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THE
Kansas Historical
Quarterly
KIRKE MECHEM, Editor
JAMES C. MALIN, Associate Editor
Volume III
1934
(Kansas Historical Collections)
VOL. xx
Published by
The Kansas State Historical Society
Topeka, Kansas
15-6674
722fi8
Contents of Volume III
Number 1 — February, 1934
PAGE
A PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF EARLY KANSAS Robert Taft, 3
FERRIES IN KANSAS: Part II — Kansas River — Concluded. .George A. Root, 15
A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT OF THE KANSAS SITUATION, 1856-1857: The
Letters of Lieut. Col. A. J. Hoole, C. S. A.,
Edited by William Stanley Hoole, 43
WILLIAM C. HOOK: Judge of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals of the
United States Thomas Amory Lee, 69
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS AND PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENTS. .0. W. Mosher, Jr., 86
THE ANNUAL MEETING: Containing the Report of the Executive Com-
mittee; Report of the Secretary and Treasurer; Election of Officers,
Kirke Mechem, Secretary, 91
KANSAS HISTORY AS PUBLISHED IN THE PRESS 105
KANSAS HISTORICAL NOTES . Ill
Number 2— May, 1934
PAGE
FERRIES IN KANSAS : Part III — Blue River George A. Root, 115
A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT OF THE KANSAS SITUATION, 1856-1857: The
Letters of Lieut. Col. A. J. Hoole, C. S. A.— Concluded,
Edited by William Stanley Hoole, 145
CAMP BEECHER Hortense Balderston Campbell, 172
RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY,
Compiled by Helen M. McFarland, Librarian, 186
KANSAS HISTORY AS PUBLISHED IN THE PRESS 207
KANSAS HISTORICAL NOTES . 223
Number 3— August, 1934
PAGE
GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES IN OTTAWA COUNTY Theo. H. Scheffer, 227
FERRIES IN KANSAS: Part IV — Republican River George A. Root, 246
A TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES IN KANSAS AND THE INDIAN TERRITORY
IN 1870 William Nicholson, 289
KANSAS HISTORY AS PUBLISHED IN THE PRESS 327
KANSAS HISTORICAL NOTES 336
Number 4 — November, 1934
PAGE
FERRIES IN KANSAS: Part V — Solomon River George A. Root, 339
A TOTJR OF INDIAN AGENCIES IN KANSAS AND THE INDIAN TERRITORY IN
1870 — Conclusion William Nicholson, 343
THE GOMPERS-ALLEN DEBATE ON THE KANSAS INDUSTRIAL COURT,
Domenico Gagliardo, 385
KANSAS HISTORY AS PUBLISHED IN THE PRESS 396
KANSAS HISTORICAL NOTES 411
ERRATA IN VOLUME III 412
INDEX TO VOLUME III 413
(iv)
THE
Kansas Historical
Quarterly
Volume III Number 1
February, 1934
PRINTED BY KANSAS STATE PRINTING PLANT
W. C. AUSTIN. STATE PRINTER
TOPEKA 1934
15-2718
Contributors
ROBERT TAFT is associate professor of chemistry at the University of Kan-
sas, Lawrence.
GEORGE A. ROOT is curator of archives of the Kansas State Historical Society.
WILLIAM STANLEY HOOLE, a grandson of Lieut.-Col. A. J. Hoole, C. S. A., is
an assistant graduate instructor at Duke University, Durham, N. C.
THOMAS AMORY LEE was president1 of the Kansas State Historical Society for
the year ending October, 1933. He is a Topeka attorney.
O. W. MOSHER, JR., is associate professor of history at the Kansas State
Teachers College of Emporia.
NOTE. — Articles in the Quarterly appear in chronological order without re-
gard t,o their importance.
A Photographic History
of Early Kansas1
ROBERT TAFT
THE influence of American photography upon the social and
political growth of our country has never been traced, and for
some years the writer has been accumulating facts and materials
bearing upon this thesis. In making the search for such material,
thousands of photographs have been examined and the importance
of many of these photographs, as historic records, apart from their
interest as illustrations of the development of photography, has been
more and more impressed upon the writer. History, by means of
photographs, is by no means new, and is well illustrated by that
monumental series of volumes, The Photographic History of the
Civil War. That this method has not been employed more exten-
sively is surprising, and may be due, in part, to the lack of knowl-
edge which the historian and writer possesses of the history of
American photography.
To be specific, the photographs available in the Kansas State
Historical Society as important historic evidence are practically
unknown, even among professional historians. The particular
object of this paper is not to present an exhaustive photographic
history of the state, however, but to call attention to such material
as it exists and to emphasize the importance of the photographic
method of recording history and the value of adding similar material
by donations from interested individuals who possess photographs
of historic value.
The development of American photography may be briefly out-
lined by the following chronology:
Sept. 21, 1839 The beginning of photography in America.2
1840-1860 The era of the daguerreotype, or photographs on
silvered copper.
1849 The introduction of photography on glass.
1853 The beginning of commercial wet-plate photography
in the United States.
July 4 and 11, 1854 Issuance of patents to J. A. Cutting, covering the
ambrotype.
1. The present paper is a revision of an illustrated lecture presented by the author at the
annual meeting of the Kansas State Historical Society, October 17, 1933, under the title,
"A Pictorial History of Early Kansas." The author is indebted to Dr. F. C. Gates, editor
of the Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science, for permission to use the plate which
accompanies this article. The plate was originally published in the Transactions, v. XXXVI, pp.
36-40 (1933), under the title "Old Photographs— A Review of American Photography in the
Period 1839-1880" written by the author of the present article.
2. The data upon which this table is based have been obtained by the writer through an
extensive examination of the scientific, photographic, and patent literature of the period, and
will be discussed in detail in a forthcoming publication.
(3)
4 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Feb. 19, 1856 Patent to H. L. Smith for tintype, variously known
as melainotype and ferrotype.
1859 Introduction of carte de visite photographs in the
United States.
1866 Introduction of cabinet photographs in the United
States.
1880 Beginning of modern gelatin dry-plate photography.
1881 Patent issued to F. E. Ives for half-tone process.
From this table it is apparent that it would have been possible to
have a complete photographic record of the development of our
state from the early 1850's down to the present. A preliminary
search for photographs of the 1850's and 1860's shows that photo-
graphs of individuals and scenes important in the development of
the state have been made. How many are existent to-day is another
question.
The earliest photographs taken in Kansas, which I have found
mentioned as yet, were those made by S. N. Carvalho on Col. John
C. Fremont's expedition of 1853 and 1854. Carvalho described
his experiences with this expedition in a discursive book, Incidents
of Travel and Adventure in the Far West, published by Derby and
Jackson, New York, 1859. According to Carvalho, the first photo-
graphs of this expedition were made "near Westport, a few miles in
the interior," on September 17 or 18, 1853. Whether "the interior"
referred to lay in Kansas or Missouri is uncertain. If it were in
Kansas the dates mentioned above may mark the beginning of
photography in Kansas. In addition, it is interesting to note that,
if this locality lay in Kansas, on these dates, without doubt, the
first photographic contest in the state took place. It appears that
Colonel Fremont had given a Mr. Bomar, also a "photographist,"
permission to accompany the expedition at least as far as Westport.
Bomar made his photographs on waxed paper negatives, according
to a process developed by the Englishman, Talbot. Carvalho se-
cured his photographs as daguerreotypes. Fremont requested that
at Westport both types of photographs be made so that he could
choose between the processes. According to Carvalho, "In half an
hour from the time the word was given my daguerreotype was made ;
but the photograph could not be seen until the next day, as it had
to remain in water all night, which was absolutely necessary to
develop it." Since much water and time were necessary for the
paper negatives, Fremont decided to leave Mr. Bomar and his outfit
at Westport, and Carvalho was chosen to accompany the expedition
westward.
TAFT: PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF EARLY KANSAS 5
From the discussion it is evident that a number of daguerreotypes
were made in Kansas by Carvalho. Unfortunately, although I have
made an extended search, none of these daguerreotypes or their
photographic copies appear to be extant to-day. They were prob-
ably destroyed by the fire in which the Fremonts lost many of their
personal effects, as described by Mrs. Fremont in the introduction
to Colonel Fremont's memoirs.
There are records of daguerreotypists working in Kansas slightly
after this date. Among these may be mentioned Rankin,3 Needles,4
Barker and Gregg5 of Leavenworth, Boles and DaLee6 of Lawrence,
and Hathaway,7 of Weston, Mo., all of whom practiced before 1860.
Surviving portrait daguerreotypes and ambrotypes made by these
men in this period (1854-1860) are much more common than are
photographs of views or incidents. Among the latter class there are
two outstanding in the collections of the Kansas State Historical
Society. The first of these is a daguerreotype view of a Free State
battery, taken at Topeka in 1856. 8 The daguerreotype, when found
by the writer, was in a badly corroded condition, but by chemical
treatment was restored so that it now constitutes an interesting
and valuable historic record.
The photograph shows the cannoneers, their tent, ammunition
and considerable landscape. This daguerreotype, I believe, is the
earliest Kansas photograph in the collection of the Historical Society.
The second photograph, previously referred to, is an ambrotype
of the Doy rescue party.9 This was made at Lawrence, in the
summer of 1859, by A. G. DaLee.10
That other view photographs of this period were made cannot
be questioned. For example, Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper
3. Kansas Weekly Herald, Leavenworth, March 9, 1855.
4. Information from a lithograph published in 1857; now in Lawrence room, University
of Kansas library.
5. Leavenworth City Directory, 1859-1860, p. 22.
6. A. G. DaLee was a pioneer photographer of Lawrence, beginning business there in 1858.
He was wounded in the Quantrill raid and left Lawrence for several years following the raid.
He eventually returned and practiced his profession in Lawrence until his death. He died
while on a vacation at Colorado Springs, Colo., on August 4, 1879. (Lawrence Daily Journal,
August 6, 1879.) Thanks are due Mrs. A. P. Fey, of Lawrence, a daughter of Mr. DaLee for
a portion of the above information. The Philadelphia Photographer, v. XVI, p. 287 (1879),
in announcing Mr. DaLee's death, states that he was "considered the best photographer west
of the Mississippi, as well as a man of sterling character." The first advertisement of J.
Boles appears in the Herald of Freedom, Lawrence, December 5, 1857.
7. Hathaway's first advertisement appeared in the Kansas Weekly Herald, Leavenworth,
November 3, 1854. As Weston was across the river from Fort Leavenworth, Hathaway must
have been patronized by the early citizens of Leavenworth, as well as the soldiers from Fort
Leavenworth, and may even have come into Kansas to do photographic work.
8. Date and description from the record furnished by the donor of the daguerreotype.
9. For an account of the Doy rescue see J. B. Abbott, Kansas Historical Collections, v. IV,
p. 312.
10. Theodore Gardner, Kansas Historical Collections, v. XVTI, p. 851. Gardner refers to
the photograph as "an old-fashioned daguerreotype." Ambrotypes are frequently mistaken
for daguerreotypes.
6 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
for October 4, 1856, contains two woodcut prints of Kansas interest
stated to have been copied from daguerreotypes. The first of these
is a group of Free State prisoners, including Gov. Charles Robinson
and John Brown, Jr., among others, which is stated to have been
copied from a daguerreotype made for Mrs. Robinson. The second
shows a broad panorama of Kansas landscape and is entitled "U. S.
Troops, near Lecompton, Kansas, Guarding Free State Prisoners,
from a daguerreotype made expressly for this paper." The originals
of both of these valuable daguerreotypes, if still in existence, would
be a welcome addition to the records of the Kansas State Historical
Society.
During the sixties of the Civil War I have little information as
yet of photographic interest. The number of photographers in the
state was doubtless increasing, and many photographs were doubt-
less taken, of which some surely have survived. The only one with
which the writer is familiar is a view of Poyntz avenue, Manhattan,
in the early sixties. It is of considerable interest, as it shows an
emigrant train, pulled by the familiar oxen of the period, headed
west through the main street of the town. This photograph is well
known in the state as it was reproduced lithographically in post-
card form some twenty-five or thirty years ago.
The development of western railroads at the close of the Civil
War naturally focussed attention upon the West and its appearance,
and demand was made for authentic photographs of this portion of
the country. As a result, a number of photographers came west.
I will describe the work of only one of these photographers, as it is
of especial interest to Kansans.
The photographer in question was Alexander Gardner of Wash-
ington, D. C. Gardner was a Scotchman brought to this country
in the fifties by Mathew B. Brady,11 without doubt the most w.idely
known photographer this country has produced.
Gardner achieved considerable reputation in his own right as a
photographer and in 1863 opened his own gallery in Washington,
D. C., and is probably best known from several excellent photo-
graphs of Lincoln.12 Gardner also followed the Army of the Poto-
mac during the Civil War.13
11. Lanier, Reviews of Reviews, v. XLIII, p. 307 (1911).
12. The Photographs of Abraham Lincoln, F. H. Meserve. Privately printed, New York,
1911.
13. Gardner's Photographic Sketch Book of the War, v. 1 and 2. Philip and Solomon's,
Washington, D. C., publishers, no date. The Library of Congress copy bears the accession
date of 1868.
SOME GARDNER PHOTOGRAPHS OF 1868
1. Fort Leavenworth (No. 51 in the Gardner series), showing clearly the very ex-
tensive nature of this military establishment which was the supply depot for manv
frontier outposts and expeditions.
2 Massachusetts street, Lawrence, five years after the Quantrill raid (No 34 of the
Gardner series).
t ?u The University of Kansas when two years old. The Kaw river is seen to the left
he building and a part of the town of Lawrence to the right (No. 38 in the Gardner
4. Walnut street, Ellsworth. The town in its infancy, for it was not more than a
year or two old when this photograph (No. 143 of the Gardner series) was made.
5. Manhattan, (No. 96 of the Gardner series).
6- The Union Pacific, E. D., under construction— the end of the track, twenty miles
west of Hays when photographed (No. 152 of the Gardner series).
7. Poyntz avenue, Manhattan, looking west (No. 97 of the Gardner series).
TAFT: PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF EARLY KANSAS 7
In 1868 Gardner came west14 and obtained a number of photo-
graphs along the Union Pacific, Eastern Division,15 which at that
time was under construction in Kansas.
The Kansas State Historical Society is fortunate enough to pos-
sess a fairly complete set of these photographs in the form of stereo-
graphs, the individual prints of which are approximately three inches
square. Gardner, however, as was quite common in the expedi-
tionary photography of that day, also made larger photographs
(8" x 10" and 11" x 14", see Reference 14) in addition to the stereo-
scopic views. It is unfortunate that none of these are in the archives
of the Society.
As these Gardner photographs depict towns, scenes and institu-
tions of this state some sixty-five years ago they constitute an
exceedingly important set of historical documents. In fact, the
writer regards this set as the most valuable, historically, of all the
fifteen thousand photographs possessed by the Kansas State His-
torical Society.
While nearly the entire set deserves reproduction in some form in
which they could become better known to the citizens of the state,
the expense of such an undertaking is at present prohibitive. In
lieu of such reproduction the writer has compiled a detailed cata-
logue of the Gardner set, so that the set may become better known.
While it is realized that a catalogue is not exciting reading, yet I
venture to say that if anyone interested in Kansas history reads
the entire compilation he will be astonished to find that such photo-
graphs exist, and a desire will be created to see the actual prints
themselves. In the event that the reader is fortunate enough to
view these series it is recommended that they be examined stereo-
scopically. The stereoscope produces a sense of perspective and
reality that the flat prints do not possess. In addition, stereoscopic
14. The date is established by two facts: 1. No. 152 of the Gardner series (see catalogue
included in this paper) shows the end of the track "600 miles west of St. Louis." As Hays
City was "580 miles west of St. Louis" this would place the end of the road 20 miles west
of Hays at the time the photograph was taken. According to "The Kansas Pacific," by
Virginia B. Ream (Master's thesis, University of Kansas, 1920), the Union Pacific, Eastern
Division, was at Hays City in the spring of 1868, p. 32. 2. Gardner's photographic expedi-
tion to Kansas was described in the Philadelphia Photographer, v. V, p. 129 (1868). The
item reads: "A very interesting collection was shown (to the Philadelphia Photographic
Society) taken on the line of Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division, by Mr. A. Gardner
of Washington, D. C., and were loaned by Mr. Josiah C. Reiff, of Philadelphia. The sizes
range from 8x10 to 11x14, and include Fort Harker, Fort Riley, Abilene, Junction City,
Salina, and other towns of Kansas. Many of them are views of the Plains. Thanks were
tendered Mr. Josiah C. Reiff of U. P. R. W., E. D."
15. Ream (cf. Reference 14) states that the original name of this railroad was "The
Leavenworth, Pawnee, and Western R. R." In 1863 it was changed to "The Union Pacific
Railroad, Eastern Division." Eastern Division in order to distinguish it from its northern
competitor. In 1868, it was changed to "The Kansas Pacific Railroad." In 1880, it became
part of the Union Pacific Railroad System and is now known to Kansans simply as "The
Union Pacific."
8 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
examination eliminates in a considerable measure many of the de-
fects, both photographic and mechanical, which the prints possess.
A CATALOGUE OF THE GARDNER STEREOGRAPHS IN THE POSSESSION
OF THE KANSAS STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The collection numbers some 150 different views. They all bear,
on the reverse side from the prints, the following information:
"From Gardner's Photographic Art Gallery, 511 Seventh street,
Washington. Across the Continent on the Union Pacific Railway,
Eastern Division." In addition, they bear a serial number, the title,
and a distance expressed in miles "west of St. Louis, Mo." The
catalogue given below gives Gardner's serial number (all are called
by Gardner, "Class D"), the title with Gardner's spelling, and the
number of miles west from St. Louis, which for the sake of brevity
is expressed simply as the number of miles. This series of stereo-
scopic views was acquired by purchase by the Kansas State Histor-
ical Society in 1930 from Miss Crete Rose, of Lanham, Md. Miss
Rose stated that this set of views had been in her family since her
father's childhood.
Mi. west of
No. Title St. Louis
8. State Line Hotel, Kansas 284
9. Railbridge Across Kansas River at State Line, Kansas 284
10. Great Bend, Missouri River at Wyandotte, Kansas 286
11. Farm House, Near State Line, Kansas 286
12. Hotel de Button, State Line, Kansas 284
13. Wyandotte, Kansas 286
14. Railroad Shops, Wyandotte, Kansas 286
15. Railroad Yard at Wyandotte, Kansas 286
16. Office, U. Pacific Railway Co., E. D. Wyandotte, Kansas
16i Same Title as 16 (different view)
17. Building Bridge across the Kaw at Wyandotte, Kansas 286
18. View on Kansas River, near Wyandotte, Kansas • 286
18£. J. M. Webster and Family, Wyandotte, Kansas
19. Steamer Mary McDonald at Wyandotte, Missouri River, Kansas. . . 286
21. View on Kansas River at Turnpike Bridge near Wyandotte, Kansas, 287
22. View at Stranger, Kansas 311
23. Indian Farm in Delaware Reservation, Kansas 311
24. View on Kansas River in Delaware Reservation, Kansas
25. Depot, Lawrence, Kansas 323
26. Crandall House at Depot, Lawrence, Kansas
27. Turnpike Bridge Across Kansas River at Lawrence, Kansas
28. View Looking Across Turnpike Bridge at Lawrence, Kansas
29. View on Kansas River from Below Bridge at Lawrence, Kansas
30. Looking down Kansas River from Turnpike Bridge at Lawrence,
Kansas
TAFT: PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF EARLY KANSAS 9
Mi. west of
No. Title St. Louis
31. View of Darling's Mills, Lawrence, Kansas (Cattle in foreground)
32. Leavenworth, Lawrence, and Galveston R. R. Bridge across Kansas
River, Lawrence, Kansas
33. View Looking up Kansas River Towards General Dietzler's House
34. Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas (Cattle in foreground)
34£. Same Title as 34 (different view)
35. Eldridge House, Lawrence, Kansas
36. Lawrence, Kansas. From Mount Oread
37. Lawrence, Kansas, from Fort Union. State University on the left
37. Lawrence, Kansas, from Fort. State University on the Left. (Same
number as above but different view.)
38. State University, Lawrence, Kansas
39. Fort Union, Lawrence, Kansas
39. Same title and number as above but different view
40. General J. Lane's House, Lawrence, Kansas
41. House and Well Where Jim Lane Shot Capt. Jenkins, Lawrence,
Kansas
42. Waukerusa Valley Looking East from Mount Oread, Lawrence,
Kansas
43. Waukerusa Valley (Blue Mount in Distance) from Fort. Lawrence,
Kansas
44. View in Waukerusa Valley, Kansas
45. Fort Scott Road from Mount Oread, Lawrence, Kansas
46. View Looking Northwest from Mount Oread, Lawrence, Kansas
47. Cattle Grazing on Mount Oread, Lawrence, Kansas
48. Depot, Leavenworth, Kansas 309
49. Leavenworth, Kansas
50. Government Farm, Leavenworth, Kansas
51. Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 309
52. Fifth Street, Leavenworth, Kansas
53. Delaware Avenue, Leavenworth, Kansas
54. Catholic Cathedral, Leavenworth, Kansas
55. Public School, Leavenworth, Kansas
56. View on Top of Pilot Knob, Leavenworth, Kansas
57. View from Pilot Knob, Leavenworth, Kansas
58. View in Salt Creek Valley, near Leavenworth, Kansas 309
59. View on Amphitheatre Road, Leavenworth, Kansas
59i Photographic Outfit.
60. Moore's Summit, Kansas, on Branch Road Between Lawrence and
Leavenworth 309
61 . View Embracing 12 Miles of Prairie from Moore's Summit, on Branch
Road Between Lawrence and Leavenworth. .
62. View from Moore's Summit on Branch Road Between Lawrence and
Leavenworth
63. View of Prairie from Moore's Summit
64. Cattle Yard at Moore's Summit
66. Depot Tonganoxie on Branch Road Between Lawrence and Leaven-
worth 309
67. Tonganoxie on Branch Road
10 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Mi. west of
No. Title St. Louis
68. View at Tonganoxie
70. Tonganoxie Farm
71. View of Prairie, near Tonganoxie
72. Perryville, Kansas 336
73. Railroad Bridge across Grasshopper Creek, Kansas
74. View on Grasshopper Creek
75. View on Road to Grasshopper Creek near Perryville, Kansas
76. Lecompton, Kansas 338
77. State House, Lecompton, Kansas
78. Lane University, Lecompton, Kansas
79. Ferry across the Kaw at Lecompton, Kansas 338
80. View at Ferry across the Kaw at Lecompton, Kansas
81. Well by Wayside near Lecompton, Kansas
82. Depot at Topeka, Kansas 351
83. Topeka, Kansas
84. State House, Topeka, Kansas (under construction)
85. View at Depot, Topeka, Kansas
86. Kansas Avenue, Topeka
87. Lincoln College, Topeka, Kansas
88. Prairie Hunting, Topeka, Kansas
89. View on Kansas River, Topeka, Kansas
90. Pontoon Bridge at Topeka, Kansas
90£. View at Mr. Wetherall's, Topeka Kansas
91. St. Mary's Mission, Kansas 375
92. Pottawatomie Indians at St. Mary's Mission
93. Depot at Wamego, Kansas 388
94. Lincoln Avenue, Wamego, Kansas
95. Depot, Manhattan, Kansas 402
96. Manhattan, Kansas 401
97. Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 402
98. Water Tank at Manhattan, Kansas 401
99. View on Kansas River at Manhattan 402
100. Big Blue River, Kansas 401
101. Fort Riley. No Longer an Outpost, Kansas 420
102. View on Kansas River at Fort Riley, Kansas
103. Monument to Major Ogden near Fort Riley, Kansas
104. View in Kaw Valley from Hill above Fort Riley, Kansas
104^. A Rare Specimen Found on Hill above Fort Riley, Kansas
105. Junction of Smoky and Republican River, Kansas 421
106. Railroad Bridge across the Republican, Kansas
107. Depot at Junction City, Kansas 423
108. Junction City, Kansas
109. Packing House, Junction City, Kansas
110. Stone Sawing Mill, Junction City, Kansas
111. Quarries at Junction City, Kansas
112. Trestle Bridge near Abilene, Kansas 447
113. View on Muddy Creek, Abilene, Kansas
TAFT: PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF EARLY KANSAS 11
Mi. west of
No. Title St. Louis
115. Loading Cattle at MacCoy's Stockyard, Abilene, Kansas 447
116. Prairie Dog Town, Abilene, Kansas 447
117. The Mayor of Prairie Dog Town, Abilene, Kansas
119. Prairie Dog at Prairie Dog Town, Abilene, Kansas
120. Hotel and Depot, Salina, Kansas 470
121. Salina, Kansas
122. Section Men at Salina, Kansas (The extreme distance is five miles
off)
123. Trestle Bridge near Fort Harker, Kansas 500
124. Fort Harker, Kansas 503
125. View at Fort Harker, Kansas
126. Ranche at Clear Creek, Kansas (Formerly an overland stage station) 498
127. Group with Tame Elk at Ranch on Clear Creek, Kansas
127£. Same title as 127, slightly different view
128. Workmen's Ranch on Alum Creek, Kansas 496
129. Devil's Bake Oven on Alum Creek, Kansas (Seven miles east of
Fort Harker) 496
130. Mushroom Rock on Alum Creek, Kansas 496
131. View at Mushroom Rock on Alum Creek
132. View of Mushroom Rock on Alum Creek
133. Mushroom Rock on Alum Creek
134. Indian Cave on Mulberry Creek, Kansas 494
135. Picnic at Indian Cave on Mulberry Creek
136. Inscription Rock at Indian Cave
137. The Escort at Indian Cave
138. Indian Hierglyphic Rock on Smoky Hill River, Kansas (15 mi.
northeast of Fort Harker) 496
139. Depot, Ellsworth, Kansas 508
140. Ellsworth, Kansas
141. North Side of Main Street, Ellsworth, Kansas
142. South Side of Main Street, Ellsworth
143. Walnut Street, Ellsworth
144. Cattle Fording the Smoky Hill River at Ellsworth, Kansas, on the
Old Santa Fe Crossing
145. Bull Train Crossing the Smoky Hill River at Ellsworth, Kansas
146. Hays City, Kansas 580
147. Fort Hays, Kansas
148. U. S. Express Overland Stage Starting for Denver from Hays City,
Kansas
149. View on the Plains, Six Miles West of Fort Hays, Kansas 586
150. View on the Plains, Kansas 585
151. Construction Train West of Fort Hays, Kansas
152. "Westward, the Course of Empire Takes its Way," Laying Track 600
miles west of St. Louis, Mo
153. View at Hays City, Kansas 580
Discussion of each of the stereographs listed above would carry
us too far afield from the object of the present paper. As a matter
12 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
of fact, a detailed discussion of each picture and the ramifications
it suggests would eventually lead to an exhaustive history of the
state in 1868. The opportunity, however, is too good to be passed
over completely, and, accordingly, a few will be selected for such
comments as occur to the author.
In the first place, it is evident that Gardner did not confine him-
self to his trip along the main line of the Union Pacific, E. D.,
alone. Side trips to Leavenworth and the country between Leaven-
worth and Lawrence (Nos. 48 to 71) ; to Lecompton (Nos. 76 to 81) ;
as well as the excursions from Fort Harker (Nos. 129 to 138), are
the most noticeable of these.
In addition it is quite evident that Gardner viewed the country
with the eyes of an easterner. His titles suggest this many times
for the broad sweep of prairie and plain evidently impressed him.
For example, "View embracing twelve miles of prairie," etc. (No.
61), and the comment "The extreme distance is five miles off"
(No. 122) show this quite clearly.
The animals of the country, prairie dogs especially, attracted his
attention, for he made a number of attempts to photograph them at
•Abilene (Nos. 116 to 119) ; the unusual geologic and archaeologic
features near Fort Harker (Nos. 129 to 138) were also of interest.
To the student of the cattle trade (No. 115) "Loading Cattle at
MacCoy's Stockyard, Abilene," should be of interest; to the student
of railroads many are of interest. Number 32, for example, shows
an engine and coal car of the Leavenworth, Lawrence, and Galveston
R. R., with a group of men. A close examination of the coal car
(better, "wood" car) shows that "Ottawa" is printed in large letters.
Apparently it was so called in honor of the town of Ottawa, as this
road between Lawrence and Ottawa was opened to travel January
1, 1868.16
Of photographic significance we have numbers 28, 59%, and 104%,
all of which, in addition to other points of interest, show Gard-
ner's dark room. Gardner, of course, employed the wet process
for making his negatives. Consequently, along with all other
photographers of this period, he carried his dark room with him,
as it was necessary to prepare the plates immediately before use,
fto expose them while still wet (hence the name "wet process") and
to develop them before they became dry — quite a different story
from our modern procedure. Exposures were also much longer
16. A. T. Andreas, History of the State of Kansas (Chicago, 1883), p. 339. Coffeyville
was apparently the nearest this road approached Galveston. It is now part of the Santa Fe
system and is called locally the "Ottawa branch."
TAFT: PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF EARLY KANSAS 13
than are required for modern photographic materials, 5 to 30 seconds
probably being required for his wet plates. The slow speed of the
negatives is apparent in the movement of figures during the course
of exposure in quite a number of the prints.
One further observation of these photographs must suffice. A
comparison of the photographs of the main streets of Leavenworth,
Lawrence and Topeka (Nos. 53, 34, and 86) show visually, as is
already well known, the relative development and size of these
towns. The population data17 given below supplement this visual
information.
Date Leavenworth Lawrence Topeka
1860 7,429 1,645 759
1870 17,873 8,320 5,790
1880 16,546 8,510 15,452
1890 19,768 9,997 31,007
It would be extremely interesting and instructive if there were
available photographs of such Kansas localities as the Gardner
series taken at more or less regular intervals. Such photographs
show not only the structural and social development of the towns
of the state, but also depict in unmistakable manner the growth of
physical features. For instance, the writer possesses a series of
four photographs (taken from approximately the same location)
over a span of sixty-five years, which show in a most remarkable
manner the growth of trees in Lawrence. The first of these is a view
of the town of Lawrence taken by Gardner in 1868 (No. 36) and
shows the town as practically treeless.
The second of the series, taken by W. H. Lamon of Lawrence,
some ten or twelve years later shows young trees well started. The
third (photographer unknown) taken about 1890 shows the further
growth of the trees and the last taken in the summer of 1933 from
the same locality shows little but a sea of leaves and branches.
In my judgment it would be extremely worthwhile to seek other
photographs showing similar developments. There are other photo-
graphs of the period with which I have been dealing probably ex-
istent. For example, Dr. William A. Bell and Maj. A. H. Calhoun,
of Washington, made a series of photographs along the Union
Pacific through Kansas in 1867,18 Robert Benecke19 of St. Louis
was over the same ground, taking a number of 8 x 10 views in 1874 ;
17. Courtesy of Mr. L. E. Truesdall, chief statistician for population, U. S. Census
Bureau. The figures are from the official federal censuses for years tabulated.
18. The Philadelphia Photographer v. IV, p. 266 (1867) ; Harper's Weekly, v. XI, p. 468
(1867). See also New Tracks in North America, by W. A. Bell, Chapman and Hall, London.
1869.
19. The Philadelphia Photographer, v. XI, p. 160 (1874).
14 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
W. H. Lamon,20 of Lawrence, photographed extensively over the
eastern part of the state in the sixties, seventies and eighties; prob-
ably the most widely known of the early Kansas photographers waa
Capt. J. Lee Knight,21 of Topeka, who apparently ranged over the
entire state, and even west into Colorado, taking a large number of
views during the early seventies.
In the last place, the suggestion might be made that even though
we have an incomplete photographic record of the state at present,
it would be possible to assemble representative Kansas views of
several hundred photographs at periods of, say, ten years, thus pre-
serving in authentic and facsimile fashion evidence of changes in the
state. Such photographs, to be of the greatest comparative value,
should be taken from the same location, should be dated, the subject
inscribed, and catalogued.
20. W. H. Lamon was trained as a photographer by his brother-in-law, A. G. DaLee,
already mentioned. Lamon practiced for himself in Lawrence from 1865 to 1886, when he
removed to California, where he died in 1895. Information from A. T. Andreas, History o)
the State of Kansas, p. 839, and Mrs. A. P. Fey, of Lawrence, a niece of Mr. Lamon.
21. Captain Knight came to Topeka August 6, 1867, and established one of the early
photographic galleries in Topeka. (Topeka Capital, July 1, 1915.) He became county
clerk (Shawnee county) in 1875 and apparently gave up his active practice of photography
after that time. Captain Knight's name appears frequently by mention and as contributor in
the photographic journals of the early seventies. He was a vice-president of the National
Photographic Association in 1870. — 'The Philadelphia Photographer v. VII, p. 241 (1870).
Ferries in Kansas
PART II— KANSAS RIVER— Concluded
GEORGE A. ROOT
SMITH'S FERRY, next above Papan's, was the third operated
within the limits of present Shawnee county. Sidney W.
Smith, native of Orange county, Vermont, arrived in Uniontown in
1848. In 1852 he settled on the Kansas river in the south half of
S. 30, T. 11, R. 15 E., and established a ferry, having landings on
both sides of the river in the same section which is now a portion of
Menoken and Mission townships. This location is about a mile
northwest of the old Baptist mission, which was established in
the fall of 1847. The ferry boat used by Smith was built at
Uniontown by Messrs. Kennedy and Freeman, was operated as
a rope ferry, and was said to be the first rope ferry ever estab-
lished on the Kaw river above Wyandotte. Kennedy ran the
boat for Smith for a year, and then became a partner in the busi-
ness.268 This ferry was operated for eight years before it was aban-
doned. A road ran from the mission to the ferry, and the bottoms
to the west of the mission farm were a favorite camping place for
the thousands of wagon trains which passed up the valley to this
crossing. Here they went into camp, letting their stock have a
needed rest while necessary repairs were being made to their prairie
schooners. Mr. Langel W. Moore, an old resident of that neighbor-
hood, who attended school at the old mission, stated that he had
talked with old Indians who visited the school to see their children,
that one old Indian, growing reminiscent, said to him, "Me see this
whole bottom covered with white-topped wagons. Me not know half
that many wagons in world."
In the Kansas Tribune, Topeka, September 30, 1858, about two
and one-half months after the Topeka pile bridge washed out, ap-
peared the following item: "FERRY ACROSS THE KANSAS. — There is a
good ferry across the Kansas at this place. Mr. Smith, the proprie-
tor, is an old hand at the business, and promises speedy and safe
trips. A few months hence and the rebuilding of the Topeka bridge
will exclude the necessity of a ferry at this place."
