npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1846-08-12 (London, England)

THIRD ALLEGATION.  That the treatment pursued towards prisoners has led to suicides in the prison to a considerable extent ; the names of three individuals were given who committed suicide in consequence of the cruel treatment which they had received ; indeed he might say that there were four who had destroyed themselves in their cells since the present governor had gone there. But that was not all, he was prepared to prove that twelve others had made the attempt to commit suicide, and were only saved by the vigilance of the officer. The inspectors have examined the records of the prison relating both to the suicides and the attempts at suicide, and have ascertained that of the four prisoners who have committed suicide, only one had been subjected to punishment of any kind, namely, William Pearson, who had been confined in a dark cell for three days on bread and water, for violent and mutinous conduct, and for disobedience of orders in refu• sing, with an oath, to repick oakum, and for using insolent and offensive lsnguage towards Supervisor Lawrence. There had been no case of corporal punishment during the time he was in the prison, and up to that period there had not been-a single case of corporal punishment during the time that Captain Groves was governor. With reference to this prisoner, the court before which he was tried, in passing sentence, had observed that they would not be responsible fiir the consequences if they allowed such a hardened off.nder, nursed in crime, ever to return to this country. Charles Shipwerth, twenty-two years of age, sentenced for life for arson, was received into this prison on the 10th of June, ant: destroyed himself by hanging four days afterwards. This man, during the four days that he was in prison, between his reception and the act which terminated his lite, was under great depression of spirits, and strongly protested•his innocence of the crime with which he was charged, having said that he was going to suffer for a cime that h.' had never committed. The prisoner never was subjected to punishment of any kind.  Thomas Bentley, thirty-two years of age, was received into the prison on the 12th of August, 1844, under sentence of t even years' transportation for stealing rabbits, and destroyed himself on the following day; on the ni,;bt of the 13th, or the morning of the 14th August ; he never was subject to punishment of any kind, or cognisant of it in the ease of others. _ _ _  Thomas I'erry, twenty-five years of age, convicted of burglary, and sentenced for fifteen years, was. received on the 25th of August, 1845 ; he destroyed himself on the 29th of October in the same year. He was never subjected to punishment of any kind himself, or wit• nessed corporal punishment in others.
The Sun. — 1846-07-14 (London, England)

JULA 14, 1846.  and the 1,100 hectares of land, meadow, forest, &c., which the Government desired the Legislature to purchase, as the agricultural depot for able-bodied mendicants. Yesterday morning two young men, coming from Flanders, arrived near the forest of La Cambre ; they both had pocket pistols. Soon afterwards two shots were heard, the cause of which was soon known. The young men, tired of life, had committed suicide; or rather, as appeared from a note found upon them, they had agreed to shoot each other. One was killed on the spot, the other expired two hours afterwards.  BRUNSWICK, JULY s.—According to accounts received here from London, there- is no doubt that our former Duke, Charles, has purchased the " German London Journal," for 6,000 or 7,000 dollars, and takes a very active part in the composition of it. Some-numbers have been received here, and we read them with much interest, as they contain various articles on our situation. In one of the latest numbers, we see that Duke Charles must have renounced all thought of recovery of possession of our Duchy by force of arms; a notion which it is well known he had entertained. Many readers, doubtless, remember that, about ten years ago, he made preparations in France, had uniforms got ready, and appointed a Pole to the command of his troops. The expedition was not, however, undertaken. There was, in fact, no prospect whatever of success ; and if we are mistaken the Duke was involved in a vexatious and expensive law suit. The uniforms have been lying for some time in London, and the Duke is now desirous of getting rid of them. An advertisement in the German London Journal announces that 6,000 complete uniforms, quite new, are deposited at the office, and are to be sold for  12,0001. sterling.
