Obituary: Patrick Higgins

Patrick Higgins of Sandy Hook vicinity died suddenly on Friday. Mr. Higgins was 82 years of age. He was the last of those who figured in the John Brown Raid at this place in 1859. Mr. Higgins was the first man arrested by the Brown raiders and singulary he has been the last to depart this life if rumor can be believed. He was the watchman at the bridge across the Potomac at the time of the Brown and his party approached on their way to capture the government arsenal. Mr. Higgins, who was a native of Lowde County, Ireland and came to this Country in 1853 stepping before the men and called Halt. Guns were presented before him in number and he was told to go ahead of some of the party. He obeyed and when he saw his chance he made a break for liberty running behind some iron pillars and was soon lost in the darkness, guns cracked and battles whizzed by the side of me, behind me, Mr. Higgins aftertold in recounting his experience but I did not calculate on [?]et-shot and I ran in the dark, A negro was also a prisoner and who made a dash for freedom ran towards the light and killed —

Mr. Higgins was employed as watchman and switchman by the B & O Railroad, and though wages were small, he leaves a large sum of money. He is survived by two brothers, Owen of Baltimore and Edward of this place and three daughters, Mrs. Wm. Nelson and Mrs. Robert Gordon of Sandy Hook and Mrs. Gilbert Bucey, of Cumberland, Md.