Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-12-09
in running off horses from the settlers of

in running off horses from the settlers Of
that party
We have the authority of the Herald
of Freedom, Kansas abolition journal,
for tho fact that Brown was party to
severel ARRAYS against the pro-slavery
men before either he or his family were
molested and it has been certified by af-
6davits of eye witnesses that he and his
SON participated in the Pottawattomie
massacre, in which the family of the
Doyles and Messrs. Wilkinson and Sher-
man were taken from their beds and bru-
tally murdered.
When the broils in Kansas ceased,
Brown seems to have set to work on the
organization Of this Virginia insurrec-
ton, for which purpose he visited the
East, and had interviews with Gerrit
Smith and other abolition and black re-
publican leaders, endeavoring, and with
partial success, to raise money for the
purchase of arms. Finally, leaving
Ohio, where he then resided, about Ju-
ly last, with the few partisans who en-
gagged with him at Harper's Ferry, he
took up his quarters on farm within q
few miles of that village. Here the
arms, consisting of pixies and rifles, were
collected and stored up for the "Kansas
work, which was to be renewed in Vir-
ginia, and here the final plans for the
instruction were completed. The rest
of the story is told in the account of the
attempt at Harper's Ferry, his capture,
conviction and condemnation, and the
failure of the reasonable enterprise for
which he yesterday paid the penalty on
the gallows.
DETAILS OF THE EXECUTION.
CHARLEsTowN, Dec. Capt. Brown
was hung to-day at quarter past l |
o'clock The military assembled at 8
o'clock, and were posted on the field
where the execution took place, and also
at various points surrounding, as laid
down in the general orders for the day.
Everything was conducted according to
the strictest military discipline, as if the
town was in state Of siege
Mounted scouts were stationed in The
woods to the left Of the scatold, and
picket guards were stationed out towards
tie Shenandoah mountains, in the rear.
The military on the iield formed two
hollow squares; within the inner one
was The sealfold, and betweoR the inner
and the outer lines the citizens were ad
mitted--no one being allowed outside
the lines except the mounted guards
AT II o'clock the prisoner was brought
out of jail, accompanied by Sheriff Camp
bell and his assistants, and Capt. Avis,
the jailer.
A small wagon containing white
pine coffin, was driven up, on which
Brown took his seat. Six companies Of
infantry and rihemen, one company O.
horsemcn, and the general and staff Of
iicers, numbering twenty live, headed
the procession, which soon moved TO-
wards the place of execution.
The prisoner was not accompanied By
any minister, desiring to have no reli
gious ceremonies either in the Jail or OF
the scaiiold. He looked calmly arount
on the masses of the people, scemingl,
fully self-possessed On reaching th'
scafIold he mounted with firm step
His arms were pinioned by the Sheriff
and he bid farewell to Capt. Avis AM
Sheriff Campbell.
At half-past II o'clock the trap wa
pulled away, and with few slight strug
giles John Brown yielded up his life
His body was placed in a coffin as 500
as life was extinct, and it is now on it
way to Harper's Ferry to be delivered {
his wife, accompanied by strong mill
tary escort.
J SECOND DISPATCH.
CnARLEsrowN, Dec, 2, p. Nth
dispatch sent at noon to-day has alread
put the public in possession Of the mai
features of the execution Of Capt. Johl
Brown for his reasonable and insurrec
tionary doings at Harper's Ferry. Tn
following embraces all the particulars o
the memorable event that seem worth
Of recording.
At an early hour the town was in NOR
than usual stir, even for the stirring
times that have fallen upon this neigh
borhood Soon the movements Of thu
military drew all the citizens Of the place
and all others who had been able TO gaif
a6mittance to the town TO the vicinity o.
the place assigned for the execution.
The prisoner was brought out Of jail
al eleven o'clock. Before leaving be BID
adieu TO all his fellow-prisonors, and wa'
very affectionatc to all except Cook III
charged Cook with having deceived and
mslcd him in relation to the support be
was to receive from the slaves he said
he was led by him to believe they were
rife for instruction, but he bad found
that his representations we're ialsc.--
Cook denied the charge, and made but
little reply TO Brown. The prisoner then
told the sheriff he was ready, when his
arms was pinioned and he walked to the
door, apparently calm and cheerful. He
wore a black soueh hat and tho same
clothes worn during his trial. AS he
came out he was taken under guard Of
the military. Six companies Of infantry
and ono company Of horse, with Gen.
Taliaferro aud bis entire staff, were de-
ploy;Dg in front Of the Jail.
At the door Of the jail an open wagon,
with a pine box in which was fine oak
coffin, was waiting for him. lie looked
around and spoke to several persons
whom he recognized, and walking down
the steps, was assisted 10 enter the wagon,
and took his scat on the box containing
Lia colin along with .Jaiior Avis He