Introduction

They were the best of mankind and the worst... Abolitionists and Border Ruffians. Fighting on the hills and plains of Kansas Territory in a battle of good versus evil to determine if Kansas would be a slave or free state. Each side trusted that God, the Supreme Being, the Prince of Peace... sanctioned their point of view and they quoted bible verses to prove it. And each side sincerely believed they were the good and their opponent was evil.

Setting the Scene

It was a week until Christmas in December 1856, a cold blustery day; just two weeks until the new year. "Dear Lord Jesus, please let the new year bring Peace on Earth to Kansas."

Repetition for Emphasis

They were the best of mankind and the worst... Abolitionists and Border Ruffians. Fighting on the hills and plains of Kansas Territory in a battle of good versus evil to determine if Kansas would be a slave or free state. Each side trusted that God, the Supreme Being, the Prince of Peace... sanctioned their point of view and they quoted bible verses to prove it. And each side sincerely believed they were the good and their opponent was evil. It was a week until Christmas in December 1856, a cold blustery day; just two weeks until the new year. "Dear Lord Jesus, please let the new year bring Peace on Earth to Kansas."