The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-31 00:00:00

TRW' rSUN,`, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING,

utmost in at once restoring order. They might per-
haps feel, as many did, that the rule which in-
trusted soldiers with so many rounds of ammuni-
tion was scarcely a prudent one, or one which might
not be done away with without detriment to the
efficiency of the service. With these few remarks
he wows' leave the case in their hands.
The jury then retired, and after about half an
hour's absence returned with the following special
verdict :
" We find that the deceased James King, was fe-
loniously killed by some person of the 2d Batta-
lion of the 24th Regiment, but by whom we have
not sufficient evidence to enable us to determine.
At the same time, the jury wish to state that they
are of opinion that no shot was fired by the King's
Own or Ist Tower Hamlets Militia."
The inquiry into this case then terminated, and
the same jury were immediately re-sworn to in-
quire as to the death of a private of the Royal En-
gineers, who was missed after leaving his canteen
on Christmas night last, and whose body was found
on Thursday afternoon in the Basingstoke Canal,
which separates the North from the South Camps.

TILE EXECUTION OF TTIE HARPER'S
FERRY RIOTERS.

The following account of the execution of the
remaining Harper's Ferry rioters is dated Charles-
town, Dec. 16 :
Throughout yesterday and to-day there was a
great influx of strangers and citizens of the country
to witness the last act of the Harper's Ferry tra-
gedy. There was very little difficulty in getting
into the town, the vigilance not being so great as
on the occasion of Brown's execution. The prisoners
were visited yesterday by the Rev. Messrs. Dutton,
Nassau, North, and Waugh. The services were par-
ticipated in by all the condemned men. All gave un-
qualified assent to convictions of religious truth, and
each expressed a hope of salvation. They freely
acknowledged their guilt, and admitted that their
doom was just, and that in the main they have been
treated with the utmost kindness, though they
thought some of the witnesses were rather harsh in
their testimony. Cook and Coppie were equally
earnest in their protestations of religious convic-
tions and hopes of forgiveness. Mr. Butler, a Quaker
of Ohio, and an uncle of Coppie's from Ohio, visited
him yesterday, the interview lasting over an hour.
All was quiet until S o'clock last evening, when the
town was thrown into commotion by the report of
a rifle under the gaol wall, followed by several other
shots from the vicinity of the guard-house, in close
proximity- to the gaol. The military were called
to arms, and the excitement was intense beyond
anything that has yet occurred. In a few minutes
the streets were in possession of armed men.
Rumours of every description were afloat, and it
was dangerous for a citizen to go out to ascertain
the cause of the excitement. This morning the
community was early astir. At 9 o'clock the entire
military force were formed in Main-street. The
companies detailed for the gallows, at half-past 9
were in position. The companies detailed for escort
duty took up their position in front of the gaol. At
half-past 10, Green and Copeland were prepared to
go to the place of execution. The crowd was very
great, at least five times as numerous as on the oc-
casion of Brown's execution. The religious cere-
monies in the cell were very impressive, and were
conducted by the Rev. Messrs. North and Waugh.
At a quarter before 11 the prisoners appeared at
the gaol door, accompanied by the Rev. Mr North,
and, with their arms pinioned, moved slowly for-
ward toward the vehicle in waiting. They seemed
downcast, and wore none of that calm and col-
lected spirit evinced by Brown. They were
helped into the waggon, and took their seats on
their coffins, scarcely looking to the right or the
left. The escort moved on, and the waggon was
closely flanked on either side by a company of
riflemen, marching in double file. At seven
minutes before 11 the procession entered the field.
The prisoners mounted the gallows with a firm step
and were immediately joined by Sheriff Campbell.
After a brief prayer by the clergyman, the caps
were drawn over their heads and the ropes affixed
around their necks. During the few moments they
thus stood, Copeland remained quiet, but Green
was engaged in earnest prayer up to the moment
the trap was drawn away and they were launched
into eternity. Green died very easy, his neck being
broken by the fall, and the motion of his body was
very slight. Copeland seemed to suffer very much
and his body writhed in violent contortions for
several minutes. They were accompanied on the
gallows by the Rev. Messrs. Waugh, North, and
Leach, to whom they bade an affectionate farewell,
and expressed a hope of meeting them in Heaven.
The bodies were placed in poplar coffins, and car-
ried back to the gaol. They will be interred to-
morrow, on the spot where the gallows stands,
though there is a party of medical students here
from Virginia, who will doubtless not allow them
to remain thetu long. At a quarter to twelve
uotic was given to Cook and Coppie that one hour
more was allowed them. Religious ceremonies
were held in the cell. Since the failure of their
attempt to escape last night their assumed compo-
sure and apparent resignation had given way.
They wore reserved and rather quiet, but joined
with fervour in the ceremonies. When called by
the sheriff they stood quietly whilst their arms
were pinioned, and after bidding farewell to the
guards of the gaol, they were helped into the wag-
gon and took seats on their coffins. They seemed
to take but little notice as the procession moved.
slowly. They ascended the gallows with deter-
mined firmness scarcely surpassed by Captain
Brown. A brief prayer was offered, the rope ad-
justed, the cap drawn, and both " launched into
eternity" in seven minutes aftelithey ascended the
gallows. After the rope was adjusted Cook ex-
claimed, "Be quick—as quick as possible !" which
was repeated by Coppie. After hanging about
30 minutes both bodies were taken down and
placed in black walnut coffins. That of
Cook was put in a poplar box and directed to
Ashbell P. Willard, and Robert Crowley, 104,
William-street, New York, care of Adams's ex-
press. Coppie's body was placed in a similar box,
to be forwarded to his mother i❑ lowa.
ATTEMPTED ESCAPE OF COOK AND

