The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-06-06

feeDIS, Du( He was H!SH M4tIt'!. All"
the haggard old man slowly and fee
BY arose from MS chair. His steely
eyes swept the breathless crowd with
scorn as he exclaimed:
" 'Virg;nians. l did not ask for
quarter at the time was taken. Gle
was badly wounded). l do not ask
for quarter now. l do not ask to
have my life spared. If you seek my
blood you may have it at any NOM
ent without the mockery Of trial.
I have no counsel. 20 we are to De
forced into mere form Of trial--a
trial for execution-you might spare
yourselves that trouble. l am ready
for my fate, beg no insult. nothing
but that which conscience gives or
cowardice drives you to practice.
again ask to be excused from the
mockery of trial."'
''Then John Brown sat down. He,
in that short speech, not only address
ed the court, but he flung challenge
at the pride of old Virginia.
Auditors Amazed
'His auditors were thrilled and
amazed. They even respected the
daring old man.
"When the second days court
opened an attorney for Brown in
formed the court that he had received
telegram from an Akron, Ohio, man
who declared that there was good
deal of insanity in Browns family,
and he desired to investigate the
statement.
'While the defense counsel was
making it's plea, John Brown inter-
rupted him. The old man struggled
forward, his eyes blazing with wrath
and his voice shaking with emotion.
In unmistakable language he repudi-
ated his attorneys plea and denied
there was any ineanity in his fathers
family, though some of his mothers
people had been mentally afflicted.
He refused any such subterfuge of
defense in his behalf. He was out in
the open, he had nothing to hide, no.
thing to excuse and no apologies to
make. The court ruled that there
was no testimony supporting this ev-
;dence, and the insanity end would
De d:sregarded and the trial proceed.
Several witnesses described how
the armed band came across the
bridge at midnight and took posses
SIGN of the United States arsenal at
Harpers Ferry. They described in
detail the stirring events of October
16, II and 18.
The raiders took possession of one
Of the nearby plantations and made
the slaves and plantation owners all
prisoners of war. The night express
train was held up en- the bridge and
the porter shot. Men were shot down
n the street, witnesses said, and the
mayor killed. Militia companies were
hastily summoned from Martinsburg,
Shepherdstown and Charles Town.
Fort Is Established
"Finally the remnants of the Brown
party barricaded themselves in the
municipal fire engine house of Har-
pers Ferry. 1t was later known as
John Browns fort.
"There they were surrounded by
troops and escape shut Off Efforts to
negotiate were futile. Flag of truce
bearers from Browns barricade were
Shot down or captured. On the night
Of the second day after he entered
the town a company of U. S. Marines
from Washington arrived. They were
under command of Colonel Robert E.
Lee, and Lieutenant J. E. B. Stuart,
who later became the two great gen.
erals Of the Confederacy.
Brown refused to surrender and
the next morning the fort was car
ried by storm. Brown and his surviv-
ing companions were captured.
Brown was badly wounded in several
places. So We're some Of his COM
panions.
Among the towns citizens who
were taken prisoner by Brown was
Cclenel Lewis W. Washington, grand
nephew of George Washington.
"The casualties of John Browns
Harpers Ferry raid were twelve kill
ed, two wounded, one escaped. Two
of Browns sons were killed. Of the
attackers five were killed and nine
wounded.
$50 called damaging literature in
troduced ae evidence at the Brown