npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1868-12-28 (London, England)

LYNCH LAW AT NEW ALBANY, U.S.  Louisville correspondents, writing on the 12th inst., givt the particulars of a tragedy which occurred at New Albany early in the morning of that day. A vigilance committee said to have come from Seymour, Indiana, arrived at Ned Albany on the previous evening. About three o'clock oz the morning of the 12th, Luther Whitten, one of Oat outside guards of the gaol, was met at the entrance by a party of men, who presented pistols at him, demanding his silence or death. Whitten shouted, but was seized, knocked down, and informed that if he shouted again he should die. By this time the gaol office was filled with men searching for the keys. Sheriff Fullenlove, understand. ing the situation, came down from his sleeping apart. went, and gained the door leading to the grounds on the west side of the gaol. Hero he met a force armed with pistols, which were directed at him. He exclaimed, "Gentlemen, don't shoot me ; lam the sheriff." But one of the band fired a shot, which took effect in the sheriff's right arm, inflicting a serious and painful wound. The keys were demanded, but he positively refused to surrendez them. About a dozen of the band then entered Fullenlove't room, where his wife lay in bed, and demanded the gaol keys of her, but she refused to surrender them. They succeeded in finding them, however, concealed in a drawer. Thomas Mathews, one of the inside guards, was then compelled to open the cells of the men whom the mob had determined to hang. Frank and William Reno were the first victims. They were dragged out and hung alongside of each other on the same pillar. Simon Ileno was then brought out, but he fought the mob with great despe. ration, knocking one or two of them down before he was overpowered and left suspended between the ceiling and the floor. Charles Anderson, who was the last victim, was heard to beg for the privilege of praying ; but this request was refused, and he was hanged at the south-west corner 'of the gaol. After a further threat to kill the sheriff, the mob proceeded to the train,. carrying with them the gaol keys. Armed men stood guard to prevent any alarm from being given. At four o'clock the train, with the entire party, consisting of from 75 to 100 men, started off. They came well armed and equipped for the work. They intended to hang a man named Clark, the murderer of George Till, but they concluded not to do so,  fearing to remain any longer. The band came in a car by themselves, which was attached to the regular train. Charles Anderson and Frank Reno were surrendered by the Canadian authorities upon Ithe solemn pledge of the United States Government that they should have a fair trial, and, if found innocent, be returned to Canada. All the telegraph wires on the line of the Jeffersonville Railroad were found connected together, and communicating with the ground about half a mile north of Seymour. It is supposed to have been done by the Seymour Regulators before going to New Albany.
The Sun. — 1868-12-28 (London, England)

LYNCH LAW' AT NEW ALBANY, TI.,  Louisville correspondents, writing on the 12th inst., give the particulars of a tragedy which occurred at New Alban3 early in the morning of that day. A vigilance committee said to have come from Seymour, Indiana, arrived at Nest Albany on the previous evening.. About three o'clock or the morning of the 12th, Luther Whitten, one of thi outside guards of the gaol, was met at the entrance by s party of men, who presented pistols at him, demanding his silence or death. Whitten shouted, but was seized, knocked down, and informed that if he shouted again he should die. By this time the gaol-office was filled with mer searching for the keys. Sheriff Fullenlove, understand. ing the situation, came down from his sleeping apart• ment, and gained the door leading to the grounds on the west side of the gaol. Here he met a force armed with pistols, which were directed at him. He exclaimed, "Gentlemen, don't shoot me ; lam the sheriff." But one of the band fired a shot, which took effect in the sheriff's right arm, inflicting a serious and painful wound. The keys were demanded, but he positively refused to surrender them. About a dozen of the band then entered Fullenlove's room, where his wife lay in bed, and demanded the gaol keys of her, but she refused to surrender them. They succeeded in finding them, however, concealed in a drawer. Thomas Mathews, one of the inside guards, was then compelled to open the cells of the men whom the mob had determined to hang. Frank and William Reno were the first victims. They were dragged out and hung alongside of each other on the same pillar. Simon Reno was then brought out, but he fought the mob with great desperation, knocking one or two of them down before he was overpowered and left suspended between the ceiling and the floor. Charles Anderson, who was the last victim, was beard to beg for the privilege of praying ; but this request was refused, and he was hanged at the south-west corner of the gaol. After a further threat to kill the sheriff, the mob proceeded to the train, carrying with them the gaol keys. Armed men stood guard to prevent any alarm from being given. At four o'clock the train, with the entire party, consisting of from 75 to 100 men, started off. They came well armed and equipped for the work. They intended to hang a man named Clark, the murderer of George Till, but they concluded not to do so, fearing to remain any longer. The band came in a car by themselves, which was attached to the regular train. Charles Anderson and Frank Reno were surrendered by the Canadian authorities upon the solemn pledge of the United States Government that they should have a fair trial, and, if found innocent, be returned to Canada. All the telegraph wires on the line of the Jeffersonville Railroad were found connected together, and communicating with the ground about half a mile north of Seymour. It is supposed to have been done by the Seymour Regulators before going to New Albany.
