npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1851-07-31 (London, England)

POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MARLBOROUGH-STREET. Robert Johnson, a Scotch lad, was brought before Mr. Hardwick, charged with attempting to pick pockets at the Great Exhibition in Hyde-park. Police-constable Capping, 11 379, said he was on duty at the Exhibition yesterday afternoon about five o'clock, when he saw the prisoner, in the south gallery, put his hand to a lady's pocket. The prisoner soon afterwards went and stood by a gentleman and put his hand into the gentleman's pocket and drew his handkerchief nearly out. Witness went forward and took the prisoner into custody. The prisoner protested his innocence. He had only come from Scotland with his father, who was a baker, about a week ago. He was looking at the articles in the Exhibition when he saw a gentleman's handkerchief partly hanging out of his pocket, and he touched the gentleman for the purpose of drawing his attention to the circumstance, when the constable came to him and took him into custody. The constable was positive that he saw the prisoner attempt to steal the handkerchief. He had seen the prisoner about the Exhibition, on the outside, a day or two previously. Mr. HARDWICK sent him to prison for three months. After the prisoner was removed to the lock-up cells information was given to the gaoler, Parkin, that the prisoner was attempting suicide. On entering the cell the prisoner was discovered in a state of strangulation. He had tied ono end of his handkerchief to his toot and the other round his neck, and had drawn the noose so tight that ho must have died had not the gaoler made his appearance. The handkerchief was taken away and the prisoner, after being brought to, was left. In a short time afterwards an alarm was given that the prisoner was a second time attempting to destroy himself. Oa entering the cell the prisoner was found with his braces round his throat, nearly strangled. The gaoler was informed that the prisoner had offered a lad who was in the cell with him 4d. for a clasp knife to cut ' his throat with. Parkin reported the circumstance of these repeated attempts at self-destruction to Mr. Hardwick, who, atter sending for a medical gentleman, decided upon requiring the attendance of the lad's father, i❑ order to ascertain his previous character and conduct. The prisoner was remanded for that purpose. IV
The Sun. — 1851-03-25 (London, England)

CLOCK. i It is most extraordi" dead-house," where they goon of the gaol and other °its that have been made to nary the number of applications the medical profession, as Tussaud's Chamber of the governor by members_ we also by agents for d Mhyadiarection of the visiting magistrates, were refused. appeared to have undergone little who had met a voluntary a man change beyond that. c The body of Drorcyf her neck different, appeared to be broken, death by strangulation. The effect upon Sarah Chasham was somewhat and died the admission of the reporters into the prison, execution,astrugthgeley. were informed that Sarah wearle.: been susPended the r led Baer the died impenitent. She exhibited no sign of Cheshaui without contrition, and she died as she lived, an awlul example to hose of her sex who, in the county of Essex more especially, have been guilty of the frightful crime of arsenical poisoning, for the purpose of obtaining paltry allowances from burial clubs and other societies set on foot for such purposes. Drory's admission of his crime has been fully stated; beyond that admission, he has added nothing, his friends urging him not to make a written confession, a course which he pursued to the last moment. Thus both criminals died, one acknowledging the crime for which he suffered, the other denying her guilt of the crime for which she was compelled to forfeit her life to the offended laws of her country. D,  tiring the trial of the convict Drory his father, with many others, had a strong conviction that his son was innocent. He was present at the trial, seated among the numerous friends of the prisoner, until the reply of the counsel for the prosecution. In the course of that speech he burst into tears and left the Court, stating that, until that moment, he had believed the asseverations made by his son that he was innocent, and that the girl had committed suicide. The able and masterly reasoning of Mr. Edwin James upon the facts of the whole case had convinced him, as it did all who heard it, that the evidence for the prosecution was unanswerable. It Fated :bat the pvi3olt,r Li-iz. 14:%0In to have read some accounts of strangulation by the Thugs in India, hence the idea arose of thus getting rid of the girl, whose existence he dreaded.
