The Northern Standard. (Clarksville, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 17, Ed. 1, Saturday, December 31, 1842 Page: 2 of 4
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TirB Elfo OF JOHN C. COLT!
fits Marriage MPrlson Preparations for his Ex-
ecution. His Suicide Fire at the Tombs
Great Excitement in New York Inquest on the
Body of Colt $:.
The closing scene in the career of this wretched
man occurred on friday afternoon the 18th inst. All
the desperate efforts of his counsel and friends to ob
.ain"a new trial a reprieve or a mitigation of his sen-
.cnee utterly failed. At the hour of noon on Friday
he was married to Caroline Henshaw his former mis-
ressnnd the mother of his child. At 3 P. M he patt-
ed with his brother and his wife and at his earnest
request he was allowed to pass his last hour alone.
At a quarter to 4 the slientt went to his cell to sum
moh him to his execution but he was found dead ; a
knife having been driven to his heart ;
In announcing the termination of this tragedy we
are-employing the words of the New York Tribune
in which we find the most lucid array oi me tunning
CTents of the murderer's last day.
Preparations were made for his execution at an ear
ly hour on the morning o! h rid ay. Amcssenger nan
gone to Albany with an application to thechjmccllor to
review his decision and allow a writ of error. By
the morning boat he returned braring the chancellor's
decisive refusal to comply ine criminal was cu-
raord nearlv all the previous night in writing a reply
to the letter of Governor Seward which it is said he
ordered to be left scaled urn':! his child should be old
enough to understand it. He was under the care of
Deputy Sheriffs Vultee and Green and m the morn-
ing" was shaved and dressed and received abricf visit
from his brother The gallows was erected in the
centre of the area. It was the same one used at
the execution of Robinson in New Jersey and bore
upon it marks o! twelve strokes of that hatchet
which never falls but it sends to eternity a human
soul. It consisted simply of two upright posts
and one transversely placed with a rope over a
pulley one end bung attached to a heavy weight
and the other bc:rg formed into a noose. At 1 1
o'clock Dr. Author: in company with Samuel Coll
visited his cell and made preparations for his mar-
riage with Miss Henshaw which was soon after per-
formed in presence of Samuel Colt David Graham
Robert Emniett Justice Mcrritt the ShcrifTand John
Howard Payne. After their marriage they were
left alone for nearly an hour. At about half past 12
Dudley Seldm went into his cell and at I Colt took
a cup of coffee with his wife.
His brother Samuel soon after arrived and entered
his cell fie was stilJ engaged in earnest conversa-
tion with his wife who was silting on the foot of the
bed convulsed and in tears. At Colt's request John
Howard Payne and Lewis Gaylotd Clark then went
into his cell to take their leave of .him. Colt ap
pcared exceedingly pleased to see them; shook them
very cordially by the hand and conversed with appa-
rent cheerfulness with them for five minutes when
they bade him farewell both of ihem in tears. Colt's
brother Samuel! and his wife remained in the cell
about ten minutes longer when both left. I lis broth-
er was deeply affected and looked more ghastly even
than Colt himself. His wife could scarcely support
herself so violent were her feelings. She stood at
the door of the cell for a minute Colt kissed her pas-
sionately strained her to his bosom and watched
her receding form as she passed into the corridor.
Here she stood and sobbed convulsively as though
her teart would break for five minutes. At last she
was 1cd away by Colt's brother and his friends fol-
lowed. Hethrn desired toscthe Sheriff who went into his
cell. Colt then told him emphatically that he was
innocent of the murder of Adams and that he never
intended to kill him ; he also told him that he still
had hopes that something would intenene to save
him from being hung & begged him not to execute the
sentence of the Ia;v 0"nn Mm. The Sherifftold him
to banish all hopes of that kind for lie lu'Ji' djcal
four o'clock. He then requested to see the Sheriff's
watch and set his own by it to a minute. He then
asked to see Dr. Anthon and the latter went into his
cell and remained in prayer with him for about ten
minutes. At the close of this Colt again sent for
thcshcriffand said to him. " If there are any gentle-
llcmcn present who wish to see me and take their
leave of me I shall be happy to see them."
