npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1848-07-05 (London, England)

SUICIDE IN THE HOUSE OF DETENTION.—At Bow-street, on Saturday, two swell mobsmea, of the names of Collett, alias Musty, and Ginger;alias Stone, were remanded charged with a robbery at Messrs. Cocks and Biddulph's. The two prisoners were sent to the House of Detention, as the New Prison, Clerkenwell, is named. As is the custom, upon their arrival they were both searched, but nothing being•found of a suspicious nature they were, as is customary, locked up in their respective cells. On Sunday morning, on the turnkey of the ward going his rounds to open the sleeping cells, he discovered Collett hanging, apparently quite dead, with his coat off and his shirt sleeves turned up, and the left arm covered with clotted blood. The deceased was immediately cut down, and the medical attendant on the prisoners was instantly in attendance, who pronounced that the deceased had been dead for some hours. Upon examining the arm, three wounds were found evidently done with an intention of bleeding to death, for the deceased had fastened his handkerchief for a ligature round the arm, but having fixed it below instead of above the elbow, no blood would flow; and this no doubt led to the infliction of the two other wounds. The loss of blood being very little, the deceased then hung himself. Upon searching the cell to ascertain by what instrument the wounds had been inflicted, a small penknife, which had escaped detection, was found; while, as a proof of the determination that actuated the deceased, ho had, by rubbing the blade on the stone, reduced the termination of the blade to a fine and sharp point, so as to act in the room of a lancet. At three o'clock an inquest was held before Mr. Wakley, when the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the evidence.
The Sun. — 1848-09-15 (London, England)

HARVEST.  FRUIT.—The demand for Currants have been very limited this week, and prices are rather easier, and rule at s4s to 395. Since our last we have had five cargoes of New Valencia Raisins. The price opened at 455, at which prices they still continue. The grocers bu) very sparingly, just sufficient to supply their immediate wants. New Sultana Raisins are selling slowly at 755. Figs 84s to 90s. TaLmow.—Thia afternoon the public sales of Tallow went off briskly, and at stiffer rates; 133 :casks Odessa sold at 46s 6d to 46s 9d; 1,146 pacages South American 45s to 46s 3d; 576 casks New South Wales 43s 9d to 47s 3d; 101 casks P. Y. Candle 46s to 46s 3d, second sort 4.5 s 3d to 45s 9d; 41 casks of Soap 42s 3d to 44$ 9d per cwt. OILS —This afternoon, at auction, 191 casks Palm Oil sold at 29s to 30s 6d for mid to good, and 131 packages Cocoa Nut 39s 6d to 40s 6d per cwt.  MELANCHOLY SUlClDB.—Yesterday Mr. W. Payne held an inquiry at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, on view of the body of Samuel Alberry, aged 54, who committed suicide on the evening of Friday last, under somewhat peculiar and painful circumstances. It appeared that the deceased had been for upwards of thirty years it, the employ of Messrs. Russell and Badcock, Scotch and Manchester warehousemen, of No. 13, Friday-street. Mr. Howell, in the employ of Messrs. Russell and Badcock, stated that about eighteen months ago deceased had a severe attack of erysipelas in the head, since whict, time his mind had occasionally appeared to wander. Latterly, upon several occasions, he had been threatened with his discharge on account of inattention. Ou the day on which he committed suicide, he had been closely questioned by Mr. Russell relative to the payment of the booking of certain parcels with which he had been ' entrusted. Ton minutes after that occurrence deceased went into the cellar and committed suicide by cutting his throat with a knife. Wm. Alberry, the son of tht deceased, stated that his father had been for some months past in a very desponding state, and had lately expressed a fear of losing his situation. He though, that this was sufficient to account for the rash act. Tht jury after some deliberation returned a verdict of " Temporary insanity. TMB REAL SPEAKER OP TUB HOUSR OF COl6l- Chisholm Anstey.—Pench. MIDDLESEX HOSPlTAL.—Testerday a handsome turret clock, having an illuminated dial eight feet is diameter, purchased by public subscription of the inhabitants in the vicinity, was presented to the trustees of Middlesex Hospital, to be placed in the new wing nearly completed. The recent enlargement of this hospital affords increased accommodation for 120 more inpatients.  tah e veryH ou House great blessing Commons, it we wouldha d A
The Sun. — 1848-09-08 (London, England)

