The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-10-03
QUANTRELL AT LAWRENCE.
How the Guerrilla Raided a Kan
sas Town and Slaughtered It's
People.
Wine Score Citizens Massacred-An Incl.
dent of Brutality for Which No Cow
eminent Was Responsible.

@ne score C1ClZe0B "aBSaCreu-An 4uC1-
dent of Brutality for Which No Gov
eminent Yves Responsible.
From the Philadelphia Times.
Lawrence, the Plymouth Rock Of Kansas, is
now a tlourishing city of the far West 1t is
situated in the fertile valley of the Kaw and is
surrounded by the richest agricultural district
in the State. 1t was setteled in an early day by
staunch, Industrious and intelligent people
from the New England States, most of whom
were sent out by the Massachusetts, Emigrant
Aid Society to assist in making Kansas a free
State. This city might also be called the Lex
ington of the late war, for here were fought
the initial battles for the same principles that
soon thereafter precipitated the North and
South into the war of the rebellion. This city
in age is but an infant; nevertheless in its past
history it has some pages as dark as any city
in the South whore the ravages of war were
felt in reality. Though at the time of the re-
bellion it was thought situated outside of the
theatre of war, yet it did not escape.
The calamity that befell this city of the prai-
RE cannot be said to have been the result of
the policy of any Confederate authority, civil
or military, but WAS a consequence of the war.
The strong anti-slavery principles of its citi-
zens and the active part they took in the early
struggles of the Territory, causing it to be adj
mitted into the Union as a free State, had
aroused a spirit of hatred among the pro-slav-
cry men, not only in their own State, but also
across the border. Those semi Southern peo-
pie had long been on the watch for an excuse,
and were glad when the opportunity came, that
they might strike those ''nigger stealers"-as
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. Rumors of
invasion were SO frequent that atlast the 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 would become alarmed
and call for aid on the militia of the surround
ing country. The own would be put under
proper defense and wait for the attacking col
umn to come. AS none came to modest their
peace'th the militia in a short time would be dis
banded and sent home.
Thu matters drifted along until the summer
of 'G3. The heavy dark clouds of war were
passing southwark and the sunshine of quiet
was resting on the frontier. About the LIST OF
Augustof this year Intelligence was received al
Lawrence by a scout upon the staff of General
Ewing that Quantrell was again contemplating
an attack upon that place. This news created
only a momentary stir. The country militia
were called in again, a squad of soldiers under
Lieutenant Hadley from Fort L~eavenworth ar
rived and more were en- route. Everything
progressed finely for putting the town III a de.
fensive position, when all ut once the soldiers
were sent away and the militia disbanded to
their homes again. The people had been as.
sured from some source that there was not any
danger, and that the whole thing was laughed
at as q false alarm. Thus matters were, and
the good people of Lawrence never in their life
felt moro secure, and as an eyewitness said,
"Never loss prepared than the night before the
raid"
On the Goth Of August, 1853, Quantrell ant
his band of 800 followers went into camp aboul
sixty miles southeast of Lawrence. His band
was a motley crowd and made up of all classes
Of the frontier freebooters. Frank and Jesse
James were with the crowd and were good
types OF the remainder of the gang. They
dressed roughly and without any pretention K
uniform. They had in the expression of thei,
faces q demoniacal look. Their language wal
coarse and illiterate, and if there was one thing
they could excel in it was their profanity
which appeared to compromise two-thirds 81
tANAA SoA' r. AAtAS AtOa V1o VI IlIu Al
APPLE with carbine and from two to six revol
vers on his person. Their hearts were devoid
of anything like mercy, and their special de
light WINS in deeds Of wanton brutality, a
which oven a savage would blush Such were
the class of beings who were preparing to droI
down upon a peaceful town-like a cyclone il
midsummer-and in an hour sweep it from
the face of the earth.
Quantrelrs plans were all matnred. HI
knew at what hour to start and at what time HI
must arrive at his place of destination; how tx
enter the town and where such and such s
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 me1
into line Immediately after dinner on that DAY
and explained to them his plans and objects
he then said:
s1f there is n tender hearted chicken il tn.
ranks, let him ride out"
Not o man made q move, but all cried out
sLead and we will follow!"
Onward rode ssthe three hundred The,
started off at a slow pace in a westerly direc
ton and crossed the border into Kansas Will
the sun was yet an hour high. Passing neal
Aubry, in johnson county, they halted an hou
for supper. They then moved on and arrived
at Gardner early in the evening. There the,
burned some houses and killed two of the cih
Gems. The raiders passed through Hesper, avil
lage ten miles from Lawrence, about 3 o'clocl
in the morning. After leaving Hesper tn
night became dark and the roads doubtful
On Captain creek they went into q house an,
compelled a boy to go with them as their guide
1t nearing day the raiders from there move
rapidly. Their intention was to capture tn
town before the people were astir. 1t wa
Just before daylight when they reached tn
outskirts. There they halted, while two o
the horsemeA rode into tho town to see If Their