npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1894-08-17 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

FAILURE.  "I want a lawyer," announced William Brady, as he walked out and presented a bold front. "I'm sorry I haven't one lying around loose, prisoner. Do you know the charge against you ?," " No, and I don't want to. If there is any charge against me it's a lie." "Prisoner, you want to stop that sort of talk. You are charged with disorderly conduct." "The charge is false. I know my rights, and I'm going to have 'em." "Exactly, and we'll see that you get them. Officer, was he disorderly?" "Welt, sir, be broke a grocer's window, upset a barrel of potatoes, threw a basket of apples into the street, and kicked the grocer." "Yes, and I'm the grocer," said a man, ashe came forward. "I want a lawyer and a jury trial," announced William. "This ie a put-up job to ruin me." "It's a job which will cost yon ninety days in the Workhouse," replied his Honour. " send me up, eh ?" "Yes, sir, and one word of impudence will make the sentence fur six months." William wanted to speak it, but the lone term restrained him. After standing for a moment he said, "Judge, I'm sorry I spoke as I did. Please excuse ine, and give a poor fellow another show." "The sentence must stand. Next time you come into this court don't try the bluffing business. It's too old a dodge to work on me"  " 'ze.c-riy."  "Winfield Scott Davis, you disturbed the ,peace on lndiana-street." " 'Zactly, sah." "You were whooping and shouting." " 'Zactly, Jedge; I know I was." "What do you mean by such conduct ?" "I was driv to it by de way my wife acts. Jedge, you orter be thankful you didn't marry dat woman." "Yes, I suppose so. I shall send you up for thirty days." " 'Zactly, dodge. If you had married dat woman you'd nebber had a happy day. Why, sah—" "That's enough; fall back." " 'Zactley, Jedge. She'd hey driv you to suicide inside of three months. I'm "Remove the prisoner, Mr. Stebbins." " Jedge, '4actly, limo-ger Stebbins. I'll tell you de rest when I come out."
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1894-02-23 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

THE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OF A LOOM JOBREE.—At the Oldham Police Court on Saturday, before Mr. G. B. Taylor and other magistrates, Albert Ward, a middle-aged man, was charged with having attempted to commit suicide.—The Chief Constable stated that the prisoner came to Oldham on the Ist instant to work at the Watersheddings Mill, and took lodgings in Ripponden-road. On the morning of the sth, shortly after midnight, he went downstairs and aroused the other lodgers by breaking ornaments. Seeing he was curious in his manner, they took him upstairs, but soon afterwards he returned to the kitchen and stabbed himself. He so seriously injured himself that he had to be conveyed to the Infirmary, where he had since remained.— The prisoner's brother here asked permission to address the Bench. He stated that the prisoner was a native of Bury, but had been working at Warrington for the past four years. He fell out of work, but subsequently got this situation, aud came over to Oldham. A day or two after he started work he fell down in a fit, his head striking heavily on the stone floor. After regaining consciousness his mind began to wander, and he would persist in saying that lie was in Bury, and was going to the Castle,public-house to have a pint of beer. He continued to be strange in his manner, until he finished up by stabbing himself.—The Magistrates' Clerk (to the prisoner) : you feel all right now ?—The Prisoner: I feel all right in my senses, but I am very weak.—The brother promised to take charge of the prisoner, and he was discharged.  MINI)Ess' Mar.rixo.—On Wednesday evening a meeting of the No. 2 Branch Operative Spinners and Twiners' Association was held at the Duke of Edinburgh, King-street. There was a fair attendance. The meeting was presided over by the president of the branch. The delegate to the Province read the monthly report, and a few questions having been asked and answered it was passed. An application for an advance of salary to the assistant general secretary was made. A motion and an amendment were proposed, and the amendment was carried against the advance. A question was raised respecting district treasurerships. After the rules had been read bearing upon the matter, the Chairman said that an honorary member could not hold such office.—A member said that in the case before the meeting a man was allowed to be treasurer who was not a member at all, and it was quite time that people who were not members should be debarred from holding such an office. It was resolved that the rule stand unaltered.—A letter was read from the Rollinwood district relating to the question of the election of treasurer for the Amalgamation, in place of Mr. Jones, who has resigned on account of ill-health. The question of proposing a treasurer was left to the discretion of the Amalgamation delegates.—The black list having been read, it was decided that the committee be put up to their full strength, a vacancy having occurred consequent upon one of the committee having been appointed secretary.  Tnn CoLossr.r3i
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1894-10-12 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

