npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-03-29 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

DEATHS FROM SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.  For some days a judicial investigation has been going on here, in reference to the deaths of two females, under circumstances that have given rise to suspicion against one or mere of their relatives. On Saturday the 17th an old woman, named Margaret Stewart, between seventy and eighty years of age, and residing at 29, Earl Grey Street, Port Hopetoun, died suddenly. The deceased, who was of intemperate habits, bad been out on Saturday forenoon, and had returned home, it is said, somewhat intoxicated. In the evening a doctor was sent for to see her, who found her quite dead, and was shown a cut or bruise on the bark of her head is hich her relatives said had been caused by an accidental backward fall she bad had near the fireplace. On the case being reported to the Procurator-Fiscal, and farther inquiry made, such circumstances of suspicion transpired as to render necessary a post marten' examination of the body. The examination was made by Dr. Littlejohn and Dr. Tod, on Tuesday, who found, in addition to the injury on her head, that one or two of deceased's ribs were broken, and that a small cork had been fixed in her throat so deeply and firmly auto render it improbable that she had either swallowed it or had tried to stifle herself by this means. The same day, three of the relations of the deceased were apprehended—namely, Robt. Stewart, her nephew by affinity; Mary Stewart, wife of Robert Stewart, and name of deceased, and John Stewart, brother of Mary and nephew of Margaret Stewart. Robert SLewart, who is or was a seed merchant, is about 00 years of age; his wife—whoae maiden name also being Stewart, explains the uniformity of surname in the household—is considerably younger; and John Stewart is about 30. According to their own statement it would appear that they were all so drunk on the afternoon of the 17th that they cannot account for the old woman's death, farther than to attribute it to a fall. A little boy, son of Robert and Mary Stewart, however, invites that there wasa disturbance in the house, and that he saw John kick the old woman. We are not aware, however, that the direct evidence against the parties goes much farther, or that the stopping the windpipe of deceased with the coik has been accounted for, Thecirenmstances that have transpired in the investigation hare also led loan inquiry into a prior death in the family, namely, that of Jane Stewart, a younr unmarried woman, sister of Mary and John Stewart. She died on the 4th January last, and was reported by her relatives to hare committed suicide by hanging herself. She had previously been in good health and spirits, and there seemed no apparent motive for suicide. On Friday last the body was exhumed, and the cause of death was found to be strangulation, but there was nothing to indicate whether or not it was self-caused. Meanwhile the investigation into both cases is proceeding, and the three persons named are still in custody.—Edinburgh Courant.
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-03-29 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

EXTRA ORDINARY ATTEMPTED MURDER AND  SUICIDE IN MAHYLEBONE.  On Saturday morning great sensation was created in the vicinity of Beaumont Street, Marylebone, London, by a report that another of those catastrophes which has taken place in that district during the last few months had occurred. It appears that a Mr. Philip Herring, who describes himself as a solicitor, and who it 55 years of 4e, has been for some time past lodging with a female, who passed as his wife, at 42, Beaumont Street, which is a highly respectable locality. This female, however, turns out to be a woman of the name of Mitchell, and who cohabited with him. Between eight and nine o'clock ti the morning the landlady of the house was alarmed by hearing great cries and a loud noise of scuffling proceed from the apartments occupied by Mr. Herring and his supposed wife. On going up to the room she called to know what was the matter, but receiving no answer, he ventured to open the door, and on entering the apartment, was astonished to find both Mr. Herring and the female rushing about the room in a most excited state, covered with blood, which was gushing from a wound in each of their throats. Tee screams cf the landlady brought assistance, and the police were sent for, as was also a medical man, Mr. Galliard, surgeon, of 34, Devonshire Street, who promptly attended and dressed and sewed up the wounds which had been inflicted on each party. A razor was found on the floor covered wir h blood, and whilst the woman declared that the man Herring had cut her throat, and had then attempted to cut his own, the former charged the crime of attempted murder and suicide upon the latter. A cab having been procured, they were conveyed to the Marylebone Police Station, but upon their arrival there each party refused to make a charge sgain,t the other, and the result was that both were charged as prisoners, upon the statement of the landlady of the house and the police, upon the police-sheet. On the police searching the male prisoner, a large number of pawnbrokers duplicates were found upon his person, and it is believed he was in very straitened circumstances; but the female prisoner is stated to have recently come into possession of a coalsiderab:e amount of propert7, and on searching the lodgings no less than £l3B In gold and not, s were I found.  SIIMK %EH %sTOPOL.  \
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-02-22 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

