npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1886-04-10 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SUICIDE AT NESTON.  On Wednesday, an inquest was held at The Lydiate, near Neaten, the residence of Mr. Duncan Graham, before Mr. H. Charted], county coroner, on the body of Thomas Henney, aged 43, who had been fourteen years employed as head gardener to Mr. Graham. Thomas Bell, a groom, stated that the deceased was a very intelligent, steady man. He last saw him alive at a quarter-past eight o'clock on Tuesday morning, when he seemed in his usual health and spirits. He was then standing near the door of the fruit house. About a quarter of an hour afterwards witness was again passing the fruit house, when he saw the deceased lying in the doorway dead, with his brains scattered about the place. A newly discharged gun was on the ground near him, the muzzle of which he had evidently placed close to his head, and then fired it by means of a short piece of wood. The wife of the deceased stated that they had been married for thirteen years, and had seven children. She had noticed something the matter with her husband for the past three weeks. He had been depressed in spirits, and had lost his appetite, but the only cause he assigned for it was anxiety regarding his work in the gardens, which he complained had fallen behind in consequence of the frost. He went out on Monday morning at six o'clock, which was before his usual time, but returned home in about half an hour with his clothes wet through. Witness asked him what was the matter, and he said he had been trying to drown himself, but could not do it. He again complained about his work being behind. She remon.trated with him, and put the youngest child into his arms, and told him to think of his children and his duty to them. He then promised that he would not again attempt to take his life. On Tuesday morning he rose at the usual time, and after breakfast went out to go to the gardens. His wife, feeling uneasy about him, watched him disappear in the direction of the fruit blouse, and that was the last time she saw him alive. The jury returned a verdict of " Suicide whilst temporarily insane," and the coroner remarked that as far as he could learn the gardens of the deceased were not in a backward state considering the season.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1886-03-27 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SAD SUICIDE.   An inquest was held at the Victoria Hotel, I Cleveland-street, last evening, before Mr. Churton, coroner, on the body of James Robertson, labourer, aged seventy-one years, of 31, Mill-street, Higher Tranmere, who committed suicide yesterday morning, under circumstances of a sad nature. Robert Robertson, son of the deceased, of 18, Hope-terrace, Higher Tranmere, said the deceased had been out of work since May last. He came to witness's house for his meals, but he lodged at 3, Mill-street, Higher Tranmere. He had been very much depressed in consequence of not being able to obtain work, and he had frequently threatened to commit suicide during the past twenty years, and he had been so accustomed to hear him make use of such threats that he did not think the deceased would ever carry them out. Witness last saw him alive on the previous evening. At one o'clock that afternoon he heard that the deceased had been found drowned, and he went and identified the body. Samuel Cheers, a foreman at Messrs. Laird's Works, stated that the deceased came to him at the works at a quarter to seven o'clock that morning, and stated that he had been to the "head gaffer" and asked him for a "start," but he said he could not give him anything to do. The deceased then said to witness" I hope you will open your heart and give me a job:' Witness replied that it was impossible as he had already too many hands. The deceased then said "Oh what can I do ?" and witness advised him to go to the workhouse for a month or two until the days lengthened and when he would be better able to get work. The deceased replied "I have been there once and would rather put an end to myself than go there again." Witness said "Oh that is all nonsense," and persuaded the deceased to sit down, and gave him his breakfast. The deceased afterwards went away, and about a quarterpast eight o'clock witness saw him hurrying into the yard. That was the last he saw of him until half-past nine o'clock, when he heard that a man had been taken out of No. 4 dock, and on going to the place he found the body of the deceased lying in the engine. room. Witness had previously heard the deceased threaten to commit suicide..  