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John Brown's Raid Into Vernon County, Missouri
 
 
 

 

THE ROBBERY AND MURDER OF DAVID CRUISE

By John Brown In Vernon County, Missouri

 

 

John Brown and his party came down the Osage valley, passing silently along the bases of the big mounds, and making their way unobserved to the house of David Cruise. A mile and a half to the westward they crossed the road from Kansas City via Butler to Ft. Scott. Reaching the premises they at once assailed them, seeking admission into the houses. The party was guided by Bill Beckford, a former resident of Missouri, and a desperate character. He knew the country well and hated Cruise personally.

Cruise's family consisted of himself, his wife Lucinda (who was his second wife); two sons named Ralph and Rufus, the former a young man, the latter a mere boy; and two slaves, a woman of middle age and a likely man named George. Mr. Cruise himself was 60 years of age, having been born in Oldham county, Ky., in 1798. He was all old settler of the county, having located here shortly after the Black Hawk War, in which he was a soldier. He owned several hundred acres of land in this county and a large amount of personal property, including a number of horses, mules, cattle and other stock. On the night of the raid Ralph Cruise, the older son, was absent from home. He was later killed during the war as a Confederate Soldier at the Battle of Drywood.

The raiders found the door of the house fastened and demanded that it be opened immediately, or they would demolish it. Mr. Cruise had feared trouble of some sort and had procured a revolver, which he then had in the house. His son Ralph had carried this weapon and had tied a loop of ribbon about the handle, partly for ornament and partly to suspend it by. The old man sprang out of bed, seized his revolver and attempted to shoot through the door at the robbers, but the ribbon caught in the cylinder and became entangled about it in such a way that it would not revolve and the weapon could not be discharged. He threw it down on the bed.

The robbers broke in the door, and one of them (said to be Bill Beckford) fired and shot down Mr. Cruise, who fell near the fireplace and died almost instantly, his blood flowing out upon the hearthstone. The" liberators," in their heroic efforts in aid of the cause of freedom, now began a systematic pillage of the entire premises. Mrs. Cruise was made to assist in the search for plunder, without being allowed to dress herself. Alarmed at the murder of his father, and at the terrible oaths and threats of the robbers and their dreadful proceedings, little Rufus Cruise run out of the house in his night clothes and made his way over the rough frozen ground, in his bare feet and almost naked condition, three miles, to the house of .Mr. Mitchell. a relative, where he was taken in and cared for. The negro man, George, was also badly frightened, and he too ran away, and succeeded in making his escape from his would-be rescuers. The slave woman was unable to escape; perhaps she was unwilling, but at any rate she was unable. A few days later she gave birth to a child. Kagi and his party took from Mr. Cruise the slave woman mentioned, two yoke of oxen, one wagon laden with provisions and clothing, eleven head of good mules, two horses, and a number of articles found in the house and elsewhere about the premises. They did not succeed in finding any money. The raiders also went to the house of Hugh Martin, half a mile east of the Cruise place. Martin had no slaves, but they got from him a valuable mule. But for lack of time they would have undoubtedly "looted" the entire neighborhood.

They returned to Bain's fort with what booty they had. Arriving at the fort they reunited with others of Brown's party and there was great rejoicing over the successful issue of the expedition.

Brown's eulogists have attempted to gloss over the character of this murderous, larcenous, and freebooting raid, and have so distorted the facts that many persons have indorsed it.

In the first place the negroes taken away were not and had not been badly treated. Lawrence, Lame, Cruise, and Hicklin were all considerate men and kind masters. If the negroes had been abused, and were tired of their condition, they were but a few miles from Kansas, had abundant opportunities for escape, and in two hours could have been in the territory and free from their masters. The negro men frequently went unattended into the territory, mounted on good horses, hunting for stock, and always returned. Save the one named "Jim" and one or two others, it is highly probable that the slaves were actually kidnapped and forcibly abducted. Some of them were heard crying as they left their homes, and" George" Cruise actually ran away from his would-be "liberators" and would not be taken by them.

