npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Forest of Dean Examiner : — 1875-05-28 (Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England)

ROMANTIC ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OF A BARMAID.  The Chester Observes says :—We have bad lately a hoax (the matrimonial one which very nearly ended in a tragedy, and now we hear of a tragedy which has almost ended in a farce. It appears that a young woman of very prepossessing appearance was some days before the races engaged as barmaid at a well-known inn in this city. This, according to our information, was her first time "out." although not her first engagement as barmaid. Her parents, ml o are highly respectable people. IL e in North. wieh, and while in that town the young woman formed the acquaintance of a gentleman who condescends at present to act as a clerk to a law surveyor in a Lancashire town. The race week at Chester is a highly favourable time for such "dead eels" by young women, we are informed, and the particular barmaid, with her Haien hair and blue eyes, succeeded in captivating a gentleman whose to.-as in 'no is in Chester, greatly to the indignation of the individual we have before mentioned. How he got to hear of the affair we do not know, but telegrams passed at all events on the subject. A few days since the young woman left her situation and went to reside with some relations not far from Dee lane. She was rather melancholy, and.perased her old love letters for want of any more serious occupation. The nest day, however, it would appear that she made up her mind to ..shu:ile off this mortal coil," and in order that her dcpartnre should be effected in the proper way, she sent to a druggist in Foregate street for six pennyworth of laudanum, saying, through a messenger, that this " medicine " was for the toothache. Immediately on receiving the " medicine " the young woman (about mid-day on the same day) drank three parts of it at a draught in the privacy of her bedroom. She, of course, became very ill, and an aunt with whom she lived, having some suspicion, sent for a medical man. Two medical men were soon in attendance, and, although the lady relative had bean some time in making up her mind to send for a doctor, he one. ceeded in pumping up the poisonous liquid. The young woman's father was immediately telegraphed for, and be duly arrived in Chester, ' accompanied by a friend. The would-be martyr tc Cupid was at once conveyed in a cab to the Nortbgate railway station, and ,t is to be hoped that the fresh air of the Wyches will soon recover her from the effects of the rash act.
The Forest of Dean Examiner : — 1875-10-01 (Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE OF A WELL-KNOWN  CGKE MERCHANT. The village of Gospel End, near Sedgley, was, on Saturday morning, thrown into a state of great alarm, by the sad intelligence that Mr. David Hill, a gentleman extensively known in commercial circles throughout the Midland Counties, had committed self-destruction. On inquiry the shocking news wets found to be too true. 1, arrears that Mr. Hill, who resided at Gospel End, gut up about eight o'clock, on Saturday morning, and having washed I ' and dressed himself; came downstairs. When his i groom, George Shaw, raw him he wished him good morning, and inquired after his health—Mr. Hill having been poorly several days—to which Mr. Hill replied that he felt "middling." When breakfast was ready, Mr. Hill could not be found anywhere, although looked after and called in every direction. The groom was sent in search of him, and as he did , not readily find him he went up into the maltroorii, which is a little way detached from the reeidenoe of the deceased, and there, in the corner of a disused kiln he washorrified at finding the body of his master lying in soffie straw, and bleeding from a eat in his throat. Near to the body was a dagger. Mr. Walker, surgeon, of Upper Gornall, was fetched immediately on the discovery, but OH his arrival life was extinct. Dr. Best, of Bilston, the family medical attendant, was also there directly after the occurrence. The wound in the throat was a clean cut of about four inches straight across, and deep under the chin, the windpipe being completely severed. Before committing the rash act, deceased had taken off his hat, collor, and necktie, and laid them down on the floor of the kiln. The deceased has been more or less unwell for some time, and was in a melancholy and desponding mood at the time. No reason can be assigned for the act, as he was in affluent circumstances, and surrounded with everything to render life enjoyable. It is stated that he passed a restless night, and it is generally said that the death of his wife a few months ago has much depressed his spirits, and that he has frequently been found to mourn her loss. Mr. Hill was for many years an attentive and useful guardian of the poor of Sedgley, and he also creditably filled other offices.
The Forest of Dean Examiner : — 1875-10-15 (Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England)

