npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Widnes Examiner. — 1894-04-07 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

CLERGYMAN SURPRISED. .  (From the " ltushden Times.")  A remarkable story has been related by Mr. James Mackness, a retired member of the Medical Staff Corps, w'ho had been in foreign service in India, Africa, Egypt, and Ashantee, and who, in the year 1892, was, after returning to his native place, ttricken down with paralysis. Thousands of the inhabitants of Rushden can vouch for the truth of the, narrative, and a representative of the " Rushden Times" has elicited the following particulars : One Saturday night in the month of February, 1892, Meekness retired to rest, hale and hearty. As far as he knew he slept well through the night, but when he awoke on Sunday morning he lay a helpless mass of flesh and bone, and speechless. Previous to this calamitous affliction he had never suffered a day's seriou illness. For tw,s months he was unable to shift his little finger, much less the legs and arms which had . served him wAI during the forty-two years of his life. The sudden attack was the theme of conversation with the inhabitants, amongst whom Mackness was a favourite. Everything that could be done was done for him. The doctor was summoned, hut after prescribing a few bottles of medicine, could not give any hope of Mackness' recovery. The patient was removed from his bed in a cab to Northampton Infirmary, where he stayed as an in-patient four or five weeks; but when he came out he was very little better and this disappointment preyed so much upon his mind that he determined several times to commit suicide. He felt, he said, as though he hoped the earth would open and swallow him up. He told our representative it was impossible for him to accurately describe the depth of mental depression and physical latigour which he suffered. He lingered on at home in a dreadfully depressed and utterly hopeless condition. He could not have picked up a pin or a straw if anyone had cffered him '
Widnes Examiner. — 1894-09-22 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

DISTRESSING SUICIDE AT RUNCORN.  A BLACKSMITH DROWNS HIMSELF IN THE  SHIP CANAL. A distressing case of selt-destruction occurred at Runcorn on Thursday morning,just after six o'clock, the victim b. ing a blacksmith named Frederick Williams, who had resided until Wednesday at Dunham-&-th'-llill. He was about 31 years of age, and for a considerable time has been of unsound mind. On Wednesday he left his home at Dunham-o'-th-Hill,accompanied by his sister, and journeved to Runcorn,whence he had come to visit his brother Tnomas,at N 0.9, Hartleyst. His sister left him with Thomas,and returned home. They retired to l-ed in the usual way, and all went well until 6.15 the following morning, when Frederick jumped up from his bed, partially 'dressed himself, and left the bedroom saying to his brother Thomas that he was going to the convenience in the yard. The suspicions of Thomas seemed to be aroused,however,and he,l!stening, heard his brother open the yard gate. He immediately got up and followed as fast as he could. He saw his brother running down Irwell-lane and just as he reached the bottom he got on to the Ship Canal bank and jumped into the water. A flatman named Wm. Tillman, of Weston Point, who was near the Old Quay, also saw the occurrence, and procured a boat hook with the intention of rendering the drowning man some assistance. The hook was too short, however, to reach him, and he flung out a rope, but Williams did not take it. A life-buoy was then brought by Guy Pearce, lock master, and it was thrown to the man. This al§o Williams did not apparently try to grasp, and he thereupon sank. Grappling operations at once began, and it was not until 9.45 that the body of the unfortunate man was recovered from the water about one hundred yards '.'rom the spot where he jumped in. It was conveyed to 9, Hartley-street.—The Coroner has been informed of the circumstances, and it is expected that be will hold an inquiry this (Friday) afternoon, or Saturday morning.
Widnes Examiner. — 1894-08-11 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

