was their natural right, they made reply, alleging the unfriendly legislation not only of the slave States, but of the free States; and that had interposed grave difficulties in the way of such a step.  The Big Springs Convention had framed the first Free State platform for Kansas, August 15, 1855, and this, with hard-hearted inhumanity, had avowed the purpose to drive out of Kansas the free blacks as well as the slaves.  The same principle was also incorporated in the Topeka Free State Constitution.

It will throw additional light on this subject if I mention that, in 1858, one year after this conversation with Bro.  Cox, when the Free State men had obtained control of the Territorial Legislature, Bro.  Humber went to Lawrence and laid before Judge Crosier, a leading member of the Legislature, from Leavenworth, the following proposition.  He said:  “I will emancipate my slaves, and will sell them land.  I want them to remain where I can look after their welfare.  I do not want them to be driven out of Kansas.”  Judge Crosier, while greatly sympathizing with Bro.  Humber, had to tell him the thing was impossible.  It is comforting to know that “The world do move;” that colored people do freely enjoy in Kansas now the rights Bro.  Humber in vain sought of a Free State Legislature then on behalf of his slaves.

CHAPTER XXVII.

The reader has already heard of Big Springs as a locality where Free State Conventions were wont to be held.  Lawrence and Topeka were twenty-five miles apart, and both were on the south bank of the Kansas River.  Big Springs is midway between these towns, and is situated on the high divide, lying between the Kansas River and the Wakarusa.

Here, at Big Springs, were located four brethren, L. R. Campbell, C. M. Mock, A. T. Byler and Jack Reeves.  Bro.  Campbell was a Disciple from Indiana, of much more than average attainments, and of great force of character.  In his immediate neighborhood, and as he had opportunity, he was a preacher, and when a church was organized he naturally became its leader and elder.  His early death seemed the greatest calamity that ever befell the church, though he raised a family of boys that in process of time have taken his place, and make his loss seem not irreparable.

C. M. Mock was not a preacher, yet there is many a preacher that might well be proud to make himself as widely and as favorable known as “Charley Mock,” and to be remembered with as much affection.  He only remained in Kansas a few years, and then returned to his original home in Rushville, Rush county, Indiana.  We may truthfully say, “What was our loss was their gain.”

Bro.  Byler was simply a large-hearted and kind-natured farmer from Missouri, who was too full of brotherly love to have anything of sectional prejudice about him.  George W. Hutchinson, whom we will hereafter introduce to our readers, used to call him his “Big Boiler.”  His death after a few years was sad and pathetic; he had been to Lecompton and driving a spirited horse; the horse took fright, and threw him from his buggy and killed him.