npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Runcorn Examiner. — 1893-05-13 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

NGTON  AN UNPUNCTUAL JURTMAN.  Mr. S. Brighouse, county coroner, held an inquest at the Warrington Infirmary on Tuesday, on lie body of Wm. Norman ogi-d 52 years, who com mit ted suicide by hanging himself on Monday at 17, Dixon-street. The inquest was fixed for 12 o'clock, but Mr. Alhinson, a juryman' did not arrive until 12 20, and the inquest was delayed in COUS, quence. When Mr. Alhinson arrived, the coroner asked him how it was that he was so late to which he replied that he had been very busy and could not get away —Mr. Brighouse, : " Here are eleven of the jury and myself who have been waiting twenty minutes. I find that the Vatal amount of time lost by us all is 240 minutes or four hours. I never like to be unfair, but I do think that punctuality vr.uld be advisable."  The inquest was then begua.—Mrs. Marshall said that deceased was her brother, and lodged with her at Dixonat. He was a carter. She last saw him alive at about eleven o'clock on Sunday night when he went to bed. She was informed of the suicide of her brother by her daughter next morning. The police were informed. Deceased had been drinking very heavily for some time, but she never thought he would take away his life. He was unmarried. On Sunday lie could not hold his hands still. Be had been discharged from work on Friday night, but he was taken on again on Sunda.y.—tiarah Mire Buckley, a young girl, said that deceased was her uncle. She last saw him alive on Sunday night, On Monday miming she got up at seven o'clock, and found deceased's dinner in the kitchen. She called for him, but got no answir. She then saw the closet door closed and went to npen it, when she saw a man's hand. She then went for the police, who cut deceased down. Owen Sheridan said that he lodged with Mrs. Marshall. On Mondav morning he got up at 5.20, and deceased was also downstairs. Witness said to him " It's a nice mornitig "to which deceased replied in a very low tone " It's very fine." Deceased then went out at the back, and witness went out at the front door, and went to Lymtn. Di-eeaseil did not appear to he any worse than usual. He had taken more drink than usual the last fortnight. He had never expressed an intentiin to take a way his life, and wi,nes,, never expected him to dD such a thing.—P.C. Jones said that the witness Sarah Alice Buckley came to him abolit 7.40 a.m. on Monday and told him there was a man in the closet. Witness went there and tound eceased hanging by a rope frt n a beam :in the riliut, His feet touched the floor. He was quite dial. Witness cut him down.—The jury retureed a verilic to the effect that deceased had committed suicide whist in an unsound state of mind.
Runcorn Examiner. — 1893-02-04 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

SAD SUICEDE AT RUNCORN.  PATHETIC LETTER.  A shocking suicide occurred at Runcorn, on Monday. On arriving at his home, 46, Bridge-st., about six o'clock on Monday evening, Charles Griffiths found his two young children cr3ing in the yard, and exclaiming" Oh, my mamma!" He then saw his wife suspended by a rope from a nail in the wall of a passage leading into the yard. He immediately fetched P.C. Juett, who is a neighbour, and that officer at once cut down the woman. She was, however, quite dead. She had apparently stood on a chair and then kicked it from under her. The deceased was only 26 years of age, and was the mother of two children, aged respectively six dna three years.—Mr.Worsley, coroner, held the inquest on Wednesday. The husband said the deceased had complained terribly of her head lately, and she had talked very funnily to him. She had never threatened to take away her life. He found the following letter on the mantlepiece in the kitchen.—" Dear Charley,—Tell father to put me in a grave. You have been a good husband to me ; I cannot live any longer, take it as light as you can; I know it will be hard to bear. I should be a burden to you ; be good to Charley, and you, my darling husband, keep all my things. I am Bony for you. I know you have nothing but mother has me in a club • she will help you. I will meet you all in that land above. Good-bye to all. Good-bye, goodbye my loving husband. It will upset father and mother. Tell them to bear it as well as they can, lam out of my mind." Witness said he had been employed at Mathieson's Works, Widnes, for three years, and he I had always given his wife plenty of money. He could not account for his wife taking her life in the slightest. He never thought it necessary to call in a doctor, because she never gave up.—Mrs. Annie Juett, wife of a police constable, said the deceased had complained to her about her head being bad. She was with the deceased shortly after five o'clock, and she appeared to be in her usual condition then.—The Coroner said it was the saddest case he had heard in his long experience as coroner. He thought the woman had committed the rash deed through trouble in her head, and there could be no doubt that she was of unsound mind at the time.— Mr. W. H. Rogerson, foreman, said Griffiths was one of his Sunday school scholars, and he was sure he was expressing the feelings of the jury when he said they deeply sympathised with him. The verdict recorded was that the deceased committed suicide whilst temporarily insane.  At Bolton, on Thursday, two local barbers, named Charles Thompson and Henry Battersbv, were summoned under an old Act of Charles 11. or shaving on the Lord's Day. The Act, which is 300 years old,en tots that no worldly labour, works of necessity and charity excepted, should be performed on the Lords Day. The Act has never been repealed. One of the defendants had been fined before. Both were again fined. KAY'S ComPoinvo. a demulc-nt an,dyne expectorant for Coughs:and Colds, 9id., 130. Of all Cheinists.—Advt.  ,71
Runcorn Examiner. — 1893-09-09 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

