npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-06-17 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE .—A PAINFUL CASE.— A young man named Francis O'Donnell, who said he was a labourer and came from Birmingham, was charged with having attempted to commit suicide by jumping into the West Float—P.C. 60C (Ellwood) stated that about five o'clock en Saturday afternoon from information he received to the effect that someone had jumped into the dock, he went there and found the prisoner on board the ship Atalanta. He was very violent and had to be held down by the crew. When witness got hold of him he said "For God's sake let me go; I'm in awful misery." He had to be strapped to the ambulance and conveyed in that way to bridewell.—Superintendent Clarke said the prisoner was very violent when brought to the bridewell, and appeared to have been drinking.—Mr. Preston, to prisoner: Where do you come from 7—Prisoner: I belong to Birmingham, but I have been living m Manchester.—Mr. Preston: How long have you been here 7—Prisoner: Three days, sir.—Mr. Preston: What did you come here for 7—Prisoner: I came here in search of work, but could not get any. Mr. Preston: What did you do this for? Prisoner: I have undergone two operations and shall never be fit for anything again. I have been eight months in hospital. Mr. Preston: Have you no one to refer to? Prisoner (who broke down and commenced to weep) replied that he had no friends. Mr. Preston: I shall remand you for a week to the workhouse. Prisoner: For God's sake don't send me to the workhouse. I have been in the workhouse hospital eight months, and I accuse them of absolute butchery. I would rather go anywhere than there. Mr. Preston: I shall either have to remand you to the workhouse or commit you for trial. Prisoner: Don't send me there. Mr. Preston: You had better go there for a week and we will see how you get on. The prisoner was then removed. A
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-02-25 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT SUICIDE.—A young married woman named Mary Brady, residing at 161, St. Anne-street, was charged with attempting to commit suiside, and threatening to jump into the West Float Dock.—A dockgateman stated that at a quarter to seven on Monday night he was on duty at Duke-street Bridge. He heard a scream and on going to the dock found the prisoner hanging from the inside chain, and attempting to get into the water. He lifted her up, but she struggled to get away, and said she did not wish to live. :She was quite sober.—P.C. 110 (Davies) said prisoner was handed over to him by the last witness. While on the way to the bridewell she ran away and said she would rather drown herself than stay with her brute of a husband. She was not drunk but very excited. The prisoner, who had a baby in her arms, pleaded to be liberated, and said she would not again attempt to take her life. She was driven to it by her husband, who cruelly illtreated her. and " leathered " her on Saturday night to such an extent that she was covered with bruises, and her eye was black. She was very unhappy.—lt was stated that the prisoner had attempted to jump through a window before going to the dock.—Remanded until Wednesday, so that her husband could be . brought to court. IMPUDENT THErr.—Walter Atherton, 80, Cathcart-street, was charged with stealing 20s. in silver from the bar of the Wirral Hotel, Cleveland-street, the property of the landlady, Isabella Finlay. P.O 28 (Willoughby) stated that at about 20 minutes to 11 o'clock last night, from information he received, he went to the Elephant and Castle Hotel. He found the prisoner sitting there, so he took him to the Wirral Hotel, where he was identified as the man who was suspected of taking the money. The barmaid at the hotel said she was called into the parlour last night to serve a gentleman. While there her attention was called to something dropping in the bar. She went into the bar and saw the prisoner leaning over the counter, as if trying to escape. He jumped on to the floor, after she got into the bar. The money consisted of a half sovereign and five two shilling pieces, and was placed under a glass on a shelf inside the bar. It could have been reached by any one lying over the counter. A two-shilling piece was found on the bar floor shortly after the prisoner left. There was no one in the bar at the time except the prisoner. When searched at the bridewell two two-shilling pieces and 41d. in coppers were found in his possession, and this money he stated he got from his wife to buy boots.—Remanded.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1896-01-04 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

