The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-06-21
t. my Csnntryn6sn.-A True Statement.
CH1cAco, June II, 1856.
70 the Editors of tia Chicago Tribune:

the political troubles, by which the Territory
has been couvulsed. In all respects, en-
deavored to demean myself as good citizen
and an honest man.
On Thursday, the 5th of the present month
had occasion to 60 to Kansas City, Mo-,
with my oxen and Wagon, for load of
freight, consisting 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 mile and half from that village, l
came upon camp, occupied by sixty or
seventy Missourians and Alabamians. Here
I was met by squad of these men, armed
with muskets, rifles and side arms, who de-
handed of me to stop.
"Here's id Abolitionist, was the cry I;
"let us have him anyhow"
procured pass which had been given to
me by U. S. Marshal Donaldson but they
swore 1t 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;
"What,s your name %
&C. H. Barlow"
"Whcre do you lve2"
In Lawrence"
"Where are you from 2"
Waterbury, Connecticut"
"What are your politics 2"
81 am Free State man."
elbow much money did that d-ned Emil
grant Aid Society give you, to come out
here?"
"None, came out W tn my own money 2"
"Who gave you rifle, Beecher or Sill
man 2"
"Neither; 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 2"
"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 we'll whip hell out of you, but well
get it, Union or no Union !"
! "That's a game that wont win Pm think
ing"
After much more of this sort, interladed
with impious oaths and rutfiianly threats,
was asked, ISL
eff we let you go, will you take gun
and march with the Pro-Slavery party 2"
TO this had but one word in reply, and
that was, &" NEVER"
Immediately there was cry for The
ropes, boys! the ropes"
! These were speedily brought, and moose
was thrown around my neck, and was drag
/ ged to the nearest tree.
l exclaimed, You do not intend to kill
me in this manner, do you ?'
Yes, God d-n your abolition heart, and
all like YOU"
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.
gave man among them, who, learned
was called Ble[asoe, and who seemed to
think that was to be killed without cause
a schedule of my effects, and asked him te
send it to my brothcr-in-law, at the East
whom | named.
At the expiration of the little time giver
to me, was again dragged to the tree, thu
rope was thrown over a swinging limb, anG
in spite of the remonstrances of Bledsoe anC
Treadwell, who also began to plead my cause
was jerked from the ground and suspended
4 by the neck l cannot tell for how long, but
probably for brief period only, when
Treadwell, who was called Major, and ap-
peared to have command, ordered me to be
let down.
was again questioned
Will you leave the territory if we spare
your life ?''
To this 1 demurred saying that l had
offended nor infringed any mans right.
The leader again intcrposed, and told me
that unless ] would promise he could not
save my life
He told his men that was guilty of no
crime, except that of being Free State
man that had right to be, though he
would admit that had no right to such
opinions in Kansas
AT last, his ruffian followers extorted
from me the promise they required, Civ
ing me just twelve hours to make the prom
Use good.
l was then sent with guard to Kansas
City, to see that did not escape.
My oxen and wagon were taken possess
sion Of, and, ! with less than five dollars in
my pockets, was forced to take the next
boat and leave the Territory.
In conclusion, | declare that have been
and am law-abiding man; that my mission
to KANSAS City was perfectly lawful andpro-
per, and that, so far as know, am driven
out of the territory only because of my po-
lltIcal opinions-my desire to make Kansas
free state
My case is not solitary one. Every one
OF my opinions, who fails into the same
hands is liable to the same abuse and this.
in Kansas, is called law and ORDER"
{Signed)
c. III RARIOyV