npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1853-10-31 (London, England)

PIT. —William op T,E H e EeNnl aINrLaR of gineer at a limestone-pit, the property of Mr. Ward, an master of that neighbourhood, •and situated at Porirontobello, near Wolverhampton,gwoaals, on Wednesday last, committed to Stafford county t. , charged on the finding of a coroner's jury, with Thomas Collins, aged 24. _he manslaughter of one Before proceeding to let down into the pit seven men, 'shop neglected to apply to the machinery of the engine, necessary to be used, in an iron plug, which is order to keep the carriage of the engine in its proper position. The consequence was, that after detshcending the pit a short distance, the sukpiPa) ginainwhaitehaalle workmen were riding, was drawn fearful velocity. When the skip had reached to the top of the pit, it. was in danger of being overturned, and every man dashed into the pit. Perceiving the danger, the deceased leaped out, hoping to reach the bank, but fell into the pit, a depth of 100 yards, and was killed. The plug was close at hand in the engine-house, and its not having been used could have been only from the most shameful carelessness. MELANCHOLY SUICIDE OF A YOUNG WoMAN.—Last evening an inquest was held on the body of a young woman, named Susannah Prior, 18 years ()rage, servant at the Old English Gentleman beer-shop, John-street, who bad committed suicide the same morning, by throwing herself from an attic window in the above house, a height of upwards of 30 feet. The only cause assigned was her great trouble about her sister, who died very suddenly in London of cholera. On a table of the attic in which she slept was found an envelope, on which she had written the following :—" Dear Lord, re remember me ; i gon to meat sister : forgiv." A verdict that deceased destroyed herself whilst in a state of temporary insanity was returned.—Brighton Herald. THE WEST BRoniWioll MuRDER.—The inquiry before the Staffordshire magistrates into the circumstances of this atrocious case has resulted in the committal of four men, for the wilful murder ;—Samuel Johnson, aged 40, as principal ; and George Williams, George Turner, and William Skidmore, ae accesaeriee after the fact.
The Sun. — 1853-10-31 (London, England)

SUICIDE.—On Friday morning a most determined act of self-destruction was committed by Felice-constable John M'Cormack, No. 131, T division. at the station in Brook-green, Hammersmith, by hanging himself in a loft over the stables. It appears that the deceased had been in the force about five years, and was generally employed to drill the men of his division, in consequence of his having been a soldier in the 4th Light Dragoons. He was one of the mounted patrol, and the last time hewas seen alive was about six o'clock on Friday morning, near the stables, where he was supposed to be going to look after his horse. At nine o'clock the deceased was discovered by another constable susp(mded by a rope which was fastened to the roof of the loft over the stables. It seemed, from the position in which he was found, that he had previously obtained one of the halters in the stables, and loosened one of the ends to fasten to the roof. In order to reach it he must have got on to a beam, and ha-ring made a noose in the rope round his neck, he then threw himself off from the beam, and strangulation. must have ensued almost immediately afterwards. IJpon being discovered an alarm was quickly made, the deceased was cut down, and he was found to be quite dead. The unfortunate deceased, who was about forty:years of age, had been dull and opprissed for some time past, and it was attributed to his being embarrassed in his affairs, and there is no doubt that the fear of being prosecuted by his creditors operated strongly upon his mind. His wife died about four months ago, and latterly he had been paying his addresses to a young woman in the neighbourhood. The deceased, while in the army, shot himself in the side, for the purpose of destroying himself, but the wound was not fatal, and he soon afterwards recovered. The body now lies at the station to await a coroner's inquiry.
