npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Express. — 1866-04-17 (London, England)

MURDIIII IN DRURY-LANE AND WITTED SUICIDE 07 THE MURDERER. IISDAY.)  Ohortiyafter 6 o'olooh•diie morning another fearfungigedy was brought to light, • 'hooking murderhaving been soinnmitted in the densely populated neighbourhood known as Feather's-court, Drury-lane. It appears that a man named James Whitley, a bricklayer's labourer, with his wife and six children, lived on the third floor, at No. 8, in this court. At about 6 this morning the eldest of the children, • boy, left his home to go to work, and shortly after that the next in age wee sent by his mother to fetch some bread. A short time after the latter had gone a man named Madison, living at No. 3, opposite, heard faint screams of " Murder." He accordingly went to the house—the cry of " Murder" being continued. In the meantime the 'creams had aroused some of the other lodgers, who, on ascending the stairs, found the unfortunate woman Whitley lying at the bottom of the second flight bleeding profusely from the neck. They endeavoured to get a word from the poor creature, but she had °eased to breaths. Polioe•constable 123 F and Sergeant Chappell were soon on the spot, and Drs. Welsh and Harvey were prompt in their attendance. Both of the medical men were of opinion that the deceased had been dead some short time, and the lifeless body was ordered to be conveyed to St. Clement's dead-house. The constables, on entering the room, found a frightful spectacle before them. To the left on entering was the wretched man Whitley, crouched in a pool of blood, with his head nearly severed from his body and resting against the wall. In the centre of the room was • large quantity of blood, which had evidently come from his wife, and it could be seen that the woman had crawled to the door, and from ;thence to the stairs, where she must have fallen. By the side of the man yea • large clasp knife, with which he must have first cut his wife's throat, and then his own. There was a misersblyclad French bedstead in the room, in which Whitley and his wife slept, and at the foot there were four young children on the floor in a deplorable condition. The screams of the little ones were, it seems, not heard till after those of the mother. Whitley was at once taken to King's College Hospital, where he lies with no hope of recovery. From the statement of the sister of the murdered woman, who was sent for, it seems that formerly both lived happily together. Of late, however, there had been a good deal of drinking going on, and it was not unfrequent, as the neighbours state, to hear them quarrelling and fighting. The children have been removed by the authorities to the workhouse. The home itself was of the most deplorable description, containing scarcely a vestige of furniture. The police have been told that there was some jealousy existing on the part of the man ; but nothing conclusive has transpired on this point.
The Express. — 1866-06-16 (London, England)

THE  ' EVENING, JUNE 16, 1866.  1UBT&  THAMES. Edward Braes, a stonemason, came before Mr. Paget to complain of an assault committed upon him by a poliesconstable of the K division named William Cosine. Inspector Roberts, of the K division, said that a summons granted by the magistrate for the attendance of the comb-hie to answer the complaint of Bruce had been read to him and served upon him and that he absconded on Thursday afternoon. The Commissioners of Police would prosecute Cosine for leaving the service without a month's notice. Brace said—On Sunday afternoon last, between the hours of two and three o'clock, I was resin over the swivel-bridge of the London-dock in Old Gravel-lane. St. Gemv's-in-the-East, when a young lady made some inquiries about her servant, who was missing, and who she ampeoted had committed suicide. Two young men offered to assist in her inquiries and direct her where to find the dock watchmen and officers. A police-constable, No. 274 K, who was drunk, came up, and offered his services, which the young lady declined, and he trod on her dress, and drew her back on his breast. The dress was torn to pieces. I said to the policeman, " Hold up, old chap," and was assailed by him with the most foul abuse and threats. I told the policeman he ought to know better, and that he was drunk. The policeman repeated his abuse, and said, " Was you never drunk ?" I was followed down the street by the policeman, and bullied in a moat fearful manner. I said, " This is rather hard dumplings to be treated in this manner by a peace-officer ;" and my boys becoming alarmed went for their mother, who tried to pacify the constable, but he continued to act in a most uproarious manner, collected a disorderly crowd in the street, and challenged people to fight. I told the constable he was a disgrace to the coat he wore, to which he replied that he did not care a for the coat, pulled it off, and gave it to another man to wear, with the belt attached. The policeman then laid his fist on my nose, and said he would crush me. I then ran to the station-bonne in Greenbank, Wapping, to lodge a complaint, and while there the policeman came in without his coat, insulted me again, and was advised by another constable to go to bed, and he did so. • Mr. Paget—Do you know anything about this, Mr.  Roberta? Inspector Roberta—No doubt, sir, what the complainant has said is true. The particulars have been reported to the commissioners. Mr. Paget said he would grant a warrant for the apprehension of the offending constable. It was important not only for the complainant, but also in the interests of public justice, that the case should be fully investigated. It was requisite that the police should be treated with respect, and on the other hand that if there was any misconduct on the part of a member of the force, he should be punished. The warrant would be granted without payment of the usual fee, and he hoped it would be promptly executed.
