npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1848-07-18 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF A CONSERVATIVE ELECTOR. Smithfield market, and, placing his hand on one of them, On Saturday week the dead body of Mr. John Mulcock, said to the bystanders, " Here give us a hand with this." fly proprietor, of Cheltenham, who had been missing since The request was at once complied with, and the man Thursday, the day of polling at the recent election con- walked off with the half-load of potatoes on his back. The test, was found in a pool, in a lonely spot near the Pitville owner, who had seen the whole proceeding, was for the Gardens. The water was quite shallow, the head being moment astounded at the cool audacity of the fellow • but in 18 inches of water, and the feet on the bank. It was he quickly followed, and accosted the man with " Holloa strongly suspected, therefore, that the unfortunate de- where are you taking those to ?" "To David Matley's ceased was dead before he came into the water, that he and it is cart," was the prompt reply. " But they' are not David remarkable that he had been heard to declare Maley's." "Indeed ! Which are his then ?" asked the should never survive the defeat of Mr. Gardner, his favoinnocent and surprised porter. A moment's investigation rite candidate, and that he should be killed by the vel- revealed that another basket from the same lot had been lows (Mr. Berkeley's supporters).—His wife deposed at furtively abstracted, and the man was given into custody. the inquest that her husband never threatened to commit On the same morning he was brought up at the Borough suicide—that he always came home when ill, and that his Court. His name was Edward Coates, and he stated that h pecuniary circumstances were not in any way deranged. he belonged to Stockport. His defence was that he had mistaken the potatoes for David Matley's; but this was When he came home with the flys after the polling, he was covered with dirt which had been thrown at him._ proved to be a falsehood, and he was sent to gaol for one Hereford Journal. month."—Manchester Examiner.
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1848-03-28 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

THE WILL FORGERY CASE.—On Wednesday last, John Dobbin, late a clerk at the Edge-bill station of the London and North-western Railway, was brought up before the Lord Mayor at the Mansion-house, London, charged with being concerned, with the late Lieut. Peregrine Bowen, half brother to the testator, in forging a will, purporting to be that of W. Musgrove Bowen. It will be remembered that Lieut. Bowen, whilst in custody on the charge, committed suicide by hanging himself in the Giltspur-street Compter. The prisoner is accused of having forged the signature of "John Bell," as attesting witness to the will, which purported to bequeath considerable property to Lieut. P. Bowen, to the prejudice of Mr. Richards, the sole legatee under a will lodged in Doctors Commons. Mr. W. Holland, agent to the London and North-western Railway Company, stated his belief that the signature "John Bell," to the will of March, 1846, was in the handwriting of the prisoner. William Brown, a mariner, said—l was examined at Doctors' Commons, in the case of " Bowen against Richards." I was acquainted with Peregrine Bowen, and issued notices at his desire to discover two persims named " John Bell" and " John Wood." After 'I issued the notices I received a letter, signed " John Bell," by post, and I produced it at Doctors' Commons, where it was deposited. Joseph Hedington, the officer who apprehended the prisoner, found amongst his papers two letters addressed by Lieut. P. Bowen to " John Bell." Patrick Coulon and James Ryan, both of the, revenue police, stated that they knew the prisoner's handwriting, and believed the signature "John Bell" to be his. Mr. Humphreys very closely examined all the witnesses, but admitted that -she. ear,* was one for a jury. The Lord Mayor said fie should certainly_ send, the, prisoner for trial, and directed thit the depositions should Width) out.
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1848-03-28 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

