The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-12-22

NC Hdu Deen leu W seek forgiveness IN
his protestations of religious conviction
and hopes of forgiveness, all of which
was undoubtedly intended TO hoodwink
their project of escape.
Cook has been visited throughout
bis Imprisonment by the Rev. N. Green
North at the request of the prisoners,
as also of Cows. Wise and Willard.
Rev. Mr.. North was present at an in
terview between Coppic and Mr.. But
Ter, quaker gentleman from Ohio, who
raised the prisoner. He describes the
interview as an effecting one, and spoke
highly of Mr.. Buffers Christian de-
pertinent and advice to the prisoners.
Mr.. Butler says that Coppic was a
trusty but very wilful boy. An uncle
of Coppic, of the same name, from
Ohio, his fathers brother, also visited
him yesterday. The interview lasted
for over one hour He seemed in much
distress at the sad fate which awaits
his relative. This was the condition
Of the town and the prisoners and the
military up to seven o'clock last eve
ming.
All apprehensions of an intended
rescue had long since been banished,
and nothing was thought of but the
approaching execution. So firmly had
this conviction settled in the public
mind, that military duty was voted a
bore and the finale of the tragedy was
at last approaching.
At quarter-past eight o'clock last
evening, the whole town was thrown
into commotion by the report of a rifle
under the jail wall, followed by several
other shots from the vicinity of the
guard-house, in close proximity to the
Jail.
The military was called to arms, and
the excitement was intense, beyond
anything that has yet occurred during
our ever-memorable era of military oc-
cupation. In q few minutes the streets
and avenues of the town were in pos
session of armed forces, and it was
with some difficulty that the cause of
all this turmoil could be ascertained.
Rumors of every description were
afoat, and it was at one time thought
that the prisoners had overpowered
their guards and made their escape,
and then that an attack had been made
on the Jail by parties attempting to res
cue the prisoners.
The bodies of the negroes, after be-
ing cut down, were placed in poplar
collins and carried back to the Jail.
They viii be inferred tomorrow on the
spot where the gallows stands, though
there is party of medical students
here from Winchester who will doubt
less not allow them to remain there
long.
The bodies Of the two negro prison
ers having been brought back to the
Jail at about quarter past II this p.
NJ, notice was given to Cook and Cop
pic that their turn was approaching
only one hour more being allowed
them.
The military movements similar t.
those at the first execution were repeat.
ed, and a wagon with two collins was
standing at the door of the Jail ct l2l
o'clock.
The same military escort was in read
mess. Meantime the closing religious
ceremonies were progressing in the
cell.
Since the. failure of the attempt Of
Cook and Coppic to escape, their as
sumed composure and apparent resig
nation had given way, and they now
looked at the reality of their fate with
the full conviction of its awful certain
ty. They were sad and rather quiet
but joined with fervor in the religion.
ceremonies.
When called upon by the Sheriff
they stood calm and quietly whilst thei
arms were being pinioned, and, after
bidding farewell to the guards of the
Jail, were helped into the wagon ant
took seats On their collins. Their ap
pearance was rather that of hopeless:
despair than of resignation, and they
seemed to take but little notice of any
thing as the procession moved on to the
| field of death.
The wagon reached the scaffold a
l3 minutes before l o'clock, and the
prisoners assembled with a determined
tirmness scarcely surpassed by that o
Capt. Brown. A prayer was Offered
up by one of the clergymen. The
ropes were adjusted, the caps drawn
over their heads, and both were
launched into eternity in seven minute,
afterthey assembled the gallows. The,
both exhibited to most unflinching firm
mes, saying nothing with the exception
of bidding farewell to the minister ant
sheriff.
After the rope was adjusted abou
Cooks neck, he exclaimed, "Be quicl
AS quick as possible" which was re
peated by Coppic. After hanging
about thirty minutes both bodies were
taken down and placed in black walnu
collins prepared for them. That o
Cook was placed in a poplar box, la
belled and directed as follows: cash
bel p. Willard and Robt. Crowley, To-
William street, New York, care Adams
Express" The coffin of Coppic wa
placed in a similar box, to be forwarded
to his mother in Iowa.
DIsUNloN MovEMENTs.-The Ten