npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1878-08-10 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

MURDER AND SUICIDE.  A shocking affair is reported to have occurred in London on Tuesday afternoon in Ben Jonson's-road, Stepney. It appears that a man named Wood has been for some time managing the business at the " Victory " publichouse there for a Mr. Griffiths, who has also another publichouse, the "Walnut Tree," close by. Lately Wood has been very peculiar in his manner, so much so that it was found necessary a short time back to put him under restraint. However, he got better and was thought fit to return to the management of the house. On Monday night, shortly after the house closed, he obtained possession of a doublebarrelled gun which was kept in the place and fired a charge into the ceiling of one of the upstairs rooms. Afterwards he again got the gun and threatened to shoot the barman, who took refuge in a stable at the back of the premises, whither Wood followed him and fired at him as he was getting up into aloft. The charge did not take effect, but the shot penetrated the beam in the stable close by. About 1.30 the police were sent for, D and Sergeant Smith of the Criminal Investigation epartment, accompanied by a constable, proceeded to the house. A man named Gregory, barman at the other house, the "Walnut Tree," had come over to the " Victory " to see if he could do anything towards calming Wood. After the police got to the house, Gregory went into the back parlour, where Wood was sitting, land almost immediately a double report was heard. On Sergeant Smith and the constable rushing into the room, both Wood and the barman, Gregory, were found lying on the ground quite dead. Gregory had been shot through the heart, while Wood, appeared to have held the gun to his mouth and then by some means to have pulled the trigger, blowing his head half off. Dr. Corner was fetched, but his aid was of no avail, as death in each case appeared to have been instantaneous. Wood is said to have been 40 or 43 years of dge, Gregory being about 25.
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1884-02-02 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

SAD CASE OF ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.  In London on Monday, at the Mansion House, John Johnson, described as a waiter, was charged before the Lord Mayor with attempting to commit suicide. On Wednesday in last week the prisoner stabbed himself in the chest at a restaurant in Fenchurch-atreet, and on being asked why he had done it, he said it was owing to the great distress in which his wife and children were. On the police going to his lodging in Bethnal•green a dreadful state of things was found. There was little if any furniture in the place, and the wife, who opened the door, was so weak as to be hardly able tostand. She had seven children in all, some of whom were lying on a rickety bedstead with no clothes on them. In a dark corner other children were huddled together in a naked state, fast asleep in each other's arms. In the fireplace was a little girl of four, with no shoes or stockings, The wife was expecting her confinement daily. The eldest daughter, who was about 18, was nursing an illegitimate child of her own, the father of whom was in a lunatio asylum. The police gave them some money to relieve their Immo. diate necessities. The prisoner's wounds were not serious, and the Lord Mayor discharged him on his promise not to repeat the offence. He also directed the police to report the condition of the family to the relieving officer of the parish, so that they might be helped without delay.  To KEEP WAGONS IN GOOD ORDE:i.--The follow. fng recipe is said to be good for keeping the running. gear of wagons in order. After the woodwork Is made, and before it is put together, soak every part of the runningtear in crude petroleum oil for twenty.four hours ; and then, after nutting it together, wash the same with it from end to end, including the whecis. By so doing once every three months, but litle repair* fag is necessary. The oil prevents the wood tro34 either shrinking or swelling.
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1884-05-31 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

