npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1857-12-22 (London, England)

THAMES.—Captain Robert M'Eachern, the owner and master of the brig Heather Bell, now on her voyage to Barbadoes, and who left the vessel in the Downs for the purpose of meeting the charge against him, appeared for the second time before Mr. Selfe to answer a charge of committing a series of assaults on John William Norris, a boy who was apprenticed to him by the Marine Society previous to sailing on a voyage to the West Indies. After hearing the evidence, Mr. Selfe said,—l think it a matter for the consideration of a jury. Three witnesses !have sworn most distinctly to many assaults. In the main facts they all agree, but there are some little discrepancies. The captain has certainly met the serious charge against him most manfully, and nothing can be better than hiS conduct in coming here and giving up the voyage, but whatever inconvenience it may inflict upon individuals, a jury under the direction of a learned judge must say whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty of the serious assaults charged against him. Mr. Pelham—lf that is your determination I will reserve the defence and not call any witnesses now. Mr. Selfe—l ought to say this, that the father of the deceased may make his mind perfectly clear that his boy did not commit suicide. There is no pretence for saying so. The boy was aloft on a stormy night, and, not being a very expert sailor, fell overboard.  The depositions, which were exceedingly voluminous, were then formally taken by Mr. Bowdler, the junior clerk, and read over, and Captain M‘Eichern was called upon to find bail— himself in 2001. and two sureties in 1001. each to appear and take his trial at the next Old Bailey sessions.  Bail was immediately tendered and accepted.
The Sun. — 1857-07-16 (London, England)

MURDER IN FRANCE.  The Court of Assizes of the Loiret on Saturday tried a man named Lachau, of Olivet, for the murder of Irsfather. In April last, the prisoner's mother (tied, and the mau accused his father of having appropriated a certain portion of her property to which he conceived himself t 3 be entitled, and as the old man refused to give it up, he complained of him to the Procureur Imperial of Orleans ; but on investigation it appeared that there was no ground for the complaint and it was dismised. This exasperated the man, and he conceived a deadly animosity against his father.. He frequently said, " Since the Procureur Imperial will not do me justice, I must do it myself ! I must kill my father, and I will then kill myself !" On the 13th May, he said to some persons that that was the last day he had to live, for that he meant to murder his father and then commit suicide. The persons in question advised him not to think of anything of the kind, but he said, in a rage, " He will not give me what belongs to me, and this very morning he sold some planks which are my property 1 I must kill him, and will do so this vary day 1" Some hours after old Lachau, who was a mason by trade, returned home in his cart, and as be, with the assistance of his daughter, was unharnessing the horse, the prisoner came up and began abusing him for having told the planks. The old man retorted angrily, and either struck his son or seized him by the collar ; on which the prisoner, dragging him into a shed where there was a carpenter's axe, seized the axe and raising it above his head as if to strike called on him to give up the property he claimed. The old man refused, and the prisoner then struck at him with all his might ; but the daughter seized his arm and he missed his blow. The old man took to flight, and the prisoner pursuing, struck him three time with his axe ; one blow sliced off part of the face, and the other two were so grave that in three hours the old man died, without speaking a word. The son went up to his room, which was in his father's house, and quietly proceeded to place his papers and accounts in order ; he was so engaged when the officers of justice arrested him. The jury declared bim guilty, and the court sentenced him to death—the execution to take place in the form fixed by law for parricides ; namely, to walk barefooted to the scaffold with a shirt over his clothes and his head covered with a black crape.
The Sun. — 1857-05-09 (London, England)

