Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-01-10
John Brown.

famous notoriety, and his name will live, IN MS
tory as one of the 'sbold, bad men" of his times.
His name will be handed down to posterity on
" TO be rendered blacker and more infamous
by association and comparison with other John.
Browns of whom we read in historical works.
Ia Scottish history mention ia made of two John
Brownsville Rev. John B rOwn OF Wamphray,
whose works were burned by order of the Pre-
latte Council, and John Brown of Priesthill,
whose cold-blooded murder by the infamous
Claverhouse, in the year 1856, stands without
parallel for deliberateI brutality, uHlaas it be
found in the murder of the Doyle family in Kan
sas by old "Ossawotamie." Claverhouse inflict-
ed upon the stern, incorporating Scotch Cow
enanters the most unheard of barbarities. "At
times" says Hetherington in his history OF
the Church of Scotland, marking out district
and mastering sufficient force, he would drive
all the inhabitants into one spot, grid them round
with armed soldiery and compel them to swear
allegiance to James and to take the test and the
oath of abjuration" OF pain of instant DEATH
At other times he would collect all the children
from six to ten years of age, draw up line of
soldiers before them, and order them to pray,
for the hour of death was come; then, while
in the agony of mortal terror, would offer them
their lives if they would discover where their
friends, their fathers, sor their elder brothers
were concealed, causing occasionally the troops
to fire over their heads to increase their fear and
stimulate their discoveries. Nor did he hest
tate to stain his own hands with the blood of
guiltess victims, rather than they should escape,
OF this the death of John Brown of Priesthill is
fearful instance.
John Brown lived at atplaee called Priesthill,
in the parish of Muirkirk, and earned his sub
sistence by the humble employment ofa carrier.
On the morning of the LIST of May day having
scarcely dawned, Brown, while at work in the
fields, was surprised by troop of Dragons, led
by Clayerhouse himself. He was brought back
to his own house, and there the usual ensnaring
questions were put to him, the brief examination
closing by Claverhouse saying to him: $50 to
your prayers, for you shall Immediately die."-
Calmly the martyr kneeled down upon the heath,
and poured forth the emotions of his heart in a
strain of such fervent and lofty devotion as to
move the rude and hardened soldiery, if not to
tears of repentance, at least to strong. though
transient remorse. Thrice was be interrupted by
the relentless Olaverhouse, who exclaimed that
che had given him time to pray, but not to
preach" Turning to the merciless man, he an
swered: "Sir, you know neither the nature of
preaching nor of praying, if you call this preach
ing" and continued his deyotions, untroubled,
uncontused. When he stopped, Clsverhouse babe
him take farewell of his wife and children
Turning to the afflicted woman, who was stand
ing beside him, with one infant in her arms and
another clinging to her knee, he said: snow, Is
abel, the day is come that I tod you would
come, when I first spoke to you of MARRIAGE
tIndeed, john" replied she, 81 can willingly
part with you" "Then," said he, ''that is all
been in case to meet death for many years.
After he had kissed his wife and children, Cla-
verhouse ordered six soldiers to fire. They hes
itated; the prayers of the martyr were still
sounding in their souls; they positively refused.
Enraged at their delay and refusal, Clayerhouse
then turning to the new made widow, in voice
of fend-like mockery, said "What thinkest
thou of thy husband now, woman?" II ever
thought much good of him, she answered, eand
as much now as ever" SIT were but justice to
lay thee beside him." exclaimed the murderer.
sIf you were permitted" replied she, 81 doubt
not but your cruelty would go that length but
how will you answer for this mornings work 2"
ssTo man l can be answerable," said the ruthless
prosecutor; sand as for God l will take him in
my own hand" and wheeling about, rode off at
the head of his horror stricken troop. The poor
woman laid down her fatherless intent on the
ground, gathered together the scattered brains
of her beloved husband, then taking the kerchief
from her neck and bosom, wound it about his
nargled head, slraighted his stifening body,
covered it with her plaid, and sat down and
wept over him, with one infant on her knee, and
the other again clasped closely to her desolate
heart Not friend or a neighbor was near in
the dismal solitude of that dark hour, to aid her
in performing the last sad duties of humanity,
SIT being very desert place, where never vict-
ual grew !" but she was not alone, for her soul
felt the strong support of her very present God.F
There is still another John Brown, Rever-
end gentleman of great piety and learning,
coupled with much eccentricity, clergyman OF
Scotland, known as John Brown Of Haddington.
He was the author of the "Self- interpreting BIZ
ble.n He was remarkable for his bashfulness, a
trait by no means characteristic of his namesake
Ossawottamie 1t is related of him that his
courtship lasted seven years. Six years and a
half past away, and the reverend gentleman had
got no farther forward than he had been the first
six days. This state of things became intolera
BILE; step in advance must be made, and Mr..
Brown summoned all his courage for the deed.
"Janet, said he, as they sat one night in SOL
emn silence, swe've been acquainted now for
six years an mair, and I've meier gotten a kiss
yet; dye think might take one, my bonnie
girlG" "Just as you like, John, only be becom-
ing and proper witt" 'Surely, Janet; Wen
ask blessing"
: The blessing was asked, the kiss was taken,
and the worthy divine, perfectly overpowered
with the blissful sensation, most rapturously ex-
claimed: ''Oh, woman, but it is gade-we'll re-
tsrs thanks.n
l. H..