ACCIDENT ON BOARD THE I3RITANNIA STEAMER. —On Sunday evening, as this vessel was returning from a pleasure excursion to Bangor and the Menai Straits, a hen about mid channel, a passenger, named Jackson, a boatman, well known at George's Pier, fell overboard, and, it is presumed, was struck by the paddle, for although the boat was got out immediately, and every effort made to save him, his, body could not be found. Two gentlemen on board, having ascertained that the poor fellow had a wife in Liverpool, immediately suggested a subscription for her, and after going round the vessel, through the liberality of the passengers, they were enabled to place a very liberal sum in the hands of the stewardess. The brother of the deceased was els° on board. On Monday morning the 'widow came to the landing stage to inquire after her husband, the tidings of his death not having then been communicated to her. Times. MAILS FOR THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, MADEIRA, &c.—Notice was issued yesterday at the General Postoffice, that mails will be made up at this office, on the evening of the 12th instant, for the Cape of Good Hope, to be conveyed by her Majesty's' ship Southampton' Letters for the Cape will be liable to a postage of lg. per half ounce ; newspapers free of postage. Her Majesty's ship Southampton will sail from Devonport on the morning of the 13th instant. Mails will also bowel: up on the evening of the 30th inst. for Madeira and the west coast of Africa, to be conveyed by one of her Ma: jesty's ships. The postage on letters to Madeira will eu la. 10d. per half ounce, and so on in proportion. Newspapers 2d. each, which must be prepaid. The postage on letters to the west coast of Africa ls, per half ounce; newspapers free. SUICIDE IN A VAT OF RAISIN WlNE.—Yesterday Mr. Baker held an inquest at the Green Gate, City road, relative to the death of George Davis, aged 27, carman, in the employment of Messrs. Bishop and Sr! British wine merchants, Finsbury. It appeared that the deceased had lived separate from his wife many years, and that she had been lately in the workhouse. It 1 supposed that his circumstances preyed upon his mind, . n as he had been lately very dejeeted. On Tuesday morning, about nine o'clock, he WllS'ltl'dd4itlly migling, I and about halt an hour after he was found in a raisin wine. vat, which contained 944 gallons, and which was about 3i feet deep. The body was floating on the surface of the liquid. Verdict, "Fond drowned."
The Sun. — 1848-10-31 (London, England)

SUICIDE FROM REVERSE OF FORTUNE.—Yesterday an inquest was held on the body of James Orpwood, aged forty years, who was formerly in an affluent position, and was the owner of a very large drug establish. ment. He failed in business, and having become very much reduced his mind became affected, and he cut his throat with a razor. Verdict—" Temporary insanity." DEATH FROM EXCESSIVE GRlEF.—Yesterday an inquest was held on the body of Daniel Rogers, aged twenty-seven, a respectable and steady young man, a compositor, in the employ of Messrs. Clowes, printers, who died from exhaustion, produced by paroxysms of insanity, the result of intense grief for the death of his wife. Verdict accordingly. SHAXSPERIAN READlNGS.—Yesterday evening Miss Kelly gave the second of a series of readings from Shakspere, at the Whittington Club. The play selected for the reading was Romee and Juliet. Miss Kelly's delivery of the exquisite poetry of the drama was pleasing and judicious, the various characters being admirably individualised. The large room was well filled THE EXPECTED HIGH TlDES.—Yesterday notices were posted in various parts of Lambeth and other districts, near the water-side, cautioning the inhabitants against the high tides that are expected to. visit the Thames. The following remarks concerning the same may be read with some interest;—" High tides may be expected on or about the 29th of October to the Ist of November, and from the 10th of the same month to the 15th, and from the 24th of November to the ISt of December; also on the 9th of December, the 15th, 24th, to the Ist of January, 1849. The height of the tide will of course depend on the wind. If from the :northern points, and blowing hard, the tides may be anticipated unusually high, from the great quantity of rain which has fallen, and the amount of land water now about the locks on he river. Every precaution should therefore he taken by owners and tenants near the shores in sufficient time, as the destruction of property is likely to be mo!1 disastrous." .
The Sun. — 1848-10-31 (London, England)

