npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-10-14 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SAD SUICIDE OF A BIRKENHEAD MAN.  On Monday, at noon, Mr. Henry Chturton, County Coroner, held an inquest at the Black Horse Hotel, Wallasey, on the body of John Griffith, aged 43 years, ship's carpenter, lately in the employ of Messrs. Laird Brothers, Birkenhead, and who resided at 14, Huskissonstreet, Birkenhead, whose dead body was found on the Wallasey SandhilLs on Saturday afternoon. _ _  John Henderson, a young man residing at 3, Mill-lane. Liscard, stated that on Saturday afternoon about three o'clock he was crossing the Wallasey Sandhills when he came across the dead body of a man lying on the ground. He noticed that there was a wound in the throat. Witness did not disturb the body but gave information to the police. P.C. James Hunt said that on Saturday afternoon, from information he received, he went to the Sandhills and there found the body of the deceased. It was quite warm, and on examining the body he found a wound on the left side of the neck about an inch long. The wound appeared to be a very deep one. There was a quantity of blood lying near the body and on the arm. On searching the place he found the pocket knife produced lying about three yards from the body. It was stained with blood. He obtained assistance and conveyed the body to the Black Horse Hotel, where it was subsequently identified. Mary Elizabeth Forden, said she was house. keeper to the deceased, whose wife died on Saturday week leaving six children, the eldest being ten years of age. Witness was engaged by the deceased's wife to look after the children and the house during her accouchement. The deceased's wife died a week after that occurrence, and witness had been looking after the house ever since. She last saw the deceased alive on Saturday morning at half. past eight. He went out of the house saying that he was going to arrange things and see about taking a smaller house, and that he would be back soon. He also stated that he was not going to work that day. He had been very depressed since his wife's death. He had never threatened to do any harni to himself. He had had a " bother" with some person named Lloyd, who had sent him a lawyer's letter, and this appeared to upset him. Mr. Britain, foreman in the employ of Messrs. Laird Brothers, said the deceased had been in Messrs. Laird's employment for the last twenty seven years. He was a steady respectable man, but was of a very nervous temperament. He had been rather depressed lately. The Coroner, at this stage, said he thought it unnecessary to pursue the enquiry any further. There was no doubt that the deceased's recent terrible losses and troubles had effected his mind, and that he had com• mated suicide. The position of the wound showed that death must have been instantaneous. . .  The jury, without retiring, returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst suffering from temporary insanity."
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-07-29 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ALLEGED THEFT OF A COTTON NIESE.— Emily Jones, 19, of 5, St. John'replaee, was charged with stealing a cotton dress, the property of James Davies, 13, Whetstone-lane. —P.C. 22 (Orme) deposed that at eight o'clock on Saturday night Margaret Davies gave- the prisoner in charge for stealing a dress off a clothes line in her back yard. When arrested prisoner had the dress in her possession, but said a woman named Margaret Burkett gave her the dress. He went to Margaret Burkett, r but she denied haiing done so. Mrs. Davies gave corroborative evidence. She took =washing, and the dress was not hers. She saw the dress at ten minutes to four and missed it at four. After further evidence the prisoner made a long story in denial, and the Bench dismissed her with a warning. TUESDAY (Before Mr. Preston.) Armarran &fem.—Prudence Rallis, 17, Taylor's-buildings, was charged on remand with attempting to commit suicide by jumping oft the wall of the East Float.—P.C. 95 (Robb) said he saw prisoner struggling with two men on the wall of the dock about ten minutes past eleven on Saturday night. She said she was determined to drown herself, as her husband was unkind to her.—ln court prisoner stated that her husband was very bad to her, as he had a very cross tongue.—The husband said he had never abased her, though he might have used harsh words to her.—The officer here stated that prisoner had promised not to do it again if she got a separation from her husband. He hardly ever went into the house without an oath on his lips.—His Worship said it was a very horrible thing that she had tried to do. She had not only attempted IO take her own life, but that of the child in her arms. His Worship then censured the husband for his conduct, and prisoner was discharged.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-06-24 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

