npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1863-05-23 (London, England)

DEPLORABLE SUICIDE OP A LADY.  A painful inquiry was held by Mr. W. J. Payne, coroner 'or the Duchy of Lancaster, at the Cock Tavern, Highstreet, Clapham, on Thursday, respecting the death of Mrs. Anna Hancock, aged 57. James Orme, 16, Courteney-place, Clapham-road, said that deceased lived at No. 6, Courteney-place. She was the widow of a gentleman formerly of independent property. He became reduced in circumstances, however, and had to become a clerk. Two years ago he died, leaving to his widow £5O in the funds, some valuable plate, and a wellfurnished house. Witness, in consequence of the intemperate habits of Mrs. Hancock, was requested to give her the money in weekly instalments, which he did. She was not sober on any Saturday during the last two years, and she fell into a state of the most extreme destitution. Witness latterly lent her money to the amount of £7. She had previously sold all her plate and furniture, and has been obliged to remove to a small room. On last Saturday night she called on witness, and asked him for some money. She looked in great want, but she was three parts intoxicated. He said that he had no more money, and that the best thing she could do would be to apply to the workhouse, and get herself taken as an inmate. She seemed much grieved, and said that she could never induce herself to do so. She had on a previous occasion said that she would rather feed the fishes than live in a workhouse. Witness, however, felt it was his duty to insist, as she was in such a dreadful state of want. She got an order to go before the board of guardians on Tuesday last, but she committed suicide on the Monday morning, witness had no doubt through dread of being obliged to enter the workhouse. Sbe spent the whole of the Sunday wandering about Clapham-common. Witness had done everything in his power for her. John Wood, Stammerton Cottage, Clapham-common, said that he resided near the Windmill-pond. At four o'clock on Monday morning he saw the body of the deceased in the water. He could see through the water the marks of her footsteps along the bottom of the pond, showing where she had deliberately walked into the water until her feet had become entangled in the weeds. She had then apparently thrown herself on her side, and kept her head under the surface until she was drowned. She must have gone over an embankment and railings before reaching the pond. Nothing but a key was found on her. She appeared to have been in great destitution.  The Coroner having remarked upon the lamentable nature of the case, the jury returned a verdict of " Suicide while in a state of temporary insanity."
The Sun. — 1863-05-23 (London, England)

DEPLORABLE SUICIDE OF A LADY.  A painful inquiry was held by Mr. W. J. Payne, coroner for the Duchy of Lancaster, at the Cock Tavern, Highstreet, Clapham, on Thursday, respecting tile death of Mrs. Anna Hancock, aged 57. James Orme, 16, Courteney-place, Clapham-road, said that deceased lived at No. 6, Courteney-place. She was the widow of a gentleman formerly of independent property. He became reduced in circumstances, however, and had to become a clerk. Two years ago he died, leaving to his widow £5O in the funds, some valuable plate, and a wellfurnished house. Witness, in consequence of the intemperate habits of Mrs. Hancock, was requested to give her the money in weekly instalments, which he did. She was not sober on any Saturday during the last two years, and she fell into a state of the most extreme destitution, Witness latterly lent her money to the amount of £7. She had previously sold all her plate and furniture, and has been obliged to remove to a small room. On last Saturday night she called on witness, and asked him for some money. She looked in great want, but she was three parts intoxicated. He said that he had no more money, and that the best thing she could do would be to apply to the workhouse, and get herself taken as an inmate. She seemed much grieved, and said that she could never induce herself to do so. She had on a previous occasion said that she would rather feed the fishes than live in a workhouse. Witness, however, felt it was his duty to insist, as she was in such a dreadful state of want. She got an order to go before the board of guardians on Tuesday last, but she committed suicide on the Monday morning, witness had no doubt through dread of being obliged to enter the workhouse. She spent the whole of the Sunday wandering about Clapham-common. Witness had done everything in his power for her. John Wood, Stammerton Cottage, Clapham-common, said that he resided near the Windmill-pond. At four o'clock on Monday morning he saw the body of the deceased in the water. He could see through the water the marks of her footsteps along the bottom of the pond, showing where she had deliberately walked into the water until her feet had become entangled in the weeds. She had then apparently thrown herself on her side, and kept her head under the surface until she was drowned. She must have gone over an embankment and railings before reaching the pond. Nothing but a key was found on her. She appeared to have been in great destitution.  The Coroner having remarked upon the lamentable nature of the case, the jury returned a verdict of " Suicide while in a state of temporary inaanity."
The Sun. — 1863-01-08 (London, England)

ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE.--A horrible attempt at murder and suicide was made on Tues.day night in the neighbourhood of the Old Kent-road. It appears that a man named William Goodwin, who resided in the Lower North-road, Islington, was in the habit of oc,casionally transacting business with a widow named Arman, residing in Pitt-street. On Tuesday night he called upon her, and after entering into conversation with her upon minor matters, stopped to take tea. After spending soma time in the room he began to take indecent liberties, and at last made an attempt to commit a rape. She screamed and firmly resisted. Goodwin then pulled a knife out of his pocket, attacked her with it, and cut her throat in a dreadful manner. She, however, managed to rush out her room into the street. By clasping the wound with her hands she was enabled to call out "Murder" and "Police." Several of the neighbours and police officers then rushed into the house, when they found that Goodwin had cut his own throat. The police at once sent for surgical assistance and in a short time Dr. Dry, of Lock's-fields attended, as well as Dr. West, of the Dover-road. They found that both. persons were seriously wounded, but more especially the man. So dangerous were the injuries that removal of both to Guy's Hospital was deemed absolutely necessary. The man was conveyed on a stretcher. Upon making inquiries late last night it was stated that the woman was in a very dangerous state. Not the least hopes were entertained of the recovery of the man ; in fact, he was expected hourly to expire. Mr. Inspector Dauie, of the P division, was sent for, and he took possession of the knife and the key of the room in which the frightful deeds were enacted.  Importing tea without colour on the leaf prevents the Chinese passing off inferior brown leaves as in the usual kinds. Horniman's tea is uncoloured, therefore always good alike. Sold in packets by 2,280 agents.  Births.
The Sun. — 1863-01-08 (London, England)

ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE.--A horrible attempt at murder and suicide was made on Tuesday night in the neighbourhood of the Old Kent-road. It appears that a man named William Goodwin, who resided in the Lower North-road, Islington, was in the habit of occasionally transacting business with a widow named Arman, residing in Pitt-street. On Tuesday night he called upori. her, and after entering into conversation with her upon minor matters, stopped to take tea. After spending some time in the room he began to take indecent literties, and at last made an attempt to commit a rape. She screamed and firmly resisted. Goodwin then pulled a knife out of his pocket, attacked her with it, and cut her throat in a dreadful manner. She, however, managed to rush out her room into the street. By clasping the wound with her hands she was enabled to call out " Murder" and " Police." Several of the neighbours and police officers then rushed into the house, when they found that Goodwin had cut his own throat. The police at once sent for surgical assistance and in a short time Dr. Dry, of Lock's-fields attended, as well as Dr. West, of the Dover-road. They found that both persons were seriously wounded, but more especially the man. So dangerous were the injuries that removal of both. to Guy's Hospital was deemed absolutely necessary. The man was conveyed on a stretcher. Upon making inquiries late last night it was stated that the woman was in a very dangerous state. Not the least hopes were entertained of the recovery of the man ; in fact, he was expected hourly to expire. Mr. Inspector Dause, of the P division, was sent for, and he took possession of the knife and the key of the room in which the frightful deeds were enacted.  Importing tea without colour on the leaf prevents the Chinese passing off inferior brown leaves as in the usual kinds. Horniman's tea is uncoloured, therefore always good alike. Sold in packets by 2,280 agents.  Births.
The Sun. — 1863-03-19 (London, England)

HEALTH OF LONDON.  (From the Registrar General's Report.) In the week that ended on Saturday the death of 1,651 persons (802 males and 759 females) were registered in London. The average number in cor responding weeks of 10 years 1853.62 is, with a correction for increase of population, 1,432. The deaths of last werk were therefore more by 129 than they would have been if the average rate of mortality had prevailed. The increase in the number of deaths is caused principally by pulmonary diseases. The births last week exceeded the deaths in the same period by 391..  336 persons died of zymotic diseases, including 47 by small pox, 36 by measles, 66 by scarlatina, 16 by Diphtheria, 35 by typhus, and 67 by whooping cough. Of 337 deaths assigned to diseases of the respiratory organs, 170 were caused by bronchitis, 114 by pneumonia, and 16 by asthma. Phthisis was fatal in 191 cases.  A labourer, aged 48 years, died in Guy's Hasp tal from glanders.  36 per-sons died by accidents ; but it is evident that while some deaths are really accidental, the greater part arise from the negligence of the persons themselves or of others, and many such deaths may, therefore, be prevented. A case of infanticide was registered, and five suicides.  The deaths of five nonagenarians are recorded the oldest was a widow, who attained the age 01 94 years.  Last week the births of 1,006 boys and 946 girls, in all 1,952 children, were registered in London In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1853-62 the average number (corrected) was 2,038.  CONFESSION OF THE HEYFORD MURDERER,— Noah Austin, who was found guilty at the last Oxford assizes of the murder of Mr. Allen, miller, at Heyford, and was sentenced to death, made a full and circumstantial confession of his guilt, and acknowledged the justness of his sentence yesterday. Tha confession was taken down in writing by Mr. Davenport, clerk of the peace for the county, in the presence of the Rev. Dr. Wynter, one of the visiting magistrates of the prison, the chaplain (the Rev. J. Thorp), and the Rev. W. Rogers, Wesleyan minister. The particulars of the confession will not be made public until after the execution, which it is expected will take place en Tues day morning next at 8 o'clock. It appears the murderer was visited yesterday morning by his father and two sinters, and at that interview maintained the same coolness and indifference as have characterised him from the commencement of this tragic affair. Subsequently, however, he relented, and arranged that his father should visit him again in the afternoon, when ho said he should have something to communicate to him. The result of the second interview was that he resolved to make a full confession of all the circumstances of the case, and when it was reduced to writing he signed it,
The Sun. — 1863-06-26 (London, England)

