npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1866-06-29 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

GEMS OF THOUGHT.  --...-.- Opinion.—Every opinion reacts on him who utters  How to Get Rid of Troubles.—To get rid of your troubles, stop thinking of them. The Way to Treat Injuries.—lt is wisdom to say little respecting the injuries you have received. C .nteutment.—There is an old proverb that says, contentment is the true philosopher's st me. It's very likely, for nobody has ever found one or the other. Truth. A great part of the truth is not spoken, because there is no necessity for speaking it; another great part is swallowed up by conventional falsehoods, and the rest, or very nearly the rest, is buried under lies that the her thinks cannot be discovered.  Language and the Human Countenance.—A cynic said that language was made to conceal our ideas.; and he might have added, with equal truth, that the expression of the human countenance was intended to convey false impressions. Ignorance of our Acquaintance.—When we think of the great part of our ordinary acquaintance, and ask ourselves what are their views, purposes, oputiions, thoughts, feelings, dispositions, characters, we may well say with the moralist, poet, and philosopher, ' We know nothing.'  The Prevalence of Falsehood.—lt is much to be feared that, if from society in general we were to take away all that is false in word, look, and action, we should have nothing hut a pantomime in dumb show, performed by very stiff automatons. Society.—ln the ordinary commerce of one human being with another, which takes place in the every-day routine of that dull machine which is called society, especially in large cities, we pass on through life, knowing little or nothing of the human beings with whom we are brought in temporary 'contact. Self-Reliance. There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take his own life as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no grain of corn can come to him except through his own toil, bestowed on that plot of ground which is given him to till.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1866-12-28 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SIIOCKING SUICIDE OF A TURNKEY IN STAFF 04.1) Pm-Am—Considerable excitement was caused in  the county prison on Tuesday morning, when it became known that on of the turnkeys, named Thomas Parker, had committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling of the store mom. The deceased was fifty-nine years of age, and was possessed of freehold property to some extent, in addition to a considerable sum he had s.,ved:during the period (upwards of twenty. years) he . . . . .  , . had held his mtuation in he prison. He had been in a desponding state some time, and from a letter written just before his death, it would appear that the case of a fellow turnkey who had been convicted of supplying the prisoners with tobacco, and sentenced to two months' Imprlsoninents preyed upon his mind, and that he considered himself aim object of suspicion, which, in the letter referred to, he declared to be unfounded.  The sixth annual soiree of the employes of Messrs R a'aert Wotherspoon & Co. was held on Thursday evening in the Trades Hall, which was crowded in every part. Mr R. Rymill occupied the chair, and on the platform we observed A. A rbercrombie, Esq , partner of the firm; Mr Hood, manager; Rev. Mr Sinclair, and other gentlemen. The chairman, in the course of his remarks, alluded to the removal of the firm from the old premises in Dunlop Street, to the immense establishment, recently erected by them in Kinniug Park—premises which in extent and general adaptability to the improved production of the various and important manufacturers of this enterprising firm are unequalled. The Chairman then dilated upon the growing importance of the biscuit trade—a branch of manufacture recently entered upon by Messrs. Robert Wotherspoon & Co., and who by adopting all the latbst valuable improvements in the machinery for the production of these indispensible commodities, were rapidly gaining for themselves a reputation as unchallenged as they had already attaioed in the Glenfield Starch and confectionery trades. The concert which followed was contributed by the following talented artistes—Misses Bessie Aitken and iScatlatial; Mr Brown. tenor; and Mr Houston, the popular comic. This part of the programme was highly enjoyable. and kept the audience in excellent spirits. An assembly took place immediately after, which lasted till an early hour in the morniting. An efficient quadrille band was in attendance, under the leadership of M? Hayes.—Morning Journal.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1866-05-25 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

MURDER, AND SUICIDE AT 110LAIFIRTII.  About five o'clock on the afternoon of Monday, the *labial) tants of Holinfirth and neighbourhood were thrown into a state ot great excitement by the discovery of two dead bodie4t, those of a woman and child, in a reservoir of water situate in Mark's-bottoms-wood, a lonely spot about half a mde from Holinfirth. A farm labourer named Thomas Crooks was returning borne, and in passing the reservoir observed a w iman's dress floating upon the water. H- immediately communicated the circumstance to Inspector Ayrton, at Hol.ufirth police-station, who with a number of men proceeded to the place, and by means of a rope succeeded in bringing the bodies to the embankment. On unfolding the shawl which partially wrapt the bead, the woman was recognised as Sarah Wiinpenny, wife of Joshua Wimpenny, of Nether Hill House, near upperthong, and the child, a fine boy about thirteen months old, her son. The child was tied round the body of its mother, and was very neatly dressed. The bodies were imme lately conveyed to the Crown Hotel, at llolwflth, to await the inquest. That the circumstance must have been premeditated by the mother will appear from the fact of a small piece of paper being attached to the garment of the child, with the words written in plain characters, " Remember little Herbert," the name of the boy. What was the motive of the deceased is yet a mystery. Various rumours are afloat, but as yet nothing accurate is known. Mrs Wimpenny left home about an hour previously, stating to her eldest daughter that she was going to the school feast at Netheithong, where her parents reside. She was about forty years of age, and leaves five children. Her husband is a very kind man, and they always appeared to he conic, told. and happy.