npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1879-03-08 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

SAD CASE OF SUICIDE AT CHILVERS  COTON.  On Monday the district coroner, T. Dewes, Esq., held an inquiry into the circumstances touching the death of Mr. James Briggs, a farmer, 60 years of age, who had for some time occupied the Park Farm, on the Arbnry Estate. C. N. Newdegate, Esq., M.P., was present during the enquiry. John Briggs, son of deceased, said: The deceased, nhose body the jury have seen is my father. He was 60 years of age, and a farmer. He has often been in a desponding state of mind since the death of my mother, which occurred in 1870, especially in the winter. I never heard of his threatening to destroy himself. He has been worse the last month. I saw him about twenty minutes past nine yesterday morning at his house. He appeared to be distressed, and asked ma to see after the dinner. I said I would, and a few minutes afterwards I went into another room. On my return I found him gone out. I then went with the cowman into the "Colonel's Meadow," and when near the moat saw some of the ice broken, and on going towards the spot I found deceased face downwards in the water. I got him out at once and sent for the policeman and Dr. Nason. When I found him it was about 20 minutes after I last saw him alive. On the arrival of the policeman he was brought home. Thomas Allen, Chilvers Coton, cowman, in the employ of deceased, corroborated the last witness as to finding him in the wateer, and also as to deceased being in a very desponding state for some time past. Dr. R. B. Nason, M.R.C. S. , deposed to having known deceased many years. He was called to deceased yesterday, and found him dead from drowning. For some years past he had known him to be subject to fits of despondency, and he thought they had increased lately. From the symptoms he had observed he was not surprised to hear he had destroyed himself.  Mr. C. N. Newdegate said: Deceased was for many years in my employ, first as footman, and afterwards as butler. Many years ago, Mr. Bullock, a medical man, who knew deceased, told me after a serious illness that he might suffer from fits o despondency. The last time I saw him I was afraid; he was very despondent. I was not surprised to hear he had destroyed himself after what I heard and saw yesterday. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased "destroyed himseif by drowning, he at the time being in an unsound state of mind."
The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1879-09-20 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

SUICIDE IN G.tor..—A prisoner in her Majesty's prison; Strangeways, Manchester, has succeeded in committing suicide in his cell. The man's name is John Anderson, and he was sentenced to six month's imprisonment at the August Assizes on a charge of felony. During the absence of the warder he fastened his bed-strap to the ventilator of the cell and hanged himself.--A Coroner's Jury returned a verdict of suicide on Tuesday, but said there was no evidence to show the deceased's state of mind at the time lie committed the act.  Au extraordinary religious imposture has been attempted at Wiwi, in Prussian Poland. A girl, professing to have seen the Virgin by a haystack, attracted a crowd of 6.000 or 7,000 persons, although the priest warned them against the impcsture. Gendarmes, however, was sent down; the hay wad removed by the owner, and in it was discovered a bottle .of water so corked as to leak slightly. This was apparently intended to fulfil the Virgin's Promise to discover a sacred. spring. German and Polish prayer-books and tracts were also found in the stack, done up in a handkerchief. The girl was arrested, and will be examined by a medical man.  Au unusual ver lict has just been given by a French jury in a case of attempted murder under very peculiar circumstances. A man named Hinart, a carter, living at Auchy-la-Montagne, some time ago married a woman named Racinct. The widow had a daughter, Nictorine, of whom, although then only a child, Hinart became violently enamoured. As the girl grew up she was exposed, unprotected by her mother, to the insults of her stepfather, and at last was obliged to take service at a neighbouring farm in order to 'get out of his way. Finally, in a fit of jealous rage, the man who would not let her alone, stabbed her so brutally that for some time she was in danger of her, life. Hinart fled and tried to get away to America, but all his efforts proved unsuccessful, and he was captured whilst robbing a house in the neighbourhood of Havre. His replies as to his identity were so unsatisfactory that he was photographed, and copies of his portrait having been circulated far and wide, he was soon recognised as the would -be murderer. The man had already been guilty of repeated thefts, and the jury, taking his antecedents into consideration as well, have condemned him to death.
The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1873-03-13 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

