Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-11-15


rGo1eess sii aiaso----nihiiHd OH .nnal
The Settlers on. the Cherokee Land driven
q,cay by Tie y. s. Troops-Seyenty.tiye
shoases burned One hundred families
tar,ied oat on the Prairie. haa 9sio" e
Int .sH3rayfl al--ll ieH ot d1ifaH
Special Correspondence Of Leavenwor,h Times. !
TIsfr fa MAPLEToS, Oct. 25,, 1860. 30
There is at present revival OF the ex-
citeinent OF other days in Southern Kan
sas. The scene is removed little further
south than on former occasions, but there
is the same ''irrepressible'' incentive un-
derlying K all. During the last few days
there has been an exhibition Of one of the
most barbarous spectacles, on what is term
ed the Cherokee neutral lands, ever known
in any civilized community For the last
six years, that district, which embraces an
era of some twenty five miles by forty. has
been filling mp with honest and industrious
pioneers. who have settled there for perma-
ncnt homes, and in as good faith as any
citizen of Kansas. They have made all
the ordinary improvements, and are sur
rounded by crops and herds, like the old
residents in other countries.
A few mornings since they were surpri.
sed by the report that the United States
troops were on the way from the South to
drive them from their premises. In few
hours the report was confirmed by the ap-
pearance of the Indian agent, whom they
call Col. Cowan, accompanied by COM
pany of cavalry. sixty in number, CON-
manded by Capt. .Sturgess. They COM
menced Immediately applying the torches
to the dwellings of the settlers. travelling
northward with their work of devastation
and ruin Nearly all the settlers ON what
is called the "Lightning Creek Settlement"
were thus visited by them. They came on
Cow Creeks branch Of the Dry Wood,
and there showed the same relentless spirit.
The news Of their destructive raid travelled
before them, and the settlers on the Dry
Wood rallied to the number of three OF
four hundred, who sent committee. OF
conference to visit the .'.Col." The COM
mittec contended that whatever might be
his right to disturb the settlers farther
south. that. they. on the Dry Wood, were
on what is called ""tbe eight mile strip" {"
and that they were on part of the Cherokee
tract, bnt on lands not subject TO prc-emp-
tion At least they contended that the
question was in measure unsettled; that
they should be favore,b and be allowed to
remain until new survey could be made,
and the whole matter legally adjusted.
To hasten our particulars, something
that they called ''treaty." was 6nall a.
greed to, and written, pledge was signed
on the part of the citizens. that they would
abandon that district previous to the 25th
sof November next. provided the agent
would spare their dwellings at this time,
and leave the country. Accordingly the
incendiary withdrew. but threatened them
in this wise as he was leaving; that, ii ev-
cry man Of them did not leave before the
day specified, he woald burn, not only
their houses. next time. but all their feed,
grain, and every thing he could, 6nd valu-
able. re-
When this news came to our citizens in
this portion of our county. they immc,ii-
afely sent down delegations to learn the
facts and report. Some Of these gentle
men have returned, and report most dis
tressing scene. Seventy -four houses have
been burned, and at least one hundred fam
lies turned out upon the bare prairies, all
by that subtle acquaintance of ours. called
the power of the Federal Government.
have. during the last twenty-fonr- hours,
conversed with at least twenty persons
from that county. and all give it as the
saddest scene ever witnessed in Kansas.-
Women and children are now sheltered in
the bushes along the creeks, mourning
their hard fate. They feel sdiscensolate-
almost sick of life. Some say they would
as soon die as leave the country they have
been laboring SO hard to improve for
the last six years. In fact. the whole
community are quite discouraged, and
know not what to do. They almost feel
deserted-and castiout from every body.
II they don't belong to Kansas, or to any
where else. and no arm appears to protect
them, or show them any sympathy in this
sad hour. what, they ask, is to DO their
fate? sss e
A meeting was held last evening at Mar
inaton, some four miles this side Of the
land referred to- 1t was largely attended.
both by delegations from the Dry Wood
and other portions of this country. All i
have here written was more than confirmed
by those who spoke. One gentleman STA
ted that he knew of a case where this Col
onel Cowan came to house in which la
dy was sick, having child but two days
old. All their pleading was in vain He
ordered his men to carry her out on her bed.
and lay her upon the prairie. His orders
werc obeyed, when he ordered the house
fired in which she was lying. thus outraged
and unprotected. in full view. nNvliat saw
age heart was eSer more destitute OF hu-
manity? goI % ssaend 4rr11 zas.3 olis.
% But this letter will contain but the be-
ginning Of the chapter. and l must close
BY saying the future is ominous. m There is
a plot underlying allthis, well known in
this community. A mass meeting is called
at Cato. on the Dry Wood. next W ednes-
day. The Indignation is very general. and
the excitement high. z understand COM
mittee'is now on the way to see Gov. Me-
dary.gH ne'e sfs - .1spiss Ilfr gii1sa
Yesterday morning, Just after Captain
Sturgess' company had started South, q
messenger arrived --s.or his third horse
from Fort Lcavenworth. with orders for
him to start for that place immediately.