Omaha daily bee., 1888-11-03
BORDER RUFFIAN.
Isaac 8. Hascall's Career in Kansas
and Missouri. ID.
RAMPANT DlSUNloNlST.
Driven Ont OF Kansas by Loyal
Union Men and Hidden by
Bushwhackers Near Rush.
Vile, Mo.
A Matter OF Record.

about the incidents of his trip he remarked
II was very much amused over a talk had
with some rampant old confeds near Rush
vile. One Of them asked whether Isaac S. .
Hascall was still on deck at Omaha and
when told him that he was, he said: d.
"He's a staunch old democrat, and a man
we admire" " 81.
"'Why, he's stalwart republican, and
has just been nominated by the republicans
for the state senate"
"'You're Joking, amt youi Why, Has
call was one OF our wheel-horses. He fought
against the Freesoilers, and finally shot one
of these Lincolnites over in Kansas. He got
away across the river, and we hid him down
here.'n
This reminlscence of Hascall as related by
the Omaha merchant was promptly followed
up by THB BEE and a reliable correspondent
at Atchison was directed to interview the old
settlers at Atchison and Rushvlle and report
wha the could learn with reference to Hascall
life on the Missouri-Kansas border. Follow
ing is the report:
BORDER RUPFIAN LAWYER
ATCHIsoN, Kas., Oct. 30-lSpecial to The
BEE. Judge S. II. Glenn, one of the oldest
settlers in Atchison, was called on and asked
If he had ever known Isaac S. Hascall and
what he knew of his early reputation, he
said:
81 came here in 1859. Isaac S. Hascall was
here then engaged in the law business with
another pro-slavery man by the name of
Hereford, the style of the firm being Here
Ssrd & Hascall. He was a rabd secessionist,
0nd loudly boasted that he was rebel of
the deepest dye. On the sign, hung outside
his office, were the words, Border Ruffian
lawyer The associates he seemed to cult
vate were men Of that class, the
bushwhackers from Missouri, with whom
he always endeayored to stand in.
Hascall, / believe, came originally from New
York state, and avowed himself as a demo-
crat. In '6l he was the democratic candidate
for the mayoralty of Atchison, and had for
an opponent Captain George H. Fairchilds.
About this time large number of democrats
from the north came in, who were 'free
soilers" or nothing. Hascall was universally
despised by all free soil democrats in the VI
entity, to say nothing of the republican ele-
ment, and Hascall was overwhelmingly de-
feated by the joined forces. At this time
there was South Carolina pro-slayery law
firm named Carr s. Headley doing business
here, who had come out to endeavor to make
Kansas n slave state. These men Hascall,
with others of his ilk, including large mob
of Missourians, joined forces with, and one
day early in '6l the loyal inhabitants armed
themselves, and drove Hascall and his gang
out Of the state Hascall's property was con-
fiscated The house. brick structure, still
stands on Second street in this city. be-
lieve though Hasoall afterwards go. small
sum of money out Of it. Hascall was per-
sonally one Of the most offensive men ever
met. His legal attainments were of the ''po-
lice court rustler" stamp, and that was about
all the practice he had here. Inever heard of
his shooting anyone in this part of the coun-
try; in fact, he was too cowardly to do any
thing of that sort. don't think he did any
actual fighting for the south; all the fighting
he cared to do was with his mouth. So he is
. republican now. Well, it only bears out
my constant opinion Of the man. Entirely
without principle, ceceitful, and always
looking out for Hascall first"
Major Crowell, who was an United
States postoface inspector in Kansas
and Missouri in earlydays, was seen
and asked If he had known Hascall in 1859
and 1S6O He replied:
'Yes, distinctly remember Hascall We
drove him out of this country at the point of
q
his views on the slavery question; rank
rebel, and always shouting it. never heard
OF his shooting anyone down here; it might
have occurred back somewhere in the state,
II he did so, as know of everyone who was
killed along the river during those troublous
times. You see Hascall was hand and
glove with pretty hard crowd of
rebel sympathizers, and although
M ri
southerner in the mob of bushwhackers who
came across the river. So in 81 we deter
mined to clear them all of Kansas soil Any
man who would not shout 'Hurrah for Lin
colin had to 60. They didn't want to, but
they saw we meant business, and they went,
quick, too"
Your correspondent went to Rushville,
Mo-, town Of about six hundred
and met some Of the old set
tiers. Rushville, during the war, was rebel
hotbed and was bushwhacker headquar-
tors. To this day the sentiments Of the men
who were Shareholders before the war are
rebellious. A letter OF iutroduc-
ton to Uncle Billy Wells, as he is called,
paved the way to further introductions. Mr..
Wells was asked il he knew Hascall:
''Know hint should say l did When
aio icie hahSds no C1ule over 10 US, ana llvcu
for six months or more IN that little house on
the hill" and ho pointed to an unprctentious
house not far away.
"What were his politics thenw
"He was a good democrat, SIR, and fer
vent pro-slavery man, as wo all were. He
went with me to the Lecompton convention
aud helped frame the constitution
AT this iIncture Al. F'enton, an old settler
and man Of considerable means strollcd
up whiting u pine stick, and listened 10 the
conversation.
ibid you know Of Hascalrs ever having
killed man in Kansas in 1861 Mr.. Wellsm
"Ycs,"broke in Mr.. Fenton, sit was claimed
chat he was the man who shot old man Hart
man."
Uncle Billy was much annoyed at this in
terruption, and exoitedly denied this. Mr.
lrenton saw he had made a mistake, and
nervously expectorated into the road.
mo, sir" thundsred Uncle Billy, 81 re-
gard Mr.. Hascall ss . high-minded, high
toned gentleman, and when he was among
us he was very popular"
ibid Hascall ayow himself TO bo rebel,
Mr.. Wellsp
"Ycs, sir, he did. II wasn't very heelthy
in Rushville for union man at that time"