Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-02-21
The Case of DR. Doy and soR-statemsns Of
tI.e prisnners-Thef RrnraI Treatment. =

rect The facts are most disgracetul to Missou-
rians and Missouri authorities, and no wonder
their case excites deep feeling in Kansas. The
Times says Gov. Medary has taken deep in
terest IN this matter which involves the rights,
the honor, and the dignity of every citizen of
Kansas, and will take measures to secure the
release of the kidnapped men. &
The letter is dated Platte City Prison, Feb.
9TH, and is the first the prisoners had been able
to get to their friends, though several had been
written and intercepted. We quote such pOr-
tions as we can find room for:
We are anxious that the world should now all
the facts connected with our being kidnapped,
bound and forcibly taken into Missouri, where
we are at present, confined in an eight feet
square iron box, having to burn our fat meat to
make light by night or day.
The inhabitants of Lawrence had a meeting
to take into consideration the removal of the
negroes about the suburbs Of the city. The
next question was, who should take charge of
such removal. After considerable pressing,
accepted the task, (provided team would be
hired in connection with mine,) as l had bust
ness at Holton, county seat of Calhoun county,
in Kansas. We took the provisions and color
ed persons into the wagons after they had shown
Charles, (my son. their free papers. All had
them but two They had been cooks at the Ell
dridge Hotel and were free born, one coming
from Cincinnati Ohio the other from Browns
vile, Pa After we had travelled say twelve
miles, on our way-of course many miles from
the State of No., we were all at once surprised
by from ten to fifteen men, fully armed and
mounted, rushing from low ravine upon us.
Surrounding US, some of the colored men
asked if they should fire. told them to wait
till went on the off side, when some ten guns
were pointed at me, and a number shouted
sshoot." 1 held up my hand, and told them to
shoot me but not to fire into the wagons, as the
emigrants were packed so close that it took
some time for them to get out The kidnapping
party then offered to pay me well if l would
drive to Leavenworth l told them my team
should never take a man into slavery. Upon
this, Garvin, Postmaster of Lawrence; Ben
Wood, Mayor of Weston, Mo-. Fielding Il.
Lewis, Marshal of Weston, and others, jumped
down, put their pistols to my head while they
bound me with ropes. They also bound my
son and all the men and women. They took
full possession of our horses, wagons, goods,
money. &c., put on drivers, and drove like mad
men across the prairies, keeping scouts before
mile and behind the same.
We were about to feed when taken, but theJ
drove till they broke dvwn wagon and nearly
killed one horse. They threw out provisions,
carpet.sacks, robes, &c, packed all the prison
ers in the other wagon, and drove on till within
two miles of Leavenworth, which we reached
in the dark, having four horses hitched to the
wagon, whichwas packed with fifteen people.
At this place they broke out the tongue
They then Rzt III out and drove tue PRISONERS
amongst the brush until they went to Leaven-
worth and got another team. They came back,
packed all in again, and in the dark went stealth
lily through the town, then by the Fort to the
ferry, where the boat was waiting, steam up,
all ready, Ben Wood having gone ahead and
prepared all.
Here every person was ordered on board on
pain of being shot jumped down, declared
l would not go on board, but guns were put to
my head, and l was told my property would
all be lost if was killed, but if / went on
board, Ben. Wood, the Mayor, and many others
gave me their word as men of honor, should
return all safe and sound, in the morning
We went, landed, and were thrown on the floor
of the police office, where we laid all night
In the morning We were taken through the
streets, the people shouting, bells ringing, DC.
1 should have said, at night, on landing, salutes
were fired, &C., and grand supper was had by
the captors, while every insult possible was
heaped upon Us. Candles were held to our
faces to observe US. We were then taken to
the Court House, amidst motely group, using
such language as never heard-"giye them
hemp'-"the rope is ready" &C., and were in
formed that they were ready to try u.s.
TTe stated we Wished fS--4-d dav or so fo get
counsel, as we knew not man in 1Ilss0uI4, t,.t,
no. we must proceed. We might take lawyer
they mentioned, if we had money to pay him.
They had our money, We told them, and we were
in their hands, and they could do as they chose
with US. After the mockery of trial ended,
sat down and wrote protes. as citizen of
Kansas against the whole proceeding. We
were committed for trial for stealing negro
named Dick, carpenter, fiddler, DC. Wewere |
then handeuffed, (our trial comes off Feb. 20
.he bail S5,000,) and taken to Platte City JAIL |
where we now are. The inhabitants guard the |
all every night.
We lay two nights in Weston in irons, before
being brought here Some of the colored men |
Ire here in prison that were in the wagons, as
hey would not chose masters nor admit they |
we're slaves, being born free. February 3, l
Jaw a terrible sight. Jake Hurd came into the
prison, having covered buggy at the door, or
Tered the free boys, George Wilson Hayes, late
'ook at Eldridge Hotel, Lawrence and Charles
smith, of Brownsville, Pa, to come out and get
n. They said they would wait in prison till
heir free papers came. Jake took his whip and
whipt them till they consen nted to
20 with him-God only knows where. He
aid, 81 am your master now, and by God
viii make you obey me-
We have not seen person that we know
ince our imprisonment, yet we are to prepare
or trial on the Goth of this month. Neither
ny son nor myself have committed any crime
T offence. We have violated no law, and yet
Ts are now Gagged and fettered in a Missouri
ell
We are very filthy, having no water to wash
nth nor are we allowed TO go out to answer
be calls of nature, and the stencil is horrible
ly eyes are weak-in fact, am almost blind
nth the darkness of the iron box, or metallic
ofin, in which we eat, sleep, and are shown
D persons, who, with CANDLE take a view of
be "tlco are Abolitionists ~ But as the cause
f freedom demands this, we say welcome to it
Il; and if Missouri desires to become a lree
tate sooner than many expect, why then let
hem make US DANCE ON NOTHING. all we ask
that the citizens of Kansas stand true to free
ON, and if our blood or our sacrifice will aid '
advancing that cause, it shall be freely offered
We would like to be treated like pris oners,
lot like brutes,) and for ourselves, only desire
have a fair trial We despair of both, how
Ier, as long as we remain where we now are, 5
ID throw ourselves upon the kindness and pro- q
citing care of Almighty God i
CHARLES DOY.
MassiIIOn ManufactOry.