The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-03-27
KANSAS

KANSAS
GOV. GEARY'S RESIGNATION.
The Outrages Of the Border Ruifians.
THE TREACHERY OF PIERCE.
con.pirse,s,, Murders, Mail Roberts, Az True !
At length We have story Of the wrongs
inflicted by the border.rufans in Kansas,
which, we think, may be credited Let US
hear no moro of "Frec state perveBions''
and abolition lies" The correspondence
that has appeared in the columns Of the
Democrat from time to time, has only been
untrue in its failure to fully represent the
atrocities Of the Pro-Slavery outlaws, who
have gained foothold in Kansas.
Gov. John W. Geary. at Lecompton, on
the 18th inst, forwarded his resignation of
the Goyernorship Of Kansas to the Depart.
ment at Washington. Having notified Mr..
Woodson, Secretary Of tho Territory, of the
fact, and having surrendered to that officer
the Official control, he, IN few days after
quit the country and started for tho Fast.
lie arrived in this city on Sunday evening,
accompanied by his private Secretary, DR..
Gihon. Yesterday afternoon no called ut
this office, and in the course Of long con-
yersation gave us.a complete history of his
administration in Kansas, and more than
confirmed all the reports which reached the
public through tho Democrat, Of the outra-
yes of the Pro-Slayery bandits and rebels In
that unhappy Territory:
The Governor states the cause of his rcsig-
nation to DO the failure of cx.Prcsident
Pierce to fulfil the pledges made at tho time
of his acceptance of tho appointment. The
promises oil Mr.. Pierce, he says, were to
support him (Geary) with the United States
army, the militia, and the Treasury, il ncc-
essary; but instead of receiving this aid,
either in men or money, from tho President,
he has paid $4,000 out Of his own pocket,
for the support of his administration and
with regard to military support. he has even
been refused o detachment of two companies
of cavalry, for which he applied under the
most urgent circumstances, and received the
naughty answer from the officer in COM
mand. that the army Of the United States
was not employed to protect him. In add.
ton, the Judiciary ofthe Territory, US well
as the military Of tho Government refused
its support. Judge Lcompte thwartcd him
on ali occasions, and having the means to
execute ms judicial DEGREES, was enabled to
override him in every important measure.
Again, throughout his whole official ca.
rcer, he has been an object of hatred to an
organized and sworn band of conspiators in
the Territory. He states that fifty men
were under oath from tho day he entered
tho country until he left it, TO assassinato
him provided his official career should dcyi.
ate from that course which they had marked
out for him. His life thus in constant jcop-
ardy, the judiciary bitterly opposed to him,
the military inactive and stubborn, and tho
Government without money or means Of any
kind, he was necessarily compelled to de-
cline. The Governor says no regrets the
step he was obliged to take most sincerely,
and feels confident that had he received the
assistance promised him. he could have I'D
ministered the Affairs Of the Territory in n
manner acceptable to the honest settlers Of
both sides.
In relation to the robbcries, arsous and
murders ut tho hands Of the Pro-Savcry
ruIians, which have taken place in Kansas,
the Governor says the half has not yet been
told. He says: Tho murder of Buffum
by Hayes was one Of the most cold.bloodcd
and atrocious affairs ever witnessed. The
Governor reached the spot u few moments
after the affair occurred. As the poor Eel.
low was lying upon the cath in bis agonies,
the blood streaming from his wounds, and
The cold sweat of death upon his brow, he
seized the Governors hand, and declared
that az he looked for mercy heacafter, he
was innocent of oil causes of oilensc that ii
was most foul and unprovoking murder.
He asked his assassin why he sought his life
or desired to take his property-that upon
his efforts depended the subsistence of an
aged father and mother, q deaf and dumb
brother, and q sister-that he himself was q
cripple, and therefore harmless. To this
appeal no was told that no was odd
Aholitionist, and that ",hey intended to
destroy the whole of them" Upon which
Hayes, one Of the gang, seized him by the
collar. and, placing the pistol against his
stomach. shot him.
The Governor pledged him, while he held
his cold hand in his own, that he would use
all in his power to bring his murderer to
Justice. 81 SPENT" said the Governor,
..fiye hundred dollars TO have his assassin
arrested: and l would have spent five
thousand dollars to have done so. IL 1t had
been necessary" II is well known that the
Governor had Hayes arrested, but, scarcely
was he put In prison, when Lccompte issued
writ Of habeas corpus, had him released
and set ut liberty upon ardp bail. Hayes
Is now in Missouri, and Is playing the gen.
tleman. Tho Governor further states that
after the release Of Hayes, Surveyor General
Calhoun took occasion, in public speech
upon the matter, to declare that the dis
charge Of Hayes was perfectly legal, and
that il was mistake to suppose that the
Territorial laws were enacted for the benefit
of any other persons than tho Pro Slavery
men.
Speaking Of the insult offered him, which
led to the death Of Shernrd, the Governor
gave detailed account Of the transaction,
and the manner in which his assassination
had been previously planned. His own
irmness, however, prevented Its execution.
Sherrard, the Governor states, with three
others, waylaid him in the hall Of the Leg.
islaturc. lie discovered them, and knew
their purpose ;!and when Sherrarj spoke to
him made no reply, but passed on, when
Sherard Spat upon his back several times.
As soon as these facts became known, o
public meeting was held, composed princi.
pally Of Pro-Slavery men, for the purpose Of
denouncing the act. II was ut this meeting
that Sherrard was shot. When the resolu. |
tons were read, Sherard said that any
person that endorsed them "was liar, q
coward and scoundrel." Mr.. Shepperd then |
arose, and stated that he Endorsed them, and
was neithera liar, scoundrcl, nor coward.-l
Sherrard then drew his revolver. and com.
mcnced shooting at Shcpperd, who received
three balls in his body. Mr.. s. then snapp. |
ed pistol at Shcrnrd; bat 1t failing fro,
he rushed upon him and struck him with
his weapon. They were separated, and
Sherrard then drew another pistol and ad-
yanccd upon Jones, whom he had previously
insulted because he was member Of the