Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-08-06

phen, the poor prisoner; separated from his
wife aud children, parents and friends under
the sentence OF death, without hope. Mr..
Haynes visited him frequently, with sympa-
thy and grief, and endeavored TO turn his
mind on the things Of another world; tell
ing him that, as all human means had fail
ed he must look to God, as the only way
Of deliYerance. He advised him TO read the
Holy Scriptures, TO which he consented, If
he could be allowed a candle as his cell was
dark. This request was granted; and he
was often reading, being at times calm, and
again inpatient The interview Of Mr.
Haynes with him a few days before the news
came that it WAS likely that Colyin was
alive, was very affecting. One day, he said
70 Mr.. Haynes, 81 see no way but | must
die everything works against me; but
am an innocent man; this you viii know af-
ter am dead He burst into flood Of
tears, and said, "What viii become of my
poor wife and children ? they are in needy
circumstances, and | love them better than
life itselfn Mr. Haynes told him that God
would take care Of them. He replied, ~
don want to die wish they would let me
live, even in this situation, some longer; per-
haps something will take place that may con-
vince the people that am innocent" Mr..
HAYNES was about to leave the prison, when
be said, "Will you pray with me2' He
asose with his heavy chains on his arms and
legs. being alsochained down to the floor and
stood on his feet during prayer, with deep
and bitter sighings.
Mr. Taber Chadwick of Shrewsbury, Mon
mouth county, n. j., brother-in-law of Mr..
VIM. Polhamus Of Dover, in the same State,
where Colvin had lived ever since April, 1879
seeing the account of the trial of the Boorns
at Manchester wrote that Colvin was still
alive, and with his brother-in-law POlhamus
in Dover, forty miles from Shrewsbury
When the letter came 10 town, every one
was struck with CONSERVATION. A few partly
believed, but the main doubted. alt cannot
be that Colvin is alive, was the general cry.
Mr.. Chadwick's letter was carried to the pris-
on, and read to Stephen; the news was so
overwhelming, that to nse his own language,
"nature could scarcely sustain the shock
but as there was some doubt as to the truth
of this report, it tended TO prevent an imme-
diate dissolution. He observed that he +" be-
lieved, had Colvin then made his appearance,
il would have caused immediate death; even
now a faintness was created, that was pain
ful to endure" Soon letter was received
from New York, stating that the man who
was supposed to be murdered was probably
still alive and that Mr. Whelply, formerly Of
Manchester. and who was intimately acquaint-
ed with Colvin, had actually gone to New
Jersey in quest Of him. Thus there was in
creasing evidence in confirmation OF the let
ter. As soon as Mr.. Whelply had returned
20 New York, be Immediately wrote that he
chad Colvin with him. A New York pa
per announced his arrival also, and that he
would soon set out for Vermont Notwith-
standing all this, many gave no credit to the
report, but considered 1t mere deception
Large bets were made. Colvin was unwill-
ing to return to Vermont, with Mr.. Whelply,
who was obliged TO have recourse to strata
gem. A young woman of COlvin acquaint-
ance agreed to accompany him, pretending
that she only designed a visit TO New York.
While there she was missing, which excited
some uneasiness in the mind of the exile
While staying few days at New York to
prevent his returning, Mr.. Whelply told him
there were British men-of-war lying in the
harbor, and unless he kept within doors he
would be kidnapped. This had the desired
effect. Colvin, when he set out for Manches-
ter, concluded thai he was on his way home
to New Jersey, and never perceived the de-
ception until he came to Bennington, where
he arrived on the 22d of December, and saw
many people with whom he had formerly
been acquainted, which filled him with sur
prise.
The County Court being then in sesaion, all
were filed with astonishment and surprise.
The Court suspended business for some hours
to gaze upon one who in a sense had been
dead. and was alive again. Many who form
erlv knew him, then saw that there could be
Olyln could can many Of them hem
he came to Manchester; notice being given
that he was near at hand, cry was heard,
"Colvin has comel" The stage was driven
swiftly, and a signal extended; it was all
hustle and confusion. The stage stopped at
Capt. Blacks Inn. The village was all aliyej
all were running to obtain sight of man
who they had no doubt was dead, and had
come as a kind of savior to one who was
devoted to the gibbet. Some, like Thomas,
would not believe withsut tangible evidence.
! People gathered around him with snch eager
ness, as to render it impossible press through
| the crowd, or obtain a sight of him. Almost
all his old acquaintance he could recognize,
and call them by name Several guns were
discharged for joy; people ran to different
parts of the town to give notice. The prison
/ door was unbolted, the news proclaimed to
/ Stephen that Colvin had cOmel The well
come reception given it by the joyful pris-
I oner. need not be mentioned. The chains on
his arms were taken of, while those on his
legs remained; being impatient for an inter
view with him who had come to bring saliva
| ton, they met. Colvin gaZed upon the
chains, and asked, /" What is that for?'
Stephen answered, 'Because they say l
murdered you" Colvin replied, "You never
hurt me- Stephens wife and friends, and
! people from every part of the town were col
lected JOY and gladness sat on every coun-
! tenance. Many shouts Of rejoicing were
heard. together with the discharge of cannon.
The news having been spread that Colvin had
come to Manchester, the next day there was
! a lsrge collection from the neighboring towns
who met to behold the returned exile, and to
| express their high satisfaction on the occasion.
! Scarcely ever was seen more exultation, and
| tender sympathy, on any occasion. Not less
| than fifty guns were discharged, and at q
seasonable hour they returned to their places
/ of abode. Mrs. Colvin came to see her hus-
! band, but he took little notice of her, intima-
ting that she did not belong to him. Some OF
his children came to see him, of whom be ap-
peared somewhat fond. He wondered how
they came there, as he said she left them in
Jersey, and must take them back. He fancied
that he was the owner of the farm belonging
to Mr.. Polhamus, in Dover talked much
about his property there. 1t was observed
by those who formerly knew him, that his
mental arrangement was much greater than
when he left Manchester. Many things that
took place years before he could recollect
with accuracy, and describe with degree Of
propriety. He discovered placid and harm
less disposition. The family with whom he
resided in New Jersey, being fond Of him,
wished him to return, and spend his days with
them, of which he seemed very desircus. Ac-
cordingly, on the 29tho December, he set out
from Manchester with Mr.. Whelply, for New
York, who engaged to convey him from
thence to his former habitation in New jersey,
having received remuneration from the town
of Manchester for that purpose. ..-.-- g..
r-ae rauforad 70 hic family and