Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-09-04
TIE MARTYRS or KANSAS.

and patriots let genius celebrate merit and /
extol the talents of the great. The short and /
simple anral Of ono who. though occupying a
humble station in life. lived a bright example /
Of stern integrity and died hero and mar
Esr. cngrossos my pen while ! record what /
-~snow of the life and death Of JAcou CAN |
rHEL1.
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. settled near where |
Palmyra now stands, and, in company with
others. assisted in laying out and building up
that now prosperous town. Despising that
spurious arstocracy common to all communi-
ties whore Slavery exists, he felt as he re-
marked TO mo one day, that he had entered n
new world. Eated with the prospect of
speedily securing "a fortune and the great
blessing and privilege of rearing and oducat-
ing his children in free community, he en-
tered into all our plans of improvement, both
in church and state. with a hearty will and a
ready cooperation.
One year prior TO moving to Kansas, he
, lived upon the farm Of Otho Hall, slave
/ holder, and hauled produce to the city Of
Lawrence, then new town, very scarce of
provisions. He had the words Kansas
. Free State, painted in large letters upon
! his wagon-cover. Meeting Hall one day as
$ he was returning for store of supplies Hall
noticed the letters upon the wagon, and, in
- Ruiiian style. well armed he was, com
meuced cutting the letters out. After effect
9 ing this he threatened Canrell's life and
@ commenced striking at him with his knife,
cutting him severely. Cantrell, being wholly
unarmed, called to two men (neighbors of
E IIall) standing near, not to let Hall kill him
without some chance for his life--appealing
n to their chivalry and honor. They were deaf
TO his entreaties and Cantrell saved his life
A by starting his team as quick and driving as
fast as possible. Cantrell had Hall brought
n before the Court at Independence, charged
e with assault with intent to kill. The two
f. Witnesses swore chat Nall was Intoxicated
i Hall was discharged such is justice in pro-
" slavery court.
It Through the spring of 1856 the whole
country was in state Of revolutionary con-
d fusion. The territory was filed with maraud-
ing parties men were being robbed and
q. murdered daily. For mutual protection, the
J citizens of Palmyra and vicinity assembled
d armed and equipped Among them was Ja-
cob Cantrel, ever ready without the slightest
rs murmur TO shoulder his Sharps Rife and go
Y forth to defend the lives and property of the
ID emigrants in his vicinity. In this respect he
rs had a soul larger than the State of Missouri
Ie At the battle of Black Jack he recognized
to some of his pro-slavery neighbors among the
,e prisoners, and insisted on having them treat
~ ed kindly. himself furnishing them provisions.
e. Colonel Sumner marched to Palmyra with
h, the United States troops, released Pate and
in his men. ordered them to return to their
an homes in Missouri disbanded Brown the he
n 70 Of Black Jack mot &. w. Brown; the
d. men returned to their homos. relying upon
Ne Sumner for protection. Upon his way to his
re home in Palmyra, he stopped at Prairie city,
ad purchased some butter for his family, starting
a. for PALMYRA, three miles distant in compa-
x nv with Leonard Snyder and w. III. Stillwell,
he neighbors. The minions of Pate upon their
is way home came across them, and, recognizing
d. Cantrell. compelled him to accompany them.
he Stopping at his house, he told his wife, who
ON was almost distracted at seeing him prison.
,is or. not to be alarmed, that they were his
O. neighbors, and would not hurt him. Extend
en- ing his hand with the plate of butter telling
BE her to take it and not be afraid, one of the
lie ruffans intercepted it, saying that they would
Ike need it for their supper. They soon left
NO taking Mr. Cantrell with them. Mr.. Still
well went Immediately to Col. Sumner, told
Die him the very men he had ordered to Missouri
he had taken Jacob Cantrel a prisoner while
nd they were returning, not more than one mu'
he from his camp. Col. IS promised to send
ot detachment for him the next day, stating tina
rit he had given them orders to commit no out
mo RACES on their way: also, that the troopi
were all tired, and that Cantrell would no
rn- be harmed Oh that was an indifference
er- more fatal than treason on the part Of Colone
nd Sumner He was heard to say when he heart
,d of the death of Cantroll, that he never coul'
,ed forgive himself.
ht They took Mr.. Cantrell next day to Coda
,ad Creek thirty-five miles from Palmyra, ther
e's shot and scalped him, burying him about tw
feet deep The wolves dug him up. Subse
,lf- qnently the soldiers buried him near tha
ole beautiful stream, surrounded by high weeds
with only a stake over its remains on 1t IN
soribed Jacob Cantrell."
On the 2d Of July last, ! was travelling
us in Lykens County, X. I. stopped Tor tn
to night with Judge Butts township 10, rang
22D Our conversation related 10 the am
mr. cultios of the past summer. | found him
be pro-slayory man. ] mentioned the nun
irst der Of Cantrcl as an outrage unparalleled
on and that | would do my utmost to bring hi
,bt murderers to justice whenever the Govern
ek ment passed into different hands TheJudg
or was formerly from Jackson county, MO
nge knew Mr. Cantrell there was under Colone
hen Coffee whom Whitfield marched to rate re
DOR lief; saw Cantrel at Cedar Creek few hour
Die. before they murdered him, lying upon hi
4. back. with his hands tied, and quadrupl
me quard around him. The Judge says, 81 wer
by TO Mr.. c. and there was quite crowd aroun
the him. Ono approached him saying, Mr. Car
ser- trel, am sorry to find you among our en'
will mics and fighting your old neighbors. :
me : Your clan invade my home' was Nanueii
the reply. win you JON us against 'he aooi
,me tionsts If you could get your freedom!
iss, we release you, will you join your old neigl
ling bors to assist in driving these damned fana
Oh, les from our border;' With the thoughts
home, life, wife and children, burning IN h