The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24
Stevens and Hazlett Sentenced to be
Hung.


Aaron d. Stcvons and Albert lazlott, tho
last of the TIarper's Ferry prisoners, received
sentence of death on tho l4th inst. Con
siderable tmo was occupied by counsel, in
presenting bills Of exception in tho case of
llazlett. The court room was throngod, and
tho prisoners escorted into Court under II
military guard Of twonty mon. Both man.
Tested singular firmness and indifference to
tluir fate. TO the usual question, whether
they had anything to say why sentence OF
death should not bc pronounced upon them,
they both replied that they had. Stevens
said
"May it please the Court, | have few
words TO say. Some Of the testimony
given against me was untrue. One Of
the witnesses stated that | said Let US
| kill the OF - and burn the
town.. To those who know mc il is use
lcsa TO make Il denial OF the charge, but
deny here before God and man ever
having made such proposition. | wish
TO say am enliraiy satisfied with the
conduct Of my counsel, Mr.. Sennou.
;hink he did ali in lis power in my behalf.
| | desire also TO return my thanks TO the
officers who have had charge of me, for
their universal kind treatment and to my
! physician for the services rendered me
whilst suffering from my wounds. When
think OF my brothers slaughtered and
sisters outraged, my conscience does no;
! reprove the for my actions. | shall meet
my fate manfully."
! PThis reference is understood 10 be the
treatment OF his Northern brethren and
and sisters during the Kansas broils.
Hazlett then spoke as follows: IL have
Il few words TO say. l am innocent Of the
charge on which | have been convicted
Fdeny ever having committed murder OF
ever having contemplated murder, OF
ever having associated with any one with
such intentions. Some OF the witnesses
have sworn TO things which | deny, and
which were positively false. For instance,
in reference 10 my beard; | have never in
my life, until my imprisonment in jail, al.
lowed my beard 10 go more than three
weeks without shaving, and all testimony
therefore as to the length of my beard j.
false. Again, Mr.. Copeland testified tina
/, | was sitting on a stool when he entered
the cell at Carlisle this deny | wa,
sitting on n blanket, back against the wall
and another man was on the stool. Cope
land also said there were only two men il
/ the cell this is aIso false, us there wer
; four other white men 10 the cell with me
and we comprised all the white prisoner
in he Jail. Others Of the witnesses mad
false statements, but forgive them al
have been treated kindly since my. con
S hnement- much better than | had ex
Q pected- and | must say think better G
Virginia. | wish also TO return my thank
to the counsel who have SO ably defended
ME they have done more in my beha
! than Northern counsel could have done
. | repeat. lam innocent of murder, but az
Q prepared 10 meet my fate"
. Judge Kinney proceeded to sentence onc
D Of them to bo hung publicly on Friday, til
10th March next between 10 M and 2 p M
@ and the prisoners were remandod to jail.
Stevens was defended by Goo. Seunot
y Esq,, oc Boston, and IIaz'ctt by Mossrs. Bot
and Green.
The Grand Jury have found bills of Il
d,ctmont against Owon Brown, Francis
n Merriam, and Jeremiah Anderson, chargir
n them with conspring with slaves to crca
!, insurrec;ion.