The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-11-19

this time by a'young man from Mr. Cowdrey's
viciuallIns ceiIer-lt was brought in basket
and the con.ents taken out in nv presence
Dudley Selden was also In his cell during INV relief
OF Mr.: Green. His brother, Samuel Coli, was with
hun alone this mornings at the time that these per-
sons in the cell, / was informed that the mar
rage ceremony TOOK place between the deceased
and Miss Henshaw. | have no knowledge OF the
manner in which the knife was given to him. Miss
Henshaw came rnto the cell tor the hrst time on
Thursday morning.
ABNEK MILLIKEN, deputy coroner, was sworn
| have seen the body in the city prison. and recog-
nize it as the body of John c. Colt the knife brought
in by me was taken from the wound inflicted on
the body OF Colt; it was taken out by Drs. Hosack
and Macomb.
WILLIAM H. GREEN, deputy sheriff, sworn.-I
have had charge of Colt since Monday afternoon at
intervals. | saw The handle of knife resembling
the one here shown sticking from the body Of Colt
do not know how II was brought into the cell
never made any search in the cell to ascertain whe-
ther there were any instruments In tito cause death
The instructions given TO these deputies by the
Sheriff were handedto the Coroner,
Rev. HENRY ANrHoN was called and sworn
proceed to be examined, would wish TO read the
notes have taken each da,. The Reverend gen.
tleman here commenced reading his notes, which
occupied some length Of time. They contained a
diary of each days interview with Colt, in which
IT appears that deceased expressed belief IN fu.
turc rewards and punishments, and that he united
with DR. An hon IN prayer on Tuesday, at his Sc
cond interview. On the third meeting he confessed
his belief in Christ and the justice Of his Creator.
He solemnly declared that he committed the muir
der of Adams in self defence, and said that he
was prepared to meet his God with such decara
tion He also complained against the publications
in some Of the penny, papers. The third interview
thu question of suicide was alluded 10, when he re
piled that he had no such intention His child and
mistress spoken of, and upon suggestion of DR..
Anthem in relation to his marrying Miss Henshaw,
he said he would consult his friends and decide upon
it, In the interview on Friday he handed me the sum
| NJ yh he had n m hv
his brother. | counted the money, and he requested
me TO pay over to his intended wife $40 per month
as long as it lasted. told him that would stand
sponsor for the child, and give receipt tor the mo-
ney, soon they were married, married them
about ii O'clock and Colt exhorted his wife to lead
religious life, and endeavor to bring up the child
and educate it. / offered to take the child, and
bring it up far as was in my powers; but he said
his relatives desired TO have the care OF It. In the
last interview with him, which was about two
o'clock, he asked for a watch, which was given hum
the time OF the Sheriff. On leaving him, told him
to die with Christian ortltude-and he said, "Yes,
Twill die with Christian fortude." ! went to the
door of the cell in. company with the Sheriff, and
found deceased lying dead on the cot. l know
nothing Of the manner in which the knife was given
to deceased
Col. VIM JONES, keeper of the city prison, call
ed and sworn:-John G. Colt was in my custody
from July Fad to Monday afternoon lastsince then
he has been in charge OF the sheriff. took re-
ceipt from the sheriff when delivered him over.
remained in the same cell after the sheriff took hum
into custody as before. searched his cell Mon
day morning Of this week, but found no dangerous
Instruments. We gave it thorough search, and
was satisfied that there nothing in his cell at
that time that we could find Of nature to destroy
life. l have never seen the knife here shown be-
tore, nor have any knowledge as to how il came
into his cell. had chains olaced on his feet on
Monday.
Dr. JOHN R. MAcoMB, physician of the city pri-
son, sworn I'll visited the prisoner frequently until
Monday last, but have not seen him since have
seen his body-the knife here shown was in his DO
dya hole cut in his vest and shirt, about three
inches in diameter, and the knife inserted half
an inch below the nipple of the left side, and be-
tween the fourth and fifth ribs on the upper margin
fine fifth rib. made post morIem examination
of the body in company with DR.. Hosack--the knife
inserted inch and half in the left venrlcle
Of the heart-he must have understood the anat-
omy OF his body to have produced such result.
could not have done it better myself
On Monday last, deceased desired to borrow
work on anatomy from me, but refused 70 let him
have it-he then desired to know which of the yes
sels in the arm would produce the easiest DEATH but
told him should not tell him.
DR.. ALEXANDER HosACK was called and sworn,
and confirmed the statement of DR.. Macomb.
SAMUEL CoLT, brother of deceased, was then
sworn. l have no knowledge of the manner in
which the knife, here exhibited, was procured or
given to deceased
have no knowledge of the manner in which John
G. Colt BECAME possessed OF the knife with which he
committed suicide.
The Coroner then addressed the Jury stating that
the investigation had been continued for the pur-
pose OF endeavoring TO ascertain whether any per-
son had given the knife to deceased, in order that
he might commit suicide, as such an act would
render the person liable to indictment for
slaughter. There being no proof to establish evil
dence against any particular person, he said he
should pass the matter into their hands for verdict
in accordance with the evidence.
Some OF the jurors requested to see the knife,
which was handed them, and they retired to pri-
vate room to prepare their verdict. .8fsrsr
The Jury returned verdict that John G. Colt
came to his death by wound inflicted by himself
IN his left breast with knife, but the Jury are
able to say by what means he became possessed of
the knife.
The body was enclosed in a coffin, and inferred
in vault in ST Marks burying ground last even
ing after the inquest was held.
The following is the letter of the Chancellor in
reply to the second application of Colts counsel for
writ of error. 1t is addressed TO Joseph G. Hart,
Esq, the counsel OF the sheriff, and present
exclusive copy
DEAR SIR
heard the questions upon the writ of error in Colts
deliberate determination that there was none Of them on
which there any room to doubt you will see from
my written opinion, which left in the hands of Colts
counsel wh,n left New York, and which is now pub
shed in the Argus OF this morning You will therefore
see that is out Of my power to violate my oath Of Office
by allowing writ Of in the even If the appli
cation regularly before an application up
notice the Attorney General. Neither would the al
Of the writ stay the execution oil the sentence
fcould certify that there probable cause for
staying the proceedings and the Governor would not in
tertere without such a certificate.
Ihave never heard any lawyer, except the counsel
the prisoner express any doubt to the LEGALITY Of the
conviction the court which tried him. Nor have
would have voted the judgment the ground
the organisation Of the court 1t is perfectly natural
ths the friends Of this unhappy should endeavor if
possible to say execution, but their anxiety pre-
serve his life cannot the officers of justice in
king the law bend their wishes although course
which has been pursued in this has placed only
Il ose officers but the Governor in most painful and try
ing situations. The prisoners counsel had the right
apply to Chancellor the three justices of the Supreme
Court any Of the eight circuit Judges for the allow