CHB XYSTERIGUS DEATH ON THE GREAT EASTERN RAILWAY.  Mr. C. C. Lewis, coroner for Essex, held an inquest at Ingatestone on Monday, on the body of Arthur Ebenezer Parker Pannifer, a painter, of Colchester, who was found early on the previous Friday morning on the Great Eastern Railway, near Ingatestone, with his head severed from his body. Phcebe Moore, of Great Baddow, said she was, engaged to the deceased, and was to have been married to him on Saturday last. He had been staying for a fortnight at the house of her parents. He was twenty-five on the day of his death. On Thursday she went to London with him. leaving him in the afternoon at Liverpool-street station. He then said he was going to Hendon- to sleep', iind should see his employer, Mr. Willett, on the next day. He had always been of a lively disposition, but seemed rather dull when she left him On Wednesday morning they were going to London, and when near Chelmstord, the deceased said he had lost' his purse containing ..E5, a draft for £52 on a London Loan Society, and the certificate of his license. He seemed to take the loss to heart, and from that time was very quiet. Alfred Sheldrake, a goods guard, deposed to findinc, the body on the railway, the head being completely severed from the body, Police-constable Suttle said he met the deceased on Thursday night near Ingatestone. He was walking slowly and looking into the river, and seemed very downcast. Police-constable Gallagher deposed that on the body he found a telegram to Mr. Ellison, solicitor, of Lincoln's-inn, which ran: "Stop payment of draft, and draw up another for swearing to-morrow (Thursday), as have lost original one.' He also found a copy of a telegram addressed to the Master of the Rolls, Somerset House, worded as follows: "Do not 411614er the licences made out to Pannifer and the°4liceen°ce. ifI.S" redneadxY, as 1 have lost the receipt of  Mr. F. W. Mills, of Colchester, said the deceased was believed by his parents to be at work in London while he was staying at Baddow, and they had no knowledge of his engagement to be married. He had been very good to his parents. The jury found a verdict of "Suicide whilsi in a state of temporary insanity."
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1884-01-05 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

SUICIDE OF AN INTENDED BRIDEGROOM.  In London, on Monday, Mr. William Carter held an inquiry at St. Thomas's Hospital respecting the death of John Thos. Denton, aged 26 years, an auctioneer's clerk, who was to have been married on Christmas morning, but who was discovered in an insensible condition with a bottle labelled poison by his side, while the intended bride and friends were awaiting his arrival at the church.  Arthur Richard Gardener said he was a machine• minder, and lodged at No. 87, Cornwall-road, Lam• bath, as also did the deceased, who slept in a room with witness's cousin. On Christmas morning about ten o'clock, witness went to the deceased's room, and informed him that he was going out for a short while. At this time the deceased was in bed, and also witness's cousin, who was asleep. Witness returned home about eleven o'slock, and on going upstairs found that the deceased was not in his room. Witness then sat down to have his breakfast, and while doing so tbs young women to whom the deceased was engaged called at the house to know why the deceased had not met her at the church. Witness then went to look for him, and on going into the yard found the door of an outhouse bolted from the inside. Witness called out, " Jack, Jack, you are wanted ! " The only reply he got was a mumbling noise, and, fearing that something was wrong, witness forced the door open, and found the deceased standing with his face to the wall, supporting himself by his hands. A medicine bottle and a tumbler were on the seat. The deceased, who appeared taupefied, tried to speak, but could not. The deceased was taken to the hospital. Mr. Foxwell, house physician, depend to receiving the deceased in an unconscious state, breathing ster• torously, and his features livid. Witness attempted to administer an antidote, but could not. A bottle was shown to witness which contained a small portion of carbolic acid. The deceased became worse, and died about two o'clock the same day from the effects of poison. Elizabeth Turner said she was a single woman, and was engaged to be married to deceased on Christmas Day. lie was to have called for her at her home to go to churen with her to be married. As he did not keep his appointment witness went to his lodgings, and found him in the yard as described by the witness Gardener. She could not assign any reason for his takir g poison. They had bad no quarrel whatever, and witness saw him on Christmas-ave. He was in good health and spirits, and they parted the beat of friends. The deceased was not given to drink.  Further evidence haying been adduced, the jury returned a verdict of " Suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity."
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1884-05-10 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

