Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1856-01-17
Murder q Thomas W. Barber,

ed murder Of Mr.. Barber BY the border ruth-
ans, near Lawrence, has excited much feeling
over the country. He Wss formerly q resi-
1ent Of Prebls county in this State, where
be was veil known and much resPecled.-l
The people Of that county are aroused by
the news Of bis death, and large mass
meeting was hsld .. New PARIS, bis former
residence. On lssieFday.
The Eaton Register thus refers to this
subject
The rumOr which has for some days SP-
peared in the public prints, Of the murder
Of Thomas W. Barber. formerly Of PEBBLE
county, and recently Of KGnEs' Territory
now seems to be confirmed BY private infOr
ma,iOu from that quarter. 1t appears that
Mr.. Barber had taken no part in the recent
Kansas troubles but that be vas Free
State man. and so expressed himself upon all
proper and becoming occasions.
That about the time Shannon. with his
Missouri mob aud drunken rufians, invaded
the territory for the purpose Of cOnquering
freedom, and having bis headquarters at
Wakarusa, not far from Lawrence, two mis-
creanls CLARK, a United States Indian Agent.
and Wood-went out on 9 tour of reconnoi-
sauee about LsVrence, and thus met Mr..
Barber, HE brother, and another young man,
at the time on their way home. After Mr..
Barber passed the two men, he and bis com
panious we're fred upon from the rear by
CLARK and Wood, and Thomas w. Barber in
stAntly killed, and the horse shot from under
one Of the young men in company. The mis-
creants and murderers left 81 full speed. balf
drunk, cursing and swearing like devils in
carnats. for more Ct associates near at hand,
and afterwards reported at headquarters that
they had "kiled two Cd d-d abolitionistsr
for they saw the wool Ay"
So fell Thomas w. Barber, one Of our best
citizens, without the least cause of prOVOca-
LiOn on bis part: The act was a cruel and
cold .blOodsd murder, and for what? Why
> in the wild snd wicked crusade to extend the
curse Of Slavery into the Territory Of KanEas
and that too against the popular sentiment o
the settlers, be dared to avow himself friend
to ths cause Of Freedom.
The two persons who were with Mr., Barber
: when he was murdered, thus describe the
scene in e letter to brother Of the deceased
LAWRENCE, Dec. 9. 1855.
DEAR BRorHER I'VE regret to inform you
Of the sudden death Of brother Thomas. He
was shot on the 9Th inGI,, by one Of party o
I' MisSourians who came across us while goinG
from Lawrence 10 our homes. We were stop
8 ped by two MiSsourians. we'll armed, WHIT
(? were in advance of q party Of ten or twelV,
a others who were likewise armed. The Lwt
r. men mentioned quest ioned US in regard to thu
laws passed by the border rufians. To al
their inquiries Thomas gave civil answers, I'm
o medistely after, they ordered US to turn back
Q when Thomas remarked that we could not e
back. Upon which the two men drew the
4 pistols and hred on us. Robert instantly drew
= his pistol and fred three shots at them, whel
they wheeled with their horses and galloppeC
back to the larger part oi their company
Whereupon Thomas observed, Let US co.
1 We then started off as fast as our horses woul(
carry us, but had not gone more than one hun
dred yards when Thomas said to Robert, 81
am shot r. These we're the last words hG
spoke. Robert held him on his horse as wei
as be could. We had iourneysd about one hun
dred yards further. when be (Thomss) fell
from his horse. We instantly dismounted tC
render what assistance we could; but we
soon found all earthly aid was unavailing
bis spirit had fad
Before We had time 10 take the body in
charge; we found the whole body Of men aiore>
said advancing upon US. We mounted our
herses and left with al! possible speed, ant
barely escaped with our lives, one of our hor-
, ses being shot in the race. At the earliest op.
portunty after our escape. we returned to the
: spot where Thomas breathed his last and te m.
porarily buried bis remains. until the war was
over, as We expected to be attacked every mo-
ment while thus engaged.
We think there is some prospect OF a cessa-
tion of hostilities now. But the enemy !s still
in our country. We have been in service elev-
en- days and nights, and we have not seen our
families since the 7th. You may imagine our
feelings at this time. We have lost our dear
est friend. Matilda is almost distracted. We
do not feel like writing more at present. If we
live TO get home We shall then write toyou a
: gain. Yours, &c.,
THOMAS NJ. PIERSON,
ROBERT BARBER.
The President talks Of the sanctity of law
and the necessity Of its pTeserva alton and en>
forcement. Here is case that calls loudly
for vengeance. The Indian agent who is one
: Of the murderers, is an spFointee of Pierce
; We shall see whether such a scoundrel will be
retained in Office after the facts are Known
70. s. Journal.
PRrsoN STATISTICS. From the Report of the
: Warden Of the Ohio Penitentiary, which was
j, inserted in the Columbus papers in advance OF