Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-06-03
Horrible Tragedy

More Pro-Slavery Murders--Fivs Free
State Men Killed IN Cold Blood, & Five
Others Wounded.
We hasten to lay before our readers the fol-
lowing, communication just received from gen.
tleman whose character for veracity is unim-
peachabs:
MOsEKA, Linn Co., K. T., May 30, SO.
Yesterday party of Pro-Slavsry men from
Missouri came into the Trading Post" situated
on the Military road leading from Fort Scott to
Fort Leavenwerth, where it crosses the Usage
river, about three miles from the State line
They were not seen till they emerged from the
timber and rode up to the store. Here they
took Mr.. G. w Andrew and John +. Campbell
prisoners. They than started on the road to-
wards Kansas City. They overlook here Mr..
Stilwell, from Sugar Mound, who was going up
the river for load of provisions. They took
him prisoner, and ordered the others to get in
to his wagon and ride. In half mile further,
thsy came to q missionary, by the name of Rev.
Charles Reed. They continued on for two miles
and q half, when they had taken twelve men
These men had been taken when at their work.
without resistance, and unarmed, and had not
been implicated in the troubles in Kansas
| They were conservative men.
| On arriving at a deep ravins, in skirt Of
timber, the commander called a halt. The pris-
eners were formed into line, about FIVE yards
in advance of the horssmsn. The command
was given to 'present arms! fire." Every man
dropped. Four were killed dead! all but one of
the others were badly wounded. The rufians
then wheeled their horses and gallopped off. -
In few minutes three of them returned, and
searched their victims for money. They kicked
the men, and rolled them over roughly SO to see
if they were dead. Finding one only slightly
wounded. ruffian put revolver to his ear, and
fred; remarlSing that he had always found that
| the most certain shot he could make. He took
the key of the safe out of Campbelrs pocket,
saying "thore was money in that safe, and he
would come back some night to get it."
The names of the killed are: William Still
well. of Sugar Mound, recently from Iowa. He
is a young man. with a young and beautiful
wife, and two young children. He felt perfectly
safe, remarking to companion that "he was a
Free Mason" and it is said that FREQ Mason
DIR. Hamilton, of Fort Scott, shot him. He was
killed with double barrelsd shot gun loaded
with pistol balls, the charge entering his left
breast. He was highly esteemed in this neigh
borhood, and his death will be avenged. Pat
rick Ross was an Irishman and had been driven
from his claim on the Little Usage, by the same
gang. Mr.. Colpetzsr was famsr from Pennsyl-
vania. He wasa young man, highly esteemed
and had no family.
The wounded are: William Hairgrovs and his
brother Asa Hairgrove, formerly of Georgi~,
the head and front Of their Offending. Also,
Rev Charts Read, Baptist preacher from Wis
consin, who moved into that place a week ago.
He was badly wounded and crcpt into the woods
and was not found till morning. Amos Hall
and his brother, Austin Hall, who was not hurt
but fell from prudential reasons. Charles Sny-
der was slightly hurt in the leg and back.
The ruffian band was led by Brockett, of Fort
Scott, and accompanied by DIR. Hamilton and
others of that place, who have made themselves
notorious for two years past. There were TWEEN
ty-five i'll all, and they were we'll acquainted
with the men whom they killed, excepting Still
well. Eight of them lived in Kansas, and sew
enteen in Missouri Most of these seventeen
lived in and around West Point This place
was the Border Ruffian headquarters in 1856
having Blue Lodge, and being the redezvou,
of the Southern army of invasion under Gen
Clarke, and the secret chamber of the "Coun
icil of Ten," whe decided the fate of prisoner
and of settlers during that gloomy year
The murders were committed yesterday al on'
O'Clock. The news spread like wildfire over thu
country, and before midnight three hundred
men had assembled at the trading post. Scouts
were sent into Missouri, but no clue could bs
found to their retreat. Most of the people il
the State condemned the act, and were willing
we should take them if we could. 1t is suppose,
the ruffians are at West Point, and our men arr
now marching to that place, with the intention
of taking thsm-psaceably if we car, forcibly i
we must. Capt. Montgomery and his men arr
here. The other citizens generally are not or
ganized. There are no arms in the country ex
cepting sporting guns, and not half of the msl
have those. Brig. Gen. Mcdaniel is with TIN
company, but having no military knowledge,h
does not attempt any organization of discipline
The men, however, being determined to fight
will go on, whether they have officers or not
R. B. Mitchell is taking an honorable part ant
is aiding Gen. Mcdaniel.
!. Drs. Danford and Weaver attended tn
wounded men.
The ruffians swear there shall be no crop
raised iu Linn County, this year, so you vii
see the necessity of sending US some arms
Crowds of men assembled, who could not g
for want of them. The old men were there Of
hand to steady the boys, for it has come to this
that every man must fight or lun. ] notice,
Mr.. Wattles Rev. Mr.. Adds, Mr.. Arthur, an,
J several others of the old citizens and old men
A few of the timid may leave, but the genera
feeling is life or death in Kansas.