Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-09-23
An EXTRAORDINARY STORY

STRANGE "REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR-A
DoCroR CLAIMS TO HAv. FoUND THE
BODY OF JOHN Browns SoN WATSON.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Sept. "a most
remarkable story Is made public here
which will attract the attention OF the
public everywhere.
DIR. James j. johnson of Martinsvillc,
Ind, claims TO have in his possession the
body of one of the sons of old John Brown,
the martyred abolitionist, who was killed
with his father at Harper's Ferry in their
memorable attack on that place. few
davs ago, when the widow Of old Ossawot-
tonne Was in Chicago, DIR. johnson, learn
ing of her presence there, wrote COM
muuication 10 the Chicago Tribune,
claiming 10 have in his possession the
body of Owen Brown. enc OF the sons, amt
explaining briefly how he became possess
ed of it.
His story was substantially as follows:-
lie was the surgeon of the Twenty-sev-
enth Indiana Volunteers, and his regl-
ment was in the advance in the march IN
10 Virginia. On arriving at Winchester
the Medical College was seized and placed
in Dr.. Johnson'S charge. He found,
among other things therein contained,
specimen very carefully preserved, ana
being struck with the rather remsrkabie
physique of the body sought rnd obtained
General Banks permission toembalm ana
preserve il. He accordingly did so, IN
very careful manner, injecting the blood
vessels and preparing the muscles so rs I'D
render them impervious To decay. mo
body was sent two months later To Dr.
JohnSon's home AT Martnsville.
rrFoHrs TO RETAIN THE BODY IN VIRGINIA.
II Ia haan al -
posed of the officers of the hospital, VINO
had previously employed every argument
to induce Dr. johnson To leave the body
with them, told him it was that of one oil
The two soLs of John Brown who were
killed ut the Ferry. They gave him fuli
history of the case and how they had Oh
tanned the body. Several army surgeons
offered DR.. johnson large sums for the
specimen, but he rs steadily refused to
part with IL until, us he says, he learned
of the whereabouts of Mrs. Brown, and
concluded To return To her the Dooy Oh
her son. The Chicago Tribune did not
publish the communication ut the request
Of II. 4. Parker, of Chicago, with whom
Mrs. Brown was stopping, aud VINO
feared the result of the shock 10 her ner-
youS system which such story would
produce I'm her enfceblcd condition. They,
however, notified John Brown, Jr., VINO
resides at Put La Bay, of the receipt oi
the letter. and he Immediately placed HIM
| self in communication with DR.. Johnson.
now WATSON BROWN WAS WOUNDED.
The correspondence revealed the fact
that the wound i'm ,he body OF the speci-
men is exactly similar 10 that known To
have produced the death OF Watson
Brown. one of the sons. The bullet EN-
tered the back, near the spine, and passed
! through the liver and stomach before
making its exit. DIR. Johnson was evi'
| IDENTIFY mistaken In one point. owen
Brown was not killed at Ilarper's Ferry,
although Watson and Oliver were. Ihe
size of the body corresponds exactly with
! that of Watson. After consultation WIN
| his mother, John Brown, Jr., started Tor
this city whence he goes 10 Martinsviiie
| TO investigate further anl claim the DoIy
In case he Is positively convinced of IT'S
| identity. In corroboration OF the doctor :
story. Mr.. Brown stated 10 your CORES
pondent that the family had repeatedly
| endeayored 10 obtain some clue to the
whereabouts of the bodies OF the dead
brothers and had traced that Of Watson TO
n medical college at Winchester, beyond
| which they had never been able TO hear
Of IL.
Mr.. Brown called upon Governor Por-
ter last evening, who gave him every as
surance Of the perfect integrity Of Or.
Johnson, and rs the latter states explicitly
that he would, under no circumstances,
accept money from the family for the
body, it is evident that he has no ulterior
motive in telling this story. Mr.. Brown
expresses himself as satisfied that tho
body Is that of his brother, and leaves for
Martinsville Tomorrow 10 claim e. Ito
will take il at once 10 North Elba, y. Y,
for burial beside the remains OF his father.