Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-10-26
RICHMOND wHIG
THE ABOLITION FORAY AT HARPER's FERRY.
INTERESTING PARTICULARS - STATEMENTS OF
COL. WASHINGTON AND OTHERS
srAIENEsroT W. W. THRocKNoKToS.

INTERESTING PARTlCULARS-STA OF
COL. WASHINGTON AND OTHERS.
STATEMENT or W. W. THRocENoRroS
The cerk OF the Wager Hotel which situated by the
side oi ihe railroad track, young named w. W.
Throekmoriol, makes the following s,atement:-About
ten O'Clock Sunday evening, about closing up
the doors below, noticed horse covered wagon
going by, and from its appearance concluded it was
gypsy wagon. There were some four five men fol-
lowing the wagon. went below shut up and told
one OF our colored servants, whom found up that
some gypsies were going by He wanted go out and
see them, and seemed quite anxious to 60 but said
was going to shut up, and bade him 20 bed All was
quiet alter this, except some walking along the
streets till about twelve o'clock when went 10 call some.
men who were to go in the express train Then heard
the report of gun the bridge and a man running
1 went down TO the door when the waichman OF the
bridge an lrishmAn, rushed in and said, lock your
doors there ate robbers ON the bridge-sevenl mem
did not think OF the gypsy wagon the time but sup
posed some rowdies from the canal locks had fired
him TO Tighten him. 1 then went I'D and awoke the
passengers, and tried borrow revolver from snme of
the guests, but could not find then walked ont
and went up TO the railroad Office Sheppard tine
colored man, and borrow his revolver he asays kent
one but his revolver loaded As came out Of
the Office two the bridge guns in their
hands went back to the hotel and kept quiet till the
train came along thet informed Captain Phelps the
conductor, of what had aud heard and he took
iour or hvc men and went TO the bridge. Heyward
Sheppard the colored man. in with them ahead
aud a. he got in, they called out Surrender -
Inc man turned and ran, and the men the bridge
shot h as he ran all the men then back the hote
we carried the wounded into the ticket Office and
started for a doctor; had revolver then which had
borrowed from passenger the train Just as cross
eu the street, met two coming down the road the
passengers this time running around in excite
ment and women and children screaming in the cars
supposed these men were passengers ill OF them pre-
scented his gun, and said "a you son of - / will
give you some too and fired but missed me / had no
chance to rum but they both towards the armory
and as they were running fired all the shots NV re-
'over at them The stopped about half way to the
aimory gates. Then got another revolver, aud Cap
tam fheps and some OF the passengers with to-
WARDS the armory As we came out the had got
sue the gate and fired at two three shots but the
distance or the darkness prevented their taking good ala
and nobody hurt. then returned and got The pas
sengers into the hotel Soon after walked upon the
platform with another gentleman and then We saw two
men with guns coming from the armory. They walked
past us towards the office where the negro Shepard Law
As they reached the railroad bridge they called to US but
we coud not understand what they said Then we nut
tue lights out IN the hotel and watched from the win.
uows Soon alter, an old man named Grice whom they
mad taken on the Shenandoah bridge up from the
arory and wanted TO come in, but him to the Of.
hce where Capt Phelps Afterwards learned that
he had been let out condition of his going straight
home because OF his age He said he directed by
the men who had released him to- tell the hotel keeper
aud railroad agent that nobody here should be harmed if
they kept the peace and made resistance
ABOUT three o'clock we u large four horse wagon
and a two horse buggy Colonel Washingtonsl driven
past and taken into the armorv ward I'VE concluded
then that gang of robbers plundering the arury
"here knew there was large OF money We
could hear them at work loading unloading in the ar
inory, and hour later the wagon was driven ont with
four men in il, and two three following with guns
recognized one of the men a named Cooke who
had lved around here and married his wife in this town
lie here Friday last and saw him talking lone
time with boy the who was so anxious TO see
the gypsy wagon. At daylight DIR. Snny started for
Charetown to get help and after that from time 10 time
could citizens coming up TO the armory gates one
at timc and taken in as prisoners saw negro boy
leave the yard and come the hotel bringing a note
lie came 10 the door and gave me a note which was d
and road Tins
You will furnish forty-fye men with good breakfast
CAPT. SMITH.
