npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1853-10-17 (London, England)

FEARFUL CA SP OP MUTINY-MURDER AND  SUICIDE ON THE HIGH SEAS.  The details were on Saturday received at Lloyd's of a most dreadful tragedy which took place on board the barque Countess of Winton, of Liverpool, while on her homeward voyage from Shanghai. The following are the circumstances as taken from the log :—" On the 17th of May, when the ship was near the Indian coast, the late captain, Mr. James Crangle, ordered all hands on deck. The chief mate, William liTiflen, did not seem. inclined to perform his duty, and the master sent two men to look after him. He was found in the storeroom under the cabin, and the captain dispatched the second mate to bring him up for disobeying orders. M'Fillen was met approaching the cabin, and the unfortunate master ordered the seamen away, in order that he might have some conversation with him privately. A cutlass was lying on the table in the cabin at the time. Angry words were heard passing between them. Shortly aftewards the second mate heard a noise and some heavy groans. lie looked through the sky' light, but could not observe anything. However, he entertained a suspicion that som e thing serious had happened. He called the crew, and arming himself with a log of wood, went down to the cabin, where to his horror he saw the lifeless body of the captain stretched upon the floor, and 111‘Fillen thrusting at him with the cutlass. The carpenter, by a dexterous movement, drove the drmcd murderer on one side. He made an effort to escape by running up the rigging; the second mate, however, pursued him, and managed to hold him until he was secured and chained down in his cabin. About a week afterwards, while he was being conducted to the water-closet, duly guarded, lie by some means managed to slip from their attention for a moment, and, making a sudden spring, bounded overboard. A rope was thrown towards him, and the boats lowered, with a view of saving him. He made net the least effort to seize theai, and in a few minutes disappeared and perished. The catastrophe is greatly attributed to a free use of ardent spirits on board. The deceased master is said to have been often in liquor, and while in that condition treated M'Fillen in a most severe manner. The second mate took command of the ship and brought her safely home. She was freighted with a valuable cargo."
The Sun. — 1853-10-17 (London, England)

FEARFUL CASE OF MUTINY.-MURDER AND SUICIDE ON THE HIGH SEAS.  The details were on Saturday received at Lloyd's of a most dreadful tragedy which took place on board the barque Countess of Winton, of Liverpool, while on her homeward voyage from Shanghai. The following are 4hocircumstances as taken from the log :—" On the 17th May, when the ship was near the Indian coast, the date captain, Mr. James Crangle, ordered all hands on deck. The chief mate, 'William M'Fillen, did not seem inclined to perform his duty, and the master sent two men to look after him. He was found in the storeroom under the cabin, and the captain dispatched the second mate to bring him up for disobeying orders. M'Fillen was met approaching the cabin, and the unfortunate master ordered the seamen away, in order that he might have some conversation with him privately. A cutlass was lying on the table in the cabin at the time. Angry words were heard passing between them. Shortly aftewards the second mate heard a noise and some heavy groans. He looked through the skylight, but could not observe anything. However, he entertained a suspicion that something serious had happened. He called the crew, and arming himself with a log of wood, went down to the cabin, where to his horror he saw the lifeless body of the captain stretched upon the floor, and M'Fillen thrusting at him with the cutlass. The carpenter, by a dexterous movement, drove the armed murderer on one side. He made an effort to escape by running up the rigging; the second mate, however, pursued him, and managed to hold him until he was secured and chained down in his cabin. About a week afterwards, while he was being conducted to the water•closet, duly guarded, he by some means managed to slip from their attention for a moment, and, making a sudden spring, bounded overboard. A rope was thrown towards him, and the boats lowered, with a view of saving him. He made not the least effort to seize them, and in a few minutes disappeared and perished. The catastrophe is greatly attributed to a free use of ardent spirits on board. The deceased master is said to have been often in liquor, and while in that condition treated M'Fillen in a most severe manner. The second mate took command of the ship and brought her safely home. She was freighted with a valuable cargo.
