The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-06-26
Fort Scott Difficulties.

oOShDSN WV nay AOtHt AOCOs
G. W. BRowN-DEAR SIR:-The ex-
citment is still increasing, and the end
is not yet seen. In my last letter I gave
you correct statement of the facts as
connected with an attempt upon the life
of young man recently from Illinois,
The account of the same affair, published
in the Republican of the 9th inst, is
not correct. l presume Mr.. Wattles is
the author, and such he understood to be
the facts when he was at the Fort, but
time has brought the thing out as set forth
in my letter. The hanging was attempted
with intent to kill. The facts have been
brought out by the grand Jury, and some
persons have been indicted and arrested.
Others will be arrested unless they fee
the country. Returning to the narrative.
we shall necessarily have to go back of
the outrage above referred to. On the
evening ofthe 22d'ult., about twenty FREQ
State citizens of the Marmaton met for
consultation in regard to the protection of
their families and property. TWAS agreed
that the firing of q gun at night should be
signal for distress, and that captain
John Hamilton and N. e. Griffith should
go to the Little Usage to consult with the
citizens of that part of the county as to
what should be done to protect the citi-
zens of the county against the outrages
so often threatened.
On the night of the 23d, some ten or
twelve of these despersdoes attacked the
house of Mr.. Joseph Oakley, an esteemed
citizen. They fred two shots at the
house and took two good horses from his
stable. Mr.. Oakley returned the fire but
without effect.
On the Sabbath following, (the 18th.
nineteen men from the Fort made a raid
upon Mill creek. They ordered the Free
State citizens to leave within designated
time. They surrounded man by the
name of Simpson, presented gun, and
swore they would shoot him, but were
pers uaded to relinquish their threat by
one of his Pro-Slayery neighbors. Mr.
Bowlinger was also ordered to leave in "a
hours, otherwise he would be shot. Five
of this company were u. S. Dragons,
some were citizens of Fort Scott and others
were formerly citizens of the osage.-
These attempts upon the lives and prop
erty of the citizens, tended to increase
the excitement already almost incontrol-
able. Every man put his gun in order;
guards were kept out, and arrangements
were perfected to meet any hostile DEM
Onstration promptly. Our preparation
proved our defence. These matters pro-
crossed till Wednesday the 18th, warm
day in the Fort. A dive was made at
Mr.. Crawford and others. by some of the
Pro-Slsvery rabble. which resulted not in
the driving out of this rabble, as reported.
but in their voluntarily leaving on the
next day TO avoid the consequences of
legal prosecution. II they return, they
viii Immediately be arrested.
About this time the soldiers of Capt.
Anderssn's Company instituted court Of
inquiry. e voluntary proceeding, I sup
pose and proved several of their number
deeply implicated in the outragss pefpe-
tsassd, as well IS attempted on the citi-
gems of the county. They were reported |
to the Captain. This officer, instead Of |
aressing them and sending them TO Lesy-
enworth for trial, as he should have done. |
grGeiosslv turned them loose on the citi-
zsas Of the county. Two Of These OUT