npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Runcorn and Widnes Examiner. — 1871-03-25 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

SHOCKING CASE OF SUICIDE.  The inquest on the body of Mr. Giblin, who poisoned himself on Friday afternoon last, was held on Minday, at the Th.. Pigeons, before C. E. Driffield, Esq. From the evidence given it appears that the deceased was 37 years of ay., that he was formerly in business in Warrington as a hatter, and that lately he had acted as traveller for Messrs. Myers and Company, Liverpool. On Saturday, the 11th March, he came to Warnhgton, and since that date he had attended Pi his business during the day time, but at nights he WM in the habit ot drinking. Mr. Myers came over on Friday, and met Mr. Giblin at the Old Coffee Hua-e, where they dined together, and shortly afterwards Mr. Myers returned to Liverpool: EAy the same morning the deceased went to Mr. G. S. Dickson's, chemist. Bridge Foot, and asked for somsthing that would kill a vicious dog. The chemist supplied him with prussic acid, and he tilled up the hook according to Act of Parliament, writing at the same time that the poison was to 'kill a dug." The deceased asked Mr. Dickson to be sure to make it strong, as he did not want to see the poor animal in agony. The bottle, which contained a drachm, was labelled poison. When Mr. Giblin had been gone about live minutes, Mr. Dickson began to be afraid thLt he had done something wrong in letting him have the poise, and he then made inquires and found that the deceased did not possess a dog. He informed several persons that the deceased had poison in his possession, and Mr. Newell promised to get it from him. Mrs. Giblin becoming acquainted with the fact she followed her husband to the statioa, whither he had gone with Mr. Myers, but she did not tied him, until she returned to the Coffee-house, when the revolver was being taken from him. Li the meantime, the deceased after going to the station, proceeded down Arpley, where lie was seen firing with a revolver at his hat which was pl iced on a stump. About lialf-past three Mr. Giblin went into the Cdree-house, and the landlord at once sent for Mr. Newell according to throw him of his guard, Mr. Newell sat sod in the parlour and told him icy. Mr. Goblin replied that he wall put his hand in one of his itot was; and he jumped up and sby the door. Mr. Newell then revolver, five chambers of which from him. The deceased asked a glass of beer, which he did. poison, Mr. Giblin replied that in Bridge-street, but Mr. Newell h the answer and he began to small bottle in his left hand asked him what it was and ." The deceased then pulled out of his 'pocket, and threw and while -Mr. Newell was poison, which he thought was bottle to his lips and swallowed its. He dropped down in Mr. Dr. Smith was at once sent for. vas administered to him, but despite the assistance of the died about seven It ,sed had, during his life time, 'remeta, and that Mr. Spinks ,mild have theitaine effect days before his death wild, but was not out .oetnd two letters—one it of .£lO for leather, complaining that it was cash for outstanding suggestion of the returued That destroyed himself by but as to the state of himself there is no
Runcorn and Widnes Examiner. — 1874-08-22 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

SUICIDE FROM THE TOWER OF A CATILEDRAL.—A' Paris, on Friday, a fashionably dressed young man Was seen flourishing his hat on one of the t,,wers of Notre Dame. He threw it down, and then jumped after it. He was picked up quite dead, and so mutilated in the face that it was thought useless to expose the body in the Morgue. From a passport found on him, it appeared that his name was Emile Jean Christian }Labatt, born in London. The assumption, however, from these names is that he is not an Englishman. He had a gold chain and diamond ring, a watch, and nearly forty pounds in English and French gold an I notes. Nothing is known of him at the British Embassy. He is believed to be a commercial travel!er, and the rumour is that his despised love of an English girl drove him to suicide.  THE NEw BUILDING SOCIETIES Aor.—The Act passed in the late session to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to Building Societies in the United Bing !om contains some important provisions as to the liability of members, and will come into operation on the 2ild November, when the statute of the 6 and 7 Wm. IV. c. 32, on Benefit Building Societies, will be repealed. There are 44 sections to the new law, with a schedule of forms to be used. The registrars of friendly societies in England, Ireland, and Scotland are to be registrars of building societies. There are various provisions as to the tables to be made and the objects of the society, the most important of which relate to the liability of members. The 14th section states that the liability of a member in respect of a share upon which no advance has been made shall be limited to the amount actually paid or in arrear on such share; and in respect of a share on which an advance has been made, to be limited to the amount payable thereOD under any mortgage or other security, or under the rules of a society.
Runcorn and Widnes Examiner. — 1874-10-24 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