VIOLENT DRUNKARD.—John Smith, of no settled residence, was charged with being drunk and riotous, and assaulting P.C's. 30 A (Burns) and 26 A (Brown), in Grange-street, on Saturday night. P.C. Barns stated that on Saturday night he was called to the Borough Inn, where he found the prisoner and the barman struggling on the ground. He asked the prisoner to go out, but he refused, and witness had to put him out by force. When he got him outside he again reqaested him to go home, and several friends also tried to get him away, but he persisted in remaining there, and a large crowd collected. In consequence of his disorderly behaviour witness was compelled to get the assistance of P.C. Brown and others to take him into custody. He was very violent and bit witness's hand 'very severely, and also kicked Brown badly on the knee.—P.C. Brown corroborated. Superintendent Clarke stated that he was called to Egerton-street and there found the prisoner and two officers struggling. The prisoner behaved like a perfect madman. Witness tried to calm him, and when he became more composed he asked him to go away but he refused, and it took five officers in addition to witness to convey him to the bridewell, followed by a crowd of several hundred people, who created a great disturbance all the way to the police-station. The prisoner expressed his sorrow for what he had done, and stated that he had not tasted drink for three years before Saturday night. He had been in India three years and had had a sunstroke, and a very small quantity of drink immediately took effect on him.—He was committed to gaol for one month with hard labour.  THE ATTEMPT TO CONMIT SUlClDE—Francis O'Donnell, a labourer, of no settled residence, was brought up on remand charged with having attempted to commit suicide by jumping into the Wallasey Dock on Saturday week.— It will be remembered that the prisoner was remanded to the workhouse for a week in order that the state of his mind could be enquired into.—Superintendent Clarke stated that the prisoner was all right now, and there had been nothing wrong with him mentally. —The prisoner promised not to attempt to commit suicide again, and on that understanding he was discharged.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-06-13 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

BREAKING TREES IN THE PARK.—Georze Harrison was charged on remand with wilfully damaging trees in the Park. The charge was gone into on S ttarday, and the prisoner remanded until to.day, in order that he ini.iht be examined as to the state of his mind.—Dr. *Neil stated that he had examined the prisoner that morning, and was of opinion that o was not in a fit state to be at large.— Superintendent Clarke said the prisoner had been discharged from Walton on Friday, and the governor had sent for his wife to take care of him.—Mr. Preston (to prisoner) : You have been sufficiently punished for this offence. Mind you do nothing of the kind in future. You are discharged.  - - - ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN TIIE WALL %KEY Dom Robert Dawney, labourer, WoodStreet, was charged with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting P.C.'e Hindman (124) and Newby (93).—P.C. Hineman stated that about eleven o'clock on Saturday night he heard screams proceeding from the bridge over the Wallasey Dock. He went there and • found the prisoner, a women and child, and another man. The prisoner was trying to jump into the dock. Witness seized him and asked him to come off the bridge. He replied, " Let me alone, you--; let me jump into the dock; I can swim." Witness blew his whistle, and the other officer and some more men came to his assistance, and they carried the prisoner bodily off the bridge. When they got off the bridge he struck and kicked witness several times and tore his uniform. He was very riotous, and assaulted the other officer and a man named Sanderson, who was assisting the officers to take him to the bridewell.—P.C. Newby gave corroborative evidence.—The prisoner said he did not .remember anything about the charge of trying to jump into the docks, but Le remembered Newby trying to throttle him on the way to the bridewell.-111r. Preston said he could not allow such violence, and as the prisoner was au old offender, he would have to go to gaol for three months, with hard labour. ASSAULTING A FERRY G ttEMAN.