History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens., Part 68

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1156

USA > Missouri > Platte County > History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens. > Part 68
USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens. > Part 68

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In the flush of their indignation and passion they did what they themselves, when not lost to reason, would not be slow or moderate in condemning - they took the law in their own hands and threw his newspaper office material into the Missouri river.

Regarding his paper as a fire-brand in their midst, a public meeting was hastily called to consider what should be done. It was decided to suppress it, destroy it ; and resolutions were adopted to that effect. A committee 1 was appointed to see that the purpose expressed in the resolutions was accomplished, and on the 15th of April, 1855, by appointment of the committee, a large body of citizens, more than a hundred, met at Parkville to assist or encourage the destruction of the office. The publication was not renewed.

ANTI-SLAVERY MINISTERS EXPELLED.

During the Civil War newspapers were suppressed and minister's interdicted from preaching everywhere in Missouri, for having sympathy with the South. A few years before, they were, in a few instances, proscribed in parts of Western Missouri by individuals for antagonizing Southern institutions. What power beneath the skies can control the passions of men in times of popular commotion ? Until humanity shall grow wiser and better than it has ever been, ex- cesses from time to time will reappear.

About the same time the Luminary office was destroyed, two or

1 The committee was composed of John Winston, Hugh Sweeney, Jesse Miller, Lycurgus Shepard, (Mr. Shepard was not in Parkville the day the office was destroyed), Vard Cockerill, W. J. Miller and Dr. Joseph Walker. Suit was brought against several of them afterwards, and the case was carried into one of the upper counties, and continued over until the war was well under way. It was then compromised by the payment from defendants of $2,500. It was not considered a favorable time to defend against actions brought for the destruction of anti-slavery newspapers.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

three ministers who were charged with backing Abolition doctrines and counseling with the negroes were notified to leave the county. They left shortly after receiving the notification. The names of the only two whom, so far as we have been able to learn, were expelled, were Revs. Christian Morris and Allen. They were ministers in the M. E. Church. Rev. Morris' pastorate was near Hillsboro, in this county, about eight miles from Leavenworth.

THE OUTRAGE UPON WILLIAM PHILLIPS.

The shameless outrage upon William Phillips, of Leavenworth, was no less an outrage upon this county. He was brought over to Weston on the 17th of May, 1855, by parties from Kansas, and most scandalously treated. The following account of the affair has been furnished us by a gentleman residing in Leavenworth :-

Mr. Phillips was a resident of Leavenworth, a lawyer by profession, aud a violent anti-slavery man. He took an active part in politics, and was aggressive, not to say abusive, in his denunciations of slavery and slaveholders. After the spring election he contested the validity of the election of the members of the Legislature from Leavenworth and succeeded in having the result set aside and a new election ordered. The friends of those whose election he had thus attacked and invalidated, claimed that he made a false affidavit and misrepre- sented the facts.

The difficulty assumed a personal cast. He was ordered to leave the country, and, refusing to do so, was seized and taken over to Platte county at or near Weston, where he was tarred and feathered, and one side of his head shaved. He was then rode on a rail and sold at auction, a negro acting as auctioneer, after which he was released.

The perpetrators of the dastardly outrage came on this side of the river to avoid the law in Kansas, and then returned beyond the juris- diction of our courts. They came heavily armed, and set the whole community at defiance. No responsible resident of the county approved the act, but, on the contrary, was everywhere condemned and denounced. The citizens of Weston, especially, were loud in their protest, and at once took steps to protect their community from any similar or other outrage.

ANTI-SLAVERY REBELLION.

In Kansas, after the spring elections of 1855, all the machinery of the territorial government was regularly and lawfully set up and put in motion. Gov. Reeder, of Pennsylvania, had been appointed to the

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

office of Governor of the Territory by the President, and a Secretary, Supreme Court Marshal and other officers had also been appointed, and had entered upon the duties of their respective offices. The Legislature had met and provided a code of laws, and county officers were everywhere peacefully engaged in the discharge of their duties. Their authority was resisted nowhere, and it was hoped that an era of law and order would ensue.

But politicians out of office are the most restless of men. The leaders of the anti-slavery movement, who had proudly hoped to become men of prominence and position in the officiale of the Ter- ritory, were dissatisfied with the result of the elections, and set about to overthrow the government and install themselves in power. Pre- liminary to the accomplishment of this a convention was called to meet at Lawrence on the 14th of August, 1855, which, on the day appointed, was largely attended by the leading free soil men of the Territory. It continued in session two days, and adopted resolutions, calling a con- vention to meet at Topeka on the 19th of September, 1855, for the purpose of drafting a State constitution, and urging anti-slavery settlers to elect delegates to the convention. James H. Lane and John Brown, Jr., were leading spirits in the movement. Lane also caused a similar convention to be held at Big Springs, when violent and revolutionary resolutions were passed.

At Topeka, on the 19th and 20th of September, they went through the form of drafting and submitting a so-called State constitution. After that they refused to take any further part in the regular, law- fully authorized elections in the Territory, and systematically set on foot a movement to disregard and resist the lawful authorities. Holding an election for the adoption of their constitution, at which no body voted but themselves, they, of course, declared it adopted. Thereupon they proceeded to " elect " a Legislature, State officers and all, including even a " Governor." It was always supposed, and is yet, that the President appoints the Governors and State officers of the Territories.

Nevertheless, they set up a full and complete " government," in all its parts, in opposition to the Governor appointed by the President, the Supreme Court also appointed by him, and the Legislature and county officers elected under authority of the laws of the United States. They attempted to nullify the laws of the Territory and the United States, and refused to pay their taxes, obey the writs of the courts, and openly inaugurated a rebellion of the most pronounced

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

character. A militia force was enrolled and armed, numbering 800 men, with John Brown and his sons conspicuous in the force.

TROUBLE BEGINS - WAKARUSA WAR.

In November (1855) Sheriff Jones, of Douglas county, was pro- ceeding on his way to court with a free State prisoner, for whom he had a writ, when he was set upon by a mob of free soilers, heavily armed, and his prisoner taken from him. Bronson, the prisoner, was tendered an ovation when he entered Lawrence, where he delivered a fiery speech against slaveholders and the territorial government. The free soilers resolved to rally around him and defy the authorities. They assembled in full force at that place, all under arms and provided with artillery.

Gov. Shannon called out the militia. In answer to his call a large number of men went from this county and offered their services. Among the first to go was a squad under Capt. L. F. Hollingsworth, though he was not elected captain until the town of Delaware was reached, on the opposite side of the river. Bluford Thompson, of Clay county, was made first lieutenant. Among those remembered as being along were John W. Jones, a lieutenant ; J. W. Miller, Joseph Settle, Dr. Joseph Walker, Johnson Hughes, Archibald Hughes, Daniel Stewart, Robert Tate, George Quinby and Samuel Ralls.

Two considerable squads also went from Weston, one commanded by Capt. Wm. Martin, numbering probably 50 or 75 men.

Others went over about the same time, altogether nearly 300. One company was commanded by Daniel Cary ; W. H. Spratt was first lieutenant. This company numbered 125 men. A battery, consist- ing of two small guns, was taken along. These had been drawn from the State prior to the Kansas troubles, by a company in this county, organized under the old militia laws. Gen. Atchison, Capt. Wallace and G. Sprague accompanied the force. The latter was adjutant. Capt. Hollingsworth yielded the command of his company to Capt. Wallace, who was an experienced officer. Gen. Atchison had general control of the command.

There was no regular organization, however, no drills or anything of the kind. It was simply a spontaneous uprising of volunteers to go over to Kansas, and see to it that Lane and Brown's forces at Law- rence should not overrun the territory, set the laws at defiance, and rob and murder or drive out the pro-slavery settlers.

They proceeded to near the mouth of the Wakarusa, about six miles

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 647

east of Lawrence, where they encamped, and where a large force soon collected. Gov. Shannon also had a considerable force at Lecomp- ton just west of Lawrence. The place was therefore virtually belea- guered. The Governor's combined force, including the Missourians, numbered about 1,500, but largely composed of Kansas territorial militia. Lane and Brown's forces occupied Lawrence ; Dr. C. Robin- son was chief commander.

