Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-12-06
Evecut;on of John Brown.

execution of John Brown, was despatcieu Ho,h
Cbarlestown, by telegraph, on Friday afternoon,
the 2nd inst:
AT an early hour the town was IN more tnan
usual stir, even for the stirring times that nave
fallen upon this neighborbood, Soon the move
ments of the military drew all the citlzens OF
the place, and all others who had been ape 10
gain admittance to the town, to the vicinity OF
the place assigned for the execution.
RRowNs INTERVIEW WITH THE OTHER PRISONERS.
The prisoner was brought out of Jail at eleven
o'clock. Before leaving he bid adieu to all his
fellow prisoners, and was very affectionate to all
except Cook. he charged Cook with having
deceived and misled him in relation to the SUPP
MORT he was to receive from the slaves. lie said
he was led by him to believe they were ripe for
nsurreotion. but he had found that his represent
atoms we're false. Cook denied the charge, and
made but little reply to Brown. The prisoner
then told the Sheriff he was ready, when his
arms were pinioned, and he walked to the door
apparently calm and cheerful. He wore black
slouched hat, and the same clothes worn during
his trial As he came out he was taken under
guard of the military. Sig companies OF infantry
and one troop of horse, with Gen. Talliaferro
and his entire staff were deployed in front of
the Jail.
THE EXECUTION.
At the door of the Jail an open wagon with a
pine box, in which was fine oak coffin, was
waiting for him. He looked around 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 con-
tanning bis coffin along with Jailor AVIS he
looked with interest on the fine military dis
play. but made no remark. The wagon moved
off a. soon as he had taken his seat, Hanked
with two files of rihemen in close order.
On reaching the field the military had already
full possession, and pickets were stationed at
various points. The citizens were kept back at
the point of the bayonet from taking any po-
sitjon except that assigned them--neary quart
or of mills from the scaffold. Through the de-
tarm;ned persistence of Dr. Rawlings, OF Frank
Leslie's paper, the order excluding the press was
partially rescinded, and the reporters were as
signed position near the Generals Staff. The
nrisoner walked up the steps firmly and was the
first man on the gallows. Jalor Avis and Sher-
iff Campbell stood by his side, and after shaking
hands and bidding an affectionate adleu, he
thanked them for their kindness. They then
mt the cap over his face and the rope around
his neck. Mr.. Avis asked him to step forward
on the step. He replied, ''you must lead me-
as ! cannot see" ..,.,u
V The rope now being adjusted, the military
order was given. The soldiers marched ano
counter marched and took their position as il an
enemy was in sight. Nearly ten minutes were
thus occupied, the prisoner standing meanwhlie'
Mr.. Avis inquired If he was not tired brown
repIied-"No, not tired but don't keep me wait
ing longer than necessary" The arrangements
of the military having been completed, at fifteen
minutes past eleven the trap fell. A sllght grasp
ing of the hands and twitching OF the muscles
was visible, and then all was quiet. The body
was several times examined and his pulse dlo
not osssa beating for 30 minutes. It was then
cut down and placed in the colin aud conveyed
under military escort to the depot, and = there
nut in car to be conveyed to Harpers ferry
by special train, at o'clock.
The whole arrangements were carried ou'
with precision and military strictness that was
most annoying. The general conviction is every
where entertained that the rumors of the intend
ed rescue were altogether an GORGEOUS hoax
INCIDENTS PREVIOUS TO THE EXECUTION.
This morning Capt. Brown executed an in
strument empowering Sheriff Campoeli TO ad
minister on all property of his in this state
with directions to pay over the proceeds OF the
sale of his weapons, if received, to his WIDOW
and children.
Sheriff Campbell bid Brown farewell in the
cell. He returned him thanks for his kindness
Brown was then taken to the cell OF the Ne
eroes, Copeland and Green. He told them tc
Stand up like men and not betray their TRENDS,
then handed to each quarter OF dollar, say
ing that he had no more use for money, ana DIG
them good bye. They made no remark except
to return his salutation. lie next visited tne
{ cell in which Cook and Coppic were confined
chained together. To Cook be SAID, you nave
made false statements" -,
Cook replied "Wbat do you meant"
Brown-"Why, by stating that l sent you to
Harper's Ferry"
Oook-"Did you not tell me in Pittsburg to
coma n Harper's Ferry and see if Forbes had
made disclosures"
Brown-"No sir. Yon know that protested
against your coming"
Cook closed the conversation by replying
aCantain Brown, we remember differently" at
the same time dropping his head. 80
Brown then turned to Coppie and said:
"Coppie. YOU also have made false statements
INIT am clad to hear you have contradlcted
them. Stand up like man." :.
He then handed Coppie quarter, shook him
and Cook by the hand and left the Cell.
He then returned to Stevens cell and spoke
kindly to him.
Stevens said-"Good bye, Captain; know
Won are going to better land"
Brown-"Yes, know am" He then coun-
selled Stevens to firmnesS, warned him agalnst
betrayine his friends, and closed by also. pre-
senting him with quarter.
He did not visit Haslett's CELL having always
persisted in denying any knowledge of him.
On his way to the scaffold, MIR. Sadler, the
undertaken, who was in the wagon with him, re-
marked
"Captain Brown, you are game man"
Brown-"Yes, Was so trained up. 1t was
one of the lessons of my mother. But 1t Is hard
to part from friends, even when newly MADE
Brown continued the conversation by remark.
inc ON the beauty of the country, which he SAID
she never had the pleasure OF seeing before. =
On reaching the gallows field, he said-"Why
are none but the military allowed within the en-
closure. | am sorry the citizens have been Kept
ont" Observing Mr.. Hunter aud Mayor Green
standing by, he said to them-"Gentemen, gooc
bye." his voice not faltering in the least
Whilst on the scaffold Sheriff Campbell asked
him if he would take handkerchief In his hand
and drop it as signal when he was ready
Brown replied, "No, | do not want't. But DO
not detain Inc longer than is actually necessary.
MILITARY ARRANGEMENTS.
II ia understood that portion of each of the
military companies now assembled mere are W
have leave of absence, but that all are TO return
and be present at the execution OF the other
prisoners on the 10th.
THE REMAINS OF BROWN.
A despatch from Harper's Ferry dated ~
O'Clock, P NJ, Friday night, says Inc remains
of Brown arrived here in special tram at y
o'clock, and will be taken on by Mrs. Brown
and her friends, by express direct to Albany,
NJ. Vork II IL thair dasiratn avoid all public