npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1866-03-30 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE.-011 Tuesday morning a man named Charles Valiance, about fifty years of age, was found to have committed suicide in a most extraordinary fashion in the kitchen of No. 31, Bouverie-street, Fleet street, London. It appears that the deceased was found lying on his back on a form, ha head being nearly severed by an axe. The handle of the axe was screwed to one of the bed-posts, so that it might be held firm. The bed was drawn close up to a cupboard-door OD the top of which a roller had been placed; and to the end of a rope some four feet long the deceased had tied a large stone, weighing about 90Ib. Having drawn up the atone to the top of the door, so as to give it a fall of four feet, he had arranged matters so that the stone was placed exactly over the head of the axe. The deceased must have laid down on the form, placed his neck under the edge of the axe, and cut the rope by which the atone was suspended with a raww. The stone fell, and as before stated, the axe nearly severed the head from the holy.  Dr. King's Dandelion and Quinine Liver Pills.  The best remedy for Bile, Wind, Indigestion, Costiveness, Piles, Headache, Sickness, Giddiness, Fluttering of the Heart, Nervousness, Lass of Appetite, Flatulence, Heartburn,  THEI a INtREDIENTS are really ,excelc lent, and are sworn on oath not to contain the smallest particle of any prepar ition of ANTIMONY or MERCURY ; they act very gently on the Bowels, and do not require any change of diet on the part of the Patient, or produce the slightest risk of taking cold. If the public only knew how NIERCUZY destroys the de icate coats of the Stomach, weakens Digestion, affects the Nerves, and •positively shortens Life, they would take no other Aperient than
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1866-03-30 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

MURDER OF AN INFANT NEAR DURHAM, AND SUICIDE OF THE MOTHER.—A tragical occurrence took place at Wingate, on Tliurstay morning week. A young woman, about thirty-oite years of age, the wife of a pitman, residing at Wingate C illiery, was found drowned in an adjacent pond, and her intant was discovered beneath her. The name of the deceased is Marg ,rot Stockport, and ten days ago she gave birth to the infant which she has destroyed. Domestic trouble seems to have been the p incipal cause which has led the poor woman to commit the act. The dee ised had he, attended during her cotifittemeht by Dr. Morrison, of Wingate, who hail observed symptoms of mental deiangeinent, and had consequently directed that she should he strictly watched. One of her neighbours was in attendance upon her on Tuesday night, hut on Wednesday she appeared to he RO much better that ' it was not thought necessary to watch her 'so closely. At five o'clock on Thursday morning deceased's husband desired her to amity a poultice to his chest, after which they both went to bed. About an hour afterwards he awake and discovered that hie wife and infant child were  missing. He got up and went out in search of them, but did not succeed in discovering them. About seven o'clock tvo men, named Hutchinson and Laws, were proceeding to their work, when they saw the footprints of a WOILUAII on the newly-fallen snow, leading in the direction of a p sittytte about 30d yards From the houie in which Stockpot resides. Ouriwity pro:npted them to f how up the footsteps, and on a-riving at the p nil theY were Itorro, -sta icken on rwre-iving the body of a woman it)atine .11• t he ,u. face of !be wa,r. TO, body W.P4 stwedily got out, ;to I was bread to be qui:e w trot, bat life was extinct. After a time titd hotly of the iofaut was brought to the tmt face. Deceased was of a veiy itervous and excitable disposition, but bore the character of a quiet and inoffensive woman. She has left a f tmily of four chidirMi.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1871-07-22 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SHOCKING TRAGEDY AT NOTTINGHAM.  