npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Daily Times. — 1860-10-24 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY AT BRADFORD.  DOUBLE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.  On Sunday night, Mrs. Margaret Gowland, the wife of an attorney's clerk. named John George Lowland, residing in a wretched dwelling in High-street, Bradford, cut the throats of her two children, Elizabeth Jane, and Ann, aged two and four respectively, and then attempted to commit suicide by cutting her own throat. The husband states that on going home about ten o'clock he found the door locked, and the house in darkness. He knocked several times before the door was opened ; on entering, be struck a light, and then discovered his wife sitting on the bedside with her throat cut. The bed was also covered with blood, and the children lying dead with their throats cut. The poor woman, soon after the horrible discovery, was taken to the Infirmary, and, although the wound on her throat is very serious, she is expected to recover. The husband was taken into custody, but afterwards discharged, his unhappy wife declaring that she alone cut the throats of her children. The neighbours also say he came to the door at ten o'clock, and had to knock a long  time. It seems that Mrs. Gowland, desperately injured as she was, managed to crawl to the door in reply to her husband's knocks, the floor being streaked with her blood. She then appears to have returned to the bed, on which her husband first saw her seated, beside the ghastly corpses of her two children. She had employed two razors, whieli were found at the side of the bed, and the children had' apparently been dead for some time. Gowland is about 32 years of age, and his wife about 26. He was in the service of Messrs. Terry and Watson, solicitors, and came from Durham or Sunderland. His irregularities had been a source of unhappiness at home; he and his wife had twice separated, and it had been arranged that they should again separate, as, on Monday, a letter was found in the wife's possession from which it appeared that a sister at Sunderland was about to receive her into her house. The poor woman was formerly cook in the service of the Bishop of Durham. The inquest on the bodies of the children was held yesterday morning, at the Boar's Head Hotel, Bradford.
The Daily Times. — 1860-04-21 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

RUSSIAN CRITICISM ON ENGLISH SUICIDES.  The following amusing paragraph from the Journal de St. Petersbourg will be a proof that the Russians, in their present attempts at acquainting themselves with the state of European society, and of England especially, do not limit themselves to the contemplation of an Englishman's life, but extend their philosophical critiques even to the variety displayed by him in his choice of death. " The Serpentine (says the Journal de St. Petersbourg) is the great terminus of people intent upon drowning themselves. It is true that the Thames is not altogether unpatronised for this purpose, but it is only chosen by the less respectable classes, and by foreigners not yet acquainted with the ways of the country. This is so perfectly true that nobody is considered as committing suicide unless he gives himself to the waters of the Serpentine. In this case the coroner's jury is sure to pass a verdict of Felo de se ;' whilst those who have drowned themselves in the Thames lose the honours of self-destruction, and only get a ' place in the sorry chapter of accidents. The latter may, however, insure for themselves the dignity of the first verdict by presciently leaving behind letters in which they announce their intention to commit suicide. The verdict in that case, however, is accompanied by the additional phrase of under mental aberration.' For the rest, suicide is not prone to garrulity in England; people destroy themselves without making it the subject of much previous conversation. Self-murderers in England are in this respect remarkably different from murderers of others, who are wont to commit their thoughts largely to paper both before and after the crime." The topic has a curious interest for Russians, in so far as suicide is a crime almost  unknown in that country, a country of misery though it is. The race do not seem to muster the necessary dicision of mind and propose for the execution of serious designs against their own persons.
The Daily Times. — 1860-07-10 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

