The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-17

DECEMBEK IL, 10
The prisoners mounted tho scafibld with a nrm
step, and were immediately joined BY Sheriff camp
bell After brief prayer by tho clergyman,
the caps were drawn over their heads and the
ropes affixed around their nesks. During Tho
few moments they thus Stood Copeland remained quiet
but Green was engaged in earnest prayer up 70 the tc
the trap was drawn, whom they both launched into
eternity.
Green died very easy his neck being broken by The
fall. The motion Of his body was very slight Copeland
seemed 70 suffer very much and his body wrhed In vio
lent contortions for several minutes.
They were accompanied on tho galows by Rev. Drs.
Waugh, North and Leah whom they bid aectonate
farewell and expressed the hope Of meeting them In
heaven.
Tho bodies were placed IN poplar celns and carried
back 70 jail They will be Inferred 70 the spot
where the galows stands, but there party Of edca
students here from Winchester who w doubtless mot
allow them to remain there long
THE EXECUTION OF COOK AND CoPPH.
The bodies Of the two negro prisoners having been
brought back 70 the JAIL At about quarter TO twelve
O'Clock no6ce was given TO Cook and COppe that their
time was approaching, only hour being allowed
them. The military movements similar 70 those at the
nrst execution, were repealed, and the wagon with two
more oof1us, was standing ct the door at half past
twelve O'Clock. The military escort was n readi.
ness, while the closing religious ceremonies were pro-
crossing In the cen Since the failure Of their attempt to
escape last night, their assumed composure and
apparent resignation had given way and they looked
at their fate with the full conviction Of it's awful
tainty They were reserved and rather quiet but fer
venty joined IN the religious ceremonies conducted by
Messrs. North, Lsah and wangh.
The prisoners oonversed variety Of subjects this
morning. Cook said TO gentlemen who addressed him,
that he fully believed slavery 70 be SIM and that
would be aboshed in Virginia In less than ten years. and
that by the people Of Virginia He prepared to die IN
such cause, and thought he had done nothing regret
30 principle concerned Ooppic feared
the affair was not ended YETI that they had friends North
who would not rest satisfied, he feared, till they had
been avenged. He hoped, however, that the affair
would end here forever
Previous TO their departure for the scaod the prso-
ners engaged in the entrance washing their feet and
putting their under clothing Captain Avis said that
they had anything say they could say 1t them in the
presence Of fifteen twenty persons Cook replied that
che grateful indeed for the kindness shown him by
Sheriff Campbell the jalor, and the guards" 10 the
Rev. Nessrs. Waugh, North, Ltten, Leach, and the
other ministers who had manifested such interest In
-
John J. Cooke, well the citizens gene
rally for their kindness TO him, he was very
grateful. At this point Coppie looked up and said,
Them's my sentiments, too, gentlemen Cook then
gave directions in regard 70 two artices-one,
breastpn he did not want taken off then nor at tho sca
fold. he wished given to his wife, to his boy he
lived. Within his shirt bosom, on the left side,
daguerreotype and lock Of his sons hair which he wished
given TO hts wife, Beth requested that their should
not pnoned tight enough TO stop the circulation Of the
blood, which was compiled wkh. blue cloth
taina was thrown over Coppie, and dark one over
Cook During these proceedings Ooppe struggling to
keep down his emotion and Cook striving be calm.
The Quaker gentleman then remarked that W was hard
70 de,' TO which Coppie responded "I k the parting
from friends, nst the dread Of DEATH that =
On the way down stairs they were allowed to
advance 70 the cell OF Stevens and Hazl and bid them
farewell They shook hands cordially, and Cook said TO
Stevens, "Ny friend, good bye" Stevens replied
"Good bye, cheer up; give my love 70 my
friends IN the other world" Ooppie also made
remark 70 sscvcns, which was uaAsard by
the crowd; but Stevens replied, "Never mind" Both
then shook hands WIN Hasitt, hade him nCood Nv,
but did not call him by name. On emerging from the
jail Cook recognized several gentlemen, and bowed
politely.
When called upon by the Sheriff. Aey stood calm and
bidding farewell to the guards the jail, were helped
into the wagon, and took seats their collins Their ap
pearance rather Of hopeless despair than Of resgna
ton and they seemed 70 take but little notice Of anything
a the procession slowly moved to the field Of DEATH
On approaching the sca1old Cook shook hands with
large number Of persons, and bowed politely to Mayor
Green.
After the caps had been placed their heads Coppie
turned towards Cook and stretched forth his hand as far
as possible. At the same time Cook said, "sop mnute
where is Edwards hand9" They then shook hands cor
daily and Cook said, "God bless you" The calm and
collected manner Of both was very marked.
The wagon reached the scaold thirteen minutes be-
fore one o'clock and the prisoners ascended the scad
with determined frmness that scarcely surpassed
by Captain Brown. brief prayer offered up by one
of the clergymen the rope adjusted the cap drawn
and both were launched into eternity In seven minutes
after they ascended the gallows.
They both exhibited the most unninching firm
ness, saying nothing, with the exception Of bidding
farewell TO the ministers and Sheriff. After the rope
was adjusted, Cook exclaimed, "Be quck-as quick as
possiblef" which was also repeated by Coppie.
After hanging for about half hour, both bodies were
taken down and placed in black walnut cons prepared
for them. That Of Cook was placed in poplar box,
labelled and directed follows =" Ashbell P. Willard
and Robert Crowley 1A William street. New York; care
Of Adams express" Coppe's body was placed in q
similar box, to be forwarded to his mother, IN Iowa.
REQUEST TO GOV. WISE TO GET TIE BODIES
OF THE COLORED MEN.
The following letter has been sent TO Gov Wise by
committee representing the wishes Of meeting Of oolorsd
persons recently held in Philadelphia
PHnApsIPHiA, Dec g. 1863
TO Hrs ExcKIgNcY Gov. WnE or VIRGINIA.
DEAR slR-Havmg learned with great salaotion Of your
and humane conduct In granting the bodies OF the
aniOuna.e mi.guided men who fcl At narpers Ferry
their friends Ia their respective States for burial has created
within Haerpg hope and the belief that the noble dp
of character and The maSnaniy Of soul that have
similar favor
We therefore humbly ask that you VIII grant us, IN the
event their being huns Tie bodies Of Hheds Green
John Copeland, 10 be transmitted TO for respectable ner
ment
We need not sir argue 70 with keen Of The
sympathy Of The human hoar and Of IL undyins love
inherent and peculiar Alone 70 need not