The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1859-12-17
The Execution at Charlestown.


exciting time during the past twenty -four hours,
which has Just closed with the execution of the fonr
prisoners. Throughout the day yesterday there was
who we're aocking in to witness the last act Of the
Harpers Ferry tragedy the latter came thus early,
apprehendng they might bedetained at the eatpess,
as was the the day of Browns execution. The
vigilance exercised at the railroad depot on the arr
val Of train was not so stringent us on the OCCASION
OF the execution OF Brown, and but little difficulty
was experienced IN getting in town. Shortly after
the arrival Of the train IN the afternoon grand
military dress parade Of all the companies in attend
lutlons with great skill and were reviewed by Gen.
Tallierro, who was on the ground in full dress and
mounted on aspirited charger
The prisoners were visited yesterday afternoon by
the Reys. hessrs. Nassau. DultOn and North, OF the
Presly yterian Church, and Rev. Beverly Wangh OF
an interesting character, and were participated IN by
all the condemned, though II IL now evident from
subsequent events that Cook and CopIie we're play.
hopes Of life and liberty rather than ON death aud
eternity, at the time they We're making outward pro-
lied assent to M eHnycc oy o ssos sad
expressed hope Of salvation In the world to come.
Cook and Coppie were the loudes u their professions
giyeness; they freely admitted their guilt and ac
knowedged their doom as Just one and that IN the
main they icy have been treated with the utmost kind,
were rather harsh in their testimony. The ministers
Imagined they had discovered q decidedly favorable
change in Cooks mind since his Interview with his
sisters up to that time his eamsess aud bravery were
regarded US proceeding from lack OF feeling, but
leaving him Yesterday afternoon they reported that
tions OF religious conviction andh0pes OF forgiveness
all Of which was undoubtedly to hoodwnk their
project Of escape Cook has been visited throughout
his i'm mprisonment by the Rev. n. Green North, at
and Willard Rev Mr. NORTH was present. at an In
terview between C0ppie and y quaker gentleman
from Ohio who raised the prisoner. He describes
the interview an efiecting one and speaks highly
of Mr.. Buffers christian department and at-
10 hat Nns
trusty but very wilfuI boy An uncle Of Copies,
his fathers brother, from Ohio, also visited him yes
terday, the interview lasting oyer an hour He
seemed in much distress at the sad fate which awaited
his relative This WAS the condition of the town, the
prisoners ana the military. Up to seven o'clock last
long since been banshed and nothing was thought OF
but the approaching execution. So firmly had this
conviction settled on the rublic mind that military
regarded as atlast approached:
At quarter past eight o'clock, last evening, the
whole town a was thrown , GtC aGommoS9 by Sy the re-
shots from the vicinity Of the guard. house, ~ close
proximity to the iaii The military was called to
arms and the excitement. was intense beyond any
Bile era Of military occupation. In few minutes the
streets and afenues of the town were n possession
the cause Of all this turmoil could be ascertained.
Rumors were aoat OF every description, and 1t was
ut one time thought that the prisoners had over,
powered their guards and made their escape and
then that an attack had been made by parties at
tempting Ia rescue the prisohetS .S. WI
To- day at the execution the bodies OF the negroes,
alter being cut down, were placed In poplar conns
and carried back to the jail They will be Inferred
Tomorrow on the spotwhere the galows now stands,
though there IL party 81 medical st students dent, here
to remain there long. At about quarter to twelve
o'clock notice was given to Cook and Coppie that
their time was approaching, only one hour more 10.
ing allowed. The military movements, similar to
those at the frst execution, were repeated, and a
wagon with two more sottins was stsnding at The
asSr Of M IA At Ss % he
closing religious ceremonies were progressing in the
cell. Since the failure Of the attempt Of Cook and
Ooppe to escape last night their assumed composure
now looked at the reality of their fate with the full
conviction Of Its awful certainty.
with iervor In the religious ceremonies conduoed by
the Rev. Messrs. North, Lehr and Waugh. When
called upon by the Sheriff they stood calm and quietly
ding farewell to the guards Of the jail were helped
into the wagon and took their seats on their cofns.
Their appearances was rather OF hopeless despair
than Of resignation, and they seemed to take but
little notice Of anything as the procession moved
slowly Oh the field ofdeath. ..-..s.-
The wagon reached the scaffod at thirteen minutes
before one o'clock, and the prisoners ascended with
determined frmness, scarcely surpassed by that Of
Capt, Brown. brief prayer was offered by one Of
the clergymen. 'l r.H.
The ropes were adjusted the caps drawn over their
heads, and both were launched into eternity seven
minutes after they had assembled the seafold. They
both exhibited the en- most uninchisg hrmness Say;
to the ministers and sheriff After the rops was ad
usted about Cooks neck, he exclaimed, abe quick,
be quick as possible" which was also repeated BY
After hanging about thirty minutes, both bodies
were taken down and placed In black walnut cofiinu
poplar box labelled and directed a. foilows
2. Willard and Robert Crowley, lo4 Wilism.street,
NY. Care Of Adams Express. h..s.. ~. 81,
The coffin Of Ooppie was placed In similar box, to
be forwarded to his mother in Iowa. y "a