npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1848-07-12 (London, England)

ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY.—The half-yearly general court of the Royal Humane Society was held yesterday afternoon, at tbe offices, No. 3, Trafalgar-square, B. Bond Cabbell, Esq., in the chair. The minutes of the previous court having been read, and confirmed, Mr. Charlier, the secretary, read the report, from which it appeared that since December last the number of persons who had been successfully treated after immersion in water was 64, beyond recovery 3, attempted suicides 18. In Hyde-park, since December last, 19 cases had come under the attention of the Society, out of which 17 persons were successfully treated, and two beyond recovery. There had also been 11 attempted suicides during the same period. The Society's honorary rewards were voted to Lieut. W. R. Smith, R.N., for saving the life of Mr. West, the second Master of her Ma- , jesty's ship Endymion ; to Mr. F. Hutchinson, surgeon, of Farringdon-street, for restoring by skilful and unremitting exertion, George Thornton, also for his valuable and prompt assistance rendered on frequent occasions,, and to Mr. H. A. F. Lusignan, for saving the of Edward Blundell. The Archbishop of Canterbtuhr 1 eyrbaaamving been elected one of the Vice-Presidents a ins passed to of the late Archbishop, a vote of thanks w the Chairman, when the proceedings terminated. MELANCHOLY DEATH OF AN Ac Mr. Bedford held an inquest, by adjournment Yesterday, from Saturday last, at the Coach and Horses, mi, aged 48, for many York-street, Westminster, on the body of James s Sth years an actor at several oft h eminor theatres.York . street, Theand deceased, it appeared, resided at Na 12, was in very bad circumstances, being in arrears with his landlord to the amount of 5i 18s., at 4s. per. week. He was last seen alive on Thursday, the 29th of last month, and on Thursday last was found dead under singular circumstances. On that day a quantity of putrid liquid matter oozed through the floor of the deceased's room, and fell into the shop underneath. The deceased's door was forced to seo from what cause this proceeded, when his body, far advanced in decomposition, was found lying on the floor. A bottle labelled " hydrocyanic acid" having been found in the room, the contents of the bottle and also of the stomach were analyzed, but nothing of a deleterious nature was found, and the t general opinion was, that he had died in a fit. The jury returned a verdict of " Found dead."
The Sun. — 1848-06-12 (London, England)

SUPPOSED MURDER.  On Friday evening au inquest was opened before Mr. W. Carter, at the Albert Tavern, Battersea-fields, upon the body of a gentleman unknown, who was found lying on the shore of the river near the above-mentioned house. The deceased is apparently 26 years of age, stout figure, fair complexion, dark brown hair. close cut whiskers, his height about five feet five or six inches, and he was attired in a black dress coat, a striped vest, tweed trousers, and white shirt spotted with red dog's heads holding a stick. A pair of kid gloves we're found in his coat pocket, but no other property was found on his persoe. The appearance of the body was such as to induce much suspicion, and this suspicion was greatly increased by the absence of money, jewellery, papers, and everything of value. On a nearer examination of the body the forehead was found to be severely bruised, and in the centre of the frontal bone there was a small wound penetrating the skull, and apparently inflicted by some sharp instrument. After bearing some evidence the inquest was adjourned, that a post mortem examination might be made, the coroner directing that the body should be moved afterwards to the bone-house, and kept there as long as possible for identification- On Saturday, about noon, Inspector Busain had an interview with Mr. Beadon, the sitting magistrate, and Mated that Dr. Wing had extracted a pistol bullet from the deceased gentleman's head, and had stated it to be his firm conviction that the deceased was murdered. In consequence of this announcement on the part of Dr. Wing, fuller particulars of the unfortuaate deceased than had been deemed necessary to give at the finding of the body were sent by route to all the metropolitan police-stations with a view of ascertaining who the deceased may be. The post mortem examination was made yesterday morning by Dr. Wing, assisted by Dr. Holmes. The forehead or frontal bone exhibited externally three very severe contused wounds, evidently inflicted by some deadly instrument, such as a " life-preserver." In the centre of the frontal bone was a small orifice, through which a pistol-ball had entered and lodged in the table of the cranium, so as to press on the brain without passing through the skull. The position of the ball would scarcely be such in a suicide's case, as they generally fired at the side of the head or in the mouth. Another reason for its not being a suicide was, that there were no traces of powder in the wound, which would have been the case if the pistol had been fired close to the person, and the base of the skull was not injured. The backs of the hands were much bruised by being beaten with a thick stick or lifepreserver. Respiration had never taken place in the water, therefore he had been carried in a dead state to the river and thrown in.
