The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-02-25
The Truth About Kansas.

| place. haiu about hahsas. nat tnat gen"
tleman said We are willing to let stand with
out comment before this people who know
him very well, Below will be found letter
from Rev. l.. B. Dennis, a gentleman former
y stationed here in charge of the Methodist
Church, who was universally beloved by the
people in and out Of his society, and whose
word no man who knows him will doubt in
the least. The letter bears date "Lawrence.
Jan. -, 1885," and was written for the
Western Christian Adrocote
"As it is in all the scenes of life, SO it is in
Kansas. Here we have our Gibbs and flows,
sunsh e and shade, and storm and calm
But some Of as think, If our neighbors
would let us alone, we should have full
share of sunshine II is pity to all human
appearance, that many love to do wrong.
1t is Il very common remark, " If every one
would do right, it would save a great deal Of
trouble" God knows many of US think 50
/ in Kansas. Many most fondly hoped. our
troubles were over, for long, long time,
when the compromise was made between Gov.
Shannon, of the Pro-Slaycry party, and
Messrs. Robinson and Lane, Of the Free
State party, December 3, 1855; but just
as soon as the Free State men began to hold
their elections, here came the Missourians-
for will call them nothing else till the peo-
pie or citizens of Missouri arise and put
down this most ungodly invading spirit in
the ''border rufhans' of their State-to de-
stroy the polshooks and ballot-box. And
not yet satisfied, they must throw the print
ing press of the Territorial Register into the
Missouri River. And yet the Free State men
said but little for they were anxiously look
ing forward to Congress for relief; but, as
they have been doing all the while, they were
steadily attending to their Free State mat
tiers, hoping as we sometimes sing, ''fhere is
better day coming" Unfortunately these
slavery propagandIsts were fearful that their
destruction of the poll-books, ballot box,
printing press, ETC., would not sufficiently
arouse the Freemen of Kansas; they deter
mined to 90 further with their midnight plot
tlngs and at our last election another at
tempt was made to get possession of the bal
lot-box and poll-books, as before. Not sue
ceeding, they waylaid the road in differ
en-: directions from the place of election, and
attacked the men as they were returning to
their homes. After several skirmshes, in
which both parties were injured, the Pro-
Slavery men finally succeeded in capturing
Free State men-there being a large company
Of the Pro- Slavery men. Mr.. Brown was
the leading man Of the Free State company,
and had, also, just been elected to seat in
the Legis ature that is to meet in Topeka, in
March next. On Mr.. Brown they seemed de-
termned TO wreak their vengeance; accord
ngly, after they had insulted, injured, and
abused the seven, they let them 20, purpos-
ing to hang Mr.. B.; but subsequently they
determined to Lynch him, and let him 20.
They then kicked, struck, and chopped him
with Ratchet, till hc was unable to travel
then threw him into common lumber wag-
on, hauled him some eight or ten miles to a
doggery, where they pretended to dress his
wounds; and then took him to his house,
threw him in, and left His wife asked him
who had thus treated him, He made but
reply or two, and expired literally cut to
nieces. For-whats Because lie wished to
exercise the rights Of a Freeman. He had
manfully eontended for others to d. SO. Mr.
Brown was at Lawrence. and manfully acted
his part IN our defense, at the November IN
easjon Now, ! ask, what would be done If
some savage Indians had thus brutally butch
cred man? | leave enlightened and IN
telhgent people to answer. | forbear. We
men of God We freemen Of every State We
lovers Of the human family Will you not
lloln Your influence with ours 10 pray the pro-
per authorities 70 stop these things Is not
here remedy Are there not many strong
men, good men. and men sufficiently interest
Cd for US in the territory, who will take hold
u the matter in good earnest2 If there il
not something done, aud done soon, | fear,
dread the consequences. And to you, my
brethren and sisters Of the Lord Jesus Christ,
will you not pray for US, in this land Of strife,
bitterness, and DEATH Truly, these are
troublous times. May God so overrule this
whole matter that it will work for the most
general good to all l.. 3. DESSIs."