The Sun. — 1868-10-12 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SPEECH AT AN EXECUTION.  The New York papers contain accounts of the execution of two brothers, who had been sentenced to death for a most brutal murder. A description is given of the preliminaries of the execution, and then follows the report of f% singular speech delivered by one of the culprits, when under the drop, on the subject of capital punishment. His reason for making the speech was that " people always like to hear what persons who are hung have to say as their last words." "In regard to the execution of myself," observed the younger prisoner, Charles James, " I would say--and of course it would be natural for me to say it under these circumstances—that I do not believe in capital punishment under any circumstances." And then he proceeds deliberately to argue the question with as much coolness as if he were addressing a Social Science meeting instead of standing under a gibbet. It is of course (he says) in accordance with the laws of Massachusetts that we are to be executed ; but I don't know whether it will be justified in the eyes of God or not. The State of Massachusetts might make laws to execute every man who stole four dollars' worth, but that would not prove that they would be justified in the eyes of God. But I will not pretend to linger upon these points, as I know that it is useless to talk about it now. But I would say, as we are to be executed, that we are suffering the same ignominious death that Mr. Clark suffered, and our death is in the same circle of ideas as the death of Mr. Clark, and therefore I say that I think the, execution is not really justified in the eyes of God. You know God says "Thou shalt not kill.' I know that I have net done his bidding, but, of course, when we have clone wrong all we can do is to repent of our sins, and He Las promised that He will receive repentant sinners. For lle says, He that believes in me, and cloth truly repent, shall have everlasting life.' But Ido not pretend to quote Scripture. But I wish to say that, although I die in accordance with the laws of Massachusetts, I have a kind word for the officers of the prison, who have my sincere thanks for their attention." The culprit, curiously enough, wound up as if he thought that he should have other opportunities of reviving the subject. " I don't know that I can say anything more to you to-day, so I bid you farewell." And he and his comrade were hanged a few minutes afterwards.  The Rev. W. R. Macrorie, Bishop (designate) of Maritzburg, did not accompany Bishop Gray on Friday, but will leave this country by the steamer of the 9th of December for Capetown. It is said that, in all probability, ho will be consecrated in January.  A. London correspondent writes :—" The concerts at the Agricultural Hall are attracting enormous crowds. lam told, though I can scarcely credit the fact, that Sims Reeves gets a hundred guineas a night for singing two songs. As some 15,000 persons go to hear him, there may be room for a profit."  A
The Sun. — 1868-10-12 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SPEECH AT AN  EXECUTION.  The New York papers contain accounts of the execution of two brothers, who had been sentenced to death for a most brutal murder. A description is given of the preliminaries of the execution, and then follows the report of r: singular speech delivered by one of the culprits, when under the drop, on the subject of capital punishment. His reason for making the speech was that "people always like to hear what persons who are hung have to say as their last words." "In regard to the execution of myself," observed the younger prisoner, Charles James, " I would say--and of course it would be natural for me to say it under these circumstances—that I do not believe in capital punishment under any circumstances." And then he proceeds deliberately to argue the question with as much coolness as if he were addressing a Social Science meeting instead of standing under a gibbet. It is of course (he says) in accordance with the laws of Massachusetts that we are to be executed ; but I don't know whether it will be justified in the eyes of God or not. The State of Massachusetts might make laws to execute every man who stole four dollars' worth, but that would not prove that they would be justified in the eyes of God. But I will not pretend to linger upon these points, as I know that it is useless to talk about it now. But I would say, as we are to be