The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-17
A DOUBLE
prom The Hartford EyonIog Press, March !

From the Hartford Evonlog Press, March IA
Yesterday Sunday afternoon, about one o'clork
Christopher c. Colson, a 6sh-dealer, we'll known In mi,
city, deliberately murdered his former wie, at the hons.
q his brother, james Colson, at 81 South Hudson street
The particulars are these
ColsOn has long been known as a fish dealer. and s,
merly carried ON a good business but drinking aud Rap.
bling reduced him to a common loafer and drunkard
who peddled fish around town Ia a basket. He was of.n
ugly disposition. and when intoxicated, as was often Inc
case, abusedhi wife and children, no that she had Obtain.
cd a divorce. Since the divorce, his wife assumed her
maiden name of Sarah Burns, keeping the ohildren-tv,
boys, aged Is aud lat the house OF her brother Ansn
Burns, No. 10 Hudson street, where she resided with her
mother and sister. Another son, aged Ia, Is living a,
Massachusetts,. Coson has repeatedly sworn revenge and
threatened her life since the divorce WAS obtained, wbich
seems 10 have been the chief prevention 10 the murd.r
and IL is said he has been in pursuit of an opportunity for
some time past. 1t is said that Mrs. Colson often feared
fatal violence before the divorce.
Saturday night Christopher Colson staid at the house Of
his brother, James Colson, baker, Nc. 81 South Hudson
street he went away In the morning, but returned n
breakfast, and staid during the forenoon. Just before
O'Clock he was ia conversation with John S. Barker. book.
binder, in the basement kitchen, when his former viii,
came IN to look at some OF the back Numbers OF the New
York Ledger. On seeing him she started bach, but soon
came la, passed through the room and up Stairs into the
sitting room, where Mrs. James Colson and her husband
and Miss Laura Wheeler, were sitting. Baker asked
Colson, Jokingly, Who was that % He replied, ooolly
and quietly, "She was once my wife - and soon follow,
ed her up stairs. james Colson and Mr.. Barker Then
withdrew, thinking they might wish TO converse together.
His wife was much ~agitated, and seemed 10 iear him
she said TO Miss Wheeler, ''Don't leave mel want you
to stay with me-"
A conversation ensued. Colson said az want Won 10
speak 10 me. She replied II have got nothing to say
to you I've said all I'm going to you've pulled I'M
and LETT me, and | thought twas about time 10 leave
you" He asked her if she had ever told the children
not to speak to him and she replied, III never have
but you have said they must not speak to me-" ''They
are t'therless he said. They are not motherless,"
she replied, 'but they will be fatherless." Colson then
took her by the hand, and said he wanted to talk with
her. She said "What do you want OF my hand : IT'S
my hand now, and | mean to keep it,, and pulled her
hand from him he then took hold of her by the bach,
and she endeavored to get away. He followed her, and
while he had one arm around her neck, took out a SHARP,
two edged fish knife with the other hand, and drew
1t twice across her throat, and then threw the knife under
the table. She fell ON the floor by the stove and died in
q few minutes, her throat cut from ear to car, the carotid
artery severed, and w~indpipe partially so.
In the general CONSERVATION which followed, no at
tempt was made to arrest the murderer, who went to tina
pantry and ate what he wanted and left the house. He
proceeded to the house 70 Hudson street, where his wife
had been living. Colsonis bloody hands held some bread
and butter which he was eating, and he asked for a glass
of water, which his eldest son gave him. He iaauired
for and seemed very anxious to see his other boy.
Colson left here and went to Sears's Hotel INQUIRED
if his son was there, and called for something to drink,
remaiking that he would d,ink once more that he might
as we'll spend what money he had, AS he should not want
1t any more. In bis liquor he had, as he now says, Drop
ped a large dose of opium, unperceived, and drank It oil
No attention was paid to these remarks, as he was in the
habit of talking wildly. He accounted for the blood ON
his hands by saying that he chad been DRESSING fish.
From here he proceeded up Ferry street a few rods, when
he was arrested by Officers Carroll and 1inkham. The
opium soon took effect, and he was taken to the jal In a
helpless stupor.
At the inquest Colson was forced relu,tantly forward
in view of the dead body, and in reply to a question If
the deceased was his wife, said There's no doubt of il.
she's my wife l know what's been done, and | done
t!' He was then remanded to Jail, where he is now in
close confinement.
At the examination at the police court the testimony
clearly proved his guilt, and he was remanded to prison.
The closing act of the tragedy is thus described
Christopher G. Colson, the murderer, died in his cell
at five minutes before two o'clock this Monday after
noon. At one O'Clock DIR. Wilcox thought he was doing
well. A few minutes before he died, Mr.. O. i. Williams
called in to see him the prisoner recognised him, and
talked about various matters. MIR. Martin, the Keeper,
was also with him. Colson asked for brandy thought
he ought to have some once an hour, so he might "tsper
off. Mr.. Martin gave him some medicine left by the
physician, but he still asked for brandy. Sudleniy his
breathing became hard, his flesh turned of a purplish
hue Mr.. Martin got some brandy, but Colson died al.
most instantly with nervous spasms and commissions.
His death was doubtless caused more Immediately by
the opium. Colson told the physician that the piece he
took yesterday was as big as the end of his thumb.
Thus ends this horrible affair. Rum began il, murder
and sudden death are the end.
n a N N, nrrr