Back to Show
History Detectives
The Spear That Stoked the Civil War
Wes Cowan looks into whether this antique spear weapon was part of abolitionist John Brown's notorious Harpers Ferry raid. Our contributor bought the spear, or pike, from an antique shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio where John Brown is known to have lived. Follow Wes on the trail to the blacksmith who forged the weapon over 150 years ago and the ground at Harpers Ferry where the battle took place.
Support Provided By

55:10
A medal of high honor, pivotal women's voting rights campaign, and unsung cartoon heroes.

55:10
A family diary of the Revolution, a 20s media fitness guru, and is Warhol art on the moon?

55:10
A first in White House photography, a doll used to smuggle drugs, an early map of Florida.

56:10
An angry poster from the violent 60s, reuniting a broken statue, and a heroine's basket.

55:10
An internment camp cane, the spyglass that saw revolution and a rare gold rush relic.

55:10
A WWII prototype drone, a war memento for Teddy Roosevelt and a letter from Clara Barton.

55:10
A story of two Civil War letters, mystery aviation autographs & a 1950s black comic book.

55:10
A spear from John Brown's raid, America's Siberian war and Ronald McDonald's first suit.

55:10
Decoding a propaganda leaflet, the women behind Tiffany and a father's forgotten tribute.

55:09
A WWII hero in Hawaii, the first shot of secession, and a stuntman who changed Hollywood.

55:10
WB Cartoons; Galvez Papers; Mussolini's Dagger

55:10
Chicago Clock; Universal Friends; War Dogs