The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-07-18
LAWRENCE, KANSAS SATURDAY, JULY l8, 1857

of the usurpation, will be clearly seen by
the following extracts from the newspa-
pers of the day, published Immediately
after it took place. The Herald of Freedom
has the following
INCIDENTS OF YEsTERDAY.-During the
whole of the day, Friday, until about
O'Clock in the afternoon, the mercenaries
from Missouri had possession of the bal
lot box, and the passage to it, and control
led it as far as they were disposed. Mr..
ABBOT, one of the judges of the election,
who desired to see the law enforced to the
letter, felt compelled to yaeate his seat,
when it was readily filed by pro-slave-
~ person-whether one of the imported
ones from Missouri, we are not informed.
Mr.. EDWIN BOND, who went there in
the morning to discharge his obligation as
citizen, was forcibly elected from the
ground, and pursued by an angry crowd
to the bank of the river with curses and
threatenings of destruction, and compelled
to jump down the declivity, when a re-
volver was discharged at him, and a ball
narrowly escaped his head. He ran
along the beach, and finally escaped un-
scathed.
Mr.. WILLIS was also threatened, but
through the influence of friends, who
knew his danger, was prevailed upon to
leave the ground and to this circumstance,
probably, he owed his safety.
Mr.. G. STEARNs, who represented him
self as correspondent of the n. Y. T'I-
-bane, and appeared upon the ground with
pencil and note book, came in for share
of their hatred. 1t seems he had no de-
sire to ego up" at present, and esteeming
prudence the better part of valor," retir-
ed to the country" where report says he
is Sojourning at our present writing.
Mr.. PAGE, at the boarding house, was
assailed, and for short time appeared in
danger from revolver in the hands of a
son of Bacehus; but friend at his left,
with pair of similar instruments, gave
tone to the circumstance, and caused the
mercenary to cover, and finally leave the
premises.
The greater part of those from Mis-
souri, who voted in this city, left in the
afternoon, and removed to their encamp-
ment on the Wakarusa, seven miles dis
tant. Their places here were filed at
nine or ten o'clock by those who had gone
to Tecumseh the night previous. 1t ap-
pears portion of the latter number had
resolved to destroy the Herald of Freedom
Office, with two or three other buildings,
and had signified their intention in such
amanner as to reach the ears of some of
our citizens. Accordingly, measures were
taken for defence, in case of all attack
During the whole night, patrolling parties
from the enemy were riding on horse
back at intervals through the town, ,appar-
emily making observations; but they met
everywhere the night guard, and probably
concluded the better way would be to
leave without committing any act of vio-
lence.
We repaired to the polls at about ten
O'Clock in the morning, but retired on the
assurance of numerous friends that we were
in great personal danger, thinking it best
to defer our rights as an elector to later
period in the day, when it was hoped bet-
ter order would prevail. At about four
O'Clock we again visited the polls, and
discharged our duties as freeman with
out molestation. 1t was the first time we
ever appeared at the ballot box with an
instrument of defence, and we trttst it will
be the last time it will be deemed necessa-
ry to be guarded by retinue of friends,
each provided with bowie knives and re-
vOlvers, besides having several of the lat
ter instruments about our own person
ready for immediate use.
| Several persons were severely crowded,
and their clothes torn, ON their passage to
vote, and some, who were in hurry to
get away, were compelled to make their
exit over the '1of of the building to the op-
posite side of the house, to escape the
crowd.
On the part of our citizens there was nc
word or gesture used to incite the passions
of the invaders; on the contrary, the most
prominent men were conversed with free
ly, and every caution used to prevent ex-
citement on the part of all. Had melee
commenced, it would have been general
and hundreds would have fallen victims
Our own people made no display of mean:
of defence; but, had the occasion de.
manded, instrumentalities quite as effec'
tive as revolvers would have been called
| into requisition.
The Missourians had two caronades OF
the ground, but showed much good sense
by keeping them as. much out of sight a.
i possible.
! EIrc1Jo,r N THE VEcIr,Fcru nrvrpYc9,