The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-02-16
The HefaIo Of FREEDOM.
G. W. BROWN. Editor.
Lawrence. Saturday, Feb. is, 1855.
Renewed Difficulties at Easton.

Renewed DincuIt1eS AT 6asLon.
A special messenger arrived in town
on Wednesday morning last, represent
ing that difficulties had broken out anew
in the vicinity OF Easton: that Mr..
SPARES had been killed. and that every
Free State settler was TO be expelled from
that region. The intelligence coming so
direct, our commanding officers thought
it advisable to send out a small detach-
ment of mounted men to inquire into the
character of the difficulties. Col. NJ. G.
DIckEY, of Topeka, being in town. a
small company Of volunteers, mostly from
the Barber Guards, with Capt. SAMUEL
WALKER. set out about noon OF Wednes-
day with instructions to reconnoitre, and
report with as little delay as possible of
the true state of matters.
The party arrived at Tonganoxie's, a
Delaware Indian, who resides about IF
teen miles from Lawrence. They re-
NAMED here over night. In the mean
time rumors continued to arrive of diff
culties, and outrage at Easton. The re-
ports seemed so authentic it was thought
advisable to send back to Lawrence for
additional recruits, which was done. On
Thursday the party rode to Dir. Wright's.
ten miles distant from Tonganoxie's, and
eight miles from Easton. They found
the people in tie vicinity much frighten-
ed with the reports, and all parties seem
ed apprehensiye of a bloody collision.
On Friday they rode to Easten, and
learned the facts in the case. 1t seems a
party of Kickapoo Rangers had been
prowling about the vicinity, making all
sorts of threats. They were resolved on
taking Mr.. Minard and Mr.. Sparks, and
infiicting vengeance on them. They
served a written notice on Mr.. Sparks to
leave the country prior to the 10th of
March, Or they would drive hia out with
violence. The notice was signed BY
thirty-nine Border Rufians, very large
majority of whom were unknown to Mr..
S. The people were apprehensive of an
assault upon them at any moment, and
had resolved to defend themselves as well
as they could but were determined
never to surrender to band of outlaws
and mercenaries, who had lstely shown
their charaeterby butchering Mr. BRowK.
Mr.. Sparks was found uninjured. Mr.
Minard was at his own residence, and
had prepared himself for vigorous de-
Tense. He knew his rights, and know
ing dared maintain them"
Nothing was found of the Rangers,
alias Guerr;llas. They have labored to
make themselves the terror of the whole
country by their brutality. They are
composed principally of blacklegs, who
follow the river in the summer, and dur
ing the winter, for want of other employ
ment, have engaged ia the service of the
Border Ruffians, and, freebooter-like, are
parading the country ehopping single
persons, who chance to fall into theil
hands. to pieces. and frightening women
aud children, When not out on an ex.
pedition they are found engaged in whis,
Ky drinking, gambling, fighting and
similar employments. The Kickapoc
Pioneer is their organ. and right vel
does it represent these Whose views and
Interests it reflects.
The party were reinforced by a small
company of the Lawrence cavalry. IN.
der command of Captain JOEL GRovER
on Friday. After making 3 thorough
reconnaissance of the country, and salts.
fying themselves that there was no dan.
ger of immediate violence, they set oul
On their return journey, and arrived in
Lawrence on Saturday evening, where
they were received by the citizens and
several military companies in attend
hi1ca. with three hearty cheers. and with