Raynor HCA 2014-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2014
BECKHAM, Fontaine (1788-1859) was the murdered Mayor of Harper’s Ferry at the time of John Brown’s raid. Document Signed “F. Beckman,” April 5, 1848, a legal Court Summons of Jefferson County, VA., partially-printed Document, Signed Twice , by Fontaine Beckham, Mayor of Harper's Ferry who was killed by John Brown's men during the famous Raid on Harpers Ferry, also Signed on the reverse by James H. Holt, who captured one of Brown's men John L. Copeland (a Free Black), during that Raid, VG. It is said that Holt put a gun to Copeland's head when captured. He fired the gun but the powder was wet and the gun failed to discharge. After pistol whipping Copeland, Holt dragged him ashore and with others, tried to Lynch Copeland with a rope made of handkerchiefs tied together, but was prevented from carrying it out. Copeland was tried and hanged two months later.
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