In January 1859, about 1.5 miles north of here, John Brown was discovered in a cabin on Straight Creek while escorting 11 slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad. U.S. Marshal John Wood hid in a nearby stream crossing with about 35 deputies, while Freestaters marched overnight from Topeka to support Brown. Even with reinforcements Brown’s party was outnumbered two to one, but he defiantly ordered his men to ford the creek. As Brown’s men entered the water, the marshal mounted his horse and fled, and the posse retreated as Brown drew closer to the ford. A newspaperman mockingly named the encounter the “Battle of the Spurs,” and Brown and his party reached Iowa unharmed.