npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1901-09-04 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

OFFICER.  At the Wheatsheaf Inn, Ness, on Tuesday evening, Mr. J. C. Bate, county coroner, resumed the inquest upon James Jighone, aged 27, and residing until his death at the new houses, Nees. It will be remembered that the inquest was adjourned from Friday afternoon in order that Mr. Hignett, relieving officer, might be preoeut.  Evidence was given by Mrs. Jellicoe, wife of deceased, which showed that her husband had formerly been employed upon the Liverpool and North Wales Railway, lie had recently, while at. work, met with a serious accident which injured his leg. After receiving the injury he sued the company for compensation, but failed to obtain the verdict. .11:0 that time his mind had become unhinged, and, not being able to work, he had been compelled to remain at home with his wife and two children. He had occasionally been attacked by fits of melancholia. His wife very rarely left him at all, but it was at times necessary for her to do so. A short time ago he had tried to hang himself with his braces, but had been prevented from doing this. On Wednesday afternoon last Mrs. Jellicoe was obliged to go out to obtain some water, and on her return discovered that her husband was nowhere to be seen. She raised an alarm, and shortly a number of persons were searching for him. The police wore notified, and a little before P.C. ld'ostoch arrived the discovery of the body was made. This was three hours after he had been missed, and he was found lying in a ditch. P.C. Bostock deposed to having seen the body lying in a ditch some distance from deceased's front door. He was lying in a pool of blood with his throat cut, and there was a razor close to him. The out was a deep one, and deceased had evidently been dead some considerable time. He removed the body to the mortuary, after first making all inquiries. Dr. Chant stated that he had been called in to attend deoea.sed after he had met with the accident. He had some time ago noticed that his mind was becoming unhinged, and, after finding that he cluttered from attacks of melancholia, had sent particulars of the case to Mr. Hignett, relieving officer. He bad heard nothing from him, although he had written on the 261 h August, and he had heard on Wednesday Mat that he was dead. Mr. Rio:tett was oalled, and stated that be had received the doctor's communication, but as it was only an application for certificate forms he had waited until he heard more from him.  The Foreman of the Jury said it was plain from the evidence that the relieving officer had had five day? notice, which placed the deceased in his bands. They considered that there was gross neglect on the part of the relieving officer, seeing that the whole matter was in his hands. They found that deceased committed suicide whilst of unsound mind, but, whilst finding that, they wished to exonerate the doctor from all blame.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1901-08-17 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

UNUSUAL INCIDENT.  The Coroner: Before the press leave I think we fibsmld give Mime Colefield an opportunity of denying the statement made by Mrs. Handford or otherwise if she thinks fit. It is rather a serious allegation against this girl's character. If it is to be reported in the press, it is only fair we should give her an opportunity of denying it if she wishes to do so. It does not relate to the inquiry, and I am sorry the statement was made, but it comes from the deceased girl. Ask Miss -Colefield to step this way. On Miss Colefield re-entering the room. the Coroner said: There was a statement made by the deceased girl to one of her relatives that her trouble was in connection with the office, that she was not satisfied with the —. I think it was your conduct she referred to. And it was rather a aerie-us statement she made in eeeneetion with some gentleman that you went away with at weekends. It is only right we should give you an opportunity of denying that statement if it is not correct, and I just tell you that statement was made by the deceased girl to one of her relatives. Miss Colefield : I have been away with that gentleman, but I have never done anything wrong with that gentleman. The Coroner We do not know who he is, or his name. it is not mentioned, but these letters have been sent to Miss Handford, and one I have before me is just to this effect: "If Miss Handford values her reputation, she will leave Apsley Buildings. A Well-wisher." It was as the remit of these letters that she made the communisation to this member of her family. Miss Colefield : There le nothing wrong between that gentleman and me, and I think he should be called upon to speak for himself. I can not say one word at him, and Miss Handfeed never saw him in the office. The Coroner: That is all. I wished to give you an opportunity of denying this because it has been given in evidence. The inquiry then closed, the Coroner entering the verdict as follows: "Miss Fanny Handford died from the effects of having swallowed a quantity of carbolic acid, and the jury say the said deceased committed suicide, but there is not suffirient evidence to show the state of her mind at the time she took the carbolic acid."