CONTENT.  Come sweet Content and dwell with me, And soothe my aching breast. Thy presence is with blessings fraught, And brings us peace and rest. Thou art a jewel without price— A gem both rich and rare; And they who revel in thy smiles Are free from anxious care. What halcyon days would dawn on us If we would list to thee; Combined with reason thou would'st bring Us true prosperity. The gospel of humanity Would put blind greed to flight, And we should labour to uphold The sacred cause of right. While mad ambition leads us on, We're sadly led astray, And keep on building castles grand That soon will fade away. We grasp and grind, we scheme and plan, And think that we are wise; Poor slaves to pleasure and to gain, We sweet Content despise. We find no time to gaze upon The handiwork of God, But, led astray by love of gain, Through life we blindly plod: And show no care how others fare, Though poverty is rife, And many seek by suicide To end the ills of life. This life is but a pilgrimage-A brief, uncertain span; Then why should we so callous be 'io our poor fellow man? The earth is teeming with good things, And there's enough for all, Yet, avarice enshrouds our lives In a funereal pall. Come, sweet Content, and temper down Our cold and grasping greed, And we shall soon find time to think Of our poor brother's need; Then kindly feeling will prevail, Contention die away, And we in the near future see A brighter, better day. We all must make some sacrifice If better times we'd see: While we contend and vent our spleen We mar prosperity; For strikes and lockouts but increase Our poverty and woe, And till we act with more good sense, Good times we ne'er shall know. Bad times are but a reflex of The follies of the day. 0, God I raise up some teacher greet To show us wisdom's way; Toollong we've drag'd each other down, Like cruel beasts of prey, 'Tis time to profit by the past, And banish greed away. There surely is some higher goal, To which we might attain; Yet, in our haste to gather wealth, We oft times reap in pain. Why should we strive so eagerly To grasp the dross of earth, And close our eyes so stubbornly To things of greater worth? Thy peaceful reign, 0, sweet Content, Would banish needless strife. And we should toil on cheerfully, And reap the joys of life; Combined with reason, thou wouldst quench, The flow of godless greed, And we should help the worthy poor, According to their need. I'd gladly woo thee, sweet Coatent, And have thee dwell with me, Give me thy bright companionship, And I shall happy be; The greatest potentates on earth, Oft sigh for thee in vain; Raft of thy presence we are poor Phough untold wealth we gain. Ifowaome, September 10th, 1894.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1894-09-28 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

PRESENTATION.—The retirement of Mr. H. L. Hickman from the position of carder to Messrs. Henry Poole and Co. after sevea years service, was the occasion of the gathering together of the cardroom hands connected with the firm and their friends, to the number of 70, at Harner's Hotel on Thursday evening week. A first class tea was provided, Mr. fames Broughton occupying the chair at the after meeting, when he called upon Mr. O. Workload to make the presentation. He did so with a few remarks, Mr. Hickman suitably responding. The remainder of the evening was spent in an edifying manner. DISTRESSING SUICIDE or A. MILL Gnu,.—A reeler employed at the Eagley Mills, named Sarah Ann Pendlebury, committed suicide last Friday by drowning herself because of trouble in regard to her borne surroundings, and the fact that she had got notice at the mill. On the Friday afternoon the  overlooker, with the consent of the manager, gave the girl notice, and she straightway left the mill, telling a companion to draw her wages, as she was going to drown herself. Pendlebury, it appears, Made her way from the mill to the Sweetlove's reservoir, and, divesting herself of bonnet and shawl, threw herself into the water. She was observed by a child, and an alarm being raised, a waterrnan got the body out shortly afterwards. Bfforts to restore life failed, and the body was removed to the Lawson's Arms to await the inquest. At the coroner's inquiry evidence was tendered as to deceased's home affairs, and the fact that she did not get on very well at the mill seems to have preyed upon her mind. The receipt of the notice to quit work was the last straw to her.—The Coroner told the jury they had no need to concern ttemselves as to the home relations of the deceased. They had each to manage their own affairs, and knew of the difficulties attending the training and controlling of children, B,ud they might leave the father in this case to the management of his.—A verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane was returned. _
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1894-06-22 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

