Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-12-16
IKE CHAEEEsToWN PRISON.

Cook, Coppic. Green and Copeland, are to
be executed to-iay-the two latter in the fore
noon, and the other two in the afternoon. We
give in our present issue, as a matter of inter
est in connection with this tragic affair, the
confession of Cook, as read on his trial. It is
in its main FEATURES doubtless true, and. gives a
full and minute account Of the movement from
its inception to its close with the d,ath, cap
ture and dispersion of those. engaged in it at
the Ferry We think injustice has been done
Cook in regarding him as a coward who deser-
Nil! be seen from his account that he was obeyiug
the orders of Brown, which, rather than descr-
ton or a shrinking from The conflict, took him
and several others from the scene O. strife
within the town. His companions and those
who know him best accord him the merit of
bravery, and all the letters he has recently writ
ten indicate it.
The following extracts are from a letter adj
dressed TO the editor of the Clerelqnd Leader,
dated 9th inst
l will only say, such statements as have
been made by the Times. in regard to my com
panions and myself, are totally false. There
has not been one single instance, iii which l
have felt, or shown any sign of fear or nervous
ness since l have been here. Neither has my
comrade Coppic, since he has occupied the
cell with me, shown any such weakness or
dread of death. We both dislike the mode or
death to which we have been doomed. But
notwithstanding, We are cheerful end calmly
awaiting our fate, and trust we shall meet it
like men.
l will frankly admit, that on one or two &C.
c%asions, have been agitated by the reception
of touching letters from my w1fe and ether rel
atiues arhose happiness is dcdrer to me than ma
life. The doom that awaits me has not in the
least affected my appetite, nor has it occasion
cd any loss of rest. / sleep as camly here as I
would if in my boyhood home,
I have made these statements because I deem
it my duty to my fellow prisoner and myself to
do so. \ x X
p. s.. I have just read in one of the papers
published at this place, an account of the Fare
we'll scene between Capt. Brown, Coppic, and
myself. To show the falsehood of these re-
potts, l will state just what passed at this fare
we'll interview. Capt. Brown came in smiling
and shook both Ceppic and myself warmly
by the hand. He asked kindly after our health.
He then said to me, that he was sorry that /
had made a statement that was not true as |
would only gain contempt by it. l asked him
what | had said that was untrue. He told me (,
that 1t was the statement which I had made.
THAT he had sent me to the Ferry" l told
him he most certainly did tell me to go there.
He said he had no recollection of anything of
the kind but that he remembered distinctly
of telling me not to go there. ! replied that |
had /; good memory, and had not the slightest
recollection of anything of the kind. He re-
marked that he thought that my memory must
be treacherous then but it would do no good
TO talk about that. But that if we had to die
to meet our fate like men. That we had gone
into a good cause, and not to deny it now
lie then turned to Coppic and said that he had
heard that he had made some false statements,
but was glad to learn that those reports were
untrue He then asked if he could do any for
Ills. We answered in the negative. He gave
Scots, remarking that, as he owed Cs
brother $40, which he did not know as would
ever be paid, that a little change might do him
some good, He then pressed our hands warm
ly and babe Us u last farewell. There was no
one present except Capt. Avis. Capt. Brown.
and myself. Capt. Avis will l think
vouch for the truth of this statement as will
CoPpic. Please give give this a place in
your paper and oblige.
Yours truly.
j. F. COOK.