npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1839-08-31 (London, England)

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT AT THE EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE.-It may be in the recollection of some of our readers that a few months since in conse. quence of apprehensions which were entertained with regard to the safety of the above lighthouse, after a very severe and unusual storm, Mr. Walker and other Government engineers were directed to examine and report upon the structure, and the result was that the same was found secure in all respects. It was, however, determined at that time to fill up the cavern on the eastern side of the rock, near the landing place, and with this view a gentleman had been sent down by Mr. Walker to execute the same, who proceeded thither, aided by the necessary wort- men. On Thursday last, the 22d instant, at about half-past eleven, a.m. this gentleman together with Three masons were in the cavern engaged in the above work, ;Ad. en melancholy to relate, a wave much larger than couli nave been expected from the tranquil state of the waters at the time, came over them and carried away one the men, named Hugh Brown, who soon sank to rise no more. Brown was seen to keep his head above water for a few minutes, and to attempt to swim f awards to the rock, but his clothes and heavy boots pre,s.ed him down insomuch, that he was unable to make way against the tide, and those at the lighthouse wei c thus involuntarily obliged to see the gradual imrr ersion of the unfortunate man without being able to render him any effectual assistance. CURIOUS MOTIVE NOR melancholy case of suicide took place on Saturday evening at Wisbeach. Miss Susan Johnson, apprentice to a milliner at Wisbeach, bought a bottle of Hendrie's hair dye, which, insteau of turning her hair black, as she was led to anticipate (the dye being a solution of nitrate of silver), changed it to a red colour. Chagrined at this unexpected effect, she bought half an ounce of the white oxide of arsenic at a druggist's, and took it dissolved in water. She expired in about five hours. A coroner's inquest was held on Monday last, when the jury returned a verdict of—Temporary insanity. The deceased was nineteen years of age, and the daughter of Mr. E. Johnson, farmer, residing near Waltondam.--Stanford Mercuz • y.
The Sun. — 1839-06-05 (London, England)

ACTUARY—J. J. Downes, Esq., F.R. A.S. The following are among the advantages of this Society. Ist, The security of an ample Assurance Fund, besides the subscribed Capital.  2dly, For young and middle-aged lives the Lowest Rates of Premiums that entitle the assured to participate in the profits. 3dly, Three-fourths of the profits divided every fifth, year among those who have been assured four years on the equal scale of premiums. The bonus declared in 1834 averaged 161. per cent. on the premiums then paid ; and the bonus awarded in 1839, on the average, is equal to 311. per cent. on the premiums received during the last five years. 4thly. Assurers may have the bonus applied to increase the sums assured, or in reduction of future premiums, either for the remainder of life, or for the next five years only. . .  sthly, Policies granted without any charge to the assured beyond the stamp duty. 6thly, An option given to Assurers on the increasing scale of rates after the lapse of any number of years to commute the future increasing premium by an equivalen equal annual one for the remainder of life, and thereafter to participate in the profits. The same advantages are appiicable to assurers on the decreasing scale of rates. 7thly, Policies on the lives of parties dying by suicide, duelling, or by the hands of justice, not void as respects' the interests of persons to whom they may have been legally assigced. Bthly, No extra charge for residence in any part of Europe, nor for proceeding to any port (in a decked, sailing, or steam vessel) between Brest and the Elbe. Licenses are granted to go to any part of the world upon terms proportionate to the risks. 9thly, 'Whole-life Policies en the equal scale of premium purchaseable after four years. Lapsed Policies revived on favourable terms to the assured.  All assurances effected on the equal scale of rates during the 'ear 1839 will participate in the next division of profits. JOHN KNOWLES, Resident Director.
The Sun. — 1839-11-04 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF A CLERK IN THE  COLONIAL OFFICE.  On Saturday evening an inquest was held at the Northumberladd Arms, Charles-street, Westminster, on the body of Mr. Joseph Miller, a married man, with two children, and many years clerk in the Colonial Office, who committed suicide in the Northumberland Arms, a little before six o'clock on Friday evening. The particulars of the suicide have already appeared in The Sun. The following is the only additional information relative to the habits and state of mind of the  deceased : William Newness had known the deceased for the last three years. Was, like himself, a clerk in the Colonial Office. Saw him yesterday, and he appeared labouring under great excitement, arising from the circumstance of several creditors pressing him on that day. His manner showed great depression of spirits on the two previous days. His salary was 2001. a-year. Deceased bought the pistol now produced two months ago, and carried it about with him for some days before he shot himself. He had had his nativity cast, and believed that he would not survive the year 1840. This impression often made him dejected in his mind. About two months ago, when his creditors were pressing him, deceased told witness that he would destroy himself, and that he had bought the pistol he had in his possession for that purpose. He was a very sober man. He said a few days ago, that owing to severe pecuniary embarrassments, he he could hold out no longer. On Tuesday he was observed putting his hand to his head, and pressing it very much (when he was told to bathe his head in cold water), which he was never observed to do before. John Edwards, a clerk in the Colonial-office, has known the deceased twelve or thirteen months. During that time, with the exception of the last fortnight, he had been very cheerful. During the last fortnight he seemed to labour under great depression of spirits. Had seen the pistol in his possession, and heard him say some time age that he had it for the purpose of shooting birds. Was not of a bad temper, but seemed very nervous. He said two days ago that he felt a great pain in his head, and a swimming in his eyes. Put his head on that oeealion into cold water to bathe it. For eight days past he has often put his hand to his head and pressed it. He did this in a very marked manner about three hours before he shot himself. . .  The Jury, after a few moments' consultation, returner a verdict of Temporary Insanity.  MR.
The Sun. — 1839-05-22 (London, England)

