npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Northern Guardian. — 1895-07-18 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

ALLEGED MATRICIDE BY BOYS.  A SHOCKING STORY.  A shocking story of the alleged murder of a mother is reported from Plaistow, and the fact that the crime was committed so long ago as Monday, July 8, has excited the deepest interest. The victim is Emily Harriet Coombs, a woman 37 years of age, the wife of Robert Coombs, a steward in the service ' of the National Steamship Company. The husband went to sea on the steamer France on July 5, and from all that can be gleaned he left his wife on the best of terms. She had living with her her two sons, Robert, aged 13, and Nathaniel, aged 12, and a man named Fox was a visitor. On July 6 Mrs Mary Jane Berridge, a sister-in-law, called on Mrs Coombs ; she called again on the Bth and on the 15th, but on neither of the two occasions did she ace her relation. The latter's sons to her, as well as to neighbours, made various excuses to explain the absence of their mother. Yesterday Mrs Berridge called again and was met at the door by Robert Coombs. Her suspicions, which had been previously aroused, were on this occasion accentuated by a peculiar smell which pervaded the house—a smell so strong that the neighbours had passed remarks about it. Mrs Berridge, alarmed, forced her way up to the front room of the house—No. 35, Cave Road, Plaistow—and there on the bed found Mrs Coombs dead. The state of the body was a shocking one. The door of the room was locked, and it was not until Mrs Bur. ridge had burrowed a key from a neighbour that she was able to gain admittance. The police wi...e quickly informed of the matter, and a couple of doctors were called in. Dr. Steel was the first, and as a result of an examination of the body it was at last discovered that the woman had been stabbed to the heart. The wound was a big one, and evidently inflicted with the knife found on the bed by the aide of the deceased. When the police arrived on the scene the younger son, Nathaniel, jumped out of a back window and made good his escape; but Robert, the elder, was detained and taken to the stationliouse at Plaistow. He made al statement to the effect that his brother instigated i him to do what he had done, and that Nathaniel was 1 beaten on the Sunday by his mother. Detective- ! sergeant Don was allotted the task of tracing ! Robert, who had been heard to say he would commit suicide, and a search was made for him at i I Woolwich, the lad being ultimately arrested at 1 , about five o'clock in the neighbourhood of the ' Plaistow Police Station. The man Fox said he bad been in the house for several nights, and he, too, was taken to the police station. The elder boy, Robert, who practically admits the crime, is Ibelieved to be of weak intellect. He has before now stayed away from home, and the police have been spoken to about him by his mother.
The Northern Guardian. — 1895-10-15 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

SHOCKING MURDER IN AN HOTEL.  SUPPOSED SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER.  A shocking murder is supposed to have been perpetrated at the Foxhall Hotel, South Shore, Idackpool, on Sunday afternoon. John Tooney and his wife have lived at the hotel for some time, the one being employed as kitchen porter and the other as cook. On Sunday afternoon they were both mined, and a search being made, the woman was found lying on the floor of her bedroom with her head nearly severed from her body. A knife close by disclosed how the deed had been coin. mited, the gash in the throat being from ear to ear. Calls were made for the husband, but it was fouud he had disappeared. The town and distriai we:e scoured by the police soon after the news of the tragedy was received at six o'clock, but beyond the statement of a person that Tooney had bean se-n I at. Bispham, the search had no definite result. There is now a strong presumption that Tooney has drowned himself in the sea near Bispham. He was last seen there on Sunday afternoon, when he gave a man named Brooks his watch and £2 14e, with injunctions to divide the property between Tooney'a two daughters. Late yesterday afternoon the missing man's hat and coat were found on the shore, and as the whole district has been scoured by the police since six o'clock on Sunday it is generally believed he has drowned himself, and that the body has been carried out by the tide. It has been ascertained that the knife with which the crime was committed waa purchased at a local ironmonger's last week end. Tooney wanted a sheath knife, saying he was going to America, but there was not one available, and he selected a clasp knife with a blade as keen as that of a razor. The deed was committed, it is thought, when the woman was asleep on the bed.  J. HILL, surgeon Dentist, and Chemist, 2, Bur Road (two minutes' walk from Strantou Church) Artificial Teeth in Gold Platinum or Vulcanite a lowest charges consistent with good workmanship.— Advt.
The Northern Guardian. — 1895-08-08 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