TRA.IIB' AMINO&  Yesterday, at the Borough Police Court, Messrs. J. Craven and Benedict Jones on the Bench, a somewhat respectable looking man named John Thomas Witherington, who described himself as a fish dealer of Bolton be stands, was brought up on a warrant issued by the Recorder in July, 1891, for not having surrendered to take his trial at the &mations on the 23rd of that month on a charge of having obtained 4.8 racks of oats from the London and North Western Railway Company by false pretences. Mr. J. Fenn& appeared for the Railway Company, and stated that the prisoner was charged at the court in April, 1891, with having obtained a number of sacks of oats from the Railway Company by false pretences. He was committed to the Sessions in July of that year and was allowed out on bail. A bill was presented to the grand jury in due course and found to be a true one. On the prisoner being called upon to surrender to his bail, he did not answer to his name, and had been wanting ever since. The Recorder granted a warrant for his arrest on an application of the police clerk. Prisoner had misoonducted himself at Blackburn a fortnight ago, and was committed to Strangeways gaol, Manchester, and, in pursuance of the Recorder's warrant, was apprehended by the Birkenhead police. He (Mr. Fennel took it that their worships would not grant bail after what occurred if any such application was made.  Detective Hughes gave evidence bearing on the rinse, and said that when he read the warrant out to the prisoner, he said, "I should have turned up at the Sessions. I had £I3 saved to pay a barrister to defend me. I gave it to a friend to keep for me, and he lost it in horse racing and pommitted suicide after. wards I got on the spree and had no money to oorne."  - Prisoner WM COMISItted to the Sessions next week to take his trial.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1896-01-04 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED SUIO3DE.  HALF AN OUNCE OP LAUDINCH TO CURE THE  Before Alderman T. Shaw and Mr. .1. B. Delany at the Borough Police Court, on Monday, a young man of respectable appearance named Williani Evans, Cheater-street, was charged with having attempted to commit suicide by taking a quantity of lauclarum. P.C. 21 (Tophani) stated that on Saturday night stsmt seven &clock he was called to the shop No. 214, Chester-street, where the prisoner resided with his mother. On going there he found the prisoner lying on the shop floor, and on examining him found that he hal taken opium poison. Witness used artifical respiration and after experiencing considerable difficulty for about ten minutes suoceeded in getting him awake and than rent for Dr. Stansfield. Dr. Stanstield said that when he went to the shop he found Topham ,using suitable measures to restore animation. There was an empty bottle lying in the shop and witness sent a messenger to the chemiat's and ascertained that prisoner had purchased half an 7110 e of laudanum, a done sufficient to poison the ismer, presuming he had taken it Prisoner had i,en drinking intoxicants. Witness ordered him to be removed to the hospital and directed him to be walked about all night. He was all right now. Prisoner said he had the toothache, purchased the laudanum, and took it under the impresosiou that it would cure him. . . . .  Wt.ana-ii.e..1:1 added that he was informed that there had been a quarrel aaid prisoner went out in it tem per. Mrs. Evans, the prisoner's mother, stated that her son lived with her. There had been no quarrel on Saturday, hut her little son said he was going to leave home and prisoner was angry and said he would go instead and went out, hut not in a temper. He was suffering from the toOthaehe. Prisoner: I had four pony Litters on Saturday, that is all. The Chairman said it was a very mrious position in which the prisoner found himself, and they thought that the sight of hiii. mother in thane,' ought to be sufficient to prevent him from ever thinking of doing such a thing again. In, the present instance they felt inolined to take a lenient view of the case and would discharge him with a caution.  WrirreszAvo
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1896-05-23 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

HORRIBLE TRAGEDY IN THE  PARK.  A MAN FOUND WITH HIS HEAD SHOT OFF.  SUICIDE THROUGH LOVE.  About noon ,yesterday a little girl found young man lying in the Birkenhead Lower Park covered with blood, and reported the matter to P.C. 65 (Theobald). The constable proceeded to the spot indicated and there discovered full corroboration of the girl's story. The man, whose name was George J. McCready, was prostrate on the grates with a revolver between his legs. The top of his head was blown off, his brains being exposed, and all around ' was bespattered with blood. The man still breathed. Thecbald obtained the assistanee of another officer, P.C. 61 (Coked), and together they removed the unfortunate youth to the borough hospital, where he died about three eelocdr. The only means the authorities had of identifying the deceased were visiting cards in his pocket inscribed "George J. McCready, Bootle." A message was despatched across the water, and in response a Mr. and Mrs. McCready came across to see if the suicide was their son. Both were almost prostrate with grief at the bare idea that such might be the case, and their feeling can hardly be described when they ascertained that their fears were verified. From a sttement made to our reporter by M 7 McCready it appears that his son was an industrious steady youth, who, although a barman at the Talbot Hotel, Ormskirk, was a thorough teetotaller. Some time ago he became connected with a young woman about six years his senior and contemplated marriage. His father objected to his prospective daughterin-law, on account of her age, and other grounds, but the son persisted in following the bent of his inclinations. Matters reached a climax two months ago when the young couple presented themselves before the registrar with a view to be married. Mr. McCready heard of what was taking place, and, calling the nearest cab, drove off to the registrar's office, arriving there just in time to prevent the ceremony from going forward. His son, we understand, was not at that time of age. Aftet this contretemps the affair appears to have been broken off, but young McCready took the matter greatly to heart, and, as his father laconically observed, "Here is the result." The victim's grandmother and several of his relations reside in Birkeßhead, which accounts for his presence here. He was last at home on Tuesday. The tragic affair caused a great sensation yesterday, and the grief stricken parents were greatly commiserated with. The inquest will be held this morning at the Queen's Hotel, Park Entrance.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1896-06-03 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

