npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Glasgow Courier. — 1861-06-27 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

ITEMPTED MURDER AND DREADFUL SUICIDE. A mysterious and tragic affair has excited considerable sensation in the town of Dias, in Norfolk. A Mr Ringer, who resides there, on returning to his house on Thursday evening about nine o'clock (having been absent with his family during the day), found the servant girl lying in one of the rooms bleeding from a wound in the breast. She was sensible, but greatly exhausted, and all that could be learnt from her was, that she had been shot some hours before by a man named Sheldrick, a farm labourer, with whom she was acquainted. It appears that she had made an effort to get into her bed-room after she was shot, but was unequal to the exertion, and was also too weak to call for any assistance. It was ascertained that the report of a gun had been heard by some neighbonrs about six &clock, so that the poor girl had remained nearly three hours in that distressing situation. A surgeon was immediately sent for by Mr Ringer, and the girl, on being examined by the medical gentlemen, was pronounced to be in a dangerous condition from a gunshot wound in the chest. The girl's name is Susan Garrod, and she is about 22 years of age. Inquiries were made by the police after Charles Sheldrick, the assassin, and on the following day two officers, who were in search of him, mot him in a field near Mr Ringer's premises. He had in his hand a double-barrelled gun, which he raised as soon as he saw the policemen, who, imagining that he intended to fire upon them, made a rush at him, but he instantly put the muzzel of the gun into his mouth, snapped the trigger with his foot, and deliberately blew his brains out on the spot. He was quite dead when the policemen got up to him, and presented a shocking spectacle, his face and skull being shattered to pieces. The motive of this double crime is at present unknown, but it is supposed that, though the deceased was a married man, there was an intimacy between him and his victim, by whom the mystery will probably be cleved up at the inquest.
Glasgow Courier. — 1845-06-21 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THE ENGLISH IN CHINA.  Extract from a letter dated Hong-liong, March 6, 1846: " You will be pleased to bear that opium can no longer involve no in China. It is openly admitted at every port, and carried about the streets. In fact, it is legalised to all intents sod pur. poses, but they are ashamed to publieh 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 260,000 dollars from that port alone. At Shanghai 38 ships are recorded during 1844. The impetus given to our ootton manufactures is very great, and the demand yet nest:untied. As for this colony, It is getting on at a mirscaloos pace; houses and streets spreadieg In all directions, and still house-rent extravegautly 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 hot climates, fevered with spirits and debauchery; but as for the civil part of the community, the colonial surgeon has returned 867 011/1110 with only nine deaths, in his report of six menthe practice. Soden proper- 1 lion might be exceeded in England. Our barracks were sickly, sad our jail perfectly healthy. British sovereignty is areionsly established over the Chinese of this colony, sad they are so well contented with it as to flock over with their wire* and families, which gives us a better population than at first, now increased to 80,000. Three Chinese robbers (with weapons) were •ondemned to death by our Supreme Court, when they committed suicide by banging themselves in the prison. These men had robbed and attempted to murder some of their own countryman, and not Europeans. Whilst at Macso, 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, juat outside the town. They fled on seeing some other Englishmen approaching, so be was happily neither hurt nor robbed, though one of the reseals had a knife in his possession. In Hong. Hong we have put an end to robberies by our English jurisdiction.
Glasgow Courier. — 1845-08-26 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

SCOTLAND.  Perth arid Inverness Railway.—The renewed survey of this line, which has been going forward for some months, was rather suddenly and unexpectedly interrupted on Monday last, while the engineers were at work in Strathord, about half-way between this and Dunkeld, by an interdict served upon them at the instance of Lord Glenlyon and the other Atholl trustees, whose property that estate is. This step was taken, we understand, chiefly, if not solely, from consideration to the tenantry whose crops, at their present stage, are liable to injury from the progress of the survey. The line, as contemplated, would join the Midland Junction on this side the Tay above Stanley. Betwixt that point and Dunkeld it passes through the Murthly Castle policies, with an alternative of tunnelling through Stairdam to Birnam, and thence by the west bank of the Tay by Inver and the Bishopric to beyond Daleise, crossing to the east bank below Logierait.—Perthshere Courier. 77ee Duke of Beeedeucle.—lt will be in recollection that Mr. Duncan, the Free Church minister at Lockerby, was reported to have called his Grace A godless tyrant," during the services attending the administration of the Sacrament at Canobie. The Rev. Gentleman in a letter to his Grace, denies that the expression, which he considers "extravagant, unsuitable, and unwarrantable, and in the alleged circumstances, incapable of any justification, was uttered by himself, or by other ministers of his body, who had assisted him on the solemn occasion." Other Free Church ministers in the district have also disclaimed the obnoxious words,  Suicide.—A prisoner in Dunblane jail, named Gow, was, by the keeper, found dead in his cell on the morning of Monday last, having committed suicide by hanging himself with the ropes of his hammock, fastened to the iron bars of the window. Gow was lately brought from Kincardine, for committing an assault upon two females there. He was convicted of the offence, and sentenced to 60 days'imprisonment, about a week of which term had expired when he committed the fatal act. Melancholy Suicide.—Thursday, as the Britannia steamer was on her passage from Granton to Dundee, and when oosite South Ferry Lights, a female steerage passenger threw herself over the quarter-deck. The engines were instantly stopped and backed, when the life-boat was lowered and manned by the captain and five of the crew. They lost no time in getting to the place where she was last seen, but she had disappeared. She had put off her bonnet, shawl, and shoes, immediately before she threw herself overboard. Margaret Millar is written inside the shoes. Whether this is her name or not at present cannot be ascertained. As there was no one on board who knew anything of her, it seems she must have premeditated the deed, for she had told some of the passengers who were beside her that she would "put away with herself," but they bad no idea that she was serious.—Dundee Advertiser.