executed, that we are suffering the same ignominious death that Mr. Clark suffered, and our death is in the same circle of ideas as the death of Mr. Clark, and therefore I say that I think the execution is not really justified in the eyes of God. You know God says "Thou shalt not kill.' I know that I have not done his bidding, but, of course, when we have done wrong all we can do is to repent of our sins, and He has promised that He will receive repentant sinners. For He says, He that believes in me, and cloth truly repent, shall have everlasting life.' But Ido not pretend to quote Scripture. But I wish to say that, although I die in accordance with the laws of Massachusetts, I have a kind word for the officers of the prison, who have my sincere thanks for their attention." The culprit, curiously  enough, wound up as if lie thought that he should have other opportunities of reviving the subject. "I don't know that I can say anything more to you to-day, so I bid you farewell." And he and his comrade were hanged a few minutes afterwards.  The Rev. W. R. Magrorie, Bishop (designate) of llaritzburg, did not accompany Bishop Gray ou Friday, but will leave this country by the steamer of the 9th of December for Capetown. It is said that, in all probability, he will be consecrated in January.  A London correspondent writes :—" The concerts at the Agricultural Hall are attracting enormous crowds. lam told, though I can scarcely credit the fact, that Sims Reeves gets a hundred guineas a night for sing. ing two songs. As some 15,000 persons go to hear him, there may be room for a profit." A
The Sun. — 1868-02-03 (London, England)

CHILD MURDER A 7 BADMINTON HOUSE.  _ nie-nousehold of his Grace the Duke of Beaufort, at; Badminton House, has received a very great shock in consequence of its having been _discovered that one of the tmder-kitchenmaids, ayatmg womannamed Mary Smeaton, had given birth to and then cruelly murdered an illegitiMate child. It would seem from the facts deposed to before the coroner, Mr. W. Garsford, that on Saturday morning the mother was observed by some of the other domestics to be unusually quiet. She appeared to get alter. nately blushed and pale, and some of the girls noticed to her that she seemed to be unwell. She was told that she had better take a little rest, but she showed a disinclination to leave the back kitchen, and she was observed to take a black-handled knife and commence doing something to some vegetables. All of a sudden she was missed, and as her manner had excited some apprehension, and she did not reply to the calls made to her, a servant was sent to look after her. As she could not be found in either of the kitchens, the fellow-servants who sought her proceeded to her bedroom, and there saw her standing at the foot of the bed in a le. .ing position over a box. The fellow-servant was horrified at seeing her hands much stained with blood, and she at once screamed with terror. The cries brought another of the female domestics to the spot, and that person was satisfied that she heard a sort of stifled breathing as of an infant. The girls demanded what had happened, but the mother gave them no explanation. As the sound which the second domestic had heard appeared to come from the box over which Smeaton was leaning, the young woman went to it and took out tho body of a newly-born infant. It was covered with a cloth, but she felt that the child was alive, and on taking it out elf the cloth she saw that its throat had been cut in a very horrible manner. The young woman fainted at the sight and fell to the ground, and, other assistance being at hand, messengers were despatched for the attendance of a medical man. One arrived speedily, but before he could reach it the poor infant, whose throa had been cut in two places, had breathed its last, having, in fact, bled to death. The wretched mother during these discoveries sat on the bed, and being asked with what weapon she had destroyed her offspring, she replied that if they looked under the bed they would there find it. A search was accordingly made, and the black-handled knife which had been seen in her hand was there found, with the marks of fresh blood upon it. The facts, as disclosed by the witnesses, left no doubt of the guilt of the mother, and the jury returned a verdict of " Wilful murder against Mary Smeaton." The corcner immediate -y issued his warrant for her committal to Gloucester to take her trial at the approaching assizes on the capital charge.
