The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-02

Now remarked Mr.. Voorhees, ri had not
gone to Harper's Ferry under any great belief
that my services would be really required,
thought that Willard had labored under some
Misrepresentation; that this young outlaw could
not be the brother of his wife, whom I knew
very WE'LL and who was beautiful woman and
highly intelligent one. This opinion con-
tinued to have until we reached Charlestown and
entered the Jail It is popular mistake to say
that the people in Charlestown were turbulent or
offensive. There were a good many people
there, and they wore determined, significant
look, but they were quiet. Governor Willard
led all the proceedings we took at that moment.
and when it was said that Senator Mason, of
Virginia, was in the town he asked at once to be
taken to him. Mason was very fne-looking
man, of considerable hauteur. AS Virginian, he
was sensitive to the attack made on his neigh
bors. l had never seen him before. Willard,
however. was quite his match in address. Gov
ernor Willard was one Of the noblest looking
men ever saw. and perhaps the greatest natur
al leader Indiana ever had. He was very
young man when he died, soon after these
currences, but he had swept our State like tor
nado against man as able as Morton, and was
the idol of the Democracy out there He stood
tall, with his head well thrown back, and when
he introduced himself to Mr.. Mason, Mason
seemed to feel the equality. Mr.. Mason went
with us to the Jail We entered that building
and passed into hall or corridor and were taken
into quite large room. Nobody was in that
room but rather small young man, who was
sitting near the window with his cheek in the
hollow of his hand He was looking out of the
window In an distracted way. AS at something
far off. was the last one to enter Mr.. Mason.
think, went N first. But | looked in that
room as we came to it. and there / saw stamped
on that young mans face, though he was
of more fiaxen complexion than his
sisters, the unmistakable likeness of Carrie Will
lard. My heart began to droop. had the cyl
I'D ,n+ ,rais
taken in the identity of the young man, l was
so much overcome for moment that l did not
enter the room. but paced the hall outside.
knew that had to defend this youth upon the
terrible charge against him.
Mr.. Voorhees, seemed touched with the recol-
lection, and paused a while. Then he said:
when went in the room Governor Willard
was sitting near this young man and Senator
Mason was looking at them both from chair
I do not think much, if anything, had been said
The young man had now turned his face around,
still keeping his hand, as he sat, against his cheek
and he looked at Willard with distant recog
milton, as if he was not decided about welcoming
him. He had a broad forehead fine long locks
of brown hair, a nearly transparent skin, in
which you could see the blue veins, a smooth
face, and the chin firm though slight. EIe had a
fine mouth and beautiful white teeth in it, as i
saw afterward. He was looking at Willard as
at friend who might now be an enemy. and
without very great concern, but like one wearied
/ will not attempt said MIR. Voorhees,, Ito repeat
the conversation, though it was not long. 1t
was something like this: John, said Governor
Willard how came you to be in such compaEy2
These men are of different sort from you
You have been better bred better educated
The young man replied, without any excitement.
that he was there. Governor Willard then said:
John, why have yon not written to your
sistersa They loved you, and you have been lost
to them for two or three years Cook replied In
the same wearied, dreamy way, turning his face
back from the window, cut of which he had
1onE pa xvitl Iicto
have been in Kansas, and out where | have had
a good many things to think Of Sometimes
have not had the facilities to write. At other
times have been too much engaged But,
John. said the Governor. looking at him with all
his might, what were you doing in Kansas or
anywhere with these outrageous criminals and
disturbers of your countrys peace2 | want you
to tell rae how you came in such company.
COOKS STORY.
Cook then dropped his hand andlooked firmly
in Governor Wizards face, and his blue eyes
distended and flashed. and as be raised his upper
lip could sea those fine white teeth shine.
Said he: 1Ashbel, went to Kansas three years
ago to get my living and disturb no man. had
no intention of breaking the peace anywhere,
but the border ruffians had come into Kansas to
do as they pleased. was going from Leaven-
worth to Lawrence with cherished friend,
Alexander Stuart when a band Of these border
they killed my friend by my side. His blood
was spilled upon my garments. He died in my
arms raised my rife and emptied two of
their saddles. For this act price WAS put upon
my head and Yves hunted like a wolf AS
Cook spoke these words he turned his face from
his brother-in- law and looked right at James III.
Mason as if he instinctively guessed that man to
be in sympathy with those border ruffians.
Mason WAS a proud man, but as ne heard these
words his mind seemed to be disturbed, aud the
Young fellow looked him through.
Governor Willard then spoke zap and said:
John, if that was the case it will account for
yonr having been ia Kansas, hut what are you
doing here in this peaceful community among
band of assassinSF Cook. who had been aroused
before, as If reSentilg the reflections upon his
companions and their motives hestated
minute and said: y S, ] am here He gave
that dreamy look out of the window again, and
then, returning the gaze of his brother in law,
though in a more Softened way, he said Ash
hal when was in Kansas i learned to hate
slavery. Ifalt that twas not right to keep men
enslayed, and did for these men what l wenld
expect them to do for me If was in their place.
j came to set them free If i could Governor
Willard remarked that it had been a poor bust
mass or something to that effect Cook said:
Well, i am disappointed in the slave. / nut
arms IN his hands. and he would not fight. i
thought he would fight for his fresdom. He
has net done so, but cannot feel
that ] tried to do wrong when / came to
help him. :Jofn,' said Gevarnor Willard,
our 6lSL2E 1S my aHlLS, dIQ LltFH uliue up
mind to stand by you. You are in peril of your
life, ! shall not desert YOU. sAshbel' re-
piled Cock, my life has been in peril for two
years, day and night i have been in peril ELL
the time This is nothing new to nae. :B,tt,
john said Governor Willard, you have never
been in such peril as you are now. Every prob
ability of a criminal death is before you. What
will your old father and TnUthsr think when they
come to see your Cook now showed emotion,
and something like shudder went through him.
For q moment he broke down.
Said i: 9How was he dressed, Mr. Noorhees2"
HE wore corduroy suit of drab color. His
hair was rather wild and uncolnbed. He had
been brought across the country from Pennsyl
vania and had been but a few hours in the Jail
when we got there. lie looked Ikea boy. In
deed, he was only twenty years old. Yet
underneath that genteness was rather So
riuus nature. / should think he was five
feet nine inches high. He was light and why