Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-05-22
SHEPHERDST0WN JEFFERSON COUNTY, VA, SATURDAY NORM

again at The fort. Our afternoons drive
was very slow as the mules were tired.
We crossed great many Indian Trails
to-day. The grass and trees are coming
out in this neighborhood and the face Of
the country not so Undulaing. Towards
evening arrived at Middle Creek on the
opposite side Of which is Keokuk a town
of four or five houses. After travelling
three miles further we reached the Big
sugar Creek and it being near sundown
we prepared 10 camp. Our camping
ground tonight is very poor as the ground
is very swampy. Weaeok position on
the left bank of the Creek. Alter build
ing fire and making our supper of of
bacon, potatoes and bread, our usual fare,
we sat around the fire talking for some
time, when discovered that tile mules
had got loose from the wagon and gone
off into the woods. Then commenced an
hour of useless search. During which
time we wandered in different directions
through The woods forcing our way
through the Swamp and undergtowth
when we gave up the search for the night
and returned to camp as it was too dark
10 find them. We went TO bed very un-
easy and fearing we should have to spend
the next day looking for them, and per-
haps have to pursue orr Journey afoot
After making large fire TO drive off the
dampness we went TO bed about 10 O.
clock. About midnight we were awaken
ed by Jules" growing and looking up
saw three men pass our camp (Which
was within a few steps Of the road) riding
and leading several horses. They were
p city hard looking cases and we suspec-
led them very strongly of being horse
thieves. This made US more uneasy
about the mules. However We got to
sleep again and were not disturbed lhe
balance Of the night.
Thursday Narch 25th.-Got up early
feeling very uncomfortable on account Of
a heavy mist that had fallen during the
night. A hot fire soon made us comfort
able and while Mr.. Fl. and myself were
cooking breakfast, Men. started out after
The mules and by the time Our meal was
cooked returned with the missing mules
to our great joy, having tracked them into
swamp half mile from Camp. We
did not make very early start his morn
ing and it was after seven when We left
our camp on Big sugar. Coming up into
the open Prairie again we reached an old
Indian village Of the Miami tribe now in
hablted by white persons,a as the land here
in Lynn county has been vacated by that
tribe for several years, and now open for
pre-emption. There are only two pr
three houses standing, the rest being moth
ing more than heaps of stones. Here we
stopped TO get information about the coun-
try. We found a man who was going
our road couple of miles, we gave him
seat in the wagon, and he gave us al! the
information we wanted. He informed US
that the difficulties al Fort Scott had com
menced again and extended through this
region Of country from the Usage 10 Big
sugar. (These difficulties were commen.
ced in December by prn-slavery man
driving Gree-State man from his claim.
After a while the Free-Slare man returned.
they quarreIed, and the pro,slavery man
came at night 10 the house Of the other
while he was away and cruelty beat his
wife and child, ,hereupon disturbance
commenced in the neghborhcod. A par
ty of Mssourians came over in January d
ravaging the country. Jim
Lane came from Lawrence with party
of men and some little skirmishing ensu-
ed during which seven or eight men were
killed and great many more plundered
and driven from the Territory. This was
the commencement of the disturbance
which as We had heard nothing further in
Topeka before we started we thought was
Over.)
Our informant told US that these distur-
Dances had been kept up ever since, and
now they were worse than ever, within
he last two weeks great many families
IN the neighborhood had been piundered,
heir horses stolen and ordered 10 leave
he Territory in so many days in pain Of
1eaIh. That in some cases they had
hanged men ill they were nearly dead
md then cut them down. The man al
whose house we stopped had his store
broken open for the fourth lime last week
md received notice 10 leave. His family
we're greatly alarmed and were making
preparations 10 leave for Missouri. Per-
IONS came in the night with their faces
,lackened so as not 10 be recognized, and
,rdered many OF The settlers TO leave in so
many days. Sometimes they lell written
,rders. Two nights ago three or four
antilles were robbed. the plunderers com
ng TO their house at night breaking open
heir door, as thew were superior in num-