npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1844-10-31 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF A LITERARY CHA RACTER.  NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, MONDAY NIGHT.  A melancholy suicide has just been discovered in this 'town. Mr. William Gill Thompson, a name well known as a poet, and the author of some excellent pieces in our periodical magazines, has just been found in the water-closet of the Literary and Philosophical Society, in our town, with his throat cut in several places, and evidently bad been dead for some hours. Mr. Thompson was reporter for the Newcastle Chronicle, and had held the situation for 20 years or more, and on the occasion of Mr. Hutt being entertained at Gateshead the week before last, he was required to attend and report the proceedings. He attended, but after the dinner was over he repaired to a public-house and enjoyed himself, so that he was incapable next morning of copying his notes. That day and the following passed over without his preparing copy, and as the paper is published on the Friday morning, the proprietors were under the necessity of procuring a report of the proceedings elsewhere. Thompson was accordingly discharged. He subsequently applied to be reinstated, promising amendment, but his application was refused; and on the Monday following he left the office of his former employers, the Messrs. Hodgson, of this town, went to a public-house, known by the name of Hill's Kitchen, where he drank some beer ; from thence he proceeded to the Literary and Philosophical Society, and, having taken out a book, went home with it ; returned again to the Society, and obtained the key of the water-closet from the librarian. He repaired thither, and with his pen-knife inflicted several deep wounds on his throat, which caused his death. He lay from Monday night, last week, till to-night, when he was discovered through his daughter having returued the book, and the librarian asked her for the key of the water-closet, saying her father had taken it away a week before. The child replied her father had been missing for a week, and then the suspicions of the librarian were excited, and search made, when the body of the deceased was found in the watercloset, dreadfully cut about the throat, and the blood flowing in all directions. A jury was immediately summoned, and after viewing the body the inquest was adjourned till the following day.
The Sun. — 1844-05-15 (London, England)

ARUNDEL, MAY 14.—INCENDIARY FIRE ON THE DUKE OF NORFOLK'S ESTATE.—On Saturday evening, about half-past ten o'clock, a portion of the inhabitants were alarmed by the cry of fire, which, on inquiry, turned out to be a wheat-rick, belonging to his Grace the Duke of Norfolk, situate in Park Bottom, about a quarter of a mile from the dairy. The engines were soon on the spot, and the attention of the fire-brigade, under the direction of Mr. John Hartwell, were directed principally to the saving of the adjoining buildings, which was with great difficulty effected, owing to the scarcity of water. The rick, which contained about ten loads, was literally burnt to a cinder, and was insured in the Royal Exchange office. Every exertion has been made to discover the perpetrators by our police, but hitherto without effect. No reward has yet been offered. This is the first and only fire by incendiarism that has ever occurred on the Duke of Norfolk's estate ; and, of course, has caused the greatest excitement in the town and neighbourhood, as well with those connected with the estate.—(From a Correspondent.) DETERMINED SUICIDE: Yesterday afternoon information was received at the police-station, Arbour-square, that a man of the name of Simonds, residing at No. 25, Eastfield-street, Limehouse, had written a letter to a relative, intimating that it was his intention to destroy himself. A constable was instantly sent to investigate the matter, and on forcing an entrance into the house, and bursting open the door of an apartment which was locked from the inside, the unfortunate man was found lying upon his bed, quite dead. Beside him was a coffee cup, which smelled strongly of laudanum, and a bottle labelled "Laudanum—poison," which contained a portion of the deleterious drug. A surgeon who flowasac; several inho gaveur T i t ash his p The deceasedyears of age, but looked much older. He had been a seafaring man, and had received some injuries of the eyes and hands,, oiont was haett liatfeedhatod be been extinct forty-four which had much enfeebled him, and considerably soured his presumed, will disclose his reasons for committing the rash act. He was not in want, as he had only recently purchased the deceasedtem pe r. , i As a mloenttgsert addressed deodcutomtehnets Coroner, left behind irh h bisy the
The Sun. — 1844-07-18 (London, England)