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1901-06-12 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

TUESDAY—Before Messrs. T. L. Dodds and Christopher Newhouse. Begging,in Old Bidston-road.—John Pem. .  broke, 3, Wood-street, was charged with being drunk and begging in Old Bidetonroad.—P.C. lA (Allan) stated that he saw the prisoner, who was drunk, enter shops in Old Bidston-road for am purpose of begging. --The case having been proved, the prisoner was fined ss. and costs on the first charge, and 10s. and costs, or 14 days, on the second charge. Enforced Detirement of Agues Daley.— Agnes Daley, 5, Albion-terrace, was charged with being drunk and disorderly and importuning passers-by in Ivy-street.—P.C. 14A (Wright) staled that at ten minutes past eleven on Saturday night he saw the prisoner d'runk and importuning passers-by in Ivyetreet.—Sergt Johnson said the prisoner had made her first appearance in that court on 31st May, 1882. From that time till May in the present year she had been convicted 12 times on account of drunkenness. She had been convicted for other offences, chiefly stealing and vagrancy, 21 times. The total number of times she bad been charged was 38. It was also stated that the prisoner was a'habitual drunkard, and was unable to control herself whilst under the influence of drink. The magistrates said it was fortunate for her, and also for the public, that they were in a position now to send her (away. She would have to go to the Brentry Home for three years. Four Attempts to Commit 6nicide.—Margaret Marsden, 4, Oakfield-view, was charged with being drnnk in Cathcart-street, and also with attempting to commit suicide.—P.C. 11)D (Davies) said that he met the prisoner. with two other persons, in Cathcart-street on Monday night. One of them told him that the prisoner was going to drown herself in the dock. Prisoner saki, "Yes, I would have done so if it had not been for those two men." After being arrested the prisoner stated that she had tried to drown herself because her husband had been abusing her. When she told her husband of her intention he told 02er to go and do it. She -further stated that no matter how her case was dealt with, she would commit suicide when she came out.—A young Ulan named John Wilson said he heard the prisoner inquiring her way to the docks. He heard that the prisoner intended to drown herself, and followed het. She went to the end of the dock wall in Cathcart-street and threw off her hat and cape and was going to undo the chain apparently as a preliminary to jumping in the 4chman -soloyed there  jock when te watei employe seized her before she could carry out her infention.—Thomns Mason, watehman at the China dheds, stated that on Monday evening heistrareinissase-raoeing through the gate. wllO Out OW SW the prisoner take off her hat and cape and go towards the side of the dock. He shouted and then ran up and eaught hold of her.—Prisoner stated that she had taken a lot of drink that evening and did not remember anything about it.— . .
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1901-06-29 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE  ASSIZES.  At the County Police Court on Thursday, before Mr. John Elliot, Charles Rue, aged 40, of Lower Bebington, wee charged with having contracted a bigamous marriage with Caroline Parr.  Caroline Don stated that she was a witness of the marriage in September last of prisoner with Annie Maria Hancock. The latter was now alive, the witness haring seen her last Sunday. She produced the certificate of the marriage which she bad compared with the entry in Somerset House, and found to be an exact copy. Clara Parr stated that she went through the form of marriage with prisoner on Easter Monday in St. Mart's Church, New Ferry, and had since lived with him as his rife at 19, George's-place. She had known prisoner for 14 years, but was not aware at that time that he was married. . .  Croae-examined prisoner, witness denied that she knew he was married.  Prisoner was further charged with having attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat on the 13th May. Clara Parr stated that on the morning of the day in cuestion prisoner went into the yard and a kort time after, having .oecasion to cut some bread she discovered that the knife had disappeared. She followed prisoner out and found him lying in the water closet with his throat cm. When be saw her he got up and went into the kitchen, where he threw fhimself down on the hearth in front of the fire. She sent for a constable.  _______. A sergeant of the Cheshire County Constaibulary, stationed at New Ferry. stated that he was called to prisoner's house and found prisoner lying on the kitchen floor. He turned him over on his back and found that stie had two wounds in his throat. In each of these he had put two fingers and was evidently trying to tear them open. He bandaged the wounds, but prisoner tried to take the bandages off. He then conveyed him to the Borough Hospital. Prisoner, who pleaded guilty to both charges, was committed to the Assizes.  as. WILLIAMS, PO, Argyie-stroet, Birkenhead, is now showing • Choice :ieleotion of Trimmed Millinery, Bonnets, Toques, Shin Blouses, Lams, ko. Inspection invitvd, deeljnen
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1901-12-28 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