This was announced by the Sheriff and all pres-
ent with one or two exceptions passed up to his cell
door shook him by the hand and took their leave of
him. To one Gentleman connected with the press he
suid "I've spoken harshly of some oflhe press but I
do not blame you at all; it was all my own fault; there
were things that ought to have been explained: I
know youhavc a good heart; and I forgive you f'om
my soul freelyl may God bless you and may you
prosper."
lie tlun requested his keeper Mr. Greene to let
him be left alone until the lat moment. This was
about 2 r. M. His cell was closed and he was left
alone til 1 20 minutes to 3 whon some fiiends of the
Sheriff apprehending that he might attempt to com-
mit suicide one of the Deputy Sheriffs Hillycr went
to his cell door. Colt was then walking up and
down his cell but turned round on the door opening
smiled on Hillycr shook him by the hand and kissed
him. as he did several of those who had previously
bid himarewcll. He said to Ilillyor :God bless
you and may you prosper in this life which isshort-
ly to close on me."
At a few minutes before 4 Sheriffs Hart and Wcs-
tcrvcll went to his cell to announce to him that his
hour had cemc but their summons was not needed.
Dr. Anthon stenned into the door but started back in
horror. On looking in at the cell the bodyof Colt
lav stretched at full length upon his bed his hands
crossed upon his abdomen and covered with blood
and a sm;!;i Spanish dirk driven to his heart was
sticking ..i his bodv. His mouth and eyes were
slightly cmt.. and the knife had not been moved alter
its deadly thrust. He was pronounced dead by phy
sicians in attendance the Coroner took charge of the
body and the cell was locked.
The interior of the nrison was crowded with some
hundreds of individuals ranged in two rows on a gal
lery erected for their accommodation in iront oi
which was a line oi ponce oincers wun men suukt iu
keen the line unbroken. Every snot around the
neighborhood that commanded a view of the place of
execution was crowded with spectators. All eyes
were riveted on the place at wnich thecnminal was
expected to enter in painful anxiety when suddenly a
deputy sheriff appeared and announced to the crowd
that the murderer had killed himself. At this pre-
cise moment a volume of smoke and flame burst
from the large cupola on the prison. A tremendous
rush was made by those outside towards the door
and by those within to make their rsct.pe. The great
bul on the City Hall struck ihc alarm at the precise
hour fixed for the execution. The 'tigincs were
promptly on the ground: bul as ihe lire was m the ve
ry summit of cupola the water couli! not ba made to
reach it and it continued to burn downwards tor an
hour the whole was consumed to the roof. The
greatest excitement prevailed without. The multi
tude relused to believe in the story of his death and a
very general impression prevailed that the whole was
a ruse to secure his escape. It was satisfactorily as-
certained subsequently that the fire was accidental
the watchman having quilted his post to see ihe exe-
cution leaving a large fire in the stove in his apait-
ment Inquest on the Body. At 7 o'clock the coroner
summoned a jury of twenty-two men which conven-
ed in the chamber of the Court of Sessions which
was crowded with spectators. Among the number of
those asscmbl- l were' the mayor register sheriff.
many of the aldermen justices and other public func-
tionaries of the city. The jury being sworn lirst
proceeded to the cell to view the body. Returning
thence the examination of witnesses commenced.
Wc have not room for the testimony but give a sum
mary of it. The sheriff testified tint the kifo found
in the body had a blade of about four indie; ti icnutli.
