USA > Kansas > A standard history of Kansas and Kansans, Volume I > Part 66
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We wish it understood, that we do not herein express any opinion as to the validity of the enactments of the Territorial Legislature.
(Signed) WILSON SHANNON, CHARLES ROBINSON, J. H. LANE.
Done in Lawrence, K. T., December 8th, 1855.
The Governor had drawn up the orders for the Missourians to return home. These he withheld until Sunday morning, the 9th, when they were given out :
CAMP WAKARUSA, DEC. 8th, 1855.
Sir :
Being fully satisfied that there will be no further resistance to the execution of the laws of this Territory, or to the service of any legal process in the county of Douglas, you are hereby ordered to cross the Kansas River to the north side as near Lecompton as you may find it practicable with your command, and dishand the same at such time and place, and in such numbers as you may deem most convenient.
Yours, with great respect.
WILSON SHANNON.
MAJOR GEN. RICHARDSON.
Vol. 1-33
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KANSAS TERRITORY, CAMP WAKARUSA, DEC. 8th, 1855.
Sir :
Being fully satisfied that there will be no further resistance to the execution of the laws of this Territory, or to the service of any legal process in the county of Douglas, you are hereby ordered to disband your command at such time and place as you may deem most convenient. Yours, with great respect,
WILSON SHANNON.
GENERAL STRICKLER.
KANSAS TERRITORY, CAMP WAKARUSA, DEC. 8th, 1855.
Having made satisfactory arrangements by which all legal process in your hands, either now or hereafter, may be served without the aid of your present posse, you are hereby required to disband the same.
Yours, with great respect,
WILSON SHANNON.
S. J. JONES, Sheriff of Douglas County.
Governor Shannon remained at Camp Wakarusa until about 10 o'eloek Sunday morning, when he went in company with Brigadier- General Strickler, to Lawrenee. Sheriff Jones and other leading Pro- Slavery men aecompanied him. In the evening he was entertained by the ladies and gentlemen of the town at the Free-State Hotel. During the evening rumors eame in that the Border-Ruffians had refused to return to Missouri and that they were threatening to march on Lawrenee. It was believed necessary for the Free-State men to take aetive measures to repel the attack. In view of the reeent treaty, it was deeided that the leaders should be authorized by Governor Shannon to take defensive measures. They prepared a paper vesting this authority, and presented it to the Governor for his signature, which he attached after an examina- tion of the document. The document is here recorded :
To C. Robinson and J. HI. Lane, Commanders of the Enrolled Citizens of Lawrenee:
You are hereby authorized and directed to take such measures and use the enrolled forces under your command in such manner, for the preservation of the peace and the property of the people in Lawrenee and its vicinity, as in your judgment shall best seeure that end.
WILSON SHANNON.
Some controversy arose as to the exact meaning of this paper and as to whether it authorized the Free-State men to aet in the future. The Border-Ruffians were keen in their eritieism of the Governor for signing this paper. In justification Governor Shannon wrote a long explanation of his aetions to Brewerton, the correspondent of the New York Herald. The Border-Ruffians were mueh disgusted with Governor Shannon and the terms of the peace he had negotiated. They were rehietant to aban- don so good an. opportunity to destroy the town of Lawrenee. They were loud in their condemnation. The Governor's course in this matter brought him into disrepute with the Pro-Slavery element. Stringfellow, of Atehison, in addressing his company, said that Shannon had sold them out, saying, "Shannon has sold himself and disgraeed himself and the
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whole Pro-Slavery party." Atchison said to his followers: Boys, we cannot fight now. The position the Lawrenee people have taken is such that it would not do to make an attack upon it. It would ruin the Demoeratie cause, too. But, boys, we will fight some time, by -! " Jones kept his tongue in his head, but said later that if Shannon had not been a d-d fool, he would have wiped out Lawrence. The Missouri Republican contained this dispatch: "The Missouri Volunteers have disbanded and returned home in disgust, because Governor Shannon would not allow them to burn the town of Lawrenee."
