USA > Kansas > Douglas County > Lawrence > The Kansas memorial, a report of the Old Settlers' meeting held at Bismarck grove, Kansas, Sept. 15th and 16th, 1879 > Part 23
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Everywhere we see change, change, change! Since I first put foot on the soil of Kansas political convulsions have taken place not only in Kansas and throughout the United States, but all over the civilized world.
I remember well when I first placed foot upon Kansas soil. It was the very spot where Fremont camped in his overland tour to the Pacific. It then seemed to me to be hallowed ground. I remember well how my young wife and I trudged along, hand in hand, over the old Santa Fe road toward our new and unseen home in Central Kansas. What a great, broad and beautiful thor- oughfare it was, broad, smooth and hard as Massachusetts street in Lawrence to day. It was early spring and the trains of canvas- covered wagons that later whitened the great natural thoroughfare for hundreds of miles, had not yet commenced to move. All was one vast open prairie. From Westport to Council City (now Bur- lingame), there was not more than half a dozen dwellings, and these were cabins or shanties. Now a forbidding looking coyote starts up and slinks away in the tall grass, casting a leering look at us as much as to say, "what business have you here ?" Now a crow calls out " kaw, kaw, kaw," at us, meaning by tone and gesture that we were on forbidden ground. Now a prairie hawk flies near and cuts a few circles over our heads and flies away as if to tell his more familiar neighbors, the Indians, that we were invading a place sacred to solitude and savage life. Now we meet with a more
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fiendish and forbidding looking class of animal, the border ruffian, who mutters out to us the interrogative, " Why don't you uns stay in your own country and not come out here to steal our land and run off our niggers " And following this by an imprecation that, " You will soon be trotting out of Kansas faster than you came in."
Those great commercial thoroughfares that then extended across the Territory from the Missouri to the Rockies and into New Mexico, where are they now ? They have been plowed up and fenced up until scarce a trace of them can be found. They have been converted with the rest of the country into fertile fields of waving wheat and luxuriant maize. In lieu of these great arteries of trade and traffic we have great lines of railroad stretching out their Briarean arms over the whole State, and across the plains and mountains into Colorado and New Mexico. From 8,000 people when I came here, we have grown to more than 800,000. The whole country has been converted into fruitful farms and covered over with dwellings and school houses, and along these great iron ways have sprung up a hundred villages, towns and cities. The border man, with his unholy institution, like the rest of the wild beasts, has disappeared before the advancing contagion, and those institutions which were the boast and pride of the slave power are to day held in scorn and contempt by the liberty-loving people of Kansas. But, Mr. President, I forget myself. I rose to attempt to do honor to the illustrious dead and among those whose names figure in the early settlement of this Territory none was more wor- thy of a grateful remembrance than that of Hon. Philip C. Schuyler, commonly called "Judge Schuyler." He was the peer of any of the early pioneers and I had almost said he was " the noblest Kan- san of them all." He had all of the virtue and but few of the vices of the men of those days. He was a fine dignified gentleman of the old Dutch Aristocracy of New York. He had the blood of the Schuylers, the Ten Broecks and the Van Rennsselaers of Revo- lutionary memory in his veins.
He once told me he ran for the office of "judge" on the ticket of Birney, and thereafter ever acquired that soubriquet. I well remember the first time I met him. It was in the office of the el- der Bennett, of the New York Herald. He excoriated him most genteelly for the course of the Herald toward the free state party of Kansas.
I believe that lesson had its effect, for from that time the tone of that gazette was very much modified toward our party here. Nor shall I ever forget what scorn and contempt came over his usually placid face as Col. Sumner marched into the old State House at Topeka, sword in hand, and disbanded the convention there as- sembled July 4th, 1856.
Judge Schuyler was elected Secretary of State under the first free state constitution, and also to the same office under the Le- compton constitution.
The free state convention which assembled at Lawrence to
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nominate candidates for state officers under the constitution voted to put no ticket in the field. Judge Schuyler, G. W. Brown and some others bolted the convention and having met in the basement of Brown's office put a full ticket in the field. For this conduct they were dubbed by the Radicals as "Brown's Cellar Kitchen Cabinet." The election of this ticket and the subsequent defeat of the constitution of the slave party vindicated the wisdom of their course.
