npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1856-03-15 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE.—On Thursday an inquest was held by Mr. W. S. Rutter, county coroner of Lancashire, on the body of Mr. John Hobler, aged 21,-- a young gentleman of highly respectable connexions in London, who had been studying the profession of a machinist and tool maker at the works of Messrs. Whitworth and Co., of Manchester. The deceased resided with Dr. Clay, of Manchester, a relative, and absented himself in the month of January, leaving letters behind him stating his intention to destroy himself. Of course his absence created much alarm and uneasiness, and his friends advertised him, and through the police, with a view to discover his retreat, but in this were unfortunately not successful. On Wednesday his dead body was discovered in a copse or plantation called Cheetham'a-close, in Turton, near Bolton, in a road but little frequented ; and, from the state of decomposition it was in, the body had probably been there for some weeks. An empty phial and wine glass were found near the 'body, leading to the supposition that the unhappy gentleman had poisoned himself. The body was discovered by a boy in company with Mr. Kay, of Turton Tower, the owner of the property, while in search of game.' In one of deceased's pockets was found a letter with this address outside :—" The finder of this body, particularly addressel to the police, inquisitiveness being their misfortune." The letter was as follows :—" If they make it a case of temorary insanity it will be so—on the part of the liury. Dearly beloved cave or coves, now that you have found this body do not be an idiot or idiots, and, get up an inquest t..) talk about what they know nothing about ; but somewhere in my pockets you will find ed., with which get a gill. After that, stick my Lady in a hole somewhere. You need not read over it any service, as I read it myself before starting ; and by selling my clothes you will be able to pay yourself for your trouble. ~After which, go away; and above all things do not try to find out who I am, &c., as you will not be able, but do as I say, and the Lord will reward you accordingly. Yours truly. The verdict must be that, in great consideration for some person or persons, be des stroyed himself to save them the trouble." At the time the inqhest was commenced the name of the deceased had not been ascertained, but Dr. Clay, of Manchester, afterwards identified the body, and the jury agreed to a verdict to the effect that the deceased bad destioyed himself while labouring under temporary insanity. Dr. Clay stated that, before leaving Manchester, Mr. Nobler was in a low and desponding utate of mind, brought on by over.atudy.
The Sun. — 1856-03-15 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE.—On Thursday an inquest was held by Mr. W. S. Rutter, county coroner of Lancashire, on the body of Mr. John Nobler, aged 21, a young gentleman of highly respectable connexions in London, who had been studying the profession of a machinist and tool maker at . the works of Messrs. Whitworth and Co., of Manchester. The deceased resided with Dr. Clay, of Manchester, a relative, and absented himself in the month of January, leaving letters behind him stating his intention to destroy himself. Of course his absence created much alarm and uneasiness, and his friends advertised him, and through the police, with a view to discover his retreat, but in this were unfortunately not successful. On Wednesday Isis dead body was discovered in a copse or plantation called Cheetham's-close, in Turton, near Bolton, in a road but little frequented ; and, from the state of decomposition it was in, the body had probably been there for some weeks. An empty phial and wine glees were found near the body, leading to the supposition that the unhappy gentleman had poisoned himself. The bodf was discovered by a boy in company with Mr. Kay, of Turton Tower, the owner of the property, while in search of game. In one of deceased's pockets was found a letter with this address outside :—" The finder of this body, particularly addressed to the police, inquisitiveness being their misfortune." The letter was as follows :—° If they make