npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1844-11-09 (London, England)

SUICIDE FROM DISTRESS. Last evening a protracted inquiry took place before Mr. Wakley, on the body of Mary Alloways, aged 63, a poor needle-woman. The jury, having viewed the body, expressed their horror at its wretchedly emaciated appearance. Ann Jones, the landlady of the house in which the deceased lodged, said she last saw her alive on Tuesday evening. She fancied there was something strange in her manner, for, as she went up stairs to bed, the deceased broke a piece from a loaf she had with her, and in a very singular manner said, " Only taste it ;itis so very sweet." On Wednesday, a friend of deceased found her lying on the bed quite dead. There was a cup, which had contained some liquid, lying upon.a box by the window. On the table was a letter (read to the Court), which stated that she was very much troubled in ber mind in consequence of nut being able to procure work, and owing witness, as she said, seven weeks' rent. It further stated, that the only thing in the world she possessed was a watch, which she imagined to be worth 101. She bequeathed the proceeds of its sale to liquidate her debts, and the remainder to go towards her funeral; but if' it did not raise sufficient for the latter purpose, her body was to be sent to the workhouse for interment by the parish. It then added her earnest wish that she should have one friend to follow her to the grave, and a hope that her poverty would not be made knciwn ; concluding with the words, " God bless you all—l am very much excited, and my pen is very bad." Deceased was an extremely well-behaved woman, and had been highly educated. They always imagined she had some trifling income that helped to support-her, but since her death they had found such vas pot the case, and that she supported herself by her needle. She had latterly appeared very desponding, which she stated arose from her inability to procure work and the poor wages she received for it. She had once or twice adverted lately to the double suicide at Kilmarnock, and said she would rather follow their example than apply for relief. She had some friends, who occasionally gave her food, but she seldom had any other meals but breakfast and tea. The surgeon said, the body was wretchedly emaciated, and the deceased had all the appearance of having been completely starved. The jury returned a verdict " That the deceased destroyed herself by taking oxalic acid, but in what state of mind she was at the time there was no evidence to show."
The Sun. — 1844-01-18 (London, England)

SUICIDE.—An inquest was held on Tuesday at the Baker's Hall, Harp-lane, Tower-street, before Mr. Payne, on the body of Mary Anne Schafer, aged thirty. George Evans, City police-constable, 503, said, that on Saturday evening last he was on duty in Trinity-square, Tower, when he received information that the deceased was lying on the ground in Savagegardens, and was in want of immediate assistance. He found her in an insensible state, and a phial and cup, both of which had recently been emptied of essential oil of almonds, by her side. r Witness carried her to Mr. Ager, surgeon in Trinity-square, where means for her recovery were instantly adopted. Restoratives, however, were of no avail, and she died in about an hour. Witness found in her pocket a letter addressed to a very respectable ship-broker. Witness believed the deceased to be an " unfortunate woman." The Coroner road the letter alluded to by the witness, and it appeared that the deceased and the person referred to had been on terms of intimacy for several years. The object for which it was written was to get money, and deceased complained of having been abandoned. It stated that he was the cause of what she was going to do. Mary Keene, of No. 34, Fleet-lane, Smithfield, said that deceased had resided in her house. On Saturday last she spoke much and very feelingly of Mr. —, and said that she was that day going to carry him a letter. Deceased was very much attached to him. Mr. —, senior, said that his son, being desirous of breaking off the acquaintance. offered her 31. a few days ago, on condition that he should be subject to no further pecuniary claim ; she re. jected the offer, and since then he had not seen her. She drank the poison near his door. Verdict—Temporary insanity.
The Sun. — 1844-10-17 (London, England)

