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Report of the Special Committee appointed to Investigate the Troubles in Kansas; with the Views of the Minority of Said Committee. House Report No. 200, 34th Cong., 1st Sess. Washington: Cornelius Wendell, printer, 1856, pp. 1193-99
The undersigned, Mahala Doyle, states upon oath: I am the widow of the late James P. Doyle; that we moved into the Territory, that is, my husband, myself, and children moved into the Territory of Kansas some time in November, A. D. 1855, and settled on Mosquito creek, about one mile from its mouth, and where it empties into Pottawatomie creek, in Franklin county; that on Saturday, the 24th day of May, A. D. 1856, about 11 o'clock at night, after we had all retired, my husband, James P. Doyle, myself, and five children, four boys and one girl—the eldest boy is about twenty-two years of age, his name is William; the next was about twenty years of age, his Drury; the next is about sixteen years of age, his name is John; the next is about thirteen years of age, her name is Polly Ann; the next is about ten years of age, his name is James; the next is about eight years of age, his name is Charles; the next is about five years of age, his name is Henry—we were all in bed, when we heard some persons come into the yard and rap at the door and call for Mr. Doyle, my husband. This was about 11 o'clock on Saturday night of the 24th of May last. My husband got up and went to the door. Those outside inquired for Mr. Wilkson [sic], and where he lived. My husband told them that he would tell them. Mr. Doyle, my husband, opened the door, and several came into the house, and said that they were from the army. My husband was a pro-slavery man. They told my husband that he and the boys must surrender, they were their prisoners. These men were armed with pistols and large knives. They first took my husband out of the house, then they took two of my sons—the two oldest ones, William and Drury—out, and then took my husband and these two boys, William and Drury, away. My son John was spared, because I asked them in tears to spare him. In a short time afterwards I heard the report of pistols. I heard two reports, after which I heard moaning, as if a person was dying; then I heard a wild whoop. They had asked before they went away for our horses. We told them that the horses were out on the prairie. My husband and two boys; my sons, did not come back any more. I went out next morning in search of them, and found my husband and William, my son, lying dead in the road near together, about two hundred yards from the house. My other son I did not see any more until the day he was buried. I was so much overcome that I went to the house. They were buried the next day. On the day of the burying I saw the dead body of Drury. Fear of myself and. the remaining children induced me to leave the home where we had been living. We had improved our claim a little. I left all and went to the State of Missouri,
MAHALA DOYLE.
her mark X
Witness: THOMAS J. GOFORTH.
STATE of MISSOURI,
Jackson county,
On the 7th day of June, A. D. 1856, personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a justice of the peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, Mahala Doyle, whose name appears to the above and foregoing statement, and makes oath, according to law, that the above and foregoing statement is true as therein set forth.
Given under my hand and seal the day and year above written.
THOMAS J. GOFORTH, [L. S.]
Justice of the Peace.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
County of Jackson,
I, John B. Swearingen, clerk of the county court within and for the county aforesaid, do hereby certify that Thomas J. Goforth, esq., whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing affidavit, now is, and was at the time of so doing, an acting justice of the peace within and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, and that full faith and credit is due, and ought to be given, to all his official acts as such, as well in courts of justice as thereout.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at office, in the city of Independence, this 13th day of June, A. D. 1856.
JOHN R. SWEARINGEN, Clerk.
The undersigned, John Doyle, states, upon oath, that he is the son of James P. and Mahala Doyle; that we came to the Territory in November, 1855, and settled on Mosquita creek, about one mile from its mouth, in Franklin county. That, on Saturday night, about 11 o'clock, on the 24th day of May last, a party of men came to our house; we had all retired; they roused us up, and told us that if we would surrender they would not hurt us. They said they were from the army; they were armed with pistols and knives; they took off my father and two of my brothers, William and Drury. We were all alarmed. They made inquiries about Mr. Wilkson, and about our horses. The next morning was Sunday, the 25th of May, 1856. I went in search of my father and two brothers. I found my father and one brother, William, lying dead in the road, about two hundred yards from the house; I saw my other brother lying dead on the ground, about one hundred and fifty yards from the house, in the grass, near a ravine; his fingers were cut off; and his arms were cut off; his head was cut open; there was a hole in his breast. William's head was cut open, and a hole was in his jaw, as though it was made by a knife, and a hole was also in his side. My father was shot in the forehead and stabbed in the breast. I have talked often with northern men and eastern men in the Territory, and these men talked exactly like eastern men and northern men talk, that is, their language and pronunciation were similar to those eastern and northern men with whom I had talked. An old man commanded the party; he was a dark complected, and his face was slim. We had lighted a candle, and about eight of them entered the house; there were some more outside. The complexion of most of those eight whom I saw in the house were of sandy complexion. My father and brothers were pro-slavery men, and belonged to the law and order party.
