npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1845-06-19 (London, England)

PLATT.) Maas, a.—Daniel Johncock, 21, a respectable looking young man, described in the calendar as a waiter, was indicted for the wilful murder of Hannah Moore.  Mr. Payne appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Parry defended the prisoner. _ _  . From the statement of the Learned Counsel, and from the evidence adduced, it appeared :--That the prisoner and the deceased lived together in service; they had been discharged from that situation, and being unhappy in their minds they deter. mined to commit suicide. The prisoner bought some oxalic acid, which he administered to the young woman and also to himself. That portion which was given to Hannah Moore caused her death, but the prisoner recovered from the effects of the poison he had taken ; this being the case, and the prisoner being present at the time the poison was taken by the deceased, in the eye of the law he was considered guilty of murder, and hence the present charge. The clerk of the Lambeth.street Police.court proved the depositions and statements made by the prisoner.  The landlady of the Coach and Horses beer.shop, Cross. street, Hatton-garden, proved that the prisoner and the deceased came to her house on the 26th of May, and wanted a bed, which she ulti. mately let them have. On the next morning they asked if they could have the same bed the next night, to which she replied that they could, and they went away. In the middle of the day the young woman came home accompanied by the prisoner. She said she was very ill, and must go to bed. She did so, and on witness going up the next morning, she saw her lying on the bed dead, and the prisoner had been taken off to the station-house. Cross-examined by Mr.
The Sun. — 1845-07-15 (London, England)

SINGULAR SUICIDE OF A COMPOSITOR.—Yesterday died in St. Bartholomew's Hospital, a compositor, named Cra. them, who destroyed his life under the following circumstances : The deceased had, until the last few days, not been in constant  ork, when he applied at the office of the Iron Times, in Fleetstreet. On Tuesday last he went to work, and having some intricate matter to compose he had not finished his work to his own satisfaction, when he put his hat on and ran to the upper side of the River Thames at Blackfriars-bridge. The drags were soon procured, and the police with much difficulty dragged him ashore, afterwards he was conveyed to the hospital above-named, but never rallied, and died yesterday morning. The deceased was a married man, and much respected in the trade.  They have a trick of constructing steam-boats of such an amazing light draft of water in the enterprising State of Arkansas, as we learn from the Little Rock Thtelligencer, that the Lucy Long, a boat recently built at that place, wilt run anywhere that the ground is a little damp. We believe she generally comes to anchor if there is anything like a heavy dew.  Died on the 9th instant, after a short but severe illness, on his road from Bury St. Edmund's to Faulkbourn, to the inexpressible grief of his family, beloved and regretted by all who knew him, Henry Robert, youngest son of T. T. C. Bullock, Esq., of Faulkbourn Hall, Essex, and late Major in the Ist Life Guards. He was one of the few surviving officers who fought at the battle of Waterloo, then in the I lth Light Dragoons, where his charger received several wounds and fell under him, and he himself narrowly escaped with his life.  Counsellor Reilly iM shortly to be married to Miss Sugden, the youngest daughter of the Irish Lord Chancellor.  It is rumoured, in well-informed circles, that a certain high functionary is about to imitate the example of Ane of his predecessors in office, by engaging a "On° `.'me in the bends of Hymen. Thg NOIQ affections, it appears, are bestowed on the lovely and accomplished daughter of one of our most distinguished nisi prius lawyers, and one honoured with the confidence of the Government,—lrish paper.
The Sun. — 1845-12-18 (London, England)

