The Kenosha telegraph and tribune. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1859-1860, 1859-12-22
eBOsAAA Brown War,
E1ecrt'On Of the Prisoners Associated ,citk 10
BrOlOn IN the Hlrper'S Ferrm fnir

E1ecrt'On Of the Prisoners Associated ,cik John
Broom an the Hapsr's Ferry Afair.
CHALEsTowN,! Va, Dec. 16.-The negroes
Shields Green and John Copeland, have lust
paid the fofeit of their lives. The crowd in the
town Is very great iand the execution was wit
messed by about 900 persons.
At nine o'clock this morning, the field was &C.
cupied by the troops, and at seven minutes of IL
O'Clock, the procession made its appearance
1t arrived at Ii o'clock at the scaffold.
Inc prisoners were in a wagon; accompanied
by the Sheriff and Tailor.
They mounted the scaffold with firm stem
The prisoners had the caps placed over Their.
heads by the Sheriff, and after appropriate pray
er by Rev Mr. North of the Presbyterian Church
they We're launched into eternity.
Before the rope was cut, Green was heard to
oner up terVent prayer Copeland was not
heard to pray.
The prisoners babe farewell while on the scat:
1old to the ministers, Messrs. Waugh, North and
Lesk expressing hope to meet themsin Heaven.
ne drop Tell at L minutes after IL o'clock
greens neck was broken, and he died without
struggle. Copeland writhed in violent con
toruons for several minutes.
EXECUTION OF COOK AND CoPPIC.
The bodies of the two negro prisoners having
BE- en- brought back to the jail at about a Quarter
past ~ this P. M, notice was given to Cook and
Copplc that their turn was approaching-only
one hour more being allowed them.
Inc military movements similar to those at the
nrst execution were repeated, and a wagon with
two more collins was standing at the door of
the Jail at u l2 o'clock
Inc same military escort was in readiness
Meantime the closing religious ceremonies were
progressing in the cell
Since the failure of the attempt of Cook and
Copplc to escape, their assumed composure and
apparent resignation had given way, and they
now looked at the reality of their fate with the
fu! conviction of its awful certainty. They were
sad and rather quiet, but Joined with fervor in
the religious ceremonies
When called upon by the Sheriff, they stood
calm nd quietly whilst their arms were being
plmoned, and after bidding farewell to the
sguards OF the Jail, were helped into the wagon
and took seats on their collins. Their appear
ance was rather that of hopeless despair than of
resignation, and they seemed to take but little
notice OF any thing as the procession moved on
to the field of death
The wagon reached the scaffold at Is minutes
before o'clock, and the prisoners assembled with
determined frmness scarcely surpassed by that
of Capt. Brown. A prayer was offered up by
one OF the clergymen. The ropes were adjusted,
the caps drawn over their heads, aud both were
launched into eternit y in seven minutes after
they ascended the gallows. They both exhib-
tied the most unflinching frmness, saying moth
ing with the exception of bidding farewell to tn e
minister and sheriff.
After the rope adjusted about Cooks neck
he exclaimed, BE quicl1-as quick as possible"
which was repeated by Coppic. After hanging
about thirty minutes both bodies were takken
down and placed in black walnut collins pre-
pared for them. That of Cook was placed in
poplar box, labelled and directed as follows
'Ashbel ?. Willard, New York, care Adams
Express" The coffin of Coppic was placed. jim
Iowa