EXPENSE OF NEW STREETS.—The return just presented to Parliament shows that the expense of making New Oxford-street (made between 1842 and 1847) was £33o,o74—Cranbourne-street (between 1841 and 1845), £206,093—and Victoria-stieet, Westminster 'between 1845 and 1851), £215,000. The fi.zst two streets were paid for out of the London-bridge Approaches Fund, and rents and sales of property purchased, and constructed under the charge of the "Woods and Forests. Victoria-street was constructed by the Westminster Improvement Commissioners, subject to limited Control by the Woods and Forests, and the expense was defrayed by coal duties and improved rates, amounting to about £lOO,OOO, the balance being raised on mortgages and bonie. SHOCKING DEATH FROM LEAPING PROM A WlNDuw.—An inquiry was held by Dr. Lankester, at the Elephant and Castle Tavern, King's-road, on Wednesday, relative to the death of Edmund James Wall, who was killed by jumping from a wind )w under the following circumstances :—Deceased, who had been ailing for some time, hadlatterly lived at lsie made 95 Northern.• buildings, Somers Town. He repeated attempts on his life. Two or three evenings back his wife left him in the parlour with a Mrs. Ward. He said he should go out into the street, but as on the previous night he had made a determined effort to cut his throat with a knife, Mrs. 'Ward placed her back against the parlour door to prevent his egress. He walked rapidly to the parlour window, which he threw up, and before Mrs. Ward could prevent him he threw himself out. He fell on his head with dreadful force, and was covered with blood. Dr. Saul said that deceased died from the injury to the head. Ho stated before he died, " That as they would not let him out the door he leaped from the window." He was apparently out of his mind, and did not intend suicide. A verdict of accidental death was returned.
The Sun. — 1863-05-22 (London, England)

MUTILATED BODY OF A YOUTH IN THE REGENT'S CANAL.--An adjourned inquiry was concluded on Wednesday by Dr. Lankester, in the board-room of MaryleboneWorkhouse,relative to the discovery of the mutilated dead body of Charles Hewitson, aged 16. It appeared that the deceased was an errand boy to a tailor and clothier, in Newcastle-street, Edgware-road, and on last Saturday three weeks he left his place as usual, without any notice of his intended absence. He left home on the previous Monday morning, under his parents' impression that he was going to work, and at the time he had Is. 6d. in his pocket. He was not, however, again seen or heard of until his dead body on the following Saturday was turned up by a steamtug in the Regent's Canal, near the mouth of the Maida hill Tunnel, and from thence removed to the workhouse. The father there identified the body, and said s afraid of the water. Mr. W. F. Fuller, the rehslicid:n"lt surgeon, described the body as having several wouturt3 uopnoliate, with both arms fractured, and a sharp elbow, There was also a flint stone andinsoteepgra Inquiries were then gravel in the mouth. He had no money u set on foot, when it was asceprotaninheimdi:et that deceased's s inthehabaistsoof dates were older than himself, that he a week, and further it attending theatres two or three times an imprudent connection was believed that be had formiveant, who was then on the with his master's female street. Several boys were examined,se their testimony being to the effect that deceased had told them he we. going to and that he carried a bottle of nie4icine steesevreeohyis place, about with him. On the Sunday before he was missed he said to a boy " I shall not be long with Mr. Byford (his master), for I intend to put an, end to my life." He was asked why, when he replied .‘ Nothing particular" . There being no further evidence, the Coroner pointed out to the jury that there were three points connected with the case, namely, that death was the result of accident, suicide, or by the act of some other person, but on neither of which they had any distinct evidence. Ultimately the jury returned a verdict—" That the deceased died from suffocation by drowning, but how he came into the water there was no evidence to show,"
The Sun. — 1863-05-22 (London, England)