Following is a copy of the bond filed by Mr. Smith for the year
1859:
268. Cone, Historical Sketch of Shawnee County, Kansas, p. 12 ; Andreas, History of Kan-
sas, p. 532.
(15)
16 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Know all men by these presents that I, S. W. Smith, as principal and Wil-
liam Morse & E. C. K. Garvey as sureties all of the county of Shawnee
and territory of Kansas are held and stand firmly bound to the said county of
Shawnee in the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) to be paid to the
said county through any person duly authorized to receive the same, to the
payment of which we bind ourselves our heirs, executors and administrators
firmly by these presents.
Sealed with our seals and dated the 16th day of February A. D. 1859.
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas a license has
this day been granted to the said S. W. Smith by the county board of super-
visors in and for said county, to establish and maintain a ferry across the
Kansas river at the city of Topeka, in said county. Now if the said S. W.
Smith shall so establish and maintain such ferry, agreeably to such license
and in all respects according to law, then this obligation shall be void and of
no effect. WILLIAM MORSE (Seal)
Rec'd and approved this 18th day of E. C. K. GARVEY (Seal)
February A. D. 1859. F. W. GiLES.2**9 JOSEPH SMITH (Seal)
The Topeka Tribune, of April 28, 1859, also contained another
mention:
SMITH'S FERRY. — The well-known crossing of the Kansas river, six miles
west of Topeka, Smith's ferry, has lately been resumed by the proprietor of the
ferry. The landing on both sides of the river is good. Thousands of the Cali-
fornia emigrants crossed here. — Mr. Smith has been in the business for a num-
ber of years and understands it exactly. See his ferry advertisement.
The advertisement follows:
SMITH'S OLD FERRY
The subscriber announces to the traveling public that he has resumed his
old Ferry at the crossing of the Santa Fe road from Leavenworth to New
Mexico, on the Kansas river. This point is well known in the country as the
most easy and natural crossing on the river, it being on the most traveled
thoroughfare through to the new gold mines or the Santa Fe settlement, and
over which the U. S. government trains almost invariably pass. It need only
be announced that this is the old stand, to insure all the principal crossing of
those bound to the mountains — to southern or any part of western Kansas.
Rates of ferriage will be as low, and the crossing more convenient, and at-
tended with less delay than at any other ferry on the Kaw river.
April 29, '5£-m3. S. W. SMITH, Prop'r.
Two other ferries were started in 1853 in this vicinity, which was
known as "The Great Crossing." One was by Hiram Wells and John
Ogee, who established the first and probably the only deck ferry
boat ever on the Kansas river. Their craft was 10 x 60 feet in size,
capable of carrying a good-sized load. This ferry was said to be but
a short distance from the Smith ferry. Joseph and Louis Ogee also
started a ferry in this immediate vicinity during 1853. It was a
269. Original document in office of county clerk, Shawnee county.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 17
partnership affair for a few years, when Louis sold his interest to
Joseph who continued to run it until 1869.
The last two named ferries, and Smith's ferry, according to W. W.
Cone, were located within a quarter of a mile of each other, but
whether above or below Smith's is not stated. "There was a large
amount of travel over these ferries. On some days there were no less
than seventy-five wagons ferried across the river on each boat, mak-
ing two hundred and twenty-five wagons, with teams, per day. This
was the California and Oregon emigration." 27°
B. H. Eddy, R. F. D. No. 8, Topeka, has lived in the vicinity of
"The Great Crossing" for many years. During the fall of 1932 he
stated to the writer that during his boyhood days he recalled many
times of having seen remnants of an old ferry cable fastened to a
good-sized cottonwood tree on the south bank of the Kaw river,
where the old Oregon trail led to the river. This fragment of cable
no doubt had seen service on one of the ferries that operated in this
immediate locality. The Oregon road, on the hills to the south, can
still be traced in places for several miles, and ruts cut by the wagon
wheels down the hillside a short distance from the river crossing
were still visible in the fall of 1933.
Mr. Eddy also recalled a pontoon bridge that spanned the river
at the approximate site of the ferry. This was built in 1888 or 1889,
for the convenience of farmers on the north side of the river who had
planted many acres to sorghum for the Topeka sugar mill, which was
located at the western base of Martin's Hill. As this sugar mill was
short lived, the bridge evidently came to an end about the same time.
On March 12, 1866, the Pottawatomie Bridge and Ferry Company
was organized at Topeka, Joshua Knowles, Daniel W. Boutwell, L.
B. Chamberlain, Dr. D. W. Stormont, and Reuben A. Randlett being
the incorporators. The principal office of the company was at
Topeka. The company proposed to establish ferries and bridges on
the Kansas river between the following-named locations: At a
point where the eastern boundary of the Pottawatomie reservation
crosses the Kansas river, thence running west to where range 7, east
of the sixth principal meridian, crosses the river. The company was
capitalized at $50,000, with shares $100 each. The charter was filed
with the secretary of state, March 12, 1866.271 The eastern limit of
the charter was in S. 22, T. 11, R. 15, and the western limit was
270. W. W. Cone, Historical Sketch of Shawnee County , p. 12; Andreas, History of K«m-
stu, p. 587, says the ferries were three or four miles apart, the main crossing being at the
Baptist mission.
271. Corporations, v. 1, p. 108.
2—2718
18 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUAKTEBLY
close to the western limits of present Manhattan. The members of
this company were identified with the history of Shawnee county
for many years. Joshua Knowles was prominent in business circles
and was president of the Topeka Bridge Company; Daniel W.
Boutwell was a noted scout and messenger for the Union forces
during the Civil War on the frontier. His son Victor S. Boutwell
is present foreman of the bindery at the state printing office; Dr.
D. W. Stormont was one of the outstanding surgeons of his day,
and the founder and patron of Stormont Hospital, Topeka. Reuben
A. Randlett, was a resident of Shawnee county as early as 1856.
He was a contractor and carpenter; took part in the early border
troubles and was an employee of the state during the early nineties.
The above company filed the following statement, dated December
31, 1866, with the secretary of state:
Capital stock $50,000.00
Property or assets held by company 5 . 00
Liabilities, none.
Receipts of company previous year 15.00
Expenses during previous year 10.00
JOSHUA KNOWLES, President.
L. B. CHAMBERLAIN, Secretary.
On the line between S. 19 and S. 24, T. 11, R. 13 and 14, but a few
rods from the mouth of what is now known as Vesper creek, was
the location of the Pottawatomie Bridge and Ferry Company. A
stone approach led up from the river at this point, but few if any
of the residents now living in that locality know any history of this
enterprise, or how long it operated. This was just one and one-half
miles below the site of old Uniontown.272
On March 13, 1869, the Silver Lake Ferry Company was granted
a charter by the state. Joseph Saville, E. P. Rino, Eason Johnson,
I. C. Johnson and William Chilson were incorporators. The com-
pany was capitalized at $800, divided into two shares of $400 each,
and had its headquarters at the town of Silver Lake. Their ferry
was to be "located at a point about 80 perch [rods] below the mouth
of Silver Lake, on the north side of the Kansas river, in S. 20, T. 11,
R. 14 E., and on the south side of the river in S. 21, in said twp.
and range, both in Shawnee county." The boundary of the ferry
was to extend westwardly up the river two and one-half miles from
the west line of description, and eastwardly down the river two and
one-half miles from the east line of described sections. This charter
was filed with the secretary of state March 13, 1869.273
272. This information was furnished by Mr. W. F. Douglas, of Willard, who is farming
the Widow LePoint farm, on which old Uniontown was located.
273. Corporations, v. 2, p. 39.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 19
No license or bond for the operation of a ferry was filed by the
above company. The next year, however, Joseph Saville and J. N.
Bourassa obtained a ferry license for this point which granted
special privileges for three miles up and three miles down the
river.274 They filed a $500 bond and started their ferry, their
charges for the year ending March 1, 1871, being: government
wagon team, $1; two-horse wagon, 35 cents; one horse wagon or
buggy, 25 cents; horse and rider, 15 cents; loose horses or cattle,
10 cents; sheep or hogs, 5 cents.275
In 1871 Mr. Bourassa had sole charge of the ferry,276 and Edward
Chilson for the next five years, with J. B. Oliver, of Silver Lake,
as partner in 1874. Their license that year granted exclusive rights
for a distance of one-half mile each side of their ferry landings.277
Apparently this ferry was not operated for the next two years, as
no licenses were issued by the county. In 1879 Mr. Chilson re-
established his ferry early in April, the county requiring a bond of
$200, but issuing a license without cost.278
During the fall of 1879 a new company was formed to operate
the above ferry, and the Topeka Commonwealth of November 9
contained the following mention:
The Silver Lake Ferry Company recently organized has taken possession of
this boat at the crossing, employed a competent man to take charge thereof,
reduced the rate of ferriage to a low figure, and commenced business under
favorable auspices. New roads will be laid out and old ones repaired leading
to the ferry, and every facility afforded the traveling public having occasion
to cross the Kaw at that point.
Silver Lake is putting on metropolitan airs, and is fast becoming a promi-
nent shipping point, and if its merchants and business men get their eyes open
to their own interests they will now offer such inducements as will draw the
trade from the adjacent country on the south side of the river. Valencia
and Plowboy are growing settlements, and are the homes of energetic and
successful farmers. The grain and stock business is rapidly increasing in those
localities, and will naturally seek railroad communication at Silver Lake, now
that the ferry has been put in proper shape to facilitate coming there.
On July 8, 1880, the Silver Lake Bridge and Ferry Company
asked for and was granted a license to operate and maintain a ferry
across the river south of the city of Silver Lake. No license fee
was required, but the company was required to file a bond for
274. Shawnee county, Commissioners' Proceedings, Book B-C, p. 204.
275. Ibid., p. 204.
276. Ibid., pp. 850, 351; original bond on file in Shawnee county clerk's office.
277. Original bonds in office Shawnee county clerk; Commissioners' Proceedings, Book D,
pp. 119, 494 ; Book E, pp. 30, 82, 155.
278. Shawnee county, Commissioners' Proceedings, Book E, p. 487.
20 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
$200.279 The following year R. A. Ogee filed a bond of $300 for
operating a ferry near Silver Lake, which was approved by the
county clerk, and the board of county commissioners authorized that
official to issue a license without fee.280
The second ferry started within the limits of present Shawnee
county was that of Charles Beaubien and Lewis Ogee, who, in 1849,
established a ferry from near the mouth of Cross creek, and landing
on the south side of the river at a point directly opposite. This was a
pole ferry, and probably the first to start operations above Papan's.
It ran for three or four years.281
Darling's ferry either succeeded the Ogee ferry or was a rival
jconcern. In 1853 L. K. Darling is listed in the United States Official
Register as ferryman at the Pottawatomie agency, then located on
Cross creek at about present Rossville. The ferry at this time is
described as being located four or five miles above Silver Lake and
approximately one and one-half miles above old Uniontown, on the
northwest quarter of S. 15, T. 11, R. 13 E., and a short distance east
of the "Rocky Ford Crossing." 282 Among those who assisted in
operating this ferry in 1855-1856 were J. P. Gleich,283 who in 1855
took a claim on Mill creek, just north of the Joseph Thoes home-
stead ; Hilliary Nadeau and Lewis Ogee.284 Darling had a monopoly
on the ferry business at this point for a number of years, but with
immigration came the demand for a ferry at the big bend, and he
left for the Indian territory, where he went into the hotel business
at Shawnee.285 This ferry operated under different ownerships
till late in the 1860's. During the latter 'sixties a road was laid
out from Wilmington, in the southeast corner of Wabaunsee county,
and on to the Santa Fe trail, via Mission creek, to Darling's ferry
and on to Rossville,286 where it connected with the Fort Riley
military road. A branch of a road running from Wabaunsee to
Topeka reached Darling's ferry via a cut-off in the southeast corner
of S. 30, T. 11, R. 13 E.287
279. Ibid., Book F, p. 46.
280. Ibid., July 7, 1881, Book F, p. 268.
281. W. W. Cone, Historical Sketch of Shawnee County, Kansas, p. 13 ; Andreas, History
of Kansas, p. 589.
282. Shown on map of the Pottawatomie Reserve lands belonging to the A. T. & 8. F.
R. R. Co.
283. John P. Gleich was born in Bavaria in 1829. He landed in New Orleans in 1848,
where he worked in a blacksmith shop for two years. Cholera becoming prevalent in that
city he left, and after roaming around for two years came west and took a squatter's claim on
Mill creek, Wabaunsee county, which he subsequently preempted. He followed farming and
stock raising, and for many years made his home in Alma.
284. Kansas Historical Collections, v. 16, p. 732.
285. Thomson, Early History of Wabauntee County, p. 8S6.
286. Map of Pottawatomie Reserve lands.
287. Ibid.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 21
This point was without ferry accommodations for a time till early
in 1871. On March 8 the Janes Ferry or Bridge Company was char-
tered, the incorporators being M. W. Janes, J. H. Durham, H. Klein,
I. Taylor and A. W. Smith. The company was formed for the pur-
pose of running or operating a ferry, or building a bridge on the
Kansas river, within the following boundaries: Commencing on the
south side of the river at a point where the east line of Wabaunsee
county crosses the river and extending thence west to the mouth of
Mill creek, and described within corresponding boundaries on the
north side of the river in the county of Shawnee. The principal place
of business of the corporation was at the south landing of the ferry,
in the county of Wabaunsee. The corporation was to be a perpetual
one, was to have four directors, those chosen for the first year being
Herman Janes, of Erie, M. W. Janes, A. W. Smith and J. H. Durham,
all of Rossville, Shawnee county. The company was capitalized at
$1,000, with shares $50 each. This charter was filed with the secre-
tary of state March 9, 1871.288
This bridge or ferry site was close to the old Uniontown crossing,
which was about one and three-fourths miles west of old Union-
town.289
Janes' ferry was licensed to run till July 3, 1872, ferriage charges
being as follows: two horses and wagon, 25 cents; one horse and
buggy, 25 cents; man and horse, 15 cents; loose horses or cattle, 10
cents; footman, 10 cents.290
The next ferry up the river was on the north side of the Kaw, on
S. 7, T. 11, R. 13, about four and one-half miles above Cross creek.
The north landing was on land owned by James Baldan, in 1873,
while the opposite landing was in Wabaunsee county. Nothing to
establish the ownership of this ferry has been located.291 Baldan
arrived in that locality in 1855 and was still residing there in
1876.292
St. Marys had the next ferry up the river, but definite infor-
mation regarding ownership has not been located. According to the
Wabaunsee County Herald, of Alma, the ferry went into operation
288. Corporations, v. 3, pp. 200, 201.
289. Max Greene, in The Kansas Region, p. 43, says: "Next we have Uniontown, a vil-
lage of log cabins, a mile to the south of the river. Then, Red Bluffs, taking name from the
peculiar light brown of the soil, which is highly productive. This mulatto color pervades the
soil to considerable depth and extends for several miles around. Darling's ferry is passed;
and Mill creek comes splashing and leaping in, like a little mountain river. Nor is its force
spent in wanton gambols; on it the Pottawatomies have erected a grist mill. And what with
its belts of trees, and grassy reaches between, and clusters of tall mounds, the Kansas valley
has no lovelier scene."
290. Shawnee county, Commissioners' Proceedings, Book D, p. 86.
291. Beers' Atlas of Shawnee County, Kansas, 1873, p. 9.
292. Cone, Historical Sketch of Shawnee County, p. 13.
22 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
late in the summer of 1869, and would prove "a great accommoda-
tion to those living on lower Mill creek.293
A Mr. Dunlap was a ferryman at St. Marys in the early seventies.
His name is mentioned in an undated court manuscript in possession
of the Kansas State Historical Society.
In 1871 work was started on a bridge at St. Marys, which was
completed early the next year. A mention of this bridge from the
Kansas Reporter, Louisville, February 8, 1872, is as follows: "The
bridge across the Kansas river at St. Marys is so far completed that
teams are now crossing on it. It will prove a fine thing for that
thriving city and community, as well as the people on the opposite
side of the river."
St. Marys was on the line of the old California road and also the
Fort Leavenworth to Fort Riley highway. In 1857 A. J. Mead, of
Manhattan, C. R. Mobly, of Ogden and M. Chapman, of St. George,
were appointed commissioners to locate and establish a territorial
road on the nearest and best route from some point on the military
road near St. Marys mission, in Calhoun county, to Fort Riley, in
Riley county,294 by the way of St. George, Manhattan, mouth of
Wild Cat creek and town of Ogden. The road was to be located and
established prior to June 1, 1857. 295
In May, 1933, plans of the United States War Department for a
Kaw river flood control project called for a dam and ferry across
the Kansas river west of Topeka. This dam, as formulated in the
plans, would be located at Kiro, Shawnee county, and would form
a lake that would extend up the Kaw valley to close to the Potta-
watomie-Riley county line,296 with a ferry located at St. Marys.
The next ferry up the river was at Wamego, about twelve miles
distant. On October 30, 1866, The Wamego Bridge and Ferry Com-
pany was formed, J. E. Gregg, J. M. Webster, William D. Wetherell,
J. Lewis Brown and A. P. McMillan being the incorporators. The
purpose of the company was to build a bridge over the river, or
operate a ferry from S. 9, T. 10, R. 10, where a line running through
the center of section 9 from north to south crosses the Kansas river,
and to the south bank, with privileges within one mile on each side
of said line. The principal office of the company was located at
Wamego, and the capital stock was placed at $1,000, in twenty
293. Wabaunsee County Herald, Alma, August 6, November 25, 1869.
294. Fort Riley originally was in Riley county, but changes in county lines subsequently
placed it in Davis (now Geary) county.
295. Laws, Kansas, 1857, p. 180.
296. Kansas City Times, May 17, 1933.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 23
shares of $50 each. This charter was filed with the secretary of
state, November 7, 1866.297
In the Topeka Weekly Leader, July 11, 1867, the following notice
regarding the foregoing company appeared: "Wamego Bridge and
Ferry Company — Notice is hereby given that an assessment of fifty
per centum on the capital stock of the Wamego Bridge and Ferry
Company has been levied and that the same is now due and payable
at the office of the treasurer of said company, at Wamego. Dated
this 1st day of July, 1867. — LEWIS BROWN, Secretary."
There is some question whether this company ever operated a
ferry. No further mention of the organization has been found.
On September 14, 1867, the Wamego Ferry Company was organ-
ized, Leonard C. Prunty, James L. Prunty, John Prunty, Atchison
Prunty and J. L. Brown being the incorporators. The principal
office of the company was located at Wamego. Capital stock
was placed at $1,000, in 100 shares of $10 each. The company
proposed to operate a ferry on the Kansas river at or near a point
on the north bank, in S. 9, T. 10, R. 10, where a line running north
and south through the center point of the section strikes the north
bank of the river, and within the limits of one mile on each side of
this line. This charter was filed with the secretary of state on
September 16, 1867. 298 This organization lasted less than two years,
being succeeded by the Wamego Bridge and Ferry Company, a new
organization.
The Wamego Bridge and Ferry Company, the second of this
name, was granted a charter by the state in June, 1869, the incorpo-
rators being L. C. Prunty and J. L. Prunty of the previous com-
panies, and H. C. Crawford, J. E. Clardy and James Richey. The
new company was capitalized at $2,000, shares being listed at $2.00
each, perhaps with a view of popularizing the new enterprise. The
ferry location was to be where Lincoln avenue, Wamego, strikes
the Kansas river, with special privileges for one mile up and one
mile down the river from this point. This charter was filed with
the secretary of state, June 4, 1869.299
Evidently there had been some dissatisfaction at the manner in
which the old Wamego ferry had been conducted, which may or
may not have been the reason for obtaining a new charter. The fol-
lowing "roast" of this ferry came from a paper in a neighboring town :
297. Corporations, v. 1, pp. 225, 226.
298. Ibid., p. 390.
299. Ibid., v. 2, p. 80.
24 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
The Wamego ferry is not a nuisance. It is always in condition to transfer
teams, when the boat is not leaky, or the wind don't blow, or the water is
not too high or too low, or it don't freeze, snow, though [thaw?] or rain.
If you happen along on any other occasion than those mentioned you will be
certain to get across, providing you don't come too early or too late, or the
ferryman is not up in town. A team that we know of, a few days ago,
happened along at one of those times, and had to go round by Topeka; but
still, we repeat, the ferry is not a nuisance.300
This bit of pleasantry must have gotten under the hide of the ferry
management, for a week later the same authority indulged in an-
other dig, as follows :
Our kind and generous defense of the Wamego ferry last week — that it was
not a nuisance — seems to have not been appreciated by the ferry company, but
on the contrary it appears to have provoked their displeasure a-nd aroused their
iresome feelings — more especially Mr. Prunty's and the Commodore's. We do
really regret this, as we regard Mr. P. as a gentleman, and as such we dislike
to forfeit his good opinion. We know, too, that he has been a- warm and fast
friend of the Herald, and it always did pain us to sever friendships. Now,
gentlemen, just keep your linen on and don't rend anything, for we are going
to make another desperate and frantic effort to regain your good will, and since
you have taken it so much to heart, because we said the ferry was not a
nuisance, to accommodate you we take it back. The public can just think as
they did before — that the ferry is a nuisance — let us have peace.301
Early in July, 1869, H. C. Crawford, one of the proprietors, was
said to be considering the purchase of the ferry. He was spoken of
as very attentive and obliging to the traveling public and it was
hoped he would succeed in his undertaking.302 At this particular
time the stage of the Kaw was high and Mr. Prunty was having a
new boat built to run between the island and the Wamego side.
With a boat on each side of the island at this point, high water, ex-
cept on extraordinary occasions, would no longer interfere with cross-
ing. Mr. Crawford, who was operating the ferry boat at the. time,
was very obliging to those wishing to cross, carrying whole boat
loads of goods and produce.303
Late in December, 1869, running ice in the river at this point
caused considerable inconvenience by making the river impassable.
This condition was somewhat irritating to Wabaunsee county people
who had been using the Wamego ferry in order to do their trading,
and prompted the Herald to suggest the purchase of the pontoons,
lately in use at Topeka, by townships on each side of the river.304
300. Wabaunsee County Herald, Alma, June 3, 1869.
301. Ibid., June 10, 1869.
302. Ibid., July 8, 1869.
303. Ibid., July 8, 1869.
304. Ibid., December 23, 1869.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 25
This ferry was running as late as 1872.
Beginning with the spring of 1870 a bridge for Wamego was dis-
cussed, which resulted in the completion of a toll bridge by June 18,
1872, after which time the ferry ceased to operate.305
Louisville, three miles due north of Wamego, and approximately
four miles from the Kansas river, also had a ferry. This town was
on the military road running from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Riley,
and on Rock creek. It was laid out in 1857 by Robert Wilson and
named for his son Louis. During Horace Greeley's overland trip in
1859, he was a guest of Mr. Wilson at his log cabin hotel for several
days, when the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Stage Line was de-
tained at this point by high water.306 Louisville was quite an im-
portant town for a number of years, having been chosen as the
county seat in 1861 and holding the county offices until 1882, when
the county seat was moved to Westmoreland. Several hack lines
ran out of Louisville — one to Wamego, under the superintendence of
S. B. Young; one to Irving, by 0. J. Denison, and one by way of
America City to Corning, operated by Jacob Jacobia.307
On March 14, 1866, the Louisville Bridge and Ferry Company was
chartered, John Landon, William P. Douthitt,308 John G. Otis,
Joseph L. Huggins and Isaac D. Clapp being the incorporators. The
company proposed to operate a bridge and ferry over the Kansas
river at a point between S. 7 and 8, T. 10, R. 10 E., this location
being about one mile west of the site granted to the Wamego Bridge
and Ferry Company. Capital stock of the company was placed at
$75,000, in shares of $75 each. Their charter was filed with the
secretary of state, March 14, 1866.309 This ferry, or another, was in
operation as late as 1872.
At a historical gathering of Wabaunsee county old settlers at
Wabaunsee, on August 28, 1932, ferrying was discussed as follows:
One gentleman who had old memories asked about the ferry here. He
remembered when it was said there was no conveyance across the river west of
Topeka. Willard said there was a ferry here but it was not always in opera-
tion. The' current was so swift that at times it was not practical to get across.
At Wamego there were two ferries, one from this side to the island and another
from the island to the opposite shore. His father with team and lumber wagon
would often find the first inoperative, but would be able to drive across the
305. Alma Union, May 26, 1870; October 20, December 28, 1871; Kansas Reporter,
Louisville, June 13, July 4, 1872.
306. Kansas Historical Collections, v. 17, pp. 460, 461, 488, 499; Andreas, History of
Kansas, p. 976.
307. Kansas Reporter, Louisville, October 6, 1870.
308. William P. Douthitt and John G. Otis were early residents of Topeka; the latter
was a member of Congress from 1891 to 1893.
309. Corporations, v. 1, p. 112.
26 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
first channel and then across the island. From there he would obtain a ferry
to the shore beyond. The ferries operated by cable. — Wabaunsee County
Truth, Wabaunsee, October, 1932.
In 1871 work was started on a bridge built by the two townships
embracing both Louisville and Wamego. This was completed in
1872, the event being chronicled by a Louisville newspaper:
DISCONTINUED. — The old ferry across the Kaw, that has served the public
for more than seven years, is at last discontinued, and the boat and fixtures
have been removed. In its vocation it has served us well, but few, if any,
accidents having occurred under its management, but it is superseded by the
superiority of the great over the past, and it must now give way to its more
desirable successor — The Great Iron Bridge. The original wire stretched across
the river is now for sale by the old ferry company.310
Wabaunsee, near the western limits of Wabaunsee county and
due south of Louisville, was the site of the next ferry, the legislature
of 1858 granting a license to the Wabonsa and Webster City Ferry
Company to operate a ferry from Wabonsa, Richardson (Wabaun-
see) county to Webster City, in Pottawatomie county. The corpo-
ration included R. H. Wateman, E. C. D. Lines, F. H. Hart, S. M.
Thomas, H. M. Selder and their associates, who were given a twenty-
five year charter, with landing places on each side of the river on
lands adjoining the towns named. The ferry was not required to
have boats running before July 1, 1858.311 This company evidently
operated less than two years, when a new company, sponsored by
the town company, took hold of things.
The new organization, known as the Wabaunsee Ferry Company,
was established by the legislature of 1860, the charter members
being John N. Nesbit, Charles B. Lines, E. C. D. Lines, William
Mitchell, Jr., S. M. Thomas, Julius F. Willard and Walker S.
Griswold, trustees of the Wabaunsee Town Company. This charter
to run for ten years, provided for ferry landings in the town of
Wabaunsee on the south side of the river, and on the north side of
the river in Pottawatomie county at a point convenient for the
company.312
Apparently there was some change in the ferry situation at this
place in 1866. On April 7, Calvin D. Wheeler, Samuel R. Weed,
Isaac H. Isbell, J. M. Bisbey and A. C. Cutler were granted a
charter to operate a ferry across the river at Wabonsa, at the foot
of Elm street, to be known as the Elm Street ferry. Capital stock
810. Kansas Reporter, Louisville, June 20, 1872.
811. Laws, Kansas, 1858, p. 58; original document in Archives division, Kansas State His-
torical Society.
812. Private Laws, Kansas, 1860, pp. 275, 276.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 27
of the new company was $500, in shares of $10 each. This charter
was filed with the secretary of state May 10, 1866.313
The old Wabaunsee Ferry Company underwent another reorgani-
zation in 1866, when a new charter was secured from the state on
April 14. The new incorporators were Charles B. Lines, J. M.
Bisbey, C. D. Wheeler, A. C. Cutler, George S. Burt, I. H. Isbell,
E. J. Lines and Samuel R. Weed. The principal office was located
at Wabaunsee, and capital stock placed at $1,200, with shares $10
each. The ferry was to be operated between the west line of the
Pottawatomie Reserve, where the same crosses the Kansas river,
thence west on the river to the township line between ranges 9 and
10. This charter was filed May 16, 1866.314
A road, established in 1861, ran from Wilmington, on the Santa
Fe trail, by way of Wamego to Wabaunsee. G. G. Halls, Jehu
Dodgson and Edward Krapp, were commissioners appointed to
establish the road.315
St. George, about six miles up the river from Wabaunsee, on
the opposite side of the river, and about a like distance west of
Wamego, had the next ferry. On March 14, 1866, James L. Huggins,
John Landon, William P. Douthitt, and John G. Otis were granted
a charter under the name of the St. George Bridge and Ferry Com-
pany. Their ferry was to be located between S. 9 and 10, T. 10, R.
9 E., in Pottawatomie county. Capital stock of this company was
placed at $25,000, with shares at $25 each, and the principal office
was located at Topeka. This charter was filed with the secretary of
state, March 14, 1866. 316 This company at this time had also ob-
tained a charter for bridge and ferry privileges at Louisville.
The foregoing ferry, apparently, was not being operated by 1869.
Early that year a movement was started to establish a free ferry
between the counties of Wabaunsee and Pottawatomie. The Alma
paper favored the project, and said: "It is rumored a free ferry is
to be established at St. George. There is no place on the river
between the two counties where there is less obstacles presented
than at this point." 317
Work started on the new project at once. A new cable was
ordered and the building of a ferry boat commenced. The new ferry
connected with a road running from St. George to Alma, which was
313. Corporations, v. 1, p. 146.
814. Ibid., pp. 155, 156.
815. Laws, Kansas, 1861, p. 248.
816. Corporations, v. 1, p. 113.
817. Wabaunsee County Herald, Alma, April 1, 1869.
28 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
less than fifteen miles long. By June the boat was well under way,
and the cable for it had arrived at Topeka some time since. Resi-
dents who were depending on the new ferry grew impatient as time
elapsed, and the Herald, of Alma, urged that the work be hurried,
adding: "After you get it done all the travel from this point will
seek the railroad at your place." 318 This ferry began to function
early that fall, and the Herald, of November 25, stated that it was
in good running order and had been for some weeks. The new
ferry must have infused new life into the town, for the leading news-
paper of the county just across the river said that St. George was
going to be a big place right away. It was declared to be at the
head of navigation on the great Kaw. A steamboat called the St.
George packet made a few trips up the river and then went down
and returned no more.319
Saint George had the distinction of having the first and only free
ferry on the Kaw in Pottawatomie county. The stockholders of the
Saint George Bridge and Ferry Company, after a conference with
the citizens of the town, late in December, 1870, agreed to give the
use of the ferry free, providing they would keep everything in re-
pair. The merchants of the place employed a man to take charge of
the boat and operated it at their expense, no doubt profiting by this
arrangement.320 Just how long the free ferry operated we have not
discovered, but the probabilities are it was discontinued within a
year.
By the middle of June, 1871, the advantages of a steam ferry on
the river in this vicinity were being discussed. An Alma paper sized
up the situation thusly :
There are more than 2,000 people in Wabaunsee county who are interested
in this matter. This number is increasing at a rapid rate. One of our citizens
pays $156 a year for ferriage. Others pay, if we mistake not, over $100 a year.
Other taxes are heavy, but the ferry tax is the heaviest. That town which
shall take this matter in hand and give our farmers better ferry service at
cheaper rates will reap a reward worthy of its enterprise. We suggest that
Wamego take the lead in the matter, and establish a steam ferry at which such
rates shall be charged as will pay expenses, and nothing more. Give the
merchants and laboring men of Wabaunsee as near an approach to free trade
as can be.
Let not Saint George and Saint Marys wait for Wamego. If they do they
will lose an advantage it will be hard to regain.321
318. Ibid., April 15, May 27, June 23, 1869.
319. Ibid., September 2, 1869.
320. Kansas Reporter, Louisville, December 31, 1870.
321. Alma Union, June 15, 1871.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 29
Apparently Saint George was without ferry accommodations for
another year. In August, 1872, James Woods started a new enter-
prise, which took teams and "passengers across in fine shape," at the
following rates: double teams, 25 cents; horse and rider, 15 cents;
footmen, 5 cents, including return trip.322
Further history of the ferry has not been located.
Manhattan, about six miles above Saint George, had the next ferry
across the Kaw. Just when it was started, and by whom, has not
been learned. Ferry records prior to April, 1876, could not be con-
sulted, since the volume containing these early licenses is stored in a
basement vault in the Riley county court house which has not been
opened for years. The combination has been forgotten.
The Manhattan Express of May 21, 1859, has mention of a ferry,
and it is likely the ferry was in operation much earlier. The next
mention occurred in the same paper late in the following December:
"Business at the levee has not been as brisk as usual during the past
week, owing no doubt, to the cold weather. We rather mistrust that
navigation is about closed for the season. There are three boats
now lying at the landing — one flat boat and two skiffs — all sunk."
In 1860 the legislature passed an act authorizing John Errick to
maintain a ferry at that point for five years and to have exclusive
privileges for one mile up the river and one mile down from the point
where his ferry was then located. The act also specified that he
should not be required to pay more than $20 for the first five years,
and that his ferriage charges should be no less than was charged by
other ferries in Riley county on the Kansas river.323
The exact location of Errick's ferry has not been learned, but from
the wording of the act just cited, it was going in 1859.
In answer to an inquiry at the office of the county engineer of
Riley county, the location of the Manhattan ferry over the Kaw was
given as S. 17, T. 10, R. 8, this being just a short distance above the
junction of the Blue and Kaw rivers.
No further mention of the Kansas river ferry at Manhattan be-
tween 1860 and midsummer, 1863, has been located. In the latter
part of August, 1863, a local paper printed the following:
The last rise in the Kansas river has been playing hobb with ferry arrange-
ments. A new channel has been cut out this side of the island and a sand bar
formed near the other shore. Our enterprising and accommodating (?) ferry-
man seems bound to overcome all difficulties. He has a new boat in on this
side and the old one repaired for the other. This is an example for all faint-
822. Kama* Reporter, Louisville, August 22, 1872.
323. Private Laws, Kansas, 1860, pp. 270-271.
30 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
hearted grumblers to follow. Energy and perseverance will accomplish most
anything. Who ever heard uncle Lucius complain of high, or low water or
sand bars? 324
The ferry was next mentioned in June, 1864, with a Mr. Wood-
ward in charge. This item gives considerable information regarding
improvements and changes:
We happened down to the Kansas ferry last evening, and were surprised to
see what improvements Mr. Woodward had made. He has constructed piers
from each bank out into the stream to the distance of several rods, so that it is
now only about 160 feet from pier to pier. He has also built a causeway from
the island to the west bank of the river, which seems to be strong and sub-
stantial. We suggest to the people of Manhattan that as friend Woodward is
doing so good a work for the town we offer him all the encouragement possible.