CURIOUS ACCIDENT TO AN ' EXPRESS TRAIN. , The North-Eastern express from Scarborough to Leeds, due at Leeds at 12 45, presented a curious appearance as it drew into the station yesterday I afternoon. The side nearest the platform was almost entirely wrecked from end to end. Windows were broken, and the frames and doors completely shattered. Near Church Fenton Junction the express was passed by another train, supposed to be the 11.45 London and North-Western from Leeds. At this point a loud report like the discharge of a gun was heard, and fragments of glass ,nd splinters of wood flew about in all directions. st` veral of the passengers complained of being ,usly cut about the face and hands by broken serh. Mr Daniel Lee, barrister, of London, and aleee"am, solicitor, Wolverhampton, had narrow Mr Hetl6. The windows of the carriage in which escapes. sitting were completely broken, and they We 'ments were littered with wreckage. other corripta. Car is shrouded in mystery. The The affair so. .e at present to offer any satisofficials are of it. factory explanat le*  SHOCKISG SUICIDE OF A yol, sterday at Auckland An inquest was held yt. ,tt of a lad named Park regarding the drosvis is., -,f age.—The eviEdward Smith, 16 years G. s dence showed that deceased Was suployed in the mine. On Monday afternos. nhe returned home from his work and syrarreli. 'd with hia two younger sisters. He struck tne of 7„"r, sisters because she was wearing hie eap, alter wki?•er he quarrelled with another sister about the ,upurizt4 out of his tea. He afterwards washed himset f, and told his sisters that he was going to drown him.iell; and further added to one of them that she might write and tell her mother, who was away, of kW intentions.—A miner named Fuller said he was passing the reservoir on Monday evening when he noticed a cap and jacket, carefully folded, near the edge of the reservoir. The body of deceased was found in the reservoir close by in about seven feet of water.—A verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane was returned.
The Northern Guardian. — 1895-12-31 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

UNHAPPY WEDDING.  At the Thames Police Court, yesterday, a respectably-dressed girl named Ellen Britton, aged 17, married, was charged with attempting to commit suicide ; and Samuel Britton (39), a Mulatto, and described as a ship's cook, and husband of the above, was chargtd with assaulting his wife.— Constable John Hills said at half-past 12 yesterday morning he was in Blackthorn Street, Bromley, and heard cries coming from No. 26. He then saw a young woman make two frantic attempts to throw herself out of the first-floor window, but each time was pulled back by her husband. Mrs Britton afterwards raised the window, and ' witness, suspecting her intention, ran to the spot and managed to catch her in his arms after she had thrown herself out. She then said, " Why did you catch me? I want to die. I was married on Christmas morning. My mother made me marry him for his money. She told me he would soon get another ship and go away. Then I should get his half-pay and live with who I like. I won't stop with him. I'll kill myself first."—The young woman now said she was glad the Officer caught her. She was " regular worried "at the time. She said she was 17 years of age. Her father was a stevedore. She was married to Britton on Christmas morning, and they danced all that night. On Boxing night her husband dragged her about and used her like a beast.—ln reply to the magistrate, the female defendant stated she did not want to marry her husband, but was driven to do it. Her husband dragged her about like a dog. On Sunday night she declined to go to bed, when he threatened to take her life.—The constable (recalled) said that when the young woman got to the station she stated that her husband had tried to strangle her, and she bore marks of violence on her throat.—Britton denied doing anything to his wife except stopping her from throwing herself out of the window.—Mr Mead discharged the man, and ordered his wife to be remanded.
The Northern Guardian. — 1895-11-11 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

