npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1887-09-03 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

EXTRAORDINARY IMPOSTURE.  A SHAM ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SUICIDE. I An exciting scene was witnessed by the people who were walking along the quays in the neighbourhood of the Pout de 1 jma, in Paris, on Monday afternoon. Just as the crowd was at its thickest a poor man suddenly jumbed on the parapet of the bridge and threw himself over into the Seine. As he was struggling iu the water another man jumped jut, the river after him, and succeeded in bringing him safe to shore. The spectators of this thrilling incident clustered round the poor fellow and his gallant preserver and asked him why he had taken so rash a step. Want, he replied, had driven him to suicide. Moved to tears by the afflicting narrative, the man to whom this victim of circumstances over which he had no control owed his life put his hand into his pocket, and producing all the cash which he had about him presented it to the sufferer. Inspired by this bright example the crowd, which had now mustered in force, pressed silver and copper coins on the poverty-strickeu individual ! who had sought a watery grave. Soon a very I fair sum of money was in his possession, and, with many protestations of gratitude and promises that he would endeavour in future to take the " ups and downs' of life more philosophically, he slowly quitted the spot in coinpany with the man who had so valiantly rescued him. Now it so happened that a police-inspector had found his way a.uong the throng, and having less confidence in human eature than the worthy holiday-makers who had been pouring franca and , half-francs into the pockets of the would-be suicide, he bethought himself of keeping an eye on the couple. The pair walked on until they reached a public-house outside the beaten track, and into this place of refreshment the inspector followed them. Oddly enough, their &drivel appeared to be expected with some impatience, for quite an assemblage of their friends greeted them with enthusiasm. Drinks were offered by the poor man who had just been fished out of the Seine, and as they were being discussed he gave the company a graphic account of his adventure ; but the story was a very different one from that I which the horror stricken spectators of the thrilling incident would have related. Instead of eliciting exclamations of sympathy I and congratulations, it was received with peals of laughter, in which, strange to say, I the rescued man and his gallant preserver joined I heartily. The whole thing had been got up between them. One man threw himself into the river to attract the attention of the crowd; the other followed, and the tale of the suicide was trumped up. The accomplice gave his money to the friend whom he had pulled out in order that I the bystanders might be induced to contribute freely. The "little genie,' however, was entirely spoilt by the police-inspector marching the two rogues off to the nearest station. There are many such impostors is Paris.,  AN AFGEAt:
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1887-04-02 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

DRIVEN TO SUICIDE THROUGH  STARVATION.  An inquest was held tithe Retford Workhouse on Monday on the bodlr of a man unknown, who was seen to commit suicide in a pond at Wethem on Saturday.—J. Bradley, lodging-house keeper, said he identified the deceased as the man who stayed at his house on Friday night, and on I Saturday morning before leaving he observed that he appeared to be very hungry, as he was eating bits of bread out of the swill tab. Deceased said he was going to Gainsborough, and a man gave him some gruel before he left.—Mr Ostkk next saw the man lying under his haystack, and noticed that he spoke in a very incoherent manner. He did not turn him away. He appeared to be a man driven to desperation through starve, tion.—Annie Drury, housekeeper to Mr George Smith, farmer, of Welham, said the deceased called at the farm-house and asked for relief. She told him ihe had nothing for nim. He stayed at the door somo minutes muttering in a civil sort of way. He did not use bad I language, and then asked if he had got to the I kitchen door. She told him that he had. He then went to the side door, saying he would try that. He knocked, but she did not answer, and thought he had gone, when, turning round, she saw him splash into the pond. His hat was lying on the bank two yards from the water, which was not deep there, but he lay on his face. She at once ran and called the groom, who wag two fields off. It would be a quarter of an hour before anyone came to get him out.—Robert Parnell, the groom, said he could see the man was dead when begot to him, and he went for help.—Other evidence was given, and a verdict of suicide whilst in a fit of temporary insanity was returned.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1887-06-18 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THE SAD CASE OF ATTEMPTED  SUICIDE.  