SHOCKING TRAGEDY AT MAN. CHESTER.  Three menin the employment of afirm of earthenware dealers in Manchester, two of whom were volunteers, were amusing thorned's with rifles on Tuesday in lest week, making a pretence of toting aim at each other and snapping blank cartriogee, when one of the number, named Roberts, employed as a packer, who, it has since appeared, must have contemplated suicide, handed his rifle to &companion named Walters, and asked him to aim at his neck. Walters did so, but was horrorstricken when, having pulled the trigger, to snap blank cartridge as he supposed, the rifle went off with • loud report, and his companion fell dead on the spot. It appears that the rifle had been loaded with ball cartridge. The ball passed through Roberts's throat, severing the windpipe, and causing instantaneous Only a few minutes before the rifle had been unloaded, and it is supposed that Roberts had.amuggled the ball cartridge into the breech unobserved by his ogmpanions while pretending to take aim at some object on the wall. That Roberts had intended selfdestruction is proved by the following note which was found crumpled up in his hand immediately after death. The words marked in italic had been underlined by the writer : Manchester, 4th March, 1873.—1 am very glad you have sawed me the trouble of Mooting myself I know you are anxious to become a marksman in the amps. Perhaps I will beof service to you by making a target of myself. Wishing success to your first shot I remain, yours regretfully, ALIPRKD Roads" sodreasesi. "Mr. Tom Walter. It has since transpired that Roberts, who was a young man living in lodging's, had burned a number of papers in his bedroom in the morning, the nature of which is not known.  An inquest was held on Wednesday. Among the witnesses was the young man who had fired the shot, who said that he and deceased had alternately been snapping the breechloader at objects in the room, and that the deceased asked him to point at him while he looked along the sight to see if the aim was steady. The ball, which was fatally discharged, must have been furtively inserted in the breech by the deceased. Other witnesses gave corroborative evidence, and the letter, indicatinF a suicidal intention, found in deceased's handwriting, was produced. Frances Howart a lady to whom the deceased was engaged, said he had been depressed in spirits of late, and had said he could not tell her what was the matter with him. The jury exonerated Walters from all blame, and returned a verdict of suicide while in a state of unsound mind.
The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1873-12-04 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

THE DANGER FROM LIGHTNING.  On this subject the London Mediae Record uys : An American gentleman who has been figuring up the chances of being struck by lightning arrives at the following re-assuring results. 'Caking the figures of the last census reports, we find that during the year 1870 there, were in the whole country, 262 deaths from lightning-stroke. Let womankind take notice that, out of these, 148 deaths were of males, and only 54 of females. The total number of deaths from all causes WAS nearly 500,000. There were 2,437 deaths from ether mopes to one death from lightning, and there were 190,883 persons living to every one killed by this cause. It is somewhat singular that the lightning was decidedly more destructive with both males and females between the ages of 10 and 30 years than with any others; between 10 and 15 years is the most fatal time, but even then then the number is very small. Much corn fort for those still inclined to be timorous hto be found In going back further on the record. The deaths by lightning in 1870 were only 11 more than in 1860, while the population had increased more than 7,000,600, and the rate is declining, in spite of the hasty conclnsions formed by reading the news of a day. In 1860 there were 48 deaths by lightning out of every 100,000 deaths from all causes ; in 1870 the rate was only 42. But now, while only 202 perilous died from lightning-stroke in 1870. there were 397 deaths from sunstroke, or nearly twice as many. Yet the number of persons who shudder when they see the sun aim would bear a very small ratio to those who shudder at the rising of the thunder cloud. The rate of deaths by sunstroke has declined during the decade from 91 to 81 in 100,000 deaths from all causes, and, with the increase in care and information on the subject, is likely to decrease still more, but it will always probably be laTgely in excess of the lightning-rate. It Is also noticeable that there were 1,341 deaths by suicide, while there were only 202 deaths by lightning —in other words, an individual is six times as likely to kill himself as lightning is to kill him.
The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1898-01-08 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

