The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-12-24
EXECUTION OF THE HARPER'S
FERRY CONSPIRATORS.

At halfpast 10 O'Clock, Gen. Taliaferro, with
his staff, numbering about twenty-five officers, hav
ing given orders to prepare the two negro prisoners
Green and Copeland, for execution, took their de-
parture to join the main body of the troops the
field. The military then formed hollow square
around the Jail, and the open wagon containing
the collins of the prisoners drew up in front of the
door, with carriage to convey Sheriff Campbell
and his deputies
The crowd Of citizens and strangers was very
great, at least FIVE times numerous the oc-
casion of Browns execution, most of whom were
already on the field whilst others waited to the
prisoners come out. The religious ceremonies in
the cells Of the prisoners was very impressive.
At quarter before II o clock the prisoners, &C
companied by the sheriff and Rev. Mr.. North, APP
peared at the Jail door, and, with their arms pin
ioned moved slowly towards the vehicle in waiting
! for them. They seemed downcast, and wore none
of that calm and cheerful spirit evinced by Brown
under similar circumstances They were helped
into the wagon and took their seats on the coffin
! without boxing to the right left The escort
now commenced to move, and the wagon was close
| ly fanked on either side by company of rifemen,
marching double-fe, in lock step.
The prisoners mounted the scaffold with firm
steps, and were Immediately joined by Sheriff
Campbell and Rev. Mr.. North. After a brief
prayer by the clergyman the caps were drawn over
the heads Of the prisoners and the ropes affixed
around their nccks. During the few moments
they thus stood, Copeland remained quiet, but
Green engaged in earnest prayer up to the
moment the trap drawn, and they were launch
ed into eternity.
Green died very easy, his neck being broken by
the fall and the motion of the body very slight.
Copeland seemed to suffer very much, and his body
writhed in violent contortOns for several minutes.
The bodies were placed in the poplar collins
provided for them. and carried back to the jail
The negroes did not say much in regard to their
fate, and devoted all their time to prayer. Cope
land would have spoken on the scaffold had be
been permitted
EXECUTION OF COOK AND COPPIE.
The bodies of the two negro prisoners having
been brought back to the jail at about quarter to
twelve O'Clock, notice was given to Cook and Cop
pie that their time was approaching, only one hour
more being allowed them. The military movement
similar those at the first execution, were repeat
ed, and the wagon with two more collins was stand
ing at the door at half past twelve O'Clock. The
same military escort In readiness whilst the
closing religious ceremonies were progressing IN
the cell of the prisoners Since the failure of their
attempt to escape, their assumed comp"Sure and
apparent resignation had given way, and they now
looked at the reality Of their fate with full! con-
viction Of its awful certainty. They We're reserved
and rather quiet, but joined with feryor in the re-
Hgious ceremonies.
When called upon by the sheriff, they stood
calm and quietly whilst their arms were being
pinioned and after bidding farewell to the guards
of the jail moved through the corridor to the door
and were helped into the wagon and sat on their
collins. Their appearance was rather of hopeless
despair than of resignation, and they seemed to
take but little notice of anything the procession
slowly moved to the field Of death.
Il.
proceed to the cell Of Stevens and IIazlett, and
bid them farewell They shook hands cordially,
and Cook said to Stevens, 'NIy friend, good bye
Stevens replied, Good bye. cheer up, give my
love to my friends in the other world" Coppic
then made a remark to Stevens which was not over
heard, to which he rcpIied-''Never mind" Both
then shook hands with Hazlett and babe him good
bye, but did not "all him by show any
personal recognition of each other.
Emerging from the Jail, Cook recognized gen
tculon, and i.owcd politely to them
On approaching the scaffold Cook shook hands
with large number of persons, and bowed polite
ly to Mayor Green. When he put his foot on the
trap he glanced up at the hook on which the moose
was hung.
The wagon reached the scaffo!d at thirteen
minutes before one O'Clock. and the prisoners as
cendcd with frmness that was scarcely surpassed
by that Of Capt. Brown.
On the gallOwS they shook hands and bid each
other good bye, after the caps were drawn, Cook
said "stop minute where is Edwin's hand !
Cook said "God bless YOU" and Coppe said in
loud tone, she quick possible Copies gen
tcel appearance the subject Of general remark
The calm and collected manner Of both was very
remarkable.
a brief prayer was offered up by one of the
c!ergymen, the rope adjusted, the cap drawn and
both were launched into eternity in seven minutes
after they assembled the gallows. They both ex-
hibited the most unhinching frmness saying moth |
ing except bidding farewell to the ministers and
the sheriff After the rope adjusted, Cook
exclaimcd-"Be .quick-as quick as possible
which also repeated 10y Coppic.
After hanging about thirty minutes both bodies
were cut down and placed in the black walnut
collins prepared for them That of Cook was pop
p. Willard and Robert Cowley, 1O4 William street
New York of Adams Express. Copies
body Was placed in similar box, TO be forwarded
to his mother in Iowa.
Cook would have spoken from the scaffold ifper-
mtted On their way the scaffOld the only re-
marks made by Cook and Copric were in relation
to the attempt to escape. They hoped no reflection
might attach 10 any one through their conduct
One of the ministers, who attended on the pris-
oners informs that neither Cook nor Coppie
ever made any direct profession or religion Cor
.rcgationalist in sentiment. Both however, seem
ID hopeful; and the minister's cxhortation on the
caffod was to put their trust in the redeeming