CORONER'S COURT-YESTERDAY.  Friday, the 29th Ju'he, to lcrol after the joiners who  were fitting up boxes, at Mr. Bell's expense, to send nine valuable horses to America. The men had gone, and deceased went forward, and in a minute the witness heard a crash, and then sone one cried out a than had fallen. The witness heard a faint cry. The upper deck hatchways were put on when the then left. The witness went down, and saw both arms of deceased were broken, for he sari) the bones protrUcling. Dr. Hill was called., and attended him. Death was the result of the injiiriesi and the jury found a verdict of 4'Accidental Death.i  On the body of Elizabeth Roberts, the wife of a collector to the Royal Oak Burial Society, but she has not been living with her husband for two years. She died on Friday, sttddenly, in Milton-Street. ft appeared that for a period up to a shod drje Anne she tae in the habit of drinking, but lately was much distressed, The jury returned a verdict that death was the result of excessive drinking. . On the body of William Arnold, who lived in Skelhorrie-Etfeet, lie sous Ivorki* in Button-street ye'sterday, and died suddenly. The inquiry was adlottrfied in order to have a post mortem examination made. On the body of Mary Flanagan, forty-five years of age, who lived at 35, Johnson-street. On Saturday the deceased fell down stairs—being lame of one leg, in consequence of rhetnnatism—and death was the result of injuries received: Verdiet accordingly: On the body of Williani Sinitll, earteti forty-four years of age, who died in consequence of being crushed between two lorries, as reported in our paper. Verdict, accidental death. •  On the body of Mary Johnson, twenty years of age. She was the daughter of Thos. Johnston, a flatman, who lives in Prince William-street, Park. She was subject  to fits, and on Friday, whilst in one, she fell into the fire, and Wad thirii bady that she cliecl,in the Southern Hospital. Verdict, " Accidental deaih," Surerpt.—On the body of John Hawkinson, a sweep, who lived in Richmond-terrace, Richmond-row. The deceased had been a soldier, and had deserted twice. He was much given to drink, and, from the evidence of  Alice Jump, it appeared that he was drinking heavily lately, ani that he was suffering from the effects. On Sunday he attempted to cut his throat, but was prevented. However, he managed, ill the CdUrse df the night, to hang himself with his handkerchief from the Midi. door.  The jury found a verdict of suicide whilst under tern  porary insanity.
The Daily Times. — 1860-07-19 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

LOVE AND SUICIDE.  EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF ATTEMPTED DOUBLE MURDER. At the Winchester Assizes, before Mr. Justice Keating, Robert Simpson (23), was indicted for wounding Sophia Rowe, with intent to murder her, at Winchester. Mr. Gunner prosecuted. The circumstances of this extraordinary case formed one of those recurring instances that " truth is stranger than fiction." It appeared that Rowe, who had been a domestic servant, is the daughter of a brick-, maker, named James Rowe, residing at Stowmarket, in Suffolk, -and on the 24th of last December, being out of a situation; she went to the Painters' Arms, is public-house in Sussex-street, Winchester, to assist the landlady, who was in ill-health, and there she remained until the morning of Saturday, May 12. Previously to this she had become acquainted with the prisoner; the Thursday and Friday nights preceding the 12th they slept together ; and on the Friday morning the man said he was tired of soldiering, he should cut his throat, and requested that Rowe 'would obtain him a razor. She told him that she would not borrow one, upon which, according to the girl's account, he became so unhappy that she gave him Is. 6d. to purchase a razor. He bought one, returned to the Painters' Arms, and remained'there for the rest of the day, giving the razor to Rowe, who locked it up in her box. At night, when they went to bed, at the prisoner's request Rowe took the razor out of the box and placed it under the bolster. Another girl, Rachael Welby, also got into the bed, being accustomed to sleep with Rowe; she arose at seven o'clock next morning and went down stairs. About five minutes afterwards Simpson took the razor from under the bolster, and Rowe desired him to cut her throat. He replied that he had not power to do it, and Rowe declared that if he did not cut hers he should not cut his own. Simpson asked her to lay her arm down for him to put his head on, and she then laid her arm down and he laid his head upon it. At that time he had the razor in his left hand, and with it he first cut Rowe's throat and then his own. Mrs. Wathesi, the landlady heard some noise, and on running up stairs found them both lying on the bed with their throats cut and bleeding. Rowe held out her hand, and said "Good bye." Simpson said, "This is love," and Rowe added, " I shall die happy." Mr. Buckle, a surgeon, was called in, and on an examination of the wounds discovered upon Rowe a very large incision in the neck, dividing a portion of the trachea, attended with much hemorrhage. The prisoner's neck was not so seriously lacerated. The Jury convicted the prisoner of the attempt to murder.  His Lordship characterised the conduct of the parties as a foolish and wicked act—an offence against morals, religion, and law; and, ordering sentence of death to be recorded against the prisoner, told him that he would have to suffer a long term of imprisonment.
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1843-12-05 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

