npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1859-08-10 (London, England)

ALLEGED LUNATIC MURDERER.-It was recently stated in the Times that James Atkinson, who was acquitted last year at the York assizes, on the ground of insanity, of the murder of a young woman, his sweetheart, at Dailey, near Harrogate, had been removed, after showing some violence in York Castle, to St. George's Lunatic Asylum, London. It seems, according to the York newspapers, that the violence of Atkinson and some of his other conduct was assumed for a purpose. One of the local journals says :—" Prior to his removal Atkinson made some attempts at suicide, but we are now in a position to state that these attempts were mere feints, got up to serve a purpose with an ingenuity very inconsistent with the mental abilities of an imbecile. On the 6th of May Atkinson volunteered a statement to a fellowprisoner that the attempts he had made to hang himself were done with no other view than to lead the prison officials to believe he was insane, that he might be removed to St. George's Hospital, which he anticipated would lead to comparative ease and luxury. On the occasion of his attempting to hang himself in his cell he distinctly stated that when he was cut down he feigned being senseless, and that he would continue acts of this kind until he was removed. He also proposed that he should tie himself up in the airing-yard, when the other prisoners were in the day-room, and that one of the prisoners was to give an alarm and cut him down, when he would remain apparently unconscious for a time. He was to write a letter beforehand, addressed to his friends, and wisjiing them ' good bye on earth.' Atkinson further informed his confidant that he would give the officials of the prison all the trouble that he possibly could, by various studied insubordinate acts, in the hope thereby of forcing extra diet and other indulgences, if it did not lead to his immediate removal. These particulars we have from authentic depositions, and they clearly prove that Atkinson had a method in his madness, and that by his perseverance he has accomplished the great object he had determined to attain—his removal to an asylum.  LA IF
The Sun. — 1859-10-10 (London, England)

