npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1845-09-30 (London, England)

SUICIDE IN A WATER-BUTT.--Yesterday, Mr. Bedford held an inquest at the Rose and Crown, Rose-street, Soho, on the body of Ann Foxwell, aged fifty-eight. The deceased, a widow, carried on the business of a turner and stand-maker, at No. 24, Crown-street. She had been very unsettled, and at times depressed in spirits since the death of her husband, eleven months since, and would frequently exclaim, "That there was no one in the world she cared for," and "that there was nothing worth living for." On Saturday morning last, at twenty minutes past seven o'clock, her sister left her in bed, and a quarter of an hour after she was found by her foreman in the water-butt in the back kitchen, her feet upwards. On being taken out she was quite dead. The top of the water-butt being within a foot of the ceiling, she must have had some trouble in effecting her object. Verdict " Temporary insanity." MILITARY MOVEMENTS AT PORTSMOUTH,—It has been decided to enlarge the Cambridge Barracks, and for this purpose the Theatre Royal and the houses at the upper part of the High-street, Portsmouth, together with those facing the ramparts on the south of the High-street, will be taken down as soon as the Government can obtain possession of them. The space thus obtained will provide one of the finest sites in the town for this object, and as the property is not occupied by persons in business, no inconvenience is likely to result from the procedure. The building now occupied as the Portsmouth workhouse, which will be vacated in a few weeks, the inmates being about to be removed to the new union house, will be purchased by the Government for the purpose of enlarging the Colewort Barracks, the wish of the authorities being that each of these barracks may contain 1,200 men, besides the necessary accommodation for the officers of such a large number. It is also stated, that upon the completion of the above the Forehouse Barracks, which adjoins the one occupied by the Royal Marines, will be added to the latter establishment, thus providing additional room for that branch of the service.—Hampshire Independent. The newspapers of New York are full of ovations of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean. A larger audience was assembled upon the occasion of the benefit of Mr. Charles Kean than had ever been witnessed at the Park Theatre. One journal states that it was a sea of heads from the pit to the back seat of the fourth tier. More money had been received at the treasury during their engagement than had been taken during a similar number of performances for twenty-five years. Eleven nights have realised to these artistes 1,0001. _ _
The Sun. — 1845-11-21 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE IN THE MERSEY.—As the steamer Nun was proeeeding from the George's pierhead to Woodside, about seven o'clock on Saturday night, one of the passengers, who was standing near a group of gentlemen near the helm, suddenly sprang to the side of the vessel, vaulted over the bulwarks, and was instantly carried down with the tide. The act is described by the gentlemen to have been the work of an instant, and wilfully committed. The captain, who was upon the paddle-box at the time, had the engines immediately stopped, and ordered the punt to be put out. The order was quickly obeyed, and the punt was rowed about for a considerable length of time to see if the unfortunate man could be found in any direction; but there was not the slightest appearance of him from the moment that he had plunged into the water. It is supposed that he sank even before the engines were stopped. The body has not since been found, nor is it likely to be until it floats, as the melancholy occurrence took place about 500 yards outside the floating stage, and in a very deep part of the river. Many reports have been circulated as to who the deceased is, and as to what was the cause of his committing the rash act ; but we have been unable to trace them to any accurate source. Some said he was a collector of taxes, who had been deficient in his accounts ; others that he was a railway shareholder who had lost considerably by recent speculations ; but, upon inquiring in the proper quarter last night, we learned that his name and address were as yet unknown. The gentlemen in the boat say, that he never spoke a word during the time he was on board, and that he did not appear to be in the slightest degree intoxicated. He wore a dark frock coat, and light-coloured trousers. In lumping over the side of the vessel ke knocked off the hat of a passenger.
The Sun. — 1845-07-05 (London, England)

