npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Northern Guardian. — 1893-01-05 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

SCHOOLBOY'S SUICIDE  A SAD STORY.  A very sad case of child suicide has just come to light in the District Court of Heim&ls, Vienna, where a tailor named Kouba was charged with having neglected to summon medical aid to his dying child, a boy of about twelve. The facts throw a curious side-light on the political animus that prevails between Germans and Bohemians in Austria, and also on the slow effects of some poison on the human organism. Joseph Kouba, a boy of 12, and the only child of his parents, was the idol of his father, who saved every kreutier he could get in order to give the bright, gifted lad a brilliant education. He was to be sent to a gymnasium, or State grammar school, taught Lp.tin and Greek, and then to enter the university. The father denied himself the necessaries of life in orller to carry out this ambitious project. On the day when the names of intending pupils are inscribed, it is usual for the father or mother of the scholar to appear at the office of the headmaster and to introduce the boy, offering a few remarks about his studies, health, and other details. Joseph's mother came with him to the director, but, as she is a Bohemian, and cannot speak German, the child had to do all the talking himself. The other boys noticed this, and when Joseph began to frequent the gymnasium probably made him the butt of their jokes. At all events, one day the child came home and declared that he would never again visit the gymnasium. "I am ashamed," he explained to his father, "because mother is a Bohemian and cannot speak German." The father paid no attention to this, and peremptorily ordered his child to go to school. That day the boy did not return home, and on the following morning he came back awl told his parents that he had bought two little boxes of matches and eaten the heads, "because I want to die." The parents were horrified, but as the child ' ate his breakfast with an excellent appetite their fears gradually subsided. The next (lay and the next he was as well as usual, and only after the lapse of five days did he complain of terrible pains and a burning sensation in the stomach. A physician was at once sent for, but it was too late. The lad died in indescribable agony. This was the terrible tale narrated to the judge by the father, who sobbed and groaned as he spoke. "Why did you not send for a doctor when your boy first told you what he had done ? " asked the judge. "I would have done so if I had thought the child was telling me the truth. Besides, he was not ill, did not complain, and ate heartily. Ah !he was my only child. I would have given my life to save him. I have nothing to live for now. My darling boy is dead—dead—and, what is worse still, a suicide." Here the unfortunate man broke down, and had to be revived. The medical experts declared that the symptoms of phosphorus poisoning sometimes appear only after several days. The wretched father was discharged.
The Northern Guardian. — 1893-10-09 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

JOHN MYERS." Enclosed with same is an order for two more suits.—Adn It has been decided by the West Riding County authorities to build new police offices and station at Harrogate. They are to be erected on the site of the present offices in Raglan Street, and will cost about £3,500. Miss Sarah Handbury, 50 years of age, *lady of independent means, of Swanwick, Alfreton, committed suicide by jumping down a well, near her house, on Saturday. Miss Handbury had suffered from " religious mania." Early on Saturday morning the sawmills and timberyard of Messrs J. Phillips & Sons, Moss Street, Green Street, Bethnal Green, London, were gutted, and several neighbouring houses seriously damaged by fire. At Hartlepool Police Court this morning, Edward Samuel Wilson, plater, Town Wall, was charged on a warrant with neglecting to pay £2 Bs, being four weeks' maintenance arrears to his wife, Mary Wilson.—Prisoner was committed for a month. Mr J. E. Robson and Mr T. Peverell are talked of as possible candidates for the North Ward, Hartlepool, in opposition to Messrs Gilooly and Longstaff, the retiring councillors. Mr J. Court, photographer, is also mentioned as a possible candidate. It is announced that the Gladstonians of the North Westmoreland division have found a candidate in Mr Fry, son of Mr Theodore Fry, the Radical member for Darlington. A public meeting is shortly to be held at Appleby, when the electors will have an opportnnity of hearing him. Frank Kelly, labourer, Cleveland Street, was charged at Hartlepool Police Court this morning with being druLk and disorderly in Cleveland Street on the 16th ult. Prisoner had been summoned, but did not appear, and had since been arrested on a warrant. Fined 58 and 16s 6cl costs, or 14 days. At Hartlepool Police Court to-day, Margaret Ann Rogers, married woman, Cleveland Street, was charged with being drunk and incapable in Cleveland Street on the 7th inst.—P.C. Toole said he kad to get a hand-cart to get prisoner to the otation.—The Chief-Constable said this was prisoner's tenth appearance.—Fined 5s and coots, or 14 days. TrinowiNs gTONES.—Fred Woodhall, a boy, was fined 28 6d and 7s costs by the West Hartlepool Bench to-day for throwing stones in Hill Street.— P.C. Atkinson proved the case. A
The Northern Guardian. — 1893-08-17 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