STATISTICS OF THE LONDON POLICE FOR 1856.—1 t appears that in all 73,240 persons were taken into custody, of whom 45,941 were males, and 27,299 females ; 18,000 of the apprehensions were on account of drunkenness, 8,160 for unlawful possesien ef goods, 7,021 for simple larceny, 6,763 for common assaults, 2,914 for assaults on the police ; 4,303 women were taken into custody as prostitutes. The pe• riod of life most prolific of crime is that between the 20th and 25th years. The conviction upon trial in 1856 were in the following proportions :—Under 10 years of age, 1 ; 10 years and under 45 years, 91 ; 15 years and under 20 years, 610 ; 20 years and under 25 years, 770 ; 25 years and under 30 3 ears, 390 ; 30 years and under 40 years, 410 ; 40 years and under 50 years, 188 ; 50 years and under 60 years, 90 •60 years and upwards, 37. The committals for murder in the year 1856 were 11 ; they were 12 iu 1855, 10 in 1854, 7 in 1853, 11 in 1852, 8 in 1851, 11 in 1250, 19 in 1849, 11 in 1848, and 10 in 1847. Of the larcenies in dwellin,g-houses last year only. 315 were committed by means of false keys, as many as 2,175 through doors being left open, 679 by lifting up a window or breaking glass, and 31 by entering attic windows from empty houses. Again, 1,595 such larcenies were committed by lodgers, 1,701 by servants, and as many as 637 by means of false mesesges. The cases enumerated under the last three heads are such as the police could hardly be expected to prevent. 2,371 persons were reported last year to the police as lost, and of these the police restored 1,034. Ia the same period 127 suicides were committed.  874 2,398 6,417 5,990 2,097 4,002 1,362 1,036 517 332  2,010  35,062
The Sun. — 1857-10-13 (London, England)

SUICIDE IN CHARLOTTE-STREET, PORTLAND-PLACE.— esterday, Mr. Robert Taylor, a very old and wealthy inhabitant of the parish, residing in Charlotte-street, Portland-place, put a period to his existence by nearly severing his head from his body. The deceased, who was 65 years of age, carried on for more than 40 years a very extensive business in the parish, from the proceeds of which he retired with considerable wealth. Forseveral months past his family and connections had noticed a decided change in his manners, betraying absence of mind and dejection of spirits. Yesterday morning he contrived to elude the watch which for some time had been placed upon his actions, and, retiring to his dressing room, he there inflicted a wound upon his throat with a razor of so extensive a character as to terminate his existence in a few minutes. THE CAPE MAILS,—SOUTHAMPTON, Oat. 12,—The Union Screw Compaay's steam-ship Celt, Capt. Brown, left to-day, with eight passengers and 105,0001. in specie, for the Cape of Good Hope, calling at Plymouth to embark the mails. She is .coaled for the entire voyage out. It is reported that the contract for these mails was originally taken for carrying them from Southampton to the Cape, but that subsequently an arrangement has bean made for the ships to call at Plymouth for the mails, the company receiving 100/. a month extra for this ad• ditional trouble. This is an absurdity on the part of Government which can never be persisted in, we should think, when the facts become known. A vessel loading of course, call at a port in the ChananteiLfoorndtohn would, the mainllsd, ; but that a vessel leaving Southampton should go into Plymouth for the mails is so palpably ridiculous that it can never be tolerated. Such an arrangement can only be imagined as a sop thrown to the Plymouth by its official representative; cantsittitiusetnocoy bad to perpetrate so gross an absurdity as this, and make the public funds pay for it to the extent of 1,2001. a-year. Besides which, the shipping of the mails at Plymouth occasions as increase of railway mileage to the extent of the difference between 80 miles to Southampton and 25C to Plymouth from the metrepo is. Without elluding to other objections, those stated are sufficient to lead to tie reversal of of such a decision and a return to the original intention of embarking the mails at Southampton, frog which port the company find it to be their interest to despatch their vessels,
The Sun. — 1857-06-27 (London, England)