The Border-Ruffian camp at Lecompton contained more than four hundred men. They were much dissatisfied with the settlement and could not be disbanded until Monday night. They had come through Atchison, Doniphan, Kiekapoo and Leavenworth, and they took up the march to those places. They made about ten miles a day, and at twelve o'clock on Tuesday were opposite Lawrence. There was some talk of their crossing the river and attacking the town, but this they did not do. The Lecompton correspondent of the Missouri Republican wrote, "It is true that the avenging sword of an outraged people is hard to be restrained. The objeets of our ire were more the objects of pity and contempt than of our wrath. They were driven to their holes. Their country firesides and homes were left to our merey. They stood trembling like sheep before the knife of the butcher, conceding everything, invoking the Governor to prevent the shoek." It was necessary for such misrepre- sentations as that to be spread broadeast over the State of Missouri.
On the evening of the 10th of December (Monday), the ladies of Lawrence gave a party at the Free-State Ilotel, at which there were a number of invited Pro-Slavery guests, among them, Sheriff Jones. The leaders of the Free-State party were present. Many speeches were made. Lane, Robinson, S. C. Smith, and others, addressed the assembly. On Tuesday the soldiers passed in review before the leaders and were dis- charged. They were addressed by Lane and Robinson in exultant speeches, which may yet be read in the papers of that day. A number of prisoners had been taken by each party. S. C. Pomeroy had started on the 6th of December to Boston to seeure aid. He was captured and held at Camp Wakarusa until the negotiations were coneluded. George F. Warren and Dr. G. A. Cutler were arrested at Atchison and brought to Lecompton, where Cutler suffered from illness and indignities.
It was perhaps to be expected that at least one Free-State man should be murdered before the hostilities were finally concluded. Thomas W. Barber lived on the northwest quarter of section thirteen (13), township thirteen (13), range eighteen (18), seven miles up the Wakarusa from Blanton's bridge. He volunteered for the defense of Lawrence, and was in the town until the 6th of December. In the afternoon of that day he secured leave to visit his wife, who had been left alone on the elaim. Barber was unarmed, but his brother Robert, and his brother-in-law, Thomas N. Pearson, were armed. Three miles west of Lawrenee they saw a body of horsemen approaching from the direction of Lecompton. It was a body of Border-Ruffians going from Lecompton to Camp Waka-
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rusa. Two of the party, George W. Clarke and James N. Burns, left the Ruffian band and approached Barber and his companions. After some controversy, shots were fired and the parties separated. After riding a little way, Thomas Barber said he had been hit, and he had to be sup- ported in his saddle. In a few minutes he slipped from his horse and died in the road. The shot which killed Barber was fired by Clarke. The body of Barber was brought to the Free-State hotel and his wife notified of the murder. He thus became the Kansas Martyr, almost entirely supplanting Dow.
OLD JOHN BROWN
On Friday there appeared at Lawrence a lumbering wagon containing five men. The leader was gray-haired, close shaven, spare and tall. He had gray eyes. His lips were thin and compressed. He bore the aspect of grim determination. In his belt were two revolving pistols, and he carried a rifle. The others were his sons, armed as was their father. In the wagon were their supplies and more weapons, and at the front stood a staff from which floated an American Flag. The father was the com- mander of the party. He was OLD JOHN BROWN. He had been in the Territory since October. He had come to fight slavery. The notice of the arrival of John Brown is taken from the Herald of Freedom:
About noon (December 7), Mr. John Brown, an aged gentleman from Essex County, N. Y., who has been a resident of the Territory for several months, arrived with four of his sons-leaving several others at home siek-bringing a quantity of arms with him, which were placed in his hands by Eastern friends for the defense of the cause of freedom. Having more than he could use to advantage, a portion of them were placed in the hands of those more destitute. A company was organized and the command given to Mr. Brown for the zeal he had exhibited in the cause of freedom both before and sinee his arrival in the Territory.
The Muster roll of the Company of Brown organized at Lawrence on the 7th of December is as follows :
Muster roll of Capt. John Brown's company in the Fifth Regiment of the First Brigade of Kansas Volunteers, commanded by Col. George W. Smith, called into the service of the people of Kansas to defend the city of Lawrenee. in the Territory of Kansas, from threatened demoli- tion by foreign invaders, enrolled at Osawatomie, K. T., called into service from the 27th day of November, A. D. 1855. when mustered, to the 12th day of December, when discharged. Service sixteen days.
Name and Rank. Age.
John Brown, Sen., Captain. 55
Wmn. W. Updegraff, 1st Lieutenant. 34
Henry H. Williams, 2d Lieutenant. 27
James J. Holbrook, 3d Lieutenant 23
Ephraim Reynolds, 1st Sergeant 25
R. N. Wood, 2d Sergeant. . 20
Frederick Brown, 3d Sergeant. 25
John Yetton, 4th Sergeant. 26
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Name and Rank. Áge.
