npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Blandford Weekly News. — 1889-05-25 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

TRAGIC SUICIDE OF AN ACTOR. An inquest has been held at St. Pancras concerning the death of Norman Corke, aged 20, who committed suicide under tragic circumstances at his lodgings at Kentish Town.—Elizabeth Robinson Corke, the wife of a draper residing at Maidstone, who identified the body as that of her son, stated that he had recently been acting with Miss Thorne's company at Margate, and had been on tour with them. He left the company in March, and subsequently came to London with the object of getting an engagement in town. He was a "flighty " boy, being odd and excitable. He had plenty of money supplied him. He was at times i given to ntemperance. She could not say if he had formed habits of gambling or become connected with bad associates. The only suggestion she could throw on his death was that he had -" false notions" with regard to being a burden to his family.— Mrs. Goff, the landlady, deposed to hearing the report of firearms in the back parlour. On entering the room she saw Corke lying on the bed, with his clothes on, and his hand pressing against the side near his heart. He said, " Send for a doctor, Mrs. Guff.l have shot myself." Further evidence chewed that a six-chambered revolver was found lying on the floor', of which five chambers were loaded and one had been discharged. The following letter to Miss Hettie Corke, his sister, was also found: "I have gone—no, that's very Irish—l am going to that bourne from whence no traveller returneth, and have just taken my last cup of tea with &bitter zest. I havecoloured thetown to such a degree that there is no paint left in the locker, so I commend myself to Davy Jones. You will not remember my good qualities, for I never had any; and my bad ones I will sick you to forget. With much love, I am, yours, about to be 'kilt entirely.' "—The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind.  1
Blandford Weekly News. — 1889-05-04 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

KILLED BY A KITE.  Some fishermen engaged in Belfast Lough have picked up a very large seagull. which was seen approaching the boat with wings outspread floating on the water, but quite dead. The men were puzzled to account for the progress it made through the water, as it went faster than the boat; but as it came near it was found that wound securely round the bod 7 and under the wings, was a string of cordage, which on closer examination they discovered was attached to a large paper kite thei, flying above them at a considerable height. The kite had furnished the propelling power. The bird had evidently, while flying at Belfast, got entangled in the string of the kite, had been unable to extricate itself, and, taking to the sea,had been drowned in its efforts to obtain freedom.  DRIVEN MAD BY "JACK THE RIPPER" An inquiry has been held at Edmonton into the death of Robert Hiron, aged 52, a shoemaker, who committed suicide in a most determined manner.— Sarah Muench deposed that the deceased was her brother. She last saw him alive in the Edmonton Union. He was suffering from acute mania caused by the murders perpetrated by "Jack the Ripper" in Whitechapel, close to where the deceased was living at that time. These frequent murders, occurring as they did near to the place where be was living, unhinged his mind. The knife produced belonged to him, and was used in his business. Besides the murders there was nothing to account for his madness. Some time back he wandered away from Whitechapel, and was found in a dying condition in a field at Edmonton, whence he was taken to the workhouse.—Policeconstable Albert Kyte deposed that at 3 o'clock the other morning he was on duty near Union-lane gate when he heard groans, and a little further on be diecovered the deceased lying in the road almost I smothered in blood. Be called Dr. Jones, who said the man was nearly dead. An ambulance was procured, but the deceased, who was known as "Mad Jack," expired as they got to the union gates.— Inspector Aiusley deposed to being called by the last witness and finding the deceased lying in the road with a large gash in his throat. Close to the spot he found a bag of shoemaker's tools, while in the grass at the side of the road he found a knife covered with blood.—The jury returned a verdict et suicide whilst temporarily insane.
Blandford Weekly News. — 1889-07-06 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

