The Capture of John E. Cook and Albert Hazlett

Seven conspirators managed to escape from the engine house. Five, Owen Brown, Francis Meriam, Charles Tidd, Barclay Coppoc and Osborn Anderson, were never captured. John Cook and Albert Hazlett were not so fortunate, and were arrested near Chambersburg, PA, where Cook's wife resided, several days later. As one might expect, their capture generated considerable exictement in the town. An October 26 Valley Spirit editorial expressed dismay that the conspirators had used Chambersburg as a staging area. It went on to describe Cook and Hazlett's capture near Carlisle by some local citizens. Details were somewhat sketchy however, as they had only been taken a few days earlier.

The next edition of the Valley Spirit, November 2, contained more information. The third page of the paper was crowded with articles linking the raid to Chambersburg. One article described Cook and Hazlett's capture by Messrs. Claggett Fitzhugh and Dan Logan, of Quincy, detailing the papers found on Cook's person, while another reported on the transfer of the prisoners to Charlestown, for "Rumors," either. In "Capt. Kagi," the editors express doubt that Kagi, a former Chambersburg resident, and Tidd were actually killed during the raid. Local fears were not assuaged by the discovery of rifles, ammunition, books and bandages in Beatty's woods. The following week finds the Spirit refuting allegations that Cook had been mistreated while in prison.

News of Cook's apprehension spread through Virginia as well. The November 1 Staunton Spectator contained a report from Chambersburg, detailing Cook's capture and providing a biographical sketch of him. But people from Augusta county were to become even more involved in the story, when their local militia company, the West Augusta Guard was called up to keep the peace during the trials at Charlestown.

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