The prisoner had been .illowd hqUnifb except a sirall
pen-knife which he was. allowed lo mend his pen
with. The sheriff swore that he had no knowledge
how the prisoner obtair.-d the knife- with which the
su'tidewsf committed. Ihe .- me point was sworn
to by nil the other witnesses who were questioned
including the two deputy sheriffs who had had him
particularly in charge the Rev. Dr. Anthon the
physician to the keeper of the prison the wife and
brother of Colt and others. There is no doubt that
he was very closely watched til! the hour preceding
his death. His breakfast on Friday had been brouht
from a victualing cellar in a basket which was open-
ed in the prcsenceofa deputy shpiiff who swore there
was no other instrument in it than a common knife
anJfork. His cell had be.cn thoroughly searched
or. the Monday previous and nothing "found with
which his purpose might apparently be"e-ffecttd. The
reason of complying with his request to be left alone
was the persuasion ir.jdc upon Dr. Anthon's mind
that he was sincerely penitent: he disavowed on
Thursday all intention of taking away his life and
stat'.. his determination to die in the faith of ihe gos-
pel p.iid was melted to tears. His visiters during the
Jay were his brother and wife his barber Dr. An-
thon. J. H. Payne Mr. Clarke of the Knickerbock-
er his three counsel and some of the officers. His
biolhcr was the only one who saw him alone. Colt
declared most solemnly to Dr. Anthon that he killed
Adams in self-defence and said he would carry that
declaration to the bar of God though man would not
believe him. He expressed great anxiety for his wife
and child & gave the Rev. Dr. A. $300 to pul in the
savings' bank for them directing him to pay her 820
a month from it while it lasted. He wished the child
religiously educated and the n other to lead a virtu-
ous iifcand exhorted her earnestly to thu effect.
At two o'clock Dr. A. saw Inn and after conversa-
tion and prayer Colt said he. thought he should be
able to die with Christian fortitude. lie then desired
to be left alone till his execution. The clergyman
was to come again at -1 o'clock; he did so and on
opening the cell door found Co it on his bed. Heat
first thought him asleep but saw something on him.
and thesheriffcricd out ''Oh God! he is dead!" The
physicians testified that a piece was cut out of his shirt
and vest as if with a knife for the insertion of the
dirk. This dirk was found slicking in the body en-
tering it about half an inch below the left nipple. It
was driven an inch and a half into the heart. Colt
had previously begged the loan of a work on anato-
my of the physician and also asked lobe told the vein
in the arm which could most easily he reached both
of which were refused. His brother and wife swore
emphatically that they had no knowledge how the
knife or dirk was obtained by him.
Dr. Archer the coroner charged the jury that if
any evidence had been furr ished of an- person hav-
iii" rlv-Dthe kcife to Colt he could be indicted for
manslaughter: but asnosi;ch evidence was furnished
tile jury would simpiy m.l what was the cause and
manner of the death of the deceased.
The jury then retired and aftcra brief absence re-
turned with a verdict that John C. Colt came tc. his
death by a wound inflicted by himself with a knife
on the left breast but the jury are unable to say in
what manner he became possessed of the said knife.
After the inquest the body which had been put in
a coffin was placed in the dead-house to be taken
thence by his friends for interment that hight in a
vault in St. Mark's church.
Pmzn Fighting. Those who were engaged
aiding and abetting the late prize fight in which
McCoy perished near New York arc about to re
ceive the reward of their brutal taste. The Court of
Oyer and Terminer for Westchester county was or-
ganized the 21st ult. and the trials were expected to
commence the following day. The New York re-
porters were in attendance In full force and expresses
were to be run twice each day with the proceedings
for the morning and evening papers. There are
twelve indictments for the riot and affray in which
McCoy was killed and !-:.:vnfor manslaughter
many individuals being included ;n -.r!i. These
trials will no doubt effectually put an end to the fa-
vor which the "sports of the Ring" were gaining at
the North Louisville Jour.
They navcr had any favor except that of persons
of low and degraded tastes and feelings. The very
description of one is enough to shuck the nerves of
any man of proper sensibilities. .
Interesting Printing Establishment -In the town
of Zabiageur Wurtcmberg. there is a new printing
establishment opened by M. Theodore Helgcrad. All
the compositors and pressmen arc dcafand doumb to
the amount ol lJb Ilol whom are women. Ihev
have all been educated at his own cost for the em-
ployment in which they arc now engaged. Th
King has conferred upon him a large golden medal
for this great reclamation from the social and moral
waste.
