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tion of Lawrence.

A young lad staying at Branson's gave the alarm to the neighbors.

As Jones and his posse passed up the Wakarusa, on his way to Branson's, he was discovered by the free state men, who were returning from the meeting at Hickory Point. S. F. Tappan actually rode among them unawares, and learned from them their destination and object. He, thereupon, hurried back to warn his friends who were at Mr. Abbot's, about half a mile from Blanton's bridge. Messrs. S. N. Wood and Abbot mounted their horses and hurried up to give Branson warning, but on arriving there they found that the arrest had already been made, and learned the particulars of it. Turning to leave, Mrs. Branson inquired where they were going. "To save your husband or die," was the reply. They started in pursuit of Jones, but not being able to find any trail of him, they returned to Mr. Abbot's where they found several persons from Hickory Point. They numbered in all fifteen. men, as follows: S. N. Wood, J. B. Abbot, Paul Jones, Philip Hupp, Minor Hupp, Philip Hutchingson, T. Nichols, Jonathan Keney, Elanore Allen, Carlos Holloway, Rev. Julius Eliot, John Smith, Edward Carlos, Wm. Ears, A. Rowley. Only one of these was from Lawrence. They had eight Sharp's rifles and a few pistols.

While deliberating upon the course to pursue, word was given that Jones and his troops were coming. The free state men immediately filed across the road. When the advancing party spied them they sought to shy around, but were prevented by the extending line of the intercepting force. Whereupon Jones shouted out:

"What's up?"

S. N. Wood-"That's what we should like to know." Abbot-" Is Mr. Branson there?"

Branson-"Yes, I am here, a prisoner." Wood-"If you want to be among your over here."

friends come

Several to Branson-" If you move we will shoot you." Hupp (a Hoosier)-"Shoot and be d-d."

Wood-"Come on, let them shoot if they dare. Gentlemen," (addressing the posse) "shoot but one gun at Mr. Branson, and not a man of you will be left alive."

Branson-"I will do as you say."

Company "Come on, come on."

Branson then crossed over to the rescuing party. Wood (stepping forward and taking hold of the bridle)— "Whose mule is this?"

Branson-"It is theirs."

Wood (turning the mule and hitting it a kick)—“ Go back to your friends."

Jones-"My name is Jones; I have a warrant to arrest old man Branson, and I must serve it.”

Wood-"We know of no Sheriff Jones in Kansas, nor in Douglas County, and what is better, we never intend to know him. We know of a postmaster in Missouri named Jones."

"Jones-"I have a warrant to arrest Branson, and must do it."

Wood-" If you must arrest him, go at it. I am Branson's attorney; if you have a warrant for him, let me see it." Jones-"I have one, but do not see proper to show it at present."

After parleying thus for about an hour, the valiant Sheriff and his posse faced about and hastened, by a circuitous route, to Franklin. He left with threats that he would raise the Territorial militia to enforce the laws. During this altercation, six more persons joined the free state party, two of whom lived in Lawrence-S. F. Tapan and S. C. Smith.

The rescue of Branson was violent and irregular, and can only be excused by the violent and irregular manner of his arrest. His neighbors, already excited and inflamed by the recent murder, were not prepared to brook the midnight as

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sault upon one of their most peaceable and oldest citizens. To aggravate the offense still more, the Sheriff had never exhibited any authority by which the arrest was made, nor stated the cause of it. The excited and indignant farmers hurried to the rescue of one of their number, from what they imagined to be a ruffian mob.

The rescued and rescuers passed on to Lawrence, where they aroused the citizens. The drum and fife rang out on the stillness of the night, and the awakened inmates of the little city hastened to ascertain the cause of so unusual a demonstration. The squad of rescuers drew up before Dr. Robinson's house, and Mr. Branson stepped out and told the story of his wrongs.

Early on the following day, a public meeting was held to counsel together upon the events that had just transpired, and the course to be pursued with reference to them. All knew and felt that the drama was not finished. By the more youthful and passionate it was at first resolved to resist every attempt at arrest by the Territorial authorities. But discretion and prudence prevailed over excitement and rashness. As Lawrence had nothing to do with the rescue or any of the late disturbances at Hickory Point, it was thought best that she should not assume the responsibilities of them. It was known that the Missourians were but too ready to find an excuse for an attack upon the town. From the threats that Jones had made to the rescuers, from the information derived from other sources and what they knew of the character of the Missourians, all felt that an invading horde would soon be upon them.

It was finally decided that Lawrence should have nothing to do with the recent irregular proceedings; that Branson and those connected with the rescue should leave the town. Thus every pretext for an attack upon the place was removed. It was thought proper, however, that some measures of self-defense should be taken, and the following committee of ten persons was appointed to provide for the pro

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