The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1859-11-11


Antecedents of "[Bsarr ectionists 1t is
curious to note the autecedents of some of
the harper'S Ferry tionists-they be-
come interesting In view of the horrible crime
or wicked delusoa that these parties have
been eng aged in. The previous lives of most
OF these fellows is in accordance with the
results which followed Witness the annex
ed;
Stevens 4ntecedeats.- Steve ms, the accom-
pice of. Brown in his Harper's Ferry foray.
Is, like shis leader, not without his antece-
dents. The records Of the War Department
show, that he was in the regular army in
Mexico; that while there he and several
others mutinied against tbs captain for which
be was sentenced to be shot bat was pardon
ed by President Polk; hat he was after.
wards sent In the regular army to Kansas at
the time OF the troubles there-where be de
serted the service and joined the msraudinx
party Of John Brown. Like his leader he
was severely W ounded at Harper's Ferry, but
like him, survives to end his life on the gal
lows. Lib .ese ..-..
The Young Mon Coppie.-A correspondent
OF the New York Tribune, writing from
Salem, Ohio. says: -...t-
The young man Edwin Coppic, {impl oper.
iy printed Coppic, is a native OF this place,
where be resided until some seven years ago
when he went to Iowa. He was left an or
phsn at an ealy- age, and was provided with
home in the family of a benevolent Quak. r :,
friend Of the Coppic fam lily, who were also
Quakers. He remained at this place som.
two or three years, exhibiting du ing
that time such evidence OF a deprayed
and vicioos nature that his benefactor did
E.,t d.,tr h 1, g.
and turned him loose. After few years
more spent in various places, he at last went
to low q, where he remained until the COM
meucement Of troubles ia h 4n>as, when he,
emigrated to that Territory ,retu rning again
to Iowa after peace was restored. One who
knew him in Iowa, after he had attained to
manhood, Informs me that he enjoyed the re-
putstion of reckless, dare devil fellow, pos
sessing much more physical fortitude than
principle. After the cessation of troubles in
Kansas, he was engaged with Brown in run
ming off slaves from Missouri. Some few
months since he passed through this place on
his way East, as be said, and spent several
days here with bis former associates. 1t is
probable that he was then on his way to join
Brown.
Albert Hozlen.-rbe Johnstown Echo
says: ->
If our information be reliable, Albert Ha-
zlett, one of the insurgsSts killed atIHarper's
Ferry, or reported SON the first accounts,
is not unknown in tSis region. 1t is said
by some here who claim to be cognizant Of
the fact, that Hazlett was reared in West
moreland county, ana some years since was
employed in the capacity Of boatman ON
the Pennsylvania canal. While so engaged
he was entrusted with the care of section
boat belonging to Mr.. John M'Govern, dur.
ing one trip, but when be reached his desti-
nation, on the side Of the mountain, he dis
posed of the boat aud team and peck eted
the proceeds. He waa afterwards arrested,
but the matter was doubtless adjusted by
the disgorging of the money, as he never
came to trial. His next appearance is in
connection with band OF horse thieves, one
OF whose depredations were committed nesr
Wi,more, in this county. and as such was ar
rested, but upon turning States evidence
and giving testimony against his confeder-
ates. during their trial at Elmira, N. Y, he
was discharged, and again appeared in this
part Of the country. Shortly after this he
departed, and was lost sight of until he turn
ed up as one of the desperad0es led on by
the infamous Brown.
Young Merriam.-The Boston Transcript
says:
The Mr.. F. j. Merriam, of Boston, Who
died of his wounds received at Harper's
Ferry, was young man known in this vi
entity. His,father was of the house of Curtis
& Merriam, dry goods jobbers in Kilby It,,
and his mother is the daughter OF Francis
Jackson, ESQ l., the famous abolitionist and
non-resistant. Young Merriam has been an
extensive traveller, having had ample means
to indulge his tastes for foreign scenes. He
was very impulsive, and has fallen a victim
to the most foolish and mad enterprise of
our times. He had superior education,
and was of more than ordinary intelligence.
His father died when he was quite young,
and his mother is now the wife of Mr.. Jas.
Eddy, the artist.
Mr.. Redpath says, in the Boston Atlas and
Bee. that Merriam was Boston boy and
grandson of the venerable Francis jackson,
president of the Massachusetts, Anti-Slavery
Society. He was Mr.. Redpath's companion
and Interpreter in his recent travels in Bay
ii Mr.. Redpath says:
''In his recent action he had no advisers,
and acted in contradiction to the creed of his
family. They are nonresident aboitionists
of the Garrisouian school"
Railroads in Virginio. adva need