SUICIDE IN THE SERPENTINE:
In the year of 1899, 100,000 bathers visited the Serpentine river in Hyde Park, 18 own their lives to the Royal Humane Society Boatmen, (who have looked after the people using the Serpentine since about 1794,) two death occurred and ten persons attempted to commit suicide.
The Serpentine was created in 1730 at the behest of Queen Caroline, and became very fashionable to commit suicide in, the first known suicide and properly the most famous was 86 years later in December 1816, is that off Harriet Westbrook.
London Standard
Saturday 5th July 1828
Yesterday, at about eleven o'clock, as two ladies were walking near the Serpentine river, in Hyde Park, they saw a female suddenly take off her bonnet and lay it on the ground, and then throw herself headlong into the river. There were three or four big fellows near the spot at the time, but although the ladies screamed out, not one of them would go to the wretched woman's assistance.
A Mr. La Croix, of Grafton Street, Fitzroy Square, who was at some distance heard the alarm, and thowing off his coat and hat, he plunged in and saved her life. She was in a dreadful state upon being brought out, and some time elapsed before she was perfectly recovered.
Too much cannot be said in praise of the exertions of the persons in the employment of the Humane Society.
The poor creature suffered dreadfully when she began to recover. She had the strongest symptoms of insanity about her, and was reluctant to give any account of herself.
This was the fourth attempt made this week to commit suicide in the Serpentine river.
Morning Post
Friday 25th July 1834
Supposed Suicide in the Serpentine River.
On Wednesday, between two and three o' clock, as J. Barston, the station-keeper of the Humane Society in Hyde Park, was dragging the river near to the bridge, he drew up the body of a middle-aged man, respectably dressed, which had evidently not been in the water more than twenty or thirty minutes.
Nothing was found about the body to lead to a discovery of who the deceased was. The body was conveyed to Knightsbridge watch-house to await an Inquest being held on it.
Morning Post
Friday 22nd August 1834
Suicide in the Serpentine River.
On Tuesday afternoon, between three and four o'clock, Joseph Draper, private in the 8th company 2nd battalion of Coldstream Guards, was proceeding along the north bank of the Serpentine River, when he observed a respectably-dressed female, apparently between 23 and 24 years of age, sitting on the grass near to the bridge, crying, and seeming to be in great distress of mind. Suspecting that it was her intention to make away with herself, he watched her for a considerable time, and at length she got up and walked round on to the bridge. She then looked anxiously round to see if any person was watching her, and supposing she was unobserved, took off her bonnet and knelt down, seemingly in earnest prayer. At this time the soldier, Draper, ran as quickly as he could towards her, but she perceived him before he could get on to the bridge, and starting up with precipitation stepped on to the top of the curb of the balustrades, and then, waving her hand for him to keep back, she bent herself forwards over the water, and plunged headforemost in. She rose to the surface in a few seconds, but appeared to be quite insensible, and again sank without a struggle.
An alarm was instantly given at the receiving house of the Royal Humane Society, and James Bauton, the keeper, directly rowed to the spot with the drags, and after the lapse of about fourteen minutes, succeeded in bringing up the body. It was immediately carried to St. George's Hospital, where every endeavour was used to produce resuscitation, but without effect, as the vital spark was quite extinct. Nothing was found about the person of the deceased which tends in any way to lead to the discovery of who she was, and the body now remains to be owned.
A n inquest will be held on it today.
Morning Post
Tuesday 13th October 1835
Suicide in the serpentine.
Yesterday an inquisition was hold, before Mr. Higgg, at the Rising Sun, Charles- street, Grosvenor-square, on view of the body of a man unknown, about twenty-three years of age, who drowned himself in the Serpentine river.
Verdict: “That the deceased drowned himself in the Serpentina river, but in what state of mind he was at the time there was no evidence before the Jury.”
Morning Post
Monday 28th October 1839
Suicide in the Serpentine.
On Saturday an inquest was held at the Halfway-house, Kensington-road, upon the body of Mary Reynolds, who drowned herself on Friday morning in the Serpentine, in Kensington-gardens.
On the body being discovered parts of it were still warm, and every possible method to restore animation was ineffectually made at the receiving-house of the Royal Humane Society.
A servant of Miss Broadhurst, of Green-street, Grosvenor-square, stated that the deceased had been cook and house-keeper in that family, where she had passed herself off for a married woman, but was single, she had had a child by a gentleman, who had refused to support it lately.