MISS BRADDON AS A NOVELIST. (From The Spectator.)  Miss Braddon's latest novel is in her second manner, and adapted to her second public, the class of readers for whose favour she has entered into a brisk, but vain competition with Mrs. Henry Wood. We all remember her first, or blue-eyedmurderess manner, when her women were fascinating fiends, and her men were ennuye's, with a tendency to suicide ; when she was great in upholstery, knowing in horse flesh, cunning in coulisses, and before she developed her present knowledge of classical literature, European languages, Indian history, the fine arts, medical science, and Holy Scripture. We prefer her first manner ; it was not dull ; her golden-haired ghouls were daubs, but they were not bores; and her preposterous, desultory barristers and pompous Cor_ nishmen—why do novelists love to nicber pride and pomposity in Cornwall ?—were preferable to her profound philosophers, her eminent artists, and her grave inscrutable physicians, whom she converts from free thinking, and an evil tendency to stay away from church, by a process so uniform, that we look for saving grace in her later as cm.fidently as we looked for bigamy in her format' novels. The race-course, the music-hall, the behind-the-scenes, the lodging. house life, tawdry as were the bits of finery with which she .contrasted them, were preferable to her dreadfully genteel style, her model young ladies, and her inevitable colonist, with a simple mind, a large fortune, an only daughter, and disease of the heart, that charmingly convenient complaint which has superseded consumption, of which the novelists of a past generation, who had to kill their people not suddenly, but.sweetly, made lavish use. In short, she Wha more readable before she removed from Bohemia, and pitted herself against the leading manufacturer of novels for readers of the lower middle-class, whether " Church ~ or " Chapel" in their religious principles. She has no chance in the struggle; she cannot touch her veteran rival in gorgeous common-place, the nice adjustment ot murder and morality, servanta'-hall episodes, the romance of the apothecary and the greengrocer, funeral etiquette and expenses, the gossip of the backshop, and public eloquence. Miss Braddon lacks the direct, bold, entirely confident Philistinism of Mrs. Henry Wood, and she cannot boast of the undeviating devotion of that lady to the accredited literary morality of this kind of fiction.
Runcorn and Widnes Examiner. — 1870-09-03 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

SUICIDE ON A RAILWAY.—On Tuesday afternoon, Mi. W. Caner, coroner for Surrey, held an inquiry at Deptford, into the circumstances attending the death of Mr. Edward Grimed, aged 46. It appeared that the deceased had been for 20 years a clerk in the bank of Messrs. Barclay, Bevan, and ity, and resided with two of his aunts at New Cross. Co.,'On Saturday morning he left his residence for the purpose, as was supposed, of proceeding by train to Loudon Bridge. On the arrival of the 10.10 a.m. from Central Croydon Station, and when the train was being driven at a speed of 30 miles an hour, Joseph Oked, the driver, and Henry Atkins, an under-guard, saw in turning a curve the deceased come down the embankment, take off his hat, and throw it on the ground, and then place himself in the middle of the rails facing the engine. The driver immediately sounded the whistle, shut off steam, and put on the break; but the unfortunate man being only 40 or 50 yards off when first seen he was knocked down, the train proceeding about 300 yards beyond the spot where the body was found in a shockingly mutilated state. He was completely crushed, and the left foot was severed from the body. On being searched £6 16s. in money, a gold watch, a gold ring, and other articles were found, among which was a piece of paper, on which was written by deceased in pencil the following: —"My dear Aunt,-1 cannot face the world. I have been very wicked. I have left all to you. You will find it in the secretaire. Pray for me and forgive me. ! Send for Harry, at A. Perry and Co., Finch-lane. Fareweß.—Envilaw." Underneath this was written, "All is right at the bank." Harriet Dowley, servant to the deceased, said that during the last fortnight the deceased had been in very low spirits owing to the death of a friend, and Mr. Richard Wood, belonging to Messrs. Barclay's establishment, said that since the death of the deceased his books had been examined at the bank, and everything was satisfactory. The jury, , after a short deliberation, returned a verdict that "the deceased committed suicide by placing himself in the way of a railway train, he labouring at the time under temporary derangements."
Runcorn Examiner. — 1893-08-19 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

