Existing comment:
John Brown:
John Brown may be the most controversial figure in Harpers Ferry history. On October 16, 1859, Brown and an army of twenty-one men seized the United States Armory. His plan to free slaves throughout the South had begun. Thirty-six hours later, US Marines captured Brown in the Armory fire engine house. The raid was over. Tried and found guilty of treason, murder and inciting slaves to rebel. Brown was sentenced to death by hanging. Front page news followed him to the gallows. Called a martyr by some, a madman by others, Brown aroused passions throughout the nation. The issue of slavery had been brought to the forefront. Civil War seemed inevitable. |