and with it the idea of famine has been associated. Thousands have been prevented from emigrating to the State, from the popular conviction that this country is periodically visited by such appalling misfortunes as that of 1860. In justice therefore to the Territory whose history we are writing, it behooves us to examine into the facts bearing upon this subject, which will amply show that Kansas is no more liable to drouth, and no more affected by it, than any other State of similar latitude. The following table was taken from Dr. Sink's report to the Governor upon the climate of Kansas, which was arranged from the records of all observations made at the military posts within the State, extending to the year 1865: "The measure of moisture, precipitated in rain and snow, for the entire year, in Kansas, is very considerably below that for the other States represented in the table. By comparing the measurements for the spring, summer and autumn months, however, it will be found that the difference is very slight. "The winter months show a great dimunition in the relative amount, but as the deficiency occurs during the absence of vegetation, it is of no practical importance. As a consequence, the roads during this season are usually dry and in splendid condition for travel, thereby rendering trans portation easy at the very time the farmer desires to send his heavy produce to market." "The precipitation of rain for the month of March shows a small increase over the winter months. The quantities are doubled in April, and again doubled in May. The mean maximum occurs in June, and the mean minimum in January. "The greatest amount in one year ever observed at Fort Leavenworth was 59 inches, in 1858; the least amount was 16 inches, in 1843. The greatest at Fort Scott was 52 inches, in 1844; the least was 29 inches, in 1838. No records were kept at Fort Scott during the year of 1860, but the amount for the summer months was undoubtedly less than at Fort Leavenworth, as was evidenced by vegetation. The deficiency of rain at Fort Leavenworth in 1843 must have been local, as the records at Fort Scott for the same. year show a measurement of 44 inches. Besides, the Indians living in the Territory at that time have no recollection of a drought of a general character. The amount of snow that falls during the winter is usually very slight, and it remains on the ground but a short time. "Taking the records at Forts Leavenworth, Riley and Scott, as a basis for calculation, the mean annual precipitation of rain for the eastern half of the State in 32 78-100 inches. The mean for the western half is about 24 inches. The mean for Minnesota is 30 inches, for Wisconsin, 32 inches, and for Michigan, 30 inches. "In 1860, the relative deficiency of rain was quite as great as in southern Missouri, Arkansas and western Tennessee as in Kansas. In 1854 a general drought prevailed. in all the Central States, from the Missouri River to the Atlantic coast. "The following tabular statement will give a better expression of its extent and character than if made in general terms. The statistics are for the summer months only, as this is the period of greater importance in the supply of 1854--inches. Sum--inches rain. The drought, however, continued throughout the autumn months, in most of the localities. 1854-inches. Summer of Average for Fort Leavenworth. 713 0 Pittsburg.. 4 113 9 Norfolk, Va..... "A drought so widely extended as that of 1854, is a rare occurrence in this climate. They are usually confined to a much smaller compass, and, at such times, the neighboring districts are supplied with an excess of rain. While a drought is by no means a desirable occurrence, an excess of rain is equally injurious. The general proposition, that the whole Mississippi valley is more damaged in its grain and root crops by an excess of rain than from a deficency, will scarcely be questioned." CHAPTER LI. VARIOUS ITEMS. There were several events of interest occurred this year, which we will briefly narrate, though not connected with the general history of the Territory. In the winter of 1859 and '60, Dr. John Doy, of Lawrence, set out to conduct thirteen negroes, by way of Iowa, to Canada. They had fled from slavery to that city. This was a common thing in those days for the negroes of Missouri. On their arrival they always found friends and help in effecting their escape. As he was passing through the northern part of the Territory, fifty miles from the eastern boundary, he was suddenly captured by Missourians and carried to St. Joseph, where he was tried on the charge of enticing away slaves, a crime punishable with death according to the statutes of that State. The Kansas Legislature appropriated one thousand dollars to employ counsel for Doy at his trial. Though he was charged with an offense as having been committed in Platte County, and though the prosecution was unable to prove that Doy had been within thirty miles of that State, the Jury at the first term of Court failed to agree, but at the next he was convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary for life. But Doy had friends in Kansas who cared but little whether he was sentenced or not, knowing well that they could effect his deliverance. A company from Lawrence and vicinity, under the leadership of Stewart, the fighting preacher whom we have before noticed, one dark Saturday night, crossed the Missouri River a little below the ferry, and soon stood before the jail at St. Joseph. It so happened that a storm came up about the same time and a torrent of rain was pouring down upon them. The jailor was awakened, called out and asked to allow them to secure a prisoner until Monday morning in jail, whom they had caught on the charge of horse stealing. They represented there was no doubt of his guilt, that they were tired and it was late to wake up the Justice of the Peace that night for an examination of the criminal. The jailor with reluctance consented and conducted them into the building. No sooner had they entered than they shut the door, and with a cocked revolver before the jailor's heart, bid him not move or give the alarm at the risk of his life. They told him their purpose was to release Doy, and demanded the keys of the building. Having obtained these they next compelled the poor jailor to lead them to Doy's cell, which they unlocked, and the prisoner walked out. They then told the jailor that he should remain in the jail, mute and still, until daylight, that they would post guards around the house, and if he made a noise they would rush in and assassinate him on the spot. They passed out, locked the door after them, and proceeded towards the river. Just at that time a fire broke out on one of the principal streets; the fire bell rang the alarm sound, and every body hurried pell mell to the burning building. In the midst of this confusion and excitement, Stewart and his party made their escape to their boats and crossed the river in safety. There were two happy coincidents connected with this rescue, seemingly providential-the rising of the storm and the breaking out of the fire. The last Territorial Legislature assembled at Lecompton on the 7th of January, 1861, and adjourned soon after to |