npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1895-05-25 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

THE EDITOR.  Sin,—With all due respect for the powers that be, yet, I am beginning to feel as if the matter of our town pavements, or, put it more properly, the side of the street that is allotted to pedestrians, is quite neglected and dilapidated. The street itself is much more pleasant to ;walk upon than the ups and downs, ins and outs, curves and points, of the side walk. Especially is it disagreeable to witness the discomfiture of lady visitors, when they are compelled by the obstructive rudeness of our townsmen, minus the gallantry of manhood, to set their feet on the paving stones and run the risk thereby of dislocating an ankle. Truly, we have a heterogeneous mass of paving stones, flag stones, cement, cinder path, whinstone, and jointure roadways, interspersed with bath pools for the ducks, and the feet and legs of the unwary who may be unfortunate enough to step therein. The condition is notorious of one of the most popular short streets that has a handsome bank as a head, and a ruinous stable as a tail; besides a stile as a finish to a beautiful walk, that would almost tempt you to commit suicide without any effort on your part. Surely, timber is plentiful enough for a handrail to be put up for the use of all who may be inclined to traverse that path. We are making progress, but, ! how slowly; only as a child learning to toddle, and that reminds me I should like to see some of our officials toddle up the Burn and view the dangerous state of that accommodating uphill footpath that leads to a certain hospitable farmhouse, and is likewise the nearest path to all the vaunted beauties of fell and lough, Roman wall and crags. There is a great deal to be said on the score of drawing visitors to our tom, and it will only be done by having every place of interest as easy of access as possible. and anything that might lead to loss of life or limb, to be made safe and secure. Surely if Alston can have such a turn out with visitors, I do not see why there should be any lagging behind here; especially, when there is any amount of exploring ground at command, sketching scenery, even camping out might be done at the present time in the true gipsy style. I am always sorry that Brampton has been left out in the cold as it were, in respect of visitors. Endowed with renown for a splendid monument, set on a natural pedestal, from which on fine days you can view the Solway; surrounded as it is by walks and woods that are free as the air you breathe; the Tarn and Naworth Castle within easy distance, and last but not least, the hospitality and respect that is always shown to strangers by the inhabitants of Brampton, make it in every way a desirable resort 'in summer for the weary citizen. Put in the shade as it is by poor railway accommodation; dropped as it were from the heavens by Dame Nature in a fit of passion, it is to be deplored that there is no easy way of access to such a quaint, lovable, picturesque little town. But we trust for better ways and means, as I trust you Mr Editor, to insert this epistle.—l am, &c.,
The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1895-01-26 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

TERRIBLE DOUBLE MURDER AND SUICIDE.  A terrible tragedy took place in a chalk pit at Denton Valley, near Gravesend, on Monday afternoon, when a greengrocer named Thomas Jackson first cut the throats of his two sons,aged respectively eight and ten, and afterwards attempted to commit suicide by cutting his own throat. About two o'clock a coal bargeman named John Souter, of Gravesend, was walking across a field in which the pit was situated,whon his dog,which had run in the pit, commenced barking loudly. The man went to the pit, and found his dog pawing around a pile of tins, which were by the side of and partly underneath a cluster of bushes. Looking closely he saw a head protruding, and then pulled away the tins and found the bodies of two boys there with their throats fearfally cut. The bodies were quite warm, but life was axtinet. Souter rushed off to the village of Chalk to inform the police, and noticed as he went, a man, whom he had seen looking over a hedge, run towards a thicket. Returning with the police they searched the thicket, and found Jackson with his throat cut, but conscious. He said "Let me alone, I am hungry." Souter took a knife from Jackcon's hand,and Dr. Dryden, who had been summoned, ordered his removal to Gravesend Tri-armary. Jackson had appeared strange in his manner lately. The bodies of the boys were removed to a public-house at Chalk Village. Jackson, who lives at 125, Wellington Street, Gravesend, is supposed to have been mentally deranged. About twelve o'clock on Monday he was seen playing with the two boys near Gravesend. A later telegram states that Jackson died before he could be conveyed to Gravesend, and his body was conveyed to Chalk Village. From enquiries which have been made, there is no doubt that be was out of his mind. The boys murdered were the youngest of a family of six. Jackson had been out of work for practically eight years, and that had so preyed on his mind that of late his condnct had been erratic. it appears that, in addition to cutting his throat, ho had also made an attempt to drown himself.
The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1895-12-14 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

