The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-04-11

A correspondent of the Leavenworth
Conservative, writing from Fort Scott nm
der date of April I'd, gives the following
account of . series of most horrible out.
RACES committed in that vicinity:
Considerable excitement exists here at
the present time, caused BY q series of
atrocious outrages, committed within short
distance of this place. The main par,icu-
lars, as received from q witness, are these:
"On Tuesday night, March 3lst, some
men Knocked at the door of Esq. Modde's
house, in the nj ght time, while the inmates
were all abcd, and demanded instant admit
tance, under threats of setting on 6re and
burning the building over their heads.
This occurred about nine miles east of Fort
Scott, on the Papinsville road, in Missouri
As might be expected, the family were
greatly alarmed, not knowing the number
engaged in this unexpected midnight at.
tack.
Mr.. E. N. Requa, a neighbor, was stop.
ping at the house that night, and as soon as
he heard the knocks and noise outside,
jumped out of bed, and, seizing his pistols,
made towards the door. He demanded
what they wanted. A voice replied that
unless the door was opened Immediately
they would break it down and fire the
house. Almost at the same instant that
this demand was made, two shots were fred
through the door, without, however, hitting
any one. When the door was forced, Mr..
Requs, without other clothing than shirt
and drawers on, ran out past the men-two
in number-who Immediately commenced
firing on him, without effect although two
shots passed through his shirt within an
inch of his right side. He stood his ground
at close quarters, and returned the fire until
be had exchanged six shots with these as
sassins, at . distance Of. fifteen feet; with
cool and deliberate aim, he fred two shots
at one of his assailants, without any appar.
ent damage.
"Mr. X. is = brave man, and q good
pistol shot. 1t was clear moonlight night
end as matter of course this result some.
what staggered him.
"The next day he examined the spot
where the fellow stood, aud found two bull
lets fattened out, button and piece of .
mans drawers. This seemed conclusive,
as he expected at the time that they we're
protected BY some kind of armor worn
beneath the clothing.
I" Mr.. R. retired from this unequal contest
short distance for observation. The men
entered the house, and robbed the owner Of
$l02, carried off Mr.. Requa's overcoat,
knife, saddle, and pocket book, containing
about S55 in money, together with some
papers of use only to the owner.
"They then proceeded to the house of
Mr.. Woodruff, a farmer, living about one
mile farther east, and killed him. Mr.. w.
was 35 years of age, and cripple. He
leaves wife and four children.
"They next went to the house of Smiley
Sample. Mr.. S. lived on the same road,
three miles further east, and his family
consisted of wife, one grown daughter
and two children. Him they also killed
This is the second time this family have
been made to suffer, and it is supposed by
the same men, or parties intimately con.
nected or associated with them.
Last winter the house was attacked,
robbed aud one Of the daughters killed.
"Both of these murdered men were
peaceable, inoffensive, and outspoken in
their adhesion and support of the Union.
"It is not pretended or charged that
these msrauders or assassins are connected
with or belong to Livingston's gang of
bushwhackers but outlaws, who are en-.
gagged in horse stealing and robbery, for
the sake of the gains, and instigsted By
motives of revenge"
An Arrival from . Southern Prison.