npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1881-09-24 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

SUICIDE OF AN ENGINEER.—The Port Elizabet 4 Telegraph of the 26th ult, reports the death, by his own hand, of Mr. John Hamilton Wicksteed, C. E., resident engineer of the Van Staaden's River water scheme, and engineer to the Town Council of Algoa Bay. He had been missing for several days from his office at the Town-hall, and his greatcoat, portmanteau, and travelling-bag were in the offioe, apparently prepared for a journey. Search parties were set to work in various directions, and at length his body was discovered in the bushes between Shark's River and what is known as Happy Valley, on slightly rising ground, but surrounded by bushes. The deceased was lying on his back with a single-barrelled pistol in his right hand, the butt near his chest, and the muzzle of the pistol in the direction upwards towards his head. From examination it appeared that the weapon rayst have been discharged into his mouth, for the ball had come out at the top of the forehead, near the left temple. There was apparently no indication of struggle, and the surrounding bushes were undisturbed. Mr. Wicksteed had not been in good health lately, and he had occasionally showed great signs of depression of spirits and an overworked brain. The coroner's inquiry resulted in a verdict of " Tempory insanity." THE CROPS IN Me.NrroßA.—The last reports to hand from Southern and South-Western Manitoba, dated the middie of August, state that the harvest was expected to yield an average of fully 25 bushels of wheat to the acre, and oats a still greater quantity. Many instances, of course occur of much larger returns-40 to 50 bushels of wheat and 90 bushels of oats to the acre—but there are also instances where the wheat will probably only yield from 15 to 20 and oats 50 bushels per acre, which, of course, tends to pull down the general average.
Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1881-09-24 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

SUICIDE OF AN OFFICER.  In London, on Monday night, Mr. Langham held an inquest at Tavistock-chambers, Covent-garden, as to the death of Charles Mant, aged forty-two, a major in the Royal Engineers, who was found shot in the head on Saturday last in circumstances leading to the belief that he had committed suicide. The court was crowded with brother officers and other friends of the deceased gentleman.—Mr. J. E. Clark, of the Junior United Service Club, deposed tliAt he was a surgeon-major in the Army, and knew the deceased well. The latter had been in India for a length of time, and while there was occupied in architectural designs for fortifications and other erections. He came to England on leave of absence in March last, and had been much depressed in consequence of the failure of his drawings. He had never threatened to commit suicide, ad so far as witness knew he had no reason for taking his owns life.—Alfred Scott, assistant housekeeper at Tavistock-chambers, stated that on Saturday morning last he saw the deceased at 9.25, when he asked for his letters. No letters had, however, arrived, and witness left him apparently in good health. At 11.30 he returned to the room, and then found the major sitting in a chair with a pistol tightly clasped in his hand and blood flowing from a wound in his head. Dr. Carolai was at once summoned and pronounced life to be extinct. —Police- constable Baker proved that he searched the room and discovered deceased's watch, chain, and seals, £3 4s. in money, and other property, and said there were no indications that the deceased had died otherwise than by his own hand.—Dr. Carolai having stated that the death of the deceased gentleman was due tx) a bullet in the brain and that everything pointed to suicide, the Coroner summed up and the jury immediately returned a verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mind."  The German army has lost one of its most distinguished commanders in General von Schwarzhoff, whe has just died in the seventieth year of his age, from the re• sults of a fall from his horse a few weeks back.
Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1881-06-25 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

