The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-08-30

Al -. LbskAs
q SAM'L A. RUSSELL.
District. NV. ~. STONE.
4" ...........H. O'CONNOR.
Kanxas..The Exaggerated reports.
The exaggerations Of the Pro Slavery
press in Kansas are so stupendons as al
most to surpass belief. We have seen how
the terrible affair at Frsnklin has been
narrowed down to a comparatively unimpor-
tant contest,-a contest on part Of few in
d,viduals against some robbers Tor the pur-
pose Of regaining possession Of their prop
ertv.
A correspondent, Of the Warsaw Bulletin
writing from Leavenworth City, an old Dem.
ocrat and reliable man long q resident OF
Hancock county, gives the following state
ment of the circumstances which transpred
a, Franklin, the truth Of which he vouchcs
for:
81 send you q copy of the Leavenworth
Journal, which exhibits the spirit of the
Pro- Slavery party also an extra just Issued.
The truth is however that every thing stated
in the extra arc false from beginning to end.
The circumstances which gave rise TO il are
ms follows: A company Of about sixty Geor
gisns and South Csrolinians e part Of the
Southern Standing Army went out to regH-
late the Free State men IN the neighborhood
OF Franklin, and one OF their 6rst acts was
to seize upon couple OF Stage Horses used
upon the line between Westport, NO., and
Lawrence, Kansas Territory. The proprie-
tor Of the line first sent one man after the
no. skn. tka,r
he then sent three other men, with . like re-
suit. He then applied to company Of about
forty Free State men to assist him in recap
turing his property. They started, and Us
they approached the Southerncrs, they fled
and took refuge in Lighthouse. The other
party sent one Of their men with white flag
to the house demanding the return of the hor-
ses, which was refused, and returned the
further message that they should neither
give nor ask any quarters. As the man re
turned with the message, they opened Ere
upon him and the other Free State men
through the cracks OF the building. The
Free State men seeing that they could not
cope against u larger number, and they too
under cover, procured an old wagon, loaded
it with hay and fred it, and then backed il
up against the house--the FIRE soon commu-
nicated to the building. The br0voss Of the
South finding themselves in close quarters,
cried Justify for quarters, which we're granted,
they handing over to the other party their
arms, ammunition, &C., and were then per.
mitted to leave. Thus ended tho battle.
The Gre WAS extingnished without much in.
Jury to the building. Seven Free State men
Gere killed and wounded, one Of whom was
shot dead. The other party suffered less in
ury.
These are the facts which learned from
two persons, who were near the scene at the
.ime--one n Pro-Slavery man, both sub
'tantiaiiy agreeing in regard 80 the facts.
! he engagement took place near Franklin on
he 18th inst.
Now this was the affair which was made
he foundation of the violent and in
inmmatory appeals to the Missourians 10
ush into and overrun the Territory, and drive
'ut the Free State men and take possession Of
heir property. 1t Was magni6ed into general
warfare NIL over the Territory, Unto general
,prising and organization of the Free State
men. The truth is that there is q good deal |
u skirmish fighting in the Territory. Many
ire falling victims, and anarchy and confusion
prevail. This is bad enough. 1t 10 horrible. |
But the bloody Gghts aud 6sndish conduc,
attributed to the Free State men, who have
themselves been tho chief and almost only
sufferers and have acted only on the defensive
n TO obtain possession Of property Of which
hey have been robbed, are all fabricated,
1nd sent abroad for the purpose Of preju- /,
icing the Free State cause, to cover the de-
igns and palliate the conduct Of the Ruff
lans, TO commit moderate men to their cause,
mi to bring large amount Of force and
means to their assistance. Lecompton has
aot been taken; the United States forces
lave not been whipped, --have not even been
stacked, US We stated ia the outset was
probably not the case Col. Titus has NOT
been allied; the treason prisoners have not
'een rescued not one OF the material state !
nenss which the Rufian. originated and gave
currency to are .rae.
And yet. Buchaneer journals which profess
Q have no sympathy with the Rufians; which
'rofess TO be As much opposed TO Slavery
Extension as anybody which profess to DO
= anxious TO see the Free State men have
f.y - ;..e 81. .a.4ns, have published ,..ses
l.af'anly reports. false and ycnomous in
'helr Charges upon the Free State party,
have helped to prejudice the Frec State men
and their cause to the utmost extent that il
was possible to do by the most stupendous
'ies' ana yes refuse to qualify tho statements
81 the Kn.hans in the least degree, refuse to
nform the people as 10 the ascertained and
actual truth in the matter, but let that false
,ood which makes agains, the Free State
len and Free State Cause have free and un-
restricted course.
WIrHpKAws.--4l. NJ. Whitney, one of the
fillmore electors of Illinois, has withdrawn
lis name from the ticket. He says tho cause
i Fillmore is hopeless, and he cannot con-
ent, By dividiD ( the forces Of Freedom, to
lay into the hrnds Of the Pro-Slavsry par
J.