The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-05-18
Saw John Browns Raid.

William NJ. Snyder of 1918 St. Francis
avenue is probably the only man In
Wichita who saw John Browns raid at
Harpers Ferry initiated. He saw the
first struggle, John Browns capture and
and attended his trial and execution
An Eagle reporter pressed him for an
interview concerning that memorable
event d few days ago and the following
is his narrative OF the tragedy.
"On Sunday nigrt OCTOBER Is. 1889
about u o'clock, John Brown with "a
squad OF eighteen or twenty armed men
crossed the Potomac river into Harper's
Ferry This first act was to shoot and
kill Haywood Shepherd an innocent old
colored man while in discharge of his
duties as night watch for the Baltimore
Ohio railroad, and free, at that tirle.
He next took possession of the United
States armory works and arsenal at the
same time making prisoners of guards
and some private citizens. He then sent
a squad of armed men several miles into
the country and made prisoners of sew
eral OF the best citizens and bring them
Harper's Ferry. One of them was Col.
Lewis. of Washington, who at that time
was the nearest living relative of Gen.
George Washington. On Monday morn
ing Beeham. the B. & O. railroad
agent and mayor of Harpsr's Ferry was
shot and killed while walking on the
Platform of the depot. Soon after, Geo.
Turner. one among the best citizens Of
Jefferson county, was shot and fcll lead
from his horse while riding down High
street. which overlooked the armory
works ard engine house. afterwards
known as John Browns fors.
BY noon on Monday. news of the raid
was pretty well well circulated IN the
country around ffarper's Ferry. Citizens
at once armed themselves and proceeded
10 surround the town by some crossing
the river to the Maryland side which
prevented his escape into the mountains
north-took one OF Browns men. and
who seemed 70 be one Of ghe figures
in getting up the raid. deserted Brown
carly in the action and got into the noun
tain on the Maryland side OF the river.
About 10 o'clock on Monday, I with a
group Of probably twenty five men was
standing on High street when a shot
was fred from the side OF the mountais.
evidently aimed al Us. ! saw TIE smoke
on the mountain and heard the bullet
whiz q little over rs. Had it been little
lower. Il would likely nave killed several
0f Is. One of our crowd Irsd a shot
with long range gun al the spot guess
ing from the smoke where the shot was
Aired from Cook was captured in Penn
sylvaala and brouht back TO Charleston
after which learned be said that it gaE
he that fred the shot from the mountain
and that the shot from High street cut a
A.. - LIT
him fall some distance down the noun
tain. By night Browns outside guards
had been killed and he. with the balance
Of his men took refuge IN the engine
house taking his prisoners ii also on
Monday one OF Browns men (coioredl
was shot at the arsenal guard gaze
Another Of his men was shot in the
Potomac river while trying 70 escape.
and / thing the guard OH the bridge on
the Potomac river was killed Copeland
gcoloredl who was afterwards hung. was
captured IN the river trying 70 escape.
Several made their escape.
on Tuesday morning Col r Z. Lee
afrsrxard General Lee of the Confederate
army. arrived with squad 81 United
States soldiers from Washington He
AZ once hroke down the door Of the en-
CINE house which brought forth a hand
. hand agh1 Ter fsw minutes oniy
II which several q Browns men were
killed Browa received q wound from
a sabre 81 The hands % him zho was
afterwar5 Aaje- Israel Green in The Con
fcdcrs;e army. ana Z have the correct
Information BE Hns appointed Indian
agent under cievoisnd al xozze agency
north probably IN Dakota. Brown
Stevens. HaSkett. Ceppie and Green. the
later colored. were captured II the En-
siue house after whsch they were scon
taken "a Charicston and flses5 = sar
70 await trial. Copeland Ceolored3 al 4
res6s referred %. was also placed in taa /
as wss Cock who was Afterwards can
tured IN Pennsvivznia All of the above
named we're tried. convicted ard huzx /