npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1864-08-23 (London, England)

HERBACEOUS BORDERS.--Let any one imagine a gravel walk, with a broad border of herbaceous plants, diverse in kind, on each side of it, and surely he will allow that there must be much of interest in such an assemblage. Such assemblages have been, and we trust are and ever will be. Four places of interest for this kind of thing in time gone by may be mentioned—the Comte do Vandes's garden at Bayswater ; Mr It. Barclay's garden at Bury-hill ; Lady Olivia Sparrow's garden at Brompton, near Huntingdon; and Mrs Marryatt's garden at Wimbledon. Those cultivators who are enthusiastic about their bedding -out plants and bedding-cut displays would contend that they can at any time and all times surpass us in the amount of floral display which they can produce. If by floral display they mean blazes and masses, and clouds and sheets of ono colour, or of some assemblage of a few gay colours, I suppose we must assent; but if we interpret the term '.' floral display" as diversity of colour, diversity of form, diversity in what is called inflorescence, or the mode in which the flowers of a plant are disposed on it, diversity of stature, diversity of foliage, diversity of odour, diversity of times of day in which the different kinds open or close their flowers, and other diversities, I cannot think we have aught to fear in comparing our favourites with theirs. On knowledge grounds, too, we beat them. We have more of geography, more of geology, more considerations of climate and the atmospheric conditions of the countries whence our various kinds have come. and more to learn of what I shall call tue personal appetites of our many individual kinds, and more of legend which in the flative countries of the plants appertains to them, and happily has been brought over with them, than they have in their many plants of few kinds.—Bibberd's Gardeners' Magazine. '1 HE EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE IN THE HOUSE Or
The Sun. — 1864-04-18 (London, England)

CORN RENTS. Mr. HUBBARD asked the President of the Poor-law Board whether his attention had been directed to the deciceion. in the Common Pleas on the sth Feb., to the effect ‘' thet lands elle; ged with corn rents payable free of rates' should be assessed at the full annual value, without making any deduction for the corn rent charge : ' whether the board accept that decision as declaratory of the law, and  Horrible Murder and Suicide.----This Day,  e._-  A murder of a very horrible description was this morning discovered to have been perpetrated in No. 5, Leighstreet, Burton crescent, in the occupation of Mr. Ashley, a woollen draper and tailor.  That gentleman informed the police that ha and his family felt some alarm from the fact that they saw blood trickling down the wails of the kitchen, wh:ch is below the back parl,ur. Mr. Ashley, thinking that something was wrong, had tried to gain admission to the back parlour, but this ho could not do, nor could he make anyone hear. He also said that the room was occupied by a man of the name of James Pearce and his wi'e, whose name it is stated was Elizabeth. On the police gaining an entrance into the room a most fearful sight presented itself, for on the ground, lying side by side, lay the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Pearce, tneir throats cut in a most fearful manner, and weltering in a pool of blood. By the side of the man was 13 ing a long sheath knife, covered with blood, and it was very evident from its condition that it bad been recently sharpened- From the appearance of the bodies it would appear that the man had first murdered his wife and then cut his own throat.  The police at once sent off for medical aid, and Mr. J. T. Paul, of 26, Burton-crescent, divisional surgeon of the E division, immediately attended. He made an examination of the bodies and perceived life was extinct, but gave it as his opinion that death had not long taken place. He also made a cursory examination of the bodies (which he had found lying on their backs in separate pools of blood) and found on the female a tremendous cut on the top of the head, extending down to the bone, and which he had no hesitation in saying had been inflicted by some blunt instrument, There was also an immense cut extending from the front of the neck down to the spine, her head hanging only by a small piece of skin and the bone. This wound alone would have caused instantaneous death. The man had also a very deep cut extending- half across the throat, and separating the windpipe, and it was of such a severe character that death must have been instantaneous.  Both bodies were fully dressed; and it was evident that the husband and wife had retired to rest, as they were seen to go into the house last night, and the bed plainly showed that two parties had lain there. Not the slightest disturbance of the room had taken place, and no noise or screaming was heard, although it is stated by the parties in the house that ►he deceased got up about half-past 5 this morning. The deceased are supposed to lie about 35 years of age, and the cause of this dreadful occurrence is supposed to be jealousy
The Sun. — 1864-10-26 (London, England)

