Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-12-31
Kansas Dimcuity---Fort scott Fight.

The Lawrence letter to the Chicago Tribune
under date of Dec. 18th, gives the following
account of the recent outrages and bloodshed at
Fort Scott. 1t will be seen that Gov. Medary,
like HE ilustrious predecessors, has difficulties
to meet in the outset of his administration.
We were greatly surprised to-day by the ar
rival of a delegation from Fort Scott, who re
present that matters are taking more serious
turn than ever before, and that blOcd has once
more split upon our soil. Mr.. Bluff, sheriff of
Bourbon county, Mr. Campbell, deputy marshal
of the same, and James Jones, editor of the Fort
Scott Democrat, are among the delegates
They have come up to communicate the facts
to Governor Medary, who arrived at his post
only two days ago. They state that on Thurs
day morning last, at an early hour, Capt. Mont
gomery, at the head of about 100 men, marched
into Fort Scott, with all the paraphernalia of
war, including howitzer, formerly used in this
place That they first released Mr.. Rice,
who had formerly acted under Montgomery,
but has recently been convicted of theft and
murder, and was then in custody therefor. He
was set free on the ground that those old char
ges were bygones, and none of his party should
suffer for offences committed, while they were
in state of open warfare, upon their pro-slay-
cry enemies. Thus far, their action may be
| justifable, but our informers state that the
party Immediately commenced firing upon a
store occupied Deputy Marshal Little, who was
when they were attacked by Q. S. troops under
Capt. Anderson The father of this young
Little was a member of the Lecomtpon Con-
stitutional Convention "a very hot pro-
slavery partisan-and has always been iden-
tilted in our difficulties. Mr.. Little was shot
dead at one of the first fires through the win
dow, and it is stated that his body was dragged
from the store, when the party entered and
helped themselves to the most valuable con-
tents. taking in all several thousand dollars
Other shots were fired by both parties, and sew
eral were wounded. Such is the substance of
their narrative. They have visited the Govern
or to-day, and returned here again this even
| ing They report that he received them most
kindly, and regarded their complaint as a
matter of the utmost importance to South
ern Kansas But this was his initiative, and
he must not act without consideration and pru.
dence
He would decide in a day or two upon some
mode that in his judgment would restore peace
to that section of the Territory. Among the
propositions discussed, one project was to de-
clare martial law, another to use the troops
| as a posse, another to call upon disinterested
sheriffs to assist from other counties, bring
ing large posses, and have all who are impi-
Gated in the lare murder, forcibly taken by
them, and still another, to send down COM
mttee to learn ard report all the facts from both
sides.
! This report seems rather erparte, IN opposi-
ton to Montgomery. All Kansas tempests of
this kind have two sides to the view. When
we have heard the other, it will be time
enough to decide impartially. At present the
case looks exceedingly bad for Montgomery,
and 1 shall be the last to seek to shield him
or his abettors from justice if he has transcend
ed the measure of humanity, although have
usually defended his former policy. The
bounds Of stoical proprietY vascilate some
what when a man is driven to the wall
The news is not yet cold of a midnight attack
upon Montgomery by twelve armed men
Whether the incidents have any connection, 1
know not