Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1858-07-07
The Troubles in Southern Kansas
Gov. Denver's Visit Of PaOihOatiOn
state Of Matters at Fort Scott.

--State Of Matters at Fort Scott.
The Kansas correspondent Of the Gin.
cinnsli Gazette accompanied Gov. Denver
on his peace mission to Fort Scott, and be
has given a candid account Of what was
seen, said, and done. The mission was
successful. and the correspondent thus states
what each party admitted against them
selves:
WHAT THE PRO SLAVERY PARTY ADMITS.
The Pro Slavery men admitted that bad
men who had committed oulrages and
crimes in other parts Of the Territory had
come there for protection and found it,
As prominent among such men they nam
ed Gen. Clark, The murderer Of Barber,and
nearly all unitel in speaking Of him as a
bad man, Of very violent passions, who ha-
ted all Free State men, continually plotting
sgainst them. He was the brains for ma
raudiug parties, which he dared not 60 out
of the town 10 head.
TIE town is guarded BY United States
soldiers, and Gen. Clark never goes out of
the range Of their protection. He has not
been out Of town for months, and, it was
said, would not dare to stay in it if the
troops were Withdrawn.
The pro.slavery men also admitted that
Hamilton, Biocket and Mckay bad made
the town their heal quarters for marsud-
ing expeditions on Free State men that
they brought in stolen horses and other
property, and that, though the property
was followed and proven by the owners, it
never could he recovered, but was removed
by The connivance and even assistance of the
citizens.
1t is also admitted by them, that Ex.
Gov. Ransom, Of Michigan, who holds the
position under Mr.. Buchanan of Receiver
Of the Land Office at Fort Scott, gives all
the official counterance he can to outrages
committed by pro-slavery men, A few
days before we arrived, prominent ma
rauder declared publicly that there never
would be peace until they had burned ev-
cry Free State cabin on the Marias de
Ceignes, and proposed to organize party
to do it. Gov. Ransom, who was standing
by replied, "Now you are talking sense"
1t is also admitted by some pro'slavery
men that Capt. Anderson, Of the U. S.
Army, used the troops to protect and some-
times even 10 cooperate with these lawless
bands. This is also admitted by several
officers Of the army now stationed here,
WHAT THE FREE STATE MEN ADMIT.
Montgomery admits that he has several
men in his band who have been sworn to
shoot General CLARK and that they are ly.
ing in wait aboutForScott for hat purpose
/ saw one ofthese men;he goes in the COM.
pany by the nickname OF Pickles. His
real name is Wright. He is a machinist
by trade, came to Kansas from Richmond,
Ind. and claims to he cousin of Barber
Montgomery admits that he is carrying on
a guerilla warfare, and makes it self sus-
taining; in other words, that he takes what
is necessary for the support of bis band
from the pro-slavery men; that, having
been forced into the field to protect him.
self and bis neighbors against the outrages
of the pro slavery meu,he thinks it enough
10 give his time, but makes those who
caused the war, support him and bis band
in carrying it on: that it is against the law
for any man 10 his company to ride Free
State horse; they are all mounted on hor-
sts stolen from pro-slavery men.
He admits that be has frightened pro.
slavery settlers away BY riding around their
houses as though making observations for
an attack on them, and boasts that he keeps
the poople of Fort Scott in constant state
of terror, U. s. soldiers and all.
WHAT GOV, DENVER DID AT FORT SCOTT,
Gov. Denver called a meeting of the
citizens of Fort Scott, and made speech
to them. The wrongs and outrages which
existed among them he did not come to
charge on any party. He came as peace
maker, and be proposed the following:
PLAN FOR PEACE.
I. That by.gones should be by-gones,
and all past offences left to be dealt with
by the grand juries.
3. That every good citizen should join
in an organization for the enforcement Of
the laws and for the suppression Of all law
less acts.
3. That all obnoxious officers should be
reported to the Governor. He would re-
move them, and let the people immediate
ly elect Others in their places.
The plan seemed to meet with genera
approval.
GOV. RoBlNsoNs SPEECH
Gov. Robinson then made a speech, ,ap'
pealing to the Free State men to preserve
the peace of the Territory, and reminded
them that as they now had possession ofLh'
local government, their party would b,
held responsible for all outrages. He show
ed that violence never checked but slwayI
promoted violence-thst if every man un
denook to revenge bis own injuries with
out regard to law, the whole land woulC
become scene of bloodshed. He denieC
the right of Montgomery or any other mai
to set himself up as a regulator, and hope'
no Free State man would countenance an,
such interference with the laws Of tn
land.
HOW EPAPHRoDITus RANSOM TRIED r,
PREVENT PEACE,
Everything was tending to peaceful
settlement of all difficulties, when Ex-Go
Ransom tried to create dissentions by de
claring that all the outrages bad been com
mitted solely by the Abolitionists. Gov
Denver stepped forward very much excitec
and said.-"T had proposed q plan 70