1ST BURNING OF LAWRENCE - MAY 21, 1856

Although, several attempts to attack and pillage Lawrence, Kansas had been planned and almost fulfilled, such an occasion did occur on May 21, 1856. Tensions had been steadily rising since the end of 1855 between the Missouri Border Ruffians, promoting Kansas as a “Slave State,” and those inhabitants of Lawrence, known as “Yankee Town” because of its predominantly northern abolitionists inhabitants, who advocated the territory being brought into the Union as a “Free State.” 

On this date a large contingent of Border Ruffians entered the town and after several failed attempts by their artillery to blow up several buildings, they torched and ransacked much of the town.  Gangs of “Free Starters,” then roamed about the area stealing and murdering Missourians, and proslavery settlers.  Between November 1, 1855 and December 1, 1856, nearly 200 people lost their lives as a result of the Border War between Missouri and Kansas at an estimated property lost of $2,000,000.

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