npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1868-04-27 (London, England)

REUTER'S TELEGRAM.) HEAD-QUARTERS, BP.ITISII ARMY, MAGDALA (date not given).  All the European prisoners, numbering GO men, women, and children, have been delivered over to, Sir Robert Napier, and are now on their way to Zoulla, All Theodore's' army have been either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners.  The representative of the New York Herald in London yesterday received the following telegrams from the Special Correspondent of that journal with the Abyssinian Expedition :  " (No. 1.)  " (No. date. Probably April 7.)  " Reports having been received from spies to the effect that King Theodore intended moving, Sir Robert Napier instantly crossed the Jeddah river, and established his heal-quarters on the plain of Talanta, 20 miles from Magdala. Many animals were lost while crossing a terrible ravine, eight miles wide, 3,500 ft. descent, 4,500 ft. ascent. The troops marched over King Theodore's road, which is 30ft. wide, Sir Robert Napier made a reconnaisb.ance of Magdala this morning. He sighted the King's camps and defences. The fortress appeared to be impregnable. To-morrow we expect to be at the Bashilo, ten miles from Magdala. A letter has been received from Rasura, dated yesterday, warning use to beware—that Theodore was moving."  14 (No. 2.) " Bashilo, April 8.  " A second reconnaissance was made before Magdala this morning. Theodore has 28 guns mounted outside. Sir Robert Napier has sent him a letter demanding the release of the captives. Meanwhile the army is concentrated on the river. Scaling ladders and torpedoes are ready for an attack upon the fortress."  (No. 3.) " April 10.  " The army is now concentrated before Magdala, in position, six miles from the fortress. Theodore's camp is in view, on a tremendous height. Attack soon."  ii (No. 4.) " Magdala, April 13. ---  "The truce ended this morning. King Theodore had not surrendered. Fallas Sclasse Islanv,e (?) surrendered at once without fighting. Theodore had retreated to Magdala. He planted five guns at the base of the ascent. When General Napier came in sight the King opened fire. The English replied with 10-pounder Armstrong guns and 7pounder rockets. The King left his guns, barricaded the sally-ports, and opened with musketry. He gave no signs of surrendering. The bombardment lasted three hours. An assault was then ordered. The fortress was carried after vigorous resistance. The Abyssinian loss is 68 killed and 200 wounded. The English loss is 15 wounded, rank and file. King Theodore was found dead, shot in the head. His body was recognized by the Euro• peans who had been released. Some say that he was killed in battle, and others that he committed suicide. His two sons have been taken prisoners. The fortress presents many evidences of barbaric splendour. Among the trophies taken are four gold crowns, 20,000 dollars, 1,000 silver plates, many jewels and other articles, 5,000 stand of arms, 28 pieces of artillery, 10,000 shields, and 10,000 sp-ars. The European prisoners will depart for the seacoast to-morrow. The army will depart immediately."
The Sun. — 1868-04-27 (London, England)