The Sun. — 1846-07-14 (London, England)

BRUSSELS, JULY 10.—The Senate, lifter receiving several reports, termina.ed the debate ofi the law for 'organising the Court of Accounts, which' is adoptt d. The journals of Friday atitl Saturday contain long accounts of the dreadful accident on the Northern Railway. We have to announcelanother accident. The train frot,m Valenciennes to Brussels, which set out this morning-, arrived at the station of Blanc Misseron, when the guard gave the signal announcing its arrival.: The conductor, a young man 28 years of age, stooping to see if it was time to stop, leaned too forward, so that his head was dashed against a tree, and he expired shortly afterwards. The King arrived yesterday evening at ten minutes before nine o'clock. His Majesty had learned at the station of Floreffe the dreadful catastrophe which affl.cts this country. The traffic on the railway from Brussels to Paris is not interrupted ; the train set out this morning with 25 passengers. We are assured that Prince Frederick of the Netherlands has just purchased the magnificent building and the 1,100 hectares of land, meadow, forest, &c., which the Government desired the Legislature to purchase, as the agricultural depot for able-bodied mendicants. Yesterday morning two young men, coming from Flanders, arrived near the forest of La Cambre ; they both had pocket pistols. Soon afterwards two shots were heard, the cause of which was soon known. The young men, tired of life, had committed suicide; or rather, as appeared from a note found upon them, they had agreed to shoot each other. One was killed on the spot, the other expired two hours afterwards.  BRUNSWICK, JULY s.—According to accounts received here from London,. there is no doubt that our former Duke, Charles, has purchased the " German London Journal," for 6,000 or 7,ooo.dollars, and takes a very active part in the composition of it. Some numbers have been received here, and we read them with much interest, as they contain various articles on our situation. In one of the latest numbers, we see that Duke Charles must have renounced all thought of recovery of possession of our Duchy by force of arms; a notion which it is well known he had entertained. Many re.lerfrs, doubtless, remember that, about ten years ago, he made preparations in France, had uniforms got ready, and appointed, a Pole to the command of his troops. The expeditionN was not, however, undertaken. There was, in fact, no prospect whatever of success ; and if see are not mistaken the Duke was involved in a vexatious and expensive law suit. The uniforms have been lying for some time in London, and the Duke is now desirous of getting rid of them. An advertisement in the German London Journal announces that 6,000 complete uniforms, quite new, are deposited at the office, and are to be sold for 12.0001. sterling.  1 ,
The Sun. — 1846-03-02 (London, England)

BALLANTINE—He believed that the rupture of vessels in the head or concussion causing congestion would injure a person's mind. Such an injury might cense insanity in the case of an elderly person, but a younger might regain the full power of his faculties. The prisoner's statement before the magistrate was then read. It added nothing t the evidence already produced. Mr IlaiLairritE, for the prisoner, addressed the jury. He would not attempt to deal with the facts of the case. He would rather confine himself to the state of-the prisoner's mind at the time this act was committed. The Learned Counsel then entered into an analysis of the different degrees of insanity, and contended that from an injury received some seven or eight years ago the prisoner's brain was affected to such a degree that he. (although apparently sane enongh on ordinary matters) had this singular morbid delusion, that every action of his late master's, however kind that might be, was distorted into an act of tyranny, and to be revenged accordingly. The Learned Counsel reviewed the whole facts adduced in evidence, and endeavoured from them to carry out the particular line of defence be had laid down. Mrs. Wicks (mother of the prisoner) was then called, and stated that her son had received a severe injury by a fall, which had for a short time the effect of unsettling his understanding. He attempted to commit suicide about two years ago.  Mr. Harvey, 'surgeon, proved that the prisoner had met with an accident which had considerably injured his head, at the period referred to by the mother. Mr. Baron PARKE summed up tie evidence, and the, Jury almost immediately returned a verdict of Guilty.• The Learned JUDGE then addressed the prisoner, and said it was impossible, after the evidence that had twen adduced, that the Jury could come to any other conclusion than that he was guilty of the foul and horrible crime of which he had been accused, and it appeared to have been committed in, the most calm and deliberate manner. Under' these circumstances it was impossible to hold out to him any hope of mercy, and he therefore entreated him to make the best use of the short time that remained to him in this world, and endeavour to obtain pardon in that which was to come. The Learned Judge then passed the sentence of death in the usual form.  The prisoner, who during the whole trial appeared to be quite unmoved, did not apjiear in the least decouraged at the sentence. As soon as the Learned Judge had concluded, he begged to be allowed to say a few words. lie then said "that he wished fb thank the gentleman who defended him for hi 3 exertions ; he could see, however, it was of no use, but still he wished to thank him."  The prisonertheawalked away from the Bar with a firm step.