John Churchward, a marine engineer on board the ss. Munster, at present lying in No. 4 dock, stated that at nine o'clock that morning he saw the deceased floating in the water of the dock. He jumped off the quay wall, and brought the body ashore. The men tried to resusciate him, but all efforts were on.  The Coroner said there was no doubt the poor man had been driven to very great extremities in consequence of being unable to obtain work. and at the time he committed suicide he could not have been responsible for his actions. A verdict of "Suicide whilst temporary insane " was returned.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1886-03-31 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.  At the Borough Police Court, on Saturday, before Mr. Preston, John Kelly, a young man residing at 73, Brook-street, was charged with attempting to commit suicide by jumping from the Woodside Ferry bridge. Ferry-officer Skinner stated that he was standing on the stage, at forty minutes past four o'clock on Friday afternoon, when he heard a cry of "Man overboard." He ran up the outside bridge and saw a man drifting underneath. There was a very strong tide running, and prisoner was picked up at the cartway. When taken out of the water, he said "I'm sorry it didn't happen. I shall have to do it again." Richard Baker, a seaman on the steamer Cheshire, said he saw prisoner on the boat, which left Liverpool at half-past four. When prisoner landed, he went up the inside bridge, turned round at the top, came down the outside bridge, and jumped into the river. Witness gave the alarm, and prisoner was taken out of the water after being in about nine minutes.  William Reddy, carter, said he was standing on the floating bridge, when he saw prisoner walk down the bridge and take of his cgtat and vest. Witness shouted across to the Men OD the stage and ran round himself to try and stop prisoner, but he jumped in and drifted to the cartway where witness pulled him out. Prisoner said he had taken some drink on Friday, and having had nothing to eat, it had affected him. A sister of the prisoner's appeared, and stated he had been out of work for a long time. He and his brother used to stop with her, but they had not done so lately, they had only paid her an occasional visit. Prisoner had had no work since January, and had recently become very low spirited and depressed. His Worship: Has he ever attempted such a thing before? Witness: No, sir, never. He has always been a steady man, and I have never seen him the,worse for drink in my life, nor even the sign of a glass on him. His Worship said he was very sorry that prisoner should have ever attempted to take his own life. He had no doubt that it was want of work that had made him do it, but that was not the way to remedy the evil. Such an act was not justifiable by the laws of God, or man. He would not, however, send prisoner to gaol, he thought he would do better to go to the workhouse ward for a few  .. days. The Sister: No, sir, not that. I shall manage to take care of him, sir, for a bit  longer. His Worship: Well, I shall remand him till Monday, and see how he is. On Monday the prisoner was again brougut up, when Mr. Preston inquired how he bad behaved since Saturday. Bridewellkeeper Sherwood: He has beoi very, quiet, sir. The brother of the prisoner was called and stated that he would take care of the prisoner if he was discharged. Mr. Preston (to prisoner): Will you promise not to do this again. Prisoner: Yes sir. Mr. Preston said the prisoner had evidently been drinking or he would not have done what he did. He ought to feel thankful that the man was able to catch hold of him in time or he would not have been in court. Ile would be given over to hi a brother.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1886-11-20 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

WOULD-BE SUICIDE.  At the Borough Police Court, on Thursday, before Mr. Preston, a young man named Joseph Roberts, a seaman, residing at 3, Hamilton•lane, was charged with having been drunk at the Xforpeth Dock. The prisoner was also charged with having attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the pierhead into the river. _  P.C. 121 (Montgomery) stated that about ten minutes past twelveo'clock on Wednesday night he was informed by the prisoner's mother that the prisoner had gone in the direction of the Pdorpeth Dock in a very excitable manner. He (the officer) went down to the dock and there saw the prisoner with his coat and vest off, and he was endeavouring to get over the chain on the pierhead, apparently with the intention of jumping into the river, but he (the officer) prevented him doing so. Mr Preston: What was there to prevent him jumping into the river if he wanted to do so ?—I was too close on him all the way down. Did he say anything9-11e said he would have jumped in if I had not prevented him. Was he very drunk ?