If he can but perfect the work which is so nearly accomplished it will con-
tribute materially to the prosperity of the town. With a new, good sized boat,
and a new strong cable the communication with the south side of the river will
be complete. The channel of the river is made so narrow by the extension of
the piers that it is thought there can be no danger of sandbars even at the
lowest stages of the river.325
Hoar's ferry was another Manhattan enterprise in operation dur-
ing the middle 1860's, and may have been started by John Hoar,
who in 1867 was one of the incorporators of the Manhattan and
Kansas River Bridge Co. The location of this ferry and further
history have not been learned.
As the old ferry company's charter ran for but five years, it was
probably renewed and still functioned. By 1867, however, there
sprang up a movement to secure free ferry service. The Independ-
ent was a strong advocate of the proposition, and in its issue of
July 27, printed the following:
A FREE FERRY. — An enterprise has been set on foot lately to have a free
ferry across the Kansas river. This is entirely a practicable undertaking, and
with a little earnest zeal may be carried into immediate effect.
Such a proposition as the following has been considered in an informal
manner :
First — The ferry company to place a new wire cable entirely across the
river so that a boat can be run at the highest stage of water, and to keep a
good boat in good condition continually.
Second — The citizens of Manhattan to pay the wages of a ferryman.
Now there appears to be a general desire on all sides to have this done.
The only obstacle in the way appears to be a little lack of confidence.
The ferry company would raise all the needed money in a day, if they
knew the citizens would subscribe a sufficient sum to employ a first-rate
ferryman, and the citizens would raise the money to pay the ferryman if
324. Manhattan Independent, August 24, 1863.
325. Ibid., June 6, 1864.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 31
they knew the company would keep the boat, cable and landings in good
condition.
Now we urge this course : Let the ferry company go to work immediately,
and put the boat and cable in first-rate working condition, then authorize
the trustees to enter into obligations that it shall be kept so. Then let the
citizens meet and appoint a person, or persons, to take subscriptions on con-
ditions, obligating the company to pay, (monthly, quarterly or otherwise)
promptly, the sums subscribed to pay the wages of a ferryman.
This is a measure of great importance to the community, and the advan-
tage to the people will be many times the cost.
Manhattan is losing much of its legitimate trade, because good ferries are
kept up at Wabaunsee and Wamego, while crossing at Manhattan has been
extremely uncertain. Confidence is wanting, and it operates greatly to the
injury of our city.
A free ferry, established in good faith, is the only thing now within our
reach to restore confidence in the place and get back the trade that has been
drawn away.
A week later the Independent stated that the free ferry over the
Kansas was decided upon. P. W. Zeigler, who was in active charge
of the innovation, had forwarded an order to Trenton, N. J., for 600
feet of wire cable seven-eights of an inch in diameter, which was
thought sufficiently strong for the ferry, having an ultimate strength
of twelve tons. This paper also added:
The ferry company have shown commendable perseverance in their efforts
in this direction, and now it remains for the citizens of Manhattan to pay the
salary of a ferryman, and we shall secure all the trans-Kansas trade which
has recently sought other markets.
A new hemp rope has just been received by Messrs. Dent and Beckwith,
which will be used until the wire cable arrives.
There is talk also of a free ferry over the Blue. The citizens must be
looking after these matters in earnest, or the trade and influence of our town
will be much curtailed.
Free access to our city must be furnished, and our motto should be "Free
Trade in Everything but Whisky." 326
Their efforts toward getting a free ferry was noticed by the
Missouri Democrat, of St. Louis, and called forth this reply:
The effort has been entirely successful. The public are hereby notified of
the new arrangement and invited to avail themselves of this, the only free
crossing of the Kansas from its source to its mouth. Manhattan has lacked
only this advantage to give it the most extensive trade from the surrounding
country of any town west of Lawrence. People will take notice that we labor
under this disadvantage no longer.327
Ferrying under ordinary conditions was apt to be a rather monot-
onous job. Once in a while, however, something transpired, not
826. Ibid., August 3, 1867.
327. Ibid., August 10, 1867.
32 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
on the regular program, which provided a little excitement. A case
of this kind happened on August 20, 1867. That forenoon, as a
carriage containing two ladies and two children was crossing the
Kansas on the free ferry, the horses attached to the carriage com-
menced to back just as the boat had left the main channel and was
approaching shoal water, and continued to step backwards until the
back part of the carriage was run over the edge of the boat, pre-
cipitating the ladies and children into the water. With commend-
able presence of mind each of the ladies held a child above the
water, which was three or four feet deep at that place, thus by their
coolness saving the lives of the little ones who must otherwise have
been drowned.828
The free ferry proved to be a popular public utility and was exten-
sively patronized.329 Early in December the Independent said, "The
free ferry across the Kaw is likely to have a new boat. We are
pleased to learn that the misunderstanding between parties interested
in the enterprise is now amicably adjusted. The new cable will be
put on with the new boat and then with the courteous ferryman, who
has done so well the past summer, we shall have a ferry of which
we can well be proud." 38°
While the old ferry had made a number of improvements this year,
there was still more they could do, as the following would indicate:
FERRY. — If the Manhattan, Kansas River Ferry will just fill in stone enough
at the landings to cause the removal of the sandbar in the middle of the river,
they will do a great thing for their own interest and that of the public. Prompt
action will do much to cherish the growing confidence in the enterprise, while
neglect and delay will prove disastrous all around.831
The old company's license was about to expire, and as they had
lively competition in the free ferry, they began taking steps to get
their affairs in order. There were debts that must be met, and a
number of the stockholders were delinquent on their assessments.
Late in November the following notice was published :
FERRY COMPANY MEETING
The Manhattan, Kansas River Ferry Company, met at Cove's Hall, on
Saturday, November 23. Owing to the limited notice, the attendance of stock-
holders was small. A quorum of the numbers not being present, no business of
consequence was transacted. The meeting adjourned, to meet at the same
place on Saturday, December 7. The following motion was adopted:
That a general attendance at the adjourned meeting be urged, and that
828. Ibid., August 24, 1867.
329. Ibid., October 6, 1867.
330. Ibid., December 7, 1867.
331. Ibid., November 2, 1867.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 33
they be notified to come prepared to settle their arrearages, as provisions must
be made for paying off the indebtedness of the company. — E. NEWELL, £ec.332
The Independent early in January, 1868, stated that the old ferry
company was to receive another license from the county commission-
ers, and expressed gratification at the news, as the ferry company
had done good work the past summer and had the good will of the
public.
Apparently the company was reorganized early in 1868, for on
January 20 the Manhattan Ferry Company was chartered, Allen B.
Lee, Hiram Beal, E. W. Newell, Alanson Carlton, E. R. McCurdy,
H. S. Roberts, James Gahan, George Andrews, John H. Pinkerton,
H. J. Letore and E. L. Foster being the incorporators. The company
proposed to operate and maintain a ferry across the Kansas river at
points between the mouth of the Blue river and one and one-half
miles up the river, these boundaries being in T. 10, R. 8 E., of the
6th P. M., and at and near the principal ferry crossing on the Kansas
river. The corporation proposed to construct and maintain a first-
class ferry across the Kansas river near the present highway, south
of the Union Pacific Railway, or at the present crossing known as
the Manhattan Kansas Ferry Company's Ferry, the corporation
claiming exclusive privilege of erecting and operating a ferry any-
where within the limits above. This charter was filed with the secre-
tary of state January 21, 1868.333
The ferryboat used by the company appears to have met with
some accident or misfortune early in 1869, and the company not hav-
ing attended to the matter with their previous promptitude, drew
condemnation from points quite distant. The Wabaunsee County
Herald, Alma, May 6, contained the following plaint: "The ferry-
boat at Manhattan, across the Kaw, has been sunk some two or three
weeks. We understand that on Saturday the county board of Riley
county granted a license to a new company, providing the old com-
pany do not get their boat running by to-night."
Evidently there was a change in the local ferry situation very
shortly, for a local paper had the following:
THE KANSAS FERRY. — The people living south of the river, as well as the
merchants of Manhattan, will be glad to learn that the ferry is likely to be a
permanent institution, and that the difficulties heretofore experienced in cross-
ing the river are not likely to occur again soon. A new boat is soon to be put
882. Ibid., November 30, 1867.
888. Corporations, v. 1, pp. 444-445.
3—2718
34 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
on, built of pine, sawed in Chicago to order for the purpose. The boats have
heretofore been built of oak, and were too heavy and unwieldy. The Deever
Brothers and John Flagg, Jr., have leased the institution for a term of years,
and they don't mean the boat shall be stopped either for high water, sandbars
or wind. Their success will be a blessing.334
Apparently the first steps for a bridge over the Kansas river at
Manhattan was in 1866. On March 9 of that year the Overland
Bridge Company was chartered by the state, John G. Otis, James M.
Spencer, Orrin T. Welch, Spofford D. Macdonald, Franklin L. Crane,
David W. Stormont and Mahlon Bailey, all of Topeka, being the in-
corporators. The company was organized for the purpose of con-
structing, maintaining and operating bridges and ferries across the
Kansas, Republican and Smoky Hill rivers in and between the fol-
lowing points: Commencing at a point on the Kansas river where
the east line of S. 11, R. 6 E., crosses the Kansas river, and running
up the Kansas to the mouth of the Republican river, thence up the
Republican river to a point where the second standard parallel
crosses the river ; also from the mouth of the Smoky Hill river, run-
ning up that river to the mouth of Lyon creek, all being between and
in the counties of Davis (Geary) and Riley, in the state of Kansas.
This charter was filed with the secretary of state March 9, 1866. 335
Evidently the above company did not erect a bridge. Early in
1867 another organization known as the Manhattan and Kansas
River Bridge Co., was formed to take care of the local situation.
This company's charter, signed by Wm. Allingham, John Hoar, John
E. Jewett, Andrew J. Mead and Henry Leffer, on February 25, 1867,
recited that the capital stock of the new enterprise was $45,000, with
shares at $100 each ; that it was the purpose of the company to erect
and maintain a first-class bridge across the Kansas river, near the
present highway adjacent to Manhattan and south of the Union
Pacific Railroad Co., at or near the former ferry crossing known
as Hoar's ferry. Rights for bridge purposes were reserved for any
point from the mouth of the Big Blue up the Kansas river for a
distance of one and one-half miles. This charter was filed with the
secretary of state March 6, 1867.
The spring of 1867 was a wet one and the Kansas and Blue rivers
were taxed to their capacity to carry off flood waters. The Man-
hattan Independent, commenting on conditions said: ". . . More
water has doubtless flowed past us in the Blue and Kansas rivers
during the past few days than in any former period of equal dura-
834. Manhattan Standard, June 19, 1869.
335. Corporations, v. 1, pp. 86, 87.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 35
tion since this country was settled. The Blue has been rivaling the
Mississippi in magnitude. . . ." 336
These high waters brought the subject of bridges before the people
with more force than ever. Some steps had been taken towards se-
curing bridges, but the apparent lack of push among the promoters
had produced no tangible results. The Independent voiced the fol-
lowing protest at the local situation :
BRIDGES WANTED. — Where are the bridge companies; and where are the
several thousand dollars already subscribed to rid us of the "man traps" which
now float over our streams to decoy man and beast into dangers from which
they are lucky to escape at half a dollar a head for horse and buggy?
We cannot cross our "bridge of sighs" without being reminded of the re-
markable structure upon which Xenophon crossed his army over an Asiatic
stream. The pontoons were made of the skins of his beasts of burden, sewed
into the form of bags, and floored over with rushes.
Our bridge may be an improvement on Xenophon's, but his had at least
this advantage, that it was a free bridge. With such a structure as ours over
such a river, we wonder that Manhattan gets any immigration. We are doubt-
less now inhabiting the "promised land," but it would require a Moses to lead
anybody else over to us dry shod and good natured.337
This stirred things up and shortly afterwards a movement of those
most interested in the bridge was started, asking the county commis-
sioners to call an election to vote on the question of the county
taking stock in the two Manhattan bridge companies. The commis-
sioners, however, refused to call an election for this purpose, their
action based on the manifest illegality of the measure, the county
having no legal right to subscribe to the capital stock of these or any
other bridge companies.338
Manhattan's lack of a bridge over the Kansas river deprived the
city of much trade from territory south of the river, and prompted
the following frank admission from a local paper: "BRIDGE THE
KANSAS. — We need a bridge over the Kansas more than we do over
the Blue, and everybody should vote for the Kansas bridge as well
as for the Blue." 339
By the spring of 1870 the city had decided to have some bridges —
one each over the Kansas and Blue rivers. Out of a total of 289
votes cast those voting for the Blue river bridge polled 250, and
those in favor of the Kaw river bridge cast 243.340 This latter
structure was 530 feet long.341
336. Manhattan Independent, April 20, 1867.
337. Ibid., May 18, 1867.
338. Ibid., July 13, 1867.
339. Manhattan Standard, April 30, 1870-
340. Ibid., May 7, 1870.
341. Ibid., August 20, 1872.
36 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Fall rains hindered the completion of this structure. The Stand-
ard, of September 30, 1870, stated: "The Kaw is on a bender. There
has been a surplusage of water in the stream for the past week.
The temporary bridge constructed by the contractors was washed
out but not lost entirely, it having been rescued by ropes." Another
item in the same issue said: "The rise in the Kansas and Big Blue
rivers has put a stop to bridge operations and we are not likely to
enjoy our bridges this fall."
Late in the fall another rise in the Kaw river delayed completion
of the bridge, a portion of it floating down the river. It was
supposed that the rise had done some damage west of Manhattan.342
Work on the bridge was pushed vigorously in the spring of 1871.
A large force was engaged. The last pier was completed by the
middle of March and two spans finished by the end of the month.343
The bridge was completed by midsummer.344
Manhattan was fairly well provided with roads reaching out in
different directions. The city was on the great military road from
Leavenworth to Fort Riley. In 1857 the legislature established a
road running up the Blue, by way of the towns of Tauromee, Ran-
dolph, Brownsville, Marysville and Palmetto, and to connect with
the road to Nebraska City ; 345 another ran from Seneca to Man-
hattan, by way of Centralia, Nottingham and Barret;346 another
ran from Manhattan to Irving.347
Ashland, about four miles due south but about six miles up the
river from Manhattan, had the next ferry, which was in operation
as early as 1857. No record of any license issued for this ferry is
found in Davis (Geary) county Commissioners' Journals, but there
is a record dated April 20, 1857, that citizens of Shane creek asked
for the establishment of a road from Ashland ferry to Manhattan
ferry. This was "not granted for want of form, and laid over as
unfinished business." Another record of the same date fixed the
license fee for this ferry at $10 per annum, and also ferriage rates
for every ferry in the county as follows: For each two-horse team,
mules, oxen, or asses, 50 cents; for each additional span of horses,
mules or asses, 20 cents; for every buggy or one-horse vehicle and
horse, mule or ass, 30 cents; for every horse, mule or ass and rider,
20 cents; for every horse, mule or ass led, 10 cents; for footman, 10
842. Ibid., November 4, 1870.
843. Manhattan Nationalist, March 12, 81, 1871.
844. Ibid., August 11, 1871.
345. Laws, Kansas, 1857, pp. 178, 179.
346. Ibid., 1861, p. 248.
847. Ibid., 1864, p. 209.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 37
cents; for cattle, 10 cents; for sheep, hogs and freight, the county
court left the charge with the parties to agree.348
Davis county about this time was having some trouble collecting
licenses, for the Journal, under date of May 18, following, contains
a record that the court ordered that all those who should take out
a license shall be required to date said license back to the time of
exercising licensable privileges, as all who ferry must pay license for
the whole time the ferry has been run without a license, at the rate
of license per year for each licensable business.349
On July 20, following, a petition signed by twelve citizens asking
for a road from the Ashland ferry to the Manhattan ferry, was
presented to the Davis county commissioners. This petition asked
that the road lead from the Ashland ferry to the Manhattan ferry,
touch at Ashland and the bend of the river between the claims of
J. E. Ross and John Holbin.350 Commissioners were appointed
August 11, 1859, to view this road. Upon the completion of their
work they submitted a report, which, being read, was not received
for want of form. New commissioners were appointed to report
at the September term of the county commissioners.351 This road
was still under consideration late in 1859, H. A. W. Tabor,352
D. B. Chapman, and George Bowers being commissioners.353
Ashland had few roads leading to its ferry. The bulk of travel
east and west went over the military road north of the river. In
1860 a road petition was presented to the county commissioners of
Davis county by Jesse Hunt, praying for the establishment of a
road from the Manhattan road near Thomas Ross7, running thence
through the lands of Messrs. Stone, Robinson, Barlow, Beach (?)
and Hunt to the junction of the Ashland road and the Pottawatomie
trail leading to Fort Riley, as near said trail as possible. This peti-
tion was ordered to be filed and notice given that the board would
review said road on Monday, March 5, 1860, its findings being re-
corded under date of March 7, I860.354
Ogden, about six and one-half miles due west of Ashland and
about eight miles southwest of Manhattan, by land, had the next
ferry. The legislature of 1857 granted a fifteen-year franchise to
operate here to Robert Bates and John W. Parsons. License fee
348. Davis county, Commissioners' Journal, Book 1, pp. 2, 8.
349. Ibid., p. 5.
350. Ibid., p. 6.
351. Ibid., p. 8.
352. Later United States senator from Colorado.
353. Davis county, Commissioners' Journal, Book 1, p. 16.
354. Ibid., pp. 44, 49.
38 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
was fixed at $10. Rates of ferriage prescribed by the act were: Foot
passengers, each 10 cents; each person on horseback, 25 cents; each
unharnessed animal, 20 cents; single horse and carriage, 40 cents;
two horse, or oxteam and driver, 70 cents; each additional animal,
15 cents; packages, 50 Ibs. or less, 10 cents; merchandise not in
teams, 10 cents per hundred pounds.355
The foregoing ferry apparently ceased functioning within a couple
of years, for the legislature of 1860 granted authority to C. R. and
Richard D. Mobley to keep a ferry across the Kansas river at or
near the city of Ogden for a period of five years, and have exclusive
privileges for two miles up and two miles down the river from the
city of Ogden. The act provided they should not be required to pay
more than $20 for the first two years, nor their ferriage rates be
lower than charged by other ferries in that county on the Kansas
river.356
A new company took over the ferry business in 1866. On March
22, that year, Thomas Dixon, Henry Mitchell, Patrick Dixon, James
M. Harvey and Calvin M. Dyche formed a corporation known as
the Ogden, Pawnee and Santa Fe Bridge and Ferry Company. It
was the purpose and plan of the new company to erect bridges and
operate ferries across the Kansas river at the place where a certain
state road running from Ogden to the southeast corner of S. 1, T. 17,
R. 4 E., crossed the Kansas river, near the mouth of Three Mile
creek, and at such other points within the boundaries mentioned as
may be necessary. Capital stock of the new company was placed at
$3,000, with shares $100 each. The principal office of the company
was at Ogden, Riley county. This charter was filed with the secre-
tary of state April 14, 1866.357
No record of licenses have been located between the years 1866
and 1879, though old citizens of the county assert that a ferry was
operated during the most of this time.
On April 7, 1879, L. M. Estes and others of Ogden township peti-
tioned for a license to run a ferry on the Kansas river in Riley county
at or near the town of Ogden. The license was granted and license
fee remitted. Toll rates were fixed by the county board as follows:
For four horses and wagon, 50 cents; for two horses and wagon, 25
cents; for one horse and wagon, 20 cents; for man and horse, 15
355. Laws, Kansas, 1857, p. 164.
356. Private Laws, Kansas, I860, pp. 271, 272.
357. Corporations, v. 1, pp. 186, 137.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 39
cents; horses, cattle and mules per head, 10 cents; swine and sheep,
per head, 5 cents; men on foot, 5 cents.358
This ferry was operated as late as 1888 or 1889, when Henry
Schiller was in charge.
The second effort to secure a bridge for Ogden was made in 1871,
when the Ogden and Kansas River Bridge Co. was organized to
build a bridge across the Kansas river at or near the mouth of
Clark's creek in Davis county, and near the east line of the Fort
Riley military reservation in Riley county. This company was
capitalized at $50,000, with shares at $100 each. The principal
place of business was at Ogden. This company was to be managed
iby five directors, those chosen for the first year being Thomas Dixon
and C. M. Dyche, of Ogden, and E. B. Purcell, N. A. Adams and
Wm. P. Higinbotham of Manhattan. This corporation was formed
to exist for twenty years, and was organized April 8, 1871, but de-
layed filing its charter with the secretary of state until October 13,
1871.
The Ogden town company was inaugurated in 1857, and that year
a United States land office was opened. The Fort Leavenworth to
Fort Riley military road ran through the town, which in early days
was one of the most important points in the county.
The next ferry on the river was at Pawnee, site of the first terri-
torial capitol building. The old capitol was located on S. 28, T. 11,
R. 6 E., and the ferry landing is said to have been located about
eighty rods downstream from this building. This was also said to
be the crossing for the old Mormon trail to the west. Fox B.
Booth359 maintained the ferry at this point, having secured a ten-
year license from the legislature of 1855, his ferry being located on
lands owned by him opposite the new town of Pawnee.360
This ferry was operating next year, when Gov. John W. Geary
paid a visit to Fort Riley. At this time the governor had as escort
a company of Dragoons under Major Sibley. They were on the
south side of the river when they reached Riley City, and crossed by
ferry to old Pawnee, which had been totally destroyed in Septem-
358. Davis county, Commissioners' Journal, Book 2, p. 2.
359. William H. Mackey, Sr., of Junction City, writing to Charles E. Cory regarding
slaves in Kansas, said: "Fox Booth, a North Carolinian, who came from some point on the
Platte to Fort Riley, in 1854, owned a negro woman slave. She worked a ferry boat for
him, and rowed me across the raging Kaw many times. Booth tired of her and brought her
down to McDowell's creek to Tom Reynolds' place and offered her for trade. Reynolds looked
her over and came to the conclusion she would make a good herder. Booth wanted a few
cows for her, but Reynolds would not part with the cows, and finally offered an old white
stallion, and the deal went. I was an eye witness to the transaction. This was in the fall
of 1855." — Kansas Historical Collections, v. 7, p. 241.
360. Kansas Historical Collections, v. 13, p. 2 ; General Statutes, Kansas, 1855, p. 790.
40 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
her the year before.361 No further history of this ferry has been
located.
Pawnee was on the military road from Fort Leavenworth to Fort
Riley. The territorial legislature of 1855 established two roads that
touched Pawnee — one running from Atchison, via Grasshopper
Falls,362 and the other from Saint Joseph by the nearest and best
route to Fort Riley by way of Pawnee.363
Riley City, in the Ashland bottoms, south of the river, and almost
adjoining Pawnee, had the next ferry, which was operating in 1856,
and paid a $50 license fee this year.364
There may have been two ferries in operation here in 1857, though
no names of the operators have been located. The Journal of the
Davis county commissioners, of April 20, 1857, contains entries of
ferry license fees fixed by the commissioners, the ferries at Ashland
and Ogden being assessed $10 each for the year, while Riley City,
two in number, were fixed at $20 each. Ferriage charges were
standardized for every ferry operating in the county this year, and
were as follows: Two-horse teams, 50 cents; buggy or one-horse
vehicle, 30 cents; horse and rider, 20 cents; each led horse, mule or
ass, 10 cents; footmen, 10 cents; cattle, 10 cents; sheep, hogs and
freight, the county court left with the parties to agree.365
The next ferry upstream was located just opposite the Fort Riley
military reservation on S. 27, T. 11, R. 7 E., on the east side of the
river. It was started by L. B. Perry, who came from near St. Louis,
Mo., in 1856, and operated it for about nine years. County com-
missioners' records for Davis county fail to disclose the annual
license fee exacted for this ferry privilege, but it does record ferriage
charges allowed by the commissioners, as follows: Two horses,
mules, or oxen and wagon, 40 cents; each additional span, 20 cents;
one horse and wagon, 35 cents; for each man and horse, 25 cents;
for each footman, 10 cents; loose horses, mules or cattle each, 10
cents; sheep and swine, per head, 5 cents.366 This ferry was located
on a point of land partly encompassed by a crescent-shaped slough,
the whole plot being entirely surrounded by water during times of
flood. This slough has long since been known as ''Whisky Lake." A
small settlement sprang up near the landing, which was in the SE1/^
361. Andreas, History of Kansas, p. 1002.
362. General Statutes, Kansas, 1855, p. 976.
863. Ibid., p. 942.
364. Riley county historical clippings in the Kansas State Historical Society's library,
v. 1, p. 12.
865. Davis county, Commissioners' Journal, Book 1, pp. 2, 3.
366. Ibid., Book 2, p. 148.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 41
S. 27, which was platted April 7, 1860, as Island City, by David
Wilson, for L. B. Perry, who owned the land.367 Some parties later
had attempted to start a rival town at the extreme western point of
this so-called island, giving it the name of West Point. The town
never amounted to more than a few low-class grog shops. Accord-
ing to Andreas:
The name of the place was afterwards changed to Whisky Point, it having
derived this name from somebody in court having said he would rather die
in Junction City than live at Whisky Point, referring by this remark to West
Point. Since that time the place has been known by the name of Whisky
Point. On May 14, 1862, a very unpleasant affair occurred at Whisky Point,
between a party of soldiers, in which two were killed and one wounded. On
the same day the provost marshal, with a squad of men, went around and
closed up every saloon in which intoxicating liquors were vended.368
Just eight days before this happened, Captain Sylvester, of Com-
pany K, Twelfth Wisconsin, visited Island City with a squad of
men, and on this occasion thirteen barrels of whisky were broken
open and their contents spilled.
A ferry was in use at Fort Riley in 1856, according to Herman
Oesterreich, for the purpose of getting hay across the river for use
at the post. This institution was being operated by Alex and John
Smith, and apparently was the last ferry met with ascending the
river, its location being close to the junction of the Republican and
Smoky Hill rivers.369 The Smiths had settled on land to the south-
west at the third crossing of Lyon creek, which later became known
as the Alex Smith crossing. How long the Smiths operated this
ferry has not been learned, as early commissioners' journals of
Davis county give scant mention of ferry matters.
Fort Riley is located near the junction of the Smoky Hill and Re-
publican rivers and alongside the Kaw river. This point was known
to the Indians and traders as the "Grand Point." 37° Many roads
terminated at or started from the fort. The earliest was a Mormon
road which crossed the Kansas slightly south of Whisky Lake.
Sections of this old road, according to Henry Thiele, an old resident
of Junction City, can still be traced past the Geary county poor farm
and for some distance beyond. Another road ran to Fort Kearney;
another to the southwest by way of Fort Barker and on to the Santa
Fe trail at Fort Zarah ; another to Bent's Fort was declared a terri-
367. Junction City Union, January 11, 1912.
368. Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 1001, 1002.
369. Kansas Historical Collections, v. 14, p. 146.
370. John C. McCoy's manuscript "Map of Indian Surveys in Kansas, 1830-1836," in
Kansas State Historical Society's archives.
42 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
torial road.371 The military road running from Fort Riley northwest
to the Nebraska line was also made a territorial road.372 In 1859 a
bill was introduced in the council by Senator Mead, for the estab-
lishment of a territorial road from some point at or near Fort Riley
to some point near the base of the Rocky Mountains, at or near the
thirty-ninth parallel of latitude. The bill passed both houses of the
legislature, but for some reason did not become a law. At this same
session an act was passed declaring ''that all roads now used as mili-
tary roads in the territory be and the same are hereby made terri-
torial roads, and are established on the best and most traveled track
at the passage of this act." This law received the approval of Gov.
Samuel Medary February 7, 1859.373 Another road ran from Leav-
en worth to Fort Riley by way of Grasshopper Falls ;374 another from
Fort Riley to Fort Lamed was made a territorial road,375 and two
years later Congress was memorialized by the legislature to make
provision for bridging and improving this road from Fort Leaven-
worth, via Fort Riley to Fort Lamed.376 A number of other roads
passed the fort and terminated at Junction City. These will be men-
tioned in a future paper.
371. Laws, Kansas, 1857, p. 170.
872. Ibid., pp. 170, 171.
873. Ibid., 1859, p. 584.
374. Ibid.
875. General Laws, Kansas, 1861, p. 82.
376. Laws, Kansas, 1863, pp. 88, 84.
A Southerner's Viewpoint of the
Kansas Situation, 1856-1857
The Letters of Lieut. Col. A. J. Hoole, C. S. A.1
Edited by WILLIAM STANLEY HOOLE
My Dear Brother2 Kansas City, Missouri, Apl. 3d., 1856
HERE I am after two weeks travelling, and not in Kansas Terri-
tory yet, but it is only l1/^ miles off, and I can see into it. I
feel a good deal tired of travelling, and we have concluded to rest
here until to-morrow, when we will take the stage for Lawrence City,
by way of Westport. After we get to Lawrence, I don't know where
we will go, but I rather think we will go to Whitfield, a few miles
north of Kansas river.
It has cost me over $102 to get here, besides about $25 which I
have spent for necessaries, &c. We have been quite well since we
left — with the exception of one day that I had a headache and fever,
caused I guess from losing so much sleep, and the fatigue off
travelling. We did not get to Nashville until Sunday evening; we
left that place Monday about 12 o'clock and went down the Cum-
berland river on the steamer City of Huntsville to Cairo, at the
1. Axalla John Hoole, the son of Elizabeth Stanley and James C. Hoole, himself a soldier
in the War of 1812, was of English descent, his grandfather, Joseph, having emigrated from
York, England, about 1780 or earlier, and settled at Georgetown, S. C. Axalla John, born at
Darlington, S. C., October 12, 1822, was one of five sons. The eldest, Joseph Bertram, served
in the Seminole War and the War Between the States; Samuel Eugene was a surgeon in the
Mexican War; and Thomas Stanislaus served throughout the War Between the States.
Axalla John was educated at St. John's academy, Darlington, and after completing the
academic course, taught school there for 12 years. When he was quite a small boy, the
Nullification excitement was at its height in South Carolina, and the small boys of the com-
munity organized a military company, of which he was elected captain. At the age of 20 he
joined the Darlington Riflemen, a local company of militia, and, in 1854, was elected captain.
He served in that capacity until March 20, 1856 (his wedding day), on which day he left with
his bride for Kansas territory.
They arrived in the territory early in April, 1856. Taking a fairly active part in Kansas
politics, Hoole was elected probate judge of Douglas county by the Proslavery party under
the regime of Gov. Robert J. Walker. During the approximately two years that he remained
in the territory, he kept up a rather lively correspondence with his family in South Carolina —
of which thirty-one letters are printed in this series.
Returning to Darlington, December 5, 1857, Hoole was immediately reflected captain of the
Darlington Riflemen. Upon the outbreak of hostilities at Fort Sumter, he assembled the men
on the academy drill grounds, made a speech to them, and called for volunteers. With the
exception of one, every man in the organization stepped forward — and the company entrained
at once for Charleston. Remaining there a short time, the Riflemen returned to Florence, S.
C., where they were mustered in as Company A, Eighth South Carolina Volunteers, Col. E. B.
C. Cash, commanding. The regiment left Florence for the Virginia front, June 2, 1861.
At the expiration of the period of enlistment, April, 1862, the regiment was reorganized,
and Captain Hoole was elected lieutenant-colonel. After serving in several major conflicts in
Virginia, including the First Battle of Manassas, he was transferred with his company to
Dalton, Ga., to join the forces of Gen. Braxton Bragg. He arrived there September 17, 1863,
and was killed in the Battle of Chicamauga, September 20, 1863. His body was returned to
Darlington and buried in the family cemetery. — Cf. D. A. Dickert, Kershaw's Brigade (New-
berry, S. C., 1899), pp. 38ff., 284-285; Treasured Reminiscences of John K. Mclver Chapter,
U. D. C, (Columbia, S. C., 1911), pp. 69-71, 74-75; W. A. Brunson, Glimpses of Old
Darlington (Columbia, S. C., 1910), p. 7.
2. Thomas Stanislaus Hoole, b. June 29, 1824 ; d. January 18, 1905. He served throughout
the War Between the States as captain, Mclntosh's battery, Pee Dee (South Carolina) artillery.
Referred to in these letters as "Stin."
(43)
44 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
junction of the Mississippi and the Ohio rivers, where we changed
boats and went up to St. Louis, Mo., where we arrived Friday morn-
ing about 8 o'clock. We remained there about two hours, in which
time I purchased a six-shooter for $20, and some other things. We
then changed boats and sailed up the Missouri river to this place.
The boats travel very slow up this river at this time, as it is very
low and swift.
I have seen none of the country except along the banks of the
river, which is, with very little exceptions, nothing but lofty, rugged
rocks, sometimes two or three hundred feet high. It was quite a
sight to me at first, but I got very tired of looking at them. I
saw thousands of wild geese in the Missouri river; I shot at them
once about 200 yards, and of course missed. I saw duck also in
abundance.
Wherever I have been able to see any land besides the rocky
shores of the rivers, they, or rather it, appeared to be very rich,
and I was told by some of the Missourians that it was much better
off from the river. We entered the prairie country before we came
to timber again —
The banks of the river were low and I could see for miles, but
there were houses scattered all over the prairie. I fell in company
with a young man who had just married, from Georgia, who said
he was going to Kansas, but there were other families along from
Georgia, who were going to Missouri, and when they left the boat
about 60 miles from here, he left with them and I was not sorry
for it, as I did not fancy him much; neither did I fancy his wife.
I would have but little to do with them — one objection I had to
him was, he drank liquor —
The Missourians (all of whom I have conversed with, with the
exception of one who, by the way, I found out to be an Abolitionist)
are very sanguine about Kansas being a slave state & I have heard
some of them say it shall be. I have met with warm reception from
two or three, but generally speaking, I have not met with the re-
ception which I expected. Everyone seems bent on the Almighty
Dollar, and as a general thing that seems to be their only thought —
There was a large box on one of the boats about a week ago coming
up the river, which some of the Missourians thought contained
Sharp's Rifles, so they sent a deputation to its destination, which
was at this place, to have it opened. When they arrived here the
person to whom it was consigned refused to let them open it, where-
upon they opened it by force — when lo! it contained nothing but
HOOLB: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 45
a piano. There was a box containing a cannon which a confounded
Yankee opened, but closed it up again before any of them could
examine it, saying that it was nothing but some cartwheels. His
daughter-in-law told me this this morning, hesitatingly, as if her
father-in-law had done a smart trick. If she had been a man, I
don't know what I should have said, but she was a pretty young
woman.
Well, dear brother, the supper bell has rung, so I must close.
Give my love to [the immediate family] and all the Negroes. . . .
Excuse bad writing for I am very nervous. I am anxious to hear
from home . . . direct to Lawrence City, Kansas Territory, as
I shall leave word there for my letters to be forwarded to whatever
place I go. Your ever affectionate brother, Axalla.