DESPERATE ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE DT A RECRUIT. —John Smith, a recruit in the Royal Artillery corps, was taken before Mr. Thomas Jackson, the Mayor of Kingston, on Monday, charged with the offence of misdemeanour in having unlawfully attempted to destroy himself. Wm. Smith, another recruit in the same regiment, deposed that he was int company with the accused and some other recruits at a beershop in heathen-street, Kingston, and Smith, the defendant, was -very drunk. In a short time he left the room, and very soon afterwards the servant came in and told him to go and look after John ; for when he went out she heard him mutter something about "and he would go and do it," and as he had been talking in the course of the day about destria} ing himself, she feared he make would an attempt to do so. Witness accordingly made a search, and on going to the water-cicset be found the door fastened. He burst it open, and found the defendant hanging from the ceiling; black in the face, and nearly dead. He cut him down immediately, and sent for a surgeon, but it was some time before the accused could be restored to consciousness, when, a policeman was called in and he was sent to the stationhouse for security. The defendant said he was very sorry fur what he had done, but it was through drink; he had been drunk for three or four days, and had quite lost his senses, or he should not have done such a thing. Sergeant Wilson, of the Royal Artillery, who is at present recruiting in the town, in answer to a question from the magistrate, said that the accused had been recruited about a month, and latterly had given way to drunken and slovenly habits. He added that when he had been recruited six weeks he would be sent to head-quarters at Woolwich. The Mayor said that he considered the practice of keeping recruits so long before they were sent to head-quarters a very improper one, as the men had nothing else to do but to idle about and get drinking; and he wished to know why it was adopted? The sergeant said he did not know; but it was the ordinary rule to send in drafts of recruits every six weeks. The Mayor then ordered that the defendant should stand committed to Kingston Gaol in order to give an opportunity to communicate with the commanding officer of the regiment ; and the sergeant was directed to report the opinion of the Bench upon the subject of detaining the recruits for E 0 long a period before they were sent to head-quarters, to the proper quarter, with a view to the alteration of the system.
The Sun. — 1845-12-18 (London, England)

MARLBRO'-STREET.-(THISDAY.) Mary King, a respectably dressed woman, was charged with attempting to drown herself. From the statement of Thomas Devall, deputy superintendent of the Royal Humane Society, it appeared that about half- past nine o'clock last evening, he observed the prisoner at the head of the Serpentine River, in Hyde Park, walking to and fro. She appeared to be in great anguish of mind, and was wringing her hands and crying. Suspecting that her intention Was to commit suicide, the officer watched her for a considerable time. At length she walked to the north bank of the river, and taking off her bonnet and shawl; threw them on the ground. The officer had then approached within a yard or two of her, but screened himself behind a tree from her observance. After looking anxiously around her to see that no one was watching her, she went. down on her knees, and commenced saying her prayers. She concluded by imploring the forgiveness of God for what she was about to do. She then rose up and instantly rushed to the water's edge, and lifting up her arms, was in the very act of throwing herself Bice downwards into the river, when the officer, who had followed closely behind her, seized hold of her clothes and drew her on to the bank. On being questioned as to what induced her to attempt her life, she at first refused to say, but after she was given in charge to the police she said it was distress of mind that had driven her to do it. She also stated that she was married, and that her husband resided at No. 9, Barnes-terrace, Lambeth. She had no money in her possession.  Mr. Fitzpatrick, the chief clerk, asked the prisoner in what manner she was distressed? The prisoner said her husband ill-treated her. lie was a sadler, and possessed property. The husband here stepped forward, and said his wife was of intemperate habits, and that caused them to disagree; but he never ill-treated her. Last night, while sitting at supper with her two grown-up daughters, she took.oll her weddingring, put it on the table, and wishing him good night, went out. Lie took no notice of her, as she was in the habit of behaving very unaccountably. The priscner said she was now very sorry for what she had done.  Mr. HARDWICK, after admonishing her, gave her into the charge of her husband.
The Sun. — 1845-11-22 (London, England)