PHYSICIAN—John A. Paris, M.D., F.R.S., No. 27, Dover-street. Sufic izom—Benjamin Travers, Esq., F.R.S., No. 12, Bruton-street. SoLtorrott—llenry Young, Esq., Co. 12, Essex-street, Strand. AcTuARv—J. J. Downes, Esq., F.R. A.S. The following are among the advantages of this Society. Ist, The security of an ample Assurance Fund, besides the subscribed Capital.  2dly, For young and middle-aged lives the Lowest Rates of Premiums that entitle the assured to participate in the profits. idly, Three-fourths of the profits divided every fifth year among those who have been assured four years on the equal scale of premiums. The bonus declared in 1834 averaged 16/. per cent. on the premiums then paid ; and the bonus awarded geti is equal to all, per cent. on the prele last five years. premiums ul inB3s9r,e coenivteh a de duringvera 4thly. Assurers may have the bonus applied to increase the sums assured, or in reduction of future premiums, either for the remainder of life, or for the next five years only. sthly, Policies granted without any charge to the assured beyond the stamp duty. 6thly, An option given to Assurers on the increasing scale of rates after the lapse of any number of years to commute the future increasing premium by an equivalen equal annual one for the remainder of life, and thereafter to participate in the profits. The same advantages are appiicable to assurers on the degreasing scale of rates.  Policies on the lives of parties dying by suicide, duelling, or by the hands of justice, not void as respects the interests of persons to whom they may hays been legally assigned. Bthly, No extra charge for residence in any part of Europe, nor for proceeding to any port (in a decked, sailing, or steam vessel) between Brest and the Elbe. Licenses are granted to go to any part of the world upon terms proportionate to the risks. 9thly, Whole-life Policies on the equal scale of premium purchaseable after four years. Lapsed Policies revived on favourable terms to the assured. All assurances effected on the equal seale of rates during the year 1839 will participate in the next division of profits. JOHN KNOWLES, Resident Director.
The Sun. — 1839-05-17 (London, England)

ACTUARY—J. j. DO‘irnes, Esq., F.R. A.S,  The following are among the advantages of this Society. Ist, The security of an ample Assurance Fund, besides the subscribed Capital. 2dly, For young and middle-aged lives the Lowest Rates of Premiums that entitle the assured to participate in the profits. idly, Three-fourths of the profits divided every fifth year among those who have been assured four years on the equal scale of premiums. The bonus declared in 1834 averaged hi/. per cent. on the premiums then paid ; and the bonus awarded in 1839, on the average, is equal to 311. per cent. on the premiums received during the last five years. 4thly. Assurers may have the bonus applied to increase the sums assured, or in reduction of future premiums, either for the remainder of life, or for the next five years only. .sthly, Policies granted without any charge to the assured beyond the stamp duty. 6thly, An option given to Assurers on the increasing scale of rates after the lapse of any number of years to commute the future increasing premium by an equivalen equal annual one for the remainder of life, and thereafter to participate in the profits. The same advantages are appiicable to assurers on the decreasing scale of rates. ithly, Policies on the lives of parties dying by suicide, duelling, or by the hands of justice, not void as respects the interests of persons to whom they may have been legally assigced. Bthly, No extra charge for residence in any part of Europe, nor for proceeding to any port (in a decked, sailing, or steam vessel) between Brest and the Elbe. Licenses are granted to go to any part of the world upon terms proportionate to the risks. 9thly, \Vhole-life Policies on the equal scale of premium purchaseable after four years. Lapsed Policies revived on favourable terms to the assured.  - All assurances effected on the equal scale of rates during the year 1839 will participate in the next division of profits. JOHN KNOWLES, Resident Director.
The Sun. — 1839-12-13 (London, England)