STREET LAMP.—A lamp, lighted with a trical Society, was read. It ran as follows :—" I mixture of naphtha and petroleum, is being tried in write this to apprise you that when you receive it I New York. The flame is about fifteen-candle power, shall be departed this life, in order that necessary with a steady, soft, white light, and the cost is onearrangements may be made at the library. Lone - third that of the ordinary gas burner. During the unable to properly perform the duties of my office, day the lamp is turned low, not turned out, arid at through the paralyzing influence of mental depression, night it is turned up by men on horseback with mar-1 have come to the conviction that it is useless any. venous rapidity. The horse is kept at a brisk gallop longer to endeavour to do so." Mr. Hickman, between the lamp-posts, which are 85 feet apart, and surgeon, deposed to attending the deceased on the sth on approaching the post he stops sharply of his own inst. He was unconscious and under the influence of accord. A waggon driven from lamp to lamp supplies narcotic potion. An emetic was administered, and at the tank, the fluid being pumped up from it into the night the deceased recovered his senses. It was reservoir. found that deceased had made up and taken a dose of FRUIT Peosercrs.—lt is difficult just yet fairly to 100 grains of chloral and two grains of acetate of morphia—an ordinary full dose would be 30 grains compute these (says Land and Water). Of blossom generally there was a great abundance, and on the of chloral and half a grsin of morphia. The deceased whole we are inclined to think there will be a tolerable remained under the witness's care until he got over good crop of apples, currants, gooseberries, and strawthe effects of poisoning. Mr. D. King, house physiberr,ies. Of stone fruits we think the crop will be cian, said the deceased was admitted to the hospital on moaerate, as apricots, cherries' peaches, nectarines the 10th inst. and died on the 12th. The immediate and plums suffered much from the frosts on May 10 cause of death was phthisis, accelerated by taking s and 11. These frosts proved much more destructive poison. A verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mind' than was at first generally supposed • and, in addition, was returned, prejudicially affected the vegetable garden, as they cut Tas Lours
Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1881-07-23 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

DISTRESSING MURDER AND SUICIDE AT BROOKFOOT.  On Thursday morning the neighbourhood of Brookfoot was thrown into a state of excitement by a report that the dead bodies of a woman and child had been taken out of the canal. The report proved only too true: the bodies were those of Jane Hill, 22 years of age, wife of Shepherd Hill, who is employed at the cotton mill of Messrs. W. & A. Camm, Brookfoot, and who resides at Purlwell, and Alfred, her son, aged two years. It is stated that the deceased left her home on the previous morning (Wednesday) at ten o'clock for the purpose of going to Bradley, and was not seen again at Brookfoot till 8-55 a.m. on the morning in question. At that time she went to her husband who was working in the mill and she told him that on the previous day instead of going to Bradley she had been to Leeds, and from thence to Halifax, and that being unable to catch the train for Brighouse she had had to stay all night. After this conversation she left the mill, and he did not see her again alive. She was, however, seen going along the canal bank -shortly after nine o'clock by a waterman named Hiram Legard, who, as far as can be ascertained, was the last person who saw her alive. About a quarter past nine Sam Schofield, a boatman, residing in North-street, Mirfield, was passing down the canal on his boat, and he saw something lying on the bank. He got out of the boat and discovered the bundle to be a satchel, and a basket. He opened them, and found them to contain a quantity of children's underclothing, a child's hat and jacket, and a woman's hat, there also being along with them a woman's umbrella. His suspicions were raised that there was something wrong, and he at once went to Brighouse and gave information to P.C. Chilvers, who proceeded to the spot where the articles were found, which was just before the bend in the canal takes place after leaving the Ganny Lock. He got assistance, and the canal was dragged, and shortly after eleven o'clock the body of the woman vins brought to the surface, nearly in the centre of the stream, she having, with the exception of her hat, all her clothing on. About ten minutes afterwards the body of the child was taken out of the water, it being found about ten yards from the place where the mother's body had been discovered. Both the bodies were conveyed home, being taken in a boat as far as the canal bridge. The affair caused the greatest sensation in the district, a large crowd having collected on the canal bank. No motive can be given for the poor woman having committed such a rash act.
Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1882-08-19 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

