npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1884-01-26 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

CHARGE OF BIGAMY,  THE PRISONER COMMITTED. AT the Borough Police Court on Monday, before Mr. Preston, Wm. Wilson, 'bus driver, Bootle, was brought up on two remands the particulars of which was given by us last week. Be had been originally brought up on a charge of attempting to commit suicide by jumping into the river from a ferry boat near the Birkenhead landing-stafge, but the charge gone into was that of having committed bigamy by marrying Jane Cockayne, while his lawful wife Janet Wilson was alive. The following evidence was given:— Elizabeth Carmcheal said: I live at 2, Quarry-mount, Bootle. I know the prisoner and was at his marriage on the 17th January, 1880, with Janet Robinson at Holy Trinity Church, Wavertree. The prisoner and Janet Robinson signed the register and I also signed it as a witness. I have seen Janet Robinson to-day. I have heard her say she was a widow. By Mr. Thompson: I have heard her say so on the day before his marriage, while she was staying with my mother. I had only known her for a week bef9re the marriage ceremony while she lodged with my mother. I have heard her say that she was akroad in Bermuda, West Indies. I could not recognise her handwriting. She heard a week after her marriage with Wilson that he was a married man and got me to write a letter about it. I heard her say that she had buried three children in Bermuda, but I do not remember her saying what was her husband's Christian name. After the marriage of Wilson and her, they went to live somewhere out of our neighbourhood and I lost sight of them. Mr. Superintendent Clarke said: On Friday evening last I charged the prisoner with committing bigamy by marrying Jane Cockayne at Christ Church, Pa,tricroft, in November last, his former wife, Janet Wilson, being then alive. I have verified the documents produced, as to the marriages. The evidence in chief of Jane Cockilyne, given in full last week, showed that, when on a visit to Bootle, she had travelled on the 'bus driven by prisoner, who commenced jiking with her, and obtaining her address at Petricroft, Manchester, visited her a few times and married her in a month.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1884-04-05 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SAD SUICIDE OF A BOY.—Mr. H. Churton and a jury held an inquest on Monday, in the Borough Hotel, relative toithe circumstances attending the death of Joseph Charlesworth, a boy aged eleven, son of a stonemason, residing at 45, Thomas-street. The following evidence was given :—The mother of the boy stated that she went out on Saturday morning to work, leaving Joseph and a younger brother and sister in the house. Witness's husband had not done any work for two months past, and, to keep them from starving, she had to go out charring. Sheltept the lad from school to mind the two younger children when she was from home. She always left them something to eat, though sometimes she had little in the house to leave. When witness got home. about half 'past five o'clock on Saturday morning, she saw the boy hanging by the neck. He was dead, but the body was warm.—Policeconstable 1 (Stockton), who was called into the house by the mother, and cut the body down, gave evidence to show that the deed had been performed in a very systematic manner. The brother and sister of the deceased, though too young to give formal evidence, told the coroner that before he hanged himself he kissed them, said " Good bye," and told them to be good.—A juryman, who resides in the neighbourhood of the boy's parents and knows their habits well, informed the court that the father was a very drunken man. He seldom worked, and drank every penny he could lay his hand upon. The mother was an industrious woman, but it was well known in the locality where they live that the children were sadly neglected, owing to the mother being so often from home, and the father being drunk. The'juryman added a suggestion that the father should be called before the court and censured.—The Coroner said that any advice they could give to such a dissolute man would be of no avail.— The jury then returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased had committed suicide, but under what mental conditions there was no evidence to show.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1884-03-29 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

