npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1889-09-04 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE FE SEACOMBE BOAT.  At the Wallasey Police Court, on Moni Messrs. Jacob and Johnston, Louisa Lyon • fashionably.dressed married woman, I Senilworth.rosd, bleacambe, was charge tempting to commit suicide on Saturday the ferry steamer Conlower. Charles Halewood, one of the ferrym Saturday night, white on the (merger I. from Liverpool, as he was standing for ferryboat he heard some shouting. The time was about mid.river. On going to t saw Mrs. Lyons partly over the rail of It landing leading to the tipper deck. He to the sponson and helped her back again Charles Johnson, captain of the Simi further evidence, and said he and two a men assisted her back, and during the rt the passage to Seacombe be kept hold i although she asked him to let her go. P.C. Griffiths said he took the prism tody from Mr. Bryant, ticket inspector. to the police-station she repeatedly sak had been • minute sooner and saved all tt The captain, recalled, said he con whether the woman was drunk or sol everts she was very much excited. Inspector Meredith said when he w( office on Saturday evening be found sitting on a chair. He had no doubt et the influence of drink. She bad slept for 24 hears. Ultimately her husband ci her away, but he refused to go with hi with a woman named Mrs. Clarke. She penitent. Prisoner: How do you know I was Inspector: You were crying out for wet the time. . .  Prisoner said she was naturally ex& drunk. She had only had one glass at Mi which was for her dinner. They might she was drunk now. Mt. Lyons said that his wife bad no with him for two months, but had been friend in Kenilworth-road. If the 1321408 let her go this time he would pronei better behave in the future, and word that she would not repeat her conduct. Mrs. Amelia Clarke, 9, Kenilworth-ros at the request of the prisoner, and is Lyons had a glass of beer at noon on E had no more all day. On Satorday eve went on the boat with her, but was gain of what had happened until she sav custody of a policeman. Mr. Jacob said it was a very serious to allow anybody to be abroad who tn destroying herself. The Bench decided to Walton Gaol for a week.  A
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1889-02-23 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE FROM A SEICOMBE BOAT.  At the Wallasey Petty Sessions, on Wednesday, s charwoman named Martha Owens, lately residing in Upper Parliament-street, Liverpool, was brought before Messrs. W. T. Jacob, F. Johnson, and F. Pooley, charged with attempting to commit enicide by jumping from a river steamer on the 14th February.— Robert Godfrey, master of the Wallasey luggage boat, said on the 1.30 p.m. trip from Liverpool to Seecombe on the day in goes. tion he was close to the Semaombe stage landing the cargo, and the ferry steamer Violet was at the mime time landing her passengers. He saw the prisoner jump from the aft sponson of the Violqt into the river. He at once blew his whistle to attract the attention of the stagemen, and s man named Line lowered a boat. One of the men from the luggage boat also jumped overboard and swam rapidly towards the woman, but before he reached the place she had been picked op by the boat. Inspector Welker said he had just -heard that the woman had a daughter in Wales, and if she was remanded for • week they might get somebody to take chargmol her. Richard Williams, a gentleman residing at Egremout, said the woman had been working for him on and off as a charwoman for about two years. He thought she had a stepson in Liverpool and • daughter in Wales. Mr. Jacob (to the prisoner): What induced you to do such • thing ?