Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1856-09-11
Confessions Of a Border Rufian
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of Meridian, CT. The Connecticut papers
endorse Mr.. Williams as reputable and
reliable man. 1t would seem, according to
Mr.. Williams account, that Buford's men
are not only ruffians and murderers, but
partake somewhat of the character of can
nibals:
CITIZENS OF HARTFORD: Two years ago
| was here, and well known to the Hart
ford people. Since then l have passed my
life, part of the time in Alabama, and
part of the time in Kansas. l shall deliv-
er to you this evening, not a political har-
angue, but a plain statement of facts which
came under my own observation, and part
of my own sad experience.
In January last Col. Buford of Alaba-
ma, where then resided, offered for sale
so negroe slaves, the proceeds of which
were to be given to pay the expenses Of
Young men, unmarried, who would emi-
crate with him to Kansas. The induce
ments held out the emigrants were 16O
acres of Government land, which the Col.
should put each man in possession Of
When the lands were brought into market
they were to be sold, and one half the pro-
ceeds should be retained by the Colonel ;
the other halt, 80 acres of the land, should
be the property of The emigrants. Upon
these conditions enlisted, the third upon
his list.
We left New Orleans to stem the swift
rolling Father of Waters for Kansas, 3O5
men in all. Nothing happened on the way
worthy of note until we arrived at Lex
ington. Mo-, which we did on the Sabbath
day. As we came up to the wharf the
church bells were ringing, and services had
commenced, Upon our arrival ministers
stopped in their services, churches were
closed, and we were escorted by a large
procession and find band of music to one
of the churches, which had been re-opened
for us, where We listened to-what shall |
call them! Speeches! Orations! I'll call
them sermons-a kind of Border Ruffan
sermons. They were to encourage us to
do all in our power to make Kansas Slave
State; and after our sermons from these
ministers of the Gospel of Christ, Buford
declared for us, with tears in his eyes, that
we would make Kansas Slave State by
cords if we could-if not it should be done
by arms.
Returning to the boat, We went OH till
we came to Kansas City. Here we march
ed to small hotel, which would accom-
modate about one-third of lis. There was
large Free State hotel in the city, but
we were forbid enteringit. Thus we stayed
for three nights, taking cur turn of sleeping
in bed in the open air. The weather was
yerv wet; it rained almost every half day.
On the morning of the fourth day we
marched to Westport, four miles. Here
there were no hotel accommodations for US,
and were told that cloth would be furnish
ed those who might not use the canopy OF
heaven for covering. Cheap cotton cloth
was furnished lis. After two or three days
tents were made.
In few days Buford provided carts and
oxen to transport our provisions and bag
gage. He would allow no trunks to be
taken, which inconvenienced but very few
of us, as we had but little clothing to car
ry. l was used to driving cattle in my
native town of Meriden, and the fact that
was good teamster being known, 1 was
appointed boss teamster. 1t was high
office! and l filled it well.
And thus coming from the warm climate
of the South into the cold winds of the
North, we suffered much as we drove eight
miles from Westport, where we were call
ed halt. Here our train was divided into
several parties, and were to proceed separ-
ately to our lands, some to Topeka, some
to Lecompton and some to other places.
NY company were bound to Lecompton,
We shook hands with each other as parting
brothers, sadly, for as brothers we were,
and as united as the Fremont clubs are
united now. Cheers.
continued with my company, some of
whom we buried on the way, they having
died from the hardships they endured ;
through rains and sleet, fording creeks and
wading through prairie mud for ten tedi-
GUS days, when we arrived at Lecompton,
and 10! here we found two or three other
companies, who, having started for other
points, had been conducted to Lecompton
by their leaders. Before night another
company arrived; and another; and anoth-
er until we were altogether again, at Le-
compton.
When we were about mile west of
Lawrence, one day, on our way to Leeomp-
ton, | was a mile or two ahead of my COM
pany, looking for a suitable place to pitch
our tents, when l met three respectable
looking gentlemen, and was asked by one
of them where | came from. told him,
"None of his business" "Where was |
goine?' | told him "Where l had mind
to-" 1t altered the matter with me, how
ever, when he told me that he was Dep
utv United States Marshal, and his name
Donaldson. After receiving my apologies,
he told me that he was on his way to
Lawrence to arrest Messrs. Reeder and Rob
inson, and wanting help had spoken to me
in the manner he had. told him there was
a company behind of fifty of Buford's men
who would soon be along, and he could use
them. Upon their arrival, we were order
ea TO pitch oar tents and lie upon our arms
all night, after stationing sentinels around
the camp, and await further orders. All
through the night we watched, but heard
nothing of Donaldson. At daybreak we
resumed our march, and went to Lecomp-
ton, where we arrived as before stated. |
saw Donaldson there, and asked him where
Robinson was. Oh, he said, he went To
Lawrence after Robinson, and told him that
he had warrant for his arrest, and was
told by Robinson, "Take me if you dare ''
As he did not dare, he left him until he
| o,uId o,et mon enourh fo take him from the