Saint Mary's beacon., 1880-01-08

Nae keefas azasss 2Sass9ysg
Much discussion has occurred from
time 70 time as 10 whether John Brown
was pFeseDt or participated in the kali
ing Of the pFo-sIaveFy men on POtta-
watomie creek. May %, 1856. This
question now seems 10 be definitely set
tied by detailed and circumstan.ial
account as given by James Townley.
living near Lane, Franklin county.
Kansas. one OF the partIcipators in the
affair. The complete account, as pub
Iished in the Lawrence Journal, IRE
publican paper. is too long for Us TO
publish entire but We give the facts re-
iatIng to the killing OF The men:
| II Joined the Potta W atomic rife COM
pany at its reorganization in May, 1856,
at which time John Brown, IT,, was
elected captain. On the 21st Of the
same month information was received
that .he GeOrgians were marching on
Lawrence, threatening its destruction.
The company was immediately called
together, and about 4 O'Clock P. n. we
started on a forced march to aid in its
defense. About two miles south of
Middle Greek we were joined by the
OsawatOmie company. under Captain
Dayton, and proceeded 10 Mount Yer
non, where we waited about two hours
until the moon rose. We then marched
ali night, camping the next morning.
the 22d, for breakfast, near Ottawa
Jones'.
"Before we arrived at this point news
had been received that Lawrence had
been destroyed, and a question was
raised whether we would return or go
on. During the forenoon, however, we
proceeded up Ottawa creek to within
about FIVE miles oil Palmyra, and went
into camp near the residence OF Cap
tain Shore. Here we remained, unde-
cided, over night. About noon the next
! das. The 22d. old John Brown came 20
Tne and said he had just received in
formation that trouble was expected on
the Potta watomIe, and wanted TO know
If would take my team and take him
and bis boys back SO that they could
keep watch of what was going on. ]
told him would do so. The party,
consisting of old John Brown, Freder-
lck Brown, Owen Brown, Watson
Brown, Oliver Brown, Henry Thomp-
SON John Brown's son-In-law,) and
Mr.. Winter. were soon ready for the
trip, and we started, as near as caR
remember, about 2 o'clock F.M. All
of the party. except Mr.. Winer, who
rode pony, rode with me in my wag-
on. When within two or three miles
OF the Pottawatomie creek we turned
of the main road to the right and drove
down in:o the edge of the timber.
Aller my team was fed and the party
had taken supper, John Brown told me
for the FIRST time what he proposed 10
do. He said he wanted me 10 pilot the
company up The forks of the creek some
FIVE or six miles above. into the neigh
borhood in which lived. and show
them where all the pro-slayery men
resided, that he proposed to sweep the
creek as he came down OF all the pro-
slavery men living on it. | positively
refused TO do II. He insisted upon il,
but when he found that | would not 60
he decided to postpone the expedition
until the following night. Ithen wanted
10 take my team and go home, bat he
refused to let me dos so and said I should
remain with them. We remained in
camp that night aud all day the next
day. Sometime after dark we were
ordered to march.
ave started, the whole compsny, in
a .northerIy direction. crossing Mosquito
creek above the residence Of Doyles.
Soon alter crossing the creek some one
ofthe party knockeda al the door ofa cabin
but received no reply. have forgot
ten whose cabin ii was, if knew at the
time. The nextplace we came 20 was the
residence of the Doyles. John Brown,
three of his sons and son-in-law went
to the door. leaving Frederick Brown,
WineF and myself short distance
from the house. About this time large
dog attacked us. Frederick Brown
struck the dog blow with has short
two-edged sword. after which dealt
him a blow on the head with my sabre
and heard no more from him. The old man
Doyle and two sons were called out and
marched some distance from the house
toward Dutch HenEy's IN the road,
where a halt was made. Old John
Brown drew his revolver and shot the
old mao Doyle ia the forehead, and
Browns two youngest sons immediate
diateIy fell upon the younger DoyIes
with their short two-edged swords.
..One OF the young DoyIes was stFick-
en- down in IN instant, bot the other at
tempted to escape, but was pursued .
short distance BY his assailsnt and cut
down. The company then proceeded
down MosquitocreektoAhe house oiA lien
Wilkinson Here the old man Brown,
three Of his sons and son-in-law. as At
The Doyle residence, went to the door
end ordered Wilkinson to come out,
leaving Frederick Brown. Winer and
myself standing in the ROAD east oi the
house. Wilkinson was taken and
marched some distance south Of bis