npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1862-06-11 (London, England)

SELF-DESTRUCTION.—Sarah Emery, a neatlyyoung to commit suicide by cutdressedcook Cooke wi th at t ting her throat. The prisoner was allowed to be seated during the examination, and a singularly wild appearance of the eyes denoted the necessity of a strict watch being kept over her, although she was manifestly weak from loss of blood, it being feared that she would attempt to tear from her throat the surgical bandages, a constable on each side, consequently, held her, and Mr. Safford, the clerk, having somewhat soothed, by repeated assurances that not any one would harm her, the following evidence was taken : E pps—l am a married woman, and live at 1, _cottages, Caroline-street, Upper Clapton.T Caroline-cottages, Joeline The prisoner is my sister. She has been in service,but is not now, and lives with me. On Saturday night last she came home, and I observed that her manner was very strange. On the following day I had an interview with her late mistress, who told me she had been obliged to part with her from peculiarities of conduct that were alarming. Last night (Monday) prisoner, while I was in bed, awoke me by walking rapidly about the room. I begged her to be composed and lie down. Soon afterwards I heard a heavy fall, and before I could ascertain the cause she placed one hand upon the bed, at the same time saying faintly, "Oh, Eliza, I have cut my throat." My husband instantly fetched Mr. Thorpe, a medical gentleman, who was quickly in attendance, and succeeded in bandaging the wound, and my sister was afterwards taken into custody. [Witness was very painfully affected while giving this testimony, and observed, " I questioned her as to the motive for so wicked an attempt upon her life, but could get no answer. She has an excellent character."] Mr. Cook—With what was the injury inflicted P Witness—A razor, sir, belonging to my husband, which had been removed from a place where he had hidden it. _ _  Mr. Cooke considered at this point that sufficient evidence had been taken to remand the prisoner, and that a prolonged investigation in her present state would be dangerous. She was, consequently, removed to the Hackney workhouse with great care.
The Sun. — 1862-06-11 (London, England)

ANOTHER AWFUL TRAGEDY.  TWO CHILDREN MURDERED BY THEIR FATHER AND SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER. The greatest possible amount of excitement prevails in consequence of a tragedy having been dia. covered to have been enacted atNo.lB9, Blackfriarsroad, which closely resembles the one which recently took place in Ludgate-street, near St. Paul's, with the exception that instead of the two children having been murdered by their mother,who afterwards attempted suicide, in this case two young girls, of the ages of four and seven years respectively, were poisoned by their father, who afterwards destroyed his own life by plunging a carving knife into various parts of his body. Since Sunday last a person named James John Muckford, a widower. residing at No. 189, in the before-named road, had been missed from his home, as well as two of his children. Nothing unusual was at first imagined, as some of the neighbours supposed that the family had gone out to spend the Whitsun holidays. Late last night, however, information was given to the police of the mysterious disappearance of the man and his children,and this morning Inspector Turpin and Acting Inspector Gardener, of the M division,proceeded to the house, when the following awful spectacle presented itself. Mr. Gardener, upon entering the room, found the man sitting in a chair in front of the window, his head reclining, his trousers down, and his body covered with blood, which bad flowed from several wounds in his abdomen, which he had. evidently inflicted with a large carving knife. The two children, named Emily and Catherine, were found lying in front of the fiteplace, also quite dead. Mr. Gardener at once sent off for medical assistance,:and Dr. Henderson quickly attended; and from the examination made of the contents of a cup, and a paper found on the table, he had not the least hesitation in saying that the children haddid from poison, and the man from the wounds on his person. Mr, SuperintendEnt Branford was early in attendance to look alter the house.
The Sun. — 1862-06-11 (London, England)

