The Demise of Sam Brown

July 6, 1861

“Brown was a heavy man, about 200lbs, noted as a lawless desperado whose name was terror to all who know, or had heard of him. He made his brags on the day of his death, which was his 30th birthday, that he had killed 11 men, and was going to have the 12th one, me, for supper. ‘Shall I put your horse up Mr. Brown?’ He, in a very gruff manner said ‘No, you son-of-a-bitch, I have come to kill you!’ and at once drew his gun.”

Henry Van Sickle, unarmed, fled into the saloon and through the dining hall to retrieve his shotgun. Sam pursued with his six-shooter cocked and in position, but Van’s station was full of men, causing chaos and confusion. Outnumbered, Sam fled southbound. Henry, knowing Sam would kill him the next time he got a chance, followed in hot pursuit.

Gun-fire and near misses ensued between Henry and Sam along a 10-mile stretch between Van’s and Lute Old’s station, including a shot that blew off Sam’s hat and burned his face. Sam first tried refuge at Mott’s Station and then made his way toward Lute Old’s station. But Henry was able to beat Sam and his injured horse there.

“When stepping out I said, as he had previously said to me, ‘You son-of-a-bitch, I got you now!’ and at once ended his career, putting seven buckshots right through the center of his body. Death being instantaneous, he falling from his horse without muttering a word that could be distinguished from a groan, thus ended the life of a man that had few, if any redeeming traits to relieve a life of blackness and infamy.”

Upon Henry’s insistence for vindication, there was an investigation and trial. On July 9, 1861, Henry Van Sickle was fully exonerated by a coroner’s jury. The official ruling of death: A just dispensation of an all-wise providence. At his own expense, Henry paid to have Samuel Brown ‘Well Buried.’

Dedicated on April 30, 2016 (6021) for the year 1971 (5976) by the Snowshoe Thompson Chapter #1827 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus