The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-13
JOHN BROWN OLDHOME
NEED OF REPAIRS TO ADIRoN.
.DAckS HOUSE.
Has Not been Repaired Since II Was
: Built Years ACTIVITY the Adolf
tionist Went to the Wilderness to
Live-is Buried Beside a Boulder
Which He Loved.

LAKE PLACID, N. Y, July H.
John Browns body lies Acknowledging
in the ground"
The song is right; over there in
North Elba, in the shade of the giant
bowlder he loved in life almost beneath
the caves OF the cosy little cottage he
fashioned in the Adirondack wilder
ness before those days of trouble and
martyrdom came, the body Of John
Brown has lain all these years.
But while all the singing over John
Browns place in history has been
going on. many visitors to the Adiron-
daeks this summer declare that scant
thought has been given to the pretty
little home he reared in the wilderness
when in the vigor of full manhood the
hope of a great achievement was young
in his heart. The historic farm is de-
clared today to be in worse condition
than it has been in years, and many
say the state of New York should be-
stir herself to care for it.
Summer guests at the various hotels
in this vicinity have begun their an
nual pilgrimages to the one time home
and grave of the anti-slavery hero,
and many have expressed themselves
Indignantly over the condition in which
they find the buildings, and especially
the house.
1T is shame and disgrace" said
one New York man. Il propose to
see If something cannot be done about
it."
The sentiment of the summer visitor
Is also voiced by residents of the towns
of lake Placid and North Elba
But what can 1 do?'t aNks Reuben
Lawrence, the caretaker of the farm
and grave, who has held that position
for thirty-three years. Il can't go
down into my pocket and pay for this
work that nnndc RI he dnno
II shingled that roof and paid for it
as 1T Is" he continued, pointing toward
the barn, where the sagging founda-
ton timbers and wide, gaping cracks
in the side looked oddly enough be-
meath the comparatively new shingles.
Reuben Lawrence Not to Blame.
But that building needs fixing bad
iy," he added, directing attention to the
carriage shed leaning heavily against
the barn. People come here and say
to me, Why don't you keep things up
better" They don't understand that
the state authorities are supposed to
look after things. No, of course, I
amt to blame, but 1 don't like to have
people think so.''
Residents of North Elba and Lake
Placid, who have known Mr.. Lawrence
for years as thrifty, Industrious man,
know that whatever blame for the
present COHuIllON OIL the JOnn Brown
farm may rightly exist none can at
tach to him. The rear portion of the
house has not been repaired since
Brown built it years ago, and now it is
scarcely habitable, although Mr.. Law
rence's family are obliged to use it for
lack of room. The floor timbers were
originally supported by huge logs.
These have rotted away, allowing the
floor to sink and become unsafe. The
dropping away of these timbers has
also had it's effect upon the whole rear
portion of the house, causing the roof
to sag. In addition the old shingles
have started up so that the roof leaks
badly.
Persons who have visited the place
recently say that the state forestry
commission, as the body having charge
of the property of the state, should at
once take steps to prevent the further
decay of this part of the house. Other
parts Of the house are also in bad con-