MARAIS DES CYGNES -

This park honors those who were victims of a violent act during Bleeding Kansas in 1858. Proslavery men kidnapped 11 neighbors who opposed their views, killing five. These acts shocked the nation. That outrage helped secure Kansas’ fate as a free state. Contemplate this chapter of Kansas Territory in a tranquil setting.

Tour Marais des Cygnes

View this beautiful hiking and picnic spot with interpretive signs to see the experiences awaiting your visit.

History of the site

The territory had already gained a violent reputation before this massacre in 1858. Numerous news reports of violence between proslavery and antislavery supporters in 1856 had drawn national attention. Abolitionist John Brown was often at the center of the fight.

Here in this community along the Missouri border, families came to farm the rich, fertile land near the Marais des Cygnes River (probably named by French traders for migratory swans). The Border Ruffians were a group of proslavery supporters, often from Missouri, that intimidated antislavery sympathizers. The Jayhawkers, organized to protect antislavery supporters, used similar tactics. Residents lived in fear of the increasing tensions.

The sun was shining on the May morning as freestater Patrick Ross drove his wagon. Charles Hamilton's Bloody Reds, an armed and mounted proslavery band, kidnapped Ross then proceeded on to town. At the general store they captured John Campbell, then Reverend Benjamin Read along the road. They took eight more, ransacked a farm, and stole horses. Then they forced all 11 captives to march to a ravine. Hamilton ordered the men to aim and fire.

Neighbors notified Sarah Read that her husband had been kidnapped. Other families joined her in pursuit. They followed the sound of gunshot to the victims. Five were dead, five were wounded.

The massacre outraged the nation. They considered the victims to be martyrs. John Greenleaf Whitter paid tribute to them with a poem published in the Atlantic Monthly. John Brown called for justice, writing out a list of parallels that pointed out iniquities between the factions. Kansans on both sides of the debate wanted to put an end to the violence.

With a vain plea for mercy
No stout knee was crooked;
In the mouths of the rifles
Right manly they looked.
How paled the May sunshine,
O Marais du Cygne!
On death for the strong life,
On red grass for green!

Excerpt
"Le Marais du Cygne" (1858)
John Greenleaf Ehittier