A most remarkable case of longevity in cold rigid
New England is that of John Gilley of Augusta
Me. who died a few years since a: the venerable age
of 121. He marraicd at the age of SO a girl of IS
years old by whom he had ten childicn the youngest
of whom at his death was more than 100 years
younger than his father. He was of Irish origin
but a native borne citizen of Maine.
A RiViiR Dried Up. The heats of the summer
have dried up the waters of the -river Elbe and
at Pima the river is entirely dry. The waters re-
tiring have given up a secret kept by them for
more than 200 years A square stone is left bare-
having the following significant inscription in Saxon
patois. "When last men saw me In August 1629
tbey wept; and they who sec me next shall weep too '
The Northern Standard.
CLARKSVILLE
SATURDAY - - - DECEMBER 31. 1842
O" Those Subscribers wlio were to pay in Bacon Pork
Corn Ac are requested lo scud them in as soon as possible.
We must press upon the attention of persons in-
debted to us for subscriptions or advertising the nc-
cessity'of making immediate pyment. There is a
considerable amount due to us and wc arc literally
penniless with the daily expectation of a call from
half a dozen persons to whom we are indebted. Our
printers have not been paid for some length of time
and wc cannot conduct the establishment without t'e
means of paying them.
We under;lUri that a project is on foot to csta-
utisna newspaper in the County of Lamar. We
wish the attempt much success.
LATE FROM THE WEST.
Mr. Henderson Assistant Clerk oflhe House of
Representatives temporarily absent on leave a-rived
Kim un-uiur hi ciuteii uavs nom asmntiion; Drin"-;
J "'"o" iu"e
... rtr .. . .
mg us uic suihimiicu icuer irom our represcntalivc
and also enclosed the annual report from the War
and Marine Department. The report wc will pub
lish in our next.
From Mr. Henderson we learn that a day or two
before he left Mr. Pipkin formerly of Austin nr
rived from the army which was two weeks piior
to that time when the messenger left eight hun
dred strong under the command of Gen. Somer-
ville within thrco days march of the Rio Grande.
The statement in our last that it was broken up
was therefore incorrect. It seems that it was at
one time 1500 strong but from a fear that they
were not strong enough only eight hundred were
willing to continue in the field. The others were
unwilling to go with less than two thousand. They
did not intend going far across ihc Rio Grandci
on account oflhe want of force.
Congress did not mcel until the 24th November
for want of a Mifficicnt number of members 'o
form a quorum. Previous to that time the Prcsi
dent issued another proclamation calling ihc mem
bers to Washington for the regular session in De-
cember. A sufficient number having come in how
ever they met under the authority of the fitst
proclamation on the 21th. The representations o
Gonziles and Bexar were declared vacant both of
the members elect being in captivity. Our Sena-
tor the Hon. James Titus was elected President
pro ten. of the Senate; and Gen. N. II. Darnell
of San Augustine Speaker of the House.
On the 5th of December the Western members
left town in consequence of a resolution to meet
in regular session at Washington being passed
while four Western members and some from the
East who favored the Western interest on the seat
of Government question were absent. The scce-
dcrs broke the quorum. Judge Webb of the Se
nate and Mr. Caldwell of the House resigning
their scats. The arrival of two other Western
members restored it. The new comers agreeing
to sit if the bill was laid on the tabic until the
2Gth which was done. On the 26'.h all the West
ern members were expected to return. Two or
three of them were with the army.
Gu the 0th December a bill was introduced by
Judge Williamson for the removal of the archives
to Washington.
Mr. Henderson is under the impression that Con-
gress will order the archives to be removed to Wash-
ington to remain there temporarily.
The Indians with whom the treaty is to be made
arc at Strouds' on the Brazos in large numbers and
evidently disposed to be friendly. The treaty is to
be made if it can be on the 9th February. The
Comanches are expected in by that time.
