npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1851-04-16 (London, England)

THE CASE OF POISONING AT MARCH. We gave last week the leading features of a singular case of poisoning which occurred at March on Tuesday, the Bth instant, in which three servant girls conspired together to put an end to their existence by taking laudanum. Two of these girls were servants to Mr. Miller, brewer, Bze., of March, and the other servant to Mr. Jones, of the same place, whose house adjoins that of Mr. Miller. Ore of the unfortunate creatures, Mary Ann Sutton, died under the influence of the drug, and the other two very nearly shared her fate. A maniacal sort of attachment existed between the deceased and Mr. Jones's servant, Roberts, and they used to meet and kiss each other in the yard every night before going to bed. The deceased was only 17 years old, and Roberts was of the same age. The other girl, Archer, was somewhat older; she is unmarried, but has had two children.  On Saturdly last the adjourned inquest was holden before Mr. Pratt, at the Griffin inn, at ten o'clock. After some further evidence. The CORONER cautioned the girls in the usual way, and told them they were at 'ibex ty to make any statement, weich might, however, be used against them hereafter, to the prejudice of their lives or liberty. Archer said the reason why she took the laudanum was that she did not like to be laughed and scorned at in the streets. Roberts had nothing to say, except that deceased and she were " partners,' and she loved her so that she thought she would like to die with her. The Corlowxß explained to the jury that if any one encouraged another to commit suicide, the person so encouraging was in the eye of the law guilty of murder. He also explained the nature of the crime of fel° de se, and then went through the evidence, commenting upon it as he went on. He left the jury to say, whether deceased was in a sound state of mind when she took the laudanum ; and whether the others were aiding and abetting, and encouraging each other to commit suicide, and being then in a sound state of mind, in which ca.:43 the law held them to be guilty of murder. The juryto a after a consultation of about half an hour, n:verdict of felo de se in the case of Mary and of tiding and abetting in the crime of Ann returned Sutton, murder in the casei of Sarah Archer and Sarah Ann Roberts.i The two prisonersagre of wilfulweres ub m s equardr. eriftly committed to ~bridge on a charge  Cam  luet,hefisnhiignhgtsmoefekt,hoef 3qth ult., the crew o head, observed a strong light
The Sun. — 1851-02-15 (London, England)

INCREASE IN THE COAL TRADE. - CARDIFF. The coal trade in Monmouthshire is rapidly extending, and so densely crowded have the Bute Docks at Cardiff been, that notwithstanding every facility for the rapid shipment of coal, much delay has been experienced in meeting the demand. In order properly to meet this great extension of the staple trade of the port and the district, it has been proposed to construct another dock to the eastward of the present docks, for the acco modation of large vessels, and a project has been mooted to convert the sea-lock into a dock. The merchants, and others interested in the trade, have taken the matter up, and petitioned the trustees of the Bute Docks on the subject. In the valley of Aberdare, Glamorganshire, several very deer pits are being sunk, with every prospect of success.  RAILWAY ACCIDENTS —lt appears, from returns presented to Parliament, and yesterday printed, that in the half-year ending the 30th of June last there were 93 persona killed by railway accidents, and 68 injured, of which number 3 passengers were killed and 33 injured ft om causes beyond their own control; 7 passengers wore killed, and 3 injured, owing to their own misconduct or want of caution ; 25 servants of companies were killed, and 17 injured, from causes beyond their own control ; 29 servants of compin:ies or coptractors were killed, and 10 injured, owing to their own k.misconduct or want of caution ; and 26 trespassers were and 5 injured, by crossing or walking on railways. There were three suicides. The ,umbel of passengers conveyed in the half-year amounted to 31,766,503. The length of railway open on the 31st of December,lB49, was 6,032 miles; and on the 30th of Junelr last the length. to . had .tencl,„l ,a 6,308 miles, showing an increase of miles iv. the halfyear. i .! year. The proprietors of the Exchange Bank of Scotland are to have one-third of tlinir capital returned to thew, as the balance of soots at the winding-up of the cOucena.
