npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Widnes Examiner. — 1883-08-11 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

SAD SUICIDE OF A RUNCORN MAN. Mr. Joseph Harper, marine store dealer, Runcorn, committed suicide oq Sunday evening last. For some time past the deceased had been in a despondent state of mind in consequence of the depression in the particular trade in which he was engaged, and he has frequently expressed a wish that lee was dead. On Sunday afternoon, however, be was unusually cheerful, and promised to take his children to Overton Hills en Bank Holiday. His trouble still pdadjeased its hold upon his mind, for he remarked that as he 6414 no money they would have to walk, following the observation with a laugh. After tea Harper, according to his custom, went into his office, which was opposite his residence in Water-street, in order, it was supposed, to attend to his book-keeping and correspondence. Seven o'clock arrived, and he was still there. Suspicions Wine.' anused, a man named Peter O'Neil entered the store, and discovered the unfortunate man hanging by a hempen rope to a beam. He was at once cut down, and Or. Robinson was sent for, but that gentleman's services were not required, as life was quite extinct. Overturned on the floor near the spot where the deceased was hanging was an office stool. Upon this Harper had evidently stood whilst he fastened the rope to the beam, and the loose noose round his neck, and than jumped off, strangulation quickly ensuing. It has been stated that the only money found since the sad aff iir amounts to ss. 41. A juryman at the inquest ouserVed that some time ago he saw the deceased's bank book, and there was then to his credit at Parr's Bank the sum of £Boo.—Mr. Ridgway, of Warrington, held an inquest on the body on Tuesday, when the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased committed suicide whilst temporarily insane.  BANK ilk .IY.
Widnes Examiner. — 1883-08-11 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

SUICIDE OF A CONVICT.—David Mackie, machinist, who was sentenced last week to ten years' penal servitude for the attempted murder of his wife at Birmingham, committed suicide in Warwick Gaol on Tuesday by hanging himself in his cell. The curious observation has been made by a French writer that the initials of the-five elements (in their French names) which enter chiefly into the composition of organic matter, namely, carbone, hydrogene, azote, oxygene, and soufre, spell chaos. Lately in the post-office, Cleveland, Ohio, was found a letter with the followaig plainly-written address :—"To the big-faced Butche-, with a wart on his nose—ClevelancZ, • Ohio." Th, clerks in the post-office all knew the man, but were afraid to deliver the letter ! The Hon. Henry Erskine was, notwithstanding his powers las a humorist, once overcome in wit by a country clergyman. The Rev. Dr. M‘C—, minister of Douglas, and Mr. Erkine had met at the dinner table of a mutual friend. A dish of cresses being on the table, the rev, gentleman took a supply on his plate, which he proceeded to eat, using his fingers. Erskine remarked that the doctor's procedure reminded him of' Nebuchadnezzar. "Ay," retorted Dr. "that'll be because I am eatin' amang the brutes." A young bachelor, who had been appointed deputy-sheriff, was called upon to serve an attachment against a beautiful young widow. He accordingly called upon her, and said, "Madam, I have an attachment for you." The widow blushed, and said she was happy to inform him his attachment was reciprocated. "You do not understand.. me; you must proceed to court." "I know it is leap-year, sir; but I prefer you would do the courting." " Mrs. l'—, this is no time for trifling; the justice is waiting." "The justice! Why, I should prefer a larson." His
Widnes Examiner. — 1894-02-17 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