POISONED BY SPIRTS OF SALTS AT WARRINGTON.  A painter' named William Richardson, 47 years of age, who had been living apart from his wife at 63, Chorley-Street, Warrington, committed suicide on Satutday by drinking some spirits of salts. An inquest was held in the Parade-room on Tuesday evening by lir. Brighouse, coroner, touching .the death of the dectad. Evidence. .of identification was given by Joseph Thomas Pichardson, son of the deceased. When he saw his father a week previous to his death witness said deceased then seemed in his usual good stats of mind. Drink W,19 the cAuse of the deceased's 'separation from hi 4 wife, but since ' Christmas deceased had been temperate. Witness spoke to deceased a short time, previous to his death, and asked him whether he was not sorry for the rash act he had committed, to which the deceased replied " I am in one sense, but not in another."— Fjizabeth Worrall, 63. Chorley-st. stated that the deceased was hefnephew,and he commenced to lodge with her a few weeks before Christmas. On Saturday morning be wot up a little before six o'clock. Shortly afterwards sriebeard deceased shouting " Mother, mother." Witness went downstairs, and he told her that he had poisoned himself. Tim bottle produced containing spirits of salts was by his side. He used it in his business, and kept it in a shed near the house.. She had never noticed anything strange in his conduct, and be had never said anything about taking' away his life. He had been very steady since Christmas. Inspector Bowen gave evidence as to questioning the deceased before he died. Witoess aske;l him whether ,he had taken it by mistake or whether he had taken it wilfully. Decea.ed that he .had taken it wilfully as "he couldir't s'andat any longer." He said he met one of his lads in the street, and offered him a two-shilling pieee. He refuse it, saying that his mother told him tlia t. he must not speak to him, and this had preyed upon his mind. He was tired of ty!ing senarated from his family. "Ehe C.roner commented npoo the folly of potting chil:lren against their parents.—The jury returned a verdict of " Suiede whilst temporarily in-ane."  %VEST NTI:11T U .xMAfI SCIICOL —We to notice I I,at the West Grammar School is prospering under the headmatership of the Rev. W. 11(010 a Ito WHS for many years an assistant twster at Warrington Grammar School. The or have nearly t relied since his appointment. There are nine hoatd,rs, and a house for, the accommodation adjoining the school is now nearly completed. West Kirhy is an increasing town delightfully situated at the month of the • Dee, and there seems every prospect that the schol will eventually be a very large one. _
Widnes Examiner. — 1894-05-26 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

JOHN MORLEY ON POLITICAL AFF SIRS.  Mr. John Morley, M.P., speaking to his constituents on Monday night at Newcastle, said they had suffered a great loss through the retirement of Mr. Gladstone, but the torch that he had lighted must be carried on. Mr. Goschen said the Liberal party were being torn by a disruption of interests. It was quite true that many different interests were struggling for priority. Why not ? But whatever rivalry there might be there was one common interest—they did not believe in turning ministers out simply because they would not give priority to any one of these. competitive measures. Common sense in politics must win in he long run. He did not quarrel with the friends who made these rival claims, hut the Government must decide this question of priority. The Government had. done their best to fulfil their pledges. They had carried the Home Rule Bill through toe House of Commons, and they had carried one great measure—the Parish Councils ICl—which would de more than any bill since the Reform Bill of 1832 to quicken public life. He held that the power of the House of U.irds should he strictly limited, and that speeches in Parliament should be much shorter. He said that Ireland was more tranquil now than she had been for 20 years past ; but he had not adopted the Unionist form of government in Ireland, for during his term of office there had not been one man tried under the Coercion Act. England must not forget the condition on which tranquility in Ireland had been secured. That condition was that there should be no paltering with the Irish demand. Failure to give that demand a prominent place would be perilous for the Government. He toliched upon the Registration Bill and the Budget proposakand referring to the Independent Labour party, said the poi.licv of labour representatives in making war on the Liberal party was insanity and suicide. In fact there was much ground to be cleared by the Liberal party before the industrial population could take their destinies into their own hands.
Widnes Examiner. — 1909-04-10 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

EFF,NDANT'S COMPLAINT.—Martin Mann ion, bank ?If the award had been in favour of the hank,there Bridge-street, was charged with making use of obscene would never have been a word said about those pro- language on the 13th March.—Mr. Carter Inspector of ceaings. It was spite and simple revenge. Because the Tramways. said the defendant went up they had been " licked " those proceedings were to him at the Rylands'-street terminus and taken. In conclusion he said that on the ft 4,3 of that made use of some most disensting language the case oughtsto be dismissed. saying that the Chief Constable and De' esti veßedd ngThe prisoner was committed to the Assizes. ton were no good. A number of ladies were ahout Prisoner was granted bail in the sum of £l9. at the time.—Mannion said that Detective Reidingtoa was continually after him and he was enough to make a man coapnit suicide (Latiehter). The Chief Constable stated that .the defendant was only before the court the previous Tuesday for plying a ca' for hire without a licrece.—He was orc'ered to pay 10s. and costs. A PITIFUL CASE -e-Ann Jane Holbro of no settled abode a young woman of respectable appearance, was ' charged with being drunk and disorderly in Bridge. street the previous niehr. Sergeant Barlow statad thtt he -saw the prisoner drunk and disorderly at a qnarter, to Ii the previous night. For the past fortnight she had been a perfect pest to the towns--The Chief Constable strteed. it would be very clOsirsble if the woman would go to a home. The clerk (to defendant) : Will you consent to going to a home ? —Prisoner -: -I will see Mr. Firth later on the .subject.—The matter .vres egain brought forward at the end of the court. Prisoner : My case has been heard once this morning.—The Chief. C instable stated that the defendant nppearedlo be baldly right in the bead.—Mr. Firth stated that he had interviewed the woman and could make nothing of her. —Prisoner was remanded to the Wtsrkhouae in order that her tnental condition might be inquired into.
Widnes Examiner. — 1909-08-21 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

