Daily Times [Leavenworth , KS], September 8, 1860
[From the Houston Petrel, Aug. 24.]
Below we are permitted to publish a letter from J. L. Craig, of Marshal, Texas, to his father, A. K. Craig, Esq.:
Marshall, Texas, Aug. 9, 1860.
“Dear Father: Once more I embrace the opportunity of addressing a few lines to you. Things have come to pretty pass in Texas. I reckon you have heard of the terrible insurrection; the burning of towns; the hanging of thieves, abolitionists, &c.—Yesterday the election for State and County officers came off, the day fixed for the negroes and abolition dogs to poison all the water on the election grounds, so as to kill off the men at once, but they were watched so closely that they did not make the attempt. Day before yesterday several negroes were taken up and whipped at Henderson, and they confessed that Henderson was to be burned that night, and Marshall the next, which created great excitement among the people. Sure enough, before 9 o’clock that night, the town was on fire, and was all burned to the ground, except two stores. I learn that one of the abolitionists and several negroes were arrested, but the rest made their escape.
“Last night the guards were on the watch all night; in fact, every man in the place was on watch, and by that means the cowardly cut-throats were defeated. I would like to tell you all about this insurrection, but I am too nervous to write any more. If I had time to give all the particulars, I would write them to the Petrel, but I am just starting to Red River county, and must defer till another time.
“Every man that travels through this country is taken up and examined, and if he does not give a good account of himself, he is strung up to the nearest tree. I have to get a passport from here to Red River, and even then, I expect to have a hard time getting through, for a man’s word is nothing in these critical times. I will write more of this when I have time. Your son,
James L. Craig.