npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1887-02-26 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

INQUESTS. An inquest was held at the Victoria trotel. Cleveland-street, before Mr. H. Chorion, borough coroner, touching the circumstances of the death of James Taylor, 65 years of age, who resided at 25. Chapel-street, and who wn6 • retired woollen merchant.—Catherine Taylor, wife of ths deceased, stated that up to the time of his death her husband had been in very good state of health, and had suffered from no other ailment bat a slight attack of rheumatism. On Tuesday morning about quarter to eight o'clock she and the deceased went downstairs, and about three minutes to eight he leaned his head back in the chair and died in about a minute. Dr. Lamb was immediately sent for, but the deeeneed had expired before hie arrival. The deceased did not utter a word after the seizure. The Coroner remarked that thni was a very extraordinary case of sadden death, but there was no doubt that death was doe to natural canoes. The jury returned a re!, diet of" Death from natural causes."  A second enquiry was made at the same place on the death of an old woman named Mary Hall, 71 years of age, who was found drowned in the West Float.—Andrew Hall, g labourer in the employ of the Corporation and residing at 12, Havelock-street, West. stated that he was the husband of the decease 4 and his wife had of late been in a despondent etate of mind, and had not been in good health The deceased had said she would not be lot with them, They had none of their childree residing with them. He last saw her alive about ten o'clock on Monday night when they retired to bed. He did not miss her till abont four o'clock the next morning. The Wee Float in which the deceased was found, is mild be about five hundred yards away. The deceased was addicted to drink—P.C. 119 (Willowby) stated that about seven o'clock on Tuesday morning he saw the body of the deceased in the West float. She had a shawl pinned under her chin but had no boots on. —The coroner said the deceased appeared to be an intemperate woman, and had on one occasion threatened to commit suicide. How. ever no one had seen her commit suicide, and it was perfectly competent for the jury to return a verdict to the effect that the deceased was found drowned in the West float.—The jury returned a verdict to this effect.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1887-07-02 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE SUICIDE AT OXTON.  HOW THE APPLICANTS FOR RELIEF ARE TREATED.  Pig BIRXEN_HEAD GUARDIANS  Tfr-s-r-gEIS-.  Ait inquest was held at the Carnarvon Castle Hotel, Caton, before Mr. Et Wry Clitirton, borough coroner, on Wednesday evening on the body of Samuel Hignett, 76 years of age, a labourer, lately residing at Mere Cottage. From the evidence it appeared that about two years ago the deceased was seized with a paralytic stroke, and although he partly reivered he was quite unable to do any work. T elve months ago last March his wife made an at-iplication for outdoor relief to Mr. me:Nen my, the relieving•officer, by whom she and the, la ceased were requested to attend the next raerdiat.7 of the Board, which they did. The wife am, called before the Board, but, according kf t...Ne evidence, she was not allowed to speak, She was told by the chairman of the Boon' that it was no use of ker coming Rtes.°, she must look to her three eons fe, oiaintenance. She was then ordered out of the room. Two of the sons are marricd with large families to support, the third is single, but not in regular employment, co.usequendy none of them could emstribnte mach towards the support of their parents. Mr. Worthington, J.P., who resides in Orton, interested himself in the case and wrote e couple of letters to the Guardians, but no notice was taken of them. This preyed upon the mind of the deceased very much. No person would employ him, as he was unable. to do any bard work, and the family were reduced to a state of destitution. The deceased was often heard to express a wish that he was dead, and he threatened to commit suicide on several occasions. About half-past six o'clock on Wednesday morning Mrs. Hignett missed the deceased from the house, and upon going in search of him found him suspended by the neck from an apple tree in the corner o! the garden.  The Coroner said he thought it was a very hard case; in fact, one of the worst that had ever come before him. He was of opinion that it was more of a farce than anything else for the Guardians to send for poor people to appear before the Board and then not to allow them to explain their circumstances. He thought the Guardians were very much to blame in the matter.  A verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane" was returned, the following presentment being made by the jury :—" The jury consider that the Guardians of the Birkenhead Union are highly censurable for not allowing the widow of the deceased to make a statement when called before the Board."