The Sun. — 1846-03-02 (London, England)

BALLANTIWE--He believed that the rupture of vessels in the head or concussion causing congestion would injure a person's mind. Such an injury might cause insanity in the case of an elderly person, but a younger might regain the full power of his faculties. The prisoner's statement before the magistrate was then read. It added nothing to the evidence already produced. Mr BALLAITINE, for the prisoner, addressed the jury. He would not attempt to deal_ with the facts ,of the case. He would rather confine himself to the state of the prisoner's mind at the time this act was committed. The Learned Counsel then entered into an analysis of the different degrees of insanity, and contended that from an injury received some seven or eight years ago the prisoner's brain was affected to such a degree that he (although apparently sane enough on ordinary matters) had this singular morbid' delusion, that every action of his late master's, however kind that might be, was distorted into an act of tyranny, and to be revenged accordingly. The Learned Counsel reviewed the whole facts adduced in evidence, and endeavoured from them to carry out the particular line of defence he had laid down.  Mrs. Wicks (mother of the prisoner) was then called, and stated that her son had received a severe injury by a fall, which had for a short time the effect of unsettling his understanding. He attempted to commit suicide about two years ago.  Mr. Harvey, surgeon' proved that the prisoner had met with an accident which had considerably injured his head, at the period referred to by the mother. Mr. Baron PAR summed up the evidence, and the Jury almost immediately returned a verdict of Guilty. The Learned JUDGE then addressed the prisoner, and said it was impossible, after the, evidence that had been adduced, that the Jury could come to any other conclusion than that be was guilty of the foul and horrible crime of which he had been accused, and it appeared to have been committed in the most calm and deliberate manner. Under these circumstances it was impossible to hold out to him any hope of mercy, and he therefore entreated him to make the best use of the skert time that remained to him in this world, and endeavour to obtain pardon in that which was to come. The Learned Judge then passed the sentence of death in the usual form. .  The prisoner, who during the whole trial appeared to be quite unmoved, did not appear in the least discouraged at the sentence. As soon as the Learned Judge had concluded, he begged to be allowed to say a few words. He then said " that he wished to thank the gentleman who defended him for his exertions ; he could see, however, it was of no use, but still he wished to thank him."  The prisoner then walked away from the Bar with a firm step.
