npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1845-04-17 (London, England)

MURDER NEAR SALISBURY. SALISBURY, TUESDAY. —An extraordinary inquiry wad held on Monday and Tuesday, at Milford, near Salisbury. It appears that, on the previous Wednesday, the body of a woman, in an advanced state of decomposition, was found in, the river which runs through the hamlet of Milford, about 30 yards below a bridge over which the road passes to Laverstock. The body was speedily identified by the keeper of a small inn at Salisbury, as being that of a woman who had been, with a man and three children, staying for some time at his house, the man getting his living by exhibiting in the city and neighbouring villages a "learned pig." The inquest was commenced on Thursday and adjourned till Monday. In the interim the husband was apprehended at a village near Blandford, and was present during the remainder of the inquiry. lie gave his name George Woolford, and aged 67. It appeared from the evidence that, on Palm Sunday, the woman left Newman's house abruptly, the man being then absent. Aneliour after this time two or three witnesses met a man and a woman, the latter being a few yards in advance, going at a quick pace down the road-towards Laverstock bridge. One of them stated that, as she passed she heard the man say, I'll be if I don't." They believed Wooltbrd to be the man. Another witness deposed that he, twenty minutes afterwards, saw Woolford standing on the bridge alone, looking into the water. Woolford, it 'appeared, returned to the inn at ten o'clock, and then several times afterwards he said he believed the old woman had drowned or hung herself. He and his family remained in the city for some days afterwards, and it appeared than he had made several inquiries about his wife, stating always that he believed she had committed suicide. The medical evidmice went to prove distinctly that there were no external marks of violence on the body, and that the death was occasioned by drowning. The priSoner stated that he was not near the spot on the night in question, and that his wife was out of her mind, and had several times attempted suicide. This latter assertion his daughter, on being examined. denied.  The inquiry terminated at midnight on Tuesday, in a verdict of " Wilful murder" against Woolford, who was thereupon committed to the county gaol for trial. He is rather a fine man, and is 67 years of age, but looks much younger. It is believed that lie and his wife were formerly members of an equestrian company.
The Sun. — 1845-06-17 (London, England)

CRIMINAL COURT.-(THIS DAY.) OLD COURT. (Before the RECORDER and Mr. Alderman Manes.)  Sarah Silver, a delicate-looking girl, aged 18, was indicted for concealing the birth of her male child.  The prisoner was in the service of Mr. Light, of the Queen's Head, Church-lane, City. On the 20th of May she gave birth to the child in the water-closet, which was subsequently found em. bedded in the soil. When taken ill, it appeared that she sent for her mistress. There was no evidence to show that she concealed the birth, and the jury acquitted her. The RECORDER desired Mrs. Light to be recalled, and he said there was no imputation on the prisoner's character beyond the unfortunate occurrence of giving birth to the child. He hoped, therefore, she would endeavour to do what she could for her, that she might not be utterly ruined. Mrs. Light said she would adopt the Learned Recorder's tug. gestion. Mary Ann Salisbury, aged 19, the young woman who was taken into custody for attempting to commit suicide at Westminster.. bridge, and who told so romantic a tale to Mr. Norton, the magis. trate of Lambeth Police.office, was indicted on three separate charges of felony. The prisoner, who is a pretty-looking girl, upon being asked to plead, fainted. On being restored, she pleaded guilty to each of the charges.  Mr. O'BRIEN said the prisoner had for some time past been guilty of the most strange conduct. He then called the prisoner's sister, who said she came from Bath. She said her sister left her home some time ago, but whether with a young man or not she slid not know. She (the prisoner) was intimate with a dark young man, named Alfred Wrightman, and that she had acted very strangely since she was acquainted with hint. The persons were in attendance whom the prisoner had robbed. They were not anxious to press the charge against her, believing her not to be right in her mind. Mr. Evans, a friend of the parents of the prisoner, whose father is a local preacher in Bath, and carrying on the business of a shoemaker, said he had known the prisoner for four or five years, and had frequently remarked that her conduct was strange and flighty. The RECORDER, after putting a great number of questions with respect to the conduct of the prisoner without eliciting anything to denote that she-was labouring under aberration of intellect, but simply that her conduct had been rather eccentric, said the Court would consider what sentence it would pass upon her, and gave directions to the governor to make further inquiries respecting her. She was then removed.  4 5% 2 f/2 65/8 3  43/4 1% 26%
The Sun. — 1845-06-17 (London, England)

