The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1856-08-28

"emigratlon' had stirred up commotlon
in Missouri; and the ruflans were again
upon the border. A large band was
posted as far east as Marysyille; and
smaller parties were securing the from
tier to ascertain at what point the emf
grants meant to cross. The undersigned
could not enter Kansas even through this
remote pass, except by running muck
over the frontier, and risking encounter
with bands of mounted rufians, who are
ever ready to pounce upon parties small
er than their own; or else by waiting un-
til the whole body of emigrants could
move. For the first they had no great in
clination not having come out to fight;
and for the second they had no time
They have gathered however, much evi-
dence from various sources respecting the
state of things in Kansas. There are in
the encampment many noble men who
were driven out during the late troubles,
or obliged to 60 to the States on business
~
and who are now seeking to return
There are individuals, and even whole
families, in Nebraska and in Iowa, near
the frontier, who were driven out. There
are men who have left Kansas within a
/ few weeks. From all these sources the
undersigned gathered evidence which will
be laid before the Committee; suffice it
to say now, that thousands in Kansas are
suffering actual priyation and want, in
consequence of the late outrages, and
their prospects for the coming winter are
dreary indeed, because the general anx
iety and uncertainty about the future
paralyzes all business. Many would get
away if they had the means. Several
thousand dollars forwarded by the Boston
Committee, reached in good time, and
their distribution gave great relief and in
spired fresh hope. A responsible man
writing to one Of the undersigned says,
'.The distribution has saved Kansas for a
time"
The undersigned proceed to state what
they learned from observation concerning
the emigrants upon the road toward Kan
sas. There are between Iowa City and
the encampment in Nebraska about 500.
Four-6fths are in and about the encamp-
ment, and Of these a minute account is
subjoined. About 100 men are enroute
to join them. The advanced party ol
about 400, including about 40 women and
children, is made up of smaller parties
from various parts Of the country. Sons
left their homes months ago upon theil
own voluntary motion. without any knowl
!, edge of the movements of other parties
, Most OF them started at their own ex
pense; though some received aid and en-
81 couragemept from committees formed fol
counteracting the attempt made to stoI
: Free State emigration.
The various parties naturally tended
to junction at the southwest corner 0
Iowa, and the foremost there learning
that their entrance into Kansas woult
meet armed opposition, and not being wei
), armed, halted until gradually the encamp
ment grew to its present size.
= As only part of them had original.
I contemplated forcible entrance into Kan
. sas, and were therefore imperfectly arm
: ed, and as they wished to. exhaust a
2 peaceful means, the leaders of the yari
} Gus parties united in an address to th
: Commandant at Fort Leayenworth, SET
= ting forth that they were peaceful emi
: grants, that their passage was barred b
: armed men, and asking for an escort {
= United States troops. The trusty mes
senger should have been back in weel
= bat nearly two weeks elapsed and he Wa
= not heard of. They then dispatched
: copy of the address by a second messeI
= ger, the Rev. Mr.. Stunn, whose retur
they now await.
e The undersigned have visited and s.
e ]ourned with this party OF emlgrants, an
re they can confidently testify to its chara
~ ter.
n Many are pious people, and obser'
the rights ofreligion. and keep the Sal
tie bath reverently. Besides preaching the
is have bible classes, and Sunday schoo
m for the young. This is especially Il
ry case with the Wisconsin emigrants, wi
ed have their wives and children with ther
"a They are temperance men; inteiliger
of moral, industrious, and earnest men, wi
en- would make good citizens anywhere
ri, They form the most numerous part
us and from their numbers, and their earne
ret character, naturally give a tone to !
res whole emigration. In their sojourn
the camp, the undersigned did not W
f a ness, by night or by day any dram-drin
on ing, or carousing, or disorder of any kin
;ay and they fully believe that the great m
afe jority of the emigrants are earnest a
,ri- honest men, fully impressed with the impc
i've tance of their position, and determined
ich do nothing which will dishonor it. Sol
ad- wild young men have left, and some m