The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-06-26
For, Scot, piaeal,i...
BouaBos Co., june LIST, 1853.


BoURBos Co., June LIST, 1853.
Mr.. ED1ToR-The recent horrible muir
ders in Linn Co. have most intensely ex-
cited the people of all Southern Kansas.
They have resolved, as one man, before
God and the country. to search out and
bring to justice all those engaged in that
cold blooded murder. 1t was believed
that some of the persons engaged in this
crime-without parallel in the history
of crime-had taken refuge in Fort Scott
WITS were procured against G. w. Clark,
B. F. Hill and DR.. Caster, residents of
the Fort, and placed in the hands of
Marshal Walker. On Saturday last the
Marshal, accompanied by Col. Williams, of
Osswotomie, arrived at Rays Mill, on the
Usage, and proceeded at once to make
arrangements to make the arrests. He
summoned almost fifty persons on the
Usage, the Marmaton and Mill creek, to
act as posse eoaitatus. Notice was sent
to Lieut.. Shin, commanding the artillery
stationed there, and, I believe, also to
Judge Williams.
Montgomery was on the Usage, and
learning that the Marshal intended to go
into the Fort on the following morning,
and believing the suspected criminals
would endeavor to escape, he placed a
small party on the Military road north of
the Fort, and also between the Fort and
the State line. No doubt he expected to
take them On the run. Sabbath morning
the Marshal and his posse proceeded to
the Fort to make the arrests. Montgom-
cry, unaccompanied, fell into the crowd
when within two miles of town. Where
he came from no one knew, and what his
purpose could be. was equally mysterious.
So unexpected and accidental was his
presence, that but few seemed to take any
notice Of him. / presume no person, but
himself, is responsible for his being in the
posse.
The Marshal marched quickly to town
and surrounded the Border Ruffian hotel,
Clark's house, and x-Sheriff Hills house.
DR.. Carter was arrested. Clark took refuge
in the City hotel, but information of his
whereabouts was obtained. He threatened
to resist. The Marshal ordered his posse
to fall into line and to present arms
When Clark heard the click of the gun
lock he gave in, and the writ was served.
Hostile threats of the grosest character
were made. Men scattered in groups,
armed with guns and revolyers, threaten
ed to resist the Marshal. Just at this
time some of the Fort Scott men learned
that Montgomery was in town. The ex-
element became intense, and fight
seemed almost inevitable. His presence
was openly declared sufficient cause for
forcible resistance. @
Walker was called on to arrest Mont
gomery. He promptly made the arrest,
but as it was considered unsafe to leave
Montgomery in custody at the Fort, the
Marshal concluded to take him before
Judge Cato.
Clark and Carter were delivered into
the care of Marshal Smith, and the writ
for Hill was also placed into his hands.
Walker and his posse then Immediately
left town. So far, all seemed to end well,
although attended with great excitement.
On the following day we learned the
prisoners had been turned loose without
an examination. Marshal Smith pro-
nounced the writs bogus, and told the
prisoners he had no authority to hold
them. Of course he declined to arrest
Hill.
A loud howl was Immediately sent up
against Walker, and imprecations and
hostile threats were plentifully bestowed
upon the citizens OF the Usage and the
Marmaton, who had simply obeyed the
orders of the Marshal. If there is any
thing wrong connected with this affair.
/ am sure the citizens of the Usage and
the Marmaton are not at all responsible.
They simply acted as posse in obedience
to the requisition of the Marshal. They
entered town civilly and departed civilly.
They maintained themselves firmly and
would have showed themselves prompt
and firm ifany resistance had been offered
the Marshal.
The citizens are determined to bring
those men, implicated 10 the atrocious
murder on the Maria des Cygnes, to JUS
tice at all hazards, and at any cost
They can not evade the demands of JUS
lice. x. w.