npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1869-07-09 (London, England)

THAMES.  TILE SUICIDE BRIDGES OVER THE LONDON DOCK. Mr. Paget addressed Mr. George and Mr. Mumford, chief constables of the London and St. Katherine Dock Compoles own police, and said he was much obliged to them for their attendance, and wished to call their attention to the number of suicides and attempted suicides at the Old Gravel-lane bridges over the dock. The attempted suicides only came before him and his colleague, and the method adopted was to remand the offender to Olerkenwell prison for a week, and then on a favourable report from the chaplain of the prison to discharge them with a reprimand. He now, had two women under remand, who had attempted suicide at the Old Gravellane Bridge. As one of the magistrates, answerable for the peace:of the district, he could not help thinking it was shocking to humanity that these attempts were so frequent, and that some scheme might be devised to prevent drunken and half-insane persons jumping into the water. He and his colleague only heard of the unsuccessful cases. The successful cases of suicide were investigated by the coroner, and they were numerous. Mr. Mumford said the railings of the bridges were high enough for ordinary purposes. Mr. Paget said that was so, but drunken and insane persons got over the railings and attempted suicide in the dock. Mr. Mumford said if the height of the railings were increased it would be an impediment to business, and that nothing would then stop people jumping into the River Thames a few yards further on. Mr. Paget was of opinion that the height of the railings could be increased at a trifling expense, and people kept out of the, water. There were some bridges at the lower part of the docks in Shadwell with lattice work 10 feet high, and there were no suicides or attempted suicides there. Mr. George said those bridges were moved by hydraulic machinery, and erected under the provisions of a recent Act of Parliament. Mr. Mumford said it had become fashionable for drunken• persons, and particularly prostitutes, to attempt suicide at the bridges of the London dock. The Bridge of Sighs, as Waterloo-bridge was termed by Tom Hood the novelist, was the fashionable resort for suicides in the West, as the London dock bridges were in the East. Mr. Paget said he had nothing to do with Waterloobridge. He was firmly of opinion that these outrages to humanity could be lessened, and he wished the solicitor of the London and St. Katherine Dock Companies, now united, should wait on him. Mr. George and Mr. Mumford said the magistrate's wishes should be communicated to the solicitor, and after stating that Westminster-Bridge was not a fashionable resort for suicides, though the railway was only four feet higher, took their departure.
The Sun. — 1869-07-09 (London, England)

CURIOUS WILL CASE.  .....---....  In the Probate Court, on Thursday, a case well known by name— " Sharpe v. Cuunans "—was before Lord Penzance and a special jury. The case has often been before the court as to the question of domicilage. The testator, who was born of Portuguese parents, and in that country, was sent to Brixton to school. He became insane, and died in an asylum after making a will, and the question was whether he was sane at the time he executed the document. the will was opposed by an aunt, and as the question of domicilage had been settled, the plaintiffs yesterday sought to propound the will. Dr. Spinks, Q.C., and Dr. Tristram, were for the will, and Dr. Deane, Q.C., and -Mr. Inderwick were for the defendant.  Dr. James Ramsey Atkins, Grove House, Stoke Newington, from 1840 to 1862 was proprietor of a private lunatic asylum. In 1840 Mr. Crispin came to reside as a patient, and stayed till he died in December 1862. Before he came to the asylum he resided with his aunt, and often committed acts of violence. Whilst in the asylum he was occasionally vialent. In 1850 his mind had materially improved, and he was in a condition to make his will. The testator knew that his father had died n 1 let him a deal of property. He often talked about his will, and said that he should leave witness a legacy. At that time the deceased was apparently of sound mind. H:s insanity was of a peculiar character, and on altern ate days he seemed to be sane and insane ; and when he appeared in the latter state he was of a very obstinate disposition. Dr. Southey saw the testator some short time prior to the execution of the will. Dr. Jones and Mr. Watney, solicitor, came on the day in question. In December 1858 there was a commission to inquireinto the state of the testator's mind.  By Dr. Deane.: In 1856 be improved for some time ; but not till his death, as, in witness's belief, he committed suicide. He was put into a straight waistcoat when he was violent, and was in the habit of putting his finger down his throat to induce vomiting, and this so weakened the vessels of the stomach that he vomited blood. By the Judge : Believed that the testator knew that it he did not eat he would die, and he wished to do so. Other evidence having been taken, Dr. Deane addressed the jury, contending that at the time of making the will the testator was insane. The jury took this view of the matter, and the will was ordered to be revoked.
