npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1850-10-15 (London, England)

CORONER—Before we went to live at the house where we now reside we lived in an eff-hrind farm belonging to Mr. Drory, Ben.' father of the prisoner. Thomas Drory, the accused, lodged in the house with us; I mean the person who is now in custody. I knew that he was always with my daughter when he could be. She was in the family-way, and within a fortnight of her confinement. I know ef my own knowledge that she was on terms of intimacy with him. As soon as I knew that she was in the fatnilY way I told Thomas Drory of it. I said to him, "'Thomas, you must be a Italian. I ;0 not and said, d ‘i myself,w i l know you are going to be married to Miss Gibling, and my daughter is seven months gone in the family-way by you." I mentioned the subject to him several times afterwards. He always denied it. Ile said it was none 1 of his, and he knew nothing about it. I know the paper now produced. On the 29th of September I was in Mr. Drory'„ garden. 'phonies w_ I was there, and I suddenly missed him. Soon afterwards went to the house in %ales I now live. My daughter was there, and I saw she was much flurried as soon as I went in. I said, " What is the matter with you ?" She said, " I will tell you by and by." I went upstairs, end I these found Thomas Drory under my bed. He got up and handed me the paper now produced, and wanted me to sign it. I ri fused. I went down stairs and said to my daughter, " You must bo a fool to wri a this paper ; w hat is it?' (It is in the handwriting of the deceased). Deceased made no remark. The folloaing is a copy of the paper:— " September 29. " This is to prove that the trouble I am in is not of 'I homas Drory; therefore all that read this had bat. r trouble themselves about their own business." Witness—The handwriting is that of the deceased. I never heard her say she attempted to commit suicide. She said Thomas had given ber poison. I noticed that her lips and flash were swollen, which oho said was eauszd by taking the poison which Thomas had given  By the Jury—l have seen her and Thomas Drory together. I spoke to him one night about her. That was after she was in the family way. He made no reply. Mr. William Hammond, farmer, of Donninghurst, and occupier of the farm at which thi irspiry wus held, was next sworn—l was called yesterday morning to the deceased. I first heard the cries of Thomas Last, the previous witness. I went to him, and we proceeded to where the deceased was lying. She was lying straight on her face, and about four yards from the body lay a fur tippet (it was produced). I assisted in turning her over. I saw the cord round her neck; it was turned round three times, and she had one end in her hand. Her face was swollen and black. There was some blood in a stream on the ground about a foot long. There was also blood oczing from her mouth, nose, and ears. By the
The Sun. — 1850-09-07 (London, England)

SUPPOSED SUICIDE OF A RESPECTABLE FEMALE IN THE HAMPSTEAD PONDS.—About six o'clock on Thursday evening, two water. carriers, of Hampstead, named Reynolds and Williams, whilst filling their carts with water from one of the large ponds on the Lower Heath, Hampstead, observed a body floating in the centre of the pond. Williams took off his clothes and went into the water and brought the body out, which proved to be that of a welldressed female about twenty years of age. She was quite dead, and appeared to have ben in the water some days. She had long gold ear-rings in her cars, and on the arrival of Hunt, the summ Ding officer of Hampstead, he searched the body. A small amount of money was found, as also a letter addressed to Miss Jane Smallwood, Sydney-street, Brompton. The officer proceeded to the above address, and ascertained that deceased had lately been living there, and that she had been missing since Saturday last. Her friends are highly respectable, and the impression is that she has committed suicide on account of some love affair with a pereon wii h whom she had a long time been keeping company:. The body was conveyed to the Freemasons' Arms publizhouse, Dowm.hire- hill, to await the coronet's inquest. We learn from New Yolk that another new Atlantic steam-ship, the Fraeklin, has been completed, and was advertised to leave on the 16th of September. She is the first of two that are to run between New York and Havre, and she will call at Cowes both going and returning. Her consort, the Humboldt, was also in a state of forwardness, and would soon follow.  According to the books of the Town Treasurer of Inverness, the streets of that burgh were first swept at the public expense, by older of the Duke of Cumberland, after the battle of Culloden. The following is the entry, dated 1546 :—" Paid labouring men fbr keeping the streets and kennels clean, by order of the magistrates, upon a message from his Royal Highness, the Duke of Cumberland, 91 BPS tticl 2Scl 9f August, 474 2k."
The Sun. — 1850-09-07 (London, England)

