npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1889-01-24 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

CONFESSIONS OF A MURDERER. That terrible "confrontation " at the Morgue with the bodies of victims which murderers have to undergo, according to the French law, has been too much for Corporal Georaay, who was arrested on suspicion for the murder of Madame Roux. The soldier was arrested in his barracks at Saint Quentin (owing to his having left a piece of an envelope with his address on it at the house of his victim), and it was proved that he had been absent on leave in Paris at the time of the murder. Furthermore, small jewels and trinkets belonging to Madame Roux were found in his valise, while a wowan had received from him two watches, as well as a bracelet, which had been taken from the victim's abode. When approaching the dismal Morgue for " confrontation " with the corpee Geomay shuddered, but gazed on the dead body, when the winding sheet was thrown off, without apparent emotion. After two hours of persistent cross-examination at the Morgue, Geomay made a full confession. He said that he came to Paris on leave and found that his mother was in prison for a theft at the Bon March. He had no money, so he bethought himself of Madame Roux, whom he had known two years ago when he was employed at a grocery store in the Rue du Bac. He had heard the old woman spoken of as wealthy and avaricious. He breakfasted and dined with a man who keeps a curiosity shop, and is a general dealer. In the establishment of this person he saw a hammer, which he "annexed" and carried away under his military cloak. Afterwards he went to Madame Roux's shop, and as she came in from putting up her shutters he felled her to the ground with a blow of the hammer, and pulled down the iron screen over the door of the establishment. Then, as his victim was groaning on the floor, he dragged her into a room off the shop and battered in her skull. When she was dead be searched the house, took BS in money, the I watches, and the jewels. He sat down for three hours in an arm-chair by the dead body not daring to go out. At half-past twelve he went away and crossed the Pont Neuf, flung the hammer into the river, and made off towards the Central Markets. On arriving at Saint Quentin he went to see the woman Caillaux and gave her the jewels. They had a carouse together, and drank nothing but champagne. The prisoner is a young fellow about 20, and although he received a fair education at the Primarv.schoola at Paris, his character, both in civil and military life, has been execrable. His mother, moreover, is a notorious thief.  A case of suicide, attributed to disappointment in love, has come to light at Kidderminster. A police officer found a man's hat on the bank of the Stour, and on dragging the river he recovered the body A Henry Edward Butcher, who had been paying attentions to a young woman,but had been discarded by her.  The Oxtord and Cambridge B 'at-race has been fixed to be rowed over the usual course on the Thames on Saturday, March 30th, when the tide will serve early in the afternoon.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1889-07-25 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

ATTEMPTED MURDER BY A MOTHER. Mary Emma Wrighton, aged 37,a married woman, was charged at Bow-street Police-court on Monday with attempting to murder her two children and with attempting to commit suicide.—George Gregory said that on Wednesday he was on duty on the Victoria Embankment, near the Westminster pier, when his attention was attracted by something thrown over the parapet.—Mr. Vaughan (the magistrate): By whom?—Witness: A woman. I turned round and saw the prisoner take a child and climb on the parapet. She let the child fall into the water and threw herself in after it. I gave the alarm by whistling. On arriving at the pier I saw three bodies floating. A strong tide flowing, they were carried towards the pier. I leaned down and by means of a boathook I caught hold of die younger child. The other child and the prisoner were also saved with the assistance of Mr. Jones. The woman was unconscious, and was taken to the hospital. The children did not appear to be much the worse for their immersion. There were two other children with the prisoner.—Mr. Vaughan maid he was glad to have the opportunity of commending the constable for the way in which he had acted.—Mr. Douglas, I the pier-master, deposed to rescuing the woman by , means of a boat. She said something about her I poor head and her children. Dr. Hunt, of Westminster Hospital, deposed to the prisoner being brought to the hospital with the children. She was unoonscious. After three or four hours the prisoner came round. She appeared very depressed, and was sober. She complained of a pain in her head. She said that she went out to get something for dinner. Her head ached very much, and she heard thunder. After that she remembered no more. She was now perfectly rational. He did not think she was responsible for her actions. Since the defendant had been in the hospital she had been visited by her husband, and they appeared to be on very affectionate terms.—The prisoner was remanded until Friday, Dr. Hunt expressing his willingness to readmit her to the hospital.  secrecy. j rupees. Yogi, rashly covetous, declined to give more than 10 rupees, and, on his confederate losing his temper, threatened to mak& him lose his head also, with the assistance of a knife. Undaunted by threats, however, and serene in the knowledge that his cause Was just, the man made his way to the police thane, and had the too covetous Yogi locked up.  The value has been sworn at £60,054 of the personal estate of the late Mr. Clement Francis Wedg wood. of Etruria and Barlaston, Staffordshire
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1889-05-09 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

