Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-17
The CharlcstOWn Trials -. Con-
victiOa Of StcplncMs. &
Correspondence Ohio Journal I'D
CuARLEsrowN, Jefferson Co., Va.,(

I 1tss>s
CuARLEsrowN, Jefferson Co., Va
February 9th, 1850.
Mr.. EDITOR Having been for few days
in this noted place, and thinking fewitemst
taken at random, might be Interesting, 7
herewith enclose short, rambling sketch of
what have seen and heard here "
The trial of the two remaining consprators,
Stephens and Hazlett, is in progress at this
time, Judge Kinney presiding. Stephens has
already been convicted of treason, murder,
and melting slaves to instruction, but has
not yet received his sentence. Last evening,
| called at the Jail, saw and !conversed with
Capt. Avis, who readily complied with my
request to be permitted to see Stephens, and
/ spent half an hour in the cell with the
unfortunate man. Having met him once
when in better circumstances, he seemed very
glad to see me-. He looks remarkably well,
having entirely recovered from the many
wounds received at Harper's Ferry, the scars
of which he seemed to take savage delight in
exhibiting He has two minnie balls" in
his person yet--ene under his right arm, the
other behind his left ear In speaking OF
them, he playfully termed them his "ksep.
sakes" He has two bullet marks on his left
arm, and a scar about three inches in length
over his left eye, from sabre cut. He talks
cheerfully and even jovally. In speaking Of
the foray, he expressed himself as being sorry
that it had been attempted. He also said that
he had been kindly treated, and spoke in high
terms of Capt. Avis, Judge Kinney, Andrew
Hunter and Mr. Sennot; but denounced the
Prosecuting Attorney, Harding, in decided
terms. He (Harding) appears in Court every
morning, bearing unmistakablc evidences of q
nights debauch. He is medium sized man
about forty years old, and, from what car
learn, totally unfit for the Office he occupies
When not addressing the Court or examining
witnesses, which he does in bungling man
ner, he nervously walks the floor, his hail
dangling in his eyes,. talking in an uninteli
gible manner to himself or the bystanders
Once he addressed me, saying that he was
"glad Sir John Franklin's remains had beer
found, for now the great mystery concerning
his fate had been cleared up"
Hazlett was brought into the courtroom
this morning, and good portion of the day
has been spent in empannelng jury, the
most of whom are from Frederick county.
stood near the Clerks desk during the process
of swearing in the jurors, and was pleased te
see evidences of disposition to give the
prisoner fair trial. No one was accepted as
juror who had been in any way connected
with either the raid or the former trials
Msssrs Green and Bolts were assigned by the
Court as Hazlett's counsel, Messrs. Hunter
and Harding prosecuting. The prisoner:
appear in Court each in a new suit-not O
Senator Mason's homespun, but of "Jew'
clothing Hazlett looks hale, and appears t.
be cheerful, and still persistenty adheres t.
'know Nothing" principles, answering Nc
questions without first consulting with hi,
counsel.
There is very little excitement here now
the Shepherdstown Guards being the only
military company here. There are many
rumors circulating here in regard to Barclay
Coppic, and the general opinion is that he has
been arrested. Mr.. Hunter, however, inform.
me that he has not, but that officers are aftel
him. shall leave, in few days, for Harper's
Ferry, and may possibly write you from there
Yours, &C., w. R. c.,