CRIMINAL COURT.-(THIS DAY.) OLD COURT. (Before the RECORDER and Mr. Alderman Huoims.)  Sarah Silver, a delicate-looking girl, aged 18, was indicted f.r concealing the birth of her male child.  The prisoner was in the service of Mr. Light, •f the Queen's Head, Church-lane, City. On the 20th of May she gave birth to the child in the water.closet, which was subsequently found embedded in the soil. When taken ill, it appeared that she sent for her mistress. There was no evidence to show that she concealed the birth, and the jury acquitted her. The RECORDER desired Mrs. Light to be recalled, and he said there was no imputation on the prisoner's character beyond the unfortunate occurrence of giving birth to the child. He hoped, therefore, she would endeavour to do what she could for her, that she might not be utterly ruined.  Mrs. Light said she would adopt the Learned Recorder's sug, gestion  Mary Ann Salisbury, aged 19, the young woman who was taken into custody for attempting to commit suicide at Westminster. bridge, and who told so romantic a tale to Mr. Norton, the magic. trate of Lambeth Police-office, was indicted on three separate charges of felony.  The prisoner, who is a pretty looking girl, upon being asked to plead, fainted. On being restored, she pleaded guilty to each of the charges.  Mr. O'BRIEN said the prisoner had for some time past been guilty of the most strange conduct. He then called the prisoner's sister, who said she came from Bath. She said her sister left her home some time ago, but whether with a young man or not she did not know. She (the prisoner) was intimate with a dark young man, named Alfred Wrightman, and that she had acted very strangely since she was acquainted with him. The persons were in attendance whom the prisoner had robbed. They were not anxious to press the charge against her, believing her not to be right in her mind.  Mr. Evans, a friend of the parents of the prisoner, whose father is a local preacher in Bath, and carrying on the business of a shoemaker, said he had known the prisoner for four or five years, and had frequently remarked that her conduct was strange and flighty.  The REcortnEn, after putting a great number of questions with respect to the conduct of the prisoner without eliciting anything to denote that she wa:; labouring under aberration of intellect, but simply that her conduct had been rather eccentric, said the Court would consider what sentence it would pass upon her, and gave directions to the governor to make further inquiries respecting her. She was then removed.
The Sun. — 1845-10-31 (London, England)

HINT TO SPECULATORS.—In a very short time the Share-market must recover its tone. The mere paper projects which have been brought out, rather to make money than to make railroads, have been ruined (as they merited) by the panic, which is now subsiding. Already are Railway Shares in better request than any one could have expected a week ago. • We advise the holders of such shares not to be in a hurry to part with them just yet. Such lines as have completed their surveys, and lodged their plans, &c., by the 30th of November, must rise to a high premium immediately after. Early next month, also, a great portion of the English money deposited in the Bank of Paris on account of French Railways, will be released and returned, for the adjudication will then be made, and the unsuccessful competitors must have their money returned. This will make money plentiful. Our firm belief is that., within five weeks from this day, bona fide Railway Shares will be at higher premiums in the market than they have been at any time during the present year.—Railway Express. DEATH OF LORD MONTAGU .—With feelings of deep regret we announce, that the fears lately expressed as to the result of this Nobleman's illness have bq !ell at length realised, his Lordship having expired at his residence, Hamilton-place, last evening, at a quarter before ten o'clock. since Sunday last all hopes of the Noble Lord's recovery appeared to have been dispelled. His Grim the Duke of Buccleuch, the N oble Lord's nephew ; the Earl of Home, his sox-in-law ; Lady Montego, and several other relatives, were in attendance since the time a7Lnnniag symptoms had manifested themselves. The deceased, II enry James Montagu Scott, was the second son of the third: Duke of Buccleuch, by the only surviving child of the. first Duke of Montagu. lie was born in 1776, and married, in . 1804, the eldest daughter of the first Lord Douglas. (She was bor nin 1779.) He succeeded his grandfather in 1790. The first Baron ,:the Duke of Montagu, on the death of his only son, Baron Monte gu, obtained a revival of the barony of Montagu for himself, with r emainder to his daughters and sons. The late Lord was a supporter if the:present Administration. He had the patrouage of seven livin; :s, and his estates, which are considerable, lay in Berkshire, Hampsi lire, and Selkirkshire, of withh  latter county he was the Lord-Lieun ;rant. The title becomes extinct, and the bulk of the property falls into the possession of the Duke of Buccleuch.  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY i l
The Sun. — 1845-07-07 (London, England)

