npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1863-07-08 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF THE MURDERESS. BATH, Tuesday Evening,—l have just returned from the contemplation of a most melancholy sight —the corpses of three children and their mother, who lie at the George Inn, Bathampton, a village about three miles from this city. The children were yesterday drowned by their mother, the unhappy woman herself having after wards committed suicide. The facts of the shocking affair, so far as could be gathered from the parties present, were that the deceased woman, who was about 36 years of age, was the wife of a man named Colts, who was about 20 years her senior, and they lived with their five children in apartments at No. 2, Galloway-buildings in this city. Formerly they were in good circumstances, and about four years ago they resided at Larkhall, a suburb of Bath ; but thence, about four years ago, they went to Bristol, and took the Ring of Bells public-house, Thomas-street, which turned out an unfortunate speculation, and three or four months ago they returned to Bath, and have since subsided upon the sale and pawning of their wearing apparel and other property. This reverse of circumstances appears to have affected the mind of the wife, who was a sensitive woman, and she on several occasions had said to neighbours that she could not endure their state of penury, and should drown herself and children. On Sunday moaning a distriot visitor who called at the house saw her forlorn condition, and advised her to go with her family to the workhouse, as her husband is incapacitated from infirmity from following his trade as a carver and gilder. Yesterday about halfpast 12 she left her home taking with her the three younger children, two boys and a girl. John, the eldest of the three, was six years old; the next, Matilda, was about three; the other an infant in arms. All were very fine children. They called at the Folly public-house on the banks of the Kennet and Avon canal, and having rested a short time, during which the mother partook of half a pint of beer, they proceeded along the towing-path towards Bathampton. On reaching a secluded spot, where the canal is spanned by a stone bridge, it is supposed she first threw the children into the water, and then jumped in herself. Indeed, a milkman in the meadows adjoining heard a cry of Don't 'ee, mother," and then " Murder ;" and a lady in a villa at some distance heard the same sounds, and saw a child running from a woman on the towing-path, but they became hid behind a clump of trees, and she thought it was merely a mother chastising her child. It is now supposed that she had thrown her two younger children into the water, and was pursuing the eldest for the same purpose, as on the milkman reaching the canal a few minutes after, he saw the woman in the water, and an alarm being raised, and drag poles secured, she was dragged out quite dead. The canal was dragged for some distance further, and ultimately the three children were recovered, but life was extinct.
The Sun. — 1863-07-08 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF THE MURDERESS.  BATH, Tuesday Evening.—l have just returned from the contemplation of a most melancholy sight —the corpses of three children and their mother, who lie at the George Inn, Bathampton, a village about three miles from this city. The children were yesterday drowned by their mother, the unhappy woman herself having afterwards committed suicide. The facts of the shocking affair, so far as could be gathered from the parties prsent, were that the deceased woman, who was about 36 years of age, was the wife of a man named Coles, who was about 20 years her senior, and they lived with their five children in apartments at No. 2, Galloway•buildings in this city. Formerly they were in good circumstances, end about four years ago they resided at Larkhall, a suburb of Bath; but thence, about four years ago, they went to Bristol, and took the Ring of Bells public-house, Thomas-street, which turned out an unfortunate speculation, and three or four months ago they returned to Bath, and have since subsided upon the sale and pawning of their wearing apparel and other property. This reverse of circumstances appears to have affected the mind of the wife, who was a sensitive woman, and she on several occasions had said to neighbours that she could not endure their state of penury, and should drown herself and children. On Sunday moaning a district visitor who called at the house saw her forlorn condition, and advised her to go with her family to the workhouse, as her husband is incapacitated from infirmity from following his trade as a carver and gilder. Yesterday about hallpast 12 she left her home taking with her the three younger children, two boys and a girl. John, the eldest of the three, was six years old; the next, Matilda, was about three; the other an infant in arms. All were very fine children, They called at the Folly public-house on the banks of the Kennet and Avon canal, and having rested a short time, during which the mother partook of half a pint of beer, they proceeded along the towing-path towards Bathampton; On reaching a secluded spot, where the canal is spanned by a stone bridge, it is supposed she first threw the children into the water, and then jumped in herself. Indeed, a milkman in the meadows adjoining heard a cry of "Don't 'ee, mother," and then " Murder;" and a lady in a villa at some distance heard the same sounds, and saw a child running from a woman on the towing-path, but they became hid behind a clump of trees, and she thought it was merely a mother chastising her child. It is now supposed that she had thrown her two younger children into the water, and was pursuing the eldest for the same purpose, as on the milkman reaching the canal a few minutes after, he saw the woman in the water, and an alarm being raised, and drag poles secured, she was dragged out quite dead. The canal was dragged for some distance further, and ultimately the three children were recovered, but life was extinct.