The Sun. — 1853-02-07 (London, England)

CHILD MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OF THE MOTHER.—On Saturday, at an inquest taken by Mr. Baker, the coroner, at the Victory, Kingsland-road, Shoreditch, information was communicated to him by Mr. Meadows, summoning officer of the parish, of the following extradinary case of child murder in the Regent's Caned, Haggerstone, by the unfortunate mother, and of the, attempted suieide of the latter, who is at present lying in Shoreditch workhouse, where she was removed, sSter having been prevented effecting self-destruction. it appears that on Tuesday morning last, about 11 o'clock, some men were passing down Great Cambridge-street, alsaggerstone, near the bridge which traverses the Queen'sroad, they observed a female, who was holding a bundle in her hand, phange into the canal. Several of them went to her assistance, and succeeded in bringing her to the towing path. hile they were so engaged, an infant was observed to be struggling in the water, and which had dropped out of the handkerchief in which it had been wrapped. The poor baby soon sank. Some persons, who were in a state of astonishment at the extraordinary scene, tried to rescue it, but without success. The mother was taken to the Acorn public-house, Great Cambridge-street, where she was put to bed. The next clay the unfortunate young woman was removed to Shoreditch workhouse, and has been attended to by Mr. Clarke, the house-surgeon. She still remains in a very Precarious state. The name of the young woman is Mary Ann Capron, and she resided at No. 7, Jamesstreet, Coal Harbour-street, Hackney-road. She is a single woman, about 26 years of age, and very respectably connected. She was delivered of the child about five o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, unknown to her parents, who charged her with having been enciente, and who suspected that her delivery had taken place, which she denied. She left her home unknown to them, having folded her infant up in a blue handkerchief.
The Sun. — 1853-01-24 (London, England)

MARGARET CREAK.'  " Witness " George Chatter, "surgeon. "John Hughes Hulme." The real estate left by the testatrix turned out to be worth about 5001. a year, and the personalty amounted to 30,0001. When the disposition of the property became known a great number of rumour imputing foul play to Mr. Woolner were put into circulation ; and they appeared to have had such an effect upon his mind that he committed suicide. The case set up on behalf of the next kin was that Miss Creak was a person of intoxicated habits and had signed the will (which was in the handwriting of Mr. Woolner), while she was not in a condition to understand its purport. On the other hand, there were various allegations in support of the document ; amongst others a statement by Mr. Lancelot Dashwood to the effect that prior to 1842, he was a favourite of the deceased; but that having in that year married contrary to her wishes she had become exceedingly incensed at him. She called him a viper, and said that she meant to make Woolner a gentleman ; that he would see Woolner riding in his carriage ; and that he would be glad to touch his hat to him. In 1849 Mr. ' Woolner having been a successful candidate for a seat in the city council, she appeared to be greatly pleased, and sent money out to a band before her door, whom she ' ordered to play "See the conquering hero comes." A variety of other circumstances in support of the will were also proved in evidence.  Drs. Jeimer and Bayford appeared in support of Mrs, Gilbert's claim, and the Queen's Advocate (with whom was Dr. Robertson) argued at great length against it. Sir John Dodson reserved his judgment.
The Sun. — 1853-01-12 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.—Elizabeth, Ford and Harriet Jones, two women of the town, were placed at the bar before Mr. ATeckett, charged with stealing 40/. in Bank of England notes and sovereigns from the Person of Mr. Charles Roberton.  Policeman Atkinson' M division, stated that the prisoners were given into his custody on the previous night by Mr. Roberton upon the charge of having robbed him of the above sum of money at a house of ill-fame in Orange-court, Gravel-lane, into which one of them (Ford) had inveigled him. The complainant was present at the station-house when the charge was preferred, and intimated his determination to be in attendance at this court the next morning to prosecute the prisoners, but he (the policeman) had not seen him since. The magistrate inquired where he was, and why he did not attend.  A gentleman, who said his name was Roberton, and described himself as the brother of the complainant, stood forward, and said that he saw his brother the previous night subsequently to his having given the prisoners into custody, and that he was then labouring under great mental depression. He (applicant) had not seen him this morning, although made every inquiry, and he was fearful that he had destroyed himself. he called at his house and had Mr. A'Beckett asked the applicant if the prisoners were detained, did he think that evidence would be produced to show that they had robbed his brother of 401. at a house of ill fame in the place mentioned. The applicant, in reply, said he heard his brother state that he had been robbed of the amount specified in a house into which he had been decoyed by a woman while he was under the influence of liquor. He ( applicant) knew nothing further of the transaction, and therefore would not wish to take the responsibility upon him of having the prisoners detained on the charge, as he had no evidence to offer against them, and was earful that his unfortunate brother had committed suicide, owing to the condition of mind under which he laboured in consequence of the unfortunate circumstances connected with his having accompanied the prisoners. Ford ejaculated that she would explain the whole matter if she was permitted, and that there was no foundation for the charm as affected herself. Mr. A'Beckettlsaid that at present she was not called upon to make any statement, as there was no evidence against her or herlellow prisoner. He should therefore discharge them, and if the gentleman who had given them into custody, and was supposed to have committed suicide, should re-appear, they would be again taken taken into custody. The prisoners were then discharged.