The citizens who were thus outrageously assailed and robbed, were all of them quiet, peaceable men. Isaac Larue and David Cruise were both old men, incapable of harm; and neither Larue, Hicklin, Cruise or Martin was a " border ruffian," or had taken any part whatever in the affairs of Kansas, for or against the Free State cause or for or against slavery in the Territory.

They were Pro-Slavery men, it is true, but they were law abiding, and many strong Free State men knew them and respected and esteemed them. The old gray-headed pioneer, David Cruise, who was so ruthlessly slain in his own dwelling, in the immediate presence of his wife, was guilty of no offense whatever. He was a good citizen, a kind neighbor, hospitable and generous, and he had never taken up arms against his fellow-men, save against the savage Indians of the forest, and the equally savage cohorts of John Brown who murdered him. And even this latter occasion was when the marauders were beating down the door of his house with curses and threats and he arose from his sick bed to defend it; and when he was shot down without warning he was unarmed, not half clad, and entirely defenseless! Yet John Brown, who justified, and even applauded, his murder, coolly says he was killed because " he fought against the liberation! " Yes, he "fought against the liberation of his faithful man-servant, who himself would not be freed, but ran away from the kidnappers"; and he "fought against the liberation" of his bond-woman, who was much attached to her master and mistress, and who was "liberated" because she was so far advanced in pregnancy that she could not help herself; and he "fought against the liberation" of his horses, his mules, his cattle, and his household goods!

Literally, however, Mr. Cruise did not fight. He strove at first to keep the brigands out of his house, but when he was shot he had thrown down his weapon and had not hurt a hair upon the head of any of his assailants.

But if Brown and his men could find it in their hearts, and consciences to excuse themselves for carrying off the slaves because they were slaves, and if their admirers can excuse them for the same reason, how shall they hold themselves blameless for the carrying away of the other property? Why were the horses, the mules, the cattle, the wagons and such articles as harness, saddles, log chains and farming implements taken? Brown and his men said  that the clothing and provisions were taken to feed the poor slaves. They took in all about 1,500 pounds of pork, 300 pounds of beef, 100 pounds of lard and a lot of flour and meal, and yet in a few days afterward, the Abolitionists of Franklin county, Kansas, were supplying the negroes with food and clothing, "of which they were greatly in need."

The truth is that the raid was made mainly for the benefit of the raiders. The taking of the negroes was merely to give another color to the real character of the expedition so as to raise up apologists for it among the Northern Abolitionists. The idea that the expedition was purely for that purpose is preposterous. Fancy Bill Beckford, Jim Steele, AI. Hazlitt and other noted cut-throats in the role of philanthropists, riding throughout a long cold winter's night solely to free a dozen negroes! The property was taken for the use of those who took it, The horses, mules and cattle, the wagons, harness, saddles and log chains wore for the raiders themselves, and the provisions, clothing, bedding and other household articles were for their families.

The truth is that Brown and Kagi and the men they led were robbers and thieves. They who take by force, and against the will of the owner, the property of another are robbers, and Brown and Kagi did this thing. They who take by stealth, and without the knowledge or permission of the owners, saddles, overcoats, farming utensils and other articles, are thieves, And Brown and Kagi did this thing. Moreover, they who, in the perpetration of an unlawful act, shoot an old man to death upon his own hearth-stone, and dabble his blood about the floor, are guilty of murder most foul. John Brown, of Osawatomie, did these things.

Brown and Kagi did not tarry but a few days at Bain's fort. Their proceedings were generally condemned, even by the Free State people of Kansas. The pretense that the expedition had been for the purpose of freeing the few slaves deceived no one. Even Montgomery denounced the whole affair as " simply a thieving, plundering, murdering raid," and expressed a wish that John Brown would go out of Kansas and stay out. When the first alarm was given, Montgomery was accused of participation, but with righteous indignation, he instantly denied the charge, and easily proved its falsity. Some of the raiders dispersed to their homes, taking their booty with them, but Brown, with seven men and the negroes, moved up into the southeast corner of Franklin county, and the slaves were housed in a large cabin or cabins on Pottawattamie creek, four miles southwest of the village of Lane. They were closely guarded because Brown had already found that "freed" slaves would often escape and walk back to their homes Missouri.

