Border War in Cass County 1855 - 1859 As a prelude to the Civil War, on the Missouri/Kansas border there was much unrest, raiding, looting and burning during the "Bleeding Kansas" era from 1855 - 1859 when Free State and Pro-Slavery groups were struggling for dominance in territorial Kansas.
"Over 200 killed, over $2 million in property destroyed in border raids."
History of Missouri, Vol. 17 Nov. - Dec. 1855"Raids and Counter-raids continue almost nightly. Hundreds have fled the area."
Cass County Democrat, Harrisonville, 1857 "500 Free Staters raid into Cass & Bates Counties over the weekend." May 4, 1858, Richmond Missouri Mirror
"Since citizens of Cass & Bates Counties are liable to be attacked by marauding parties from Kansas Territory, it is necessary to station an armed force along the border for protection." MO Gov. Stewart to Kansas Gov. Denver Aug. 7, 1858 Fall of 1858 - Spring 1859 The arrival of Shelby's Lafayette County Volunteers controls border raids. |
