npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1835-07-06 (London, England)

LAMENTABLE SUICIDE OF COUNT OBERG.---*  --It is our painful duty to record the death of Count Oberg► Equerry to the King of Hanover, who terminated his existence on Wednesday morning by stabbing himself with a dagger. It appears that the deceased left his lodgings in St. James'sstreet, on Wednesday morning, at an early hour, repaired to Palaceyard Stairs, Westminster, and hired William Campbell, a waterman, to row him a short distance up the Thames, for the purpose of bathing. On the waterman reaching the middle of the river just off the Speaker's house, the deceased said that he would bathe there, and began to divest himself of his apparel. He shortly plunged into the stream, but had not been in the Thames more than a few minutes when he swam back to the boat, and took from under the cushion a small phial, which he put to his mouth and swallowed the contents. The deceased again plunged into the river, and swam about for a short time, until at length the waterman's suspicions were excited by observing the Gentleman sinking. He immediately rowed towards him, and succeeded in dragging him into the boat, at the same time calling for assistance, which being a hand, the Count was brought on shore, and led to Doctor M'Cann's in Parliament-street, who succeeded in administering an emetic, but without its having the desired effect. MrM•Cann then sent his assistant home with the Gentleman, but they had no sooner arrived at his lodgings than he made an excuse to get rid of the attendant by telling him to send his master. Immediately, however, on being left alone, the deceased, it is supposed, took a small but a sharp and finelypointed dagger, and, placing himself before the glass, twice stabbed himself in the left breast in the direction of the heart, with .a desperate and mortal force, the dagger each time penetrating the body up to the handle. It is believed that he fell dead instantly after the committal of the act, for a youth employed in the house; on hearing something fall heavily on the floor, proceeded to the apartment, and found the Count a corpse, weltering in a pool of blood. Mr. Elwyn, a surgeon, in Albemarle-street, was promptly in attendance, but he found that his assistance was of no avail. An inquest was held on the body on Thursday, when several Hanoverian Gentlemen stated that in their opinion the mind of the deceased had of late become seriously affected in consequence of severe bodily affliction, for which he could get no relief, notwithstanding be had been attended by many eminent medical Gentlemen. The Jury returned a verdict of " Temporary derangement," and the remains of the deceased were on Saturday morning conveyed to the Lutheran Chapel, Savoy-street, Strand, for interment. The deceased was twenty-eight years of age, and was the only son of Baron Oberg, of Hanover.
The Sun. — 1835-09-23 (London, England)

FATAL FINERY.—On Monday last an inquest was held at Linwood, near Caistor, before Mr. Marris, Coroner, on the body of Elizabeth Cooper, aged 19, servant to Mr. William Lowe, of that place, who had terminated her existence by taking poison. It appeared that the deceased, on Saturday afternoon, called at the shop of Mr. L'Oste, druggist, of Rasen, and asked for a quarter of a pound of arsenic, and on being interrogated as to the purpose for which it was wanted, she stated that it was to destroy bugs with. Mr. L'Oste knowing the girl, and observing nothing extraordinary in her conduct or appearance, let her have the arsenic wrapped up in paper, on which was printed " Poison." The deceased seems to have taken the deadly dose on her way home, for shortly after arriving there, she was taken very ill, and on being pressed as to the cause, she at length reluctantly stated that she had taken two pennyworth of laudanum. Mr. Cumpstone, the surgeon, was subsequently called in, and it was with some difficulty that he elicited from her the fact, that arsenic had been taken. She lingered until two o'clock on Sunday morning, when she expired. It appeared from the evidence of her master, and others, that the unfortunate girl had never displayed any symptoms of aberration of mind, and although for some hours previous to her death she was perfectly sensible, and expressed a great desire to live, she did not attempt to give any reason for the commission of the rash act. The only conjecture which could be raised was, that extravagance in dress had caused her to run into debt, for which she had been put into the Court of Requests, and had led her to form the fatal resolution which she afterwards so deliberately carried into effect. The Jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict of " Felo de se," and the Coroner issued his warrant for the private interment of the body between the hours of nine and twelve at night, pursuant to the late Act of Parliament.—Chester Chronicle.
The Sun. — 1835-05-08 (London, England)