In another cabin, one mile southwest of Lane, Brown and Kagi were quartered. While in the cabin, Brown wrote and sent to the Lawrence Tribune and the New York Tribune a remarkable letter, which was published in these journals, and is known in history as "John Brown's ParalleIs."

The letter was dated at Trading Post, in Linn county, but this was done to mislead the authorities as to the whereabouts of the writer; it was really written in the cabin, a mile southwest of Lane, in Franklin county, known as John Brown's cabin. This letter was as follows: -

.

John Brown's Parallels.

TRADING POST, KAN., January 3, 1859.

Gentlemen: - You will greatly oblige a humble friend by allowing the use of your columns while I briefly state two Parallels in my poor way.

Not one year ago eleven quiet citizens of this neighborhood, viz.: William Roberson, William Colpetzer, Amos Hall, Austin Hall, John Campbell, Asa Snyder, Thomas Stillwell, William Hairgrove, Asa Hairgrove, Patrick Ross and Elder B. L. Reed were gathered lip from their work and their homes by an armed force under one Hamilton, and without trial or opportunity to speak in their own defense, were formed into a line and all but one shot - five killed and five wounded. One fell unharmed, pretending to be dead. All were left for dead. The only crime charged against them was that of being Free State men. Now, I inquire, what action has ever, since this occurrence in May last, been taken by either the President of the United States, the Governor of Missouri, or the Governor of Kansas, or any of their tools, or by any Pro-Slavery or administration man, to ferret out and punish the perpetrators of this crime?

On Sunday, December 19, a negro called Jim came over to the Osage settlement from Missouri, and stated that he, together with his wife, two children, and another negro Jim, ,was to be sold within a day or two, and begged for help to get a way. 0n Monday (the following) night two small companies were packed up to go to Missouri and forcibly liberate the five slaves, together with other slaves. One of these companies I assumed to direct. We proceeded to the place, surrounded the buildings, liberated the slaves, and also took certain property supposed to belong to the estate. We, however, learned, before leaving, that a portion of the articles we had taken belonged to a man living on the plantation as a tenant, and who was supposed to have no interest in the estate. We promptly returned to him all we had taken. We then went to another plantation where we found five more slaves, took some property and two White men. We moved all slowly away into the Territory for some distance, and then sent the white men back, telling them to follow us as soon as they chose to do so. The other company freed one female slave, took some property, and as I am informed, killed one white man (the master) who fought against the liberation. Now, for the comparison, Eleven persons are forcibly restored to their natural and inalienable rights, with but one man killed, and all hell is stirred from beneath. It is currently reported that the Governor of Missouri has made a requisition upon the Governor of Kansas for the delivery of all such as were concerned in the last named dreadful outrage." The marshal of Kansas is said to be collecting a posse of Missouri (not Kansas) men at West Point, in Missouri, a little town about 10 miles distant, to "enforce the laws." All Proslavery, conservative Free State, and doughface men, and administration tools are filled with holy horror. Consider the two cases and the action of the Administration party.

Respectfully yours,

JOHN BROWN.

.

Soon after writing his "parallels," Brown left the negroes in charge of Kagi and Stevens and went to Lawrence to make preparations for taking them to Canada. In the meantime the number had been increased to twelve by the birth of a child to the Cruise slave woman. When Brown had perfected his arrangements he moved up the party to Lawrence, which place he left for the North on the 20th of January. The second day afterwards he reached Topeka, where he was furnished with provisions and everything for his journey. The entire party were said to be hungry and cold when it arrived. Brown left Topeka with four white men and two wagon loads of negroes.

