Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-11-03
Trial OF John Brown.

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| Trial OF John Brown.
The trial of John Brown at Charlestown, Va,
is progressing. We give the following from the
reports in the Baltimore papers:
A Conf.ssion.-John Copeland, the mulstto
prisoner from Oberlin, Ohio. has made full con-
fession to United States Marshal Martin. of Vir.
gnia, and Marshal Johnson, of the Northern Dis
trict of Ohio. He has given the names Of the
parties at Oberlin who induced him to 90 to Har-
per's Ferry. and who furnished the money for his
expenses, &C. lie also states that movement Of
similar character was contemplated in Kentucky
about the same time. Many persons in Northern
Ohio, whose names have not heretofore been men
toned, are directly implicated. The confession
is withheld from the public until after the trials
are over, by order of Gov. Wise.
was shown to day, by Mr.. johnson, Marshal of
the Northern District Of Ohio. a large number of
important letters duplicating Gerrit Smith, and
number of prominent men of Oberlin, Cleveland
and other portions Of Ohio.
There is also letter from Captain Brown to
one of bis sons, dated April 16. 1859. describing
his visit to Gerrit Smith, at Petersboro, which he
regarded as highly encouraging, and stating that
Smith gave him one hundred and eighty dollars;
I that he also, at his house, received note which
he considered good for two hundred more, and
that Smith had written to his friends at the East
that two thousand dollars must be raised for Brown
of which he would agree to furnish one fifth him
SELF
| There is also the notice of draft ftom the
Cashier Of the New York State Bank for one hun
dred dollars, sent him by direction Of Gerrit
Smith. This is dated Albany. August 20. 1869.
| The examination which has been made here to,
xl- -.k1l ,ho1lo
fact: That this movement has long been matu.
ring, and that many prominent men in Northern
States have given money and influence in its be-
half
| CHARLEsTowN. October 27.-Tbe storm OF last
night interrupted the telegraph wire from this
point, and prevented the sending Of the full de-
tails Of the days proceedings.
The Court refused to postpone the trial, but the
whole afternoon was taken up in obtaining sjury
for the trial of Captain Brown, who was brought
into Court on cot.
The counsel for Capt. Brown have not yet ar
rived. but the trial will go on without them.
CHARLEsrowN October 27.-Noon-Captain
Brown was brought into Court this morning.
walking, but reaching the bar, he laid down a:
| full length on his cot He looked considerably
better, the swelling having left his eyes.
| Senator Mason was present.
Messrs Harding md Hunter appeared for the
Commonwealth, and Messrs. Bolts and Green for
the prisoner.
Mr. Bolts read the following despatch, recev-
ed by him this morning:
AKRON Ohio. October 26th. 1859.
To C. j. Faulkner and La,o,on Bons, Esqs.:
John Brown, the leader of the insurreotion at
| Harper's Ferry. Virginia, and several Of his fam
| ily, have resided in this county many years. In
sanity is hereditary in that family. His mother
and sister died with it, and daughter Of that
sister has been two years in the Lunatic Asylum.
| A son and daughter of his mothers brother
have also been confined in the Lunatic Asylum,
ind another son of that brother is now insane,
and under close restraint These facts can be
conclusively proven by witnesses residing here,
who will doubtless attend the trial if desired.
A. H. LEWIS.
Wm C. Allen, the telegraphic operator at the
Arkron Office, adds to the above despatch that A.
II. Lewis is resident of that place, and his state
ments are entitled to implicit credit.
| Mr.. Bolts said that, on receiving the above
despatch, he went to the Jail with his associate,
Mr.. Green, and resa it to Capt. Brown and Ia
desired by the latter to say that in his fathers
family there has never been any insanity at oil.
On his mothers side, there have been repeated
instances of it, and he adds that his first wife
showed symptoms of it. which was also evident
| in his first and second sons by that wife. Some
portions of the statements in the despatch he
knows to be correct, but of the other portions he
| is ignorant.
Capt. Bropn Spurns the Plea of Insanity Mr..
Bolts having concluded bis statement, Capt. Brown
then raised himself up in bed and said: Il will
add, if the Court will allow me, that l look upon
it as miserable artifce and pretext Of those who
ought to take different course in regard to me,
| if they took any at ALL And l view it with con-
tempt, more than otherwise, as | remarked to Mr..
Green. Insane persons may, as far as my expe.
rence goes, have but vesy little ability to judge
| of their own insanity, and if l am insane, Of
course should think l knew more than all the
rest of the world; but do not think so. / am
perfectly unconscious of insanity and I veiw
with utter contempt, and I reject so far as / am
capable, any attempt to interfere in my behalf on
that score"
The Jury Srorn.-The jury having been sworn
to fairly and impartially try the prisoner, the
Court directed that the prisoner might forego the
form of standing while being arraigRed, if he so
desired it.
Mr. Bolts put the inquiry to the prisoner, and
he continued to be PROSTATE in his seat while the
long indictment, filling seven closely written fools
cap pages, was read-the first count being fnsur-
recnon the second treason, and the third murder.
The Opening address TO the Jury. Mr.. Harding,
the State . Attorney, tnen duuFesseu tne jury,
and presented the facts to the case, detailing the
scenes at the armory, the killing of the bridge
keeper, and the subsequent killing Of citizens
named in the indictment, the seizing of Messrs.
Lewis Washington and Allstadt, with their slaves,
the forming of a government within the limits OF
the Commonwealth, holding citizens as prisoners
of war, and their subsequent capture, etc.
He read the law on the subject of treason and
levying war against the State; giving comfort
to its enemies or establishing any other govern
ment within its limits, offences punishable by
death-the.murder of citizens; and in connection