The Frederick Brown Monument
By Grady Atwater
The Frederick Brown Monument is located in Osawatomie at 1926 Parker Ave., and has the distinction of being the smallest state park in Kansas. The monument was placed where Frederick Brown, who was killed by Reverend Martin White on Aug. 30, 1856, with money bequeathed by Mrs. Charles Adair, the daughter-in-law of Reverend Samuel Adair.
The dedication ceremony was held on Aug. 30, 1933, and Mrs. D.A. January presided at the ceremony. The Osawatomie Band, led by J.O. McClay, opened the dedication by performing “America”. Mrs. Bernice Ludwick, Kansas Department President of the Women’s Relief Corps of the Grand Army of the Republic greeted those in attendance at the event. Following her opening remarks, The Patriotic Quartet, consisting of J.O. McClay, W.E. Diediker,
Paul Lanning, and H.D. Polson, performed. Following the performance of the
Patriotic Quartet, Mrs. T. T. Solander spoke. The main address was given by
Roy A. Roberts, the managing editor of the Kansas City Star. Following
Roberts’ address, a reading of the history behind the monument was given by D.A. January.
Charles H. Adair, the great-grand-nephew of Captain John Brown unveiled the monument, and Esther Ada Ward, the great-grand-niece of John Brown, laid the wreath at the base of the monument. The Osawatomie Band then performed the “Star Spangled Banner”, and members of the Women’s Relief Corps of the Grand Army of the Republic furled the colors.
The women of Osawatomie were instrumental in the placing of the Frederick
Brown Monument, which points out the reality that women had a dramatic impact on Osawatomie’s history. The Women’s Relief Corps of the Grand Army of the Republic, the veteran’s organization for the Union Veterans of the
Civil War, were the primary movers and shakers in ensuring that
Osawatomie’s historic sites were preserved for the present generation.
Even more impressive was the fact that during the depths of the Great
Depression, the women of the Women’s Relief Corps of the Grand Army of the
Republic worked to place a monument to Frederick Brown’s death for the abolitionist cause and the defense of Osawatomie before the Battle of Osawatomie. The women of Osawatomie worked to keep the community’s history and heritage alive during the depths of the Great Depression, and Osawatomie’s citizens came together to honor John Brown’s son, Frederick Brown, and the abolitionist founders of Osawatomie.
Today, the spot is marked where Frederick Brown was killed by Reverend
Martin White, and is preserved for future generations. Osawatomie’s citizens and visitors can stand where Frederick Brown died for his abolitionist beliefs. The monument is also the smallest state park in Kansas, but the sacrifices that Frederick Brown made for his abolitionist beliefs and in defense of Osawatomie was not small.
He gave his life for his beliefs, and the women of Osawatomie ensured that his dedication to the abolitionist cause was remembered by dedicating the Frederick Brown Monument on Aug. 30, 1933.
Short URL: http://osawatominews.com/?p=870
Posted by