npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1861-06-01 (London, England)

BANK ROBBERY AT PORTS AIOUTI3.  COMMITTAL OF THEAKSTONE. It will be remembered that in the month of March last, Charles Edwin Theakstone, aged, 47 years, a clerk in a responsible position in the Branch Bank of England at Portsmouth, absconded from his situation with a large sum of money. He left a note behind addressed to a fellow clerk, in which he stated that he intended to destroy himself. A reward of £lOO was offered for his apprehension by the Bank, but nothing was heard of his whereabouts till Monday, the 27th of April, when two of the London detectives, named Webb and Huggett, succeeded in tracing the offender to No. 24, Palace-place, Lambeth, where, on being discovered, he attempted suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. He was taken to the Westminster Hospital. There he has remained until Thursday, when be was brought down to Portsmouth, and was examined before the magistrates of the boroug_h‘,Les terday, on a charge of embezzling the sum of A,kuo, on of England. the2othof 'Alarch last, the property of the Bank Theofprisonero gaol two d state. He was allowed very weakly and depressed wa s warders,led and into apeopueratresduptpoorbtee di nbya to remain seated, hands during nearly t been given in support of the andhe whole rested ohfi s the head pr o c uponeed i his gs. proEsveciduLetinoewne, hoiaivg behalfin of the defence, said he had nothing e Low, Offer on this occasion further than there primahisuinr worships client to the seahssse;r of course, than o facie case ma fortunate made could do lie K tno had not been u r se eo am awaremi tthe Prisoner, who reserved his defence, was then committed for trial at then next other ex Borough Sessions in the usual way.  Advices from Italy state that the harvest thii year,the gathering of which in Naples and Sicily will commence in the course of a week or two, promises to be of the most favourable character.
The Sun. — 1861-07-31 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.—Matthew Tunstall, a decentlooking man, a shoemaker, was brought before Mr. Burcham, from' St. Thomas's Hospital, charged with making a most determined attempt to commit suicide by cutting his throat. Police-constable 49 L said that on Wednesday evening last, about 9 o'clock, he was on duty in the Blackfriars-road. when he saw a crowd in front of the Old King's Head public-house. On going there he perceived the prisoner with his throat cut, and some one had taken a shoemaker's knife from him. Witness conveyed him to St. Thomas's Hospital, where he had since remained. Mr. Burcham asked the prisoner what he had to say for himself. He replied that about sixteen months ago he was foolish enough to marry a second wife, and having had great confidence in the first he trusted her, but soon found out his mistake, for she turned out not only a drunkard, but a thief. She robbed the landlord, and was sentenced to three months' hard labour at the Lambeth police court. When she came out of prison he received her again, and in a few days she returned to her old habits, and robbed him of everything she could lay her hands on for gin, and her conduct had so upset him that he did not care what became of himself. Mr. Burcham asked him why he made such a wicked attempt on his life ? The prisoner said that his wife had actually sold the last thing she was possessed of, and meeting her in the street he remonstrated with her. She abused him so much that in the heat of passion he foolishly cut his throat. He was sorry for it, and would promise not to make such an attempt on his life again. Mr. Burcham told him that if he had a bad wife he should live apart from her and not seek to take his life. As he promised not to make such an attempt again he should discharge him.
