The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-06-09
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you like it better than yours take it," He then
took the horse, and also one from me. Messrs.
Ross, Stillwcll, Campbell and myself were the only
prisoners at that time. We were ordered to march
with the company to Mr. Hairgro2es house, where
we were joined by Mr.. Hairgrove, his son. Asa, and
Amos Hall, who had been taken prisoners Soon
after they brought Messrs Colpetzer, Robinson and
Snyder
We were then surrounded and ordered to march
towards the State line; while on the march Young
man named Hall was taken from his wagon a pris-
oner, by order of Hamilton.
shortly after we halted on high ground, Capt.
hamilton, with portion of the company left to
take another man by the name of Snyder, black
smith, who was at work in his shop, which was in
full view. Some firing took place as the party
approached the shop. Captain Hamilton then re-
turned, and ordered us to march; we continued on
about mile, when came to n deep rayine
where we were ordered to ''halt face the com
pany, and close up" Hamilton then ordered his
own men into line; not being readily obeyed, he
repeated the order. One of the company, Brocket,
n notorious fellow living in Fort Scott, and the
murderer of man in Lecompton, refused, and
turning his horse, remarked that he would have
nothing to do with such business. Capt II. then
drew pistol, and ordered his men to present arms
take aim, fire.
The order was obeyed-we all fell Some of the
party then dismounted from their horses, and came
TO where we were to carry out an order to that
Hamilton remarked, EThere is old Read; give
MN another one." In moment the order
again given. 1t was asked, (Which is he?" Said
NC lhdI DlilCh ueNll, WlJn MS lace up. ne nenQ
then put his pistol against his ear. remarking. 81
nave always found this the most fatal place." and
hred. fortunately for Mr.. Read, his face was to-
wards the ground, and lay beside the man who was
mistaken for him and shot at This man was already
dead; but lay with his eyes open.
MIR. Reed says, 81 prevented respiration during
the time they examined me, and being covered with
blood from nv mutilated shoulder caused them to
belive me dead. When they supposed we were
all dead, one of them remarked that That man has
gold watch"'
Another said that ''the man from the Sugar Mound
lalluding to Mr.. Stillwel) had $780," This they
did not find, Mr.. S. having secreted it in his WAGON
where it has since been found by his friends
Soon after the company rode off. When heard
my wife calling me, answered her, and told her to
go and get assistance as soon possible. NV OBJ
ject was to have some persons there before died
In order to receive my testimony in reference to the
massacre. Gaining strength, | crept out and made
my way to the place where | was found.
have acted as Judge of three Free State Eec-
tions in Linn county, which was dOubtlessIy the
reason they attempted to kill me.
Another offence might have been because wrote
the Lecompton Constitution.
He shot with Sharpe's rife the ball TAKING
effect just below the arm, and coming out behind
the shoulder.
William Hairgrove, badly shot through the lungs
He was born in Marion District, South Carolina
A. ID. $500, consequently but So years of age; his
appearance indicates him to be at least 65 or TO-
being quite gray. He has resided in Georgia Mis-
slssipp and Illinois, having emigrated to Kansas in
Il
conservative man, having voted for Buchanan and
never participating in politics with the excep-
tion of having voted against Lecompton in January
last. He is truly southern in his sentiments.
The following is his statement On the 10Th in
slant was at work on my claim, covering corn;
about 10 o'clock, a. NJ, Alvin Hamilton rode up to
me and asked who it was at my house? / told him
it was my son Asa. He then said he wanted me to
go with him to Halls Ia neighbor.) ] asked him
by what authority? He drew a Sharpe's rifle and
said ask no questions but go along. | walked be
fore him up to Mr. Halls where / found thirteen
persons who had congregated together; among them
was Mr.. Hall-a prisoner. The company then
formed and marched Mr.. Hall and myself back to
my house, where they took my span of mules.
While on the march from the house they sent a
party to arrest some of the neighbors. One squad,
under Hamilton, went out to take Eli SNYDER, a
blacksmith, who was at work; seeing them coming
and anticipating their object he prepared to defend
himself As llamton's men drove up one of them
discharged his gun containing buckshot, one of
which hit him on the leg, the other on his breast.
Mr. Snyder returned fire, the charge taking effect
in the neck of lamilton's horse, upon which the
party retreated, and came back to where we were.
Mr. Hargroves statement in reference to the
shooting is the same as stated by Rev. Mr.. Reed.
There are three by the name of Hamilton who
were engaged in this assassination. They are broth
ers, and designated follows: Capt Chas. A.
Hamilton, memberelect Of the Senate under the Ie-
compton swindle; DR.. George Hamilton, member
of the LecOmpton Constitutional Conventions Alvin
Hamilton, assassin No. 3.
They all came in with the notorious Bufords
party, and were officers under the same. DIR. Ham
| itOn took deliberate aim at Rev. Mr.. Reed. The
rutlains numbered thirty, all with one exception,
fired at on distance of ten feet from the prison
ers-and then fired their revolvers when standing
over their victims who numbered ten. Those killed
were John F. Campbell, William Stwer, William
Colpetzer, j. Ross Michael Robinson Those wound
ed were William Hairgrove, Asa HairgrOve, Rev.
Charles Reed, Charles Snyder and Amos Hail. Aus
tin Hall was kicked over by ruian who remarked
''ths man is as dead the devil" Not one of the
Free State men were armed. Rev. Mr.. Reed says
he does not own weapon of any kind.
remarked to Mr.. IIairgrove that should have
supposed that he would have resisted, although un-
armed and perhaps but one chance in hundred of
escape rather than to be deliberately aimed at and
shot down like a dog. He replied 81 trusted in
Providence, and believed would not be killed"
Such faith is very rare, and almost like
tempting God