Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-06-17


at Harper's Ferry, probably there in no
one now living who can tell more of
that affair than myself, as / then lived at
Harper's Ferry, and was prisoner Of
Browns until rescued BY General Robert
E. Lee, then colonel in the United
States Army. Prior to Browns sudden
appearance at the Ferry. there had been
seen by the neighbors squads Of men
with picks and spades moving shout the
mountain-sides, making small excaya-
lions here and there, pretending to be
looking for gold, Of which they declared
Che mountains we're full.
They wentrepeatedly tosmalI property
owners trying to buy land, until all the
neighborhood was much excited, and
they had succeeded in diverting the
minds Of the people from their real OBJ
ieOt
These men had rented house near
the Ferry, where they we're seen in
small parties, but never in such large
numbers IS to excite suspicion.
Some Of them often came to the
Ferry, but excited no suspicion, as
strangers were always there viewing the
scenery and Government works. Brown
himself was said to have been seen there
often, but donot recollect meeting him,
and feel sure his appearance would have
made an impression on me. When his
plans were matured by the cid Of one
Cook, who was 8 citizen Of the town, he
determined to make his invasion to re-
lease the negroes Of Virginia from servi-
tude.
His descent upon the town was IA this
wise: On Sunday night, Oct. is, 1859,
about twelve or one o'clock, the gate.
keeper sof the bridge over the Potomac
leading into Maryland was startled by
the steady trampof many men approach
ing the gate, having with them wagons,
who, upon reaching the gate, ordered il
10 be opened to them. This the gate
keeper refused to do, saying they were
strangers. They, however, while par
leying with him, seized him and present.
ing pistol ct his head, compelled him
to be silent. They then wrenched off
the locks and came over, he thinks
about sixty strong, though he was evil
IDENTIFY frightened and could not speak
with accuracy.
Upon getting over, the first building
taken possession Of was the depot Of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, then in
charge Of q very trusty negro, who slept
IN the building. Upon Browns men de-
manding admittance, he refused to LEI
them come il, saying he was In charge,
and his instructions were to let no one
IN at night. He was then shot down, a
negro faithful to bis trust being the first
victim Of those whose mission il was to
lree the African race from bondage.
Browns party next proceeded to the
hotel, raped up the landlord. put him
under arrest, and placed guards ct the
doors, 50 that no one could 60 out or
come il. All this was In perfect quiet
AZ the dead Of night They went next
20 plaza guards ct the arsenal and
armories, and Ak their pockets 81
Ill the streets, 50 that no one could
come OF 20 Who was not ct once picked
up and placed with an armed guard over
him and compelled to be silent.
Next they divided their force. sending
Cook With some man 70 seize Colonel
Washington and other shareholders.
These gentlemen Browns party walked
from sleep and compelled 10 70 with
them e prisoners. ct she same time
taking all the slaves they could Hnd.
carriages. horses, etc.
With the prisoners and property they
had collected, they returned 10 Harper's
Ferry before daylight. and thence across
the bridge into Maryland and Pennayl-
vnnia. The gentlemen arrested wera left
- prisoners with John Brown. This
seems to hava been the programme for
she night; now as to my introduction 10
John Brown, and what occurred after
ward
About daylight one ol nay servants
came to ny room door and told me
sslheEs vas var Id the ssreek + d
course. got up ai 0ncs. dressed, and vent
ont nv dwelling being Immediately On
TIE street Upon looking around / saw
nothing exciting. The only person IN
view W. : man from The country. Who
we riding rapidly. and supposed he