The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1859-12-21

Of divine forgiveness. They fully admitted
their guilt and acknowledged their doOm.as u
Just one, and that in the main, they have been
treated with the utmost kindness BY al, though
they thought that some OF the witnesses were
rather harsh in their testimony.
Rev. Ar. North was present at en- interview
between Coppic and Mr.. Butler, Quaker gen.
tlsman from Ohio, who raised the. prisoner.
BE described the interview as an affecting one,
and speaks highly OF hr. Buffers Christian de-
pertinent and sdviee to the prisoner. Mr. But
Ter says that Coppic was a trusty but very will
ful boy. An uncle Of Coppic's, Of the same
name, from Ohio, his fathers brother, also yis-
tied him yesterday, the interview lasting for
over an hour - ...-l' ..-t =
All spprehensions Of an intended rescue had
long since been banished, and nothing was
thought OF but the approaching execution, So
firmly had this conviction settled in the public
mind, that military duty was voted bore, and
the finale ofthe tragedy was regarded as at last
approached.
At quarter past o'clock last evening the
whole town was thrown into commotion by the
report of a rife under the Jail walls, followed
by several other shots from the vicinity of the
guard house, in close proximity to the Jail The
WIS NoAACu W dlIu I'so
was intense beyond anything that has yet oc-
Cured during our ever memorable era of mill
tarJ occupation. In a tew minutes the streets
and avenues Of the town were in possession Of
armed men, and it was with some difficulty
that the cause Of all this turmoil could be ascer.
tanned. Rumors OF every description were a.
Aoat, and it was one time thought that the pris.
oners had overpowered their guards and made
al, 90 4 thoN Il. l.l L..
made on the Jail BY parties attempting to res.
cue the prisoners.
| The Shenandoah mountains are within ten
minutes run ofthe Jail wall and had Cook reach
ed them, with his thorough knowledge Of the
mountains, his arrest would have been difficult
especially as but few Of the military could have
followed him during the night.
| The bodies Of the negroes, after being cut
down, were placed in popular cof1ins and car
ried back to the Jail. They will be inferred to-
morrow on the spot where the gallows stands
though there is party Of medical students here
from Winchester, who will doubtless not allow
them to remain there long. ....
| EXECUTION OF COOK AND ooPpIe. ...
| The bodies OF the two negro prisoners hav
ing been brought back to the Jail at about
quarter to IL O'Clock, this afternoon notice was
given to Cook and Ooppic that their time wa'
approaching, only one hour more being allowed
them. The military movements, similar Il
those at the first executions. were repeated ant
wagon with two more coftins was standing a
the door of the Jail At half past l2 the SAM
military escort was in readiness
When called upon by the Sheriff they stood
calm and quietly whilst their arms were bein;
pnoned, and after bidding fare well to the guard
Of the Jail were helped into the wagon and tool
seats on their cofins. Their appearance wa
rather that OF hopeless despair than of resigna
ton, and they seemed to take but little motto
Of anything as the procession slowly moved ol
to the field OF death. The wagon reached th
scaffod at 13 minutes before l O'Clock and the
prisoners assembled with determined ffrmnesc
scarcely surpassed by that of Capt, Brown,
brief prayer was offered up by one Of the clerg
when the ropes were adjusted, the caps draw
over their heads and both were launched int
eternity in seven minutes after they ascende
the gallows. They both exhibited the mos
unfinching tirmness saying nothing with tn
exception Of bidding farewell to the minister
and sheriff
After the rope was adjusted about Cook
neck he exclaimed "be quick as possible" whic
was also repeated by Coppic.
After hanging about 80 minutes both bodie
were taken down and placed in black walnr
cofins, prepared for them. That of Cook wa
) then placed in a poplar box labelled and direc
ed as follows:-Ashbell P Willard and Robe
81 Crowley. 1O4 William st, New York, care
Adams Express. The coffin ofCoppic was Rsai
ed in similar box, to be forwarded to his motl
er in Iowa.