Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1856-07-03
To my COuntrymen-A True State
ment.


been cOnVulsed. In all respects. I endeavered
to demean myself as good a citizen and an hon.
est man.
On Thursday, the 9th of the present month.
1 had occasion to go to Kansas City, Mo, with
my oxen and wagon, for a load of freight, con-
sistng ofhousehOld goods for an emigrant, in
my employ who was with me. On my return
with the load, was obliged to pass through
WOstport, When about mile or mile and
half from that village, came upon camp, ,oc-
cupied by sixty or seventy MissOugians and Al
bamians. Here was met by squad ofthese
men armed with muskets, rifles, and side arms
who demanded of me to stop.
Here's id aboitionist," vas the cry
let's have him any how"
Iprocured a pass which had been given to
me by U. s. Marshal Donaldson; but they
swOre it was forgery, They proceeded to
break open the boxes in the wagon, and scatter
the goods about in the road. When this was
going on, was sent into their camp, where /
was questioned thus
What's your name 2
g. H. Barlow"
Where do you live p
In Lawrence
Where are you from?'
Waterbury, Connecticut
'What are your politics p
4 am Free State man.
How much money did that d--d Emigrant
Aid Society give you to come ont here p
None, came out with my own money
who gave you rifle. Beecher or Selliman?'
Neither; brought no gun of any kind to
the Territory
what the hell did you come out here for 2
why to get home and make money
'And to make Kansas Free State?'
That's my intention now I'm out here
why didn't you go to Nebraska; that's a
gooi country, and you id Yankees may
have it, but Kanzas you'll have to fight fol, and
we'll whip hell out of you, but we'll get it
Union or no Union
That's game won't win I'm thinking
After much more Of this sort. interlarded
with impious oathS and ruffianly threats was
asked:
If we'll let you go will you take a gun and
march with the pro-slavery party:'
To this had but one word in reply, and
that was, NEVER
Immediately there was cry for THE ropes,
boys, the ropes These we're speedily brought
and moose was thrown over my head and a.
round my neck and I was dragged to the near.
est tree.
exclaimed, you don't intend to kill me in
this manner, do you?'
1begged, if was to be sacrificed to their
flry and csuseless hate, that might have time
to collect my thoughts and arrange my world
ly affairs. was told that if I had any proper
ty to dispose Of, or to make my peace with
God that would be allowed just ten minutes
for both
gave man among them who I learned
was called Biedsoe and who seemed to think
that I was to be killed without eau Sc, a sched-
ule OF my effects and asked him to send it to
my brother-inlaw, whom named.
At the expiration of the little time given me
1 was again dragged to the tree the rope was
thrown over a swinging limb, and in spite of
tho remonstrances Of Biedsoe and Of Treadwell
who also began to plead my cause was jerk
ed from the ground and suspended by the
neck; cannot tell for now long. but probably
for short time when Treadwell, who was cal
led Major, and appeared to have command per.
emptOriy ordered me to be let down.
was again questioned:
will you leave the Territory if we spare
your life?'
To this I demurred, saying that had Offen-
ded no law, or infringsd no mans right.
The leader again interposed and told me that
unless would promise he could not save my
life. He told his members that vas guilty OF
no crime, except that of being a Free State
man; that had right to be, though he wo'd
admit that had no right to such opinions in
Kansas.
AT last, his rufian followers extorted from
me the promise they reqired, giving me just
twelve hours to make the promise good.
was then sent with guard to Kansas City.