The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-10-17
KANSAS, OCTOBER II, 1857

which he bore in Ohio, the State from
whence he emigrated. He was unarmed
when he received his death-wound, and
on his way to his home. His wife, to
whom he had written to inform her of his
coming, was expecting him. She is said
to have loved her husband with more than
ordinary devotion. Her sister-in-law tells
US that they used to rally her, upon her
! almost girlish affection and solicitude for
Thomas. 1t was her habit, when she saw
him coming back from his work, to leave
the house, and go forth to meet him on his
way. Ifhe failed to return at the time
indicated, she grew anxious and If his
stay was prolonged, oftentimes passed the
| night in tears when ill-the same in.
formant tells us-she would hang over his
bed; with all the anxiety of mother for
her child. She would seem, too, to have
had presentiment of some impending
evil, for after exhausting every argument
to prevent her husband from going to
join the Free State forces at Lawrence,
she said, "Oh, Thomas, if you should be
shot. should be all alone indeed; remem-
Der have no child-nothing in the wide
world to fill your place" And this was
their last parting.
With such griefs as these. fresh burning
on the heart, it is matter of astonishment
that exeesses were not committed. Who
ever lookes upon this community of high
toned, outraged freemen, with power in
their hands to punish their enemies, and
see them forbear for the sake of the prin-
ciple, and looks upon the obedience to
their self enforced discipline. and the re-
spect paid to the officers of their own
choosing, will gain confidence in the abiii-
ty of the people for self government, and
the power of intellectual discipline over
that of brute force.
A few incidents will illustrate the in
tense feeling of the people, the difficulties
of the officers in restraining them, also the
poser of the sober second thought of an
intelligent population.
A gentleman, than whom no more
honorable name can be mentioned in
Lawrence, came down stairs as Gov.
Shannon was addressing the people from
the steps of the Free State Hotel. With
| all these injuries fresh in his mind and
feeling that Shannon was the cause fthem
either by his power or his weakness, drew
his revolver and was about to fire when a
friend intcrfercd and prevented him.
His feelings were so wrought up it was with
the utmost difficulty he gould restrain
them 1A@AA- II. 6zleetssss.. < {
On the Monday evening which follow
ell, Sheriff Jones and others were invited
to the festival. Mr.. H., neighbor OF
Barber'S and member of the same compa-
ny, stood in the recess of the door during
the whole evening to shoot "Sheriff
Jones'" a person who was aware of his
intention, stood by him and prevented
him from seeing Jones, SO that he passed
in and out in safety.
When fight MAS OK NPeotect and tue OH
GERS began to look to their resources, it
was discovered that ammunition was alarm
ingly scarce. This matter being mention
ed in the presence of Mrs. 6. W. BaowN,
she stated that her father, Mr. GLEASON,
residing about ten miles south of Law
renee, had keg of powder which he had
brought from Pennsylvania the spring
previous. As it was unsafe for the men
to go out of town unless strongly guarded
she proposed, that if carriage was fam
ished her, to obtain powder. she would
go, and call, on her return, at Mr.. Abbot's,
near Blanton's bridge, and get some caps
for Sharps rifles and quantity of lead
which was deposited there.
The conveyance was furnished, and
Mrs. S: Y. WooD accompanied her on hel
journey Beyond the bridge they were
passed by a couple of Shannon's militia
; but their sex saved them from detention
The powder was procured and emptied
into pillow cases. and disposed of as ladies
: only know how to get rid of such matters
The caps and lead were similarly adius,
f about mile north of the bridge by {
. couple of the mob soldiery who appeared
to be rather inquisitive, they returned tc
town with their treasure unmolested.-
Those who lifted them out of the buggy
observed that they had greatly increased
in weight. since entering the carriage II
, the morning, and it was jocularly re-
! marked among the crowd that they haC
: considerably increased in size. Leaving
these remarks to take care of themselve'
the ammunition was duly received, anC
would have played an important part il
< the affray in case of collision.
From the first arrival of emigrants il
Kansas, up to this time, threats of violene
and expulsion were made against the Ere
e State settlers. After the election il
March, it became evident that we mus
arm for the common defence. Rifles
muskets, cannon and ammunition wers
Y freely sent by sympathising friends from
the east. At this time good brass how
q itzer, twelve pounder, was lying in th
! warehouse at Kansas city with amunitiol
: to match. The road was bIockaded ant
no passing to or from Lawrence was per
e nlitted. Travellers were auested-eiti
zens were made prisoners-the U. S. aa
was stopped, and every precaution takel
!. to prevent information or supplies from
' passing to or from Lawrence.
e At this critical time Major Bufuna, Q
Q Massachusetts,, offered his services to g.
i down to Kansas City and bring up tn
: cannon. He was accordingly furnishes
9 with wagon and mules and started. Il,