npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1879-08-01 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SUICIDE. At the Borough Police Court on Monday, before J. E. Roberts, Esq., a young man named George Young, who has been employed on board the schooner Anne, was brought up on a charge of being drunk and riotous, jumping into the harbour, and attempting to commit suicidal P.C. Hansford said he was called to the Quay on Saturday night, and found the prisoner in the water. He was assisted out by a man named Frank Ford. When they got him out of the water he attempted to jump in again. He had every appearance of being drunk, and witness locked him up for safety. Frank Ford, master of a ballast lighter, was called. He sail he did not see the beginning of the affair. He saw the prisoner in the water, and in attempting to get him out he tried to pull witness in too. He did not know whether he was drunk or sober, but he was crazed by some means. They got a rope on to him, but he managed to slip it off and get clear. When they got him out he tried to get into the water again. He was very violent. The prisoner said be was "regular drunk" and did not know anything that had happened. A seaman belonging to the same vessel who was in court said he was all right when he was free from drink, but drink always took an effect upon him. Supt. Vickery said there had been a row on board, and the prisoner had a knife in his hand. The knife was taken away and he then jumped overboard. Mr. Robens said it was • very serious charge. He might have lost his life, and as he had owned to being drunk it would have been a sad thing to have died under such circumstances. However, if he would promise to be careful in the future he would dismiss him with a fine of 10s., hut if ever be was guilty of any disorderly conduct he would moat assuredly be committed. The prisoner promised to go home as quick as he could, and was thereupon discharged.
Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1879-05-16 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

BWANAG E.  SAD SUICIDE FROM A PLEASURE STEAMER An inquest was held at the Belle Vats Assembly-room, Bournemouth, on Tuesday, before Mr. J. Druitt, jun., coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr. H. Joy was foreman, touching the death Of JIHIONI Backell, who committed suicide from the Royal Saxon steamboat, near Old Harry Rooks, on Saturday. Mr. James Backell, store-keeper at the Victoria Docks, Gravesend, said he was the eldest son of the deceased, who was 64 years of age. His father was agent to the Victoria Dock Company, at Gravesend. Dr. Nesbitt, of Gravesend, had attended him for twelve months for bronchitis and weakness of the heart, and by his advice he came to Bournemouth seven weeks ago for change of air. He was a great sufferer, and at times he did net seem conscious of what be did. The deaeased had his wife with him at Bournemouth. He was in comfortable circumstances. Miss Emily Filson, of Swanage, said she came from Swanage to Bournemouth on board the Royal Saxon, on Saturday. She saw deceased sitting on the steps of the paddle box, and when the vessel was near Old Harry Rocks he stood up, placed his hat on the rail, and jumped Into the water. She screamed, and the steamer was stopped immediately, a boat lowered, and the deceased picked up and brought on board. Mr. William., master of the Royal Saxon, said that steamboat made a trip to Swanage, on Saturday. The deceased came on board at Bournemouth, and did not go whore at Swanage. where the vessel only remained about a quarter of an hour. The steamer left Swanage at quarter-past twelve, and when near Old Harry he heard a cry of "Man overboard." He stopped the vessel at once, lowered a boat, and picked up the deceased and brought him on board. He was finatine on his face, and did not move after he rJached him. He tried to restore animation, but there was no sign of life. On the war to Swanage deceased told him he was very bad, and he seemed more reserved than usual. He bad previously told him that he had been in the navy. He should think eight minutes elapsed from the time be heard the cry " Man overboard" till he reached the deceased. He brought the body to Bournemouth, and gave it in charge of the police. P.C. Luck produced a quantity of stones, weighing 7oza, which were found in the deceased's coat pocket. P.C. Brown proved that he saw deceased picking up similar stones in Madevia-road on Saturday morning about ten o'clock. Mrs. Matilda Brown, of Oxford-road, said deceased and his wife had occupied her apartments for the last seven weeks. Deceased went out about ten o'clock on Saturday morning, and ordered his dinner before doing so. The Coroner having summed up, the jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst in an unsound state of mind."
Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1879-06-06 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