DEATH IN THE ACT OF PRAYING.—Mr. Churton, and a jury. held a coroner's inquiry in the Grand Trunk Hotel on Monday, touching the death of Thomas Murphy, a man of 79 years of age, residing at 459, Brook-street. When able to work he had been employed as a dock labourer, but had been in failing health for sometime, though able to go about. On Saturday morning he partook of breakfast as usual about eight o'clock and went into his bedroom, where his sister in passing a short time afterwards, saw him kneeling by his bedside in prayer. A few minutes later she found him still on his knees, but leaning over to one side apparently in a fit. She hastened off for a doctor, but the old man had expired bneafFinoareue daotHeanTryNETwurnßeßl:HgroceTON.—r, "Death from natural causes." On Wednesday evening, a man giving his Myrtle-street, Liverpool, was apprehended by the Wallasey. police on a charge of attempting to commit suicide under the following extraordinary circumstances :—About half-past nine o'clock, as one of the passenger steamers was about to leave the New Brighton landingstage, a cry of distress was heard from a person in the water, apparently under the P'romenade Pier. A small boat was immediately got out, and a search made, but no ghTallitarTrißEnvicehsdaru. The jury gave a verdict of one could be found in the river. Subsequently the constable on duty was informed by a woman that she had seen a man walking out of the water, and as he was in an exhausted state, she had taken him to her house. The officer went to the house, and the man informed him that he had jumped into the river from the landing-stage, and that being unable to swim, the tide carried him under the promenade, and washed him on to the shore.  A Juin.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1884-03-29 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

YESTERDAY'S POLICE COURT. MARGARET Mason, for having been drunk in Hamilton-street, was fined Is. 6d. and costs.— James Frosdick was charged with drunkenness and assaulting Constables Twiddle and Jones. The former constable he had hit on the jaw and kicked, and the other he had bitten on the hand and kicked on the ribs. The prisoner was remanded. Emma Holland was fined 2s. 6d. and costa for drunkenness.—Mary Jane Crowther, a young woman, was charged with attempting to commit suicide by taking laudanum. Dr. Richardson, of the Borough Hospital, had successfully operated upon tier with the stomach pump, and considered her now out of danger. Mr. Superintenden Clarke stated that the prisoner was the girl against whom a summons had been taken out a few weeks ago for perjury, by Mr. Bleakley, on behalf of a client. Prisoner was remanded for a week.— , Gerald Fay, a labourer, was brought up on a charge of assaulting his wife, but he was remanded at the request of Mr. Thompson, who defended him.—Mary Ferrier, 105, Albionstreet, was sent to hard labour for two months for assaulting Francis Malone, and Mary O'Brien, inflicting with a saucepan and can, the wounds on the heads of prisoner and prosecutrix, which had to-be dressed at the Borough Hospital.—Richard Gittens, cabman, remanded in the manslaughter case, was further remanded, on the application of Mr. Slingsby, who defended for Mr. Moore.— Captain Moestin, of the Albertine, West Float, was fined Is. 6d and costs for failing to keep tide watch.—Of several Corporation summonses, supported by Mr. Solly, that of John Riddell-, the Woodlands, for obstructing Greenway-road with flags, dx., was withdrawn on payment of costs.—Thos. Pullman, 1,32, Tudor-road, an incorrigible lad of 13, who had wilfully damaged a number of rails at the Tranmere Recreation Ground, was sent back to the Truant School on the application of Mr. Lush, with the view of sending him to an Industrial School.—A number of Corporation summonses were adjourned.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1884-01-19 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

BIGAMY AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.  WILLIAM WiLsoN, a man of about 42, described as a 'bus driver, from Bootle, was brought up on remand yesterday, before Mr. Preston, on two charges. The first was that of having attempted to commit suicide by jumping from the ferry steamer Lancashire, B.nd the last that of having committed bigamy by marrying Jane Cockayne while his lawful wife was alive.  —The evidence in the first charge showed that, immediately after the boat left the stage on Monday night, about twelve o'clock, Wilson, who was on board, threw off his cap, and shouting out, "Goodbye to all," jumped overboard. The steamer was stopped, and backed down the river, as the tide was running strong, and a boat was lowered, the occupants of which rescued the man. The steamer from Liverpool coming up, took the boat in tow, and the rescued man was landed at the Woodside stage. The evidence given by Jane Cockayne, in regard to the bigamy prosecution, was as 1 follows :—I live at No. 3, Arley-street, Bootle. I used to live at Patricroft, near Manchester, and in August last came down to Bootle on a trip. I there met with prisoner on a Saturday. When sitting