HEALTI.T. OF LONDON.  (From the Registrar-General's Report.)  In the week that ended on Saturday the deaths of 1,355 persons were registered in London. The average number of deaths in corresponding weeks of ten years, 1854-63, was 1,080, and if a correction is made for increase of population, it becomes 1,188. It appears tkerefore that the deaths exceeded the average number by 147. Scarlatina is the most fatal disease in the zymotic class ;  it caused 100 deaths, 94 of which were those of children  Six deaths from this disease occurred in the sub-district of St John, Weetmiaster,:and five in the sub-district of St. Peter, Walworth, Nine deaths were caused by diphtheria. Typhus was fatal :`,o 79 persons. Smallpox exhibits a low mortality; only five Coati's from this disease were recorded, the corrcc,ed average Auxnber being 13; 3S children died from measles, and 27 from whooping cough.  Btonchitia was fatal in 305 cases, 119 persons died from pneumonia, 139 frem phthisw, and 3.3 I.om other diseases of the respiratory organs. Diseases of the heart caused 65 deaths; 112 persons died from diseases of the brain and neavous system ; four deaths from delirium t, emens were registered, and one death was occasioned by intemperance. Thir: y-five deaths occurred from accidents. Seven persons were killed by vehicles in the streets. Two children and  two adults were burnt. Five persons were suffocated, and Four persons drowned.  A labonrer, aged 61 years, died in the workhouse, Whitechapel, from sufbcation, caused by a piece of beef lodging in the windpipe. A painter, aged 29, CDnanlitted suicide by taking nitric acid. Four nonagenarians died during the week.  Last week the births of 997 boys and 957 girls, in all 1,984 children, were registered in London. In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 185 t .63 the average number was 1,895.  At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 29.315 in. The barometrical reading was 29.92 in at the beginning of the week, and decreased to 28.71 in on Thursday. The mean temperature of the air in the week was 53 1 deg, which is 4.0 deg above the average of the bame week in 43 years (as determined by Mr Glaisher). The highest day temperature was 79.2 deg on Wednesday. The lowest night temperature was 42'6 deK. on Friday. The entire range of temperature in the week aew-poitu, tecupeL.L.L. auta .4. „ The mean degree of humidity of the air was 77, complete saturation being represented by 100. Rain fell to the amount of 0.55iu. The general direction of the wind was SW and
The Sun. — 1864-09-17 (London, England)

THAMES.  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE EY A MONOMONIAC.—WiIIiam Chapman, a sailor, who appeared in a very excitable and restless condition, was brought before Mr Paget, charged with attempting to drown himself in the London Dock. Mr Juhn Hurley, tobacconist, of High-street, Shadwell, said that at 9 o'clock on Friday morning he saw the prisoner deliberately jump into:the water. He gave an alarm and men put off in boats, and with grapnels and drags took the poor fellow out of the water. The prisoner appealed nearly gone when he was recovered from the water, and it great attention had not been paid to him he would have perished. Mr Paget asked the prisoner what he had to say to the charge ?  Prisoner—The Lord ordered me to do it, Mr Paget—The Lord ordered you to do it I When did He order you to do this l Prisoner—Yes, Sir, about 9 o'clock in the morning in the London'Dock, while I was standing by the side of the water.  Mr Paget—Did you see the Lord. Prisoner—Yes, your Worship, He told me to go in the water. He was standing at the Dock. He said he had a  commission for me.  Mr Paget How long have yon had the commission ?  Prisoner—Since Saturday night last. Mr Paget thought the prisoner was suffering from de [ilium tremens.  A gentleman connected with the ship to which the prisoner belongs said there was no doubt the prisoner was labouring under delirium tremens. He was drunk for many days in succession, and left off suddenly on Saturday night last. The prisoner here interposed, and said, " I know what you are talking about. You think lam mad, but lam not. I have had a call from God." Mr Paget remanded the prisoner to the Clerkenwell House of Datention, and directed that an inquiry should be made into the state of his mind. The prisoner, as he was leaving the dock, said, " You had better mind what you are about, or you will all be brought up for judgment." ,
The Sun. — 1864-09-17 (London, England)

