npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Glasgow Courier. — 1845-12-30 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

GLASGOW.  re.—About eleven o'clock on Saturday night last, a fire broke out in the tenement, 41, Virginia Street, which is occupied as a counting-house by Mr. Patterson, insurance agent. As the city engines were immediately on the spot, the flames were subdued before any serious damage had been done. The origin of the fire is thus accounted for, and the information may serve as &warning to others:—lt appears that, on closing up the premises, the boy had removed a large live coal from the fire, and laid it upon the hearth, vshioli consisted of an iron plate instead of a stone slab. The coal rendered the plate red hot, whish ignited the wood below, thus leading to the accident. Dangerous Frolic.—One day last week, about three o'clock in the afternoon, a young man, dressed in a blue coat, moleskin trousers, and a cloth cap, to appearance a mechanic, while walking along the pavement on the west side of the Broomielaw Bridge with one or two compaaions, suddenly stopped, and, either in frolic or for a trifling wager, (the latter we are inclined to believe,) leaped from the centre arch of the bridge into the harbour. Ile soon rose to the surface, and having been picked up by a boat evidently provided for the occasion, be was landed at the stairs on the south side of the river, apparently nothing the worse of the plunge. The name of the rash youth who thus recklessly perilled his life, we have not been able to ascertain; as it seems the police, like the assembled crowd, laboured under the delusion that he had madly attempted to commit suicide, but failed in the unhallowed attempt, and thus allowed him to escape without inquiry, thinking, no doubt, the sound ducking a sufficient punishment for the offence. Shopbreaking.—On Sunday night, the shop of Mr. 3PBeth, watchmaker, Kirk Street, Calton, was entered by thieves, and all the watches in the window, amounting to between 35 and 40, carried away. The dwelling-house is situated behind the shop, and the thieves had effected an entrance by wrenching off the kitchen window shutter, and passing into the premises. As yet there has not been any trace of the thieves nor the missing property. Accident—On Saturday forenoon, a horse and cart, which had been left unattended in Great Hamilton Street, suddenly started, and made off at a furious pace. In its progress the horse came in contact with, knocked .down, and seriously injured a young man who chanced to be passing; at the time. The lad had one of his arms broken, and was otherwise so much hurt, that he required to be sent to the Royal Infirmary.
Glasgow Courier. — 1845-04-01 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

GLASGOW. &a-Bathing Season.—Already preparations at Dunoon, Kim, and`Sandbanh, for the ensuing ing season, witich, judging by present appearances, promises to be one of unusual interest. The whole of the shore from Dunoon up to the termination of Sandbank, which is directly opposite Kilmun, is studded with neat self-contained houses and cottages, suitable for all classes of those who annually frequent the sea-bathing villages on the Clyde. Sandbank seems to have been decidedly improved in the external appearance of its villas, Sic., since last year. The demand for houses at the head of 11017 Loch promises, in a short time, to cause the construction of a continuous line of neat summer retreats for invalids from Dunoon to Imun.  Restitution of Found Money.—On Saturday week, a young gentleman connected with a commercial establishment in town, in going to the bank, lost one hundred pounds in twenty-pound notes. He immediately, by placards and advertisements, announced the loss, and offered a reward of five pounds. Finding, after the lapse of four days, that this produced no effeot, he offered, through the same channels, a reward of £2O, with the addition, that the sum lost could be forwarded to the police, with the £2O deducted. This at once produced the desired effect, the .£BO being returned to Captain Wilson, through the Postoffice, on Saturday forenoon. From this it is obvious, that the person who found the money thought that five pounds was too little for his purpose, but that twenty pounds, and a salutary fear of the police, came up to his mark. Body found.—On Friday morning a box, containing the I body of a newly-born male child, was found on the road leading to the Necropolis. Suicide.—The woman M'Dougall, who swallowed a quantity of laudanum, in a house in the Tontine Close, on Monday last, died, we understand, from the effects of the poison. Attempted Suicides.—On Sunday forenoon, the wife of a labourer named M.Cormick, residing in Kerr Street, off Gallowgate, attempted to commit suicide by hanging herself in her own house. She was fortunately discovered, and cut down by the neighbours, and being removed to the Calton Police-office, medical advice was immediately procured, and her life saved. The woman had been drinking the preceding night in company with her husband, and it is believed that she attempted the suicide in a fit of drunken desperation. The husband, who had been out of the house in the forenoon, being informed on his return of his wife's critical position, stated that he would follow her example, and was apparently prepared to something desperate when the neighbours again interfered, and the man was also transferred to the Police-office for his own safety.
