[Illustration: BUST OF JOHN BROWN. (_See Note._)] JOHN BROWN THE HERO Personal Reminiscences BY J. W. WINKLEY, M.D., Editor of _Practical Ideals_ and Author of "First Lessons in the New Thought." _WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY FRANK B. SANBORN_ ILLUSTRATED [Illustration] BOSTON JAMES H. WEST COMPANY COPYRIGHT, 1905 By James H. West Company [Illustration] PREFACE The sub-title, "Personal Reminiscences," is rightly appended to this volume. The old saying, "Much of which I saw, and part of which I was," the author can truthfully apply to himself in connection with the interesting and stirring occurrences here recorded. He relates the events because they were, in large measure, personal experiences. And the narrative is made up, for the most part, of historical matter which has not been presented heretofore by any writer. In other words, it is history at first hand. Another and more particular reason for the preparation of this little volume is because it is believed by the writer that these narrations will serve to throw some especially valuable side-lights upon the subject of them. John Brown was one of the most unique characters in all our American history, and an original factor in an important part of that history. The volume will surely be welcome to all admirers of Brown, and it should be of considerable interest to the general public. It hardly needs mentioning here that the standard work on John Brown, giving very fully his life and letters, is that of the Hon. Frank B. Sanborn, who kindly contributes the Introduction to the present volume. BOSTON, January, 1905. [Illustration] Contents [Illustration] PAGE INTRODUCTION 9 I. A CALL FOR AID 19 II. THE PRAIRIE WONDER 24 III. THE NIGHT MARCH 29 IV. A SIEGE AND ITS HEROINE 35 V. THE MARCH RESUMED 43 VI. SEEKING THE ENEMY 50 VII. THE BATTLE 55 VIII. A SCENE FOR A PAINTER 59 IX. BROWN'S NIGHT APPOINTMENT 62 X. AN INTREPID CHARGE 68 XI. BROWN TO OUR PRISONERS 76 XII. HARD LINES 82 XIII. A GOVERNMENT MUSKET 88 XIV. AN UNFAILING GUIDE 94 XV. HAZARDOUS JOURNEYS 102 XVI. THE OSAWATOMIE BATTLE 111 XVII. CONCLUSION 121 _NOTE_ The frontispiece to this volume is a representation of a bust of Captain Brown, conveying in so far a correct idea of the exterior man.