npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1872-11-09 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

SUICIDE OH THE LONDON AND NORTHWESTERN STATION MASTER.—Considerable excitement was caused in this district last Sunday night in consequence oi a report, which unhappily proved but too true, being srread to the effect that Mr. Joseph Wood, of Smithies-lane, the station-master for the London and North-Western Railway Company, had committed suicide. Information of the melancholy tragedy was conveyed to the police station, and Sergeant Stone, who has charge of the Birstall section of West-riding constabulary, made enquiries as to its nature, and found that the poor fellow, who had a wife and family, had been suffering from a severe cold and had been in bed during the greater part of the day. Mrs. Wood prepared some tea, and then asked the deceased if he would have some. His reply was to the effect that he would wait until the children had had their tea; and, therefore, Mrs. Wood left for a short time. On going upstairs again she was, horrified to find that he had cut his throat, with one of two razors which lay by his side. An alarm was at once raised' and Dr. Rayner was despatched for at once, but life was extinct when he arrived. No reason can be assigned for the committal of the rash act, except that Mr. Wood had been in ill health for some time, and had been consequently very low spirited. He was a steady, active, industrious man, was a very obliging servant, and was highly respected by his fellow servants, by the passengers who travelled on the line, as well as by the directors of the company, in whose employ he had been for a long period. He was 45 years of age. An inquest was held on view of the body on Tuesday morning, the coroner's (MI. T. Taylor) court sitting at the Railway Hotel, and after several witnesses had been examined, the jury returned a verdict of "Committed suicide whilst in a state of unsound mind." The evidence was to the effect that the deceased had been in delicate health for some time, and had been confined in his bed for a few days, which preyed upon him. One of the inspectors of the London and North-Western Railway Company was present at the inquiry, and said he had known the deceased for 21 years, during which time he had been in the service of the company, and had always been , a steady, industrious man. He had been very attentive to his duties, and striven to give satisfaction to his employers. The deceased leaves a widow and six children to mourn his loss. The funeral of the body took place on Wednesday at the Parish Church, and was attended by a large nu nber of people.  •• • -
The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1872-03-16 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

DRUNKARDS.  On Tuesday the Select Committee of the House of Commons appointed to enquire into the best mode of treating habitual drunkards met again—Mr. Donald Dalrymple in the chair. Mr. White, a coroner from Dublin, gave evidence as to the increase of drunkenness in Ireland, and the various offences which sprung out of it. He held a large number of inquests upon suicides, and his experience was that juries were ready to return verdicts of temporary insanity without enquiring into, or stating, the primary cause, which in a large number of cases was drunkenness. Other diseases were produced by habitual drinking, but it was difficult to get juries to append any opinion to their verdict. He considered there was a very large class of what might be termed habitual drunkards, and the present law availed little. If they could keep drunkards away from drink for a time, so as to improve their physical state, he believed much good would be done. In ordinary cases where there was only a temporary removal of the temptation, there was a craving for drink which was satisfied, with the most mischievous results, at the earliest moment. He considered thqit drinking was on the increase in Dublin, especiaify among the middle and better classes of society. He was in favour of confining persons, say for a month, until their state of mind improved, but he feared that a longer confinement might result in the person ' returning to his old habits when released. In reply to Mr. C. Read, witness said that in a majority of ' cases it was not a jovial, convivial drunkenness, but a secret of sottish style of indulgence. Dr. Creighton Brown, physician and superintendent of the West Riding Asylum at Wakefield, gave evidence as to the large proportion of lunatics who were brought to that state by habitual drinking. He traced 15 per cent. directly to that cause, and 10 per cent. indirectly. All attempts to deal with the question had failed, and he believed the only course to adopt was to establish institutions where people could go voluntarily for reformatory purposes.
The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1872-06-29 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