WORSHIP-STREET.—DESPERATE ATTEMPT AT SELF-DESTRUCTION.—Sarah Emery, a neatlydressed young woman, was charged before Mr. Cooke with attempting to commit suicide by cutting her throat. The prisoner ivas allowed to be seated during the examination, and a singularly wild appearance of the eyes denoted the necessity of a strict w'atch being kept over her, although she Vas manifestly weak from loss of blood, it being feared that she would attempt to tear from her throat the surgical bandages, a constable on each side, consequently, held her, and Mr. Safford, the clerk, having somewhat soothed, by repeated assurances that not any one would harm her, the following evidence was taken :  .Tepps—l am a married woman, and live at 1, Caroline-cottages, Caroline-street, Upper Clapton. The prisoner is my sister. She has been in service, but is not now, and lives with me. On Saturday night last she came home, and I observed that her manner was very strange. On the following day I had an interview with her late mistress, who told me she had been obliged to part with her from peculiarities of conduct that were alarming. Last night (Monday) prisoner, while I was in bed, awoke me by walking rapidly about the room. I begged her to be composed and lie down: Soon afterwards I heard a heavy fall, and before I could ascertain the cause she placed one hand upon the bed, at the same time saying faintly, "Oh, Eliza, I have cut my throat." My husband instantly fetched Mr. Thorpe, a medical gentleman, who was quickly in attendance, and succeeded in bandaging the wound, and my sister was afterwards taken into custody. [Witness was very painfully affected while giving this testimony, and observed, " I questioned her as to the motive for so wicked an attempt upon her life, but could get no answer. She has an excellent character."] Mr. Cook—With what was the injury inflicted P Witness—A razor, sir, belonging to my husband, which had been removed from a place where he had hidden it.  Mr. Cooke considered at this point that sufficient evidence had been taken to remand the prisoner, and that a prolonged investigation in her present state would be dangerous. She was, consequently, removed to the Hackney workhouse with great care.
The Sun. — 1862-10-28 (London, England)

PRUSSIAN DLIMOLLARD.—A Porneranean workman, named Maasch, has lately been detected, by accident, in the course of a murderous career closely resembling that of the notorious Frenchman Dumollard. He has, together with his accomplices, of whom his mother is one, committed 13 murders. On one occasion he murdered at Cursdorf a miller and his family, consisting in all of six persons. He baffled all the researches of the police, and was detected at last by mere chance, A Berlin correspondent, describing the facts revealed on the trial, says :--" Iwo farm labourers of the village of Warsin, near Stargardt, were one morning walking together on their way to their work in the fields, When it came on to rain. For the sake of greater shelter against the wet, one of them proposed that they should proceed to their destination for the rest of the way by a path leading through the woods. This being agreed on, the peasants had not been long in the forest when one of them espied at some distance through the trees the upper half of the body of a man sticking up out of the ground. Their hearts leaped to their mouths. One started off with all the speed he could put forth, while the other, more self -possessed, retreated more slowly, keep • ing his eye fixed on the object in question, which gradually sank into the earth. The peasants instantly made known to the owner of the estate the strange thing they had witnessed. The police were sent for, and a number of persons, with all despatch, proceeded to the mysterious spot which was pointed out by the labourers. At first it seemed as though the men must have deceived themselves, or were carrying on a practical joke; for at the spot indicated then appeared to be nothing like a hole in the earth, as the grass covered the ground all round about. On doter investigation, however, a slit was found in the grass in the form of a square. It was but the work of an instant to discover that this was the top of a trap-door, covered with turf. On forcing this open and descending, a large cavity was discovered, from which, however, the late occupiers had already fled. This cave was found to be the home of tho wretch Maasch, who has been condemned to death, together with four others.  ACCIDENTALLY ITAI4IGEb.—A little boy, 12 years of age, the son of a farmer in the neighbourhood of Merthyr, was found hanging in the stable on Friday morning, and quite dead. Several suicides having occurred in Merthyr of late, affording subject for much conversation and discussion, it is supposed that the lad suspended himself from one rung of the ladder to see what the sensation was like, his foot slipped, he was unable to regain the step or call, and so insensibility came and then death. No motive can be given that he should commit suicide.
The Sun. — 1862-08-02 (London, England)

