The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-12-06
The Death of brown.

This sad event took place, as fixed, on Friday
last, December %, at quarter past eleven o'clock
A. NJ
Brown died, as he had lived, inhe1ible, firm,
misunderstanding not man, and from men
hoping nothing and fearing nothing.
With all due allowance for the CONSERVATION
which Browns operations at Harper's Ferry
may have occasioned in the hearts OF the people
Of Virginia. it cannot but appear to all the world
even TO the South itself--that the precautions
Of Gov. Wise, both before and at the hanging
were ridicuousy overdone. Taking control of
railroads, threatening martial Law, arrestng mer-
chants On their way to market, driving peaceable
men, at the point Of tie bayonet out OF the
State, driving away the representatives Of the
press, excluding telegraphers, surrounding the
fatal and dreadful scene by an armed force so
large that the words Of the dying man could not
be heard, all SAVIOR Of a superabundance Of
caution, that makes good its approach to cow
ardice, and constitutes, altogether, display Of
weakness, well calculated to ncite second
onset.
A craven department is sure to provoke ridi-
cu!e, If not attack
The Baltimore Am.yican and other southern
papers, whose editors or reporters were gra-
ciously allowed permission to be present, agree
in saying that the utTnost popular CONSERVATION
pervaded CharlestoHn and vicinity for forty eight
h0nrs preceding the hanging, growing in great
measure out Of the ridiculous precautionary
measures Of Wise, looking 10 the fear Of an in
vasion from the North. The correspondent Of
the american, writing the day before the hang
ing says: There is no falling Off in the num-
beers of wild stories Of invasions Although
martial law has not vet been proclaimed, there
is rigid military surveillance kept up that sub
jects every one, even citizens, to great incon-
venicncc. Even well-knOwn inhabitants cannot
pass through the suburbs without arrest and ex-
animation. The reporter Of the Associated Pres.
tslegraphed, Yesterday, to Gov. Wise for permits
sion 10 attend the execution. The reply was
that the Governor declined to accede to the
request No facilities will be extended TO re-
porters."
Poor, old, weak, broken-hearted Mrs. Brown
arrived, having received the gracious permission
Ut Wise TO visit her husband before his death
and 10! no sooner did the news of her presence
get abroad, than the whole military force was
called out. The reporter says: mrs. b. was
escorted over from IIarpers Ferry at o'clock
in the afternoon, and the entire military force
was brought out To make a demonstration, She |
was received with full military honors, but her
companions were not allowed To accompany her
from Hsrper's Ferry. After remaining four
hours with her husband Mrs. Brown was escorted
back to Harpcr's Ferry at o'clock last night, |
where she will await the reception Of her hus-
bands body
The following are the meagre partculars-snd
those only which the chivary allowed to come |
northward over the wires, on tho day of the |
hanging-but sparse as they are, they are full of
solemn thought, and suggestive, beyond the |
power of yerbiage, to the earnest mind. Brown,
sitting uncomplainingly upon his Imprinted pine |
coffin, a spectacle Of moekery to a crowd from
which every sympathiser had been driven by |
the sword, will not be forgotten, in the day Of
any man now alive, let tn. "irrepressblo con-
tict" end rs it may.
Here are the details which Virginia vouch-
safes to the North. Let US make the most of |
them:
NO one will be allowed to be near enough |
to the place OF execution To hear any remarks
that may he made by Brown.
CHARLEsrowN, Dec. Moon.
Brown was taken from the Jail about eleven
o'clock in n furniture wagon. lie conversed
freely with the soldiers around him. The exc
cution took place at quarter past eleven o'clock.
He died apparently very easy, and his body was
taken down after being suspended thirty-fve
minutes. His body will be sent to Harper's
Ferry at four o'clock this afternoon, and from
thence will be conveyed north this evening.
HARrER's FsRRy, Dec ., Pm
Brown was hung at a quarter past ! / O'Clock
The military assembled AT O'Clock and were
posted on the field leading To the place of exc
cution, and also at various points laid down
in general orders. Everything was conducted
under the s,rictest military discipline, as if the
town was in a state of siege. Moul,cd scents
were stationed in the woods 10 the left Of the
scatfold, and picket guards stationed on, towards
the Shenandoah mountains In rear the mill
tary on the field formed :wo hollow squares;
within the inner one was the scaifold, and be-
tween the inner and outer line, the citizens were
admitted, no one being allow ed outside of the
lines except the mounted guards.
At i O'Clock the prisoner was brought out
OF the Jail, accompanied by Sheriff Campbell and
assistants, and Capt. Avis, the jsilor. A small
wagon, containing white pine coffin, was driven
up, on which the prisoner took his seat Six
companies of infantry and rifles, one company of
horse, and General aud staff, numb ering twenty,
marched towards the place OF execution He
was accompanied by no minister, desiring no re-
ligious ceremonies either in Jail or on the scat
fold; looked calmly around on the people fully
possessed, mounted the scaffoid with firm step.
arms pinioned by the Sheriff, bid farewell TO
capt AVIS and Sheriff Campbell, and at halfpas,
eleven the trap OF the scaffoli was pulled awav.
and with a few slight struggles John Brown
yielded up his spirit The body was placed in a
coffin, and is now on its way to Harpers Ferry,
to be delivered 10 his wife, under strong mill.
tary escort"