—No, he was not very drunk.  Mr. Preston (to the prisoner): What have you to say? The Prisoner; I have nothing to say. Superintendent Clarke: His mother is here. Mrs. Roberts, the prisoner's mother, then entered the witness box, and stated that the prisoner left home between six and seven o'clock on the previous night. He returned home at night, when he appeared to be out of his mind, in consequence of somebody having given him some drink, and be was not used to it. The prisoner again left the house, when, in consequence of the peculiar expression of his face, she followed him and obtained the assistance of the police-officer, and they took him to the police-station. The prisoner wanted to go away with the Patagonia. Mr. Preston: Was he drunk last night?— Yes; he was quite out of his mind. How long has he been living with you ?—He is my son. He has been home for a month. How long has he been drinking ?—He does not drink as a rule, but he got some last night. When does he go to sea ?-11e is going away in the Patagonia. When does she sail ?—She goes a week on Saturday. She has been laid up for repairs, and being out of work has preyed on his mind.  Have you seen him in this state before? —No.  Does be seem right now? Bridewell-keeper Parker: Yes. Mr. Preston (to the mother): Do you think you ,can take care of him? _  -. The Mother: Yea, he is very obedient to me.  The prisoner was discharged.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1886-07-24 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE.  EXCITING SCENE AT THE LANDING.  STAGE. A scene which caused the greatest excitement was witnessed about half past seven on Tuesday evening at the Woodside goods stage. About ten minutes past seven a woman, accompanied by a little girl, was seen to come down the floating bridge on to the goods stage at Woodside, and then to walk along to the cattle stage. She sat down on a mooringpoet, and after being there for some time she was observed by a young man named Edward Bibby, a seaman on board the Dock Board flat George, which was moored alongside the stage, to take a long bandage off the child's arms. She then proceeded to bind the child to her own body with the bandage, and almost immediately afterwards walked towards the side of the stage and attempted to throw herself into the river. She was prevented doing so by the struggles of the child, but she snatched it up in her arms, and both fell into the water. Bibby immediately jumped into the punt belonging to the flat, and, accompanied by a young man belonging to one of the training ships, who also wVed the as occurrence, rowed as fast pow' to the place where the two were struggbpg, a distance of about forty yards, and succeeded in picking them up. With the assistance of several other boatmen and stagemen they were lifted on to the stage in an exhausted state, the little girl being in a very weak condition. The woman was given into the custody of P.C. 121 (Montgomery), and taken to the Birkenhead Police Station, where she stated that her name was Mary Grace, and that she had come out of the workhouse and had no place to live, and that the child who accompanied her was her daughter Cissie, who is about ten years of age. The woman was in a very intoxicated state, and would give no reason why she had tried to drown herself and child. Her husband, Walter Grace, is a labourer, and has been several times charged at the Birkenhead Police Court with neglecting and deserting his wife and family, the reason he gives for doing so being that his wife is of very drunken habits. Had it not been for the presence of mind displayed by Bibby, who lives at 6, Langhamstreet, Liverpool, the woman and child would undoubtedly have been drowned, as a strong current was running round the stage at the time. The occurrence ceased a great amount of excitement among the passengers on the ferry steamers, two of which were near the spot at the time, and also among the people on the stage. THE PRISONER _BEFORE THE
