npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1844-10-12 (London, England)

HAMBURGH MAIL.  BRUSSELS, OCT. B.—On the 7th of this month Mr. Thomas G. Cleurson had an audience of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and delivered his credentials as Charge d'Affaires of the United States of America of this Court. A melancholy event has excited a great sensation in the diplomatic body at Rio de Janeiro. M. de Schanz, Consul• General of Sweden at the Court of Brazil, has attempted to commit suicide, in consequence of having been discharged by his Government. The dose of arsenic which he took was not strong enough to produce the intended effect. There are hopes of saving him; but still it is feared that all the care bestowed on him will be unavailing, so determined does he seem to put an end to his life. M. de Schanz, having exhausted all his resources in supporting the dignity of his office, was driven to this act of despair at the moment when ho ex • pected to be appointed Charge d'Affaires. If we are rightly informed some modifications havebeen made in the original draft of the treaty of the Ist of September. These modifications are of little importance; the object of them all is better to define the arrangements respecting the navigation in the out-ports. A clause has been inserted in anticipation of the case, that, instead of increasing the duties on foreign corn, the Zollverien should diminish, or even suppress them. This case was wholly omitted in the original draft. It is here that the Prussian Government at first proposed alterations much more important, but they were all given up the Prussian Government having throughout manifested a desire to do away with everything that might delay the final conclusion of the arrangement. We are informed that the treaty of the Ist of September has been ratified by all the States interested, including Belgium. It may, therefore, be immediately published and carried into effect.
The Sun. — 1844-10-12 (London, England)

INCENDIARISM IN SUFFOLY.—lneendiarism in this county appears at the present time to be alarmingly on the increase. A most destructive fire took place on Wednesday evening last in the parish of Whepstead, on a farm in the occupation of Mr. Holden. It was discovered in the stack-yard, and in a short time ten stacks of different kinds:of produce were burning at once, illuminating that part of the country for many miles. The Suffolk fire-engines soon after arrived, but, strange to say, the largest of them went without the necessary pipes, and when it reached the spot the men in attendance were obliged to send down to Bury in a cart for them before they could render the slightest service. The fire in the meanwhile raging with such unchecked fury, that it became evident it would be useless to attempt to save the stacks, the attention of the firemen was therefore directed to the dwelling-house, which was within a short distance, and which by continual damping was saved from any material damage. This makes the fourth incendiary fire which has taen place in the neighbourhood of Bury' St. Edmund's since last Friday —a fire taking place that day at Cheveley Park, belong. ing to the Duke of Rutland; one at Waltham de Willows, on Saturday; another at Hengrave (which we believe was extinguished), on Wednesday afternoon; and a fire at Whepstead on the evening of the same day. The inhabitants, generally speaking, are in a state of great alarm, and the destruction of property is immense. SUICIDE :THROUGH DRUNKENNEiS.—Thursday Mr. Carter held an inquest at the Bell, York-street, Lambeth, on the body of Elizabeth Pearson, aged 48, the wife of a sawyer, residing at 38, York-street, who, it appeared from the evidence of her son, a lad about 17, who was deeply affected, that, about four o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, he came home, and found his mother, with a cord round her neck, suspended to one of the bed posts. Medical assistance was instantly procured, but she was quite dead. She had for a long time been accustomed to drink gin immoderately, which had about three months since caused her to complain of pains in the head and back, when she was attended by a surgeon, and advised to discontinue spirits ; but she drank to greater excess, which impaired her mind, and drove her no doubt to commit suicide. This testimony having been corroborated by other witnesses, the jury found that " Deceased destroyed herself while of unsound mind, produced by the excessive use of ardent spirits." The Coroner observed that this was but one of many similar cases which had recently come under his notice.
The Sun. — 1844-10-12 (London, England)

SUICIDE :THROUGH DRUNKENNESS.—Thursday Mr. Carter held an inquest at the Bell, York-street, Lambeth, on the body of Elizabeth Pearson, aged 48, the wife of a sawyer, residing at 38, York-street, who, it appeared from the evidence of her son, a lad about 17, who was deeply affected, that, about four o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, he came home, and found his mother, with a cord round her neck, suspended to one of the bed posts. Medical assistance was instantly procured, but she was quite dead. She had for a long time been accustomed to drink gin immoderately, which had about three months since caused her to complain of pains in the head and back, when she was attended by a surgeon, and advised to discontinue spirits ; but she drank to greater excess, which impaired her mind, and drove her no doubt to commit suicide. This testimony having been corroborated by other witnesses, the jury found that " Deceased destroyed herself while of unsound mind, produced by the excessive use of ardent spirits." The Coroner observed that this was but one of many similar cases which had recently come under his notice. A serious accident occurred at the station of the Bristol and Gloucester Railway, Gloucester, on Monday evening. By an arrangement, which appears to us objectionable, the immense concourse of persons, 1,500 or 1,600 in number, who had arrived here by special train, when the time for returning approached, were shut out of the yard till almost the last moment. The consequence was, that on the gates being opened, a tremendous rush and confusion took place, and one man, in attempting to force his way into a carriage, was pushed backwards, and falling on the buffer, broke his thigh. He was carried to the infirmary, where he still remains.—Gloucester - Journal,
The Sun. — 1844-10-21 (London, England)

