Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-08-28


with northern men and eastern men in the
Territory, and these men talked exactly
like eastern men and northern men talk
that Is, their language and pronunciation
were similar to those of eastern and north
ern men with whom had talked. An old
man commanded the party he was ofdark
complexion, and his face was SLIM NY
father and brothers were pro-slavery men,
and belonged to the Lar and order party"
There seems to be little or no doubt that
a certain notorious leader of the free State
party (as they call themselves in Kansas,
whose name it is not here deemed proper
to give, was at the head of the party en-
gagged in the fiendish massacre Mr.. Har-
ris testified that one John Brown, one of
the leaders of the free State party, was en-
gagged in the killing of Sherman, and it
will hardly be doubted that they who muir
dereG Sherman also killed the rest--all
being murdered on the same night and in
the same neIghborhood Those who were
killed, it is testified, were pro-slavery peo-
pie and the undersigned has no hesitation
in saying that these i'll fated men were de-
prived of their lives, and their wives and
children made widows and orphans, in
consequence Of the insurrectionary move
ments instigated and set on foot by the
reckless leaders of the Topeka convention.
Next in order are the outrages committed
on the property of Morton Bourn and that
Of J. Nj. Bernard. The affidavit Of Mr..
Bourn shows that, on the night of Weduea-
day, the 28th day of Nav. 1855. party of
aboltionists entered his house forciblv,
threa ened to take his life if he di / not
leave the Territory Immediately; took all
the money he had, which hey said they
wanted to carry on the war They also
took guns, saddles and horses. and then
robbed his store of vafi us articles Mr.
Bourn, on oath, says =
Il own slaves. and have A crop Of wheat
growing. Have never taken any active
part with he pro-slavery party, only voted
the pro-slavery ticket, and was for sustain
ing the laws. These
men said must leave in day or two or
they would Kill me. or limited as much
said | would not fare we'll, or words to that
effect l left for the fear of my life and
the lives ofmy family. They said that the
war was commenced, that they were going
to fight it out, and drive the pro-slavery
people out of the Territory, or words to
that amount. The men that robbed my
house and drove me away from my prop
erty were abOlitionists, or free sellers.
believe they hated me so be-
cause | am pro-slavcry man, and in favor
of earitorial laws, and because served Oh
the last grand jury at Lecompton.''
But the most fragrant case of robbery
that occurred while your committee were
in Kansas was the plundering of Mr.. Joab
Demands store and premises. Mr.. Ber-
nard Is quite young man, and of highly
respectable family While prosecuting his
business he was warned that his life was
in danger, and was compelled to leave his
home for safety; and during his absence
his store was robbed of nearly four thou
sand dollars worth Of goods and money,
and his premises of cattle and horses OF tie
value of at least one thousand more.
The facts of this case are testified to by
Messrs. John Miller and Thomas 5 Ham
ilton. Mr.. Bernard testities himself as to
his life being threatened, and the amount
Of goods in his store and other property on
the premises. Messrs Miller and IIamil-
ton corroboratc his testimony, and the un-
dersigned makes their dispositions a part of
his report. st. Bernard, J. NJ Bernard's
place, is situated in Douglas County, on
the California and Fort Scott road, about
thirty miles from Lecompton. The robbie
ry took place on the 9th day of MAY, 1856.
In, IF IL
in the store with Mr. Davis. Whilst there,
a party of thirteen men came to the store
on horseback armed with Sharps rifles. !
revolvers and bowioknives. They inauir-
ed for Mr.. Bernard. | told them that he
had gone TO Westport One of them said
to me, ~ OF are telling a God damned lie, -
and drew up his gun at me. Some of them |
came into the store, and the rest remained |
outside. They called for such goods as
they wanted, and made Mr.. Davis and my
self hand them out, and said if We didn't
hurry they would shoot US. They had
their guns ready Af.er they had got the
goods-they wanel principally blankets
and clothing--they packed them upon
their horses and went away Mr.. Joab
Bernard is a pro slavery man" Mr.. Mil |
Ter recognized one Of the party as an active
frce-Slate man. They on the next day
came with wagon, and took the remain
der of the goods in the store, except about
one hundred and fifty dollars worth, in
GLIDING -four, sugar, coffee. bacon, and all
kinds of provisions, as well as two fine hor-
ses, three saddles, two brides, and all the |
money there was in the store. In the |
of his affidavit, Mr.. Miller saws:
"When they first came, they looked up at I
the sign, and said they would like to shoot
at the name" The affidavits accompany
ing this report are full and explanatory,
and the undersigned begs to make them a
part Of MS report. They are sworn to be-
fole a Justice Of the Peace for jackson !
county Missouri, and the seal Of the Jack
son county court is attached 10 the clerks
certificate, as to the official character of tie I