ROBBERY OF LOVE LETTERS.  A strange occurrence lately formed the topic of conversation in the saloon of the Italian Opera. Some years ago, when, still under the influence of the ingenuous sentiments which, even in these goat-bearded times of ours, accompany the entry of a young man of family into the world, M. de - preferred rich and elegant drawing-rooms to his stables, and the company of laughing and pensive girls to his race-horses or hounds. He had attached himself to the daughter of an eminent personage, whose fortune, too inferior to that he was sole heir to, rendered a marriage between them hopeless. They did not think so at that period, and in the vehemence of their secret affection they contemplated flight, and even suicide, if insurmountable obstacles opposed what they called their happiness. But time had cooled this effervescence, and six months ago M. de -'s tender friend had put an end to the romance of first love by marrying one of our principal manufacturers. So far all was right, and M. de --, too much of a man honour to let even any regret be suspected, had eagerly attended the marriage ceremony. But a gloomy thought assailed the bride. She had formerly kept up a correspondence with M. de --, who had kept possession of these tender epistles, and though she knew he was incapable of making an improper use of them, she would have given anything to recover them, Unable to em. ploy anybody to ask them of him, she wrote to him. The answer was soon returned. M. de --, at the same time that he professed the profoundest respect for Madame N--, declared that he set too high a value upon her letters ever to part with them, assuring her that he had not ceased carrying them with him upon his heart. Such was the case. The letters, four in number, had remained with Madame N-'s portrait, in a pocket-book, which was continually in the breast-pocket of his coat. A few evenings ago M. de --, deserting the Opera, of which he is an habitue, went to see a piece in vogue at another theatre. On entering a balcony stall he deposited his great coat in the hands of the box opener. At the end of the play, when M. de -- was putting on his great coat, he was hustled by a cluster of persons rushing in in a contrary direction, and, when they had passed, he found that an incision had been made on the left side of his coat, and that his bre itt pocket and his pocket book, containing a I,ooof. bank note, had been carried off. At supper he told some friends of his mishap, which he considered an ordinary theft : but, on going home, found that a sealed parcel had been left for him at midnight, and that the bearer had recommended its being delivered to him only. 1-1 e opened it, and, to his great amazement, found that  it contained the pocket book, bank note, and all his other papers, save the four letters and portrait. It may well be supposed that M. de - has not laid any complaint on the subject before the police.—Gazette des T-,ibunau.r.  Her Majesty's marriage will take place at the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The heads of the various departments have been to the chapel to make the preliminary arrangements.
The Sun. — 1839-07-12 (London, England)

DETERMINED SUICIDE OF A GROOM.---A most determined act of self-destruction was committed on Sindry last by a young man dressed in the stable garb of groom.„ He was observed between ten and eleven o clock on.ltonday morning running down the road leading from tuL° +°rlL and Albany Tavern, Regent's-park, towards the canal. He crossed the first bridge, and proceeded along the banks of the canal until he arrived at the second. He ascended the parapet of this bridge, and having arrived at its centre, flung himself from its summit into the canal. A great number of people rushed to the spot, but the deceased was nowhere to be seen. The police having procured the drags, commenced searching for the body, and in a short time brought it ashore, but life was quite extinct. They conveyed the body to St. Pancras workhouse, whe:e it lies to be identified, and to receive the verd ct of a Coroner's jury.  SERIOUS ACClDENT.—Wednesday afternoon, as a lad named White, the son of a fisherman a was running behind the carriage of her Grace the Whitten, sude'uss itttn' of Leeds, as it was proceeding through Hounslow, h denly fell, and, before he could recover his feet, was run over by a cart belonging to Mr. Otterway, baker, of Heston, which was following the carriage. The wheel passed over his chest and abdomen, inflicting most severs injuries. He was immediately conveyed to the residence of his parents, where he was attended by Mr. Litchdel 1, the Union surgeon for the district, who gives but little hopes of his ultimate recovery. The Dunoon Castle took fire on Lochfine on Tuesday, when about two miles from land, in consequence of the boiler having been allowed to run short of water. The flames were beginning to appear on deck before the fire.was got under. Great alarm was of course experienced by the passengers, but no more serious effect followed. Whektiaa water was let in upon the boiler,which was nearly red-hot, the crackling noise it occasioned might have been he :rd at half e rages distance.— Greenock Advertiser. Pi"ualt.—At the Central Criminal Court yesterday, Geo rge Murray, formerly in the employ of Rawlins, the infermer, me it. The, was brought up to receive judg_ prisoner was convicted some clays ago of wilful perjury, in giving evidence against a publican, an: the sentence of the Court was, that he be kept to hard labour in the -Iltolse of-Correction for two years. •
The Sun. — 1839-06-24 (London, England)