MORTALITY IN THE METROPOLIS.—The return for the week ending Saturday, October 12, shows a great increase of deaths, chiefly caused by scarlatina. The total number is 1,018, previous week 932 ; average for the autumn months, 990. In most other cases, with the exception of diarrhoea, there is a diminution. Last week the amount under this head was 19 ; average 10. Deaths caused by diseases of the lungs are considerably below the average, the number being '282, while the amount for each of the five preceding years was 312. There is a decrease in deaths from old age and violence, the numbers with the averages being 57, 74 ; 15, 26. The following is an analysis of the list of violent deaths : —Fracture or contusion, 5 cases, of which 1 was by a fall, and 2 by horses and carriages. Poison, 3 cases, of which 1 was murder, and 2 suicide. Drowning, 4 cases, stated to be accidental, except one, in which the circumstance is omitted. flanging, 1 case (suicide). Suflocation in bed, 1 case. And manslaughter, 1 case, in which the jury have neglected to state the means employed. Total, 9 males and 6 females. The quantity of rain fallen in inches was 0.08. Next week there will be a very different return.  line of his troops, we know that he maintained it with the greatest attention, not only as a matter of prudence in a General, but as being consistent with his character as a man. We regard him, therefore, as an honourable enemy ; and whatever rank he may have held in the armies of the coalition, we see no reason on that account to bear him hatred. If we do not, however, consider the Duke of WELLINGTON out of place in the cortege which surrounded Louis PitiurrE at Portsmouth, and at Windsor, we think that at the reception of the new Knight of the Garter he was guilty of an act of bad taste. According to the report of the English journals he wore a sword that had once belonged to
The Sun. — 1844-05-24 (London, England)

DETERMINED SUICIDE. Wednesday afternoons much excitement was occasioned in the town of Kensington, by the discovery that Mr. Matthew Orpwood, the landlord of the George Inn, Church-lane, leading from the High-street to Kensington Gravel-pits, had committeed suicide by hanging himself. It appeared that the deceased, who was between 40 and 50 years of age, got up yesterday morning in his usual good health, without his family noticing any difference in his appearance or behaviour. Shortly after eleven o'clock, he left the bar, taking a lighted candle with him, for the purpose of performing some necessary duties in the cellar underneath, from which time he was never more seen alive. About half-past twelve o'clock, his sister went to the bottom of the stairs leading to the cellar, without taking a light with her, for the purpose of cutting a piece of bacon off a flitch which was hanging there, when, on raising up her hand for the purpose of taking down the bacon, she was horror-struck atasesfirisntdsacinnrcegea: scream, in contact with the face of a human being. ll shebnrotuhgehutnfsoervteanraaltepemrsaonnswiasmmdeisdicoavteelryedtoher hanging by a piece of thick cord to the same peg on which the bacon was kept. He was immediately cut down, and medical assistance sent for; but all human aid was of no avail, life having been extinct for some time. Deceased has left a wife and four children.  when they came to consider the construction to be put upon its clauses. This was an Act creating an incapacity. The law would, therefore, look to that incapacity with a jealous eye—limiting it in every particular ; and unless they construed the Act in the most loose manner possible, they could not. bring it to operate against the plaintiff. This Act was rather a proof of the Royal indignation than of sound legislation. Lord
The Sun. — 1844-07-27 (London, England)