The Sun. — 1869-07-09 (London, England)

CASE.  In the Probate Court, on Thursday, a CASP well known by name Sh-trre r. Cumans " was bt fore Lord Penzance at.d a spteial jury. The case has cam/ ,been before the court as to the question of domicilage. Tbs.. testator, who was born of Portuguese parents, and iniithat country, was sent to Brixton to school. He became\insane, and died in an asylum after making a will, and the question was whether he was sane at the time he execrated the document, Ihe will was opposed by an aunt, and as the question of domicilage had been settled, the plahltiffs yesterday sought to propound the will.  - _ Dr. Spinkg, Q.C., and Dr. Tristram, were for the will, and Dr. Deane, Q.C., and Mr. Inderwick were for the defendant.  Dr. James Ramsey Atkins, Grove House, Stoke Newington, from 1840 to 1862 was proprietor of a private lunatic asylum. In 1840 Mr. Crispin came to reside as a patient, and stayed till he died in December 1862. Before he came to the asylum he resided with his aunt, and often committed acts of violence. Whilst in the asylum he v-as occasionally villent. In 1850 his mind had materially improved, and he was in a condition to make his will. The testator knew that his father had died n 1 le t him a deal of property. He often talked about his will, and said that he should leave witness a legacy. At that time the deceased was apparently of sound mind. His insanity was of a peculiar character, and on altern ate days he seemed to be sane and insane ; and when he appeared in the latter state he was of a very obstinate disposition. Dr. Southey saw the testator some short time prior to the execution of the will. Dr. Jones and Mr. Watney, a solicitor, came on the day in question. In December 1858 there was a commission to inquire into the state of the testator's mind.  By Dr. Deane : In 18:56 he improved for some time ; but not till his death, as, in witness's belief, he committed suicide. He was put into a straight waistcoat when he was violent, and was in the habit of putting his finger down his throat to induce vomiting, and this so weakened the vessels of the stomach that he vomited blood. By the Judge : Believed that the testator knew that ti he did not eat he would die, and he wished to do so.  Other evidence having been taken,  Dr. Deane addressed the jury, contending that at the time of making the will the testator was insane.  The jury toi)k this view of the matter, and the will was ordered to be revoked.
The Sun. — 1869-03-30 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE OF A GENTLEMAN.  A melancholy affair occurred on Saturday morning at the King's Baths, attached to the pump-room at Bath. Soon after seven o'clock a gentlemanly-dressed man hired a private bath, and appmred to be in good health. Au hour is allowed to each prviate bather, and a few minutes after that time had expired the attendant went and found the bather lying insensible in the bath. He was immediately removed to the Bath Royal United Hospital, where life was found to be extinct. The clothes of the bather afforded no clue to his identification, as none of his linen was marked. A policy of insurance was, however, found in his pocket, which it is hoped will lead to his discovery. The deceased was apparently between 50 and GO years of age, rather thin, and of middle height. He had a short-cut beard, inclining to grey, thin moustache, very thin whiskers, and blue-grey eyes. An empty phial was found in the bath, and a post mortem examination sheaved that death resulted from the deceased having' taken prussic acid.  The Bishop of Salisbury, it is stated, though waking a little progress, is still in a precarious condition.  The President of the Poor-law Board has sustained :t severe domestic affliction in the death of his sister, Miss Fanny Elizabeth Goschen, who was in her 26th year. She was the fourth daughter of the late Mr. William Henry Goschen.  The death has been announced of Lieutenant-Colunel Bernard W. A. Sleigh, who was the founder ~nd first proprietor of tho Daily Telegraph. Ho was formerly connected with her Majesty's 77th and 2d West Indian Ile;iments. Ho was a brother of Mr. Sergeant Sleigh.  The Wicklow r ecrage case is beginning to excite considerable attention. Mr. Octavius O'Brien states, with reference to tho letter of " Ellen Howard," that the late Earl, as protector of the title and estates, with an anxious desire to ascertain the status of the alleged child, did all ho could to induce this lady to satisfy him of what she now publicly states, and, finally, he invited her to proceed in the Court of Probate to prove the legitimacy ; he offered to pay all the expenses, irrespective of the result, and further, should a decree of legitimacy be made, his lordship undertook to contribute to the proper maintenance and education of the alleged child. This and all information was refused by the lady ; his lordship sought through every other means to learn the particulars, when, being perfectly satisfied on the facts, he came to the conclusion and solemnly declared that Charles, the present Eq.) WAS his heir and successor.
