Pro-Slavery Forces Sack Lawrence, Kansas

A pro-slavery posse of 800 men calling themselves "law and order" forces rode into Lawrence, Kansas — the center of the free-state movement — and sacked the town. They destroyed two newspaper offices, looted homes, and burned the Free State Hotel. No settlers were killed, but the attack shocked the North. The Territory of Kansas had already seen over 200 men killed in guerrilla violence since 1854.