npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1880-11-05 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

FRIGHTFUL BALLOON FATALITY.  A.-,errible balloon disaster occurred at Courbevoie, close to uilly at the gates of Paris, on Sunday afternoon. A hlloon filled with hot air was to ascend at half-past four o'clock, and it was originally intended that a car shoid be attached, to cantain a female aeronaut, named Albetina. At the last moment, however the car was abasioned in favour of a trapeze, on which a professional gyroast, M. Auguste Navarre, volunteered for the sake of tle 50f, offered to go through several feats suspended in midair. Navarre was advised to fasten himself to the trove, but declined, saying that he knew his trade. All belt; ready, the balloon was sent up with Navarre hanging m with one arm. Presently he seized the trapeze wit: both hands, his head resting on one shoulder, and he rmained prefectly still for sometime. Suddenly, when theoalloon had reached the height of some 700 yards, and Naerre's body was only just distinguishable, the crowd bells saw him leave go, and were struck with horror as he ame down at an immense speed, repeatedly turning ove in his desent. When about 200 yards from the grand the body assumei an horizontal position, awl, as it fil on to the lawn of a garden, it is said to have made an mcavation in the soil of nearly two feet deep. Of course, lib was quite extinct; indeed, it is probable that Navarre ws insensible when he relinquishei his hold of the trapeze. Tic . sensation produced among the holiday crowd by this availing spectacle was immense, and cry of horror escaped fsm the lips of all witnesses. The balloon subsequently best and fell in the Place Saint Michel in the centre of Pris fortunately without injuring anyone.  )ne of the men sentenced on Monday at the Manchester Aaize, for burglary at Streltord, committed suicide on Toesday in one of the cells of the pliant), by hanging himsd with a bed strap. His name was Thomas Daniels, and ! was sentenced to seven years' penal servitude and seven pars' police supervision; he bail already served s..ven yara' venal servitude for a previous offence. At Maidstone Assize. on Monday, John Wills, was sintenced to nine months' imprisonmene for the man-alpightet of Thomas Francis, at Foot's Cray ; and Villiam liarbum to a similar term of imprisonment for tie Inanslaughter of Thomas Holden, at Emtchurch, in a rnblic-hotse quarrel. At the Ilanchester Assize on Tuesday morning, James (Wham vats charged with Atempting to murder his son, at Rochdale, The prisoner made preparations to account fir the bofs disappearance, and then then threw him into tie canal but the lad lint out on the other aide. The wisoner was sentenced I. 25 years' penal servitude. An inquest was held Tuesday on the body of Charles Luker !fiber, publicly known as Charles Harcourt, the scor, who met his death, Tuesday fortnight, by fallmg clown the tene dock at the Ilaymarket Theatre. Mr. Svinbourna, the actor, and the stage manager and stage caqtenter, were examined. The jury exonerated all Itaqies, but recommended that the °pealing should ha guirded.
The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1880-09-24 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

STRANGE CASE OF ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. Philip Lyons, aged 2g, described as a clerk, Was charged before Mr. Flowers, at the Bowstreet Police. court, on Friday, with attempting ti COll 111 l it suicide. —A labourer, named Stanley, deposed that he was sitting in one of the recesses on Waterloo Bridge on Thursday night, about seven o'clock. when the defendant came up, and getting on one of the seats, said, "Is the water cold, young man?" Witness said it was, and wet too. The defendant said he had a letter, and asked if witness would take it somewhere for him. During the time he was speaking he tried to get on to the parapet if the bridge, but witness pulled him back, and with the assistance of a gentleman woo WAS passing, they detained the defendant, and gave him into the custody of a constable. The letter read as follows :—" My life is a burden to nie, being without my dear, darling wife, and as I cannot live without her, I hope she will forgive me for putting an end to my miserable life. I lost my employment and good character through my own folly, but I am indeed sorry and penitent, and should so have liked to have been happy with her again. I have tried hard to bear it, but cannot, as it breaks my heart to be without her. Give my love to her, awl also bring the likeness with me, furl do so love her, poor dear ; so do please ask her to not worry herself, as she has been so gisxl to me, and doee not deserve it. Also give my love to my good and kind father, to whom I have behave(' badly, and also to my sisters." The defendant's landlady came forward and stated that lie had been very unfortunate, awl had recently lost his employment. She expressed her willingness to take care of him if he were allowed to accompany her.—The defendant, who was very much affeoted, and appeared very strange in his manner, implored the magistrate to release him.— Mr. Flowers said he thought h ought not to do so at present, and proposed sending him to the House of Detention for a wok.—The defendant gave his assurance that he would not make a similar attempt, whereupon Mr. Flowers discharged him, awl he left the court with his wife and landlady. —lt was understood that the defendant had lost his employment in a firm through its being di-covered that he was a married man.
The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1880-05-14 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

