THE “ REIGN OE TERROR ?? IN KANSAS. 
257 
non called the same day at the house of Capt. Thornes, and the 
following conversation passed between Gov. Shannon and the wife 
and little daughter of Capt. Thornes. As Gov. Shannon rode up 
to the house with his men, he asked for water, and then said : 
“ Who lives here ? ” 
Daughter. — “ Capt. Thornes.” 
Gov. S. —- “ What is he captain of, — Walker’s company ? ” 
“ No, sir, he is a sea-captain.” 
“ Where is he?” 
“Gone to Lawrence.” 
“ W T hat has he gone to Lawrence for ? To get up a company, eh ? ” 
“ No, sir, gone to get lumber to fence his claim with.” 
“ Fence his claim with lumber ? Eh? Well, my girl, I am Gov. 
Shannon.” 
At this time Mrs. Thornes came to the door from the garden, 
where she had been at work. Her daughter gave her an introduc¬ 
tion to the governor, but she declined taking his extended hand, on 
the plea of her soiled hands. 
Gov, Shannon replied, “ Never mind, madam, give me your 
hand.” 
A similar conversation to the above passed, when the governor 
said, “ I am around to see who is who, who to have killed, and 
who not.” 
Mrs. Thornes said, “ Gov. Shannon, I hope you won’t kill me 
nor mine.” 
“ No, no, madam, you are peaceable citizens, an’t ye, eh? ” 
“ Yes, sir, we try to be.” 
The governor, wheeling his horse, called to Col. Titus to come 
forward. “ Colonel, I want you to take particular notice of these 
premises, and not have this family harmed. Do you hear, eh ? ” 
“ Who did you say live here ? ” 
“ Capt. Thornes.” 
Col. Titus promised protection. Then Gov. Shannon addressed 
Mrs. Thornes again. “ Madam, tell your husband to come to 
Lecompton and see me; he may rest assured that he will find a 
warm-hearted friend in me.” He added further, “ I am out to put 
a stop to these G —d d—d guerilla parties.” 
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