WEST GEORGE STREET.  GLASOONV,  A.LTHOUGII the experience of upwards of half a century has fully established the many advantages of Assurance Companies, scarcely any attempt, has hitherto been made to adapt their rules and regulation/ to the wants and wishes of the Industrial Classes. To effect this, and also certain improvements, by which greater benefits may be secured to the Assured of all Classes, T it E INDUSTRIAL AND GENERAL LIFE ASSURANCE DEPOSIT COMPANY has been established.  Premiums are accepted is Yearly, Ilalf-Yearly, Quarterly, or Monthly Payments, as my suit the convenience of the Assured.  A Policy need never be forfeited, for when it has been in existence three years and upwards, and the Assured desires ttidiscontinue payment of the Premiums, 40 per cent, thereof will be returned, or a new Policy will, on application, be granted for a sum equivalent to the value of the Premiums paid, and no farther payment required. . .  The Assured underPolici4 by the' Deposit Plan (see Table 28) are entitled any time, after the lapse of two or more years, on fourteen days notice, to receive back the whole amount of Premiums paid, with interest thereon. insurers can also provide for their own support when aged or infirm, securing to themselves, by a small monthly payment, a yearly Annuity, to commence at any age they may themselves fix. The Policies of this Company are indisputable, except in case of fraud discovered during the lifetime of the party on whose life the Assurance is dieted, nor will any Policy which has been in force ups ards of two years be rendered void by the Life failing from Suicide, Duelling, or the hands of Justice. All claims payable under Policies, Endowments, Annuities, Sze., issued into Scotland, will be payable in Scotland on the production of the legal title required by the Law of Scotland, in the same way, in every respect, as if transacted by a Scottish Office. The progress of the Company has been as under:—  No. of Policies completed. Fromthe commencement of Business on the 26th Feb., 1050, to 31st Dcc 1850 983 From 31st Dec., 1850, to 31st Dec, 1851 1,619 From 3 St Dee, le3l, to 31st Dec., 1852 3,011 From 31st Dee., 1852 to 31st Dec 0653 5,107 From 31st Dec., 1853, to 1,059 31st Dec .185,
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-02-24 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY.  (From the Times of Thursday.)  The three principal 'Peelite' members of the cabinet, Sir James Graham, Mr. Gladstone, and Mr. Sidney Herbert, held out against the committee of inquiry, on the ground, as we are informed, that it was not only a censure on themselves, but also that it would impede the public service at a time when freedom action and confidence were especially required. On Tuesday, as we were then made aware, they had placed their resignation in the hands of Lord Palmerston ; but at a Cabinet Council held yesterday to give them an opportunity of withdrawing it they declined to do so, and are no longer members of the administration. Rumour has filled the vacancies. Sir Charles Wood is, it is said, to succeed Sir James Graham at the Admiralty, where he was once Secretary; Mr. Cardwell is to succeed Mr. Gladstone, and Mr. Baines to take Sir G. Grey's place at the Home Office, while Sir G. Grey replaces his cousin at the India Board. Minor changes will of course follow. Meanwhile Lord Palmerston, we believe, has already been in communication with Mr. Roebuck, and they have agreed on a committee of a somewhat different cast from that of which notice was given for tonight. We really cannot see what else was to be done. Parliaments may be very troublesome, and public inquiries very inconvenient; Czars and Emperors may be able to manage very much better, and it is possible that the proposed committee is a stretch of the constitution; but we must take things as they are. We cannot do without the House of Common,. Lord Palmerston, in the course of an unusually long and varied political career, has had occasion to feel the power, 0.4 to say the capricei of the House of Commons, as much as any man living, and he is well aware that it would be simply an act of suicide to persist in saying . ' Nay,' when the House has so emphwically said 'Yea."llie House has said what it wants, and he is there to do what it wants, and, if he refuses, it will undoubtedly find others to do its work. We may all rest assured there will be a committee of inquiry, and the only question about the matter is its constitution, and, consequently, the temper with which it will proceed to its business.
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-08-04 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

