Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1842-11-26


and forgive you from my soul freely may God
bless you and may you prosper"
He then requested his keeper, Mr.. Greene, TO
let him be left alone until the last moment. This
was about 2 p. NJ. His cell closed and he
was LEFT alone till 40 minutes to 3. when some
friends of the Sheriff apprehending that he might
attempt TO commit suicide, one Of the Deputy Sher
ifs, Hyer, went to his cell door. Colt then
walking up and down his cell, but turned round on
the door opening, smiled on Hillyer, shook him by
the hand, and kissed him, as he did several of
those who had just previously bid him farewell.
He said 10 Hilyer-"God bless you and may you
prosper in hi, life, which is soon to close on me-"
At few minutes before d, Sheriff Hart and
Wes,ervelt went to his cell 10 announce TO him
that his hour had come-but their summons
mot needed. DR.. Anthon stepped into the door,
but started back in horror. On looking in at the
cell, the body Of Colt lay s,reatched at full length
upon his bed, his hands crossed upon his abdomen
and covered with blood and small Spanish dirk
driven TO his heart, was sticking in his body His
mouth and eyes were slightly open, and the knife
had not been moved after it's deadly thrust. He
was pronounced dead by physicians in attendance,
the Coroner took charge Of the body, and the cell
was locked.
At this moment q volume Of smoke and fame
burst from the large cupoia on the prison a tre-
mendous rush made by those outside towards
the door and by those within TO make their escape
The great bell on the City Hall struck The alarm
a., &. 81 r.
gines promptly on the ground, but the fire
in the very summit of the cupola, the water
could not be made to reach it, and it continued 10
burn downwsrds for an hour until the whole was
consumed TO the roof The greatest excitement
prevailed without The multitude refused 10 he.
lieve in the story of his death, aod very general
impression prevailed that the whole was rtlse to
secure his escape.
There prevailed very general suspicion that
tthe cupola was set on fire but there is no good
aground to believe it, fire is constantly kept there
for the accommodation of the person employed to
keep lookout for fires He had made very
large FIRE yesterday. and went to see the execu.
,ioH. The pipe, without doubt, became red hot,
and thus set the cupola fire.
Urcr the inquest DR.. Anthon testified a. fol-
lows:
Rer. Henry Anthon, d. d. sworn-I as clrr-
gyman attended upon John G. CoIi-my relations
commenced on Monday and took notes of all my
visits to the prisoner these, which he read, were
very voluminous they relate to the conversations
he had with Coli religious subjects the beli of
the latter, his apparent penence his assertion that
he prayed, his general converse regarding his fu.
ture state, the instruction the Rev. gentleman gave
the advice he impaired to him, &c. &c.-the re-
mark of Colt that the Sheriff had taken his knife
&c. from him, which he said was needless per.
secution-Cots opposition TO other ministers
ing him to converse doctrinsl points-his a.
vowal Of belief in the Christian creed, the divinity
of Christ his power to save, &c.-al,ogether tend.
ing TO induce the Rev. gentleman 10 believe that
Colt was penitent man, having just sense of his
sins and that he was deeply anxious about his e.
ternal welfare. He declared most soemnly that
he killed Adams in seIf.dcfcnce and said he would
carry that declaration TO the har of God-though
man would no, believe him. He complained
much Of the newspapers, Of their mis-. stating and
abusing him, &c.-gave history Of his aCquaint-
ance with Caroline Hrnshaw, expressed his rcgard
for her, and his wish to marry her.
He disarored on Thur.doy oil intention Of TAX
ing his o'cn life, 10 Mr.. Anfhon, and stated his de-
termination TO die in the faith of the Gospel and
melted to tears. To-day Colt expressed great
anxiety for Miss Henshaw and his chdJ, and gave
Dr. Anhon $500 TO put into the Savings Bank for
his wife and child directing him to pay her SEQ
month from it while it lasted. He wished the
'chlid regiously brough, up and its mother to lead
vrtuOus life. About l2 O'Clock Mr.. An,hon
msrried Colt and Miss IIenshaw Colt eYhoned
iher most earnestly to lead Cody life and to take
care Of the child; at his request he efl alone
short time with her. Mr.. Anthon detained his con.
vorsatons with Colt concerning his death and
burial. The order for coffin Colts rcqus,, to have
the coffin brought in at o'clock, his PRAYING, &C.
After o'clock, Mr. Anthon saw him and after
conversation and prayer, Colt said he thought he
would I've aide to die with Christian fnriNTde,
bout twcray minutes after this, Colt wished to he
alone awhile before the execution. ! was 20 come
again al near o'cl,ck Il did so, and on opening
the cen door, found Colt on his bed at first thought
him asleep, but saw something him, and the
Sheriff cried out "Oh God he is dead ?. and
came away,