The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-11-21
COPYRIGHT sEcURED.l
sfigsn e1pressly for tie Herald Of Freedom
a COMPLETE
HISTORY OF K A NSAS,
first Discovery by the French, 10
the Close OF the Gear 1857.
BY THE EDITORS.
CHAPTER XXI.

Gov. Reeder's life in Kansas was one
Of uncommon incidents and trials. His
hopes and fears, his aspirations and dis
appointments; his cares and dangers wers
such as seldom fall to the lot of an Amer
lean citizen. Selected from rural dis
nict in Pennsylvania, On account of his
integrity Of character, and the purity of
his Democratic principles, to fill the of
j.. fee of first Governor of Kansas Territory,
he became at once the great defender, as
he had heen at home, the adviser of squat
ter sorereignty.
His first arrival in the Territory-his
Welding to the Border Ruffans so far as
to give them certificates of election, on the
90th Of March, 1855-his attempt to gain
the last position By calling new cleo
tion--his meeting the Legislature at Paw
nee-his refusal to recognize it as legal
BODY after its removal to the !Shawaee
M,ssioa-his joining the Free State party,
aud his election to Congress, have all
been noted as matters of history. It on
" remains, of his eycntful career in Kan
.sas to record his exit.
He appeared in Washington in the
winter of 1866, as the contestant of
ZHg. W. Whitfield for seat in Congress.
lie accompanied the Investigating Com
mittee to Kansas for the purpose of tax
ing testimony eonceriing the election
frauds. AS he not only had personal
knowledge of the facts, but also was init
mately acquainted with the principle ac-
tors in all the outrages which had been
perpetrated in Kansas, il became impor-
tant, for their security, as well as success,
that Gov. Reeder should be disposed Of
lie was considered too powerful, as well
as too troublesome man TO remain at large.
twas therefore resolved by those who
managed the usurpatiop, that Reedel
should be dis osed Of The first resort
was to a writ from the infamous Judge Le-
compte, of the District Court of the Uni.
ted States, for the Territory of Kansas
The intention was to get possession o
aisperson by any plausible pretext, and
take him to Lccompton, the head quar-
ters of the Border Rufiian usurpers, ans
there allow an irresponsible mob to mur
der him. Reeder saw this at a glance
He knew by more than one years expert
cRee with the men, that they hesitated a
ao crime which would secure them il
Pawer. Consequently, when Deputy Mar
shal Fame entered the room where tn
Investigating Committee was in session
!or the purpose of arresting him, Gov
Reeder appealed to them for protection
He urged his privilege from arrest as
member of Congress, and demanded o
the Committee that they should plac,
themselves between him and this mali
cieus prosecution.
Concerning this matter, the Committe
say in their report =
After consideration of the Committee
they determined that the privilege fron
arrest, given by the laws to the member
0i this Committee. and the sitting, all
eonteSting delegates, was not matter 70
them to enforce, and declined to max
4 @hy decision whatever: or take any actiol
upon the application thus made.''
On hearing this, Gov. Reeder rose I
MS feet and looking the Marshal steadil,
IN the eye remarked "As the Commit
tee has refused to protect me, I fall bacl
upon my natural rights. and any man VIII
avs hands upon me, whether as an Office
or 0Fo;herwise, does so at his peril"
Marshal Fame, who was recently i'm
Ported South Carolinian, and evidentl
aot expecting sHcha display fren North
sFE nerve, shrunk back from an encouu
'eF with the indignant freeman, whic
us tsnorsnt zeal had so nearly led hir
MO. Finding discretion the better pal
Of vaior, the Marshal retreated to I.econt
ion, determined to reinforce with sufii
aent power and make new attacks
II the mean time Gov. Reeder informe
dulge Lecompta and Gov. Shannon, ths
ne would voluntarily appear before th
1onrt and undergo an examination, if the
soRld pledge. him personal safety. Tn
Aey refused to do, as they too well III
'srstood the object of making. him pri,
oaer.
doy. Reeder being thus unprotecte,
aid the United States Government, in i
Executive and judiciary departments a
'@!ef against him, determined to leay
'ae Territory. Finding it unsafe to r,
''a'h longer with the Investigating Con
I''''ee, ne retired TO q friendas house ne
La"fence. where ne remained but sho
lme- His enemies not finding him !:
'0ey expected, with the Committee, in
Iaeliately sent 70 Leasenworth and Kal
s'S eity. to watch the steam boats. Guar
we're stationed on the roads and also
,He Steamboat landings, as far down
lexington, tosearch the boats and preyel
us escape. He however succeeded
''a'llng his pursuers, and with the frien,
assistance of Mr jenkins, succeeded
@'iFins safely at Kansas City. Here i
'As 'akencharge of by Col. Eldrfage, an
%eIeted in the American Hotel. On Il
afivai of 6. W. Brown, from Alton. ii
u0.ei was surrounded By an infuriass
a'e' as Feiated in the preceding ehapts
~feateiiing forcible search and seizare.-
'nis greatly added 70 thsdangsr of Go