thing to say, they could do it then, in the presence
of fifteen or twenty parsons: Cook replied that he
was grateful indeed for the kindness shown him
by Sheriff Campbell, the gaoler, and the guards, to
the Rev. Messrs. Waugh, North, Littcll, Leach,
and the other ministers who had manifested such
interest in his welfare, and Joseph P. Blessing and
John J. Cocke, as well as the citizens generally,
for their kindness to him, and he was very grateful.
At this point Coppie looked up and said, " Them's
my sentiments, too, gentlemen." Cook then gave
directions in regard to one or two articles. One, a
breastpin, which he did not want taken off then, nor at
the scaffold, he wished given to his wife, or his boy,
if he lived. Within his shirt bosom, on the left
side, was a daguerreotype and lock of his son's hair,
which he wished given to his wife. Both requested
that their arms should not be pinioned tight enough
to stop the circulation of the blood, which was com-
plied with. A blue cloth Talma was thrown over
Coppie, and a dark one over Cook. During these
proceedings Coppie was struggling to keep down
his emotion, and Cook was striving to be calm.
The Quaker g►entleman remarked that " It was
hard to die," to which Coppie responded, "It is the
parting from friends, not the dread of death, that
moves me." On the way down stairs they were
allowed to advance to the cell of Stevens and Haz-
lett, and bid them farewell. They shook hands
cordially, and Cook said to Stevens, "My friend,
good bye." Stevens replied, " Good bye : cheer up
—give my love to my friends in the other world."
Coppie also made a remark to Stevens, which was
unheard by the crowd, but Stevens replied, "Never
mind." Both then shook hands with Hazlett, and
bade him good bye, but did not call him by name.
On emerging from gaol Cook recognised several
gentlemen, and bowed politely. After the caps had
been placed on their heads, fioppie turned towards
Cook, and stretched forth his hand as far as possi-
ble. At the same time Cook said, "Stop a minute
—where is Edwin's hand ?" They then shook hands
cordially, and said, "God bless you !" The calm and
collected manner of both was very marked. On
approaching the scaffold Cook shook hands with a
large number of persons, and bowed politely to
Major Green. Much indignation was expressed by
some in reference to the officials of the gaol, but a
large majority express confidence in them, and
spurn the idea that they were bribed by the friends
of Cook. The hole made in the wall was a
large one, and the room was in the second
story. Cook, after his capture, said to a gen-
tleman that they had done the best they could
—that life was as sweet to them as to any
one else, and that they had planned it for ten
days. They had set down Tuesday night for
the attempt, but it was deferred, on account of
not wishing to compromise Governor Willard, who
was in town that night. The prisoners conversed
on a variety of subjects this morning. Cook said
to a gentleman that he fully believed slavery to be
a sin, and that it would be abolished in Virginia in
less than ten years, and by the people of Virginia.
He was prepared to die in such a cause, and thought
he had done nothing to regret so far as principle
was concerned. Coppie said he feared the affair was
not ended yet; that they had friends in the north
who would not rest satisfied, he feared, till they had
been avenged ; he hoped, however, that the affair
would end here for ever.
A New York telegram of the 16th says :—" An
assembly of over 2,000 persons met last evening in
the Cooper Institute, to tender their sympathies to
the families of John Brown and his associates.
Speeches were made by the Rev. Dr. Cheever,
Wendell Philips, Rev. Hiram Mattison, and Rev.
J. R. Sloan, all of which were highly eulogistic of
John Brown and his unsuccessful insurrection. The
proceedings were very stormy, and at one time a
riot seemed inevitable. Such was the confusion
that Dr. Cheever was obliged to cease speaking be-
fore he had half finished his speech. Eventually,
however, a force of 75 policemen and the eloquence
of Mr. Philips succeeded in restoring a tolerable de-
gree of order. The proceedings then went on
quietly, and soon after half-past 10 o'clock the
meeting adjourned.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE—Dec. 30.

