The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-12-06
THE CONFESSION OF COOK.

ern papers. 1t is we'll written narrative, and
contains some matters of interest but very little
calculated to impcate other parties in the move
ment.
Cook says he became acquainted with Captain
Brown in Kansas, ust after the battle OF Black
Jack, in 1856, and next met him In Laurence, In
the fall of 1857, when he was told that Brown in
tended to organize company for the purpose of
putting stop to the aggressions of pro-slavery
men, and agreed to JOIN him. lie then goes on to say
Our party now consisted of Captain John Brown
Owen Brown, A d. Stevens, Chas. Mofett, G. p.
Tidd, Richard Robertson, Col. Richard Realf,
l.. +. Parsons, VIM Leeman and myself. We
stopped some days at Tabor, making preparations
to start. Here we found that Captain Browns
ultimate destination the State of Virginia.
Some warm words passed between him and myself
in regard to the plan, which | had supposed was
to be confined entirely to Kansas and Missouri.
Reaf and Parsons weree of the opinion with
me- After a good deal of wrangling. we consented
to 90 on as we had not the means to return, and
the rest of the party anxious that we should
go with them At Tabor we procured teams for
the transportation of about 200 Sharpes rifles,
which had been taken on to Tabor one year before,
at which place they had been left, awaiting the
order of Captain Brown. There were also other
stores, consisting of Blankets clothing, boots, am
muniton and about 200 revovers of the Mas
sachusetis Arm patent, all of which was transpor-
ted across the State Of Iowa to Springsdae, and
from there to Liberty, at which place they were
shipped for Ashtabua county, Ohio where they
remained till brought to Chanbe rsburg, Pa, and
were from there transported to house in Washing
ton county. Md, which Captain Brown had rented
for six months and which was situated about i've
miles from IIarpers Ferry.
They then started for Ashtabula county, Ohio,
to spend the winter in military training under Col.
II. Forbes, but the latter having had a quarrel
with Captain Brown did not come on, and they
were instructed by Stevens their drill master.
Captain B. being short of funds was compelled in
the Spring of 1858 to disband his party at Chat
ham, Canada, just after the adoption of the Con-
stitutIon. He had also received some information
which called for his Immediate attention in Kansas
Cook wished to 90 with him, but he told him he
was too well known there, and requested him and
some others to 90 to fIarper's Ferry, Va, to see
how things were there and to gain information.
After going down opposite the Ferry, | ascend
ed the mountain, in order to get q better view OF
the position of our opponents.
l saw that our party completely surrounded
and as saw body of men on Hight street firing
down upon thcm-they were about half a mile
distant from mel thought would draw their
fire upon myself; [ therefore raised my rifle and
took the best aim I could and fired. 1t had the
desired effect for thevery instant the party return
ed it. Several shots we're exchanged. The last
one they fred at me cut small limb had hold
Of just below my hand and gave me fall of about
fifteen feet by which | was severely bruised and
my flesh somewhat lacerated. | descended from
the mountain and passed down the road to the
Crane the bank OF the canal, about fifty yards
from lIr. W. S store. [ saw several heads behind
the door-post looking at me; took position be
hind the Crane; and cooking my rife, beckoneu to
some of them to come to me; after some hesitation
one Of them approached and then another, both of
whom know me. | asked them if there were any
armed men in the store. They pied ged me their
word and honor that there were none. then
passed down to the lock house, and went down the
steps to the lock, where | saw William McGreg,
and questioned him in regard to the troops on the
other side. He told me that the bridge was filled
by orr opponents, and that all Of our party was
dead hut sevcn-that two of them were shot while
trying to escape across the river. He begged me
to leave immediately.
Cooh's Escore-I was afterwards informed by an
Irish family that Captain Brown was dead that lie
had been shot about 1 o'clock in the afternoon.
At the time | believed this report to be true. |
went up to the schoolhouse, and found the shut
tiers and doors closed called to Tdd and the boys,
but received no answer; cooked my rife and then
opened the door 1t dark at the tim; [ went
into the bushes back ofhe school-house and called
for the boys. Eccciving no answer, | went across
the road into some pines. and again called but
could find no one. | then started up the road to-
wards Capt. Brown house; | party of men
coming down the road; when within about fifty
yards | ordered them to halt; they recognized my
voice and called ne. | found them to be Charles
p Tidd, Owen Brown, Barclay Coppie, +. j. Mer-
RAM, and negro who belonged to Washington Or
Alstadt. They asked Inc the news and [ gave
them the information that | had received at the
canal lock and on the road 1t seemed that they
thou ht it would be sheer madness in them to at
tempt a of our comrades, and it was finally
determined to return to the house of Capt Brown.
found that Tidd, before leaving the school house
to 90 for Brown, Coppie and Merriam, had station
ed the negroes in good position in the timbers
back Of the school house. On his return, however
they could not lie found. We therefore left for
Captain Browns house. Uere got few artic-
les that would be necessary, and then went over
into the timber on the side Of the mountain, few
yards beyond the house, where the spears were
kept Here laid down and went to sleep.
About O'Clock in the morning one Of our party
awakened and found that the negro had left us
He immediately aroused the rest of the party and
we concluded to go to the top of the mountain be-
fore Ii ght. Here remained for few hours, and
then passed to the other side of the mountain
where we waited till dark, and then crossed the
valley to the other range beyond.
Owen Brown, Barclay Coppe and F. J. Mcr-
Ram were not at the Ferry during the time the at
tack was made, but remained by order of Capt
Il. to take charge of the premises, and to guard
the arms left at Browns house in of an attack
L do not know ofany person in the Ferry its
nelghbOrhOod, who knew of our plan, save our own
party, and they were nIedpel to keen it secret