ATTFMPTED SUICIDE AT PORTLAND.—On Tuesday, at the County Hall, before Mr. E. Pearce, Fanny Ann Crocker. residing at Caundlemarsh, was charged with Attempting to commit suicide. Defendant was the niece of Mary Ann Chipp, and had been s'aying with her for about three months. She had been in low spirits for some time. On the strength of a letter (which was produced) which she supposed had come from defendant's mother, but the defendant afterwards owned that she had written it, she drove her to Yetminster station and put her into the train for Weymeuth.—William Crocker, of West End Farm, Warfield, Berkshire, defendant's father, on the doctor's recommendation, had taken her to her aunt's, at Caundlemlrsh, and on Mond the 2nd of June, he had a telegram frow Dr. McLean saying that defendant was; under his care, and that she was to be sent to Dorchester. He thereupon left for Dorchester. When he got there he went to the police office and was told she was at Portland.—Maria Flew, of Portland, saw defendant on the top of the Chesil Beach about a quarter to eleven on Saturday night. The defendant then ran down over the beach towards the sea. When she saw her again she was in the water, that was about tet, minutes after. She then went and told James Wallis. and he went to her and dragged her out; she was lying on her back, and if she had stayed much longer she would have been drowned. Defendant said, when he took her out, "You won't be cruel to me."—William Crocker was recalled, and said that defendant was in very low spirits about two months or six weeks ago, and she then said an old gipey woman had cast bid wishes upon her because she would not have her foehme told. He was then bound over in the num of £2O that his daughter should keep the peace with herself for six months.
Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1879-02-07 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

SHOCKING MURDER AND SUICIDE.  A discharged railway servant named Choate, living at 39, Widterstreet, Bethnal-green-road, his wile, and his dauglata r, aged rix, were found on Tuesday morning in their room, with their throats cut in • horrible manner. The man and the child were dead, while the WOUkan, althOUgh still alive, is in • very precarious condition. It Is believed that the man that killed his child, then attempted to murder his wife, and afterwards committed au ride. The murderer and suicide had barely reached 21 years of sgr, and his wife is ill her 19 la year, and the baby was only six months old. For three weeks past Cheale had Lem out of work, having, it was s 'id, lost his situ ition on the Great R istern Railway throuzh inattention and bad timekeeping. He bad at appeared to seek for work since, and bad express. d his opinion that they would come to want. No sound f quarrel or disagreement Wa4 heard during the nicht. Sno after eight o'clock on Tuesday morning a scuffling noise in the bedroom occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Cbeale attracted attention. Tue orcopier's wife, Mrs. Porter, heard Mrs. Cheale exclaim—" You've done enough, John." Then Mr. Porter ran utestairs an i called through the door, &skim( what oaf the matter, but, no answer being returned, he waited, and then in a minute or two heard a sound "like the splash of • lot of water falling on the ground.' That was followed by a fall, and Porter at once dashed in the door with his foot. On the bed which stood facing the door Ise Mrs. Choate covered with blood, ands wide gash in her throat. At her feet, in • corner on the bed, lay the baby, with ila thrust cut and its head nearly severed from its body, and on the floor near the window the body of John Cheale lay in • mass of hie xi which fl.twed all round men, lie was raised and was alive, but bleeding from a wound in the throat, which nearly parted the windpipe. A table lint fe, sharp pointed, and thin in the blade, lay on the bed, and on the fluor was a its' mm, both having evidenily been used. Bsfore • doctor arrived John Cheek had expired, and the we tics' senile. men also pronounced the baiiy to be dead. Mrs. Cheale, however, he thought might be saved; but he bound her suffering from fifteen or twenty wounds on all parts of her body, the moat a rious being one in the throat extending nearly from ear to ear, but not injuring, it was thought, the windpipe. That wnuud was seen up, and the others having bran dressed, Mrs. Cheale was left in bed until late in the afternoon, *iv n she was sufficiently recovered to be removed ti the London Hospital. Mrs. Cheale bavin sorneab it recovered, managed to ask for her baby, as if she did not know its fate. It was then deemed wbo to keep the fact of the child'a death from her, but later in the afternoon, when the bodies of her husband and child had been removed to the district mortuary pending the Inquest, sh 3 was told.  MONEY! MONEY!! MONEY!!!
Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1883-01-05 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

