Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-12

men were Thompson who WAS afterwards
caught and shot on the bridge and Lccman,
who was shot in the Potomac river. After Il
short consultation, Cook gave orders for wit
ness to he taken on to the Ferry by the other
two men: Witness brother was allowed To
remain at home, he having given his word OF
honor that he would communicate to no one
that day what had transplred when the 9th
er men asked if the man could be relied on.
Cook replied, yes, his word was his bond,
witness then had conversation with Cook:
he had known him some time, and was sur
prised to see him connected with any such
proceedings; he asked Cook what was the
meaning OF such proceedings, when Cook re-
piled that they intended 10 tree the slaves;
that they had selected llarper's Ferry as the
central point on account OF Its impregnable
position when once III their hands: they had
now possession of the United States armprv,
the bridge, telegraph, would soon have pos
session of the canal; and he then told wit
ness if he would give him up the male ne
groeS, he would guarantee protection TO his
personal property, which the witness declined
to accede to: when witness became acquaIn-
ted with Cook, some eight or ten months ago,
he understood that he was living at the locks,
on the canal, on the Maryland side. and had
charge of the locks: does not know it Tor fact,
does not know where he lived after that.
James Byrnc sworn.--Was returning from
his stable on the morning of the invasion.
when he observed Cook and his party in the
road, some distance off: did not recognize
Cook at the time; supposed it TO be Il party
of surveyors, rs his brother was supervisor
and had made arrangements for having some
surveying done: witness went in and told his
sister there would be company for breakfast,
after which he went out 10 see the men, he
shook hands with Cook, and asked him and
his companions in; after they had been seat
ed some time Cook asked for his negro men:
witness then supposed that his negroes had
been guilty OF some offence, and that Cook had
been specially deputized u come after them;
on further inquiry the object of the party
was soon discovered. and he was informed
that he was their prisoner: witness knew re.
Sistance would be useless, 81 he determined
To make himself Us comfortable as possible
under the circumstances; he told Cook that
none ut the negro men were at home, they
having gone 10 their wives on Saturday night,
and would not be ut home until late in the
morning; they then told witness to prepare
to go with them, but on his pleading sick
ness, and at the earnest entreaties of his sis
ter and her friends, he was permitted 10 stay
1T home: having given his pledge that he
would not 90 away from home that lay or
divul &c what had transpired.
The remainder of the testimony of this wit
ness referred To Il conversation had with
Cook, which was III substance the same rs
given by his brother.
Linn Curry sworn-W Witness resides in
Jefferson county. Va, bu, teaches school in
Washington county, Md. about half mile
from Ilarper's Ferry, and on the road from
the latter place to the Kennedy farm: left
home on Monday morning to 90 10 his school,
when he reached the crossing ut the POto-
mae river. he heard Of the excitement at
Ilarper'S Ferry, and also that his school
house was held BY Capt Cook, and party
under his command: witness went on t. the
school-house, and was met by Cook, who told
him he was his prisoner; witness saw two
white men besides Cook; saw the party un-
loading Il wagon aud placing the boxes in
the Scho"l-house, Ia the number .! III least
two dozen: Cook did not ask permission to
use the house. but took forcble possession of il;
about lOu'clock. witness asked Cooks prrmS-
sion to take home little child Of Il friend Of
his, which was granted, and he returned in
the course Of an hour; witness was then
confined until about an hour of sunset, when
he was allowed to ~; during the day had Il
with Cook he was informed
that they had taken possession of Harper,
4 "A
graph and would also during the day have
possession of all Charlc>town; witness asked
him how many men were engaged III the
affair, when he replied that he did not know.
probably there were 5000, and probably 10,
600, and that they had the sympathy Of al
most the entire laboring class: witness heard
Cook remark to Il negro, whilst the firing was
going on, and ut the sound OF every gun,
There. that's another one of Your oppreS-
SorS gone witness was allowed 10 70. on the
that he would not speak of it until
the affair had been decided: he had known
Cook about six months: met him at the house
of "A friend in Maryland: never met him in
Virginia.
The fathcr.inlaw Of Cook, Mr. Kennedy,
was then sworn, but his testimony did not
amount to anything. lie stated that Cook
had ordered him from his own house shortly
after having married his daughter. Tie
witness did not speak in Il very iIntterlng
manner of Cook, and intimatrd pretty strong
" that he would not object to seeing him
hung.
DR.. Starry, Colonel Barbour, and B. I.
ieall were then called to testify, but their
testimony did not throw any additional light
on the case
The Commonwealth then announced that
they had finished their side of the te>ti-
mony, and an adjournment was had for
dinner
The testimony for the prosecution having
the defence was commenced on the re.a>>"uI-
bling Of the Court The first evidence that
was offered was an affidavit from Mrs. Ami
IA Stcptcc. OF this county. who tc>titlcs that
several wears ago she spent the winter IN
phialelph and stopped at Congress Hall
Hotel: that John f.. Cook, the prisoner N
the bar, was ut that time engaged III tn"
Hotel, and in that manner she became well
acquainted with him: she regarded HIM Il
good-hcartcd young man, and was always
polite and attentive III the dis
charge of his dntcs, and by his many acts
Of kindness endcarcd himself To her, and the
remainder Of the lady bpartcrs: she had no
ticcd him frequently playing with til" ch.I-
ircn, and frequently made them presents OF
cakes and candy: she had visited the prison.
or in the Jail. and recognized him u the
rnun,, man auraUrl M tnuprpS- Hall