npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1861-07-11 (London, England)

THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY.  The half-yearly general court of this society was held yesterday at the offices of the institution, 'l 'rafalgar-square, Mr. B. B. Cubbell in the chair. Among others present were Sir Walter Stirling, Mr. T. E. Baker, Dr. Christian, Capt. Cartwright, Mr. Octavius Ommanney, Mr. Case, &c: The minutes of previous courts having been read and confirmed, the secretary, Mr. Lambton Young, read the report of the society's operations since the last general court in December. From this it appeared that the number of cases brought under the cognisance of the various committees in which lives had been placed in imminent danger was 75 ; in these 81 persons had been successfully treated by the officers of the society, but seven were beyond recovery. The number of cases of attempted suicide for the same time had been 10 ; and 9 eases had been referred to the general court for the award of the silver medal of the society. The Hyde Park cases reported since December last were 36, of which 32 were treated successfully, three were beyond recovery, and one person found drowned ; four attempted suicide. On the motion of the chairman the report was adopted. The silver medal of the society was then awarded to the following : —To Mr. Alexander Golland, vice-consul at Pernambuco, for saving aman named Johnson, who accidentally fell into the river Jabalao, Pernambuco, on the Ist of November,lBs9 ; to Capt. C. Goldsmid, of the ship Melazzo, for saving a Garibaldiaa volunteer, who fell overboard in Gibraltar bay on the 27th of September, 1860 ; to Mr. Stephen Court, master, Royal Navy, for saving William Who Wire, ablebodied seaman,; of H.M.S. Calcutta, _, accidentally fell ie to the river Peiho, China! t.,..r.L 1858 ; to John Fraser, aged 16, a boydet -t1 L gulf Chesapeake, for saving a seaman narTe.rt Aplin, who accidendally fell overbtoaldBo ; to of Pecheli, China, on the 11th S Royalep Artillery, for Elkanaht_e Gunner Alexander Beady, of _thuerke, fythe sane corps, by the tide in trying to save Gunner MB who was being rapidly carried Island, Pembrokeshire, on the a heavy sea at Thorn Ellis, ablebodied • to Samuel seaman,3lst Dec., 1860 , both of H.M.S. and John Bate,Cambridge, awoa for saving Thomas Stevens, ablebodied seaman of the same vessel, who fell an overboard in the harbour at Devonport on the 21st February last ; to Lieut. G. Fitzroy. RN., and. Wm. Metters, abAebodied 1 seaman, of H. M.S. Termagant, for saving Frederick Pringle, seaman, who fell overboard at sea on the 19th January last ; to Lieut. J. H. Coxon, R.N., of H M.S. Hero, for saving Alexander Thorn,. caulker, who fell overboard at sea on the 24th April last; and to Lieut. Arthur Allington, of H.M.S. Megeera, for saving J. Brown, a private in the Royal Engineers, who, being lunatic, jumped overboard in the Bay of Biscay on the sth' May last; Some. discussion took place in reference to the Royal Humane S. • .ciety granting medals in cases of saving life from fire, and other business of a• mere formal nature having been transacted, a vote of thanks wa.s passed to the chairman,:and the court adjourned.
The Sun. — 1861-07-11 (London, England)

DARING ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE IN A PUBLIC110USE.—A respectably attired woman, who gave the name of Ann Bishop, residing at 13, Pool'sbuildings, and who seemed in a very excited state, was placed at the bar before Mr. Barker, charged with attempting to commit suicide, by taking a quantity of sugar of lead, at the Blue Lion publichouse, Gray's Inn-road. From the evidence it appeared that the defendant and three men entered the above public-house, and were served with a pot of beer. _When the defendant took up the pot to drink, she put it to her mouth with both hands, and when she had drank she said, " I have done it—l have taken poison." Thinking that this was only done for the purpose of making a disturbance, both the defendant and her companions were ordered out. As soon as they had got outside some white powder was found in the pot, and the person who had served the beer, finding that the woman had fallen, and apparently was in a very bad state, seht for Police-constable Turner' 157 G, who found her lying on the pavement, and he took from her hand a paper which was labelled " poison." The constable took the woman to the Royal Free Hospital, where she was seen by the house surgeon, and the stomach-pump being applied, a quantity of sugar of lead was taken from her. The prisoner seemed as if she had been drinking, and before she purchased the poison had been heard to say that she was tired of her life. The defendant, who clasped her hands and seemed ' in a very excited state, exclaimed, " Oh ! where is my husband; he ought to be here." Getting a little cooler, she said that she had been out in the morning, and had seen her husband in company with another woman, and that so upset her that she was determined to take her life. She was now, however, very sorry for what she had done. Mr. Barker, in a very feeling manner, told the prisoner that she had been guilty of one of the worst of crimes, for by taking her own life she was guilty of murder. As she was in such an excited state it would not be right of him to let her go. He would remand her until Tuesday next, and while she was in the House of Detention she would have the good advice of the chaplain. The defendant was removed screaming from the dock.
The Sun. — 1861-08-20 (London, England)

