New-York daily tribune., 1858-07-10

james II. Lane, sometimes styled Gen. Lane, +"
otherwise "Jim Lane" is the son of Gen. Amos
Lane, an apostle Of Jacksonism in Indiana, re-
peatedly chosen to or supported for Congress-
The son was elected TO the Indiana Legislature as
jackson Democrat when but twenty three years
old, was Colonel of regiment of volunteers in the
Mexican War not long afterward, was chosen
Lieutenant Governor of Indiana on the Democratic
ticket in 1850, and Member of Congress in 1852
In the House, he ardently Supported and voted for
the Nebraska bill. Finding the Democratic sky Of
Indiana rather overcast in 1854, he was not can
didate for re- election, but migrated to Kansas,
which be entered not only q Democrat but Pro-
Slavery man, insisting that Kansas was adapted to
Slave Labor and ought to become Slave State.
The famous Territorial Election of March 80,
1855, rather jostled COL Lanes equilibrium.
Though in favor ii Slavery, he bad not yet taken
that Royal Arch degree Of Sham Democracy,
wherein the neopbyte is instructed that white men
are proper raw material for slaves, if so be that
they are poor and have to work with their hands
for their living. Lane wanted Kansas made
Democratic Slave State by the vote of her own
inhabitants and could not relish the monopoly Of
their polls by armed and bullying invaders from
Missouri, who voted as often as they chose aod
gave the citizens of Kansas no fair chance to vote
ganizipg the Free State party and getting up the
Topeka movement. To this side he has since sd-
hered, We presume honestly and faithfully. His
military experience and reputation, comcined
with bis natural aptitude for swaying the
wilder, ruder portion Of border popu-
latiop, gave him prominence in the
defensive organ zaton Of the People Of Kansas, aud
the last Territorial Legislature chose him Major
General of the Militia of Kansas. Before that, how
ever, be had been sort of quasi military leader,
and had repeatedly frightened away invading or ma
rauding bar de, though be WAS never, so far as We
can recolect, engaged in any actual conflict In
fact, bis private reputation among the more inteli-
gent Free State men has long been that Of one who
prefers talking about battles to fighting them; and
it some time ago passed into quiet proverb among
them, that there was no danger of any serious COL
lision with the Border Rufans 50 long as Jim Lane
should command the Free-State forces. We ap-
prehend that the lamented Col. jenkins would have
Dttu tO-0dy awe du0 WcA; uoo NC not 'A@ASN VIZ
general Free State impression that Lane had no
real fight in him,
Lane and jenkins were rival claimants Of vslu-
able section of land just out Of Lawrence, on which
they were both living. Their dwellings were quite
near each other, the only well pertaining to either
being nearest to Lanes house. They were both
prominent Free-StAte men, and, We believe, but
for their conflicting lAndclaims, personal friends.
Lane fenced in little tract surrounding hs house,
including the well. Jenkns's family continued to
frequent the well for water and we're forbidden BY
Lane. At length, jenkins, accompanied By armed
retainers or friends went, in pursuance Of fair no
CO, to obtain water in defiance Of Lanes veto, cut
Gown the fepce with an Ak, and while pursuing bis
way to the we'll in quest Of water, was shot dead BY
Lane a. the latter had previously threatened. Two
or three shots were fred almost simultaneously