npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1913-06-25 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

STRUGGLE IN HOYLAKE HOSPITAL.  WOULD-BE SUICIDE'S DESPERATE  FIGHT.  The story of a terrible scene which was enacted in the Hoylake Cottage Hospital on the night of the 7th inst., was told at the County Police Court on Monday morning when, before Messrs. T. Russell Lee and C. Morton, and Dr.. Vacher, a man named Frederick William Atkins, of ! Brewster-street, Kirkdale, Liverpool, was charged with having attempted to commit suicide by taking poison. Mr. J. R. M. Dickenson, architect and eurvayor, of 44, Euston-grove, Birkenhead, said that he was walking along Marine. drive, Hoylake, at about twenty minutes past ten On the night in question ben his ,attention was called to a man who was lying ,on the pavement near the (-rimer of Alderley-road. He was groaning loudly, and witness, who ffrin thought the mai, was drunk, went across the road and turtle!' him over.. The man put his hands to his stomach, and witness noticed pnces of a broken bottle lying about near tim. A label, "Spirits of Salts," was attacked fo one of the pieces. Some liquid had been spilled on the ground. Witness went for .a doctor, and when he came 'sack the wan was being helped into a cab. Dr. Burgess, Market-street, Hoylake, said he was 'called to s€ 43 the prisoner on the night of June 7th, and found him to he suffering from the effects of !spirits of salts (commercial hydrochloric acid) poisoning and alcohol. Witness visited him in the Cottage Hospital, and heard him say there that he would make another attempt on hia life, as he wanted to die. Inspector Wilson said he went to the :Cottage Hospital on the night in question and there found the prisoner struggling on the floor. He refused to take an emetic and when it was decided to administer chloroform, about half-a-dozen men were uired to hold him down. As he was taking the chloroform he said, "If I get over it this time, I will do it again." A bottle half full of whisky was found amongst his possessions. • 'Prisoner, who was committed to the • Quarter Sessions, sapid he was very sorry he did it, and promised that it would not ' occur again
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1913-02-05 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

INQUEST AND VERDICT.  A distressing tragedy occurred at • Port Sunlight on Saturday afternoon, when a, married woman named Margaret Ana Nowall. aged 35 years, wife of Thomas Neat. all, carter employed by Mesars. Lever Bros. committed suicide by cutting lier throat with a razor. _ _ _  The deceased, who resided at 27, Cornioha road, Port Sunlight, had been very depressed tbat day owing to the fact that her mother, who was 9D years of age and lived with her, hid been found dead in bed that morn. big. The shock affected her considerruhly, and during the afternoon, after having a elm of tea with her sister. she went upstairs to lie down. Shortly afterwards she was discovered lyin, on the bed with a deep gash in her throat, which had apparently bedn inflicted with a rar.or belonging to her husband, who bad previously gone out to procure a certificate in respect of his mother-in-law's death.. The room floor end mirror were besptttered with blood. A verdict of 'Suicide whilst of unsound mind" was returned at the inquest, which was conducted by Mr. J. C. Bate, the Coroner for West Cheshire, at the. New Ferry Felice Station on Monday. The decea-sNrs husband. Thomas Newell. a carter, stated that his wife had been very unwell and depressed, and on SatrizdaY when she heard of her mother's death, her depression was increased. Witness went for a death certificate and upon returning was told that his wife had committed  Margaret Elizabeth Bate, sister of the deceased. said that she was in New&ll's house on Saturday afternoon and saw Mrs. Newell, who was apparently bearing up very bravely. Deceased went upstairs, ostensibly to rest, and soon after witness followed her and found that her sister had cat her throat. Witness rushed into the street and informed a person who was passing. The doctor was summoned: A neighbour spoke to being called into deceased's house and to finding Mrs. Newell' lying OD the bedroom floor in a pool of blood. She moved her downstairs and the doctor arrived shortly afterwards. Hr. Wilson, of the Port Sunlight Cottage Hospital. said be was called to the house at 7=30 on Saturday' night and found the deceased in a state of collapse. She had a deep wound ahout 8 inches long, in her throat. It was in such, a position that it could have -been self-inflicted. Re rendered first aid and the woman was conveyed to the hospital. where her throat was stitched. She appeared to recover somewhat—but ear— ing to the great loss of blood and shock. she. took a turn for the worse and expired at. half-past six from heart failure. 'Witness examined the room about nine o'clock that night and found a blood-stained razor on the table. There was a quantity of blood on the room floor and also a few splashea on the mirror. The jury returned the verdict above stated.  HARVZY VACUITM CLEANZ
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-08-31 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