The Sun. — 1851-02-22 (London, England)

BOW-STREET. Eliza Ellis, who stated that she was the wife of a clergyman, and appeared to be in great distress, was charged with having attempted to commit suicide, by poisoning herself. Sergeant Ashman, of the E division, stated that he found the defendant sitting upon a step in Surrey-street, Strand, at about half-past ten on Thursday night. She seemed in a helpless condition, and very much exhausted. Witness saw a small bottle, labelled " poison," lying on the pavement near her, and being unable to get any answers to hie questions, he conveyed her to King's College Hospital.  The prisoner, in a feeble voice, expressed her contrition for the offence, and promised not to repeat it. Mr. JARDINE inquired if anyone present knew anything of the young woman? The defendant's landlady stepped forward and said that Mrs. Ellis had lodged with her at No. 36, Sandwich-street, Burton-crescent, for a considerable time past, and that she was the wife of the Rev. Robert Ellis, a clergyman of the Church of England, who was 70 years or age, and lived in Grenville-street, Brunswick-square. Witness had reason to know that the defendant had been very cruelly treated by her husband, and that her present state of despondency was the consequence of it. She had been compelled to separate from him, and had tried to obtain a living by needlework, as he refused to allow her anything for her support. Mr. JARDINE inquired if the husband had the means of affording her assistance? Witness replied that he had hr en chiefly supported, be believed, by some noblemen and gentlemen who were formerly his pupils, and to whom he was in the habit of writing for assistance. The defendant had paid witness her tent until about ten weeks since with great regularity; but she had been latterly unable to support herself. The husband occasionally paid her a visit at her lodgings, but he was generally intoxicated, and never left her any money. So recently as Friday last he called upon her at night quite drunk, and abused the defendant and her son (a boy of 13 by a former husband) in foul and shameful language. Mr. JARDINE asked the witness if she could undertake to prevent a repetition of the offence by using her influence to persuade the defendant of the folly and wickedness of her conduct? The, witness said, that she would gladly take care of her, as she believed her to be a very respectable, hard-working woman. Mr. JARDINE then directed a small sum to be paid out of the poor-box for the present relief of the de fendant; and, after a suitable admonition, ordered tho constable to deliver her up to the landlady, who had shown a very creditable feeling on her behalf.  Miles opened, 1851.
The Sun. — 1851-06-10 (London, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE AT BRIGHTON. An inquest was held yesterday at the Crown Inn, Brighton, on view of the body of Mr. Thomas Jeffrey Hodges, a gentleman who had been for more than tee years connected with a mercantile firm it( London. Mrs. Sarah Hodges, a widow, and stepmother of the deceased. whose residence is at 6, Grove-place, Stratford, Essex, stated that she came to Brighton with /eceased and her own daughter on Tuesday last, and put up at the White Horse Hotel. On the next day they took lodgings on the Marine-parade. The father of the deceased died two years ago, and deceased had been 14 an extremely nervous state, bet lately had been bettei— During the night of Sunday he called her up, and said persons were about to murder him. She bathed hie temples till about two o'clock in the morning, and ho then expressed a wish for some tea. The servant went into the kitchen to make some toe, and as witness's child cried, and deceased promised he would lie still ia bed whilst she went to quiet the infant, she left him. On returning to the room she heard deceased say, " I shall murder naz sister; I must do so, that she may not have the suffering that I have had—she is sure to go to heaven;" and added, " they are coming up stairs to murder me, I'll jump out of the window." Witness hastened into the room, when she saw the window open, and deceased's shirt flying in the air, as ho was descending from the window. She immediately ran down stairs and found him lying on the gravel path in front of the house. He was sensible; his right arm was broker, and shattered in two places. She lifted him up, and assisted him into the house. He said a young lady to whom he had been engaged had been the cause of it. He took hold of witness's hand, and said, " Teach me to say my prayers. Witness knelt, and held his hand, and ho repeated the Lord's prayer and the blessing after her. The surgeon then came in. He lingered till about ten o'clock on Saturday night, when he died. He attempted his life a twelvemonth ago last March at Hastings, by cutting his thrA4 After that ho got better. Ho had a relapse, and theitbad a keeper for a fortnight, but latterly, till last week, had become more rational. The height of the wintlott was about 30 feet from the ground. The jury returned a verdict of " Temporary insanity.