REUTER'S TELEGRAM.) HEAD-QUARTERS, BRITISH ARMY, MAGDALA (date not given).  All the European prisoners, numbering GO men, women, and children, have been delivered over to Sir Robert Napier, and are now on their way to Zoulla. All Theodore's army have been either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners.  The representative of the New York Herald in London yesterday received the following telegrams from the Special Correspondent of that journal with the Abyssinian Expedition : " (No. 1.)  (No. date. Probably April 7.)  " Reports having been received from spies to the effect that King Theodore intended moving, Sir Robert Napier instantly crossed the Jeddah river, and established his heal-quarters on the plain of Talanta, 20 miles from Magdala. animals were lost while crossing a terrible ravine, eight miles wide, 3,500 ft. descent, 4,500 ft. ascent. The troops marched over King Theodore's road, which is 30ft. wide, Sir Robert Napier made a reconnaissance of Magdala this morning. Ile sighted the King's camps and defences. The fortress appeared to be impregnable. To-morrow we expect to be at the Bashilo, tcn miles from Magdala. A letter has been received from Rassam, dated yesterday, warning uc to beware—that Theodore was moving."  cc (No. 2.)  " Basliilo, April 8.  " A second reconnaissance was made before Magdala this morning. Theodore has 28 guns mounted outside. Sir Robert Napier has sent him a letter demanding the release of the captives. Meanwhile the army is concentrated on the river. Scaling ladders and torpedoes are ready for an attack upon the fortress."  (No. 3.) " April 10.  " The army is now concentrated before Magdala, in position, six miles from the fortress. Theodore's camp is in view, on a tremendous height. Attack soon."  " (No. 4.) " Alagdala, April 13.  "The truce ended this morning. King Theodore had not surrendered. FAllas Silasso Islanze (?) surrendered at once without fighting. Theodore had retreatel to Magdala. He plantel five guns at the base of the ascent. When General Napier came in sight the King opened fire. The English replied with 10-pounder Armstrong guns and 7pounder rockers. The King left his guns, barricaded the sally-ports, • and opened with musketry. Ile gave no signs of surrendering. The bombardment lasted three hours. An assault was then ordered. The fortress was carried after vigorous resistance. The Abyssinian loss is 68 killed and 200 wounded. 'The English loss is 15 wounded, rank and file. King Theodore was found dead, shot in the head. his body was recognized by the Europeans who had been released. Some say that he was killed in battle, and others that he committed suicide. His two sons have been taken prisoners. The fortress presents mmy evidences of barbaric splendour. Among the trophies taken are four gold crowns, 20,000 dollars, 1,000 silver plates, many jewels and other articles, 5,000 stand of arms, 28 pieces of artillery, 10,000 shields, and 10,000 spears. The European prisoners will depart for the seacoast to-morrow. The army will depart immediately."
The Sun. — 1868-02-03 (London, England)

DIS7'RESSING SUICIDE.  Mr. Lupert Clarke, one of the coroners for Berkshire, has held an inquiry at the National School-room, Boyn Rill, Maidenhead, into the painful circumstances at. tending the death of Mr. Henry Scott Gresley, a member of the bar, and son of the Rev. William Gresley, the well-known Incumbent of All Saints', Boyn Hill. • A very respectable jury was empanelled, Mr. Durant, a magistrate for the borough of Maidenhead, being chosen foreman.  Several witnesses were examined, and it appeared from their evidence that the deceased gentleman was only married in the latter part of November last, and went on a wedding tour, from which he returned about a fortnight ago. Since his return he and Mrs. Clresley had resided at the Bev. Mr. Gresley's, at Boyn Hill, and it was observed that his manners were strange. So much was this the case that the rev. gentleman requested Dr. Playne, of Maidenhead, to examine the deceased with reference to his mental condition. Dr. Playne accordingly had an interview with deceased, and from what passed between them he came to the conclusion that it was desirable that the deceased should be watched. On Tuesday morning one of the female servants of the establishment met Mrs. Gresley emerging from the dressingroom of the d' ceased in a dreadfully excited state, imploring that a medical man be immediately sent for. The servant hurried into the dressing-room, and to her horror found Mr. Gresley lying on the bed with a fearful wound in his throat, from which blood was flowing, and there was also a quantity of blood on the flojr. A razor lay upon the dressing-table, and it was too apparent that with this instrument the unfortunate gentleman had committed the violence upon himself. Medical aid was called in with all promptness, and in the meantime every attention was paid to the deceased, who, however, expired from the effects of the wound. The whole facts were fully investigated, and the jury returned a verdict that deceased destroyed himself while in a state of temporary ,jusanity. The deceased was known to a large circle of country gentry, and the sad case has created a very painful excitement throughout the neighbourhood.  It is rumoured that Mr. Gladstone, M.P., is preparing, and has in a forward state for publication, a work on Greece and Phoenicia.  As many of the other loyal bodies in the country have done, the Freemmons of Ireland are about to present a loyal address to the Queen, recording their abhorrence of Feulanism and all treasonable projects.  Mat.
The Sun. — 1868-02-03 (London, England)

