Lawrence Prepares for Defense. Meanwhile, although Branson and his rescuers had left Lawrence and there was not a man in the town for whom Jones had a warrant, his army continued to gather, and Lawrence prepared for defense. The surrounding settlers came in and the six hundred men built fortifications and drilled.
End of the Wakarusa War. The army of Jones, “an unwashed, braggart, volcanic multitude,” was living off the surrounding country, rifling cabins and stealing horses and cattle. The people of Lawrence were feeling the burden of the siege also, for with the large number of those who had come in from the outside their supplies were being rapidly exhausted. Finally two men succeeded in getting through the lines of the enemy and reaching the Governor, who was being deceived about conditions. Governor Shannon then came to Lawrence, and, learning how things really were, took an active part in arranging a treaty between the opposing forces, and, to the disgust and disappointment of Sheriff Jones, dispersed the proslavery army. Without battle or bloodshed, what has since been known as the Wakarusa War was over.
SUMMARY
Instead of submitting to the proslavery Territorial Government, the free-state people decided to set up another government. They held a convention at Topeka and drew up a constitution prohibiting slavery. This constitution was adopted by the free-state people of the Territory, and then sent to Congress with a request that Kansas be admitted to the Union. The bill failed to pass. These rival governments within the Territory brought on the Wakarusa War, the principal events of which were as follows: Coleman shot Dow and fled to Jones, sheriff of Douglas County, for protection. Jones arrested Dow’s friend Branson, who was rescued by free-state men and taken to Lawrence, the town most hated by the proslavery people. Jones then gathered an army of Missourians for the purpose of destroying Lawrence. While both sides were preparing for the struggle, two free-state men succeeded in reaching Governor Shannon, who came to Lawrence, and, on learning the real condition, succeeded in arranging a treaty of peace, and dispersed the proslavery army.
REFERENCES
- Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 88-92.
- Spring, Kansas.
- Holloway, History of Kansas.
- Tuttle, History of Kansas.
- Gihon, Geary and Kansas.
- Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 101-120.
- Historical Collections, vol. VI, p. 291; vol. VII, p. 521; vol. IX, p. 540; vol. X, p. 457.
QUESTIONS
1. Explain what is meant by “rival governments in Kansas.”
2. What was the purpose of the Topeka Constitution?
3. Was Kansas admitted under this Constitution?