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Primary sources online from the Kansas Historical Society
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John Brown
This copy of a photograph was probably taken in the 1850s, and shows John Brown, an abolitionist and free-state leader. Brown was born on May 9th, 1800, 226 years ago. He came to Kansas Territory in 1855 and left in 1859 but in that time, he was involved in several skirmishes with proslavery factions. Brown's acts of violence against proslavery people made him a legendary figure by the time he left Kansas Territory. He was hung on December 2, 1859 after a failed attempt to attack the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia.
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Selected Kansas newspaper titles digitized and available on Chronicling America.
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