CONTENTS.

Great American Desert

-

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION.

Opening of California - Colonel Fremont's Route-
Kansas-Scenery - Soil - Climate-Extent of the Missouri Compromise
—Its Repeal — Blue Lodge-Meetings in Missouri,

CHAPTER II.

THE FIRST ELECTION AND FIRST INVASION.

1

New England Aid Company-First Parties - Lawrence-First Election-
Census-First Winter-Second Invasion-Protests-Meeting at Leaven-
worth,

10

-

Kansas City, Mo. - Westport — Baptist Mission-Election-day-Threats

Against Gov. Reeder - Members Elect of Legislature - Mission Church—

Ride to Lawrence-Scenery,

34

CHAPTER IV.

LAWRENCE.

Drives in the Country-Calls on Pioneers - First Attendance at Church, .36

CHAPTER V.

KANSAS HOMES.

Death of Mrs. T.-Scarcity of Provisions-Arrival of a Friend - A Gentle-

man from Massachusetts - Silver Mist-City People in Kansas - Spider-

wort-Company-Sabbath-School-Heavy Showers-Homes - Steamer-

Election-Tour in the Country - Emigration-Visit to a Friend - Hard-

ships of Settlers-Preaching on Capitol Hill-Death of Dr. Clark, . . 43

-

-

CHAPTER VI.

ILLS OF PIONEER LIFE.

Cold Weather Communion - Cholera - Rattlesnakes - Sickness - Oppres-
sion- A Night in an open House and heavy Shower - Morning Ride-
Fourth of July-Pro-Slavery Rage - Visit at Dr. B.'s - Rumors of War-
Assault upon Mr. C.-"Fish's" Company,

CHAPTER VII.

KANSAS LAWS GOV. SHANNON.

-

62

Rains Laws - Government Officials Convention at Lawrence Street

Broils-Leavenworth Herald-Camp Meeting-Gov. Shannon-Hunga-

rian Doctor-Gov. Shannon at Westport - Western Emigrants - Free

Negro-Gov. Shannon Visits Lecompton-Delegate Convention at Topeka

-Convention at Lawrence-Rumors of Invasion,

CHAPTER VIII.

79

Prairie Fires - Cold-Constitutional Convention - Military Supper - Mr. C.

ill-General Sickness - Returned Emigrants - Death of Dow - Branson

Rescue Meeting at Lawrence,

-

95

CHAPTER IX.

WAKARUSA WAR- PREPARATIONS.

Judge Lecompte at November Court- Grand Mass Convention at Leavenworth

-

rence

-

- News from the Border-Woodson's Despatch - Reinforcements at Law-

Enemy's Camp-Missouri Despatches-Meeting at Lawrence-

Gen. Clark shoots his Friend - Strong Defences will save Bloodshed - Mc-

Crea's Escape,.

Gov. Shannon's Proclamation - -"Sheriff Jones" at Lawrence- -A Vermonter

-Pro-Slavery Men leave Town - Our Men drilling - Guard fired upon

-The Messrs. P. escape from Missourians - Western Neighbors.

gers to Gov. Shannon-A Dream,.

Messengers taken Prisoners - Rescuers Howitzer

Barber shot-Gov. Shannon's Pass-The Governor at Lawrence-Depreda-

tions- Terrible Night-Generals R. and L. visit Franklin-Dissatisfaction
of the Invading Army-The Treaty - Dinner - Meeting at Council-Room
Rumor from the Camp-Commission of Generals R. and L. - Peace
Party-Released Prisoners - Present Lull,

-

CHAPTER XII.

FUNERAL OF BARBER DEATH OF R. P. BROWN.

-

. 141

Election for State Constitution - Affray at Leavenworth - Funeral of Barber
-S. and T. taken to Lecompton - Convention at Lawrence Severe
Weather-Destitution - Outrage at Leavenworth-Kickapoo Pioneer-
Little Boy-Clear Morning-Odd Sleighs-Attack at Easton - R. P.
Brown killed - Men driven from their Homes - Death of Major Robinson
- Ride after a Mule - New Plans of the Enemy - Kickapoo Pioneer - The
Interposition of God - Provisions A Winter to be remembered,

-

-

-

CHAPTER XIII.

