The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-10-24


en- Sparks, who had recently settled here
from Missouri, while on his way home,
with his son and nephew, were surround
by aparty of the Rufians who demanded
their surrender. This they reeolusely re-
fused, and backing up against a fence
held the enemy at bay. One of the lads
returned to Easton and gave the alarm,
when Mr.. E. P. Brown, of Leavenworth
with fifteen men came to their, rescue
Firing Immediately commenced and sew
eral were wounded on both sides, one or
the enemy mortally. Mr.. Sparks son re-
ceived two wounds, one cutting his scalp
and the other his arm. The combatants
finally separated and both parties started
for home, as was supposed.
Mr.. Brown, with seven of his friends,
were waylaid by company of thirty men
on their return to Leavenworth, and tax
en- prisoners and carried back to Easton.-
They were guarded through the day on
Friday. At night, the Captain of the
band, which proved to be the Kickapoo
Rangers, attempted to release the prison.
ers, and succeed with all excepting Brown.
The company being considerably intoxi-
Gated, would not let him go; but proceeded
to make preparations for hanging him.
The Captain proposed compromise, and
that they lynch him and let him go. This
was agreed to, when several persons
sprung upon him with hatchets and bowie
knives and commenced stabbing, chop
ping, beating and kicking him until he was
felled to the earth. He lay for some
time, unconcious, the Ruffians supposing
him dead. AS signs of life returned, they
commenced beating him again. After
satisfying their fendish hate, they threw
him into wagon and drove him ten miles
over frozen road, and gave him in charge
of his wife; she, young woman with
their first child, received her dying hus-
band with that agony which love and de-
votion can only experience on being
brutalIy deprived of all the heart holds
dear.
In answer to inquiries, he replied in a
family, audible voice, 81 have been mur-
dered by a gang of towards, in cold blood
without any cause" and gasped and died
Thus perished one of Natures noble
men. He was brave, accomplished and
energetic man; had been in Lawrence dur.
ing the invasion, and was an active mem
Der of Col. Blood's regiment of cavalry
He was also elected amember to the Free
State Legislature.
His remains were consigned to their las
resting place by few friendly hands, oil
Pilot Knob, near Leavenworth, J an. Goth
amid the bowling winds and driftin
snow of a dreary Kansas winter.
r. P. Brown was the son of Nose
Brown, who was native of North Caro-
lima and emigrated from that State t
Mississippi where he resided till 1924
With the view of escaping from the op
pressive influence of slavery, ne moved t
Ohio, and settled in Logan county, wher
Rees P. Brown was born on the Sd {
July, 1926. He had four sisters and tw
brothers, five of whom were born in th
South. In 1916, Mr.. Brown went to Mi:
sissippi to visit his brother and sisters VIII
were slave holders. While remainin
there he was present at the burning {
} slave in Liberty, Miss. The horrors
} that accused outrage, were vividl
in his memory on all occasions, an
induced his speedy return to free Stat
when he Immediately joined those who
{ he found struggling for freedom.
F In May, 1852, he married Miss Martl
, A. Lukens, who resided in his nati1
county in Ohio. She had emigrated fro
Virginia several years previous with h
{ parents, and settled in Kansas. with h
husband, in the spring of 1856.
The Free State Legislature, of viii,
Mr. Brown was member elect, pass,
resolutions at its first session, commend
tory of his character and of condofen
a with his widow.
n A week after her husbands death, NJ
Brown wrote TO her father as follows I:
\ LEAvENwoRTH CRY, X. t.,
January %, 1856
Ny DEAR FATHER IL never expect
to be called to write to you under so gre
# afflietien. My dear husband has be
n very active in the cause of Liberty ey
! since we came into the Territory. f
bold and manly course won the respt
= and confidence of the friends of a Fl
State, and he was elected member
the Legislature. On the other hand,
. hatred of the pro-slayery party was vs
1t strong against him. He was engaged
j. the Qefeuce OI tue 0iLf ci 1aVTenCe u
le ing the war in that region. He also, W
two or three others, rushed into the mi
- of mob and rescued a Free State N
g they were cruelty beating. On the Il
y inst, he, with several others, went
D. miles to attend an election: an arm
10 mob thought to break up the election,
were repulsed. The next day my h
ls band and friends were coming home, WI
s they were met by large number of al
rs ed men, who stopped them and made tn
~ prisoners. They were all carried back
:. the place of election, and there the 9th
- were let go, but they determined to
Mt hias-and then some of them fell on |
It with hatchet, and thus, in cold bic
he murdered him. One blow struck on
:. eyebrow, and another inflicted a d
ae wound in his left temple. They {
Ok put him into wagon, and brought
les home in the night By this time he
sn in dying state-he was not able to
{ us much about his cruel treatment
Nc said they beat him ike dog. He IS
rs al am not afraid to die; If I have d
Il L