The enormity of these offenses, and the great loss of property, should open the eyes of our citizens to their true situation.  We can not feel safe while the air of Kansas is polluted with the breath of a single Free-soiler.  We are not safe, and self-preservation requires the total extermination of this set.  Let us act immediately, and with such decision as will convince these desperadoes that it is our fixed determination to keep their feet from polluting the soil of Kansas.

We published in a former chapter the letter of recommendation this same Robert S. Kelley had written, certifying to the good behavior of the people of the county, and the facts of the case were not altered now; save and only this, that a black woman, the slave of Grafton Thomasson, had drowned herself.  This said Thomasson was a drinking man, and when in drink was desperate and dangerous.  What passed between this man, when intoxicated, and this slave woman the public have never been informed.  An altercation grew out of this between Thomasson and J. W. B. Kelly, Esq., a young lawyer from Cincinnati, in which Thomasson, a great big bully, flogged Kelly, who was a small man, of slender build, and weak in body.  A public meeting was called, in which resolutions were adopted praising this big bully for flogging this weak and helpless man; and then this Kelly was ordered to leave, and was not seen in Kansas afterwards.  Beyond this, if there was any of this high-handed stealing and robbery we never heard anything of it afterwards.

During the month of July, an event occurred destined to have lasting influence on the Christian cause in Northeastern Kansas.  A church was organized at Mt.  Pleasant.  It is now known as the Round Prairie Church.  This church, after passing through varied fortunes, has finally issued in being one of the best and most active churches in Kansas.  The last act in his public ministry was the organizing of this church by Elder Duke Young, father of Judge William Young.  Duke Young was one of the pioneer preachers of Western Missouri.  When in his manhood’s prime he was abundant in labors, and though he was without any scholastic attainments he had a keen mother wit, good sense, and good natural gifts as a public speaker; and, working in poverty, exposure, hardship, misrepresentation, and implacable opposition, he was one of the men that laid the foundations of the cause in Western Missouri.  Becoming old, he came with his son, William Young, to Kansas, and after organizing the church at Mt.  Pleasant, he failed in health, and ceased his work in the ministry.