The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-13
MURDER MOST FOUL.

Our town was thrown into high state of ex
element on Thursday last, by the intelligence
from near Hickory Point, in this Territory, that
Charles w. Dow, young man about twenty
two years of age, was most barbarously murder
ed by party of demons who rejoice in the ap
pellation of "border rufians." Mr.. Dow had
been to blacksmith shop where several Of
these demons incarnate were congregated. One
of them drew rifle on him, and threatened tc
shoot him on the spot, but finally set down his
weapon without inJuring any one. Mr.. Dow
started to leave, and got away few rods, when
his attention was directed towards the shop by
the explosion of a percussion cap. Looking
around, he received a charge of buckshot in
his bosom, from wretch named Coleman and
fell dead upon the spot.
An attempt was made to arrest the murder
| er, but he was secreted by his ProSlavery
abettors, and escaped to Missouri. The people
will assemble on Monday, and execute summa
| ry punishment upon the entire party who were
| present. and accessories to the murder, if they
| can be found. We wait with anxiety for fur
Their developments.
TIE WAR BEGUN!
Nov. u, O'Clock, r. M-The above item OF
news was published in our issue of Saturday
last.
The meeting of the citizens alluded to con
vened on the ground where the murder was
committed and inquired into the facts at length.
The proof corroborates our statement that one
of the most cold -blooded murders on record had
been committed by F. N. Coleman, as principal,
abetted by Hargus, Burkley, Joseph Moody,
and Wagner, as accessories before the fact
A series of resolves were passed, commit.
| tee of vigilance was appointed to investigate
the facts still further, to search out the offend
ers, and devise means to bring them to Justice
Coleman and his party had fled.
The meeting continued in session till late
hour, and adjourned.
Between the hours Of nine and ten o'clock
in the evening of Monday, Mr.. Jones, the Sher-
iff of Douglas county, who received his appoint
ment from the bogus Legislature, attended by
| a posse of fourteen others, visited the house of
Jacob Branson, and arrested him for security
| OF the peace, on the oath of a couple of the
abettors in the above transaction. Mr. Jones
did not read or even make Mr.. Branson ac-
quainted with the character of his warrant, but
told him he must go with him Immediately, or
he would "blow Branson to hell in a minute"
Mr.. Branson lives near the scene of the late
murder, and Mr.. Dow made it his home at Mr..
Branson's house. This is probably the height
of his offending.
The posse, with Mr.. Branson, proceeded to-
WARD lIecOmpton, via phantom. Arriving at
the latter place, they were stopped by a party
of Mr.. Branson's neighbors, who had learned
of the arrest, and followed him, and by near
er route headed them near j. B. Abbott's house,
in Blanton. There were but fifteen of the res
curers. They threw themselves across the road,
and requested Branson to leave the party. He
did SO, although ordered to remain with the
posse. or he would be shot down.
Jones dispatched an express to the Shawnee
Mission for aid He said the Governor had
given him the assurance that ten thousand
men should be at his service Immediately if
needed, and declared that they should be ON
the ground forthwith.
1t seems that Coleman, on making his escape.
fled to Governor Shannon. What cheer he re,
ceived from that quarter we are not advised ;
suffice it to say, that he made his way to lie,
compton, accompanied by guard to keep him
from being injured while passing through Law
renee. The warrant was there made out against
MIR. Branson, no doubt with the view of affect
ing his credibility before a jury.
The country is all on fire. Means are being
employed to call the people together A com
pany are patroling the streets while we write.
and the soul-stirring drum is beating to arms.
There is no doubt, ere the day expires. an
organized body, under the charge of the sheriff,
will be again upon the country. What action
our people will take in the premises we are not
advised. 1t is probable meeting Of the cit-
zens will be convened this morning.