CANTUAR  THE WILL FORGERY CASE.—On Wednesday last, John Dobbin, late a clerk at the Edge-hill station of the London and North-western Railway, was brought up before the Lord Mayor at the Mansion-house, London, charged with being concerned, with the late Lieut Peregrine Bowen, I testo- •fr  :orging It  .cat brother'to the testator, in , purporting to be that of W. Musgrove Bowen  . -will be remembered that Lieut. Bowen,-whilst in custody on the charge, committed suicide by hanging himself in the Giltspur-street Compter. The prisoner is accused of having forged the signature of " John Bell," as attesting witness to the will, which purported to bequeath consi • . derable property to Lieut. P. Bowen, to the prejudice of Mr. Richards, the sole legatee under a will lodged in Doctors' Commons. Mr. W. Holland, agent to the -inn and North-western Railway Company, stated his the signature " John Bell," to the will of "ti"' lutrulwrifinn of the nriannPr_  belief tf  William Brown, a mariner, said—l-was examined at Doctors' Commons, in the case of " Bowen against Richards." I was acquainted with Peregrine Bowen, and issued notices at his desire to discover two persons named " John Bell" and " John Wood." After I issued the notices I received a letter, signed " John Bell," by post, and I produced it at Doctors' Commons, where it was deposited. Joseph Hedington, the officer who apprehended the prisoner, found amongst his papers two letters addressed by Lieut. P. Bowen to " John Bell." Patrick Coulon and James Ryan, both of the revenue police, stated that they knew the prisoner's handwriting, and believed the signature "John Bell" to be his. Mr. Humphreys very closely examined all the witnesses, but admitted that the case was one for a jury. "The T_;oid Mayor said he "shofild ' certainly "send the Tirisdner for trial, and directed that the depositions ehould be mane
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1848-05-09 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

THE SCOTCH EGG TRADE.—Considerably more than 3,500 dozen, or 42,000 eggs, were shipped here on Tuesday per steamer. It is now an undoubted fact that more money is at present annually brought into this country by the exportation of eggs than the entire rental of the country amounted to considerably less than 100 years ago. John 0' Groat's Journal.  Trade in Barnard Castle is deplorable, and there is no sign of improvement. To meet the emergency the Poorlaw Commissioners have granted the guardians of the Teesdale Union an out-door labour order. Already upwards of seventy able-bodied men, many of them with large families, have applied for employment under the order, and several have been set to work. _ _  • On Saturday,:the roof of a thrashing mill on the farm of Rodenlaw, near Edinburgh. was discovered to be on fire, and before the flames could be extinguished a considerable portion of the farm buildings was destroyed. The conflagration is thought to have been caused by a spark from a locomotive engine on the Edinburgh and Glasgow railway, being carried by the wind to the roof, which was thatched with straw.  A dreadful accident has lately occurred at Hever, Kent. A person of the name of Dawes, who was in a barn with a gun, where a person was thrashing, was told to shoot at a rat ; and it appears, that in pulling the gun over the back, or rack, by the muzzle, the piece by some means went off, and the whole contents of the charge were lodged in his body. The poor sufferer expired in about an hour after the accident.  On Monday week, an unfortunate man, who was well known to the metropolitan police as an amateur thieftaker, was brought up before Mr. Hall for assaulting his wife, and fined 405., or in default committed for a month. The unfortunate man, who had only a few days before been sworn in a special constable, committed suicide in his cell by fastening his handkerchief through the air entrance over the door. He was, after a very short time, discovered by Mr. Tyrrell, the gaoler, quite dead. Some London thieves have lately profitably practised a novel fraud, by dressing themselves in leathern aprons, calling at the houses of gentlemen whom they have seen leave home, and saying that they have been ordered to fetch a pair of boots to be stretched. The unsuspecting servants choose the newest boots, as the most likely to need stretching; and the masters find, on their return home that during their absence their best boots have vanished for ever.
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1848-05-09 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

