npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The North-Eastern Weekly Gazette. — 1894-11-10 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SUICIDE TO ESCAPE AFFLICTION.  On Saturday, near Morpeth, Mr C. Percy, Coroner for North Northumberland, held an inquest on the body of Margaret Weddell, who was found drowned in the Wansteck at that place the previow. day.—Thos. Weddell, farm labourer, Hedleywood, Weldon Bridge, said deceased was his daughter. She was a single woman, 2.1 years of age, acting as housekeeper to her cousin, Thomas Weddell. who had brought her up since she was six or seven years old. Witness saw her about six weeks ago; she complained of her neck, but otherwise seemed well and in good spirits.— Mary Ann Sproat, wife of Thomas Sprout, timber merchant, Abbey Mills, said deceased went to her house on the Ist inst. and asked if she would allow her little girl to sleep with her that night. At nine o'clock her daughter, who was nine yearn of age, went to Miss Weddell', house. She sent her son up with herdaughter, the distance between the two houses being about 290 yards. When Miss Weddell was in she seemed to be dull and sad. —Jane Ann Sproat, who was not sworn, said she was nine years of age, and the previous witness was her mother. As soon as she got in Miss Weddell told her to go to bed and she would soon go to sleep, that she was going out for a walk but would soon be back. She fell asleep, and awoke during the night and found she was in the bed alone. She struck a match and lighted a candle, and saw it was just three o'clock. She put out the candle, but did not go to sleep again. At seven ahe rose and dressed. She found the door locked, and so got out by the window. She at once told her mother all that had happened. On the way to her nbother's, she found a tin can and a walking stick which were both Miss Weddell's. —Thomas Weddell, ostler at the Fox and Hounds Inn, Morpeth, said deceased WM his cousin. He had brought her up bIOC-43 she was six or seven, and latterly she had been his housekeeper. She complained of the pain in her neck, but never said anything to show low spirits. He found two letters (produced); they were in deceased's handwriting, and were for him. In both she said she was going to drown herself. In the longer "of the two she said she could not stay in the house on account of the trouble, and she could not put his clothes right, and it ended with, "sorry at getting that cursed fearing. Cod help you all,"— Dr. Hugh Dickin, Morpeth, said deceased was ' peculiarly sensitive about her illness. If she had been told nothing could be done for her it would explain the closing words in the letter —The i jury found that while temporarily insane deceased drowned herself in the Wansbeck on the let inst. —The Coroner praised the little girl for the clear manner in which she had told her part of the tragic tale.
The North-Eastern Weekly Gazette. — 1894-04-14 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

ADVT. a 2  GOVERNMENT I BELFAi The contract for construe of one of the projected first. built at Portsmouth has be and Wolff, Belfaet. The draught will develop 10,000 i giving a. speed of over 18 st and underforoed draught 1 power, giving a speed of oat hour. This battleship will ment. The order represent/  AN EARL'S DOMED Earl Russell, who will 1 spoudent in a sewational ei suit about two veers ago, wi nig a train at Paddington for restitution of conjugal r wife. In view of the brought against her busbanc Mon, and their dismiasal n the case, the result of a p will be awaited in legal Lirele oi interest. Earl Russell petition.  A STRANGE ME] A curious case of "cure ported from a large Germs 18 was under the imnre swallowed a frog, which wa and often jumped almost uF doctors had vainly tried to I and she was rapidly dying one of the medical men mouth in which a small fi The lively creature jumpe out of its prison house on tc the girl, and a youthful etut labelling the bottle Extra The moment the girl saw t mule spread over her pale once, and greedily, and is n TILE SUICIDAL IdA  -Nine suicidee occurred in two certainly being of a peei cane a young man hired driver to take him to the 11 self on the journey. This suicides in cabs to four dui —A girl of eighteen ended determined manner. She ran nesday apparently in high. Jhe was glad the meal was e her Luit. This was though' dinner she obtained writing to make her will. Her re ' they looked upon as aco various legacies, all of which in the document. That be her room and committed s i dose of prussic acid.
