The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-10-10

or military, but was consequence 81 the war.
-1laxaE1 principles Of its citi-
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pie had long been on the watch for an excuse,
and were glad when the opportunity came, that
they might strike those "nigger stealers"-aa
they called them-a blow.
Demonstrations had frequently been made
BY portions Of the Confederate army under
General Price to invade the northern part Of
Kansas, but they had always been checked and
driven back by the Federal troops. Rumorsof
invasion were 80 frequent that at last tho peo-
did not put any reliance in them. 1t is true the
citizens Of Lawrence always felt and believed
that they were "spotted" and that an oppor.
tunity was all that was necessary and they
would have the war at their own doors. At
times the authorities wonld become alarmed
and call for aid on the militia Of the surround
ing country. The town would he pnt under
proper defense and wait for the attacking col
umn to come As none came to mOlest their
peace the militia in o short time would be dis
banded and sent home.
Thus matters drifted along until the summer
Of 81 The heavy dark clouds of war were
vas resting on the frontier. About tho LIST of
August Of this year intelligence was received at
lawrence BY scout upon tho stan of General
Ewing that Quantrell was again contemplating
an attack upon that place. This news created
only . MOI %momentsry sir: Tho country militia
Lieutenant Hsdley from Fort Ieavenworth ar
rived and more were on route Everything
progressed finely for putting the town in de-
fensive position, when all at once the soldiers
were sent away and the militia disbanded to
their homes again. The people had been as
danger, and that the whole thing war laughed
at a. false alarm. Thus matters were, and
the good people of Lawrence never in their life
felt more secure, and as an eye witness said:
"Never less prepared than the night before the
raid.n
On the 10th of August, 1863, Quantrell and
his band Of $40 followers went into camp about
sixty miles southeast Of Lawrence. His band
was motley crowd and made mp of all classes
Of the frontier freebootors. Frank and Jesse
James wero with tho crowd and wero good
types Of the remainder Of the gang. They
dressed roughly aud without any pretention to
uniform They had in the expression Of their
faces demoniacal look. Their language was
coarse and illiteratc, and IL there was one thing
they could excel in 1t was their profanity,
which appeared to compromise two-thirds Of
their conversation. Each man was armed cap
verS on his person. Their hearts were devoid
Of anything like mercy, and their special de-
light was in deeds Of wanton brutality, at
which even savage would blush Such were
the class Of beings who were preparing to drop
down upon peaceful town-like cyclone in
mid AuNrV {sH
the face Of tho earth.
Quantrclrs plans were all matured He
knew ct what hour to stsrt and at Whist time he
must arrive ct his place Of destination; how to
enter the town and where snch aud such q
squad would strike their blow; how the whole
town should be layed in ashes and its citizens
left wlltering in their blood He called the men
into line Immediately sfter dinner ON that dsy
md explained to them his plans and objects
He then said:
'eIf there is tender hearted chicken in the
ranks, let him ride out"
Not . man made move, but all cried out;
"Lead and We will follow"
Onward rode ''the three hundred" They
started Oh ut slow pace in . westerly direc-
ton and crossed the border into Kansas while
Me sun was yet an hour high. Passing near
Aubry, in johnson county, they halted an hour
q Gardner early in the evening. There they
burned some houses and killed two of the citi-
Gems. The raiders passed through Hesper, . vii
lage ten miles from Lawrence, about 5 O'Clock
In the morning After leaving Hesper the
night became dark and the roads doubtful.
compelled . boy to go With them as their guide.
Il nearing day the raiders from there moved
rapidly. Their intention was TO capture the
town before the people wero astir. It was
just before daylight when they reached the
outskirts There they halted, while two Of