The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-07-28
OLD KICKAPOO GUN.
AN ANCIENT CANNON THAT HAS A
REMARKABLE RECORD.
ct Played an Important Part In tho strug-
gles Over Slavery In Kansas = Was n
Bone OF Contention - Saved From tho
Furnace by Historical Society.


There was recently shipped from Chi
Cage to the Kansas State Historical soci-
ETY. one of the most valuable relics of
the border ruffian warfare. 1t is the Old
kickapoo cannon which did service at
Old Kickapco, Lawrence and other
points along the Missouri border during
Kansas early struggle for free state gov
ernment This old gun formed the bone
Of contention ill many II hard fought
contest between proslavery and anti
slavery forces, and large number of
the old citizens of Kansas can remember
the stirring events clustering about the
history Of this remarkable implement of
warfare.
OF late years the whereabouts of the
old gun has been IL matter Of conjecture,
and by many it was thought to have
been lost. but it is duo to the efforts of
Colonel II. Miles Moore and Captain j.
G. Walkinshaw Of Leavenwortb that Old
kickapoo has been resurrccted. 1t now
rests in the rooms OF tho State Histor-
ical society in this city.
The gun il six Founder smooth
bore brass cannon and was first stolen
from the United States arsenal at Lib
erty, Mo, aud from there taken by Gen
eral Richardson's army to the sacking
ind burning of the old Free State hotel
ut Lawrence the Eldridgc House. after
1t was indicted by tho prcslavery grand
jury Mt Lecompton and ordered abated
as nuisance by Judge Cato, who had
the writ directed to Sheriff Jones, who
summoned tho posse, mostly from Mis-
souri,, to assist in executing the writ
Tho bombardment which followed
was one of the memorable conflicts of
border rutfian days. The cannon was
placed on Massachusetts street. Law
renee, opposite, and trained on the hotel
und fired by General David Atchison,
then United States senator from Mis-
souri,. The first shot won't over the roof
OF the hotel The second went through
81 second story window, and the third
and fourth shots struck the stone walls,
Scarcely making Al impression ON them.
Jones. seeing that he was not likely
TO abate the nuisance that way, applied
the torch and destroyed the building
The posse then scattered The kickapoo
rangers then took charge of the cannon
and carried it TO the village OF Kickapoo,
SIX miles up the river from Lenyen-
worth 1t was planted on top Of Il high
bluff and there remained posted rs a
menace to the free state men of Lcaycn-
worth
Colonel II. Miles Moore first suggest
ed the plan to 60 up to KicEapoo and cap
ture the gun. He communicated his
scheme to ii few free state men, and ten
Of the more daredevil ones, under the
leadership Of Captain l. G.. Losee, we'll
armed with Sharp's rifles and rovolvers,
made dash for Kickapoo one dark
night, took possession of tho cannon,
and without being discovered were soon
back III Lcavcnworth. Fearing the gun
might be recovered by writ III tho
hands of the sheriff or other proslnvery
officers OF the county OF territory the
gun carriage was hidden in the south
part of Lcavenworth and the cannon
buried in DIR. Davis old peach orchard,
where IL rcmSined Il short time.
Fearing danger, il was dug up and
taken to Lawrence one dark night in
the bottom of n wagon covered with
hay. 1t remained hut short time.
when it was taken back TO Lcavcnworth
and placed in DR.. Davis temporary
eiaNtS .l u uIltli tlc WHlclOuuk OF 1896
and 1857 had passed away. The gun
was then rosurrectcd and turned over to
the society Of turner's OF Leavenworth.
III whose Keeping ii remained for n long
series OF years. On each recurring
Fourth Of July and other state occasions
and holidays odd Kickapoo' was
brought ont, crowned with laurels and
escorted with music and JOYOUS crowds
through the streets Of the city.
Finally the turner's relaxed in their
care of the old cannon, and some i'll adj
vised parties without authority loaned
the gun one day TO Tie Lenvenworth
Coal company for the purpose Of aiding
them to free the shaft Of mass OF
debris that had fallen and cloggcd I'D
the hosting shaft The gun was taken
down the air shaft loaded with solid
shot, placed upright and fired into the
mass above. AS there was no chance for
recoil, the gun burst, tearing huge
piece from the side of the old warrior.
The gun was returned to the turner's.
but they seemed TO havo no use for it,
and soon it was lost, and no one knew
anything about it. About five years ago
Colouel H. Miles Moore was passing
down Shawnee street Leaveuworth, and
In an alley near tinshop noticed an
old cannon. He gave it close inspec-
tlon and found it to be Old Kickapoo.