npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1903-08-14 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

NELSON.  Scale Pay.—The officials have paid this week over £45 to their members for stoppages in accordance with rule.  Resumption of Work.—On Monday morning the remainder of the firms who were stopped all last week resumed work, so that all are running this week.  Women's Suffrage.—The committee of the Weavers' Association are carrying out the instructions of their members this week relative to the above, and ballot papers are being taken round by the collectors, which must be returned on Monday evening. All 18 years of age and over are asked to vote as they deem best. Cotton Trade.—The outlook here is as gloomy as ever. Some of the firms who are running full time have a. difficulty in getting yarn, and consequently a larger number of looms are stopped than was anticipated. The system of taking one loom GI each weaver is being condemned, but the employers maintain they have no other course on account of time orders. The weavers who are weaving out at two firms are daily coming on the overstocked labour market. It is stated that another firm has given a majority of the weavers notice that their services are no longer required .lor the present.  Labour Representation.—The Executive Committee of the Labour Representation Association have been busy for some time preparing for any emergency, and when November arrives they will no doubt have their machinery ready for action. They have decided to contest Southfield Ward again, as they were only defeated by a narrow vote last year. Mr. Thomas Lambert, taper, has been selected as the candidate. They have also decided to bring out Councillor Jas. Whitham for Waiverden Ward, which he now represents on the Connell. The Socialists have decided to have another attempt at Bradley Ward, and have selected Mr. Wm. Othello Dyson, weaver, as their candidate. Weaver's Shocking Death.—On Saturday night considerable excitement was caused by the report that a man had been killed on the railway. At the inquest on Tuesday it transpired that the man was Parrer Whitworth, age 30, weaver, of Annstreet. It appears he went out on Saturday night promising to be back in about half-an-hour. De was seen leaning on the gale at the Hard Platt Crossing, and when he had allowed a couple to go through the gate, he appeared to follow them across the line, but was immediately run over by a light engine. The engine driver stated that deceased must have been lying down from the way we caught him. The Coroner remarked that the man had been strange for some time, and therefore he thought it was a case of suicide whilst of unsound mind, a verdict to this effect being returned.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1903-08-14 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

MACCLESFIELD.  What is happening at your work? Write the "Factory Times" about it.  Changes.—lt is reported that a local firm have purchased the entire buildings, plant, and stock of another firm.  Cotton Trade.—The Globe Cotton Spinning and Manufacturing Company's Lower lleyes Mill has now been stopped nine weeks, and although the new engines are completed, no intimation has yet been made as to re-starting.  Accident.—On Saturday morning a rather serious accident occurred at the Lower Reyes Mill to a rnan named Harry Garforth, a weaver, but who has been engaged as a labourer during the erection of the new engines. It appears he was tv3sisting to place a stone in position when it tilted, injuring him about the chest and legs. He was at once conveyed to the Infirmary, where he is at present detained as an in-patient.  Suicide of a Silk Weaver.—The report was received at the police office on Friday morning of the suicide of George Ball, aged 69 years, a silk weaver' residing at 135, Newton-street. The deceased bad been in a depressed state of mind for some time, in consequence of bad trade, and on Friday morning his son left him at 6 20 sitting in the chair downstairs, but when another weaver named James Kirkham, who works in the same garret, went to work, he found the deceased hanging from a girder by a rope in the garret. He was dead when cut down.  Joint Meeting.—A special joint meeting of the committees of Lhe Weavers, Winders, Warpers, Spinners, and Cardroom Operatives' Associations was held on Monday evening in Daybrook-street Schoolroom. The chairman stated unit the meeting had been called in consequence of the distress which existed amongst operatives owing to the stoppage. After • y discussion it was decided to approach the firm in question arid ask if they could not see their way to alleviate the distress by re-starting the mill for a few days per week. We hear that an endeavour is being made to form a committee to open a relief fund.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1903-08-28 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

