Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-05-04
RECALL BROWN TRIAL.

autumn the country looked at Charles
Town as jury considered the evidence
against John Brown, abolitionist,
charged with treason. He had been
captured at Harper's Ferry after a
desperate fight, and had been taken on
ly when injured. Preliminary hearing,
trial, conviction, death on the gallows,
all followed quickly for him and
his associates. The issue then was
slavery. Brown was attempting to
work out his scheme for deliverance
of the slaves by force. 1t was ma
tional issue. In the trial OF the miners
there is also involved, although it has
not conceded legal status in the trials.
the issue OF unionism VS.. non-unionism
as regards the miners,-an issue which
has brought down on West Virginia
uprising after uprising and which has
made for the western and southern Sec
tons OF the State a reputation not
altogether enviable.
The historical local court house
where the trials will be held, is ia
nous in American historical annals. 1t
is dignifed looking building of red
brick, stately and imposing in its
Colonial architectural design. In this
same court room the fate of John
Brown and his subalterns was sealed
and the death sentence imposed.
A few eye Witnesses to the execu-
tons in the John Brown case, living
today in Charles Town, agree with
historians that Brown and Cooke, the
latter Brown associate displayed
courage in facing death; Brown met
the great adventure" with absolute
unconcern while Cooke betrayed some
emotion. Cooke, according to eye
Witnesses and historians, met death
bravely enough, but in mounting the
scaffold it was noted that tears stream
ed down his boyish face.
December IS, 1859, was significant in
Charles Town as "quartette execu-
ton day" ALONG with Cooke were
executed on that day Green, Coppee
and Copeland, all followers of the ILL
fated abolitionist, John Brown.
Charles Town has occupied con-
spicuous place in history since colon
iai days. II was on the"firing line"
during the Indian warfares and during
the strenuous days Of l86O-1865. Ii
was the stamping ground Of the famous
Ssonewall Jackson, of the Confederacy,
ard Phil Sheridan, general OF the u.
). cavalry forces. Minor engagements
fought near its envirous had direct
effect on the bloody and decisive bat
lies OF Antetam and Gettysburg
Charles Town was named in honor
II Charles Washington, brother of the
immortal George, first President of
tie United States. Many direct de-
sccrdants of the illustrious family
still reside in this town
George d. Moore. former prosecu-
ting torney of Jefferson county, re-
Gently writing in the Charleston Ca
zet.c of the Brown trial, say ia part:
ring the early summer Of 1880.
rty of strangers arrived near Har-
per'j Ferry, w. Va. With them WAS m
old man of venerable appearance. who
called himself Isaac Smith They rep
resented themselves - prospecting for
minerals and took long and frequent
rambles over various parts of the Blue
Ridge mountains nearby. After few
weeks they removed tn what is known
as the Kennedy farm, about five miles
from Harper's Ferry. on the Maryland
sic of the Potomac river, and eS.ab-
lished headquarters. They we're ami
able people and soon made number Of
friends. In the meentime large
quantity of arms and ammunition were
struggled in to them.
On Sunday night, October 10, of that
year, force of about 70 men descend
ed upon Harper's Ferry from the noun
tain across the rive'. shot men down in
the streets, captured prisoners and took
possession Of the place III general. The
greatest excitement prevailed. No one
on the outside at FIST was able to I'm.
derstand what tho trouble was all
about. 1t was finally given out by one
OF the attacking party that they had
CONE to give freedom TO the slaves O!
Virginia and that they had means
enough to accomplish This purpose. An
alarm was sent broaicast by the citi-
zens. The militia summoned, Cover
nor Wise Of Virginia arrived and took
personal charge e the situation; the