The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-11-08
More Troub,a in Kansas.


letter in regard to the new excitement in
that Territory:
90 MApLEroN, Oct. %, 1860.
There is at present revival of the excite
ment of other days in Southern Kansas
The scene is removed little flu. ther South
than on former occasions, but there is the
same ''irrepressiblc" incentive underlying it
all. During the last few days there has
been an exhibition Of one of the most bar
barous spectacles, on what is termed the
Cherokee neutral lands, ever known in any
civilized community. For the last six years,
that district which embraces some twenty
five miles by forty, has been filliEg up with
honest and industrious pioneers, who have
settled there for permanent homes, and in as
good faith as any citizen of Kansas. They
have made all the ordinary improvements,
and are surrounded by crops and herds, like
the Old residents in other countries
A few mornings since they were surprised
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 appearance
of the Indian agent, whom they call Col.
Cowan, accompanied by company of cav
airy, sixty in number, commanded by Capt.
Sturgess. They commenced immediately
applying the torches to the dwellings of the
settlers, travelling northward with their worl,
of devastation and ruin. Nearly all the set
tiers on what is called the lightning Greek
Settlement were thus visited by thcm.-
They came on to Cow Creeks branch of the
Dry Wood, and there showed the same re-
lentness spirit. The news of their dcstruc-
tive raid Travelled before them, and the set
tiers on the Dry Wood rallied to the number
of three or four hundred, who sent com
mittee of conference to visit the "qCol.n The
committee contended that whatever might
be his right to disturb the settlers further
south, that they, on the Dry Wood, were on
what's called the EIGHT mile strip" and that
they were on no part of the Cherokee tract,
hut on lands not subject to presumption. AT
least, they contended that question was yet
In measure unsettled, that they should be
favored, and allowed to remain until new
survey could be made, and the whole matter
legally adjusted.
10 hasten our particulars, something that
they called treaty" was finally agreed to,
and a written pledge was signed on the part
of the citizens that they would abandon that
district previous to tine 25th of November
next, provided the agent would spare their
dwellings at this time, aud leave the coun-
try. Accordingly the incendiary withdrew,
but threatened them in this wise as he wa.
leaving, that, if every man of them did not
leave before the day specified, he would
burn, not only their houses, next time but
all their feed, grain, and everything he could
find valuable.
When this news came to cur citizens in
this portion Of the county, they Immediately
sent down delegations to learn the facts and
report. Some of these gentlemen havo re-
turned, and report a most distressing scene
Seventy -four houses have been burned, aad
at least one hundred families turned out up-
on the bare prairies, all 10y that subtle ac-
quaintanre of ours called the power Of the
Federal Government. | have, during the
last twenty-four 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,
mourring their hard fate. They feel dscon-
so.ate-almost sick of life. Some say tley
would as soon die as leave the country they
have been laboring so hard to improve dur
ing the last six years. In fact the whole
community are quite discouraged, and know
not what to de- They almost feel deserted
AS cast out from everybody If they don't
belong to Kansas, or to anywhere else, and
no arm appears to protect them, or show
them any sympathy in this sad hour, what,
they ask, is to be their fate.