Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-11-25

honor to them all!
THE LAST SCENE.
Yesterday Colt, the convicted murderer ofSnin-
uel Adams, sentenced to lie hung but he
chose TO take upon hlmselfthe office of execnuon-
err, aud rushed into eternity hy staining his soul
with n crime ms black as that which brought upon
him the fate lie SO desperately sought to shun.
Preparations for his execution were made Mt an
early hour in the morning Colt was engaged
nearly all night IN writing reply TO the letter Of
Gov. Seward, which it is said lie ordered 10 he
left sealed until his child should he old enough TO
understand it. He was under the care of Dernry
Sheriffs Vulee and Green, und in the n orning
was shaved and dressed, aud received n brief Wis.,
it from his brother. The gauws was erected in
the centre OF the area. 1t was the same one used
at the execution OF Robinson, in New Jersey, and
bore upon II marks OF twelve strokes ofthat hatch
ct which never falls but it sends TO eternity n hu-
man soul 1t consisted simply OF Two upright posts,
and one transverdcly placed, with n rope over a
pully-one end being attached 70 a heavy weight
and the other being formed into moose. At III
o'clock DR.. Anthem, in company with Sanl'l Colt,
visited his cell aud made preparations for his mar
rnge with Miss llenshaw, which was soon after
performed in presence Of Samuel Colt, David
Graham, Robert Emmett, Justice Merritt, the sher-
tit, and j. liz Payne. After their marriage, they
were left alone for nearly an hour. At about half
past ~, Dudley Sclden went into his cell and Ut
Colt took u cup of coffee with his wia.
His brother Samuel soon alter arrived and en-
tered his cell. lie was still engaged in earnest
conversation with his wife, who sitting on the
loot OF The bed, convulsed and in tears. At Colts
request John Howard Payne and Lewis GAYLORD
Clarke then went into his cell to take their leave
Of him. Coli appeared exceedingly pleased To see
them. shook them cordially by the hand and con-
versed with apparent chGerfuness with them for
five minutes. when they babe him farewell horh
of them in tears. Colts brother, Samuel ana his
wife, remained in his cell abou; ten minutes cn-
ger, when both left. His brother WIS decnlv al
ected und looked more CHA ily even ,hnm Cot,
himself His wife could scarcely support hetse
so violent were her feelings She slond at the
door of the cell for n mnue-CoIt kissed her pas.
siouatrly strained her to his bosom and waite he'd
her rocedhs form as she passed into the corridor.
Here she stood and sobbed conyulsiyely as though
her heart would break, for five minutes. AT last
she was led away by Colts brother, and his friends
followed.
He then desired 10 see the Sheriff, who went in
TO his cell. Colt then told him cmphaticully that
he was innocent OF the nurder OF Adams, and that
he never intended TO kill him he also told him
that lie still had hopes that something would inter-
rene 10 save him from being hung, and begged
him not TO execute The sentence OF the law upon
him. The Sheriff told him 10 Danish all hopes of
that kind, Tor he must die at four O'clock He then
requested TO see the Sherltfs walch and set his
own by it to minute. lie then asked 10 sec DR..
Anthon, and the latter went into his cell, and re-
nained in prayer with tim for about ten minutes.
At the close OF this, Colt again sent for the Sher-
ff and said TO him, Z" if there any gentlemen
present who wish to see me, and lake their leave
Of me, shall be happy to Sc them"
This was announced by the Sheriff, and all
present, with one or two exceptions passed up to
his cell door, shook him by the hand and took
their leave him. To one gentleman connected
with The press, he said i've spoken harshly of
some of the press, but do not blame you at all
it was all my own fault; there were things that
ought 10 have been expaIaed | know you have
a good heart, and forgive you from my soul most
freely may God bless you und may you prosper"
lie then requested his keeper, Mr.. Greene TO
lei him he lett alone until the last moment. This
was about =. NJ. His cell was closed and he
was left alone till 20 minutes TO B. when some
friends OF the Sheriff experimenting that he might
attempt TO commit suicide, one of the deputy sher-
ills, HIllyer, went tn his cell door. Colt was then
walking up and down his cell, hut turned round
on the door opening, smiled on lllllyer, shook him
by the hand and kissed him, as lie did several of
those who had just previously bid him farewell.
| He said TO Hyer-" God bless GU, and may you
prosper in this HE, which is 10 close on me-"
At few minutes before 4, Sheriffs Hart aud
WesleIyet went To his cell TO announce TO him
that his hour had come-but their summons was
not needed. Dr. Anlhon stepped into The door,
but started back in horror. On looking into the
cell the body Of Coli lay stretched at iuil leugh
upon his bed, his hands crossed upon his abdomen
ana covered win blood, anu ei1lNH spanish DIRK,
driven TO his heart, sticking in the body. His
mouth and eyes were slightly open, aud The knife
had no, been moved niter it's deadly thrust. lie
was pronounced dead by physicians in attendance,
the Coroner took charge of The body, and the cell
was locked.
( Al this moment volume of smoke and flame
burst from the large cupola on the prison; a tre-
mendous rush was made by those outside towards
the door, and by those within make Their escape.
The great bell ON the City Hall struck the alarm
at The precise hour fixed for the execution the
engines were promptly on the ground but as The
fire was in the very summit olIhe cupola the wa
ter could not be made 10 reach il, aud II contin-
ued to burn downwards for an hour, until the
whole was consumed to the roof. The greatest
excitement prevailed without. The multitude re-
fused to believe in the story of his death, and a
very general impression prevailed that the whole
was ruSe to secure his escape.
There prevailed very general suspicion that
the cupola was set on fire but there is no good
ground 10 believe il. A fire is constantly kept
thero for the accommodation of the person EN-
ployed TO keep a lookout for fires. lilo had nude
very large fire yesterday, aud went to see The
execution. The pipe, without doubt, became red
hot, and thus set the cupola on lire.
An inquest was held on the body of Colt, and
after examination OF the sheriff, keepers, physi-
clans, the attendant clergyman, Colts brother aud
wife, the following verdict was rendered by jury
of % meu; "Thst the said John G. Colt came 10