PREVIOUS to commencing the regular labors of the fourth quarter, a tour was to be made to Southern Kansas. Accordingly, in the last days of July, I set out. The weather was intensely warm, and the flies, in day-time, almost beyond endurance.

     Desirous of knowing the state of things below the line, I determined to cross into the State and take my route down South through the border counties, visiting our Missouri brethren by the way, recross into the Territory near Fort Scott, and then return by the military road. My first point was Independence. Here I found our little band free from positive violence, but greatly intimidated, and under continual apprehensions of an outbreak.

     Passing on down through Cass county, I spent a little time at Harrisonville. The mob spirit here had broken forth; the circuit preacher had been expelled, and efforts had been made to fix the usual charges of abolitionism and incendiary purposes upon a venerable superannuated minister of our Church, resident in the vicinity, Rev. William Ferril, who had spent most of his life in Missouri. His house was visited by the gang; but his venerable years and high standing in the community, with his own personal courage, saved him from actual violence.

     Thence I traveled to West Point, near the Territorial line, visiting the brethren there; then recrossed into the Territory and took the old military road south. In the vicinity of Jeru's old French trading post, mentioned in the previous part of this volume, I found, during this visit, an interesting field hitherto unoccupied by our preachers. I

tarried, visited the sick, preached, organized a society, and left them encouraged. Here, however, I submitted to a tax, to me more annoying than any thing else encountered in frontier travel, involving, as it did, loss of rest, and subsequent debility and unfitness for encountering the heat and fatigue. On retiring at bedtime, I observed that the family eschewed the beds and took lodgings on the floor. A pallet was offered me, but I took a bed. The secret, however, was soon explained by the depleting process to which I was subjected during the night. On my return, I had resolved to profit by the experience of the past and share in the floor accommodations. But, on arriving, I was pleased to find that, in the interim, the cabin had undergone a thorough renovation; the intruders had suffered summary vengeance, and all was prepared for a due reception. So the point was practically gained without resorting to a homily, as our fathers sometimes did, on "cleanliness next to godliness."

     Crossing the Maries Des Cygnes, or Osage River as it is here called, at Jeru's, I made my way to Fort Scott, since so noted in the border struggle. Twelve years before I had, as the reader has seen, visited this place under circumstances of difficulty, when occupied by a garrison, and been subjected to the exercise of a little "brief authority." Now it had been evacuated, the costly buildings had, for a trifling consideration, been sold to a few border men, and a stronghold established where scenes of violence and blood have been plotted and executed, keeping the adjacent country in excitement and terror.

      A preacher from one of the Conferences, such as brethren probably thought "would do for the frontier," had been recommended, transferred, and sent to this place. Here I found him enjoying the cool shades of one of the Fort buildings, inefficient, unemployed, uninfluential; just the man to bring our cause and work into disrepute. Finding, at the Fort, no resting-place for the soles of my feet, I left an appointment for the next day--Sabbath--to be arranged by our nominal representative, and, driving to some dis-

tance, I found a temporary home at the cabin of Mr. Griffith, a former acquaintance and graduate of Asbury University, since prominent in the history of the Territory.

     Returning to the Fort at the time appointed, I had the mortification to find that the hands to which my appointment was committed, had proved too timid, or too inefficient, for the accomplishment even of that task. No arrangement was made, and I was doomed, after listening incog. to an illiterate and bitter tirade against "Northern Methodism," from a herald of the "Gospel of peace," to retire from this place without a hearing; the first and only time that I submitted to that mortification; and then only because I had for once consented to act through another. I met no personal insult, but my buggy, standing on the square, received an assault, intended or unintended, from the effects of which it never recovered.

     Before the ensuing session of our Conference, the doughty transfer had left for his trans-Mississippi home, and the Conference, in due appreciation of his labors, generously discontinued him, leaving his valuable services to those who had so disinterestedly recommended him. If the older Conferences find themselves in possession of drones, let them not send them to the frontier. There is no place where both their nerve and caliber will be more promptly tested. It may well be supposed that the associated recollections of my two visits to this spot were not the most agreeable. I hope for it a better future. Some further glances over the line were made on my way home.

