Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-06-09
from the Lawrence Republican, May g:
Horrible Tragedy.


lowing communication just received from gen.
tleman whose character for veracity is unim-
peaehable;
MoNEKA, Linn Co., K T., May 90, 1857.
Yesterday party of Pro-Slavery men from
Missouri came into the Trading Post" situated
on the Military road leading from Fort Scott to
Fort Leavenworth, where it crosses the Usage
river, about three miles from the State line
They were not seen till they emerged from the
timber and rode up to the store. Here they
took Mr. G. w. Andrew and John F. Campbell
prisoners. They then started on the road to-
wards Kansas City. They overlook here a Mr..
Stilwell, from Sugar Mound, who was going up
the river for load Of provisions. They took
him prisoner, and ordered the others to get in
to his wagon and ride. In half mile furth-
err, they came to missionary, by the name of
Rev. Charles Reed They continued on for two
miles and half when they had taken twelve
men. These men had been taken at their work,
without resistance, and unarmed, and had been
implicated in the troubles in Kansas. They
were conservative men.
On arriving at deep ravine, in skirt of
timber, the commander called halt The pris-
oners were formed into line, about five yards
in advance of the horsemen. The command
was given to present arms! fire." Every man
dropped Four were killed dead! all but one
of the others were badly wounded The ruff
fans then wheeled their horses and galloped off,
In a few minutes three of them returned, and
searched their victims for money. They kicked
the men, and rolled them over roughly so as to
see if they were dead. Finding one only
slightly wounded, ruffian put revolver to his
ear, and fred; remarking that he had always
found that the most certain shot he could make
He took the key of the safe out of Campbelrs
pocket, saying "there was money in that safe
and he would come back some night to get
it."
The names Of the killed are: William Still
well, of Sugar Mound, recently from Iowa. He
is young man, with young and beautiful
wife, and two young children. He felt perfectly
safe, remarking to companion that she was a
Free Mason;" and it is said that Free Mason,
DR.. Hamilton of Fort Scott shot him. He was
killed with double barreled shot gun loaded
with pistol balls, the charge entering his left
breast He was highly esteemed in this neigh
borhood, and his death will be avenged Pat
rick Ross was an Irishman, and had been driv-
en- from his claim on the Little Usage, by the
same gang. Mr. Colpetzer was a farmer from
Pennsylvania. Michael Robinson the same from
Iowa John F. Campbell, a store keeper from
Pennsylvania. He was young man, highly es-
teemed and had no family
The wounded are William Hairgrove and
his brother Asa Hairgrove, formerly of Georgia.
who came here to live in free State. This is
the head and front of their offending Also.
Rev. Charles Read, Baptist preacher from
Wisconsin, who moved into that place a week
ago He was badly wounded and crept into
the woods and was not found until morning.
Amos Hall, and his brother, Austin Hall, were
not hurt, but fell from prudential reasons
Charles Snyder was slightly hurt in the leg and
back
The ruffan band was led by BrocLett, of Fort
Scott, and accompanied by Dr. Hamilton and
others of that place who have made themselves
notorious for two years past There were twen-
tr-ive in all, and they were well acquainted
with the men whom they killed, excepting Still
we'll Eight of them lived in Kansas, and sew
enteen in Missouri. Most of these seventeen
lived in and around West Point. This place
the hOrIar ruffran
having blue lodge and being the rendezvous
OF the Southern army of invasion under Gen.
Clarke, and the secret chamber of the Council
Of Ten" who decided the fate of prisoners and
of settlers during that gloomy year
The murders were committed Yesterday at
one o'clock. The news spread like widire over
the country, and before midnight three hundred
men had assembled at the Trading Post
Scouts were sent into Missouri, but no clue
could be found to their retreat Most of the
people in the State condemned the act, and
were willing we should take them if we could.
1t is supposed that the rufians are at West
Point, and our men are now marching on that
place, with the intention of taking them-peac-
ably if we can, forcibly if we must Capt
Montgomery and his men are here. The 9TH
err citizens generally are not organized There
are no a"ms.in the country except sporting
guns, and not half Of the men have those
Big. Gen. Mcdaniel is with the company, but
having no militia knowledge, he does not at
tempt any organization of discipline
The men, however, being determined to fight,
will so on whether they have officers or not
r. B. Mitchell is taking an honorable part, and
is aiding Gen. Mcdaniel.
Drs. Danford and Weaver attended the wcun-
ded men.
The rufhans swear there shall be no crops
raised in Linn County, this year, so you will see
the necessity of sending US some arms Crowds
of men assembled who could not 60 for want of
them. The old men were on hand to steady
the boys, for it has come to this, that every
man must fight or run l noticed Mr. Wattles,
Rev. Mr.. Adds, Mr.. Arthur and several other
of the old citizens and old men, A few of the
timid may leave, but the general feeling is life
or death in Kansas
LArER.-The Chicago Tribune has one davis
later news from correspondent, to the effect
4 hat Ynln &c =