DELTH OF PROFESSOR JEVONS. It ra with great regret that we have to record the death Of Professor Joyous. He was drowned in the sea between St. Leonard's and Bexhill, on Sult3ay, morning, while bathing. He and his wife and family had been staying at Cliff-house, Galley-hill, far the last five weeks, and their sojourn there was to have terminated on Wednesday. The inquest was held at Bexhill on Tuesday afternoon, before Mr. Charles Sheppard, coroner for the Rape of Hastings. It appeared that the decowed and Mrs. Jevons, with their children, were walking on the beach on Sunday morning. The Professor had a day or two before said he should like to bathe, but Mrs. Jevons begged him not to do so as be had not been in good bodily health. He left them on the beach, and Mrs. Joyous thought he was going up to the house. She asked him to send the servant down, and the servant came shortly afterwards, About an hour and a half afterwards Mrs. Joyous heard that a gentleman named Joyous was drowned. In her opinion he was not a man likely to commit suicide. lie was, in fact, as happy as any one could be.  William Sparks, a eehool•teacher, gave evidence to the effect that .4ter eleven o'clock, four lboys came tn him .md said they tlanught a man was -lown to the beach ,i witness w t forty out. ' it was And foi. wards. ~he body wai graduall) Anto the sea to try and goh an, 4nsuccessful. Witness thougt spot was a dangerous one for bathers, as high water. It was indeed about the worst spot that one could select for bathing. Another witness said there was &nasty swell in shore, but no breakers outside. It was a dangerous sea except to good swimmers. The body was recovered and was taken to the coast-guard station close by. Wm. Haigh, at whose house the deceased Was staying, said the Professor was a good swimmer. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death drowning.  Professor William Stanley Jevons, M.A., F.ll,St, we born at Liverpool in 1835. He was appointed professor of logio at Owens College, Manchester, in 1866, and professor of political 000nomy in University Coati's, London, in 1876. He was the author of "A Treatise on Logic and Scientific Method," and a "Theory of PoliUmi Boonom ." He is also known In connection with the discussion which arose 50n1,9 years ago with regard ga the powwow eaMOUIPMUIII IPI the British esal•Wds.  shortly on the cliff, drowning. Running a body floating about yards going about like a cost backwards The tide *an on the Ob. and • floating innuovd. He went ' 'the body Out -•`• WAS 'it that that especially
Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1882-10-14 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

SUICIDE.—Dr. Danford Thomas has held an inquest at the St. Pancras Coroner's court, London, touching the death of Henry Joseph Barnes, 36 years old, a master whitesmith. The deceased, it appeared, bad been in a low, desponding condition since February last, when be was attended by Dr. Thompson, W Oakley-square, who then advised his removal to a lunatic asylum, but his friends were not willing to place him under restraint. Subsequently he somewhat recovered, and went regularly to his work, hut, although.in very oomfortable circumstances, he laboured under the delusion that he was a ruined man, and became very dejected in :consequence. On Thursday evening in last week he escorted his wife to a theatre, and then went to the house of his father and a brother-in-law named Shepherd, a Volunteer rifleman. Shepherd kept his rifle at home, but fearing that the deceased, who he knew had attempted to buy a revolver, might shoot himself if he got possession of the gun, hid it in his bedroom and concelled two cartridges in a cupboard. After playing with his nephew in the kitchen, the deceased entered the parlour occupied by Shepherd, who was absent, and then his bedroom, there he found the rifle. He also discovered the cartridges, and loaded the weapon. His father, returning home, heard a noise in the parlour as though a chair had fallen, and, hurrying into the room from the kitchen, be found his son lying on his back with his feat towards the door and the rifle lying.on his left leg. He had, it seems, according to Dr. Powdrell, who was called in, placed the muzzle of the gun in his month, and then, by means of the handle of a stick, pulled the trigger, thus blowing the whole of his brains away. There was not, this witness added, a single bone in the head uninjured. Seeing that the lips of the deceased were not burnt, he must have put the muzzle of the rifle quite in his mouth. Death was no doubt instantaneous. Inspector Tait Jiscovered two cartridges, one of which was exploded, and upon the body was found nearly £lO In gold and silver, as well as a bank-book showing £53 to the credit of the deceased. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mind."
Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1882-10-14 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