SUICIDE PROM WANT.—Yesterday forenoon, Mr. William Carter, the coroner for Surrey, held an inquest at the Royal Fort Tavern, Jamaica-level, Bermondsey, respecting the death of Thomas Pettitt, aged 84 ears, a journeyman feltmonger, lately residing at No. 1, Thomas'splace, Upper Grange-road, who committed suicide under the melancholy circumstances subjoined :—Mr. John Slow, one of the relieving officers of St. Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey, deposed that he had known the deceased for several yearn. In April, 1840, deceased came under his notice as an insane person. An order was granted for his admission into the workhouse, whither he was conveyed, and remained in the lunatic ward for some time. His friends subsequently removed him to Bethelem Hospital, in which asylum he  stopped four months, when he was taken out by his relations. Deceased had been out of work for a length of time, and had  been receiving out-door relief from the parish. Witness gave him relief on Monday last, at the workhouse, in Russellstreet. The deceased was then very dejected, and had a wife and five children dependent on him for their support. Witness believed that the family had been suffering great privation. George Pettitt, the brother of the deceased, stated ha called to see him on Monday afternoon last, between one and two o'clock. The wife opened the door, and said the deceased was very ill, and had gone to bed. Witness went to the room up stairs, and there discovered him suspended to the top of the bed-post by a strong cord. Witness cut him down, and found that his throat was cut in a frightful manner. There was a razor lying on the floor covered with blood, which had also streamed over the bedding and floor. Witness ran for Mr. Sharpe, the surgeon, who came with promptitude, but life was extinct. Deceased had forced a packing-needle into his breast, and inflicted a frightful wound across the stomach, and he had made other incisions  about various parts of his person. Witness was of opinion that deceased had inflicted the injuries with the razor after he had suspended himself. He was formerly in the service of Messrs. Cowderoy, of Long-lane, Bermondsey, but had been out of work for a long period, which seemed to prey very heavily on his mind. Other evidence having been adduced, the Coroner remarked at considerable length on the distressing nature of the case, after which the jury returned a verdict of " Temporary insanity." After the inquiry, the jury and several gentlemen in the room raised a subscription for the immediate relief of the destitute family, which was placed in the hands of Mr. John Slow, the summoning officer, who lost no time in handing the money over to the distressed widow,
The Sun. — 1845-07-30 (London, England)

PORTSMOUTH COMMON MADE. ef the flailed? Was he an actor alone, or both actor and , . - uuct of the driver, and without hesitation distniased him. ing about the entrance, for the purpose of procuring profes- Bull and Gssinaborocgh • •.• a- .241 S - a 17 6 1 go Hull and Selby .••• • • • 13/..105. pr . ;h. BO 0 0 50 0 0 106 sional assistance for those who may require it. The notice re- Ditto, Quarter Shares'l7s. 6d. pr oh 12 10 0 12 10 0 21% Tee r-11.5e was pursued, nuwever, under a conviction that the . , author ? . Emily ,Hardin was ,charged . with having attempt( d s 4 ea.• ' ry branch was a portion of the Chesterfield line. Siiice then ^j i I Dessription of Weight suspended Ibleiult, Mr. 110511LLY said both. There was nothing in the fact of • to Commit suicide. ferred to goes on to state that those persons are quite uncon- Do. Half' Shares •• • • - 21 0 0 20 0 23 tee amehitants i,ave become mote favourable to the Sheffield and g 2 block. I when broken. a gentleman being an actor that prevented him being a corn- . Kendal & Windermere - 25 001 10 0 2 Linetenshire ene. '- The ward beadle of Queenhithe saw the prisoner jump nected with the court, or with any attorney, and that it has been ascertained that they take upon themselves to give ad. Kerstish Coma . - 125 0 0 17 6 • , , Mr. Cherie* Atkinson, examined by Mr. Bernes-Is a manufac- • , leilel el 4 pieces, which had met with great success oia the British stage. into the Thames_ from Trig Wharf. and try most resovice and in this way not unfre uentl mislead the parties who Lancaster and Carlisle - 50 00-20 0 0 55% ea! Leeds and Bradford... .. . - 50 . . 5 0 21% WI turer ef steel in Sheffield, and the owner of two furnaces for con•'.4 gte B.' '4 • . He had also altered various dramatic pieces, and it was very lately to drown herself. . The unfortunate creature hag 00 . 0 have' the misfortune to apply forlinforlation from such a source. Liverpool& Manchestr 91 percent., 100 0 0 100 0 0 -. N verting awl into steel. A ready supply of coal for these purposes i i . probatle that the name he had given them had greatly tended be-en evidently drinking, and seemed to labour untit-r thu . The public are therefore re uested to apply for information to Ditto. Half Shares•. • 91:percent. 50 0 0 10. 0 0 q _____ __se _ _ is iraliepieleable, more especially as within the last few years the ar tiervous excitement frequently produced by the immede- the clerks or officers of the Court, or to any constable of the Ditto, Quarter Shares 91.pereent.1 25 0 0 25 0 0 ' {Single, leather,i , to their popularity. . cernaue f e st. el haa been inordinately increasing. Ist 6 • cogged, were 2 8 1 1. 1 Block broke and The Vic E.
The Sun. — 1845-07-30 (London, England)

