npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1870-04-08 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

CONFESSION OF MURDER.  A confession of murder has been made by a man at Sutton Bridge, named Truefit, in which himself and a woman are implicated. It appears that a woman named Maria Burridge, who has been a widow for eight years, and is in the prime of life, had been on terms of intimacy with the self-accused murderer, who has been a singer in the Wesleyan Chapel, where Mrs Burridge played the harmonium. There had been hints of undue familiarity between them, bet it was set down generally as mere village scandal. It now appears from the statement of Truefit that for the past seven years be has been in the habit of visiting Mrs Burridge late at night, but that recently a carter named Richardson had been the favoured visitor in his stead, and to him, it was said, she was shortly to be married. On Thursday night week, about eleven o'clock, Truefit went to the house, but could get no recognition of his knock, from which he imagined that Richardson was in the house, fie then entered, but found no one there but Mrs Burridge, and for this act she summoned him before the magistrates, who fined him for the offence. This he reseuied, and at once  stated that Burridge had had three children, which had been murdered sod buried. Burridge, on hearing this disclosure, coolly replied, "How can you say so? You know it's false." Truefit asserted that his statement was tine, and that he himself had buried the first of the babies in his father's garden about four or five years ago, and offered, if the police would go with him, to show them the exact spot. On going to the garden and digging, a child's skull and other remains were taken up. Truefit states that the woman gave him this child over the fence, and promised, if lie would bury it, she would never have any other man but him. He also admitted that the child was alive when she gave it to him, and that when he was burying it it began to cry, when he stamped upon it. The other two children, he states, Burridge put away herself, but he does not know where. A strict search for these bodies is now being made. The woman is the widow of a man named William Burridge, who committed suicide by hanging himself with his waist strap about eight years ago.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1870-04-08 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SUICIDE AT DURRAM.—Joseph Biguell, aged 19, committed suicide an Siturd ty afternoon by throw log himself in front of a p ,seing train near Durham ftsilway Station. He had absconded from his father's house in Croydon in December last with a large aura of money, and had been warned not to return.  The Englishman, speaking of the magnificent reception given to the Duke ot Edinburgh at Lahore, says that at a state dinner the Duke's piper treated his guests to a concert on his bagpipes after dinner, lie played magnificently, which means that his music was more diabolical than any fifty snake-charmers all playing together.  The North British Mail states that a pretty severe shock of earthquake has been felt at Cutnrie. The noise was like the rumble of distant thunder, and was heard by numerous people beyond comrie. Slight shocks have of late years been pretty frequent, and they generally occur in peculiar states of the atmosphere.  One of the effects of the opening of the Suez Canal is said to be an increased demand for the coal of Labuan. The Englishman tells us that the coal in this small island, only 50 miles square in extent, is estimated at four hundred millions of tons. It is obtained at a depth of 240 feet from the surface, and European coal heavers and miners have been imported to teach natives how to work in the mines  A tragic event is reported from Devizes. A young woman named Bond, who had been disappointed in love, was walking with her mother by the side of the c inal, and suddenly she jumped into the water. Her mother attempted to rescue her, and sprang in after her daughter; but the latter detained the former wifh a firm grasp, and mother and child were drowned together.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1870-11-12 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