SUICIDE OF A LADY. On Saturday, in London, Dr. Danford Thomas held an Inquest at the liarupstead Workhouse Infirmary on the body of Mrs. Hannah Wade, aged 63, of 54, Abinger-road, Primrose-hill, a widow of Independent means, who had committed suicide in a determined manner. From the evidence it appeared that the deCeased resided with her sister, and possessed house pruperty in the neighbourhood and at Croydon, besides which she had £2,000 in foreign see-wades, and other means, and had ideo insured her life for £1..1000. Lately she had been ailing, and seemed depressed about the health of one of her daughters, who was going to Berlin. About a month ago she attempted to cut her throat, but was prevented from acoomplishing the deed. She recoivpi medical and other attention, being carefully 'watched, and her sister slept with her as a precaution untd Tnesday flight, when the sister ,esased to' do so, lue Mrs. Wade aypeared better. On Wednesday night they took supper together about nine o'clock, after which the sister retired to her own bedroom, leaving the deceased to lock up the house. When Mr. Louis Roux, who with his wife and mother-in•law lived in the same h3use, returned home with his wife about a quarter. past eleven, he found the parlour door open, which was unusual, and heard the dog barking. He therefore took a lighted candle and went into the kitchen, where he found the deceased lying on her face in a pool of blood. Mr. Hueline (her son-in-law), a constable, and Dr. Reed were called in. On turning the body over it was found that deceased had a large table knife in her left hand, and her throat was aeeply out. from right to left., the carotid artery, the jugular vein, and toe windpipe being severed. There was no sign of • struggle, anu there appeared to be no doubt that the fatal injuries were self-inflicted. The jury returned a vordict of suicide whilst of unsound mind.
Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1882-09-02 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SIIICIDE.—To London, at St. Bartholomew's Huai ital, an ioquest has been held on the body ot William Hu.sey. aged 58, of 5, Bowman'splace, Holloway, who consuiitted suicide under the following circumstances :—On Tuesday in laat week as a Police constable was passing through Smithfield he head a lond report, as of firearms, and on looking round, saw Hussey Pitting on the steps of St. Bar. tholomew's Hospital, in an insensible condition. The man was taken ipto the hospital, and when he had sufficiently rallied he made a statement to the effect that he had filled his mouth with gunpowder and then applied alighted match to it, his object being to destroy his life, which he regretted he had failed to do. Mr. Fletcher, house-surgeon, deposed that the explosion of the gunpowder seriously injured the soft palate of the mouth of the deceased, and that he expired from the injury on the ensuing day. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mind."  THE AMERICAN FISH TRADE —The Americans are jubilant with delight over the growth of their fishing trade (says the Pall Mali Gazette). Taking the price paid by the whole,ale purchaser as the value of the fish, the total of the annual products amounts to ninety millions of dollars. The sale of the fish has been estal3li-hed in the chief cities in England and the Continent, and in•several of the regiments of the'German army the "boneless codfish" ot America has become an article of daily food. In twelve years the value of their exports of fish has increased more than twelvefold, and the oysters which are sent to England alone are now worth more than 400,000 dollars a year. THE FRENCH WHEAT TRADE .—Paris advices state that the conclusion of the wheat harvest in the North of France has been delayed by wet weather, and that the quality of the wheat will suffer in conseqnence. The yield is, however, above the average. Wheat quotations have been drooping during the week upon many of the French markets. Tax PHILISTINE !—[ln the latest lEsthetio slang, meeting "cultured' persons at dinner is called "dining with bratne."]—Gustative Old Boy: "Come and dine with me, old imin. Salmon—grouse—good glass of 'fizz.' Say Yes.' " Cultured Friend: " Thanks, no. Engaged to the Cholmondelleys expect Brains.'—Old Boy: " Ah, not bad either—in crumbs, fried a golden brown."—Funny Folks. THE Poirairo AND l'ne
Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1882-03-04 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