It was not all peace as you may suppose among the free state leaders in those days. Those old liberty-loving gladiators hacked away terribly at one another sometimes, but when the clarion of war sounded its free state notes, they came together as one man. All domestic discord ceased and the cry of "Down with slavery and up with liberty," echoed along the line. The name of another, no less conspicuous, who figured in those early troubles, and who had left the classic halls of learning to come to Kansas, was that of James M. Winchell. He probably possessed finer literary taste and acquirements than any of those men of his time. Like Schuyler he first settled at Council City, was its first Postmaster and after- ward laid out the city of Superior ; was frequently elected to the Legislature; was chosen president of the convention that framed our present constitution ; was the war-correspondent of the New York Times at Washington, and recently died near New York, having just written a finished and popular poem for the Atlantic Monthly, to which he was a regular contributor. It can be 'truthfully said that no man had an equal influence with him in our first legislative bodies. At one time he stood high for Senatorial honors. A more ardent, energetic and devoted champion the free state cause never had.
Another name not unworthy of notice is that of Hon. Samuel R. Canniff. He had office thrust upon him. He was not a talker, but following the advice of Greeley, who said, " The workers will beat the talkers every time." He worked faithfully and fervently.
Among the young men in our part of the State who figured on the side of freedom was one whose name I cannot pass by in silence. It is that of Hon. O. H. Sheldon. How enthusiastic I had almost said, how wild he was. He figured largely in our first Legislature. He was a delegate to the convention that nominated President Hayes, and died about a year ago a member of the State Senate.
Last, but not least, is the name of Henry Harvey. He was
in religion of the sect of Quakers. He did most effectual work in bringing in supplies and goods contraband of war for the fighting boys. He had once been the U. S. Agent for the Shawnees, and had written and published their history. He had resided in the Territory some twenty years before its admission by Congress. He spoke the Indian dialect and visited all the different tribes and did most effectual service in keeping them on good terms with our party. He settled near Burlingame in what is now known as Har- veyville, in Wabaunsee county.
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And now, as I have said, Mr. President, I rose merely to say a word in memory of some individuals who had not been men- tioned here, and thanking you all for your attention, I will close.
THE BRANSON RESCUE.
The following was written for the Old Settlers' meeting by Maj. J. R. Kennedy, now of Colorado. It gives an account of an event which occurred on the night of November 26, 1855, near the Wakarusa, a few miles southeast of Lawrence, and which was the origin of the " Wakarusa War."
COLORADO SPRINGS, 1879.
My Dear Friends :- It was, I think, in November, 1855, about ten o'clock one night that Miner B. Hupp came to my house in Free State Valley, and called to me to come out. In those days a call to "come out" was not always to be obeyed, but I knew his voice, so I went to the door, telling him to come in. He answered that he could not do so as he was in a hurry, that he wanted me to go with him ; for a party of pro-slavery men had gone to Hickory Point to arrest Jacob Branson, who was the principal witness against Coleman for the murder of Dow, and it was the general impression that they would hang him or make way with him in some manner, so it was the intention to make an attempt to rescue him, let the consequences be what they might. Telling him to wait until I got my coat and gun - a Sharp's rifle - I went into the house, getting them in a hurry, while my wife got the children out of bed, wrapping them up the best she could. I took two of them and started for the house of our nearest neighbor, C. Holloway. Miner having gone on, had Holloway out and ready. They called to me to hurry, which I did, placing the babies about fifty yards from the house and running until I caught up with the men. They were on the double-quick, for Miner said he wanted to square accounts with two of them who had threatened and abused him a day or two before, and that he was afraid "the ball would be over before we got there."
The place of meeting was at Maj. Abbott's house, and when we reached there we found quite a body of men. Maj. Abbott was absent, but his wife was present - cool and cheerful - helping the boys fix up their guns. Abbott had gone over to Esterbrook's to see if he could hear or see anything of the parties who had gone to arrest Branson, as it was about time for them to be coming back, it being nearly II p. m Two men had been sent out to watch the pro-slavery crowd, and it was thought the matter would be well attended to, as Berkaw was one of the men - but nothing had yet been heard from them.
