Year: 1859

No more lovely and romantic spot than this village
could have been found in all the savehodDg States for
the opening Of the bloody "rrepreesbe conflict sought
TO be naugurated by Brown and his followers and the
other ianacal desperadocs who have them hhcr.
The village is situated in docp narrow gorge Of the
mountains at the point where the waters Of the Potomac
and Shenandoah uniting their forces broke through the
mountain chain. All around iofy peaks whose
rocky sides are covered by foliage, and at this
season Of the year adorned in oil the gorgeous rain
bow hues Of the autumnal forest About nve or
six miles distant the Maryland side ia tho Ken
nedy farm tho place Of rendezvous selected by
the hbusters to mature their plans. Brown came 10
this neighbcrhood in July, under the assumed Of
Smith, accompanied by three four men, and began TO
look for location TO be occupied temporarily he alleged
until be could nnd and purchase property suit him He
finally hired the Kennedy farm OF Dr. Kennedy Of Hagers
town, Maryland, for the OF $35 year. short time
afterwards the party increased by the arrival Of two
women, said to be his wife and daughter. And about
three weeks ago three arrived The house located


In the midst Of thicky settled neghborhood five six
families living within hail and the movements Of the
gers regarded with much curiosity They seemed
have settled business but large number Of boxes
and packages sent them by railroad which they
carted home, and nearly every day Of them
paid visit TO the village upon preence other
They paid for everything they wanted in hard cash. and
were seciable and friendly towards their neighbors


great deal Of their time appeared to be passed in hunting
in the mountains although is not known that they
brought home any game On one occasion q neighbor
marked TO Mr.. Smith (as Old Brown called)
that he had observed twigs and branches bent
down in q peculiar manner, which Smith ex-
planned by stating that the habit Of the Indians in
travelling through strange country, TO mark their path
Shoxr- ArI xtotrx TIa ha1
doubt he sad that Indians frequently passed these
mountains unknown TO the inhabitants


On ssnauy night last Brown and his party numbering
twenty two men, marched into town very quietly, and
proceeding straight to the gate Of the armory seized and


imprisoned the wachman duty, and placed themselves


In possession without creating any alarm. Adetachment
der command Of named Cook, who had lived long


time In the neighborhood then despatched into the
country and made seizure Of two wealthy slave
COL Washington and Mr.. Aisadt has already been
ported in the HERALD Cook and his returned with
the prisoners and five of the slaves belonging each
Cook then took Of the negroes and white men
Of the party-Owen Smith and named Thompson
and went up to the Kennedy farm, where the party


abored nearly all day in cartng boxes Of down to


school house only milo or two from Harpers
Ferry. They drove out the school children and tied
the schoolmaer hand and foot and kept him In the build
ing. Towards night Cook went down towards Harpers
Ferry, where Brown and his party were by this time
hemmcd in by the military, and was seen in little time
by who had lived the road returning in q
OF great excitement Since that time neither he any
OF his party have been Seen


Old Brown and his men, nineteen in number remained


in charge Of the armory and village taking possession of
the bridges and all the avenues and arrestng the
fast as they made their appearance in the streets.


The rest OF the affair is fully and minutey described
the following statements of citizens and eyewitnesses
which were taken by reporter on Wednesday and
Thursday last =


STATEMENT OF W. ". THRoCKMoRToN.


The clerk of the Wager Hotel, which is situated by the
side of the railroad track, young man named W. W.
Throckmorton, makes the following statement About
ten O'Clock Sunday evenings about closing up the
doors below noticed horse covered wagon going by
and from its appearance concluded II gpsy wagon
There four or five men following the wagon
went below to shut up, and told one OF our colorcd
servants whom found up, that gipses going
by. He wanted TO go out and them, and seemed
quite anxious co. but said was going 70 shut up and
bade him 60 TO bed AN quiet after this, except
some men walking along the streets till about
twelve O'Clock, when l went to call some men who
TO 60 in the express train. Then heard the report
OF gun out op the bridge and running. l went
down 10 the door when the wachnan Of the bridge an
Irishman rushed in and sad clock your DOORS there
robbers On the bridge-several men" did not
think Of the eipsey wagon on at the time but sup.
had fired at him 70 frghten him. then went up
and awakened the passengers and tried to borrow
volvcr from some OF the guests but could not find


then walked out and went TO the railroad Office TO
Sheppard the colored man, and borrow his revolver
as he always kept one, but his revolver was not
the bridge with in their hands went back to the
hotel and kept quiet till the train along. then
and heard and he took four five and went TO


the bridge. Hayward Sheppard the colorcd man, went
render The man turned and run, and the men on the
bridge shot him as he all the then back the
hotel carried the wounded man into the ticket Office
and started for DOCTOR Ihad revolver then which had
borrowed from passenger on the train Just
ed the street, met two coming down the road the
passengers were this time running around in excitement
and women and children screaming In the cars sun.
posed these men passengers till Of them pre-
sentcd his gun, and said 70 me you son Of -, win
give you some too,' and fired, but missed had no
chance to rum but they both towards the armory
and as they we're running fired all the shots my re-
the armory gates. Then got another revolver,
and Captain Phelps and some Of the passengers with
me towards the armory. AS VIC camo out the men had
got inside the gate and fired at two three shots
the distance or the darkness prevented their taking good
aim, and nobody was hurt. I then returned and
walked out upon the platform with another gentleman
ard then we saw two men with guns coming from tho
armory. They walked past US towards the Office, where


the negro sheppard lay. AS they reached tho railroad
stand what they said. Then wc put the lights
Soon after old named Grice whom they had taken
on the Shenandoah bridge, up from the armory ana
wanted TO come in, but sent him 70 the Office where
I apt Phelps was Afterwards learned that he had I
been let out on condition Of going straight home because
of his age He said he directed by men who had


released him to tell the hotel keeper railroad agent
that nobody here should be harmed If they kept tho
peace and made no resistance.


About three O'Clock we saw large four horse wagon
and two horse buggy Colonel Washmgtons) driven


ast and taken into the armsry yard We concluded then
that gang Of robbers were piundering the armory,
where knew there was large sum Of money We
could hear them at work loading or unfolding m The ar
mory, and an hour later the wagon drivon out
with s n spS Of Two sS .n
Cook who had lived around here and married his wife In
this town. He was here on Friday last and saw him
talking long time with our boy, the who was 50
anxious 70 zee the gypeey wagon At daylight pr Sany
started for Charlcstcwn 70 got help, and aNer Tint
from time TO time ve could see citizens coming
up TO the armory gates, one at time, and
taken in as prisoners. saw negro boy leave
the yard and come 10 the hotel, bringing q note He
came to the door and gave note, which was directed
TO tho hotol keeper or clerk Of the wagon house and read
thus MU


o., ~, c,-,,.. 60 ocr.r.


! determined then to go to tho yard went 10 tho
gate and two muattoes conducted me TO "Capa,n smith
who spoke very politely He said, ~ am Captain smith