The North-Eastern Weekly Gazette. — 1894-10-27 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

DURHAM. Septuagenarian Platelayers Suicide near Dimham—The dead body of Thomas Dawson, aged 75, a platelayer in the employ of the NorthEastern Railway Company, was found by &fellowworker on .Monday hanging by the neck to the rail of the Broompark Cabin on the Company's line near Durham. A bottle of rum and a considerable sum of money were found upon him. Proposed Visit of Mr John Morley to Durham. —The Liberals of Durham are contemplating holding a counter demonstration, following up the recent visit of Mr Chamberlain, at an early date. With this end in view an effort will be made to secure the services of Mr John Morley, or some other leading politician on the Liberal side. It is also hoped that the new Dean of Durham (Dr. Ritchin) may consent to preside on the occasion. The arrangements at present have, of course, only reached a preliminary stage, and much will depend upon Mr Morley's convenience as to when the proposed meeting will be held. A South Durham Clergyman's Affaira.—On Tuesday at the Stockton County Court Mr J. R. Stubbe, Official Receiver, applied for an order of the Court attaching the salary of the Rev. Wm. Apter, Vicar of Denton. On the 29th May last his Honour made an order for the payment to the Official Receiver of L'33 6s 84 (being one-third of £100) cut of the debtor's salary as curate of Piercebridge. That order had not been obeyed, and thg drbtor ceased in June to be curate of PiereelaTdgw, but was now curate of Summerhouse. The application wasnow thatone-third of thesalary AS curate of Summerhoum. should be attached, and that the order should be made on the Rev. Dr. Elliston, who was the debtor's employer.—His Honour ..-linade an order on the debtor to pay to the Officio Receiver £l6 13e 44 within four weeks of the date of this order, and thereafter £.33 6s 8d per annum out of his salary as curate of Summerbouas, the Rev. Dr. &baton being made a party to this order. Evrrinte.—J A. Sherman, Hernia Speashe., la main in London. If von wish to be cared mad far Ws Book, -rapes 74. Address J. A. Manama ekatmeetsvhes.  tot 4.BA' You  - ALAVA ov A COl7Olll Appq SS NM SD hisris.—Awnt  I ALLCOCZI ' di,
The North-Eastern Weekly Gazette. — 1894-03-31 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

NAUGHTY GIRL'S" SUICIDE.  Dr. Thomas held an inquest on Monday afternoon at the St. Pancras Coroner's Court on the body of Eliza Humphrey, aged 14, daughter of Samuel Humphrey, warehouseman, of 2, Orange-street, Red Lion-square, Holborn.—The evidence showed that the father of the girl had had considerable trouble with her. She had been under the care of Mrs Mlean, the matron of St. Gilea's Christian Mission Howie who described her as "sullen and bad tempered and easily upset," and, in fact, as "a very naughty girl."' The matron proeurcd her in January a situation as servant at Mrs Briers's, Myrtle Lodge, Brixton Hill, but her mistress discharged her on Saturday, the 17th inst., because of her ill.temper and sauciness, paying her 4» due to her as wages. At midnight that day I the girl came to Mrs MlLean penniless for readnissim into the home. She was, however, I handed over to her father, who on Thursday week, shortly before eight o'clock, prior to his going out, put her in a bed.mem on the second Hour with her !little sister, locking the door. He had previously I had occasion to scold and shake her for bring ! a •' bad girl." According to the little sister , the deceased, after their father had left the Ihome, said she would not stop in the bed-room. She then tried to open the door, and, failing in this, threw up the window, stood on the sill, ! and, exclaiming, "God give me strength," jumped off the sill. She fell on the back of her head on thel ! footpath below, and was conveyed, injured and insensible, to the Royal Free Hospital, where she died within half an hour fromfracture of the skull. —The Coroner : I hear she also said to her little " They think I am mad, but urn not mad."—Mr Humphrey: Yes. occasionally she behaved very strangely? and I am afraid the read a lot of trash sensational literature that did her harm. I found under her bed some of this literature, including a story entitled " Demons of Death." When things annoyed or went wrong with her she threatened to commit suicide.—Mr Leonard Briers, on of the deemed's last mietress. said they were obliged to get rid of 1 the deceased because of her inexeitiollable temper. I She would sulk for an hour and not speak to anyone. At other times she was all that could be wished in SgerVant girl. Wings% thought she was not exactly eompos mentat —The jury re: timed a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind.
