The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-05-02

ed by the death of the other; and now
win you bear with me christian moth
ers, while l tell you of few more Of
our trials? You see I told you we
were the first settlers on the south
side of the Wakarusa, and knew no
person except my father-in-law's fam
lily. My mother-in-law was very Kind
and rendered us all the assistance she
could. but the weather was extremely
cold, and having large family. much
company and many cares, was oblig-
ed to return home when my babe was
two or three days old. Then came
the trying time. My beloved husband
had to assume all the responsible Of
fees of cook, laundress, nurse and
housekeeper, besides all his outdoor
duties, all of which / feel constrained
to say he performed with christian for
titude and resignation. No one who
has not been in a similar condition,
can fully appreciate or truly sympa-
tthize with us. Just fancy yourselves,
dear readers. In similar situation,
with no kind neighbor close at hand
to run over with little chicken soup
or other little. dainties, prepared by
skilful hands and kindly hearts, as
have often seen my own dear mother
and other kind friends do, in days gone
by. ! have often wondered how we
kept from freezing, or at least from
catching a death cold. Only think oi
your own plastered and papered rooms,
with windows darkened. doors closed
and curtains closely drawn around
beds, floors carpcted and scarcely
enough air admitted to keep you alive,
and contrast them with eurs-a cabin
built of unhewn logs ii #. long by IL
wide, one little door made of clap
boards or shakes, which, when closed,
would admit of enough air to ventil-
late the largest house in New York. or
Boston; one little window, six lights in
it, floor made of split logs, what we
call puncheons; and chimney built oil
Hnhewn stone, with mudfor mortar
and this little hoyel to answer the
double and treble purpose ofsick cham
Der, kitchen, smokehouse. parlor, din
ing room and everything else. Some
times the yictuals on the table would
be freezing before they could be eaten.
One morning young man who had
moved into the neighborhood, or eoun-
try-for there was no neighborhood-
came in looking quite sad, and said
that when he awoke the snow was a
foot thick on his bed, and wished to
stay until the storm was over. What
could we do, and what would you do
but say yes? Nothing more OF inter-
est occurred until spring, wheH emil
grants poured in, and this wilderness
was literally madeto bud and blossom
as the rose, and we now might have
been enjoying both peace and plenty
had it not been for our political diff
culties. We have been here the whole
time and have as good a knowledge
of the murders, the troubles, trials
and difficulties, as most others, and it
fills me with resentment snd indigna-
tion to hear men from the North or
from the South say that the Emigrant
Aid Society was at the bottom of it
all, and that it was gotten up for ef-
feet by the Republican party, or Black
Republicans, as some call them.
have heard some poor simpletons say
that Pierce had no right or power TO
interfere In the matter-that Congress
had refused to pass the appropriation
bill, and that had caused the trouble;
also, that the Summer outrage was all
a humbug. gotten up by the Black
Repubiieans4fhat he was not hurt at
all scarcely, and many other such as
sertions. ] made bold to tell one
man who talked thus, and was from
Free State, and professed to be q
Free State man, that be, or one like
him, would do our cause more harm
than six honest pro- slavery men could
do. He rather eontemptuously asked
what our cause was. / replied the
cause of justice, humanity and free
dom, and that believed any man who
talked as he did, was an enemy to
them all. ] told him my parents had
never tanght me to discuss political
subjects, but that had been in Kan
sas too long and suffered too many
privations. difficulties and dangers 20
listen silently to such heartless and
groundless assertions. ] told HIM he
would soor change his mind If his
wife. sister, motter and himself had
to pass through what ne had done
could fill book, and good sized
one, too. in naFrsting the terrors, hor-
rors and c-uelties enf ured By Kansas
pioneers-the sleepless nights, the
agonizing thoughts, the alarming re-
ports, the horrible sights Of dead and
wounded men who were murdered In
cold blood. many of them for no 9TH
er cause or crime under Hesven than
that they wished to live in q Free
state. lime woald fail me to tell ol
the noble Dcwg Barber, Jones. Brown,
Stewart, Saeket, cantrol, and scores
of others who have shamefnlly suffer,
ed and been wsntonIy sacrificed On th.
altar of human slavery; and iust Il
think that the Presi9snf Of these uti-
Etsd States, instead Of sending rs ~
lief and protection. only winked st on
| calamities and moeked at cur fears