Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-10-01
Correspondence of tho Free Press.
TERRIBLE MURDER N n. YORK
New YORK, Sept. 81, 1871.

LhIN y DE,h N IN. Oft n.
New YORK, Sept. 81, 1871.
Our city has for few days been the
scene of great excitement in consequence of
the discovery of another terrible MURDER
You may remember to have seen notice in
the city papers of last week, of the sudden
disappearance of printer, named Samuel
Adams. He was last seen on Friday of last
week, when he called at the Office of the
Missionary Herald and said that he was 60
ing to Il certain store in Canal ST., which he
never reached. He was last seen a, the cor
ncr Of Chambers street and Broadway, where
there is a large granite building, the rooms
of which are occupied as Offices of various
kinds. In one of them, J. C.. CoLr, author
of a system of ook-kceping, and brother
OF the inventor Of the repeating rifle, has
room, next to which Mr.. Wheeler has
writing academy. Colt was owing Adams
a small sum of money, and on Friday, on be-
ing told that Colt intended to leave the city,
Adams said he would go and get his money
On Friday afternoon, soon after Adams was
seen at the corner, Wheeler heard great
scufile in Colts room, followed by heavy
fall upon the floor. He looked in at the key
h he, saw two hats upon the table, and Colt
engaged on the floor. At about o'clock
he heard man 90 out who soon returned.
Wheeler left man to watch, who looked in
several times during the night, and saw Colt
busy scrub5ing the floor.
The next morning large box, marked
for "St. Louis via New Orleans" was
seen standing in the hall. 1t excited little
remark, as it was generally believed to con-
tain some of Colts property, as it was I'M
derstood he intended to leave the city,
Soon after, a carman took it away. A few
days after, Wheeler, on seeing notice of
Adams disappearance, communicated the
intelligence to the Police, who forthwith
| commenced an investigation. In Colts
room were found several spots upon the
floor, which had been scrubbed and smearcd
with ink. 4 Ratchet was also found, the
handle Of which h at been scraped and like
wise stained with ink, and spots Of the same
liquid were found upon the wall. Colt was
forthwith arrested and lodged IN Jail. lie
denied all knowledge of the whole affair,
said he was not in the room that night, and
knew nothing of any box having been car
RED away. This excited still stronger sus-
| pIcion, and search was forthwith commenc-
ed for the carman who took away the box.
lie was found yesterday Sunday mo.ning,
and said that he was employed and paid by
Colt 10 take the box on board the ship Nal
amazoo, lying at tie port of Maiden Lane.
The officers Immediately went on board the
vessel, which was Just about sailing for New
Orleans. She was detained, her matches
taken up and the box found. In il mas the
dead badly Of Mr.. 1dams, packed in sal,
and wrapped in an awning. OF course there
can be but little doubt of Colts guilt
lie has hitherto been esteemed quiet in
offensive man, though not remarkable for
honesty or good morals. A woman, known
to have been kept as his mistress, has been
found in possession Of the watch which be-
onged to Adams. The affair creates, as
well 1t may, great excitement in the city.
Nothing of special importance reaches US
from Washington. President Tyler has is
sued his Proclamation with reference to the
border troubles. 1t is understood that Judge
Mclean declines the place IN the cabinet
offered him. His successor has not been