The Sun. — 1863-12-31 (London, England)

THAMES.  THE GREATEST VIRAGO IN VIE DISTRICT.—Emma Mason, a very drunken and dissipated woman, who has done immense mischief in her time, was brought before Mr. Partridge, charged with being drunk and disorderly, and violently assaulting Samuel Strickland, No. 83 K. The complainant said, that at an early hour this morning the prisoner and a man with whom she cohabitel were quarrelling and abusing each other in the Old Manor-road, at the back of Stepney Old Church. He desired them to go home and the man utter some persuasion did leave, but the prisoner would net leave, and made use of the most horrible language that ever escaped the lips of a human being. Ho then took her into custody and she made a violent attack upon him, and bit his finger. He removed her a short distance, and she then threw herself on the ground, and kicked and plunged in such a manner that he could not remove her until he obtained assist. ance. She repeatedly struck him and attempted to scratch his face.  The Prisoner—You took advantage of my weakness, you villain. (Laughter.) The Policeman—Weakness, indeed I The prisoner is a match for any two men in the force, and five men were engaged in bringing her to the station-house. Roche, the gaoler of the court, said the prisoner had been repeatedly in custody for assaults, drunkenness, riotous conduct, attempting to commit suicide, and other offences. The prisoner and her paramour were a nuisance to society, and had frequently created a disturbance in the Commercial-road and other places, to the annoyance of the respectable inhabitants. Mr. Partridge—Has she been punished before ? Roche—She has been committed to prison over and over again.  Mr, Partridge—l shall commit the prisoner to tho House of Correction for six weeks, and to be kept to hard labour. The prisoner gave utterance to a volley of obscenity and abuse, and demanded two months' imprisonment. She was about to resist the gaoler, when he declared he would have none of her antics, forced her into a cell in an instant and locked her up.
The Sun. — 1863-12-31 (London, England)

THAMES.  THE GREATEST VIRAGO IN THE DISTRICT.—Emma Mason, a very drunken and dissipated woman, who has done immense mischief in h^r ti-me, was brought before Mr. Partridge, charged with I Cog drrnk and disorderly, and violently assaulting Salmi& Ctr'ckland, No. 83 K. The complainant said, flat at an early hour this morning the prisoner and a ma whom she cohabited were quarrelling and abusing i other in the Old Manor-roe at the back of Stepney t ' urch. He desired them `ego home and the man after •snasion did leave, but the prisoner would net leave, a..d made use of the most horrible language that ever escaped the lips of a human. being. He then took her into custody and she made a violent attack upon him, and bit his fi :ger. He removed her a short distance, and she then threw herself on the ground, and kicked and plunged in such a manner that he could not remove her until he obtained assistance. She repeatedly struck him and attempted to scratch his face.  The Prisoner—You took advantage of my weakness, you villain. (Laughter.) The Policeman—Weakness, indeed 1 The prisoner is a match for any two men in the force, and five men were engaged in bringing her to the station•house. Roche, the gaoler of the court, said the prisoner had been repeatedly in custody for assaults, drunkenness, riotous conduct, attempting to commit suicide, and other offences. The prisoner and her paramour were a nuisance to society, and had frequently created a disturbance in the Commercial-road and other places, to the annoyance of ti .d respectable inhabitants. Mr. Partridge—Has she been punished before ? Roche—She has been committed to rrison over and over again.  Mr, Partridge—l shall commit the prisoner to tho House of Correction for six weeks, and to be ,eept to hard labour. The prisoner gave utterance to a volley of obscenity cud abuse, and demanded two months' im2risonment, She was about to resist the gaoler, when he declaral he would have none of her antics, forced her into a cell in an instant and locked her up.