The Sun. — 1861-07-31 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.—Matthew Tunstall, a decentlooking man, a shoemaker, was brought before Mr. Burcham, from: St. Thomas's Hospital, charged with making a most determined attempt to commit suicide by cutting his throat. Police-constable 49 L said that on Wednesday evening last, about 9 o'clock, he was on duty in the Blackfriars-road. when he saw a crowd in front of the Old King's Head public-house. On going there he perceived the prisoner with his throat cut, and some one had taken a shoemaker's knife from him. Witness conveyed him to St. Thomas's Hospital, where he had since remained. Mr. Burcham asked the prisoner what he had to say for himself. He replied that about sixteen months ago he was foolish enough to marry a second wife, and having had great confidence in the first he trusted her, but soon found out his mistake, for she turned out not only a drunkard, but a thief. She robbed the landlord, and was sentenced to three months' hard labouw.4 tll.. Lambeti. polioo oourt. When she came out of prison he received her again, and in a few days she returned to her old habits, and robbed him of everything she could lay tier hands on for gin, and her conduct had so upset him that he did not care what became of himself.  Mr. Burcham asked him why he made such a wicked attempt on his life • The prisoner said that his wife had actually sold the last thing she was possessed of, and meeting her in the street he remonstrated with her. She abused him so much that in the heat of passion he foolishly cut his throat. He was sorry for it, and would promise not to make such an attempt on his life again. Mr. Burcham told him that if he had a bad wife he should live apart from her and not seek to take his life. As he promised not to make such an attempt again he should discharge him.  having regard to the aggravated character of the offence, the sentence of death will, in all probability, only be commuted to one that will entail upon the prisoner penal servitude for the remainder of her existence,  IHE ALLECiT;D ..
The Sun. — 1861-03-12 (London, England)

CRIME 1N FRANCE.  The Court of Assizes of the Marne was three days ago occupied with a painful case—the trial of a widow named Denis, of Poix, for the murder of her mother, aged eighty-two. This old woman, it appeared, some years back, made over to her daughter and the latter's husband all that she possessed, on the condition that they should board and lodge her, and give her 100 fr. a-year for life. But, as generally happens in such cases, the couple soon found the old woman an intolerable burden to them, and they did not hesitate to express wishes to see her dead. The daughter was even more hostile than her husband, and treated the poor creature shamefully, and even on some occasions driving her through the village with cries and blows as if she was a horse. On the 28th Nov. last the prisoner told her neighbours that her mother had died in the night, and when they went to the house they were surprised to find the old woman not only dead, but in a shroud. "It was I who put her in the shroud !" said the prisoner, and she and her husband wanted to have a coffin procured and the burial to take place at once. But medical men were sent for, and they examined the deceased ; they found that she had been murdered by violent pressure on the mouth and nostrils, and from bruises on different ?arts of her person. They came to the conclusion that two persons must have been engaged in the perpetration of the crime, one holding her whilst the other caused suffocation. Now the only two persons in the house who could have killed her or have had any motive for killing her were Denis and his wife, and they were arrested. They made admissions which left no doubt of their guilt, and besides, a few days after, the man committed suicide in prison. When the preceding circumstances had been proved, a little boy, son of the accused, was examined, and said without emotion, " I remember the night in which my grandmother died! My father awoke me, and said, ' Get up, we are about to kill your grandmother !' I was terrified, and crept under the clothes ! My father threatened to strike me if I did not rise, but I continued under the clothes. I then heard a noise, and peeping out, I saw my father and mother struggling, with my grandmother, whose bed was in the same room as mine. My father knelt on her breast, and my mother held her legs. She only struggled a little, and then became quite still I She was dead ! ' " How could you see all that P" asked the president. " Had they a light?" " No; but the moon was shining brightly ?" The jury declared the woman guilty, and the Court condemned her to death.  Although it is premature to speculate on any disposition of the vast property left by the late Duke of Sutherland, yet we believe there was an understanding, when the Duke purchased the estate of Cliefden, near Maidenhead, ostensibly for the use of the Marquis and Marchioness of Stafford, that it was really intended for the Duchess, in case she should be the survivor. The late Duke proved the personalty alone of his father, the first Duke, at under a million sterling.—Court Journal. [