ILMINSTEE.  SMOIDE OF A SOMERSET MAGISTRATE.—IIminster was thrown into treat excitement on Friday night on hearing that Mr. L. T. Coombe, of Earnshill-house.  Curry Rivel, had shot himself. Mr. Coombe was thoroughly beloved by all classes for his kindness of niammr and impartiality as a justice. It appears that Mrs. Coombe underwent a painful operation last year, and lately the disease again showed itself in an aggravated form ; this preyed very much upon the mind of her husband, who was devotedly attached to her. About 10 p.m. on Wednesday night the lady expired. On learning the news of her death Mr. Coombe seemed frantic with grief, and as his health had been much weakened from anxiety and also from a painful malady which he had recently suffered from, he became partly demented. Dr. Mules was in the house arranging about the funeral of Mrs. Coombe, and the servant told hiln that his master had fallen down in a fit. The doctor and Mr. Coombe, jun., and his sister hastened to the study and found the unfortunate gentleman lying on his back with a five-chambered revolver by his side, one of the barrels having just been discharged. It was ascertained that he had shot himself through the right temple, the shot having fractured the skull and scattered the brains of the deceased gentleman about the room. He lived for 46 hours after the shot was fired, but was unconscious till his death. Dr. Mules had only left him about ten minutes when the servant entered his master's room with a letter, and then made the shocking discovery. An inquest was held on Monday, before the district coroner. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased committed suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity. The deceased gentleman was a Deputy-Lieutenant of the county, Recorder of Lang. port, and had served the office of High Sheriff. He was one of the most active ma,,istrates at sessions and on local benches, and his legal knowledge rendered his opinions highly valuable. He practised as a barrister previous to his succession to the Earnshill estates. He took a lively interest in everything connected with the neighbourhood in which he resided, and a few years since was president of the Somerset Archmological Society, on the occasion of its visit to Ilminster. He suceeded the late Mr. Uttermare as chairman of the Ilminster bench of magistrates, in which place he was the owner of much property. It is said that his life was insured for the large sum of £20,000. Deceased was about 65 years of age. He leaves a son and daughter, for whom much sympathy is felt.
The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1880-10-22 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OF AN EX. PUBLICAN.  Late on Saturday, a man named John Thomas Marsh, formerly landlord of the "Three Crowns" in this town, made a foolish attempt at suicide. Some three years ago, it would seem, by the death of his mother, he came into a legacy of about £2OO. He has since been living upon this, and has drank heavily,  especially within the last few months, when, as he avers, his wife left him and went away in the company of another man. Beyond his assertion, however, there does not appear to be any material foundation for the rumour. tsaturday afternoon he went to Bournemouth, having come to the end of his resources to endeavour to obtain a situation as ostler. He failed in this, and on his return to his lodgings, he left a note, addressed to his wife, stating his intention of terminating his connection with this world. His landlady, Mrs. Coward, seeing it, became alarmed, and gave informa. tion to the police. A couple of constables went out to the place, but, while they were there, Marsh came home from a walk and stroke rationally and soberly. Mrs. Coward seems to have upbraided him for his conduct, and searched one of the pockets of his coat, in which she found a pistol capped arid at full cock. This she handed over to the officers, but as upon examination it proved to be unloaded, they did not feel justified in taking further steps, and went back to the htation. After they were gone Marsh again went out, and was followed by Coward, his landlord. When near the Itu%sian gun, Marsh turned to him and said "Good bye, Bill," and pulled a razor out of his pocket and drew it two or three times across his throat. Coward at once disarmed him, and then took him home, and the police were again sent for. On being taken into custody, he said if he had known that was going to be the end of it he would have been " overboard " before then. This was probably nothing more than an empty boast, as his heart seems to have been rather faint, for the wouads upon his throat were mere scratches, and if he had intended mischief before he was prevented he migit have almost severed his head from his body. S'unday lift had got a little better, although somewhat " shakey," and seemed ashamed of himself.
The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1880-12-24 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

