Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-12-22
AttclnDted ESCAPE,

On the evening before the execution Cook
and Coppic endeavored to m Ike their escape.
The correspondent Of the Baltimore Exchange
says
On examination it was found that they had
dug through the wall OF the prison, got into
the Jail yard, and by using piece of the scat
fold on which Rrown was hung, they clamer-
ed to the top of the wall, when a sentinel OBJ
served them and fred at one, which after
wards proved to be Cook. Coppic, at the
time the sentinel fired, was lying on the top
of the wall, and Cook was Just in the act of
elevating himself When the shot was fred,
they retreated and attempted to pass through
the Jail, but were met by one of the guard
who recognized them, and Immediately took
possession of them.
They effected their escape by cutting away
a board directly under the window in their
room. Cook states that they have been at
work preparing for the escape for some days.
They cut the board away with much nicely,
and fitted it back so that it could not be OBJ
served. The mortar and brick which they
removed was placed in the back part of their
stove and also in their bed. Both were man
acled, but by the use Of pen-knife, which
they converted into a saw, they cut the iron.
Had not the sentinel observed them just at
the time he did, they would no doubt have es-
capped.
Rumors and suspicious are this morning a
float charging completely on the part the jail
or, but Capt. Avis friends, as well as himself
asserts his utter ignorance ofthe escape.
THE EXECUTION.
The same correspondent gives the follow
ing account of the execution: The four Grim
inals, Cook and Coppic, and the negroes
Green and Copeland, have suffered the ex-
tremc penalty of the law. The negroes went
on the scaffold at five minutes before eleven
o'clock, and at eleven the trap was sprung,
and they were launched into eternity. The
only religious services at the scailold was a
prayer offered by the Rev. Green NORTH
The neck of Green was broken and he died
almost instantly. Copeland was strangled to
death, and apparently suffered greatly. His
limbs were learlully contracted-his knees
drawn up to the abdomen; there was grip
ping of the hands and IN Cxertion of every
visible muscle. After hanging thirty-one
minutes they were pronounced dead, the bod
les cut down, placed in their collins and re-
moved for burial They were not allowed to
remain in the ground long but were taken
up by order of the physicians and removed
to Winchester for dissection.
Coppic and Cook, after their vain attempts
to escape, were ironed to the floor, and their
spirits fell considerably. During the morn
ing, however, they became cheerful, and when
the hour for their execution arrived, both were
apparently resigned. They received the off
ices of Christian ministers with meekness, and
expressed hope that the Lord had pardoned
them their transgressions. AS soon as the
military returned from the execution of the
negroes, they were led out, and got into the
wagon with much frmness. Much sympa-
thy was felt for Coppic, and his youthful ap-
pcarance and hopeless conntenance The now
looked much dejected) increased the feeling
in his favor. The wagon, preceded by mill
itary and guarded to the right and left and in
the rear by the same, started for the fatal
field. On the way Cook recognized quite n
number OF friends, to whom he spoke, bowling
his hcad as they entered the field, he turned
80 Coppic and said, "Well, Ed, we are going
togethor;' to which Coppic responded, eyes. ="
On reaching the scafiold, they both assembled
with firm tread. Immediately on gaining
tho platform, the Rev. Green North offered a
prayer Of one minutes duration. Their feet
were tied. the white caps drawn down, and
the nooses adjusted Cook addressed the Sher-
if with Now, as quick as possible and in
another instant the trap was sprung. Mel
ther struggled, there was slight movement
of their limbs and all was motionless. They
were on the scaffold four minutes, and were
allowed to hang half an hour. They were
then placed in their collins Cooks friends
had sent on a metallic one for him from New
York Coppic's was of black walnut. Mr..
Saddler, the undertaken, conveyed them to
Harper's Ferry. where their respective friends
awaited their arrival. Nothing of interest
has transpired since the execution. All four
died without the least sign Of fear or trepida-
| ton.