EXCITEMENT IN MISSOURI, ETC. 
275 
of the territory.” I suggested their residence was of short dura¬ 
tion, when the lady, who was “ It. G. Q.,” said, “ These men and 
the Missourians went into the territory to make homes, while the 
eastern people went there to vote, and then returned.” 
Such astounding developments, coupled with the statement that 
had fallen from her lips the same morning, “ that her husband 
was the handsomest man on the boat, and because of his beauty she 
married him,” seemed to me all I had better try to believe at 
once. So I retired to my old seat to ruminate upon wars in Kan- 
sas, and the blessings resulting to mankind in general from a large 
diversity of tastes and dispositions. 
There were several pro-slavery families on board, very pleasant 
people. There was a lovely girl going to her home, in Missouri, from 
a boarding-school in Illinois. There was a young lady from Ken¬ 
tucky, of intelligence and refinement, pro-slavery, yet with her I 
had many pleasant talks. A Missourian returning to Missouri* 
with a Texan bride, delicate and pale as the light gossamer robes 
in which she floated, was very affable and intelligent. The young 
Shawnee girl, with her white husband, on her bridal tour, was 
educated, and pleasant, and from all, with the exception named, I 
received the common courtesies of life. This Wyandot lady also 
stated, with great satisfaction of manner, that “ Gov. Robinson 
would be hung; ” and was not a little displeased that her listeners 
doubted the statement. 
On arriving at Kansas city we found the stage would go to 
Westport early in the morning. There were four of us to go, and 
we would attempt the passage together, notwithstanding bands of 
armed men were infesting the highways. Arrangements were 
made, and I slept a few hours. As I sat with bonnet and shawl 
on, the next morning, watching the stage, I saw it leave the door 
without passengers, and the clerk of the house following after. 
He asked the driver, “ Why he left his passengers? Would he 
return ? Would he wait for them to come where the coach then 
was?” To all his questions he received sullen, indefinite replies. 
The gentleman, knowing our anxiety to get into the territory, 
coaxed and threatened. Rut it all proved useless. He would not 
cairy us to Westport, where we could meet the stage for Law- 