DWELLING-HOUSES thereon, and the COALYARD thereto belonging, situate on the south side of Carlton-street, and in the immediate neighbourhood of the Clarence Dock ; two of the houses front Carltonstreet, and are now occupied by Mr. M`Ginnis and Mr. Richard Field, at the yearly rent of £lB 14s. each, and the remaining two are immediately behind, forming a Court, called Brew's-place, and are occupied by Mr. Seabird and Mr. M.Bride, at the yearly rent of £lO Bs. each. The Coal-yard fronts Carlton-street, and is• now let for £lO per annum. This lot has a frontage of 39 feet 8 inches to Carltonstreet, and runs in depth on the east side, adjoining premises of Mr. William Brew, 44 feet, and on the west side 46 feet 6 inches, and is in breadth at the back, adjoing premises now or late of Mr. Whitehead, 34 feet 2 inches.  .. Members of CONSUMPTIVE FAMILIES assured at Equitable Rates.  HEALTHY 'LIVES are Assured at Lower Rates than at mast other Offices.  Policies of twelve months' standing are not effected by Suicide, Duelling. Brc.; and Assigned Policies are valid from the date of the Policy, should death ensue from any of these causes.  F. G. P. NEISON, Actuary  LIVERPOOL AGENTS: OCTAVIUS WATERHOUSE, 1, Oldhall-street, A. HIGGINSON, Esq., 1, Mornington Terrace.  DISTRICT AGENTS : Blackburn—Mr. J. Parkinson, Chemist, 1, Church-street. Bolton-le-Moors—J. Taylor, Esq., Coroner. Carlisle—John Reed Donald, Esq., Solicitor. Clitheroe—James Garstang, Esq., Surgeon. Lancaster—Mr. Y. Welch, Sharebroker, Penny-street. Leeds—Messrs. J. and H. Richardson, Solicitors.  Further particulars may be obtained on application to Messrs. H. and H. CHRISTIAN and JpNEs, Solicitors, Harrington-street, Liverpool, at wh yie Office Plans of the Properties may be seen.  {J. Bt. M anchester stic, manNewcastle-on-Tyne— Sandhill. Penrith—S. Evens, Esq., Cumberland Union Bank. Preston—W. 0. Jones, Esq., 25, Frenchwood-street. Rotherham—Wm. Fretwell Hoyle, Esq., Solicitor. Sheffield—Mr. W. Spencer. Accountant, Fargate. Stockton-on-Tees--Mr. J. R. Harding, Chemist, High etham, Esq., 3, Cross-street, Market. and Mr. C. Pennington, 70, Hardstreet, Deansgate. Anthony Atkinson and Co., 43,  ir
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1843-01-27 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

LIFE.—SUICIDE THROUGH AFFECTION FOR AN IMPRISONED THIEF.—An inquest was held on Wednesday before Mr. Payne, the coroner, at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, on the body of Emma Ranger, aged 21. By the evidence of 11 witnesses, it was proved that about two  years ago the deceased married a respectable man. a chairmaker, but though their circumstances were good, her violent temper and growing depravity deprived them both of that domestic comfort they were led to suppose would follow the wedding. Six months ago. when the husband, Alfred Ranger, returning frown work, expecting to find his tea prepared for him, he discovered that his wife, the deceased, had left home, and, with the assistance of an abandoned associate, removed to some place, where she alone could have the use of it, every article of furniture. The next he heard of her was that she kept company with women of the lowest character, and lived in a state of adultery with a notorious thief, now in custody on a charge of stealing a quantity of linen. Upon that charge he was apprehended about a week ago, and deceased, in her anxiety to get him liberated, for the witnesses said she was passionately fond of him, went round to all her friends, acquaintances, and relations, including her mother, to endeavour to raise money for his defence by raffling some of her clothes. Having by that means provided a sufficient sum to employ a solicitor, and having been assured by him that he should be able to bring bun off, she was heard to exclaim, " 0 ! if he does but bring him off I could kiss his feet," and felt confident that she should soon again have the company of her paramour. Contrary to her expectations he was remanded, and when, at two o'clock on Monday last, at Worship-street Police-court, she teamed that he was to be confined still longer, she raved like a maniac, saying, " Oh, my dear Jack ! Oh, i shall never see you again i" As the prison was driven off she cried bitterly, van and during the rest of the day was heard lamenting the fate of the prisoner (a man named Dickenson). At four- o'clock in the afternoon she purchased a pennyworth of oxalic acid, saying that she wanted it for the purpose of cleaning straw, and at six o'clock swallowed it in the house of an acquaintance in New Inn-yard, Shoreditch. Chalk and water were administered as an antidote to the poison, though much against her will. for she said her reason for attempting suicide was that she was tired of her life ' • and in twonlinutes after her admission to the above hospital she died. The witnesses who knew the deceased could give no other reason for the rash deed than that of her blighted hopes of Dickenson s liberation. The jury took the .Arne view of the case, and returned a verdict of " Temporary  insanity.'AMEßlCAN
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1843-01-27 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

