He was indicted in Kansas, but the sheriffs were loyal either to the Lecompton government or the Lawrence government. Brown easily skated between the two and left Kansas for a time. In 1858, he conducted a major cross-state raid into Missouri, where he freed a number of slaves and sewed terror among a number of plantation owners. Soon after that success, Brown grew a long gray beard as a disguise; this became one of his trademarks.

By 1858, Brown had earned a small host of nicknames. He was “Captain” John Brown to his militia. He was “Old” John Brown to poets. He was a legend in the making.