Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-12-08
Execution Of Brown
Hls interview with his Wife!
His Remains taken North !
CHARLEsrowN, FRIDAY, Dec. 2, 1859:

lasted from O'CLOCK IN Lhe ulJtIHooh uhtil
near s O'Clock in the evening, when Gen.
Taliaferro informed them that the period al
lowed had elapsed, and that she must prepare
for departure to the Ferry. y carriage was
again brought to the door, the military took
possession of the square, and with an escort
Of twenty mounted men, the cortege moved
off, Capt Moore of the Montgomery Guards
accompanying her. The interview was,
learn, not very affecting one-rather OF
practical character, with regard to the future
of herself and children, and the arrangement
and settlement Of business affair S. They
seemed considerably affected when they hrst
met, aud Mrs Brown was, for few moments,
quite overcome but Brow1 was az firm as a
rock. and she soon recovered her compoSure.
There was an impression that the prisoner
might possibly be furnished with weapon or
with strychnne, by his wife, and before the
interview ler person was searched by the wife
of the Tailor, and strict watch kept upon
them during the time they were together. At
the time of separation they both seemed to be
fully self.possessed, and the parting, especially
on his part, exhibited a composure, either
feigncd or real, that was truly surprising. !
learn from Captain Moore that she rather re-
PEELED all attempts on his part to express
sympathy with her under her Affections.
She resented the idea that Capt Brown had
done ANYTHING to deserve death, or to attant
his name with dishonor and declared that the
ignominious character of the punishment that
was about to be inflicted upon him was as
cruel as it was unjust. She regarded him as a
martyr in righteous cause, and was proud to
be the wife of such u man. The galIows, she
said had no terrors for her or for him.
The character of the interview may be
Judged to some extent from this conversation
with Capt Moore, which took place previous
to it. Is .ar
She stated that she had not seen him since
last June, about six months ago, and that they
had been separated with the exception Of a
few days for nearly two years They had
however, correspopded, and she had always
felt deep interest in the cause in which be
was engaged.
learn from Capt. Avis, the jailer, that the
interview between the prisoner and his wife
was characteristic of the man, and the direc-
tion given for the management and distribution
of his property embraced all the minor details
of his last will and testament
Gen. Taiaferro was also present, and Capt
Brown urged that his wife be allowed to re-
main with him all night To this the General
refused to assent allowing them but four
hours.
On first meeting they kissed, and affec
tionately embraced, and Mrs. Brown shed
few tears, but immediately checked her feel
ings They stood embraced, and she sobbing,
for nearly five minutes, and he was apparently
unable to speak. The prisoner only gave way
for a few moments, and was soon calm and
I'll, nj Er,, +I,-1,,,~L,,,t -.
interview At the close, they shook hands,
but did not embrace, and as they parted, he
said, God bless you and the children" Mrs
Brown replied, " God have mercy on you,"
and continued calm until she left the room,
when she remained in tears few moments,
and then prepared to depart The interview
took place in the parior Of Captain Avis, aud
the prisoner was free from manacIes Of any
kind.
They sat side by side on a sofa, and, after
discussing family matters proceeded to bus
mess lie stated that be desired his property
to pass entirely into her possession, and APP
peared to place full confidence in her ability
to manage it properly for the benefit of his
younger children He requested her to remain
ut North FIba, y. Y, on her farm where she
now resides and which belongs to her He
desired that his younger children should be
educated and if she could not obtain facilities
for their education at home, to have them sent
to a boarding-school He then gave directions
and dictated to Sheriff Campbell will, which
directed that all his property should 90 to his
wife with the exception Of few presents and
bequests which he made To one of his sons
he gave double sypglass and to another q
watch, while third was directed to take a
tomb, or monument, that marks the grave of
his father at North Elba, and have his name,
age and the manner of his death. together
with the cause, for which he had suffered, in
scrbed thereon. He directs that it shall re.
main at North EIba as long as his family con,
tinues to reside there. To each of his chill
dren he beqneathed the sum Of $50, aud to
each of his daughters a Bible to cost s., to be
purchased ont of money coming to him from
his fathers estate Also, he directs that a
Bible to cost $3, shall be presented 20 each
of his grandchildren and that $50 each be
paid to three individuals, whom he named if
they can be found, and if not, to their legal
representatives.
During the course of conversation, Mrs
Brown asked him if he had heard that Gerrit
Smith had become insane, and had been sent
to the Asylum at Utica. He replied that he
had read of it in the papers, and was sorry to
hear il, but Immediately changed the subject
The subject of the death of his two sons
was spoken of, and Mrs Brown remarked that
she had made some efforts while at Harper'S
Ferry for the recovery of their bodies to
which end, she said, Col. Barbour had kindly
consented to give his assistance Capt Brown
remarked that he would also like the remains
of the two Tbompsons removed if tbey could
be fonnd, bat suggested that it would be best
to take his body with the bodies of his four
sons. and get pile CT pine logs and burn
them all together that it would be much
better and less expensive to thus gather up all