—Prisoner: I was , quite destitute and was coming to Sescombe to a lady I used to work for, to ask if she would help me. I don't think I was in my right senses. Have you anybody belonging to you V—No. I have • daughter in Wales, but she is not able to do anything for me. She live. in Corwen. She is married and named Hellon. The woman, who seemed in great distress, was informed by the Bench that she need not be discouraged. She would be eared for. Mr. Jacob: We want to try to help you if we can. We are tumble to agree on any other way of dealing with you except to send you over to Walton, and make such communications that you will be well taken care of until somebody can do something for you. I suppose you would not object to go into the hospital at Walton mad get strength to go with your friends when they come. The woman said she would not, and she wee accordingly remanded for seven days.  Ma. Jamas
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1889-11-06 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

BAD SPIRITS. At the Borough Police Court, on Tneeday, before Mr. Preston, stipendiary magistrate, Dr. ArnhLemeeter, who resides in St. dames-roed -•°Be was brought up in costal— adverpool, attempting to commit sn;' charged with river Mersey, I . by jumping into the  . • one of the Woodside steamers deposed '"a" 6'. 7-30 that morning just as one of the boats /"..:e leaving the Woodside stage, prisoner came running down and after throwing his umbrella On board, jumped aboard himself. When they bad got into midriver, those ou board noticed prisoner's strange manner, and as he suddenly and strangely , ran on to the top de, the Captain gave orders to Watch the man. Prisoner then rushed down to the lower deck again, and climbing up the bow of the vessel jumped into the river. They immediately lowered a boat and had no difficulty in rescuing the man though the boat drifted abreast of the Trimmere beach owing to the flood tide. When he jumped aboard and ran on to the upper deck he left. his umbrella on the bottom deck, and upon a passenger taking it to him, he gave the persoa eixpence. It was then the captain remarked that prisoner was not right and told the men to watch him. Prisoner seemed to have had some drink and smelt of spirits when rescued. P.C. 37 (Connah) stated that prisoner was brought to the Woodside receiving-room about eight o'clock that morning. He was unconcious, but after being attended to be came round. After his clothes bad been dried witness charged him with attempting to commit suicide. Prisoner replied—.l will speak to the magistrate about it in eourt."  Askel it be bad any explanation to make, pri. Boner answered—" For some days I have had no sleep, and my mind was very mach distressed. I have been investigating spiritualism and became a medium. I have for some time been wandering about the streets as my landlady can testify. I have also been without food for some time." Mr. Preston : How do you get your livelihood? Prisoner: lam the stipendiary medical officer at the Homceopatbie Hospital. Mr. Preston : Have you coy friends in Birkenhead Prisoner : I know Dr. Thos. Simprion—Dr. and Mrs. Simpson and others, of Waterloo. Mr. Preston: But in Birkenhead? Prisoner : Casually I know Dr. Young—l mean r. Green.  Mr. ton: What made you jump over board? Prisoner: I don't know; I was entranced. I was • spiritual medium, and an evil spirit made me run. about the ship and I jumped overboard. Mr. Preston: The case had better be remanded. Prisoner: I had not proper Bleep pre,iowely, that my landlady can testify to, for two nights. During his statement prisoner gradually lowered his voice until his words were scarcely audible. After a little time Mr. Preston, addressing prismer, said—" It he very fortunate that they were able to lower the boat in time to save you. I will remand you till tomorrow, and perhaps by that time I may hear something about any persons who will speak for you. If you know anyone here besides the persons mentioned you can inform the police." Prisoner was then remanded until tc-lay (Wednesday).