TRADE BETWEEN LONDON AND THE EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND.—The extensive trade carried on for a number of years between London and the cast coast of Scotland has always employed a great many smacks, fitted up in a very expensive style for the accommodation of passengers, but since the introduction of steam, these craft seem to be wholly superseded, as steam vessels now run to nearly all the ports of Scotland ; this must certainly cause a great influx of trade, as one of those steamers will carry about three smacks' cargoes, and they generally make as many voyages as the smacks, and have always large cargoes. Is not this then a public good ? We understand that there are steam-vessels now building for the Scotch trade, to run in addition to those already going.  SUICIDE BY A FORElGNER.—Yesterday afternoon the inmates of the Bell and Crown Tavern, Holborn, were thrown into consternation, in consequence of a foreign gentleman who occupied the best apartments, having destroyed his life by cutting his throat with a razor. The deceased gentleman only arrived at the Inn yesterday as an inside passenger in the Exeter " Traveller " post-coach, accompanied by another foreigner, and an immense quantity of luggage. The travelling name of the deceased was " Don Miguel Gadello," and he appeared to be about 34 years of age, five feet nine or ten inches in height, his complexion swarthy and his nose rather aquiline ; and although his companion is at present mute as to his style and title, there is no doubt, from certain insignia and other circumstances, that he is a person of consideration. After his arrival, he partook of some coffee, egryc. &0., and then retired to his chamber for the purpose, as it was supposed, of changing his apparel ; the last time he was seen alive was after he had shaved himself, when he appeared to be in excellent spirits. As he did not return to the drawing-room so soon as was expected, it was supposed he had gone to bed ; but at length his chamber was entered by a servant, who was horror struck at beholding the deceased weltering in blood, his throat frightfully cut with a razor, and life quite extinct.—An inquest will be held.
The Sun. — 1835-09-08 (London, England)

SUICIDE.—On Saturday, the 29th ult., at Manchester, a respectable tradesman of that town, named Edward Jackson, committed suicide under circumstances of a most distressing nature. The unfortunate man was but 29 years of age, and to all appearance seemed happy, both in his family and in the flourishing state of his business as a saddler ; but he laboured under a fear which poisoned his whole existence, and rendered him completely miserable. This was a constant dread of insanity, and of being confined in a lunatic asylum. This feeling at last became so strong, that it actually produced the madness which he so much dreaded, in a fit of which he seized a razor and inflicted two deep gashes in his throat The unhappy man expired in an hour afterwards, leaving a widow and three children to lament his loss. An inquest was afterwards held upon the body, when the Jury returned a verdict of Insanity.  MYSTERIOUS CIRCUAISTANCE:—AStIIC daughter of Mr. Warmsley, at the bottom of Hanover-street, was seated before the counter of her father's shop, she was alarmed by a bullet, evidently directed from an air-gun, bursting through the outer and inner window of the shop, passing in the direction of where she was placed, and stickini, in the frame-work at her back : this was instantly succeeded by another, directed a little lower, and another, lower still ; all which, fortunately passed the young lady without injuring her. The last shot was directed still lower, and it is supposed that, if its course had not been stopped by an iron support with which it, came in contact, it would have taken effect in the body of the young lady. The three balls first projected are in the possession ref Mr. Parlou,r ; the one last alluded to is suffered to remain in the window, where it may now be seen.—Liverpool. Albion. MURDER —An unfortunate occurrence took place last night in one of the Gin Palaces near the Marsh Gate, Westminster-road. A young woman of the name of Hilary entered the house, accompanied by a man named Skidmore, and a scuffle took place between them, which ended in the fall Of the woman against some spikes, one of which penetrated her head, and she expired in a few minutes afterwards. Skidmore is in custody. -
The Sun. — 1835-01-01 (London, England)

