Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1842-11-28
LYNCmnl I,G, MO .DAY MORNING.. NOVEMBER lsi
D0Nlc0tir fWtcllt0rNcc.
From The .\cp York Herald, MIR Is.
COLTS SUICIDE AND BURNING OF TIE
CITY PRISON.


| The messenger sent to Albany returned at an early
hour with the information that tho Chancellor had
peTmpt ,nly refused To grant Writ OF Error the
ond application Of tie counsel Of Colt. Senat Yer
planck has also replied letter of Colts counsel IN
which he agrees with the position taken by Benjamin
+ Butler Esq and Joseph C. Hart Esq. counsel 81 the
Sheriff, who backed the last application to the Chanccl
or for the purpose OF having the question oi Aldermen
acting Judges oi the Court of Oyer and fermlnor con
additionally decided.
i Colt engaged in writing nearly all night, prepar
ing, we understand full statement ot all aprer
tanning To the murder of Adams lie was under the
charge of Deputy Sheriff Nuee and Green during the
night. And upon being asked in the evening II he wan
ted anything, he desired cup OF coffee aud then told
the Deputy that he wished all tho keepers Of the
prison between II and | o'clock this day, when he
would bid them adeu forever lie also stated thai the
Sheriff had complied with his request and postponed the
hour OF execution until the last OF The day, published
in the Herald.
Colt's brother was at the prison door it
opened IN the morning, and remained with HIM about
quarter of an hour.
lie afterwards dressed himself and was shaved by
Bill D,scns OF Centre street, commonly called Deaf
Bill.
At early dawn persons began to assemble around
the City Prison, aud about O'Clock, the avenues and
entrances bIockcd up with anxious enqnlrcrs. who
were asking -"Wlll he be hung(-"C Can't you lei us
in?' Sc The oates to the entrance of the prison were
closed about c,o O'Clock, aud officers stationed under
the charge of e. NJ e. Smith to prevent the lnSrcss OF
any except those who had tickets oil admission
The position oi the gallows VS. IN 'ho rear c""''
ward of the prison. and the noise Of the workmHn IN lis
cton could be distinctly heard through the masslN
walls Of tho prison.
The galows erected early in the morning 1t con
sisted n ercy Of two upright posts aud ansversely
nacoo Through The of the piece. ose
n nulIv vber the rope passed, aud 10 the opposite
end vcpbts ofoboni no p."nds were suspended hy al
donal blocks ana tackle j, was ,'acea IN 'ne r'n'f'
Of the yard and Immediately opposite The rear "''''o" Ut
| the cell in which Colt was confined.
Al nine O'Clock the outer door OF his cell wa. "ieho
and the usual breakfast OF the prisoners served up TIM
different cells. The sliding OF locks. bolts and bars
and the chit chat and excitement among the inmates ii
the prison well the spectators that had been ad
mllod all tended To add popularity to the with
in the walls of the Tombs that must be remember
ed by all who present. Nothing talked Of,
limited at thought about but the execution, the exc
cu,ion, which, TO the OF Colt ii he could catch the
sound, must have been aught but agreeable.
The excitement about the prison was intense ut a
bout II o'clock, and the doors of the Police Office
was closed in order to prevent the intrusion Of the
crowd
Franklin street filled with the multitude, well
the vesbule OF the city prison Centre street. and
the in front.
Dr. Anthon visited the Gel! Of Colt at about II u
clock. in company with Colt brother, for the purpose OF
making preparation for his marriage with Caroline Hen
shaw.
At about half past II O'clock Mcssrs. Graham and
F.nmei his counsel, visited his cell. and remained
bout half m hour little before twelve O'Clock, Caro-.
line llcnshaw made her appearance IN company With
the brother Of Colt and John Howard Payne, who enter
ed the cell with her They then married by the
Rev. DR., Anthem, in presence of David Graham, Rob
erl Emmett. Justice Merit. the Sheriff. John How
ard Payne and Coils brother. She was dressed with
straw bonnet, green shawl. claret colored cloak trim
med with red cord, and mulf. Her appearance demo
ted much anxiety, aud she was much thinner than
when witness on The trial
After their marriage DIR. Anthem remained in the cell
with them few minutes and then left them Alone She
remaining for nearly an hour.
There was considerable excitement among the prison
in the various cells and Sears, who is confined for
the murder of McDonough was exceedingly nqusitlve
all the preparations for the execution II may be
his turn next. The prisoners in the upper cells the
windows Of which overlook the rear court yard where
the gallows erected, conrlved oget view of the
scafuld by holding piece of looking glass from the
small aperues in the side of the cell the reflection Of
which brought 1t 10 their sight From every cell
could be with piece OF glass in the fingers
yincinS that the holder anxousiy waiting for the
hour of execution,
At this period of the eveniful day, the
citing and thrilling in the extreme Within that
row cell the husband and wife, but just married,
yet bidding each other farewell for the last time
EARTH with the awful certainty that would be life
less corpse, and the other widow before the setting of
the sun that then throwing its rays into the other
wise cherries place At the door stood Nultee, the
deputy sheriff. one hand on the sliding bolt Of the cell
door, and the other holding the paddock and key On
the corridor connected with his CELL the sheriff.
pacing up and down side, evidently deeply alcc
ted with the contemplation of the shocking ceremony he
about tn perform. Pacing up and down the 9th
er side of the corridor, might be small made man.
with highly intellectual counenance, the natural bril-
ancy of which ovcrshadowed by deep soemnity.
his hands bednd him, and his whole mental energies
identity absorbed in profound reflection the things of
another world this Dr. Anthem, the spiritual adviser
of the prisoner. Close by the little bridge which united
the two corridors. stood friends Of the prisoner,
conversation his unfortunate caree-these John
Howard Payne, and Lewis Gaylord Clarke. Ia the
corridor below about thirty persons, principally
those connected in way other with the admins
traton of justice; and the faces OF the whole there
was most extraordinary aspect of soemnlty, aogeth-
or different from what has usually been in tha'
building. Just previous to execution. II appear
ed as if terrible event about to happen that they
could avert. and that would plunge them all in pro-
found regret At last, about O'clock, Colts brother,
Samuel again arrived, and entered his CELL he still
engaged in conversation with his wife, who sitting
on the foot of the bed convused with his tears. AT
Colts request, John Howard Payne and Lewis Gay
lord Clarke then into his cell to take their leave
him. Colt appeared exceedingly pleased to them;
shook them cordially by the hand and conversed with
apparent cheeruness with them for five minutes, when
they babe him farewell, both Of them in tears Colt IS
brother Samuel and his wife, remained in the cell a
bout minutes longer. when both left. Ills brother
was deeply affected, and looked more CHASTITY even than
Colt himself His wife could scarcely support herself,
violent her feelings and acute her suferlngs-
She stood at the door of the cell for mnute-Colt
kissed her passonatey her to his bosom, and