MYSTERY OF THE PARIS MARKETS. Parisians now have a mystery of the markets, owing to the sudden disappearance of the widow Lorillon, nit Cecile Crapote. Madame Lorillon was a Dame de la Halle of opulent means, and besides her stall in the market she had three shops, her annual rental amounting to £2OO. Since her husband's death, two years ago, her managing man, says the Daily Telegraph correspondent, was a young market porter named Hocqueloux, whom she had not only promoted ti an important post, but had also favoured in a particular manner. itla,,ters went on very well between the pair unt'l Hocqueloux visited the widow's father and asked his consent to a marriage between himself and Madame Lorillon. This the father refused indignantly, and since that day the widow has not been seen. Subsequently Hoequeloux went to the Halle,, and told everybody, with sobs and lamentations, that the widow had left him with the intention of committing suicide. In the meantime the friends of the missing woman communicated their tuspicions to the police. The promoted porter was arrested, and his neck was found to be injured in various places, as if by the nails of some person with whom he had had a ,truggle. A market-woman deposed to finding Hocqueloux counting a heap of gold, and when she asked him about his mistress he told her savagely to mind her own business. This is, as yet, the only evidence against the prisoner.  The christening nf the infant son of Prince and Princess henry of Ilattenberg took place on Saturday at Windsor. The young prince has received the name of Leopold Arthur Louis.  At the recent annual meeting of the Catholie Union a resolution Was unanimously passed expressive of indignation at the honour lately paid in Rome to the memory of Giordano Bruno.  A boy named Davis, who lived in Mangton Ontario, has been the victim of the murderous instinct of • younger boy named Rolliver. Rolliver, who had a grudge against him, shooting him dead. The Metropolitan Public G lens Association have placed in the two upper corners of Trafalgar-square large banks of flowering and lege plants, which will be renewed from time to time during the next three months, in order to present a bright and attractive appearance.  Mr. Jam:S.-Southgate, a publican and coal dealer, residing at Great Bentley, near Colchester, went on Sunday to Ardleigh to meet his granddaughter. When passing over the railway line at &level crossing he was knocked down and killed by • continental paasenger train from Parkeston.
Blandford Weekly News. — 1889-04-20 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

ALL ORDERS, HOWEVER SMALL, WILL RECEIVE PROMPT ATTENTION.  MURDER AND SUICIDE IN A TRAIN'.  A shocking murder and suicide occurred on Saturday on the Midland Railway, at Trent Station, near Derby. The murderer is a foreigner named Robert Feror, aged 20, and his victim an actress named Lillie Bamford, aged 21, and a native of Spennynnwir. Durham. The murderer has for some time past been engaged as a foreign correspondent in a large manufactory at Derby. The yonng woman, basing been thrown out of a situation had been staying with her relatives at Pear Tree, an outskirt of Der! y. An attachment sprang up between the parties, and for some time past they had been on most affectionate terms. The other evening Feror called upon Miss Bamford, and gave her a bunch of lilies. She had Lein' expecting him, and was ready to receive 1 . Previous to his arrival she had remarked to some one in the house that "She must put on some Wean clothe., as she was going to die before the evening was over." Her remark, however, did not arouse any suspicion. After staying a short time in the house, Feror, together with his sweetheart, left in a cab, and proceeded to the Central Station of the Midland Railway. Feror then went to the tsnoking-oflice and took two first class return tickets to Nottingham. Leaving Derby by the 6.54 express, they arrived as Nottingham at 7.27. From the station they walked as far as the market-place, where they partook of refreshment at the Talbot Hotel, and subsequently returned to the station. Having partaken of more refreshment, the two entered a first-class carriage in the 9.20 express train, occupying the carriage alone. Nothing further was seen or heard of them until the train reached Trent station, a distance of six miles, when, on going to oollect the tickets, one of the porters was horrified to find both lying on the floor of the carriage in a pool of blood. Assistance was speedily summoned, and an examination shewed that both man and ,woman had received bullet wounds in the head, almost in the same spot. Feror was quite dead, and the V/01111in although she shoved some signs of life, died a few minutes afterwards. A silvei revolver of six barrels, with four undischarged, was found on the carriage floor. The train being an express to Derby, no time wan lost in leaving Trent, and the bodies, in charge of several Midland Railway officials, were conveyed to Derby Infirmary. On an examination by the house-surgeon, two bullet wounds were found on either side of the head of the man, while the woman had a bullet wound on the left side of the head. On searching Feror's clothes six more bullets were found wrapped in paper, together with some coins and several love letters which had passed between the two. It has transpired that the young woman had recently resolved to abandon the profession of an actress, and apply for a situation as a barmaid at the Midland Hotel. None of the passengers who travelled by the same train heard the reports of the revolver, or became aware of the murder until Trent was reached.
Blandford Weekly News. — 1889-04-20 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

