The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-01-07
Exciting News from Kansas.

By express messenger from Lawrence we
have just received the following dispatch:
A civil war is raging in Bourbon county.
The pro-slavery men last week commenced
series Of prosecutions and prosecutions of the
Free State men. Several houses were burned
down. The Free State men organized a vigil
lance committee and arrested several of the
marauders. In no case, however. did they in
ffict other or more than the usual penalties of
4 court of law-no personal punishments were
inflicted. Missourans came over to assist the
Pro-Savery men. They arrested three of them,
one the Rev. Mr.. Stewart, whom they threat
ended TO hang and imprisoned in Fort Scott
The Free State men rallied. A scout party of
fifteen came upon body of Missourians near
Evansville, a town near Fort Scott, eighty
strong, who gave them chase. Five Free
State men were captured, making in all eight
prisoners. .H.
Additional Free State men assembled. The
u S. Marshal came down on them with
force Of eighty men and demanded their unc on
ditional surrender. The Free State men repli-
ed TO this demand, as the party advanced, by
volley of musket balls. The fire was returned.
The conflict lasted an hour. The posse re-
treated to distance, and finally fled in disor-
der. One man on their side was killed, two
mortally wounded; the U. S. Marshal Danger
ousy injured. The Free State men received
no damage. H
Col. Philips, of the militia, was sent by Gen.
Lane to command this force, with orders to
avoid the troops. He advanced on For. Scott.
but found that before he could give battle to
the invaders, he would have to encounter sew
eral companies of dragons. He retreated and
encamped.
Lane went down, and is now entrenched at
Sugar Mound. The troops were within twelve
miles of him, advancing to drive him from his
position. His men held council, and resolved
to fight the dragons, if they attacked them.
Lane cordially endorsed their action. Be tire
membered, that Lane is now the Major Gen.
of the legalized mil tia, and is therefore pro-
tected by law. A fight is probable. will
send more minute news by another messenger.
The Lawrence boys went up to Lecompton
to-day and demanded of Denver the arms seized
by the dragons from the emigrant train which
came in under Eldridge. He was unwilling to
restore them, but seeing that they would be
forcibly taken if he did not consent, finally
agreed to deliver them up. The boys returned
with them last night-2O sabres, and 176 mus
kets and carbines, in good order and condition.
The convention now in session has had ex-
citing debates all day. The committee on res
olutions disagreed and presented three reports.
The majority report, signed by seven mem
bers, disapproves of voting for State officers
under Mrs. Cuuningham's constitution.
The first minority report (signed by Mr..
Vaughan of the Leavenworth Times, and an
other delegate, recommends that full Stats
ticket be nominated.
The third, signed by James Redpath alone,
recommends that the election be participated
in for the purpose of destroying the Lecompton
conspiracy; that no man be nominated for any
Office under it who will not pledge himself not
TO put it in operation that the Topeka consti-
tuition be submitted by the Legislative Assem-
bly, to vote Of the people; that loyalty TO the
Topeka constitution be made test of fealty
to the Free State party; that the Legislative
Assembly repeal the entire border ruffian code
at once, and then adjourn sine die. Mr.. Thatch-
er eloquently supported has (the majority re-
port; Mr.. Vaughan advocated his plan, also, in
happy effort. Gov. Robinson is in favor of
voting; Judge Conway, Col. Phillips, Judge
Schuyler, and others, took the same side. Mr..
Redpath said they could nominate state tick
ct, the very sight of which would kill the Le-
compton iniquity where it was conceived-at
Washington. He could nominate Capt. John
Brown, of Osawa.tomie, for Governor, and
men equally pointed, to all other minor Offices.
The most radical and revolutionary speeches
have been made to-day and received with great
applause. The revolutionary spirit is awaken
ed-events may soon make it manifest in acts
that will astonish the demagogues who think
that by plausible sophistries they can enslave
a free people.
May God defend the right!-[st. Louis
Democrat.