RUNCORN AND WIDNES.  This was accepted and in a few weeks it is txrected the discussion will take place. After Mr. Roberts' speech question time came, and -this was promptly taken advantage of. Mr. BrearlY ALLEGED ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT RUNCORN asked Mr. Rylends if the price of food would not be %I ORKHO USE, raised if they gave a preference to the Colonies? On Tuesday morning, at Runcorn, William Whitfield, Mr. Rylands replied that it might be a little, but it an old man of 75 years, who wept copiously, was was not worth mentioning. s W charged with attempting to cothmitt suicide at Dutton In proposing a resolution to Mr. Roterts for hiorkhouse. Mr. Boyce, assistant master, said the address. Mr. Charles Cowper stated that he was the prisoner was admitted into the hospital with a sprained longest employer of labour in Lymm as a fustian cutter knee sustained while on the tramp from Manchester to and he paid the biggest wages. Liverpool. On the 6th inst. he was to be discharged as Mr. Mills seconded, and it was carried, cured, but he was found on the exercise-ground with his A resolution was also pissed to Mr. Rylands. throat cut. Superintendent Ennion said the prisoner Mr. Brearley called Mr. Rylands' alt : ntion to the was a compositor, and belonged to Brownlow-hill. The omission of any resolqtion aga'nst the Budget and asked prisoner said he did not know that he had a soul him why one had riot been put. . belonging to him. He had applied for an old-age _Mr. Roberts was on his feet in a moment and said it pension, but he did not get one because he had had was not usual to put resolutions at outdoor meetings. arish relief. The prisoner was discharged, and sent Mr. Brearley : V% hat about Manchester, Hastings back to the Workhouse. and other places? Mr. Roberts replied that they were not going to put a
Widnes Examiner. — 1909-02-06 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

PENKETH.  Surctim AT PExturrir.—Nluch consternation and I regret was caused in the village of Penketh on Thursday afternoon last week when the news was circulated that a well-known villager Mr. George Fone, of Doe Green, had committed suicide by hanging himself in the next door neighbour's hen run. The inquest was held at the Crown and Cushion Inn on Saturday morning by Coroner Brighouse.—Ann Fone, wife of the deceased, said he was GI years of age last October. Ho was a tanner by trade and had been employed up to 11 weeks ago at the Penketh tannery. In the latter part of last year deceased fell down some stone steps at the tannery and had been under the doctor's care for 10 weeks, lie had not worked since the accident. On the 27th of last month deceased told her " that he would not be able to work any more." On the Thursday afternoon she saw him walking in the garden. Deceased had never "looked up" since he met with the accident ; he had not been the same man.—Ellen Carman a neat door neighbour, said that about three o'clock on the Thursday afternoon, she went out into the garden and found the deceased hanging by his neck to the top of the fowl run. She summoned her husband wfa) was working close by and he cut deceased down.—Joseph Carman, husband of the last witness, said that when found, deceased had a piece of rope round his neck and he was in a kneeling position. Deceased could have saved himself if he desired, by standing up erect, as it was he had strangled himself. %Vitness justslipped back the knot on the rope and the deceased was free. After discussion in co ivate the jury returned a verdict of "suicide whilst of unsound mind." The coroner expressing sympathy with the wife and son of the deceased.—Deceased will be much missed in the village. He was a highly respected man and up to the time of his death was n member of the Bible Class conducted by Mr. C. E. Parker at the Wesleyan Church.
Widnes Examiner. — 1909-11-27 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