A brutal murder was committed on Thursday at Nottingham, by a man named John Follers Buchan. The victim is an elderly man named Reuben Holmes, a dealer in old curiosities, residing in Beck. lane. After the perpetration of the deed, the murderer attempted to commit suicide. The motive of the crime is supposed to have been about money matters. Buchan, who is over forty years of age, and a tailor by trade, went intro the deceased's house, and sent out his mother (who lived with Holmes) for some snuff. The only person left in the house besides Buchan and Holmes was a little boy, to whom deceased was much attached. Holmes was engaged shelling peas when the younger man presented a pistol at his head, and shot him. He then produced another pistol, and pointing it at his own mouth, fired it. The discharge was heard by Mrs Buchan, the murderer's mother, who was on her way back after purchasing the snuff, and a commercial traveller named Peach, who was standing near. They rushed into the house, when a frightful scene presented itself. On the floor lay the old man, bleeding from a wound behind the left ear, from which the brain was protruding. Near him lay Buchan, blood flowing from a wound in his month. A pistol was near Holmes, which had recently been discharged, and in the trouser's pocket of the murderer a dagger and sheath were visible. A second pistol was found in another pocket of the murderer, and also a powder flask anti some small bullets. Medical aid was procured, when it was discovered that the old man had a bullet lodged in the brain, and that the younger one had shot himself in the roof of the mouth. The old man was breathing heavily when found, but after a short time, he died without ever having been conscious after the wound was inflicted. The murderer is still living, and it is probable may recover. The deceased was a very eccentric character. The murderer is a married man, with five children.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1871-07-29 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

CASE.  The important information received by the plain. tifi in the Tichborue case is said to be no less than a clue to the whereabouts of the veritable Arthur Orton. The story current in some of the legal circles (says the London correspondent of the Dundee Advertiser) is that when the summary of the early evidence led in the Court of Queen's Bench was published in the Australian papers, it caught the eye of one who knows ot "something to the claimant's ad want: g that communications were made to an Austra.l a wn Leman whose name has been mentioned in Court ; and that telegiams to England, the first of w hien were rather vague, immediately followel. The result of these was that the plaintiff decided on s litling out a gentleman to Australia, and it is said he is al -eady on his way, accompanied by two of Otton's relitives and othera who will be able to recognise and swear to his identity, should the " missing man," if found, refuse to come home. Since the adjournment of the trial, both sides have been busily at work ; and when the Court mews again, the world may be. surprised to learn that there is more sensational evidence in store for it.  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY A BRIDEGROOM'. A circumstance has occurred in the village of Handsworth, Woodhouse, near Sheffield, which has caused a very painful sensation. A young man, pamed William James Greenwood, on of a master builder there, had paid his addresses to a Miss Huth Champion, daughter of a grocer and draper. Their wedding was fixed to take place on Wednesday morning. The rector of the parish had been asked to perform the ceremony in the Parish Church, the carriages had been ordered, and the wedding breakfast prepared. As the bridegr..oni did not make his appearance down stairs his lather went to his room and found him lying in a pool of blood. He had cut his throat with a razor, but fortunately none of the larger vessels had been severed. He was not last night out of danger. Intelligence of what had occurred was sent to the father of the bride, and on his proceeding to her room to break it to her, he found her dres,ed in her bridal costume, and arranging her buarluet. She was first told her intended husband was very ill, and then that he had made an attempt on his life. On hearing that, she swooned, and in that state remained for many hours. The order for the carrfages was countermanded; the clergyman and. the bridesmaids were communicated with, and the wedding breakfast cleared away. A large number of persons were allowed to assemble in the church to witness the ceremony, but dispersed when informed that it would not take place. There are various rumours as to the cause of the occurrence. the one that receives most credence is that on Tuesday he received a writ threatening him with an action for breach of the premise he had made toto marry another young lady in the same village, named Chinn.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1871-12-09 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THE HOTSPUR IN A GALE.