HSTRESSPVG SUICIDE.  Mr. I.upert Clavite, one of the ceronera forterkisliire, has held an inquiry at the National. School-room, Boyn Maidenhead, in ti the painful circumstances attending the death of Mr. Henry Scott Gresley, a member of the bar, and son of the Bev. William Gresley, the well known incumbe'it AA Saints', Boyn Hill. A very respectable jury was empanelled, Mr. Durant, a magistrate for the borough of Maidenhead, being chosen foreman. Several witnesses wore e:mmined, and it appeared from their evidence that the dec;ased gentleman was only married in the latter part of November last, and went on a wedding tour, from which he returned about a fortnight ago. Since his return he and Mrs. Gresley had resided at tlie Rev. Mr. Gresley's, at Boyn Hill, and it was observed that his manners were strange. So much was this the case that the rev. gentleman requested Dr. Playne, of Maidenhead, to examine- the deceased with reference to his mental condition. Dr. Playne accordingly had an interview with deceased, and from what Passed between them he came to the conclusion that it was desirable that the deceased should be watched. On Tuesday morning one of the female servants of the establishment met Mrs. Gresley emerging from the dressingroom of the deceased in a dreadfully excited state, imploring that a medical man be immediately sent for. The servant hurried into the dressing-room, and to her horror found Mr. Gresley lying on the bed with a fearful wound in his throat, from which blood was flowing, and there was also a quantity of blood on the floJr. A razor lay upon the dressing-table, and it was too apparent that with this instrument the unfortunate gentleman had committed the violence upon himself. Medical aid was called in with all promptness, and in the meantime every attention was paid to the deceamcd, who, however, expired from the effects of the wound. The whole facts were fully investigated, and the jury returned a verdict that deceased destroyed himself while in a state of temporary insanity. The deceased was known to a large circle of country gentry, and the sad case ham created a very painful excitement throughout the neighbourhood.  It is rumoured that Mr. Gladstone, M,P., is preparing, and has in a forward state for publication, a work on Greece and Phoenicia.  As many of the other loyal bodies in the country have done, the Freemasons of Ireland are about to present a loyal address to the Queen, recording their abhorrence of Fenia,nism and all treasonable projects. Mn.
The Sun. — 1868-02-20 (London, England)

VALUABLE ACCESSION.  The Times correspondent writes :—" The force has just received a valuable addition in the person of Lieutenant Speedy, late of the 31st, who, at Sir Stafford Northcote's request, has come from Australia. There was a deplorable dearth of interpreters of any kind, and Lieutenant Speedy, in addition to the advantage of being an Englishman and a military man, knows Abyssinia and the language well. He was in Theodore's army in about the year 1861 as a Basha Fellaka,' whatever this high . sounding title may mean. Theodore had not then committed any of the excesses of cruelty or caprice in which he has since indulged. But the extraordinary change which has since come over his character was just commencing, and Lieutenant Speedy did not get away from Abyssinia, in time to avoid grave risk of impri. sonment, and only escaping, inde3d, by threatening to cut down a royal messenger sent to arrest him, and then going himself to tell the King that apparently some mistake had been made.' Luckily, the Imperial humour had changed, and Theodore punished the luckless messenger, but let the Englishman go free."  It is an echo from the Clubs that the Military Train will be at once created a non-purchase corps.  SUICIDE FROM THE CRYSTAL PALACE ToWER.— A young man of fair complexion, of probably some sft. Gin. in height, and about 20 years of age, applied at the turn-table at the base of the tower to be allowed to go up, and put down a penny and a threepenny-piece. The boy in charge asked the visitor if he would take a copy of the " Guide to the Palace," as the charge for mounting the tower is but one penny. The young man took up his money, told the boa he did not want the book, and passed upstairs. At. about 5.30 the body of the youth was seen to fall from the gallery of the tower by another visitor. The body fell near the blacksmith's shop, and only a few feet from the base of the tower. On searching the body a Church Service was found upon it, the gift of a person whose name was not very intelligibly written, to Thomas Lee, which, it is believed, was the name of the unhappy youth who has so terribly destroyed his own life. The face is still recognisable, but the body is much mutilated.
The Sun. — 1868-09-10 (London, England)

