npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1896-10-15 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

MURDER AND SUICIDE BY A MOTHER.  Dr. Danford Thomas, coroner, held an inquest on Friday, at Hampstead, on the bodies of Elizabeth Emily Hughes, aged 25 years (viife of a journeyman Dutcher), of The Green. West Hampstead, and their chfld, William Joseph Hughes, aged eight months, both of whom died on Wednesday from injuries to the throat believed to have been inflicted by the female deceased.  William G. Hughes, the husband and father, a butcher's assistant, said that he and his wife had occupied apartments at No. 1, The Green, West Hampstead. since March last. His wife belonged to Bristol, and always seemed• strong and healthy, though she used to get low in spirits at times. Deceased and witness always lived very happily. The child was eight months old and doing well, but was being brought up on the bottle. All night on Tuesday the child was fretful, and witness and his wife had very little sleep. Witness rose shortly before 7 o'clock on Wednesday morning, and got his own breakfast. His wife came down whilst he was having breakfast and lighted the fire. Afterwards she went back to the bedroom, and witness went to work. At half-past 8 witness returned home. He went into the kitchen, and, finding no one there, went up.tairs to the bedroom. There lie found his wife and child on the bed, both dead, and with terrible injuries to their throats. He saw a razor lying partly on her right hand, and partly on the bed. The razor belonged to him, and was usually kept in a drawer in the washstand. Witness found a note (produced) —a little scrap of paper—in his wife's handwriting, on the table in the sitting-room. The note said: "All my money that they leave me you must have, my dear husband —E. E.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1896-12-31 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

THURSDAY  .710NAL URCII, SUTTON COLDFIEL U.  SUICIDE AT ASTON.  "ANOTHER VICTIM TO DRINK." The deputy eoroner, Mr. Joseph Atwell, held an inquest at the Herein Arms, Aston, on Monday, illative to the death of Henry Thomas Ford. 58 years of age, edge tool hsrder and setter, residing at 1 Back, 29, Inkennan Street. Aston. who'commilted suicide on Cluistrnas Eve, by cutting his throat with a razor. The first witness called was Ellen Ford, daughter-in-law-, who staid deceased was a widower, and resided with her since the death of Isis wife nine years ago. On the 24th ult.. about 12.30, deceased', who had then been up an hour, went to lay down again and asked to be called at two o'clock. At five minutes to two she sent deceased's sod upstairs, but he returned immediately saying his father had cut his throat. Wtness went to sic and found Ford lying on the bed in a pool of blood. He sins quite dead. There WKS a razor on the table , near to him. Deacessed had been strange in .is mind for some time, having met with an accident : twelve years ago. when he was struck on the .sack by an emery bob. He was employed at Messrs. : ates's, Rocky Lane. On the Monday previous to Ins death ho went to work, but did not start, and on Tuesday morning he had his check stopped. That, witness thought, preyed upon his mind aery considerably. In reply to the Voroner, witness said de: ceased wag a moderate drinker.' She hap known him I to be. quite sober, and then after three half pints become very queer. He only drank fourpenny.- .In I enswer to the jury witness said deceased had never threatened to commit suicide. He was always strange when drinking been—The Coroner's Officer, P.C. , Arthur Hodson. said he had made enquiries at the I works in Rocky Lane. and found that the deceased was very much given to drink, and took it morning, noon. and night. Every opportunity lie had he I would leave the works to get drink, and it was in consequence of that he was suspended. He had been stopped many times, but on account of his long service was always taken on again.—P.C. °tighten deposed to being called to the house where deceased was lying. After examining the body, he earns to the conclusion it was a case of suicide.— Herbert Ford, a half-witted youth, son of deceased, was called, but not sworn, and in answer tb: the coroner, described the finding of his fithen—The Coroner, in summing UP, said he had very little hesitation in saving that deceased was another victim to drink. Hail his habits been moderate he would probably have still been olive. He (Mr. Angell) confessed that he saw no reason why the accident to deceased's back should affeet Lim mentally.—The jury returned a verdict that Ford committed suicide, whilst temporarily insane.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1896-07-16 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