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1889-08-07 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING.  Noma tam BAYING that the announcement of the alleged attempted suicide of Mr. W. B. Wooton, of Rock Ferry, • member of the Birkenhead Corporation, created an immense sensation throughout the length and ! breadth of the borough. Few who knew that gentleman suspected that he was a sufferer from that insidicua and dreadful cornplaint, insomnia, for his appearance, at any rate till latterly, was that of a thoroughly healthy man who took the cares of life very easily. As a town councillor he has not taken a prominent position, but he enjoys the respect of all his colleagues and possesses considerable influence in the ward which he represents. His state is critical, but it is hoped that his recovery will be rapid and complete. That the Local Government Board has at last authorised the superannuation of Mr. Fawcett, recently one of the assistant overseers for Birkenhead. Mr. Fawcett, who has been kept on the tenter hooks of expectation for an unreasonably long time, will now receive something like £6O per annum, which no reasonable ratepayer will grudge him, seeing that he became utterly broken down in the public service. That a Bacchanalian who was, brought up at the polka court yesterday informed Mr. Bunnell that he had got drank at Father Nugent'e temperance fete in the showyard of the Wirral and Birkenhead Agricultural Society on Bank Holiday. How he contrived I to perform such a remarkable feat in • place where no intoxicants were exposed for sale is one of the things which, to quote the late Lord Dundreary, "no fellah can understand." Supt. Clarke at once explained that the procession organised by the worthy priest was the most orderly that he had ever seen in the borough, and Mr. Samuel said he quite believed that statement._ __ .  That the Guardians, following the example of the Health Committee of the Birkenhead Corporation, are about to set up a horse of their own. It was intended to keep this a a secret from the public, but, thanks to Mr. Ross, the eat was let out of the bag at the meeting of the Board yesterday. No doubt the animal will prove a costly incumbrance, but plausible reasons are being advanced for its purchase. For instance, we are told that the Guardians have a great deal of work for the horse to do and that the quantity will shortly be increased by the building operations which are to be commenced at the workhouse, and which will be carried out by the Guardians themselves. It is intended that the horse shall draw stone and the like; it will certainly draw largely from the public purse. That, notwithstanding the. unsatisfactory character of the weather on Bank Holiday, the number of people who "got over the line' in Birkenhead and Wallasey was not abnormally great. At the Liscard Police Court, yesterday, only two persons were brought forward charged with having been drunk on the previous day. The number at the Borough
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1889-11-23 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

AWFULLY SUDDEN DEATH.—An inquest was held before the district coroner, Mr. Henry Chorton, on ' Monday morning at the Victoria Hotel, touching the death of William Burns, aged 31, who had resided in St. Anne-street. Deceased, it appeared, had suffered from rheumatism, and bad complained of a pain at the heart. On Saturday night he assisted in renew rMg the body of a man drowned in the dock, and on Sunday afternoon at 4.30 he went to bed to have a sleep as was his usual habit. On going to call him at half-past six, his wife found him quite dead. She stated to the coroner that he had not worked very much and had eaten very little.—A. verdict of "Death from natural causes "was returned. BODY FOUND IN THZ DocKs.—Mr. Charton, coroner for West Cheshire, held an inquest at the Victoria Hotel, Cleveland-street, on the body of a man named Robert Hugh Patton, a labourer employed at Messrs. Lairds works. It appears that deceased bad been drinking and lost his wek, and on Saturday last went home the worse for liquor. He went out of the house three times, and on the last occasion did not return. Evidence wite given to show that on Saturday evening two workmen at the East Float heard a splash in the water and saw someone struggling in the dock. A ladder was lowered close to the struggling person, and C rope was thrown to him, but he made no effort to save himself. A man's body was subsequently friend by means of grappling irons, and it wan afterwards identified by deceased's son. The witnesses could not swear that deceased was the person they saw in the dock, A man's cap was found near the grain warehouses, so that there was in all probability another person in the dock.— The Coroner remarked that deceased was not in a state to enable them to say that he had committe d suicide, and an open verdict was returned.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1889-07-17 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

