Editing Bourbon County, Kansas (section)

==History==

===Early history===
{{See also|History of Kansas}}
In 1855, '''Bourbon County''' was established and named after Bourbon County, Kentucky, due to the significant number of settlers from that region. Its early history is tied to the establishment of [[Fort Scott National Historic Site|Fort Scott]] in 1842 to manage relations with Indian tribes in the region, and particularly with the [[Osage Nation|Osage]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cutler |first=William G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xlAMAQAAMAAJ&q=history+of+the+state+of+kansas+cutler&dq=history+of+the+state+of+kansas+cutler&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiK_ZSbloCKAxV-lu4BHRB1CzYQ6AF6BAgEEAI |title=History of the State of Kansas, Containing a Full Account of Its Growth from an Uninhabited Territory to a Wealthy and Important State ...: Also, a Supplementary History and Description of Its Counties, Cities, Towns, and Villages ... |last2=Andreas |first2=Alfred Theodore |date=1883 |publisher=A.T. Andreas |isbn=978-0-598-27697-1 |language=en}}</ref> The county's first settlers, many of whom were pro-slavery, faced opposition from free-state advocates, leading to violent confrontations during the Bleeding Kansas era and later during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], such the [[Battle of Mine Creek]] in 1864.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Blackmar |first=Frank Wilson |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N1B80AEACAAJ&dq=a+cyclopedia+of+kansas+history+blackmar+volume+1&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwissabDlYCKAxUXJEQIHfSjN3UQ6AF6BAgFEAE |title=Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. ... with a Supplementary Volume Devoted to Selected Personal History and Reminiscence |date=1912 |publisher=Standard Publishing Company |language=en}}</ref>

The aftermath of the Civil War brought economic and demographic changes; many ex-soldiers settled in the area, contributing to its agricultural growth. Post-war years saw the railroad's arrival, connecting Bourbon County to broader markets and facilitating the expansion of coal mining and agriculture, particularly wheat, corn, and later, sorghum.<ref name=":0" />

===21st century===
[[Bourbon virus]], a new strain of [[thogotovirus]], was first discovered in Bourbon County. In the spring of 2014 an otherwise healthy man was bitten by a tick, contracting the virus, dying 11 days later from organ failure.<ref>{{cite web|title=New details on mystery virus that killed Kansas man|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-details-on-mystery-virus-that-killed-kansas-man/|work=CBS News|date=February 20, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New so-called Bourbon virus linked to Kansas man's death after tick bite|url=http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2015/02/20/New-so-called-Bourbon-virus-linked-to-Kansas-mans-death-after-tick-bite/9211424460126/|publisher=UPI}}</ref>