Year: 1860

VI tho pdSti NhiOA oiV AhNNAS0''Hb'l


The creeks around Holson were settled by Mis-
sourians who for q time maintained the ascenden-
cy. In March, 1859, the proceedings of she first
Republican convention ever held here were inter
rupted by party Of Intoxicated proslavery men,
After the meeting adjourned, several Of the ruff
ans fell upon the secretary, who was quietly lenv.
ing the room, aud knocked him down. They also
assaulted another Republican and fred Tour shots
at him while he was senseless upon the ground,
This was after nearly all the Republicans had left
the vicinity of the hail. but they we're suddenly cal
led back by the cry of Guns for Gods sake. guns!
Shall we sec our friends murderedH' These start
ling words we're passed from mouth TO mouth,
and in few seconds there was dozen Republi-
cans on the ground, and their assaiants were fly
ing in all directions with bullets whistng about
their heads Four Of them shot, and though
none of them were fatally wounded, one of the
miscreants still carries ball in his cheek, which
entered on the opposite side and passed nearly
through his face. This was style of reasoning
q sort of drgumentum dd hominun which the Mis-
sourians appreciated; and its logic proved entirely
convincing for they have been extremely civil ev
er since.


From Hoton my course was still NorthwarG,
and after dark l stopped at small! log house to
enquire if could obtain lodgings


Il don't know your name sir replied tbs settler
looking searchingly at me from the door, as he
threw the light of his candle full in my face
A slightly balt, closely shaven man of unmiStak-
ably Yankee features his vigilant eye had evident
ly seen something of the wars, and was on the
look out for surprises. On learning circumstant-
ally who was he welcomed me cordially TO his
humble home. After ascertainiDg that he was
participant in the rencOunter mentioned above,
and had been shot at from ambush on one or two
occasions did not wonder at his wariness His
wife--lke myself, native Of Conneccul-was
young lady of superior intelligence and culture,
They located here three years ago, and for the
first six weeks after their arrival she did
q single woman She has since something
of the rough edges oflife, vastly different from her
New England home, but cheerful contentment has
robbed the pioneer hardships of half their ter
rors.


'Were you acquainted with old John Brown?
asked my host during the evening,


Not personally


'IIe was in this house for four days winter be-
fore last, waiting for the creek to fall, that he
could go on with party of twelve negroes whom
he was taking to Canada


How many men were with himF


None but Stevens and Whipple.'


How did he impress your


AS man of perfect sincerity and recttude,
governed by Christian principles lie was very
quiet, and correct in his language, and no one
could utter an oath in his presence without re-
proof either of language or look


Did he say anything fOgeshadowing the IIar-
per's Ferry affair?'


Not word


Stevens continued the wife, was daring
fellow. One day party of six men from I.eoomp-
ton came prowling around here in suspicious
manner. AT last Stevens lost all patience and
taking his Sharp's rife went down to tho creek
where they were consulting.


What are you looking fol? he inquired.


six runaway niggers.'


They described them to him, and he found they
were not the ones we had.


We'll gentlemen, said he, we havn't got your
negroes, but we have got twelve others up at the
house. Come and see them if you like They
were taken all aback by his coolness and rode
with him up to the house. Then he suddenly



I'll teach you to come here hunting negroes.'-
They were all armed to the teeth, but five of them
rode away at full speed leaving the sixth, who
was covered with the rifle and dare not bulge an
inch. Get off your horse said Stevens The
man did so. Now give up your arms The poor
fellow was frightened almost to death and gave up
his revolver. Stevens then marched him into the
house and sad Mr.. Brown here is a man who
came up here hunting negroes, Do what you
u,ease with him. Mr.. Brown examined him to
see that he had no more weapons, took rope
from his POCKET and tied his hands and feet and
then asked him to sit down! lie kept that man
prisoner here during all the time he sta;d, and
talked to him about slavery and the meanness of
hunting fugitives. When at last be let him 60 he
seemed thoroughly converted. He told me after
he was set at liberty that he was surprised not to
find old John Brown brawny, blood-thirsty viii
but good honest man, and that he would walk
on his hands and knees from here to HoIton to pre-
serve him from harm don't believe that he
has been out after runaway slaves since or ever
will again.


Here was fresh instance of the wonderful
power Of the Old Man in impressing even enemies
with his perfect rectiude and sincerity. 1t was
10 this house that Marshal Wood of Lecompton
came with posse of thirty men to arrest John
Brown. The officers remained near the premises,
though out of pistol shot, for several hours, but
were in mortal terror of Brown and his asso-
Oiates The Marshal (who was quite rs badly
frightened as any of them) endeavoring in vain to
inspire his posse with courage to enter the house,
where Stevens, Whipple and Brown, with cooked
revolvers and rifles were waiting to receive them.
The sight of Stevens, with rifle leveled, exclaimng
chserfullY, Come on gentlemen, We are ready
whenever you ars,' was quito too much for
their nerves, they were firmly persuaded that