npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1858-09-13 (London, England)

THE DISTRESSING FATALITY AT WOLVERHAMPTON.  On Friday Mr. W. H. Phillips, deputy coroner, opened the inquest, at the Fighting Cocks Inn, at Blakenall, on the body of the young girl Emma Griffiths, who, under the distressing circumstances already recorded, threw herself down an old coalpit shaft near the above-named inn on Wednesday last. The following evidence was given : Sophia Harper, wife of Joseph Harper, collier, had known deceased four months ; she was about fifteen years of age, and had been living as servant of all work at the beer-house of William Traunter, at Blakenall. Traunter was also .a collier. Deceased always appeared in her right mind. Witness saw deceased last on Tuesday morning, when her mother sent for her and asked if her daughter had been sleeping in her (witness's) house. Witness replied that she had not. Deceased was then crying, and appeared much distressed. Witness went with the jury and- identified the body, which the jury remarked appeared that of a " mere child." William Cartwright, a blast furnaceman, deposed that at about 11 o'clock on Wednesday morning he saw the deceased running up the road leading from Penn to Bilston. Her father was then 20 yards behind her. When she came to Dainty's garden, without speaking a word, she turned along a byroad leading to the Cockshut engine, ran up the bank which surrounded the pit, which is about six feet from the path and 20 yards from the turnpikeroad. She flew to the pit like a bird, and rolled over the wooden protection around the pit on her side. Witness was quite sure that the deceased did it wilfully. [Here the Coroner and jury proceeded to the pit in question. The shaft was protected with some stout oak planking, reaching up about three feet from the ground. It was evident that the suicide must have been the result of much deliberation.] Examination continued—Witness heard the deceased fall upon the scaffolding, which was 69 yards from the mouth of the shaft.  To the courtesy of Capt. Duncan, the commander of the Pearl, we are indebted for the following narrative of the proceedings of the great African explorer, Dr. Livingstone, up to the period at which the Pearl finally parted from the Ma Robert (the name of the iron launch) at the mouth of the Zambesi :  If D,  "
The Sun. — 1858-10-11 (London, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN SOHO-SQUARE.—Yesterday afternoon a young man named Thomas Bowden, in the employ of Messrs. Edwards and Co., silk mercers, Sohosquare, made a most desperate attempt at suicide, by throwing himself from an attic window into the area below, a distance of 150 feet. He was removed to Middlesex Hospital, where it was found that both legs were broken, and a severe wound had been inflicted on the right side of the chin, extending across the throat. The poor fellow, when picked _ttp, was quite sensible, although but little hope remains of his recovery. No reason can at present be assigned for the rash act. He was considered of a strictly moral character, and much esteemed by his employers. HORSES AT A PREMItT3f.—A letterfir Suchi is Verona e in the Corriere Met (wale, of Genoa, says :_ deplorable state of agriculture in the _tipper Veronese that may me ploughs ay De seen arawnn, there not being sufficient cattle for the purpose in the country. Throughout the Lombardo-Venetian provinces, a great many estates are unclaimed because the heirs are unable to pay, the succession duty. At Verona there are landholders who are disposed to lease out their estates, on the sole condition of the lessees paying the taxes to the state and commune. The amount of anded property offered for sale in Lombardy is immense, but the purchasers are few, notwithstanding the great advantages iEp ai REPRESENTATION out to them. red in Gazette L tteEtoe3tlhlNetST effect, writ ttizer havingthe election of a member for Leominster, in the room of Mr. Willoughby, who is appointed a member of the Council of India, the nomination is expected to take place in the week after next. No opposition is expected, Mr. Wilde, the Liberal candidate, having resigned his pretensions. In an address to the electors making this 'announcement, he says he reiires in deference to the interests of the Liberal party in the borough. He says that in canvassing the electors ho found among the Liberals a very large number who were avowedly dsinclined on the present occasion to take any part in the election. He adds, "'Wishes are not votes, and I cannot fight the battle of the Liberal party in Leominster without the Liberals." He therefore retires, but promises at the next general election to make another appeal to the constituency. It is expected, therefore, that the Hon. Capt. Hanbury, a brother of Lord Bateman (Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire and a large landed proprietor) will be elected without opposition. Mr. Hanbury is a supporter el the present Government. Mr. Willoughby has issued an address to the electors on retiring from the representation of the borough.