MYSTERIOUS DEATH IN THE RIVER AT BLACKERIA.RS-BIUDGE.  -----Yesterday morning Mr. Wm. Payne, the coroner for the City of London, resumed the inquiry at the B ridewell Hospital, New Bridge, street, Blackfriars, into the somewhat mysterious circumstances of the suicide of a female unknown, who was stated to have walked into the river from the steps of the bridge on Monday morning last. Some screams were heard at the time of the occurrence by the police, and when deceased was got out it was found that the skirt of her dress had been .torn off, and that her pocket and money -were =sem g. Charles Dyke, coffee-stallkeeper, said that some time before deceased was found in the water she got from him a cup of coffee, which she paid for with money taken from her pocket. She then crossed the bridge towards the City side. who was residing threea years sincet Wm. Taylor said that lie recognised the shawl worn by the deceased as that of a young woman named Mary in nervDicie wcksoin, th a family about Denmark-hill, Camberwell. He was sure that he recognised the deceased es the same person, notwithstanding the disfigurement from death. She was about 35 years of age. tie did not know that the deceased was an unfortunate. He met her ten days ago, y and she said she was in distress. The jury remarked that the deceased appeared to be only 22 years of age. Some other witnesses were examined, and they said that they observed the deceased going towards the bridge, and she seemed to be under the influence of liquor. The Coroner remarked on the serious nature of the case, ane. Ithe : jury returned a verdict " that the deceased was found dead in the river, but how sllB came into the river there was no evidence to shovv,  ---[
The Sun. — 1862-08-02 (London, England)

MYSTERIOUS DEATH IN THE RIVER AT  BLACICF.RIARS-BRIDGE.  ...- --. Yesterday morning Mr. Wm. Payne, the coroner for the City of London, resumed the inquiry at the Bridewell Hospital, New Bridge-street, Blackfriars, into the somewhat mysterious circumstances of the suicide of a female unknown, who was stated to have walked into the river from the steps of the bridge on Monday morning last. Some screams were heard at the time of the occurrence by the police, and when deceased was got out it was found that the skirt of her dress had been torn off, and that her pocket and money were miseing* Charles Dyke, coffee-stallkeeper, said that some time before deceased was found in the water she got from him a cup of coffee, which she paid for with money taken from her pocket. She then crossed the bridge towards the City side. Wm. Taylor said that he recognised the shawl worn by the deceased as that of a young woman named Mary Ann Dickson, who was about three years since in service with a family residing at Denmark-hill, Camberwell. H He was sure that he recognised the deceased as the same person, notwas about 35 years of age. He did withstanding the disfigurement from death. She not know that the deceased was an unfortunate. He met her ten days ago, and she said she was in distress. The jury remarked that the deceased appeared to be only 22 years of age. Some other witnesses were examined, amtthey said. that they observed the deceased going towards the bridge, and she seemed to be under the influence of liquor. The Coroner remarked on the sarious nature of the case, and the deceased was found dead in the river, but how she came into the river there was no evidence to show,"  [
The Sun. — 1862-08-02 (London, England)

SHOCKING CATASTROPHE AT BOW.  ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE.  During the last few days a painful sensation has pervaded the vicinity of Bow on account of a most determined attempt having been made to murder his wife by a person who has hitherto occupied a very respectable position, and who afterwards attempted Ricketts; to take his own life. The name of the i accused is ; be is about 45 years of age, Rick and is engaged in the coal trade, and lived with his wife and family in a cottage in Coborn-road, adjacent to the Bow Cricket Ground. Of late he has been rather intemperate in his habits, and when in that state he was exceedingly quarrelsome with his wife. He appears to have spent a portion of Tuesday evening in the bowling-green attached to the Morgan Arms public-house, immediately facing his residence. He left there about ten o'clock and went home. Soon after this the neighbours were alarmed by screams, some of the family at the same time rushing out into the road calling murder. Several of the inhabitants went into the parlour or sitting room, and saw that Ricketts had got his wife down on the floor, her face was covered with blood, and he was apparently "jobbing" her in the throat with a sharp-pointed knife. He was instantly dragged away from her, and the poor woman was carried in a shocking condition into an adjoining house, when medical men were sent for. Amidst the confusion Ricketts was observed to dart dawn stairs into the kitchen, probably alarmed at the cry which some one raised for the police. On a eon.stable arriving at the house Ricketts was called by . name to come up. At first the officer declined to go Liown, fearing perhaps that the assassin was armed a. ad would make a murderous resistance. At leng th the kitchen was reached by the constable and son2e of the neighbours, and Ricketts was found standing in the centre of the room and blood spurting from gashes in his throat. Some one exclaimed, " Good God! what is the meaning of all this ?" when Ricketts, with a kind of triumphant grin, said, "Ain't I a pluck'd un ? didn't I say I'd do it ? " alluding to some threat which it was supposed he had made in the early part of the evening. Towels having been rolled round his throat, so as to check the flow of blood, Mr. Garman and Mr. Gill, surgeons, in the Bow-road, were sent for, and the wounds were dressed.  The last accounts speak of Mrs. Ricketts and her wretched husband being still alive, the condition of the latter being the most serious. The wife has sustained a deep wound in her cheek. It is stated that the quarrel which terminated with such dreadful consequences arose over the supper table. The police have charge of Ricketts, who remains at his house in the Coborn-road.
The Sun. — 1862-08-02 (London, England)