The militia were now ready to move on the place, but before doing so a conference was called. Fortunately this resulted in at least a temporary adjustment of the difficulties. The free soilers were to let the law take its course, and both sides agreed to disband their forces. The militia were disbanded and the Missourians. returned home.

The only other events that occurred during the so-called Wakarusa War were the capture of S. C. Pomeroy by Capt. Wallace and a squad of his men, including Robt. Tate, Joseph Settle and John W. Jones, of this county, and the killing of Thos. W. Barbee, a free soiler. He and two others were met under arms near Lawrence, by a squad of militia, and on being ordered to surrender, they refused to do so. They were fired upon and Barbee was killed. Thus closed the Wa- karusa War.

HOSTILITIES RE-OPENED - THE TAKING OF LAWRENCE.

The free soilers persisted in going through the form of carrying on a so-called territorial government, in defiance of the regular territorial and the National authorities. Numerous depredations were committed and a great many indictments found by the grand juries. Under the charge of Judge Lecompte, presiding justice of the Supreme Court, appointed and constituted by the President, a number, then leaders, were indicted for treason and warrants issued for their arrest, includ- ing " Governor " Robinson. John Brown and his followers were in open revolt and in arms.

President Pierce sent a message to Congress, January 24, 1856, strongly indorsing the regular territorial government at Lecompton, and declaring that those connected with the so-called Topeka govern- ment were in open rebellion against the properly constituted author- ities. Soon afterwards he issued a proclamation commanding all persons engaged in unlawful combinations against the regular govern- ment of Kansas to disperse and retire peaceably to their homes.

On the 19th of April, 1856, Sheriff Jones attempted to arrest S. N. Woods at Lawrence, and was openly resisted by an armed mob. The next day he renewed his efforts to apprehend the offender and com-

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

manded the bystanders (free soilers) to assist him. They refused. On the 23d he returned with a force of U. S. troops and took into custody several prisoners for whom he had writs. That night an at- tempt was made to assassinate him and he was seriously wounded.

Soon afterwards the militia was called out to assist in enforcing the law. Citizens of Platte county again volunteered for the main- tenance of law and order in the territory. Several hundred went, all under the command of Maj. Jesse Morin. Among them was a company under Capt. John Wallace. His company, after they arrived then enlisted in the regular Kansas militia and remained in Kansas nearly or quite a year. This was thought to be necessary to assist in protecting the people against the depredations - murders, arsons and almost every crime in the catalogue - of the Browns, Montgomerys, Mountjoys and other freebooters and desperadoes.

In May, 1856, the volunteers proceeded from this county to Wa- karusa and thence to Lecompton. Uniting with the regular Kansas militia and with other volunteers from Missouri, they were then or- dered to move on Lawrence. Within a short distance of the place the troops were halted and Sheriff Jones, Deputy U. S. Marshal Fain, Capt. Wallace and several others went forward to see whether or not resistance would be again made to the execution of the process of the courts. No armed force was to be seen anywhere ; they had fled the place. The sheriff had a number of writs, but the parties against whom they were issued could not be found.

The grand jury had condemned the stone hotel building in Lawrence as a refuge and fortress for armed outlaws, and the court had ordered its destruction. A couple of newspapers published there were also con- demned as seditious publications, advising assassination and other crimes. They were also ordered to be destroyed.

The property was removed from the hotel and the United States Deputy Marshal ordered the cannons to be opened upon it. It was soon in ruins. The newspaper offices were in the building and were destroyed at the same time.

It now being believed that no further resistance of any importance would be met with by the officers of the law, the Missourians, except Capt. Wallace and his company, and a few others, again returned to their homes.

The respectable element of the free State colonists now yielded obedience to the law and resumed their usual occupations ; but the outlaw element went on the road and engaged in all kinds of crimes and depredations. John Brown and forty men went to the residence

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

of an old man by the name of Doyle, on the night of the 24th of May, and, pretending that he was sent to have the old gentleman and his two sons appear before an investigating committee, fell upon them in their own yard and brutally murdered all three of them. From this time on murders, robberies and outrages of all kinds were kept up until after Brown was driven out of the Territory.

