Paul.... Here is some information. The Marais Des Cygnes Massacre occurred on May 19, 1858 near Trading Post, Kansas, about 12 miles north of Fort Scott. In Robley's History of Bourbon County, page 110 it says:

"Ten of these Border Ruffians were well-known in Fort Scott. They were the Hamiltons, W.B. Brockett, Thomas Jackson, Harlan, Yealock, Beach, Griffith and Matlock."

On page 109, Robley writes:

"During the winter and early spring of 1858 there was much friction between Free-State men in Fort Scott and the ultra Pro-slavery party. The latter formed themselves into a secret society call the "Bloody Reds," which extended into the border counties of Missouri. Dr. George P. Hamilton was the head. The Western Hotel, then known better as the "Pro-Slavery Hotel," was their "official" headquarters, although their favorite meeting place was at the house of Thomas Jackson, in Vernon County, Missouri.

In the Kansas State Historical Collections, Volume XVI, "Historic Linn: Its First Settlement" on page 642:

"Broad Tom" Jackson, a noted proslavery man, was his (Hamilton's) nearest neighbor, til some of his mischief compelled Jackson to leave, when the present Judge William Goss, of La Cygne, took the land."

In G. Murlin Welch's book, "Border Warfare", page 110, it reads:

"The question as to the disposition of Hamelton's property in Kansas is naturally in order. Evidence would indicate that the land remained vacant until September 18, 1858, when William and Asa Hairgrove brought suit for damages amounting to $3,000 and $5,000 respectively, against the following:

Charles A. Hamilton, Algernon Hamilton, Michael Hubbard, Thomas Jackson, Stephen Hightower, James Tate, Frank Powell, Joseph Powell, Lewis Henderson, A. Henderson, Wm. Yealock, G. P. Hamilton, W. B. Brockett, Jasper Bromfield, and N. W. Matlock, Defendents.

The plaintiffs recovered judgement by default, and the property of the above named was sold at a sheriff's sale November 27, 1858, in satisfaction of the judgement debt."

And the reference you are looking for is on pages 196-7.

"On the night of December 30 Eli Snyder with a company of about thirty journeyed into Missouri a short distance across the border east of Trading Post to the home and store of Jeremiah Jackson, which they sacked and burned. Snyder was said to have made the attack because he accused Jackson of harboring some of Hamelton's men who had committed the Marais des Cygnes Massacre.

Expecting an attack, Jackson had moved part of his goods farther into Missouri. G. A. Crawford reported that he (Crawford) was at the time riding a horse lent him by Jackson for safekeeping. It is also related that Jackson had kept several men at his home to help watch his property; but a day or two before the raid, Samuel Nickels and Hairgrove from the territory are said to have made an agreement with Jackson that each party would warn the other of an intended attack and remove the need of keeping guard. Free-state accounts stated that Snyder was unaware of the agreement and consequently his attack was made without the knoweldge of Nickels and Hairgrove.

All accounts agree that Jackson made a spirited attempt to defend his possessions. Reports of several Jayhawkers being killed in the attack were rumored; however, these were evidently exaggerated although A. H. Tanner, who lived on the little Osage, was slightly wounded.

Jackson escaped after his home and store were set on fire. The damage done was extensive because Jackson was reported to have been a wealthy settler. One account doubted that revenge was the main reason for the attack as several wagons were brought along with the marauding party; besides Jackson was said to have been generally liked by the free-state settlers.

Evidence suggests that neither Brown nor Montgomery had anything to do with the attack, either in counsel or action. Although aided by C.R. "Doc" Jennison and a few others from Sugar Mound, most of the men with Snyder were from the vicinity of Osawatomie."

So, here is my general assessment. Jeremiah Jackson was a wealthy miller and store owner near West Point, Missouri, whose son, Thomas Jackson, was linked with Charles Hamilton's "Bloody Reds" society. Jememiah was on good terms with both sides during the border troubles but, obviously, wanted to protect his son when he found out that he participated in the Marais des Cygnes massacre. The Hairgroves were both survivors of the massacre, as was Eli Snyder, so the attack on Jacksons probably served three purposes:

1.) revenge on Tom Jackson through burning out his haven and family.

2.) jayhawking and plunder.

3.) an attempt to locate Tom Jackson at the Jackson enclave.

Any documents, or information you have on the Jackson family should be of important interest to the Kansas historical site of the Marais des Cygnes massacre and would be of interest historically.

If I can be of further service, please let me know.

Sincerely.
Howard Mann