RUNCORN ENGINEER DROWNED._  On Mond—ay morning the body of Thomas Houghton, aged 54 years, engineer on the " buoy-boat" Preston, who had been missing since January 4th, was found ! floating in the tidal basin at the docks, and it was removed to his late home, Lowfield Cottage,Canal bank, : Runcorn. On Tuesday, Mr. Worsley, coroner, held the . inquest, Mr. Robert Wright being foreman of the jury. Martha Houghton, Lowfield Cottage, •Widow of tiie deceased, said her husband was engineer on the buoy boat Preston. On the evening of the 4th January at 7.15 she left deceased in the house while she went to do some shopping. When she returned he was not in the house, hut she found his watch and money on the plate shelf. He had suffered from nervous debility for five months, and was attended by Dr. MacDougall. He had been able to follow his work. He was depressed, apd complained of severe pains in his head. He had never threatened to take his life. She could not account for his death at all. They all had tea together then the children sang, and when she left,his boy was reading to him.—Thomas Houghton, a boy, who said he worked on a " packet " gave evidence that he last saw his father alive at ten minutes to eight on the fourth. His father told him to go to bed as they would have to be out early in the morning. Ile went to bed. His father did not say goodnight. He did not see his father take his watch ! from his pockets. They had been singing hymns. There had been no quarrelling.—By Mr. R. Wright : The packet was lying at bettom locks.—Mr. Wright That is close to where he was found.—Joleph Rowe,dockmaster, deposed to finding the body in the tidal basin.—The widow recalled. said the doctor had not told her to watch her husband.—P.C. Williams said there were no marks of violence on the body of the deceased.—The Coroner said there were two verdicts which the jury could return. One was " found drowned." If they could connect the state of his mind and the placing of his watch and purse on the shelf with his death, they could return a verdict of " suicide whilst temporarily insane" but he should ask them to seriously consider the evidence before returning such a verdict. It was possible that the man might have fallen into the water whilst on his way to Ins ship. It was a very sad case.—Mr. Robert Wright, foreman, said the jury were in favour of a verdict of Found drowned."—The Coroner : I quite agree • with that.
Widnes Examiner. — 1894-11-24 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

SIX GHOSTS IN SIX MILES.  Mr. S. Arnott, of Carsethorn, who read before the Dumfries and Galloway Antiquaries, the other evening, a paper on '• Kirkbean Folk-lore," gave the startling information that they had six ghosts down there in a district of about six miles by three. Of some of these un-, pleasant re-visitors of the moon the leaturer gave particulars. One was at three cross roads near Arbigland, and had a tragic story connected with it. A young lady of the family of Craik, formerly proprietress of the estate, was said to have become attached to a young man named Dunn, a grocm or horsebreaker in her father's employment, and one day the object ef her affections was shot dead. In the eyes ot the law the sad occurrence was considered a case of suicide, but popular belief attributed it to the murderous act of ene of Miss Craik's brothers. It was said that the lady was of the latter opinion, and that she went to reside in England,never returning to the place so full to her of tragedy. The remains of Dunn were interred on the Borron Hill, and years afterwards were disinterred by a man in the neighbourhood, the skeleton being, it was said, sent to Miss Craik at her request. The apparition of the murdered man was said to frequent the lonely spot where he met his death, and one of his informants spoke also of the appearance here of one of the white ladies so familiar in ghost stories, and whose affection for Kirkhean seemed somewhat remarkable. About half-way between the villages of Kirkbean and Preston Mill, where there is a small plantation on the side of the road and a larger wood on the other, and where the road forms a hollow, anot her white lady was seen, who was said not only to walk on the tops of the trees, but sometimes to acccmpany passengers on the highway.
Widnes Examiner. — 1894-02-24 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

TILE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY A  WARRINGTON MAN.  At the Oldham Police Court, on Monday, before Mr. G. B. Taylor and other magistrates, a loom jobber, named Albert Ward, thirty-three years of age, was placed in the dock on a charge of having attempted to Commit suicide by stabbing himself in thelichest, and neck on thQ morning of Ninaday, the ! sth inst. The Chief Constable (Mr. R. Peacock ),said the prisoner came to Oldham on the Ist February, and went to lodge with Michael Gleeson, at Ripponden-road.. Before that the man had been employed at a Warrington mill, of which town he was a native. He started work at the Watershedding,s Mill, and on the night of the 2nd inst., after working but one day, he bad a heavy fall whilst in a fit. He was afterwards queer in his manner, and at one o'clock of the morning of the sth inst., he slipped out of bed and went downstairs, and began to smask a large quantity of ornaments. lie was taken upstairs, but lath on he got up and again went downstairs. Two other lodgers who slept with him followed !Ward and found that he had cut his throat with a pocket knife, and was stabbing himself in the chest. They stopped him, and be was taken to the Infirmary, where he remained until that morning. In answer to the magistrates' clerk, the prisoner, who appeared to be still very ill, said that he came from Warrington,where he had many friends.—The man's brother who stepped forward, told the bench that he had been working in Watrington for many years, but the prisoner liad been out of, work from New Year's Day up to the time he went to Oldham. He added :that his brother was not" right "in hi 3 head when he stabbed himself, and that his being in that state was in consequence of the fit and the fall.—The Chairman (to the prisoner) : Are yen all right now P—Ward : 1 feel all right. I know what lam doing; but I feel very weak. I want to go home with My brother.—The Chairman: Will you attempt such a thing again P—Prisoner No, Sir.—The magistrates allowed the man to go home with his brother the latter giving a promise that he would look after him.
Widnes Examiner. — 1894-07-14 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