SEPTEMBER.  2. Mr. Telford, the celebrated civil engineer, died at his house, Abingdon-street, aged 77, and eight days afterwards his remains were deposited in Westminster Abbey. His great works are the Caledonian Canal, the Conway-bridge, the Holyhead Roads, and the Menai-bridge. He was a native of the parish of Westerkirk, Dumfrieshire. Admiral Sir Benjamin Hallowell Carew died at Beddington Park, aged 74. He was a native of Canada, and took the name of Carew on succeeding to a large fortune. He fought under Rodney in 1782—under Nelson at the sieges of Bastia and Calvi, and commanded the Swiftsure at the battle of the Nile, and at the time of his death was one of the three surviving Captains who commanded ships of the line on that memorable day. 4. Donna Francisca, wife of Don Carlos, died at Portsmouth. 8. The "British Association" held its fourth annual meeting at Edinburgh. 9. A man of the name of Steinberg, a native of Germany, residing at No. 17, Southampton-street, Pentonville, murdered in the course of the night the woman with whom he cohabited, and their four children, and then committed suicide. The body of this wretched marl was buried two nights afterwards,  at 11 o'clock at night, in the poor ground of Clerkenwell parish, amidst the execrations of a vast crowd.  21. A grand fete took place at St. Petersburg, in memory of the Emperor Alexander. More than 100,000 troops were assemble& on the occasion.  14. Sir John Leach, Master of the Rolls, died at Edinburgh, and was succeeded by Sir Charles Pepys. 15. A grand public dinner was given to Earl Grey at Edinburgh, in a pavilion erected for the purpose on the Calton-hill. About 1,700 persons sat down to dinner.  - . 16. Mr. Blackwood, the well-known publisher and proprietor of " Blackwood's Magazine," died at Edinburgh. 16. Don Pedro resigned the Regency on account of bad health, and his daughter next day was installed as Queen of Portugal.  18. Accounts were received from Madras of the surrender of the Rajah of Coorg, in April, at Madkerry, to the British forces under Colonel Lindesay. He was afterwards carried prisoner to Madras, and the country placed under British protection. 21. A hurricane committed great ravages in the island of Dominica, and was calculated to have destroyed nearly twothirds of the sugar and coffee crops, besides a vast quantity of shipping. This is the sixth destructive hurricance since 1806 by which the island has been devastated. 24. Don Pedro died at the Palace of Queluz, near Lisbon, in the 27th year of his age. He was elected Emperor of Brazil in 1821 : abdicated in 1831 ; and having placed his daughter on the throne of Portugal, died about four months after the expulsion of Don Miguel. 28. Dr. Gray, Bishop of Bristol, died, and was succeeded by Dr. Allen, Rector of St. Bride's.  During this month, and the preceding, the plague made great ravages in Constantinople, and about 400 persons are said to have died of it daily.
The Sun. — 1835-04-01 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF MR. J. M. NEWMAN, OF NOTTINGHAM.—On Sunday morning, at an early hour, a considerable excitement pervaded the town, in consequence of the body of an elderly person, dressed in black, having been found in the canal, near to the Navigation Inn, with his throat cut, and the pockets empty. Some time elapsed before the body was re. cognized to be that of Mr. John Newman, brother to Mr. Benjamin Newman, formerly a draper on the Long-row, now retired from business, and living in Devonshire. The deceased had been for many years absent from Nottingham, and only returned in December last, since which time he had lived in the town, and mixed a good deal in society, frequenting various harmonic meetings and musical parties, where his vocal powers and hilarity of disposition rendered him an acceptable visitor. Inquiry dissipated any suspicion of foul play, and various acts of eccentricity on his part occurred to those who knew him. An inquest was held, and a verdict of "• Temporary Insanity" returned. The remains were privately interred on Monday evening in Castle-gate meeting-yard.—Nnttinghaul Review.  In a case of arson on Thursday, tried at the Tipperary Assizes, the following cross-examination took place. —How many sisters have you? Witness—l'll trouble you. Sir, to know.--( Laughter.) Well then I'll tell you—you had five—now will you tell me where they went? Witness—l'll trouble you, Sir, to know.—( Laughter.) Well then I'll tell you—four of them were transported ! Witness—Ah, the book of the County Charges will tell whether or no. Where did you go yourself? Witness—l'll trouble you, Sir, to know.--(Laughter.) Didn't you go to England ? Witness—l did. Was it to be out of the wav of the sheep ? Witness—Jill trouble von, Sir, to know.—(Laughter.) Why did you go to England ? Witness—My Lord, to do the best I could And why did yOu come back ? Witness—My Lord, to do the best 1 could.—( Roars of laughter.)
The Sun. — 1835-12-22 (London, England)