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1887-07-02 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

COMPANY. LIMITED, Ire now selling u Capital COMMERCIAL ENVELOPE at 2s. per 1,C00.-44 and 66, Chester-street, Bizkenhead.  ENVELOPES 2s. rut 1,000  EVERY now and again revelations are made which seem to throw considerable doubt upon the efficiency of the way in which the Poor Laws are administered. It must, however, be remembered that Poor Law Guardians are but human, and that without any intention of being harsh or cruel their judgment is liable to be at fault. Looked at in the light of after eveuts. and in the face of the statements made at the inquest held at Oxton on Wednesday, it almost appears that the case of Samuel Hignett was a case in point. According to the evideuce of Mrs. Hignett, her husband was led to commit suicide by an uneasy feeling that he was a cumberer of the ground, being too old to work and having no other available means of subsistence. The circumstances of the case are extremely sad. For thirteen years Hignett,who bore the character ofa steady and respectable man, worked on the roads for the Birkenhead Corporation. He continued to work regularly till February of last year—having then reached the advanced age of 74. He was incapacitated by a paralytic seizure, and was laid up for some mouths. One would have thought that here was a clear case for the granting of relief from the poor rates. But the old man, scorning to appeal to the relieving officer except as a last resource, went to the office of the Corporation official as soon as he could stir about, end asked to be allowed to re-commence work. Here he met with his first rebuff. He was refused, on the probably just though hard plea that lie was too old to work. The only next resource was to apply to the parish, and consequently application was made ic the usual form. According to Mrs. Hignett's story she was not allowed to put her case fully before the Guardians, but was rudely repulsed on the ground that she had sons to whom she must look for support. The fact was that the only son living at home was at the time out of employment and was an additional charge on the household, instead of being a help. But this fact, apparently through the undue haste of the Guardians in the despatch of their business, never came to their knowledge It was clear to the aged couple that they could not hope for help from the so-called guardians of the poor, and they went plodding on for over a twelvemonth, dependent on the scanty
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1887-07-09 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT SEACOMBE.  About 2.30, on Thursday afternoon, an exciting scene was witnessed near to Seacombo Ferry. Au old man, whose name was subsequently ascertained to he R. Dearden, of Handbridge, Chester, aged 72, was seen to take off his outer garments and deliberately jump into the river. There was a strong tide running, and it soon became evident that unless assistance was promptly rendered the old man would be swept away. A young man named Wm. Barrow jumped in to the rescue. Mr. Howarth, tobacconist, threw cut a life-line, which he invariably carries with him when near the river, and Barrow managed to place the line around the drowning man's arm and succeed in keeping him afloat. The line, however, being unseenrely fastened, slipped away, and another young fellow, named Cornelius Lavery, without stopping to divest himself of his do' hes, jumped into the river and swam out to Barrow's a•sistance. Between them, they managed to bring Itim to shore, and he was taken to the Seaeombe Cottage Hospital. It is believed that he will be none the worse fur his immersion.  GIRLS' EVENING Homn.—On Thursday, the 30th ult., the industrial exhibition of the above home passed off very well, many friends being present at the distribution of the prizes, which were presented by Mrs. Miller. Miss Irvine addressed the girls, and other ladies played and sang during the evening. Miss Laird, Mrs. Angus. and Mrs. Proctor sent flowers to decorate the rooms, and each member had some to take home. The judges of the work and visitors expressed very great satisfaction with the various exhibits, and feel sure another year will show still greater improvement. On Tuesday last, through the kindness of friends, the girls were taken to Bidstoo Hill. where they had tea and spent a most enjoyable evening. .