on the front of the 'bus he was driving we joked together, and at last he told me that he was a widower, asking my address. I told him where I lived in Patncroft. On the 1 same day I returned home and on the following Saturday he came to Patricroft and visited me. He came occasionally afterwards, and a month from the time I first met him he proposed marriage to me. I consented, and the banns were published in Christ Church, Patricroft. He told me he had been a widower about four years, but he did not say when or where:his wife died, and I went to the church at his request and entered the banns for publication, and then described him as a widower. On the 17th November last we were married in Christ Church, Patricroft, which is in the parish of Eccles. I saw prisoner sign the marriage register, and I also signed it. Jonathan Henry Stammers and Anne Stammers were the witnessesr present at on marriage. I produce the certificate of marriage which was made out by the clergyman at the time and given to me. Priam.. has. tre.a.taa Ille very kindly. The prisoner was further remanded.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1884-07-19 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE-.  BE.Fon*: Mr. Preston, on Wednesday, at theBorough Police Court, William Gibson, a muscular looking young man, of no settled residence, was charged, at the instance of P.C. 38 (Irvine), with having attempted to commit suicide by swallowing a quantity. °tithe poison known as vermin killer, in the shop of Mr. Crawford, chemist. Argvle.gtreet. According to the officer, he 1i...._,La been called about a quarter past four fr... Mr. Crawford's shop, where he found tte prisoner sitting in a stupid condition, and was told that the prisoner had wallowed a quantity of poison. Dr. Riekects was there and was pressing him tr.: take some emetic, but the prisoner 1 obstinately refused to take it. He was taken to the Borough Hospital, where the stomach pump was applied. Prisoner WWI afterwards taken to the bridewell and charged with having attempted to commit suicide, but he behaved in a very disorderly manner, making use of bad language and wanting to fight. The evidence of Mr. Crawford showed that the prisoner had come in asking for a package of vermin killer, and that after the usual inquiries had been mace, and prisoner had signed the register of sales of poisons, the package was handed to him. While the attention of witness was engaged at something else in the shop the prisoner opened the iLickage and swallowed about half of its contents before he could be prevented. Finding the prisoner had done so, he immediately sent for Dr. Ricketts. The vermin killer was a preparation containing strychnine. In the whole package there was as much as would have killed him, but witness questioned whether the half would have done so. In Court the prisoner behaved in a very strange fashion. He lay for a little with his. arms and head over the front of the prisoners' dock, staggered out of it once or twitie and had to be brought aid no attention back. He would answer no questions, and evidently to the proceedings. He had told one of the bridewell officers that he had friends somewhere, but he could not tell where they were. He was remanded for a week.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1884-09-20 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

PATRIOTISM (?)  TO THE EDTTOB OF THE BIRKENHEAD NEWS. Si,—Now that the result of the election in Cleveland Ward has not taught prudence to a certain aspirant after municipal honours, and who, notwithstanding the " diversion " in the Irish Nationalist camp, has announced his intention of again contesting the ward against Mr. Hugh Parker next November, it would not be out of place to make public the events which led up to the foolish fiasco, so far as a section of the Nationalists were concerned, of that memorable meeting at which a sweeping auto da ire was pronounced against all Irishmen who favoured the Liberal candidate at the then coming election. It appears that previous to Mr. Parker having been waited upon by a chosen deputation Mr. Henagan in a private way asked him whether he would consent to be nominated. This coming to the knowledge of a rampant faction of what in the French Chamber would be called "the extreme Left" so worked upon their feelings that nothing less than a vote of censure would appease their wounded susceptibilities. In vain did Mr. Henagan explain that his communication with Mr. Parker was privileged, in vain his contention that he had not the remotest intention of pledging the League, the majority present, led astray by the torrid rhetoric of a few, voted for censure, and Mr. Henagan immediately resigned. Then, to cap the climax of foolishness, to divide their forces in face of an enemy, and, error of errors, to