npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1910-09-24 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SENSATIONAL STREET INCIDENT. Young Man Takes Poison near Crowds of People.  Another ease of attempted suicide came before the Borough Police Court on Thursday last, and it was one in which the prompt action oils Grange-road tradesman's wife—Mrs. Charles Foster—probably saved the endangered person's life. It occurred. too, close to Grange-road at a time when that thoroughfare had a Saturday night crowd in it.  James Williams, a quiet-looking young maii, of 20, Oakfield-view, was charged with' having, attempted cto commit suicide by swallowing a quantity Of salts of lemon On the 17th inst. The magistrates on 'the bench were Mr. I'. 31cMahon (chairman) aud Mr. J. Bridges.  Harriet Williams, sister of the accused. said that about 7.20 p.m. on Saturday last she. was walking up Grange-road with her brother, and when they gok as far aa Stafford-street he complained" of his lege aching, and said he was "going to take this stuff"—something he had in a square packet. She stood talking and reasoning with him for some minutes, and then he 'crossed the road slid emptied the conterita of the packet into his mouth. A *Oman who was near ran for a.policeman. Mrs. Charles Poste., Whose husband keeps a shop on the eizrner of Grange-road and Stafford-street, said she saw a crowd gathering in Stafford-street, and went there, and the last witness told her her brother had taken poison. Witness ran across to Messrs. Alacklymons' shop and got an emetic, and returned, and they gave it to the prisoner. Afterwards a policeman took the prisoner to the Borough Hospital. Thomas Nicholson Martles, assistant with Messrs. Bridden and C 0.,. chemists. Grange-road, said the prisoner came into his shop on Saturday evening about seven o'clock and asked for an ounce of oxalic ,acid. Witness said "You know it is poison?" and prisoner replied " Yes, I am going to use it for cleaning purposes." Witness told him-, of the- dangerous character of the article, and prisoner said "It'd the last thing I should* think of taking." P.C.ltoper (10A) said that at 7.40 p.m. on Saturday he saw a large crowd of People in Stafford-street, sand found the prisoner' lying on the footwalk, insensible. The tits* witness gave hjin (the officer) the portion of a Packet produced. Mrs. Foster had already obtained an emetic. Witness took the prisoner in The imbalance to the Borough Hospital. That (Thursday) morning be had charged the prisoner with attenting to commit suicide, and he replied "1 got hurt at Monks' Parry, and sometimes I have pains in my head." Dr. Uttley, junior house surgeon at the Borough' Hospital, deposed to the admission of the prisoner suffering from shock from oxalic acid poisoning. Remedies were applied, and he eventually recovered. Witness .  bad found no sign of insanity in the priaoner's condition.  Prisoner now only said he had been "bad in his bead for twelve months." After hearing the prisoner's mother, and pthe prisoner promising not .to commit such an act again, the Bench discharged hitt; into the care of his relatives.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1910-01-26 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SAD FATALITY AT NEW  BRIGHTON.  LICENSED VICTUALLER SHOOTS HIMSELF.  An 'inquest was held at the Egerton New Brighton, by Mr. J. C. Bate, Coroner for West Cheshire, last night, touching the death of Henry Dutton (64), licensed victualler, of ö, Waterloo-road, New Brighton, who shot himself through the roof of the mouth on Sunday night. ' The Coroner explained that the deceased had been in bad health for some time, and learned that he was not likely .to get better. On Suoday last, whilst the family were• downstairs in the evening, they heard a report, and ongoing upstairs found that the deceased had shot himself. He died almost immediately. Alice Maud Dutton, daughter of the deceased, said that for the last twelve months he had been under the care of 'Dr. Palmer, of Liverpool, and had not been able to attend to his.business daring that time., The doctor, was at the .heUis'en Sunday afternoon, and when he lid 'gat Vecteopkrsiia' fdrf This was the first day he had remained in bed. Whilst she was downstairs on Sunday night she and her brother heard a shot and proceeded upstairs. Her father had a revolver which was kept in ,a case in the spare room. There were cartridges in it,  Albert Reid Dutton, son of the de°eared, said that his father did not seem worse than usual, and told him that he did not mind witness playing the piano. Deceased was alone in the bedroom in the evening, when a report was heard. Witness ran upstairs and saw his father seated on a chair with blood running down his night-shirt. In his -left hied was a revolver. He had never-heard deceased threaten to commit suicide.  Inspector Lees stated that he was called to the house at about 8-30 on ,Sunday night. Be went upstairs into one of. the bedrooms and saw the deceased 'sitting on a chair. There was a stream of blood from the mouth down the -shirt to his feet. There was a large gun shot. Wound on the roof of his mouth, and another wound at the top of the head towards the back, through which the bullet had passed. On the floor at the back of the chair was a spent cartridge, and on the wall a piece of plaster had fallen out. The last.witness handed a revolver to him. It was a six chamber regulation revolver, apparently new, and there were in it three cartridges, one of which was spent. In an adjoining room a wooden ease had apparently been recently broken open, end there was a box of cartridges, from which three were missing. . The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide," but found that there was not sufficient evidenoe to- show the state., of , deceased's mind at the time..
