npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-09-11 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

SUICIDE OF MR. MATTHEW WOOD, ELDEST SON OF THE LATE ALDERMAN WOOD.  On Friday an inquest was held by Mr. Wakley, upon the body of Mr. Matthew Wood, aged 42, son of the late Alderman Wood, and brother of the present ViceChancellor Wood, who committed suicide by taking a large dose of poison. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased, who held a lucrative post in the mail department of the General Poet Office, had applied to be elected to the head of that department, which bad become vacant some months ago. The result of the application was, that he was placed on probation for six months. During this period the unfortunate gentleman became very desponding, as he found out that he WPS not fitted to fill the onerous duties of the situation. As the time passed on he became gradually more and more depressed, and several times I exclaimed, 'lt must be either success or prussic acid.' There was nothing beyond depression of spirits, however, that could induce his friends to suppose he would actually commit suicide. At the expiration of the probationary six months, upon going to his office, he discovered that he was not confirmed in the appointment, not being considered sufficiently competent. He returned home to his house at St. John's Wood completely broken-hearted, and retired to his bedroom about half-past five. Ilia non-appearance before eight o'clock induced his housekeeper to go up and call him, and, upon receiving no answer, she had the door opened. The deceased seas then found lying on his bed in a sleeping posture, but quite dead, life having been extinct for some time. A glass and a bottle, which had contained cyonide of potassium, used by (ha deceased for photographic purposes, was found by his bedside, and from the medical testimony it would appear that he ha I taken five or six ounces, a quantity sufficient to kill fifty men. A small piece of paper was found near the body, on which was described the property of the deceased, and the money due to him by the Post-office. 'Verdict—lnsanity.
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-03-06 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

TRAGIC SUICIDE.  The Gazette of Mons gives the following particulars of an actor and actress in that city having committed suicide: 'H. Carman, of. the theatre of Douai, came on Monday last to see his sister-in-law, Madame Carman, the first cantitrice of our theatre. He was to have left the next day, but delayed his departure. " I have only to play in three days," said lie to a friend, 'and I shall net leave Mons until Thursday morning ; shall arrive in time for the performance." On Wednesday, at about tea o'clock, Madame Carman told her fernmede-chambre to go down stairs and not to return until rung for; she :ilso said that ahe would order her dinner when she would require it. Up to half-past six in the evening Mad. Carman had called no one, and the servant who had been up several times to the room-door had not found the key in the lock. The mistress of the hotel having become alarmed at the long silence, at length went up to the room occupied by the actress. After having called several times without receiving a reply she caused the dour to be forced open. The chamber presented its customary nppearance, and nothing would lead one to suppose that anything extraordinary had taken place, but the curtains of the bed were closed. On opening them a frightful spectacle presented itself. Madame Carman and her brother-in-law were found lying dead, hotbed in their blood, each of them holding a pistol in the hand. They were locked in each other's arms, and, must have killed themselves at a given signal. From the position of the bodies it was clear that death must have been instantaneous. Madame Carman was dressed in a white muslin peignoir, and her brother-in-law was in full dress. The two bodies were conveyed to the hospital at about nine °clock. It appears thatin the morning M. Carman had gone to the shop of M. Clesse, • gunsmith, and purchased two pistols of 12f. each, some percussion caps, gunpowder, and slugs. He wanted them, he said, for a friend in France. He selected the pistols himself w ith great care, and refused some that were recommended, because the triggers worked too stiffly. Ile talked very freely with M. Clesse, and when he had made his choice, asked him if a man could kill himself with such playthings. M. Clesse said that a man could kill another at twenty paces with one of them, provided he hit hum H. Certain laughed and went away. Madame Carman was 22 years of age, and her brother-in-law 23.'
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-09-01 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