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1866-12-14 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY IN BERKSHIRE MURDER, AND SUICIDE OF THE • MURDERER. NEWBURY, Wednesday, December 5. This town and neighbourhood have to-day been thrown into a state of intense excitement by a shocking murder and the suicide of the murderer. For some years past an attractive-looking young woman, named Shaw, who has a number of relatives in this locality, has led a very dissolute life, and for a con• siderable period she cohabited with a journeyman butcher, named Martin, who was formerly in the service of Mr Edward Wilson, butcher, of Northbrook-street, but was discharged from his employment for theft. Ho subsequently conducted himself very badly. and %ars committed to Reading Gaol for a brutal assault on the girl Shaw. He has recently returned to the neighbourhood, sad last night lie was seen drinking with Shaw at a public-house in the town, Shaw being in comi any with another man, who, it appears, accompanied her to her home, a short distance without the boundary of the borough. At an early hour this morning Martin went to some neighbours of Shaw's, and inquired if they did not hear a row in the house last night, and replying in the affirmative, they expressed their bet ef that he knew something about it. After this lie walked away, and the suspicions of the neighbours being aroused the house of Shaw was entered, and the bedroom presented a frightful spectacle. The unfortunate woman was lying greatly disfigured and quite dead, and the man who had been seen in her company last night was found in a dreadful state of suffering. The murderer had evidently used a butcher's implement, and battered Shaw's head in a merciless manner, and it was clear that the poor creature had done the best to defend herself with her hands, as several of her fingers were chopped off. Her paramour's head had also been beaten about, and the surgeons who were called in extracted several pieces of his skull. He lies in a most precarious condition. It appears that the murderer, after conversing with the neighbours this morning, went to a public house, partook of a glass of beer, and then walked to Enborne, where he took off some of his clothes, and having tied his legs, jumped into the Kennet and Avon Canal, his body being found soon afterwards. The paramour of Shaw had lately come to Newbury to conduct a beerhoune for his brother, who had been committed to gaol for some offence. The county of Berks has, during the past few years, been remarkably free from crimes of this serious character, and the excitement prevailing in the lore ity in consequence of this tragedy has not been equalled for a very considerable period.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1866-11-02 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE NEAR HUODERSFIELD.—Late on Saturday night a man named George Eastishaw, a slubber, residing iii Swan-lane, Lockwood, near Huddersfield, attempted to kill one of his children by pouring boiling water' into one of its ears ; and also to terminate his own ,existence. On Saturday afternoon Mrs Earnshaw left home on a visit to one of her daughters, who resides at Dewsbury, leaving at home her husband, a daughter, Elen, aged fourteen years and another daughter, Mary Ann, aged four years. 'There also resided in the house a lodger, who came home a little before eight o'clock, and sat by the fire until a quarter past eight, when he went upstairs to bed leaving the girls in bed in the lower room and their father sitting by the fire, upon which was a kettle filled with hot water ; Earnshaw having placed it for the purpose he said of afterwards bathing his feet. About eleven o'clock the neighbours heard cries of distress in the house, and some of them tried the door but feund it fastened. The lodger was aroused and came down and opened the door, and some of the persons en ered the house. An examination was made, and it was found that Earnshaw was in bed with his two children, and had tied a rope around his neck for the purpose of strangling himself. Samuel Kaye cut the rope, and then a further examination was made, and it was seen that the girl Ellen was severely sc dded on the head and neck, and the other girl was scalded on the right arm. l'he man was taiten into custody by P.C. Redman, whq conveyed him to the county I •ckup, and attention was paid to the injuries of the girls. Earnshaw stated that lie had intended to kill the children by pouring boiling water into their ears and then to kill himself. Subsequently he stated that he drank a quantity of boiling water out of the kettle spout, but he would not do it again fir the world. It was found requisite on Sunday to rake hii,n to the Infirmary, where he is at present Recently Earnshaw has been unwell, and of late it has been noticed that some of his proceedings hail been rather pecti.iar.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1866-09-21 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