The Sun. — 1846-05-08 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY OUTRAGE  AND SUICIDE.  TILBURY FORT, TRURSDAY.=FW;;TeraI days past the inhabitants of this quiet neighbourhood have been greatly excited by the following most extraordinary occurrence : In the course of Wednesday, as a young female named Caroline Brooks, aged eighteen, living at Hendon-on-the Hill, was walking from that place to Mucking, she was accosted by a man, who said to her, " I want one word with you, and no more." She replied, "that she did not wish to hold any conversation with him," and added that there was a policeman behind her. He then observed, " Say not a word—if you do, you are dead." She then screamed for assistance, when he seized her and put a handkerchief into her mouth, and so held it. He then threw - her to the ground, and contrived to keep her down, during which time he loaded a pistol with ball. and declared if she again attempted to scream, he would shoot her. A horse and cart approaching, however, at this period, he allowed' her to get up; and, holding the pistol before her face, said, "You can go and give any information you like about me but if you tell that man (pointing to the driver of the cart), you are dead, for lam watching you." As the cart passed, he took a purse out of his pocket, and put it before her face. He said he should be dead in five minutes ; and then, taking her hand, remarked that he was sorry he had given her so much trouble. She was afraid to call to the driver; but, on freeing herself from her assailant, she ran to a neighbouring house, and the police were apprised of the attack.  Two constables, named Cracknell and Hammond, immediately went in pursuit of him towards West Tilbury, and when within four yards of him, Cracknell observed to his comrade, " That is the man ;" and, ere they could seize him, he raised the pistol, and shot himself through the head. He died in about a quarter of an hour, and on being searched, a pocket-book was found in his coat pocket, in which was the following writing in pencil:—.o Quos Deus suit perdere prius dementat. Jacta est alea." Gunpowder, percussion caps, and bullets, were also found upon him, and a picture of John Tawell, the murderer, under the lining of his hat.  He was identified to be John Biloby, formerly of the 46th Regiment, twenty. seven years of age, and living in Tanstreet, Horslydown. He left his house on Friday week, and was met by a sergeant of the 46th, near this place, on Wednesday morning. He appeared much excited and said he was in search of a sergeant of that regiment, who once had charge of him, to shoot him. Knowing that he had attempted to destroy himself on several occasions, and believing his mind to be impaired, tke sergeant did not heed his threat, merely telling him that the sergeant was in Ireland. He was respectably connected, and gained his livelihood by teaching music. A coroner's jury found" That he shot himself while in an unsound state of mind."
The Sun. — 1846-12-12 (London, England)

THE SHANNON STEAM-PACKET. PLYMOUTH, DEC. 10.—Most of the passengers from London and Southampton in the Shannon steam-packet left here on Monday for Falmouth and Dublin by the Duke of Cornwall, Captain Kempston. The Rose, screw-propeller, has been taken up by the British and Irish Steam-packet Company, and is expected to call here to-day for the Falmouth and Dublin goods saved from the fire on board the Shannon. Mr. Astle, the managing director of the company, arrived yesterday from Dublin to superintend the arrangements consequent upon the accident. On Tuesday, Mr. W. B. Cuming, Lloyd's surveyor, Mr. Pope, an experienced shipowner, and Mr. Clark, the Plymouth agent, made an official inspection of the Shannon. The forward beams and flooring of her cabin are destroyed, and her mainmast and aft pumps partially burnt. A man-hole was cut in the cabin floor near the stern, and here, although the upper part of the cargo (hops) were uninjured by fire, the goods, which were well stowed, had settled nearly two feet, in consequence of the burning of the forward and lower portion. The ship's frame below her water bearing appears to have suffered so little that it is contemplated to take her to Dublin (where her proprietors possess an extensive repairing establishment) for complete renovation, after giving her a temporary repair here. It is difficult to estimate the entire cost of these repairs, but they cannot fall much short of 1,0001. Her cabin furniture is partly destroyed, and the remainder injured. The damage to the cargo will, it is feared, range from 10,0001 to 15,0001 There is about 30 tons of wasted goods totally destroyed, comprising tea, tobacco, coffee, rice, peas, vetchseed, fruit, hops, pimento, perfumery, military clothing. stationery, envelopes, elegantly bound English and foreign books, &c. Among the rest