THE CAUSE OF FATHER CONWAY'S DEATH.—The Dublin Mail calls attention to a passage in a speech attributed to Mr. A. M. Sullivan, editor of the Nation, as having been spoken by him at the meeting of Dublin Roman Catholics in antagonism to Judge Keogh, describing it as a piece of savage fustian" :—Father Conway (said the orator)—Judge Keogh's first victim—was gone to his account. (Sensation.) When that judge spoke of sentencing priests who served at God's altar to ignominy, even in figure of speech—to the ignominy of penal servitude, did he imagine that it was to a sentence of death he was dooming generous hearts like the heart of Father Conway, which broke under the weight of his invective? That good priest went from that courthouse, and never raised his head from the day Judge Keogh made him the butt of public ridicule. He went but once since to the altar where his consecrated hands so often offered the august sacrifioe to the Most High. He was consigned to a bed of fever, in his delirium repeating the sentences of contumely that had broken his noble heart, and sent him to-day a murdered priest into his grave. (Sensation.) Father Conway has gone to appeal from Judge Keogh's judgment to the judgment of one who would not deny him justice, and before whose high throne and judgment seat on the eternal day Judge Keogh would find his sentence reversed. (Sensation.) SuicmEs.—Two cases of suicide by drowning in the Thames has just occurred at Reading, one particularly being under circumstances of a very distressing nature. This was the case of a young person named Rosa Moore, of about 20 years of age, of very pleasing appearance, and very respectably connected. She had been keeping company with a young man named Knapp, a brewer, and it appears that they had a slight tiff in the early part of last week about a trivial matter. It was subsequently made up, and on Saturday she wrote to him to meet her that evening at half-past eight. He kept the appointment, but she thought she had written eight o'clock. She became excited at his apparent neglect, and went into the Forbury with a friend, wrote him a letter in pencil, posted it, and afterwards drowned herself in the Thames. Knapp received the letter by post. It was full of warm and endearing expressions of love towards him. She said, "To live without your love I could not. God forgive you, for you are the cause of my death, but I forgive you Good-bye, and may God bless you, my darling boy, is the last prayer of your heart-broken Rosa." The father of the deceased and the jury exonerated Knapp from any blame. 'and a verdict of "Temporary insanity" was returned. The other case of suicide took plsce the day previous. A young woman named Rhoda Piercy drowned herself in the Thames at Caversham, because she thought a man named King, with whom she had been living, was going to desert her. Temporary insanity was the verdict in this case also.
The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1872-06-29 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

THE VICTIMS' ROLL.  fifty-nine of the 1,230 deaths in London last week are attributed to different forms of violence. Of these 48 were the result of negligence or accident, including 22 from fractures and contusions, two from burns and scalds, 15 from drowning, and seven (all of infants under one year of age) from suffocation. Five cases of infanticide, two of suicide, and one of manslaughter were registered during the week. No less than nine of the deaths from fractures and contusions, resulting from negligence or accident, were caused by horses or vehicles in the streets. It appears from the police returns that 62 cases of injury and maiming from this class of accident came under the notice of the police within the London registration area during the seven days ending 23rd inst. ; of these 57 occurred in the metropolitan, and five in the city police districts. During the week 108 deaths were registered upon the information of the metropolitan coroners, being inquest cases, against 87 and 78 in the two preceding weeks; these showed a proportion to the total deaths of nine per cent. In the large public institutions 225 deaths were recorded, or 18 per cent. of the total deaths; of these 121 occurred in the workhouses, and 93 in hospitals. We find from the Registrar-General's return that the 1,230 deaths included 26 from small-pox, 41 from measles, nine from scarlet fever, six from diphtheria, 53 from whooping-cough, 23 from different forms of fever (of which two were certified as typhus, 11 as enteric or typhoid, and 10 as simple continued fever), and 25 from diarrhcea ; thus to the seven principal diseases of the zymotic class 183 deaths were referred, against 208 and 164 in the two preceding weeks. The fatal cases of measles, whooping-cough, and diarrhcea were more numerous than in the previous week, while those of the other diseases had further declined. Measles show a fatal prevalence in Paddington and Marylebone. The death of a male, aged 60 years, occurring in St. Paul, Hammersmith sub-district, was referred to "cholera biliosa, three days."  •
The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1872-12-28 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

PREVALENCE OF FEVER.  It appears from the Registrar-General's return that scarlet fever is fatally prevalent in Oldham, Newcastleupon-Tyne, Manchester, and Salford. The deaths from scarlet fever within the borough of Oldham since the middle of July last have been 407. Fever, principally enteric, was fatally prevalent last week in Leeds, Sheffield, and Hull, and measles in Norwich and Manchester. The 1,288 deaths in London last week included 5 from small pox, 17 from measles, 11 from scarlet fever, 5 from diphtheria, 26 from whooping cough, 16 from different forms of fever (of which one was certified as typhus, 12 as enteric or typhoid, and 3 as simple continued fever), and 9 from diarrheea. The deaths from small-poxi were again 5 last week, of which 3 occurred in the small-pox hospital at Homerton, and one each in Bethnal-green and Bow; 4 were returned as " unvaccinated." Diseases of the respiratory organs and phthisis caused 436 deaths, against 432 and 414 in the two preceding weeks, and were 117 below the corrected weekly average; to bronchitis 182 deaths were referred, against 164 and 159 in the two previous weeks. To different forms of violence 61 deaths were referred; 46 were the result of negligence or accident, including 22 from fractures and contusions, 7- from burns and scalds, 5 from drowning, and 10 from suffocation. The death of a greengrocer aged 35 years, in King's College Hospital, was referred to "exhaustion from disease of the knee, death accelerated by chloroform." No less'than 11 cases of suicide, and two of murder, were registered. One of the deaths from fractures and contusions' resulting from negligence or accident, was caused by horses or vehicles in the streets. From this class of accident 67 cases of injury and maiming came under the notice of the police, within the 'London registration area, during I the seven days ending 22nd just.; of these, 58 occurred in the Metropolitan and nine in the City police districts. In the large public institutions 259 deaths were recorded, or 20 per cent. of the total deaths; of these, 143 occurred in workhouses, and 108 in hospitals. ,  • Winter has set in in America. 'On Ohristnias Eve the thermometer at Milwaukee stood at 30 below zero, Fahrenheit. At Chicago the thermometer marked 20 degrees below zero.
The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1872-11-23 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