EGG: TRADE. —Consid, :hl tore thal  _'HE LiCOTCII . - terahly 3,500 dozen, or 42,000,egg5. were shipped here on Tuesday per steamer. It is now an undoubted fact that more money is at present annually brought into this country by the exportation of eggs than the entire rental of the country amounted to considerably less than 100 years ago.— John 0' Groat's Journal. Trade in Barnard Castle is deplorable, and there is no sign of improvement. To meet the emergency the Poorlaw Commissioners have granted the guardians of the Teesdale Union an out-door labour order. Already upwards of seventy able-bodied men, many of them with large families, have applied for employment under the order, and several have been set to work. On Saturday :the roof of a thrashing mill on the farm of Rodenlaw, near Edinburgh. was discovered to be on fire, and before the flames could be extinguished a considerable portion of the farm buildings was destroyed. The conflagration is thought to have been caused by a spark from a locomotive engine on the Edinburgh and Glasgow railway, being carried by the wind to the roof, which was thatched with straw.  A dreadful accident has lately occurred at Hever, Kent. A person of the name of Dawes, who was in a barn with a gun, where a person was thrashing, was told to shoot at a rat ; and it appears, that in pulling the gun over the back, or rack, by the muzzle, the piece :1y some means went off, and the whole contents of the charge were lodged in his body. The poor sufferer expired in about an hour after the accident.  On Monday week, an unfortunate man, who was well known to the metropolitan police as an amateur thieftaker, was brought up before Mr. Hall for assaulting his wife, and fined 405., or in default committed for a month. The unfortunate man, who had only a few days before been sworn in a special constable, committed suicide in his cell by fastening his handkerchief through the air entrance over the door. He was, after a very short time, discovered by Mr. Tyrrell, the gaoler, quite dead. Some London thieves have lately profitably practised a novel fraud, by dressing themselves in leathern aprons, calling at the houses of gentlemen whom they have seen leave home, and saying that they have been ordered to fetch a pair'of boots to be stretched. The unsuspecting servants choose the newest boots, as the most likely to need stretching; and the masters find, on their return home that during their absence their best boots have vanished for ever. _ _
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1848-11-07 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

THE SMUGGLING CASE AT ROCHE STER.—On Thurs- are equal to the task of enlightening and evangelizing £30,000 in school books.—lf to all this be added the ing the day when these reductions came into operation, in the northern districts, 2.988, 2,291, and 1,812 ;in the day William Christian, of Craven-street, Strand, publi- this narss of ignorance and vice. That the assistance annual grants to training schools, which must increase all the shipping in the Port was decorated with the flags north midland districts, 1,902, 1,604, and 1,369 ;in the can, John Eling, of Gravesend, van proprietor, and Edwin now offered by Government, is exactly that in kind and 1 from year to year, and which, when Queen's scholars of all nations, and they had guns firing, bell ringing, western, including the iron districts, 6,276, 5,041, and Harding, of High-street, Bermondsey, cab proprietor, degree, which is calculated to call up the energies of the ! enter the training schools, will provide for a large part of and other popular demonstrations ; and Monday, the 13th 4,755. ** A few cases of common cholera are referred remanded at a previous examination on a charge of country, and to secure a system of education adapted to ' their expenditure, it is evident that the parliamentary instant, being the day which has been kept as a holiday to in the Lancashire districts. The population of some smuggling, to which they had since pleaded guilty, were the general necessities of the land both in quality and ee_ grant for the years 1849-50, must be raised from its Pre- for many years past, in commemoration of the celebrated parts, like Hulme, has Probably diminished ; in others it each convicted in a penalty of £lOO. tent. That the fears entertained by some i P•ous persons I sent amount of £125,000 to at least £lBO,OOO or £200,000 ; Edward Colston, one of Bristol's former munificent mer- has increased slowly ; and the Irish immigration into LanSUICIDE OF
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1848-01-11 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