THIS PORT.OI/ICE RORIRRY GaAVailEND.—Roberi Day, cedonacser:n ed in having, on the 26th ult., stolen described beingcri the mail-bags from the post-office at Grac':.'gend• Mr. Peacock, solicitor to the Post-office, was attendance. Inspector Dodd, F division, stated that about ten o'clock on acolinafseseiLlininsw°lnth' Thursday night, the prisoner came to the station and s.l!ti he wished to make a private communication, and being shown into the charge-room he said " I wish to surrender myself for that Job at Gravesend." Witness inquired what he alluded to, and he said he was one of the party who stole the mail bags. Witness inquired at what side of the road the post-office was situate, and he replied he must decline making further communication until he could sea the magistrate in the morning. He then said he had no certain place of abode, and that he had last worked for Mr. Townley in Regent-street, but as to what became of the bags he would prefer informing the magistrate. In answer to questions put by the Court, the prisoner said he knew nothing whatever of the robbery, and he could not say what induced him to make such a statement. lie had made several attempts to commit suicide, and had been confined in a lunatic asylum, since which, he had been charged at this Court for attempting to make away with his life. An officer was immediately sent to Mr. Townley, to ascertain what he knew of the prisoner, and on his return he said thst the prisoner had been detected in embezzling his master's money, for which he was discharged, and he attempted to shoot himself. He then became quite destitute, having no certain mode of obtaining a livelihood, and he subsequently attempted to commit suicide no less than five different timed. Mr. JARDINE, feeling quite satisfied that the prisoner was of unsound mind, ordered the officer to convey him to the Strand union workhouse. THE Roseeav AT
The Sun. — 1845-06-14 (London, England)

THE ENGLISH IN CHINA.  The following is an extract from a letter dated HongKong, March 6, 1845 : " You will be pleased to hear that opium can no longer involve us in China. It is openly admitted at ever) port, and carried about the streets. In fact, it is legalised to all intents and purposes, but they are ashamed to publish it. The trade of Canton for the past year exceeded all previous experience, notwithstanding the other four ports, and the Emperor gained a revenue of 250,000 dollars from that port alone. At Shanghai 38 ships are recorded during 1844. The impetus given to our cotton manufactures is very great, and the demand yet unsupplied. As for this colony, it is getting on at a miraculous pace ; houses and streets spreading in all directions, and still houserent extravagantly dear. We have now delightful weather, much superior to an English winter. The unhealthiness of this island is beginning to be found a hoax. The drunken soldiers die, as they do in ali hot climates, fevered with spirits and debauchery ; but as for the civil part of the community, the colonial surgeon has returned 367 cases with only nine deaths, in his report of six months' practice. Such a pro portion might be exceeded in England. Our barracks were sickly, and our gaol perfectly healthy. British sovereignty is zealously established, over the Chinese of this colony, and they are so well contented with it as to flock over with their wives and families, which gives us a better population than at first, now increased to 30,000. Three Chinese robbers (with weapons) were condemned to death by our Supreme Court, when they committed suicide by hanging themselves in the prison. These men had robbed and attempted to murder some of their own countrymen, and not Europeans. Whilst at Macao, for twenty four hours, to collect plants and trees and vine cuttings for the colony, the Governor was attacked by three robbers while walking along in plain clothes, just outside the ton n. They fled on seeing some other Englishmen approaching, so he was happily neither hurt nor robbed, though one of the rascals had a knife in his possession. In Hong-Kong we have put an end to robberies by our English jurisdiction."
The Sun. — 1845-06-16 (London, England)

