During this period in the history of the county, Free State people began to come into their own. They grew bolder, following the compromise with the pro-slavery citizens, over the question of the distribution of city officers and because of other concessions that were made by the pro- slavery citizens for the general good of the community. It was not strange, therefore, that some of the less tactful and politic Free State leaders should over-reach themselves at such a time. While the “Reign of Terrorism” under the Stringfellow regime was on, the Free State men in Atchison county considered discretion the better part of valor. They were very quiet, with few exceptions, of whom Pardee Butler was a conspicuous example, but they were nevertheless quite numerous in the county, and particularly was this the case in and around Monrovia, Eden and Ocena; in fact, there was an organization of Free State men in the county as early as 1857, and several quiet meetings were held that year; and at Monrovia a society was formed, of which Franklin G. Adams was the chief officer and spokesman. Early in May, 1857, Senator Pomeroy and the Free State men bought the _Squatter Sovereign_ from Dr. Stringfellow, and Mr. Adams and Robert McBratney became its editors. Mr. Adams was just as ardent a Free State man as Dr. Stringfellow was the other way, so the policy of the paper was completely reversed. Judge Adams was a lawyer and partner of John J. Ingalls for a while. He represented Atchison county in the constitutional convention that met in Mineola March 23, 1858 and which subsequently adjourned to Leavenworth. Caleb May, G. M. Fuller, C. A. Woodworth and H. E. Baker were the other delegates from Atchison county. Judge Adams was later one of the useful men of Kansas, and at the time of his death he was secretary of the State Historical Society, which position he filled with credit and honor for many years. On August 22, 1858, following the local compromise with the pro-slavery leaders, Judge Adams concluded the time was ripe to invite James H. Lane, the great Free State leader, to Atchison, to make a speech. He consequently served notice in his paper that Lane would be in Atchison October 19. As soon as it was generally known that Lane had been invited to speak in Atchison a number of the more rabid pro-slavery men concluded that the speaking would not take place. On the other hand, Judge Adams was just as determined that Lane would have a public meeting in Atchison. For the purpose of insuring order on that occasion Adams invited a number of strong and reliable Free State friends from Leavenworth to come up to Atchison and see that fair play was done. The invitation to the Leavenworth Free Soilers was accepted with alacrity and they arrived on the morning of the day Lane was billed to make his speech and brought with them their side arms as a matter of precaution. They made the office of Adams, Swift & Company their headquarters while here. Shortly