DETERMINED SUICIDE AT KIDDERMINSTER.  A determined case of suicide occurred early on Tuesday morning, at Kidderminster. Mr. William Snell, sadler, of Coventry street, destroyed himself by a dose of laudanum. Mr. Snell had made a previous attempt on his life some months ago, and only on Friday last he was brought before magistrates for thr, atening his wife, with woom he had not lived on terms of freindslup for some time. About three o'clock, as Police-constables Harman and C.trnpbell were passing a hay-loft on Comberton-hill they heard someone moaning, and on going into tia building found Snell in a dying condition. He was removed to the police station and the police surgeon called in, who applied the stomachpump and emetics, but was unable to bring up the poison, and he died about seven o'clock. In his coat pocket was found a letter addressed and stamped to his wife, and written on one of his business memorandum forms. He wrote :—"Dear Ma,—You will ' never see me again alive. You will find me at the back of Mrs. King's in the closet. I give all there is to you and my two boys. Let J. Chappell, of St ourbridge, act for you. I forgive you all, as I expect to be forgiven. Let Mr, Icke, of Stourbridge. and Mr. Hughes act for you and the boys. Let four of the fire-brigade carry me; no mourning, nor hat-bands. May you be happy and forget me, is my earnest wish, and may God bless you. From your broken and downcast husband, William Snell." —The event created great excitement in the borough. An inquest was held on the body, on Thursday afternoon before Mr. M. Corbett, deputy coroner. Harriet Snell, wlfe of the deceased, said he was forty-four years of ago. She last saw him alive about eight o'clock on Monday morning. He parted with her affectionately, and she thought he would return home to dinner. She. never saw him again alive. Deceased's conduct had been so strange during the past few months that she contemplated having a medical man to enquire into the state of his mind. In answer to a juryman, witness said she did not have any words with him on Friday. The juryman remarked that he was with the deceased on Friday, and the latter told him he could get no peace at home. The Coroner: Drunken men generally say that, Witness admitted striking the deceased with a poker last Monday week in self—defence. She had been married to him for six years. Other evidence was given as to the finding of the deceased in a hay loft, and a letter which we publish was read. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that teceased committed suicide whilst suffering from temporary insanity.
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1884-03-01 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

CUTTINGS FROM AMERICAN PAPERS.  "Jury," said a Western judge, "you kin go out and find a verdict. If you can't find one of your own, get the one the last jury used." The jury returned with a verdict of "Suicide in the ninth degree." "Will you come home to dinner ?" asked a Chicago woman of her husband as he was about starting for business. "No, I think not," he answered, "I expect to be very busy. Besides a new saloon is to be opened just around the corner from my office and I will drop in there and get a free lunch."—" Well," said his wife, while a wave of fear swept across her face, "bo careful not to get hurt in the rush." A merchant traveller took his place at the table of a Western hotel, where the landlord was the only waiter, and after finishing a very scanty meal, he said persuasively : "I should like some dessert." "Dessert! Wot's that? We ain't got none." "Well, give me some pie." " Pie 1 We ain't got no pie! Help yourself to the mustard!"  The American Rochefoucald says, even if a boy is always whistling "I want to be an angel," it is just as well to keep the key of the pantry °tit of his reach. Speaking of the sentiment—" She who rocks the cradle rules the world," a Charlestown paper says: "In this section she is generally a coloured girl, and don't believe a word of it."  A young man from Auburn, N.Y., who went to the Black Hills last spring, has telegraphed to his father, "Patted calf for one."  A jury in North Carolina, after being charged in the usual way by the judge, retired to their room,, when a white juror ventured to ask a coloured associate if he understood the charge of the judge. " Golly !" exclaimed the astonished juror, "he don't charge us nuffin for dat, does ho? Why, I thought we was gwine to git pay!" A correspondent of a Minnesota paper, writing from Pike's Peak, says that the miners are very much discouraged in that region, from being compelled to dig through a vein of silver four feet thick before they can get to the gold! That'll dot
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1884-02-16 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