SUICIDE OF A PRISONER AT BRIERLEY  HILL.  A painful sensation was created in Brierley Hill Police Court on Monday when it became known that during the proceedings a prisoner had committed suicide in an adjoining cell. At about midday Police-constable Holland left the Court for the purpose of bringing into the dock a prisoner named Thomas Pearson (40), carpenter, and a native of North Wales. When he entered the cell he found Pearson lying motionless upon the floor, with his head in one corner and his feet near the door. An alarm was noised, and Mr. J. H. Houghton (Dudley) and Mr. Hodson (Cradley Heath), surgeons, who happened to be in attendance as witnesses, at once left the Court; but upon examining the man they pronounced life extinct. Around the neck of the deceased was a narrow piece of sacking torn from that which is used in the cell as a pillow. Another piece was hanging from the grating of the ventilator, near the ceiling of the cell. Deceased had evi. dentiv jumped from the cell closet, and it is surmised that the sacking broke after death had ensued. It .aaac Oasa ago rearsca °Liaise(' a situation under Mr. Edward Lucas, ianctiord f the Whittington Inn, Kinver. He ' worked for a month, and on the 20th September was seen upstairs under suspicious circumstances. He left the premises, and Mrs. Lucas afterwards missed a cashbox, aontaining £2'. On the 4th October he returned to the inn, and information was given to Sergeant Stevenson, who arrested him. On Monday week he was brought before the magistrates and remanded. Inquiries were subsequently made respecting him at Longton, where his wife and family resided, and it was ascertained there was another warrant against him for stealing a quantity of brasses on the Ist October from the Lane End Ironworks, belonging to Messrs. Thomas Goddard and Sons. He was also "wanted" for other rffcnces. Police-constable Lowe and John Bland, foreman at Messrs. Goddard's works, came to Brierley Hill on Monday morning as witnesses in the charge of stealing brasses. They asked to go into the cell for the purpose of identifying the prisoner. When they inquired if he knew them be became pale, dropped his head, and turned away. The cell was visited afterwards by Police-constable Richards, who saw nothing about Pearson to create suspicion; but in twenty minutes, however, the other officers found him dead.
The Forest of Dean Examiner : — 1875-04-09 (Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England)

GENERAL NEWS.  Mr. Jame* Albery's new comedy, " The Spendthrift," will be the next production at the Olympic. The American papers announce that Mr. Whitney is about to pay a milt to hie native land, .\ merica. The "Merchant of Venice" will probably be brought out at the Prince of NVales'a Theatre in the course of the nest fortnight. Hollingehead has arranged with M. Coulon pat a short aeseon of French comic opera at the Gaiety, to commence on Saturday, May 15. - -• «David Garrick" has been revived at the Haymuket, with Mr. Sothern, Mr. Buckstone, and Mies gaiie Walton in the principal characters. 11r. Reginald Brooks is editing a selection from Ike poems of the late Shirley Brooks the volume pill be published by Messrs. Bradbury and Agnew. on Monday M. Pitron commenced hie London seasoil of much plays at the Opera Comique with hardas comedy of La Pamilte Bnoitoo. It his been decided that the Devastation shall leave Portsmouth for Gibraltar and Malta, in con, /goy with the Hercules, on the 11th inst. -• - •  The rims says the Due Decazos has officially announced the adhesion of the French Government to the International l'ostal Union to the eathorities at Berne. The Daity News says the Marquis de Chennevieres, Mae Director of Fine Arts, has reigned in rouseof differences with M. 'Walton as to a nominationof the Fine Arts Committee.  Dr. Hill Burton, the historian of Scotland, is engaged upon a new work, to be entitled "A History of Great Britain during the Reign of Queen Anne." It will fill two volumes. Handel's 't Judas Maccab.cus" was performed for the firat time in Brussels, on the 21st ult„ by the Conservatoire, under the direction of H. Gsvaert, the Principal of the Inetitution.  Tbe result of the arbitration in the Newcastle Chemical Works dispute is, that the men return to VOA to-day on the terms proposed by the emSUICIDE /11. A
The Forest of Dean Examiner : — 1875-09-03 (Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England)