Miss Broadhurst was very recently robbed of a five-pound note, which had been purloined by the deceased, who gave it to a person to get changed, she handed it to her brother, who, taking it to a public-house, obtained cash for it, but, having got drunk, was robbed of the money. This affair had become the subject of investigation at Bow street Police-office, and the fears of the deceased became so excited at the chance of the exposure that she committed suicide.
The jury returned a verdict of “Temporary Derangement.”
Morning Post
Saturday 28th December 1839
Love and Suicide.
Last evening an inquest was held before Mr. Higgs, at the Halfway House, on the Kensington-road, on the body of a remarkably interesting young lady, named Margaret Balston, aged 24 years who committed suicide in the Serpentine on Christmas Day.
Police constable Benson, A 200, deposed that he was on duty in Kensington Gardens on Christmas Day, about a quarter-past one o clock, when a gentleman gave the alarm that a person was in the Serpentine. Witness immediately sounded the speaking trumpet for a boat, and one came in about a minute. The body was got out and conveyed to the receiving-house where it was put into a hot bath, but all attempts to restore animation were useless.
On the bank near to where the body was floating witness found a reticule, bonnet, and cap, the former contained a cambric pocket handkerchief, marked “M. Balston,” a bunch of keys, two penknives, and fivepence halfpenny in money.
Mrs. Ann Baston Cole, of No 3 Crescent, Kensington, stated that the deceased, who was very talented, was a governess in private families, and had been stopping on a visit at witness's house. On Tuesday last she appeared as cheerful as usual, and went out to purchase some articles at a draper's, but never returned.
A gentleman, who had gone to America about two month, since, had been paying his addresses to the deceased female, and his departure seemed to worry her mind. Verdict: “Temporery Insanity.”
Leicester Chronicle
Saturday 24th March 1900
Mr. John Troutbeck held an inquest on an unknown man who committed suicide in the Serpentine.
Charles Francis Lambert, a clerk, said that whilst crossing the bridge at the western end of the Serpentine he saw the deceased jump in from the northern side into deep water. Witness ran round, and, divesting himself of his coat and trousers, swam out and succeeded in bringing the man, who was unconscious, ashore. First aid was rendered at the Royal Humane Society's House, but without success.
The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane, commending Lambert for his gallantry.
Sheffield Evening Telegraph
Thursday 4 December 1902
ONE REDEEMING INCIDENT.
A CONSTABLE'S STORY.
At the County of London Sessions, held at Clerkenwell yesterday, Harriett Williams, 45, Dressmaker, admitted having maliciously smashed a plate-glass window of the value of £20, the property of Gardines and Co., Limited, Outfitters, Knightbridge.
The woman was seen going along Knightbridge wildly flourishing an umbrella. As a matter of fact she was intoxicated and smashed the window. She boasted on the way to the station of being the “champion window smasher” and her claim receive same support when it was found that she had undergone nine, twelve, and fifteen months' imprisonment, besides eight other minor terms, for indulging in that sort of practice.
A constable described her as a very violent woman, with, however, he was glad to say one redeeming incident in her career.
Judge: Very well. Tell about it.
The Policeman: Well, my lord, it's about two years ago, early on one frosty morning. A young lady attempted to commit suicide by plunging into the Serpentine. The prisoner saw her and waded in, in up to her shoulders, and rescued the lady. She dragged her to the bank, and the lady was brought to our station. The prisoner was the only woman available at that early hour, and although she was wet through she carefully attended the lady, undressed her, and wrapped her up in the blankets provided by us.
Williams, reply to his lordship, said she used have all that anyone in the world could wish to possess, plenty of money, everything she wanted, diamond rings, bracelets, and necklaces. She had lost all through drink.
Mr. McConnell, K.C., sent her to gaol for six months.
Lincolnshire Echo
Thursday 24th September 1903
UNKNOWN'S SUICIDE IN THE SERPENTINE.
“NO FATHER, NO MOTHER. NO WORK.”
No evidence identification was offered the Westminster Coroner's Court, on Wednesday, in the case of a woman whose body was found on Tuesday morning floating in the Serpentine.
Constable Stroger, stationed in Hyde Park, said he saw the body floating on the south side of the bridge about 20 yards from the shore. The deceased was poorly dressed and her hat, shoes, and stockings were found hanging on the rails near the Serpentine. The only articles found on her were a small pencil and a piece of paper on which was written: “No father. No mother. No work. I do hope the Lord will help me. I do hope to forgiven for what I have done.” The woman, who was apparently about 45 years of age, had, it appeared been in the workhouse for some time. Although artificial respiration was tried by the policeman, life was extinct. There were no marks of violence on the body. “Found dead” was the verdict of the jury, and Mr. Troutbeck, the Coroner, said: “That is your verdict, gentlemen, but I do not agree with it.”
