The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-20

oAOWu budt Tue U6ciaraClOQ was maze IN the
hearing and without any dissent on the part of
York. He said that if it could be proven that
York assented to desire to be in the company
of Lane on that day, he should charge the jury
to find him guilty of murder. Whoever heard
OF such outrageous atrocity Pleasant Hill,
where they stopped, is ten miles from Hickory
Point. At night, while on his way home, York
stopped at Harveys camp, and was there taken
prisoner with the others.
Although the boys were all arrested by Cap
tain Wood, "by authority of Governor Geary,"
stand said he was along" and considered the
arrest made by himself, and professed to be able
to identify all the prisoners taken.
The prosecution will commence their pleas
Immediately, and the trial will probably be
brought to close some time next Monday.
Samuel Holman, who has been six weeks a
prisoner, has just been indicted for coppering
the Santa Fe train. have already given you
the particulars of his case.
The four Prairie City boys brought in last
Sunday have been trying all the week to get an
examination, so as to get out on bail for court
adjourns next week, and the Hickory Point case
will probably occupy the time till then. But
all their entreaties are of no avail and they
remain here in suffering, their families at home
in the same condition, and their crops and
other property going to waste-all for prefer
ring that Kansas should be free State.
Mr. Rock, for shooting at man to save his
own life, is refused either trial at this term.
or bail, which he is willing to give, and can, to
any amount. He is a Free State man, and the
man who unsuccessfully attempted to murder
him for saying that our difficulties were com.
menced by missionaries, is Pro Slavery man.
This accounts for much in other cases, as we'll
as in his. The three hundred dollars per week
which the United States marshal makes by
keeping US here, will go far towards making up
the remainder.
Two Pro-Slavery men have been arrested this
week. I'll tell you all about it. The first was
Jacob Hurd. l have not been able to learn
upon what charge he was arrested, but the fol-
lowing facts will give some intimation of the
cause. He has brother named Henry, a
strong Free State man, who was arrested with
Hsrvey's company, but escaped, after being
brought here. Inquiries were made for Hurd
and it being learned that a man of that name
lived between this and Lawrence, "deputy,"
having no acquaintance with him, was sent
down for his arrest. He was kept here day
| or two, and then liberated by some peculiar
process known only to Border Ruffian courts
| They probably learned the facts as have sta
ted them, and their sympathy broke his bonds.
| The name of the other / do not know. He has
been long time committing depredations on
the road to Leavenworth and on the stranger;
but at last he mistook his prey, who, instead of
being an Aboltionist proved to be Pro,Sla-
very man. who made complaint to the grand
jury. Eleven bills were found against him,
most of them being for arson and attempts at
murder. He was at once admitted to bail in
the sum Of fifteen hundred dollars, or less than
one hundred and fifty for each crime. Titus
subscribed with him. "Law and Order" men
will endeavor to show by this that the courts
are determined to deal out impartial Justice to
of all parties, but the facts in this case will
hardly admit of that supposition. Free State
men, for less offences, are absolutely refused
| bail at all.
There is said to be a clause in some of the
bogus laws, making it the duty of the grand ju-
~ to inspect and report the condition Of the
prisons within the jurisdiction of the court, at
each session. In compliance with this provi-
sion, the grand jury day before yesterday paid
| us visit. Their entrance was rather abrupt
and was glad of it, for they had an opportu-
nifty of seeing our real condition. Here were
two or three dozen men sleeping upon the floor,
with borrowed blanket thrown over them.
They were a psrt of those who had walked the
floor and swung their arms the whole long night
before, to keep from freezing. There were
score rcore racked with sickness, rolling upon
the hthy foor--one moment cursing their op-
the desolate and destitute loved ones at home.
And, lastly, yonder were the remainder strip
ped half naked, cleansing themselves of YER
min, the blood running down their writhed
| backs in great streams. 40 God" said one
of the jurors, " this is too horrible; and had
seen it before, / never could have been induced
to do as / have DONE" And believe he spoke
as he felt, or as nearly so possible. Major
Bickerton told them he was glad they had come
TO see their own work, and hoped they would
profit by it. He reminded them of the Koszta
affair and the Gubsa prisoners; how this Gov
eminent had twice carried Itself to the very
verge Of war, once for the protection OF single
individual whose citizenship was of but few
| months duration, and at another time in rescu-
ing from punishment Americana who had inva-
ded neighboring aud friendly nation, in direct
violation of law, injunctions and proclamations
of both - all this merely because they were,
what it was once an honor to be, american oit-
izens, while we are to be hung for defending
our own homes and blood. "Ah, there is
wrong somewhere" replied many. They prom
ised to reprimand the marshal for his conduct,
and compel him to provide better for US in the
future. The next day he brought enough tick
| ing for a dozen mattresses, and, with a load of
hay, few have fixed beds in which they can
rest with comparative comfort. In fact, / never
before slept SO soundly and sweetly as | did
last night.
For three or four days, the marshal - old
Donaldson - has, by alternate threats aud Of
| fers of brides, been endeavoring to compel or
persuade one of our men to betray US, and give
evidence for the State; but we keep no such
men, and today gave Donaldson warning that
| he must never come again upon such an er-
rand.
We have again free press in Kansas. The
Topeka Tribune has revived, and the Herald
Of Freedom. has risen. May they long do noble
battle for our rights.
AT the adjourned Nominating Convention at
Big Springs, on Monday, Reeder was put forth
az candidate for Congress. But the cold
weather now coming on will keep many from
| the polls and then there will probably be a
deputy marshal at each place of holding eec-
ton, with his pockets full of writs, then, con-
| sidering tic hundreds and thousands of our
men who have been driven from the Territory,
our vote must certainly be 6 small part of that
which really belongs to US.
| But | am almost frozen stif-my Gngera
hive nc more feeling than the pen-and must
| close before have halt done, X.
LAWRENCE, ~: Tone of the wonders Of the
age is Lawrence. n person at distance would
| suppose that the iahabi. ants of this city would
flee and leave it to decay AID ruin The threat
| enings, the sieges, and burnings, which 1t has
| passed through, has frightened no o,He, burt ont
few, and fixed all in determination 70 stay
and maintain their rights.
Property has never deprecated, but, on the
contrary, has gone on, regularly increasing in
value, till lots on Massachusetts, street are sell
IT, a. u