npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Swansea Journal and South Wales Liberal. — 1895-01-12 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

SWANSEA.  Mrs. Cook, of Kerr, Cook and Co., Drinks Oxalic Acid.  And is Relieved by Death of Sore. Financial Troubles.  Found Dead in Her Bedroom,  One of the most ttagio deaths that have occurred in Swansea kit; a very long time, came to light on Friday morning, when a very wellknown lady, Mrs. Mary Catherine Cook, wan found dead under circumstances which point strongly to suicide. Mrs. Cook was last seen on Thursday evening, about seven o'clock, by her little son, William, ten years of age. The child saw nothing in her manner to alarm him; she bade him an affectionate " Good-night," and when be had gone to bed, she sat by herself in her room at 5, Willow-terrace. This morn‘ jug the child, who slept with a little sister and his mother, in the sante bed, heard his mother groaning., and looking out of bed, he was horrified to find her lying at full length on the floor of her bedroom. The frightened boy gave the alarm, and was heard by Samuel Davies, a neighbour, who called Detective Morris and Dr. Humphrey. Detective Morris accompanied Mr. Davies to the room, and there saw the unfortunate lady quite dead. Dr. Humphrey arrived immediately, but it was too late for medical aid. The body bor( no evidences of death by poison, but I cup which had contained oxalic acid was ais. covered on the table near by. She was 40 year of age. An inquest will be held at the Mug' Hall Hotel at six o'clock this (Friday) evening Dr. Humphreys saw no evidence in the appear anco of the body to indicate death by poison but it appears that overnight Mrs. Coo told her little son that elle would poison hersell and was in a distressed state of mind. A. posl mortem examination will be made before ti inquest.  Mrs. Cook's Antecedents. Mrs. Cook, who was a pleasant, interestir little woman, came to Swansea from Wiltsht some 16 or 18 years ago, and took a poslti4 as barmaid in the Duke Hotel, whl' was then kept by Mrs. Blenkinsop There she formed an acquaintance with 31 Kerr, t gentleman who came to the distr from Glasgow for the purpose of coudur lug the manufacture of lubricating 0 and grease. The business was very succeE fully carried on until Mr. Kerr's del, Mrs. Kerr succeeded to the management. .9 married subsequently her present hushand, 3 Cook, and the style of the firm was cluing to that of "Kerr, Cook and Co." Of late ye the business seemed not to have prospe greatly, and those who are familiar with proceedings of the County Court remember f the troubles with which 'Mrs. Cook and husband were so often beset, compelled their pearance before Judge Williams with distress frequency. To add to the difficulty of the strug to make ends meet, sickness came, and Mr. C stricken down with a pulmonary compla had a fortnight since to go to the Swai Hospital, where he still remains a very serious condition. Surroun thus by difficulties in regard to monetary affairs, and then separated from the whose sympathy was so great a necessity of existence, the poor lady sought surcease sorrow in a cup of oxalic acid, ai:d the resu the terrible tragedy which we have to. regretfully to record.
Swansea Journal and South Wales Liberal. — 1895-09-07 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

