Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-24
The Harper's Ferry Instruction.


parts of Virginia are constantly arriving to
view the scene of the outbreak.
We have still an abundance of rumors-
none of which, however, can be traced to any
reliable source Tonight it is confidently
asserted that Cook has been caught to-day,
six miles this side Of IIagerstOwn, about
twenty miles from here. If there should be
any truth in this rumor you will doubtless
have confirmation of it from llagerstown.
A number of persons who know Cook are
still in pursuit Of him, impelled by the hope
of gaining the 81 900 reward, as well as by
the desire to recover the negroes, of whom
about dozen are still missing. lie will
probably abandon them to secure his own
safety.
Evan Dorsey and G. W. Richardson are
both doing well, so that there were but four
citizens killed. Mr.. Richardson will lose the
sight of his eye.
The tidinss from Charlestown are that
Captain Brown is out Of all danger. and will
soon be in good condition again. lie seems
as firm as rock notwithstanding his present
prospects, his wounds, and the death OF his
two sons. Nothing seems TO shake his
nerves. His wounded companion, Aaron G..
Stevens. although suffering considerably, is
now regarded rs in a fair way OF recovery.
1t is understood that the examining Court
will take up the case on Wednesday next
The prisoners have been committed to Jail at
the instance of the United States for the
murder of Sergeant Quinn, and of the State
of Virginia for the murder of Thomas Bev-
erly, Geo. Turner, and IL. Shepherd the col
orel porter. The prisoners will be provided
with good counsel, and Andrew Hunter. esq,
has been employed by the county authorities
to assist the Attorney for the Commonwealth.
CnAMuERsGuRG, Oct 2l.-This communi-
ty has been considerably excited to-day by
the appearance here at noon of one OF the
fugitives from llarpers Ferry supposed to
be the notorious Captain Cook. a gentle
man from Quincy overlook the man on the
road leading from Waynesburo to this place,
and carried him some distance III his buggy.
When about three miles from town the man
got out OF the vehicle under the pretence Of
taking another road. About an hour after,
however the gentleman saw him upon one
Of our streets, and informed two Others who
followed and tracked him to the house at
which Browns men have boarded. Placing
one man to guard the house. the others went
for assistance but before they returned the
man had escaped ut the rear Of the house,
passing through garden. At the foot oi
the garden blanket containg Sharp's ri
he, uuloaded, was found which is known to
have been in his possession.
Immediate pursuit was made by num-
Der of men, but no trace was dlscoyered.-
The blanket was marked IL. H." and it.,
with the rifle, are now in Sheriff Brown )
possession. The man has other weapons.
Cooks wife and child are now, and have
been for the past week at the house, through
which he passed, but she denies that this
man is Cook.
The general impression, however, is that
it was him. He had on black high-crowll-
ed SLOUGH hat, somewhat faded black frock
coat, with out side pockets, light brown
pants, very large heavy boots, and red and
white striped calico shirt. Is about feet &
or inches tall, salluw complexion, light
hair, cut straight across behind, light sandy
beard and mustache, beard not heavy. !
His general appearance is very rough and
shabby. Parties are now in pursuit of him,
and others will start out in the morning.
1t is supposed that other fugitives are in the
/
ferret them out. If caught there will be no
favor or protection extended to them by amy
of our citizens.
CmAREsrowS, Jefferson County Va, Oct.
2l.-The Circuit Court of Jefferson County,
Hon. Richard Parker circuit judge com
menced its session yesterday.
The examination trial of the insurrcction-
ist, Brown, and his associates, before eight
Justices of the peace, will take place on
Tuesday, in the court room, the Circuit Court
adiourning for that purpose.
Judge Parker's charge to the grand jury
was an able and appropriate effort, referring
mainly to the late attempt to excite insur-
rection in their midst The following is an
extract:
.'Gentlemen Of the jury-ln the state of
excitement into which our whole community
has been thrown by the recent occurrences
in this county. | feel that the charge which
usually deliver to a grand jury would be
entirely out of place. Those occurrences
cannot but force themselves upon your at
tention. They must necessarily occupy q
considerable portion of that time which you
will devote to your public duties rs grand
Jury However guilty the unfortunate men
who are now in the hands Of justice may
prove to be- still they cannot be called upon
to answer to the offended laws of our com
monwealth for any Of the multifarious crimes
with which they are charged, until grand
Jury, after dilligent inquiry shall decide
that for these offences they be put upon their
trial.
Il will not permit myself to give express
sior. to any of those feelings which at once
spring up in every breast when rejecting
upon the enormity of the guilt in which
those are involved who invade by force q
peaceful, unsuspectins portion of our COM
mon country, raise the standard OF lnsur-
rection amongst US, and shoot down without
mercy, Virginia citizens defending Virginia
soil against their invasion. ! must remem-
Der, gentlemen, that rs minister Of justice,
bound to execute our laws faithfully, and in
the very spirit of justice herself. | must as
to every one accused of crime hold, as the
law holds, that he is innocent until he shall
DO proved guilty by an honest Independent,
and an impartial jury of his countrymen.-
And what is obligatory upon me is equally
binding upon you, and every one who may
be connected with the prosecution and trial
of these offenders.
"In these cases, as in all others, you will
be controlled Gy that oath which each of you
have taken, and in which you have solemnly
sworn that you will diligently inquire into