Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-12-22
EreC1sE5O2s OF
Cook, Coppie, Green,
and Copeland.
ATuEAGRTED
ESCAPE 0FCO0K And C0PPlE
CHaRLEsrowN, Dec. Do.

Cook and Copp,e broke JAN last
night. They were fred upon by the
sentinels and .retaken, They were
executed this afternoon few min
utes before one o'clock, and about
two hours after the execution. Of
the negroes, Green and Copeland.
Everything PASSED off quietly.
The prisoners bad mounted the
Jail wall, when they we're discovered
Iby the sentinel on the outside, who
Immediately gave the alarm and fir-
ed upon them.
They had sawed their manacles
asnnder with the blade of a knife
which they had concealed and made
| into a fine saw. 1t is ascertained
from their confession that they have
been engaged in preparing for their
/, escape during T.. tie ppssst ten Gays
They made q hole IN the wall near
the window, which they concealed
with paper. hiding the bricks they
removed under the BED.
Upon the alarm being given, they
made no resistance, but surrendered
as soon as they discovered by the
shot Of the sentinel that they we're
detected
| The event has produced the ut
most excitement here, and ali are
on the alert.
Maj. Gen. Taiialerrois directing er-
erytbiug in person, and will maintain
an uninterrupted Supervision of al
fairs until after the execution.
We do not apprehend any further
difficulty.
Another account says that the
bars Of the windows were sawed, but
all is enveloped in mysteryaat pres
emit. The prisoners are nov heavily
ironed and a special guard is stand
ing over them.
! The prisoners now say that they
got the shackles off their feet by saw
ing them with an old knife, and then
forced the bars.
A misunderstanding occurred
several ,lays ago between Gen. Talia-
\
ferro and the jailor in regard TO plac-
ing sentiuels inside the Jail, the jailor
claiming the right Of having bis own
men. The General ave Way to him,
but placed aguard on the outside.
/ which has thus prevented the escape
of the prisoners.
Cook says he could have jumped
down and tbrottled the sentinel.
| CHARLEsrowN, Dec. Is.
The bodies of the two DegIo per-
Isons having been brought back to
1.-THE Jail at about quarter TO Il
o'clock to-day, notice was given to
Cook and Coppie that their time was
approaching. only one hour. more
being allowed them.
| The military movements, similar
to those Of the first execution, were
repeated, and 4 wagon with two more
eoffius was standing at, the door Of
the jail
At half past II clock the same
military escort was 10 readiness;
meantime the closing religious GER
emonies were progressing in the cell.
Since the failure OF the attempt
of Cook and Coppie to escape last
night, their assumed composdre had
given away, and they now look. at
the reality Of their fate with the full
conviction Of its awful certainly
They were reserved and rather quiet,
but joined with fervor in the re.i
gious ceremonies conducted by the
Rev. Messrs. North, Lehr, and
Waugh. When called upon by the
Sheriff they stood calmly and quiz
city whilst their arms we're being
pinioned, and after bidding farewell
to the guards Of the jail were help
cd into the wagon aud took seats on
their collins. Their appearance vas
rsther that Of hopeless despair than
resignation, and they seemed to take
but little notice Of any thing rs the
procession moved slowly towards the
field Of death.
The wagon reached the scaffold at
l3 minutes before l o'clock, and the
prisoners assembled with determined
firmness scarcely surpassed by thai
OF Capt. Brown. "A brief prayer
was offered up by one of the clergy
men, the ropes were adjusted, the
caps drawn over their heads, and
both were launched into eternity inI
seven minutes after they assembled
the gallows.
They both exhibited the most
unflinchiug frrnness. saying nothing