INSURRECTION IN CRETE. An insurrection has broken out in Crete. During the last two years the Greeks have been demanding the execution of their Constitutional amendment, so as to secure them the immunities promised. The immediate cause is, however, the attack made upon the privileges of the Greek Pitriarch. The leading Cretans declare that this attack shows that no redress can be obtained by negotiation, and they have therefore taken up arms. Toe insurrection has begun in several parts, notably at Spakia. The Porte has sent orders to Smyrna and Salonica to despatch every available soldier, not leas than 5000 in any case. SUICIDE or A COLONEL Colonel Frederick George Whitehead, late of the Essex Militia, and formerly commandant of the 29th (now 17th) North Middlesex Rifle Volunteers, committed sn'cide on Saturday morning by shooting himnlf whilst in bed at his chambers, 43, Pall mall, London. Colonel Whitehead was heard to cane in very late on Friday night, and go to his room, and about half-past nine on Saturday morning, as his bell did not ring as usual, the male attendant of the establishment went up to his room and kr.ocked, but receiving no answer, entered, and then found the colonel lying in bed with a bullet wound in his head and a revolver in his right hand. Colonel Whitehead was about 56 years of age. The early stage of his military career was a Hussar regiment, frm which he exchanged into the 42nd Highlanders (B air Watch) and served with them in India. Upon his return be retired from active military service, and became Major of the Victoria Rifles. Subsequently he became lieutenant-colonel of the 29th (now 17th) Noah Middlesex Rifles, and resigned that to take command of the Essex Militia, which he relinquished 80121 d three years since. Colonel Whitehead was the possessor of considerable wealth,
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1884-01-26 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

SUICIDE OF AN ABSCOND:NG TREASURER.  It has been ascertained that Mr. Aseplith, the absconding treasurer of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company, committed suicide in Guernsey on Saturday afternoon last. It appears that Mr. Asquith arrived at Guernsey from Southampton on Thur,day morning in last week, and took apartments at the house of Miss Croucher, 33, Carrichers-street, Peter. street. He gave no name, and appeared to be in de'icite health. In speaking to the people of the house, he incidentally mentioned that he had a lady friend in the island, to whom he wished to write, and inquired about the local postal arrangements. He appears to have written her a letter, and to have received a reply on Saturday morning addressed to him under the name of Jackson. On Saturday afternoon, after an early dinner, he said he did not feel very well, and would go to his bedroom and lie down. Between four and five p.m., Miss Croucher heard him walking about his room, and at half-past five, his usual time for tea, she knocked at the door cf the bedroom to inform him that the meal was ready. Receiving no reply, she concluded that he ha i fallen asleep, and that it was better not to wake him. She accordingly went downstairs, but at eight o'clock, AB he had made no sign of stirring, she knocked again, and once more receiving no reply, she opened the door and went in. She then found Asquith lying on the bed dressed, and evidently very ill. He was insensible, and w..s breathing heavily. A rope was round his neck, but quite loose and unattached, Medical assistance was immediately summoned, the stomach pump wrs applied, and everythimg possible done to restore consciousness. After long and persevering efforts partial c,nseion.sness momentarily returned, and Asquith asked, "What are you doing to me?" In reply to all other questions, he merely muttered, "Lancishire and Yorkshire Railway." Shortly after midnight he was removed to the hospital, where he gradually sank and died. Under the fire grate of his bedroom was found an empty bottle which had contained laudanum. Among some telegraph forms was a brief note addressed to his landlady. stating that the writer was tired of his life, and that she would be duly paid, as there was money in his portmanteau, and also another letter addressed to his son.
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1884-08-23 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