HUNTER'S GHASTLY FINO•  BODY OF A SUPPOSED CARLISLE MAN- DISCOVERED FLOATING IN A SWOLLEN STREAM.  As was told in the Telegram of yesterday, Mt Howard Kingsford, a Dartmouth medical student, while out hunting yesterday morning in the swamps on the land of Hon. John Richmond, just over the Barrington line. discovered the body of a man lying face downward, in the swampy stream, swollen by the recent rain.  . Mr Kingsford hastentd to Riverside and notified the police. Sergt. Munroe went to the place in a team and finding that it was out of his town, notified the police authorities of Barrington. Medical Examiner Dr G. L. Church of Warren, the examiner of Bristol county, was notified, and made an examination. The body showed no indication that violence had been used, but everything seemed to show that the man had deliberately committed suicide. Five weeks ago last Sunday a blue coat and vest, also a pair of suspenders were found by Mr Richmond in the rear of his barn, about 100 rods from the stream in which the man was found. The clothes were of a fine blue serge, and surely were not the property of a tramp. The body found yesterday showed that the man was over six feet tall. When found he was attired in a pair of black worsted trousers, a black striped negligee shirt, a thick undershirt, mixed stockings, and a pair of good shoes. The articles of clothing found by Mr Richmond were the same as were lacking from the body. In the pockets of the coat were found two carte de visites, taken in Carlisle, Eng., at the studio of H. Andrews, in the Devonshire Buildings. One of these was the picture of a prepossessing young woman, the other was the photo of a group of eight young men. One of these was a clergyman, as his coat showed. An envelope was also found. This was addressed to James Connell, 21 Hawick Street, Caldewgate, Carlisle, Eng. The envelope had never been sent through the mail. The body showed that the man was about thirty years of age. He was probably an Englishman, but other than the things spoken of there was nothing which would throw any light on his identity. The remains were taken charge of by Undertaker Wilbur, and interred last ni:ht.—Providence Evening Paper. Mr Connell, of Hawick Street, Carlisle, on Wednesday received a letter from Dr. Church, the Medical Examiner, enclosing a copy of the newspaper containing an account of the suicide, and asking if he could fix upon the identity of the deceased. Mr Connel has several relatives and friends in the United States, and is unable from the description to definitely identify the suicide. He will communicate with his relatives on the other side of the Atlantic.
The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1895-09-28 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

THE CORONER AND THE MEDICAL MEN. _  On Monday, Mr. WifTt-", deputy coroner, held an inquiry at the Foxley Tavern, Brixton, respecting the death of Frederick Lee, 52, a tailors' cutter, late of Crawshey Road, Brixton, who committed suicide by hanging.—Charlotte Lee, the widow, said that deceased had plenty of work, considering the slack time. He was in no trouble. .Last February he had an attack of influenza. She last saw him alive at three o'clock on Thursday afternoon. He then appeared as usual. At a quarter past four o'clock her son found him hanging by a cord to the head of the bed-post. He was cut down, but life was apparently extinct.—Arthur G. W. Lee, a son, said that after the discovery he ran for Dr. Swan, who was out. His Insistent was also out. Witness then went for Dr. Colet, who returned with him and pronounced life extinct. —Dr. R. H. Swan, of Camberwell New Road, said that before being sworn he should like to ask the coroner if he was the proper medical man to be summoned, as Dr. Coles was the first to see the deceased.—The Coroner: The last witness sent a note to my officer mentioning your name as the medical man in the case, Had he known that Dr. Coles was there first he would certainly have summoned him. I have received a letter from Dr. Coles, who writes in injured terms.—Dr. Coles, who was also in court, here said to the coroner that he had come to an arrangement with Dr. Swan.—The Coroner: I like to deal with medical men with etiquette, but a coroner has the option to call in what medical evidence he likes. In tl'is case I might have had an independent medical man altogether. lam under no obligation lo call either of you gentlemen here.—Dr. Swan: I have offered Dr. Coles the fee, and he won't accept it. The Coroner : I think Dr. Swan has _done all that he can in the matter, as be has apologised. Dr. Swan: Not so; I don't apologise. I was summoned, and before being sworn explained the case.—Dr. Cobs: Don't you think it's a case of in. :lured innocence—a bit of the dog-eating-dog about it F—Dr. Swan: I don't like that; we are not dogs, but medical men.—Dr. Coles, addressing the coroner, said: I want to sek you a question, which I trust Dr. Swan will not consider personal. Some time ago in Jersey, I saw a man with a dog standing on tho cliffs. He threw a stick iuto the sea, and the dog jumped from the top of the cliffs into the water after it. In the meantime another dog, which witnessed the occurrence, ran down to the beach by a circuitous path and, snatching the stick from the dog who fetched it out of the water, ran back with it to the man. Was that a right thing to do F—The Coroner: I'll give it up.—The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind.
The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1895-09-21 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

