npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Potteries Examiner : — 1873-03-08 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

SHOCKING TRAGEDY IN MANCHESTER. An extraordinary case of self-destruction, rendered doubly painful by the youth of the suicide and the manner in which he carried out his plan no as to avoid receiving his death directly from his own hands, occurred at Gaythorn yesterday afternoon. The deceased was named Alfred , Roberts, and was a packer in the employment of Messrs. Winder and Harrop, lead manufacturers, Albion-street, Gaythorn. He was about 21 years of age. A salesman in the sante establishment, Thomas Bladon Walter, a youth of 19, had recently joined the volunteer corps (the Ist Manchester Rifles), to which Roberts had for some time belonged, and the two young men were frequently engaged in friendly conversation upon volunteer topics. At about a quarter past 1 yesterday, luring the dinner hour, they were joined in the earthenware room by another fellowemployee, named Carruthers, who found them playing with Roberta's rifle, and snapping the gun at several objects in the room, at which they agreed to aim in turn. Shortly after Carruthers' entrance, Roberts passed the rifle to Walter, telling him to aim straight at him, while he watched the muzzle to see whether he 'held the gun stewlily.lllThe latter did as he was told, but on pulling the trigger salts horror-striken to find that the gun went off with a loud report, and that his companion dropped on the floor, apparently mortally wounded. It became at once evident that the rifle had been loaded in the brief interval that had elapsed since he had before handled it. Walter was naturally agonised on seeing his companion fall at his feet, and exclaimed, " Oh, Robert, what have you done ? " Carruthers, on finding that a bullet had passed through Robert's neck, entering by the throat, was no less astonished, for on coming into the room he had examined the gun at the breach, and had tried the action of the block, by which any cartridge or shell would have been brought out. The only conclusion that could be drawn in these circumstances was that Roberts hasl furtively loaded the rifle before handing it to his comrade. This suspicion was afterwards confirmed by the following letter which was found grasped in the deceased's hand : March 4th, 1873. I am very glad you have saved Inc the trouble of shooting myself. I know you are anxious to become a marksman in the corps. Perhaps I shall be of service to gam by making a target of myself. Wishing success to your first shot, I remain, yours re.gpectftelly,
The Potteries Examiner : — 1873-12-06 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

FENTON LOCAL BOARD.  The monthly meeting of this Board was held on Tuesday, in the Board Room, when there were present, Messrs. J. Simson (chairman), Skerratt, C. Challinor, Mead, Birks, S. Grecn,W. Swetenhani, Hilton, Minks, and Walker.  Four answers had been received in reply to the advertisement for tenders for making a valuation of the property in the Fenton district, with a view to laying a rate upon the extended area of the district. The applications had been considered by the Finance Corn. mittee, wholad decided in favour of appointing Mr. C. Lynham, of Stoke. The recommendation was eon. firmed by the Bard. The terms of the appointment are that remuneration should be at the rate of Ohs. per cent, up to the sum of .2506 on each assessment (the gross annual value thereof), and at the rate of 15s. per cent. beyond £5OO on each assessment--It was stated by Mr. Adderley (clerk) that it was made a condition of acceptance by the Finance Committee that the valuation should be completed in one month. Mr. Lynham, however, had undertaken to get the work done in throe months from the twenty-first of November. The Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Weaver) reported that 28 births and 17 deaths had been registered during the past month. Of the former 11 wet e boys and 17 girls. Three of the deaths were in infants under one year old; three under five years; five over 60 years of age. Two deaths were ascribed to symotic diseases, and tire to diseases of the respiratory organs. There had been one suicide by drowning. The death rate averaged 163 per thousand of the population, which he considered satisfactory as compared with the corresponding period of last year, when the death role was 219 per thousand. It also compared favourably with other parts of the kingdom, for, although no particular epidemic prevailed to any extent there was a large amount of general disease existing, in consequence of the changes of temperature which had been experienced, and which had been fatal among elderly people specially. It was especially grafi. fying that there had been a decrease in the death rale of infants and young children, and, excepting one cam of scarlet fever, and one of fever unspecified, there was a total absence of deaths from zymofic or preventible diseases. The doctor closed his report by stating that he was willing to act pro tem, as medical officer until a new appointment was made. The latter suggestion was adopted, and the CHAIRMAN expressed his pleasure at hearing that disease was at is low rate in Fenton.
The Potteries Examiner : — 1873-09-20 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

