Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1913-05-08
CharIes.own, Dec. 10th, 1853.

Charlestown, Dec. 10th, 1859.
At the conclusion of the prayer, by
Mr.. North, the ropes were adjusted
and the caps drawn over their face,
they were then led on the drop, when
Capt Avis tied their feet. Copeland
and Green then babe the ministers. and
Mr.. Campbell and Capt Avis good bye.
The Sheriff descended from the plat
form, cut the rope, and at IA minutes
past II o'clock, A. NJ, the drop fell ard
the souls of the poor, misguided Great
ures were ushered into the presence of
Him whose judgment is final. The
struggles of Copeland were really most
painful to look upon, and as we watch
ed him writhing in his agony we could
but feel how terrible, indeed such a
death must be. Green's neck was evil
dentlp broken, for he seemed to suffer
mush less than Copeland, as his strug-
giles were not SO violent. We judged
that Green was dead in about five min
utes from the time the drop fell; Cope
land appeared to have life several min.
utes after.
They hung for thirty minutes when
DR.. Mason, DR., J. A. Straith and DR..
Starry, assembled the scaffoId and made
an examination of their bodies and an
nounced to the Sheriff that they be-
iieved them to be dead. Capt Avis,
jailor, and four of the guard then took
them down, placed them in their collins
and they were at once conveyed to an
adjacent field and buried AS soon as
they were taken down, the Sheriff and
Tailor returned to the Jail in the same
wagon. for Cook and Coppee. The
military accompanying Copeland and
Green were ordered to repair to. town
and relieve the companies detailed to
guard the Jail during the execution of
the two negroes. An interval of three
quarters of an hour passed, after they
were down ere the military appeared
in sight, guarding Cook and Coppec.
During this time, the companies who
occupied positions to the front, right
and left of the gallows, were variously
exercised by command of General
Taliaferro, in order to keep them warm
as the weather was very raw and cold.
At twenty minutes to l o'clock, p.
m, the Military, having in charge
Cooke and Coppee, were seen entering
the field. Upon reaching the gallows
the column was halted, and Cook and
Coppee decended from the wagon, as
sisted by the officers in charge of them.
When they had gotten out both of them
commenced bidding good bye to the
Jail guard who accompanied them, and
to several of those standing near the
gallows. The. Sheriff led Coppee up
first. Capt. Avis followed after with
Cooke. As Cooke was ascending the
steps Of the scaffold we observed tears
coursing down his cheeks. The posi-
ton we occupied which was just at the
side of the steps at the time, afforded
US an excellent opportunity of seeing
the prisoners. Coppee appeared very
calm and collected. whilst Cook was
very much agitated. On reaching the
scaffold, Mr.. North officiated as before,
offering up a pathetic appeal to the
God of Justice and Mercy, in behalf Of
the unfortunate criminals.
During the prayer, Cook held his
head down-resting on his right hand,
evincing great anxiety and agitation.
Coopee stood up firmly with hat on,
clasping in his left hand red silk hand
kerchief; not muscle moved. gazing
quietly and placidly on the scene be-
fore him. He evinced an equal degree
if not greater firmness than Brown.
When Mr. N. had concluded his pray.
er, Capt Avis placed the rope aroune
Cook neck, and Mr. Campbell oficiateG
in same way for Coppee. The con
demned then babe Messrs Waugh, Leach
and North, Ministers; also Mr.. Camp.
bell ard Capt Avis farewell. DR.. J. H.
Stralth, by request, then adjusted the
ropes on their necks, placing them 81
that the knot of the moose rested under
the left ear so that the rope SHOULD
/ pull Immediately on top of the Laryn1
or on the valve of the windpipe. This
was done at the request, 50 we learn,
of the Sheriff, to expedite death. The
caps were then placed over their heads
Here. Coppee, who had taken his posi-
tion ON the drop, turned half arounC
and said to Cook, Goodbye John. :
Cook replied, where is Eds hand
stretching forth his. Capt Avis guided
their hands together, when Coppet
said, Goodbye John. God bless you,
Cook replied, Goodbye all. /"
The Sheriff had taken his stand a
the upright beam to which the droI
rope was fastened, waiting until DR.
Straith had adjusted the rope; all be
ing ready. DR.. Straith lett the plat
form and as he WIS defending tn
steps, said to the Sheriff. 'sbe quick a
possible. . and the fatal blow was give
the drop fell, and the souls of Cook an
Coppee were ushered into the presenc
of the Supreme. Being, there to b
finally judged,
Thus died, at ten minutes to l o'cloc
December 10th. 1859, two of the mos
prominent of The insurgents unde
Brown. Thus in the most terrible forl
have the laws of the State been Wind
Gated, and an example been afforde
their delnded friends and sympathizer.