BOY. —At the West Riding Police-court, Leeds, on Tuesday, Alfred Bunt, 12, a pony driver at Messrs. Bowers' Allerton Collieries, was summoned by Inspector Warren, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, her cruelty to an ass. On the 14th inst. the defendant was seen to strike the donkey with a long sharp-pointed piece of iron, known as a "dog," and on an examination being made, three incised wounds, an inch deep and an inch and a half broad each, were found on the animal's body. In defence the boy said the donkey had been kicking at him, and he only put the "dog" out to protect himself. He did not strike the animal at all. The magistrates, taking into consideration the youth of the prisoner, inflicted a penalty of 40s, and costa or in deone month's imprisonment. MELANCHOLY Suiciiie.—On Monday evening, Dr. Hardwicke, Coroner for Central Middlesex, held an inquest, at Marylebene, on the body ef Win. Beaty, a gentleman in affluent circumstances, who committed suicide on Saturday morning, by cutting his throat with orator. Deceased, who had been in an asylum, had been despondent of late, the delusions under which he laboured being of an alarruing character. Or Saturday morning, as he did not get up at his usual hour, and hie bedroom door was locked, a locksmith and a police-constable were sent for, and the room broken into, when he was fouled lying in bed, ir a pool of blood, with his throat cut. The medical evidence showed that for some days deceased was unusually depressed, and precaution wee taken by moving everything out of his way wherewith he might ham himself. No one knew how be ensue by the razor. The jury agreed that death was caused by hcemorrhag,e, by cutting his throat with a razor, and that the deceased committed suicide whilet ins state of unsound
The Forest of Dean Examiner : — 1875-04-02 (Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England)

DEAN STANLEY ON THE REAL SACRAMENTAL PRESENCE. On Sunday morning Westminster Abbey was crowded to the doors long before ten o'clock. There was full choral service, and the anthem "Now is Christ risen, and become the first fruits of those that slept," and the well known "Easter Hymn," were beautifully sung. The sermon was preached by the Dean, who took for his text the seventh verse of the first chapter ' of the Enid Epistle of St. John—" The blood of Jesus Christ." The whole tenour of the diecourse was to show that the words the "body "and the "blood" of Christ in the sacramental service were not, and amid not, be taken in their literal sense. Both words were used to express the same general truth, namely, the inward essence of the Redeemer's character and spirit whilst here on earth, the very foundation of which was charity or love in its universal sense, without which wen were, to all intents and purposes, dead in the sight of God. But there was, perhaps, a more specific meaning or significance in the use of the word the " blood " than in that of the " body " of Christ. The physical blood of Christ was the emblem of that which was so often expressed in the ancient Jewish law, that the blood was the life of a living creature. And the blood of Christ meant the inward essence of His character, or the most inward essence of the Christian society which represented Him, the life blood of Christendom Love, generosity, magnanimity, kindness, toleration, forgiveness, and a host of kindred viltues were things of which the blood was the emblem, and of which the Divine life and death were the supreme fulfilment. This was indeed the true blood. More precious than any ever brought by pilgrim or crusader in golden vessels from costly shrines—the love or charity of God to man, the love or charity of men to one another.  The Rev. Mr. Sabben, vicar of Maston Lordship, in Yorkshire, committed suicide at Brighton onMonday, by hanging himself. The deceased had been in a desponding sta., e of mind for some time. An inquest was held on Monday at Cardiff, before Mr. E. B. Reece, upon the body of Mary Jane Richards, who was murdered by her husband while in bed on Saturday morning last. A verdict of " Wilful murder" WR9 returned a ainst the hue. land, who now lies in the Infirmary with a prospect of recovering. A GOLDEN Waentwo.—The 50th year of married life, a species of jubiiee which few people live to celebrate, was attained on Sunday, the 14th March, by Mr. Thomas Chilton, of Stafford. formerly eergeant in her Nlajesty's tlist Regiment. It is worthy of remark that both he and hie wife are still vigorous enough • o warrant the belief that-they will live to add many more years to their half-century of wedded life.— St offordshire Ad,ertiscr.
The Forest of Dean Examiner : — 1877-07-27 (Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England)