The Sun. — 1851-10-30 (London, England)

DETERMINED ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.—On Tuesday morning a most determined attempt at suicide was made by George Godson, a coachman in the service of Count Z )rab, Rosslyn Lodge, Hampstead. It appears that orders were given that the carriage should be ready by nine o'clock, to take some part of the family out, and that shortly before the period alluded to the groom entered the coachhouse, when, on looking into the -vehicle, the door of which was open, he beheld his fellow-servant (the coachman),lying upon one of the seats with a frightful gash in his throat; a razor, with which he had inflicted the dreadful wound, was discovered by his side, and the cushion and bottom of the carriage were deluged in blood. Inspector Champneys, of the S division was promptly at the residence, information having been given to him of the occurrence, and after the unfortunate man had been attended to by Mr. Perry, a surgeon, he was removed upon a stretcher to the North London Hospital. We understand that there is but little, if any, chance of his recovery. DEATH BY Porsorc—On Thursday an inquest was held at Great Bradley, on the body of Heater Radford, who died on Tuesday, the 14th. Ann Radford deposed that the deceased, who was in her seventeenth year, was one of four daughters of Joseph Radford4her late husband's brother, with whom witness now lived as his wife, and by whom she had two children, aged three and five years respectively. The deceased slept at her uncle's, next door; Joseph Radford and the witness with four children, sleeping in one room ; the rest of the house, the property of Mr. Lamprell, having been pulled down. The deceased kept company with a young man named Alfred Hinds. On Sunday, the 28th ult., she was taken with a bowel complaint, which continued till the following Sunday, when Mr. Baker, surgeon, saw her; and she kept her bed from the Sunday night till her death, which took place on Tuesday afternoon, about two o'clock. Two of her sisters and two of the witness's children had been taken ill during the same period, but were better now. They all had their victuals together. The inquest was adjourned in order that a post toortttn examination might be made, and we understand that a quantity of a plant well known for its use in procuring abortion hes been found by Mr. Image in the intestines.—lpswich Express.
The Sun. — 1851-07-02 (London, England)

HORRIBLE ATTEMPT AT MURDER AND SUICIDE.  On Saturday night and early (;n:Tanday morning the neighbourhood of the Barracks, in Silver-street, which has many years been a moral and physical nuisance to the whole city, was the scene of a most shocking crime, being an attempt at murder and suicide. It appears that a man named John Waters, a country labourer, had been residing in the barracks several months with a git l named Mary Ann Buah. Latterly they had disagreed and quarrelled. On Saturday, Waters asked the girl to "go home with him and be comfortable," but she refused to live with him again. He then asked her it ho should dine with her on the fallowing day (Sunday), and if so he would buy something for dinner. To this she agreed, and he then went and purchased some things for dinner and took them to her house. In the middle of tho night, or about one o'clock in the morning, she went in company with another man, at which time Waters was lying under the bed, as she thought, asleep. After the other man had left, Waters commenced a quarrel with the girl; they had high words together, and he caught hold of her by the neck, when she felt a sharp sensation, as though he was pinching her neck, and cried out " 0 John, don't murder me." Her cries alarmed the neighbours, and two men named Maund and Spragg forced the door, and one of them knocked Waters down. Waters got up and ran up a passage, turning into a place where he concealed himself under some stairs. Maund then ran to the station-house and gave information to Sergeant Bateman, who was quickly on the spot. Manwhile two girls dragged Bush out of the kitchen to their own house, and finding her throat cut, they tied an apron round her neck to stop the hemorrhage. Sergeant Bateman found Waters in his place of concealment, and on pulling him out by the collar, found that his throat was also cut. Policeman Workman then came up, and by his assistance the man was taken to the station-house, where also Bush was soon after conveyed, and Mr. Budd, surgeon, was speedily on the spot, and sewed up their wounds. That on Bush's throat was five inches in length, but no artery had been cut; that on Waters's throat consisted of two cuts, one of which had penetrated his windpipe. Both have been pronounced in a fair way fur recovery. In the house where the shocking occurrence took place, Bateman found in the centre of the kitchen a great pool of blood and a pocket knife lying close by with blood on it; the knife had been recently sharpened. it is said that evidence will be adduced to prove that Waters had been seen to sharpen the knife, and that he had also threatened the girl Bush. True to her sex, however, she pleaded in his behalf when in custody, and endeavoured as far as possible to ward off the consequences of his crime. Her evidence was taken before Mr. Sidebottom and Mr. Pierpoint, on Monday, at the police station, and the case was remanded.— Worcester Chronicle.