JOHN DOYLE.
his mark X
Witness : THOMAS J. GOFORTH.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
Jackson County,
On this 7th day of June, A. D. 1856, personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a justice of the peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, John Doyle, whose name appears to the above statement, and makes oath according to law that the above and foregoing statement is true as therein set forth.
Given under my hand and seal, the day and year above written.
THOMAS J. GOFORTH, [L. S.]
Justice of the Peace.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
County of Jackson,
I, John R. Swearinger, clerk of the county court within and for the county aforesaid, do hereby certify that Thomas J. Goforth, esq., whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing affidavit, now is, and was at the time of so doing, an acting justice of the peace, within and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, and that full faith and credit is due to all his official acts as such, as well in courts of justice as thereout.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court, at office, in the City of Independence, this 13th day of June, 1856.
JOHN R. SWEARINGER, Clerk.
I reside on Pottowatomie creek, near Henry Sherman's, in Kansas Territory. I went there to reside on the last day of March, 1856, and have resided there ever since. On last Sunday morning, about two o'clock, (the 25th of May last,) whilst my wife and child and myself were in bed in the house where we lived, we were aroused by a company of men who said they belonged to the northern army, and who were each armed with a sabre and two revolvers, two of whom I recognized, namely; a Mr. Brown, whose given name I do not remember, commonly known by the appellation of "old man Brown," and his son, Owen Brown. They came in the house and approached the bed side where we were lying, and ordered us, together with three other men who were in the same house with me; to surrender; that the northern army was upon us, and it would be no use for us to resist. The names of these other three men who were then in my house with me are, William Sherman, John S. Whiteman, the other man I did not know. They were stopping with me that night. They had bought a cow from Henry Sherman, and intended to go home the next morning. When they came up to the bed, some had drawn sabres in their hands, and some revolvers. They then took into their possession two rifles and a Bowie knife, which I had there in the room—there was but one room in my house—and afterwards ransacked the whole establishment in search of ammunition. They then took one of these three men, who were staying in my house, out. (This was the man whose name I did not know.) He came back. They then took me out, and asked me if there were any more men about the place. I told them there were not. They searched the place but found none others but we four. They asked me where Henry Sherman was. Henry Sherman was a brother to William Sherman. I told them that he was out on the plains in search of some cattle which he had lost. They asked if I had ever taken any hand in aiding pro-slavery men in coming to the Territory of Kansas, or had ever taken any hand in the last troubles at Lawrence, and asked me whether I had ever done the free State party any harm or ever intended to do that party any harm; they asked me what made me live at such a place. I then answered that I could get higher wages there than anywhere else. They asked me if there were any bridles or saddles about the premises. I told them there was one saddle, which they took, and they also took possession of Henry Sherman's horse, which I had at my place, and made me saddle him. They then said if I would answer no to all the questions which they had asked me, they would let loose. Old Mr. Brown and his son then went into the house with me. The other three men, Mr. William Sherman, Mr. Whiteman, and the stranger were in the house all this time. After old man Brown and his son went into the house with me, old man Brown asked Mr. Sherman to go out with him, and Mr. Sherman then went out with old Mr. Brown, and another man came into the house in Brown's place. I heard nothing more for about fifteen minutes. Two of the northern army, as they styled themselves, stayed in with us until we heard a cap burst; and then these two men left. That morning about ten o'clock I found William Sherman dead in the creek near my house. I was looking for Mr. Sherman, as he had not come back, I thought he had been murdered. I took Mr. William Sherman out of the creek and examined him. Mr. Whiteman was with me. Sherman's skull was split open in two places and some of his brains was washed out by the water. A large hole was cut in his breast, and his left hand was cut off except a little piece of skin on one side. We buried him.
JAMES HARRIS.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
County of Jackson,
This day personally appeared before me, Thomas J. Goforth, an acting justice of the peace in and for Jackson county, State of Missouri, James Harris, who on oath says that the above and foregoing statement is true as therein set forth.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this the 6th day of June, eighteen hundred and fifty-six. Witness my hand and seal.
THOMAS J. GOFORTH, [L. S.]
Justice of the Peace.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
County of Jackson,
I, John R. Swearingen, clerk of the county court within and for the county aforesaid, do hereby certify that Thomas J. Goforth, esq., whose genuine signature appears to the above affidavit, now is and was at the time of so doing, an acting justice of the peace within and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit is due to all his official acts as such, as well in courts of justice as thereout.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court, at office in the city of Independence, this 11th day of June, A. D. 1856.
JOHN R. SWEARINGEN, Clerk.
