The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1859-11-17
The Shooting Of Thompson.

We have already said and repeated that
John Browns affair at Harper's Ferry
was mad and fanstical; and We have not
written, neither do we intend to write,
line or a word defending him or his in
sane attempt to raise an insurrection.-
Because we cannot withhold respect for
his sincerity, his bravery, his humanity,
when he might have shed blood, and the
purposes, as defined BY himself, which
animat.d him, We rcpudiate completely
any and all revolutionary INFECTIONS OF
the law, believing that whatever evils af-
Rict the country can be removed without
the dangers and exasperations and blood
of a revolution. But holding, rs we do,
these opinions, We cannot repress the
parson between tho conduct OF
Brown and his party and that Of the
terrified and infuriated Virginians. That
Brown was desirous Of avoiding blood
shed, that be was huma, to the priso-
ners, that he acted under the highest
sense Of honor, is without exception the
testimony Of everybody. He struck not
one single blow for vengeance. His sons
fell beside him, and even while his tn
gers we're upon their wavering pulse, he
did not permit retaliating shot.
The conduct of Brown in this respect,
is the better appreciated when put in
contrast with the barbarities committed
by the Virginians. In the course of tse
trial a young man twenty-five years OF
age, named Hunter, was called upon the
stand. He was the son of Mr.. Hunter,
the prosecuting officer He was to testi-
fy concerning the shooting of Thompson,
who it was thou ght had some connection
with killing Beckman on the bridge.
"Shall | mention names.' asked the
son. Every bit of it, Henry; state all
you know" replied the father.
Then followed the testimony of the
Young man. Beckman, who wls shot on
the bridge, was his grand uncle; s." he
loved him above all others he went
with others to the room where Thompson
was guarded; 4 woman sat on his lap,
aud when they tried to shoot him, pro
tcctcd his head with her body, as much
in the spirit of hcroisn as when Poca-
hontas defended Capt Smith the young
man was .'cool about it and deliberate =
they pushed Miss. Fouke aside, and
slung him out of doors;' they "shoved
him along the trcssle work Of the bridge,
he begged for his life all the time, very
piteously at first bye-the-bye, before we
took him out Of the room, | asked the
question what he came for 2 he said their
only purposc was to free tho slves-that
he came here to free the slaves or die ;
then hc begged, Don't take my life-a
prisoncr;' but put the gun to him, and
he said, You may xiii me but it will be
revenged; there are eighty thousand per
sons sworn to carry out this work that
was his last expression; we bore him out
on the bridge with the purpose Of ther
hanging him; we had no rope, and none
could be found; it was moment Of wllc
excitement-twoo of US raised our guns
which one was first l do not knew-ane
pulled the trigger; before he had reached
the ground | suppose some five or sl'
shots had been fred into his body; b.
fell on on the railroad track, his bacl
down to the earth, and his face up y "l
that all gentlemen ?" asked the father
1t was all. "Stand aside," said the faith
, er to the heroic SON. We suppose tn
son did "stand aside" having in cour
of justice given this testimony nrespons
to the paternal direction, and with pa
ternal eye beaming directly upon him.
Boston atlas.