, 1841-10-16
The Late Murder.

- = 'NS IA hS lfo0iS " LII
day, in the heart of our city, and in one o
It's most public thorough fares, continues &c
be a subject of conversation among all elias
ses of the community. 1t is rarely that we
have the painful duty TO record a crime par
alleled in enormity to this, not so much per.
haps Of the act itself, but Of the cool and
calculating elaboration which has marked
the subsequent circumstances, in order to
conceal the deed.
The fact of Mr.. Adams having called on
Colt the Friday the murder was committed
is established almost conclusively by a Mr..
Wells, who, it appears, had received orders
from Colt 10 ship 4 quantity of his books,
which Adams had printed, to Philadelphia.
and Wells called on adams between two &
three O'Clock in the afternoon of that day.
to know if it was right to ship them ON ac-
count of Colt. Adams said it was all right.
as he was to receive the proceeds; but being
told by Wells that Colt claimed the proceeds.
Adams replied, "This must not be; the books
arc mine; Colt is still owing me for them; |
will go and see him about it," He probably
then Immediately started. and was seen no
more until his mangled remains were discov-
cred on Sunday.
John c. Colt, the supposed murderer, is a
young man Of gentlemanly appearance and
address, about 5 feet 9 inches in height, with
dark brown curling hair, and whiskers meet.
ing under the chin. His c%ountenance is ex-
ceedingly progressing, and bespeaks any
thing but that ferocity of character which
has characterized this dreadful deed. He
was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and is
said 10 be descended from one Of the most
respectable families of that State. He is a
grandson of the Hon. John Caldwell Of Hart
ford, and son of Christopher Colt Of the same
place. His brother is well known in this
city as the inventor Of a patent rifle, and a
pistol Of peculiar construction. The prison
er is himself a man of excellent acquire
ments, and his system Of book keeping is
highly commended. For the printing of
this he was indebted TO Adams, which debt
was doubtless ;he cause Of his untimely and
cruel death.
The prisoner still maintains the same in
difference 10 his situation that he has evinced
ever since his arrest. Indeed the deep and
well laid plan to destroy the evidences OF
his guilt. and his GOODNESS and selfpossession
in carrying them out, exhibit a firmness oil
nerve most extraordinary. 1t is evident that
he was engaged in trying TO erase the strain
of blood and packing the body in a box, from
the afternoon Of Friday until Saturday morn
ing, when ne was heard driving the nails
He accompanied the carman to the ship, and
subsequently applied to the office of the ship
pers and procured a bill Of lading.
Another instance OF GOODNESS is given.-I
On Thursday evening, a week after he had
committed the murder, Colt called at the
store Of Mr.. Adams. and inquired of the
foreman if Mr.. Adams was at home. He
was told that he was not, when he hastily re-
marked. ooh | remember, | have seen an adj
vertlsement that he was missing. | hope
nothing has happened to him. He has wor-
ked for me some time. He was 4 fine man
and always treated me we'll"
When conveyed to the upper police (where
ie has been confined since bis arrest) on Sun.
day night, he thanked Justice Taylor for the
manner in which he conducted the affair. and
for sparing as much as possible the feelings
81 don't think they treat me well
regard to my meals; they don't bring
meals on a clean plate but on one that
has been used b~efore.'' Such is his appar-
snt indifference to his dreadful situation.
He is disposed to be very communicative.
Indeed. Justice Taylor has found il. necessa-
~ to check him repeatedly. That the MUIR
der was premeditated, few if any believe,
Colt is an exceedingly irritable, young man,
and doubtless the circumstances induced the
deceased TO saymany provoking things, which
erasperated the other and goaded him to
madness. and in a momenthe seized the hatch
It and inflicted the fatal blow, and afterwards
the face in the dreadful manner that
las been described until every lineament of
me conntenance was totally destroyed. !,
1t is said that the watch found in the trunk
the woman kept by Colt, and iden titled
Is having been in the possession of Adams,
in fact Colts property, but deposited j
with him as collateral security for the debt. |
The female in whose possession the watch r
vas found is not the wife of Colt, as even c
Ter own relatives, who are very respectable, c
supposed. She had been kept by him for
ONE time and is now within a few months T
# her confinement. She was discharged it {
.ppears after her examination-but we pre- {
ume is now in custody. as she will become 1
material witness ia the case. d