FTGITTING IN ASIA._  telegraphing frown Er cairn, the Mom/osier 4.70,1;as says the Russians have retreated across tae fn•ntier, having passed the river Arpson. Mukhtar .I"acha is reported to be three miles from the frontier. Oa the 10th the Russians who were encamped at Fe-hit sent forward cavalry to attack the Turkish rlght flank. The whole of the Turkish cavalry, regulse, and irregular, immediately adranced t. meet them. An engagement began at Zedikkr', and a fierce Laud-to-hand struggle ensued, lasting three Lours and a half. The Russians were repulsed with loss, the Turks boldly pursuing them as far as their camp, when they were met by 6,000 Cossacks in reserve. nonwhite it Turkish battery had been placed in position without the Russians knowing it, and when witlO range is Cosmcks were killed by the first volley. Owing to superior numbers, the Tarts were obliged to retire, but they did so in good order, and disputed every inch of ground. The Russian loom were .sbout 200, and the Turkish 35  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OF DETECTIVE DRUSCOVICiI. . _ .  It is reported that Inspector Itruscovich, after his recent remand, and when conveyed to the House of Detention, attempted to commit suicide. When the accused had been placed in hiacell he tore up his sheet and made it into a rope. Having done this ho fastened it to the bar of the window in his cell. He next stood on his bed and Listened the Noose round his neck. Ile than jumped off his bed and fell suspended within a few inches of the ground. When the prison official came.round he was much surprised at not hearing any response to his knocking at the door, and when ho opened it he found the inspector hanginir in the manner already desoribed. The turnkey lost no tilos, but immediately cut Druscovich down, and subsequently sent for the prison surgeon who was only enabled after considerable difficulty to restore Druscorich to coneciousnees..lt is stated that had the inspector not been discovered for a few ruinantes longer life would hove been extinct.
The Forest of Dean Examiner : — 1877-05-25 (Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England)

FAT I. Flan is Losuos.—Early on Monday' morn. Inc a destructive fire broke out at the French Restaurant, Villiers street, Strand, by which one life was lost. The fire was discovered by a passing cabman, and the alarm having been given engines and escapes were promptly in attendance. Two persons were at once rescued from the second floor, while two others jumped out of a back window and were seriously injured. They were taken to Charing Cr as Hospital. Eight other persons who were in the house escaped by a trapdoor to the roof of the Princes@ of Wales Tavern. One person was still iniseing, and soon as the fire was subdued search vv.; made, and the body found burned to a cinder. The deceased was a Frenchman lodging in the house. His name is unknown. but he had stated that he was over on baldness connected with the French Exhibition. A man committed suicide on Sunday its one of the police cells attached to the new Court House, Stranraer. It appears that on the previous evening the police. suspecting that a man, rcprrseniug himself as blind and begging, was imposing on tie •„üblic, tbok him to the surgery of a medical gentleman, who stated that the man could see perfectly well. They then lodged him in the police office. The man was visited at eleven o'clock, and replied to the constable. At two o'clock the comtable again called at his cell, and receiving no answer entered, and found hint suspended to the wall of the cell quite iiead, lie had taken the napkin from his neck and tied it to the gas-pipe of his evil, and succeeded in terminating his Ice by hanging. His name Is hobert kfuirhead, 42 years of age. He was a natve of Lanarkshire. A tstard, which he carried on his breast, represented that he was "a poor blind man, who bad lost ali3 sight at the Muirkirk Quarry."—Gla.wou, Even _Vc,s.  AssArLT AT AN A.T7ENANT AT A
The Forest of Dean Examiner : — 1877-06-01 (Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England)

