The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-12-21
Execution of COPELAND and Green.

officers, having given orders 10 prepare the
two negro prisoners, Shields Green and
John Copeland, for execution. took their
departure, TO join the main body of troops
on the field. The military then formed
hollow square around the Jail, and an open
wagon, containing the coffil.s of the prison.
ers, drew up in front, with carriage TO
convey Sheriff Campbell and his deputies.
The crowd of citizens and strangers was
very great-at least five times as numerous
as on the occasion of Browns execution
most OF whom were already on the field +,
whilst others waited 70 see the. prisoners
brought out.
The religious ceremonies in the cell were
very impressive, and were conducted by
the Rev. Mr.. North of the Presbyterian, and
the Rev. Mr. Beverly Waugh, of the nj. E.
Church. AT a quarter before II o'clock,
the prisoners; accompanied by Sheriff
Campbell and the Rev. Mr.. North, appear
ed at the Jail door, and with their arms pin
ioned moved slowly towards the vehicle in
waiting for them. They seemed downcast,
and wore some of that calm, fearless spirit
evinced by Brown under similar clrcum-
stances. They were helped into the wag-
on, and took seats on the coffins without
scarcely looking 10 the right or left. The
escort now commenced TO move, the wagon
being closely hanked on either side by a
company of riamen, marching in double
file and lock step.
AT seven minutes before II o'clock, the
procession entered the field occupied by
the military, and the prisoners cast sbud.
dering glance towards the gallows erected
on the rising ground in its center. In two
minutes more the wagon stopped at the
foot of The gallows, and willis, the prison.
ers were alighting the companies forming
the escort moved off TO the position assign.
ed them on the field.
The prisoners mounted the scaffold with
firm step, and were Immediately Joined
by Sheriff Campbell. After brief prayer
by one of the clergymen, the caps were
drawn over their heads and the ropes ad-
usted around their necks. During the few
moments they thus stood, Copeland re.
manned quiet but Green was engaged in
earnest prayer up TO the moment the trap
was drawn and they were launched into
eternity.
Green died very easy, his neck being bro.
ken by the fall, and the motion of his body
was very slight Copeland seemed 10 suf-
fer very much, and his body wrilhed in vio-
lent contortions for several minutes. They
were accompanied OH the gallows by the
Rev. Messrs. Waugh, North and Lehr, to
whom they bid an atfectionate farewell,
and expressed the hope Of meeting them in
heaven.
The bodies after being cut down were
placed in popular cofIins, and carried back
TO the Jail. They will be inferred to-mor-
row on the spot were the gallows stands,
though there is party of medical students
here from Winchester, who will doubtless
not allow them 20 remain there long.
EXECUTION OF COOK AND coppIE.
The bodies of the two negro prisoners
having been brought back 10 the Jail at
about quarter TO IL o'clock, notice was
given 10 Cook and Coppie that their time
was approaching, only one hour more be-
ing allowed them. The military movements
similar 10 those at the first execution were
repeated, and a wagon with two more cof-
fins was standing at the door of the Jail al
half past ~ o'clock. The same military
escort was in readiness. Meantime the
closing religious ceremonies were progress.
ing in the cell Since the failure of the at
tempt of Cook and Coppie TO escape last
night, their assumed composure and appa.
rent resignation had given away, and they
now looked at the reality of their fate with
the full conviction of its awful certainty
They were reserved and rather quiet, but
| joined with fervor in the religious ceremon.
les conducted by the Rev. Messrs. North,
Lehr, and Waugh. When called upon by
the Sheriff, they stood calm and quietly
whilst their arms were being pinioned, and
after bidding farewell 10 the guards of the
Jail, were helped into the wagon and took
seats on their coffins. Their appearance
was rather that of hopeless despair than oil
resignation, and they seemed 10 take bu,
Titles notice of anything as the procession
slowly moved on to the field of death.
The wagon reached the scal1old at thir.
teen minutes before one o'clock, and the
prisoners assembled with determined firm
ness scarcely surpassed by that of Capt.
Brown. A brief prayer was offered up by
one of the clergymen, the ropes were ad
justed, the caps drawn over their heads,
and both were launched into eternity in
seven minutes after they ascended the gall
lows. They both exhibited the most un.
hinching firmness, saying nothing with the
exception of bidding farewell 10 the minis.
tiers and Sheriff.
After the rope was adjusted about Cooks
neck, he exclaimed, "Be quick, as quick as
possible," which was also repeated by
Coppie After hanging about thirty min.
utes, both bodies were taken down and
placed in black walnut cofiins prepared for
them. That OF Cook was then placed in a
poplar box labelled and directed as follows:
"Ashbell p. Willard and Robert Crowley,
lo4 William street, New York, care of
| Adams Eypress.O