The Sun. — 1853-01-12 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.—Elizabeth Ford and Harriet Jones, two women of the town, were placed at the bar before Mr. A'Beckett, charged with stealing 401. in Bank of England notes and sovereigns from the person of Mr. Charles Roberton. - - •  Policeman Atkinson, M division, stated that the prisoners were given into his custody on the previous night, by Mr. Roberton upon the charge of having robbed him of the above sum of money at a house of ill-fame in Orange-court, Gravel-lane, into which one of them (Ford) had inveigled him. The complainant was present at the station-house when the charge was preferred, and intimated his determination to be in attendance at this court the next morning to prosecute the prisoners, but he (the policeman) had not seen him since. The magistrate inquired where he was, and why he did not attend. A gentleman, who said his name was Roberton, and described himself as the brother of the complainant, stood forward, and said that he saw his brother the previous night subsequently to his having given the prisoners into custody, and that he was then labouring under great mental depression. He (applicant) had not seen him this morning, although he called at his house and had made every inquiry, and he was fearful that he had destroyed himself. Mr. A'Beckett asked the applicant if the prisoners were detained, did he think that evidence would be produced to show that they had robbed his brother of 401. at a house of ill fame in the place mentioned. The applicant, in reply, said he heard his brother state that he had been robbed of the amount specified in a house into which he had been decoyed by a woman while he was under the influence of liquor. He ( applicant) knew nothing further of the transaction, and therefore would not wish to take the responsibility upon him of having the prisoners detained on the charge, as he had no evidence to offer against them, and was fearful that his unfortunate brother had committed suicide, owing to the condition of mind under which he laboured in consequence of the unfortunate circumstances connected with his having accompanied the prisoners. Ford ejaculated that she would explain the whole matter if she was permitted, and that there was no foundation for the charge as affected herself. Mr. A'Beckettlsaid that at present she was not called upon to make any statement, as there was no evidence against her or her fellow prisoner. He should therefore discharge them, and if the gentleman who had given them into custody, and was supposed to have committed suicide, should re-appear, they would be again taken taken into custody. The prisoners were then discharged.