The Sun. — 1853-09-24 (London, England)

DETERMINED SUICIDE BY ARSENIC.-011 Thursday Mr. W. Payne held an inquest at the Ward School-room, Black Raven-court, Tower-street, on the body of William Curle, aged 45, who committed suicide under the following circumstances. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased and his wife lived at No. 16, Mincinglane, the latter taking care of chambers as housekeeper. In consequence of some disagreement between the deceased and his wife, they had for the last two years occupied separate apartments. On Tuesday night the deceased came home at about nine o'clock, and taking a glass of water with him, immediately went to bed. As he was not heard stirring for some time after his usual hour—that was about six o'clock—at half past eight o'clock his wife and the servant girl went and opened his room door, when they were horrified at finding him dead on the floor. A surgeon was sent for, who immediately attended, but he declared that life had been extinct for some time. It seemed that the deceased was much addicted to drinking, and had often remarked when he came home that that would be the last time, but, as this observation was frequently repeated, no notice was taken of it. Mr. Hughes, a surgeon, of Leadenhall-street, on entering the room, found the deceased dead, and on the drawers a tumbler, in which were the remains of some white liquid, and beside it a paper packet, containing about six ounces of white powder, the greater portion of which consisted of arsenic. The liquid in the glass was also strongly impregnated with arsenic. The paper in which it was contained was marked with the word ioi Poison." Thispacket of arsenic must have been n his possession fora considerable time, as it was perfectly white, whereas under the new act regulating the sale of arsenic, if it had been recently purchased, it would have borne some particular distinguishing colour. The jury returned a verdict of temporary insanity.
The Sun. — 1853-01-26 (London, England)

ANOTHER SUICIDE IN MILLBANK.-Mr. Bedford, the coroner for Westminster, yesterday held an inquest at Millbank Prison, touching the death of Joseph Canadian, aged 20 years, a convict under sentence of transportation for seven years for robbery and assault. The deceased convict was received into the prison on the 26th of April, 1852, from Glasgow, having been four months in separate confinement before his arrival. H e first came under the notice of the principal authorities at Millbank on the 29th of September following, having been reported for making use of threatening language to the officers, and disturbing the wards. The governor, not liking the look of him, sent him to Dr. Ball, by whom he was ordered into the infirmary, where he stayed a month; but being believed to be shamming insanity, he was turned back to separate confinement, when he confessed that he did sham, and that another prisoner told him to do so to get to a lunatic asylum. He began his bad conduct again, and became so violent that it was necessary to put a strait waistcoat on him, having been previously punished with three days bread and water. All the officers who had charge of him said that they believed he was sane and rational enough, an opinion which was also partly shared in by the higher authorities. However, on Sunday last he managed to fasten the second round of his neckcloth in a hook in the wall of his cell, not more than 18 inches from the ground, and the first round tightening with the weight of his bodyinclining from it he soon became strangled. He had the strait waistcoat on at the time, and from experiments afterwards made by one of the warders it was found that he must have hooked it on the hammock hook with his mouth, assisted partly by his hands. Mr. Rendle, the resident surgeon, was instantly on the spot, and tried to restore animation, but without effect. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased insanity, brought himself whilst in a state of temporary brought on by separate confinement.
