The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1891-02-21

In thOSc days 1t was not an
uncommon thing for lawless bands of
marauders to come over into Missouri
from Kansas and drive away negroes
and mules. This had kept alive the
feeling of unfriendliness between tho
people Of Kansas and Missouri that had
been engendered by the war of 1856,
and 1t was almost worth Kansan's life
to be caught on Missouri soil unless he
was able to give n clear account of
himself
Dnring the fall of 1860 Quantrcll
proposed to the murdcrers of his
brother to come into Jackson county,
secure work and watch their
opportunity for making a good haul of
negroes and mules, and then under
cover of darkness make their escape
into Kansas. The proposition was
accepted and the four men were soon
on the move. Comingto Independence
and claiming to be from Central
Missouri, they began inquiring for work.
Quantrell wanted q school to teach,
and the other three thought that cut
ting wood or corn would suit them.
Quantrell's companions secured work
seven or eight miles from Independence,
while he continued, as he claimed, to
look for school. His real intention
was to find house where could safely
betray his victims.
His understanding with the three
Kansans was that he should find rich
old farmer who had mules, wagons and
negroes in plenty, isolated enough for
safe attack, and at the same time near
enough to the state line to get safely
across before morning.
In looking around Quantrell found
the home OF Morgan Walker, located
ence, and was soon well acquainted
with the family, the roads and the
surroundings, and his plan was quickly
laid.
One morning in November he rode
up to where the three Kansans were
chopping wood, and told them he was
ready to carry out the work they had
come to accomplish.
"Meet me at sundown,' said he,
s'and we will move out at once. We
will run in ON the old man just after
dark and as soon rs we get inside the
house we will draw our pistols and
compel him to deliver whatever we
Want" The men promised to be
prompt and Quantrell rode away.
A half hours ride brought him to
Mr.. Walkers house which was double
log, one and half stories high with a
porch running along the east front and
terminating in small bedroom at the
north end.
Walker, senior, had gone to
Independence, but he had four boys,
ranging in age from thirteen to twenty
five years, and to these and two
neighbors, to-wit, A. G, Williams ant
James Nowlin, Quantrell confided hi.
story of the projected raid, whereupor
the following arrangement was agreed
upon: The two neighbors and two o.
the boys were to arm and conceal
themselves on the premises to attacl
the three outlaws as soon rs Quantrel
should give the signal; the other two
boys were to be in the house. AS sooI
as Walker, Sr., returned from Indepen
dence he was to be told of the raid anC
the plan to defeat 1t. He was to be il
the house when the men came up
invite them in and when they mad
their demands tell them to go and hell
themselves. As the men walked out ol
the porch Quantrell was to give tn
signal for attack by firing his revolver
when the concealed men were to joir
in the battle.
The late return of Mr.. Walker cam,
near frustrating this well laid plan, ant
he had hardly laid aside his overcoa
before Quantrell and his three com
panions were knocking at the door
"Come in!" called out Walker il
response to the knocking, and upol
looking around to see who his visitor!
were, found himself confronted by foul
men, each with drawn six-shooter il
his right hand.
"Want do you wantP What do you
mean by thisP" demanded the old man
his face and his nerves quiverins
with suppressed rage.
1--WE want your mules, wagon ant
your negroes" was the ready response
of one of the Kansans.
Walker was about to resist thi
demand, even at the expense of hi
life, when q whisper from his wife ant
a peculiar look in Quantrell's eye
changed his temper to acquiescence
and he said:
"All right; you are four armed mel
to IN unarmed one; 60 and take wha
you will"
Without word the ruffian, who hat
been the spokesman, motloned tn,
others out, and with their revolvers still
covering Walker and two of his young
est boys, they backed out through th
door. Quantrell, however had no
moved with the rest, and as soon Us th
last man had cleared the door HI
suddenly wheeled and discharged hi
revolver at one of the rutiians, who fel
dead in his tracks. At the same instan
Nowlin, Williams, and the two eide
Walker boys opened a fusilade upon th'
party. One of these was shot in tn
leg, but being aided by his companion
the two escaped in the darkness, firinI
back ut their assailants as they ran
Notwithstanding it was night, th'
news of the raid spread like wildfire
and by daylight the next mornin,
several parties were securing tn
country in quest of the two ESCAPED
outlaws. These were discovered in tn
woods about mile north of Walker
house by negro boy, who immediatel.
gave the alarm.
The elderWalker and his posse hurried
to the scene, and as they came up tn
two men opened fire on them. Thi
was promptly returned and n bulle
: from Walkers rifle taking effect in tn
J head of one of the outlaws, put on en'
to his depredations forever. The othe
Kansan, seeing the fate of his comrade
emptied all the chambers of his revolve
but one at the Walker party, and thel
with his last cartridge blew his owl
brains out.
The bodies of the three men wer
then gathered together, and placed il
rude pine collins and buried on th
roadside. This tragedy accounts fo
} the three unmarked, almost obliterated
shapless mounds that mark the hillsid
on the silent road beyond the Blue
Several days ago man named ELI
died of consumption in Kansas Cit.
hospital. The man had been In
jected with Koch's lymph, but th'
remedy, instead of producing favorable
results, apparently had the contrary