The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-12-21
From Charlestown - Execution of
Green and Copelaud.

CHARLEsTowN, / es.l6.-1he n, gros, Shields
Green and Join Copeland, have just paid the
forfeit of their lives. The crowd in the town
is very great, and the execution was witness,d
by 1.600 persons At nine O'Clock this morn
ing the field was occupied by the troops, and
at seven minutes of eleven o'clock the process
sion made its appearance. 1t arrived ut elev-
en- o'clock at the scafiold.
The prisoners were in a wagon accompanied
by the Sheriff and jailor. They moanted the
scaffold with a firm step. The prisoners had
the cap placed over their head by the Sheriff.
and after appropriate prayer, by Rev. Mr.. North,
of the Presbyterian Church, they were launch
ed into eternity. Before the rope was cut
Greece was heard to offer up a fervent prayer
Copeland was not heard to pray.
Green's neck was broken and he died without
a struggle. Copeland writhed in violent con-
~tortions for several minutes. Z
The prisoners hade farewell whileo on the scat
fold to the ministers, Messrs. Waught, North
and Lock, expressing "A hope to. meet them in
heaven The drop fell at eleven minutes past
II o'clock. The bodies will be placed in the
Jail for interment tomorrow.
On the receipt OF the news of the attempted
escape of Cook and Coppic, Gov. Wise tele-
graphed to Gen Taliaferro to take possession OF
the jail, which was accordingly done.
Execution Of Cook and Coppic.
The bodies of the two negro prisoners having
been brought back to the Jail at about a quar-
ter to II O'Clock this afternoon, notice was
given to Cook and Coppie that their time was
approaching, only one hour being allowed them.
The military movements, similar to those at the
first execution, were repeated, and a wagon
with two more collins was standing at the door
of the Jail. AT half past II o'clock the same
military escort was in readiness. Meantime the
closing religious ceremonies were progressing
in the cell. Since the failure Of the attem pit
of Cook and Coppie to escape last night. their
assumed composure and apparent resignation
had giving way, auo they now looked at the
reality of their fate with the full conviction of
its awful certainty. They were reserved and
rather quiet, but joined with tervor in the rei-
gieus ceremonies, conducted by the Rev. Messrs,
North, Lehr and Waugh.
When called upon by the sheriff they stood
calm and quietly whilst their armies were being
pinioned, and after bidding farewell to the
guards of the jail, were helped into the wagon,
and took seats on their collins. Their appear
ance was rather that of hopeless despair than
resignation and they had seemed to take but
little notice of anything as the procession slow
ly moved on the field of death. The wagon
reached the scaffold at thirteen minutes before
one o'clock, and the prisoners assembled with
a determined lrmness, scarcely surpassed by
1Hd1 VI Odp6' iIOnn. pllel prayer oHcI-
cd mp by one of the clergymen. The ropes
were ad justcd-the CAPS drawn over their heads
and both were launched into eternity in seven
minutes after they assembled the gallows.
They both exhibited most unfinching firm
ness, saying nothing with the exception of bid
ding farewell to the Ministers and Sheriff. At
ter the rope was adjusted about Cook'sneck lie
exclaimed, 'be quick, as quick as possible, r
which was also repeated by Coppie. Aftes
hanging about twenty minutes, both bodiet
were taken down and placed in black walnus
collins prepared for them. That of Cook wa
then placed in a poplar box, labeled and di.
rected as follows Ashbell p. Willard a ID Robt'
Crowly, 1G4 William street, New Yolk, care os
Adams express" The coffin of Coppie waf
placed in a similar box to be forwarded to hi.
mother in Iowa.