EXTRAORDINARY AT CEAIPT AT SUICIDE.— On Tuesday, at noun, an extraordinary attempt at suicide was made at Sunderland by a lily, who threw herself from a railway bridge right itt front of an advancing locomotive. The lady in questinn was Miss Nesbitt, who for some time past had been in it depressed state of mind, but had not indicated any dangerous tendency. She had been walking in the public park with tier father and was returning borne by Tinartl-road, fly a bridge which crosses the North-Eastern parapet. Rushing from her father's side she mounted the stone p trapet, and before he could reach her had Hung herself off. Mr Nesbitt caught her juit as she was falling, but was unable to maintain his • huld,lllol she till a distance of between thirty and foity feet. Just at that moment an engine was advancing on the up line, and a locomotive and caal train was slowly coining on the down line. Tile driver of tho former saw the occurrence when he was about 2on yards distant, and instantly shut off the steam, applied *the breaks, and signalled the driver of the down train to stop. This promptitude saved the lady's life, for the engine was brought ta ii stand within four or five yards of whore she lay on the up lbw bleeding and senseless. The occurreiv:e created a great sensation in the neighboui hood, and had been witnesses! by a great many persons, but so sadden was it that no one could prevent it. Medical men were summon° I, and Miss Nesbitt was taken to the Infirmary, where, though she was severely cut and bruised, particularly about the head, she was found to have eve tped any very serious ' injuries.  There is a report that Mr Canning and Mr ( Glass are tube knighted for their services in connection j with the laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable. Few men have more justly entitled themselves to such an honour; and should tier Majesty be pleased to confer it upon them, such an exercise of her prerogative will meet with the fullest public approval.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1866-06-22 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

DETERMINED SUICIDE. —On Wednesday evening week an inquest was held at Guilford. touching the death of Charles Hook, aged 52. Deceased was a general dealer, and his business leading him frequently into the country, he was not at all times over abstemious. lie returned home on Thursday afternoon, apparently sober, but was restless during the night. In the morning, between five and six, he complained to his wife of irritation of the throat, and immediately afterwards went downstairs. Here it would appear he procured a razor, and bitting down in his easy chair, inflicted two fearful gashes on his throat, extending almost from ear to ear. He then ran upstairs, and his poor wife met him at the bed-room door. Mr Taylor and Mr Sells. surgeons, were almost immediately in attendance and hound up the wounds. The deceased lingered until Monday at noon, when he died from inflammation of the larynx and air passages. Mrs [Lek wated that some weeks ago her husband told her that God had ordered him to cut his throat, and he must do it; sh-! also added that there wis insanity in her husband's family. Verdict—Temporary Insanity. The deeased was a well-known character. Great excitement prevailed in Newcastle On Sunday night through a young man committing suicide by leaping into the river from the High Level Bridge. About eight o'clock a youeg man paid his halfpenny at the Newcastle side of the bridge, being followed at some twenty yards' distance by a young woman. On reaching about the middle of the bridge he stopped until the latter tad c osely approached him, when he is by some reported to have said—" Good bye, my dear, you'll never see me again," and, by others, "Good bye, hinnie, you'll not see me much longer." He then mounted the western parapet and flung himself into the river, being seen in his descent by several people on both Shores. Men put off in boats to rescue him, but they did not succeed, although he was for a short time observed to struggle and fling his arms about as if trying to swim and save himself. • The river police quick'y proceeded to the spot, and used the grappling irons, but nothing was seen of the body, and no information could be obtained as to who the deceased was. he efforts made to find out the young woman who was nearest to him at the time of the occurrence had likewise failed.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1866-11-16 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SUICIDE OF TIIE CAPTAIN OF A SHIP AT SEA. —A vessel was brought into Swarr-ea the other day under peculiar wrccumstances. The vessel had been trading on the west co tat of South America, and the first and second mates, as well as five seamen, daserted there The captain endeavoured to procure others to fill their places, but they proved of little use, which is supposed to have preyed on his mind, awl this, with the heat 0, the climate, as well as an immoderate use of spirits, drove him mad. The steward kept him in control for some time, but he jumped overboard, and there being no boats lit for use on board he was drowned, leaving the men to get home as best they could. The men, knowing nothing of navigation, were quite unable to direct her course, but fortunately they tell in with the Grenada, of Greenock, the captain of which sent an officer on board to take charge of her. RIFLE EXPERIMENTS IN AUSTRlA.—Resides the Remington. experiments have lately been made with the Peabody gun, as well as a new system by Lindner. The Remington fires sixteen shots a minute, the Lindner fourteen, and the Peabody fifteen or sixteen. The Remington costs thirty florins, the Peabody thirty-two, and the Lindner twenty-five. For the Remington and Peabody copper cartridges are required, coating three kreutz.rs and a half each (about threehalfpence) ; _the Lindner can be used either with those of copper or paper, the latter costing one kreutzer (the envelope alone, not including the charge). Of the three systems, that of Lindner is the only one that would admit of application to the guns at present in use, and that transformation would cost about five florins and a half pet gun. Austria posse.ses 1,200,000 mu kets of which 180,1100 are new, and have never been used, and 400 GOO more are in a very good state. According to the prices mentioned above, the acqnisilion of 1,001.000 Peabody's would cost thirty•two milliors of florins, of Remington's thiry, and of Lindner's twenty-five. If the existing ones are to be transformed (and otherwise they are valueles,) that can only be done by the Lindner system; the two others are not practicable, and the transformation of the 480 000 still serviceable would amount to 2,640,000 florine.--Camarade (Vienna).
