The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-23
KANSAS.
In Prison AT LECoMPToN,

Saturday Morning, October 4, 1856.
To the Editor ofthe National Era:
Since my letter of Monday, there has been
no visible change in affairs in Kansas. In in
tiuence and power, despotism still seems to
predominant; yet they have not altogether
been able completely to sever justice from
hope. There Is no little bitterness of feeling
among us, when we think Of our conditioner
being packed together, like beasts or felons into
small, damp, and loathsome prison, for moth
ing but difference in political views, and a
tenacity in upholding them-for the pretexts
used by our enemies are as false as the as
sumption that liberty is lie. Yet the feelings
OF the Bogus-ocracy seem terribly ground at
the buoyancy of spirit we occasionally show,
and appear to think we have no right to hope,
that our very souls should be stricken with a
terror of the horrors they would gladly infict
upon US.
Joseph c. Anderson, of Lexington, Mo-, and
occasionally prosecuting attorney before the
Court of Judge Cato, said, the other day, that
nothing but knowledge that we could be res
cued at any time we might DESIRE or belief
that we would not be very severely dealt with,
could account for our uncrushed spirits and
often jubilant feelings; that Lane would be
here in few weeks, with several thousand
armed men, of which we were perfectly aware ;
and that nothing but speedy and terrible ex.
ample would insure obedience to the bogus
laws, and the safety of the Union.
Five prisoners were released on Monday
evening, by order of the Governor The cir.
cumstances of their arrest and Imprisonment
are these, One Fulton, who says he is Sheriff
Of TO i, al. l..
campaign went with mob and dsarmsd some
Free State people, living near Indianola. He had
also hired some oxen of others of bis neighbors,
and afterwards refused to give them up TO their
owners. His brother and two sons defended
him in the commission of these outrages. The
injured persons at last combined together, and
went to him, demanding their property with
which demand he found it his interest to com
ply. Since the wholesale arrests Of the last
few weeks commenced this Fulton laid in
court charge against the persons aforesaid,
OF "robbing his house Of one yoke Of oren, and
other articles of personal property" for which
they were seized and imprisoned. After q
weeks anxiety and suspense, they were Brought
up for examination. Before this was entered
upon, however, Fulton came to the prisoners,
and informed them of the sorrow he felt for
having them arrested, saying that he should
give no evidence that might convict them. He
said he had been hasty in the course he had
first taken, and, his cool reflection telling him
how wrong it was to seek revenge upon his
neighbors for such trifing offences, he had
changed his determination. He hoped they
would remember him kindly for his forbear.
ance. The real cause, however, for this change
was as follows: Evidence had lately been OBJ
tanned of his having stolen several horses from
his neighhorhoca, ana Run the same of to Mis-
souri. Some of these horses belonged to one
of the prisoners whom he had had arrested,
who, not being one of the strictest of Free
State men, threatening to prosecute Fulton,
the latter concluded it best to back out Well,
the examination was commenced, but Fulton
telling the truth about the matter, which was
not deemed sufficient to commit them, lie case
was suspended indefinitely, believe. The at:
fair shortly afterwards coming before the Gov
ernor, he ordered their liberation.
This same Fulton had another man arrested,
on charge of stealing COW. On examiaa-
ton; it yas proven that the alleged theft was
nothing more than a purchase, although the
purchase money had not yet been paid.
The Court committed the defendant to prison,
until payment should be made. The price Of
the COW was tIirty-hve dollars. He asked to
De released by giving security for the payment
" Wy oouA IL NV Noyo---uut tnc kOufL refused.
The officials have design in keeping him h~-a
and he will be kept until that design is accom-
Plished1 or until they are compelled to liberate
him. Day before yesterday, one man was dis,
charged, and yesterday four others--she causes
In each case being similar to those which actu.
ated Mr.. Fulton in that first mentioned above.
otherwise, they would all have been kept
imprisoned. OH that the people of the States
could know the smallest proportion of the
wrongs perpetrated against the people of Kan.
sas by the mob-born Barops VINO try to rule
over them.
Judge Lecompte arrived on Monday evening.
and the examinations, since had, have been be,
fore him. A prisoner from Pleasant Hill was
examined on charge of stealing three Slang
Aqt chickens, and recommitted in default of
bail In the sum of five hundred dollars.
All the prisoners, except one, have had their
preliminary trial. Eighty.eight are committed
tor murder, and fourteen for highway robbery.
Another was brought upon a charge of robbing
man OF three stacks of oats and FIVE acres
OF potatoes" No evidence was found against
him, but the Court and prosecuting ATTORNEY
say they will keep him until they get some.