Freeman's champion., 1858-06-17
The Lawrence Tragedy.

plete account of the late deplorable
tragedy in Lawrence, deduced from
legal testimony. The trial of Gen.
LANE EiSnow progressing before Justice
LADD, but up to our latest advices but
one witness had been examined, and
the evidence given by him furnishes
nothing Of Importance. We are
therefore compelled to give an ac'
count Of the affair from current re-
ports, which we do from the most un-
biasSed source.
AS is generally known, there is a
claim adjoining the city of Lawrence
in dispute between these two parties.
It was the cause of much i'll feeling.
Col. JENEINs and family resided on
one portion of the claim, as did Gen.
LANE and family on another. In the
enclosure of the latter there was a
well, from which Mr.. JENKINS had
been in the habit Of getting WATER
ILANE had forbidden him, but he (JEN-
xINs) still persisted, and on one oc-
casion some alteration occurred be-
tween him and Mrs. LANE. On the
morning Of the dispute, JENKINS sent
word to LANE that he was coming
anyhow, Threats, it is stated. had
passed between both parties. At
about half past one JENKINS appeared
at LANES fence, accompanied by
three young men armed with revolv-
ers. He himself had q Sharpe's Rifle,
which he laid down by the fence. He
commenced cutting the fence away
with an axe. Gen. LANE came out,
unarmed, and ordered Mr.. JENKINS
to desist. The latter, however, con-
linued his work, using violent Ian
guage, it is stated. He entered the
yard with his axe raised in threat
ening manner, and Gen, LANE re-
treated to the house, where he pro-
cured gun and came out again. At
this time, according to Gen. LANES
statement, JENKINS had his axe club
bed, and two of the young men hap
their revolvers drawn. LANE forbid
JENKINS coming on, and then fired,
killing him instantly, The gun was
a single barreled fowling piece, load
ed with small shot. The discharge
took effect in the breast and stomach,
producing instantaneous death. LANE
was abouti16 feet from JENKINS when
he fired. AT the same time-proba-
bly, nearly simultaneou ously--arevolver
was fired at LANE, tho ball passing
through his hair, just grazing the
left temple. Three other shots were
fired at him, one of which took effect
in his knee, the ball entering at the
joint, passing round the bone and
glancing upwards into the thigh
where it still remains. LANE re-
turned to the house. The Sharpe's
Rifle was also fred at him, but went
wide of the mark, passing through
the window Of his dwelling.
A great excitement prevailed in
town Immediately, and under the in
Auence of it, some over-zealous
friends Of Mr.. JENKINS proposed tc
hang Gen. LANE, and went SO far as
to make demonstrations toward that
object. Sheriff WALKER Immediately
took Gen. LANE into custody on &
charge Of willful murder. Sheriff
{ Jones attempted to make himself very
prominent in exciting the citizens
against LANE, the natural result o
which was only in the other direction
Two young men, HENRY DuTuR ant
RAY GREEN, who were with JENKINS
were arrested ON charge of assault
with intent to kill, and have beer
bound ever to appear in answer tc
the charge at the next District Court
Gen. LANE lies very sick indeed, ant
il is stated will probably lose his leg
and may yet lose his life. He is in
state of great mental excitement, anf
: that with the warm weather has ag
gravated his wound very much.
Col. JENKINS was buried on Sun
> day, the 9th inst. The Rev. Mr.