AND THE LOOM.  BOLTON.  What is happening at your work? Write the "Factory Times" about it.  Accident.—Alfred Johnson, 58 years of age, residing in Back Ormrod-street, Bolton, met with a serious accident on Tuesday afternoon at the new mill of the North End spinning Company, now approaching completion on Blackburn-road. He fell some distance from a ladder, dislocating his shoulder and severely bruising himself, lie was conveyed home on the fire brigade ambulance after having had his injuries attended to by a doctor.  Piecer's Sudden Death.—An awfully sudden death of a pieeer employed at the Great Lever hpinning Company named Ralph Taylor occurred on Saturday. Deceased, who had always had good health, on returning from his work stated that he was going in a walking match. He afterwards went and paced a youth, and while doing so suddenly dropped down dead, supposed to be from heart failure. Great sympathy is felt for the parents. _ _  A Distracted Spinner.—The suicide of William Crompton, self-actor minder, 41 years of age, residing at 50 John Taylor-street, was inquired into by the Bolton borough coroner on Wednesday. The evidence disclosed a sad state of affairs. Crompton's wife suffered from bronchitis, dropsy, and heart disease, and was confined to bed. Her illness preyed on Crompton's mind, and brought him to a state of distraction, so much so that he was compelled to leave his work as a spinner on Tuesday, and next morning went out and drowned himself in the Earl of Bradford's reservoir at Great Lever. A verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane" was returned. Local Trade.—The cotton industry shows no sign of improvement. There are more stoppages at mills than has been he case for the last ten years. The Spin,.- Association are paying large sum z iemporary stoppage benefit each week- 7„.,.0g the holiday week, when the mills usually stop three days only, fifty mills were stopped for the whole of the week, and several have not yet started work. The association paid 822 spinners and 850 piecers stoppage pay amounting to £5Ol. This is the largest amount paid in any week during the last fifteen years. Large mounts are also being paid in several of the branches. Fortunately the society has a large reserve fund, the payments made not affecting their stability.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1903-09-25 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

ACCRINGTON.  Playing for Warps.—lt is estimated that in the town there are quite 2,000 looms playing for warps.  Re-start.—After working a few days the Canal Mill, Clayton-le-Moors, stopped again on Friday night last until Monday neat, the 28th. Weaving Trade.—Weaving is much worse, playing for warps being very prevalent. There are rumours of several sheds being about to atop for an indefinite period. "  Short Time.—Cunliffe Bros'. Broad Oak Mill is still on short time. The twist spinners are working three and the weft spinners two days per week. Stoneholmo Mill, Cramshawbooth, is still on short time.  Stoppages.--Messrs. J. and R. Cunliffe's Broad Oak Mill was stopped on Saturday, whilst Ellesmere, Hyndburn, Union, and Heifer Bank Mills were closed from Friday night until Tuesday morning.  Suicide of a Winder.—On Monday an inquest was held at the Town Hall on the body of Rhoda Moorhouse, a winder, 22 years of age. The evidence showed that deceased, though not weakly constituted, complained last Thursday of a headache, and in consequence asked off from her work at Melbourne Mill, where she had been employed for the last 19 years. In the evening she seemed much better, and went out, as she said, to tell the woman who had been working in her place that she was ready to go back to the mill. Her family did not see her alive again. The following morning a man named Hill noticed a shawl on the bank of Plantation lodge, and afterwards, with assistance, recovered the body of the young woman from the water. There was no evidence that deceased had had any trouble either at home or the mill. The jury returned a verdict of suicide, but said there was no evidence the show the staie of the woman's mind- A juryman pointed out that as there had been so many drowning cases in these lodges it might be advisable to recommend that they should be fenced round. The coroner did not think that would prevent such persons from getting to the water.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1903-05-01 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

