Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-05-11
The way IL was Done.

I, T,PExA, (K.T,l Mareh3I.
For days before the election WAS sppoin-
ted, wagons loaded with provisions shis-
key, and those who term themselves the
Sovereign Sguatlers" Of Kansas Territory,
had been pouring in and depOsiting their
vile cargoes of "hog and bomniny, shisky
and rufians, (who, ] certainly hope, for the
credit Of Missouri. were the offscourincs Of
the whole State at various points where
it was though: by their unpriueipled leaders
their illegal votes would be needed for the
accomplishment Of their nefarious purposes.
The place appointed for ballotipg in this
elective precinct, was at "Stinsen's,1 on the
river, five m les below Topeka. and twenty
FIVE miles above Lawrence; and 10 the vi
cinity OF both plaees-"Sti1son's and Law
rence-large numbers Of men we're eneamp-
ed. awaiting the arrival Of election day.
/ walked. in company with DR. Robinson.
down TO Stinson's, stopping few minutes
TO examine The steam saw mill near the
north east corner Of the cilF site ef Topeka.
About q mile this side Of Slason's We met
several Of the citizens OF Topeka returning,
and among them the Rev Mr.. Burgess, sp-
pointed by the GorerEor ss one Of the three
Judges of Election-tha Other two being a.
so ministers, bat Pro- o-SlsyerT men. 8 -
MIR. Burgess stated that he had arrived
upon the ground before either Of the other
Judges. but that they sooa appeared, and
they went into toe room in Mr.. StiEson's
house, which they were 70 occlpy.recsiYing
the votes through the open window, :
measure adopted AZ al he elections n this
section, belisFe.
The room IVES bali Filed wist ruzsnlY-
looking men, armed with knives, re-
volVers, and large hickory bludgeons, and
who very reluctantly lef. the room after be-
ing repeatedly requested 30 to do By The
Judges. that they might deliberate concern
ing the manner in which the election should
be conducted The two Pro- Slavery Judg-
es peremptoriiy refused to take the oath
prescribed in the Governors proclamation.
and also declared that tbey would not re-
quire any who appeared to vote 10 take The
oath prescribed for all doubtful eases: al
who were not known By the Judges to Be
residents actual and prospective, Of the
Territory, and legally qualified 70 1oie
therein. -L
During the diselssion which ensaed, Mr..
Shnson at one time rushed into tie room
and brandished large hickory club, With
both hands, over Nj. BURGESS bead, swoss
"he would smash him through the hoor,"
with many other threats, mingled With tbs
most profane language, and ordered him to
leave the house instantly. Mr.. B, imnedi-
ately signi6ed bis willingness to 90, and de.
eiared the election adjourned. Mr. s!insOn
however, sent in two men to induce Mr..
Burgess to remain, and the conference cen.
tinued. Meanwhile, the mob of three q
four hundred Aisscurisus we're getting M
governsble. and two depulalions from the
crowd, at two different times, entered The
room and declaring that the crowd could
not be restrained, gave the Judges ten min
utes to complete their deliberations and 90
on with the election, throwing out very saw
age threats in case they did not. The 9th
er Judges tried to induce Mr. Burgess to
resign, but he refused to the last moment.
and did not resign, though the mob xere
laundering at the door and calling out to
hare him "thrown out" to the -. At
last all the Judges agreeing that the elec-
ton could not be proceeded with SIS directed
by the Executive of the Territory, one Of
the Judges opened the window and sigui6ed
to the mob that they might "proceed as
they saw 6t," and Mr. Burgess quietly lsfl,
passing through the crowd. few if any Of
whom knew him personally. and so escaped
in safety. which is certainly remarkable,
the character and excitement
of the meb.
After hearing Mr. Burgess's story, and
coming to a mutual determination not 10
vote, or IN any way recognize the election
as legal, We continued on down 10 "Slin-
sons" when DR.. Robinson took bis seat in
the coach aud went to Lawrence. The mob
Of three or foar hundred we're making an
effort to elect their own Judges By means
Of .'teIlers" appointed for the purpose, and
three were finally appointed who neither
taking nor recurring any oath Of Office. or
OF residence, proceeded TO receive The "bo-
gus votes
And such a miserable, abandoned, rsck-
less and whisky soaked crew Of rufians !
never saw. and do not believe the. of,
scourings of the whole Green Mountain
State could furnish al equal number OF
wretches SO utterly degraded and God,fori
saken. Bloated and dis6gured With ghis-
key and debauchery of every kind, and ey-
cry one armed with club, bowie knife,
aud a revolver, they were yelling and hov-
ling around, more Ike demons thRa Ike hu-
man beings. .g,ref - 80
Shortly after We arrived, Missourian,
one of the most respectable-looking among
them, who looked as though be might be
above such business, mounted a wagon and
harangued the mob. informing that she had
been told the Abolitionists, . as all the Fres
State men are termed, ~were coming doxn
from Fort Riley, ana other points above,
to take possession Of the polls in
the afternoon after they had left, and out
vote them; and be therefore exhorted them
to remain until the object f0r which they
came was accomplished. when il would bs
safe 10 return 10 Missouri where be I'M
blushingly declared his home to be, Whils
at the same time. be claimed 10 be SOW
ereign squattsr of Kansas" iIsd
And nov as to the indalicatioas cs this
high handed movement Of the Slavery
To my mind il clearly
1900 Al fboE Aha