npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1844-04-05 (London, England)

THE SUICIDE IN FLEET-STREET Last evening the inquiry connected with this mys• terious case, and adjourned from Monday last, was resumed before W. Payne, Esq., City Coroner, at Anderton's Hotel, Fleet-street. The inquiry related to the death of Mary Griffin (servant to Mr. Scratchley, surgeon, of 168, Fleet-street), who, it was alleged, had destroyed herself by swallowing tincture of opium on the morning of Sunday last. The evidence on the former day tended to impress a belief that deceased had been seduced by her master's brother, the Rev. Charles James Scratchley, 8.A., now or late curate of St. George's Chapel, Queen-square, Bloomsbury ; and the evidence of the latter was given in a somewhat contradictory manner, which kept the matter in doubt, and hence the adjournment, for the purpose of a post mortem examination, and to procure the attendance of relatives and of additional evidence. At the inquiry last evening, Mr. Moxen, of the Chancery bar, attended to watch the proceedings on behalf of the Rev. Gentleman. Among the additional evidence adduced was that of Mr. Lewis Day, surgeon, who had made the post mortem examination, who was of opinion death had ensued partly from the poison and partly from the antimony administered as an emetic. Deceased was not pregnant, and, in his opinion, had never borne a child, although she was not a virgin. Rebecca Griffin (sister of deceased), a person of lady-like manners and appearance, living at Canterbury, underwent a long examination, from which it appeared that her sister's real name was Charlotte, and age 34. About twelve years since she bore a child at steeple Ashton, by a man to whom she was about being married. Subsequently, in about the year 1835, she formed an intimacy with Mr. Charles Scratchley, then about nineteen years of age. They went together to Paris, and lived in England as man and wife, and the relatives of the latter thought they were really married, and witness, under such impression, visited them at Pentonville ; but in about 1839 Mr. Scratchley, being then designed for the Church, went to college for that purpose, Dr. Scratchley, the father, having written to say that the connexion must be dissolved before his son could enter into holy orders. Some slight allowance was made to her, but her mind was much distressed. Mr. Scratchley behaved kindly to her while she was living with him, and the object of recommending her to his brother was to give her a character for another situation. Witness did not believe she was capable of committing robbery, but had latterly thought her mind impaired, and was consulted by Mr. Charles Scratchley as to the propriety of her being taken care of. It further appeared that Mr. George Scratchley was ignorant of the previous connection when deceased came into his service, and also that deceased had become of intemperate habits, and was accustomed to converse and drink spirits with abandoned females, although her conduct was proper while living with Mr. Scratchley. She was, however, very desponding, and generally so whenever the Reverend Gentleman came to stay at his brother's.
The Sun. — 1844-04-05 (London, England)

SUICIDE.—An inquest was held yesterday at the Welch Harp, Essex-street, Whitefriars, before Mr. Payne, the Coroner, on view of the body of Louisa Matilda Gilligan, aged seventeen, a professor of music and dancing, Several witnesses were examined, but the substance of the evidence may be briefly stated. The deceased was the daughter of a coachmaker, residing at No. 10, Denmark-street, Soho, and obtained her living by teaching music and dancing to some young persons of both sexes, whom she met at Norris's Coffeehouse, Little Dean-street. About a year ago she became acquainted with a young man of the name of Webster, who frequented the same coffee-house. At her request he con! ducted her public balls, and very soon he paid her so much attention that their friends believed they would be married. The intimacy continued until about two months ago, when she gave a dress ball at some rooms in Oxford -street. Webster, in his evidence before the Coroner, said that his love for her ceased at that ball ; for though he was there in characteristic costume, she chose a young gentleman, a Stranger to him, and in Undress, as her partner, in the first set of quadrilles, and during the evening danced with a Mr. Capp, a mere acquaintance. After that he had some words with her, and the match was broken off. She was still in the habit of going to the coffee-house every Sunday evening to meet her pupils, and take part in what the witness called a "temperance conversazione ;" but after the discontinuance of her meeting with Webster, she was pensive and thoughtful. She often threatened to destroy herself, saving that her acquaintances had scandalised her; and on the night of Sunday, the 25th of February, she told Miss Appleby, one of her pupils, that she would have a watery grave that night. A young man, named Capp, walked home with her, but she immediately went out again, and going direct to Waterloo-bridge, threw herself into the water. The body was not found until Monday last, when a waterman discovered it floating at Templestairs. The following lines, supposed to be written in allusion to her unfortunate quarrel with Webster, were found in her box :  "Fain, fain would I my grief impart, Yet dare not, for your anger; But secret love will break my heart, If I conceal it longer." The witnesses said they thought that deceased's mind was affected, and the jury returned a verdict of " Temporary insanity." SERIOUS Loss OF
The Sun. — 1844-06-22 (London, England)