CHESHIRE  SERVANT.  EARLY LOVE TROUBLES. Mr. Blunt, Deputy-Coroner for the linutsford Division. of Cheshire, held an inquest on Thursday at Mr. Arthur Ford's farm, High Legh, on the body of Catherine Chorlton. twenty years of age, a domestic servant. Mrs. Jane Chorlton, mother of the deceased, said her daughter came to spend Sunday and Monday with her. She went to meet her sweetheart on the Sunday evening, but he did not turn up. Deceased left on Monday afternoon to return to hersister in Bowdon. About a foitnight ago she had been very fretful, as her young man, Jos( ph Simpson, had been ill and told her he was falling into consumption. She had asked him to meet her at her mother's house last Sunday, and he promii-ed to do so if he were well enough. Deceased had been weak for some time back and had been unnerved by nursing a neighbour who was suffering from brain fever. Wm. Chorltort gave evidence of finding the body of deceased in a pit 150 yards from her parent's door. Harriet Swindles, Bowdon, said deceased returned to her house onlVaou'ay afternoon and seemed upset. During Tuesday she was very hurried and excited at her work, and in the afternoon witness heard the front door close, and looking out of the window saw deceased hurrying away. Witness went to deceased's room and found a letter. " All my things are for my dear mother. This is the end of all my troubles." Particularly during the past fortnight deceased had been very fretful. She was not a strcng nerved girl, but apparently was striving hard to bear up, against her troubles. She was a very faithful and loveable girl.—Joseph Simpson, groom to Mr. T. P. Norris, Lymm; said he had been keeping company with the deceased for the last eighteen months. She was very fond of him, and there had not been any coolness on his part. He had been ill lately with bronchitis, and had , on one or two occasions, for that reason, not been able to fulfil his trysts with her, but he apprised her of it by letter. He could not account for her troubles, unless it was on account of his illness.--The jury returned a verdict of" Suicide whilst temporarily insane."
Runcorn Examiner. — 1893-05-06 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