give reason and colour to the argument that they have not yet acquired the art of governing themselves—at this moment, in the plenitude of a tyrannous power, they accomplished the expulsion of all leaguers on Mr. Parker's election committee, determined to bring about their own political suicide. John Mitchell, whose very name, revered in Irish history, ought to have saved him from contumely; Thomas Cleary, than whom there is not another more prominent in advocating measures for the advancement of nationality politically, socially, and morally—supporting it directly and indirectly, and who has done more for the League from its infancy individually than he would care to have made public; and the others, who must be spoken of in similar terms. However, it is not for the purpose of landing the characters of these ' victims of a rabid mobocracy that this letter is written, but simply to teach the Irish people of the town that they must not be thrown off ths right track by the vapid vauntings of vain-glorious demagogues like the leaders of such a school as that which produced the , canting and recalcitrant Burke, who spoke ' from his month that which had no existence in his heart. Be assured that locally your interests will be better served by your present representative than it could possibly 130 by a man who has no grasp on the existing state of public affairs. Remember, the executive have left the issue in your own hands, and that you may fearlessly follow the dictates of your own consciences at the forthcoming elections next November.—Yo, em., Gaaccaus.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1884-07-30 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SUICIDE THROUGH DRUNKENNESS.—MT. H. Churton and a jury held an enqiury in the Manor Hotel. Chester-street, on Monday, on view of the body of Philip Champion, a young man of 23, who was employed as a labourer at the Mersey Tunnel Works, and resided at 12, Corporation-road, off Chester-street. The evidence showed that he went home on Saturday evening about eight o'clock under the influence of drink, and shortly afterwards informed his wife that he was going upstairs to bed. About half-past nine o'clock his wife and another woman went into the bedroom, and found the deceased hanging by his belt from a nail within five feet ef the floor. The women screamed out, and two men named George Adamson and George Stevens, who reside in the same house, ran upstairs and cut the body down. Drs. Ricketts and Miller were called in. but they pronounced life to be extinct. The jury found that the young man committed suicide while , in a state of temporary insanity. I AUFTJLLY SUDDEN DEATH OF A DOCK BOARD Woinotax.—Between two and three o'clock on Saturday afternoon, Wm. Doherty, a painter, employed by the Dock Board, was conveyed to the deadhouse, Watson-street onastretcher,  by P.C. 116 (Gallagher). The man, who resided at 27, Barton-street, had been working at the corn warehouses, East Float. According to the statement of William Garton, a labourer, also employed by the Dock Board, Doherty was seized with a fit about a quarter to twelve. Thinking it only a temporary falling sickness that would soon pass over he did not consider it requisite to send for anyone, but after SOMA little time elapsed and the man was still under the influence of the fit he thought it looked serious aod sent for an officer Before his arrival, however, Doherty was dead. He had been attended recently by Dr. Paterson, and an inquest was considered unnecessary. EAREMONT BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL,-The anniversary services in connection with the above Sunday school were held in the chapel, Falkland-road, on Sunday, the 20th instant. The Rev, J. Moffat Logan (pastor) preached special sermons morning and evening, and in the afternoon a children's service was held, at which the scholars connected with the Liscard Baptist Mission joined. The Rev. Richard Richard, of Pembroke Chmpol, Liverpool, gava an interesting address. The service,: were largely attended, the chapel being well filled on each occasion. A most enjoyable feature of the services was the singing select hymns and anthems being sung by the choir and the children in a very hearty and creditable manner. The anthems included "Lift up your Heads," "Jerusalem, my Glorious Home," and "Hallelujah Chorus." Mr, W. F. Lee, as conductor of the choir, is to be congratulated on the success of the musical portion of the services. Master Henry Stephens presided at the organ. Collections were made at the close of each service on behalf of the school funds, and realised the sum of £8 2s. 70. Altogether the services passed off most successfully.  will