The Sun. — 1869-03-30 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE OF A GENTLEMAN.  A Melancholy affair occurred on Saturday morning at the King's Baths, attached to the pump-room at Bath. Soon after seven o'clock a gentlemanly-dressed man hired a private bath, and appeared to be in good health. Au hour is allowed to each prviate bather, and a few minutes after that time had expired the attendant went and found the bather lying insensible in the bath. He was immediately removed to the Bath Royal United Hospital, where life was found to be extinct. The clothes of the bather afforded no clue to his identification, as none of his linen was marked. A policy of insurance was, however, found in his pocket, which it is hoped will lead to his discovery. The deceased was apparently between 50 and GO years of age, rather thin, and of middle height. He had a short-cut beard, inclining to grey, thin moustache, very thin whiskers, and blue-grey eyes. An empty phial was found in the bath, and a post mortem examination skewed that death resulted from the deceased havior taken prussic acid.  The Bishop of Salisbury, it is stated, though making a little progress, is still in a precarious condition. The President of the Poor-law Board has sustained :t severe domestic affliction in the death of his sister, Miss Fanny Elizabeth Goschen, who was in her 26th year. She was tho fourth daughter of the late Mr. William Henry G oschen.  The death has been announced of Lienteuaut-Colonel Bernard W. A. Sleigh, who was the founder -,nd first proprietor of the Daily Telegraph. He was formerly connected with her Majesty's 77th and 2d West Indian Re4iments. He was a brother of Mr. Sergeant Sleigh. The Wicklow 'peerage case is beginning to exeite considerable attention. Mr. Octavius O'Brien states, with reference to the letter of "Ellen Howard," that the late Erti, as protector of the tiilo and estates, with an anxious det.iro to ascertain the status of the alleged child, did all ho could • to induce this lady to satisfy him of what she now publicly states, and, finally, he invited her to proceed in the Court of Probate to prove the legitimacy ; he offered to pay all the expenses, irrespective of the result, and further, should a decree of legitimacy be made, his lordship undertook to contribute to the proper maintenance and education of tho alleged child. This and all information was refused by the lady ; his lordship sought through every other means to learn the particulars, when, being perfectly satisfied on the facts, he came to the conclusion and solemnly declared that Charles, the present Earl WAS his _ 1,194 g 44 _
The Sun. — 1869-01-14 (London, England)

RAILWAY!  THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY.  A general court of this society was held at the offices, Trafalgar-square, Mr. J. M. Case in the chair, when some interesting facts were presented as to the rescue of persons from drowning. Mr. Lambton Young, the secretary, stated that in Hyde-park during the last year, the persons who were taken from the water by the society's aid numbered 65, of whom 49 were successfully treated. Of the 65 there were ten found drowned, and six had been in the water too long to admit of being successfully treated. Of the 49 recovered, 19 were attempted suicides. In what are termed " general cases," viz., of rescues in other parts, 363 persons had been taken from the water, of whom 337 had been recovered, and of these 31 were attempted suicides. The society had given 19 silver medallions, seven bronze medallions, and a large number of other rewards for saving life. The Duke of Argyll was then elected president, and Mr. Wm. Hawes was re-elected treasurer and chairman. Other officers were elected, and the secretary reported that the number of persons bathing in the Serpentineduring the past year amounted to 502,995, and that the boats, receiving-house, and gear generally were in good condition. Silver medallions were then presented to the following persons : --To Mr. Samuel Dyer, for saving three persons; to Mr. Uriah feather, for saving two persons ; to Mr. Henry Stocks, a chief officer of Coastguard, for saving one life ; to Mr D. 11. James, for saving Miss Osborne ; to Charles Porter, policeman, for saving six persons ; to Sub-Lieutenant C. E. Drake, R.N., for saving a seaman ; to Charles Pride, and Viscount Bury, for saving three lives at sea ; and to Captain A. Brown, for saving part of a ship's crew. Thanks were voted to the press, the secretary, and chairman, and the proceedings closed.