SUICIDES IN LEICESTER.—The frequency of suicides in this town by young people, would appear to fully justify the remark, that sympathy is a principal cause of them. It was but in AOill last, that we announced the death of a highly respectable young man, a druggist, by shooting himself with a pistol, in consequence of the receipt of a note from a young lady with %%horn he had kept company, disclaiming all further acquaintance with him. At the latter end of that month, a fine young woman poisoned herself by taking arsenic, simply because she had been told by some one that a young man, who had paid his addresses to her, was about to be married to another. A few weeks after that, another girl took a dose of arsenic from a somewhat similar cause, and nar rowly escaped with her life. On Saturday week a girl who worked in Messrs. Bedell's factory, put an end to her existence under peculiarly distressing circumstances. Her namewas Matilda Jones, and having kept company with a youth named George Potter, carpenter and joiner, but not yet out of his apprenticeship, for some months, she became pregnant ; on the discovery of which by the girl's parents it was agreed the couple should be married, Potter expressing his perfect willingness to make the girl his wife. The banns were published, the ring was purchased, and Monday, the 15th instant, was fixed for the wedding. Alas ! on that very day the poor girl was a corpse. The mother of the youth, hearing of the intended union on the Saturday previous, expressed her intention of throwing every obstacle in the way, and threatened to forbid th banns the next day (Sunday); declaring she would sooner see her sots hanged than that the match should take place. The girl was wrought to a dreadful state of excitement, and, having ing gone up stairs some time after her intended motherin-law's drparture, took a dose of arsenic, which was kept on the premises for the purpose of destroying vermin ; but as she declared she should get better, having taken various remedies administered by her parents, they, wishing to avoid additional exposure and disgrace, neglected to send for medical assistance, until a great and sudden change appeared in their child on the Monday morning, and it was too late. She died in a few minutes after the arrival of the medical officer, and at about the time when, in all probability, had the course of true love run smoothly, the marriage ceremony would have been performed. There is now another added to the above dismal catalogue. A girl named Mary King, aged 18, of a somewhat profligate character, the daughter of a widow living in the Wharf-street, a low part of the town, having been out all Monday night until three o'clock the next morning, was reproved by her mother for her conduct, and a fierce quarrel arose between them, the daughter declaring that her mother should have reason to remember it before the day was over. She at down for a short time, but went out with her work (gloves)
The Sun. — 1844-05-25 (London, England)

SUICIDE OP A LUNATIC IN BETIILEM.—Last evening an inquiry took place before Mr. Joseph Payne, the Deputy Coroner, at Bethlem, St. George's-field, Southwark, concerning the death of James Forster, aged 40, a criminal lunatic. Thomas Ilooper, attendant at the " criminal wing" of the institution, said that the deceased first came under his charge in 1841, having been acquitted upon his trial for some crime on the ground of insanity. Witness saw him last alive on Tuesday evening, at eight o'clock, when all the lunatics in that part of the building retired for the night. At six o'clock on Wednesday morning witness opened the door ofdeceased's dormitory, that being the hour at which the patients rise from bed, when he saw him suspended to the roof by a black silk handkerchief. Deceased was then quite dead; but, upon examining him more closely, witness saw a wound on his throat, and another on his wrist, from both of which blood was still slowly issuing. Witness searched the room, and found nothing with which the wounds could have been inflicted bu a piece of an old iron hoop. Such a thing was not kept on the premises, and it was witness's opinion that it had been thrown into the yard by some boys playing outside, and that deceased had picked it up, and kept it in secret ever since. There were attendants employed to keep watch in the gallery from which deceased's room led, all night, but nothing in particular was heard. Deceased was a very ingenious man, and was in the habit of amusing himself by reading and drawing, and sometimes by making butterflies and baskets out of silk. H strong Ile had some very delusions, and net long ago told witness that he wasG me the Fourth and Napoleon Buonaparte. Ile said, artl;e same time, that he was going to be excommunicated from the Church. Mr. John Thomas, the resident surgeon, said that he was in immediate attendance upon the deceased, but his services were useless. Deceased, he had no doubt, died from strangulation. The jury returned a verdict of " Insanity.' AN
The Sun. — 1844-05-25 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF A LUNATIC IN BETHLEM.—Last evening an inquiry took place before Mr. Joseph Payne, the Deputy Coroner, at Bethlem, St: George's-field, Southwark, concerning the death of James Forster, aged 40, a criminal lunatic. Thomas Hooper, attendant at the " criminal wing" of the institution, said that se deceased first carne under his charge in 1841, having been Acquitted 'upon his trial for some crime on the ground of insanity. Witness saw him last alive on Tuesday evening, at eight o'clock, when all the lunatics in that part of the building retired for the night. At six o'clock on Wednesday morning witness opened the door of deceased's dormitory, that being the hour at which the patients rue from bed, when he saw him suspended to the roof by a black silk handkerchief. Deceased .was then quite dead; but, upon examining him more clOsely, witness . saw a wound on his throat, and another on bis wrist, from both of which blood was still slowly issuing. Witness searched the room, and found nothing with which the wounds could have been inflicted but a piece of an old iron hoop. Such a thing was not kept on the premises, and it was witness's opinion that it had been thrown into the yard by some boys playing outside, and that deceased had picked it up, and kept it in secret ever since. There were attendants employed to. keep watch in the gallery from which deceased's- room led, all night, but nothing •in particular was heard. Deceased was a very ingenious man, and was in the habit of amusing himself by reading.and drawing, and sometime; by making butterflies and baskets out of silk. He had some very strong delusiols, and not long ago told witness that he was George the Fourth and Napoleon Buonaparte. He said, at the same time, that he was going to be excommunicated from the Church. Mr. John Thomas, the resident surgeon, said that he was in immediate attendance upon the deceased, but his services were useless. Deceased, he had no doubt, died from strangulation. The jury returned a verdict of "Insanity."
The Sun. — 1844-09-24 (London, England)

