the destroyer, the air was filled with their wild shrieks and piteous wails. Armed bands from Missouri, or gangs of Southerners, were constantly scouring the country, but all moving towards and gathering around Lawrence, in response to Secretary Woodson's proclamation, by which they legalized their proceedings. On the other hand, free state men were not idle. We have noticed the bold strokes and determined movements of an outraged and brave people. But aside from these, there were instances of pro-slavery neighborhoods and families being visited, robbed and otherwise abused, sometimes in retaliation for similar offenses received, more frequently by desperate and reckless characters, to satisfy their love of plunder and crime.

At the opening of the fall term of court, the State prisoners at Lecompton reported themselves ready for trial. But the Government was not ready, witnesses were not to be had, &c., and Judge Lecompte then discharged them upon bail for their appearance at the next term of court. The bonds ranged from five hundred to five thousand dollars. On the 10th of September, just four months after their arrest, they were set at liberty, and returned to the "treasonable city" of Lawrence.

At the spring term of court the prisoners again appeared for trial. The prosecuting attorney entered his nolle prosequi in all cases of treason. Governor Robinson was tried for usurpation of office, but was acquitted, the testimony showing that he was sworn in as Governor of the State of Kansas before there was such a State, and there was no such an office at that time known to the law.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

GOVERNOR GEARY.

Colonel John W. Geary was appointed by President Buchanan to supersede Mr. Shannon as Governor of Kansas. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was, at the time young men generally receive the most help from parents, thrown upon the world with the patrimony of a debt and the support of a widowed mother. He soon relieved himself of the former, contributed to the latter by teaching, and at the same time devoted himself assiduously to study. He graduated at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, and, not liking the vocation of a teacher, first became a surveyor in Kentucky, and then in several other States. IIe afterwards filled all the offices, from clerk to superintendent, in the Alleghany Portage Railroad Company. On the breaking out of the Mexican war, he volunteered his services as a soldier, was first made Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Pennsylvania Regiment, and afterwards, upon the death of the Colonel, became his successor. He rendered valuable service in the war, for which, on the 22d of January, 1849, President l'olk appointed him to the office of postmaster at San Francisco. On Mr. Taylor's coming into power, he was superseded; but was immediately unani mously elected by the citizens first alcalde of that city. The following year, under the first city charter, he was chosen mayor. All these various positions he filled with ability and general satisfaction to the public. In 1852 he

left the Golden Gate, on a six months leave of absence, to visit his family and friends in Pennsylvania. Soon after his return home, his wife and several near relatives died, on account of which affliction he abandoned the idea of going back to California.

He was appointed Governor of Kansas in the latter part of July, and immediately prepared to start to the scene of his new labors and responsibilities. He reached Jefferson city on the 5th of September, where he held a conference with Governor Price, whom he engaged to remove the obstructions to free state travel on the Missouri. Soon afterwards, the navigation of this river was open and free to all the citizens of the Union. As the Governor ascended the Missouri, he witnessed the wild commotion of the citizens along its banks. At Glasgow, Capt. Jackson embarked a company of "Kansas Militia," and a cannon, on the same boat, and the new Governor had the pleasure of their company as far as Kansas City, where he beheld, in wildest confusion, a genuine display of Border Ruffianism.

The appointment of Gov. Geary was not at all satisfactory to the Border chiefs. They knew that he would not favor their nefarious designs, and hence desired a man selected from their number. The following is a portion of an address sent forth to their pro-slavery allies.

"We have asked the appointment of a successor, who was acquainted with our condition; who, a citizen of the Territory, identified with its history, would not be prejudiced or misled by falsehoods which have been so systematically fabricated against us; one who heretofore is a resident, as he is a native, of a non-slaveholding State, yet not a slaveholder, but has the capacity to appreciate, and the boldness and integrity requisite, to discharge his duty, regardless of the possible effect it might have upon some petty politician in a distant State.

"In his stead we have one appointed who is ignorant of our condition, a stranger to our people, who, we have cause to fear, will, if no worse, prove no more efficient to protect us than his predecessors.

"With, then, a Governor which has proved imbecilehas failed to enforce the laws for our protection-with an army of lawless banditti overrunning our country-what shall we do?

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Though we have full confidence in the integrity and fidelity of Mr. Woodson, now acting as Governor, we know not at what moment his authority will be superseded. We cannot await the occasion of the incoming of our newly appointed Governor. We can not hazard a second edition of imbecility or corruption.

"We must act at once effectively. These traitors, robbers and assassins must be punished; must now be taught a lesson they will remember.

"This is no mere local quarrel; no mere riot; but it is war; a war waged by an army; a war professedly for our extermination. It is no mere resistance to the laws, no simple rebellion of our citizens, but a war of invasion-the army, a foreign army-properly named the 'Army of the North.'

"It is not only the right, but the duty of all good citizens of Missouri, and every other State, to come to our assistance, and enable us to expel these invaders.

"Mr. Woodson, since the resignation of Governor Shannon, in the absence of Governor Geary, has fearlessly met the responsibilities of the trust imposed upon him, has proclaimed the existence of rebellion, and called on the militia of the Territory to assemble for its suppression.

"We call on you to come! to furnish us assistance in men, provisions and munitions, that we may drive out the Army of the North,' who would subvert our government and expel us from our homes."

These extracts will give an idea of the address thus sent forth to the Missourians. We have seen how they promptly responded. But we have also seen, they dearly purchased their plundering success. Still they were not satisfied. They wished the war to continue. Their strength was daily increasing; the provisions of the people of Lawrence and other free state towns were well nigh exhausted, and hence they were confident of success. They closely guarded the roads to Kansas City and Leavenworth, and seized every

load of provision designed for the opposite party. When protection was asked of Secretary Woodson against these robberies, he answered, "submit to the Territorial laws and I will protect you."

In consequence of being cut off from supplies, and their scanty provisions at home being exhausted, free state men were frequently led by the first law of nature to make raids upon pro-slavery neighborhoods, and gather forage therefrom. For this purpose the Topeka boys visited the settlements at Burlington, Osawkee and Tecumseh, and farms adjoining their town. There was no other resource to obtain food for themselves and friends. Other free state men and towns were in some instances compelled to do likewise.

It was the design of the Border chiefs to delay in some way the arrival of Governor Geary until they had accomplished their purpose in inflicting summary punishment upon the settlers of Kansas. They wished to utterly destroy Lawrence and other free state towns, expel Lane and his force from the Territory, and intimidate all others. It was this scheme which created the commotion along the Missouri river, the mustering and shipment of troops two hundred miles from the Border. Governor Geary, on taking passage in the boat at Jefferson City, was warned by an armed ruffian that if he attempted to interfere with the arrangements of the pro-slavery party in the Territory, he would be assassinated.

But the Missourians, from some cause, failed to delay Governor Geary's approach, and he arrived in the Territory just in time to quash their movements. He reached Fort Leavenworth on the 9th of September. He had not been there but a few hours before a United States sergeant came in with a sad report to General Smith. He had been detailed as safe-guard to conduct Samuel Sutherland, E. B. Whitman and Abraham Wilder from Lawrence to Fort Leavenworth. When within a few miles of the latter place, Emory and his party seized the three men named, and with