npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1856-02-05 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPE.—On Friday, a butcher from Caerwys, North Wales, named Jonathan Hughes, was preserved, in a most remarkable manner, from being crushed to death. It appears that Hughes, who was booked for Chester, on his way to Liverpool, had left a parcel on the outside of the Greenfield-station, and just as the up-train was coming into the station, he manifested a desire to go for the parcel, but was warned by the porter not to run the risk ; however, he did start across the line, but the train came up at the moment, the buffer struck him, and he fell under the train. In this awful position he fortunately bad the presence of mind to lie quietly whilst the train passed over him, and so remained unhurt ! The moment the train passed, he got upon his legs, put his hat upon his head, and walked off, with no other evidence of having been so near the jaws of death than the loss of a few of his whiskers, which were burned off by the fire that fell from under the boiler.  J. J. MANSDELL, Esq., a proctor of Doctors-commons, has died suddenly at Conway. He had been, for a considerable time, conducting himself in a manner which clearly indicated an aberration of intellect. On the night before his death, he went to a low beer-shop and lodging-house, and, between five and six o'clock in the morning, with his clothes on, laid himself down upon a bed. When called, he was in a dying state, breathing very hard, and life was soon extinct. • Examination showed a large extravasation of blood in the brain, just behind the ear : a small lead bullet, flattened on one side, was found lodged in the skull. It appears that, several years ago, the deceased had attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself; but, notwithstanding the closest search had been made to discover it, excepting the outward wound, no trace whatever' of the ball had been found. It had been-lodged in the skull, and was, no doubt, the cause of his death, though at so long an interval.
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1856-02-05 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPE.—On Friday, a butcher from Caerwys, North Wales, named Jonathan Hughes, was preserved, in a most remarkable manner, from being crushed to death. It appears that Hughes, who was booked for Chester, on his way to Liverpool, had left a parcel on the outside of the Greenfield-station, and just as the up-train was coming into the station, he manifested a desire to go for the parcel, but was warned by the porter not to run the risk ; however, he did start across the line, but the train came up at the moment, the buffer struck him, and he fell under the train. In this awful position he fortunately had the presence of mind to lie quietly whilst the train passed over him, and so remained unhurt ! The moment the train passed, he got upon his legs, put his hat upon his head, and walked off, with no other evidence of having been so near the jaws of death than the loss of a few of his whiskers, which were burned off by the fire that fell from under the boiler.  J. J. M.A.NSDELL, Esq., a proctor of Doctors-commons, has died suddenly at Conway. He had been, for a considerable time, conducting himself in a manner which clearly indicated an aberration of intellect. On the night before his death, he went to a low beer-shop and lodging-house, and, between five and six o'clock in the morning, with his clothes on, laid himself down upon a bed. When called, he was in a dying state, breathing very hard, and life was soon extinct. Examination showed a large extravasation of blood in the brain, just behind the ear : a small lead bullet, flattened on one side, was found lodged in the skull. It appears that, several years ago, the deceased had attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself; but, notwithstanding the closest search had been made to discover it, excepting the outward wound, no trace whatever of the ball had been found. It had been lodged in the skull, and was, no doubt, the cause of his death, though at so long an interval.
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1856-02-19 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

SUICIDE OF MR. SADLEIR, M.P.  The body of Mr. J. Sadleir, M.P., was found on Sandal morning. on Hampstead-heath, at a considerable distance•from the public-road. A large bottle, labelled "Essential oil of bitter almonds," and a silver cream-jug, both of which cee' tained a small quantity. of the poison, lay by his side. The body was at once removed to the workhouse, where it we seen by Dr. Nichol a few minutes afterwards. A powerful odour of bitter almonds was perceptible at the mouth, so that there can be no doubt he died from the effects of this poison• He had, probably, lain on the spot where he was found during the greater part of the night, as the body was quite cold, and the rigor mortis completely established. It appears that Mr. Sadleir left his house (11, Gloucester• square, Hyde-park) about half-past eleven o'clock on Saturde night, and as yet nothing further has been ascertained respect' ing his movements. Mr. Sadleir formerly practised as a solicitor in Dublin with great success, and enjoyed a high professional reputation. 1847 he entered parliament as member for Carlow, and sat for that borough until the dissolution in 1852. Upon the accession of Lord Aberdeen to the Premiership Mr. Sadleir svae offered, and accepted, office as a Lord of the Treasury, and be continued a member of the administration for some months. In 1843 he became chairman of the London and County Joint Stock Banking Company, and for several years presided over the affairs of that body with great ability. A few months since he vacated the chair, and, though his connexion with the company continued, he took no active part in its business. occupation of the chair at the last general meeting was simplY an act of courtesy towards his late colleagues in the direction. It is said that he was a purchaser to a large amount of lands sold in the Encumbered Estates Court in Ireland, and that he was extensively connected with various commercial undertakings of magnitude, but that he was under no heavy liabilities to the banking company to which we have alluded; and that for the comparatively small account that remained open against him at the time of his decease the company Wee guaranteed by ample securities.
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1856-02-26 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

