npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1847-07-16 (London, England)

SUICIDE  AT BERMONDSEY.  Last evening Mr. W. Carter held an inquest at the King's Arms, Hickman's-folly, Bermondsey, on the bodies of Henry Thomas Parker, aged 21, and Matilda Griffin, aged 19, some particulars of whose dreadful deaths appeared in this journal on Wednesday. Mary Ann Griffin said that her husband was a cooper, and resided at No. 6, Hickman's-folly. The female deceased was her daughter, and followed the occupation of a laundress. The deceased male was an assistant linendraper and lodged in her house, She had known him about sixteen months. He was acquainted with witness's daughter and kept company with her. On Tuesday afternoon, about a quarter past four o'clock, her daughter went up stairs from the kitchen to the attic for the purpose of making the beds. Parker at that time was writing a letter in the back room on the ground floor. Shortly afterwards Parker came into the kitchen, and asked witness to give him a piece of sealingwax to seal a letter. Witness asked him to whom he had written the letter, and he replied, to his sister. He then left the kitchen, and in the course of a few minutes went up stairs. About twenty minutes after that period she went into the back parlour to see if her daughter had come down, but finding she had not, she went up into the back attic, and found Parker lying on the floor, and also her daughter. The latter was lying on her left side in a quantity of blood. She called for assistance, which brought up some of the lodgers to the room. It was ascertained that both parties were dead. He came is and out during Tuesday morning oftener than he had been in the habit of previously doing, and refused to sit down to dinner, and looked so at her daughter as to excite her suspicions that he contemplated something bad, and she told her daughter to be careful of him. Whilst she was standing at the door she came to witness and said, " Mother, what do you think Henry says ? He threatens never to leave the house unless he is carried out." Witness expostulated with Parker, and told him that perhaps he would meet with some one he liked better than her daughter; but he answered, " No; if I live for seventy years, I shall never forget her." The
The Sun. — 1847-07-16 (London, England)

NIGHT BALLOON ASCENT.  TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.  Sir,—As one or those who jolied in the "perilous fookry,"—and, now that I have experienced the chances, I can rn) selt give,it no better name—of the night balloon ascent last week, permit me to hope that the manage ment of Vauxhall will see the propriety of putting an end to such exhi'Ations, after your admirable article in the Times of this day. There is nothing gained in the venture to balance th chance of the sligilte:t accident. The balloon is out ofe sight in two minutes, and the .a aeronaut is thought no more of as soon as the next firework ground, or the other .4 intrepid" indrivildluabTutsth`7l:otsiodnotwhne the wire with the squibs in his heels ; wander about, he knows not in what ditection, untielf'tto daylight, or make some haphazard descent in the dark, without assistance, and as possibly on the roof of a house, or top of a tree, or in the middle of a river, as in an open field. If the fireworks exploding in the air at a great height are the attraction, they might be attached to a small balloon of vurniAed paper and have the same effect, Sailing away no matter where, when over, and gradually settling down. But if there is any other excitement *Wet the matter, it must lie in the chalk* that the gazers can procure, for half-a-ciown, of sa)ing, when the seronau; is dashed to pieces, that they " saw him go up." Bad becoming, individually, accessories to the suicide.  I b in* You will not consider that I am intruding on your sPitee with them, few observations; and I beg to subscribe myself;  Yours respectfully, 14, Percy street, 13 ciforci.strtn'TAeL,l3:;;RTLSMlTll.  Tractarian observance saran prevalent in South Devon, fur we learn from the svli'exiern Times that in one stoimwinlaar In.uemwboerficso,fw4-I,,iciit, a e. o,.s_ ace being replaced by makes Im4euit. in the ca m 11.4 a f::ction..r in Kingsbrithie crobs" and ' mar fish." and is ohtaanng unpr. cedented patronage troll the high church p irty. FaaNCII
The Sun. — 1847-03-26 (London, England)

