The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-06-20

CBt gully gonrnaL
LAW AND ORDER.
To My Countrymen---A True Statement.
CHICAGO. June II. 1856.

To My Countrymen---A True Statement
CHICAGO, June II, 1856.
To the E,7itore Of the Chicago Tribune
| l wish to make, for the benefit of your read
EerS, true statement of the manner in which
Free State men in Kansas are treated by tn,
mob which has now possession of the Terri
tory. and Missourians on the Border, as prov
/ ed by my own case.
emigrated to Kansas in March last, anc
lsettled in Lawrence, where | took no part il
the political troubles, by which the Territory
has been convulsed. In all respects, endeav
ored to demean myself as good citizen anc
an honest man.
On Thursday, the 5th of the present month
| had occasion to 90 to Kansas City, Mo-, with
my oxen and wagon, for a load of freight, con-
sisting of household goods for an emigrant in
my employ, who was with me. On my return
with the load | was obliged to pass through
! Westport. When about mile or a mile and
a half from that village, | came upon camp
occupied by sixty or seventy Missourians and
Alabamians. Here was met by squad OF
these men. armed with muskets, rifles and side
arms, who demanded me to stop.
"HeIe's id Aholitonist,'' was the cry,
" let US have him anyhow
produced pass which had been given to
me by U. S. Marshal Donaldson but they
swore it was a forgery. They proceeded to
break open the boxes in the wagon, and to
scatter the goods about in the road. When
this was going on. was sent into their camp,
where was questioned thus
whats your name?'
&C. Ii. Barlow.''
"Where do you liye?"
ain Lawrence"
"Where are you from?'
Waterbury, Connecticut
"What are your politics?'
G. am Free State man."
How much money did that id Emigrant
Aid Society give you to come out here?''
None l came out with my own money"
WHO gave you a rifle, Beecher or Sill
uan?"
Neither; I brought no gun of any kind to
the Territory"
"What the hell did you come out here
for?"
Why, to get home and make money"
And to make Kansas Free State?"
That's my intention, now | am here.'
Why didn't you go to Nebraska? that's
good country, and you id Yankees may
have it but Kansas you will have to fight
for, and Well whip hell out Of you, but Well
get it, Union ST no Union!''
That's a game that won't win, Pm think
ing"
After much more of this sort, interlarded
with impious oaths and ruffianly threats, was
asked:
"IfwelI let you go will you take gun and
march with the Pro Slavery party?"
To this l had but one word in reply, and
that was, ''NEvER.''
Immediately there was cry for "The ropes,
boyst tie aopesl These were speedily brought
and a moose was thrown over my head and
around my neck, and l was dragged to the
nearest tree.
exclaimed, ~you do not intend to kill me
in this manner, do you?''
i" Yes, Cd d-n your Abolition heart, and
all like you''
I begged, if / was to be sacrificed to their
fury and causeless hate, that | might have
time to collect my thoughts and arrange my
worldly affairs. [ was told that if had any
property to dispose of or my peace TO make
with God, that would be allowed just ten
minutes for both.
l gave a man among them, who, l learned
was called Bledsoe, and who seemed to think
that | was to be killed without cause; a sche-
dule of my effects, and ased him to send it to
my brother-in-law, at the East, whom |
named.
At the expiration Of the little time given
me. was again dragged to the tree, the rope
was thro wn over swinging limb, and in spite
Of the remonstrances of Bledsoe and of Tread
well, who also began to plead my cause, | was
jerked from the ground and suspended by the
neck; cannot tell for how long, but, probably
for a brief period only, when Treadwell, who
was called Major, and appeared to have com
mand, peremptorily ordered me to be let
down.
| was again questioned:
"WIll YOU leave the Territory if we'll spare
your Hfe?"
To this Idemurred, saying that had offend
ed no law, or infringed no mans right
The leader again interposed, and told me
that unless | would promise he could not save
my life. He told his men that L was guilty Of
no crime except that of being Free State man;
that had right to be, though he would adj
NIT that had no right to such opinions in
Kansas.
At last his ruffian followers extorted from
me the promise they required, giving me just
twelve hours to make the promise good.
was then sent with guard to Kansas
City, to see that did not escape. Ny oxen
and wagon were taken possession Of and
with less than five dollars in my pockets, was
forced to take the next boat and leave the
country.
In conclusion, I declare that I have been
and am a law-abiding and peaceful man; that
my mission to Kansas City was one perfectly
lawful and proper, and that, so far as know
I am driven out of the Territory only because
of my political opinions-my desire to make
Kansas Free State. My case IS not soil
tary one. Every man of my opinions, who
falls into the same hands is liable to the same
abuse: and this, in Kansas, is called claw and
I rider, (Signed)