[May 8, 1860.]
Yesterday a black man was kidnapped from this place, which
set the people in some commotion, but the real abolitionists are the exception.
Have seen most of the latter class. They are a sturdy race.
Ames, the United States marshal who was shot at Topeka, was
the same who previously tried to arrest Montgomery and there has been no second
attempt, as I supposed, to arrest him. All is quiet here, and I do not think
there will be any trouble in this territory this year. It is generally
understood that it was an attempt on the part of the marshal to get some money,
instead of which he got a ball.
Conway is here, but will leave with us for Chicago to attend
the convention. I never saw him in so good health as at present. I am glad I
came out here, and hope some time to come again with you. I think in another
year we can accomplish it. They are having a fearful drought here. It has
hardly rained at all since last September. Their winter wheat all dried up, and
the corn does not even swell in the ground. If it continues there will be a
famine here.
Of course all is dust, but it is not troublesome to me, at
least as it would be to you. I send you samples of it in this paper, which was
clean when I began to write.
May 9. So busy last night that I forgot to put this in the
mail. My visit has been eminently successful, but not exactly as I supposed. I
stay here to-day to get letters from home. Hope to get one from you.
SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public
Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 224-5
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