EFTS BY YOUTHS.  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.  Walter Smith and John Syerett, two youths, were charged at the Warrington Occasional Court, on Tuesday, before the Mayor (Alderman E. Greenall) with stealing on Nionday, the 24th April, at Latthford, a gold albert guard, valued at £7 a silk handkerchief, value is., and £7 in money, the property of Richard King, employed on the. ship canal, and living at Thelwall-lane, Latchford. The prisoner Smith was brother to King's housekeeper, and he (Smith) and Syerett had been staying with him, but on Tuesday morning week the two lads left the house suddenly. On the following Thursday the small hamper in which the money was kept was found lying in the ashbin. This led to King's box, in which the money and clothes were kept, being searched, when it was found to have been ransacked. The two prisoners were apprehended in Shrewsbury through endeavouring to pawn for 30s. the gold chain and a metal watch which they had bought. All the money was gone. The complainant identified the articles as his property, and said he saw them in his box on Sunday the 23rd inst. He first missed them on Thursday the 25th. He kept them in his clothes box, in the kitchen. The police applied for a remand until the next Daresbury Sessions, bail being allowed in sureties of £25 each.  At the same court Mary Ann Smith, sister of one of the prisoners was charged with having on May Ist, at the complainant's house taken some poison with intent to kill herself. Richard King said the woman was, his housekeeper and had been in his employ for 17 months. She went to the doctor for some medicine for skin disease, and he gave her about a pint of lotion, for outward use, and she drank the whole of it. He thought the stealing case had prayed on her mind. Miss Blackhurst and the Rev. B. B. Prescott had offered to get her to the Cancer and Skin Diseases Hospital, in Liverpool. The case was dismissed on the understanding that the woman would be taken to the hospital.  DO NOT NEGLECT l Sufferers from Gravel, Lumbago. Piles, Pains in the Back, Dropsy, Wind and Water Complaints, Diseases of Kidneys, Bladder, Urinary Organs, Stone, Gleet, Stricture, Sciatica, Rheumatism, and Gout, will find a positive cure in Holdroyd's Gravel Pills. Try a small box, and if not satisfied your money will be returned. Prise is lid. Of all chemists, or post free for 12 stamps from BOLDBOYD'S Medical Hall, Cleckheaton, Yorks. Don't be put off. If you cannot get them write to the Proprietor, and a box will be sent next post.—Advt.
Runcorn Examiner. — 1893-05-20 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

SUICIDE OF A LIVERPOOL MAN AT ST. ITELENS.  A respectably-dressed young man, supposed to be William Lloyd, of 134, Tunnel-road, Edge-hill, Liverpool, was found dead in a retiring room at St. Helens Station on Monday. The man was lying on his side on the floor. The body was warm but dead. It was carried to the waiting-room, and Dr. Jackson, the company's local surgeon, sent for. The doctor stated that deceased had died from poisoning. On inquiry at 134, Tunnel-road, Edge-hill, it was found that the deceased's name was William Lloyd. aged twenty-one, an apprentice at Messrs. Rockliffa Bros., stationers, Castle-st., Liverpool. Mr. and Mrs. rower reside at the above address, and deceased had lived with and been brought up by them from a child. He is described as having been a quiet youth, and nothing can be stated as to the reason for the condition in which he was found. He was at business on Monday morning, but left about eleven o'clock, and his friends heard nothing of him until about three o'clock on Tuesday morning when a railway official came to make inquiries. He has a mother living at Formby. At St. Helens Town Hall,on Wednesday, Mr.Brighonse held an inquest on the body of William Lloyd.—Dr.Robt. ;Jackson, who was called to the station, said he found that Lloyd was dead. He examined the body, and came to the conclusion that in all probability he had died from carbolic acid poisoning.—Police-constable John Hall, who took charge of the body, produced a number of papers which were in the clothing.—The Coroner examined them, and said there was a paper called the "Racing World," and attached to it was a reckoner to show the prices; a list of horses cut from a newspaper, and a list which he seemed to have made in his own handwriting of horses and their ages ; then there was a list Gf "horses worth following," and the names of their trainers. There was also a pocket book with sums of money entered to horses, and a paper which seemed to be a tip from someone who knew all the winners. It looked vesy much as if he was given to betting.—Mr. James Power, of 134, Tunnel-road, Edgehill, said the deceased had lived with him for about ten years. He (witness) was a compositor at Rockcliffe Brothers. The deceased was at work up to dinner time on Monday, but he did not return in the afternoon. The deceased was a quiet young fellow. Witness did not know he was given to betting. He did not know that he as in monetary difficulties. " The deceased never mentioned anything about betting to him.—The Coroner having summed up, the jury returned a verdict that Lloyd committed suicide whilst in an unsound state of mind.
The St. Helens Examiner, and Prescot Weekly News. — 1905-09-02 (Saint Helens, Merseyside, England)

