Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-08-24
JOHN BROWNS GALLONS.


Gen. James b. Colt, the purchaser
of the John Brown scaffold, is unaffec-
ted BY any of the criticism of his con-
duct. He expects to have his galloSs
hero in day or two. lie thinks
that the idea of employing the gibbet
on which John Brown met his death
as the means of erecting a lasting
monument is one which will appeal
to the sentiment of the whole coun-
try. He has furnished more details
of the scaffold's history and his own
plans. BY order of the authorities of
Jefferson county, W. Va, this scat
fold was erected in Charlestown on
the last day of November, 1859, and
on the I'd of December of that year
the body of old Ossowatomie Brown
swung from its crossbar. twas taken
down and stored in the Jail yard, and
regretted on the 10th of December
for the hanging of Edwin Coffee,
Shields Green, John L. Cooke and
John Copeland. On the 10th of March
of the following year it was again
erected and did duty for the execu-
tion of Albert Hazalett, alias William
Harrison, alias William Hayslett,
and Aaron ID. Stephens.
When this CHASTITY record was ended,
Cockrill asked what he was to do with
the scaffold, and he was told to dis
pose of it as he pleased by Hon.
Braxton B. Davenport, president of
the court of Jefferson county, Cock
rill transformed the scaffold into the
framework for portico for the house
of his friend, Daniel Sheetz, at the
corner of Liberty and Lawrence Sts.,
in Charlestown, and there it remain
ed for years.
AS times changed, and events
wrought a new estimate of Brown,
even in the midst of his enemies, it
was recognized that in future years
considerable value might be placed
upon these historical timbers. In the
autumn of 1888 they were bought by
John M. Coyle and stored in the Sc
cond story of the Jail building.
General Colt says this of his inter-
est in the subject: 81 was in Kan
sas at the time of the Kansas ebras-
ka difficulty and was great admirer
of John Brown, though l never saw
him. Having some business at Char
lestown recently 1 discovered the ex-
istence of the scaffold, and it occurred
to me that instead Of allowing it to be
hawked about, possibly, by fakirs
aud spectators, it might be put to a
serious use. / am interested in some
property on the historical Bolivar
Heights, overlooking the Shenandoah
and Harper's. 1t is beautiful spot
commanding magnificent view and
overlooking all the region where was
enacted the immortal tragedy of John
Brown. Once when there it seemed
to me that this was the spot of all
others for monument to the men,
DRY of Brown, and when 1 found the
scaffOld was in existence 1 thought as
Brown earned his undying name fin
ally on that scaffold, it might be utili-
Zed now to earn funds with which to
erect monument on the spot over
looking the scene of his most remark
able exploit. I am lawyer, and not
a Snowman, but it is my present in
tention, If can find the proper per-
son to take charge of the scaffold, to
exhibit it, and appropriate the pro-
ceeds, above expenses, tic the erection
of this monument. On the property
of which / speak there is a fine mar
BILE quarry. and ofthis marble would
construct the monument. / have Of
fered portion of the property to the
State of West Virginia for reform
school or other public institution.
at is possible the place may be-
come summer resort, as the scenery
is grand, and Harper's Ferry is al
ready place much visited. In any
event, if the monument be erected, /
would reserve enough ground to lay
out park around it. | have inquir-
ed into the sentiment of the people
on the subject, and ! do not believe
there would be any serious objection
or interference. The views of the old
inhabitants have changed greatly in
regard to Brown, many Union Sol
diers have settled whereabouts, and
any who might otherwise object
would probably be silenced by the
fact that any additional attraction
would bring people and money to the
town. This is the way have arrang-
ed the matter in my mind. Possibly,
may find obstacles in the way have
not thought Of, but hope not"
Though the General did not say so
definitely, it is probable the scaffold
will be placed in one of the public
museums here, after it has earned a
monument to the memory of Brown.
Gen. Colt was the first man in Con-
necticut to enlist for the war, though
Gen. Hawley claims that distinction.
The news of the firing on Fort Sum-
ter was received at his home in Nor
witch in the morning, and he at once
enrolled his name, and had organized
"A company before evening. AT Get
tysburg his regiment-the Fourteenth
Connecticut-captured six stands of
colors, which was more than any
other one regiment captured during
the war.
In later years Gen. Colt joined the
Democratic party. Commissioner
Black appointed him chief of the old
Army and Navy Division of the Pen
sion Bureau, which Office he resigned
Immediately after President Harr- |
sons Inauguration.
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