Rively's store was the headquarters for these men, and there they held their meetings.
[Illustration: STAKING OUT LOTS.] At first they thought father would coincide with them on account of his brother Elijah being a Missourian, but in this they were greatly mistaken.

At one of their gatherings, when there were about one hundred of the reckless men present, my father, who happened also to be there, was called upon for a speech.

After considerable urging, he mounted the box and began speaking, as nearly as I can recollect, as follows: "Gentlemen and Fellow-citizens: You have called upon me for a speech, and I have accepted your invitation rather against my will, as my views may not accord with the sentiments of the rest of this assembly.

My remarks, at this time, will be brief and to the point.

The question before us to-day is, shall the territory of Kansas be a free or a slave state.