Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-07-20
[From the n. Y. Journal OF fCommerce.
KANSAS AFFAIRS.
The Collision between Strinfellow
and Governor Reeder.
A New Version of the Affair.

A New Version of the Affair.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, June %, '55.
The country is again thrown into a
state of ofintense excitement, by the at
tempted perpetration of an outrage
upon the person of Gov. Reeder, at his
quarters at Shawnee Mission, about 9
miles from this place. The facts, as /
am able to give them, are undoubted-
ly reliable. It'appears that the Gov
ernor was sitting alone in his Office,
his Secretary, Mr.. Lowrey being sick
and confined to his room at the time,
when the well-known, Stringfellow en-
tered.
He was courteously'received, and
after a general preliminary conversa-
tion, in which he dilated upon the in
fluence and control he would have
over the present Legislature, and the
great excitement existing in Missouri
against Gov. Reeder, he made two
propositions to the Governor-one be-
ing that the Governor should sane
ton a bill that'should.be passed to pun
ish the tampering with slaves in the
territory, or the uttering Of abolition
sentiments, and the other that he rec
oLlmend in his message that the
legislature adjourn to Shawnee Mis-
siol, on the border of Missouri. The
Governor replied that, although in ia
vo. of a fee State, he was willing and
thought proper that temporary pro-
lection be given to slave property in
the territory, and the question be
properly decided; but that he could
not promise to sanction bill he had
never seen, and much less could he
agree to a bill making the penalty for
minor offencees, death, as he had
beard proposed, and that he would
rot officially recommend the legisla-
ture to adjourn to Shawnee Mission.
At this the General became much
excited. end endeavored to get up a
quarrel upon the words "border ruff
ans" reported to have been used by
Gov. Reeder. He was told that the
use of such language had been disa-
vowed, and as early as possible
He then desired to know if Gov. Rec
der had represented Kansas as being
conquered and subjugated by the citi-
zens of Missouri; to which the Cover
nor replied that he had. Stridgfellow
then inquired further, ifthe Governor
had intended to charge him with any
unlawful or dishonorable act; to which
the Governor replied, that he believed
and had said, that Gen. Stringfellow
was mainly instrumental in creating
the excitement in Missouri which had
produced the present state Of things;
and in answer to:another question by
Stringfellow, said that he considered
such a course Of conduct rs unlawful
and highly dishonorable.
By this time the excitement Of
Stringfellow became very great, SO
much as TO attract several persons
standing in front Of the door; and he,
on the spot, gave the Governor n YER.
bal challenge, which was Immediately
declined. the Governo.' saying that he
was no subscriber to the duellng code
Az this time the Governor was care
lessly sitting with his chair balanced
upon the two hind legs. Stringfellow
advanced, and by putting his hand up
on his shoulder. pushed him over. al
the same time falling upon him, and
deeply scratching him in the cheek
with his nails. The Governor kicked
him of and rose to feet. both gentle.
men drawing theirpislols. when String.
fellow was seized by Attorney General
Isaacs and Mr.. Halderman, and the
Governor dropped the muzzle Of his
weapon. saying that he scorned to
attack a man who was prevented
from defending himself. By the inter.
ference Of the two gentleman. the mat
ter was'calmed down, and Stringfellow
left.
To yourselves and your readers
leave all commen. oil this most urpar.
alleled outrage. merely stating, fur
ther, that Stringfellow. who thus be-
gins by attempting to intimiiate the
Governor Of Kansas Territory, and,
failing in that, personally assaults
him. Is resident Of Weston. Missou-
ri. and makes no prctence Of living in
the Territory. 1t is generally believ.
ed that the Missourians have discov-
cred that they will bo unable to man
age two-thirds Of the Legislature, and
thus: s::avoid the Governors veto; and,
therefore. the conductoftheir acknow-
lodged leader. During the late affair
the Governor had twice good oppor-
tunity to shoot Strinhfellow, and the
friends of order. and his friends, are
very thankful that he refrained, for
had any injury, even the slightest, oc.
Cured to Stringfellow, in two hours a
crowd would have been raised on the
border, against which. resistance wo'd
have been useless. and no one can i'm.
agine what could have been the ulti.
mate consequence.
The correspondent Of the N. Y. Eve.
ming Post corroborates the above. He
writes:
The Governor was preparing on the
96th to leave for Pawnee. when String.
fellow rode up, alighted and entered
the Office, sat down and commenced a
general conversation. 1t became
shortly apparent, however, that hi'
purpose was no other than TO seek u
quarrel, it being necessary in some
way TO disable or remove the Cover
nor. all attempts TO cajole him or "a
frighten him and prevent his return,
having failed. Mr.. Stringfellow, as q
basis Of compromise. proposed to the
Governor. that he should agree tc
to sanction any aud all laws thaI
should be PASSED furnishing the alb
duction or attempted abduction of nc,
grocs, and the propagation ofabolition
ism.
This Governor Reeder refused. a
the same time saying that his refusa
was not in consequence of any objcc
ton to the principle of such an enact
Iment; on the contrary, that the owner