THE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT HARTLEPOOL.  PRISONER BEFORE THE BENCH.  At Hartlepool Police Court, this morning—before Mr J. Pinder (prestding) and Councillor F. Yeoman —Matthew Taylor (42), a dock labourer, was charged with attempting to commit suicide by stabbing himself with a knife in Taylor's new model lodging-house, North Wells Street, on the 18th inst.  Alice Leeming, deputy of the lodging-house, said she as in the kitchen of the new model lodging. house about 10.30 on Friday evening. There waa some conversation going on, and prisoner was talking about his son. He took out the knife and said he would do for the —. Witness went between prisoner and his son, and got the son into the passage. Witness then went on to say that because he could not get bib revenge upon his son he took it upon himself and used the knife, she thought, three Limes. She was not certain that he did not stab himself four times. There was another man in the kitchen, and she called his attention and got him to take the knife off prisoner. The man did so, and after closing the knife handed it to her, and she afterwards handed it over to Sergt. Jackson.  The Clerk (to prisoner): Have you any questions to ask the wines? . .  Prisoner : I was a little the worse for drink, Sir, and could not account for my actions. I met a friend that day, and as I had not had much work and little to eat for the last few days, the glass or two I had took effect on me, and I was therefore not accountable for what I did. Dr. Rawlings said he was called to see prisoner about midnight on Friday. He examined him, and found he was suffering from two stabs in the higher part of his abdomen. The wounds were not at all of a serious character, but the man had lost a good deal of blood. The wounds were such as would be likely to be caused by the knife produced. Prisoner did not seem drunk when witness examined him. Probably lie was sobered by the loss of blood which he had sustained.._  The Chairman asked if prisoner was known to the Chief constable? The Chief-constable: We have not harl him here before._  The Chairman (to prisoner): Do you live here? Prisoner: I was born and bred here, Sir. The Clerk : What on earth possessed you to do a thing like this? Prisoner: I would never have thought of doing such a thing if I had not had some drink. Councillor Yeoman: I would suggest that it was the drink.  The Chairman: This is a very serious thing you know. You might have been dead by this time. Hadn't you better sign the pledge? Prisoner : I'll promise that willingly, Sir. if you'll let me off as leniently as you can. It will perhaps be the means of making a man of me. Dr. Rawlings: He has been pretty severely punished by the loss of blood. I think he can safely be trusted not to attempt such a thing again. The Chairman: You will be discharged on condition that you sign the pledge.  VENUS SOAP prevents chapped hands. Saves rubbing.—Advt.
The Northern Guardian. — 1897-07-29 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

MAN MARRIES HIS SISTER  SENSAMNAL STORY.  KILLED HIS MOTHER WITH A DAGGER.  "AN AWFUL SECRET.''  A jury at Camberwell has returned a verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane in respeA of a man named Henry George Lee, who died fiont taking poison.  An extraordinary story was told by the deceased's widow. It is stated that she was the daughter of Squire Wagg, of Chingford, Essex. Shortly after her birth she was sold to a tribe of gipsies by the name of Lee, and placed in the cu.stody of Rebecca Burham, of Colliugwoad Street, Shoreditch, who held the documents proving her birthright. Two or three years afterwards both she and the documents were stolen by a woman known as Black Mary. a sister cf Rebecca Burnham, who brought her up for a time, and subsequently placed her in a workhouse., where she was taken from the infirmary, awl again went to live with Black Mary, but in 1645 was stolen by a member of the gipsy tribe known as Jonson, who was a relative of the Burnhm's, and was taken on board a vessel lying off Wapping. It was stated shortly before his dea.ii the deceased divulged An Awful Secret. He said that some 45 years ago, while with a tribe of gipsies at Epsom, his father placed a dagger in his hand and he plunged it in to the 6a,..k of a lady, whom he subsequently heard was his mother. The deceased was also the son of Squire W*i; by Charlotte Powell, and was brought up by gipsies until the murder, when he enlistsd for a soldier to get away. She first saw the cieccaA I last November, and was married to him the fut.lowing month. Shortly before Derby Day the chiceased met an old friend, who told him he and his wife were by the same father, and 'atomised to introduce both to the father, but the news wah subsequently received that The Father Was Abroad. After this the deceased told her of the part he ha taken in the murer, and he also told her he was present at the murder at a cad ;arty at Salter's Hill, Norwood, known at the time as the card party affair. The deceased had sere. at times lately threatened to give himself up to the police, for the Epsom murder preyed so on his mind, especially after he discovered they were brothe? and sister as well as man and wif:s.
The Northern Guardian. — 1897-02-03 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