THE SUN, LONDON) TUESDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 24, 1844.  POLICE INTELLIGENCE.  (YESTERDAY.)  GUILDHALL.  A young woman, named Elizabeth Morris was placid before Sir P. Laurie by one of the beadles oiSt. Bartholomew's Hospital, on a charge of having taken a quantity of laudanum, with a view of putting a period to her own existence. The beadle stated that the prisoner was brought into the hospital on Wednesday night, she having taken poison, and it was with great difficulty that she was recovered by the surgeon, life having been very nearly extinct. From inquiries made, it appeared that she had been seduced by a married man, who had found her a lodging in a brothel. The officers of the hospital endeavoured to persuade her to retire from that house into the Magdalen Asylum, and she consented to do so ; hut afterwards abruptly left the hospital, stating that it was a prison, and she would remain in it no longer. For her own protection, the steward ordered her to be taken into custody. Sir PETER LAURIE said he should send her to the Old Bailey for attempted suicide. It was a fit case for trial, and he had no doubt she would be transported. He had put an end to persons attempting to drown themselves ; he would now try the same cure for attempted poisoning. He had no doubt that those who took poison did not do so for the purpose of self-destruction, but for the purpose of exciting sympathy ; and such morbid charity was more calculated to do injury than anything else.  The girl, at the conclusion of the Alderman's remarks, fell back, fainting, and exclaiming " Mercy, oh, mercy." She was carried into the cells. asd Sir PETER LAURIE ordered that she should be taken to the Giltspur-street Compter, and when perfectly recovered, to be brought back, when he would decide what should be done to her.
The Sun. — 1844-01-26 (London, England)

SUICIDE AT WATERLOO-11RIDGE.-Mr. Carter  yesterdaylprocoedecl itta the inquiry, at the Feathers, Waterlooroad, as to the death of Elizabeth Donelley, aged 23, who leaped from the parapet of Waterloo-bridge, on Tuesdal afternoon. William Johnson stated that, on the afternoon in question. about halt-past three, he was driving a cab over Waterloobridge, when he observed a female in the third recess on the Surrey side. She got upon the seat, and then deliberately took off her bonnet and shawl. Having done this, she clambered on the parapet, and threw herself into the river before he had time to prevent the act. The body was taken out of  the river in about twenty minutes afterwards, and every effort was made to restore animation, but without effect. Matilda Osmond, Of 8, Were-street, Clare-market, deposed that the deceased was her sister. Her (deceased's) husband was Mr. John Bregan Denelley, of the firm of Noble and Co., of 6, Billiter-square, City. He had separated from her four times in consequence of her excessively dissipated habits. On the last time, which was the 4th rif December, she was very tipsy, and he kissed her, saying, " Betsey,_ if you don't alter, I shall make away with myself." From that time he has never been seen or heard of, and it is feared he has committed suicide. The next day he sent her a sovereign, but when that was expended she came to live with witness, as she was utterly destitute. She had pawned everything she had, and on the day she destroyed her life sold her stays to purchase spirits. On that morning she hail obtained an order train the Strand Union to go into the workhouse, while they sought for her husband. On the following morning she heard that the body of the deceased had been taken out of the river, and she had no doubt she did it under great excite,nent, produced by drink and her dread of the workhouse. After a short deliberation the jury returned a verdict, " That the deceased destroyed herselt while in a state of temporary insanity, produced by excessive drinking."
The Sun. — 1844-07-01 (London, England)