The Express. — 1866-06-16 (London, England)

ARTHUR TAYLOR. " What shall I wish, then, that honour, fame, And earthly treasures may be thine— That history may enroll thy name And bear thee an immortal shrine? Not so ; but ma 'at thou rather coins To wealth and fame beyond the tomb." Evidence having been given showing that deceased had been thirteen mouths in Mr. Griflith's service, and that he went out at half-past three on Monday afternoon, George F. Perry said he saw the prisoner on the Serpentine-bridge, walking composedly, as though taking an evening walk. He then saw him sitting on the parapet of the bridge. He next got over the parapet, and witness suddenly missed him. When on the water side of the parapet the deceased stopped, as though he was looking at something. Witness ran for the drags, but the gate wax closed. He then called for a boat, which was a very long time coming. Deceased hat's was floating. Witness saw the body taken out ; it had been in the water 20 minutes. Edward Davis, of 76, Denbighotreet, Pimlico, saw the park-keeper at one side of the bridge and a boat at the other, trying to get through, but the boat could not do so, owing to a chain being across the bridge. Witness told them as the boat could not get through he could dive, and accordingly stripped off his clothes and plunged in, but he had to make several dives before he could get hold of the deceased. He at length got his foot and brought him up ; the water was G or 7 feet deep. Other evidence having been taken, A verdict was returned of " Suicide by drowning, while in an unsound state of mind;" the jury adding that the conduct of Edward Davis' in endeavouring to save the life of the deceased, was extremely praiseworthy.  To relieve the distress consequent upon the war, half a dozen charitable societies have been lately founded at Berlin. Some will assist the hospital service in tending and healing the wounded ; others intend looking after the wives and children of the reserves called out ; and others will alleviate the wants of the widows and orphans, whose number will be legion before long. A special society will provide such refreshments for the soldiers as are not included in the ordinary rations, but highly acceptable to the sorely tried mortal when fighting the battles of his country. A number of ladies, who it is to be hoped will continue their benevolent activity after the restoration of peace, are going to open eating-rooms for the poor, where dinners can be had at a much lower price than they could prepare them for at home.