SUPPOSED SUICIDE OF A RESPECTABLE FEMALE IN THE HAMPSTEAD PONDS.—About six o'clock on Thursday evening, two water-carriers,. of Hampstead, named Reynoldsfrom one of the large ponds on the Lowereir Heath, Hampstead, observed a body floating in the centre of the pond. Williams took off his clothes and went into the water and brought the body out, which proved to be that of a welldressed female about twenty years of age. She was quite dead, and appeared to have been iu the water some days. She had long gold ear-rings in her ears, and on the arrival of Hunt, the suinm, Ding officer of Hampstead, he searched the body. A small amount of money was found, as also a letter addressed to Miss Jane Smallwood, Sydney-street, Brompton. The officer proceeded to the above address, and ascertained that deceased bad lately been living there, and that she bad been missing since Saturday last. Her friends are highly respectable, and the impression is that she has committed suicide on account of some love affair with a person with whom she had a long time teen keeping company. The body was conveyed to the Freemasons' Arms publichouse, Downshire-hill, to await the coroner's inquest. We learn from New York that another new Atlantic steamship, the Franklin, has been completed, and was advertised to leave on the 16th cf September. She is the first of two that are to run between New York and Havre, and she will call at Cowes both going and returning. Her consort, the Humboldt, was also in a state of forwardness, and would soon follow. Acccrding to the books of the Town Treasurer of Inverness, the streets of that burgh were first swept at the public expense, by order of the Duke of Cumberland, after the battle of Cullodern The following is the entry, dated 1746 :—" Pad labouring men for keeping the streets and kennels clean, by order of the magistrates, upon a message from his Royal Highness, the Duke of CumberlAnd, um the 191,11 Vt. April tv the 23d vf Augu3t, 47/. 25."
The Sun. — 1850-04-01 (London, England)

FRIGHTFUL ATTEMPTS AT  MURDER AND SUICIDE. PRESTON, SATURDAY.—A very painful sensation prevails at the present time throughout Wit village of I3acup and the surrounding district, in consequence of the following tragical occurrence. It, appears that a young woman, named Anne Wallwerk, residing at a place called Ball Farm, had been living with a man named 'William Forster, at Cheetham-hill, Manchester, by whom she had one child. From some cause or other she left Forster, and went to live at the before named village with her friends. Forster followed her, and tried to persuade her to return with him, and he would marry her. This she refused, and after the female and the family had partaken of their dinner on Wednesday last, she was left alone with Forster and a little girl, whilst the others went to work in the garden. Between two and three in the aPernoon he sent the girl out to purchase some writing taper,: and whilst she was gone he took a razor from his pocket and swore that he would cut her head off. He then made a most desperate attack upon Wallwork, and tried to cut her throat. The two struggled violently together, but the fellow succeeded in inflicting a fearful wound on one side of her neck, when the girl he had sent out returned, and having screamed, attracted Forster's attention. He then left cff his attack upon the poor creature, but tl-e moment he got to the foot of the stairs he cut his own throat. He after ,vards ran up-stairs, the blood streaming from his wounds, and when he reached the room he threw himself on the bed, and inflicted another gash in his throat. Dr. Taylor was promptly in attendance, and he sewed up the wounds in both parties' throats. The young woman is expected to recover ; but not the least hopes can be entertained that the man will survive. That Forster intended to murder the woman and also himself is clear, for before committing the deed he made a memorandum in his pocketbook, stating what amount of money be had, and where his furniture was to be found.  tY
The Sun. — 1850-08-08 (London, England)