THE DOUBLE SUICIDE IN MARYLEBONE.-Mr. WOEon Monday, held an inquest at the Fitzrny Arms, Clip=ton-street, on the bodies of Alexander Thomas Williams and Susanna his wife, the late proprietors of the Star Coffee-house, in Cleveland-street, Fitzroy-square. The facts of the case oppeared in our last publication, and after evidence had been taken, the jury found that "Alexander Williams died by suicide, but that there was no evidence to show the state of his mind at the time—but that the wife in committing the act was in a state of delirium, occasioned by the shock of seeing her husband  hanging. The Lincolnshire Chronicle relate a curious dream connected with the Kirton murder reported in our last. A person named Whelpton twice dreamt that Copeman (the murdered man) was killed in the place where he was attacked and murdered. On telling Copeman of it the first time he laughed at it. The second time the repetition of the dream evidently affected the unfortunate gentleman, and he solemnly promised his kind monitor never to be again so late in returning home from Kirton as had been his practice. That promise he faithfully kept until the day when the dream was fulfilled, and he met with the awful fate with which the country is familiar. Among the usual Christmas pieces at the various places of amusement in London, the " Golden Branch " at the Lyceum bears the palm. It is put on the stage with all that resplendant scenery of fairy land, which has obtained for Madame Vestris so great a name as manager; and is worthy of the elegant house that is so tastefully decorated as to eclipse in splendour all its competitors, and make the Lyceum the drawing-room of theatres. The parodies on the popular airs of the day are admirably given—several of them by a debutante Miss Fitzwilliam—the freshness of whose voice and manner of singing is quite charming. The introduction of the favourite old air of " Cherryripe," by Madame herself, is a resuscitation in admirable taste, and its nightly encore proclaims its popularity to be undiminished. A
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1848-01-11 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

THE DOUBLE SUICIDE IN MARYLEBONE.—Mr. Wakley, on Monday, held an inquest at the Fitzrny Arms, Clipston-street, on the bodies of Alexander Thomas Wil..  Susanna  proprie  Star Coffee-house, in Cleveland-street, Fitzroy-square. The facts of the case oppeared in our last publication. and after evidence had been taken, the jury found that "Alexander Williams died by suicide, but that there was no evidence to show the state of his mind at the time—but that the wife in committing the act was in a state of delirium, occasioned by the shock of seeing her husband  The Lincolnshire Chronicle relate a curious dream connected with the Kirton murder reported in our last. A person named Whelpton twice dreamt that Copeman (the murdered man) was killed in the place where he was attacked and murdered. On telling Copeman of it the first time he laughed at it. The second time the repetition of the dream evidently affected the unfortunate gentleman, and he solemnly pronSised his kind monitor never to be again so late in returning home from Kirton as had been his practice. That promise lie faithfully kept  le met  until the day when the dream was fulfilled, am with the awful fate with which the country is familiar Among the usual Christmas pieces at the various places of amusement in London, the Golden Branch "at the Lyceum bears the palm. It is put on the stage with all that resplendant scenery of fairy land, which has obtained for Madame Vestris so great a name as manager; and is worthy of the elegant house that is so tastefully decorated as to eclipse in splendour all its competitors, and make the Lyceum the drawing-room of theatres. The parodies on the pipular airs of the day are admirably given—se. veral of them by a debutante Miss Fitzwilliam—the freshness of whose voice and manner of singing is quite charming. The introduction of the favourite old air of " Cherryripe," by Madame herself, is a resuscitation in admirable taste, and its nightly encore proclaims its popularity to be undiminished. A
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1848-02-29 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

MELANCHOLY SUICIDE OF LIEUTENANT PEREGRINE MEN, R.N.—A painful amount of sensation was  .eated at the Mansfon-house, London, on Wednesday, by the announcement of the suicide of this unfortunate gentleman, charged with forging a will, who was to have undergone a second and final examination before the Lord Mayor on that day. He held, up to his apprehension, the Admiralty agency of one, of her Majesty's mail packets trading between Liverpool and Dublin. His brother, Lieut. William Bowen, R.N., died in China in March, 1846. Previous to his departnre there he made a will, which was proved by the executor, but after this will had been admitted to proof, another will was produced by Peregrine Bowen, by which all the property was left to him. Subsequently a person, attired as a sailor, presented himself at Doctor's Commons as an attesting witness to the will, and gave as his name John Wood. it was Bowen himself in disguise. He was immediately apprehended. The forgery of the second will was substantiated, but he persisted in declaring that he knew nothing of the fraudulent transaction. He was remanded till Wednes. day, when he would have been fully committed to Newgate for trial. All the parties were in attendance at the Mansion-house at twelve o'clock, and shortly after the Lord Mayor had taken his seat, a message arrived, communicating to his lordship the self-destruction of the unfortunate man. It appeared that he rose that morning at the usual hour, and from the conversation he had with his fellow prisoners, it seemed that he had made up his mind for the worst. His conduct, apparently, was not different to that he had generally evinced, and about nine o'clock he was missing. One of the warders proceeded in quest of him, and soon discovered his body suspended to the iron gratings of the window, with slips cut from his shirt. He was immediately cut down, and the prison surgeon called in, but life was quite extinct. The deceased was between sixty and seventy years old, and at Liverpool, where he resided, wit§ much respected,
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1848-02-15 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

