The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-15
The Attack on Fort Scott by the Kansas Free
State Border RNfians.


State Border RsaAians.
Correspondence Of the st. Louis Republican,
FoRr Scorr, X. T., Dec IT, 1858.
Southern Kansas Is again In condition bordering upon
civil war Capt Montgomery, the ''free State bandit
chief, is under the counties of Bourbon and Linn,
insisted by Capt John Brown of ossawatomie memory,
and other leaders.
Yesterday morning, as daylight was about dawning,
these leaders, with their companies, numbering from
seventy to hundred men, entered the town OF Fort
Scott for the purpose Of rescung ben Of their
number from the custody Of the sheriff That officer at
the time sleeping his claim, more than mile
out of town. and did not hear the alarm till it late.
Our towDsmen all asleep in their separate houses.
Before the inmates Of the ''Free State Hote in which
the prisoner was kept, knew what was going on, these
guerr,as had possession Of the building, and were
striking of the chains Of the prisoner, who was
held under indictment for murder and assault with
intent TO Kill. Captain Montgomery had fire already
kipdied outside, with which 70 6re the building, in
case any should shoot. Our town is SO compactly
$780, 600 worth Of property Deputy Marshal Campbell,
who kept the house. held one OF the rooms agaius.
to hang or shoot him. They snapped Sharpes rifle at
Mr. damon, the aio Of Rice Having rescued Rice they
went TO plaging the rooms They stole shirts, coats,
bo0ts gloves and whatever II was profitable TO take
They got Sharpes rife from Mr. Gaaber Postmas.
ter worth $50, though not in his possession at the
wherever they could find them. They were go doubly
armed with Tevolvers and Sharpes rifles that the few
who had guns cav no chance to resist them.
While this was going on inside, Captain Montgomery
remained on the public square with at least half of his
He took the precaaton to station guards at every
selves.
Later in the engagement, the house and store of Dr.
Blake Little became the scene Of most intense interest
the excitement intense outside, it thrilling to the
inmates. There In the house the old Doctor his
son, John H. Little, who recently Deputy Marshall
his friend George Crawford the President of the Town
Company, and the black girl and little black boy. Mr. @.
informs that they were aroused from sleep by the
who %ad the AS soon as s
could dress and seize their guns John Little rushed 10 the
door to whether the Shers posse were raying and
thu nc
advancing him. he told him stand back The request
not being obeyed they both fred simultaneously that
after all was over he found the ball had lodged just
above Mr.. Lttle's head.
Mr. L. then closed the door, remarking that he had
shot them. The early hour Of the morning pre-
GLIDING the probability Of any firing by the citizens
posse the inmates could only act the defensive until
they should hear that the action had become general On
the side of them windows looking out upon the
pointed rifles, from Of which came ball through the
window, the stove pipe and partition wall They could
fret firing to be followed up by an onslaught upon tho
house. Soon John Little disappeared into the soreroom,
mounted dry goods box, and was rubbing the dust off
the window above the door, when ball penetrated his
forehead and felled him 10 the floor.
Covered with blood and gasping In DEATH he lay there
for two long hours before townsmen could know of
his condition. In almost breathess suspense and in this
house of DEATH Dr. Little aud Mr. Crawford awaited tho
inevitable DOOM There not the remotest chance to
call in friendly sympathy for the dying-nor even TO
announce the condition of their comradc No pros
pect of any firing the part of our citizens know
ledge of the reason of it, no chance for anythng but
the fate that poor John had met like man. There
hope selling life 10 better advantage and that
was ALL They heard tho cry fire the building in which
several kegs of powder. They them plant tho
against the house, and the remen range round
the doors and windows They heard the order TO SNAKE
ready"
At that thrilling moment Mr.. G. advanced to an up
stairs window, and raised his hand to lift It, think
ing II might appease the crowd rally friends TO tell
Little had been shot. But dozen rifles sarod him in
the face, and he saw no chance but to take fate
might just then lady outside raised the cry
that there were women and children in the house.
moments time given to get them out. lady rushed
in and got the girl and boy OUT but they were frightened
opened door they drew sight upon him and demanded
him TO lay down his gun. This he refused TO do-re
was now but Of little value. In this parey and
pense Mrs. Campbell and daughter rushed in and an old
free State planted himself in the door to prevent
around the door. The Of Lttles
death seemed TO be reprieve for the doctor and Mr. c.
They passed out through barrcade of cooked rifles Mr.
C. then begged Capt. Montgomery to spare the building
ana the goods
They begun the work of plumber by stealing the belt and
pistol from the body Of the dying man. Some Of them
ohucked gce he hreathed his last They upon
the store goods like vuures upon prey In less than half
hour they packed up and carried away not ess than
600 worth OF the Doctors best goois Governor RAN
Mr. Crawford and others reasoned with them shamed
them denounced them but all to no purpose. They
then powerless TO do more The hotel stable was then
broken open, and men rushed in to steal horses. Mr.
c. and Sheriff Bull prevailed on them to desst. At
ast-the Sheriff got Captain Montgomery TO bring his
out Of the store. "And all this, said Of them
isis TO show you what freemen do"
In long conference afterwards, held the street. be-
gomcry the latter avowed his determnaoa to resist the
to the DEATH He could annoy the United States
long the Seminole Indians did He and his would
resist all arrests for past Offences, and would remain
the field until they have secured their terms He said
that Dr. Little had justly forfeited his life TO the people
5 rT his h ne @
state Of existed aud justified his acts under that