—The Times says that, according to trustworthy accounts, the Hotspur behaved exceedingly well in the north-east gale of Monday last. A correspondent writes from Plymouth:—" She was purposely placed across the sea to test her rolling powers under that condition, as she had never before been exposed to such a heavy sea, and it was, therefore, an excellent opportunity to try the ship. When placed with her beam to the very heavy sea which was running, the greatest roll was only from 12 deg. to port to 20 deg. to starboard (leeward). She had previously never rolled more than from 9 to 16 deg., and although she could not, on account of her low bow, be driven at any great speed against a bead sea, yet she proved to be a remarkably good sea-boat. Lord John Hay put back to Plymouth Sound not from any apprehension of danger, but, having satisfied himself as to the seaworthiness of his ship, he thought it useless to burn coals unnecessarily in steaming up channel in the teeth of a gale of wind, when there was no necessity for an immediate passage." The Observer says the best answer to the rumours circulated with reference to the Hotspur's alleged unseaworthiness in her recent cruise is contained in the fact that, instead of lying ia Plymouth Sound, she is now upon her voyage to Portland.  THE SUICIDE OF THE COUNT OF GIRGENTL - The Count of Girgenti (brother of the ex-King of Naples), had been residing with his wife (daughter of the exQueen of Spain) during the summer months in a villa on the banks of the Lake of Lucerne, and about a month since came into the town for the winter, having engaged a suite of apartments in the Hotel du Cygne. The Count and Countess lived very quietly, riding and walking about, and visiting the theatre from time to time like the rest of the world here, always being seen together. On Sunday they took their usual stroll in the afternoon, and having ordered their dinner at half-past five o'clock, in order to go to the theatre in the evening, which here begins early, returned from their walk at five o'clock. Immediately on reaching their apartments the Prince proceeded to a room where he kept loaded firearms in a secretaire, and on the Princess (who, it seems, in some way divined his intention) hastening to call one of the gentlemen in waiting to her aid, and or such purpose quitting the room, the unfortunate man locked himself in, perpetrated the horrid deed instantaneously, and on the door being forced open, was found stretched on the floor mortally wounded. T; 3 pistol, it appears, was discharged behind the ear, and penetrated into the brain, where it rti r mains. He lingered senseless for five or six , and died about eleven o'clock.  Loss OF •
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1871-09-09 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

DISTRESSING SUICIDE BY DROWNING AT WEST HARTLEPOOL.  On Tuesday forenoon, an inquest was held before Mr Coroner Settle, touching the death of a female mamed Sarah Roberts, aged 41, whose dead body was discovered at Middleton on the previous Sunday merning. The evidence of William Roberts, the husband of the deceased, was to the effect that he had been married to the deceased 2k years, and that up to last October, when she had rheumatic fever, she was healthy and cheerful; but about the time of her tecovery she beard a wood that her brother had been ship-wrecked, which seemed to cause depression of mind. Witness knew of nothing likely to disturb her mind beyond the report about her brother. Since her depressicn of mind, he often had tried to persuade her to see a medical man, which she declined to Alm When witness left the house, about seven o'clock, to go to a merrymaking at the Sun Inn, his wife had not her bonnet and shawl on, and she had left the room to go down to her cousin's room. On his return about midnight, he went to bed, and did not join in the search for his wife, because he bad to go to work early next morning, and he felt sure she would return, or that they would soon find her.—A boy, aged 13, named John Joseph Gutteridge, deposed to have seen deceased go through the tunnel, beneath the railway, towaids the docks. As she passed a man in fustian, lying on the steps, she said, "Are you coming home, before I go and drown myself ?" The man, who was mit the deceased's husband, made no reply.—James Welsh, labourer, said that he found the dead body IN jag in the surf, about 150 yards from the North Pier, with the sea occasionally washing; up to it, shortly after seven o'clock. He obtained assistance, and had her removed.—The Coroner having summed up the evidence, the jury returned a verdict to the effect "that deceased had drowned herself whilst in au unsound state of mind."  THE BOARD OF GUARDIANS AND TETE GOVERNORS OF THE NORTH RIDING _
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1871-01-07 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

