental, witbost charge, for a limited period annually, provided the parties I bind themselves for a specified time to issue en improved and correct Directory every year et a ohesp rate.
The Express. — 1847-08-28 (London, England)

EXECUTION AT VERSAILLES.—Marquis, the coting man, aged only 20, who woo condemned to death some time ago, for the attempted murder of a young woman in the Faubourg Montmartre, was on Wednesday morning executed at Versailles. He had, it will be remembered, scraped acquaintance with the woman in the street, and aceompanitd her to her own house, where, as he said, be passed the night with her. lie represented himself u a man of considerable wealth, though only the son of a porter, and having seen some pieces of gold in the possession of the female, he tried to kill her to obtain possession of them. The wounds he in. flitted on her were very serious. He was first condemned to death by the Court of Assizes of the Seine; but, on appeal to the Court of Causation, the conviction was quashed, and he was sent to be tried by the Court of Assizes of the Seine-et-Oise, which again condemned him to death. After the second csEtpdfmnation his character  underwent a singular change. Violence and brutality made way for ineekneeand resignation, and be became profoundly religious. His father had been to see him every Monday, but did not go last Monday, and Marquis felt that that, was ' an indication of his approaching fate. At five o'clock yesterday morning, the chaplain of the prison entered his cell I, to announce to him that he had only a few minutes to live. Marquis exhibited much calmness, considering his extreme youth: " Come, Monsieur l'Abbe," said he, " come ; I understand ; lam ready !" The priest remained with him till Ili o'clock. Marquis expressed his regret to die, but admitted the justice of his condemnation. lie then thanked all the officers of the gaol for the very great kindness they had shown him. Whilst the last preparations were being made, he remained perfectly calm, and prayed with fervour. " You think," he remarked, " that I am courageous, but it is only religion which sustains me." On arriving at the scaffold he ascended it with a firm step, kaelt down, and kissed the cross which the priest presented him. He then rose, turned towards the spectators, and said in a loud voice, "Citizens, I render homage to the justice of man which has condi med me, for lam a great criminal, and I demand your prayers. Remember that Jesus Christ shed his blood to wash away the sins of men, and I shed mine to wash away my sins Citizens, pray for a brother! Ah ! when I say brother lam unworthy of the name. lam a great criminal. Citizens, thanks for your prayers, my soul is about to fly to heaven !" At this moment the voice of the poor wretch took a remarkable intonation, and tears flowed from his eyes. The crowd was painfully affected. The executioner having approached, Marquis made a sign that he had concluded, and repeated, " You see that I am courageous, but it is only religion which sustains me !" In pronouncing these words he placed himself in the hands of the executioner. One of the assistants seized him by the hair to place his head under the knife. Marquis then cried with a loud voice, " Jesus ! Mary ! Jesus! Mary ! Jesus ! Mary !" and the next moment all was over.
