Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-12-07
EXECUTION OF JOHN BROWN.


Last Friday, Dec. I'd, was the day set apart
for the execution Of old John Brown, at Char
lestown, Virginia. At an early hour the town
was in more than usual stir, even for the STIR
ring times that have fallen upon that neigh
borhood. Soon the movements of the militia
ry drew all the citizens of the place and all
others who had been able to gain admittance
to the town to the vicinity of the place assign
ed for the execution.
The prisoner was brought out of Jail at elev-
en- O'Clock. Before leaving he bid adieu to
all his fellow-prisoners, and was very affection
ate to all except Cook. He charged Cook
with having deceived and misled him in rela-
tion to the support he was to receive from the
slaves. He said he was led by him to believe
they were rife for insurrectlon, but he mad
found that his representations were false. Cook
denied the charge and made but little reply to
Brown. The prisoner then told the sheriff he
was ready, when his arms were pinioned, and
he walked to the door, apparently calm and
cheerful. He wore black slouch hat and the
same clothes worn during his trial. As he
came out he was taken under guard of the
military. Six companies Of infantry and one
troop of horse, with Gen. Tallaferro and his
entire staff, were deploying in front of the
Jail.
at the door of the Jail an open wagon, with
a pine box in which was a fine oak coffin, was
waiting for him. He looked around and spoke
to several persons whom he recognized, and
walking down the steps, was assisted to enter
the wagon, and took his seat on the box con-
tanning his coffin, along with Jdler Avis. He
looked with interest on the fine military dis
play, but made no remark. The wagon moved
on as soon as he had taken his seat, hanked
with two files of rifiemen in close order.
On reaching the field the military had al
ready full possession, ,and pckets were station
ed at various points. The citizens were kept
back at the point of the bayonet from taking
any position except that assigned them-near-
| y a quarter of a mile from the scaffod.
Through the determined persistence of DR..
Rawlings, of Frank Leslie's paper. the order
| excluding the press partially rescinded.
| and the reporters were assigned position
! near the Generals staff.
The prisoner walked up the steps firmly ,and
was the first man on the gallows. Jaier Avis
| and Sheriff Campbell stood by his side, and
| after shaking hands and bidding an affection
ate adeu, he thanked them for their kindness.
He then put the cap over his face and the rope
around his neck. Mr.. Avis then asked him to
step forward on the trap. He replied, ''4 ou
must lead me for | cannot see." The rope
now being adjusted, and the military order
given, the soldiers marched and cOuntermarch-
ed, and took their position as if an enemy was
in sight. Nearly ten minutes was thus occu-
pied, the prisoner standing meanwhile. Mr..
Avis inquired if he not tired. Brown re-
piled, .sNo; but dom 'tkeep me waiting longer
than necessary
At fifteen minutes past eleven the trap fell.
\ slight grasping of the hands and twitching
of the muscles was visible, and then all was
quiet.
The body was several times examined, and
his pulse did not cease beating for thirty five
minutes. 1t was then cut down and placed in
the coffin, and conveyed under a military es-
cort to the depot, and there put in car TO
be conveyed to Harper's Ferry by a special
train at four O'Clock, to be delivered to Mrs.
Brown, who would convey it north for inter-
ment. The body was attended by a strong
military escort. The whole arrangements
were carried ont with precision and military
Strictness that was most annoying.
The general conviction is everywhere enter
tained that the rumors of intended rescue were
altogether egregious hoax.
In the morning Capt. Brown executed an
instrument empOweringSheriif Campbell to ad-
minister or all property of his in the State
with directions to pay over the proceeds OF
the sale of his Weapons, if recovered, to his
widow and children.
Mrs. Brown had been allowed to visit her
husband on Thursday. She remained with
him about four hours, when she was escorted
back to Harper's Ferry.