The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-11-02
TROUBLE IN KANSAS.

TROUBLE IN KANSAS
Some trouble has sprung up in Kansas, from
a collision of claims between the squatters from
New England and Missouri We find the ac-
count in letter to the Milwaukee Sentinel. da-
ted October 4, and the writer is evidently in
clined to make an interesting story of border
life. So far as we can gather the facts, there
has been no actual violence; but the Lynchers
of Missouri, attempting to intipidate some OF
the peaceful squatters, were compelled to beat
retreat, by demonstrations which they had not
calculated upon. In letter dated October 3,
the same writer says:
"To-dav, circumstances wear more serious
aspect than heretofore, and | fear the end is
not vet A man named Baldwin has contested
and still contests a claim occupied by portion
of our city, Notwithstanding the law of the Uni
ted States that claim for farm purposes can
not be held where required for city purposes.
Baldwin has occupied tent upon it, as has al
so a member of our party, in order to keep pos
session. Baldwin has arranged in soiae man
ner with Spectator by the name of Starr, a
Southerner, claiming to be from Indiana, who
has laid it out into a city. We also, some
weeks since, sent the boundaries of our city ,ein-
Guiding that portion, to Washington, 70 secure
presumption for city purposes, and included it
in the drawn plan of our city, and are aow sur
veying it.
This forenoon, the workers in camp and vi
cinity were startled by the report that the other
party were pulling down our tent on the premi-
ses. There was an immediate rush to the
place, our marshal in the van unarmed, follow
ed by another named Bond, with revolver.
They met the enemy with wagon, in which
were loaded the tent and baggage which it con-
tanned, about two rods from the starting point.
They had two or three rifles, which they pre-.
sented and threatened to fire, but Bond caught
the horses by the bits, presented his revolver.
and told them to fire. The marshal unloaded
the tent, and in the mean time, others coming
up, it was restored to its former place in hur-
ry."
Baldwins party sent off for reinforeements,
and apprehensions were entertained that the
attack would be renewed next day. Meantime,
a military company was formed at once, called
the Regulating Band, numbering thirty men,
well armed, and fully prepared for any emer
gency. The next day, Baldwin, having received
his reinforcements, made his appearance, when
the following warlike correspondence took
place: /.
"kANsAs TERRITORY, Oct. 6, 1854.
CDR. ROBINSON: Yourself and friends are
hereby notified that You will have one Ealf hour
to move the tent which You have on my undis-
puted claim, and from this date desist from sur
veying on said claim. If the tent is not moved
within one half hour, we shall take the trouble
to move the same.
JOHN BALDWIN and friends
The following was Immediately sent to the
camp of the enemy, in answer:
"TO JOHN BALDWIN and friends If you mo-
lest our property, you do it at your peru.
&C. ROBINSON and friends
Whereupon the formidable James Baldwin.
instead of moving the tent, moved himself OFF,
and the great battle that was to be, is indef-
nitely postponed.
We see nothing terrible in all thI. The
vagabonds on the Missouri border, who have as
sumed the direction of affairs there, greatly to
the disgust of the law-abidng citizei~ of that
State, were green enough to imagine that the
Yankees would not shoot Having found out
their mistake, they will be less demGnstr
hereafter.
Meantime, who can help seeing tt,at these
miserable squatter conflicts are the legitimate
results of the Nebraska Iniquity, of Il e absurd
dogma of Squatter Sovereignty carrie d out by
Messrs. Cass, Douglas, and Pierce.