Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-04-04
MISSOURI sUsHwHACKeRS.
An Interesting Sketch OF the Trials OF 9
Union Minister.

L1cU.
These bushwhackers were a class OF
men too cowardly TO. 60 into the main
army and had formed themselves into
marauding bands of from ten to fifteen
in number, whose ostensible object was
to apprehend and drive out Union men,
but whose real object was to plumber,
rob and kill They would secret them
selves in the thick brush or in deep ra-
vines. and like wolves, from their dens
would come out from their hiding places
at a late hour in the night and seek the
residences of Union men. If they
found the man of the house at home,
they would put rope around his neck,
. drag him from his bed across the floor
and out of the door and hang him to a
limb or the most convenient place. At
other times they would take the man
from his bed, tie his hands behind him
and put a gag in his mouth to prevent
him from speaking or making any
noise. They would then order the wife
and daughters to prepare a meal, and
while it was being done, would ransack
the house from cellar to garnet, taking
ammunition and fire arms, money, jew
elry, blankets, ready-made clothing
and other valuables. They would go
into the smoke-house and take the meat
found there. Often they would take
horses and 60 up into Iowa, represent
ing themselves to be Union men and
sell them very cheap, stating that they
were compelled to do this to keep them
from the rebels.
At this time l was preaching, alter
nately, for two congregations, in Scot
land County, one at Bethany, the other
at Bible Grove. At one of my meetings
at Bethany, one of the deacons arose
and said: Brother Russell has been
preaching for us two years and we do
not know what his politics are" One
of the elders then arose and said: Yes,
Brother Russell, the, time has come
that we must know how you stand po-
litically." My reply was: Il am no
politician. My mission is peace on
earth and good will toward all men. l
recognize no East, no West, no North,
no South-no one to the exclusion of
the rest, but l do desire and it is my
prayer to Almighty God that l may
never say or do any thing that will
bring a stain upon the flag of my Ma
ton" At the close of my meeting |
announced that l would be at Bible
Grove the next Saturday at four p. m. :;
also on Lord day, eleven a. m, and
four p. m. Upon this a man arose and
said: IF you attempt to fill that APP
pointment you will be shot" l made
no reply, but when the next Saturday
came, / went to Bible Grove and filled
those appointments. At the close of
the meeting, | announced that on the
following Saturday and Sunday l would
be at Bethany as usual. At Bible Grove
when / made the announcement the
threats were publicly renewed. Dis
regarding these threats, on the
next Saturday I went to Beth
any and preached at four
p. m. leaving an appointment to
preach on the next day as usual. /
went about a mile and quarter and
stopped with friend over night. On
Sunday morning | was riding on horse
back. the road passing through piece
of timber or woodland. Two men
came from the brush, rode up to me,
one on each side, one of them having a
revolver, the other loaded whip. The
R-if h Tho u N-4,- in ha
with the butt end, nearly knocking me
from my saddle. Riding fast horse |
got some rods ahead of them, when
they fired, the ball passing near the
side of my head. | still gained on
them. Reaching the Westinghouse,
my face and clothes being covered with
blood and dust, l soon procured water
to wash the blood and dust from my
face. and by the use of couple of
handkerchiefs, | was enabled to preach
to the people, again announcing the
next Saturday and Sunday l would be
at Bible Grove. There were no more
threats made at this time, but when l
got in sight of the church at Bible
Grove 1 saw a large concourse of peo-
pie. who seemed to be very much ex-
cited or agitated. Getting within ten
or fifteen rods of the Westinghouse |
was met by forty or fifty ladies, who
advised me to turn back, stating that
there were twelve armed men in the
meeting house, who swore they would
shoot me if l attempted to enter the
house. Going forward, the ladies fol-
lowing, we entered the house, | kneel-
ing down upon the floor, prayed the
Lord to save me from wicked and I'M
reasonable men. When l arose from
my knees, all but one had stacked
their guns in corner of the meeting
house and he said: Il will not shoot
man for praying, but let him attempt
to preach and / will blow his
brains OUT / went up into the pulpit
and read a portion of Scripture and
gave out hymn. There was not much
singing. l talked to the people about
thirty minutes. During the time there
was many threats made such as, This
will be his last preach. we will hang
him at the first limb when he gets
through" At the close of my remarks
l announced that the next Saturday and
Sunday / would be at Bethany. One of
the men remarked: ''You have now had
sufficient warning and just as sure as
you attempt to go to Bethany next
Saturday you will be shot" Perhaps
L bod haaA,r,n 1i4f1a Mobiles,
having not carried into ex-