- John Jones, labourer, Bootle, was charged with being drunk and as-malting B lwin Morris, gateman at Rook Ferry landing-stage —The officer stated that the prisonet went to.the ferry gate on Saturday night, and as he was very drunk witness refused to allow him to go through the gate. He went away but returned a second and a third time, but witness per slated in refining to allow him to go through the gate. flu became very abusive *id insulted seresal 91 the ferry paseengers, and witness attempted to pUt him away from the ferry, when he struck and kicked tam several times, and pore his coat in two places. Witness gave the prisoner into custody.— The prisoner expressed his sorrow for what had ocortrred.—He was fined 200. and copte, or fourteen days imprisonment in default. Orrescr
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-06-13 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE INQUEST. Yesterday Mr. Churton, coroner, held an inquest on the body at the Bromborongh Hotel.  George Earle, clerk of the Magazines, Bromborough, stated that on Wednesday afternoon, from information he received, he went into the Shodwell Wood, Bromborough, about half-past four o'clock in the afternoon. He there found the dead body of a man hanging to a young tree. There was a handkerchief tied tightly round his neck, with two other handkerchiefs attached to it, and fastened to the sapling. The body was cold ' and stiff, as if it had been there some time, but it was quite fresh and not at all decomposed. Tne body was about twenty yards from the footpath. Witness immediately unfastened the handkerchief, and told another young man, who gave information to the police. The deceased was of very short stature, about 5 feet 4 inches, and looked to be about 45 years of age. He had dark hair and a large beard. The body was afterwards conveyed to the Bromborough Hotel. Witness was present when the deceased was searched, and in his pockets were found a plum (containing a penny), two tobacco pipes, a bunch of keys, and a small pocket knife. There was also an umbrella lying by the side of the deceased. He was dressed in deep mourning, and wore a silk hat with a broad band round it. Inside the hat was the name " Robertson, Maryport." P.C. Burgess stated that in consequence of reports in the newspapers Mr. Jones, the landlord of the Bromborough Hotel, had received the following telegram from Maryport : " From Wm. Walker, Lawson-street, Maryport. Say what kind of underclothing man wore found in Bromborough Wood; laced boots, pock-marked face, missing from Maryport." The officer stated that as the deceased wore laced boots and was pock-marked, he telegraphed in reply, and, as nothing further had been heard from Maryport, he concluded that his friends or relatives were on their way from Magport, and would arrive in Bromborough during the day. The Coroner said that in the absence of any identification of the body of the deceased the jug had no evidence as to the state of his mind at the time he committed suicide, for suicide it undoubtedly was, so that they could treat it as an open affair. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased had committed suicide, but there was no evidence to show the state of his mind at the time he 9911tniitted the act.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-07-01 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SUICIDE AT NEW BRIGHTON.  A shocking and determined suicide occurred on Monday night at New Brighton. It appears that about 2.30 yesterday afternoon a gentleman wearing the uniform of a Liverpool line of steamers called at the Grosvenor Hotel, situate in Rowson-street, New Brighton, and took rooms for himself and wife, who, he stated, would follow the next day. He ordered dinner, and returning about 3.30 he partook of a hearty meal. He asked if there were any captains staying, to which the landlord, Mr. _ _ .  POrter, replied,llYes," bat did not give their names nor introduce him, as he knew nothing of his business. He appeared quite composed, and wrote several letters and telegrams in German, one of the telegrams, being seni to his wife and the others to friends. He conversed rationally, and there was no indication of the contemplation of the rash act which succeeded. He then went out, and returned about eight o'clock in the evening. About 11.25 the landlord was dirturbed by a violent knocking at the door, and found a gentleman named Schwalsh and a friend, who inqaired if a person named Newikluff was staying there, and, on being answered in the affirmative, said he wished to see him on important business. The landlord went upstairs and gave the gentleman the message, and asked if he was to send the visitors up. At first he said "Yes," but afterwards said "No. I will come down in a second." Immediately afterwards a report was heard, and the visitor said, "Ah he has done it; here's a telegram saying he would shoot himself." The landlord thereupon rushed upstairs, and on going into the bedroom found that the man had shot himself through the head. Dr. Bell was sent for, and also the police, but death ensued before the doctor arrived. The deceased was an interpreter employed by one of the steamship companies of Liverpool, and on Monday appeared in the Liverpool Police-court in that capacity. He was about forty years of age. The body remains at the hotel awaiting an inquest.