The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-11-15
eonpqQiicatiop.
For tie Herald Of Freedom.
A Sad Aaair.-Hordsr Rufdans On the
steam Packet Omaha.
ALTOS. Oct. 80. 1896.

4
nainful duty to record sad and thrill
ing affair that happened on board the
steam packet Omaha, Captain Holland
Last Sunday morning, the 26th inst.'
Mr.. j. w. H. Golden and myself went
aboard the Omaha, at LeaVenworth
city, for st. Louis. When we got on
board, we found a number of Border
Rufians, drinking freely and making a
great noise, hurrahing for Buchanan,
cursing Fremont, Jim Lane, and the
Free State party in general. Among
the rest were two ruffians who boasted
of having been at the battle of Osawat-
omie. and of setting FIRE to the town
They said they went there, hoping to
meet Jim Lane-they would like to
shoot the Cd d-n hound. They
shook their heavy canes furieusly
around. and said they would like to
see a d-d sbolitionist-they would
kill him like id dog. This was
damper for US, but we had to make
the best of it.
We paid our fare. and went immedi-
ately to our state rooms. l did not
room with him. On Monday, at ten
O'Clock. called at his room; I found
him very weak and pale. He expressed
some fears for his safety; wished he
was at St.Louis; said he had eat nothing
since he came aboard. l persuaded him
to get up to dinner, which ne did. |
called on him Tuesday morning. and
found him very i'll. He asked me sew
eral questions. / tried to assure him
that there was no danger. He seemed
wild; l could not wait upon him. On
Tuesday, about dark. the boat tied up
on the western shore of heavy timber
ed part of the country, about 100 miles
above st. Louis. Between 8 and y
o'clock that evening, an alarm was
made in the ladies cabin, that an in
truder was there. Several gentlemen
rushed into the cabin. but no intruder
could be found. The pilots wife gave
the following report: That very pale
man, with long hair and black NOUS
tache, came from the quarterback, en-
tered the ladies' cabin at the after door,
came to her, and begged her pardon for
intruding. but craved the privilege OF
telling her that dreadful accident was
about to happen on the boat After
uttering these words, he ran to the
land side of the boat, and jumped off.
| He had his boots in his hand, which he
dropped. This created great excite
ment on the boat. A search was made,
to see who was missing. I was horri-
fed to learn that it was my friend. Col
den..
After waiting two or three hours, to
see what would be done, | suggested to
one of the clerks that it would be no
more than just to make a search. !
thought they would find him in q few
minutes, in the woods. The following
conversation took place, in which the
principal actors were myself.two clerks,
four or FIVE Border Rufians, and the
first mate-a red headed fire-eater:
Clerk-Who is he? What do you
know about him?
C9ayfon--He is, as far as ! know. a
respectable man; gunsmith, of Leav-
enworth. He came on board with me,
Sunday. l put up at the same house
with him. He told me he had been
shot, and was suffering great pain and
sickness, in consequence.
Border Rg6an-What party did he
belong to?
Cgayton-I think, sir, he called him
self Free State man, but never took
part in any fight.
Border Ru6fan-G--d d-n him,
he'd no business there-it's pity he
wasn't killed. Who shot him?
Cioyton-I think he said he was shot
by one of Miller's men.
Mote-Did he belong to that Cd
id hound, Jim Lane?
| C2ayton--I think not, sir; / think
he told me a straight story. ] also
think he is deserving of some sympa-
thy.
Border Ruffas-Sympathy with HI
and d-n! He's Did thief, or he
wouldn't go to the ladies' cabin. He
went thar to steal, that's what he did.
The abolitionists are all d-d thieves.
Cidytoa-Sir, he is no more a thiei
than you are; he is absolutely insane.
He has suffered a great deal, has been
very sick, has taken opium to ease his
pain, and it has affected his mind. ]
think he is a gentleman, if he does diff
/ fer with me in politics.
Mate-Well, Cd d-n him, let's
go and see if we can find him.
Some ten or twelve went in search,
were gone about two hours, came back
and reported that they had tracked
him from the boat, down the river
about hundred yards, where they saw
the bank had been broken of, and
could track him no further. They
searched in the timber, called his name,
but could get no answer.
We left there early the next morning
and ne was still missing. fear he
has made his bed in the turbid waters
of the Missouri. never had anything
affect me more After he had suffered
everything but death, he was on his
way home, where he would soon hear
the fond greetings of his friends and
relatives, and where he would be vel
comed to the bosom of his fathers
family, where he could remain secure
from the blighting curse of polluted
demons. Alasl fear he is no more
but still, ! hope not. hope he hal
wandered into the woods. and will We
be saved.
The clerk opened Mr. Golden's car.
pet bag, which contained one pair oi
pantaIoons, one vest, four shirts. !.
very kind and affecsionate letter from