Congress on the Sth with eleven bills before
them passed a resolution to adjourn 2d January.
which will probably be superseded as the number of
bills had increased to seventy when our informant
left; in fact a resolution had already been made to re-
consider. Wc doubt not from tolerably thorough
knowledge of the matter ttat they will slay there as
usual long enough to make their expenses the largest
item in the expenditure of the government and talk
away time lo just as little purpose as usnal.
The Secretary of State had made no report the
acting Secretary of the Treasury n very brief one
which was not published. The very extraordinary
report to be made by the Attorney General which
was officially puffed by the President in anticipation
and which was to set the whole world perfectly
straight upon the Cherokee land matter has been
made but is not yet printed so we are deprived of
the sight of this luminary. It would not be astonish
ing to us if this very report was dictated by the Ex-
ecutive himself. If we are right the document will
show iis paternity and we should like to see it.
The Brazos Farmer had not been issued for seve-
ral weeks for want of paper.
It is renorted at the West that the Mexicans and
Yucatccos havo had two engagements in both of
which the former were defeated.
Washington Dec. 19 1842.
Maj. Dr. Mkse.
Drar Sir Havinsr nothing of importance to
write you 1 send you the Report of the Secretary of
War and Marine lor ine iniormauon oi our people.
In a few days Gen. Terrell starts to meet the Indians
(eleven tribes in number as I understand.) at the
Waco villag-- in order to complete the treaty with
them which has been commenced. Wc have many
bills before the House but not of much consequence;
what their fate will be I know not. We have as
vet parsed but one law which is to extend the lime
for the return oi uciu nous aim tuc payment ui go-
vernment dues thereon until 184G. When 1 have
any thing of importance I will inform you; in the
meantime I am
Dear Sir your ob't scrv't
M. W. MATTHEWS.
The following extn.ct of a letter from the Hon. M
Ward to a friend in town will be found interesting.
Washington Dec 20th 18 12.
B. II. Martin Esq.
Sin I have no news td send you we have been
laboring hard to get to business and after the tardy
operation of one month we succeeded in forming a
quorum. We have passed no laws yet but have ma-
ny perplexing and vexed questions before ui viz
the removal oflhe Scat of Government Archives and
Tariff Bill. Upon these questions the East and the
West (with few exceptions) are at issue on some oc-
casions the West thrtaten to break a quorum and on
others the East. Party feelings and sectional inter
est run high but at present things are more quiet bul
I dont know howsdoh a fire-brand may be thrown in
amongst us my opinion is. that wc will do but little
this Congress there are two Bills before the House
touching the tariff one to repeal and the othcrto mod
ify I think the modification will take.
i. ia iiiu uiiuuuu ui uii mill nil jAiiuiiuu law win
r ;. .1 :: rn u. .u.. c- .: i :n
.....i . r i t 4 r-n j .i. c-
receive out little change. A Bill passed the Senate
yesterday giving the election of Maj General to the
people and fixed the 1st Monday in March for that
purpose but there is another in the House giving it
to Congress it is thought that Gen. Rusk and Sidney
Johnson will be candidates.
There is a bill before us now lo change the time of
holding the Courts of the 7th District so as to com-
mence in Fannin county and terminate in Harrison
in time for the members of the bar who wish to meet
the Courts of the other Districts. An effort will be
made to reinstate the Judicial counties upon principles
acceptable with ihc Constitution I car.not say what
will be the report ofthcJudiciarycom't. Maj. Reilcy
landed here a few days ago and has placed the results
of his labors before the Senate. Wcare informed
that he has effected some important negotiations with
the United States favorable to Texas but some fears
arc entertained that the United States will not ratify
the treaty as it appears to be very favorable on the
part of Texas.