TUE WINNERS OF THE DERBY,  OLIO, ST. LAM, WATERLoo COP, BOAT Lim, AND  Qom's PnuEs.  ACTS OF LAST SESSION,  Suicides—Acts affecting Guardians of tho Poor— Divided Parishes—Assessment and Collection—Suppression of Mendicity ; Now Law on Ancient Monuments—the Electric Lighting Act—the Bills of lialo Act, with authorised form of Bill of Sale—Beer Dealers,  THE MARRIED WOMAN'S PROPERTY ACT  (IN k I'LL).  Settled Landed Estates—power to sell.  Royal Family—tho Cabinet—tho Ministry.  ALFHABETICAL LIST OF MEMDEItS OF THE HOUSE Or  COMMONS,  Revised for the year. Local Members for the five counties, with short biographies and last polls. County Officials, Dorset and Somerset. Diocesan Officials, Sarum and Bath and Wells. The Magistrates of Dorset and Somerset, with post addresses. Record of the Weather and the Seasons from 1826 to 1881. Dorset Sheep—New Agricultural Machinery in the past 12 months—the Agricultural Returns of last year —Cheese Imported—Horse Food—Horses without Shoes—Hay Saving—Table Fowl—Average Gazette Prices of Wheat, Barley, and Oats in each month since 1875. Useful Tables :—Markoting—Calculating Weights and Measures (including Dorset lug, cable's length, span 7 hand, nail, &c.)—Fronch Measures—Foreign Monies—Table of Descent, &c., &c.  GLEANINGS FROM THE BLUE BOOYS OF THE YEAR :-Population , Area, Value, Electors of the Five Counties and their Boroughs, and the County Treasurers' Accounts of the Five Counties. The Pay of all tho Groat Officers and Chief Officials in the various Government Departments. The Population of the Countries of tho World. The Civil List—Annuities and Pensions—Salaries for Courts of Justioo, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Income Tax—National Debt, Revenue and Expenditure of the Nation. The Rates of all Taxes and Imposts—British Tariff —Probate Duties—Stamps Postages Imports and Exports—Population sinco 1866—Property Assessed to Income Tax and to Logacy Duty—Extent, Capital, &c., Railways—Numbers of the Army, Auxiliary Form, Police, Emigrants, &c.  I
Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1883-12-28 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

THE SCOTCH CLERICAL DIVORCE CASE. Lord Lee, in giving judgment on Friday in the case of Mrs. Robins C. H. Whyte. who had sought to be divorced from her husband, the Rev. John Whyte, minister of Queensferry, on the ground of improper conduct, said, referring to the visite of Janet Marshall, that he was forced to the conclusion that they, on the occasions referred to. were not for a religious purpose. In regard to the case of the servant, Margaret Young, he thought her story was to be believed. From the time her conduct was discovered she had never wavered in her assertion that Mr. Whyte was the father of her child, and the certificates given by the Defender and his daughter when she left showed there was nothing against her character. His Lordship referred t 3 what he called " offic ous visits" of the two Elders to Elizabeth Haldane, who fled from the Manse at half-pact three in the morning, and believed her reason was not that given by the Defender. In the case of a minister of the Gospel his conduct could not be considered ,n a different way from that which guided A Judge in the case of ordinary people. Oa the whole he believed Margaret Young s evidence, and did not believe the Defender's. Therefore he found the charges proved, and gave decree of divorce accordingly with xpenaes. The decision is to be appealed against by the Defender.  _ AT a private meeting of the Mid•Lincoinshire Liberal Association, held at Lincoln, on Friday, Lord Monson in the chair, it was decided to contest the division at the next election, and a committee Was appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the selection of a candidate. The ittin4 members tor the division are Mr. Henry Chaplin and the Hon. E. St inhope. MR. THEODORE MAY, a well•known horse dealer in Paris, shet himself en Wednesday evening on the quay near the Pont de la Concorde. Death was instantan. ous. He was in his seventy-third year. The cause of the suicide is said ti have been the loss of a law suit in connection with a thiaernment contract.
Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1883-11-16 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