The Sun. — 1853-12-30 (London, England)

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURN.  GLASGOW AND SOUTH-WISTERN RAILWAY.--Traffio re. burn for the week ending Dec. 24,1853 £1'638 IS 11 Corresponding week last year 4,110 18 11 Increase in 1853 .."".............sown £527 17. 0  SUICIDE PROM A WlNDOW.—Yesterday an inquest was held by Mr. Langham, in the board-room of Charingcross Hospital, on Wm. Hartley, aged 44, a fish salesman, residing in Phcenix-street, Soho, who precipitated himself from a window. It appeared that the deceased believed that he was entitled to some property which was to be mortgaged, and he was frequently in a state of great excitement from fancying that he was deprived of its possession. On Saturday night, the 10th inst., he was in the kitchen of the house where he resided, when he was under the impression that he had seen a ghost the previous day, and asked fora cleaver, with which he said he intended to cut it to pieces should it come.. He then observed that the room was on fire, and that he saw the smoke coming through thegloor. A female with whom he lived endeavoured to persuade him to the contrary, but he became so outrageous that she left him and remained in the area all eight. The next forenoon he suddenly rushed out of the house exclaiming " Murder and thieves." He proceeded up Crown-street, and entered the house No. 21. He passed by a female, the occupier of the shop, ran up the stairs, and forced open the door of the second floor, into which he went, flinging down a lad in the room. He then went to the window, from which he dropped into the street. He was taken up and conveyed to the Charing-cross Hospital, where he was found to have hurt his scalp and had received other injuries, which terminated in inflammation of the lungs, and led to his death on Christmas day.—Verdict, "Temporary insanity."
The Sun. — 1853-12-30 (London, England)

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RE, TURN. GLASGOW AND SOUTH-W*IERN RAlLWAY.—Traffia re. turn for the week ending Dec. 24, 1853 ......... 24 638 15 11 , Corresponding week last year ..................... 4,110 18 11 Increase in 1853.,  £527 17 0  SUICIDE FROM A WlNDOW.—Yesterday an inquest was held by Mr. Langham, in the board-room of Charingcross Hospital, on Wm. Hartley, aged 44, a fish salesman, residing in phoenix-street, Soho, who precipitated himself from a window. It appeared that the deceased believed that he was entitled to some property which was to be mortgaged, and he was frequently in a state of great excitement from fancying that he was deprived of its possession. On Saturday night, the 10th inst., he was in the kitchen of the house where he resided, when he was under the impression that he had seen a ghost the previous day, and asked for a cleaver, with which he said he intended to cut it to pieces should it come. He then observed that the room was on fire, and that he saw the smoke coming through theifloor. A female with whom he lived endeavoured to persuade him to the contrary, but he became so outrageous that she left him and remained in the area all night. The next forenoon he suddenly rushed out of the house exclaiming " Murder and thieves." He proceeded up Crown-street, and entered the house No. 21. He passed by a female, the occupier of the shop, ran up the stairs, and forced open the door of the second floor, into which he went, flinging down a lad in the room. He then went to the window, from which he dropped into the street. He was taken up and conveyed to the Charing-cross Hospital, where he was found to have hurt his scalp and had received other injuries, which terminated in inflammation of the lungs, and led to his death on Christmas day.—Verdict, "Temporary insanity."
The Sun. — 1853-10-26 (London, England)

CORPORATION REFORM.  Subjoined is the copy of a letter which has been addressed to the Lord May or by Mr. Coleridge, the Secretary to the Royal Commissioners appointed to inquire into the state of the Corporation of the City of London. It is somewhat remarkable that the letter does not state the date when the commissioners will assemble, while the paragraph with reference to supplying printed copies of the evidence to the persons " more particularly interested in the proceedings" would seem to indicate that those proceedings are to be conducted in private : " Downing-street, Oct. 22, 1853. "My Lord,—l am directed by the Commissioners for inquiring into the state of the Corporation of the City of London to inform your Lordship that at their first meeting, which they have held this day, at the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, they have taken into consideration the course of their future proceedings. " As full documentary evidence with regard to the constitution of the city of London up to a very recent period already exists in an authentic form, the commissioners purpose to commence their investigation with receiving the evidence of persons who may have complaints to make, or alterations to suggest, with respect to the present state and government of the corporation. At a future stage of the inquiry, the commissioners will be prepared to examine the officers of the corporation. " With a view to afford the requisite information as speedily as possible to the persons more particularly interested in the proceedings of the commission, the commissioners will take steps to communicate to them printed copies of the evidence taken before them from time to  time. "I am, my Lord, your Lordship's obedient servant, J. D. COLERIDGE; Secretary. " The Right Hon. the Lord .Mayor." It may be stated that Mr. Coleridge, the secretary, is a son of one of the learned commissioners, anti 0, rtes phew of another.  SUICIDE AT Larne.—A female named Fisher, for many years a professional vocalist in Leeds, has cow• witted suicide by hanging. She had previously been, in a derponding state of mind.
