Most early settlement of Kansas occurs near…

Most early settlement of Kansas occurs near the eastern border, and free staters are harassed constantly by “border ruffians” from Missouri.

Abolitionist John Brown, having become obsessed with the idea of taking overt action to help win justice for enslaved African Americans, comes to the Osawatomie area to join his five sons who have become engaged in the fight of the free-state cause.

With a wagon laden with guns and ammunition, Brown settles in Osawatomie and soon becomes the leader of antislavery guerrillas in the area.

He stays in the log cabin home of the Reverend Samuel and Florella Adair, his half-sister.