PUBLIC SYMPATHY IN A SOLID FORM. Alderman Sir A. Lusk, upon taking his seat at the Mansion House last Friday, said he thought he had better refer to the case of the poor man Alfred Allen who was before him on Wednesday for attempting to commit suicide in consequence of himself and family being in destitute circumstances. Since the facts .of that pitiful case had been before the public, generous donors had sent no end of subscriptions, which was a very gratifying thing to see. He did not wish to stop the flow of charity by any means, but he thought that as much had lieon received as would meet the necencities of the case. Perhaps it was as well not to mention the amount. He I did not wish to appear hard-hearted, but there was a reason why too much prominence should not be given to a metier of this kind, as it might be offering a premium to attempts to commit suicide. He would consult as to how the money received could be best administered for the benefit of the man and his family. Perhaps as the man had worked at Beaton the clergy, there would be able to administer it in the most satisfactory manner. The immediate, necessities of the wife and children had. been provided for out of the money received. A firm had offered Allen a week's employment, and a celebrated oculist had offered to examine his eyes, he having lost the sight of one and nearly that of the other through an explosion while he was employed at the Beekton Gas Works. A great deal of sympathy had been aroused for this most deserving case; but they must be prudent, and he thought that sufficient had been received to stay the sending of further subscriptions. It is understood that CAW XlOO has been already received.  LAUNCH OF A NEW LIFEBOAT AT STArrsoto,—The new lifebost presented to  Staithee by the National Lifeboal, Institutive was launched on Monday afternoon in the presence of a largo number of holiday-seekers, many of whom had come to the animal fair. The new boat, which was built by Mimeos Woolfe arid Son, of Shad-well, Loudon, is 3411. long, lift, wide, and rows 10 oars ; is fitted up with this latest improvements, including self-righting and water electing apparatus. The ceremony of christening was performed by Mrs George Brotchie, of Grinkte, who was accompanied by fir Brotchie, Master and Miss Brotchie, the Rev. A. Lambert and Mr A. Lambert, of Essington. Dr. and Mre Laverick, Hinderwell, Mr Grey, of Essington, Mr James Spank, and others. The boat was taken by the crew from the boathouse to low water on the carriage, from wheuoe she was slipped, Mrs Brotchie and party being in a coble alongside. On the li:ebost touching the water Mrs Brotchie named her the" Winef rid Mary Hopes," at the same time breaking a bottle of wine on her bows, and wishing the crew God speed. The coat of the lifeboat has been defrayed from a legacy bequeathed by the late Mr William George Hoppa, of Finciiley-road, London. HOLLOWAY'S OINTKEN't
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1887-06-18 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THE INQUEST. On Wednesday Mr (-kaftan Maynard held an inquest at Sunderland on the body of Mr Joseph Potts, 42, dentist, who was suppcsed to have committed suicide on Tuesday evening by poisoning hunself —lisegaret potts, eighteen years of age, said that about half-past four on Tuesday afternoon her father complained of having a bad head, and went up stairs to bed. I Abour belt an hoar afterwards her sister told her that he was dying, and she found him lying in the bed in an unfeasible condition. The doctor was sent for by a neighbour, and on his arrival did all in his power to save her father, but without avaiL Her mother had been quarrelling with deceased that morning, and when he went to bed he seemed perfectly bored to death.—Was your mother separated Irvin Mr Potts?—Yes.— Why f—Becanse mother had miscondueted herseLL—Dr. Narsey said deceased had attempted to commit suicide on the 21st October last, and a few years before that he bad taken a quantity of poison whilst practising as a cuemist at Seahana Harbour. He lived a most miserable life, and on the night before he died be told witness that he was in a very melancholy state owing to domestic trouble.—At this juncture several of the jurymen expressed their desire that Ifni Potts, who was heard screaming in the adjoining room, should be examined. After a great deal of , trouble she MIA literally dragged into the Court by Sub-Inspector Chambers and a constable, and held to the chair. Being asked by the Coroner as to whether her husband's life was insured, she refused to give an answer, and made an attempt. to leave the room.—Adaresaing the witness, Dr.. Nursey said," Come, Airs Potts, answer the questions. You were all right last night when you , refused to obtain some water for me whilst your husband was dying.!'—The jury returned a verdiet that deceased bad committed suicide whilst in an unsound state of mind.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1887-08-06 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SINGULAR SIIWIDE AT DURHAM.  On Monday an inquest was held at the County Hoemtal, Durham, touching the death of Alice Jones, aged 37 years, who committed suicide in the Hospital on Sunday afternoon. Deceased was formerly a nurse to bhe Samaritan Society, and connected with the out-patients of . the Hospital. —Dr. Walker, house surgeon at the Hospital, stated that deoessied was admitted as a patient on the 30th July suffering from delirium framers-1, consequent upon opium poisoning. She . was very much depressed at times, and said she had no place to go to when she left the institution. On Saturday last alaeseemed more cheerful,and on Sunday she occupied • great part of her time in writing. On Sunday afternoon she was found in a closet with her throat cat, her head resting upon her knees and over the pan, which was , filled with blood. He examined her, and tried artificial respiration, but without avail. There ..wais • deep wound on the left side of her neck, which severed ' the jugular vein, and which, in his opinion, was the cause of death. On tbe right ' side was another wound which was not so serious. These wounds had been caused by a surgical knife, and he was satisfied they were self inflicted. —O9 being asked how she came by the instru'went, Dr. Walker said he did not know the knife produced belonged to the hospital. Deceased had told him that she had had dealings with the makers of these knivcs.