npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1894-10-06 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

DETERMINED SUICIDAL MANIA.  A respectably dressed young woman named Sarah Charlton was brought up at the Borough Police Court, on Tuesday, before Messrs. C. T. Goetenhofer and \V. Hinson, charged with attempting to commit suicide by attempting to jump into the East Float. A fireman named James Stanley said he was out of work and on Monday evening he was coming across the bridges from Seacombe when, as he was crossing the East Float, he saw the prisoner half way through the chains and apparently in the act of jumping into the dock. He dragged her back and brought a dock-gateman and a policeman. The woman told them she meant to take her life. She had no friends except her father, and had nothing to , live for.—Suporintendent Clarke stated that the prisoner was only discharged on Monday from custody for a similar offence. She had been remanded to the Workhouse for a fortnight, and was brought ' away on Monday when Dr. McNeill said he could see nothing the matter with the state of her mind. The woman appeared to him to be very strange iit her manner and expressed her determination to commit suicide. She was continually smiling for no should set nd her tolitr,esierlated choustehaagtatiinefrnor observtes ation—The magistrates agreed, and sent prisoner to the Workhouse, warning her that if similar conduct cocurred again she would be severely punished.— They afterwards awarded Stanley se. for his pluck, from the Police Court poor box. Sarah Charlton, who was before the court earlier in the week as mentioned above, and was discharged, WAR again placed in the dock, the charge on this (mansion being that of breaking a window in the workhouse. It seemed that the prisoner returned to what appears to he her home, the workhouse, after her dismissal by the magistrates, and created one of those scenes there that have won her such a notorious character. She abused the officials with the foullest of language, smashed a window, and hurled a missile at the head of Dr. McNeill, the medical officer of the union. Her conduct in court was disgusting. She swore at all the witnesses, and made use of the most violent threats. Dr. McNeill and Dr. Anderson both gave it as their opinion that the prisoner did not suffer from any mental derangement, and attributed her scandalous behaviour to a wicked temper.—The Bench limbed sentence of two months' hard labour.  CYCLlNG.—Woodside Social Cycling Club. The members of the above had a most enjoyable run to Wrexham last Saturday. Captain Thomas gave the word to return. _
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1894-10-06 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTER THIRTY YEARS' ASSENCIL—WiIIiam Spregg, 39, Leicester-street, was charged with being drunk and indecent in Taylor-street—At a quarter-to five on Saturday evening, P.C. 20 (Rigby) found the prisoner very drunk, and cunireitting an indecent action in Taylorstreet. A witness swore that the prisoner was so drunk that he did not know what he Was doing. Prisoner said it was thirty years since he was last in Birkenhead. He was working the whole of Friday night, and was sorry for what had occurred—He was fined se. and costs. WHAT WAS THE STATE Or HER MIND '.'--Sarah Charlton, a young woman of no settled place of abode, was charged on remand with attempting to commit suicide at the Alfred dock; also with tieing a lunatic. —On the 14th ult, the prisoner attempted to leap from the quay of the East Float into the water, but WWI prevented from doing Do by P.C. 123 (Jones), who had been watching her suspicious movements.— Dr. McNeill, medical officer of the Tranmere Workhouse, where the prisoner had been detained for some time, said the prisoner had for a little while behaved like a lunatic. She had from time time during the past seven years come under his notice, and lie could safely say she was the worst character he knew. She would not work, but gave all the trouble she could. She was actuated only by pure, right down, malicious wickednesa—Alderman Singleton said the prisoner had given a great deal of trouble, having been many times before the court. In the present ease, however, there was sonic doubt as to the state of her mind, and she would be discharged.  At7COMPANIED ITT TWO TO Baontwitu, —William Williams, Waterloo-place, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in llamilton-square.--On Etatunla) night at a quarter to seven, the prisoner was intoxicated, and shouting out obscene language in Hamilton-square. He behaved in a very disorderly fashion when taken into custody, and it took two constables to get him to I,ridewell.—Primmer, who did not remember what had taken place, was fined ss. and coats. A