We learned yesterday that many of the Indian
tribes were at the fills of the Brazos waiting the ar
rival of our Commissioners to negotiate treaties of
friendship. Our army left the Medina G miles W
of San Antonio on the 2Gth of November last with
about 500 men some s.-y S20. Wc suppose them to
be on the Rio Grande before this lime if this expedi-
tion should fail or in any manner prove disastrous
the West will suffer and perhaps break up. for they
have no confidence in this Administration giving them
any protection. We have a small mustang S. Boat
lyingnt this place at this time the first ever here. We
have had a great deal of rain waters high and roa's
bad. We have poor accommodations here. We
have for the use of Congress but 1 or 2 volumes of
the lavs mthe place and but little Stationary or any
thing else to facilitate the business of the country "we
go it blind" without books or any authority whatever
so much for the travelling Seat of Government. If
any thing I have have said will be considered news to
you there you can use it as you please.
1 am Sir. yours truly.
M. WARD Jr.
THE PRESIDENT ANDTHE CURRENCY.
Wc intended to have said in our notice of the Pre-
sident's Message in last week's paper something re-
lative to his Excellency's new project for a cuircr":y.
How any man in his sobT senses who had witnessed
ihe operation of the Exchequer scheme and had
seen how with all the good will evinced for it by a
large portion of the people and good fortune attending
its first issue it had gone down as his Excellency
savs lo even 23 cents upon the dollar notwithstand-
ing it was the only thing but gold o. silvc receivable
for impost duties; could expect lo make another issue
of government promises to two or three times the ex-
tent of the last and without Ihe demand created by
duties and dependant entirely upon the direct tax for
support give them currency and keep them at a re-
spectable valuation is beyond our perception. We
have no hesitancy in saying that it betokens gross
ignorance of the principles of finance and that therc
is not a sensible farmer or mechanic in the country
but can sec the utter weakness of the proposition. As
a means of support to the project however his Ex-
cellency would have a law passed "prohibiting the
circulation within the limits of the Republic of the
notes of all foreign banks." We should like to know-
where his Excellency or the honorable Congress
who are recommended to pass the law. would get
the constitutional authority lo prevent any citizen
from taking the promise of the citizens of any other
country or any body of them in exchange for his
produce or other property if it suited him. Wcshould
indeed like very much to know where his Excellen
cy or the honor..bIc Congress would get that autho-
rity and how they would enforce the edict should
they think proper to issue it. His Excellency should
recollect that notwithstanding he occasionally orders
the immediate execution of those who excite his ire
and notwithstanding the various assumptions of im-
perial power so familiar to his imagination he is
not yet quite dictator of this Republic not quite
Such a gross infraction of the principles of civil liber-
ty could not be enforced in this regiou.
We call the attention of those persons who have
subscribed to the Standard to send abrojd to the fact
that the Postmaster has so far permitted the passage
of the papers from here to Pine Creek without pay-
ment of the postage. It will now be necessary to
come forward and pay the arrears and something in
advance or the papers will not be allowed to go.
The amount in each case is very trilling but the ag
gregate is something and thi officer cannot be expect
cd to lusc it.
Therc have been several horses stolen lately in
Fannin county; supposed tolc by Choct.uvs. leagued
with some white rascals.
THE BLESSINGS OF TEMPERANCE.
Wc noticed in a late paper that Sumner Lincoln
Fairfield the Pott was advertising to ascertain the
whereabout of his poor forsaken and hcart-strickrn
wife. This gentle and devoted woman whose life
was one constant effort to serve him and uphold his
falling fortunes who exposal herself to the cold ic
fusal and the ill natured comment of the world and
personally solicited subscriptions to his magazine and
poetical works while he was wasting the proceeds
in dissipation was at last after years of sufterance
obliged to leave him because he did not provide
maintenance for her; and the last item we saw of
their mutual relations until very lately was a state-
ment in one of the Northern papers accompanied
with the comment that would naturally flow from the
act that he had advertised her- for leaving his bed
anil board. It seems now that reason his resumed
its empire that the efforts of the good and the humane
have had their desired effect upon this poor victim of
the Jiqnid fire and that after years of self abuse the
prostitution of fine capacity and the shameful usage
of the gentle being who had given all the energies of
her best years to his service he has at last taken the
position of a man. and ashamed of his previous course)
aud with a desire to draw once more to him the sym-
pathy and kindness of that gentle being whom he had
so wronged he was endeavoring through the medium
of the public press to ascertain her residence.
