Wrote wife for Watson and Danphin Thompson to come on; also wrote James N. Gloucester and J. Henrie.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 520
CHAMBERSBURG, PENN., Aug. 2, 1859.
DEAR WIFE AND CHILDREN, ALL, — If Watson and D. should set out soon after getting this, it may be well. They will avoid saying anything on the road about North Elba. It will be quite as well to say they are from Essex County; and need not say anything about it unless they are questioned, when they had better say as above. Persons who do not talk much are seldom questioned much. They should buy through tickets at Troy or at New York for Baltimore, where they will get tickets for Harper's Ferry and there, by inquiring of Mr. Michael Ault, who keeps the toll-bridge over which they have to pass, they can find I. Smith on the Kennedy farm. Watson will be a son and D. his brother-in-law Thompson, if any inquiry is made at the bridge or elsewhere. They had better not bring trunks. We are all well. May God abundantly bless and keep you all!
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 530-1
There is a chapter on John Brown from the History of Iowa written in 1900
http://iagenweb.org/history/moi/moi31.htm
Just to put in time/location perspective from Iowa eyes.
Iowa was established in 1846 from treaties with the Indians 182o’s-1840’s
Iowa had 3 fronts. The Indian wars in the nw, guerillas on the southern border and participation in the main war. most of the population was on the eastern third along the mississippe.
Spirit Lake massacre in 1857
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_Lake_Massacre
SW Minnesota massacre in 1862
https://wildwesthistory.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-minnesota-massacre-or-dakota-war-of.html
As federal troops were removed, the Indians and guerillas were emboldened.
Some of the Iowa Volunteer Calvary were assigned to the Indian war. A distant relative of my wife died in the battle of Julesburg in Colorado. Troop F.
http://iagenweb.org/civilwar/regiment/cavalry/07th/hist.html