The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-10-24
The Martyr. of Kansasas-osnrsll.

short and simple annal OF one who, though
occupying humble station in life, lived |
bright example of stern integrity and died
hero and martyr, engrossess my pen |
while | record what ] know of the life and |
death of Jocob Cantrell.
He was born and reared in Jackson
County Missouri. When the Territory of
Kansas was declared open for settlement,
he removed thither with his family, set
tied near where Palmyra now stands, and
in company with others, assisted in laying
and. building up that now prosperous town.
Despising that spurious aristocracy COM
mon TO all communities where Slavery ex-
lists, he felt, as he remarked to me one day
that he had entered a pew world. Ella
ted with the prospect of speedily securing
fortune and the great blessing and priv
ilege of rearing and educating his chikiren
in free community, he entered into all
our plans of improvement, both in church
and State, with hearty will and ready
cooperation.
One year prior to moving to Kansas, he
lived upon the farm of Ohio Hall, a slave
holder and hauled produce to the city of
Lawrence, then new town, very scarce
of provisions. He had the words kansas
| a Free State,'' painted in large letters up
on his wagan cover. Meeting Hall one
day as he was returning for load of sup
plies, Hall noticed the letters upon the wag
on, and, in rufian style, well armed as he
was, commenced cutting the letters out
After effecting this, he threatened Can
| trell's life and commenced striking at him
with his knife, cutting him severely
| Cantrell being wholly unarmed, called to
two men (neighbors of HalD standing
near, not to let Hall kill him with
out some chance for his life-appealing to
their chivalry and honor They were
deaf to his entreaties, and Cantrell saved
his life by starting hist team as quick and
driving as fast as possible. Cantrell had
| Hall brought before the Court at In
dependence, charged with assault with in
tent to kill. The two witnesses swore
that Hall was intoxicated. Hall was dis
charged; such is the justice in Pro- Slav-
cry Court.
Through the Spring of 1856 the whole
country was in a state of revolutionary
confusion. The Territory was filed with
maurauding parties; men were being rob-
bed and murdered daily. For mutual
protection, the citizens of Palmyra and
vicinity assembled, armed and equipped.
Among them was Jacob Cantrell, ever
ready without the slightest murmur to
shoulder his Sharp's rife and go forth to
defend the lives and property of the emf
grants in his vicinity. In this respect he
had a soul larger than the State of Missou-
ri At the battle of Black Jack he recog-
nized some of his Pro- Slavery neighbors
among the prisoners, and insisted on hav-
inc them treated kindly, himself furnish
ing them provisions. Col. Sumner march
ed to Palmyra with the United States
troops. released Pate and his men, ordered
them to return to their homesin Missouri,
disbanded Brown. the hero of Black Jack,
(not G, w. Brown;) the men returning to
+ their homes relying upon Sumhaer for pro-
lection. Upon his way to his home in
PALMYRA, he stepped in at Prairie City,
purchased some butter for his family,
starting for Palmyra (three miles distant, }
in company with Leonard Snyder and w.
| ii. Stilwell, neighbors. The minions OF
Pate upon their way home came across
them, and, recognizing Cantrell, compelled
him to accompany them. Stopping at his
house. he told his wife, who was almost
e distracted at seeing him a prisoner not to
: be alarmed, that they were his neighbors
and would not hurt him. Extending his
hand with the plate of butter, telling hel
to take it and not be afraid, one of the
# ruffians intercepted it, saying that they
e would need it for their supper. They soor
left taking Mr.. Cantrell with them. Mr.
Stillwell went Immediately to Col. Sum.
ner. told him that the very men he had
S ordered to Missouri had taken Jacob Can.
+. trell prisoner while they were returning
not more than one mile from his camp
/ Col. S. promised to send detachment TO
him the next dsy, stating that he had Civ.
a en- their orders to commit no outrages OF
n their way; also, that the troops were al
q tired, and that Cantrell would not b
= harmed. OH that was an indifference
: more fatal than treason on the part of Col
: Summer. He was heard to say, when h'
= !, heard of the death of Cantrell, that b
o never could forgive himself.
b, They took Mr.. Cantrell next day to Ce
, dar Creek, 50 miles from Palmyra, ther
E. shot and scalped him, burying him abou
lie two feet deep. The wolves dug him VI
at Subsequently the soldiers buried him nea
ii that beautiful stream, surrounded by hig
4, weeds, with only stake over his remains
er on it inscribed, Jacob CantTell."
le On the I'd day or July last was tray
ID cling in Lykens County, K. Z. | stoI
% ped for the night with Judge Butts (towr
ly ship I6, range 22). Our conyersationrels
lg ted to the difficulties of the past summe
es I found him to be Pro Slavery men.
We mentioned the murder of Cantreil as a
re, outrage unparalleled, and that would q
It; my utmost to bring his murders to iustit
.st whenever the Government passed In
of different hands. The Judge was forme
cir " from jackson County, No.; knew d
,ss Gantrell there; was under Col Coffee wht
Inn Whitfield marched to Pate,s relief; sa
tly Cantreil at Cedar Creek a few hours b
fore they murded him, lying upon
back. with his hands tied, and quadr
5 pie guard around him. The Judge sa,
II went to Mr.. c., and there was quite
IRE crowd around him. One approached hi
d. saving, "Mr. Cantrell, am sorry to 81
ea- you among our enemies and fighting 20
sn- old neiShDofs. 10uI cian infaae L
iou home" was Gautrell's reply. "Wili =
7ou Join us against the Abolitionist if you COZ
md get your freedom? live release you v
ev- You join your old neighbors to assist
yer driving these damned fanatics from {
in border ?D With the thoughts of hcn
S a life, wife, children, burning his heart,
his said, mo Never 'sThen you die,
tn Cd" Judge B., went to Pate q
- Whitfield, and told them 70 use their j
thority to prevent his murder. They 9
they had no authority. In forty y-ive m
nan utes afterward jacob Cantreh was no me-
n.y. He died martyr. Oh that more eol
yor have witnessed his heroic end. He
for seen and felt the influence of that hyd
. OF headed monster that's even now gnaW
nee. at the vitals of our country, and d
en- down In his heart was principle t
would not surrender.
HE ~vs S<s-~ h.,. 1ox-~ arT1a5f child.