OFFICE ROBBERY AT GRA•BSEND.—Iiober I Day, alias CuHinson, described as a hair-worker, was charged on his own confession with being concerned in having, on the 26th ult., stolen the mail-bags from the post-office at Gravesend. Mr. Peacock, solicitor to the Post-office, was in attendance. Inspector Dodd, F division, stated that about ten o'clock on Thursday night, the prisoner came to the station and said he wished to make a private communication, and being shown into the charge-room, he said " I wish to surrender myself for that job at Gravesend." Witness inquired what he alluded to, and he said he was one of the party who stole the mail bags. Witness inquired at what side of the road the post-office was situate, and he replied he must do cline making further communication unitl he could bee the magistrate in the morning. He then said lie had no certain place of abode, and that he had last worked for Mr. Townley in Regent-street, but as to what became of the bags he would prefer informing the magistrate. In answer to questions put by the Court, the prisoner said he knew nothing whatever of the robbery, and ho could not say what induced him to make such a statement. He had made several attempts to commit suicide, and had been confined in a lunatic asylum, since which, he had been charged at this Court for attempting to make away with his life.  An officer was immediately sent to Mr. Townley, to ascertain what be knew of the prisoner, and on his return he said that the prisoner had been detected in embezzling his master's money, for which he was discharged, and he attempted to shoot himself. He then became quite destitute, having no certain mode of obtaining a livelihood, and he subsequently attempted to commit suicide no less than five different times.  Mr. JARDINE, feeling quite satisfied that the prisoner was of unsound mind, ordered the officer to convey him to the Strand union workhouse.
The Sun. — 1845-07-05 (London, England)

TIIE POST-OFFICE ROBBERY AT GasvEsENn.—Robert Day, alias Collinson, described as a hair-worker, was charged on his own confession with being concerned in having, on the 26th ult., stolen the mail-bags from the post-office at Gravesend.  Mr. Peacock, solicitor to the Post-office, was in attendance. Inspector Dodd, F division, stated that about ten o'clock on Thursday night, the prisoner came to the station and said he wished to make a private communication, and being shown into the charge-room, he said " I wish to surrender myself for that job at Gravesend." Witness inquired what he alluded to, and he said he was one of the party who stole the mail bags. Witness inquired at what side of the road the post-office was situate, and he replied he must decline making further communication until he could see the magistrate in the morning. He then said he bad no certain place of abode, and that he had last worked for Mr. Townley in Regent-street, but as to what became of the bags he would prefer informing the magistrate.  In answer to questions put by the Court, the prisoner said he knew nothing whatever of the robbery, and he could not say what induced him to snake such a statement. He had made several attempts to commit suicide, and had been confined in a lunatic asylum, since which, he had been charged at this Court for attempting to make away with his life. An officer was immediately sent to Mr. Townley, to ascertain what he knew of the prisoner, and on his return lie said that the prisoner bad been detected in embezzling his master's money, for which he was discharged, and he attempted to shoot himself. lie then became quite destitute, having no certain mode of obtaining a livelihood, and he subsequently attempted to commit suicide no less than five diftbrent times.  Mr. JARDINE, feeling qttite satisfied that the prisoner was of unsound mind, ordered the officer to convey him to the Strand union workhouse.
The Sun. — 1845-07-05 (London, England)

LIGHTHOUSE ON THE GODWIN.—Mr. Bush, after having surmounted every obstacle in the erection of the building to contain the " light for all nations," is now contending with the greatest difficulty, namely its useful application. The Trinity Board has the exclusive privilege of managing the light-houses on the English coast, and although this privilege was originally granted for the public good, it has now, like many more, become subservient to private• interests. The elder brethren are jealous of their rights, they cannot brook the intrusion of a bold, persevering, and clever man succeeding where they have failed, and they appear more disposed to visit the offending party with their displeasure than to hail the success of the undertaking, and to reward the skilful engineer for the additional protection he offers to the lives and property of our merchants and seamen.—The Builder.  I3RANDING THE Pooa.—Yesterday morning, between eleven and twelve o'clock, a poor hall witted creature was seen in the neighbourhood of Finsbury-square and the City-read, followed by a " gaping crowd," collected around him by the oddness of his garb. His nether garment consisted of a pair of fustian trousers, having impressed upon the seat and legs, in black letters, the words—" Aylesbury Union." His body was encased in a white duck frock, similar to those worn by scavengers, whilst on his back, front, and sides again appeared in formidable black letters, which no washing could obliterate, the words " Aylesbury Union." The bystanders expressed themselves in strong terms of • reprobation of the conduct of the Aylesbury guardians In thus casting an unnecessary stigma upon poverty. The following horrible suicide took place nt RamI (millet on Monday. A collar-maker, named Mulochot, having 1 ecome much embarrassed in his circumstances, and unable to pay the rent of the wretched shop in which he worked, was threatened with the seizure of his goods. He declared that if a finger was laid on anything belonging to him, he would kill himself. A huissier having conic to effect the seizure, Mulochot ran to a heavily-laden waggon, drawn by four horses, that was passing, and threw himself under the wheels. In a moment the vehicle passed over him, and he was a corpse. He has lelf a widow and family.
The Sun. — 1845-04-03 (London, England)