Glasgow Courier. — 1845-12-16 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

GORBALS BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.  On Wednesday, the thirty-ninth anniversary of this excellent Institution was celebrated by the annual dinner, in the Baronial Hall, Gorbals. Archibald Edmiston, Esq. of Dunclutha, the President of the Society, occupied the chair, and did its duties with great propriety and tact; indeed, we have seldom seen.* better conducted business, altogether, or a more cheerful and pleasant party. The Chairman was supported right and left by Bailie Gemmill, Rev. Mr. Boustoun, Bailie Anderson, James Bogle, Esq., Charles Gray, Esq., John Leadbetter, Esq., the Dean of Guild, Bailie Walker, Bailie Mitchell, Sic. James Sommerville, 1 Esq., acted as croupier, supported by Bailie Pearson. Bailie 4 bite, Bailie Hoome, Messrs. John Reid, Russell, and Alex. Ise. After discussing the dinner, which did very great to Mr. Forrester, the chairman gave all the usual standing Meets, prefaced by appropriate and pithy remarks. The toast of the evening, " The Gorbals Benevolent Society," was received with great applause; and as a proof of the sincerity with which it was drunk, a sum of £BO was contributed on the spot, by the company, for Its behoof. hi'Dougall's band was in attendance, and delighted the company with their appropriate and excellent music.  Supposed Suicide—On , wearing apparel, which appears chanic, was found in a close in Cl the Gorbals Police-office. The  Sunday ' to  stolen; but if this is not the ease, the owner may have divested him then jumped into the river. A found may possibly afford some I doubtful matter. They were, a 1 blue and white worsted cravat, coloured cotton handkerchiefs, r ot shoes. In the pocket of the some screw nails, a  plpe-piaker, .The  Prim of Bread.— reduce the price of bread four-pound loaf is to be sold If paid within a month; and —Scotsman, Saturday.
Glasgow Courier. — 1845-11-11 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

COLLIERY EXPLOSION-NINE LIVES LOST AND TEN  OTHERS DREADFULLY BURNED.  WARRINGTON, Nov. 3.—This morning, at five o'clock, the No. 3 coal-pit, belonging to Messrs. Turner and Evans, at Haydock, near Newton, Lancashire, caught fire (by some means at present not known), and a most tremendous explosion took place, which uplifted and carried to a considerable distance the planks fastened at the mouth of the pit. These collieries are at work both night and day; the night-men had just returned from the pit, and the day-men in the act of descending, nineteen of whom had gone down, when the explosion occurred; had it happened a few minutes later about twenty more would have shared the same fate as their unfortunate companions. Some were actually hanging by the rope when it took place. As soon as safety would permit, their fellow-men went down to explore the full extent of the mischief, and nine dead bodies were found, amongst whom was that of a boy, who was so dreadfully mutilated that they were under the necessity of putting him in a sack in order to get him up. Ten men were got up alive, but all so seriously burned, that not the least hopes are entertained of their recovery, except one, who seems to have been more fortunate than the rest. These most unfortunate men are nearly all married, and have left most of them large families to lament, and it is to be feared grievously suffer this their sudden, unexpected, and to them irretrievable loss.—Sun.  Suicide.