PECULIAR CASE OF DETERMINED  SUICI DE.  An inquest was held on Monday noon, at the Bull Hotel, Beckwithatreet, on the body of an elderly lady named Mrs. Porter, who bad committed suicide on Sunday night or Monday morning in • most peculiar manner. The only witness called was Mr. Tyson Graves, landlord of the New Park Hotel, 2, Trinity-street, who deposed that the deceased was his mother. She had been twice married and was the widow of the late Thomas Porter. She had attained the age of 70. For some time past she had been suffering from acute heart disease, for which Dr. Brewer had attended her. On Sunday last he (witness) spent the whole afternoon with her in her bedroom, and she then appeared to be in better health than she liad been for some time past. He noticed nothing strange in her demeanour, nor anything that would lead him to suppose she contemplated committing suicide. He left her about five o'clock in the afternoon and did not see her alive again. On Monday morning his sister came downstairs to him, and in consequence of what she said he at once proceeded to his mother's bedroom. The door was locked—a most unusual occurrence. He knocked several times and received no answer. Thinking something was the matter he procured a chisel and broke open the door, He then saw that his mother was dead. She had taken a sheet from the bed and torn a long strong strip off it. This she had fastened to the top of the bed foot, and in the loose end bad formed a kind of noose. In the noose she had placed her head, mod there not being sufficient room to swing had rested her main weight on that sheet, allowing her feet to go ender the bed and touch the floor. The strip of sheeting was so tight as to have sunk into her neck, and he had to cot the sheet to release her. Before touching the body he sent for the police. 1 The Coroner, in addressing the jury, said it was a peculiar ease. When persons had an inclination to destroy themselves there was always generally something to indicate the cause, but in the case before them they had nothing to lead them to a knowledge of the actual frame of mind in which the deceased was at the time she committed the deed. The witness had spent nearly the whole of Sunday afternoon with his mother, and she had talked to him in s rational way. There was nothing GO enable him to perceive that anything was mentally wrong with her. She had accomplished the act in a marvellously clever manner, but they had no proof of insanity in her case.  The witness here interposed and said that his mother had appeared to be very distressed during the fast fortnight; more so than he had ever seen her in his life before. Dr. Brewer had noticed that at times her demeanour was somewhat strange. . .  The Coroner replied that witness ;lionld have told them of that before; it evidently showed that her mind was at times of its balance. _  The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that de. ceased bad committed suicide whilst labouring under temporary iusanity.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1889-08-10 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY COUNCILLOR WOOTON.  The South end of the borough was considerably Chocked on Sunday. by a rumour which was abroad to the effect that Mr. W. S. Wooton, who represents Bebington Ward in the Town Council, had attempted to commit suicide. The following entry in the police report book contains all the facts which have so far been made public :—" Inspector Allinson reports that in consequence of a rumour, be called at the house of Mr. William S. Wooton, T.C., 3, Herby Perk, and was informed that Mr. Wooton had attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat with • razor. Mrs. Wooton said that her husband had been rather low spirited of late, and saying that be wanted • good night's rest, had gone to a bedroom by him. self. When she went into his room at 9a. m., she found he had cut his throat. She sent for Dr. Main who removed him to the borough hospital in his carriage and took possession of the razor. The wound was of a very serious nature." The foregoing is all the official knowledge which the police have of the unfortunate occurrence, On Sunday afternoon enquiry was made at the Borough Hospital, when s reply was given to the effect that the patient was progressing as well as could be expected under the circumstances. From enquiries made late yesterday afternoon, we are glad to note that the wound is not now considered dangerous.  THROAT linuTenomr AND  dryness, tickling and irritation, indexing cough and affecting the 'voice. For th.s. symptoms use -Eppa's Glycerine Jujubes. In contact with the glands at the moment they are excited by the act of sucking, the Glycerine in these agreeable confections becomes actively healing. Sold only in boxes, 70., tins 19.10. labelled "Jeliss EPPS & Co., Homoeopathic Chemists, London." Dr. George Moore, in his work on "Nose and Throat Diseases" says, I" The Glycerine Jujubes prepared by James Epps land Co. are of undoubted service as a curative or palliative agent, while Dr . Gordon Homes, Minim Physician to the Municipal Throat and Ear Infirmary, writes: "After an extended trial I have found your Glycerine Jujubes of considerable benefit in almost all forms of throat disease." Ladies who require their hair cut will find every accommodation at that most select of hairdressing establishments, "The Little Criterion," 90, Chester. street, epeeial attention being given to this department.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1908-07-04 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

