npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1853-03-18 (London, England)

MURDER OF TWO CHILDREN BY THEIR FATHER-SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER.  Intelligence has just been received of a most appalling tragedy, which has been perpetrated by a highly respectable master shoemaker, named Isaac Tucker, at the adjoining fashionable suburb, Clifton, near Bristol, who, after having cut the throats of two of his children  —two interesting little girls—aged respectively five and three years, put a period to his own existence in the same way. It would seem, from such particulars as have yet transpired, that the deceased had recently taken a house on Prince's-place, near the Royal York-crescent, in which Mr. Kempster carried on for many years a lucrative business, and into the possession of which he entered with his family only a few days since. On Wednesday, between 12 and 1 o'clock, his wife had occasion to come into Bristol, on some business, and he was left at hoMe in the house with his children and a female servant. Soon after his wife left he was observed to come down stairs, go to the street-door, look up and down the thoroughfare, and then go to a looking-glass, and survey himself putting out his tongue, and working it about in a somewhat strange manner. He then went up stairs, and soon afterwards his- eldest little girl went upstairs. Nothing afterwards was heard of any of them, but some time subsequently upon a person going upstairs, the door was discovered to be locked, and upon its being broken open, all three of them were discovered quite dead, their clothes saturated with blood, and their throats cut in a shocking manner, the head of one of Arm being all but severed from the body. The instrument with which the fatal deed had been accomplished, a shoemaker's knife, having a remarkably keen edge, was found in the room. The fatal occurrence has created an extraordinary sensation in the neighbourhood, and the house, since the bodies were , discovered, has been surrounded by crowds of persons.  UNIVERSITY Or-
The Sun. — 1853-03-18 (London, England)

MURDER OF TWO CHILDREN BY THEIR FATHER-SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER.  Intelligence has just been received of a most appalling tragedy, which has been perpetrated by a highly respectable master shoemaker, named Isaac Tucker, at the adjoining fashionable suburb, Clifton, near Bristol, who, after having cut the throats of two of his children —two interesting little girls—aged respectively five and three years, put a period to his own existence in the same way. It would seem, from such particulars as have yet transpired, that the deceased had recently taken a house on Prince's-place, near the Royal York-crescent, in which Mr. Kempster carried on for many years a lucrative business, and into the possession of which he entered with his family only a few days since. On Wednesday, between 12 and 1 o'clock, his wife had occasion to come into Bristol on some business, and he was left at home in the house with his children and a female servant. Soon after his wife left he was observed to come down stairs, go to the street-door, look up and down the thoroughfare, and then go to a looking-glass, and survey himself putting out his tongue, and working it about in a somewhat strange manner. He then went up stairs, and soon afterwards his eldest little girl went upstairs. Nothing afterwards was heard of any of them, but some time subsequently upon a person going upstairs, the door was discovered to be locked, and upon its being broken open, all three of them were discovered quite dead, their clothes saturated with blood, and their throats cut in a shocking manner, the head of one of them being all but severed from the body. The instrument with which the fatal deed had been accomplished, a shoemaker's knife. having a remarkably keen edge, was found in the room. The fatal occurrence has created an extraordinary sensation in the neighbourhood, and the house, since the bodies were discovered, has been surrounded by crowds of persons.
The Sun. — 1853-10-22 (London, England)

ELOPEMENT AND SUICIDE.  Yesterday, Mr. Blizard, the proprietor of the Bricklayer's Arms, Eagle-street, Red Lion-square, committed suicide, under the following distressing circumstances : —During the last week deceased was deeply grieved by his wife's elopement with a man named Bentley, late in the employ of Mr. Sloman, the sheriff's officer, in whose service, however, he had only been a few months. This person, not content with having seduced another female, whom with her two children he deserted, leaving them paupers quartered on the parish, also seduced the frail wife of deceased. Last Monday week Mrs. Blizard left home under the pretext of business. Her husband begged she would not be long absent, as he was not well. But instead of returning, she sent her husband a note informing him that she would not return home, and that if they met again it Would be as strangers. The heart-broken husband instantly went in search of his faithless spouse, whom he traced to a house in Oxford-street, where she met her parainour with her trunks and apparel, which she had been for weeks preparing, and thence they drove off together in a cab with the property which she had so stealthily  taken from her home. But whether they fled remains a secret, with the exception of a vague report that they sailed for Australia. Although deceased was very lowspirited in consequence of his wife's conduct, yet no idea of his committing suicide was entertained, notwithstanding his having exhibited to his brother one day during the week a rope with which he said he intended destroying himself, but which the brother flung into the fire, still keeping a strict watch on him. Thursday night he appeared in much better spirits, and retired to bed at a late hour, apparently greatly eased in mind. Upon the brother going to call him the following morning, he was horrified at seeing deceased hanging by a new piece of rope from the bed-post, and quite dead. He was instantly cut down and medical aid called in, but as a matter of course unavailingly. A few months ago Mrs. Blizard eloped with the same man, when her husband, finding that the guilty pair resided at Margate, followed them thither and brought her home. Deceased was thirtysix, and his wife, who is only twenty-four, possessed, it is said, in her own right, an income of 1101. per annum. Her paramour is described as a tall, well-looking man, about forty years of age. Unfortunately, there is left a hapless orphan to bewail its mother's disgrace, and its father's unfortunate end. A cousin of deceased's hanged himself some years ago. Up to a late hour last night no clue to the whereabouts of the wretched guilty pair was obtained.
The Sun. — 1853-10-22 (London, England)