DETERMINED SUICIDE AT SANKEY BRIDGES.  A suicide of a very determined character, took place at Sankey Bridges, between two and three o'clock on Saturday morning. A man was seen ou the river bank near Monks,Hall, and Co.'s works,to divest himself.of his coat and vest and then jump into the river. A strong tide was coming up the river at the time, and the man was carried towards Warrington. A man named William Ede,who was employed as a watchman on the dredgers at Bank Quay,saw the man, and procured a boat and pushed off to his assistance,but was unable to save him. The ' river was dragged on Saturday morning with grappling irons, but the body was not recovered. On the coat pockets of the man being searched,a letter addressed to William Moran, 36, Howard-street, Sankey Bridges, was found in them. The tenants of that house were at once communicated with,and they identified the clothing as that of Wm. Moran, who was 29 years of age. The body was recovered on Tuesday, a little higher up the river than where the deceased was seen to jump in. The inquest was held by Mr. S. Brighouse on Thursday morning, at the Black Horse Inn, Sankey Bridges. William Moran, the father of the deceased said that his son resided with him at 36 Howard-st. He was a sofa spring and sieve maker by trade, but had been out of wiork since Christmas, during which time, witness had kept him. The last time witness saw his son alive was on Tuesday, the 3rd inst. On Saturday morning lie was returning from his work, and heard that someone had jumped into the river, and meeting the policeman with. the clothes in his possession, he at once identified them as belonging to his son. Witness did not know of any reason why his son had done away with himself, but he had had very bad rest at night. He was drinking on the morning when witness last saw him.—Richard Moran said that he was brother of deceased. From Tuesday the 3rd inst. to Thursday they had been drinking together, and on Thursday they had spent all their money. During Tuesday and Wednesday nights they had slept it Arpley meadows and Dallam Forge. They parted in Tanner's-lane on Thursday, and witness never saw deceased again alive. He was sober at that time.—Win. Ede, waterman, 36 Regent at., Runcorn, said that he. was in the employ of the Ship Canal Company. Between two and three o'clock on Saturday morning he saw. the deceased jump into the river. Witness at once got a boat to go to his assistance, but the deceased sank,before the boat reached him. It was just breaking day when the man jumped into the river. The deceased made a run across the bank before he jumped into the river. He never called for help. Witness saw the body pulled-out on Tuesday, and it was taken to the residence of deceased's lather.—The jury after about five minutes' consultation, returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane."
Widnes Examiner. — 1894-04-21 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE.  James Birch, sixty-three years of age, formerly a pig butcher, living alone at Wiedle-cottages, St. Helens, committed suicide on Monday. He had evidently cut his throat, and, feeling his weakness, had crawled to a sofa about five yards away and lain down upon it, and in that position he was found dead. He had not been seen since one o'clock on Sunday. A razor covered with blood was found on the table near. Police-sergeant Smith,. of Rainford, was called to the house, and he took possession of the razor. The deceased was a married man, but lived apart from his wife. A woman who goes to clean for him first made the discovery on Monday morning.—Mr. Brighouse, coroner, held an inquest at the Windleshaw Abbey Inn, St. Helens, on Wednesday, on the body of the deceased.— Thomas Birch, son of deceased, gave evidence of identification. Ho last saw his father alive on Saturday, the 7th. He then appeared to be rambling, and was crying. and said he was a bit upset. He did not say anything more. His wife had not lived with him since Christmas and he had Neen living in the house alone.—The foreman of the jury said he saw the deceased a week previous, and he seemed all right then, with the exception of being a little depressed.—Mrs. Margaret Birch gave evidence as to finding Mr. Birch dead. He was in a sitting position on the sofa. She saw him on Friday night, and he then said he was quite a lunatic and did not know what he was doing. He left work a fortnight ago, and had been "drinking awful since."—bergeant Smith said he got information of the occurrence on Monday, and arrived at the house silently before one o'clock. The body did not appear to have been disturbed. On examining the body he found a wound in the throat about three inches across and very deep, apparently severing the windpipe. On going into the pantry, about five yards from where the body was, he • found a raz->r (produced) covered with blood. About a , fo. t from where the razor was lying there was a washing mug with a large quantity of blood in it. The blood was clotted, and had been in some time. Witness saw Birch two or three times last week, and he was apparently drinking heavily.—The Foreman said they were of the opinion that he had feloniously killed himself and that there was not sufficient evidence to show that he was of unsound mind. That, the coroner said, was a verdict of Fete de se.
Widnes Examiner. — 1894-08-18 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

