Fort Wakarusa.—During the territorial days, while the free-state and pro-slavery citizens were almost at constant warfare, a number of places where the opposing forces were wont to gather were dignified by the name of "fort." Fort Wakarusa was a free-state fortification at the crossing of the Wakarusa river, near the old town of Sebastian, about 5 miles from Lawrence, in a southeasterly direction. It is marked upon an old map of Douglas county, published in 1857, but aside from its location but little can be learned of its character, etc. Most likely its construction was similar to that of other "forts" of that day—a log cabin surrounded by a line of earthworks, or perhaps a line of palisades.