The North-Eastern Weekly Gazette. — 1894-03-03 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

ATTIKPT TO WANOIL • MAIN.  Alexander Thompson, 23, rivet maker, was found guilty of feloniously and maliciously putting an iron chair on the Dunstan extension railway, with intent to obstruct an engine, and he was sent to prison for six months with hard labour.  John Robert TrOTt;l7-(.48), innkeeper, was charged with attempting to commit suicide at Hutton Henry on December 10th. Mr Greenwell defended. His lordship ordered the accused to be , liberated on entering into hia own reoognimncm of £25 to come up for judgment when calltsl upon. John Hodgson Richardeon (31), grocer's assistant, pleaded guilty to attempting to commit suicide at Annfield Plain on December 22nd. It was stated that prisoner came from Weardale, and that there was no motive for his conduct.—He was allowed to go away with his father. John Thome) Hamilton and David Hamilton, miners, for burglary at Brandon, near Durham, were sentenced to 15 mouths' hard labour. The Assizes were resumed on Wednesday. The following criminal cases were heard in the Crown Court, before Mr Justice Lawrence :—David Dickee (49), funiaceman, was indicted for indecently assaulting Florence Elizabeth Dicken (15), his daughter, at Darlington, between D member and January last. The evidence was of the most revolting character. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and the Judge, in passingsentence of two years' imprisonment with herd labour, °spewed regret that he could not inflict corporal punishment, a view in which the iury ooincided. —A married woman named Ann Elizabeth Dobson (39), of Darlington, but who had lived at Illartlepool and ultimately at Sunderland, was charged with attempting to procure a girl named CounoPy to become a common prostitute; and further, with keeping a brothel at Sunderland. --Prisoner pleaded guilty, and his lordahip, in sentencing her to air months' imprisonment with turd labour, said it was lucky for her that the girl had had sense to leave her without suffenng degradation, as that was a clam of offence which he was determined to put down.
The North-Eastern Weekly Gazette. — 1894-06-23 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SINGULAR QUESTION IN AN ELEOTION. Who killed Sarah Stout? For near -ffeart two hundred yeers this question has invariably ' been hi fxvi put by the roughs to every candidate w being a member of Earl Cowper's family, hai tor Parliament in the county of Hertford. i WOW to the late Sir Jamee Stephen, one of the ridges of the Court of Queen's Bench, that I applied ler the ' "undo" of this popular cry. He at on gave me • sketch of the circumstances under which it arose, while referring use to his delightful book, "The History of Criminal Law," fee the details of the case, which, in a condensed dune, are as follows :—ln 1699, Mr Spencer Cowper, brother to the first Earl Cowper, was a practising barrister on the Home Circuit, and at the Hartford assizes was in the habit of lodging with hie brother at the house of a Quaker named Stout. On the occasion of the summer naives of 16911.• Mr Cowper'i, brother had taken the lodgings, which however, Mr Spenoer Cowper refused to occupy, . inasmuch as Sarah Stout, the daughter of the house, had fallen passionately in love with him, I and that he was resolved not to encourage her advances. He called, however, at the haunt-sod finally yielded to her entreaties that he ehould remain with his brother in his own quarters, On lue giving his cement she rang for the servant to give some order an to preparing his room. While on this errand the servant beard the front .clisor shut to, and when she returned Mr Cowper and Sarah Stout had both disappeared. Miakt about was never again seen alive, and her bodr was found next day floating in the mill-dam hard- by. Mr Cowper, was indicted for murder, .and was tried and acquitted at the following:anises at Hertford. The Quaker Society was sorely scandalised at the notion of one of their sect committing suicide, and -collected a phalanx of doctors to prove that, as there was no water in the body, whioh, said they, meat have been the case had she been drowned, it wan.clear, by their logic, that she had been killed before being thrown fnto the mill-dam. Mr Speneer Cowper defended himself very skilfully. prodening letters from Miss Stout, which led the jury to believe that when be repelled her advances abehad rushed out of the house and drowned heraislf. The Quakers, at that time a strong and influential body in Hertfordshire, never accepted this solution of the ease, and the personal feeling soon took the ehapif of violent antagonism to the house of ..e•.per. Mr Spencer Cowper was subsequently raised to the Bench in 1727.