DETERMINED SUICIDES.—On Tuesday last, Mrs. Benton, the landlady of the Prince Regent public-house, in Globelane, London, committed suicide by hanging herself to a bedpost by a cord.—On Sunday last, a travelling hawker of boxes, named Crew, and residing in Woolwich, got up out of his bed and cut his throat with a razor, and died shortly afterwards. lie had been labouring under a severe fever for several days.  There are few, if any, instances of increase of population so rapid as that of Berlin. In 1650, it reckoned 6,100 inhabitants; in 1700, it had inereased to 29,000; at the birth of Frederick the Great, in 1712, it contained 61,000 ; at his accession to the throne, in 1740, his capital contained 90,000; and at his death, in 1786, there were 107.000. On the accession of Frederick William 111., in 1797, he found 165,000 inhabitants in Berlin ; and on the accession of the present monarch, in 1840, the number was 330,234.  The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress gave a splendid juvenile ball, on Wednesday last, at the Mansion House, the alterations and improvements in which have been so far cornpleted that his lordship's family were able to remove into it from his private dwelling on Monday last, There were upwards of 250 present at the ball and supper, amongst whom were the children of some of the most eminent merchants and bankers in the metropolis, Members of Parliament, &c. The dancing did not conclude till past two o'clock.  On Monday last, Thomas Sharpies, an innkeeper at Bolton, was brought before the magistrates, charged with having a dramatic performance at his house. The piece performed was Mazeppa. The case having been established, the magistrates retired, and, after a lengthened consultation, the mayor said, " Our opinion is, that there has been an entertainment of the stage within the meaning of the 10th Geo. 11., c. 28 ; and we convict Mr. Sharpies in the penalty of £50." Mr. Sharpies intends to appeal against this decision to the sessions.
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1843-10-17 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

ARREST OF A HORSE DEALER FOR A HIGHWAY ROBBERY COMMITTED 16 YEARS AGO.-Mr. John Britton, the Leicestershire horse dealer, after realising a competency, and establishing himself in the world with every appearance of solidity, has been committed for trial on a charge of highway robbery. perpetrated in Somersetshire sixteen years ago ! At that moment the county of Somerset was infested by a gang of highwaymen, led by John Britton, alias " Gipsy Jack," and a man named John Burton. On the occasion of Priddy fair, the attacked and robbed several persons on the high road, and all but murdered two men named Hedge and Bartlett. Burton was taken, tried, convicted, and in August, 1827, executed at Taunton. Britton escaped and it was supposed that he had left the country or committed suicide. But, about a month ago, a policeman saw Britton, the Leicestershire horse dealer, in Smithfield market, and felt persuaded that he was the Somersetshire highwayman. On inquiry he found that he was living at East Langton, and dealt lamely in horses. Ile hesitated to arrest him,  been tried for his n  not knowing 1 cleat offence, and punished ar roan therefore made the matter known to his inspector who instituted inquiries, and then had him apprehended at Waltham fair. He most positively denied that he was the man, asserted that Britten the highwayman had been executed, and stated that he was living in good credit at East Langton, with his wife. His protestations, however, availed him nothing; he was taken into Somersetshire, fully identified, and committed for trial. Fourteen years ago, says the Leicester Chronicle, he married Miss Martha Worciford, of the Coach and Horses Inn, Kibworth Harcourt ; and, eight years afterwards, another wife came  to East Langton, from Bris bigamy ; but she, having (it is  to prosecute him for apposed) been bought off,  ,ervants,  . so happy as to enjoy the esteem of his neighbours : they will not be sorry," says the chronicle, " if he should never return to Langton."
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1843-10-17 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

