New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-12-23

them farewell. They shook hands cordially, and
friends es eh sassr s ecppss
then made remark to Stevens, which was not
Both then shook hands with HazIett, and babe him
good bye, but did not call him by name, or show
any persona, tree rscoEition q each other
EMerg,ns Ven sns JAIL Cook recognized several
On approaching the scaiSold Cook shook hands
with large number Of persons, and bowed po-
i u. 70 mayor Green. When he put bis foot on
moose was hung.
The wagon reached the scaisold ii thirteen min
utes before o'clock, and the prisoners ascended
with a determined frmness that was scarcely sur
passed by that Of Capt. Brown.
On the gallows they shook hands and bid each
other goodbye; after the caps were drawn, Cook
said Good bless you !" and Coppie said, in a loud
tone, sbe quick as possible. y Copies genteel
appearance was the subject of general remark.
The calm and collected manner Of both was very
remarkable. -
brief prayer was offered up by one of the cler-
gymen, the rope adjusted, the cap drawn and both
were launched into eternity in seven minutes after
they assembled the gallows They both exhibited
| the most unfinching firmness saying nothing ex-
| cept bidding farewell to the ministers and the
\ sheriff After the rope was adjusted, Cook ex-
was also repeated by Coppie.
After hanging about 30 minutes both bodies were
| cut down and placed in the black walnut collins
prepared for them That Of Cook was placed in
poplar nox, labelled and directed as follows:
:. Ashbell Y. Willard q Robert Crowley, I0l VII
liam street, New York, care Adams Express,
Copples body was placed in similar box, to be
forwarded to bis mother, in Iowa.
| Cook would have spoken from the seafg,Id ~
permitted. On their way to the scaffoId he onIy
remarks made by Cook and Coppie were in rela-
\ ton to the attempt to escape. They made an
apology for any reflection that might attach to
| them through their conduct.
One Of the ministers who attended on the pri-
soners informs me that neither Cook nor Coppie
ever made any profession of religion. Coppie was
OF Quaker descent, and Cook was Congrega-
tionalist in sentiment. Both, however, seemed
| hopeful, and the minister's exhortation on the
scaffold was to put their trust in the redeeming
blood of Christ. The prayer Of the Rev. III. North
| ssafold. ~
Harpers Ferry in train which was waiting at the
depot. The bodies of the negroes have been given
to the surgeons and medical students.
AGES OF PRIsoNERs.-John E. Cook was 20 years
OF age, having been born in Haddam, Conn, in
1880 He was about live feet seven and half
inches high, with light hair and fair complexion.
Edwin Coppe was born in Columbiana county,
ONO, and was "a years Of age, five feet nine inches
high, brown hair and dark Complexion. He had
stupid look. but was undoubtedly Of good intellect,
and rather intelligent.
:. Shields Green Vas quite a black negro, and but
y years Of age. He was born in Rochester, New
York. He had rather good countenance and a
. sharp, intelligent look.
John COPELAND was bright muIatto, with bushy
head and rather straight hair. He was "a years 81
of age, and looked younger than Green.
stephens and Hazlitt will not be tried until the
May term of the Court.
LETTER OF ExPLANATIoS-The following letter
was handed to me this evening It is written in a
beautiful style of penmanship, and is curiosity
coming from man who was in few hours to
suffer death.
) Charleso,cn, Dec. 1s, ls5s.-Haying been called
upon to make a fair statement in regard to the
ways and means of our breaking jail, have agreed
to do SO from sense of our duty to the Sheriff Of
the county, and jailor and jail guard. We do not
wish that any one should be unjnstly censured on
our account.
The principal implements with which we opened
passage through the wall Of the jail were Bar
low knife and screw which we took out of the
, bedstead. The knife was borrowed from one OF
the jail guards to cut lemon with. We did moi
return 1t to him. He had no idea of any intention
on our part to break ont; neither did the Sheriff 4
jailor nor any of the guard have any knowledge Of
!. our plans.
. We received no aid from any person OF persons
whatever. We had, as we supposed removed all
the brick except the last tier several days ago. but
, on the evening previous to our breaking out, we
. found our mistake in regard to that matter We had
intended to go out on the evening that my sister
!, and brother-n-law were here, but knew TINT i
would reflect ON them, and we postponed it; but
: urged Coppe to go, and would remain, but he
:, refused. We then concluded to wait.
got knife blade from Shields Green and will
= that made some teeth in the Barlow knife, Will
- - which we sawed of our shackles. We had then
y all off the night previous to getting out Cop
'. pie went out first and followed We then got u
= on the wall, when l was discovered and shot at
= The guard outside the wall Immediately came uI
IL to the wall.
= We saw there was no chance to escape, and 81
>. it was discovered that we broke JAIL we walked il
y deliberately and gave ourselves up to the sheriff
y Captain Avis, and the jail guard There was n,
y person persons who aided us in our escape
' This is true, SO help us God.
Signed,l JOHN f.. COOK
e EDWIN CUPPIE.
|, There will be about four hundred troops KEEP
l. here for several weeks.
e 1t is understood there will be civil guard KEEP
n under arms, but that the military force now herr
e will be Immediately dispersed.