INQUEST ON MR. SADLEIR.  The proceedings were continued to-day. A letter, in Sadleir's handwriting, contained a statement to the effect mentioned by the Morning Advertiser, that he could not live to see the agony of those whose ruin he bad caused. Several names of persons he had ruined are stated in the letter, but the coroner decided it would be highly injurious for those names to be mentioned in court. Mr. Keating, M.P. for Waterford, also gave evidence, and read letters from Sadleir, confessing the latter's villany. He says, " Stevens and Norris are both innocent, and have no knowledge of the fabrication of deeds and forgeries by me, and by which I have sought to go on in the horrid hope of retrieving." After the examination of Mr. Josiah Wilkinson, with reference to a forged deed given him by Mr. Sadleir, and a statement from Mr. Keating, that up to that time no other forged documents than the one alluded to had been discovered, and that there had been no forgeries connected with the Swedish Railway Company, The coroner said it would be a question for the jury to con. sider whether Mr. Sidleir did really commit the extensive forgeries and frauds alluded to, or whether they were mere delusions. The question with regard to property was very important; for if Mr. Sadleir destroyed himself in sound mind, all his property, goods, and chattels would be forfeited to the crown. Up to the present time, be, the coroner, saw no signs of insanity ; but if it could be proved that these documents were written under the delusion that he committed villanies which he never committed, that would be positive proof that he committed suicide in an unsound state of mind. It was due to the deceased, his friends, and the public at large, that there should be a further adjournment. The inquiry was therefore adjourned for a fortnight..
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1856-02-26 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

INQUEST ON MR. SADLEIR. The proceedings were continued to-day. A letter, in Sadleir's handwriting, contained a statement to the effect mentioned by the Morning Advertiser, that he could not live to see the agony of those whose ruin he had caused. Several names of persons he had ruined are stated in the letter, but the coroner decided it would be highly injurious for those names to be mentioned in court. Mr. Keating, M.P. for Waterford, also gave evidence, and read letters from Sadleir, confessing the latter's villany. He says, " Stevens and Norris are both innocent, and have no knowledge of the fabrication of deeds and forgeries by me, and by which I have sought to go on in the horrid hope of retrieving." After the examination of Mr. Josiah Wilkinson, with reference to a forged deed given him by Mr. Sadleir, and a statement from Mr. Keating, that up to that time no other forged documents than the one alluded to bad been discovered, and that there had been no forgeries connected with the Swedish Railway Company, The coroner said it would be a question for the jury to con. sider whether Mr. Sadleir did really commit the extensive forgeries and frauds alluded to, or whether they were mere delusions. The question with regard to property was very important; for if Mr. Sadleir destroyed himself in sound mind, all his property, goods, and chattels would be forfeited to the crown. Up to the present time, he, the coroner, saw no signs of insanity ; but if it could be proved that these documents were written under the delusion that he committed villanies which he never committed, that would be positive proof that he committed suicide in an unsound state of mind. It was due to the deceased, his friends, and the public at large, that there should be a further adjournment. The inquiry was therefore adjourned for a fortnight..
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1856-02-12 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

DISTRESSING SUICIDE.—On Friday, an inquest was held on the body of Mr. Robert Mather, 56 years of age, a retired merchant, residing at No. 58, Mount-pleasant, who committed suicide by cutting his throat. Mr. James Cooper, surgeon, the medical attendant, gave evidence that for several years past the deceased had been subject to periodical attacks of epileptic fits, which were brought on by an injury to the head which he received by a fall from a horse. On Tuesday last he was attacked again, and had seven fits during the day. On Thursday morning, when the surgeon saw the deceased, he found.him very much depressed and low-spirited, refusing to take his food, and stating that he knew he should not live long. Deceased intimated to his attendant that he had taken something the night before which would have effect in a few hours, but refused to say what he had taken. The surgeon was quite satisfied that he was then labouring under a delusion, that he had not taken anything, and cautioned the family not to leave him alone, to prevent the possibility of anything taking place. This was a little before noon on Thursday. About a quarter-past six o'clock the same evening the doctor was sent for in haste, and was informed that he had cut his throat. On going into deceased's bedroom he found him lying extended on the floor, with a razor firmly grasped in his right hand, the point of which was in a wound in the throat, which extended in depth nearly to the vertebran. He was quite dead, and there was a foot-pan at his head which contained a very great quantity of blood. Mr. Cooper had no doubt but the wound in the throat was the cause of death, that it was inficted by the deceased himself, and that he was out of his mind when he committed the act. —Mr. Thomas Woollam, a cabinetmaker, of Mulberry-street, whose workshop adjoins the garden of the deceased's residence, said that a servant came to him about a quarter to six on Thursday evening, and asked him to force open a door. He went to the deceased's bedroom door, and found it fastened on the inside. Having procured a ladder he placed it against the bedroom window, and sent up one of his young men to open the window. The young man went up and partly opened the window, but was afraid to go in. Mr. Woollam then went in through the window, and found the deceased lying in a pool of blood on the floor. The door was found to be bolted with what is called a night bolt. He then gave notice to the family of the occurrence. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased destroyed himself whilst temporary insanity.
The Sun. — 1835-07-04 (London, England)

