David R. Atchison

The Mormon War

Sun, 03/01/1857

The Mormon War, otherwise known as the Utah War or Mormon Rebellion, describes the violence surrounding an armed confrontation between Mormon settlers in Utah Territory and the U.S. Army, which lasts from March 1857 to July 1858.

Atchison, David Rice

By Zach Garrison, University of Cincinnati

A proponent of westward expansion and a prominent proslavery Democrat in the state of Missouri, David Rice Atchison led the call for slavery’s extension into the Kansas and Nebraska territories. Following the passage of the divisive Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854, Atchison directed efforts of Missourians to cross the border in order to stuff ballots during Kansas’ first territorial election in 1855 and personally led Missouri “border ruffians” in their often-violent efforts to secure Kansas as a slave state, including an attack on Lawrence, Kansas in 1856.

Kansas "Bogus Legislature" Established

Fri, 03/30/1855

The so-called "Bogus Legislature," or the first Kansas Territorial Legislature, is established as a result of fraudulent voting by proslavery Missouri "border ruffians" who crossed the border under the leadership of former Senator David R. Atchison to vote in the March 30, 1855 election.