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1917-05-23 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

AGAINST A BIRKENHEAD WOMAN.  At the Birkenhead Police Court en Tuesday—before Mr. T. L. Dodds and Mr. J. Morris Margaret O'Brien was charged with attempting to commit suicide by jumping into the Alfred Dock on May 13th. Supt. Jones said that consequent upon information he had received regarding the prisoner he would ask the Bench to send her for trial at the Quarter Sessions; it would be for her own good. I Sidney Podmore. of 9, Whitford-road, ' Birkenhead, stated that whilst working on a vessel in the Alfred Dock he saw the prisoner in the vicinity of the "easel—on the floating bridge. He saw her walk along the jetty and throw herself into the water, head first. He raised the alarm by shouting, but remained on board himself as the scene of the happening was too Car away for him to be of any use. He saw the dock gateman leave the hut close to, run along with a lifebelt and line, and throw the lifebelt into the dock and dive in alorgside the girl, whom he eventually rescued. The girl shouted as she was being lifted out. Albert E. Thompson, Poulton, dock gateman in the employ of the Mersey Dock and Harbour Board, said that on the morning of the 13th inst. he heard a cry of "Woman in the dock." He hurried out to the island and saw the prisoner in the water head downwards. He jumped in the water fully dressed, rescued the prisoner, and handed her over to a police constable who happened to be there. P.C. E. Williams *Aid he took prisoner in to the dock gateinlin's hut, where she soon recovered. When asked how she came into the water she replied that she jumped in because she was worried over some money that a man on a ship owed her. He then took her to the Borough Hospital in the motor ambulance. He made inquiries in several ships, but was unable to trace either man or ship the girl had referred to. He charged her with attempting to commit suicide. She said "If the magistrates ask me I shall have to tell them." Detective W. E. Hughes said he was present at an interview between prisoner and, her mother, and he heard her say "I a ish' they had let me drown; I will do myself in the first chance I get. I will not go into I a home. I will kill myself first." She wait I in a normal state of mind so far as he I could see.,  When Supt. Jones formally asked that the caps be sent to the Quarter Sessions with a view to prisoner being sent to a Borstal School, prisoner became very agitated, and implored the Bench to give her abother chance, promising that she would "go straifht." The Bench complicid with the Superintendent's request. Mr. T. L. Dodds expressed the admiration of the Bench at Mr. Thompson's pluck, and directed that ..t1 is. be given him in recognition of it.  AN
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1917-05-09 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

INQUEST ADJOURNED. Ralph Goseage, Mrs. Hall, and Mrs. Arthur end of life those we have ignored at the Willmer. Special thanks were due to Mrs. beginning. I believe this race suicide can The Borough Coroner (Me. Cecil Holden) , Cordon Browne, the first lion, treasurer, only be arrested by recognising that heed on Monday afternoon, at the Town: with her band of diligent collectors.; she though the moral aspect plays a singularly Hall, an inquiry into the oireurnetanoes raised the initial funds which made the important part in the well-to-do sections 'attending the death of Linda Lavine Lewin. I launching of the scheme a practical noin of the community, the fundamental cause aged two years and five molehills, the daugh- ' sibilifv. The committee deenly regretted to which influences the masses is that in proter of Sewer and Um. H. R. Lowin, of 236, ' record the death of Mrs. Harold Croerfield portion as parents enrich the nation with Conwayestreet, Birkenhead. Alice Lewin, and Mrs. Charles Livingston, both valin new life, they impoverish themselves. The , the mother, stated that on Friday evening able members of the committee, theory of a family wage is a fallacy: re'she was doing some shopping at Mr. Y. The Treasurer (Mrs. 'Van Genieen) read enumeration is paid not for the reeponsiIMoorees shop in Gbeete The dm the statement of accounts, which showed a bilities a man assumes outside his work, ceased and another child were in a Wein- balance in hand of £ll 17s. 3d. Miss .1. H. but for the service ha renders in it. Take ette. Witness took the baasinette into the Willmer moved that the report end state- the case of three men—one being single shop and lifted deceased out. Later, whilst ' meat of accounts be adopted, Mrs. Hall would only have himself to house, feed, witness was looking_ at some artieles, the , seconded, and the motion was carried, clothe and maintain; another, being marchild diseppeered. Witness went into the tied but without children, Would have the The second portion of Mr. Smith's adstreet and saw the deceased across Chester- diem wee as emes.,e_ same service to render to two people: whole street in front of the Library. When the