MOM-1 • g, at Walsall, a man named James Evans, a tinman, ad his wife, were found in an extremely prostrate c ndition from the effects of poison, but whether taken with the intention of committing suicide or unwittingly there was nothing up to the time of writing to show. Evans, whose age is believed to be about 30 or 35, is in the employ of Mr Jones, High-street and about a month ago he was married to a woman several years his junior. Recently he took a furnished oottage in the Ditch—a lane leadir g from Church•hill to Ablewell-street—and for the first time he and his wife entered upon their new domicile on Monday evening, and their behaviour gave the neighbours reason to believe that they were quite happy and comfortabe, the woman, in fact, bein g heard singing cheerfully in the course of the evening. At about eleven o'clock they sietired to rest, and nothing was heard of them during the night. At about eight on Tuesday morning, the landlord, Mr Fox, of Rushall-street, went to the oottage with some workmen, who had ken engaged in painting and putting the plisse in order, and knocked several times without obtaining an answer. He and those with him then went away, , but returned about a couple of hours later, and, still , failing to get a reply to their knocking, sent a boy, named James Morgan, into the cottage through the back room window. The lad found Evans and his life in bed and alive, but apparently unconscious, nd moaning most piteously. Mr Fox and several ther persons quickly entered the house, and, seeing the position of affairs, sent for a surgeon. Dr J. .Burton, jun., attended, and administered antidotes and restoratives, and subsequently the woman was removed to her mother's house, close by,-A constable being left in charge of the man. A diligent search was made for any bottle or paper which had contained poison, but nothing of the kind could be found.  HORNIMAIS'S PURE TEA is STRONG and DELICIOUS, because it consists only of Choice Young Leaves. It iq WHOLESOME, because the leaf is Not Coloured by the Chinese with the usual mineral "Facing" powder. These ADVANTAGES secure a general preference. thrsursu Psourre are signed "WH & FJ Horniman and Co., Loudon." For list of LOCAL AGERrs see advertisement.  Tilt HERALD, Saturday, January 7, 1871.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1871-08-05 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THE HULL MURDER.  Charles Sleight (32), a well-educated young man, was arraigned on a charge of wilfully murdering Maria Hailstone, at Hull, on the 27th March last. Mr Thompson and Mr Smith were counsel for the prosecution: and Mr Waddy and Mr Mellor defended the prisoner. This case, like that tried on Saturday, 15 of a very peculiar character; the principal question being the mental condition of the accused at the time of the occurrence. The deceased and her husband (both deaf and dumb) lived as housekeepers at the Yorkshire and Lancashire Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Hull, and the accused had been a teacher in the same institution, living on the premises. On the 27th March Mr Hailstone got up and wont out of the house about five o'clock in the morning, leaving his wife in bed, the prisoner being in bed in a room below. At seven o'clock prisoner went to the Hull police station, stating that he had wounded a young woman, and tellinz the inspector in charge where she was to be found. Prisoner then bectme excited ; he snatched up a ruler off the desk, with whick he attempted to strike the inspector, who then disarmed him, and locked him up as a lunatic. Proceeding to the asylum, the inspector found the deceased laid upon her bed•rooni floor, her throat cut from ear to ear, and a razw laid upon the bed. There were marks of bloml all over the room. Numerous witnesses were called. They all testified to the prisoner's remarkably excellent character, and attributed the crime to his labouring under mania produced by too much study and anxiety upon religious matters. Mr Waddy, in defence, said the prisoner had committed the deed whilst in an insane state of mind. Many of his relations had been insane, and committed suicide. When prisoner took away, the life of the deceased, neither his head nor his heart went with the deed, and he was not aware of what he was doing. Witnesses were called to show that a brother and an auntof the prisoner, both insane, had committed suicide.  The Foreman of the Jury intimated that they had made up their minds as to their verdict, and, with his Lordship's permission, they were ready to record it.  The jury thereupon gave a verdict of Not Guilty, on the ground of insanity, and the prisoner was ordered to be kept in custody during Her Majesty's pleasure.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1890-12-27 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

