Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-05
The Execution of John Brown.

crS VINO hai been :ttle Ia Sliu ahuiIt'ahc' "a
the town. 10 the vicinity Of the place assign
ed for the execution.
The prisoner WAS brought out OF Jail At
eleven o'clock Before leaving he hadr aiien
IL all his fellow prisoners. and was very al
irctionaic 10 all except Cook. He charged
Cook with having deceived and ml>irt htm
in relation 20 the support he VA, 70 r"rrl'"
from the slaves. lie said he Wa led ly hlm
IL believe they were rife for in~urrrctl"n.
but he had found that his representations
were false. Cook denied the charge, and
made but little reply Ia Brown. The Prise,
rrr then told the sheriff he WAS ready. when
bis arms were plnionrd, and he walked I"
the door. apparently calm aud cheerful. lie
Wore black SLOUGH hat and the same clothes
worn during his trial. As he came cut he
was taken under guard Of the military. six
companies ii infantry and one troop ul horse,
with Cen Taliaierro and his entire stall,
were deploving in front nt the .lal.
AT the door of the jail un open wagon.
with pine box in which was fine oak col
hin, was waiting for him. He looked around
and spoke to several persons whom he re-
cognized. and walking down the steps. was
assisted 10 enter the wagon. and took his
seat On the box containing his cotln. along
with Jiiler Avis. He locked with interest
on the fine military display. but made ~
remark The wagon moved off "A soon as
he had taken his seat. iianked with two files
OF riilemen III close order.
On reaching the field the military had al
ready full possession, and picketS were sta
toned ut various points. The citizens were
kept back 1T the point Of the havonet from
taking any position except that assigned
them-nearIy Il quarter Of mile from the
scaifod Through the determined per>s-
lance of Dr. Rawlings. Of Frank Lesic's
paper, the order excluding the press was
partially rescinded, and the reporters were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 gallpws.-
Jaier Avis and sheriff Campbell stood by
his side, and after shaking hands and bid
ding an aifectionate adieu, thanked them Tor
their kindness. He then put the cap over
his face and the rope around his neck. Mr..
Avis then asked him to step on the trap
He replied, You must lead me for | can.
not see" The rope now being adjusted, and
the military order given, the soldiers march
ed ard cUuntermurchcd, and took their posi-
ton as if an energy was in sight. Nearly
: minutes were thus occupied, the prisoner
sanding meanwhile. Mr. Avis inquired if he
was not tired Brown replied, No, but
don't keep me waiting longer than ncceS-
sary."
At fifteen minutes past eleven. the trap
fell. \ slight gra.ping ol the hands amt
= ,,,,,.,.i.,5 ri-Ihlp .,nl
then all was quiet!
The body was several times examined.
and his pulse did not cease beating ior thir-
tv-iyc minutes Ii was then cut down and
placed in the coffin AMI conveyed under
military escort to the depot. aud there put III
IA car to be- conveyed t. llnrper'S Ferry hy
special tram ut four o'clock.
The whole arrangements were carried our
with precision and military strIcIncsS that
was every way proper
The general conviction Is everywhere en-.
tertained that the runiors Of Intended rescue
were altogether IN rsrrSi"us h"aS.
That morning, Brown executed an III
strument empowering Sheriff Campbell IL
administer on property Of his IN this STATE.
with directions To pay over the proceeds OF
the sale Of his weapons, II recovered, t" hiS
widow and children.
FURTHER PARTICULARS. Sheriff Campbell
babe the prisoner farewell III his cell, aud
Brown returned his thanks t. him for hi-
Kindness. and spoke at Captain Pate n II
brave man He was the conducted 10 the
cells Of his fellow prisoners. desiring tn take
hls leave 81 them. Entering the cell 81 t"p".
land and Green. he told them IL stand up
like men aud not bctrny their trends. ii"
handed each quarter Of IL dollar, saying
that It had no further use Tor money and
having said this, he bude them u final fare
we'll
Next he visited Cook and C,ppie, wh,
were chained together. Addressing Cork
hr remarked "lnu have made false state
Cook asked. Nv Int d. you mean"
Brown rruli.d. why in stating that sent
YOU Ia IIarper's Ferry" Cook replied.
Did ,uu not tell me in Pittshurg to COME to
lIarprr's Ferry and see il Forbes had midr
disclosures? Captain Brown, No. >lr,
You know | protested against your coming.
10 this Cook only responded: Captain
Brown, we remember differently A. he
said this he dropped his head, and Brown, IA
in contempt turned away, and, addressing
Coppe. said: "Coppie, you also made false
statements, but | nm glad t. hear you have
them. Stand up like II imam
Brown also handed cnppIe = quarter, aud
then shaking both by the hand, parted with
them.
The prisoner was next taken To Stevens
cell, and kindly int"rchangri with Inn
goud-hye Stevens said :--"Good-hse. Cap
Inlt,--l know yon are goins Ia n better land.
Brown replied: Il know am. and urged
Steven. u bear up aud not hrtray his friends.
lie also gave Stevens Il quarter aud then
took leave Of him. lie did not visit llazleti.
A. he has always persisted in denying any
knowledge oi HIM.
On his way to the scaffnld. Mr. Saddrr. the
undertaken, remarked a. Capt. Brown: "i"u
are Il game man. Captain" To which Capt
Brown replied "l"s, | was 50 traim"i-it
was one Of the lessons of my mother; but It
is hard to part from friends though newly
made" Then he k.d-"This is
beautiful country i never had the pleasure
of seeing it before On reaching the field
IN which the yallows was erected. Brown
said: "Why are none bur military allowed
III the enclosure. ! am sorry the citizens
have been kept cut
rs he reached the gallowS, he observed
Mr. Hunter and Mayor Green standing
near. 10 whom he said: "t;rntlcmen, good
bye" his voice not taterng in the least.
While on the scntf ,ld. Sheriff Campbell
asked If he would tax. handkerchief IN ms
hand :, lrnn a. s. siguul when he was ready