James Montgomery
James McCool

This is a copy of a letter written on August 13, 1859 by James Montgomery in Barnesville, Kansas, to Capt. Fail. Montgomery tells Fail he believes “there is an armed force in your vicinity. If this is so we would respectfully ask an explanation of the object for which they are assembled.” Montgomery adds that a group of Kansas citizens met and resolved “that the kidnapping of Wm. Wright (alias Pickles) is an outrage…we therefore demand his immediate return to his home in the Territory.” Capt. James McCool, Company D, Missouri Volunteers, certifies that the document is a true copy of the original letter.

August 13, 1859

Bleeding Kansas, Bloodletting Missouri
Guerrillas
Jayhawkers

James Montgomery
James McCool

Bourbon County, Kansas

Missouri State Archives

Missouri-Kansas Border Collection; Office of the Secretary of State, RG005: Box 1, Folder 42

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