BALL AT THE TURKISH EMBASSY.—Last night Madame Musurus gave a ball at the Turkish Embassy in Bryanstoc-eqeare, which was attended by a brilliant circle, exceeding 500 personages of rank, among whom were some of the leading generals and officers who took part in the late war in the East. All the preparations for the fete were complete, the rooms being effulgently lighted and ornamented by beautiful flowers. A sumptuous supper awaited the company at one o'clock. Refreshments wore supplied in two rooms throughout, the night. It was close on one o'clock when the carriages discontinued to set down company. THE NEW BATCH OF QUEEN'S COUNSEL,—We understand that considerable dissatisfaction exists among the junior equity ,bar on account of the new batch of Queen's Counsel being confined exclusively to the c, mmon law bar. Two or three leading equity juniers are well known to desire, and to have made application to the L ird Chancellor with a view of obtaining, the honour of silk ; and it is generally thought that were his lordship to accede to their request, both the profession and the public would be gainers. A Lumber of pottery works have been established in the neighbourhood cf Poole, in DarsetsLire, for the manufacture of fire brick and drainpipes, and an architectural pottery has been established at Idamworthy, near the above-named town, where a more refined and artistic trade will be carried on. The plastic clays found in Branksea Island are found to be rich in alumina, and the erection of alum works was contemplated there, and has only been delayed in consequence of the embarrassments of Colonel Waugh, the owner of that island. SUICIDE BY Ansa•Nfe,i.—Yesterday Mr. Baker held an inquest at the London Hospital on the boiy Ru h, aged 40, who, when suffering fr deltri fe,72, tremens, purchmed a quarter of a ry.und of arsenic, and swallowed the larger portion of it. The arsenic was bought at the shop of Mr. nehlola, chemist, in Lemanstreet, and the jury appended to their verdict of temporary insanity their opinion " that the conduct of Mr. Meldola, was highly reprehensible for selling arsenic not-aim id and uncoloured, as required by the act of Parliament."
The Sun. — 1857-09-01 (London, England)

BOW-STREET,  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY A CHILD.---A boy named IL [try Way, aged 13, whose head scarcely reached the hvel of the dock, was placed be'ore Mr. Jardine charged with attempting to commit suicide by throwing himself t.ff Westminster-bridge. From the evidenc3 of Locke, one of the watchers of Westminster-bridge works, it appeared that 134 night, about 12 o'clock, he heard a cry for assistance from some person in the water; he rowed to the spot and succeeded in rescuing the prisoner. On being asked what led him to attempt self-destruction, he said he didn't know. Toe police nstable who took the boy into custody, said he advised the father to bring his son before the magistrate this morning. Tee father of the boy, a ladies shoe maker, here came forward and said he couli not account for such a pro ceeding, Prisoner—l'll never do it again. Mr. Jardine—Why did you do it this time ! Prisoner—Father was going to beat me with a whip. Mt. Jardine (to the father)—lied he done anything that you were going to correct him ? Tne Father—Why, sir, the cause of it was this, the boy being the youngest, was directed to clear the shop up, whe❑ some words arose between him and his brother, and which eventually led to blows. My temper being up I quarrelled with my wife, the prisoner's mother-inlaw, and I threatened to flog him. Inspector Bradstock said the wife of the man was of a most violent temper. A very short time ago she threatened to knock hEr husband's brains out, and very cruelly assaulted him. Such was the effect of the wife's temper that the husband had also attempted to commit suicide a short time ago. Mr. Jardine said this was one of t%e'worst cases be had ever heard. Here was a woman with so violent a temper as to actually drive her husband and stepson to attempt suicide. He thought the best course to pursue in the present instance was to give up the boy to the care of his father, and lie should direct a constable to proceed home with Way, and caution his wife to behave Letter for the future. The nExt time the woman exhibited any violence of temper, the worthy magistrate advised the btOmnd to apply for a summons, which would be immediately granted.
The Sun. — 1857-09-01 (London, England)

