Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1843-02-10
THE PHRENOLOGICAL CHARAC-
TER OF JOHN c. COLT.
By .. S. Fowler.


In the spring Of 1887, at the Astor
House, New York, examined the head
Of John c Colt, whose recent tragical
death has pslri6ed every benevolent
heart with horror 1t being the only
examination ever made in that build
ing, til Of late, recolIect perfectly we'll
what said TO him, and also his phr@no'
logi deve opponents. His temPerG-
meat was enc OF the most active and ex-
cilabIe that have ever witnessed, being
sansu,ae ner0Ous; and the whole organ.
lzation including The organs being very
sharp, and indicating the utmost Ihten
sitv Of fever and action This, togelh.
er with the greet size and sharpness OF
Combaliveness, Deslruciiveness, u ap
probativeness, led me to dwell with great
emphasis, and to lay especial stress up
on his irrrabiiity, The sudden and un.
goyefnabIe fury Of his anger, pagllcu.
| arly when his honor was aspersed.
recoiIecl telling him hat he would not
hesitate to fight duel in defence Of him.
seli or his friends; and consclentIousnes
was feeble-that his sense OF honor was
more powerful than his sense OF justice
and that would trust his honor sooner
than his oa,h-ihaG he would not do a
disgracefm act but he would not hesl
tate to do what was not right, provided
he did not regard /, as disgracefuI. In
other woros approbativeness and sell
esteem were both very large and con
gcientiousness small. Hence the former
became perverted, and hence also his
revenge for every indignity offered tc
his honor was unrelen,ing.
Renevoence wasIarge and so was can
uousness, and his intellect verygood. -
Veneration was very email, and mar
vpIlousness utterly wanting. CaIcua
ton, conslructiveness and Ideality were
large, and amativeneas very large.
! remember no; only dwelling upon
the excilabiity and power Of his anger
but also. closing his examination by ri
sing, taking position nearly before him
and in a most emphatic manner and ges
ture, and wishing to give force TO the
most important words, saying 10 him a'
follows:- Mr., Colt, have one word o.
caution 10 give you You are passion
ate and lmpDlsive in the highest degree
which, with the great size and extreme
activity OF combativeness, will make yol
desperate in a moment Of passion.
warn you 10 avoid occasions calculated Il
excite it, When you find dispute ris
ing. turn or your heel, and leave tht
scene Of action; for when you becomt
angry your wrath is ungovernablc, ant
you are liable to do what you may b.
sorry tori | made his whole examl
nation turn on his combativeness and de
struciyeness, in connection with his fie
rv temperament,
The sequel has proved the truth o
( this description Of character, neve
gave one ever examined an equal de
gree Of sudden anger, and his mantle:
talion Of deslrucriveuess, not only in hi
! murdero Adams, but his rage when ser
fenced was only equaIIed by his horr'bl
. and premeditaled suicide,
Aslar ms am informed Destructive
ness is family trait. His brother, San
q ueI colt, inveuls, but his inventions al
i all destructive, death dealing weapon
Why does hia mind run in this channe
h Ihe head of Adams shows large b.
= neyoIence aud little combativeness nm
self esteem 1t is that Of an amlab
man. A cast Of il can be seen in m
;. collection. Colt would not allow his bn
, TO be taken -- Am. Phren Jour.