The Sun. — 1863-12-31 (London, England)

THAMES.  THE GREATEST VIRACW IN THE DISTRICT.—Emma Mason, a very drunken and dissipated woman, who has done immense mischief in her time, was brought before Mr. Partridge, charged with being drunk and disorderly, and violently assaulting Samuel Strickland, No. 83 K. The complainant said, that at an early hour this morning the prisoner and a mart with whom she cohabited were quarrelling and abusing each other in the Old Manor-road, at the back of Stepney Old Church. He desired them to go home and the man after some persuasion did leave, but the prisoner would nat leave, and made use of the most horrible language that ever escaped the lips of a human being. He then took her into custody and she made a violent attack upon him, and bit his finger. He removed her a short distance, and she then threw herself on the ground, and kicked. and plunged in such a manner that he could not remove her until he obtained assistance. She repeatedly struck him and attempted to scratch his face.  The Prisoner—You took advantage of my weakness, you villain. (Laughter.) The Policeman—Weakness, indeed I The prisoner is a match for any two men in the force, and five men were engaged in bringing her to the station-house. Roche, the gaoler of the court, said the prisoner had been repeatedly in custody for assaults, drunkenness, riotous conduct, attempting to commit suicide, and other offences. The prisoner and her paramour were a nuisance to society, and had frequently created a disturbance in the Commercial-road and other places, to the annoyance of the respectable inhabitants. _  111 r. Partridge—Has she been punished before ? Roche—She has been committed to prison over and over again.  _Mr. Partridge—l shall commit the prisoner to the House of Correction for six weeks, and to be kept to hard labour.  The prisoner gave utterance to a volley of obscenity and, abuse, and demanded two months' imprisonment. She was about to resist the gaoler, when he declared he would have none of her antics, forced her into a cell in an instant and locked her up.
The Sun. — 1863-10-19 (London, England)

THAMES.  A VERY DISORDERLY PAtrEß,—Margaret O'Connor, who has been a very industrious, thrifty, and steady woman, but who has recently got into very irregular and drunken habits, was brought before Mr. Partridge charged with being intoxicated and disorderly. Mr. Thomas Moffatt, porter of the Mile-end Old-town workhouse, said the prisoner came to him on Saturday night, at sight o'clock, and demanded a night's lodging. She was very much;intoxicated, and he asked her what she shapehad c done e out-door with money therelief. She she received on Friday in the said she had applied a portion of it in payment of a night's lodging, and spent the remainder. He asked her what she had done with her shawl, and she answered him that she had pawned it. He told her to obtain her shawl, and that ho would not admit her without. She then gave utterance to a volley of foul abuse, and said she had shown up Mr. Slight, the relieving officer, in the newspapers, and would show him up as we •ll He tried to get her away, but she would not leave, and her cries, oaths, noise, and gesticulations caused a mob to assemble in front of the workhouse. He put up with her abuse for two hours, and then gave her into custody. She was before the Court a few weeks since for attempting to commit suicide, and on another occasion for being drunk and disorderly. The Prisoner—Ho is a false swearing man, yer honour's worship, and a rogue into the bargain—the murthering villain, wid his black whiskers. Mr. Partridge—Don't call him names.  The prisoner—Ho knows he is a murthering rogue, and it's me yer honour that's paid riot and taxes and everything.  Mr. Moffatt said the guardians of Mile-end Old-town had acted with great kindness to the prisoner, and, instead of passing her to Ireland, gave her out-door relief. The Prisoner—Och, yer honner, he is a rogue and a half ; what can Ido wid the great big thief. (Laughter.) Mr. Partridge said it was quite evident the prisoner was a very disorderly badly-conducted woman. He sentenced her to pay a fine of 55., or be imprisoned for 7 days. The Prisoner—Och, the murthering rogue ; look at him, yer honner. (Loud laughter.)  MR. TIIACKERAY is about to evnelteirn hill the Cor upon wholly 9t new ground in his forthcomhingh another distinguished author s,it , Magazine, in the pages of w ics, novel in bt3, i O, appear.