GREAT FLOODS IN YORKSIIIRE.—On Saturday the lowlying streets in the north of Yorkshire were rivers, and property had to be got out of the houses. People returning from Malton, either drove or waded through three feet of flood water at all the bridges. The "Marshes ' were simply a lake from end to end, being under water for miles, the railway embankment being the only thing visible. On Sunday the various mills and brewery premises at Malton adjoining the river were inundated in the lower storey, and men were at work all day saving the contents. Between Norton and the railway station the footpath was washed away, and-the railway officials looked the gates and refused- access except by Malton. Numerous trees recently felled were swimming down the stream. The country from Ayrton, near Scarbro', to Hutton, below Mahon, quite 20 miles, was a continuous lake. The bridge on the road from Scampston to Thornton, over the old Derwent, has been washei down. MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUlClDE.—Eliribeth Mar. gant, who attempted to commit suicide after murdering her child, aged four, at the Qaeen's Arms Hotel, at Epsotn, has so far recovered from her wounds that the police have arrested her on the capital charge. The prisoner was brought up before the local bench of magistrates, charged with wilful murder. Harriet White deposed that she was a domestic servant at the Qaeen's Arms Hotel, at Epsom. On the night of the 7th ult., the prisoner came to the house an asked if she could have a bed. She had a child in her arms, and witness showed her up to a room. On the following morning witness''kocked at the room door, and the prisoner exclaimed, "Come in." Witness entered the room, when she saw the prisoner lying in the bed with blood fhwing from her throat. She had something lying across her left knee covered over with a red petticoat. She said, "Ask the mistress to send for the police, as I have killed my darling child." The police were called in, and the child was then discovered lying quite dead, with its head nearly severed. The prisoner was asked why she did it. She replied, "Through poverty and want. I wish to die." The prisoner was fully committed to the assiz for trial.
The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1872-11-23 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

