Newbern weekly progress., 1859-12-06
The Execution of Old John Brown!
PROCESSION FROM THE PRISON TO THE
GALLOWS!
STRICT MILITARY PREPARATIO


Death of the Felon
CHARLEsTOwN, Dec 2.-In accordance with
the sentence of the Circuit Court of this (Jeer-
son) county, the insurgent, John Brown, found
guilty of murder treason, and inciting slaves TO-
ing at this place to. cay.
He was taken from the prison to the gallows
about eleven o'clock, attended by strong guard.
There was no excitement but strict vigilance was
maintained by the military
The prisoner spoke freely to the soldiers around
him. There were no religious ceremonies on the
gallows, in accordance with Browns request, and
but few moments inteIve1ed after the arrival at
the gaows before the rope was adjusted to the
felons neck and the drop fell.
The gallows was situated about quarter of
mile from the Jail, on plain the foot of
gently sloping hill and opposite meadow. The
military stationed available for any order
around it.
Brown died in few minutes and with slight
perceptibe struggle. One hand and arm were
observed to culver convulsively for a moment
his legs contracted slightly, but the effort was
lost to the eye in the swing ging motion of the
body.
[sECoND DIsPATCH.1
CHARLESTOwN Dec. 2.--The military assem-
bledat o'clock this morning and were posted on
the field leading to the place OF execution also at
various points, laid down in the general orders.
Everything was conducted under the strictest
military discipline, as if the town was in state
siege.
! Mounted scouts were stationed in the woods to
the left of the scafold, and picket guards towards
the Shenandoah mountains in the
The military on the field were formed into two
| hollow squares. Within the inner was the
scaffold, and between the outer and inner lines
! the citizens were admitted, no one being allowed
position outside the lines except the mounted
guards.
At IL o'clock Brown was brought out of the
Jail, accompanied by Sheriff Campbell, his assist
ants. and Capt. Avis, the jailor. A small wagon,
containing white pine coffin, driven up,
upon which he took his seat.
| Six companies of infantry and ri1emen,
pany of cavalry the General and his staff, num-
| bering 25 officers, headed the procession and
moved towards the place of execution. No min
lister of the Gospel attended Brown, he desiring
noreligious ceremonies either in Jail the scat
| fold.
He looked calmly around on the people, fully
possessed. He mounted the scaffold with firm
step His arms were then pinioned by the Sher-
if. He bid ''farewell' to Capt Avis and Sheriff
Campbell.
At half past eleven the trap on the scafold
pulled away, and with few slight struggles,
Brown yielded up his spirit.
His body placed in the coffin, and was sub
sequently carried to Harpers Ferry, under strong
military escort, to be delivered to his wife.
THE EXECUTION OF OLD RD JWN.
We give the following details OF lne dispatches
from Charlestown on Friday, relative to the hang
| ing of Old Brown, and mink that with this we
shall close on the subject:
This morning Capt Brown executed an instru-
ment empowering Sheriff Campbell to administer
on all property of his in this State with directions
to pay over the proceeds of the sale of his weap-
ons, if received to his widow and children.
Sheriff Campbell bid Brown farewell in the cell.
He returned him thanks for his kindness
| Brown was then taken to the cell of the negroes.
Copeland and Green He told them to stand up
like men and not betray their friends, then hand
ed to each quarter of dollar, saying that he
had more use for money, and bid them good
bye. They made remark except to return his
salutation. He next visited the cell in which
Cook and Coppie confined, chained togeth-
er. 70 Cook he said, ''you have made false state
ments
Cook replied-.' What do you mean?'
Brown" Why, by stating that 1 sent you to
Harper's Ferry
Cook Did you not tell me in Pittsburg to
come to Harpers Ferry and see if Forbes had
made disclosures
Brown No sir. You know that protested
against your coming
| Cook closed the conversation by replying
: -" Captain Brown we remember differently" al
the same time dropping his head.
Brown then turned to Coppie and said.
"Coppie, you have also made false statements
but am glad to hear you have contradicted them
Stand up like man.
He then handed Coppie quarter, shook him
and Cook by the hand and left the cell.
He then returned to Stevens cell and spoke
kindly to him.
Stevens said" Good bye, Captain know you
are going to better land"
Brown" Yes, know am He then coun
SelleQ Stevens TO DfmnGSS, warned MIN against
betraying his friends, and closed by also present
him with quarter
He did not visit Hazetts cell, having always
!: persisted in denying any knowledge of him.
r On his way to the scaffold, Mr.. Sadler, the un,
dertaker remarked
Capt. Brown you a game man.
Brown" Yes, was trained up. Itwas one
; of the lessons of my mother. But it is hard to
part from friends-even when newly made. ~
Brown continued the conversation by remarking
on the beauty of the country, which. he said, che
never had the pleasure of seeing before" On
reaching the gahcws field he said-"Why are
none but the the military allow e6 7"it'lin the en-
closure. am sorry the citizens have been kept
OUT OBSERVING Mr. Hunter and Mayor Green
standing by, he said to them-"Gentlemen, good
: bye his voice not taltering the least.
Whilst the scaffold Sheriff Campbell asked
him if ne would take handkerchief in his hand
and drop it as signal when he was ready.
Brown replied, :" No, / 90 not want it. Bat do
not detain me longer tran is actually necessary
| BROWNS INTERVIEW WITH THE OTHER PRIS-
/ ONERS.
| The prisoner brought out of the Jail at
eleven o'clock Before leaving he bid adieu to
all his fellow prisoners, and was very affectonate
to all except Cook. He charged Cook with having
deceived and mis- ed him in relation to the sup
port he to receive from the slaves. He SAID
he was led by linn to believe they were ripe for
nsurrection, but he had found that his represen-
tations were false. Cook denied the charge, and
made but little reply to Brown. The prisoner
then told the Sheriff he was ready, when his arms
were pnioned, and he walked to the door apparent
ly calm and cheerful. He wore black slouched
hat, and the same clothes during his trial.
AS he came out he was taken under guard of the
military. SIX companies of infantry and one
troop of horses. with Gen. Taaferro and his en-
tire staff, were deployed in front of the Jail.
THE EXECUTION.
Tbor ho;, 81; A.