DEP UTY-C II AIRMAN seconded the motion. He said he had always taken a deep personal interest in the success of their undertaking, and the directors had brought it to a point of prosperity that made him very reluctant to part wish it. They were compelled, however, to surrender the undertaking to the Government, after having brought their long labours to a successful isitie. lie regretted parting with the undertaking, which was to be extended so that every man, woman, and child in the country might avail themselves of its utility.  An inquiry was held by the Birmingham borough coroner, on Tuesday afternoon, upon the skeleton remains discovered below the surface, a few days since, in Great Hampton-row. From the evidence it appeared that while several workmen were engaged digging a trench for a sewer, they came upon something like a box, at a depth of about seven feet. The removal of a part of the box revealed the fact that it contained bones and pieces of rope. An old man, aged 73, deposed that about fifty-eight or sixty years ago he remembered to have seen, when passing along the lane that was afterwards called Hangman's-lane, and now Great Hampton-row, a number of people standing about there, and he afterwards learnt that it was on account of a man who committed suicide by hanging himself being buried there. A surgeon, who had inspected the remains, gave a description of them. He had no doubt that they were human remains, and they formed a perfect skeleton, with the exception of the fibula, which was absent. It was about sfeet 9 inches long, and he believed it to be that of a middle-aged man. At the foot of the coffin he found six, pieces of rope, about 3 feet 4 inches in length, and about a third of an inch in thickness. There was nothing in the appearances in contradiction to the conjecture that the body had been interred fifty or sixty years ago, when it was the law of the land that suicides should be buried at cross-roads. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that a skeleton of a middle-aged man had been recently found.  After a short discussion the resolution was car ried ; and a cordial vote of thanks to the chairman, directors, and officers of the company for their valuable services concluded the proceedings.
The Sun. — 1868-07-23 (London, England)

THE MURDER IN NORTON FOLGATE.  The public will remember that a short time ago a very rutal murder was committed upon the wife of an eatingouse keeper in Norton Folgate by a boy named Andrew 4ackay, 19 years old, who made his escape after cora)itting the deed, and it was thought had evaded juice, either by committing suicide or by making his /ay to some foreign country, as, notwithstanding the ,ctive inquiries that were made after him by the police, wt the slightest clue could be obtained likely to lead to ►is apprehension. It is satisfactory, however, to state hat the culprit has been discovered in rather a singular canner in Maidstone gaol. It appears that a short time )ack a prisoner who gave the name of George Jackson vas taken into custody at Woolwich for stealing a meer;chaum pipe, and he was eventually sentenced to three nonths' imprisonment for that offence. He was •emoved to the county gaol at Maidstone pursuant to hat sentence, and no suspicion whatever was enter,ained as to his being any other than the person he Tpresented himself to be. It is now the practice to make use of the art of photography as a means of detecting ;riminals, and among others the photograph of the ;oy Andrew Mackay was sent to the prison. For some ;line it did not appear to have attracted any attention, out a thought suddenly seemed to have struck a warder belonging to the prison that the boy Jackson, who was under his charge, resembled pne of the photographs of persons who had absconded after the commission of a crime. In consequence of this tw communicated his suspicions to Major Bannister, the 3.overnor, and examined the photograph carefully, and ,his confirmed the suspicion he had entertained previously-, that the prisoner Jackson was in reality the murderer Andrew Mackay. He took an opportunity upon this to enter into conversation with the prisoner, and in the course of it he asked him if he had ever gone by any other name than George Jackson, and he at once replied that his name was Andrew Mackay, and he admitted that he was the person who was charged with the murder in Norton Folgate. Major Bannister at once telegraphed to London to Sergeant Dunnaway, an officer of the metropolitan police, and he came down to Maidstone on Wednesday, accompanied by a person who was acquainted with the lad Mackay, and who at once identified him as the person against whom the coroner's jury had returned a verdict of wilful murder. The prisoner has still two months to serve of his original sentence, but he will, of course, be brought back to London upon the charge of murder so soon as the necessary forms are gone through to enable that step to be taken.
The Sun. — 1868-07-23 (London, England)

