EDWARD BONTAINE
London
EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDES
On Saturday morning Dr. Hardwicke held an inquest at the Middlesex Hospital on the body of Edward Bontaine, 57, a silversmith, of 50, Charlotte street, Fitzroy square. Deceased went on Aug. 7th, to the shop, No. 6, Bennett street, St. Pancras, where he was subsequently found lying on the floor. He had taken a quantity of nitric acid, some of which was found in a jug by his side. Removed to the hospital, he soon expired there from the effects of the poison. The coroner's officer, in summoning a jury, served a summons upon Henry Turner, a shoemaker, living at 6, Bennett street, who told him that he did not intend to appear on a jury, and that be would commit suicide rather than do so. On Saturday morning he was found dead, suspended from the bedpost. In the case of Bontaine the jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while in a state of unsound mind." The body of Turner lies in St. Pancras mortuary to await an inquest.
Source: Monmouthshire Merlin - 15th August 1879
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Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
LOUIS GUSTAVE DROY
London
THROWING VITRIOL ON A WIFE
At the Bow-street police-court yesterday, Louis Gustave Droy, a silversmith, residing in Long Acre, was charged with throwing a quantity of nitric acid over Madame Droy, his wife.
'The prosecutrix stated that she had been separated from her husband for twelve months, and since that time he had been in the habit of following her about, so that she had been obliged to go to and from her house of business escorted by a lady friend. A week since, on her way home from church, the prisoner passed her and threw a quantity of nitric acid over her mantle, gown, and handkerchief.
The articles were produced, the mantle being burnt to shreds, and the prisoner, who seemed to feel his position acutely, was committed for trial at the Central Criminal Court.
Source: The Western Mail - 11th October 1870
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London
THROWING VITRIOL ON A WIFE
At the Bow-street police-court yesterday, Louis Gustave Droy, a silversmith, residing in Long Acre, was charged with throwing a quantity of nitric acid over Madame Droy, his wife.
'The prosecutrix stated that she had been separated from her husband for twelve months, and since that time he had been in the habit of following her about, so that she had been obliged to go to and from her house of business escorted by a lady friend. A week since, on her way home from church, the prisoner passed her and threw a quantity of nitric acid over her mantle, gown, and handkerchief.
The articles were produced, the mantle being burnt to shreds, and the prisoner, who seemed to feel his position acutely, was committed for trial at the Central Criminal Court.
Source: The Western Mail - 11th October 1870
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
JOHN LAWSON VASS
Newcastle-on-Tyne
John Lawson Vass, a silversmith, has been apprehended at Newcastle-on-Tyne, on a charge of assaulting his wife, Isabella Vass, and the woman having died, the charge became one of having caused her death. The assault was committed three weeks ago, and the man absconded, but returned shortly after her death. A coroner's jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter.
Source: County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser - 26th September 1874
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Newcastle-on-Tyne
John Lawson Vass, a silversmith, has been apprehended at Newcastle-on-Tyne, on a charge of assaulting his wife, Isabella Vass, and the woman having died, the charge became one of having caused her death. The assault was committed three weeks ago, and the man absconded, but returned shortly after her death. A coroner's jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter.