FOOLISH GIRL.  On the evening of the 3rd inst., Police-constable Hatwell received information to the effect that a girl had threatened to commit suicide by taking a quantity of carbolic acid. He proceeded to the house of a Mr. Townsend at Witton, and there saw an undersized girl, whose name i was explained was Elizabeth Webb. She had a phial containing carbolic acid, and in reply to a question as to what she was going to do with it, said she intended taking it and killing herself. The officer took her into custody, and took possession of the bottle, which according to the label had been obtained from an Aston chemist. Hatwell made enquiries, and ascertained that the girl had lately been in the service of a Mr. John Foulkes, of Lozells-street, Aston, but that she run away from her situation on the Friday evening. The girl was an orphan, and her friends refused to have anything to do with her, all of them saying that she was not a good girl. This was the story which was told to the Aston Bench.—Messrs. F. S. Bolton, and R. Payton, and Dr. Griffiths—on Tuesday before whom the girl was charged with threatning to commit suicide.— Mr. Edward Rowlands (magistrates' clerk) : What did you buy the acid for ?—The accused : I got it to take. —Do you know what would be the ccnsequences of taking it ?—No answer.—Have you anything to say to the Bench ?—No answer.--. Why did you want to take it for?—No answet Why didn't you stop at your situation :—Because I was unhappy.—Have you anything to say to the Bench ?—No, sir.—The Bench may probably remand you to gaol so that the Chaplain may see you. Can you get any of your friends to take you in? —None of them will have anything to do with —Are you able to work ?—I have been very ill lately.—Defendant (whose age is said to 18), was remanded to Vs inson Green for a week.  CoNsummox
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1889-05-09 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

