Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-06-27


with his coffin whom they said was Haun. An or
der was read on the scafod to have his BODY turned
over to his friends A guard was about the gallows
and the crowd, about 1900, were sill kept out but
about half dozen who were inside. 1t was a good
while ago, and don't remember who were inside
the guard but two Mccain and Rufe Reed Nc
Cam was inside the guard, and upon the scaffold.
Haun was hanged dead. l didn't remember what
any one did. l thought, at the time, that no one
was allowed inside but those who officated 1t was
the defendant Mccain that saw there. Don't re-
member who were inside but the two. The party
inside hanged him. Can't tell what any one did
A sentence was read. Can't tell what it was, nor
who by.
Don't know that ever did hear any of the de-
PENDANTS say anything encouraging the hanging of
Haun, or anything about it. 1t was in this county,
in November or December.
CROSS EXAMINED.
/ was present, and military guard formed and
kept out the crowd. Capt. Milan was there. l
don't know what any one did. l reeollect some one
taking out book and talking to Haun, and writing
down something in it. but can't tell whether it was
Mccain or some one else. An order was read to
turn the body to his friends-think it came af-
ter Haun got there. l had heard Mccain speak,
and knew him. 1 don't recollect that he had either
gun sword on.
RE-EXAMINED.
They hung him long enough to have taken 500
lives. don't recollect who cut the rope that held
the trap. After he had hung some time he was cut
down, and | don't know who cut the rope.
Ezekiel Weatherford was called for the State
Q.-State all you know of the trial of A. G. Haun?
Al know nothing of the trial l went to the
execution, and saw defendant Mccain there
think there were three or four men on the scaffod
l saw Mccain go up to Haun and speak to him
and, as well recollect be took book out of his
pocket and wrote down something, but can't tell
what it was. Haun was hung. l saw the rope to
the trap cut but can't tell who cut it. Don't think
Mccain was on the scaffold. Don't know who put
the rope around his neck. Mccain in uniform
don't think he had any arms on. Don't know who cut
Haun down. Never heard defendants say anything
about the hanging of Haun either before or after
wards.
CROSS EXAMINED.
Was present at the hanging. McCann did not
60 on to the scaffold He went TO Hapn and spoke
to him, appeared to speak to him. and took some
thing out of his pocket and wrote. Don't remem-
Der whether was before after this that the order
to send his body to his friends read
/ recolect a coffin being at the railroad under the
shed, but can't say whether Haun was in it or not
l heard nothing said about the body or the disposal
of it at the execution.
Judge Hall was called for the State.
l was in Knoxville when Haun was hung. My
recollection about this matter of martial law is the
same as Col. Baxters-that a writ had been sued
out and brought into Court early in the morning
| stepped to the door, and there armed squad
of rebels coming out from the jail and had a man
and coffin in charge. l had not known Haun. He
was hung according to rumOT, that day. The re-
turn on the writ was that martial law had been pro-
claimed. That evening after the hanging of Haun
circulars proclaiming martial law were circulated
CROSS EXAMINED.
The petition for the writ presented by Col
Baxter and Judge Brown granted the writ. The
return by Gen. Carroll the writ was that martial
law had been proclaimed before the issuance of the
writ
Henry Glass was called for the State.
Q.-State all you know about the trial and execu-
ton of Haun?
All know was l saw him executed don't
know what was said, as l was not near enough. l
saw a man that the platform officiating, who
l was told was Mccain. l saw him adjusting the
rope and cap, and think he cut the rope. Can
be positive that it was this defendant Mccain.
did not know his name then, but was told afterwards
that it Mccain. They resembled somewhat.
Some person went to Haun and spoke to him, but
can't tell what was said there were three four
the scaffod don't recoect seeing but one officer on
the scaffold.
CROSS EXAMINED.
I lived near here then 1 don't know who was
provost marshal; had seen Mccain before and heard
him make speech he was on the Douglas electoral
ticket. stood about fifty steps from the scaffold.
The officers on the scaold had on regular uniforms
but don't know as to swords They might have had
guns, but can't be positive of it. l don't recollect
my impression is they had guns Can't say
whether the one who went to him when he on
the coffin was the one who was on the scaffold or
not.
RE-EXAMINED.
Could not see him when he was on the ground,
but when he was upon the scafold had full view
Of him.
Sanford Mason, (colored
| was in Knoxville at the time Haun as tried.
l waited in the court room. Examined by Court
as to competency Don't know as know the ma
ture of an OATH as never had chance to swear on
oath before. I've read the Bible good deal though
and think know the full meaning l waited on
the court martial room about thirty days. l re-
member when Haun was tried. T. j. Campbell
was Judge Advocate. John Z. Toole Reuben Rod
dy Mr.. Givin, Mr. Mccain, Capt. Kahn, General
Ramsey, Mr. Thomas and Mr.. Brabson constituted
the court The morning the court was called went
out after Kahn is the way l know he was on the
court He was the Clerk, sitting down writing
Mccain and Roddy took no part only as members
of the court. Did not hear a conversation between
Kahn and Haun. Ramsey was Attorney General
for the court martial
CROSS EXAMINED.
Ny opinion is, he, Kahn, acted as clerk. He
did the writing | waited on the court between
thirty-nine and forty days. Was there during all
the trials. Was there when the penalty death.
Haun was tried first and then the Harmons.