ALLEQED INDECENT ASSAULT AT SKETTY.  At the Swansea Police Court,on Thursday afternoon, before Messrs. J. -C. Fowler (Stipendiary) and J. C. Vyo Parminter, P.S. Jenkins, stationed at Sketty, brought into the court L. A. Testulat, who has on several occasions acted as French interpreter in the police court, and applied for his remand until Saturday, when the county petty sessions take place. He was charged with, and had been arrested for, an alleged indecent assault on a young girl named Ellen Thomas, a servant in the employ of Sir Robert Morris, at Sketty Hall. 'rho young girl, sworn, said that on Tuesday she was in the woods at-. ta,ebed to Sketty Park, and saw the prisoner lying under a tree with his clothes disarranged. As soon as he perceived her, he jumped up, and, running after her, threw her to the ground, and behaved in a most indecent manner towards her. Ifis clothing was all the time disarranged. She was positive Testulat was the man who attempted to commit the rape. Sergeant Jenkins proved the arrest, and said that be bad put prisoner among a lot of other men at the police station, and sent complainant in among them to pick out the man. She at once fixed upon Testulat,— The magistrateagranted.the remand asked for,  Mr. J. 11, Insole of Ely Court, Llandaff, has sent a. cheque for the handsome amount of £5O towards the funds of the Porth Cottage Hospital, A native of Cardiff, named Anderson, has committed suicide at Dorking by cutting his throat, whilst his wife was out seekiltg parish relief, ,  - . Her Majesty has given permission for the Tieorky Male Voice Party to sing before her on a day and place to be appointed later on. The Earl and Countess of Dunraven have been interesting themselves in the matter.  tPPS'S COCOA URAMITL AN UO3O,— "By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern tee operations of digestion and nutriton and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected Cocoa, Mr. Epps has provided for our berakfast and supper tables a der lieatcly flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doetors' bills. it is by the judicious use of sueh articles of diet that a eonstitUtion may be gram-t-ally built up until strong enough tp reOpTevery tendency to disease. hundreds of subtle maladies arelioating mound. tis retioy to attack wherever the; 0 is a weak point. e way escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and a properly nouriplied frame," —"Civil Service basette." Made simply with boil, lug water or railk. Sold only in packets, by Grocers, labelled "James Epps and Co., Homo,. opathic Chemists, London." Also m akers of Epps's "Cocoaine," or Cocoa Nib Extract: Tea-like: A thin bqverage of full flavour, now with many beneficially taking the place of tea. Its active principle being a gentle nerve stimulant without unduly ex. citing the sTateui.
Swansea Journal and South Wales Liberal. — 1895-10-26 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

ATTEMPTED .SUICIDE AT SWANSEA.  -Mary Streat (on bail), 39, married, pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted suicide in August last. Mr. Ivor Bowen (instructed by Mr. David Seline) appeared for °the Crown, and explained that the woman was 'found hangto a clothes' post in her garden late at night, and was cut down- in an unconscious state. The Recorder said he 'understood there was a gentleman present in court who took- a philanthropic interest in persons, and who was prepared to say something on the matter. The Rev. Oscar Snelling, the gentleman referred to, stated that the circumstances of the prisoner were of great poverty. He did not think, the husband had treated his wife cruelly or badly, but he had been addicted a little to drink. However, he had now signed the pledge. The woman, he believed, was in extreme poverty when she committed the act. but she had expreissed great contrition. The Recorder: Then you think she can safely be. remitted?  _ The Rev. Oscar Snelling :• I think so, sir. I believe she sees the foolishness of her act, and her husband has promised to take proper care of her in the future.  Prisoner was sentenced to one day's imprisonment, which rnEant her instant release.  A SIMILAR OFFENCE  Aunie Price (on.sbail), 34, married, was indicted for a 'similar offence, and this prisoner also pleaded guilty. Mr. Vaughan Williams (instructed by Mr. David Seline) appeared for the Treasury. In this case, prisoner was found e hanging in th w.c. at the rear of the house.--Mr. Snelling ted that he understood she had been at a wedding on the day in question. Her husband was a very worthy man, though he was afraid flea woman herself had not taken the greatest care of herself. She had, however, promised to be better in the .future.— Prisoner was hound over, together with her husband, in the sum Of £lO each, to come 111 for judgment when called upon.
Swansea Journal and South Wales Liberal. — 1895-06-08 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