TMI SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JULY 18, 1641.  value in gold ; a property of the highest consequence with respect both to the home end foye;gn market t" I'm by increased prices do the formet, the producer is entitled to feeffet frUm iot that takationon Customs And r acise which he has originally advanced to the State. The labourer charges that portion of taxation which he,haspaid on articles consumed by halt bn the pro, dna oi'gootts itar his employer; the tnitt!iv!;ti' C master charges this, in his turn, to ' the consumer, who finally pays it, as the Legislature meant that he should de. In this way the wealthy anti unproduetire do bear their &Are of the taxation of the countryby the enhafted price they pity for ev=ery product of industry. The produters contribute to revenue by the atnount of their consumption of Excisable and other commodities. Nor is this all; the wants and tastes of the people expand with the growing power of production ; so that the greater the production and the denser the population, the burden of taxation is more widely spread over all, and less severely felt. The national wealth is readily and proportionably diffused through numberless channels bythe distributive power such a currency gives; and no excessive toll being demanded from the fl 1(1 or the factory labourer, he has the opportunity left him to raise himself in the social scale.  several of the most eminent foreign singers. From all accounts, it will be one of the most attractive cone@rts of the BeAscitt, and afford seasonable relief to the of the dedaseds AlortrAmtr ix tut MEtROPOLTS.—The return for the_ week, ending Slily 13, shows a further decreate in the tiumber of deaths—the total amount kribit all etiiises Uing dpi ; previous Weel, M7l ; aVerage 000. The deaths from small-pox are still numerous, being 43; average, 11. Scarlatina, 69; average, 39. In most other cases there is a decrease. Of the 43 persons who died of small-pox, 35 had not been vaccinated. The following is an analysis of the list of violent deaths;—Fracture or contusion, five eases] of which one Was by a fall of timber 1 three by horses and carriages; and one by means not stated& Wound, one case (suicide). Scald, one case. Drowning, three cases ; and suffocation, one case (not known whether from accident or otherwise). Total, eight males and three females. The thermometer was highest on Thursday, 72, and lowest on Wednesday, 62.6 degrees. Rain, in inches, fur the week, 011.
The Sun. — 1844-07-18 (London, England)

SUPPOSED SUICIDE.-SINGULAR  CASE.  Yesterday Mr. G. J. Mills, Deputy Coroner for the county of Middlesex, held an inquest at the Hammersmith workhouse of the Kensington union, in King-street, Hammersmith, on view of the body of a man unknown. It appeared from the evioence that about ten o'clock in the forenoon of Monday last, some bargemen, while, navigating the Grand Junction Canal, discovered the body of the deceased in the water at that portion of the canal abutting on Wormwood Scrubs. The body was immediately got on shore, and conveyed to the Mitre beer-shop, close by, from whence it was removed to the above workhouse. On an examination being made of the body, bricks were found in the deceased's pockets, weighing 7lbs., and there was a mark of a cut across his throat, but which might probably have been made by the bottom of a boat passing over it. In one of the deceased's pockets was found a memorandum-book, in which was written, in a clear and neat hand, the following, which clearly shows that the deceased was labouring under delusions of a religious character : "No murderer bath eternal life abiding in him. God suffers none but those predestinated to damnation to commit self-destruction No human worm has a right to take away human life—it is the prerogative of God only. Not even in murder, for God oftentimes makes use of murderers as his agents, his police who watches everything that passes, or is • transacted, not only in England, but in the fixed stars, those beautiful orders c f sisters. Not an atom can move without the observance of his old police, those gentlemen without clothing (I ask pardon, they have sometimes feathers) who report the secrets of the heart to the head commissioners or to the heads of the government. " What is life? A poor stage player, who frets and struts upon the stage and then is seen no more. " BILLY, the Immortal. "Try half the world, you would hang them with the other half.  " What I have done, I have done to show you that I am more than mortal, but do you suppose you can destroy me ? No ; my flesh may be cut to atoms with a million knives, but I am a fallen archangel yet! and shall have employment to punish the great only who offend God. " There are agencies at work at the present time to destroy the holy religion of this country, founded on a pure and edifiable translation of the Holy Scriptures, or pure Word of God, a testimony which adheres to disbelievers, and which Deists laugh at, but which is a word of adamant." There was something also written in allusion to the late visit of the Emperor of Russia to this country, but the writing (pencil) was so illegible that it could not be deciphered. Deceased appeared to be between 40 and 50 years of age, and was dressed in a gambroon jacket, and black waistcoat and trousers, low shoes, and white stockings, and a black silk hat. Nothing whatever was found on him tending to lead to his identy. The jury, in the absence of any evidence as to how the deceased came into the water, or as to the state of his mind, returned a verdict of " Found drowned."