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1894-07-28 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN THE RIVER.  At the Etorough Police Court, on Saturday, before Masers. C. T. Gostenhofer and Joseph Craven, a young man of very depreased appearance named Joseph Johnson, giving an addreas in Beeler-street, Liverpool, was charged in custody with attempting to commit =icicle by. jumping from the ferryboat " Wirral " while crossing the river from Liverpool to Birkenhead at six o'clock on Thursday evening. Superintendent Clarke stated that the prisoner deliberately jumped over the bulwarks and into the water. The luggage steamer" Trantnere " was near the spot at the time and lowered • boat but before the man was recovered he was nearly drowned. He wan quite 1111001120i01111. Afterwards he was taken to the Borough Hospital where he had since been watched by a policeman. Corroborative evidence having been given by • ferryman, the prisoner's father, who warn present said that his son had been in a low state for some-time. The magistrates thought • little rest and quiet would do prisoner s deal of good and remanded him for a week to the workhouse.  TII2 BISHOP OF NIIWYOONDIAITO will preach in St. Mark's Church on Sunday morning next at 11 o'clock, and at St. John's at 6-30 p.m., on behalf of the Society for the Propagation of Use Gospel. Execorsone Piowic. On Saturdsy last, the employees of Mr. John Barnes, general contractor, Lower Bebington, held their fourth annual picnic. Since the commencement it has been the custom of Mr. Barnes to liberally subecribe towards affording the workmen • good day's enjoyment and this year his kindness was repeated. The place chosen was Eaton Hall, Chester. The party left Bebington, at 9 a.m., in conveyances to Chester, and after • substantial dinner at the Bull and Stirrup Hotel, drove to Eaton Hall. Having inspected the gardens, the party retureed to Chester, where a !lest aceeptable takerss provided et the above-Armed .hotel. The 'return .journey Was completed at 10-30 p.m., the day's outing bang enjoyed by all.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1894-05-19 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE NEW BRIGHTON SHORE  TRAGEDY. THE INQUEST.  Mr. Churton, coroner, held an inquiry at the Bat. house athouse Hotel, Magazines, on Saturday, into the circumstances attending the death of Samuel Cox, who was found dead on !Sew Brighton sands early on Friday. Mr. Solomon Jacob..., 39, Boswell-street, Harting. ton-road, Liverpool, identified the body as that of Samuel Cox a master mariner. Witness had knows the deceased for many years. In August last, while returning from the the Brazils, deceased was seized with paralysis, from which he had since suffered. He was also in the habit of taking opium. Inconsequence of what witness had heard and seen in the papers he went over to New Brighton and identified the body. Deceased had lived at Worth's Temperance Hotel, Ranelagh-street, for months past. So far as witness knew deceased had not been to sea since August last. Witness saw deceased on Monday last, and noticed that he was suffering from the effects of opium. He seemed "queer" in his manner. Ernest Hardy, a resident st New Brighton, said he found the body of the deceased lying on the sands opposite the Queen's Hotel soon after seven o'clock on Friday morning. He noticed that there was &bullet wound in the deceased's head, and saw the barrel of a revolver under the body. Witness theta gave information to the police. Sergeant Jackson stated that shortly before eight o'clock on Friday morning he received information that a man was lying dead on the sands. He proceeded to the spot and searched the body. Deceased was lying face downwards, and there was a bullet wound right through the brad. On turning the body over witness found a Eve-chambered revolver. One ehamberwas empty and the others contained cartridges. There were no papers on the body with the exception an envelope which bore the address, "Captain S. Cox, Temperance Hotel, 17, Ranelagh. street, Liverpool." The envelope bore the postmark of Bnxhiim, Devonshire, where the deceased a mother and relatives live. Witness removed the body to the mortuary. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane."
