River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-12-09
MISCELLANY.
A PSYCHOLOGISTS STORY.
fProm the New York SUM-

lrTOu TIE view lOTk Dul
The publication of San Extraordinary
Story from Paris in the Sun, copied
from the Figaro, Of October 20, concern
ing Colt the murderer OF Adams, reminds
me of an episode never before published.
In the fall of lS43, had a phrenologi-
cal office in the granite building, Broad
way, corner of Chambers street. John
g. Colt, the murderer of Adams, the
printer, had an office on the floor below
mine, where he taught arithmetic and the
English language to foreigners. I'm.
mediately adjoining his office was Vince
lev's Writing academy, which was sepa-
rated only by folding doors.
One day, while in my Office, having
Just returned from q lecturing tour IN
Connecticut, stranger called and asked
me to sell him one Of my packing-cases
that stood outside near the door.
Noticing large collection Of skulls in
my office, he said he was not a believer
in phrenology, but would like me to give
him some proof Of its principles. He
requested me to tell him the leading
traits Of his character. He took seat
in the chair, and proceeded to examine
his head. So abstractly remarked, 81
Judge you are trying to get out of some
scrape." told him that his organs of
fear, commonly called cautiousness,
secretiveness and constructiveness, were
much warmer than the other organs, or
parts Of his brain. He sprang to his
feet and paced to and fro, looking at the
floor and every corner of my Office. He
then stopped suddenly, and taking up
the skull Of a pirate whose organ Of des-
Effectiveness stood out like the big end of
an egg, he asked me what organ that was.
| replied that malproportion was an evil
which punished others and brought pun.
ishment upon themselves.
This led to q conversation upon the
laws of perfecting offspring aud education.
He became quieter, sat down again, and
| proceeded to finish the examination OF
his head. told him he had a
sarguineous, passionate temperament,
with large self esteem. love Of approba-
ton, and destructiveness, which greatly
dominated over mis- cautiousness and mer.
cifuness, or benevolence; that should any
one offend his pride he would be apt, at
the impulse Of the moment to strike him
death blow. advised him to use his
large firmness to conquer his passion.
lie told me that all his family inherited
similar traits Of character, and that his
brother was Colonel Colt, the inventor Of
the revolver. BY his card, which he
handed, noticed that he had an office in
the same building. lie said that not
only proved to him the truth Of phrenolo.
gy, but that il was one Of the most useful
sciences for the perfection Of humanity,
and he was determined to devote himself
to the PRONUNCIATION of that science. lie
asked me to teach him phrenology, that
he would compensate me, and feel obliged
to me for it. told him | would be glad
to do so not only for his sake, but for
the cause Of phrenology. lie said he had
to 60 out Of town few weeks; that upon
his return he would call upon me
for instruction. As he called at my
office TO pnrchase one OF the packing.cases
had outside Of my door, but which
declined to sell, he left, and thought nc
more about the matter.
About two weeks afterwards there was
a rumor that G murder had been com
mitted in the building. Being busy with
my own affairs it never occurred TO me
that the man whose head had ex
amined was the one who committed the
murder. In the meantime ] moved my
office in the basement Of the building
and the affair passed out Of my mind
entirely.
When the trial was published il
pamphlet form bought it, thinking thai
perhaps, the skull Of the murderer would
come into my possession, for ! was ther
Warden Of the New York Phrenologica
Society. Judge Of my surprise when