The Kanzas news., 1859-01-01
.@Asfamut k Eidnappine.

rascals TO kidnap negro man called ..Chsr-
ey." who has been working for Mr.. Ha-
worth. at his saw mill. on the Cottonwood,
seven miles west of Emporia, for the last
few weeks. The name of one of the kid
| nappers is Freeman, scamp who has lived
in the vicinity of Emporia for the last two
years, and whose character as a notorious
liar and scoundrel has been fully establish
ed. The name of the other is not known,
he having lately come here from Missouri
probably on this very errand in which he
has been engaged. The circumstances of
the attempt are about these: The negro
/ Charley was out in the woods, on the north
side of the Cottonwood, hunting with
couple of white boys. when the kidnappers.
armed with double barreled shot guns. rode
up and accosted them. Freeman was ac-
quainted with Charley. and had always pre-
tended to be bis friend. After few words
him look at his gun, and obtained posses
sion of it for that purpose. The other fel-
low then cooked and presented his gun at
Charley and Freeman collared him order
ing him to get on the horse, and telling him
that he had got to go to Missouri or be
killed. Charley refused to get on the horse,
telling them to stshoot and be DID, to them.
The boys who were with Charley shouted
for help. which attracted the attention of
Mr.. Hodgson. who was short distance off
in the woods. and who came running to the
spot. When be had come within twenty
or thirty steps one of the kidnappers pre-
sented gun and told him not to come nearer
or he would be shot. Hodgson paid no at
tention to the threat. however, and came up
TO where the parties were. A stalwart ne
gro named Solomon was also within reach
of the cry for help, and came running up.
but was ordered to stop which he did at a
distance of about ten PAGES, and "treed,
and presenting an old horse pistol which be
had with him, drew "bead' on the Mis-
souri, part of the kidnapping army. and pre-
pared to shoot in case it should be needed.
Charley protested that he was free, and
Hodgson said that he should not be taken
until he had had time to go to Mr.. Ha- |
worth's house and get his ''free papers. .''-I
The kidnappers at first said that they were
going to take him anyhow, and would not
listen to any such thing as going to the
house. But Hodgson was determined, Sol |
omon threatened their rear with his formid-
able looking horse pistol, and Charley was
anxious to have finger in the pie, and
SO they finally reluctantly consented, and
all hands started for the house. Hodgson
led the way to the stream, at point where
a canoe was fastened, and where there was
no crossing for horses. Charley dashed |
into the river to swim it. Hodgson got in
to the canoe and one Of the kidnappers at
tempted to do the same; but Hodgson push
ed him back and showed the canoe Off
Charley thengotinto the canoe with Hodgson,
when the kidnappars presented their guns
and ordered him to stop. The canoe went
across the stream, however, in double quick
time, and the kidnappers had to go around
to the ford about two hundred yards dis
tant, and by the time they had crossed Char
ley was out of sight. They searched around
awhile, and attempted to go into Mr.. Ha-
worth's field, but Mr.. H. told them that if
they did so it would be at their peril, and
they desisted, and soon rode off. On their
way down the creek they made various
threats to different persons against Mr.. Ha-
worth-amongst others that he had better
"keep wet sheets over his mill or it might
be burned" Neither of them are too good
to resort to such means of revenge. and
if the mill should be burned, there would
not be much need of evidence to point out
the guilty ones. Freeman is just such a /
scamp as the community would be better
off without. He has been arrested once or
twice for horse stealing, but managed to
get clear, and public opinion points strong
ly towards him as the guilty one in some
other criminal transactions which will prob
ably undergo legal investigation at an early
day.
The negro. Charley, whether he be free
For slave will probably never be taken-and
certainly net without bloodshed Another
attempt at such an outrage will be met in
such manner as will teach the owners of
human chattels that the beautiful plains and
valleys of the Neosho and Cottonwood are
poor hunting ground for their runaway
property.
We have made arrangements to keep our
readers thoroughly posted in regard to
the doings of the Territorial Legislature. |