A fascinating window into the past was published Dec. 14, 1901, in the Topeka State Journal. The story features the recollections of John Armstrong, an antislavery activist who had been in Topeka since its founding in 1854. More of the story was found in “Kansas Historical Collections, Vol. VIII.”

In February 1857, the route to take fugitive slaves to freedom, the Underground Railroad, began when Armstrong and a man name Mills left Topeka with three rescued slaves in a closed wagon to Silver Bend, near Tabor, Iowa. Five or six months later, the Rev. Lewis Bodwell and a man named Emerson left with the second wagon filled with rescued slaves.

Over time, stations were established at the homes of Kansans who sympathized with the cause of abolition.

When John Brown came to Topeka, he usually stayed at the small stone house of Dan Sheridan, situated on a rise two miles southeast of Topeka (present-day Highland Park). Brown was careful not to make himself conspicuous, as the government had placed a price on his head.

In the early dawning of Jan. 28, 1859, the Sheridans were awakened by a pounding at the door. It was George B. Gill, the only escort with John Brown and 12 rescued slaves. They had been liberated from their Missouri owners in a Dec. 20, 1858, raid that became known as John Brown’s Christmas Raid. The freed slaves had been hidden away for a month before they set out for Canada on Jan. 20, 1859.

The winter had been unusually mild with little snow but frequent rains. The party traveled in a freight wagon, or prairie schooner, that concealed the fugitives, but offered little protection to the poorly-clothed former slaves. Some were even barefoot.

As they huddled around the fireplace, Mrs. Sheridan fixed a hearty breakfast. Word was sent among trusted allies of the need for warm clothing and shoes.

Brown was anxious to leave, saying, “There is a great work before me — greater than I can tell — and you may never see me again, but you will hear.” (The Harper’s Ferry raid on the federal arsenal had already been planned.)

At dusk, the horses were hitched to the wagon and Brown’s escape with the rescued slaves continued into a bone-chilling January night. Traveling through the night brought them to Holton, Kan., by noon the following day. The sound of a newborn baby’s cry could be heard coming from the wagon.

Holton had been founded by abolitionists who had followed Jim Lane to the Kansas Territory on the Lane Trail that was now the main route of the Underground Railroad to freedom. Travel by daylight was deemed safe.

After a noon meal in a Holton hotel, the party traveled six miles northwest to the log home of Dr. Albert Fuller on the banks of Straight Creek. Dwight Stevens, who was traveling with Brown, was surprised by two United States deputies while watering his horse. They asked about runaway slaves. Stevens confirmed that the slaves were in the cabin and that he would take the officers to the cabin.

One man stayed behind with the horses while Stevens led the other to the waiting sentry who had been guarding the approach to the cabin. Seeing the capture of his companion, the other man made his escape. Unfortunately, he was with a large posse from Atchison under the direction of Deputy United States Marshal John P. Wood of Lecompton. The cabin was surrounded, but Brown had quickly sent a courier to Topeka, requesting assistance.

At Topeka, a rider approached Armstrong and handed over the message from Brown. It was Sunday morning and Armstrong continued on to the schoolhouse where Rev. Bodwell was holding church service. Armstrong went directly to Col. John Richie and excitedly whispered something in his ear. Richie immediately rose to his feet announcing, “There is work for us,” and left with Armstrong.

Rev. Bodwell followed and quickly returned to declare, “There will be no service today at this place. We will adjourn to the river bank.”

A company of 16 men left Topeka in the late afternoon, arriving in Holton by 4 o’clock the morning of Jan. 31. A half-dozen Holton men joined them.

By the time they reached the Fuller cabin, Brown was preparing to take his men and fugitive slaves directly into the mouth of the devil. Wood’s posse had dug in across the river with rifles aimed at the Straight Creek crossing.

The creek was flooding from recent rains. Armstrong knew the country and suggested turning upstream to a safer crossing, but Brown was adamant.

“I have set out on the Jim Lane Road, and I intend to travel it straight through ... The Lord has marked out a path for me and I intend to follow it,” Brown said.

Brown moved out, seemingly oblivious to Wood’s rifles aimed at his breast. Brown’s bold reputation was enough to weaken the posse’s resolve. Suddenly, Wood’s men began to break and run. In a moment the entire posse fell into a panic, running for their horses and spurring them safely away from The Battle of the Spurs.

It is hard to imagine that one man could put so many armed men to flight, but that is exactly what the presence of John Brown did one cold and wet January day on The Way West.

“The Cowboy” Jim Gray can be reached at 220 21st Rd., Geneseo, KS 67444, (785) 531-2058 or kansascowboy@ kans.com.