TYLDESLEY.  SUICIDE OF A SPIN:CM—A spinner, named Robert Stretch, Lodge-road, Tyldesley, left his home last night week, and, notwithstanding the efforts of his wife and relatives to ascertain his whereabouts, nothing more was heard of ,him until Sunday afternoon, when they were summoned by the police to Irlam to view the dead body of a man who had committed suicide, and which turned out to be Stretch. It appears the man took lodgings at 4, Chapel-lane, Irlam, on Friday night, and about five o'clock on Saturday afternoon, during the temporary absence of the landlady, he committed suicide by hanging himself with his scarf to a joist in the kitchen ceiling. An inquest was held at the White Lion, Irlam, on Monday afternoon, and a verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane was returned.  SUDENTS' Howsms.—Referring to results gained at the cotton spinning examination held on May Ist, one of the science and art teachers says: "In cotton spinning, which examination is held for the first time this year, we have done exceptionally well in this district, so keen has been the competition. When we consider what a wide field Lancashire and Cheshire presents for competition, wo see that these distinctions are great honours." The names of the successful cotton spinning students at Tyldesley are: Ist class certificates, Jesse Thorpe (with distinction, 4th place in the union), 120 marks, Richard Platt 120, Harry Edge 120, George Banks 118 (these three also with distinction), Jos. A. Guest 107, William Hampson 106,. S. Thorpe 104, S. Wilson 103. 2nd class: William Bromley 751 William Collins 97, Edward Cousins 84, John W. Crossley 88, Thomas Hindley 96, Frank Kay 96, Thomas Platt 86, Thomas Scott 97, Thomas Smith 89, Louis Toft 94, Joseph Walsh 89. 3rd class: Peter Grundy 60, Robert Mallineaux 68, William Platt 64, Edward Sidlow 66, and Joseph T. Smith 60.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1894-06-22 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

DISTRESSING SUICIDE OF A MILL GIRL.-011 Monday morning a shocking discovery was made in the Fairbottom branch of the Ashton Canal at Bardsley. About half-past four o'clock a collier, named Tom Matthews, living at 260, Oldham-road, was fishing in the canal at a distance of 140 yards from the bridge which carries the highway over the canal on the Daisy Nook side, when he saw something in the water about four yards from the towing path. He threw his fishing line across the object, and brought what turned out to be the body of a young woman to the side. The police were sent for, and the body was removed to the Dog and Pheasant Hotel, Limehurst. The police ascertained that the body was that of a young woman who was 20 years of age, named Jane Alice Wim. penny, daughter of Wrigley Wimpenny, a night watchman living at 19, Wallace-street, off Ashtouroad. It appeared that she followed the occupation of a speed tenter at the Pearl Spinning Companv's mill, Glodwick. About half-past ten on Sunday. night deceased left her parents' house saying she would go and get some potato chips. She did not return, however, and nothing more was heard of her until the body was found under the circumstances already related. At the inquest held on Tuesday afternoon at the Dog and Pheasant Inn, Limehurst, the mother of the deceased stated that her daughter had been in good health up to a few weeks ago, when a young man with whom the deceased had been keeping company for two years (and to whom she should have been shortly married) died. The exact date of that event was the 17th April. Deceased had been off work with illness a day or two at once since then, She took the young man's death to heart very mnch, and in consequence was very strange and ill at times. Within the last few weeks she had been depressed, and had sat for hours at a stretch with her head an her hands. She had frequently been to the. cemetery to see the grave of her young man, having been no fewer than four times last week. She was very ill, and "felt neither dead nor alive." She continually spoke about her sweetheart, and spentsome moneyin deco, rating his grave with flowers. Only a week before last Saturday she paid half-a-crown to have it done up. The jury returned. a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane."
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1894-06-01 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