RAILWAY ON THE TREE-TOPS. The Daily Telegraph says :—" In the upper division of Sonama county, near the Pacific coast, a line of railway crosses a narrow but deep mountain gorge, from the bottom of which several huge red pines had grown to a great height, thrusting their leafy crowns upwards from fifteen to twenty feet above the edges of the rift. The engineers of the line resolved to utilise these giant trees; so, instead of cutting them down near the roots, and bridging them over the chasm with a stondor iron viaduct in the usual manner, they caused the trunks of the stalwart pines to be sawn through at a level with the upper edges of the gorge, and, having secured rails to them by means of sleepers, made them serve as supports to the line, which actually rests upon these , living piles at the present day."  ON g7te H.4ooun,—Teacher "We are next toli that Pharaoh showed-Joseph much honour. Can any of you boys tell me the meaning of that? 'You try, Joe Smitli:'—.Joe: Er—er—druv"un remind thi pleeace in a gig, mum! "—Fun. Summit IN Pitisori.—ln London, on Monday even. ing, an inquiry was held by Dr. Diplock, at Patton, villa Model Prison as to the death of John Looney 22, a shoemaker, who was undergoing five yearre enel servitude for felony. It appeared that the deceaeed had been in prison six weeks. He was placed in A cell by himself, and followed his usual occupation On Thursday afternoon in last week, a warde; took the deceased his dinner, when he seemed to be all right. About an hour afterwards he wal found dead, suspended by a strap which was tied to the bell handle. He had been visited by the schoolmaster between twelve and one o'clock, and then seemed cheerful. It was stated that occasionally prisoners pretended to commit suicide in order to re. ceive exoeptionally considerate treatment. pr. Brayn, the medical officer of the prison, and other witnesses inclined to the belief that the deceased had not intended to destroy himself. The jurors thought that the way in which the strap was twisted round the deceased's neck showed a determination to commit suicide. They returned a verdict of " Suicide while of unsound mind."
Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1882-11-25 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

SUDDEN DEATH.—On Friday night in last week, about tan o'clock, Mr. Alfred Walter Adams, her Majesty's Clerk of the Rolls for the Isle of Man, was engaged in writing letters, when he sudienly dropped down dead in a fit. Mr. Adams was appointed Clerk ef the Rolls in April, 1879, and at the time of appointment was leader of the Bar in the Isle of Man.  SCIINCZ AND Suicanz.—With regard to the recent sad suicide of a girl by leaping from one of the towers of Notre Dame, Dr. Btronardeli's expressed view that asphyxiation in the rapid fall may have been the cause of death has given rise to some correspondenoe in La Nature. M. Bontemps points out that On depth of fall having been about 66 metres, the velocity acquired in the time (less than four seconds) cannot have been so great as that sometimes attained on railways—e.g., 33 metres per second on the line between Chalons and Paris, where the effect should be the same; yet we never hear of asphyxiation of engine-drivers and stokers. He considers it desirable that the idea in question should be exploded, as unhappy persons may be led to choose suicide by fall from a height, under the notion that they will die before reaching the ground. Again, M. Gossin mentions that a few years ago a man threw himself from the top of the ,Column of July and fell on an awning which sheltered workmen at the pedestal; he suffered only a few slight contusions, M. Remy says he has often seen an Englishman leap from a height of 31 metres (say 103(t.) into a deep river; and he was shown in 1852, In the island of Oahu, by missionaries, a native who had fallen from a verified height of more than 300 metres (say 1,000 ft.) His fall was broken near the end by a growth of ferns, ac. and he had enly few wounds. Asked as to his sensilions in falling, he said he only felt dazzled.—Nature.  " TIDINGS Olf CoMFORT