LAMARTINES "PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND. 3 VOLS., BENTLEY.—" The title to the narrative of travels of this distinguished author is appropriate, as Lamartiße was prompted to undertake his journey by the feelings of enthusiasm—half religious, half poetical, which were awakened in his mind during his very infancy, by the reading of the Bible, and which inspired him with an unceasing desire to visit the scenes which filled his imagination,. His pilgrimage has extended, accordingly, over every part of what has been emphatically called the Holy Land ; and although there is not a spot that he has visited in Eastern Europe or Asia Minor which has not been explored by a long succession of travellers, yet his book is full of novelty, from the peculiar objects with which he undertook his journey, and the impress of his poetical temperament and genius, which is stamped'on every page of it. The translation is very faithful, and remarkably easy and spirited. "—Spectator. The following tragical event occurred on Sunday night last, in the neighbourhood of Wybunbury, near Nantwich. A man named Thomas Bagguley, in the employment of Mr. Davison, steward to Sir John Delves Broughton, Bart., went to Mr. Davison's between eleven and twelve o'clock on the night in question, and called up Mr. Davison's servant girl, named Malpas (about sixteen years of age), telling her her mother, who lived a short distance from 'Mr. Davison's, was dying, which statement the poor girl believing, got up to go to see her mother, and Bagguley accompanied her across some fields ; and it would seem, after attempting to commit a rape on the poor creature; but without accomplishing his diabolical purpose, he murdered her by strangulation, left the body, and retraced his steps to Mr. Davison's outbuildings, where he committed suicide by hanging himself. A coroner's inquest was held on the bodies of the unfortunate girl and her murderer on Tuesday last, when verdicts of wilful murder and fel° de se were found, and the man's body was interred the following night about twelve o'clock, at the entrance of Wy_ bunbury churchyard (according- to thc recint ,tatate), the presence of a great number of speetatyis. 13ag8uley 'dab it;IG I a wife and eight children.
The Sun. — 1835-10-06 (London, England)

LAMENTABLE SUICIDE.—Last night an inquisition was holden before Mr. Payne and a respectable Jury in the Board-room of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, to inquire totiching the deadline Mr. John Wood, aged 55, Captain of the trading vessel Lady Myddleton, who poisoned himselkvith laudanum. Mrs. Maria Jones, landlady of the Griffin Tavern, Threadneedle-street, deposed that the deceased on Saturday morning; about eight o'clock, entered the parlour and had some rum and milk. He also was provided with pen, ink, and paper. In half an hour's time witness found him Aleep in the parlour. She awoke him, when he asked 111 Fa bed. Witness told him that they had none, and t him. About eleven, finding him in the same state, sae informed her husband. She did not know the deceased. Mr. Jones stated that he at first supposed the deceased was in liquor, and attempted to rouse him. At this time 'Rawlings, the street beadle, entered, who, being of opinion shat he had taken something of a poisonous nature, searched him, and, found in his pockt a phial, which had contained „laudanum. Mr. Miles, a surgeon of the neighbourhood, was instantly sent for, when his pupil promptly attended and gave him an emetic. He was immediately taken to this hospital. Mr. Thisselton, house surgeon, stated that lie died on Saturday afternoon. Rawlings produced the phial he found on the deceased, the letter he wrote in the parlour, and several invoices. The letter was directed to Mrs. Wood, 45, Clifton-street. Mr. John Brown, 45, Clifton-street, proved the letter to have been in the deceased's writing, and that it was written to his wife, whom he lived with happily. If he drank a little it would overcome him, and in that state he had threatened his life. The effect of drink would derange his mind. Dtiring the last few days he had appeared vexed, but witness did not know the cause. He had been married thirty years. The vessel did net latterly pay him well. On Saturday morning lie appeared wild. - t The Coroner read the letter, which was very unconnected, but he referred in it to having left his wife alai 1,000/.  witness stated that while he was leading the doeni about on Saturday morning in the hospital he.: observe what a d—d fool he was to do it.' _  Verdict—" Temporary Insanity;'
The Sun. — 1835-12-29 (London, England)