SINGULAR SUICIDE OF A WOMAN AT RUNCORN. /  About half-past one on Monday afternoon a youth named William Dwyer, a fitter's apprentice, was employed on a yacht belonging to Messrs. Timmins at Ilickson's Yard, when he s4w a woman deliberately throw herself into the Bridgewater Canal. Immediately be dived into the water after her, and he quickly brought her to the bank. She was pulled ashore by P.C. Sherratt and Mr. Samuel Henderson, both of whom are ambulance men, and together they rendered first aid, and brought the woman to consciousness. Dr. Brunton arrived on the scene and ordered the woman to her home. She proved to be Mrs. Hannah Gatley, aged 58 years, 'wife of a Batman living in Thomas-street. An hour after being taken home the unfortunate woman expired. —Mr. J. E. Worsley, the coroner, held an inquest on the 13017 at the Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon.—The busimf.d deposed that he had been away on his flat for -Borne days. When he left home, his wife was in a someWhat melancholy state which gave him some anxiety but she had never threatened to commit suicide —Sarah Withineton, St. John-street, a neighbour, said when the deceased was brought home she (witness) thought she would die, and she sent for a minister who was praying When she passed away. Some time ago the deceased dislocated her shoulder, and since then she had been 'very low." She was a clean and industrious housewife and it " upset " her that she could not keep her house tidy, and witness thought this was the cause of ber committing suicide. The deceased and her husband Were on good terms—The Coroner said the reason for the rash act advanced by the witness might appear ridiculous to persons of strong minds, but have great effect upon a weak intellect.—The jury returned a verdict that the woman committed suicide while temporarily insane.—Mr. Boyle, the fireman, said the boy Dwyer had acted in a most heroic manner and wished if it were Pos:ible that he should be recommended to the recognition of the Humane Society.—The Coroner thought the YOut!, was deserving of the highest commendation from them, hilt he doubted if the Humane Society would foils der it a sufficient risk to give him further recogniThe soeiety had a large number of applicants and 1 h . ad not a very large income.—The Coroner then ed the jury's exple!,6ion to Dwyer.  ST. 301111'S
Runcorn Examiner. — 1893-10-28 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

MISCELLANNOUS. The total offences disposed of summarily during the year is: Indictable 109, non-indictable 1,965, and quasicriminal 219, in all 2,143. Six convicts on license have reported to the puttee, 4 have left for other towns, 1 license expired, and 1 still resides in the borough. Nine supervisers have also reported, 7 have left for other towns, 1 died, and 1 was sentenced to 12 months for fraud. The number of children detained in Reformatory and Industrial Schools is 43, for whose part maintenance the sum of £B7 Bs. 6d. has been paid by parents during the year, Seventy pedlars' and 6 chimney sweepers' certificates have been granted during the year. amounting to £l6 153. Seventy three persons have been brought in on suspicion, but allowed to go for want of evidence, and 70 other persons have been apprehended by or received from the police of other districts. Six persons have been summoned for keeping dogs without Licences, 5 being convicted and, 1 dismissed. Of sudden, violent, and unnatural deaths 120 were reported to the coroner through the police, inquests being held on 5,1. cases, 65 referred to the registrar, and 4 certified by the doctors. The verdicts were: 24 accidental, 10 natural causes, 6 open, 5 suicide during temporary insanity, 1 small-pox, 1 syncope 1 bronchitis, 1 marasmus, and 1 poisoning (accidenaq. Nine fires took place in the borough, damage being done probably to the amount of £4,500, mostly covered by insurance. Tee.° are 15 cab owners, and 71 cab and 'bus drivers, 10 marine store dealers, 6 gunpowder dealers, and 34 small fireworks dealers. Lost children to the number of 65 were found and restored to their parents, 56 horses, cattle and sheep found straying were taken to the pinfold 'until owned. One hundred and ninety-five shops, warehouses, and houses were found insecure by the police on night duty, the owners not having fastened all the doors and windows. The population by census of 1891 is 52,743; ratable value, £168,894 ss. ; acreage, 2,004; inhabited houses, 9,631. Gross total cost of police £4,900 18s. 6d.; the value of the police superannuation lund being £8,677 Bs. 11d., with a charge of about 19s. 6d. per week upon it. The sum of £2B 18s. for services of police, including -21 103. from the coroner for use of Parade Room was paid in due course to the Rmough Treasurer, and placed by him to the credit of the police superannuation fund. The borough contains 87 licensed victuallers, 45 beerhouse keepers, 69 off-license holders,and 5 refreshment houses with wine licenses; total, 206.
Runcorn Examiner. — 1893-02-11 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