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1886-04-03 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.  At the Borough Police Court, on Saturday, before Mr. Preston, John Kelly, a young man residing at 73, Brook-street, was charged with attempting to commit suicide by jumping from the Woodside Ferry bridge. Ferry-officer Skinner stated that he was standing on the stage, at forty minutes past four o'clock on Friday afternoon, when he heard a cry of. Man overboard." He ran up the outside bridge and saw a man drifting underneath. There was a very strong tide running, and prisoner was picked up at the cartway. When taken out of the water, he said "I'm sorry it didn't happen. I shall have to do it again." Richard Baker, a seaman on the steamer Cheshire, said he saw prisoner on the boat, which left Liverpool at half•past four. When prisoner landed, he went up the inside bridge, turned round at the top, came down the outside bridge, and jumped into the river. Witness gave the alarm, and prisoner was taken out of the water after being in about nine minutes. William Reddy, carter, said be was standing i on the floating bridge, when he saw prisoner ! walk down the bridge and take of his coat and vest. Witness shouted across to the men on the stage and ran round himself to try and atop prisoner, but he jumped in and drifted to the cartway where witness pulled him out. Prisoner said he had taken some drink on Friday, and having had nothing to eat, it had affected him. A sister of the prisoner's appeared, and stated he had been out of work for a long time. He and his brother used to stop with her, but they had not done so lately, they had only paid her an occasional visit. Prisoner had had no work since January, and had recently become very low spirited and depressed. His Worship: Has he ever attempted such a thing before? Witness: No, sir, never. He has always been a steady man, and I have never seen him the worse for drink in my life, nor even the sign of a glass on him. His Worship said he was very sorry that prisoner should have ever attempted to take his own life. He had no doubt that it was want of work that had made him do it, but that was not the way to remedy the evil. Such an act was not justifiable by the laws of God, or man. He would not, however, send prisoner to gaol, he thought he would do better to go to the workhouse ward for a few  days. The Sister: No, sir, not that. I shall manage to take care of him, sir, for a bit longer. His Worship: Well, I shall remand him till Monday, and see how he is. On Monday the prisoner was again brought up, when Mr. Preston inquired how he had behaved since Saturday. Bridewell-keeper Sherwood very quiet, sir. The brother of the prisoner was called and stated that he would take care of the prisoner if he was discharged. Mr. Preston (to prisoner): Will you promise not to do this again.  : He has been  Prisoner: Ye l sir. Mr. Preston said the prisoner bad evidently been drinking or he would not have done what he did. He ought to feel thankful that the man was able to catch hold of him in time or he would not have been in court. He would be given over to his brother.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1886-05-01 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SUICIDE IN THE PARK.  About ten o'clock on Wednesday morning a woman named Hannah Laird, aged 63, and who was on a visit to her son, who resides at 35, Paterson-street, committed suicide by throwing herself into one of the ornamental ponds in the Birkenhead Park. It appears that the deceased came to Birkenhead on Easter Monday, and on the morning in 9nestioo lishe left her son's house, which is situated near the entrance to the Park, soon after breakfast, and went for a walk in the Park. She appeared to be in her usual health and spirits, and was accompanied by her little granddaughter. When standing on the covered bridge which crosses one of the sheets of water in the lower park she handed her purse to the child and told her to go and buy some sweets. She was observed to do this by two men, who took no further notice of her for some time. However, they happened to look in the direction of the bridge a few ' minutes afterwards, when they saw the woman struggling in the water, _ which _lit this point is six or seven feet in depth. The men immediately ran in the direction of the park entrance, and informed P.C. Runciman, who was on duty there, of what had taken place, but before the Officer arrived upon the scene a  young man, named John Moore, residing at 36, Hilton-street, had gallantly jumped into the lake and with considerable difficulty had succeeded in bringing the woman to the bank. She was unconscious, but did not appear to be dead. P.C. Runciman used every means to restore animation until the arrival of Dr. Richardson, senior house-surgeon at the Borough Hospital, who had been sent for. However, the doctor pronounced life to be extinct. An inquest was held, on Thursday, before Mr. H. Churton, borough coroner, arid a jury, and after hearing the evidence a , verdict was returned to the effect that the deceased had committed suicide, there being no evidence to show the state of her min& The deceased belonged to Glasgow, and it ie stated she had been in ill health for some time past.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1886-06-19 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

