npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-04-06 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

FIREMAN'S ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.— A fireman named Henry Robert Eddy was charged on remand with attempting to commit suicide by taking a quantity of laudanum. From the evidence given at the previous hearing, which was repeated, it appeared that the prisoner's son, a youth of about sixteen, was sent to purchase some laudanum, his father stating that he wanted it for his neuralgia. The lad went to a number of chemists' and was refused at about six places, but he finally succeeded in getting six pennyworth in three separate doses. This he also took to his father, and while he was leaving the room he saw his father, who was in bed, swallow one of the doses. Early on Wednesday morning the son heard his father call, and arrived at the latter's room just in time to see his father, who looked very weak and ill, fall to the floor. He helped him into bed, and then his father told him to go downstairs for his razor. When he brought the razor the prisoner told him and his sister to say their prayers as they eould only die once.' The prisoner also remarked that he wanted to end his life. The two children then went out and Worked the police, and an emetic was administered to the prisoner, who was afterwards taken to the Borough Hospital. In the course of the evidence it was stated that the prisoner had been very much worried recently over severe domestic trouble. In reply. to the magistrates the son took the razor to his father. -because he Was frightened. Dr. Stainfield said he had examined the Man during his detention at the Workhouse, and considered that he was Sound in niind, though he had some very funny humours. Eddy was discharged with a warning to be more careful in the future.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-10-19 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

DEPRESSED THROUGH MONEY  TROUBLES.  Yesterday afternoon the Birkenhead !Coroner, Mr. Cecil Holden, held an inquiry relating to the death of Lorenzo Snow Maddox, a jobbing gardener. aged 50, who was round on Thursday morning hanging by a rope from a beam in a stable at No. 3. Shrewsbury-road. Mary Maddox, widow of the deceased, stated that for exano time past her husband had been suffering from severe tits of press-ion and occasionally gave way to drink. When he had taken drink he often threatened to commit suicide. He was also very much worried on account of sows bills that he could not pay. When he returned home from work on Wednesday last he was very much depressed, and said he had received a letter from a person to whom he owed money threatening to take proceedings if he did not pay. Whilst he was in bed he remarked that he was tired of life and would shoot himself if he had a revolver. NVitness however did not attach much import:alley to this, as he had made similar threats lxsfore. On Thursday morning he would not have any breakfast, and when he was going out Sic said to witness "Good morning. 1 delft suppoie I shall come back." She had heard him bay thus same before, and bilf, only repii_d, "Don't talk uonsenee." William Roberts. a jobbing gardener, who lives in Market-street. said the dedee:need had been very depress<d for the lost twelve mouths, fie had never heard him threaten to commit suicide. Missing the deceased, under whose orders he workyd, on 'Thursday morning, he went to the stable attached to the house of Mr. Wall in Shrewsbury-road to look for him, and there found him hanging from a bealll with a rope attached to his neck, appalently quite dead. A constable was sent for and the deceased was cut down and taken to the hospital, where life was found to be extinct.  A verdict of "Suicide whildt temporarily inbuilt)" wab returned.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-05-11 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

CRIMEAN VETERAN'S END  REMARKABLE SUICIDE.  The death of a Crimean veteran named Jamea Boyles was the subject of an inquiry held by the Borough Coroner, Mr. Cecil Holden, yea,tei•day afternoon. Boyles• who •• , . . .  lived at lig, Brook-street-was 77 years of age, and served right through the Crimean War, and was engaged in the battles of lnkerman and Sebastopol, being later decorated with three medals. Of late years he became feeble minded and had delusions, thinking that there were people hiding about his house. Since the death of has wife he had become worse, and owing to his enfeeblement was unable to follow his employment as a Corporation labourer. He was looked after by his daughter Catherine, and on Friday morning, May grd, during her absence he picked up a bread knife and severely wounded himself in the lower portion of the abdomen. After doing so, however, he managed to wadi to the Watsonstreet bridewell, where he was seen by P.C. Carr, who immediately took him to the Borough Hospital in the ambulance. Despite every attention the poor man only survived until early yesterday morning, when he died.  Dr. Lawrence was of opinion that the man could not have been responsible for his actions when he wounded himself. Witness had questioned the deceased about it, but he could obtain no satisfactory reason for his having done it. He said he had done it himself. Witness did not find any trace of any disease, but it was possible for hint to be suffering without any external trace being found. Death was due to shock and exhaustion in consequence of the wound. P.C. Carr, who was one of the three constables who were placed on duty beside deceased's bed in the hospital, said that deceased had complained that the reason he committed the act was because his daughter had not treated him properly. Both P.C. Carr and Sergeant Reid said deceased's charges against his daughter , were unfounded, and the house was well I kept. Mr. Holden. the Coroner, thought deceased's charges were purely imagination, and recommended the iury to return a verdict of "Suicide whilst of unsound mind." The jury agreed, exonerating the daughter from all blame.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-08-03 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

