The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-12-20

stove, AID the dirt and plaster between the bed
clothing. They acknowledged they Al been AZ
work 4 week IN making the aperture IN the wall.
Their cell being on the first floor the aperture
was not more than five feet above the pavement
of the ward, and when freed of their shackes.
their access TO the ward was i smooth brick wal.
about 5 feet high 10 scale
This difficulty was soon overcome, however,
with the aid OF the timbers OF the scafold on
which Capt. Brown was hung, and which was
intended for their execution on the succeeding
day. They placed these against the wall and
soon succeeded III reaching the top, from which
they could easily dropped 10 the other side, had
not the vigilance Of the sentinel on duty so
quickly checked their movement. They were
arrested in the jail-yard by Gen. Talliaferro and
an officer Of the day who rushed TO the jail the
moment the alarm was given.
Sheriff Campbell and Capt. Avis are Of course
much chasrinei al this narrow escape OF the
prisoners, especially as they had resisted all in
reference Of the military with the interior dIscl-
pline Of the Jail. The prisoners were shrewd
ald cunning fellows, AMI they were undoubtedly
without any sccOmplces in the undertaking.
The friends who were still here were also fear
iul that they might be suspected OF having
knowledge OF the attempt. The general i'm
preston il that if the prisoners had waited until
midnight or later, they might have reached the
mountains but il i presumed they were fearful
OF being watched during the night, or desired TO
have as much Of darkness as possible 10 gain a
good distance before daylight would allow OF a
general pursuit.
CH,ELFsrow>, Va. Dec. IL.
The negroes Shields Green and john Copeland,
have Jus, paid the forfeit Of their lives. The
crowd in the town j. very great, and the eNccu-
ton Vas witnessed ty / 600 persons. Al nine
O'Clock this morning the field was occupied bv
the troops, and al seven mirutes In II O'Clock
the procession made its appearance. 1t arrived
al | o'clock at the -caffold. The prisoners
were in the wagon accompanied by sheriff and
iailcr. They mounted the scafloi with n firm
step. The prisoners had the cars placed over
their heads 10y the sheriff, and after nh appro.
pirate PRAYER 10y the Rev. Mr. North, OF the
Presbyterian Church, they were launched into
eternity. before the rope was cut Green was
heard 10 offer up fsrvent prayer Copeland
was not heard 20 pray.
Greens neck was broken, and he died without
struggle. Copeland wrthed ia violent contor
tons for several minutes.
The prisoner, b,ie farewell while on the scat
fold 10 the the ministers, Mee.rs Waugh, North
and Leek, and expressed hope To meet them
in heaven.
The drop fell At II minutes after II o'clock -
The bodies viii he placed in the jail for nte,ment
tu-norrow.
The bodies OF the negroes after having been
cut down, were placed in poplar cOiiins aud car
ried bach 10 the jail. They will be inferred to-
m0uow on the spot where the galows stands,
though there j. a party of medical students from
Winchester who will doubtless not allow them
To remain there long.
.f ii.
been brought back 10 the Jail, a, about a quarter
to I . O'Clock to-day, notice was given to Cook
and torpic that ther time was approaching,
only 0uc hour being allowed them. Military
movements similar TO those at the first execution
were repeated, and a wagon with two more cof-
fms were standing at the door of the lail. At
h.di-la'i II o'clock the same military escort WAS
m readiness. Meantime tn. closing religious
services were progressing in the cells.
CmAELtsTowN, Dee l6.
We have had an exciting time during the past
q hogrs, which has Just closed with the sxecu-
ton "t the four prisoners.
Throughout the day Yesterday. there wa- n
great influx Of strangers and citizens of th.
country, who were fiockng in to witness the last
act Of the Ilarper's Ferry tragedy. The latter
came thus cal, apprchrnd!ng that they might
he detained at the ouipnSts a. was the case ON
the day Of Brown. execution.
The vigilance -xcrci-,d a. the Railroad Hepo,
on III" arrival %! the train was not So stringent
~ Oh tie occasion If the execution of Bto~n,
and bat httlc difficulty experienced in get
tin into town.
Shortly after the arrival of the train IN the at
,rnanr --.oi'u military dress parade of all the
companies H. attendance took place The troops
went through their cvolutious with great skill
aud were reviewed 10y Gen. Taaicrro, who va.
on the ground in full dress AID mounted ON A
spirited charger.
The prisoners were visited Yesterday afternoon
by the Rev. Messrs. Nassau, Dutton and North
Of the Presbyterian Chur h, and Rev Beverly
Waugh: OF tie Methodist Episcopal Church
Tie services IN the cells were 81 solemn and
interesting Character, and were participated in bv
all the condemned. Though it is now evident
from subsequent events that Cook and Coppie at
least were playing possum, as their minds must
have been fixed on hopes Of life and liberty, "a
TIER than death and eternity, at the time thew
were making outward prOtes,ations of resignation.
They all gave an unqualified assent TO the con
VIct!on OF religious truths, and each expressed a
nope OF salvation in the world to come Cook
and copp!c were the iOudest in their protesta-
tons OF change Of heart, and in the hope of d.
vine forgiveness. They freely admit ed their
gUiIt, and achEOwlejgcd their doom was a inst
one, and that Ia the main they have been treated
with the utmost kindness by all, though thev
thought that some IL the witnesses were rather
harsh N their testimony. The ministers magin-
Ell that they had discovered decidedly favorable
Change IN the condition of Cooks mind since his
interview WIKI bs sisters. Up to that time hi-
cainnc>- and bravery were regarded as proceed
ing from lack Of feeling but on leaving him
Yesterday afternoon, they reported that he had
been led 10 seek forgiveness from his pfo;esta-
lions OF religious conviction and hopes Of forgive
ne ,, all OF which was undoubtedly intended 10
hoodwlnk their project Of escape.
Cook has been visited throughout hv Revs. y.
6reen and NJ. North, at the request Of the uri.-
oitr, as a.sO Of Cows. Wise and Willard Rev
VI. Moth was present at al Interview between
torpic and hr. Butler, Quaker gentleman from
ONO, VINO raised the prisoner. He describes the
Ih'ervIe" as An affecting one, and speaks highly
OF Mr.. Buffers Christian department and advice
10 The prisoner. Nr. Butler say. that Coppi.
"aS tru-ty bat a very wilful boy. An uuclc Of
topples oi The same name from Ohio, hi. fathers
brother, also visited him Yesterday The inter
view lasted Tor over one hour IT,, seemed in
much distress az the sad fate which awaits hi.
relative.
lil@ was the condition Of the town. the pri.-
oner>, and the military, Up to o'clock lsst eve
n!He. All apprchcn>ious Of an intended rescue
had long since been hauished and nothing was
Thought ct but the approaching execution So
him.y ua1 this conviction settled ia the public
mind that military duty was voted hora. and
tie hisl" Of the tragedy WAS regarded aS Al last
~ Z quarter past O'Clock last evening the
3 hole town w.s 4 FONn int, ccrpfpo.i,r - Il