Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-12-09

fin, was waiting for hir.. He looked around
and spoke to several persons whom he rec
ognized, and walking down the steps, was
assisted to enter the wagon, and took his
seat on the box containing his coffin, along
with jailor Avis. He looked with interest
on the fine military display, but made no
remark. The wagon moved off as soon as
he had taken his seat, fanked with two files
of rifemen in close order.
On reaching the field the military had al
ready full possession, and pickets were sta
toned 10 various points The citizens were
kept back at the point Of the bayonet from
taking any position except that assigned hem
nearly quarter of a mile from the scat
fold.
The prisoner walked up the steps firmly,
and was the first man on the gallows. Jai-
lor Avis and Sheriff Campbell stood by his
side, and after shaking hands and bidding
an atfectionate adieu, thanked them for their
kindness. He then put the cap over his face
and the rope around his neck. MIR. Avis
then asked him to step forward on the trap.
He replied, "You must lead me. for can
not see" The rope now being adjusted,
and the military order given, the soldiers
marched and countermarched, and took their
position as if an enemy was in sight. Near
~ ten minutes was thus occupied, the priso-
ner standing meanwhile Mr.. Avis maui
red if he was not tired? Brown replied,
"No-but don't keep me waiting longer
than necessary"
At fifteen minutes past eleven the trap
fell. A slight grasping of the hands and
twltchlng of the muscles was visible, and
then all was quiet
The body was several times examined,
and his pulse did not cease beating for thir.
ty-fve minutes. 1t was then cut down and
placed in coffin. and conveyed under mil
itary escort to the depot, and there put in
car to be conveyed to Harper's Ferry by
special train at four o'clock.
The whole arrangements were carried out
with precision and military strictness that
was most annoying.
This morning Capt Brown executed an
instrument empowering Sheriff Campbell to,
administer on all property of his in this
State, directions to pay over the proceeds of
the sale of his weapons, if recovered, to his.
widow and children.
BROWNS INTERVIEW WITH HIS FELLOW
PRISONERS.
Sheriff Campbell bid the prisoner fare
we'll in his cell, and Brown returned his
thanks to him for his kindness, and spoke
of Captain Pate as brave man. He was
then conducted to the cells of his fellow
prisoners, desiring to take his leave of them.
Entering the cell of Copeland and Green,
be told them to stand up like men and not
betray their friends. He handed each a
quarter of a dollar, saying that he had no
more use for money, and having srid this
he bid them final farewell!
Next he visited Cook and Coppie who.
were chained together Addressing Cook
be remarked, "You have made false state.
ments." Cook asked, What do you mean ?'''
Brown replied, "Why, in stating that sent
you to Harper's Ferry" Cook replied,
"Did you not tell me in Pittsburg to come
to Harper's Ferry and see if Forbes had
made disclosures ?" Captain Brown 'sNo,.
sir You know protested against YOUR
coming" To this Cook only responded ::
Captain Brown, we remember differently"
As he said this he dropped his head, and
Brown, as if in contempt, turned away and,
addressing Coppie, said: "Coppie, YOU
also made false statements, but | am glad
to hear you have contradicted them Stand
up like man." Brown also handed Cop
pie quarter, and then shaking both by the
hand, parted with them.
The prisoner was next taken to Stevens
cell, and kindly interchanged with him
good bye. Stevens said: GOOD bye, Cap
taln-l know you are going to better
land" Brown replied I'll know am"
aud urged Stevens to bear up, and not be-
tray his friends. He also gave Stevens
quarter, and then took leave of him. He
did not visit Hazlett, as he always persisted
IN denying any knowledge of him.
CAPT. BROWN ON HIS WAY TO EXECUTION.
On his way to the scafold, Mr. Sadler,
the undertaken, remarked to Capt Brown,
"You are game man, Captain" To which
Capt. Brown replied eyes, was so train
edit was one of the lessons Of my mother;
but it is hard to part from friends, though
newly made" Then he remarked This
is beautiful country-I never had the
pleasure of seeing it before" On reaching
the field on which the gallows was erected,
Brown said: 'Why are none but military
allowed in the enclosure? am sorry the
citizens have beer kept out"
AS he reached the gallows he observed
VIM. Hunter and Mayor Green standing
near, to whom he said, Gentlemen, good
bye" his voice not faltering in the least.
While on the scafold Sheriff Campbell
asked if he would take handkerchief in his
hand to drop as signal when he was ready.
He replied, Mo- do not want it; but do
not detaiu me any longer than is actually
necessary"