The North-Eastern Weekly Gazette. — 1894-10-20 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SOME POST-CARD FACTS.  The popularity of the useful post-card has been further increased by the recent order which permits us to use private cards with a stamp stuck on them. Let US glance at some post-card facts for the last ten years. The number of them delivered in the United Kingdon was the stupendous figure of 2,237 millions. If these pieces of card were spread out flat on the ground and neatly placed, so that they touched each other, leaving no bits of earth visible between the spread out cards, they would form a huge square measuring nearly eight miles. If thee wine placed end to end, 80 that each card just touched the next one, the line of them would measure 168,000 miles—i.e., a line which would go round the earth's cireumferencenearlv seven timer, and have the width of one poet-card (three inches). The weight of these cards used was 3,919 tons. And all three tons of poet-cards were written and delivered in this country, in addition to 1,812 million letters, 674 million book packets, and 166 , million newspapers. At the pretent time the average for each member of the population of the United Kingdom is 47 letters, fis peat-cards. 11 book packets or circulars, 4 newspapers, 2 telegrams, i parcels, diSpeitched by post in one year.  DUPING THE "HEATHEN CHINEE"  Ewing one of his American tours, !feminism, the magician, visited a Chinese theatre. In the lobby were a lot of Chinese peddlers selling oranges and other fruits. Herrmann made a dead set at the orangeman, a thin-faced, avariciouslooking fellow, who wore a queue about five feet long. Herrmann bought au orange and cut it open. With an exclamation of delighted surprise, his eyes sparkling and his face lit up with smiles, be drew a piece of gold out of 'the pulp and held it up so that the Chinaman Gould see it. The latter's eyes bulged from their mikes, and • pained look of disappointment crowed cner his usually expressionless face. Herrmann bought three more oranges, and from ea:l he drew a sovereign. By this time the perspiration rolled in beads down the Chinatrian% face, and he looked awfully ill. Ile gathered up his stoat, mnttering to himself, and when Herrmann wanted to buy some more oranges the Chinaman refused to sell them. "I'll give you five shillings for six," said Herrtnama. But the Chinaman was tired of givinir away gold. 'Me no wantee sellee," he said, shrilly. A few minutes later he retired into a corner, and, with the air of • conspirator, began to cut up the weeps. One after another they went, and his look of disappointment became darker and darker as 6be magi* gad pieces failed to appear. It was adoelly tragic when the last one was gone, and Herrmann had to give him balf • sovereign to prevent his committing suicide. value your wde's nesith see that she uses '
The North-Eastern Weekly Gazette. — 1894-01-20 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THE ETHICS OF LUXURY.  On Friday week Professor H. Sidgwick delivered an address ,on "Luxury before the members , of University Hall Guild. Lord Monkswell, I who presided, said that as much pernicious nonsense had been spoken about luxury as about any subject in the world. Professor Sidgwick, after pointing out that such censure as might be thought the due of the luxurious , must be shared with those who envied and cheaply emulated them, said he proposed to seek a clear understanding of (I) what luxury was; (2) why and how far it was deserving of censure; and (3) in what way that (ensure was likely to go wrong. Comfort; were means of protection against slight pains and annoyances, while luxuries were soureee of positive pleasure that might be absent without die- I comfort, and the fact of habit, being an element that must be taken into account, was , illustrated by the case of the Roman Emperor who committed suicide when his income fell to }..13.0,000, from a feeling that life was not worth living OD that meagre scale. Professor Sidgwic.k invited his hearers to concentrate tbeir attention on what might be called "snesissful luxury," by which he meant a consumption which, while apparently not promoting health or efficiency, increased comfort; and he also invited them to accept the is-inclusion—disputed