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1894-12-29 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

FEBRUARY.  I—Frank Herron sentenced at Chester Assizes to  three weeks hard labour for ;;;;dilleorg; Creegan of Ivy-street. 2—Presentation to Mr. Hater, at the Woodside Meat Exchange. —Tragic affair at Seacoml*. A young married woman murders her own child and then commits suicide. 3—Disgraceful scene at a wake in St. Annestreet.  5-x-n-tral meeting of the Wallasey Dispensary subscribers. —Lecture in Holy Trinity Schools by Rev. C. Dodge, on "State Grants to Church and Dissent." —Wirral Highway Board monthly meeting. Heated discussion on the water supply. A scene between the members. ...Sensational shooting affair at awedding at Brunswick Wesleyan Church. 6—Wallasey Cottage Hospital subscribers annual meeting. —Masonic charity ball in the Claughton Music Hall. 7—Wallasey ratepayers' meeting at the Local Board offices for the purpose of opposing the two bills dealing with the Wallasey embankment. —Parliamentary Debating Society. Extraordinary scenes. Hated discussions on the resolutions  ii-iiWa.uceciiiihe-I.7il3;;;l4;;entm---e; t for the better regulation of the liquor traffic. —Council meeting. Mr. 'Thompson moves the adjournment of the Council on a question of privilege with reference to some remarks made by Mr. Snaps outside the Council. B—The Mersey Dicks and Harbour Board read a letter from the Mayor ef Birkenhead relative to the Birkenhead portion of the dock eetate. n—On Sunday morning Birkenhead was visited by a disastrous gale which blew furiously the whole of the day, and did not cease until the following morning, chimney pots and elates being blown in all directions.  —The gale in Wallasey did a tremendous amount of damage. A portion of a gable end of a new shop was blown to the ground. 12—Lecture by the Dean of Ely at the Literary and Scientific Society. —Masonic presentation of a gold watch to excompanion Sam Jones at the Masonic Chambers, Hamilton-street. 13—Tranmere Liberal Club Annual Meeting. 14—Adjourned Council meeting. Mr. .1. T. Thompson's letter regarding the charge against Mr. Snaps was read. 16—Lecture at the Music Hall, Claughton-road, by the Rev. C. H. H. Wright, vicar of St. John's, Liverpool. —Parliamentary Debating Society. Resignation of the Liberal ministry. —Wallasey Local Board officials dinner. —Children's Fancy Dress Ball at New Brighton. 20—Exciting soene at the Lairage. A horse killed by an infuriated bull. 21-01aughton Higher Grade School annual meeting of subscribers. . _ _  —Farewell soiree and presentation to the Rev. J. E. Strong. 24—The new fever hospital. Laying of foundation stone by the Mayor (Mr. Benedict Jones). --A dock labourer named Michael Gillian killed by • falling mak at the docks. 26—The "'Ac,-street shooting affair. Frederick Miller brought before the magistrates and discharged. —Dr. C. Theodore Green delivers an interesting lecture, "In praise of Mediocrity: A Plea for the Commonplace," before the Birkenhead Literary Society. —Annual meeting of the R.S.F.C.A. A successful year's work.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1894-05-16 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE NEW BRIGHTON SHORE  TRAGEDY.  THE INQUEST.  Mr. Chnrton, coroner, held an inquiry at the Boathouse Hotel, Magazines, on Saturday, into the circumstances attending the death of Samuel Cox who was found dead on New Brighton sands early on Friday. Mr. Solomon Jacobs, 39, Boswell-street, Hartington-road, Liverpool, identified the body as that of Samuel Cox, a master mariner. Witness had known the deceased for many years. In August last, while 'returning from the the Brazils, deceased was seized with paralysis, from which he had since suffered. He ' was also in the habit of taking opium. In Consequence of what witness had heard and seen in the papers he went over to New Brighton and identified the body. Deemed had lived at Worths Temperance Hotel, Ranelagh-street, for months past. So far as witness knew deceased had not been to sea since. August limit. Witness saw deceased on Monday last, and noticed that he was suffering from the effects of opium. He seemed "queer" in his manner. Ernest Hardy, a resident at New Brighton, said he found the bod_y of the deceased lying on the sands opposite the Queen's Hotel soon after seven o'clock on Friday morning. He noticed that there was a bullet wound in the deceased's head, and saw the barrel of a revolver under the body. Witness then gave information to the polite. Sergeant Jackson stated that shortly before eight o'clock on Friday morning he received information that a man was lying dead on the sands. He proceeded to the spot and searched the body. Deceased was lying face downwards, and there was a bullet; wound right through the head. On turning the body over witness found a five-chambered revolver. One chamber•was empty and the others contained cartridges. There were no papers on the body with the exception an envelope which bore the address, "Captain S. Cox, Temperance Hotel, 17, Ranelaghstreet, LiverpooL" The envelope bore the postmark of Brixham, Devonshire. where the deceased's mother and relatives live. Witness removed the body to the mortuary. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst, temporarily insane."