OPIUM E A TIN G.  A tall, fine looking gentieinan, who was described on the charge sheet as Count Napoleon de Zuechi,' and who was dressed in the uniform of a captain of the Paris mounted gendarmerie, was brought before Mr. Sechee, at the Southwark Police-office, London, by Frederifik Bough, 112 M, from St. Thomas's IlospiMl, charged with attempting to commit suicide by taking a large quantity of opium.  The constable stated that on Friday evening he was on duty in Red Lion Street, Southwark, when he saw the prisoner walking slowly with his wife. The latter called to him, and said her husband had taken • quantity of opium, and ohs was afraid that he had injured himself. 'Witness took him to his lodging, the Hotel de Normandie, close by, when he became insensible. Ile then called in a medical man, who advised his immediate removal to the hospital, when the stomach-pump vvas used, and after considerable trouble Ile was restored to animation. The quantity of opium he took had such no effect on him that he was unable to leave the hospital until that morning, when he vient and took him into custody. Ile then told witness in broken English that he was in the habit of frequently taking opium, as much as 15 to 20 grains at a time, and that by accident he took an overdose.  Mr. Si:cut:a—l see by his military dress that he appears to belong tcr*the army. Do you know what he is? Constable —I understand that lie was formerly a captain of the French mountod gendarmerie, and that he was connected with some emeate against the government in 1851, and that he made his escape from Paris to this country a short time afterwards. Ile has documents showing his desire to enlist in the Italian Legion about being formed to assist the allied armies in the Crimea. Mr, SF:CKER —What reason has he assigned for attempting to commit suicide. Is he in difficulties? Constable—lle has a large gold ring on one of his fingers worth 400 f, and his wife says he is in no difficulties. . .  An interpreter who was in court said that the Count had been in the army of Africa, and when there he accustomed himself to take opium. Since he had been in London he continued it, and his wife accompanied him to the chemist where he purchased it. Mr. SECKER to the wife —Do you think your husband meant to destroy himself? Wife (in very good English).-oh, no Sir; he only took rather too much. Mr.
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-11-22 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

RECKLESS FIRING FROM EDINBURGH CASTLE —NARROW ESCAPE.—On Saturday night, while a man named Kedzlie was walking along the Castle Terrace, a bullet, fired from the Castle, passed through the rim of his hat, and lodged above his eye, just beneath the skin. Fortunately but little injury was inflicted, but the difference of half an inch in Kedzlie's position would in all probability have led to a fatal result. The bullet, it is believed, was fired from an air-gun by one of the officers. We understand that on Monday two of the officers of the 9'2d Regiment, rimy quartered in the Castle, were examined by the Fiscal, and held to bail in connexion with the affair. —Scotsman.  We announced lately the death of Sir William Pilkington, Bart. The youthful Baronet had only recently succeeded to his estates in Staffordshire. Sir William had been for a short time somewhat indisposed, but he only experienced serious illness two or three days previous to his decease. By his death, his only surviving brother, Lionel, succeeds to the title, and will enjoy the Yorkshire property ; but the Butterton e:itate reverts to the second son of Colonel Charles Kerney! Kemeys Tynte, cousin of the late Sir William, w!,10 is at present with his regiment in the Crimea. Tee LATE ATTEMPT AT Muni-gm—One of the three men charged with the attempted assassination of Messrs. Ramsbottom and Beecham, has been discharged, but another man has since been apprehended near Moate. The following are the names of the parties now in custody, us., Edward Murray, Bernard Feeney, and Thomas Nestin. The nature of the evidence against them has not transpircl They are detained for farther examination.  SUICIDE AT Corte. —A gentlemen named Dickson committed suicide on Sunday, at his residence, Grattan's Hill, by cutting his throat with a razor. An inquest was held on the body on Tuesday, and a verdict returned to the r frect that the deceased destroyed himself whi6t labouring under temporary insanity. The domestic calamity in the family of the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, is, we are informed, the death, after a short iiiness, of the lady of Mr. Charles E. Pollock, of the Home Circuit.  The two young Russian officers who lat, ly escaped from the war prison at Lewes have reached the neutral territory of Hamburg, aud are now on their way to Russia.
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-10-04 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