REAIAIIKATILE SUICIDE AT CRAIDEND.-- OD Friday last, a most lamentable occurience took place here. A gii I of seventeen years of age, daughter of Mr. Waddell, farmer, Craigend, having been reproved by her father fur something she had done amiss, in a paroxysm of rage rushed across a field unobserved, and threw herself aown a waste coal pit. Her brother, who was herding cattle near the pit, endeavoured to prevent her from accomplishing her mad design. His shrieks, however, brought some persons to the spot, and soon after a great concourse of people from Wallacestone, Blackbraes, and the neighbourhood, had collected to render assistance. After a considerable interval ropes were obtained, and two miners were let down the pit. By great difficulty the wretched creature was got up dreadfully mutilated. Life not being extinct, Dr. Shaw was sent for, and arrived with the utmost promptitude, but before his arrival death had put a period to her sufferings. This is one of the most remarkable cases of suicide which ever occurred here. The unfortunate girl was stout and healthy.—Falkirk Herald.  THE AYRSHIRE RIFLES —The muskets for this corp have not yet arrived. It is certainly to be regretted that about 400 men have been kept waiting several months for this ; the most important part of their appointments llad the rifles been served to the regiment in proper time, the men might now have been ready to do garrison duty, instead of being entirely ignorant of the way to handle fire-arms. A Rifle Regiment without rifles is somewhat anomalous, even in these days of official blundering. However, after the delay which has taken place in fitting up the Barracks, we need not be surprised at anything. The bawl now performs daily, and though not in perfect order, adds considerably to the interest of the usual marchings of the corps through the town. The first cornet plays with much efficiency, and when the other performers have had a little more practice, the band of the Royal Rifles will be worthy of the regiment. The inhabitants will be glad to learn that nearly the whole of the men were on Tuesday provided wlth accommodation in the Barracks. Only some forty billets are to be issued for next month, and it is probable that the entire regiment may yet find quarters in the Barracks.—Ayr Observer.
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-07-07 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

TUE IRBIL POLITICAL EXILES.—MT. John B. Dillon, barrister-at-law, one of the leaders in the insurrectionary movement of '4B, and the least among the able but dangerous piress contributors of that insane period, has arrived in Dublin from the land of Know-nothings, where he has, it seems, been eminently successful in his professional capacity. With creditable good taste, Mr. Dillon, since his temporary return to this country, is living in the strictest privacy at the seaside, eschewing, all the vanities of popular notoriety, and not even permitting his arrival here to be noticed or mentioned in the journals devoted to the cause which led to his exile.  SUICIDE AT CORK .-Mr. Wm. Fitzgibbon, of Soho Terrace, Cork, committed suicide on Saturday, by shooting himself through the head. It appeared at the inquest that the ill-fated gentleman was possessed of some property. He was a widower without a family. After breakfasting on Saturday morning, his servant observed that he looked agitated and unwell, and she endeavoured to persuade him to go to bed ; he promised to do so, and desired her to go at once for Mr. Jones, apothecary, which she did. She was about three quarters of an hour absent, and when she returned she found her master lying dead in a back parlour, with a gun in his hand, the materials for loading it lying on the table. It appears that during the short time the servant was absent, the unhappy gentleman loaded the gun, pointed it at his head, and touching the trigger with his toe, the charge went right through his head. The blood and brains were scattered through the room, and spattered over the ceiling. A quantity of shot, having recoiled from the ceiling, lay flattened on the table and on the floor, and they, too, were marked with blood. A verdict was returned to the effect, That the deceased committed suicide whilst labouring under temporary derangement.'
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-06-30 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