—On Friday forenoon, betwixt eleven and twelve o'clock, a man, named Robertson, residing at 65, Taylor Street, committed suicide by hanging himself. Fire.—Friday night, between nine and ten o'clock, a fire broke out in one of the row of little thatched houses at the east end of the Back Row, Sandholes, Paisley. Owingto the lowness of the roofs, and the combustible materials connected with these buildings, the flames made such rapid progress that three tenements were about completely destroyed before the arrival of the fire engines. Some spirited young men in the neighbourhood stripped the thatch from part of the roof of the house adjoining the last of those consumed, , and, by the assistance of the firemen and engines afterwards, the further progress of the burning element to the westward was arrested. We learn that the premises were insured, but six poor families, who have been burned out, were not, and several of them have lost nearly everything which they had.  Melancholy Accident—William White' one of the undergrooms at Castlesemple, on crossing the Cart from Howood last Saturday evening week, fell into the river and was drowned, After a very active search, his body was found on Sabbath morning, Be has left two orphans to lament his loss,
Glasgow Courier. — 1853-12-27 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

CONVICTION OF A BAPTIST MINISTER OF  MURDER—HIS SUICIDE The North State Whig published ai  North Carolina, publishee 'arreport of .the  . • Rev. George W. Carawan, for the murder of Mr. U. Lassiter, a school teacher, in Hyde county. Cumuli fifty-six Tears old, and for many years has hem, a poiml preacher in the Baptist church, a man of strange ercising a powerful influence over his friends, and fear as much as hated by his foes. Lassiter wasa quietyou, man, engaged in the business of teaching. .Sonic 111 before the murder, Lassiter boarded in the h Carawan, and a quarrel arose between then), Cacao alleging that Lassiter was too familiar mitt, hls ea, wan's) wife. Carawan talked very freely monz '  neighbours on the subject; said that Last be shot; that shooting was too good for his;  hound Lassiter could not both liveln-ther;an7n'e  hood, &e.; and finally, tried to get out a peace a; against Lassiter, alleging that he had attempt take his life. He .went on this way for some  when Lassiter sued him for slander, la)ing tl,h mages at 2,000 dollars. A few hours after the writ w served on Carawan Lassiter was killed'. The body w . .  found in the swamps behind Carawan's house, in an Ira lot, which was surrounded by briars, underbrush, S:c covered with moss. The moss over the grave hid hoescarefully removed, the grave dog just large enough in hold the body, the body pressed into it, the grave filled up even with the surrounding earth and pressed dowi, and the moss carefully laid back upon it. Caranan tied, and went up and down the country preaching in an assumed name. It was proved at the trial that the prisoner had offered the witnesses enough to go out of the one, The jury, after a protracted bitting, brought in a verdict of guilty, rind the judge ordered a recess of the calm for an hour. As the crowd was Icarian., the prisoner Mbidenly drew two pistols, one of ohich he fired at Air. Warren, the counsel for the state, and with the other shot himself through the head, killing himself inetantls. The ball of the other struck Mr. Warren on the breast, just above the heart, but fortunately glanced off, a:..1 only left a slight wound.