The Sun. — 1844-04-20 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF AN AMERICAN  MERCHANT.  Last evening a long inquiry, took place at the Horse and Groom, Castle-street, Leicester-square, before Mr. Higgs, concerning the death of Joseph Shniani, aged twenty-six, an American merchant. William Nind, proprietor of Pagliano's Hotel, No. 30, Leicester-square, said that the deceased had lodged in his house for the last six weeks. He represented himself as an American merchant, lately arrived from Italy, and about to proceed to New York. Not being able to liquidate the demand witness had upon him, deceased made an engagement to meet him that morning (Friday) with his friend Mr. Rosselli, who, he stated, would become guarantee for the amount. Witness found that, at the appointed time, deceased had not risen from bed, and he waited a short time expecting him to make his appearance; but shortly after twelve o'clock sent one of the waiters up to call him. The door was locked, and upon forcing it open, the deceased was seen lying upon the floor alive, but bleeding from a large wound in the throat. He died in about an hour. On the previous day witness told him that he could not remain any longer in the house, upon which deceased asked to be allowed to get some letters from his desk, which he stated were were of great importance ; and he then took from the drawer a packet of letters, addressed to Mr. Roselli, Mincing-lane, City. The day of his death (Friday) witness received the following letter, which deceased had evidently written the previous day—it was written in French : I pray you to send to Mr. Rosselli, Mincing-lane, my writing-desk, and the two parcels addressed ~40 him. I kill myself, because lam tired of living. I have prayed to God and the most holy mother that they might take from me those thoughts, but my prayers have had no effect. It seems that that should be my destiny. Before dying I have repented with all my heart of all my faults, and I hope in the mercy of God that my soul may be saved.. Pray for me.— I am, &c. "
The Sun. — 1844-04-20 (London, England)

THE RECENT CAPITAL CONVICTION. Mr. BRIGHT said, seeing the Right Hon. Secretary for the Home Department in his place, he wished to call his attention to the recent conviction of a female under very peculiar circumstances at the Central Criminal Court. He had no wish whatever to extract any pledge or even a distinct answer from the Right Hon. Gentleman, but merely to call his attention to what struck his (Mr. Bright's) mind as one of the most ex= traordinary cases that had ever occurred. It appeared that this poor creature had thrown herself and her baby into the water, being at the time in circumstances of the utmost destitution. Apparently her intention was to commit suicide, and not to leave her child alive in the world behind her. Her life was preserved but her child perished. The unhappy woman had for her crime been sentenced to death, and one of the newspaper reports stated that the judge gave her no hope whatever that mercy might be extended to her. Such a statement required no Comment.—(llear, hear.) He repeated, he wished no positive answer from the Right Hon. Gentleman—he merely wished to be satisfied that his attention had been called to so distressing a case. Sir J. GRAHAM said the House would feel that it was not consistent with his duty to enter into a discussion upon this subject.—(Hear, hear.) In point of fact, however, his attention had not been called to the matter until the present moment. In the very delicate duty which would devolve upon him (Sir J. Graham), the Hon. Gentleman might rest assured he would do his best to exercise a sound and dispassionate judgment ; but beyond this he could not then say anything, as the House must be aware of the inconvenience attending such discussions.—(Hear, hear.)
