Michael Matson

Freedom's Price and Greed Michael Matson

Freedom's Price: "Kansas 1858 In response to increasing numbers of blacks fleeing to achieve freedom, the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 strengthened the existing law and granted federal officers bonuses or promotions for capturing escaping slaves and returning them to their masters. Heavy fines and prison sentences were imposed on those acting to help runaways. And yet.... Greed: Like too many ex-infantry commanders, F. P. Conlon had an elevated sense of his own importance. He'd grown accustomed to issuing orders and, even after leaving the army, expected others to obey them or get the hell out of his way. This lofty sense of privilege and self-worth was only equaled by his complete disregard for virtually every other human being. Within weeks after his arrival in the Three River's area, Conlon made it clear he didn't want just any piece of the land. He wanted the best piece. He wanted Oliver Quinn's.