The Sun. — 1858-11-08 (London, England)

SUICIDE ON THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.  The subject of the late deliberate suicide on the Midland Railway, near Cheltenham, proves to be a man named Edward Brown, a gardener, who resided with his wife and family at Shurdington, a village in the neighbourhood. He left his home shortly before 8 o'clock on the morning of his death, his family being under the impression that he was merely going to his garden ; but he did not return again, and in the course of the day the dreadful intelligence was brought them that he had been cut to pieces on the railway. The third-class train from Birmingham was rather late on Wednesday, morning, and on arriving near the Sugar-loaf-bridge, at Churchdown, half-way between Cheltenham and Glocester, where the train was travelling at the rate of 40 miles an hour, the driver saw the deceased totter down the embankment on the Glocester side of the bridge, and deliberately walk to the rails along which the train was approaching. He then placed himself face downwards upon the metals, his chest resting upon the rails, and in this position the engine and carriages passed over him, his body literally cut in two, his headllashed to pieces, and an arm cut off. The train was distant about 100 yards from the deceased when he was first seen by the engine-driver, while the act itself was obsemod-hyan old man, named Paul, who was _watching the train from the Sugar-loaf bridge. Paul did not, however, observe the deceased until he had ifot down the embankment. It was stated at the inquest (the evidence given at which is comprised in the above) that Brown had been drinking "hard," and lately had evinced symptoms of insanity. John Fox, the engine driver, made the following statement,—" I am an engine driver in the employ of the Midland Railway Company. On Wednesday morning I drove the train which leaves Birmingham at 7.5 and arrives in Glocester at 10.5. Nothing unusual happened with the train except a little delay. I Tas behind time about 15 minutes at Cheltenham. Between Cheltenham and Glocester I was going from 40 to 45 miles per hour, which is about the speed allowed, and when I got to the Sugar-loaf bridge at Churchdown, I saw a person step from the embankment at the back of the bridge. I should think I was then about 100 yards from the bridge. I fancied he was in the act of stepping across the line, and I thought he would not have time to get clear of the train. I sounded the whistle immediately, and when I got within about 30 or 40 yards of him I saw him in the act of lying down across the line. I am satisfied he knew it was a narrow gauge train. I felt the surge of the engine as it passed over the man. I left the fireman in charge of the engine and went back with the two guards to ascertain what had occurred. The train had passed over the centre of deceased's body. My opinion is that he deliberately committed suicide." The jury said they were satisfied, from the evidence, that the deceased committed suicide, not being of sound mind. He has left a wife and two children.
The Sun. — 1858-04-07 (London, England)

BIR,TIIS AND DEATHS IN LONDON.  Tile total number of deaths registered in London in he week that ended on Sat ID day, April 3, was 1,374. In the t-n years, 1848 57, the average number of deaths in the weeks corresponding with last, week was 1,392, hut as the deaths of last week occurred in an lucre 'Bed population, they should be compare :I with the av2rage, after the latter has been raised proportionally to the increase, a correction which will make it 1,531. The deaths now retut nod are, the, efore, less by 157 .112. n. the number which the average rate of mortality would have produced.  - The registration of last week exceeds that of the previous week to the extent of 106 deaths ; but the excess arises from deaths, on which inquests had been held, having been enter, d in the registers in more than their due proportion, at the end of the quarter, and not from an increased rate of mortality. This will he evident when it is stated that cases in which roue itis, pneumenia, and asthma were fatal, declined in the two weeks from 271 to 258 ; where's deaths produced by mechanical or chemical injuries increased frum 50 to 113. The same explanation applies to au increaseof "sudden" deaths, of which the cause is un Ascertained or not defined, from 1.4 to 27. The more from hooping-cough has declined in the last three weeks according to the fol owirig numbers-83, 72, and 66. The mean temperature rose in the third week of March to • 48 deg. (Nhich is higher by 15 deg. than it had been in the earlier part of the month) ; but in the last two weeks the air has not been so warm, the means having been 47 deg. and 45 deg. Measles, fr,m whica 59 children died, of whom 31 were under two years of age, is exceedingly fatal in the Royal Military Asylum, Chelsea, where six , boys, whose ages varied from six to ten years, died . from the complaint, 2on the 26th ult., 2 on the ,* 27th, lon toe 28th, and lon the 29th. A young man oied in the same institution, on the 25th, of ' rheumatic fever. Three children died of measles in the sub-d,strict of Christchurch, Marylebone, 3 in Bow, and 3 in St. James, Bermondsey. Two p• rsons die.l of destitution on the same day, March 31: a seaman, aged 56 years, in St. Bar tholomew's Hespital, and the wife of a labourer, aged 40, in the workhouse, St. Margaret, Westminster. Of 113 violent deaths included in the present return, 100 occurred accidentally, 3 were by murder or manslaughter, and 10 by suicide. The three oldemt individuals who paid the debt of nature, were aged respectively 93, 94, and 96 ' years.  Last week the births of 872 boys and 863 girls, in all 1,735 children, were registered in London. In the ten cerreipondiug weeks of the years 1848-57 the average number was 1,801.  a ountr y Markets
The Sun. — 1858-04-07 (London, England)

BIRTHS AND DEATHS IN LONDON.  The total number of deaths registered in London in the week that ended on Saturday, April 3, was 1,374. In the t,ri years, 1848 57, the average number of deaths in the weeks corresponding with last week was 1,392, but as the deaths of last week occurred in an increased population, they should be compared with the average, after the latter has been raised proportionally to the increase, a correction which will make it 1,531. The deaths now returned are, therefore, less by 157 shall the nnnaber which the average rate of mortality would have produced.  - The registration of last week exceeds that of the previous week to the extent of 106 deaths ; but the excess arises from deaths, on which iuquests had been held, having been enter, d in the registers in more than their due proportion, at the end of the quarter, and not from an increased 'ate of mortality. This will he evident when it is stated that cases in which rone itis, `pneumonia, and asthma were fatal, declined in the two weeks from 271 to 258; whereas deaths produced by mechanical or chemical injuries increa-ed from 50 to 113. The same expiauationapplies to an recreaseof "sudden" deaths, of whi.dr the cause is unascertained or not defined, from 14 to 27. The mor ally from hooping-cough has declined in the last three weeks according to the fol owing numbers-83, 72, and 66. The mean temperature rose in the third week of March to 43 d-g. ( ,hich is higher by 15 deg. than it had been in the earlier part of the month) ; but in the last two weeks the air has not been so warm, the means having been 47 deg. and 45 deg. Measles, from whirr 59 children died, of whom 31 were under two years of age, is exceedingly fatal in the Royal Military Asylum, Chelses, where six boys, whose ages varied flour six to ten years, died from the complaint, 2 on the 26th ult., 2 on the 27th, lon the 28th, and lon the 29th. A young man aied in the same institution, on the 25th, of rheumatic fever. Three children died of measles in the sub-district of Christchurch, Marylebone, 3 in Bow, and 3 in St. James, Bermondsey. Two persons died of destitution on the same day, March 31: a seaman, aged 56 years, in St. Bartholomew's Respite], and the wife of a labourer, aged 40, in the workhouse, St. Margaret, Westminster. Of 113 violent deaths included in the present return, 100 occurred accidentally, 3 were by murder or manslaughter, and 10 by suicide. The three olde-t individuals who paid the debt of nature, were aged respectively 93, 94, and 96 years. _ _  Last week the births of 872 boys and 863 girls, in all 1,735 children, were registered in Loudon. In the teu correipondiug weeks of the years 1848-57 the average number was 1,801.