SAD SUICIDE AT ST. HELENS. THE "BITTER CRY" OF A DISCHARGED WORKMAN.  At St. Helens Town Hall on Monday, Mr. F. A Jones, deputy county coroner, held an inquest on the body of James Bromilow, aged thirty, a bottlemaker, residing at 30, Lyon-street, who died from the effects of drinking carbolic acid on Saturday. Mrs. Bromilow, the widow, stated that her husband was employed at glass bottle works of Messrs. Cannington, Shaw, and Co., but was discharged about eight weeks ago. He bad worked a little since at those: works, and was workine last Tuesday. He was depending on getting 103. a week which the Bottlemakers' Society allowed to members who were stopped through slackness of trade. On Saturday he saw "young Mr. Chadwick." When he got home at 'twenty minutes to twelve he walked past witness aad went to the sofa and began to cry bitterly. Witness said, "Don't take on like that." He replied, "Mr. Chadwick says he can't , conscientiously say h., discharged me through slackness of work, and lam not to have my 10s. He says it will be a warning to me in the future." Deceased further said he replied," Well, Mr. Chadwick, you will take the bread out of my poor children's mouths, for I have nothing to turn to." (Here Mrs. Bromilow cried bitterly). He then turned to his wife and said, "There is nothing but starvation for my poor children." She said "Don't take on like that; something always turns up." He afterwards went upstairs. Witness thought he would like to read, and she was taking him a newspaper when she met him on the stairs. She smelt something strange and at once suspected he had taken something. She said, "Oh, Jim. what have you done ?" He said, "I have done it for the best for you." She said, " Whatever were you thinking of ?" He said, "It is done and can't be helped." She told the eldest child to fetch a neighbour. Be slid, " Fetch no one." She, however, called a neighbour, and sent for Dr. Donellan. Two bottles containing carbolic acid were afterwards found in the bedroom. One had been purchased from Mr. Jackson, chemist, and three-parts of the contents had been taken. Asm Mier bottle had been purchased from Mr. J. Cotton, chemist, and had not been touched. Both had been purchased that mo ruing, and were properly labelled. Everything was done that could possibly be done to bring him round, but he died at a quarter to two.  After some further evidence the jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilbt of unsound mind."
Widnes Examiner. — 1894-08-25 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

