Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1859-12-31
the Hanging or Cook AND Coppio
ut CharlestoNvn.

at Charlestown-
The last cords Of TIE conaenaned- TIev
erpect tier Deuth 10 be 1penqed The
bodies Of the two negro prisoners having
been brought back 10 the iail, at about
Z quarter 70 twelve o'clock, notice was DIV
en- 10 Cook and Coppic that their time
was approaching only one hour being al
lowed them.
ne prisoners conversed on a variety Of
sublects this morning. Cook said TO q
gentleman who addressed him, that he
fully believed slavery to be sin, and that
u would be abolished in Virginia in less
thon Ten years, and that by the people Of
Virginia. lie was prepared TO die in such
a cause, and that he had nothing to regret
50 far as principle was concerned. Coppic
said that he feared the affair was not end.
ed yet; that they had friends North who
would not rest satisfied, he fsared until
they bad been avenged. lie hoped, how
ever that the affair would end here for
ever.
Previous 70 their departure for Che
scafiold, Tie prisoners we're engaged 10 the
lentrahce washing their feet AMI putting on
their under clothing. Captain Avis said
that if they had anything to say they
could say it then, in the presence Of ff
teen or twenty persons. Cook replied
that he was grateful indeed, for the
kindness shown him by Sheriff Campbell
the jailor and the guards To the Rev.
Messrs. Waugh, North, Little, Leach, ana
1.-THE other ministers who had manifested
such interest in his welfare, and Messrs.
Joseph Il. Blessing aud John ]. Cooke, as
well as the citizens generally for their
kindness to him he was grateful. At this
point Coppic looked up and said, "Them's
my Sentiments, tooi gentlemen" Cook
then gave directions in regard to one or
two articles-one abreast pin, he did not
want taken off then or at the scaiiold.-
He wished It given So his wife, or his boy,
Iif he lived. Within his shirt bosom, on
the left side, was a daguerreotype and lock
of bis sons hair, which he wisllsbei 10.
ito his wife. Both reqhested TIA. their
arms should not be pinonod TIGHT enough
to Stop the circulation Of the blood which
was complied with.
A blue cloth talma was thrown over
Coppie, and dark one over Cook. Du
ring these proceedings Coppic was strug-
Cling to keep down bis emotion, and Cook
was striving to be calm. Tie Quaker
gentleman then remarked that it was hard
loo die, to which Coppic responded: 1T
Dis the parting with friendS n@trtite dread
lof death, that moves US" ~On the way
dowd stairs they were allowed TO advance
to the cell of Stevens and Hazlitt, and bid
them farewell. They shook hands cordial
liz, api Cook said 70 Stevens, My friend
good bye" Stevens replied /" licod bye,
cheer up; give my love to my friends ID
itte other world" Coppic also made a
remark to Stevens which was unheard BY
the crowd; but Stevens replied, /" Never
mind" Both then shook hands with Haz-
Hit, and babe him good bye, but did not
call linn by name. On emerging from the
Jail Cook recognized several gentlemen,apd
bowed politely.
When called upon by the Sheriff, they
stood calmly and quietly while their arms
we're being pinioned, and after bidding
farewell to the guards at the jail, were
helped into the wagon, and took their
seats on their coffius. Their appearance.
was rather Of hopeless despair than Of res
ignation, aud they seemed to take
But little notice Of anything as tile pro
cession slowly moved on TO the field OF.
death.
On approaching the scafold Cook
shsok hands with large number of
persons, and bowed politely TO Mayor
Green.
After the caps had been palced on their
heads, Coppic turned towards Cook and
stretched forth bis hand as far as possible
At the same time Cock said, Stop al
minute: where is Edwards hand?o They
then shook hands cordially, and Cook
said. God bless you." The calm and
collected manner Of both was very mark
ed.
The wagon reached the scaffold at
thirteen minutes before one O'Clock, and
the prisoners ascendeG the scafold with a
deter mined firmness that was scarcely sur
passed by Captain Brown. A brief prayer
was offered up by one Of the clergymen,
the rope was adjusted, and the cap drawn,
and both were launched into eternity
in seven minutes after they assembled the
lgalIows.