The Sun. — 1863-10-19 (London, England)

THAMES.  A VERY DISORDERLY PAUPER.—Margaret O'Connor, who has been a very industrious, thrifty, and steady woman, bat who has b recentlybrought g b; got before charged drunkengea wit n habits, was being intoxicated and disorderly. Mr. Thomas tMoffatt,he prisoner Porter ocfamthee to him on Saturday Mile-endi workhouse, at h saido'clock, and demanded a night's lodging. night, eig t She was very muchlintoxicated, and he asked her what she had done with the money she received on Friday in the shape of out-door relief. She said she had applied a portion of it in payment of a night's lodging, and spent the remainder. He asked her what she had done with her shawl, and she answered him that she had pawned it. He told her to obtain her shawl, and that ho would not admit her without. She then gave utterance to a volley of foul abuse, and said she had shown up Mr. Slight, the and would show him cellreintrietdhetonegwetsphapererlay, but she would not ruepliesysinwgelolffi. leave, and her cries, oaths, noise, and gesticulations caused a mob to assemble in front of the workhouse. He put up with her abuse for two hours, and then gave her into custody. She was before the Court a few weeks since fer attempting to commit suicide, and on another occasion for being drunk and disorderly. The Prisoner—He is a false swearing man, yer honour's worship, and a rogue into the bargain—the murthering villain, wid his black whiskers. Mr. Partridge—Don't call him names. The prisoner—He knows he is a murthering rogue, and it's me yer honour that's paid riot and taxes and everything. Mr. Old-town Moffatt said the guardians of Mile-end Ol instead had acted with great kindness to the prisoner, and, of passing her to Ireland, gave her out-door relief. The Prisoner—Och, yer honner, he is a rogue and a half , what can Ido wid the great big thief. (Laughter.) Mr. Partridge said it was quite evident the prisoner was a very disorderly badly-conducted woman. He sentenced her to pay a fine of bs,, or be imprisoned for 7 days'ts. him, The Prisoner—Och, the murthering rogue look yer homier. (Loud laughter.) MR. THACKERAY is about to enter upon wholly 1 in the Cornhtll Magazine, in the pages of which new ground in his forthcoming 0 is said, also about toy it another distinguished author is, a fiction b appear.
The Sun. — 1863-09-17 (London, England)

SUICIDE IN THE STREET.—Last night Mr. S. F. Langharn, deputy coroner for Westminster, held an 1 inquiry at King's College Hospital, touching the death of John Hunter, aged 41, a tailor, lately residing at 41, Lower Whitecross-street, who committed suicide on Monday last. Caroline Hunter, wife of the deceased, said her husband had been in bad health for the last six months, and had threatened to commit suicide before he left home on Mon- , day morning. He also threatened witness, and said they had better go out of the world together. She did not see him after he left home on Monday morning until she saw him dead at the hospital. Ho was not in want, but had been so reduced by illness, she believed, as to affect his mind. Thomas Grant, carman, in the employ of Messrs. Chaplin and Horne, deposed to finding the deceased on Monday morning, about 8 o'clock, inside the gateway of the George and Blue Boar .yard, Holborn, with his throat cut. No one was near him at the time. A shoemaker's knife was lying by his side. There was a great quantity of blood lying at his feet, as if he had fallen backwards. With assistance he put deceased in his van, and brought him to the hospital. He was not dead then. Witness had previously sent for Mr.Williarns, surgeon. Police-constable Sutton said he was called by the last witness to the George and Blue Boar on Monday morning. He found deceased as described by the last witness. He asked deceased why he had done it, and he said because he had a bad wife. He tried to seize the knife, and wanted witness to finish him at once. He also expressed the same wish to the surgeon. Mr. Williams, surgeon, Gray's• inn-road, proved being called to the deceased. He attended to the wounds in his throat, and advised that he should be removed to the hospital. There were also some stabs in the stomach. Chas. Antonini, house surgeon at King's College Hospital, said deceased when admitted had a large gash in his throat about seven inches long, and was very much blanched from loss of blood. He was put to bed, but he died the same day. Death, no doubt, resulted from the wound in the throat. After further evidence the jury returned a verdict of " Temporary Insanity."