     Conference was now approaching, and the 1st of September found me again on the Manes Des Cygnes, commencing the brief and partial labors of the fourth quarter. Here I met with a preacher from just across the line, who desired a place in the Territory. At the subsequent Conference I applied for him; but, in the judgment of brethren, "he could not be spared." Another was kindly offered as "suitable for our work," whom, on my declining, they found reason to honor with a location, unsought. Such is

the dependent condition of frontier work; and such it must remain, while a mere appendage of other Conferences. Their "tender mercies are cruel."

     From this place I visited Ossawatamie, so named from its beautiful situation at the junction of the Osage River and Pottawatamie Creek; a place destined to a subsequent historical fame in the after struggles of the country. To this place I had been repeatedly invited by O. P. Brown, Esq., an early settler and proprietor, known in Kansas as the real "Ossawatamie Brown," but whose cognomen was subsequently transferred by the Eastern press to John Brown, of Harper's Ferry notoriety. Here I preached and formed some pleasant acquaintances.

     Another Sabbath found me on Independence Creek, holding the quarterly meeting for Fort Leavenworth mission, in the vicinity of Atchison, famous for floating "abolitionists" down the river on logs. Threats had been made that our quarterly meeting should not be suffered to be held. Our brethren in the neighborhood had been so intimidated as to omit all preparation. The day came. Our Saturday exercises were duly attended to; our presence became known, and on Sabbath we had a respectable congregation. I tried to preach a faithful sermon from 2 Peter iii, 14. Some of the gang were in attendance, but "not a dog moved his tongue." After service, they were invited to remain and dine, which they did, demeaning themselves well and retiring peaceably. At this meeting, among others, was Judge Collins, who soon after met a violent death at Doniphan; a man to be remembered.

     Passing through the Delaware lands on my return, I met Rev. J. H. Dennis and lady on their way to Leavenworth, where, by special arrangement, he was to preach the ensuing Sabbath. From him I learned that, during my absence, quite an excitement had broken out among the Wyandotts; or rather among the reckless half-breeds, urged on by unprincipled white men. A transient man, a hanger-on of our Church, charged with tampering with slaves, had been

seized, abused, and driven off by a mob; and a committee had been appointed, who only waited my return, to "warn me out" of the Nation. Quite a consternation had spread, especially in the female department of some of the families associated with us, and my return was looked to as a crisis. Upon learning from me that arrangements for his labor at Leavenworth were not as contemplated, brother D. and wife accompanied me back.

     On reaching home, I found that my excellent brother Dennis had communicated to my eldest son, then for a time with us, the state of things, taking the kind precaution of admonishing him "not to tell his mother." But he, knowing her temperament better than his adviser, went home and deliberately informed her of all. I found her perfectly cool and self-possessed as to herself and family, though not without apprehensions on my behalf. "It is you they are after;" said she, "I have no fears whatever in your absence." A call had actually been made by unwonted visitors, supposed to have been the appointed committee of notification, but not finding me, they had, after being politely treated, retired without making known their errand.

     My course was soon fixed. I thought I knew where the mainspring among the Wyandotts was; and I determined to confront the matter at once. The Council was to sit in a few days, and I resolved to bring the subject before them. Meanwhile Mud-Eater, one of the Chiefs on whose integrity and friendship I relied, called at my house. I consulted with him, and he approved the course.

     All English communications were made to the Council through ----, the United States interpreter, a name well known, and one who has since acted a part in Kansas affairs; the very man whom I suspected, and whom, above all others, I wished to confront. I suggested to my friend, the Chief, that ---- might not interpret faithfully, and thus defeat my object by misrepresenting my statements. "No," said he, "he dares not do that; there are too many of us that understand English."
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     The day came; the Council convened, and my talk was heard. I said to them in substance as follows : "When I came into your country, I asked your permission to reside for a time among your people. I told you then that I should endeavor to conduct myself well, and to 'do you good, and not harm.' You granted me the leave, and received me kindly. Your people have treated me well. My home among you has been pleasant; I have nothing to complain of. I, too, on my part, have tried to demean myself properly. I have not interfered in the affairs of the Nation, nor in any way sought to produce excitement. I have tried, as I promised, to do you 'good, and not harm.' I have learned, however, that, during my late absence, a very great excitement has prevailed in the Nation, attended with some violence. I am also informed that one of the causes of this excitement is my residence among you. Now, if my residence here is likely to produce disturbances among the Wyandott people, I will at once remove out of the Nation, inconvenient as it would be at present to do so. Understand me. I am not asking the Council to protect me; that I will attend to myself. All I want is a frank expression from the Council. Should you now, or at any subsequent time, think my removal necessary to the peace of the Nation, I wish you to say so, and I will at once retire without its limits."