UNION HALL.-(THIS DAY.) Elizabeth Hart, a girl of 17, was charged with attempting to commit suicide by suspending herself to the iron handrail of Westminster Bridge. Policeman 32 L, stated that between four and five o'clock that morning, while on duty on the Surrey side of Westminster Bridge, he went to the steps leading to the river, and saw the defendant with a strap buckled round her neck, and the other end of it made fast to the iron hand-rail, He immediately ran down the steps, and holding up the girl's body, unbuckled the strap from her neck, and finding she was in a state of insensibility, he conveyed her to the station-house, and some restoratives having been administered, she recovered sufficiently to be enabled to be brought up to this Court. In reply to Mr. CorrurGnAm, the unfortunate girl said she was a flower maker, but that being out of employ, she was reduced to great distress, and had not tasted food for the last two days, and had not slept in a bed for five nights; that she had no relations in London, and that it was the dreadful state of destitution she was in that instigated her to commit suicide.  The policeman said that since she had recovered from her insensibility, she had expressed a determination to put her threat into execution. The MAGISTRATE directed the unfortunate girl to be provided with food, and said that he should remand her until Wednesday; in the meantime inquiry should be made respecting her.  TOTAL LOSS of the MANCHESTER (STEAMER). The following letter was received this morning by the secretary at Lloyd's, from the agent at Hull, dated June 21, 3 30 P.M.: " The Leeds (steamer), Mowle, from Hamburgh, bils just arrived, bringing accounts, dated 18th inst., from Mr. Dutton, of Cuxhaven, stating that the Manchester (steamer), Capt. Dudley, which &Wed hence 14th inst., appears to have been totally wrecked **the entrance of the Elbe, during a heavy gale on the 16th and 17th inst. from the northward. i" The boats broken, also considerable quantities of broken bales of cotton, twist, and other goods and wreck, have been washed ashore at Cuxhaven. As there is no account of the crew and passengers, it is feared that the whole have perished. The ship had a very valuable cargo on board. (Signed) "
The Sun. — 1844-06-22 (London, England)

