The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-09-19

HiSntFhinS 1Fee OIaie men, and compel
ling them to leave Kansas. Resolutions
were passed condemning the outrage, and
to search out the guilty parties and bring
them to justice.
After the meeting, an attempt was
made to burn Colemans house. The
door was broken down, and pile of straw
put upon the floor and set on fire. Wood
and others rushed into the house Amidst
the greatest excitement, and sfflothered
the flames. Mr.. Wood then addressed
the people, dissuadingthem from all acts
Of violence, and saying that murder, arson
and pillage were the peculiar avecations |
of our enemies; that dwellings, were too
sacred and too scarce in Kansas to be |
wantonly burned He then moved as
the sense of the meeting that the house
be not burhedi which was carried tinani-
mously; and the meeting quietly separat-
ed. This house. with another, vas ::s burnt
few days afterwards.
In order to prosecute the harrassment.
writ was taken out for the. arrest of Ja-
cob Branson, with whom Mr. bow lad
boarded, probably to prevent him from
appearing as a witness, or acting as a |
prosecutor against Coleman or any of the
gang of murderers in completely with him.
This plan was gotten up at the Shaw
nee Mission, and entrusted to s. j. Jones, |
postmaster at Westport, but recently ap-
pointed SHERIFF of Douglas county," He
arrived at Hickory Point in the night, on
the same day of the meeting. He went
with posse of fifteen men to 1Ir. Bran
sons residence, where he was found in bed;
and taking him by violence, withoutshow-
ing or reading writ, mounted him on
mule. and started for Lecompton.
After the settlers meeting, Wood, in COM
tany with ]. B. abbott. started for home.
At Blanton's Bridge they heard OF this
body of men going towards Hickory
Point, and Immediately returned. On
reaching Dir. Branson's residence they
enquired of his wife, an old lady, where
her husband was. She replied in chok-
ing accents that large number of armed
men had taken him from there BY Tio-
lence, and she feared they would murder
him. The men Immediately turned to
leave. She enquired-"Where are you
going@ Wood replied-"To save your
husband, Of dis.i
The arresting party had gone out Of the
way to have drink, which detained
ther1 two hours. During this time, Wood i
and Abbott were galloping over the prai-
ries in search of them. But not finding
the track, they returned to Ab50tt's
house near Blanton's Bridge, where they
met several men out on the same busi-
ness. While in consultation as to what
to do next, it was announced that the
Sheriff and bis posse were coming. An
eye witness says: We Immediately fcrm-
ed across the road; they came up to with
in two rods of us, and halted. A moment
was passed in silence, when the following
conversation took place.
Sheriff Jones-"What's up?'
S. n. Wood-"That's what we should
like to know
Abbott-"Is Mr. Branson there?''
Branson-ssYes, am here, prisoner
Wood-s1f you want to-be among
your friends, come over here"
Several, to Branson-"If you move, we
will shoot goub'
Hupp "a Hoosier)-"ShoOt and be
id"
Wood-"Come on. Let them shoot, if
they dare Gentlemen, Undressing the
posse,> shoot but one gun at Mr. Branson,
and not man of you will be left alive"
Branson-'I will do as you say.''
Conpany-"Come on, come onl''
Branson then crossed over to the res
cuing party.
Wood, (stepping forward and taking
hold of the bridle)-"Whose mule is
this?'
Branson-'fIt is theirs.''
Wood, (turning the mule, and hit
ting it a kick" Go back to your
friends
Itwas bright moonlight night. Guns
were aimed and cooked on both Sides
when one of the opposite party lowered
his gun and said-'I amt going to shoot,
nohow.n
Jones-"My name is Jones. l am
sheriff of Douglas county, Kansas.
have warrant to arrest old man Bran
son, and I must se,ve it."
Wood-"We know of no Sheriff Jones
in Kansas, nor any Douglas county-and
what is better, we never intend to know
them. We know of a postmaster in
Westport, No., named Jones'"
Jones-"I have a warrant to arrest
Branson, and must do it!t'
Woed-If you must arrest him, go at
it. l am Branson's attorney. If you
have warrant for him, let me see it."
Jones-I have one, but do not see
proper to show itat present"
Wood-"Has Branson seen it, or has
it been read to him?'
Jones-"No.o
Wood-"Unless you produce the war
rant, Branson can't go with you.'
About one hour was spent in this par
ley.when Jones bid them good night, and
left.
The following persons were present at
the rescue: S. N. Wood, Esq, of Law
renee, j. B. Abbott, Panl Jones, Philip
Hupp. Miner Hupp, Philip Hutchinson,