The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-03-03

6Tal 1ONeTUOt Oh INC l6lIIboIN, NDSl
q treaty or understanding was had be-
tween them. under which the region
gradually settled into comparative peace
A sLAvE-FREEING RAID.
But, while the ferment was at its hight
and forces were gathering on both sides
for the conflict, slave named jim came
secretly across the border to Capt
Browns cabin, and told him that him.
self and bis family had been sold, and
were to be sent of to Texas next day.
Brown, with 90 men, divided into
two parties, crossed the border in the
night, liberated Jim and his family, and
proceeding to the house of another slave
holder, gave deliverance to five more
slaves
The other party, under Kagi, called
at several houses in search of slaves,
but found none until they reached the
residence of David Cruise, who, learning
their object, seized his rifle and raised it
to fire, but was instantly shot dead. He
had but one slave, who accompanied his
liberators to their retreat.
One of the captured shareholders was
carried several miles into the Territory
to prevent bis raising hue-and-cry for
rescue.
4 furious excitement throughout
western Missouri inevitably followed.
The Governor offered reward of $4,000
for the arrest of Brown, on his part; to
which President Buchanan added $3.50.
1t was reported that the slave popu-
lation of the two adjacent Missouri
Counties was diminished from 800 to
SO within few weeks, mainly by re-
moval for sale.
The more moderate Free-State men
earnestly disavowed all sympathy with
Browns doings over the border, or any
acts of violence by Free-State men on
their adversaries, not committed in neces-
sary selfdefense.
Brown soon learned that he must leave
Kansas, or remain there denounced and
condemned by those who had hitherto
been his friends. He resolved to leave,
and started early in January, 1859, pass
ing through Lawrence on his north
ward route. He had four white COM
panions, three of whom afterward fought
under him at Harper's Ferry, and three
negroes, beside women and children.
He was pursued by 80 pro-Slaverv
men from Lecompton so sharply that he
was compelled to halt and prepare for a
defense. He took possession of two de-
serted log-cabins in the wilderness which
his pursuers surrounded, at respectful
distance, and sent to Atchison and Le-
compton for reinforcements.
From Atchison, II men arrived, max
ing their force AZ to his eight As they
were preparing to attack, Brown and his
seven companions suddenly issued from
the wood, in order of battle, when the
valorous posse turned and fed.
THE BATTLE OF THE SPURS
Not shot was fired, as they, putting
spurs to their horses, galloped headlong
across the prairie, and were soon lost TO
the view. Only four men stood their
ground, and these were made prisoners
forthwith. Brown ordered them to dis.
mount, and give their horses to his
negroes
This command occasioned-not to say
provoked-profane language on their
part whereupon he commanded silence,
saving he would permit no blasphemy in
his presence. At this, they only swore
the louder and the harder "Kneel
exclaimed the stern Puritan, suddenly
presenting his pistol. There was no
alternative but a deadly one, and they
all knelt
Now, pray" 1t was probably
their first attempt in that line for many
years, and their success could hardly
have been brilliant; but he kept them
at it until they had at least manifested
an obedient and docile spirit They
never swore again in bis presence, though
he held them prisoners for FIVE days,
compelling them, each and all, to pray
night and morning.
These four were from Atchison and,
being finally liberated, returned to that
still pro-Slavery city, where one of them
was green enough to tell the story of
their capture, and their discipline under
old John Brown. The laugh was so
general and so hearty that they soon
left, never to return.
Brown was joined, soon after this
Battle Of the Spurs" by Kagi, with
40 mounted men from Topeka, of whom
IL escorted him safely to Nebraska
City lie there crossed the Mississippi
into Iowa, and travelled slowly through
that State, Illinois, and Michigan, to
Detroit where be arrived on the 18th
of March, crossing Immediately into
Canada, where his 12 blackstone of
them born since he left Missouri-were
legally, as we'll as practically, free
All of them were industrious prosper
ous and happy, when last heard from
many months thereafter.
NEW CONSTITUTION.
A secret convention, called by Brown,
and attended only by such whites and
blacks as he believed in thorough sym-