THE " FEMALE BLONDIN."—The deficiency in the arrangment of the rope across the Thames at Cremorne having been remedied, the "Female Blon‘lin" made her second attempt yesterday, and with a success which fully demonstrated the fact stated by us last week, namely, that the only failure was in the appliances. There had been, as our readers will remember, a want of specific gravity in the rope to compensate the specific levity of the rope-walker. One or more of the guys had been found missing ; so that the public mind was re-assured last evening when all was announced to be right, and the anxious gaze of thousands at once perceived in its proper place under the rope " an other guy." The daring equilibrist began her exhibition of skill an hour earlier than on the first occasion. She stood forth in the light of the declining sun, her gold- embroidered dress and white pole gleaming refulgently. Her progress was firm, and at times rapid, the whole distance being traversed in seven minutes, which would• not have been slow walking under ordinary condition of crossing the Thames by way of bridge. So steadily indeed was the feat performed that there is nothing to be said of it but that it was well done. The river was at low tide, so that a great part of the journey was over beds of mud. If any danger of a fall existed—which we are strongly inclined to doubt, seeing the great firmness and courage of the performer—the results arising from such an accident would have been much more serious by this circumstance.  An actor of the name of Vernet, formerly of the Th(!atre des Vari6t6s, who had been two years in the Lunatic Asylum at Charenton, committed suicide yesterday by hanging himself by his braces to a nail in his chamber, Ile was no relation to the celebrated comedian of the same  name. We regret to announce the death of M. Aguado, Marquis de las Marismas del Guadalquivir, which took place on Friday last at his residence in the Rue de la Ville-1' E veque. M. Juillerat, President of the Consistory of the Reformed Church of Paris, has ben promoted to the rank of Officer in the Legion of Honour ; and M. Vermeil, one of the pastors, nominated to that of Knight. The French Prefect of Police has fixed on the Ist September for the opening of the shooting season in the department of the Seine. It will also commence on the same day in the departments of the Seine-et-Oise, Seineet•Marne, Seine-Inferieure, and Eure.
The Sun. — 1861-06-12 (London, England)

THAMES.  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.--DISAPPOINTED AT NOT SEEING BLONDIN.—JuIia Keating, aged 23 years, and the wife of an huosro h, dwelling Li m before Mr. Woolrych, charged aenhcos, m w i tae brought with attempting self-destruction in the Regent's Canal. A constable named Wildman, in the employ of the canal company, stated that the prisoner was taken out of the water at Limehouse on Monday night, soon after 11 o'clock, and she then appeared to be almost lifeless. The usual means were used to resuscitate her, which proved successful. She appeared to have been drinking to excess. Thomas Moore, a bargeman, in the employ of Mr. Eltham, stated that he heard a splash in the water close to the barge in which he was employed on Monday night, and immediately hastened on deck, took up a "hitcher" (a long pole with a hook at one end), and after moving it about in the dark for a short time, saw what appeared a woman's bonnet and ribbons above the water. He then got the "hitcher" under her clothes, kept her afloat, and hallooed as loud as he could for help. Assistance was soon given, and he hauled her on shore with as much care as he was able, and saved her. She was in the water some time, and among the barges, and he was surprised she was not drowned. Mr. Woolrych—You have behaved very well in the matter, and that woman owes her life to your promptness. The prisoner, in defence, said that she made the attempt upon her life in the height of passion. The husband of the prisoner here advanced towards the witness-box, and said his wife was rather annoyed with him on Monday because he went to the Palace without her. Mr. Woolrych—What Palace do you mean ? The Husband—The Crystal Palace. I went there on Monday with a few mates to see Blondin on the tight rope. She wanted to go there herself. Mr. Woolrych—To see Blondin ? The Prisoner—Yes, sir; I wanted to see Blondin at the Crystal Palace, and my husband would not take me. word, this is a very sad you have committed is thing.Mr WToho elr wickedness l , ouf p the mya t only equalled by its folly. Under the inflaence of a disappointment like this:you:try to sacrifice your own life. I will send you to the House of Detention for a week, where you will receive good advice from the Chaplain, and hope you will come out impressed with the sinfulness and folly of the act you have committed.  The husband—Will you let me take her home now if you please.  Mr. Woolrych reluctantly discharged the prisoner, and delivered her to the care of her husband. He did hope that she would see the error of her way s. At the suggestion of Mr. Pyer, the chief clerk, the magistrate ordered that Moore should receive 20s. from the poor-box fund, and said to him he had done a very kind and a humane act,
The Sun. — 1861-06-12 (London, England)