THE CORONER'S COURT.  SAD SUICIDE AT BAGINTON. At Willenhall schools on Monday morning, Dr. fife held at inquest on the body of William Booth (32), tailor, recently living at sc, 4h, Gosford-street, Coventry. Deceased, it will be remembered, left home over six weeks ago, and nothing was heard of him until last Friday, when his body was found in the river Sowe at Baginton. —Frank Booth, photographer, Tamworth, stated that deceased was his brother, whom he last saw alive eighteen months ago, when he complained that since an attack of influenza he had suffered from pains in the head.—Samuel King (10), Gosford-street, deposed that at 4.30 p.m. on Nov. 16th he sow deosseoti orosaing Whitlay-nommon. He had a straw basket in his hand. Deceased told witness that very likely he would not see him again.—Arthur Keene, machinist, 38, Winchesterstreet, stated that on Friday last he was fishing in company with a friend in the river Sowe near Rock Spinney when he saw deceased's body in the water. It was floating, and witness's friend threw his pike line over the body and drew it to the bank. They then saw that deceased's legs were tied together just below the knees, the knot being in front. The body appeared to have been in the water a long time. He did not know deceased. He did not notice a noose in the rope.—The Foreman (Mr. R. Mason) remarked that the appearance of the rope and a basket handle pointed to deceased having fastened the basket, filled with stones, to the rope for the purpose of keeping him under the water. The basket had not been recovered.- -P.c. Clifford said he found the handles of the basket fastened to the cord. Only a snuff box was found in the clothes. He learned that deceased had been very short of food. He was a married man with six ehildrtm. On the day he saw the boy near Whitley common deceased stated that he wanted something to eat very badly. Mrs. Booth, the widow, stated that deceased had been very strange in his manner since he suffered from influenza.—The Coroner, in summing up, said it appeared strange that in a land of plenty like Coventry, with trade so prosperous, deceased could not find work to do, but circumstances pointed to mental weakness following that dreadful complaint influenza, which had filled many asylums; and there had also been sickness in deceased's family. —The jury returned a verdiet of " Suicide whilst temporarily insane," the condition of deceased's mind being probably due to an attack of influenza.
The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1898-09-24 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

SENSATIONAL SUICIDE AT COVENTRY.  MAN JUMPS OUT OR' A WINDOW.  On Tuesday morning, about eleven o'olook, a sensation was caused in the neighbourhood of Jordan-well, Coventry, by the suicide of Mr. Charles Noe:only, furniture dealer. He was seen to fall head-first from an open window in the third story of the building to the pavement below. Mr. Charles Parker, a boot manufacturer, witnessed the fall, and a woman who was passing at the time just escaped being struck by the descending body. Mr. Norbury was picked up in an unconscious condition, and his head and face presented a ghastly appearance. Dr. Phillips was sent for, but the man, whose skull was fractured, died within an hour of the deplorable event. The deceased made an attempt upon his life some years ago, and was for several weeks an Inmate of the Coventry Hospital. Since that time his sister has been living with him at the shop in Jordan-well, and his mental condition seemed to improve very considerably. About three months ago a change was noticeable, and he appeared to be suffering from great depression. A careful watch was accordingly kept upon his movements, as it was feared that he would make another attempt to put an end to his existence. Preventive efforts were successful until Tuesday morning. Then, between ten and eleven o'clock, the sister found the deceased in the top room of the house, dusting some articles of furniture there. She told him that there was nothing for him to do there, and he came down. stairs. A few minutes later, he was once more missed, and the sister hurried upstairs again. As she was doing so she heard one of the windows on the third storey opened, and on going into the room she was horrified to find her brother had thrown himself from the window into the street below.  Mr. Norbury had been under medical care for some weeks, and he had been advised to go away from the City for a time, for the benefit of his health, but he would not listen to such a suggestion.
The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1898-10-01 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

