Franklin (Douglas County), Kansas

Coordinates: 38°56′02″N 95°10′34″W / 38.9338°N 95.1761°W / 38.9338; -95.1761

Establishment

Franklin was a small town established in 1854 in Douglas County, Kansas Territory. It was established by settlers, mostly or all from the nation's south, who championed the cause of making the territory a slave state. By late 1855 Franklin had about a dozen homes and businesses and a post office. It soon became a center devoted to the southern cause in Kansas.^[1]

Sheriff Samuel Jones headquartered himself and his cause in Franklin by spring 1856. While Jones was partially disabled by a sniper at that time, Franklin grew as a center for the southern cause in Kansas. By May 1856 three forts were built in Douglas County and a blockhouse, Franklin's Fort, was built inside Franklin. The blockhouse was used to store arms and a cannon seized during an attack on Lawrence May 21. The blockhouse was built to be defended in the event of attack by free-state forces.^[2][3]

Free-State attacks on Franklin

Two attacks were made on Franklin's fort in 1856 during the summer. Free Staters during that time desired to rid the area of southern-oriented fortifications. The first attack was made on June 4 by about fifteen members of the Lawrence Stubbs, a free-state militia based in Lawrence. The free staters entered town after dark to search for "Old Sacramento," a cannon taken during a southern raid on Lawrence. Some defenders at the fort were aroused and what was termed the First Battle of Franklin erupted. During this battle the cannon was fired once and persons began firing at the free staters from houses in town, forcing their retreat. One Franklin man was fatally shot and a small number of persons were wounded. Some Franklin men may have been captured by the Lawrence men.^[4][5]

After this attack, Franklin's defenses were strengthened. The fort itself was made more defensible. On August the Second Battle of Franklin took place. This time possibly two companies, at least 75 men, left Lawrence after dark to attack the town and fort. They were led by free-state leader James H. Lane. Apparently only about 20 men were defending Franklin. For several hours the opposing forces fired upon each other in the dark. Not much damage was done to either side at this point, but several free staters were wounded, as was one fort defender. One free stater was killed.^[6]

At some point a man was sent to travel to a company of U.S. cavalry camped approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) away and seek help. The cavalry could not reach Franklin until just before dawn. In the meantime things went badly for the fort's defenders, who had fought determinedly. The Lawrence attackers finally made progress when they set a wagon loaded with hay alight and moved it to the front door of the fort. The heat and light scared the defenders of the fort, who fled into the night.^[7]

While the adjoining post office was damaged by fire, the fort only suffered damage from bullets, not fire. The free staters took possession of it and took fifty to eighty muskets, ammunition and the cannon ("Old Sacramento"). They also took much food stored there and 14 prisoners, while suffering one man killed and several wounded. The fort was left, but this ended its use as a town defense. It was converted to use as a residence.^[8]

Decline and abandonment of Franklin

The importance of Franklin to the southern cause diminished greatly after the second attack on it. The town declined in population. On August 21, 1863, William C. Quantrill and about 400 guerrillas and Confederate Army recruits passed through Franklin on their way to raid Lawrence. One of the guerrilla leaders said a few soldiers in Union uniforms could be seen in town. One resident, Dr. R. L. Williams (who happened to move into the old fort in 1857), said he thought Quantrill's men were Union soldiers and no one took much notice of them, as they quietly passed through.^[9]

This was almost the last information concerning Franklin. The town continued to decline and was abandoned about 1867. Dr. Williams lived on the site in the old fort a number of years after the town's passing. After some time, nothing remained from the town.^[10][11]

References