EXTRAORDINARY TRAGEDY AT DUBLIN. At the Dublin Police-court, on Friday, before Mr. Wootook, Catherine Stevenson, wife of • labourer, was charged with having on July 27th murdered her son, George Stevenson, aged six years, by knocking out his brains with a hammer and a fire-shovel, and also with having on the same occasion attempted to murder her second son, Thomas Stevenson, aged nine years, by fracturing his skull with the same weapons. She was lurther charged with having on the same date attempted to commit suicide by fracturing her skull with a hammer. There was a fourth charge against her of having on Oct. 27th again attempted to commit suicide while in the hospital by cutting her throat with a table-knife. The unfortunate woman, who had become unconscious after she WU brought down to court, was carried into the court by four policemen, and placed on the seat at the solicitors' table, where she remained, apparently in a state of coma, during the investigation. A police-inspector stated that she was better on Thursday, and that her present illness had come suddenly upon her. Evidence was then given as to the discovery of the children in the room—one of them dead, with its brains knocked out, and the other in an apparently dying state, with its skull fractured; and also to the admission of the pi isoner that she had inflicted the wounds, and that she attempted to kill herself. Evidence was Ws.) given of the attempt by the prisoner to commit suicide while in hospital by cutting her throat with a table-knife, which she had concealed under the bedclothes. Mr, B Aton, the Crown solicitor, who prosecuted, tasked that, she should be committed to the Commission for trial, and she would then be committed as a dangerous lunatic, Mr. Woodlock said he would not in the woman's present condition send her for trial, as she was not professionally represented, and had not heard the evidence. He would therefore remand her, and she would be sent back to the hospital. The accused, who still remained uncontmous, was carried out of court and contoyed back to the hospital in a cab.
Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1883-03-02 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

SUICIDE OF A COUNTY CO&BT BAILIFF.  Mr. George Collier held an inquiry at the Town Hall, Shoreditch, on Friday, relative to the death of John Walter. aged 70 years, who had for the last 30 years acted as bailiff to the Shoreditch County Court —Emily Shields stated that she had acted as deceasecre housekeeper for the past 18 months, and last saw him alive in bad on Sunday night. She went to call him next morning, and found him hanging to the bannisters by a stout piece of cord. He had been lately strange in his manner-, and she believed very short of money.—Richard George Clarke, of No. 36, Cornwall-road, Finsbury-park, said he was clerk in the Stioreditch County Cour, and had known deceased for 28 years, and he resided at the court. He was run over by a cab in Wigton in 1881, and broke his arm, and he was then reduced in funds from £2 to 15i. pe. week, there being no funds out of which to pay him, end the secretary refusing any allowance. In November la,t he (witness) drew up a memorial to the Lords of the Treasury, stating that John Walter had been run over in the pursuit of his duty, and so foi [wily injured as to be unable to follow his duties; that he was 68 years of age, and that he had been in the service of the couit for 35 years, during which time his wages had ranged from 255. to .£2 ; that he had no private mein., and asking for some grant by way of pension. Oa the 2nd of January last an answer was received declining to accede to the request of the memorialists. Witritss added that he had never found the deceased of solintemperate habits as had been described while Fe was fulfilling ha dutie., and that he had become greatly depressed on the receipt of the refusal, which the witness had no hesitation in saying had caused him to commit suicide.—The Coroner having summed up, the jury found that the deceased committed suicide while of unsound mint. The juy said tey were strongly of impression that the dec,es-d ehould have had some provision made for him after 35 years' service, and thought the reduction from £2 to 15i, was a most unjust one, and hoped, at least, that the coroner would communicate that to the Proper authorities.
Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1883-04-06 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

