The town of Osawatomie, Kansas was founded by abolitionist settlers associated with the New England Emigrant Aid Company in 1854 and named after two Native American tribes in the area: the Osage and Pottawatomie.
Abolitionist John Brown and 40 other Free-Staters unsuccessfully defend the town of Osawatomie, Kansas against 250-300 border ruffians under John W. Reid.