The morning call., 1891-11-22

Shenandoah rivers. that has made his fam
lily name famous the world over. In il are
books, manuscripts, aud even some Of the
arms that were used at Harpers Ferry.
Mr. Brown keeps the small building as a
sort of workshop, where he may live
among the memories sacred to his father.
To pore over tie mysteries q that place
and delve among the written things he has
preserved would be worth much; but he is
keeping them all for family record, and i
can say nothing more about them than that
when they are given to the public. romance
and tragedy will be SO mingled as to attract
any mind.
yes, my sister Ruth, who lives in Cali
fOrHia, is preparing sort of sketch or me-
mortal volume about the events OF 1859 and
those that preceded and followed il. She
may not write a large book, but good part
of her life has been spent in gathering up
the threads OF that time. and when her
volume is printed the world will have some
new facts in relation to John Brown. / do
not know how they VIII be received, for it
has moved so rapidly since those DAYS that
1t Is hard 10 say what will interest those of
the present generation. But | am getting
evidences every day that thought about the
cause my father espOused, and his family
who tried to help him carry it out, is not
| dead"
"Were you in the fight at Harpers
F erry?"
No. l had been sent by my father to
| Canada to enlist the active support of the
| better class of colored men who had escaped
from bOndage-in fact, to recruit soldiers
for the cause. | had been quite successful,
and had just returned to our home in ASH
tabuIa County, intending to reioin my
father near the scene of action, when the
combat took place. twas not his intention
to make an attack for some months after lie
did, but traitor in his party forced him to
move quickly and without proper prepare
ton. He was a very ardent man, who
knew no fear, and hence when the emer-
| gency arose lie never hesitated to act.
We have profound respect for his men,
| DRY, and have never looked upon his like
since he went to his grave. You will re-
member, perhaps, that the movements upon
the armory at Harpers Ferry resulted in a
Congressional investigation. which was
| managed by Mr.. Mason of Mason and Sill
dell fame. They undertook to take ME to
Washington to testify. They even sent a
Deputy Marshal after me, but j refused to
go ] knew what my presence in Washing
ton would mean, and remained at home l
took no part in the war, except to 90 to
Kansas and join one of the border regiments
for time.
LET me see. It was early In 1862 that l
came to this island and settled on this little
patch Of land to raise fruit | have led a
very secluded life, attending to my vine
yard and gathering my grapes. See, | have
| wagon load almost ready for the Detroit
| boat, where have sent all of my product
| for years. | never sell a pound of my grow
| ing for wine
you will excuse my farmers garb," said
he, as we walked along; 'but like it and
| it fits my business"
We parted at the gate by the main road,
| and / walked toward the little wooden town
which is called Put-in-Bay. An hour later,
| just as | was finding my way to the dock
| where the big steamers land for Detroit,
| Cleveland, Toledo and Sandusky, l met Mr..
| Brown again just under the spreading
| branches of the willow tree which mark 5
| the spot where are buried Perry's men, who
! fell in the memorable battle on Lake Erie,
| when the old Commodore sent the ringing
| message to the Government that has been
cast in letters Of gold: I'VE have met the
| enemy and they are ours"
We goSsiped little about the history of
| this spot where we were standing, and as we
| parted he said kindly: "C0me and see me
| again, If you ever come this way"