The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1872-04-19
TEE LAST OF TIE JAY HAwKsRs

: Or, have they made steps that will dsnpei
i A sisters tireless lover &c.
-BaItimore Christlsn Advocate.
TEE LAST OF THE JAY HAWKERS
From John James ingalls, article
in the Kansas Magazine for April
under the above head, we copy the
following in relation to one of the
border heroes of our early strug-
| giles:
Conspicuous among the irregular
heroes who thus sprang to arms III
1861, and ostensibly their leader,
was an Ohio stage-driver by the
name OF Charles Metz, who, having
. graduated with honor from the
peniteDtiary of Missouri, assumed
from prudential reasons the more
/. euphouiOus and distinguished ap-
peliation of "CleveIand.' He was
a picturesque brigand. Had he
worn slashed doublet aud trunk
hose of black velvet, he would have
been the ideal of an Italian bandit.
Young, erect and tall, he was sparely
built, aud arrayed himself like q
gentleman in the costume of the
day. His appearance was that of q
Isiudent. His vissge was thin, his
ic0mpleXion olive-tlnted and color
less, as if slcklied DER with the pale
cast OF thought. Black piercing
eyes, finely cut features, dark hair
and beard correctly trimmed, com
pleted a tout ensemble that was
strangely at variance with the as
pect of The score of dissolute and
dirty desperadOes that formed his
command. These were generally
degraded ruffans of the worst type,
whose highest idea of elegance in
personal appearance was 10 have
their mustaches dyed a villainous
metallic black, irrespective of the
consideration whether its native
hue was red or brown. 1t Is q
noticeable fact that dyed mustache
stamps its wearer inevitably either
as pitiful snob or an irreclaimalIle
scOundrel.
The vicinity of the fort, with it's
troops, rendered Leavenworth un-
desirable as a base of operations.
st. Joseph was also heavily garri-
soned, and they accordingly select
ed Atchison as the point from
which to move on the enemy's
wores. Atchison, at that time,
contained about twenty-five hun
dred inhabitants. Its business was
transacted upon one street, and ex-
tended west about four blocks from
the river. Its position upon the ex-
treme curve of the Grand Detour"
of the Missouri afforded unrivalled
facilities for escape to the interior
in the event of pursuit. Having
been principally settled by South
erners, it still afforded much legiti-
mate game for our bird of prey,
land its loyal population having al
ready largely enlisted, the city was
incapable of organized resistance
to the depredations of the marau-
ders.
They established their headquar-
tiers at the saloon ola German named
Ernest Renner, where they held
their councils of war, and whence
they started upon their forays. The
winter was favorable to their de-
signs, as the river closed early, en-
abling them to cross upon the ice.
Cleveland proclaimed himself Mar
shal of Kansas, aud announced his
determination to run the country.
He invited the cordial CO operation
of all good citizens 10 assist him in
sustaining the government and pun
fishing lts foes. Ignorant of his re-
sources and his purposes, the PEG.
pie At first were inclined to well
come their stranger guests as a pro-
lection from tie dangers to which
they were exposed; but it soon be-
came apparent that the doctors
were worse than the disease. They
etook possession of the town, defied
the municipal authorities, and COM
United such intolerable excuses
thai their expulsion was a matter of
public safety. Their incursions into
Missouri were so frequent snd au-
dacious that company of infantry
was sent from Weston ana station
ed at Winthrop to effect their cap
ture, but to no purpose. They soon
ceased to inquire about the politi-
cal views OF their victims. If q man
had an enemy in any part of the
country whom he wished to iniure,
he reported him TO Cleveland as o
rebel and the next night he was
robbed of all he possessed and con-
sidered fortunate If he escaped
without personal violence. In some
cases, at the intercession of friends,
the property was restored: but
generally there was no redress. A
small detachment of cavalry was
sent from the fort to take them, but
Just IS they had, dismounted in front
of the saloon and were hitcbing
their horses, Cleveland appeared at
irha hnnP VryiGh q conh e.1 t. {o.1 =,
hand, aud told them hs would shoot
the first man that moved a fiuger.
/ Calling two or three of his follow
ers, ne d'sarmed the dragons, took
their horses and equipments, and
sent them back on foot to reflect
upon the vicissitudes of military az
tairs. -
! Early in 1862 the condition be-
teame desperate, aud the city author
ities, in connection with the COM
mander at Winthrop, concerted q
scheme which brought matters to a
Icrisis. Cleveland and about a doz-
en- of his gang were absent in Mis-
! souri, on a scout. The time of their
return was known, and Marshal
HoIbert had his forces stationed in
the shadow of an old Warehouse
near the bank of the river. 1t was
a brilliant moonlight night In mid
winter. The freebooters emerged
: from the forest and eros sed upon
the ice. They were freshly mount
ed, and each one had q spare horse.
accompanying them were two
sleighs loaded with negroes, har-
ness and miscellaneous plumber. As
they ascended the steep shore of the
; leyee, unconscious of danger, they
were all taken prisoners, except
Cleveland, who turned suddenly,
/. spurred his horse down the embank.
in1ent and escaped. The captives
. were taken to Weston, where they
soon after enlisted in the Federal
army. The next day Cleveland
> rode into town, captured the CITY
7 Marshal on the street, and declared
! his intention TO hold him as q host.
fage for the safety of his men. he
compelled the Marshal 10 walk by
the side of his horse q short dis.
tances when finding crowd gath
) ering for his escape he struck him 8
) blow on the head with his pistol
3 land ded. He continued his exploits
q for some months, but was, finally
driven TO bay in one Of the southern
: counties, and attempting TO let him.
!. tself down the side of pfecipitoHl
ragiae, was shot by soldier from
!. shove, the ball eRteFiHe ssuader hi
! arm and passing through his body
His temporary widow took BIZ
II = \ &