Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-09-07

He was escorted some distance down the
river by several of our citizens, who seeing
him pass several rack-heaps in quite skill
full manner, bade him adieu, and returned
to Atchison.
Such treatment may be expected by all
scoundrels, visiting our town for the pur-
pose of interfering with our time honored
institutions, and the same punishment we
will be happy to award all Freesoilers, Abo-
litionists and their emissaries.
Squatter Sovereign, 2lst.
WHAT Mr.. BUTLER SAYS.
Mr.. Butler, after stating his total dis
connection from, or participation in, any Of
the transactions referred to BY him, states
his own experience in these words:
My residence is on the Stranger Creek,
about twelve miles from Atchison. On the
10th of August, l went to Atchison for the
purpose of taking a boat down the river
Mr. Kelley is Postmaster at Atchison. At
ter transacting some business at the Post
office, l said TO him, in presence of Arch
Elliot, Esq, "Sir, should, some time since,
have become a regular subscriber to your
paper, only, l do not like the spirit of vio-
ience that characterizes it." He said, 81
look upon all Freesoilers as rogues, and
that they are to be treated as SUCH" l
replied, "Well, sir, am Freesoiler and
expect TO vote for Kansas TO be free State" {"
He said, 81 don't expect you will be allow
ed to vote"
Not another word was spoken; left the
house. Nothing more transpired on that
day.
The next morning Mr. Kelly entered my
boarding house, followed by number of
men, and presented me the annexed reso-
lutions cut out of the Squatter Sovereign,
and pasted on a sheet of white paper, and
demanded that l should sign them.
| commenced reading the resolutions
aloud, having first glanced my eye over
them. 1 wanted TO give myself time to
frame a wise and prudent answer. He
fercely interrupted me and demanded that
| should sign. felt that l wanted impair
tial witnesses to what should transpire. - /
rose up, walked down stairs, and into the
street Here they stopped me and demand
ed, "Will you sign?" said "NO!" They
seized me and dragged me to the river,
cursing me for a d-d Aboltiouist
and saying 10 me that they we're going to
drown me.
Arrived at the bank, Mr.. Kelley went
through the very interesting ceremony of
painting my face with black paint-thus
marking upon it the letter R.
This ceremony being ended, and the
company having now grown to some thirty
or forty persons, (boys included) for the
space of about two hours l became the
target at which were hurled all sorts Of
missiles, in the shape of curses, imprecatlons
arguments, eDtrea;ies, accusations and In
terrogations. Acting on the principle that
the Holy Roman lDquisition is right when
she demands that the prisoner shall testify
against bimaelf they proceeded to question
me concerning my motives, actions and in
tentions; while replied, as best 1 could
that my coming to Kansas was projected
before it became apparent that contro
versy would arise relative to slavery, thai
l came for reasons independent OF and ex
traneous to this question; that never had
any connection with any emigrant aid So
ciety whatever, and that l never made any
communication to any paper in Kansas OIL
out of it concerning Kansas affairs.
even profered them, that if they would
make out in nv presence an impartial re
port for the Squatter Sovereign, l would
make no report to other papers, of this out
rage upon my person. l was not accused
of tampering with slaves. explained tc
them that l could not countenance any in
, reference with the relation of master anc
: slave in Kansas, while that question re
mains an open question. "The very heac
5 and front of my offending hath this extent
! no more": had spoken among my neigh
bors favorably to making Kansas FREE
: State, and had said in the Office Of tn
2 Squatter Sovereign, Il am FreesolIei
i and intend to vote in favor Of making Kan
D sas a free State"
] At length they came to consult wha
= they should do with me. Ira Norris, Esq
e late resident in Platte City, and Clerk C
the County Court of Platte county, IA Yar
f kee by birth and education) came to m
i, and said, "Mr. B., 1 will advise you, fc
n your good as friend, when you get ava
+ Just keep away" said, "Sir l expeC
e to 90 away, but l intend to come bso
again. I said I cannot leave; own re'