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-07-04 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ANOTHER ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.  At the Wallasey Petty Sessions, yesterday, before Messrs. W. T. Jacob (in the chair) and W. Francis Johnston, an elderly man named Evan Williams, wheelwright, Toxteth-park, Liverpool, was brought up in custody charged with having attempted to commit suicide. P.C. Vost stated that about eleven o'clock on Thursday morning he was called to the Seacombo Hotel, where he found the prisoner in charge of some ferrymen. He was wet through, and on witness hearing that he had attempted to commit suicide he took him into custody. Captain Potter said that shortly before eleven o'clock on Thursday morning he was is charge of the Wallasey Ferry steamer Snowdrop, which was running from Liverpool to Seacombe. When the boat was in the middle of the river he noticed the prisoner jump from the rails of the boat into the river. He at once reversed the engines and the small boat was lowered by three of the hands named Wm. Foster, Thomas Poole and Robert Dixon, who succeeded in rescuing the prisoner, and he was taken to the Seacombe Hotel. _ _  Inspector Walker stated that although the prisoner was watched by the police officer he made a second attempt to destroy himself by running at a key in the cell door and inflicting a serious wound on the head. His head came in contact with the key with such force that it bent the key nearly double. Mrs. Williams, wife of the prisoner, stated that she had never known the prisoner to do anything like this before, and -he had never threatened to do 80. He had been very low spirited for the last eight months in consequence of being out of employment, which had preyed upon his mind. The Chairman: Has he had plenty to eat? Witness: Oh yes, sir. We have a small income of our own. He has not wanted for anything in that way. We have lived very comfortably together. The Chairman (to prisoner): What did you do this for?  Prisoner: I'll never attempt such a thing again. The Chairman said the magistrates had decided to remand the prisoner until Wednesday, and they hoped that by that time he would be in a better frame of mind.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-08-01 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ALLEOND MEET OF A COTTON DRESS.— Emily Jones, 19, of 5, St. John's-place, was charged with stealing a cotton dress, the property of James Davies, L 3, Whetstone-lane. —P.C. 22 (Orme) deposed that at eight o'clock on Saturday night Margaret Davies gave the prisoner in charge for stealing a dress oil a clothes line in her back yard. Wnen arrested prisoner had the dress in her possession, bat said a woman named Margaret Burkett gave her the dress. He went to Margaret Burkett, but she denied having done so. Mrs. Davies gave corroborative evidence. She took in washing, and the dress was not hers. She saw the dress at ten minutes to four and missed it at four. After farther evidence the prisoner made a long story in denial, and the Bench dismissed her with a warning.  TUESDAY (Before Mr. Preston.) ATTEMPTED BUlClDE.—Prudence Heins, 17, Taylor's-buildings, was charged on remand with attempting to commit suicide by jumping off the wall of the East Float.—P.C.9s (Robb) said ho saw prisoner struggling with two men ' on the wall of the dock about ten minutes past eleven on Saturday night. She said she was determined to drown herself, as her hasbei.d was unkind to her.—ln court prisoner stated that her husband was very bad to her, as he had a very cross tongue.—Tbe husband said he had never abused her, though he might have used harsh words to her.—The officer here stated that prisoner had promised not to do it again if she got a separation from her husband. He hardly ever went into the house without an oath on his lips.—His Worship said it was a very horrible thing that she had tried to do. She had not only attempted to take her own life, but that of the child in her arms. His Worship then censured the husband ior his conduct, and prisoner was discharged. BAD Bay. —Henry Cole, 101, tit. Anue-street, was charged with maliciously breaking three panes of glass in the house, 124, St. Aune. street, the property of Rewire. S.nitii and Sous. —Bridewell keeper Sherwood said he was serving summonses in St. Aune-etreet about twenty minutes to nine on Monday evening, when he saw prisoner throw a stone tnrougn a window, and a minute deriver& he repeated the act. There were some halt dozeu ot other boys with hire.—Messrs. Smiths' clerk said there were nine pesos broken in the one window, and the place was regularly kuocked to pieces.-4r. Superintendent Clerk° said us did not know anything about the prisoner.— His Worship stiginistised the boys behaviour as perfectly disgraceful and he regretted he was not empowered to order a whipping to be given to him He would be remanded till To A