The Sun. — 1851-07-02 (London, England)

HORRIBLE ATTEMPT AT MURDER AND SUICIDE. On Saturday night and early on Sunday morning the neighbourhood of the Barracks, in Silver-street, which has many years been a moral and physical nuisance to the whole city, was the scene of a most shocking crime, being an attempt at murder and suicide. It appears that a man named John Waters, a country labourer, had been residing in the barracks several months with a girl named Mary Ann Bush. Latterly they had disagreed and quarrelled. On Saturday, Waters asked the girl to "go home with him and be comfortable," but she refused to live with him again. He then asked her if he should dine with her on the following day (Sunday), and if so he would buy something for dinner. To this she agreed, and he then went and purchased some things for dinner and took them to her house. In the middle of the night, or about one o'clock in the morning, she went home in company with another man, at which time Waters was lying under the bed, as she thought, asleep. After the other man had left, Waters commenced a quarrel with the girl; they had high words together, and ho caught hold of her by the neck, when she felt a sharp sensation, as though he was pinching her neck, and cried out " 0 John, don't murder me." Her cries alarmed the neighbours, and two men named Maund and Spragg forced the door, and one of them knocked Waters down. Waters got up and ran up a passage, turning into a place where he concealed himself under some stairs. Maund then ran to the station-house and gave information to Sergeant Bateman, who was quickly on the spot. Manwhile two girls dragged Bush out of the kitchen to their own house, and finding her throat cut, they tied an apron round her neck to stop the hemorrhage. Sergeant Bateman found Waters in his place of concealment, and on pulling him out by the collar, found that his throat was also cut. Policeman Workman then came up, and by his assistance the man was taken to the station-house, where also Bush was soon after convoyed, and Mr. Budd, surgeon, was speedily on the spot, and sewed up their wounds. That on Bush's throat was five inches in length, but no artery had been cut; that on Waters's throat consisted of two cuts, one of which had penetrated his windpipe. Both have been pronounced in a fair way for recovery. In the house where the shocking occurrence took place, Bateman found in the centre of the kitchen a great pool of blood and a pocket knife lying close by with blood on it; the knife had been recently sharpened. It is said that evidence will be adduced to prove that Waters had been seen to sharpen the knife, and that he had also threatened the girl Bush. True to her sex, however, she pleaded in his behalf when in custody, and endeavoured as far as possible to ward off the consequences of his crime. Her evidence was taken before Mr. Sidebottom and Mr. Pierpoint, on Monday, at the police station, and the case was remanded.— Worcester Chronicle.
The Sun. — 1851-07-02 (London, England)

MESSRS. DANIEL SMITH and SON are commissioned by the Trustees under the will of thel late Michie Forbes, Esq. (unless an acceptable offer is previously made), to SUBMIT to PUBLIC SALE, at the Auction Mart, on TUESDAY July 22, at Twelve, This singularly desirable and important FREEHOLD MANORIAL ESTATE, justly ranked among the most distinguished seats of the county, and possessing unusual attractions as to its neighbourhood and roads, the salubrity of its air and soil, and its delightful retirement, though within six miles of Windsor, with which it is connected by unbroken but varied drives through the most beautiful portion of the Royal Park. The old park surrounding the mansion comprises nearly 200 acres, with its richly-wooded walks, lake, and gardens, in which is the celebrated vine considered by many as surpassing that at Hampton Court. The manor abounds with game. The outer demesne, embracing about 900 acres, highby embellished with plantations, through which are several miles of drives, large fish-ponds, aad capital farm, homesteads, and picturesque lodges, presents a most improvable property, and a singularly fine estate for game. Three other detached Villa Residences near the church, with their grounds, will be included in the sale. Particulars, and cards to view, may be obtained of Messrs. Hyde, solicitors, Ely-place, Holborn ; of Messrs. Shari,e, Field, Jackson, and Newbold, Solicitors, Bedford-row ; and of Messrs. Daniel Smith and Son, Land Agents, Waterloo-piace, Pall-mall, who are fully authorised to sell by Private Contract.  Modern Scepticism. Modern Metaphysics. Nature and Treatment of Insanity. Process of Thought ; or, Electro-Biology. Ott Idiotic Crania, Idiocy, and Cretinism. Morbid Anatomy of the Brain in Insanity. Instinct and Reason. Impulses of the Insane. Statistics of Suicide in France. Influence of Mental Emotion in Heart Disease. On the Inadmissibility of the Evidence of a Lunatic. Notes of a Recent Visit to some American Asylums. Last Sentiments of Suicides. Syphiliphobia. London : John Churchill, Princes-street, Soho.
