Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-12-22
Executsom of t:reen aud Cops snd
the Negroes. and Cook and Coppic.
The 10th inst. was the time appoint


risonel by troops from various quar-
ter. \ large number OF the people
from the surrounding country came to
witness the execution. The rules were
not strict a. they were when Brown
was executed. and people from every
quarter did not find much difficulty III
gaming an entrance into Charlcstown.
\ few minutes before eleven o'clock.
the negroes. with their arms pinioned.
were taken out of jail. They were as
sisted into the wagon and took their
seats on their collins. They were then
taken to the scaifold, which they as
cended with an mistaken step. They
bid each other goodbye. Green ex-
pressing the hope that he would meet
Copeland in Heaven. Prayer was Of
fercL by Rev. G.. North. The white
cap, were then drawn down and the
ropes adjusted. and at precisely eleven
o'clock the trap was sprung, aud they
were launched into eternity. They
were on the scailold only five min
utcs. Green died easy and without a
struggle. Copeland struggled for
some minutes. dying by strangulation.
After hanging fof twenty minutes,
they were cut down. placed in their
collins, removed short distance and
! buried.
But the people Of the South were
not yet done with them. They were
allowed to remain in the ground but a
few minutes. but were taken out and
conveyed to Washington for dlssee-
ton. This last act of barbariiy and
heathenism, was in keeping with the
other proceeding, of the Virginia chlv-
aIry since the arrest of the prisoners.
COOK AND corpIC ALMOST ESCAPE
THEIR EXECUTION.
Cook had been visited during Thurs
!, day by his sisters and by his brother
in-law. Gov. Willard. These meet
inys are described "a being very affect
ing. Coppic was also visited by
, friends during the week. anil on TIE
last iav. he was visited by his uncle
| from Ohio, who took charge of his
body.
At about s o'clock on Thursday
night, they made an attempt to es
cape. There was plank about )!
inches thick and twelve inches wide
running between the window and foo
of their room. They had managed t
get this board so as they could remov'
il at pleasure. Bv the aid of IA bar
low knife, which Coppic had conceal
ed. AMI he'd screw. they hal re
moved the board and taken out til
brick and mortar, 80 that on Thurs
dav night they had but the outer laye
of brick to remove. This was quick
" done BY means of a knife. thei
chains had been removed-all eXcef
the rings around Coppic's ankle. 1
keep these from rafting, he Ina
:. wound them about with his peck,
: handkerchief. Coppic went out hrs
feet foremost, falling distance of l
feet. Cook followed in the same mar
ner. BY the aid of the timber I
- Browns scafiold they were enabled
" climb to the top of the Jail wall. Coz
rs pic assembled first and stretched hin
We self on the wall. Cook then held u
III his hat to see IL it would be noticed
TO \ sentinel observed it as he attemptt
he to elevate himself and fired at it, b
u missed his mark. The prisoners thu
= retreated into the Jail yard. Thu
II were then seized AMI rc-conveyed
he their rooms. and heavily ironed.-
ire Thus fled the last hope OF escape.
lot During forenoon on Friday, !
tel ligious consolation was administer
TX, by Revs. Green. North, and Wang
he During this time they were lively a
ton cheerful. While their arms were
all ins pinioned they talked pleasant
AMI walked from the Jail without
err faltering of muscle. They ascer
yet ell the scalfold with the same firm a
- unyielding step. y short prayer "
bly, offered. The prisoners pleasantly ba
the farewell to each other. and then
ut hanyman was instructed to be as gu
as possible. The trap was sprung
They both died very easily. Coo
COS body was placed in fine metalllcc
i'm fin AMI sent TO New York, where
,ed friends await it. Copies was rla'
,pe in plain black walnut coffin. and
on livered to his uncles, two of wh
nn- were present.
And now Nirginia's scatfold n
rest for few days. Stephens ava
81 his trial.
| -..e..---
school Meeting.
In consequence of the stormy c