Arizona republican., 1914-02-12
U G1ze U Great Trials
 %
 History
TRIAL OF JOHN c. COLT

In September of 1S41 the entire country was stirred by the cold -blooded killing of Samuel Adams, a highly re- spected printer of New York city No such deep and widespread excitement had for many years attended any other of the numerous murders committed for pecuniary motives. The deed was done by John c. Colt, the author of the system of bookkeeping and pen manship bearing his name, and brother of the well-known inventor of the revolver
 The reason for this murder was as uncalled for and upon as small a pro- vocation as was the murder of pr. Parkman, the millionaire of Boston, by Prof. Webster, of Harvard University. Colt had, for some time, owed Adams a bill for printing which he was unpre- pared to pay. The final call made by Adams at Colts room on Broadway for a settlement of the account resulted in a tragedy rarely equaled in the annals of crime.
 For some days the mysterious ab- sence of MT. Adams was the subject of universal comment in the newspaper press. The discovery of the murder was made through the instrumentality of Mr Wheeler, who occupied a room adjoining that of MT. Colt. About four o'clock on the day of MT. Adams dis appearance Mr. Wheeler thought he heard an unusual noise in Colts room, and was induced to go to the door and rap.
 Not receiving any answer Wheeler looked through the keyhole and saw two hats upon table and Colt kneeling upon the floor, as if scrubbing it. After waiting a little while Mir. Wheel CT peeped into the keyhole again and saw Colt still engaged in the same ope- ration. This excited his suspicion and he caused a person to watch at the door all night In the morning Colt was seen to take a box about four feet long and two high, downstairs. The box was directed to somebody in St. Louis, via New Orleans. MT. Wheeler gave information of these facts to the mayor, who immediately instituted search for the box It was found after some difficulty on board of the ship Kalamazoo and in it the body of Mir. Adams, wrapped up in sailcloth and sprinkled with salt and chloride of lime.
 Colt was at once arrested, and an indictment for willful and deliberate murder found against him. His trial resulted in his conviction, and, not withstanding the efforts of numerous and powerful friends. and the lavish use of money in his behalf, the fatal | day arrived when he was to pay the extreme penalty of the law for his 1 crime At the trial he continued to proclaim his innocence and he spoke l harshly of the press, which he accused | of being in a scheme to hound him to 1 his death
 There were many picturesque things in connection with the trial and the death of Colt At eleven o'clock or the day he was to be executed Rev Dr. Anthon visited his cell in company with Colts brother, for the purpose oi marrying the murderer to his mistress ! Caroline Henshaw. The ceremony was II performed, Colt manifesting a deep in Iterest in their child. He also handed 2
 package containing five hundred dol
 lars for it's benefit to Dr. Anthon, whC
 proffered to become sponsor for it.
 Following the ceremony, two O
 Colts former friends, John Howard
 Payne and Lewis Gaylord Clarke, visit
 ed him. After call from the sheriff
 and visit and prayer from Dr. Author
 Colt asked to be alone until the las
 moment This was about two o'clock
 His cell was closed and he was lef
 alone until about twenty minutes t'