THE PROPOSED AUTUMN SITTING.  INTERVIEW WITH MR CHAMBERLAIN.  Mr Chamberlain in an interview yesterday said: I shall remain at Westminster just as long as it be necessary to defend our interests. We are strongly opposed to an extension of the present Session under the title of an autumn sitting. We are equally opposed to the beginning of a new Session in November. It is not with us a question of what you call it, whetlaer 'autumn sitting' or 'winter Session.' In either case we shall be deprived of our holidays. The only compromise possible, or to which we should give the least support, would be one having for its object the commencement of a new Session early neat year. So far from the opposition to the Borne Rule Bill fading away on tine report stage, you must see how mistaken is the idea. We began with 20 pages of amendments. There are now 26 pages, and next week there will be a further batch of six pages put down. That does not, I think, suggest a fa&ng or expiring oppoeitisa. If, as is stated, Mr Gladstone is suspending the guillotine from any idea that he is rapidly tiring us out or that another week would serve to exhaust our resources, I ant afraid he will be met only by aigappointment. Some of the followers of the Ministry are sanguine that Unionists will give out shortly. We have no intention of giving out."  Arthur Edwin Sommers, ex-chief of the Worcester police, attempted suicide on Tuesday night by taking oxalic acid. live was found lying on the floor in an unconscious condition, and was removed to the infirmary.  The Greek authorities have succeeded in effecting the arrest of three more of the brigands who were recently proscribed by the Government in cense. quence of the repeated excesses committed in various parts of the country.
The Northern Guardian. — 1893-06-03 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

FOR MIDDLS AGE.— Mere walking exercise, although it is invaluable, hardly fulfils the idea of perfect recreation. Sir James Paget says " good active recreations" ought to include " uncertainties, wonders, and opportunities for the exercise of skill in something different from the regular work." The present writer is always longing for cricket in the summer, and for football or hockey in the winter and spring. But he cannot find a man anywhere above 40 years of age who will agree with him. Why should the literary man, the doctor, and the stockbroker or the merchant not play cricket after .159 What is to become of his dinner hour, it is asked? If a better luncheon were taken at midday, and a lighter dinner at six In the evening, there is no remon whatever why a man of/15, and up to 65 or 70, should not be in the cricket-field at half-past seven and play briskly until nine or half-past. An hour and a half at cricket after a light dinner would make middle-aged men so young that they would not know themselves. Writers would write twice as brilliantly, and business men would be cleverer and keener by half. As it is, the average middle-aged Englishmen of the profeesional and business classes grows fatter, wheezier, more pompous, and more dull an,4 uninteresting every year of his life. To get • laugh out of him is impossible; to crack a joke at his expense is to commit the unpardonable sin. "Poor old porpoise," ma somebody has called him. Ills innocent pleasures have vanished with his youth, and "he has nothing now left to live for but his reepectabilitv : his solemn respectability, and his money- on.ts." The contrast between the youthful Enchehnian and his middle-aged }Arent is sonietitnes startling. The former is all lies and fin ; the latter is n moving mountain of ponderosity and fat. It is all for want of outdoor exercise and recreation. Twenty-five yews ago the solemn father of to-day was the funloving son of a middle-aged father. If anybody had then shown him in a prophetic mirror the figure he would out at the end of a quarter of a century he would have committed suicide in sheer vexation and disgust. But all this rotundity, wheeziness, irritability of temper, incapacity for work and general disgust with life and all things in it can be cured, cured easily, and cured for ever; and the cure for the vast majority of eases is one or two hours' daily exercise and recreation in the open air —Th, Hoppitol. 14;mon Sew
The Northern Guardian. — 1893-03-16 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