The Sun. — 1851-08-29 (London, England)

SUICIDN OF MRS. COLONEL CROWTHER.—CHELTENHAM, THURSDAY.—An event occurred here yesterday afternoon which has cast a gloom on the town. Mrs. Crowther, the widow of the late Colonel Crowther, of the 27th Fusiliers, committed suicide by precipitating herself from her bed-room window, and the day of the fatal act was the thirteenth anniversary of her husband's death. The dec used had been suffering for some time from a severe attack of bronchitis, and her mind had become evidently affected, and during her visit strict orders had been given by her medical attendant that she should be constantly watched, but on Wednesday afternoon she eluded the vigilance of her nurse, ran up stairs from the drawing room to her bed-room, which was on the third floor, and threw herself out of the window. On being missed en alarm was raised, and she was found lying in the yard, having fallen from a height of fifty feet. She breathed heavily twice, and then expired. Her skull was frightfully fractured, her right arm broken, and other severe injuries were also discovered, although her face was not disfigured. She was upwards of 60 years of age, and very corpulent. Her fashionable reunions were the life of the Cheltenham season, and her death will be greatly regretted. FIRE AND NARROW ESCAPE IN THE STRAND Yesterday morning, shortly after midnight, a fire broke out in the premises belonging to Mr. Lofts. printer and publisher, 368, Strand. The flames originated in the shop, and when first discovered had obtained so firm a hold of the stock in trade, that the residents were unable to descend by the stairs, they therefore made for the top of the building, and succeeded in escaping by the roof. With all possible expedition the escapes of the Royal Society at tended, and several engines of the parish, Royal Brigade, and West of England Company. Plenty of water having been obtained, the firemen were eventually enabled to subdue the flames, but not until the whole of the stock in trade was destroyed, and serious damage done to the premises. Fortunately Mr. Lofts was insured in the National Mercantile Fire-office, and the premises were insured in the Sun-office. The iron areagrating was removed at an early stage of the fire. to allow the inmates to escape, and a police-sergeant of the F division, on rendering assistance, fell down the opening and broke his shoulder bone. He was extricated, and removed in a state of great suffering to the hospital.  ST.
The Sun. — 1851-08-29 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF MRS. COLONEL CROWTHER.—CHEL• TENHA3I, THURSDAY.—An event occurred here yesterday afternoon which has cast a gloom on the town. Mrs. Crowther, the widow of the late Colonel Crowther, of the 27th Fusiliers, commit` ed suicide by precipitating herself from her bed-room window, and the day of the fatal act was the thirteenth anniversary of her husband's des' h. The deceased had been suffering for some time from a severe attack of bronchitis, and her mind had become evidently affected, and during her visit strict orders had been given by her medical attendant that she should be constantly watched, but on Wednesday afternoon she eluded the vigilance of her nurse, ran tip stairs from he drawing room to her bed-room, which was on the third floor, and threw herself out of the wirdow. On being missed an alarm was raised, andshe was found lying in the yard, having fallen from a height of fifty feet. She breathed heavily twice, and then expired. Her skull was frightfully fractured, her right arm broken, and other severe injuries were also discovered, although her face was not disfigured. She was upwards of 60 years of age, and very corpulent. Her fashionable reunions were the life of the Cheltenham season, and her death will be greatly regretted. FIRE AND NARROW ESCAPE IN THE STRAND Yesterday morning, shortly after midnight, a fire broke out in the premises belonging to Mr. Lofts, printer and publisher, 368, Strand. The flames originated in the shop, and when first discovered had obtained so firm a hold of the stock in trade, that the residents were unable to descend by the stairs, they therefore made for the top of the building, and succeeded in escaping by the roof. With all possible expedition the escapes of the Royal Society a tended, and several engines of the parish, Royal Brigade, and West of England Company. Plenty of water having been obtained, the firemen were eventually enabled to subdue the flames; but not until the whole of the stock in trade was destroyed, and serious damage done to the premises. Fortunately Mr. Lofts was insured in the National Mercantile Fire-office, and the premises were insured in the Sun-office. 'the iron areagrating was removed at an early stage of the fire, to allow the inmates to escape, and a police-sergeant of the F division, on renderieg assistance, fell down the opening and broke his shoulder bone. He was extricated, and removed in a state of great suffering to the hospital. ST.