DETERMINED SUICIDE.—Laast night, Mr. William 3:11e, the City Coroner, held an inquest in the Cogers' at r. Ashton's the White Bear, Bride-lane, on the 'Y of J Moseph Parkes, aged 32, manager and clerk to ieetrs. Deeling and Thomas, of the Dudley Foundry, suicide Staffordshire, and also at Dudley, who committed itii,eide yesterday morning, about two o'clock at Mr. erevfether's, the Albion Coffee-house, Bridge-street, Blackfriars, by cutting his throat in the most determined manner with a small pen-knife, literally cutting his throat front; ear to ear, inflicting two deep wounds, completely , itlittiug through the jugular artery. From the evidence, business that the deceased had been in London on the *Mess of his employers, in superintending some works et 11 the Government Dockyard, at Woolwich, and at West Isiarn, since which time he had been stopping at Mr. Inetewether's ; nothing was noticed in the deceased's v, anner, nor did he exhibit any symptoms of aberra;fli of? intellect until Wednesday afternoon, about five o'clock, when the deceased acted in the most extraordinary t,allher,going up and down stairs qukl, ad asserting t he kng ew there was a conspiracy to kill hinin. EndeaTiours were made to quiet him, but without effect, after which 4,6l3ened the window and got on to the balcony, and called ,„.°ilee, police !" On two of the City police-constables i."(',T in, he told them that he knew there was a conspiracy him, and that he had heard the witness and two men b; talking outside hie room, one of whom said he would kill .:u! and throw him out of window, and that they wanted to steal his clothes ; he however became quiet for a time, but ?own broke out again. A policeman was left with him in r,h clothes, until Mr. Merewether returned, about eleven o clock, who reasoned with the deceased, and remained until near two o'clock, when on the deceased becoming calm and le„rnising to lay down in his clothes, without a light, he was but soon after a noise of falling was heard in the room, and on Merewether going in, he found him lying on has back weltering in blood. Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Holdlv,ere called in, but on their arrival he was quite dead. 14130_ 1-ryitchinson said he had no doubt the deceased was ilng under delirium tremens. Verdict—" Temporary '"4"Y."
The Sun. — 1847-11-29 (London, England)

SUICIDE.—EarIy on Saturday morning, the 20th instant, considerable sensation was caused in Ripon by a report that Mr. J. Hodgson, of Norton Conyers, about four miles from that city, had committed suicide, by shooting himself with a gun, and on making further inquiry the rumour proved but too true. From what has been ascertained, it appears the unfortunate gentleman for ten or fourteen days previous had been sufkring under a liver complaint, and during that time appeared to be in a melancholy and desponding state, but on Thursday, the 18th inst , his medical attendant deemed him so much improved as to require no daily attendance. The next day (Friday) he was out shooting with his gamekeeper for near two hours, and continued to appear in an improved state. On the following morning (Saturday) he arose from his bed about four o'clock, apologised to his lady for disturbing her rest, and stated he had occasion to go to another part of the house. Mrs. Hodgson felt no uneasiness at the time, he having got up early on two or three previous mornings for the same purpose ; but not returning to bed as usual, she became alarmed and got up, but not finding the deceased, she immediately summoned two of the domestics, and they together prcceeded to the principal rooms of the house. On approaching what is called " the Green-room," there was a strong smell of gunpowder, and on opening the door a dreadful spectacle presented itself, the unfortunate gentleman being laid on the floor, Aith his skull literally blown to pieces, and his brains scattered about. From the position of the deceased, it is supposed he committed the dreadful act whilst laid on the floor, and by placing the muzzle of the gun in his mouth, caused the report not to be heard in the distant rooms. The deceased, about 45 years of age, was a gentleman of very extensive property, and much respected, was a magistrate for the liberty of Ripon, and of the North Riding of Yorkshire. On Saturday an inquest was held on view of the body, before Mr. W. Dinadale, coroner for the North Riding, and a respectable jury. After fully investigating the circumstances, a verdict of " Temporary insanity" was returned.—Leeds Mercury. TaMPEBANcE IN A
The Sun. — 1847-11-29 (London, England)