At Straight creek crossing, north of Holton in Jackson county, he was intercepted by a band of Pro-Slavery men, who sought to capture him. Three more white men had joined him and Brown took possession of an empty cabin in the woods and prepared to fight. The Pro-Slavery men moved up and guarded him, and both parties sent for re-enforcements.

Gov. Medary sent Deputy U. S. Marshall Colby with a posse of men from Atchison to arrest Brown and bring him to Lawrence for trial, and some troops were sent to aid the marshal. John Ritchie and 25 Free State cavalry came up from Topeka to the relief of Brown. When Ritchie came up the marshal and his forces ignominiously fled, practically without resistance. The Free State men chased them and captured two prisoners, James Green of Atchison, and Dr. Hereford of Kansas City. This affair is known in the History of Kansas as "The Battle of the Spurs."

After this Col. Ritchie escorted Brown to the Nebraska line, and from that point no serious difficulty was encountered. The party reached Tabor, an Abolition colony, in Fremont county, Iowa, in the southwest comer of that State, the first week in February. With but a short halt the journey was continued to Chicago. Here Brown sent five of his men in different directions, retaining John H. Kagi and Aaron D. Stevens with himself. These three, with the negroes, reached Detroit, March 12, and immediately crossed into Canada, where three or four of the slaves yet reside.

Brown's subsequent movements are generally unknown to American citizens. On the 16th of October following his raid into Vernon county, in the language of the well known Abolition song, so often sung in his honor,

" He captured Harper's Ferry with his nineteen men so true,

And frightened Old Virginia till she trembled through and through."

In this raid Kagi and Stevens both fell; and on the 2d of December following, not quite one year from the date of the murder of David Cruise by his followers, Brown himself was hanged for his crime against the Commonwealth of Virginia. Perhaps there will always he those who will consider John Brown a hero, a patriot, and a martyr to the cause of human liberty. Certain people in Kansas h:tve built a monument in honor of his memory, The falsified Redpath, the canting, palavering- Sandhorn, and other fanatical anti-slavery writers, have poured upon the country a mass of literature full of the most fulsome adulation of him as a man, a Christian, and a hero-philanthropist. Those who have read the accounts of these writers, full of flagrant falsehoods, (distortions, and misrepresentations, as they are, have been deceived by them, Feeble attempts have been made to give the truth to the world, hut they have failed, and the lie is still believed.

Yet the solid truth remains, that with his own hand John Brown murdered in cold blood James P. Doyle in Franklin county, Kansas, on the night of the 24th of May, 1856; the same night he stood by and encouraged his three sons, Oliver, Owen, and Watson Brown, to hack to death with their swords Drury and Wm. Doyle, sons of J. P. Doyle, whom Brown himself had murdered. The same night, too,  these same young Browns, assisted and encouraged by their father, who stood by and saw it done, cut to pieces with their swords Allen Wilkinson and Will, Sherman. And the only reason given why these men were thus murdered was that stated by John Brown himself, that "they were Pro-Slavery dogs, and deserved death." Not one of them, with the possible exception of Sherman, had ever borne arms against the Free State men. Mr. James Townsley, who still lives in Franklin county, Kas., was one of the party of eight men under John Brown who did this killing, and he saw it done. He is now, as he then was, a strong Republican, and he swears that the first bloodshed that night was spilled by Brown, who drew his revolver and blew out the brains of old man Doyle.

John Brown and the men under his immediate command robbed and plundered peaceable people of thousands of dollars' worth of property - horses, mules, cattle, wagons, clothing, bedding, provisions, furniture, money, and other articles. They burned poor men's cabins, rich men's houses, and destroyed the premises of both classes, because they were of different politics from themselves. Brown himself openly defied all law, Territorial, State, or National. From early manhood he lived a life of contention and turbulence, and when he died there was the blood of at least seven innocent men upon his hands or upon his skirts.

And this is the man whose memory certain people delight to honor. And the "glory" of whose deeds they have built a lasting monument to perpetuate!

---History Of Vernon County, Missouri 1887 (with modifications)

 
 
 
 
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