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1894-03-03 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE PRIOR STREET SHOOTING AFFAIR.  The youth, Frederick Miller, of Cheater-street, who caused the sensation in town a few weeks ago by shooting himself in the vicinity of the Brunswick Wesleyan Chapel, Price-street, whilst his sister was being married, was brought up on remand at the Borough Police Court, on Monday, before the Mayor (Mr. Benedict Jones) and Mr. G. Atkin, charged with attempting to commit suicide by shooting him , self with a revolver on Monday, February sth, and further with being a lunatic not under proper care and control.  Mr Cecil appeared on the prisoner's behalf. Superintendent Clarke recapitulated the evidence previously adduced, and called Dr. McNeill, the medical officer of the Tranmere Workhouse. The doctor said the prisoner had been under his notice and care for a fortnight. In his (witness's) opinion be was perfectly sane and rational—he had always acted and spoken so. When he was admitted to the workhouse fourteen days ago he WM as he now was, physically weak, but mentally, perfectly rational. Mr. Copeland (chief clerk to the justices): Is he safe to be admitted out I—Witness: I understand that the bullet has not been extracted yet. Mr. Copeland: But mentally 1--Witness Oh yes. Mr. Miller, the prisoner's father, guaranteed that he would be responsible for the prisoner's future behaviour.  The Mayor then addressed the prisoner: Frederick Miller, now that you have got into your right mind, you must be aware that wt you have been doing has been very foolish. (Prisoner, who still looked very ' weak and shook convulsively, acknowledged in a faint voice the truth of what had been said to him.) Your father says he is willing to look after you as well as he can, and under these circumstances, expecting that you will come under his control, we will discharge you. The prisoner feebly thanked the Bench and then left the dock.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1894-02-03 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

DISTRESSING SUICIDE AT NOVLAKE.  What was supposed to be a most deliberate suicide was brought under the notice of the Hoylake police on Wednesday morning, when the body of Mrs. Evans, aged forty-four, wife of Mr. William Garner Evans, landlord of the Lighthouse Inn, Hoylake, was washed Up Iby the tide. t appears that all the family retired about a quarter past eleven on Tuesday night, Mrs. Evans then being apparently in the beat of health and spirits. Mr. Evans woke at half-past two, and found that his wife had left the house. All her clothes wore in the bedroom, and it afterwards transpired that she had gone out in her nightdress. There had lawn a slight fall of snow early in the evening, and, by. the aid of • lantern, Mr. Evans traced the footprinte over the sandhills to the shore. His fears being roused, he asked Sergeant Dutton to accompany him, and the footprints were traced right down to the beach, and through several pools of water. In the darkness Mrs. Evans had evidently fallen several times, but each time she must have risen and permed her journey with a deliberate intention. Sergeant Dutton and Mr. Evans could see no signs of Mrs. Evans, and they were compelled to give up the search until morning, when the body, clad in a nightdrms and a pair of stockings, was washed ashore opposite the Dovelight. On Thursday afternoon Dr. Chraton, the coroner for West Cheshire, held an inquest on the body at the residence of the deceamed's hiveland. Evidence was given that Mrs. Evans had been in a desponding state of mind for tome time past, and that when OM body was found by Constable Llewellyn, her bead was wrapped in a cloth. A verdict that the deceased conutitted suicids while temporarily insane was returned.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1894-10-20 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SAD SUICIDE OF MR. G. R. LIVINGSTONE.  It is with regret that we record that Mr. George R.. Livingstone, of Devonshire-place, Claughton, and of the firm of Messrs. Houghton and Livingstone, corn merchants, Brunswick-street, Liverpool, committed suicide, on Thursday, by shooting himself in the head with a revolver, in a room connected with his office. The news of the deplorable event caused a great sensation in Brunswick-street, and especially on the Corn Exchange, where Mr. Livingstone was so well known and -highly respected. No motive was assigned for the deed. Deceased seemed to be in his usual spirits, and was talking of shortly retiring from business. He was fifty-one years of age. He leaves a widow, two daughters, and four sons. He commenced business in 1867, having served his time with Robert Makin and Sons. He was the eon of William Livingstone, of Westport. In business he wag a man of very high integrity, and very much respected by his fellow merchants. On Thursday morning he was on the Corn Exchange, and appeared to be in his usual health. The Rev. Canon Livingstone, of Aigburth, is the deceased's brother. For many years past Mr. Livingstone was connected with the Birkenhead Y.M.C.A., of which institution he was • very generous supporter. He was a liberal donor to the new building fund, and one of his many gifts to the institution was the very fine concert piano. Since 1888 or 1889 Mr. Livingstone held the post of hon. treasurer to the Y.M.C.A., and, in fact, only resigned office a few months ago. ' An inquest was held at the Liverpool Coroner's Court yesterday, before Mr. T. E. Sampson. Evidence was given by the brother, the Rev. Canon Livingstone, vicar of Aigburth, who stated that for some considerable time past the deceased was in failing health. This was confirmed by Mr. Edward Kynaston, deceased's manager, and a letter was read from Dr. Floyd, deceased's medical attendant, who stated that he believed the suicide was disc to mental excitement, or rather delirium, consequent upon the disease from which he was suffering, which was diabetes, which caused both his mental and bodily powers to he much impaired. The jury f aund a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane."