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-08-22 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.  ON Saturday morning a Seacombe woman named Ellen Craven jumped into the Alfred Dock, with the intention of committing suicide. However, though there was a brick tied up in her clothing she did not sink, but was promptly rescued. Police-officer Fennell conveyed her to the Borough Hospital, which he reached at a quarter-past eight. Dr. Hyrons, the junior house surgeon, who was summoned to take charge of the case, was then in bed and, according to the evidence of the constable, did not come to the woman's assistance until "about twenty-five minutes to nine." The following is the constable's version of what happened afterwards :—" The doctor felt her pulse and said Yon had no right to bring her here; there is nothing the matter with her only she is wet.' He told him that if he had seen her a short time before that he would not have thought so, as she was quite unconscious when he (witness) found her. The deceased was then sitting up on the ambulance, and the doctor said he ought to have taken her home. Witness said he could not take her home, as she had attempted to commit suicide, and he would have to bring her before a magistrate. The doctor then said he ought to have taken her to the bridewell, and witness replied that he would take her to the bridowell, but it would be at the doctor's risk. The doctor then said No, it would be inhuman to turn her out of the hospital now that she is here. Let me tell you not to bring a case like that here again.' Witness said 'lf I had a case the same as that one I would do the same as I have done.' He said Allow me to tell you, my good man, if you do you will have your trouble for nothing.' " Now this was a truly sensational story, and it is no wonder that its publication caused a thrill of dismay to run through the community. But it does not tally with the narratives of the hospital porter and Dr. Hyrons himself. The porter declares that the doctor simply told the officer that cases of simple immersion in the water ought not to be brought to the hospital, while Dr. Hyrons avers that everything which ought to have been done for the woman was promptly done, and that if she had not been in a terribly diseased state she would, probably, have recovered. Dr. Hyrons goes on to observe :—" He remarked to the officer that cases of attempted suicide, when it was a case of simple immersion, had better be taken to the bridewell. The officer assumed that he was referring to that case, whereas he was not, but was speaking generally. He did not explain to the officer that he was wrong, as he was very surly and insolent to him and he did not take the trouble to do so. The officer then asked if he should take the woman away, saying he would do
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-06-20 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THURSDAY. (Before Mr. Presten.)  Arrzirrrzo fikacms.—Elizabeth Williams was brought up on remand charged with attempting to commit suicide by taking a quantity of laudanum. The facts have already been reported.—Upon prisoner promising to go to her aunt's in Oldham, and give up her bad ways, she was dismissed with • reprimand. Tax INFANT THlSF.—Mexgaret Formey was brought up on remand, charged with stealing some clothing and boots from the person of two children.—Mr. Lush said he had got the consent of the St. Anne's Industrial School, Mason-street, Liverpool, to receive the girl till she was sixteen.—His Worship made an order that she be sent to that school for that period. &Hoot Caszs.