The Express. — 1847-09-27 (London, England)

COMM—Bakes Mr. Baron Plate and Mr. Juenee Myna= ay a 11•KI•C.—Thonsas Macintosh Davidson was placed at the bar, to plead to an indictment charging him with the murder of Lewis Mugford, by stabbing bile with a knife. The prisoner, who is an aged, gentlemanlylooking man, was attended while in the dock by two of the turnkeys of the gaol. He stared vacantly around him, and did not seem at all to be conscious of his position. On his being called upon by Mr. Straight to plead to the indict. meat, Mr. Bodkin rose, and said he appeared for the unfortunate gentleman at the bar, who, ho was instructed, was in such a state of mind at the time he committed the act imputed to him, as would clearly make hint not legally responsible, and at the present moment, for the same reason, he was Equally incompetent to plead, or to make any answer to the charge. He had, therefore, to apply to his lordship to direct a jury to be empannelled to try that issue.— A jury was accordingly sworn to try whether the prisoner was of sound mind, and in a fit state to plead Cr not —Mr. Bodkin then again addressed the jury, and said this was rather an unusual proceeding, but under the provisions of an act of parliament of Oeo. I l 1., where a person was in such a state of mind as to render him unconscious of what was going on, or incapable to make any answer to the charge againatiini, and a July fonnd a verdict to that effect, the mart was empowered to take such steps as would secure the safe custody of the accused person. The accused, in this instance, had been for several Tease under restraint, and up to the time is question he had conducted himself in a perfectly harmless manner, and, indeed, always appeared to be very much attached to the unfortunate deceased, who was his keeper. At the time of the unhappy transaction, however, the prisoner appeared to be seized by a sudden paroxysm of rage and violence, and while in that condition he committed the act imputed to him.—Mr. Cutfield, a surgeon, said he had been in the habit of attending medically upon the prisoner for two years. He had been placed by his trustees, under an order of the Court of Chancery with a gentleman named Holmes, at Tottenham, and witness saw him at his house on the day of this occurrence. The prisoner was in • constant state of imbecility, perfectly unconscious, and had not the least control over his actions—Mr. 31`Murdo, the surgeon of Newgate, gave similar evidence, and expressed his opinion that the prisoner was not at that time in such a state of mind as would enable him t, plead to an indictment. —Mr. Oldney, the assistant- surgeon, gave the same testimony. The jury immediately returned their verdict, that the prisoner was of unsound mind, and not fit to plead to an indictment. —Mr. Baron Platt gave directions that the prisoner should be detained in safe custody until her Majesty's pleasure should be made known respecting him. Tug
The Express. — 1847-02-25 (London, England)

LORDS' AMENDNIENTS.  On the !Burton of Sir G, OR , the lords' amendments to the Dectitute Persons' (Ireland) Bill mere agreed to. The house then adjourned at a ft w minutes to six.  not giving to the person so hiring it anything that the law regards as possession, and, being only one of the modes of husbandry, as little divesting the immediate tenant of possession, as if grazing cattle of another's had been placed on the grounds. As we understood the case, we thought his lordship had really nothing to complain of, though the injury to his property may have been far greater (as we think he stated in some published letters) than if his tenant had dealt with the farm in the way the covenant guarded against. There can be no doubt that covenants may easily be framed against this mode of husbandry, and that, if such was his object, he had only himself to blame for not having, in his lease used language calculated to effect it.  