The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-02
Voorhees, PLEA FOR COOK.
The Indiana Senator's Recollections Of
John Brown and His Little Band.
Cooks Interview with Gov. Willard--lIis
Touching Letter to His Wife and Mother
His Goodness on the Scaffold.
"Gath.r in Cincinnati Enquirer.


have long desired for literary purpose to
obtain from Senator Daniel w. Voorhees, his
"reminiscences of the trial of John Brown, where
he was counsel for Captain John E. Cook and
made in Cooks behalf one Of the most remark,
able speeches in causus celebres of history. Mr.
Voorhees, is so much employed in his public avo-
cations that it was with as much difficulty as re-
luctauce that he obliged me, night or two ago.
with the most interesting story. have under
taken to iot it down for myself, but, perhaps,
when have finished it, it may be better be pre-
served in print / think there can be no impro
priety in the publication, if so conclude.
Beginning slowly and with reflection, Mr..
Voorhees, spoke to me somewhat as follows.
though cannot exactly give his words:
81 have refrained from talking the subject
of twenty-five years ago. Some things con-
nected with me there probably can not speak
of now. | think however, that you have had
some bias established in your mind to the pre-
JUDGE Of my client, CAPTAIN Cook as one of
John Browns baad, and il is due to the memory
of that poor boy that should Tell you that my
defense of him was not his defense; that he had
no part in it, that l. in tho effort to save his life
chose my own course, consulting nobody but his
brother in law, Governor Ashbel Willard Of
Indiana who was Democrat. like myself.
Cook was as determined follower OF John
Brown as any one in that band I believe that
he was as brave man as any of those invaders.
His nerve was as good as his courage He had a
gentle, affectionate nature, and in our attempt
to save his life the inference might properly be
drawn that he put US upon that line OF defense.
Such was not the case We were Democrats
and he was an Abolitionist We made the only
effort to save his life in power, and that was
by representing him as having been under the
influence of powerful mind like John Brown.
Removing to quiet place, Mr. voorhees, be-
gan to give his narrative slowly; but after
awhile he warmed up, and his talk was as elo
quent, if possible as his speech on that memor
able occasion, when he pleaded with a jury of
Virgnians to save the young man he had the
most reason, perhaps TO dislike.
II was appointed by President Buchanan"
said Mr.. Voorhees,, United States Attorney for
the State of Indiana. Judge Black the At
torney general made out my appointment AT
the time of the Brown raid was perhaps thirty
one years old, The news of the invasion at
Harpers Ferry came to Indiana, and of course,
excited the Democrats and most OF the people at
large, as being terrible thing, Without any ap-
parent context or connection. The feeling was
very high The United States had q suit at that
time, affecting some bank property, and had to
represent the government. My opponent
lawyer named Judah The case was tried at
Vincennes, the oldest town in the West 1t was
the old Territorial capital [ had Just finished
my speech. some four days after the arrest of
Brown, when, as was about TO take my seat l
observed a marshal making signal 20 me. He
took me outside of the court and put into my
hands an uEsealed letter.
GETTING INTO THE CASE.
ut said something like the following: We
have reason to believe that the John E. Cook
who has just been captured in Pennsylvania
and is one Of Browns men, is Mrs. Wizards
brother. We appeal to you to defend him.
This letter was signed 'Ashbel P. willard
read the letter, and strange thrill went through
me, partly incredulous that such an extraordi-
nary performance as Browns raid could come
home to Democratic officials family / was
then trying to get position as young lawyer,
and saw at once that to defend one of Brown s
men would probably break me down at the
threshold of my career, when, yet. had ac-
quired nc means TO sustain myself. But made
up my mind at the moment that if this connec-
ton really existed should go to the defense of
Governor Wizards brother-in-law. 1 walked
back into the court. stepped up to the bench,
and put the letter before the generous Irish
judge. He read it through, and looked up at me
with astonishment. Said /: Judge, l shall
go. How am / going to get rid of this
caser Won are right said the judge, in his
strong Irish brogue. i know you will 60 He
called up the opposite counselor, Mr. Judah,
who demurred O little to putting or the case.
They asked me how long would be absent. /
told them had not the least idea. will thirty
lays be enoughg said the judge. said did not
snow but thought the case ought to be put off
for sixty days. Mr.. Judah shrugged his shDul-
iers, but the judge said, temphatically: am
going TO adjourn this case for sixty days, If
necessary The case was adjeurned. then
leegraphed my wife to pack my trunk and bring
> it to the train, which WAS going from Nincannes
to my own town of Terre Haute di6 not OK
PLAIN TO her. She met me, and in a few hurried
words / told her that Governor Willard mad
asked my aid znd 4 must give it. The train
went on to Indianapolis, and the news had been
seEved there that the Governor had
applied to me. The United States mar
lived, had made up his mind that Governor Will
ard had no business to employ me in such a
cause. He took me to his room at the hotel, and
spoke severely against the policy of Democrats
The Governor, Willard, said he, may have this
brotherinlaw IN John Browns band, burt he
must take his chance with the other desperadoes.
These men have attacked not only Virginia, but
The United States. and raised a rebellion in our
midst listened to him quietly, but said when
he had finished: Robinson, am going all the
same He then walked the floor and spoke yet
more fiercely. just as ne had finished, the door
opened and in walked Governor Willard. Said
he: voorhees,, did you get my letter, and will you
goF Yes, Willard. said /, when do you startr
I'VE leave here at 8 o'clock for Harper's Ferry,
said he. Robinson walked out Of the room"
At this point interposed a questionto Senator
Voorhees,: Had Governor Willard ever met
dis brother law Cookp
Eyes, think he had; but not for some years.
He told me that when the information came that
the young man had been born in Haddam Conn,
Mrs Willard and her sister Katie had concluded
that he must be their missing brother 'Voor-
hees said he. we thought you would go. Bad
as the boys act has been, I am going to stand by
him." The Senator then continued: I'VE trav-
eled by railroad direct for Harpers Ferry, and
we went go fast that We arrived there during the
day, while Cox himself had only been taken
through Harper's Ferry to Charlestewn the same
morning. He had to be brought by conveyance,
while wo came by steam. He had therefore
we got outs of the ears at Harpers Ferry, SO soon
after this memorable raid, the people of the