ACCOMMODATION FOR TIIE PRESS.—Nine cases were heard at this court. Some alterations have been made, it is said by order of the bench, in the accommodation afforded to the representatives of the press, the chief feature of which is that they are expected to take their seats along with the prisoners. The reporters declined the doubtful honour of sitting among the representatives of the "great unwashed," who, tl-day, were charged severally with throwing app;ea about in the theatre, a street brawl, wilful damage, being drunk and incapable, being drunk and riotous, picking pockets, attempting to pick pockets, and, lastly, attempting to commit suicide. A moment's reflection will no doubt convince the magistrates that this is hardly the suitable place for reporters, who, as yet, have a reputation to maintain. At any rate, the parties aggrieved thouk,ht so, and attended the " second " 3ourt, where more suitable accommodation could be obtained.  We give the decisions of the bench :-Robert Scaife, summoned by P.C. Hardcastle, for throwing apples about the theatre, on the sth Nov., was fined 10s, including costs. Elizabeth Lyall, summoned by William Findley, for a street brawl on the Bth, paid 3s costs. Mary Emma Fawell, brought up by Sarah Wood, for wilful damage on the 3rd November, paid 813 Gd costs.  John Green, drunk anti incapable on the Bth, paid ss, including costs.  James 111‘Carty and Charles Groves were each fined 2s 6d and costs, and Edward M'Guinness 58 6d and costs, for being drunk and riotous on the 10th.  George Armytage, charged with attempting to pick the pocket of Thomas Green, on the 9th November, was committed to prison for three months' hard labour.  John Pearson, charged with attempting to commit suicide, under circumstances already detailed, was dismissed with a caution.  (
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1870-02-18 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SUICIDE OF A STATION AIASTER.—The port of Leigh was thrown into a state of consternation a few days since by the suicide of Mr R. Twist, who has been for fourteen years station master there. Nothing peculiar had been observed in his appearance or behaviour lately. Ile had attended three trains that morning, the last at seven minutes to eleven, when he left the waiting room, in which his only daughter aged l'2, was sitting, locked himself in the booking office, and deliberately rut his throat with his pocket knife. The daugl ter, alarmed at hearing a noise there, called a porter, who. unable to get au answer from Mr Smith or to opeo the door, called some persons t his assistance, on of whom got in through the loophole of the ticket office, and found the unfortunate man lying on the floor in a pool of blood, his knife, a pencil, and the door key lying en the counter. A medicai men was summoned, aid he found the larynx divided, and therefore nothing could be done to save him He was sensible, however, and spoke some time alter, telling Mr Louth, a junior inspector, that be had left a no e for Mr Louth, his father (the tr ffic manager of the South end line). The note stated that he was suffering from a disease which had troubled him for some years At the inquest the surgeon, Mr Calloway, stated that hi had a year ago attended deceased for delirium tremens, and that he had previously attempted solids, but that the immediate cause of death was loss of blood. The jury returned a verdict of temporary iusanity. SINGULAR ACCIDENT WITH A NAPHTHA Laare.—On Wednesday evening week a very singular accident occurred with a naphtha lamp at the village of Whitnash, near Leamington. Shortly before eight o'clock in the evening, Mr Keyeell, landlord of the Plough and harrow nubile-house, was engaged charging a naphtha lamp which usually buns in the kitchen. A man named William Meades was assisting hint, and Mr Keysell's little son was standing nezr, watching the proceedings. While Mr Keyse I was pouring some naphtha into the lamp out of a jar which contained about a gallon and a half of that liquid, from some n y terious cause.the naphtha in the lamp exploded, and shot up a huge volume of red flame. The man Mendes was enveloped in it, and was very soon all on fire. Hio coat was burned from his back, and be was most seri. ously scorched about the neck and lace. Mr Keyeell'e son was slightly burned, but Mr Keysell escaped all injury. Fortunately the jar of naphtha he was holding up in his hand at the time of the explosion in the lamp did not come in contact with the Limes. otherwise great loan ot tor h life and property would have teen inevitable. 'rile origin of the explosion is a mystery, as there was no cardle or light of any sort iu the kitchen, nor fire in the grate. The lamp had been hanging out ot doors all day. Mende W.lll removed to the Warneford Hospital, Leamington shortly after the occurrence, where his wouuds were dressed.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1870-09-17 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SOCTETL—The first show of this society WM,: held at Todmorden on Saturday, nutkr most unfavourable circumstances, owing to the eX,e,!•lillg Wein.'ClS of the day, the rain descending in 10rre0t4 at frequent intervals. The show was of a cre lita:ilti nature.. Upwards of .£l5O was given in prizes, for which nearly 350 entries were made.  SUICIDE TIIROUGII JEkLOUSY.-011 'Saturday night a dressmaker, wailed Mary Ann Richardson, twentyeight years of age, residing at 27, Waterloo-street, Hull, committed suicide by taking a quantity of Barber's Vermin Killer. Deceased aB3 to have been married on Monday to a young shipwright, one Henry Withers, whom she found asleep in the house of a Mrs Kirk on Saturday night. Th jury returned  . . . verdict of " Suicide whilst temporarily iu.aue." Mr Kirk was hooted through the streets by au enormous crowd.  mshoe, near Cassel, the re.: sidence assigned to the Emperor Napoleon by hi captor, King William, is remarkable .as a former residence of Jerome, King of Westphalia, and youngest brother to Napoleon I. It was built last century, with money received by the prime-elector for his subjects, the s;)ldiers he sold to the English Government for the War in America. The park is built on the side of the Weissenstain, a mountain of considerable elevation, and is mainly remarkable for its artificial ruins and the waterworks, which consist of numerous cascades, fountains, &c., falling from the top of the mountain through all sorts of springs, rivulets, and pours into the vale. On the top of the Weissenstain is the Octagon, a splendid eight-cornered building, crowned by a colossal statute of Hercules, or, as the people call it, " big Christoiler," a b gelid ary soldier and saint of the last century. King -Jerome used to reside at the Routh-lie, a castle close to the Palmhouse on Wilhelmshehe, and the Ex-Emperor will take up his abode as a pri,oner at the same place where his uncle resided as king. A peculiar fatality has been pointed out in this coincidence as well as in the fact that the Emperor's downfall has been brought about under leadership of the sou of Queen Louise, of Prussia, who was outraged in such a mean and detestable way by the first Napoleon. To the outraged feelings of the Prussian people, caused by these offems to their beloved queen, the enthusiasm was due, to a great extent at least, which shattered the fabric of the first Empire.—Continental Correlandent.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1870-04-29 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