We had been together about half an hour, talking and express- ing opinions as to what would be done if the party would come, and as to whether they had gone another road and eluded us, or
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had taken Branson to the nearest woods and hanged him. I was too much excited to be still, so kept going out and in and report- ing. Presently Maj. Abbott returned from Esterbrook's without any news. Then there was another interchange of opinions and guesses as to what had been or would be done. While I was standing by the door, still on the watch, I heard Philip Hupp - and no braver man ever lived -say, "Well, boys, I tell you what's the matter; they have taken Branson and crossed the Wakarusa at Cornelius' Crossing, and have him at old Crane's hotel. All we have to do, and what we ought to do, is to march right down there, and if Branson is in the house, tell him to come out; that he is a free man and will be protected." Just at this time I walked out a little from the door, and looking south saw fifteen or twenty mounted men riding slowly along the road toward the house. Step- ping quickly back to the door, I caught Maj. Abbott's eye and beckoned him to come out, which he did. I showed him the men, and exclaiming " that's the party," he rushed into the house, tell- ing the boys they were coming, and to go out quick. Mrs. Abbott handed the boys their guns and they did go out with a rush ; Abbott going first followed by Philip Hupp; then came Capt. Hutchinson, Paul Jones and others. We turned to the left around the corner of the house into the road a few rods in front of the horsemen. Phil. Hupp was the first man who crossed the road. He said afterward he was watching the man on the gray horse, Sheriff Jones, and he did watch him sure enough. Next to Hupp was Paul Jones, and both were armed with squirrel rifles. Next came Capt. Hutchinson, armed with two large stones; next were Hollo- way and myself, I thinking Capt. H. was a good man to stay with, as he had been three years in the Mexican war. The rest of the boys ranged along the side of the road near the house. This was about the order we occupied when the party approached close to those in the road and very close to those by the side of the road. Mr. Hupp being in front and seeing the boys scattered along from where he was to the house, called out, "Boys, what the h-ll are you doing there ? Here is the place for you." They then all crowded rapidly up in front of the other party, when one of them said, "What's up?" Maj. Abbott replied, " That is what we want to know," which remark was followed by a shot on our side. The Major had a self-cocking revolver, and he had, in the excitement, pulled it a little too hard causing it to go off. Then the question was asked him again by the other side, "What's up ?" Thinking of what Mr. Hupp had said in the house, I remarked to Maj. Abbott " Ask them if Branson is there." He did so, and the answer was, " Yes, I am here, and a prisoner." Three or four of our men spoke at once - Major Abbott, Col. Wood, and others whom I do not remember - saying, "Come out of that," or "Come over to your friends," or perhaps both were said. Branson replied, " They say they will shoot me if I do." Col. Sam Wood answered quickly, " Let them shoot, and be d-d; we can shoot to." Branson then
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said, "I will come if they do shoot," starting his mule. The man who was leading it let the halter strap slip though his hands very quietly. The rest of the pro-slavery party raised their shot-guns and cocked them. Our little crowd raised their guns and were ready in as good time as the others. Sam Wood and two or three of our men helped Branson. Wood asked Branson, "Is this your mule?" " No," was the reply, whereupon Wood kicked the mule and said, "Go back to your masters, d-n you." In the mean- time Branson had disappeared and was seen no more by these brave " shot-gun " men.
About this time some one of them said, " Why, Sam. Wood, you are very brave to-night; you must want to fight." Col. W. replied that he " was always ready for a fight." Just at this mo- ment Sheriff Jones interposed, saying, "There is no use to shed blood in this affair, but it will be settled soon in a way that will not be very pleasant to Abolitionists," and started to ride through those standing in the road. He did not then know old Philip Hupp, but soon made his acquaintance, and I do not think he will be stopped by death any quicker than Phil. Hupp stopped him that night. Just as soon as he started old Philip set the trigger and cocked his old squirrel rifle quicker than he or any other man ever did it before, and said to Sheriff Jones, " Halt, or I will blow your d-d brains out in a moment." He stopped and stayed right there, saying gently to Mr. Hupp, " Don't shoot." There was then a general talk among all hands, and we were told about the " Kansas militia, 3,000 strong, that in three days' time would wipe that d-d Abolition town Lawrence out and corral all the Aboli- tionists and make pets of them." However, Col. Sam. Wood and others out-talked them so bad that they were glad to get away on any terms.
