Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-04-11

but he would not accept it; so the first
day was passed in sparring. The
Judge decided, though. that the trial
should proceed, and that night law
yer by the name of Hoyt from Boston
came, but be did not amount TO much.
The next day a lawyer arrived
from Ohio. His name was Griswell.
The third day of the trial, Hon. Sam
uel Chiffon, formerly of Warrenton,
Va, but at that time living in Wash
ington, arrived to aid the defence.
Mr.. Chiffon was one of the foremost
lawyers in the country at that time.
1t will thus be readily seen that with
this array OF counsel, John Brown
could net plead lack Of counsel. No
trial was ever conducted more in ac-
cordance with the law and with greater
fairness. Brown requested to be tried
first and alone. This was granted.
No jury was ever guarded more care
fully. At night We were locked up IN
the top room of the tavern with two
sherifs-fourteen in all-in room
not more than fifteen feet square.
There had been heavy rains, and the
brick walls were covered with mold
and very damp, but we stood 1t. l
do not think any ones death was
fastened on account of these un-
healthy quarters They all lived to
good age. I am the youngest, and
my health is good. Often l have seen
articles written stating that the John
Brown jury all met premature deaths.
These writers were certainly wrongly
informed can truthtully say that
none died under 55 and one lived to
be 90 years old. I know of SIX On
cluding myself that passed the age of
TO-"
The following interesting document
is copy of the proceedings in the
case, made from the records in Charles
town, Jefferson county, W. Va. On
the records it is marked Exhibit a, "
and reads:
.MoNDAY, OcT. 81, 1859.
John Brown, who stands indicted
of treason, advising and conspiring
with slaves and others to rebel, etc,
and for murder, was again led to the
bar in the custody Of the jailor OF this
court, and the jury sworn to try his
case appeared in court today in charge
Of the sheriff, to whom they were
committed on Saturday last on the
adjournment of court, and, having
fully heard the arguments OF counsel,
retired to their chamber to consult on
their verdict, and after some time re-
turned into court, and on their oath
do say: We, the jury, find the defen-
dant, John Brown, the prisoner at
the bar, guilty of treason, advising
and conspiring with slaves and others
to rebel, and for murder in the first
degree.
J. G. WILTSHIRE, foreman.
And, therefore, the said John Brown
is remanded to Jail. November 2,
1859, John Brown, who stands con-
victed of treason, advising and con-
spring with slaves and others to rebel,
and for murder in the first degree,
was again led to the bar in the custo-
dy of the jailer of this court, and,
thereupon, it being demanded Of him
self he had or knew to say why the
court here to judgment and execu-
tion against him, of and upon the
premises, should not proceed, he said
he had nothing but what he had be-
fore said. Therefore, it, is considered
by the court that he be hanged by
the neck until he be dead, and that
the execution of this judgment be
made and done upon him, the said
John Brown, by the sheriff of Jetfer-
son county, on Friday, the % day of
December next, between the hours Of
9 o'clock in the forenoon and in the
afternoon of the same day and it is
further considered that execution Of
this judgment be made and done up
on him, the said John Brown, not in
the Jail yard, but at such other place in
the county convenient there to as
the sheriff may elect
Che wacpJt Thrown