PLAISTOW MATRICIDE. TRILL AND VERDICT.—A. REMAREABLE LETTER. At the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday, before Mr. Justice Kennedy, the charge against Robert Allen Coombes' aged thirteen, of the murder of his mother, at 35, Cave Road, Plaistow; and against John Fox, aged thirty-nine, a sailor, for being an accessory after the fact, was heerti, —Mr. C. F. Gill and Mr. Horace Avery prosecuted for the Treasury; Mr. Sherwood defended Fox, and Mr. Grantham the other prisoner. Constable Twarf deposed to being summoned by Mrs. Burridge to 35, Cave Road, and to arresting the accused. Robert, after being cautioned, made a statement, saying, "1 did it. Natty had a hiding, and 'ma' was going to give me one. Natty sad he would stab her, but as he could not do it himself he asked me to do it when lie coughed twice. I am sorry I did it. I did it with a knife, covered her with the bedclothes, and left her." Asked where his brother was, he replied that he expected he had. gone to Woolwich, as they were both going there that day. Fox denied all knowledge of what bad taken place. He (Fox) said he had been in the house since the previousWednesday.—Other witnesses were called,and Mr. Gill put in Robert's statement,and this closed the case for the prosecution.—Dr. Walker, medical officer of Holloway Prison, stated that the prisoner Robert Coombes had been under special detention for a period of two months. On one accasion he had to be placed iu a padded cell. The lad was very excited. He would not do what he was wanted—he whistled and sang, and was impertinent to the officials. He said he heard voices saying, "Kill her: kill her; and run away." He also said that his mother had threatened to kuoe 1: his brains out with a hatchet, and that he acted under an irresistible impulse. In his opinion the lad was insane at the time of the murder, and that he was not responsible for his actions. There were marks on each side of his head as though caused at the time of his birth. Since he had been in cus• ~ody he had not shown any remorse for his crime, and he did not appear to realise his position. No doubt the murder was committed when he was in a condition of mental excitement similar to that experienced in prison. These attacks recurred about every two months. His opinion was that the prisoner had suffered from recurrent attacks of mania with lucid intervals. Since he has been in gaol he has written the following extraordinary letter to the Rev. W. Shaw, of 683, Barking Road : "From R. A. Coombes, H.M„Prison, Hollaway  " 14-9--95.  "Dear Mr. Shaw,—l received your letter on last Tuesday. I think I will get hung, but I don't care as long as they will give me a good breakfast before they hang me. If they don't hang me I think I will commit suicide—that will do just as well. I'll strangle myself. I hope you are all well. I go up on Monday to the Old Bailey to be tried. I hope you will be there. I think they will sentence me to death. If they do I will call all the witnesses liars.—l remain, your affectionate friend. R. A.
The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1895-06-22 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

NEW YORK SUICIDE CLUB.  Another suicide club has been discovered in Nem York by the pollee, who this time have decided te institute legal proceedings against the members. The institution in question is known ma the "Round Robin." It was organised in January, and the first suicide occurred on March 12, when Frederick Oehmer killed himself. He was followed on March 27 by Marie Oehmer. Jacob Gumbert's turn came next on April 11, and on the 26th of the same month Otto Sehwernell committed suicide. Two deaths also occurred in May. On June 10 John Sunkfuss killed himself, and the next suicide wan appointed to take place on the 25th June. There were always thirteen members of the club, a fresh member being enrolled each time a vacancy wan created. The order in which the suicide should occur was left entirely to chence,the method adopted to decide who should be the next victim being to spin a roulette wheel or teetotum bearing thirteen iturnbere, and dice were thrown to determine who should spin the teetotum. One of the rules was that the member at whose number the teetotum stopped must take his or her own life within twelve hours. The method of self-destruction was optional. Henry I'ilugger, who lives at 1,307, Second Avenue, the spinner of the teetoturn on June 9, has been interviewed by a reporter. Asked for some details of the affair,and to explain his motives for joining such an orgenisetion, he said; "We have no particular lore for life, for most of us arb very poor. Martha I3alirtar was Bonderhoffer's sweetheart. She insisted on taking her chime° with the rest of us, and when her turn came she did not flinch. Strangely enough, Bonderhoffer followed her at the next meeting. When we organised the club we did not intend to admit women; but when we finally decided to do so it was with the understanding that if their courage failed when the spin went against them they should be excused. They wanted to join the club because their lovers belonged to it. Still, we like to have them with us now. We have thirteen members, because that is an unlucky number, though I must admit that, as a matter of fact, the top haa not stopped once anywhere near thirteen."
The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1895-11-16 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

