New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-12-31
MURDER OF DOW AND RESCUE OF BRAN
SON-TESTIMONY OF A RESCUER.
Correspondence Of The st. Louis Democrat.
SPRlNGFITLD. I'LL. ID

Correspondence Of The St Louis Democrat
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, Dec. -, 1855.
Being present at the Hickory Point meeting, and
hearing the whole examination in reference to the
der of young Dow would say that the evidence
proved him to be un0rmcd; that when at black
fmitbs shop getting some work done, Buckley called
him ont friend took deliberate aim, and snapped
the gun AT him, which missing fire, some alteration
enSued. BY interference of the blacksmith the diff
Guilty was apparently settled, and BOWS work being
done, he started for home. When passing grocery,
he was followed by Coleman and deliberately shot,
the parties not even speaking. Thus testified Pro-
Slavery men who saw the whole affair." II was indeed,
from the evidence adduced, one of the most cold and
deliberate murder upon record One or two individ-
uas attempted at the time of the meeting to burn
COlcmans house, but the fire was promptly put out,
and motion of mine in opposition carried Unanimously.
So much for the charge of hOuse-burning.
Leaving the Hickory Point meeting, our very blood
running cold at the recital of the brutal murder,
started for home at Lawrence. Getting about half
way, was informed that party OF fifteen armed men
lad passed upon another road few minutes before
toward Hickory Point. Believing mischief afoat,
two Of ia procured horses and followed not even
knowing the character of the men. AT Brahson : we
were informed that large party OF armed men had
been there few minutes before arrested the old man
in bed and told neither him nor any of his family any
thing about the or the authority by which the
arrest was made. We pursued the party, but for two
hour could hear nothing of them. In the mean time
we had collected for consultation, to the number OF
fjcen only, and half being unarlned, whenit was
announced that hOrsemcn were coming. We had
only time 10 gtr lhlO tnc rouu D'ioic tuehi, 'hoS
haliing within two rods OF us. One of our
party asked, SIS BransOn there 2 He replied,
ayes, | am here, prisoner lie was invited
TO leave them and Join U.S. lie did 80, nowith-
standn. they cooked their guns and threatened to
shoot him if he moved. Our men had also cock
their guns, and given them TO understand that we
were IN earnest Branson did not remain with our
party but went into house near by to rdra himself.
IL was then that Jones advanced, announced hInseh
Sheriff of Douglas County, Kansas, and said he had
warrant, issued by Hugh Cameron, ESQ.,. OF Lawrence
to arrest Branson, and he "mVst do it, Much AMER
cation and spaning here took place, OF which you
readers have been already appraised. GU party then
organized and marched five miles to Lawrence the
people walked mp, large meeting soon assembled at
Union al and the whole circumstances were naIratcd
but no expression of approval or disapproval of our
course passed the meeting. Neither Branson nor his
rcsccrs (ony one of whom, myself lived III Lawrence
were taken INTO possession by the Lawrence people,
and of course they never had themo give upf demand
cd And here lei me remark, that up to the time let
fine Territory lust at the close Ofthc war; no attempt had
been made to rctake BansOn to arrest any of ms res
cuc1s although publicly Acknowledge myself one of
them and at the time declared that recognized
fine United States Courts and officers III Kansas and
only asked that warrant might issue for me IRON
United States Court and be placed In the hands OF
United States Marshal for execution; that was on
hand all the time but would carry the case up ana
fest the legality of the MssoWi-Kans Legislature
before the supreme Court. 1t seems the proposition
WINS eoned. was III JOness presence four days then
following. but no attempt was made TO do so.
The Pierce Atcbson, Stringcllow and shannon IN
vasion of Kansas, was the result oil a prcnednateu
plan and upon them must rest the responsibility. III
was upon Wednesday that Pomeroy was arrested, and
Thursday that Thomas. w. Barber, formerly from
Ohio. was deliberately shot by party under Colonel
Richardson. 3.
please insert the above, in justice TO parties impl-
Gated, and oblgc yours truly, ;. y. WOOD