STRE ET. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE 3Y A CIIILD.—A. boy named Ihnry Way, aged 13, whose head scarcely reached the level of the dock, was paced before Mr. Jardine charged with attempting to commit suicide by throwing himself off Westminster-bridge. From the evidence of Locke, one of the watchers of Westminster-bridge works, it appeared that last night, about 12 o'clock, he heard a cry for assistance from some person in the water; he rowed to the spot and succeeded in regcuing the prisoner. On being asked what led him to attempt self-destruction, he said he didn't know. Toe nstable who took the boy into custody, said he advised the father to bring his son before the magistrate this morning. Tne father of the boy, a ladies shoe maker, here came forward and said be could not account for such a pro ceeding. Prisoner—l'll never do it again. Mr. Jardine—Why did you do it this time Prisoner—Father was going to beat me with a whip. Mr. Jardine (to the father) —Had he done anything that you were going to correct him I Tne Father—Why, sir, the cause of it was this, the boy being tl.e youngest, was directed to clear the shop up, when some words arose between him and his brother, and which eventually led to blows. My temper being up I quarrelled with my wile, the prisoner's mother-inlaw, and I threatened to flog him. Inspector Bradstock said the wife of the man was of a most violent temper. A very short time ago she threatened lo knock her husband's brains out, and very cruelly assaulted him. Such was the effect of the wife's temper that the husband had also attempted to commit suicide a short time ago. Mr. Jardine said this was one of the worst cases he had ever heard. Here was a woman with so violent a temper as to actually drive her husband and stepson to attempt suicide. He thought the best course to pursue in the present instance was to give up the boy to the care of his father, and lie should direct a constable to proceed home with Way, and caution his wife to behave better for the future. The next time the woman exhibited any violence of temper, the worthy magistrate advised the husband to apply for a summons, which would be immediately granted.
The Sun. — 1857-11-18 (London, England)

MBE'R),'":I:B;'!  ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.  Last evening an opera buffa (quite new, we believe, to this country) entitled " Crispino e la Conaare," was pro• duced at the above theatre with complete success, Crispino, the cobler (Signor Carrione), and his spirited little wife, Annetta (Signora Fumagalli), a struggling Venetian couple, are on the print of committing suicide throegh stress of rent, and perhaps other quarterly difficulties. But their last passionate prayers for money are attended with more than the average success. A fairy, La Comare (Signora Beilosio), who has an ancient grudge to feed against the medical profession, selects our cobbler as her engine, sets him up as a successful quack, works miraculous cures for him, fills his money-bags and procures him, strangest of all, the public gratitude. But there is another side to the picture, and the stilted cobbler must be taught the good old lesson of " the beggar on horseback." In his hour of pride he forgets his benefactress, like many another hero of a fairy tale, and is snatched in a moment from his high estate to what the libretto politely designates a subterranean abode. There, having been sufficiently tortured by the revelations of a magic mirror, he is restored, on giving security for future good behaviour, to his better half, his children, and his wealth. The new tenor, Signor Giorgetti, pleased us very much. This young gentleman possesses a pure and beautiful voice, which he uses already with such taste and skill am to induce us to augur for him a brilliant future. He had little to do on this occasion, but the impression he made was so favourable that the management will doubtless soon bring him forward in some more important part. The opera was received throughout with great applause. Three pieces were enthusiastically re-demanded, and the principal performers called for at the termination of each act.
The Sun. — 1857-12-16 (London, England)