The Express. — 1866-09-20 (London, England)

THAMES.  Jaw Middleton, aged437deseribed as a labourer, of No. 3, Quisley-street, Poplar, was brought before Mr. Partridge charged with cutting and wounding Elisabeth Peterson, a widow, with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and also with attempting to commit suicide by cutting his throat, at No. 48, Brunswick-street, Poplar, on the 9th of the present month. Mrs. Peterson said she was a widow, living at No. 48, Brunswick-street. On Sunday, the 9th instant, about ten minutes past 8 o'clock, the prisoner brought her home from Poplar Church. He had been courting her for some time. After the lapse of a few minutes he prosed to her, and asked her if she would be his ; to which she replied, Yes. He said, "No you shall not be mine," caught bold of her round the waist, and threw her on the ground. She struggled with him, and screamed, and she felt a knife go into her throat. She was bleeding very much. She continued to struggle with him, and he cut her on the chin. She made a desperate effort, threw him from her, and rove to her feet. He go* up, and she made for the door, ran to the railway station opposite with the blood issuing from her throat, and gave an alarm. She was conveyed to the surgery of a doctor, and her wounds were dressed. In answer to questions by Mr. Partridge, the witness said—l have known the prisoner for many years.. He also gave me another cut on the throat. He came to the house in which I lived at four o'clock in the afternoon, remained till six, and followed me to the parish church of All Saints, Poplar. Other evidence was given, from which it appeared that the prisoner inflicted a severe wound on his own throat after he had injured the widow in the way described, and was taken to the Poplar Hospital by James Ponsford, a police-constable, No. 2% IC, to whom he said religion was the cause of it all. The dress of the prosecutrix was much cut, and it was evident that the prisoner had endeavoured to inflict other wounds upon her, and was prevented by her struggles. The prisoner made no defence, and Mr. Partridge committed him to Newgate for trial.
The Express. — 1866-08-16 (London, England)

ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE AT BETHNALGREEN.—A man named George Moyce, 40 years of age, carrying on the business of a shoemaker, at 9, Wellington- I street, Bethnal-green, on Tuesday night made a brutal attempt to murder his wife, and afterwards succeeded in i taking his own life by cutting his throat with a razor. About half-past nine o'clock the unfortunate woman Ann Moyce rushed into the street, covered with blood, and pointing to • frightful wound in her throat, said to some neighbours who were standing near, "Look what my husband has done." Immediately after she became insensible. Police-constable John Pales, 99 H, who was on duty in the immediate neighbourhood. had the woman conveyed to the London Hospital, and entered the house, where he found Moyce with his throat , cut in such a fearful manner as could leave not the slightest I hope of his recovery. Oa being conveyed to the hospital I Mr. Greenaway, the house surgeon, discovered that the windpipe had been completely severed, and stated that the man could not survive many hours, and that the wounds were each as could easily have been inflicted byhimself. The wound in the woman's throat was not so serious, and every hope is entertained of her ultimate recovery. In addition to the wound in her throat, her hands are lacerated in such a manner as to lead to the supposition that she had struggled hard to defend herself against her husband. Information was conveyed to the Bethnal-green police-station, and the acting inspector, Sergeant Dillon, placed a constable in charge of the house pending the investigation, which will be held to-day at the hospital. Moyce has left six young children—the eldest of whom is under 12 ears of age—who have been taken charge of by the pa authorities. Up to the present time no cause has been assigned for the outrage, the woman being as yet unable to 'peak. From inquiries at the hospital yesterday, we learn that Moyce died at half-past 12 o'clock, and that his wife is progressing satisfactorily. LONDON GENERAL 031111BtS COMPANY (LIMITED). —Traffic receipts for week ending Aug. 12, 11,9211. 16.. 8.1. [Advertisement.]--HoLLoweir S
