The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-01-08
Miscei iapeops.
Horrible Murder Mob Law Triumphant!-Fort
Scott ifvadsd!-A Prisoner Rescued from the

Horrible Murder!-Mob Law Triumphant!-Fort
Scott Invaded! "A Prisoner Rescued from the
Sheriff!
The reader of the Democrat will re-
member to have read in our COLUMNS that
"Ben Rice" of the Usage, one OF Capt.
Montgomery's men, was arrested Few
weeks ago by Capt. John Hamilton,
Free State man, on the charge OF having
assisted in the robbing of Mr.. Poyner-I
When once in the hands of the Sheriff, 1t
became that officers duty to detain him
indictments having been found against
him by Grand Jury composed OF active
Free State men with but single excep-
ton, for murder in one case and IN two
other for assault with intent to kill, and
writs for his arrest being in the hands OF
the Sheriff.
On Thursday morning, the 18th inst,
Just at the break of day, and before the
citizens were up, our town was entered by
Cap:s. Montgomery, Stephenson and Balm,
with about 100 men under their command,
doubly armed with Sharpe's rifles and
revolvers, and sustained by well mount
ed cannon. Our citizens had been thrown
off their guard the previous night by a
| false alarm and were slow to be aroused
to their danger. They did not suppose
that the town could be approached with
out their receiving notice from the coun-
try. Before we knew it this armed gang
had gained possession of what is known
as the "Free State Hotel" in which Rice
was imprisoned. The Sheriff, unfortu-
nately, was on his claim, a mile or more
out of town, and did not receive notice
in time to prevent the rescue of Rice
Having thus secured everything, they
effected an entrance into the room where
Rice was imprisoned, and easily succeeded
in releasing and carrying him of.
One of the gang snapped cap at Mr.
damon, Rice's jailor. There was but
little chance for the inmates of the
hotel to make resistance. All the rooms
were surrounded before they could dress
and arm and effect concert of action,
and the halls were in the possession OF
Montgomery's men. 1t was too late to
save Rice-and life and property might
be saved by non-resistance. A fire was
kindled outside with which to burn the
building in case shot was fired. Besides,
|, many Of our citizens had been taken and
were in the midst of the bandits as
, hostages.
1t was pre- arranged to disarm and i'm
prison every man who made his appear
ance on the streets. They had guard at
| every house and kept detailing men to
assist. Col. Wilson, one of our leading
, merchants, with his wife and servant man,
, were the first that were taken. They
were marched into "the prisoners ring"-
$ acircle formed on the pavement by about
20 of these ruffians, stationed with the
points of their rifles towards the prisoners
They tried to persuade the negro man tc
accept his freedom, but he refused. Mex
J, Gov. Ransom, the Receiver of the U. 5
s Land office, came out of his house to in
f vestigate the cause of so early noise
n Three rifles were cooked upon him and ht
: was ordered forward into the prisoner
S ring. with threat that they were going t.
a hang him. Next came DR.. Hill, anothe
It of our merchants. Then Mr.. Dennison
e Mr.. Sullivan, Mr.. White, Mr.. Bentley
6 and others. Esq. Blackett was also takel
:, by them. Mr.. Alex. Mcdonald steppet
is upon his porch to see what wa
e going on, when he was called upon to sur
e render. Upon his refusal he was Instant.
e fired upon-the Shapes ball passin
7. through the door and barely missing hin
in consequence Of quick movement
Ie one side. The fellow was sure he ha
IN hit him and so reported to Capt Mont
Of gomery. In another part of the town tw
a, or three of them were following Mr.. MAJ
in bic and firing upon him. They woul
re probably have hit him but for fortunat
lie Shot from one of our citizens which h
at the bandit in the side when he was takin
m aim. At the same instant, another of th
I'd gang sent ball close past the citizen WI
an was firing. The ball went through tt
re store of Col. Wilson. Mr.. Ray was all
OF fired at.
he Meanwhile the house and store Of d
e. Blake Little, adjacent to the hotel. we
ra the scene of intense interest. They we
all occupied by the Doctor his son John i
ty who was recently deputy Marshal, and Il
mt black servant girl and boy. Mr. Geo. !
de Crawford had slept with his friend Jol
ly Little the night previous, to assist in 4
- defense IN case the long Iumotou bssa'
'us should come. They were walked, as d.
OF was breaking, by the little black be
ei announcing that the town was fun
ne "Jay- Hawkers" and the hotel was take
n As soon as they could dress, John stepp
ms to the door with his gun to see the pc
ot, ton of friends and invaders. The qua
'x- appointed for that door, advanced and v
ION told not to come further, He did so, a
TO- in an instant John fred, closing the d.
US and remarking that he had shot one
them. The guard lodged ball in
DDS side Of the door about an inch above
or head. The shots were simultaneous
ore was at FIRST believed that Mr.. Little }
seo fired the first shot, as but only one rep
the was heard-but now it is quite appar
that he had to shoot to keep from be
shot, Soon after, Shapes rife ball ,
Fsy sent through the window, the stove P
and the partition wall. Spiss were vi