DETERMINED SUICIDE AT NESTON.  Charles Johnson, formerly a canvasser and collector for a sewing machine company, who has losen lodging at Nestor' during the past four months, was found dead in bed on Monday afternoon, with a shocking wound in the side of his neck. Deceased was dismissed from his situation a few days ago, and it was understood that he was in financial difficulties, but there was no reason to suppose that he contemplated self-destruction. During the afternoon Mrs. Bushell, his landlady, went to his room with a neighbour, and found that a chair had been placed against it inside. On pushing it open the deceased was seen lying on the bed dressed, and with his clothing saturated with blood. Dr. Blunden was sent for, and stated that death had taken place about ten hours previonsly. A razor was lying by the side of the deceased. He was 30 years of age, and married. The inquest was held yesterday by Mr. Henry Churton, district coroner.—A girl named Ann Elizabeth Bushell gave evidence to the effect that the deceased lodged with her parents in Cross-street, Neston, and was 34 years of age. She last saw him alive at 10 o'clock on Sunday evening. He was then quite sober and there seemed to be not the slightest change in his manner. He had lodged with them seven weeks and during that time she had never heard him threaten to do anything with himself.— Phrebe Smith said she:knew the deceased by: sight. On Monday at half-past one, she heard something had happened to him. She went upstairs and found the body in bed, dressed. She saw he was dead and that there was a large wound in his neck and much blood. She had to force the door open to get into the bedroom. After seeing what she did she went to the police station.—P.C. Dutton stated that at ten minutes past two he went to the house in Cross-street and there found deceased lying in bed surrounded by a great quantity of blood. An examination showed that he was dead. There was a large wound in his throat and a bloody razor was lying beside him. Both his hands werecovered with blood. In deceased's pockets there was 3s. 100.—The jury found a verdict to the effect that deceased had committed suicide but what was the state of his mind at the time the evidenee was insufficient to show.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1896-10-17 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE 114 THE  RIVER.  7ALLA,  Basco:  On Tuesday, beforeMr.C.O.Dunn, at the Wallasey Police Court, Esther Allton, cook, belonging to Welllane, Tranmere, was charged with attempting to commit suicide by jumping into the river limey at Seacombe on Saturday.—From the evidence given it appeared that about three o'clock on Saturday afternoon a boy named Henry saw the woman jump into the river Mersey near Seacombe ferry. He. gave an alarm, and Walter Broughall Jandrell, seaman, who lives at 4, Mersey-view, and who was getting his dinner at the time, at once came to the woman's weistance. He jumped over the railing, and, pulling his coat off, dived into the river, and with great difficulty succeeded in bringing the woman to the wall, where she was hauled out. The tide was running out swiftly at the time. On being brought to the snore she said she had a lot of trouble and intended to do away with herself. P.C. Deignan stated that he took her to the Seacombe cottage Hospital. She said her mother lived in Victoriamount, Oxton, and that she had been emrloyed in Poplar-road, and that she had had a quarrel with her mother, and was very sorry she had been rescued. He went to Birkenhead, but was unable to find her m-ither.—Mr. Dunn remanded the prisoner to Waken gaol for a week, and commended the plucky conduet of Mr. Jaudrell, and said that no doubt if he had not been available she would have lost her life. He hoped some notice would be taken of his prompt action.—Chief Superintendent Hindley said he would see that it was represented at the proper quarters.  Massita. Pararr AND Sow, Land Agents., 1, Mortireer-street, Town Hall, Birkenhead, have welloonditioned houses, variously situated in Birkenhead and Trazunere, now ready for immediate occupation at very moderate rents, At Sherry's, Finest Mild Cured Hams, 6d. per lb. At Sherry's, Finest Mild Cured Hams, 6d. per lb. At Sherry's, Finest Mild Cured Haze, 6d. per lb. selgdel6
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1896-08-22 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