JUNE 13.—The Bishop of Perry and family, and Couet Louis de Holdy, arrived here by the Menai steamer this afternoon, from Havre de Grace. DEATH BY EXPERIMENTAL lIANGrNG.—On Friday Mr. Baker held an inquest at the Fighting Cocks, St. John-street, Bethnal green, on the body of George Smith, aged eighteen years Mr. W. Smith, No. It, Oak.street, Brick-lane, shoemaker, deposed that deceased was his son. He was in the employ of Mr. Morley, pork butcher, of Hare-street, Bethnal-green. On Tuesday evening last, deceased having been missed by his master, the latter sent his daughter to the stables of a Mr. Cousins, In Hare.marsh, where he kept his horse, to see if he was there. Deceased was found suspended to one of the ratters by a leathern strap, or horse's bellyband. Assistance was procured, and he was taken down, but was quite dead. Witness had no idea that deceased had contemplated suicide. Ile had been a schoolfellow and an acquaint. ance of James Tapping, who was lately hanged at the Old Bailey for the murder of Emma Whiter. He went to see him executed, but had never made any allusion to the occurrence. Since that time he had often amused himself by placing a handkerchief round the necks of witness's younger children, and told them to make a noise, "cluck, cluck," as if they were hanging. About a week since a brother of deceased had discovered him suspended by the same strap, as if he were trying an experiment. He remonstrated with him upon his folly, and put the strap away. Witness further stated that from the position in which he was found, with his feet close to the ground, induced him to believe that deceased was merely trying an experiment of the sensation produced by hanging, and that unfortunately it had terminated fatally. The Jury expressed themselves of the same opinion, but as there was no positive evidence of the fact, under the direcion of the Coroner they returned a verdict of " Found dead by hanging, but how or by what means he became so hanged, there was no evidence to show."
The Sun. — 1845-06-16 (London, England)

ENGLISH IN CHINA. The following is an extract from a letter dated Hong Kong, March 6, 1845 :  " You will be pleased to hear that opium can no longer involve us in China. It is openly admitted at every port, and carried about the streets. In fact, it is legalised , to all intents and purposes, but they are ashamed to , publish it. The trade of Canton for the past year exceeded all previous experience, notwithstanding the other four ports, and the Emperor gained a revenue of 250,000 dollars from that port alone. At Shanghai 38 ships are recorded during 1844. The impetus given to our cotton manufactures is very great, and the demand yet unsupplied. As for this colony, it is getting on at a miraculous pace ; houses and streets spreading in all directions, and still houserent extravagantly dear. We have now delightful weather, much superior to an English winter. The unhealthiness of this island is beginning to be found a hoax. The drunken soldiers die, as they do in all hnt climates, fevered with spirits and debauchery ; but as for the civil part of the community, the colonial surgeon has returned 367 cases with only nine deaths, in his report of six months' practice. Such a pro portion might be exceeded in England. Our barracks were sickly, and our gaol perfectly healthy. British sovereignty is zealously established over the Chinese of this colony, and they are so well contented with it as to flock over with their wives and families, which gives usp better population than at first, now increased to 30,000. Three Chinese robbers (with weapons) were condemned to death by our Supreme Court, when they committed suicide by hanging themselves in the prison. These men had robbed attempted to murder some of their own countrymen, and not Europeans. Whilst at Macao, for twenty four hours, to collect plants and trees and vine cuttings for the colony, the Governor was attacked by three robbers while walking along in plain clothes, just outside the town. They fled on seeing some other Englishmen approaching, so he was happily neither hurt nor robbed, though one of the rascals had a knife in his possession. In Hong Kong we have put an end to robberies by our English jurisdiction."
The Sun. — 1845-06-28 (London, England)

