npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1853-10-10 (London, England)

SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF A WIFE.  On Saturday afternoon, Mr. Payne held a long inquiry at the Vestry-hall, Fair-street, Horsleydown, on the body of Ann Roberts, the wife of a greengrocer in Bermondsey-street, who, it was at first supposed, had committed suicide, but concerning whose death reports were subsequently in circulation of a more serious character.  On Friday morning the deceased was found in her bed-room hanging by a gauze veil, and in nearly a kneeling posture. She was quite dead. Her husband gave the alarm. He had slept on a sofa, having come home the previous night very drunk. When he called in a lodger he said, " Good God ! I shall not be long after her." He had only a short time before come out of gaol, where he had been undergoing imprisonment for ill using his wife. Mary Duke, who occupied a room underneath, deposed to hearing deceased groan in the night. The sister of the deceased thought she had not laid violent hands upon herself, as she was always greatly terrified at death.  Ellen Cooke, the daughter of the deceased, produced a bundle of letters which her mother had given her. A short time since her mother told Roberts that be would soon go back again to gaol for his ill usage of her. He made use of some very filty expressions, and replied that the next time he went it would not be for twelve months, but for two or three years, and perhaps he might go on to a scaffold for her, as he meant to have her life, at the same time using most violent language. That was about three weeks ago.  The coroner then read three letters sent by a woman alluded to in the course of the investigation, signed “ Eliza Roberts," thereby assuming the name of the wife, one of them being addressed to Roberts. In this 'letter she entreated Roberts to come to her without delay, stating that she had got an order for the play. He was to make any. excuse to deceive his wife, and if he found any difficulty in doing so that he must " cook"' lier;‘a's they had agreed upon, and then when She was gone they could live happily together. The tWo• other letters' to the wife were couched in the most filthy tan. guage, taunting her with having lived with her husband whilst.she: was in the workhouse, and that he had spent many pounds upon her, but having lost his situation at Somerset-house he had returned to hers for convenience, but that she had made up her mind to haVe her. life, • if she should die hanged for her.  Dr. Challice, he should have great hesitation at the present moment in stating.the cause of death. The features were exceedingly plicid, and .there was no bloodshot about the eyes; as was common where death occurred from strangulation.  The inquiry was then adjourned for a post mortem amination to be made.
The Sun. — 1853-10-10 (London, England)

SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF A WIFE.  On Saturday afternoon, Mr. Payne held a long inquiry at the Vestry-hall, Fair-street, Horsleydown, on the body of Ann Roberts, the wife of a greengrocer in Bermondsey-street, who, it was at first supposed, had committed suicide, but concerning whose death reports were subsequently in circulation of a more serious cha racter. On Friday morning the deceased was found in her bed-room hanging by a gauze veil, and in nearly a kneeling posture. She was quite dead. Her husband gave the alarm. He had slept on a sofa, having come home the previous night very drunk. When he called in a lodger he said, "Good God ! I shall not be long after her." He had only a short time before come out of gaol, where he had been undergoing imprisonment for ill-using his wife. Mary Duke, who occupied a room underneath, deposed to hearing deceased groan in the night. The sister of the deceased thought she had not laid violent hands upon herself, as she was always greatly terrified at death:  Ellen Cooke, the daughter of the deceased, produced a bundle of letters which her mother had given her. A short time since her mother told Roberts that he would soon go back again to gaol for his ill usage of her. He made use of some very filty expressions, and replied that the next time he went it would not be for twelve months, but for two or three years, and perhaps he might go on to a scaffold for her, as he meant to have her life, at the same time using most violent language. That was about three weeks ago.  The coroner then read three letters sent by a woman alluded to in the course of the investigation, signed " Eliza Roberts," thereby assuming the name of the wife, one of them being addressed to Roberts. In this letter she entreated Roberts to come to her without delay, stating that she had got an order for the play. He was to make any excuse to deceive his wife, and if he found any difficulty in doing so that he must " cook" her, as they had agreed upon, and then when she was gone they could live happily together. The two other letters to the wife were couched in the most filthy language, taunting her with having lived with her husband whilst she was in the workhouse, and that he had spent many pounds upon her, but having lost his situation at Somerset•house he had returned to her for convenience, but that she had made up her mind to have her life, if she should be hanged for her.  Dr. Challice said he should have great hesitation at the present moment in stating the cause of death. The features were exceedingly placid, and there was no bloodshot about the eyes, as was common where death occurred from strangulation.  The inquiry was then adjourned for a post mortem examination to be made.
The Sun. — 1853-10-10 (London, England)

SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF A WIFE.  On Saturday afternoon, Mr. Payne held a long inquiry at the Vestry-hall, Fair-street, Horsleydown, on the body of Ann Roberts, the wife of a greengrocer in Bermondsey-street, who, it was at first supposed, had committed suicide, but concerning whose death reports were subsequently in circulation of a more serious character. On Friday morning the deceased was found in her bed-room hanging by a gauze veil, and in nearly a kneeling posture. She was quite dead. Her husband gave the alarm. He had slept on a sofa, having come home the previous night very drunk. When he called in a lodger he said, "Good God ! I shall not belong after her." He bad only a short time before come out of gaol, where he had been undergoing imprisonment for ill using his wife. Mary Duke, who occupied a room underneath, deposadhsinhe set ghwhe a st snight.heh alwaysad not greatly laid to shi hsateneadrrsi ne upon pdtohenec ehadesereesd: f,gsreodaa snt violent terrified at death.  Ellen Cooke, the daughter of the deceased, produced a bundle of letters which her mother had given her. A short time since her mother told Roberts that be would soon go back again to gaol for his ill usage of her. He made use of some very filty expressions, and replied that the next time he went it would not be for twelve months, but for two or three years, and perhaps he might go on to a scaffold for her, as he meant to have her life, at the same time using most violent language. That was about three weeks ago.  The coroner then read three letters sent by a woman alluded to in the course of the investigation, signed " Eliza Roberts," thereby assuming the name of the wife, one of them being addressed to Roberts. In this letter she entreated Roberts to come to her without delay, stating that she had got an order for the play. He was to make any excuse to deceive his wife, and if he found any difficulty in doing so that he must "cook" her, as they had agreed upon, and then when she was gone they could live happily together. The two other hitters to the wife were couched in the most filthy language, taunting her with having lived with her husband whilst she was in the workhouse, and that he had spent many pounds upon her, but having lost his situation at Somerset-house he had returned to her for convenience, but that she had made up her mind to have her life, if she should be hanged for her.  Dr. Challice said he should have great hesitation at the present moment in stating the cause of death. The features were exceedingly placid, and there was no bloodshot about the eyes, as was common where death occurred from strangulation.  - The inquiry was then adjourned for a post mortem examination to be made.
The Sun. — 1817-11-15 (London, England)

MELANCHOLY SUICIDE.  CORONER'S INQUEST.-Thursday night, at nine o'clock, an Inquest was held at the Cock publichouse, East-street, Manchester-square, before T. STIRLING, Esq. Coroner, on view of-the body of Mr. S. Smart, aged 60 years, who pot a period to his existence by shooting himself with a pistol. J. Harris, under-butler to Lady Elizabeth Drummond, 24, Baker-street, stated, that he had been 'acquainted Witlrthe deceased some time ; he was upper-servant in the family, and one of the Poor Knights of Windsor. On Wednesday Morning last, about ten o'clock, he was pumping water into the cisterns up stairs, when the deceased passed him along the passage in the direction of the laundry ; he looked wilder than ever he had seen him before, and was throwing his arms about in airenzied manner. Witness shortly afterwards heard a loud report as if a board (to use his own expression) had broken in two; but from the noise of the pump, he could lorni no idea of what it was occasioned by ; however l►e called the deceased's son, and they proceeded up the laundry stairs, the back way to the stables, where they found the deceased on the-floor weltering in his blood, and the fatal instrument lying near hiM. A surgeon was instantly sent for, but his efforts proved unavailing:--The deceased bad seveial sons and daughters, all in respectable circumstances ; but one of them had the misfortune of being insane, and was confined in a madhouse, which so preyed on the intellects of ale wretched father,. that he was no longer the same, but always low and desponding. He had plenty of money, and never wanted any of the necessaries of life.  Mr. Armstrong, a surgeon,, said, he was called to see the deceased ; be had often attended him before, and was.not at all surprised,to hear of the dreadful catastrophe, as be had always held him to be insane since the confinement of one of his daughtets, He went to view the body, and found a ball had passed through his right ear ; he could render no assistance, as the deceased expired almost instantly. The Coroner briefly summed up, and the Jury returned their verdict—insanity.  Yesterday morning the house of Mrs. Mer.chant, cow-keeper, Nash-street, Poplar, was bro'ken open, and robbed of an elegant pier-glass, wearing-apparel, table-linen, &c. to the value of upwards of 1001. Yesterday morning, about five o'clo'ck, the dwaing-house of Mr. Joseph Ashelford, of Maze Pond, St. Thomas's, Borough, was broke open and robbed of a large quantity of Brussels carLyeting, and several scarlet morine curyins.
The Sun. — 1866-12-27 (London, England)