The Sun. — 1853-10-21 (London, England)

WESTMINSTER.— Ofon, She Shantinalla, a native of Benares, was charged with the following determined attempt at suicide : Benjamin Debbage, 75 A, stated, that about 12 o'clock on the previous night he observed the defendant loitering about Westminster-bridge, and his attention being particularly called to him through some ejaculations which he had uttered in broken English, he was induced to keep an eye upon him, and saw him suddenly jump upon the parapet of the bridge, and instantly throw himself into the river, there being at that time, owing to the lowness of the water, a fall of no less than 50 or 60 feet. Witness, who knew that there was a Waterman employed as a private watchman at the Surrey side, immediately hailed him, and by his timely aid the defendant was rescued. The Waterman proved that the defendant, who was in the middle of the river, resisted his attempt to save his life for some time, but he ultimately succeeded in dragging him into his boat. He was then taken to a doctor's and restoratives applied. Mr. Broderip inquired whether anything had been ascertained about the defendant ?  The constable replied, that he had informed him he was a servant to the Rajah of Coorg, at his establishment in Euston-square, but, as he had only just stated that, there had been no time to make inquiries. Defendant said he was ill, and did not like the modi.  cine that had been given him, but he was sorry for what he had done.  Mr. Broderip feelingly pointed out to him that he had been guilty of a very wicked act, and hoped that he truly repented it.  . Defendant repeated that he was very sorry, and at the same time hoped that he should be put somewhere, to cure him of a malady under which he was labouring. Mr. Broderip directed the constable, whose vigilance he eulogised, to take the defendant to his master's, and ascertained whether proper care would be taken of hint there ; but, if he found any difficulty, to bring him back, and he would remand him for a few days. Just before the rising of the Court, the constable returned, and, having intimated that the Rajah refused to receive the defendant on the ground of drunkenness and other misconduct. The accused was remanded.
The Sun. — 1853-05-14 (London, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE OP A YOUNG LADY.—On Wednesday night a young ladfhcommitted suicide under circumstances which have created a painful sensation in Preston. The deceased, Fanny Crosby, was the daughter of the proprietor of the London and Paris House, an extensive drapery establishment in the Fishergate, and was 21 years of age. We understand that she was a very clever and accomplished girl, and that excessive study is believed to have affected her intellect. She has latterly been in the habit of putting her feet in water several times during the day, apparently with the view of relieving her head, of which she frequently complained. About six o'clock on Wednesday evening, the deceased left home, attired for a walk. At half-past eight, a young man, named William Holliday, was proceeding along the bank of the Ribble (a favourite promenade, close to to the town), when he observed a female, who proved to be Miss Crosby, sitting on some stones, which projected into the river, with her legs in the water. Some other persons came up, and Holliday directed their attention to the singular position of the deceased, and they all went towards her. A young woman who was passing exclaimed, "Let's go down, and see what she is about." Immediately upon hearing this the deceased plunged into the water, which is a considerable depth at that spot, and was carried down by the strength of the stream. Half an hour elapsed before the body was recovered, by which time life was extinct. The deceased had her boots on, but had taken off her mantle, bonnet, and veil. She was seen walking near the same place b stween five and six o'clock on Wednesday morning. Yesterday an inquest was held on the body by Mr. My,,•es, when the jury returned a verdict of " Temporary Insanity. ST
The Sun. — 1853-05-14 (London, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE OE A YOUNG LADY.—On Wednesday night a young ladfacommitted suicide under circumstances which have created a painful sensation in Preston. The deceased, Fanny Crosby, was the daughter of the proprietor of the London and Paris House, an extensive drapery establishment in the Fishergate, and was 21 years of age. We understand that she was a very clever and accomplished girl, and that excessive study is believed to have affected her intellect. She has latterly been in the habit of putting her feet in water several times during the day, apparently with the view of relieving her head, of which she frequently complained. About six o'clock on Wednesday evening, the deceased left home, attired for a walk. At half-past eight, a young man, named William Holliday, was proceeding along the bank of the Ribble (a favourite promenade, close to to the town), when he observed a female, who proved to be Miss Crosby, sitting on some stones, which projected into the river, with her legs in the water. Some ether persons came up, and Holliday directed their attention to the singular position of the deceased, and they all went towards her. A young woman who was passing exclaimed, "Let's go down, and see what she is about." Immediately upon nearing this the deceased plunged into the water, which is a considerable depth at that spot, and was carried down by the strength of the stream. Half an' hour elapsed before the body was recovered, by which time life was extinct. The deceased had her boots on, but had taken off her mantle, bonnet, and veil. She was seen walking near the same place between five and six o'clock on Wednesday morning. Yesterday an inquest was held on the body by Mr. Myres, when the jury returned a verdict of " Temporary Insanity."