SWANSEA SKIPPER DROWNED.  On Friday the "Leader" announced that Captain Gibbs, who last year acted as chief mate of the passenger steamer Alexandra, had lost his life at sea. The sad intelligence has since been confirmed in a letter which the widow of the deceased has received from the owners of the Reaper, a steamer trading between Jersey and Canada, of which Mr. Gibbs was in charge at the time of his death. From this it appears that the vessel was wrecked wheal two days out from Jersey, and that the captain, two seamen, and a passenger went down with her. Gaptain Gibbs was well-known and highly respected amongst the sea-faring community of Swansea, by whom, his untimely demise will be deplored. He left the Alexandra to take the command of the .John Byng, and while on this vessel, received a communication from the owners of the Reaper, offering him the command of one of their fleet of steamers at Jersey. He arrived, however, too late to take the pcst, and was then appointed captain of the P.eaper, on which he was making his first voyage when she foundered. • Captain Gibbs leaves two boys.  Mabel Benson Bellow, who is described as an English authoress and actress, has attempted to commit suicide at Chicago by taking poison. It is rumoured that Mr. W. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon). has been offered a Government appointment in Australia worth £2,000 a year. A collision occurred on Tuesday on the Mersey between two Isle of Man steamers. The Mutaral steamship company's steamer, Lady Tyler, after landing passen gets by an early trip from Douglas, was proceeding to anchorage, and when crossing the bows of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's steamer 3fona's Isle, she was carried by the tide and struck the 3fona's Isle a heavy blow, smashing in her bows. The Lady Tyler had a paddle box carried 'away. Both vessels were docked for repairs.  The dam of Curtis Lake, Nebraska, which covers an area of 100 acres, and was created as an irri,rating reservoir, burst on Sunday. The water rushed down Medicine Valley, causing great damage to property. There 7411 no direct loss of life' but a railway engine with a party on board, sent to ascertain the extent of the damage, fell into a washout, and four persons were drowned.
Bargoed Journal. — 1905-09-30 (Gelligaer, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

RHYMNEY MAN'S DEATH.  At the Rhymney Police Station on Friday; Coroner J. B. WaHord enquired into the death of David Jones, a shackler, whose body was found in Paddy's Pond, Rhymney, on the 26th inst. According to the evidence of Mrs. Jones, mother of the deceased, Jones was in the habit of leaving home for days_ together, going away by excursion without telling anybody where be wall going, and they were not alarmed by his absence because he intimated on the Friday night when he was last at bone that he was going by an excursion to Hereford the neat morning. Going out on the Saturday morning deceased went to get a shave, but did not stay as the shop was fall at the time and was not again seen alive by witness. D. Silas Istance said he found the body of the deceased on the 26th inst. at 10.30 a.m. Having some men working for him in the immediate neighbourhood of Paddy's Pond cleaning out sewers witness had to go to the pond. In the water he saw an object which looked like a body with a hood over its head, but he was not quite certain. Witness then gave information to the police and afterwards assisted in conveying the body to the home of deceased's relatives in Plantation Street, Rhymney. Deceased had never to witness's knowledge threatened to commit suicide, and he was not weak-minded by any means.  The jury came to the conclusion that there was not sufficient evidence to return a verdict of suicide or even of accidental death and an open verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.  We Mend Watches.  It isn't the material that goes Into your repaired Watch that reaults In a perfect job— it is the KNOW HOW that does the business. Any bungler rlin buy the fine kinds of initteriat that we use in repairing; but Rki/i the most valuable material thi.t can be used in watch-repairing, and the bungler can't bay it. W. sell our skidfl for what it is worth, and it will e)st you lessthan bungling at a lower- price  " •-• • • . 4‘7 t) A, t. 04/ , ""'
Bargoed Journal. — 1905-05-13 (Gelligaer, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

PONTLOITYN COLLIER'S SUICIDE.  Pathefle Letter.  The _lnquest.  .1 ,  Coroner E. B. Reece held an inquest at the Police Station, Pontlottyn, on Monday morning, touching the death of William Morgan, a collier, who drowned himself in a pond near Pontlottyn on Friday morning last.  Mr. Evan Williams was chosen Foreman of the Jury. Mrs. Mary Ann Morgan, the widow of the deceased, said she lived at 30, Tynewydd Street, and her husband was 40 years of age and was a colliery timberman working nights. He came home on Friday morning at 6.30. Before going out he said he was going to meet the agent about a house, and she did not see him again. Her husband was vexing because he could not get a house. She did not think he had any other trouble, although he owed a little money in the shop. Witness had been married 18 years and she was not aware that any of her husband's family had committed suicide.  Joseph Powell said that he saw the deceased's body in a pond about 10 o'clock on Friday last. The pond was called Penbrith Pond. The body, which was hilly clothed, was face down. wards. Witness did not pull it out but went for the police. Police-constable W. J. Vaughan said he was fetched at 10.15 on Friday last and got the body out of the pond. The hat was on the bank with a stone in it to' keep it steady. lie also found the following note, written in pencil, on a pay ticket :  "May sth, 1905.  Dear Wile,—l am sorry to put you to this trouble, but I cannot help it, I am bound to do it. Do the best you can with the children; ask some of the relations to take to them. I cannot put up with this trouble any longer.—Wm. Morgan, 30, Tynewydd Street, Pontlottyn. Last place." There were also particulars of the amount of cash received by deceased from work.  The, Coroner said they had to consider whether the man drowned himself, and if so, whether he was in his right mind. The jury returned a verdict of suicide during temporary insanity
Bargoed Journal. — 1912-09-26 (Gelligaer, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