determined then to go to the yard. I went to the
gate, aud two mulattoes conducted Capt Smith
who spoke very politely. He said ~ am Capt Smith,
i want prepared n breakfast for forty-fve men, He
took me into one of the shops and showed number
knew them. ! said did Then he said he wanted
breakfast for foryfye men, including these nv friends
as soon as possible. told him would do the best
could, but it would have be rather rough had
not expected anything like this and not prepared
Captain Phelps then into the yard and was brought
to Captain Smith. He appealed TO him the strongest
terms TO allow him to pass with the train saying he had
women and children who were frightened nearly 10 death
and If he would let them pass they would do nothing TO
trouble him. Brown then said he could pass if he would
hold s peace and say nothing along the route that any
thing going here and be would 20 TO the bridge
himself and see that the train through safely Brown
then came 20 oe bridge and the passengers got
as possible, and the train left went to some of the
passengers and begged them TO make aar and have
a military company sent here a soon as possible.
Before leaving the armory Brown told me they came
here to free the slaves and said although he had so small
force he could have thousands soon he said the
word. Said he, military man. aud came here TO
Tree the slaves OF your surrounding country and take
possession Of this government property and
Sis me In doing so. can have five thousand men here
in less than twentyiour hours my call He gaye me
leave to pass backwards and forwards IL would keen
quiet, aud II not he would take possession Of the hotel
Every one supposed of he had large force at
hand.
After the train left, the bridge still guarded, and
Browns men were marching backward and forward. /
told Brown could get him breakfast but only water 10
drink He said he have coffee because he felt IA.
ugued, and mr. st bring il Immediately to the Armorv
yard accordingly prepared breakfast and took it
in basket. They all ate but Brown himself who took
good care not to touch IT, had intended TO preparc
special breakfast for him he treated me so gentleman
ly, but forgotit laughed and jokcd with him. deem
ing il best not to TO fear him After breakfast Col
Washington asked meto take of his horses and said
might put them in the stable the hotel He then said.
There Is another horse pointing his own which was
standing in the yardI will put the horse in your charge:
keep him till call for him" don't think he viii call
asked him about pay for the breakfast and hc
said he should want dinner three o'clock for perhaps
POO mon, aud he would pay for the whole then. Onc OF
our servants, the one spoke of wanting see the
gypsics, appeared to know hm very we'll and had con.
yCr-aon with him ia the engine house lie had gone
with TO carry the breakfast very willingly though the
other servants hung back and when ordered him take
the breakfast things and back the hotel he said he
would when he got ready and understand he was
az much boss as was This amnssd Old BroEp, who
in me, az al events. This boy a slave belonging 10
some herr but has been doing for himself aud counted
free for some time. The fellow left Wednesday aud
has not been seen since. lie went away because he
knew, suppose, that there wRTo pieniy around who
would take crack at him IL they Ect a chance. His
name u Charles Williams About twelve o'clock learn
ed that the Charlcstown company had arrived and then
felt safe ] went and looked out Of the win
dow and saw just then shot Grcd at one OF Browns
men, whose name is Stephens and saw him fail The
shot fred from the Gait House by George W Cham.
bcrs They called 10 that they had spare guns and
asked me TO come over. ! vcnt over and a. passed
seized stephens rifle, which lay by bis side. tried also
70 get his revolver, but they fred me- and the bullets
came too thick. The Charlcstown company had the
bridge, and called me to them but thought they we're
browns men aud ran into thc hotel with thc gun After
this one Of Browns men got into The hotel by some
means and demanded the gun but u,t then the Charles
town men drove through the hotel and the man got out
at The back way without the gun stephens the wound
ed man. was then brought in and smother fellow named
Thompson was brought In prisoner and placed in the
parlor tied hand aud foot All this time q sharp firing
was kept up.
About three o'clock, Hayvord sheppard the colorcd
man they shot IN The morning died. W. Bcckham the
agent was greatly excited his DEATH a. the old man
bad bad him ten twelve years and liked him very
much. lle went TO the railroad platform beyond The
railroad station once aud was pulled hack hut he wont