Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1913-04-03
!: THE JOHN BROWN RAID /
SOME CLIPPINGS FROM OUR /;
OLD FILES OF 1859. ]
BROWNS INTERVIEW. )
Thursday, December 8. 1859.
Confined from last week }

A friend has furnished the following
About 8 o'clock. on Friday morning,
December End, Captain Brown took
leave of his fellow convicts. He walk
ed actively up the steps into the second
story of the Jail, where Cooke, Coppie,
Shields Green and Copeland were con-
fined We went first into the cell oc-
cupied by Green and Copeland. In this
cell. also. was Hazlitt, between whom
and Brown not the slightest token of
recognition passed. Immediately upon
going in Brown shook them by the
hand-told them that he was there to
take his farewell of them. He charged
them both in bitter terms. with having
said things about him which were not
true, and which they knew were not
true, and spoke particularly of their
having said they were hired to come
here, and were deceived. He told them
they knew that was not se-that. they
had joined him of their own accord.
and knew what they were to do.
To Copeland he spoke very harshly
in regard to what he said of Kagi.
Copeland, by way of excusing himself
said he Thought it could do no harm as
Kagi was dead" Brown replied he
"had no right to think-that they could
only gain the contempt of mankind by
making false statements, and wound
up by exorting them IF they must
die. to die like men" He gave each
OF them a quarter of a dollar, telling
them it would be no use to him. as
his time was drawing very short, and
it might be of some use to them
Shaking them BY the hand, and again
exborting them to Idle like men,.
which Copeland promised to do in these.
words. - Capt Brown. promise YOU
to do so,-he took bis final leave of
them. paving no attention to Hazlitt.
Ne hen went into the cell occuni, d
by Cook and Coppie. Brown shook
them by the hand and at once said 70
Cook, Exhibiting good deal of tenn
per- you have made statements about
me which are not true, and Wisish yea
knew were not true" Caok asked.
I'm what Brown replied ,'in say
ing that l sent you t. Harpers Ferry;
you know that is not true" Cook said
to him, "did not you tell Stewart Tay-
Tor and myself to GO to. Harpers Ferry
and to report to your" mo sir. No.
You know opposed it when first pro-
posed at Cleveland, and never consen-
ted to it.. Cook merely replied, your
memory is very different from mine,
Brown said very sharply. am right
sir. /" Cook dropped his head, rebuked
and abashed, and evidently Dat the
mercy of Brown. who. then turned to
Coppie and said to him. you also, have
made statements which were not true. "
and referred to Coppie having said they
were confined at the Kennedy house
but which he had since corrected. and
CONNIE nded him for it. No man can
ANYTHING. but the contempt Of
mankind by making statements wnIcn
are not true. - He then exorted them
to die like men-gave Coppie a quarter
and shaking them both by the hand.
babe them stern FAREWELL"
Stevens, who was down stairs, was
,,;c;AoI The i,oto uaru
short Brown said. I am here TO bid
you farewell as have done with the
others / have a piece of money for
you which is of no use to me, it NAV
he of some to you' handing him a
quarter. Shaking Brown warmly by
the hand, Stevens said, Il feel 1t in
my soul Captain that you are goirg to
better world, to which Brown re,
piled. "yes, yes. but stand up like a
man-no hinching now Farewell. fare
well''-turned and left the cell. and
stepping into his own cell resumed his
writing
AS soon IS Brown entered the cells,
he was again General Brown, and the
prisoners his humble and devoted fol-
lowers. There never was seen great
er submission than was presented when
Brown made his appearance. The
prisoners were ready to fall at his feet.
and willing to promise him anything.
Next week the execution.