it a case of temiiporary insanity it lbe so— on the part of the !fury. Dearly beloved ceve or coves, now that you 'have found this body do not be an idiot or idiots, and get up an inquest t talk about what they know nothing about ; but somewhere in my pockets you will find 6.1., with which get a gill. After that, stick my Lady in a hole somewhere. You need not 'rea l over it any service, as I read it myself before starting ; and by selling my clothes you will be able to pay yourself fir your trouble. After which, go away; and above al thiegs do not try to find out who I am, &c., as you will not be able, but do as I say, and the Lord will reward you accordingly. Yours truly. The verdict must be that, in great consideration for some person or persons, he destroyed himself to save them the trouble." At the time the inquest was commenced the name of the deceased had not been ascertained, but Dr. Clay, of Manchester, afterwards identified the body, and the jury agreed to a versie, to the effect that the deceased had de aroeel himself while labouring under temporary insanity. Dr. Clay stated that, before leaving Manchester, Mr. nobler was in a low and desponding state of mind, brought on by over-study,
The Sun. — 1856-09-18 (London, England)

DISCOVERY OF AN OLD ROMAN SHAFT.—In the month of May last an old Roman shaft having been discovered a short distance from Machynlleth, Montgomeryshire, north Wales, it was determined by Mr. Weston and some other residents to drive a level into this old shaft, in order to unwater it and ascertain what were the  nature of boys, is a tempter and trainer of another  to thieving. If the magistrates will also be more striot in onforaing nn r.ran 1 flin ray tymn large part of the expense of their children at the schools they will do much towards diminishing youthful crime—parents of bad habits will then be much more careful of contaminating their children. Nothing will weigh more with that class than having to pay in hard cash, and weekly, for their criminal neglect, or something worse, of their own children. If, therefore, the reformatory system be worked as it might be, and we hope ere long will be, a vast amount of nascent crime will be strangled, and a good beginning made with the juvenile part of society. It is, however, fearful to think of what is to be done with the large number of thieves of all classes committed after twenty years of age. Let them return to society how they may, with tickets of leave or after a full imprisonment, they find the utmost difficulty in again obtaining employment. It is hard upon them, but while other servants aro to be had, who of us likes to employ a person in our family, shop, or warehouse, once convicted of crime ? We are slow to believe his real penitence and reformation. If we should employ such a person, we suspect, we watch, and we exercise, as we think, in this but c rnmon prudence, but how painful the position to the watched person. By most, however, " gaol-birds " are rejected, and even when they have obtained employment, on the hints of the police, they are but but too frequently dismissed. Only the other day a young man was, with difficulty, prevented from committing suicide, because every effort to obtain emyloyment had been thwarted by the police. Of course all these hopeless adult criminals, combined with the far greater number of incurables of the same age, form a standing training school, unluckily of the highest qualifications, as well as a standing army of thieves.  hidden riches that induced this great work. The level was driven through early this month, and the removal of the mud and rubbish commenced. A small Roman pick and a salmon spear have been already found. Whether the spear, which is similar to those used in the present day, is of the same antiquity as the pick, is a matter of conjecture, but its condition favours that  assumption. The pick is nine inches from point to point, in form like the common pick-axe, and is in the posses. sion of Mr. Weston in the above town. A fine lode of copper was discovered in driving the level, and two strong lodes in the shaft. Most of the successful mines in this country have been worked by Romans. The shaft is fifty feet deep, driven through the solid rock.
