Captain Brown started for
Southern Kansas, on Monday morning, June 26.
I did not see him again until the middle of September, when I met him at
Mr. Adair's. Both the
Captain and
Kagi were sick with the fever and ague, and had been for some time.
In the interim,
Captain Brown had been in
Linn and
Bourbon Counties, and also visited other parts of
Southern Kansas. One of his first acts, after arriving South, was to negotiate with
Synder, the blacksmith, upon whose claim the terrible massacre of the Marais-des-Cygnes occurred, for its purchase.
This claim is situated about a half mile from the
State line.
The buildings are located in an admirable position for defence.
John Brown saw both the moral and material advantages of the position, and was desirous of obtaining possession.
It will be remembered that
Synder successfully resisted
Hamilton's gang on the day of the massacre.
Captain Brown stated his object in wishing to obtain possession of the land, and
Synder agreed to sell.
But though a brave, he was not specially an upright man, and, soon after making a bargain with
John Brown, having a better offer, he broke the contract.
The
Captain had, in the interval, with the assistance of
Kagi,
Tidd,
Stephens,
Leeman, and another member of his company, prepared a very strong fortification, where they could have successfully resisted a large force.
In my journey through the
Southern border counties, I found that a general feeling of confidence prevailed among our friends,
because John Brown was near. Over the border the Missourians were remarkably quiet from June until October, from the belief that the old hero was in their vicinity.
By the bad faith of
Synder the farm was abandoned, and
Captain Brown and
Kagi came to
Mr. Adair's, where I met them.
The others were living in
Linn and
Anderson Counties.
I called at the house about ten in the morning, and remained until past three in the afternoon.