OBJECTION TO BAILIFFS WOMAN FINED FOE ASSAULT.  At the Borough Police Court yesterday, before Mr. J. M. Kelly and Dr. B. U. Morris, Elizabeth Gaynor, of ,58, Slateyroad, was cha.rged with assaulting tao distraint • officers named •Arthur Davies and Henry Green.—Davies stated that he, Green, and another distraint officer went to the prisoner's house to distrain goods for rent that was due. The other officers got in the house through the bedroom wind.ow, and after they had got in witness heard the sound of struggling. The front door. was shortly afterwards opened by one of the bailiffs, and witness went inside. Immediately he entered, Mrs. Gaynor , sprang at him "Ilse a tiger" and struck ' at him with the poker and tongs which she I • had in her hands. Witness caught hold of her wrists and made her drop the weapons. She then tried to bite him, and told him that if she could get loose she would throw a bottle of vitriol which she had in the kitchen over him and "blind him." Eventually he got her to promise that if he loosed her wrists she would be quiet. When he released her she immediately seized hold of the poker and attacked him again. Evidence as to the prisoner's violent behaviour was given by the other 'distraint officer Henry Green. Inspector Bebbington said he heard Mrs. Gaynor threaten to murder the other two witnesses if they did not clear out. She also threatened to commit suicide. Mrs. Gaynor, who appeared to have got the worst of the conflict, as her arms were covered with bruises, admitted having given way to excitement, and threatened the officers, but she denied having struck them. She also denied having any vitriol in the house, and said it was carbolic acid. The magistrates fined her las. and costs, or in default 7 dap without hard labour.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-07-20 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ANL) W. wirmY  The long spell of wintry weather which, happily, is now in the category of the things that have gone by, had quite a disastrous effect upon at least one of the Council's undertakings, viz., the Marine Lake. The accountant'., statement of receipts slmss the following results for a period covering alxiut six months during the last four years:-1904, .1:914 its. .d.; 1905, £293 7s. 1906, £312 10s. 8c1.; 1997, .1241 17s. 7d. It will be seen that compared with the corresponding period of last year there has been during the first half of 1907 a duel) in the receipts ot about £79. But it the brilliant weather of this week continues for a tune there can be little doubt that this adverse e!IM will to some extent be wiped out. Nearly every evening this week the eurface of the marine lake has been veritably ally: with boat, and there has been quite an influx of visitors to Boylake and West Kirby.  The budding statesmen in connection with the West Kirby Debating Society are throwing themselves into the work with lenthusiasin. and there are rosy prospects that the next session will be a record one. Mr. Henry H. Vivian, M.P., whilst, unable Ito participate in one of the Society's meeting, has sent his best wishes, whiist among those who have proms•ed to take part are ..I,lr. Frank L. Josephs, a City Councillor of Liverpool (who will move a vote oi confidence in the Government), Mr. Harold S:nith, 'LC. (who will oppose the vote), Mr. Sain Reeves, (a prominent member of tha Fabian Society), Mr. James Lunnon (well known in Trades Unionist and Labour circles), Mr. John Hargreaves (who will give a limelight lecture on "Some eminent personages identified with the Hundred of Wirral from A.D. LS), Dr. Robert R. Renton! (who will lecture on "Race culture or suicide?"), Mr. J. P. Swan, of Liverpool (secretary of the Anti-Vaccination Society, who will debate with a medical man on the Isizhject of vaccination), and Dr. Bond (who I will read a paper on "Drink as a factor lin disease and poverty"). There will also be an inter society debate with the Old Boys' Debating Society. The members of the West Kirby Society are to be congratulated upon the imposing array of talent which has been secured, and this success is almost wholly due to the unceasing efforts of Mr. W. H. Elliott, the hon, secretary, who has worked arduously in order to promote a really excellent society. Mr. Elliott is deserving of the highest praise for his admirable efforts.  In thi. i..eue will be found the following report. of intereet to Hoylake and West Kirby :—The monthly nie.ting of th. trict Council, Weet Kirby Neighbour' Quarrel in the Police Cour+. Heel.- Church Bazaar opened by Mr. IV. H. Lever. M.P., and a manager charged with embezzlement.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-05-29 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SALVATIONISTS  WELCOME " AMTI-MMOIDE " CLOUD."  