Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-10-29
WHAT OLD BROWN SAYS.
He IS GAME TO THE LAST.
-of the Cincinnati Gazette.


While examining the Armory grounds, the
scenes of the desperate action, and prosecu-
ing general inquiries respecting the events of
he last two days, it happened that l fell in
With an acquaintance of the New York re-
Dortorial corps. From him | learned that
Senator Mason, of Virginia, ExMember of
Congress Faulkner, of Charleston, Va, and
Hon. Vallandigham, of Ohio, were to have an
with osawatomie Brown. Of course,
we determined on being present, and carried
our determination into effect.
After some little delay we were introduced
into the room where Brown and Stephens |
lay. We found the former to be six-footer,
as he lay, he looked some six inch !
es shorter. He has bullet or Jack Shep- |
pard head, long grey hair, which at this time
is matted, the Sabre-cut in his head having
caused the blood to flow freely, to the COM
plete designation of his face. His hands
were begrimmed with dirt, evidently the re-
suit of continued exposure to the smoke OF
powder; his eyes are of a pale blue, or per-
haps of light grey color, much such eyes
as those of his brother, the fllibuster Walk
er. .-
During the conversation hereafter reported,
he betrayed not one sign of weakness. In the
midst of his enemies whose homes he had in
vaded, wounded and a prisoner, surrounded
by small army of officials, and more des-
perate array of angry men, with the gallows
staring full in the face, he lay on the floor,
and in reply to every inquiry gave an answer
that betokened the spirit that animated him.
The language of Governor Wise well express
sed his holiness. Said the Governor, HE is
the gamest man l ever saw" l believe the
worthy Executive had hardly expected to
see a man act thus in such q trying mo-
ment.
Stephens is a fine looking man. He is the
only one of the party of negroes who had light
hair; his hair and long beard are black his
face partakes of the handsome and noble; his
eye, though restless, has sharp brillianCy.
He is, like his associate and commander, six
feet in height. The strong man, thus lying
upon the floor, showed himself obedient to the
last to the commands Of "My Captain" as he
| called Brown. With three or four gun-shot
wounds, two in the head and one in the breast
bone, certain of death, he showed marvellous
courage. Though ever and anon grooming
with excessive pain, he did not one instant
forget himself, but calmly listened to the con-
versation.
As the conversation progressed, Stephen
paid close attention, and once at least, cor
rected remark of Browns. Both mer
seemed prepared for death, and seem even
to court it under the idea, perhaps, that they
will be regarded as martyrs but more proba
bly under the conviction of having performed
a sacred duty However much the writer
may differ from them. there must arise feel
ing or respect for their sincerity which i'm
PEELED them to their rash designs.
The parties present in the room during TIT
conversation were Senator Mason, Messrs
Faulkner and Vallandngam, Dr.. Briggs
Lieut.. Stuart, 1st Cavalry, U. S. A., two New
York reporters and the writer. A few othe
persons came in at times to see what was so
ing on.
! THE CONVERSATION.
Senator Mason-How do you justify you
acts?
Brown think, my friend, you are guilt
f of q great wrong against God and humanity
!, say that without wishing to be offensive
1t would be perfectly right for any one to ii
terfere with you so far as to free those yo
, wilfully and wickedly hold in bonds. l d
not say this insultingly.
Mr. Mason | understand that.
E Brown think | did right, and that 9th
ers will do right who interfere with you at an
time and all times. hold that the golde
, rule: Do unto others as you would that 9th
ers should do unto you, applies to all VIII
would help others to gain their liberty.
,, Lieut.. Stuart-But you don't believe in tn
Bible. .,
Brown-Certainly do.
MIR. Observation-Disclosures did your me
. come from; did some of them come fro
: Ohio?
Bob, yes; believe one came from b
: low Steubenville, down not far from Vince
o ing.
: Mr.. V.-IIave you been in Ohio this sun
mer?
: B.--Yes, sir.sl
o Mr. V.-How late?
= B.-I passed through to Pittsburg on n
). way here in June.
Mr. Were you at any County
G State Fairs then?
B.-I was not there since June.
o Mr.. Mason-Did you consider this mi
:. tary organization on this paper showing
= copy of the so-called constitution and Ordinal
y ces-I have not yet read it.
b. did in some measure. | wish yO
would give that paper your close attention.
Mr. M.-You consider yourself the Con
mandcr-in-C Chief of this provisional militar
force?
B-I was chosen agreeably to the ord
:. nance of certain documt mt; Commandment
= Chief of that force.
Mr.. M.-What wages did you offer?
y B.-None.
Lieut.. Stuart-The wages of sin is dealt
B.-I would not have made such remar
to you if you had been a prisoner, and woul
:. ded, in my hands.
A Bystander-Did you not promise n
g gro in Gettysburg $40 month?
Q B.-I did not.
Bystander--He says you did.
Mr.. V.-Wcre you ever in Dayton
> B.-Yes, must have been.
Mr.. V.-This summer?
B.-No, year or two since.
Mr. Mason-Does this talking annoy yo
It at all?
!. B-Not in the least.
$ Mr. V.-Have you lived long in Ohio?
e B.-I went there in 1926; lived in Sun
/. init county, which was then Trumbull cou
J. ty; my native place is York State.
Mr V.-Do you recollect man in Oh
named Brown, noted counterfciter d?
B.-I do know him from boy, his fat
err was Henry Brown, finish and Scotch i
scent his family was very low.
IS Mr.. V.-Have you ever been in Porta;
% county!
B.--I was there in June last.
Mr. WHEN in Cleveland, did you a
tend the Fugitive Slave law Convention !?
B.-No; | was there about the time of Il
'e setting of the Court to try the Oberln resc
to ers spoke there publicly On that subject
D. spoke on the Fugitive Slave Law, and II
r. own rescue. was disposed to justify t
Oberlin people for rescuing slave, because
have myself forcibly taken slaves from bon
S. age | was concerned in taking eleven slav
in fr.m Missouri to Canada last winter THU
8 l spoke in Cleveland before the Convention
do not know thrt had any conversation vi
4 any Of the Oberlin rescuers was sick part
the time was in Ohio had the ague ; W
Z. | nart of the time in 4 Shfah1,ln co.,nt,r