THE VACANCY IN THE HOWLEY  WARD.  • t 74  (  BEAU i  and . sure&  tAilittiy U. lel.  On Monday evening, when the time allowed for the nomination of candidates for the vacancy in the Howley ward expired, two candidates had been nominated, viz., Mes‘rs. James Battersby and John Evans. The following is the list of the nomination  papers. JAMES BATTERSBY, 22 Cartwright-street, filesmith. proposed by Samuel Wright, seconded by Henry Leigh, and assented to by William Gregson, John Hill, Samuel Johnson, William Spencer, George Beckley,John Ellison, William Hewitt Dutton, and Charles Wainwright.—Also proposed by James Parr, seconded by Henry Malkin,and assented to by Frederick Leigh. Benjamin Hell, William Hill, James Weave, John Berry, Joseph Whinow, Thomas Dakin, and George Hunter. JOHN EVANS, 33, Church street, Warrington, licensed victualler and brewer. proposed by Arthur Browne, seconded by James Crawford Ross, and assented to by Joseph Dolan. Jacob Sankey, Thomas Locker, Richard Jones, James Atherton Gibson, Alfred Downes, Joseph Albinson and Thomas Dinwiddie.—Also proposed by John Dewhurst, secor.ded by Joseph Harrison, and assented to by Thomas Grime, Wm. Johnson, David Hooley, Arthur Percy Grange, Henry Johnson Longton, Moses Eckersley, Frederick Robert Pierpoint and John Stainforth Hill.— Also proposed by James Cannel!, seconded by Thomas Mason, and assented to by John Cross, Joseph Birchall, John White, Samuel Johnson, Charles Daniels, Napoleon Bailey, Jabez Smith and S imuel Keen.—Further proposed by Wm. Bolton, seconded by Samuel Davies, and assented to by Andrew Richardson Robertson, T. James Emmess, John Ewings, Wm. Lee, Wm. Clare, Herbert Thomas Bolton, James Spencer and James Appleton. On Tuesday afternoon the Mayor (Alderman Greenall) attended at the Council Cbimber at the l'iwn Hall to bear objections to any of the nomination papers. As neither Mr. Battersby nor Mr. Evans lodged any, the candidates will now go to poll. Tile election will take place on Monday, the polling berth being at the National schools. It will be remembered that Mr. Battershy is the Trades Council candidate, and relies for his success upon the labour vote. Mr. Evans comes out as an "independent "candidate.  The Admiral commanding the port of Cronstadt was killed on Saturday by a workman whom he had dis, aniseed. The assassin committed suicide.
Widnes Examiner. — 1894-04-07 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

FOOTBALLERS AND THE BOOT CLUB.  Before the Registrar, at St. Helens County Court on Wednesday, the adjourned case in which Eastwood and five others summoned Mr. W. Rimmer, bootmaker, Duke-street, Was again mentioned. It will be remembered that a number of footballers started a boot club at the Cambridge Hotel, kept by Mr. W. Cross, captain of the St. Helens Club. The payments were is. per week, and the members had to draw for their turns. The defendant made the boots, but in consequence, as he stated, of several members who had been fortunate to get the bre.A3l not haying paid, he could not keen on making the boots. Mr. J. P. Mearns, who appeared for the plaintiffs, stated yesterday that Rimmer was now making the boots for the plaintiffs, and the case was further adjourned.  The Medical Annual advises Praotitioners to remember that when revommending Cocomi as food and beverage for Invalids, the name CsnnultY on any packet of Cocoa is a guarantee of puritv.—Adet.  It has been decided to bring out Mr. Thomas Aspinwall as a Labour candidate for the borough cf Wigan at the next Parliamentary election.  On Tuesday John Langford, baker, of Liverpool, murdered Elizabeth Stephens, a woman with whom he resided. Finding that she had been drinking, he stabbed her with a pocket knife, inflicting such a serious wound that she died. The man attempted to commit suicide.  Tit'. Itoyal Laundresses say Critohley's " &rase!! Gtorol is unequalled for imparting a benutifni finish to starched linen, Sze.. either cold or boiling water starch. Mr.—, Cornwall. says :—" My wife will not finish our linen without ycnit " Starch Gloss.'" From Mrs. —, Bradford : "Dear sit . I ant Weased to inform you that I have tried many ao-naikd Starch tilezes and Polishes, but find none emull to yours." Tt shoiddc used in every Louse. Sold at M.. 3d.. awl fid•, most gt;•i'cit sellers. if not in stock wi,ll procure it. T. CU bur n. P:uptiator.-44