Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1843-04-06
From tAe N. Y. Tribune, March %.
MURDER OF CORLIES.


The interest excited in the public mind
by the recent and audacious murder of Mr..
Corlies rather deepens than subsidies. From
the report Of the testimony taken yesterday
it will be seen. that little progress was made
towards solution of the mystery In which
it is enveloped, though several circumstan-
ces of considerable Importance, as the fact
that Mrs. Cotton called at the boarding.
house of Corlies ut about half past six on
the evening of his death and inquired for
him. were brought to light. There appears
to be very general suspicion in the public
mind that the murder was committed by
Mrs. Cotton that this, however, will ever
tripen into proof is mt least extremely doubt
full. Apart from the mystery in which the
transaction itself is enveloped, which alone
might we'll battle the keenest search of the
lynx-eyed Justice, the social position of Col
ton, the resources at his command, and the
number and character of the friends he has
made in the practice of his profession, (of
which the Herald says he was q conspicu.
Gus and most honorable member,) might,
( in community where such influences have
far less weight than with US, almost ensure
him immunity from the arm Of public law ;
and his power, whatever it might be, would
naturally he extended over his wife, whom,
( if she be guilty, he will probably be suppo.
sed to have prompted, and perhaps urged,
to the commission OF the murder.
| Cotton, we understand, came originally
from Boston. where he learned. and for
some years practiced, the art of engraving.
He was Industrious, sklful and enterprising.
and in the course of a few years, amused
considerable amount of property. While
there he married his present wife, who was
connected with respectable family at Pro-
whence, r. J., where she lived. and who
was an intelligent, well-educated and ac-
complished lady. They have now two
children. the eldest of whom is about IL
years of age. Some four or five years since
he removed to this city, and abandoning his
honest calling, established gambling
house at No. % Vesey street. in large four
story house, which he furnished in the rich.
est style. He has here been in the habit of
giving splendid suppcrs aud other enter
tainments, freely and frequently, to all
whose fortunes and habits made them desi-
} rable objects of his acquaintance. Being
: himself intelligent and pleasing in his man
ners, his house became the common resort
: of many men Of tho highest fashionable cir
, Giles of the city-including eminent profes.
sional gentlemen as we'll as those engaged
, ira mercantile and other pursuits. In this
CIuSSs tnereIOrc, ne nus many earnest and
, influential friends, not entirely disintcrcst,
I ed, perhaps. but likely on that account ia
. feel none tho less anxiety as to the result OF
> this affair and tho developments to which
; its progress may give rise. Being extreme.
D iy expert AT play, and devoting himself to il
! with assi6uiiy and rcmorseless purpose, he
. soon greatly Increased his fortune. and be-
came one of the wealthics, as we'll as mos
q notorious and fashionable gamblers of ouI
. city.
, Corlies, who was man of much the same
: stamp with himSelf-engaged in the same
. business, though with less marked success
became acquainted with Mrs. Cotton during
her husbands temporary absence in Boston
. last autumn or in the early part of winter
, Their intercourse soon became criminal and
was uninterrupted for some time, Her at.
tachment To him was very ardent and en-.
crossing, and she gave him at different times
|, presents, mainly of jewelry. &c. to the
amount of nearly $1,000. Their intimacy
waa soon discovered by a fricLd Of Cotton
who after time waited upon Mrs. Cotton
Informed her That hosNas entirely aware Of