THAMES.  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. DISAPPOINTED AT NOT SEEING BLoNDIN.—JuIia Keating, aged 23 years, and the wife of an anchorsmitb., dwelling at No. 28, Tomlin's -terrace, Limehouse, was brought before Mr. Woolrych, charged with attempting self-destruction in the Regent's Canal. A constable named Wildman, in the employ of the canal company, stated that the prisoner was taken out of the water at Limehouse on Monday night, soon after 11 o'clock, and she then appeared to be almost lifeless. The usual means were used to resuscitate her, which proved successful. She appeared to have been drinking to excess. Thomas Moore, a bargeman, in the employ of Mr. Eltham, stated that he heard a splash in the water close to the barge in which he was employed on Monday night, and immediately hastened on deck, took up a "hitcher" (a long pole with a hook at one end), and after moving it about in the dark for a short time, saw what appeared a woman's bonnet and ribbons above the water. He then got the "hitcher" under her 'clothes, kept her afloat, and hallooed as loud as he could for help. Assistance was soon given, and he hauled her on shore with as much care as he was able, and saved her. She was in the water some time, and among the barges, and he was surprised she was not drowned. Mr.tte Woolrych—You hY r, and The prisoner, in defence, said that she made the attempt upon her life in the height of passion. lt r that woman ou owes have her behaved life to your promptness. very well in the ma The husband of the prisoner here advanced towards the witness-box, and said his wife was rather annoyed with him on Monday because he went to the Palace without her. Mr. Woolrych—What Palace do you mean ? The Husband—The Crystal Palace. T went there on Monday with a few mates to see Blondin on the tight rope. She wanted to go there herself. Mr. Woolrych—To see Blondin ? The Prisoner—Yes, sir ; I wanted to see Blondin at the Crystal Palace, and my husband would not take me. Mr. Woolrych—Well, upon my word, this is a very sad thing. The wickedness of the act you have committed is only equalled by its folly. Under the influence of a disappointment like this:you:try to sacrifice your own life. I will send you to the House of Detention for a week, where you will receive good advice from the Chaplain, and hope you will come out impressed with the sinfulness and folly of the act you have committed. The husband—Will you let me take her home now if you please.  Mr. Woolrych reluctantly discharged the prisoner, and delivered her to the care of her husband. Re did hope that she would see the error of her way s. At the suggestion of Mr. Pyer, the chief clerk, the magistrate ordered that Moore should receive 20s. from the poor-box fund, and said to him he had, done a very kind aud kulano act,
The Sun. — 1861-06-03 (London, England)