SINGULAR CASE OF SUICIDE IN STAFFORD GAOL. —On Monday morning, Thomas Parker, 59, the mastershoemaker at Stafford gaol, committed suicide by hanging himself in his work-room ; and at four o'clock in the afternoon an inquest was held on the body before Mr. Morgan, coroner. Deceased has 'been connected with the gaol for some twenty-five years. The first witness called was Joseph Parker, a son of deceased. He identified the body, and stated that his father had for a long time past, but especially of late, been much depressed in spirit, in consequence of his having only a life interest in a certain property. Witness had often been with him recently, endeavouring to ease his mind by his presence and conversation, and he was with him until half-past nine o'clock on Sunday night. He never at any time heard deceased hint at self-destruction. George Lowbridge, warder, produced half-a-sheet of note paper, which he found on deceased's cutting board. It contained a short statement in the unfortunate man's handwriting, in which he referred to a case of irregularity at the gaol that was brought to light and finished a few weeks back, made allusion to the false swearing of some party or other, and protested his perfect innocence of bribery and other irregular practices. Where the point of this statement lay, however, did not transpire, as the witnesses stated that deceased was in no way implicated in the late breach of prison discipline. John Astbury, storekeeper at the gaol, said that having in the way of his duty something to say to deceased, he went to his workroom at ten minutes to 11 o'clock, and there found him hanging by a piece of rope from a hook, the hook being attached to a staple that was driven into the beam which was across the ceiling. There was a stool lying on the floor behind him, as though he had at first stood upon it and then kicked it from beneath his feet. Witness at once felt his hands, and finding thorn stiff and cold, ran to Mr. Lowbridgo, who helped to cut down the body. He saw deceased on Sunday, and was impressed by his variableness—at one time he was very sleepy, and at another excited and restless. James Hall, warder, stated that deceased came to the gaol at half-past 6 o'clock on Monday morning, half an hour before the fixed time, and he asked him why, but received no answer. After a short address from the coroner, the jury, deceased,witho to without hesitation,okaway h returned own life a bverdict to the effect that hanging himself wluls in kfitais of unsound mind.  1861
The Sun. — 1866-12-27 (London, England)