SHOCKING CATASTROPHE AT BOTV.  ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE.  Dosing the last few days a painful sensation has pervaded the vicinity of Bow on account of a most determined attempt having been made to murder his wife by a person who has hitherto o'icupied a I very respectable position, and who afterwards at • aeetemptedused sto Rti ea kk ee t t hiss boew n is life ab. rtr 114 e 5 name of the s of age, awnidfeisanean gfaagineidlyiniothae ecootatlatgreadine, canobdolrinv-erdoa dwithhis a‘,-) the Bow Cricket Ground. Of late had e has cent L- • intemperate in his habits, and when in been xceedingl with quarrelsome • his that state he . was y ' . wife. He appears to Live spentiaedpiaotretliyonfaoefinTouhesisday evening in the bowlin;igreen attached to the Morgan Arms public-house, n residence. He left there about ten cr,,'?ock and went home. Soon after this the neighbours we,Te alarmed by screams, some of the family at the same time rushing out into the road calling murder. Several of the inhabitants went into the parlour or sitting room, and saw that Ricketts had got his wife down on the floor, her face was covered with blood, and he was apparently "jobbing" her in the throat with a sharp-pointed knife. He was instantly dragged away from her, and the poor woman was carried in a shocking condition into an adjoining house, when medical men were sent for. Amidst the confusion Ricketts was observed to dart down stairs into the kitchen, probably alarmed at the cry which some one raised for the police. On a constable arriving at the house Ricketts was called by name to come up. At first the officer declined to go down, fearing perhaps that the assassin was armed and would make a murderous resistance. At length the kitchen was reached by the constable and some of the neighbours, and Ricketts was found standing in the centre of the room and blood spurting from gashes in his throat. Some one exclaimed, " Good God! what is the meaning of all this ? " when Ricketts, with a kind of triumphant grin, said, "Ain't I a pluck'd un ? didn't I say I'd do it ? alluding to some threat which it was supposed he had made in the early part of the evening. Towels having been rolled round his throat, so as to check the flow of blood, Mr. Garman and Mr. Gill, surgeons, in the Bow-road, were sent for, and the wounds were dressed. The last accounts speak of Mrs. Ricketts and her wretched husband being still alive, the condition of the latter being the most serious. The wife has sustained a deep wound in her cheek. It is stated that the quarrel which terminated with such dreadful consequences arose over the supper table. The police have charge of Ricketts, who remains at his house in the Coborn-road.  DIABOLICAL ATTEMPT AT MURDER AT _MERTHYR
The Sun. — 1862-11-04 (London, England)

GINIYR.  Dr.Lankester, the central Middlesex coroner, pro-Becuted an inquiry at the Prince Albert Tavern, Wharf-road, Islington, yesterday, into the painful circumstances attending the death of John Ballard, a working engineer, said to be a well-known temperance lecturer, residing at 37, Southamptonstreet, Pentonville. The body having been identified, the evidence went to prove that on Friday evening, John Simmons, in the service of Mr. Mills, of 2, Wharf-road, was requested by his employer to go into a loft, adjoining the premises, which had been recently hired by the deceased. Simmons finding the door locked on the inside, looked through the window into the loft, and there found the deceased hanging to a beam in the middle of the room. He straightway fetched police-constable 412 A, on the beat, who forced open the door and cut him down. Medical aid was obtained, but life was totally extinct. A brother-in-law of the unfortunate man deposed that he had been for many years in the employment of Mr. Thomas Cubitt, of Pimlico, and for the past seven years foreman to the firm of Messrs. Cubitt, Gray's-inn-road, whose service he had recently left in consequence of his irritable disposition, and had frequently declared his intention to make away with himself. He was a man of studious habits, a good Greek and Hebrew' scholar, a clever lecturer, and entirely self-taught. Twelve or thirteen years ago he was attacked with a brain fever, arising from over study. Since leaving Messrs. Cubitt he had accepted a contract to repair 500 iron bedsteads, and, though cautioned, he accepted the contract at 3s. 6d. each, and it proved most unprofitable. He could only attribute the cause for self-destruction to these disasters, the deceased's habitual dread of failure in anything he undertook, and the fact that he had a sister a lunatic for 18 years. Verdict, " Suicide whilst in an unsound state of mind."
The Sun. — 1862-07-22 (London, England)