The Sun. — 1848-06-07 (London, England)

ALLEGED MURDER AND SUICIDE AT BRISTOL.  On Itionday the bodies of Maria, Edward, and John Hill, mother and children, were exhumed for the furpose of being submitted to an examination, rendered necessary under the following circumstances:—ln October last the wife of Mr. Thomas Wellington Hill, a retired builder of Bristo!, died somewhat suddenly, and her death was followed in a short time afterwards by the decease of two of her children. No suspicion was attached to any party at the time of the death of Mrs. Hill, and not until application was made by the husband for the amount of a policy effected upon the life of the wife in the National Loan Fund Assurance Society. As the policy was to a large amount, 3,0001., and was only effected four months previous to the death of the insured, the parties in the insurance-office disputed payment, and caused inquiries to be made respecting the death of the wife, and it was discovered that her illness had been attended by vomiting. Mr. Hill having threatened the insurance society with an action, they caused the body of the wife and also the bodies of the children to be disinterred, and the intestines given to Mr. Herapath, the celebrated chemist, for analyzestion. During the time the bodies wire being disinterred the suspected party committed suicide by means cif essential oil of almonds which he had procured—a portion himself and another portion by means of a sister—from two druggists' shops. Mr. Ilill wrote a note previous to taking the poison. in which he said, in disconnected sentences, that "his head suffered severely from mental distraction. His mind was bowed down by the attempt of a powerful party to crush him. He was not guilty of the atrocious charge," &c. An inquest was held upon the body on Monday evening, when a verdict of " Temporary Insanity " was returned. The inquiry respecting the death of Mrs. Hill and her children will be resumed on Friday.
The Sun. — 1848-06-07 (London, England)

ALLEGED MURDER AND SUICIDE AT BRISTOL.— On Monday the bodies of Maria, Edward, and John Hill, mother and children, were exhumed for the purpose of being submitted to an examination, rendered necessary under the following circumstances :—ln October last the wife of Mr. Thomas Wellington Hill, a retired builder of Bristol, died somewhat suddenly, and her death was followed in a short time afterwards by the decease of two of her children. No suspicion was attached to any party at the time of the death of Mrs. Hill, and not until application was made by the husband for the amount of a policy effected upon the life of the wife in the National Loan Fund Assurance Society. As the policy was to a large amount, 3,0001., and was only effected four months previous to the death of the insured, the parties in the insurance-office disputed payment, and caused inquiries to be made respecting the death of the wife, and it was discovered that her illness had been attended by vomiting. Mr. Hill having threatened the insurance society  with an action, they caused the body of the wife and also the bodies of the children to be disinterred, and the  intestines given to Mr. Herapath, the celebrated chemist, for analyzation. During the time the bodies were being disinterred the suvected party committed suicide by means of essential oil of almonds which he had procured—a portion himself and another portion by means of a sister—from two druggists' shops. Mr. Hill wrote a note previous to t&king the poison, in which he said, in disconnected sentences, that "his head suffered severely from mental distraction. Ills mind was bowed down by the attempt of a powerful party to crush him. Ile was not guilty of the atrocious charge," &c. An inquest was held upon the body on Monday evening, when a verdict of " Temporary Insanity " was returned. The inquiry respecting the death of Mrs. Hill and her children will be resumed on Friday. _  RaGam:. ScnooLs.—Last evening a public meeting was held in the Crown-court School-room in behalf of the ragged schools recently established in Brewer'scourt, Great Wild-street, Drury-lane. Lord Kinnaird having taken the chair, the secretary read the report. The building in which the school was held was the gift of a benevolent gentleman desirous to improve the condition of the poor children of the neighbourhood. Owing to the want of sufficent funds the committee could make provision for none but boys, 150 of whom had been admitted. The state of the poor in Great Wildstreet:might;be judged of from the following statistics:— In 155 houses were found 700 families, containing 1,500 souls : of these 30U could not read, 350 were without the Scriptures, 1,150 attended no place of worship, only 12 were communicants, 640 children were capable of going to school, and only 150 went occasionally.