ATTEMPTED MURDER BY A LADY. On Tuesday, at North London Police-court, before Mr. Paul Taylor, Annie Frances Austin, 35, a widow, of Sotheby-road, Ilighbury, was charged with a murderous attack upon her daughter, and slso upon her landlady. Prisoner, who appeared indifferent ns -e the proceedings, was certified by the meuical officer of Holloway prison to be insane, and Dr. F. J. Buckell, divisional police-surgeon at Islington, concurred in this belief, and added that be thought she should be put under restraint—The magistrate decided to take the evidence briefiy, and Sybil Austin, aged It, daughter of the prisoner, deposed that her mother attacked her with • life preserver. She gave her mother no provocation.— Mre. Pauline Langin, the landlady, lescribed the attack upon herself. She heard cam of distress from an upstairs recall, and when she went to see what was the matter she met the prisoner on the stairs, and the latter hit her on the head with a life preserver, causing a wound which had to be surgically treated. The prisoner's daughter Sybil had five similar wounds on her head. —lt was ascertained that the prisoner's husband had died, and, though leaving her comfortably off, the prisoner appeared to have been worried by some real cr imaginary ills. She was also said to be well connected; though the persons who claimed rela;ionship, and even her solicitor, declined to give their names for publication. The solicitor asked that the prisoner might be handed over to her friends, who would take care of her; but Mr. Paul Taylor replied that he would send her to the sessions for trial, and so carry out the usual procedure.  Gunner Joseph Nash, 25, belonging to 3rd Field Battery Royal Artillery, now camped at Roden Hill, Aldershot, committed suicide on 'fuesday by firing a carbine into his mouth. It is stated that he had complained of the excessive heat. The explosion of a mineral oil lamp caused a lire shortly alter 2 o'clock on Tuesday morning at 10, Cardigan.streeyslingtor,occupied by Mr. A. Allen, aged 33, who, in extinguishing the domes, was severely burnt. Mrs. Allen, aged 26, was also Injured by the flames, and both had to be taken to the Metropolitan Hospital. The G'oba says: We are credibly informed that orders have been placed in France for 800 tons of guns and war ammunition to be transmitted from Havre to the Transvaal through the Portuguese poniessions of Delagoa Bay. Three hundred tons of these are to be despatched in August and September, and the remaining 500 in January and February of next year. We ars actually in possession -.2 the name of the French firm in question, but we are not permitted by our infnrmant to disclose it. A nargeman named Alpert mason 'Olll3 arowneu on Tuesdaymonting in the frames near Ratcliff-cross. lie was working with his eon, aged 16, and another apprentice for Mews. Cohen and Co , paper merchants, Bankside, when • steam-tug out the barge in two. Young Mason and the other lad were rescued. The deceased leaves a widow and 10 children.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1896-09-17 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN A DREAM.  William llboan. 25, packing-case maker, of Florence-road. Horrisey, was charged, on remand, before Mr. Paul Taylor, at North London Policecourt, with attempting to commit suicide by cutting his throat with a carving-knife. —A solicitor. whose name did not transpire, appeared for the defence.— In this case the prisoner said last week that he made the attempt on his life while in a dream—The father of the prisoner, however, said that his son was suffering from a delusion, and that he was wrong mentally.—The report from the gaol stated that the prisoner had shewn no sign of insanity while at Holloway.