In the following year, abolitionist John Brown lit a firestorm that historians believe helped ignite the Civil War by attacking the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in hopes of launching a rebellion across the South among escaped slaves. Californian Mary Ellen Pleasant brought $30,000 to Brown in Windsor, Ontario to help fund the effort. When Brown was captured, he had a note found on his person which was supposedly written by Mary Pleasant.
It read: "The axe is laid at the root of the tree. When the first blow is struck, there will be more money to help." The message was signed W.E.P. Mrs. Pleasant's "M" was made to look like a "W"
John Brown