The Sun. — 1863-09-17 (London, England)

SUICIDE IN THE STREET.—Last night Mr. S. F, Langham, deputy coroner for Westminster, hold an inquiry at King's College Hospital, touching the death of John Hunter, aged 41, a tailor, lately residing at 41, Lower Whitecross-strest, who committed suicide on Monday last. Caroline Hunter, wife of the deceased, said her husband had been in bad health for the last six months, and had threatened to commit suicide before he left home on Monday morning. He also threatened witness, and said they had better go out of the world together. She did not see him after ho left home on Monday morning until she saw him dead at the hospital. He was not in want, but had been so reduced by illness, she believed, as to affect his mind. Thomas Grant, carman, in the employ of Messrs. Chaplin and Home, deposed to finding the deceased on Monday morning, about 8 o'clock, inside the gateway of the George and Blue Boar lard, Holborn, with his throat cut. No one was near him at the time. A shoemaker's knife was lying by his side. There was a great quantity of blood lying at his feet, as if he had fallen backwards. With assistance he put deceased in his van, and brought him to the hospital. He was not dead then. Witness had previously sent for Mr. Williams, surgeon. Police-constable Sutton said he was called by the last witness to the George and Blue Boar on Monday morning. He found deceased as described by the last witness. He asked deceased why he had done it, and ho said because he had a bad wife. Ho tried to seize the knife, and wanted witness to finish him at once. He also expressed the same wish to the surgeon. Mr. Williams, surgeon, Gray's• inn-road, proved being called to the deceased. He attended to the wounds in his throat, and advised that .he should bo removed to the hospital. There were also some stabs in the stomach. Chas. Antonini, house surgeon at King's College Hospital, said deceased when admitted had a large gash in his throat about seven inches long, and was very much blanched from loss of blood. He was put to bed, but he died the same day. Death, no doubt, resulted from the wound in the throat. After further evidence the  jury returned a verdict of "Temporary Insanity."
The Sun. — 1863-11-07 (London, England)

MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.— x eaterday morning a report was circulated in Guildford that a soldier stationed in the town had murdered his wifo and committed suicide. On inquiry it turned ova that a sergeant of the 3d Buffs, who, with a woman supposed to be his wife, had been staying at the Coachmakers Arms,, Norel-street, since Sunday evening, had murdered his coopanion, and afterwards attempted self-destruction. They occupied a room On the second door, and are stated to have been remarkably quiet and civil persons. On Wednesday last they hall breakfast and tea, but they had no food yesterday, although the man in the course of the day ordered some potatoes .to be boiled, and stated that the woman's mother was coming to visit them. Nothing was seen or heard of either the e'"geant or his wife during yesterday evening or this morning, came In consequence of this the inmates of the house became rather uneasy. A sergeant of the 37th, who was billeted in the house, asked to be allowed to break open the door of . the room, but the landlady refused to allow hltu at the door for somestuimpeevitietnhdoeunttjokers, elicitingv , and after knocking reply they sent to the police. any Superintendent accompanied by Sergeant Steads and Poli at once proceeded to the spot, and fore.e. Constable Davis, The man and woman were then found lyingced open the door. parently dead. The woman had evidently in the bed apand her head was frightfully swollen. been strangled, gash on the woman's throat, and There was a large there were twe vessels filled • by the side of the bed table-knife which was stained with blood, and an ordinary surgeon, of Dudley-house ' with blood. Mr. F, D. Ross, together with Dr. Chapin ' Was promptly in attendance, the bodies. A small9.A, of the 37th Foot, who examined quantity of man, upon which he slightly brandy was given to the It is the opinion of the rallied, and spoke a few words. been dead for two o medical men that the woman had which the man wort:. three days. On examining a medal Mahaig, he had appeared that his name was Joseph and that war. It is not had served in China during the last woman positively known whether, the murdered an was his wife or • tall, good-looking, not , but she is stated to have been Mahaig's wounn_g, and, apparently, about 28 years of age. wounds were dressed, and he was removed to a separate room, where he is in the keeping of the police. file body of the unfortunate woman was also removed, and it now awaits the coroner's inquest. No motive has been assigned for the commission of the horrible act, and the parties were both strangers in Guildford.