"Border Ruffians Invading Kansas," an illustration by Felix O.C. Darley, depicts pro-slavery raiders crossing into Kansas from Missouri amidst Bleeding Kansas violence. The illustration is undated. Photo courtesy of Yale University Art Gallery. 

In 1820, the Missouri Compromise outlawed slavery north of the 36º 30’ parallel (Missouri’s southern border). However, in 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise by instituting popular sovereignty, under which settlers of Kansas Territory could vote on whether or not it would be admitted to the Union as a free or slave state. Violence broke out that year, with conflicts between pro and anti-slavery factions who sought to turn Kansas in their favor. 56 people were killed in Kansas as part of “Bleeding Kansas” violence. 

Manhattan was spared from the worst of Bleeding Kansas for two main reasons: firstly, its location, far from Missouri and close to Fort Riley. It had been founded by staunchly Free-State settlers. However, it was not spared from conflict entirely. Proslavery newspaper Leavenworth Herald reported on an incident in Manhattan: in 1855, William Osborn, a proslavery man, took over the cabin of a man who left town after transferring his property to the Boston Town Association (which is what Manhattan was called at the time). He was run out of town, through force. His friend, Isaac Hascall, was also forcibly removed for “claim-jumping,” though his claim was later recognized as legitimate. 

This turbulence continued until Kansas became a state. The anti-slavery faction eventually won, and Kansas entered the Union as a Free-State in January 1861. The Civil War officially broke out only 3 months later. 

To learn more about Bleeding Kansas and how the Civil War affected Kansas, you can go to:  Civil War on the Western Border