The Sun. — 1853-11-02 (London, England)

FRESH MAN.  SUICIDE OP A FEMALE SERVANT.—Yesterday, Mr. Bedford, coroner for Westminster, proceeded with an inquiry, at Ashley's Hotel, Maiden-lane, Covent-garden, into the melancholy circumstances connected with the death of Rebecca Diana Jennings, aged SG, an unmarried woman, and for many years housekeeper to Mr. Varnham, of Bedford-street, Covent-garden, bookseller and stationer, who terminated her existence by hanging herself on Sunday morning last.—Mary Ann Weaver, housemaid to Mr. Varnham, said she had known the deceased for about 12 years. Her mind had been latterly very unsettled, and she was frequently excited sometimes about Mr. Varnham's health, whom she feared would die, and then she said all would be found out, and all her friends desert her. She said Mr. Varnham had lost his property. This arose from a quantity of plate having been stolen from Mr. Varnham's about six weeks ago, and which she said she was suspected of having taen ; and she added, that if she had the use of her limbs she would go out and procure poison to destroy herself. On Sunday morning about nine o'clock, when witness went to call deceased to breakfast, her chamberdoor was locked, and being much frightened, she (witness) called the apprentice to force the door, which he did with a large hammer, but he was so much alarmed that lie would not go in, and, in consequence, witness went in and cut deceased down. [Here witness sank into a chair under an attack of hysterical fits, which rendered it necessary to remove her from the room.] Robert Brazier said, that although out of his time, he was the party called the apprentice by the last witness. He generally confirmed her testimony, and added, that after deceased was cut down, he carried her to the bed. Upon examination he found she had suspended herself by a rope attached to a peg on the inside of the door. Mr. Brookes, surgeon, stated, that he was called in to attend deceased between nine and ten o'clock on Sunday morning. She was then quite dead. There was a new cord, which had been round her neck, and most determinedly tied in a double noose. It further appeared that, about six weeks since, plate to the value of about 151. was very mysteriously stolen from Mr. Varnham, and the depredators not having been discovered, the circumstance preyed very strongly on the mind of deceased, Verdict, -ciriperary ifloanity."
The Sun. — 1853-11-02 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF A FEMALE SERVANT.—Yesterday, Mr. Bedford, coroner for Westminster, proceeded with an inqUiry, at Ashley's Hotel, Maiden-lane, Covent-garden, into the melancholy circumstances connected with the death of Rebecca Diana Jennings, aged 56, an unmarried woman, and for many years housekeeper to Mr. Varnham, of Bedford-street, Covent-garden, bookseller and stationer, who terminated her existence by hanging herself on Sunday morning last.—Mary Ann Weaver, housemaid to Mr. Varnham, said she had known the deceased for about 12 years. Her mind had been latterly veryunsettled, and she was frequently excited sometimes about Mr. Varnham's health, whom she feared would die, and then she said all would be found out, and  all her friends desert her. She said Mr. Varnham had lost his property. This arose from a quantity of plate having been stolen from Mr. Varnham's about six weeks ago, and which she soid she was suspected of having taken ; and she added, that if she had the use of her limbs she would go out and procure poison to destroy herself. On Sunday morning about nine o'clock, when witness went to call deceased to breakfast, her chamberdoor was locked, and being much frightened, she (witness) called the apprentice to force the door which he did with a large hammer, but he was so much alarmed that he would not go in, and, in consequence, witness went in and cut deceased down. [Here witness sank into a chair under an attack of hysterical fits, which rendered it necessary to remove her from the room.] Robert Brazier said, that although out of his time, he was the party called the apprentice by the last witness. He generally confirmed her testimony, and added, that after deceased wa cut down, he carried her to the bed. Upon examination he found she had suspended herself by a rope attached to a peg on the inside of the door. Mr. Brookes, surgeon, stated, that lie was called in t• attend deceased between nine and ten o'clock on Sunday morning. She was then quite dead. There was a new cord, which had been round her neck, and most determinedly tied in a double noose. It further appeared that, about six weeks since, plate to the value of about 151. was very mysteriously stolen from Mr. Varnham, and the depredators not having been discovered, the circumstance preyed very strongly on the mind of deceased. Verdict; " Temporary Insanity."