PUBLIC BENEFIT. UNDER THE CLOCK FOR BEST BOOTS IN LANCASHIRE.—Advt. Suicide's Pathetic Farewell. At the Warrington Police Station an Saturday Mr. S. Brighouse, County Coroner, held an inquiry concerning the death of William Peacock, carrier, of Lower Walton.—The evidence was to the effect that on Thursday morning a workman named Gerge Longshaw found deceased lying in Arpley Meadows bleeding from a wound in the throat. By his side was a blood-stained razor. Deceased was conveyed to the . Infirmary but died on the way. He had been much troubled in mind for some months and a note found in his pocket read as follows :—" Dear Brother and Sister. You will forgive me for this mad act but I have gone out of my mind. I hope you will be good to Ciss and everyone else. It was all my fault. If there is anything left after settling up, give it to her.—Police-constable Metcalfe stated that when he was called to deceased he was quite consciaus, and when he was asked why he had done it he replied, " You don't know all my trouble. lam better dead." A verdict of" Suicide whilst of unsound mind " was returned, H. M. ASHTON'S LIFE TONIC takes away that tired feeling.—(Advt.) A Burtonwood Right of Way, Four members of the Lancashire County Council, with Mr. J. Shuttleworth as chairman, together with several county officials, held an inquiry at Burtonwood, near St. Helens, on Tuesday afternoon, as to the public rights over a lane known as Kiln-lane. The path hied been stopped by the owners of the farm, Messrs. J. Fairclough and Sons, Warrington, and the Parish Council contested the point.—Mr. J. C. Sutton' clerk to the Warrington Rural District Council, stated that, with the exception of the chairman of the Burtonwood Parish Council, the members were unanimous in declaring that the matter was not worth fighting about, and that from a financial point of view they would not give .:£lO for it. It was suggested that the fight arose through pique on the part of the Chairman of the Parish Council and the owners of the farm on which the path lay, but that was denied. Fences put up by the farm owners had been pulled down by the Council chairman, who, however, had since apologised to the owners of the farm for what had been dene.
The St. Helens Examiner, and Prescot Weekly News. — 1905-06-24 (Saint Helens, Merseyside, England)

THE CORONER AND THE JURY.  The unusual verdict of "10-de-se " was returned by a Warrrngton jury on Monday in the case of John Rawlinson Savory (21). wire netting weaver, Sharpstreet, who committed suicide on Friday morning by hanging himself. The inquest was opened on Saturday but was adjourned because the Coroner declined t ) accept a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane." The only witness on Saturday was Eliza Ann Savory, deceased's widow, who said she last saw deceased alive at 9.40 on Thursday night when he left home to go to work, as he was on the night turn. She got up at nine o'clock on Friday morning but did not see deceased. She thought nothing about that, as deceased sometimes went for a walk before retiring to bed. At 11.30 she went into an outbuilding and found deceased hanging by the neck from a cord attached to a beam. Deceased was a jovial man and she had never heard him threaten to take away his life. They had been married about four months. So far as she knew, deceased had no reason whatever to commit suicide. The Coroner pointed out that the law presumed every person to be of sound mind until the contrary was proved. Before they could return a verdict that deceased committed suicide whilst of unsound mind they must have evidence to support it.ln this case,there was an encire absence of evidence to show that ' deceased's mind was anything but sound, and he could only direct the jury to say that Savory feloniously killed himself. It was the popular idea that when a person took away his life he must be of unsound mind. That, however was,not sound reasonin:: for they might just as well say that a man could not kill his patent if he was of sound mind. Sergeant Barlow (Coroner's officer) said he had fully investigated the case. Deceased, it appeared, was seen playing with some children at the back of Sharp-street at eight o'clock on Friday morning- His brother left him at 7.30 at the works and he was then jovial and in the best of health and spirits. After the jury had deliberated in private for about a quarter of an hour, the foreman (Mr. Dale, Sankeystreet) said that with the present evidence they could come to no other conclusion than that the deceased took away his life in a temporaay fit of insanity. The Coroner : lam very sorry, bat I cannot receive that verdict at your hands. I won't receive it either. There is no evidence to justify it. The Foreman : The other alternative is that we must have additional evidence from the foreman of the works where deceased was employed, and others. The Coroner : We had better adjourn the inquiry then. lam not saying it in any angry or hostile way, but I have no right to receive a verdict from you that is totally against the evidence. ' The inquiry was adjourned until Monday morning for the attendance of additional witnesses.
The St. Helens Examiner, and Prescot Weekly News. — 1905-11-25 (Saint Helens, Merseyside, England)

