The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-28
Bushwackers Administrators
Of the Law.
Terrible Murder of Signers of
Ante-Bellum Bonds.
Lawlessness in Cass County and
Terror of the People.
GOVERNOR BROWN TO THE RESCUE.
TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, April 81


this State but the extraordinary nature of the cir
cumstance. which has no parallel in the history of
Missouri calls for extended account.
Though not as full as l could wish, the following
statement will enable your readers to comprehend
the stua ton. Let me premise, however by men-
toning that the portion of the State in which this
awful tragedy was perpetrated has long been recog
nized as the 'dark and bloody groundn of Missouri.
On Wednesday evening, ex-Judge Stevenson, j.
X. Cline and man named Dutro, and others, OF
Harrsonvlle, Cass county, took the Eastern bound
train on the Paola Branch of the Missouri, Kansas
and Texas Railroad for Holden, Missouri, on their
way to Clinton, to attend railroad meeting. Just
before leaving Harrisonville they were warned
that the train would be attacked ut East Lynne or
Gum City station by mob, and that they would be
lynched. They discredited the rumor, however,
and proceeded ON their way. Passing East Lynne
without trouble, they thought the danger
Such however, was not the case, for at Gum City
they were
ATTACKED BY A MASKED MOB
of about eighty men. and the three men named
were brutally murdered. This place is situated
nearly midway between Harrisonville and Holden,
about eleven miles from each place. Upon the
south side of the track stands a new frame store
kept by A. r. Zook; upon the other side of the
track stand two rough shanties, one stamped
Post Ofice,n the other is a blacksmiths shop.
About three hundred yards east of these shantes
stands whtewashed one story farmhouse
These four houses stand unc0ncealed by brush out
on the prairie. The gang that stopped the train
were observed by farmers in the vicinity to as
semble at schoOlhOuse about half mile from
Gum City,
MASKED AssAssINs.
There they masked themselves with pieces Of
cloth, pasteboard and pocket handkerchiefs.
number of them turned their coats and made other
efforts to disguise themselves. Just as the train
glided away three suspicious looking men jumped
on the train and paid their fares to Gum City.
These three men were buttoned closely UP to the
chin and each carried revOlvers. They
joined by two of like character
at East Lynne. Three of these men
took their stations at the brakes, while
One sandy-bearded man from Harrisonville,
Started through the car counting the passengers
inquiring names, distance to Gum City, and max
ing close observation of everything upon the train.
Gum City being only nag station no stop in
tended. On Wednesday evening the train whstled
when in sight OF the switch, when the strange
men were observed to be exchanging signals with
some parties ahead. Just the engine came be-
tween and opposite the blacksmith shop and looks
store
THE STRANGE MEN ON THE TRAIN
set the brakes. AT the same time the doors of the
armed men rushed out. These were met upon the
opposite side by others from the store While
party took possession Of the engine and engineer
and kept them under guard, others placed rails be-
meath and upon both sides OF all the wheels the
train. Selling upon a favorable opportunity the
engineer suddenly drew open the steam throttle
and hooked down the engine to her full stroke,
while the intrepid fireman slyy let Off the brakes
but the train could not move Immediately. Half a
dozen OF the mob rushed on the train and with
their pistols thrust against the heads Of the
gneer and fireman prevented further attempt to
move the train. The mob then called for Cline and
commenced
AN NDIsCRIMINArE FIRING
into the train. Chine fired back, emptying his ps-
toll and wounding two of the mob but how
riously is not known. They borne away
by their comrades bleeding. Cline was then assured
that If he would surrender he should not be hurt,
and stepped out upon the platform of the station
with his pistol reversed. Immediately he was
SHOT THROUGH THE HEART
and fell dead. After he dead others OF the mob
approached and emptied their pistols into his body
until it had been pierced by forty bullets. A
rush was next made for the baggage, mail and
smoking cars where Stephenson and Dutro were.
That car having been closed they battered down
the door and side OF the car with rails, and thus
brutal manner. Their bodies were dragged out and
laid side by side the platform. Search was
made for others supposed to be interested in
a late issue of bonds in that county or friendly to
the murdered men, and threats were made to kill
all SUCH Not finding any others the distractions
were removed from the track and the train was al
lowed to proceed Next morning an inquest was
held on the bodies OF the murdered men, but the
people were so inundated by the mob that nothing
was elected. The bodies were then sent home to
Harrisonvie In a lumber wagon, and that Of Cline
has since been brought to this city and was inferred
here to-day The mob was composed OF former
bushwhacKers, men Of the most desperate and
lawless character, and who claim to be one thousand
strong. They have perfect organization, and
their movements were regulated with
all the precision of well disciplined military COM
pany They threaten the lives OF all who have any
thing do with the issue OF the bonds referred to.
They haye threatened to burn Harrisonvile and Hol
den aud are reported to be proposing to settle
THE OLD GRIEVANCES OF THE WAR.
Cass county is inundated, and the people dare
not say word against the mob. Many were recog-
nzed at the massacre and they have sent letters to
all who are supposed to know anything about them,
threatening their lives If they TELL and many people
are fleeing from the county Judge FOrsythe, Mr..
Hines and others interested In the issue of the
bonds have already made their escape. Governor
Brown has called out three companies OF militia,
and efforts will be made to suppress the mob. The
history of this bond matter is briefly as folows:-
Before the war the county voted 100000 stock to
the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and county bonds
were issued but not delivered During the war
the bonds were captured by federal authorities and
turned over to the railroad to which they were
supposed to belong. Since the war these bonds
were returned to an agent Of the county, but not
destroyed, and few weeks ago the county authori-
ties were induced to find them and fraudulently
issue $22o,O0o in bonds to another company The
bonds were taken partly to st. Louis by Judge
Stevenson and N. ID. Ladue, attorney for the road
for which the new bonds were issued, and the
balance we're brought to this city by j. X. Cline at
torney for the county, and man named Higgins
| who committed suicide here at the time. Laduc
and Stevenson were arrested In St Louis and Cline