POLICE IN TELLIGENC E. (YESTERDAY.) MAASION-HOUSE. A man of very rude exterior and manners named Thomas Taal, was brought before the Lord Mayor, charged with having so severely injured a potman at a public-house as to endanger his life. James Leeson stated that he was on Monday night in Qucenhithe, and he heard a great row and disturbance, and saw the prisoner, who seemed to be the cause of the tumult, run his head between the legs of George Prosser, the potman of a public-heuse, and thng the potman over his heal, by which a most serious injury was inflicted. The patient was taken to the hospital. It was stated that apprehensions were entertained that the potman could not recover. The LORD MAYOR informed the prisoner that he would stand in a very awkward predicament if the man Who had been so roughly assailed should die. The prisoner, who did not seem to be influenced by any feeling for the patient, was then remanded till Monday. George Edwards, the driver of an omnibus, was charged with having been the cause of the death of a child. A policeman stated that about a quarter past eight o'clock on the 25th instant, he saw the defendant driving an omnibus in Biskopsgate-street, and soon afterwards he heard a scream, and saw the forewheel of the omnibus pass over the body of a child, named Thomas Cox, who died a few minutes after he was picked up. The defendant was driving at a slow pace. A woman, who also saw the accident, stated that as the omnibus went along the child suddenly started into the middle of the street, and before the driver could pull up was run over by the wheel of the vehicle. Witness picked up the child, but the wheel had passed over his neck and there was no chance of life. The Lon]) MAYOR, having learned that a Coroner's inquest had returned a verdict of " Accidental death," said that there had been nothing censurable in the COll- of the driver, and without hesitation dismissed him. Emily Harding was charged with having attempted to commit suicide. The ward beadle of Queenhi:he saw the prisoner jump into the Thames from Trig Wharf, and try most resolutely to drown herself. The unfortunate creature had been evidently drinking, and seemed to labour under the nervous excitement frequently produced by the immoderate use or ardent spirits. Richard Hewell, a bargeman, cf Brentford, saw the prisoner pull off her shoes, and shawl and cap, and jump off Mr. Crawford's wharf, into the river, out of which he dragged her. The prisoner said, that if she had chosen to dispose of herself, nobody had a right to interfere ; and that if her mother and sister appeared against her, she would certainly smash them, and no mistake. The Lord Mayor directed that the medical attendant of the Compter should see her and prescribe for her, and that she should be brought up again on Saturday next.
The Sun. — 1845-10-04 (London, England)

