The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-05-16
A Scrap of Kansas History.
Correspondence of The CaledOnian.
WOODSTOCK. ILL.,, M0u 1st, -

correspondence ~ AUe C"''
WOODSTOCK, ILL, May 1st, 1857.
As l have been stopping here few hours
| procured history Of the attack last season
by the Rufians upon Mr.. and Mrs. Jones, of
c. NJ. Goodsell. The history is as related to
Mr.. Goodsell by Mr.. and Mrs. Jones, on the
18th of April, at Ottawa Reserve, Kansas Ter
ritory.
Ottawa Jones is a half-breed Indian. Mrs.
Jones is white lady, native of Portland,
Me-, and married Mr.. Jones some II years
SINCE and came with him here to aid him in
the Indians of his tribe in the arts
of civilized life and their success is attested
by the many comfortable log and block hous-
es, the fine fenced fields, and the herds of
cattle and horses, sheep hogs which We
passed after entering this Reserve.
asked Mr.. J. what was the cause of the
attack upon him, and of the burning of his
house. He replied that he knew no other
reason than that his house was always
open to receive and shelter the Free State
settlers i'll common with the pro-slavery men,
and also, his house being an important cross
ing, where the Free State men must pass the
river on their way to and from the most I'M
portant settlements. If the Ruffians could Oh
tain possession of this point they would cut
off to great extent this communication, and
could more securely rob and murder the trav-
elers and others who are obliged to cross the
river at this point. There were about 80 of
the Rutlians engaged in this affair.
1T was past midnight" said Mrs. Jones,
" when we were awakened by the wells. curses
and imprccations ofthe infatuated mob. We
at once got up, but struck no light nor made
any noise, but proceeded to prepare for de
fence as best We could; but The doors and
windows being fastened. and our enemies
supposing that there mi ht be a number of
persons in the house armed to receive them
they dare not come in. but ordered us to come
out but, receiving no answer they prepared
to set the house on fire, saving they would
smoke us out. Finding We were to be burnt
out 1t was agreed that Mr. Jones should arm
lllinseii ana trv to -l.rct his escape to an adj
)accnt corn field At moment when the
Rutiians seemed to be drawn to the opposite
side of the house. Mr. Jones opened the door
next the corn field and sprang out. passing.
rs he went. sn.Sll corn bin he sprang over
the fence into the field. and plunged off into
the tall corn. where, in field of sixty acres.
he was totally safe. as he was well armed
Just as he passed the corner of the bin. near
the house. he was seen or heard. and
no less than dozen guns were di>charg-
ed at him before he was out of the range of
their fire. AS Mr. J. left the door. Mrs. j..
with little Indian boy of nine wear, old. who
lived with them. and was the only person in
the house At that time, except 4 sick man.
named Parker, who was unable TO get dow
>toir". et,Ppci iato the doorway and stood
until Mr.. is escape was sure. unless he had
been brought down by the shots. When Mrs
J. was discovered bv the tends who were
for the blood of her husband some
Of them came up. and she then asked them il,
they intended to kill her: they said no, hut
told her to leave the house as thew intended
to burn that and wipe cut the id aboli-
ton hole She asked to 90 in and get some
more clothing. which request was granted:
and. while getting the clothing. secured about
her person q bag containing 5000 in gold.
As she came out of her room into the hall
she found it lighted by some inAammablc
substance burning on the floor. and eight or
ten men ranged along each side Of the room
and on passing ont between them. she OBJ
served that the most of them had on slouch-
ed hats drawn down over their faces so that
she could see on v their chins: she however
some of them As soon as she
stepped out on the ground, she was immedi-
ately surrounded by the men. and fearing
some outrage. she dropped her bag of gold,
which was seized by one of them. who held it
up and said. This is such ammunition as |
like" when they all went aside and Mrs.
Jones and the boy went out short distance
and sat down upon a log. After dividing the
booty, the ruilians returned to the house and
dragged the sick man from the chamber. cut
his throat and then rolled him down the
bank. Others were engaged in robbing the
house of everything valuable to them that
could be carried away; and finally. every
thing that would burn was set on fire and the
house was soon wrapped in flames The
house was entirely new, 80 by 30 feet, two
stories high, and we'll furnished throughout.
md had just been filled with new furniture.
costing from $500 to $4,000. 1t was prob
ably the best house in Kansas. Mr.. Good
sell says: After dinner We looked over the
scene of this most diabolical atrocity; we OK
lmined the ruins. and were shown by Mr..
Jones the little building that doubtless saved
MS life by receiving the grape shot and bull
cts that were intended for him. l counted
linc on one side, and others lodged in the
ails ofths fence. &C."
Thus you have partial history of this
lncalled for outrage; l say uncalled for,
because MIR. Jones took no part in all the
difficulties previous to this affair. There