OUR SPECIAL COMMISSIONER.)  The tacklers of Lancashire are to-day turning over in their minds the allegations made against them in connection with "driving." Stirred by the attempted suicide of the Accrington girl, following closely on the suicide at Darwen, the Lancashire weavers are vigorously condemning this system, and are not sparing the overlookers by their criticisms. That "they strive to get out of the blood and sinew what should come out of the iron loom," that "if employers would insist upon having a better class of tacklers it would do something towards improving the condition of mill life so far as weavers are concerned," and that" the tackler generally selects his victim who he intends to harass and insult till he forces him to leave," are statements which overlookers complain are hardly tempered with justice. The charges in a few instances are doubtlessly justified but, in the majority of cases, it would be more charitable to acknowledge that, sandwiched "BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP SEA,"  the tackler is, as the "Factory Times" has already stated, and as Mr. Shackleton is grateful enough to acknowledge, also, to a great extent the "creature of circumstances." Before we can eradicate the driving evil we shall have to get beyond the tackler behind whom the real culprit is hiding; the employer must be firmly given to understand that if the weavers are to be engaged on piece terms they can be safely left to do a fair day's work in their own interests, without having placed over them a man whose earnings depend upon the extent to which he can wring from women and girls that last effort' which not even their own desire for high wages can compel them to make. In my last article on this subject I suggested that an effort be made to get representative overlookers and weavers together to see if some practical policy could not be agreed upon which would have the effect of lessening the evil, and Mr. Shackleton having offered the assurance that any action the overlookers might take in the matter would have the full support of the weavers, I sought an interview with a leading overlooker, in order to inquire if something could not be done.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1903-06-19 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

BURY AND ELTON.  Mill Fire.—About 7 45 on Tuesday night a fire broke out in the Marslani Dyeing Company's mills at Heap Bridge, a branch of the British Cotton and Wool Dyers' Association. A boy observed smoke and flames issuing from the premises, and immediately broke the glass of the fire alarm in Wrigley-lane about 7 57. Superintendent Geall and nine men turned out with the No. 2 steam fire engine. When the firemen arrived at 85, the hank stove, which is used for drying hanks, was all ablaze, and they succeeded in subduing the outbreak by 8 40. The damage, which is estimated at about £lOO, apart from any stock that may have been in the drying stove, is covered by insurance.  Sad End of an Operative Cotton Spinner.—An inquiry was held at Happy Home Temperance Hall, Bury, on Monday, into the circumstances attending the death of Thomas Woodcock, operative cotton spinner, aged 61 years, residing at 33, Pump-street, Bury. The evidence showed that recently the deceased had been away from his work and ill for some weeks. He had been lowspirited because he felt that he was going worse every day, and the doctor said paralysis would ensue. He slept downstairs, and his blind daughter was in the habit of going downstairs three or four times in the night to attend to his wants. On Sunday morning she was doing so when she came in contact with his dead body hanging from the clothes rail by a rope.—A verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane was returned.  State of Trade.—We understand that among other mills where short time is being run are Messrs. J. K. Schofield and Company's Clarendon. street Mills, which have adopted three days per week (Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays); the Bury and Heap Commercial Company's mills at Chesham Fields Mills, Freetown, and Higher Woodhill, Elton, which are running four days per week of eight hours per day; the Bury Cotton Spinning and Manufacturing Company, Barnbrook Mills, Bury, are stopping Saturdays and Mondays, as also are Messrs. J. Kenyon and Son, Messrs. C. Openshaw and Son, and Messrs. W. and G. Openshaw, Pimhole. The Moorside Mills are working full time owing to the arrangements by which they have to supply power to Messrs. Hardman's weaving shed, but the mill is only running part of the machinery alternately.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1898-06-24 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