RAILWAY ACCIDENTS IN 1872.—A Parliamentary return has been issued of all accidents which have been reported to the Board of Trade by the several railway companies in the United Kingdom, as having occurred on their lines during the year ended the 31st December, 1872. The return is the first which has been prepared for an entire period of twelve months under the Regulation of Railways Act, 1872. The total number of persons killed during the year, according to this return, was 1,145, and 3,038 were injured. The total number of passengers killed was 127-24 "from causes beyond their own control," and Ir. "from their own miscons duct or want of caution." The total number of passengers injured Was 1,462, of whom 1,247 received their injuries from causes beyond their own control, and 215 from their own misconduct or want of caution. The number of railway servants returned as killed under the former head is 64, and under the latter 568; the injured in these two classes are 376 and 1,109 respectively. Seventy persons were killed and 23 injured while passing over railways at level crossings. Under the head of "trespassers and suicides," 258 are report. ed as killed and 107 injured; and "miscellaneous," not included in any of the preceding classes, 386 killed and 181 injured. A list is also given of the number of accidents unattended with loss of life or personal injury. It extends over thirty-two pages of the blue-book, but no summary in appended. It appears from one of the tables in the book that the total number of passengers killed on railways from causes beyond their own control from 1862 to 1872 was 271. In an introductory note it is stated that these returns are made by the companies themselves, and "the great discrepancies between the numbers of accidents returned by the various companies lead to a doubt whether they all I make the return with equal tare and completeness."
The Potteries Examiner : — 1873-09-20 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

FIITURE.—Seven years, six stamps. Lifetime, twelve ; Love Charm, s:xteen. State age.—Methniaton, 78. Poet Office, Daveutry.  IF THERE ARE ANY LADIES whohavenotyetng4 01.43LENFIELDSTARCH,theyArOMpeedaySOlicitell to give it a trial, arid carefully follow out the directions printed OD every package, and if this is done, they will say, like the Qaeen's Laundress, it is the finest Starch they ever used. When you ask for GLENEIELD Brenchs see that you get it, as inferior kinds are often substituted for the sake of extra profit. Beware therefore of sparkamindbMiom  CONFERENCE OF THE AMALGAMATED ASSOCIATION OF MINERS, AT BRISTOL, ON TUESDAY, THE 7th DAY OF OCTOBEit, 1873.  All miners are respectfully informed that is conference of delegates from districts of the above association will he held on Tuesday, October 7th, 1873, and following days so required, in the LecturcHall,Athenoeara, Porootreet, Bristol. .  - Business to commence at 10 o'clock a.m. Programme of business:— I.—Appointment of Credential Committee, and the ' report on credentials. 2.—Acceptance of new districts. 3.—Statement by Secretary as to districts who are financial, and state of funds. 4—Appointment of tellers. s.—President's address. 6.—Appointment of auditors. 7.—Reports from delegates as to the general Mite of distriets. B.—Wages' question (consideration of). 9.—Regulation of work at the mines. 10.—Coal Mines Regulation Act, Metalliferous Act, special rules, Sic. 11.—Masters and Servants' Payment of Wages Bill, Truck Question. 12.—Compensation Bill. 13.—Criminal Threats Act, 1871.—Necessity of its total repeal. 14.—Masters and Servants' Act (contract of service).  14th section. 15.—Appointmcnt of Parliamentary agent or agents. 16.—Appointment of agent for the association. 17.—Trades Congre,,, Sheffield, January, 1874, and a deputation to attend the same. 18.—The consideration of Conciliation and Arbitration Courts, and how to get them established in mining districts. 19.—Propriety of provi.ling technical education for the mining population. W.—Co-operative collieries, and industrial partnerships. 21.—Direct representation of miners and labour gene. rally in Parliament. 22.—Consideration of clearances or transfer of membership. 23.—Consideration of any business not on the programme. 24—Auditors' report. 25.—Resignation of officers. W.—Election of officers.  FATAL num.—A lodging-hou.se keeper, named Mary Ann Cartwright, was burned to death in a fire which destroyed her home in Welbecksstrect, Cavendish Square, early on Saturday morning. SUICIDE AT BA'ITERSEA Si ATioN.—On Saturday morning a respeetably-dressed man, who was on the platform of the Battersea Railway Station on the West London line, threw himself on the metals as the London train was approaching. The act was so sudden that no aid could be rendered, and the man was killed installtaneotisl .
The Potteries Examiner : — 1873-03-15 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