Brigadier Cloud, of Liverpool, spent Sunday with the local corps of the Salvation Army in the Co-operative Hall. The very impressive dedication service of seven babies was concluded with some good advice to the parents. One agreement they entered into was to keep away from the child hirtful reading, finery, etc. Incidentally, the Brigadier related how during the week he had attended a police court for the purpose of assisting a young girl whose love for fine dress had led her astray. No doubt hurtful reading and love for finery drives young people to dishonesty and lives of shame, and in the majority of oases the parents are the chief criminals. During the day Brigadier Cloud announced that Lieut.-Colonel Marie Tait (who is a native of Birkenhead) has been chosen for special work in Japan. She sails during the week, and will follow up General Booth's succeesful campaign and shepherd the over 2.000 converts secured. It may not be generally known that Lieut.Colonel Tait pioneered the work of the Salvation Army in Belgium and Italy. where the work is now progressing at a good rate. Brigadier Cloud has in his capacity as secretary of the Anti-suicide Bureau listened to many a ead story, and been enabled to afford advice and relief. The bulk of such stories will never be disclosed, and correspondence is destroyed if so desired, yet some are permitted to reach the public. One story of the downfall of a medical man till he baoame the frequenter of a common lodging-house, and his effort to finish it all, brought the congregation to tears. He is now climbing hack to hi.s former position, a changed man. Speaking about the causes of the downfall of nations and individuals, Brigadier Cloud condemned severely immoral literature and suggestive postcards. The love of pleasure (not necessary recreation) as a substitute for the love of righteousness WAS a mighty factor in the degradation of individuals. At the conclusion several penitents were received, caneins the local Salvationista much pleasure. -Engign Powley, from Manchester, assisted Lg the day.  Ine6-1  Iftnc  DIgLocATD Cour: Bowa—Whilst.atanding on a barge which was lying in the Alfred Dock on Saturday, Thomas Riding, of i)g, Brentwood-road, Seacomba, slipped and , sustaining- a dislocation to the llar. Re wasoionYeyed to the LisarTeeni.tral Boopital in a cab and was detained.  I POW,
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-03-30 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE NEW THEOLNIV.  POWERFUL SERMON ET THE REV. R. J. CAMPBELL..  The first anniversary of the opening of the Congregational Church in Seacombe will long be remembered for various reasons. The handsome building was crowded to excess: many in the vast congregation were not adherents of ationalismi there were a great number ot clergymen present, and, lastly, but of greatest import, 1 the pulpit was occupied by that erudite I eloquent man, the Rev. R. J. Campbell, M.A., of the City Temple, who has stirred the religious world by his profound theological declamations. Admission was by shilling ticket. The rl are to be devoted to the Church thideit Fund. Before announcing his text, Mr. Campbell mentioned that as they were probably aware he had to attend a meeting that night at eight o'clock, and that was why Mr. Eaton Thomas had been kind enough to arrange the service for six. He should like if possible to close within the hour. He hoped they would not feel he was treating them discourteously. A service at six on a Monday with a meeting to follow two hours later was something like suicide on the part of • minister, was it not? He was beginning to feel that it was hopeless to expect to have a free Monday any more. However he did not like to go anywhere to adrees a public meeting only. He would very muoh rather speak to an audience of Christian people in what had conventionally come to be called a sermon and would remain under that title for a good while to come. Continuing, he said he would speak to them that night about a subject which was appropriate to Passion Week. He would call it "The Cleansing Light." The words of his text were. "If we walk In the light . . . the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (Ist John i., 7). It was somewhat remarkable that the latter Dart of the text should be so frequently quoted apart from the former, and yet it was easy to be seen from a scrutiny of the whole passage that the writer never meant that the two should be considered independently. The latter part of the text, indeed, was immediately dependent upon the former. When this fact was taken into account the total effect was
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-08-10 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE BLUEJACKET'S STORY.  At the adjourned sitting of the Court, evidence was given by the bluejacket, whose gallant conduct was all the more appreciated when it was discovered that he was a mere youth, only 19 years of age. His nun& he said, was William Henry Hawkins, and he was a seaman on the Triumph. At about 6,30 on the previous evening he was on the New Brighton landing-stage when he saw a man floating in the water about forty yards out, lie immediately , jumped in, and when he bad returned i with the man about half the distance to the stage they were picked up by a boa:. I He was partly unconscious. Questioned by the Chairman, witness said that a flood tide was flowing at the time. Ile could not say how it happened that the man had got so far out. Ile held the man under the atnis and floated with him on his back. Prisoner said he had had no intention cf committing suicide, and could not say how he came into the river. He had had some drink and had no idea whether he had intended to go to Liverpool or whether he had returned from the city. P.C. Pettinger said that prisoner had certainly had some drink. Continuing, prisoner said there was nothing to induce him to take his life, and when he said that he had family troubles he did not know what he was talking about He had been drinking during the past week.  