LOCKHART.'  SHOCKING MURDER AND SUICIDE AT BILSTON.  About six o'clock on Monday morning, Mr. William Russell, a confident:al clerk in the employ of Messrs. Perry & Sans, ironfounclers, High Field., was aroused from sleep by the loud and piercing shrieks of his children, who were in bed in an adjoining apartment. Finding that his wife had left his aide he instantly leaped from his bed, and rushed to the children's room. There ha was horrified at perceiving his son Joseph, aged four years, writhing with a frightful wound in his throat. At the same time he saw his wife dropping upon the floor with a large knife in her hand, which, after having been used by her in taking the life of her child, had been drawn across her Omit throat. Within a few minute., Mr. W. 11. Ilancox, surgeon, was upon the premises. He was for a time in doubt as to which of the persons— the mother or the child—most needed his immediate aid. The woman recovered consciousness only when she was being placed in bed, and then by a movement of her hands she indicated that she wished to be allowed to die. She now lies in a state of partial stupor, and cannot survive. The boy died in half an hour after the surgeon arrived. The only assignable cause for the dreadful occurrence ion depression of spirits, from which the poor woman has been recently suffering. She was devotedly attached to her children ; the loss of one about twelve months ago occasioned her considerable grief. There exists little doubt that the woman intended to take the lives of all her children, but was prevented by the alarm raised.* the two other child ren tone of whom was eleven years of age), which brought her husband to the spot; and it was not until he was close at hand that she laid violent hands upon herself.
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-11-27 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

DRUNKENNESS IN THE CRIMEA.  Extract of a letter from Sebastopol, dated Nov. 9 :---` Intoxication has greatly increased among the troops since the grant of the fit-Id allowances of Gd. per diem in addition to their former pay. Some of the drunken scenes about the camps of late have been discreditable in the extreme. On the evening of the 4th instant two privates of the 33d Regiment were carried home to their camp in such a state of insensibility from drinking, that notwithstanding the use of the stotnach.punip, and every means that medical skill and attention could devise,neither could be restored. Both of these men died fl the unconscious and brutal condition into which they had plunged themselves of their own free will. On the afternoon of the 6th instant, one of the serjeants of the Grenadier Company of the Connaught Rangers, who had seen long service with the regiment, and who had several times been conspicuous for bravery, deliberately committed suicide, and it is feared that the artificial horror produced by over-indulgence in strong drink for some days previously was the exciting cause of the dreadful act. Ile selected a time when all the men were away from the but which he occupied excepting one, and this one he got rid of by sending him to purchase some trifling article. Ile then deliberately took off the bout and stocking from his right foot, and having planted the muzzle of a loaded firelock, which he grasped firmly with clenched hands, against the upper part of his throat, lie pulled the trigger with the too of his bare foot, and the contents of the weapon passed through his brain. The condition of the dying man, when first seen by those whom the report of the musket attracted to the spot, and the evidence afforded by the direction of the wound, and the passage of the ball through the roof of the hut, showed that he committed the fatal act in the manner described. There seems also to have been a marked increase of intoxication among the French troops since the termination of the siege.'
Glasgow Courier. — 1859-06-07 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

TSB MURDER AND SUICIDE IN GALWAY. e captain Ffrench, it appears, was seen in Dublin on the afternoon of Monday, at 5 o'clock. He arrived at MI, Dawson Street, with his wife, to whom wag only two months married. They had only reeentiv come from London, where they spent the , h„„ernoon. He left hie lodgings, stating to Mrs Ffrench cull go to Mitchell's. to get a cigar and a glees of He did go to Mitchell's, and there drank a 'glee of brandy with the soda-water. This was between 1 and 6 o clock. The Hon. Martin Ffrench, his father, '.l,st,pping at the hotel at Malahide, and it is stated that rfrench, when leaving Mitchell's, asked if he would iv in time for the train to that place. He went away, but not to return to Dawson Street, nor at to proceed Malshide, for his wife and other friends saw no more of him; and Mrs Ffrench, being alarmed at his shoelace, ,rehed for him in various quarters of the city. He 'Must have proceeded direct to Ballinitsloe by train, for at 11 o'clock that night he got out of the mail tain at the Ballinuloe station, which leaves no doubt that he left publiu at a quarter-past 7on Monday evening. From Bellinsaloe he went on a jaunting oar with two gentlemen, Mr Cruise and Mr Lennox, to the village of ihascriagh, distant about six mike, where he arrived shout 1 o'clock on Tuesday morning. At this place he hired a cab for himself, and, unaccompanied save by the pmceeded to the village of Ballygar, which is within two miles of Ida father's estate. He applied unsuccessfully for admission to the hotel at Ballygar, and then directed the driver to go fft. Brandon's, one of the residences of the Ffrench family, in the occupation of the deceased Mr Burke, who,. it had been arranged, was to remove from it, aa it was intended to be the residence of Captain Ffrench and his bride: The car reached St. Brandon's at three o'clock in the morning. It being then daylight, Captain Ffrench, having knocked at the door, was informed by Mr Burke's steward that his master was at
Glasgow Courier. — 1859-04-23 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