—The solicitor said that the prisoner still adhered to his story that he had no intention of taking his life, and that he awoke from a dream to find that he was cutting his throat —Mr. Paul Taylor : I must confess that when I saw this case reported I was eNtreinely surprised. I did not understand the prisoner to make any such assertion. —The solicitor: That was his story then, and that is his story now. The assertion that suicide was not intended is corroborated by the fact that the prisoner called his father in directly he woke up.—Mr. Paul Taylor repeated that the prisoner left a very different impression on him last week.—The magistrate having thus impugned the accuracy of the first portion of the report, which the solicitor said was accurate, the solicitor went on to say that all the reports which had appeared were more or less inaccurate. On behalf of the father, he had to deny the statements imputed to Itim as to prisoner's alleg.sl insanity, and efforts being made to put him under restraint. —The father I never said such a thing.—The solicitor Such a statement is likely to have a serious effect on the after career of the accused.—Mr. Paul Taylor said that no such statement was made in court in his hearing. The magistrate added that the prisoner had evidently been drinking heavily, as his condition when he appeared in the dock last week shewed. He then presented a most deplorable appearance. A week's detention and enforced abstinence from alcohol had had a great effect on the man's appearance. He (the magistrate) strongly advised prisoner to give up drink for the future.—The prisoner was discharged.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1896-02-06 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

EXTRAORDINARY - ATTEMPTED SUR 'II )!:  AT ..-C.4113Y: FLOATING IN THE wiallt  During, tha afternoon Mr. Rowley fang the solo "Sated by • child," in enteliest eltii.  An elderly man named Cornelius Flecknol, Clifton Road, Aston, was brought up at the Aston Police Court on Monday, before Meisrs. J. Smallwood and W. Eons, charged with attempting to commit suicide, by jumping into the Tame Valley Canal, at Witton, on Friday last. Defendant said he must plead guilty for his mind lied been over-balanced--George Riggs, Manor Road, said he WAS working down the canal bank on the day in question, when he saw a walking stick and hat lying on the towing path. About 50 or 60 yards farther on he saw Flecknol in the water, and thought he was dead. A boat came along and witness touched the body with a stick, when prisoner turned round and looked at him. The man wee got out, taken to the hotel and given stimulants, and afterwards had his clothes dried.— In answer to the Bencb, defendant said he had neither friends nor relations in the world oner, who appeared very weak, was remanded In custody.  POPULAR 12CTICHTAINIEHNI'.—The second popular entertainment of the spring eeesion in connection with the Debiting Society. was held at the Town Hall on l'hureday erelong. As usual there was I% Cro w led sudterce. The progamme, which had been arranged by Mr. H. Brookes, was of a very pleasing description. The principle artistes, moat of whom were old favourites. were: —Mn.. 11. Grow. Miss Butcher, Miss M. Neville, Mr.H.Heeley, Mr. H. Brookes, and Mr. A. Cooke. Miss Neville played two pianoforte PDlos "La Forgo" (Jungmann), and "Htude" (Ile with great care and ability. Mies Butcher who was well received sang "Mamie" and "Whisper and / shall hear," very pleasingly, Mrs. Grove is an old friend and alwaos welcomed, she gave "The Chorister" and "Sunshine and Bain," with her usual sweetnees and expression. Mr. H. Brookee who aang in character "Wink the other eye," and "'That's enough for me," was most enthusiastically moored, as was also Mr. A. Cooke, especially in his last song, when for an encore he gave "This is a chorus tong." for this he was 'put re-called and very good-naturedly tang a little parody CIO "Owning thro the Rye"; "My Chinee Cook," a recitation was very well given b 1 Miss Butcher and pined much applause. Mr. E Healey was very well received in Os song "The wonderful Musician: At the close of the concert, which wee a higmly successful one, a vote of thanks was imaised to Mr. IT, Brookes for the pane and care hi had When In the areeigement of the pro.  ersiamas  I —. ... mami, them heiOrt7;he pragthar"rr ,  MorTRIGHT.]