SUICIDE BY POISON.—On Saturday afternoon a most singular case of death, from wilfully taking poison, was discovered at the White Hart public-house, White-Hartstreet, Drury-lane. On Monday last a young man, dressed in a dark blouse or upper coat, and black trousers, applied to Mr. 'Vaughan, the landlord, for a chamber to be let to him, in which he might stay during part of the day, and sleep in at night. His desire was complied with, and for four nights he slept there, taking his meals with the family, going out very little during the day, but sitting in his room and retiring to rest early, where he laid till eleven or twelve o'clock each day. On Friday he ate a hearty dinner and tea, and seemed quite cheerful when he retired to his room at night. No suspicions were excited the next day at his not coming down before twelve o'clock, but after that hour the landlord began to be fearful that something had happened to prevent him rising. He went up stairs, and on trying the door, found it locked inside, when, determined not to enter without some responsible authority, he proceeded to the station-house in Bow-street, it being then about three o'clock. Sergeant Montgomery, F 4, was dispatched to the spot, and on placing his nose to the key-hole, immediately became aware of the existence of a dead body, which was clearly proved on the door being burst in. The unfortunate man was lying quite naked on the bed, with his clothes on the floor, and his boots placed carefully underneath the bedstead, having evidently been dead many hours. Mr. Walker, surgeon, of Drury-lane, was fetched, but could render no assistance, nor could he give any opinion as to the cause of death, without a post mortem examination. A bottle was, however, found near him, with a label on it, which denoted opium, and being empty with the cork out 4 there is no doubt he took the draught. The most singular part of the story is, that he is totally unknown to Mr. Vaughan or his family, nor is there any clue by which he can be discovered. He had 15s. 6d. in his pockets, and three address cards, with " Mr. Fea, 25, Wardour-street, Soho," on them, but they were evidently not his own. Ile had also on his person part of a proof of a newspaper, with corrections for the printer in the margin, the purport of it being the rejoicings at Court on the Queen's birthday. Further nothing is known. Information has been forwarded to the Coroner, who holds an inquest this day. A
The Sun. — 1844-10-12 (London, England)

SUICIDE :THROUGH DRUNXENNESS.—Thursday Mr. Carter held an inquest at the Bell, York-street, Lambeth, on the body of Elizabeth Pearson, aged 48, the wife of a sawyer, residing at 38, York-street, who, it appeared from the evidence of her son, a lad about 17, who was deeply affected, that, about four o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, he came home, and found his mother, with a cord round her neck, suspended to one of the bed posts. Medical assistance was instantly procured, but she was quite dead. She had for a long time been accustomed to drink gin immoderately, which had about three months since caused her to complain of pains in the head and back, when she was attended by a surgeon, and advised to discontinue spirits ; but she drank to greater excess, which impaired her mind, and drove her no doubt to commit suicide. This testimony having been corroborated by other witnesses, the jury found that "Deceased destroyed herself while of unsound mind, produced by the excessive use of ardent spirits." The Coroner observed that this was but one of many similar cases which had recently come under his notice. A serious accident occurred at the station of the Bristol and Gloucester Railway, Gloucester, on Monday evening. By an arrangement, which appears to us objectionable, the immense concourse of persons, 1,500 or 1,600 in number, who had arrived here by special train, when the time for returning approached, were shut out of awnads , otohnaftn noino nt ht oe ogka place,te s bei an gn do p oneen enad,ana, tremendousin a the yard till almost the last moment. The consequence tte mp ti n rush st ho force his way into a carriage, was pushed backwards, and falling on the buffer, broke his thigh. He was carried to the infirmary, where he still remains.—Gloucestei Journala