The Sun. — 1844-04-20 (London, England)

THE RECENT CAPITAL CONVICTION. Mr. BRIGHT said, seeing the Right lion. Secretary ' for the Home Department in his place, he wished to call his attention to the recent conviction of a female under very peculiar circumstances et the Central Criminal Court. He had no wish whatever to extract any pledge or even a distinct answer from the Right Hon. Gentleman, but merely to call his attention to what struck his (Mr. Bright's) mind as one of the most extraordinary eases that had ever occurred. It appeared that this poor creature had thrown herself an her baby into the water, being at the time in circumstances of the utmost destitution. Apparently her intention was to commit suicide, and not to leave her child alive in the world behind her. Her life was preserved but her child perished. The unhappy woman had for her crime been sentenced to death, and one of the newspaper reports stated that the judge gave her no hope whatever that mercy might be extended to her. Such a statement required no comment.—(Hear, hear.) He repeated, he wished no positive answer from the Right Hon. Gentleman—he merely wished to he satisfied that his attention had been called to so distressing a case. Sir J. GRAHAM said the House would feel that it was not consistent with his duty to enter into a discussion upon this subject.—(Hear, hear.) In point of fact, however, his attention had not been called to the matter until the present moment. In the very delicate duty which would devolve upon him (Sir J. Graham), the Hon. Gentleman might rest assured he would do his best to exercise a sound and dispassionate judgment ; but beyond this he could not then say anything, as the House must be aware of the inconvenience attending such discussions.—
The Sun. — 1844-03-09 (London, England)

PRISON DISCIPLINE.—StoIzer, who was capitally convicted at the Central Criminal Court last October, and sent to. the,Millbank Penitentiary when reprieved, has become insane, and has been sent to the criminal wing of Bethlehem Hospital.  . . throw the protection of gocial reiped, iii dclitibh to the sacredness of legal around the powers of judgeA and magistrates. We abstract from one short letter the following catalogue of horrors : " Mr. Sheppard, late of England, committed suicide at Saco, Maine, a few days ago. Mrs. Loring French also committed suicide at the same place, on the sank day. Mr. Edward O'Connor, late of Ireland, counsellorat-law, destroyed himself at Boston, on Monday night. Monsieur Messemer, player on the cornet-a-piston, from France, was assassinated at Mobile on the Ist inst., but is expected to recover from his wounds. Judge Turley, of Nashville, has been caned by Major Turner, for offering an insult to a lady; and Mr. Maxsey, Mayor of Nashville, has been caned by Mr. Payne. Mr. R. Polhemus was murdered near Freehold, New Jersey, on Friday, and a neighbour of the deceased, Mr. W. Reed, has been arrested on suspicion. Mr. Leech, believed to be from England, was killed in a quarrel with Messrs. Lawson and M'Leod, at New Orleans, on the 23d ult."  Texas, it would seem, is learning betimes to emulate the " go-a-head " intensity of moral passion which pervades the model Republic she is so desirous of joining:— " At Caddo, Texas, on the 10th ult., Judge Hansford was barbarously murdered by Mr. Moseley and his sonin-law, because his judicial view of a law suit was adverse to their interests."  Accounts have been received from Stockholm to the 24th ult., when the KING remained in nearly the same state. The bulletin of the 23d is as follows :—" His MAJESTY has again begun to express a desire for some nourishment, and feels himself rather stronger, after a very good night. The affection of the foot is better, as there is an appearance of suppuration." The Hamburgh papers announce the arrival of the Stockholm mail of the 27th, but without any account whatever of the KING'S health.  According to Madrid papers of the Ist instant, the
The Sun. — 1844-05-28 (London, England)

