Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1889-05-15

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his companions, five in number, secured
. small supply Of blankets and pro-
visions and *took to the woods" Then
began probably the most difficult and
tedious flight for self-preservation that
ever occurred in this country. They
knew that they would be holly pur-
sued and carefully hunted, even with
dogs. and felt sure that rewards would
be offered for them and the country
aroused. Captain Brown had impressed
upon the minds OF his companions that
failure and capture meant to be hung
for treason. The fleeing party, under
the leadership Of Owen, decided that
they must keep on the mountains and
in the woods; that they must travel
largely by night and lie in concealment
during the day they must keep a con
slant and watchful guard at all times,
and must build no fires; most of their
food latter their little store should be
exhausted) must consist of corn which
they could forage from ungathered
fields; they must neither shoot o
cook anything; and they must make
their way well to the north and west
in Pennsylvania or New York State be-
fore it would be safe to separate and
take their chances with fictitious
names, Of c~ourse) among strangers in
the busy world. In crossing roadways
they must leave no tell-tale tracks;
AH4,v rn,So% kal1n - <hn 1nle ~ ,k.on.-.
when practicable in order to throw any
pursuing hounds off their trail. In
short, they must see to it that no sight
or sound reveal them to men, and no
odor to dogs. To increase their diff
culties it became wet and cold, snow
fell on the mountains; but no matter,
they must build no fire.
Their shoes gave out, and blankets
were torn up to tie about their feet.
II vas almost impossible to keep their
ammunition dry, entirely impossible
to keep their guns in order, and if they
could it was quite doubtful II they
ought to use them under any circum-
stances. Still, they must not suffer,
themselves to be captured, even though,
to prevent it q few lives must he taken
Thus, guided by the stars and
cheered by . hope OF final escape, they
struggled northward. Some Of them.
we're often so discouraged as to declare
that they would endure it no longer,
but would give themselves up and
hang il need be. But the spirit Of
John Brown, in his son Owen, kept
most of them marching on" for days
and weeks. One Of the party, how
ever, j. E. Cook, finally became faint
hearted and careless; hunger upset his
judgment, and he decided to take his
chances "among folks" hoping to es,
cape recognition but he was suspects
ed, captured and returned to Virginia
into the jaws Of "iustice." Owen
and his remaining companions kept
on; occasionally entering a town
ut night to read the signs on
the hotels, railroad stations, etc, for
the purpose of determining their
whereabouts. At the end Of about
three weeks of such heroic efforts and
terrible suffering they reached tho
farmhouse Of IN old Qnaker-an anti,
slavery friend of Owens father. Hero
they felt safe in revealing themselves
and asking for what they needed. The
old gentleman gave them food and
blankets, and directed them to an nm.
occupied wood and lumber camp away
up among the hills, over o mile from
any house, and in an unfrequented
spot. SEQ there" said the old man,
aand occupy one of the cabins: get
rested; let your feet heal up; renew
your strength; / will get shoes for you;
come here at night for anything you
want; / will leave food for you in the
woodshed; help yourself to chickens
and pigs; take a. pail and milk the
COWS If you want to; your resting place
is seldom or never reached except by
crossing my farm; should any n start
TO 60 up that way, which is not likely
at this time Of the year, / will accom-
pany them TO shoot squirrels or some
thing and will give you warning.
Three shots about q minute apart will
be q signal TO get out of the way, but
come back here that night to see il it
is all right"
Thus befriended and directed they
followed the loggers' road up to the
old camp, and there they slept and re-
cruited for several days, and then
moved on westward.
Finally they reached the coil coun-
try near Titusville, Pa, where mot
one Of the thousands of strangers was
suspected Of anything but OF being At
tracted there by tho oil excitement.
Here they scattered and obtained
work. Owen remained there till the
r,n 1~H1~n rr,& ~,hc~ 1x nka3 AL
served in the struggle against eces-
sion.
For many years, and until about
four years ago, he lived on Putin Bay
Island, and spen his winters in caring
for the summer resort Of jay Cooke
on the little island called 4Ciibralter, /"
in Putin Bay. Here, during those
months which he spent all alone, he
learned from books to write short
hand; and, both for practice and for
study of "the word" he copied in
shorthand the entire Bible twice
through. Mrs. Thompson informed
me that he had q great quantity Of
other shorthand MSS, but she did
not know what it was all about-4pos'
sibly "reminiscences"
He was not a church member, but he
was q most earnest and practical
Christian. He remembered .those in
bonds al bound with them-whethel
negro, Indian, Chinaman, or the un'
fortunate drunkard, and he would
| cheerfully sacrifice self for any Of them
ct any time. His love for freedom ex'
| tended along the whole line, and
touched all subjects. He Was neither
crank nor lobbyist; but he was "
thoroughly honest, sincere, consistent
conscientious and unselfsh that it va,
dinicult for most men 10 understand
him-and hence they called him .pecu
liar