—Fines, not exceeding ss. per case, were inflicted on the following parents, for failing, after due warning, to see that their children attended regularly at school, viz.:—Josaph Gouldson, 7, Queen'scourt, 10th time; William Holland, 11, Queen'splace; Peter Davie, 102, Bedford-road' Chas. Smith, 25, Sydney-road; John Richard Povall, 14, Back Portland-street ; Peter Antrobus, 18, Back Portland - street •, Thomas Heath, 25, Back Porthuid-street, Bth time; Mary Hughes, 10, Farm-road; George Jones, 49, Osktree-place, 12th time; John Lawson, 5, Back Portland-street, 10th time; Ellen Nott, 1, Rose-cottages; John Ponstie, 39, Ebenezer-street; Annie Stanton, 28. Pennth-street; Raohard Hughes, 2, Standardplace; Richard Hooper, 264, Borough-road, 6th time; Joseph Aspinall, 3, Elizabethstreet; Alexander Murray, 11, Midland-street, 7th time; James Smith, 4, Tranmere Valeterrace, 9th time; J. Mumford, 81, Greenwayroad ; Thos. Palmer, 1, Woodlands, 7th time; John Hayes, 51, Holt-road, 6th time- Elizabeth Turner, 18, Halkin-street, 10th time. Attendance orders were granted against Dora Sherlock, 9, Queen-street, and Walter Baker, 24, Queen's-buildings, compelling them to attend school until they shall attain the age of 14 years. A boy, named Thomas of 235, Church-road, an incorrigible truant, was committed to the Hightown Truant School until 16 years of age.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-06-20 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATINIIPTED BUICIDE.—& PAINFUL CASE.— A young man named Francis O'Donnell, who said he was s labourer and came from Birmingham, was charged with having attempted recommit suicide by jumping into the West soat.—P.C. 60C (Ellwood) stated that about five o'clock on Saturday afternoon from information he received to the effect that someone had jumped into the dock, he went there and found the prisoner on board the ship Atalanta. He was very violent and had to be held down by the crew. When witness got hold of him he said "For God's sake let me go; I'm in awful misery." He had to be strapped to the ambulance and conveyed in that way to bridewell.—Saperintendent Clarke said the prisoner was very violent when brought to the bridewell, and appeared to have been drinking.—Mr. Preston, to prisoner: Where do you come from ?—Prisoner: lbelong to Birmingham, but I have been living in Manchester.—Mr. Preston: How long have yOU been here ?—Prisoner: Three days, air.—Mr. Preston: What did you come here for t—Prisoner : I came here in search of work, but could not get any. Mr. Preston: What did you do this for? Prisoner: I have undergone two operations and shall never be fit for anything again. I have been eight months in hospital. Mr. Preston: Have you no one to refer to Prisoner (who broke down and commenced to weep) replied that he had no friends. Mr. Preston: I shall remand you for s week to the workhouse. Prisoner: For God's sake don't send me to the workhouse. I have been in the workhouse hospital eight months, and I accuse them of absolute butchery. I would rather go any.vhere than there. Mr. Preston: I/ball either have to remand you to the workhouse or commit you for trial. Prisoner: Don't send me there. Mr. Preston: You had better go there for a week and we will see how you get on. The prisoner was then removed. A
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-05-13 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.  Between one and two o'clock on Monday morning a dreadful struggle ensued in the Music Hall Hotel, Clangbton-road, betwecii Thomas Knowles, the landlord, and hi 3 wife and a servant. Knowles has been sufferinl for some days past from delirium treme)za, and shortly after one o'clock Mrs. Knowles went to her husband's bedroom with the intoition of giving him some medicine, when h' took the glass from her, struck her, and then badly cut her by throwing the glass at her. A struggle then took place, the noise of which attracted the attention of a servant girl named Mary Williams, who immediately rim to her mistress's assistance, but Knowles dealt her a blow which felled her to the ground. The servant then ran outside the house to_fetch a policeman, and during her absence Knowles again attacked his wife' who ran into a back room, and locked the door. Her husband, however, burst in one of the panels by a single blow from his fist, and, unlocking the dour, he entered the room. He then seized hold of his wife by the bair ano dragged her to the door. She managed to got him outside the door by striking him with if broken panel, when she shut the door and secured it by placing a bed behind it, thu,. preventing him from entering. Finding him self baffled how to reach his wife, Knowles then went into one of the third storey rooms the window of which he opened, and got out upon the sill: He was here seen by F.O Llewellyn, who was on duty in Clatighton road, who shouted to him to go biiok; but Knowles after exclaiming "Here , goes' jumped to the ground, a' distance of about thirty-five feet. The constable at once hao the injured man conveyed to the Borough Hospital, where, upon examination,',;;Cnowlei, was found to have broken both his arms and one of his legs. The injured man is now lying in a precarious co: naker.