The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-05-13
FAST AND PREsRNZ.
Rarpss's Yssvy-OiA JsAn Browne 1sre-
TIE 0svsrsnsasai Rsssrvasisa.

Harpss's Yssvy-OiA JsAa brownie Hsre-
The 0svsransnsal Rsssrvasisa.
HARPER's FERRY. May 11.-One who was
familiar with this place during the war would
have no difficulty In recognizing II now. The
march OF time has left 1t undisturbed. 1t 10 a.
slovenly and unattractive now a. It Was twenty
years ago. but the hustle OF war days--the con-
slant arrival and departure OF troops. the long
wagon trains winding their way up the narrow
streets and over the Hcights-has given place
to the quiet Of graveyard. There are no signs
OF business life or activity. Tho manufactur-
ing interests of the place arc represented by q
dismantled mill on the bank Of the Shenan-
doah. The chief traders are the dilapidated-
looking small boys who haunt the railroad
platform and offer leather-crusted pies and
hard-boiled eggs.
Tho chief object Of interest here il tho little
brick building in which the John Brown rebel
lion came to an end. 1t Ia In the Government
reservation which lies close to the railroad
track on the strip OF lowland between tho hills
that make up Herper's Ferry and the river The
days. The naming. building. within the on
closure, except John Browns Fort. are In d.
iairiy good state Of preservation. The grounds
wear neglected look. To-day they were fur
s nisninS pastTraye to two Locking
belllon. INQUIRY ELECTED the Information that
the Government property was In charge Of an
agent. but the iron gates were padlocked and
the representative OF the nation was invisible
The massive wall that surrounds tho reservA-
ton Is covered with patent medicine ADVERTISE
ments and with the posters OF the Greatest
Show on Earth" At Intervals heaps OF refuse
and garbage are dumped against II. The vet
erun Snowman has not only hung his banner
on the outer walls. but scaled them. or obtain
ed admission by feeling the Government agent.
and disfgured John Browns Fort with pic
lures of the behemoth and other attractions Of
his combination. On the front OF the fort. near
the top. is affixed a painted wooden sign. which
is permanent advertisement OF an enterpris-
These Government grounds. and especially
tho little building in which John Brown fought
against fate. have n rare historic interest.
Their present neglected condition Is o dis
grace to the country. 1t is doubtful whether
the site will ever DO used for Government pur-
poses again. The armory would In any event.
have to be entirely rebuilt. Probably the best
thing would be to pull down the ruins. remove
all the buildings from the enclosure except the
historic fort. and restore that as nearly rs pos
sible to its condition ut the time OF the John
Brown rebellion. When the grounds were
turfed and the wall was painted. the Govern
ment would have nothing to be ashamed OF.
After working this transformation. possibly
the ranks Of the army might be depleted. with
out tmperilling the existence OF the republi c.
BY having q soldier take charge OF the grounds.
No doubt the son OF Abraham Lincoln who
now administers the War Department. would
like to inaugurate the reform above suggested
before he leaves the Cabinet.