The Express. — 1866-06-19 (London, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE OF A LADY AT GREENWICH. —Mr. C. J. Cartter, coroner, held an inquiry yesterday afternoon, at the Greenwich Union, into the circumstances attending the death of Mrs. Frances Henderson, aged 52, a lady of independent property, of 2V, Vauxhall-bridgeroad, Pimlico, who was found dead, with her throat cut. It appeared that the deceased left home on the morning of Saturday, the 9th inst., for the purpose of calling upon various tradesmen, and ordering goods for the house, but she was never seen after that time. A. few evenings since Miss Wheeler, a young lady, resident at Greenwich, was walking through her father's grounds, known as " The Woodlands," and in a secluded spot her attention was attracted to a frog, and on looking down and along the , she saw what she took to be the body of a Ole, the face only being just visible. Having called assistance, a man went to the spot, and there found the deceased sitting on sloping ground, with her feet ' against a tree to prevent her from slipping, and with her throat cut, the windpipe being completely severed. In her right hand the deceased groped tightly a pocket-knife, with which the injury had been inflicted, and in her possession were also found four phials,which had all contained laudanum, and a tumbler, perfectly clean and dry. Mr. Cogan, surgeon, who was brought to the deceased, gave it as his opinion that life had been extinct four or five days. To have reached the spot the deceased had to crow a field and get over a fence ; and before committing suicide she took off her bonnet and lace shawl, and placed a handkerchief in her lap. The handkerchief was found to be filled with blood, while the upper portion of the dress was very slightly soiled. No trace of poison was found in the body, though deceased had purchased laudanum at three druggists' shops at Greenwich. Evidence was given to show that she had exhibited a strangeness of manner of late, and her medical attendant added that the knife found in the hand of the deceased was one she prized as the only thing she had ever found. The jury returned • verdict That the deceased committed suicide while labouring under temporary derangement." A
The Express. — 1866-05-29 (London, England)

THIS DAY.)  This forenoon, Mr. John Humphreys, coroner, held an inquiry at the Sir George Osborne's Head Tavern, Prince-street, Spitalfields, relative to the suicide of Ann Williams, aged 17 years. Mr. Jane 'Bird, wife of the landlord of the Sir George Osborne's Head, said that deceased was her servant, and on Friday evening last witness discovered that she had been in the habit of buying cheap milk at Sd. a quart, instead of the best at 4.1. a quart, and I keeping the difference in price. She had been 'peel/illy told to get the best, as it wee wanted for Mr. pird, who was ill. When the milk-girl told the fact deceased shook her head at her, bat she did not deny it, and upon witness saying that she was surprised at her doing such a thing for a penny, which she could have got for the asking, she turned away very sulky. Witness being very partial to her did not discharge her or say anything more. Mr. John Bird said that on the evening in question, between 9 and 110 o'clock, he heard the water running over from the butts in the yard. He went out and found the deceased head downwards in the larger water-butt. He called some persons out of the parlour, who extricated the body, but life was quite extinct. She must have climbed on the lower butt, and by standing on it reached the larger one. Mr. A. M. Champneys, M.R.C.S., said that he was called in, and every effort was made to resuscitate the deceased, but without avail. She had fallen upon a spike of wood plugging a hole in the bottom of the waterbutt. Ellen Stubbings, a married sister of the deceased, said that she never made any complaints of her place, but always gave her mistress a good character. The Coroner said that it was quite in accordance with modern practice for the servant to give her mistress a character.; it would be satisfactory to Mrs. Bird to know that the character she got was a good one. No doubt the shame of being detected in a petty theft haa acted upon deceased's mind, and caused her to destroy her life. The jury returned a verdict of " Suicide while in a state of unsound mind."
