The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-07-10

presentation, and the place, tho same in
front of constitution Hall-and conse
4uently at the same time from the north
came marching up to the hall the ToPo
ka company under command OF Col
Whipple. Both companies reached the
ground about the Same time and she
Topeka boys stood in line facing the
Hall little to the north Of the entrance.
l was where could distinctly hear
every order given. Col. Summers
command, as his troops filed in between
the Topeka company and the Hall, was
to "wheel into line" and "Right about
face" The Capt. who passed the com.
mand to the troops, added ."torward, .
and not till the horses boofs touched
the boys toes 80 that they were Obliged
to run or defend themselves, did the
command "hait," come trom that cap.
tain. Col. Summers business was IN
the Hall and as the troops were fling
10 around the Hall and he had passed
bis order to the Capt, he turned aside
TO the south eff the building and, dis
mounting, went into the Hall.
That Capt. was an intense pro-Slsve-
ry man. knew well, and watched
him keenly. thought then, and always
have thought since, that he intended to
provoke some act on the part OF that
company, or some member Of it, that
would warrant an attack by the troops
on the crowd.
Two cannons loaded with grape were
planted on the avenue, 1 should say
about where Eighth street crosses, 30 as
to sweep the street, and the matches
were lighted. 1t was very critical
point in Kansas history and the fact
which wish TO bring out Is this: Had
q skirmish ensued between the u. s.
troops and the citizens Of Kansas at
that time, it would have been brought
about, or precipitated, l should say, by
that pro-slavery Captain, who unwsr-
rantsbIy and without orders from his
superior, marched his men onto peace
full collection of citizens. No wisdom
or sagacity of any free state men or
man led up to it or away from it.
How wss it in the Hally The IN.
sttant ! saw danger had passed outside,
went into the Hall just as Col. Sum-
ner from the speakers desk was saying
he was required by the Pres. of the U.
S. to perform the most disagreable duty
of his life: 81 am commanded to dispense
this Legislature" The Clerk continued
roll call in clear, ringing voice, but
very few responded, and no quorum was
the result. Judge P. G. Schuyler stepped
to the front Of the desk and said, "Col.
Sumner, 90 l understand that we are
dispersed at the point of the bsyonet!"
any orders are to dispense this Legis-
lature," replied the Col. THIS reply was
quite proper, for J udge Schuyler repre-
sented no organized body Of citizens
for any purpose, political or otherwise;
neither the legislature, for no quorum
to their names, and no organ
izstion had been effected.
The men Immediately commenced
leaving the building and the room was
soon vacant. 1 think it would be hard
for any one toto tell which feeling was
about that time in the
minds of the people present, indigna.
ton at the Col. for trying TO place the
people Of Kansas IN u false position be. |
lore the world, or disgust at their own
for showing the "White
and failing to answer to their
names at roll call. A platform was
erected on the north side of the rope. |
"a House in the afternoon, and the
weak kneed members were numerically |
by some of the "stalwarts;"
md that ended the Topeka Legislation
# A. d., 1856.
In and around Topeka on that day
, ero about 600 mon armed ana ready
or any emergency. At least 4, and l
hink 5, organized military companies
# Free state men we're there, with CON-
officers. They came to Tope-
;a.at great trouble and expense, and
rom long distances. They came there
or purpose; they came there to pro.
ect and preserve in tact the Free state 1
legislature of Kansas. They came there ,
tho request of and instfgation of the I
,sding free state men OF the time, and
t the governor, the head of this Or I
snizstion. He wrote letter advising i
he meeting, which was freely shown to ,
be members and others on the morn q
g of the 18th, and previously in per. I
onal intercourse with friends ., the |
imp when Le was held as prisoner, be a
kpressed the desire that itshould meet. Z
he Free state men generally desirep O
10 same. 10 the light of tho procla- f
alton OF the government aud the ut. n
frances Of the pro slavery party it was !
treason. We did not think n
land if the Legislature bad possessed
'rve enough 10 organize Is desired by
ov Robinson, they would have been C
in my opinion. As it WAS Il
ere was nothing tor the U 5. Troops b
3dispnrse or the Free state troops to q
eserve. Therewas no meeting OF the o
legislature. H. l. JONES. Il