ACTUARY—J. J. Downe;, Esq., F.R. A.S. The following are among the advantages of this Society. Ist, The security of an ample Assurance Fund, besides the subscribed Capital. 2dly, For young and middle-aged lives the Lowest Rates of Premiums that entitle the assured to participate in the profits. idly, Three-fourths of the profits divided every fifth year among those who have been assured four years on the equal scale of premiums. The bonus declared in f 834 averaged 161. per cent. on the premiums then paid ; and the bonus awarded in 1 839, on the average, is equal to 31!. per cent. on the premiums received during the last five years. 4thly. Assurers may have the bonus applied to increase the sums assured, or in reduction of future premiums, either for the remainder of life, or for the next five years only. sthly, Policies granted without any charge to the assured beyond the stamp duty. 6thly, An option given to Assurers on the increasing scale of rates after the lapse of any number of years to commute the future increasing premium by an equivalen equal annual one for the remainder of life, and thereafter to participate in the profits. The same advantages are applicable to assurers on the decreasing scale of rates. 7thly, Policies on the lives of parties dying by suicide, duelling, or by the hands of justice, not void as respects the interests of persons to whom they may have been legally assigced. Bthly, No extra charge for residence in any part of Europe, nor for proceedint, to any port (in a decked, sailing, or steam vessel) between 'crest and the Elbe. Licenses are granted to go to any nart of the world upon ternis proportionate to the risks. 9thly, 'Whole-life Policies on the equal scale of premium purchaseable after four years. Lapsed Policies revived on favour. able terms to the assured. All assurances effected on the equal scale of rates during the year 1839 will participate in the next division of profits. JOHN KNOWLES, Resident Director.
The Sun. — 1839-05-24 (London, England)

SUICIDE IN HYDE PARK.—On Wednesday forenoon the body of a respectably-dressed female, about twenty-four years of age, was discovered in the Serpentine River by one of the Royal Humane Society's men. With some difficulty it was brought on land. and taken to the it receiving-house: when a surgeon was instantly sent for, but from the opinion of that gentleman it appeared that life had been extinct for several hours. An inquiry was set on foot, and after some trouble it was ascertained that the deceased's name was Eliza Hartley.  Thus it is not intended that the Treasury shall prescribe, or even suggest, the plans for the building, or impose upon the Trustees any course of proceeding, whereby the cost of it may be made to exceed the sum of 150,0001., which the Trustees have engaged to devote to it ; it being also clearly understood that all the plans and estimates, although subject to the approval of the Treasury, before any of the said works shall be undertaken, are to be framed in the first instance under the authority and by the directioa of the Trustees. Up,n the subject of this difference of opinion, your Committee, on the one hand, examined Mr. Jones on the part of Cie Gresham Trustees, and, on the other hand, received explanations from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, a member of the Committee, on behalf of the Treasury, in addition to the information contained in the papers on this subject prit,ted by order of the House; and your Committee are enabled, by the result of these proceedings, to acquaint the House, with much satisfaction, that the difficulties created by this diversity of opinion have been wholly removed. The parties in the City connected with the Gresham Trust have, by resolutions printed in the minutes of evidence, declared their willingness to conform to that which has been stated to them as being the unanimous
The Sun. — 1839-12-19 (London, England)

SUICIDE THROUGH AFFLICTION.—Tuesday an inquest was held before Mr. Higgs, at the Coach and Horses, York-street, Westminster, on the body of John Parsons, aged 47, who terminated his existence by cutting his throat from ear to car. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased, who was formerly a private in the Ist Regiment of Grenadier Guards,lodged at No. 5, King's-head-buildings, Wesminster. He had served under the Duke of Wellington in the battle of Waterloo, and had been in many other engagements. In July, 1838, in consequence of being disabled, he was discharged from the regiment with a pension of Is. .1-d. a day. With his pension and the assistance of his friends, who were very respectable, he was in comfortable circumstances. He was a married man and his wife was in the service of a clergyman. For the last few months he had been labouring under :a consumptive disease, and latterly his cough became so troublesome that for ease he had been obliged to sit up in an arm-chair for nights together. He had in consequence of his bodily ailments become very desponding. Not making his appearance on Sunday last, towards evening a female lodging in the house knocked at his door, but receiving no answer she thought something had happened to him, and accordingly called in a policeman, when, the lock being forced, deceased was discovered on the floor, his head in a pool of blood, which had flowed from a frightful wound in his throat. He was quite dead and cold. A razor with which the suicidal act had been committed was lying by his right hand. The jury, being of opinion that the deceased committed the fatal deed while labouring under an aberration of mind, brought on by long and painful suffering, returned a verdict of " Temporary Insanity."