Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-12-24
I33GB3BlTB0U9,
EXECUTION OF
Cook, Copp.c, Gteen and Copeland,
Az CNARLESTOWN.
We clip the following lfrom The Spiri

AT CHARLES TOWN.
We clip the following from The Spirit
Of ,s,''jiF ;s::5'1;5i,: Y; s e.: ..p..n,..
conspir ators against the Commonwealth
Of Virginia, paid for their folly upon the
scalliud. In zoe morning between | and
II o'clock, the two negRes Green and
Copeland, were taken r$m the Jail, and
under a strong military goh hrd, were march.
ed to the field of execution
They ascended HE allows acconpa,
MED by Sheriff Camp6c I Jailor Avis,
several Of Ne Jail GnardI and the Rev.
Messrs. Waugh, Leech add North. They
had nolhine To say, and the moose ~as
adjusted TO their necks. Rev. Nj. North
offered up lervenl prayfr. All the min
isters exh0rted the Grim mails 10 trust IN
Christ, as the only hopeI Both the ne
groes were apparently c% m and collected.
At ten minutes past | O'Clock, every
thing being ready, 'he dt6p fell, and Jrhn
Copeland and Shields Green were launch.
ed mo eternity. WIN Green The drop
seemed to be instant nealh; scarcely a
struggle was percep'ibld. Copeland dled
much harder. and his srfuggles indicated
much suffering. They Iwere permitted TO
hang for lhirIyGye nil utes, when life
being pronounced extIndt by the Surgeons,
/ they were cut down anq placed III their
coffins.
AS soon aa The execution Of tie negroes
vas over, and their bod Ics properly dis
posed of, the Sheriff ahd Jallur, with a
number of the military, returned TO town
after the remaining prIfoner', John T..
! Cook and Edwin Coprbc. We are IN
! formed that when The Sheriff and his
guard reached The Jail, lhe prisoners were
engaged in washing their feet and prepa-
ring themselves for the fate that awaited
them. Mr.. Avis the Jblpr, asked them
/ if they had anything to say and told them
thev would then be ermitted o make
any statements they dFslred. Cook re
sponded, "ltal he was truly grateful for
the Kindness shown hiti hv Sheriff Camp
bell, Mr. Avis and family, Revs. Waugh,
! North, Lille, and Leat Ill, and other min
isters who had caIe upon, and prayed
and talked with him. Also, TO Messrs.
John J. Lock and Johh F. Blessing, and
| TO the citizens Of Chad lestoWn generalIy.'
/ After Cook had conClup Jed, Coppec said,
I"'hem's my sentiments too, gentlemen
There were some eighteen or twehly per-
sons present.
Cook then gave dret,ion as 10 the dis
position he desired ma &e Of one oTtwo ar
ricles which he bad in his possession. A
small hreast-pin which be wore inihiS bo-
som he desired after b $ execution, to be
taken out of his shrt,a hl given 70 his lit
tie boy if he should liic. "WiSin my
shirt BOSOM said he, twill be found nay
wife's daguereoype and lock Of my lit
tie boys hair, and thesell desire also 10
have semitic my wife"
They both then made the request that
their arms should not be pinioned so tight
lv as TO interrnp, the eli tculatlon of the
blood, and their reques,s were granted.
A blue talma was IhrowH over Coppoc
and dark one over Cook and these they
wore 10 the .cafud. Cobpoc Just pre-
vious 10 leaving the lll, gave to Mr.
Thomas Nirn, sn elderly gentleman
fom Iowa, light slouch pat, which lie
desired Mr. W. TO give 10 his friends
The dark one which he Intended 10 wear
to the scafold, he said was a present f. ON
Gov Willard Of Indiana. Cook made the
request that the position Of his hat be
changed. which was done by Rev. Mr..
North. During the whole time, Coppoc
seemed 10 be struggling 10 suppress his
emotions, and Cook. though eudesvoring
to be calm, was evidently buch effec ed.
Some one made remark, 10 which Cop. |
poe rePlied,"it Is the p,rlifg with friends.
and not the dread Of death, bat moves us"
The prisoners, before le}ving the Jail.
were permitted 10 visit the Eoom occupied .
bv Stevens and Hazlett alas Harrison.
These advanced and shook hands with
Cook and Coppoc, and bade them good.
bye. Stevens in parting y ith them, said,
Goodbye friends Che Pr up Give
nv love 10 my friends in Il = olhe! world =
Coppoc made remark to Stevens, winch (
was not understood by o'he-s, to which
he latter responded. never mind Nei- /;
her Cook nor CopPoc called Hszlen by
lame, but both shook hands with him,
md their final leave. Near The jal door
hey recognized and took leave Of ieTs.