TEMPORARILY INSANE: VERDICT IN THE BIDSTON HILL TRAGEDY. -DISGRACEFUL DEMONSTRATION . AGAINST THE FATHER.  Very little further information in respect to the sad suicide of the young woman Jane Lodwick was gleaned at the resumed inquiry ' which was held by Mr. Cecil Holden, the Borough Coroner, on Thursday afternoon.l It may be remembered that at the opening of the inquest on Monday, the father of the girl showed that the girl was at times stubborn and refused to take medicine pre- , scribed for her, she having suftered from ' ill health for about three years. From his evidence it was seen that she was treated with every kindness both by himself and her stepmother, but deceased rather resented the presence of his wife in the home. On two occasions, both in August of 1906, she made attempts on her life, first by taking some lotion prescribed for a disease of her skin, ilnd subsequently by strangulation. Fortunately both were trustrated. The Coroner interrogated the lather in respect to his having locked the girl out of the house on two o.ions, just prior to the night of the tragedy, and everything went to show that it was the girl's own fault, she refusing to enter the house even when coaxed and pleaded with to do so. On Friday, Aug. 23rd, the girl left home early in the morning, but was seen by her father some time in the evening of the same day in company with a girl named Louisa "1 homas. The girl's dead body was found at 10,50 p.m. the same night on a piece of vacant land near the Cemetery, by a man named Frederick Thos. Halewood. Near the body was a bottle containing a small quantity of oxalic acid.  The inquiry, it may be remembered, was adjourned primarily to obtain the evidence of Louisa Thomas.  The first witness called was Sarah Lodwick, stepmother of the deceased girl. She said she had been married to her present husband six years. She had endeavoured to make the home comfortable. Deceased was treated with every kindness, but she was stubborn and on occasions refused to eat her meals. Two letters (produced) were found by witness. The first was discovered a few days before her stepdaughter's death, and the second in the bedroom after the occurrence. She corroborated her husband's statement regarding the occasion when deceased was locked out of the house. On the morning of the 23rd, the girl left at about 7 o'clock in the morning. She said she was going to a situation. She would not have any breakfast before going out, giving as her excuse that she would get it at her situation. When , asked where it was, witness was told to mind her own business.  Questioned as to the writers of the letters witness Said she did not know who" Harry" was, but the other to " Willie " was to a young seaman named William Smith.  AN
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-12-28 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

NESTON AND DISTRICT.  Neston matters have perhaps gone as slow, if not slower, than those of Homan. The council meetings have generally been of a breezy nature, the school question being one for ripe discussion. During the latter part of the year the cause of temperance was brought out strongly in the district, leaving no little impression on the residents. The members of the quoiting clubs passed through a successful season during the summer. The Gleemen's Concert held in February was very successful, as were the meetings held in connection with the Young Women's Guild. The boys' ' brigade spent a pleasant timeiin camp, as did the Neston company of the Ist V.B. Cheshire Regiment. On April 4th and sth pleasing performances of "The Mikado" were given by the Neston Concord Society, in the Liberal Club, which hall, we are sorry to state, will have to be closed before the expiration of many months. On Feb. 19th the death took place of Mr. James Ball, a well-known and esteemed farmer, of Neston. He resided in the district for 12 years, and was a member of the Wirral Farmers' Club. The death of Colonel Lacy, another respected resident, took place in September, at the age of 85 years. Colonel Lacy was secretary of the Neston Gas Company, holding a similar position at the Convalescent Home, Parkgate. The terrible suicide and burning tragedy, which both occurred about the same time in September, also caused sorrow. Several pretty and interesting weddings have taken place during the year, including that of Miss Josephine Hoult, and Mr. Thomas W. Trevor, at Thornton Hough, in June. Last but not least most be recorded the admirable manner in which the amiable Sergeant Wharam, of the police 'station. and Mr. Rooke, Neston's genial stationmaster, have carried out their respective duties to the satisfaction of all.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-12-28 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

HESW ALL.  Incidents of note in the peaceable life of Heswall during the past year have been few and far between. 'The first matter of importance was, of course, the lighting question, about which there was no little argument. The question has been one which invited inquiry for many years, but its real importance was brought before the notice of the ratepayers when that fatal and most distressing accident occurred last year, resulting in the death of a prominent and respected gentleman. On January: 29th Mesas. Robinson and Carter, electrical engineers, of Liverpool,presented their agreement to the Parish Council to light the district by means of ' electricity on conditions which have been before published in these columns. At that meeting of the council, Mr. Rowland explained that certain ratepayers wanted the lighting, whilst others refused to give their sanction to such a thing. It was decided that the Council consider the agreewent in committee. Since that date there has been endless discussion on the question, and a poll was taken showing that the majority of Ileswall's ratepayers were in favour of lighting. Matters came to a termination some few weeks ago, when the Council came to terms with the contractors, who will commence working operations at the beginning of 190 e. Another matter which was much argued was the drainage of the banal ground which has since been opened, and about which the Rector had some words to say. The P.S.A., the Working ' Men's Club, the 8.W.T.A., and other institutions in that connection. have all progressed most favourably. The IS'ursbig Society has also gone on exceedingly well, and at the annual meeting held in August a very able address was given by Sir James Barr, the eminent Liverpool physician. There have been many deaths to be deplored, and amongst those who have gone are included several prominent residents. Sergeant Roberts, of the County Constabulary, succumbed to an attack of pneumonia on Jan. Il3th, his death causing much regret for he was a man well liked in the district. The death of Mrs. Ismay, of Thurstaston, was also deeply regretted, as was that of Mrs. Young. a lady who was liked and,loved by all. The terrible drowning tragedy in August, resulting in the death of the young Pishennan Evans is thought of with feel-1 lags of sorrow and much sympathx is felt I for Om ion of Etehard Boyle, an oid mid ant who committed suicide, in his,bereave- I ment• The affairs of the various ralisi gious bodes have gone on in a 'satisfactory way. The Rev. T. H. Kidd came to the Heswall Wesleyan Church during the year, and he has won the hearts of his flock to the fullest degree. The announcement of the departure of the Rev. C. Teasley from ; the Pariah Church waz received with regret
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-01-09 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