DRIVEN TO SUICIDE BY SCANDAL. An inquest has been held at Goldington, a village near Bedford, touching the death of Charlotte Maria Noble, aged 17, whose body was found in the River Ouse. Deceased was a pupil teacher at the Wellingborough Board School. The other morning she went home as usual to her parents' residence for dinne;. She left with the intention of going back to school, but as she did not return her parents became alarmed as to her absence, and proceeded to a Mr. Davis's house, where she had been in the habit of visiting, and learned there that she had left about 5 o'clock. Mrs. I Davis also told them that deceased had received a I very insulting letter from a railway guard named I Clark, of Wellingborough. No news as to deceased's whereabouts could be obtained, and her parents rose early next morning, and searched the i river banks, but n vain. Deceased had, however, travelled to Bedford, where she took lodgings at a I coffee tavern. Subsequently a letter was received by a man named Hutchinson at Wellingborough, in ' consequence of which deceased's parents journeyed to Bedford. Just before their arrival the girl left her lodging, and her dead body was recovered in the river a short time afterwards. The letter addressed to Hutchinson was as follows: "My darling,—l daresay you will be greatly surprised at getting a letter from use, but I feel mad, quite. Darling, the tales that are spread about concerning me, although not true, have affected me a great deal. To-day, as Mrs. Davis knows, I received a very insulting letter, and the accusations in it were not true, but it is the last straw. I can stand no more. I cannot tell what made me come off in this manner, but I felt as though I could not stay in the town a day longer. Don't tell Mrs. Davis you have had a letter from me. I shall wait until Saturday morning for a letter from you, or to see you, to know what to do. Write to me, mia carissima, as soon as you get this • I if you can, come yourself on Saturday morning. enclose a directed envelope for a reply. I little thought when I kissed you good-bye to-day at dinnertime it was for the last time. My darling, what shall I do? I cannot live without you. Write soon to your OWD little sweetheart. —
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1889-05-09 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. The arrangements for the Queen's visit to North An attempt to commit suicide on account of jealousy Wales,says a Chester correspondent, are rapidly pro- has just occurred at Taunton. For some tuns prior grassing. It is incorrect to say that this is her to Christmas a youth named Archibald Augustus Malady's first visit to the Principality. In 1832 Mountstephens, aged 19, and employed as a solicitor's As Princess Victoria, she stayed at Powis Castle and clerk, kept company with the daughter of a Wynnstay in company with the Duchess of Kent. neighbouring machinist, named Hopkins. About Christmas the attachment cooled, but the couple reThirty years ago her Majesty and the Prince in the company of Consort journeyed to Bangor in order toopen the bridge miined on speaking terms. few days since spanning the Menai Straits, and were received with Miss Hopkins was walking A an extraordinary amount of enthusiasm. On the OCCa. & pnvate in the West Somerset Yeomanry, named sion of her forthcoming visit, the Queen will again W. A. Porter, who lives at Spaxton, near Bridgstay at Wynnstay, the seat of Sir Watkin Wynn,for a water, when the report of firearms was heard few Lours, and will then proceed to Pale Mansion. on on the opposite side of the street. Miss Hopkins th.! shores of Bala Lake. It has not yet been settled and her companion immediately turned round, Ice. long her Majesty will remain in the Vale of Llanand saw a flash in the air, and simultaneously a man gollen. , was seen to fall on the pavement. He was recognised i as Mountstephens, and he at once jumped up from the pavement and ran to his father's house about 40 yards away. Subsequent investigation shewed that at the spot where the youth fell there was a pool of blood, and a razor and the ramrod of a pistol were discovered on the ground. The lad had three gashes in his throat, but his injuries were not of a very dangerous character.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1889-10-03 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. - About one o'clock on Tuesday morning some persons passing along the Aston-road found a woman lying in the street near Lloyds Bank, evidently in great suffering Inquiry elicited the fact that she had just taken !Dotson, but beyond this nothing could be learned. She was at once conveyed to the surgery of Dr. Bark, who proceeded to use the stomach-pump, and who afterwards directed that the woman should be taken to the General Hospital. Here it was evident that she was in a critical condition, and she was, of course, detained. It is stated that the woman, who is named Jones, of no fixed residence, has on a previous occasion attempted to poison herself. The poison used this time had probably been laudanum.  FORESTERS' SUNDAY PARADE AT lIARBORNE. On Sunday afternoon the members of the Court "Pride of Harborne," No. 4,449, A.0.F., held their first Sunday parade in aid of the Foresters' Convalescent Home, Clent Hills. The brethren, to the number upwards of 200, assembled at the court-house, the Green Man Inn, and having formed into procession, proceeded by way of Highstreet, Park-road, and Church-road, to the Parish Church. The procession was headed by the Ladywood Military Band, which, under the leadership of Mr. D. Ellie, played a selection of sacred music. At the church there was a service, consisting of the Litany, and hymns suitable for the occasion, with an appropriate sermon by the Rev. E. Roberts (vicar). Dr. R. M. Winn presided at the organ. Collections were made along the line of route of prossession and at the church. The arrangements for the parade were ably carried out by Bros. H. Brueton (chief ranger), G. H. Jevon (sub-chief ranger), and J. Walton (secretary).  DISPUTE AS TO THE WRIGHT or A Pm.—At the Birmingham County Court, on Tuesday, before his Honour Judge Chalmers, George Henry Parish, of 279, Coventry-road, butcher, brought an action against Robert Miller, of 46, Witton-street, Garrison-lane, pig dealer, to recover £2 ss. 6d., the price of a pig.—Mr. Rollason appeared for the plaintiff, and said that the only question in the case was whether the pig weighed 2731b5. or 2281b5. The Judge: Is the pig here ?—Mr. Rollason: No, sir.—The Judge: How am I to tell the weight of an absent pig ?—Mr. Hugo Young: Put a penny in the slot.—Plaintiff : The pig was weighed on the town scales at the market; Mr. Miller was there, and saw the weight.—Mr. Rollason: It was weighed on the Corporation automatic machine ?—Plaintiff : Yes, it weighed 2731b5. Defendant denied that the pig was weighed in the usual manner. kre had it weighed on the Corporation scales, and its weight was 2281b5. He produced the scale note. He had told the plaintiff that he would pay for the pig if he brought a proper bill.—Plaintiff: You never intended to pay. —Defendant: I was never here before in my life.—Mr. Rollason : Keep quiet, you are not in the market now. —His Honour having looked at the documents produced by defendant, and said that plaintiff's claim was quite right, gave a verdict for the amount claimel.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1889-08-15 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

THE KILBURN SHOOTING CASE.  Leonard Bowles Handford, 34, a clerk, has been Stael, at Hampstead Police-court, with shooting lizabeth Ilandford, his wife, and Elizabeth Deveson, her mother, with intent to murder. Hewes also charged with attempting to commit suicide by shooting himself.—Matthew Henry Marsh, a greengrocer, said that on Sunday, the 28th of July, he met a friend named Truscott in Iverson-road, and stopped to speak to him. At that moment he saw Mrs. Deveson and her daughter, Mrs. Handford, going along on the opposite side of the road. They were close together. As they passed No. 26, where the prisoner was lodging, the prisoner came out of the house, and walked towards his wife and motherin-law. Handford then went up to his wife, drew a revolver from his pocket, and shot her, his aim being at her head. After that he shot Mrs. Deveson. The lady screamed, but did not fall. Then he put the revolver to his own forehead and shot himself, and he fell to the ground.—Dr. Alfred Tilly, who was sent for to attend to the ladies, described their injuries. Mrs. Handford had a bullet wound in the right cheek, about an inch in front of the ear. The wound penetrated through the teeth, and the bullet, • haring struck the lower jaw, lodged in the back of -tie soft palate. In searching for the bullet it fell from its position and the patient swallowed it. She was now going on satisfactorily. Mrs. Deveson's ease was much more serious. The wound began in the left cheek on a level with the angle of the month. The bullet passed through the region of the tongue and emerged on the right side of the neck just behind and below the angle of the jaw. He could not say that Mrs. Deveson was out of danger.—The prisoner was remanded.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1889-08-15 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

