Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-12-12
Trial Of the Free State Prisoners in
Judge Lecompte's Court.
Indictment and Arrest of Emor,

Lawrence, Kansas, Oct. 80, 1856.
Seven young man of the Free State
prisoners who have been indicted for
murder in the first degree, were taken
into Court at Lecompton, to-day, by
the United States Deputy Marshal,
and their trial commenced. The wit
nesses for the Territory were introdu-
ced and gave in evidence to the effect
that some of the prisoners at the bar
were recognized as being engaged in
the warlike attack upon Hickory Point,
on the 14th of September last, which
resulted in the death of Chas. G.
Newhall, who was shot while engaged
in the fight. Some doubt existed as
to which party fred first. the witness
es manifested considerable shrewdness
in the attempt to evads direct an
swer to the question. Two of them
were overheard boasting in private
conversation that "they fred FIRST, but
it was not known to the Attorneys"
and they took considerable credit to
themselves for their success in not let
ting the Court know about it.
One witness testified that on the
morning Of the 18th of September, a
party Of men numbering 500 surroun-
ded the house, and with their cannon
commenced an attack upon it. The
asailants were under the command OF
Col. Harvey, well armed. dc. That
the party in the house were in two
companies-one, the company from
Atchison, was commanded by Capt.
Robertson. The other was raised in
that vicinity, and commanded by Capt.
Lowe. They numbered so men,
When Harvey's men approached, the
men in the house had black flag fly-
ing from it, and after fight, which
continued FIVE hours, it was taken
down and white one put in its place.
They surrendered, made q treaty. and
Harvey's men started back 10 Law
renee; while on their way they were
captured by the United States Ora.
goons, under the command Of Col.
Cook, and taken prisoners to Lecomp.
ton.
AS VIC expected, every one of the
jurymen on this case are Of the most
ultra pro-slavery men in Kansas, each
one taken the oath prescribed by the
bogus laws, to support the Fugitive
Slave Law, &C., DC. The Marshal
did well for his party, in going about
the county, and wherever he found q
pro-slayery man, Of the Atchison
school, to subpoena him to appear as O
Juror. He got sixty men in this way,
and made only one mistake and got
Free State man among them. but he
was soon disposed of by the attorney
for the Territory. who challenged him
and thereby prevented him from ser
wing.
The Governor has not returned
from Southern Kansas, where he has
been for some time with the troops
engaged in capturing Free State men
Cubik keu WIN tuc Oohhtooioh w ocshe
crime or other, In the defence Of theil
sacred rights. The last heard OF him
he was on the Neosho.
Capt. Emery. Of Levcnworth, the
murderer Of William Phillips. The
man that took the Rev. Mr.. Mute and
Mr.. Wilder prisoner while travelling
on the highway and imprisoned them
in dungeon for days, and stole theil
teams and other property. appeared
before Judge Lecompte and gave one
thousand dollars bond to appear fol
trial. Emery has been indicted by tn,
Grand Jury, and the Court is not SC
severe upon Pro. slavery rs upon Frc'
State men. accused for crime.
Judge Lecompte refuses to admit
Free State man. now q prisoner. 4
bail, man that is sick, and has fam
lily Of four children at home to provide
for. He Is not so indulgent toward
him as towards Emery. ION.