SUICIDE.—John Leaman, aged 60 years, an inmate of the workhouse in this borough, whose habits and conduct had obtained for him the bestowal of privileges not usually granted to the paupers, was detected on Saturday last, under circumstances which gave assurance that he had been guilty of a most atrocious violation on the person of a child only nine years of age. This girl it appeared had been allowed after school hours on Saturday, to remain with her father in the man's yard as an indulgenco to her parent. Having missed her, the father in the pursuit of an inquiry, went to a room in that part of the yard in which Leaman worked, but was unable to enter it, as the door of the room was fastened on the inside. He asked Leaman if his child was there, when the girl cried out lam here, father." The father then went away, and presently the girl came after him, and in answer to close interrogatories he elicited confirmation of his most painful surmises. Subsequently he encountered the wicked object of the child's pollution, and visited upon him the indignant scorn of a man dishonoured and wretched, and informed him that he would cause his imprisonment. The charge was not given to the authorities of the establishment until the next day, when, preparatory to other proceedings, the master stopped Leaman's leave at the gate. On his presenting himself, as usual, on going to church, Leaman was informed that his leave had been checked. He turned away, and was not heard of for an hour-and-a-half afterwards, when it was discovered that he had secured the door of the room as before, and finished his career by self-destruction. He was suspended by the neck by a rope, and apparently had been dead some time. An inquest was held on the body on Monday, when a verdict of " Fele de se" was returned. His remains, according to law, were interred on Monday night, at Stoke Church, between nine and twedva o'clock, without the rites of Christian burial.—Devonport Independent.
The Sun. — 1844-05-28 (London, England)

SUICIDE. Yesterday, considerable sensation prevailed amongst the inhabitants of the neighbouring village of Bootle, in consequence of a rumour that a. child had been murdered by its mother, and that the latter had then committed suicide. Upon inquiry, it turned out that the report was not without foundation, and that there was but too much reason to believe that both these horrible crimes had been perpetrated. The facts appeared to be, that about nine o'clock on Saturday night, a remarkably fine male child, with long brown hair, and apparently between seven and ten months old, was taken out of the canal, near Coffee- house-bridge, Bootle. When first taken out, he showed symptoms of life, but soon afterwards died. He was very respectably dressed, having had on a striped printed frock, flannel petticoat, linen shirt, dark check gingham pinafore, black and white netted worsted handkerchief, blue and white worsted socks, and a brown bonnet, lined with blue silk. The canal was afterwards dragged, and the body of a female. supposed to be the mother of the child was speedily found. She was rather delicately formed, and was apparently between twenty-one and twenty-four years of age. She was five feet one or two inches in height; and the colour of her hair was brown. She, also, was rather respectably attired, baying on a dark printed cotton dress, lilac printed apron, plaid worsted handkerchief, stuff shoes, not much worn, black worsted stockings,,: and a black, stuff merino bonnet. A gold Hag was found on the fourth thiger of her left hand ; and she was supposed to be from Liverpool. There appears very little doubt that the female was the mother of the child. She was, at all events, its nurse ; for, in the earlier part of the evening, she was seen suckling it on some steps near the canal bridge. There were no marks of violence on the infant, but there were a couple of large black spots on the right leg of the female,- and a contusion under one of her eyes. The child was first discovered by a gardener named Edmund Smeahurst, who happened to be passing along the canal at the time, and who states that his attention was directed to the spot by having heard something like a person moaning in the water. He succeeded in getting the infant out, and then ran and informed the 'police, who, upon their arrival, found Mr. Reid, surgeon, in the act of endeavouring to restore animation. The bodies were conveyed to the Rising Sun public-house,.where they remain at present, and where they were visited by some hundreds of persons yesterday. The female was recognised by several, who stated that they had seen her frequently in and around Bootle. A carter, amongst others, said he observed her nursing the child on Saturday, near one of the Bootle turnpike gates.—Liverpoo Albion of Monday.