SEARCHING FOR THE ARRAN MURDERER.  The Glasgow police have still no clue to the whereabouts of Laurie, suspected of the murder of E. R. Rose at Arran last month, and the opinion is gaining ground that either he took fright when the finding of Rose's body was made known and left the district, or else that he is no longer alive. Rumours come from all quarters that Laurie has been seen, but no trustworthy information has been received to enable the police to trace his movements since the beginning of last week. A suggestion has heed made that a canal in the neighbourhood of Coatbridge, near to which he is said to have been seen, should be dragged, but as yet no steps have been taken in that direction. A good deal of excitement has been occasioned by a report that a young man resembling Laurie had committed suicide at 'AIM, Loch Lomond. He had gone to Row Farm, and shot himself with a revolver. No one knew him, and there were no letters or cards in his pockets by which his identity could be established. Like Laurie, he appeared to be about 27 years of age, and there were other points of resemblance. One of the Glasgow detectives who knows Laurie personally went to Loss, and after looking at the body, said it was certainly not that of the man for whom the police are making search. One or two arrests have been made, but with the exception of a youth named Bedford, who was apprehended in Edinburgh, the suspected persons were at once liberated. Bedford's arrest was accomplished in rather a peculiar fashion. He took lodgings in Edinburgh about a week ago, and the landlady, suspecting from his close residence in the house that he had something to do.with the Arran murder, gave information to the police, and it transpired that the youth was wanted in Aberdeen on a charge of mubezzlement.  ,
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1889-05-30 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

SOLIHULL.  SOLIHULL PARISH CHURCH.— Last Sunday 0 sermon was preached in the Solihull Parish Church by the Rev W. E. Martlew, assistant secretary to the South American Missionary Society. There was a numerous congregation, and the discourse, which was eloquent and impressive, was listened to with ovident attention. A collection WAS made on behalf of the funds of the society, and a fair amount was realized.  SOLIHULL CONGREGATIONAL The Sunday School anniversary in connection with this place of worship was celebrated on Sunday last, when services were conducted and sermons preached, morning, afternoon, and evening, by the litev. F. Docker. As might be expected the announcement that the late pastor would preach drew together numerous congregations. Special hymns and anthems had been rehearseri for the occasion, and these were sung in excellent style and to the apparent gratification of all present. SUPPOSED SUICIDE AT SoLuttrlA..—An evening contemporary says :--A few days ago a Solihull resident whilst crossing a field just outside the village found a number of articles of male apparel. They were torn and well worn, and had evidently been lying in the open air for some days. A man's hat, also in a dilapidated condition, vas subsequently found by the side of a pond in an adjoining field. There were no traces of a struggle, and the police have come to the conclusion that the owner of the clothes has committed suicide. The pond was dragged, but no body was found; and subsequently the canals in the neighbourhood were searched. As far as can be ascertained, no one is missing from the neighbourhood, but it was said that a day or so prior to the discovery of the garments, a man dressed in a suit of clothes similar to thosediscovered was seen walking along the road leading to the field in which the hat was found.
The Warwickshire Herald. — 1889-09-05 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

MARRIAGE A FAILURE.  At the Marylebone Police-court, Leonard Bowes Handford, 34, clerk, has been brought up for further examination on the charge of shooting Sarah Elizabeth Handford, his wife,and Elizabeth Deveson, his mother-in law, with intent to murder them; also with attempting to commit suicide.—On entering the dock the prisoner looked very pale and nervous, and he asked leave of the magistrate to be seated as he felt faint.—Mrs. 'landlord gave evidence bearing out statements already made.—Detective-inspector Banister produced a long written statement which was found in the prisoner's room after his arrest. It was addressed to the editor of a local newspaper, and commenced by affirming that his marriage had been a failure. He stated that he married a "splendid woman," after a courtship of 20 months, on August 20th, 1887. She was an only child, and was his own age. Knowing that she was a divorced woman, and that her previous husband was dead, as it was a delicate matter he never alluded to it. All he knew was that her first husband was cruel, and that she had to leave him. Mr. Deveson, his father-in-law, gave his daughter away, or rather " lent " her. The marriage was purely a love affair. Tne mother was unwilling to part with her daughter, and so, against the advice of friends, be agreed to occupy two rooms in her parents' house. He was to be treated as a son, but he had been treated like a child. He concluded, "I always looked on marriage as a very solemn thing. My wire, having been through the fire, evidently, to say the least, thought lightly of it." Being called upon to plead in regard to the attempt on his wife's and his own life, the accused said he was not guilty, and reserved his defence.—Mr. Cooke committed him to take his trial with reference to those charges, and remanded him in the case of Mrs. Deveson.