The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-11-08

marines He was always in arms, but do not
think saw him fire.
Cross-examined by Mr. Green.-Wc, as prisoners,
agreed to such of captulation citizens
were willing to accept. A proposal written
! by Mr.. Dangerfeld, dictated by Brown.
There were three or four slaves in the engine
house. They had spears, but all seemed badly
scared Mr. Washington's "Phil' was ordered by
Brown to cut a portfolio through the brick wall
! lie continued until brisk fire commenced outside,
when he SAID, ats getting too hot for Phil" and
he squattcd. Brown then took up the tools and
/ finished the hole.
! John AIlstadt sworn.--On Monday morning,
| ubout o'clock, was aroused from sleep; asked who
was at the door, and the reply was, "Get up, quick
or we will burn you up. Asked what they intend
ed to do; they said Free the country of slavery"
Told me they were going to take me to Harper's
Ferry. | dressed myself, and when | got to the
door they had all my blacks, seven in number.
| We were all put into a wagon. Negroes were then
armed with pixies We went to the armory yard,
where was put in charge of one of Browns party;
afterwards we were ordered into the watch house.
l saw Col. Washington there.
When the marines made the assault, Browns
party took position behind the engines and aimed
at the door Brown was in front squatting. He
fred at the marines, and my opinion is that he
killed that marine.
BY Mr. Green.-Did not see any others shoot;
cannot state certainly by what shot the marine
killed. lie might have been killed by shots fired
before the door was broken open. Was much
confused and excited at the time. Heard regrets
expressed at Bcckhans being killed
Albert Grist sworn.-On Sunday night had been
to meeting with my son; coming home across
Shenandoah bridge seized by two men with
rifles; when we got to the end Of the bridge was
stopped by man with spear. Asked what was
the matter? The reply was, the town under
martial law. They told me | should not be hurt,
and asked me whether there were many slavehold-
ers about Harper's Ferry? | told them no. Brown
came up and observed you have got some prisoners;
they took us to the armory; found some citizens
there. Being tired, witness laid down. Brown
said the object was to free the slaves Told him
there were not many there.
Col. Gibson sworn.-Witness helped portion
Of the militia OF Jefferson county to suppress the
insurrection, and jefferson Guards and other de-
tachments were in the action, having been called
out by the authority of the law. Three insurgents
were killed at the rifle factory, and Copeland cap
tured
Cruss-examined-There was some firing by out
side citizens, and the three killed were not under
my command Don't think the insurgents fired
gun at the rifle factory, but they attempted to
make escape across the river
Benjamin +. Beall sworn.-Wcnt to Harper's
Ferry armed; did not join the military, but wao
stationed at the Gait House in Capt. Bolts compa-
ny; in the evening walked out on the platform of
the railroad; saw Mr. Beckham shot
Cross-examined.-There was general firing in
almost every direction; McCabe was about firing
when he was shot; there were twenty-five or thirty
men firing at the engine-hOuse when Young and |
McCahc wounded.
Lewis Starry sworn.-This witness testified re-
speeding the killing of Mr. Turner.
The prosecution here rested their testimony
IT, L L.
fed that he was one of the prisoners in the engine |
house with Col Washington and others; Brown
remarked that the prisoners should share their .
danger; they were allowed TO shelter themselves .
as they could.
Cross-cxanrined Went out with flag of truce
another went out in the same manner and came
back wounded; Stevens and kitzmiller went out,
and Stevens was shot, after that it commenced .
raining very hard; supposed Stevens was dead; he ,
lay near the corner of the door; heard him groan-
ing, and saw Stevens moving; witness was allowed .
to 90 and assist Stevens into the hotel; he return
ed according to his pledge to the engine house;
was sent several times by Brown to request the
citizens not to shoot, the lives of the prisoners
were being endangered; negotiations going
on between Brown and the prisoners
\. NJ. kitzmiller sworn.-Made repeated endea-
vors to communicate the state of affairs to Brown
he said his obect there was to free the slaves from
bondage, and, II necessary to fight pro-slavery
for that purpose; was first surprised, then indig-
nant, and finally disguised with Brown; he said to
ne, there is company of rfemcn the bridge,
get them to go in company with Stevens; | told
them was very sorry that they did not leave their
guns Stevens remarked, 'that would not do;"
had no flag of truce and did not consider myself
bearer Of flag Of truce | deserted the rifle COM
pany on the bridge; saw they were our own men
and waved my handkerchief, and told Stevens and
the other man to remain; l soon heard firing very
close; Stevens fired in reply to shot which struck
him from IN house on the side Of the
Winchester Railroad; Stevens fell and the other
man returned; think it was Browns son; Stevens
was shot before he fred back; Thompson, one of
Browns men, was with the prisoner, and was shot
on the bridge.
Brown here cried out-''Dcscribe the circum-
stances connected with the death of Thompson"
Nitncss-I was not there; did not see it, the
last l saw of Thompson he was prisoner with the
Ferry people en- the bridge.
MIR Green here stated to the Court that he de-
sired to bring out testimony relating to the shoot
ing of Thompson, one Of the insurgents in the
bridge, but the State objected to it unless Brown
had knowledge of that shooting.
Mr. Hunter said that vast deal of testimony I
,boUt Browns forbearance and not shooting citi-
,ens had been adduccd, but it had no more to do
with this case than the dead languages. If he un-
!ersood the affair." it to show that one of those
men who had been taken prisoner, named Thomp-
on, was despatched after Beckham's death, under {
circumstances perhaps which he himself should .
NJ at all To l,4