MANSION-HOUSE.—John Kimber, 8, Shaftes-
bury-street, Walworth, tarpaulin maker, was
charged, on remand, with. obtaining two parcels of
canvas, value £75, and also the sum of £39 4s. from
Mr. J. B. Chalmers, 3, Leadenhall street, general
merchant, under false and fraudulent pretences.
The prosecutor said—l have had two previous
transactions with the prisoner, having supplied
goods to him for him to supply to the London and
Brighton Railway Company, from whom he had re-
ceived contracts for tarpaulin waggon-covers. On
each of these occasions, after the fulfilment of the
contract, I received from the prisoner the letter
which had been addressed to him by the secretary
of the company, stating that a check was ready in
payment, and on the production of that letter I re-
ceived the check in the usual way. About the end
of July prisoner called upon me, and told me he had
written to Mr. Walker, the storekeeper of the Lon-
don and Brighton Railway Company, offering to
make 50 tarpaulin sheets for 755. each, less 2 dis-
count for cash one month after delivery ; that Mr.
Walker answered his application by calling upon
him and desired him to make them up and let him
know when they would be finished. I believed his
statement, and when he asked me to supply the can-
vas and take the order off his hands, employing him
to make the sheets up at 16s each, I agreed to do so.
I therefore gave an older for the canvas, 'which
was delivered at the prisoner's workshop, and for
which I have since paid ; and on different days I
paid him various sums, amounting together to £39
45., for making up the sheets. On the 3d October he
told me he had delivered 24 of the sheets at New-
cross station, and on the 9th November that he had
delivered 25 more at the Willow-walk station, the
canvas supplied being only sufficient for 49 instead of
50 sheets. I produce the receipts given to me by the
prisoner in connexion with this transaction. During
the present month the prisoner called on me, and
said he had signed the paper authorising me to re-
ceive the sum of £l3B 17s. sd. from the company.
He also handed me an invoice made oat by him to
the company, with areceipt attached to it signed by
him. Mr. Russell, to whom Igave the order for the
canvas, drew two bills for the amount, at one month
and three months, upon the defendant, payable to
my order, which I endorsed before the goods were
delivered, and which I paid when due. Finding the
prisoner did not bring me the secretary's letter an-
nouncing that the cheque was ready, as usual, I went
to the company's offices, and ascertained that the
prisoner had no contract for the supply of tarpaulin
sheets in July last; although subsequently he ob-
tained an order for 24, which he delivered a few
days ago, and some time after he had told me that
he had delivered the 49, which he said he had made
out of the canvas with which I supplied him.
Mr. G. King, stationmaster at the New-cross sta-
tion of the London and Brighton Railway, deposed
that the prisoner did not, on or about the 3d Octo-
ber last, deliver 24 tarpaulin sheets at that station,
and that no such sheets were delivered in his name
or in that of Mr. Chalmers. On the 11th October,
however, witness received one sheet from the pri-
soner, and in August 12, but no others between
July and October.
Alfred Bennett, foreman of the Goods De-
partment, Willow-walk Station, London and
Brighton Railway, said he did not receive 25
sheets from the prisoner in November, but that
two or three months ago he received one as a
sample, which he condemned and returned. He
received six on the sth December, and sent them to
New-cross.

Mr. King—Those are the six which I have said
I received on the Gth December. _ _ _

Mr. Hugh Russell, linen factor, Star-court, Bread-
street, said the bargain for the canvas was made
between him and the prosecutor, and that it was
delivered to the prisoner, who was regarded by the
firm as being the servant of Mr. Chalmers.
The prisoner was again remanded for the attend-
ance of Mr. Walker, storekeeper to the London and
Brighton Railway Company.
Mr. Humphreys applied to have his client ad-
mitted to bail, contending that the whole transac-
tion could only be regarded as one of partnership.
The Lord Mayor said he would accept bail, the
prisoner himself in £lOO, and two sureties in £5O
each, with 24 hours' notice.
Alfred Mott, a driver in the employ of the Lon-
don General Omnibus Company,who was last week
remanded on a charge of knocking down and caus-
ing the death of Esther Kimber, of 19, Little Trinity
lane, surrendered in discharge of his recognisances
to meet any further charge that might be brought
against him.
The Lord Mayor said he was happy to be able to
discharge the prisoner from custody; but at the
same time he hoped the occurrence would act as a
warning to all omnibus drivers to be as careful as
possible, for omnibuses now took up so large a share
of the principal streets that it was only by extreme
care that accidents could be avoided.
The defendant was then discharged.

GUI LDII ALTS•—henry Albert Ball was brought
up on remand, charged with uttering forged orders
fur the insertion of advertisements in a bo•k on law
costs, and obtaining money upon the false represen-
tation that the orders were genuiue. When all the
evinenco had been given,
Alderman Salomons said to the prisoner—As far
as I can see, there is nothing in the case to justify
me in detaining you any longer. You are therefore
discharged.

LAMBETIL—MURDEROUS ASSAULL—Mr. W.
Posslethwaite, a large and powerful man, was
brought before the Hon. G. C, Nortotl for final