ELOPEMENT AND SUICIDE.  Yesterday, Mr. Blizard, the proprietor of the Bricklayer's Arms, Eagle-street, Red Lion-square, committed suicide, under the following distressing circumstances : —During the last week deceased was deeply grieved by his wife's elopement with a man named Bentley, late in the employ of Mr. Sloman, the sheriff's officer, in whose service, however, he had only been a few months. This person, not content with having seduced another female, whom with her two children he deserted, leaving them paupers quartered on the parish, also seduced the frail wife of deceased. Last Monday week Mrs. Blizard left home under the pretext of business. Her husband begged she would not be long absent, as he was not well. But instead of returning, she sent her husband a note informing him that she would not return home, and that if they met again it would be as strangers. The heart-broken husband instantly went in search of his faithless spouse, whom he traced to a house in Oxford-street, where she met her paramour with her trunks and apparel, which she had been for weeks preparing, and thence they drove off together in a cab with the property which she had so stealthily taken from her home. But whether they fled remains a secret, with the exception of a vague report that they sailed for Australia. Although deceased was very lowspirited in consequence of his wife's conduct, yet no idea of his committing suicide was entertained, notwithstanding his having exhibited to kis brother one day during the week a rope with which he said he intended destroying himself, but which the brother flung into the fire, still keeping a strict watch on him. Thursday night he appeared in much better spirits, and retired to bed at a late hour, apparently greatly eased in mind. Upon the brother going to call him the following morning, he was horrified at seeing deceased hanging by a new piece of rope from the bed-post, and quite dead. He was instantly cut down and medical aid called in, but as a matter of course unavailingly. A few months ago Mrs. Blizard eloped with the same man, when her husband, finding that the guilty pair resided at Margate, followed them thither and brought her home. Deceased was thirtysix, and his wife, who is only twenty-four, possessed, it is said, in her own right, an income of 1101. per annum. Her paramour is described as a tall, well-looking man, about forty years of age. Unfortunately, there is left a hapless orphan to bewail its mother's disgrace, and its father's unfortunate end. A cousin of deceased's hanged himself some years ago. Up to a -late hour last night no clue to the whereabouts of the wretched guilty pair was obtained.
The Sun. — 1853-02-01 (London, England)

MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.—Last Saturday the family of Mr. W. H. Hart, East India merchant, residing at 7, Gloucester-place, Hyde-parkgardens were thrown into the most fearful state of terror from the following tragical occurrence. Between 7 and 8, a.m., Mary Mitchell, the cook, finding that Marian Griffi, the housemaid, did not make her appearance, went to her bed-room' when she found her rather agitated, and she also heard a smothered noise in Griffin's box, which induced her to approach it for the purpose of ascertaining whence the noise originated ; but Griffin endeavoured to prevent her. The cook, however, seeing a pair of scissors smeared with blood, lying near the box, she insisted upon opening the box, where she found a newly born infant alive, and bathed in blood, which issued from a wound in its throat, that extended from ear to ear. She instantly rushed down stairs and gave the alarm, when Messrs. Pollock and Galiando, surgeons, were instantly sent for. Upon those gentlemen entering Griffin's room, they found the unfortunate woman in the act of cutting her own throat with the scissors. Having disarmed her, they applied the necessary remedies to her wound, and then so secured her that she could not repeat her suicidal attempt. After which they turned their attention to the infant, whom they found in a moribund state, the wound being of so extensive a nature, that upon the body being raised the head fell backwards. Singular to say, although death is inevitable, life still lingers in the body. There is no doubt that the wound was inflicted on the infant with the same scissors with which the mother attempted to cut her own throat. The mother, who hitherto bore an irreproachable character, bad been only two months in Mr. Hart's service. Last evening she was removed to the infirmary, where she remains under the surveillance of the police.
The Sun. — 1853-08-27 (London, England)