The Sun. — 1851-11-27 (London, England)

HUDDLESTONE—I do not think her mind was affected, hut she seemed dreadfully depressed at her poverty when I first saw her, and I thought she would commit suicide. She is very much to be pitied. She has not a friend, and her sufferings are very gre-it. Sister Ellen, another nun, habited the same as sister Joseph, deposed to letting the prisoner out of the convent on the morning of the 16th of October. Mr. Charles Hibberd, overseer of St. Pancras, proved the prisoner to have been admitted to the house on the 27th of March last. She left on the llth of July. Mr. Waldegrave, the parish surgeon, said her hair was cut off by his direction. Being suffering from fever, she was quite unconscious at the time. She suffered from scrofulous swellings in the abdomen, and was in a very bad state. Julia Smith, nurse at the workhouse, said that she supported her in bed whilst her hair was cut off, which was done by the barber. It further appeared that on the 11th of August she went to the Free Hospital, Gray's Inn-lane, where she left of her own accord on the 29th of August, and on the next day went to Charing-cross Hospital, where she was at once taken in, her case being deemed so urgent. She left there on the 30th of September, against the wishes of the medical authorities. The Rev. Mr. Conelly, of the Catholic Church, Moorfields, said that on the afternoon of the sth of October his attention was called to the prisoner, who was in the body of the church. She seemed very ill and distressed, and in answer to his questions said she had never been in any place of worship; that she had been an orphan from two years of age ; that she was a prostitute, and had been from thirteen years of age, a life she wished to leave ; and added, that she was then residing at a brothel in Half Moon-street. She seeming sincerely penitent, he gave her some money to get a lodging. Not knowing that she had been at the Hammersmith Convent he communicated with the superior, and gave her the letter that procured her the admission. The Rev. Mr. Long, another priest, said he had known her from her childhood, and had got her into St. Patrick's School. She was brought up as aCa tholic. Upon leaving there she went to a situation, which she left. He ultimately got her into the Good Shepherd Convent. That was in 1848. After some further evidence, Mr. HunneesTorm addressed the jury for the defence, and in a very eloquent speech dwelt at great length upon the wretched condition of the prisoner, whose statement, he contended, had not been made with any wilfully corrupt intent, but under the influence of great mental as well as bodily suffering, and concluded by saying that he felt sure that after what had transpired, not the slightest stain would he attached to the ladies of this most humane and benevolent institution. The jury, after a few minutes' deliberation, Acquitted her. Mr. BODKIN requested the Common Sergeant to ask on what ground. The Commox SERGEANT said he could not do that.  Mr. BODKIN wished to know if than thought her  Several of the jury said no. The case seemed to excite great interest.