EXTRAORDINARY ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE. At Gloucester, on Friday, Thomas Taylor, an old man, was charged with attempting to commit suicide on Thursday. The prisoner purchesed two ounces of gunPo ',der, and in the evening he went to his son's how° in Philip.street, where he had been sleeping, as he had no home, and told his daughter-in-law that some men had given him some rum. Mrs. Taylor notic A that he looked pale, and he picked up a piece of match-box and walked towards the fire. She then went into the back yard, but returned into the room on hearing a slight explosion. She found the prisoner lying on the id,or wita smoke issuing from his mouth and his whiskers burning, a smell of gunpowder pervading the room. Being frightened, she called in a neighbour, and the latter got some water and roused prisoner from his insensibility. She asked him if be knew what he had d me, and he said "Yes, he was tired of his life, and his troubles had driven him to do the deed." Mr. A. M. Sydney Turner, surgeon, examined him and found that he was in a partially conscious condi, tion, and could only speak with the greatest difficulty. His lips were vary much swollen, and as far as he could see, the inside of the prisoner's mouth was partly blackened and putty raw. His chin end whiskers were scorched. He considered him to be quite sane. P.S. Chrichley stated that prisoner was taken into custody in August, MS, and charg.td with attemptirg to commit suicide by rutting his throat. The prisoner wise presented a miserable appearance, was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.  There is nothing more nourishing and warming in cold weather than a cup a really good Cocoa, but the difficulty ha a 'man to obtain it pure. This may be secured at a cost of one half-penny ter a large breakfast cup by using Cadbury Cocoa, which goes three times as far as tha adulterated and starchy compounds ordinarily sold, the smaliest packet making fourteen breakfast cups of strong Cocoa.
Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1883-01-19 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

SINGULAR SUICIDE.  An inquiry was held on Friday at the Eagle Tavern, Me-end-road, in the en camstances connected with the death of Mr. Arthur Whitcomb Billinghurst, aged 34, the proprietor of the 011 Rod Ciw Tavein, Mile-and-road, who wrs found dead.—Mr. J. IL Aitken, 67, Mile-endread, stated that he acted as manager to rhe deceased, who w • also be ncle. For some days previous to his death the deco -ed apne:ed to be somewhat unwell; and on Tuesday morning he got ape' int ',ic o'clock and went out, but returned about an hoer later. He then told witness thot he thought he should go away until the silght, as the house was sold. Deceased then went upotr ir to It's bedroom end a itnees saw nothing more of him de-ing tse rest of the day. About nine o'clock as he did not come dava stairs, witnesss mother went up and knocked at the bedroom door, but ahe did not rat :lye any r-sivcr. About a quarter to one la the morning witness went up and knooked at the door, butcould not get any answer. Re then called the sheriffs officer, who was in possession, and they forced the door open. The deceased was lying dead on the bed: end he also saw the card p educed, on one aide of which there were some words in the hand-writing of the deceased. The words were:—" Mrs. R thinson,—Good-bye I I have died naturally—not of poison. All the jewellery is yours, Including the wateh and ring." On the other side were the lines— "Go by, swift years, go by I Silver Mae hair, and dim the eye. Take all we have; but, till we die, Leave ue, oh, leave us memory." —Mr. William Fordham. surgeon, stated that when he was called to the densased he was quite dead, and had been so for several hours. There were no marks of violence, and no appearance of any struggle.—Professor ilaywatt Tidy stated that death was due to opium.— After some collet-ligation the jury returned a verdict that r Deceased oorou ii.ed suicide whilst of rriouad mind."