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1896-04-16 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

THE ACTRESS'S BABY.  Before the Kingston-on-Thames Borough Bench, Miss Grace L. Heaton Travers., or Ferrara, of Heath House, Sunningdale, Ascot, was summoned foe neglecting her illegitimate child, Eaton Travers, whereby it had become chargeable to the Kingston Union.—Mr. James Edgell, clerk to the Guardians, said the defendant was well-known in the theatrical world as an actress, her professional name being other.than the one given above, which he did not wish to disclose at the present time. The summons was served upon her personally, so there was no excuse for her not appearing in court. Letters had also been written asking for an interview, which was dehied, and letters were also sent to the reputed father, a well•known theatrical manager, which were returned to the Dead Letter Office. This child, in this case, had been boarded with a person living in Kingston, but it was not an isolated case, for there were a great many children boarded out in the same way, who ultimately became chargeable upon the rates. Since the summons was served the child had been taken out of the workhouse, and payment offered, but that was no answer to an offence under the Vagrant Act.—Mr. F. Gridley (a magistrate) said in a case like his, where the parents were in affluent eircumstanTes, severe punishment ought to be inflicted.—Edward Mitchell, relieving officer, said the child was deserted and destitute when admitted to the workhouse on March 23rd last. When the mother came to take the child away she was dressed like a duchess—The magistrates adjourned the summons for the attendance of the defendant, and told Mr. &kelt if she did not I come he could have a warrant for her west.  At the Birmingham Quarter Seuions, • coal dealer, named Edward Taylor, was sent to gaol for nine monthe for stealing coal from • railway truck. His defence was that he had mistaken the truck for his own. P.J139 : 'Jack, papa Bata we must not see each other any more." Jack: •‘lndeed! Shall I turn the gas Out?"  - Although s girl may be bright encmgh to know that "kiss" is a noun, she's trequently unable to decline it.  First débutante: "My cheek,' are all on lire." Second dobutante: "1 thought there was a smell of burning paint." . .  Tobacco-chewing husband (after ascending the stain): "I am all out of breath." Wife : "Then kiss me. please."  _ Chunk: -voesn La - New Woman ' make you feel fairly mad ?" Quiverful : "Yes; but one's nut an bad as • new baby."  At Coventry, .14in Cunliffe, s tramp, was committed to seven days' hazel labour for refusing to bleak stones while a casual pauper in Coventry Workhouse. Prisoner pleaded that upon aduiittance he had • hot bath, and non having had one for 12 years, he was seized with the "Indian shakes" and was unable to work.  A lady named Stocker has been remanded fer a week at Southampton for attempting to commit suicide by cutting her throat in a desperate manlier. It was stated that a moor wu taken from her, sad her husband was informed of the matter, when be directed the razor to be given back to the wife to mak, • clear job of it. The request wee refund.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1896-04-16 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

SUICIDE EPIDEMIC.  At Paddinr,ton, on Friday, Dr. G. Danford Thomas held an inquest on the body of Arthur Ernest Taylor, aged 37 yews, a draper, who was found dead on the doorstep at 31, Sussex-gardens, Bayswater, early on Tuesday morning last.—Charles Frank Taylor, a drat er's assistant, residing at Kensington, identified the tody as that of his brother, who had been living apart from his wife for about a year. fle had been a its man as far as the witness 'knew. The  temperai deceased had been out of a situation about two months. Ile saw the witness ott by train at Liverpool-street Station, on S.:turday, and beyond • cold there seemed to be nothing the matter with him. He was not without means, and the witness knew of nothing likely to cause him to commi suicide.— Frank Chapman, a corn-dealer living at Ealing. said he was a friend of the deceased, an . lie lunched with him on Saturday. Some time ago the deceased told him that he was sick at life and :thou d be glad to get out of it. —Police-constable George Bruce deposed that on Tuesday morning he found the deceased lying on the doorstep at 31, Sussex-gardens, Bayswater. On the clothing was a pawn-ticket for a match-box, and on an envelope was written: "My identity can be had from Messrs. Clark and Co., at 1, Westboume-street."—Dr. Prince said there were no external marks of violence, but the inside of the mouth and the tongue were very much bleached. The passage to the stomach and the stomach itself were intensely inflamed by the action of some strong corrosive poison, which was the cause of death. The poison was moat probably oxalic acid.—The returned • ver ict of smith,' whilst of unsound mind. 1 —At the same court an inquest was held on the body of Ellen Ha,ey. aged 21 years. a domestic ' servant —Bridget Haley, residing at Horace-street, Marylebone, stated that the deceased was single, but had had a child. She was often very lowspirited eedantde take lsti life.anAlt linolclocsekveo Monday tan itna times nisht the witness was in the room of a blind woman when her daughter came to her and sad: "Goodbye, mother." She kissed her, and then went and changed her clothe-, after undressing her hair. Shortly after the witness learnt that the girl had taken some carbolic acid.