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Painting Quantrell in a different light Part I

While searching through old newspapers online I found the following article in the Columbus (Ohio) Citizen dated June 4, 1908.

"QUANTRELL FAMOUS CIVIL WAR OUTLAW, IS STILL HERO IN EYES OF AGED MISSOURI WOMAN"

"Lee's Summit, Missouri. June 4th"

"Sitting in her arm chair in a house she has occupied near here for 59 years, is Mrs. Oliva Dawson Cooper, last living close friend of William Clark Quantrell, leader of the Quantrell gang of the 60's.

History recalls Quantrell's name as a synonym for arson and murder.

But the aged and bent figure in the chair can recall him only as a stalwart, fearless blue-eyed boy. Quantrell is a hero. So he will remain so until she dies.

Mrs. Cooper who is now 88 years old, today paid a few tributes to Quantrell. What she said would interest no one but strangers. Neighbors know her story well, for she has told it many times.

Quantrell was a greatly misunderstood man, said Mrs. Cooper. In those awful days in the early 60's men were justified in protecting themselves, for everyone seemed to be out killing and destroying others property.

I remember Quantrell well. He was a fine looking youth, and his heart was in the right place.

Some say he is still living continued the old woman, but I know better He is dead.

Mrs. Cooper first met Quantrell when he was a hunted man with a price on his head. He had sworn to avenge the death of his brother, which he did in a terrible fashion.

Mrs. Cooper, to this day cannot see otherwise than the southerners were right in their fight. She has never forgiven the federal troops for burning her home in the middle of the winter, when her husband was in the southern army and she was alone with five children. That night January 28, 1863, she saw 14 houses burned to the ground.

Quantrell's life, as Mrs. Cooper tells it , is perhaps the most correct history of the noted outlaw. He was born near Hagerstown, Maryland. His mother later moved to Canal Dover, Ohio, thence to Virginia. Quantrell left home when 18 years old. He and his brother started for the far West, taking a negro with them. The Jayhawkers killed Quantrell's brother and freed the negro upon their arrival in Kansas. Quantrell himself was badly wounded and was left upon the field as dead.

He obtained a pony and rode into Lawrence, where his wounds were attended. Quantrell then came to Missouri, and was befriended by Mrs. Cooper.

Quantrell stated bluntly he had returned to avenge the murder of his brother. About this time the Kansans were invading Missouri apparently to buy apples but really to free slaves. Quantrell managed to locate the slayers of his brother and became their confidant. He told them where they could free several slaves and one night led them to the farm of Morg Walker, near Blue Springs. He previously notified Walker of the Kanans' intentions.

Quantrell stood in Walker's house while the men dickered at the door with Walker over the price of apples. Suddenly he drew his revolver and shot two men before they had a chance to defend themselves. A third man was wounded and carried to the woods by a fourth of the party, who remained by his wounded friend and cared for him. Quantrell discovered their hiding place and shot and instantly killed both men. Later he hanged a man named Searoy.

Quantrell remained in the vicinity of Mrs. Cooper's home and was suspected of being a Kansan and was about to be hanged when Mrs. Cooper identified him and saved his life.

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Painting Quantrell in a different light Part I
Re: Painting Quantrell in a different light Part I
Thanks Dennis---Good Story *NM*
Re: Painting Quantrell in a different light Part I