Source: County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser - 26th September 1874
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
THOMAS WAKEFIELD
Newark, New Jersey
Thomas Wakefield, 55 years old, formerly employed in Tiffany & Co.’s factory at Woodside, was crushed between the bumpers of two freight cars of the Erie Railroad last week, near the Summer Ave. crossing. He was going on an errand for his wife when he met his death. He had not worked for the Tiffany firm of late because of ill-health. He is survived by a widow, four daughters and three sons.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 19th May 1909
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Newark, New Jersey
Thomas Wakefield, 55 years old, formerly employed in Tiffany & Co.’s factory at Woodside, was crushed between the bumpers of two freight cars of the Erie Railroad last week, near the Summer Ave. crossing. He was going on an errand for his wife when he met his death. He had not worked for the Tiffany firm of late because of ill-health. He is survived by a widow, four daughters and three sons.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 19th May 1909
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
ED. CAMPBELL
Kansas City
Ed. Campbell, of Campbell Bros., jewelers, met with a very painful accident while in Moberly, Mo., last week. Mr. Campbell was attending a drill of the artillery of which he is a member, when by an accidental discharge of a cannon his thumb was torn off and his hand badly lacerated.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 31st July 1895
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Kansas City
Ed. Campbell, of Campbell Bros., jewelers, met with a very painful accident while in Moberly, Mo., last week. Mr. Campbell was attending a drill of the artillery of which he is a member, when by an accidental discharge of a cannon his thumb was torn off and his hand badly lacerated.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 31st July 1895
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
CHARLES W. SOMERS
Boston, Massachusetts
Charles W. Somers, manufacturing jeweler, Washington building, met with a serious accident Thursday morning, Jan. 24, when a heavy automobile truck suddenly backed into him on Summer St., crushing him and the driver against the wall of the Cobb, Bates and Yerxa store. Mr. Somers sustained a fracture to his pelvis bone and both his legs were paralyzed. He was taken to the relief hospital in Haymarket square in an ambulance, accompanied by William B. Parks and O. S. Reed, both of the Thomas Long Co.. whose jewelry store is very near. Mr. Parks was coming out of the Cobb, Bates & Yerxa store when the accident occurred, but fortunately he escaped injury. It is thought that the vibration of the truck, whose lever was on "neutral," released the clutch and sent the vehicle at great force backward. Mr. Somers was removed from the hospital in the evening after receiving medical attention. The injury, though extremely painful, failed to render Mr. Somers unconscious. He showed great fortitude throughout the ordeal.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 30th January 1918
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Boston, Massachusetts
Charles W. Somers, manufacturing jeweler, Washington building, met with a serious accident Thursday morning, Jan. 24, when a heavy automobile truck suddenly backed into him on Summer St., crushing him and the driver against the wall of the Cobb, Bates and Yerxa store. Mr. Somers sustained a fracture to his pelvis bone and both his legs were paralyzed. He was taken to the relief hospital in Haymarket square in an ambulance, accompanied by William B. Parks and O. S. Reed, both of the Thomas Long Co.. whose jewelry store is very near. Mr. Parks was coming out of the Cobb, Bates & Yerxa store when the accident occurred, but fortunately he escaped injury. It is thought that the vibration of the truck, whose lever was on "neutral," released the clutch and sent the vehicle at great force backward. Mr. Somers was removed from the hospital in the evening after receiving medical attention. The injury, though extremely painful, failed to render Mr. Somers unconscious. He showed great fortitude throughout the ordeal.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 30th January 1918
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
LOUIS LAMBERT?
Oullins, France
Pursued by Armed Crowd
Coiner Kills a Policeman
While attempting to arrest two coiners at Ouillons, near Lyons, a policeman was murdered and another man seriously injured.
Two suspicious-looking characters having passed a number of counterfeit five-franc pieces, a policeman named Grillet endeavoured to arrest them. One of the men, however, drew a revolver and shot the officer dead. He then made off, pursued by an armed crowd.
The fugitive fired three times at his pursuers, and one bullet struck a man who had joined in the hunt. A policeman then fired at the murderer, and brought him down with a bullet in the leg. Finding escape impossible, the man shot himself in the head, and was taken to hospital in a dying condition.
Cards' bearing the name of Louis Lambert, goldsmith, were found in his pocket. His associate, an Italian, was arrested without difficulty, and was found to be in possession of counterfeit five-franc pieces.
Source: Evening Express - 12th August 1910
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Oullins, France
Pursued by Armed Crowd
Coiner Kills a Policeman
While attempting to arrest two coiners at Ouillons, near Lyons, a policeman was murdered and another man seriously injured.
Two suspicious-looking characters having passed a number of counterfeit five-franc pieces, a policeman named Grillet endeavoured to arrest them. One of the men, however, drew a revolver and shot the officer dead. He then made off, pursued by an armed crowd.
The fugitive fired three times at his pursuers, and one bullet struck a man who had joined in the hunt. A policeman then fired at the murderer, and brought him down with a bullet in the leg. Finding escape impossible, the man shot himself in the head, and was taken to hospital in a dying condition.