THE ATTEMPT TO MURDER AN ACTRESS.  At the Marylebone Coroner's Court, to-day, BR inquest MIS held respecting the death of Thomas William Arnold (26), cycle maker, of Maldon, Bedfordshire, who committed suicide on Monday, after attempting to murder Miss Waller, an Olympic Theatre actress.  Arnold, father, said deceased corresponded with a London lady. His son left home on Saturday morning, ostensibly to go to Luton. Witness did not know he was going to London. Mrs Moore, mother of the injured lady, ' said Arnold called at 43, York Road and saw her daughter. Arnold made her laughter promise to see him the next day. She made his acquaintance at Bradford Infirmary, where, two years ago she was nursing. Deceased was ill, and Miss Wailer attended him. They were not engaged. On Monelay deceased again called. Witness thought the couple had been together long enough, and called to her. That night her daughter said to Arnold, "1 don't want to see you any more." Witness then heard two pistol shots, and her daughter cried out, "Mother, he has shot me." Both were laying on the staircase. Arnold sent love letters, but Miss Waller returned most of them. Miss Waller was now progressing favourably. Constable Coombes said he found a six-chambered revolver near deceased. Miss Waller said "1 don't know why he shot me. He made love to me, but, I did not want him."  The Coroner announced that amongst the papers on the deceased was the remark that "If anyone wants to know my father's address I here give it. Re knows nothing about it, but I give the address to Ave trouble of finding out." Other communications showed that the affair was premeditated. Deceased had no revolver when he left home. The jury returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide after shooting Miss Waller during temporary insanity.
The Northern Guardian. — 1897-10-22 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE.  MOST TERRIBLE CASE ON RECORD. , The most terrible case of suicide probably on record has taken place at Saint Denis. near Paris. An elderly man named Amede Macien, who had to resign his post of cashier in an important Parisian house of business on account of ill-health, determined to roast himself alive, and succeeded in accomplishing his object. Having lighted an immense fire in his rosin, he undressed and lay down in front of it. The most marvellous part of the story, however, is this, that he actually wrote down a description of his feelings while undergoing this horrible torture. On a piece of paper partly consumed by the fire he had written: "One must have a deal of courage to suffer as I have been doing for an hour past, since my lire was lighted, and to bear the suffering knowing that it must end in death. But it is a long time coming. For two hours now I have been expecting it. It seems to me, however, that my brain grows heavy and my hand less firm. Perhaps my deliverance approaches. I feel my temples beating, but I fear I may be rescued before I am suffocated. But no, I will die first, if not of suffocation, at least of my burns. I feel my left leg and arm roasting, my flesh shrivel up. My temples beat more quickly, I can no longer see. I—." There this strange document ends. The body when discovered wee in a shocking state.  Pure Cocoa is a Perfect Food—the addition of drugs only deteriorates it The "Lanoet" says "Cadbury's Cocoa represents the standard of highest purity—The public should be wary of mixtures, and the plausible arguments used to promote their sale.— Advt. •  orrE-rs UNLABELLED STRONG FEMALE PILLS quickly and certainly remove all OBSTRUCTIONS arising fmm any Cat/RP whatever, where Steel and Pennyroyal faila. Invaluable fm married women. Wet free. under newer, for 14 or 3?. !stamps, fmrn
The Northern Guardian. — 1897-08-23 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

