Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-08-20
The Execution of John Brown.

''Shortly before eleven O'Clock the pris-
oner was taken from jail, and the funeral
cortege was put in motion. First came
three companies, then the criminals wag-
on, drawn by two large white horses
John Brown was seated on his coffin, &C.
companied by the sheriff and two other
persons. The wagon drove to the foot OF
the gallows, and Brown descended with
alacrity and without assistance and as
cended the steep steps to the PLATFORM
His demeanor was intrepid, without being
braggart. He made no speech; whether
he desired to make one or not / do not
know; even if he had desired it, it would
not have been permitted. Any speech of
his must of necessity have been unlawful,
as being directed against the peace and
dignity of the Commonwealth, and such
could not be allowed by those who were
engaged in the most solemn and extreme
vindication 81 the law.
"John Browns manner gave no evil
dence of timidity, but his countenance
was not free from concerns and it seemed
to me to have little cast Of Wlldness.
He stood upon the scaffold but a. short
time, giving brief adieus to those aboGss
him. when he was properly pinioned, the
che white cap drawn over his face, the
| Moose adjusted and attached to the hook
above, and he was moved, blindfolded. a
few steps forward. 1t was curious to note
how the instincts of nature operated to
make him careful in putting out his feet,
as if afraid he would walk off the scaffold
The man who stood unblenched on the
brink OF eternity, was afraid of falling a
few feet to the ground!
"Everything was now in readiness
The sheriff asked the prisoner if be should
give him private signal before the fatal
moment. He replied, in a voice that
sounded to me unnaturaIly naturalist
composed was its tone, and so distinct its
notwithstanding it did not matter to
him. if only they would not keep him too
long waiting.r He was kept waiting.
however; the troops that had formed his
escort had to be put il their proper posi-
ton, and while this was going on he stood
for some ten or fifteen minutes blindfold-
ed, the rope round his neck, and his feet
On the treacherous platform, expecting
instantly the fatal act; bit he stood for
this comparatively long time upright as a
soldier In position, and motionless. Was
close to him, and watched him narrowly.
to see if could detect any signs of
shrinking or trembling in his person, but
there were none. Once thought l saw
his knees tremble, but it was only the
wind blowing his loose trowsers. His
drmness was subjected to still further trial
by hearing Colonel Smith announce to the
sheriff, We are all ready, Mr.. Campbell.
The sheriff did not hear or did not com
prehend. and in a louder tone the sam.
announcement was made. But the cul-
prit still stood steady until the sheriff. de
scending the flight of steps, with a well
| directed blow of a sharp Ratchet, severed
the rope that held up the trap-door, which
instantly sank beneath Brown. He fell
about three feet; and the man of strong
and bloody hand, of fierce passions, of iron
will, of wonderful vicissitudes, the terri
BILE partisan of Kansas, the capturer of the
United States Arsenal at Harper's Ferry.
the would-be Catalina of the South, the
demigod of the Abolitionists, the man ex.
ecrated and lauded. damned and prayed
for, the man who, in his motives, his
means, his plans and his successes. must
ever be wonder, a puzzle and mystery.
John Brown, was hanging between heaven
and earth.
"There was profoundest stiffness during
the time his struggle continued, growing
feebler and feebler at each abortiye at
tempt to breathe. His knees were scarce
~ bent, his arms were drawn up to right
angle at the elbow, with the hands cench
ed, but there was no writhing of the
body. no violent heaying of the chest. At
each feebler effort at respiration his arms
sank lower and lower, and his legs hung
more relaxed, until at last, straight and
lank, he dangled, swayed slightly to and
fro by the wind.-J. Z. L. Preston IN Au.
gust Biuouac.