WILL CABE. An extraordinary will cats was concluded before Judge Warren and a special jury on Saturday. The suit was brought to establish the will of the late Mr. Charles P. Ker, son of Mr. W. it. Ker, exeM.P. for Downpntrick. The testator, by a will made oh the 111th of June, 18711, bequeathed his interest in AtflitOd ohareed on the estate of his fattier to ..141rs. Georgina Baker, the plaintiff in the suit. The will was disputed by a brother of the testator and by Miss Peron, who were named as legatees in an earlier will, on the grounds of undue influence, fraud, and want of testamentary capacity. It appeared that the testator, a young Man of 28 years of age at the time of his death, which occurred in September lastoras addicted to intemperate habits; that during the last two years of his ids he had eight distinct ittaeks Of delirium tremens ; and hat,oll the 13th of September, two months and a half after lie had executed the will. now sought to be proved, he committed suicide by cutting his throat while labouring under one of these attacks. Mrs. Balser, the plaintiff, is a young widow of independent means, and, according to the statement of counsel, and from her own evidence in the witness-box, Mr. Ker had replatedly asked her to marry him. He professed to have a strong affection for her, se.el frequently visited her at her hew, wslle heiumself had from the death of his stepmother in 1873 taken up his residence in the house of Mr. Harper, an uncle of the ;plaintiff, and residing near her. On the 27th of June, 1870, the testkor, while ill, made his will in Mrs. Baker's favour It further appeared that the night before the will was loads, be was labouring under a delusion that the room was full of people. In Sept. following be hod an atti.ek of deliriiim tremens, the doctor was called in, and directed that he should be darefully watched, and all dangerous weapons removed train within his reach, but oc the following day he out his throat, inflicting a mortal wound.—The jury, after nearly two hours' deliberation, were unable to rsgree to vdtdiet, and were dlecharged.
The Forest of Dean Examiner : — 1877-09-14 (Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England)

SAD DEATH PROM POISONING AT WALSALL.  On Saturday an inquest was held by Mr. A. A. Fletcher, the Borough Coroner, at the Wheat Sheaf Inn, Birmingham-road, Walsall, on the body of Mr. Frank Stubbs Duignan, of Sutton. road, aged 24, son of Mr. W. H. Duignan, solicitor, of that town, It was shown that the deceased had been an invalid and unable to walk since he was seven years of age, and he had not the proper use of his arms, but his mental powers were good and he was fond of study. He rang for his attendant between seven and eight o'clock on Thursday morning, and was supplied with his medicine chest and some books. From the former tie selected a stoppered bottle, stating that he had a bad headache and would smell the contents to induce sleep. He told the attendant not to disturb him for an hour and a half. After the lapse of that time the attendant went again, and found him dead. The bottle, still grasped in his hand, containedipmssic acid. Dr. A. J. Harrison deposed that ha was called to see deceased immediately after his death, and found a phial containing a small quantity of diluted prussic acid in hie hand. The stopper was in the bottle. He believed that as deceased lay in bed smelling the acid, some of it, owing to the weakness of his hands, was spilled upon his lips. Deceased was greatly malformed about the chest. The smallest possible portion of prussic acid would cause death in such a case. He would not have been surprised at death ensuing precisely as it had done without the poison. He did not think the poison had been taken wilfully,the stopper havitg been replaced in the bottle. lie would not swear that the prussic acid wasthe cause of death, though that probably acclerated it. Mr. W.. 11. Duignan stated that deceased had an income of about £270 or £2BO a year, and lived in a house of his own from choice. He bad nothing whatever to trouble him but his illness. and had on the day before his death been talking of things to be done in the future. Deceased studied medicine, and was a man of sound and clear intellect. .  The Coroner having summed up, pointing out that there was no evidence at all pointing to a suicide, the jury returned a verdict that "Death was caused or accelerated by prussic acid, but whether that was administered intentionally or accidentally there was not sufficient evidence to show." The inquiry lasted about three hours.