The Indianapolis journal., 1889-12-01
FREEDoM'SFIGHTIN KANSAS
Shameless Subseryiency Of the Federal
Government 10 the Slave Power.
The Burning of Lawrence in 1S56-A Free
State Agents Stormy Interview with Pres
idsnt Pierce-The Soldiers Of Liberty.
written for The sunday Journal.


which preceded the general battle for tie
preservation of the Union. As yet 10 hts
tory has been given of that conflict from
1854 to 1858. which does anything like
justice to any of the leading events and
actors. Some of the actors have been ac-
corded more praise than their due. while
others. who risked mnch. sacrificed their
all. and braved death while rendering most
effective service. are in danger of being
forgotten as actors in that realistic drama
in which Kansas was snatched from the
foul embrace of slavery.
Not lon3 since the writer. while in Kan
sas. was asked by an old resident if ne
would like to talk with man who. while
ne did yeoman service for the Free-State
cause, had not been conspicuous In the
list of those who were the leading
actors in that grand drama. "IIe is the
man." said the Kansan. who was selected
TO take charge of the two bands of Free
State men that went from Iowa to Law
renee. Kan, through Nebraska. In the
summer and fall of 1856"
A third of century since those events
one was naturally anxious to meet a man
who had. done such service for free
soil and free. speech. and the
writer SO expressed himself. "Letme intro
duce you TO Col. :. w. Eldridge. who still
has residence in Lawrence" Colonel
Eidridge was found TO be a modest and in
telligent man, who would have passed as
sixty years of age. did he not declare that
he is seventy three. When asked to relate
his experience In bringing eight hundred
nIen into Kansas. be hesitated. saying
that he would leave the past to the histo-
rian. A few questions led him TO forget
his scruples and he consumed the greater
part of long evening in relating his ex-
perienee-
Mass" said he, lin the fall of 1854.
4 was Democrat, and went to that
country with no other purpose
than to make money. passed
through st. Louis to Kansas City, and after
time purchased hotel there. Early IN
1856. IN addition to my hotel in Kansas City,
bought the hotel OF the Emlgrant Aid So
ciety In Lawrence. and spent much money
IN furnishing and stocking 1t. Early IN
May notice was served by the border ruifian
leaders that they were going to break mp
the Abolition nest meaning Lawrence.
We went To Governor Shannon and I'M
plored his interposition, but found that he
was in full sympathy with the slavery
crowd. True to their threats. Sheriff Jones.
Atchison and other leaders appeared on the
hills back of Lawrence May u. with several
hundred men and two or three cannon.
Governor shannon was with them They
scarcely waited for the women to get
away before they fired into the town. /
got my wife and four young daughters
into two of my hacks and left with them for
Blue Jacket, eight miles towcrd Kansas
City, where 1t would be safe for me to leave
them while I should return. This done,
went back tn Lawrence To find my hotel u
smoking ruin, and Governor RilarsOn's
house and Browns printing establishment
In the same condition. The Free-State men
had and we held an informal meet
ing. A memorial was drawn up setting forth
the nature of the outrage and the failure of
Governor shannon TO act, with request
for his removal 1t was deemed best to
have this taken to Washington and pre-
sented by the representative bearing il to
President Pierce In person. 1t was decided
that should be the messenger. l told
them that would 60. but feared could not
get the papers 10 Kansas City, as the chances
were in favor of my arrest and the search
ing of my person. l added that my wife
vas down at Blue Jacket. and if / could
get the papers down there 1 could conceal
through to Kansas City. A band of border
ruffians was on the road between Lawrence
and Blue jacket. William Hutchinson,
Jealous Free-State man. said: My wife is
here: and she will 30 to Blue Jacket with
''I don't know your wife, said T.
Will Introduce you,' said Hutchinson,
and brought TO me the bravest and coolest
living in washington City. / had rattle.
trap of an old buggy and a dilapidated old
horse. Mrs. III, concealed the papers. and
we started. When i got TO Blue Jacket |
learned that my wife. becoming frightened.
had left for Kansas City. riding all night.
How was j tn get ont Mrs. Hutchinson
would 60. but had no team. After time
a team which my wife had sent back for
me. came mp and then we started. On the
further side of the first stream we came to
we saw the fires CT band of border rufiians
We rode around them. but encountered u
similar obstacle n few miles further on.
This was more dangerous. because we came
k....x t.,,. ~.l
shoot said the brave little woman. ] gave
her two Colts and told her to fire if she
saw me tire, but not otherwise. We had to
ride around the town of Westpoint. because
there that / would have been arrested.
Finally. after a tedious journey of fifteen
hours. we got 70 my hotel in Kansas City
at o'clock in the morning.
TO st. Louis The boats were watched
and guarded by border ruffians.
and the passage was like running a
gauntlet. Did you ever hear about
Governor Reeder's escapef Not When
Governor Reeder was superseded by
shannon. while bearing the commission of
the President. he had to fly in the night
time from Lecompton. He would not have
escaped but for the fearless devotion of
two Free-State men. Major Earle and
Giras Jenkins who, at the risk of their
lives and of being marked men should
their service be discovered, piloted him
through country infested with bands of
border ruffians to my hotel in Kansas CITY
where he was secreted several weeks
Finally, he concluded to attempt to ESCAPE
IN Disguise. Accordingly, my brother got
him a rough coat. n pair of corduroy trOus-
sers. hickory shirt and an old hat. Put
ting on these clothes shaving off his whis-
kers, and taking out his false teeth, he came
down into the Office with clay pipe in his
mouth. and no one detected him. This
success led him to believe that he could
escape. A few nights after, Colonel
the free-State captain of a steamer called
the Converse 10 take him on at wood
landing below the city, he was smuggled
over there after night, and was taken on
the boat: but so vigorous was the denun-
citation OF him which he heard on the boat
that he got OIL at a woodlng station. near
St. Louls, and walked into the city under
cover of darkness. But at this date. inn
agine an ex-federai official passing throu Oh
any part OF the country in disguise tn save
his life, Yet. SO great was the power of thu.
slavery supporters over the Democratic
administration then. that il dared not or at
least did not. protect its own appointees.
'.But to return to my story. was in
Kansas City. Well. i determined TO go
from that place TO 1T. Louis on the steamer
Polar Star. 1t was risky, but any other
course was as much so. So. the night that
was TO SAIL Mrs. Coates and my wife at
tended me down TO the wharf through A
scowling throng of men. who would have
assailed me but for the women. / went on
k..er Il 49,. II