THAMES.  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY A MONOMONIAC.—WiIIiam Chapman, a sailor, who appeared in a very excitable and retless condition, was brought before Mr Paget, charged with attempting to drown himself in the London Dock, Mr John Hurley, tobacconist, of High-street, Shadwell, said that It 0 o'clock on Friday morning he saw the pri goner deliberately jump into:the water. Ho gave an alarm and men put off in boats, and with grapnels and drags took the poor fellow out of the water. The prisoner appealed nearly gone when he was recovered from the water, and if great attention had not been paid to him he would have perished. Mr Paget asked the prisoner what ho had to say to the charge ? Prisoner—The Lord ordered me to do it.  Mr Paget—The Lord ordered you to do it I When did Ho order you to do this ? Prisoner—Yes, Sir, about 9 o'clock in the morning in the London Dock, while I was standing by the side of the water.  Mr Paget—Did you see the Lord. Prisoner—Yes, your Worship, He told me to go in the water. He was standing at the Dock, He said he had a commission for me.  vv Mr Paget—How long have you had the commission P Prisoner—Since Saturday night last. Mr Paget thought the prisoner was suffering from delirium tremens. A gentleman connected with the ship to which the prisoner belongs said there was no doubt the prisoner was labouring under delirium tremens. He was drunk for many days in succession, and left off suddenly on Saturday night last. The prisoner here interposed, and said, " I know what you are talking about. You think lam mad, but lam not. I have had a call from God." Mr Paget remanded the prisoner to the Clerk enwell House of Detention, and directed that an inquiry should be made into the state of his mind. The prisoner, as he was leaving the dock, said, " You had better mind what you are about, or you will all be brought up for judgment." ,
The Sun. — 1864-09-17 (London, England)

THAMES.  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY A MONOMONIAC.—WiIIiam Chapman, a sailor, who appeared in a very excitable and re,tless condition, was brought before Mr Paget, charged with attempting to drown himself in the London Dock. Mr John Hurley, tobacco List, of High-street, Shadwell,  said that at 9 o'clock on Friday morning he saw the prisoner deliberately jump into:the water. Ile gave an alarm and men put off in boats, and with grapnels and crags took the poor fellow out of the water. The prisoner appeared nearly gone when he was recovered from the water, and if great attention had not been paid to him he would have perished. Mr Paget asked the prisoner what he had to say to the charge T  Prisoner—The Lord ordered me to do it. Mr Paget—The Lord ordered you to do it I When did .e order you to do this ? _ .  Prisoner—Yes, Sir, about 9 o'clock in the morning in the London Dock, while I was standing by the side of the water.  Mr Paget—Did you see the Lord. Prisoner—Yes. your Worship, Ho told me to go in the water. He was standing at the Dock. Ho said ho had a commission for me.  Mr Paget—How long have you had the commission  Prisoner—Since Saturday night last. Mr Paget thought the prisoner was suffering from delirium tremens. A gentleman connected with the ship to which the prisoner belongs said there was no doubt the prisoner was labouring under delirium tremens. He was drunk for many days in succession, and left off suddenly on Saturday night last. Tho prisoner here interposed, and said, " I know what you are talking about. You think lam mad, but lam not. I have had a call from God." Mr Paget remanded the prisoner to the Clerkenwell House of Detention, and directed that an inquiry should be made into the state of his mind. The prisoner, as he was leaving the dock, said, "You had better mind what you are about, or you will all be brought up for judgment."
The Sun. — 1864-12-07 (London, England)

FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT ON THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.—On Monday Mr C. S. Burnaby, coroner for the East Retford district of Nottingham, held an inquest at Ranskill, a village about six miles from Retford, into the cause of the death of Mr Richard Russell, civil engineer, of Bawtry, who was killed on the Great Northern Railway on Saturday night last. Mr Russell, who had had experience as a civil engineer, both in this country and in America, had lately received the appointment of engineer of the new line from Doncaster to Gainsborough, had been to Doncaster on business connected with the line, and missing the last passenger train from the place at six o'clock he, unknown to the officials there, got into a coal train, expecting, it is thought that it would stop at Bawtry. This train did not stop until it reached Retford, and the deceased found himself as much to the south of Bawtry as he was to the north at Doncaster. Anxious to get to his home the same even• ing, and there not being a train for passengers, he walked into the goods yard, and ascertaining that a special goods train was about to be despatched, he got into the van. The guard reported this to the clerk in charge at the station, and Mr Russell was informed he could not go. Nothing more was seen of him until he was found on the engine of another train, from which he had to be ejected. He then left, went to the Queen Hotel, and ordered a conveyance to take him to Bawtry. Before this was ready he left the hotel, and walked on the Great North-road as far as the Bawtry-moor crossing of the Great Northern Railway, when he took the railway, and from footmarks on the down four-foot it would appear that he walked along for a distance of two miles and a half, 'when he was overtaken by a down special goods train from Retford at 11.10 p.m., and killed upon the spot. The deceased's brother, Mr Samuel Russell, surgeon, of Blyth, stated to the jury the nature of the injuries, and further that the deceased was in good circumstances, and had no possible motive for committing suicide. The jury returned a verdict, "'That the deceased was accidentally killed." s. sonL,AaTnEdR Co.'sFßolll eJt JAPANe r tßoyn Ms Messrs Jardine, arrived at 6hMh Shanghai nagt h on the 18th, the dates from Yokohama, via Hakedadi, are up to the 12th of October. The fleet had paid the visit to Yedo and returned. No particulate published es to the official interviews which took place. We may judge, however, that the visit had produced a good effect, as 1,000 bales of silk were expected, or had arrived, at Yokohama, and there was an inquiry for foreign manufactured goods. The Rona brought over a quantity of silk.—London and China lilegraph. LuM PIiNSATION
The Sun. — 1864-12-07 (London, England)

FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT ON THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.—On Monday Mr C. S. Burnaby, coroner for the East Retford district of Nottingham, held an inquest at Ranskill, a village about six miles from Retford, into the cause of the death of Mr Richard Russell, civil engineer, of Bawtry, who was killed on the Great Northern Railway on Saturday night last. Mr Russell, who had had experience as a civil engineer, both in this country and in America, had lately received the appointment of engineer of the new lino from Doncaster to Gainsborough, had been to Doncaster on business connected with the line, and missing the last passenger train from the place at six o'clock he, unknown to the officials there, got into a coal train, expecting, it is thought that it would stop at Bawtry. This train did not stop until it reached Retford, and the accessed found himself as mach to the south of 13awtry as he was to the north at Doncaster. Anxious to get to his home the same even• jug, and there not being a train for passengers, he walked into the goods yard, and ascertaining that a special goods train was about to Ito despatched, he gut into the van. The guard reported this to the clerk in charge at the station, and Mr Russell was informed ho could not go. Nothing more was seen of him until ho was found on the engine of another train, from which he had to be ejected. Lie then left, went to the Queen Hotel, and ordered a conveyance to take him to Bawtry. Before this was ready ho left the hotel, and walked on the Great North-road as far as the Bawtry-moor crossing of the Great Northern Railway, when he took tho railway, and from footmarks on the down !oar-foot it would appear that he walked along for a distance of two miles and a half, when he was overtaken by a down special goods train from Retford at 11.10 p.m., and killed upon the spot. The deceased's brother, Mr Samuel Russell, surgeon, of Blyth, stated to the jury the nature of the injuries, and further that the deceased was in good circumstances, and had no possible motive for committing suicide. The jury returned a verdiet, "'That the deceased was aceidental4y killed."
The Sun. — 1864-04-07 (London, England)