HUSBAND AND WIFE.  Yesterday Mr. Baker held an inquest at the King's Arms, Prospect-place, Bethnal-green, on the body of Mr. Charles Anderson, aged 53 years. It appeared by the evidence of several witnesses that deceased had formerly carried on the business of a master baker, in the parish of Hackney. lie subsequently sold the shop and trade for 1,0001., and with his previously acquired gains retired into private life. After enjoying himself for two or three years, deceased became restless, and desirous of seeing foreign countries. He accordingly engaged with the captain of the Thames, East Indiaman, to accompany him to India and China, in the character of ship-steward. He proceeded thither, leaving his wife at home with an annual allowance. He returned to England about two years ago, having, by some untoward means, expended the greater portion of his little fortune, with the remnant of which he again entered into business, at Bexley, in Kent. Here misfortune completed what extravagance had begun, and, by an unlimited credit to his poorer customers, he was reduced to beggary. On quitting Bexley he became an inmate of the Hackney union-workhouse, where he continued until he procured a situation as journeyman, at Mr. Beale's, West-street, Hackney. Whilst there he commenced a system of inebriety, which a short time since led to his discharge from Mr. Beale's service, in whose house he lived at the time. Tuesday se'nnight his wife died suddenly, and it being alleged that her death had been occa• sioned through his ill-treatinesat, an inquest was held on Friday last only on her body, when, there being no evidence to substantiate such a statement, the jury returned a verdict of " Natural Death." This circumstance had preyed much upon deceased's mind, and since that day he has indulged unusually in intoxicating drink. On Monday morning last he called upon a Mrs. Buncker, at Stepney-green, to whom he stated that he had not the means to defray the expenses of his wife's funeral, and that his landlord, although he held possession of his goods, had refused to advance him a sum sufficient for the purpose ; and said he should in despair either " hang or drown himself." She remonstrated with him upon the subject, and advanced him 12s. to pay for the church-ground. He then left her, and heard no of him until she was informed that his lifeless body had been discovered floating in the Regent's Canal on Wednesday morning, near the Bethnalgreen workhouse. Mrs. Buncker said she had no doubt he had committed suicide whilst under mental excitement. James Spring, a bargeman, deposed to Ending the body; deceased was quite dead, but warm. There being no evidence to show how he came into the water, the jury, under the Coroner's direction, returned a verdict of " Found drowned."
The Sun. — 1845-02-12 (London, England)

LAMBETH.-(THIS DAY.) ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SUICIDE IN ONE OF THE CEI.I.B.—,SOTRAI Freeman, a woman about forty years of age, apparently under the influence of nervous excitement, was placed at the bar before Mr. Norton, charged with creating a disturbance in Arlington.street, Waterloo-road, and with attempting to commit suicide by stran. gling herself, in the cell in which she was confined at the Tower_ street station.  Police.constable 159 L stated that at half-past twelve o'clock last night he found the defendant making a great noise in Arlington. street, by screaming and calling out " Murder I" and " Police!" She was in an excited state, and though not absolutely drunk, she was under the influence of liquor. Police-constable, 67 L, stated that when he locked the defendant up she told. him that she would never come out alive. Shortly afterwards she made an attempt to strangle herself with her apron. string, and would no doubt have destroyed herself tf he had not prevented her. Serjeant Evans, of the L Division said, that the defendant was now under, bail foi having attempted to commit suicide by jumping off Waterloo-bridge. _ _  . _ In answer to, questions put to her by Mr. Norton, the woman, who trembled violently and cried, stated that her husband, who was a water Man, and to whom she had been married four years, was continually in the habit of brutally ill-using her. She had been to fetch him from a public•house last night, and had some beer with him. On their return hothe be knocked her about, and she ran out of the house for protection, and unless she had done so be would have murdered her.  Mr. Nonvors.--But how could you think of such a dreadful thing as to commit suicide? The defendant—l was not in my right senses. Sometimes I do not know what I am about. My husband does not give me his earnings. Frequently, I do not get more than Is. 6d. a-week. I a unit endeavouring to jump off Waterloo-bridge. My husband's bad temper drove me to it.  Police-constable, 67 L, stated that the husband, who came to the station-hOuse, and who had some marks on him, said that be had been strtick'by the defendant. The defendent admitted striking' Mm, but added that it was in self-defence. Het husband took her by the hair of her head and dashed her against a copper. She had been cruelly treated by him. Mr. NoaToX directed the officers to obtain the attendance of her husband, and remanded the defendant until he could be brought before him.