ITenry Alderman, 1st Corporal.
55
II. Harrison Updegraff, 2d Corporal. 23
Daniel W. Collis, 3d Corporal. 27
William Partridge, 4th Corporal. 32
Amos D. Alderman 20
Owen Brown 31
Salmon Brown
19
John Brown, Jr. 34
Francis Brennen 29
William W. Caine
19
Benjamin L. Coehran 34
Jeremiah Harrison
22
(Endorsed.)
Muster roll of Capt. John Brown's company, Kansas Volunteers :
I certify on honor, that this Muster Roll exhibits the true state of Capt. John Brown's Company of the Fifth Regiment of Kansas Volun- teers for the period herein mentioned ; that each man answers to his own proper name in person ; that the remarks set opposite each man's name, officer and soldier, are accurate and just.
GEORGE W. SMITHI,
Colonel commanding the Fifth Regiment Kansas Volunteers. December 12. A. D. 1855, Lawrence, K. T.
Old John Brown was displeased when the Free-State men were dis- missed. He mounted an improvised platform and began to address the crowd when he was pulled down and not permitted to finish his speech. He wanted to fight. He was not deceived. Ile knew that conditions were sueh at that time that slavery would have to be shot to death. While he was suppressed and sent back home with his message undelivered, he bided his time. We shall hear of him later.
On the 16th of December, Brown wrote his family a letter in which he described the conditions in the Territory, and how he came to go to Lawrenee. This letter is set down here :
OSAWATOMIE, K. T., 16th DECEMBER, 1855, SABBATH EVENING. DEAR WIFE AND CHILDREN, EVERY ONE:
I improve the first moment sinee my return from the camp of volun- teers who lately turned out for the defense of the town of Lawrenee, in this Territory, and notwithstanding, I suppose you have learned the result before this (possibly ), will give a brief account of the invasion in my own way.
About three or four weeks ago, news came that a Free-state man by the name of Dow had been murdered by a Pro-slavery man named Coleman, who had gone and given himself up for trial to a Pro-slavery Gov. Shannon. This was soon followed by further news that a Free- state man who was the only reliable witness against the murderer had been seized by a Missourian, appointed Sheriff by the bogus Legislature of Kansas, upon false pretenses, examined, and held to bail under such heavy bonds to answer the false charges, as he could not give, and that, while on his way to jail, in charge of the bogus Sheriff, he was rescued by some men belonging to a company near Lawronee; and that, in con- sequence of the rescue, Gov. Shannon had ordered out all the Pro- slavery foree he could muster in the Territory, and called on Missouri
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for further help; that about two thousand had collected, demanding a surrender of the rescued witness and the reseuers, the destruction of several buildings and printing presses, and a giving up of the Sharpe's rifles by the Free-state men, threatening to destroy the town with cannon with which they were provided, ete .; that about an equal number of Free-state men had turned out to resist them, and that a battle was hourly expected, or supposed to have been already fought.
These reports seemed to be well authenticated, but we could get no further account of matters, and I left this for the place where the boys were settled at evening, intending to go to Lawrence to learn the facts the next day. John was, however, started on horseback, but before he had gone many rods word eame that our help was immediately wanted.
On getting this news, it was at once agreed to break up at John's camp, and take Wealthy and Johnny to Jason's eamp (some two miles off), and that all the men but Henry, Jason and Oliver should at onee set off for Lawrence under arms, those three being wholly unfit for duty. We then set about providing a little eorn bread and meat, blankets, eook- ing utensils, running bullets, loading all our guns, pistols, etc. The five set off in the afternoon, and after a short rest in the night (which was quite dark) continued our mareh until after daylight next morning, when we got our breakfast, started again, and reached Lawrence in the forenoon, all of us more or less lamed by our tramp. On reaching the place, we found that negotiations had eommeneed between Gov. Shannon (having a force of some fifteen or sixteen hundred men) and the prin- cipal leaders of the Free-state men, they having a force of some five hundred men at that time. These were busy night and day fortifying the town with embankments and eircular earthworks up to the time of the treaty with the Governor, as an attack was constantly looked for, notwithstanding the negotiations then pending. This state of things continued from Friday until Sunday evening. On the evening we left, a company of the invaders of from fifteen to twenty-five attacked some three or four Free-state men, mostly unarmed, killing a Mr. Barber. from Ohio, wholly unarmed. His body was afterward brought in and lay for some days in the room afterward oceupied by the company to which I belonged (it being organized after we reached Lawrence).
