The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-12-21
Execution of Green, Copeland, Cook
and Coppic.
CnARlrsrowN, Dec. lb.

COpplc, oSchpCu ifOn Tue jul anu WIZ
fred upon by the sentinels and driven |
back TO prison. They nre now in the
custody OF Sheriff Campbell The pris-
oners had mounted the jail wall when they
were discovered by tho sentinel on the
outside, who Immediately gave the alarm
and fired upon them. They had sawed
their manacles asunder with the blade of
n Barlow-knife which they had concealed
and made into fine saw. 1t is ascer-
tanned from their'confession that they have
been engaged in preparing for their es-
cape during the last ten days. They
made a hole in the wall near the window,
which they concealed with paper, hiding
the bricks they removed under the bed.
Upon the alarm being given, they made
no resistance, but surrendered as soon as
they discovered by the shot of the senti-
mel that they were detected. The event
has produced the utmost excitement here,
and all are on the alert. Maj Gen. Tai
iaferro is directing everything in person,
and will maintain an uninterrupted super
vision of affairs until after the execution.
We do not apprehend any further diff
Guilty.
CHARLEsrows, Va, Dec 16.
The negroes, Shields Green and John
Copeland, have just paid the forfeit OF
their lives. Tho crowd in the town is
very great, and the execution was witness
by 1000 persons. At o'clock this
morning the field was occupied by the
troops, and at seven minutes of III o'clock
the procession made its appearance. 1t
arrived at IL o'clock at the scaffold.-
The prisoners were in wagon, accompan-
iedby the Sheriff and jailer. They mount
cd the scaffold with firm step. The pris-
oners had the cap placed over their heads
by the Sheriff, and, after al appropriate
prayer by Rev. Mr.. North, of the Pres
byterian Church, they were launched in
to eternity. Before the rope was cut,
Green was heard 10 offer up fervent
prayer. Copeland was not heard to pray.
Green's neck was broken, and he died
without struggle. Copeland writhed
in violent contortions for several minutes.
The prisoners babe farewell while on the
. scafold to the minister's Messrs. Waugh,
North and Leek, and expressed hope to
meet them in Heaven. The drop fell at
ii minutes after III o'clock. The bodies
will be placed in the Jail for interment to-
morrow.
On the receipt of the news OF the at
tempted escape of Cook and Coppic, Gov.
Wise telegraphcd to Gen. Taliaferro to
take possession of the Jail, which was &C
cordingly done.
The bodies of the negroes, after being
cut down, were placed in poplar coffins,
and carried back TO the Jail. They will
be inferred tomorrow on the spot where
the gallows stands, though there is par
ty Of medical students here from Win
chester who will doubtless not allow them
to remain there long.
The bodies of the negro prisoners hav-
ing been brought back to the jail at about
n quarter to IL o'clock this A. NJ, notice
was given TO Cook and Coppic that their
time was approaching, only one hour
more being allowed them. The military
movements, similar to those at the first
execution, were repeated and wagon
with two moro collins was standing at
the door of the Jail. AT balfpast twelve
o'clock the same military escort was in
readiness. Meantime the closing relig-
ious ceremonies were progressing in the
cell. Since the failure of the attempt of
Cook and Coppic to escape last night,
their assumed composure and apparent
resignation had given way, and they now
looked at the reality of their fate with
the full conviction of its awful certainty.
They were reserved and rather quiet, but
joined with fervor in the religious ceremo-
mics, conducted by the Rev. Messrs. North,
Lehr and Waugh. When called upon by
the Sheriff they stood calmly and quiet
ly whilst their arms were being pinioned,
and after bidding farewell to the guards
of the jail, were helped into the wagon,
and took seats on their collins. Their APP
pearanco was rather that of hopeless de-
spar than Of resignation, and they seem
ed to take but little notice Of anything
rs the procession slowly moved on TO the
field Of death. The wagon reached the
scaffold at thirteen minutes before one
o'clock, and the prisoners ascendcd with a
determined firmness scarcely surpassed by
that of Capt. Brown. A brief prayer
was offered up by one of the clergyman,
the ropes were adjusted, the caps drawn
over their heads, and both were launched
into eternity in seven minutes after they
assembled the gallows. They both cxhib-
tied the most unflinching firmness, saying
nothing, with the exception of bidding
farewell 10 the ministers and the Sheriff.
After the rope was adjusted about Cooks
neck, he exclaimed, "Be quick-quick as
possible" which was also repeated by
Coppic. After hanging about thirty min
utes, both bodies were taken down and
placed in black walnut collins prepared
for them. That of Cook was then placed
in poplar box labeled and directed rs
follows: "Ashbel p. Willard and Rob-
ert Crowley, 104 William street, N. Y,