THE CONVICT WEBSTER. BOSTON, JULY 25.—An interview took places yesterday afternoon between Dr. Webster and Mr. Littlefield, at the solicitation of Dr. Webster, in the presence of Mr. Andrews, the gaoler. On their entrance Dr. Webster stepped forward and very cordially and affectionately seized the hand of Mr. L., remarking that ho had long desired to see him; that he could not feel at ease until he had made his acknowledgments to him that he felt that he had done him great injustice, and he asked his forgiveness. Mr. Littlefield promptly and feelingly replied that he forgave him with all his heart, and ex. pressed his pity and sympathy for him. Mr. Littlefield also told him that it was a painful duty he had to perform when he took the stand and testified against him; but that he felt it a duty which he had no right to shrink from; and if he had stated anything wrong it was not intentional, and he was very sorry and asked his forgiveness. Dr. Webster replied that he had misrepresented nothing—that he had told the truth. ])r. Webster said, however, as a dying man, that he could not bring the sledge-hammer to his recollection. Dr. Webster spoke of his present situation, and said he was resigned to his fate, but felt deeply for his family. During the entire interview both parties seemed deeply impressed, and they parted in tears. We learn from another source that Professor Webster seems perfectly resigned and very penitent. Ile says that he has made his peace above, and is prepared to die. We understand that Mrs. Littlefield will visit the professor to-day. It is a full professor in the first seminary of learning in the United States who will be executed on Friday, August 30, unless he anticipates his doom by suicide.
The Sun. — 1850-08-08 (London, England)

THE CONVICT WEBSTER. BOSTON, JULY 25.—An interview took places yesterday afternoon between Dr. Webster and Mr. Littlefield, at the solicitation of Dr. Webster, in the presence of Mr. Andrews, the gaoler. On their entrance Dr. Webster stepped forward and very cordially and affectionately seized the hand of Mr. L., remarking that ho had long desired to see him; that he could not feel at ease until he had made his acknowledgments to him that he felt that be had done him great injustice, and he asked his forgiveness. Mr. Littlefield promptly and feelingly replied that he forgave him with all his heart, and ex. pressed his pity and sympathy for him. Mr. Littlefield also told him that it was a painful duty he had. to perform when ho took the stand and testified against him; but that he felt it a duty which he had no right to shrink from; and if he had stated anything wrong it was not intentional, and he was very sorry and asked his forgiveness. Dr. Webster replied that he had misrepresented nothing—that he had told the truth. Dr. Webster said, however, as a dying man, that he could not bring _t the sledge-harnmer to his recollection. Dr. Webster spoke of his present situation, and sail he was resigred to his fate, but felt deeply for his family. During the...l entire interview both pL.rties Hemel deeply impressed,:c and they parted in tears. .e We learn from another source that Professor Webster seems perfectly resigned and very penitent. Ile says that ho has made his peace above, and is prepared to die. We understand that Mrs. Littlefield will visit the professor to-day. It is a full professor in the first seminary of learning s'! in the United States who will be executed on Friday, August 30, unless he anticipates his doom by suicide.
The Sun. — 1850-09-19 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF SUICIDE.—An inquest was held at Plymouth before Mr. J. Edmonds, on a b0y,13 years of age, who committed suicidesingular and distressing circumstances nameudroJeorhnthDeenfohiaimow,ing at that place on Sunday : —He went home from the Sunday school to dinner, and, previous to the family sitting down to table, he said grace. Mr. Nicholson, a local preacher, came, and having prayed over a younger sister who was dangerously ill, the junior members of the family were given their dinner. Thomas Denham, a brother, told the deceased's father that the deceased had been naughty at school, on which the father said if he behaved badly again he should not let him have any dinner. The deceased held his knife and fork in his hand, but the filling of his plate being rather delayed, he threw them down and rushed towards the door, saying, " I will throw myself over the quay or the cliff." His mother caught hold of him and dragged him in. He, however, jumped through the window into the street, running off in the direction of the Hoe. He there met his brother, and desired him to hold his clothes, which he did. Deceased then said, " Father would not give me any dinner, and mother wouldn't; now I want none." With these words he threw himself over the rocks, and before any assistance could be rendered he was drowned.  A screw steamer is about to proceed to California from the Clyde.  The authorities of Edinburgh have purchased the extensive area at Lochrin as the site of the intended abattoirs. The extent of ground is four acres.  CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAlLWAY.—Traffic for the Week ended Sept. 15, 1850 : C. and IL Main Line, ?,505/. 14s. 4d.; Mold, 1131. 17s. Bd.; Steam-boats, 3614 17s. od. ; Total, 3,9814 93.  Lord Clifden left Gowran Castle for England on Sunday last. His Lordship is expected to return shortly to his ancestral mansion. Lady Dover and the Hon. Misses Ellice Agar left Gowran Castle on Monday, for the Lakes of Killarney. Her Ladyship's return is not expected sooner than a week or ten days, as it is said she intends visiting Mount Shannon, the seat of Lord Clare, and Lismore Castle, where the Duke of Devonshire has recently arrived.
The Sun. — 1850-07-16 (London, England)