COMMON PLEAS.-(THIS DAY,  . . UNION HALL.-(THIS DAY.) Elizabeth Hart, a girl of 17, was charged with attempting ,to commit suicide by suspending herself to the iron hand-rail of Westminster Bridge. Policeman 32 L, stated that between four and five o'clock that morning, while on duty on the Surrey side of West.tninster Bridge, he went to the steps leading to the river, and saw the defendant with a strap buckled round her neck, and the other end of it made fast to the iron hand-rail, lie immediately ran down the steps, and holding up the girl's body, unbuckled the strap from her neck, and finding she was in a state of insensibility, .he conveyed her to the station-house, and some restoratives having been administered, she recovered sufficiently to be enabled to be brought up to this Court. In reply to Mr. CorrnmiLtar, the unfortunate girl said she was a flower maker, but that being out of employ, she was reduced to great distress, and had not tasted food for the last two days, and had not slept in a bed for five nights ; that she had no relations in London, and that it was the dreadful state of destitution she was in that instigated her to commit suicide.  The policeman said that since she had recovered from her insensibility, she had expressed a determination to put her threat into execution. The MAGISTRATE directed the unfortunate girl to be provided with food, and said that he should remand her until Wednesday; in the meantime inquiry should be made respecting her.  TOTAL LOSS of the MANCHESTER (STEAMER). The following letter was received this morning by the secretary at Lloyd's, frc.ni the agent at Hull, dated June 21, 3 30 P.M. :" The Leeds (steamer), Mowle' from Hamburgh, has just arrived, bringing accounts, dated 18th inst., from Mr. Dutton,of Cuxhaven, stating that the Manchester (steamer), Capt. Dudley, which sailedhence 14th inst., appears to have been totally wrecked at the entrance of the Elbe, during a heavy gale on the 16th and 17th inst. from the northward. " The boats broken, also considerable quantities of broken bales of cotton, twist, and other goods and wreck, have been washed ashore at Cuxhaven. As there is no account of the crew and passengers, it is feared that the whole have perished. The ship had a very valuable cargo on board. (Signed) "
The Sun. — 1844-07-31 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF A CLERGYMAN.—Within the last few days the people of Gravesend have been painfully excited by the self-destruction of the Rev. G. Harris, minister of one of the churches in the City. Tht unfortunate gentleman, who was about 48 years of age, left town last Saturday week with his lady and two daughters, in the hopes that a change of air would benefit his health, lie having, for the last three months, been in a very desponding state of mind. From inquiries made respecting the melancholy occurrence, it appears that at a late hour on Fridays night-, he retired to his bedchamber with his wife, Mrs. Harris retiring to rest first. A few seconds, however, had barely elapsed before she heard a heavy fall in the room. She immediately rose, and perceiving Mr. Harris lying on the floor, promptly got out of bed, and then made the awful discovery that he had laid violent hands on himself. The police were instantly called in, when the lamented gentleman was found to have inflicted a mortal gash in his throat with a razor, which was discovered on the top of the drawers; and although Mr. Sanders, surgeon, of High-street, was soon in attendance, and every means were resorted to to save his life, all proved ineffectual, and in less than a quarter of an Lour he ceased to exist. An inquest was held by Mr. Carttar, one of the Coroners for Kent, on the body, and a verdict of " Temporary insanity" returned.  The remains of the late lamented Dowager Countess of Leicester were interred tt Longford Hall, Derbyshire, on Monday, in the presence of her deceased Ladyship's nearest relatives. The Earl and Countess of Albemarle, who were to have come to town en route to Goodwood, are staying at Quiddenham Hall, in retirement, in consequence of her Ladyship's demise.  The llouseten adjourned until Five o'clock.
The Sun. — 1844-03-25 (London, England)

ANOTHER SUICIDE ON BLACKFRIARS-BRIDGE.— CULPABLE CONDUCT.—This "bridge of sighs" was this morning the scene of another act of self-destruction, in the person of a young woman, who, a short time after twelve o'clock, was observed to run down the eastern steps of the south side of the bridge and precipitate herself into the river, An alarm was immediately given, and one of the watermen with praiseworthy intrepidity rushed in after her and succeeded in catching hold of her cloak; this, however, gave way, and she disappeared. The waterman was now obliged to come into shallow water to recover his breath. He had no sooner done this than she again rose, and he immediately darted after and succeeded in bringing her ashore. She was then evidently alive. With the assistance of police-constable Speakman, 326, and another waterman, the poor creature was conveyed to Mr. Rose, surgeon, corner of Stamford- street and Blackfriars-road, and after ringing and knocking several times at the door, the young man, who had gone to bed, made his appearance, but they were informed that Mr. Rose was not at home, and were referred to Mr. Meymott, surgeon, No. 56, Stamford-street, where on arriving, they were directed to convey her to St. Thomas's Hospital. Thither they were obliged to proceed, but on the surgeons of that institution examining her, life was pronounced to be extinct. The conduct of some persons in this case is highly reprehensible, as the deceased was not more than five minutes in the water, but nearly three quarters of an hour had elapsed before she was attended by a medical man. The person and dress of the deceased is described as following, viz. :-24 years of age, five feet high, dark hair and complexion. Dress, half-mourning cotton gown, cloth cardinal cloak with velvet collar, black silk bonnet, black stockings and shoes. Nothing was found upon her person which would lead to her identification.
The Sun. — 1844-03-25 (London, England)

