The Englishman in Kansas; or, Squatter life and border warfare

Front matter

THE

ENGLISHMAN IN KANSAS

OR,

Preface

The following pages comprise the chief substance of a series of letters on the condition of Kansas which appeared during the past winter in the columns of The Times newspaper. By the kind permission of the Editor, the material then used has been introduced into the present volume, in which a more complete and detailed portraiture is attempted of those scenes of peace and war which came under the author's observation whilst travelling in the western territories of America in the early summer of 1856.

To enable the reader better to comprehend the political strife of which Kansas has been the arena, the author has introduced into this volume a few concluding chapters, which comprise in brief outline the principal events xlvi

PREFACE.

which have marked the history of this contest. The author has not attempted argument upon the political questions involved. He has carefully avoided the subject of Slavery, except where he speaks incidentally of the economics of free and slave labour. He has not made himself the advocate of the measures adopted by the Free-state party to form a State Government, although the Committee of Investigation appointed by Congress report in favour of the Constitution thus adopted, as one which embodies the will of a majority of the people. His simple desire has been to present facts, and he cheerfully leaves it to others to draw such inferences as they may deem legitimate.

As it has been the author's object to restrict his statements to that which he has seen or been able personally to verify whilst in the territory, it necessarily follows that the events which have occured since his visit are more cursorily noticed. He has only introduced these later events in order to give completeness to the narrative ; but, as his information has been gathered solely from those of whose trustworthiness he has had full proof in con-

PREFACE.

xlvii nection with the events with which he is personally familiar, the author feels confidence in the accuracy of the statements which the few closing pages contain.

To the two interesting volumes which have recently appeared in America upon the subject of Kansas, by Mr. William Phillips and Mrs. Robinson, the author is especially indebted for facts contained in the concluding chapters of this Book. Had they reached his hands before his own volume was in the press, they might have been further serviceable to him. As it is, they have aided him in writing of that which has occurred since his visit, whilst they give valuable confirmation to the statements contained in the narrative of his own investigations.

Lastly, the author hopes it will not give pain to any one of his many valued friends in America, that he should have addressed himself to a subject which they cannot but grieve over as he does. He can assure such, that he has had no object in view but to hasten the application of a remedy to that which is a sore evil. Had similar events taken place in his xlviii

PREFACE.

own country, he would have felt warranted in speaking of them with far greater severity. If any feel yet aggrieved, he can only repeat the maxim : —

But of those whose friendship is a prize worth treasuring— and many such the author rejoices to number in America— he feels assured it will never be said that their friendship was conditional on silence as to the truth. The author commits his Book, therefore, to his true friends and to all others, known or unknown, in the belief that the truth, spoken without animosity and with a sincere desire to render beneficial service, will, whilst it contributes towards this end, be misapprehended or misjudged by none.

Contents

Introduction by the American Editor. . . iil

Preface. ....... xlv

Chapter I

Excitement in relation to Kansas— Difference of Opinion.— The President's Special Message— Washington. — Contest as to a Seat in Congress. — Rival Legislatures. — Appointment of a Committee of Investigation. — Southern Meetings.— Volunteers in Arms. — Missouri. — Powder and Shot. — Advertisements. — A Crisis at Hand. — Visit to Kansas. ..... 1

Chapter II

Outburst of Violence. — Burning of Lawrence. — Coutents of the following Chapters. — Political Parties— Dramatis Personae. — Federal Appointees. — Border-ruffian Ring-leaders.— Leaders of the Free-state Cause 10

Chapter III

Situation of Lawrence.— Eventful History.— The Winter Campaign of 1855. — Earthwork Fortifications. — Organized Defence. — Determination to " wipe out Lawrence." — The Southern War-cry. — Peaceful Policy of Free-state Inhabitants. — Reinforcement of the Border-ruffian Army. — Sheriff Jones's reported Assassination. — Sheriff Jones's Tours of Arrest. — Hotel and Newspaper offices to bo abated as Nuisances. — May 21st. — Position of the besieging Army. — The War-flag raised. — Arrests of Citizens. — Surrender of Arms demanded by Jones. — Entry of the Forces. — General Atchison's Address to his men. — Demolition of Printing-offices. — Cannon. — Burning of Free-state Hotel. — Flight of the Women and Children. — General Pillage. — Firing of Governor Robinson's House.— Soulhern Hearts filled with Joy and Pride.