GUILDHALL. Yesterday Joseph Watts, a very respectably-dressed man, about 40 years of age, and of a dejected appearance, was placed at the bar before Alderman Hunter, charged with throwing himself from the balustrade cf Blackfriars briiee, on Sunday morning last, with a felonious intent to commit suicide. John Bull, pierman at Blackfriare-bridge, said he was on the pier on the morning in question, when he heard a heavy splashing in the water. lie directly jumped into a boat with another man for the purpose of rendering aid to the unfortunate individual; hat on coming up with him he (witness) faund a fellow servant had hold of him with the beat-hook, and was holding him so until further assistance should arrive. Prisoner was then taken ashore, and Mr. Hutchinson attended, and ordered him to be put between blankets and the usual restoratives applied. On recovering some degree of consciousness prisoner said he had I.,st his chest of clothes nod money, which were detained by his brother, who resided in Compton-street, Soho. Witness went to the brother's residence, but did not see him. A person there told him that prisoner was a little deranged in his intellect. Robert Watts said the prisoner was his brother, and had lately been living with him. He (prisoner) had served 21 years in the Royal Marines, and retired upon a sergeant's pension. A short time back ho took a situation as deputy warder or assistant turnkey in Tothill-fields Prison, but was unable to retain it in consequence of certain irregularities occasioned by the mental derangement he was at present suffering from. Witness said his means would not allow him at the present time to undertake the care of his brother in the state of mind he then was, but if the Alderman could do anything for him, or would remand the prisoner for a short time, he would endeavour to make arrangements to that effect. Alderman HUNTER said he would remand the prisoner until Thursday mixt, in order that some arrangement might be entered into for the purpose of placing the prisoner in an asylum, or some place of safety, and where ho would be taken care of.
The Sun. — 1850-07-16 (London, England)

GUILDHALL.  Yesterday Joseph Watts, a very respectably-dressed man, about 40 years of age, and of a dejected appearance, was placed at the bar before Alderman Hunter, charged with throwing himself from the balustrade of Disci:friars bridze, on Sunday morning last, with a felonious intent to commit suicide.  John Bull, pierman at Blackfriars-bridge, said he was on the pi4r on the morning in question. when he heard a heavy splashing in the water. He directly jumped into a boat with another man for the purpose of rendering aid to the unfortunate individual; but on coming up with him he (witness) fiund a fellow servant had hold of him with the boat-hook, and was holding him so until further assistance should arrive. Prisoner was then taken ashore, and Mr. Hutchinson attended, and ordered him to be put between._ blankets and the usual restoratives applied. Oa recovering some degree of consciousness prisoner said he had lost his chest of clothes and money, which were detainei by his brother, who resided in Compton-street, Soho. Witness went to the brother's residence, but did not see him. A person there told him that prisoner was a little deranged in his intellect.  Robert Watts said the prisoner was his brother, and bad lately been living with him. He (prisoner) had served 21 years in the Royal Marines, and retired upon a sergeant's pension. A short time back he took a situation as deputy warder or assistant turnkey in Tothill-fields Prison, but was unable to retain it in consequence of certain irregularities occasioned by the mental derangement he was at present suffering from. Witness said his means would not allow him at the present time to undertake the care of his brother in the state of mind he then was, but if the Alderman could do anything for him, or would remand the prisoner for a short time, he would endeavour to make arrangements to that effect. Alderman HUNTER said he would remand the prisoner until Thursday next, in order that some arrangement might be entered into for the purpose of placing the prisoner in an asylum, or some place of safety, and where he would be taken care of.
The Sun. — 1850-10-19 (London, England)