The Sun. — 1853-09-16 (London, England)

MELANCHOLY SIIICIDE.—The town of Dorchester way yesterday morning, greatly shocked by the perpetration of an act of determined suicide by Mr. John Edwards, surgeon. The unfortunate gentleman appears to have been labouring under some pecuniary difficulties, and between nine and ten o'clock the sheriff's officer appeared at the house to put in an execution. Mr. Edwards' man servant, who had been just engaged in assisting him to dress, informed his master that the officer, calling him. by his name, wished to speak with him, upon which Mr. Edwards desired his servant to leave the room, saying he would be down stairs directly. It then appear; that the man who accompanied the officer for the purpose of remaining in possession fancied he heard a gurgling kind of noise, and apprehending on the moment that something was wrong, rushed up stairs, and found Mr. Edwards lying on his bed gasping, and in the agonies of death. He raised an alarm, and medical assistance was immediately sent for, but the unhappy man expired in a very few minutes. On a search being made, a small bottle, which had contained prussic acid, was found by his bed-side, and there was no doubt that he had destroyed life by swallowing a very large dose of Igteoisn ,rewmhaorkfoablthat for many a the deceased's narsen enjoyed father,that d al idkleywpios poison. oans. a very extensive andur superior practice inytyheis town and neighbourhood, ,came to an untimely end, between thirty and forty years ago, by deliberately opening the jugular vein before a looking-glass with a scalping-knife- The deceased was a very kind and humane man, and rendered many gratuitous and valuable services to the poor and needy in his vicinity. He was a widower, about 54 years of age, and has left a daughter about 15 to; *mourn his loss.
The Sun. — 1853-09-21 (London, England)

FLAG CAPTAIN ON THE BRAZILS STATION.—We hear that Captain Thomas Harvey (1848) will succeed Capt. St. Leger Cannon in the Centaur as flag captain to the commander-in-chief, Rear-Admiral Henderson, C. 8., on the south-east coast of America station. Captain Cannon has invalided.—Plymouth Mail.  BAENSTAPLE corrupt BRIBERY practices whichC o mNt 1 shSai Ov have . p—revThaileed ah t inquiryt into e election for the borough at Barnstaple, terminated on Saturday, after a protracted sitting of 16 days. There has been a good deal of bribery proved on the part of the the agents of the Tory candidates at the last election, and the last few days have been occupied by the Court in examining a number of witnesses who had received 6/. a-piece for their votes. The inquiry has also been distinguished by some shameful instances of perjury, and an incident of a very painful nature. It was elicited that a family of the name of Gaydon, numbering 12 voters, had received 6/. each for their votes. One of them, a respectable silversmith, at first denied strongly, on oath, but afterwards, on his brother being sent for from London to confront him, he was constrained to admit it. One•of the Gaydons, a mason, aged 80, attempted to commit suicide on Friday. The old man was afraid of being summoned before the commissioners, as his name was on the list as one who had received a bribe. He had denied that he had accepted money for his vote as alleged before the committee of the House of Commons, and when he heard that he was to be called up before the commissioners he cut his throat, but fortunately it was discovered in time to avert an immediately fatal result to his rash action, and it is hoped that he will ultimately recover. There were several instances of shameful perjury, and the revelations were altogether of a most distressing and disgusting nature.