npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1847-01-30 (London, England)

ESCAPE OF A CONVICT FROM SPRINGFIELD GAOL. this;Cle ll cs Oun t V , and convicted of pig aboveioner prisoners prison. quarter l ast sessionsl len r?e, g—enOenra 1S un He had been sentenced to seven-Years! transportation,. and stealing; contrived to make his caClav was accordingly placed in a yard class. 'As we are infortned, upon the mastering of the sopera to attend the chapel in the:afternoon-of thegabove priless than half • an hour after he' Wells, upon some pretence, lingered behind the day, rest, and in is supposed. that having scaled a - high-boarded partition dividing the portion of ' the prison in use from that part where the new buildings are ' going on, he got clear off by means of some -of the m• t ' the discovery • ' a erials employed on the works. Upon being made the intelligence e was immediately transmitted by the telegraph to London and Colchester, and numerous police-constables and other officers were dispatched in pUrsuit in every quarter of the neighbourhood. - This'first intelligence of the locality of the fugitive was gained on Monday morning, when the officer sent to East Hanningfield, where his friends resided, and was informed that he had been in the neighbourhood-the night before, and had exchanged his clothes, which, were subsequently found tied up as a parcel, anddirected to one of the wardens of the prison, in the possession of Thomas Bacon, who had been requested to deliver, it to the carrier, but Bacon asserts he did not know the party by whom they were delivered. Since that time no tidings have been heard of him, although the most active exertions have been made, officers having been sent as far as Kent, in the expectation that the fugitive had taken shelter at a relations in that county.—Essex Standard. _  A. hoilible ,suicide took plade last week at Du• nitres, in the Haute-Loire. A workman at a saw-mill, in a temporary fit of insanity, placed his arm under one of the saws, by which it was separated, and then put his head to the instrument. He. was just expiring when he was discovered.
The Sun. — 1847-01-30 (London, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN A COURT OP JUSTICE.— At the Chester sessions, last week, three prisoners, Philip Dixon, 13. Conley, and Eliza Dixon, were indicted for burglary: Dixon pleaded guilty ; the other two prisoners not guilty. 'The Recorder—You are charged, Dixon, with having committed this offence after having been previously convicted of felony. I caution you that pleading guilty will not make any difference in the sentence that may be awarded to you. Dixon—lt's no use, sir, telling a lie about it; I am guilty. While this conversation took place between the Recorder and the prisoner, Dixon stood up, resting on his elbow on the front of the dock, and apparently adjusting his neckerchief. He then laid his head on the partition, and in the course of a moment or two fell backwards into the dock. It was at first supposed that he had fainted, but his wife and other females who were in the 'dock uttering a frightful scream, it was immediately ascertained that the prisoner had suicide. AiNttnvoha bsas spectators, cllmiti ea tdt hsofvreoas aiagdvnjiavodsientnihi n,rej adjoining Mayoratr htt (Dr.es ti amcto upeor drawn a razor across his throat, and attempted to commit .tdf Jones),awtehliyc,hc came excitement.' hae cAhraospwup dreged n surgeon dwn forward to render assistance. After binding up the wound, the Mayor intimated to the Recorder that it was not of a serious nature, or such as was at all likely to endanger life. It was a flesh wound, just over the larynx, which fortunately it had not penetrated, or fatal consequences would most probably have ensued. The prisoner was then removed from the dock. He expressed his sorrow that he had not succeeded in destroying himself, but intimated his determination to take the first opportunity of putting a period to his existence. The prisoners were placed at the bar on the following day, when the case being clearly proved, the female prisoner was acquitted, Dixon and Conley being found guilty. The former was sentenced to fifteen and the latter to ten years' transportation. ew opera of "Atilla."
The Sun. — 1847-01-30 (London, England)

