The life, trial and execution of Captain John Brown: Capt. John Brown ; His personal appearance ; John Brown’s business engagements ; John Brown as a farmer ; John Brown in Kansas — Facts and rumors concerning John Brown: John Brown’s moral character ; John Brown’s politics ; An introduction to John Brown ; John Brown’s camp ; John Brown’s first fight ; The battle of Ossawatomie ; The battle of the Spurs ; John Brown’s later history ; John Brown’s practical nature ; How John Brown got money — Notices of the other insurgents: My first introduction to Cook ; Charley Lenhart’s camp ; Cook quiet for a while ; Cook’s recent history ; John Kagi ; Edwin Coppie ; Realf ; The Browns of Kansas.

The insurrection at Harper’s Ferry, Sunday night, Oct 16, 1859: The first active movement ; Arrest of Colonel Washington and others ; The stoppage of the railroad train ; The state of affairs at daybreak ; Early casualties ; Arrival of troops-fist fightings ; Rescue of the workmen ; Later casualties ; The night scenes ; Negotiations next morning ; The building stormed ; Appearance of the prisoners ; Brown’s conversation ; Capture of arms ; Treatment of Brown’s prisoners ; Brown’s papers and stores ; The names of the insurgents.

Facts and incidents: Statement of Col. John A. Washington ; Military official account ; A conversation with Brown ; Meeting of the Court-charge to the Grand Jury ; John Brown’s idea of government — The trial: First examination of the prisoners ; The trial of John Brown ; Witnesses called ; Testimony renewed ; The defense ; Speech and sentence of Brown — Notices of Negro insurrections: The Negro insurrection in 1831 ; The Negro insurrection of 1856 — The execution of John Brown — John E. Cook’s confession — John Brown’s last letter to his family — John Brown’s will.

John Brown was tried in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County for treason, for conspiring with slaves to produce insurrection, and for murder.