The building was a large, unfinished stone hotel, in which a great part of the volunteers were quartered, and who witnessed the scene of bringing in the wife and friends of the murdered man. I will only say of this scene that it was heart-rending, and caleulated to exasperate the men exceedingly, and one of the sure results of eivil war.
After frequently calling on the leaders of the Free-state men to eome and have an interview with him, by Gov. Shannon ; as often getting for an answer that if he had any business to transact with any one in Lawrence to eome and attend to it. he signified his wish to come into the town, and an escort was sent to the invaders' camp to conduct him in.
When there, the leading Free-state men, finding out his weakness, frailty and consciousness of the awkward circumstanees into which he had really got himself, took advantage of his cowardice and folly, and by means of that and the free use of whisky and some trickery sneceeded in getting a written arrangement with him, much to their own liking. Ile stipulated with them to order the Pro-slavery men of Kansas home, and to proclaim to the Missouri invaders that they must quit the Terri- tory without delay, and also give up Gen. Pomeroy, a prisoner in their camp, which was all done: he also recognized the volunteers as the militia of Kansas, and empowered their officers to call them out when- ever. in their discretion, the safety of Lawrence or other portions of the Territory might require it to be done.
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He, Gov. Shannon, gave up all pretension of further attempt to enforce the enactments of the bogus Legislature and retired, subject to the derision and scoffs of the Free-state men (into whose hands he had committed the welfare and protection of Kansas), and to the pity of some and the curses of others of the invading force.
So, ended this last Kansas invasion, the Missourians returning with flying colors after incurring heavy expenses, suffering great exposure, hardships and privations, not having fought any battles, burned or destroyed any infant towns or Abolition presses, leaving the Free-state men organized and armed, and in full possession of the Territory, not having fulfilled any of all their dreadful threatenings, except to murder one unarmed man, and to commit some robberies and waste of property upon defenseless families unfortunately iu their power.
We learn by their papers that they boast of a great victory over the Abolitionists, and well they may. Free-State men have only to here- after retain the footing they have gained, and KANSAS IS FREE. Yester- day the people passed upon the Free-State Constitution. The result, though not yet known, no one doubts.
One little circumstance connected with our own number showing the true character of the invader: On our way, about three miles from Lawrence, we had to pass a bridge (with our arms and ammunition), of which the invaders held possession; but as the five had each a gun, with two large revolvers in a belt (exposed to view) with a third in his pocket, and as we moved directly on the bridge without making any halt, they, for some reason, suffered us to pass without interruption, notwithstanding there were some fifteen to twenty-five (variously re- ported) stationed in a log house at one end of the bridge. We could not count them. A boy, on our approach, ran and gave them notice. Five others of our company, well armed, who followed us some miles behind, met with equally civil treatment the same day. After we left to go to Lawrenee until we returned when disbanded, I did not see the least sign of cowardice or want of self-possession exhibited, by any volunteer of the eleven companies who constituted the Free-state force, and I never expect again to see an equal number of such well behaved, cool, determined men, fully as I believe, sustaining the high character of the Revolutionary Fathers. But enough of this, as we intend to send yon a paper giving a fuller account of the affair. We have cause for gratitude that we all returned safe and well, with the exception of hard colds, and found those left behind rather improving. We have received $50 from father, and learn from him that he has sent you the same amount, for which we ought to be grateful, as we are much relieved, both as respects ourselves and you. The mails have been kept back during the invasion, but we hope to hear from you again soon. Mr. Adair's folks are well, or nearly so. Weather most pleasant, but some- times most severe. No snow of any account as yet; ean think of but little more to write.
Monday morning-17th. The ground for the first time is fairly whitened with snow and it is quite eold, but we have had before a good deal of cold weather with heavy rains. Henry and Oliver, and I may say, Jason, were disappointed in not being able to go to the war. The disposition of both our camps to turn out was uniform.
May God abundantly bless you all and make yon faithful.
Your affectionate husband and father. JOHN BROWN.
