TOUR AMERICA, 2021: YOGI BEAR’S JELLYSTONE PARK, WILLIAMSPORT, MARYLAND

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Temperature, Low 59 Degrees; High 74 Degrees

John Brown

Family Invasion

Our park is going strong this morning. The tour wagon is rolling throughout the park with kids galore singing at the top of their lungs. The pool is full of happy kids and adults splashing and laughing and having a cool time. The canteen is open and offering some really delish sundaes – I’ll be going up there a bit later. It’s just great to see so many people enjoying life and having a great time.

Time now to finish our trip to Harper’s Ferry Historical Park. We’re going to look at an individual that some have called the most controversial figure in the history of Harper’s Ferry.

Called a martyr by some, a madman by others, Brown and what he attempted is often viewed as the spark that brought about the Civil War.

How did he do this? This is his story.

John Brown was first and foremost a business man. However, he was not a very good one. His business career involved almost 40 years of opportunity and loss spread over 15 businesses in four states. However, due to a combination of bad luck, poor decisions, illness and an economic crisis in 1837 his family almost always knew poverty. He confessed at one point in his life that he had a strong desire to die. Finally, he found his true calling, a strong desire to free slaves and abolish the institute of slavery. How would he attempt to do this?

His plan was simple, invade the U.S. Arsenal and Armory at Harper’s Ferry. Then, with the captured weapons he would arm slaves in the surrounding area and then with them he would push southward to free even more slaves.

On October 16, 1859 John Brown and his men left the Kennedy Farmhouse and headed to Harper’s Ferry.

On 10:30 pm on that night, John Browns raid began.

His band of insurgents quickly seized The U.S. Arsenal, The Armory, The Rifle Works, and the

bridges over the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.

By 10 am the following morning Brown’s invasion was in trouble. His expected support never came, but hundreds of volunteer militiamen did arrive. They cut off all of his routes of escape and by midafternoon had killed over half of Brown’s men.

By that afternoon only Brown and four of his men remained. They quickly retreated to the Fire House that once stood next to The Armory.

The assault on Brown’s Fort the next day only lasted a matter of minutes.

Thirty-six hours after it began John Brown’s attack on slavery in the Southern States was over. John Brown and the others were in custody. But the controversy had just begun.

Retribution for Brown was swift. He was quickly tried and condemned to die by hanging.

He was hung on December 2, 1859

These pieces of scaffold are believed to be remnants from the gallows on which John Brown was hanged.

Our trip to Harper’s Ferry Historical Park has come to an end. There is much more to be discovered and told about this fascinating park but for now we’re going to call it quits. Let me encourage you, if ever in this area take time to visit this park for yourself. You’ll never regret the time you will spend here.

As for our day on The Road of Retirement it ended with a family invasion.

Amanda and her significant other Ben, and the grand dogs came over for the weekend. They, in a nice turn of events, made supper for all of us. I used to think our rig was really big but put four people inside and it gets tight real quick. Out to the picnic table we went. They’ll be here until tomorrow and we’re so thrilled to have this time with them.

The night ended with the Yogi Bear Cast of Characters and the golf cart parade. A most fitting end, indeed, to a wonderful day from start to finish.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!