Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-12-08
EXECUTION OF JOHN BROWN

CHARLEsrowN, Friday, Dec 2.-The inter-
view between Brozn and his wife lasted from
2 O'Clock in the afternoon until near s o'clock
in the evening, when Gen. Talaferro informed
them that TIE period allowed bad elapsed, and
that she must prepare for departure to the
Ferry. A 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 q very
affecting one-rather of q practical character,
with regard to the future of herself and chill
dren, aud the arrangement and settlement Of
business affairs They seemed considerably
affected when they first met, and Mrs. Brown
was as firm as a rock, and she soon recovered
her eomposure. There was an impression
that the prisoner might possibly be furnished
with weapon or with strychnine, by his wife,
and before the interview, her person was
searched by the wife of the jailer, and a strict
watch kept upon them during the time they
were together At the time of separation
they both seemed to be fully selfpossessed,
and the parting, especially on his part, exhih-
tied a composure, either feigned or real, that
was truly surprising. | learn from Captain
Moore that she rather repealed all attempts on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
faint his name with dishonor, aud declared
that the gnominious character of the punish
ment that was about to be inflicted upon him
was as cruel as it was unjust. She regarded
him as a martyr in a righteous cause, and was
proud to be the wife of such man. The
gallows, she said, had 60 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.
She stated that she had not seen him since
last June, about six mouths ago, and that they
had been separated with the exception of a
few days for nearly two years. They had
however, correspouded, and she had always
felt deep interest in the cause in which he
was engaged
l learn from Capt Avis, the jailer, that the
interview between the prisoner and his wife
was characteristic of the man, and the direc-
ton given for the management and distribu-
ton of his property embraced all the minor
details Of his last will and testament.
Gen. Taaferro was also present, and Cap
tain Brown urged that his wife be allowed to
remain with him all the night To this the
General refused to assent, allowing them but
four hours.
On first meeting, they kissed, and affection
ately embraced, and Mrs. Brown shed few
tears, but Immediately checked her feelings.
They stood embraced, and she sobbing, for
nearly five minutes, and he gave way for a
few moments, but was soon calm and collected,
and remained firm throughout the interview.
At the close, they shook hands, bnt did not
embrace, and as they parted, he said, God
bless you and the children" Mrs. Brown re-
piled, " God have mercy on YOU" and contin-
ued calm until she left the room, where she
remained in tears few moments, and then
prepared to depart. The interview took place
III the parlor of Captain Avis, and the priso-
ner was free from manaclk Of any kind
They sat side by side 90 Sofa, and, after
discussing family matters, proceeded to bust
ness. He stated that he desired his property
to pass entirely into her possession, and ap-
peared to place full confidence in her ability
to manage it properly for the benefit of his
younger children. He requested her to re
main at North Elba, N. Y. on her farm where
she now resides, and which belongs to her
lie desired that his younger children should
be educated, and if she could not obtain ia
cilities for their education as home, to have
them sent 10 a boarding school. He then
gave directions and dictated to Sheriff Camp.
bell will, which directed that all his proper
ty should go to his wife, with the exception of
a few presents and requests which he made
Io one OF bis sons he gave double Spygass
and to another watch, while third was di
rected to take 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, inscribed thereon. He d.
reefs that it shall remain at North Elba as
long as his family continues to reside there
10 each of his children he bequeathed the
sum of $50, and to each of his daughters
Bible, to cost So, to be purchased out Of mon
ey coming to him from his fathers estate. AL
so, he directs that a Bible, to cost SIS, shall
be presented to each of his grand children.
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 it, 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 thetwo Thompsons fes554Ed if they could
be found but suggested that it would be best
to take his body with the bodies of his four
sons, aud get pile ofspine logs and burn
them all together; that It would be much bet
ter, and less expensive to thus gather up their
ashes, together, and take them to their final
resting-pace. Sheriff Campbell told him that
this would not be permitted within the State,
and Mrs. Brown objected to the proposition
altogether.
The prisoner said that he contemplated his
death with composure and caimness. 1t would
be pleasant to live on longer, but
as it was the will Of God he should close his
career, he was content It was doubtless
best that he should thus legally be murdered
for the good of the cause, aud he was prepared