Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-11-25
lis apparent pcnitence his assertion that he prayed

his apparent pcntence, his assertion that he PRAYED
his general converse regarding his future sntc the
| instruction the Rev. gentleman gave, the advice he
impaired to him, DC &c-the remark of Colt thai
lle Sheriff had taken his knife &c. from him, which
ne sad was needless persecutlon-Colts opposition
10 other ministers seeing him TO converse on doctrina
| ponts-his avowal of belief in the Christian creed
inc divinity OF Christ, his power to save, &c.-ao
gether ten ing to induce the Rev. gentleman to be-
lieye that Colt was penitcnt man. having Just sense
OF his sins and that he deeply anxious about his
eternal welfare. He declared most solennly ,ha, he
killed Adams in sclf-delcnce and sail lie would car.
| ry that declaration 10 the bar of God--hough man
would not believe hiT. He complained much of the
newspapers, of their stating and abusing him, dc
rave history Of his acquaintance with Caroline
lienshaw, expressed his regard for her, and his wish
| to marry her.
lie disaroredon Inursday eli intention qrtaiine
ms o'cn life, to NJ Anthon, and stated his deternn
a'ion to die in the faith cfthc Gospel, and was melt.
Miss Henshaw and his child and gave Dr. Author
slgo'o put into the Savings Bank for his wife and
chId, directed him to pay her s20a month from /;
while it lasted. He wished the child religol.ly
| brought up and its mother to lead virtuons life
| About - oclock Mr. Anthem married Colt and Miss
dcnshaw; Colt exhorcd her inJsi earnestly TO lead
Hody lie and to take care of the child; at his
quest he was leit alone short time with her. Mr..
Anthem detailed his conversations with Colt concern
ing his death and burial, the order for n coffin Colts
request 10 have The coffin brought in at o'clock his
praying, Nc After O'Clock, Mr.. Anthem saw him
ana after conversation and prayer, Colt said he
thought he would he able to die with Christian forti-
tude. About twenty minutes after this Colt wished
10 be alone awhile before his execution / was TO
come again at o'clock did So and on opening the
cell door, found Colt on his bed; at first thought him
asleep, but sowcomc,hing on him, and the Sheriff
cried out, Oh God he is dead! and came away.
In allusion to this closing scene, the Tri-
bunc adds the following just and appropriate
commentary:
"The life and death of this hapless being
must afford solemn warning to the Youth
of our City and Land. Few of them are
entering upon life with farer prospects, with
nobler opportunities, than were those of John
c. Colt. OF respected and influential
family, possessing good talents and winning
address, enjoying and proiiting by liberal OPP
portunilies for mental culture, he might fair
ly have looked forward to life of usefulness,
honor and happiness, closing at ripe matu-
rity in death-bcd soothed by the attention
of loving and sorrowing hearts. This might
have been, but for tho cankcr in the heart
the selishncss, and pride and rccklcssness,
which entered deeply into his character--a
disposition to measure everything by the
standard of personal interest or qualification.
Ontlis rock has he been wrecked; and now.
after career neither exemplary nor happy,
we see him, at the early age of thirty, fol-
lowing in ignomy and blood to the grave one
victim of his fierce ungovcrncd passions, and
leaving behind him another, far more TO be
piied, to desolate widowhood of anguish
and shame. His orphan child, too-an in
FAINT of few months-to what heritage of
undescrved dishonor does it succeed while
most respected and worthy circle of rela-
tives are plunged in distress and doomed to
endure the hauntings of painful, humbling
remembrance e! And all this ruin is the work
of one pcrvcrse spirit-of one who might
have been blessing and an honor OF them
all
"Human justice has been robbed of its ap-
propriate sacrifice, yet TO the Divine require
ment the satisfaction is complete. The blood
Of the victim no longer cries from the ground
for retribuiion. Let the grave, then, cover
his errors, save as they may be rendered
beacons to the pathway of Life"