DISTRESSING SUICIDE. LocAL ADULT SCHOOLS I COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS  younG WOMAN'S RASH ACT vent which is marked by much 'Mined on Saturday when a young named Jane Ellen Griffiths, only 20 i age. and residing in Woodchurchomitted suicide by taking salts of Mr. Cecil Holden (the Borough .) yesterday conducted an inquiry circumstances of her death. Rachael Griffiths stated that dealso was her sister, had been under ras treatment of Drs. McDonnell and Kidd time. suffering from nervous tor Pone d hilitv. She thought her sister was gralea lir* failing in health to a certain ex'und she suffered from lite of depress • -!'onally She had not, however, Jaa °eras ;ibib,ted any inclination to take her life. is far as witness knew her sister had no +rouble whatever. On Saturday morning arose and was then apparently all r flit. On Monday afternoon witness went .• - o t her own bedroom, and not being ups.aas able to see her sister, called out to her. Deceased pima, IN A VERY STRANGE vont. iad said "Do you want me?" That excited her attention, and she went into her tiger's room. She discovered her by the of the bed, and naturally inquired what was the matter. Deceased pointed to a bottle lying on the table, and said she had oniy taken a little of its contents. There was no label on the bottle, and there dhop of a yellowish coloured liquid left• ic the bottle and also a glass tube. She asked her sister what she had taken, and she replied "Spirits of salts." She then corn:waved vomiting. Witness then ran out and brought the nearest chemist, and also went for Dr. Murphy, who at once went to the house He also came at various intervals during the day, but deceased ultimately died on Sunday evening at half-past even. During the day witness asked her Meter how she was, and she said her mind • strange before she had taken the "salts.- and it was also strange then. Wit'iris endeavoured to comfort her, and told her that she would get better, but she said that ~he did not wish to get better. Wit• showed the bottle to Dr. Murphy, and afterwards threw it on the fire, thinking, of course that it would not be required. 'The Coroner: It was a pity you did that. Dr. Murphy, in answer to the Coroner. Mid that spirits of salts, as he always knew I. wale oxalic acid. Miss Griffiths, who we. now giving her evidence, said that they never had occasion to use that in the house, and they did not have any of it. Ntuther had she seen the bottle before. but her sister had
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-04-03 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE DRINK TRAFFIC.  TO TUX SUITOR OF TUlt BITLIENHIAD XXXX  Sir,—Having read several letters in your paper on the temperance question, it appears to me that none of them go straight to the root oi the question. If homes are broken up and sold stick by stick, whose fault is it?.. .  If the children are neglected, whose fault is that? Is it not the parents? If the labourer, when he gets his wages on Saturday night, spends his money in the beerhouse instead of taking it home for the benefit of his family, and his children are neglected, ought he not to be punished? If the wife on Monday gets drunk before dinner-time, and neglects her children, ought he not to be punished? I make bold to say that if the problem of "non-cruelty to children" be solved, the "drink question" is solved. Who cares a pin whether the millionaire is drunk every day or not? Who can stop them making champagne or brandy on the Continent, and whc can stop them drinking it in France and any other country? If the rich man wishes to poison himself with alcohol, there are other ways of committing suicide besides that.  What we have to do is to see that the children are not neglected through the intemperance of the parents, and, if they are, to get the parents punished. With regard to slums, there is no doubt that the presence of a number of public. houses in a given area tends to create them, and as a remedy for this I would give Mr. Balfour's Compensation Act of 1904 a fair trial, till all the smaller houses are bought up, and those that are left be put under disinterested management and municipal control. It is said that this will make them respectable. Be it so. Let those who can afford to drink—drink to their heart's content; but put a policeman at the door, and if he knows that anyone is neglecting his or her family—stop them at once. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is the best channel whereby to get at the root of the evil caused by drink, and I say uphold it, strengthen it, and give it more power, and punish all the neglectful parents with the utmost rigour of the law.—Yours, Ac., W.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-03-02 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