The Sun. — 1851-04-04 (London, England)

LONDON, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1851.  In the House of Lords last night, The Duke of. RICHMOND presented a petition from the Town Council of Chichester, Complaining of the conduct of the Rev. Mr. KENRICR, the incumbent of St. Peter's, in that city, who had refused to read the burial service over the body of a Dissenting minister, of „tem. plary character, and also over the body of a woman who had committed suicide while in a state of lunacy. TIAe Bishop of CHICHESTER could not extenuate the conduct of the Rev. Gentleman. After a few words from the Bishops of LONDON and of IifiETER, and from Lord BROUGHAM, the petition W 33 ordered to lie on the table.  Lord BROUGHAM moved the committal of the County Courfs Extension Bill. Tho LORD CHANCELLOR opposed the Bill, and pointed out several objections to the proposed enactments. It was ultimately agreed that the Bill should be recommitted pro forma, and discussed on Monday. Their Lordships then adjourned. In the. Commons, Mr. ANSTEY moved an address, praying her MAJESTY to apg6int n Commi3sion to inquire, in Melia, into the operation stud results of the eznittug, laws touching the goveram. eat and managsment of the territories under the .dministition of the East India Company. In bupport  of his motion the Hon. and Learned Gentleman entered into a detailed statement of what he considered the abuses of the Government of India.  Lord JOHN RUSSELL considered that an inquiry in India would produce great excitement and mischief. If an inquiry were necessary it had better be before a Committee of the House.  Mr. HUME considered inquiry necessary, but did not approve of sending a Commission to India. Sir JAMES Hoag defended the Court of Directors and tho East India Company.  The motion, which was supported by Mr. BRIGHT, and opposed by Mr. MANGLES, was eventually withdrawn. Lord JOHN RUSSELL then:moved, in pursuance of the resolution of last session, that the Rouse resolve itself into a Committee to consider the mode of administering the oath of abjuration to persons professing the Jewish religion. The Noble Lord recapitulated the history of the attempt of Baron ROTHSCHILD last year to take his seat, and concluded by declaring that, in his judgment, it was for acts and not opinions that Parliament ought to legislate. Sir ROBERT INGLIS reiterated his former objections to the measure. Mr. M. GinsoN considered the measure should have been introduced earlier, and hoped that if it were again rejected in another place, the Government would take some decided step. _ _  V Mr. PLIIMPTRE and Mr. NEWDEGATE opposed, and Mr.
The Sun. — 1851-05-12 (London, England)

RAILWAY ACCIDENTS. By the Returns made to this department, it appears that ' the total number of persons of every description killed and injured on all the passenger railways open for public traffic in Great Britain and Ireland during the half-year ending 3 1 fit December, 18t0, amounted to 123 killed, and 188 injured,and that they may be classed as fellows:9 passengers killed, and 138 injured from causes beyond their own control. 13 passengers killed, and 9 injured, o ; weig to their own misconduct or want of caution. 40 servants of companies or of contractors killed, and 25 injured from causes beyond their own control. 34 servants of companies or of contractors killed, and 11 injured owing to their own misconduct or want of caution. 25 trespassers and other persons, neither passengers nor servants of the company, killed, and 5 injured, by crossing or walking on the railway, 1 suicide.  The number of passengers conveyed during the half-year amounted to 41,067,9191 A. The length of railway open on the 30th of 6308 relief:. June, 1850, was ... 1 The length of railway open on the 31st De- miles. 6,6cember, 1850, was ••• ••• •• •"  Increase during the half-year 313 miles. DUNCAN MACGILIWOR, RCgiStrar. Oflice of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall, 6 _  The Coventry Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association held its annual meeting of members in the large room of the Temperance Hotel, Bishop-street, Coventry, on Tuesday evening. The room was inconveniently crowded with the attendance of members on the occasion. The object of the meeting was to bear the accounts for the past year; ,to consider the best method of electing the eera. inittee for 1851; and generally to secure a better organization of the reformers of this city, upon the principles laid down in the bill of rights issued by the National Association, or tree trade in all its integrity ; financial reform ; economical and equitable, Parliameatary refotro, immediate and I complete.