DETERMINED SUICIDE BY A FEMALE.—Yesterday evening an inquest was held before Mr. Payne, the City Coroner, on the body of Fliza Lane, aged 22 years, who committed suicide by throwing herself into the Thames. It appeared that about one o'clock on Saturday morning last, two boys, named Robert Henderson and Patrick Ryan, observed the deceased kneeling down, as if praying, on the side of London bridge, by Southwark. She then stepped upon the last sitting place on the bridge and looked over into the river. After looking carefully about to see that no person was near, she hastily ran down the steps, and, on reaching the water, threW off her cloak, bonnet, and cap, and plunged head foremost into the river. Her clothes buoyed her up for three or four minutes, during which she struggled violently, and then sank. The boys directly gave an alarm to the police, and the drags were procured and used with' as little delay as possible. In about an hour afterwards deceased was found near the spot where she was seen to sink. Inquiry was subsequently made, and it was ascertained that the deceased bad been known in the neighbourhood for between two and three, years as an unfortunate woman. A young woman, who was acquainted with the deceased, stated that she met with her on Friday night, between eleven and twelve o'clock, near Blackfriars-road, when the deceased gave her a rinr, and a cap, and told her to keep them for her ' sake as she would never return home, but was going to her friends. It ovas stated that 'the deceased was the daughter of reputable parents living in the Borough, and had been frequently taken home for the purpose of reclaiming her—but without effect. 'The Jury, after consulting together for a long time, returned a verdict, " That the deceased committed suicide, being at the time in a state of temporary insanity."
The Sun. — 1835-09-19 (London, England)

THE EDGEWARE-ROAD TRAGEDY.  The unfortunate man Stanynought, whose case, since the dreadful tragedy in the Edgware-road, has naturally excited universal and deep attention, has been, from the first period of his incarceration in Newgate, gradually recovering from the effects of the wound inflicted in his side, and may now be considered perfectly convalescent. Although by no means cheerful he does not give way to despondency and despair, but employs himself nearly the whole of the day in reading books from his own library, and writing letters to his numerous relations and friends, one or other of whom is constantly visiting him, and remains with him generally for some time. He is perfectly rational in conversation, and frequently alludes in terms of the deepest regret to the death of his poor boy, for whom, as he expresses himself, be had the most affectionate regard. On more than one occasion he has been heard to exclaim that the day when his trial would take place must be fast approaching, but has not given utterance to any opinion with regard to the probable result thereof ; he is, as in the first instance, watched by day as well as night—yet, although this be a very proper precaution, it is not for a moment imagined by those who are so employed, or by any of. his friends, that he would, were he alone, make a second suicidal attempt. The unhappy woman, Mrs. Stanynought, is still sojourning with her friends at Richmond : she is not confined, and the full particulars of the horrid affair have yet to be communicated to her. Considerable excitement prevailed yesterday, as well as the previous day, in consequence of several fellows hawking about at the west end of the town papers purporting to be a true and particular account of another attempt of the unhappy man to commit suicide in his room at Newgate, in which report, it need scarcely he said, there was not a single word of truth. Three Counsel are secured for the prisoner at the forthcoming trial.
The Sun. — 1835-11-13 (London, England)