ESCAPE OF A CONVICT FROM SPRINGFIELD GAOL. —On Sunday last Henry Wells, who was tried at the last general quarter sessions for this county, and convicted of pig stealing, contrived to make his escape from the above prison. He had been sentenced to seven years' transportation, and was accordingly placed in a yard with other prisoners of his class. As I, e are informed, upon the mustering of the prisoners to attend the chapel in the afternoon of the above day, Wells, upon some pretence, lingered behind the rest, and The less than half an hour after he was missed altogether. It is supposed that having scaled a high-boarded partition dividing the portion of the prison in use from that part where the new buildings are going on, he got clear off by means ofsome of the materials employed on the works. Upon the discovery being made the intelligence was linier:etedriataeta transmitted by the telegraph to Loudon and numerous police-constables and other o in pursuit in every quarter of the neighboceurrhowt The first intelligence of the locality of the fugitivey Hanningfield, gained on Monday morning, when the officer sent to .ast anningfield, where his friends resided, and was informed that he had been in the neighbourhood the night before, and had exchanged his clothes, which were subsequently found tied up as a parcel, and directed to one of the wardens of the prison, in, the possession of Thomas Bacon, who had been requested to deliver part to the carrier, but Bacon asserts he did not know the party by whom they were delivered. Since that time no tidings have been heard of him, although the must active exertions have been made, officers having been sent as far as Kent, in the expectation that the fugitive had taken shelter at a relations in that county.—Essex Standard. • A. horrible suicide took place last week at Dtt• nieres, in the Haute-Loire. A workman at a saw-mill, in . a' temporary fit of insanity, placed his arm under one -of the saws, by which it was separated, and then put his head to the instrument. He was just expiring when he, was discovered.
The Sun. — 1847-04-22 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.  Mark Blackmon!, the son of a respectab'e tradesman, who was committed some days since from this court for threatening to shoot his father, was brought up from tl.e county gaol for the purpose of being liberated on bail. It appeared that several articles had been stolen from the prisoner's sister, and amongst them a valuable gold watch, which he was strongly suspected of taking ; sod being interrogated by his father on the subject, he threatened to blow out the old man's brains, and actually prepared a loaded pistol for the purpose. The father, however, having previous intimation of the preparations making for depriving him of existence, came off to this court, and immediate steps were taken to prevent it by the arrest of his son. On that occasion prisoner was held to bail, and, not being prepared with sureties, he was committed. Yesterday, however, two gentlemen attended to become his bail, and the magistrate, observing from the prisoner's appearance that ho was extremely ill, was informed that it was produced by the young man making a most determined attempt to corn• mit suicide in gaol. For this purpose he got into a cor ner of his cell and endeavoured to strangle himself, and was on the point of effecting his object when one of the turnkeys, happening to hear the noise, ran to the spot and saved his life. The circumstance just narrated having been mentioned to the magistrate, and he having pointed out the risk the gentlemen who had offered to become the prisoner's sureties ran in consenting to it, they refused to do so, and the prisoner was therefore sent back to gaol ; and directions were given to watch him closely, to prevent a recurrence of such an act as that he had attempted to carry into effect.
The Sun. — 1847-04-22 (London, England)

CORONER—WiII you explain more precisely what you meant when you desired that the deceased should be watched ? Dr. Ashburner—Our remarks were more of the character of general observations than express directions. I bad heard that a poisoned instrument which Sir Henry generally kept under his pillow had been taken from its place by one of the servants, and that Sir Henry had been very angry thereupon, and had taken possession of the instrument, and kept it in his pocket. I told the servant he had done quite right, and that if he observed any change in his master's conduct, he had better take possession of the instrument again. At the same time I advised that his razors should not be removed, as I considered that such a course would be calculated to annoy and excite him. Examination continued—l am cousin to the deceased's wife. The deceased told me on Saturday that he wus diTressed ia spirits owing to some family affairs, but as I knew thejr*tirelfiller vnilch referred to I macle no further further allusion to the subject. When I was called in on Monday morning I found deceased lying on the floor. He complained of being very cold. I found that he had a wound on the left side of the neck, at the back part. Referring to the wound, I said to him, " How came you to do such a foolish thing ?" He made no reply. I then expressed a hope that he would recover, but he said, " Oh, no I Oh, no I I sha'n't." Dr. Holland came shortly afterwards, and, with myself, thinking it desirable to have the best surgical assistance, we sent for Sir Benjamin Brodie and Mr. Liston. Both those gen. tlemen attended, but nothing could be done for the deceased, who gradually sank, and died at twenty minutes to twelve o'clock on Monday night. I have examined the wound. It is a very deep one—not necessarily fatal, however, either in its nature, or in the loss of blood arising therefrom, but, coupled with his condition of mind and the state of his health, it was likely to prove fatal. I have no doubt whatever that the wound was the cause of death. I have had some experience in cases of insanity. Ido not feel satisfied that a person who commits suicide is necessarily a person of weak mind. Whenever the organ of destructiveness is peculiarly acted on by inflammation, any individual suffering therefrom might commit violence on himself or some other person. The
The Sun. — 1847-04-22 (London, England)

