Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/567

The Sharps Rifle Episode in Kansas History 557 that the howitzer, which had not yet been retaken, should be ex- changed for his distinguished prisoner.' During the trouljles in southeastern Kansas, some years later, the howitzer was brought into prominent service, and in 1861 was carried by Lane into Missouri. - The gun is now on exhibition in the rooms of the Kansas State His- torical Society, Topeka, and is known as the Abbott Howitzer. The next phase of the rifle question comes under the direction of Dr. Samuel Cabot, perhaps the most active Boston director of the Emigrant Aid Company. He rarely missed attending the weekly executive committee meetings of that organization. The executive committee seems to have appointed him as a special committee on " rifles " during the summer of 1855, but the only notice found is in a letter by ^'ebb to Lawrence, dated January 29, 1856,' stating that " Dr. Cabot is treasurer of the Rifle fund." He was a man of few words. But active and influential ; he was in thorough harmony with the policy of arming the prairie colonists and devoted much of his professional time to this service. A very few of Dr. Cabot's papers still exist, and are now in the possession of the Massachusetts His- torical Society. The most important number in this collection is a small account-book, which contains no comments ; all accounts are in the writing of Dr. Cabot, and on one cover, in pencil, also in the hand of Dr. Cabot, appears the single but significant word " Rifles ". This account-book was clearly intended for personal use, hence some of the memoranda are indefinite ; but the main features are clear and complete. The name of every donor, with amount given, is listed. The first collection was made in August, 1855, the last one Sep- tember 18, 1857. About $12,500 passed through Dr. Cabot's hands for the defense of the free-state people in Kansas. The bulk of these contributions came from New England, a few from New York state, and $2,500 from the Kansas National Aid Committee. Under ex- penditures, it appears that the largest sums were paid to Palmer and Company, agents for Sharps rifles ; the various items, including a draft for $2,500 to Pomeroy, aggregating about $8,000 and good for about 325 rifles. Of the remainder, one thousand is paid to A. A. Lawrence on the previous rifle account, and the balance is expended for revolvers, bowie-knives, ammunition, and general expenses. One of the bills of account of the Sharps manufacturing com- '/bid., 226. ^Ibid., 224. ' Amos A. Lawrence Collection.