The Sun. — 1868-02-11 (London, England)

ATTEMPT OF A WIFE TO MURDER HER HUSBAND. —On Monday afternoon a man rushed from Oldhamgardens, a small locality adjoining the House of Correction, Coldbath-fields, bleeding copiously from the thrt'at, and claimed protection from his wife, who, he said, had cut his throat. lie was at once seen to by the neighbours, and Dr. Brown, of No. 1, Wilmingtonsquare, attended upon him promptly, and recommended his instant removal to an hospital. This was done. The sufferer was conveyed to the Royal Free Hospital. It was then found that the patient was suffering from a severe wound across the throat, about three inches and a l'alf in length, deep, and the windpipe had been entirely s 3vered, and several large veins cut through. This occurred shortly after four o'clock, and as some ugly reports had spread about that a dreadful murder had been committed, P.C. John Back, 96 T, proceeded to the spot, and took a woman named Sarah Britten into custody on a charge of cutting her husband's throat with intent to kill him. When brought to the police-station, she denied altogether having even attempted to injure her husband in any way, but onmoannscia inah newdoi autledl ye i tchuetr hc ins t own h i s s atihdr otahta to hr eciunt a hpe passion said. he would either cut his throat or cut her se s and rushed from the house. She accounted for some blood on her apron and arms by saying that when he had cut his throathe ran about the room, and the blood was spurted over her. A young woman who lived next door to the parties said the husband ran out of the house covered with blood, but she did not hear any quarrelling in their house previously. The injured man is a leather pocket-book maker, named George Britten, aged 57 ; his wife's age is about 51. From the accounts given by the police, it would appear that both of them had been out drinking together during the day. A knife was found which much resembles a shoemaker's, and with which it is thought the crime -'s perpetrated, whether by one or the other, -narks of blood are on it. The wife  but nn 2o knife has been found, evidently not rather boasts that' knowing of this one being the possession of the police. The woman, oft being confrOnt:ttd with her husband in the hospital, shewed great nerve ; she had previously said that he never could accuse her before her face of cute ting his throat, but when be was asked id Icut you the question h said " Yes." The w You did `wife then said "D) throat?" and the husband said " .' Tlac wife : " Oh, you wretched man, how can you say that ?" The husband : " I wish that I could say that yot did not ; but you did cut my throat." The wife : "Oh may God forgive you !" The husband : " I would try t( screen you if I could, but you did do it." Mr.Jeffresor. then ordered the woman to be removed, in order that the patient should not be further excited, and Mrs. Britten was taken to the Clerkenwell station. The man Britten ig going on well, and great hopes are entertained of 14' recovery.  1 ,~ i  I A,
The Sun. — 1868-02-11 (London, England)

ATTEMPT OF A WIFE TO MURDER HER HUSBAND. —On Monday afternoon a man rushed from Oldhamgardens, a small locality adjoining the House of Correction, Coldbath-fields, bleeding copiously from the throat, and claimed protection from his wife, who, he said, had cut his throat. He was at once seen to by the neighbours, and Dr. Brown, of No. 1, Wilmingtonsquare, attended upon him promptly, and recommended his instant removal to an hospital. This was done. The sufferer was conveyed to the Royal Free Hospital. It was then found that the patient was suffering from a severe wound across the throat, about three inches and a .1)alf in length, deep, and the windpipe had been entirely s vercd, and several large veins cut through. This occurred shortly after four o'clock, and as some ugly reports had sprea,d.about that a dreadful murder had been committed, P.C. John Back, 06 T, proceeded to the spot, and took woman named Sarah Britten into custody onchargea altogetherk ll h him. When ~f cutting her husband's throat with intent to When brought to the police•station, she denied saving even attempted to injure her husbandu in any way, ,out said that he in a passion sai4 he ,wn throat or cut hers, andsh immediately uld cut e i his st own tanidhenrisahperdonfraomndtahremhsothlsyern.saying She accounted for some blood her. A young woman who that when he had cut his ea dn dn et te doorbh ,liroathe ran about the osvaiedr the husband ran out of the h dtowtasheSpi3aurtrtieeds