Glasgow Courier. — 1845-07-12 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

ABINGDON.—The polling commenced on Tuesday at eight o'clock, and was kept up with considerable spirit on both sides, but it was soon evident that the Attomey-General had his own I way, and would keep it till the close. Accordingly, when the poll closed at four o'clock, the result was—For Sir F. Thesiger, 156; for General Caulfield, 126—majority for Sir F. Thesiger, 30.  Dog Nuisance—We are sorry to notice that, in contravention of the proclamation issued by the authorities of Gorbals, dogs are still prowling about there without being muzzled. On Wednesday afternoon a young girl was attacked and bit in the arm by one, while amusing herself at the corner of West Street. A fellow, who is supposed to be the owner, seeing what had occurred, got the dog and ran off, and has net yet been traced out, though it is understood he resides in the neighbourhood. The wound was immediately examined and cleaned, and the parents are thus left to hope for the best.  -- Attempted Suicide—Yesterday forenoon, a labourer, 'warned Sinclair, residing in Parliamentary Road, and employed at ' St. Rollox, threw himself into the 'Cut of Jabot-fon caul, while under the influence of intoxication, evidently with the intention of drowning himself. He was rescued by two men who chanced to be near at the time, and taken to the new Police Station, Maitland Street, Coweaddens. In appearance, he is rather a decent specimen of the class to which he belongs, and in the afternoon, when be had come to himself a little, he expressed deep regret for his rash conduct. Body Pound—On Thursday forenoon, the body of a female, poorly dressed, and apparently about forty years of age was found in the river Cart, near to Pollokshaws. It is not known how the unfortunate woman had got into lb water, whether by accident or with the wicked intention of destroying herself, but she had been observed the day previous in the neighbourhood of the place where her body WU found. Her head was severely out when taken out of the water. The body was removed to the watch_ house at Cathcart church-yard, and it has since been identified as that of a Mrs. Riven, formerly residing in that
Glasgow Courier. — 1845-07-29 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

HORRIBLE MURDER OF FIVE CHILDREN BY THEIR  FATHER.  Johann Hiller was charged at the Criminal Tribunal of Tubingen (where for the first time the proceedings were open to the public), with the murder of his five children, at Oberjettingen, on the sth of March. Late in the evening of that day the prisoner's wife returned home, and on entering the house found the children in bed; she spoke to them, but not being able to arouse them, put her hand on one of them—it was quite cold and motionless. Suspecting something wrong, she screamed for help, and on the neighbours entering with a light to their horror the children were all found murdered, with a deep gash in their throats. Suspicion immediately fell upon the father, who had not been seen since the preceding evening. He was sought out and arrested. On being interrogated, he confessed that, being driven to despair by the state of misery he had long been in from want of work, he had first determined on suicide; but reflecting that that would expose his wife and children to greater distress, he had resolved to send them to heaven Brat,- On the evening of the 4th of March he had sold steel chain for a few pence, and bought some bread brandy, and partaken of them vrhis children \ being absent at a distance); they soon after fell ash when they were in a profound slumber he cut their with his razor. They made not the least struggling or , he said, except a slight rattling in the throat. After ti perpetration of the horrid deed he fled to Holzlock, a neigll. bouring village, where he was arrested. His advocate endeavoured to show he was partly insane, and the jury found him guilty of simple murder (todthschlog). He was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment in a fortress. His wife went mad on the discovery of the murder of her children, , and has not yet recovered her reason.—Gazetts des Tri, bunaux,