ARRIVAL OF SHIPS FROM FOREIGN PORTS.— In the week ending the 3d inst. there arrived at Falmouth no less than 135 ships from foreign ports, almost entirely for orders, and were comprised of 21 different flags—viz., English 54, Danish 14, Neapolitan 9, Netherland:9, American 8, French 6, Prussian 5, Norwegian 4, Greek 4, Russian 3, Sardinian 3, Swedish 3, Spanish 3, Portuguese 2, Bremen 2,Mocklenburgl, Brazilian 1, Maltese 1, lonian 1, Hamburg 1, and llanoverian 1. TILE DOUBLE MURDER AND SUICIDE AT WORcEsrEtt.—Although the river Severn has been drag, el with great care for some distance, the b 'dies of Mrs. Harris and her infant child had not been recovered up to Friday evening, but there is no doubt that both she and her child are drowned. The only body found is that of the eldest child, George. To-day the husband, Thomas Harris, was taken before the inagisinte on the charge of attempting to strangle his wife, a few hours before she ran from the house, and (as is believed) threw herself and her children into the water. Several witnesses were examined, all of whom spoke to the ill• trealnent which Mrs. Harris had received front her husband, and his mother and sister. Harris and his wife, it transpired, lead repeatedly quarrelled on Monday and Tuesday, and Harris had at dinner time on Tuesday seized his wife by the throat and beaten her about the head with his fist. The same evening, at tea time, the quarrel had been renewed, and Harris's sister threatened to mu.der Emily (Mrs. Harris.) Mrs. Harris became greatly excited, and declared she would drown herself and her children, and ran out of the house. This was at nine o'clock, and she could not be traced afterwards, but as she ran in the direction of the river, there can be no doubt that she jumped into the river with her two children. Harris was remanded.  7;.------------10 Ill' r ,e , ~,,.1, •
The Sun. — 1859-08-06 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE BY  NICOTINE.  Yesterday evening a long inquiry took place at the Bedford Hotel, Upper King-street, Bedford. square, before Mr. Wakley, coroner for West Middlesex, touching the death of Mr. John Henry Herban, aged 42, which was occasioned by his swallowing nicotine, or essence of tobacco, a deadly poison, uner circumstances of a.very extraordinary and lamentable nature. _  Frederick Albert Blake, an intelligent and active officer, of St. George, Bloomsbury, deposed that about nine o'clock on Tuesday morning he was passing through Upper King-street, Bedfordsquare, when he heard screams from the residence of the deceased, who was the proprietor of an hotel, as also a wine merchant. On entering the house he met Mrs. Herban, who was on the floor screaming, and incapable of answering any questions put to her. Some of the domestics explained the cause of what he witnessed by taking him upstairs, wili he discovered the deceased on the floor of his chamber; he appeared lifeless. He (witness) ran off for Mr. Berrington, a surgeon residing in Holborn, who promptly attended. Mr. Wakley said that the conduct of Blake highly praiseworthy. He (Blake) was one of tin best officers he had.  The widow of the deceased, who was so deeply affected that she was obliged to be supported into the room by Blake, gave evidence that her hit( husband had been in a low despcniing way fip sonte months past, in consequence of severe losse> in several speculations connected with railwa; companies. By the Coroner—She was not aware that he had nicotine in his possession. He had not threatened to destroy himself. He was a good husband and father, and of moral habits. Mr. Berrington said he had made a post morten examination, and ascertained that death was caused by nicotine. It was the second instance of self destruction by the said deadly poison ur on record. It caused death instantaneously. Verdict, temporary insanity.
The Sun. — 1859-08-06 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE BY  NICOTINE.  Yesterday evening a long inquiry took place at the Bedford Hotel, Upper King-street, Bedfordsquare, before Mr. Wakley, coroner for "West Middlesex, touching the death of Mr. John Henry Herban, aged 42, which was occasioned by his swallowing nicotine, or essence of tobacco, a deadly poison, uner circumstances of a very extraordinary and lamentable nature.  Frederick Albert Blake, an intelligent and active officer, of St. George, Bloomsbury, deposed that about nine o'clock on Tuesday morning he was passing through Upper King-street, Bedfordsquare, when he heard screams from the residence of the deceased, who was the proprietor of an hotel, as also a wine merchant. On entering the house he met Mrs. Herban, who was on the floor scream• ing, and incapable of answering any questions put to her. Some of the domestics explained the cause of what he witnessed by taking him upstairs, when he discovered the deceased on the floor of his chamber ; he appeared lifeless. He (witness) ran off for Mr. Berrington, a surgeon residing in Holborn, who promptly attended. Mr. Wakley said that the conduct of Blake Nv., highly praiseworthy. He (Blake) was one of the best officers he had. • The widow of the deceased, who was so deeply affected that she was obliged to be supported into the room by Blake, gave evidence that her late husband had been in a low despcnding way lb] some months past, in consequence of severe losse in several speculations connected with railway companies. By the Coroner—She was not aware that he had nicotine in his possession. He had not threatened to destroy himself. He was a good husband and father, and of moral habits. Mr. Berrington said he had made a post morten: examination, and ascertained that death was caused by nicotine. It was the second instance of self destruction' by the said deadly poison ur on record. It caused death instantaneously.. . Verdict, temporary insanity.
The Sun. — 1850-07-04 (London, England)