In Lord WESTMEATIIN representations, however, on the subject of the law of landlord and tenant, there is very great general truth. What is called tenancy at will is supposed to imply that the landlord has the power at once to get rid of such tenant. A word of explanation may remove much error on this subject. There is practically no such thing as tenancy at will, either in England or Ireland. I'he courts of law, whenever they find a tenancy indeterminate in point of time existing, regard it as a tenancy from year to year ; and which can only be put an end to at the same period of the year at which it has commenced, and after six months' notice to the opposite party. An Irish landlord, who has been paid no rent for the last two or three years, feels it time to get rid of his tenant. He finds in February, 1847, that the tenancy has commenced on the Ist of May, some dozen years ago, and he learns that he cannot demand possession till May, 1818, and then cannot succeed in an action of possession, except he has been fortunate enough to have notices to quit, in which no flaw can be detected, served on tenants living perhaps in a part of the country where the process•scrver's occupation is a dangerous trade. Some time since, a Tipperary paper bestowed high praise on Mr. Serjeant liowcEr, for appointing two process•servers to the offices rendered vacant by their fathers murders. Now we really cannot see any meaning whatever in continuing a state of law which gives to one man another's land longer than he continues to pay the rent, the payment of which was the condition on which it was received ; and while we do not fall out with the courts of law for having created this tenancy from year to year—for it is their creation, and not that of the parties—we yet cull on the legislature, in dealing with the Irish landlord, to remember that this state of things is not the act of the landlords, but arises altogether from fictions of law. Indeed, the courts themselves ought to guard against their fictions creating not alone Inconvenience, but absolute injustice. "We Irish are represented," says Lord
The Express. — 1847-02-09 (London, England)

AND ALLEGED MURDER.— Albert, Ens Tommy Burt was charged (in conjunction with an accomplice 'not in custody) with attempting to rob &person named N ash .—Naah, accompanied by a person named Bruff, left the Golden Ball public-house, King-street, Snowhill, about half-past twelve o'clock on Friday night for the purpose of spending the night out, and about eight o'clock on Saturday morning returned, followed by the prisoner and another man, who inlisted and finally forced their way into the bar parlour after them. They were requested to leave, but refused, until the landlord came down and threatened to give them into custody. They still, however, persisted in remaining in the loose ; and, upon Bluff going to the door, for the purpose of calling the police, ha was struck by the prisoner's companion in the [Ace, and sent against the wainscotting. In eight boars after he died, but whether from the effects of the blow or from drinking, would be ascertained before the coroner. in the meantime the prisoner was observed putting his hands into Nash's pockets, and also trying to get • ring off his finger, but was prevented. Both men were then turned out, but not Were the landlord had been assaulted by the person who had escaped. They were allowed to depart, but, on the death of Bruff, it was thought proper to take the prisoner into custody.—Add. Wilson asked how it was Nash had net corns forward to give evidence ; and was informed that be could not be found, having scarcely been home since Saturday. The fact was, he had oome in for some property, and it seemed likely that he was seeing how feat he could get rid of it—The prisoner, in defence, said he was acquainted with Nash, and, happening to meet him about tire o'clock on Saturday morning at the Falstaff publichouse, in Covent-garden, with some friends, he was asked to have a glue of brandy and water. Re did so, and they proceeded to various public-houses, drinking brandy and water, and rum and milk, until they were all tipsy. At last Noah, Bruff, the prisoner, and his companion, parted from the others, when the first-named indindual proposed having some more drink, which Bruff said should not be, and succeeded in securing Nash's money (tour sovereigns), thereby preventing him carrying his object into effect. They then proceeded to Mr. Phillips house (the Golden Ball), and he (the prisoner), considering Mr. Nash as a friend, certainly did go into the bar parlour, hut never attempted to rob either of the parties. He also admitted that his companion struck the deemed Bruff; but he could not tell his name or where he lived, being only a casual acquaintance of not more than a fortnight's standing.—One of the witnesses named George Eveson here stepped forward, and said that the prisoner's companion told him that they wanted Buff to give the four sovereigns to Nub, and that the prisoner would soon rob him of it. Also, that if witness would hold his tongue, and call the next evening, they would give him a sovereign or two fur so doing.—Add. Wilson decided upon remanding the prisoner, to give the officers an opportunity of apprehending his companion.