     The speech was interpreted, sentence by sentence, and was heard respectfully. A long period of silence followed, I almost began to think I should get no reply. At length the old Head-Chief, Ta-roo-me, signified his readiness to announce the decision. But the interpreter, meanwhile had retired, having a seeming disrelish for the business. Another was called to act pro tem., and, through him, I was addressed about as follows "We gave you leave to come among us. You have behaved yourself well, and done us 'good, and not harm.' We have nothing against you. There is no cause for your leaving our Nation. You need not mind the threats of these lawless fellows. They

are not sustained by our people. Should we at any time think it necessary for you to leave the Nation, we will let you know."

     Making, in turn, my best acknowledgments, I retired. Here this bit of diplomacy ended. On leaving the Council-House, I found my quondam, friend, the interpreter, solitarily musing outdoors. I approached him, and entered into conversation. He disclaimed all participation in the late movements, and all hostile purposes toward myself, but significantly added, "I have heard the Parkville men making inquiry into the complexion of your political sentiments." The implied threat contained in this innuendo was understood. I only replied, "I do not know that the Parkville men have any thing to do with 'the complexion' of my political sentiments," and we parted. Returning home, I loaded a revolver, and laid it in a conspicuous place upon my writing-table, where all who entered might see it; leaving it to speak for itself, and giving no explanations as to its intended use.

     I received no further molestation. Threats, however, were made to a small lad of our household, and we were compelled to keep him near home, or with a protector. My premises, too, were said to have been searched for a runaway slave; but, if done at all, it was a mere ruse, and carefully kept from my knowledge.

     The season for camp meetings had now arrived. One was held in Nebraska, in my absence; but, glad as we were to avail ourselves of this powerful frontier agency, I had thought it best to discourage, for this year, the holding of camp meetings in Kansas, near the border, lest thereby we should afford the enemy too good an opportunity to muster his forces. In lieu of these a general district camp meeting had been appointed in the interior, to which all were inv[i]ted. The time arrived for my starting. I set off with a chill upon me, but succeeded in reaching the place. The camp-ground was located on the Wakarusa, near Scranton's Bridge, the scene of some subsequent thrilling adven-

tures. Arriving at the place, I was taken ill. The next day I was moved away in a wagon, and placed under the medical care of my friend, Dr. Still, by whose kind attention I was so far restored as to spend an hour on the ground just at the close of the meeting. But other ministerial brethren were present in full force; the congregations were large; the Word of Life was faithfully proclaimed; and an impetus was given to the general work at this beginning of camp meetings among the white settlers in Kansas.

     The regular annual camp meeting was held, as usual, among the Wyandotts. They had a good ground, well improved, within a short distance of their meeting-house. They love camp meetings, sustain them well, and enter into the exercises with zeal and fervor. The season was one of interest for several days. On Sunday night Satan let loose his emissaries. A troop of lawless fellows, mounted upon their ponies, rushed furiously into the encampment, spreading terror and consternation for the moment. But they were firmly met by our brethren, one or two of them were knocked down and roughly handled; whereupon they unceremoniously beat a retreat. The next day a written complaint was made to the authorities of the Nation, who thereupon dispatched a body of men to protect the encampment, among whom, in his official capacity as sheriff, was one of the assailing party of the previous evening.

     Meanwhile the excitement in the Territory had risen to a high pitch. My friend Barber, from New Paris, Ohio, had been inhumanly assassinated, and other acts of outrage perpetrated. I was constantly hearing of threats toward myself, but never came in near contact at the proper time for their execution. Yet I never made a single appointment less, nor evaded one already made.

     Owing to n difference of opinion existing as to the boundary between the territorial dependencies of Iowa and Missouri Conferences, and to dissatisfaction expressed, the Bishops determined that, for the year yet intervening be-

fore the session of the General Conference, Kansas should be supplied from Missouri Conference, and Nebraska from Iowa Conference; and that the necessary transfers should be made to carry out this plan. Of this I received a written notification. The arrangement rendered it necessary for me to attend the sessions of both Conferences.

     Independence had been appointed as the place of holding the session of Missouri Conference. A public meeting of the citizens had been convened, and resolutions adopted warning them not to assemble there, and impliedly threatening violence if they did. The little handful of our people there, unable of themselves to support the Conference, and fearing results, wrote letters to St. Louis, advising a change. It was accordingly made; and notice was published that the Conference would convene at St. Louis. So closed the labors of this eventful year.

