Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-12-13
From Phillips Conquest of Kansas
MURDER OF R B
RECREATIONS OF A BORDER.RUFFI.AN
JUDGE.

II was about noon Of the 9th of December when
Mr.. Thomas W. Barber, with his brother Robert,
and another relative, Mr.. Pierson, left Lawrence
to return home. They lived in a north westerly
direction from Lawrence, about seven miles off. AT
this time, while the MissUurians had Invested Law
renee they found il difficult to keep it closely guar.
ded to the south and west. There was a distance OF
twenty miles between the camp at ~Lecompton and
W akarusa. Gen. Atkinson had n force on the
north side of the Kaw river, opposite lawrence ::
but, while it was guarded thus on three SIDES, the
only means of preventing people from leaving
Lawrence for the south Of the Territory was by
horse patrols, which secured the country. In to
this time the citizens of Lawrence had been guilty
Of no aggressive act; neither had they resortod to
violence IN their defense when attacked.
When Mr.. Barber and his friends left Lawrence
they went up the ravine that generates Mount
Dread, and got on the California road. While
riding up this road, and when four miles from
town, they observed Il party of horsemen, four
teen in number, riding to the right of the road
The party was led by Major-general Richardson
ami beside others of less note there was in that
patrol Judge Cato, one of the Federal Judges ap-
pointed by the President for the Territory judge
Wood, a local bogus Judge formerly a Free. State
man, and physician in Lawrence, now a traitor and
iufJrmer); Major Clarke a Government Indian
Agent; aud Col. Burns, a merchant of Westport.
Missouri.
When Barber and his friend saw the party
IN question, they left the road and took a nath To
the left. This they did because the road was
shorter. and becauro they desired to avoid the 9th.
er party, Mr., Barber was totally unarmed, bay-
ing not even a knife his two friends had each a
pistol.
As soon as Gen. Richardson's party saw the 9th
ers leave the road, two of their. humber, Major
Clarke and Coz. Burns, were detailed to stop them
or bring them in prisoners, the remainder of the
company hating. AS the party was ahead of Mr..
Barber and his friends, Clarke aud Barns had
merely to ride into the prairie to the right in or.
der to intercept them. TIE BARRIERS, when thew
saw they were to be attacked, neither ATTEMPTED 10
run, nor did they hasten their gait beyond a walk.
when the others rode up and halted before them
Richardson, Cato and the others we're in full sight.
and within gunshot.
The two BARRIERS were riding first, Thomas to
the right. Person was behind them. Major
Clarke gave the order to "halt," at which ali of
the PARTY stopped.
"Where are you going? p demanded Clarke.
w are going home, said Thomas Barber.
where are you from ?"
are from Lawrence"
WHAT'S going on in Lawrence Just now p"
"Well, nothing in particular"
"Nothing in particular, hey ?" said Clarke. who
then added, 1--WE bear orders from the Goyernor
to see the laws executed in this Territory. Wo ar.
rest YOU"
"What laws have we broken or disobeved p,
asked Mr.. Barber. "Or what laws have the REQ.
pie Of Lawrence broken ?"
Clarke here raised his hand, and pointing to The
horsemen upon the California road. said;
Turn your horses heads and 20 with u.s."
I'VE wont do it," said Barber.
Atthis Clarke spurred his horse ana rode TO the
right of Thomas Barber. who partly turned his
horse and looked al Clarke as If he scaroly knew