The Sun. — 1853-04-01 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF A FRENCHMAN. —On Thursday week, Louisa Harrison, in the service of Barthelemi Beaugrand, egg and fruit dealer, Canterbury, on going up stairs found the door leading from the first landing to the attic fastened inside with a penknife ; and, having her fears aroused, pushed it open, when she found her master hanging to the baluster. She called her mistress, who immediately cut her husband down, but he was quite dead. An inquest was held the same day before Mr. Delasaux. The above facts were related, and, in addition, that since Christmas last deceased had been in a desponding way, though on the morning of that day the servant had observed him to be better than usual. Since Christmas he had often threatened to destroy himself, and pieces of rope were occasionally found in his pocket. The servant had seen him only half an hour previous to finding him a corpse. It appears also from what we learn on inquiry, that deceased some time since fled from his country in consequence of some offence ; but happening to revisit the scene a short time since, it had an effect upon his mind, which led to temporary derangement, in a fit of which he destroyed himself. A. verdict of " Insanity" was returned. Maidatone Journal.  REGULATIONS OF THE ROYAL DOCKTARDS,&c.  Her Majesty having been pleased, by her order in council of the 11th instant., to confirm, with her approval, the accompanying rogulati,‘ns, which are henceforth to be adopted, for the entry and promotion of all persons in her Majesty's dock and victualling yards ; they are now issued, by command of their lordships, for the guidance of the respective superintendents and professional officers, and information of all persons employed therein, and to whom they are to be made known. R. OSBORNE, Secretary. Admiralty, March 14, 1853.
The Sun. — 1853-05-09 (London, England)

MELANCHOLY SUICIDE OF AN OLD SOLDIER THROUGH DISTRESS.—On Saturday night Mr. W. Payne held an inquest at St. Thomas's Hospital, on the body of Christopher Clark, aged 54, who committed suicide under the following melancholy circumstances :—The wife of the deceased, who appeared absorbed in grief, said that on Monday last she went with her husband to Deptford to receive a pension, which was allowed to him, of ls. 2d. a day, for 24 years' service in the army, but Captain Ward said that he could not pay him, as there was a debt against him of 21., and his pension only amounted to 1/. 15s. He ordered him out of the office, and abused him very much, which seemed to prey greatly upon his mind, as he had been out of work for a long time, and they had a family of six children. When they returned home she went out to borrow three halfpence of a neighbour. On her return to the room in which they lived, in Brent's-court, Southwark, the deceased was sitting with two children (twins) on his knees, and was crying. She told him to keep his spirits up, as she had borrowed a shilling, but he only replied, "What will become of my poor children I" She condoled with him, and said they would go again on Wednesday, and try to get his pension. On Wednesday morning last, about eleven o'clock, she missed her husband, and went out to seek him. On her return, seeing the cellar shutters closed, she felt all in a shudder, and was afraid that he had done something to himself, from his depressed state of mind. She instantly ran down the steps, and then saw him lying upon the floor with his throat cut. She screamed out, and on some neighbours going in he was taken to the hospital. It was the way he was treated at the office that had preyed upon his mind. He had a good character, to show that there was nothing against him. Mr. Jones, surgeon, said the deceased was brought to the hospital on Wednesday morning, with a wound in his throat. He had lost a great deal of blood. He died on Thursday evening from the effects of the wound. He spoke of his children several times. The jury returned a verdict of " Temporary insanity," but added that, from the account given by the widow, it appeared to have been brought on by the harsh treatment of Captain Ward, and they think he exceeded his duty in not paying him his pension.