—The Coroner said he thought it would not be a very violent presumption to arrive at that she found the knife on the premises.—Mr T. Greenwell, one of the governors of the hoapital, 4ho was present, said deceased had remarked to someone that she would be found in the water some day.—The papers deceased had written upon were produced. One of them was a list of the people to whom she owed money, and was indicted "hat of the people who were unwisely kind enough to trust me with the following amounts." These papers were found in a locker after death. The finish of the letter was as follows :—" From your loving but foolisidV wicked Alice."—Annie Platt, Matron of the Home for Friendless Girls, said that when deceased was a nurse to the Samaritan Society she lodged at the Hoare. She was insured, and held 'a certificate from the Albany Hospital near York testifying as to proficiency as a nurse.— The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1872-05-18 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

PERSONS BURNED TO DEATH.—A despatch from Albany, New York, dated April 26th, says :—A shocking affair occurred in, the town of New Scotland this morning. A family, consiiting of Mr Velmer, his wife, and five children, Volmer's mother, and his wife's stepfather, occupied a two-storey building, which took fire. Volmer, his wife, and one child, who occupied the first floor, escaped, but all the others perished in the flames. A few days since the old, gentleman (Mrs Volmer's stepfather) came to this city, and drew out of the savings bank some 300 dole. or 400 dole., which he had kept on deposit, intending, it is said, to take the money and proceed with it to Wisconsin at an early day. When the fire reached the second storey, the old gentleman, in his anxiety to save his money, kept back the others in the room with him, and would not permit them to open the window and jump to the ground. PROSPECTS FOR EMIGROZTS IN eANADA.—In consequence of. the extraordinary state of prosperity in the Dominion of Canada, and the vast public works in course of construction—to which will soon be added the enlargement and improvement of the canals, and the construction of the Pacific Railway to connect British Columbia with the other provinces on the Atlantic seaboard, the Government has instructed its Agent, Mr William Dixon, of Adam-street, Adelphi, London, to make advances by warrant to suitable emigrants, at a rate of ten dollars for each adult. This liberal donation from the Canadian Government will bring the price of passages for emigrants by the Royal Mail and other first-class steamships of the Allan Line, plying to the Dominion, down to the very low rate of £4 5s for adults, £2 2s 6d for children, and 14s 2d for infants. The Dominion Government is also offering to settlers free grants of 160 acres of prairie lands in the new province of Manitoba.  EXTROLORDINART SUICIDE kT
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1872-01-27 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

WIFE MURDER IN BIRMINGHAM. SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER. On Monday night, about half-past nine o'clock, William Henry Picking' 28 years of age, residing at No., St. Luke-street, Birmingham, was about to enter his house, when he met his father coming out, with the key in his hand as if to lock the door. 1 he father gave the son the key, merely observing that he was going out to get half a pint of fourpenny, and went away. The son entered the house, and on going iuio the back room saw his mother, Sarah Picking, about GO years of age, lying on the floor, her head on a sofa pillow, and her body covered with old coats. He found that she was dead ; her face was cold, but her body was still warm. He sent for Mr Bracey, surgeon, who promptly attended, and reported that the woman was dead. The cause of death was difficult to ascertain at the time, as there were no external marks of violence, save a bruise on the right wrist and a scratch on the upper lip. It was not known in what way the woman came by her death. The circumstances point strongly to murder. The husband of the deceased woman was a man of drunken habits, and has latterly been drinking heavily. He and his wife led a wretched life, and he has often threatened to murder her and then commit suicide. Superintendent Spear, of the Bradford-street diN:sion of police, on hearing of the occurrence, investigated the affair, and, by his directions, inquiries were made at the railway station as to whether the missing nian„lnd started for Shropshire, where he has friends. All was fruitless, however, until about nine o'clock on Tuesday morning, when information was received at the Aleester-street police station that he had been found by a railway official hung on a lamp post on the Midland Railway near the station at Montpelier-place, and quite dead. He was about 150 yards out of the borough, and had hung himself with a leathern strap which he usually wore iround his waist. In his hat the following communication was found writ,en with ink on a dirty piece of blue paper:—" My names Thomas Picken, please right to my brother John Picken, coppice green' near Shifnal, Shropshire. lam in a club there." Some railings were near, on which he must have mounted, in order to accomplish his purpose. BIRMINGHAM, Wednesday. The jury empanelled to inquire into the death of Sarah Picken, of 9, St. Luke-street, who was found dead in her house on Monday night, to-night returned a verdict of wilful murder against the husband, Thomas Picken, who committed suicide on the day following the occurrence. The evidence showed that deceased by came her death by suffocation, caused by manual pressure on the mouth. The son stated that his father attempted to strangle her only two months before. The deceased was sixty and the murderer sixty-three years old.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1872-12-28 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