The Sun. — 1856-09-18 (London, England)

THE EDITOR OE THE SUN.  Sza,—How can the poor man beat the rogues in grain, and bring the loaf to a fair price t Fellow-men, rich men, live and let live, and do not half starve the poor. Fellow-working men there is a way to conquer those who keep up the high price of corn. I, sir, will endeavour to explain. The good harvest it has pleased God to send this year bread ought to be cheap. Fellowmen, endeavour to consume the smallest quantity you can, that will cause a slackness in the market. Do that till it comes to a fair price. I think 6cl. is a fair price, and I think, within myself, if that plan is adopted the staff of life will soon be cheaper than it is now. I, myself, will try, and I hope all England will do the same. Can you not partly'live on rice, beans, fish, potatoes, or any other food that is cheap, until the price of bread comes down. We will say, for instance, a man with a large family, as I have, consuming 13 or 14 loaves a-week, make one-half the quantity do. If this plan is carried out throughout the nation, for a few weeks, the loaf will soon be at a fair price. May those who endeavour to do good be crowned with success. If you can spare room in your valuable journal, you will much oblige your bumble servant, N. J. JOHNSON, Head waiter at the Little Star.  JEALoust —Yesterday morning a fine young woman, named Georgina Tomlin, aged 22 years, committed suicide by precipitating herself from the towing•path of the Regent's Canal, Cambridge-heath. She was an artificial flower maker, and worked for a firm in Greshamstreet, City. She had been keeping company with a young man, a commercial clerk, who had promised her marriage, but latterly he had forsaken her fur another girl, whom she saw with him on Sunday evening last, walking in the enclosure of Victoria Park. The cir. cumstance so preyed on her mind that she left her home in a state of great mental anguish, and in a moment of desperation she committed suicide. _
The Sun. — 1856-08-11 (London, England)

SOUTH WARK.  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.— EI nay Davis, a decent-looking female, about 50 years of a ge, was brought before Mr. Combe, charged with- attempting to commit suicide by taking a large quantity of I: tudanum. Thomas Curtis, poliCe-co nstable, 78 L, said that on Wednesday night he saw 4113 prisoner lying on the pavement in Stamford-street, insensible. Thinking that she Two "ceder the influence of liquor he attempted to rouse her up, but he found it was utterly u,cle.s, and she seemed as if she was dean. He immediately obtained the assistance of other constables and carried her to a neighbouring surgeon's, whim it was suspected that she had taken poison. The stomach-pump was instantly used, when a large quantity of laudanum was ejected from the stomach, and in a short time she sufficiently recovered to be conveyed to the workhouse, where she had remained until the present time, when he took her into custody for attempting to commit suicide. The officer added that she was still in an extremely weak state from the effects of the poison.  Mr. Combs asked the prigoner why she attempted such a rash act ?—She replied in a very weak voice that she did not know. She was very ill and unable to speak. , Mr. Combo inquired of the constable whether he knew anything of her ?—He replied that he believed her to be the wife of a respectable man, and that drunkenness had caused her to take the laudanum,. At present he had not been able to find out anything more about her. Mr. Combs directed him to make further inquiries, and for that purpose he should remand her for a week, when she would receive every attention from the medical officer and the authorities of the gaol. She was immediately removed by the gaoler and taken to Horsemonger•lane gaol.
The Sun. — 1856-08-11 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.  ATTEMPTED SIIICIDE.—EmiIy Davis, a decent-looking female, about 0 years of age, was brought before Mr. Combo, charg,-%1 with attempting to commit suicide by taking a large quantity of laudanum. Thomas Curtis, police-constable, 78 L, said that on Wednesday night he saw the prisoner lying on the pavement in Stamford-street, insensible. Thinking that she was under the influence of liquor he attempted to rouse her up, but he found it was utterly useless, and she seemed as if she was dead. He immediately obtained the assistance of other constables and carried her to a neighbouring surgeon's, when it was suspected that she had taken poison. The stomach-pump was instantly used, when a large quantity of laudanum was ejected from the stomach, and in a short time she sufficiently recovered to be conveyed to the workhouse, where she had remained until the present time, when he took her into custody for attempting to commit suicide. The officer added that she was still in an extremely weak state from the effects of the poison.  Mr. Combe asked the prisoner why she attempted such a rash act ?—She replied in a very weak voice that she did not know. She was very ill and unable to  speak.  - Mr. Combe inquired of the constable whether he knew anything of her l—lie replied that he believed her to be the wife of a respectable man, and that drunkenness had caused her to take the laudanum. At present he had not been able to find out anything more about her. Mr. Combo directed him to make further inquiries, and for that purpose he should remand her for a week, when she would raceive every attention from the medical officer and the authorities of the gaol. She was immediately removed by the gaoler and taken to Horsemongerlane gaol.