MOLESTING A GIRL ON RUNCORN HILL. EXTRAORDINARY DEFENCE.  Yesterday at Runcorn Police Court, before Mr. Henry Reynolds,a young man named Henry Greenway; aged 20, labourer on the Ship Canal, living at Brick Kiln Houses, was charged with indecently assaulting Mary Pulford, aged 16 years, domestic servant to Mr. J. E. Meredith, Stanley Villas.—The girl stated that her parents lived at Weston, and on Thursday night about seven o'clock she was en her way to see them, when near the Battery on Runcorn Heath, she saw the prisoner leaning against a gate. She bade him "Good night" and he respondad. She then said" Are I you Dodd from Mrs. Moran's at Weston," and he replied "No." She started to walk sharply, and he walked up to her side, and then she crossed over the road to avoid him, when he went behind her and assaulted her. She fell on her knees and screamed, and the prisoner ran away. A man named George Dodd and P.C. Benfield had heard the screams and the litter seeing the prisoner running away apprehended him. In answer to the charge he said" I don't know what made me do it. I never did such a thing before." Yesterday he made the following statement to the magistrate: " I got properly wet through yesterday and it flew to my head. I started to go to Weston but altered my mind. When I stopped against a wall, my head was that bad that I did not know where I was for about half-an-hour. When this girl came up I was thinking of committing suicide, my head was so bad. It came on all at once. .4 followed the girl along the fields and she spoke to me and then all of a moment with my head being so bad. I flew up against her, and she then started screaming and I ran back." The prisoner was committed for trial to the Quartet Sessions.
Runcorn Examiner. — 1893-06-10 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

SHOCKING TRAGEDY AT WIGA.N.  ATTEMPTED DOUBLE MURDER AND SUICIDE. Between five and six o'clock yesterday morning a desperate attempted double murder and suicide took place in Wigan. It appears that a mtn named Halssil, of 27. Turmer-street, a Corporation labourer, has entertained a jealous feeling towards his wife for some months, and it is alleged that in a fit of desperation he caught hold of the woman this morning by the throat and cut from ear to ear with a large pruning- knife. Following this action he went upstairs into a bedroom and cut the throat of his child, Lily, four years of age. When the police arrived upon the scene he bad just completed the tragedy by cutting his own throat; and had it not been for the prompt action ,of Police-constables Taylor and Kettle he would have torn, the wound open in mad fury. The mother and child along with Halsall, were medically attended and conveyed-to the Albert Edward Infirmary, where they all remain ie a critical Condition. The child and Halsall are in a InnSt dangerous state. The depositions have bee ft' taken. The deposition of Mary Ann Halsall is as follows :—I got up this morning about a quarter to four o'cioek, and saw a young man who lives with us off to the pit. I then had a cup of tea. When my husband came downstairs he said, " What do you mean ?" F replied, "What do you mean ?" He then said, " I mean to cut your -- head off." And taking a pruning knife from his pocket, drew it across my neck, saying " Itave hot done with you yet. I will do both you and toe two children before I leave you. This is what I should have given you two years ago. I will give it you now." When the statement was read 4, Halsall he -replied, " I have no question to ask."
Runcorn Examiner. — 1893-12-23 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