The Sun. — 1869-01-14 (London, England)

THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY.  A general court of this society was held at the offices, Trafalgar-square, Mr. J. M. Case in the chair, when some interesting facts were presented as to the rescue of persons from drowning. Mr. Lambton Young, the secretary, stated that in Hyde-park during the last year, the persons sho were taken from the water by the eaciety's aid numbered 66, of whom 49 were successfully treated. Of the 65 there were ten found drowned, and six had been in the water too long to admit of being successfully treated, Of the 49 recovered, 19 were attempted suicides. In what are termed general eases," viz., of rescues in other parts, 863 persons had been taken from the water, of whom 337 had been recovered, and of these 81 were attempted stiicideA. Theseciety had given 19 silver medallions, seven bronze medallions, and a large number of other rewards for saving life, The Duke of Argyll *as then elected president, and Mr, Wm. Rallies *as re-elected treasurer and chairman. Other officers were eiedted, And the secretary reported that the number of persons bathing in the Merpenttne during the past year amounted to 502,995, and that the boats, redeiving-house, and gear generally were in good condition. Silver medallions were then presente,l to the following persons : —To Mr. Samuel Dyer, for saving three persons; to Mr. Uriah reacher, for saving two persons ; to Mr. Henry Stocks, a chief officer of Coastguard, for saving one life ; to Mr D. H. James, for saving Miss Osborne ; to Charles Porter, policeman, for saving six persons ; to Sub-Lieutenant C. E. Drake, R.N., for saving a seaman ; to Charles Pride, and Viscount Bury, for saving three lives at sea; and to Captain A. Brown, for saving part of a ship's crew. Thanks were voted to the press, the secretary, and chair.man, and the" proceedings closed.
The Sun. — 1869-02-08 (London, England)

DREADFUL MURDER IN POPLAR.  A horrible murder was perpetrated in Russell-place, last night. The supposed murderer, James Wm. CPoolaopperr,, has absconded, and the police of the K division are in active search for him. The following description of the murderer may load to his discovery. He is an engineer, 26 years of age, five feet six inches in height, complexion florid, hair and whiskers brown, and he has lost the thumb of his left hand. He was dressed in a black cloth frock coat, blue cap with French peak. The police believe he has committed suicide, i,ut the only ground for this belief is the horrible nature the i nurd r e of the crime itself, and there is no reason to suppose that Cooper eier betrayed where )2tsuys snei pi lt-court, usr , f a disordered wasintellect. committed, iht°t;:ds,c'wasinhabited by five persons—namely, Nu .a 2n, Peter Peason, aged Est; years, his daughter, Eliza Taff, the mother of Sarah Ann Cooper, George Taff, husband of Eliza Taff, and John William Cooper, the supposed murderer, and Sarah Ann Cooj;er, his wife. Between 8 add 9 o'clock the dead bodies of Peter Peason and his granddaughter, Mrs. Sarah Ann Cooper, wore discovered in the kitchen with their throats cut in a drea,slf ul manner. Peason was lying on his back across the legs of granddaughter. There was a large quantity 3f blooa on the floor, and the appearance of the room denoted that there bad been a violent struggle. There was a large spn.lgbacked clasp knife on the floor covered with blood, ant: with this weapon it is believed the horrible deed was committed. There were marks of blood in different parts of the room. The murderer appears to have washed his hands in a bowl of water after committing the sanguinary and remorselesss deed. There was water mixed with blood in the bowl. Cooper is a man of indifferent character, and was very jealous of his wife, and it is feared that under tho influence of this feeling he cut his wife's throat, and on her grandfather coming to her assistance attacked him also.  Inspector Smith of the K division and a body of police are in charge of the house where the murder was committed. The excitement in tho neighbourhood is intense, and has not been exceeded since the awful murder of the Marrs family in Rateliff-highway in the year 1811.