THAMES.  A THRICE DISAPPOINTED SUICIDE.—Emma Cannon, a very dissipated and drunken woman, was brought before Mr. Woolrych, charged with attempting to commit suicide. William Willoughby, a constable in the employ of the Regent's Canal Company, received information yesterday afternoon that the prisoner had jumped into the canal near the Commercial Gas-works. He obtained the drags and went to the spot. The second time he threw in the drags he brought her up. She was quite insensible. Mr. Woolrych—Had she sunk when you threw in the drags ? Willoughby—She was sinking. Mr. Woolrych—ls the water deep there ?  Willoughby—Yes, 14 or 15 feet in depth. I brought her on shore, and Dr. Horton, of High-street, Stepney, attended upon her and administered stimulant and rescued her. She was then sent to Wapping poor-house.  Mr. Woolry eh—This woman has been here before for a similar attempt on her life.  Kent, the messenger of the court—Yes, sir; she was here five or six months ago, for attempting to drown herself.  A Police Constable—Yes; three times she has attempted to destroy herself—she is a most violent and disorderly  WOMh n .  The prisoner in an excited tone said—She was drunk yestesday, and did not what she was about.  Mr. Woolrych—You have committed a most rash and wicked act. It is perfectly shocking to hear of a young woman drinking to excess, till she is mad drunk, and then attempting to take away her own life.  The Prisoner—lf 9on will let me go this time I will  never do it again.  Mr. wookych—You are not to be trusted. lam very much afraid you have been too leniently dealt with on former occasions, and now I think you ought to be committed for trial for attempting self-murder, which is an offence punishable by the laws of England. I shall remand you for a week, and when you are brought before me again I shall consider whether it is not proper to commit you to the Sessions for trial.
The Sun. — 1862-07-22 (London, England)

THAMES.  A THRICE DISAPPOINTED SIJICIDE.—Emma Cannon, a very dissipated and drunken woman, was brought before Mr. Woolrych, charged with attempting to commit suicide. William Willoughby, a constable in the employ of the Regent's Canal Company, received information yesterday afternoon that the prisoner had jumped into the canal near the Commercial Gas-works. He obtained the drags and went to the spot. The second time he threw in the drags he brought her up. She was quite insensible. Mr. Woolrych—Had she sunk when you threw in the drags? Willoughby—She was sinking.  Mr. Woolrych—ls the water deep there ? Willoughby—Yes, 14 or 15 feet in depth. I brought her on shore, and Dr. Horton, of High-street, Stepney, attended upon her and administered stimulant and rescued her. She was then sent to Wapping poor-house. Mr. Woolrsch—This woman has been here before for a similar attempt on her life. Kent, the messenger of the court—Yes, sir ; she was here five or six months ago, for attempting to drown herself. A Police Constable—Yes ; three times she has attempted to destroy herself—she is a most violent and disorderly  woman.  The prisoner in an excited tone said—She was drunk yestesday, and did not what sbe was about. Mr. Woolrych—You have committed a most rash and wicked act. It is perfectly shocking to hear of a young woman drinking to excess, till she is mad drunk, and then attempting to take away her own life.  you will let me go this time 1 will The Prisoner—If  never do it again.  Woolrych—You are not to be trusted. lam very much afraid you have been too leniently dealt with on former occasions, and now I think you ought to be committed for trial for attempting self-murder, which is an offence punishable by the laws of England. I shall remand you for a week, and when you are brought before me again I shall consider whether it is not proper to commit you to the Sessions for trial.