The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-11-19
Card.
,R OF BUCHANAN COUNTY GUARDIAN

EDITOR OF BUCHANAN COUNTY GUARDIAN:
SIR-We find an article in your
issue of the 2sth ult., signed by Mr..
Loomis and five others, pretending to
have given the particulars in regard to
the difficulty between the boys of Capt
Ainsworth's company Of volunteers, and
Mr.. Loomis, which we think deserves A
passing notice, not from any literary
merit which it may contain, but simply
for the purpose of stating the real facts
in the case. Mr.. l.. says the facts are
as follows: The boys were allowed to
burn large number of barrels and box
es of mine" Now the truth is, the BOYS
were allowed to burn large number Of
barrels and boxes, but none of them were
the property OF Mr.. L., save a few old
barrel slaves. The boxes and barrels
belonged to other merchants of the vii
lage, all Of whom, except Mr.. L., gave
them cheerfully Most of the bows know
ing the tenacity with which Mr.. l.. holds
on to anything which he can make cent
out Of, refrained from taking anything Of
his except few old things laying around
loose. And none of his boxes were taken
until they were wanted for a speakers
stand, when Mr. L. not only refused the
use of his boxes, but made the statement
that we were all pack OF cowardly
thieves, and could not raise men enough
to take the boxes. This was evidently
more than the boys could stand, so they
picked up a couple Of the boxes and car.
ried them into the middle OF the street.
Mr.. l.. holding OH TO them at the same
time, and swearing terribly, declaring
lhat they should feel the strong arm of
the law Mr.. l.. returned 10 the store
when he Mr.. l. together with some Of
those gentlemen 60 whose names are ap-
pended to bis article. appeared armed
with axe-helves, threatening almost eter-
nal vengeance on the whole company, Dc
claring they would have their property
or fight. For this desperate onslau. .bt,
the boys We're lily prepared, being un
armed. They thereupon quietly retired
TO neighboring store and furnished
themselves with hen greaades, with which
they returned to the scene of conflict
notified the byslanders to step one side.
and AT the command % fire. all went, the
shells generally bursting the moment
they struck. Mr. l.. was evidently be
smearej, as some fifty OF the shells took
effect
Mr. l.. ntimstes that the Same crowd
ran over and abused other citizens Of
Manchester. Now we venture to say
that there is not another man in Man
chester that will say that The boys eoer
misusel them in any way whatever.
Their refusing TO help arrest them on the
night in question, is sufficient testimony
on that point.
Now in regard 10 the way in which it!
was settled. The boys, after the fray, were
rallied by some Of their officers, and
marched on 10 the bridge 10 prevent fur
thsr disturbance. and is soon as they
had time to reflect, they offered to make
due Acknowledgements, pay damages, and
sent \ message TO that effect. which he
refused saying that some of the leaders
mast be surrendered TO the law. as the
only means OF Cancellation. This the
boys refused. saying. that if one was ia
ken all must 30 together. The excite.
ment ran very high and the boys, by the
urgent request Of many Of the citizens,
concluded 10 march out of town. Not.
as Mr., l.. states, " 10 escape justice. but
TO prevent general riot between the
Sheriii's posse and the boys.
Now as regards the deputy Sheriff. He
did get on tie train and forbid the Su
perihtendent Of the road from taking
them on board. but on reflection he con.
cluded to settle the matter on lis own
responsibility. as he SAID, and according
ly proposed to Capt Ainsworth that if
he would take the bows back hc would