Great stuff! I was reading the complete entry in W.B. Wilson's diary (1829-1871) dated, Dec. 16, 1859, as two seperate events. They are clearly connected. It reads: "Cook & 2 colored men hanged today. Harper Ferry rioters in Charlestown, Va." And just as clearly this "Cook" is not connected to my family. William B. was entering relevant information of the time, as he did with the Gold Rush of 1848, the Civil War, the assassination of Pres. Lincoln...&c. Thanks for making the connection, sometimes long shots do pay off. Bob Cooke