The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-01-30
Assassination In wyando.,.

A dastardly attempt at murder was
made back of the city of Wyandott on
Wednesday evening last, which has Gre
ated profound sensation throughout the
Territory and Missouri. Mr.. SToFER, a
deputy surveyor and Democratic Senator
elect, under the Lecompton Constitution,
stopped in the road by party of men,
one whom advanced and inquired his
name.% On Mr.. Stofer giving it, he re-
piled, "you are the man I wanted" i" and
fred. The ball struck Mr.. Stofer in the
side of the face, completely carrying away
the front part of the upper and lower
jaws. He now lies in critical condition,
and his physicians say he cannot i've.
The facts as we have detailed them above,
were given by Mr.. Stofer, in writing, he
being unable to speak. The event has
caused intense excitement, as he was one
of the most amiable men we have ever
known, and universally respected by his
neighbors of all parties in Wyandott,
where has resided for the past year. The
act is attributed to the DANTE organization
in the Territory, alluded to by Gov. Dem
yer in his message, as 20 other cause can
be assigned for the murder of St0fer, ex-
cept that he was a member of the Legis-
lature elected under the Lecompton Cor
stitution. We have not yet heard what
steps the authorities have taken in the
matter, nor whether any clue can be had
in regard to the perpetrators. That the
act is ascribed to the proper cause We have
no doubt, as the newspapers of the Abo-
lition party in the Territory openly advise
murder in their editorial columns, and
some of its leaders preach and exhort to
assassination from the rostrum. When
the press and stump cry out for blood and
individual murder, is it strange that the
acts are committed by others on the pub
lie highways. This is the legitimate re-
suit of all fanaticism, and we fear that
blood is to be the rule in unhappy Kan
sas, until the strong arm of law and an
outraged community extinguish the evil
If it need be in its own element.
The above article we copy entire from
the Kansas City journal. Report tells us
that Mr.. SToFER will recover. We know
nothing of the facts attending the case,
or the motive which inspired to COM
mission of it. We are frank to confess,
however, that such acts may be expected
when an attempt is made by fraud and
violence to force tyranical government
on free people. While we will not sus-
tain assassination, yet when all honorable
means fail to secure us our rights, we will
advise violence in ridding this Territory
of those who have been instrumental in
enslaving us.
1t is reported that the Pro-slayery
members of the Legislature have taken
up their residence il Weston, Mo-
Whether true or not, we would advise
them for personal security, to take up a
residence in that State, and we would sug-
gest, in addition, that the Penitentiary in
Jefferson City would furnish the best re-
treat for them within our knowledge.
We wish all the world TO understand
that we have labored to exhaust all peace
able measures to regain those rights
wrested from us by villainy, and though
we shall not advise assassinations, we
shall recommend that every person con-
cerned in those frauds, or in any way
privy or advisory to them, receive, in a
summary way, just retribution for his
crimes. Let not the reader, however, in
terpret single word in the above to justi-
fy, or in any manner approve, or endorse
the cowardly attempt at assassination de-
tailed above.