Glasgow Courier. — 1853-12-27 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

MURDER IN LONDON.  On Saturday the neighbourhood of King Street, Soho was thrown into a state of excitement by the report that a man, living at No. 15, had attempted to murder his wife, and had then committed suicide. From inquiries which were made it was ascertained that the man's name was Heise, a German, a tin-plate worker, who lived with his wife and two children in the attic of the house above named. It appeared that his circumstances were good, but he had strong feelings of jealousy against his wife. The poor woman was confined only on Wednesday, and Heise had become impressed with a conviction that the child was mot his. He frequently taunted her with his suspicions, but she had no reason to suspect that he meditated violence towards her. On Saturday night, however, as she lay in bed with her infant at the breast, he suddenly rushed into the room with a dagger knife, of the Italian form, and stabbed her in several places on the left side and arm. She immediately jumped out of bed and rushed out of the room, loudly calling out ' Murder.' She dropped on the stairs from loss of blood, She was removed to a room below, where she was immediately attended to, and her wounds dressed by Mr. J. F. Clarke, of Germ.rd Street, and Mr. Martin, of Frith Street, surgeons. She was subsequently removed to the Workhouse with the infant, which was drenched with blood. The man himself was quite dead before the medical gentlemen arrived. On entering his room a frightful scene presented itself. The floor was spool of blood, and Heise lay partially upon the bed, his throat cut from ear to ear. He had nearly severed the head from the body, with the exception of the vertebrre ; both the carotid arteries, the windpipe, and all the soft parts being cut through. Mr. Clarke remarked that he had never seen so extensive a self-inflicted wound.  DISCOVERY OF TRH SEA SERPENT NEAR JOHN O'Gnosr.-.-The John o' Groat Journal gives a strange account of a rare fish thrown ashore on the 14th inst., on the north side of Sinclair's Bay, at Keiss, about 8 miles from Wick, which certainly is a good seasnake, if not the verktable sea-serpent. It is now in the possession-of Dr. Sinclar, of Wick, who has been at some considerable trouble and expense in rescuing this interesting and rare visitant from demolition, for, in addition to the injury it sustained in its death straggles, the fisherman's knife had cut it into junks.  The Roman Catholic Standar,/ states that the following various sums are in the course of being raised by the Romanists:—£so,ooo for the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Soho Square • £35,000 for the Oratotorians' new church • £30400 at least' for a new Italian church and college at Hatton Wall; church in Spitalfields £10,000; ditto, Commercial Road, £15,000; ditto Poplar, £4,000; Monsignor Mangle's church, £10,000; church inWarwick Street, £25,000; itto Acton, £3,000 ; ditto Hampstead, £8,000; ditto Cowcross' £3,000; presenting a total required of £193,000 for Roman Catholic buildings in London alone.
Glasgow Courier. — 1853-05-19 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

ROMANTIC SUICIDE.  On Wednesday morning the body of a young man was discovered in a small copse near the Crystal Palace, with his head blown to pieces, and a new rifle pistol lying by ' his side. Information being given at the police station, Sergeant Sole and two constables proceeded to the spot, and removed the bode to the bone-house, Sydenham. An inquest was held on 'Thursday, when, from the evidence, it appeared the deceased's name was Lawrence Cooper Mason, aged 17, and for the last four years he had been in the employ of Mr. Atwell, butcher, of High Street, Camberwell, and carried on a correspondence with his young mistress, only fourteen years of age, which his muter endea toured to put an end to, which induced him to leave his service, and put an end to his existence as described above. Two letters, which were found on his person, were then read, the first of which was addressed to his master, and was as follows 'Sir, I have been in your service upwards of four years, and I must say I have met with every encouragement I hays wished for until lately. I have noticed that von did not seem satisfied with what I had done, which ' Las made me answer you at times very sharp, which you have noticed; and as I am to be separated from the sole object of my affectione,there is no more comfort for me in this world; my heart is ready to burst with grief. In fact my agonies at the present time is more than I can bear, and therefore I am determined to ease myself of them by taking my own life. No doubt by the time you receive this 1 shall have breathed my last. I hope 3ou will forward my box and all that belongs to me to my afflicted parents. I cannot say any more so farewell for ever.' The second was addressed to his young mistress, of which the following is a copy:—' These few lines comes from your broken-hearted lover, whose happiness Is going never to return again. I hope you will accept this ass last token of my love, and keep it in remembrance of me. I have now left the world, never to see you more, so farewell for ever. No doubt you will hear some sad news from your father after you have received this note:—The jury returned a verdict of' temporary insanity. —lCentish Mercury.