DESPERA.TE SUICIDE AT STOCKTON  On Tumidity Mr Coroner Settle held an inquest at the Rolling Mill Arms Inn, Perked', Stockton, touching the death o: James Howgill (23), a puddler, residing at 40, Nicholson-street, who was seen by his father at 9.30 p.m. on Sunday, when he was quite sober and sensible. —Sarah Jane McMillan sai3 the deceased was her sweetheart, and she had known him nine months. She saw him on Sunday night between ten and eleven o'clock, when Mi:ts Godley was with her. They parted company, ea-1 going in l• separate direction, and deceased gong towards his own lodgings. Samuel Breeze and deceased were fellow lodgers.. She had seen them together at five minutes to ten going down Pottrack-lane, Breeze trying to get deceased home. Neither of them was sober. Breee and another man went away, leaving deceased talking to her and Miss Godley. Deceaaed seemed to be sensible, and said nothing to her about intending to drown himself.—Samuel Breeze, puddler, said he and detea-aid were together in the Rolling Mill Arms. Ile tried to get doessed home, but he would not go. He left him at the low eml of Portraok-litne. While in the pubic-house witmas heard deceased say, "11l drown myself." He afterwards went in the direction of the old river, which was abaut 300 yar.ts off. He did not return home all night, and next morning witness went to look for him, in the direction that he saw him go. He went down Portrack to the old river, where he saw deceased's hat on the top of the ice covering Lnstriun Beek. He then found deceased laid down with h's face downwards, partly under the ice. He was fully dre sed except his hat. Witness retorted the case to Sergt. Clarkson, and the body was removed to his father's house.—ln reply to the jury witness said he once heard der eased say he wished he was dead. When under the iiiluewe of drink his mind was affected. He had been off work during last week. There were nn marks of violence on the bo.iy.—The jury returned a verd'et of "Suicide by drowning in a state of temporary insanity whilst under the inAmur* of drink."
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1890-08-02 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

ITHE INQUEST. —A FAREWELL LETTER. On Tnesdey Mr H. Mackereth held an inquest at the Oddfellows' Arms, Thornaby, on the body of I Davey —Sarah Davey, the widow, said she came jto Thornaby Vale on Friday owing to some dieI torbance she had had with her husband. The latter had gone away to Darlington that morning. Before ho went she told hiin 'there was nothing in the house to pay anyone with, and he was just I wasting it." He first came to her parents' house ! about 12.30 on Saturday. They 64V7 'Min coming, I and ran and fastened the door. He had several times klore tried to get the revolver to do away with himself. He had had it eleven years, but I witness kept it under double lock. She had left him three times before, but had gone back. The disazretznaute between them had been going on for many years. Ho did not seem to all anything from !drink on Saturday.—Wm. Ainsworth, father of the widow, said he was poorly on Saturday. He • wanted to have the deceased let in, but his wife and daughter wculd not allow it. His wife was frightened, becanse she thought she saw the shape of a revolver in his breast pocket. She afterwards looked tturon,gh the window, and saw the revolver in his hand. He knocked several time before he shot himself. Witness's wife told him he had behaved so badly to his wife they could not let him in. At last the deceased said, "I want to come in and kiss my bairn, and I can do for the lot of you lin two seconds. Are you going to let me in?" Witness's wife replied" No,' and in an instant the shot was hoard. Witness's wife staggered back, and they thought she was shot. For twenty minutes or half-an-hour she was unable to speak, and they did not know whether she was going to ' live or die. After a time, however, a little girl ' came and knocked at the window, and said " He's shot himself," and then witness went out, and found deceased half-lying against the door I pod, and the revolver lying in his hand. Witness at once came down to the Oddfellows' Arms, end got the landlord to send a man for the police and a doctor. Witness knew that deceased's mother I died in an asylum. The deceased himself was much addicted to drink.—The Coroner considered , it was not neoeetery to examine the wife of the last witness, and the jury immediately returned a verdict of "Suicide during temporary insanity."— ' The following is a copy of a roughly written note found on the body of the deceaslil:—" Redinari shall.—Sarah,—l leave this note to let people know I what I have dons this for. You will find me dead some way through Sarah ways.-1. (1. Decoy.— Think of my little Annie. Care for nobody else."