FOUND DROWNED AT IFORD.—AR inquest Was held at the New Inn, Iford, on Monday morning, before Mr. J. Druitt, coroner, on the body of Elizabeth Hoopers who was found drowned in the river Stour on Saturday, under the following circumstances :—Dr. Hartford said that he attended the deceased professionally in September and October last. She was of unsound mind, and that state was aggravated by the serious illness of her daughter. She became better under treatment, but was suffering from chronic softening of the brain, which would be incurable and progressive. The probability was, that she was of more unsound mind recently, than at that time. He examned the body, and thought that death was due to drowining.—Harriet Hoare, a widow, of Downion, identified the body as that of her sister, who had been a widow for 20 years. She was 75 years of age, and had been very strange for the last seven months. Witness had been sent for from Downton to look after her. In the night of Friday last, the deceased was a little troublesome, and kept on waking up, and about six o'ciock she got up and dressed, and said she was going out. Witnesa dressed hurriedly and followed, bnt could not see any sign of her. They had slept that night at Mrs. Hooper's daughter's house. at Christchurch, and as witness thought the deceased might have gone to Iford to her own house, there she followed but conld bear no news.—William Best of Iford, gardener, deposed to seeing a woman on Saturday morning standing by the river Stoat., but whilst he went in to feed his heron, she had disappeared. He thought it was someone picking flowers or watercressea—P.S. Carpenter said that he went to Iford en Saturday about 10 a.m., and after making enquiries, searched the right bank of the river, and near to where Best had seen the woman standing, he saw the body, and procuring a boat at Iford, got it oat of the water. There was no trace of a struggle having taken place.— The jury returner] a verdict that the deceased conmilled suicide while ternporarilly insane.
Blandford Weekly News. — 1889-03-09 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

PIGOTT'S TRAGIC FATE.  Evers those who condemned in the strongest terms the infamy of Pigott'a conduct must have felt a thrill of commiseration when they heard that the wretched creature had put an end to his cwa life. When the game was up, and he saw that sudden flight was the only course left open to him, he made every effort to raise enough money to carry him beyond the pursuit of justice. With a BUM in his possession obtained by the sale of obscene literature, he made his way through France into Spain, being well aware no doubt that extradition treaties are lax in that country. He appears to have miscalculated, however, for, very soon after his arrival in Madrid, a police inspector presented himself and took the wretched man into custody. But the officer bungled over his work. Pigott asked permis sion to go to his room, and his request wac rashly granted. No doubt the idea of suicide was familiar to his mind. Without friends or money, destitute and disgraced in his old age, there was nothing for him to look forward to. Re required only a moment to put his design into execution. Drawing a revolver from his bag before the police officer could rejoin him, he placed it to his mouth, fired, and one of the most remarkable careers of crimt the world has ever known was at an end. Pigott was a man of undoubted ability, but he was unable from the first to "run straight," and his innate moral baseness prevented any chance his intellect might have had of asserting itself. The last scene of the drama has been a tragic one ; it cannot be said that he has atoned for his crimes by the final act, but he has placed himself out of the reach of human condemnation. In the presence of death the pen of the most relentless critic is checked.
Blandford Weekly News. — 1889-03-09 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

CAREER.  The story of Pigott's life has been to a very large extent told by himself in the witness.box, and if he had had the assurance to stand the fire of Sir Charles Russell's cross-exairination several chapter' which are now missing would no doubt have been added. He was born 54 years ago, and at an early age he entered on a career of journalism and duplicity. He became proprietor of the Irishman in April, 1865, and was soon afterwards sworn in as a member of the Fenian Brotherhood. In February, 1868, he won the martyr's crown by being sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, subsequently reduced to six, for publishing an article no the Manchester executions ; and soon afterwards he gained further distinction by four months' imprisonment for contempt of court. Journalism was too exciting for him, and in 1879 he opened negotiations for the sale of his paper, which ultimately passed into the hands of Patrick keen. It was about the time of the disposal of the Irishman that Pigott wrote the piteous appeals to Mr. Forster for monetary assist. ance of which we have recently heard FO much. The most generous and unsuspecting of men, Mr. Forster, ' was easily imposed upon, and he made Pigott several advances from his private purse, and promised to introduce him to Mr. Knowles, the editor of the Nineteenth Century. When at last the stream of Mr. Forster's charity ceased to flow, the grateful Pigott turned round upon him and I savagely abused him. About this time Macmillan's Magazine published an article bearing Pigott's signature in which he endeavoured to justify the then common argument that the Land Act of 1881 had left Ireland nothing more to wish for. His next public appearance was in the Contemporary Review of April, 1883, when he denounced what he called the " Land League Fenian Invincible Confederacy." In June, 1885, he contributed an article on the " Parnellibe Programme" to the Fortnightly Review, the object of which was to excite distrust of Mr. Parnell in Ireland. Pigott next played the part of forger, foisting on the Times, as the productions of Mr. Parnell and others, letters which he subsequently confessed to have fabricated. After forgery, perjury WAS easy. His suicide has been • tr'ori•-,I to a singularly dramatic episode.  Thomas Wilkinson, a labourer, has been found guilty at Nottingham Assizes of wounding Many Ann Wilkinson, his wife, with intent to murder, at Nottingham, and sentenced to seven years' penal servitude. The prisoner stabbed her severely in the neck with a pocketknife and inflicted severe wounds. Prince Albert Victor has presided at the annual festival dinner of the Society of Friends of Foreigners In Distress. In urging the claims of the institution, be mentioned that its accounts shewed a deficit of £1,400. At the close of the evening contributions amounting to over £2.800 were announced,
Blandford Weekly News. — 1889-06-15 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

