The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-10-28
Circuit Court.
Before Judge Kent.

Before Judge Kent.
Der. 2I.-.fhsr V4n Cot Us. William H. Sharpe, who
appears by his Guardian-This is an action brought by
the planf, who Is jeweller at No ssl Bowery
the defendant who is student ut law and not yet Of
age, for criminal connexion with Mrs. Van Colt, his
vile, The court room very densey filed, both
within and without the BAR and the TO the door
was 80 beset, that OF small labor and
trouble to squeeze to or IRON the Several ladies
the side benches Among them the unhappy wife of
the plaintiff, whose rsiity and unhallowed love has
placed her IN asuaon Of such momentous consequence
to her future peace and standing in society lovely
stricken from the roll OF the vrtuous OF her
her husbands shame She was plainly dressed and had
a straw bonnet, trimmed with yellow and crimson
velvet ribbon; with black veil, which not worn
down. except at intervals when the gaze of the crowd
was too strongly riveted her to watch her conduct
while the witnesses the stand proclaimed her hapless
fall She watched the proceedings W it'll much anxiety
and appeared to suer much from the heat OF the ROOM
using her cambria handkerchief as ian David Graham
Esq counsel for the psnu while he is mindful OF the
interests oil his client has exhibited from the
ment desire TO spare as much as possible the court and
the ales present pain which the gross rec
tai of the and language used must give every
proper minded person. Whenever it was possible he has
preferred to call for the meaning than the literal
words or the undisgused exposition OF the situation
the parties, when detected in their guilty intercourse
Judge Kent has promptly put down every exhibition OF
intention to clear the court should such feeling be
again manifested. The first witness called was the sister
Of the guilty wife.
Q-Do you know the PLAINTIFF
Al do; ! am the wife of his brother; know the
plaintiffs wife, she is my sister; (sympoms Of feel
ing among the specators was present at the marriage
Of my sister on the 2st june 1882 she is the present
wife Of Albert Van Cots they were married by the Rev
MIR. Burnett, a Methodist minister.
MoNrGoMERYJ BAILEY sworn-I know the plaintiff in
this case and his wie also the defendant acquant
ed with the plaintiff about Ia years. with the wife
since her marriage; since that period have been
terms OF intimacy with the plaintiff and have visited at
his house and he at mine; in the Of 1871, the
plaintiff resided at williamsburg he there 1885,
he left the spring of a. with his family have
frequently defendant al he of
the psintf the first time in the summer Of 1871; it
may have been in the spring. Van Colt and his wife have
not any children; first met him boarder in the am
ly of the plaintiff; also a named Nathan Strong;
frequently saw them at the house up January, 1872
Q-Were you present at any interview between Mrs
Van Colt and sharpe if SO, tell how and when
Al cannot tell the first times used to call there
passed as an intimate friend think it was in the month
OF August ls4l cannot fix the precise date passed
in to the house. from the stable where left my horse
the back basement door, towards the front basement
where generally met the family got the door, il
jar, and entered the room; of the shutters
of the window was thrown a little back it was about
eleven or twelve o'clock in the day the other shutter
clos d there only two windows the door as
only just ajar; entered Mrs. Van Colt started from
the sofa towards her dressing bureau her dress
ed took seat by the window which was partially
open Mr. Sharp was lying the sofa his head resting
on his hand he appeared to be very mach aguted he
looked up to me with considerable establishment, and
spoke to me, and said he thought it Van (meaning
the plaintif) he was very much embarrassed. (The
Court ordered no person be admitted within the
bar unless members of the bar and that all should take
seats The room is crowded to JAM
Q-Describe the manner of the defendant as he spoke
A--His voice tremulous he looked up at me and
said, Why thought Van !" he retained his posi-
ton while remained in the room which was not over
ten or 10 minutes.
Q-Hsd you any conversation with the parties
A-No. Nothing further than to inquire about the
family Mrs Van Colt continued to arrange her hair
there any other person the same floor at the
A-lthink entered met the old woman at the back
QDd Van Colt leave for any place in the fall of that
year
Ale did, for New Orleans on business he is jewel
Ter he had made two three previous tours OF that
kind he left late the last part OF October he re-
turned the following spring, after February-some time
Odd Sharpe cease to board in the house OF Mr. Van
Colt before the latter left for the south !?
Al cannot tel saw him there before Van Colt
aAfter the departure of Van Colt did his wife cont
nue. to keep house
AIshe did, and at that period saw Sharpe there, as
occasionally dropped in.
9-Wers You there on New Years Day.
Al was. My wife accompanied me; spent about
two-hds of the day there and my wife remained there
Q-Was there any incident occurred in the evening
nigat of that day between Mr.. Van Colt and sharpe
which particularly aroused your suspicious
About - O'Clock that night retired to bed; the
two young ladies whe were living in the family at
the time had previously retired when retired with my
in the front basement room Sharpe in about eleven
o'clock; can't say whether he was there in the early
stairs to bed saw him directly after he passed ups
awake SON. two hours; to this time sharpe mad not
come up stairs; mine the back room, the second
foor and Sharp occupied the in front the
foor Bell slept with Shapes spoke wife about the
imp udence of Mrs. Van Co (overruled in themorning
got and found Sharpe in the basement; Sharpe said
he felt very bad; this little before eight O'Clock;
Mrs. Van Colt there; do not recoliect any other
member of the family being there; As came into the
room babe them good morning; Sharpe replied ~ feel
like the devil did get to bed until four o'clock this
mornings Bell asked sharpe "what was the difficulty last
night; always said you would not 60 to bed until
afer did," sharpe looked he had been up all
night on spree, or something like that.
Odd you observe the general manner Of intercourse
between Mrs. Van Colt and Sharpe on other occasiens
what was III
Al have Sharpe clasp her in his arms and kiss
and use such ike fsmiiiares can't tell how often
them act so; Mrs Van Colt did somp but
very sturdily IA laugh in the Court, Judge Kent com
manded ssnce Sharpe continued to board there after
these famlliares, but how long don know was told
Sharpe student at law; ! have invariably found
sharpe at the house when Called called sometimes at
and at five in the afternoon; called all hours
went and returned on my professional visits
Q-During how many months or weeks did the familiar.
ity continue to our know edge1
Al observed less OF this familiarity for four
Eve months.
Ctossexsmned by Mr.. JorDAS-I am o ply scian
resided ut Williamsburg and used frequently to
this city on professional and o,hr business visited VIM
ewlitrs family, (wness objects TO having his private
affairs exposed-ihe court decides the question TO be in
order the children i'll; recoilect how long
they under my
Q-How often, on an average for a week q month,
tween the months of June and January spoken of
About three times week; my wife and Van Colt
cousins.
Q-what is your present business?
Alan naval officer in the Custom House.
Q Has Van Cot been in the habit of doing you pecu
mary iavoIs1
Ale has two or three times endorsed my paper.
Odd Mrs Van Colt enjoy good health3
A-She did, generally speaking; she occasionally
subject TO hysterca fits, epilepsy, sometimes with
very spasmsa others not at ALL these would occur
AZ times.
Q-IIad she any children
A-Not to my knowledge.
GLOW many windows there in the front base.
men1
A-Therc are two, possibly three; the house stands
alonethe family generally sat in the front basement
room
Q-Hal Mrs. Van Colt servant at the time when you
caught her in the my sterious attitude you spoke Off
Ayes an old woman, do not know her name. I am
positive saw woman there who knew to he
the house.
Qwas the room so light that you could see persons