     ABOUT the middle of September, 1855, I set out for the session of the Iowa Conference at Keokuk, taking the Missouri River to St. Louis, and thence up the Mississippi. Our passage down was upon the Polar Star, a first-class boat, with all desirable accommodations. But mob law then prevailed upon the Missouri River. All the leading packets were under the dominant influence. Boats were stopped at different points on the river by bodies of armed men, examined, and large companies of passengers compelled to take a down boat and return. When permitted to proceed, a strict scrutiny was made into the position and sentiments of every passenger; men entertaining antislavery sentiments, however inoffensive, were hunted out, insulted, and subjected to the most gross maltreatment, to which--being comparatively few in number on the packets--they were compelled to submit, especially as the officers and crews were always on the side of the aggressors. On our way down, an affair occurred which attracted considerable public notice at the time, but which I have seen very erroneously stated in the public prints.

     The boat was crowded with passengers, among whom were not over five or six known as free-state men. Of this number was a Rev. Mr. Clark, of the denomination styling themselves True Wesleyans, a New England man of middle years, manly appearance, good address, considerable general intelligence, and particularly well posted in the facts of our National history and movements upon the question of slavery. Though gentlemanly and courteous in his deportment, yet he had a manifest penchant for debate upon his

favorite subject, and his controversial powers and knowledge of facts made him quite an overmatch for his antagonists. This, so far as I saw, was the sum of his offending. But this was too much to be borne, and the man who could not be met in argument must be silenced by brute force. He was attacked and beaten by a furious young Missourian. This occurred at an early hour upon the lower deck. I did not witness that scene, but learned that he had been attacked without provocation, further than a simple expression of private opinion. Soon after, the large crowd were seated at the breakfast table, and the two antagonists side by side. No sooner did the young ruffian discover this, than, without a word, he rose from his seat, seized a chair, and violently renewed the attack, beating Mr. C. on the head, breaking the chair to pieces, and mangling him in a most shocking manner, while the crowd, springing to their feet and surrounding them, with oaths cried out, "Kill him kill him!" Resistance on his own part, or aid from his few friends, was vain with the fearful odds against him. The boat officers sustained the assault, stopped the boat, put him out, and left him bleeding and mangled on the shore, in the heart of the State, to make his way down as he could. How, in his plight, he accounted for his condition and escaped further vengeance on land, I never learned, but subsequent notices announced his arrival at his home in Maine. The young furioso remained on board and was honored as a hero.

     Subsequently, while ascending the Mississippi, I found on board a gentleman who had witnessed the scene on the Polar Star. He stated that a regular vote had been taken and carried to put all the free-state men ashore, myself, of course, among them. Among the ruffian gang was a certain Kansas official, sometimes very turbulent, but with whom personally I was on friendly terms. I had promised to "take him down sober," if he would put himself under my charge. But the ingrate turned against his pro tem. guardian and gave his vote for the measure. Of all these preparations I knew nothing at the time, but moved among them

as before, and, though well known in my position and sentiments, suffered no personal interruption. The threat was unexecuted.

     During this excitement I made repeated trips up and down the Missouri; at times I met with slights and innuendos which I might have resented, but chose to pass unnoticed. No direct insult or violence was ever offered me.

     The Conference session at Keokuk passed agreeably with the brethren of Iowa Conference. My year's residence in Kansas had been attended with great domestic inconvenience and heavy pecuniary expenditures, growing out of our disappointment in not finding a home on mission premises, as already referred to. I had, in mind, fallen back on my original purpose of making a home further north. Arrangements were already out contemplating this change, and some of the older members of my household preceded me in a removal. The enlargement of our work had been such that it was found necessary to divide my district into three, two in Kansas and one in Nebraska. With my own concurrence, I was appointed to Nebraska district, and, to meet the supposed requirement of the boundary clause of Discipline and satisfy the minds of brethren, I received a temporary transfer to Iowa Conference, and, with the other Nebraska preachers, took my appointment from that Conference. But three names appear upon the Minutes of that year as connected with the work in Nebraska Territory. The remainder, for the want of men, were left "to be supplied."

