The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1859-02-12

J
FoRr CALHOUN, Jan. 10, 1859
FRIEND sMAN:-Since Kay last, severa
items of news that may be Of Importance tc
| your readers have transpired, and among
/ them is one Of a most tragical character. II
seems that two noted characters, by the
name Of Braden and Daily, stole four horses
belonging to a man by the name Of Nm
Connor, who lives about four miles below
here in this county, (WashjnCton,) and near
the line that separates this from Douglas
county. They were arrested in Iowa, aad
lodged in jail On a requisition from our
governor, they were brought over to Omaha
and secured in the iai! Of that county,
Washington county not having any. Before
they had been in Jail ten days, they twice
got cut, and were each time arres ted
/ While in the place Of their confinement
they made bold and dangerous threats Of
revenge towards VIM. Connor and others
living in the immediate vicinity, and on last
Saturday evening, q week a crowd to the
number of 81 or 90 assembled, and marched
to Omaha, obt ,ined possession OF the KEYS
Of the jail, took out the prisoners, Braden
and Daily, went about 9 miles up the river,
and there launched them into eternity. On
Sunday the sheriff of Douglas county was
notified that there were two men hanging TO
tree in the north part of the county. He
forthwith assembled posse. and went and
brought them to Omaha. Chief Justice
Hall ordered an extra ses.isD of the District
Court, called together the Grand Jury, and
the Marshal caused the arrest of several
persons suspected Of being concerned in the
transaction. Indictments have been found
against three for murder In the first degree
and tlcy are now having their trial. Great
excitement exists n Douglas and this coun-
~, and il seems large majority OF the ci,i
zeEs Justify Tie deed, not that they are tn
willing = @bidc the course CT law. but in
consequence Of tie universal escape Of all
criminals who heretofore haze had the BENG
fit Of law, ard the insecurity of lie and pro
PeTiT while there r. no safe place Of custody
in tie Territory. How the matter will ter
III ate. r;,Go Acne VII determine.
3, here are ;ever;sa, sal anxious for the
ogeuius pf s2r,rs. Already have the gold
sea,.e5- f-a.l the east made ;ueir appearance,
aad day arrivals confirm the most sanguiDe
,-p,e,.ao.s. Al s.o.t tGaG..ls pgepar-
...- wa5 ay- - 10 come. = lex days since
= -..a,-ay from =. Louis -C-'v-'i =. DmeGa
aui commenced Lryin. and Ajreiug teams -
transport men and goods - tie new " lido
ralo.' i large roi.!sEy t'Ola Omaha -ud
tu- y.4as ay. ..ttgg out 1t numbers EoL. :
200 I..eu, with 2E e1'ers.-r c4ri.aL The
- aGj w..G 80 saw mills, printing press
and al .br azr.cu.tarsi .Ia dement's necessa-
~ TO T.,ai; colony, aaG establish firm
aud lasting s-;,le.DaEt. OlEsr cumpauic-,
fiom d.if,fcn- Counties, are organizing for
s.ni.g. yuI poses. and every day Gr ngs the
most cheering news from those who weat
from here IN lGe Ial. Never, since the or
oanizalion Of Tins Territory, have Things
promised brighter. Al seem TO pariahe
alike Of t!!e enthusiasm. a! of one half OF
the adult pJfuGtIca OF tins county VII.
leave for the iggIugS - scoa IS grass starts
in the spring. There seems 10 Uc some uii-
ference ol opinion as TO the most practica-
bic route, and a. have no interest in the
various cities That claim preference, | have
gathered from weekly paper, along down the
ri9eT the various distances from each point
the: viii he likely to receive some share Of
patronage. The various trains that have
thus far gone out from the ciiv If Leaven-
worth, al! have made Fort hearney-on the
North az well as the South Platte. From
! Omaha, sccerdag 10 the road survey, by an
( authorized agent ef government, the dis
tance is Just lo3 miles, over good military
road, all the streams bridged except the
I.oup Fork, which has good ferry. From,
Nebraska City it is 23j; 81. Joseph, Mo,
25l miles; LcavenwOrth City, so miles
Thus, YOU can judge for yourself the nearest
route from &vigation, say nothing about the
numerous sand hills that cannot be avoided d
ia taking the south side OF the p.s;te.
The weather here is mos: beautiful
About tEe first OF December we had about
inches of snow. which lasted about two
! weeks, when it disappeared, and since that
time the roads have become dry and dusty,
and with the exception of two or three days
OF cold, it has been one continued thing
autumn weather.
Politics here is pretty much one thing,
with the exception Of the few government
officials, and others who hope to become
such. Douglas has the sympathies of the
democrats, and it is conceded that the Re-
publicans have the numerical strength, if
parties were rallied to their proper front.
We are all anxious for the passage Of Mr.
Harris bin, that is row before Congress,
giving to the Territories the right to choose
| their own officers, which surely would be
carrying out Squatter Sovereignty to pur-
pose. Bot oh! don't Jeem's tools here
squrm for fear. More anon. A p.