MAWR.  I—Annual ball of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers in the Music Hall. • —Meeting of the ratepayers re Hoyle Lake scheme. 2—Collapse of Eaatham Pier. • 4—Heswall Pariah Council elections. -Bicentenary thanksgiving meeting in connection with the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. —Fire on the premises of " The Birkenhead News." s—Death from wrestling in the LowesiPark. 6—Town Council meeting. Increase in the pay of police officers. Ferry Manager's salary increased from £5OO to 03600. --Congregational meeting in the Gladstone Hall, Port Sunlight. —Annual social meeting of the Orton-road Congregational Church. 7—Debate at Ruekin Hall. "Does trades, unionism fetter development?" 8--Sudden death at the docks. —Lengthy delay on the Wirral Railway. Truck across the rails at Moreton. --Suicide on Bidston Hill. 9—Citizen Social. Address on "Birken.-.. head twenty-five years ago" by Mr. G. C. Rees. —Birkenhead Institute Annual Speech10.—Woman burnt to death at Ellesmere Port. I —Funeral Of the late Staff-Sergeant Geo. Garnham. —Death of Mr. N. A. Bridger. 11—Meeting of Birkenhead School Board. Resignation of Dr. Morris. —Alarming fire at New Ferry. --Annual meeting of the Wirral Farmers' Club. Mr. G. H. Smith appointed to the presidency. —Death of Rev. H. P Linton. 12—Appointment of the Rev. R Elmer Hard-. mg to the principalship of Lichfield Theological College. 13—Town Council meeting. Sub - lihrarian'e salary increased from .6135 to £l5O per annum. 14—Concert at Rock Ferry Higher Grade School. -  ..... 15.—Lecture on the Housing of the Poor question at the North-end Liberal Club, by Councillor T. T. Bees. 16—Departure of volunteers for South Africa. 18—Concert in connection with the Gladstone Liberal Club. 19—Serious accident to Mr. Peter Humphries, a Birkenhead timber merchant. --Meeting of the Birkenhead Guardians. Salary of Mr. Wharton (valuer to the Assessment Committee) increased to X 350. —Death of Mr. Charles Langtry. 20—Annual ball at the Town Liberal Club. 21—Port Sunlight Musical Society. Last concert of the saasqn. —lrish dinner in the Queen's Hotel. —Prize distribution of the Higher Tranmere College for Girls. r--Lecture by Councillor T. T. Rees on the housing of the working classes. -Sad drowning fatality at Rebington. —Death of Lieut James Ralston. 23.—Arnold Matthews' Pierrots at the Queen's Hall. 24—Farewell sermon of the Rev. J. Peddie, BA.  25—Lecture on "The Holy Land." by Father Hitching in St. Laurence's Schools. 26—Tableaux at the Y.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1901-06-22 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

FOR TRIAL.  Before Messrs. T. R. Bailey and J. Elliott, at the Wallasey Police Court on Wednesday, Ethel Billington was again charged on remand with having attempted to commit suicide by taking poison in Seacombe on 4ta 'net. Prisoner appeared more dogged and stubborn than before, but seemed to take interest in the proceedings. Miss Ayers said Canon Singleton had interested himself considerably on the girl's behalf, and she (Mies Ayers) had done what she could. Several attempts had been made to get her admitted into a nome, and if the girl wee willing she could go to one in Rock Ferry, where she would be well looked after. She had had a talk with the girl and understood her to say she would go. The Clerk (Mr. Sully) now asked the girl if she would go to the home, to which she replied "No, I refuse to go." 'rhe Clerk, addreasiug the bench, said he understood that she would not go because someone had told her she would not be tested kindly. She was only anxious to go nut and have her own way, and would dot attend to her mother, the police, or her priest in any way. The girl's mother came forward and asked that the girl might be allowed to go home with her. She would look after her, and undertake that such a thing would not occur again. By the Clerk: Her daughter left school at the age of 13, and went to service. She had passed the third standard, and vemained i n place about six months. The girl's on.. objection to go home with her was on account of her stepfather altreating her. Witness had now left her husband on account of the girl. . .  The manner in which the girl had been Icoked after in the past was not considered satisfactory, and a further remand was granted to yesterday. The cape came before Mr. J. Elliott psterday morning. Inspector Bramhall, Acting-Sergt. Breze, and Constable Savage repeated their evidence formally, and the prisoner, who was still unconcerned, was committed for trial to the next Quarter Sessions.  MASON'S Special ss. Wreaths • made of choicest white liowers.—Diote addtem—lks, top of Caton. road. mar2au23
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1901-07-06 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

WOULD-BE SUICLDE SENT TO A HOME. came into the shoe was missed. A report of the meeting, and carried uninimonen. was given to the police. Shortly afterwards Immediately after the resolutions ot the had bets WAti M the adjourned Quarter Sessions held Prisoner rgain came in and inquired the committee referring to himself When ,s 1 at Rnuteford on Wednesday, Sir Horatio Price of a nail-brush. After she had gone head. Mr. Hignett left the room W sera% tree Lloyd presiding, Ethel Billington, of Stars- a lading can was missed. Last week pri- minute of the committee had , Peame e. field-street, West Derby-road, Liverpool, a toner was loitering about the shop, and Mr. Bunting was dentate:on to inform ett ng y woman who at Chester afterwards three or fora black lead brushes Hignett that his pretence ens requested a were missed. In the other case the evidence the meeting, it being decided Sc smugmit ata:tetaaTesaio:salgeaded guilty to a charge is decision of tits • attempted suicide by taking salts of was of a similar nature. Prisoner was an- him with the unanimoi 0. .. .., ein rested by Detective Iball.