TALE OF A MILL GIRL.—A correspondent writes:—She worked in the cardroom. She had been often reprimanded. One day last week she got the sack." Her father being out of work, and her getting the discharge preyed much upon her mind. When the mill stopped at night, instead of going home, she wandered about the streets until early in the morning, when she must have determined to commit suicide, as her body was seen by a policeman at four o'clock a.m. floating on the surface of a mill lodge. She was then not quite dead. The policeman rescued her, and, applying restoratives, her life was recovered.  -------- • -- THE MASTER COTTON SPLNNERS' ASSOCIATION AND Tns Uwironu Lurr.—The majority of master cotton spinners in the Bolton district favour the idea of a uniform list for all counts of twist and weft. For a long time they have had a grievance with SouthEast Lancashire employers because of the disparity in the lists, which gives the latter the advantage in the matter of the production of fine counts, and would welcome what aims at uniformity. In his report to the members of the Bolton and District Master Cotton Spinners' Association, the secretary (Mr. Percival) says :—I would again draw your attention to the fact that the wages paid for spinning "Bolton counts" under the Oldham list is considerably lower than is paid by the members of this association under the Bolton list, the advantage in favour of Oldham being from 4 to 30 per cent; and although in some cases this difference as against Bolton has been diminished by extra payments, yet in several cases when settlements have been agreed to by the Operatives' Association they have accepted a rate of payment for the spinning of 60's twist—and finer-15 per cent lower than is paid in Bolton, placing the members of this association at a very serious disadvantage in the cost of wages, as compared with the spinning of Bolton counts under the Oldham list.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1894-03-09 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

SIIICID/L—The second case of suicide by a weaver within a week occurred one day last week, but the circumstances were not investigated by a coroner's jury until Monday noon. On Thursday night last the body of a man was seen floating in the canal between Fish's Bridge and Cherry Tree Bridge by a boatman, who seized the man's clothes, which, however, tore, and the body sank. The police dragged the canal the following day, and about four in the afternoon Constable Willoughby recovered the body. It was afterwards identified as that of Francis Ramsbottom, 25 years of age, a weaver, of Sullen-street, Blackburn. It was stated in evidence that deceased had worked up to 530 on the 23rd tilt. He was a good and satisfactory worker. The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind.  FLYING Sarmas.—A correspondent writes : Recently I have heard of numerous accidents resulting from the shuttle of the loom flying out of the box. We know it is not always possible to prevent this flying of the shuttle as in the case of a beald strap breaking, but undoubtedly many accidents of this description could be avoided if the loom were properly tackled. In the instances which have been brought under my notice within the last few days, I am not prepared to say where and with whom the blame lies. The other day a girl was following her employment when the shuttle flew out and struck her below one of her eyes, which was split, and the medical gentleman found it necessary to chloroform the unfortunate girl and take out the eye. Not an hour before this happened, another weaver was struck on the forehead with a shuttle; and so great was the force that the flesh began to swell immediately. And only a few days afterwards a third weaver, a young woman, too, had her upper lip nastily cut with the shuttle which flew out of the loom. Other cases, no doubt could be given were enquiries to be instituted, but without multiplying them, these are sufficient to prove that there is a fortune awaiting the man who will invent a certain prevention for flying shuttles.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1894-03-09 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