Cards' bearing the name of Louis Lambert, goldsmith, were found in his pocket. His associate, an Italian, was arrested without difficulty, and was found to be in possession of counterfeit five-franc pieces.
Source: Evening Express - 12th August 1910
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
JOHN MURRAY
London
A London jeweller, named John Murray, aged 60, was observed swimming about 400 yards from the Pier-head at Bournemouth on Wednesday. Shortly afterwards he was found unconscious on the beach, and died almost immediately.
Source: Evening Express - 17th August 1894
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London
A London jeweller, named John Murray, aged 60, was observed swimming about 400 yards from the Pier-head at Bournemouth on Wednesday. Shortly afterwards he was found unconscious on the beach, and died almost immediately.
Source: Evening Express - 17th August 1894
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
MARACEK
Schwaz, Austria
MOUNTAIN ACCIDENTS
Innsbruck, Tuesday. - A goldsmith, of Schwaz, named Maracek, while descending from the Sonnenjock into the Achenthall, fell over a precipice and was killed.
Source: Evening Express - 19th July 1904
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Schwaz, Austria
MOUNTAIN ACCIDENTS
Innsbruck, Tuesday. - A goldsmith, of Schwaz, named Maracek, while descending from the Sonnenjock into the Achenthall, fell over a precipice and was killed.
Source: Evening Express - 19th July 1904
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
JOHN EDMUNDS
Ludgershall, Buckinghamshire
EXECUTION AT AYLESBURY
William Dumbleton was executed at Aylesbury on Monday morning, for the murder of John Edmunds, a travelling watchmaker, at Ludgershall, Bucks. Death was instantaneous, and the prisoner expressed contrition for his crime.
Source: South Wales Daily News - 11th May 1880
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Ludgershall, Buckinghamshire
EXECUTION AT AYLESBURY
William Dumbleton was executed at Aylesbury on Monday morning, for the murder of John Edmunds, a travelling watchmaker, at Ludgershall, Bucks. Death was instantaneous, and the prisoner expressed contrition for his crime.
Source: South Wales Daily News - 11th May 1880
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
JAMES ADAMS
Penge, London
SUICIDE BY HANGING
James Adams, Master watchmaker, hanged himself today at Penge.
Source: South Wales Echo - 5th September 1899
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Penge, London
SUICIDE BY HANGING
James Adams, Master watchmaker, hanged himself today at Penge.
Source: South Wales Echo - 5th September 1899
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
BURGLARS AND THE BATH
Paris
An interesting story telling how three expert burglars came to be caught while robbing the flat of a Parisian goldsmith was unfolded before the correctional tribunal yesterday. The burglars had made a good haul of gold and silver articles and objects of art, which they made into packages. They were about to leave the flat, when they remembered that they had not paid a visit to the bath-room. The bath-room appealed to them, and they thought they would like to take a warm bath. In turning on the water they did not perceive that they had turned on the gas jet as well. When they returned to the bath-room after collecting their packages a terrible explosion occurred, throwing them to the floor. The bath-room was filled with gas, which got into contact with the candles they carried in their hands. The explosion led to their arrest. Both men were terribly burnt, especially about the eyes. They have been still further punished. The court has sent them to prison for four years.
Source: Evening Express - 13th February 1909
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Paris
An interesting story telling how three expert burglars came to be caught while robbing the flat of a Parisian goldsmith was unfolded before the correctional tribunal yesterday. The burglars had made a good haul of gold and silver articles and objects of art, which they made into packages. They were about to leave the flat, when they remembered that they had not paid a visit to the bath-room. The bath-room appealed to them, and they thought they would like to take a warm bath. In turning on the water they did not perceive that they had turned on the gas jet as well. When they returned to the bath-room after collecting their packages a terrible explosion occurred, throwing them to the floor. The bath-room was filled with gas, which got into contact with the candles they carried in their hands. The explosion led to their arrest. Both men were terribly burnt, especially about the eyes. They have been still further punished. The court has sent them to prison for four years.