THE ROUT OF BROWN AT OSAWATOMIE.

Soon affairs in Kansas again assumed such a phase that both the Kansas territorial militia and the regular troops were kept constantly employed in pursuit of armed bands of marauders'and thieves. The country was in a state of anarchy.

Once more the citizens of this county were called upon to cross the line. Acting Gov. Woodson issued a proclamation calling on all law abiding people to assist in restoring law and order.

Volunteers went over from this county in strong force -about 400 of them. Gen. Atchison was at the head of the force, though Col. Jno. W. Reid was the active military commander. They camped on Bull creek, about twenty or twenty-five miles from Osawatomie, the home and headquarters of the notorious John Brown, and there they were joined by other forces. The principal officers of the combined forces were Gen. Jno. W. Reid, B. F. Stringfellow, L. A. Maclean, J. W. Whitfield, Geo. W. Clarke, Wm. A. Heiskell, N. P. Richardson, F. J. Marshall and H. T. Titus.

While encamped at Bull creek, on the 28th of August, Gen. Reed called for volunteers from the command to make a forced march upon Osawatomie for the capture of John Brown and his party. More men offered themselves than were needed. Gen. Reid selected about 50 from the entire number, most of whom were from this county, in- cluding Capt. Wallace, Capt. J. W. Miller, Granville Adkins and others.

Starting after dark, they reached Osawatomie about sunrise, and as they came in sight of the town they were fired upon by one of Brown's pickets, who proved to be a son of his. Frederick Brown, after firing upon Reid's advance, fled toward Osawatomie at full speed, but was hotly pursued and was overtaken by several of the pursuing party. Rev. Martin White shot him dead from his horse.

Brown and his party had taken a son of Rev. White's from his home a short time before and, in cold blood, had murdered him. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth had now been taken.

The pursuing party dashed up into the town and began firing into

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Brown's men indiscriminately. The latter, having heard the shooting on the approach of the militia, attempted to form and withstand the attack, but without success. After the first fire they fled precipitately and rushed into the timber on the Marais Du Cygne river, without order and every one for himself. Reid's men were among them when they reached the river, shooting right and left and every where, and it seemed that none of them would escape. But thoroughly panicked, and without stopping either to fight or surrender, Brown and his whole company jumped into the river and swam across to the opposite side. Several were shot on this side and several while in the stream. Some of them were taken prisoners and were afterwards turned over to the authorities of Kansas, except one, an inhuman butcher known as " Dutch Charley," who attempted to escape and was shot.

Brown reported that he had but 41 men, but several of the attack- ing party, whose judgment as former soldiers and whose word as citizens may be relied upon, say that he had at least 120.1 It was not a great while after this that he went to Virginia.

ATTACK UPON AND ROBBERY OF HICKORY POINT.

About this time, or soon afterwards, a scouting party from Law- rence, under one Harvey, was engaged in a series of robberies and outrages in the vicinity of Hickory Grove, in Jefferson county. They robbed Judge Kuykendall, formerly of this county ; 'Squire Perry Fleshman, also from Platte county (from whom they stole a horse), and a number of others. They now moved on Hickory Grove to sack that place. Col. Sam. A. Lowe was the leading citizen of the place, and kept a hotel there. 'Squire Fleshman sent him word that the mauraders intended to make a descent on the town, and he hastily collected about eighteen men and prepared to make a defense. Among Lowe's men were John Huntington, William Gardiner, William Mayatt, and several others who had settled there from Platte county. They all took shelter in a heavily-built log blacksmith shop.

The marauders were more than a hundred strong, and had a six- pound cannon. They opened on the shop with both cannon and small arms. Lowe's men replied by a spirited fire. The fight was kept up from about 10 a. m. until night.

In the afternoon a squad of militia came up, about eighteen in num- ber. After their arrival a triangular fight was carried on ; but they

1 Facts furnished by Mr. Granville Adkins and several others.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

were not strong enough to drive the marauders off. In this squad were several from this county, including First Lieut. Randolph, Second Lieut. Richard Bennett and William Rader, now of Platte City.

