The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-11-07
COPYRIGHT sEcURED.l
!. ..nrsssfy for tie Herald of Freedog1
gISTORY OF KANSAS,
r;rst Discovery by the French, to
the Close Of the Year 1857.
BY THE EDITORS.
CHAPTER XXI.

BY THE EDITORS.
CHAPTER XXI.
,,ncrXgsTs AND ARREST OF PRIsoNYRs-Gov.
SosISsoS, G. ". BROWN, GAIrs JENKINS AND
OFFERS.
Il was an extremely difficult task to
lsage the Territory. The controlling civil
tower was in the hands of Border Rufians.
they had found writs of the highest grade
of crimes against majority of the public
men in Kansas. All who had testified to
.iscien frauds, were indicted for perjury.
faose who had accepted offices under the
State Government were indicted for treas
On Those who had resisted, or had not
sded in executing the laws, when called
uDon, we're indicted for several offences.
For instance, Joseph Spear had two indict-
msnts and writs issued against him. One
Z iorresisting the Sheriff of Douglas county,
and the other for melting the populace to
esstance, by speaking disrespectfully of
the laws. John Spear, Esq, formerly ed
tor of the Kansas Tribune, was indicted
hF assuming to act as an officer under
iefunct functionary. He had been JUS
tee of the Peace under Gov. Reeder, and
in this disturbance in the streets of Law
re1ce, commanded the peace. These gen.
lemen, with multitudes of others, retired
to the country for few days. When
inding themselves eagerly pursued and dill
igently sought for, procured horses and
left the Territory; bearly escaping the
satchfulness of the enemy, by evading
the road and travelling nights. Roads,
hdges and fords were all guarded, some
by Southern guerrilla, and others by small
dstachments of United States troops led
/ by Deputy Marshalls and Sheriffs. Gov.
Robinson leftas bearer of dispatches for
the Investigating Committee. Threats
we're made to destroy the evidence which
they had been collecting, and for the pur-
pose of preserving it, it was sent off in
small parcels at different times. Mrs.
Robinson accompanied her husband
They proceeded down the river by steam
boat as usual, as far as Lexington, where
the boat was boarded by mob, and Gov.
Robinson taken prisoner. Mrs. Robinson
preceded to Washington with the dis
patches.
The excuse for arresting him was simp-
y the fact that he was a prominent and
active Free State man, and in order to
have slavery in Kansas, it was necessary
that ne should be imprisoned or hung
Although Gov. Robinson denied that he
vas fleeing from danger, or that there was
neither writ nor Indictment against him.
yet they would not allow him to proceed
on his journey.
1t was soon known in Kansas that Gov.
hoblnson was arrested, and two young
Southern gentlemen were deputed, in the
aame of Gov. Shannon, to go to Lexing-
Ton and bring him back. Col. Preston
and Capt. Donaldson were the officers on
this service. They took their prisoner in
carriage by the way of Independence
aud Kansas City as far as franklin, when
they received orders. purporting to have
come from Gov. Shannon. to return to
Leavenworth by way of Kansas City, and
not attempt to pass Lawrence on any ac-
count lest the people should relieve thei:
prisoner. This was on the 22d of MAY
one day after the destruction of Lawrence
IN the 24th they arrived at Leavenworth
and the prisoner was delivered into the
hands OF the Deputy Sheriff of Leaven.
WOr'h county, who appointed Capt. Mar.
IN, ofthe Kickapoo Rangers, his guard
while detained at this place he was visit.
sa Oy several gentlemen, amongst them
nj sherman, of the Investigating Com
alttee, and Judge Lecompte. The Judge
informed him that he was arrested under
"o indictments one for usurping Office
aud one for high treason. On the first O
June he was taken to Lecompton and con
m -
nncd with seven other Free State prison
eE
1t was openly ayowed in Lexington
aaa along the whole journey, that it wa.
'ne intention of the Pro-Slavery party t.
e'Se out the whole Free State population
iOm the Territory. The followin. letter
written IN ansY friend, when all tn
'H'iaen's We're In the memory, give
- accurate account of the arrest and i'm
Risonment of the editor.
CAMP U. U.scAvaLRY. NEAR LEcoxrros,
Jaly 10, 1856.
-:-You inquired of me the facts i
,ssAFd to my capture at Kansas City il
aay last, and wished me to write out th
,saolng incidents connected with the al
'-l viii do so with great pleasur.
s@ang the incident which called me t
4aat place at that time.
a meeting of the business men of Kan
- was held in Lawrence on the 2Sth c
4Afch last, to take into consideration tn
lAsses committed on persons and prol
wy coming up the Missouri, and to dt
.ss a remedy, if possible. Il was COZ
aaefed the only practical correction of Ii
y" complained Of consisting in establish
ilne of steamers direct between A
20 snd Leavsnworth. Among Others
os commissioned TO visit St Louis, Alto
.aicsso Cincinnati and Pittsburgh tomaa
heedfui arrangements for setting
epetahOn such line of steamers. Lea,
,as nome on the 1stof April, I arrived
y Louis soon after. where I stopped se'
veg days. and from thence visited Alto
a