The Sun. — 1851-11-27 (London, England)

HUDDLESTONE—I do not think her mind was affected, but she seemed dreadfully depressed at her poverty when I first saw her, and I thought she would commit suicide. She is very much to be pitied. She has not a friend, and her sufferings are very greet. Sister Ellen, another nun, habited the same as sister Joseph, deposed to letting the prisoner out of the convent on the morning of the 16th of October. Mr. Charles Hibberd, overseer of St. Pancras, proved the prisoner to have been admitted to the house on the 27th of March last. She left on the 11th of July. Mr. Waldegrave, the parish surgeon, said her hair was cut off by his direction. Being suffering from fever, she was quite unconscious at the time. She suffered from scrofulous swellings in the abdomen, and was in a very bad state. Julia Smith, nurse at the workhouse, said that she supported her in bed whilst her hair was cut off, which was done by the barber. It further appeared that on the 11th of August she went to the Free Hospital, Gray's Inn-lane, where she left of her own accord on the 29th of August, and on the next day went to Charing-cross Hospital, where she was at once taken in, her case being deemed so urgent. She left there on the 30th of September, against the wishes of the medical authorities. The Rev. Mr. Conelly, of the Catholic Church, Moorfields, said that on the afternoon of the sth of October his attention was called to the prisoner, who was in the body of the church. She seemed very ill and distressed, and in answer to his questions said she had never been in any place of worship; that she had been an orphan from two years of age ; that she was a prostitute, and had been from thirteen years of age, a life she wished to leave and added, that she was then residing at a brothel in Half Moon-street. She seeming sincerely penitent, he gave her some money to get a lodging. Not knowing that she bad been at Long, another the Hammersmith Convent he communicated with the superior, and gave her the letter that procured her the admission. Theilch. known her from her childhood, and had got her into twSh-th;ci R she Patrick's Uepve School.Mr. Lg She was broughtpriest, said up sai asd h ae Caha had leaving there she went to a situation, ft. He ultimately got her into the Good Shepherd Convent. That was in 1848. After some further evidence, Mr. HUD DLESTONE addressed the jury for the defence, and in a very eloquent speech dwelt at great length upon the wretched condition of the prisoner, whose statement, he contended, had not been made with any wilfully corrupt intent, but under the influence of great mental as well as bodily suffering, and concluded by saying that he felt sure that after what had transpired, not the slightest stain would be attached to the ladies of this most humane and benevolent institution.  The jury, after a few minutes' deliberation, Aco quitted her. Burni,' Scigc.aLt. LO ask on what ground. The COMMON SERGEANT said he could not do that.  Mr. BODKIN wished to know' 'if they thought her nsane. Several of the jury said no. The case seemed to excite greet interest.
The Sun. — 1851-06-04 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE. On Monday evening an inquest was held at the Anglers, Town's-end, Kingston-upon-Thames, before Mr. W. Carter and a •ery respectable jury, upon the body of Mrs. Mary Rebecca Pratt, aged 22, the wife of Mr. James Pratt, a cheesemonger and butterman, carrying on business at No. 2, Angel-terrace, Hammersmith, who committed suicide on Friday last by throwing herself from off a camp-stool into the river Thames, at or opposite Kingston. The deceased was described as a remarkably handsome young woman, highly accomplished, and had only been married ten weeks. Mr. W. F. Cooper, solicitor, attended to watoh the case on the part of the deceased's husband; and Mr Nicholson, of the firm of Nicholson and Parker, appeared on behalf of Mr. James Nutt, licensed victualler, 15, Crracechurch-street.  Thomas Jeffries, potwan at the Anglers, deposed that about thirty minutes after one o'clock on Friday be heard some boys on the opposite shore cry " over" meaning that a person was in the river, and upon looking he taw the deceased in mid-channel. He unmoored the boat, put off, secured the body, and with assistance got deceased ashore. the was taken into the Anglers, where the body was placed in bed. Hot water and friction were applied—Mr. Mitchell, the surgeon, being in attendance—but after three. quarters of an hour's exertion all proved useless. Police•constable Murphy, 176 V, deposed to having searched the deceased's clothes. He found a German purse, containing a half-crown piece, and loose in her pocket a florin, 12s. 4d. in silver, 3i-d, in coppers, and a bunch of keys, also a letter, which was addressed " Mr. Pratt, 2, Angel-terrace, Hammersmith." The Coroner, at the suggestion of the jury, read the letter as follows:  "Kingston, Friday. " James,—For the last time I address you. May God forgive you as I do for the wicked accusations you have brought against me. When I took an oath to you last night it was quite true, and all I said afterwards a lie, prompted by the fear of being murdered. May every wife do her duty as well as I have done, even though she has a drunken husband. Good bye! I never expect to meet you again. Your broken-hearted wife, "