MELANCIIOLY SUICIDE.  On Friday last, Mr Whitmsrah, crironer for North Wilts, held an inqatry at the Q teen'a Hotel. Svindon, respecting the death of Mr Neat Corp Harding. a solicitor of Warminster, and son of an independent gentleman, residing in that town. From the evidence taken facts of a very painful character were disclosed. The deceased was a finely-built young man, 27 years of age, and had lately been-studying very hard in order to gain a certificate to enable him to prtctice as a solicitor. Though to all outward appearance a healthy man in body and mind, there is no doubt that his mental faculties gave way under excessive study. Early on the previous morning the deceased's father received a telegram from London, stating that his son WRS ill, and requesting his attendance. Mr Harding, sen., at mice started for London, leaving Warmnster at ten minutes past two. In the meantime the Young man had left his lodgings in London, and proceeding to Paddington, took a t cket to Warmins.er by the 10 10 train, and arrived at Swindon at t 5. The Wey• mouth train, however, went without him, and he was seen loitering about the several platforms at Swindon Station. Having a ticket stuck in his hat, the inspector asked him where he was going, when he appear. d confused, but ultimately said he wished to stay at Swindon for a time. The father, with the fami,y doctor, arrived at Swindon by the four o'clock express, at which time us witness named Lawrence saw the deceased on the platform. ho ediately the express lett the unfortunate young man ran to a reservoir, and pitched beads foremost in. Ass stance was rendered, but too late. Evidence was given that, the deceased was very tern crate in his habits, but that he had not taken stifficient ~,,,, rishntent while undergmng a hard couri-e or stody. Verdict—" Suicide while hi a state of tern porary derangement."  In consegurnce of the sad calamity which has befallen the Earl and Countess De Grey and Ripon in Greece. the installation ol his L rdship as Grand Master of England has been p•istponed. A statement of considerable interest to agriculturists, and impottant to other sections of the c-mmunity, we. made on Friday at a mee.ing of the Cheshire Chamber of Agricutiure. Some time ago •teveral innoculated heifers were transferred by Mr Toilers:melte to a farm sbere there were a number of cattle suffering limn disease, for the purpose of testing the tfficiency of innoculation in preventing pieuro pneumonia Mr Tolletnache's cattle have been reo turned to him in perfect health
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1870-01-07 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

FEROCIOUS MURDER.  The Offenburg (Baden) Court of Assizes has been engaged for some days in the trial of two shoemakers, named Steidel and Dcabich, for the murder of M. Mathias, a banker. The deceased went out °tie day for a short walk before dinner, and never returned. his body was found a week after concealed in the cleft of a rock in a neighbouring wood, death having been caused by a pistol:shot, and by several wounds inflicted in the breast with a knife. The murderers were shortly afterwards discovered by a mere accident. Deebich made a full confession. Ile and Steidel agreed to murder some one in order to plunder the body, and they decided to commence with an experiment on Madame Steidel whose husband wanted to get rid of her. They, however, changed their intention on that head, but adhered to their former decision. After purchasing a brace of pistols, they started by rail for Appenweir, Steidel taking with him a rope, saying that they might bang a man on a tree and rob him, and be would be supposed to have committed suicide. They walked to Oberkirek, meeting on the way a butcher driving a calf. Steidel wished to kill this man, saying that he perhaps had money on him, but they allowed him to go Off unhurt A &licence then passed with the mail bags fastened behind, and Derelict] proposed to Steidel to cut the leather thongs and obtain possession of the letters. The latter followed the vechiele by running for a time, but rettrrned without doing anything, and his companion repro 'cited him with a want of courage. They ntxt met succes,ively a woman arid a priest, each of whom Steidel wished to murder; ill the latter case, that accused had actually cocked his pistol, but Deebich remarked to him that sonic cattle were near, and probably some men were minding them. At length they perceived M. Mathiss, went up to him, and Steidel shot him ; he fell on his face, ar.d Doetich turned over the body and plunged his knife several times in the breast. They then. divided the money, Dm ich keeping the watch and jewellery, and also taking off the boots of the murdered man. The accused were condemned to death.  At the Liverpool Police-court, on Tuesday, Bridget Magowan, a hawker, b 5 years of age, was brought up for the 1211th time, for being drunk and incapable.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1870-01-07 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