THE MURDER IN NORTON FOLUTE.  The public will remember that a short time ago a very rutal murder was committed upon the wile of an eatingouse keeper in Norton Folgate by a boy named Andrew 1 lackay, 10 years old, who made his escape after coinaitting the deed, and it was thought had evaded jus. ice, either by committing suicide or by making his lay to some foreign country, as, notwithstanding the ,ctive inquiries that were made after him by the police, tot the slightest clue could be obtained likely to lead to its apprehension. It is satisfactory, however, to state hat the culprit has been discovered in rather a singular canner in Maidstone gaol. It appears that a short time jack a prisoner who gave the name of George Jackson vas taken into custody at Woolwich for stealing a !neer;chaum pipe, and he was eventually sentenced to three nontbs' imprisonment for that offence. He was •emoved to the county gaol at Maidstone pursuant to ;hat sentence, and no suspicion whatever was entertained as to his being any other than the person he •epresented himself to be. It is now the practice to make Ise of the art of photography as a means of detecting riminals, and among others the photograph of the ooy Andrew Mackay was sent to the prison. For some ;itne it did not appear to have attracted any attention, out a thought suddenly seemed to have struck a warder belonging to the prison that the boy Tackson , who was under his charge, resembled Jne of the photographs of persons who had absconded after the commission of a crime. In consequence of this 'le communicated his suspicions to Major Bannister, the Tovernor, and examined the photograph carefully, and ,his confirmed the suspicion he had entertained previously, that the prisoner Jackson was in reality the murderer Andrew Mackay. He took an opportunity von this to enter into conversation with the prisoner, and in the course of it he asked him if he had ever gone by any other name than George Jackson, and he at once replied that his name was Andrew Mackay, and be admitted that he was the person who was charged with the murder in Norton Folgate. Major Bannister at once telegraphed to London to Sergeant Dunnaway, an officer of the metropolitan police, and he came down to Maidstone on Wednesday, accompanied by a person who was acquainted with the lad Mackay, and who at once identified him as the person against whom the coroner's jury had returned a verdict of wilful murder. The prisoner has still two months to serve of his original sentence, but he will, of course, be brought back to London upon the charge of murder so soon as the necessary forms are gone through to enable that step to be taken.
The Sun. — 1868-03-12 (London, England)

ACTION TO EBOOVER 40,000.  Among the records tried at the Belfast Assizes was one Which excited great interest, on account of the magnitude of the sum involved, the legal questions raised, and the position of the litigants. It was instituted by Mr. Symms, of Mountjoy-square, Dublin, executor of the late Mr. Thomas Sinclair, of Hopefield, county of Antrim, to recover £lO,OOO, the amount of a policy on his life effected with the Scottish Widows' Fund and Life Assurance Society. The sum paid on the policy was £sB6—the first annual premium. There was a condition in the contract that if the insurer should come by his death by suicide, or in case it should hereafter appear that any untrue statement had been made in the declaration of Mr. Sinclair, the policy should be void. The defendants pleaded that the deceased committed suicide, and that at the time of taking out the policy he had suppressed the material fact that be was then suffering from mental depression. The deceased was a provision curer in extensive business in Belfast, and was also connected with a New York firm and with a firm in Liverpool. He was chairman of the Harbour Board of Belfast, and of the Chamber of Commerce, and a local director of the society. On Sunday, the Ist of April, 1866, while he was in church, he was shocked by the intelligence that his stores had taken fire. The stock and buildings, which were valued at £128,000, were nearly destroyed. A sum of £40,000 was paid on the insurances. The interruption to the business, and the money panic occurring about the same time, caused great alarm in his mind, as the firm had upwards of £BO,OOO embarked in the shipping trade. He became depressed, and, by the advice of his physicians, went to Portrush and other places, and he returned to Belfast completely restored. On the 11th of September, at the suggestion of his son, he insured his life. He returned at intervals to business and applied himself closely to it. The effect was that he relapsed into his former nervous state, and began to conceive delusions, among others that his son was in a conspiracy against him. In December he wrote incoherently from London. On the morning of the 2nd of January, 1867, he packed his portmanteau and insisted on returning to Belfast. He was dissuaded by friends, and after breakfast lay down on the sofa, but when they left the room he went upstairs, opened the window, and was seen by a lady in another room to remove the snow from the window-sill, and then get out and sit on it, whence he appeared to slip off into the area, and was killed by the fall. It was contended for the plaintiff that the deceased did nut commit suicide, but endeavoured to escape from a house which he morbidly considered a prison, and that to vitiate the policy it should appear that he went out of the window with the delibe• rate intention of committing suicide. A host of witnesses were examined on both sides, and at the close of the charge of Mr. Justice Morris the jury found a verdict for the plaintiff.