The Sun. — 1858-10-02 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.—Frances Caddy, a miserablelooking woman, about 30 years of age, was charged with jumping off Blackfriars-bridge into the river Thames, with intent to commit suicide. William Pett, the master of a vessel called the Princess Royal, stated that he was on board near the Surrey side of Blackfriars-bridge about 2 o'clock that morning when he was roused up by hearing a heavy splash in the water close by. He jumped up and got into his boat, when he saw the prisoner struggling near him. He immediately pulled to the spot, and after some difficulty got her into the boat. He then called for assistance, when a police galley came up and took her away. The magistrate asked from what part of the bridge she jumped off. Witness replied about the middle arch, and it was a miracle she did not come in contact with the  dies. When he reached her she was nearly exausted.  The magistrate asked him whether she said any:hing after he had saved her life ?  Witness replied that all she said was, " Why did you not let me drown myself ?" Inspector Bett, of the Thames Police, said he removed the prisoner into his galley, and took her to the workhouse, where she had remained until brought to the court. He asked her why she had made such a wicked attempt on her life, when she told him that distress had driven her to it, and she had neither home nor friends. She also said if she was discharged she would do it again. The prisoner, in answer to the charge, said she was tired of her life, as she had no one to care for her.  The magistrate told her he should remand her to  prison until Thursday next, during which time she would have an opportunity of conversing with the chaplain of the gaol.
The Sun. — 1858-10-02 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.—Frances Caddy, a miserablelooking woman, about 30 years of age, was charged with jumping off Blackfriars-bride into the river Thames, with intent to commit suicide. William Pett, the master of a vessel called the Princess Royal, stated that he was on board near the Surrey side of Blackfriars•bridge about 2 o'clock that morning when he was roused up by hearing a heavy splash in the water close by. He jumped up and got into his boat, when he saw the prisoner struggling near him. He immediately pulled to the spot, and after some difficulty got her into the boat. He then called for assistance, when a police galley came up and took her away. The magistrate asked from what part of the bridge she jumped off. 'Witness replied, about the middle arch, and it was a miracle she did not come in contact with the piles. When he reached her she was nearly exhausted.  The magistrate asked him whether she said anything after he had saved her life ? Witness replied that all she said was, " Why did you not let me drown myself 9" Inspector Bett, of the Thames Police, said he removed the prisoner into his galley, and took her to the workhouse, where she had remained until brought to the court. He asked her why she had made such a wicked attempt on her life, when she told him that distress had driven her to it, and she had neither, home nor friends. She also said if she was discharged she would do it again. The prisoner, in answer to the charge, said she was tired of her life, as she had no one to care for, her.  The magistrate told her he should remand her to  prison until Thursday next, during which time she would have an opportunity of conversing with the chaplain of the gaol.
The Sun. — 1858-09-27 (London, England)

DUBLIN-SETT. 24.  There was a good supply of new grain at our market today, and the business generally quiet. Wheat of prime quality supported the currencies of Tuesday, but middling samples and oats of all kinds were 6d cheaper. Malting barley was taken steadily at our last quotations, and for two or three extra fine parcels even higher rates were paid, but they are not fairly quotable. Grinding barley was 6d to la cheaper.  . s. d. s. d. Wheat, white 26 6 to 28 6 Do., red 24 0 to 26 0 Do., new Barley Oats Do., black l4 0 to 15 0  s. d. s. d. Do., new l2 0 to 13 0 Bere . l3 0 to 13 6 Rapeseed 26 0 to 29 6 Oatmeal l4 6 to 16 6 Bakers' flour Indian corn  The Union (le la Sarthe states that a very advantageous sale of hospital property had just been made in that department by the establishment of Chateau-du-Loir. Some pieces of ground, which had been.let out at 180 f. a-year, and the total value of which was estimated at 7,405 f., were sold by auction at 16,658 f., or more than double the estimated. worth. The Union adds that the produce of this sale will augment to a very considerable extent the resources of the hospital. _ _ _  An account was given some time back of a diamond, said to be of great value, having got into the possession of a Portuguese, who had taken it to a watenngplace in Germany. Afterwards a statement was made that some of the best lapidaries of Vienna and Paris had declared it to be merely a topaz, and of no great value. The possessor, it appears, not eimsidering himself defeated, determined to appeal to the decision of the Venetian jewellers, who are considered very superior judges. 