Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-11-26
FROM KANSAS.
The Convictions at Lecompton--Gov. Geary
Getting his Eyes Opened.
CorrespoRaenes Of The ST. LOuis Democrat.
LAWRENCE, KANSAS, Nov. 9, 1856.

/
| the other day, are sentenced to five years i'm
prisonment, two of which to hard labor, by
Judge Lecomptoe, are to be put to work npon
the capitol building in few days, and at night
to wear chain and ball attached to their feet.
| While in Lecompton, yesterday, called upon
| the Governor at his office; he has but recently
returned from Southern Kansas, and reports
that the invading marauders have left the set
| Elements where they have been committing
many depredations for several weeks past, and
| have gone into Missouri. Only-one settlement
is now troubled with them, and that is in the
vicinity of Fort Scott, where party of rob
bers from Arkansas have been stealing all they
could lay their bands on. The Governor had
ordered company of troops TO be stationed
there to drive them out.
He expresses himself delighted with the ter
ritory. Several persons were in the office
when [ went in. The Governor entered into
| conversation with me, denouncing some of the
Lawrence people for showing no disposition to
| do him Justice; to give him credit for all he
| had done. a citizen of Lawrence was pres
ent, and he defended the residents and free
| State men from the charges made against them
by his Excellency, and stated his belief, that
they were disposed to give him credit for all
his acts that were just; and proceeded to state
that they would denounce him for allowing the
five hundred murderers OF David Bafum to
escape arrest, when he had them in his power
The Governor said. the five hundred men re-
ferred to were organized as the territorial mi
litia, and were called into service by the ac-
ting Governor at the time, and that he had no
right to interfere with them.
He also remark ed, that the murderer of Buff
fun had been arrested, and was now in prison
awaiting trial charge of murder that il
had cost him several hundred dollars to do it,
but it had been done, and nothing would be
said about it by the Lawrence people. The
man from Lawrence again spoke up, and repu-
dated the insinuation Of the Governor, and |
stated that the news Of the murderer's arrest
had not reached this city when he left and /
that this was the first information received of
the affair, and that it should be made public as /
soon as possible. The Governor seemed dis |
posed to charge upon the people Of this city |
disposition to disregard his acts in their favor /
and to take notice Of them.
Al this time, VIM. Stephens, Esq, Of Mans
field, Ohio, now engaged as counsel for the |
prisoners, informed the Governor that Hayes. /
the murderer OF Buffum, had been admitted |
to bail by Judge Lecompte.
"A free State man present remarked ..Tbere
accustomed to have here in Kansas
The Governor, exceedingly perplexed and
astonished that this cowardly murderer had
been released on bail, expressed himself in an
emphatic and eloquent manner against it. He !
was justly indignant at the outrage, and in a |
loud tone of voice, he proceeded TO state the /
following-ssHow in the devil could that man |
be released on bail? He was committed for 1
murder. He has had no trial. 1t is an out |
rage. The Grand Jury have found true bin |
against him. No free State man would have
been released on bail, and you know it. gentle !
men. l viii investigate the matter within
twenty-four hours; and will report it to the
world with my name attached, and it will have
an effect. l don't say this IN a braggadocia
manner, but 1 am Governor; l am determined
to wash my hands clear from all connection
with the outrage; and the President can re-
move me if he chooses. The world will sustain
me-my conscience will sustain me-and my
God will sustain me. 1t was the foulest muir
der ever committed. The murdered man was
poor cripple. All he said was, Don't take
| my horses; = and he was shot right under my
eyes, as charged by the free State men. And
still the assassin has been admitted to bail. 1t
is outrage. He shall again be arrested and
tried. / say il openly to all concerned. /
care not what lawyers or judges are present. /
would say it if Lecompte was here, himself.''
| Col. III. ]. Titus then remarked, that per-
| haps the manswas innocent of the charge al
legged against him.
| .sThen he should have been discharged, -
| thundered the Governor. elbow can muir
derer be admitted to bail? He has had no
trial, the grand jury found true bill against
him; and he has had no trial. 1t is an out
rage. 1t is enough to make ones hair stand
on end. L will publish it to the world. Twill
make the Senate tinge; it is an outrage. No
free State man could have been admitted to
bail; he would be now in prison. am Gov
ernor, and this Hayes shall be arrested and
have his trial.
Sheriff Samuel J. Jones at this time entered
the room. The Governor asked, s.How is it
Jones, about this man Hayes %
'sOh," said Jones, she has been aduHtted to
bail. am of his bondsmen.''
''What is the amount 20 again asked the
Governor.
ssTen thousand dollars" replied Jones. 81
would give that for him at any time. He is
good fellow
'sThere it is, gentlemen,'' said the Govern
or; sit is great outrage. L am determined