Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1860-03-22
KXEUfieS.

On Friday last. The l6th Of March, Aaron
ID. Stephens and Albert Harlett alias Harri-
600. convicted In the Cireai, Court Of Jsasr-
son - participants with John Brown in he
rad n HarPers Ferry. on the 18th Of Ocso-
Der last paid the extreme penalty Of the Law
Tor their crimes.
Al IN early hour Of the porninx, csswds Il
people from the surrounding neighbosheod.
a. yell asa large number of strangers from
different parts Of the country began 30 Cock
into town. and BY noon. the hour appointed for
the execution dense mass Of human beings
lined the STREETS through which the ealpsits
would pass on their way 10 the scaBold. Al
o'clock Col. Jno T. Gihson, Of the 65sa
Regiment. issued his general orders 10 the
military on duty. and they Immediately took
up the positions assigned them. The Clarke
Guards. Capt. Bowen. Berkeley Border
Guards. Capt Nsdenbouch. Floyd Guards,
Capt @. W. Chambers. Floyd Riaemen. Capt.
T. s. Duke. Armory Guards. Capt Derrick,
Lctcber Cadets. Capt. Campbell and Cont
mental Morgan Guards. Capt. Hsines, were
stationed as guard around the scaHold whilst
the Je6crsoa Guards. Capt. j. w. Rowan,
Bots Greys. Capt. Lawson Botts. Hamtram-
ick Guards. Capt. Butler. I-s,eher Riaemen.
Lieut.. Link. and the shcphsrds.own Cavalry.
Capt Rhinchsrt, we're detailed as especial
guard 70 eoaduc. the prisoners from the jail
10 the 6eld Of execution Col. Gibson. ae-
eompanicd BY his staff. At halfpast 1 o'clock.
took up their position near the lines Of The
guard, which were formed in hollow square,
Immediately in front Of the entrance 70 tho
jill. The prisoners having expressed . wish
10 walk 70 tho gallows, Sheriff Campbell
granted them permission 10 do 30. and the ar
fragments Of the guard were made 70 this
end.
The sister Of Stephens. Mrs. Pearce. and
Miss. Dunbar. Of Ohio. 10 whom il was
said Stephens was engaged to be married. and
abrOther Of Harlett visited the prisoners du-
ring the morning and BY permission Of Jailor
Avis. breakfasted with them in the corridor Of
the jail. IL must have been q mouruful and
solemn feast---and il was TO all except the
hardened culprits themselves They ate rs
heartily and with As much apparent iDdiffer-
ence. as IL they were going that day TO psrti-
cipatc in festival, instead Of meeting an aw-
fal and tragieal cad upon the scafold. AZ
ter the breakfast Was over. the friends Of the
criminals bid them fnal sdieu and lcft i'm
mediaiely for II. Ferry. there TO await the re-
cepticn Of the bodies Of the condemned after
execution.
Sheriff Campbell had appointed the hour
ofcxecution ut IL o'clock. NJ and ut a few
minutes 10 that time the door Of the Jail was
| opened and the criminals. with their arms PIN
toned. accompanied BY Jailor Avis, and the
jail guard, walked out and took up their po-
sitiOns within the lines Of the military. II.
N. Gallaher, of the Free Prrss. j. ] Palmer,
ofthe Winchester Tiryiaiaa, Messrs. Taylor
and Sheets. OF the Democratic Mirror, and d.
Smith Eicbelbergsr. of The Depsoeraf, were al
% admitted within the sqssrs and walked i'm
mediatsly In the rear Of the prisoners. Sher-
ia Campbell and Dr.. @. r. Mason, physi-
clan to the jail, were mounted, and preceded
the escort, a. also Col. GInsos and Staff.
After these arrangements we're concluded tbs
procession took up the line Of march for the
field Of Aeeldama, the same where but 9
short time before, Eve others Of the same
| gang Of miscreants, had forfeited their lives
for the like offence.
Stevens and Haslctt marched with firm
and steady step. occasionally making a re-
mark to those o. the guard Immediately neal
them. and once or twice bowling TO some one
whom they recognized in the crowd or the
military. The prisoners arrived at the scaf
fold at about fifteen minutes past twelve
O'Clock. and Immediately ascended the step,
leading TO the platform. accompanied by lht
Sheriff, JailOr Avis. J. W. Gallaher and
others Of the jail guard. Stevens step, ed
his foot upon tho trap and made some ro
mark which We did not hear, bat he spoke
snilingly HaIlett seemed good deal sgi.
tAted aud a. soOn a. he got upon the scafTold
commenced bidding the Sheriff aud other.
good bye" A moment or two elapsed whilst
the necessary arraagements fos The srecu-
ton were completed, which was improved b.
the oalPrisa in taxing survey Of the crowd
in attendance. Stsvsns and HaElett no.ieins
the little sous Of Jsilor Avis Immediately be-
low them, called them By name nd BID
thsu good bye." and bowed 10 Other.
whom they recognized In the crowd. The
ropes and the cows were nov adjusted. and
they we're led forward npoa the trap TIA,
vas to laaneh them into eternity. Immsdi.
ateiy before the eovl wss drawn down ossr
h's face. Hsslssi e.agh, Stevens By the hard,
bad him good bye" embraced sad
kissed him. Stevens thsa turned 70 JAiIos
Avs caashs him BY the hand and said fare
well. l shall neve= fvgcs Jour kindness"
The ropes being adjusted 10 the hook
Stevens sad. BE quick lei us know when
yoa are roady." jus, thea the drop cell.
and Stevens and Ha1lett vsrs 0shsrcd inso
Che unknovn hereafter. Harleit died CON.
paraiively Hithoui q struggle. bui Stevens