XVIII. alone which ch yielding had its survived place as a cadeau. In the latter days sso, rulingnd parti n g passionlast alludee to, another love of gold. youth, was deLaboriously polite, still did the hot, fierce, jealous undercurrent of his nature, as well as his native shrewdness and experience in strategy, make him a dangerous colleague to deal with in diplomacy." It was out of mere hatred to Bonaparte D. Bongo brought brought about the restoration of 1815. It is curious to trace the restoration, the hundred days, IV l ater 00, of francs the revolution of 1830, and all its consequences— past, present, and to come—to a private feud between two obscure families in the semi-barbarous island of Corsica. Thus—  " Great events from trivial causes spring."  " What we're doing and what we're coming to" is a s nart quiz upon the existing railway-share mania. It is a lively witty .article, and sparkles like a glass  of champagne. It is from the pen of Angus B. Reach. " The Left-hand Glove" is a tale of horror. The object is to show the danger of trusting to c' . . cumsiaiitta ev . ing condemned t,) death for the murder of her husband:: the chain of circumstantial evidence is complete against her, when at length her innocence is made manifest, and she is acquitted—the fact being that her husband had committed suicide. The tale is well told, and the interest is kept up to the last. Mrs. Trollepe continues " The Eobertses on their Travels," and gives us several piquant sketches of society at 13aden. " A Field Day Nsith the Portuguese" is a lively narrative of an adventure at Vittoria in 1837, during the time that General Evans's English legion and the Portuguese forces under Das Antas were quartered in that city. Lights and Shades in the Life of a Gentleman on Half-pay, and the Excursion up the Oronooko are both continued in this number. " The Conversations in the National Gallery " are likewise continued. The present conversation contains much valuable criticism on the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci, and of Raffaelle, although we think the author scarcely does justice to the merits of Leonardo: Agnes Strickland furnishes one of those delightful tales which she so well knows how to write. Her present production is entitled" Kate Wilson, or Sea-side Wooings." It is a pleasing tale, pleasantly told. The Talleyrand Papers are continued. The present number relates entirely to the reminiscences of Talleyrand, of the state of society in France before the Revolution, when, as M. 14 Abbt'_! de Perigord, he was the pet of Madame du Deffand, and the great star of the salons of the witty and accomplished Madame de Brignole. There is a'.so an elaborate review of " Thiers' History of the Consulate and the Empire," and a short notice of the new novel, " Maids of Honour."  • e 5
The Sun. — 1845-10-24 (London, England)