THE WARRINGTON SENSATION.  SISTERS CHARGED WITH MURDER.  At the Warrington police court on Tuesday, Beatrice Waterworth, single woman, (31), and Alicia Drury, widow, (35), both residing at 10, Russell-street, were charged with the wilfal murder of the infant child of Beatrice Waterworth, some time in October 1901. It will be rememherad that the prisoners were before the magistrates last week on a charge of concealing the birth of the child. Brieay recapitulated the facts then stated were that in September of this year IVaterworth gave birth to a child. The day following her confinement Mrs. Drury's husband committed suicide, in consequence it was stated at the inquest which was held, of certain allegations made against him b.v the neighbours. The suspicions of the police were aroused by the receipt by the Chief Constable, and the Coroner of anonymous letters,andon the 15th inst they visited 63,G raf ton-street, formerly occupied by the prisoners and Mr. Drury, and there after a brief search found the skeleton of a child buried in quick lime, under the pantry floor. At the proceedings on Tuesday Mr. Ilallaway, deputy town clerk, who appeared to prosecute said very extensive inquiries had been made into the circumstances of the case, and cart :tin new facts had come to light. In support of a charge of murder there ought to be the strongest possible evidence, and he regretted, that they had not got the strongest possible evidence, as the women stood in peril of their liberty--even their lives —on ratherslight evideace.But there was that evidence, though slight to consider. Another step had to be taken, as it was necessary that the circumstances should be reported to the Director of Public Prosecutions, in order that he might thoroughly investigate them. He, therefore, asked for a remand until next Tuesday. Mr. SteA, who appeared on behalf of the prisoners. said he had no objection to the remand. provided the Bench could see their way to grant these miserable women bail. They had been in castody for over a week, and seeing that it was admitted that the evidence was very weak, he thought they might be granted bail. The Deputy Town Clerk said he would not object to bail.
The St. Helens Examiner, and Prescot Weekly News. — 1905-11-25 (Saint Helens, Merseyside, England)

EXCITING STRUGGLE IN A TRAIN. Determined Suicide Near Warrington  A verdict of." Suicide whilst of unsound mind "was returned by a Warrington jury on Tuesday at aninquest which was held on the body of John Cooksoon (40) of H. Portland-street, Lancaster, who died from selfinflicted wounds, at the Warrington Infirmary on Saturday. Deceased who was employed as a grocers salesman by Messrs. T. D. Smith Ltd., Lancaster, had suffered from fits of depression for a long time and on Friday cut his throat while travelling with his brother on the railway between Wigan and Warrington. At the Inquest on Tuesday, William Cookson, clerk 49, Ellesmere-road, said that owing to a communication from his brother's employers he, on Monday 17th visited Lancaster in order to bring him back to Warrington and have him medically examined. They left Lancaster by the 5.25 p.m. train and all went well until Preston was reached. He noticed his brother was in a very bad state of nervousness and having to make some enquiries with regard to the journey he left him in charge of two railw9.y officials to whom he explained his situation. From Preston to Wigan they were accompanied by a railway detective. Leaving Wigan they travelled alone in a first class compartment. His brother pulled out a pocket knife and commenced cleaning his finger nails. Witness asked deceased to lend him the knife and John at once gave it to him. Deceased iramediately"pulled out of his pocket a larger knife and before witness could prevent it plunged the blade into his throat. Witness at once seized him and a terrible struggle ensued, and it was not until his, hands had been badly cut that he obtained possession, of the knife. With difficulty he pulled the communication cord,and the train stopped at Winwick Quay where he got the assistance of an ambulance man, who dressed. his brother's wound. The journey was continued to Warrington, where the deceased was conveyed to the Infirmary. Mr. Hatton, who appeared on behalf of the relatives. of the deceased, said that Mr. Smith, head of the firm of Messrs. T. D. Smith, Ltd., had come from Lancaster to give evidence as to his observations of the deceased's— mental condition, and also as to the fact that there was absolutely nothing wrong financially, and that the rela-tions between the deceased and his employers was of the most cerdial kind. Edward Garrill Smith, of the firm of Messrs. T. D.. Smith, Ltd., supported this statement. Mr. Brighouse: There was no financial trouble at all?  Witness : On the contrary last week with a view to cheer him up we had a most encouraging report of a recenting stock-taking to give him. The jury in returring the above verdict expressed their Sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.