The Kanzas news., 1857-09-12
From the Leavenworth Times, Aug. 29.
phe TroubIe at Atchison.


ison. For although the events of that day
are not distinguished by anything worthy
or honorable, they are of a nature not easily
to be forgotten The remembrance of some
public outrage or wrong is as keenly felt a:
that of something honorable and note
worthy.
On Saturday, the 22d, Free State Con
. vention was to have been held IN AtchisoI
for the purpose of electing delegates to the
Grasshopper Convention, and Col. Lane had
been invited to deliver an address. 1t Is
well known that Lane is quite obnoxious to
the most ultra fre-eaters of Kanzas and
Missouri, and little squad of Southerners,
who hang around Atchison. swore that the
Colonel should never make speech in
''their'' town, though the streets ran blood.
This squad, however, were painfully aware
of their numerical insignificance, and ap-
pealed for laid and comfort" to their SYM
pathizing colleagues of the Missouri Blue
Lodges. a favorable response was given,
and then the bullying commenced in earnest.
The Atchison fire-eaters, strengthened by
an inordinate quantity of ''rectified Kanzas
! bourbon and Blue Lodge promises, pro-
claimed aloud, death to the ID Abo-
litionists i''-'Down with niggerism l''-
away with Lanes carcass p etc. But
little attention was paid to such threats, and
the day for the convention arrived.
During the morning the streets began to
| fill with strange looking customers, and
quite a number of muskets were to be seen
stacked in the different groceries.
Some twelve or fourteen Free State men,
about one O'Clock, were standing quietly in
| front of Adams & Swift's Office, when a
disturbance was heard up the street, where
large body of armed men were collected.
Eight or ten of the company Including +.
| G. Adams, brother of our Mayor, now
residing in Atchison) started in the direc-
ton of the scene. This movement elected
a ''whoop'' from a nomadic Missourian,
which was answered up the street, and ap-
peared to be the signal for general gather
ing, as every house and whisky shanty vom-
| tied forth set of rowdyish looking custom
ers, armed to the teeth, and profuse in their
denunciations of everything pertaining to
Free State. About this time three wagons
appeared in the streets, loaded with ''pass-
engers,' who sported, besides any quantity
of side-arms, a lot of bayoneted muskets.
On going up the street, the little Free
State band found themselves completely sur
rounded and encompassed by as miserable
a set of drunken and excited vagabonds as
ever disgraced humanity. 1t was here dis
covered that a Free State man-Woodward
had been knocked down and otherwise
maltreated by the ruhians, who swore eter-
nal vengeance against the entire "race of
Free State men,
One of these rowdies. with Sharpe's RI
fie ready cooked, slapped Mr.. Adams across
fhn faoa nd AZ a1
to shoot him as he stood. The Free State
men quickly covered Mr.. Adams and drew
their Colts, determined to die bravely rather
than see one of their number barbarously
murdered. This bold move had the desired
effect, and though the clicking of locks was
heard on every side, no shot was fired, and
the Free State men were allowed to fall back
to their original position. While here, an
again threatened Mr.. Adams, but he was
appeased somewhat by copious draughts of
whisky.
Word was now sent by the invaders to
Mr.. Losee, one of the Free State party, that
he was taking too active part in the events
of the day, and he was advised to leave
But Mr.. Losee concluded to stav Just as long
as he pleased, and the invaders wisely con-
cluded "to let him."
Assembling once again, they took vote
on the propriety of ''killing Lane and al
most unanimously resolved that the deed
should be consummated. All this time the |
excitement was on the increase, and the |
most violent threats were made against the |
party of Free State men and it is also a |
well known fact that quite large number of
pro-siavery men rode up TO sMr. Adams
house for the avowed purpose of killing him,
but he was non est inventus.
During the day it was generally rumored
that both the Free State presses of Atchison
were to be destroyed, and many supposed
this would be the climax fit one-of the
days infamy. But towards evening the
excitement of the crowd began to wear
away, and, strange to say, an address was
delivered by DR.. Stringfellow, in which the
invaders were denounced without stint
The Doctor washed his hands of the days
doings, entered his solemn protest against
them, and withdrew his name as candidate
for their favor and support.
Other addresses were made, we under
stand, of similar nature, and we doubt hot
but that every interested citizen of Atchison,
or honest settler In Missouri, deplores the
events of last Saturday, which are SO damn
able and revolving in all their features and
details.
Two important facts are established by
this Atchison difficulty:
1st, That the day of Missouri invasions
is not yet over.
Cd, That there is still one place in Kanzas
where free speech is forcibly denied.
Now, we are as strongly desirous of peace
and repose as any can be. None would
deprecate renewal of bloody strife more
than we. Our exertions are always, and
ever have been, thrown In its behalf. But
our manhood revoIts at the idea of tamely
l,r,a itt;,,c. :.,c.,It