THE MURDER AND SUICIDE IN GOODMAN'S.  FIELDS.  Yesterday Mr. Baker, the coroner for East Middlesex, held an inquest upon the unfortunate Caroline Mobbs at the London Hospital, whither she had been removed after the savage attack had been made upon her by her husband which resulted in her death, and where also lies, almost in articulo mortis, and under the close custody of the city police, the ruthless perpetrator of the deed.  Some circumstances have recently come to light in connection with the event which invest it with a melancholy interest. The deceased, it appears, had only been united to the man about 12 months, he being at that time a widower with four young children. She seems to have enjoyed but a very brief period of domestic happiness, for, though the man was kind and affectionate in his sober moments, those intervals were of rare occurrence, and scarcely a month had elapsed after their wedding before his savage ill-treatment commenced. Alleged ill-treatment of his children and intimacy with a policeman were she pretexts for his savage conduct, but so far as the evidence has gone, both charges were groundless. She was a quiet, well-behaved, and strictly sober woman. Nevertheless, the treatment which she experienced at th 3 hands of her husband almost exceeds belief. She had '.requently threatened to seek the protection of the law. but had never mustered up resolution sufficient to make the case known to the magistrates. An indefinable terror, and perhaps also some remnant of affection, always intervened at the last moment to prevent her appealing to the traunal of justice. On the very day on wiich the murder took place it was her intention to apply to the Lord Mayor for a separate maintenance.  Mobbs, the murterer, was not quite so well yesterday as on the previous sight, having been attacked in the interval with broneaitis ; still he is progressing as well as can be expected. The knife bad completely severed the larynx, and his bodily health was not generally good in consequence of his intemperate habits. Evidence as to the general ill-treatment of the deceased by her husband, and as to the circumstances attending the commission of tie dreadful deed, which have already been made public, laving been adduced, The Coroner said perhaps it world be well to adjourn the inquiry for the present, more particularly as the state of the man appeared to be extremely doubtful. Of course, if the man saould die, the inquiry would assume a very different form to that which it would take if he survived, because in the event of his death the power of the law, so far as he was concerned, would be at an end. The jury concurred in this view, and, for the reasons stated by the coroner, acquiesced in the adjournment for a few days.  The proceedings were accordingly adjourned.
The Sun. — 1853-08-27 (London, England)

ROYAL CHARITY.—Her Majesty, or, hearing of the distressing accident at the back of the Wight, sent 301. to the widow Wearn, for the relief of herself and children. The Southampton and Isle of Wight Steam-boat Company have, we hear, acted very liberally to the family.  THE MURDER AND SUICIDE IN GOODMAN'S FIELDS:  Yesterday Mr. Baker, the coroner for East Middlesex, held an inquest upon the unfortunate Caroline Mobbs at the London Hospital, whither she had been removed after the savage attack had been made upon her by her husband which resulted in her death, and where also lies, almost in articulo mortis, and under the close custody of the city police, the ruthless pezpetrator of the deed.  Some circumstances have 'recently come to light in connection with the event which invest it with a melancholy interest. The deceased, it appears, bad only been united to the man about 12 months, he being at that time a widower with four young children. She seems to have enjoyed but a very brief period of domestic happiness, for, though the man was kind and affectionate in his sober moments, those intervals were of rare occurrence, and scarcely a month had elapsed after their wedding before his savage ill-treatment commenced. Alleged ill-treatment of his children and intimacy with a policeman were the pretexts for his savage conduct, but so far as the evidence has gone, both charges were groundless. She was a quiet, well-behaved, and strictly sober woman. Nevertheless, the treatment winch she experienced at the hands of her husband almost exceeds belief. She had frequently threatened to seek the protection of the law, but had never mustered up resolution sufficient to make the case known to the magistrates. An indefinable terror, and perhaps also some remnant of affection, always intervened at the last moment to prevent her appealing to the• tribunal of justice. On the very day on which the murder took place it was her intention to apply to the Lord Mayor for a separate maintenance. Mobbs, the murderer, was not quite so well yesterday as on the previous night, having been attacked in the interval with bronchitis ; still he is progressing as well as can be expected. Th knife had completely severed the larynx, and his bodily health was not generally good in consequence of his intemperate habits. Bvidence as to the general ill-treatment of the deceased by her husband, and as to the circumstances attending the commission of the dreadful deed, which have already been made public, having been adduced, The Coroner said, perhaps it would be well to adjourn the inquiry for the present, more particularly as the state of the man appeared to be extremely doubtful. Of course, if the man should die, the inquiry would assume a very different form to that which it woltld take if he survived, because in the event of his death the power of the law, so far as he was concerned, woula be at an end. The jury concurred in this _view, and, for the reasons stated by the coroner, acquiesced in the adjournment for a few days. The proceedings were accordingly adjourned.
The Sun. — 1853-08-27 (London, England)