The Sun. — 1848-11-09 (London, England)

LATE SUICIDE AT A SHOUTING GALLERY. —INQUEST.—(THIS DA Y.) An inquest was held this morning at Green's Shooting Gallery, Leicester-square, before Mr. Bedford, the Coroner, on the body of William M'Donough, who shot himself in the gallery on Tuesday afternoon. It appeared, from the evidence of Mr. John H. Holmes, who had known the deceased for many years, that he had been for a long time unfortunate in sporting transactions, and for twelve monihs at least was obierved to be in a desponding state of mind. The person with whom the deceased and his -family lodged said Ile had exhibited every symptom of d espair for some time back. John Bell, gymnastic teacher at the gallery, es id the deceased came into the gallery between one at id two o'clock on Tuesday, asked some questions about the gymnastic machinery, and then walked out. lle returned after three o'clock the same day, and had a couple of pistols loaded for him, which he dis,::ha rged; two others he lorded himself, and *red off at the ts.rget; and then sent a messenger with a note, addresr,ed to E. .G. Clarke, Esq., Clifford-street, Bond street. -tie then reloaded the pistols. Witness heard a report, and on looking in the direction of the deceased, saw him st agger backwards and fall quite dead. Mr. Lenten, a sargeon, described the nature of the wound. The ball was still lodged in the brain. The letter referred to above was as follows: "Two o'clock. " Clarke,—Before you read this I shall be a corpse lying at the Shooting Gallery, Leicester-square.. My last request is, that you will see to my poor wire and children. Allen will be in town this day.—Yours, &c." The jury found that the deceased had shot himself, being at the time of unsound mind.
The Sun. — 1848-01-18 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF SIR J. MILDMAY,  BART. It is our painful duty to record the premature death of Sir John Mildmay, Bart., which melancholy event took place by his own hands, at an early hour yesterday morning, at his residence, No. 6, Ilalkinterrace, Belgrave-square. _ .  It appears, from intelligence carefully gleaned by our informant, that the deceased gentleman had resided as above for about five years, occupying the upper part of the house, the ground floor being let to Mrs. Cox, a milliner; his establishment consisting of two male and an equal number of femsle servants ; and his health of late was stated to be tolerably good ; but for several days past his valet had noticed that he appeared low and depressed in spirits, but on the previous day (Sunday) the deceased appeared somewhat better, and partook of his meals apparently with a better appetite. He retired to rest between eleven and twelve o'clock, and nothing more was heard or seen of him until shortly before five o'clock yesterday morning, when his valet was awoke by a deadened report of firearms. lie was undecided for some time what to do, but eventually he went up stairs to Sir John's bedchamber, on the second floor, when on entering the room he was horror-struck on discovering his master lying prostrate on the carpet, weltering in his blood, and lifeless; his head was shattered to atoms, and the walls and ceiling were covered with his blood and brains, a small double barrelled holster pistol, which had been recently discharged, was lying close to his right hand, and had evidently been discharged in the mouth. Several medical gentlemen were promptly in attendance, who pronounced death to have been instantaneous. Captain Mildmay, a son of deceased, who resides in Chesham-place, was informed of the melancholy event, and in the course of yesterday information was conveyed to Mr. Wakley, M.P., the coroner for Middlesex, in whose district the body lies, and who will hold an inquest to-morrow morning.