The Express. — 1847-04-09 (London, England)

SRORSDITCH.— norms Brookts, 21, con iodirted for the wilful murder of Wm. liobart, by shooting him with a gnu. The prisoner, who is of small statiire, appeared; very much distressed during the trial, and from its commencement to the close he leaned his head on the front of the dock, and seemed to be weeping bitterly. Mr. Clark and Mr. Robinson conducted the prosecution for the Treasury. The prisoner, through the kind and humane instrumentality of the .heriffe, was defended by Mr. Clarkson and Mr. Parnell.—The unfortunate transaction took place I on the night of March 17, in Hare-alley, Shoerditch, where the prisoner resided. About ten o'clock at night, the de-'I ceased, accompanied by some other young men, went to the place in question, and called the prisoner out; and the deceased asked him whether he intended , to give him some things of his that were in his possession, and he replied that he should not until he was paid, and perhaps not then. Some angry altercation took place between them, and the prisoner walked away towards his own house, saying to the deceased, that if he would wait a minute, he would put a bullet through him. The deceased and his cousin, a lad named Chucks Eaton, followed him, and in about two or three minutes the prisoner came down from his bed-room, and levelled a gun deliberately at the deceased, and fired, the distance being so small that, although loaded with small shot, it entered the neck of the deceased in a solid form, and completely severed the jugular vein and the carotid artery, thus causing almost instantaneous death. After the fatal act, it appeared that the prisoner made an exclamation to the effect that he had had his revenge, and that the deceased had injured him and his sister, and if he had not token the deceased's life, the deceased would have taken his. Mr. Clarkson elicited, on cross-examination, that the deceased had threatened to strike the prisoner, and some other circumstances were stated to induce a belief that the deceased and his companions had some ill feeling towards the prisoner, and that he might have considered himself to be in danger of some personal violence f rem them.—Mr. Clarkson addressed the jury for the prisoner, and at once admitted that the offence amounted at least to manslaughter, and that of an aggravated character, but he called upon the jury, looking at the age of the prisoner, and the circum stances of the case, to take a humane view of it, and negative that portion of the charge which imputed to the prismer that he wan actuated by the deliberate malleions intention to destroy the deceased, and convict him only of manslaughter.—Mr. Justice Coleridge having summed up the evidence very carefully and minutely, the jury deliberated for a few minutes, and then expressed a wish to retire. They were absent about 20 minutes, when they returned a verdict of Guilty of .Vonalaughler, arid the learned judge, after addressing a few impressive remarks to the prisoner, sentenced him to be transported for life.
The Express. — 1847-12-21 (London, England)

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 21, 1847.  created no impression whatever beyond a continuance of crime. On Thursday last a tenant of the Earl of lienntare was murdered, within one mile of the town of Hospital, his °fro)°, cons • ' in an anxiety to pay his rent, which he had 7 made up by the tip sale of his produce, on that y, in Bruff. He was first plundered, then shot dead.  The Limerick Chroxicle, on behalf of " prudent consideration" and " sound policy," suggests that the jury panel for the commission should be enlarged by an amalgamation of the town and country lists. There can be little doubt, from the well-known character of the Limerick county juries, that they would in no case hesitate to Rod on the evidence ; but it would be scarcely fair to subject them to danger, when the responsibility may he divided with the town juries, which are free from all perils of personal violence. This would be preferable to a change of venue, and would equally ensure the ends of justice.  Archbishop M'Hale has addressed another long letter to the Premier. It has little of the figurative vehemence of his old style, although not devoid of sarcasm, which wouli have been mom pointed had the country not been in a condition almost to invite repressive measures. His grace attacks in bitter language enough the " maligners of the priesthood," and declares that t-, them society has been mainly indebted for its existence. The letter altogether is far more feeble than the usual missives of the archbishop. The first fruits of the new and " vigorous policy" are to be a special commission early in January to the disturbed counties. The clerk of the crown and crown solicitor of Roscommon are holding communion on the preliminaries, and in Limerick the multitudinous staff of Sir Matthew Barrington are re-organising and preparing to open a serious campain in Munster. The delay of a special commission until the reported period is not very intelligible, fur there is no connexion between that extraordinary tribunal and the Coercion Act. However, the government may be disposed. to attribute some powerful effect to the operation of both influences working together. A proximate estimate of the quantity of land laid down with green crops in Ireland during the past season has been made by a Limerick seed merchant, and considering the practice heretofore subsisting of abstaining almost entirely from that sort of cultivation the result is very promising. The quantity of turnip seed imported into Ireland from England and Scotland during the past season was 10,000 bushels, which, at 41b. to the acre, would sow 120,000 acres with turnips. Probably it would hardly be too much to say that an equal breadth was laid down under various other green crops, such as mangel warzel, parsnips, carrots, vetches, tfte. ; but estimating the quantity at two-thirds only, we have a breadth of 80,000, or in all of 200,000 acres under green crops. Next year we shall certainly have one-half more at the least.