MORTALITY IN THE METROPOLIS.—The number of deaths, for the week ending Saturday Oct. 18, was 771, being 15 less than during the previous week. The fatality caused by measles is on the increase—the numberiamounting to 71, exceeding the last century 10, and not less than 40 above the average of five autumns. Most of the diseases under the other heads exhibit a very mild character. The violent deaths were only 16, of which 7 were fractures and from contusions, 7 from drowning, and two from burns and scalds, and not one suicide.  SUDDEN DEATH OF COLONEL ADEY, LATE OF THE 3D Gmtans.—On Wednesday an inquest was held before William Esq., aged 69, late of Carter, Esq., the Coroner for Surrey, at the Lord Nelson, Old tKheen3t-droad, Guards,on twhheobdoi celdy uonfdTerhovmeryasAey' melancholy circumstances. Mr. W.. G. Adey,of No. 2, Claremont-place, Old Kent.road, stated that the deceased was his father, and resided in the same house. On Friday last be dined with his family at three o'clock, and ate very sparingly of fish. He had been subject to paralytic attacks, and at five o'clock said he would go and lie down. He got up from his seat and went to the bedroom, when he took off his coat and waistcoat. He thee requested his wife to unbuckle his stock, but before she could get to him he fell down on the floor in a powerless state, and upon witness geing to him discovered he was black in the face. A medical friend was sent for, but before his arrival the deceased was dead, having lived tut five minutes after the first attack, and witness had no doubt it was caused by apoplexy, and not by anything he had taken. Verdict—" Died from natural causes." Previous to the commencement of this inquiry the coroner fined a Mr. Harrison, who had been summoned on the jury, 40s. for not attending, and said that in all cases • would Le necessary to adopt a similar course; persons so fined must also be aware that having once inflicted the fine he had no power to remit it, and it would certainly be enforced. SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGISTR ATIoN.—The revision of the list of voters for the Southern Division of the county of Stafford is now completed, and the results are such as the most sanguine Free Traders were nc t prepared to anticipate—such, in fact, as to justify the opinion that should an election take place on the present register, two Free Traders would be returned to Parliament by a considerable majority. The total Free-trade gains 936. For these results the Liberal party are indebted to the Anti-Corn-law League.— Worcestershire Chronicle.
The Sun. — 1845-09-06 (London, England)

DESPERATE SUICIDE OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN.  On Thursday afternoon, at three o'clock, a long inquiry was opened before Air. G. 1. 11111 s, Deputy-Coroner for Middlesex, and a jury, at the Marquis of Hastings, Ossulston•street, Somers-town, on the body of a gentleman at present unknown, who committed self_destruction under the very singular and unaccountable circumstances subjoined. Harriet Ala) ne said she lodged at 26, Aldenham-street, which house was kept by a female named Bryan. Shortly after twelve o'clock on the night of Tuesday last, she met deceased, whom site had never seen before, at a concert at the ieeady, in Bow-street, where she partook of a part of with him and a tall young gentleman, his atGrieaprinrnclitc.ko'f' sllirr The deceased told her he had previously been to Evans's Grand Hotel, and, had partaken of two bottles of wine and some rum punch. Shortly before three o'clock on Wednesday moining the , deceased bid his friend goodbye, left the Garrick 's Head, and accompanied witntZelln:ltnsd ay a a .'fatb to her residence. At two o'clock on ernoon she invited him to pat take of breakfa t, but he refused, and said he would rather have a glass of wine. He gave witness half-a-crown to send for a pint of sherry, and on her calling Margaret. Bryan. the landlady's daughter, to go for it, deceased added, tt Stay, I will It'oen senda to some chemist, giving her 2s. to pro'dit ink, and wrote a prescription in Latin, send fur something else that will do me good." Deceased then (ta,esulkrl ei,ndrytfihe r for Margaret Bryan went to the shop of Mr. Wakefield. and on her return with the wine, said that Mr. Wakefield said he had not got any, and that it was poison. Witness told deceased, who said, ":\iansense, it is no such thing ; it is only to eanrl,iyaennopspirits; send to another doctor." Margaret then went low to the shop of Mr. Rentmore, in Clarendonsquare, and brought back a phial about three-parts full of stuff smelling like almonds. Deceased was then lying on the sofa in the parlour, and appeared very .cheerful. Witness left him to get her breakfast, leaving the phial and the wine on the table. She returned in about five minutes, and on ente:ing the room ,sked the decea.ed how he was? He replied he felt better, but his stomach began to pain him.. At that moment he turned over on the sofa and appeared fainting, and made a gurgling noise in the throat. She called for water, and sent for a doctor. AI r. Waks field came and said he was dead, and had taken  poison. By the
The Sun. — 1845-04-17 (London, England)