MYSTERIOUS CASE.  On Monday week a body was found early in the morrnnlf lying among some rocks under the East cliff at te. The body was perfectly naked; there was an ugly hole in the breast over the heart, and all the fingers on one of the hands were chopped oil. Further investigations led to the discovery of the clothes which had once been wrapped round the body. A hatchet was picked up, and the missing fingers were found. The body was identified. Several persons recognised the corpse as that of a man whom they had seen walking, talking, ' eating, drinking, Sze., among the living. It was ascertained that he was a German who had arrived at Southampton from America at the end of March. From Southampton he went to London, telling inquirers that he was a German travelling for pleasure. From London, early in April, he journeyed to Dover; Mr Samuel Kidd, an itinerant lecturer, we believe, travelled with him in the same carriage, and remarked that one of his hands was bandaged. •At Dover the German bought a hatchet; and here he gave himself out to boa Russian. He next went to Deal. Between Dover and Deal he was the only passenger by the omnibus; on the road a German Bible was picked up; it is assumed the German or Russian threw it away. From Deal he passed on to Ramsgate. From Ramsgate he went to Margate, carrying his carpet-bag with him, and returning without it What had become of it? The bag was found in the neighbourhood of Margate; its contents had disappeared ; but two shirts and a handkerchief were found; the marks had been picked out. While at Margate he paid a visit to a house of ill fame. He returned to Ramsgate; he was seen walking near the Cliffs late in the evening; -the next morning he was found naked and dead on the beach. Now, it is supposed that this unfortunate man took his own life. It is esteemed that be denied his nationality, picked out the marks from his linen, deprived himself of his beard and mustache, threw away his Bible, cut the tops of his boots, chopped off his fingers, and stripped himself naked, in order to remove all clue to his name. But there are two circumstances which make great holes in the theory. fr the first place, the wound in the breast was Osumi to be larger internally than externally, stewing that the knife must have been moved in wounit. jsnt as the man died the moment the knife .74 into his heart, he could not have moved it himself; na,'• more, he weld not have drawn it out of the wound. Yet, where is the knife? It was not in the body; it has mi.."' been found. Those who favour the idea of suicide asstue that the knife was struck out of the wound and washed out to sea. Yet, why the knife alone, when all the clothes, and the body itself, were washed ashore It does not appear that the man really did destroy every clue to his identity, for a scrap of paper was picked lip near the body bearing these words in German— " Dear Mother —Here are five dollars little, but from a good lieut.—
Glasgow Courier. — 1859-02-01 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