Shields Daily Gazette
Saturday 7th November 1903
SALE OF A WIFE:
A HORRIBLE STORY:
A remarkable story of the sale of a wife was told at Marlborough Street Police Court, London. Yesterday afternoon.
Amy Howe (39), a Laundress, was brought up charged with attempted suicide in the Serpentine, and Mr. Nelson, the Court Missionary, announced that since the woman was arrested he had gained the extraordinary information that the prisoner had been sold to another man by her husband for 2s. She lived with her purchaser for five months and then decided to take her life.
Her brother was willing to remove her to another part of London. She could earn 4s. to 5s. a day at Ironing, but had given way to drink.
The prisoner brother came forward, and having promised to take his sister away from further temptation, was bound over in £5 to bring her up for judgment if called upon.
Evening Telegraph
Monday 7th August 1911
TROUBLESOME GIRL.
Story of Screening a Man for Whom She Stole.
A tall, good-looking girl of eighteen, who was fashionably attired, was charged at Willesden with breaking a window at her father's house.
The father said the girl had been a source of great trouble to him since she left school, and had been to prison three times for thefts. During the previous week she was bound over for attempting to commit suicide in the Serpentine. At 3 a.m. she came to his house, after being absent for several weeks, and because he would not let her in she broke window.
A detective said that a man was at the bottom of all the trouble, and the girl said that she had stolen for him and given him all her wages, and in return he had ill-treated her. She refused to give his name to the police, and had screened him all along. She was remanded for inquiries.
Evening Telegraph
Wednesday 17th March 1915
DANCER IN THE SERPENTINE.
A French dancer, Maude de Buriatte, was remanded at Marlborough Street on a charge of attempting suicide in the Serpentine.
Constable Dale, hearing a woman's screams shortly before midnight on Saturday, found the woman in the water. Wading in for about thirty yards, he brought her to the shore. She said, “Why don't you let me die.?”
She told the Magistrate she had a few words with someone, and did it the impulse of the moment.
Western Gazette
Friday 8th April 1921
SUICIDE ON DEAD SON'S BIRTHDAY.
On the anniversary of her late son's birthday, Mrs Martha Hands, of Luna Street Chelsea, committed suicide in the Serpentine.
Her son was killed on active service.
The Serpentine was created in 1730 at the behest of Queen Caroline, and became very fashionable to commit suicide in, the first known suicide and properly the most famous was 86 years later in December 1816, is that off Harriet Westbrook.
London Standard
Saturday 5th July 1828
Yesterday, at about eleven o'clock, as two ladies were walking near the Serpentine river, in Hyde Park, they saw a female suddenly take off her bonnet and lay it on the ground, and then throw herself headlong into the river. There were three or four big fellows near the spot at the time, but although the ladies screamed out, not one of them would go to the wretched woman's assistance.
A Mr. La Croix, of Grafton Street, Fitzroy Square, who was at some distance heard the alarm, and thowing off his coat and hat, he plunged in and saved her life. She was in a dreadful state upon being brought out, and some time elapsed before she was perfectly recovered.
Too much cannot be said in praise of the exertions of the persons in the employment of the Humane Society.
The poor creature suffered dreadfully when she began to recover. She had the strongest symptoms of insanity about her, and was reluctant to give any account of herself.
This was the fourth attempt made this week to commit suicide in the Serpentine river.
Morning Post
Friday 25th July 1834
Supposed Suicide in the Serpentine River.
On Wednesday, between two and three o' clock, as J. Barston, the station-keeper of the Humane Society in Hyde Park, was dragging the river near to the bridge, he drew up the body of a middle-aged man, respectably dressed, which had evidently not been in the water more than twenty or thirty minutes.
Nothing was found about the body to lead to a discovery of who the deceased was. The body was conveyed to Knightsbridge watch-house to await an Inquest being held on it.
Morning Post
Friday 22nd August 1834
Suicide in the Serpentine River.
