Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1859-12-09
The Execution Of Brown

Took place according 10 order with
out the least sign Of disturbance. \
Gordon Of military surrounded the
gallows, a quarter Of mile distant.
so as TO prevent anything from the
dying man being heard by spectators,
of whom there were about 1000 out
side of the line. Mr.. Brown was, as
usual, perfectly calm, serene, evincing
not the least fear or trembling. lie
rode with the Jailor on his coffin. and
was the first TO ascend the scafi,old-
bade the JaiIor and Sheriff an aflec-
tionate farewell: thanking them for
their true kindness to him-stood on
the drop some moments while the
troops were trying to perform some
scnseless military manGuvrc-whcn
the Sheriff cut the rope. There were
few commissions; some judge he died
very easy, and others that he died very
hard; but it was half an hour before
life was declared extinct, and the body
cut down, and placed in the coffin.
There was very deep inaention Of
the cord in the neck, and tue features
somewhat distorted. The corpse was
taken to his wife and her friends, that
night, at Harpcr's Ferry, and thence
sadly, and avoiding as much as
possible all public demonstrations
to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Y ork,
Boston and Troy. Thence-it is an
nounced by J. Miller Mkim and
Wendell Phillips, who accompany
the mortal remains of John Brown
were to be taken to his late home in
North Elba, Essex county. N.Y.-bc-
tween Ticonderoga and Adirondack
mountains-wherc he was yesterday
to be buried.
Escorted back and forth by a troop
Of horse, Mrs. Brown was permitted to
visit her husband three hours in the
afternoon before his death, in parlor
Of the Jail. On meeting, they kissed,
embraced for few moments, Mrs. b.
in tears, and the Captain unable to
speak. But soon he rallied, and they
proceeded to give such information as
each desired-Ee cheerful, resigned,
and only concerned for hcrsclland the
family. Occasionally, her feelings
would force a convulsivc sob, when he
would instantly calm her by Cheer
upl cheer up, Mary" When compel
led to part, he could only say, God
bless you and the childrenw Mrs.B.
replied, "God have mercy on youw
Captain Brown made all possible
efforts to provide for his family, and
his Will and last letters are printed.
The day of his death was observed
in many places, thro' the Free States,
with extraordinary and often most
cxtravagant praises not simply of his
general character, but of the particu-
lar act for which he suffered.
Capt. Brown refused to have any pro-
slavery preacher pray with him. He ar
gued the Slavery question from the Bible
in a way to confOuud the Rev'd gentlemen
lie said he would treat them as gentlemen,
but as beathen gentlemen, and assured
them that be could do more good praying
for them than they could praying for him.
The ouly apparent animosity exhibited
by Capt. Brown, was towards his fellow
prisoner, Cook, who be accused of deceiv.
ing him as TO the disposition of the slaves
to revolt He did not part from him as
from the others, but regarded him as a
traitor, while Cook seemed abashed at his
rebukes. Cook was probably the agent,
and used Brown as a catspaw.
The testimony of not less than EIGH.
TEEN different individuals was laid before
Gov. Wise, showing the hereditary insan-
ny IN old Browns family. The Governor
had the power to waive the execution. and
have judicial trial of the question, but
be did not choose to exercise il. He.
however, was not present at the execution,
Francis keeyes, of Aaudria, Va. made
the rope to hang Brown, knit the moose
with his own fingers, and forwarded it at
bis own expense. Delicious fellow He
should remember the fate Of the inventor
OF the gu'iio'i1e, and the gentleman sho
erected the gallOws to hang Moraecai.