MELANCHOLY SUICIDE.—EarIy on Saturday morning, the 20th instant, considerable sensation was caused in Ripon by a report that Mr. J. Hodgson, of Norton Conyers, about four miles from that city, had committed suicide, by shooting himself with a gun, and on making further inquiry the rumour proved but too true. From what has been ascertained, it appears the unfortunate gentleman for ten or fourteen days previous had been suffering under a liver complaint, and during that time appeared to be in a melancholy and desponding state, but on Thursday, the 18th lost , his medical attendant deemed .him so touch improved as to require no (tail) attendance. The next day (Friday) he was out shooting with his gamekeeper for near two hours, and continued to appear in an improved state. On the following morn ing (Saturday) he arose from his bed about four o'clock, apologised to his lady for disturbing her rest, and stated he had occasion to go to another part of the house. Mrs. Hodgson felt no uneasiness at the time, he having got up early on two or three previous morning, for the same purpose ' but not returning to bed as usual, she became alarmed and got up, but not finding the deceased, she immediately summoned two of the domestics, and they together prcceeded to the principal rooms of the house. On approaching what is called " the Green-room," there was a • strong smell of gunpowder, and on opening the door a dreadful spectacle presented itself, the unfortunate gentleman being laid on the floor, 4ith his skull literally blown to pieces, and his brains scattered about. From the position of the deceased, it is supposed he committed the dreadful act whilst laid on the floor, and by placing the muzzle of the gun iu his mouth, caused the report not to be heard in the distant rooms. The deceased, about 45 years of age, was a gentleman of very extensive property, and much respected, was a magistrate for the liberty of nzpuu, auu or Um Norm Riding of Yorkshire. On Saturday an inquest was held on view of the body, before Mr. W. Diusdale, coroner for the North Riding, and a respectable jury. After fully investigating the circumstances, a verdict of " Temporary insanity" was returned.—Leeds Mercury.
The Sun. — 1847-12-06 (London, England)

SUICIDE.—An inquest was held by Mr. Baker, on Friday, at the Rose and Crown, Cambridge-heath, on the body of Elizabeth Mitford, aged 30, widow, who committed suicide under the following distressing circumstances:—The evidence proved that about six months since deceased lost her husband, to whom she was greatly attached, and this bereavement had so affected her mind that she became insane, and was obliged to be confined in a lunatic asylum, which, however, she left a month ago. On Tuesday evening she left home much depressed in spirits, and having proceeded to the Regent's Canal, she was shortly afterwards heard struggling in the water. An alarm was raised, and the I6ody got out. Verdict—" That the deceased was found struggling in the water, and died from the effects of immersion, but how she came into the water there was not sufficient evidence before the jury to enable them to decide."  A TORNADO OF Burrm.oEs.—TheHanibar Gazette says that young Houston, one of the Marion volunteers, was lost on the way from Santa Fe, in a singular manner. We are told that when a hunter rides into a herd of buffaloes, it is often the case that they:become frightened, and the whole mass starts with furious speed for the mountains, and there is no way to get out but to keep the same speed,• and work your way gradually from among them; to halt would be certain death, as the mass would pass over and crush you; and hunters are often carried seven and ten miles before they can disentangle themselves from the headlong herd. In this way Mr. Houston disappeared. When last seen he was flying over the plain, endeavouring to make his way out of a drove of several thousand, and bas not been heard of since.—St. Louis New Era.
The Sun. — 1847-01-07 (London, England)