DISTRESSING SUICIDE NEAR THIRSIC.-A lamentable case of drowning occurred on New Year's eve or early on New Year's morning, near Kirby Wiske. Mr William Stainthorpe, butcher and cattle dealer, who resided at Newby Wiske, left his house, as was his usual custom, on Friday afternoon for Baldersby and intermediate places, with butchers' meat 0 sell and deliver. In returning late in the evening, when he arrived withika t.hort distance of Kirby Wiske he got out of his cast, and threw himself into a small stream that runs into the river Swale, and was immediately drowned. He hail first taktu off his two coats, leaving what money he had in his possession in his pockets. The horse stood till morning, when it was seen without anyone in charge of it. Search was made and the body was quickly found. It appears that deceased, who was widely known and respected, had of late been subject to periodic fits of mental depression He had recently purchased a considerable property, which had been a matter of some anxiety to him. An ' inquest was held on Saturday, before Mr Walton, coroner. Evidence in accordance with the foregoing was given, and a verdict was returned " That deceased drowned himself whilst in a state of temporary insanity."  The Government Emigration offieLtls at Liverpool on Saturday completed the annual returns of emigration from that port for the last year. They show that those who have ,left our shore; to seek a home elsewhere have exceeded those of any year since 1852. In the last-named year the number was 229,000, and in 1869, had not many Irish eingrants left from other ports. that total would even have been exceeded. To the United States, still tlo great centre of attraction to emigrants, their sailed 291 ships, carrying 5,030 cabin and 138,352 steerage passengers. of this number England contributed 57,000, Ireland 29,000, Scotland 7231, and foreign countries 44,775. The total number ol passenger vessels which sailed from the Mersey in the year was 627, carrying 172,31 passengers, an increase of no less than 43,394.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1870-07-15 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

NIARRIAG E.—A young German while visiting the house of a married lady in California observed a portrait of her sister, a Miss Rowe, then living at St. Austell, Cornwall. Ile was charmed, and two days afterwards wrote to the young lady, avowing his love and offering her marriage. The reply W 45 favourable, and he then forwarded a liberal sum of money to defray Miss Rowe's expenses from Cornwall to California, adding that should she, on arrival, be unfavourably impressed, he would not hold her bound by either law or honour to accept his hand. Within the last few days, Miss Rowe's mother at St. Austell has received a letter announcing that the nuptial knot has been tied.  - A PUBLICAN DROWNING HIMSELF IN A BEER BARREL —On Monday morning last, between four and five, a publican, named William Liptrot. of the Bowling-green Inn, Wigan, committed suicide in a shocking manner. For the past two years the decea.,ed had given way lo drink, and latterly it was necessary to watch his movements, On Monday morning, however, he eluded the •icilance of his watchers, and suffocated loin-elf by forcing his head into a working barrel of beer. The persons attending to the deceased found Ito ,hortly after, but he was then quite dead. We have some details of the damage done by the great flood in East Lancashire, from which it 4ppears that the value of the proper y destroyed is rather over than under £lOO,OOO, at which it was originally estimated The amount of the damage done to the turnpikes alone is about .£3,000. The roads are torn up in Bacon and Todinorden and their neighbourhood, and in the former town the deposits of rubbish lett in the streets threaten to breed a fever. A subscription for the poorer sufferers has been opened. An inquest was held on Wednesday on the body of one of the Goodall children, who were drowned near Todmor, den, and resoled in a verdict of "Accidental death."
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1870-01-14 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

DANCING WITH A VENGEANCE.  A few evenings since a ball was held in one of the halls of the city, at which a large number of the young folks were in attendance. Among the attractions of the evening was it priz.?, a gold ring, offered to the lady who should out-waltz all competitors. At twelve o'clock the band struck tip 'll Baccio," and a full dozen competitors took their places on the floor, entering for the contest. Al the expiration of twenty minutes four of the couples gave way and took their seats, leaving the rest twirling and whirling in the giddy and intoxicating dance. One hour more, there were but three couples on the floor, and the dance went on till after another hour had passed, when from sheer exhaustion another couple gave way, leaving the floor to the remaining two pair of terpsichorean devotees. The band of music played and played and pla)ed, till even those who looked upon them grew sick and dizzy. At the end ot the fourth hour the musicians grew feeble, and from the finger-ends of the violinists the blood trickled to the floor; but still they supplied the moving power to keep the dancers going. The excitement grew intense as the fifth hour of the dance came on, and there were those present who in,isted on putting an end to the merry, though reckless quartet suicide. How,ver, no interference was permitted, and the prize danci over the jaws of death went on. After five hours had elapsed one of the ladies fainted, and her pa i tner quickly followed her example, and amid cheers the prz • was awarded the other c-uple, who kept the floor. Then claire a summing up of damages. The two contesting girls were nigher death than life, and had to be couve)ed to their homes, together with their partners, who were as badly used up, in carriages, and all have since been in a precarious condition, and under medical treatment. The girls had to have their shoes cut from their feet, and their limbs were swollen to enormous size. The young men will hardly recover, and the musicians suffered terribly, and will never again play at a tersichorean contest. So much for foolishness.—Pittsburgh Gazette, December 2nd.