EARLESTOWN AND NEWTON.  RAILWAY MYSTERY.—ECHO OF A TRAGEDY. Mr. Brighouse resumed the inquest at Burtonwood on Wednesday on Edith Cooke, of Station-road, Haydock, whose mutilated body was found on the Liverpool and Manchester rain line, near Collins Green Station on Sunday the 7th inst. The body was only identified a few minutes before the inquest was opened a fortnight ago. Dr. Unsworth had singe made a post-mortem examination. He skid that both ankles were dislocated, and there was a large wound in the middle of the back, which had evidently been caused by a very severe blow by a large blunt instrument. The skull was smsshed the neck WAS broken, and there were other injuries. The Coroner asked if witness had ever seen a cue like this, of a body being smashed up. Dr. Unsworth : No, nothing like it. The Coroner asked if death was clearly caused by the injuries. Witness said the conditions were consistent with being knocked down and run over by a train. He did not think she had been run over in the sense that the wheels passed over her. He rather fancied that the woman was lying down and that she was struck in'the back by the guard in front of the wheels and pushed violently along the line. The Coroner: The train must have been going at a great speed? Witness said the speed must have been high to cause such injuries. Inspector Burton said he thought it was simply a case of suicide.  Constable Iltu3sett said that when he was preparing the body for the post-mortetn he found stitched in the chemise a newspaper report of the proceedlugs at Newton-le-Willows, where the deceased was tined for cruelty to her son, Elijah Perkins. Herbert Cooke, the husband, said that on Saturday, the 6th of 'November, be went to his father's at Burtonwood, and at night his wife followed. When they left the house she said that she would go shopping and was undecided whether to go to Earlestown or Si. Helens. She then left him, and he went home to Haydock. He waited up until one o'clock, but his wile never dame back. He was her second husband. When the constable came to inquire about his wife he cou'd not believe that she was the woman who had been found .on the line. His wife was very much upset by the police court proceedings which followed the inquest on her son, who was found drowned in the canal at Earlestown.  The Coroner pointed out that there was no absolute evidence that the woman bad committed suicide, and the jury returned an open verdict. They expressed the opinion that there slas no blame attaching to the bushand. The Coroner called Cooke into the room and told him what the jury had said, and said that be concurred in the verdict. It sr ould be a satisfacti(m to him to know that that inquiry arid the police incpiries had been held.
Widnes Examiner. — 1909-09-18 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

FULL OF ALE AND AGGAAVATION.—John Makin, of SLarp-street, was charged with using obscene language in hearing of Sharp-street on the 16th of August.— Defendant on being asked if he were guilty replied: "Yes, I was full of ale and aggravation." (Laughter). He was fined Gs. ATTEMPTED Sulcibi.l—Margaret Cartwright, a middle-aged woman, of Hamilton-street, was charged with attempting to committee suicide in the River Mersey at Paddington Lock -on August 19th.—The Chief Constable stated that defendant was seen by the lock-keeper at Paddington endeavouring to get into the water. She bad keen cautioned by somebody on the opposite 'side of the river before. Information was  given to the police and she was removed to the Infirmary where she had been since. There was a sister in court and if she were prepared to look after her he saw no reason why defendant should not be allowed to go. He understand there was some little difference between the defendant and her huaband.—Defendant's sister said she would do all she could for her. Mr. Firth (police court missionary) also promised his help and defendant was given into the custody of her friends. DISORDERLY BEHAVlOCR.—Frederick George Wade, 23, Winwick-streot, was fined 4s. for disorderly behaviour in Horsemarket-street on the Bth of September. PITCH AND Toss.—Edwin and Harry Jackson, two youths of 33, New-road, were charged with playing "pitch and toss" for money in a passage off York-street on the sth of Sept ember.—Police-constable Cox said that about 11.50 a.m. on Sunday, the sth, he was in Knutsford-road w hen he received a complaint that the defendants were playing "pitch and toss" for money in the passage off York-street. Witness proceeded there and caught Harry Jackson and obtained their names arra addresses. They were pitching money up.— Defendants were fined 2s. Gd. each. _ _ •  —..--.- _
Widnes Examiner. — 1891-07-11 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

SUICIDE IN A WARRINGTON SCHOOL.  On Tuesday morning an inquest was held by Mr. Coroner Brighouse in the Parade Room of the Police btation,touching the death of Alfred Earl, labourer, aged 49 years, of No. 9, Stevenson-st., which occurred under the circumstances hereafter detailed. Jane Earl, his wife, deposed that her husband got up on Sunday morning about 7.30, and left the house, leaving her in bed, and telling her he was going to the Hamilton-st. Schools. This had been his habit for the last five years. Recleaned the schools, ancl he went to get them ready. She expected him back at 8.30 to breakfast, but lie did not come back, so she went to the schools in search of him. She found th 3 cellar door wide open, and found the deceased hanging by a rope to the cellar grid. She touched him and he was cold. She went and told Mrs. Ellen Chadwick. The deceased had taken a clothes line from behind the closet door. Mrs. Chadwick told the police, who came and cut the deceased down. Witness and Mrs. Chadwick thought he ought not to be cut down until the police came. He had been drinking for the last fortnight, and been overworked, and he had eaten nothing. He never threatened to take his life, and she never thought he would do so. He could not sleep at night, and that was the reason he had been taking too much drink. He had no trouble at all, and worked well.—Mrs. Chadwick said she was called to the school by Mrs. Earl, and found the deceased hanging up.—P.C. Wheatley said about 11. o'clock on Sunday morning he received information of the suicide of the deceased. Ho went to the school and in the coal cellar found the deceased hanging there quite cold and stiff; and at once cut him down. The women had been under the mistaken impression that they hathno right to cut him down. The place where he hung was very low, so that his feet were out and his knees only about four inches from the floor. He had hung himself to a chain, that came from the cellar grid. A verdict of suicide during temporary insanity was immediately returned.