Miner Hupp, who wanted to square accounts with his two men, was prevented by his father from doing so. It was not his fault, for he had a "bead" on them several times, but his father was watching him all the time after he got Sheriff Jones in shape.
This is about my recollection of it, at least as well as I can write it. I could tell it all if I were there with you, and could sit down and have a square talk with you face to face. I regret very much that I cannot be there. According to my recollection, the names of the men who took part in the rescue were: Maj. J. B. Abbott, Capt. Philip Hutchinson, Paul Jones, Philip Hupp, Miner B. Hupp, Collins Holloway, Edmond Curless, Lafayette Curless, Isaac Shappet, John Smith, William Hughes, Elmore Allen, Col. S. N. Wood, - Smith, and your old friend and comrade,
J. R. KENNEDY.
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CLOSING ADDRESS BY S. N. WOOD.
The last address of the meeting was made by Col. S. N. Wood who spoke as follows :
Ladies and Gentlemen :
The time is drawing nigh when this meeting must close. I had intended to talk a little myself in closing, but we are all get- ting too tired. A mighty revolution has taken place in the past twenty-five years. We have met here from every State in the Union. What once seemed a crime has proved often to be only a prejudice. Our prejudices have worn off and we feel better to- wards each other. Mrs. Wood chided me for using profane lan- guage last night when speaking of the Bull creek affair, but I was reciting history and included it in quotation marks. It was my first oath and seemed to come as if from inspiration. No other language could have been understood. We have had a glorious reunion. Let us aim to take a step higher, and in advance. It should be the determination of every man and woman to make the world a little better for having lived in it, and we ought to be a lit- tle better for having lived in this world, and we should try to place our children on a higher moral plane than we occupy. The next twenty-five years, in my judgment, will witness mightier revolu- tions than the past. Ladies and gentlemen, we must close. Please sing that beautiful song beginning, "My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty."
The whole audience responded to the invitation, and that old song, breathing the spirit of liberty, was rendered with unusual power.
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Register of the Old Settlers' Meeting.
In order to give persons an opportunity to make a record of their presence at the Old Settlers' meeting, the Secretary of the Historical Society prepared a register with headings embracing the following items: "Name ; date of birth ; place of birth ; date of settlement; place of settlement; where resided since ; present residence ; occupation ; politics ; remarks." The register is preserved by the Historical Society. In it upwards of 3,000 names were entered. They are here given, with the principal items as written opposite the names in the register.
Name, Place und Date of Birth.
Anderson, James S., Va., 1827. Anderson, Emma, Va., 1834. Adams, J. W , Vermont, 1839 Ainsworth, R. M., Dayton, O., 1829. Ashbaugh, L. S., O .. November 21, 1821. Anderson, Mary E., Va., January 6, 1846.
Anderson, Mrs. Janie, N. Y., March 1, 1864.
Anderson, Geo. S. W., Ripley, O., Sept 4, 1850. Allison, P. H., Concord, N. H , November 23, 1846. Armstrong, R. B., Westport, Mo., October 20, 1843. Armstrong, Mrs. R. B., Bronnhelm, O., Nov. 21, 1843. Allison, Mrs. L., Battle Creek, Me., April 13, 1844. Apitz, C E., Canton, Ill., February 5, 1859.
Allen, Thomas, Park county, Ind . Sept. 18, 1837. Allen, Charles, Park county, Ind., February 11, 1841. Anderson, John, Sweden, June 16, 1835. Andrews, Stillman, Sutton, N. H., February 22, 1821. Asher Mrs. M. B. , New Castle Co., N. Y., Oct. 31, 1810.