CURIOUS INCIDENT.—On Saturday, in Hosier-street,. Calton, during the temporary absence of the mistress of the house, a woman entered the room where two young men were sleeping, and, after carefully scrutinizing the inmates of the bed, remarked to herself that "it was all right," and quietly deposited a fine healthy male child between the unconscious sleepers. The transaction was witnessed by a young man who was lying in bed in another part of the room; but, as he was in a weak state of health, having but partially recovered from fever, he could not in any way interfere with the movements of the woman. The astonishment of the mistress of the house may be imagined, when, on entering the door, the lusty squalling of the little stranger met her ear ; and when she saw the place which had been selected for its deposit she awakened the sleepers, but they both protested their entire ignorance of any circumstances which could have led to such an unceremonious intrusion; and the child, a fine boy of about 10 months old, has been handed over to the parochial authorities.—Edinburgh Mail.  ----SAGACITY OF A Doc.—The Dundee Advertiser reports the suicide of a young girl at Rothsay by drowning, in consequence of her friends refusing their consent to her marriage with a young man to whom she was engaged. Our provincial contemporary adds :—" There was a circumstance connected with this tragical affair which invests it with a horrid and melancholy interest. The girl left the house between five and six o'clock in the evening, and returned again about eleven o'clock in a state of convulsive agitation—her eyes frenzied, her hair dishevelled, and her dress disordered and torn, and dripping with wet; and she bore evidence of having been engaged in an agitating and violent struggle. She spoke not, but opening the door, thrust in the house-dog, by which she had been accompanied, and, shutting the door, immediately disappeared. It is conjectured, and with a great degree of probability, that this sagacious animal, with that almost reasoning instinct for which the Newfoundland dog is so much noted, had by force prevented her from committing the rash act, which she had attempted, but which she could not accomplish until she returned with him, a distance of between two and three miles."
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1848-02-08 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

OPENING DINNER.—On Thursday evening last, Mr. Mullen, landlord of the new hotel, the Wellington, at Liscard village—recently licensed—entertained his friends by a dinner given, in celebration of his having commenced business on an extended scale in that handsome and commodious establishment, and in grateful acknowledgment of past favours. Nearly the whole of the invited guests attended on the occasion, so that the large club-room was insufficient to accommodate the whole, during the repast, and a considerable number were served in other apartments. Upwards of seventy, in all, were present, including several professional gentlemen, and many of the most respectable tradesmen of the vicinity. The entertainment comprised substantial joints and delicacies, the whole of which did honour to the cuisine, and were done ample justice to by all present. On the cloth being withdrawn, a chairman was appointed for the convivial portion of the evening, and the loyal toasts were followed by others appropriate to the occasion, each introduced in a manner that appeared to be highly satisfactory. The healths of Mr., Mrs., and Miss Mullen were respectively introduced in deserved terms of commendation, and drunk amidst deafening applause. Among the toasts that succeeded were,--" Increased prosperity to the inhabitants of the parish of Wallasey ;" " The agriculturists and gardeners, and may they not be re-visited by the potato rot; " The proprietor of the hotel, Mr. W. Strong, and long may he and his tenant remain on those amicable terms advantageous to both ;" " The town and trade of Liverpool," coupled with a wish that those in the management of the docks on the Lancashire and Cheshire shores may soon shake hands, so that the " good old town," and the new town of Birkenhead may ere long together constitute the port of the Mersey. Three young men who were guests volunteered a number of glees, which were sung with much taste and effect. The conviviality was kept up for several, hours, and the guests departed highly gratified, and expressed their best wishes for the increased prosperity of the Wellington,  MELANCHOLY SUICiDE AT