The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-13
KANSAS.
WHOLESALE Prison, LEcoMProN, KANSAS,
Monday, October u, 1856.

WHOLESALE Prison, LECoMProN, KANSAS,
Monday, October II, 1856.
To the Editor of the National Era:
The process of crushing out" still con-
tinues. This horrible prison is yet full to over
flowing, and the terrible suffering within Its
walls remains undated.
One week ago, Friday night, ten or fifteen
United States soldiers came into town from
their camp, and remained until quite late, when
they started for home, pretty well intoxicated.
At short distance from town, they fired off
their revolvers. The reports were heard in
town and in the camp of the militia, and then
ensued such a scene of confusion and disgrace
as never before witnessed. "Lane's coming,
Lanes coming" resounded from one end of the
town to the other. Titus ran through the
streets like lunatic, screaming out orders to
his men, as though the safety of the Union it
self depended upon the capacity of his lungs.
The two cannon, of which have before spoken,
were drawn nearer to the prison, and freshly
loaded. The guns crew stood by with match
in hand, all ready for gallant defence-of
what? We shall see, if we have not already
seen. Titus gave orders, that if another gun
were hesrd, both cannons should be discharged
against the prison. He also sent messengers
to the people residing in the adjoining build
iugs, requesting them to go into their cellars,
ry, at the same time informing them of the or
ders he had given. This disgraceful drama
consumed three or four hours. After the mill
TIA were all formed in line of battle some be-
came suspicious of having to fight somebody
beside defenceless prisoners, and it soon be-
came observable that many of them had i'm
Portant business in camp, for Titus was heard
ordering his captains to "plsce guard over
the towards, to keep them from running" In
this strain he continued for some time But,
luckily for US, the drunken soldiers who had
so alarmed the invincible army, had discharged
all their pistols, and were too drunk to reload
them; for Captain Donaldson, son of the Mar
shall, who had command of the artillery, has
since told us, in conversation about the matter,
that his duty would have been to "obey orders"
But as the regulars went home, the mule tia,
as some call them, did the same, laying down
to pleasant sleep and dreams of glory. On the
following morning, note, stating the particu-
lars of the affair." and signed by several prison
ers, was sent to the Governor. He called
shortly afterwards, but, in reference to it, only
remarked that the militia Dere not United
States troops, and that we should know enough
of military discipline not to be alarmed at any
thing of that kind.
Grand Inquest would probably be discharged
that day, and that he had left strict orders that
all against whom no bills were found should
be Immediately released, and the remainder
provided with bedding and whatever else was
necessary to our comfort But what was the
result? The Governor left the same day with
$50 dragons, and has since been securing the
country about Prairie city and Ossawatome,
telling sweet stories to the people, while Deputy
Marshal Tebbs, who accompanied him, was
arresting them for political offences. The
Grand Jury is still in session, and may still be
for weeks-will surely be as long as there is a
| Free State man in the Territory not under in
dictment. All our original number except
three have been indicted, and are probably only
in the beginning of their sufierings.
| The following Sunday morning, one of our
number died, and was freed forever from the
hands of tyranny. He was young man named
William Bowles, formerly from St. Charles,
Missouri. We tried to get place of quiet for
him, but could not. Only one of the officers
seemed to take any notice of his danger our
wishes, except Sergeant Stsnsell, who did all
in his power, but he had his superiors. The
night previous to the death of Bowles, no ply
stefan could be got. DR.. Brooks was playing
"poker," and said he "woud not leave the
game to save all the Cd id Abolitionists
in Kansas" The reply of the others sent for
wa similar to this. Physicians from Lawrence
now visit US every day or two, and we shall not
pretend to call upon any of the heather here
| after. 1t is miracle to me, why more have
not died. The whole air is filled with disease
| sickness is seen in every corner. Our prison
| before our entrance was used as a barrack for
the militia, who left behind them lice, bed-bugs
&C., of every kind which have 80 increased, on
| account of our having no opportunities for
preserving cleanliness, until now all is a mass
| of vermin.
That day was deemed appropriate for send
| ing forth an appeal to the American people.
1t was written in great haste, read to all the
prisoners, gathered in the lower room, each of
| which attached his own name to the memorial
Bat one copy was written this was sent to the
New iccrk Tribune, and will probably be pub
lished in the da,y edition of that paper, 80 that
others will get it throus.h that quite early.
During the past week, eighty-six OF HarVey's
company were indicted under two bilIs--one
for murder, and the other for manslaughter, at
Hickory Point. One of the enemy who was
wounded at that place has since died, which is
the origin of this last bill. The other two-for
there are eighty-six of Harvey's men still here
lmprisoned-have been passed over, whether
Intentionally or not, am unable to tell. Four
prisoners from the Grasshopper Creek country,
| and NJ j. Mitchell, of Topeka who was arrest
ed by mob at Weston, Missouri, were indict
ed under another bill, for assault upon Hickory
Point with intent to hll-whon, it has not yet
been ascertained-on the day Lane first attack
| ed that place. Three of them were tried on
Friday, and acquitted, but Immediately arrested
| on another charge-they have not yet been
| told what. A bill has been found against one
other prisoner for the Osawkie affair. Two
were indicted for this, but one Of them E. G.
Whipple, has since been found to be the wrong
man. These two, Ritchey and Kagi, will be
brought up to-day for trial, but both will ask
| for a continuance, as the only witnesses by
whom they can disprove some untrue changes
| in the indictment are absent in the States
Charles Sexton, who was committed with the
others charged with being at Osawkie, is yet
here. Perhaps no bill will be found against
him. The charge against him is his offering
to pay for some oats, taken by Lanes men on
his return from Hickory Point. Two others
are held subject to indictment-one for being
| at the sacking of Tecumseh, the other for rob-
bling the Santa Fe train. On Friday, the Dis
trict Attorney entered nolle prosequi in the
case of William Breyman, one of the eighty.six,
| indicted for murder and msnslaughter. He
had been very sick, and l think it was mostly
owing to this that he was released, although
| some think they intend to use him as evil
dence for the prosecution. This will be of no
injury to the defendants, for they will prove by
him, as we'll as by some of the enemy them.
| selves, that they did not commence the fight.
! One new prisoner was brought in on Friday,
ipd four others yesterday. The former was
Elias Roak, Kentuckian, now q resident of
.he oce9s county of Doniphan. He has been
lnoiGsed lev an assault with intent to kill, upon
one ncgers' member of the Grand Jury now