The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-20
John Brown Funds.

IN last Sundays Tines.D,spatch we had
something to say concerning the story
Of a "A1rs. Pleasant (colored who
represented that she furnished old John
Brown $4,000. will, which to make pro-
vision for his raid on Harpsr's Ferry.
She also said that she came into VIZ
ginia with trusted friend" and that
he passed himself off as horse trader
while she pretended to b. Jockey. Each
OF them talked to the slaves In manner
70 prepare the latter for an uprising. she
gave to the newspaper reporter who
interviewed her in California the names
Of several gentlemen whose plantations
on the Roanoke River they visited n
1s5o--the y.,ar Of this John Brown raid.
The following has an important bearing
upon the subject:
Chase City, Va. Nov. 18th, 1905
Editor Of Tho Times. Dispatch:
sir.-Your comments IN Sundays issue
IN the Mrs. Pleasant. OF California, who
represented herself MS q contributor to
John Browns fund and the statement
that she, in company with another, who
professed to DO trading In horses. had
visited the negroes on Roanoke River,
and the names Of the slave-owners she
mentioned, ilnpresses mo that she was
stating facts.
The plantations Of Mark Alexander,
Henry E. Coleman, Alexander sydnor,
william Townas and the Nelson's, were
all on the river and not Tar distant IRON
each other in the county OF Mecklenburg.
and a large number Of negroes wer1
owned by these old gentlemen at the
time. They are all dead now, but are
we'll remembered by me. III IL l. r.
IA 7 was about eighteen years old at the
time referred to, and often visited
bruther-in-law, the late James y. Love,
who owned on Roanoke River the ad-
Joining plantation to that OF Colonel
Townes. I remember Mr.. Love spoke Of
the female horse Jockey and her affil!a.
ton with the negroes. But no idea OF
h,sr purpose was suspected. After the
outbreak Of Brown. In 1869. these pre-
tended traders were remembered ny the
old people as having been indifferent
about horse trading. and their negro
associations we're recalled. But every
unknown traveller at that time aroused
the vigilance and suspicion OF all COM
munities.
There is no doubt that the emssar1hs
and synpathizers Of Brown were IN
southside Virginia, representing them'
selves as traders, reddlers, preachers
mineral seekers. or some other calling
In those days they were freely enter
tanned by the farmers. who were Isolated
ana were glad to see them and learn the
rows Of the outside world. Tlrere were
no railroads accessible. visiting and tray
cling infrequent. and a stranger had a
hospitable welcome, with no thought OF
his evil purposes,
But these ttinerants now no, longer
traverse tho country and tho trnmps
confIne their travels to the railroad
lines. TtOMAo -: Dr r Ills.
This Is strong cortoborntive evidence OF
SO much OF tho story OF Mrs. Pleasant"
as relates to her having been a-spying
In southside Virginia. 1t does not, how
svre, touch upon tho truth OF her state sta teo
ment that she gave John Brown SSo, ooo
ia helm him carry on his work But that.
too, may be true; though. II so, 1t Is
wonderful that Mrs. Pleasant" did not
long ago claim credit for her munif''
cence In the cause Ut aboltlonssm.