Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-03
THE GALLOWS IN VIRGINIA.
JOHN BROWN EXECUTED.
HIS WIFE AT CHARLEsTowN.

account of what took place is not as full and
complete as the public interest in the matter
demands. The place of the execution was in
the rear of the Jail, about 500 yards distant
The gallows was erected in the Baptist church.
yard, where, before the execution, it was visit
ed by great many people, who Clipped off
pieces of the wood for souvenirs. Here are
the dispatches, in the order in which they
came to us =
CHARLEsTowN, Va, Dec. 2.-The Agent of
the Associated Press here has been refused by
Gov. Wise permission to attend the execution.
No facilities will be extended to reporters.
The day has passed quietly.
Mrs. Brown was escorted over from the
Ferry at o'clock P. NJ, yesterday, when the
entire military were brought out to make a
demonstration She was received with full
military honors, but her companions were not
allowed to accompany her from the Ferry.
After remaining four hours with her husband,
she was escorted back to the Ferry at o'clock,
there to await the reception of her husbands
body. No one will be allowed within ear of
the execution.
BALTIMORE, Dec. 2-Noon-A dispatch
just received says Brown was hung at quarter
past eleven o'clock. There was no unusual
excitement.
CHARLEsTowN, Dec 2-Noon-Brown was
taken to the scaffold in furniture wagon, at
about eleven o'clock. He spoke freely to the
soldiers around him. The body hung about
thirty five minutes. He died apparently very
easy. The body will be sent to Harper's Fer
ry at four o'clock.
CHARLEsTowN, Va, Dec. John Brown
wrote all day Wednesday, and the greater part
has not been disclosed but am told to-day
that there are doubts about permitting it to be
published.
ESPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE DAILY sPY.l
At considerable expense, we secured the fol-
lowing special despatch from Charlestown:
Browns Interview with His Wife.
CHARLEsrowN, Dec. 2.-Brown's interview
with his wife yesterday, lasted from till s
o'clock P. NJ, when Gen. Taliafero informed
them that the period allowed had elapsed, and
she must depart for the Ferry. A carriage
came; the military filled the square; and with
an escort of twenty men, the cortege moved
off. Capt Moore of the Montgomery Guards,
accompanied her The interview was not very
affecting, the conversation relating to the fll-
ture of herself and children, and the settle
ment of business affairs. They seemed con-
sideraby affected when they first met For
few minutes Mrs Brown was quite overcome;
but Brown was as firm as rock.
There was an impression that the prisoner
might possibly be furnished by his wife with
a weapon or strychnine; and before the in
terview she was searched by the jailor's wife.
A strict watch was kept over them while to-
gether. When separating, they seemed self
possessed, he especially exhibiting composure,
real or feigned, that was surprising Capt.
Moore says, she repealed all attempts on bis
part to express sympathy. She resented the
idea that Brown had done anything to deserve
death or stain his name with dishonor. She
declared the ignominious punishment awaiting
him to be cruel and unjust She regarded
him as a martyr in a righteous cause and was
proud to be his wife. The gallows had no
terrors for her or him.
She had not seen him since last June
They had been separated nearly two years,
excepting few days They had correspond
ed, and her interest in the cause he maintained
was deep. The character of their interview
is seen in this conversation with Capt. Moore,
which occurred previous to it.
l learn from Capt. Davis, the jailor, that the
interview was characteristic of the man.
And the directions given for the management
and distribution of his property embraced all
the minor details of his last will and tesla
ment Gen. Taliafero was present Brown
urged that his wife be allowed to remain with
him all night. To this the General refus-
ed to assent, allowing them but tour hours.
On first meeting, they kissed and affection
al ar1nl,r oh 10
but Immediately checked them They stood
embraced, she sobbing, for nearly five minutes.
He was apparently unable to speak, but gave
way only for moment. AT the close they
shook hands, but did not embrace, and as they
parted, he said, "God bless you and the child.
rem" Mrs. Brown replied, "God have mercy
on you," and continued calm until she left the
room.
The interview took place in the parlor of
Capt. Davis, and the prisoner was free from
manacles. They sat side by side on a sofa,
and after discussing family matters, proceeded
to business He stated that he desired his
property to pass entirely into her possession,
and appeared to place full confidence in her
ability to manage it properly. He requested
her to remain at North Elba, New York, on
her farm, where she now resides, and
which belongs to her He desires that his
younger children should be educated, and if
she could not obtain facilities for their ed
ucation at home, to have them sent to a
boarding school, He then dictated to Sheriff
Campbell will, giving all his property to his
wife, with the exception of a few small be-
quests. To one of his sons he gave double
spy-glass to another watch while a third
was directed to take tomb or monument that
marks the grave of his father at North Elba,
and place on it his name, age, and the manner
of his death, with the cause for which he suf-
fered. He directs that it shall remain at North
Elba as long as his family resides there. To
each of his children he gives the sum of $50,
and to each of his daughters Bible worth SIS,
to be purchased with money coming to him
from his fathers estate; also, Bible worth So
to each of his grandchildren; and $50 each to
three individuals whom he named, or to their
legal representatives.
During the conversation, Mrs. Brown asked
if he had feared that Gerrit Smith was insane.
He had read OF it in the papers, and was sorry
to hear it, but he Immediately changed the
subject. The death of his two sons was spo-
ken of, and Mrs. Brown remarked, that she
had tried at Harper's Ferry to recover their
bodies, and that Col. Barbour had kindly con-
sented to give his assistance. Capt. Brown
remarked that he would also like the remains
of the two Thompsons recovered if they could
be found but suggested that is would be best
to take his body with their bodies, those of his
four sons, and get pile of pine logs and burn
them all together; that it would be much bet
ter and less expensive to gather up all their
ashes, and take them to their final resting
place. Sheriff Campbell told him that this
would not be permitted within the state, and
Mrs. Brown objected altogether to the PROPOSE
ton.
l. I