Abbott, James B., Hampton, Conn , December 3, 1818. Abbott, Mrs. E. A., Hartford, Conn., Sept. 25, 1831. Atkins, Thomas S., Coles county, III., Dec. 2, 1854. Adams, Calvin, N C., September 18, 1818. Atherton, Annie M., Plymouth, N. H., Oct 23, 1843. Atherton, E. P., Bolton, Mass., 1829
Albach, Henry, Big Stranger Creek, Sept. 8, 1863. Adams, James N., Montgomery Co., Iowa Sept. 4, 1847. Adams, Chas. N., Montgomery Co., Iowa. Sept. 27, 1855. Armstrong, Wm. H., Madison Co., O., Jan. 28, 1842. Adams, J. W., Mo., November 26, 1849. Ashbaugh, Mrs. S. G., Providence, R. I., Jan. 25, 1816. Ashbaugh, Osco, Topeka, August 18, 1867.
Allen, A. W., Gloucester Co., N. J , February 4, 1839. Allen, E. C., Gloucester Co., N. J. June 2, 1810. Adams, Martin, N. C., March 18, 1820. Abbott, V. J., June 20, 1841.
Abbott, Mollie, December 24, 1859.
Anderson, Welhelmina, Sweden, February 9, 1839. Anderson, Laura G., Ft. Smith, April 1, 1861. Asher, W W., Kirksville, Mo., June 17, 1842. Ayer, Omar H., Plattsburg, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1825. Anderson, Charlie, Boone county, Mo., May 16, 1832. Adams, M. K., Bellefont, Pa., May 29, 1829. Andrews, S H., Scituate, Mass., November 16, 1835. Andrews, Hattie A., Lynn, Mass , September 5, 1845. Andrews, Mollie A., Lynn, Mass., December 6, 1860. Andrews, Allison, Ind , January 13, 1856.
Anderson, Lewis G., Ill., August 25, 1833.
Anderson, Mrs. John, Orabro, Sweden, May 13, 1832. Anderson, Miss Jennie, Iowa, March 11, 1859. Anderson, Mr. John.
Aller, H. M., New Vork, July 5, 1824.
Place and Date of Settlement.
Topeka, 1860.
Topeka, 1860. Grant, 1872. [March, 1855.
Leav. county, Wyandotte Res , Lawrence, April 1, 1870.
Lawrence, April 1, 1865.
Atchison county.
Topeka, May 12, 1873.
Lawrence, May 29, 1876.
Wyandotte, December 10, 1843. Wyandotte, May 20, 1868. Eudora, April 1, 1859
Lawrence, June 4, 1859.
Leavenworth Co., Nov. 1, 1854 Leavenworth Co., Nov. 1, 1854. Lawrence, December 16, 1865. Lawrence, October 8, 1854. Lawrence, December 16, 1878.
Lawrence, October 10, 1854. Lawrence, October 10, 1854 Pawnee county, May 10, 1876. Near Lawrence, June 10, 1854. Sumner, October 14, 1855. Sumner, October 14, 1855.
Lawrence, November 10, 1858. Lawrence, November 10, 1858. Osage County, March 1, 1875. Lawrence, Nov. 16, 1854. Topeka, August 15, 1859. Topeka, August 18, 1867.
Lexington, Mo. Near Lawrence, June 12, 1854. Paola, September, 1859. Paola, December 24, 1859 , August 26, 1860.
Lawrence, February 14, 1865.
Lawrence, March 22, 1866. Wakarusa, Douglas Co., Dec.1863 Lawrence, October 20, 1861. Lawrence, May 29, 1879.
Kansas Falls, April 4, 1857. Lawrence, March 21, 1866. Lawrence, March 19, 1866. Vinland, March 19, 1869.
Lawrence, April 22, 1855. Douglas County, May, 1860. Douglas County, May, 1860
Leavenworth, August, 1860.
Present Residence
Topeka. Topeka. Lawrence Kansas City, Mo Newton.
Douglas County. Atchison. Douglas County. Salina. Wyandotte. Wyandotte. Norwood. Lyndon. Jefferson Coun
Leavenworth Co. Lawrence. Lawrence.
Lawr'ce. (Mother of
six boys, all Rep'ns. De Soto. De Soto. Pleasant Valley.