COURT NEWS FROM THE PACIFIC.—WIII. Miller, Esq., her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General, had an audience of the King of the Sandwich Islands, on Thursday, the 20th inst., at noon, in regard to the interests of certain British subjects on these islands. The Consul-General took occasion to renew the assurance of his Government of their determination scrupulously to adhere to their engagement to respect the independence of his Majesty as sovereign, and of the deep interest that they took in his prosperity. These assurances were highly gratifying to the King.—Polynesian, Aug. 22,1846. EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE OF A LADY OF FORTllNE.—Yesterday morning an inquiry took place before Wm. Carter, Esq., at the Princess Charlotte, Albany-road, Camberwell, as to the death of Mrs. Sarah Gregory, aged 60. Mrs. Martha Burgess stated that the deceased resided at 1, Albany-place, Albanyroad. She was the aunt of Mrs. Smithe, of St. John's Wood, who left a large fortune for the education of her children, and the witness was left her executrix. Upon the death of Mrs. Smithe they removed to 1, Albanyroad, and on the 31st cf December she went up to her room, and found her lying on a sofa and vomiting. She asked her what was the matter, and she replied, •' I have taken arsenic. This is the worst thing I ever did." Her mind had been singularly altered of late, and she said, when witness went up to her, she had taken a great deal; and upon the medical man arriving with the stomach pump, she said, " Ohl it is too late now."  She said it was too much for her to do to distribute and attend to the money and children; and the obligations of the will witness considered had turned her brain. The deceased was under the impression that everything they hsd for dinner was too expensive. She would say at a common dinner, " Why, can we afford this, Martha?" when, in fact, she was the trustee for the children of great property, and possessing good property herself. Verdict, " Temporary insanity."
The Sun. — 1847-02-06 (London, England)

MALICIOUS OUTRAGE.—In the beginning of last week, one of those acts, which we have so often to record in the mining district, resulting from the most fiendish and revengeful feelings, occurred as Brockmoor. It appears that before daylight on Wednesday morning four pieces of hard oak were introduced between the teeth of the crown wheel and the nut wheel of the Star Pit winding engine, at the Wide-waters Colliery, near Brockmoor, belonging to Lord Ward. The object of the miscreants was to break the machinery, and destroy the lives of the first band of men who might happen to descend the shaft—a calamity which was happily averted by the timely discovery of the affair. A reward of 20/. has been offered by Lord Ward's agent for the discovery of the miscreants engaged in this nefarious transaction.— TVlkrcestershire Chronicle. The following horrible suicide has just taken place in the gnarlier de Breda :—A young female was living in some style under the protection of a wealthy person, but the gentleman having reason to believe that she was unfaithful, he called upon her and told her that he would have nothing more to do with her. Before she could justify herself, or atter a remonstrance, the gentleman turned his back and left the room. After a moment's pause she ran to the stairs after him, and entreated him to return. "No, no," cried be, harshly, "all is finished between us," and he continued to descend. The poor girl wrung her hands in despair, and cried, "Ah ! I will be at the bottom before you!" And she was true to her word, for on quitting the house he found the mangled corpse of his mistress weltering in blood on the pavement. The wretched girl had thrown herself from the window.—Paris Paper. FATAL CARRIAGE ACClDENT.—Thursday evening an iliquest was held by Mr. Bedford, at the Red Lion, Princesstreet, Westminster, on the body of Ann Jervis, aged 74. The deceased was a widow, living iii Wellington-ylace,Vauxhall Bridge-road. She was very deaf, and on Thursday ternoon last, while crossing Whitehall, opposite si the Horse Guards, she was knocked down by the pole of a carriage, drawn by two horses, belonging to Mr. Davies, of St. Martin's-lane. The driver had called out to her several times, but was unheard by the deceased. He pulled up immediately, in time to prevent the wheels passing over her, but the hind leg of one of the horses struck her head, and inflicted an extensive scalp wound. She was conveyed to the Westminster Hospital, where she gradually sank, and died on Monday last from the shock arising from the accident. Verdict, " Accidental death." The British Institution will open on Monday with 0,17.,y, iniddlin'4 display, the top men is no Landscer, no Stanfield : indeed, if we are correctly- informed, there is no one work sufficiently prominent to take a visitor there a second time. We shall be able to say more next week.— The Builder,  4 91' 006 • I • 11,4 - , \'•,,P4.161" A: -Azttivp, 4°.,.z....8.2; • '1,0.. „ •
The Sun. — 1847-01-21 (London, England)

