The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-11-22
Rev. DR.. .Anthon's Statement.
Notes OF Interview with John @. Golf

Notes OF Interview with John G, Colt.
1872 Noceniber IL Mondqy-I called at lOA. NJ
by agreement, on Colonel Graham, at the post of
fee, and he accompanied me TO the prison in Centre
street was introduced to the keeper Colonel Jones.
and he was apprlsed OF the object of my visit He
mentioned TO US that the prisoner had passed the
night In Tears" and probably would be willing to
admit me. On proceeding to the CELL we were in
formed that Mr.. Colts brother was with him He
was called out at our request, and told that | was
ready TO see the prisoner, but that if the hour
inconvenlenI, any other might be named MIR. Colt
readily acqulesced and expressed his willingness
that the interview should be had He re-entered the
cell, and in few minutes apprised us that his bro
her was prepared to admit us. passed in with Col
Graham, was introduced, and after few words of
explanation from the Colonel, was left alone with
the condemned He courteou-ly requested me to be
seated, and alter short pause sand that | had
come TO visit him, IN consequence of the intima-
uon he had sent to me the evening before by Colo.
mel Graham-that felt therefore that it was not an
act OF Intrusion on his privacy by stranger was
there IN compliance with his own expressed wish,
and thatas the servant OF my master, and 'your
servant" | added, 'for Chrst's sake" sought 10
do him all the good in my power, and would will
hngly minister to his great need. He thanked me
and said inrepy that my visit was in compliance with
his desire, adding TO this effect, that he had Sin his
youth been educated regiously-brought up in the
strlctest sect of Presbyterans-under the Rev Mr..
Halves, whom" said he ''you must know by reputa-
ton If not PERSONALITY" but that there were certain
tenets to WHICH, as held by them, he could not sub
punishment" It was at this point of the CONVERSE
ton, think, that he mentioned also that she
thought he once had experienced religion under Dir.
HaWt" After abiding thus briefly and hurriedly
10 his early bringing up. he went on to complain OF
certain individuals Seeking interviews ,cih him for
religious purposes, and dealing tcih him severely"
and then observed that he had sent for me as one
'chohe suPposedtiom chat he had heard, held H.
bcrai rie,cs." ai Jazz NT ,.fr
He complained also of the course pursued toward
HIM by the press-the conduct of his trial, and the
concluding act of the Executive. Without interrupt
ing hun, seized the first opportunity to say that he
ought to harbor no unk ind thoughts towards the ind
vlduals OF whom he first had spoken-(who they
were know 1ot)-that they probably meant well,
even If they had wounded his feelings. To this he
readily assented That with reference to the recent
course OF the press, knew nothing. AS 10 his tri
al, came not to discuss the verdict or the suisse
q1ent action OF the Governor. AS citizen, bow
ed to both AS fellow creature and embassa-
dor OF Christ, came to remind him that time 10 him
was measured out. not by days, nor by hours, but
by moments, and 10 beg him to prepare to meet his
God. Was he prepared to meet Him Z He spoke
somewhat hurrledly in reply Yes,'. said he,
ed. "' '"' "'f"'"sa " "'0"'fm'' and ne paus-
He went on to remark somewhat to this effect
that he had endeavored to Hpe Justly ana fulfil his
obligations and at this stage OF the interview
expressed, think, his belief in the Bible. endea
vored to meet him on this ground, and my remarks
were made to bear upon the character and require
ments OF Gods holy law, and the consequent nature
belllon against God. And implored him to search
his heart and examine his life by Gods standard and
netby his own; look his condition by nature and
by actual manifested transgressons during his en-
tire career to say nothing at present. of the last
act which had brought him there. Here it was if
mistake not, that asked" II these things are So
'chot IS your hope, Tou- refuge, your stay?' He CO.
vered his face with his handkerchief and wept.-
During our interview OF three quarters of an hour he
acquesced in several of my observations, and in
general way acknowledged his sinfulness and re-
lance on the Saviour. What that reliance must be
1t he would entertain any valid hope in Christ.
pointed out and referred him to several texts which
thought were applicable.
Supposlns his brother to be waiting at the door Of
his cell, as had interrupted their interview when
came to the prison, prepared to leave; asked if
he would let me visit him again, and when. He
said, = certainly, tcas his ,cish that should do
erery day." and 9 O'Clock tomorrow was the hour
agreed on. When rose to leave him, tork his
hand and reminded him that his hours were hurry
ing to their end-that here in his cell the eye of
God-his offended God--was fixed upon him, and l
begged him to call nightly and earnestly for mercy
asHsd sss be m %o
Commencing him to God, as | held his hand, the
painful interview ended, and hurried away.
Note.l left him tract on repentance, copy Of
Bishop Meade's Prayers, referring him particularly
to the latter part, viz =" A Guide to the Pentent"
and the following scripture references-Isaiah l. 49,
Isaiah 81. 10; Proverb %, ID; John, /, 8; Luke
18th chapter.
Iofz 4NOc. 10 lueM1y.-I repaired tbS morning
at O'Clock to the prison, and reaching the eel
found Mr.. Colt was taking his breakfast, and that
the sheriff was with him. | waited in the hall
short time by his request, and when the sheriff came
out was admitted. The prisoner seemed glad to Sc
me, and anoIogised tor the detention He was pro-
ceedng, after we were seated to make some re-
marks in reference to the sheriff being timid &c
lin reference to this remark have word OF expla
nation, which made to the coroners inquest. While
Twas waiting near the cell, some remark was made
by some one, whom took for an officer, to another
person near me, as to the desperate character of
some OF the prisoners then in confinement-that if
they were permitted 10 walk about, they would be
ready take any ones life in order to escape. did
not hear the whole Of the conversation but it left
the Impression, that perhaps some OF the prisoners
had been turbulent, and trying TO escape. When
Mr.. Colt, therefore, made the above remark about
the sheriff's tmdity, my first thought that he
had heard that that officer had been making
engagements TO prevent an outbreak In the evening,
however, in conversation with my son, he mention
ed that he had heard that the sheriff had de-
prved the prisoner of his knife and razor, and that
Mr.. Colt had told him he was tlmid, and that such
precautions were useless, nasmuch as If he wished
tokill himself he could open his veins with his teeth
interrupted him as soon as 1t could be done, to
bring before him the object of my visit. / told him
that had come again AT his own request, and was
there with the intention of speaking the truth to him
In love-that had duty to discharge as a minis
ter of God. and that he (the prisoner), must bear
with me while | endeavored to do so, even il
wounded his feelings. The truth must be told to
him. He acquesed In these remarks, and express
ed his belief that meant him well, and that from
what he had learned ofmy character he had thought
that ! could feel for one in his situation. He was
seated on the foot of the bed, near the table, on
which was lying the volume gave him yesterday.
Percelvlng to cast my eyes in that direction he
took up the book and Observed that she had read
portions oft, together with the tract, and had de-
rived great comfort from the perusal of both and the
prayers That he had notnotced first the part which
| had marked, viz: The guide for the penitent'-
but that he had atterward read IL and found an
plicable TO HIMSELF" or something to this Effect
He then took up bible, and observed that he had
found, among portions of scripture which ] had
handed him yesterday on slip OF paper, had noted
one which he had himself chosen as applicable to
his situation. ! asked which il was. He said "the
18th of s. Luke-the parable Of the prodigal"-