Lawrence. Lawrence.
Lawrence. Leavenworth Co Leavenworth Co.
Douglas County. Perry. Topeka Topeka. Lexington, Mo. Lafayette Co., Mo. Jefferson County. Lawrence. Wakarusa. Lawrence.
Lawrence. Wakarusa. Lawrence. Lawrence. Lawrence. Lawrence. Lawrence. Coal Creek. Linwood. Lawrence. Lawrence. Lawrence. Leavenworth.
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Name, Place and Date of Birth.
Armstrong, N. H., Berkley county, Va.
Armstrong, May, Geneva., Ill., February 24, 1863. Adams, Franklin G., Rodman, Jefferson county, N. Y., May 13, 1824. Adams, Harriet E., Cincinnati, O., May 18, 1837. Adams, Jessie, Leavenworth, Kan., July 26, 1856. Adams, Azubah, Atchison, Kan., January 13, 1859. Adams, Henry J .. Lecompton, Kan., August 21, 1861. Adams, Harriet, Kickapoo Agency, Kennekuk, Kan., February 20, 1867.
Adams, George, near Atchinson, Kan., Oct. 10, 1869. Adams, Margaret Louisa, near Waterville, Kan., April 13, 1873. Adams, Samuel, Topeka, Kan., December 3, 1877. Allen, Jennie, Iowa, July 22, 1858. Adams, G. L., Mo., August 31, 1852.
Adams, Mrs. Eliza R., Washington county, East Tenn., January 10, 1808. Adams, Mary D., Topsham, Me., January 1, 1862. Anderson, Thomas, Hanover Co , Va., June 10. 1784. Abbott, Allen H , Rockport, Ind., Feb. 14, 1841. Ashbangh, A., Columbus, O., April 19, 1809. Allen, Martin, Monroe county, O , June 29, 1829. Andrews, Mrs. M H., Scotland, May 7, 1828. Ashby, George W., Christiansburg, Ky., May 29, 1829. Allingham, J. J , Co. Kent., August 2, 1821. Anderson, Sarah B., New York, February 17, 1817. Allan, Hannah Jessie, Ill , July 19, 1850.
Allen, A. F., Sharon, Washtenaw county, Mich., Dec. 27, 1836. Atkinson, Wm., England, March 5, 1825. Ashby, Jennie, Baldwin City, February 14, 1861. Ashton, John Q., Mercer county, Pa., Sept. 22, 1830. Ashton, Priscilla D., Westmoreland county, Pa., Jan. 13, 1839. Andrews, W. W., London, Eng., April 27, 1844. Armstrong, John, Oxford, Canada, June 8, 1826. Andrews, E B , Wells River, Vt., June 25, 1837. Adams, James A., Ky., December 22, 1821. Asher, Charles E., Iowa, July 21, 1850. Adamy, U. B., Chemung Co., N. Y., Nov. 13, 1831. Abbott. Mrs. L. A., llavershill, O., Sept. 18, 1848. Allen, Ellen H., Lawrence, September 18, 1860. Adair, S. L., Paint Valley, O., April 22, 1811.
Anthony, D. R., Adams, Mass., August 22, 1824. Armstrong, R. B., Westport, Mo., October 20, 1843. Armstrong, Lucy B , Oxford, Montgomery county, O., July, 31, 1818. Akers, Moses, Floyd county, Ky. , January 28, 1812. Atwood, S. P., Chittenden, Vt., January 18, 1842. Adams, Sidney, Ill., Aug. 25, 1852.
ยท
Acher, D. J., Waterford, Con., March 24, 1834. Andrews, Mattie A., Lynn, Mass., Dec. 5, 1845. Anderson, Eliza A., Pittsburg, Pa., Dec. 29, 1818. Andrews, Orrin D., N. H. Apitz, E. F., Lanton, Ill., December 27, 1859. Atwell, R. H., Johnson, Vt., March 7, 1840.
Ackerman, Theodore, Fond du Lac county, Wis., Aug. 22, 1848. Atchison, J. R., June 14, 1834. Adams, John Quincy, Va. , July 28, 1841.
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