The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-05-22

Iar1rOs.ar Moy atb IS

1 Little OcA1E, ALoY CtUx AOOOst
Mr.. Brown At this time we are e.
tjoying calm, and the farmers are busH
engaged in putting in their crops. 1t /
sincerely to be hoped, through the effort
of the gentlemanly Marshall, Mr.. Smith
and the efforts of the good citizens, peace
may be vouchsafed to the citizens Of
/ Southern Kansas.
Since I last wrote you, some thiEP
worthy of note have transpired. ""he IL
tie skirmish on the Marmaton produced
profound excitement. This hurried mt
tiers to a crisis. On the evening of TIE
18th 1tt, the rufians who reside at the
Fort took young man by the name OF
Potts prisoner, as he was entering town in
the dusk of the evening, carried him 20
the Border Ruffian Hotel, and detained
him as spy. Mr.. Potts is recently from
Illinois, and is known to be young MAJ
of irreproachable character. The ruffiaIs
held mock examination of the prisonef,
called in Captain Anderson to recognize
him as being in the fight on the Marina
ton, but finally found him guilty of being
a Free State spy. The judgment was
death by hanging, all voting in the afirma-
tive save one. Eleven of these despera-
does took the young man out southeast
of town to execute the decree Of the gang
sitting in judgment. The Elk Sheriff of
the county is said to have performed the
duties of hangman. The ynnng man was
hung until almost strangled, when he was
taken down and told that he could live if
he would Immediately go and shoot Mr..
Crawford. This he peremptorily refused,
choosing death rather. The mob then
resolved to shoot him. The first gun
failed fire, and Mr. Potts almost involun-
tarily sprang to make his escape. He ran
ten or fifteen steps, when several shot
guns were fred at him, but without effect.
He ran for life, and was holly pursued.
His course was up little ravine. In his
endeavors to escape, he fell into pool of
water, and in the act of getting up, he
threw off his coat. When his pursuers
came up to the coat, one swore they had
killed the damned Abolitionist, and an
other swore he would have the last shot,
Two shots were fred into the coat, suppos-
ing it to contain the body of the owner.
Mr.. Potts had secreted himself under the
bank close by. Thirteen shots were fired
at him, one brushing his cheek. Provi-
dence willed that he should escape the
fury of these worse than devils. They
returned to the Fort in haste, and Mr..
Potts left for Missouri. He has returned
to the Marmaton, and has gone before the
Grand Jury and made oath to the facts.
Z Now came the crisis. On Wednesday
following, the Juror had reached the run
ming over point. A mob gathered, led by
Brocket, DR.. Hamilton & Co., swearing
they would kill Crawford, Diamond and
Gallaher. The mob was put down by the
intervention of the troops, Zone good deed. }
Fearing they would be arrested, some of
the worst characters left town next day.
Doubtless the Grand Jury will find bills
against all of them, and warrants will be
issued, so that if they ever return, they
will be Immediately arrested. Some of
the citizens of the Fort are determined to
seize this opportunity to rid the place OF
those violent characters. Prompt action
on their part. six months ago, would have
saved the character of the place, aud the
citizens of the county much anxiety and
trouble. But better late than never. Sue
cess to their efforts. CHEROKEE.