The Sun. — 1861-09-12 (London, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE FROMWATE.RLOO BRIDGE.  Mr. Sergeant Payne yesterday held an inquest at the Talbot, Fair-street, Horselydown, on the body of William James Brunsdon, aged 22, who committed suicide by drowning through disappointed love, having previously tied his legs together! Joseph William Bavington, a waterman, proved finding the body floating in the river at a quarter before six on Tuesday morning off St. Olave's Stairs. The legs were tightly tied together just below the knees. John Eatwell, of Bolt-court, Fleet•street, identified the body as that of William James Brunsdon, of the Great Western Hotel, where he was employed as a waiter. Eliza Blunden, a showily-dressed young woman, stated that she knew the deceased William James Brunsdon. She last saw him at her house, No. 1, Langham-street, Regent-street, on Tuesday evening about nine o'clock. He had been there since about half-past six o'clock. No unpleasant words passed between them, and they parted good friends. He said that he was going to his sister's in Brydgesstreet, Covent-garden. He had been paying his addresses to witness. He did not tell witness when he should see her again, nor did he say anything to lead her to suppose that he contemplated committing suicide. Coroner—Does anything occur to your mind to account for his being found in the water? Witness—No. Coroner—Cannot you think of anything that is likely to account for this ? Witness (hesitating)—l told him I could not think any more of him as a friend. Coroner—Then you required from him some further declaration ?  Witness—Yes; he left me in a very agitated state.  Coroner—He wished to continue on terms of friendship, but you did not think that enough ? Witness (who now appeared to take a different view of the matter)—l told him I could not think any more of him at present than as a friend. When I said this, he left me in a very agitated state. George Carless, toll collector at Waterloo-bridge, said, about five minutes before 12 o'clock on Thursday night, a man without hat or coat passed on to the bridge from the Middlesex side. He stood for a few minutes near the second lamp as if waiting for some one, and then he saw no more of him. Mr. Lawson, brother-in-law of the deceased, and keeper of the Sir John Falstaff Tavern, Brydgesstreet, Covent-garden, said he was at his house on Thursday evening last, and for a time assisted him in his business. He was very low-spirited, and said he had been disappointed in his expectations. About 11 o'clock he went out, leaving his coat and hat behind him. He had no idea that he contemplated destroying himself. The Jury returned a verdict of " Temporary Insanity."  POLICE IN2ELLIGENCE, crept. 11.
The Sun. — 1861-09-12 (London, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE FROM WATERLOO  BRIDGE.  Mr. Sergeant Payne yesterday held an inquest at the Talbot, Fair-street, Horselydown, on the body of William James Brunsdon, aged 22, who committed suicide by drowning through disappointed love, having previously tied his legs together. Joseph William Bavington, a waterman, proved finding the body floating in the river at a quarter before six on Tuesday morning off St. Olave's Stairs. The legs were tightly tied together just below the knees. John Eatwell, of Bolt-court, Fleet•street, identified the body as that of William James Brunsdon, of the Great Western Hotel, where he was employed as a waiter. Eliza Blunden, a showily-dressed young woman, stated that she knew the deceased William James Brunsdon. She last saw him at her house, No. 1, Langham street, Regent-street, on Tuesday evening about nine o'clock. He had been there since about half-past six o'clock. No unpleasant words passed between them, and they parted good friends. He said that he was going to his sister's in Brydgesstreet, Covent-garden. He had been paying his addresses to witness. He did not tell witness when he should see her again, nor did he say anything to lead her to suppose that he contemplated committing suicide. Coroner—Does anything occur to your mind to account for his being found in the water? Witness—No. Coroner—Cannot you think of anything that is likely to account for this ? Witness (hesitatin g)—l told him I could not think any more of him as a friend. Coroner—Then you required from him some further declaration ?  Witness—Yes; he left me in a very agitated state.  Coroner—He wished to continue on terms of friendship, but you did not think that enough ? Witness (who now appeared to take a different view of the matter)—l told him I could not think any more of him at present than as a friend. When I said this, he left me in a very agitated state. George Carless, toll collector at Waterloo-bridge, said, about five minutes bcfaro 12 o'clock nn Thursday night, a man without hat or coat passed on to the bridge from the Middlesex side. He stood for a few minutes near the second lamp as if waiting for some one, and then he saw no more of him. Mr. Lawson, brother-in-law of the deceased, and keeper of the Sir John Falstaff Tavern, Brydgesstreet, Covent-garden, said he was at his house on Thursday evening last, and for a time assisted him in his business. He was very low-spirited, and said he had been disappointed in his expectations. About 11 o'clock he went out, leaving his coat and hat behind him. He had no idea that he contemplated destroying himself. The Jury returned a verdict of " Temporary Insanity."  POLICE IN2ELLI9ENCE, crept. 11.