SUICIDE.—George Ball Stokes, clerk to Messrs. Harrison, printers, St. Martin's-lane, yesterday morning committed suicide by hanging himself in the water-closet of a house in Little Queen-street. Medical assistance was sent for, when it was discovered that life had been extinct for some time. Notice of the circumstance has been trans • mitted to the coroner.  Proposals have been issued by Messrs. J. Hart and Co. for sulecriptions to the River Salado Steam Navigation Company, constituted with a capital of £240,000. The_object is to introduce an effective steamboat system on the River Salado, which is navigable for 1,100 miles through the most important interior ,provinces of La Plata, and joins the Parana about 250 or 300 miles above Buenos Ayres. The vessels would connect with those which run each week from the mouth of the Salado to Buenos Ayres, and thus, by the aid of the Royal Mail steamers and those of the French Company, the richest portions of the country, even to the confines of Bolivia, would be placed in direct communication alternately each fortnight with Southampton and Bordeaux. It is stated that at present the consumption of European, articles in districts connected with the Salado is £1,200,000 per annum, while the average export of produce, much of especially which now takes its way via the Pacific, exceeds £1,600,000, almost cotton.mostinde A indefinite increase,gruaranGe of nine as snd riesgarcdapsabtole offbaocco and per cent. has been granted by the Government of the Republic on £lOO,OOO of the capital, and is to be obtained on the remainder before the full amount is called up. A donation has likewise been made of 2,700 square miles of land in the provinces of Santa Fe, Santiago, and Salta ; and Senor Molina, the Foreign Minister at Parana, and Senor de la Riesta, the Finance Minister of Buenos Ayres, are members of the Committee of Superintendence. A reduction of 50 per cent. is also to be allowed from all duties on the importation of merchandise introduced by company's boats. The chief subscriptions are apparently expected at Paris, in Spain, and at Buenos Ayres. M. Estevan Rams, an influential resident at Santa Fe, is the concessionnairc and gerant,
The Sun. — 1861-06-03 (London, England)

SIIICIDE.—George Ball Stokes, clerk to Messrs. . Harrison, printers, St. Martin's-lane, yesterday morning committed suicide by hanging himself in the water-closet of a house in Little Queen-street. Medical assistance was sent for, when it was discovered that life had been extinct for some time. Notice of the circumstance has been transmitted to the coroner. Proposals have been issued by Messrs. J. Hart and Co. for subscriptions to the River Salado Steam Navigation Company,constituted with a capital of £240,000. The:object is to introduce an effective steamboat system on the River Salado, which is navigable for provinces f m! L eas h '.—portant interior tiu pl'aotar anth m de jmos Th o st the Parana about 250 or 300 miles above Buenos Ayres. The vessels o would connect with those which run each week from the mouth of the Salado to Buenos Ayres, and thus, by the aid of the Royal Mail steamers and those of the French Company, the richest portions of the country, even to the confines of Bolivia, would. be placed in direct communication alternately each fortnight with Southampton and Bordeaux. It is stated that at present the consumption of European articles in districts connected with the Salado is £1,200,000 per annum, while the average export of produce, much of which now takes its way via the Pacific, exceeds £1,600,000, and is capable of almost indefinite increase, especially as regards tobacco and cotton. A guarantee of nine per cent, has been granted by the Government of the Re' public on £lOO,OOO of the capital, and is to be obtained on the remainder before the full amount is called up. A donation has likewise been made of 2,700 square miles of land in the provinces of Santa Fe, Santiago, and Salta; and Senor Molina, the Foreign Minister at Parana, and Senor de la Riesta, the Finance Minister of Buenos Ayres, are members of the Committee of Superintendence. A reduction of 50 per cent. is also to be allowed from all duties on the importation of merchandise introduced by company's boats. The chief subscriptions are apparently expected at Paris, in Spain, and at Buenos Ayres. M. Estev an Rams, an influential reaidet at Santa Fe, is tho cimeessionains sad Wadi
The Sun. — 1861-10-18 (London, England)

THE HOUSE OF DETENTION. _ _  On the report from this prison being presented, Mr. Sergeant PAYNE called the attention of the Court to the fact that there was no mention in the report of the case of a man named Ryan, who had, by order of the governor, been forcibly thrust into a bath with his clothes on, and held under the water. Had the matter been investigated by the committee, and, if it had, why was it not mentioned in the report of the committee ? Mr. WYATT, chairman of the committee, said legal proceedings had been threatened against the Governor for the matter, and, though it had been inquired into by the committee, they did not renort upon it, as they thought it better to await the result of the action, if it was brought. Mr. Sergeant PAYNE stated that he had been informed, since he had been in court, that an offer of V) had been made to the poor man Ryan to settle the affair. He thought that if the matter had been inquired into by the committee, the result of their inquiry ought not to be withheld from the Court. The Court had nothing to do with any action arising out of the affair; what they had to deal with was the question whether the Governor had or had not done his duty properly. The Court had to deal with their own officer, without considering any legal consequences which might fall upon him upon any charge made against him. Besides this, there was a case of a prisoner being sent for trial with a stone in his pocket, which he threw at the prosecutor, and one of a warder named Morley, who had been in the service of the county many years, and had been a soldier 11 previously, who committed suicide in Hornsey-fields in August last, after having complained of the tyrannical and severe conduct of the new Governor, Captain Codd. The charge was one of undue severity and tyranny against the Governor. Was it true or not ? If it was true, it was a matter for a severe rebuke and reprobation on the Governor; if it was not true, the Governor ought to have received at the hands of the committee an opportunity of defending himself. Further, it appeared by public accounts in the papers that the Governor had refased permission to officers to see prisoners for the purpose of identification to serve the ends of justice, which had afterwards been granted by superior authority.  Mr. WYATT said that refusal was by order of the committee.
The Sun. — 1861-01-18 (London, England)