VAL." John Potter, a p":;soner, said he was in the next cell to the deceased. Ho did not know until that afternoon that he was dead, when the deputygovernor sent for him and told him. He only knew deceased by his number, C 21. Deceased had spoken to him twice. The first time he said, " 1 have sent out a special letter, and I expect to be discharged." The second time he said he was an innocent man.  Tha Coroner—Have you any complaint to make of the diet you have given to you ? Prisoner—No, sir ; I have meat every day. A juror—When the deputy-governor called you down, did he instruct you as to what you were to to say here ? Prisoner—No, sir.  The foreman, referring to the statement made by the prisoner they had just examined, wished to know whether that special letter had been forwarded to the friends. C.lptain Craig (the governor, who had been sent for) informed the jury that on February 26 the prisoner applied to him for permission to write a special letter, and as he was a well behaved man he granted the application. Prisoners were only allowed to write a letter on their entry, and then on every three months. The deceased was not entitled to write until this month. That special letter was forwarded to his family directly. A petition followed, and there was no doubt that if a certain woman had been found the deceased would have obtained his release. The deceased came from Winchester Gaol; the governor there, feeling highly interested in the prisoner, endeavoured to get a commutation of his sentence. He considered ho was perfectly innocent, as did also he (Captain Craig). The deceased was charged with stealing a Victoria Cross and several medals from a soldier who had created a disturbonce in a brothel at Aldershot with a prostitute. The woman screamed Murder,' and the deceased (who was also a soldier) went to protect her. He thrashed the other soldier, during which his medals fell off. Deceased picked them up and put them on the mantel-shelf. They were, however, lose., and the deceased was accused of the robb2ry. The deceased also had a Victoria Cross and medals, and a pension of £lO a year for life; the latter was, however, forfeited by the conviction. While the deceased was in that prison an order from the Secretary of State arrived, directing that the Victoria Cross which bad been obtained by the deceased should be also forfeited, and this also affected the deceased. A juror wished to know if a copy of the letter on the slate would be forwarded to the friends. Captain Craig replied that no transcript would be  made, but the original became their property, and would be forwarded to them with the decision of the coroner's jury. The body could either be buried by them or otherwise. After some remarks on the very melancholy character of the case, The jury returned a verdict of ' Suicide, while labouring under unsound mind.' Naval and Military Intelligence,
The Sun. — 1864-04-07 (London, England)

VAL." John Potter, a p- Boner, said he was in the next cell to the deceased. He did not know until that afternoon that he was dead, when the deputygovernor sent for him and told him. He only knew deceased by his number, C 21. Deceased had spoken  to him twice. The first time he said, " I have sent out a special letter, and I expect to be discharged.' The second time he said he was an innocent man.  The Coroner—Have you any complaint to make of the diet you have given to you ? Prisoner—No, sir ; I have meat every day.  A juror—When the deputy-governor called you down, did ho instruct you as to what you were to to say here ? Prisoner—No, sir. The foreman, referring to the statement made by the prisoner they had just examined, wished to know whether that special letter had been forwarded to the friends.  Ciptai❑ Craig (the governor, who had been sent for) informed the jury that on February 26 the prisoner applied to him for permi.sion to write a special letter, and as he was a well behaved man he granted the application. Prisoners were only allowed to write a letter on their entry, and then on every three months. The deceased was not entitled to write until this month. That special letter was forwarded to his family directly. A petition followed, and there was no doubt that if a certain woman had been found the deceased would have obtained his release. Tne deceased came from Winchester Gaol; the governor there, feeling highly interested in the prisoner, endeavoured to get a commutation of his sentence. He considered he was perfectly innocent, as did also he (Captain Craig). The deceased was charged with stealing a Victoria Cross and several medals from a soldier who had created a disturbance in a brothel at Aldershot with a prostitute. The woman screamed ' Murder,' and the deceased (who was also a soldier) went to protect her. He thrashed the other soldier, during which his medals fell off. Deceased picked them up and put them on the mantel-shelf. They were, however, lost, and the deceased was accused of the robbery. The deceased also had a Victoria Cross and medals, and a pension of £lO a year for life; the latter was, however, forfeited by the conviction. While the deceased was in that prison an order from the Secretary of State arrived, directing that the Victoria Cross which bad been obtained by the deceased should be also forfeited, and this also affected the deceased. A juror wished to know if a copy of the letter on the slate would be forwarded to the friends. Captain Craig replied that no transcript would be  made, but the original became their property, and would be forwarded to them with the decision of the coroner's jury. The body could either be buried by them or otherwise. After some remarks on the very melancholy character of the else, The jury returned a verdict of ' Suicide, while labouring under unsound mind.' Naval and Military Intelligence,