My Dear Mother « Douglas City> K T» APL 14th" 1856
. . . I came to this place last Saturday, after staying at that
nasty Abolition town of Lawrence for a week. This is called a
City, but there are only four little log houses in it, but it is laid out
into lots for a town, and I expect one day it will be. The capital,
Lecompton, is two miles from here, but they are going to build the
state university at this place. It is situated close on the Kansas
river, and I consider it the prettiest site for a town in the Territory.
I have been quite well with the exception of colds since I have
been in the Territory. Betsie4 is not very well to-day, but she is
well enough to be writing a letter. . . . We are boarding with
a very excellent family named Ellison. The old gentleman is the
most enthusiastic Proslavery man I have met with.
I have not been able to get into any business yet, although a man
wanted me to work on a house for him in Lecompton last week, at
$2 a day, but I could not get board in the place, and as the job would
last but a few days, I did not set it. They are wanting a school in
Lecompton but I have not been able to make it up. The fact is,
the people here seem to be so taken up with politics, that they can't
take time to think of hardly anything else. There is a school want-
ing here at Douglas, but there is a young fellow from Georgia, who
was ahead of me, but I am under the impression that he will not
succeed, as there seems to be a sort of split in the neighborhood. If
he fails, they say they will make up a good school for me. If I
3. Mrs. Elizabeth Stanley Hoole, wife of James C. Hoole, b. July 25, 1800; d. July 7,
1887. They were married August 6, 1818.
4. His wife, Elizabeth Brunson Hoole, b. April 15, 1832; d. February 2, 1925.
46 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
don't succeed in getting a school, I will go at the carpenter's trade
which will pay, by-the-bye, better, but as I prefer teaching, even
if I make less, I shall try that first as it will be a permanent business
and in the other I may sometimes be out of employment, unless I
were a good mechanic. I don't think I will ever like this country.
The timber is too scarce, but the land is very rich — any of it will
make from fifty to a hundred bushels of corn to the acre; but then
the wind is always blowing, sometimes so hard that a man can
hardly keep his hat on his head. I don't intend to preempt land,
for all the claims worth having are already taken up, but if I like it
well enough when the land comes in market, as there will be thou-
sands who will not be able to pay for their claims, I will then buy
a place. But I don't think I will ever like this country well enough
to settle here, and I don't think, or at least I am afraid, it will be
never be made a slave state, and if it is not, I will not live here on
any conditions.
I was introduced to the Governor last Thursday. He seems to be
a very friendly sort of man, but I don't think he is very smart. He
seemed to take a good deal of interest in me, and was very anxious
that I should get board in Lecompton, but I was unable to do so.
My dear Mother, you need not be afraid. . . . This is a very
good neighborhood. We are boarding with a good clever Methodist
family. The circuit-rider stayed here last night. I had formed a
very poor opinion of the morality of the Territory when I was at
Lawrence, but I find the people up this way fare better. At Lawrence
almost everyone I met was profane, but here it is quite different. I
have not made use of an oath since I have been in the Territory,
and I don't intend to be guilty of that practice any more if I can
help it. Betsie makes me read the Bible sometimes, and I intend,
when I can rent a house and go to ourselves, which I hope to do
soon, to read it regularly. . . .
The people in this Territory have very poor houses, generally built
of logs with rock chimneys. The one we are boarding in is three
log houses built in a row — the middle one of which is the kitchen
where the Negroes stay. They have four or five Negroes. If we
stay here this summer, we will have plenty of ice as Mr. Ellison
has put up a good deal of it.
The people here are just fixing to plant their crops. Trees are
put out about like they were when we left Darlington. The nights
here are still quite cool, but I have not seen frost for some time.
. . . Write me all the news, every little particular will be
interesting to me. . . . Your ever affectionate son, Axalla.
HOOLB: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 47
My Dear Brother Dou§las City> K' T" APL 27th" 1856
. . . I am still boarding at the above mentioned place with
Mr. Elison and paying $3 a week apiece for myself and wife, but
I have sent to Missouri for provisions which I expect here in a day
or two, when I will go to housekeeping. I have two houses which I
can rent, one of which we are occupying to sleep in. It is about a
hundred yards from Mr. Elison's, where I eat. I commenced work-
ing at the carpenter's trade last Monday — I tried to get a school,
but failed to get one worth my notice, so I concluded on the whole it
was best for me to get at something else, and as a trade pays better
than anything else, I went at the carpenter's. The man I am work-
ing with is giving from $1.75 to $2.25 a day, but could not tell me
what he would give me, but said that we would not fall out about
the price, until he could determine what I was worth. I intended
to have made him set a price yesterday, but it rained so that I
could not go to work. To-morrow we will come to an understanding.
I shall stand out for $2 a day, as I think that I am worth that, at
the rate of everything else here. I have a long walk every day to
and from my work, about two & a half miles. My work is in Le-
compton, the capital, above Douglas.
I have no fun here. Game is scarce. Mr. Elison's son killed a
pelican in the river yesterday morning. I went out late in the even-
ing and killed two squirrels, which is the first thing of any kind I
have killed since I have been here. They catch cat-fish in the river
here that weigh from 10 to 100 Ibs., but I have not seen any yet. A
man caught one yesterday morning that weighed 20 Ibs.
I still don't like this country, and I don't care how soon it is ad-
mitted as a state. The Governor sent the sheriff to take some men
in Lawrence last Saturday (yesterday week) and the Lawrenceites
rescued the prisoner from him. The sheriff came and reported to
the Governor, who sent him back with four other men, but they
also failed. The Governor then sent a dispatch to the fort for some
soldiers ; they came on Tuesday, and with the sheriff went to Law-
rence on Wednesday and succeeded in taking six prisoners, but as
they had not the most important one, they concluded that they
would stay there all night. In the night the sheriff (Jones) with two
or three other men went out of the tent to get some water, and
while drawing it, the sheriff was shot at, the ball passing through
his pantaloons behind his leg. They went into the tent, when a
48 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
man came in pretending to be drunk. Jones told him to go out, that
they had no use for him there. Then he left walking as steady and
apparently as sober as any man. About five minutes after, Jones
was shot through the tentcloth in the back, the ball entering near
the backbone just below the shoulder blade. Jones drew his bowie
knife, and attempted to rise, but could not. I hear that he was not
dead last Friday evening, but there was very little hope for him. I
have sent ... a circular giving the particulars of the case,
which you can get and read. Colonel Sumner,5 was encamped on
the north side of the Kansas river on Friday with 200 regular sol-
diers, opposite Lawrence. He is there, he says, to prevent a fight
between the Proslavery and the Abolitionists, and I hear that he
says the moment he leaves, there are hundreds of Proslavery men
ready to march against Lawrence. There are scouting parties of
Proslavery men out every night since Jones was shot. The Law-
renceites have threatened the life of Governor Shannon6 and several
other Proslavery men. An attempt was made to burn the house of
a Proslavery man, about a mile from here, on night before last, and
a parcel went there last night to stand guard. The owner (Mr.
Clark) is in Missouri, but his wife is at home. The same house was
fired last fall, but was discovered soon enough to be put out. I
don't expect anything else but a fight before long — the excitement
is too great, and if Jones dies, it will be greater. You must get the
circular which I have sent. . . . and read it ... That will
give you a better idea of the state of feeling here than I can give,
as it expresses the opinion and feelings of every Proslavery man.
Jerry Vann came to Lecompton yesterday was a week ago. He
is trying to make up a school there, and I believe has succeeded in
getting nearly twenty scholars at $1 per scholar a month, but he
has to build a schoolhouse, and has to pay $3.50 a week for board,
so he will not make much clear money. Vann says he left Parrott
at Leavensworth. House got off the boat at Independence, Mo., and
Vann says he would not be surprised if House has not gone on to
California, but I hope not.
You must write to me and tell me all the news about everything.
6. Edwin Vose Sumner (1797-1868), a native of Boston, Mass. For meritorious service
in the U. S. army during the Civil War, he was brevetted major-general. Cf. Appleton'a
Cyclopedia of American Biography, v. V., p. 750.
6. Wilson Shannon (February 24, 1802-August 30, 1877), second governor of the territory
of Kansas, was born in Ohio. His term of office, which lasted almost a year, was filled with
troubles, including the Wakarusa War. His removal from office took place August 16, 1858.
He soon left the territory, for hie life was in danger, but after the violence and danger to his
life were over, he returned, and made his home in Lawrence, where he died. Cf. U. S.
Biographical Dictionary, p. 879: Kansas Historical Collections, v. V., p. 281; Appleton, op.
cit.f v. V., p. 481.
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 49
. . . You don't know how anxious I am to hear from home. I
have not heard a word since I left, except what Vann told me,
which was in a manner nothing — Tell me everything about people,
farm, hogs, dogs, and everything else. Give my love to Mother,
Sister, and all the Negroes, and my most sincere regards to all my
friends. Tell Mother not to fret herself about me ... I don't
intend to risk myself to danger unnecessarily, but if my party needs
my assistance, I will not shrink from what I consider my duty.
. . . I subscribe myself, your ever affectionate brother till death,
Axalla.
Dear Major' Douglas, K. T, May 17, 1856.
The general feature of this part of the country is a rolling prairie,
with no timber of any kind except along the rivers, creeks, and
ravines, and [the] bottomland is heavily timbered with walnut, oak,
hickory, ash, cottonwood, elm lyn [sic] , &c. The creeks and ravines
have the same but not so large and thick; the hillsides are all lime
rocks, the soil very rich. The soil of the prairie appears to be very
rich but it requires from 3 to 6 yoke of oxen to break it up, but
after broken, no trouble to tend. The bottomlands are very spongy
and mellow, but it takes 2 or 3 yoke of oxen to break it up; it is
said to produce 8 or 10 barrels (40 or 50 bu.) per acre without
cultivating. No corn, or very little, planted yet. If they can plant
by the 1st. June, they will make a good crop. The sweet [sic]
grows well here. The grass is from 6 to 8 inches the whole face of
the prairie where I am, on the Kansas river, from 12 to 15 miles.
The cattle are very fine. A gentleman near me has one cow, and
his wife churns twice a day. They have 5 in the family and a good
deal of company. He gives me as much milk and butter as I want,
then gives milk to his pigs. There are but few hogs here, but what
are here look well and in fine shape. The horses are very inferior;
they give them but little corn, and sometimes a little salt.
I expect it will be a great country some day; it is cold though,
and the water is bad. They use river water mostly, those who live
near the river. Some use the water in the ravines in wet weather;
in dry weather the water stands in holes among the rocks, settles,
and becomes very clear, but tastes of lime.
The prospects for making money is dull, a good mechanic can get
7. Maj. F. F. Warley, editor of the Darlington Flag (of which there is no file extant),
and major, First regiment, South Carolina Volunteer artillery. He took part in, the battle of
Battery Wagner, Charleston, S. C., was wounded, and was later in command of prisoner's
stockade, Florence, S. C. Cf. Treasured Reminiscenses, op cit.} p. 78.
4—2718
50 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
from $2 to $2.50 per day, but he will have to spend it to live on.
Board and everything else is very high. Board is from $3 to $5.50
per week, no washing at that, coarse fare . . . and have to lie
on a comfort or blanket on the floor; there are but few beds in the
country as yet. Lumber is from $2.50 to $4 per hundred feet and
very inferior. I worked at carpenter's trade for $1.75 a day. For
a man to come here to farm it would require from $500 to $1000 to
commence. You will have to give the settlers for land from $300 to
$1000 — and then pay the government price for it when it comes into
market.
There is no game but a few squirrels, and they are scarce, and no
fish of any account. One of my neighbours caught a catfish that
weighed 20 or 25 Ibs., but I did not see it. All provisions are high,
except milk and butter. Flour, $12 a barrell, bacon 8% to 12^,
mollasses 80^ gal., coffee 16%^ lb., salt 3%^ lb., so you will have to
spend all you can make to live on. No scouring is done for want of
water. When it rains your feet are stuck so full of mud you can
scarcely walk.
The place where I am living is called Douglas City. It has only
5 or 6 houses in it, and they are log houses. It is laid out for a
town in lots, and is the place selected for the state university. It
is a prettier place than Lecompton where they are building the
State House, which is only 2 miles above this place, on the river.
Timber is more plentiful at Douglas than at Lecompton, and a
better landing for boats, when they should run this river. One has
gone to Fort Riley, 100 miles above here. Kansas river is broad
but shallow, full of sand bars which makes navigation difficult.
Lawrence is the headquarters of the Abolitionists of this Territory.
Yours truly,
A. J. Hoole.
Douglas, K. T., May 18th., 1856
My dearly Beloved Sister 8
... I rec'd a letter from Mr. Cooper . . . which was
dated four days before yours. They had both been written nearly
a month before I got them, which I attribute to their being directed
to Lawrence. I had left place, but when I left it I gave the P. M.
my name with directions to forward my letters to Lecompton, but
he neglected to do so until I wrote to him. . . .
8. Elizabeth Euphrasia Hoole, b. May 20, 1826; m. J. Q. A. Dabbs, April 2, 1862; d.
1919.
HOOLB: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 51
The seed of sweet potatoes is almost lost in this Ter. & also in
Mo. & other northwestern states. You did not tell me whether
you had moved into the new house or not. Do tell me whenever
you write to me all such news as that. . . .
You say the Negroes don't forget me in their prayers. Thank
them a thousand times for me, and beg them always to remember
me when they render up their petitions to Him who rules and
governs all things. I feel that I need the prayers of everyone. Tell
Stin when he writes to tell me about everybody, everything, dogs,
hogs, cows, horses, and chickens and everything — leave nothing out,
for anything from Old Darlington will interest me.
And now dear sister, I suppose you would like for me to tell you
something of myself, &c. Well, I have been working at carpenters
trade for three weeks, until last Thursday when the man I was
working for got out of lumber and had no work for coarse workmen
like me, so he discharged all of us except those who could do fine
work. I was getting $1.75 per day. I made lacking 25 ct& of
$30 in what time I worked. But you may depend upon it, I earned
every cent I got, for I had to walk about three miles, work eleven
hours, and then walk back at night. I was, you may say, exercising
fifteen hours of the hardest kind every day. Sometimes I felt like
I would give out before I could get home at night. I was sick
Friday and Saturday a week ago, and so lost two days, which I
attribute to overworking. I was also unwell yesterday and the day
before, but if I had had anything to do, I believe I should have
worked. I engaged to work for a man near me, but I hear he is
bad pay and I believe I will back out. Betsie has been unwell for
two or three days, and I fear that she is worse off than she pretends
she is. She said she was a good deal better when she first got up
this morning, but just as I commenced writing this, she came in
and lay down and said she felt worse again.
We are living to ourselves and considering the house, very pleas-
antly. Betsie cooks, but we hire a Negroe to do our washing at $2
a month. Betsie is a first rate cook. We have meal, flour, bacon
(ham shoulder and sides) lard, butter, molasses, sugar, coffee, be-
sides milk (butter milk and sweet milk) as much as we want,
whenever we go after it. So you can guess whether we have enough
to eat or not.
I pay $2 a month for house rent, but I think that it is cheaper
to live to ourselves and keep house than to board out, for the
lowest we can board at is $3 a week apiece, and I am certain it is
much more pleasant.
52 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Major Beaufort9 [sic] has arrived in the Ter. with 4 or 500 men.
Beaufort himself is now at Mr. Ellison's, my nearest neighbor. I
have not seen him yet, but I heard that he said he intended to
call on me. Col. Treadwell 10 who came with him was at Mr.
Ellison's one night last week. I called on him. He is a very
gentlemanly man; he is a brother-in-law of Bertram. I felt like I
had met an old friend when I met him. We talked very little
though, for we had but little time that night. The next day he came
to where I was working at Lecompton, but did not stay long with
me as I expect he thought he was hindering me from my work.
I wrote a long letter to Warley yesterday, which I expect he will
publish in the Flag. If he does not, you must get Stin or Mr.
Cooper to get it from him and read it as I have written a good deal
to him which I would have written to you, if I had not thought
that you would learn it all. It is mostly on political matters.
While I am writing, guns are firing in the camps of the different
companies of soldiers who are gathering to attack Lawrence. Sun-
day as it is, they are shooting in every direction. I expect before
you get this Lawrence will be burnt to the ground. I may not
know when it will be attacked, but if I do, I expect to go — although
I don't think that they will show any fight, though they are pre-
paring. But I hear they are very much frightened and have sent to
the Governor for protection, but he sent word to them that they did
not consider him their Governor and would not submit to the laws,
so he would leave them to their fate. But all of this you will see
more fully in the letter I have written to Warley, so I will now
close this. Do write soon and often to me. . . . Your Affec-
tionate Brother, Axalla.
Douglas, K. T., June the 1st., 1856
My Dear Beloved Mother
I received a letter from Sister yesterday . . . and I am glad
to hear that Stin is getting along so well with the crop, and that your
prospects for fruit are so promising. We will have no fruit here,
as there are no fruit trees: strawberries are the only fruit we will
have. They are all about on the prairie and are getting ripe.
Though wild, they are the same as our tame strawberries at home,
9. Probably John Buford (1825-1863), a native of Kentucky, and half-brother of Maj.-
Gen. Napoleon Bonaparte Buford, U. S. A. He was engaged in the Sioux expedition in 1855,
and was transferred to Kansas, where he served in 1856-1857. Cf. Appleton, op. cit., v. I,
p. 443.
10. Col. B. F. Treadwell, a South Carolinian (?), was very active in Southern interests
in Kansas. He was appointed representative to canvass Alabama for money to aid the
Southern cause. He is reported to have contributed $1,000 cash. C/. Elmer Leroy Craik,
"Southern Interests in Territorial Kansas," Kansas Historical Collections, v. XV, pp. 392, 431.
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 53
but not so large and fine, though they need only cultivation to make
them so. The people here are not done planting corn yet. The
gardens are very backward; just enough mustard for spring greens.
I am determined to make a living while I stay in this Territory,
and I turn my hand to anything that I can make money at. I have
had to lay out so much money for necessaries to keep house on, that
for all I have made since I have been here, my purse is reduced to
about $140, but then my heaviest expenses are over for the present.
This would be a good country for one who had money enough
to commence farming to live in so far as making a plenty to eat,
but it is out of the question to think of making a fortune here for
years to come. And with the exception of a plenty to eat, there is
nothing else desirable.
We attended preaching last Sunday at a friend's about a hundred
and fifty yards from here. [There] was only one member of the
church there, besides Betsie. A very slim congregation & a pretty
good, plain, practical sermon, &c.
. . . We are getting along smoothly and happily. . . .
'Tis true there is a great deal of excitement in the Territory, of which
I have written an account to Warley to-day, and which, as I feel
certain you will see, I shall omit writing to you. But that does not
affect me as I am confident of the success of the party to which I
belong. Though it grieves me to hear of the outrages which the
Abolitionists are committing. . . . Do remember me to all of
my friends who enquire about me. Tell all the Negroes howdie and
give my love to them. Tell the little Negroes that I often think of
them when I see the tubs of buttermilk given to the hogs & dogs.
My kind neighbour, Mrs. Ellison, never lets me get out of fresh
yellow butter, and sometimes we have as much as two saucers of
*V * .' ' Your affectionate Son.
P. S. I have enclosed three kinds of prairie flowers for Sister. I
am living in Douglas, but the P. 0. is at Lecompton, two miles off —
Douglas City, K. T., June the 8th, 1856
My Dear Sister
I wrote to mother a week ago, and now I seat myself to write
you a few lines, to let you all know how we are getting on.
. . . Betsie got a letter from Mr. Cooper yesterday dated May
the 19th, which has come quicker than any we have rec'd yet.
... I was in hopes that I would get a letter from . . . Stin
54 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
yesterday but was disappointed. I suppose Stin thinks I don't care
to hear from him, but he should think of himself when he was in
Alabama, and remember how glad he was to hear every little thing
from home. . . .
These are still exciting times here. You may form some idea of
them when I tell you that I never lie down without taking the pre-
caution to fasten my door, and fix it in such a way that if it is forced
open, it can be opened only wide enough for one person to come in
at a time. I have my rifle, revolver, and old home-stocked pistol
where I can lay my hand on them in an instant, besides a hatchet
& axe. I take this precaution to guard against the midnight attacks
of the Abolitionists, who never make an attack in open daylight,
and no Proslavery man knows when he is safe here in this Ter.
Some of them go so far as to guard out every night. There are
three families of us here in a hundred yards of each other, with
seven men in the three families, so that if no more than a dozen or
fifteen comes at once, we will be able to stand our hand pretty well.
From past experience, they can't stand with even two to one. In an
attack which they made on the little town of Franklin, about 12
miles from here, one night last week, six Proslavery men guarded
cannon against a company of the rascals, variously estimated at
from 50 to 1,500. Five out of the six were wounded; one of them
dangerously, the ball passing through his body.
We hear so much news about attacks, depredations, &c., that I
can scarcely believe, or at least tell what to believe. All accounts
are generally exaggerated, but still there is still some foundation
for them. Well, my dear Sister, I must lay my pen aside for a while,
as it is time for me to go to preaching about a hundred yards from
here. J after 10 o'clock —
J after 1 P. M. Well, my dear Sister, I have been to preaching
and heard a rather poor preaching from the text: I came not to
destroy men's lives but to save them. Quite a small congregation
as usual.
I also heard some more news while at preaching. A man by the
name of Taylor (a lawyer) was there. He was taken prisoner at
Lawrence last night by the Abolitionists, robbed of $80, money that
he had collected for some one in Kansas City, Mo., kept under
guard all night, and set at liberty this morning. He reports that
they were about to hang him, had the rope around his neck, but on
his giving a Masonic sign, a Mason in the crowd would not let
them hang him. I will not vouch for the truth of this, as this man
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 55
is one who's veracity is somewhat doubted — but then it may be in
substance true.
Well, my dear Sister, I believe that I have written all that I can
think of that would interest you, except political news, which I
intend to write to Warley & which you will be able to get from the
Flag, as I guess he will publish it. Betsie has sent you a bud of the
wild rose which are quite plentiful here ... we have a good many
strawberries here growing about on the prairies. I see some ripe
at this moment only a few feet from the window where I am writing.
. . . Your affectionate Brother,
Axalla.
Dear Cousin Mary" Douglas, K. T., June the 8th, 1856
I believe I have written to all the rest of the family, so I will
now write to you. . . .
I hope you have a good garden this year — I understand the
seasons have been fine. People here are just setting out plants, and
the gardens look very backward, which I attribute to negligence,
as I am certain that the weather was warm enough long before they
commenced planting. Some of the farmers are hardly done planting
corn yet. . . .
I expect if you were here, you would go into spasms, everything
is so dirty. It is almost useless to scour the floor, for the first rain
that comes, it gets smeared all over with mud. I have not seen
a scouring broom since I have been here. All the cleaning the
floor gets is with the common sweeping broom, that is bought out
of the store.
We live in a little log house with the floor almost six inches off
of the ground. It don't leak at all, for whenever it rains, it just
pours down, and wets everything; that is the time we take to wash
the floors, as we are saved the trouble of bringing water.
We have very fine neighbors, just as kind as they can be. Two
of the ladies, one a married lady & the other a widowed sister (an
Oddfellow's widow at that) came here this morning and brought
Betsie a plate of nice yellow butter, enough to fill nearly one of
those 12%^ bowls. As for milk they tell us to come after it when-
ever we want it — so you see we live well. But I tell you, Cousin
Mary, I don't like this country at all, though the people tell me that
if I stay here a year or two, I will not be satisfied to live in
11. Mary Branson, b. September 15, 1804; d. ?
56 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Darlington any more. It is a rich country and that is about all
that can be said in its favor.
There is great excitement in the Ter. now. The Abolitionists are
committing great depredations on the Proslavery party, killing at
night, &c., & the Governor is endeavoring to keep the Proslavery
party from retaliating. But I expect you will hear enough of this
in the other letters which I write home to the men folks. . . .
Give my love to ... all enquiring friends; tell ... all
the negroes howdie for me ... write down all the news and
keep it for me to read when I come back. ... If any of the
girls ask you about me, tell them I love them yet, if I am married.
Your Affectionate Cousin,
A. J. H.
P. S. We have circuit preaching here today & regularly every
other Sunday.
Douglas, K. T., Sunday June the 22nd/1856
My Dear Sister
I have seated myself to write you a few lines; I will not promise
you a long letter as I don't think I can find much to write that
would be interesting to you, but perhaps I may fill a sheet before
I close. . . . We are getting along about in the same style.
Both of us are quite well. I have been out of employment for the
last two weeks. I had been working for a man, but after doing $21
worth of work for him, I found out that he was slow pay, so I
quit. . . .
I wrote to Cousin Billy last Friday. ... I wish when you
see him, that you would correct a mistake which I wrote to him.
Tell him that the last of the two outrages which I mentioned to
him is altogether wrong so far as parties are named, [and] that
if he will place Buford's men in the place of Abolitionists, and
freesoiler in place of Proslavery man, he will have it right. Some
of the men b[r] ought out by Buford are acting rascally. They are
robbing and plundering and don't always confine themselves to
Abolitionists, but rob and plunder everyone that falls in their way.
They came for nothing else.
Gov. Shannon has resigned his commission as Gov. of the Ter.
and his time will expire on the 1st. of July —
It is thought by some that there will be a general outbreak of the
Abolitionists here about the 4th., as there is a large body expected
from Michigan about that time. But I hope not. Times have been
HOOLB: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 57
pretty quiet here for the past two weeks. I have quit preparing for
midnight attacks, and sleep soundly and securely.
I went fishing yesterday and caught a fish that weighed about
a pound and a half, called here a hickory shad. The man who went
with me caught a pretty good catfish, both of which I took. Ate
the shad this morning for breakfast, & Betsie is cooking the cat for
dinner. I saw a man catch a buffalo that would weigh about 10
Ibs., and another man had one to the top of the water that he
thought would weigh 20 Ibs. The buffalo is very much like the
redhorse.
There is a quarterly meeting at Lecompton today, but I did not
go, not having a horse. . . .
Leonadas King's son, who came out here from Eufala, [Alabama] ,
with Major Buford, left for home last Wednesday. He first thought
of going by Darlington, but finally concluded to go directly home.
He was pretty sick of the Ter., I tell you, as I presume a great many
others are. I among the rest. My only hope of getting pay for
coming here lies in the hope of preempting a piece of the Delaware
reserve, when it is treated for, and selling it again.
— I laid my pen aside to eat dinner and after eating, took a smoke,
lay down on the bed, went to sleep, and slept three hours. My cat-
fish was very nice. We had cold coffee, cold biscuit, cold bread,
cold boiled ham, a nice saucer of fresh butter, and a nice pitcher of
sweet milk. Betsie generally tries to arrange it so as to have very
little to cook on Sundays. ... I bought four hens and a rooster
last week and paid $1.25 for them, 25^ apiece. The very next even-
ing, while I was off at work (two neighbors and I were making a
skiff in co. to cross the river with) and Betsie was over at Mr. Elli-
son's, where she commonly stays when I am off, about 150 yards
from here, some one or a cat came and took my rooster. Fortu-
nately, my neighbour from whom I purchased them, had another
spare one and gave it to me. Betsie has now seven eggs, tho we
have had the chickens only a few days. I hear that Missouri is
going to give all of the Southern settlers who are keeping house a
cow & calf, that is, those who have none, and provisions to last
them a year. They have 300 cows and calves already made up and
a quantity of provisions. Mr. Ellison's wagon with three others
are now gone to bring up the provisions to Lecompton. I intend to
apply for my share, also for the cow. If I get the cow, I will try
to buy a couple of shoats, as I will have lots of milk to throw away.
All of the hogs here are fat enough to eat, and don't get a grain
58 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
of corn. This is a great country for stock. It is a beautiful country
in the spring and summer, but looks dreary & desolate in the win-
ter. ... I saw some of the prettiest corn over the river oppo-
site here yesterday that I ever saw. It was a little over knee
high, from three to five stalks in a hill. This is truly a great corn
country.
You must not look for long letters from me, as there is very little
here for me to write about, but I shall expect long letters from you,
as you know that every little news from home would interest me.
Do tell me everything . . . Love to all ...
Your ever affectionate Brother,
A. J. H.
Dear Sir 12 Douglas, K T., June the 29th, 1856
I received your very acceptable letter, dated June the 2nd. . . .
It is reported here that the Delaware Indians are about treating
away a part of their lands, so I and three or four of my friends here
went across the river last week to lay our claims. I made two which
I intended to make choice of when I could examine them better, but
as I am not fully satisfied with either, I intend going back again this
week and looking about again. There is some fine land on the
Delaware reserve, and if it does come in for preemption, I intend to
preempt a claim, pay for it at the government price, make some
little improvements on it, and sell, if I can get a price sufficient,
then go home to Old Darlington again. I don't think I shall ever
like here well enough to make it my home.
We are to have a great barbecue on the 4th., at Lecompton. I
don't know who will be the orator, but it is thought that a Col.
Moore13 will be. I hear that the Yankees are to have a great
gathering at Lawrence on that day, and also at Topeka, and it is
rumored that their legislature will meet at the latter place then.
Governor Shannon, I hear, has given Col. Sumner orders to be ready
to act in case they do, but they (the Abolitionists) have no Gov.
Robinson14 is still in custody, guarded by Uncle Sam's troops. Some
think there will be a general outbreak among the rascals on that
12. I have been unable to identify the receiver of this letter.
13. Probably Ely Moore. See Footnote No. 27.
14. Charles Robinson (1818-1894), first governor of the state of Kansas. He was first
elected under a Free-State constitution in 1856, but was arrested on a charge of treason, and
indicted by the federal grand jury. After several months' imprisonment, he was tried for
usurpation, acquitted, and released. Two years later he was reflected by the Free-State
party, and in 1861 became the first governor of the state. — Cf. New International Encyclopedia,
v. XX, p. 50.
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 59
day, as it is reported that there are to be a great many from Michi-
gan and other free states in here at that time, which report, it seems,
is about to be sustained, as there were 80 on board one of the boats
coming up from Missouri last week, armed with Sharpshooters. But
when they reached Lexington, Mo., their arms, at least 60 guns, were
taken from them. 20 they threw into the river before they would
give them up, and they were sent back to where they came from —
not the guns, but the Abolitionists! Hurrah! for the Lexington
boys!
It has been pretty quiet here for some time, though the week
before last the agent of the Shawnee Indians, who was an Aboli-
tionist, was killed, and his son wounded. It is not known who com-
mitted the deed. The son who escaped says that they were riding
horses branded with a U. S., though the men wore citizens clothes.
It is thought that he was murdered for his money, as it is generally
believed that he had a good deal. There are more lies told about
the affairs of Kansas than a little, and if it were not for the purpose
of giving Warley the true state of things, I don't think I would
write to him. But I can't bear the idea of the readers of the Flag
hearing such erroneous statements as I see copied in it from other
papers. I find that Warley can get news from here from other
sources sooner than he can from me, but then, what I write is
literally true, as I will not state a thing to him as true unless I hear
it from good authority.
The political matter which I have written in this, you may give
to him to publish, if he likes, as I don't intend to write to him this
week, for I have nothing else to write . . .
Your ever sincere friend, A. J. H.
My very dear Sister DOTGLAS> K' T" Au§st- the 3d" 1856
. . . You must not think hard of me for not writing to you
sooner, for I have so many of you to write to, that it would keep
me all the time writing, if I undertook to write each one every
week. ... I am well now, but I can't get back my appetite.
I had a very severe attack of the bilious fever. . . . After nine
days I took it again, but it was slight, and by taking a little blue-
mass and some mixture of quinine and some other things which the
Dr. left me, I broke it. ... Our neighbors are very kind, in
truth, rather too much so for me, as they make me feel as if I am
a trouble to them. They will not even let me bring water for my-
self, but if they see me go after any, they quarrel with me. This
60 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
morning, though I feel strong enough to go after it myself, a boy
brought me a pail full by sun up. They all seem to think a great
deal of Betsie and myself.
It is quite cool here this morning; almost cool enough to sit by a
fire. We have suffered for rain in this part of the country, but last
week we had several fine rains, and as the crops are generally very
backward, there is a chance for good crops. Corn is now about
tasseling & shooting. Gardens are generally poor. I have not eaten
a good mess of vegetables this summer. . . .
There are fewer snakes here than in Darlington. I have killed
four rattlesnakes, three of them had only a button, but the other
was a large one with nine rattles. My foot passed within a foot of
his head, and he could have bit me with all ease, as I did not see
him until I was by him, but they never strike without rattling — he
did not rattle.
There are more insects about the house I live in than a little,
crickets, spiders, cockroaches, granddaddies, &c. Yesterday Betsie
and I burned and killed about a thousand of the last. They had
got so troublesome that they were crawling over us at night; in the
day they would collect in knots about the house, so I set a news-
paper on fire and burned them. One consolation: we are not
troubled with bedbugs. . . . There are scarcely any ticks here
in the summer, but I am told that in the winter the stock is literally
covered with them, in perfect shields, horses, cows, and everything
else.
Plums are just commenced getting ripe. . . . There is no other
fruit. Dried apples are worth $3 a bushel here. Watermelons are
just getting ripe . . . one of my neighbors has some almost as
large as my head.
I have heard of some few claims about 16 miles from here that
are not taken up yet. One is said to be a very fine claim, and I
intend, as soon as I am able to ride that far, to go and take it up,
and not wait for the Delaware lands to come in, as that is uncertain,
at least for some time.
There is very little doing here. Money is scarce; a great many
people want work done, but they have no money to pay with.
Everyone seems to be resting on his oars, as the saying is. Nothing
going on, except among some of the Abolitionists who are doing a
good business stealing horses from Proslavery men. One of my
neighbours (Mr. Elison) lost a very fine horse which he has been
offered $135 for, which is a pretty big price for Kansas.
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 61
The Missourians are going to send 300 head of milk cows into the
Ter. for the benefit of Southern immigrants. I was told the other
day by one who is to have the distributing of them when they come,
to come and pick me out one. Every Proslavery man who is keep-
ing house and has no cow is entitled to one. Some men have gone
after them now.
Well, my dear sister, I believe I have told you everything that I
can think of that would interest you. . . . Betsie sends her
love to you all. . . . Write soon to one who loves you dearly.
. . . Your affectionate brother, Axalla.