THE DRUMMOND STREET TRAGEDY.  MURDER AND SUICIDE.-INQUEST ON THE BODIES.-(THIS DAY.)  This morning at 8 o'clock Mr. Wakley, the coroner for Middlesex, held an inquest at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, Drummond-street, on the bodies of two persons, male and female, unknown, who were discovered late on Sunday night, dead, with their throats fearfully cut, in the house of Mr. Harper, a coffee-shop keeper, No. 38, Drummond-street, where the deceased persons had been lodging since the 3d of December. The jury having been sworn, went to view the body, and on their return  The coroner said it was not his intention to proceed with any evidence to-day, but that having done all that was necessary for the present, he would adjourn the inquiry to any day that would be convenient to the jury. The inquiry was accordingly adjourned.  The Coroner directed Mr. Davis, the beadle, to have the bodies removed and examine their clothes, and ke had no doubt, from what bad transpired that morning, they would be able to discover who they were. Mr. Davis said be had procured a hearse to remove the remains of the deceased, and he would follow them himself and examine their under-linen. The coroner then directed the bodies to be taken to the dead-house, to remain there for the purpose of being identified.  The facts which have come to the knowledge of tL• police, and to which the coroner referred this morning at the inquest, which was opened at the unusual hour of eight o'clock, leave no doubt in their minds that the identity of the woman will be established, and possibly that of her assassin also. A young man, who said his name was Helder, states that seeing in this journal that the name of " Helder" was written on a sheet of paper found in the blotting case, he at once came to the conclusion that the unfortunate woman was a near relative •f his, a married woman with three children, who bad suddenly left her friends at Greenwich some time ago, fur the purpose, as was supposed, of proceeding to the continent. The informant also stated that he believed she had returned to London, as one of the members of the family fancied she passed her in the street in the company of a foreigner answering to the descrip• tion of the murderer.  It is also stated that the deceased can be identified by a waiter at the Penton Hotel, Panton-street, Haymarket, where it is stated they had been living as man and wife for a week previous to the 3d of this month, on which day they left, and it is supposed in a cab to Mr. Harper's in Drummond-street; at any rate, a cabman, named Martyn, has come forward, and asserts his ability to prove that he drove them direct from Panton-street to the coffee-house where the frightful crimes were committed.  In the colts() of the day the police will pursue their investigation in this matter ; and, webelieve, with every hope ,of success.  MA it lin
The Sun. — 1857-12-16 (London, England)

THE DRUMMOND STREET TRAGEDY.  MURDER AND SUICIDE.-INQUEST ON THE BODIES.-(THIS DAY.)  This morning at 8 o'clock Mr. Watley, the coroner for Middlesex, held an inquest at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, Drummond-street, on the bodies of two persons, male and female, unknown, who were discovered late on Sunday night, dead, with their throats fearfully cut, in the house of Mr. Harper, a coffee-shop keeper, No. 38, Drummond-street, where the dec.ased persons had been lodging since the 3d of December. The jury having been sworn, went to view the body, and on their return  The coroner said it was not his intention to proceed with any evidence tc-day, but that having done all that was necessary for the present, he would adjourn the inquiry to any day that would bo convenient to the jury. The inquiry was a,..cardingly adjourned,  The Coroner directed Mr. Davis, the beadle, to have the bodies removed and cxxinine their clotheß, and he had no doubt, from what had transpired that morning, they would be abis to discover who they were. Mr. Davis said be had procured a hearse to remove the remains of the dscsased, and be would follow them hims,lf and examine their under-linen. The coroner then directed the bogies to be taken to the dead-house, to rewatn there for the purpose of being identified.  The facts which have come to the knowledge of a e police, and to which the coroner referred this morning at the inqust, which was opened at the unu,ual hour of eight o'clock, leave no doubt in their minds that the identity of the woman will be established, and possibly teat of her asassin also. A young man, who said his came was Helder, states that seeing in this journal that the name of " Helder" was written on a sheet of paper found in the blotting case, he at once came to the conclusion that the unfortunate woman was a near telative of his, a married woman with three children, who had suddenly left her friends at Greenwich some time ago, fur the purpose, as was supposed, of proceeding to the continent. The informant also stated that he belie►ed she had returned to London, alone of the members of the family farcied the passed her in the street in the company of a foreigner answering to the desCrip tion of the murderer.  It is also stated that the deceased can be identified by a waiter at the Panton Hotel, Panton-street, Haymarke►, where it is stated they had been living as man and wife for a week previous to the 31 of this month, on which day they left, and it is supposed in a cab to Mr. ll,Arper's in Drummond-street; at any rate, a cabman, named Mat tyn, has come forward, and asserts his ability to prove that he drove them direct from Panton-street to the coffee-house where the frightful crimes were committed.  In the ceutse of the day the police will pursue their investigation in this matter ; and, we believe, with every hope of success.