Twice attempts were made to burn the shop by running wagon loads of hay, set on fire, against it. Both attempts failed. Lowe's men lay flat on the dirt floor, and continued to load and shoot in that position. During a momentary cessation of the firing William Mayatt, formerly of the vicinity of Iatan, in this county, stepped to the door to see what was being done on the outside. He was instantly shot, and fell mor- tally wounded. He died the next day.

During the night the marauders raised the siege and moved off to- ward Leavenworth. They were captured the next day by a command of U. S. dragoons, and were afterwards indicted and tried for murder, robbery and other crimes

All the " chinking " was knocked out of the log shop by the can- non, and several logs were knocked in. One ball knocked the horn of the anvil off, and by another the stock of the gun of one of the defending parties was shattered to pieces.

" THE HEROINE OF THE KANSAS WAR."

During the progress of the fight at Hickory Grove, and late in the afternoon, an incident occurred which illustrated, in a thrilling and noble manner, the heroism and self-sacrificing devotion of wife and womankind. Mr. Huntington, one of the defenders of the fort, re- sided a short distance out of town. All day his wife had watched with blanched cheeks and tremoring heart the terrible bombardment going on. At each report of the cannon she felt that her own life would go out, of despair ; and when the attempts were made to burn the building all hope seemed to be lost.

At last she determined to go to her husband -take her own life in her hands and go to him, or perish in the attempt; go and be with him, and care for him if he were wounded and dying, or if he were still unhurt, but doomed to die in the fort, to stay by his side and die with him. What the bravest of the brave would not have dared to undertake, she was resolved to do-run the gauntlet of a galling fire and join the defenders of the fort.

Accordingly, saddling a horse and providing herself with water and other refreshments for her husband and friends, she mounted into the saddle and made a desperate dash for the fort. The men on the inside and their friends on the outside sent up a wild cheer, that fairly shook the earth ; and the marauders - even they ceased to fire and joined in loud huzzas.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

CLOSE OF THE TROUBLES.

This was one of the closing events of the Kansas troubles, so far as Platte county's connection with them is concerned. The marau- ders, opposite to this county, generally were either put down or driven from the country. A number of them were sent to the peniten- tiary, for differing terms of service.

In the meantime Gens. Atchison and Reid had gone into encamp- ment at Franklin, near Lawrence, where a force of about 2,700 men were collected, including a large force of Kansas territorial militia. They were visited by Gov. Geary, who had succeeded Gov. Shannon in office, and were warmly thanked for the service they had rendered the territory in the work of restoring law and order. He assured them that from that time forward he was satisfied he could maintain order with the forces of the regular United States troops and of the Kansas territorial militia whom he could call out at his command.

The following preamble and resolutes speak for themselves : -

" WHEREAS, Under the proclamation of acting Governor Woodson we have reached the town of Franklin, three miles from Lawrence, on our way to the latter place in search of an organized band of mur- derers and robbers said to be under the command of Lane - who have plundered and butchered large numbers of our fellow-citizens -- with the intention of overpowering and driving that band from the territory ; and,

" WHEREAS, We have met and conferred with Gov. Geary, who arrived into the territory since we were called into the field, and who has given us satisfactory assurances of his intention and power to execute the laws of the territory and called on us to dissolve our pre- sent organization and to leave the preservation of the peace of the territory to his hands ; and,

" WHEREAS, Gov. Geary has assured us of his intention to muster into service a portion of the militia of the territory for the purpose of giving the strongest guaranty of protection of its citizens .; therefore,

"RESOLVED, 1. Thatrelying upon the assurances of Gov. Geary, and the spirit of order-loving and law-abiding citizens, we cordially con- form to his wishes by dissolving our organization, and that we will disperse to our homes as speedily as the circumstances in which we are placed will admit.

"2. That the Governor be requested to recognize and place in the field a battalion (part mounted and part infantry ) of Kansas militia and distribute them over the territory in such a manner as will best protect the settlers in their homes, persons and property.

" 3. That in view of the condition of things in Southern Kansas, we respectfully recommend to the Governor that he station a company of one hundred mounted men on Pottawatomie creek in Franklin, An-

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

derson and Lykins counties to give protection to the law-abiding citizens of that section of the country.

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Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1156

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1156