Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1889-06-08

tNttu SluNtIN anu lltttoll 'ut llJ
of contest, like the Obcrlin 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 Harper's Ferry was
precipitatcd by treachcry before we
were ready, and father was compelled
to act at once and unpreparcd. 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-
tatcd on the 18th"
At the opening of the attack uToa
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 schoolhousc about a nile
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 we're then either shot or
imprisoned in the enGinohousc. 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 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 con
slant and watchful guard at all times,
and must build no fires: most of their
food (after their little store should be
cXhaustcd) must consist of corn which
they could forage from urgathercd
fields; they must neither shoot nor
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 cOurscl among strangers in
the busy world. In crossing roadwavs
they must leave no tell-tale tracks:
they must take to the beds Cf streams
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
1t was almost impossible to keep their
ammunition dry, entirely impossible
to keep their guns i'll order, and if they
could it was quite doubtful if they
ought to use them under any circum-
stances. Still, they must not suffer
themselves to be captured even though
to prevent it few lives must he taken.
thus, guided by the stars and
checrcd by a hope Of final escape, they
struggled rorthwar1. 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 if need be. ijut the 81 init of
John Brown, in his son Owen. kept
most of them marching on" for days
and weeks. One of the party, how
ever, j. f.. Cook, finally became faint
hearted and careless: hunger upset his
Judgment, and he decided to take his
CHARGES among folks, hol irg to cs-
cape recognition; but he was suspect
cd, captured and returned to Virginia
into the jaws of "justice.' Owen
and his remaining companions kept
Oh; occasionally entering n 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 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 a nile from
any house, and i'll an unfreJucnted
SPOT. "Go there" said the old man,
and occupy one of the cabins; get
rested; let YOUR feet heal up: renew
your strength; | will get shoes for You;
come mere AT night for anything YOU
want; will leave food for You in the
woodshed; hep yourself to chicken,
and IlSS; take pail and milk the
COWS If you want to; your resting place
Is seldom or never reached except by
crossing my farm; should any one start
to go up that way, which is not likely
at this time of the year. | will accom-
rany them to shoot squirrels or some
thing and will give you warning.
Three shots about minute apart will
be a signal to get out of the way, but
come back here that night to see if 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 not
one of the thousands of strangers was
suspected of anything but of being at.
fpn Il al a