On the 13th day of June, A. D. 1856, Louisa Jane Wilkinson, on oath, being duly sworn, says: I am the widow of the late Allen Wilkinson. We came to Kansas, from Tennessee, in October, 1854; went to our claim, on Pottowatomie creek, about the 12th day of November following. Said claim, where my husband lived at the time of his death, lies in Franklin county, Kansas Territory, about eight miles from Ossawatomie, and the same distance from the mouth of Pottowatomie creek. On the 25th of May last, somewhere between the hours of midnight and daybreak, cannot say exactly at what hour, after all had retired to bed, we were disturbed by barking of the dog. I was sick with the measles, and woke up Mr. Wilkinson, and asked if he "heard the noise, and what it meant?" He said it was only some one passing about, and soon after was again asleep. It was not long before the dog raged and barked furiously, awakening me once more; pretty soon I heard footsteps as of men approaching; saw one pass by the window, and some one knocked at the door. I asked, who is that? No one answered. I awoke my husband, who asked, "who is that? Some one replied, I want you to tell me the way to Dutch Henry's. He commenced to tell them, and they said to him, "Come out and show us." He wanted to go, but I would not let him; he then told them it was difficult to find his clothes, and could tell them as well without going out of doors. The men out of doors, after that, stepped back, and I thought I could hear them whispering; but they immediately returned; and, as they approached, one of them asked of my husband, "Are you a northern armist?" He said, "I am." I understood the answer to mean that my husband was opposed to the northern or freesoil party. I cannot say that I understood the question. My husband was a pro-slavery man, and was a member of the territorial legislature held at Shawnee Mission.
When my husband said "I am," one of them said, "You are our prisoner. Do you surrender?" He said, "Gentlemen, I do." They said, open the door. Mr. Wilkinson told them to wait till he made a light; and they replied, if you don't open it, we will open it for you. He opened the door against my wishes, and four men came in, and my husband was told to put on his clothes, and they asked him if there were not more men about; they searched for arms, and took a gun and powder flask; all the weapon that was about the house. I begged them to let Mr. Wilkinson stay with me, saying that I was sick and helpless, and could not stay by myself. My husband also asked them to let him stay with me until he could get some one to wait on me; told them that he would not run off, but would be there the next day, or whenever called for. The old man, who seemed to be in command, looked at me and then around at the children, and replied, "you have neighbors." I said, "so I have, but they are not here, and I cannot go for them." The old man replied, "it matters not," I told him to get ready. My husband wanted to put on his boots and get ready, so as to be protected from the damp and night air, but they wouldn't let him. They then took my husband away. One of them came back and took two saddles; I asked him what they were going to do with him, and he said, "take him a prisoner to the camp." I wanted one of them to stay with me. He said he would, but "they would not let him." After they were gone, I thought I heard my husband's voice, in complaint, but do not know: went to the door, and all was still. Next morning Mr. Wilkinson was found about one hundred and fifty yards from the house, in some dead brush. A lady who saw my husband's body, said that there was a gash in his head and in his side; others said that he was cut in the throat twice.
On the Wednesday following I left for fear of my life. I believe that they would have taken my life to prevent me from testifying against them for killing my husband. I believe that one of Captain Brown's sons was in the party, who murdered my husband; I heard a voice like his. I do not know Captain Brown himself. I have two small children, one about eight and the other about five years old. The body of my husband was laid in a new house; I did not see it. My friends would not let me see him for fear of making me worse. I was very ill. The old man, who seemed to be commander, wore soiled clothes and a straw hat; pulled down over his face. He spoke quick, is a tall, narrow-faced, elderly man. I would recognize him if I could see him.
My husband was a poor man. I am now on my way to Tennessee to see my father, William Ball, who lives in Haywood county. I am enabled to go by the kindness of friends in this part of Missouri.
Some of the men who took my husband away that night were armed with pistols and knives. I do not recollect whether all I saw were armed. They asked Mr. W. if Mr. McMinn did not live near. My husband was a quiet man, and was not engaged in arresting or disturbing any body. He took no active part in the pro-slavery cause, so as to aggravate the abolitionists; but he was a pro-slavery man. Mr. McMinn, mentioned above, is a pro-slavery man; so, also, is the said Dutch Henry.
LOUISA JANE WILKINSON.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
County of Jackson,
On this, the 13th day of June, A. D. 1856, personally came before me, Thomas J. Goforth, a justice of the peace in and for the above State and county, Louisa Jane Wilkinson, who, being duly sworn, says the facts contained in the above statement are true, to the best of her knowledge.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this the 13th day of June, A. D. 1856.
THOMAS J. GOFORTH, [L. S.]
Justice of the Peace.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
County ofJackson,
I John R. Swearingen, clerk of the county court within and for the county aforesaid, do hereby certify that Thomas J. Goforth, esq., whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing affidavit, now is, and was at the. time of so doing, an acting justice of the peace within and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, and that full faith and credit is due and ought to be given to all his official acts as such, as well in courts of justice as thereout.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court, at office in the city of Independence, this 13th day of June, A. D. 1856.
JOHN R. SWEARINGEN, Clerk.