This Day in History – October 17, 1859 Tags: 19th century American, abolition, abolitionist, American Civil War, Anti-Slavery Movement, Bleeding Kansas, civil conflict, engine house, Federal Arsenal, Harpers Ferry raid, historical portraits, insurrection, J.E.B. Stuart, John Brown, John Brown portrait, John Brown's Fort, Martyrdom, October 17 1859, Pottawatomie Massacre, racial justice, Radical Abolitionism, raid on Harpers Ferry, Robert E. Lee, Secret Six, Sectionalism, Slave Insurrection, Social Reform, this day in history, treason, trial of John Brown, US, US Marines, Virginia, West Virginia history, Share on: Share: View our photo collection! View Collection