The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-06-02
LATER FROM KANSAS.
Origin of the Nar---IntereSting Par
ticularS.
TOPEKA, Kansas, May %, 1856.


letter, and you must excuse any shortcomings,
/ for I have just snatched moment off of mill
tary duty to devote you. You have doubt
less heard many rumors as to the origin of
the war; l will endeavor to give you true,
impartial history oft up to the present hour
When the Congressional Committee began
their investigation, the opposite party found
that they were collecting a mass of evidence
that would astonish the country, and COM
pletely annihilate their every hope of success,
and :hey determined to do something odrive
them from the country.
In fact, they commenced it before the COM
mittee had properly commenced their business.
1t is proven, beyond the shadow of doubt,
that the bogus Sheriff, JONES' was shot by or
der of the pro-slavery party. That they did
not intend to kill him is evident, for the first
shot was fired at his leg. But suppose they
had killed him? What is one life to them,
when it opens prospect for them to destroy
thousand or two Free State settlers? But,
contrary to their expectations, that failed to
bring on the war, although number of their
most prominent leaders stumped the border
counties for that purpose.
| But something else must be done. The In
vestigating Committee were bringing to light
the most extensive frauds. Even the old set
tiers themselves, who thought they were well
posted were thunderstruck at the enormities
practced by the Ruffians throughout the Ter
ritory. The next move they make is to get
Gov. Reeder out of the way. He was sum
moned before the Grand Jury at Lecompton;
he knew if he went he should never return
alive; be knew too, that they had no right to
make him go-and he refused, His friends
all. and the Congressional Committee (who by
this time were fully posted in our affairs;
and l would to God some of our honest Old
Line friends could be oct here week or two.
in order to be posted also, advised him by no
means to 60. The Marshal then sends an at
tachment after him; Reeder tells the officer
that he is exempt from arrest by virtue of his
Office, unless for certain crimes, and as none of
them are alleged against him, he could not go
with him. The committee coincide with him,
and the officer finding his errand bootless
one leaves in disgust
| The Marshal issues his proclamation; de-
clares Laurence in state Of rebellion, and calls
on the lar and order citizens to help enforce
| the laws. But sends none of the proclamations
to a large majority Of the toons in the State. In
the meantime Col. Bufords company, from
Georgia, &c. arrive at Lecompton, anxious for
a fight, as they had all their money stolen from
them on their way up the river, by some of
their company, who escaped with it, conse-
quently they are out of funds, and look upon
this as a good way to recruit.
From the arrival of this party the outrages
commence. Every traveller, every emigrant
on the public highway is stopped, and if he
does not identify himself with the pro-slavery
party, he is dsarmed and robbed. They have
stolen upwards of seventy-ive good horses
Have shot down the stock of the settlers like
public game. H ave broken open the houses
of our settlers and robbed them, and have
murdered, in cold blood, four of our most wor-
thy citizens; one Of my intimate friends, Mr..
Stewart Of New York, young fellow ofsplen-
did prospects, they shot through the brain on
day before yesterday. Four settlers from
Waubonsa, GO miles, were riding along the
road to Lawrence few days ago, and were
fired on by band of the Ruffians; two of them
escaped, of the other two nothing is known.
They steal everything they come across. A
ho road dow m tvr-O
ago, and was stopped by band of these land
pirates; they robbed him of $3.50, and then
took him to camp to hang him. The captain
objected. The men swore "they would be
id if they didn't go back to Georgia if
they had to let loose every prisoner they took;
they had come to Kansas to have some fun,
and they were going to have it." Two Indi-
anians were taken, but were released on con-
dition that they would go back to Indiana and
never return. You may rest satisfied that they
did not do it. Not satisfied with prosecuting
the men, they also abused the women. They
went to one widow lady's house and nearly
frightened her to death. After torturing her
for long time they demanded some butter
HIM aS SIG Aau Hohe, they Hidue HeI so' "
work and churn. I might 60 over list of
hundred such outrages had l time, outrages
which even savages would blush at.
The citizens of Lawrence sent delegation
after delegation to Shannon and to the Mar
shal but they were answered with insult and
violence. Some were shot at, and others ar
rested and threatened with death. They told
Shannon that they were law abiding citizens;