TRAGEDY IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE. A teacher named Keeling, who was travelling from Bath yid Devizes in company with Miss Lister, of Birmingham, recently appointed head mistress at the Devizes Board School, shot his companion near Devizes, and threw her body out of the window. He afterwards shot himself with fatal effect. The first information of the occurrence came from • man named Burgess, who was working on the railway just below the Iron Bridge. Shortly after half-past one, am a rain storm was passing, he saw a woman stand up in a third-class compartment and suddenly throw up her arms. A man who was with her then fired two shots at her with a pistol, and then pushed her out of the window. A man named- George Williams, plasterer, who was working at the same time near the Iron Bridge, heard a shot as the train passed, and on looking round saw a woman hanging out of the carriage window, and subsequently drop on the bank. He ran up to her with the other man, and they found her I,ying on the bank,bleeding profuselybut quite sensible. She told them her name, and Dr. Cowie was sent for. The woman was at once taken to the Devizes Cottage Hospital. Shortly after this occurrence the body of a man was found on the line about a quarter of a mile below the scene of the first incident. He was dead, having been shot. It was evident that he had jumped from the train, as his foot was nearly cut off by the wheels. The body was taken to Devizes. Keeling had been paying his addresses to the young woman, and it is surmised that the tragedy is due to her refusal to aceept his attentions,  The two notorious Russian brigands, Jake and Ratcharnatcha, have been hanged in the presence of a large crowd of spectators. The former made a full confession at the last moment. An agent of the Panslavist Committee offered a bribe of £2,000 for the escape of Jako, who, it is supposed, was destined to play the same revolutionary rode as the late Captain Nabokoff. George A. Weeterkill, aged 25, has committed suicide in Chicago by taking morphine. Lying on a table in the room in a way to indicate that Wester. kill had been looking at it just previous to his taking the morphine was a photograph of Miss Lydia Thompson, the burlesque actress. Beside it was a letter from her thanking Weaterkill for the flowers and many favours he had shewn her during her recent stay in Chicago. During a me in the Central Cricket Ground at Hastings an aeronaut named Spencer ascended in a balloon with the intention of descending by means of a parachute. There was * strong wind blowing, and the balloon was carried towards the sea. Spencer dropped in the usual manner, but the wind prevented a straight desoent, and he fell into the sea about a mile and a half from the shore. He was rescued by a passing boat.  CurrINGS
Blandford Weekly News. — 1889-02-09 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

THE LATE CROWN PRINCE RUDOLPH.  Many rumours continue to reach England as to the actual manner in which the lamented Crown Prince of Austria came by his death.  A Munich correspondent of the Daily News says : The following are believed to be the circumstances under which the death of the Austrian Crown Prince took place:— On the afternoon of Tuesday last week Baroness —, a beautiful young girl, not tall, rather dark, and of a lively disposition, arrived at Meyerling and took up her quarters in a gamekeeper's house not far from the castle. No one knew of her being there except the gamekeeper aad his wife.  At midnight, when the Crown Prince had bidden his guests good night, he went to see her, and had been with her about an hour, when a forester already equipped for the chase, went to the house to ask the gamekeeper detailed instructions on some doubtful question. He knocked loudly at the door. A window opened, and a man jumped out and ran away, the forester aimed and fired. The fugitive fell, and when the forester walked up to him he recognised the Crown Prince, who had fainted. The shot had gone into his shoulder. The forester called for help, and with another man carried him into the gamekeeper's house.  The Baroness, taking him to be dead, turned to her travelling bag, took something out, and before she had been noticed she fell dead on the floor. The Crown Prince came to, and was taken by his own orders to the castle, where his valet began to ask anxious questions. The Crown Prince said, impatiently, "I have fallen; my nose is bleeding; go away. I wish to be alone." The valet went out reluctantly, and the Crown Prince locked the door, and committed suicide before a mirror. The Baroness was buried on Thursday in Heiligenkreuz, in the convent where all her family are interred.  Another story told by the Debats is that at five in the morning a gamekeeper, as he was making his rounds, saw a light in his wife's room, and knocking at the outer door called to her to open. He then heard the window open and somebody get out. Running in that direction he espied a man, who, though challenged, continued to run. He fired, but he only hit the mark with the second shot. The Prince fell. When the keeper saw whom lie had struck he rushed to the house to tell what had happened. Count Hoyos got out of bed and hurried out. The Prince was mortally wounded, and died in half-an-hour. On hearing this the keeper went into the woods and shot himself.