LANCASHIRE WEAVER'S SHOCKING  CRIME.  A horrible wife murder and suicide occurred at Lowell, Mass., on June Bth. J-3seph Ellis, an Englishman, a weaver by occupation, cat his wife's throat with a razor and then slashed his own throat with the same instrument. She died within a few minutes. He lingered a few hours, and expired at a hospital to which he had been taken. Ellis is supposed to have resided at one time in Leeds, and to have been at various times a resident of several places iu the Lancashire district. The tragedy occurred at the home of a police officer, in a sinkroom leading off the diningroom, about seven o'clock in the evening, while several persons were in the vicinity. The murderer forced his wife into the little room, bent her head over the sink, held the door fast with his foot, and drew the razor across her throat. Since last January Mrs. Ellis. whose Christian name was Ellen, has lived with the family of the policeman. She was married in England, so far as can belearned, in Lancashire, and they came to America about 10 years ago. About seven o'clock the landlady went out, leaving Mrs. Ellis washing the dishes. A few minutes later a scream was heard. Mrs. Ellis crying, "lie's got a razor; he's murdering me!" The landlady ran back to the house, and found Ellis choking his wife. Her outcries brought several men to the scene. Ellis had the door of the siukroom nearly closed, and resisted all attempts to force it mail he was dealt a heavy ' blow on the head with a milk can. Ellis was seized by two men and rushed out of doors to a bit of grass sward, where he fell, the blood pouring from a wound in the neck. He slashed savagely at them with the razor, but the weapon was wrested from him, and, finally, weak from the loss of blood, he collapsed and lay curled up on his side, dying. Mrs. Ellis fell to the floor, across the threshold into the dirungroora, when her husband was torn away from her. When her would-be rescuers returned sbe was alive, but she expired within a few minutes.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1898-12-30 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN  WALES. Murder and Suicide. Whole Family Dead.  A Portmadoc correspondent telegraphs that suspicions having been caused as to the sudden diee.ppearanoe of Mr. William Williams, his wife, and two children, living at Ivy Cottage, Criccieth, on Tuesday Police-constable William Owen (46), in the company of a friend of Mrs. Williams, took a ladder and ascended to the front upper window of the house. Looking throngb, the officer saw William Williams lying on the bed, with a revolver in his hand and a wound on the crown of his head. The officer then went down, forced the door open, and proceeded with the friend upstairs, where he discovered one five-year-old child in the back room, one child in the corner of the front room, and Mrs. Williams and William Williams in a bed, all with bullet wounds in their temples and the upper part of the head. The father must have shot his wife first, tben the two children, and afterwards himself. The wife and the children seemed not to have moved after being shot. They must have been dead for over a week. No reason is given for such a tragedy. The house is part of a cottage in a rather lonely spot above Arvonia-terrace. A family lived in the other part of the house, but heard nothing of the matter till Police-constable Owen made the discovery. The terrible event has created a profound sensation in the place. Mrs. Williams was a lady well brought up and highly educated. She was the daughter of a commodore of one of the best-known passenger liners in the country.  At the Manchester City Coroner's Court on Mon. day, no less than six cases were investigated in which little children had been found suffocated in bed during the past few days. Verdicts of "accidentally suffocated " were returned, but the coroner, Mr. S. Smelt, strongly commented upon the unusually large number of cases of this kiud at this period of the year. Of course, he remarked, there was no direct evidence to incriminate the parents, but there could be no doubt that the majority of the deaths of the children was due to the excesses of the parents Through drinking, and the negligent exceedingly dangerous for parents to sleep way in which they slept in bed with them. It was with their children. Young Bride: "I didn't accept Tom the firs* time he proposed." Miss Ryval (slightly envious): I know you didn't." Young Bride: "}IQ' de ,you knoth wc2" Miss Ryval: "You weren't e.l
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1898-02-25 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

TUE (*MASTER."  "Bring the girl-into the warehouse— This piece is completely spoiled; by this end's rah down ten inches, And the selvage here is soiled. I wia show her who is 'master.' Yes, l'll tell her she must go." Now she stands before hire trembling. With a face as white as snow. "thrl." he said, "have you been dreaming? One would think that you were blind, Letting ends run down ten inches, Oiling beams too much, behind." Silently she steads before him, Her whole being filled with pain, While he looks at her exalting,  Trawling round his golden chain. " Girl," be said, "you must be idle— You might well look down in shame. (She has always been his neighbour, Yet ho will not speak her name.) Spoiling work, and wage deficient, Short of all the weavers round; You are weak, and good for nothing, Fit for nothing but the ground. You mast go now, • girl,'—you bear me? Take your shawl, and go away."' "Oh," she said, 'my mother's poorly, Till she's better let me stay. I will try to earn more wages, But, God knows, I've done my best." " What care I about yonr mother, With a daughter she is blest; But before you go, • girl,'—hear mu? Such as you deserve a check. Weak and lacy, fit for nothing Bat a rope around your nook! No use pleading. I am • master,' And I say yon cannot stay." Weeping bitterly she leaves him, Takes her shawl, and goes away.  Missing !—search is made nest morning, And her body soon they find, And a jury gives the " verdict 'Drowned while of an unsound mind!" While the "master" (as he styles it), Moves about in wealth and pride. Was it suicide? I ask you. Let the public now decide. istrowford.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1898-11-11 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