SUICIDE FROM REVERSE OF FORTUNE.—Yesterday an inquest was held on the body of James Orpwood, aged forty years, who was formerly in an affluent position, and was the Owner of a vary large drug establishment. He failed in business, and having become very much reduced his mind became affected, and he cut his throat with a raz )r. Verdict—" Temporary insanity." DEATH PROM EXCESSIVE GRlEF.—Yesterday an inquest was held on the body of Daniel Rogers, aged twenty-seven, a respectable and steady young man, a compositor, in the employ of Messrs. Clowes, printers, who died frdm exhaustion, produced by paroxysms of insanity, the result of intense grief for the death of his wife. Verdict accordingly. SHAXSPERIAN READlNGS.—Yesterday evening Miss Kelly gave the second of a series of readings from Shakspere, at the Whittington Club. The play selected for the reading was Romeo and Juliet. Miss Kelly's delivery of the exquisite poetry of the drama was pleasing and judicious, the various characters being admirably individualised. The large room was well filled Tile EXPECTED HIGH TlDES.—Yesterday notices were posted in various parts of Lambeth and other districts, near the water-side, cautioning the inhabitants against the high tides that are expected to visit the Thames. The following remarks concerning the same may be read with some interest:—" High tides may be expected on or about the 29th of October to the Ist of November, and from the 10th of the same month to the 15th, and from the 24th of November to the Ist of December; also on the 9th of December, the 15th, 24th, to the Ist of January, 1849. The height of the tide will of course depend on the wind. If from the northern points, and blowing hard, the tides may be anticipated unusually high, from the great quantity of rain which has fallen, and the amount of land water now about the locks on the river. Every precaution should therefore be taken by owners and tenants near the shores in sufficient time, as the destruction of property is likely to be most disastrous."
The Sun. — 1848-07-18 (London, England)

THE LONDON COUPES AND EATING-ROUSE KEEPERS' ASSOCIATIdN.—The half-yearly meeting of the friends and supporters of this institution was held last evenin at Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen-street, Lincoln's Inn fields—Mr. George Chislett, the president, in the chair. From the report, which was read by the Sgeretary, it appeared that the funded property of the institution, which on, last year was 1,916/. 3s. Bd., had been augmented by the interest to 1,9891. Bs. 101., which, with a balance in the treasurer's hands of 691. 115. 10d., made the total amount 2,058/. 18s. 9d. The number of pensioners on the funds was five. The report having. been adopted, the presidents and officers for the ensuing half-year were elected; after which, the proceedings terminated. SUICIDE ON THE SOUTII DEVON RA,lL:a,riiyea Far. Saturday, the 15th of July, a policeman ley, who has been about six weeks employed at the new station, Ivy-bridge, destroyed himself while on duty, by sitting on one of the transoms of the railroad just • to the approach of the 730 A.NI. up-train. previous The deceased selected a position on the Plymouth side of the Slade Viaduct, where there is a cure© so short that command of the road cannot be had beyond a distance of a few chains, and it was therefore impossible for the terrified engine-driver to arrest the train in time to prevent the fatal occurrence. The guard-iron of the engine struck Farley's head, killed him instantly, and flung his body under the carriages. The train was the body picked up and conimmediately backed, and veyed to Ivy-bridge. Farley belonged to Denbury, near Newton; he was twenty-three years of age, and unmarried. It is said that he was unsuccessful in some attachment. In his pocket was found a written docu went full of scriptural allusions, and referring to his intended act of self-destruction. .
The Sun. — 1848-07-10 (London, England)

