Evening star., 1950-12-10
John Brown's S Raid
Washington MiIitio Ordered Out Quickly
When Horpers Ferry Incident Occurred
By John CIoqett Proctor

Jett TIOStOT
him was defeated by Sheridan
in 1864.
For his part in attempting to
liberate the slaves. John Brown
was tried by the civil authorities
and executed, as were several OF
his followers. The Star at that
time was but seven years old, but
growing rapidly in favor, and in
order to supply the people Of
Washington with the best write
up possible, of events transpiring
at Charlestown (then part Of
Virginia., sent it's crack reporter
for that purpose, and editorially
announced, on December 2, 1859,
that it had done so, saying:
"Our assistant, Crosby S. Noyes,
Esq, left Washington yesterday
morning for Charlestown, Va, to
post The Stars readers promptly
and fully with reference to every
thing of interest that may tran
spire there today. The first OF
these letters, written currente
calamo-in the car-will be found
in our other column. We hope to
receive and get a second one IN
type ere going to press this after
noon. In tomorrow's issue we will
doubtless have, from his pen,
perhaps the very best and fullest
account of everything occurring
today in Charlestown, published
anywhere in the United States so
soon afterWard.
T. "P. S.-The expected second let
ter, having reached us, will be
found elsewhere today
And, elsewhere" are found
Full Particulars" which includes
two-and-a-half-column story.
signed &C. S. NJ" so that there is
no mistaking the fact that 1t
was none other than the subse-
quent distinguished editor OF The
Star himself who wrote the story.
Story of the Hanging
Evidently the correspondent was
not superstitious, for he starts his
story, Room No. 49," which hap
pened to be in Carter's Hotel, and
then refers to the other news
paper folk VINO were quartered in
/ the same hostelry.
"The various representatives OF
the press were conducted to the
place assigned to them some two
hours before the execution.
/ This position. though some
what more favorable for seeing
what transpired than had seemed
probable at one time, was at an
unnecessary distance from the
galloWs. -.
The military in the field were
located at points designated by
white signal flags bearing the
names of the different companies.
Their lines formed two octagons,
one within the other, of which
the gal1ows was the center. Drawn
up beyond the rail fence of this
field were long lines of cavalry;
and the country in every direction
as far as the eye could reach was
dotted with squads of sentinel
soldiers, their brilliant uniforms
bringing their figures out in
strong relief against the somber
autumn brown of the landscape.
The number of spectators. aside
from the military, was not large.
perhaps a couple of hundred in
all, and these, with the exception
of the members of the press and
some half dozen privileged
civilians, seated upon the steps.
were excluded from the field"
/ The body of John Brown was
taken by his widow to New York,
where services were conducted. of
which The Star of December IL.
says:
John Browns Funeral.-The
funeral of John Brown took place
at North Elba on Thursday, at
l o'clock. The body was borne
by six of his neighbors from, his
own roof to a rock nearby, under
the shadow of which he had
directed to be laid. The coffin had
previously been placed in front of
the door step, where his neigh
bors came in crowds to take last
look. The face was hardly changed
and wore its usual expression.
Before leaving the house, his
favorite hymn. Blow Ye the
Trumpet Blow etc, was sung.
and prayer was offered by the
Rev. Mr.. Young of Burlington, VT.
Remarks were then made by j. M.
McKun of Philadelphia and Wen
dell Phillips of Boston. At the
grave, Mr.. Young quoted Paul's
words, I have fought the good
fight ETC., and pronounced a
benediction."