IVILFUL MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE..  The village of Stondon Massey, in this county, was yesterday (Thursday) thrown into a state of painful excitement, by the dis. covery that the wife of a labouring man named William Black, burn had been murdered. It appears that about six o'clock in the morning the husband was seen to leave Stondon Hall, the residence of Mr. Tames French, a farmer, in part of which he lodged, and soon after a daughter of Mr. French discovered the lifeless body of Blackburn's wife lying across the bed in almost a state of nudity, with her throat cut in a horrible manner. An alarm being given, a number of persons, with the police, instituted a search for the husband, and in the afternoon he was seen in Church Wood, about a quarter of a mile from Stondon Hall, standing by a gate. Finding himself observed, he went out of the pathway into the standing wood, from which he afterwards came out with a frightful wound in his throat, the blood trickling down upon his breast. He was unable to speak, but a rattling noise was heard in his throat. A razor and knife were found in his pockets. An inquest was held this morning, before C. C. Lewis, Esq. , and the scene, on viewing the corpse, was one of the most appalling character, the floor and walls of the room being deluged with blood. From the state of the body it is concluded that the unfortunate victim struggled greatly in her endeavours to avert the hand of her murderer. Mr. Barlow, surgeon, of Blackmore, described the state of .the deceased and the wounds, one of which, lie said completely divided the larynx, and exposed the spine of the neck. Henry Seers, a police-constable, proved that Blackburn, the husband, about eight o'clock last night, wrote broken sentences on a slate to the effect that he did not know what he was about till be committed the deed, and then he tried to end his own life; that he loved his wife—who had no time to reflect—dearly, but he hoped the Lord would have mercy upon him. The evidence went to show that the man had been low-spirited for a considerable time, and had been unable to work. The jury, without hesitation, found a verdict of " Wilful murder" against William Blackburn. The medical men are of opinion that he will not long survive, the sustenance he takes escaping from the wound in his throat. Deceased has left no children.—Chelmsford Chronicle.
The Sun. — 1845-01-01 (London, England)

SUICIDE IN CRIPPLEGATE.—Last evening, at six o'clock, 'Jr. Payne, the City coroner, and a respectable jury, assembled in the board-room of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, to inquire into the circumstances attending the death of Noah Flood, aged 40, lately carrying on the business of newsvender in Whitecross street, Cripplegate, who committed suicide, after first attempting to destroy his only child. Mrs. Alice Smith, of No. 206, Upper Whitecrossstreet, after describing the discovery of Mr. Flood in a dying state, said, I knew he was very much depressed in his mind on account of recently losing his wife, whom he buried but a few days previously. He often said to me that he was in such trouble he did not know what to do. He was much attached to his wife, but never spoke to me of destroying himself. The child is about eight years of age. By the jury—The child was out of bed and retching, but I cannot say whether she had taken anything deleterious or not. The deceased was very much attached to the child  Mrs. Catherine Scott, of No. 51, Whitecross-street, said—l have known deceased and his late wife about five years, and attended her during her illness. I saw the deceased at half-past ten o'clock on Friday night, when be appeared very much depressed. I had been ill that day, and not able to dress the child, which I had done for him since the death of his wife. On telling him of ray illness, he said, " If anything occurs to you what will become of my child ?" After some further conversation, he made use of t':e following :—" If I should die, Mrs. Scott, I have one request to make—that is, that you will bury me by the side of my wife, and follow me as you did her." Shortly after I left him. By the jury—He shook bands with me, and hoped I should be better. One thing that greatly depressed him wi.s the refusal of a Mrs. Thomas to watch over his child, after she had promised the mother, in her dying moments, so to do. He was a most kind father. The child had been put to bed before I saw him. Robert Groom and Daniel Douglas, two City policeconstables, spoke to going into the room and finding a bottle and glass which had contained laudanum, and a piece of paper to the following effect : " My wish is to be buried with my poor wife ; and Mrs. Scott, of 51, Whitecross-street, and Mrs. Kingsmill, living at a cornohandler's, near St. Giles's Church, should bury me, and have all my goods.