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1894-01-13 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SHOOTING A CAT.  SUICIDE OF THE ANIMAL  A respectably dressed boy named Wallace Hodgson., Montreal Villa, Bough-road, Tranmere, was summoned at the Borough Police Court, on Tuesday,t ef ore Maws. M. Laird and W. Craven, for cruelly illtrealiing and torturing a cat. It appeared that on Bank Holiday last the boy Hodgson was playing with • breech loading pistol, and shot a cat belonging Is Mr. Carnon, 3...% West Bank-road, Devonslure-park. He said he shot at a bottle which wits standing upright in an ashpit when up jumped the cat and was hit by the bullet. The animal then ran away and from what other people said it ran along the walb, into a garden and &tan into a pad of water from whence it was taken out dead. Mr. Canon said lir informed the police not because he valued the cat very hishly but because he thought it was wise to prevent the boy carrying about such a dangerous weapon. The boy's father gave the lad a good character and blamed himself for not looking closer at the weapon which the boy had purchased with his own money. He was not aware . that the l was such a dangerous weapon. The boy bought it with the intention of firing at targets and also with the idea of frightening cats away from is -7TElere malistrates said the commons was for cruel illtreatment They did not think there had bees cruel illtreatment, though they were of the opinits that the boy had no right to kill ihe cat. But aa the summons was wrongly worded, they had, unfortunately, no alternative but to dismiss the summons. It was a very bad thing for the boy to carry about soak a pistol, for if it would kill a cat it might kill a human being, and could easily gut out an eye or cause other serious injury. They trusted this prosecution would be • warning and that the weapon would be used no more.  The boy's fatherprcnised that the weapon should not be need again and left the pistol in the hands of the police.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1894-04-21 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OF A MOTHER AND BABY.  Mary Holt, a poorly dressed woman, thirty-five years of age, and said to live in Roelin-street, Trans mere, was brought up in custody at the Borough Police Court on Thursday, charged with attempting to commit suicide by jumping into the river at the Tranmere Ferry landing stage. It appeared that on Wednesday evening at about eight o'clock the woman was seen to go down the landing stage with a baby in her arms. She walked towards the water and attempted to throw herself in off the stage, but was prevented by a passenger,a Mr. Fisher, of Devonshire Park. She was slightly under the influence of drink and in a very weak state, and was therefore detained till the arrival of P.C. 91 (Whitley) into whose charge she was then given. She was taken to the Polk* Station, and locked up, the baby being placed in charge of the caretaker. Supt. Clarke stated that he had made inquire* about the prisoner, and found that she had four little children at home besides the baby. Her husband was a fireman on • tugboat, and had been away at sea for seven or eight months. He could not say whether it was the abeence of the husband which caused the prisoner to attempt to commit suicide. He found that she had attempted to commit suicide some time ago in the same place, but was foiled in much the same way as on the precious night. Prisoner herself said she wished her husband had not gone away. She did not feel very well. Alderman Rawcliffe said it would be better for her to go to the workhouse, where observations could be made at; to her condition, and the children taken care of. Prisoner was sent to the workhouse for a fortnight.