SUICIDE IN THE PUBLIC STREETS FROM STARVA-. TioN. —An inquest was held on Tuesday, before Mr. W. Payne, City Coroner, at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, on the body of Robert Bland, aged 34, who committed suicide in the public streets under the following circumstances :—John Nicholls, police-constable 240, of the City police, said that on Monday morning, about half-past four o'clock, he was on duty in King-street, Snow Hill, when he saw a man lying on the pavement, and on going over found the deceased. On questioning him he said that he had taken some laudanum, which he had procured at six different shops. The sergeant COM mg up they took him to the station .house, and then conveyed him to the hospital. He stated that his name was Robert Bland, and gave his address Salford,near Manchester, and that he was a coach painter by trade; he said he was destitute and had no friends to go to, and that he had done it from want; that he was tired of his life, and that he thought he might as well die. as live in the wretched state he was then living in. Mr. r. J Hurlock, resident medical • Officer at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, said he saw the deceased about twenty minutes before five o'clock, and seeing him very cal_ lected, addressed him upon the impropriety of the steps he had been taking, when he said he had been driven to it by parting with his last. shilling. There was a wanting of the strongest evidence of his having taken laudanum, by the eyes not being contracted. Upon the stomach pump being ap. plied, he fell back in his chair.and immediately expired. It was his opinion that the coldness of the night, with his irregularities of life, namely, insufficiency of diet or no diet at all, had, as much'as laudanum, produced death. He had not made a post mortem examination, and, therefore, could not state what was the cause of death. Two drachms of laudanum upon an empty stomach would be enough to destroy life. In answer to a juror, Mr. Hurlock said he never saw a person die under the application of the stomach pump before, but he thought it might have been eaused by the difficulty of breathing usual on the stomach pump being applied, and also to its being a very cold night. He was of opinion, that if a post mortem examination was made, he should not be able to trace laudanum, but he thought that, jointly with other causes, had produced death. The inquiry, after lasting aconsiderable time, was adjourned fora post mortem examination, thejury being most dissatisfied with the medical evidence. The church for the seamen of the port of London, now building in Dock-street, near the London and St. Katharine's Docks, though nearly finished, cannot be consecrated until the whole amount of its expense has been subscribed ; 1,2001. being still wanted to pay the Commissioners of Woods and Forests for the site, and 1,500/. for the endowment and repairing funds.
The Sun. — 1847-04-09 (London, England)

DEATH OF A PRISONER IN THE MILLRANIE PENITENTIARY.—Yesterday Mr. Bedford held an inquest at the Millbank Penitentiary, on the body of Henry Wood, aged 21, late a prisoner at that gaol. The deceased was admitted there on the 15th of September, 1846, having been convicted at the Central Criminal Court on the 17th of the previous month, of larceny, on a previous conviction, and sentenced to seven years' transportation. He died in the infirmary, on the 6th instant, of pulmonary consumption. On the 3d of last December he attempted to commit suicide by hanging, but was prevented by the warder. He was visited by his friends, and during the last five weeks of his illness he had everything requisite for his delicate and melancholy condition, under the express orders of the governors of the prison, including wine, arrow-root, broth, &c. His friendsexpressed their entire satisfaction with the treatment he had received. Verdict, " Natural death."  NARROW ESCAPE OF THE TOTAL DESTRUCTION OP GUILDHALL BY FlRE.—Shortly before three o'clock this morning (Friday ), the utmost alarm was created in the ' vicinity of the Guildhall, City, by one of the private watchmen who are employed to watch the hall discovering that the contents of the cellars were on fire. The first intimation arose from observing a dense body of smoke filling the hall. An alarm was instantly given, when the whole of the watchmen proceeded to the entrance of the cellars, and on opening the door a fierce fire was found raging. The engine which is kept on the premises was instantly got to work, arid the fire-plugs having been opened, a plentiful supply of water was obtained. In a short time there were engines in attendance, and continued playing until the devouring element gave way. The cellars being filled with coals and faggots, and the flooring that is laid down on the occasion of banquets and balls being stowed beneath, occasioned an immense mass of inflammable property is) be in the cellars. Some thousands of faggots were destroyed, while several tons of coal were reduced to cinders. The fire must have been burning for several hours before the discovery was made, and but for the flooring of the hall being covered with stone, the building would have been destroyed. An inquiry, it is understood, is to be instituted by Mr. Payne, the coroner.