JONES."  Deceased also wrote :  "I am an unhappy man, from cruel usage and manners to me. May God forgive my sin in what I am now doing. My head is so bad, I cannot find ease for it. lam falling down and the shooting pains at my heart are severe. The only wrong I have done is in going into my own bed on Bank Holiday after nearly seven yeart.". _  DecZased also made some further references to differences between himself and his wife. Witness, continuing, said he had seen this letter, and the contentedescribed matters as they were at home.  John Lawrence Cross, from the shop of Mr. Welton, chemist,Bishop-street, said deceased called at the shop on Sunday evening at 7.15. He asked for a vermin killer for rats, and witness gave him a 3d. packet of their own vermin killer, which contained 5 per cent of strychnine. Deceased signed the book.  P.c. Holmes said he received information from a man named Windridge that someone was in Radford Fields who had taken poison. He found the deceased there very ill, but conscious. A man named George Essex gave witness a packet labelled " poison " and a glass. A doctor was sent for and deceased was subsequently conveyed to the hospital. Whilst he was on the bed there deceased said, "Policeman, send and tell my wife that she must come at once if she wishes to see me." -.. . _ _  _..., .....,. Dr. Banks Price said deceased was admitted to the hospital at two o'clock on Monday afternoon. He was cold and blue, and suffering from tetanio convulsions. A stomach pump was applied, but all efforts were unavailable. Death resulted from heart failure, due to strychnine poisoning. Mr. Abbott (Police Court Missionary) read a letter which he had received from the deceased on Sept. 14th, whilst he was at Mansfield. This corroborated the statements made in the letter already read to the Jury as to the unhappy state of deceased's home. He asked the Missionary to find him work, and Mr. Abbott succeeded in securing employment for the man at Mr. Hawley's dyeworks, Spon-street, where he had previously worked. He should have commenced work on Monday morning. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane."  THE EARL oF
The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1898-11-12 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

SENSATIONAL OCCURRENCE AT SUTTON COLDFIELD.  Richard James Robbins (58), a blacksmith, residing at Fern Wood, Ryland-road, Sidon Coldfield, was admitted to the General Hospital, Birmingham, on Wednesday, suffering from terrible injuries, the result of being run over by an engine on the London and North-Western Railway, near Sutton Coldfleld. The 12.90 express from Bitatingham was running into Sutton when the driver of the engine noticed that an elderly man was banging by his hands from the parapet of the Manor-road bridge. The driver at once shut off steam and applied the brake, but when the train was about a score of yards away from the bridge the man's hold relaxed, and he fell into the four-foot. The train passed over the spot before coming to a standstill, and it was then found that the man, who was subsequently identified as Robbins, had had a miraculous escape from death. He was, however, terribly injured, his right foot being torn from his leg, whilst his body was badly bruised. A medical man was fetched, and attended to Robbins, who was then removed to the General Hospital, where he lies in a critical condition. It is supposed to be a case of attempted suicide.  EPPIO4 Cocoenfz.—Cocoa-Nib Extract (Tea-like).— The cho'ces: rosBt3d nibs (broken up beans) • f the nataerl Cocos, on being subjected to powerful hyeraero pre%sure, give forth their excesq of oil, 3 eavir g 'or übe a finely flavoured powder—" Cocoaine," prodao: which, when prepared with boiling water, hse the coasistence of tat of which it is now, with many, beneficially taking the place. Its active principle being a pulls nerve stimulant, supplies the needea energy without unduly exciting the system i Sold only n labelled tins. If unable to obtain it of your tradesman, a tin will be sent post free for 9 stamps.—James Eppe and Co., Ltd., IHoniceopathio chemists, London. 709 b  Dear Sir,—The overcoat just sent me gives great satisfaction, and is just what I require. I am very pleased indeed with it, and I may say your goods are Bret rate value for money. The overcoat I had from you two years ago is still very good and wears well. —I am, yours truly, H. Bonier, Lindhurst. Taomes Loomes new coatings, suiting', and trouserings are very choice and prices moderate. Illustrated price list sent free on application. The address Is Regentstreet, next the Parade Leamington Spa. Xmas Pusisurrrs.—A most useful and acceptable article for Lady or Gent is a good UNDBILLA Or WALKING Osxx. A really choice selection at prioes to suit all classes at the KENDALL, 21, Broad. gale Coventry. 5448 a
The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1898-02-19 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