MAHATMA IN THE DIVORCE COURT.  "THEY WERE WRONGLY UNITED."  In the Divorce Division yesterday, Mr Justice Barnes had before him the case of Thomasset v.  Thomasset. The petition was that of the wife for a judicial separation by reason of the adultery of her husband. The case was of a remarkable character.—Mr Searle appeared for the petitioner, and there was no defence.—Mrs Emma Maria Thomasset, the petitioner, said that she wail 'married to the respondent, Mr Theodore Frederick Henry Thomasset, on the Bth June, 1876, at Christ Church, Wanstead. They afterwards lived togetligr at Walthamstow. There were five children. He was then in business as an indigo and general merchant. She had lived happily with him until the end of 1887. Some years after the marriage he came into a fortune of between £30,000 and £40,000, and he then retired from business. In 1884 he told her that he had rescued a young lady from suicide, she being at the time in the act of throwing herself off London Bridge ; that she was very destitute, and had lost her parents, who were very wealthy, and that he had taken her home to his lodgings. Witness did not hear anthing more of her for seven years, when witness was introduced to her at the Drury Lane Theatre. In the course of 1890 this young girl was invited home to the house and stayed with them. Whilst there her husband became very familiar with the girl. They used to read books, and he studied hypnotism ' —in fact, "hypnotism was always going on." (Laughter.) In August of that year they all went to Teignmouth, Devonshire, and while there she noticed her husband's behaviour towards this girl.—Mr Searle: Were you disturbed W itness : Yes, at night by her walking iu her slcelj and knocking at my door. This happened seveYal times. She was a slt4p °Valker. She tried to get out of the door and the window, and we had to walk about to prevent her , cluing so. —Examination continued: Had seen them kissing. Once her husband said that he had been told by some Mahatma—His Lon'hiliip Some what !—Witness: Mahatma, that we had been wrongly united.—Mr Searle : What did you think of that ,—Witnas : That ha was peculiar in the head. (Laughter.) At Teignmouth he was strange in his manner, and he went on a sea voyage. He went on the 9th September, 1890, taking an affectionate leave of her. He oorreaponded with her. He bad never since
The Northern Guardian. — 1893-05-24 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

NEW SYSTEM OF TREATMENT FOR DISEASES OF THE EYE AND EAR WITHOUT OPERATION.-Mr L Mitchell, Oculist and Aurist, of Leeds, announces special visits to West Hartlepool (Statbm Commercial Hotel), Tuesday, May 30; Durham (Three Tuns Hotel), Saturday, June 3; Stockton (Black Lion Hotel), Wednesday, May 31 (hours 11 to 4), where he may be consulted on all cases of defective sight or hearing. Artificial human eyes adapted where the sight has been destroyed without pain or operation. Spectacles, eye preservers, to suit all sights. References to local patients. Letters to be addressed to 24, Zetland Place, Roundhay Road, Leeds.—Advt.  Women shorthand-writers are employed in the Danish Parliament.  The summer sitting of the Palatine Chancery Court will be held at the Shire Hall, Durham, on  Friday, July 7. Princess Christian, it is stated, earned £l,OOO by editing and translating "The Letters of the Princess Alice."  The "Grey Ladies" are a society of gentlewomen living together as friends to help in Church work south of London.  Yesterday morning a man, at present unknown, committed suicide by jumping from the Surrey side of Westminster Bridge. There ic a lady living who has been three times a bird. She was a Miss Partridge, her first husband was a Martin, and her second a Wren.  A Chinese gentleman very seldom appears in the street with his wife, and can under no circumstances be induced to ride in the same carriage with her.  The legal limit to a successful action for breach of promise of marriage is six years from the breach; but there must be special reasons to excuse a delay anything like that.  Mr Harry Froggatt, who did such good work in the Bassetlaw Division during the last contest, has been appointed Conservative agent for the Hexham Division of Northumberland.  To surprise a lady in America on her birthday, a brass band was placed in her parlour. As she entered the band struck up, and gave her such a start that she fell in a fit and died.  The Rev. F. R. Gibbons, a clergyman, who has been assisting the Vicar of Stalmine, near Fleetwood, has just died from the effects of injuring his thumb with a fish-hook. Blood poisoning set in, which has ended in his death.  A cookery club has been broken up in one year by matrimony. To the club dinners—ordered, cooked, and served by members of the club in turn —a man could be asked by every girl. The result has been as many weddings as there were members.
The Northern Guardian. — 1893-02-16 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. J. 11111 G RR ANSFI, Liverpool (Makers to the Queen).— Gent's very heavy 18ct. Gold English Lever Keyless Centre Seconds Hunting Stop Watch, plain cases, each of which is Government stamped, jewelled throughout with Rubies, and compensated, by the above eminent makers; cost, three months ago, £3B: will sell at £2O synchronised to Greenwich, and warranted for five years. Also, a very heavy Solid Gold Albert, each link Government stamped, anc fashionable pattern; cost £7, take £5; or £24 for the. lot. Trial allowed.—Abrahams & Sons, Chum} Street.—Advt'  AL;uu.--Ci,ucus, 3s ; 8-Day Striking Clocks, 154 94; Vienna Clocks, 28s 64—a1l guaranteed for a term of years.—At J. M. CROZIER'S, the Cheapest Shop for Watch and Jewellery Repairs, 76, Lynn Street.—Advt.  DtTLICATR Wedding Present taken in exchange.— A very handsome hand-painted Wall Placque and Combination Drawing-room Timepiece (a work of art), capital timekeeper; cost £5, take half-price, 50s. Approval with pleasure.—Abrahams & Sons, Church Street. —Advt.  The Bank rate is unaltered to-day. Colonel Master, Conservative, and Mr Lawson, Liberal, were nominated for Cirencester to-day. Mr John Wilson, chief engineer on board H.M.S. Wrangler, lying off Harwich, committed suicide yesterday morning by shooting himself.  7 Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria, whose betrothal is announced, was elected to the throne about six years ago. The Prince is thirty-two years of age. The lady with whom he is to mate is a cousin in some degree of his own. She is twenty-three years, and is highly accomplished, In connection with the question of railway rates the following anecdote is not without its interest : In an advertisement by a railway comparry of some uncalled-for goods, the letter "1" had dropped from the word "lawful," and it read :—People to whom these packages are directed are requested to come forward and pay the awful charges on the same."  The Emperor William has despatched an Imperial courier from Berlin to Constantinople with ra number of presents from his Majesty to the Sultan, which are valued at £5,000. These are the Emperor's return for the splendid present which he received last month from the Sultan, including a superb suite of Oriental drawing-room furniture in ebony, and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, consisting of ten pieces, one of which is an immense Turkish divan with a high back. _ _
The Northern Guardian. — 1893-02-23 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

