Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-09-18
Life On the Border.
A coLD-BLooDED MURDER IN KANSAS.
(From the Mound City Report, August 81 /.

sperPetrateu near tne missouri state line, In
Bourbon county, about twelve miles from this
place, on Monday last. John Denton, q resi-
dent of Bourbon county, and well known in
this vicinity, was deliberately shot by q des-
perste character from Missouri, called Bill
Marchbanks This terrible affair in its details
il the most dastardly murder which has for a
long time occurred in this part Of Kansas,
whore 50 low price is set upon human life, and
where manslaughter is Of so frequent occur
renee. To understand the causes which prompt
ed the murderer to commit the crime, we must
briefly refer to the history Of the murdered
man.
John Denton, his father and the family came
to Kansas in the early settlement of the coun.
try and settled in Bourbon county, on the Lit
tie Usage, where they commenced the work of
making themselves home. When the diff
culties between the border-ruffians and the
fres-State men were rife, the father Of John
Denton, although he had been reared and edu-
Gated in the regular democratic faith could not
countenance the wrongs which were resorted
to for the triumph Of slavery, and he threw
open his doors to the free-State settlers, who
were pursued and driven from their homes,
and gave food and shelter to all who were en-
gagged OF the side Of freedom in the free-State
struggle. This course of action drew down
upon Mr.. Denton the curses and hatred of the
berder-rufians. They warned him to leave the
country, which he refused TO do, and on one
dark night, two fends in human shape, Hard
NlCh duu 1Om 11drTOW, went 10 the mouse OF
Mr. Denton, called to him, sad no sooner had
he, in response to their call, appeared at the
door than Hardwick fired upon him, and he
fell and expired.
Hardwick and Marrow fed into Missouri,
but were pursued by John Denton, who, exas-
perated by the cOwardly and unprovoked muir
der OF his father, resolved that he would bring
them to justice. Marrow was apprehended and
imprisoned.
For FIVE months John Denton alone pursued
Hardwick through the State Of Missouri, Ark
ansas, and the Cherokee Nation, and finally
captured him in Missouri and upon hearing
Hsrdwlck relate the manner in which he had
killed his father, the motives which induced
him to do so, and the other crimes of which he
was guilty, he became so enraged that his pas
sions were entirely ungovernable, and he shot
Hardwick dead. He gave himself up to the
authorities, and was imprisoned, but afterward
escaped, and has ever since been pursued by q
gang of mercenary desperadoes who have been
urged forward by the promise Of bribe offered
by the border rufian portion of Missouri for
the death or apprehension of John Denton. He
has been beset on all sides for year, and has
been compelled to be on his guard continually.
Two or three weeks ago his house was set on
fire at night, it is supposed by Marchbanks and
his clan, whom Denton and his family were in
1t, and the house and his goods were consumed.
Last Monday Denton, accompanied by his
father-in-law and brother, went to a small gro
eery where the murder afterward occurred,
and CHANGED to meet with Bill Marchbanks
Robert Msrchbanks, and man named Hiekkn,
all belonging to a gang of rufhsns. March
banks professed friendship, as he had always
done on former occasions. Some one in the
grocery remarked to Denton, "There comes
three men armed" He stepped to the door,
and no sooner was he fairly in their view, than
Bill Narchbanks drew his rifle and deliberately
shot him, the ball entering his chest. Denton
felli and died in about 20 minutes. The ruff
fans then crossed over to the State of Missouri
where it is reported they are protected. John
Denton was young man in the prime of life
He leaves young wife and an aged mother,
who looked to him for support.
AFFATRs IN SYRIA-The latest letters from
Beirut describe the landing Of part of the
French expedition sent against the Syrian
miscreants. 1t appeared of the harbor on the
10th Of August, just one day too late to take
part IN the fetes Of the Emperor, as they are
called, which occurred on the 18th. In expec-
tation Of the arrival, the French residents and
the officers Of the ships in the harbor got up
grand celebration. All day long Gags were
displayed from the houses and shipping, and at
night, there were illuminations and grand
dinner at the French Consulate. No less than
fifty naval and military officers, representing a
dozen different nations, were present, and the
effect OF so many party -col0red uniforms is
said to have been very brilliant.
Nearly all the nations Of Europe have now
squadron at Beirut. This display Of force will,
doubtless, intimidate the Druses, and put an
end for the time to their fearful massacres
Fuad Pasha also displays unusual energy, for
Turk, IN bunting up offenders and administer
ing summary punishment. But the POPULATION
IN and about Damascus are still exceedingly
surly and malignant. They may be restrained
from outward acts Of violence by the presence
of the government, without absting lot in
inward fury. Many Of the most criminal have
fed TO the mountains to await in silence and
cOncealment the hour when they may again
emerge into light, and renew the work of de-
structiOn
The arrivals Of fugitiyes from Beirut con-
tinue; the hospitals are crowded with deceased
or destitute; aad the benevolent sympathies of
the Europeans are taxed to the last degree
There are nearly 5000 on the poor lists, all
subsisting upon charitable contributions, most
of thsm Roman Catholics, with a few Protest
ants and MOslems. But the charity, we are
glad to perceive, knows no distinctions of sect.
aud the pittances, for they can be no more, are
doled out equally to all deserving applicants.
HORRIBLE FRArRIcIDE.-One Brother Kills
Another Dlh an Azs-Ayysst of the Mur-
dersr--From gentleman who has Just ar
rived IN the city from Steelville, Crawford
county, Missouri, We learn, says the st. Louis
News, Of one Of the most horrible occurrences
that ever startled the people Of this State A
man named Davis, resident Of Liesburg (near
the scene Of the bloody decd, few nights ago
approached younger brother, who was sleep
ing with him in the same room, and attempted
TO sever his head from the body by blow with
an axe. Two Of them, the eldest and youngest,
got along peaceably and happily together, but
the second being, it is said, . man Of bad
character, was not in favor with either of the
others On the day preceding, or the morning
Of the bloody occurrence, the eldest sold, or
rather IL was rumored that he had sold some
property, and had received a large sum of
money: After the reported sale had taken
place, he took the cars and came on 10 st.
Louis. The second brother, in the absence of
the eldest, that night slept in the room with
The younger brother. Oar informant states
that the axe struck the cheek bone, glancing
downward and carrying with il q portion Of
the chm; The axe was found, the next morn
ing, in the yard, Immediately under the win
dow OF the room occupied by the brothers 1t
was covered With blood, and to il was still
sticking portion Of the hair, in which the
chin was enveloped. The brother, when taken
into custody the following morning, firmly
protested hia innnocence but soon became con
fused and contradictory in his sfatsm.nt. ~