'A letter from Venice thus relates the somewhat melancholy end of this affair :—" The holder of the disputed jewel arrived at Venice, attended by several persons, who had made him advances of money. He there submitted the stone in question to the examination of 'several jewellers, and amongst them to Righetti, of the Rialto. On his applying the usual tests, and endeavouring to scratch it, it split almost in two. This result was overwhelming, as it was but too clear that the pretended diamond had fallen altogether from its assumed rank. The Venetians unanimously declared it to be not even aßrazilian topaz, but only one found in Saxony. The unfortunate proprietor was so much affected at the intelligence that he became deranged in his mind, and two days after was found in one of the lagoons, when life was almost extinct. He was saved from suicide, and taken to an hospital, but long continued speechless. The individual most interested in his success, after himself, had an attack of paralysis, and on his recovering commenced legal proceedings against the unfortunate possessor of the stone, who is looked upon as the victim of his own delusions." [
The Sun. — 1858-08-05 (London, England)

WESTMINSTER.—STRANGE AFFAIR.—Mary Dogharty, a tnidelle-aged Irishwoman, was charged 'with attempting to commit suicide, by throwing herself into the Thames.  Richard Chambers, 221 B, proved that on Sunday morning the defendant threw herself into the Thames, near Battersea-bridge, end was rescued iu an insensible state by Prince, a waterman at Chelsea, who dragged her Into his boat and rowed her ashore. She had been unable, owing tt) her condition, to brought before the rants:rate earlier. _ _ _  Tae poor woman, in defence, said that she had been deserted by her husband, a painter and glazier, earning upwards of 30s. a-week, who.was living in open adultery wi;h *nattier woman, near the, wcoden bridge, at Pimlico. She applied to the parish of Chelsea, considerin4 that proceedings woeld be taken against him for a separate maintenance, but the authorities put her off from time to time, and no steps were taken against her husband. She was admitted into the workhouse, where she remained malyinonths, and came out a few days agog, , noping to get some employment. Failing in that respect she applied t 3 Mr. Rogers, one of the relieving officers, on Saturday, and understanding that he would not admit her for more than one night, she obtained permission to lie down in a person's house till the morning, whin she wandered abroad, and approaching the Thames was driven by her distress to attempt suicide. A potter froqi the parish was present, and satisfied the magistrate that the woman was in error aVut being refused admission, as the order was being made out when she left the relieving officer, and was actually sent after her to the house she had spoken of, but as she was asleep at the time she was unacquainted with the circumstance. She could now return with him to the workhouse.  The pot r woman having expressed her willingness so to do, was discharged. AN
The Sun. — 1858-08-05 (London, England)

WESTMINSTER.—STRANGE AFFAIR.-211ary Dogherty, a middle-aged Irishwoman, was charged with attempting to commit suicide, by throwing herself into the Thames.  Richard Chambers, 221 B, proved that on Sunday morning the defendant threw herself into the Thames, near Battersea-bridge, and was rescued in an insensible state by Prince, a waterman at Chelsea, who dragged her into his boat and rowed her ashore. She had bun unable, owing to her condition, to be brought before the magistrate earlier.  Toe poor woman, in defence, said that she had been deserted by her husband, a painter and glazier, earning upwards of 303. a-week, who was living in open adultery with another woman, near the wooden bridge, at Pimlico. She applied to the parish of Chelsea, considerini that proceedings would-be taken against him for a separate maintenance, but the authorities put her off from time to time, and no steps were taken against her husband. She was admitted into the workhouse, where she remained manymonths, and employment. Failing out a few days ago, hoping to get some Failing in that respect she applied to Mr. Rogers, one of the relieving officers, on Saturday, and understanding that he would not admit her for more than one night, she obtained permission to lie down in a person's house till the m going, wh'n she wandered abroad, and appi•oaching the Thames was driven by her distress to attempt suicide. A porter from the parish was present, and satisfied the magistrate that the woman was in error about being refused admissi9n, as the order was being made out when she left the relieving officer, aud was actually sent after her to the house she had spoken of, but as she was asleep at the time she was unacquainted with the circumstance. She could now return with him to the workhouse.  The poor woman having expressed her willingness so to do, was discharged. AN