In West Virginia
Events to mark birthday of abolitionist Brown
HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. -- Scholars, politicians and history buffs will gather at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park this month to celebrate the 200th anniversary of abolitionist John Brown's birth.
Brown led a short-lived raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in October 1859. He had planned the assault to liberate and arm slaves, then spread a rebellion through the South. He was captured and hanged after a trial in Charles Town, W.Va.
Activities begin today, Brown's birthday, with a postal cancellation at a station set up within the park. Lectures throughout the month will focus on Brown's life, its relationship to the slavery debate, his influence and his place in history. A program called "John Brown Revisited" will be held Saturday.
In Wicomico County
Teen accused of killing father over allowance
SALISBURY -- A teen-ager has been accused of stabbing his father to death for cutting his allowance.
Bruno Lorenzo Smullen, 16, of Salisbury is charged with approaching his father from behind Saturday morning and stabbing him with a large kitchen knife, Wicomico County sheriff's officials said. The death of Warren Smullen, 57, was the first homicide in Wicomico County this year.
Sheriff R. Hunter Nelms said the father apparently had cut his son's allowance. The youth has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder.
