St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-12-22
CHARIEsrowN. Dec. id M.

VS'Noy tHcIc was u great lIlHuX Vi
strangers and citisens of the country
who were focking in to witness the
last act in the Harper's Ferry tragedy.
The latter came thus early apprehcnd-
ing that they might be detained at the
outposts as was the case on the day
OF Browns execution on the arrival of
a train. But little difficulty was ex-
pcrienced in getting into town.
The prisoners were visited yester-
day P. N. by Rev. Messrs. Mason,
Dnit0n and North, of the Presbyterian
Church. and Beverdi Waugh, Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The
services in the cells were of an inter-
esting and solemn character and were
participated in by all the condemned !;
though it is now evident from suisse
quent events that Cook and Coppic at
least were playing possum, as their
minds must have been fixed on hopes
of life and liberty, rather than on
death and eternity at the time they
were making outward protcstations of
resignation. They all gave an un-
qualified assent to the conviction of
religious truth, and each expressed a
hope of salvation in the world to
come.
Cook and Coppic were the loudest
in their professions Of change of
heart and in the hope of divine forgiv-
r ness. They freely admitted their
guilt and acknowledged their doom as
just one and that in the main they
had been treated with the utmost
kindness by all. this was undoubtedly
intended to hood.wink their project of
escape.
Rev. Mr.. North was present at an
interview between Coppic and Mr.
Butler, a Quaker gentleman from
Ohio who raised the prisoner. He de.
scribcs the interview as an affecting
one, and speaks highly of Mr.. Buffers
christian department and advice to
the prisoner. Mr. Butler says that
Coppic was a trusty but very wilful
boy.
An uncle of Coppic's, from Ohio, his
fathers brother, also visited him yes.
terday. The interview lasted over
an hour. He seemed in much distress
at the fate which awaits his relative
All apprehensions of an intended
rescue had long since been banished,
and nothing was thought of but the
approaching execution. So firmly
; had this conviction settled on the pub,
; lie mind that military duty was voted
; a bore, and the finale of the tragedy
was regarded as at last approached
At a quarter past eight the whole
town was thrown into commotion by
, the report of rife under the Jail wal
followed by several other shots in the
vicinity of the guard house in close
proximity to the Jail. The military
was called to arms and the excite
ment was intense beyond anything
that has yet occurred during our ever
memorable era of military occupation
In few moments the streets and av
, enucs of the town were in the posses
sion of armed men and it was with
, some difficulty that the cause of all
this tumult could be ascertaincd. Ru
mors of every description were aaoat
and it was at one time thought the
, prisoners had overpowered the guards
: and made their escape, and then thai
!, an attack had been made on the .jai
= by parties attempting to rescue the
. prisoners.
ys s b S5& Of 8t ths ppGJ5ei il P5pa
collins and carried back to the Jail
They will be inferred on the spo,
where the gallows is. There is a par
ty of medical students here from Win
chester who will doubtless not allow
them to remain there long
The bodies of the two negro prison
crs having been brought back to the
Jail at about twelve, notice was given
to Cook and Coppic that their time
was approaching, only one hour more
being allowed them.
The military movements similar to
those at the first execution were re-
prated, and wagon with two more
collins was standing at the door of the
Jail. At half past twelve the same
military escort was in readiness.
Meantime the closing religious cere-
monies were progressing III the cell.
Since the failure Of the attempt of
Cook and Coppic, their assumed com.
posture and apparent resignation had
given way, aud they now looked at
the reality of their fate with full con-
victlon of it's awful certainty. They
joined with ferver in the religious
ceremonies. When called upon by
the Sheriff they stood calm and quiet
: ly whilst their arms were being pin
toned, and after bidding farewell to
the guards of the Jail, were helped III
to the wagon and took seats on the
coffins.
Their appearance was rather that of
hopeless despair than of resignation.
The wagon reached the scaffold at
13 minutes before ! O'clock, and the
prisoners assembled with determined
firInness scarcely surpassed by that
of Brown. A brief prayer was offered
up by one Of the clergymen, the ropes
were adjusted, the caps drawn over
their heads, and both were launched
into eternity in seven minutes after
they assembled the galows. They
both exhibited unflinching firmness,
saying nothing with the exception of
bidding farewell to the minister and
Sheriff. After the rope was adjusted
about Cooks neck he exclaimed: BE
quick as possible" winch was repeat
ed by Coppic.
After hanging about 80 minutes
both bodies were taken down and
placed in black-walnut collins prepared
for them. That of Cook was then
placed in poplar box, labelled and
directed "Ashbell p. Willard and Rob
ert Crowley, l04 William street, New
York"
The coffin of Coppic was placed in
similar box to he forwarded to his
mother in Iowa.