OCKPORT.  PASTY D PRERENTATION.—On Saturday last the annual party in connection with the firm of David Bowles, Limited, took place in St. lifary's School, Grey-street South, Reddish, every department in the mill being well represented, the mechanical included. Several directors and their friends were present. After tea an exoellent programme of music was gone through. During the evening a presentation, consisting of a silver tea and coffee service, was made on behalf of the employee by Mr. Walters, the managing director, to Mr. John Prince Grey, to commemorate his twenty years' connection with the firm as carding and spinning manager. In making the presentation, Mr. Walters said it gave him and his fellow•direetors much satisfaction to know that such good feeling existed between the hands. Along with the employes, they wished Mr. Grey and his family a long and happy life. Mr. Grey suitably responded. Simms or A YARN Docargsa—On Monday afternoon William Landy, yarn doubler, who lived at 4, Pool-lane, Portwood, committed suicide by strangling himself with % handkerchief. It appears that he had been out of work for a long time, and despondency seemed to have settled hard upon him. He had sought the town over for work, but his efforts met with no success. On Monday he apparently gave up all hone, and returned home between five and six o'clock, it is said, rather the worse for liquor. Shortly afterwards his wife went out, as he said he was going to bed. About an hour afterwards she again returned, and, looking for her husband, walked upstairs into one of the bedrooms and found him leaning against the bedside with a handkerchief tied tightly round his neck, the other end being fastened to the iron bedrail. He had choked himself in this way. The wife immediately obtained assistance, and she then returned with a knife and cut the handkerchief. An endeavour was made to restore animation by artificial respiration, which was of no avail, the man being dead.
The Cotton Factory Times. — 1894-05-18 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

URNLEY.  STRIKE OF WE/MRS AT CrIVIGER.—This dispute' is going on without any signs of settlement. On Saturday the whole of the hands on strike were paid I their full scale pay. It takes about £65 per week. The weavers who are working, and who are members of the association, have been visited.and asked to cease employment nutil the dispute is settled. Some have done so, while all those who refuse are to be expelled from the association. Wnirsuirriee Hotmers.—The holidays in Burnley have been very general. Much dissatisfaction is expressed by the operatives at not having as many full days in the year as other districts. The textile workers are in communication with the Employers' Association with a view of having the holidays re-arranged. Application has been made for a meeting with the employers, but as yet no definite date has been fixed upon. At present Burnley operatives have only nine days in the whole year, while many other places have eleven and twelve days. The Operatives' Committee are asking for three or four days more. The mills resumed work on Tuesday morning with the exception of two firms, who are doing some repairs. SAD SUICIDE OF A Girm.—On Thursday week the Coroner (Mr. H. J. Robinson) held an inquest at the Town Hall upon the body of a girl named Edith Walsworth, thirteen years of age, whose body was found in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. From the evidence produced, it appears the girl Was employed as a tenter, and had been working under a man who had silk looms. The weaver discharged her about three weeks ago owing to her work. Ravine gone home and told her parents what had occurred", it was stated that she was severely beaten, and was sent back to tent for the same man again, who allowed her start work. The weaver again discharged her a week since on Friday night, and paid her all wages due. The girl went home, but dared not tell her parents. She gat up the following morning as if to go to work, and nothing more was heard of her until her body was found in the canal. The jury returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide whilst temporarily insane.