all will be well, and all will obey to the end, and commit no depredation upon private property in Lawrence.

"I fear a collision between the United States soldiers and the volunteers, which would be dreadful.

Speedy measures should be taken. Let me know at once-to-night—and I fear that it will then be too late to stay the rashness of our people.

"Respectfully, your obedient servant,

"J. C. ANDERSON."

On the 6th of December, Gen. S. C. Pomeroy was dispatched to carry important messages to the States, and to solicit aid and protection for the free state men in Kansas. His departure was immediately made known in the camp at Franklin, and a party sent to intercept him. When he had nearly reached the Quaker Mission, they overtook him, and asked him, “Where are you going?" "To our Mission," was the reply. Gen. Pomeroy represented himself as Rev. Moses Brown, a Baptist clergyman, collecting funds for the Indian Mission. He asks, "Will you arrest a clergyman traveling in the Territory to propagate the Gospel?" The party was about to let him go, thinking that they were mistaken, when a little Irishman spoke: "Be the powers of mud, Mister Brown, it's myself thinks ye'r old Pomr'y, but ave you ain't the same we'll take you to the camp on the Wakarusa Creek, and make you chaplain, for a divil a set of spalpeens wants a chaplain worse than the b'hoys." They accordingly took him over to the encampment, where, after some suffering, his condition was relieved by General Atchison. His dispatches were all taken, and afterwards published in the pro-slavery papers.

The chiefs of the Delawares and Shawnees about this time came into Lawrence, and proffered the assistance of their warriors to the Committee of Safety. They were kindly thanked for their offer, but it was declined until it. should be known that the Missourians had employed simi

lar forces. George W. Clark, however, did bring a company of Pottowatomies to the Border Ruffian camp at Lecompton. On their way thither, as they passed through Topeka, they declared that they would return with an abolition scalp on each shoulder.

CHAPTER XXII.

THE MISUNDERSTANDING.

At this point in the history of this war a most tragic and sad event occurred. The blood of Dow had aroused the God of War, and it required that of another from the pure and innocent to appease him.

Thomas W. Barber lived on a farm about seven miles south-west of Lawrence. He was a sober-minded, honest, industrious and peaceable man. He was beloved by all his neighbors and all his friends, being one of such gentle and quiet disposition as to call forth the esteem and affection of all who mingled with him. He was a lover and an admirer of stock, and was enthusiastically devoted to farming.

He had no family but a tender and loving wife, who had always been attached to him with the fondness of a girlish love and the strength of matured affection. In him seemed to center her pleasure and sunshine, with whom no society was so pleasant, from whom no separation was so miserable. When his absence from home was protracted, she would grow anxious about his safety, and would watch his return with constant solicitude. When he returned, she would greet him as though a year had elapsed since they were together.

When Lawrence was invested with armed bands, Barber determined to go to its assistance. His wife seemed to have a presentment that harm would befall him should he go, and hence earnestly insisted on his staying at home. But

he was a firm free state man, and could not bear the idea of remaining away when his friends stood so much in need of help. He finally prevailed in securing her consent, and on starting, while clinging endearingly to him, she exclaimed, "Oh, Thomas, if you should get shot I would be all alone indeed: remember I have no child, nothing in the wide world to fill your place."

He hurried to the rescue of his friends of Lawrence, where, remaining for a few days, he concluded to return to visit his home. On starting back he bid the boys "good bye," saying that he "would be back in the morning." Accompanied by his brother Robert, and Mr. Thomas M. Pierson, he set out for home, himself unarmed.

The open country south and south-west of Lawrence. was constantly scoured by mounted patrols at that time, who would stop and search every party that sought to pass over it. When, therefore, the Barbers and company had traveled out on the California road about four miles from town, just as they were in the act of turning off to the left to proceed more directly to their homes, they perceived some fourteen horsemen approaching the trail from the right. Two of this number suddenly spurred up their horses and rapidly approached the highway. By taking a more direct route, and traveling faster, they came in ahead of the Barbers, on the by-road leading to their homes. When they had approached within a few yards of each other, one of the assailants demanded:

"Where are you going?"

Thomas W. Barber-" We are going home."

Assailant-"Where are you from?"

Barber-"We are from Lawrence."

Assailant-"What is going on in Lawrence?"

Barber-"Nothing in particular."

Assailant-"Nothing in particular, hey? We have orders from the Governor to see the laws executed in Kansas." Barber-"We have disobeyed no laws."

go

Assailant, (pointing towards his party)-"Then turn and with us."

Barber-"We won't do it."

Assailant, (spurring up his horse)" You won't hey?" The latter then drew his pistol and discharged it at Barber. At the same time the other assailant fired a shot. Robert Barber drew his revolver and fired three times without effect. The assailants then passed a few words between each other, wheeled their horses and rode away. The main body of the horsemen were in full sight during the affray, about four hundred yards off, standing as spectators. Thomas W. Barber then turned to his two comrades, saying, "Boys, let us be off." The three started at full gallop towards their homes. After riding about one hundred yards, Thomas said to his brother, "That fellow shot me," and smiled. His brother asked, "Where are you shot?" With a melancholy smile upon face, he pressed his hand upon his right side. His brother then remarked with much feeling, "It is not possible, Thomas." To which he replied with a sickly smile, "It is." After uttering these words he dropped the reins and reeled in the saddle. His brother caught him and steadied him for nearly a hundred yards, and then eased him upon the ground. Halting the horses, he dismounted and bent over the fallen body of his brother. He felt his pulse, but, alas, it was still-Thomas was dead. While Robert and Pierson were consulting by the fallen brother, they perceived the main body of horsemen, who had been standing at a distance, advancing. Fearing that they would meet the same fate, they mounted their horses and galloped on.

George W. Clark, the agent of the Pottowottomie Indians, and Mr. Burns, a merchant of Weston, were the assailants. Both claimed the honor of killing Barber, but it has generally been awarded to the former. The writer, however, was informed by a most respectable member of the pro-slavery party that, in his opinion, Burns committed the