The Sun. — 1856-08-06 (London, England)

TEE LATE DOUBLE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.  eINTZTIBURY, Tuesday Evening.—Dadea Bedanius, the marderer of Caroline and Maria Back, lies in a very precarious state in the hospital, at Canterbury. He has inflicted three wounds on himself, one of them having extended, it is believed, to the left lung. The incisions are about six inches in depth, but not necessarily mortal. Bedanius apneare to be a man somewhat above the common level of his countrymen ; he is a Servian, and comes from Belerade. He speaks very gond German (the Austrian dialect), and can also converse in Italian, having served in the Austrian army. His countenance is rather mild and intelligent. Dr. Rhea, a linguist at St. Au. gastine's College, has been to see him, but he does not appear inclined to say much at present in reference to the crime he has committed. He merely alludes to it in general terms, aed states that "he did it out of love." During the night, when he was quite composed and sensible, one of the nurses in attendance asked how he could have done it? Bedanius merely replied that he stabbed her, and she was dead in a minute. When asked by Dr. Rhost it he wished to make any voluntary statement, or was desirous of communicating with his friends, he replied, " Not at present ; I am too weak to speak yet." About 11 o'clock on Monday evening it was expected that he was near his death and upon being asked if he should like to see the priest, Bedanius replied in the affirmative. The Rev. Mr. Siddens, the Roman Catholic priest of the district, was therefore sent for. Upon the arrival of the rev. gentleman the usual questions were put to the sufferer, and subsequently the rites of the Roman Catholic Church were administered to him. At a later period, however, be asked for his knife, as hf. wished to finish himself. He is watched by a const ,ble, in case he should make any further attempt upon his life. He has not shown any kind of delirium.
The Sun. — 1849-12-27 (London, England)

ARTFUL STRATAGEM.  A good deal of excitement was caused in the neighbourhood of Niagara Falls on the 27th of November last, by the report that a lady named Mrs. Miller had thrown herself over Niagara Falls. It seems that she arrived in the morning train, having with her two little boys, four and six years old. After taking rooms at the Eagle Hotel, she called for writing materials, and nothing more was heard from her until next morning, when the boys rang the bell and inquired for their mother. On the table of her room were found three letters, respectively addressed to Major Miller, U.S.A., the Hon. J. Norvell, of Detroit (Michigan), and the landlord of the Eagle Hotel. A copy of the last epistle is before us. It announced that the mind of the writer (Mrs. Miller) was " made up ;" that she found life no longer worthy of preservation, and therefore intended to commit suicide—in such a manner to prevent any of the morbidly curious from "gazing on her mangled remains." The letter also commended the little boys to the care of their grandparent—the Honourable Mr. Norvell abovementioned. The children, on being interrogated, stated that their mother had " bid them ' Good-bye"' on the preceding evening, when she put them to bed. During the day her bonnet was found on the pier of the bridge leading to Goat Island, and her shawl tied to the railing. It was supposed, as a matter of course, that the unfortunate lady had sought rest from her troubles in the abyss below. But, alas, for the romance - writers ! the Republican, of Buffalo, too soon dispelled the visions of the " lovers of the marvellous" by a provokingly matter-of fact paragraph, stating that Mrs. Miller (the supposed suicide) was still alive, and that she bad preferred the embraces of rosy Cupid to those of pale Death— having, in short, eloped with " a friend" from Philadelphia. The theatrical arrangement of the letters and the shawl and bonnet was, of course, a mere rime to induce the belief that the body of the frail one was drowned in the falls of Niagara. The circumstances which thus relieved the public mind are too closely connected, and too well attested to leave room for a doubt that Mrs. Miller is alive and well, and for the present enjoying the society of her paramour, one Mr. Henry Blakemer, of Philadelphia. The lover is de scribed—not very poetically, by the way—as a man five feet eight inches high, the state of whose heard certified that it could not have scraped acquaintance with such a thing as a razor for at least three or four weeks.
