nuary and February, 1855, the governor, A. H. Reeder, caused
a census to be taken of the inhabitants and qualified voters in
Kansas. On the day the census was completed he issued his proclamation
for an election to be held March 30, 1855, for members of the
legislative assembly of the territory. The proclamation prescribed
the boundaries of the districts, the places for polls, the names
of judges, the apportionment of members, and the qualification of
voters. Had it been observed, a just and fair election would have
reflected the will of the people of Kansas. Before the election,
however, false and inflammatory rumors were busily circulated among
the people of western Missouri. They grossly exaggerated and
misrepresented the number and character of the emigration then
passing into the territory. By the active exertions of many of
the leading citizens, the passions and prejudices of the people of
that state were greatly excited. Several residents of Missouri
testified to the character of the reports circulated among and
credited by the people. These efforts were successful. By an
organized movement, which extended from Andrew county, in the north,
to Jasper county, in the south, and as far eastward as Boone and
Cole counties (Missouri), companies of men were collected in
irregular parties and sent into every council district in the
territory, and into every representative district but one. The
men were so distributed as to control the election in every district.
They went to vote, and with the avowed design to make Kansas a
slave state. They were generally armed and equipped, carrying with
them their own provisions and tents, and so marched into the
territory.

As this election was for a legislature, the validity of which was
contested, the committee took great pains to procure testimony as
to the election in each election district. The election in the
second district is a fair specimen. In that district, on the
morning of the election, the judges appointed by the governor
appeared and opened the polls. Their names were Harrison Burson,
Nathaniel Ramsay and Mr. Ellison. The Missourians began to arrive
early in the morning, some 500 or 600 of them in wagons and carriages
and on horseback, and under the lead of Samuel J. Jones, then
postmaster of Westport, Missouri; Claiborne F. Jackson and a Mr.
Steeley, of Independence, Missouri. They were armed with double-
barreled guns, rifles, bowie-knives and pisto