SOUTH WARS.  Mark Biackniore, the son of a respectable tradesman, who was committed some days since from this court for threatening to shoot his father, was brought up from the county gaol for the purpose of being liberated on bail. It appeared that several articles had been stolen from the prisoner's sister, and amongst them a valuable gold watch, which he was strongly suspected of taking ; and being interrogated by his father on the subject, he threatened to blow out the old man's brains, and actually prepared a loaded pistol for the purpose. The father, however, having previous intimation of the preparations making for depriving him of existence, came off to this court, and immediate steps were taken to prevent it by the arrest of his son. On that occasion prisoner was held to bail, and, not being prepared with sureties, he was committed. Yesterday, however, two gentlemen attended to become his bail, and the magistrate, observing from the prisoner's appearance that ho was extremely ill, was informed that it was produced by the young man making a most determined attempt to com• mit suicide in gaol. For this purpose he got into a corner of his cell and endeavoured to strangle himself, and was on the point of effecting his object when one of the turnkeys, happening to hear the noise, ran to the spot and saved his life. The circumstance just narrated having been mentioned to the magistrate, and he having pointed out the risk the gentlemen who had offered to become the prisoner's sureties ran in consenting to it, they refused to do so, and the prisoner was therefore sent back to gaol ; and directions were given to watch him closely, to prevent a recurrence of such an act as that be had attempted to carry iato effect.  Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colozio,l-officop from VII Grog AIM 14 TO Xvii 4 c9111195'
The Sun. — 1847-04-22 (London, England)

CORONER—WiII you explain more precisely what you meant when you desirod that the deceased should be watched ? Dr. Ashburner—Our remarks were more of the character of general observations than express directions. I had heard that a poisoned instrument which Sir Henry generally kept under his pillow had been taken from its place by ono of the servants, and that Sir Henry had been very angry thereupon, and had taken possession of the instrument, and kept it in his pocket. I told the servant he had done quite right, and that if he observed any change in his master's conduct, he had better take possession of the instrument again. At the same time I advised that his razors should not be removed, as I considered that such a course would be calculated to annoy and excite him. Examination continued—l am cousin to the deceased's wife. The deceased told me on Saturday that he was depressed in spirits owing to some family affairs, but as I knew they were trifles which he referred to I made no further allusion to the subject. When I was called in on Monday morning I found deceased lying on the floor. he complained of being very cold. I found that he had a wound on the left side of the neck, at the back part. Referring to the wound, I said to him, " How came you to do such a foolish thing ?" He made no reply. I then expressed a hope that he would recover, but he said, " Oh, no ! Oh, no ! I sha'n't." Dr. Holland came shortly afterwards, and, with myself, thinking it desirable to have the beet surgical assistance, we sent for Sir Benjamin Brodie and Mr. Liston. Both those gentlemen attended, but nothing could be done for the deceased, who gradually sank, and died at twenty minutes to twelve o'clock on Monday night. I have examined the wound. It is a very deep one—not necessarily fatal, however, either in its nature, or in the loss of blood arising therefrom, but, coupled with his condition of mind and the state of his health, it was likely to prove fatal. I have no doubt whatever that the wound was the cause of death. I have had some experience in cases of insanity. I do not feel satisfied that a person who commits suicide is necessarily a person of weak mind. Whenever the organ of destructiveness is peculiarly acted on by inflammation, any individual suffering therefrom might commit violence on himself or some other person. The
The Sun. — 1847-04-22 (London, England)

SOUTH WARY.  Mark Blackmore, the son of a respectable tradesman, who was committed some days since from this court for threatening to shoot his father, was brought up from the county gaol for the purpose of being liberated on bail. It appeared that several articles had been stolen from the prisoner's sister, and amongst them a valuable gold watch, which he was strongly suspected of taking ; and being interrogated by his father on the subject, he threatened to blow out the old man's brains, and actually prepared a loaded pistol for the purpose. The father, however, having previous intimation of the preparations making for depriving him of existence, came off to this court, and immediate steps were taken to prevent it by the arrest of his son. On that occasion prisoner was held to bail, and, not being prepared with sureties, he was committed. Yesterday, however, two gentlemen attended to become his bail, and the magistrate, observing from the prisoner's appearance that he was extremely ill, was informed that it was produced by the young man making a most determined attempt to commit suicide in gaol. For this purpose he got into a cor ner of his cell and endeavoured to strangle himself, and was on the point of effecting his object when one of the turnkeys, happening to hear the noise, ran to the spot and saved his life. The circumstance just narrated having been mentioned to the magistrate, and he having pointed out the risk the gentlemen who had offered to become the prisoner's sureties ran in consenting to it, they refused to do so, and the prisoner was therefore sent #back to gaol ; and directions were given to watch him closely, to prevent a recurrence of such an act as that he had attempted to carry into effect.
The Sun. — 1847-07-17 (London, England)