— "Law and Order" triumphant 21

CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

The day after the Sack. — Disbanding of the Forces. — Ruffians executing the Law.— Thirst.— Double Rectified. — A Night at Kansas City.— Appearance of the Mob.— Desperate Characters. — Grotesque Costume. — A Fearful threat.— Night-trip on the Missouri. — Fellow-travellers. — " Border-ruffians." — A Popular Orator—Pleasant Repose. — Morning. — " Extras." — An Incident. — A respectable Merchant. — His Opinions.— The " Old Hoss" does not care about Breakfast— A gentle Hint— A better Set.— Civilities.— The persevering Merchant.— A Western Man.— Quiet Conversation.— Friendly Advice.— A Yankee is a Nuisance, and must be put down. — A candid Opinion. . ««, . . 39

Chapter V

Leavenworth City.— Going on Shore.— A State Prisoner.— Governor Robinson in Custody. — Scanty Accommodation.— Governor Robinson's Examination.— Horrid Threats.— Office of the Hotel. — A Border-ruffian Armoury. — A Free-soiler Silenced. — How to settle the Abolitionists. — Southern " Fixins." — Fort Leavenworth.— Gambling Houses. — A Night of shamless Wickedness and unchecked Outrage. — Governor Robinson's Arrest.— Fierce Threats. — Fears of a Rescue.— Committee of Investigation. — Beware of the Hemp. — Arrest of Free-state Men.— State of Parties.— Revulsion of Feeling.— Organization of Guerrilla Parties.— Frequent Collisions 54

Chapter VI

Why are such Outrages permitted ?— Total Failure of Justice.— The Jeffreys of the Territory. — A Test required. — An impious Oath.— Affirmation of the Nebraska-Kansas Act and the Fugitive Slave Law. — Judge, Jury, and Law. — All one Way.— Sample of the Kansas Statutes.— Ball and Chain.— Freedom of Speech forbidden. — Punishment of Death. — Abuse of the Term " Law."— No Hope of Justice for Free-state Men. . . 67

Chapter VII

Southern Law-makers.— Perversion of Authority.— A fraudulent Legislature in Power.— The "Blue Lodge."— The Electors overawed.— General Striugfellow'n Speech.— The Physical Force

CONTENTS.

li

Argument. — How to get a Majority. — Illegal Votes. — Not Four per Cent. Legal.— Terrorism.— Polling. — The Congress Report. — Right of Might. — A forcible Persuader. — Conclusions of the Committee of Investigation. — A Poll-tax. — Pro-slavery Votes purchasable by Law. — Anti-slavery Votes pronunced void by Law. — Public Documents cited. — Laws worse than Draconian ... 77

Chapter VIII

Recapitulation. — The M bogus" Legislature. — Men and Things in Kansas. — Different Classes of Settlers. — Immense Extent of Country. — Physical Aspect. — Rivers. — The Kansas and Missouri. — Undulating Prairie. — Caravans. — Indian Tribes. — Fertility of the Soil. — Salubrity of the Climate. — Commercial Advantages. — The " mad Missouri." — Excellent Market. — " Nebraska-Kansas Act." — A Race between North and South. — Pro-slavery Party in the Ascendant. — Struggle between the two Parties. — Tarring and Feathering. — Sale of a Free Man. — Model Legislators. — Discordant Elements. — Development 90

Chapter IX

Striking Contrast. — Freedom and Slavery. — Rapid Progress of Kansas. — Northern Emigrant Aid Societies. — Spirit of Enterprise. — The " Regulators." — " Law and Order" Men. — The Widow's Son. — Barbarous Outrage. — Tho Western Frontiersman. — His Character. — Generous Recipi-ocity. — Mode of Intercourse. — The Pioneer of the New World. — His Appointments — The Romance of Peril. — Achievements of the Western Pathfinder. — Contempt of the Yankees.— The Source of Life and Vigour.— Effect of Politics on the Western Character. . . 102

Chapter X

Varieties of Population in Kansas. — Types of Mankind on board a Missouri Steamer.— The Border-ruffians.— Loud Men.— Silent Free-soilers. — New Mexican Spaniards. — Nuns. — Mormons. — German Jews. — " Dutchmen." — Professed Gamblers. — High Stakes.— Government Officials.— United Stato3 Officers.— The African Race.— Freedom of Speech forbidden.— A curious Illustration. — Judge O'Trigger. — His Appearance — Conversation — m

CONTENTS.

