The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-06-17
From Kansas Cor of New York Times.

KANSAS NEWS.
From Kansas Cor of New York Times
LAWRENCE, Nay 81, 1858.
For the purpose of giving the public plain,
unvarnished history Of the horrible murders
committed in Linn county recently, have oh.
tanned statement from two of the wounded
men who arrived in town on Saturday, and the
wife of Mr.. Read who accompanies them.
Their statements are given generally in their
own language.
The statement of Mr.. Read bears especial
marks of conscientious truth, and they all have
avoided everything they could not swear to
under oath. Mr.. Read has written out his own,
and obtained copy for the Times from him.
We have late news from the wars, but no
fighting at present. A large force is in the
field.
STATEMENT OF REV. b. l.. READ.
BLOOMING Grove, LINN Co., K. T.
TO the Organ of the American Baptist Foreign
Missionary Society: \
Whereas many reports will be circulated,
relating to the horrible murders committed
near the Marais de Cygnes river and Mis-.
souri, line on the 10Th day of May, 1853, and
/ being one of the number shot and left for
dead, will endeavor to give You correct
statement or the transaction.
About eight o'clock on the morning of the
18th day of May, 1 went to neighbor about a
mile distsnt to get horse to mark out some
corn ground. While there, converting with q
neighbor about school and other subjects, q
man known a. Cspt Charles A. Hamilton, with
about thirty men, came up, all armed. He or
dered me and q man by the name of Taylor
and Mr.. James, to fall into line. l said no.
He drew large pistol, cooked it, and presented
it to me, saying, You won't, will your" /
told him was willing 10 do anything that was
right. He then ordered me to hitch my horse
and fall into line. l did so. He then, with q
number of his men, went into Mr.. Nicholas
yard, and said they we're going to search his
house. Soon after, they returned with mum
Der of guns, and said they could not find any
powder. They then let Mr.. Taylor CO. Pres.
emily man driving team (two-horse) at.
tached to a wagon, drove alongside. He was
ordered to stop. Some of the party said,
"Where dc you liver" BE replied, "Sugar
Mound"
Then the order was given to get out of the
wagon and fall into line. We did so. About
the same time, they took my horse. and caught
three out of Mr.. Nichols's yard. Being about
ready to start, they let number of men whom
they had taken 60.
are we going to do with these horses? Some
reply was made did not understand. Pres.
emily, Mr.. Hamilton said to Mr.. James, "Here,
you take the wagon, and take care of it.
reckon that you would rather 70 with that than
with this company" He said Yes" One of
the party said, There is a ID good horse
there" The answer was, " If you like it bet.
ter than yours, take it." The horse was then
taken. At this time there we're FIVE men. One
was soon let 60. We were heading at this
time nearly east, directly towards Missouri
line. After marching about mile, Mr.. William
Hairgrove and boy, 'and Amos Hall, we're
brought into line. Soon after, we were halted
in front of Hairgroves house. Here Asa Hair
grove was brought in, and the boy let 60.
Here Hamilton's party took two mules. Soon
after, Mr.. Colpetzer was brought in, also Mr..
Robinson and Mr.. Snyder. On our march
and on the route Mr.. Austin Hall was brought
in. Soon after this time, Capt. Hamilton with
q number of his men started after q man known
as Dutch Snyder. Soon after, the persons who
had been taken-eleven in number-were or
dered to halt. We did 80, on q high table land.
Presently, we heard report of guns. turned
and looked in the direction, and saw Hamilton
and his posse near what / supposed to be q
house or two houses. Some one said it was
Snyder's. A part of the guard left us, and went
to Hamilton's assistance. They all soon return.
cd, one leading Hamilton's horse, which he said
Snyder had shot through the neck.
Snyder's house, where this affray took place,
from where we were sitting may be about half
or three.fourths of mile
We were then ordered to march. After go
ing a mile or thereabouts We were conducted
into q narrow ravine, and ordered to halt, and
| IL 80
face 'front.' he then ordered his own men to
form q line and present arms. In front of rs,
the horses feet were nearly as high a. our
heads, and about ten feet from rs. Some one
said the men don't obey the order. Captain
Hamilton gave the order again, and they not
all obeying, he gave the order again, swearing
terribly. One of the men turned his horse
away, and said he would have nothing to do
with it. Capt. Hamilton drew out large re-
volver pistol, and presented towards those
taken, (some taking aim,) and gave the word
fire.
ALI fell at the first fire. Some dismounted,
and came down among us. They were order
ed to see that all we're dead. Some one said,
There's old Read amt desd-give it to him."
Soon it was said again, There's old Read, he
amt dead" One replied, "Where is he I"
There, the old black - 10 looking at you"
Capt. Hamilton, judging from his voice. An.
other voice said, Put the pistol to the ear
shoot into the ear" This believe to be .
man by the name of Hubbard. Some said,
"See what that man has got in his pocket"
/ suppose referring to Stillwell, for he said,
There is $780," Some one said, "There ID
one that has got watch" referring to Mr..
Campbell.
/ Soon I heard no more, only the tramp Of
horses feet. Soon some began to groan. /
spoke very low, and said, Don't mako noise"
Presently heard my wife calling. called to
her. and she came to us. requested her to
90 Immediately and get some help, as quick a.
possible. did not think any of US could live.
coon after crept down into ravine. then
thought that l was not MORALLY wounded.
After travelling about ten miles, l found q
camp of movers. l laid down for the night,
and sent word to my wife where was. She
arrived about eleven o'clock at night The
next morning, was taken to my house, and
examined BY two physicians, who said should
probably recover. H..
The names of those taken are John r. Camp.