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1866-04-06 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

EXECUTION OF MARY ANNE ASHFORD.— Mary Anne Ashford, who was convicted at the late assizes of poisoning her hnaband, William Ashford, was executed on Wednesday morning, the 26th ult., over the entrance to the county gaol, Exeter, in the presence of a large concourse of people. The murdered man, William Ashford, was a well-to-do shoemaker, living at Honiton Clyst, and had been married to the prisoner about twenty years. Until about two years ago they lived happily together, and the prisoner, whose family had lived many years in the village, was apparently a faithful and affectionate wife. About two years ago Mrs Ashford formed an improper connection with a journeyman in her husband's employ, named Pratt. The unhappy woman, it is believed, blinded by her passion, conceived the idea of killing her husband. On Sunday, tee 29th October, William Ashford was taken ill, after partaking of a hearty breakfast, and ultimately expired, as was proved, of poison. ' During the time the prisoner has been under sentence, her state of mind has been fearful, and only a few days ago she attempted to commit suicide by strangling herself with her pocket handkerchief. The Rev Mr llellings, the chaplain, was unremitting in his ministrations, and the convict showed herself grateful for his attention. She has a father and a brother living; but severe illness, rendered worse by the affec.ing position of their relative, have prevented their seeing her. Her sisterin-law, however, visited her. On the day preceding the execution, the convict was reported to be almost in a state of prostration, and to be incapable of the slightest exertion. The conviet paused a quiet night, and partook of breakfast. She was so weak that she had to be carried to the scaffold. The execution was over in three minutes. There were 15.000 people present. Calcraft was the executioner. Every effort was made to induce the wretched woman to make a confession, but she refused to say More than that she was guilty, and that her sentence was just.  possible.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1866-09-07 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

HORRIBLE DEATH OF THE REV. T. NIUHTINOALE.  A day or two since the inhabitants of Rye and the neighbourhood were thrown into a state of excitement, arising out of a report that, the Rev. Thomas Nightingale, forme,ly rector of Sr. Clement's, Hastings, and recently curate of Men, had been discovered in his room dead, with his face and head fearfully mangled, and his brains scattered all over the room. A recently I iischarged pistol was found lying by his side. It appears that the deceased had been into the town in the afternoon, and on his way home had had conversation with the Rev. T. Lewis, curate of Rye, and the Rev. L. Robinson, curate of Playden. On arriving at the top of the hill he went to the Rye Union House, and held conversation with Mr Taft s at the porter's lodge, and went over the house. He was exceedingly pleasant and cheerful, and nothing transpired which would lead to the supposition that the deceased contemplated suicide. Between five and six o'clock he returned to his apartments at Playdon Cottage, and went to his sitting-room. Shortly after wards Mrs Austen, the occupier of the house, heard the report of a pistol, but took no notice of it, as the deceased was accustomed to use a pair of pistols which were in the room for the purpose of shooting small birds from the window of the sitting-loom. About ten minutes before six she proceeded to the room to lay the cloth for dinner. She knocked, but received no answer. She entered, and noticing deceased lying on the hearth-rug in front of the fireplace, she said, " Are you ill, sir ?" at the same moment, looking at him, she perceived the blood flowing, and a horrible scene presented itself, causing her to Hhriek and call for immediate help. A young mall named Ellis was in the garden, and was soot on the spot, and as quickly as possible medic tl aid was'called ; but deceased had been dead for some time. Nothing can be found that would for a moment lead to the supposition that it was a premeditated act. A very singular circumstance is that the pistol by which deceased came to his death is the one used by Mr Stace, of Winchelsea, who committed suicide by shooting himself at a place called the Half-moon Battery, between Rye and Winchelsea, nearly thirty years ago.