STEEL.) novel experiment was tried to discover his friends. his warm adherence to that " sacrificial theology" Franklin barque, of Liverpool, which sailed from 3 4,..1° bales, at stiffer but not quotably higher prices. and intelligent interest. His age was, we believe, about The proceedings of this case having been adjourned till A note was attached to one of the pigeons, and it which is strongly disapproved of by his Unitarian Pen ola for Queensto , was fallen in with, 10th ult., in lat. 44 N., lon. 65 W., waterlogged, decks s pt, and ' s•e„,araah Jan. 18.-The sales of cotton to-day were . 77. He was the eldest living son of the late Harry to-day, there appeared Mr J. L. Lang, writor, Glasgow, was instantly liberated. The result was, that a friends. He has resigned the editorship; but has not dismasted, by the Minitel tan, hence, and took off the --- ' The market is finn, but accurate quotations Lumsden, of Belhelvie. Mr Lumsden waa one of the 1,400 bales'. oldest members of the Faculty of Advocates, having on behalf of the trustee; Mr J. Clark, writer, Glasgow, brother of the deceased arrived at Barnet•ancl recog- yet given up the preachership, or formally left the captain (Young), officers, and crew, and taken to New "15°t,,, bg.te:" ' 17 -Cotton firmer but not quot- paseed in 1806. He wae accurate and impressive agent for the bankrupt, 'and her sister, Catherine Ann . nised the dead body of his relative in about an hour body. He says his views have been changing for York, which port she Arrived, 17th ult. "ew -• ' •'" 'll. . Sal -de ' ' 000 bales. se a speaker, and was esteemed rtec es Me, J, a sound lawyer. Latta; and Mr W. Babtie, writer, Dumbarton, for Mr D• Th d d •ded tN 2 J ' t. bthh f It t tta h tto S h Sh f Ca d'ff f Bos " I afterwards. e ecease real a o. , enner s some ime; u e as e a s rong a c men p ax, aw, rom i 1 or ton, 48 , ays out, ably changed in P, jd .to Boston id. Sugar still For a time he held, we believe, the position of HI kf • the Unitaxian body from early associations, and from put into Bermuda, 6th It leak • tof sails, Court, ac nars. u ~ y, WRB IR WWI Freights to Liverpos..l t0.d,:.; 560 h head's t ad Ad te D te 1 1 tl . t , ogs ,a an vance voca - epu , an< was su rsequen y appeal - J. Bannatyne, Glasgow, agent for the Western Bank. ATrEMPTED SUICIDE BY A SOLDIER AT THE BANK te riiiiino and revisions its protest against intolerance and its attention „, . p . • buoYaut ; sale' -----' ' '-5 to 6c. Molasses advanced ed Sheriff-Principal of Sutherlandshire. The du- Mr LANG, on behalf of tho irustee, stated that he had ractical morality. erald, from Pernambuco for Boston, vnth a cargo of of 4c. Fair to fully fair, esc. morning a sen ine on OF
Glasgow Courier. — 1859-12-08 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

DOITBLE SUICIDE OF TV7O LOVERS.  A very extraordinary case of double suicide came to light on Monday evening, at an inquest held before Mr Humphreys' coroner for East Middlesex. The inquiry was held at the Three Crowns Tavern, City Road, London, for the purpose of inquiring into the circumstances connected with the death of Edmund Shirley, a photographist, aged 24, and Rosetta Greenwood, aged 18, who died from the effects of poison. Ellen Mills deposed—l assist Mr Simmons in his business at the Railways Coffee-house, City Road. On Wednesday evening last, about half-past ten, the two deceased came to my master's house and engaged a bed. They had nothing to eat or drink; they had engaged a bed on two other occasions, and retired as soon as they came. They brought nothing with them. On the Wednesday night the young woman appeared very lively, but the young man not co. They gave no instructions as to when they required to be called on the following morning. I showed them up stairs to the room in Which their bodies now lie. In consequence of what Mr Simmons told me I went up to their room about a quarter to twelve on Thursday morning end knocked at the door, but obtained no answer; and I then tried the door, and found it was locked on the inside. A policeman was then cent for by Mr Simmons.  ....... Mr Simmons, pror,rietor of the Railways Coffee House, corroborated tht evidence of the witness Mills. He added—On th.e arrival of a policeman the door was forced open by S.'drgeant Harvey. We entered, and found the deceastd girl lying on her back with her arms over the bedtilothes, with a white pocket-handkerchief in her right hand, as though she was asleep. The man was on his right side, with his right arm round the woman's waist. There was a white foam on his lips. The clothes were slightly disturbed, drawn to the right side. On the man's side of the bed was a tumbler and a bottle  labelled "poison." Thoe now produced ;re the same. The stopper was not in the bottle, as now; it was on the dressing-table, wit:, two letters. The bottle was nearly empty, ona Oh tumbler quite so. They were then left until the •lootor name. Both were lying apparently asleep in thfur night clothes. Their day clothes were in the :eons Police Sergeant John Harvey, 9 G, produced the letters, which were lead by the Coroner. The first, addressed to the deceased man's father, was RS follows: "Dear Father—l must now say farewell to this world. Your dutiful wife has driven me mad, and as to live to be go unhappy I cannot. If I had not made up my mind to destroy myself I should have shot Sarah out of revenge for my sister's death, which she was the cause of. I know she has been the pause of another deed too fright. fail to mention. You may think I have lost all my senses, but I can tell you that lam as sensible as you are at the present moment. Ido not die alone, but the one I love dies with me. My last wish is that we may be buried together. If you wish to find us it will be at I remain, your disobedient son, • "