SUICIDE OF AN EA.RLESTOWN TRADESMAN.  On Friday morning last, much excitement was occasioned in Earlestown, on the circumstances of a rumour that Mr. W. Hemmons, pork butcher. of Cross-lane, Earlestown, had committed suicide by poisoning himself. Inquiry showed that the rumour was only too true: It appears Mr. Hemmons, who was well known in the town, had for some few months past been in rather low spirits, from some cause which has not transpired. Formerly he occupied an old established pork butchers' shop, in Market-st., the busiest thoroughfare in the town, but for some reason he had to quit there, and was forced to take a new shop lately erected in Crosslane, which is quite out of the way of the majority of the purchasers. Whether this has had anything to do with the depression of spirits, we cannot say. On Thursday, he intended attending Warrington County Court, where he was plaintiff in one or two cases. He set out 11. catch his train, but was unfortunate in missing it, and he then drove over in his trap. When he reached the Court, he found the cases had been struck out, and he returned home under the impression that he had lost the cases altogether. During the day he purchased sixpenny-worth of laudanum from Mr. Peak's chemist, and soon after nine o'clock at night, he sent a girl named Elizabeth Clarke,for another sixpenny-worth. It is said that when he returned from Warrington, he quarrelled with his wife, but this she denies. At any rate she left home and went to her sister's at Newton, and Mr. Elemmons followed. He reached home ab tut midnight, and about two o'cl•ck in the morning,the servant, Emma Vernon,found him lying unconscious at the bottem of the stairs. She sent for Dr. Patterson, who applied the usual remedies, and restored the deceased to consciousness, and left instructions with those in the house how to deal with him. About nine o'clock on Friday morning he was sent for again, and he found Hemmons again unconscious, and all efforts at restoration were fruitless, and he died about 11.30. It is a curious coincidence that the man who occupied the shop in Market-st., before Mr. Hemmons, was also a pork butcher, and he after leaving it, committed suicide by hanging himself.
Runcorn Examiner. — 1893-08-12 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

CLERGYMAN'S SUICIDE. PATHETIC CASE. The Liverpool Coroner held an inquest on Thursday on the body of Jefferson Lowndes, aged 35, described as a private secretary, who lived with his mother at 152, Holland-road, Kensington' London. The deceased was discovered lying dead in his bedroom at noon, having apparently shot himself with a pistol which was found in his hand.—Mrs. Elizabeth Dorothy Lowndes stated that she was the widow of a newspaper editor. The deceased was her son. He was blind in one eye and the other was veay much affected, and an oculist had told him that when he was fortp years of age he would be stone blind. During the past few weeks he had been greatly depressed. He was an M.A. of Oxford, and was a fully ordained clergyman, although he had not calciated for some years. His wife died in the West Indies twelve months after marriage, and this had also greatly affected him. Witness last saw him alive on the 4th Inst., when he left London, and on the Bth she received a letter from him enclosing his will and a few bills which he asked her to pay. He said in. the letter that he• was going to Hustralia, and that she would hear from him on landing. That same evening she received a telegram from the police in Liverpool stating that her son had committed suicide. Two letters found on the dressing table in the deceased's bedroom were read. The first was addressed to the manager of the hotel, and was as follows :—" August 8, 1893.—Dear sir,,— On retiring to bed to-night at about twelve I found I was blind. I tried by means of matches, but could not see the light of them, though they burnt my fingers. I had intended to emigrate, sailing with a friend of mine this week ; but what use is a blind man in the colonies? If my sight is not all right in the morning I shall shoot myself. Communicate with my friends, 152, Holland-road, London, W. My name is J. Lowndes. I have enough to pay my bill. If there is any balance over sand it to Mrs. Lowndes, 152, Holland-road, London." The other letter was a follows :—"My dearest mother,—l have nearly gone blind. I cannot be a burden to you and family. I had intended to emigrate, but a blind man can do no good in the:colonies. There is nothing to be done; but God bless you and forgive me.—Your loving son, J.L." The writing in both letters are very irregular, thus bearing out the statement of the deceased as to hit blindness.— The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst labouring under temporary insanity.