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1895-08-17 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED SUIOIDE OF A GIRL.  lIIIIIPLIOABLE 0011DUOr.  Before Messrs. J. H. Worthington, J. B. Delany, and J. Crewe at the Borough Police Court, on Wednesday, a girl, apparently about sixteen years of age and named Elizabeth Slater Sutton-street, Chester- . ton, Stafferdehire, was charged with attempting to commit suicide by jumping into the river from the Tranmere Ferry, and further with being a lunatic not under proper care and control. Superintendent Clarke stated that about six o'clock that (Wednesday) morning two men named William Corbett of Windsor-place, and Sarnia.' Fogg of 5, St. John's-place, took the prisoner to the police station. he was dripping wet and was attended to by the , female attendants. Corbett stated that when going to their fishing boat which was moored off the 'rranmere stage he and Fogg saw the girl standing on the betty= of the stone Bhp at the water's edge. When they got to their boat they turned and saw the girl deliberately lump into the water. They both ran to spot and Corbett plunged into the water and caught hold of the prisoney, and with the assistance of his companion got her an to the slip, and afterwards took her to the police office. For a long time she refused to give any name and address, but afterwards gave the name Slater, and said she belonged to Chesterton where her parents lived. She further said that she had not been home for the past six months. Samuel Fogg gave evidence in support of this statement, Corbett having had to go out fishing. ' Fogg added that on the way to the bridewell prisoner! repeatedly said that she would jump into the water Pruroner,who would give no reason for her conduct, said she bad been living at • Mr. Hortan's house at 42, Beaconsfield-road, Tranmere, for the last six months. She had not been in service and she supposed she would have to pay him for keeping her. Superintendent Clarke said he had often seen the prisoner in Grange-road walking backwards and . forwards. The magistrates remanded her to the workhouse for • fortnight and awarded Corbett and Fogg 10s. each, remarking that their condnet was very commendable.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1895-10-23 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

TIME WILL DO IT.  The attention of the special officer at the Third street depot wan the other day attracted to a man in the waiting room who seemed to be ill, but as the officer advanced to make inquiries he was met by a second man who said: "He ain't sick at all, but jest overcome by his feelings. He's my son William." "He's looking pretty bad." "Tee, he is, and no wonder. His wife ran away from him two weeks ago and he can't git over it. He lives in Canada, and rm taking Itim home fur a week or two to see If he will brace up." "So his wife ran away, eh P " queried the officer. _ _  " Yes, ran off with a drover and left a note behind sayin' she never did love William, and that he could go to Ballyhack. When he read that note hfi went out and :,jumped into the well." Did, eh ?" "Yes, but his hired man got him out. Theti he tried to hang himself, but the rope broke. Then he went out into the field where he keeps an ugly bull and got the critter to pitch into him. He was throwed seventeen feet high and over a shed, but wasn't much hurt. Then he took rat pizen, but a doctor saved him. In one week he made leven attempts to commit suicide. Was it leven or twelve attempts, William ? " "'Leven!" solemnly answered the bereaved husband. _ _ _  Ani7l-you are still determined to die ? " "I am l"  "-Yes,l expect be is," said the father, as he turned to the officer. "His wife had big feet, a red nose' sore eyes and a voice like a fog horn, but he doted on her and takes it hard. It was only yisterday that he tried to stab himself with a crowbar, and twice to-day he's tried to dodge me and buy pizen." "Do you think he'll ever get over it?" asked the officer. "I do. When I git him home he'll see the old familiar spots, and his mother will not in with me to help chirk him up. In three days well hey him eatin' green apple pie and drinkin' buttermilk. In a week he'll git away with a biled dinner and a quart of hard eider, sad in a fortnight he'll be sing& 'Pop goes the weasel' and falhn' in love with the school ma'ius. Yes, hell be all right in a few , days. I'm had two wives run away from me, and I ran away from a third, and I know how she goes. William, take another thaw of terbacker and buy a novel and try to keep your mind off the mworthy critter who desolated your hearthstoae and robbed you of 7 dais. in osah "