The Express. — 1852-11-25 (London, England)

SUICIDE BY A PAUPER.  An old man, named John Heywood, who had been for some time in receipt of relief from the blenchester Union, committed suicide on Tuesday morning b drowning himself in a water-tub, at the George and Dragon public-Ileum, in Garden-street. He had been in the habit of sleeping on a bench in the kitchen of this house for the last two years. On the Monday evening he told the keeper of the house, whose name is Drotherdale, that the eighteenpence • week which he had received from the union was to be taken away from him. He had an order for admission to the workhouse, but he declared he would not go in. He did not know what lie should do for • shelter, as llrotherdale was going to remove, and thought be should cut his throat to make away with himself. Biotherdal• left him in the kitchen when be went to bed, at half-put 12 on Monday night. At half-past seven o'clock neat morning he found deceased with his head in the water tub, and his legs hanging over the side. U 6 was quite dead, hut the body was still warm. There was no other person in the house except a little girl of four years old, and deceased could not have got into the tub by accident. Deoeased was 68 years of age, a factory canter by trade, and was said to be disposed to work when he bad the opportunity. An inquest was Feld on the body on Tuesday by Mr. iferford, when it was stated that deceasedsometimes had liquor given to him, but had not money enough togct it ill' himself. lie was generally of sober habits, hut was brought home drunk on a Saturday night, about three weeks ago. On Monday he had only had two gi.ls (half pints) of beer. A man named Patrick Henry once went to the relieving officer for decerneJ, when the latter was too unwell to go himself. Harris, the officer, said he would not give deceased any thing unless he went himself, as he was drunk on the previous Saturday. Deceased then said if he could get 6d. lie would take laudanum cud not be humbugged. Richard Harris, the relieving officer, said he was going up Shude-hill on Saturday evening, Oct. 30, when he met docessed, very drunk, at the corner of Garden street. Ile told the last witness to send deceased to the office. He came about five o'clock on the Tuesday following, in • state of intoxication. Witness told him he could not give the ratepayers' money to drunken people, but be would give hint an order for the workhouse. Doceased said ho would not have it, and became very abusive. He called on the Thursday following, again drunk, and again refused to go into the workhouse. Deceased had not applied since. Witness objected to give a man relief who lived in a public house, as he would be more liable to get drink with it.  The jury found a verdict to the effect that the deceased drowned himself under the influence of temporary insanity.
The Express. — 1852-09-09 (London, England)

BOW-STREET.  Naseby and MullenZ;;nan ded on the charge of the manslaughter of henry Lucas, of Nottingham-court, Castlestreet, Long-acre, were brought up and plated before Mr. Henry for final examination. The depositions were read over, and additional evidence given. Mr. W. Bennett, surgeon to the parish of St. Giles, deposed to having made a post modem examination of deceased, and was of opinion that the fall, caused by the blow, as given in evidtnce, might have caused the death of the deceased, whose appearance justified the opinion. Mr. Henry discharged Naseby, but committed Mullen. for trial.  Sarah Dunn, a young-;;;;In,W years of age, was charged with attempting to commit suicide. Mrs. Pool, of No 5, Lizard-street, St. Luke's, stated that she was formerly acquainted with the parents of the prisoner. Her father was a respectable solicitor in the City-road, who gave leer a liberal education. He died about 9 years ago, and her mother 4 years since, leaving her destitute, when the prisoner was compelled to obtain a situation as servant, but she was obliged through Wines to leave her service, and witness was induced, from motives of charity, to receive and protect her under her roof; but she was constantly in a state of melancholy. Yesterday morning she was informed that the prisoner had taken a quantity of oxalic acid, which witness kept in the house for the purpose of taking out stains. She found her muff-cries much from the poison, which she admitted having taken. She immediately srnt for a policemso. 70 G, who had her conveyed to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, where she was attended to, and was subsequently brought to this court. The prisoner had no friends or relations to assist her except witness, and, her circumstances not being sufficient, she had urged the prisoner to go into the workhouse. Sarah Jones saw the prisoner with the poison, which she threatened to take. She advised her not to do such a foulish thing, but she mixed it with water, and swallowed it off, who witness made an alarm. Mr. Combo reproved her in a mild and feeling manner, and told her that, if she was in distressed circumstances, it would be better far her to seek assistance from her parish than resort to a rash attempt upon her life, or to come to a magistrate, when something would be done for her. Prisoner (bursting into tears)—l went to the pariah, sod they would do nothing for me. Thee would not even give me some clothes to try to get something to do. Mr. Combo-1 will send you to a place where every care will be taken of you until you are mere composed in your mind, and in the meantime the parish authorities must be consulted, and everything proper shall be done for you. He gave orders that Mrs. Poole should be allowed to visit and see her in the House of Detention in the infirmary, and that every care and attention should be afforded her. The unfortunate creature was then supported out of court in strong convulsions, and the utmost sympathy was manifested towards her.