WIRRAL NOTES.  OYLAKE AND MIST KIRBY An interesting sale of work took place on Thursday afternoon at the Y.W.C.A., Holiday Home, "Springfield," Westbourne-road, West Kirby. The object was to lighten the financial burden which is somewhat hampering the activities of the home, and fortune favoured the promoters, for more brit. liant weather could not have been desired. The success of the Holiday Home during the two years of its existence has been of a most pronounced character, and affording as it does opportunities to young women to enjoy a tranquil holiday away from the bustle of the great city—and this at A modest charge—the work is well worthy of generous practical sympathy. The activities of the Y.W.C.A. are many, but one ventures to think that there is no branch of the work more popular or more worthy of commendation than the Holiday homes. The opening proceedings were presided over by the Rev. W. C. Procter, of Meols, who extended n hearty welcome to Mrs. Stephen Williamson, who had kindly promised to open the sale. Mrs. Williamson, he said, was a Partner of her husband in all thegood works he did during his lifetime, and since he had, unhappily for them and for the whole community, been called away to his rest and reward, Mrs. Stephenson had continued, to a greater extent that ever, the work her husband would have loved to do.— Mrs. Williamson expressed her pleasure at being present, and she spoke of the highly useful role which the holiday home is hiring. She hoped in future to be a friend of the home, and trusted, in conclusion, that the aspirations of the promoters would be realised.  A case from Hoylake was heard in the King's Bench Divisional Court this week. It was an appeal by Frank Jones from a decision of Judge Shiress Will at the Dir. Isenhead County Court. The plaintiff,Frank Jones, clainfed from defendant, Thomas Jones, his brother, an account of his dealings as trustee on behalf of all the family of Samuel Jones, the father, a fisherman, of Hoylake. According to counsel for the plaintiff, the testator died in 1875, and defendant was executor of the property, .which consisted of a fishing boat and some freehold cottages at Hoylake. After summing up, Mr. Justice Channel! said on the whole of the circumstances he could not hold that the County Court judge had come to a wrong decision, and the appeal Would there• fore be dismissed with costs. .Mrs. Elizabeth Farrell, of Hoylake, was charged at the Chester Quarter Sessions this week with having attempted to coinmit suicide by walking into the sea at Boy. lake on the 10th ult. The details a the case have already appeared in these columns. Mrs. Banks, the married daughter of the prisoner, promised to look after her mother in the future, and Mrs. Farrell was bound over to be of good behaviour for twelve months, herself in a surety of .510 and Mrs. Banks in another surety of a like amount.
The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1908-07-01 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE "GIGANTIC EVIL"  YOUNG MAN'S SAD POSITION.  An unfortunate came of drinking followed by attempted suicide was investigated in the Borough Police Court on Saturday by Mr. E. T. Coston and Dr. R. Owen Morris.  Albert 3loulton was charged with ha-Yin—a attempted to commit muicide by drinking quantity of ammonia on the 20th June. A. Cartwrlght maid prisoner Wcti him b!O• ther-in-law, and lived with hiru at 121. IClevekindetreet. On Saturday primemer came home drunk, and witnems remorn ' strated with him. Prisoner was qua:rel.:owe, eo witness went out of the house, thinking he would calm down. Returning mhortly to the house witaema found primoner in the yard on him face. There was a bottle of ammonia on the table. Priaoner was a house painter, and used the ammonia kto clear him throat from the effects of the paint. On this occamiou he had nearly. emptied the bottle of ita contentm. Witness ment for Dr Pierce, and then removed his brother-in-law to the hospital In a cab. Prisoner only drank on nay Jaye. Witness wad a life teetotaller, and prisoner did not get any drink in him house. Be might be a little to blame for what had occurred for irritating prisoner when he mpoke to him. Dr. Daniel Johnson (from: the Borongh Hompital) maid primoner when admitted was under the influents of drink, and smelt of ammonia, hie lips were burned, and hie tongue and the back of him throat .red and inflamed. He did not seem to remember having taken the ammonia. Prisoner told the magimtratem he had no intention of taking the stuff, and did not yemember anything about it. He promised to take the pledge. Mr. Cartwright, in reply to the Bench, said he would look after prisoner. He was old enough to take care of himself when sober.  The Chairman said it was a pity to see a young man like prisoner in such a -Josition, and the Bench hoped he would- do better. They would take a lenient ,ies and discharge him with a warning.