The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-02-12
Letter from Mr.. Russell.
PARIS, LINN COUNTY. K. t.,
February z. 1859.

Letter from Mr. Russell.
PARIS, LINN COUNTY. K. T.,(
February Z, 1859.
Ed. HERALD OF FREEDoM-DEAR SIR:-
There seems to be no chance for the pro-
mitigation of the truth in Southern Kau-
sas, hence appeal to your journal for
the correction of some of the false state
ments that have found their way into
print, as well as for the dissemination Of
more correct ideas of my course, and that
of my posse in this unfortunate part Of
your Territory. came here with no
ambition save the peace Of the country,
and no object save the devising and ex-
ecuting of the best plans of obtaining that
peace for which saw the homes. portion
of the Territory so anxious, and which /
knew 10 be the price essential to the
prosperity Of its citizens.
On the 9th of January, after having
laid some time on the border, and await.
ing to select a proper posse Of citizens Of
the Territory as body guard, proceeded
with nine men Zone of whom was the
present sheriff of this county, B. B. Mitch
ell to this place, and to organize posse
strictly of the citizens of the county and
Territory. By the 18th I had succeeded in
obtaining the aid of about 200 citizens q.
my posse, and proceeded on that day tc
scour the country for the marauders, ifsuch
we might call jay-hawkers, alias horse
thieves and robbers. After riding the great
er part of the day through cold, dis
agreeable rain we struck trail, and riding
a mile or two, saw two of them getting
from us as fast as they could. We pur.
sued them, and at short distance started
up about forty more in number whom we
pursued four or five miles, until had
run them nearly into one of their forts
when, without the firing of gun, sue.
ceeded in arresting one Sumner GORDON
who happened to be on foot, and could
not get along as FAST as some of the good
stolen horses that others were on. There
were only forty-five Of my men with me
the remainder being left as a guard a
Paris, as it was in seemingly imminen
danger of being attacked and burned q
that time.
After the above chase let my poss,
rest aud recruit their stock for some days
as being put on hard usage, and heav,
forced march of nearly fifty miles il
about ten hours had rendered them nearly
unfit for service.
On the Goth of January with abou
thirty of my men, I took scout, and run
ming upon some fifteen Of the jay -hawksrs
whom l had pursued about two or tire,
miles, an engagement took place in whicl
two of my men were wounded, aud sew
eral of theirs, and ! think some killed
though / have no means of ascertainin,
the precise result. On the evening of tn
same day I took another scout, and will
about twenty men run about thirty-6v'
of them into ono of their forts. Their
was some firing and one of my mel
received slight flesh wound in the face
1 succeeded in MORALLY wounding tn
one that shot him. - On our return Il
camp we came across four or FIVE Of then
who held teamster, with load of meal
in custody. OF these we succeeded il
arresting one, and wounding one. Will
this prisoner. VIM. Fairbanks, we recover
ed four horses, supposed to have beel
stolen, which property ! hold subject Il
the order Of the rightful owners.
After this we secuted more or les
every day, in directions we had mos
reason to believe we could find them
But they became exceedingly careful hoy
they came out. and at what hours the,
did their travel. On the Both of Januar,
we came upon few of them, perhsp
! fifty in number, from whom, without tn
loss of drop Of blood, we took tw'
prisoners, after running them about tire
miles. There were only twenty-six o
nv men with me. The names of tn
prisoners are Frank Walker and n. n
GORDON.
Feb. LIST, I succeeded in arresting on
Jas. F. Palmer, after running him severs
miles, and on the third inst got posses
sion Of one John Stuart. That ends th
number Of arrests, and the manner /
which ] have made them. Jay-hawker
have become scarce and now find non
to arrest, all having gone to the North.
see it variously charged against me, tha
am Missourian, that have q Missouri
posse of four hundred, and that ! was &C
lively engaged in the difficulties Of '5f
, It is possible for men sometimes to b
mistaken, but in the present instance,
regard the above charges as willful false
hoods, gotten up by the friends Of sue
, outlaws as / have writs against, to hinde
me in the discharge OF the duties Of m,
Office, and to create public prejudic
against me and in favor Of Messrs. Mont
, somsry. Brown = Co.. Of the eslsbrais'