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1910-10-12 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE. ",Could Not Bear It Any Longer."  "What we have to decide, gentlemen," said Mr. J. C. Bate, holding an inquiry at Beacombe yesterday afternoon on the body of James Todd (31), a boilermaker, 254, New Chester-road, Tranmere 'is whether the body you have seen is that of James Todd, B,nd whether he committed suicide."  It appeared that deceased lived with his mother in Tranmere. He was last wen by her on September 27th last, and was not seen again until his body was picked up near Egremont on the 9th inst. John Hughes, of Egrenicast, a fisherman, fisid picked up the body in a very decomposed state. It was impossible to identify it, except by the clothes. Deceased's mother, We. Todd, said shei recognised the clothes. They were produced and tallied with other ones she had at home. She could not identify the tattoo marks on his forearms, Of a Union Jack, creased hands, and bust of a girl with the name "Alice" beneath. Deceased had a sister named Alice. His mother did not think he had a sweetheart of that name.  Robert Pearson, Coroner's officer, explained that none of deceased's relatives could identify the tattoo marks. Deceased's father had died about six weeks before and being the only son at home, and having his mother to support, deceased seemed very depressed and low'spirited. His mother found the follow, ing letter in the pocket of his best suit : "Dear •Mother,—Just a few lines to thank you for all you have done to try and get me round—but all in vain; I cannot bear this any longer. I have tried my best, but I cannot master it. I feel myself going out of my mind; so I prefer what I am about to do to being sent away, as I have heard so much about, other people; so I think that is all I have to say, from your loving son James, to his broken-hearted mother, sons and daughters. Remember me to Tommy Barr; he tried to cheer use up; and my other mates."  James-Jenkins, a fellow-worker; Geo. Todd, deceased's' married brother, and Thwn„ Barr gave evidence to show that deceased bad been apparently very depressed since the death of he father, and ',fill* he had no work to do.  The jury returned a. verdict of "Stn. cide elulNt of usbouud wind."
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1910-05-14 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

LEDSHAM TRAGEDY.  MYSTERY OF THE RAILWAY  Mr. J. C. Bate. Coroner for West Cheshire, held an inqueet on Thureday morning at the Ledsham Hotel on the body of Albert Downward, Who 66 body was found on the railway line at midnight on Tuesday. _  Sir. John Downward, of Childer Thornton, identified the body as that of his eon, aged 23 year& Be stated that deceased- resided at home, his oecupigion being that of a platelayer. He had worked on Monday and also on Tuesday, returning home on the latter day at noon.  In -answer to questions by the Coroner. Mr. Downward said "that Since Chester Races deceased had been drinking heailly, but had never threatened to take hi life. Both he (witness) and his wife had endeavoured to get deceased to leave drink alone. John Frederick Thomas, a porter at Hooton Station, gave evidence. He had, he said, arranged to meet the signalman. at Ledsham Station at 12.25 on Wednesday morning, and on going to Ledsham .found the station fastened up. lie went under the bridge, and whilst there felt his foot strike against something on the rails. Witness called the signalman referred to, and on examination they tound that the object was the body of a than lying with his right arm across the metals. A fast goods train had passed witness on the up line to Chester. Deceateds hat was about three yards away up the embankment by. the bridge. Witness helped to remove the body. William Bailey, booking clerk at Ledsham Station, deposed that deceased got off the 11.35 p.m. train from Chester on Tuesday 'night, and. giving up his ticket. left the station. In a 'few minutes he was back asking if it Was possible for him to . reach Hooton before the through express . to Cheater left there, as he had a friend Coming by that train. . Witness replied No." giving as his reason the .fact that that train would be due in about.; five minutes. After asking what line the train would come on; deceased left. being Under the influence of drink at the time. Albert .Gough, signalman at *Ledeham Station, deposed to having been called .by Thomas and to having found the body as 'stated.  G. Edwards, relief signalman, said that he saw deceased on the main road after he bad got off the train. He was the worse for drink, but not drunk. Deceased had no right on the line after leaving the station. P.C. Challoner testified to haring been called to the station, where he found deceased already dead. In his charge to the jury, the Coroner said that, though it was clear that deceased bad gone back to the line, it was not certain that he had committed suicide; he might have fallen in going down the embankment, being, as he was, the worse for drink. If they were not satisfied as to how deceased met his dea.th they might return an open verdict. The jury .amordingly found that deceased had been found dead on the L. and N.W. Railwajy line, but that there was not sufficient evidence to show how he came to be there.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1910-04-23 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