she did hear any quarrellinouseineotivieeirie. covered with blood,revious butl The injured man is a leather pocket-book meakper, named George Britten, aged 57 ; his wife's age is about 51. From the accounts given by the police, it would appear that both of them had been out drinking together during the day. • A knife was found which much resembles a shoemaker's, and with which it is thought the crime was perpetrated, whether by one or the other, but no marks of blood are on it. The wife rather boasts that no knife has been found, evidently not knowing of this one being in the possession of the police. The woman, on being confronted with her husband in the -hospital, sheaved great nerve ; she had previously said that lie never could accuse her before her face of cut Ling his throa£, b:t.; when he was asked the question he said " Yes." The wife then said " Did I cut yom throat ?" and the husband said " You did." The wife " Oh, you wretched man, how can you say that ?" The husband " I wish that I could say that yor did not ; but you did cut my throat." The wife : "Oh may God forgive you !" The husband : "I would try tc screen you if I could, but you did do it." Mr. Jeffresor then ordered the woman to be removed, in order that the patient should not be further excited, and Mrs. Britter was taken to the Clerkenwell station. The man Brittt% is going on well, and great hopes are entertained of hi' ,•Acoverv.  4  1414  by `
The Sun. — 1868-06-06 (London, England)

LORD FAIRFAX.--The motto of this illustrious family, the head of which is at present residing in California, is " Speak and Act." The following anecdote relating to the present peer is authentic, and really deserves recording as being so apposite to the motto. In the spring of the year 1859 Lord Fairfax was walking home, accompanied by the Chief Justice of California and two other frien Is, when he was met by a lt?porter of the Supreme Court of California, named Henry Lee. It appears that Lee thought Lord Fairfax had in some way tried to injure him, and therefore accused him of so doing, a charge which his lordship denied ; Lee rejoined in an insolent and most offensive manner that he did not believe him, substantial y giving the lie, evidently desiring that Lord Fairfax should strike him; ho effected his object, his lordship striking him on the face, and, in return, Lee struck at him with a light cane, within which was concealed a long dagger. Lord Fairfax caught the cane in his left hand; Leo sprang back, drew the dagger quickly from the cane, and inflicted on his lordship two terrible wounds, one through his left breast and the other in his side. Lord Fairfax had drawn a " Derraiger" pistol, and presented it, cocked, in time to prevent Lee making a third thrust. In a moment, Lee threw up his arms and cried out, " Don't kill me, I am unarmed !" (all this occurred in an incredibly short space of time,—before any one had time to interfere, or even realize that a deadly assault had been made.) Lord Fairfax, who is a splendid shot, had him covered at not more than six feet distant, and could have killed him beyond any possible doubt. Still pointing his pistol at Lee's head, his lordship replied, "You miserable coward, you have murdered me—you have assassinated me, and I have your worthless life in my hands ; but, for the sake of your wife and child, I shall spare you." Cries, at this, were raised from the crowd of " Shoot him, Fairfax !" " Kill him !" ",Don't spare him !" and the like. Standing erect and looking Lee full in the face, and holding the pistol as before, Lord Fairfax replied, " No, I wont't kill him !" and thou addressing Lee, said, " Recollect, I have your life in my hands, and I spare it, not on your worthless account, for you are an assassin and a coward, but because of your wife and child." With that ho dropped his pistol hand, uncocked the pistol, handed it to a gentleman who was with him, and said in a hurried, low voice, "He has killed me ! support me !"—From Debretes Illustrated Peerage.  A violent thunderstorm, three days back, broke over Chambery, Savoy. A company of the 47th Regiment of the Line, which was practising shooting, broke up when the rain began to fall, and some of the men took shelter under tho trees on the roadside. In an instant afterwards the lightning fell upon a chesnut under which were six soldiers, one of whom was killed on the spot, and the others were more or loss burnt. On the arms of the man who lost his life appeared the exact delineation of a branch of the tree.