The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-11-25
FROM KANSAS.
A LETTER FROM THE FREE: STAN
II rt'H 1F" "pRfSoNEuS.
of Che prisonerI
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
DUPLIclTY OF GOV. GEARY

| ..f IT
Correspondence Of the Chicago Tribune.
! III i'RisoN AT LEcoMProS, KANSAS,
4 yle8J saH TniHlfss October 49, 1886.
To tie Americrn People:'ra eie
It. we'll known that before tho arrival OF
|. Gov. Geary in Kansas, the Territory was raw
nged by tho disastorous civil war. 1t tiscqual
| ly we'll known that in all the terrible drama
tho people of Kansas wore all alone tho suf-
fers; and the organized bands of robbers and
murders from Missouri and far Southern
States where alone the perpetrators Of tho
outragcs we endured.
CAUSE OF THE WAR.
In the beginning they had wrested our gov
enment from us, and made our 'laws;" but
finding us, as should every pcoplc who have
tasted tho sweets of liberty, unwilling to obey
their dictates and acknowledge them our lords,
| they use fire, starvation and tho sword
! 30 bring subnaission. Having no
resource but submission to plundor, or fight,
wo drove back tho robbers and in some in
stances succeeded in recapturing our proper
| ty.
ARRIVAL OF GOV. GEARY.
Gov. Geary appeared among us ubout tho
first of September, and was hailed as our de-
liverer. The much lamcnted Major Hoyet,
who had known Geary in Pennsylvania, in
Mexico and in California, assured us that We
might hope for Justice and protection. Gea-
ry's course at Levenworth City, and tho as
surance of Mr.. Adams, his confidential friend
and advises, together with our ardent hopes
for peace and rest, led us to believe he would
be our friend. All at last were willing to
try him, to.act with him, and nnder his ad-
vice. Nor was this confidence in his friend
ship abated by his Inaugural Address and
Proclamation which was issued on tho 1lth,
copies of which were brought down to Law
rance tho same evening by Mr.. Adams and
read to the people. We therefore determined
to take no offensive steps without his sane
tion.
At daybrake on the morning Of tho 10Th
of September, Gov. .Gcary at the head of 400
u. s. troops, rode up to the fort on Capitol
Hill, near Lawrancc, and asked who had CON-
mand of the place. Captain Bickerton an
swered, 81 have the honor to command hero
at present" The Governor then advanced say
ing, 81 am Gov. Geary of Kansas l have
come to prevent the eifusion of blood have
heard that a body of ] 500 men arc marching
on Lawranco for tho purpose of destroying
tho town." Geary was then asked if he knew
this to be fact, and he replied that he had
it officially. Capt. Bickerton remarked that.
~ there are no moro than 1899 q sucy VIII 90
back faster than they came" With an ap-
pearancc Of astonishment the governor asked,
"Don't you expect to bc governed by the
Constitution Captain Bickerton rcspon-
dcd that "thc Free State men had always been
governed by it,"
Tho Governor said ho must SEQ that tho
laws (TorritoriaD be obcyed. Bckcrton ro-
plicd that tic FREQ State mon could not do
so, so long as they believe Slavery to be an
evil, for they could not oven express senti-
mcnts in accordance with their belief without
exposing themselves to the heaviest penalties.
After somo further conversation about tho
laws and their validity, the Governor cnouir
od rs to who were the constituted AUTHORITY of
Llwr@ncc, and being answered that therc arc
know persons possessing that pasticular tito,
he offered to treat with Capt. Bickerton.-
Tho Captain however, declined, and sent tho
Governor into town whore he was warmly
welcomed by large number Of citizens, and
other Kansas settlers who had taken rcfugo
in that place. The Governor assured them
in speech, that he intended to dive all law
less bands out of the Tcrntory, but for tho
present advised the FREQ State mon TO romain
under arms for their own protection, and not
disband until he should first have accomplish
ed his part.
GRAss-nopPER FALLS DESTROYED.
While Lawranco was being visited by tho
Govenor band of Southern maraudcrors.
under tho lead Of ono Robertson, made a de- !
cent upon tho town of Grasshoppcr Falls, and
after having plundered the Same, set fire to
it, burning Il considerable amount Of property.
They then retrcated to Hickory Point, whoro
they intended to romain fortified until called
upon by tho main body of tho .'law and or
der army toad IN the whipping out of Law
rcncc tho day following. a
GEN. LANES MovEMEsqs
Gen. Lane, who had not yet seen the Gov
ernor's Proclamation, with between fifty and
a hundred men happened to pass near Hck-
ory Point and at the unanimous demands of
tho citizens under him, lo led them to an at
tack upon tho fortified ruflians; but having
no artillery he found himself unable to dislogo
thcm without great loss, 50 no Withdrew and |
sent to Lawrance for reinforccmcnts.
adams, GEARY's CONFIDENTIAL ADVISER.
ifi b9lh1f RECOMMENDS FIGHT
Lanes message arrived at Lawrancc on tho |
evening of the 18th. Many wished to obey
tho summons at once, Others were in guam
dairy; Robcrtsoh's Company would soon join
tho forco beforo Lawrancc, and must be whip |
ped then il not now--which course should
be takenl Mr. Adams tho friend of the
Governor, and who remained in town aftcr the
departure of Gcary, privately advised many
to go, and publicly sanctioned the expedition,
-remarking that hc would go himself Il hc
only had a horse. This decided tho course
of the people. '1' ~
THEY DO FIGHT.
They thought for onco that thcy could
defend their hones aud their friends with tho
Of high authority-a force of 1910
was raised and marched under tho command
Of Col. Harvey. In tho meantime L;.ne hav-
inc received the Goycrnor. pro..l.,,,,,ti,o 49,,