ARREST OF A HORSE DEALER FOR A HIGHWAY ROBBERY COMMITTED 16 YEARS AGO.—Mr. John Britton, the Leicestershire horse dealer, after realising a competency, and establishing himself in the world with every appearance of solidity, has been committed for trial on a charge of highway robbery, perpetrated in Somersetshire sixteen years ago! At that moment the county of Somerset was infested by a gang of highwaymen, led by John Britton, alias " Gipsy Jack," and a man named John Burton. On the occasion of Priddy fair, the attacked and robbed several persons on the high road, cud all but murdered two men named Hedge and Bartlett. Burton was taken, tried, convicted, and in August, 1827, executed at Taunton. Britton escaped and it was supposed that he had left the country or committed suicide. But, about a month ago, a policeman saw Britton, the Leicestershire horse dealer, in Smithfield market, and felt petsuaded that he was the Somersetahire highwayman. On inquiry he found that he was living at East Langton, and dealt largely in horses. He hesitated to arrest him, not knowing but that he v:ight have been tried for his ancient offence, and punished according to law. The policeman therefore trade tie matter known to his inspector, who instituted inquiries, and then had him apprehended at Waltham fair. He most positively denied that he was the man, asserted that Britton the highwayman had been executed, and stated that he w•as living in good credit at Ea!! Langton, with his wife. His protestations, however,  le was taken into Sornersetshire, fully identified, and-committed for trial. Fourteen years ago, says the Leicester Chronicle, he married Miss Martha Wo-dford, of the Coach and Horses Inn, Kibworth Harcourt : and, eight years afterwards, another wife came  in rot  to East Langton, from Bristol, to prosecute bins for bigamy ; but she, having (it is supposed) been bought off, suddenly discl•peared from the village. He resided on his own property, and kept several servants, but was not so happy as to enjoy  e esteem of his noighbours: they I will not be sorry,'; says the Chronicle, " if he should never return to Langton."
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1843-10-17 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

ARREST OF A HORSE DEALER FOR A HIGHWAY ROBBERY COMMITTED 16 YEARS AGO.—Mr. John Britton, the Leicestershire horse dealer, after realising a competency, and establishing himself in the world with every appearance of solidity, has been committed for trial on a charge of highway robbery, perpetrated in Somersetshire sixteen years ago! At that moment the county of Somerset was infested by a gang of highwaymen, led by John Britton, alias " Gipsy Jack," and a man named John Burton. On the occasion of Priddy fair, the attacked and robbed several persons on the high road, and all but murdered two men named Hedge and Bartlett. Burton was taken, tried, convicted, and in August, 1827, executed at Taunton. Britton escaped and it was supposed that he had left the country or committed suicide. But, about a month ago, a policeman saw Britton, the Leicestershire horse dealer, in Smithfield market, and felt persuaded that he was the Somersetshire highwayman. On inquiry be found that he was living at East Langton, and dealt largely in horses. He hesitated to arrest him, not knowing but that he might have been tried for his ancient offence, and punished according to law. The policeman therefore made the matter known to his inspector, who instituted inquiries, and then had him apprehended at Waltham fair. He most positively denied that he was the man, asserted that Britton the highwayman had been executed, and stated that he was living in good credit at East Langton, with his wife. His protestations, however, availed him nothing; he was taken into Somersetshire, fully identified, and committed for trial. Fourteen years ago. says the Leicester Chronicle, he married Miss Martha Wo• dford, of the Coach and Horses Inn, Kibworth Harcourt; and, eight years afterwards, another wife came to East Langton, from Bristol, to prosecute him for bigamy ; but she, having (it is supposed) been bought off, suddenly disappeared from the village. He resided on his own property, and kept several servants, but was not . so happy as to enjoy the esteem of his neighbours : they ill not be sorry," says the, Chronicle, " if he should never return to Langton."