The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-06-13

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that posse. Sheriff Jones, who was now on
hand, (ho has recovered from his woupd)
summoned them as his posse rode into
town, and demanded all the arms, whether
public or private,t to be stacked in the streets
in five minutes or he would demolish the
town, He further said that the Hotel just
finished land the pride of the town. must be
dcmolishcd;-also the. Herald of Freedom
Office. He said they would not touch private
property. The whole posse marched on to
he town. / now feared. tho worst, as It was
too late to arm ourselves, and II VIC had,
there were not moro than two hundred who
could have been armed. Now followed q
scene that beggars description. After get
ting on to Massachusetts, ST., they were ad-
dressed by Ddrid r. Atehison. could not
hear distinctly what they said,a they cheer.
ed and yelled continually. After he con-
cludcd. they commenced their hellish work.
They destroyed both presses, and everything
in the Offices. The Editor Of the Herald Of
Freedom had avery valuable library. Next,
they planted the cannon in front of the Ho-
tel; after taking out some Of the most val
liable furniture, they commenced to FIRE on
1t, Intellectually however they now fred
their muskets in every direction, and the
women and children becoming very much
alarmed, l went rs an escort with them out
of town short distance. Finding they
could not demolish the hotel in this manner,
they made an Intellectual attempt to blow it
up; they then set fire to il; every house in
town was searched and plundercd Of every
thing valuable. They took about two hum
drcd and eighty dollars worth from my store,
and from my boarding house every article Of
clothing except what had on. Is not such
q state Of things discounging? We think
We shall yet get pay for what they Destroyed
by appropriations from Congress. Not less
than 100000 worth Of property was dcs-
troycd and stolen. have done no business
for two weeks. II do not get rcparation
for the losses I have suffered, I shall be bad
ly of. I am almost sick from excitement
and loss Of sleep. A bullet was fred into
the window-sill Of the cabin where stopped
last night. Three Of us, young men, came
into town, and thought VIC would stop, al
though there was some struggling about.
Hearing firing, one of us got up to look out
of the window, when the ball struck the sill.
Friday, %. l feel little more composed
today, although am most sick. might
relate many instances Of brutality, pillage,
&c., but shall forbear in giving further par
ticulars at this time. What Shannon will
do next, / do not know. News has just
reached us, well authenticated, that as soon
as he heard that they were destroying Law
renee, he sent dispatches to Fort Leaven-
worth for four companies of U. S. Troops
He knar they ,coud do as they did. He also
knew that the sending for these troops would
put a coloring on the thing and make it ap-
pear as though he would have prevented it.
/ was in council this morning with about
twenty of the most prominent citizens. We
prepared memorial to the President, and
despatched it by special messenger.
Ifmy business was so could leave would
como east now. have lived in 80 much cx-
element, with poor health part of the
time, that I need recruiting. hope you
are all well and enjoying peace at home
Sometimes I think If could be in Old York
a day, where 1t is quiet, / think could get
rested. f.. .-...
The weather is beautiful you cannot i'm
agine how delightful 1t is hero, in fine
weather, at this season Of the year. The
thunder storms are, however, terrific. Write
often. You must excuse the writing this
time, as have not felt like writing ut ALL
Love to all.
Additionally, your son,
To j. B.