[2] Known as Border Ruffians, several thousand men relocated from Missouri to Kansas in order to elect pro-slavery candidates; Anderson was among them although he retained his main residence in Lexington while officially residing in Fort Scott.
[4][5] Anderson was a staunch supporter of slavery, and was the architect of several pro-slavery laws during the territory's existence.
[4] During the American Civil War in 1862, Joseph and William Anderson and their father were arrested and imprisoned "for refusing to sign an 'oath of allegiance' to the Union.
"[4] Following their release, they moved back to Kentucky and Joseph continued as a lawyer.
[4] The two brothers were also reportedly members of a secret militant group "Southern League", which smuggled weapons south to the Confederacy.