Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1913-01-02
THE JOHN BROWN RAID ]
SOME CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ]
OLD FILES OF 1859. +;
Thursday, October 81, 1859.
Continued from last week.

Coll. w. Washington has given US
the following particulars connected
with his arrest by Browns party:
about 100 O'Clock on Monday morn
ing, October 18th, ] was aroused FRI m
my bed by having been called at my
chamber door, Thinking some frierd
had arrived at Harper's Ferry on the
night train and had walked up to my
house, at cnce arose and opened the
door, when, in front of me, stood, some-
what in circle, four armed men-three
with Sharps rifles, presented at my
son, and the fourth holding in his left
hand burning torch, and in his right
a revolver. / was asked if my name
was Washing Acknowledgment said it
was. aud was then informed | was a
prisoner, and they desired me to accom-
pany them. asked the party holding
The torch, to light my candle, hich
was on the table. and throw his torch
in the stove This he did AS | was
proceeding to dress. said, probably
you will Ktend me the courtesy to es-
plain this movement When one Of
them said "our intention is to free all
the slaves in the South, and we are
fully prepared to do it."
After ! had dressed myself, we pros
ceeded to my dining room, where my
arms were demanded. | opened gun
closet and handed them a rifle. double
barrel shot gun and large horse pis-
toi, all unfoaded, when one Of the party
whispered to another, and was asked
if had not some arms in my parlor. |
then proceeded to the parlor and opened
a cabinet which contained sword and
pistol Finding that they were aware
Of this sword and pistol being in the
cabinet, l unlocked it to prevent it be-
ing broken open, rs it had plate glass
door. This party who entered the house
were Stevens, Cook, Tidd, and the other
I understood to say he was from Can
ada. Stevens was addressed by his
party as Captain, and seemed to be in
command. Stevens, whilst in my din
ing room, demanded of me my money
and watch, WHICH I refused to deliye r
him, saying that he had not specified
robbery when he announced his purpose
to me, to which he replied, repeating
the expression twice, "take care, sir T.
Stevens left me in charge of Cook,
Tidd and the Canada man, and with
two others who did not enter the house,
proceeded to order my carriage and
four horse wagon to the front Of the
house. On arriving at the steps found
my carriage in front, and driven from
the stable by Shields Green, as after
wards recognized him, and believe that
he was the person, though in leaving
the Light and suddenly approaching the
carriage in the dark, I cannot be posi-
tive. as he was directed to leave the
seat and go to the wagon in the rear.
got in my Phaeton and took back
scat, Cook by my side and Tidd on the
front seat by the side Of my house ser
want, who drove:
When we had proceeded to . point
opposite the residence of Mr.. J. Fl. Al
stadt, the carriage was stopped and
Tidd got out and had some conference
with the others in the wagon in the
rear, Cook remaing with me, when he
took occasion to say that he regretted
his duty compelled him to be one of the
party, as he had been at my house
where he had been politely received.
but his duty required him to obey a
superior officer. He further said that
my capture Was of great Importance to
them, as they were aware that / had
many influential friends. and my being
taken would give strong moral effect
to their cause. The others took a fence
rail from the opposite side of the turn
pike and proceeded to the rear Of Mr..
Alstadt's house, where one blow eff
tected their entrance. In q moment
and children were crying out
murder, which was soon stopped by |
he marauders. In some ten minutes
ridd returned to the carriage. when be- I
ng somewhat chilly, proposed to walk {
I'D the hill. He assented and walked
With me. AS we proceeded he asked
ne to give him my opinion freely as to
ny views of slavery answered, Y
'on that subject | decline any CONVEX J
ation.' He answered, you are en-. /
tiled to your opinion. !" On arriving at
hs summit ~ the bill which overIoOks