The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-06


the second regiment at Osawkie. Both will be
tried on Saturday. Whipple will not attempt
to disprove his identity with the Colonel of that
name, but will conine bis defence to an abb.
In Ritchey's case, the main question will come
up. The proof that he was a participant in the
affair is irresistible. And were it less so, il
would make no difference
The Free State party were driven by actual
'odr, and by impending starvation, to take from
those who had brought these calamities upon
us, provisions and necessary clothing, by the
same force which had been used in attempts at
our destruction. Mr. Ritchey with others
chose this course in preference to starvation,
and he is too bold and is too conscious of the
righteousness of his cause, to shrink from any
just accountability.
During the preliminary examination, before
Judge Cato, of the Hickory Point affair, seven
OF the prisoners were identified by witnesses
present, as being concerned in this battle. This
morning, while we were on parade several who
were In that battle, on the side Of the enemy
were brought in to examine us for Identification
They testified to recognising FIVE more. Three
OF these were doubtless there but two. Henry
Hoover and j. II. Kagi, were both at Topeka
the lchote day of the battle, while the former
resides at Pleasant Hill, ten miles from Osaw-
kie-being at that time twenty miles farther
than his home from the scene of action An
dltot will be proved in both cases. | think that
all arrested on the charge of being engaged
there, will be discharged by Saturday, or early
next week-probably, though, to be re-arrested
on some other charge.
One of the guards, who went with prisoner
to the river this morning for water, tried TO get
him to run, saying he wonld shoot orer him.
The prisoner recollected having heard some Of
the guards saying they should attempt some
I Al, Il.
shoot any of us.
learn, that while on his way to the States.
ID. Miles Moore has been again arrested by
another mob down at Lexington, or some other
point on the river. l can give no particulars
Inc authorities, receiving information that
some OF the late emigration would pass on their
way to Lawrence to-day by the main road,
which is three miles from here, became fearful
OF a rescue took away the militia guard, and
again placed over US one composed of regular
troops. SO they have given up reliance on the
potency OF their uniform for protection. The
militia are all IN camp, ten or fifteen rods back
of the prison.
STATEMENT OF CAPTAIN MITCHELL.
IN Prison AT LECoNPToS,
October 10, 1856.
DEAR SIR: You ask of me brief statement
OF the circumstance of my seizure and subse.
quent Imprisonment and arrest at this pIace.
together with such other facts as may be neces.
sary to proper understanding of the case.
below, Will sndeavor to comply with your re
quest:
L was born in Canton county, Kentucky. in
the year 1927. resided at my birthplace until
1851, when came to Liberty, CLAW county
Missouri. Two years since, came from re
latter place to Kansas, and have, during the
little peace that has been left US, been carving
On the trade of master builder, at Topeka.
About the first of June last, / was elected
Captain OF Company f, Topeka Free State
Volunteers, and served in that capacity for nm.
wards of two months, and resigned that office
at the urgent request of General Lane. who
gave me commission as one of his aids
When the General went to Nebraska about the
time OF the arrival of Governor Geary, for the
purpose of escorting down from there a comma
ny of emgrants, who were in waiting near the
line, accompanied him. On account Of some
necessary business transactions, however, did
not return with the company, as | had expect
ed, but remained at Nebraska city until the
Sd INST, when, supposing that peace had IN
sued, thought | could come home in s,,fafv
by way of st. Joseph, Weston, and ,havan,
worth-this being a much more ccnCortabIa
route than the uninhaJited and direct one
took an express for st. Joseph, st which nIaca
! embarked on board the steamer David Ta,um
Tor Weston, where ! arrived Tuesday morn.
ing, the 7th.
A short time after my arrival, a crowd Of
men, OIL all ages-and degrees of Drunkenness
began to gather about the hotel at which hal
put up. In this assemblsge was Draft Thorn
ason, who had known me during nv residence,
IN Liberty, and had since learned that / com.
manded company Of Free State volunteers.
Ihomason is known as being one of the most
notorious gamblers in Western Missouri. This
man busily engaged himself in pointing me
out TO the mob, who received his remarks and
epithets with the most fendish shouts and eye.
crations | ever heard.
In an hour and half or so. a man came n,
TO me, and, after considerable hesitation. said.
wen, nelSheor, l suppose l shall have to ar,
ress You." | asked him by what authority be
Cid so; and he replied, that 81 it was said had
D Tteen captain OF an Abolition company up ia
Kansas, and it was his duty, as an officer of the
city of Weston, to arrest me, and send me IN
the Marshal of the Territory" This officer
then procured of Thomson and of DR.. Str;ng.
iello" the names of several persons, which. h..
SAID he wished to send to the Marshal. as wit.
nesses against me. Some objected to nv be-
ing sent to the Territory Stringfellow Was
foremost among these. He said | should bs
hung at once; that such a proceeding voul5
save great deal of trouble that there would
then be no difficulty with me hereafter. Alter
considerable deliberatiOn however, it was de-.
cided that should be sent in irons to Leayen.
worth, to be there given into the charge of the
Marshal. Many expressions, which | cannot
such as Hang the Cd ID son
OF BIB" and others, too indecent to think
OF writing, were applied to me during this CON
ference This particular one was several times
used by DIR. Stringfellow. The officer then Isft
me, entirely unprotected and surrounded bv
the mob, and in a few moments returned with
a pair OF handouts, which he, with others WHOM,
he had called TO his assistance, placed upon
me, carriage was then procured, IN which
was placed, with guard or deputy, of the
name OF Owens; another rode beside Us, on a
mule. Under this escort, I arrived at LeayeD
worth the same dag. did not come all the
way IA ifoas, however-for, before proceedioo
lar out OF Weston, Owens addressed me VIII
Mr. Mitchell, believe you are white man
and g gentleman; and no man of honor sbord
De treated thus, like dog" and took the irons
on me- AT Leavenwortb, was delivered over
70 u Deputy Marshal McMechan. lie talk
ed OF taking me to the town of Delaware. IN
pace me N JAIL there; but on my Offering to
pay 'as expenses of guard, if ne would let
me remain at Leavenworth, he sent TO Don.
aldson, who consented to my offer.
A guard OF two was employed, BON :, Tho
room with me. Some nights, woAn ali 80
drunk, they would imagine that Lane En,
Lane, they called him-was coming 40 rsscna
me- and then they would put ON three add,
s:onal guaT1s-one at the door OF nv room
Which was in the second story, another at the
sop of the stairs, and another at the foot. Re-
a drun EaT