The Sun. — 1848-01-18 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF SIR J. MILDMAY,  BART. It is our painful duty to record the premature death of Sir John Mildmay, Bart., which melancholy event took place by his own hands, at an early hour yesterday morning, at his residence, No. 6, lialkinterrace, Belgrave-square. It appears, from the intelligence carefully gleaned by our informant, that the deceased gentleman had resided as above for about five years, occupying the upper part of the house, the ground floor being let to Mrs. Cox, a milliner; his establishment consisting of two male and an equal number of female servants ; and his health of late was stated to be tolerably good ; but for several days past his valet had noticed that he appeared low and depressed in spirits, but on the previous day (Sunday) the deceased appeared somewhat better, and partook of his meals apparently with a better appetite. He retired to rest between eleven and twelve o'clock, and nothing more was heard or seen of him until shortly before five o'clock yesterday morning, when his valet was awoke by a deadened report of firearms. He was undecided for some time what to do, but eventually he went up stairs to Sir John's bedchamber, on the second floor, when on entering the room he was horror-struck on discovering his master lying prostrate on the carpet, weltering in his blood, and lifeless ; his head wes shattered to atoms, and the walls and ceiling were covered with his blood and brains, a small double barrelled holster pistol, which had been recently discharged, was lying close to his right hand, and had evidently been discharged in the mouth. Several medical gentlemen were promptly in attendance, who pronounced death to have been instantaneous. Captain Mildmay, a son of deceased, who resides in Chesham•place, was informed of the melancholy event, and in the course of yesterday information .I‘.trh ,b otdh3e, lies, ie scoroneran for i whov•a eowilln yleo Middlesex, hold an nl‘qlure. whosestl I'da to-morrowiksitercr't morning.
The Sun. — 1848-02-23 (London, England)

THE LIVERPOOL WILL FORGING CASE.--MA' LANCHOLY SUICIDE OF LIEUTENANT PEREGRINE BOWEL R.N., IN THE COMPTER —A painful amount of senseLion was created at the Mansion-house this morning, by the announcement of the suicide of this unfortunate gentleman, charged with forging a will, who was to have undergone a second and final examination before the Lord Mayor this day. He held, up to the time of his apprehension, the command of one her Majesty's mail packets trading between Liverpool and Dublin. His brother, Lieut. William Bower, R.N., died in China, in March, 1846. Previous to his departure there he made a will, which was proved by the executor, but after this will had been admitted to proof, another will was produced by Peregrine Bower, by which all the property was left to him. Subsequently a person, attired as a sailor, presented himself at Doctors Commons as an attesting witness to the will, and gave as his name John Wood. It was Bower himself in disguise. He was immediately apprehended. The forgery of the second will was substantiated, but he persisted in declaring that he knew nothing of the fraudulent transaction. He was remanded till to-day, when he would have been fully committed to Newgate for trial. All the parties were in attendance at the Mansion-house at twelve o'clock, and shortly after the Lord Mayor had taken his seat, a message arrived from the Compter, communicating to his Lordship the self destruction of the unfortunate man. It appeared that he rose this morning at the usual hour, and from the conversation he had with his fellow prisoners, it seemed that he had made up his mind for the worst. His conduct, apparently, was not different to that he had generally evinced, and about nine o'clock he was missing. One of the warders proceded in quell of him, and soon discovered his body suspended to the iron gratings of the window. He was immediately cut down, and the prison surgeon called in, but life was quite extinct. The deceased was between sixty and seventy years, and at Liverpool, where he resided, was much respected.
The Sun. — 1848-02-23 (London, England)

THE LIVERPOOL WILL FORGING CASE.—MR. LANCHOLY SUICIDE OF LIEUTENANT PEREGRINE BOWER. It. N., IN THE COMPTER —A painful amount of sensation was created at the Mansion-house this morning, by the announcement of the suicide of this unfortunate gentleman, charged with forging a will, who was to have undergone a second and final examination before the Lord Mayor this day. He held, up to the time of his apprehension, the command of one her Majesty's mail packets trading between Liverpool and Dublin. His brother, Lieut. William Bower, R.N., died in China, in March, 1846. Previous to his departure there he made a will, which was proved by the executor, but after this will had been admitted to proof, another will was produced by Peregrine Bower, by which all the property was left to him. Subsequently a person, attired as a sailor, presented himself at Doctors' Commons as an attesting witness to the will, and gave as his natne John Wood. It was Bower himself in disguise. He was immediately apprehended. The forgery of the second will was substantiated, but he persisted in declaring that he knew nothing of the fraudulent transaction. He was remanded till to- day, when he would have been fully committed to Nowgate for trial. All the parties were in attendance at the Mansion-house at twelve o'clock, and shortly after the Lord Mayor had taken his seat, a message arrived from the Compter, communicating to his Lordship the self-destruction of the unfortunate man. It appeared that he rose this morning at the usual hour. and from the conversation he had with his fellow prisoners, it seemed that he had made up his mind for the worst. His conduct, apparently, was not different to that he had generally evinced, and about nine o'cleek he was missing. One of the warders proceded in quest of him, and soon discovered his body suspended to the iron gratings of the window. He was immediately cut down, and the prison surgeon called in, but life was quite extinct. The deceased was between sixty and seventy years, and at Liverpool, where he resided, was much respected.