The Sun. — 1849-12-27 (London, England)

ARTFUL STRATAGEM.  A good deal of excitement was caused in the neighbourhond of Niagara Falls on the 27th of November last, by the report that a lady named Mrs. Miller had thrown herself over Niagara Falls. It seems that she arrived in the morning train, having with her two little boys, four and six years old. After taking rooms at the Eagle Hotel, she called for writing materials, and nothing more was heard from her until next morning, when the boys rang the bell and inquired for their mother. On the table of her roan were found three letters, respectively addressed to Major Miller, U.S.A., the Hon. J. Norvell, of Detroit (Michigan), and the landlord of the Eagle Hotel. A copy of the last epistle is before us. It announced that the mind of the writer (Mrs. Miller) was " made up ;" that she found life no longer worthy of preservation, and therefore intended to commit suicide—in such a manner to prevent any of the morbidly curious from "gazing on her mangled remains." The letter also commended the little boys to the care of their grandparent—the Honourable Mr. Norvell abovementioned. The children, on being interrogated, stated that their mother had " bid them Good-bye" on the preceding evening, when she put them to bed. During the day her bonnet was found on the pier of the bridge leading to Goat Island, and her shawl tied to the railing. It was supposed, as a matter of course, that the unfortunate lady had sought rest from her troubles in the abyss below. But, alas, for the romance - writers ! the Republican, of Buffalo, too soon dispelled the visions of the " lovers of the marvellous " by a provokingly matter-of-fact paragraph, stating that Mrs. Miller (the supposed suicide) was still alive, and that she had preferred the embraces of rosy Cupid to those of pale Death— having, in short, eloped with "a friend" from Philadelphia. The theatrical arrangement of the letters and the shawl and bonnet was, of course, a mere ruse to induce the belief that the body of the frail one was drowned in the falls of Niagara. The circumstances which thus relieved the public mind are too closely connected, and too well attested to leave room for a doubt that Mrs. Miller is alive and well, and for the present enjoying the society of her paramour, one Mr. Henry Blakemer, of Philadelphia. The lover is described—not very poetically, by the way—as a man five feet eight inches high, the state of whose beard certified that it could not have scraped acquaintance with such a thing as a razor for at least three or four weeks.
The Sun. — 1849-05-18 (London, England)

SUICIDE.—On Wednesday an inquest was held at the Elephant and Castle, St. Pancras road, before Mr. H. M. Wakley, on the body of Frederick B. Murrell, aged 53, late captain in the 6th regiment of foot. It appeared that the deceased had resided since the 30th of last month at a coffee- house, No. 77, Waterloo-road, and had been in a very nervous and ,excited state, attributed by those who knew something of his affairs to the less of 1,6004 by the failure of the Nottingham Bank. He left his residence at seven o'clock on Thursday evening last, and at twelve o'clock was found in the Regent's Canal, at Battlebridge. What led to his discovery was the report of a pistol, heard at the adjacent lock-house. The lock- keeper then went to the bridge, and on the towing-path under it found two pistols, one of which was loaded. The deceased was soon after discovered in the river quite dead, and an examination of the body disclosed a wound from the left breast through to the back, evidently the perforation of a pistol-ball. It Ras supposed that the deceased shot himself while standing on the bank of the canal. The next morning Mr. Gould, , his landlord, received the following letter. which had been posted the previous night at Battle-bridge:—" Mr. Gould—When you receive this I shall have ceased to exist. A pistol will have put an end to all my troubles, which have of late caused me much misery and wretchedness; indeed to the extent that no other remedy was left me but to commit a dreadful deed, which I hope the Almighty will pardon. and have mercy on my soul. The things I have left at your house will, I trust, sufficiently compensate you for the nine or ten weeks' board and lodging I had of you. Whenever you again see Miss —, tell her I telt very much pained at her not writing a line in answer to my last letters; also tell her my last thoughts and wishes were for her well-being and happiness. Now, farewell, &c.—F.M." The jury returned a verdict—" That the deceased shot himself, but in what state of mind there was not sufficient evidence to show."  It were a strange fancy to build up the human character atter the model of the four great orders of architecture, yet probity is firm but simple as the Doric, pride of loftier and more elaborate refinement as the Tuscan. Generosity with the beauty and grace of the lonic, and love, excelling with Corinthian excellence, pAsessing the strength of all, equalled in exquisite ornament by none.—Eliza Cook's Journal.