The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-07-31

After taking an early breakfast we re-
sumed our journey over very rich prai-
rie, with heavy timber in every direction.
We soon crossed at the confluence of the
Big Sugar Creek, and the Usage river, BY
means of rope ferry. After emerging
from the timber near the river, We arrived
here at the trading post. We found three
or four one-story antiquated looking bull
dings, comprising house, blacksmith
shop and warehouses. We were inform
ed that one of the men who was killed in
the late brutal massacre, was taken from
his store at this place. We found our ar
rival was anticipated, and received direc-
tions to make our headquarters at a
house about one-third of a mile distant
On our arrival at this place we. found
several loads ofmen and women who had
come to hear the Governor speak.
was informed that two of our party,
who travelled in the buggies, had arrived
in advance ofus, and in company of our
good old friend, Mr.. Hairgrove, Zone of
the party wounded at the massacre,) had
gone to the place of the tragedy. l ex-
erted myself to get up another company
to visit this ground. but it was in vain
1t was either 'too far" 'too hot" or the
"horses were too tired" SO that they could
not go. l acknowledge that l had more
Yankee curiosity than they,and was de-
termined that it should be gratifed. A
citizen volunteered to accompany me to
the top of high mound, near the house,
from which we could see another mound
about three miles distant behind that, in
a ravine, is the massacre ground" Hav-
ing this direction / started off alone. At
ter walking mile, l came to well culti-
waited farm, with fertile crops, but appa-
rently without an owner, no person being
near. After leaving this, passed sever
al other farms, but could not see any one,
of whom | could get any other informa.
ton. Many of them have been deserted
by timid families who have moved to
other parts of the Territory
Others have been vacated by mothers
and children. who have moved to thick
er settlement for protection, while the
husband was on the line Ohe Missouri
State line running near here) repelling any
further invasion. In my course ] passed
near twelve or fourteen farms, on not one
of which did see human being; there
were fine crops of wheat, oats, corn and
potatoes growing luxuriantly. Occasion
ally horse, but more frequently oxen and
COWS, were to be seen grazing. There
were generally hens and chickens to be
seen about the houses, scratching for
morsel. By them thought / would be
welcomed, but even they seemed to regard
me as "border rufiian," and would i'm
mediately "cluck" and gather their chick
ems under their wings.
While knocking in vain at the door of
house, drove of sheep came towards
me, not in a frOlicking, skipping man
ner, but cautiously, and giving expression
to their fears, by their mournful bleating.
Everywhere
"BIack melancholy sits, and around her throws
a death ike silence AL dread repose.'
Having walked three miles, l discover
ed in the distance a carriage surrounded
by dozen horsemen. Iknew that my
only source of information was in them,
and therefore did all in my power to at
tract their attention, believing there was
more probability of their being the ''Free
State SCOUT than Missouri ruffians. Fear
ing they had not seen me, | discharged my
heavy revolver, when / observed they
separated, the majority of them going in
another direction, the remainder coming
towards me. In few minutes l diseov-
cred that the carriage contained Mr..
Hairsrove and two of our party who had
left in the morning. They had been
seen by the scout, and were Immediately
pursued and overtaken by number of
well armed horsemen. The presence of
Mr.. Hairgrove relieved the Others of all
suspicion. They had been to the massa-
ere ground, and were then going to Fort
Hamilton which was near by. At their
suggestion took the carriage, and in COM
pany with Mr.. Hairgrove proceeded to
the massacre ground, about half mile
distant.
We came to ravine filled with trees.
which divided the rolling prairie. We
were on one of these slopes, when Mr..
Hamilton directed my attention to a
small, one-story house and a rough black
smith shop near 1t, on the side of the ra-
vine. Said he, there Mf. Snyder, (well
known as Dutch Snyder,O the black
smith lived. Oar parry were ordered to re-
main here under guard, while Capt. Ham,
ilton and Others went to Mr.. Snyder's,
: who was at work in the shop, and said to
him, 'now We have got you Just where
we want you" Snyder replied, ''the
ID you have" and ordered his boy to
run to the house for another gun. He
was told not to go by one of the ruff1ans;
but not noticing this, he went on. At
this moment Capt. Hamilton got of of his
horse and firedeat Snyder, who immedi-
ately returnedhe fire, the shot grazing
by Hamilton's shoulder, and lodging in
his horses shoulder. Hamilton was con-
vinced that Snyder was not to be taken,
and Immediately retreated. Snyder was
wounded in the leg and in the breast with
the shot, bnt not seriously. He is now a
lieutenant in the company defending the
line.
! They returned to the prisoners and
marched them around TO the head of the
rayine, about three quarters of mile dis
tant, where they were formed into line
for slaughter Their number was ten.
Ihe fuf1aDS, VINO mum oeTed from twenty-
five to thirty, were stationed about twelve
feet from the Free State men. The ruff
fans were all on horseback and on the
slope of aravine, several feet higher than
their victims, who were in the bottom of
the ravine. When all was arranged,
Capt. Hamilton said, make ready, aim,
/ fire b' A complaint was made that all did
| not obey the order. Capt. Hamilton
swore at them and again gave the order.
All but the notorious Brocket obeyed the
/ order. He insists that he did fire-if so,
it was after the first volley. They all fell
i The 6ends then dismounted and fired
/ their revolyers, saying, be sure none b
left to tell the tale. Five were killed. the
Others feigned death, and remained there
until the awful silence was broken by thu
i angel of mercy, Mrs Reed most amis