Fort Bain facts for kids

Fort Bain, also known as Fort Bourbon, was a log house built in 1857. It was located in the Kansas Territory, a place that was still becoming a state. A famous person named John Brown and his friend Captain Oliver P. Bain built this house. It was in northern Bourbon County, Kansas, near the Osage River. This spot was also close to the border with Missouri. Today, it would be near the town of Fulton.

A Secret Meeting Place

Fort Bain became an important secret meeting spot. It was used by John Brown and another leader named James Montgomery. This was during a difficult time in Kansas from 1857 to 1858. This period is known as Bleeding Kansas, when there was a lot of fighting about whether Kansas would allow slavery.

A Stop on the Underground Railroad

The house also served as a safe place on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network of routes and safe houses. It helped people who were escaping slavery find freedom. John Brown described Fort Bain as a strong building. He said it was big enough to hold about 50 men.

The Attack on Fort Bain

On December 16, 1857, a group of men were defending Fort Bain. They called themselves a "Squatter's Court." About 50 armed men came to attack the house. These attackers were led by a United States Deputy Marshal named Little from Fort Scott.

A Failed Attack

When Marshal Little's group arrived, they tried to talk things out. This kind of talk is called a parley. But they could not agree on anything. Marshal Little then moved closer to the house. Four of his men were hurt during this first attack.

Marshal Little and his men pulled back. They tried a second attack with ten men. This attack also failed, but no one was hurt this time. Little and his group then went back to Fort Scott.

Fort Bain Abandoned

The next day, December 17, Marshal Little returned with a much larger group of 150 men. But when they got to Fort Bain, they found it empty. The people who supported Kansas becoming a free state, called Free Staters, had left the house.

Planning for Freedom

From Fort Bain, John Brown made plans for a big event. In December 1858, he planned to go into Missouri. His goal was to help more people escape slavery.

What Happened to Fort Bain?

Fort Bain did not last forever. Several years after the "Bleeding Kansas" troubles ended, the log house was torn down. Another building was put in its place. Today, there is nothing left to show where Fort Bain once stood.