MARLBOROUGH-S7REET.  Martha Lipscontbe, the young woman who attempted to commit suicide by drowning herself in the Serpentine last week, and who had been sent to prison for a week in the hope that a short confinement would produce in her a proper sense of her heinous offence, was on Friday brought before Mr. Maltby for further examination.  The young woman, who apparently had not been able to command her intractable temper, said all she wished now was to get her clothes and her character from her last place, and go into the country away from her sisters, whom she never wished to see or speak to again. Mr. MALTBY said she did not appear to show a proper feeling towards her sisters, the married one having even ran into debt to keep her when out of  place. The girl replied that was true, but she had always repaid her sister as soon as she got in service. Mr. MALTBY inquired if she now repented of her wicked attempt on her own life ?—The girl said she would not tell a falsehood about the matter. She did not repent of what she had done. Mr. MALTBY said Le had hoped that a few days' imprisonment would have produced in her a better state of feeling ; but he found that no beneficial effect en her mind had been produced. The attempt on her life which she had made rendered her liable to be sent for trial for the offence.  The girl said that she would promise thus far, that she never would attempt to take away her life on account of a stupid boy. It was because she had been knocked abaut by this boy, and treated with contempt by her sisters, that she had attempted to destroy herself. The sister said the defendant had never been illtreated by any one. It was her violent and intractable temper which was her only enemy. Mr. MALTBY said he could not think of discharging the girl after what he had just heard. He should remand her for another week, and then determine how he would dispose of the case. An elderly man, of extremely respectable appearance, who gave the name of John Williams, but who refused to say what he was, or where he lived, was charged with stealing two books, worth 15s. 6d., from the shop of Mr. Sharp, book-dealer, No. 14, St. Martin's-court.  George Young, shopman, said he saw the prisoner watching the shop in the morning. About seven o'clock in the evening he saw the prisoner come to the window in which the books were placed, and take down the books and put them on a shelf. The prisoner went away, but returned almost immediately, and took up the books, placed them under his coat, and walked away. Witness followed and stopped him in the street with the books in his possession. The prisoner, who was very reserved during the whole of the proceedings, declined to say anything, and was fully committed.
The Sun. — 1844-11-06 (London, England)

CLERKEIV WELL.  Mr. Thomas Ashworth, a chemist and druggist, was charged with embezzling property to a consider• able amount belonging to his employer, and with attempting to commit suicide. John Latham, a Bow•-street officer, deposed that at three o'clock on the previous day the prisoner came to Bow-street station, and asked witness if he had not received information of a quantity of books having been stolen from a Mr. Ambler, and on witness replying in the affirmative, he said, would you know the man who stole them ? Witness said he w ould not. The prisoner then exclaimed, " I an► the man who committed that robbery, and I wish to give myself up." Ile was then locked up. Mr. Amhler, a wholesale bookseller, residing at 27, Compton-street, Clerken well, said about a month ago the prisoner came to him, assured him that he was in indigent circumstances, and requested some kind of employment. Witness, k;,ow ing that his friends were highly respectable, in some time after entrusted him with Prayer•books and Bibles as samples for country customers. In a few days after he received a letter from the prisoner, dated from Bexley, in Kent, in which he stated that he had lost the books, and requested forgiveness. The prisoner's friends having promised to make good the loss, witness commissioned the prisoner to take some books to Mr. Young, in Titchfield-street, Soho. The prisoner delivered the parcel, and borrowed money from Mr. Young. Witness subsequently learned that he had pawned the first parcel of books in several ' pawn-offices. The hooks were produced by several pawnbrokers' men.  The prisoner's step-father, an elderly gentleman, residing in Baker-street, Clerken well, stated that the prisoner was insane ; his father had been seven years in a lunatic asylum, and died mad there, and his brother, a solicitor, cut his throat. The prisoner's father had predicted that his son would die mad and he verily believed the prediction would he verified. The prisoner had twice attempted to commit suicide— once by throwing himself into the New River. He had been in affluent circumstances, but was now much reduced.  Inspector Barton deposed that on the previous night, a short time after the prisoner was locked up  in the cell, the constable, upon going the "rounds," saw the prisoner suspended there by his neckcloth. He was at once cut down, and was quite black in the face, and animation suspended. The police.surgeon was sent for, and he was, after a considerable in terval, restored. Mr. GREENWOOD directed Mr. Taylor to be seat for, that he might examine him regarding the state of his mind. Mr. Taylor came and did so, but statea the result to the magistrate in private. Mr. GREENWOOD decided upon remanding the prisoner, and added that Mr. Taylor had required further time to inquire into his state of mind. The prisoner, who conducted himself throughout with perfect composure and decorum, was remanded.
The Sun. — 1844-11-06 (London, England)

