The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-12-08
THE EXECUTION OF JOHN CROWN.

The events of last Thursday caused
more intense excitement than any that
have been witnessed in CharlestowD. The
uorning was occupied in the preparation
of the field of death. which was marked
out with military precision according to
the plans OF Gcu Taliaferro, with lines
for the trosps at the distance OF 80 yard
from the spot selected for the gallows. aDa
distinct positions for the officers Of the
day, aud the Com ID nder in Chief. These
arrangements were watched with great
public interest, but their attraction ended
at once, when at noon. the knowledge that
John Brown's wife was expeete becane
general Mrs. Brown had arrived at liar
per's Ferry. and was anxious to proceed
at once to Chsricstown. hut the rlgors OF
miiitrry discipline we're Dot to De relaxed,
and it was determined that her progress
and arrival should be I'D ade the OCCASION
of the most imposing warlike di>play that
could be made. At o'clock, twenty
f.e Of Capt. Scott's cavalry coIps-the
| Black Horse Rangers surrounded the
carriage in which Mrs Brown was to he
brought hither, and with much cla>hipp
of arms aud glittering display. the PRO
cession departed. Three hours elapsed
during which the curiosity of the popu
lace swelled near to bursting. AT four
clock, the return of the cavalcade wac
announced, and in an instant the road to
the Jail was thronged With hundreds Of
eager gazers For brief time the way
was obstructed, and the carriage and cs
cort paused before the headquarters Of
the Commando in Chief, while body Of
troops, with much pomp and circumsta nee
made clear the way and formed hollow
square reaching from the carriage to the
jail. AssooD as all as ready, the cavalcade
passed on. and, through double rows of
pointed bayonets and amid thickly plant
ed pieces of artillery, the grief-str;cken
woman found her way to the door beyond
which her husband, sbackled and fctter
ed, awaited her coming. By Captain
Moore, who came with her to Harper
Ferry, she was led into the presence of
Gen. Taliaferro, Sheriff Campbell, Mr..
Andrew Hunter, and jailor Avis. Here
the dreary dignities of formal reception
were continued. For fifteen minutes stiff
platitudes befell her. With singularly
bad taste the Commander-in Chief as
sured her that if she should ever be di.
posed to witt Virginia again. he could
cordially invite her to Charlestown, where
she would receive true Southern hospital
ity. Soon after, she was taken aside b;
Mrs. Avis and searched. The bolts were
then Withdrawn, and, accompanied BY
the jailor, Mrs. Brown went to meet her
husband for the last time.
A few minutes before her admission.
Stephens was removed from Browns cell,
into one adjoining. In the little inter
vale that rem aimed. Capt. Moore entered
to apprise Brown that bis wife would soon
he with him. Before be left, be asked
Brown to indorse check which bad been
handed to bin by gentleman who had
accompanied Mrs Brown from the North,
but who had been left al the Ferry. The
check read thus.
No. l. Pbila'da, 1lth Month, 80, 1859.
(s50. The CONSOLIDATED BANK.
Pay to John Brown, (Dow of Virgin
ia), or order, Fifty 600 lU0) Dollars.
JOHN II. CAVENDER
Browns Endorsement, in bi> usual, 6rm =,
and bold characters, was as follows:
Pay to the order of Mary A. Brown.
JOHN BROWN.
Gen. Taliaferro, and the other gentle
man constituting the committee Of recep.
tioD. then entered the cell TOR the purpose
of Informing Brown that bis interview
with his wife must of necessity be short
Il bope,' said Brown, THAT it may be
two or three hours." Il 90 not thiok, Z"
said Gen. Taliaterro, that can grant
so long time" "Well." answered
Brown. 81 ask nothing of you, sir; | beg
nothing from the State of Virginia Car
ry out your orders, General, that is e.
uough. | am content The interview
wa. however, alIowej to lat four hours
Mrs Brown was led into the cell by
the jailor. Her husband rose, and "a
she entered, received her iD his arms
No word was spoken; but. if We may be-
liese Capt. Wis. their silence was more
eloquent than any utterance could have
been. For some minutes they stood
specs bless Brown resting ber head
upon her husbands breast, and cla.ping
his neck with ber arms. At length they
sat down. aud spoke; and from Captain
Avis, who was the only witness of that
sorrowful scene, the following record
comes
John Brown spoke frat. Wife,
AN glad to See you" be said.
MY dear husband, it is a hard fate -
"Weli, well; cheer up. We must all
bear it iu the best manner we can l be-
lieve it is all for the best
Our poor children; Gold help them" I"
"Tbose that are dead to this world are
angels in another. How are all those
still lvingl Tell them their father died
without single regret for the cour-e be
has pursued-that be is satisfied th at he
is right in the eyes OF God and all just
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