“The Pottawatomie Massacre, as the Brown killings were known, aroused emotions and distrust on both sides. It was denounced by Southern and even some Northern newspapers. Unable to stabilize the situation, Shannon resigned as governor in August 1856.
By 1859 Brown had left Kansas, but in the meantime, he had taken part in the Battle of Black Jack on June 2, 1856, and led free staters in defending the town of Osawatomie from a pro-slavery attack in August 1856.
Many more skirmishes took place between antislavery and pro-slavery forces.”
http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/pottawatomie-massacre/16699
It’s ironic that, 100 years later, the Useful Idiots in the Weatherunderground chose “Osawatomie” for publishing the screed of an ideology that had to build a wall to keep its Communist state property from pursuing happiness elsewhere.
JB was most famous for his defense of the town of Osawatomie with 40 men against 250 to 300 border ruffians. Though eventually forced to withdraw, he caused heavy casualties in the attackers, who were glad to let him “get away.”
You may not like the guy, but he definitely had great big solid steel ones.
Also was a businessman most of his life, though unsuccessful. This was because he was a poor money manager, not because he didn’t work hard or have good ideas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Osawatomie