Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-10-27
KANZAS.
Letter from lfcCrea to his Fdther-in. LaU.
LEAvEYwoRTB, (Kansas,) Sept "a, 1855.

Letter from lfcCred TO his Fdther-in. Lar.
LEAyENwoRTB (Kansas,) Sept "a, 1855.
DEAR FATHER Il have by former letter
told you that the court met last Monday. |
now propose to give you a history Of the
proceedings Forty-eight grand jurors were
summoned out of these the Judge selected
sixteen publicly who, being duly sworn and
empanelled, retired to their room He af-
terward prirately added three to their num-
ber making nineteen, who, on Thursday
came into court several times for instruc-
tions but, instead OF giving such instructions
publicly, the judge each time sent them back
to their room, and sent such persons as he
thought proper to lecture them in private
Once he sent r. r. Rees the chairman Of
the committee that outraged Mr.. Phillips
Still the jury continued to be agitated, divi-
ded, and to force their foreman to lead them
into court, who, becoming excited. exclaimed
in open court that tine jury could not agree,
as there were three in favor of finding for
murder, FIVE for manslaughter, and eleven
opposed to finding any bill against me.
Again the judge sent them to their room
without instructing them that they, in such a
case, should report the bill back TO court
endorse Not found;" and thus the grand
jury continued till Saturday vainly endeavor-
ing to get the foreman to do his duty in re-
turning the bill to court endorsed "Not
found" when the judge, fraudulently CO.
operating with my enemies on the grand jury,
adjourned the court till the second Monday
of next November, and | am, in violation of
all law and justice, deprived of my liberty.
This poor, weak judge makes my case as
much party question as the infamous String
fellow would if he were on the same bench.
When l shall get out Of his hands | cannot
till. Another application WILL in a few days,
be made by writ Of hGbeas corpus, and error
taken on that to the Supreme Court at
Washington, which, think, is my ouly chance
of ever getting out by law.
Now, that am writing o'clock A. NJ,
the city is all awake and in arms, several
suspicious scoundrels having appeared assem-
bled about the streets in the evening, in
conversation with the bandit, Hughes, who
was last night seen prowling about the house
Of Mr.. Phillips, with a gun in his hands. 1t
is supposed that there is a company Of ruff
fans from Missouri assembled in the bushes
near the city, and there in force Of at least
300 men, well armed, now ready to receive
them on the part Of oar city. 1t is supposed
that they contemplate an assault upon sew
eral Of the citizens, including myself and the
| Democratic press in this city, the kanzaS
TERRITORIAL lleglSltF. SeEllnelS are pOSlet
at every part of the town and in every corner
with signal have heard several persons
say they would shoot Hughes. lie was shot
at last night, by man who was passing by
who saw him watching for Phillips, but mis-
| sed.
/ The people are determined not to be dis
turbed by him and his associates much Ion
ger, and finding that the Judge sides will
| those rutlians, havin@ one Of them for clerk
have concluded TO take the law into thei
own hands. This Hughes was captain o
tie band Of rufisns who mobhed Phillips
and unless he leaves this town very sooI
some daring hand will certainly drop hin
INTO lis grave. Matters are progressing to
wards the formation Of State Constitution
Members Of the Convention will be elected
ON the second Tuesday of next month, an,
we meet III convention on the oath Of tn
same MONTH so as to submit il to the peoul
before the session Of Congress.
The political aspect is fast changing. I'll
people almost universally repudiate the law
passed by the late Legislature. All respe,
table persons appointed by that body to otfiC
are resigning The cocks are Growing, an
have heard no shot fired. The city ney,
was so still as il is tonight. l hope | sha
never again have occasion TO allude to such
night as this. ] believe that the presel
demonstration will have good effect upC
ruffians both here and across The river.
rather guess they will not think il prudent
pay as another visit from Missouri.
Yours, truly
CoLE McCnEA.