The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-05-16
FOR TIE INDEPENDENT PRESS.
A Letter from Kansas.

you receive it, as l know that several are in
advance Of this.
We had quite pleasant trip of it to this
sunset place. 1t is true that it was not
very pleasant to travel six or seven hundred
miles on railroad cars, in so short time
we travelled day and night--hut when we
reached Nashville we had nice time on
the steamboats, the balance of the way
We stopped in st. Louis about two days to
supply ourselves with guns, pistols, bowie
knives, &C., that We thought we might need
in the Territory.
We arrived here on the 22d, and were
very agreeably surprised, both in regard to
tho appearance of the place and the people.
The city, though small as yet, is beautifully
situated on high bluff on the river, and
as soon as we are on the top of the bluff, we
see the prettiest country that ever saw
1t appears to be a 5oundless prairie, varied
with beautiful green slopes and plains, which
give it somewhat the appearance of the
ocean. I wish that was able to describe
it just as see it; but am not But can
say that have travelled in fourteen or ff-
teen of the States, and I can assure you
that l have not seen anything to compare
with Kansas; in fact 1 think it the garden
spot, North or South, and l do not blame
the Yankees for contending for it, but I do
blame the Southern people for their sloth
and Indifference in securing it; for assure
you that is worth contcnding for.
We were very much surprised and graft
fed with the warm reception we met here
from the "border ruffians" as they are
called. We had beard all tho time that
this was an Abolition town, and we of course
expected to have the cold shoulder turned
upon us-but not so. There were three or
four hundred people standing on shore at
the landing, to see if there were any emf
grants on board our boat, and when they
learned that there were about fifty Of US, all
Southerners, you may guess that they wei
So'hSo uS' AhS'o "ao, homeFei, UuL oAe
large hotel here, and that kept by Black
Republican, and we were determined not to
patroniso him. The people went to work,
put up beds, &c, in the Masonic Hall, and
that is our lodging for the present We
board at a private house, which is better
than tho hotel.
We had no sickness among us on our
journey, excepting that one of our party
had two or three chills-very slight how
ever. But since We arrived here several of
the boys have the measles, though it is of
very mild form.
We are all here yet, though some of the
boys are speaking Of different trips. Some
want to 60 one way, some another. and
some intend to remain here; so we are like
ly. to be scattered in few days.
We thought there was a chance for a
fight with the Black Republicans the day
after we arrived here; but we were disap-
pointed. The circumstances I will try to
tell you, though you will no doubt hear fifty
different tales about it; for just here, where
it happened, it is very hard matter to get
at the truth, but think that have it,
In small town, called Lawrence, about
twenty five miles from here, the Sheriff (who
was proslavery many attempted to arrest
and did arrest man, for some offence, who
was an Abolitionist. The inhabitants of
the town, being also Abolitionists. attempted
to rescue him from the Sheriff, and succeed
ed in doing so. The Governor then or
dered FIVE men from Fort Leavenworth to
the Sheriff's assistance. The Yankees re-
sisted the Sheriff and u. S. soldiers, the
Sheriff receiving two wounds which are
supposed to be mortal. The news from
Lawrence last night stated that there was
no hope of bis recovery. Gle was shot,
believe, with Shapes rifes.) Tie next
day, which was the day after our arrival,
the Governor. ordered four companies from
the Fort, consisting Of about three hundred
men, we'll mounted, with. three tdays.spro.
vision. The Fort being near: heie, We ali
concluded to go out and see the companies
start and join. them il, they would accept
our services. Accordingly we all s(about
thirty in number shouldersd our asharpe'sn
and shot-gpps, with repeaters aud bowie.