Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-12-23

ihlhueNS dltSI tleNtu y SIoShf lu AuS lVlN-
noon. The execution was Witnessed by
about 1900 persons. Green's neck was bro
ken and he died without struggle; Cope
land died hard. Both Of them went to
the scafold with composure, and neither
seemed to manifest any fear or dread, that
they should thus iguominously suffer for
their attempt to give freedom to the en-
shaved of their own race
At halfpast o'clock on the evening Of
the 10th CoPP1o and Cook succeeded in
escaping from the jail, but they were soon
arrested and returned. They had sawed
their shackles off with the blade of an old
Barlow knife. They had made hole in
the wall and covered it over with paper,
putting the bricks and mortar in and under
their bed. They stated that they had been
about ten days in arranging the plan of
their escape. Upon the sentinel discover
ing they had broken out, they gave up inn
mediately. Had they waited an hour or
two longer there is no doubt but they might
have got safely away.
After the execution of the negroes, Cook
and Coppic wero instructed to make prepa-
rations for their own end. They then as
sumcd the appearance of hopeless despair
seeming to take but little notice of what
trauspired. At halfpast II they were ia
ken from the Jail, at thirteen minutes be-
fore they reached the scafFold and as
ccndcd it with scarcely less frmness than
did Capt. Brown. A brief prayer was Of
fcred hv one Of the clcrgymcn, and after
the ropes were adjusted they each said "Be
quick quick as possible" and in seven min
utcs from taking their stand on the fatal
drop they were both launched into eternity.
After hanging 80 minutes, the bodies were
taken down and placed in black walnut
coflins. That of Cook was ihen placed in
poplar box labelled and directed as follows:
"AShhcll P. Willard and Robert Crowley,
1O4 William street, N. Y, care Adams EN-
press The coffin of Coppic was placed in
a similar box, to be forwarded 10 his mother
in Iowa.
STEPHENS now remains the only one of
that band Of conspirators within the power
of the law Those of his comrades who
have not fallen in the fight or upon the scat
fold, are beyond the reach of the authori-
ties and no doubt he will ere long follow
those who have cxpiatcd their crimes upon
the gallows at Charlcslown.
Thus closes this sad and tragic sccne.-
The lesson taught has been terrible one,
and We trust It's like will never again be en-
acted on American soil
Further Incidents of Iho Execution.
Previous to the departure of Cook and
Coppc for the scatfold they were engaged
in the Jail entrance washing their feet and
putting on their under clothing. Capt. Avis
said that if they had anything to say, they
could say it then, in the presence Of fifteen
or twenty persons. Cook replied that he
was grateful indeed, for the kindness shown
him by Sheriff Campbell, the jairr and
the guards; to the Rev. Messrs. Waugh,
North. Littell, Lecch, and the other minis
rers who bad manifested such interest in his
welfare, and Messrs Joseph F. Blessingand
John ]. Cooke, as well as the citizens gen
orally, for their kindness to him he was very
grateful.
At this point Coppic looked up and
said, "Them's my sentiments, too, gentle
men" Cook then gave directions in re-
gard to one or two articles; one, breast
pin, he did not want taken of, then, nor at
the scaffold. He wished it given TO his
wife, or to his boy if he lived. Within his
shirt bosom on he left side, was adagucrreo-
type and lock of his sons hair, which be
wished given to his wife. Both requested
that their arms should not be pinioned tight
enough to stop the circulating of the blood,
which was complied with. A blue cloth
Talnu was thrown over Coppic, and dark
one over Cook.
During these proceedings, Coppic was
struggling to keep down his emotion, and
Cook was striving to be calm. The Qua
ker gentleman remarked that sit was hard
TO die" to which Coppic responded, at is
the parting from friends, not the dread of
death, that moves u.s." On the way down
stairs they were allowed TO advance to the
cell Of Stevens and Hazltt, and bid them
farewell.
They shook hands cordially, and Cook
said to Stevens. "My friend, good by" Ste,
yens said, Good by, cheer up; give my
love to my friends in the other world."-
Coppic also made a remark to Stevens
which was unheard by the crowd, but Ste
yens replied, "Never mind. Both then
shook hands with Hazlitt, and bade him
agood by," but did not call him by name.
After the caps had been placed on theiI
heads, Coppic had turned toward Cook
and stretched forth his hand as far as posi-
bic. At the same Time, Cook said, "Stop a
minute where is Edwin's handl" They
then shook hands cordially, and Cook said
"God bless you." The calm and collected
manner CT both was very marked.
On approaching the scaffold, Cook shool
hands with a large number of persons, anc
bowed politely to Mayor Green.
Mr.. vallandigham of Ohio, on the 18th
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