DRAM.  A tragic affair took place yesterday afternoon in the• neighbourhood of the Fire Station, when, it is alleged, a young man named Jonathan Thomas, lodging in Rowland-street (off Market-street) tee* carbolic acid with fatal results at No- 44, Salisbury-street, The circumstances are extremely sad, because the young fellow was only 211 years old. From enquiries made last evening it appears that he paid his half-sister, Mrs. Sullivan, who lives at Nb. 44, Salisburystreet (close to Charing Cross), • visit about 4 p.m., and he appeared to have had some drift but was not greatly under its inffuence. He did not appear to act strangely. He got his aunt,, Mrs. Jones, of 45, Salisbury.street, to go to a chemists' shop at Charing Cram for a bd. bottle of carbolic acid, and as his Ireason for getting it he said he was going to kill rats. Unsuspectingly she went on the fatal errand and returned at 345 p.m. with the poison which she gave him. With, an exCUSE he left the room and then went' into the yard. Mrs, Agnes Johnson, of 42, Salisbury-street, was also in the house. In a few moments he returned and the WOMEN found that he was suffering from the effects of the acid, froth foaming from his mouth. One of the women rushed off in fright for the horse ambulance which was soon on the scene. The man was in a terrible state, but with all speed he was taken to the Borough Hospital, and the ambulance man administered sweet oil pn the way to alleviate the burning of-the acid. It was found that he had swallowed half of the liquid. At the hospital Thomas was received by Dr. Struthers and medical aid was called into service. But the case was hopeless, and the man died an agonising death.  There has not yet come to light any motive why deceased, as is alleged, ',should have taken the poison, but it is understood that be has had some slight trouble. He was formerly in the army and served for some time in India, but he has been home for several years. He worked as a labourer at. Messrs. Grayson's yard, and was there very well known. It is stated that he courted one or two young women, but he used in years past to say that he was jilted. The sad affair has caused A SENSATION  in the district. . It will be remembered that about a year ago a young woman living in the same street, not far from the scene of the present tragedy, too); the life of her child and also attempted suicide. An inquest on Thomas will very liltely Wigs Place oa Mp444y.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1910-06-25 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ASKED WHERE HE COULD COMMIT SUICIDE.  FORMER BIRKENHEAD CHEMIST'S SAD END.  . An inquest was field on Thursday evenin by. the West Cheshire Coroner (Mr. Bate) at Seacombe, relative to the death 'of John Robert Morris (36), of 110 ',fixed abode, who as, however, for some tirea a rsaident of Birkenhead, and formerly of .Beogor. His body was recovered from the Mersey on Tuesday evening. The brothel of the deceased, •William Morris, of Birkenhead, said that the de...domed had formerly been a chemist and druggist in Price-street, Birkenhead, but a couple of years ago he was unfortunate in business and had to give it up.. The. : Ho was short. of money? Witness: Well, if he got the ManOY he would drink it all.  George Anson, of 23, Bell-road, Seacombs, said that about 11.30 a.m. he was walking along the promenade in the direction of Egrernont when his little girl , called his attention to the body of a man floating in the water. He got the , body out of the water, and thinking there were signs of life tried artificill respiration without success. An hour previously he sew the man leaning on the railings of the Egremont Promenade looking at the uhildren paddling. Robert Owen Bleasdale, of 36, Banburystreet,. Seacombe, corroborated the previous witness's evidence. P.C. Rorton said that when he searched the clothes of the deceased he did not find any money, but simply a notebook containMg medical prescriptions. Owen Davies said that he and the d.. ceased used to lodge together in Liverpool. Deceased had ne money and used to live the beet way he could. On Monday morning he was having a cup of tea With the deceased when he said that. if. things did not alter he would get 2d, to go to Egre.mont to do away with illinarelt, Deceased had told him may times that ko.intended to take his own life and witness believed he would eventually. Last autumn deceased asked him, witness, if there was a nice quiet spot where he could commit suicide either north or south.  The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of unsound mind."