SUICIDE IN KENSINGTON-GARDENS.-011 Tuesday afternoon Mr.Wakley, M.P.,coroner held an inquest at the Coo-, cester Arms, Kensington, on view of the body of Mr. Henry lanes aged seventy years, who was found hanging to a tree in Ken. sington.gardens, on the afternoon of Friday last. Mrs. Caroline Dodds deposed that she resides at No. 51, Dorset-street, Salisburysquare, Fleet-street, and the deceased had been a lodger of hers for the last two years. Witness first discovered his death by seeing the account of the body being found in the newspapers, when she  _ . lispected, from the description given, that it was the deceased, and went to the Kensington workhouse and identified the body, Deceased left the house about twelve o'clock. on Friday. He lived iith witness as a gentleman, never doiiig anything, but she did not know anything about his property. Latterly deceased had fallen off in the payment of his rent, and went daily into the City, as he said, about money. On Thursday last he told her he had been dis. appointed of money, and he appeared very much distressed and de. pressed in mind. The Coroner said that in the absence of any evidence of-the state of deceased's mind, the jury had better return a verdict that the deceased was fowl,: hanging in Kensington. gardens, supposed by his own act, but as to the state of his mind at the time there was no evidence to show. The jury, being of the same opinion, returned a verdict to that effect. The Sub-eription for Bishop Ale fley'g New Bruns. v:ick Cathedral dues not get on so last as was F•x• petted, and appeals in various shapes are being made on the pockets of the Puseyites : with w hAt success tie are unsb?a to Wester n 7 trues. The Prussian Universal Gazette status that the bridge of Thorn has been carried away by the drifting ice. The mail steamer between than:de:lz and Gruppe was stud, by the lee on the Ist instant. Five lives and the letter-bag were lost. A gallant instance of intrepidity and courage was displayed on ‘Vednesday se'nmght, by George Soper, of Exe-lane. Walkiog up the banks of the river, on the Exwick side, he saw two children, who had just rolled into the water from a steep bank, and at once plunged in to their rescue. Although it was ten feet deep at the spot, he succeeded in getting them both out.. The ehi dren, who belonged to a navigator, workit,g not tar off, had wandered away to gather primroses, and rolled into the deep water. The father expressed his gratitude. We have no doubt that the Humane Soci, ty will give a more substantial acknowledgment.— Western Times.
The Sun. — 1845-04-17 (London, England)

MURDER NEAR SALISBURY. SALISBURY, TUESDAY.—An extraordinary inquiry was held on Monday and Tuesday, at Milford, near Salisbury. It appears that, on the previous Wednesday, the body of a woman, in an advanced state of decomposition, was found in the river which runs through the hamlet of Milford, about 30 yards below a bridge over which the road passes to Laverstock. The body was speedily identified by the keeper of a small inn at Salisbury, as being that of a woman wixo had been, with a man and three children, staying for some .time at his house, the man getting his living by exhibiting in On city and neighbouring villages a" learned pig." The incluse was commenced on Thursday and adjourned till Mondhy. In the interim the husband was apprehended at a village near Blandford, and was present during the remainder of the inquiry. He gave his name George Woolford, and aged 67. It appeared from the evidence that, on Palm Sunday, the woman left Newman's house abruptly, the man being then absent. An hour after this time two or three witnesses met a man and a woman, the latter being a few yards in advance, going at a quick pace down the road towards Laverstock bridge. One of them stated that, as she passed she heard the man say, I'll be - if I don't." They believed Woolford to be the man. Another witness deposed that he, twenty minutes afterwards, saw Woolford stinseliag on the bridge alone, looking into the water. Woolford, it appeared, returned to the inn at ten o'clock, and then several times afterwards he said he believed the old woman had drowned or hung herself. He and his family remained in the city for some days afterwards, and it appeared that he had made several inquiries about his wife, stating always that he believed she had committed suicide. The medical evidence went to prove distinctly that there were no external marks of violence on the body, and that the death was occasioned by drowning. The prisoner stated that he was not near the spot on the night in question, and that his wife was out of her mind, and had several times attempted suicide. This latter assertion his daughter, on being examined, denied. The inquiry terminated at midnight on Tuesday, in a verdict of " Wilful murder " against Woolford, who was thereupon committed to the county gaol for trial. He is rather a tine man, and is 67 years of age, but looks much younger. It is believed that he and his wife ware formerly members of an equestrian company.