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Newspaper Articles

Here are excerpts from articles about the Raid on Harper's Ferry, John Brown's Trial, and John Brown's Execution published in 1859 from a Virginia newspaper called The Staunton Spectator.

Rumors reached this place last night, about 8 o'clock, by telegraph, of a negro insurrection at Harper's Ferry. The dispatch was from the operator at Richmond, and stated that the negroes, under the lead of white men, had taken possession of the arsenal, and sent wagon loads of muskets and rifles to slaves in the surrounding country, and that large numbers had been killed. . . . They had cut and destroyed the telegraph wires. It is further stated that Gov. Wise had left Richmond with several military companies and that two companies from Washington with three twelve pounders had gone from that city with orders to take the bridge at all hazards by midnight. Troops from Old Point Comfort had also been ordered out, and companies from Baltimore had also repaired to Harper's Ferry. The payhouse is said to have been robbed of a large sum of money.

These rumors may be exaggerated in some particulars, but there seems to be no doubt . . . of the fact of the insurrection. We think it probable, however, that a rebellion involving the white operatives at the Armory has been mistaken for a slave insurrection; though it is probably that some negroes may have been induced to join them.

Trial of the Harper's Ferry Conspirators
from November 1, 1859

The examination of the Harper's Ferry conspirators before the County Court of Jefferson, took place at Charlestown on Tuesday last. At half past 10 o'clock the Sheriff was directed to bring in the prisoners, who were conducted from jail under guard of eighty armed men. A guard was also stationed around the Court House, their bayonets bristling on all sides.

The prisoners were brought in amidst profound silence. Brown and Edwin Cuppee were manacled together. Brown seemed weak and haggard, with his eyes swollen from the effects of the wounds on his head. Cuppee is uninjured. Stevens seemed less injured than Brown, but looked haggard and depressed. He has also a number of wounds on the head.

The Court inquired if the prisoners had counsel, whereupon Brown stated that he had none, and had not been able to advise with one. The Governor of Virginia, he said, had given him assurance of a fair trial, but he was unable to attend to it. If they wanted his blood they could have it without the mockery of a trial. The Court assigned [lawyers] for the prisoners. [One of them], Mr. Faulkner, at first objected to serving. After further remarks by John Brown and others, it was agreed, however, that Faulkner and Botte [the other lawyer] should act.

On Wednesday, the Grand Jury of the Circuit Court returned indictments against the prisoners. First, for conspiracy with negroes to create an insurrection; second for treason against the Commonwealth; third, for murder.

Several witnesses for the prisoner were called and did not answer. It was stated that the subpoenas had not been returned. Brown then arose from his mattress evidently excited and starting to his feet addressed the Court. He said that notwithstanding all the promises it seemed that nothing like a fair trial was given him. All his money had been taken from him, and he had no none to do errands for him. He had given the names of witnesses and it seemed they had not been summoned. He had no counsel in whom he could rely, and asked that he proceedings might be postponed till Saturday when he hoped one would be here. Brown then laid down again, drew his blanket over him and closed his eyes, and appeared to sink in a tranquil slumber.

Results of the Trial
from November 8, 1859

The trial of Capt. John Brown at Charlestown has resulted as everybody anticipated it would, and the prisoner has been sentenced to be hung on the 2nd of December.

The State of Virginia guarantees a fair trial to every man accused of crime, and that Brown had one he is obliged himself to confess. In his address to the Court, when called upon as usual to say why sentence should not be pronounced, he remarked: "I feel entirely satisfied with the treatment I have received at my trial. Considering all the circumstances, it has been more generous than I expected."

The prisoner complained, however, of his sentence, because he was convicted of capital offences - treason, murder and conspiracy with negroes - when he only intended peacefully to run off slaves; and if lives were sacrificed it was the fault of those who interfered with him. Such an apology is, of course, very absurd, but why did Brown provide so many rifles and pikes if he did not contemplate violence and bloodshed. He was, no doubt, deceived in reference to the assistance which he expected both from the free and slave states.

Execution of John Brown
from December 6, 1859

The following account of the last hours and execution of John Brown was dispatched from the Charlestown by telegraph, on Friday afternoon the 2nd.

The prisoner was brought out of the jail at eleven o'clock. Before leaving he bid adieu to all his fellow prisoners and was very affectionate to all except Cook. He charged Cook with having deceived and misled him in relation to the support he was to receive from the slaves. He said he was lead by him to believe they were ripe for insurrection, but he had found that his representations were false. Cook denied the charge and made but little reply to Brown. The prisoner then told the Sheriff he was ready, when his arms were pinioned, and he walked to the door apparently calm and cheerful. He wore a black slouched had, and the same clothes worn during his trial. As he came out he was taken under guard of the military. Six companies of infantry and one troop of horse, with Gen. Talliaferro and his entire staff, were deployed in front of the jail.

At the door of the jail and open wagon with a pine box, in which was a fine oak coffin, was waiting for him. He looked around and spoke to several persons whom he recognized, and walking down the steps, was assisted to enter the wagon, and took his seat on the box containing his coffin along with Jailor Avis. He looked with interest on the fine military display, but made no remark. The wagon moved off as soon as the had taken his seat, flanked with two files of riflemen in close order.

On reaching the field, the military had already full possession, and pickets were stationed various points. The citizens were kept back at the point of the bayonet, from taking any position except that assigned them - nearly a quarter of a mile from the scaffold. The prisoner walked up the steps firmly and was the first man on the gallows. Jailor Avis and Sheriff Campbell stood by his side, and after shaking hands and bidding an affectionate adieu, he thanked them for their kindness. They then put the cap over his face and the rope around his neck. Mr. Avis asked him to step forward on the step. He replied, "You must lead me, as I cannot see."

The rope now being adjusted, the military order was given. The soldiers marched and counter marched and took their position as if an enemy was in sight. Nearly ten minutes were thus occupied, the prisoner standing meanwhile. Mr. Avis inquired if he was not tired. Brown replied - "No, not tired; but don't keep me waiting longer than necessary." The arrangements of the military being completed, at fifteen minutes past eleven the trap fell. A slight grasping of the hands and twitching of the muscles was visible, and then all was quiet. The body was several times examined and his pulse did not cease beating for 35 minutes. It was then cut down and placed in the coffin and conveyed under military escort to the depot, and there put in a car to be conveyed to Harper's Ferry by special train, at 4 o'clock.

The whole arrangements were carried out with a precision and military strictness that was most annoying. The general conviction is everywhere entertained that the rumors of the intended rescue were altogether an egregious hoax.