The Sun. — 1851-07-05 (London, England)

SUICIDE.—On Thursday Mr. H. M. Wakle:r held an inquest at the Lund n Apprentice, Lleworth, on Edward Thomas, a trumpeter of the 4th t ,ragoons, who are quartered there during the National Exhibition. Deceased, x%ho had a Peninsular and Water'-.o medal and six good conduct stripes, had been twenty-nine years in the regiment.* He joined the army from the Duke of York's school. Ia consequence of doubting his wife's fidelity, who was much his Junior, and to whom he had not long been married, he had become melancholy. At six o'cicck on Monday morning, he called the men to parade with his trumpet, and then returned to his room. In a quarter of an hour afterwards the discharge of fire-arms was heard in his quarters, when several of his comrades rushed into his room, which was filled with smoke, and where they found the unfortunate man lying dead on the floor in a pool of blood, and a pistol clenched in his right hand, with which he had blown his head to pieces, having fired the charge into his mouth. According to the evidence of his officers and comrades, deceased was one of the best conducted men in the whole regiment. The jury returned the following verdict :—" Deceased destroyed himself with a horse-pistol; but what was the state of his mind at the time there is no evidence to prove." The failure of Messrs. James Starkey and Co., of Liverpool, an old and respectable firm, was announced yesterday. The amount of their liabilities has not been stated, but it is believed to be large. Losses consequent upon the recent fire at San Francisco are understood to have been the cause of the stoppage. FAIRLor FAlR.—Yesterday being the first Friday in July, the annual procession of the mast and blockmakers of the Port of London, from Wapping to Epping Forest, took place. At nine o'clock, three boats' full, rigged and manned, and drawn by horses, left Wapping in procession, accompanied by bands of music and hundreds of people, and proceeded to the borders of Epping Forest, where once stood the Fairlop Oak, where a fair was held, immense numbers of booths and shows being collected. There was a strong body of police to preserve order. At eleven o'clock the amusements terminated. The procession on its return was not allowed to discharge fireworks, having on the last occasion set the Pavilion Theatre on fire doing so. This is the last of Fairlop-Fair, as the forest is about being enclosed.
The Sun. — 1851-07-05 (London, England)

SUICIDE.—On Thursday Mr. H. M. Wakley held an inquest at the Loud n Apprentice, Isleworth, on Edward Thomas, a trumpeter of the 4th Dragoons, who are quartered there during the National Exhibition. Deceased, who had a Peninsular and waterloo medal and six good conduct stripes, had been twenty-nine years in the regiment. He joined the army from the Duke of York's schooL In consequence of doubting his wife's fidelity, who was much his junior, and to whom he had not long been married, he had become melancholy. At six o'clock on Monday morning, he called the men to parade with his trumpet, and then returned to his room. In a quarter of an hour afterwards the discharge of fire-arms was heard in his quarters, when several of his comrades rushed into his room, which was filled with smoke, and where they found the unfortunate man lying dead on the floor in a pool of blood, and a pistol clenched in his right hand, with which he had blown his head to pieces, having fired the charge into his mouth. According to the evidence of his officers and comrades, deceased was one of the best conducted men in the whole regiment. The jury returned the following verdict :—" Deceased destroyed himself with a horse-pistol; but what was the state of his mind at the time there is no evidence to prove." _  The failure of Messrs. James Starkey and Co., of Liverpool, an old and respectable firm, was announced yesterday. The amount of their liabilities has not been stated, but it is believed to be large. Losses consequent upon the recent fire at San Francisco are understood to have been the cause of the stoppage. FAIRLOP FAlR.—Yesterday being the first Friday in July, the annual procession of the mast and blockmakers of the Port of London, from Wapping to Epping Forest, took place. At nine o'clock, three boats full, rigged and manned, and drawn by horses, left Wapping in procession, accompanied by bands of music and hundreds of people, and proCeeded to the borders of Epping Forest, where once stood the Fairlop Oak, where a fair was held, immense numbers of booths and shows being collected. There was a strong body of police to preserve order. At eleven o'clock the amusements terminated. The procession on its return was not allowed to discharge fireworks, having on the last occasion set the Pavilion Theatre on fire doing so. This is the last of Fairlop-Fair, as the forest is about being enclosed.