UNSUCCESSFUL.—Rose, vestry surgeon, 258 ; Henry Smyk, 260 ; George Stowe, 251 ; Jones, late alderman, 277 ; Ebenezer -Heathcote, 270 ; Edward Greaves, banker, 262 ; J. C. Docker, 276: Samuel Burbury, tanner, 24.5 ; W. Blenkinsop, surgeon, 279 ; Ward, late Alderman, 276 ; W. Tibbets, late Alderman, 278 ; Edwards, Jury-street, 261 ; Morris, late Alderman, 16 ; Malloy, present Mayor, 13 ; Dr. Wake, I ; Wm. Staunton, Esq., Longbridge, 1. # Those marked thus are Tories and late Aldermen, the only old members elected. The Town Council of this ward, therefore, consist of nine Liberals, and three Tories. It• is understood that neither of the latter will act. Greenway, the banker, the Castle people say, will give a cheque for the fine, and retire in disgust. Wilmshurst claims exemption under the Apothecaries' Act ; and-poor Phillips (a man much respected, I believe, by both parties) will not " sit alone in his glory." ' WARD OF NlCHOLAS.—Councilmen elected : John Smith, 124 ; John Goodhall, 123 ; Theophilus Taylor, 118; Job Richardson, 118 ; J. .Cattell, 117 ; Wm. Cookes 114 ; all Liberals.  Of the 18, therefore, for the.borough, 15 are Liberals ; a majority of 5 to 1. After such a signal defeat (declared by the Mayor this morning) the Tories are completely down. Their old spirit is broken. The merry lads of the successful party have held an inquest this afternoon on the deceased Body Corporate. The proceedings were conducted with great decorum :-Ist, The Jury sang a melancholy dirge, instantly followed by " 0 dear ! what can the matter be?" Each of these appropriate pieces being written expressly for the occasion. Then the Jury received evidence, and it was at first expected that the verdict would have been very serious, no less than wilful murder against Joseph Parkes, the Secretary of the Corporate Commission, and a native of this borough, but it being proved that on Thursday evening each Alderman ordered his gown to be sent home, I threw out a hint that such an act might be taken as proof that the Corporate Body meditated self-murder, and very naturally wished to die decently in their gown:.• The Jury consulted together, snd'at length decided on the following verdict : • " That the Body Corporate having bad their consciences disturbed by one Joseph Parkes, whereby the stings of remorse were rendered more and more unbearable, did on Saturday last destroy their existence by their own hands— therefore the Jury return a verdict of Felo de se, and the Coroner directs the body to be buried in t 4 highway." The burial, with a muffled band, is expected to take place to-morrow.
The Sun. — 1835-05-22 (London, England)

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.  HATTON GARDEN.  Yesterday Alexander Durant, a young man with a very expressive countenance, but indicating insanity, with a decayed military cloak, was brought before Mr. LAING, charged by his wife with having threatened her life. The prisoner, when about to be placed at the bar, resisted the officers violently, exclaiming, " Don't force me, I'll not resist vou." On being placed at the bar, he became more calm, and taking off his cloak, threw it over the railing. It appeared that the prisoner was a teacher of languages, and formerly held situations as usher in the neighbourhood of Islington. About two years ago he married, and was remarkable for his assiduity, and treated his wife in an affectionate manner, but he was suddenly seized with insanity, and was rendered totally incapable of pursuing his avocations, and he had lost several situations. During the last week his conduct became exceedingly violent, and he would return home, abuse his wife, and threaten to murder her, and himself, and she was compelled to apply for parish relief. He was seen yesterday morning wandering about Islington, and conducting himself in so eccentric a manner that he attracted general notice, and at length he proceeded to the side of the Regent's Canal, where he commenced playing with the water ; and to prevent him committing suicide, he was taken into custody. Mrs. Durant, who is a prepossessing young woman, being sworn, with tears in her eyes stated, that the prisoner was formerly in the habit of treating her with the utmost kindness and attention, but being seized with insanity in the most sudden manner he lost his situation, which reduced them to the greatest distress, and she had parted with every thing she had in her possession to support him. He was in the habit of wandering about at night, and latterly he had used her so violently that she felt convinced he would do her and himself some fatal injury. Mr.