Glasgow Courier. — 1845-06-24 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION OF A STEAM BOILER. It is our painful duty to record an accident which occurred on Saturday the 14th inst., about one o'clock afternoon, at the foundry of M . Nesmith, Gaskill, and Co., at Patricroft, near Eccles, by which one man has been killed, and two others so severely Injured that their lives are despaired of. It appears that about three minutes past one o'clock,just as the men were returning from dinner to the foundry, such of them as had arrived were startled by a tremendous explosion, followed by the crash of falling buildings, and on running to the engine-house, found both it and several smaller surrounding buildings • perfect mans of ruins, all the work of a moment. Such was the force of the explosion, that one part of the boiler, measuring about 26 feet, and weighing upwards of two tons, was shot like a cannon-ball into the canal, a distant* of at least forty yards, knocking down the walls of the engine. house, the boiler shed, smiths' shop, and a large wooden shed In which the dressers* work, and carrying everything before It. The men immediately set to work in order to discover the engineer and blast furnace man. The engineer, John Rogers, was discovered in • few minute. quite dead. Thomas Burst, the blast man, was discovered underneath the ruins dread. folly burnt about his extremities but protected in some measure by a portion of a chimney which preserved him from being crushed to death. Another sufferer, whose name we could not learn, but who is • dresser and mender, was severely struck by a large place of metal—in fact the boiler flew over his bead as he sat at work opposite the engine-house, and part of the cylinder, upwards of 7 cwt., fell within an inch of his feet. It is utterly impossible to describe the ruin and devastation it has caused, which is so extensive, that a large portion of the works will have to stop at least three weeks for repairs. No one seems able to account satis. &Moray for the accident.—Manchester Courier.  Suspected Suicide—Thursday morning, at eight o'clock, a woman, named Margaret Watson, wife of Alex. ?d'Gillivray, shoemaker, left her house in Blackfriars' Wynd, and was not heard of until about two o'clock, when her body was discovered floating in the Canal near Slateford. She was quite sober when she left the house, and, as she had frequently threatened to destroy herself, there is little doubt but that she deliberately threw herself into the water. She has left a family, including an infant only seven months' old.—Edinburgh Courant.
Glasgow Courier. — 1845-07-31 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

MELANCHOLY EVENT AT NEW-BRIGHTON. It is our painful duty to record the suicide of a highly-respectable merchant of Liverpool, under circumstances of a very distressing nature. It appears that about six o'clock on Thursday evening, Mr. Edwards, a partner in the firm of Bibby & Sons, ironmerchants and shipowners, of Liverpool, was discovered among the SandhiUs between New-Brighton and Wallasey, weltering in his blood. The body presented a most frightful appearance, the features being undislinguishable from the quantity of blood with which they were covered. A case of pistols, a powder flask, and some bullets, were lying near, and both the deadly weapons, just discharged, lay at his feet. The corpse was still warm, and assistance being procured it was conveyed to the Black Horse, near the Magazines, and Dr. Donlevy was sent for. On his arrival he saw at a glance that life was extinct. On further examination, it was found that the two front teeth and a portion of the upper lip were shot away, and the fatal balls perforating the roof of the mouth and the brain, passed through the crown of his hat, leaving therein two distinct holes. The deceased was formerly clerk in the house of Bibby & Co., and being a most respectable and steady man, he had lately been taken into the firm. it is said that railway speculations have been the cause of the aberration of Intellect which has led to this infatuated and dreadful deed. An inquest was held at four o'clock on Friday, at the Black Horse, WollaCev, before H. Churton, Esq., and a respectable jury. A servant girl, named Elizabeth Botell, deposed that, while engaged in looking for some stray sheep, belonging to her master, she saw the body of the deceased; she called to a lad who was with her, who carried an alarm to the village, and returned with several persons, who conveyed the deceased to the place at which the inquest was held. From the statement of the father-in-law of the deceased it appeared he had, about four years ago, on the death of his father, been so much disturbed in his mind as to attempt his life at that time; and that, from the documents found on his person, there was no doubt but that he had been much affected by the result of certain railway speculations. Several clerks in the office deposed to his having been there on the morning of the day on which the deed was committed, and that he had then attended to businese in his usual manner. The jury, after a few minutes' deliberation, returned a verdict of "Destroyed himself in a fit of temporary insanity.* The deceased was married, but without family.—Liverpool Mail.