PITIFUL TRAGEDY. The City Coroner (Mr. Oliver Pemberton) held an fequest, at the Victoria Courts, Birmingham, into the cause of the death of John Parker (53), plane iron maker, of 3 Court, 2 lion, Stanhope Street, rho died shortly after being admitted to the Queen's Hospital on Saturday from the f-ffccte of drinking spirit of salt containing eh loride.—Mrs. Parker, a careworn-looking weinati, stated that for many years her husband had suffered from chronic . bronchitis, and had no regulat work since Christmas owing to his severe illness. Beyond the proceeds of odd jobs her husband obtainel, she had only had seven shillings a -week, earned by her son, to carry on the household. Last Tuesday week a gentleman got the deceased a situation at Small Heath, and he started at nine o'clock in the morning, but he was PO weak and ill that he was obliged to leave at noon. On Saturday last he went out with his soldering irons to see if he could find a few jebl, but all he got was a penny for mending a kettle. When he returned , home he said. to witness, " Wench, I have got no money for you. What are you going to do?" She replied, "Well, J will do what I have done before; I will go without." To this he replied, "Well, it won't last long," and going into the pantry he took the bottle of soldering liquid and drank it in her presence, throwing the empty bottle on the floor. She dragged deceased to the floor and screamed for help. A man named Henry Bullock came and gave deceased a drink of milk and salt and warm water.—The doctor at the hospital stated that the man's mouth and tongue were badly corroded by the poison.—The jury, after returning a verdict of " Suicide whilst temporary insane," made a collection for Mrs. Parker, who has a baby only six or eight weeks old, and is said to be entirely destitute. The deceased, it appears, bad often been asked to go to the workhouse, but had refused because his wife would not accompany him, preferring to keep up the struggle with poverty.
The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1895-04-06 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

THE WOULD-BE SUICIDE AT STANWIX.  At the County Police Court on Saturday, James Bell, (37) tailor, was brought up in custody, charged with attempting to commit suicide at Stanwix on the 26th March, and also with being drunk and disorderly. From the evidence of Mr John Bell, prisoner's uncle, and others, it appeared that when he first went to the house, he was quiet, and asked for tea, which was made for him. His uncle went out to attend to his work, and on his return found Bell raging about the house, and using bad language. Assistance was obtained and he was turned out. He continued his violent proceedings, kicking at the door and swearing, and at last threatening to finish himself, he pulled out a razor and drew it across his throat. Dr. Gilchrist was sent for, but was unable to do anything with Mtn until the policeman came, when after a struggle he was handcuffed, put into a cab, and taken to the Police Office in Earl Street. There he continued his violent behaviour till miduight.—Prisoner, who seemed to be sensible and collected enough in court, said his uncle had always been very kind to him, and he had no reason to go and make a disturbance at his house. He had been drinking for three or four days, and he laid the blame on some bad rum that he had got. He had no intention of taking away his life; he wished to live as long as he could.—He was remanded fora week that further inquiry might be made.  TifE Rev. Canon Franklin, who was recently appointed to the charge of St. Catherine's Catholic Church, Penrith, from St. Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle, has already resigned his appointment. The rev, gentleman's health has proved very unsatisfactory and he is at present in Italy. He will, however, on returning to England, take a private residence in Penrith.
The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1895-09-07 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

BADLY-FITTING SUIT OF CLOTHES. In a case which came before Commissioner Kerr al the City of London Court, on Tuesday, a City tailor named .Rosenberg sued a clerk of the name of Harris for the price of a suit of clothes made for the latter. —Plaintiff, a foreign Jew, said that the clothes were made throe months ago. The transaction was to be a cash one. He had applied again and again for the money, and not been paid.—Defendant: Of course not. They never fitted. 1 have sent them back four times to be altered, and they are worse than ever now. —The Commissioner: You say the clothes don't fit. I'm not an expert in these matters. There is a tailor named Prince who keeps a shop in the passage. Go and try them on before him, pay him his fee, and get his opinion.—The suitors and the" suit left the Court, and returned later on with the statement, that the expert's opinion was unfavourable to plaintiff.—Plaintiff (excited) : But he has kept them three months; am I to get nothing ?—The Commissioner : Certainly not. It is an insult to a mar to offer him a snit that does not fit. Judgment for defendant, with costs.  A MAN KILLED ON THE RAILWAY' An inquest was held at Withington on Tuesday afternoon by Mr. J. Waghorne, concerning the death of Frederick Constable, a journeyman baker, of Cheltenham, aged 68, who was found on the Midland and South - Western Junction Railway in a dying condition. During the last six months deceased has been suffering from delusions, one of which was that an uncle wanted hin2 to go to Cirencester. He left home about five o'clock on Saturday evening, seeming to be all right, and did not return. The next that was known of him was at 10.40 that night, when James Buttle, while walking the line came upon the deceased by the side of the railway. Deceased said he had met with an accident and been knocked down by a train. His arm was broken and he had other injuries, and on finding deceased was unable to walk, Buttle obtained the assistance of Police-constable Boulton, to whom deceased repeated that the train knocked him over and that he did not intend suicide. They carried the deceased towards Withington RailwaY Station, and Buttle went on for further assistance, but deceased died just as he returned. The engine driver stated that he neither saw nor noticed anything unusual.—The jury Came to the concision that deceased was accidentally knocked down by P Uiti4l.•