The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1888-08-16

their tents and camping outfits, fol
hotel accommodations were scare,
in that new-made city. They ais,
had their slaves to wait upon them
and were given to cOntemptuOusly
snubbing those not thus provided
with the necessaries Of life.
The majority Of them were awar,
OF their exalted position, and aeteC
well their part.
And so the two great parties met
free-state and prO-sla very, with tn,
former far in the minority. Had Il
not been for Governor Reeder's in
born sense of honor. OF right and Of
Justice, this little handful of mel
could not have had even an OppOr
tunity to express their views.
5. ID. Houston, Representative
from Riley county, was the only
active free-state man on the floor.
The prO-slavery party had the
controlling power, aud passed meas
ure upon measure over the Gov.
ernOT's veto.
The question of adjOurning q
Shawnee Mission became the absorb
ing topic. The overwhelming free
state element that predOminated al
Pawnee would act rs a check ON
their work-the work they came de-
termined to do. They were sur
rounded by antagOnistic influences,
and they would have to change, for
they feared the consequences.
Governor Reeder used every effort
to prevent the adjournment, but
within a week they passed over his
veto q resolution adjOurning TO
Shawnee Mission, and thither they
went at once, where they were only
four miles from WestpOrt i'm Mis-
souri,.
During the week the Legislature
was in session occurred the first and
only Fourth of July ever celebrated
in Pawnee. The celebration was OF
such a tempestuOus nature that
no inhabitant Of that city ever de-
sired to see another celebration of
the day.
When the capitol building was
abandoned, when all was quiet with
In the walls that had 50 recently
echoed with loud dissensiOns,c curious
parties entered the sacred precincts
aud Investigated the interior. The
rough door swung back upon its
iron hinges, displaying to the in
tTudeIs a room full of confusion and
disorder.
Everything appeared as though
the inmates had hastily gathered to-
gether their most valuable belong
ings, and departed with all possible
speed Torn pamphlets, scraps OF
paper Of all descriptions were scatter
about. A careful scrutiny of these
bits OF tell-tale articles, told that a
majority of that first body of law
makers could not write, but made
their mark opposite their names.
During Governor Reeder's stay in
Pawnee, his course OF conduct was
OF such a nature as to endear him to
the citizens; and it was with regret,
deep and lasting, that they babe this
truly conscientious man farewell.
He afterwards visited the place,
and was ever received with honor
and respect.
When the capitol building could
no longer be called such, when il
was abandoned by those for whom
Ii was built, all movable articles
were taken to the upper story and
stored away. The lower story was
then occupied Jointly as a carpenter
shop and a lodging place for the
transient public.
The upper story was used as
dwelling by Mr.. Morris, One-hslf
being partitioned Off for a bachelors
club. The clubrOOm was often the
scene Of hilarious meetings. Mock
Legislatures were held, and the
members, suppOsing themselves
taking part in realities, and imagin-
ing opposing foes, threw whatever
came first, hitting whom il y,and
the morning found the ground below
covered with broken glass bottles,
and all the movable furniture the
room contained.
Mr.. Morris shortly after taking
received an injury, that
resulted In dislOcating his hip, and
until forced to leave at the point Of
he bayOnet, was strapped upon a
mattress laid upon tables used by
he Legislature. Probably this was
he best use that was ever made Of
hem, at least the most humane.
The Rev. Blood, Congregational, !
Rev. Charles LOvejOy, Methodist. |
Home Missionaries stationed at I
alternated i'm holding /
eligiOus services i'm the upper story 4
{ the earnest request OF Mr.. and /
Hrs. Morris. Ministers in those