New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-11-19

driven TO his heart wes sticking ia his body. lbs
mouth and eyes were slightly open, and the knife
had nc, bssn moved after ts deadly thrust he
was pronounced dead by physicians in attendance,
the Coroner took charge Of the body, and the cell
was locked
At this rnon,ent volume of smoke and lame
burst froRl the large cupola on the pri5sn' ire
menaous rush was rnnde BY those outside towards
the door and BIZ those within to make their escape.
The grea. bell IN the City Hall struck the alarm
al the precise hour fixed for the Execution tae
engines wers prompty OF the ground. BIZ, as ine
fire was IT the very summit of the cupola, the We
ter could net be made reach it. ard it continued
TO burn downwards for an hour until the whole was
consumed TO the roof The greatest excitement
prevailed without. The multitude ,ef:5ed to be
lieve in the sto7y of his death, and very general
;rnrressiea pre-, eied that the whole was rise 70
secure his escape.
There prevailed very general suspicion that
the cuPola was set on FIRE. but there is nc good
ground TO believe it. a FIRE is Consistently kep;
there for the accommodation OF he person en-
ployed to keep E lockout for fires. He had made
a very large hre Yesterday. and went to see the
execution. The pipe, without doubt, became red
hot, and thus set the cupoa Oh fire.
The following report Of the Inquest held by the
Coroner's Jury over the BODY, contains many par
siculars of interest concerning the last scene:
snaues, en- the BODY of j chn C. Cell
This having been found dead IN his cot IN
his cell the City Prison fire minutes before the perod
allotted for his execution, with knife sticking in his Jeff
breast aad his body and hands covered with blood Dr. Ar
cher the Coroner O'Clock, summoned jury OF q meH
which convened in the Court OF Sessions Chamber, into
which hundreds OF spectators, anxious to the senro
lated man. and hear tie testimony IN explanation OF e
cause and manner OF his tragic DEATH admitted, in
der to crafty a. lar possible, the inehse so!icude tina
ex sed on the subject nEo 10 aay the unreasonable
OF door excitement upon The that had
brued abroad that Colt dead but had been suffered
TO effect his escape.
ArnonS the number OF those assembled were the Mayor
Register Sheriff many the AldermeR, Justices md 9th
public iuncenares of the CITY, besides several members
ofthe baI and numerous representatives OF the press.
The following Jurors worn as the inquest viz
Allen N Snlen Joseph Keller, iiam Prall, Feneor
Hasbrouck, David D. Bradford, Henry McShec Rcbe
Sands Thomas Bets DR.. John Sickels George Pirnis
D. hdison DR.. J w. Duya', George Fisby, Lester, Jr
Gen John Burrows, John Riker Jr. John Horsepco Jr
David Naadervoori, Samuel Greenuan, Thomas Donnely
Farrand S. Sranchan and Samuel Nichols Jr After be
mo sworn, the Jurors proceeded the cell OF the prison
where the body was, TO view the same after which the,
returned 10 the Sessions Cha Gber and the following wit
nesses examined.
N0nmou B. Hart, Sheriff, sworn-1 had warrant TO
the execution of John C. Colt who was to have been exc
cu;ed toeeyl have him several times o-day-lhe
ecuton was TO take place four O'Clock, sunset
bis request-l had him about hour prior to The tins
h & II ~ 1e wa
then donel know what persons have been in his CELL viz
his attorneys, David Graham Dudley Selden Samuel Colt
Robert Emmett, Caroline Hsnshaw, Mr Vutee Deput,
sheriff, and Dr. Ankon and number ether gentlemen
whom did not know WHO came IN at his request numbe
OF physic and the officers OF the prison. hi
cell door about minutes before TO admit the Rev Or
Anhonbad the cell door opened Mr. Anthem ATTEMPTED
10 60 in and stepped back when he the body the
Then passed him, went in myself, and Mr.. Colt ~
ing on The cot with knife sticking IN the LEFT side
tempted 10 put my hand his face but having gloves
did not; blood on him aus thought he dead Th
execution did take place. The Coroner then tool
charge the body and relieved me- had him in chars
since the sentence. had not examined the cell but
formed by Col Jones, that he had Never asy knife
there, except peuknlie The knife found him had
four inch blade. have no know ledge OF any person car
ryag any to him. He wished bis pcnkaift TO mcn'
his pen When him, about hour before death, b
his feet, apparently making prayer All thing
then appeared TO be right.
John j. y. WeSter,elt, Deputy Sheriff, swornl vlsltet
the prison very seldom during Colts confinement va
not his cell to-day but him at bis cell door lookn!
out aud shaking hands; him The last time at or
o'clock have seen his body since he Dead and recognized
il as The body John c. Colt the body in the cell
the bed, with knife sticking in it Have no knowledge
| any person conveying knife into the cell 10 him.
Frederick L. Vulee Deputy Sheriff, sworn-I have ba,
charge OF John c. Colt commencing with Tuesday
ing O'clock and watched him alternately every hours
was released by Dasid H. Green, Deputy Sheriff. Hav
seen Colt often since he in ny charge tive or tire
times every watch have cCnversed with him. Neve
saw any dangerous instrument in his CELL except the knit
and i.rk ne ate with. DIRK knife shown) never saw
snch an instrument his cell First like sticking
in his body since DEATH have no knowledge OF the mean
by which he procured tina Instrument. Saw hin last aou
aboh, O'Clock. The first person who visited bun va
Samuel Colt about 81 O'Clock this morning. Al about 9
minutes 10 O'Clock William Dobson, barber was sent 10
TO shave him
was present IN the cell while he shaved SanIue
Colt called again and brought with him Caroline Henshaw
Dr. Au,hcn also called with them and went in John How
ard Payne also with Them the High Sheriff and tkin
also Robert Emmett and David Graham, Jr. omitted L
state that his breakfast was brought by from AIr
Cowdreys victuang cellar. The contents OF the baske
were empted and the yonpg left. ] remained ant
saw the contents of the basket There was 10 knife on
the knife ard fork he ate with. Dudley Seden was IN III
cell during my ree hen Mr. Greene bad changed. Sam
uel Colt the cell with the prisoner alone awhile m
morning When the number nf persons there The
rage ceremony OF Colt with Caroline Henshaw took place
During the whole time had charge since Tuesday
ing alone with the prisoner except Samuel Colt
Alter they married, Caroline his wife the eel
awhile with Colt ] have no knowledge bow the knit
came into his possession.
Abner HIker, Deputy Coroner.--i have seen the bod
of John G. Colt end recognised IL. The knife here wa
taken th body oil John c. Colby Drs McCombe ant
| iosack.
ibraham b. Green, Deputy Sheriff, swern-l commenced
watching Colt and took tic keys OF the cell Monday after
ncon O'Clock. never the h1ife before saw il il
The body OF John c. Colt have no knowledge how tha
instrument, in his CELL cannot tell Of any other per