MYSTERIOUS SUICIDE AT CARLISLE.— On Friday morning, the dead body of a man, whose appearance and the quality of his clothing leave no doubt that he has occupied a respectable position in life, was found in the River Fden, at Stainton, near Carlisle. On Wednesday night the deceased was seen standing on a retort-pipe breakwater which protects the embankment at Etterby Seamy, Carlisle, by a sergeant of the river pollee, who for some time watched his movements. At last, considering all was not right, he went towards the stranger, but before he reached him thee' man plunged into the stream, rose once to the surface, heaved a loud sigh, and disappeared. The night was dark and the river was deep, and running strong at the place where the man took his fatal leap. The deceased appears to be about 55 or 60 years of age, stout built, fresh complexion, with dark hair and whiskers, but rather bald on the top of the head. He is about sft. 9in. in height, and is slightly marked with small-pock. His clothes were all good, including a black frock-coat, blue and, black striped trousers, and vest, blue and gray striped woollen shirt, black silk necktie, and a roundabout felt hat. He has the appearance of being a cattle salesman or fanner. On his pockets being searched nothing was found in them except a red silk handkerchief, The mystery which surrounded the suicide at Carlisle was cleared up at the inquest held on the body of the deceased, on Saturday afternoon. David Burgess, a armer living at Cumwhitton, near Carlisle, viewed the body along with the jury, and identified it as that of his brother, Wm. Burgess, who has fer twenty-eight years been a clerk in an extensive foundry at Newcastle-on-Tyne. The deceased visited witness's houive last Monday, and said he was going back to Newcastle, having been at .Glasgor, buying pig iron. A. brother-in-law of the deceased also identified the body as that of Wm. Burgess, a native of Gretna, but who for 28 years had been engaged at Hawthorn's Ironworks, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Deceased stayed at this witness's house at Rock iffe all night on Tuesday, the 17th inst., and left there at nine o'clock the following morning to return to Newcastle by the two o'clock train from Carlisle. Several other witnesses were called, who had seen the deceased on the day on which he drowned himself. All spoke to his having "a peculiarly queer" appearance, but no evidence was given as to whether the deceased was in embarrassed circumstances or not. He was a widower, and leaves three sons and two daughters.—The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the dee( seed committed suicide whilst temporarily insane.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1872-12-28 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF AN OLD MAN AT STOCKTON.—On Wednesday morning, Luke White, aged 73 years, was found dead in bed at the house of his sister, Frances King, Elliott-street, Stockton, under circumstances which gave rise to a suspicion of foul play.—Mrs King is widow of the man who attempted to murder her at a house on the opposite side of Elliott-street, some twelve months ago, and then committed felo de se. Since recovary from the injuries sustained at the hands of her husband, she has obtained a livelihood by receiving lodgers, there being four, named Michael Wood, Terence Quinn, Maisel MeGeeney, and Michael Callighan, occupying a double-bedded room of her !muse at the present time. The dead man, Luke White, was a farm labourer, in Sornersetshire, and brother of Mrs King. He arrived at Stockton on a visit to her, about a fortnight ago, and was about to return to his native county. On Saturday night, between nine and ten o'clock, deceased and his sister had a upper of bread and butter and tea, and subsequently 124:Ittle of whiskey was introduced by one of the wore, depe,ased partaking, it is said, of only one glass. After tba thc old man went to bed in the back room, leaving his sister lking to the lodgers, who wished to have a fire in their bed, **roots; garnet her wilL Whilst this conversation was going on, a noise was heard in the back room, and on a lodger proceeding there, he saw deceased on the floor, dressed, but also with the bed clothes around him. Deceased said that he had fallen out of bed, and seemed all right after he had been assisted in again. After the lodgers had gone to bed, Mrs King went and got into bed, beside her brother, who was holding his head over the side of the bed, as though his ,poe w,is bleeding. • She did not make any remark io him, but 121V-iil7 .f,"lnecl the door, and then went to sleep. On Wednesday morning, 10 halfmast five o'clock, one of the lodgers got up to gp_to work, and roused Mrs King to give him a candle. Deceased was then found to have his head hanging over the side of the bed, and an examination showed him to be d o. Upon the floor and in a chamber utensil there was a ver), large quantity of blood, and when Mr Butler arrived he found that, in addition to a lump upon deceased's forehead, the right site of his nose had been severely bruised. After this, information was given to the police, and Sergeant Thornthwsite took charge of the house until further investigation had been made. Dr Foss subsequently male a post mortem examination of the body, which showed that the bruises about the forehead and nose were merely superficial, and that death had resulted from some old affection at the heart. It is thought that deceased had caused the injury to his face by accidentally faille,/ with his head upon the corner of a box that stood in the room.