-Prisoner denied Board. Mr. Stinnes; return 1 rill,. ,fit; on, came up for judgment. The prisoner that she had stolen anything except the the intelligence tbet Mi. theme . 1 1 : been living with a Mrs. Homing in eol. Mrs. Haming's daughter seems brushes, and when she !lid that she was the workhouse. been blamed for staying out late at under the influence of drink dri and could not Thereupon, Mr. Davies shoe& erewtrd it the two girls then agreed to remember-The magistrates found the cases against the defiant way in which Br. Biped with themselves. For this par- proved, and on the charge of stealing the had treated the Board, en ed nght a quantity of salts of lemon teapot she was sentenced to 14 days' hard Mr. Townsend remarked that • . Sireisi-!7.__ labour: a similar sentence was passed for had left the Finance Committee in a . and, after taking some, proending Stage for the purpose ose et t2l the theft of the black lead brushes, and for way on Tuesday. He woe nee in t.. 1 .r inselvee. They found , ..,_ the theft of the hat prisoner was sentenced clerk writing Mr. Hignett. telltng hre tau ey people about, and they to one month's imprisonment. the recommendations of the new. Cm; r the ferry to Seacembe. mitts, had been unienimonely agreed to. asi h oh more poison, and COUNTY then it would be left Nei hi see whether e rer and was drowned.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1901-07-06 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE SEACOMBE SENSATION  WOULD-BE SUICIDE SENT TO A HOME., At the adjourned Quarter Sessions held at Kau-Word on Wednesday, Sir Horatio Lloyd presiding, Ethel Billington, of Starsfield-street, West Denby-road, Liverpool, a, ejoseesaing young woman who at Chester rter Sessions pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted suicide by taking salts of lemon, came rip for judgment. The prisoner , had been living with a Mrs. He.ming in Liverpool. Mrs. Haming's daughter seems to have been blamed for staying out late at night, and the two girls then agreed to make away with themselves. For this purpose they bought a quantity of salte of lemon in Liverpool, and after taking some, proceeded to the Landing Stage for the purpose of drowning themselves. They found that there were too maxi/ people about, and they then crossed over by the ferry to Seacombe. The girl flaming took more poison, and throw herself in -the river and was drowned. The prisoner also took more poison, and was fortunately found by the police, who promptly gave her emetics and thus saved te The Chairman said since the prisoner was brought up at Chester inquiries had been made as to a home for the prisoner. They were willing to take her at a Roman Catholic home, where she would be surm, &led by people with the same interests as herself. If she elected to go there for at least twelve months, the bench would not pose sentence upon her for what she had done, and she would be bound over to come up for judgment when called upon. He thought it was due to the police, and he would like Colonel Hamersley to convey to the officer in question the appreciation by the bench of his ' oonduct and skill, which resulted in restoring the young woman to life. She was in imminent peril, and, like the other poor girl, must liars died but for the officer's 'promptness and the knowledge he had obtained. from the St. John Ambulance.—Mr. Colt Williams (prosecuting counsel) said he was glad to Lear this.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1901-08-14 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE BROMBORO POOL. DROWNING MYSTERY  1 The adjourned inquest on the body of a man named Jehn Trevor, aged 25, who was found drowned in the 13romborough Millpool a few days ago, was heard in the New Perry Police-buildings, on Tueeday, before Mr. J. C. Bate, county coroner. The Coroner said that there was no further evidence as to how the deceased man got into the water—whether he committed suicide or whether he got in accidentally. The only suspicious circumstance they had found was the feet that sonic young female perms Came from her home in Bhropepire to see him. Ile knew she was coming over, and he absented Iliniseli from his lodgings, not being seen alive afterwards. From another statement it appeared that he was keeping company with another young lady in Birkenhead. Whether he had two (sweethearts or not no one was quite certain. No evidence these girli could give was likely to help the jury in any way, and therefore they had not been asked to attend.  Samuel Trevor, father of the Jai-eased man, said he resided at Preston Broekhurat, Shropshire, and his son was a bricksetter. He did not know his son had a sweetheart in Shropshire, and was not aware of any trouble he had.  FAizabcth Jones, 43, Kilshaw-street, Liverpool, ststc-,1 that John Trevor lodged in her house, flu.. had done so since May last. For a few days prior to his disappearance he had bean in very low spirits. She had tried to find out the reason, but he said it was not mac... He went to work until Wedneeday night. On Thursday morning. August let, he did not get up until late. He went out about a quarter to ten, and she thought he was going to meet this girl from Shropshire, who arrived about two. That was the last she (wE:newt) saw of him. His friend from Shropshire came to the house and asked where he was. Witnees could not tell her, being unaware. Continuing, witness stated that she had heard something from the deceased man about the girl he knew in Shropshire and one he knew in Birkenhoed, and she had endeavoured to get him to go only with one. The jury returned a vordiet of "Found drowned."