Pottawatomie Massacre, Kansas
The Pottawatomie Massacre, a dark chapter in the tumultuous era of Bleeding Kansas, stands as a stark reminder of the violent clashes that defined the struggle over slavery in the mid-19th century. Occurring on the night of May 24, 1856, near Dutch Henry’s Crossing on the Pottawatomie River in Franklin County, this event saw the brutal killing of five men. While in ordinary times such an act might have been viewed as a simple, albeit horrific, crime, the context of the Kansas-Missouri Border War elevated it to a symbol of the deep-seated divisions tearing the territory apart. This was a period when civil war was not just a threat but a tangible reality in the border counties of Kansas, making the Pottawatomie Massacre a pivotal moment.
To understand the Pottawatomie Massacre, it is crucial to grasp the socio-political landscape of Kansas in the years leading up to the Civil War. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 had introduced the concept of popular sovereignty, allowing residents of the territories to decide for themselves whether to permit slavery. This ignited a fierce competition between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces, as both sides sought to populate Kansas with settlers who would vote in their favor.
In early 1855, the five sons of John Brown, a fervent abolitionist, arrived in Kansas and established a settlement on the north side of the Pottawatomie River, approximately two miles southwest of the present-day town of Lane. The geographical layout of the area further exacerbated the tensions. A pro-slavery settlement was situated between the Pottawatomie River and Mosquito Creek. To the north, between Mosquito Creek and the Marais des Cygnes River, lay a Free-State settlement. South of the Pottawatomie River, the political affiliations were more mixed. The Browns, staunch advocates for the abolition of slavery, found themselves living squarely within the heart of the pro-slavery element. This volatile mix of ideologies and proximity created an environment ripe for conflict.
Among the prominent pro-slavery figures in the area were Allen Wilkinson, the local postmaster; James P. Doyle, who had claimed land north of the Pottawatomie River in the fall of 1854; and Henry and William Sherman, who settled on an abandoned Indian farm at the ford of the creek, a location that became known as Dutch Henry’s Crossing. While some Free-State men perceived Wilkinson, Doyle, and the Shermans as relatively harmless, their actions suggested otherwise. Wilkinson had allegedly been elected to the legislature through fraudulent means and subsequently voted in favor of a restrictive "black code." Doyle and his sons, William and Drury, were accused of using force to prevent Free-State men from voting. The Shermans were known to provide hospitality to lawless invaders sympathetic to the pro-slavery cause. These actions, coupled with the broader context of the Border War, painted a picture of a community deeply divided and on the brink of violence.
The fuse that ignited the Pottawatomie Massacre was lit on May 21, 1856, when news reached the Pottawatomie Rifles, a Free-State militia, that an attack was imminent on Lawrence, Kansas, a stronghold of anti-slavery sentiment. The Pottawatomie Rifles mobilized to defend the town, but on their way, they learned that Lawrence had already been attacked and partially destroyed by pro-slavery forces. While encamped, James Towsley, an eyewitness, brought word that an attack was expected on Pottawatomie Creek.
Owen Brown, and later John Brown himself, requested that Towsley lead a party to monitor the situation. This group included John Brown, his four sons – Frederick, Oliver, Owen, and Watson – his son-in-law, Henry Thompson, Theodore Weiner, and James Towsley. They departed Shore’s at approximately 2:00 PM on May 23. After camping about a mile west of Dutch Henry’s Crossing, John Brown revealed his chilling plan after supper: to "sweep the Pottawatomie of all pro-slavery men living on it." This declaration marked a turning point, transforming the group from a reconnaissance mission into a death squad.
The group, under the leadership of John Brown, crossed the Pottawatomie and Mosquito Creeks and headed north until they reached the Doyle residence. While Frederick Brown, Theodore Weiner, and James Towsley stood guard on the road, the remaining members of the party approached the house. They forcibly removed James Doyle and his sons, William and Drury, and led them south across Mosquito Creek. As Doyle attempted to escape, John Brown shot him. When the sons tried to get away, they were killed with swords by Brown’s sons. The party then moved on to the home of Allen Wilkinson and ordered him to come outside. After walking a short distance with them, Wilkinson was killed with a sword by one of the Brown boys. Crossing the creek at Dutch Henry’s, the group arrived at the Sherman residence. Mrs. Harris, who was preparing breakfast for Buford’s men (pro-slavery advocates), initially mistook the Brown party for them. However, upon realizing her error, she alerted Henry Sherman and her husband. William Sherman was subsequently taken to the river, where he was killed with short swords, and his body was thrown into the stream.
According to some accounts, John Brown’s initial intention was to capture these men and subject them to a trial. However, this plan purportedly changed after Doyle’s attempt to escape. Whether this was the true intent or a later justification remains a matter of historical debate. Regardless, the Pottawatomie Massacre had a profound and immediate impact.
The Pottawatomie Massacre instilled widespread terror among the pro-slavery settlers of Pottawatomie Creek. They believed that the entire rifle company had returned to carry out the killings, leading to a mass exodus from the area. The event escalated the violence in Bleeding Kansas and further polarized the already divided territory. It also cemented John Brown’s reputation as a radical abolitionist willing to resort to extreme measures to combat slavery.
The legacy of the Pottawatomie Massacre remains complex and controversial. Some view John Brown as a hero, a righteous figure who took decisive action against the evils of slavery. Others condemn him as a ruthless murderer who committed a heinous crime. Regardless of one’s perspective, the Pottawatomie Massacre stands as a grim reminder of the brutal realities of the fight over slavery and the lengths to which people were willing to go to defend their beliefs. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked fanaticism and the devastating consequences of political and social division.
The events surrounding the Pottawatomie Massacre are intricately woven into the larger narrative of Bleeding Kansas, a period of intense violence and political turmoil that foreshadowed the coming Civil War. The massacre was a direct consequence of the failure of popular sovereignty and the inability of opposing factions to peacefully coexist. It underscores the deep-seated animosity that fueled the conflict and the tragic loss of life that resulted. The Pottawatomie Massacre should be remembered as a crucial turning point in the history of Kansas and the nation, a chilling example of the human cost of ideological conflict.