My dear Sister Lecompton, K. T., Augst. 27, 1856
I rec'd yours of the 5th. inst. last week, but as you complain that
none of you had rec'd a letter from me in five or six weeks, and I
had written to some one in Darlington every week with the ex-
ception of the last two, I have come to the conclusion that it is al-
most useless to write, as I feel pretty well satisfied that my letters
never get out of the Ter., no, nor this county, but are stopped in
Lawrence; but I shall however make one more attempt, hoping that
it may be overlooked and pass through —
You see from the heading that I am now in Lecompton. Last
night two weeks ago the Abolitionists, about 250 or 300 strong at-
tacked the little town of Franklin, or rather one house in the place
in which there were 14 men (Proslavery). They demanded the arms
of these 14 men which were refused, when they commenced firing
upon the house, and, after a short time, were repulsed, but rallied
and came again, [and] were repulsed the second time. Then they set
fire to a load of hay and rolled it against an adjoining house (the
post office) when the 14 cried for quarter. Nearly all of the 14 made
their escape without receiving a single wound, but of the Abolition-
ists, 32 were killed and wounded, 7 or 8 killed.
A few days after an army of 400 of the Murderers went to at-
tack Col. Treadwell, who was making a settlement about 20 miles
south of this, but he, hearing of their approach, abandoned his post
and made his escape. Treadwell had only about 50 men and no
ammunition. He sent to Lecompton for help and 18 started, but
hearing that he had left, they turned back. On their return they
fell into an ambuscade of the Abolitionists about 250 strong, but
charged through them without losing a man, and only two were
wounded slightly. The next morning the same band of villains at-
62 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
tacked the house of Col. Titus,15 about 1£ miles from here. Titus
has 18 men, and after fighting with small arms for half an hour,
they turned loose their cannon on his house and battered it down
over his head. They took him and most of his men prisoners, after
fighting to the last. Titus lost only one man killed, and himself and
one more wounded. They were carried to Lawrence and after a
few days were exchanged. Titus is from Florida and is a very brave
man. On the morning the attack was made on Titus, the news
came that 800 men were coming against Douglas, so we, 8 in number
with our families, crossed over the river, but they did not come.
The next day we returned, but not feeling safe there we came (after
a few days) to this place, which has about 750 regulars to guard it.
There are three families of us living in one house. There is a great
deal of excitement here, but how long it will last no one can tell.
Mo. is sending in men to help us, and it is high time they had come.
This contest will decide the fate of Kansas and the Union. Lane16
is in the Ter. with a force of from 1500 to 2500 men. Gov. Shannon
has resigned and the new governor has not come on, so the Lieut.
Gov. Woodson17 is now the acting Gov. — I don't know what will
be the plan of the present campaign, as the officers keep it a secret.
Betsie is well, but I have [had] slight fevers every day, for the
last three or four days, caused, I guess, from excitement and stand-
ing guard. ... I don't think you need be uneasy about me
15. Henry T. Titus, spoken of as "Col. Titus of Florida," was commissioned colonel of
the Second Regiment, Southern division, Kansas militia, August 6, 1856. It is said that he
brought a delegation of armed Southerners with him from Florida and Georgia. Colonel
Titus had taken an active part in the "sack of Lawrence," and had assisted in destroying the
presses of the Herald of Freedom and of the Free-State, and throwing the type in the river.
Early in the morning a party of Free-State men attacked Titus' house, fired 7 cannon balls
made of lead melted from the type of the destroyed presses, dug from the sand in the river,
and forced Titus to1 surrender. He had been wounded in the head and shoulder. After his
capture he was supplied with comfortable quarters and a physician to attend him. The
other prisoners were confined in the Herald of Freedom building. Titus died in 1881. Cf.
Kansas Historical Society Collections, v. I-II, pp. 228-229; v. HI, p. 323; v. VII, p. 529;
v. X, p. 597; v. XII, p. 412; New York Times, August 17, 1856; Lexington (Mo.) Express,
August 23, 1856.
16. James Henry Lane (1814-1866), a native of New York, emigrated to the Kansas ter-
ritory in April, 1855, and soon attempted to organize the Democratic party there. Failing in
this, he joined the Free-State movement, and advocated a broad and constructive program for
organizing the anti-slavery factions in the territory. He was a member of the first Free-State
convention at Lawrence. After the Topeka convention was held and the constitution ratified
by the Free-State men, Lane was elected U. S. Senator, but was not admitted to a seat in the
senate. Leaving Washington, he set out to tour the Northwest to lay the cause of Kansas
before the people, and, as the Missouri river was closed to Northern emigrants, he opened
a new route via Iowa and Nebraska. Through this channel "Lane's Army of the North"
invaded Kansas, attacking Proslavery strongholds. — Cf. Dictionary American Biography, v. X,
pp. 576-578; W. E. Connelley, Kansas and Kansans, p. 1284.
17. Daniel Woodson (1824-1894), secretary of Kansas territory, 1854-1857, was a native
of Albemarle county, Virginia. He was appointed secretary at the age of 80 by President
Pierce. Woodson's education, his prejudices and his political principles led him to take a
position with the National Democratic party, and he was faithful to the policy of the Pro-
slavery party in Kansas. At four different times during his term as secretary, Woodson was
called upon to act as governor. In 1857 he was appointed receiver of public moneys for the
Delaware land district, a position which he held until the election of Lincoln. — Cf. Kansas
Historical Collections, v. V, p. 157, v. XIII, p. 410; U. S. Biographical Dictionary, Kansas,
p. 222.
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 63
here as the regulars will guard this place, but if there is any fighting
to be done, I intend to pitch in.
Before we left Douglas a posse of the Abolitionists (seven in
number) came and demanded some arms that Gen'l Clarke18 had
left there. There was no one at home, but a Mr. Browne & myself,
who were both puney, besides the women. Clarke's guns had been
removed but there were nine other guns all loaded in a log house
which we had fixed up as a fort. When I ascertained what they
had come for, I went to that house and stood in the door, after first
waking up Mr. Browne, with my pistol in my pocket and my thumb
on the hammer. I was determined that they should not have the
guns, let the consequences be what they might. One of the men rode
up to the door and demanded Clarke's guns. I told him they were
not there, and after receiving the same reply from several of the
family, and invited by Mrs. Ellison to come in and search, they left.
It was my intention, if they undertook to make the search, to shoot
the man who was at the door, and not six feet away from me, with
my pistol, close the door, and shoot the rest with the loaded guns.
I could have [done] it easily with the assistance of Mr. Browne, as
we had port holes to shoot out of — But fortunately for them and
perhaps for myself and the others, they did not undertake the
search —
Betsie has gone to work making flannel shirts for one of the
merchants of this place at 37^ apiece. She can make two a day.
. . . I have heard since I commenced writing that letters go by
way of Leavensworth from here, so I am in hope you will get this.
. . . I would write to Warley if I was certain he would get it,
but as I guess by my letters, the last two that I have written to him
did not come out in the Flag, he did not get them. . . . Tell
Mother not to be uneasy about me. I feel quite safe here and there
will be such an influx of Missourians and other Southerners here in
a few days that Lane can not hold them a dodge. . . .
Your Affectionate Brother,
Axalla.
18. George W. Clarke was a notorious Proslavery leader in the border warfare days. Be-
fore coming to Kansas he had been in the U. S. navy. In 1855-1856 he served as Pottawat-
omie Indian agent, with a residence near Lecompton; 1857-1858 he was register in U. S.
land office at Fort Scott. In the fall of 1856 he was the leader of 400 Missourians in their
raid on Linn county. — Cf. Kansas Historical Collections, v. Ill, p. 306, v. XVI; Hamersly,
Complete Army & Navy Register of the United States of America, p. 150; D. W. Wilder.
Annals of Kansas (Topeka, 1875), p. 243.
64 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
My dear Mother Lecompton, K. T, Sept. 12, 1856
I must write you a few lines to let you know how I am getting
along, though I have but little hopes of your getting this as letters
for some time past have been miscarried or stopped on the way —
but I will make the venture —
I have been unwell ever since the 9th. of July. ... I thought
of going to work in a few days, when the Abolitionists broke out
and I have had to stand guard of nights when I ought to have been
in bed, took cold which . . . caused diarrhea, but ... I
feel quite well [now]. Betsie is well —
You perceive from the heading of this that I am now in Lecomp-
ton, almost all of the Proslavery party between this place and
Lawrence are here. We brought our families here, as we thought
that we would be better able to defend ourselves when altogether
than if we scattered over the country.
Lane came against us last Friday (a week ago to-day). As
it happened we had about 400 men with two cannon — we marched
out to meet him, though we were under the impression at the time
that we had 1,000 men. We came in gunshot of each other, but
the regular soldiers came and interferred, but not before our party
had shot some dozen guns, by which it is reported that five of the
Abolitionists were killed or wounded. We had strict orders from
our commanding officer (Gen'l Marshall 19) not to fire until they
made the attack, but some of our boys would not be restrained. I
was a rifleman and one of the skirmishers, but did all that I could
to restrain our men though I itched all over to shoot, myself. I
drew a bead a dozen times on a big Yankee about 150 yards from
me, but did not fire, as I knew if I did, the boys all around me
would do the same, and we had orders not to fire until the word
was given — We had 400 men and we learned after Lane had
drawn off his men that he did not have more than 700; had we
known it, the regulars would not have arrived soon enough to have
kept us from fighting, but we were acting on the defensive, and
did not think it prudent to commence the engagement. I firmly
believe that we would have whipped them, though we would have
lost a good many men. I did not see a pale face in our whole
19. Gen. Francis J. Marshall (1816-1895), a native of Virginia, moved to Kansas terri-
tory in 1849. In 1855 he was elected brigadier general of Kansas militia by the territorial
legislature. When Lane threatened Lecompton, Marshall assumed command of opposing
forces; and it is a fact that he forcibly prevented one of his subordinate officers from opening
fire on Lane's troops. In 1857 Marshall was elected governor of Kansas under the Lecompton
constitution, but after its rejection he retired to private life. In 1859 he moved to Colorado,
and became engaged in mining. — Cf. Franklin G. Adams, "Kansas State Historical Society
Scrap-book," v. VIII, pp. 239-241.
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 65
army, every man seemed keen to fight. I for one, did not feel as
nervous as I am when I go to shoot a beef or a turkey.
I was in bed when the news came, and the confusion calling the
men to arms awoke me. I sprang up, seized my gun, told Betsie
to go with the rest of the ladies where they would be out of danger,
and went to my post in line. I was so weak that I could scarcely
walk, and after I took my position, I sat down waiting for the word
to fire. I believe it helped me, for I have been improving ever
since — but enough of this —
Gov. Geary20 arrived here night before last; he is a fine looking
man, six feet two inches high, seems to be about forty years old.
He issued his proclamation disbanding all armed bodies in the Ter.
I hear that Lane and his men say that he has gone too far to back
out now and will resist the U. S. troops. That is just what we want,
as by that means we will get rid of all his last recruits at any rate.
The Gov. also said in his Proclamation that the laws of the Ter.
shall be enforced. I think he is all right — at least I hope so.
But my dear Mother, I must close as the stage has come. You
must not be uneasy about me, as I hope our difficulties here will
soon end, and we will all get to our work soon — I am more uneasy
about making money than I am about being killed by the Yankees,
though the times looked pretty squally for the last three weeks.
. . . Betsie sends love to you and all the rest of the family. . . .
My love to you, my very dear Mother, Your Affectionate Son.
My Dear Sister Douglas, K. T., Sept. the 24th., 1856.
Your most acceptable letter came to hand last week, but I have
not had the chance of answering it before. I have received two let-
ters from you since I have written you one, but I have written to
mother, which answers the same purpose, as when I write to one of
the family, it is intended for the whole. You see by the heading of
this letter that we have come back to Douglas. We moved the
latter part of last week. Everything is so quiet now, to what it has
been, that we thought we could risk here again. Gov. Geary is act-
ing with a great deal of energy and promptness. He has over one
hundred of the Abolitionists prisoners, which are to be tried soon.
Genl. Lane is not to be found. It is rumored that he has gone North
to Nebraska to meet 600 recruits, but I hear that he was seen in
20. John White Geary (1819-1873), a native of Pennsylvania, arrived in Kansas as
governor Sept. 9, 1856, found the territory in a state of civi-1 war, and in three weeks' time
quelled the disturbances. Later his life was threatened, and on March 4, 1857, he resigned and
returned to Washington to report to President Buchanan. — Cf. Dictionary American Biography,
v. VII, pp. 203-204 ; Kansas Historical Collections, v. IV, p. 373 ; v. VII, p. 375.
5—2718
66 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Lawrence last Friday, so I don't know which is correct. I have
written to Warley a sketch of the war, which I suppose he will
publish so you can see it, and it is unnecessary for me to write it in
this — . . .
We have quite cold weather here now; yesterday morning and
this morning pretty large frosts, and we had to sit by the fire all
day. I am satisfied that a good deal of the crop will be cut short,
if the weather does not moderate. Crops are generally late, on ac-
count of the disturbance last spring. But one consolation to the
settlers of the Ter. [is that] Missouri has made fine crops this
year, and I am in hopes provisions will be cheap. A great deal of the
crops here have been destroyed by the marauding bands of Aboli-
tionists, driving off the settlers, letting stock into their fields, &c.
But they are paying for it now: Missouri has passed resolutions
not to let them have any provisions from there, and I hear they are
almost on a state of starvation in Lawrence now.
I am anxious to get my health and strength again, that I may get
to making money, for our funds are getting low, and winter is com-
ing on. ... I still have money enough to carry us on for a
while yet, but, if I do have to call for help, I shall make a call on
the [Darlington] district, as I think I am in the service of the South,
and representing Darlington, though not the only one. But I
would not be surprised if I were not the only representative of Old
Darlington by spring. Of those who came out here first, only three
are left, and one of them spoke of going back as soon as the present
fuss was over, and I suppose he is on his way by this time — I mean
Galloway. Dr. Byrd may stay, but I have my doubts, so I think
that I deserve a little more than the rest who go back home. . . .
I am very much grieved to hear that the old black hen had sprained
her toe! and of the other sad mishaps among the poultry. Tender
them my condolence. Remember me to all my friends. . . .
Give my love and howdie to all of the Negroes; tell the little ones
not to forget me. Tell Stin that when I arose this morning and saw
the frost, I thought of him and fox-hunting. I am obliged to work
here to pass off time, as there is nothing that I can get for amuse-
ment, and I have very few books to read. You must write soon and
often to me, and give me all the news. . . .
Your Affectionate Brother, Axalla.
HOOLB: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 67
My Dear Sister Douglas> K T" Oct- the 12th- 1856-
This is my birthday, and I must celebrate it by writing you a
short letter to let you know how I am on such a memorable occasion.
Well, to do so, I shall have to go back a little. I commenced work-
ing at the carpenter's trade in Lecompton last Wednesday was a
week ago, worked two days, [it] rained one, worked three more
days, was taken sick — so I have been doing nothing ever since. I
suppose I was too weak to undergo the fatigue : I had to get up at
daylight, and walk three miles by 7 o'clock, work 11 hours, and
walk back home, which generally took me till into the night. I feel
quite well today, but to mend the matter, I have taken the rheuma-
tism in my right arm, just below where it joins the shoulder-blade
bone. I could scarcely move my arm yesterday, but it feels some-
what better today. If I am well enough, I will go back to work to-
morrow; it will not do for me to be idle here. Betsie is making me
some apple dumplings in honor of the day. Her health continues
very good. She tells me to tell you that she has her quilt in the
frame — but I am afraid it will stay in the frame some days yet, if
some of the ladies don't help her!
The weather has been quite pleasant for some weeks till Friday,
when it rained — and it has been cool and cloudy since. The frosts
last month did not kill all the grass and other vegetation, though it
killed a good deal. Betsie and I are getting along pretty comfort-
ably, since we came back home again. I find it a pretty hard task
to get wood and water for her.
Mr. Ellison's daughters, at least two of them, returned in the last
stage from Missouri, where they went on the breaking out of the
last fuss. Betsie and I were very glad to see them, as they are a
great deal of company for her. They visit each other every day.
One of them is a great favourite of mine, being an Oddfellow's
widow, in addition to her good qualities.
I will write to Warley tomorrow all the political news of the Ter.,
so I will not bother to write it in this to you, as you will see it in the
Flag. I write home to one of you so often that I have little to write
about myself. One of our neighbors has missed a Negro fellow and
supposes he has been carried off by the Abolitionists. He thinks that
they had to carry him off by force, as he does not think the Negro
would go off willingly. They have tried to induce a good many to
run away.
I guess Stin has been foxhunting by this time. I think of it every
cold spell we have. Tell him, if he would not write to me before,
68 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
he must write now and tell me of the chases — that will do me some
good, just to hear of them.
Now, my dear Sister, you must be sure to write to me soon and
tell me all the news. I hope our dear Mother's health has improved
since you wrote your last. Tell her, now that the horses are idle, to
ride about. I am certain it will be an advantage to her. Give my
love to [the immediate family]. . . Tell all the Negroes howdie.
Your Affectionate Brother, Axalla.
(To be Concluded in the May Quarterly)
William C. Hook1
Judge of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
of the United States
THOMAS AMORY LEB
FOUR members of the Kansas bar — two from Leavenworth and
two from Winfield — have been appointed to the federal bench
and have added luster to their names, their profession and their
state. Of the four, only one, Brewer, of Leavenworth, reached the
supreme goal and sat upon the supreme court of the United States.
Two of the remaining three each twice came close to the goal, and
the fourth, much junior in service to the others, was seriously con-
sidered by President Hoover for the last vacancy upon the supreme
court.
David J. Brewer was appointed to the supreme court bench in
1889, after having served as an associate justice of the supreme court
of Kansas, and as a judge of the circuit court of the United States
for the eighth circuit. William C. Hook, the subject of this sketch,
also of Leavenworth, was appointed judge of the United States
district court of Kansas in 1899, and sat upon it four years before
being advanced to the circuit court in 1903. John C. Pollock, of
Winfield, had been an associate justice of the supreme court of
Kansas for several years before he was named as judge of the United
States district court of Kansas to succeed Hook in 1903, and George
T. McDermott, originally of Winfield although all of his practice
had been in Topeka, sat as a trial United States judge for the dis-
trict of Kansas for two years before he was appointed in 1929 to
the newly created Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.
As I have said, all of these men have added luster to their profes-
sion and to their state. When the writer of this sketch argued his
first case before the United States supreme court, Justice Brewer
was still in the thoughts of the older members of the court, and the
writer well remembers the anecdotes which one of the justices of
that court told him at the dinner table concerning the learned,
keenly logical and sometimes controversial Brewer. No other man
from our state has attained the supreme goal of lawyers and jurists,
although both Judges Pollock and McDermott have been seriously
1. Address by the president, Thomas Amory Lee, before the Kansas State Historical
Society, at its fifty-eighth annual meeting, October 17, 1933.
(69)
70 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
considered for it, and any lawyer who has ever appeared before them
knows that the appointment of either would grace the bench itself.
But Hook came, perhaps, closer to an appointment to the United
States supreme court than almost any man in history who was not
appointed, and not only once, but twice.
William Gather Hook was born in Pennsylvania at Waynesburg,
on September 24, 1857. He died at his country home at Plum Lake,
Wis., August 11, 1921, after a service of eighteen years upon the
federal appellate bench. He was the son of Enos and Elizabeth
(Inghram) Hook, and was descended from Thomas Hooke, who
settled near Providence, Md., in 1668. The family is of mixed
English, Scotch and Irish descent. Judge Hook was the great
nephew of Enos Hook, a member of Congress from Pennsylvania,
in the sessions of 1838 and 1840, and the great, great grandson of
Capt. James Hook of the Continental army who saw active service
in the Thirteenth Virginia regiment until the summer of 1778. His
parents moved to Nebraska in 1863 and across the plains to
Colorado by ox and mule team in 1866, and then back to Leaven-
worth where they finally settled in 1867, and Leavenworth was
always thereafter his home. After he graduated from the Leaven-
worth high school he studied in the law office of Clough & Wheat,
a famous firm for many years in eastern Kansas. Before he was
twenty-one years old, he had been graduated from the law depart-
ment of Washington University at Saint Louis, with the degree of
Bachelor of Laws, and upon his majority, he was admitted to
practice and at the same time admitted to the law office of Lucian
Baker of Leavenworth. Baker, too, is famous in the legal history
of the state. Much business of a varied character came to that
law office, and young Hook learned quickly and well the funda-
mentals of successful practice. When Baker was elected to the
United States Senate, the law firm of Baker, Hook & Atwood was
formed, which continued until William C. Hook was appointed, in
1899, to be United States district judge for the district of Kansas.
The other member of that firm was John H. Atwood, now practicing
in Kansas City, Mo.
Four years after his admission to the bar, William C. Hook
(married Louise Dickson, daughter of Capt. James Dickson, and to
them were born three daughters and a son, Inghram D. Hook, an
able and prominent lawyer of Kansas City, Mo., and a captain
of infantry overseas in the World War.
Although Judge Hook was a Republican, he was appointed city
LEE: WILLIAM C. HOOK 71
attorney of Leavenworth by a Democratic mayor and served in
that capacity for six years.
It was not long after Judge Hook's appointment on February
13, 1899, to succeed Judge Cassius G. Foster who had resigned,
that Judge Hook's first opinion appears in the Reports. On April
29, 1899, in the 93d Federal, at page 865, Judge Hook's opinion in
the case of Grove et al. v. Grove et al., for the circuit court of the
district of Kansas, second division, is printed. From then until his
death, his opinions are scattered through 176 volumes of the Federal
Reporter, the last one being at page 150 of the 269th volume. His
first opinion is in Judge Hook's characteristic style. The nature
of the suit and the facts are clearly and shortly stated. The ques-
tions to be decided are logically considered and answered. His
first printed opinion concerned itself with the important question
of jurisdiction, and the following extract from his opinion is char-
acteristic of the man :
The right of a court to retain jurisdiction by the dismissal of parties who
are not indispensable is founded in good reason, for it would be an idle cere-
mony to deny the dismissal of objectionable parties and to dismiss the bill
of complaints on the ground that the court had no jurisdiction, and then
allow the complainants to recommence the suit, omitting the parties whose
presence would oust the jurisdiction of the court. The practice observed for
so many years is in the interest of the speedy determination of litigation.
(1. c. 867.)
A study of Judge Hook's opinions shows that they were, from the
beginning to end, common-sense opinions. His keen mind was not
only an analytical mind but a practical and constructive mind. The
speedy determination of litigation appeared to him to be of more
importance than an interminable wrangling over narrow and tech-
nical points of law. Preservation of the equities of the various
parties in interest was more important than subservience to legal
form. These characteristics were particularly observed in the re-
organization of the Metropolitan Railway system, which, for almost
the first time in judicial reorganizations under equity receiverships,
preserved the stockholders' equity and served the public interest,
as well as satisfied, in part at least, the lawful demands of creditors.
At the time that Judge Hook went on the bench, the famous old
eighth circuit was headed by Judge Henry C. Caldwell, of Little
Rock, Ark. Judge Walter H. Sanborn, of Saint Paul, for so many
years Judge Hook's chief, and Judge Amos M. Thayer, of Saint
Louis, were the two other judges. The circuit justice over the eighth
circuit was Justice Brewer of the United States supreme court, and
72 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
other district judges included Elmer B. Adams, of Saint Louis;
John F. Phillips, of Kansas City, and W. H. Munger, of Nebraska.
Judge Hook's first opinion which excited wide public interest was
in the Western Union case (Western Union Telegraph Co. v. Myatt,
State Solicitor, et al., 98 Fed. 335). Judge Hook had been upon
the bench less than a year when he announced his decision in this
notable case, striking down the Kansas court of visitation. The
Kansas legislature in 1898 had attempted to create a body which
should have a combined legislative, judicial and executive power,
contrary, of course, to the fundamental ideas of constitutional gov-
ernment in our country. The case was argued upon the one side by
the State Solicitor Myatt, and Atty-gen. A. A. Godard, of Kansas,
and upon the other side by the attorneys who for so many years
were retained by the Western Union and Pullman companies, as well
as by other great Eastern corporations, Rossington, Smith & Histed.
George H. Fearons, L. C. Krauthoff and Frank Hagerman were
also of counsel. The bill of complaint of the Western Union Com-
pany set forth that, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 28 of the
Special Session Laws of 1898, a court of visitation had been created,
subject only to review by the supreme court of the state, which
should have the widest possible kind of executive, legislative and
judicial powers over recalcitrant railroad companies and similar
corporations. Upon the complaint of one Maxwell, who had tendered
to the Western Union Co., certain messages and demanded the
transmission thereof at the rates prescribed under chapter 38 (which
subjected telegraph companies to the court), which had been refused
by the company, the court of visitation sought to exercise its powers.
The bill of complaint alleged that the act itself and the order of the
court of visitation violated the due process and equal protection of
the laws clauses of the fourteenth amendment to the federal consti-
tution.
After stating that the proofs upon the application for the tem-
porary injunction clearly showed that the rates prescribed by the
law were materially less than the actual cost of the service, Judge
Hook granted the injunction, not only holding that the rates were
confiscatory, but also holding that the law creating the court of
visitation violated the constitution of the state of Kansas, which
inhibited the conferring of inconsistent legislative and judicial
powers upon the same body to be exercised in regard to the same
subject matter.
This case attracted the attention of President Roosevelt, and
LEE: WILLIAM C. HOOK 73
when the Senior Circuit Judge Caldwell retired, President Roosevelt
named Judge Hook as a circuit judge, in 1903. Most of Judge
Hook's service in the next nine years was upon the circuit court of
appeals. Presently Judge Thayer retired and Judge Adams of
Missouri was promoted to the circuit bench, and for a good many
years, Sanborn, Hook and Adams rendered a great majority of
the many notable decisions of the old eighth circuit which was the
largest circuit in the country and included practically all of the
territory between the Missouri river and the Rocky Mountains.
In 1908, Judge Hook wrote the opinion in the Omaha City Water
Works Co. case (162 Fed. 225), holding, in brief, that the city of
Omaha might acquire the private water works which extended into
other communities and beyond the corporate limits. In this case, as
in all of the Hook opinions which the writer has studied, the Judge
took the most practical view of the situation. With all of his learn-
ing it might well be said that the foundation stone of Judge Hook's
opinions was always practical common sense. In this particular
case the termination of interminable litigation was most important,
and Judge Hook terminated the litigation.
In 1909, the famous suit by the government to enjoin the Standard
Oil Co., John D. Rockefeller, and many other individual defendants,
as being in restraint of trade, was argued before the eighth circuit
court of appeals. The court rendered a decree in favor of the gov-
ernment and enjoined the defendants. It was in this case that Judge
Hook wrote the definition of monopoly and restraint of trade, which
was quoted so frequently by Attorney-general Wickersham in his
opinions, and which had much to do with President Taft's tentative
selection of Judge Hook for a place on the supreme court. In his
concurring opinion, Judge Hook said:
Magnitude of business does not, alone, constitute a monopoly, nor effort
at magnitude an attempt to monopolize. To offend the act the monopoly
must have secured by methods contrary to the public policy as expressed in
the statutes, or in the common law.
Judge Hook went on to say that the question of violation of the
law did not depend upon whether or not the monopoly was reason-
able or unreasonable, but depended upon the result or effect. If the
restraint were direct and appreciable, then there was a violation of
the statute, but if the restraint were merely incidental then there
was no violation of the statute. At this particular time the supreme
court had not yet introduced into the law the so-called rule of reason,
although, when the decision of the eighth circuit court of appeals in
74 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
this notable case was affirmed by the supreme court, the rule of
reason for the first time appeared in the majority opinion as a dic-
tum. His opinion in this case attracted the attention of the country
and of the public press.
Shortly thereafter the famous Harriman merger case was argued
before the eighth circuit court. In this case (188 Fed. 102), which
was a suit by the government against the Union Pacific and
Southern Pacific contract, Judge Hook stood alone and dissented
from the majority opinion which held that there was no violation
of the statute. Judge Hook's opinion was most forceful, as the
following extract shows:
The combination was effected through the purchase by the Union Pacific of
part of the capital stock of the Southern Pacific. Upon this two important
questions arise. The first, which is one of law, is whether the purchase by
one railroad company of corporate stock of another, less than the majority,
but sufficient in amount according to the practical experience of men to en-
able the purchaser to dominate or control the policies and operations of the
other, is a form of combination within the prohibitions of the Sherman act.
The conclusion of the court being against the government on another ground,
it was unnecessary to determine this question; but as I do not assent to the
conclusion, and as the question lies at the threshold of the government's case,
I should briefly express my view concerning it.
There is no substantial difference between the holding of the corporate
stocks of two companies by a third, such as was condemned in the Northern
Securities Case, 193 U. S. 197, 24 Sup. Ct. 436, 48 L. Ed. 679, and the holding
by one of those two of the stock of the other. The form is somewhat different,
but the effect, which is the chief concern of the law, is the same. If prior
competition disappears as a direct and natural result, trade and commerce
are restrained. If it is unlawful in one case, it must be so in the other. It
would be idle to hold that, while two competing railroad companies cannot
lawfully submit to a common control through a separate stockholding organi-
zation, they may do so by dispensing with that medium. That would be re-
garding shadows and letting the substance go. The language of the Sherman
act in this particular is broad. It covers every contract and combination in
restraint of interstate and foreign trade or commerce, whether in the form of
trust or otherwise. The essential, effective character of the arrangement is to
be regarded, rather than its casual vestiture; the substance, rather than the
form. In Harriman v. Northern Securities Co., 197 U. S. 244, 297, 25 Sup. Ct.
493, 49 L. Ed. 739, it was assumed that the act could be violated by the direct
holding of stock of a competing corporation.
I grant it is a serious thing to disturb a great business transaction like that
shown in the case at bar; but, given the power of congress to legislate, and
clear words to express what a judge conceives to have been its purpose, hia
duty is plain, whatever he may think of the wisdom of the law. Even if
public regulation is believed to be a wiser solution of the important economic
problem than enforced competition, with its necessary wastes and burdens,
nevertheless his judgment of a law embodying the latter policy should pro-
LEE: WILLIAM C. HOOK 75
ceed as with distinct approval of its selection. It is quite clear that, with the
growth and development of governmental regulation of common carriers en-
gaged in interstate commerce, there is decreasing reason for holding them sub-
ject to the Sherman act, and it may be that as regards rates of transportation
the Interstate Commerce Commission could perform its duties with equal
justice to the public and greater justice to the railroads if they were released.
But certainly that is for congress, not the courts. The judicial function is
properly exercised when the Sherman act is construed and applied as though
it were the only legislative remedy on the statute books.
The other question in the case is decided by the court against the govern-
ment. It is whether the two great transportation systems, the Union Pacific
and the Southern Pacific, were, in a substantial sense, competitors in inter-
state and foreign commerce. This question involves the relative location of
their lines on land and sea, and not only the parts they actually performed,
but also those they were naturally capable of performing, in the movement
of traffic. Albeit in part within the domain of judicial knowledge, this seems
to me to be a pure question of fact. Some hundreds of witnesses, practical
railroad men and shippers of wide experience, testified upon it, and a great
mass of evidence was taken, showing almost without dispute that, using the
term "competition" as business men understand and use it, there was active,
vigorous, and substantial competition between the Union Pacific and the
Southern Pacific before the former obtained control of the latter. But the
court holds the question of competition to be one of mixed law and fact, not
determinable by the evidence alone, and as such it is answered against the
government.
Reduced to its simplest terms the conclusion of the court that the two
companies were not competitors and the Sherman act was not violated is
based on these two grounds: (1) Trade and commerce were not restrained,
because before the combination the competitive interstate and foreign traffic
of the two railroad companies was not a substantial percentage of their total
traffic, including in such total the traffic entirely within the several states,
over which congress had no control. (2) Trade and commerce were not re-
strained because before the combination one of the lines of railroad, the
Union Pacific, was an intermediate one in a through route, and depended for
competitive traffic upon the business interests of connecting carriers, and
therefore could not by itself alone, unaided by the concurrence of its natural
allies, make a joint through rate over the entire route. In other words, each
party to a contract or combination between railroad companies, which the
government assails as being contrary to the Sherman act, must have owned or
controlled an entire through route over which competitive traffic moved. That
it may have performed an essential part, or have been a necessary factor, in the
transportation, is insufficient. That connecting carriers may have voluntarily
joined it in making through rates for the traffic is immaterial. (United States
v. Union Pac. R. Co. et al., 188 Fed. 102, at 120, 121 and 122.)
So forceful was this opinion, so logical and clear-cut that the at-
torney-general of the United States later stated it was the sole
reason why he appealed this case to the United States supreme court.
The United States supreme court reversed the eighth circuit court
76 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
of appeals, and upon the grounds set forth by Judge Hook. As a
matter of fact, his dissenting opinion might well be the opinion of
the supreme court in the case, so harmonious are they. It will be
remembered that the government at this time, during President
Taft's administration, was quite concerned with the question of
monopoly, and Judge Hook's opinion in this case had perhaps more
to do with President Taft's high regard for the man than any other
opinion which he rendered.
As soon as Justice Brewer died, on March 28, 1910, followed very
shortly by the death of Chief Justice Fuller, on July 4, 1910, there
was an immediate public demand for the promotion of Judge Hook.
After a careful investigation of the many eminent men who were
recommended to the President for this position, the President de-
termined to appoint Judge Hook to succeed Judge Brewer. He went
so far as to authorize a prominent Kansan (who was then in the
federal service and much interested in the promotion of Judge Hook)
at the White House Saturday morning, to wire Judge Hook that his
name would be sent to the senate on the succeeding Monday noon.
The wire was sent, but, on the succeeding Monday noon Judge
Hook's name was not sent to the senate for confirmation. It was
Judge Willis H. Van Devanter, also a judge of the eighth circuit, who
was nominated for the vacancy. Associate Justice Edward Douglas
White of Louisiana was nominated for chief justice to succeed Chief
Justice Fuller. Long afterwards the story became known. Saturday
afternoon, Senator Clark of Wyoming, then chairman of the Senate
Judiciary Committee, and Senator Warren of Wyoming, who was
then serving his twentieth year in the senate, went to see the Presi-
dent on behalf of Judge Van Devanter, also of Wyoming. The Kan-
sas senators, Curtis and Bristow had no such seniority. President
Taft was very much interested in the promotion of Justice White and
there seemed to be objections to the promotion on account of the fact
that he was a southern Democrat, a Catholic and a former Confeder-
ate soldier, to say nothing of his age. The Wyoming senators
thought that the objections to White might be overcome. It is said
that President Taft later explained that the abilities of Hook and
Van Devanter were equal, that either would make a splendid justice,
and that if the promotion of Van Devanter would secure the con-
firmation by the senate of White as Chief Justice, he thought it
advisable to promote Van Devanter.