COUNTY AND LOCAL NEWS.  DEATH OF THE CEERK OF THE PEACE. Mr. , Robert William Hand, Clerk of the Peace for the County of Stafford, died on Tuesday morning at Mal. vern. D, ceased, besides the important appointment referred to, held many other public offices. He was Clerk to the Lieutenancy ; Clerk to several Turnpike Trusts; Clerk to the Stafford Burial Court ; acting Under Sheriff of the County ; and, until the coin. I mencemeut of the present year, was Town Clerk of Stafford. He resigned the last-named appointment, to the regret of the whole town. Mr. Hand was a gentleman very highly respected by all classes. and his death, which has followed that of one of his sons within about three weeks, has east a gloom over the town. He had gone to Malvern for the benefit of his health. Further intelligence points to the fact that the deceased gentleman had committed suicide. He was suffering from melancholia, and was on a visit at Malvern, at the Imperial Hotel. Dr. Day was with him. as also Mrs. Hand. On Tuesday. it appeared he left his room. and was seen by Dr. Day to traverse a corridor in the hotel, and enter a water-closet. Dr. Day's suspicious were urroused by his absence, and it was found Mr. Hand hid cut his throat, and was lying on the floor in a pool of blocs]. The instrument used was a razor. An inquest was held on Wednesday, and a verdict that deceased put on end to his life while in a state of insanity was returned. The remains were taken to Stafford on Wednesday. We are informed that throughout the whole town in which the unfortunate deceased lived, and enioyod the esteem of all classes, the utmost sympathy is expressed. It is stated that the mental aberration of the deceased had been so well ascertained, that arrangements were at the time of his death in progress for placing him, with his own consent, under regulated constraint.
The Potteries Examiner : — 1880-04-24 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

PATHETIC DOUBLE SUICIDE.  Our Hungarian contemporaries report a peculiarly painful ease ..' double suicide committed by two shepherd boys, respectively aged ten and twelve, near Karlshurg. These lads were in charge of a flock of sheep turned out to graze on some grass land abutting upon the Karlsburg Arad Railway, and had been several times reproved by the watchman stationed near their pasturage ground for allowing the sheep to stray on the line. On the Oth instant just as the Arid express came in sight, several sheep had wandered down the embankment, and were in imminent danger of being crushed by the train, from which, however, they were rescued by the timely intervention of the watchman in question, who, as anon as the train had passed, called up the boys and told them he would have them severely , punished for neglecting their duty and his repeated I warnings. The terrified lads had consultation together as to how they might escape the threatened penalty, and speedily came to the conclueiok that the best way to get out of their serape would -be to drown themselves. thee of them had just had a new hat, adorned with a gay peacock's feather, given to him, which he sold for thirteen kreueers to a little peasant girl, who had been at play with the boys when the dreadful menace of punishment was imparted to them. With the price of this hat he purchased some small leaves, and the three ehildivn eat down by the litres to hold their " Pomona " death feast, and this being terminated the boys climbed the parapet of the Metros Bridge, their tiny playmate counted aloud "One, two, three," and at the word "three" they sprang, baud-in-hood, into the river, sinking immediately under the broken ice with which the surface of the rapid stream was par. covered.
The Potteries Examiner : — 1880-05-29 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