HESTON.  &DOHA OF A SNACOMBE WlDOW.—Shortly before midnight on Wednesday P.C. Dutton, of the Cheshire County Constabulary, saw a. woman sitting in a Neston street, and reclining against the wall and talking to herself, and, to all outward appearances, under the influence of drink. He took her to the police station, where she was seen by Sergeant Wilson, who was doubtful whether she was suffering from the effects of drink, as he could not detect any trace of intoxicating liquor in her breath. In his belief she was in some kind of a fit, and he attended her as well as he could. In a short time she became sick, and the sergeant, upon going close to her, detected the smell of carbolic acid. He consequpntly requisitioned medical aid, and pending the arrival of a doctor, administrated an emetic, but the woman died a few minutes after the arrival of the doctor. She was known as Mary Hastings, and is believed to belong to Liverpool, but for some time had had no settled abode. A month or two ago she lived at Neston with a man named Johnston, who committed suicide on June let by :shooting himself. The deceased woman is about 35 years of age, with fresh complexion, dark hair, and had a malformation of upper lip. At the inquest held yesterday, by Pr. Henry Churton, the district coroner, it was elicited that the deceased was the widow of Charles Johnson, who committed suicide at Neston in June last. This preyed upon her mind, and she expressed a wish to be hiried in his grave, as she said she would not .be long after him.—Verdict, "Suicide while temporanlY insane."  "Tam best judges buy the test Marmalade, and the beet Marmalade iv Hadfield'e Seville Orange Marmalade. Try it. SW
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1896-11-14 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SUICIDE OF A LISOARD  DOCTOR.  A painful sensation was created on Thursday morning in Liscard and neighlonrhoml when it Lee known that Dr. John Cunningham, of Lincoln House, Seabank.road, had died that morning at his residence from the effects of tom phi& poisoning. Dr. Cunningham was only thirty-six years of age, and was • bachelor living with his sister. During the afternoon an inquest, was held by Dr. Churton. Sergeant Swords handed to the Coroner a letter, which read as follows:—" In my sober judgment this is the best thing I could do, as if I do not something more might happen. I feel unable to endure life much longer, and the reason appertaics solely to myself. I hope no one will mourn my death, but if any one thinks of me at all, I hope it will only be to realise that my misery is ended." This was written in ink, and filled up the first page' and bore the signature Cunningham." Then followed the words "turn over," and on the other side was written, in pencil, "If it had not been for the sake of my dear relatives and friends this would have happened long ago. I do hope they will look at it calmly and sensibly, and see that it ia inevitable and for the best. My only grief now is that I am causing grief to others, but the sooner my sad life and death are forgotten the better. J. C."—The jury urged that Dr. Smith, who was with the deceased when he expinse, should be called, or that a post-mortem be held. The Coroner, however, said a postonortem wee out of the question, and that the deceased had evidently poisoned himself. The jury demurred to accepting this dictum, but eventually returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased had committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.  House,
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1896-06-06 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

DETERMINED SUICIDE AT NESTOR.  Charles Johnson, formerly a canvasser and collector for a sewing machineoompany, who has been lodging at Neaten during the past four months, was found dead in bed on Monday afternoon, with a shocking wound in the side of his neck. Deceased was diemimed from his situation a few days ago, and it was understood that he was in financial difficulties, but there was no reason to suppose that he contemplated self-destruction. During the afternoon Mrs. Bushell, his landlady, went to his room with a Neighbour and found that a chair had been placed against it inside. On pushing it open the deceased was seen lying on the bed dressed, and with his clothing saturated with blood. Dr. Blunden was sent for, and stated that death had taken place about ten hours previously. A razor was lying by the side of the deceased. He was 30 years of age, and married. The inque at was held on Tuesday by Mr. Henry Churton, district coroner.—A girl named Ann Elizabeth Bushell gave evidence to the effect that the deceased lodged with her parents in Cross-street, Neston, and was 34 years of age. She last saw him alive at 10 o'clock on Sunday evening. He was then quite sober and there seemed to be not the slightest change in his manner. Be had lodged with them seven weeks and during that time she had never heard him threaten to do anything with himself.— Phatbe Smith said ahOnew the deceased by:sight. On Monday at half-past one, she heard something had happened to him. She went upstairs and found the body in bed, dressed. She saw he was dead and that there was a large wound in his neck and much blood. She had to force the door open to get into the bedroom. After seeing what she did she west to the police station.—P.C. Dutton stated that at ten minutes past two he went to the house in Cross-street and there found deceased lying in bed surrounded by a great quantity of blood. An examination showed that he was dead. There was a large wound in his throat and a bloody razor wax lying beside him. Both his hands were covered with blood. In deceased's pockets there was 38. 104c1 —The jury found a verdict to the effect that deceased had committed enicide but what was the state of his mind at the time the evidence was insufficient to show.  MEassr RAILWAY Taarno