On October 14, 1911, Associate Justice John Marshall Harlan of
the United States supreme court died, and once more the President
LEE: WILLIAM C. HOOK 77
was faced with the question of a successor. Within less than a
month it was announced that the President was considering Judge
Hook, Walter C. Noyes, United States circuit judge for the second
circuit, Francis J. Swayze, justice of the supreme court of the state
of New Jersey, and Frank H. Rudkin, United States district judge
of the state of Wisconsin. The press considered it very significant
that two of the names upon the President's list had figured in im-
portant anti-trust suits, Judge Noyes in the American Tobacco Co.
case and Judge Hook in the Standard Oil case. On December 19,
in a special dispatch to the Boston Herald, it was stated that,
Information from reliable sources to-day is to the effect that President
Taft has practically determined to appoint Judge William C. Hook of Kansas,
now on the bench of the eighth United States circuit, to the vacancy in the
supreme court caused by the death of Associate Justice John M. Harlan.
There is still some chance that the appointment may go to Charles Nagle,
Secretary of Commerce and Labor. It is understood that Attorney-general
Wickersham has endorsed the candidacy of Secretary Nagle with exceptional
vigor, and is making a great effort to secure his colleague's promotion.
President Taft has a distinct fondness for Judge Hook, whom he estimates
highly. Moreover, he has made a personal study of the more important
opinions rendered by Judge Hook, and is in accord with them. The President
was much pleased with the opinion written in the Standard Oil case, and liked
even better Judge Hook's dissenting opinion in the Harriman merger case.
From that date until December 30 there were frequent reports
in the press that the President had determined to appoint Judge
Hook, although it was stated that the attorney- general was strongly
for Nagle. Secretary of Commerce and Labor Nagle, however, was
sixty-two years old, and President Taft had announced that he
would appoint no justices to the supreme court who were over sixty
years of age. (He made only one exception to that rule, the pro-
motion of his former colleague of the fifth circuit, Judge Lurton.)
Judge Hook was only fifty-four years of age and in the full sweep
of his powers.
On December 30, however, protests against the appointment of
Judge Hook from the Corporation Commission of Oklahoma were
sent to the President, and Governor Aldridge of Nebraska announced
that he would at once wire a protest against the appointment.
Then the Minnesota Railroad & Warehouse Commission protested.
The chairman of the Kentucky Railroad Commission joined in the
protest and Senator Gore of Oklahoma made a most virulent speech
against Hook. Notwithstanding these facts, the press announced
on December 30 that the President had decided to name Judge
78 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Hook, and two Western senators quoted the President as saying,
"It's no use. I have decided on Judge Hook for this appointment."
The opposition to Judge Hook at this time came almost entirely
from more or less radical railroad commissioners who were opposed
to Hook on account of the fact that he had granted a temporary
injunction against the enforcement of the Oklahoma two-cent rate
upon a proper showing therefor, the injunction being later sustained
by the circuit court of appeals, and by the United States supreme
court in that it refused to grant certiorari in the case. At the same
time, the radical press announced that he was the candidate of great
railroad corporations. This was extraordinary, because in 1899,
when Hook was first appointed to the bench by President McKinley
as a staunch gold man, it was the railroads — Bailey P. Waggener,
general counsel for the Missouri Pacific ; M. A. Low, general counsel
for the Rock Island ; A. A. Kurd, general counsel for the Santa Fe,
and Archibald Williams, general counsel for the Union Pacific — who
had fought his appointment so vigorously and had tried to secure
the appointment of Chief Justice Horton of the Kansas supreme
court, and in 1910, there was some complaint against the promotion
of Judge Hook to the supreme court, on the ground that he was not
sound enough from the corporation point of view. Before his ap-
pointment to the bench, Hook had been very successful in suits
against the railroads. Indeed, it is said that there were protests in
Washington from Wall Street about the appointment of the Kansas
"Populist," and now the radical press and radical politicians were
condemning Hook as being the friend of Wall Street. The truth
about the matter, of course, is that he was a well-balanced judge
and neither a pro- nor an anti- corporation man.
Notwithstanding these protests the President had determined to
appoint him, but at the last minute and on the very day when his
name was to have been sent to the senate, a new protest was made.
On January 31, the Massachusetts branch of the Massachusetts
Political League and the New England Suffrage League, interested,
in equal rights for negroes, protested Judge Hook's appointment on
the ground that he had rendered a decision in the 186th Federal
denying negroes the same rights in traveling as other Americans and
upholding the Oklahoma Jim Crow car law. An assistant United
States district attorney, the negro appointed by President Roosevelt,
was very active in the fight against him on this ground. Although
the plaintiff in the Jim Crow case and the attorneys for the plaintiff
in that case all wired the President that they were not opposed to
LEE: WILLIAM C. HOOK 79
Judge Hook's promotion and considered him to be the friend of the
negro, Taft determined not to appoint Hook and suddenly appointed
Mahlon Pitney of New Jersey on the 20th day of February, 1912.
The facts in regard to the Jim Crow case were that Judge Hook
concurred in an opinion by Circuit Judge Adams which dismissed a
suit by McCabe against the Santa Fe to enjoin the railroad from
obeying the law requiring every railroad company doing business
in Oklahoma as a common carrier to provide separate coaches for
the accommodation of white and negro passengers equal in all com-
forts and conveniences. Judge Adams said that the statute did not
violate the fourteenth amendment to the constitution of the United
States, and that the enforced separation of the negro race from the
white race in railroad cars and waiting rooms did not deny to it the
equal protection of the laws, because the supreme court of the United
States in Plessy v. Ferguson, 113 U. S. 537, 41 L. Ed. 256, had fore-
closed further discussion. There was, however, a proviso to section
7 of the act, which read as follows :
Provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent rail-
road companies in this state from hauling sleeping cars, dining or chair cars,
attached to their trains to be used exclusively by either white or negro pas-
sengers, separately, but not jointly.
Judge Adams thought that such accommodations were luxuries,
and that the ability of the two races to indulge in such luxuries
were so dissimilar that the railroad companies might find it profit-
able to supply them for the white race and not profitable to supply
them for the colored race. Judge Sanborn dissented, believing that
the statute abridged the privileges and immunities of the colored
citizens of Oklahoma and deprived them of the equal protection of
the laws.
The furor made by this decision determined the matter against
Judge Hook, in spite of all that Senator Curtis and Representatives
Anthony and Campbell could do, and in spite of the fact that even
the Progressive Senator Bristow and the Progressive representa-
tives in congress from Kansas either endorsed Hook or at least did
not join in the protests against his appointment. Representative
Fred S. Jackson, who as attorney general of Kansas, had conducted
much anticorporation business before Judge Hook, announced that
he had always found the Judge fair and impartial. It is interest-
ing to note that although the nomination of Chancellor Pitney was
kept a dead secret until the day that he was nominated, namely,
February 20, there were immediate and many protests as soon as the
80 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
selection became known. It is also interesting to note than when
Charles Evans Hughes (the present chief justice of the United
States supreme court) was governor of New York, he had vetoed the
two-cent law without arousing the same animosity against his ap-
pointment as accompanied the announcement of Hook's pending ap-
pointment. The matter was so close that the National Tribune
stated,
If the senate week before last had not adjourned Thursday over the fol-
lowing Monday, probably Judge Hook would now be upon the supreme bench
and attending to his duties as an associate justice there. . . .
"Well, I will appoint Hook," the President said to a senator who was much
interested in the matter and who had been to the White House to see him
about the nomination several times. "I will send it up right away."
That was Thursday morning. The President's statement meant that he
would send the nomination in that day, or the day following. But the senate
met at two o'clock Thursday afternoon and after a little adjourned to the fol-
lowing Monday.
In the meantime, somebody dug up a decision by the federal court of the
eighth circuit whereby Judge Hook upheld the Oklahoma statute providing for
Jim Crow cars. The Judge did not write the decision himself, but approved
one written by Judge Sanborn, so that Hook and Sanborn made a majority
of the court of three members. The negroes got wind of that decision and by
Saturday protests from negroes were pouring in upon the White House. By
Monday, when the senate first convened, a great storm was brewing among the
colored brethren of the country.
Shortly thereafter the 1912 Republican National Convention took
place and the following November the great Roosevelt-Taft fight
resulted in the election of Woodrow Wilson.
In 1915 Judge Hook built the great monument of his judicial
career. For more than three years the Metropolitan Railway system
of Kansas City, Mo., had been in the hands of receivers. It was on
June 3, 1911, that Judge Hook had appointed Robert J. Dunham, of
Chicago, and Ford F. Harvey (of the Fred Harvey system) , of Kan-
sas City, as receivers for the Metropolitan Street Railway Co. and
its allied companies, the Central Electric Railway Co. and the Kan-
sas City Elevated Railway Co. The receivers operated these com-
panies for more than four years, vainly trying to reach an agree-
ment with the attorneys representing the various interests for the
reorganization of the company. In the course of the receivership
Judge Hook had increased the pay of the street railway employees,
without being petitioned to do so, as a matter of justice to the em-
ployees, and had also taken steps to improve the service. At the time
that the bonds were issued, the law required the maintenance of
LEE: WILLIAM C. HOOK 81
streets between the tracks and twelve inches outside of the rails, and
this had been sadly neglected by the company itself, thus giving rise
to the city's claim that the obligation to maintain was ahead of the
specific lien of the bonds. During the receivership there had been
much dissension between the representatives of the city and the
receivers with regard to the maintenance and improvement of ser-
vice, including among other matters, a dispute as to the necessity
for connecting traffic across the Twelfth street viaduct with the
Street Railway Co. of Kansas City, Kan. Finally, on June 4, 1913,
the receivers reported to Judge Hook that no agreement could be
reached, and appealed to him to arbitrate the differences between the
city and the receivers. In this appeal to arbitrate the mayor joined.
The result of the Judge's efforts was a new franchise in 1914, granted
by the city, conditioned upon a reorganization which would meet
with the approval of Judge Hook. There was a tremendous dispute
between the holders of different classes of securities, the representa-
tives of tort judgment creditors and the representatives of stock-
holders committees as to the terms of the reorganization, and Judge
Hook himself drafted a plan of reorganization which was presented
to the various representatives of the various interested parties in
Chicago on July 27, 1915. The plan did not meet with the approval
of the bondholders, as Judge Hook had determined to protect stock-
holders' equity and the public interest. When it came, however, to
the point of giving up the new franchise of 1914 or approving of the
essential principles of Judge Hook's plan, it was, of course, promptly
approved by the bond holders. The electric-light company was
divorced from the street railway company, the New Jersey holding
company was abolished, and under the terms of the plan, the stock-
holders and the city itself reaped the benefit of the liberal provisions
of the 1914 franchise which, for the first time in the history of
American utilities, guaranteed the mortgages underlying the bonds
to the end of the term of the franchise. This reorganization was so
novel as to attract the attention of legal scholars and those interested
in civic matters, in addition to that of judges and lawyers.
James N. Rosenberg, of New York, in an article in the Columbia
Law Review for November, 1920 (20 Col. Law Review, p. 735),
entitled "The ^Etna Explosives Case," wrote:
Up to the time the ^Etna case came into court the most notable blazing
of the way toward a sound economic handling of reorganization was, it is
believed, that done by Judge William C. Hook of the United States court
for the eighth circuit. The Missouri Pacific reorganization (138 Fed. 812)
6—2718
82 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
was before him in 1916, and in one of the litigations that arose in that case
he had said :
"It has sometimes been claimed that plans of reorganization formulated by
bondholders and stockholders of a railroad in the hands of receivers are ex-
clusively of private concern, free from judicial action or interference. But
for various reasons the view cannot be sustained in principle. After all that
can be said from the standpoint of theory and strict right, the fact remains
that many railroad receiverships, and the one here is typical of them, are
but instruments for consummating plans of reorganization, and courts have
come to realize that such use of their jurisdiction and processes entails a
correlative duty to those affected by the result. . . . The relation between
the receivership . . . and the plan of reorganization agreed upon is close
and intimate. So far as properly can be, the judicial proceeding is conducted
in harmony with the plan, and the success of the agreed readjustment is
promoted by the orders of the court and the acts of its receivers. Generally
the judicial course would not be different if the court were carrying out a
plan of reorganization of its own making or one affirmatively adopted by
judicial order or decree. . . . While it is the settled doctrine that reor-
ganizations will be encouraged, yet, on the other hand, a court of equity will
not lend its aid to one that is inequitable or oppressive. . . . The con-
clusion is manifest that the general duty of a court in a railroad foreclosure
suit to take cognizance of a plan of reorganization by the bondholders and
stockholders which is to be aided by its decree, and to protect the equitable
rights of all, becomes specific and imperative upon the complaint of an inter-
ested party."
So successful was Judge Hook's handling of this receivership
that when the Kansas Natural Gas Co. litigation arose and Judge
Thomas J. Flannelly, now of the Prairie-Sinclair Co., but then
judge of the district court of Montgomery county, Kansas, ap-
pointed state receivers and other parties took the case before the
federal court, Mayor Edwards of Kansas City, Mo., begged Judge
Wilbur Booth, of the eighth circuit court of appeals, to take charge
of the situation and settle it in the same way and along the same
lines as Judge Hook had terminated the Street Railway Co. re-
ceivership.
Judge Hook was also concerned in other important reorganiza-
tions and receiverships, including amongst others, the reorganiza-
tion of the Terminal Railroad Association of Saint Louis, the Den-
ver Water Works Co., Vulcan Sheet Metal Co., and during the war,
the Missouri Pacific receivership, in which his rulings on the matter
of the Kansas City-Northwestern intervention were praised by the
Yale Law Journal as a landmark in receivership proceedings, and
the Missouri-Oklahoma Gulf Railroad Co. Most of that company's
bonds were owned in Belgium and France, and on account of the
war beyond the seas, the owners of those securities were largely not
represented in court. It was due to Judge Hook's protecting hand
that their rights were secured just as though they had been repre-
sented in court before him in the reorganization of the company.
LEE: WILLIAM C. HOOK 83
The last great decision of Judge Hook which attracted nation-
wide attention was his ruling on November 22, 1916, that the Adam-
son eight-hour act was unconstitutional. It was in the course of
his receivership of the Missouri-Oklahoma Gulf Railroad that this
ruling was made. It is quite true that the United States supreme
court reversed this ruling of Judge Hook and upheld the constitu-
tionality of the act, but many lawyers to this day feel that the re-
versal might not have obtained under other circumstances, and that
Judge Hook's ruling was correct.
Judge Hook's opinion in the Standard Oil case was largely written
at Plum Lake, in the beautiful lake district of northern Wisconsin.
Here, about 1900, he had built a slab cottage on a point jutting into
the lake and almost inaccessible by land. Later he built a log house
of the large pine trees cut principally from his own property. The
French windows on three sides of the first floor of the house looked
out upon the lake or the adjoining pine grove, and on the fourth side
was a great fireplace, many stones of which were sent to the judge
by his friends from all parts of the United States.
Occasionally lawyers interested in the various railroad receiver-
ships which the Judge was conducting, would come to his home at
the Lake to present various matters and secure various orders. At
these times, court was held in the pine grove and justice rendered
far away from the noise of the city.
When he arrived, in July, at the Lake he usually brought with
him some four or five government mail sacks of briefs and records.
While he was on vacation, the Judge usually spent his mornings at
his library in the cabin working on the briefs and records which he
had brought with him. His afternoons on vacations were partly
spent in the planting and cultivation of his beautiful flower garden
which thrived luxuriantly in the damp, sandy soil of a knoll not far
from the house. Judge Hook took pride in his flowers, knew their
botanical names, and himself did almost all the work of their cultiva-
tion.
This sketch of Judge Hook would not be complete without a de-
scription of his personal qualities and appearance. He was moderate
and temperate in his habits. Although slight in physique, he had
great physical endurance, which matched his great and effective
mental and nervous strength. His appearance indicated physical
and mental alertness, energy and determination.
Herbert S. Hadley once of Kansas and later governor of Missouri,
in his book entitled Rome and the World To-day, said:
84 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
The Romans glorified courage, steadfastness, virtue, and that significant
quality of the mind and heart which is described by the word gravitas.
It is probable that the same process of racial development produced the
Romans as has produced our own people. I believe it can be said that there
is a striking resemblance between the busts and statues of the leaders in
Roman history of the later years of the Republic and the early Empire and
many of the public men of the United States a generation ago. I knew a for-
mer federal judge who could have sat for a bust of Julius Caesar.
In mentioning a federal judge, Governor Hadley was referring to
Judge Hook.
Some of the description of Julius Caesar in Froude's Ccesar, is es-
pecially applicable to a description of Judge Hook's physical ap-
pearance: "In person, Caesar was tall and straight. His features
were refined. The forehead was wide, high, the nose large and thin."
While, perhaps, not a man of striking appearance, yet Judge
Hook was a man whose face and features were always remembered.
Judge Hook was buried at his old home in Leavenworth, Kan.,
but services were held at his summer home in Wisconsin, in the
beautiful pine grove on Plum Lake for those of his many friends
who had known him there for a generation. The late Dr. Thomas
W. Goodspeed, of the University of Chicago, presided at the services.
In speaking of his old friend, Dr. Goodspeed quoted from the 92d
Psalm, saying: "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; he
shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon," and then said, "Verily, my
friends, one of the Cedars of Lebanon hast this day fallen in our
midst." This might have been paraphrased, in the writer's judg-
ment, by saying, "One of the tall pines has fallen."
In the memorial of the proceedings before the eighth circuit court
of appeals on September 5, 1921, having to do with Judge Hook, it
was ordered that a committee consisting of Mr. C. W. Bunn, chair-
man, Saint Paul, Minn., Mr. Frank Hagerman of Kansas City, Mo.,
Mr. Edward J. White of Saint Louis, Mr. John H. Atwood of Kan-
sas City, Mo., partner for many years of Judge Hook, and Mr.
George H. Williams of Saint Louis, later Senator Williams, should
present suitable resolutions at a session to be held on December 5,
1921, at which Judge Sanborn presided. There was talk amongst
the lawyers attending the memorial meeting of Judge Hook's man-
ner while upon the bench. It was said that his manner upon the
bench was ideal, that it happily blended dignity and courtesy, that
he always gave patient attention to an argument, that he grasped
the point of counsel with great rapidity, and that while reserved
LEE: WILLIAM C. HOOK 85
and somewhat aloof, his gentleness to an inexperienced practitioner
created a real affection for him, and yet, that Judge Hook was firm.
When John F. Phillips, former United States judge of the district
court of Missouri, who frequently sat upon the court of appeals with
Judge Hook, was presenting the Kansas Natural Gas litigation in
Denver before the eighth circuit court of appeals on October 1, 1913,
he constantly interrupted John S. Dawson, then attorney-general of
Kansas and now a valued member of the Kansas supreme court, who
was arguing the case for the state. Among other things he com-
plained that the attorney-general be required "to read the whole
paragraph in the brief/' or some such similar matter. Judge Hook
mildly replied, "Maybe he doesn't wish to read it. It is his argu-
ment. Let him proceed in his own way." Finally Judge Hook, in
a manner which could not be mistaken, turned to the attorney-gen-
eral and said: "Mr. Attorney-general, in making further statements
you will address the court alone and pay no attention to any one who
interrupts you," turning at the word, "interrupt" toward his former
colleague.
Perhaps this sketch of the learned judge and citizen of Kansas
who attained such great distinction and high place in the federal
judicial annals of our country, can best be closed by a quotation
from the response of Judge Sanborn, the presiding judge on the oc-
casion of the memorial of the eighth circuit court of appeals in
memory of Judge Hook:
He was endowed with an extraordinarily powerful intellect, as keen as a
Damascus blade; a wise and imperious will, to whose behests every move-
ment, emotion and passion of his mental and physical being bowed with
reverential deference; with a cautious, sound judgment, and with an im-
partial considerate temper. His mind was stored with a profound and ac-
curate knowledge of the law, an inexhaustible fund of general information, a
comprehensive and intimate acquaintance with general literature, a refined
and artistic taste, and gifted with a canny, experienced insight into the ob-
jects, intents and purposes evidenced by the acts and sayings of men.
Historical Collections and
Public Entertainments
O. W. MOSHBR, JR.
AT THE present time there appears to be such a cultural interest
in historical documents, the creation of school museums and
private collections, as well as in the giving of entertainments with
a historical basis, that the writer trusts that the following sugges-
tions will be of value to those interested.
During a recent meeting of the Research and Public Archives di-
vision of the American Historical Association the point was stressed
that there are in the hands of private individuals many valuable
documents and relics that would contribute much toward correcting
and clarifying incidents in our history, especially biographical ma-
terial of priceless value that historical investigators would love to
use — if they only knew where to lay their hands on it. Unfor-
tunately there is nowhere a central depository where the records
of documents in private hands can be filed, and the investigator,
once he has exhausted the national and state collections, which
may be meagre, is at a loss where to look further. One of the speak-
ers asserted that there are enough Abraham Lincoln letters scattered
in the hands of private individuals to serve as a basis for writing
a new and more accurate account of the life of the emancipator.
Another brought out the point that the main lines of our history are
preserved in the public archives and that these have been utilized
over and over again — that after all there is not a great deal that
has not already been gleaned from the well-known sources. In
consequence, the search of the future for historical material should
be directed to uncovering those resources in private hands that are
so fast disappearing. Every day from lack of expert knowledge,
materials of real value are lost or carelessly thrown away. Resting
in the dust and silence of garrets are old diaries, letters and relics
that would throw intimate light on the past.
All of us know of such cases of valuable documents in private
hands, which, unless viewed by the trained and appreciative eyes
of a person who understands their worth, will be lost forever.
If the writer may be permitted to cite a personal experience, on
one occasion an uneducated family brought forth a lot of old books
that were believed to be valueless and were to be given away. True,
most of the books were worthless, but, one turned out to be the rare
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MOSHEB: HISTORY FOR PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT 87
Ranby's Diseases, Instructions for the Treatment of Gunshot
Wounds and Army Diseases, issued by the medical staff of the Con-
tinental army. Through the Anderson Galleries a great medical
library was found that was anxious to secure the volume. It was
sold for $50 for which the family was thankful enough — "Just like
finding money in the street/' they said. Think, too, of the value of
throwing open to the medical students this buried information.
Many private collections about Kansas contain more or less
valuable material. From a very casual examination of Emporia
and neighborhood the writer has observed in private hands an origi-
nal of the Boston Gazette containing the first account of the Boston
massacre by the British, the diary of a Civil War officer, Napoleon's
signature on a Legion of Honor, a document of the French revolu-
tion, an old religious anthology in Latin dated 1560, an early ac-
count of the voyages of Raleigh in which he asserts that oysters
grow on trees in America, the Memoires of Anne of Austria, old
medical books and letters of early Kansas days. In the field of
relics of an archaBological nature many farmers have specimens
picked up on their farms, some unusual pieces such as the spear
head with triple notches found by the Ronigers. Of frontier days
the hammered-iron tomahawk, and the head of a Spanish halberd
picked up in the Flint hills are silent witnesses. If all these are to
be found around Emporia what treasures for a historian might not
be found were Kansas to be surveyed by experts! The time may
yet come when as a result of better economic adjustments and
more leisure, the state authorities will be enabled to spend more
time in discovering and evaluating these materials.
SCHOOL MUSEUMS AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
In the meantime much good work is being done through school
museums and private collecting. Almost everyone is a collector at
heart, but as yet this very worthwhile interest has been scarcely
touched. Wherever there have been meetings at which someone
competent to discuss the various fields of collecting has been present,
the response has been spontaneous. At the Clements Community
Center, in Chase county, the farmers for miles around brought in
Indian relics discovered on their farms and followed with keen in-
terest the discussion of how the aborigines made and used their
ancient implements.
There are, already, numerous school museums and private col-
lections about the state and there is scarcely a town that does not
88 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
have some enthusiastic collectors who are anxious to be advised as
to their collections and told how to classify them. The following
/advice from Mr. A. E. Graf, associate director of the United States
National Museum in Washington, in his contribution to this article,
says:
The starting of school museums or private collections is a matter de-
pendent largely upon the enthusiasm, persistence and personality of the in-
terested individuals. The first item in such a movement, naturally, is to be
assured of a suitable room or other space in which material collected may
be so exhibited as to attract the interest and cooperation of all concerned.
Usually the enthusiasm of a single individual or a small group is responsible
for the initial movement which may result in the securing and exhibiting of a
few articles which serve as a nucleus to attract the collection and display
of other specimens. Having secured suitable space, a local historical series
might be started with a spinning wheel or other household appliances showing
the development of handicraft; an Indian axe or arrowheads for the beginning
of archaeology; and a piece of Indian beadwork for ethnology. Such specimens
placed on exhibition, labeled clearly as to their origin and use and bearing
the name of the donor or collector, or both, will frequently serve to awaken
the interest of students in acquiring more and better specimens along similar
lines.
For those schools or individuals that already have collections the
following advice with regard to classification may be helpful: Se-
cure a Manual for Small Museums by Laurence V. Coleman, Smith-
sonian building, Washington, D. C. This will give a general treat-
ment of various exhibits. For those who have Indian relics (stone
artifacts, pottery and the like) the Smithsonian Institute, Wash-
ington, D. C., has a number of bulletins that will aid greatly in
the understanding of the nature and uses of the pieces that you
have discovered. Although the famous Bulletin 30, commonly
known as the Book of the American Indian, is out of print as a
whole, nevertheless certain valuable pages are printed separately,
and with a little assistance through your congressman, may usually
be obtained without cost. The most valuable suggestions are as
follows: Aboriginal agricultural implements (pages 26-27); archae-
ology (76-77) ; arrowheads, bows, quivers (90-91) ; basketry (132-
135) ; beadwork (137-139) ; ornaments (149-155) ; pictographs (242-
245) ; utensils (601-603) ; the making of stone arrow-heads, spear-
heads and axes (638-643) ; moccasins (916-917) ; Indian mounds
(943-945).
Other pamphlets such as Krieger's Aspects of Aboriginal Decora-
tive Art (37 plates), Publication No. 3102, and instructions as to
excavating prehistoric sites — the proper, scientific manner in which
to do your exploring, may be procured from the same source.
MOSHER: HISTORY FOR PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT 89
As to the proper arrangement for archaeological relics Mr. F. M.
Setzler, assistant curator of archaeology, Smithsonian Institute, in
his statement for this article, says:
Archaeological artifacts should be arranged either by state or by culture area.
All specimens representing a recognized archaeological culture can be grouped
under various divisions depending entirely on the nature of the exhibit.
Various phases of a culture might be exhibited under art, material culture,
ceremonial objects, food, dress and personal ornaments, burial methods, etc.
Under material culture one should exhibit examples of all artifacts character-
istic of the culture. Then, too, much depends on the adaptation of archaeo-
logical material to the exhibit cases, room and lighting facilities. Detailed
and attractive labels play an important part in any exhibit.
Coming now to a more recent period, collections of utensils em-
ployed by the early settlers of Kansas, may frequently be pro-
cured by exchanges or gifts. Here are some suggestions, both val-
uable and amusing, for the building of collections of local interest:
whisker combers, butter and sausage presses, turn-keys for pulling
teeth, sconces, steelyards, corn-huskers, pill-makers, boot-hooks and
boot-jacks, red-top and copper-toed boots, wool-cards, pocket and
foot stoves, sap spiles, candle snuffers, tuyeres, sand shakers, ox
shoes, frows, bullet molds, gun flints, niddy-noddies, bedstead
wrenches, lynch pins, puncheon lanterns, conch-shell dinner-horns,
tar-buckets, Indian beadwork, etc.
For literature with regard to the arrangement and classification
of these articles, the Smithsonian Institute has much material such
as Bulletin 141 on Collections of Heating and Lighting Utensils.
Clifford's The Junk-Snuppers (Macmillan Co.) is also valuable for
general information.
An effective arrangement may be made from the tracing of the
Indian bow and arrow through early fire arms to the modern rifle.
Other ingenious sequences can be thought out by the exhibitor.
The possession of the pamphlets and books described, together with
the specimens illustrating them, thus gives the basis for a choice
and valuable collection.
THE HISTORICAL ENTERTAINMENT
It is not necessary to go far in Kansas to discover models for
historical exhibits and entertainments, for quite a number of schools
present them each year. At Coffeyville, the high school invites the
general public to participate in an annual program and exhibition.
It calls for lists of exhibits needed under five different classifications
90 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
— and the people from all over the city and surrounding country
make their contributions. The specimens desired are as follows:
1. Maps, charts, books, letters, old newspapers, tin-types, manuscripts,
stamps and coins.
2. Aboriginal stone relics; modern Indian relics.
3. Revolutionary War and colonial objects.
4. Civil, Spanish and World War materials.
5. Relics of the early settlement of Kansas, period costumes.
The results greatly interest everyone, especially when the exhibits
are carefully explained by an attendant who speaks with authority.
These exhibitions are noteworthy and each year may be perfected
by a more scientific approach, and by the use of period music.
Eventually, it is fair to predict that these centers of interest in
historical matters, whether they be public or private, will be welded
into a cooperative organization that will not only aid in preserving
for their local communities the records of their past, but will col-
laborate with the United States and state authorities in bringing to
light valuable documents and materials for research in the field of
American history. This is indeed a healthy cultural movement.
As yet few states have gone far in such organization — possibly it
may be for Kansas to point the way.
The Annual Meeting
fifty-eighth annual meeting of the Kansas State Historical
A Society and the board of directors was held in the rooms of the
Society on October 17, 1933.
The meeting of the board of directors was called to order at 10
a. m. by the president, Thomas Amory Lee. The first business was
the reading of the annual report of the secretary.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY, YEAR ENDING OCTOBER 17, 1933
The past year has been one of continued growth and progress in all depart-
ments of the Society. Accessions of manuscripts, documents, books and relics
have been large and of unusual interest and value, particularly in the archives
and manuscripts department, where the new material received was outstanding.
There was a marked increase in the number of persons who have used the
Society's collections.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The executive committee met regularly every month with the exception of
July. The advice of the members has been sought in all matters of con-
sequence, and in accordance with the constitution and by-laws they have
approved all expenditures. President Lee appointed Sam F. Woolard, Wichita,
and T. M. Lillard, Topeka, for two-year terms ending October, 1934. The
terms of W. W. Denison, chairman, E. A. Austin, and H. K. Brooks, all of
Topeka, expire with this October, 1933, meeting.
APPROPRIATIONS AND THE L«EGISLATURE
The 1933 legislature was pledged to economy, and when it convened the
friends of the Society were fearful that our work might be crippled by ill-
advised reductions in salary and maintenance appropriations. Some of the
proposals which received support both in the House and Senate were indeed
radical. Thanks to the assistance of the president of the Society, Thomas
Amory Lee, and the unselfish work of a number of other officers and members,
the final appropriations were not too drastic. The fact that the staff of the
Historical Society was already inadequate made it seem important not to
receive a reduction in the personnel. The secretary and the other officers of
the Society wish to express their thanks again to the members who so
generously and promptly gave their assistance.
LIBRARY
The library received over three thousand requests for information, mostly
regarding Kansas subjects or genealogy. A large number of students have
used the collections of the Society, both for theses and general research. Some
of the thesis subjects on which research was made are: gubernatorial elections,
1930, 1932; national banking system, 1865-1875; property tax delinquency in
Kansas; place of the comic strip in newspapers; Congressman Hatch of
Missouri and his contribution to agriculture; Paddock, Nebraska and agricul-
ture; history of education in Kansas; Populist delegation in the 52d Con-
gress; Haskell Institute; Lindsborg and Bethany College; development of
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92 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
newspapers; Federal Land Act, 1891; Desert Land Act, 1877; Sherman anti-
trust act, 1890; history of religion in Kansas, Nebraska and western Missouri;
trend of kindergartens in Kansas; and history of Elk county.
The constantly increasing demand for information and assistance often
makes it impossible for the library staff to handle the routine of library work
and cataloguing. Two additional catalogue clerks are needed to do the work
efficiently.
ARCHIVES AND MANUSCRIPTS
Accessions to the archives for the year ending June 30, 1933, were 12,503
manuscripts, 563 manuscript volumes and 74 manuscript maps. A large part
of the post-office accessions, mentioned later, go into this department. The
bound manuscript volumes received from the post office are included in these
figures.
The smallest and most interesting manuscript volume received is only 5 x 7£
inches. It is the leather-bound original field notes of a survey of a United
States mail route along the Santa Fe road from Independence, Mo., to a sta-
tion on Pawnee Fork in west central Kansas. This survey was made in 1858.
It is interesting to know that years ago the Society acquired the original map
of this survey. Now by a strange circumstance the field notes come to light
after seventy-five years in private ownership.
One of the valuable bound volumes included in the post-office collection
is a tome of 632 pages, labeled "Journal A," which is a record of pleas in the
United States district court of Kansas from 1862 to 1872. Two exhibits filed
in this journal are a copy of a map of Indian reservations surveyed by Isaac
McCoy and assistants from 1830 to 1832; and a copy of a map of Fort Leaven-
worth reservation in 1862.
An entertaining accession was a volume recording accounts of "The National
Marriage Aid Association," whose headquarters were Topeka and whose secre-
tary and treasurer was the Rev. John D. Knox. These records date in 1881 and
1882.
A collection of about 12,000 manuscripts came from the law department of
the Union Pacific Railway in Topeka, through the courtesy of T. M. Lillard,
a director of this Society. While much of this will doubtless have to be dis-
carded, a preliminary inspection indicates that it includes some valuable
material. There is a map of the southern branch of the road from Junction
City to Humboldt, based on a survey of 1866. This map shows the location
of Cottonwood City in Chase county, a forgotten townsite started in 1857
by French immigrants.
The recent state treasury scandal has prompted an inspection of original
impeachment trials and investigations for the years 1862, 1874, 1891 and 1905.
The archives department has original proceedings of these, either in bound
volumes or manuscripts.
Fortunately for the manuscripts department the two clerks authorized by
the legislature of 1931 were continued by this year's legislature, although for
a time it appeared this very important work would be stopped. The work
of organizing and repairing the thousands of manuscripts has gone forward
steadily. One hundred and forty-nine boxes of papers have been examined and
placed in chronological or alphabetical order. Valuable papers have been
repaired. Approximately 30,000 pieces were handled.
THE ANNUAL MEETING 93
One of the important collections belonging to the Society is the John
Brown papers. The Society's original John Brown collection, numbering 137
papers, had been pasted in a bound volume. This was the approved method
of handling manuscripts years ago; but now many of these pieces were in
imminent danger of disintegration. All these valuable letters were removed
from the volume, repaired, and reinforced with silk gauze according to the
best modern practice. They are now more legible than they were in the bound
volume and are preserved from further deterioration.
