Dr. Hosack was present as examining physician to Colt, who committed suicide in the city prison. It is believed to this day, in certain circles, that Colt escaped, leaving another body smuggled into prison over night to represent him. The writer was induced once in Hartford to believe this to be true, as persons stated that they had really seen Colt in California. Dr. Hosack’s testimony makes the case clear. Colt did not escape. “It seems that when the prisoner found, at the last moment, that there was neither possibility of escaping nor the least probability of a reprieve, he induced some friend to send him a coffee-pot of hot coffee in which the dagger was concealed, and which he drove into his heart even beyond the handle.”
Dr. Hosack (Alex. Eddy) was also physician to Aaron Burr.
FRANKLIN’S EXPERIMENTS WITH ETHER.
“Do you never experience any contrition, at times, for the deed?” (viz., shooting Hamilton), asked Dr. H. of his patient.
“No, sir; I could not regret it. Twice he crossed my path. He brought it upon himself,” was Burr’s reply.
Mrs. H., the doctor’s mother, not unfrequently took tea and played chess of an evening with Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was a funny old gentleman. He used to amuse himself by giving ether to the children of the neighborhood and letting them out under its influence to laugh at their fellow-playmates.
Some Puritanic Epitaphs.