The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-03-14
[corYaIeHT sEcuRED.l
n expressly for the Herald Of Freedom
A CO ~ pL TE
HISTORY OF KANSAS,
First Discovery by the French to
the Close Of 1857.
BY tn Q e ditors 8.
CHAPTER VII.

By the e ditors.
CHAPTER VII.
MolE ARRIVALS OF MIGRANTS - PREPARING
FOE THE WINTER SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, &c
INCIDENTS ESTABLISHMENT OF NEwsPA-
PERs IL LAxEEScE.
As soon as it became known that a
company of eastern emigrants had ar
rived, and the probabilities were that
timber would be in good demand, large
numbers from Missouri passed up the
principal streams, and marked OF
the timber claims /; putting on small
mprovemcnts-generally four logs as
the foundation of cabin and writing
the name of the claimant on tree, or
board. Their claims were then offered
for sale, and Free State settlers pur-
chssed them at prices ranging from
one hun lred to one thousand dollars /;
the price being regulated by the loca-
.ion of the claims and the quality of
the timber. These prices were paid
to Pro- Slavery men who did not live
in the territory, but had their names
registered for claims, and who had
combined with others to use violence
with any man who should so on to
one of these marked claims without
paying for it.
As these explorers returned to Mis-
souri,, they advertised their claims for
sale; and at one time during the fall,
the Parkville Luninary advertised five
hundred of them. Sometime after a
settler had purchased. and paid one
man for the claim. another would de-
clare it to he his and unless he
could compel payment again for it.
would raise mob and sttempt to drive
the occupant off. and if not successful,
burn his cabin and commit other dep
relations.
After the Missouri party had left,
and returned home, the pi on eers. mum
bering only fourteen. were disturbed
night and day by the threats of the
Pro-Slavcry settlers. Night and day
this small company were under the
necessity Of keeping guard and having
their arms in readiness for defence
That they wcrc peaceable Settlers
had legal rishts.-had purchased a
clain,-that they were only following
the ordinary pursuits of emigrants,
availcd nothing 1t had be:n deter
mined BY the Pro Slavery power that
they should be driven off; and means
adapted to that end were increasingly
applied. But in the meantime. emf
grants from the free States, were pour-
ing in. The hardy pioneers with their
focks and herds, could every day be
seen crossing the ocean prairie. and
seeking homes. exposed as they were,
to the inclemency Of the weather. to
sickness and death. with no roof to
shelter or provisions to feed. Yet
hope chcered them on, and the bright
star of faith was only leading to their
western homes. The obstacles increas-
ed their energy; and the dangers tscir
The timid returned and the
brave persevered.
Immediately after the passage of
the Nebraska bill, individuals from
the free States arrived in Missouri on
their way to Kansas. By threats and
iutimidations many were deferred
from entering the Territory, or. if hav-
ing entered. and desiring to make a
home here, were prevented from SO
doing BY the threats of the Pro- Slave
ry party on the borders. Many fami
lies who had come mp the river on
were unwilling TO risk
amidst snch violent mani.
and so continued on farther
mp, settling in Nebraska or Iowa.
1t was this violence TO isolated per-
sons which induced people TO form
companies and seek safety in numbers
which had always before attended
emigration in settling MP the western
country The tomahawk and scalp
ing knife passed from ths Indian to
the more savage defenders of slavery
on the border, and whose embiems
.ere the revolver and bowie knife
Although the red men of the forest
surrounded the infant settlement. YET
the isolated squatter dwelt with more
safety in their midst. than ne could
enjoy for ono day in passing through
the borders Of Missouri it was known
that he was hostile to hninan slavery.
As soon as it became known that
the pioneer party of the Emigrant I'D
Company hal arrived safely in Kan
sas, and had made the selection for a
town. hundreds followed to the same
destination.
On the lIeh of September. the sec
oni party. numbering enc hundred and
thirty. arrived. conducted by DR.. Rob
insoa.
On the sth Of Oto5er the third