The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-12-24

turn it to him He had no idea of any intention
on our part to break out, neither did the sheriff
jailor or jail guard have any knowledge of on
plans We received aid from any person o
persons whatever. We had, as we supposed, re
moved all the bricks except the last tier, severa
days ago, but the evening previous to our break
ing out we discovered our mistake.
We had intended to go out on the evening tina
my sister and brothers-in-l law were here, but
knew that it would reflect on them, and we post
poned it; but l urged Coppic to go, and [ woulC
remain. He refused. We then concluded tt
wait. | got knife blade from Green, and with
that made some toerable teeth in the Barlow knife
with which we sawed off our shackles We haC
them all off the night previous to our getting out
Coppic went out first, and | followed. We ther
got upon the wall, when | was discovered and shot
at. The guard outside Immediately came up tc
the wall We saw there was no chance of escape
and as it was discovered that we had broken Jail
so we walked in deliberately and gave ourselves ur
to the sheriff and jailor. There was no person OIL
persons who aided in our escape.
This statement is true, so help us God.
TSigncd. JOHN +. Cook,
EDWIN COPPIC.
For several days they had been removing the
plaster and cement and bricks which composed
the wall just under the window. The table, hold
\ few days ago requests were made of the guards
to make little disturbance as possible, as they
had important writing to Put through. While
working, the bits of plaster were hid under the
bed, covered with newspapers. The bricks were
let down by string into drum stove through
the pipe hole. Cook S manacles were sawed thrO'
the ankle-rings so as to be entirely removed; Cop
pics through centre link and then tied to his
legs under his pants. Having let themselves down
into the yard, they made use of part Of the gal
lows used in the execution of Brown, to gain the
top of the wall. The sentinel the outside i'm
mediately discovered them and fred the ball
striking the edge of the wall near to Cooks head.
They Immediately jumped down into the yard and
walked to the Jail door. Met by one of the Jail
guards, Coppic said, Il am your prisoner" He
answered, ''Who are your "Coppic,' was the
response to the establishment of the guard. I'M
mediate steps were taken 10 secure them.
The sentinel, stationed near the jail wall, report
ed that at quarter past o'clock he observed a
man on the jail wall, whom he challenged and re-
ceving no answer he fired at him. Another head
was seen above the wall, but he retreated as soon
as the other had been fired at The man Oh the
top of the wall seemed at first determined to persist
and was about making an attempt to jump down,
when the sentinel declared his intention Of catch
ing him on his bayOnet lie then retrcated into
the jail yard, and they gave themselves up with
out further resistance. Cook afterwards remark
ed that if he could have got over and hrotted the
guard he could have made his escape. The Shen-
undoah mountains are within ten minutes run of
the jail wall, and had he reached them, with a
thorough knowledge Of the mountains his arrest
would have been difficult, especially as but few Of
the military could have followed him during the
night.
\ correspondent Of the Baltimore Clipper says
here are very few residents Of ChareStown who do
not think that ''somcthing rotten in Denmark
What is very remarkable, they have both since
heir imprisonment, been chained by the leg, and
he ring around the ankle was filed about half way
through and then cut as if with a cold chisel.
How it possible to perform this feat, and at
he some time dig away portion OF a londerous
wall, while surrounded by nearly thousand sol
lierS is an inexplicabe mystery. For some days
controversy had been going on between the Com
chief and the ailor in reference to the
charge of the prisoners, which had become quite
warm as the day of the execution approached, it
icing asserted on good authority, that the jalor
cfuSed to admit the General to the prisoners,
md paid attention whatever to the orders issued
~ that functionary admitting visitors, alleging
hat the condemned men were in the hands of the
vl, and not the military authorities. As the
Whole matter will no doubt undergo strict inves-
igation at Charlest0wE, foIbear saying more at
his time"
OF the twenty-five men who joined in the Har
1ers Ferry invasion, eleven were killed at Harpers
Ferry, Ave have died on the scafold, two, Stevens
nd Hazlctt, are yet in the custody Of the civil
and three-Merriam, Tidd, and one of
John Browns sons-escaped, and are now in
'anada.