DEATH OF MR. JOSEPH MOULE.—Joseph Mottle, Esq., late Superintending President in the General Post Office, Edinburgh, died at his house in London on the 20th inst. Mr. Mottle was an officer in the I.ondon establishment, from which he was transferred at a period (about thirty-five years ago) when the increase of the business here seemed to require greater efficiency. He knew the duties of his office, and discharged them in an efficient and acceptable manner until last year, when declining health rendered his resignation necessary. His services were acknowledged at the Treasury, and his retiring salary fixed at the highest rate. Mr. Moule's acquirements were considerable—chiefly of a literary nature. His favourite studies were in the direction of theology and natural history. Upon the latter subject he contributed several very creditable papers to the Naturalists' Library, in the department of Memoirs of Celebrated Authors prefixed to that popular work—Co urant.  ANOTHER SUICIDE IN ItiIitAINTILLOCII.-OD SEISEday last, between the hours of two an dthree o'clock, the Townhead and neighbourhood of Kirkintilloch was thrown into the greatest state of excitement in consequence of the discovery of another case of selfdestruction. Robert Wear, a weaver, the person alluded to, had remained in the weaving shop, after the other workers had retired for their dinner, and it would appear that, immediately after, the unfortunate man had darkened the shop by putting on the window shutters and fastening the door inside. One of the deceased's daughters, on going to the well for water, observed th's, and thinking all was not right gave the alarm. The door was soon forced open, when Wear was discovered suspended by the neck from a beam in the ceiling, and life quite extinct. It is supposed the body must have hung for at least half au hour. The deceased's wife died from cholera during its last visit to this town, aliout ten months since, when he had a severe attack of the malady himself, and ever since he has been observed to be in a melancholy state of mind. The deceased has always borne an excellent character, being sober and industrious in his habits. He was an e!cl:r in the Free Church, and it is certainly rather strange that both the precentor and an elder in the same church should have committed self-destruction in the same manner, and within a few weeks of each other.  IMPROVEMENTS Al
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-11-01 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

SUICIDE OF MR. HUNTER IN AUSTRALIA.  The following is an extract from a private letter dtted —Sandhurst, August 13, 1855:—' While I write, a coroner's inquest in sitting on the body of Mr. hunter, late of Edinburgh, the composer of "('oiler Ou'," and some others of our favourite song,. Ills body was found (at the side of the bush, or new growth, of a cut tree, upon the side of the Kangaroo Flat road, two miles nearly from the township) yesterday mornings lying in a pool of blood, which had proceeded front a wound in the left arm. Dr. lloyle was called to the case, and described the whole circumstance to me as they must have happened. lie had stripped himself of two coats, folding them up neatly, rolled up the sleeve of the left arm to the shoulder, and then, w its a razor, cut into the arm across the joint to the bone, dividing the humeral artery, Se., and bli d to death. De had moved out of the hush some six feet before he had got too weak to proceed farther. A parcel of papers, some newspapers, and three music-books were found, along with the bloody razor and his coats, in the bush, and upon hint a handsome silver snuff-box with an inscription, a patting gift from his Edinburgh friends, some papers and letters, and a note of his engagement to sing three nights a-week in a hotel concert-room in ! Long Gully at the rate of £5 a-week. Ile has two ! brother, here (in Bendigo). very respectable and respect! ed; itsi, front what was known of him, with sympathy for his unfortunate relations, a very unusual sensation of norlien shown itself amongst all classes. . . . . . .  . . . The verdict is—" Commiaed suicide under a tit of temporary insanity.' From the evidence led, it appears that he left the township on Saturday morning to pay a visit to one of his brothers on kangaroo Flat ; that he made inquiries during the slay for a person named till; I that he called tit the Clydesdale Hotel to see Mr. Wotherspoon, to whom he detailed, in a very despondAug mood, his trials and struggles in Australia ; that he went into the bush (which formed a sort of arbour) during the evening, and occupied himself with bin music; and then—the tintile of Sunday morning, lie had been long dead when found.'
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-08-30 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

