Adams, Anne Brown (1843-1926) to Alexander M. Ross [Fragment]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03007.52 Author/Creator: Adams, Anne Brown (1843-1926) Place Written: Petrolia, California Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa 1893 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20.5 x 12.5 cm. Order a Copy
Does not want her father made into a wax sculpture by men in Chicago who are staging an exhibition about John Brown's raid. Only the last two pages remain. Place and recipient inferred from content.
Anne Brown Adams was the daughter of John Brown.
Alexander M. Ross was a famous Canadian naturalist, also a prominent abolitionist and a strong supporter of John Brown.
[excerpt]
…The sight of the place and the hideous wax figures they talk of having made of the men and placed there, would drive me stark mad. It makes me feel sick and nauseous to think of it even. Christopher Columbus and George Washington have to endure having such liberties taken with them, but John Brown and his men have not been dead but a few years, and have near and dear friends to be shocked with such an outrage.
I wish some one could or would persuade Mr Holmes and Co. to omitt [sic] their "fine work [2] of art," as he calls it. They cannot be anything but horrible caricatures at the best - And that too, when there are so many people now living who knew them, when alive.
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