The Portland daily press., 1882-11-20
A John Brown Story.
ALLAN Pinkerton at chicago.l

past, about the time of the John Brown trou-
bles, l was awakened about half-past four
O'Clock by some one knocking at my door.
was then residing on Adams street, between
Fifth avenue and Franklin street, Chicago. |
hurriedly got up to see who it could be at SO
early an hour in the morning Ipartly dressed
myself and went TO the door. On opening it.
TO my astonishment, who stood before me in
the doorway but the veritable John Brown
himself. I Can recollect him very we'll even
now; very well built, rather tall aud straight as
an arrow, his hair rather white. On seeing
him said: My God. is this your" and on
looking behind him could see crowd of
white and colored men, women and children
standing on the street and sidewalk The men
were armed with rifles and were as fine body
of men as it has been my good luck to see any
where. Having expressed myself in q surprised
tone, awaited his reply, knowing that the
United States government had set a reward on
the head of John Brown. At last he said.
"Yes, ii is me-
replied: "But what is to be done with the
men, women and children with you? They
must be attended to, and that quickly
Was at loss what to do then, but all that
could be done was 10 distribute the men, wom-
en- and children in my vicinity, which did,
and John Brown was taken to the residence vf
John Jones, who lived on Dearborn street, in
this city Some of them took into nv house
The whole thing was done in a very short
time. hurried and got breakfast then went
to John Jones house, where / met John
Brown.
After some quiet talk he said he was ON his
way, with his party, to Canada, as he knew
the United States govern nent would arrest
MIN II they found him, but he would endeavor
not to allow them to do SO. After talking with
Mr.. Jones and thinking the matter over il
was decided to await the results of the meet
ing which was 10 be held at Chicago on this
day for the election of circuit Judge. Money
must be got. Accordingly drew up a SUBJ
scription list and waited until the meeting
would begin. In the meantime went down
to see my friend Colonel c. G.. Hammond, then
general superint ndent of the M chigan Gen.
tral railroad. He was friend TO me and also
to the colored people. On meeting me he said:
How are your"
replied; well very WE'LL but would
like to have the door shut and locked"
Mr.. Hammond complied with nv request;
then quietly, but in surprised tones said:
Well, Fullerton, what is the matter now?"
SAID "Colonel, have got 80 to 100 COL
ored people here in the city of Chicago. with
John Brown; and John Brown is here him
self in the city and is going with the party To
Canada. / have to see him through 10 Canada
and what is to be done must be done quetly.,
wen" said the colonel, after moments
hesitation, II must give you car to carry
them to Canada. This l am willing to do:
yon VIII therefore have The men, men and
children at the depot at :45 this afternoon
Bring them down on the south side OF the
depot aud will have a comfortable car for
their accommodation. You can get them ali
IN 1t; and will have barrel of fresh water
put IN the car, but you must supply the pro-
visions"
II said, Eyes, will try to do that but
asked him how was going to do it, as had
no funds. He laughed, looked at me and said:
We'll, will take your note for The provisions
payable one day after date, by the Eternal:
but you must be careful and let no one else
Know that they are here until they are all
CONS from Chicago
Thanking the colonel very much, left him
WIFI great load off my mind.
Inc next thing to be attended to was the
meetlng. had two gentlemen selected to
collect subscriptions. L remained outside, as
was too well known as being an anti-slavery
man, and thought my absence from that
meeting would be the best thing. The two
Gentlemen TOOK the subscription list into the
meeting, but they We're refused any assistance.
SO they lett the meetip e, very much disheart-
ened, and reported to me- / thought little
and concluded there was but one thing to be-
done-that must have the money. Twas
willing to pay something myself. but was not
able 10 stand the whole, SO / said to my friends:
Il am going into that meeting" and taking
the subscription list in my hand went in.
There was good deal of caucussing at that
time, but when entered the room there was
sort of quietness and lall fell upon the meeting.
stepped up to sort of temporary platform
and said:
Gentlemen, have one thing to do. and
that will 90 in very few minutes. John
Brown is in this city at the present time with
number of men, women and children. I will
require aid, and substantial aid must have.
am ready and willing to leave the meeting
II get the money; if not, have this to saw
that will bring John Brown to this meeting.
and If any United States marshal dare Law a
hand upon him he must take the consequences
L am determined to do this, or will have the
money.
The meeting was thunderstruck and looked
at me. About this time-I recolect il very
well-John Wilson, who afterward became
judge of one of the courts, stepped MP and
handed me 500; another one gave me $50, and
yet another-as nice a man and as good-heart-
ed man as ever lived handed me $50, and
think he gave me another $50 His name was
George Maniere. l don't recollect exactly
in what amounts or from whom I received the
money, but I will say in a very short
time had from $500 to $500 in nv
hands. Thanking the meeting for their kind
ness, left feeling very much elated Sub
scripiions came from various sources Among
others from L. G. P. Frier, one of the Oldest
"old line abolitionisis." A,4 o'clock in the
afternoon collected the men, women and
children, and accompanied by John Brown.
took them to the depot, put them in a car, and |
the crowd started for Detroit with "hurrah,r |
and reached Canada in safety Every one
must know that John Brown meant business, |
and the slaves gained their freedom on |
British soil.