Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-02-22
JOHN G.. COLT.

Confessions OF JOHN c. CoLr, RECENTLY TRIED IN
New YORK FOR THE MURDER OF SAMUEL ADAMS
Samuel Adams called on Friday at my office, as
| can recoect, between the hours of and
d o'clock. Whether he had any special object in
view in coming at that time not, | cannot say.
When he entered my office | was sitting at my ia
bic as usual, and was at that time ged in look
ing over manuscript account book, as | had been
engaged on this work for two days previous;
that ls was reading the entries and reconsi-
derlng the arthmetical calculations belonging to
the entries, &c. Mr.. Adams seated himself in a
chair to the table, and within an arms length
OF myseli-so near that, had we both leaned our
heads forward toward each other, have no doubt
but that they would have touched.
/ at spoke of my account with him which he
had at my request, handed to me some 10 or IL
days before. | stated to him that his account was
wrong, and read to him at the time the
count had made it out on another piece of pa
per, and requested him to allow his account as
had It. He objected to this first, saying that | did
not understand printing He, however, altered his
figures as ] read them from my account, as made
the remark that | would give so, or some such
sum, if / was not right. After he had altered his
figures, and looking it over he said that he was
right at first, and made the remark that | meant to
cheat him. In the meantime we had both been
figuring, on separate pieces OF paper, parts of the
account. Word followed word, till it came to
blows. ne WORDS, - fOI ne, were passed, ana
several slight blows, and until | received blow
across my mouth and nose, which caused my nose
slightly to bleed | do not know that | felt like
eXertIng myself to strong defence. IbelISve then
struck him most violently with my fist We CRAP
pied with each other at this time and found my
self showed to the wall, with my side and hip TO the
table. At this time he had his hand in my neck
handkerchief, twisting it that | could hardly
breathe and at the same time pressing me hard
upon the wall and table. There hammer on
the table, which | then seized and instantly struck
him over the head.
At this time | think his hat was nearly in my
face, and his face, | should think, was downwards
j do not think he me seize the hammer. The
seZlng of the hammer and the blow instanta-
| think thus blow knocked his hat off, but
will not be positive. At this tune ! only remem
Der of his twisting my Northumberland so tight
ahat 1t seemed to me though lost all power OF
reason still thou CHIT | was striking away with
the hammer. Whether he attempted TO get the
hammer from me not, cannot say | do not
shnk he did. The first sense of thought was, II
seems as though his hand or something brushed
from my neck downward. | cannot say that had
any sense or reflection till heard knock at the
door. Yet there in faint idea still remaining that
] showed him off from me- and that he fell over
but of this | cannot say heard the knock on the
door; | was instantly started, and fully con-
sccus of going and turning the key as to lock IT.
hen sat down, for telt very weak and sick. At
ter sitting some minutes, and seeing much blood,
4 think | went and looked at poor Adams, who
breathed quite loud for several minutes, threw his
arms out, and was silent. recollect at this time
taking him by the hand, which seemed heless:
and horrid thrill came over me that had killed
HIM.
About this time some noise started me ] felt
sgitated or frightened, and think | went to the
door if had fastened it and took the key out
aad moved down the slide. | think | stood for
minute or two listening to hear if the atiray had
caused any alarm. | believe | then took a seat
the window 1t COOL damp day, and
the window mad been closed all day except about 6
or eight inches at the top, which let down when
frst went to the Office and which remained down
all the while | occupied it.
Iemaned in the same seat | should think for
at least an hour without moving unless it to
draw the curtains of the window close, which were
within reach My custom had been to leave the
curtains about third drawn from the side of the
window toward Broadway. The Hood at this time
was spreading over the floor. There was great
quantity and felt alarmed lest it should leak thro
the floor into the apothecary's tried to stop
il by tying my handkerchief around his neck ight
This appeared to do no good. then looked about
the room for piece of Irvine and In box which
stood in the room, after partially pulling out some
awning that was in 1t, found piece OF cord which
| tied tight around his neck; took my handkerchief
off and his stock too | think.
There was then, discovered so much blood,
and the fear of its leaking through the floor,
ed me to take towel and gather with II all could
and rinse it into the pail had in the room. The
pail was should think, about one-thlrd full of wa
ter and the blood filled it at least another third full
Previous to doing this moved the body towards
the box and pulled part of the awning rest it
on and covered it with the remainder. | never
his face afterwards
After soaking up all the blood could, which
did as still and as hastily possible, took my seat
again near the window, and began to think whatlt
was best to do. About this time some one knock
ed at the door, to which of course paid no atten-
ton. My horrid situation remained from this time
ill dark silent space of time of still more horrld
reflection.
At dusk of the evening, and at the same time
some omnihuses were passing, carefully opened
the door and went ont still possible, and |
Thought unobseryed. | crossed into the Park and
went down from then ,e TO the City Hotel, my pur
pose beng TO relate the circumstance brother
who was stopping at this house. | saw hun IN the
front reading room engaged IN conversation with
two gentlemen. | spoke TO him, few words pas
sed between u.s. and seeing that he was engaged |
altered nv purpose and returned as far the Park.
! walked up and down the Park thinking what II
was best to do. Many things thought OF, among
others OF going to some magistrate, and relating
she facts TO hum. Then the horrors OF the excite
ment, a trial. public censure and false and tout re-
ports that would be raised by the many who would
san1 ready TO make the best appear worse than
the worst, for the sake of palry pittance gained
10 them in the publication of perverted truths and
ORC nj hlse, foul, eliminating lies all this, add
cd to my then feelings, more Than could be
borne Besides. at this time, in addition to the
blows given, there would be ieft the mark as evil
dence OF rope drawn Gil ht round the neck, which
looked too deliberate for anything like death caused
IN an ARRAY.