SUICIDE AT BERMONDSEY. Thursday evening 111. W. ..:arter h-ld an inquest at the King's Arms, Hickman's-folly, Bermondsey, on the bodies of Henry Thomas P•irker, aged 21, and Matilda Griffin, aged 19, some particulars of whose dreadful deaths appeared in this journal on Wednesday. Mary Ann Griffin said that her husband was a cooper, and resided at No. 6, Hickman's-folly. The female ce. ceased was her daughter, and followed the occupation of a laundress. The deceased male was an assistant linendraper and lodged in her house, She had known him about sixteen months. He was acquainted with witness's daughter and kept company with her. On Tuesday afternoon, about a quarter past four,o'clock, her daughter went up stairs from the kitchen to the attic ter the purpose of making the btds. Parker at that time was writing a latter in the back room on the ground floor. Shortly afterwards Parker came into the kitchen, snd asked witness to give him a piece of sealingwax to seal a letter. Witness asked him to whom he had written the letter, and he replied, to his sister. He then left the kitchen, and in the course of a few minutes went up stairs. About twenty minutes after that period she went into the back parlour to see if her daughter had come down, but finding she had not, she went up into the back attic, and found Parker lying on the floor, and also her daughter. The latter was lying on her left side in a quantity of blood. She called for assistance, which brought up some of the lodgers to the room. It was ascertained that both parties were dead. He came in and out during Tuesday morning oftener than he had been in the habit of previously doing, and refused to sit down to dinner, and looked so at her daughter as to excite her suspicions that he contemplated something bad, and she told her daughter to be careful of him. Whilst she was standing at the door she came to witness and said, " Mother, what do you think Henry says ? Ile threatens never to leave the house unless he is carried out." Witness expostuhred with Parker, and told him that perhaps he would meet with some one he liked better than her daughter; but he answered, " No; if I live for seventy years, I shall never forget her." The CORONZR —Did you hear him say anything about cutting throat.? Witness—No; but I have beard him say that if she did not become his wife, she never should be the wife of another. The
The Sun. — 1847-04-24 (London, England)

SOUTH WARK.  Mark Muchmore, the son of a respectable tradesman, who was committed some days sine, front this court for threatening to. shoot his father, ryas brought up from the county gaol for the purpose of being liberated on bail. It appeared that several articles had been stolen from the prisoner's sister, and amongst theris a valuable gold watch, which he was strongly suspected of taking ; and being interrogated by his father on the subject, he threatened to blow out the old man's brains, and actually prepared a loaded pistol for the purpose. The father, however, having previous intimation of the preparations making for depriving, him of existence, came off to this court, and immediate steps were taken to prevent it by the arrest of his sun. On that occasion prisoner was held to bail, and, not b-ing prepared with sureties, he was committed. Yesterday, however, two gentlemen attended to become his bail, aid the magistrate, observing from the prisoner's appearance that he was extremely ill, was informed that it was produced by the yi.ung man making a most determined attempt to com. mic suicide in gaol. For this purpose he got into a cor ner of his cell and endeavoured to strangle himself, and was on the point of effecting his object when one of the turnkeys, happening to hear the noise, ran to the spot and saved his life. The circumstance just narrated having been mentioned to the magistrate, and he having pointed out the risk the gentlemen who had offered to become the prisoner's sureties ran in consenting to it, they refused to do so, and the prisoner was therefore sent back to gaol ; and directions were given to watch him closely, to prevent a recurrence of such an act as that he had attempted to carry into effect.
The Sun. — 1847-07-16 (London, England)

SUICIDE  AT BERMONDSEY.  Last evening, Mr. W. Carter held an inquest at the King's Arms, Hickman's-folly, Bermondsey, on the bodies of Henry Thomas Parker, aged 21, and Matilda Griffin, aged 19, some particulars of whose dreadful deaths appeared in this journal on Wednesday. Mary Ann Griffin said that her husband was a cooper, and resided at No. 6, Hickman's-folly. The female deceased was her daughter, and followed the occupation of a laundress. _ The deeea!ied male was an assistant  linendraper and lodged in her house, She had known him about sixteen months. He was acquainted with witness's daughter and kept company with her. On Tuesday afternoon, about a quarter past four o'clock, her daughter went up stairs from the kitchen to the attic for the purpose of making the beds. Parker at that time was writing a letter in the back room on the ground floor. Shortly afterwards Parker came into the kitchen, and asked witness to give him a piece of sealing. wax to seal a letter. Witness asked him to whom he had written the letter, and he replied, to his sister. He then left the kitchen, and in the course of a few minutes went up stairs. About twenty minutes after that period she went into the back parlour to see if her daughter had come down, but finding she had not, she went up into the back attic, and found Parker lying on the floor, and also her daughter. The latter was lying on her left side in a quantity of blood. She called for assistance, which brought up some of the lodgers to the room. It was ascertained that both parties were dead. He came in and out during Tuesday morning oftener than he had been in the habit of previously doing, and refused to sit down to dinner, and looked so at her daughter as to excite her suspicions that he contemplated something:bad, and she told her daughter to be careful of him. Whilst she was standing at the door she came to witness and said, " Mother, what do you think Henry says ? He threatens never to leave the house unless he is carried out." Witness expostulated with Parker, and told him that perhaps he would meet with some one he liked better than her daughter; but he answered, " No; if I live for seventy years, I shall never forget her." The