The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-02-08
COLT CONVICTED OF MURDER

"wiilul murder. The jury were out eight hours
His Counsel moved a suspension OF Judgment, that
they might file bill Of Exceptions with view of
obtaining trial. The Court allowed two
weeks.
The Counsel for Colt intl oduced into their de-
fence the annexed Confession of their client and
we cannot discover any thing material in the evl-
dence disproving the facts confessed. We have
omitted few immaeral paragraphs in the Con-
fession. The box was directed to st. Louis.
Samuel Adams called on Friday at my Office as
near as can recolect, between the hours or3 and
a O'Clock. Whether he had any special object in
view in coming at that time not, | cannot say
When he entered my office, was sitting at my ia
Bile usual, and at that time engaged in look
ing over manuscript account book, as had been
engaged in this work for two days previous;
that is, was reading the entries and reconsid
erng the aithmetical calculations belonging to the
entries, &c.
spoke ofmy account, which he had at my
quest, handed TO me ten twelve days before
slated TO him that his account was wrong and read
to him the same time the account, as l had made it
out on another piece Of paper. and requested him
to alter his account as had it. He objected to il
at first, saying that did not understand printing
He however altered his figures as read them from
$40 or such sum ifI not right after he
had altered his figures, and on looking it over, he
said that it tight at first, and made the remark
that meant to cheat him. Word followed word
till it came to blows. The words 'you e!' were
passed, and several slight blows, and until receiv
ed blow across my mouth and which caused
my slightly TO bleed, l do not know as felt
like exerting myself to strong defence. l believe
l then struck him violently with my fist. We
grappled with each other at the time, and found
myself showed TO the wall, with my side 81 hip TO
tho table. AT this time he had his hand in my neck
handkerchief, twisting it so that could scarcely
breathe, and at the same time pressing me hard up
on the wall and table. There hammer upon
the table which then Immediately seized hold OF
and instantly struck him the head. At this
time think his hat was nearly in my face, and his
. face. should think, was downwards. L do not
think he me seize the hammer. The Selling
, of the hammer and the blow instantaneous.
think this blow knocked his hat off but will not be
positive. At this time only remember of his
twisting my han dkerchiof SO tight that it seem
ed to me though ] lost all power of reason
Still thought was striking away with the ham
mer. Whether he attempted TO get the hammer
away from me not cannot say. l do not think
he did The first sense of thought was, it seemed
neck downwards.
L cannot say that had any reflection
till heard a knock at the door Yet there is q
faint idea still remains that showed him from me
that he fell OVER but Of this cannot say. When
1 heard a knock on the door, l was instantly star
ted and am fully conscious of going and turnn I
the key to lock it, ! thon sat down, for
felt very weak and sick. Alter sitting few min
utes and seeing much blood l think went and
looked at poor Adams who breathed quite loud TO
several minutes threw his arms out and was siient
1 recollect this time taking him by the hand (which
u seemed lifeless, and horrid thrill came me
y that had killed him.
q The blood at this time reading the
floor. There was great quantity ,and felt alarm
Il ed lest it should leak through into the apotheca
ries' store. i tried to stop it, by tying my hand
i kerchief around his neck tight This appeared to
T. do good. 1 then looked about the room fol
= piece of Irvine; and found in box which stood
= in the room, after partially pulling out some awn'
ing that was in it, piece of cord which l tied
tight round his neck, after taking the handkerchief
off, and the stock too think.
i 1t was then discovered much blood, and the
: fear OF its leaking through the floor caused me to
i take towel and gather with it all could and
: rinse 1t in the pail, had in the The pail
full ofwater and the blood filled it least ano tn
n er third full Previous to doing this. moved the
. body towards the box and pulled out part of the
awning TO rest it and covered it with the re-
mainder. never his face afterwards.
After soaking up all the blood could, which
did still and hastily as possible took my
= seat again near the window, and began to think
what was chest do. About this time some one
knocked at the door, to which Of course, paid no
# attention. My situation remained from this time
till dark silent space of time of still more horrd
D reflection.
f At dusk OF the evening, and at the same time
# some omnibusses were passing, carefully opened
the door and went out as still possible, and
Y thought unheard. i crossed into the Park, and
!. went down from thence to the City hotel, my pur
pose being relate the circumstance to my broth
: er who was stopping at this house saw him in
i the front reading room engaged in conversation