His Logal Wisdom.— Lynch Lair.— The Judicial Functionary's Plan 114

Chapter XI

Two great Divisions— Pro-slavery Men and Free -Boilers.— Subdivisions. — Slaves. — Small Number of Slave owners in Kansas. —Their Works.—" Border-ruffians." — King of the Fire-eaters. — Their Numbers. — Volunteer Companies. — An American " Groggery." — A Border ruffian's Boast.-A fair "Border-ruffian." —The Free-state Party.— General Lane.— Governor Robinson.— His Services.— Enormities of Naples and Austria reproduced in America.— Relative Numbers in Kansas of Southerns and Northerns.— Migration.— Permanent Settlers.— Floating Population.— Western Cities.— Contrast between Free and Slave Towns. 123

Chapter XII

Subject of the following Chapters. — Leavenworth City. — Far Western Life.— Its accidental Features. — Fort Leavenworth. — Appearance of the City.— Buildings — Plan of the City— Remains of the primeval Forest— Situation of the Houses.— Laying out a City.— Most desirable Locations. — Increased Value of Property. — Rapid Rise of a City. — Substantial Buildings.— Wooden Shanties. ; 138

Chapter XIII

Kansas Interiors— The Log-hut.— Discomforts.— Wind and Mud. —Strange Medley.— Various Modes of Construction.— Different Stages of Log-hut building.— The Wooden House and Shanty. —How it is built.— Tent-lifo.— Interior Economy.—" Temperance House." — The Company. — Occupations. — Unreasonable Demands for Accommodation.— Alligators turned out.— Travel teaches Contentment.— Disallowed at Night, but enforced by Day.— Conveniences of the Toilet.— Meals.— Pride of the Host. — Rapid Eating. — Population of Leavenworth.-»-Commerce of the Plains.— Value of Stock.— Caravan Trains. . . 14G

Chapter XIV

Traffic with the Indians.— How it is carried on.— Business and Pleasure.— Good Per-oentage.— Busy Appearance of Leaven-

CONTENTS.

liii worth. — Necessaries of civilized Life.— Steamboats.— Railroads. — The Electric Telegraph.— Squatter-life. — Land without a Title. — The " Claim."— Division of New Lands. — A "Bee." — "Log-rolling/' — Squatter Sovereignty. — " Tomahawk Eights." — "Bantering," or '• Pre-empting." — Abuses of the System. — " Jumping."—" Foundations." — A " Caution." — Eight of Suffrage. 160

Chapter XV

Hie Geography of Kansas. — Junction, of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers.— Kansas City.— The Santa Fe Road.— Settlements up tho Kansas River. — Lawrence. — Lecompton. — Topeka. — Kaw Half-breeds.— Fort RUey.— Mounds.— California Road.— The Oregon Trail. — Crossing the Plains. — Character of the Country. — The Great American Desert. — The Rocky Mountains.— Banks of the Missouri. — Leavenworth City and Fort. — Western Routes.— The Upper Missouri.— Osawatomie. — Climate and Soil of Kansas. — Production.— Wages 173

Chapter XVI

The Red Races of Kansas.— Variety of Condition.— Deep Debasement. — Prejudicial Intercourse with White Men.— Fire-water. — Civilization.— Efforts for the Elevation of the Indian Tribes. — Good Fruit. — The Indigenous Tribes of Kansas. — Kaws, Osages, Ottoes, Pawnees. — A Total Abstinence Tribe— The Immigrant Tribes. — Shawnees, Delawares, Wyandots. — A Wyandot Family. — Kickapoos, Sacs and Foxes, Iowas.— Pottawatamies, Sacs and Foxes, Ottawas.— Results. 189