There have been many interesting and valuable accessions in this department
during the year. What is probably the most important single accession of
manuscripts and documents ever received by this Society came early this
year from the Topeka post office. In the attic of the old federal building
were several large rooms full of post-office records and other government
papers and records. When this building was about to be razed instructions
were received by the local post-office authorities to dispose of this accumula-
tion of material. It had been sold to a waste-paper dealer when by accident
the secretary learned of its existence through a man who had secured old
stamps from some of the documents and letters. Postmaster R. C. Caldwell
kindly permitted the Society to inspect these records, and when it appeared
that there were documents of value he allowed us to remove them to the
Memorial building. In all, seven small truck loads of books and papers were
transferred to the Society's archives.
While it is not yet possible to classify this huge collection in any detail,
much of it unquestionably is invaluable from a historical standpoint. There
are a large number of original territorial court records, most of which originated
at Lecompton in the 1850's, hundreds of pieces bearing the signatures of Judges
Lecompte, Cato and Elmore. These relate to most of the controversial ques-
tions which arose in the territorial conflict. There are thousands of papers,
including letters and official records, relating to district courts, circuit courts,
bankruptcies, pensions, land offices, war-time alien-enemy registrations, United
States marshal's activities, war-time Red Cross work, together with a great
many miscellaneous government documents, pamphlets and bulletins. These
date from 1854 down to the time of the World War, and some later. Each
of these general groupings will, of course, lend itself to extensive subdivision,
if more detailed handling indicates that it is of sufficient value to justify being
retained. We have only begun to organize this collection. Preliminary ex-
amination already indicates that the territorial documents will throw a new
light on the history of that period. With our limited staff it will be many
months before the worthless material can be discarded and an inventory
made.
NEWSPAPEB SECTION
The issues of 735 newspapers and periodicals, 79 being school and college
publications, were being received regularly for filing on October 1. Of these,
58 were dailies, 11 semiweeklies, 505 weeklies, 27 fortnightlies, seven semi-
monthlies, four once every three weeks, 73 monthlies, 13 bimonthlies, 23
quarterlies, 10 occasionals, two semiannuals and two annuals. In the list were
included 452 weekly community newspapers. On January 1 the Kansas news-
paper collection totalled 41,216 bound volumes.
Historians, journalists and students find this collection inexhaustible for
accounts of Kansas events. Statistics for the operation of the wheat allotment
94 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
plan of the federal government have been published in almost every newspaper
in the state the past few months. This and publicity for other governmental
innovations should make the 1933 file of newspapers the most important of
recent years to the historian.
The 1933 annual List of Kansas Newspapers and Periodicals received by the
Kansas State Historical Society was published in July. The edition listed the
editors and publishers of 735 publications.
To the 186 volumes of newspapers shipped to the Fort Hays State College
in 1931 is added a shipment to Wichita University in January, 1933. Over
five hundred bound and unbound volumes of duplicate newspapers of com-
paratively recent date were included.
Newspaper accessions for the year include an incomplete file of the Topeka
Daily Legal News, 1913-1932, from Nanon L. Herren, Topeka; sixteen bound
volumes of the Cawker City Public Record, 1883-1916, and the Cawker City
Camp Fire, 1882-1883, from A. G. Alrich, Lawrence; fourteen bound volumes of
The Argentine Republic, Kansas City, 1909-1921, from the Kansas City, (Mo.)
Public Library; twenty-two volumes of the International Book Binder, Indian-
apolis and Washington, D. C., 1911-1932, from V. S. Boutwell, Topeka; six
bound volumes of Harper newspapers, 1878-1885, from H. M. and J. P. Sydney,
Anthony, and three unbound volumes each of the Hoard's Dairyman, Ft.
Atkinson, Wis., Breeder's Gazette, Chicago, and Wallace's Farmer, Des Moines,
Iowa, 1929-1931, from the Kansas State Board of Agriculture.
THE PICTURE COLLECTION
In its fifty-eight years the Society has accumulated over 15,000 pictures,
ranging from tintypes less than an inch in size to the more than life-sized
oil painting of territorial Gov. Andrew H. Reeder. A few of these pictures
are hanging on the walls of the building, but thousands have been stored in
an inadequate and antiquated filing system of albums and folders. In order
to make this fine collection of use it was essential that a complete card cata-
logue be instituted.
With the approval of the executive committee E. H. Young was employed
to begin this work. Our cataloging system was adapted from those in use at
the Wisconsin and Minnesota historical societies, who have pioneered in sys-
tematizing picture collections, with modifications recommended by the Li-
brary of Congress. This card index will contain descriptive matter sufficient
to identify each portrait and scene. Extensive cross referencing will make
illustrations of every subject immediately available. This plan will make the
best possible use of our present storage facilities, and it is elastic enough to
take care of picture accessions for many years to come without reorganization.
Unfortunately for the Society Mr. Young recently received a position in
a New England college and the work has been temporarily delayed. Mr.
Nyle Miller, our newspaper clerk, will devote half time to this task in the
future.
One of the outstanding portrait accessions of the year was the gift of an
oil painting of Betty Woolman by her son, William J. Woolman, of New
York. Mrs. Woolman was a pioneer Kansan who entertained Lincoln in her
home at Leavenworth when he visited the territory. Mr. Woolman and sev-
eral members of his family made a trip to Kansas to present this painting to
the Society. It now hangs in the first floor foyer.
THE ANNUAL MEETING 95
The oil painting of Charles Curtis, former vice president, painted by the
late George M. Stone, was sent to the Society by Mr. Curtis when he vacated
his government office. This excellent likeness hangs in the first floor foyer.
MUSEUM
The museum gained both in attendance and in the number of accessions.
It is, of course, the most popular department with the general public, the
visitors during the year numbering 32,943. There were 157 items accessioned.
One of the largest collections was given by Rev. A. F. Johnson, of Leaven-
worth, who was chaplain of the 140th infantry, Thirty-fifth division. This col-
lection included forty World War pieces. A set of cooper tools used in
early-day Kansas was sent from Hollywood, Calif., by Mr. W. G. Cracraft.
Among the gifts from the Woman's Kansas Day Club was a hatchet used
by Carrie Nation in a raid on a Topeka joint in 1901. A saddle purchased
by Mr. A. J. Bellport in San Antonio, Tex., in 1867, and used by him in driv-
ing cattle over the Chisholm trail, was donated by his daughter, Miss Abbie
Bellport. A hitching post in the form of a negro stable boy now holds the
horse which is hitched to a victoria. Oddly enough, the horse, hitching post
and victoria attract as much attention as any display in the museum. The
new stable boy is a replica of the type that was popular in the South in
slavery days. It was a gift of the Castrite Foundry Company, Topeka.
ACCESSIONS
Total accessions to the Society's collections for the year ending June 30,
1933, were as follows:
Library :
Books 965
Pamphlets 3,739
Magazines 665
Archives :
Separate manuscripts 12,503
Manuscript volumes 563
Manuscript maps 74
Printed maps, atlases and charts 134
Newspapers (bound volumes) 942
Pictures 297
Museum objects 157
These accessions bring the totals in the possession of the Society to the
following figures:
Books, pamphlets, bound newspapers and magazines 346,938
Separate manuscripts 924,784
Manuscript volumes 27,216
Manuscript maps 490
Printed maps, atlases and charts 10,279
Pictures 14,936
Museum objects 32,686
KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
The Quarterly is now completing its second year. It has proved popular
beyond expectation. At first it was difficult to secure suitable contributions,
but in recent months the magazine has attracted an increasingly large number
96 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
of first-class articles. For this reason the editors believe that forthcoming
issues will be of exceptional interest. Much credit for the high standard of
the Quarterly is due to Dr. James C. Malin, associate professor of history at
the University of Kansas, who is associate editor of the Quarterly.
PUBLICITY
The collections of this Society are a continuous source of newspaper and
magazine feature stories. No small part of what is written about Kansas,
both in state and in national publications, is based on research done in the
Historical Society. The authors of a number of current books received as-
sistance last year. Within the past year special writers for Collier's magazine,
Saturday Evening Post and the New York Times Magazine visited the So-
ciety. Articles in the Quarterly are summarized or reprinted in Kansas news-
papers and in a number of other out-state publications. Many Kansans
who do not appreciate the importance of history but who do appreciate the
economic value of publicity would be surprised to learn how large a pro-
portion of what is said about Kansas originates in this Society. It would be
difficult to appraise the commercial and advertising value to the state of its
historical records.
The secretary is constantly being called upon to make talks about the
Society or Kansas history. Last year he addressed nine organizations in
Topeka, two in Lawrence and one each in Hutchinson, Abilene, Kansas City,
Kan., Overland Park, Bancroft and Republic. It is astonishing to discover
how little Kansans know about the Historical Society and the extent of its
resources.
OLD SHAWNEB METHODIST MISSION
The budget director approved the Society's request for $4,000 a year for
the maintenance of the Old Shawnee Mission. The legislature reduced this
to $750 a year, which was the amount allowed by the legislature of two years
ago. Much work that had been planned, therefore, cannot be done. Last
year it was found necessary to replace the caretaker. Dr. T. G. Vernon and
his wife, of Paola, were employed, and they have done much to improve the
buildings and grounds. The Shawnee Mission Indian Historical Society and
the Shawnee Mission Floral Club have been of great assistance. Work is
now being done to repair the rooms which were assigned several years ago
to the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Colonial Dames, the
Daughters of American Colonists and the Daughters of 1812. When these
rooms are furnished, the east building, which contains the Shawnee Mission
Indian Historical Society museum, will be one of the most interesting his-
torical buildings in Kansas. This mission, with the three old buildings which
looked down on the Santa Fe and Oregon trails, was for many years the last
outpost of civilization for the hundreds of thousands of pioneers who peopled
the far West. It is one of the outstanding historic sites in the West.
FIRST CAPITOL OP KANSAS
The first capitol building, on Highway No. 40 east of Fort Riley, continues
to attract many visitors. For the year ending October 1, 1933, there were
11,546 visitors as compared with 13,216 the preceding year. The salary of the
caretaker, who is required to be in attendance every day including Sundays,
THE ANNUAL MEETING 97
was reduced from $600 a year to $450 a year, or $37.50 a month, by the last
session of the legislature. This reduction is felt to be too drastic.
FORT HAYS FRONTIER HISTORICAL PARK
This park, which was created by the legislature of 1931, is managed by a
board of which the secretary of the Historical Society is a member. There are
an old stone blockhouse and guard house which were used by federal troops
in 1867. Beginning last spring a Reforestation camp was established, and a
crew of nearly 200 men has been at work on the federal project, which in-
cludes landscaping and road making on land belonging to the park and to
the adjoining experiment station and Fort Hays State College. The project
was secured largely through the work of Congresswoman Kathryn O'Laughlin
McCarthy, of Hays. The work is being done under the general supervision
of the park board in accordance with plans which are approved by federal
authorities.
PIKE PAWNEE PARK
On September 29, 1933, a crowd estimated at over 10,000 assembled at the
Pike Pawnee park and monument near Republic, Kan., to celebrate the 127th
anniversary of Pike's visit to the Pawnee chiefs on this site in 1806, when the
American flag was first raised in the territory that is now Kansas. Addresses
were made by Congresswoman Kathryn O'Laughlin McCarthy, Congressman
W. P. Lambertson, Gomer Davies, the secretary of the Historical Society and
others. The occasion for so large a gathering was the effort which is being
made through Mrs. McCarthy to secure a federal appropriation for damming
the river and creating a national park. If this is done it is proposed that
the eleven acres now belonging to the state of Kansas in the name of the
Historical Society will become a part of the national park. The Kansas legis-
lature appropriated $3,000 for a memorial monument which was erected in 1901.
KANSAS ARCHEOLOGY
There are several well-informed amateur archaeologists in Kansas and a
number of others who make up in enthusiasm for what they lack in knowledge.
Kansas is a rich archaeological field. There are many village sites which
have not yet been despoiled by curiosity seekers. In order to preserve these
sites your secretary has suggested the formation of an archaeological group
within the society. If sufficient interest develops and enough responsible mem-
bers can be secured it is hoped to organize such a group this year.
LOCAL AND COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETIES
Since the last annual meeting two county historical societies have been
organized and have affiliated themselves with the state society by taking out
life memberships. The Society has assisted organizers in several other counties
which have not yet affiliated. Several of the local and county societies in
the state are doing good work in gathering historical documents and relics.
At Dodge City the nucleus of an excellent museum has been brought together.
The McPherson County Historical Society has done outstanding work in
recording the history of the early day settlers. The Shawnee Mission Indian
Hiatorical Society, largely composed of residents of Johnson county, were
7—2718
98 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
assigned the main room in the east building at the old Methodist Shawnee
Mission for a museum. Within two years this society has succeeded in placing
on display a remarkable collection of documents, relics and pictures. While
it is impossible for the state Society to take an active part in the organization
of local societies, the encouragement of such associations is essential to the
preservation of the history of the state. Members of this Society are urged
to lend their assistance to local associations.
This report would be incomplete without mention of the members of the
staff of this Society. They are uniformly courteous, loyal and conscientious.
The secretary acknowledges his indebtedness to them for what has been ac-
complished in the past three years.
Respectfully submitted, KIRKE MECHEM, Secretary.
Upon the conclusion of the reading of the report of the secretary
it was moved by W. W. Denison that it be approved and accepted.
Seconded by Sam F. Woolard. Carried.
The president called for the reading of the report of the treasurer
of the Society, Mrs. Mary Embree, which follows:
REPORT OF THE TREASURER
STATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP FEE FUND FROM AUGUST 17, 1932, TO
OCTOBER 13, 1933
Balance August 17, 1933 $919.75
Annual memberships received 250 . 00
Life memberships received 210. 00
Refund of money expended 341 . 60
Subscription to Quarterly and single numbers 3.77
Interest on Liberty bonds 297 .50
Liberty bonds held by Society (par value $6,000) 5,911 .63
Total amount on hand $7,934.25
Expenditures :
Traveling expenses 289.06
Money advanced for postage 412 . 00
Subscriptions and dues 105.05
Manuscripts and letters purchased for Society 100.70
Pledged by Society for marker at Trading Post 70.00
Insurance 15 . 25
Flowers 11 .75
Museum relic 2 . 50
Replacing glass 1 . 60
Gifts to janitors 13.50
Western Typewriter Company, repairs 10.00
Rent of safe-deposit box for 1932 and 1933 6.60
Refund of memberships 4 . 00
Expense of annual meeting, 1932 14.50
Extra clerk hire 235.00
Total expenditures $1,291 .51
Balance October 13 6,642.74
$7,934.25
THE ANNUAL MEETING 99
Liberty bonds $5,911 .63
Cash . 731.11
$6,642.74
Bank balance October 13 $813.41
Less outstanding checks 92.30
721.11
Life membership not deposited 10.00
731.11
JONATHAN PECKER BEQUEST FUND
Principal, Liberty bonds $950.00
Balance August 17, 1932 $30.64
Interest from August 17, 1932, to October 13, 1933 42.52
Total amount received $73 . 16
Expenditures :
Frank B. Kingsbury, New Hampshire history 10.50
Balance on hand October 13, 1933 62.66
$73.16
THOMAS H. BOWLUS FUND
Principal, Liberty bond (interest included in membership fund) $1,000.00
JOHN BOOTH BEQUEST FUND
Principal, Liberty bonds $500. 00
Balance on hand, August 17, 1932 $44 . 10
Interest from August 17, 1932, to October 13, 1933 22.38
Total amount received $66.48
No expenditures for the year.
Examined by committee October 13, 1933, and approved.
EDWIN A. AUSTIN,
W. W. DENISON,
HENRY K. BROOKS.
On motion of W. C. Simons, seconded by W. W. Denison, the
treasurer's report, as approved by the committee appointed from
the executive committee to audit the books, was accepted.
The report of the nominating committee was read by Mrs. Henry
F. Mason, chairman:
100 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
REPORT OF NOMINATING COMMITTEE
To the Board of Directors, Kansas State Historical Society:
Your committee on nominations beg leave to submit the following report
for officers of the Kansas State Historical Society for the following year:
For president, H. K. Lindsley, Wichita.
For first vice president, Thomas F. Doran, Topeka.
For second vice president, F. H. Hodder, Lawrence.
Respectfully submitted, MRS. HENRY F. MASON,
MRS. A. M. HARVEY,
ERNEST A. RYAN,
JAMES C. MAUN,
E. E. KELLEY,
Committee.
On motion of Mrs. Bennett R. Wheeler, seconded by W. W. Deni-
son, the report of the nominating committee was accepted.
This concluded the scheduled business for the morning meeting.
The president, Thomas Amory Lee, made some suggestions regarding
the work of the Society. He called attention to the need of bringing
the annals of Kansas down to date, beginning where Wilder's chron-
ology left off. He stated that in his opinion it would be well worth
while for the Society to spend more time and money on this under-
taking. He recommended the purchase of photographing or phostat-
ing equipment which would make possible the reproduction of news-
papers and other material becoming too fragile for constant use.
Mr. Lee commented on the calendaring of manuscripts and hoped
it would be possible to do more of it in the future. He particularly
called attention to the fact that Kansas has made no effort to compile
a history of the participation of the state and its citizens in the
World War. He urged that the Society, through its officers, recom-
mend the formation of a state commission looking toward the prep-
aration of a Kansas World War history. Mr. Lee closed his remarks
with a word of appreciation for the loyal and efficient work of the
members of the staff of the Society.
On motion of Sam F. Woolard, seconded by W. W. Denison, Mr.
Lee's suggestions were referred for action to the executive committee.
There being no further business for the board of directors, the
meeting adjourned.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY
The annual meeting of the Kansas State Historical Society con-
vened at two o'clock p. m. The meeting was called to order by
President Lee.
THE ANNUAL MEETING 101
The secretary read telegrams and letters from members who were
unable to be present.
The secretary displayed a campaign hat which had been worn by
Gen. Wilder S. Metcalf while a major with the Twentieth Kansas
in the Phillipines, who was present at the meeting. In the hat was
a hole made by a bullet which had also cut a piece from one of
General Metcalf s ears.
Thomas Amory Lee read, as the annual address of th/> president,
a paper on the judicial career of the late Judge William C. Hook.
This paper appears as a special article elsewhere in this issue of the
Quarterly.
Robert Taft, of the University of Kansas, presented "A Pictorial
History of Kansas," which consisted of picture slides of early Kan-
sas scenes and persons, accompanied by explanatory comments.
Mr. Taft's pictures and talk were of exceptional interest. "A
Pictorial History of Kansas," appears as a special article elsewhere
in this issue of the Quarterly.
The report of the committee on nominations for directors was read
by the secretary as follows:
OCTOBER 17, 1933.
To the Kansas State Historical Society:
Your committee on nominations beg leave to submit the following report
and recommendations for directors of the Society for the term of three years
ending October, 1936:
Beeks, Charles E., Baldwin. Metcalf, Wilder S., Lawrence.
Beezley, George F., Girard. Morrison, T. F., Chanute.
Bonebrake, Fred B., Topeka. Norris, Mrs. George, Arkansas City.
Bowlus, Thomas H., lola. O'Neil, Ralph T., Topeka.
Browne, Charles H., Horton. Philip, Mrs. W. D., Hays.
Dean, John S., Sr., Topeka. Rankin, Robert C., Lawrence.
Embree, Mrs. Mary, Topeka. Ruppenthal, J. C., Russell.
Gray, John M., Kirwin. Ryan, Ernest A., Topeka.
Harger, Charles M., Abilene. Sawtell, James H., Topeka.
Harvey, Mrs. Isabelle C., Topeka. Simons, W. C., Lawrence.
Haucke, Frank, Council Grove. Soller, August, Washington.
Kagey, Charles L., Wichita. Stanley, W. E., Wichita.
Kinkel, John M., Topeka. Stone, Robert, Topeka.
Lee, Thomas A., Topeka. Trembly, W. B., Kansas City.
McFarland, Helen M., Topeka. Walker, B. P., Osborne.
Malone, James, Topeka. Woodward, Chester, Topeka.
Mechem, Kirke, Topeka.
Respectfully submitted, MRS. HENRY F. MASON,
MRS. A. M. HARVEY,
ERNEST A. RYAN,
JAMES C. MALTN,
E. E. KELLEY,
Committee.
102 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
On motion of W. W. Denison, seconded by Thomas F. Doran,
these directors were unanimously elected for the term ending Octo-
ber, 1936. Justice John S. Dawson administered the oath of office
to those who were present.
The president called on Mrs. Ottis W. Fisher, president of the
Shawnee Mission Indian Historical Society, to read the annual re-
port of the work of her organization. Following the reading of her
report she asked Mrs. Bernice Fraser, a member of the Society, to
read an original poem on the Old Shawnee Mission. The secretary
read a report of the Marion County Historical Society, forwarded
from Mrs. Jane C. Rupp, secretary. On motion the two preceding
reports were accepted to be placed on file.
Rev. Josiah E. Copley called the attention of the Society to
the celebration commemorating the founding of the Presbyterian
mission at Highland in 1837.
The members adjourned to the foyer, where Mrs. Bennett R.
Wheeler, in behalf of the Colonial Dames of Kansas, presented to
the Society a bronze plate bearing the profile of George Washington
and selections from his farewell address. The plate was accepted
for the Society by its president, Thomas Amory Lee.
With this ceremony the annual meeting of the members of the
Society adjourned.
MEETING OP THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The afternoon meeting of the board of directors was called to
order by the president. He asked for a rereading of the report of
the nominating committee for officers of the Society. The following
officers were then unanimously elected :
H. K. Lindsley, president; T. F. Doran, first vice president; F. H.
Hodder, second vice president.
President Lee requested Professor Hodder, the newly elected
second vice president, to say hello to the meeting. Professor Hodder
complied with a bow and a laconic "hello."
Mr. Lee requested T. F. Doran to take the chair in the absence of
the newly elected president, H. K. Lindsley. Mr. Lee moved that
the executive committee be instructed to prepare plans for the or-
ganization of a World War historical commission for the purpose
of compiling a history of the participation of Kansas and her citizens
in the World War, with further instructions to present the project
at the proper time to the legislature. Seconded by Mr. Mechem.
Carried.
THE ANNUAL MEETING
103
Mrs. Henry F. Mason moved a vote of thanks to President Lee
for his services to the Society and particularly for his work in the
Society's behalf during the meeting of the legislature. Seconded by
Mrs. A. M. Harvey and unanimously carried.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned.
KIRKE MECHEM, Secretary.
DIRECTORS OF THE KANSAS STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AS OF
OCTOBER, 1933
DIRECTORS FOR YEAR ENDING OCTOBER, 1934
Austin, E. A., Topeka.
Berryman, J. W., Ashland.
Brigham, Mrs. Lalla M.,
Council Grove.
Brooks, H. K, Topeka.
Bumgardner, Edward, Lawrence.
Curtis, Charles, Topeka.
Davis, John W., Dodge City.
Denious, Jess C., Dodge City.
Frizell, E. E., Lamed.
Godsey, Mrs. Flora I., Emporia.
Hall, Mrs. Carrie A., Leavenworth.
Hamilton, Clad, Topeka.
Haskin, S. B., Olathe.
Hegler, Ben F., Wichita.
Jones, Horace, Lyons.
Kelley, E. E., Topeka.
Lillard, T. M., Topeka.
Lindsley, H. K., Wichita.
McCarter, Mrs. Margaret Hill,
Topeka.
Mercer, J. H., Topeka.
Oliver, Hannah P., Lawrence.
Patrick, Mrs. Mae C., Satanta.
Reed, Clyde M., Parsons.
Rupp, Mrs. W. E., Hillsboro.
Scott, Charles F., lola.
Schultz, Floyd, Clay Center.
Shirer, H. L., Topeka.
Van De Mark, M. V. B., Concordia.
Van Petten, A. E., Topeka.
Wark, George H., Kansas City, Kan.
Wheeler, Mrs. B. R., Topeka.
Woolard, Sam F., Wichita.
Wooster, Lorraine E., Salina.
DIRECTORS FOR YEAR ENDING OCTOBER, 1935
Aitchison, R. T., Wichita.
Bowman, Noah L., Garnett.
Capper, Arthur, Topeka.
Cory, C. E., Fort Scott.
Crosby, E. H., Topeka.
Dawson, John S., Hill City.
Denison, W. W., Topeka.
Doerr, Mrs. Laura P. V., Larned.
Doran, Thomas F., Topeka.
Ellenbecker, John G., Marysville.
Harvey, Mrs. Sally, Topeka.
Hobble, Frank A., Dodge City.
Hodder, F. H., Lawrence.
Hogin, John C., Belleville.
Huggins, Wm. L., Emporia.
Humphrey, H. L., Abilene.
Johnston, Mrs. W. A., Topeka.
Knapp, Dallas W., Coffeyville.
McLean, Milton R., Topeka.
McNeal, T. A., Topeka.
Malin, James C., Lawrence.
Mason, Mrs. Henry F., Topeka.
Moore, Russell, Wichita.
Morehouse, George P., Topeka.
Raynesford, H. C., Ellis.
Russell, W. J., Topeka.
Smith, Wm. E., Wamego.
Spratt, 0. M., Baxter Springs.
Stevens, Caroline F., Lawrence.
Thompson, W. F., Topeka.
Van Tuyl, Mrs. Effie H.,
Leavenworth.
Walker, Mrs. Ida M., Norton.
Wilson, John H., Salina.
104
THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
DIRECTORS FOR YEAR
Beeks, Charles E., Baldwin.
Beezley, George F., Girard.
Bonebrake, Fred B., Topeka.
Bowlus, Thomas H., lola.
Browne, Charles H., Horton.
Dean, John S., Topeka.
Embree, Mrs. Mary, Topeka.
Gray, John M., Kirwin.
Harger, Charles M., Abilene.
Harvey, Mrs. Isabelle C., Topeka.
Haucke, Frank, Council Grove.
Kagey, Charles L., Beloit.
Kinkel, John M., Topeka.
Lee, Thomas Amory, Topeka.
McFarland, Helen M., Topeka.
Malone, James, Topeka.
Mechem, Kirke, Topeka.
ENDING OCTOBER, 1936
Metcalf, Wilder S., Lawrence.
Morrison, T. F., Chanute.
Norris, Mrs. George, Arkansas City.
O'Neil, Ralph T., Topeka.
Philip, Mrs. W. D., Hays.
Rankin, Robert C., Lawrence.
Ruppenthal, J. C., Russell.
Ryan, Ernest A., Topeka.
Sawtell, James H., Topeka.
Simons, W. C., Lawrence.
Seller, August, Washington.
Stanley, W. E., Wichita.
Stone, Robert, Topeka.
Trembly, W. B., Kansas City, Kan.
Walker, B. P., Osborne.
Woodward, Chester, Topeka.
Kansas History as Published
in the Press
Lyons history has been featured in a series of articles by Frank
Hoyt, Rice county pioneer, which have appeared almost weekly in
the Lyons Daily News, for many months.
"Charley Reynolds — Hunter and Scout," by E. A. Brininstool, was
the title of an article printed in the North Dakota Historical Quar-
terly in its January-April, 1933, issue. Mr. Reynolds was a member
of the Tenth Kansas Volunteers.
Special historical articles appeared in the Miltonvale Record pre-
ceding the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the city's naming, held
October 6 and 7, 1933. Miltonvale was first called Zahnsville.
Titles of a few of the stories included in this series are: "A Pioneer
Story — Incidents of Sixty-Five Years Ago," by G. W. Gray, Septem-
ber 7; "The Founding of Miltonvale," September 14; "The Rain
Makers," and "The Passing of the Old Town Well," September 21;
"The First Settler in Starr Township," and histories of the Milton-
vale schools, September 28, and "Thoughts in Keeping with the
Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration," October 5.
The Lyons Presbyterian church celebrated its sixtieth anniver-
sary September 17, 1933. A short account of the organization was
published in the Lyons Daily News, September 18.
A brief history of the Palco News appeared in its issue of Sep-
tember 27, 1933. The Palco News, formerly the Palco Enterprise,
was established in March, 1905.
Names of Smith county old settlers registering at their annual
meeting in Smith Center, September 27, 1933, were published in the
Smith County Pioneer, Smith Center, September 28.
"Walter F. McGinnis Tells of Early Days," "An Interesting Let-
ter From California," by Frank L. Randolph, and "M. A. Harper
Tells of Moving to Kansas," were special features of the Pioneer
edition of the Potwin Ledger issued September 28, 1933.
Names of old settlers registering at the Southwest Free Fair at
Dodge City, September 27, 1933, and the dates they came to Kansas,
were published in the Dodge City Daily Globe, September 28.
(105)
106 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
"Reminiscences of An Old Timer," was the title of an article re-
viewing the highlights of Weir history which appeared in the Weir
Spectator in its issues of September 28 and October 5, 1933.
The ninetieth anniversary of the First Presbyterian church of
Highland was observed with a week of special services from October
15 to 22, 1933. Excerpts from the diary of Father Irvin, 1841-1844,
as presented to the church meeting by Mrs. Margaret Hubbard Mor-
ton, were a part of the historical articles printed in the Highland
Vidette during October and November, commemorating the event.
A history of Vance Post, No. 2, of the Grand Army of the Re-
public, Hays, was published in the Hays Daily News, October 6,
1933. The post was organized at Hays City by a special order from
the department commander dated February 1, 1878.
Headlines of stories by W. F. McGinnis, Sr., appearing in The
Butler County News, El Dorado, in recent months were : "The
Elephants and Ox Teams Recall Many Old Time Incidents," Octo-
ber 6, 1933; "Memories of the Past Revived in the Life of an Old
Timer," October 13 and 20, and "Dean of Rail Engineers [Merton
Stewart] to Retire at Seventy," November 17.
An article describing the struggles in early-day Lawrence, and
the preservation of a chair brought by the Eldridge family from
Massachusetts through the Jones and Quantrill raids, was published
in the Lawrence Daily Journal-World, October 7, 1933.
The fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Clyde Christian
church was observed October 8, 1933. Special historical articles
were printed in the Clyde Republican preceding the event.
Historical notes on the organization of the Olathe Methodist
Episcopal church were published by the Olathe Mirror and The
Johnson County Democrat preceding the seventy-fifth anniversary
week of services October 22 to 29, 1933. S. T. Seaton reviewed the
history of the church in the Mirror for October 12.
Toronto history, as printed in a pamphlet entitled Woodson
County Hand Book (1883), was reprinted in the Toronto Republi-
can in the issues of October 12 to November 16, 1933, inclusive.
Dickinson county history was reviewed at a meeting of the Dick-
inson County Historical Society held at Abilene, October 16, 1933.
A two-column summary of the speeches presented at the meeting was
reported in the Abilene Daily Chronicle, October 17, 1933.
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 107
The reminiscenses of E. T. Wickersham, of Fall River vicinity,
were published in the Fredonia Daily Herald, October 17, 1933, and
The Western Star, Coldwater, November 3. Mr. Wickersham set-
tled in Elk county in 1862.
"Some Wolf Creek History," by John W. Manners, Sr., appeared
in the Lucas Independent, October 18, 1933.
A history of the Sylvan Grove Presbyterian church was published
in the Sylvan Grove News, October 19, 1933. H. C. Bradbury held
the first preaching service.
Winona newspaper history was reviewed by J. G. Felts in the
Logan County News, October 19, 1933.
Lecompton history was recalled by J. Frank Kerns in an article
printed in the Lawrence Daily Journal-World, October 19, 1933.
The article, as published, was read at the annual meeting of the
Douglas County Old Settlers' Society, September 14.
The fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Cheney was officially
observed October 20, 1933. Special historical notes were printed
in the Cheney Sentinel in its issue of October 19 and 26, commem-
orating the event.
A history of the Hiawatha Methodist Episcopal church was briefly
sketched in the Hiawatha Daily World, October 20, 1933. The
seventy-fifth anniversary was observed with a special program at
the church on November 26.
Oswego historical notes, pictures of pioneers, first buildings and
early-day scenes were published in issues of the Oswego Democrat
and the Independent of October 20, 1933, preceding the old settlers'
meeting held in the city October 21. Both newspapers on October
27 printed a list of the old settlers registering for the event who had
been in the vicinity forty years or more.
A historical sketch of the Paola Methodist Episcopal church was
printed in The Miami Republican, Paola, October 20, 1933, preceding
the seventy-fifth anniversary program held October 27 to 29. A
review of the pageant presented at this meeting was printed in The
Western Spirit, Paola, November 3.
Stories relating the history of floods along the Kansas river and
the part the proposed Kiro dam would play in the nation's flood-
control program have frequently appeared in newspapers of the
state in the past few months. Three were: "The Story of the Kiro
108 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Dam," by Charles H. Sessions, in the Topeka Daily Capital, October
22, 1933; "Kiro Dam and Lake," by W. H. Fernald, in the Florence
Bulletin, October 26, and a page article, "How Kiro Dam Would
Benefit Kansas, Midwest and Nation," by William Wallace, in the
Topeka Daily Capital, December 17.
Lincoln county teachers and district school officials for 1933-1934
were named in the Sylvan Grove News, October 26, 1933.
The histories of Sublette and Satanta were reviewed in the Sub-
lette Monitor and the Satanta Chief in their issues of October 26,
1933. The first buildings in the two cities were moved in from
Santa Fe twenty-one years ago.
"Memories of Early Claflin," as written by Mrs. R. L. Hamilton
and read at a club meeting in October, 1933, was published in the
Claflin Clarion, October 26. Claflin was founded in the spring of
1887.
The history of the Salem Evangelical Church was briefly reviewed
in the Leavenworth Times October 26, 1933. The church celebrated
its forty-fifth anniversary October 29.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Glasco celebrated the fortieth
anniversary of the completion of its church building October 29,
1933. The history of the organization was briefly noted in The
Sun, Glasco, October 26.
"About Getting Grub Stakes," was the title of the October 27,
1933, installment of the "Just A Thinking" stories by W. V. Jackson
which are printed from time to time in The Western Star, Coldwater.
In this article Mr. Jackson recalled the exchange of cedar posts
from southwestern Barber county and southeastern Comanche
county, for food.
The history of the Women's Relief Corps, Department of Kansas,
was published in the Baxter Springs Citizen, October 30, 1933. The
Kansas corps was organized at Topeka, February 6, 1884.
An article describing the late Mary Elizabeth Lease as James M.
Mickey knew her, was featured in the Leavenworth Times of Octo-
ber 31, 1933. Mr. Mickey was the editor of the Osage City Free
Press during the campaign of 1896, and recalled several anecdotes
of her life. Sketches of other incidents in the life of this famous
Populist orator were written by B. J. Sheridan for The Western
Spirit, Paola, November 3, and by D. D. Leahy for the Wichita
Sunday Eagle, November 5.