The Sun. — 1861-06-28 (London, England)

SUICIDE IN THE SERPENTINE, AND GALLANT ATTEMPT TO RESCUE.—Yesterday evening =investigation took place in the Board-room of St. George's Workhouse, before Mr. Bedford, coroner for Westminster, touching the death of a female, apparently about 30 years of age, and of fashionable exterior, who committed suicide on Monday morning last by throwing herself off the bridge in Kensington- gardens into the Serpentine: Mr. Charles Blount, builder, of 23, Ebury-street, Pimlico, said—About nine o'clock on Monday morning last I was passing over tho bridge which separates Kensington-gardens from Hydepark, when I saw a shawl, bonnet, and reticule lying on the footpath. On looking over the parapet I saw a female floating in the river. I ran round to the Receiving-house and gave information that a female was in the water, when Mr. Williams, the superintendent, despatched Parsens, the boatman, to the spot. Parsons came up with the boat, when she was taken in, and conveyed to the Receivinghouse. Dr. Christian shortly arrived, and for two hours endeavoured to resuscitate the body, but without restoring life. Mr. Richard Corder, land surveyor, 29, 'Uxbridge, gardens, Bayswater, said— On Monday morning about 9 o'clock I was near the bridge at Kensington-gardens, when I I heard screams, and immediately afterwards saw a female in the Serpentine. I ran to the life-buoy, which was on the north side of the river, and, running down to the water's edge, threw off my hat, coat, and waistcoat, and swam with the life•buoy towards the deceased, who was still above the water. I succeeded in throwing the life-buoy over ber until Parsons came up with the boat, when she was taken to the Receiving-house. By the CoronenShe was certainly alive when I threw the life-buoy over her head; she was in my arms and I felt her moving, but on being placed in the boat she appeared lifeless. The coroner and jury complimented the witness on his very humane and gallant conduct. The j cry returned a verdict that the deceased was drowned, but there was no evidence to prove whether she committed suicide or otherwise,
The Sun. — 1861-06-28 (London, England)

SUICIDE IN THE SERPENTINE, AND GALLANT ATTEMPT TO RESCUE.—Yesterday evening au investigation took place in the Board-room of St. George's Workhouse, before Mr. Bedford, coroner for Westminster, touching the death of a female, apparently about 30 years of age, and of fashionable exterior, who committed suicide on Monday morning last by throwing herself off the bridge in Kensington- gardens into the Serpentine. Mr. Charles Blount, builder, of 23, Ebury-street, Pimlico, said—About nine o'clock on Monday morning last I was passing over the bridge which separates Kensington-gardens from Hydepark, when I saw a shawl, bonnet, and reticule lying on the footpath. On looking over the parapet I saw a female floating in the river. I ran round to the Receiving-house and gave information that a female was in the water, when Mr. Williams, the superintendent, despatched Parsons, the boatman, to the spot. Parsons came up with the boat, when she was taken in, and conveyed to the Receivinghouse. Dr. Christian shortly arrived, and for two hours endeavonz ecl to resuscitate the body, but without restoring life. Mr. Richard Corder, land surveyor, 29, Uxbridgegardens. Bayswater, said—On Monday morning about 9 o'clock I was near the bridge at Kensington-gardens, when I heard screams, and immediately afterwards saw a female in the Serpentine. I ran to the life-buoy, which was on the north side of the river, and, running down to the water's edge, threw off my hat, coat, and waistcoat, and swam with the life• buoy towards the deceased, who was still above the water. I succeeded in throwing the .life•buoy over her until Parsons came up with the boat, when she was taken to the Receiving-house. By the Coroner—She was certainly alive when I threw the life-buoy over her head ; she was in my arms and I felt her moving, but on being placed in the boat she appeared lifeless. The coroner and jury complimented the witness on his very humane and gallant conduct. Tile jury returned a verdict that the deceased was drowned, but there was no evidence to prove whether she committed suicide or otherwise.