THE CHELSEA TRAGEDY.  At .th• Central Criminal Court on Thursday, Paul Julius May, 21, clerk, was placed at the bar before Mr. Justice Grove, on an indictment charging him with the wilful murder of Hermann Nagel. Mr. Poland and Mr. Beasley conducted the prosecution; Mr. Collins and Mr. Humphreys, instructed by the sheriffs, defended.  The prisoner being a foreigner, and unable to speak English, it was arranged that Mr. Albert should interpret the evidence. When the jury had been sworn a communication was made to his lordship that three material witnesses were not in attendance, although they had all been warned to be at the court at a quarter to ten o'clock.  His Lordship said he would wait some time, and a messenger was sent in a cab for the persons who were absent.  Mr. Justice Grove remarked that he was afraid from what transpired on Wednesday that one of the witnesses wasZnot likely to come forward.  Mr. Poland said he was afraid that was so. Daum, the servant, had left her place and gone away, but if she alone were absent he would take his chance and goon with the case. _  Mr. Justice Grove observed that if the case were postponed a more material witness might not be in attendance next time.  After waiting about three-quarters of an hour, Mr. Poland decided to proceed with the trial. He then briefly opened the case. At the outset he expressed his regret at the waste of time that had occurred, and hoped the witnesses who were absent would arrive in the course of the day. Before narrating the circumstances of the case, he said that, according to the law of England, if two persons agreed to commit suicide the person who survived was amenable to the charge of murder. The learned counsel proceeded to narrate the circumstances which he hoped to be able to prove by evidence. 4 The following evidence was then given :—Auguste Perks said he was a waiter at present. On the 9th of August he was on board a steamer from Hanover to Dover. The prisoners were also on board, and he entered into conversation with them. They asked him to go to London with them to act as their interpreter. They had no luggage. lifter they arrived in London they went out to 'make purchases, and a revolver was bought in Oxford-street. The prisoner said he wanted it to defend himself from pickpockets. It was a six-chambered revolver. The pistol cost 22, and they spent £l5 altogether. They had a large quantity of money in German thalers in their possession. They all ivent to several places of amusement during the next few days. On Monday, the 11th of August, they went to Cremorne, whore they made the acquaintance of three women named Burgess, Curtis, and Gordon, Burgess could speak German, and the prisoner entered into conversation with her. It was arranged that they should go to her house on the following day. The prisoner and deceased took their portmanteaus to Langton-street on that Wednesday.  The jury retired at half-past eight last night, and after a quarter of an hour's deliberation., found May not guilty of murdering Nagel.  A
The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1872-06-01 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SIIICIDE.—Mr. Langham held an traffic. From Clapham to Kennington Gate the conenquiry at the Westminster Guildhall, on Saturday even- fusion was very great, owing to -the tramway, car's,. a ing, respecting the death of Henry Ager, aged 53 large number of which were ocqupying the centre of years. The deceased was a servant in , the employ of the roadway, and, these occasionally getting off the the Rev._ Mr. Page, of James-street, Buckingham- line caused repeated blocks, and several accidents gate. On ' Wednesday, at 20 minutes.. to twelve o'clock he was missing,, and a search was' made bccurred, although nothing of a very -serious nature' for him. Shortly after twelve' o'clock the deceased was reported. The stream of vehicles was so dense was found hanging to a closet doer, a rope having been from 'ten to eleven o'olOck, that the journey from the thrown over it, his feet being upon the ground.' He WaS Horns to the Elephant and Castle, under three-quarters at once cut down, and 'upon being seen by a medical man of a mile, occupied. about orie honr. To add to the life was found to be extinct.. The Rey. Mr. Page was confusion, at several parts the roughs and thieves got present at the enquiry, and stated that the deceased had up sham' been in his employ for a number of years. A quantity fights for the purpose of plundering the perof plate had been missing from Mr. 'Page's residence, 'and sons foolish enough to look on. a letter written by the deceased was read by the coroner, •' (From the Daily Telegraph.) in which he mentioned that he was on bad *terms with ' A correspondent "on the road " writes: --It had come friends. Verdict—" Deceased committed suicide struck eight, and daylight was waning, when I, not while in a state of temporary insanity." , ...: altogether an inexperienced tramp, buttoned my rough
The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1872-01-13 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

ACK " IN NORTH WALES—NE the Csrnarvenshire (loaner session, Abraham Cohen. a Jew, Who said he had been in " pracrice" tor the last 16 years as an itinerant "doctor." was charged with stealing 84. 6 1., the property of a quarryman, at Llandileiniolen. The modus operuzedi pursued by the prisoner appears to laave been to visit the ;louses of the working classes, and-, in the absence of their husbands, terrify the wives—through an interpreter, who seems to have been regularly in his service- into accepting medicine either for themselves er their husbands, notwithstanding their protestations that they were free frogs "the ills that flesh is heir to." In this instance Mr. Coheo first obtained 34., then insiated.up-irt something further. The poor 'woman produced' a sovereign, which he Inetantly snatched out of her hand, returning her 144. 63. ebange, and le,ving two bottles of bits precious nostrum. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and Lord Newborough, the ch,drman, telling him that they would put a stop to his proceedings for some time, sentenced him ha 18 months' hard labour.  DRAW' OF A REMARKAISLZ PIERSON IN PARIS —There died in Paris, just in time to have his name included in the obituary of 1871, a somewhat remsrkabte person. His name was Chsrles Eranaots Forte, and his business in life was to receive the bodies of persons whom *rime, accident, or suicide led to the gentile, Forte by reissou of his taste in waistcoats was popularly knovrn as." Mamma Rouge," is described as a man who, under a somewhat rough demeanour, hid a kind heart. Many stories of his sots of huruan:ty are current, but it suffices to know that he has left behind bias a child which the double suicide of its parents had left unprovidsd for, and whom " Pflomote ltooge" took home with him, oared for, and properly educated. Rut ke has left behind hint something more interesting still. Day by day (hiring the 26 years of service at the ttiorguo, Forte was composing a book to which he has given the singular title " Registre de Macabre." The book, which extends to many volumes, is nothing more or !less than the register of the names and addresses—when known, etherwi,e of the descriptions—of the bodies received by him, which •reach a total of twenty thousand. Ferte.appears to have spent his leisure hours in making inquiries into the antecedents of the more interesting of his charges, and the results are given in voluminous sofa; appended to the register of death. It is not stated whether the book is for sale, but if it be we need not point out its value to a youthful novelist about to commenoe business. In the record of twenty thousand violent deaths annotated by the late keeper of the Morgue, there would surely be found material ((if s complete parlour library of sonatina], rlrola,