VICTORIA DOCKS.  Thursday the annual general meeting of this company was held at the London Tavern. Charles Morrison, Esq., took the chair. After the reading of the report, which has already been published, The CHAIRMAN said, they had obtained an act of Parliament authorising them to complete tho objects of the company. Although they had the additional power of issuing 100,000 new shares, yet they were not compelled to do this unless they thought proper. Much benefit would accrue from the construction of vaults, the charges for stowage being exceedingly high, and they might be a great source of revenue. The same reason had determined them to make a first floor. Theyhad also agreed  to the construction of a tidal dock. 'the alteration of the' capital from 400,0001. to 800,0001. had been effected by the issue of new shares. The arrangements made with the contractors gave them to the Ist of December, 1854, for granting the lease, and they would also receive payment of 5 per cent. on the enlarged capital and an equal division of surplus profits. Mr. Waddington had resigned his seat at the board, but not from any diminution of interest or confidence in the concern, but. his own affairs rendered it impossible to give the required time and attention to those of the company. They had offered 5 per cent. interest on all calls paid up in advance, which privilege had been freely exercised. The same offer would be extended also to the new shares as  soon as possible. A. PROPRIETOR expressed much satisfaction at the report, and thought their interests could not be better forwarded than by being associated with those of Messrs. Peto and Brassey. Mr. WILLIAMSON said he thought it would be better to make " calls" as regularly as possible. The CHAIRMAN said that they were required by law ,to make them at certain intervals, and they had exceeded those intervals to a very small extent. Mr. HOPES moved "That the various arrangements entered into and in progress with the contractors, and detailed iu the report, be now approved and confirmed." This having been seconded, was passed unanimously Captain VALLIANT moved, " That the Board of Directors be now reduced to 7, and that , constitute a quorum." This was likewise passed. The re-election of the retiring directors and an auditor terminated the proceedings.  SUICIDES IN PARlS.—There have been a great number of suicides in Paris during the last fortnight. Like furodrer b most of the suicides in France, they were effected by byyphreancigpiintg, precipitation firearms, at the fumes of charcoal,cbsysdorofwsenvm. drowning, from windows. ordo by thews. The e infliction of mortal wounds by sharp instruments, are comparatively very rare.
The Sun. — 1853-03-29 (London, England)

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.  BOW STREET. William Bishop, a private in the first battalion of Grenadier Guards, accompanied by his sergeant, attended before Mr. Hall, to state the particulars of the following lamentable occurrence : Bishop said that he was walking backwards and forwards on Waterloo-bridge, between twelve and one o'clock on Saturday night, in company with a prostitute who went by the name of Elizabeth Gordon' and lived in Catherine-street, Strand ; and that having left her for a minute, for a private purpose, she suddenly raised herself to the parapet of the bridge, and leaped into the river. He heard the splash occasioned by her fall into the water, and, on looking over, he heard her voice exclaiming " Bill." She always called him by that name. He had known her on and off for several years ; but he had not had any quarrel with her that night. The sergeant stated that Bishop made a similar statement at the barracks in the morning, but it was thought very extraordinary that he did not raise any alarm at the time, nor tell the police or toll-keepers what had happened. It appeared that he went to the house where the woman lodged and gave information of the occurrence to the landlady or some person living there. Under these circumstances witness had been directed by commanding officer to take Bishop before a magistrate, to state his own version of the story. Mr. Hall—Was he sober when he returned to the barracks ?  The sergeant—Yes, quite sober. Bishop—l had been drinking all the evening, but I knew what I was about. I was not drunk. Mr. Hall—You say you had not had any words with her. Was anything. said in conversation which might induce you to think that she contemplated suicide. Bishop--No, sir.  The sergeant said that inquiry had been made at the girl's lodgings, but nothing had been seen or heard of her since Saturday. Mr. Hall directed the sergeant to communicate with the police upon the subject, as, if the body should be found, Bishop would be required to give evidence at the coroner's inquest. In the course of the afternoon Inspector Wilkinson received information at the Bow-street station that the body of a young woman, answering the description given of Elizabeth Gordon, had been taken out of the river at Wandsworth.