MUTILATED BODY OF A YOUTH IN THE REGENT'S CANAL.—An adjourned inquiry was concluded on Wednesday by Dr. Lankester, in the board-room of MaryleboneWorkhouse,relative to the discovery of the mutilated dead body of Charles Hewitson, aged 16. It appeared that the deceased was an errand boy to a tailor and clothier, in Newcastle-street, Edgware-road, and on last Saturday three weeks he left his place as usual, without any notice of his intended absence. He left home on the previous Monday morning, under his parents' impression that he was going to work, and at the time he had ls. 6d. in his pocket. He was not, however, again seen or heard of until his dead body on the following Saturday was turned up by a steamtug in the Regent's Canal, near the mouth of the Maidshill Tunnel, and from thence removed to the workhouse. The father there identified the body, and said his son was afraid of the water. Mr. W. F. Fuller, the resident surgeon, described the body as having several wounds upon it, with both arms fractured, and a sharp deep cut on the elbow, There was also a flint stene and some gravel in the mouth. He had no money upon him. Inquiries were then set on foot, when it was ascertained that deceased's aasoo rud i dates were older than himself, that he was in the ha it attending theatres two or three times a week, and further it was believed that he had formed an impent connection with his master's female servant, who was then on the street. Several boys were examined, their testimony being to the effect that deceased had told them he was going to leave his plat e, and that he carried ajtottle of medicine secretly about with him. On tho Sunday before he was missed he said to a boy " I shall not be long with Mr. Byford (his master), for I intend to put an end to my He was asked why, when he replied " Nothing particular." There being no further evidence, the Coroner pointed out to the jury that there were three points connected with the case, namely, that death was the result of accident, suicide, or by the act of some other person, but on neither of which they had any distinct evidence. Ultimately the jury returned a verdict—" That the deceased died from suffocation by drowning, but how he came u evidence to chow," m) the Water there was no  Walk in the Streets of Canton.  (
The Sun. — 1863-11-10 (London, England)

THE FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY IN A CAB.  APPREHENSION AND SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER.  The mystery surrounding the above horrible tragedy is now at an end, the murderer having been apprehended this morning, and by some means having succeeded in committing suicide soon afterwards, There is reason to believe that he had prepared himself with the poison for the purpose, and carried it ablut with him.  It appears that a man named Pearson, living in a row of cottages known as Ann's Cottages, Wellington.road, Camberwell-lane, having read in the newspapers the description of the murdered woman and children, and being struck with the similarity to that of a female and two little girls nau_ed Hunt, who resided next door to him, gave information to the police, and on their going to the house and seeing a man who admitted himself to be Mr. Hunt, and reading the description of the deceased woman and children to him, he admitted that it was his wife and children. The police then took the man to the station, and while on the road he became very sick and vomited. On reaching the station the man was so ill that it was deemed advisable to send for a medical man, and notwithstanding his assistance the man expired, evidently from the effects of poison, thus adding the crime of felo ds se to that of murder.  The murderer was traveller to Messrs. Macculloch and Butler, herbalists, of Covent-garden Market.  As soon as possible the cabman who had been engaged by the murderer to drive him and his victims from the railway station could be found, he was taken to the station to see the body, and he at once identified him as the man who had engaged him, and who was with the deceased woman and children on Saturday night.  A letter-carrier also identified the bodies of the female and the two children as the wife and children of Hunt. Dr. La:kester, the coroner; has been informed of the suicide of the murderer.
The Sun. — 1863-11-10 (London, England)

THE FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY IN A CAB.  --- APPREHENSION AND SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER.  1 The mystery surrounding the above horrible tragedy is now at an end, the murderer having been apprehended this morning, and by some means having succeeded in committing suicide soon afterwards. There is reason to believe that he had prepared himself with the poison for the purpose, and carried it about with him. It appears that a man named Pearson, living in a row of cottages known as Ann's Cottages, Wellington•road, Camberwell-lane, having read in the newspapers the description of the murdered woman and children, and being struck with the similarity to that of a female and two little girls named Hunt, who resided next door to him, gave in.. formation to the police, and on their going to the house and seeing a man who admitted himself to be Mr. Hunt, and reading the description of the deceased woman and children to him, ho admitted that it was his wife and children. The police then took the man to the station, and while on the road he became very sick and vomited. On reaching the station the man was so ill that it was deemed advisable to send for a medical man, and notwithstanding his assistance the man expired, evidently from the effects of poison, thus adding the crime of felo di se to that of murder.  The murderer was traveller to Messrs. Macculloch and Butler, herbalists, of Covent-garden Market. As soon as possible the cabman who had been engaged by the murderer to drive him and his victims from the railway station could be found, he was taken to the station to see the body, and he at once identified him as the man who had engaged him, and who was with the deceased woman and children on Saturday night. A letter-carrier also identified the bodies of the female and the two children as the wife and children of Hunt. Dr. Lankester, the coroner, has been informed of the suicide of the murderer.