The Sun. — 1848-11-06 (London, England)

MARLBRO'-STREET—(THIS DAY.) Mr. George Meikin, a person carrying on business in William and Mary-yard, Little Pulteney-street, was brought before Mr. Bingham, charged with having assaulted Mr. William Butler, an agent, residing kt 24, Villiers-street, Strand. The complainant stated that on Saturday evening, about seven o'clock, he went in company with a Lr. Briant to defendant's workshop to apprehend his (defendant's) son on a charge of felony. The defendant no sooner caught sight of him than he demanded to know what brought him there. Witness told him that he wanted to arrest his son for felony. Defendant then said if he (witness) did not leave the place he would " break his neck down stairs." Defendant followed up the threat by striking witness on the nose, and as a finisher he kicked kim on the side, and broke a bottle containing a sample of liquor, which he had in his pocket. Witness then called to the constable who had accompanied him, and gave defendant in charge. Webb, 56 C, said he was on duty on Saturday night, when the last witness came up to him and requested him to go with him to Mr. Meakin's, and take his son into custody for felony. Witness accompanied complainant to William and Mary yard, and on making the purport of his visit known to defendant the latter pushed him out of the place and shut the door in his face. He subsequently saw defendant assault Mr. Butler in the manneraanndd enteringwsaasidabohuat whenTe defendant disanatudAe3ni i eadtopthpeadchahrigme: described, and took him into custody. into a long statement relative to family affairs, (defendant) had no right to obstruct an officer in the execution of his duty. He (Mr. Bingham) should defer his decision in the present case, and should detain him until he produced his son. When that was done he should then thoroughly investigate the case.  SUICIDE Or
The Sun. — 1848-12-14 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF A GUARDSMAN.—Yesterday morning Mr. Bedford, the coroner, held an inquest at the Gloucester Ands; Rochester-row, Pimlico, upon the body of Isaac Phipps, aged forty-one, a private in the 2d battalion of Grenadier Guards, who committed suicide on Tuesday last 'at the Military HOspital, by cuthtiinsgbhedis. threat with a knife, which he had secreted in Deceased had been twenty-two years in the regiment, and'was much respected by his comrades and superiors for his steady and soldier-like conduct. For the last sixteen years he had been subjectth to severe attacks of bronchitis, which caused him The pain which he suffered on e thesem o soccasions awgaosnsyc; severe as to deprivo him of all self-control. He frequently stated that he would prefer death to such suffering, Under these circumstances, Mr. Blown, the regimental surgeon, had directed that he should not bo left alone; but during the temporary absence of his nurse he succeeded in accomplishing his fatal object. These facts having been deposed to, the jury found a verdict of " Temporary insanity." THE:CATHEDRAL AT BRlSTOL.—Considerable excitement was created at Bristol on Sunday, owing to the following circumstance:—lt appears that the Dean and Chapter had recently come to a resolution to give up chanting the service in the cathedral, and as it was understood that Sunday was the day when the new practice was to be attempted, and as it was also intimated that one of the residentiary canons had expressed his intention to chant the service as usual, considering it his duty, there was a strong muster of the inhabitants determined to support him by chanting the responses. The cathedral was crowded, but it appears that some compromise had been entered into. The Rev. Canon Sartis read the service without chanting, but the choristers appfared in their gowns and chanted the'responses as usual. The -inhabitants generally are-very averse to hATIDg thi4 old CL14014 41/910hed.