Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-08-27
JOHN BROWNS RAID.


Mr.. Geo. Mock in a letter to the Bal
timore Truth gives few facts connect
ed with John Browns "raid which
have not yet appeared in any written
account Of that remarkable undertaking:
"On Monday afternoon ! was for
short time at Harpers Ferry, and met
with an old gentleman named Israel
Norris, who had much to tell me about
the John Brown raid, the particulars OF
which are of course familiar to your
readers. But l CLEANED few facts
which have not been yet in print AT
the time ard before the raid, Brown,
who was known by the name OF John
Smith, was a regular dealer at Mr.. Nor
ris' store. Early on the morning otthe
raid Mr.. Norris was taken prisoner by
one of Browns men and buried to the
fort. Brown recognized him, aud 4
few words passed. You have looked
up the wrong tree in coming to Har-
pers Ferry, on such all errand as this.
"Oh, no, Brown replied, | am sure TO
succeed by y O'Clock | will have 1900
men on the spot" Brown was evident
" sure that the slaves, for whom he sac
riiced so much. would spring TO his
help. While his son who had been
shot was dying in the fort with groans
of agony, Brown said 10 him, "Bear it,
my son, you have fallen IN good
cause"
Monday night found me at Sample
Manor. Here is where Brown had his
head quarters, in a two-story brick
house, TO which he moved from Sandy
Hook. Here is also the old church
which he and his sons and daughters
attended regularly. lie was a most re-
spectfuI listener TO The gospel, and was
looked upon 10y the people as man OF
know ledge and judgement, with warm
and generous heart. He Was neighbor-
", when he killed a hog, sending q
piece to each of his neighbors; they re-
turning the favor in various ways. But
he nor his family seldom returned calls,
but treated all visitors TO their house
with cordiaity, but never took them
elsewhere than in the basement. This
was thought strange, but no suspicious
were aroused, and the people had no
lea but that he and his men were, as
they represented, prospcctingfo for miner
ais, | made the acquaintance OF Bro
James Hanes who was well acquainted
with Brown aud his men, aud who was
one of the volunteers uude: Lee, and
was an eyewitness OF much that trans
Tired at the raid He was present when
William Thompson, was taken from
Fouke's hotel by the cnragcd populace
to avenge the death Of Beckham. Miss
Chris,iana Fouk plead piteously for his
life, but they would not heed her.
Thompson spoke of his wife and child
rem which they would sacrifice by kill
ing him, but seeing they were deter
mined, be told the young lady to let
them shoot him, and for every hair OF
| head man would rise TO avenge him.
Amidst her pleadings they dragged
Thompson to the bridge and there shot
him. He lay on the bridge about 20
minutes apparently dead, when he let
himself down through the bridge to a
rock in the Potomac. lie stood there
for an Instant with bis light hand up
lifted, when two shots from the shore
instantly killed him.
Ilaines says couple Of nights before
the raid, he was passing along the road
and saw Thompson in close converse,
ton with a coored man, standing at a
pig pen. Thompson joined llaines, and
the latter asked Thompson, do you
think OF buying that fellows pigsf
NO" he replied, "what do | want with
pigs? | will be in HI by hog-killing
time" Lee gave Haines one of Browns $
pistols which he afterward sold for $50.