The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-08-23
from the Missouri Democrat. Aug. IL.
More Mob Law in Missouri.
1NDIGNITIEs TO A METHODIST PREACH
ER.-BANISHMENT FROM THE STATE.

More Mob Law IN Miss0url.
INDIGN1TIEs TO METHODIST PREACH
ER.-BANIsHMENT FROM THE STATE.
wish to present to the public, through
the columns of the Democrat, plain
statement of an affair which recently took
place in Cass county Missouri. In the
providence of God, and the arrangement
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, l was
called to preach the gospel in Cass coun-
ty, Missouri, in the Harrisonville circuit
| endeavored to discharge my duty as a
Christian minister, to the best of my abil-
ity, teaching nothing but those truths
which make wise unto salvation, and hav-
ing nothing to do with any of the vexlng
questions of the day.
/ had labored thus on the above cir
cult for period of seven months, and up
to. about three weeks ago, the blessings OF
God attending my labors, and nothing
occurring to mar the peace and harmony
between me and my people. About the
time named an article appeared in the
Cass county Gazette, written by one Jno.
A. Tuggle, a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South, in which there
was an attempt to excite public opposi-
ton against me, by alleging that | had
said certain thinks to him, in private con-
versation, respecting the decision of the
question of slavery or no slavery in Kan
sas, and styling me a Northern Aboli-
ZIONIST.
About week after the appearance of
this article, two negroes attempted to es-
cape from Harrisonville, end a report was
Immediately circulated that l together
with other residents of the town and coun-
ty, had instigated them to make the at
tewpt-than which nothing could be more
false, as had not even once spoken to a
single negro while resident in Cass coun-
ty; and the other persons were citizens OF
long standing, whose characters were a.
bove suspicion, one Of whom had been a
resident in the State forty-seven years.
On Thursday, July 26, while peacea
bly, pursuing my way along the public
road, l was overtaken by two men-one
of them known as Colonel Worley-wlc
addressed me some impudent questions
respecting where l was going, &C.; and
finally informed me that had been &C
cused of melting slaves to escape, and o.
preaching abolition doctrine, and that
must return with them to Harrisonville
and have the charges investigated. Thi:
conversation they interlarded with the
most profane oaths that could fall from
mortal lips. l protested against theil
right thus to stop me on the public high
way, when the aforenamed Colonel Wor-
ley leaped from his horse, and began fun
bling about his person, as if feeling for a
pistol.
After some further parley | Informed
them that, inasmuch as was entirely in
nocent of the charges alleged, and die
not fea- fair investigation, | would &C
company them to Harrisonville for tha
purpose. Just as we tnrned to 60 back
sixteen more men, mounted, made theil
appearance. We stopped at cabin il
the prairie for supper, where the bottle
was freely passed, and I received the
most insulting treatment, being asked tc
drink, and made the subject of obscene
jests, and horrid oaths.
We reached Harrisonville about twelve
o'clock at night, and I was taken to ho
tel, had guard of three men placed over
me during the night, as if | had been the
greatest criminal. Next morning, l wa:
waited upon by three men, who Informed
me they were appointed committee tc
search my effects, in order to ascertain il
| had any abolition documents. This
committee was composed of Rev. Mr.
Allen, baptist preacher, Mr.. Bailey, and
the proprietor of the hotel where 1 was
confined. They searched everything ]
had, examined my Bible and hymn book
and read my private letters carefully;but
could find nothing to substantiate theil
charges.
While this examination was in progress
a meeting was called at the Court House
and l could hear some person deliver
what seemed to be very infammatory
speech. After while, a committee com.
posed of DR.. Hansbraugh, Colonel Wor-
ley, and Rev. Mr.. Allen, came to inform
me that l was wanted at the Court House
| accompanied them, and found about
two hundred men, the most of whom were
of low class, for l will do that commun-
ity the justice to say that very few re-
spectacle persons participated in these
outrages. A certain DR., Maxsell sat as
chairman of the meeting.
After call to order, Dr. Hansbraugh
rose and said that l had been accused OF
aiding some negroes in running off, and
had been preaching abolition doctrines
and circulating abolition documents, and
that it had been resolved as the sense of
that meeting that should leave the State
in seven days.
Ireplied briefly that I protested against
their entire proceedings; that with fair
investigation l could prove all their
charges false, and challenged them to
such investigation; that if had done any
thing contrary to law l held myself a.
r,o-obla - 80 Q