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1910-06-22 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

INTO THE DOCK. A young •married woman named Annie Bell, of 16, Connnughtetreet, was charged with having attempted to commit suicide by' jumping into the East Float Dock on the 15th inst.  Edward Walker, a watchinan, said that on the night in question he heard a scream, and he saw the woman struggling in the water. He at once got a boat hook and assisted her out. She wan not unconscious, and told him she had a very bad husband. P.C. Williams said he was called to the woman, and to him she said, "1 am tired of my life. I wish I was dead. There is only one that would trouble about ine." He took her to the hospital, and when charged she said "I am very sorry." John Peter Bell, the prisoner's husband, said that when he got home en Wednesday evening he found there had been some drinking going on. He told his wife that he would go to tell her mother. He did not do so, but went to the barber's shop instead. When he got back he found his wife had gone out, and he did not see her again until he saw her at the hospital. They had lived happily together, but his wife had been strange in her manner for three weeks, because some money had been taken out of the house. She did not habitually drink; two bottles of stout would upset her. He had no fault to find with her.  The prisoner said she had been drinking all the day, and was afraid to go home. She had a very comfortable home, and she could not bay much against her husband. She was quite prepared to take the pledge. The husband also promised to keep drink out of the house, and the prisoner was dmcharged.  A
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1910-08-27 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

WIRRAL. .REFEREES'  SOCIETY.  It is usual for the general public to look  upon referees-and llnismen as mere items of football which although necessary are Dot altogether advantageous. But has the reader ever imagined what a game would be Tike without the man with the whistle as the impartial and controllingelement of a conte;t. As a matter of fact everything would be chaos, and why? Simply becausw them would be 22 playecs  on the fieid each holding a different opinion of what is off-side,- on-side, anyside or suicide. To those who love the game for the game's sake it is b:Ater to see a good referee than a tip-top player, and whatever his Shortcomings he is one to be held in esteem. During the coming Beason the "News" will direct special attention to the Referees Committees of the Cheshire and Wirral Associations. In Wirral we have an organisation that has stood the arrows of outrageous fortune most courageously until the fact has been borne unon us that the Referee, and not the goal keeper, is to shape the destinies of the game. The Referee Association of Wirral has no fewer than 70 referees on the list all, of whom have been registered by the Football Association, as follows: Class I, 6; Class A, 22; B, 18; C, 24. For season 1910.11 Mr. J. P. Crooke is again Chairman, and there is' no change In the office of secretary, so ably conducted by Mr. J. Maddocks. A pleasing feature is the re-appearance of Mr. Jas. Crawford on the Committee and his return to the duty will give great satisfacion to his referee admirers, The new members of committee are Messrs. A. W. Hamilton, J A Williams, and B. M. Ormerod, who with Messrs. F. Read, C. Taylor, W. Crawford, and J. Podmore, will conduct,the Society. Great care has been taken in compiling the referee list. Familiar names disappear whilst others will be found in the promoted rank.  The first meeting of Committee on Toesday last had to select two referees that they will nominate for Class I in season 1911-12; the choice fell on two young referees who have of late come very prominently into notice by reason Of their handling of some of the most dicult tasks that could have been given them; the referees mentioned are J. 3faddocks, junr., ."4,1 R. G. Rowlands, both of them Wirral "Division Class A. men, and the referee committee for 1910-11 is credited with being the strongest and most influential of all its uredecessors.  • During the season now so near at hand the referees meetings will be interspersed with lectures and periods of discussion so valuable in the curriculum of those who are endeavouring to attain the summit of what has become a very bonourable profession: Among those who have promised to speak and lecture are Mr. C. E. Sutcliffe, Rev. J. W. Marsh, Rev. A. Kershaw, and Mr. J. A. R. Cotton ("Athletic News").
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1910-07-06 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED SUICIDE EX-POLICEMAN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL  James Walter Hussey (33), an expoliceman, of 119, Garton-street, Liverpool, was charged on remand at the Liscard Police Court on Saturday, Lefore Mr. Andrew Lind.say, with having attempted to commit sheide by throwing himself into the Mersey..  William -Henry Hill, a ferryman, stated that on the 25th ult., he heard a cry of -Man overboard!" on the (3.15 a.m. coat (Lily) from Seacombe, and saw a man struggling in the water. Witness was on the luggage boat, which had not left the stage, and he, together with William Bleasdale, immediately put oil in a boat. The man appeared to be strugg,lmg iu the water, and on-reaching the spot they,lifted him into the boat. Witness afterwards asked him how he got into the water to Which be made reply that he jumped from the "Lily." He was out of work and tired of life.  In answer to prisoner, witness said that prisoner did not try to get into the boat, but did not resist when he was lifted into it. He seemed "a little out of sorts."  George Walter Harries, of Seaeombe, said he was crossing on the 6.15 a.m, boat from Seaeombe, tilt "Lily," when, shortly after leaving the stage, he saw prisoner climb over the bulwarks on to the outer ridge and jump into the water. A boat was lowered from the "Lily," but the boat from the stage got there first. In his opinion prisoner was swimming in the water or he would have been drowned.  P.C. Bland stated that at 6.30 a.m., on the 25th ult., he saw prisoner at the Sea combo landing stage with his clothes wet through. He was in charge of William Hill and William Bleasdale. Before wit ness spoke to him he said: "1 have had some trouble, and I thought it was easier to drown myself than it is." Witness conveyed him to the Seacombe Police Station, where, in answer to the charge, he said: "I have got nothing to say." • Prisoner, who was charged with a similar offence in November, 1909, was now committed for trial at the next Chester Assizes. _ _  Prisoner handed in a Aritten statement