Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-12-15
DETAILS OF THE EXECUTION.


The despatch sent at noon to-day has al
ready put the public in possession of the
main features of the execution of Capt. John
Brown for his reasonable and insurrection-
ary doings at Harper's Ferry. The follow
ing embraces all the particulars of the mem
orable event that seem worthy of recording:
At an early hour the town was in more
than usual stir, even for the stirring times
that have fallen upon this neighborhood.-
Soon the movements of the military drew all
the citizens of the place and others who had
been able to gain admittance to the town, to
the vicinity of the place assigned for the ex-
ecution. ..-
The prisoner was brought out of Jail at
eleven o'clock. Before leaving be bid adieu
to all bis fellow prisoners, and was very af.
fectionate to all except Cook. He charged
Cook with having deceived and misled him,
in relation to the support he was to receive
from the slaves. He said he was led by
him to believe they were rife for insurrec-
tion, but he had found his representations
were false. Cook denied the charge, and
made but little reply to Brown. The pris-
ouer then told the Sheriff he was ready,
when his arms were piuioned, and he walked
to the door, apparently calm and cheerful.
He wore black slouch hat, and the same
clothes worn during bis trial AS he came
out, be was taken under guard of the mill.
tary. Six companies Of infantry and one
troop of horse, with Gen. Taliafero and his
staff, were deploying iu front of the Jail.
At the door of the Jail an open wagon,
with pine box, in which was fine oak
coffin, was waiting for him. He looked a.
round and spoke to several persons whom he
recognized, and walking down the steps, was
assisted to enter the wagon, and took his seat
on the box containing his coffin, along with
Jailor, Avis. He, looked with interest on the
fine military display, but made no remark.
The wagon moved off as soon as he had ia,
ken his seat, fauked with two files of rife.
men in close order.
On reaching the field, the military had
already full possession, and pickets were sta
toned at various points. The citizens were
kept back at the point of the bayonet from
taking any position except that assigned
them nearly quarter of mile from the
scaffold Through the determined persist
ance of DR.. Rawlings, of Frank Leslie's pa
per, the order excluding the press was par
TALLY rescinded, and the reporters were as
sigued position near the Generals staff.
The prisoner walked up the steps firmly,
and was the first man on the gallows Jailor
Avis and Sheriff Campbell stood by his side,
and after shaking hands and bidding an af
fectionate adieu, thanked them for their kind
ness. He then put the cap over his face
and the rope around his neck. Mr.. Avis
then asked him to step forward on the trap.
He replied, "You must lead me, for I can
not see." The rope now being adjusted, and
the military order given, the soldiers march
ed and countermarched, and took their posi-
ton as if an an enemy was in sight. Nearl y
ten minutes was thus occupied, the prisoner
standing meanwhile. Mr.. Avis inquired if
he was not tired. Brown replied, "No !;
but don't keep me waiting longer than ne
cessary."
At fifteen minutes past eleven the trap
fell. A slight grasping of the hands and
twitcbing of the muscles was visible, and
then all was quiet.
The body was several times examined,
and his pulse did not cease beating for thir-
ty-fve minutes. 1t was then cut down and
placed in the coffin, and conveyed under
military escort to the depot, and there put
in car to be conveyed to Harper's Ferry
by special train at four o'clock.
The whole arrangements were carried out
with precision and military strictness that
was most annoying.
The general conviction is every where en-
tertained that the rumors of intended res
cue were altogether an egregious hoax.
This morning Capt. Brown executed an
instrument empowering Sheriff Campball to
administer on all property of his in this
State, with directions to pay over the pro-
ceeds of the sale of his weapons, if recover
ed, to his widow and children.
Broun's intervieU Uih has Fellow Pris-
oners.-Sheriff Campbell bid the prisoner
farewell in his cell, and Brown returned his
thanks to him for his kindness, and spoke
of Captain Pate as brave man. He was
then conducted to the cells of his fellow
prisoners, desiring to take his leave of them.
Entering the cell of Copeland and Green,
be told them to stand up like men, and not
betray their friends. He handed each a
quarter of a dollar, saying that he had no
more use for money, and having said this be
bid them final farewell.
Next he visited Cook and Coppie, who
were chained together. Addressing Cook,
he remarked, "You have made false state
meuts." Cook asked, "What doyou mean 2"
Brown replied, "Why, in stating that I sent
you to Harper's Ferry" Cook replied,
"Did you not tell me in Pittsburg to come
to Harper's Ferry and see if Forbes had
made disclosures?" Captain Brown, "No,
sir! You know protested against you COM
ing"
Capt. Brown on has nay to Erecution.-
On his way to the scafold, Mr.. Sadler, the
undertaken, remarked to Capt. Brown, "You
are game man, captain" To which Capt.
Brown replied: eyes, I was so trained
it was one of the lessons of my mother; but