THE SUICIDE OF HILTON BARKER.  BY ONE WHO KNEW HIM.  "One who knew him" writes to a contemporary :—The late Mr Hilton Barker was a man of quiet and unassuming habits. He lived in a modest style at Streatham, and did not even keep a carriage. The only extravagance he indulged in —if it can be called an extravagance—was the cultivation of flowers for exhibition. His flowers indeed secured prizes at exhibitions held in the Crystal Palace and elsewhere. As a business man Hilton Barker was assiinous in hie attendance at his office in the City, rat was almost invariably at his post at nine o'clock in the morning, and there he remained until six o'clock at night. It was most unusual for him to be absent from business for a day. Mr Barker was deeply interested in newspaper enterprise, and in the management of the now defunct Daily Oracle he took an active part. The business of George Barker & Co. in recent years was carried on almost entirely by the unlucky suicide. His father, an old man of 77, had practically retired, while his brother, William Barker, played only a subordinate part in the firm's operations. Indeed, the latter had, I believe, very little to do with the management. Hilton was an extremely pleasant man to deal with, and all who had business relations with him, including the employees of the firm, spr.ak very highly of his personal qualities. It is a curious fact that the deceased was a somnambulist, and his wife was often greatly distressed by her husband's habit of walking in his sleep. On several occasions he rose from his bed and roamed about the house for an hour, perfectly unconscious of what he was do;;.g. It %Ad.a siumised at the time that these midnight wanderings might be due to mental worry. The bankruptcy of the firm told heavily on Mr Hilton Barker's health. He was never robust, and after the failure he became an altered man. In fact, an ex-member of his staff who saw him a few days ago remarked to another ex-member, "Hilton Barker looked so ill and worried that I felt quite sorry for him." "What will be the cud of it all r queried his companion. "I believe he'll blow his brains out," was the prophetic rejoinder. The deceased leaves a wife and three children, the eldest a lad of 14; the other two are girls, their respective ages being about ten and six years.
The Northern Guardian. — 1893-09-28 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

MADNESS OF SELF-MURDER.  What might be called an epidemic of suicide has been a feature of the summer now ending in this and other lands. " Nlialsummer madness" may or may not be a myth. The late Dr. Charcot and other eminent authorities have held it to be more fact than fancy, and people who kill themselves may or may not be mad. The general notion is that most of them are. Apart, however, from such speculative problems, there is one concrete phase of the case, says the New York Tribune, with I which it is fitting at once to deal. In a large proportion of recent cases men who have killed themselves have left letters, or memoranda of some sor,t, pleading that, as they had been brought into the world without their own consent, they therefore were justified in voluntarily taking themselves out of it. This same maudlin, mischievous notion has also been largely dwelt upon by pseudo philosophers, in print and on the platform, probably to the serious unsettling of many morbid minds. Sense and humanity require that it should be sternly and utterly repudiated as fake, illogical, and pernicious. The fact is, there is extant entirely too much twaddle about the injustice and cruelty of Nature to man, and it is doubtless responsible for many deplorable tragedies. Under depressing conditions of climate, temperature, and health, harrassed by domestic infelicities or business cares, a man falls foul of these wretched doctrines, his mind is poisoned by them, and he kills himself. The real murderer is the utterer of the lies. For it is not true that the croative power is unjust. " Map's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn." But Nature's hands are clean. Let us be logical, and let us be just to Nature. If a wan kills himself, let there be no more sentimental gush about his having fled from a state of suffering into which he had been forced against his will. The only sensible and wholesome verdict is that, coward-like, he fled from the common lot of man. "Suicide," said Webster, "is confe4sion." It is; it is a confession that its sabject was too weak or too cowardly to try to make the best of life; or else that he was mad.