Glasgow Courier. — 1853-11-10 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

EDUCATION 137 RAILWAY SERYANTB.—The London and North-Western Railway Company, desiring to promote the mental improvement of their men, have organised examinations, and offered prizes for progress in knowledge among the young men at Crewe. The first annual examination will be held in the month of October, 1854, when the candidates for the prizes will be examined by her Majesty's Inspector of Schools for the district, in the under-mentioned course of studies. The day of examination will be announced one month previous thereto, when every candidate will be required to send in to the Rev. Mr. Butler his age, the prize for which he intends to compete, and a certificate of good conduot for the previous 12 months. Every young man in the works under 18 years of age is eligible to become a candidate. The highest prize will be £6, the second £4, the third £3, and £7 will be divided among those who shall prove themselves to be diligent and studious in the course marked out. The candidates for the two fir,t prizes will be examined in mechanics, the elements of mechanical drawing, in grammar, in the elements of the British Constitution, in physical geography, and in the history of the Church.  PAINFUL EVENTS AT ROCK Fsaay.—Considerable sensations of a most painful nature have been excited amongst the residents at Rock Ferry, in consequence of serious misfortunes which have overtaken two young gentlemen well known in that locality. One of the youths in question, said to be about twenty years of age, on Saturday night week, attempted to commit suicide bg shoulleg himself with a pistol. His parents had retired to rest, when they were astonished to hear the report of fire-arms in their son's bed-room, and, on going there, they discovered the unhappy youth lying on the floor. Medical assistance was of course procured as soon as possible, when it was discovered that the ball had passed near the region ot the heart, struck one of the ribs, traversing it, and ultimately lodging in the deep muscles of the back, whence all attempts to extract it have been of no avail. The other young gentleman we have alluded to was brought home about two o'clock the same night, with his clothes torn and muddy, and with, we believe, a fracture of one of the bones of the ankle joint. He was seen by some friends in James Street, Liverpool, shortly before 11 o'clock, but it has not yet transpired how he met with the serious misfortune which overtook him, but it is supposed that be had been run over by a vehicle.— Liverpool Albion.
Glasgow Courier. — 1853-05-10 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.  An investigation into the supposed suicide of an aced female, named Sarah Howie, taken on Wednesday before Mr. G. W. Brent, at the Pied Bull, Islington, disclosed •fearful instance of ingratitude on the part of an adopted son. It appeared hy the evidence that the deceased, who was a married woman, but lived separately from her husband, had some years ago adopted a nephew, and-brought him spas her own son. Some time since she established herself with him as a ladies' shoemaker, in tl.e neigh. bourhood of Barbican, and they took up their residence together. In course of time the adopted son, whose name was stated by a sister of the deceased to be Thos. Wells, married, and the presence of his foster-mother under the same roof proving no longer desirable he turned her out, and claimed her property as his own. In despair the poor woman sought her husband, a very old man, and with his consent legal proceedings were taken with a view to obtain back some portion of the wife's property. This seems to have been unsuccessful ; and on Friday the deceased, on visiting her nephew, was knocked down by him, and otherwise ill-treated. This appears to have filled her cup of misery. She returned to her husband, bade him 'good bye,' and, proceeding in the direction of her borne, entered a coffee-house at King's Cross, where she asked if she could have abed. Upon being answered In the affirmative, she asked to have a little warm water and a cup of tea taken up stairs; and her request having been complied with, she retired for the night. As she did not come down at the usual hour in the morning her room door was burst open, when she wan found, partially undressed, lying across the bed, and quite dead, with a cup containing some grains of oxalic acid on a chair beside her. The medical evidence proved that death was caused by irritant poison; and the jury, after an intimation from the deputy-coroner that they had nothing whatever to do with family matters, unless the violence of on v person could be shown to have hastened her death, found 'that the deceased died from the effects of swallowing oxalic acid; but whether wilfully or by mistake Ow, was no teridenol to show!—Londos Awe.