PLYMOUTH, JULY 7.—Her Majesty's ship Tweed, from Hamoaze, and her Majesty's brig Violet, from Barnpool, went into the Sound yesterday; the brig will be paid wages on Saturday and sail for Portsmouth on Sunday. The Express packet was undocked and masted on the sth. The Swift packet was taken into dock for repairs on Wednesday. The merchant brig Jordeson, Captain May, from the Gambia, May 22, landed a mail on the sth, and proceeded with her cargo for Loudun; no passengers.  Yesterday there was a strong wind from E.S.E., with dry clear weather; in the evening it chopped round suddenly to W.S.W.. with thick fog. To-day it blows • stiff breeze from the southward, with occasional showers.  ----SUICIDE AT BLACKFRIAR'e-BRlDGE.—Yesterday Sunday) morning, about a quarter past midnight, an alarm was raised that a female had been seen to mount one of the seats on Blackfriar's-bridge and plunge head foremost into the river. Neerey, the night pierman, instantly put off in a skiff with drags, for the purpose of rescuing, if possible, the party in question. The spot having been pointed out to hue where the female was supposed to have plunged in, Neerey dragged the water for some time, but without being able to find any one; and imagining that the female had been carried away with the tide and drowned, he gave up the search. At daybreak, however, a most appalling scene presented itself. Upon the third pier-head, on the lower side of the bridge, was discovered a middle-aged female lying upon her left side, with her jaw broken, her bead battered in, and covered with blood. At this time the water was nearly ten feet below the spot where the unfortunate creature was lying. A ladder having been procured from the pier, Neerey, with the assistance of the Thames police, succeeded in carrying the female down, and, having placed her in his boat, she was taken ashore, when she was found to be quite dead, and horribly disfigured. Who the unfortunote woman is at present remains unknown. The person who raised the alarm in the first instance stated that she had a child with her on the bridge, that she suddenly pulled off her bonnet and shawl and jumped into the river. He also stated Neitherthat thebe heard the child cry out, " 01 my mother." child nor the shawl has been found. It is supposed into the child, in looking for her mother, must have fallen the water, and also perished.
The Sun. — 1848-07-10 (London, England)

SUICIDE AT BLACKFRIAR'S-BRlDGE.—Yesterday Sunday) morning, about a quarter past midnight, an alarm was raised that a female had been seen to mount one of the seats on Blackfriar's-bridge and plunge head fi)rensost into the river. Neerey, the night pierman, instantly put off in a skiff with drags, for the purpose of rescuing, if possible, the party in question. The spot having been pointed out to hies where the female was supposed to have plunged in, Neerey dragged the water for some time, but without being able to find any one; and imagining that the female had been carried away with the tide and drowned, he gave up the search. At daybreak, however, a most appalling scene presented itself. Upon the third pier-head, on the lower side of the bridge, was discovered a middle-aged female lying upon her left side, with her jaw broken, her head battered in, and covered with blood. At this time the water was nearly ten feet below the spot where the unfortunate creature was lying. A ladder having been procured from the pier, Neerey, with the assistance of the Thames police, succeeded in carrying the female down, and, having placed her in his boat, she was taken ashore, when she was found to be quite dead, and horribly disfigured. Who the unfortunote woman is at present remains unknown. The person who raised the alarm in the first instance stated that she had a child with her on the bridge, that she suddenly pulled off her bonnet and shawl and jumped into the river. He also stated that be heard the child cry out, "01 my mother." Neither the child nor the shawl has been found. It is supposed that the child, in looking for her mother, must have fallen into the water, and also perished. 1 supplyof prime oysters may
The Sun. — 1848-06-16 (London, England)

