Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1901-04-25

esting history Related by South-
erner.
Gen. Bradley 7. Johnstons article
on the John Brown raid, published in
a Baltimore paper a few weeks ago,
says Elizabeth Preston Allen of Lex
ington Va, in the Baltimore Sun, sug-
gests the thought that Baltimoreans
might like to hear that story to the
finish. The in2losed letter is taken
from the Life and Letters of Marga-
ret J. Preston, now ready for publica-
ton. 1t was written to Mrs. Preston
by her husband, Col. j. 7. l.. Pres
ton, who was present at the execution
of John Brown, as part of the mill
tary guard. The writer had no thought
of publishing the letter, and it is now
offered to the public for the first time.
Charlestown, Dec ,, lS59.-The eN-
ecution is over; We ha vejust returned
rom the field, and l sit down to give
you some account of it. The weather
was very favorable; the sky was lit
tie overcast, with a gentle haze in the
atmosphere that sOttened without OBJ
securing the magnificent prospect af-
forded here. Between s and o'clocN
the troops began to put themselves in
motion to occupy the position assign
ed to them on the field, as designated
on the plan | send you. To Colonel
Smith, of the Virginia Military insti-
tute, had been assigned the superin-
tendence of the execution, and he and
his staff were the only mounted Off
GERS on the ground until the major
general and his staff appeared. By 10
o'clock all was arranged. The general
effect was most imposing and at the
same time picturesque. The cadets
were Immediately in the rear of the
gallows, with a howitzer on the right
and left, little behind, so as to sweep
the field. They were uniformed in
red flannel shirts, which gave them a
gay, dashing, Zouave look, and were
exceedingly becoming, especially to
the battery They were fianked
obliquely by two corps-thc Rich
mond Greys and Company (which,
If inferior in appearance to the cadets,
were superior to any other company
ever saw outside of the regular army
Other companies were distributed over
the field, amounting id all to about
800 men. The military force was
about / 800.
The whole Enclosure vas lined by
cavalry troops, posted as sentinels,
with their offlcers-one on a peerless
black horse and another on a remark
able looking white hOrse-cOntinually
dashing round the Enclosure. Outside
this Enclosure were other companies
acting as rangers and scouts. The
jail was guarded by several com
panies of infantry, and pieces of ar
tillery were put in position for its de-
Tense
March to the Scatfold,
Shortly before i O'Clock the prison
er was taken from the Jail and the
funeral Cortege was put in motion.
First came three companies, then the
criminals wagon drawn by two large
white horses. John Brown was seated
on his coffin, accompanied by the
sheriff and two other persons. The
wagon drove to the foot of the gallows
and Brown descended with alacrity
and without assistance assembled the
steep steps to the platform. His de-
meanor was intrepid without being
braggart. He made no speech.
Whether he desired to make one or
not do not know. Had he
desired it would not have
been permitted. Any speech of
his must of necessity have been I'M
lawful, as being directed against the
peace and dignity of the common
wealth. and as such could not be al
lowed by those who were then en-
gagged in the most solemn and extreme
vindiCatiOn Of the law His manner
was without trepidation but his coun-
tenance was not free from concern,
and it seemed to me to have little
cast of wildness. He stood upon the
sCaffold but a short time giving brief
adieus to those about him, when he
was properly pinioned, the white cap
drawn over his face, the moose ed-
justed and attached to the hook above
and he was moved blindfold 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 scaftold. The man who stood I'M
blanched on the brink of eternity was
afraid Of falling a few feet to the
ground.
Death Without Shrinking.
He was now all ready. The sheriff
asked if he should give him a private
signal before the fatal moment He
replied in voice that sounded to me
unnaturally natural, so composed was