The Sun. — 1861-04-22 (London, England)

SUICIDE.—A suicide under singular circumstances occurred at Vienna a few nights back. A report of firearms having been heard on the glade of Joeephstadt, the guard went to ascertain the cause, when they found the body of a young person in officer's uniform lying dead, with the skull dreadfully shattered by a pistol-shot. The deceased was at once removed to the military hospital, and on examination proved to be a young woman, about 16 years of age, whose name was afterwards ascertained to be Frances K-. But nothing transpired to show why she committed suicide, or what were her motives for assuming a military unform. At the execution of a murderer at Nantes, on Monday last, the guillotine, generally so mathematically exact, failed to do its duty completely, and a very horrible scene was the consequence. When the knife fell it was found that the head was not completely severed. The lower part of the jaw, elongated by a convulsive backward movement of the body, attached the head to the trunk, and in order to effect the separation, one of the executioners leant upon the knife while another dragged the body till the flesh and ligaments gave way. The patient gave no signs of life during the few seconds that this sad spectacle lasted.  The steam frigate Eldorado, which has been for the last six weeks waiting instructions at Toulon to start for China, has just received orders to immediately embark a number of officers and sailors for the squadron on that station. The steam frigate transport Amazone has arrived from Senegal, Cayenne, and the Antilles, bringing 477 civil and military passengers. M. Bompard, a surgeon in the navy, died on the passage. The Ceres has received orders to get ready to start for Cayenne with 580 convicts and 200 passengers. FATAL RESULT OF THE STABBING CASE AT SaLron.D.—Thomas Boyle, the man who was stabbed in the quarrel at Salford on Tuesday morning, expired yesterday morning at his home in Watkin's-court, Manchester, to which place he had been removed from the Salford Dispensary. The inquest was opened yesterday afternoon at the Royal Infirmary, before Mr. Herford, city coroner, but as the jury expressed a wish that the prisoner Kane should be present at the inquiry, it was adjourned untli Tuesday afternoon, when it will be held at the Coroner's Court.
The Sun. — 1861-04-22 (London, England)

SIIICIDE.—A suicide under singular circumstances occurred at Vienna a few nights back. A report of firearms having been heard on the glacis of Josephstadt, the guard went to ascertain the cause, when they found the body of a young person in officer's uniform lying dead, with the skull dreadfully shattered by a pistol-shot. The deceased was at once removed to the military hospital, and on examination proved to be a' young woman, about 16 years of age, whose name was afterwards ascertained to be Frances K-. But nothing transpired to show why she committed suicide, or what were her motives for assuming a military unform. At the execution of a murderer at Nantes, on Monday last, the guillotine, generally so mathematically exact, failed to do its duty completely, and a very horrible scene was the consequence. When the knife fell it was found that the head was not completely severed. The lower part of the jaw, elongated by a convulsive backward movement of the body, attached the head to the trunk, and in order to effect the separation, one of the executioners leant upon the knife while another dragged the body till the flesh and ligaments gave way. The patient gave no signs of life during the few seconds that this sad spectacle lasted.  The steam frigate Eldorado, which has been for the last six weeks waiting instructions at Toulon to start for China, has just received orders to immediately embark a number of officers and sailors for the squadron on that station. The steam frigate transport Amazone has arrived from Senegal, Cayenne, and the Antilles, bringing 477 civil and military passengers. M. Bompard, a surgeon in the navy, died on the passage. The Ceres has received orders to get ready to start for Cayenne with 580 convicts and 200 passengers.