The Sun. — 1869-02-08 (London, England)

DREADFUL MURDER I POPLAR.  A horrible murder was perpetrated in Russell-place, Poplar, last night. The supposed murderer, James Wm. Cooper, has absconded, and the police of the K division are in active seat ch for him. The following description of the murderer may lead to his discovery. He is an engineer, 26 years of age, five foot six inches in height, complexion florid, hair and whiskers brown, and he has lost the thumb of his left hand. He was dressed in a black cloth frock coat, blue cap with French peak. The police believe he has committed suicide, but the only ground for this belief is the horrible nature of the crime itself, and there is no reason to suppose that Cooper ever betrayed any symptoms of a disordered intellect. The house, No. 2, Russell-court, where the murder was committed, was inhabited by five persons—namely, Peter Peason, aged 86 years, his daughter, Eliza Taff, the mother of Sarah Ann Cooper, George Taff, husband of Eliza Taff, and John William Cooper, the supposed murderer, and Sarah Ann Cooper, his wife. Between 8 mad 9 o'clock the dead bodies of Peter Peason and his granddaughter, Mrs. Sarah Ann Cooper, were discovered in the kitchen with their throats cut in a dreadful manner. Peason was lying on his back across the legs of his granddaughter. There was a large quantity of blood on the floor, and the appearance of the room denoted that there had been a violent struggle. There was a large springbacked clasp knife on the floor covered with blood, and with this weapon it is believed the horrible deed was committed. There were marks of blood in different parts of the room. The murderer appears to have washed his hands in a bowl of water after committing the sanguinary and remorselesss deed. There was water mixed with blood in the bowl. " Cooper is a man of indifferent character, and was very jealous of his wife, and it is feared that under the influence of this feeling he cut his wife's throat, and on her grandfather coming to her assistance attacked him also.  Inspector Smith of the K diviSion anclabody of police are in charge of the house where the murder was committed. The excitement in the neighbourhood is ins tense, and has not been exceeded since the awful murder of the Marrs family in Ratcliff-highway in the year 1811.
The Sun. — 1869-03-05 (London, England)

DOUBLE MURDER AND ALLEGED  SUICIDE.  Poplar seems likely to obtain a most unenviable fame by the number of its murders. Another double murder has just been committed, and that before Cooper, who committed a double murder, has been discovered by the police. It seems that at 271, High-street, resided a Mrs. Browne, aged 50, confectioner, and her daughter, aged 23, and that on Tuesday evening, when they were last seen alive, the shop was closed at the usual time. Until Thursday forenoon there had been an  I— entire cessation of business—the shop having remained closed. This aroused the suspicion of the neighbours, 5 who communicated with the police, and on the relatives being apprised of the fact, an entrance was effected. On some person getting into the back window on the first floor the lifeless body of the daughter, represented as a handsome young woman, was found lying in bed with her throat cut in a frightful manner. On going down stairs the mother was discovered stretched on the floor—having met her death in a similar manner. Mr. Brownfield, the divisional surgeon, was at once called in, and was of opinion that death in both cases was the result of murder. From the appearance of the daughter she is thought to have died without a struggle. Mrs. Brown had lived apart from her husband. For nearly ten years a young man, named Bradshaw, a naval engineer, had lodged in Mrs. Browne's house, which led to an attachment between him and the daughter. Bradshaw, however, left the place some time since, and on the night of Tuesday was seen walking up and down and watching the shop. It is said that he did not reach his lodgings in Campbellroad, Bow, where he was cohabiting with another woman, till after one in the morning. On proceeding to bed he appears to have been very restless and uneasy in his mind, and got up several times for the purpose of burning a number of letters supposed to have been written by the deceased young woman. Further, it is stated, he kissed the woman living with him, and remarked "that it might be the last time she would see him." He was afterwards found in the house with his throat cut, and dead. The police arrive at the conclusion that the Brownes were murdered, and that the man referred to is the perpetrator of the crime.