Differing Perspectives in Chronicling America

John Brown and the Raid on Harper’s Ferry

Tom McMurdo, VTLIB

Chronicling America is a powerful research tool. The breadth of time covered, nearly a century—1836-1922—gives researchers ongoing coverage of long running events and themes.

Just as important are the growing number of states and publications in Chronicling America that allow researchers to look at events from multiple perspectives.

John Brown is a figure that is still likely to elicit a variety of opinions, depending on whom and where you ask. Was he a terrorist? Or was he the first hero of the Civil War?

John Brown’s Ill-fated raid on Harper’s Ferry, VA took place on October 16-18, 1859. Brown and 20 others captured the armory with the intention to arm nearby slaves and begin an insurgency that would end slavery in the south. Brown and his men, including a freed slave, a fugitive slave, and three of his sons, were cornered in the armory by militia and US Marines. Brown was soon defeated. Among the dead were two of Brown’s sons. John Brown was hanged in Virginia on December 2, 1859. His body was sent to his family farm in upstate NY.

Vermont newspapers began reporting on the raid by the end of the week:

Burlington Free Press, Oct. 21, 1859

Note death notice of John Calhoun, former surveyor general of KS. Pro-slavery, he endorsed a KS state constitution that favored slavery and slaveholders.

A prominent rumor is reported here: “a body of 250 to 800 abolitionists and negroes had taken possession of the US arsenal at Harper’s Ferry.” It is dispelled later in the article.

More Vermont coverage:

Vermont Phoenix, Oct. 22, 1859

Brattleboro’s Vermont Phoenix clears up rumors and reports that John Brown is still alive and in custody on October 22.

Meanwhile in Virginia there is a lot more detail right away:

Daily Dispatch (Richmond, VA), Oct. 20, 1859

The Daily Dispatch from Richmond, VA filled its columns with details about what was happening at Harper’s Ferry.

The Richmond, VA Daily Dispatch used a different tone from VT’s newspapers on Harper’s Ferry:

Daily Dispatch (Richmond, VA),

Oct. 20, 1859

“The outrage which has just been enacted at Harper’s Ferry, the South will feel most deeply. Is it possible—her citizens will ask—is it possible that the animosity of the North against us has reached such a degree of all-consuming hate as to drive any of her citizens upon such efforts, and make them blind, not only to its vile wickedness, but to its utter folly?”

History repeats itself:

Vermont Watchman and State Journal,

Oct. 28, 1859

The Daily Dispatch and the Vermont Watchman & State Journal (Montpelier) both pointed out that President Buchanan’s administration had received an anonymous warning in August that the raid would take place under the command of John Brown.

History repeats itself:

Vermont Watchman and State Journal,

Oct. 28, 1859

The warning letter, though anonymous at the time, later proved to be written by David J. Gue of Iowa. The existence of this letter has been dropped from the popular narrative of John Brown and Harper’s Ferry.

Instant politicization of Harper’s Ferry:

Edgefield Advertiser, Oct. 26, 1859

Predictably, this newspaper editor writing in the Edgefield Advertiser (South Carolina) called it a “hair (sic)-brained demonstration by a pack of fanatics and poor deluded slaves.” he goes on to discuss how this will cause the North to pull back from Republicanism and to retreat from anti-slavery stances. Yes, the opposite happened.

Always other interesting items on the page:

Edgefield Advertiser, Oct. 26, 1859

On the same page as the Harper’s Ferry Raid articles is this chess puzzle. This is the earliest one I have seen in my career working with newspapers. Leisure and games in the 19th century is a growing area of historical research.

Instant politicization of Harper’s Ferry:

The Alleghenian, Dec. 8, 1859

The editor of the Ebensburg, Pa Alleghenian had a much different take on Harper’s Ferry: the rapid end of slavery in Virginia. Of course slavery would be ended in six years, but not in the manner this writer believed. He argues that natural progress will overwhelm the Old Dominion and end slavery there.

The Power of Chronicling America:

There are many more newspapers from this era available on Chronicling America. I have just scratched the surface. I do hope these examples give you a notion of how great it is to be able to read contemporary opinions and reports of events from many different newspapers in many different locales.