The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-02-28
KANSAS FEBRUARY 2s 1857

the scenery and the eligibility of the
location for a city, concluded to pitch
their tents and wait for the remainder
of the company. They came up du-
ring the day, and all concluded to
make this the first point for settle
ment. This was on the lst day of
August, 1854. Clark Sturns lived
In a small cabin now standing at the
head of Massachusetts street, and
owned, the claim. They purchased
Sturns' right for $500, and took up
their abode as permanent residents
of the Territory. They had come
through, generally unarmed, in the
confidence of safety which all Ameri-
cans feel in travelling through the free
States of the Union. After securing
the town site, few days were spent
in organizing and selecting claims.
This was the first town in Kansas.
On the 10th of August, whilst en-
gagged in these peaceful and necessary
pursuits, the infant colony was visited
by an armed band of horsemen from
Missouri, headed by the same McGee
of whom they had few days pre-
viously purchased their teams, and
ordered to leave the country or prom
ise to adopt the Missouri laws. After
much violent talk and threatening in
ruffian style, the parties agreed on
meeting at the tent of old father
Miller, on the California road, two
miles west of Lawrence.
At this meeting the Alissourians
were joined by pro-slavary settlers,
making in all, forty-three men. The
free State party numbered thirty-two !;
the Lawrence company, consisting of
fourteen, having been joined by other
settlers in the vicinity.
The meeting was organized by call
ing Judge Wakefield to the chair and
appointing S. n. Wood secretary. A
committee of six was appointed, three
from each party, to agree upon mutual
articles of faith and practice, and pre-
sent them to the meeting. The two
parties could not agree, neither could
their committee. One part insisted
on submission, and the other on pop
ular rights. One part of the COM
mittee brought in the right of Mis-
isouri to vote and establish her inStitu-
tons here, and the other that no per-
son had alright to vote excepting he
was an actual resident of the Territory
at the time of voting. The two re-
ports were discussed with great zeal
and earnestness. McGee insisted that
Missouri owned the Territory, and
her laws should govern it; that now
was the time to drive out the ID
abolitionists. If the first set of East.
ern paupers was killed off, it would
deter others from coming that prompt
and decided action was needed to Sc
cure safety and peace to the slave in
terest in the Territory. He was
asked if he recommended that course
and was told, that if he did, the free
State party was now ready to meet the
issue. They had heard on their way
up the river, that they would not bt
allowed to settle in the Territory; tha
| if necessary, to keep the country clear
| of them, they were all to be killed
, As the question was one of deep in.
: terest and in which they were person
! ally involved, they desired an imme
, diate answer, and were prepared t.
meet it.
The prompt and fearless manner O
the free State men, induced the inva
ders to believe that discretion was tn,
better part Of yalor; SO they retired
for the present, leaving the colony t.
, build their houses and prepare fol
winter. Thus ended the first invasion
of Lawrence.
fTo eF f,oSrrNT-ED