The following article appeared in the Laurensville [S.C.] Herald, 23 May 1856, p. 3, c. 1:

THE SHOOTING OF SHERIFF JONES IN KANSAS

The following is the communication alluded to by telegraph, between Col. Sumner, of the Dragoons, and "Governor" Robinson, of Kansas

HEAD QUARTERS, 1ST CAVALRY

Camp near Lawrence, April 27, 1856
Sir: As there are no municipal officers in the town of Lawrence, I think proper to address you before returning to my post. The recent attempt upon the life of Sheriff Jones will produce great excitement throughout the Territory and on the Missouri frontier, and I consider it of the utmost impoortance that every effort should be made by your people to ferret out anmd bring to justice the cowardly assassin. It is not too much to say that the peace of the country may depend upon it; for if he is not arrested, the act will be charged by the opposite party upon your whole community. This affair has been reported at Washington, and whatever orders may be received, will be instantly carried inbto effect. The proclamation which requires obedience to the laws of the Territory, as they now stand, until legally abrogated, will certainly be maintained, and it is very unsafe to give heed to people at a distance who counsel resistance. If they were here to participate in the danger, they would probably take a different view of this matter.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your ob't serv't,

E. [Edwin] V. Sumner,

Colonel 1st Cavalry, commanding

The follwoing reply was forwarded to Colonel Sumner:

LAWRENCE, K. T., April 27, 1856

Sir: Your note of this morning was received, and in answer permit me to say that the cowardly attack upon Mr. Jones receives no countenance whatever from the citizens of Lawrence, but, on the contrary, meets with universal condemnation, and if the guilty party can be found, he will most certainly be given over to justice. It is and has been the policy of the people of Lawrence to yield prompt obedience to the laws and officers of the Federal Government, and as Mr. Jones was acting in authority of that Government on the day of the assault, the guilty party was an enemy to the citizens of Lawrence, no less than a violator of the laws. The people of Lawrence are without any organized municipal government, and consequently no person can speak or act officially for them; but from what I know of their feelings and dispositions, I have no hesitation in saying that they will ever be found loyal citizens of the Government, and ready to do all in their power to maintain the laws of the country.

Very repsectfully,

CHAS. ROBINSON"

Im not quite sure how this letter found its way into the South Carolian paper, except that the Laurens company had just left for Kansas. Its source is not attributed in the paper; it obviously was copied from another paper.