Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-06-05
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From the MenBhis Bullstih, Nay soT
The Execution Of the Murderers
.tafI Ofthe Cook Family.

NiCkbbuhd, may 20.
This day had been set apart for the exeeu.
tion OF the negro soldiers convicted of the
murder Of the Cook family. The negroes,
twelve In number, had been tried and convic.
ted OF numbering woman and child. The
trial was fair, and the punishment lust accor-
ding to military and civil law. They were
soldieEs ip the service Of their country they
bad left camp on the night in question with
out authority, and for the purpose Of robbery.
They went directly to the house OF Colonel
Cook, and demanded OF him his money; he
begged of them for Gods sake not to kill
hiuf a shot was Gsed aud he fell he lay a
few minutes, and then, on his hands and
knees, walked out Of the house TO a barn Eear
by The murderers then rushed at hia wife,
demanding her money aud jewels STE re-
fused to give them up and told them to go
about their busihessi they told her she must
die. A child, about Eve or six years Of age,
hung to her dress and begged in vain for the
life Of its "ma." The chiid's innocence and
pleading could not move them. The feuds
then in cold blood butchered mother and
child. They then sacked aud fred the place
to wipe out the last trace Of their crime
This is the story of their crime. s@u.
Now we will give the scene Of retributionE
the last these unfortunate men ever gazed
upon on earth. The stores were all closed
by military order The invincible militia
were ordered out, aud, led by feeling of
morbid curiosity, thousands hocked to the
scene. The place chosen was near the "ma-
chine shop, and outside the inner fortiica.
tions. A hollow square was formed surround
ing the gallows--a rude wooden structure
about twenty-five feet high, platform about
thirteen feet from the ground, The follow
ing regiments formed the square surrounding
the gallows :. 5th Tennessee Cavalry,, die
mounted, Liebs heavy artillery, ist and "a
militia regiments, and sd Z, Sn G., 1.-THE
regiment these men belonged to. At II
o'clock ihe preparations were all completed
The negroes we're asked ifthey had any thing
10 say The first came forward he was a
light.colored, likely looking negro, about
twenty eight years Of age; he wore a uniform
and corporal s.stripes on his arms He spoke
in bold, clear voice he said be had been
fighting for Two years ior his country but
"neyer did think my services would be re-.
warded with the .galIows; my friends never
did think to meet you here l have been
good soldier, and many Of you know me, but
before you declare myself mot guilty."
He then stepped aside, and the next said
few words. He said he was absent from camp
at the time he chad heard there was aome
rebels out there, and vent with the reg. Of the
boys he had been taught 70 hate rebels, !"
and here be was checked from making some
remarks sbout a Lieutenant "This is all
have got to say--I went after rebels" The
third came forward, and he averred his in
nocence, and said that be resigned himself to
Jesus; He was his friend. He then told all
his friends Jesus was theis friend. The others
followed, in very near the same strain, each
declaring himself mot guilty."J They then
sang hymn, and the chaplain made short
PRAYER. The Corporal seemed quite nervous,
all The time, and would frequently, in q loud
voice, say he was "not guilty" and he never
thought he would have to die on the gallows,
for serving his country.
The negroes were then requested to set
down, while their hands were tied behind
them. After this, each man rose to his feet,
and the executioner passed around, placing
the rope around each mans neck and adjust
ed the caps over their heads. The word was
given, traps descended, and the bodies OF
these unfortunate men were left swinging with
the coils OF the rope, dangling between earth
and heaven. Thus they passed away, with
scarcely struggle, a wild murmer Of the
black women and children rang from hill to
hill. The band struck up, the troops began
TO disperse, aud tue curious mutiLnde began
to seek their homes. Thus ended the affair
there ives no reyoh Of the negro troops, no
siRDs Of any, except what the negroes them
selves tried TO create in their favor Great
credit is due the military authorities for the
strict and soldierlg manner In which every