The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1855-12-22
Kansas Difficulties.
LAWRENCE, K. T., Nov. 26.


several families of MiSsourians-pro-slav
men. One of these, Mr.. Coleman, ''jump
ed the claim he now holds, and built the
house he has been occupying from materials
for the house of another man. Lately there
has been some difficulty between this Cole
man and young man named Charles W.
Dow, who had claim near the same place.
1t seems that Coleman and one or two of
his neighbors and friends have burned lime
kiln on Dow's land, cutting the timber there
from. This, of course, gave offence, and
Dow prohibited them repeating the trespass.
1t appears, however, that they had made up
their minds to do so.
On last Thursday Dow had gone to the
blacksmith shop, which is near COlemans
residence, and while there met Coleman. =
1t appears that they left the blacksmith shop
together, and came along the road in compa-
ny, wrangling about the subject in dispute.
While close to his house Coleman left Dow,
and the latter, after going on few steps,
heard cap burst on gun. Instantly turn
ing around, he saw Coleman with piece
presented at him. He raised his hand and
said, 'Don't shoot" but at that instant
Coleman, who had put another cap on his
gun, fired--the contents, heavy charge of
buckshot, lodging in the breast of the unfor-
balls had pierced his heart. Several other
persons were present friends of Coleman and
settlers from Missouri. The names of these
men are Hargus, Kurkley Moody and Wag-
oner. Two of them had participated in the
lime burning, and were doubtless accessories
to this most atrocious murder, which had
evidently been coolly premeditated.
Coleman fed. and the body of his unfor
tunate victim lay where it fell in the wheel
track of the Santa Fe road. The friends of
Coleman allowed him thus to lie, and never
interfered nor apprised any one.
Yesterday meeting was held at Hickory
Point, and nearly hundred persons assem-
bled. The body was examined, together with
all the testimony that could be elicted.--
All the evidence obtained was from the
friends of Coleman, as given to the neigh
bors, who had first founa the body. The
meeting passed resolutions, and adjourned
about dark last night, having determined on
means to secure the murderer and bring him
to Justice.
Now came the second act in the drama.
1t appears that Coleman had fled to Gov
Shannon at the Shawnee Mission. What
there transpired | know not, further than
that the murderer returned to Lecompton
where court is to be held next week. Fear
ing the testimony of Mr.. Branson, the per-
son with whom the murdered man had
boarded, a warrant was placed in the hands
of sheriff Jones, an officer elected by the le-
gislature Of the Shawnee Mission, for the ar
rest of Branson, under the pretense that he
had used threats. The real object was to
ruin his testimony with a jury, as he was
one of the most important witnesses in the
case, next to the pro-slavery men. The
sheriff summoned posse of fourteen men,
who armed themselves and proceeded to the
house of 8ranson, where they arrived about
9 o'clock last night. Jones neither read nor
produced his warrant, but in profane and
domineering way told Branson he must come
with them, or they would 9 blow him TO
h--l.' There being no alternative, that gen
tleman complied
Scarcely had they gone when, with speed
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