The Topeka state journal., 1908-12-10

militia. So Governor Shannon called
the militia together, but as the KAN
sas soldiers failed to respond, Sheriff
Jones secured the Missouri militia.
The outcome was the famous
Wakarusa war, eliminating in the
Der, 1855, when the free state hotel
was burned to the ground.
The justice of the peace was openly
condemned by the free state settlers
who accused him of being traitor to
the cause. Cameron strongly denied
that he had anything but the best of
motives in causing the different war
rants to be issued. 1t was one of those
inexplicable traits of character which
he displayed to the last, that Of meas
uring friend and foe by the same
standard.
Cameron was appointed a Judge of
election in 1855 by Governor Reeder,
along with N. B. Blanton, the latter
county, and with J. G. Abbott,
major, who has long since died.
Cam eron was the only one of the three
to serve, but two substitutes were ap-
pointed. Cameron personally took the
returns to Governor Reeder, but re-
fused to turn them over until he Sc
cured the governors promise that the
votes of the illegal voters from Mis-
souri, would not be counted.
Another stirring incident of Cen
eral Cameron's life occurred in these
early days, when he quarrelled with a
neighbor, William Butler, over the
ownership of some hogs. The quar-
rel became so bitter that it was only
ended when Cameron put a deposit of
lead in his neighbor's neck. Cameron
was arraigned on a charge of assault
with intent to kill, but made plea of
self-defense and secured a verdict oc
acquittal.
When the war first broke out,
Cameron Gid not care to leave his
lucrative business. He maintained
that it was useless as President Lin
coin has assured the people that 49,
600 men as he first called for would
end the rebellion in 80 days. But
when the call for soldiers for a term
of years was issued, Cameron as
sured his neighbors that his heart was
still in the right place. and enlisted in
the Second Kansas Volunteer infantry,
which composed the brigade com
manded by General Robert Mitchell.
He was mustered in at Leavenworth
as a private, but after a short period
of service he was promoted to the
rank of first lieutenant. He soon be-
came captain of his company. After
two years service, he was sent to
Arkansas where he was appointed
lieutenant colonel, and placed in COM
mand of the Second Arkansas cavalry.
He remained with this regiment until
the close of the war. For his valiant
service he was brevetted brigadier-
general by President johnson, from
which he derived his title of general.
At the close of the war General
Cameron went to Washington, where
he became active in politics and also
speculated in land. He bought a large
tract on the outskirts of the city,
which he divided into lots and built
houses which he rented to negroes
This proved very profitable, but he be-
came involved in a controversy over
the taxes on his land, and the Iitiga-
ton continued down to the time of his
death.
While in Washington, he attended
the impeachment and trial of Andrew
Johnson. johnson was saved by the
solitary vote of Edmund G. Ross, who
had just been appointed to fill the un-
expired term of General James H
Lane, who committed suicide. Ross
had been instructed to vote against
johnson but refused to follow his in
structions.; He was villided and abused
for his actions, but made the warm
friendship of General Cameron, whose
pilgrimage to New Mexico a few years
ago is still srenem bered and which
did much to restore Ross in the eSti-
nation of the Kansas people.
Cameron became secretary of the
campaign committee of Horace Gree |
ley in 1872 He was a prime mover in |
the campaign. Cameron lost $4,000 |
on the campaign, but as he afterwards |
said he'fared better than Greeley, who |
became broken hearted and lost his |
mind, brooding over the unsuccessful |
campaign.
The Kansas Hermit returned to |
Kansas after the disa strous Greeley :
He still maintained a deep |
interests in politics. He espoused the |
cause Of prohibition in Kansas long