The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-09-25
LAWRENCE, KANSAS, SEPT. 25. 1858.
Hars, the Murderer. Arrested.

On Saturday last, Charles Hays, who
fendishly murdered BUFFuM, in Septem-
ber, 1856, was arrested in this city on q
warrant Issued by Justice Johnston, of
Sumner, on a charge brought against him
by man named Duane. Hays, it seems,
sometime since induced Duane to jump a
claim, and the two (Hays and the prose- |
cutor,) drove the occupant off. Duane
then entered the claim. Hays states that
he furnished him with the means. A
short time since he went to Hays house,
on the military road, about twelve miles
southwest of this place, when the latter
endeayored to extort from him, by threats,
the deed to the land. Failing in this, he,
seized him, and drawinga knife, threat I
ened to murder him unless he gave the
papers up, and the prosecutor states that
he was only prevented from putting his
threat into execution through the inter-
cession of his family, and the fact Of two
strangers coming up. The prosecutor
then got away, and lodged information of
the above facts with the ustice, who is
sued a warrant for his arrest. Hays came
into Atchison, on Saturday morning.. to
serve a notice of some kind on Judge
Adams, and was Immediately arrested by
Marshal Benton, of this city, and taken
to Sumner where he underwent prelim-
mary examination, and was bound over for
a further hearing tomorrow friday
in the sum of $1,000.
Hays is perfect desperate, and one of
the most villainous looking scoundrels we
ever saw. The circumstances attending
the murder of Buffum by him, are among
the most atrocious in the annals of crime.
1t was at the time that the valiant "twen-
ty-seven hundred" marched, not into the
Valley of Death" but upon Lawrence, and
then marched back again. Hays was one
of the notorious and blood thirsty "Kicka-
poo Rangers" and his company, with
some Others, left Lawrence, and pursued
the road to Locompton, to return home
Their march lay past Buffum's house,
and on passing it, they saw Buffum, who
was cripple, gearing up his horses
Several of them, Hays among the number,
accosted him, and demanded his horses.
Buffum begged them not to take them, as
they were his only means of support; that
he had an idiotic brother depending upon
him, and without the horses he could do
nothing. Hays cursed him for "a id
abolitionist," and threatened to murder
him if he did not cease his noise. Buff
fun still continued, and plead with them
to leave him one Of the horses at least,
when Hays deliberately placed revolver
to his breast, and fired; the ball passing
through him. s..Fr
Gov. Geary had arrived in the Terri
tory but short time previous, and the
news was brought to him. He was travel
ing to Lecompton in company with Cato
and stopping at the house of Buffum, he
ordered Cato TO take his dying testimony
The Governor offered reward for the
apprehension of Hays, and he was ar.
rested, indicted by the Grand Jury, and
true bill found against him. Lecompi
admitted him to bail. A delegation o.
Free State men, who went to Gov. Geary
to represent the grievances the Free State
men were subject to, were the first tC
bring the news of his release. They
represented that while charges for tht
most trivial offences were brought agains
Free State men, Pro-slavery men charged
with the blackest crimes were suffered
to so at large, and instanced the discharg'
of Hays. Geary was astonished, anC
would hardly believe it. He said it wa
against all law to admit a man, chargeC
with so heinous crime, to bail, but whel
satisfied that it was so, ordered Hays tC
be arrested again. This was no soone
done, however, than Lecompte released
him on writ of habeas corpus, on tn
ground that the arrest was informal, an,
since that time no action has been takel
in the case, as the bail was WORTHLESS;
and Hays never appeared to answer tn
charge.
He has got into the hands of men nov
who know how to meet out justice +
such scoundrels, and we trust he vii
receive the full punishment his Grim
merits.-Atchison Champion. -Ist