Annals of Platte County, Missouri - Paxton
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1854, AUG. 185 THE ELECTION. AUG U CT. THE ELECTION. Aug. 1The vote for Congressman was: Mor. Oliver (Vhjg), 6.1.29: S. L. Leonard, 4.998: Lowe. 2.787. V. H. Spratt (Whig) was chosen sheriff: A. M. Robinson senator; and l). I). Burnes, John I)onipl1a.n. and G. I. Dorriss representalives. THE SMITHVILLE TRAGEDY. Aug. 7This day occurred tl1e terrible aray i11 Smithville, in which John W. Douglas and S. J. Ross were killed, and Samuel Sliackelford, \m. .hackelford, and John W. Calloway were lynched. Samuel Shackelford was the leader of a gang of lawless men who n1et at Smithyille, and. being armed. brought on an atfray. He killed the two men named, b11t his skull was broken by a. club; and. with his two companions, he was hung to the limb of a sugzar-tree. across the creek from Smithyille. PARDEE BUTLER. Aug. 16Pardee Butler was an outspoken Free State man of Atchison. Kansas, and was seized by Pro-slavery men, and placed on two logs. and set adrift in the Missouri River. A ag" fastened to the raft proclaimed his principles. I met Mr. Butler years later, and heard from his lips the story of his voyage. He had upon his person $125, which he asked might be deposited with a merchant at Atchison: but he was commanded to take his n1oney with him. His orders were not to take down the ag; but. when out of sight. he tore it down, and. with it as a paddle, reached the Kansas shore. Two years later. at Atchison. he was treated to a coat of tar. He wa.s a Baptist elder. He (lied in Kansas. a few years ago. THE DROUTH. This was the famine year for Kansas. The winter had been remarkably dry. yet early corn sprouted a11d produced more than a half crop; but not one grain in ve planted i11 May came up. In Kansas it was worse. Southern men were helped by their Mis- souri friends. and the Free State men were supplied by contribu- tions from the North. (oi-n sold for from $1 to $1.51} per bushel. and wheat brou,1ht, the same. Later in the fall. 3.:rasshoppers made their rst Visit to Kansas. and in places hatched out i11 the spring. SEPTEMBER. LAW AND ORDER MEETING AT WESTON. Sept. 1In opposition to the SelfI)efensive Association, a meeting of citizens favorable to law and order was called Septem- ber 1st. at Yeston. The call was signed, among others. by J. C.