—Andrew Price, a van. boy, deposed to buying twopennywolth of carbolic acid for the girl.—John Phillips. another van-boy, said that he saw the deceased on Monday evening. She was very much upset, and told him that she had been quarrelling with her mother. She added: "They told the doctor that I had taken poison once:, but it was false. lam going to take some now. The witness tried to take the bottle away from her, but she managed to put it to her mouth and drink the contents. She fell to the 4round, and the police came anl took her to the hospital.—The jury returned a verdict of suicide during temporary Insanity.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1896-04-09 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

SUICIDE THROUGH TOOTHACHE.  SAD AFFAIR AT PERRY BARR.  Last week Thomas Anderson (21), residing aa Perry Barr. committed suicide by shouting himself with a rifle. He was employed by James Belcher, milk dealer, Wellington Road, Perry Barr, and lived in the house. During the past few days he had suffered acutely from toothache, but went about Ms duties as usual. Shortly before two o'clock Mrs. Belcher went upstairs leaving Ander,ort in the kitchen below. On returning she was surprised to find that during her absence he had gou.. into the parlour and shut himself in. Being usable to gain admittance, she ran round to the from, of the hotdie, and peering through the wind)., she saw Anaereon handling a Snider rifle belonging to her husband. In reply to her question as to what he was going to do with it, tie told her " to unit, a minute, and she would see." In alarm she rot) to inform Mrs. Williams. a neighbour. but she hail not proceeded many yards before she was startled by the report of a gun shot. When Police-constable Wood, who was fetched. effected an entrance to the room a sickening spectacle presented itself. Anderson lay on his back on the floor, bleeding from the mouth, the top of his skull being blown away, and the brains scattered about the ceiling. Attached to the trigger of the rifle MIA a piece of string with a loop at the other end, which leads to the belief that Anderson first placed the muzzle of the weapon-in his mouth and, then fired it by placing his foot in the loop The bullet had entered the roof of his mouth, penetrated the brain. and emerging at the top of his head had passed through the ceiling. On the table was found a letter written on a slip of paper, in Anderson handwriting. It ran:—"Ezeuse my rash act, but its the toothache that made me do it. I'd rather die than stand it ally longer. So here goes. Goodbye.—Thos. Anderson." Belcher was formerly • volunteer, and the rifle and a few bullets he had retained as • memento of the 21 years he spent in the service,. The inquest was held on Saturday before Mr. F. W. 'Popham (deputy coroner), and after evidence bearing out the above facts had beeo given, the jury returned a verdict of " Suicide, whilst temporarily insane."  I
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1896-01-23 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

ALICE ICING'S TRACIC END.  The adjoarned inquest on Alice King, the glrl foun4 on Fox Hills, Alderahot, was opened at Ash on Friday morning. The funeral took place at Ash on Monday last, and the relatives were much affected by the general sympathy shewn by Cie villagers. The Rev. Mr. Walsh,rector, read tho Burial Service, and a number of wreathe were sent by residents whose kindness was the more appreciated since they were, of course, entire strangers to the girl. Her employers esteem was shown ty Mr. Protheroe defraying the funeral expenses.—Giving evidence at the inquest, Dr. Coghlan said the girl had been dead at least 12 hours when he saw her. Death was due to strychnine poisoning. The vermin-killer produced contained 25 per cent, of strychnine. Deceased was not enceinte, but her condition might have deceived any medical man, however experienced. This condition would seriously affect the mind.—Corporal Htunphrey Graham, a tall, intelligent-looking trooper of the Scots Greys, who was represented by Mr. Clinton, solicitor. then I gave evidence. He said he last saw Alice King on I December 22nd, at the house of a friend in London. He had no idea that she was in that district lately. He met her two years ago, and had been friendly ever since. He could not account for her death. She wrote that she thought she was enceinte, and asked what lie intended to do.—lt was remarkable that no juror asked witness to produce these letters, or, mare important still, what reply he made to deceased.—Sergeant Hewitt stated that he could find no evidence that deceased was at the barracks.— 'The Coroner said there could be little doubt that deceased came to Aldershot to see Graham, but there was no evidence of her movements. Graham's evidence was very straightforward, and his statement was clear.—A verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind was returned.