INSTRUCTIONS TO PERSONS ADMIT TO COMMIT SUICIDE.—You may as well be hanged as drown yourself. Break head of relieving officer;' if none at hand, practise on that of policemen. (Note—Operatives with starving family cannot get relief.) " Attend at Belgrave-square or Eaton-square about twelve at noon. When a lady is passing from her mansion into her carriage, settle her with a crack of a lifepreserver. If you killed a duchess it would be as good as a life insurance for your family. (Note—Spitalfields weaver on 3s. 6d. per week.) "Fasten a cork on the head of a long bodkin. Attend at Regent-street, about three P.M., and as a lady is passing from her carriage into a silk-mercer's, thrust the bodkin into her temple, and you will kill her instanter. If you had the luck to stick a countess, you would do more for the distressed needlewomen than all the societies and public speeches have ever done. You would very likely escape being hanged on the ground of insanity; and if so, be comfortably provided for for the rest of your life. (Note—Distressed needlewomen on slop wages.) " Attend at Tattersall's and shoot the first jockey you see. (Note—Ruined by betting on horse-racing.) "Kill some person of that class who have driven you to desperation. If you are hanged for so doing, you will depart to the future state easier and more respectably than if you had drowned yourself, besides being of some use to society in your death. (Note—All persons about to commit suicide.) . A second piece of paper found on the prisoner had written on it the following : " National Hall, Holborn.—Meeting-house, bottom of Holborn-hill, up yard.—Sons of Fussell, Bonner'sfields Cottages, near there. Chartist leaders, French republicans in London. 44Y. —Get one to come over from Paris."  Robert Smith, residing at No. 30, King-street, Smithfield, a commercial traveller, said he saw the prisoner between one and two o'clock yesterday, at a house where witness usually dines. Prisoner came in and called out, "Is there any one here who is a Chartist?'' 'Witness treated the matter lightly, and jokingly said that he was a Chartist, upon which prisoner wanted to speak privately with witness, who would have nothing to say to him unless he spoke aloud. The prisoner then said that what he contemplated would be best known by the perusal of the two first letters, which he handed to him. Witness treated him as a person a little deranged, and left him with a friend of his. His friend took him to the Victoria ; and witness, afterwards thinking that it would be unsafe for such a person, if deranged, to be at liberty, went to him, and asked him for the first letter, which was given to him, and he then gave information to the police. The prisoner, who during the examination was smiling at everything that was said by the witnesses, when called on for his defence, handed in the following paper
The Sun. — 1850-12-10 (London, England)

FLOREMMA.  DISTRESSING AND MYSTERIOUS SUICIDE AT BATH. —A suicide of a most distressing and determined character took place in this city yesterday morning by a young man, who gave his name Thomas Ware, at the Devonshire Arms. Having dined and taken tea with the family, be went to bed at eleven, desiring to be called about nine o'clock next morning, as he wished to leave for Bristol. The landlady, however, on going up stairs at that time, and having shook the door, and called out several times to the deceased without getting any reply, had the door burst open, when on entering the room she found him dead, lying flat on his back, his head under a table, his right hand near his neckerchief, and his left hand placed on his left breast, covering a wound which was afterwards found to have been made by a bullet which had passed through his heart. The room was covered with blood, and a duelling pistol was found near the unfortunate man's left hand, also covered with blood. Two soldiers who had slept in the next room—only a few feet apart from the deceased, declare they never heard any report of a pistol or other sound to arouse their suspicions. The deceased appeared in excellent spirits throughout the previous day, and gave his address as Mr. T. Ware 33, Stokes Croft, Bristol, observing that be was in partnership with Mr. , Davis, watchmaker, Bristol, In the course of conversation he said that he had made an appointment to attend a ball in this city yesterday (Monday). Ile was well dressed, and appeared about 26 years of age. The Earl and Countess of Ripon and Viscount Goderich have arrived at their seat in Yorkshire, from Norton-park, Lincolnshire. A large party of titled and distinguished persons have been on a visit during the last week to Sir Clifford Constable, Bart., at Burton Constable, Yorkshire, amongst whom were George Hudson, Eeq., M.P., Mrs. Hudson, and family—Newcastle Journal.
The Sun. — 1850-12-10 (London, England)

DISTRESSING AND MYSTERIOUS SUICIDE AT BATH.  —A suicide of a most distressing and determined character took place in this city yesterday morning by a young man, who gave his name Thomas Ware, at the Devonshire Arms. Having dined and taken tea with the family, he went to bed at eleven, desiring to be called about nine o'clock next morning, as he wished to leave for Bristol. The landlady, however, on going up stairs at that time, and having shook the door, and called out several times to the deceased without getting any reply, had the door burst open, when on entering the room she found him dead, lying flat on his back, his lead under a table, his right hand near his neckerchief, and his left hand placed on his left breast, covering a wound which was afterwards found to have been made by a bullet which had passed through his heart. The room was covered with blood, and a duelling pistol was found near the unfortunate man's left hand, also covered with blood. Two soldiers who had slept in the next room—only a few feet apart from the dceeased, declare they never heard any report of a pistol or other sound to arouse their suspicions. The deceased appeared in excellent spirits throughout the previous day, and gave big address as Mr. T. Ware, 33, Stokes Croft, Bristol, observing that he was in partner, hip with Mr. Davis, watchmaker, Bristol, In the course of conversation he said that he had made an appointment to attend a ball in this city yesterday (Monday). He was well dressed, and appeared about 26 years of age.  The Earl and Countess of Ripon and Viscount Goderich have arrived at their seat in Yorkshire, from Nocpn-park, Lincolnshire.  A large p:(rty of titled and distinguished persons have been on a visit during the last week to Sir Clifford Constable, Bart., at Burton Constable, Yorkshire, amongst whom were George Hudson, Esq., M.P., Mrs. Hudson, and family—Zig:l:castle Journal.  ,
The Sun. — 1850-12-10 (London, England)

