Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-06-10
The First Capital of Kansas.
lCoutinued from last week. ]

act of necessity, and the workmen did
not intermit their labors on the Sunday
which followed. But this Sunday work
had ludicrous result. When the Mis-
souri, rufians who had elected them
selves members of the legislature ar
rived in Pawnee and heard what had
been done, they Immediately became
very pious, and held up their hands IN
holy horror at the PROCLAMATION OF the
sacred day. "Why," said one OF them
after the legislature assembled. did not
the Almighty slay these wicked men IN
the midst of their infamous work?''
"Whv, o Lord" said another, "dost
Thou withhold Thy yengeance?" They
nut if forth as a good reason for aband-
oning the building and adjourning to
Shawnee Mission. One fiery advocate
of slavery who came to PaWnee attended
by his slaves, and threatened the lives
of those who wanted to make Kansas a
free state, said, in the course of a
lengthy speech: "No good law could
ever be enacted within the four walls
that had witnessed such dissertation. "
Then looking around as though he really
feared that some awful Judgment was
about to fall on those present, he roared
mandments."
The governor and representatives
were the guests of the city of PaWnee.
People came in from adjoining. claims,
and work was generally suspended. Elk
element ran high, the men hardly tax
ing time for sleep or nourishment. The
resident portion of the population was
in favor of free-state principles, while
the visiting lawmakers were never tired
of expressing themselves Tor slavery
and came armed to the teeth to enforce
slave laws.
These visitors brought with them
their tents and camping outfit, for hotel
accommodations were scarce in that
new-made city. They also 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 aware Of
their exalted position, and acted well
their part.
And so the two great parties met, free
state and prO-slaYery, with the former
far in the minority. Had it not beer
for Governor Reeder's Unborn sense O
honor, of right and Of Justice, this lit
tie handful of men could not have had
even an opportunity to express then
views.
S. d. Houston, representative from
Riley county, was the only active free
state man on the floor.
The pro-slavery party had the con
trolling power, and passed measure
upon measure over the governors veto
The question of adjourning TO Shaw
nee Mission became the absorbing topic
The overwhelming free-state element
that predominated at Pawnee would act
as a check on their work-the work they
came determined to do. They were sur
rounded by antagonistic influences, and
these they would have to change, fol
they feared the consequences.
Governor Reeder used every effort tC
prevent the adjournment, but within 8
week they passed over his veto resolu'
ton adiOurning to Shawnee Mission
and thither they went at once, Whers
they were only four miles from West
port in Missouri.
During the week the legislature was
in session occurred the first and onl!
Fourth of July ever celebrated In Paw
nee. The celebration was of such ;
temptestuous nature that no lnhabltan
of that city ever desired to see anothe
celebration of the day.
When the capitol building was aban
doned, when all was quiet within thu
walls that had so recently echoed will
loud dissensiOns, curious parties entered
the sacred precinct and investigated thu
interior. The rough door swung bacl
upon its iron hinges, displaying to thu
intruders a room full of confusion am
disorder.
EVERYTHING appeared as though the in
mates had hastily gathered tOgethel
their most valuable belongings, and de
parted with all possible speed. TORI
pamphlets, scraps of paper, and rubbisl
of all descriptions were scattered about
A careful scrutiny of these bits Of tell
tale articles, resulted in the astounding
revelation, that majority of that frs
body of lawmakers could not write, bu
made their marks opposite their names
During Governor Reeder's stay L
Pawnee, his course of conduct was c
such a nature as to endear him to tn
citizens; and it was with regret. dee
and lasting, that they babe this trul
conscientious man farewell.
He afterwards visited the place, an
was ever received with honor and respect
But with the pro-slavery party b
proved to be anything but a favoritt
and when it became necessary for hlI
to flee from the territory it was as diS
guised woodchopper. Aboard Nj:
souri, river steamer, at Jefferson, he So
complacently on saw-horse, watchin
the angry scouting party searching tn
vessel for him. Although giving no ou
ward signs to his inward feeling, b
must to have had many misgivings &
to the success of his plans for escape.
News came slowly back of the doine
of the legislature at Shawnee Mission
but not until the passing of the 'Mi
souri, Code of Laws" did the people b.
come thoroughly aroused. Not till thel
did they understand the trouble thu
was in store for them.
They said, Not while our tongues al
left in our heads, not while we breath
the free breath of heaven, will we cea:
to exert our influence for right. Lt
them fine, imprison or kill us; we fe;
none of them"
When the capitol building could I
longer be called such, when it was abal
doncd by those for whom it was bull
all Yoox-o bla optiolac uarp taken m RI