The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-20

John Brcwn's followers
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Forgotten for forty years in their rude
graves on the banks OF the Shenandoah.
the bodies Of seven faithful followers OF
rugged old John Brown have within
few DAYS been disinterred and carried
from Harper's Ferry up into the Adiron-
dacks. there 10 find an honnred reSting
place near the spot where John Grown
body lies a-mouleering in the grave.
Many distinguished men Will be present
at the ceremonies soon to be held, one the
Rev. Joshua Young. who buried John
Brown, and was driven from his parish
and fairly ostracized in the state as
consequence. A suitable monument VIII
be erected. giving the names OF the men
and the circumstances Of the recoVery-st
tia, bodies. which will add greatly to the
interest Of the thousands that yearly
visit the grave and former home OF the
old 'liberator."
For ten years only did John Brown live
in the Adirondacks. and during the
greater part of these years he was away
conducting his schemes in Kansas ana
Virginia. and paid only ipfrequent visits
to his mountain home.
In 1853 he learned of Garrett Smiths
generous offer OF forty acre plots to any
OF the negroes who would accept them
and by becoming land owners gain their
enfranchisement. This movement was
just In accord with John Browns SYM
pathles. and he offered to take one of the
plots himself and locate in the mountain
wilderness with his cOlored brethren,
where he hoped to teach them to reclaim
these wild lands. At the some time he
was planning to use his little colony as a
northern terminus for his underground
railway" the haven for the poor negroes
whom he hoped secretly to convey north.
As Is well known, the negro settlement
was not a success. The negroes, with
but one exception, fell i'll Of discourage
ment and returned to their former homes.
John Brown. when he moved into the
little home which he built-the plain
frame building. upholstered and I'M
painted, which today Is histOric-remark-
ed, "It is very small. but the main thing
Is that we all keep good natured-
1t Is only a rod or so from the great
bowlder which forever stands guard
where his body lies. On the face of this
great bowlder one may see his initials.
which were carved by his own hand.
Registers are kept at the farm house
for visitors to write their names nd any
sentiments that such a visit may inspire.
Under the date Of August p. 1856. we ind
the following over Joshua Young's name:
Seven years ago we stood by an open
Of
sive rock, and committed to the dust all
that was mortal of John Brown. who
gave up his life in behalf OF am oppressed
and despised race. And now we renew
the recollection OF that bleak December
day-December s, Sand think OF the
mighty results that have since trans
pired. How strange the province OF God!
the hero's body sleeps amid these grand
and awful solitudes. his spirit marches
on
Through the efforts OF Kate Field.
funds were raised few years ago for the
purchase of the John Brown farm. at
North Elba. and in 1896 It was transferred
to the state OF New York.
j. w. Conrad. now a clerk in the war
department. who was a participant in the
exciting events that made John Browns
memory famous gives the following &C
count:
In 1859 I was a youthful soldier In Com
pany X. Third United States artillery.
stationed at the artillery school at Fort
Monroe, Va. On October IL my company
| anw two others. in all about one hundred
and thlrty-four muskets. were suddenly
ordered to Fort McHenry. Baltimore. on
account Of a reported rebellion among the
! Virginia negro slaves. which proved 10 he
| the famous raid Of old John Brown on
| the United States arsenal at Harper
Ferry. The first scare being over We re-
| turned to Fort Monroe. but on October
| 2 we were ordered to Harper's Ferry. the
United States marines who had captured
| John Brown and his party having return
| ed to Washington.
zone Of the marines afterward gave me
| the particulars of Browns capture. He
said:
ION our arrival at Harper's Ferry We
| found the town full OF Virginia and
Maryland militia, many % them in cltl-
gems dress. They seemed very much
| afraid Of Browns party. who were arm
| Ell with Sharp carbines and Colt reyoiv-
ers. Captain Alburtis, Of Martinsburg,
| pIuckv veteran OF the Mexican war, hal
| arrived with an armed party and had
| driven Browns picket OF three men from
the railroad bridge. and soon had Brown
and several OF his men penned up In tn
! small engine house in the arsenal
| grounds since known as John Brown s
| fort
1--WE were ordered 70 capture Brown.
The whole militia force appeared 20 be
| under the command OF Lieutenant Coio-
mel (afterward the celebrated Confederate
| RaueraD Robert l. Lee. of the Second
| NOW the Fifth United States cavalry.
! Lieutenant J. Z. Il. Stuart appeared to
/ be acting as Lees adiutant. and brave
I young fellow he was.
1.-THE mayor OF Harper's Ferry. Mr..
! Beckham. who rashly stepped out from
4 behind the water station. had been shot
/ dead by some one said 10 be John
Brown himself. from a small loophoIe cut
In the narrow brick pillar between the
! two doors Of the engine house. Conse-
( quentiy when our storming party Of ma
/ rines moved up in front Of the building
| We expected 70 be fired upon. but there
was no hostile demonstration. Lieutenant
..Jeb" Stuart. ~ith a white flag Of some
| Kind. went boldly up 70 the doors AMI
! ordered Brown 10 surrender A. that
| time the engine house Was crowded with
} prisoners. citizens captured by Brown. in
I GLIDING Colonel Lewis Washington. then
the proprietor 81 Mount Vernon. ~ho az
! tervard served in the Confederate army
ana was shot dead by e Union pickle;