ROMANTIC SUICIDE.  An inquest on the body of George Lcaton Shield, aged 24, of 2, Stockwell Avenue, Brixton, who shot himself through the head, has been holden at the City of London Coroner's Court, Golden Lane, London. It appeared that the deceased, who had been cruising about for several years past, was invalided home from Calcutta in the summer of 1878 suffering from sunstroke, and subsequently earned some distinction at the war in the Transvaal under Sir Garnet Weiseley. Ile returned to England about a month ago, and had since been in very low spirits at not been able to obtain employment, although his parents wished hint to stay with them. On the morning of the 18th inst. he left home and went to the London Docks, where he expected to obtain it ' berth on board s vend he had previously sailed I in, and returning to his sister's house at Walworth, told her that he was to go again to the docks that I ! afternoon to get an answer lie loft about four o'clock for that purpose, and was not again seen by them. After leaving tho docks for the second time with an unfavourable answer table application, he, it appears, entered a gun-shop in Union place, Tower hill, and asking to see some revolvers, finally selected a large twelve-chambered piece and requested the assistant to give him a cartridge. Ile was collected and quite sober, and the assistant suspecting nothing, handed him the cartridge, which he placed in one of the chambers, he then stepped back, and saying, "I have great trouble," put the pistol to his right temple and pulled the trigger, falling dead immediately after. A letter WA • found on him, in which he said, "I cannot get a ship, and I am too manly to live on my parents who want me to stay and would never tire of me I most put an end to my life God bless von all. I shall he dead in one hour, but still I might confess another thing. I fell in love with a dear girl, but I was not in a fit position to marry her. God bless tier. Farewell. I die, die, die, broken-hearted. Varewell. " After some discussion a verdict of " Suicide whilst of unsound mind" was recorded, an expression of sympathy on the part of the jury, In which the coroner joined, being conveyed to the parents of the deceased.
The Potteries Examiner : — 1880-05-29 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

SINGULAR CASE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER.  Samuel Meadows, 18, labourer, was indicted at the Central Criminal Court, on Wednesday, for attempted murder. On April 28 last the prisoner was arrested at Barking for uttering counterfeit coin— all offence with which he was now charged, and to which he pleaded guilty. On the way to the station he behaved so violently that it required four policemen to manage him. At the station his conduct became even more violent, and taking a dagger from his belt made stabs at several constables, exclaiming that he would plunge the dagger intp the heart of the first one who moved. The men avoided the thrusts, which if they had taken effect might have killed or seriously wounded them. Meadows afterwards varied the form of assault by throwing an arm chair at the officers, but without doing theta any injury-.—The prisoner was found guilty.—Mr. Poland (who with Mr. 3lontague Williams appeared for the prosecution) informed the Court that the accused had been confined in a lunatic asylum ; but the surgeon of the gaol was not able now to find any traces of insanity. 'The accused was formerly a boy on board her Majesty's ship invincible, and one day when three miles from land he jumped overboard and attempted to swim ashore. On another occasion he attempted to commit suicide with poisons taken front the ship's dispensary; and in cons, coulee of his conduct he was sent home to Hasler Hospital, being afterwards removed to the ltoyal Naval Lunatic Asylum at Yarmouth,from which he was discharged ! last year cured. There was no doubt that the prisoner was subject to uncontrollable fits of passion.— The prisoner pleaded guilty to another indictment of stealing a watch and various articles of clothing, the property of some labouring people at Isleworth who had taken him in out of compassion.—Prisoner was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude.
The Potteries Examiner : — 1875-06-26 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