WOMAN'S POISONING IN HILLPIELDS. Mrs. Margaret Mascord (38), wife of Henry Mascord, watchman at the Motor-mills, died on Sunday from carbolic acid poisoning. The husband was in bed, he being always on night duty, and the unfortunate woman was found by her little daughter lying on the sofa in an insensible condition. Cr. Hird was called in, but Mrs. Mascord died later in the day.—The inquest was held on Tuesday. The husband stated that the deceased had been more or less ill ever since the birth of her child eight years ago, and she was treated at Atherstone and Birmingham before they came to Coventry. He had heard her say she was tired of life, and two years ago he had to gave her from getting under a train. On Sunday morning she was up when he got home. She had just received a bill for over £3, and he asked her for an explanation. She stated that she did not owe all the money, but the matter seemed to upset her. Witness went to bed, and was awoke soon after noon by his child coming upstairs and screaming out that her mother was dying. He went down at once, and found his wife in an insensible oondition on the sofa. A bottle marked " and which contained carbolic acid, was found onthe table. She died during the afternoon.—Mrs. Taylor, a neighbour, deposed to being called in by the little girl after her return from Sunday-school. She had known the deceased well and she suffered from an internal complaint. —Dr. Hird said when he was called deceased was in a comatose state, and he had no doubt she died from carbolic poisoning.—The verdict of the jury was that that was the cause of death, and that deceased committed suicide whilst in an unsound state of mind.
The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1898-04-09 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

BIITLEIL—The body of Thomas French, a butler, for some years in the employ of the Misses Acheson-Gray, Harringtonhouse, Leamington, was on the let inst. found on the foreshore at Ryde. Close by was the body of a handsome woman, with the photograph of the deceased man inside her dress over her breast. Examination showed this to be the body of a housemail employed in the same house. French was a married man with • family. The employers of the two persons had left Leamington and gone to Farnham, Surrey. At the inquest on Saturday, a letter sent by French to his wife showed that it was a case of premeditated suicide, because he had lost his character and situation, and life, he said, was not worth living. The Coroner said that the couple, perhaps, were too friendly, and that the loss of character and situation unhinged their minds. A verdict of "Temporary Insanity" was returned.  Diane PROM Accmairr.—Last week the remains of one of the oldest residents at the Temple, James Smith, were interred in the parish churchyard, the vicar, the Rev. C. R. Shaw Stewart, officiating. Deceased, who has all along been in the employ of Mr. Blyth, was at work with a turnip-cutting machine, when the tool he was using was caught by the machinery, and hurled against his side. Medical assistance was obtained, but although no immediate apprehensions were entertained, the injured man died the following evening. LIST Samna:B.—During Lent a series of special services have been held on Thursday evenings at Balsall-street church, with sermons by the following special preachers: Be,. R. S. Aldridge, M.A., St. Philip's, Knowle ; Rev. J. P. Oakey, M.A., St. Michael's, Coventry; Rev. T. B. Harvey Brooks, M.A., rector of Solihull; Ven. Archdeacon Hardy, 8.A., locum learns of Holy Trinity, Coventry; Rev. H. T. Robson, BA., rector of Honiley. The services were well attended throughout Scam... Arm Succusa—Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Gibbs, Meer-end, are to be heartily congratulated on the success of their daughter, Miss Usaie Gibbs, in passing the examination for admission into training colleges in the first class. Miss Gibbs, who is now teacher in Bulwell-school, near Nottingham, was formerly teacher in Balsall-street school. We extend our congratulations also to Mr. Frank Paget, teacher at the Temple schools, who has also passed the same examination in the second claim