Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-06-01
MoxEr.. LlNr Co.. K. y. Mar 20.

lowing communication, just received from gen
tieman whose character for Veraeity Is unim-
Peachable:
MONEKA, LINN Co, X. T., May 20.
Yesterday party Of PrasSlayey men from
Missouri came into the Trading Pos" situated
on the military road leading from Fort Scott to
Fort LeayenWorth, 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 Andrews and John F. Campbell pris-
oners. Then they started on the road towards
Kansas City. They overlook here q Mr. Still
well, from Sugar Mound, who was going up 10
the river for load Of PROVISIONS,
They took him prisoner, and ordered the 9TH
ers to get in his wagon and ride. In half mile
further they came 70 a missionary by the name
of Rev Charles Read. They ordered him into
the wagon and dismissed Andrews. They con-
tinued on for two miles and half, when they
had taken twelve men.
These men had been taken whSa at their
work, without resistance, and unarmed, and had
never been implicated in any Of the troubles in
Kansa.. They were conservative men.
| On arriving at deep rayine, in skirt Of
timber, the commander called halt The
prisoners 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 ruifans then wheeled their
horses and galloped of In a few minutes
three Of them returned and searched their vic
tins for money. They kicked the men and roll
ed them over very roughly to see if they were
dead. Finding one only slightly wounded,
rufh1n put & revolver 70 his ear and fred-re-
marking that be had always found that the most
certain shot he could make. He took the key
Of the safe out Of CamPbelrs pocket, saying
Z" there was money in that safe, and he would
come back SONS night and get H.
The names of the killed are:
William StiIlwell, of Sugar Mound, recently
from Iowa He IS young man, with young
and beautiful wife. and two young childIen.-
He felt perfectly safe, remarking to a c0mpan-
ion that "he was Free Mason" and it Is said
that Free Mason, DIR. Hamilton, of Fort Scott,
shot him He was killed with double barrel
ed shot gun, loaded with pistol balls the charge
entering his breast. He was highly esteemtd
in this neighborhOod, and his death will b.
avenged.
Patrick Ross was an Irishman and had been
driven from his claim on the Little Usage, by
:, Mr. coipetzef farmer fscsi rchnsSfsa-
Michael Robinson the same from IOwa-i
John F. Campbell, store-keePer from Penn
sylvania. He was a young man, highly es-
teemed, and h>d no family
The wounded are William Hairgrcve 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 thar place week
ago He was badly wounded and erept
into the woods and was not found TIL
morning. Amos Hall and his brother, Austin
Hall, who was not hurt, but fell from pruden-
tial reasons. Charles Snyder was slightly hurt
in the leg and back.
The Ruffian band was led by Brockett, of
Fort Scott, and accompanied b. Dr. Hamilton !
and others of that place, who have made them |
selves notorious for two years past.
The murders were committed yesterday al one |
o'clock The news spread Ike wid-fre over |
the country, and before miJnight three hundred |
armed men had assembled ct 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 II we could. 1t IS |
supposed the RufiAns are at WestPort, and cur /
men are now marching on that place, with the |
intention of taking them-Peaeeably if we can,
forcibly if we must
The Rufhans swear there shall be no crops /
raised in Linn county this year, so you viii see
the necessity Of sending Us some arms. Crowds
Of men assembled who could not go for want of
them. The old men were on hand to steady the |
boys. for it has come to this every man must |
fight or run. I noticed Mr.. Wattles, Rev. Mr..
Wattles, Rev Mr. Adds, Mr.. Arthur, and sew
eral others of the old citizens and old men. A
few of the timid may leave, but the general feel
in.y is life or death in Kansas
The Border Rufian papers insist upon styling
this affair an engagement with MontgOmey's
robbers Il wis no such thing, but merely the
cold blooded, terrible affair recorded above