PRISON.  Mr. Braxton Hicks resumed an inquiry on Friday in last week at the prison at Millbank as to the death of Agnes Jane Mayne, chief matron of Milbank Prison, who, it was alleged, met her death when struggling with a prisoner who broke from her cell and attempted to commit suicide. The matron, after some difficulty, got the prisoner back into her cell, and as she was following her she suddenly fell to the ground in an insensible state, and in a few minutes expired. Addressing the jury, the coroner said: This case is one where in technical strictness acts done by the prisoner, whose name is Johnstone, very nearly approach to manslaughter, although not quite, and for these reasons: Manslaughter is of two kinds-1, Involuntary manslaughter, i.e., where a person, doing an unlawful act, not amounting to felony, by accidents kills another; 2, involuntary manslaughter, i.e., where suddenly two persons fight and one kills the other. Here the acts of Johnstone,the prisoner, were unlawful—namely, breaking out of her cell and attempting suicide, but the death of Miss Mayne must be shown to have been due to the direct violence, in some wal. or another, of Johnstone, for it is laid down that there must be a corporal injury inflicted, and therefore if a man, by working on the fancy of another, os by unkind usage, puts another into such a passion of grief of fear as that he either dies suddenly or contracts some disease in consequence of which he dies, tlis is no felony, because no external act of violence was offered of which the law can take notice. This is a rule exactly in point, and will help you to arrive at a proper verdict. If a man throws a stone at a horse and kills the rider, it is manslaughter. If a man out of mischief shoots at poultry and kills a man, it is manslaughter. If a man engaged in an unlawful sport kill another, it is manslaughter. Here there is no act of direct violence attributed to the prisoner Johnstone, and therefore, although her acts at the time no doubt accelerated the death e gm deceased, her acts are not sufficient for the law to take cognisance. Therefore, I must direct you to return a verdict of death from natural causes, accelerated by the excitement and struggle consequent upon the acts of Johnstone.  After some consideration the jury returned a verdict that the deceased died from heart disease, accelerated by excitement, and expressed it as their opinion that the railings and the openings of the corridors should be protected with wire netting, both for the safety of the prisoners and officers. Colonel Garcia promised that the recommendation should be carried out. In reply to the jury he said it wwoasulc noti nt h ia porsesiabele then. to have the punishment cells on the ground floor, because a sufficient amount of ventilation
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1884-06-14 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

THE MANCHESTER MURDER.  On Tuesday John James Donnelly was charged on remand, before the Manchester magistrates; with the wilful murder of his sister Elizabeth Donnelly, the attempted murder of his mother, Theresa Donnelly, and also with attempting to commit suicide. Mr. Coventry, instructed by the City Prosecutor, appeared on behalf of the police to prosecute. He said that it was as hideous a case and as foul a murder as had ever been committed. There could, however, be no doubt that the prisoner was subject to epileptic fits. He had had several during the last three years, and had been for some time an inmate in hospitals in London and elsewhere. Undoubtedly epileptic fits had an effect in impairing tbe mental faculties. On Sunday, the 25th of May, the prisoner had a quarrel with his father about some beer, and afterwards went out with his mother. They came back about twelve o'clock, when the door was found to be locked. Prisoner kicked it open, and ran upstairs. A young brother and sister, who were there in separate rooms, came down undressed, but the sister went back in a short time. The prisoner came down again and asked his father for a drink. His request was refused, and he went upstairs again. He then asked his sister to go down for some water, but she refused to do so because she was undressed. The prisoner immediately fetched his razor and inflicted a number of wounds on his sister and mother. The young woman screamed out to her father, "Oh, father! he is cutting us to pieces." The prisoner then ran out and hid himself on the scullery slates, and his sister and his mother crawled downstairs bleeding. They were taken to the infirmary, where the sister died on the following day. Mr. Coventry said there could be no doubt about the murder. The only question was whether a jury would believe that he had been in a sufficiently sane state of mind to know what he was doing at the time. The father of the prisoner, Thomas Donnelly, his brother, Aloysius Donnelly, and Police-constable Burton having repeated the evidence given by them before the City coroner at the inquest on the body of the murdered girl, the prisoner was committed for trial.  The prisoner's mother still lies at the infirmary, and has not yet sufficiently recovered to be Ole to give her evidence.