On Tuesday afternoon, between three and four o'clock, Joseph Draper, private in the 8th company 2nd battalion of Coldstream Guards, was proceeding along the north bank of the Serpentine River, when he observed a respectably-dressed female, apparently between 23 and 24 years of age, sitting on the grass near to the bridge, crying, and seeming to be in great distress of mind. Suspecting that it was her intention to make away with herself, he watched her for a considerable time, and at length she got up and walked round on to the bridge. She then looked anxiously round to see if any person was watching her, and supposing she was unobserved, took off her bonnet and knelt down, seemingly in earnest prayer. At this time the soldier, Draper, ran as quickly as he could towards her, but she perceived him before he could get on to the bridge, and starting up with precipitation stepped on to the top of the curb of the balustrades, and then, waving her hand for him to keep back, she bent herself forwards over the water, and plunged headforemost in. She rose to the surface in a few seconds, but appeared to be quite insensible, and again sank without a struggle.
An alarm was instantly given at the receiving house of the Royal Humane Society, and James Bauton, the keeper, directly rowed to the spot with the drags, and after the lapse of about fourteen minutes, succeeded in bringing up the body. It was immediately carried to St. George's Hospital, where every endeavour was used to produce resuscitation, but without effect, as the vital spark was quite extinct. Nothing was found about the person of the deceased which tends in any way to lead to the discovery of who she was, and the body now remains to be owned.
A n inquest will be held on it today.
Morning Post
Tuesday 13th October 1835
Suicide in the serpentine.
Yesterday an inquisition was hold, before Mr. Higgg, at the Rising Sun, Charles- street, Grosvenor-square, on view of the body of a man unknown, about twenty-three years of age, who drowned himself in the Serpentine river.
Verdict: “That the deceased drowned himself in the Serpentina river, but in what state of mind he was at the time there was no evidence before the Jury.”
Morning Post
Monday 28th October 1839
Suicide in the Serpentine.
On Saturday an inquest was held at the Halfway-house, Kensington-road, upon the body of Mary Reynolds, who drowned herself on Friday morning in the Serpentine, in Kensington-gardens.
On the body being discovered parts of it were still warm, and every possible method to restore animation was ineffectually made at the receiving-house of the Royal Humane Society.
A servant of Miss Broadhurst, of Green-street, Grosvenor-square, stated that the deceased had been cook and house-keeper in that family, where she had passed herself off for a married woman, but was single, she had had a child by a gentleman, who had refused to support it lately.
Miss Broadhurst was very recently robbed of a five-pound note, which had been purloined by the deceased, who gave it to a person to get changed, she handed it to her brother, who, taking it to a public-house, obtained cash for it, but, having got drunk, was robbed of the money. This affair had become the subject of investigation at Bow street Police-office, and the fears of the deceased became so excited at the chance of the exposure that she committed suicide.
The jury returned a verdict of “Temporary Derangement.”
Morning Post
Saturday 28th December 1839
Love and Suicide.
Last evening an inquest was held before Mr. Higgs, at the Halfway House, on the Kensington-road, on the body of a remarkably interesting young lady, named Margaret Balston, aged 24 years who committed suicide in the Serpentine on Christmas Day.
Police constable Benson, A 200, deposed that he was on duty in Kensington Gardens on Christmas Day, about a quarter-past one o clock, when a gentleman gave the alarm that a person was in the Serpentine. Witness immediately sounded the speaking trumpet for a boat, and one came in about a minute. The body was got out and conveyed to the receiving-house where it was put into a hot bath, but all attempts to restore animation were useless.
On the bank near to where the body was floating witness found a reticule, bonnet, and cap, the former contained a cambric pocket handkerchief, marked “M. Balston,” a bunch of keys, two penknives, and fivepence halfpenny in money.
Mrs. Ann Baston Cole, of No 3 Crescent, Kensington, stated that the deceased, who was very talented, was a governess in private families, and had been stopping on a visit at witness's house. On Tuesday last she appeared as cheerful as usual, and went out to purchase some articles at a draper's, but never returned.
A gentleman, who had gone to America about two month, since, had been paying his addresses to the deceased female, and his departure seemed to worry her mind. Verdict: “Temporery Insanity.”
Leicester Chronicle
Saturday 24th March 1900
Mr. John Troutbeck held an inquest on an unknown man who committed suicide in the Serpentine.
Charles Francis Lambert, a clerk, said that whilst crossing the bridge at the western end of the Serpentine he saw the deceased jump in from the northern side into deep water. Witness ran round, and, divesting himself of his coat and trousers, swam out and succeeded in bringing the man, who was unconscious, ashore. First aid was rendered at the Royal Humane Society's House, but without success.
The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane, commending Lambert for his gallantry.
Sheffield Evening Telegraph
Thursday 4 December 1902
ONE REDEEMING INCIDENT.
A CONSTABLE'S STORY.
