Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

to speak, but was prevented by various motions of other members. After making repeated calls for the attention of the chair he was finally recognized. He began his speech, but was constantly interrupted by groans and hisses and cries of "put him out." Finally Dr. Stringfellow slyly whispered to him that the crowd did not wish to hear a free state man speak. Mr. Parrott claimed to reverence the law, but the law and order men would not listen to him. simply because he was a free state man. Judge Lecompte was there and endorsed Mr. Calhoun's speech. Daniel Woodson joined in the chorus for "law and order." Thus the Governor, Secretary, Chief Justice and Surveyor General held conspicuous places in this "law and order" assembly. Says one speaker, "We must enforce the laws, though we resort to the force of arms; trust to our rifles and make the blood flow as freely as do the turbid waters of the Missouri that flows along our banks."

CHAPTER XX.

BEGINNING OF THE WAKARUSA* war.

During the summer and fall there were frequently disputes in reference to claims by different parties, which sometimes resulted in personal violence and bloodshed. This was especially the case whenever the two conflicting political elements sought the occupancy of the same neighborhood or grounds. Wherever there was a choice locality the first immigrants, of course, laid claim to it. These would frequently consist of free and slave state men. Each would seek to introduce and gather around them immigrants of their own political faith. The grounds being unsurveyed, no courts of justice at hand, inflamed by political excitement, angry contentions and collisions were of frequent occur

rence.

An instance of this character took place at Hickory Point, about ten miles south of Lawrence, on the Santa Fe road, which led to what is termed the Wakarusa war. Hickory Point was a beautiful site of timber and prairie. The first settlers were chiefly from Indiana, but, as in many other cases, some of the original occupants had left their claims. and returned to the States. Several Missourians came in

It

*This is the name of a large creek running south of Lawrence about four miles is so named from › n Ir dian legend, which says that & maiden, during a great freshet, sought to cross it on herse back As she proceeded across, the waters bec me deeper and deeper, unti her body was half immersed, when she exclaimed, "Wakau a.” (hip deep) Though she crossed in safety. still the savages, from this occurrence, named the stream Wakarusa.

and took those claims thus forfeited according to Squatter laws, and fraudulently seized others. Among those who thus came in, was Franklin Coleman.

Difficulties soon ensued between the new comers and the old settlers, which were increased by the return of the original claimants of those lands forfeited by absence. Each party sought to strengthen and increase its numbers. The leader among the free state men, Jacob Branson, had encouraged a young man by the name of W. Dow to settle upon an unoccupied claim.

The pro-slavery men would commit trespasses upon the premises of the free soilers, by cutting their timber, burning lime kilns, and appropriating lumber to their own use. Such acts of depredation Coleman committed upon the premises of Dow. The latter determined not to allow this, and notified Coleman that he must stop his trespasses.

On the morning of the 21st of November Mr. Dow went from his boarding place, Mr. Branson's, to a blacksmith shop a short distance off, and while there was abused and threatened by some pro-slavery men. As he started to return home, one of those who had been most violent in denouncing Dow, raised his gun to shoot him, but his courage failed in the murderous act, and he dropped his weapon. On his way home Mr. Dow fell in company with Mr. Coleman. They conversed together until they arrived opposite Coleman's house. Here they separated; one turned to go up to the house, the other continued in the road; but in a moment Dow was startled by the snap of a gun. He turned round and beheld Coleman putting a fresh cap upon his gun. While the innocent man, with arms upraised towards heaven, implored mercy, Coleman deliberately leveled his piece and, with a sure aim, fired. The whole discharge of slugs and buckshot entered Dow's breast and neck, and he fell backwards upon the ground-dead.

The murderer fled to Westport, where, after consultation.

with his friends, in compliance with their suggestions, he proceeded to surrender himself up to Governor Shannon. But this official being absent, he threw himself into the custody of S. J. Jones. This latter person had been appointed Sheriff of Douglas County by the Territorial Legislature, although he lived in Westport and was acting postmaster there. He had the appearance of a gentleman, but in those days when Border respectability sunk to the depth of villainy, he was the most consummate rogue. He faithfully served his party in contemptible meanness, for which his name will ever stink in the annals of history. He was about thirty years of age, six feet high, of light complexion, and highly esteemed among his friends as a man of courage and energy. He was the acting postmaster at Westport when appointed Sheriff, which office he filled until the spring of 1857. He was soon after appointed collector at El Paso in New Mexico, where he still resides.

Although pro-slavery men were aware of the murder a few moments after it was committed, they refused an act of charity to the dead. The body laid by the roadside until dusk, before the friends of the deceased were aware of the disaster.

The neighborhood in which the deed was committed was filled with excitement and indignation at the sad occurrence. At the funeral, two days afterwards, it was agreed to hold a meeting on the following Monday, to investigate the circumstances relative to the recent outrage. This meeting convened at noon on the spot where Dow was killed. S. F. Tappan and S. N. Wood, of Lawrence, and Mr. Abbot, of the Wakarusa, were present. They appointed a committee "to ferret out and bring the murderers and accomplices to condign punishment." Resolutions extending condolence to the friends of the deceased, and condemning the outrage, were passed. About one hundred. men were in attendance. A proposition was made to burn Coleman's house, only a few steps off, which was strongly

disapproved by the majority. Some one cried out, "All in favor of burning Coleman's house, form a line." Against this many remonstrated, and especially those from Lawrence. Abbott said, "Let us prevent them if they should try to do it." Only two made the attempt. They rushed up, burst open the door, and set the house on fire. S. N. Wood and others hurried up and put the fire out. This gentleman then addressed the meeting, declaiming against such conduct, and moved a resolution in accordance with that sentiment. This house and one or two others were burned the next morning. Some of the pro-slavery families, fearful that violence would be offered them, fled to Missouri.

From the facts brought to light, it was believed that this murder was not prompted by anger or revenge, but proceeded from the pro-slavery spirit to destroy and scare off free state men.

At the suggestion of Governor Shannon, Jones set out with the prisoner for Lecompton. On arriving at Franklin he met with two of Coleman's neighbors. There he entered upon the execution of a deep plot concocted at Shawnee Mission, to involve the citizens of Lawrence in the Hickory Point difficulties, in such a way as to array them against the Territorial government. He induced one of Coleman's friends-Buckley-to go before Esquire Cameron-of recent appointment by the Board of Commissioners-and swear out a peace-warrant for the arrest of old man BranOn the strength of this writ Jones summoned a posse of ten men, which was afterwards increased to about forty, and proceeded to Hickory Point. Arriving at the residence. of Jacob Branson at a late hour of the night, he and his posse forcibly burst open the door, and with pistols cocked, claimed the old man as their prisoner. "Don't you move, or I'll blow you through," said Jones. They took him out of the house, set him on a mule, and started in the direc

« ZurückWeiter »