ANOTHER SUICIDE ON BLACKFRIARS-.ERIDGE.CULPABLE CONDI:CT.—This " bridge of sighs" was this morning the scene of another act of self-destruction, in the person of a young woman, who, a short time after twelve o'clock, was observed to run down the eastern steps of the south side of the bridge and precipitate herself into the river, An alarm was immediately given, and one of the watermen with praiseworthy intrepidity rushed in after her and succeeded in catching hold of her cloak; this, however, gave way, and she disappeared. The waterman was now obliged to come into shallow water to recover his breath. He had no sooner done this than she again rose, and he immediately darted after and succeeded in bringing her ashore. She was then evidently alive. With the assistance of police-constable Speakman, 326, and another waterman, the poor creature was conveyed to Mr. Rose, surgeon, corner of Stamford- street and Blackfriars-road, and after ringing and knocking several times at the door, the young man, who had gone to bed, made his appearance, but they were informed that Mr. Rose was not at home, and were referred to Mr. Meymott, surgeon, No. 56, Stamford-street, where on arriving, they were directed to convey her to St. Thomas's Hospital. Thither they were obliged to proceed, but on the surgeons of that institution examining hei, life was pronounced to be extinct. The conduct of some persons in this case is highly reprehensible, as the deceased was not more than five minutes in the water, but nearly three quarters of an hour had elapsed before she was attended by a medical man. The person and dress of the deceased is described as following, viz. :-24 years of age, five feet high,' dark hair and complexion. Dress, half-mourning cotton gown, cloth cardinal cloak with velvet collar, black silk bonnet, black stockings and shoes. Nothing was found upon her person which would lead to her identification. _ _
The Sun. — 1844-12-24 (London, England)

DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.—On Monday last Robert Hetherington, a carman in the employ of Mr. Richard Rutledge, of Bishops Mills, by whom he was much esteemed for his industry and honesty, committed suicide by drowning himself in the river Caldew. From the particulars which have reached us it appears that the deceased rose on Monday morning, shortly after four o'clock, and told his wife, who was about to become a mother, th..t he would go among her relations, and try to get some one to nurse her. She never saw him again alive. As he did not return home on Monday, consi derable anxiety as to his fate prevailed, and, a search having been made on the Tuesday, his body was found in the Caldew, about a quarter of a mile from his own house, having taken off his coat and waistcoat be:ore he committed the rash act. An inquest was subsequently held upon the body, before Mr. Carrick, Coroner, who) the jury returned as their verdict " That the deceased had drowned himself while labouring under an attack of temporary insanity." After the deceased had left his I house on the Monday, his unconscious wife, or the❑ more probably his widow, was prematurely delivered of a child, which still lives, and to complete the melancholy story her delivery took place in the same bed in which 1 her eldest child, about eleven years old, was lying ill of ' fever. The bereft widow, a poor and very delicate woman, is now left in a most deplorable condition, with four young children, and without the smallest means of support beyond what is conceded by the benevolence of the charitable.—Caylisie Patriot.  Tuari-ouTs.---A strike of colliers has been avoided at Ashton-under-Lyne, the matter being amicably arranged between masters and men.—The moulders and millwrights at Bury still remain out.—The factory hands at Heywood have given notice to leave their employment unless their wages are advanced.—One thousand miners are out at Oldham.—The colliers who turned out at Tonge-lane colliery, near Rochdale, have resumed their work, the masters having granted the advance asked for. —The principal hands at Pilling and Co.'s and Townmeadow mil are still out.—Prwon Guardian.
The Sun. — 1844-06-10 (London, England)

DEED OF DARKNESS.—On Monday last, as the navigators employed in the completion of the Ledbury Canal to this city were engaged at Monkmoor in forming:a wide ditch close to the hedge adjoining Mr. George's factory, the spade of one of the men came in contact with a human skull, and on further turning up the earth a whole skeleton, in a very advanced state of decay, was discovered. The frail memorials of mortality lay upon an oak slab, or board, at a depth of about four feet, the hole dug for their reception being filled up with stones and rubbish. From the absence of the pelvis, it is impossible to say with certainty whether the remains are those of a male or female, but from the smallness of the bones it is conjectured that they are those of a woman, certainly of an individual of small stature; and the teeth being very perfect, most likely those of a person in the bloom or full vigour of age. From the circumstance of a drain having been cut through the ground over where the crumbling skeleton lay, without any discovery of the body, there is little doubt that the interment took place before the inclosure of the common, and therefore the deceased has probably lain in the earth for a period of sixty years. The spot is secluded, and at that period must, even though open, have been one of peculiar loneliness. Whether, however, the remains are those of some hapless being foully murdered, or, as has been surmised, from the rather careful manner in which they were deposited, of some suicide, or person who died by the hangman, and was consequently denied the rites of Christian burial, is one of those questions on which the mind may speculate with mysterious curiosity, but can arrive at no certain conclusion. Some years ago, a pensioner about 70 years old, on his death-bed, declared that in his younger days he had murdered a man, and that the corpse was buried on Monkmoor, but the circumstance was little regarded at the time, and it is in vain to speculate upon it now.—Hereford Journal.
The Sun. — 1844-01-09 (London, England)

