Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-12-09
A11tfffairs al G eli
EXECUTION OF CAPT. JOHN BROWN,
TIE LEADER OF THE
HARPER'S FERRY INSURGENTS

TIE LEADER OF THE
HARPER'S FERRY INSURGENTS.
JOHN BRowN, convicted Of the high
crime Of treason, instruction and MUIR
der, met his doom on the scaifold on Fri
day last, at Charlestown, Va, in pursu-
ance of the sentence of the legal tribu-
nal before which he was tried and con-
victed. The proceedings attending the
execution appear to have been charac-
terized by due solemnity, and the best
order and decorum. We subioin the
following detailed account of the execu-
ton and its immediate antccedonts and
surrounding circumstances:
TIE ARRIVAL OF MRS. BROwN-THE
INTERVIEW WITH HER HUSBAND.
The arrival of Mrs. Brown, the wife
of the condemned, at Charlestown, about
four o'clock on Thursday afternoon, Gre
ated decided sensation. She was
dressed in black, and closely yelled, and
seemed to manifest considerable fortitude
under the painful circumstances. She
was accompanied to Harper's Ferry by
two friends or relatives, a gentleman and
lady, and was escorted from Harper's
Ferey in carriage, by detachment of
twelve of the Richmond Montgomery
Guards, Capt Moore, with whom, during
the trip, she conversed freely, and with
great composure.
On her arrival at Charlestown the
cannon in front of the Jail were wheeled
around to allow the passage of the car
riage, and eight military companies were
ordered to clear an open space in front
of the Jail. The whole population of
the place gathered in the vicinity to see
her pass into Jail. They were disap-
pointed, however, in seeing her features,
as she kept her veil closely drawn, and
escorted by the officer who accompanied
her in the carriage from Harper's Ferry,
she fastened up the steps and into the
prison.
Prior to introducing Mrs Brown to
the cell of her husband, her person was
searched by the wife of Tailor Avis, to
see that no poison or weapon was con-
cealed about her to be conveyed to Brown
to enable him to commit suicide. No
thing, however, was found. During this
scene Mrs. Brown seemed calm and col
lected, but bore on her features the evil
dence of internal anguish. She was met
at the steps Of the Jail by Sheriff Camp
bell, who took her arm and escorted her
within the walls to take her last inter
view with her husband
Gen. Taliaferro inquired Of Brown how
long he would like the interview to last.
Brown answered, Three or four hours. -
Gen. Il. intimated that tho interview
must be short. "0h," said Brown,
coolly, 81 don't ask any favors of the
State of Virginia. You must execute
your duty"
As Mrs. Brown entered Brown arose
and extended both his hands, but she
flew to him, and throwing her arms
around his neck, exclaimed "My hus.
band !" Brown was perfectly calm and
collected, but Mrs. d. appeared to b.
deeply but quietly affected. The sheriff
was the only other person present at tho
interview Mrs. b. is about so years o.
age. She returned about Z p. NJ, t.
Harper's Ferry, under the escort o.
Capt Moore, to await the arrival of thu
body of her husband.
ANOTHER ARREST.
A suspicious character wasarrested OF
Thursday night, supposed to be Brown
son. lie was arrested by tho slaves OF
the plantation of DR.. W Il. Alexander
and the account of himself is very con
fused. He appeared here in uniform
almost similar to the State regimentals
and can give no account why he was en-
titled tosuch clothing.
SKETCH OF OLD BROWN.
Capt. John Brown was born at Tor
ringford, Conn. While he was quite
youth, his parents emigrated to Hudson
Ohio, where Owen Brown, (his father
became one Of the principal pioneer set
tiers Of that then new town. lie wal
endowed with energy and enterprise, ant
went down TO his grave honored and re.
spected, about the year 1852 or 1858
aged 81.
At the age Of IS or 30 Captain John
Brown left Hudson, Ohio, and came
east, with the design of acquiringa libe-
raj education through some of the New
England colleges. His ultimate design
was the Gospel ministry. In pursuance
Of this object he consulted and conferred
with Rev. Jeremiah Hallock, then cler-
gyman at Canton, Conn, (whose wife
was relative, and, in accordance with
advice there obtained, proceeded 10
Plainfeld, Mass, where, under the in
struction Of the late Rev. Moses Hallock
father Of the present senior editor Of the
n. Y. Journal Of Commerce, nearly
fitted for college. While there pursuing
his studies he was attacked with inAam-
nation Of the eyes, which ultimately be-
came chronic, and precluded him from
the possibility Of the further pursuit of
his studies, when he returned ~ Ohio.
When tho Kansas troubles commenced in
1855 John Brown and his family emi.
grated there, and be and his sons-two
Of whom were killed in the border ruff
fan raids--werc conspicuous fighting
men on the anti-slaycry side. From the
mos. correct accounts we have Of his
Kansas career it was marked with great
violence and outrage. Tic was continu-
ally engaged in ARRAYS with the pro-
slavery men, and occasionally INDUCED