. . 160

THE WINTER IN THE TERRITORY STATE LEGISLATURE.
Cabins in the Forts - Firing-Our People - Atchison's Letter - Settlers'
Endurance - The Probability of Attack - Indians A Wedding - Eastern
Newspapers Correspondence of Gov. Shannon and Maj. Clark — - Presi-
dent's Message The Twenty-second of February - River open - Legisla-
ture Rumors of Arrest - Religious Societies - Osawattomie - Hampden
--Topeka --Wabousa -- Manhattan - Council City -- State Officers -- Sharpe's
Rifles taken at Lexington-Corner-stone of Unitarian Church laid- Our
House finished-Calls on Settlers-Receptions,
177

-

-

CHAPTER XIV.

-

COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION -"SHERIFF JONES SHOT.

April- Quiet- Emigration - Arrests Committee of Investigation - Re-
hearsal -"Sheriff Jones" shot - Meeting at Lawrence - Fugitive from
Arrest-Incidents The People indignant Attempt to excite the Mis-

May-party at Hotel-New Outrages The Committee of Investigation at
Tecumseh Visit at Topeka - Big Springs - Washington - Incidents
Tecumseh A Friend's Cabin - Boarding House - Buford's Men-- Judge
Lecompte's Charge to Grand Jury- A Writ of Attachment for Gov. Reeder -
The Marshal's Proclamation-Pro-Slavery Letters Continual Outrages
upon Free-State Men in the Territory and in Missouri,

CHAPTER XVI.

THE ATTACK UPON LAWRENCE.

Rumors of the threatened Attack - Letters to the Governor and Marshal, with

their replies-Miller arrested - Gov. Shannon's Reply to the Messrs.

Eldridge Jones and Stewart killed-The Sacking of Lawrence,

-

THE REIGN OF TERROR IN KANSAS.

229

Robberies between Lawrence and Kansas City-The U. S. Mail Searched

'Reign of Terror" at Leavenworth - Dr. R. and Mr. M. taken Prisoners-

Marshal Donaldson's Pass Officers in the Invaders' Camp-Gov. Shannon

- Outrages,

-

---

249

-

Trip up the River - Excitement at Kansas City Battle at Prairie City-

Missourians driven out -Sack of Osawattomie - Judge C. and Mr. C.

ordered away from Lecompton - Attempted Arrest of Judge C. - Murder

of Cantrell Outrage upon Messrs. Bailey, Hill, Barlow, Rev. Mr. Webster,

and others,

.273

CHAPTER XX.

TWO WEEKS IN JUNE ON THE MISSOURI BORDER.

Pro-Slavery Men - Gov. Robinson's Guard -

- Gov. Shannon and Col. Sumner

-The Investigating Committee-Westport and Kansas City - W. Donelson

Missouri Women

- Leavenworth Conversation of

Western Women - Lawrence - Hopkins killed,

. 290

CHAPTER XXI.

THE U. S. CAMP

DISPERSION OF LEGISLATURE.

Visit the Camp-Legate and Hoyt arrested - New Orders of Cramer - Emi-

grants disarmed and sent back - Gay, the Indian Agent, killed Bu-

chanan Ratification Meeting - More Prisoners - Lecompton alarmed –

Camp moved to protect it Log Prison- Cheerfulness- -"Law-and-order"

Discomforts More Emigrants turned back-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The President dumb - Moved
Camp again-Gen. Smith - Gov. and Mrs. Shannon Col. Titus W. P.
Fain - Heavy Showers - Efforts to diminish the Comfort of the Prisoners
- Perkins assaulted - Mr. Wilson. - Concert Preaching-"Law-and-

order" Men in Conclave-Gov. Shannon removed - Southerners build

Forts Destruction of Fort on Douglas Creek - Free-State Emigrants

arrived - Battle at Franklin Murder of Hoyt - Destruction of Fort on

Washington Creek, and of Titus' Stronghold - Panic at Lecompton -

Treaty,

-

-

316

CHAPTER XXIII.

NEW INVASION RELEASE OF STATE PRISONERS.

-

Murder of Ross- Outrage upon Free-State Lady-Woodson calls out Militia
-New Intention to destroy Lawrence Committee from Lawrence calls upon
the Governor-More Troops from the Fort-Wagons taken near Leaven-
worth Mr. Nute and others taken Prisoners Messrs. H. and S. retained
at Lecompton-Eighty Troops go to Lawrence Osawattomie destroyed-
Missourians driven out- Houses burned U. S. Marshal visits Lawrence
- Men murdered-Free-State Army goes to Lecompton-Mob-law at
Leavenworth-Release of Prisoners at Leavenworth Gov. Geary arrived
-Release of State Prisoners - Jubilee at Lawrence,

-

-

CHAPTER XXIV.

-

AN APPEAL TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

.328

APPENDIX

349