The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-11-16
The Harperss Ferry Prisoners.
Their Trial in Charlestown, Virginia.

counts. The case was ably argued by Andrew
Hunter on behalf of the State. The prison
er was defended by Geo. Sennot. Esq, of Bos
ton, who labored with much zeal for his client
A bill of exceptions. and motion for the ar
rest Of Judgment was entered by the prison
er's counsel which will be disposed of to-mor
row morning
The Court assembled at 10 A. NJ. on Mon
day. and was called to order by Judge Park
er. The Grand Jury was sworn and immedi-l
| ately proceeded to their room to consider the
case of Capt. Cook. A number of witnesses
were Summoned and the Jury was absent for
about two hours On the re-assembling ofthe1
Court, Mr.. Harding, the Prosecuting Attor-I
ney stated that as number of witnesses 10
the case of Cook who would not be in Ste
phen's case were present. He would if agree
| able to the Counsel on the other side moved
to take up the case of Cook FIRST. Thomas
@. Green. Esq, one of the Counsel for Cook
said that as the Counsel had not yet had time
/ 10 read the Indictment, and had Lot yet decid
ed what plea to enter to the charge. he was
unable to proceed in the case and would pre-
fer that the Commonwealth would proceed
with TIE case of Stephens which would allow
them time, to prepare for the case of Cook. = ?
The ease of Stephens was then calledup.
ID. Stephens was accord dinghy brought into
court and placed on mattrass. He is look
ing pale and hnggard, the abstinence from
food and the large quantity of medicine taken
by him having had decided effect on him -
4 He bears up under his wounds with much for
titude, and is seldom heard to murmur. His
counsel, Mr.. SeDnot, who bad endeavored to
have his trial moved to an adjoining county,
but was refused, appeared, and the empannelf-
| ing of Jury was proceeded with.
| After a considerable number of Jurymen
had been obtained, Mr. Hunter arose and stat.
ed that he had just received despatch which
would probably interfere with further proceed
Dgs 10 the empannelling of Jury. He then
read the following telegraph despatch from
/ Gov. Wise. ...-. ---..-5,, .,.s.-.f. -.sr,
:..srg RICHMOND, Va, Nov Z.
To AkDREw G. HuNTER- +. s-s+r..e sars,af
| Dear Sir /: think you had better try Cook
and hand Stephens over to the Federal au-
! thorities. Respectfully,
ytSlgned -z's. II. A. WISE. -
| Mr.. Hunter stated that be had been in cor
rsspondence for several days with Gov. Wise,
aud had in his possession number of facts
important to the developments of this case
/ which we're unknown to the public and would
/ for. the present remain SO. He had, since bis
last letter to the Governor, come into the pos
session of other facts which pointed to Ste
phens as the most available party to be hand
i ed over to the Federal authority, as he felt as
sured enough would be ascertained 10 result
in bringing before the Federal bar a number
of the prominent abolition fanatics of the
4 North.
Mr.. Harding objected to the proceedings,
! and insisted that the case should be proceed
lad He in Loo NIT Wion
or anybody else. He was not fed by any one
aud won1d only secure as a Compensation for
!, his arduous labors in the case the small pit
tanee allowed By the Circuit Court.A gET
i. Mr.. Sennot remarked that he had not con-
suited with his client and as the Jury had part
/ ly bsen chosen, he would not consent that the
State should hand over to the Government the
prisoner, for what purpose was shown to Gov.
Wise, and had been foreshadoWed by the re-
marks of Mr.. Hunter If time had been allow.
cd, the trouble had in the empannelling of q
y y-uonla. hnKu-heen- dispensed with. -.t
4 Mr.. Hunter then remarked that he would
d then proceed Immediately with the case OF
Stephens, and bound over the prisoner Haz-
lett, who has not been indicted, to the Federal
|, Court. 1t was material whether Stephens
would prefer a trial or not. 80 .s,.
MIR Sennot then asked delay of moment
for consultation with Stephens, after which he
announced that the prisoner accepted the offer
atof the State to hand him over TO the Federal
authority, and would therefore, prefer to be
renanded 10 jail. - -. -. -.
/ MIR. Harding desired the Clerk to enter his
earnest protest against the whole proceedings.
He considered the whole proceedings wrong,
and wished it so shown on the docket. -
l Judge Parker to the Cierk-Du no such
I iSh l. 81 10
docket of this Court. @ al @
RI The prisoner was then handed over to the
q. s, Marshal Martin and lodged in Jail. where
a he will remain until the term of the Federal
Court at Staunton, which will not meet for
some time. si 7''i' ='ii1 To" '''.}s5
In the trial of Cook the Jury was accord
ingly discharged, and large number of the
free holders OF the county were summoned to
appear Tomorrow morning at 9 clock, when
the case will be taken up. Il will excite a
9 large degree of interest. 1t}iE-@ 1.s 81
4 Cook will be defended by J. Mcdonald.
Attorney General, and iMr. V Voorhees, Dist.
Attorney of Indiana, and Lawson Bolts and
MIC. Green of our own Bar The prosecu-
' ton will be conducted by g. Hunter. 1905 4
: Inc Prisoner seems to be in fine spirits. and
3 Is not without hope of verdict in his favor.
! Gov. Willard and MIR. Crowley, his broth
> r.ln'iaW, Will be present during the entire
: trial 5i-i.'r'E - Ilia aa.-- " l5H ag7H1
CnAR1EsrowN, Nov. 8.
The trial of Cook commeuced this morning,
when his confession was read in open Court.
= A jury was then empanneled, aud the trial
went on. sss--lt .-4.7---rf he's f.7,. h-l
f i.as 10 ss5abE7d ;CHARLEsrowN, Nov. 9. Il
The trial of Cook attracted great crowd
in the Court room, both yesterday and to day
Gov. Willard and Mr. Crowley. the brothers,
in-law of the prisoner, occupied seats beside
. him. His counsel are J. E. M'Donald, Dis
trict Attorney of Indiana and Messrs Law
son Bolts and G. Green, of the Virginia bar
The prisoner was well dressed and maintained
e firm and dignifed demeanor. He plead gull
u ty to all the counts of the Indictment, except
d that charging treason. The demurrer to the
e count of treason was argued by the counsel
D and overruled by the Court. s7ss4z4 .g.t .
. A jury was obtained, the question put to
them being about the same as in Browns case
e Mr.. Green, for the prisoner. admitted the
:, prisoner icoaspiring with The slaves to rebel
Q which is punishable with death, or imprisou-
+ ment Tor life
e Mr.. Hunter then rose and read the confes-
i sion of Cook 1t is written by himself aud iIl,
!. twenty-five foolscap pages. 1t elicits nothing
d new, except that it implicates Fred Douglas
n and DR.. Howe. The confession is to publish
y ed in pamphlet for the benefit of Samuel @
Young, one Of the wounded men at Harper.
Ferry Is -aer s4t o. aea ssaa -1f n
The session of the Court to day was spen,
g taking testimony, and opening the argument
\ for the State. g The public feeling against
Cook is stronger than against any of the pris