The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-11-10
An Appeal 10 President rscrce.

TO HIS ExLELLRNcY FRANKLIN PIERCE, PREst-
DENT OF Tux UNITED STATES.
DEAR Sin: Permit private citizen of
Kansas Territory TO address YOU. More than
two years ago, alone, and with considerations
connected with my own health, and the selec
ton Of quiet, happy home for myself and
family. found my way to the Territory, and
located my claim ut Osawattame. II was
then wilderness country, and but four or
Ave white families were then resident in that
section OF the Territory. But soon, from
almost every State in the Union, that coun-
try was peopled. We had no store, no post
Office, no mail route, no mill or blacksmith
shop. At our request Government estab
lished weekly mail route, and appointed
Mr.. Samuel Greer Postmaster. Mr.. John
ieton received the contract for carrying the
maii--four weekly mails reached Us from
different points. Two good stores were es-
tablished and grocery store. We had a
large steam saw and grist mill, at cost OF
$4,000, in operation. We had blacksmith
and cabinet shop and dwellings, in all nearly
fifty, in the town.
The people lived in ha rmony; they were
en,erprising, improving their farms-plant-
ing crops, to the extent, in some instances,
Of loo acres. We had built school house,
place OF religions worship. Preparations
were on foot for the erection Of two large
/ churches; various buildings and improve
ments were commenced. We had passed
the first rough work of pioneer life. We
had nil shaken with ague, We had all groaned
under the burning fever. We had passe
through winte- severe beyond precedent.
The bright spring opened upon US. We
were cheered. The shun shone an brightly
rs ever, and vernal showers came, and gave
promise Of n fruitful season. We began tc
plant our crops, but rumors of attack from
the people Of another State alarmed US
But little could he done and yet all wer.
diligently al work TO provide for those whom
God had made dependent upon them. AND
while thus our people were busy in thei
felds, mud the 9th day of June last, IN arm
ed company Of about 100 horsemen, man,
Of them known residents Of Missouri, yisi
, our town, make several OF our people pris
oners, sack and rob all our dwellings Of thei
valunblcs, set several buildings on FIRE, stea
eighteen horses, threaten and assault our ci,
liens, and retire with q threat that ut fu
n ,are time they Would return and destroy tn
town. The people are in terror, sleeping i
/. the woods, and in constant fear Of their live,
The arm Of industry is paralyxed. Gu
teams sent for provisions 10 Westport G
kansas City are stopped, searched, and rot
. bed. None bu, the ignorant or more cou,
q ageous dare leave home. On August Is, Nj
n Ackerley, who drove the stage from Osawa
tamie 10 Westport, was made prisoner ,
Westport and forced TO leave the countr,
Mr.. John Yelton, the mail contractor. poi
!. TO Westport to learn the fate Of his courie
and Is detained a prisoner until Anc. o
whcn robbed OF his coach, harness, and OF
~ horse, he is sent, late NJ night, into Osawa
tamie, with between 800 and 400 letters.
Aug. 80. Early in the morning, Gcner
"a Reid from Missouri, with an army various
estimated a, go to 400 armed men, mar,
upon the town, having previously :nurdere
~ one mile before reaching the place, Mr.. Ere,
in erick Brown and Mr.. Garrison, and left N
.. Cutler for dead.
= They take Mr.. Williams, and Germ,
called Dutch Charley, prisoners. Mr.. w.
e brutality murdered in the town. The &c
man il murdered soon after. They severe
wound Mr.. Updcgraft and Mr.. Coils. TIL
10 also kill Mr.. Partridge, fleeing for his lii
I'd and Mr.. Powers, sick man, endcay oring
escape from the burning houses.
They then sack and burn the town, leavil
ae only Twelve buildisgs. Womea dee fro
their beds in their night clothes, With CHI