Glasgow Courier. — 1845-04-03 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

ACCIDENT TO CAPTAIN BLISSFORD. succeeded in depriving himself of life, was an old pistol watch and appendages, end the_ plate, were elegant and of a sopsanelsitnce Isis Mr. D,lsrdelf seem to think that, when the act comes more fully into Show, goldsmith, 64, Argyll operation, On the 96th ultimo, a serious accident oeeorred to Captain without a lock. The resolution of the suicide may be in- street, Glee ow. [die man. In 1882 he can- sugars will beoome much cheaper.-Olobe. ferred from the fact of his sepslying the deficiency by the e • Earl of Romitey,-We have to announce Bilesford, residing iii St. John's Wood, as he was proceeding on n " true Reform principles" Death of le use of a match. The fatal eed was accomplished be. the death of the Earl of Romney t it took place on Bator- horseback, is company with several other gentlemen, to witness du say ; but what were his hind his own dwelling-house in Alloway Street. He had day afternoon, at his Lordship's seat, Mote, near Maid- the steeple-chase at Lee's race-course. It appears that tbe Captato Sow whatever was omitted last month, and plant out such of irteen years ago, we are at a held the pistol to his breast with the one hand, and applied stone, in the 88th year of his age. The noble Earl is awil:2llllo.ohnatltednon a horse of peculiarly excellent leaping qualities, the pot-herbe ma are ready for that purpose. Continue to sow Iso little attention to him in the match with tbe other. When discovered by his brother, succeeded in his title and estates by Viscount Alarsham, gad any of his companions to leap and clear • high and plant out rhubarb, artichokes asparagus, nasturtiums, seaunable to find any trace of hedge, on the-other side of which sou • wide and deep ditch. who heard the report of the, weapon, his clothes were in . kale, Dutch turnips, German green's, and small 'Wading. north s electors of High Wycombe. (now Earl of Romney,) member for West. Kent. The In attempting to do this his horse fells with Captain Sneaked be- flames. It appeared that his death was instantaneous. Tne up pease, tie up lettuces, and in very dry weather water seedling ilsraeli, having been beaten present Earl was elected a member of the House of Com- neath him, the animal rolling over his body. His companions sue- deceesed was about 25 years of age.-Ayr Obierver. beds. Finish the grafting of fruit tress, and train and clean walks mons for the western division of Kent, at the last election, ceeded to extricating him from his perilous situation, and he was d the metropolitan borough sod edgings. Sow minuets, biennials, and perennials. Plant ever, occasion his declaration of on the Conservative interest. His Lordship merried, in fro removed to his residence, enduring most excruciating sufferings tu extensive internal bodily Injuries. The horse is also seriously
Glasgow Courier. — 1845-12-30 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THE WEATHER-A GALE.  The weather during the past week has been exceedingly yetiible—at one time mild and bright, and at another boisterous and nclement. On Friday evening we were visited by a severe gale from the south-west, accompanied with occasional heavy rains. In the course of Saturday the wind moderated, but only to recommence with redoubled fury as the night set in. Between eight and eleven o'clock, the hurricane was at its height. Between ten and eleven, the gable wall of a new house in the course of erection in Cumberland Street, Gorbals, and which is completed with the exception of the roof, and the internal fittings, was blown In with a fearful crash, carrying the joisting along with it to the cellars. Fortunately no one was injured; but the expense of the damage must be cons!arable. The property belonged to 14r. Wm. Crawford, wright. In other parts of the town there was damage done to the roofs, chimney cans, &c., but upon the whole there were far fewer casualties than might have been expected, considering the fury of the gale. Sunday was a delightful day for the season, being calm, ,vith a small degree of frost, and bright sunshine. The change, as compared with the previous night, was as striking as it was agreeable. A. tide of settled weather again seemed to have set n; but yesterday morning before daybreak the temperature rose, the ice began to melt, and rain began to fall about noon, and continued to do so almost without intermission for the rest of the day, and up to a late hour at night.  Lord John Russell passed through Jedburgh on Tuesday last, on his way to Minto House. His Lordship's arrival being expected, and it being market day, a considerable crowd gathered round and cheered him as he entered the Earl of Minto's carriage. Attempted Suicide —Y ester day, between twelve and one o'clock, a woman named Eliza Williams, wife or mistress of one of the notorious chain-droppers, named Muir, went into a surgeon's shop in King Street, and purchased and swallowed first one twopence worth of laudanum and then another. Not having the money to pay for the drug, however, she was sent to the Police-oflice, where, on the case being explained, it was thought necessary to call in the services of the surgeon of the establishment, who promptly applied the stomach-pump, and we believe the wretched creature is now out of danger. It seems very strange that Williams should have been supplied with the second quantity, of laudanum after being. seen to drink the first; but doe matter will no doubt be inquired into. Sudden Death—Yesterday forenoon, James Burton, clerk to Messrs. Lyon & Lawson, machine-makers, Mountain Slue, when at Crown Point, east end of Gallowgate, fell down and --.aiately expired. The body was earned to Mr. Lawson's ' medical aid procured, but it was of no avail. _ Burton was a married man, and has left a family to ntraint their sudden bereavement.  timmediately and