THE ARMY.  RETIREMENT OF SIR JAMES M‘GREGOR, BART"— This distinguished veteran officer has resigned his appointment as head of the medical staff of the army. Sir James, who is in the 80th year of his age, entered the medical department of the army as surgeon of the 88th regiment, and served in Holland and Flanders in 1793 ; in 1796 was chief of the medical staff in Grenada; in 1798 proceeded to India; in 1800 was placed at, the head of the medical staff of the army in Egypt ' - was chief of the medical department in the Walchern expedition, having in 1805 been promoted to the rank of deputy inspectorgeneral, and in 1811 joined the army in the Peninsular, and was particularly distinguished by the Duke of Wellington in his dispatches after the surrender of Badajoz and the battle of Vittoria. In 1809 he was made an inspector-general, and in June 13, 1815, was placed at the head of the:medical board of the army. He has altogether been in active service about 56 years, and during his long career has been on halt-pay for only about six months. He is Fellow of the College of Physicians of London and Edinburgh ; he is Fellow of the: Royal Society, and is Physician Extraordinary to her Majesty. He received the honour of knighthood in 1814, and was created a baronet of the United Kingdom in 1831.  The late Major-General Slessor served in Ireland during the rebellion of 1798, and was engaged at Antrim, and subsequently against the French force under General Humbert, when he was wounded in the head. He was afterwards employed in Sicily and Egypt, when he was again wounded. He was also employed in the campaign of 1815. By the death of MajorGeneral Slessor a vacancy occurs in the list of general officers receiving the unattached pay of 255. per day. Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Blakeney, commanding the forces, has directed that the differences between the Lieutenant-Colonel and Senior Major of the 99th should be amicably arranged, and therefore all further proceedings have ceased. The 28th, 50th, and 82d Regiments were brigaded on Southsea-common on Thursday, under the immediate command of Lord Frederick Fitzclarence. They went through the practice of pitching tents, encampment, lighting camp fires, and cooking. We are sorry to say that on Thursday night another soldier of the 2tith Regiment, named John Bull, a man of two good-conduct stripes, and about twelve years' service, shot himself with his own musket in Anglesea barracks. He lingered a few hours, but died at about one o'clock yesterday morning. No reason is given for these awful suicides.
The Sun. — 1850-10-19 (London, England)

THE ARMY.  RETIREMENT OF SIR JAMES M'GREGOR, BART'— This distinguished veteran officer has resigned his appointment as head of the medical staff of the army. Sir James, who is in the 80th year of his age, entered the medical department of the army as surgeon of the 88th regiment, and served in Holland and Flanders in 1793 ; in 1796 was chief of the medical staff in Grenada; in 1798 proceeded to India; in 1800 was placed at, the head of the medical staff of ene a the army in Egypt ; was chief of the medical department r al, inn the promoted i nW 018c1h1tehr jean nreeaxci rank ketdhn army in the expedition, tio n, having in 1805 been deputyinspetor g Peninsular, and was particularly distinguished by the Duke of Wellington in his dispatches after the surrender of Badajoz and the battle of Vittoria. In 1809 he was made an inspector-general, and in June 13, 1815, was placed at the head of the:medical board of the army. He has altogether been in active service about 56 years, and during his long career has been on half-pay for only about six months. He is Fellow of the College of Physicians of London and Edinburgh ; he is Fellow of the: Royal Society, and is Physician Extraordinary to her Majesty. He received the honour of knighthood in 1814, and was created a baronet of the -United Kingdom; in 1831. The late Major-General Slessor served in Ireland during the rebellion of 1798; and-was engaged at Antrim, and subsequently against the French force under General Humbert, when he was wounded in the head. He was afterwards employed in Sicily and Egypt, when he was again wounded. He was also employed in the campaign of 1815. By the death of MajorGeneral Slessor a vacancy occurs in the list of general officers receiving the unattached pay of 255. per day. Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Blakeney, commanding the forces, has directed that the differences between the Lieutenant-Colonel and Senior Major of the 99th should be amicably arranged, and therefore all further proceedings have ceased. The 28th, 50th, and 82d Regiments were brigaded on Southsea-common on Thursday, under the immediate command of Lord Frederick Fitzclarence. They went through the practice of pitching tents, encampment, lighting camp fires, and cooking. We are sorry to say that on Thursday night another soldier of the 26th Regiment, named John Bull, a man of two goad-conduct stripes, and about twelve years' service, shot himself with his own musket in Anglesea barracks. He lingered a few hours, but died at about one o'clock yesterday morning. No reason is given for these awful suicides.