Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1884-10-16
FAMOUS FERRY.

FAMOUS FERRY.
The Spot Made Historical by John Brown
To Be Disposed OF by the Governmental
Brief History of the Famous Place and
Incidents of the Celebrated Raid.
The Government is about to part with
one of its most valuable pieces of proper
ty, writes a correspondent to the Gin
cinnati Times Stdr-Valuabl both be-
cause of its historical interest, and also
because of its great value in a business
way. Harper's Ferry, which the Gov
eminent has owned for nearly a hun
dred years, the Water-pOWer of which is
held to be the best in the country, a spot
more valuable in historic way than can
be well told, is to be sold ito the highest
bidder on October q. There is little of
the bump OfVeneratiOn in the head of
the average Congressman. He prides
himself on being practical" Whether
he is or not is not quite clear. Indeed, a
study of the WOrs of Congress, as it
founders about in its attempts at legisla-
ton, gives the average observer an idea
that that body is about the most imprac-
teal one that could be got together in
any country. Whatever may be the fact,
however, Congress has ordered the sale
Of Harpers Ferry, with all It's historic
surroundings and valuable accessories.
eve had hoped" said a Government
official in talking about the approaching
sale, ito be able to reserve a part of the
property which was most interesting IN
a historic way, but Congress ordered
other wise. We had marked off the pot
where stands John Browns fort with
the idea that this much might be reserV-
ed forever in remembrance of the event
which gave to it the name which it now
bears. The fort you know, was the en-
CINE house at the arsenal there. 1t es-
capes the general destruction which Oc-
Cured at the beginning of the war, and
yet stands. Indeed, it is about the only
landmark left there to show where the
old arsenal stood, or where John Brown
made his historic fight for the freedom
Of the slaves. The portfolios are still to
seen in the walls where twenty-five
years ago, in the very month in which
the sale is to take place, Brown and his
few followers defended themselves until
the doors were battered down and the
three remaining men captured. We had
thought to reserve this building to the
Government on account of its historic
interest, but Congress ordered otherwise,
and it must 90 with the other property"
1t is ninety years since the Govern
ment purchased this valuable water
power, and with 1t $40 acres Of land,
from the state of Virginia, to be used for
ing the administration of Gen. Washing
ton, Harper's Ferry was chosen as the
site Of a national armOry. 1t Is said that
this selection was made by the father of
his country, he having visited the place
in person. This Is a tradition among the
people, and is so Characteristic of the
man that people find little difficulty In
believing it. The Water-pOWer is i'm
mense. some suppOsing it to be the finest
T-,~ H. Z II, 4
to the general assembly Of Virginia for
permission to buy this property, and Of
course permission was granted, but not
to exceed $40 acres. One hundred and
twenty acres were purchased from the
heirs of Harper This tract was triangu-
lar, the two rivers forming two Of its
sides.
A subsequent purchase was made of 80
acres from a Mr.. Rutherford, where the
village Of Bolivar now stands. The Gov
eminent, desiring to secure the valuable
timber of London Heights leased IN per
petuitv ]. 395 acres from Lord Fairfax,
Immediately adjoining Harper's Ferry.
Thus prepared, the Government at once
set to work the erection Of shops and In
1896 a Mr.. Pernine, an English MOravlan,
was appointed to superlntend the work.
In 1893, during the administration OF
John Adams, in anticipation of war with
considerable army for defence. ABORTION
of the forces was sent, under Gen. Pinck-
ney, into camp at this place and the
ridge on which they were stationed has
ever since been known as Camp hill. 1t
runs North and South between Harper's
Ferry and Bolivar.
When the war closed many Of the
soldiers settled at this place. The spirits
of those buried here are said to be regu-
lar visitors to theOld habitatiOns causing
these houses to remain tenantless and
known as the haunted houses. The ne
grOes, who appear to be especially favor
ed with spiritual manifestations, bear
unanimous testimony to these reports.
The more recent history Of the place Is
best known. Here john Brown struck
his blow for the freedom of the slaves,
capturing the arsenal on the night Of
October 10. 1883, fighting all day on the
18th, seeing his sons and near friends
shot down about him, and finally on that
evening returning to the little engine
house as q last stronghold. where the