Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-24


tween slavery and freedom. One bit
of contest, like the Oberlin rescue, he
regarded as worth more than thou
sands of speeches or hundreds of vol
umes on the subject. OF course he
feared that his method might lead to
the use OF firearms occasionally, but
he hoped to avoid serious bloodshed.
The conflict at Harpers Ferry was
precipitated by treachery before we
were ready, and father was compelled
to act at once and unprepared. 1t had
been arranged that the capture of the
Ferry and its munitions should occur
on Oct. "a, and assistance was on the
way from the North, but it was precipi-
tated on the 18th"
At the opening Of the attack upon
Harper's, Ferry, Owen was at the
house which was their base of supplies,
about five miles away, in Maryland
On learning of the condition of affairs,
he began getting the arms and supplies
down to a schoolhouse about mile
from the Ferry; but, before this could
be done, word was sent to him and his
companions to escape at once. After
going down near to the scene of action,
and finding that he could render no
assistance to his father and COM
panions, who were then either shot OF
imprisoned in the engine-house, he and
his companions, five in number, secured
a 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 hotly 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 con-
slant and watchful guard at all times,
and must build no fires: most of their
food (after their little store should be
exhausted) must consist of corn which
they could forage from ungathered
fields; they must neither shoot nor
cook anything; and they must make
their way we'll to the north and west
in Pennsylvania OF New York State be-
fore it would be safe to separate and
take their chances with fictitious
names, of course) among strangers in
the busy world. In crossing roadways
they must leave no tell-tale tracks:
they must take to the beds of streams
when practicable in order to throw any
pursuing hounds off their trail. In
short, they must see to it that 10 sight
or sound reveal them to men, and no
odor to dogs. 70 increase their diff
cultles 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
1t was 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 a few lives must be taken.
Thus, guided by the stars and
cheered by a hope Of final escape, they
struggled northward. Some Of them
were often so discouraged as to declare
that they would endure it no longer
but would give themselves up and
hang if need be. But the spirit of
John Brown, in his son Owen, kept
most of them marching on for davs
and weeks. One of the party, how
ever, j. r. 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 suspect
ed, captured and returned to Virginia
Into the jaws of Justice" Owen
and his remaining companions kept
on; occasionally entering town
at 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 the
farmhouse of an old Quaker-an anti
slavery friend of Owens father. Here.
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 I'M
occupied wood and lumber camp away
up among the hills, over mile from
any house, and in an unfrequented
spot. go there" said the old man,
and occupy one Of the cabins; get
rested; let your feet heal up; renew