Border Ruffians
A border ruffian was the name given to proslavery raiders from the state of Missouri who crossed into Kansas territory in 1854 to 1960s, to make sure it became a slave state.
Online Resources
Primary Sources
From Edward Fitch to the Editor (Image) (transcript)
Col. Sumner arriving at Constitution Hall
Petition to Set Aside Election for Delegation (Image) (transcript)
Territory of Kansas against Charles Robinson (Image) (transcript)
Photo of Border Ruffian survivors
Photo of two unidentified Border Ruffians
Engraving showing the attack on Charles Sumner on the floor of the Senate, 1856; from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper.
Leaders
The Border Ruffians were not an organized group with a single leader and regular meetings. Instead, they were a bunch of people who all had the same beliefs surrounding slavery in the Kansas territory that were inspired to action by leaders such as:
Benjamin Franklin Stringfellow
John H. Stringfellow.
David Rice Acheson,
Rev. Thomas Johnson,
Daniel Woodson
Samuel J. Jones.