BIRMINGHAM  RAILWAY. A special general meeting of this company was held yesterday, at the offices in Moorgate-street, to consider the draft of a Bill now before Parliament for the alteration of the line of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway, and for authorising the directors to borrow the sum of 433,0001., the power to do which is given under the Act. To the first part of the business the shareholders present, who were numerous, made no objection. On the resolution for the second being put, Mr. Fielder, of the Stock Exchange, moved an addition, to the effect that the money should be raised by tho issue of preference shares bearing 8 per cent. interest. On this a long discussion arose, in which the probability of raising the money by debentures or calls was strongly debated, and an amendment was moved to limit the power of the directors in raising the money, but ultimately Mr. Fielder's amendment was embodied in the original motion, and thanks having been voted to the Chairman (the Hon. Colonel Clive), the meeting was dissolved.  SINGULAR SUICIDE OF A CHEMlST.—Wednesday afternoon, at three o'clock, Mr. I'. Wakley, M.P., held an inquest at the Hope Arms Tavern, Oxford-street, on the body of Mr. Clement Downes, aged 25, chemist and druggist, of No. 1, Duke-street, Manchester-square, who died from the effects of prussic acid. Mr. Eyre, solicitor,. attended on the part of deceased's friends. Mr. Thomas Alston O'Flaherty deposed that he was a surgeon, and resided at 59, James-street, Oxford -street. He was called to see Mr. Downes about ten minutes past seven on Monday morning. He was then dying, as he understood, from the effects of low fever, of which he had had an attack daring the week. On a post-mortem examination, however, a large quantity of prussic acid was found in deceased's stomach. Mr. William Turner said he was a chemist and druggist, and resided in Rathbone-place. Deceased was his cousin. He last saw him alive about eleven o'clock on Sunday night, at No. 70, Berners-street. He called upon deceased with a friend about seven o'clock in the evening, and found him in bed in a dreadfully low and desponding state of mind, reading the Bible. He said he should never be happy in this world again. They made him get up and go out with them for a walk, thinking it would relieve him, and having partaken slightly of supper, ho went home. Had frequently heard him express himself in great trouble about an income-tax paper which had been left him, and he appeared apprehensive that he should not fill it up properly. That preyed much on his mind. In answer to questions the witnesses stated that the deceased frequently alluded to the circumstance of the assistant to his predecessor (Mr. Farmer) having committed suicide by taking prussic acid, in the same bed-room he occupied, and which occurred about eight or nine months back. The Coroner having alluded to the painful circumstances of the case, the jury returned a verdict—" That deceased died from having taken prussic acid, whilst in an unsound state of mind." AN
The Sun. — 1848-03-28 (London, England)

OCCUIIIZENACEN IN ESSEX. 17ticvottrti t to Much sensation has been created in the county of Essex, by an occurrence of a very tragical nature, which took place at Rayleigh, on Thursday list. It appears that on the previous evening Mr. Thomas Roberts, a tradesman of that place, who was the nephew of the Mayor of Rochester, returned home about twelve o'clnck at night, after playing a rubbsr of whist with some friends. He appeared in excellent spirits, and having smoked a pipe with his assistant and apprentice, they all retirtd to bed. Mr. Roberts went into the bedroom of the two young men partly dressed, with a candle in one hand and a pistol in the other, and, in a hurried manner, desired them to get up, and cell in some neighbours, for there were seven or eight men in the house, who declared they would have his money or his life. They immediately ran out, and upon returning, they found Mr. Roberts on the stairs, with the pistol lying by his side, and his brains blown out. A surgeon was quickly brought in, but life was quite extinct. There was not the slightest appearance of any forcible entrance into the house, but in the sitting room a candle was burning, and eight wineglasses, each containing a small quantity of gin, were standing on the table. Nothing was missed from any part of the house. A Coroner's inquest was held on Friday last to inquire into the circumstances of this very mysterious affair. The CORONER, upon the opeaing of the case, said that the first account he had heard of the occurrence impressed him siith the idea that the deceased had destroyed himself, but since his arrival in Rayleigh, he was induced to think it might be the result of accident. Several witnesses were examined, who detailed evidence to the effect already stated. The CORONER, having read over the depositions, observed that the strong presumptton was, that the deceased, when he spoke of robbers being in the house, must have been labouring under some extraordinary mental delusion, for after the most searching investigntion nothing had been detected at all calculated to justify that assertion. It was very difficult to assign any rational motive for such an assertion, even had the deceased contemplated suicide, there being nothing to prevent him. The case was involved in mystery, which no further inquiry was likely to dispel. It was probable that the wound which caused death was the result of accident ; at all events, the safest course to adopt would be to return such a verdict as would leave the matter open to further inquiry, should fresh evidence be obtained. The jury, accordingly, returned a verdict, " That the deceased, Thomas Roberts, came to his death from a pistol wound, but how or by whom inflicted there was no evidence to show." The CORONER then granted his warrant for the interment of the body, and the proceedings terminated.  Anna, Walker's Mushroom, Young Lottery, Profligate, The Chandler, and Gipsey Queen, also started, but were not placed.