WALLASEY.  On Wednesday, Mr. H. Chnrton held an inquest at the Great Float Hotel, Seacombe, on the body of Emma Kirkpatrick Glendinning, aged fifty-eight, wife of Samuel Glendinning, watchman, of 2, Bretbertoustreet, Seacombe. The husband of the deceased statee that she had been subject to fainting fits and disease of the heart, and had been under Dr. Byerly and the dispensary doctor, but they had not attendee her during the last six months. Cu Monday evening witness was sitting in the house with the deceased when she was taken suddenly ill, and died before medical assistance could be obtained.— The jury returned a verdict of " Death from natural causes."  Mr. Churton also held an inquest at the Pool Inn, Poulton, on the body of William Kidson, of 2, Hartland-road, Tranmere, whose body was found in the West Float on Tuesday morning.—Thomas William Patterson, of 44, Rankin-street, Poulton, said he knew the deceased, who was formerly a wine and spirit merchant's manager, but he had been out of employment for some time. On Monday evening the deceased called at witness's house and remained half an hoar. When he left he seemed to be in his usual health and spirits, and was quite sober. Witness did not see him again alive, but about seven o'clock nest morning, as he was going to his work he saw some men carrying the body of the deceased home, and he identified it. There was a scar on the forehead which appeared to have been caused by the body coming in contact with something in the water. He had known the deceased about eighteen years, and he had been in the habit of calling at his house. P.C. 94 (Heeley) stated that about a quarter to seven o'clock on Tuesday morning he was on duty on the north side of the West Float, when observed the body of the deceased floating in an upright position in the water about two feet from the quay. He obtained assistance and had the body carried to the dead house.—The Coroner said there was no doubt that the deceased met his death by drowning, but there was no evidence of how he got into the water. He might have committed suicide or he might have been the victim of an accident by stumbling over rope and falling into the water. He, ' therefore, thought that the only verdict they could return was an open one.— The jury I returned a verdict of "Found drowned."
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1920-05-19 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ALTERCATION WITH HER MOTHER. On Monday, at the Borough Police Courf' —before Alderman J. Gamlin (chairman) and Alderman .E. G. Mason—Ellen Susannah Fazackerley, aged 18, tof Westview, was charged with attempting to COMmit suicide by swallowing carbolic oil. She began to weep when brought into the dock. Stucinuel Fazackerley, the girl's mother. said that about 4.30 on Thursday last, she was in the sitting-room nursing a baby, when she had occasion to chastise the prisoner. She then went into the yard, and when she came back she found her datighter on the floor, with a brokeii bottle of carbolic oil by her. Asked what she meant by -chastised." Mrs. Fazackerley said there were words between thern, and prisoner struck her. She told her daughter she was not going to stand that, as it was not the first time it had occurred, and she " slashed " her daughter across the face with her hand— just once. The carbolic oil was some %hat witness kept in the house for use. _  Dr. Gayter, senior house surgeon at the Borough Hospital, -to which institution the girl was conveyed by ambulance, said he found her extremely trightened and slightly collapsed. He thought her condition was due more to fright than to poisoning. He could llot ascertain how much carbolic oil the girl had swallowed. but there was only a minute proportion of carbolic acid in carbolic oil, and her condition was not dangerous. She reoeived all- necesinry treatment and was perfectly recovered now. In ansirer to the magistrate*, the mother said iier daughter was a good girl generally, but very hasty tempered. Prisoner <mid her mother was Tinder the influence Of -drink on the day in question and started shouting and hitting her, and she (prisoner) lifted dler hand, but did not hit her nitatier: Her mother then got her by the hair and hit her until she (prisoner) was exhausted, and lay on the floor, and when she come round she went to the cupboard and got the carbolic ciiL In answer to the magistrates the mother denied that he was under the influence of drink on the day in question, but she admitted that she took too much drink sometimes. _  The Chairman: You are setting a very bed example, then. . . . . .  In the end. the magistrates discharged the accused on her promising never to do anything of the kind again. and the Chairman told the mother to set a better example to her daughter.