FOUND DROWNED AT FOCHRIW.  Head eaten by water rats.  Mr. B. J. Rhys, district coroner, held an inquest at Forhriw on Thursday last touching the death of Thomas Jones, collier, 41 years of age, whose body was discovered in the feeder of the Foehriw Colliery on the previous Monday. David Timothy Jones, brother of the deceased, identified the body as that of his brother. Deceased was a married man, but was separated from his wife, who was now living. He knew his brother had been in the Merthyr Infirmary, and he (witness) had sent him a few shilling.- while he was there. Mrs. Mary Edwards, of Cambrian Street, Den, said deceased had lodged with her for some time. He was unwell and told her he was going into the Merthyr Infirmary. When he returned be appeared to be in good spirits. He left her about a fortnight ago to go and look for work. She did not believe that deceased had any money then. He was a fairly sober man. Deceased had told her he had friends in Fochriw.  Thomas Morgan, overman at the Fochriw Colliery, said he found the body of deceased on Tuesday morning last about 6.15 a.m. Deceased was fully dressed with the exception of his cap. Witness saw that he was dead and subsequently called Sergeant Williams. Sergeant William said he drew the body out of the water and searched the pockets.. of deceased's clothing. He found a pipe, tobacco box, an old knife, but no money. When witness saw the body deceased's head and face were under the water. Dr. Davies, Fochriw, said that in his opinion the body had been in the water for at least 10 days. In his opinion deceased was drowned. Witness found a wound at the back of deceased's head, but he considered this was due to water rats. There were no other marks of violence on deceased.  The Coroner said that on the evidence he did not think the jury would be justified in saying that deceased drowned himsetf. It was more than likely that deceased fell in the feeder. They would want some stronger evidence to say it was suicide, and on the other hand there was no au•,• • stion of foul play. The best verdict 1,0 return would be the usual open one, Found drowned." The iury returned a verdict accordingly.  GligY HAIR permanently and speedily re• atored to its original colour by ilffitg
Bargoed Journal. — 1912-12-26 (Gelligaer, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

MOTHER'S -DISCOVERY.  Ghastly Scene of Hanging,  The Inquest.  At the local police station on Tuesday Mr. R. J. Rhys held an inquiry into the death of Thomas Henry Trathan, who was found hanging in an outhouse at the rear of his mother's house on Thursday of last week. Mary Elizabeth Trathan, 10, Victoria Street, identified the body as that of her son, who was 42 years of age. He was a timberman's assistant and came home about 11.15 on Thursday evening, and he seemed as usual. Witness went to bed at 12 p.m. On getting up next morning sne found ner son hanging in tne closet attgl she sent for the police. Deceased had been parted from his wife about three or four years. _ _  Replying to the Coronet, witness said she had previously prevented deceased harming himself on two occasions. Thomas Williams, a neighbour, living opposite to tlz, deceased, said he .t was called to Mrs. rathan's house and on going to the closet found something impeding the door. He eventually opened the door and found deceased behind suspended by a rope fastened to the rafters. He hed never seen deceased alwstrangely in Davies, a next door neighbour to the Trathans, said he saw deceased about 6 p.m. at the rear of his mother's house. Deceased said' good morning" and witness returned the compliment. " Police-constable Hy. Osborne spoke to being called and finding the body in the closet. The deceased had been cut down on his arrival and the rope (produced) was that by which deceased had suspended himself. He searched the deceased's clothes bill found no message. The coroner: He was stark-naked except ing that he was wearing his boots? Yes, sir. .  In summing up the Coroner said horn what the deceased's mother had told them in regard to deceased twice previously attempting to commit suicide they would be justified in returning a verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind.  The jury returned a verdict accordingly.
Bargoed Journal. — 1909-04-29 (Gelligaer, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