     An interval followed before the session of the Missouri Conference at St. Louis. This was improved by Bishop Simpson and myself in visiting that old site of Mormon superstition, the city of Nauvoo. The ruins of their magnificent temple, and the large number of once tasteful but now dilapidated buildings, spread out with regularity over the vast area of the city, bore witness to the powerful energy of fanatical and misguided minds under the direction of unprincipled and designing leaders. Homes had been forsaken, domestic comfort surrendered, personal virtue sacri-

ficed, and worldly treasure poured out at the shrine of impiety. Private ambition had triumphed over a credulous, unthinking multitude, and lawless libertinism had reigned rampant. Still this people remain, an unsolved enigma in the history of man. A pleasant visit also was made to Quincy, Illinois.

     Some time before the session we reached St. Louis, where we found Bishop Janes awaiting Bishop S., and a personal consultation was had upon border matters. My home in the city was with my friend REV. JOHN L. CONKLIN, for several years editor of the Central Christian Advocate, and subsequently in the work of regular itinerancy. Brother C. was born and raised in the city of New York, a pure-minded, honorable Christian man, a close thinker and vigorous writer, deeply devoted to the cause of religion, and especially the work of border Methodism, but of frail physical constitution. He fell at life's meridian, "finishing his course with joy."

     Owing to the change made in the place of our Conference session, the attendance at St. Louis was small. But a single preacher besides myself was present from the Territories. Two districts were formed in Kansas. L. B. Dennis was appointed presiding elder of North Kansas district, and Abraham Still of South Kansas. Our ministerial force in Nebraska was strengthened by one transfer and one received on trial. The Missouri Conference concurred with Iowa in resolutions requesting the General Conference to form a new Annual Conference comprising the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska. The town of Lawrence, in Kansas, was fixed as the place of the first session.

     Conference over, I set out for the Territories, being still favored with the company of Bishop Simpson, on his way to the session of Arkansas Conference in Northern Texas The Missouri River being low, we took the Pacific Railroad to Herman, and thence traveled by stage to Jefferson City. Our company was cheerful and agreeable. The moonlight nights were enlivened by walks for recreation and an occa-
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sional foot-race of the passengers. To the Bishop's pedestrianism I was compelled to "knock under." At Jefferson City we separated, and the Bishop took his course south, being fully posted, according to my ability, in "Arkansas traveling," and furnished with an outfit laid in under my inspection before leaving St. Louis. Solitarily, I made my way homeward by stage via Booneville, Lexington, and Independence.

     Another removal was now to be made. Two wagons and teams were rigged, which, with my buggy, afforded the needed facilities for transportation. The old "moving tent" was overhauled and refitted. Surplus or untransportable property accumulated during the year was sold or given away, the establishment at Wyandott was broken up, and late in October found us again on the road.

     Our journey afforded little of incident beyond the upsetting of a wagon and rolling out a load of movables and sundry juveniles into a muddy branch, with divers other casualties such as a novice might call "adventures," but an old frontier's-man has learned to regard as every-day occurrences. There being no leading road up the Missouri on time Territorial side, we crossed at Weston as usual, and traveled up through St. Joseph and the border counties till we entered the southwestern corner of Iowa.

     The time had now arrived when I deemed that duty required me to provide a more permanent home for my large household, after the many thousands of miles of itinerant removals, where declining years and growing infirmities might find some relief, and where youth and tender age might enjoy the benefit of maternal care. The Territorial settlements as yet afforded none of the desired facilities. The lands were not in market, all the settlers holding by the precarious "claim" title, and the entire aspect was unfriendly to the settlement of a household composed as mine was. The opposite section in Iowa, known as the "Western Slope," had been settled some years, and was thought to possess some advantages.

     Here I determined to pitch my tent, and from this point to go in and out to my Territorial work, encountering, myself, whatever might follow of absence, exposure, and privation, but intending, by the permission of Providence, thenceforth to exempt my less competent and dependent ones from further participation in my itinerant wanderings. A retired spot of grove and prairie was selected and obtained upon the bold bluffs of Missouri River, near the village of Glenwood, twenty miles south of Council Bluffs, and ten miles east of the mouth of the Great Platte. Lumber and other building materials were shipped from Cincinnati, a distance of two thousand miles. Intervals at home were employed in superintending improvements, and, according to ability, arrangements were made for domestic comfort. That spot is still occupied, though with a diminished household, and from an apartment there, after the vicissitudes of added years, I look back and pen the footprints of the past, so deeply written upon the pages of memory.

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