#albert boone

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"There was no peace"

“There was no peace”

David Rice Atchison (D-MO)

Proslavery movements against Lawrence began again in earnest on May 11, 1856. On that day, US Marshal Donaldson issued a proclamation calling for a large posse to help him serve his process in the town. He wanted one as big as Kansas and Missouri could manage. Proslavery men, including some from Jefferson Buford’s expedition, happily obliged him. As they gathered,…

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Shannon's Martial Woes, Part One

Shannon’s Martial Woes, Part One

Wilson Shannon

We left Wilson Shannon standing in the Free State Hotel, looking at the body of Thomas Barber. In it he saw his nightmare come true: the proslavery men had spilled free state blood. Where could it end? The news of Barber’s death outraged Lawrence sufficiently that Charles Robinson and James Lane had to act quickly to keep hotheaded free state men from launching an attack on their…

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Wilson Shannon Meets Thomas Barber

Wilson Shannon Meets Thomas Barber

Sara Robinson

Parts 1, 2, 3, 4

On the morning of December 7, 1855, Wilson Shannon and Albert Boone rode into Lawrence amid an escort of free state men. They went to the Free State Hotel to meet with the leaders of the besieged, James Lane and Charles Robinson. They doubtless received plenty of hard looks for the obvious reasons, but likely also due to the surprise that awaited them at the hotel:…

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Governor Shannon Goes to Lawrence

Governor Shannon Goes to Lawrence

Wilson Shannon

  After his unproductive meeting with the proslavery leadership on the night of December 6, 1855, Governor Wilson Shannon made arrangements with General Strickler of the Kansas militia. Through Strickler, he secured an express rider to take his further plea that the 1st Cavalry ride from Fort Leavenworth to come to Lawrence’s rescue. Shannon told George Douglas Brewertonthat the…

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"You have the power to secure peace."

“You have the power to secure peace.”

Wilson Shannon

  Wilson Shannon, governor of Kansas, and Albert Boone, grandson of Daniel, found that the Missourians and others encamped around Lawrence really didwant to ravage the community and put an end to the free state movement. To stop them he had only the similarly-sized free state militias committed to Lawrence’s defense. Using that force would bring about the very confrontation that…

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