WELSH BROTH. The P.D. broke the record at Bargoed one day last week. They rose 4,020 tons in ten hours.  --:o:- Who is the young gentleman from ChHach who went to see the Cup Final, but who did not return on Sunday  —:o:  May 10th is the date fixed for the Sawed May Day Show which has been such a success in the past.  —:o:  This date dashes with the date of the .Bargoed Eisteddfod but although some people arc croaking that one event will do harm to the other we do not think there is any need to fear such a dire calamity.  —:o:  We ;re of the opinion that the double event will be a great attraction for visitors to the town and doubtless those that go to one show will go to the other.  . , —:0:11111/e believe it would be fitting if the good people of Bargoed made the day a bumping holiday and we would like to see the old custom of flags and bunting beieg displayed from the windows.  —:o:  We make a call for flags to be displayed by all who possess them, particularly Sidle who live in the main streets and along the route of the procession.  The May Day Show Committee are tlietetmins2d to make their show a great lucmi id Messis. D. M. Yorwerth B. G. Stapleton and All. Thome'. are moot enthusiastic in their labours.  —:o:  We are further pleased to note there is no spirit of animosity displayed by the committee of the eisteddfod been-ase of the clashing of dates.  —:o:  The Flower Show Committee have he/d another meeting and we hear that an effort is being made to make this show a stlCCees in liargoed.  —:o:  Surely there must be an epidemic of suicides in this district. It is quite the fashionable complaint.  —:o:  We regret we put a Bargoed gentleman out of existence last week inadvertently by referring to him as the late  Mr. We should have said that Mr. --was a late bandmaster. We do not mean thit he was a late riser but that he once conducted a band now defunct. Our apologies.  —:o:  A Bargeed Pressman is willing to back Bargoed for much against any town in the Principality.  —:o:  The Variety Company at the Bargoed Theatre is excellent and quite equal to many seen in Cardiff.
Bargoed Journal. — 1909-04-29 (Gelligaer, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

MAY DAY SHOW MEETING. The chairman: I think you had. Mr. D. M. Yorvrerth presided at a meeting of the May Day Show held at the Travellers Rest Hotel, Aberbarbetter wait until we get an explanation The next meeting will be in a fortnight's time. good, on WednEiday evening. There This was carried. -  w:i.s a good attendance incliding the secretaries, Messrs. E. G. Stapleton and All. Thomas. A letter was read from the PowellDuffryn Steam Coal Co. granting the An Aberbargoed labourer named A. committee the use of hose for the fire Harris had rather a fortunate escape on brigades on the day of the show. Wednesday from ending his own exist- A letter was received from Mr. W. ence. Harris called at the Smith's Ebsworth, secretary of the Flower Show Arms, Aberbargoed, on Wednesday morn- Committee, granting the May Day Show in and called for a glass of beer and Committee the use of their pay box on before anyone could interfere with him the date of the show. This he regarded he took a packet of oxalic acid from his as reciprocity as the May Day Show pocket and poured the contents into his Committee had kindly lent them certain glass. Fortunately, although he drank articles last year for their show. Vie contents, the crystals had not Mr. All. Thomas said he fiad been saffi, i-nt time to dissolve and the major around the show field and noticed that portion remained in the bottom of the there was a large number of holes to be glass. filled and a lot of glass to be cleared and Police-constable Doolan was called, other work. He knew a man thi‘t had who took him into custody and con- offered to do the work for 10s.  veyed Harris to Dr. McManus, who It was decided that this person should tr ated him to an emetic. He was then do the work for the sum named.  co veyed to New Tredegar and was On the proposition of Mr. Gus Jones cha (7, ed with attempted suicide before a it was decided that entries should cloce local magistrate—Dr. Davies—who re- on the Friday evening and after that ma 'ded him in custody until next week. date double entry fee be charged. Harris, who is only 28 years of age, It was decided that Mr. Winstone is a native of Bristol, and has worked should make a board for indicating the in the district for about 2 or 3 years. winning numbers. He stated that he has been out of work The next meeting of the show will be of late and has been very depress -s1 and held at the McDonnell Hotel at 8 p.m. in cons .luence atte 12te1 hislif. tap. • •