Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-12-09
THE EXECUTION or JOHN BROWN
MS INTERVIEW WIN HIS WIFE.

brought out of Jail at ! o'clock. Before
leaving. he bid adeu to all his fellow prison
ers. and was very ahcctionate to all except
Cook. lie charged Cook with having deceiy-
ed and misled him in relation to the support
he was TO receive from the slaves He was
led to believe that they were ripe for insure
rootion. and had found that his representa-
tions were false. Cook denied the charge,
but made little reply.
The prisoner then told the sheriff he was
ready. His arms were pnioned. and, with
black SLOUGH hat on, and the same clothes he
wore during the trial, he proceeded to the
door. apparently calm and cheerful.
As he came out the six companies Of in
fantry, and one troop Of horse, with Gen. Tai
iaferro and his entire staff were deploying in
front Of the Jail, whilst an open wagon, with
a pine box, in which was fine oak coffin, was
waiting for him.
lie looked round and spoke to several per-
sons he recognized, and walking down the
steps. took sent ON the coffin box along with
the iaior. Avis
lie looked with interest on the fine militia
~ display but made no remark The wagon
moved off, Aankcd by two files of rifcmen, in
close order.
On reaching the field. the military had all
ready full possession. Pickets were stationed
and the citizens kept bacl, at the point of the
bayonet from taking any position but that as
signed them
Through the determined persistence of Dr..
Rawlings Of FrpHk Leslics, She order cNciud-
ing the press was PARTIAL rescmdcd and they
were assigned position near the Major Cen
erals Staff.
The prisoner walked up the steps firmly,
and was the first man on the gallows. Avis
and Sheriff Campbell stood by his side. and
after shaking hands and bidding an affection
ate udieu, he thanked them for their kindness.
The cap was then put ON his face, and tho
rope around his neck
Avis asked him to step forward ON the trap.
lie replied. y on must lead mel car n 1t see. W
The rope was then adjusted and the milf
tary order given, Not ready yet.
The soldiers marched, countermarchcd, and
took position as if au enemy were in sight,and
we've thus occupied for nearly ten minutes.
The prisoner standing all the time, Avis
inquired if he was not tired. Brown said
mo, not tired but don't keep me waiting
longer than necessary
He was swung off at / ) minutes past IL.
A slight grasping Of the hands and witch
ing of the muscles was seen, and all was quiet.
The body was several times examined, and
the pulse did not cease until 50 minutes had
passed. The body was thvn cut down, placed
in the coffin, and conveyed, under military cs-
cort, to the depot, whore il WINS put in "a car
to be carried TO the Ferry, by special train
at o'clock,
All the arrangements were carried ont with
a precision and military strctncss that was
most annoying.
The general conviction everywhere enter
tanned was that the excitement about the res
cue was an egregious hoax.
Brown executed an instrument empowering
Sheriff Campbell to administer on all proper
ty of his in the State with directions to pay
over the proceeds Of the sale Of the weapons
if recovered, TO his widow and children.
Bro,cns Inferriec ,riG his Feior Prisoners
sheriff Campbell bid the prisoner farewell
in his cell, the latter returning thanks for tn
SheriFs kindness, and speaking of Capt Pat
as a brave man.
The prisoner was then taken to the cell o
Copeland and Green He told them TO stan
up like men and not bctray their friends. II
then handed them a quarter each, saying h
had no use for money, and bid them adiou.
He then visited Cook and Coppie, who wcr
chained together, and remarked TO Cook
"You have made false statements Cook ash
/ od-"What do you mcan;" Brown answc
I ed-"Why, by stating that sent you to Ha
por's Ferry" Cook rcplied-"Did you M
J tell me in Pittsburg TO come to Harper Fo
: ry, and sec if Forbes had made any discl
sures" Brown" No, sir You know
protested against your coming. Cook /
Il plied-"Capt. Brown. we remember diiiercu
y ly," at the same time dropping his head.
~ Brown then turned to Coppe and said
! "Coppie, you also made false statements, b
C | am glad to hear that you have contradict
Il them Stand up IKE a man He also hand'
him quarter. He shook him by the han
q and they parted
& The prisoner was then taken to Stevens
! cell, and they kindly intercnangcd greeting
81 Stevens said-"Good bye, Captain; kno
&c you are going to better land Brown r
u piled" know am. Brown told him
&c bear up, and not botray his friends, siyiI
him quarter
:, 20 lie did not visit lIazitl, as he has alwa
y persisted in denying any knowledge of him.
Incidents.
On his way to the scadold, Mr.. Sadie
an undertaken who was in the wagon wi
him, remarked" Capt. Brown, you arc
game man. lie answered." Nes was
m trained up. 1t was one Of the lessons OF d
=. mother but it is hard to part from irion,
though newly made. This is a beautiful cou
nc try; | never had the pleasure Of seeing it
,e fore"
in On reaching the fold where the gallo
of was erected, the prisoner sad-'Why
M none but military allowed in the enelosur
he | am sorry citizens have been put out.
iaI reaching the gaiiows he observed Mr. ifunl
It. and Mayor Green standing near, to whom
ne said, "Gentlcmen, good bye his voice 1
he iatering.
he While on the scadold Sheriff Campbell as
ld ed him if he would take handkerchief,
ma drop as a signal when he was ready. lie
phed-"No, do not want; but do not det
me any longer than is absolutely neoossar
he shortly after the execution, and whilst
body was being taken to the depot, great
element was raised by the arrival of hor
man announcing that Wheatland, the late r
" idence of George w. Turner, who was 81
he at Harper's Ferry, was on fire, and that
lu. fire was extending to the farm and buildi
to of Mr VIM +. Turner. The latter, who
I'VE in town, said that he had left home at
ay o'clock in the morning; and that several
,ur his horses had died very suddenly and d
Al