The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-12-11

Whiting the Superintendent of Carts adj
vertisetl for the cartman who took the
box to the ship. The man appeared and
told how he was ordered to take the box
from the Chambers street Office to Maiden
lane pier, ind that Mr.. ] John G. Colt gave
him the necessary directions and paid
him. Colt was Immediately arrested,
and locked in a cell in Murderers' Row
in the City Prison.
There the prisoner lived like Prince,
the wherewith being furnished by his
wealthy relatives. The responsibility OF
his connections made him an immense
sensation, and his crime and the approach
ing trial were the engrossing TOPIC Of the
year.
He was defended by three Of the ablest
criminal lawyers of that time, but he had
formidable prosecutor in the person OF
District Attorney Whiting. The line of
defense was plea of manslaughter in
self defense, but the jury, after an excit.
ing deliberation of five hours, returned
with verdict of ''murder in the first de-
gree" Strenuous exertions were made to
made to save him from the extreme
penalty of his crime. The case was
carried from the local to the Supreme
Courts, and even to the Court of Appeals,
but all in vain. Money was spent by
thousands, but in spite OF every effort he
~'"s sentenced to be hanged on the 18th
of November, 184e, over year from the
day Of the murder. 49,,
Immediately after his first trial Colt
wrote out, in sty ish and artistic docu-
ment, confession, giving the most
minute particulars of his crime. Caroline
Henshaw, although not married to the
unfortunate Colt, was true to him. She
was constant visitor to the cell where
he spent most of his time. It was the
doomed mans desire that he should
marry her before he was hanged, and,
consent having been obtained, the mar
risge cermony was performed at noon on
the fatal day, the time of execution hav-
ing been fixed at four o'clock. BY eleven
o'clock the bride was at the cell, attired
in a green shawl, straw bonnet, claret-
colored cloak, trimmad with red cord,
and carrying a muff. She was escorted
thither by Colts brother Samuel, and
John Howard Payne, the author of
''Home, Sweet Home.>' - 80 = ID
Rev. Mr.. Anthem performed the cere-
mony. There were present Robert En-
met, Justice Merritt, David Graham, the
Sheriff, Samuel Colt and John Howard
Payne; and 1t is said that Colt himself
was cheerful and even chatty upon this
his dismal wedding day. After it was
over the bride and groom were allowed
to be alone together for one hour.
Mrs. Colt left at two o'clock, leaving
her husband alone, but she could scarce
ly make her way through the crowds sur
rounding the Jail, SO great was the ex-
element. The gallows held a dangling
rope in full view of a multitude, whom
the low walls allowed to satisfy their
curiosity.
It lacked but five minutes Of four
o'clock when the cry Of fire was raised in
the prison. The greatest commotion i'm
medlately prevailed. It was found that
the cupola of the prison was all ablaze,
and to put it out the engines fastened to
the spot and got to work. 1t had scarce
ly been got under control when the
Sheriff ordered that the execution pro.
coed, and asked Mr.. Anthem to notify the
prisoner that cal! was ready"
He opened the door 10 convey this mes
sage, but in momen more stage cred
back end gave the startling announce
ment that Colt was dead. The cell was
crowded in twink]ing, and there, dead
upon the bee, lay the man for whom the
rope was waiting for outside. His hands
were composedly crossed upon his breast,
and the CHASTITY cut across his throat
showed that the execution of the prison
;gsrd has been anticipated by the suicidal
knife In the cell. !
Naturally the excitement by this re-
markable and fearful affair was great.
It was the sole topic Of the town.
In another allusion to the subject
paper of the day asked:
"Who gave him the knlfes Persons |
who were alone with him in the cell
yesterday: Rev. Mr.. Anthem, Dudley
Selden, Samuel Colt, Caroline Henshaw,
Sheriff Hart. In addition to the above,
David Graham and Robert Emmett visited
him together, when no other persons
we're present. Also John Howard Payne
md Lewis Gaylord Clark visited him
With Samuel Colt. Who gave him the
knife2" 80 ..-.-.-.-- - - -. .-.-.
There were at the time, and are, now
many persons who believe that during
the excitement consequent to the burning
of the Tombs cupola Colt was allowed to
escape, and body substituted by his
trends to convex fha imnroaaiOn IF oui