Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-06-18
Correspondence Of the Traveller.
THE SHOOTING OF col. G.. JENKINS
by GEN. LANE. At LAWRENCE.
LAWRENCE, Kansas, june 3, 1858.

Editors Of The Traveller,
An encounter took place about
half-past one to-day, between Gen. Lane and
Guias jenkins, which resulted in the shoot
ing of the latter by the former, causing his
immediate death.
The circumstances and causes of this dread
full affair are as follows, as nearly as | can
gather them from the statements of parties
concerned on both sides. A great deal of an
imosity has existed between Col. Jenkins and
Gen. Lane, arising out of a dispute as to the
title of a claim adjoining the city of Lawrence,
and in fact making part of its site, which
is contested by these two gentlemen. Cen
Lane claims to be the first settler, as does Mr.
Jcnkins-thc latter having, however, hired II
man named Chapman to build him house,
while himself and family were living in Kan
sas City. This was in the spring of 50.
Lane claims to have bought this Chapman off
house and all. He also built large double
| log-cabin. Jenkins erected n movable cot
tagc, and improved the claim largely. About
forty acres is claimed by the town float. the
title of which is now in dispute. During the
troubles of sc jenkins was a prisoner in L.
compton, under a charge of high treason.
Lane was at the head of the Free State forces,
and nothing was done by either.
This last winter Lane being prepared to
contest the claim, went on and took possess
ion of the cabin built by Chapman. He has
lived there ever since, and lately moved his
family into it. The title to the claim is now
being contested before the Land Office, and
it is rumorcd that Lane is likely to win the
case. The claim is very valuable, being
worth in all probability $50 900. A number
of houses are on it, the town company having
sold lots on the portion claimed to be covered
| hv+ ho;r Muob bar ri foo1ipn nvistad
between the parties on account of this contest,
and both claim that their lives were threat
tened
The immediate cause of the difficulty was
in regard to the use of a we'll, situa ted in the
yard of the cabin occupied by Lane. He had
forbidden Col. Jenkins from using it, stating
that there was not water enough for his own
family use. jenkins had however several
times obtained water in spite of this prohibit
ion, claiming that the well was his, &c.
A week ago he entered Lanes yard and
commenced on the well-cover with an axe, it
having been locked up. Mrs. Lane, however,
orbd him doing it in the absence of her
husband, and he finally desisted. Jenkins
had been in the habit of entering the yard
through gate which he had made Lane
nailed it up last evening, and this morning
it was broken open, and Jenkins workman
was seen obtaining water. Gen. Lane order
ed him off, and threatened to shoot any one
who trcspassed on his premises. At noon a
young man brought message to Lane from
jenkins, that he intended to obtain water,
and was coming after it. According to the
Generals statement to me he requested this
young man to 90 back to Jenkins, and tell
him not to come, in Gods name, or there
would be difficulty. He also states that he
had told Mr.. Stevens, Col. Jenkins lawyer,
a day or two since, to use his influence to
prevent his client from disturbing his Uane's)
family "that though the grave of his child
was in his (Jenkins) door yard, yet he QLane)
had not visited it, much as himself and wife
desired to- because he did not want to have
any trouble
At half past one o'clock, Col. jenkins
with three men, was seen removing Lanes
fence. They were all armed; the men, one
of whom was Jenkins nephew. and the
others, workmen employed by him, with re-
volvers and Jenkins himself. it is said, haC
a Sharp's rifle and an axe. With the latter
he cut away llie gate. Lane came out o
his house unarmcd, and ordered Jenkins t.
leave. Violent language and threats wal
used between the parties, and Jenkins ad
vanccd to Lane with the axe, leaving thu
rifle by the fence. Gen. Lane returned t,
the house, and procured single barrcllet
fowling- piece, which he had loaded with or
binary No. | shot, commonly called duel
shot, when informed, at noon, that Jenkin
was coming to obtain water in spite of tn
prohibition. Lane then ordered jenkins no
to advance. but he still kept on the men fol
lowing, with their revolvers drawn, ant
probably cooked. When jenkins was within
few feet of him, Lane fired, and Jenkin
fall IonI i'm, obi ot al,- ronoivinn tho hnI
contents of the barrel in his breast an,
stomach. Immediately, as near as | cal
learn, one of Jenkins men fred at Lane, an
the ball passed through his hair and slight
grazed his temple another shot was fired a
Jenkins fell, which struck Lane in the lef
knee joint, the ball entering and glancin
upwards into the thigh. Three other shot
were fired at him, neither of which hit him
One was fired through window after h
had entered the house.
Jenkins was Immediately removed to hi
D own house, where terrible scene occurre
with his afflicted family. He leaves wifi
and several cnildren-four or five | believe
, The news reached town, and, under the ex
| element of the moment, a motion was mad
to lynch Gen. Lane. The County ATTORNEY
Mr.. Stafford, made affidavit before Justic
Ladd, and a warrant for Lanes arrest wa
placed in the hands of Sheriff Walker, VIII
: had Just arrived from Fort Scott He pro
ceeded to fulfil his duty, and the General re
mains at his house under Walkers charge
Writs were also issued against tho men VIII
accompanied jenkins, for an assault will
intent to kill" but up to this time they hav
not been arrested.
An intense excitement prevails in town
and much feeling is manifested for and agains
} Gen. Lane. Guias Jenkins, the deceased, i
about As, and was man generally esteemed
and respected. He was an enterprising anC
valuable citizen, and possessed of considerable
wealth. He never has taken a very promin
ent position in Kansas affairs, though AWAY
a Free-State man, and charged with higl
treason. He was arrested at Kansas CITY, a
the same time as G. W. Brown, and was il
the L, S. camp under arrest all that summer
Since his release he has devoted all his atten
ton to business and is universally considered
as a peaceable, conservative man. His dealt
is regretted by all.
After the first feeling had subsidized, caused
by the sight of Jenkins body and his death
in the manner described, as soon as the par
ticulars of the ARRAY was known, publ,
opinion changed materially in favor of Gen
Lane, and tonight the majority of persons
conversing relative to it, seem to consider thu
General as acting in self-defence.
One of the men with Jenkins said to sevc
raj persons on the ground that he should
have killed Lane, if his pistol had not missed
fire. The latter probably owe his escape tC
to fact that at the time he fired he swung hi.
body half round, so as to present less surfac,
to the revolvers presented at him. He state.
that one was aimed directly at his head and
that he only escaped by throwing his head
upon one side.
Col, Jenkins friend states that constant
threats of and even attempts of assassination
had been made upon him through Lanes in
strumentality, while the latter states that