Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-05-30
TIE Rev. Pardee Butler-His own
Account Of his last Abuse at Atch-

account OF ms last Abuse at Atch-
inson.
LAWRENCE. May z. 1856.
One year ago came to Kansas and
boughta claim on Sugar Greek. Atch-
inson county,
On the l8sh Of August. the Border
Ruliians of the town Of Atkinson
sent me- down the Missouri river on u
raft.
We parted under u mutual pledge
II. IL my life was spared. l would
come back to Atchinson. and they, IL
| did come back, they would hang
me.
Faithful to my promise, in Novem-
Der last, returned to Kansas with my
family; visited Atkinson in open day,
announced myself on hand. and re-
turned without molestation.
Kansas being yet sparely settled,
and having few meeting houses, il was
determined that Mrs. Butler should
live on our claim with her brothers
wife. while | should return 10 Illinois
and resume my labors as preacher.
| have been for number Of years in
the employ of churches in the counties
Of Brown and Adams. Illinois, ma
iority OF the members were. suppose.
born and raised in Kentucky.
April 30th. | returned TO Kansas,
and crossed the Missouri al Atkinson.
spoke TO no one in town. save with
two merchants Of the place, with
whom l had business transactions
since my first arrival in the Territory.
Having remained only few minutes,
went to my buggy TO resume my
journey. whea was assaulted by Rob-
ert $. Kelly, junior editor Of the Squat
Ter Sovereign, and others. was dragged
into a grocery, and there surrounded
by a company OF South Carolinians.
who are reported to have been sent
there by Southern Emigration Aid
Society.
In this last mob. noticed only two
were citizens Of Atchinson, or engag-
ed in the former mob.
It's reported that these emigrants
from the Palmetto State. seek out a
claim and make for themselves a
home: neither do they enter into any
legitimate business. They very ex-
pressively describe themselves as hav-
ing '.comc out to see Kansas thro'."
They yelled--"KiIl him kill him
Harg the id Aboltionist."
One of their number hustled up 10
me aud demanded
''lfave you a revolver ~
/ 1 replied-"No."
He handed me a pistol saying
"Tbere. take that. and stand of Ten
steps. and Cd d--n you, will blow
/ you thro' in an instant -
/ replied--"I have no use for your
weapons"
i | afterwards heard them congratu
lating themselves in reference TO thi.
that they had acted honorable with
me. The fellow was furious, but hi,
companions dissuadcd him from shoot
ing me, saying they were going tc
hang me.
II can picture to myself the lool
of a Cuban bloodhound. just ready
with open jaws to seize apanting slave
in q Florida swamp. then imagine
We have correct dagucrrcotype o
the expression worn bylthese cmigran
representatives. Of the manly senti
ment, heightened courage aud mag,
unanimous feelings Of the South Carroll
M chiyalry, when FIRST they scented
in their own imagination--the blood o.
a live "Abolitionist."
Hang himl' they yelled; chang
the did Abolitionist u
They pinioned my arms behind me
obtained a rope. but were interrupted
by the entrance Of u stranger---a gen
tIeman from Missouri. since ascertain
cd to be Gen. Tut. n lawyer. O
r Buchanan county. He said:
my friends, hear me. l am al
!, old man, and IL is right you shoul'
: hear me. | was born in Virginia. an,
! have lived many years in Missouri
5 | am a stakeholder. and desire Kun
4 sas TO be made Slave Statc--ifit cal
D be done by honorable means. But yo,
: will destroy the cause you are seekin,
D to bnild up. Yon have taken thi
r man. who was peaceably passing thro
$ your streets and on the highway. do
J. Ing no person any harm. We proies
c TO be law andsorder men. and shoul
/ be the last to commit violence. Ii lhi
: man has violated the law, let him b
n punished according to law: but for tn
a sake of Missouri-for the sake Of Kan
!. sas-lor the sake Of the pro-slaver
{ cause do not act in this way"
c They dragged me into another gre
c Gerry. and appointed a moderator
y Kelly told his story.
Irose 10 my feet. and calmly, IN
e in respectful language. began to te
d mine. l was repeatedly jerked to m