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The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1880-07-16 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.  A man named William Henry Hicks, an able-bodied seaman on board the Lizzie Trenbrith, at anchor in the Portland Roads, was charged at the Shirehall, on Saturday last, before Colonel Bingham, with attempting to comibit suicide the previous day by cutting his throat.—William Wood said the Lizzie Trenbrith arrived in the Portland Roads on Thursday evening and the prisoner was an able-bodied seaman on board her. He and the prisoner slept together, and on Friday morning about five o'clock the prisoner turned out of his hammock, and on witness looking round he saw him with a knife, which he took off his locker, in his hand. He jumped out of his bed and took the knife from him, but not before he had opened the blade and drawn it aaross his throat, making it bleed. (The knife, a rusty old thing, was produced by Sergeant Feltham and sworn to by the witness as the instrument with which the prisoner attempted the rash act.) Witness at once went to the captain, and they both dressed the prisoner's wound. The prisoner had not threatened to commit suicide, and witness did not anticipate that he thought of doing so.—Colonel Bingham: Did he say anything when you took the knife from him! Witness: No, sir; he never spoke. I joined the ship about two months ago, and I have known him that time. He was a steady wan.—The Magistrates' Deputy Clerk: Do you know if he had been drinking ?—Prisoner: Yes, sir.—Witness: Yes, at Poole.—Colonel Bingham: Ali, that accounts for it.—Witness: We arrived at Poole last Sunday week, and remained there nearly a week, and during most of the time the prisoner was drinking.—Colonel Bingham: What number of men have you on board? —Witness: Five, all told, sir.—Prisoner said he had not any question to ask the witness, and Supt. Batty stated that he did not purpose to c ,11 any further evidence, and asked for a remand until Monday.—The prisoner, who appeared weak and had to be helped into Court, was then remanded.—The captain stated that the prisoner joined his ship in Cornwall in January last.  Becks was brought up on Monday morning before Colonel Bingham, when Sergeant Feltham and Dr. McLean gave evidence, the latter stating the wound was an inch and a half long, and in close proximity to the main artery of the n.ck. If it had been a quarter of an inch deeper, it would have killed him. Prisoner's appearance was that of a man suffering from the commencing symptoms of delirium tremens.—Committed to the Assize for trial.
The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1880-09-17 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

ACCOUCHEMENT OF QUEEN CHRISTINA.—A crowd of State functionaries and grandees assembled in the antechamber to await the expected arrival ; and in the Royal chamber were the King, the Archduchess Isabella, the young Queen's mother, and an Austrian physician. Immediately after the birth the Grand Chamberlain announced the happy event to the assembled high officials; and subsequently the King, attended by the Ministers, brought out the heiress presumptive enveloped in cambric and lace on a golden tray. On the Prime Minister raising the coverings. , the King presented the infant to the Diplomatic Corps and all the officials invited. The popular rejoicings I were on a somewhat limited scale, an heir being desired. THE BISHOP OF WINCHESTER has just refused his consent to the alienation of glebe land at Eling, near I Southampton, for a cemetery. In a letter giving his re sons for this refusal, the Bishop says he is very desirous for the future not to consecrate burial-grounds immediately adjoining churchyards; and adds—" If the future burial-grounds are not to be Church ' burial-grounds, it does not seem that a part of the gle) .e should be given up for them." AT-mem) Suictor.—On Saturday night at the Park-station of the Great Eastern Railway, as the train from Hertford was running in, a well-dressed man was seen by a porter to come from behind the signal box, and make a rapid movement towards the engine which was approaching. He called to the man, but as no notice was taken of the request to stand back, the porter seized him just as he had taken up a position right in front of the coining train. A desperate struggle ensued. The man shrieked that he was tired of his life, and was determined to put himself under the carriages, which were now close upon theltwo. The porter forced him offithe metals into the si x-f oot-way, but he again got upon the line, and placing his legs between those of the porter, endeavoured to throw him. He would probably have succeeded in his attempt had not another rushed to the spot. By the united efforts of the two porters, the man was thrust from the line and out of the gate by which the level crossing is reached, the gate being at once locked. He then tried to climb over the fence, but was prevented. One of the porters followed the would-be suicide, to give him into custody, and, as a ruse to induce him to accompany him, told him that the Bruce-grove station was better suited for the purpose he had in view. The man walked along quietly, still intimating a fixed intention to die that night. Reaching the police station, the porter said," This is Bruce-grove railway station," opened the door, and pushed the man before him, then he was charged with attempting to commit suicide. A railway ticket from London, various papers, and a small volume, entitled" The Birthday Scripture Text Book,"were found upon him. On the inside cover of the book was written" Henry William Barber, with his mother's best love and kind wishes, Dec. 9th, 1875."
The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1880-07-30 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