SPINKEIL9' ASSOCIATION.—The Committee of Management met at the Red Lion Inn on Friday evening. Several questions arising from the minutes were answered in a satisfactory manner. Several men applied for out-of-work pay, which was granted. It was reported that a very large number of spinners and piecers had been on the funds daring the week, and upwards of £7O had been paid for that purpose alone. Strums or A WEAv-ER.—An inquest was held by Mr. J. F. Price, the deputy county coroner, on Saturday, at Ashton-under-Lyne, concerning the deaths of Jane Ingham, aged 23, and her illegitimate child, Eva Ingham, aged 10 months. It appeared that the young woman was a weaver in a cotton mill, unmarried, and lived with her aunt at 211, King-street, Hurst Cross, Hurst, near Ashton-under-Lyne. The father of the deceased, William Ingham, is an engine driver. He stated that his daughter had not lived with him for about 10 months. She left because he could not do with her conduct. He had seen her several times since she left home, and had on each occasion given her money. She had had two illegitimate children, one of whom, aged four, he was keeping. He had refused her request, several times made, to allow her to return home. He did not know that she had ever threatened to do anything to herself.—Sarah Lees, the aunt with whom the young woman had stayed, said the deceased was discharged at the mill because she turned out bad work. She left her house about three weeks ago, and witnesss did not know where she had been living since. On Tuesday night last the father brought his daughter to her and asked her to let deceased stay there for the night. Witness consented to this. Deceased had her baby with her. On the following morning the young woman seemed quite cheerful, but did not say where she was going when she left. Witness had no idea that she contemplated suicide, as she made use of no threat.—William Walter Fletcher, an agent for the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company, living at the canal office of the Peak Forest and Manchester and Ashton Canals at Ashton-under-Lyne, said that on Thursday morning be found the body of the woman in the Peak Forest Canal near Hindley Bridge.— Police-sergeant Ludlam deposed to finding the body of the child near the same place at about nine o'clock on Friday morning.—The jury returned a verdict in the case of the woman of suicide, there being no evidence as to the state of her mind. In the case of the child an open verdict of found drowned was returned.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1894-12-07 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

DECEMBER 7, 1894.  His lionour and Bijah. The night was dark. Not any too dark, but just dark enough to give a cat's eyes the glint of true diamonds. The streets were deserted. Faro-banks and poker-rooms had closed their doors, and thieves and burglars had sought their virtuous conches. Things were thus as William Henry Johnson, M.D. (moderate drunkard) started out for a promenade on Randolph-street. Whither he went he cared not. He had been turned out of his boarding-house because be could not come down with the cash. To console his wretched heart he had partaken of the flowing bowl, and now as he walked under the leafless trees he waved to end fro, and clutched at the , shadows and mocked the November gale. He would suicide! Why not? It could be done cheap for cash, and he would beat his creditors out of at least 5.300. He would sing before he died. He therefore leaned against a tree laud sang:— The angels they are calling TUC, And soon I will be going; And o'er my poor neglected grave The winds will be a-blowing. —"Move on!" ordered a policeman across the street. "If you don't know better than to set up such a howl at this time o' night, I'll run you in !" "I was singing." "Yes, I know, but you want to quit." " I was intending to commit suicide, after singing." "Next time you'd better commit suicide before. Move on." "(Jan I kill myself here?" "Yes if you are not too long about it." " I will cut my throat with my jack knife. Farewell, cold world. Have ma buried in some romantic spot, and see that my grave is covered with pansies." He expected the officer to interfere, but when no effort was made to prevent him from using the knife he dashed it to the ground and kicked up such an uproar that he had to be walked down. "Prisoner," said the court, as William Henry was walked out, "do you want to die ?" "No, sir." "Is this a cold world ?" "I don't think so." "Are you completely discouraged ?" "Oh, no. On the contrary, I haven't felt so energetic for a year and a half." "Well, I can't put up with no foolishness. If you want to commit suicide, go off by yourself somewhere and do it quietly and decently. You have no business to disturb the public just because you want to leave the world." "I'll be more careful after this, "I hope so. I shall send you up for thirty days." William Henry shed tears and predicted that he would not live an hour, but when the omnibus backed up to the door he had recovered his spirits, and was hungry for breakfast.