Chapter XVII

Visit to a Company of Sioux Indians.— Their Crimes and Punishment.— A timid Companion.— Ho ! ho! ho! ho !— Friendship accepted.— Friendship mistrusted.— Exhibition of Displeasure. —The Calumet cf Peace.— Indian Hospitality.— Te o-kiin ko's Appearance, Dress, and Feats.— Torn Belly in a Blanket— The Squaw and Pappoose.— Furnishings of the Tent.— Teaching the young Idea how to Shoot.— Solemn Melancholy— Parting Friendship.— Mother and Child.— Description of Kansas Life concluded. — Tho Reign of Terror 204

CHAPTER XVIII. The Controversy.— Shall Kansas bo Slave or Free ?— Slavery a liv

CONTENTS.

Barrier to a Country's Advancement. — Influence of Slavery on Population, Education, Cultivation of the Soil, Pric.e of Land. — A fair Competition would make Kansas Free— Pecuniary and Political Interests of the South. — A fair Competition from the first denied 216

Chapter XIX

The Commencement of the Troubles in Kansas.— Its Organization as a Territory— Slavery prohibited previously by the Missouri Compromise— Senator Douglas.— Conception of a bold Idea.— The Compact broken.— Passing of the Nebraska-Kansas Act. — Squatter Sovereignty.— Unskilled Legislators. — The People to regulate their Domestic Institutions in their own Way. — Mr. Seward's Speech 230

Chapter XX

Missouri takes an Interest in Kansas.— Claims staked off.— Sovereignty taken up in the new Territory. — Blue Lodges.— Slavery, "at whatever Cost of Blood and Treasure."— Hostile Resolutions.— Indian Lands ceded.— Northern Immigration— The Challenge accepted.— Appointment of Governor and Judiciary. — Governor Reeder. — Lawrence founded. — Leavenworth and other Settlements.— Election of Delegate to Congress.— The Contest. — Missourian Invasion. — General Stringfellow's Programme of Operations.— Return of General Whitfield. . . . 239

Chapter XXI

Election for the Territorial Legislature, March 30, 1855— Spirit of the Press.— Preparations for an Invasion in Missouri.— Numbers of the Invading Forces.— The Hemp.— Incidents of Bowie-knife Voting.— Ninety out of every Hundred Votes Illegal.— Incidents at Bloomington.— Sheriff Jonea' Exploits.— Windows Smashed. —House Lifted— Ballot-box Stolen.— Hurrah for Missouri !— Returning Home.— Piratical Symbols.— Victory.— Protests against Elections.— Unpopularity of Governor Reeder.— Summary Punishment of a Newspaper Press.— The Fraudulent Legislature Organized—Exclusion of Free-state Members.— Two Months of Legislation. — Appointment of Officers. —Reciprocity.— Public Companies. 253

CHAPTER XXII. Removal of Governor Reeder.— Appointment of Governor Shan

CONTENTS.

iv ii on. — Character of the two Governors contrasted. — Shannon's Declaration of Political Views. — Organization of the Free-state Party. — Independent Action to form a State Government. — Public Sentiment among the Southern Party.— Outrages. — A Clergyman floated on the Missouri. — Murder. — Slackness of the Law. — Singular Use of Judicial Power 271

Chapter XXIII

Murder of Dow. — The Guilty acquitted, the Innocent arrested. — The Midnight Rescue. — Rally to Arms. — The Wakarusa War — Position of the Encampments. — First Siege of Lawrence. — Its Defence. — Amusing Incidents. — Mournful Events. — The Treaty of Lawrence. — Peace Festivities. —Disbanding of the Ruffian Forces. — Discontent. — Barbarous Treatment of Prisoners. — Murder of Mr. Brown. — Fiendish Cruelty 283

Chapter XXIV

Change in Popular Feeling after the Destruction of Lawrence. — Retaliation. — Massacre at Osawatomie. — Personal Experience. — Battles of Black Jack and Franklin. — Sack of Osawatomie. — Road-side Horrors. — Hanging. — Repulsion of Northern Immigrants. — A Barbarous Wager. — Murder and Scalping. — The Atrocity Completed.— August.— Murder of Major Hoy t— Burning of Pro-slavery Forts. — Colonel Titus Seized and Liberated. — Treaty of Peace. — Militia Called Out. — Proclamation of Rebellion. — " The Army of Law and Order in Kansas Territory." — Second Fight at Osawatomie. — General Lane's Free-state Army. — Expulsion of the Free-state Inhabitants of Leavenworth. — The President's Messages. 298