is a box capable of holding 12 bottles, only two of which, containing aquafortis, are perfect. Some have imagined this dangerous liquid to have originated the fire, particularly as no flame of any consequence appeared long after its commencement. Her cargo included three very valuable bales of raw yellow silk in skeins, for an Irish poplin manufactory, the whole of which is considerably damaged. About 20 casks of brandy and wine for Dublin are saved, and seven boxes, containing 2cwt. each of specie, valued at 5,0001., have been safely lodged in the charge of Mr. Morris, manager of the Plymouth branch of the Bank of England. A large portion of the specie consisted of fourpeney pieces, destined for Ireland, to pay labourers and others on the railway works.  SUICIDE OF MAJOR EAMES, OF  THE 47ra
The Sun. — 1846-09-08 (London, England)

KNIGHT 01% GWYANE. Charks Lei Pr. Decidedly the best chapters that have appeared of .his capital " Tale of the tine of the Trnion," are contained in number nine. Bagenal Daly is one of the most felicitously conceived, and one of the most spiritedly delineated of all the characters created by Harry Lorrequer. The story has now reached its central interest : ruin has fallen upon Maurice Darcy, the noble hearted Knight of Gwynne : he is bereft of his possessions by the perfidy of his solicitor, who has committed suicide through remorse of conscience and dread of retribution. Gwynne Abbey, and the lands attached thereto, have virtually fallen into the hands of a miserable parvenu, in the shape of Mr. Hickman O'Reilly : and the feelings of the reader are fully aroused in behalf of the bankrupt hero of the fiction. All the accessories of this plot are very skilfully introduced, and the varied dispositions of the personages in the story are developed with a skill attributable, firstly, to the intuitive powers of Mr. Lever, as a novelist, and, secondly, to his long practice and experience as an author. Already is the "Knight of Gwynne" superior as a whole to any of his previous productions ; it is more characteristic of Ireland and the Irish than " Harry Lorrequer"—it is more complete as a romance than " Charles O'Malley"—it possesses a more concentrated interest than " Jack Hinton"—and is more fascinating, both in description and incident, than " Tom Burke." Mr. Lever has evidently buckled up for the composition of a book more enduring and unique than any his lively imagination had hitherto evoked. In this laudable endeavour he has—if he only proceed as he has commenced—succeeded. The account of Tate Sullivan's farewell of the picture gallery in Gwynne Abbey is admirable, and Phiz's illustrations of its denouement inimitable. As the autumnal evenings close in, a number of this serial would impart an exquisite zest to a bottle of Madeira and a dish of walnuts.
The Sun. — 1846-09-08 (London, England)

THE KNIGHT OF G IVY IV E. No. IX. By  Charles Lever.  Decidedly the best chapters that have appeared of this capital " Tale of the time of the Union," are contained in number nine. Bagenal Daly is one of the most felicitously conceived, and one of the most spiritedly delineated of all the characters created by Harry Lorrequer. The story has now reached its central interest : ruin has fallen upon Maurice Darcy, the noble hearted Knight of Gwynne : he is bereft of his possessions by the perfidy of his solicitor, who has committed suicide through remorse of conscience and dread of retribution. Gwynne Abbey, and the lands attached thereto, have virtually fallen into the hands of a miserable parvenu, in the shape of Mr. Hickman O'Reilly : and the feelings of the reader are fully aroused in behalf of the bankrupt hero of the fiction. All the accessories of this plot are very skilfully introduced, and the varied dispositions of the personages in the story are developed with a skill attributable, firstly, to the intuitive powers of Mr. Lever, as a novelist, and, secondly, to his long practice and experience as an author. Already is the "Knight of Gwynne" superior as a whole to any of his previous productions ; it is more characteristic of Ireland and the Irish than " Harry Lorrequer"—it i 3 more complete as a romance than "Charles O'Malley"—it possesses a more concentrated interest than " Jack Ilintqn"—and is more fascinating, both in description and incident, than " Tom Burke." Mr. Lever has evidently buckled up for the composition of a book more enduring and unique than any his lively imagination had hitherto evoked. In this laudable endeavour he has—if he only proceed as he has commenced—succeeded. The account of Tate Sullivan's farewell of the picture gallery in Gwynne Abbey is admirable, and Phiz's illustrations of its denouement inimitable. As the autumnal evenings close in, a number of this serial would impart an exquisite zest to a bottle of Madeira and a dish of walnuts.