The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-12-08

support he was to receive from the slaves. DE
said he was led by him to believe they were rife
for instruction, but he had found that his
representations we're false. Cook denied the
charge, and made bat little reply to Brown.
The prisoner then told the sheriff he was ready,
when his arms were pinioned, and he walked to
the door, apparently calm and cheerful. He
wore black SLOUGH hat, and the same clothes
worn during his trial. AS he came out he was
taken under guard of the military. Six CON-
panies of infantry and one troop of horse, with
Gen. Taliaferro and his entire staff, were de-
poying in front Of the jail.
At the door of the jail an open wagon, with
pine box, IN which was a fine oak coffin, was
waiting for him. He looked around, and spoke
to several persons whom he recognised, and
walking down the steps, was assisted to enter
the wagon, and took his seat on the box con-
tanning his coffin, along with Jailer Avis. DE
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 rihemen in close order.
On reaching the field, the military had al
ready full possession, and pickets were station.
ed at various points. The citizens were kept
back at the point of the bayonet from taking
any position except that assigned them-nearly
a quarter of mile from the scaffold. Through
the determined persistence of DIR. Rawlings, of
Frank Leslie's paper, the order excluding the
press was partially rescindcd, and the reporters
were assigned a position near the Generals
staff.
The prisoner walked up the steps firmly, and
was the first man on the gallows. Jailer Avis
and Sheriff Campbell stood by his side, and af
ter shaking hands and bidding an affectionate
adieu, thanked them for their kindness. He
then put the cap over bis face and the rope
around bis neck. Mr.. Avis then asked him to
step forward on the trap. He replied, "You
must lead me, for / cannot see." The rope
now being adjusted, and the military order
given, the soldiers marched and countermarch-
ed, and took their position as if an enemy was
IN sight. Nearly ten minutes was thus occupi-
I'd, the prisoner standing meanwhile. Mr.. Avis
inquired 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 twitching
of the muscles was visible, and then all was
quiet
The body was several times examined, and
his pulse did not cease to beat for thirty FIVE
minutes. 1t was then cut down. and placed in
the coffin, and conveyed, under military es
cort, 20 the depot, and there put in a ear. to be
conveyed to Harper's Ferry by special train
at four o'clock.
The whole arrangements were carried out
with a precision and military strictness that
most annoying.
The general conviction is everywhere enter
tanned that the rumors of intended rescue were
altogether an egregious hoax.
This morning Capt. Brown executed an in
strument empowering Sheriff Campbell to ad-
minister on all property of his in this State,
with directions to pay over the proceeds of the
sale Of his weapons, if recovered, 10 his widow
and children.
BROWNS INTERVIEW WITH HIS FELLOw-PRIsoN
Frs.
Sheriff Campbell bid the prisoner farewell
IN his cell, and Brown returned his thanks to
him for his kindness, and spoke of Capt. Pate
as n 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, he told them to stand up
like men, and not betray their friends. He
handed each quarter of a dollar, saying that
lie had no more use for money, and having said
this. he bid them final farewell.
Next he visited Cook and Coppic, who were
chained together. Addressing Cook, he re.
marked, You have made false statements
Cook asked, What do you meant" Brown
replied, Why, in stating that | sent you to
Harper's Ferry" Cook replied, Did you not
tell me, in Pittsburgh, to come to Harper's
Ferry, and see if Forbes had made disclo
sures?" Capt. Brown, No, sir You know
protested against your coming" To this Cook
only responded, "Capt Brown, we remember
differently" AS he said this he dropped hi,
head, and Brown, as if in contempt, turned
away, and addressing Coppic, said, "Coppic
you also have made false statements, but / an
glad to hear you have contradicted them
Stand up like man." Brown also handed
Coppic quarter, and then, shaking both by TIT
hand, parted with them.
The prisoner was next taken to Stevens
cell, and kindly interchanged with him good
by. Stevens said, "Good-by, Captain;
. know you are going to a better land" Brow,
replied, ] know am" and urged Stevens t
bear up, and not betray his friends. He ais
gave Stevens a quarter, and then took leave @
him. He did not visit Hazlett, as he has a.
ways persisted in denying any knowledge @
him.
CAPT. BROWN on HIS WAY TO EXECUTION.
On his way to the scafold, Mr.. Sadler, th
undertaken, remarked to Capt. Brown, 4" Yo
are a game man, Captain" To which Capt
Brown replied, +" Yes was so trained it wa
one of the lessons of my mother; but it j
hard to part from friends though newly made.
try; / never had the pleasure of seeing it be
FORE
On reaching the field in which the gallow
was erected, Brown said "Why are none bu
military allowed in the enclosure? | am sorr
the citizens have been kept out"
AS he reached the gallows, he observed vii
liam Hunter and Mayor Green standing near
TO whom he said, " Gentlemen, good by /" hi
voice no. faltering in the least.
While on the scaffold Sheriff Campbell ask
ed if he would take handkerchief in his hand
TO drop as signal when he was ready. He re
piled, No, ] do not want it but do not de
tain me any longer than is actually necessary.
ANOTHER EXCITEMENT.
Shortly after the execution, and whilst th
body was being taken to the depot, great eS
citement was occasioned in the town by the al
rival of a horseman, announcing that Wheat
land" the late residence of George w. Turner
rot at Harper's Ferry, was on fire that tn
u~>Iling was burnt, and the fire was extendin
10 tn, farm buildings of W. F. Turner. who wa
III town, and had left home at ten o'clock. VIII
s'id that several of his horses had died yer
suddenly, and also some of his sheep, suppose
70 have been poisoned. He said he intended
Nv he or33fo"ts of their stomachs examine
The stock Of Mr. Castleman and Mr. Mver,
in the same neighborhood, had also died yer
mysterieusly. The excitement on hearing thes
stories became very great, and Col. Davis ha
the Fauquier cavalry in readiness to go out an
inquire into the truth of the report about tn
fire.
The body of Capt. Brown arrived at the Eel
ry at five O'Clock and will be taken on by Mrs
Brown and her friends by express direct to Al
bany, n. Y. 1t is desired to avoid all publi
demonstrations on the route, and Mrs. Brow
is determined that the body shall not be seel
anywhere on the route to North Elba, where j