CAUTION TO LICENSED VICTUALLERS.—Yesterday a case was heard at the Clerkenswell Police-court, which ought to be known throughout the trade. Mr. Sargent, of the Kings and Key, Fleet-street, sent out, to order, one pint less than two galloas of spirits. He did so without a permit, under the impression, which we believe to be generally prevalent, that licensed victuallers are privileged to send out, without a permit, any quantity of spirits under twe gallons. While proceeding with the order for delivery, the messenger was stopped by Excise officers, taken into custody, and conveyed before the magistrates at the Clerkenwell Police court. The case having been set forth by such officers, the magistrates declared that a penalty of 1001. had been incurred. Mr. Sargent thereupon stepped forward, and stated that the messenger had acted under his directions, and that he had proceeded under the impression, general he believed, that the law sanctioned his conduct. The magistrates immediately said that under such circumstances they should mitigate the penalty to 251., repeating that the law only allowed the sending out of quantities under one gallon without a permit. Mr. Sargent immediately paid the fine. It is to be hoped that there may be an appeal to the Commissioners of Excise ; and that in a case of such obvious correctness of intention, where no infraction of the law was contemplated, Mr. Sargent, who has been only six months in the trade, acting on a general (though it now appears erroneous) impression, the penalty may be entirely remitted. DETERMINED SuICIDE.---On Saturday morning, about five o'clock, as an engineer, named Henry White, was proceeding by Westbourn-green, Paddington, he beheld the dead body of a man suspended by the neck with a cotton handkerchief, one end of which he had fastened to the top of some wooden paling on the premises of the Great 'Western Railway Company. The deceased was immediately cut down, and shortly afterwards removed to the station-house, Paddington-green ; life had evidently been extinct for some hours. The deceased, who appeared to be about fifty years of age, was dressed in a black coat, waistcoat, and trousers, and Wellington boots ; a razor was found in one of his pockets, but there were no papers of any lacription upon him by which any clue could be obtained with regard to his name or connexions.
The Sun. — 1844-11-06 (London, England)

CLERKEIV WELL. Mr. Thomas Ashworth, a chemist and drulc7ist, was charged with embezzling property to a considet' able amount belonging to his employer, and with attempting to commit suicide. John Latham, a Bow-street officer, deposed that at three o'clock on the previous day the prisoner came to Bow-street station, and asked witness if he had not received information of a quantity of books having been stolen from a Mr. Ambler, and on witness replying in the affirmative, he said, would you know the man who stole them ? Witness said he would not. The prisoner then exclaimed, "I am the man who committed that robbery, and I wish to give myself up." He was then locked up. Mr. Amhler, a wholesale bookseller, residing at 27, Compton-street, Clerken well, said about a month ago the prisoner came to him, assured him that he was in indigent circumstances, and requested some kind of employment. Witness, knowing that his friends were highly respectable, in some time after entrusted him with Prayer-books and Bibles as samples for country customers. In a few days after he received a letter from the prisoner, dated from Bexley, in Kent, in which he stated that he had lost the books, and requested forgiveness. The prisoner's friends having promised to make good the loss, witness commissioned the prisoner to take some books to Mr. Young, in Titchfield-street, Soho. The prisoner delivered the parcel, and borrowed money from Mr. Young. Witness subsequently learned that he had pawned the first parcel of books in several pawn-offices. The books were produced by several pawnbrokers' men.  The prisoner's step-father, an elderly gentleman, residing in Baker-street, Clerken well, stated that the prisoner was insane ; his father had been seven years in a lunatic asylum, and died mad there, and his brother, a solicitor, cut his throat. The prisoner's father had predicted that his son would die mad, and he verily believed the prediction would be verified. The prisoner had twice attempted to commit suicide— once by throwing himself into the New River. He had been in affluent circumstances, but was now much reduced.  Inspector Barton deposed that on the previous night, a short time after the prisoner was locked up in the cell, the constable, upon going the "rounds," saw the prisoner suspended there by his neckcloth. He was at once cut down, and was quite black in the face, and animation suspended. The police-surgeon was sent for, and he was, after a considerable interval, restored. Mr. GREENWOOD directed Mr. Taylor to be sent for, that he might examine him regarding the state of his mind. Mr. Taylor came and did so, but stated the result to the magistrate in private.  Mr. GREENwoon—decided upon remanding the prisoner, and added that Mr. Taylor had required further time to inquire into his state of mind. The prisoner, who conducted himself throughout with perfect composure and decorum, was remanded.
The Sun. — 1844-11-06 (London, England)

