Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1842-12-10
From the ". \. Herald.

i .
His MARRIAGE TO CAROLINE
Observation-Disclosures
SUICIDE AND DEATII-FlRE IN
THE CITY PRISON.
| Friday, Two o'clock, p. NJ.
The preparation for the execution OF
John Colt ere all made at an carly hour
this morning.
The Messenger sent to Albany return.
ed at an early hour with the information
that the Chancellor had peremptorily re.
fused to grant Writ OF Error on the
second application Of the counsel Of Colt.
Senator Verplanck has also replied to a
letter Of Colts counsel in which he agrees
with the position taken by Benin. F. But
Ter, Esq. Il Jos. G. Hart, Esq counsel or1he
sheriff, who backed the last application to
the Chancellor, for the purpose Of having
the question Of Alderman acting us
Judges Of the Court OF Oyer and Termin-
err, consti;u,ionally decided.
Colt was engaged in writing nearly all
night, preparing as we understand, full
statement Of all appertaining to the muir
der Of Adams. He was under the charge
Of Deputy Sherifs Vultoe and Green,
dlrin.s, tho night. And upon being ask
ed in the evening if he wanted anything,
he desreda cup Of coffee, and then told
the Deputy that he wished to see all tho
keepers Of the prison between l2 and
O'Clock this day, when he would bid them
atieu forever. He also stated tina, tho
Sheriff had complied with his request and
postponed the hour Of his execution until
the last OF the day as published in the
llerarJ
Colts brother was at the prison door a.
soon as j. was opened in the morning.
and rcna aimed with him about quarter Of
an hour.
lie afterwards dressed himself and
was shaved by Bill; Doiscns, Of Centre
street, community called Deaf Bill.
At enr'y dawn persons began to assem-.
bic around the City Prison, and at about
O'clock, tho avenues and entranceJ
were blocked up with anxious enquircrs,
who were nsklng-'Will he be hung?'-
Can you let US in2' &c. The gates 10
the en-, trance OF the prison were closed at
8 Clock, mud officers stationed under
the charge Of \. c. Smith, 70 prevent the
ingrcss OF any except those who lad
tickets oil fd;nlSSlOn.
The po silipn Of the gallcws was in the
rear cour. yard Of the prison, and tho
noise of the workmea in its erection could
be- distinctly heard through the massive
waits Of Il prison.
The yul!ows was erected early in the
morning. II consisted merely of two up.
RICH, posts, and one transverssly PLACID.
I. r. 81. =. .ha centre Of tho transverse
fiecc, over puliy wheel, tina ao2e wa.
passed, and 10 the opposite enl weights
Of aboa. $50 pounds were suspended by
additional blocks aud tackle. Ii was
placed in the centre Of the yard an in.
opposite the rear window OF tn.
Gel! in which Colt was confined.
AT nine o'clock the cute. door OF his
&C" was opened and the usun! b.caklas.
of prisoners served up in their different
cells. The sliding OF locks, bolts and
bars, and the chit chat and excitement, a.
nong the inmates Of the prison as welt
rs the spectators that had been admitted.
NIL tended TO add popularity TO tia
scene within the walls Of the Tombs tina.
must DC ever remembered BY all who
we're present. Nothing was talked Of,
,.ncd at or thought about but the exccu.
lion, which TO the ears Of Colt, ii lie could
catch the sound, must have been aught bu,
agreeable,
The excitement about tho prison WA
intense u. about u o'clock, and the doors
OF The Police Otficc were closed III order
10 prevent the intrusion Of tho crowd.
Franklin street was filled with tho mul
.l.a l,l, ~ 81.
prison OH Centrs street, aud the streets
in front.
DIR. Anthem visited the cell Of C,lt a,
about II o'clock, in company with Colts
brother, for the purpose oil making pre-.
paraiion for his marriage wnh Caroline
iienshaw.
At abou, half past II o'clock Mcssrs.
Graham and Emmett, his counsel, visited
his cell and remained asout half an hnur.
A little before IL o'clock, Caroline Hen.
shaw made her appearance in company
with the brother ct Colt aai Joha iI,w.
ard Payne, who entered thu cell with her.
They were then married by the Rev. D5.
Anthem. i'll presence of David Graham,
Robert Emmett, Justice Merritt. tho
Sheriff, John Howard Payne, ani Colts
brother. She was dressed with straw
bonnet, green shawl, a clare, coo.cd
cloak trimmed with rcd cord, and !. mutt.
Her appearance denoted much anxiety.
and she vas n,ucl, thinner than when i
witness On the trial.
After tho marriage, DR.. Anthem re.
manned in the cell with them few min
utes and then left them alone, sh. re-
naming for nearly an hour.
There was considerable excitement, a.
mong the prisoners in the various cells,
and Sears, who is confined for the mar
der Of McEonough, was exceedingly ia.
quisi,iye as to all the preparations lol tho
execution. II may be his turn next
The prisoners in the upper cells, tbs win.
dows Of which. overlook tbs rear court
yard, where the gallows was erected,
to get view Of the scatiold by
holding piece Of looking glass from, ~. -
small apertures in the side Of ,..e cell.
the reflection Of which brou ~. it to ,hei.
sight. From every cell an arm could DO
seen with q piece Of glass in the fingers.
evMcing that the holder was anxiously
waitinU for tina hnnr Of ayac,,t;on