The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1859-12-05
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DAY BOOK.

CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DAY BOOK.
.sf~ CBARLEsTowN, Va, Dec. I'd.
Dear Doy Book All is now excitement.
The various companies OF military are now
preparing to form the line of march, to act as
esourt to the old hoary headed traitor, Brown,
troAl his place of confinement to the gallows.
Its alike creditable to the hearts and heads
OF all here, that although they pity the fate
of this daring man, yet none, believe, de.
sire otherwise than that he meet the recon-
peuse ofhis sins, and die on the scafold. 1t
is indeed solemn thing to contemplate the
execution of fellow mortal. Yet the heart
must be subjected to the demands of justice,
and he who dares to lift his hand against the
sovereignty of the State must meet his doom,
and every law abiding citizen should say
amen. The execution of these Harper's Fer
ry criminals will be of lasting benefit to the
fanatics of the North, and serve as warn
ing to future traitors, who desire to raise
the standard of revolt in the domains of the
old Dominion or the South.
To-day the Woods RiAemen and all the
Rife companies are ordered out on the out
skirts as scouting parties, consequently they
will not get peep at the execution. The
Portsmouth National Greys are stationed to
guard the Court House and jail during the
hanging, to prevent any successful attempt
to rescue the remaining prisoners. This is
post of much honor as we'll as arduous duty,
and is a compliment by no means insignifi-
% h. 10 NIL nj pnpkcpnnryfh
Indeed, the Woods Riflemen and Greys have
been assigned the most difficult and danger
Gus posts ever since their arrival, which is
an evidence of the light in which the mill
tary of the twin cities are held by the Gen
eral Commanding.
Gov. Wise will net be here to witness the
execution, know not why he absents him
with business of the State to come. His son,
.. Jennings Wise, editor of the Richmond
ENQUIRER, is here however, and is a private
in the ranks of Company F., of Richmond
saw him on guard the other night, and he
knows his duty as sentry as well as with the
pen. The editorial profession by the way is
well represented in the military here
Scarcely company is present which has net
one or more editors in its ranks.
Yesterday the wife of old Brown visited him
IN Jail here, she having arrived In the evening
rrain. She went in the jail about O'Clock and
heart instinctively throbs with pity to see a
woman who Is about to be deprived Of her
earthly protector by death on the scaffold.-
The love of woman is strong and faithful; she
deserts not the object of her affection when re-
proaeh Is heeped upon hi name.
The Drum beats to arms to join the funeral
pageant, so close. Yours,
CHARLEsrowN, Va, Dec. 2d-l2, N.
Dear Day Book The deed is done, and
the arbitrator Brown is no more. At IL
o'clock, he was brought out of the Jail and
placed in the wagon, and sitting upon his
coffin box he was borne away to the scaffold.
Before the old man emerged from the Jail,
heard many expressions of pity for him, but
as soon as he was seen, and all observed the
bold, recklessness of his demeanor and tae
sarcastic smile that was upon his counte-
nance, all commisseration vanished and gave
waylto feeling of universal contemptLfor
one who had forfeited the respect as well as
ibe pity of his fellows.
The lat Regiment and several other COM
panies acted as escort to the scaffeld, and it
was certainly an imposing spectacle. The
drop Tell about half-past eleven, aud the soul
6sof John Brown was ushered into the pres
MAnce of his Maker and Judge.
The body is to be given up to his wife, or
her order. Great care was taken that he
should be we'll cared for. His coffin was
made of fine black walnut; and was as fine
a coffin of the same material as ever saw.
Brown refused to say anything on the scat
fold, and told Sheriff Campbell to hurry up
the business and get through as soon as pos
slble, thus show ing till the last that deter
mined obstinacy which has characterised him
all through his eventful life.
The military will remain here till after
the execution Of the remaining criminals
At least, this is the report now among. the
soldiers, and presume it is correct. How
ever, we privates never know anything Ger
lain till orders are given.
Yours, &c., REPORTER.
A Large Buildiny.-A building is in course
oi erection in Peoria, which, when completed.
will cover three acres of land, all under one
roof. 1t it intended for the mandatory OF
potteryware, and when fully completed and
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