Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-10-24
OLD BROwN, AND ALL ABOUT nIM.
ConversntiOn Between Congressional As
and the Dying Lion

special reporter: I. -..
HARPER's FERRY, Oct 90.
While examining the amory grounds, thc
scenes of the late desperate action, aud prose'
cutting general inquiries respecting the events,
OF tho asttwO days, it hsfpened that we tell in
with an old acquaintance OF the New y Ork
rortorial corps. From him learned that
Senator Mason, ofYirginia, Ex-Menlber Of Con
gress Eau kner, of Charleston. Va, aud Hon.
Vallandigham, Of Ohio, were to have an inter
view With Ossawatrine Brown. Ofcourso, we
determined ON being present, and carried our
deter rmination into effect.
After come little delay VIC we're introduced
into the room where Brown and Stephens lay.
We found The former TO be a six looter,
although as he lay he looked some six inches
shorter. lie has bullet or Jack Sheppard
head, long grey hair, which at this time is mat
ted, the sabre-cut in his head having caused
the blood to flow freely, to the complete dis
figu alton Of his face Ills hands are begrim'
med with diit, evidently the result OF continued
| exposure TO the smoke Of powder; his eyes are
ol pale lue, or perhaps of hght grey color,
much such eyes as those OF his brother tillbus
ter Walker.
During the conversation hereafter reported,
he betray ed not one sgu of weakness. In the
midst of enemies whose homes be had invaded,
wounded and prisoner, surrouudedby a small
army of officials, and a more desperate array
ofangry men, with the gallows staring him foil
in the face, he lay ON the floor, and in reply to
every inouirv enys am answer that betokenad
the sn,r,t t6aI animated him The lancunce
nf Cloyernor Wise velI e,nr.sscs bis bol5ncsa.
Said the Governor. ,,IIe Il The gAmest man
eyer saw" | believe the worthy Executive had
bhrdlV exn, cted To see n man bct thus in such
atr,ino moment.
stephens is A fine looking man He is the
onlv one of The pariv of peoroes who had straight
hair. his hair and lono beari are black. his face
narlakes of Tho handsome and noble: his eyo.
thouoh restless. has n sharp brilliapcy. Hei
like his associate and commander. six feet in
biob. The etrono man thus living upon IN,
door. showed bimsalf obedient to the last to the
commands of"Nlv Captain. - as he called Brown
With threo or lo1r o1nshot wounds, two in tho
be,d aud one in the breast home certain oCjeatb
he sbowed marvellous courage Thouoh ever
ana anon orosnipo with evcrssive main bc did
hot one instant f7reet himself kut calmly lis
Toned 10 the conversation.
AS the conversation proqre .sed, stephen.
paid close attention, and once at least, correc
ted remark of Browns. Roth men seemed
prenarod for deatb. and socm even 10 court 4
rrnJs, the idea ncrbons that tbey will be repar
ded as martyrs. hui more probably under IN,
conviction Of having performs a sacred duty
Uoweyer much the writer may differ irom them
. there must arise a feeling OF resuect for tbei
sincerity which impelled them to their rash de
signs.
The parties present in the room during th
conversation were Senator Mason, Hon Messrs
Faulkner and Vallandiqham, DR.. Biggs, Lieut.
Stuart, LIST Cavalry, U. s. A., two New Yol
|. reporters, andthe writer A few other person
care in at times to see what was goingon.
THg coNveRsTIoN.
Senator Mason-How do you Justify You
acts!
Brown-I think, nv friend, YOU are guilty o
A great wrong suainst God and humanity.
say that without wishing to be offensive
= would be perfectly riaht foi any one to interfer
: with YOU so far 90 to free those you wilful
] AMI wicksdly hold i'm bonds do not say thi
> insutinaly.
Mr. Mason-I unIersfand that.
Brown-I think did right, aud that other
Z will do right who interfere with you at any tim
aud all times hold that the golden rule: d
unto others as you would that others should
unto YOU, applies to all who would help other
TO gain their liberty.
Lieutenant stuart-But YOU don't believe /
: the Bible.
| Brown-Certanly do
b Mr. Vallandigham-Whc did your me
come from; did some Of them come from OhiC
II Browu-Some of them.
Mr.. V.-From the Western Reserve,
course none came from Southern Ohiol
= Bon, YES; | believe one came from belo'
Steubcryillc, down not far from Wheeling.
Mr.. V.-IIave you been in Ohio this sun
!, merl
B.-Yes. sir.
Mr. V-How latcl
l. RI passed through to Pittsburgh on m
way bsre in June.
- " -, Nnupty Gta
=; Fairs thenl
/ B.-lwas not there since June.
Mr. Mnson-Did won consider this A militai
oroanization on this paprI4--showinp COPY
- ,he so called constitution and ordinances
have NOT vet read Il
RI did in some measure. l wish YOU wou
give that bapor your close attention.
Mr.. M-You consider yourself the Comma
deT.in chief of this provisional military forcel
ri was chosen apreeabIy 10 tho orJinan,
Of n certain document, Commander in. chief
/, that force '--r -.. (
= Mr. M-Wbat waves did you oTerl
? R-Nnne fN
Iieut sluart-lhe waecs of sin is death.
pT wonld moi have made suob a remark
= von If Won had been a prisoner. and wounded, !,
no ba1Ja
~ Tystarder-DiJ Won not nromiso n NEG
IN Go,fysb,,rg 400 a ,nonth9
ri All t,ot
Rvst,nJer-He savs Won diI
M, VMWofe Won ever in Daytonl
3, B-Yes I must have bsen.
M. V-Tbis summerl
R-No-a wear or two aimee
Mr. M,son2Does this taking annoy YOU
allI
B-Not in the least.