At the County of London Sessions, held at Clerkenwell yesterday, Harriett Williams, 45, Dressmaker, admitted having maliciously smashed a plate-glass window of the value of £20, the property of Gardines and Co., Limited, Outfitters, Knightbridge.
The woman was seen going along Knightbridge wildly flourishing an umbrella. As a matter of fact she was intoxicated and smashed the window. She boasted on the way to the station of being the “champion window smasher” and her claim receive same support when it was found that she had undergone nine, twelve, and fifteen months' imprisonment, besides eight other minor terms, for indulging in that sort of practice.
A constable described her as a very violent woman, with, however, he was glad to say one redeeming incident in her career.
Judge: Very well. Tell about it.
The Policeman: Well, my lord, it's about two years ago, early on one frosty morning. A young lady attempted to commit suicide by plunging into the Serpentine. The prisoner saw her and waded in, in up to her shoulders, and rescued the lady. She dragged her to the bank, and the lady was brought to our station. The prisoner was the only woman available at that early hour, and although she was wet through she carefully attended the lady, undressed her, and wrapped her up in the blankets provided by us.
Williams, reply to his lordship, said she used have all that anyone in the world could wish to possess, plenty of money, everything she wanted, diamond rings, bracelets, and necklaces. She had lost all through drink.
Mr. McConnell, K.C., sent her to gaol for six months.
Lincolnshire Echo
Thursday 24th September 1903
UNKNOWN'S SUICIDE IN THE SERPENTINE.
“NO FATHER, NO MOTHER. NO WORK.”
No evidence identification was offered the Westminster Coroner's Court, on Wednesday, in the case of a woman whose body was found on Tuesday morning floating in the Serpentine.
Constable Stroger, stationed in Hyde Park, said he saw the body floating on the south side of the bridge about 20 yards from the shore. The deceased was poorly dressed and her hat, shoes, and stockings were found hanging on the rails near the Serpentine. The only articles found on her were a small pencil and a piece of paper on which was written: “No father. No mother. No work. I do hope the Lord will help me. I do hope to forgiven for what I have done.” The woman, who was apparently about 45 years of age, had, it appeared been in the workhouse for some time. Although artificial respiration was tried by the policeman, life was extinct. There were no marks of violence on the body. “Found dead” was the verdict of the jury, and Mr. Troutbeck, the Coroner, said: “That is your verdict, gentlemen, but I do not agree with it.”
Shields Daily Gazette
Saturday 7th November 1903
SALE OF A WIFE:
A HORRIBLE STORY:
A remarkable story of the sale of a wife was told at Marlborough Street Police Court, London. Yesterday afternoon.
Amy Howe (39), a Laundress, was brought up charged with attempted suicide in the Serpentine, and Mr. Nelson, the Court Missionary, announced that since the woman was arrested he had gained the extraordinary information that the prisoner had been sold to another man by her husband for 2s. She lived with her purchaser for five months and then decided to take her life.
Her brother was willing to remove her to another part of London. She could earn 4s. to 5s. a day at Ironing, but had given way to drink.
The prisoner brother came forward, and having promised to take his sister away from further temptation, was bound over in £5 to bring her up for judgment if called upon.
Evening Telegraph
Monday 7th August 1911
TROUBLESOME GIRL.
Story of Screening a Man for Whom She Stole.
A tall, good-looking girl of eighteen, who was fashionably attired, was charged at Willesden with breaking a window at her father's house.
The father said the girl had been a source of great trouble to him since she left school, and had been to prison three times for thefts. During the previous week she was bound over for attempting to commit suicide in the Serpentine. At 3 a.m. she came to his house, after being absent for several weeks, and because he would not let her in she broke window.
A detective said that a man was at the bottom of all the trouble, and the girl said that she had stolen for him and given him all her wages, and in return he had ill-treated her. She refused to give his name to the police, and had screened him all along. She was remanded for inquiries.
Evening Telegraph
Wednesday 17th March 1915
DANCER IN THE SERPENTINE.
A French dancer, Maude de Buriatte, was remanded at Marlborough Street on a charge of attempting suicide in the Serpentine.
Constable Dale, hearing a woman's screams shortly before midnight on Saturday, found the woman in the water. Wading in for about thirty yards, he brought her to the shore. She said, “Why don't you let me die.?”
She told the Magistrate she had a few words with someone, and did it the impulse of the moment.
Western Gazette
Friday 8th April 1921
SUICIDE ON DEAD SON'S BIRTHDAY.
On the anniversary of her late son's birthday, Mrs Martha Hands, of Luna Street Chelsea, committed suicide in the Serpentine.
Her son was killed on active service.