Chapter XXV

Governor Geary. — His Pacific Proclamation. — Its Interpretation. — Release of State Prisoners on Bail. — Capture of Ninety-eight Free state Men. — Their Condition in Prison. — Revolting Inhumanity towards the Prisoners. — Sufferings of the Settlers. — Sickness, Cold, Hunger, and Orphanage. — The Present and the Future of Kansas. — Action of Congress. .... 310

CHAPTER XXVI. Supplement by the American Editor

KANSAS.

Chapter I

Excitement in relation to Kansas.— Difference of Opinion.— The President's Special Message.— Washington.— Contest as to a Seat in Congress.— Rival Legislatures.— Appointment of a Committee of Investigation.— Southern Meetings.— Volunteera in arms.— Missouri.— Powder and Shot. — Advertisements. — A Crisis at Hand.— Visit to Kansas.

When in New York, during the latter part of the winter of 1855-6, I heard daily discussions on the condition of affairs in the far western territory of Kansas. Some of the newspapers had their special correspondence at what was termed « the seat of war," and all were eager to supply the latest intelligence from the scene of contest. At Washington, whilst the house of Representatives was busy choosing a Speaker,— a process which lasted through nine weeks, and required one hundred and thirty-three ballots,— the President, without waiting for the organization of the house, made Kansas the subject of a special message. Yet, while all parties agreed in recognizing the

KANSAS.

existence of disorder in Kansas, there were strange differences in the light in which that disorder was regarded.

Many of the public journals spoke with indignant censure of bloodshed and forcible invasion from neighbouring states, as well as of violent interference with the people of Kansas in the exercise of their rights of suffrage. The President spoke in mild terms of " disturbing circumstances," " irregularities," and " inauspicious events," adding, that "whatever irregularities might have occurred in the elections, it seemed too late now to raise that question." ^ The papers spoke of a legislative body claiming authority over the residents of Kansas, which they had not elected, but which had been forciby thrust upon them with pistol and bludgeon by a lawless horde from the State of Missouri. The President said, that "for all present purposes the legislative body, thus constituted and elected, was the legitimate assembly of the territory."

The people of Kansas were represented by a large portion of the press as groaning under a most oppressive legislation, and as craving de-

THE PRESIDENT'S SPECIAL MESSAGE. S

liverance from a fraudulent legislature, and from tyrannical laws enacted by that legislature. The President made it the conclusion of his message, that he felt it his imperative duty to exert the whole power of the federal executive for the vindication of these laws, for the suppression of all resistance to them, and for the support thereby of public order in the territory. He begged all good citizens to help him thus to restore peace, and asked for an appropriation to defray the expense of enforcing the laws, and thus maintaining public order in Kansas.

The difference was apparent. A large portion of the people denied the legality of the legislative power in the territory, and bitterly complained of the injustice with which that power was exercised, and the oppressions under which they were consequently placed. The President said it was too late now to raise the question of legality, — they must submit ; that if they did submit, peace would ensue ; but, if otherwise, the federal force and the army of the United States would be employed against them to compel their submission.

KANSAS.

At Washington I gained farther insight into the question.

I saw the tall figure of General Whitfield moving about the House of Representatives, and heard lengthened arguments whether he or the ex-govenor Reeder was the rightful delegate of Kansas. These discussions ended in permission being given to Mr. Whitfield, the pro-slavery delegate, to occupy a seat in the house without voting, the question of right between him and Mr. Reeder being reserved.

Every day I heard Kansas and its contest argued upon in the Senate Chamber and in the House of Representatives, in the bustling hall of the National Hotel, and in private political circles. I heard that which I conceived to be the extreme on the one side and on the other, and was not long in discovering that, while the President and the advocates of Southern views maintained the authority of the illegally constituted Territorial Legislature of Kansas, and of the judiciary and .other officers appointed by it, the opposite party, with a large portion of the people of Kansas themselves, asserted the claims of an incipient State Legislature, which

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY.

they had elected in the prospect of its being admitted as a state.