HORRIBLE STORY. MATRICIDE.  Isabella Mary Jolley, a respectable woman about 42 years old, has been several times examined at the Westminster Police Court under suspicion of murdering her mother, (as stated in a former number) a lady between eighty and ninety years of age. The mother and daughter had a house at 33, Hill Street, Knightsbridge ; and, in course of the night preceding the tragedy, Miss Jolley went into the servant's bedroom, and told the girl not to get up till seven, when she waa to take breakfast into the old lady's room. This was done: but the room door, contrary to the usual custom, was found locked. Miss Jolley said it was to prevent the cat getting in, and ordered the breakfast things to be taken into the back room. This was the more extraordinary, as the servant always went into the room to cut Mrs. Jolley's bread and butter. Some time after the breakfast things were again found in the back room, with both cups bearing evidence of having been used. About 8 o'clock, and again before 10 o'clock, Miss Jolley went out for is abort time; and a little after 12 o'clock, Mrs. Crapp, the wife of a neighbour, and a friend of the family, saw the prisoner at the parlour window, in a state of great distraction, holding her nail di to her head, and exclaiming, 'I am mad-1 ant almost mad' Mrs. Crapp went in, and heard some wandering fragments of sentences from Miss Jolley to the effect that her mother was dead, that her throat was cult, and that she had died quietly. A policeman was called is, and the old lady was found stretched across the bed, st ith tier feet on a chair, and her throat cut. Miss Jolley related that about daylight she heard something the matter with her mother, who said, 'I am very wet,' and it then appeared she was covered with blood. She added, 'I am dying.' and she expired almost immediately. 'the policeman wns directed to a drawer, where he found a razor, but It was quite clean. Miss 3.11(1' said she had washed it, had taken it out to be sharpened, and had then tried to cut her own throat, but it would not act on her. In reference to her not telling the servant of the death, she remarked that the girl was a Roman Catholic, and would swenr anything. A cutler deponed that Miss Jolley had been twice to have a razor sharpened and set, and that on one occasion a companion of the prisoner mentioned to let her have it. The servant girl stated that a nightgown toned by the policeman on the table, and covered with blood, belonged to Miss Jolley. It appeared that the prisoner hail been for some time my depressed in spirits owing to being in debt and in want of money; and she once spoke to is friend of committing suicide. At the inquest the jury returned an open verdict, that the deceased died from a wound in her throat, but by whom inflicted there was no evidence to show. The , case is still pending before the London magistrates. I
Glasgow Courier. — 1855-09-11 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

SUICIDE IN A. RAILWAY TRAIN.  On Thursday morning a most determined act of selfdestruction was committed in a railway carriage between Nottingham and Derby, by a young gentleman named Payne, son of Dr. Payne, of the first-mentioned town. It appears that deceased left Nottingham by the ordinary train at 8.40 A.M., travelling in a secondclass carriage. In the same compartment were two gentlemen, who proceeded so far as the Trent Junction, where they got out, and he was left alone. Trent Junction is equidistant between Nottingham and Derby, being about eight miles front either place. The train on leaving here called at Sawley and Draycolt, two small stations, and then stopped at Borrowash. The station-master at the latter place was proceeding to open the door, when he saw the body of Mr. Payne hanging close to the door. The deceased gentleman had taken a black silk handkerchief from his neck, and suspended himself from the ventilator at the top of the carriage daor. He had also taken off his shoes, and turned his trousers up to the knees. He was immediately cat down, and although life was apparently not extinct, he was beyond hope of recovery. The unfortunate gentleman was conveyed forward to Derby, nod , Mr. Gisborne, the company's surgeon, attended him, ' but life was extinct. To thaw how determined deceased was to commit the rash act, we may state that, from the time the two gentlemen got out at Trent Junction, until he was discovered at Borrowash, not more than ten minutes could have elapsed. No letters were found upon hint to throw any light on the cause of the deed, but lie hail £.2 in money, a bandbox, slippers, Stc., as if proceeding on a journey. Ills parents have been made acquainted by telegraph of the melancholy circumstances, and the body awaits an inquest at the Derby .tation.