Franklin's Fort

During the "Bleeding Kansas" period, the fort was the site of two minor battles between pro- and anti-slavery factions.

It was established by settlers, mostly from the nation's south, who wanted the territory admitted to the Union as a slave state.

[1] By May 1856 a blockhouse was built inside Franklin, which was used to store arms and the "Old Sacramento Cannon", which had been seized during a raid on the Liberty, Missouri arsenal.

Not much damage was inflicted to either side at this point, but one free-stater was killed and several were wounded, as was one of Franklin's fort defenders.

[6] A man from Franklin was sent to travel to a company of U.S. cavalry camped approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) away and seek help.

Although the town's defenders fought determinedly, the Lawrence men finally made progress when they set a wagon loaded with hay afire and moved it to the front door of the fort.

The heat and light caused the defenders of the fort to escape into the night, as they thought they may be burned alive.