MELANCHOLY SUICIDE.—On Monday Mr. Wakley held an inquest at Paddington on the body of a boot and shoemaker, once in an extensive way of business, who committed suicide under truly distressing circumstances. Deceased's son said he last saw his father on Friday evening, when he left him, having been at his house all day. He had latterly become much reduced. He had a lodging, and little place where he worked, at the corner of South Moulton-lane, Davies-street, which he rented of a broker named Skinner, living in the Whitechapelroad. On Thursday last, in consequence of his being a little in arrear for rent, Skinner came, and not only took what small amount of goods he had, but actually tore his apron off him, took his tools, and even the job he was at work upon out of his hands, and his spectacles from his face. This broker also took away his coat, but subsequently returned it on the deceased consenting to give him up the key. During the whole of the period the deceased was with him on the Friday he did nothing but speak of the harsh and cruel treatment to which he had been subjected, and appeared dreadfully distressed in mind in consequence ; and it was only through witness promising that himself and brother would see him righted that he was pacified. When he left he said he was going home, and witness gave him a few halfpence, as he had no money. He went home, and was accommodated by a lodger, but it was supposed he got up in the night, and walked to the spot where he hanged himself. It was his opinion that the harsh treatment of the broker caused him to commit the act. The coroner and jury expressed their indignation and abhorrence of the harsh and inhuman as well as illegal conduct of the broker, and Mr. Wakley advised the son to take immediately legal proceedings against him. The jury ultimately returned a verdict—" That deceased destroyed himself; but what his state of mind was at the time there was no evidence to show.";
The Sun. — 1844-11-20 (London, England)

THE SLAVE TRADE. (From the Devonport Telegraph.) Extract from a letter from her Majesty's ship -Hyacinth, 18, dated August 27, 1844 :—Our orders have been to look atter sio.voc, coming in our way, and to detain every suspicious vessel. While on the south coast the boats have been dispatched four times, fourteen days each time, cruizing close along shore examining eve:y sail. Up to the 13th, nu shots were fired in earnest, but only "in a quiet way, desiring them to heave to." One vessel had been detained by the Hiacinth, and she having several Government guns with some English prisOners on board, &c., was sent into Loando for trial at court, but acquitted, owing, I believe, (but of course this is but a matter of my own opinion), to our English Consul having committed suicide, while delirious from fever, fourteen days before. She was called the Flir de Fago. On the 12th of August, Tottenham, the mate, was sent in the second gig, with four hands to pull in shore, and reconnoitre close in until he arrived at Fish Bay. On the 13th he saw a vessel at some distance, near the land. He immediately " gave way" towards her—when he got within musket shot he fired a gun, in order to make her heave to. No notice, however, was taken of this, the vessel keeping her way without altering a sail. Mr. Tottenham continued firing, and it being nearly a calm, be gained rapidly on her, and when within a hundred yards, he was not a little surprised at noticing the people on board busy in hoisting a large gun on the poop, and directing the same at his boat. Several muskets were also discharged at him. Thinking it was now time for him to do something, he deliberately aimed at every head he saw above the gunwale. At length he succeeded in getting alongside, and all the crew of the vessel shoved off on the other for the shore, which was not 200 yards distant. As he and his crew got on deck, one fellow leaped over and swam ashore. Mr. Tottenham immediately took possession of the vessel, and found only one man there, who was dreadfully wounded—he died within forty hours after on board the Hyacinth, which anchored in Port Alexander, the bay where the engagement took place. The prize turns out to be a very tine brig, of 190 tons, called the Aventuraro. The captain, with 18 men, after fighting for three hours, ran his vessel on shore and deserted her. Fearful odds, five to nineteen ! The conduct of Mr. Tottenham deserves, as it will no doubt receive, its reward.