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1895-07-24 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMIRD SIIJOIDE AT THE DOCII.B.—A woman I named Sarah Charlton, of no stated address, was charged with attempting to committ suicide at the Alfred Dock; also with being • lunatic not under proper care and control. From the evidence of • Dock gateman it appeared that at 3-30 o'clock on Wednesday morning last the prisoner was leaning over the chains of the bridge at the Alfred Dock. Witness ran along and caught hold of her whereupon she attempted to get through the chains into the dock. Witness then gave her into the custody of P.C. 103 (Beard), who deposed to taking her to the workhouse. She was quite sober.—Dr. Stansfield said he had had the prisoner under his care for the last three days. He considered that she was perfectly sane. She had been in the workhouse three times during the last seven weeks. She would get admitted to the workhouse and when tired of staying there apply for her discharge. Prisoner was remanded in custody for a week. Browses Cornmor.— Whitfield Morris Thomas, 34, William-street) was charged with being a lunatic found wandering in Borough-road not under proper oontroL—P.C. 51 (Dick) stated that at one o'clock am, on the morning of Sunday, the 14th inst., be found the prisoner wandering about Borough-road. He told witness he had been there all afternoon waiting for a man who had gone into a house. He then began to talk very strangely, and said there was a warrant against him at the police office. Witness found that his statement was untrue, and then took him to the workhouse. He seemed to be under the influence of drink at the time. In answer to Mr. Copeland, the officer said the prisoner seemed to be all right in his mind when he brought him from the workhouse that morning, and conversed quite rationally.—Prisoner was dismissed. Asserm—For assaulting Ellen Hayes, 65, Russellroad, Tranmere, on the sth inst., at Tranmere, Lilly Preston, 67, Russell-road, Tranmere, was summoned and ordered topay the costs of the case 7s.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1895-05-04 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

TEREIBLI SUICIDE AT THE WIRRAL COLLIERY.— Thomas Nicholls, 52 years of age, residing at the Wirral colliery, committed suicide on Sunday morning in s very determined mariner. Deceased, who at one time served in the navy, had for some time been employed driving an engine for the purpose of forcing air into the workings by the use of a fan, and followed up his work from the Friday night to the Saturday morning. He was a very steady and sober man, and as far as can be ascertained, had never been the worse for drink, but for some little time of late he complained of pains in the head and sleeplessness at night, thus causing him to have to rise several times during the night in order to walk about. On Saturday he went for the supper beer in the usual way, but appeared strange in his manner, consequently his wife stayed up with him until after one o'clock on Sunday morning, when he told her to go to bed and that he would soon follow. She acceded to his wish, but no scone? had she got to her bedroom than she heard a loud report, and, on hurrying downstairs, found her husband sitting in a chair with head bent, I sad blood profusely issuing from his mouth. A revolver was lying on the floor, two chambers of which were loaded, whilst two were empty independent of the one that had been discharged. It is thought that he had placed the weapon in his mouth and then pulled the trigger. The bullet, after passing through his brain, lodged in the oeiling. Neighbours were immediately summoned, but their efforts were of no avail, and he died in about three minutes. The inqnest was held at the "Welsh Harp Inn," on Monday last, before Mr. H. Churton, when the widow, grand-daughter, and P.O. DaWBOl2 gave evidence to the above effect. The jury gave a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane." The funeral took place at the Neaten Parish Church en Wednesday last,