Source: Evening Express - 13th February 1909
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
ENDERLE
Vienna
A terrible domestic tragedy occurred on February 11, in the suburbs of Brehünsee, one of the poorest quarters of Vienna. According to a correspondent, a journeyman goldsmith, named Enderle, aged 39, lived there with his wife and six children, earning between 22s and 25s a week. His wife committed suicide some time ago by taking poison, and since that time he had either to neglect his work or his children, the eldest of whom was about eight years of age, the youngest but six months. He ended by losing his work, and the woman who sometimes looked after his children left him on February 10. The following day the unfortunate man mixed a large quantity of cyanide of potassium, which he had procured in his workshop, with coffee, and gave to the children to drink, drinking some also himself. One only of the children did not taste it, and all the others died within a few minutes. A woman, who found the door locked, alarmed the neighbours, and when the room was entered Enderle was seen lying dead on the floor, and the two eldest girls and the three boys, aged five, four, and three respectively, dead in bed. The baby was taken away by neighbours, and the six bodies were conveyed to the hospital.
Source: The Maitland Mercury - 28th March 1889
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Vienna
A terrible domestic tragedy occurred on February 11, in the suburbs of Brehünsee, one of the poorest quarters of Vienna. According to a correspondent, a journeyman goldsmith, named Enderle, aged 39, lived there with his wife and six children, earning between 22s and 25s a week. His wife committed suicide some time ago by taking poison, and since that time he had either to neglect his work or his children, the eldest of whom was about eight years of age, the youngest but six months. He ended by losing his work, and the woman who sometimes looked after his children left him on February 10. The following day the unfortunate man mixed a large quantity of cyanide of potassium, which he had procured in his workshop, with coffee, and gave to the children to drink, drinking some also himself. One only of the children did not taste it, and all the others died within a few minutes. A woman, who found the door locked, alarmed the neighbours, and when the room was entered Enderle was seen lying dead on the floor, and the two eldest girls and the three boys, aged five, four, and three respectively, dead in bed. The baby was taken away by neighbours, and the six bodies were conveyed to the hospital.
Source: The Maitland Mercury - 28th March 1889
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
LEO I. KIEFER
Kansas City
Grief Drives Leo I. Kiefer to Suicide
Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 17.—His mind unbalanced by the sudden death of his only child two weeks ago, Leo I. Kiefer, jeweler, 1,427 Grand Ave., committed suicide at his home, 1,323 Charlotte St., this morning, by swallowing two ounces of carbolic acid. Mr. Kiefer had been in business for fourteen years.
Myrtle, the little daughter seven years of age, of Mr. and Mrs. Kiefer, was stricken with diphtheria and died, after a short illness on the second day of this month. Mr. Kiefer dearly loved the child and became despondent because of her death.
He left home at the usual hour this morning, went to a drug store, bought the acid, and then went to a shed behind his house, swallowed it and died. The body was discovered an hour afterward by his clerk.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 22nd November 1893
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Kansas City
Grief Drives Leo I. Kiefer to Suicide
Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 17.—His mind unbalanced by the sudden death of his only child two weeks ago, Leo I. Kiefer, jeweler, 1,427 Grand Ave., committed suicide at his home, 1,323 Charlotte St., this morning, by swallowing two ounces of carbolic acid. Mr. Kiefer had been in business for fourteen years.
Myrtle, the little daughter seven years of age, of Mr. and Mrs. Kiefer, was stricken with diphtheria and died, after a short illness on the second day of this month. Mr. Kiefer dearly loved the child and became despondent because of her death.
He left home at the usual hour this morning, went to a drug store, bought the acid, and then went to a shed behind his house, swallowed it and died. The body was discovered an hour afterward by his clerk.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 22nd November 1893
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
ALONZO ROTHSCHILD
East Foxboro, Massachusetts
Alonzo Rothschild, founder of the 'Jewlers' Weekly', died by drowning, Sept. 29 on his estate at East Foxboro, Mass.
Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - October 1915
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East Foxboro, Massachusetts
Alonzo Rothschild, founder of the 'Jewlers' Weekly', died by drowning, Sept. 29 on his estate at East Foxboro, Mass.
Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - October 1915
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
MITCHELL DAMIANO
Wallingford, Connecticut
Mitchell Damiano, an employe of R. Wallace & Sons Mfg. Co., Wallingford, crushed his hand so severely last week that it was necessary to amputate two fingers.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 25th October 1911
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Wallingford, Connecticut
Mitchell Damiano, an employe of R. Wallace & Sons Mfg. Co., Wallingford, crushed his hand so severely last week that it was necessary to amputate two fingers.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 25th October 1911
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
J. PITT
Hackney, London
Mrs. Smethwick, an old lady 80 years of age was burned to death on Monday morning at a fire at 205, Mare street, Hackney, the shop of which was occupied by J. Pitt, watchmaker.
Source: Monmouthshire Merlin - 5th October 1877
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Hackney, London
Mrs. Smethwick, an old lady 80 years of age was burned to death on Monday morning at a fire at 205, Mare street, Hackney, the shop of which was occupied by J. Pitt, watchmaker.
Source: Monmouthshire Merlin - 5th October 1877
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
JOHN HASLER
London
MURDER BY A MADMAN
At the Central Criminal Court to-day John Hasler, watchmaker, was charged with the murder of James Dowling in the City-road by shooting him with a revolver after a quarrel in a public- house. Prisoner was found insane, and ordered to lie confined during her Majesty's pleasure.
Source: Evening Express - 6th May 1891
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London
MURDER BY A MADMAN
At the Central Criminal Court to-day John Hasler, watchmaker, was charged with the murder of James Dowling in the City-road by shooting him with a revolver after a quarrel in a public- house. Prisoner was found insane, and ordered to lie confined during her Majesty's pleasure.
Source: Evening Express - 6th May 1891
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
ISAAC BURROWS
Sheffield
At the Sheffield Police Court, Isaac Burrows, a silversmith, was charged with wilfully neglecting his three children, and Lydia Bottomley, a woman with whom he lived, was charged with aiding and abetting him. The information was laid by a local board of guardians. The evidence showed that Burrows was separated from his wife, and was living with the woman Bottomley, by whom he had several children. The children by the wife were systematically neglected, whilst those of the female prisoner were well cared for. At the end of last month, the house was visited by two police constables, who found the three children by the wife in such a wretched condition that they had them at once removed to the workhouse. They were then medically examined, when it was found that one of them could not walk at all, and that another could not walk without being supported, and that they were covered with sores and vermin. Since being in the workhouse they had much improved, and were able to walk like other children. The stipendiary said the prisoners had evidently been trying to kill the children by inches. He characterised their conduct as being grossly wicked, and sentenced them to four months each.
Source: The County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser - 25th May 1878
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Sheffield
At the Sheffield Police Court, Isaac Burrows, a silversmith, was charged with wilfully neglecting his three children, and Lydia Bottomley, a woman with whom he lived, was charged with aiding and abetting him. The information was laid by a local board of guardians. The evidence showed that Burrows was separated from his wife, and was living with the woman Bottomley, by whom he had several children. The children by the wife were systematically neglected, whilst those of the female prisoner were well cared for. At the end of last month, the house was visited by two police constables, who found the three children by the wife in such a wretched condition that they had them at once removed to the workhouse. They were then medically examined, when it was found that one of them could not walk at all, and that another could not walk without being supported, and that they were covered with sores and vermin. Since being in the workhouse they had much improved, and were able to walk like other children. The stipendiary said the prisoners had evidently been trying to kill the children by inches. He characterised their conduct as being grossly wicked, and sentenced them to four months each.
Source: The County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser - 25th May 1878
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Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
JANE BODDINGTON
Sheffield
At Sheffield, Jane Boddington, eighteen years of age employed in a silver plating establishment, fell into a vat of boiling potash, and was scalded to death.
Source: The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian - 5th October 1872
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Sheffield
At Sheffield, Jane Boddington, eighteen years of age employed in a silver plating establishment, fell into a vat of boiling potash, and was scalded to death.
Source: The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian - 5th October 1872
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