The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1878-11-22

ami negroes had taken possession OF
the Government property at Harpers
Ferry, Va, that they were arresting
and confining citizens Of that place,
and we're massacring those who at.
tempted to escape. The first reports
that flashed over the wires were so as.
founding and unreasonable that they
we're received with blank incredibly
by thinking men, it being supposed
that some collision had occurred be-
tween the officers and wcrkmen EN-.
ployed in the National Armory loca'
tel at that place, and had given rise
to the reports. But as time passed
and other reports confrmatory Of the
first came 10, it soon became an.estab-
lished fact events OF the most serious
character were, there happening, and
that an attempt was actually being
made to excite a slave instruction.
We shall endeavor to give a brief but
truthful account q chat linportant
epoch in our country's history, from
its incipiency to its termination.
Harpers Ferry at that time con-
tanned a population of about three
thousand. Situated at the confluence
Of the Potomac and Shenandoah Riy-
ers, which here unite with their
strength to cit a passage to the sea;
environed by lofty mountains no less
historic than the rivers they embrace
or the town they shadow, it was long
noted for the beautiful scenery sur
rounding it, and of which Jefferson is
accredited with saying that to look
upon it was sufficient compensation
for a voyage across the Atlantic. The
town itself hung upon the hillside
reaching back to and partially cover
ing Bolivar Heights, white at the base
Of the hill, along both the Potomac
and Shenandoah, which here run at
right angles. was erected the National
Armory. Here the Potomac was and
now is crossed by the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad upon a magnificent iron
bridge connecting Virginia and Mary
land. ,. .......
ENTER JOHN BROWN.
In the early part of the summer of
1859, party of strangers made their
appearance at Sandy Hook, small
village in Maryland, near Harper's
Ferry. With them was an old gen.
tleman of grave and dignified manner
and venerable appearance, who gave
his name as Smith, but who was none
other than John Brown. Their con-
duet was exemplary and rheir man
ners kind and courteous. They made
many friends among the people of that
place, who looked upon Smith as be-
ing a man OF stern morality snd Chris
tian character. The party represent
ed themselves as prospecting for min
erals, which explanation of their ire
quent journeys through the mountains
was accepted without comment, since
it had long been believed that miner
ais of different kinds lay hidden I'M
der the surface Of the Blue Ridge
mountains. They remained at Sandy
Hook a few weeks, and then rented a
large farm belonging to the estate of
DIR. Booth Kennedy, deceased, situate
about five miles from Harpers Ferry,
On the Maryland side of the Potomac.
They paid in gold for all they bought,
and their gentlensnly behavior made
many friendsanlong the people around
them. After the party had lived up
on the farm for several weeks, attract
Ing on particular observation they
were joined from time to time by
others. Most of the men kept out of
sight during the day so as to escape
attention while arms and munitions
were being gradually brought from
Chambersburg, Penn. The night OF
October Oath, was originally fixed
upon by Brown for the first movement
in his rash and senseless enterprise,
and it is alleged that many persons
were on their way TO aid him at that
time, when they were turned back by
the intelligence that the effort had al
ready been made, and had resulted in
the death and capture of most Of those
engaged in the scheme. The most
reasonable theory upon which to ac-
count tor the premature movement is
that the singular conduct of the
"Smith" household had begun to ex.
cite attention, while its peculiar COM
plexion-whites and blacks living
together as one iamily-was a cause
for manifest uneasiness and alarm
among the neighbOrs. OF this Brown
was conscious. and he determined to
anticipate any possible interference
with his plans by an early and sudden
capture Of the United States Arsenal,
and the arms stored therein, at Har-
per's Ferry.
A COUNCIL or WAR.
On Saturday, October 18th, he
called a council, and plan Of opera.