GIRL'S TROUBLE.  RUSHING TOWARDS THE DOCK.  At the Borough Police Court on Wednesday Mary Doyle, a poorly dressei girl, who said she was 21, but who looked younger. was brought up in charge with having attempted to commit suicide that morning. Evidence was given which showed that the prisoner had no living relatives except a brother, who was absent from Birkenhead at the present time. She had been employed by a Mrs. McNulty, who keeps a shop in Cathcart-street. She bad been keeping coin pany with a young fellow, and bd reason to fear she was in trouble because of him, and on Wednesday in last week Mrs. McNulty advised her to go into the workhouse. She stayed in the workhouse until Monday and then left to try to get Mrs. McNulty to take her on again. That person took pity on her, and had her back at her house. Doyle told Mrs. McNulty her young man "had given her up," and the young fellow in question admitted as much to Mrs. McNulty on Tuesday night. On Wednesday morning Doyle seemed to be fretting very much, and 'Mrs. McNulty (as she was a Roman Catholic) suggested that she should go and "see the priest." As the girl, however, had asked her previously "if she kept salts of lemon," and had asked for other dangerous things, Mrs. McNulty got a youth named James Williamson to follow her. Williamson saw the girl running towards the Vittoria Dock, and he ran after her, and caught hold of her just before she reached the dock side chain, at which time she was running as if she intended to "go straight in." She told him that she wanted to "do away with herself." He held her, and some men came up, and then the girl fell down in what seemed to be a fit. P.C. Barrett (7D) came on the scene, and on the girl recovering she was taken to the main bridewell. She was then in a very excited condition, and she' told Supt. Parker of her "trouble," and that her young man had "forsaken her," and had retracted his promise to marry her. In the girl's pocket the police found a letter written by her. It was in pencil, and some parts were illegible, but the following passages were read out by the clerk : "Dear James Randles,—l am sorry this trouble is oome between us, as you know you are the cause of it all, and now you are trying.to get out of it. I think the best thing is to do away with myself, as you don't in marrying me . Some words here not readable.) That is all lies you was told, and it is me you will be sorry for. Mc mind's a misery to me. . . . Good bye, I am sorry I cannot see you; I am so upset. —From Mary Doyle, to her sweetheart, James Bandies. I am heart-broken." Some crosses (for kisses) followed. The Bench remanded the prisoner (who cried slightly while in the dock) to the workhouse for a fortnight, for her mental .itate to be observed.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-05-08 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

YOUNG CLERK'S ATTEMPTED  SUICIDE.  John Panriso Ustick Christoe (23t. a clerk occupying apartments in Seymourstreet, Liverpool, was charged at the Liecard Police Court on Monday, before 'Messrs. R. W. Preston and Wellington A. Williams, with having attempted to commit suicide._  Lewis.Jamss Albert of 5, Clarendonroad, Egremont, said that on Saturday night he was crossing to Seacombe on the Dadodil, which left Liverpool at 11.15, when he saw prisoner near to the side of the boat tussling with someone. Prisoner excla.ined: "I am sick of life; I am going into the river," and his hat dropped into the water. He made at attempt to get over the side of the boat, but witness seized hold of him and tried to calm him down. Witness tetained h;s hold of the young man until they had passed through the turnstile, when he become obstreperous, and breaking away rushed towards the railings. Witness grasped hold of him just as he was getting over. Thera was a low tide, and if prisoner had dropped the consequences would have been serious. Witness walked plisoner about, and when he became calmer he observed: You have been kind to me. This is the third time I have been like this." Shortly afterwards he seemed to lose his self-control again, and witness was obliged to call the police. Asked by the Chairman why he at-1 tempted to do such a foolish thing,l prisoner replied that he was worried in business.  -7The Chairman: Had you had any drink? Prisoner: I had fire glasses of whisky; that's all.  Mr. Wffliams: A good dose, too. The Chairman: Are you in the habit of taking drink? Prisoner: I generally take beer, not whisky. Prisoner's mother, who had come up from London the previous night, said that her son was not in the habit of takm; drink, though he had been inebriated on one or two occasions. He had never done anything like this before, and she thought it was the drink which had caused him not to know what he was doing. She intended to take him back to London with her, and would make him sign the pledge. The Chairman said it was evident it bad been a matter of drink, and he hoped prisoner would not disgraoe himself again by acting in such a manner. He would be discharged. The Bench and also Mrs. Christoe, expressed their thanks to Mr. Lewis for his admirable conduct in the  —Supt. McDonald remarked that tbie waa the second time within a short space of time that Mr. Lewis had saved a would-be suicide.