We have seen within a few days another notice of
a similar reformation. The case of a merchant who
had been prostrated in business and social rank and
separated from his wife by the same fell destroyer.
He had formally rc-united himself to the partner of
his fortunes.
These arc glorious results effected by the friends
of Temperance and encourage its advocates to per-
severe in their efforts.
To Correspondents. The lines of B. C. F. to
Miss arc inadmissible.
The verses of F. do not suit bur columns.
The article on Vocal Music by H. and the Tariff!
by S. shall appeal next week. U
The "Texan Star." "the Red River shore" and
other communicaffons from B. J J. are according to
our judgment not poetry. They give sonic etidrnec of
a mere capacity for versification but nothing else.
They arc not forcible musical grammatical o'r poet-
ical in thought or diction. Therc is no resemblance
to poetry in them that we see except the mere jing-
ling of the termination of the lines. Wcdo not say
this to mollify the author because from what we
have heard wc suppose he considers himself a poet
but for the purpose of explaining to him that his lines
possess but one solitary essential of poetry and tfeat
so insufficiently as to prevent their nub ligation evrn
ifthey had all the others.
In rejecting the various poetical effusions which
have been sent us we do it with the iiur.it ic:t dcier-
ence to the more cultivated opinion ofth'- various 2
thors. For though we have stiayi d some little " tl c
region of rhyme an enchant-d admire r' of rl"3u:ic0 -
wc are not procrustran in our dispo;i!icn. and J sa
thors may try thejndgmcnt of other tnU!.p;i'-- T c
various articles above decreed upon wi re lu i J ;n
our sanctum on our return and they should i.at"
been sooner attended to but for press of business.
The authors may have their manuscripts by applying
at the office.
Fletcher Heath the gambler who. it will be recol-
lected sometime since murdered his paramour a mu-
latto in Richmond Va and also assaulted his part-
ner in his iniquitous business with intent to kill him
has been convicted and sentenced to be hung.
The case was one of peculiar atrocity. The pris-
oner burst into the house occupied by the girl at mid-
night and murdered her in the most shocking man-
ner cleaving her scull with we believe an axe
and gashing her arm and fingers producing immedi-
ate death. Jealousy is said to have been the exciting
causa
The prisoner was represented by the following
eminent gentlemen : Benjamin W. Leigh James Ly-
ons ind Robert G. Scott Esqrs. of Richmondand T.
Ricvcs Esq. of Petersburgh.
We have not before noticed this case although
there was much of interest in the first account of it
and we have also refrained from the publication of
the columns of exciting matter growing out of the
progress of the case of Colt because we believe that
the feelings excited by and ftd upon such matter are
morally unhealthy and vitiated in the extreme and be-
cause the notoriety given to such tcts and the contin-
ued bulletins of the health feelings private deport-
ment personal appearance and capacity and the nev-
er failing statement of the prisoners crime hardened
coolness and impudence if he have the brazen con-
stitution to exhibit such effrontery give a sort of tri-
umphal notoriety and importance to the transactions -
of villainy. They remove in a great degree the fear
of punishment for that crime which is attendrd with
such flattering incentives to the vanity of those who
hac no native or social importance and acquire a
public position by the perpetration of acts which alike
infract the laws of God aud man and the natural
rights of their fellows; a position of notoriety whkh
pursuing the quiet and even path of rectitude and the
honest discharge of their social duties they would
never attain. There arc some whom the quiet monot-
ony of an honest life does not suit and we will not bo
instrumental by voluntary act of ours in gratifying
their unholy tendencies. For these reasons if wo
notice thcie acts and their perpetrators it is when wo
can close the record with the account of the proper
retribution.
J -
V
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De Morse, Charles. The Northern Standard. (Clarksville, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 17, Ed. 1, Saturday, December 31, 1842, newspaper, December 31, 1842; Clarksville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80468/m1/2/?q=war: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.