WHIG LORDS AND THE LIBERALS.—Whig leaders, on the whole, are sensible and prudent men. They will not, without grave cause, withdraw themseltes from the strong forward movement of the Liberal party. With that Liberal party they are influential and powerful. We have never been amongst those who undervalued their past services to the cause and their capacity to do it further services. But it is doing them no injustice to say that without the Liberal party they would not be of much political account. They cannot stand in open and organized opposition as the Tories can, and as a sort of third party they would soon find themselves isolated, powerless, and almost indeed forgotten. Besides, to do them justice, the wish of the best of the Whigs has at all times been to keep themselves, even at considerable sacrifice, in union with the other branches of the great Liberal party. AFGHAN FicKLENTss.—An English force and an army of Candanarees had started, not exactly together, but in conjunction the one with the other, to meet Ayoub Khan, who after many months of inaction and intestine quarrels at Herat, was advancing from that distant fortress upon Candahar. The allies had reached the Helmund, and were apparently there waiting for the enemy, when one of the inexplicable "re-arrangements of groups" which seem to play as prominent a part in Afghan as in Italian politics, occurred. The Wali's infantry mutinied, though his cavalry remained faithful, and the troops of General Burrows, instead of fleshing their swords upon the troops of Ayoub, had to try them, of course with success, on their late comrades. Since that time General Burrows has judged it best to retreat to a more favourable position, where he will doubtless be able to give as good an account of the Heratees as of the revolted subjects of Shere Ali.  LOVE AND Stumm—The coroner for East Surrey lately held an inquiry, touching the death of Miss Emma Cloud, aged 31, whose body was found partially buried beneath the mud of the Thames. The deceased had formerly been in affluent circumstances, and about ten years ago she was crossed in love. From that time up till Sunday last she had been in a reserved state of mind. At three o'clock in the afternoon of that day she called upon Mrs. Lawrence, where she remained till half-past nine o'clock at night. Suddenly the deceased rose up, and, without saying a word to her friends, went into the street without a bonnet." She was followed by Miss Lawrence, and on arriving at the corner ef Brook-street, Kennington-road, the latter remarked, "How strange it is you should run into the street without your bonnet." Deceased shouted out in an excited manner, "I cannot bear this any longer; the water will see me to-night. I am quite tired of my life, and I have a presentiment that I must do a thing whether it is right or wrong. Ido not care for anybody but one." Witness then lost sight of her, and she never saw her again alive. The deceased who was a very prepossessing young woman, was identified by her sister.—Verdict Suicide from Mental Derangement.
The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1880-08-06 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

SUICIDE OF A YOLTNG GIRL. An ineniry was held on Saturday at tha St. Martin's Vestry-hail, Charing-cross, as to the death of Minnie Know Men, 17, who was found dead in the Thames on Thursday last. Mr. Joseph Knowlden, the father, deposed that he last saw his daughter alive at nine o'clock on Sunday morning, when she was in good health and spirits. She had lately been in the habit of keeping very late hours, lor which witness was continually remonstrating with her; but notwithstanding this, her " young man" would keep her out mita two or three in the morning.— Mrs. Eliza Knowlden, wife of the previous witness, deposed that at half-past six on Sunday evening the deceased came home, and asked for something to eat. Witness asked her where she had been, and she repied that she had been out for the day with her young man, and neither of them had had anything to eat. IS then gave her some bread and meat, and she left the house, taking the food with her. The deceased told witness on the previous day that her young man had published the banns of marriage between them—Martha Johnson stated that at 10.30 on Sunday night she met the deceased in the Horseferry-road ; she was alone and crying. Witness asked her what was the matter, and she replied. " I have got trouble on my mind, and I don't want mother to know." She then walked in the direction of the Houses of Parliament, and told witness that if she would go and fetch Jack she would not drown herself. She had previously threatened to destroy herself.—Eliza Bull, who stated that she had known the deceased for some time vast. said that she met her near Lambeth-bridge at a little before 11 on the same night, when she said she was going to throw herself into the river. Witness advised her not to do that, but to go home V. her mother, who was waiting for her, and she replied, "Never mind my mother. 1 won't take this disgrace home to her." They then walked along the embankment, and the deceased twice attempted to drown herself, but witness pre%ented her. Witness left her to try an I get a policeman, but before ghe could find one the deceased uttered a scream and leaped oil the parapet of Latubeth-bridge. The body was not discovered with Thursday morning, when Constable Howe, of the Thames police, found it floating under -b Waterlooridge.—The iti'y returned a verd et of" Suicide while in a state of unsound mind.'  DR.