FLOREMMA.  • DISTRESSING AND MYSTERIOUS SUICIDE AT BATH. —A suicide of a most distressing and determined character took place in this city yesterday morning by a young man, who gave his name Thomas Ware, at the Devonshire Arms. Having dined and taken tea with the family, be went to bed at eleven, desiring to be called about nine o'clock next morning, as he wished to leave for Bristol. The landlady, however, on going up stairs at that time, and having shook the door, and called out several times to the deceased without getting any reply, had the door burst open, when cu entering the room she found him dead, lying flat on his back, his head under a table, his right hand near his neckerchief, and his left band placed on his left breast, covering a wound which was afterwards found to have been made by a ' bullet which had passed through his heart. The room was covered with blood, and a duelling pistol was found near the unfortunate man's left hand, also covered with blood. Two soldiers who had slept in the next room—only a few feet apart from the deceased, declare they never heard any report of a pistol or other sound to arouse their suspicions. The deceased appeared in excellent spirits throughout the previous day, and gave his address as Mr. T. Ware, 33, Stokes Croft, Bristol, observing that be was in partnership with Mr. Davis, watchmaker, Bristol, In the course of conversation Le said that he had made an appointment to attend a ball in this city yesterday (Monday). lie was well dressed, and appeared about 26 years of age. The Earl and Countess of Ripon and Viscount Goderich have arrived at their seat in Yorkshire, from Nocton-park, Lincolnshire. A large party of titled and distinguished persons have been on a visit during the last week to Sir Clifford Constable, Bart., at Burton Constable, Yorkshire, amongst whom were George Hudson, Esq., M.P., Mrs. Hudson, and fainily—Newcastle journal.
The Sun. — 1850-05-27 (London, England)

AND SUICIDE.—On Saturday evening, at six o'clock, Mr. William Carter, the coroner for Surrey, opened a long inquiry at the Old Mitre Tavern, Broad-wall, Blackfriars-road, respecting the death of Thomas Hunt Cooper, aged 29 years, lately residing at No. 5, Knight Ryder-court, Doctors commons, who committed the following dreadful act of self-destruction under the circumstances briefly detailed in the subjoined evidence of the principal witness :-- Elizabeth Straker, of No.l, Thomas-place, Gravellane, Blackfriars-road, stated that she had known the deceased for many years. Witness had been frequently annoyed by the deceased, who followed ,her about daily from place to place, more particularly during the last 14 weeks, and occasionally he would threaten to take her life. Witness at one time went in bodily fear, and told him if he persisted in continuing his annoyance she would seek assistance by application to a magistrate. The deceased for a short time desisted, but again resumed his visits, when she was about to go to a police-court, when the deceased begged so earnestly that she would not, that she again declined, on his promising not to annoy her again. The deceased still continued to follow her, and on Thursday morning last witness heard a knock at the street door, and upon opening it witness saw the deceased, who exclaimed in a load voice, "I will blow your brains out;" at the same moment deceased presented a pistol towards witness, who called for the landlord in the front parlour, who came out and stepped, between them. The deceased rushed up stairs, and the next moment the report of a pistol was heard, and when the witness and the landlord reached the second-floor back room, they discovered the deceased lying a corpse on the floor, with the upper portion of his head blown to pieces. Deceased seemed lifeless, and by his side lay a pistol. The room was subsequently searched, and a bullet was found on the floor. The police arrived soon afterwards, and when the pockets of the deceased were examined, a letter was found, directed to his father, which was proved to be in the deceased's handwriting. The letter was as follows : " Dear Father,—When you receive this I shall be no more, for I' have-niade up my mind not to live any, longer without Miss Straker.. Her shadow is always following me-by night and day, and my thoughts are constantly with her.  " Your affectionate son, " Tuostis
The Sun. — 1850-05-17 (London, England)