CJI7I- Kind wishes to all.—A. Redpath. Excuse this scrawl; I am bad."  The jury at the inquest returned a verdict of temporary insanity, and condemned the action of Mr Ling in acting individually. At the inquiry there was a full gathering of the Board, the chair being occupied by Mr Bailwood, chairman. The public gallery waa rowded and considc!able feeling was displayed I) y the strangers. Mr Ling addressed the Board in justification ot his conduct. He denied that he had any ill-feeling against the deceased, but that he only reported his conduct to the master as a member of the Board. He made no suggestion to the master , as to the inflicting of punishment, and was ,reatly surprised when he heard of his death. All he did was from a sense of duty. As to the letter which had been written, he expressed grave doubts as to whether Redpath wrote it, inasmuch MI he bad been given ample proof that Redpath could vet write. He denied that he acted as he did because he was a teftotaller. ("Oh!" from the gallery. Mr Emmanuel, the assistant master, stated that he was not a teetotaller, but if he had seen RedI path entering the public-house he should have reported him. Mrs Lockyer (one of the lady guardiansl: Did von see the deceased come out of the house with beer? Mr Emmanuel: Oh, no; I used my own discretion in suspending him. Mrs Lockyer: And the only crime the deceased -vas guilty of was that he was seen to enter a  public-house. ("Hear, hear," from several of the guardians, and applause from the malleryl. I say it's a scandalous thing. (Hear, hear). tri answer to farther nuestions, witness states that he was treated with scant courtesy by the jury several of the guardians alleging that the Piry was "packed" for the occasion. Dr Plews said the deceased called at his house on the morning of the day on which he committed suicide, and witness, as usual, gave him some money. He was then rbt quite sober. and witness advised him to return to the house. The Rev. Harvey Smith: And yet you gave him money? Dr Plews: Yea, I always gave him money, and that he used to 'eve to his Poor old wife, to spend when she went out. Perhaps that'll teach you a bit of Christianity. ("Hear, hear," and laughter.)  \Vin. . ton' Coleman, an inmate meosenger of the 8 4 Mr Melly's f by Bend Or—Stolen Kisses orklionse. said the decearsed handed him a letter 8 4 Mr Rucker's Powderham or the Saturdav•prior to the date of his sucide. ,8 4 Mr Pusses Bell Heather The letter was the one read at the coroner's in-18 4Mr Stevenson's Sweet Afton ; niiest and deceased told him to give the letter to, 8 4 Mr 'Vyner's Philumene Mr Forest. relievin,e• officer. ; 8 4 Lord 7etland's St Veronica The hryitiry was at this juncture adjourned. 8 4 Lord Zetlancrs La Fortune
The Northern Guardian. — 1897-03-02 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

THE CHARGE AGAINST BURLISON. HIS SINGULAR DISAPPEARANCE.  At the Durham Assizes, to-day, Mr Gawan Taylor, in the case of Burlison, charged with de. manding money by threats, said the accused had not appeared, and he asked for a bench warrant for his arrest, and also that the recognisanccs of the witnesses be enlarged to the next Assizs.  Mr Luck said he wished to make an application in regard to the sureties and their bail. His Lordship: No application is before me as to the sureties at present. No application has been made to estreat the recognisauces.  Mr Taylor: I ask your Lordship that the ordinary results follow, and that the recognisance!' be entreated.  Hie Lordship: Then why don't you make the application?  I Mr Taylor: As your Lordship pleases. Mr Luck said he wished to make application on behalf of two of the sureties that his Lordship would enlarge their recognisances till the next Assizes for the purpose of giving them a reasonable opportunity of producing the prisoner. The defendant was released on bail—two sureties of £2OO each and one of £lOO, as well as himself in £lOO —on December 14. At that time he was a young man of exemplary character. From the age of 13 he had been in the service of the North-Eastern Railway Company, and on his discharge on bail his employers took him again into their service. He was in their service up to the sth of February. For seven weeks he I was regularly attending to his duties, and his sureties had every reason to believe he would surrender at the proper time. After attending to his I duties till the sth of February—three weeks last Friday—he applied in the ordinary way to the railway company for passes to Scarborough and I back, and, in accordance with the regulations, two passes were supplied him in the ordinary way. He had an aunt living at Scarborough, and he proposed to visit his aunt. He left home on the night of February 6, presumably to see his aunt, and he had not been seen from that day to the pre-1 sent. On the Monday following, when he did not come to work, his mother was communi., cated with, and inquiries were made. Simultaneously there was found on the banks I of the Tees, about a mile and a half from , Darlington, an undercoat and a topcoat, with I letters addressed to the prisoner. These were subsequently identified as being his property. There were also found the two railway passes which had not been used. A search was made in his rooms, and a letter was found.  His Lordship : Tell me the substance of it. Mr Luck: The substance was that he was about to commit suicide.  His Lordship : Yee, that is what a man who does not so intend often writes.  His Lordship refused the application.