CAPT. WAKEFIELD.—The late Commander Arthur Wakefield, R. N., whose lamented fate we recorded last week, was in the 44th year of his age at the time of his death. He was the third son of Edward Wakefield, Esq., of Burnham, Essex, the author of the well-known statistical and po itical account of Ireland. Captain Wakefield entered the navy at ten years of age, and first sailed in the Nisus frigate, with Captain Philip Beaver, whose expedition to Bulama, and other services, are matters of history. Ile was subsequently present at the taking of Batavia and the Isle of France, and in the land engagements of Bladensburgh and Washington, where he served as aide- de. camp to Admiral Sir George Cockburn. He was afterwards for some time in command of a brig on the coast of Africa, where he captured several slave ships after obstinate engagements and boarding from boats away from his ship. it thrice occurred to him to jump overboard and save the lives of shipmates at sea. Few officers were better known or more highly considered in the navy than the subject cf our remarks. Before his promotion to the rank of commander lie was much sought after as a lieutenant, and was seldom at home many days between leaving a ship pain off and being appointed to another newly put in commission. Ha_ had served in all parts of the world, and left the command of thethe filouhnatcliaaimioa:tohlusthesttN,aemis-ofrnigseatteti,enslheonit-tliyn New Zealand Company. His conciliatory manners and moral ataktlie, worth had made him respected it at will be difficult to find a successor to him post Nelson, andblsfoereseurvuidceer adrninistiatien of the sessed of his energy and ability in the and beloved by all classes Company's affairs.—New Zealand Gazette. Crisfortl, the landlord of the Bull Ilotel, a man universally respected, committed suicide on Monday, by drowning, near the King's Mill, Newnham. An of "Found Drowned."—Cambridge Independent. inquest was held on the body, when the jury returned a verdict
The Sun. — 1844-06-20 (London, England)

MORTALITY IN TUE METROPOLIS.—The total number of deaths during the week ending June 15, was 855—average for the last five years, 946. In the first class of diseases, called zvmotic, which includes small-pox, measles, scarlatina, &c., there is a considerable increase, the number being 194, while the average is 178. In nearly all the other cases there is a decrease. Deaths from small-pox are unusually great, the average being 15, while last week they amounted to 47, and of these 46 had not been vaccinated. • Among the unvaccinated are reckoned a female, aged 11 months, who was vaccinated only 10 days before death ;" a female, aged 3 years, who had been " vaccinated 3 times without effect ;" and a male, aged 6 years, who had been " vaccinated with doubtful success." Among the vaccinated are included a male aged 25 years, who " had been vaccinated young —one indifferent cicatrix ;" and a female, aged 23 years, who had been " vaccinated when 6 rears old— one small cicatrix scarcely perceptible." The deaths from this disease, occurred at the following ages : Eleven under 1 year; seventeen, 1-3 ; three, 3-5 ; seven, 5-10 ; one, 13 ; five, 20-30 ; and three, 30-40 years. Deaths from consumption, 136—average 147. The following is an analysis of the violent deaths : Fracture or contusion by falls; 4 cases; drowning, 7 cases, of which 4 were accidents, 1 suicide, and 2 manslaughter; hanging, 3 cases (suicides); suffocation in bed, 1 case ; and at birth, 1 case. In the remaining cases, respectively, " injury," "manslaughter," " murder," the means by which death was caused are not stated—total, 19 cases. The thermometer was highest on Thursday, the 13th-83.1; and lowest on Tuesday, the 11th, 47.5 degrees. The total amount of rain for the week is marked at the unusally low degree of 00.2.  In the account of the .Waterloo banquet in The Sun of iesterday, the Duke of Wellington is stated to have given Mae health of Colonel Macdonald. It should have been Lieutenant-General Sir Janne Macdonell.  THIS 3i_A'S;(''S