SINGULAR CASE OF SUICIDE IN STAFFORD GAOL.  —On Monday morning, Thomas Parker, 59, the mastershoemaker at Stafford gaol, committed suicide by hanging himself in his work-room ; and at four o'clock in the afternoon an inquest was held on the body before Mr. Morgan, coroner. Deceased has been connected with the gaol for some twenty-five years. The first witness called was Joseph Parker, a son of deceased. He identified the body, and stated that his father had for a long time past, but especially of late, been much depressed in spirit, in consequence of his having only a life interest in a certain property. Witness had often been with him recently, endeavouring to ease his mind by his presence and conversation, and he was with him until half-past nine o'clock on Sunday night. He never at any time heard deceased hint at self-destruction. George Lowbridge, warder, produced half-a-sheet of note paper, which he found on deceased's cutting board. It contained a short statement in the unfortunate man's handwriting, in which he referred to a case of irregularity at the gaol that was brought to light and finished a few weeks back, made allusion to the false swearing of some party or other, and protested his perfect innocence of bribery and other irregular practices. Where the point of this statement lay, however, did not transpire, as the witnesses stated that deceased was in no way implicated in the late breach of prison discipline. John Astbury, storekeeper at the gaol, said that having iu the way of his duty something to say to deceased, he went to his workroom at- ten minutes to 11 o'clock, and there found him hanging by a piece of rope from a hook, the hook being attached to a staple that was driven into the beam which was across the ceiling. There was a stool lying on the floor behind him, as though he had at first stood upon it and then kicked it from beneath his feet. Witness at once felt his hands, and finding them stiff and cold, ran to Mr. Lowbridge, who helped to cut down the body. 11e saw deceased on Sunday, and was impressed by his variableness—at one time he was very sleepy, and at another excited and restless. James ifull, warder, stated that deceased came to the gaol at half-past G o'clock ou Monday morning, half au hula before the fixed time, and he asked him why, but received no answer. After a short address from the coroner, the jury, without hesitation, returned a verdict to the effect that deceased took away his own life by hanging himself while in a state of unsound mind.  L A TEST INTELLIGENtIF.  (
The Sun. — 1866-07-11 (London, England)

THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF A LADY AT BRIGHTON.—Dr. Warder, the husband of the lady who died at Brighton under the mysterious circumstances reported last weok, was discovered dead at the Bedford Hotel, in that town, yesterday afternoon. Ho took a bed there on the previous night. A prussic acid bottle was by his side, and everything indicates that he committed suicide. He left a letter saying who was to be communicated with.  M. Liandier, in a recent paper read before the French Academy of Sciences, attributes the zodiacal light to the effect of a vast atmosphere enveloping the sun on all sides, and exercising on that orb an immense pressure, developing a vast quantity of heat. He thinks that if this pressure be subject to great variations th y may be the cause of the spats observed on the sun's disc. INDIAN PRIZE AIONEt.--An act of Parliament has lately been passed to legalise the payment and distribution of Indian prize money, and one of the pro*isions will meet the Banda and Kirwee case, the money in which is about to bo distributed, having been captured in 1858. It enacts that such portions of prize money as are payable in the United Kingdom shall be paid to the treasurer secretary of Chelsea Hospital, to bo distributed to the persons entitled thereto, according to their respective portions. In certain cases payment may be made on account of officers and soldiers deceased without letters of administration being taken out.  A FATAT, Kiss.—Last evening an inquiry was ield by Mr. Payne, coroner, at Guy's Hospital, respecting the death of Mrs. Sarah Whitlock, aged 60 years. Tke deceased was the widow of a draper, and resided at No. 13, Wellington-street, Stepney. On a Sunday evening in last month she went to visit her cousin, who resided in Westminster. When parting in the evening they kissed one another on the steps outsido the door. While in the act of kissing they both fell down the steps with great force. The unfortunate deceased received dreadful injuries, her thigh being broken. Sho was immediately conveyed to the hospital, where she died from the result of the fall on Sunday. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
The Sun. — 1866-08-31 (London, England)

