Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-01-17
lFor tae spy.
Letter from Kamzus.
Prison CAMP, Leeompton. K T.,
december Doth, 1856

hlSON SAMPi LecUuDplOn IA l., (
december 29th, 1856
MtsSrS. Editors The wild storm that swept
over the beautiful prairies of Kanzas last au
tumn, has settled into something like calm
and the horrors of the first two months of our
nqusitoral Imprisonment appear to U.S. now,
more like bad dream than sad reality. In
Decd were it not that see, in every object that
surrounds us, witness, and in each of our fellow
prisoners living monument of the fact, we
might still think it one of those oppressive visions
Of the sleep, which impress upon the mind every
occurrence of the illusion, with such fearful dis
tinctness, that, when thought reverts to them in
after years, they pass before the minds eye with
all the vividness of panoramic picture.
" Facts are stubborn things" and it is fact,
alas too stubborn, that we have now laid in
prison for more than three months, the first two
of which we were subjected to every iudignty
that a ruffian guard and host of petty officials
could infct. But since our bogus trial (for
now belong to the trustworthy corps, having been
tried and senienced), we have fallen into better
hands. oar master, Capt. Hampton, whom
consider ." our father and our head" treats US
with the politeness of gentleman and the ndul-
who came out to settle colony of Kentuckans.
He is mildly conservative pro-savery man, and
owns slaves in Kentucky, but wiz 90 IN for max
ing Kanzas free State. When we were passed
over to him, he Immediately removed us from our
" charnel house" of prison, TO very comforta-
BILE lighthouse, little out of town, aud placed us
under the care of the u S. Cavalry, who are
achite men But some days ago, even this nomi-
nal guard was removed, since which time we have
guarded ourselves. We go and come when we
please, and majority of US have visited Law.
renee, at different times, within the last month.
Some may ask, on reading this, g Why do you
not escape?" 1 answer, if we wished to, we
might easily do so. But there are many reasons
why remain, which it is not best that should
mention now. Our present treatment forms
lively contrast with that we received during our
first two months confinement, under Titus.
On Christmas night the q" Stubs" gave par
ty at Lawrence 1t was kind of reunion of the
company. They drilled in the afternoon each
appearing in shsny overcoat presented by the
young ladies of the DREAD. Would that the
breads could have witnessed with what firm tread
and martial air they marched, to the music Of
the spirit-Stirring fife -- so-"'uins utum,
their coats and arms gistening in the rays of the
sun. 1t was indeed reunion; Tor since their
last drill they had passed through the battle and
the prison, and their brave hearts beat with pride
and joy, under those shining coats, as they again
met IN the ranks, ready, once more, to do battle
IN the same glorious cause, if need demanded.
But now, with renewed courage and zeal, as each
manly form you see encased in an Dread coat, has
- a guardian anuel'' in of n n,
monwealth, to watch over his destny--one whose
name' written with her own fair hand, he wears
between the coat ard his heart-I thought, when
saw this drill of the Olead Guards. that a
stronghold like the Dread, garrisoned by the
Stubbs, with Mr., Thayer for General, would
indeed be invncible. forgot to mention, that
eight ofsthe "Stubbs" are among the convicted
twenty, still in prison here; but they, too were
present, as well as their fellow conu,ctS.
the supper was provided by Mrs. Gates, for
merly of Worcester, and known here as "tbe
mother of the Stubs, " and never did New Eng.
land mother spread a better Christmas sumner.
before as large family as did she on this eve
ming, before her brave boys and their guests.
Alter the whole company had partaken of the
boun eous repast, an hour or two was passed in
wit, humor, speech, and sentiment. But. to give
you full account would be tedious and, suffice
1t to say, that at about ten o clock the company
retired to the ball room, where the dance went
lively on, until an early hour in the morning when
all took their leave and went to their respect
i've homes. Among the ladies at supper were Miss
Pellet, Mrs Robinson. and many others, whose
names are identified with the history Of Kanzas
Altogether, the whole affair would have done
honor to an older city than Lawrence, and to a
land more famous for the arts of peace than Kan
zas.
There is, l find, much dissatisfaction manifest.
ed with regard to the past action of the Central
Committee, in the distribution of the clothing
and other relief sent from the East. But, now
that Messrs. Hyatt and Army are here, it is de-
voutly hoped that reformation will speedily
take place. Very little of the relief sent from
the East has found its way into the places where
It was most needed-the dark and miserable re.
cesses OF the prison house. Yet am happy to
say that we have received many little attentions
but for these we are indebted to the kindness and
generosity of tine ladies of Topeka and Lawrence,
who have frequently visited US and cheered us by
their smiles
We now look forward to the middle of January
with lively anticipations OF termination to our
long and tedious confinement; for, although or
present treatment is much better than our for.
mer we are still prisoners, and our liberation is
contamination devoutly to be prayed for. Lee
compton, the scene Of so much of our suffering,
is what is called one horse ,oon but, as far as
selling and drinking whskey is concerned. It is
tchoLe team Full half the houses are whiskey
shops, and it isaS barren Of all the luxuries and
rehnemenis of life as it is prolific in wbiskey and
drunkenness.
Some Of the people here had quite jollaca.
ton on receipt Of the news Of Whit6eld's admit
tanee TO a seat in Congress They took out their
oil brass cannon, Sacramento" the same taken
by the free State men at Franklin, last summer,
and retaken with us after the battle Of /" Hickory
Point" and fred several salutes, after which they
gave three cheers for Whitfield. three for the
" Lecompton Union," and three groans for the
Cd id prisoners. They fred two or three
musket shots at the hruse we occupy, but. thanks
to the darkness, none OF them hit the mark. We
have been so often amused In this way, that we do
not notice Il much now. Tho successor Of III