Tragedy Has Struck; John Brown Is Dead

Tragedy Has Struck; John Brown Is Dead

December 3, 1859

Yesterday morning, December 2, John Brown was hung behind the jail in a field where everyone who pleased, could gather around and watch. The events leading up to his death are a tragedy that will have a lasting impression on all generations to follow.

This tale started months ago when Brown was doing what he thought was right; trying to abolish slavery and set a good example for our country. Brown was anti-slavery and was trying to start a new colonization where everyone was free to do as they please and live in harmony.

Brown had originally set out for Harpers Ferry with one goal in mind; capture the slaves and move them to a new settlement where they could be free. At first Brown was successful; but word of his raid traveled very quickly. Once Captain Reid, a pro-slavery activist, heard of the raid he gathered his men and set out for Harpers Ferry. Upon arrival Reid and his army killed off 30 or more of Brown’s men, including Brown’s son, they captured the remaining raiders and burned Osawatomie to the ground.

On November 2, 1989 John Brown was put on trial to let the jury decide his fait. Brown stood in front of the courtroom and admitted to the jury of his intent to free the slaves; he also stated that he never intended for murder, treason, or the destruction of property. After Brown spoke the jury decided that he was guilty and decided that he be hung on December 2.

The morning of his hanging Brown handed a jail guard a note saying that he was “quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but will blood.”

What’s next? It is important to be prepared with what follows the death of John Brown- will more anti-slavery protesters step up to the plate and fulfill Brown’s prophecy- or will people stand down and let the pro-slavery forces win? What is next for slaved, whites, women, and children? Are we safe? It is important that we, as anti-slavery advocates, band together and put an end to slavery. John Brown risked his life for these men, women, and children and it is time for us to do the same. What these men did to Brown is tragically wrong, too many lives have been taken and it is time that we do something about it. If we don’t this land will be consumed and we will all become slaves.

Primary Sources:

Charleston Mercury, published as The Charleston Mercury; Date: 11-05-1859; Volume: LIII; Issue: 10692; Page: [4]; Location: Charleston, South Carolina

http://proxy.lccc.wy.edu:2245/iw-search/we/HistArchive/?p_product=EANX-K12&p_theme=ahnp_k12&p_nbid=B5EI50AIMTUwMDY1MjMyOS41ODAzODc6MToxMjoxMzcuODcuMC4xNDE&p_action=timelinedoc&p_docref=v2:1116E1B9DF7C4D80@EANX-K12-113200D08F4F8288@2400354-113200D172EA2E00@3-113200D48E3976D8&d_doclabel=John+Brown%27s+Speech+to+the+Court

Albany Evening Journal; Date: 11-30-1859; Page: 2; Location: Albany, New York