CREDITOR. . Aug. 30. Aug 23. Cash in hand and in fr. c. fr. c. Branch banks Commercial bills overdue Commercial bills discounted, not yet due 299,739,706 287,541,705 34 Do. branch banks 343,553,990 336,458,187 Advances on deposit of bullion 23,841,900 23,407,500 Do. branch banks 11,457,400 11,453,300 Do. on French Public  Securities 13,218,600 13,269,400 Do. by branch banks 7,939,000 8,042,900 Do. on railway shares and debentures 84,868,800 34,482,000 D. branch banks 22,574,300 , 22,817,500 Do. on Credit Foncier Bonds Do. branches Do. to the State (Convention, June 10, 1857) 60,000,000 60,000,000 Government Stock reserve 12,980,750 14 12,980,750 14 Do. disposable Rentes Immobalisees (Law, June 2, 1857) 100,000,000 100,000,000 Hotel and furniture of the Bank and landed property branches Expenses of management 1,066,229 09 920,746 67 Sundries  Total 1,737,053,982 45 1,716,363,036 53 Certified by the Deputy-Governor of the Bank of France. (Signed) RoULAND.  The Bank of France has reduced its rate of discount from 3i to 3 per cent.  The Earl and Countess of Bessborough have arrived at their seat in Ireland from Buxton.  DR. WARDER'S CHlLDREN.—Yesterday an application was made to Mr. Peaks, the chief clerk of ViceChancellor Stuart, to appoint Miss Gunning guardian to the four children of the late Dr. Warder. It will be remembered that, before committing suicide at Brighton, Dr. Warder came to Pondon, and left a large sum of money at Miss Gunning's residence for his children. In answer to inquiries made by the chief clerk, it was stated by a gentleman from the office of Messrs. Palmer, Eland, and Nettleship, that a memorial would be presented to the Crown, and the property left by Dr. Warder, and which had become forfeited by his family, might be restored to his children. The Crown had already given up its claim to the sum handed over to Miss Gunning, and it was hoped, under the painful circumstances, that the whole property and sums now involved in the Chancery suit, would be given up. It appears. that the property left is sufficient to give a fortune to each child. One of the daughters is engaged to be married. The chief clerk said he would mention the case to the judge next week, and preseedins were adjourned.  , girt/dlr.
The Sun. — 1866-05-31 (London, England)

THAMES.  EXTRAORDINARY OUTRAGE.—Mary Ann Ryan, alias Castor, a tall, strong, masculine woman, with a baby in her arms, was brought before Mr. Partridge, charged with violently assaulting Jane Webb, of Market-street, Poplar. The complainant, a respectable and modest young woman, the wife of a bricklayer, who is far advanced in pregnancy, said she went out last night to obtain her husband's supper, when the prisoner and three other women who were perfect strangers to her boat her in a most brutal manner. The prisoner seized her by the- hair of her head and knocked her down, and when she was down stamped upon her. She was rescued by the bystanders, and carried to her home.  In answer to questions by Mr. Partridge, the complainant said she offered no provocation, and never offered an insult or spoke a word to the prisoner.  Edmund Langton, a police constable, 280 K, said the prisoner was a dissipated character, and ranging the streets at all hours of the night.  The prisoner made use of several interjections and exclamationsa a and saidshe whilethe witnesses her last night, and had a were was carrying large family at home. Her landlady had threatened to swear her life away. child giving their evidence,  a . The prisoner's landlady, Mary Ann Harley, tsaidihsehecohmad pgilaviennanthtehparidsnoontehrintgwtoovdeorbwalithnotthiceems to quit,  Mr. Partridge said the prisoner was a savage and misgmueiadte d andwoman. hard He sentenced. her to six Weeks' imprisonlabour  pawnbroker, was brought bemachaDr;d with being drunk and incapable of taking care of himself.  Thiin prisoner on notorious business tror and his partner, tre t e Mr. French, while ry Poplar, rendered themselves complaints and summonses against them, and were often convicted for offences against the Pawnbrokers' Act. Their premises, stock, carpoious the a High-street, e frequentig h -s and an immense number of pledges were destroyed by fire on Saturday, April 23, 1863, and a good deal of •litigation afterwards took place relating to the salvage. Mr. French afterwards committed suicide under strange circumstances. His partner has given way to dissipation ever since. "Last night," said a police constable, named Joseph Soper, 693 A, I saw a great crowd of persons in the East India-road, and the prisoner in the middle of them, shouting,, swearing, and hallooing. He was very drunk and violent, and I had a good deal of trouble with him. The people said "There is our Uncle Ogilvie." (A laugh.) The Prisoner—l am Mr. Ogilvie, the pawnbroker. Mr. Partridge—:E7 in gold was found on the prisoner? Pplice-constable—Yes, sir. The Prisoner—l am sorry to think I acted in that way. Mr. Partridge—You are fined ss. for being drunk, Mr. Ogilvie. Dir. Ogilvie—Thank you,