ACCIDENT.—On Thursday afternoon an accident occurred in High-street somewhat as follows : Mr. Cliff, who had been drawing some cratewood, was returning with his empty cart, wherein he was riding, when his horse took fright near the church, and galloped off at a tremendous rate, kicking and rearing now and then until arriving near the waterworks engine yard, when he again reared and suddenly threw Mr. Cliff violently out of the cart, who fell on his head, musing the blood to spurt out of his ears and seriously injuring him altogether. Two medical gentlemen were in immediate attendance on him and accompanied him home in n cab, but his injuries are of such a severe nature that serious doubts are entertained of his re. merry. After the horse had thrown him out of the cart, the animal took off again down High-street, but was fortunately arrested near Mr. Nield's, Without further injury, . oUICIog.-0a Saturday last a coroner's inquest was held at the Sneyd's Arms, relative to the sad death of George Latham, who cut his throat the day previously. After deliberating on the case, the jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst under temporary insanity." On Monday afternoon the interment took place, and High-street, where the deceased had resided, was densely crowded with people to witness the funeral, and as the hearse and procession were moving up the street, a few yards from the residence, the driver of a cart, instead of holding his horse still for the procession to pass through the crowd, rashly whipped his horse forward, who, in suddenly starting, knocked a little boy down under the horse, but was instantly snatched from under, and thus fortunately escaped being run over. Much indignation was expressed by the people against the driver, and a frightful scream betokened the alarm manifested when the little one was under the horse and cart. The procession moved on to the church and cemetery, where the Rev. S. Parkes officiated, and pronounced the deceased committed to earth—" Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." After the friends had returned to the late home of the deceased, practical and generous sympathy was manisested towards the bereaved widow and family by a subscription list being openol, which was kindly responded to, and upwards of £lO realised to assist Mrs. Latham in carrying on the business of her late husband. Other kindly assistance in a business way was also promised by several butchers and friends present on the melancholy occasion.
The Potteries Examiner : — 1875-08-14 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

THE CARDIFF WIFE MURDER.  SENTEN.CIt OF .DEAI:I3:  At the Glamo-rg—a—n:l7i-re- A;si-s;s, -held on Monday, at Swansea, before Mr. Justice Coleridge, George Richards, about 40 years of age, a seaman, was charged with the wiful murder of his wife, at Cardiff, on the 27th of March. From the evidence given, it appeared that the prisoner was the mate of a steamer, and resided with his wife and five children at the house of Mr. Colston, Bute.street, Cardiff. About seven o'clock on the morning in question Miss Colston, who was sleeping in the next room to the prisoner and his wife, suddenly heard a tapping at her wall, and also groans. She went into prisoner's room, where she saw prisoner bending over Isis wife, both being covered with blood. She ran downstairs screaming "Murder !" and when her father and a policeman entered the room a ghastly spectacle presented itself. Mrs. Richards had received two serious stabs in the throat, from which blood was flow; ing. The prisoner had also a serious wound in the throat, having: attempted suicide. They were then lying side by side in bed, an infant only a few months old lying on the mother's arms asleep. All were covered with blood, and the bed clothes were saturated. Mrs. Richards, pointing to her husband, said, " He did it," and be.ng asked why. prisoner, pointing to his head, said, "Distress." Prisoner had been ont of work for eight weeks, but £2 in money and some provisions were found in his possession.—Mr. Rowlands, who appeared for the prisoner, set up the plea of insanity as the defence, and called Mr. Jayne. surgeon, of Cardiff, who said that, having examined the prisoner, he believed him to be suffering from such mental depression as to render him unaccountable for his actions—The Jury, however, after an absence of more than an hour, returned a verdict of "Guilty, and his Lordship pro. ; minced sentence of death in the usual form.