DISTRESSING SUICIDE IN ST. PANCRAS.--YesJohn Evan terday morningoxi on was committed by Mr. fliths, the r self-destructi • p oprietor of a long-established businessofsilversmith and pawnbroker, in Ossulston-street, Somers's-town. It appears that the unfortunate gentleman, wbo is about 38 years of age, has for some time last been suffering from an affection of the liver, on account of which ho had been under the treatment of Dr. Chalk, of Marylebon e, and which had the effect of rendering him exceedingly nervous and low-spirited. Some few days since, on returning with his gig from the railway station, Mr. Griffiths drove through the City, but on arriving in Calthorpe- street , where there was but little light, a man, who is said to have been crosing the road at the time, and attempted to pass directly under the horse's head, was knocked down, and so seriously injured that he was conveyed to the Royal Free Hospital, where ho expired on Monday. Since this event the depression of spirits of the deceased increased to a perfect melancholy, which appeared to have been materially augmented from the fact that the summoning officer waited upon him at a late hour on ednesday night, and remained some time in conversation with him upon the subject of the inquest to be held on the unfortunate man to• day. Mr. Griffiths, on retiring to rest, complained of being unwell. Yesterday morning, about eight o' clock, when one of his employees entered his room as usual for some keys, he discovered his master suspended by the neck, by means of a cord, to the bedpost. The body was at once cut down, and Dr. Magennis, of Euston-road, was sent for. Bleeding and other remedies were resorted to, as the body was still warm, but without effect. Mr. Griffiths was highly respected throughout the neighbourhood for his liberality and good feeling to his tenants and ne . hours. He was a vestryman of St. Pancras, and in capacity was also much esteemed. that
The Sun. — 1861-01-18 (London, England)

DISTRESSING SUICIDE IN ST. PANCRAS.--•Yesterday morning self-destruction was committed by Mr. John Evan Griffiths, the proprietor of a long-established business of silversmith and pawnbroker, in 0 ssulston-street, Somers's-town. It appears that the unfortunate gentleman, who is about 38 years of age, has for some time 'past been suffering from an affection of the liver, on account of which he had been under the treatment of Dr. Chalk, of Maryle • boa e, and which had the effect of rendering him exceedingly nervous and low-spirited. Some few days since, on return-ing with his gig from the railway station, Mr. Griffiths drove through the City, but on arriving in Calthorpe- street, where there was but little light, a man, who is said to have been crossing the road at the time, and attempted to pass directly under the horse's head, was knocked down, and so seriously injured that he was conveyed t• the Royal Free Hospital, where ho expired on Monday. Since this event the depression of spirits of the deceased increased to a perfect melancholy, which appeared to have been materially augmented from the fact that the summoning officer waited upon him at a late hour on Wednesday night, and remained some time in conversation with him upon the subject of the inquest to be held on the unfortunate man to• day. Mr. Griffiths, on retiring to rest, complained of being unwell. Yesterday morning, about eight o'clock, when one of his employees entered hie room as usual for some keys, he discovered his master suspended by the neck, by means of a cord, to the bedpost. The body was at once cut down, and Dr. Magennis, of Euston-road, was sent for. Bleeding and other remedies were resorted to, as the body was still warm, but without effect. Mr. Griffiths was highly respected throughout the neighbourhood for his liberality and good feeling to his tenants and neighbours. He was a vestryman of St. Pancras, and in that capacity was also much esteemed,