The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-12-13
THE LAST OF OLD BROWN.

threats and groans of his sympathizers to the con-
trary notwithstanding. As we had barely time to
announce the fact in our last issue, furnish the
following additional particulars Of the closing
scene:
On Friday morning Capt. Brown executed an
instrument empowering Sheriff Campbell to ad-
minister on all property of his in the State, with
directions to pay the proceeds of the sale of
his weapons, if received, to his widow and chill
dren. Sheriff Campbell bid him farewell in his
cell, and Brown returned him thanks for his kind
ness.
Brown was then taken to the cell of the negroes
Copeland ana Green He told them to stand up
like men and not betray their friends, then hand
ed them each quarter of dollar, saying that he
had no more use for money, and bid them good
bye. They made no remark except to return his
sautation. He next visited the cell where Cook
and Coppie were confined, chained together. To
Cook he said, "You have made false statements"
Cook repled-"What do you mean?"
Brown-"Why, by stating that sent you to
Harpers Ferry"
Cook-'Dd you not tell me in Pittsburg to
come to Harper's Ferry and see if Forbes had
made disclosures p
Brown-'No, sir. You know that / protested
against your coming
Cook closed the conversation by replying Capt
Brown we remember differently at the same time
Brown then turned to Coppie and said, 'Coppie
you have also made false statements, but am glad
to hear that you have contradicted them. Stand
up like a 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 you
are going to better land"
7 7 10
selled Stevens to frmness-warned him against
betraying his friends and closed by presenting him
with quarter.
He did not visit Hazlett's cell, having always
persisted in denying any knowledge of him.
On his way to the scaffold, Mr. Sader the un-
dertaker, who in the wagon with him, re-
marked, Capt. Brown, you game man.
Brownies, was so trained up. 1t was one
of the lessons of my mother. But it is hard to
part from friends-even when newly made Brown
continued the conversation by remarkng on the
beauty of the country, which, he said she never
had the pleasure of seeing before" On reaching
the gaows field he sad why are none but the
military allowed within the enclosure? L am
sorry the citizens have been kept out" Observing
Mr. Hunter and Mayor Green standing by, he OBJ
served to them-"Gentlemen, goodbye" his voice
not faltering 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 ready. Brown
replied, mo, l do not want it; but do not detain
me longer than is actually necessary"
The Execution.
At the door of the Jail open wagon with a
pine box, in which was fine oak coffin, was wait
ing for him. He looked around and spoke to sew
eral persons whom he recognized, and walking
down the steps, he assisted to enter the wagon,
aad took his seat on the pine box, along with
Tailor Avis He Iookad With interest on he fine
military display. The wagon moved off as
he had taken his seat, fanked by two files of rife
men in close order.
On reaching the field the military already had
full possession, and pickets stationed at vari-
Gus points. The citizens were kept back at the
peiot of the bayonet from taking any position ex-
eept that assigned them-nearly quarter of a
mile from the scaffold. Through the determined
persistence of DR.. Rawlings, of Frank Leslies pa
per- the order excluding the press partially
eountermanded, and the reporters were ass gned a
position near the Generals staff. The prisoner
walked up the steps firmly and was the first man
on the gallows. Jalor Avis and Sheriff Camp
bell stood by his side and after shaking hands and
bidding an adieu, he thanked them for their kind
ness. They then put the cap over his face and
the rope around his neck: Dir Avis asked him to
step forward on the trap He replied, "You must
lead me, I cannot see."
The rope now being adjusted, the military order
was given. The soldiers marched and counter
marched and took their position as if an enemy
was in sight. Nearly ten minutes were thus oc-
cupied, the prisoner standing meanwhile. Mr.
Avis asked if he was not tired. Brown replied
"No, not tired; but don't keep me waiting longer
than necessary" The arrangements of the mill
tary having been completed, at fifteen minutes
past eleven the trap fell A slight grasping of
the hands and twitching of the muscles visible
and then all was quiet. The body was several
times examined and his pulse did not cease beat
ing for 35 minutes. 1t was then cut down and
placed in the coffin, and conveyed under military
escort to the depot and there put in a car to be
conveyed to Harper's Ferry by special train at 4
o'clock.
A Fresh Excitement.
Shortly after the execution and whilst the body
was being taken to the depot, great excitement
was occasoned in the town by the arrival of a
horseman announcing that Wheatand, the resi-
dence of the late Mr. G w. Turner, who was killed
during the fight at Harper's Ferry, on FIRE,
the dwelling having already burned down and the
flames extended to the farm buildings.
Mr. w. +. Turner, who was in Charlestown, had
left home at 10 o'clock. 1t is also said that
eral horses the estate have died very suddenly,
and also quantity of sheep, supposed to have
been poisoned. 1t is intended to have their stom-
achs analysed. Some of the stock of Mr. Castle |
man and Mr. Myers in the same neighborhood, |
are also said to have died very mysteriously
The excitement occasioned was very great, and |
Col. Davis Immediately ordered the Fauquier Cav