THE ARGYLL-ROOMS, GREAT WINDMILL-STREET. —Emile Laurent, Robert Bignell, George French Bryan, and Christopher Brown, stood severally indicted for keeping an unlicensed music and dancingroom, at Great Windmill-street, Haymarket. For reasons which were given at the last sitting of the Central Criminal Court, no evidence was offered to-day when the cases were called on. The jury, therefore, under the direction of the Learned Judge, returned verdicts of Not Guilty in the whole of the cases, and the parties were therefore discharged. Sarah Thorn, the young woman who was convicted at this Court, on Wednesday" week, of decoying away and stealing Hannah Sarah Dean, a child four years of age, and who was remanded so that inquiries might be made into her character, was brought up for judgment. she a A also At the same time he could not see what motive she couldd The Learned JUDGE addressed the prisoner, and said that inquiries had been made as to her character, bwebeinc hc,ointvappeared,nwaatstevmerpyt tob commit a'l'aad suicide. have had for stealing the child. The sentence of the Court was that she be imprisoned, and be kept to hard labour for six months.  James Hebbron, an elderly man, who walked with crutches with great difficulty, was placed ata bar charged with assaulting John Taylor, a police-1 kt he e d choisnsitaabtyle. of the G division, whilst in the execution of From the evidence of the prosecutor (who was still very ill from the injuries he had received) it appeared that in March last he was on duty in Hatton-wall, and at about three o'clock in the morning he was accosted by the prisoner, who inquired of him the way to Short's-gardens, Drury-lane. He directed him the usiway to go, but had scarcely done so when the prisoner, using a most offensive epithet, knocked him down. Upon this prosecutor, on gaining his feet, attempted to take him to the station-house, but on reaching Crawford-passage the prisoner kicked him, and swore that he would.murder him. A scuffle hereupon ensued, and they both fell to the ground, prosecutor falling first, with the prisoner on him. Prosecutor called for assistance, and on another constable coming up, he removed the prisoner from him, who exclaimed that his leg was broken, which turned out to be the fact. Prosecutor was much injured, and spit up blood for a long time. The witness was cross•exatained, but not the ,
The Sun. — 1850-12-13 (London, England)

THE IMPERIAL BANK OF ENGLAND.—Yesterday another inquiry, which occupied from ten o'clock till four, took place before his Honour Master Farrer, upon the liability of the third class of contributories in this company, consisting of those who, on shares being allotted, paid Is. per share, and took up their scrip. Mr. Pryor conducted the case for Mr. Soulby, the official manager; and Mr. Glasse, Mr. Little, Mr. Hare, and others appeared as counsel for the various persons summoned to appear. The day was occupied in the discussion of the general question as to whether, owing to the variations that had taken place in the form and constitution of the company, a large number of the shareholders could be made liable, they having, it was contended, joined the original undertaking under a totally different state of things to that which existed under the deed of settlement executed under a subsequent constitution of the company, and which constitution was the only one had in view by the Court of Chancery in decreeing that the company should be wound up. His Honour said that he would read over all the evidence and weigh all the arguments that had been adduced before him, but his present impression Ivas that he could hardly place these persons on the list as liable as contracting parties us respect of the particular company the Court had referred to him to wind up. .  Pals.—About six weeks ago great sensation was caused in the English circles of this city by the melancholy suicide of a young lady of highly respectable family, who had recently arrived with a married sister and her sister's husband from Dieppe. She had, it seems, gone to the house of an English physician, with whom, though much her senior, she had been on terms of intimacy. In consequence of something which took place between them, she swallowed a dose of opium which she had brought with her in a phial. She, however, was able to walk home, and the poison, it seemed, was not likely to have any dangerous effect ; but the next morning she sent out for another larger dose, and this c,:used her death iu a few hours.—Bi ighton Gazette.