by some—that whatever tended on the whole to augment the happiness of mankind was good and not bad. If, as was contended, luxury made men lazy, it could nevertheless he maintained that the prospect of luxury made men work, and it might be deemed a sound conclusion that • society from which luxury WM excluded would be worse than a society that admitted it, stand being taken on the ground that idleness, bite softness and disease, was not an inevitable concomitant of luxury. The particular defence of luxury on which lie was deposed to rely was that inequality in the distribution of superfluous commodities was to some extent indispensable to the social function of promoting ...enure, which meant the enhugement of our conception of what might tornado of human life. No doubt in the past learning and science bad been largely advanced by men of wealth who bad pursued them as means of refined enjoyment, acquiring for the purpose laboratories, museums, and libraries, and a smiliar view must be held with regard to the appreciation and the pursuit of beauty.—Proftesor Sidgwick W/O4 warmly thanked for his address.
The North-Eastern Weekly Gazette. — 1894-11-24 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

IIOUGH V PRIDE.  Theresa Lees (25), a London cok having been compelled to leave L found by her aunt on the 13th to a large quantity of rat poison, o nine. She then ate a piece of s, she was seized with tetanic c admitted what the had done, and on the table, saying, "Res they will explain all." T found to contain two were translated from Germs These were read at the inquest or first was asking the forgiveness friends, but the seound, address read—' No one is answerable tnr death only you, for whom I have , chances, not knowing that your false, and that I had such a rep me, who was only leading me ink love to you was sincere, and will last breath leaves my body. ] you, but how you deceived MP. this? Don't regret—it is too don't think you have done this fti will my poor mother say the news, and that I am in t leould neverbehappy again,andai my life so will I treat you when : and night you shall see me h Where you go or stay I will hay tinue until you meet with the sat you like you can come and see mil don't shed any tears, for they a have given up all my pleasure fa a warning to you in future with a make them such promises as you keep herao lone as a year and a ber if you like her. Me you nes your letters to me will prove how But I will forget all, and think I This is my last letter to my is from hie jilted and unfortuna Another girl of 17, of Middletor depressed, the other day was Howasd, her ,ompattion, to wh, attached. On parting the decea round Howard's neck, kinsedber, bye." The next morning het note was pinned, was found on s river Irk, and close to Rhoden V/ meat, which was addressed to h the following terms :7  Rhodes Wo2d—  brow FATEIIIII AND I 8111 the most miserable girl in the at great many worse than le, but someh lam sure to get found out. I am I would welcome death gladly. Yo) I wished for anmetbing higher than you you see vanity and prwle has been in) Georgina Tension for her kind talk amo she will come to a pretty paw ounce breath I curse her. God bless Folly use me bring, because I should only t Gad blew the cnildren, and khs the scandal can touch me now.—Y our hem  0, God, I beseech Thee, forgive me I me to sleep in the arms of the deep. In reply to the Coroner, Mr Price ago thweitt whomiirl had same wee medilier= fellow that the girl Tapson had been sa) about the deceased which were Coroner remarked that if the remt was true her conduct was very whether the things she had said Her conscience would make h Assuming that what was said f' she was very much to blame.—] jury returned verdicts of suicide  The Queen's new °Rivet, mach Agra for the Waterloo Chamhei the largest ever manufactured. for wearing it had to be constrl of its enormous breadth—use length woven was rift., az is estimated to contain 58,t The design is an ancient one, 1 art experts as the "Poona.' about fourteen months in weavin having been continually employed The "reader " responsible for th pattern was a convict under years' ' rigorous punishment," tl the Indian code of "hard lab! It is thought that their or modified. In washing,. MATCHLIS9 CLICAN