The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-10-03
IcoPYRreuF sEcUKED.I
T--'e1l efPTs55FT J07 10 y
4 COMPLETE
HISTORY OF KA NSAS
r;,,t Discovery by the French, to
t.,e Close OF the Year 1857.
By THE EDITORS.
CHAPTER XVII.

By THE EDITORS.
CHAPTER XVII.
~ wAEARUsA Ar CoSTINCED-iTS DIPLo-
Y,cY AND IScIDENTs.
Tae correspondence of officials came to
rgbt by degrees, after the town! had been
mt IN state of defense. This cores
roadence developes the fact that the OBJ
isst designed by Sheriff Jones was not
he arrest of few Free State disorgani-
,srs but the expulsion or subjection of the
whole Free State population. The first
document in order was written at Frank
lin Immediately after the rescue Of Bran
.oD II is from SHERIFF JONES TO Gov
rEyoR SHANNON.
RoreLAs COUNTY, K. T., Nov. 27, 1857.
srR:-Last night /, with posse of ten
men. arrested one Jacob Bronson by virtue
Of peace-warrant regularly issued, who,
oaour return was rescued by a party of
forty armed men, who rushed upon US
suddenly from behind house upon the
nad-side, all armed to the teeth with
Sharpe'S rifles.
You may consider an open rebellion as
having already commenced and call up
IN YOU for three thousaad men to carry out
the laws. Mr.. Hargis (the bearer of the
lgttey), viii give more particularly the cir
clmstanccs. Most Respectfully,
SAMUEI.J. JONES,
e Tlo,goyxo Iosy,,J,,
To His Excellency, WILsoS SHANNON,
GoueT1aog Of Kansas Territory.
Three thousand pro-slavery men in
Kansas No one ever dreamed Oft.
This letter was sent to Gov. Shannon
bv messenger, and was received the same
dsv. 1t was designed as a blind. The
sheriff knew well, though the Governor
did not. that the forces were TO come from
Missouri.
With great alacrity he obGyed the COM
nand; for it was master VINO spoke 1t
has already been stated that unfortunately
Goy. Shannon fell into the hands of the
Pro-Slavery party before his arrival in the
Territory, and had become SO prejudiced
sgainst the Free state population, that he
looked upon them as outlaws to be sub
dued, and not fellow citizens to be consult
ed, and governed by their own consent
Gov. Shannon never visited Lawrence,
or other Free State towns. He was in the
keeping of a committee, probably un-
known to himself, who Watched and guard
ell him night and day, lest some ray of
light, or some truth from the other party
should break in upon his mind, and he
should discover the miserable faction in
Kansas calling itself the law and ORDER
party, which was the Pro-Slavery party;
and assuming to rule the Territory OF
Kansas.
But blind to the position of parties, and
cOHfdent of an easy success, he dispatch,
si the following official orders to Genera
Richardson at Doniphan, and to Genera
STickler at Tecumseh.
HEAD QUARTERS, SHAWNEE MISSION, !
X. T., NovenaJer 27, 1855.
AAJ.- GENERAL WILLIAM p. RIcHARDsoN
SIR Reliable information has reached
me that an armed military force is now il
Lawrence, or in that vicinity, in open re-
beliion against the laws of this Territory
and that they have determined that nc
process in the hands of the sheriff of that
county shall be executed. Ihave received
letter from S. J. Jones, the sheriff o.
Douglas County, informing me that h(
had arrested man under warrant placed
in his hands; and while conveying him tt
Leeompton, he was met by an armed force
Of some forty men, who rescued the pris-
oner from his custody, and bid open def.
ance to the law. | am also duly inform
cd that band of armed men have burned
number of houses, destroyed persona
property. and turned whole families out o
doors. This has occurred in Douglas
County; warrants will be issued against
these men and placed in the hands of Mr.
joRes, the sheriff of that county, for exc
Cutionswho has written to me, demanding
three thousand men to aid him in preserv
Tas the peace and carrying out the process
vlthe law.
You are hereby ordered to collect to
setheF as large force as you can IN you
division, and repair without delay to lie
COMPTON, and report yourself to s. j. Jone
Sheriff of Douglas County. You will in
iasm him of the number of men unde
your control, and render him all the assist
ace in your power, should he require You
ed in the execution of any legal process
n his hands.
Theforces under yonr command are q
eeused for the sole purpose of aiding tn
sheriff in executing the law, and for non
ether. have the honor to be,
lour obt. servt, WILSON SHANNON.
Here follow the orders of General Shick
ls,:
HAD QUARTERs, SHAwNEE MISSION, .
{. T., -N0uegs5er 9th, 1855. {
GES. II. J. STgIekLEs SIR II al
ms moment advised by letter from S. i,
deaes, sheriff of Douglas County, tn;
Ssile conveying a prisoner to Lecomptoi
shem ne had arrested by virtue of a peace
warrant, hewas met by band of arme
ash, who took said prisoner forcibly OF
= rs possession, and bid open defiance
ne execution of law in this Territory
ne his demanded of me three thousan
men 10 aid in carrying out the legal pr,
4 eAs IN his hands. As the Southern d
'Aiea OF the Militia of this Territory
es yet organized, can only request yo
= collect together as large force as yC
%, and at as early day as practicabl
-4.d report yourself, with the men You ma
Sse, to S. J.. Jones, Sheriff of Dough
hfy, to whom You will give every a
sahee IN your power towards the exec
Mt ysa OF the legal process in his hands,
= aateyer forces you may bring to his a
IS % es used for The sole purpose of adj
e sa'd slaes!6 IN the e1ecmti0s of the Ease,a,
Il IS expected that every good citizs
sih aid and assist the lawful anthoriti
= The execution Of the lawsof the Ter
I and the preservation of gbod order.
ioar obi. Servt., WLsos SHANSo