STEAM-BOAT ACClDENT.—Yesterday an inquisition was taken before C. J. Carter, Esq., Coroner for Kent, and a Jury of seventeen householders, at the Mitre Tavern, Greenwich, on the body of William Williams, a lad aged sixteen years, who was drowned on Monday evening by the Monarch steam towing vessel running down a boat, in which he was, in Blackwall Reach. The Jury, after abOut an hour's consideration, returned a verdict of " Manslaughter" against the master of the steamer, Nathaniel William Green. The Coroner immediately issued his warrant for the apprehension and committal of Green to Newgate to take his trial at the next sessions.  A farmer in the Commune of Espense, near St. Menebould, being left a widower, with two sons and three daughters, of different ages, from 9 to 18 years, became so depressed from losses and the burthen of his family, that be contemplated suicide. On communicating these desperate thoughts to the sister of his deceased wife, who lived with him, she not only encouraged them, but declared her resolution to join him in the fatal act, and even induced him to consent to involve all his children, except the eldest girl, who was with another aunt, in one general destruction. To accomplish this horrible design, a quantity of opium was procured and put into the soup for the family's supper, which the aunt prepared with her own hands, and of which they all partook. The two younger girls were soon taken ill, but the aunt, finding that the poison did not operate with sufficient promptitude, gave them some more after they were in bed, and as they complained that it was bitter presented them with some syrup. The two sons retired to bed in an outer building, and as from their age and health their constitutions were stronger than the rest of the family, they experienced no inconvenience from what they had eaten. The eldest daughter came to the family dwelling the next morning, and having made her way in by a back door, found the aunt dead, her two sisters in the last agonies, and her father in a dying state, but not dead. Medical assistance was called in. Nothing could be done for the females, and the father resisted every effort to administer antidotes to him, and died after struggling for 48 hours. The sons stated that they had observed their father several times, during the night, walking about his room, and up and down stairs, and even go out to the door of an apothecary near at hand, but return again, evidently suffering from either mental or bodily pain.—Galignaas Messenger.
The Sun. — 1835-12-18 (London, England)

THE EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF THE LATE JOHN APKERRELL, ESQ.  The melancholy fate of this unfortunate gentleman, who committed suicide by swallowing prussic acid, excited considerable interest at the time of the inquest in Regentstreet, in consequence of the singularity of his malady ; being an illusion occurring every second day, attended with the most horrible state of mental and corporeal sufferings. It will be recollected that the deceased never divul-ed the cause of his miseries except to his physician, Dr. Johnson, who refused to disclose it on the inquest. It was the strong and often-expressed wish of the deceased that, after death, his body might be subjected to a post mortem examination, with a view to ascertain whether any physical causes existed to elucidate his very singular hallucination. This has been done ; the anatomical demonstration having been made in the theatre of St. George's Hospital, in the presence of several eminent physicians and surgeons. A gentleman who was present at this examination has informed the reporter that there were found some very extraordinary diseases in many parts ; the most singular, and perhaps unprecedented of which was a hard jagged stony concretion, the size of a nut, impinged against, and growing upon one of the most important nerves in the body, called the par vagum, which supplies nervous influence to the lungs, heart, stomach, and other parts. In almost all the organs to which this nerve is distributed, there was considerable organic disease. The brain was quite sound. It is supposed that the irritation of this great nerve, serving as a communication between the brain, the organ of the mind, and the more important organs of the body, was the material cause of the monomania, or delusion, on a single point. It is understood Dr. Johnson is drawing up a detailed account, for the medical profession, of this most singular and interesting case, involving, as it does, some curious problems not only in physiology, but also in medical jurisprudence. Although the precise nature of the very peculiar delusion under which this gentleman laboured still continues a profound secret, vet some information has incidentally transpired as to the general character of, at least, a part of the delusion, which had reference to a particular number. It seems that a particular number had made an indelible impression upon his mind—that he considered his fate identified with it—and that its recurrence under a particular conjunction would be fatal to his existence. Dr. Johnson states that, had he been at liberty to disclose the secret, it would supply a complete solution of the strangely eccentric conduct of the deceased in booking himself for Paisley, in Scotland, and vet turning back at Manchester, rebooking himself on reaching London to':go again in the evening, and returning again on getting to Birmingham, booking himself a third time on his return, and not starting, then booking himself a fourth time and going the journey.