A double legislature, a double judiciary, a double set of civil appointments throughout each claiming sole prerogative, the State Legislature calling the Territorial a fraud, and the Territorial calling the State Legislature a sham ; such a political condition appeared strangely anomalous.

On the one side of the question a very long report from the Committee of Territories was presented to the Senate by Mr. Douglas, and on the other side, a " minority report," from the same committee by Mr. Collamer. At length, on the 19th of March, Congress gave a temporary check to the protracted discussion by accepting a motion which sprang from the Committee on Elections, to the effect that a committee should be appointed to investigate and collect evidence in regard to the troubles in Kansas generally, and particularly in regard to any fraudulent or violent proceedings that might have accompanied the elections in the territory. No member from any one of the Southern states voted in favour of the invests

G KANSAS.

gation, but happily a majority was given by the Northern states, and the Committee on Inquiry was appointed. This resolution was passed whilst I was in Washington, and I made up my mind at the same time, if practicable, in the spring of the year, to carry out an investigation on my own account, and to satisfy myself, if possible, as to where the truth lay, which seemed buried beneath so overwhelming a mass of contradictory assertions.

Later, when in South Carolina and other Southern states, I witnessed extraordinary meetings, presided over by men of influence, at which addresses of almost incredible violence were delivered on the necessity of " forcing slavery into Kansas," of " spreading the beneficent influence of Southern institutions over the new territories," and of " driving back at the point of the bayonet the nigger-stealing scum poured down by Northern fanaticism."

These meetings generally terminated by an urgent appeal for men and money. The result of this public agitation was, that large compa-

POWDER AND SHOT.

nies were formed of young men who were enthusiastic for slavery, and subscriptions of large amount were made to send these, who were already at blood-heat with excitement, armed into the territory, and furnished with means of support during the continuance of the campaign.

In the latter part of May I found myself in the State of Missouri. For two or three months I had read none but Southern journals, I had spoken with none but Southern men, I had heard none but Southern views, and, as a consequence, I was fully furnished with the South-side aspect of the controversy.

The accounts from Kansas indicated a most threatening condition of affairs. Party bitterness had apparently increased. Law existed only for party purposes, and deeds of violence were of almost daily occurrence.

The St. Louis papers contained advertisements, by the half-column, of rifles, revolvers, gunpowder, and lead. One of these advertisements may serve as an example of the whole. I extract the following from the Daily Missouri

KANSAS.

Republican, published at St. Louis. Attention is arrested by the heading, " Kansas," in large type, and the representation of a revolver in the margin.

KANSAS.

JUST RECEIVED, by Adams % Co's. Express, a large and flue Assortment of Double and Single

SHOT-GUNS,

which will be sold cheap for Cash.

We have also on hand an Assortment of our own Manufacture of

RIFLES,

so well known for the past thirty years throughout the Western country.

Emigrants to Kansas should not fail to call at

, and examine our Stock before purchasing elsewhere.

The Committee of Inquiry appointed by Congress I understood to be at the time in Kansas, carrying on their investigations. Through the kindness of friends, I had been furnished with letters to Colonel Sumner, who

VISIT TO KANSAS.

was in command of the United States troops, and other persons of influence in the territory. Being already in the adjoining State, and events of great moment in the history of Kansas, if not the breaking out of civil war itself, being evidently at hand, I felt disinclined to forego my purposed visit. Five hundred more miles of river navigation would take me to the scene of conflict. I resolved to go and see for myself. 1*

KANSAS.

Chapter II

Outburst of Violence.— Burning of Lawrence. — Contents of the following Chapters. — Political Parties. — Dramatis Personse. — Federal Appointees. — Border-ruffian Ring-leaders. — Leaders of the Free-state Cause.

Could I have made choice of a period in which to visit Kansas, which should be most rife with incident and best adapted for the successful prosecution of my inquiries, I could not have selected one more favourable than that of my actual visit. The affairs in the territory had reached a crisis. At that moment unresisted oppression had reached its highest point, and the severest blow was struck which Kansas has yet received. Greater individual suffering may have been inflicted later, but May 21st, 1856, was a day which turned the tide of popular feeling, and thus terminated one era in the history of the Kansas struggle, and introduced another.