The Wakarusa War gave James II. Lane the ascendeney over Robin- son with the Free-State men. After that war, Lane was supreme in
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Kansas political affairs. He had met most of the strong men of the Territory in the ranks of the defenders of Lawrence. They were Western men, like himself. His views were their views. His language was their language. They understood him. There was a common feeling between Lane and these strong men assembled to fight for freedom. Lane was in personal command of the troops and superintended the construction of the defenees of the town. His services in the Mexican War eminently fitted him for this work. The excitement of the times kept his magnificent personality on the keenest tension. The men under arms relied implicitly on his judgment. The bonds cemented there between Lane and the Free- State men of Kansas ended only with death. While he was in the trenches day and night, Robinson was in his office and out of sight. He conducted the negotiations. The men wanted to fight the Border-Ruffians, but Rob- inson did not want to fight. The men were displeased with the tempo- rizing of Robinson. They knew as well as did Atchison that the treaty of peace was no settlement of the differences between the parties. This treaty was the beginning of the deeadence of Robinson's influence. It was also the proof that the Emigrant Aid Company would accomplish nothing for Kansas. From that day it was dead beyond any possible revival. The Free-State men realized its true status and intentions. They never relied on it again for anything. They saw it was speculative, and for the sole use and benefit of its offieers.
Salmon Brown was in Lawrenee with his father. In his communica- tion to this author, dated May 28, 1913, he had this to say of the elosing scenes of the Wakarusa War:
Father took his horse and wagon loaded with guns, with all of his sons that were able to go, I among the rest, and started for Lawrence in the evening. We reached Wakarusa bridge early the next morning. The bridge was guarded by the ruffians but they let us pass as we were all armed to the teeth. We got into Lawrence that forenoon.
We were greeted by Lane and Capt. Abbott with much joy on our arrival and given quarters in the Free State Hotel. The town was well fortified with earthworks under the direction of Lane. There were then about six hundred recruits in town to defend the place. We had plenty to eat of bread and meat and slept on the floor of the hotel.
Lane was in charge of the men. I think the next day after we arrived a man by the name of Barber was killed one mile south of Law- rence by a gang of men under the direction of Sheriff Jones. Barber had been out to his home that day to see if his family was all right. Coming back to Lawrenee he was killed by Jones posse and left there for the flies to blow. Some of our people heard the shooting and went out and brought his body in and put it in a room of the hotel.
A squad of our men went after Mrs. Barber and brought her in. The seene that followed was heart rending in the extreme. I never heard sueh screams of anguish come from any human being. The whole town was wild with excitement.
Gov. Robinson had arranged to meet Shannon that evening at the Free State Hotel to see if they couldn't fix up a treaty and stop the war. Shannon eame up from his horde of Missouri militia escorted by a Free State committee and was taken to an upper room in the Free State Hotel to fix up the treaty of peace with Gov. Robinson's faction. He was well
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supplied with liquor which the committee furnished knowing his weak- ness and his fall from the high positions through drink.
lie was one of the finest looking men I ever saw, with a gigantie brain and physique, six and one halt feet tall and straight as a Liberty pole ; he possessed a fluent tongue and impressive manners.
While Robinson's elique were manipulating Shannon there was a rumor that Sheriff Jones was to be admitted to the upper counsel in the hotel. The men were about equally divided between Lane men and Robinson men,-both sides ready to fight for their mnan, with guns in their hands flourishing them in a frantie and hostile manner. 1 looked on amazed at the scene.
James Il. Lane at this critical moment, jumped on a big work bench and said "If Sheriff Jones eomes in here with the dead body of Barber in the house, we will carry him ont with a couple of ehips."
My brother John placed me at the door to watch my father for fear he would shoot Sheriff Jones if he came in as had been arranged by the Robinson elique. The crowd all eooled off somewhat, Lane among the rest, and Sheriff Jones was admitted to the upper room and doped with Old Rye. Very little sleep came to any one of those six hundred men that night.
The next morning Shannon, very much sobered up and realized how he had been beaten by his own weakness, and trieked by the Robinson erowd, went out to the planks that led into the hotel and in a very dignified speech and manner explained to all of us that a compromise had been completed and no blood would be shed, and the validity of the territorial laws would be upheld. Of course he meant the Lecompton laws. In fact the Robinson crowd got all the eoneessions that they asked for but let Shannon elear himself before Pieree's administration who were behind the Lecompton laws. One of their laws made it punishable with death to speak, write, or eireulate anything against slavery.
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