The Chairman : It is a very sad thing. You not only risked your own life, but the life of the young fellow who jumped in after you. .  Prisoner. I am really ashamed of myself. The Chairman You may well be. Prisoner's wife said that drink alone was the cause of the trouble. Her husband indulged in drinking bouts which had become more frequent lately. Tho Chairman (to prisoner): You seem perfectly solver now, and hoping that this may be a warning to you, tve will allow you to depart. If you are at any of these games again, however, you will be sent to the sessions, where you will be very severely dealt with. I hope after our kindness you will keep from drink. It must be a terribio thing to you to think that you have risked this young man's life as well as your own.  Turning to Hawkins, he should like to say that the Bench think very well of you for the plucky and prompt manner in which you got the man out. We shall be pleased to send a recommendation to the Royal Humane Society and hopw you will receive the medal.  Mr. Joyce associated himself with Alderman Bulley's remarks. _  The Chairman also asked Supt. McDonald to be kind enough to write the captain of the Triumph stating how pleased they were with ilawkin's conduct.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-08-10 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

HITCHINGS LD., 74, BOLD STREET, LIVERPOOL,  HIGH IN QUALITY.  whose business it is to permeate the clergy with Mar Man Socialism. How far this propaganda has succeeded will be seen when, at the last Church Congress, one of the bishops, of all fmople, openly declared ''that if Socialism was impossible, so was Christianity." The bishop in question had evidently not overlooked the fact that both the founder of Christianity and the apostle to the Gentiles were pronounced Socialists. What can be mere Socialistic than the utterance of Paul: "If a man not work, neither shall he eat."  Mr. King, however. endeavours to side track the Socialism whose flag is red by raising the standard of Christian Socialism, which means piety and charity withouz any change in the industrial order. But, may I ask, what is the use of giving to the poor in charity, a fraction, and a very small fraction, too, of what they have been relieved of in the shape of rent, dividends, interest, and other claims on the wealth created bv the worker. . .  Then, again, what reason have we to believe that men like Mr. Rockefeller or the late Russel Sage, do care, have cared, or ever will care for the. Church. or piety, or charity, or anything else unliss there is a profit attached to it? For two thousand years the churches have preached Christianity and charity, and to-day have the millionaire and the pauper, the Yankee trust and Chicago tinned meat; the famished seamtress, the Crown, and the black country; Westminster and the Bridge of. Sigh, where the unfortunate end the sickening tragedy ul their mean and squalid lives by suicide. Who has not heard of Cradley—Cradley in the Black country?—where the women, some of them in an advanced stage of pregnancy, some with babes at their breast, make chains—just think of it—women make. chains for twopence. au hour. and  find thcir own tuel and their iittle forge as well.  Is there any need for alteration then, or is there not If we Socialists are wrong, why not bring figur,.s sad facts so show where we ale wrong? Why not demonstrate how private euterpriso ond "thinking imperially '• lowers lents, increases wages. makes slums unprolitakie, life happy and wholesome and furthers improvement and provess in every direction. When this is done, we shall be satisfied; until it is dono we shall be satisfied with nothing short of Socialism.—Yours, etc., C. E. S.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1889-08-31 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY A BIRKENHEAD COUNCILLOR..  At the Borough Police-CM7rt on Thursday, before Mr. Preston, Mr. William Samuel! Wootton, 'LC., a representative of Bebington Ward, was placed in the dock and charged with having attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. The prisoner had that morning been discharged from the Borough liospital. The only witness called was Dr. Main, of New Ferry, who deposed as follows: Mr. Wootton was in business troubles and is a sensitive man. Now, he is keenly alive to anything unpleasant. For months he had not had proper sleep, and at last his mind gave way, and he, in that state, attempted to commit suicide. He is now removed from danger but cannot speak ; his voice is still so low thst he cannot make himself distinctly heard. Mr. Preston : Is there any other evidence? Supt. Clarke: No other, only the inspector who visited the house afterwards. Mr. Preston then addressed the prisoner and said: I am sorry to see a gentleman of your position in the position in which you are now placed. I understand that your mind became nubbiged by some. troubles that you had hod and that in that way you came to do the rash act which has placed you here. Now that you are better I can only ask you never to repeat such an offence as that. I have no doubt you never will; your own good sense—now that you are in your senses—wilt tell you that it is an sot which should never be attempted. I trust you will never, never repeat such an act. The medical gentleman says you are quite right now and have come to your proper senses, and I shall now discharge you. Mr. Wooton was then allowed to descend from the dock, and left the court in company with his medical  &tt.ndant.