On that eventful day the town of Lawrence,

BURNING OF LAWRENCE.

without offence or crime, was attacked by armed forces, some six or eight hundred strong; its principal hotel, the largest private building in the territory, was battered down and then reduced to ashes ; the printing-offices of the Free-state journals were set fire to, the editors having been previously captured and carried off as prisoners ; the type and presses were destroyed and cast into the Kaw river ; and the city itself was given over to a merciless sack. On the same day, and by the same agency, occurred the firing of Governor Robinson's house on Mount Oread, after it had been made throughout the day the head-quarters of the invading troops. Governor Robinson himself had been arrested a few days before while travelling eastward, and was a prisoner during the attack upon Lawrence, as well as for four months subsequent. His arrest was made without a legal warrant, and his tedious confinement in the gaol at Lecompton was equally without sentence or trial.

But the blow aimed at the Free-state cause in the destruction of Lawrence, and the seizure and imprisonment of some of its most active adherents, brought a severe recoil. A spirit of

KANSAS.

resistance was evoked, public feeling throughout the country was aroused, and it is not improbable that this great temporary triumph of the pro-slavery party in Kansas may prove itself in the end its most signal defeat.

In the following chapter I purpose describing, as accurately as possible, from information gained on the spot, the events of the siege of Lawrence. It may be right to add that, whatever testimony I gathered in Kansas was, for the most part, obtained from pro-slavery men. My account, therefore, is rather the result of the admissions of these than of the assertions made by Free-soil advocates. I have endeavoured to omit all statements which are not admitted by the concurrent testimony of both parties.

In a succeeding chapter I will give some detail of events witnessed by myself, which will illustrate the earlier portion of Governor Robinson's captivity and the spirit of his captors, during a short period when it was my fortune to be his companion in travel.

As an introduction to these narratives, however, it may be of service to many readers to have presented in a single view the names of

DRAMATIS PERSONS.

the principal personages who have borne their part, whether nobly or ignobly, in the earlier stages of Kansas history. A more particular delineation of some of the most noted of these characters may be attempted later, when occasion requires. But the following list will interpret for the reader the names most frequently occurring in the narrative, and will indicate the official capacity or political views possessed by the individuals themselves.

Of political parties in Kansas, the two main divisions are, of course, the Free-state and the pro-slavery parties; but the latter exhibits a further distinction, according as its adherents are moderate and constitutional in their maintenance of Southern views, or endeavour to force their principles upon the territory by powder and shot. The latter policy is known as "border-ruffianism."

Colonel E. V. Sumner. — Colonel of the 1st regiment of cavalry, and, until the latter part of 1856, commander of the United States troops in Kansas. Colonel Sumner won distinction in the Mexican war, and has had much experi-

KANSAS.

ence of military affairs in the Western territories.

Andrew H. Reeder. — The first Governor of Kansas appointed by the President. A man of erect form and determined aspect, hair slightly gray, more apt to listen than to commit himself by speech. He received his appointment as a friend of the Southern interest, but offended his party by failing to espouse the border-ruffian cause. He was removed from the governorship by the President in the summer of 1855, and was subsequently elected by the Free-state people as delegate to Congress, in opposition to Whitfield.

Daniel Woodson. — The Secretary of the territory during Reeder's governorship, and afterwards acting Governor until the appointment of Shannon. He is a tall, somewhat handsome young man ; comes from Arkansas, and is true to the South, but did not join in all particulars the extreme party.

Wilson Shannon. — The second Governor of

DRAMATIS PERSONS.

Kansas appointed by the President. An extreme Southern man in politics, of the border-ruffian type. Under Shannon's governorship, all the worst deeds that have marked the history of Kansas have taken place. As the head of the executive in the territory during the border-ruffian rule, Governor Shannon's name will need to be mentioned only too frequently.

J. W. Whitfield. — The delegate returned chiefly by Missourian votes, to represent Kansas in Congress. " General " Whitfield, as he is commonly called, is a resident of Missouri, and was formerly an Indian agent. He is a tall man, of uninviting expression of countenance and somewhat sinister aspect. Latterly the General took the field, and became very active in the border-ruffian campaign.