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 109
The fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Abilene Grace
Reformed church was observed November 5, 1933. The history of
the organization was published in the Abilene Daily Chronicle, in
its issues of November 1 and 5, and in the Abilene Daily Reflector,
November 3.
Coal mining in Russell county was discussed by L. C. Brown in
the Lucas Independent, November 2, 1933. Mr. Brown reports that
a Mr. Matthews mined the first coal in the county in 1871. The
article was reprinted November 9 in the Bunkerhill Advertiser.
A list of the old settlers attending the Paola celebration held in
their honor, October 25 to 31, 1933, was published in The Western
Spirit, Paola, November 3.
"When Finn Founded Wichita's School System," an article by
Bliss Isely relating the experiences of William Finn, Wichita's first
school teacher, was printed in the Wichita Sunday Eagle, November
5, 1933.
Life in Lincoln county from the years 1871 to 1877 is revealed
in the diary of J. Z. Springer, which was published in the Lincoln
Sentinel-Republican in its issues of November 9, 16 and 23, 1933.
Mr. Springer came to Lincoln county from California in May, 1871.
Sabetha's Methodist and Congregational churches celebrated their
seventy-fifth anniversaries recently. The Methodist Church held
its services November 5, and the Congregational Church, the week
starting November 19. A brief historical sketch of the Methodist
Church appeared in the Sabetha Star, November 9. Stories of the
founding of the Congregational Church were printed in the Sabetha
Herald, November 22, and in the Star, November 23.
Names of pupils and teachers in a La-wrence school during the
month of May, 1863, as written by William Duncan on the margins
and fly leaves of a copy of Ray's Arithmetic, were published in the
Lawrence Daily Journal-World, November 15, 1933. The names are
of especial interest since the Quantrill raid on Lawrence occurred
only three months later.
"Who Was First in Business in Cheney," an article naming the
pioneer business men, was printed in the Cheney Sentinel, November
16, 1933.
The early history of the First Methodist Church in Wichita and
the dedication of its church bell was reviewed by Victor Murdock
in the Wichita (Evening) Eagle in its issue of November 16, 1933.
110 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
A prairie fire scare in 1887 in Comanche county was recalled by
Mrs. S. A. DeLair, writing in The Western Star, Coldwater, No-
vember 17, 1933.
The seventy-fifth anniversary of the Cottonwood Falls First
Methodist Church was observed with special services during the
week starting December 3, 1933. A brief history of the organization
was published in the Chase County Leader, Cottonwood Falls, No-
vember 22.
A "Review of an Inheritance — With Reference to Kansas Autumn
Sundays, Scenery, Pioneer Motives and 'Way of Life/ " by T. W.
Morse, was printed in the Emporia Times, November 23, 1933.
Augustus Wattles, who settled in Linn county in 1857, was the
writer's grandfather.
A story of the establishment of the first rural mail delivery
route out of Wichita was written by Victor Murdock for the Wichita
(Evening) Eagle, November 23, 1933.
Brief histories of Eminence, former county seat of Garfield
county, were printed in the Garden City News, November 23, 1933,
and the Sublette Monitor, November 30. The Monitor story was
republished in the Topeka Daily Capital, December 3.
Notaries of Russell county are being named by Judge J. C. Rup-
penthal in his ' 'Russell Rustlings" column published in the Paradise
Farmer, starting with its issue of November 27, 1933. Judge Rup-
penthal also listed some of the early settlers of the county, and the
date they arrived, in this column during November and December.
Several other Kansas newspapers are publishing this series. Among
them are the Waldo Advocate, Luray Herald, Natoma Independent,
and the Wilson World.
The fiftieth anniversary of the Baldwin Ledger was commem-
orated November 30, 1933, with the issuance of a twenty-page his-
torical edition. A detailed history of Baldwin's newspapers was
prepared by J. A. McFarland, Jr., present editor of the Ledger.
Letters from former editors still living and their photographs were
published. The founding of Baker University, as described by J.
C. Hall, first graduate; the early history of Baker, by H. W. John-
son ; a list of prominent graduates of the college, and the biography
of Dr. A. T. Still, founder of osteopathy, were other features of the
edition.
Kansas Historical Notes
Plaques honoring fourteen Kansas women have been placed in
the seven congressional districts of the state under the supervision
of the Woman's Kansas Day Club. Miss Stella B. Haines, of
Augusta, president of the club, assisted the district leaders with the
unveilings. Names of the women receiving the plaques and the date
of the dedicatory ceremonials are as follows: First district — Mar-
garet Hill McCarter, Topeka, novelist, December 7; Amelia Ear-
hart Putnam, Atchison, first aviatrix to fly across the Atlantic
ocean, December 8. Second district— Celia Dayton, Spring Hill,
first woman physician in Kansas, December 10; Clarinda Howard
Nichols, Kansas City, first Kansas woman to sit in a territorial
legislature and contend for property rights of women, December 11.
Third district— Esther Clark Hill, Chanute, poet, November 27;
Osa Leighty (Mrs. Martin) Johnson, Chanute, African and South
Seas explorer, November 27. Fourth district — Mary Jane Watson-
Sort, Emporia, first woman school teacher in Emporia, December 4 ;
Eliza Ann Huffaker, Council Grove, missionary teacher to the Kaw
Indians, December 5. Fifth district — Addie Cowley Bradley, El
Dorado, first white girl child born in the district, October 28;
Susanna Madora Salter, Argonia, said to be the first woman mayor
in the United States, November 10. Sixth district— Mary A. Wade,
Ellis, one of the first woman mayors to serve with five women coun-
cil members, November 22; Mary Calkins Bissell, Phillipsburg,
mother of the first white child born in the district and coeditor of
the Phillipsburg Herald, November 23. Seventh district — Carrie A.
Nation, Medicine Lodge, temperance crusader, November 9 ; Minnie
Tamar Johnson Grinstead, Liberal, first woman to serve in the
Kansas legislature as a member of the House of Representatives,
November 20.
The following persons will serve as officers of the Dickinson
County Historical Society for the ensuing year: Mrs. A. B. Seelye,
president; Mrs. H. L. Humphrey, vice president; Mrs. 0. L. Thisler,
Jr., treasurer, and J. H. Giles, secretary. It is planned to house relics
and records of the society in the Abilene Public Library when the
proposed addition to the library building is completed.
Recently elected officers of the Shawnee Mission Indian Historical
Society are: Mrs. Walter E. Gresham, president; Mrs. R. R. Sand-
meyer, vice president; Mrs. A. H. Buckley, recording secretary;
Mrs. C. C. Terry, treasurer; Mrs. Ottis Fisher, custodian, and Mrs.
A. E. Fraser, historian.
(Ill)
112 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
New officers of the Lindsborg Historical Society are: John A.
Holmberg, president; H. J. Thorstenberg, vice president; Henry
Olson, treasurer, and G. E. Eberhardt, secretary.
Clare A. Coe, of Topeka, was elected president of the Twentieth
Kansas infantry organization at the annual election held in Topeka,
October 9, 1933. Other officers elected were: Fred Recob, Topeka,
vice president; Jerry Springstead, Topeka, secretary and treasurer,
and Frank B. Dodds, of Lawrence, historian.
At the annual meeting of the Chanute Old Settlers' Association
held in Chanute, October 19, 1933, the following officers were re-
elected for another year: J. W. Heminger, president; Mrs. W. W.
Alcott, vice president; Mrs. Minnie Carter, secretary-treasurer,
and Mrs. Letha Hawkins, registrar.
The granite stone marking the site of Wichita's first school at
Twelfth street and Jackson avenue was dedicated November 9,
1933. William Finn, the teacher, conducted the school during the
winter of 1869-1870.
At the December meeting of the Southwest Historical Society of
Dodge City in "The Corral," historical museum at the Merrit Bee-
son home, H. B. Bell was reflected president and H. F. Schmidt
was reflected secretary and treasurer.
Sen. Arthur Capper addressed the annual meeting of the Shawnee
County Old Settlers' Association held in Topeka December 5, 1933.
Officers elected to serve during the ensuing year are : Emery Brobst,
president; Miss M. L. Addis, vice president, and Miss A. A. Wood-
ward, secretary and treasurer.
In celebration of the seventy-fifth anniversary year of the founding
of Salina, the Saline county chapter, Native Daughters of Kansas,
erected a marker at the site of the landing of the first free ferry
over the Smoky Hill river, near the west approach to the Iron
avenue bridge, Salina. The marker was unveiled December 10,
1933, by Mrs. Christie Campbell Loomis, of Omaha, daughter of the
late A. M. Campbell and Mrs. Campbell, who operated the ferry.
Other 1933 old settlers' meetings which were announced in the
press and not previously mentioned in this magazine were held in
Ohio Grove and Roy school districts, of Ottawa county, October 1 ;
Palmyra township, Douglas county, October 10; lola, October 10;
Brownville community, near Colby, October 22; Rush Center, No-
vember 8; Petrolia, Neosho county, November 15, and School Dis-
trict No. 1, Osborne county, November 17.
THE
Kansas Historical
Quarterly
Volume III Number 2
May, 1934
PRINTED BY KANSAS STATE PRINTING PLANT
W. C. AUSTIN. STATE PRINTER
TOPEKA 1934
15-3410
Contributors
GEORGE A. ROOT is curator of archives of the Kansas State Historical Society.
WILLIAM STANLEY HOOLE, a grandson of Lieut. Col. A. J. Hoole, C. S. A., is
an assistant graduate instructor at Duke University, Durham, N. C.
MRS. HORTENSE BALDERSTON CAMPBELL is reference librarian at the Wichita
City Library.
NOTE. — Articles in the Quarterly appear in chronological order without re
gard to their importance.
Ferries in Kansas
Part III— Blue River
GEORGE A. ROOT
'TVHE Big Blue river, the Kaw's largest tributary, rises in Hamil-
•JL ton county, Nebraska, close to the Platte river. Probably one
of the earliest mentions of the stream is to be found in the account
of the expedition of Stephen H. Long. Prof. Thomas Say, a mem-
ber of that expedition, in 1819, paid a visit to a village of Kaw
Indians located near the junction of the Big Blue and the Kaw, at
which time he referred to the character of the country between the
"Blue Earth" and the Vermillion rivers. Rev. Isaac McCoy who,
with his sons, Dr. Rice McCoy and John C. McCoy, surveyed In-
dian reservations embracing territory watered by the Blue, calls
the stream "Moh-e-ca-to" or Blue Earth creek. Another early men-
tion is found in Fremont's surveys. The river in modern times has
become better known as the Big Blue, to distinguish it from its
principal tributary, the Little Blue, which also rises in Nebraska
and joins the larger stream in Marshall county, Kansas, about one
mile west of Blue Rapids. The Big Blue flows through seven
counties of Nebraska — Hamilton, York, Polk, Butler, Seward, Sa-
line and Gage — entering Kansas in Marshall county, about due north
of Oketo. From here its course is slightly west of south through
that county, then forming the boundary line between Riley and
Pottawatomie counties, uniting with the Kansas river at the eastern
limits of the city of Manhattan. The Big Blue is approximately
285 miles long, about 100 of which are in Kansas.1
The first ferry location on the Big Blue above its mouth was at
Manhattan. The name of the person receiving the first license at
this point has not been learned, as early records of Riley county
commissioners have not been available in the preparation of this
article. The earliest ferry notice located in the newspapers ap-
peared in the Manhattan Express, February 2, 1861, in a published
table of receipts and expenditures of Riley county for the previous
year. One item in this list recited that M. J. Gore had paid Riley
county $50 for a ferry license. During 1861 Mr. Gore must have
1. Long, Maj. S. H., Expedition to Rocky Mountains, 1819 and 1820, v. 1, p. 136; "Sur-
vey of Indian Lands in Kansas," by Rev. Isaac McCoy and sons, 1830-1836, MS. volume,
p. 120, and original manuscript map of Indian Reservations in Kansas, in Archives division
of Kansas State Historical Society; topographical map of the road from Missouri to Oregon,
compiled from the field notes and journal of Capt. J. C. Fremont by Charles Preuss in 1846
and published by authority of the United States Senate.
(115)
116 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
had some sort of an agreement with the merchants of the town, for
he was carrying the following advertisement in the home paper
early in the fall:
FREE FERRY ! ! FREE FERRY ! !
Free Ferry Across the Big Blue River at Manhattan.
M. J. GORE, Proprietor.2
During the special session of the legislature of 1860, two measures
were introduced in the House of Representatives for the establish-
ment of ferries across the Big Blue — bills numbered 250 and 310.
Rep. George G. Pierce, who sponsored No. 250, also presented a
petition signed by Samuel Loomis and others, asking for a ferry.
This petition was referred to the Committee on Roads and High-
ways, but on motion of Mr. Pierce it was withdrawn from that
committee and referred to the Committee on Incorporations and
Banking. Bill No. 250 was passed by the House and sent to the
Council where it was accorded a first and second reading and
referred to the Committee on Incorporations. It was evidently
smothered there.3 Bill No. 310 was passed by both houses, but for
some unexplained reason failed to become a law.4
No further mention of the Manhattan Blue River Ferry has been
located other than a short item from the Manhattan Standard of
April 23, 1870, which stated that the ferry was located at the foot
of Poyntz avenue, and the following from a paper in a neighboring
county on the opposite side of the Kansas river:
The ferry at Manhattan is in charge of a perfect gentleman, assisted by
another man, a perfect numbskull, but neither gentlemanly cleverness nor
numskulling could run the boat over without all hands pulling hard, which
we did till our hands were blistered, and the sweat ran down like rain, but
received the consoling assurance that it would not always be so as the con-
tract for the stone work to a bridge had just been awarded to Messrs. Allison
for less than nine thousand dollars, that being the lowest bid by three thou-
sand six hundred dollars than the highest. The iron work was let to Mills
of Topeka. I was told that the whole cost of the bridge would be less than
thirty thousand. . . .5
Manhattan was located on the old military road from Fort Leav-
enworth to Fort Riley. Up to 1855 the bulk of the supplies for
Fort Riley were hauled over this road, crossing the Blue at a point
about four or five miles above the mouth of that stream and about a
2. Manhattan Express, September 2, 1861.
3. House Journal, 1860, special session, pp. 217, 226, 236, 297, 338; Council Journal,
1860, special session, pp. 321, 336.
4. House Journal, 1860, special session, pp. 320, 329; Council Journal, 1860, special ses-
sion, pp. 496, 520, 632.
5. Alma Herald, July 7, 1870.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 117
mile below what was known then as Rocky Ford. A bridge had
been built at this place by the government in 1854, which was car-
ried away by a flood in 1855. From that time on travel crossing
the stream depended on ferries. By 1860, however, plans were ma-
turning for a bridge at Manhattan to care for this traffic. Bills were
introduced in the House of Representatives during the special ses-
sion of the legislature that year, granting franchises for bridge com-
panies, but they failed of passage.6 However, work started on a
toll bridge some time during the year, which was completed in the
spring of the year following. The Manhattan Express, of April 20,
1861, stated that the bridge was nearing completion. This structure
was opened to travel on May 20, and on May 25 the Express printed
the following:
Travelers, the new bridge is in the crossing order; the citizens prefer to cross
the bridge — the reason why: 1st. It is safe, easier and more expeditious mode
of traveling than the antiquated way of ferrying. 2d. It cuts off one mile of
travel from Manhattan to the junction of the bridge and ferry roads. 3d. The
toll is only one-half the ferry rates. Z.
In 1864 high water and ice in the Blue must have damaged the
bridge, which was, evidently, a pontoon affair, thereby somewhat
disrupting mail service. A local paper early that year said: "The
ice is out of the river and the bridge back in its place, and the mud
has in a measure dried up, so we hope for no more delay of the
mails." 7
About three weeks later the same authority had this mention:
"The cold snap which commenced a week ago to-day, formed so
much floating ice in the Blue river, that it became necessary to
swing out the floating part of the bridge. Spring has come again
and the bridge will be returned to its old position to-day." 8
By 1867 plans were formed for a new bridge. On January 21,
1867, the Manhattan and Blue River Bridge Company was organized
for the purpose of building a bridge over the Blue river to be located
between the mouth of the river and a point one and one-half miles
upstream in T. 10, R. 8, and at or near the foot of Poyntz avenue,
or between the foot of Blue Mont Hill, or a point between the afore-
said named places. The company was capitalized at $40,000, with
shares $100 each, and proposed to erect a first-class Howe truss
bridge near the present highway north of the Union Pacific railroad.
The company was composed of representative Manhattan business
6. House Journal, 1860, special session, pp. 212, 400.
7. Manhattan Independent, February 8, 1864.
8. Ibid., February 29, 1864.
118 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
and professional men, which included Isaac T. Goodnow, Josiah M.
Pillsbury, S. D. Houston, S. G. Hoyt, John W. Pipher, John Pipher,
and Joseph Carney. Their charter was filed with the secretary of
state, March 6, 1867.9
On the organization of the new bridge company, a local paper
commented:
Another bridge is to be built over the Blue river at this place. Under the
general corporation act of the state, a company has been formed for the pur-
pose, and soon and joyfully we can take a final leave of ferries and boat
bridges. They were valuable in their day, and served a useful purpose, but
we have outgrown them and are prepared for better and bigger things.10
High water in the Blue again disrupted mail service in 1867, and
the newspaper summed up the situation thusly :
We have received no eastern mail since Wednesday; the floods have so
fiercely asserted their power. The railroad bridge over the Blue at this place
stands against the marvelous power of the onrushing flood. The bridges to the
west of us have not been so fortunate and their being swept away makes Man-
hattan the present terminus of the Union Pacific.11
By early March the pontoon bridge was running again,12 and it
served the community for the next few years.
In 1870 a demand for a free bridge was being agitated. The old
bridge company at this time was building a new toll bridge, and
apparently did not look with favor upon the free bridge proposition.
They applied to the court for an order restraining the township
from building a bridge at this place. The court, however, refused
to issue such an order. A pontoon bridge, spoken of as the Leffer
pontoon bridge, had been placed across the river to care for traffic
while the new one was being built. Construction work went ahead
during the summer and early fall, but when the fall rains commenced
work was seriously impeded by high water which carried away the
railway of the contractors doing the work, delaying completion
several weeks. On the completion of the new bridge the Leffer
pontoon was moved up the river and located where the old Barnes
ferry operated. One of the local papers was of the opinion the
pontoon bridge would be a benefit to the people of that section
even though it was a toll bridge, for a toll bridge was better than a
toll ferry.13 The toll bridge was completed early in the spring of
1871.
9. Corporations, v. 1, p. 301.
10. Manhattan Independent, February 9, 1867.
11. Ibid./ February 16, 1867.
12. Kansas Radical, Manhattan, March 2, 1867.
13. Manhattan Standard, October 23, 30, November 18, 1870; The Nationalist, Man-
hattan, January 13, March 31, 1871.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 119
Following the flood of 1903 in the Blue and Kaw rivers, per-
sons owning small boats did a land-office business transporting
individuals across the raging waters of both the Blue and Kaw.
Ferry boats were in demand at this time and there were none, so
Manhattan city and Riley county shared the expense of building
one for use on the Kaw, as every bridge in this vicinity over that
stream had been carried away. The bridge over the Blue survived
the flood, but it was left in an unsafe condition, needing repairs be-
fore it could be used.14
The following ferry item is taken from Riley county, " Commis-
sioners' Journal," v. 2, p. 99. As no location is given and no further
history located, the entry is given herewith: "On October 8, 1878,
John Cook applied for a ferry license for the Big Blue river. He was
required to give a satisfactory bond, when he was to receive a license
without cost. His toll rates were to be as heretofore established.1'
Pittsburg, slightly above Manhattan and almost opposite, had the
next ferry. This town was laid out in 1857 and was eight miles west
of Eldon. When Jones and Russell established their Leavenworth
and Pike's Peak Express line, which ran to Denver, Pittsburg became
a station on that line. Albert D. Richardson, correspondent of the
New York Tribune mentions passing through the village while on his
way to the mountains.15 In 1859 John Flagg received a license
from Riley county commissioners to operate a ferry at this point,
the settlement in March, that year, having but three houses.
The following is the only other reference we have found of the
Pittsburg ferry, and is taken from the printed diary of Christian L.
Long, of Selinsgrove, Pa., formerly of Newport, Pa., written in 1859,
on his trip to Pike's Peak:
Tuesday Mom, April 26th. Left Eldon 6% o'clock 8 miles to Pittsburg
till 11% o'clock where we had a stream to ferry which is called the big blue
could not cross on account of storm storm ceased at 4 o'clock crossed En-
camped on the west bank of the same on the outskirts of a town called
Manhattan.
Pittsburg was last shown on maps of about 1860, and has long
since been numbered among the dead and forgotten towns.
The next ferry project above Pittsburg was an enterprise known
as the Kansas Bridge and Ferry Company, organized March 9, 1866,
with a capital stock of $50,000, divided into shares of $50 each. The
incorporators were Isaac D. Clapp, John J. Boyd, John Landon,
John G. Otis and William P. Douthitt, and the principal office was
14. Manhattan Nationalist., June 4, 6, 8, 1903.
15. Richardson, Albert D., Beyond the Mississippi, p. 161.
120 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
at Topeka. This company was formed for the purpose of construct-
ing, operating and maintaining bridges and ferries across the Big
Blue river where the township line between 9 and 10 crossed the
river in Range 8, and within four miles above said point and below
to the point where the Blue forms a junction with the Kansas river.
This charter was filed with the secretary of state, March 9, 1866. 16
This location is approximately seven miles above the mouth of the
Blue, following the meanderings of the river. If the above company
built a bridge or operated a ferry, no record has been located by the
writer. Otis and Douthitt were prominent early residents of Shaw-
nee county, the former a paymaster in the United States military
service in 1863, and later a member of congress from the fourth
district. The latter was a prominent attorney of Topeka for many
years.
The next ferry upstream was located at the point where the road
from Manhattan to Cedar creek crossed the Blue. Cedar creek is
on the east side of the Blue and joins it in S. 30, T. 9, R. 8, about
one and one-half miles above the location of the Kansas Bridge and
Ferry Company, and approximately one mile almost due east of the
Juniata crossing. After having operated a ferry in the immediate
vicinity of Rocky Ford for several years, J. H. Barnes secured a
license for the Cedar creek location and established his ferry at that
point. The county commissioners on granting his license prescribed
the following rates of ferriage: "For four-horse team, 25 cents;
two-horse team, 20 cents; one-horse team, 15 cents; horseman, 10
cents; cattle, per head, 5 cents; footman, 5 cents." 17
Dyer's ferry, close to three miles above the Kansas Bridge and
Ferry Company location, and about four miles from Manhattan by
the old military road, was the next ferry location up the river, estab-
lished in 1853 by Samuel D. Dyer, a six-foot Tennesseean, for the
use of the government. Dyer had previously been employed by the
government at Fort Scott. He was an old man at this time, was the
first settler in Riley county, and built the first house, which has been
described as "one story high and three stories long." Dyer was pro-
slavery in sentiment, of the Methodist church, South, and said to
be upright, honest and of a kindly disposition.18 He had two sons,
Abraham and James, who helped with the boat. This ferry was
located on the east side of the Blue, on S. 30, T. 9, R. 7. A little
16. Corporations, v. 1, p. 102.
17. Riley county, "Commissioners' Journal," v. 2, p. 411.
18. Kansas Historical Collections, v. 4, pp. 246, 247; v. 12, pp. 426, 427.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 121
settlement sprang up at this place, known as Juniata, and sometimes
called "Dyer's town," the town consisting of a store or two and a
few cabins, in all about nine houses. Dyer operated this ferry for
a year or two, when the government built a bridge across the river
here, the first to span the Blue. The ferry was then discontinued,
travel going over the bridge. Early in 1855 a flood carried away
the structure.19 The quartermaster at Fort Riley built a new boat
and again asked Dyer to operate it. This Dyer did, beginning op-
erations without first having secured a license from Riley county
as required by law. He was penalized $200 by the county for this
neglect. This case was pending in the June, 1856, term of probate
court of Riley county, when friends of Dyer started circulating the
following petitions in his favor, which were eventually sent to the
governor :
To His Excelency the Governor of Kansas Territory:
We, the undersigned citizens of Riley county, would respectfully represent
that there is now a judgment now in the courts of said county which was
rendered at the last June [1856] term of the probate court by confession on
the part of S. D. Dyer against S. D. Dyer for keeping a ferry without a
license, and said judgment is for two hundred dollars. Now, we, the under-
signed citizens of said county, do not think that it was the intention [of] said
Dyer to violate any law or statute of this territory. And as he is an old and
poor man with a large family we would respectfully prey your Excellency to
remit said fine and judgment, or at least the largest portion of it, as it would
be extremely hard for him to pay the sum of two hundred dollars for so trivial
an offense when it was as he says unintentional [on] his part by remitting the
said fine you would do a favour to an old and good man and reflect the wish
of the people of Riley county.
Respectfully submitted this August the 16th, 1856.
Henry Whiteside C. R. MOBLY, one of the county commrs.
A. A. GARRETT, a justice of peace.
WM. C. DYER.
J. W. DYER.
A. C. ALLEN.
WM. F. ALLEN.
C. N. WlLSON.20
To His Excellency the Governor of Kansas Territory:
We the undersigned citizens of Riley county and Territory of Kansas, would
respectfully represent to your excellency that a judgment for two hundred
dollars is now pending against Samuel D. Dyer in favor of the people of Kan-
sas, obtained from the probate court of Riley county at the June term 1856
of said court, as a penalty for keeping a ferry on Blue river in said county of
Riley for a short time without a license from the commissioners of said county.
19. Ibid., v. 12, p. 426.
20. Original document in Archives division, Kansas State Historical Society.
122 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Your petitioners would represent that the facts under which said ferry was kept
are as follows: After the bridge across Blue river was destroyed the govern-
ment built a ferry boat and the quartermaster at Fort Riley proposed to said
Dyer that if he would attend to said boat and transport all government teams
free of charge, he should have the privilege of taking pay from citizens. Your
petitioners would further represent that while he kept said boat it was not his
intention to violate any laws of the Territory, but honestly believed that the
quartermaster had the power and authority to establish and protect said ferry,
that he acted in good faith and without any other motive, as soon as he was
convinced it was a violation of the laws said boat as a ferry was discontinued
by your petitioners and a license obtained from the county and in view of
these facts your petitioners would ask your excellency to remit the fine against
him.
S. D. Houston A. B. Lee J. S. Williams
Tunis I. Roosa J. M. McCormick S. B. Williams
Ira Taylor C. P. McDonal Zebulon Avey
J. R. McClure Grange Miller Henry Whiteside
John Pipher Samuel Fowler H. B. Nealy
W. Chiltoon Phillip Weiner H. B. Naly
Chas. Barnes M. A. Garrett C. N. Wilson
John W. Pipher Jos. Legore David Hayse
Thomas Reynolds George Tilton William Hanna
G. W. Lee R. S. Hays Samuel Hayse
E. M. Newell G. W. Eubank William C. Dyer
A. Williams 21
It would be interesting to know the outcome of this matter, but
no records of the governor's office turned over to the Archives divi-
sion of the Historical Society have any further mention of the
matter.
Samuel D. Dyer and family are listed in the 1855 census, pages
7 and 8, as residents of the tenth district. His occupation is given
as farmer, age 50, born in Missouri. His wife's name was Pamelia,
age 40, born in Missouri. Eight children were listed, as follows, all
born in Missouri: William C., [over] 21; Abraham 0., [over] 21;
Lydia, [over] 21; Enoch P., James D., Martha Ann, Sarah, and
Mary, minors. The census of 1857 lists two more of the Dyer
family who were voters: John N. Dyer and E. P. Dyer. These
records are in the Archives division, Kansas State Historical Society.
Dyer must have operated his ferry till about 1858, when a new
bridge was completed across the Blue. The first election in what is
now Riley county, on March 30, 1855, was held at his house. He
was commissioned justice of the peace, October 15, 1856, for Dyer
township, which was named for him. His death occurred sometime
during the year 1875.
In 1867 necessity must have arisen for another ferry across the
21. Ibid.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 123
Blue, for the Manhattan Independent of July 27, contained the
following: "A new ferry is about to be established on the Blue, just
below Rocky Ford. It will be a great convenience to travelers who
frequent the Blue river valley. Judge Chaffee gives $100 towards its
establishment, and Mr. Collins, an old friend of ours from Exeter,
N. H., is building the boat."
Reminiscent of the old ferry is the following from the Rooks
County Record, Stockton, of August 18, 1932, which gives the ex-
periences of Dr. J. Seleen, pioneer pastor in the Swedish community
of Mariadahl:
The Big Blue was a menace in those days. ... In normal weather one
could cross the river in places on horseback, but when high water came it was
impassable. The first year I paddled across hi a hollowed out tree trunk,
which was a great risk at times. Later, some of the more progressive farmers
got together and made a good row boat which held seven or eight persons.
Then, after a year or two, came the ferry.
The site of Dyer's town or Juniata, later came into the possession
of Gen. J. S. Casement, whose son, Dan Casement, owns it to-day,
being known as the Juniata stock farm.
Dyer's ferry equipment appears to have been moved about a mile
upstream, close to the Rocky Ford crossing,22 after it passed out of
his control. No clue to ownership has been located between that
time and 1871, when J. H. Barnes was operating a ferry about a
mile above the old Juniata crossing and a short distance below
Rocky Ford.
Rocky Ford, something over a mile above the Juniata crossing,
was the most important crossing of the Blue in Riley county, and
within a mile or so above and below this point the bulk of travel
reaching Manhattan and settlements beyond passed over the river
between these limits. A dam was built across the river just below
this ford to furnish waterpower for a mill. The "pond" produced
by this backwater early became one of the favorite swimming holes
for the young urchins of the very early 1870s. Their apparent dis-
dain of swimming suits together with a reckless display of nudism
virtually prohibited city ladies from riding out and crossing the
river in the cool of the evening, which prompted a local paper to call
on the city authorities to put a stop to the practice.23
A bridge with a 241 foot span was built at Rocky Ford in 1890. 24
Barnes' ferry must have played quite an important role in the
22. Location given in Everts' Atlas of Kansas, p. 84, as S. 30, T. 9, R. 8.
23. The Nationalist, Manhattan, June 23, 1871.
24. Randolph Enterprise, May 1, 1890.
124 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
business activities of Manhattan, for the Independent, of January
13, 1871, contained the following:
BARNES' FERRY. — The citizens of Manhattan township by a very decided
majority voted to pay seventy or eighty thousand dollars to build bridges
across the Blue and Kansas rivers. It was supposed to be a good investment
for Manhattan, on the ground that it would lead great numbers to do their
trading here who now go elsewhere. It is to be hoped that it was but the
commencement of a systematic effort to improve the avenues leading to town.
There is not a road leading from town but needs improvement. There are
places in them all which, at certain seasons, are almost impassable for want
of ditching or bridging. A little money spent in improving these roads would
bring in a great deal of trade that we now lose, and would lead to a more
rapid settlement and development of the country. But we commenced to
write about a ferry — not roads.
Barnes' ferry, just below the Rocky Ford, affords the only convenient means
that large numbers of people have of getting to town during high water. As
many as five hundred teams have crossed in one month — besides those who
crossed on yearly tickets. And yet there is no legal road leading from the
ferry to town. The owners of the land can at any time fence up the tracts
on which the road now runs. Moreover, there are two bad places in the road
during wet weather, and no one feels encouraged to improve them because of
the fact that the road may any day be forced elsewhere, or entirely closed.
Mr. Barnes asks that a road be laid from the point where Mr. Phillips' line
intersects the Blue river road, along said line to his ferry, and we have reasons
to believe that if a road is once permanently located there, it will be properly
drained and kept in order. He asks no money from us — only a right of way.
Shall he not have it?
February and March, following hard winters, were anxious months
for those operating ferries. A sudden warm spell, followed by a
good rain, was almost sure to cause the ice to break, often forming
dams, causing the river to rise rapidly, overflow bottom lands, and
in many instances carrying away ferry boats as the ice went out.
This condition obtained early in 1871, and is described in the fol-
lowing:
The rain of Thursday night, last week, raised the Big Blue considerably.
Again ice from the upper waters of the stream formed at the horseshoe bend
about seven miles north of the city, and the result was a general inundation of
the riparian region thereabout, resulting in no serious damage, however, as
far as we have learned. Monday night the ice gave way and swept in a flood
down stream. The boat at Paul's ferry was torn loose from its moorings and
carried down the river several hundred yards, where it fortunately lodged
against a couple of trees in such a way as to be easily returned to its place,
and that, too, uninjured. What became of the boat at Barnes' ferry we
did not learn. The ice passed the piers of the new bridge here without doing
any injury to them.25
25. The Nationalist, Manhattan, February 24, 1871.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 125
On March 16, 1871, the Barnes family and others formed a com-
pany for the purpose of operating a ferry at this location above
Rocky Ford. The incorporators were J. H. Barnes, S. B. Barnes,
Charles Barnes, S. V. Lee and N. D. Norton. Capital stock of the
company was placed at $3,000, with shares $50 each. This location
was in S. 30, T. 9, R. 8E., and Manhattan was the principal place
of business. Their charter was filed with the secretary of state,
March 17, 1871.26
J. H. Barnes apparently was out of the ferry business by 1874, at
which time he was operating a lime kiln. This year there appeared
to be need of another ferry north of the Juniata crossing, and The
Nationalist of July 17 suggested that Mr. Barnes was the man to
put it in operation as he had been in the ferry business before.
C. Gearhart probably succeeded to the ferry business at this point.
The Nationalist, Manhattan, early this summer, printed the follow-
ing regarding the matter:
We understand that what is known as Barnes' ferry has been removed to
a point above the dam at Rocky Ford, Mr. Gearhart still continuing to run it,
however. We presume that this will result in the putting in of a ferry at the
old Juniata crossing, east of the mouth of Cedar creek. To persons residing
on the east side of the Blue above Cedar, a ferry at that point would shorten
the round trip to Manhattan some three or four miles, which is certainly worth
saving. We have heard it intimated that Mr. Downing may move his ferry to
that point.
County commissioners' proceedings of July 21, 1874, recite that
C. Gearhart petitioned to run a ferry on the Blue at a location about
twenty rods above Rocky Ford. He filed the necessary bond and
his petition was granted.27
The following is the last mention we have located of Gearhart's
ferry :
GEARHART'S FERRY. — This ferry has been removed from the millpond back
to its old place, (near Mr. Barnes') and is now in running order. Mr. Gearhart,
who is a very worthy and industrious man, will be very happy to accommodate
the traveling public who wish to cross the Blue in that neighborhood. We
understand that there are now two outlets to the ferry — one by way of Childs'
and one by Dodge's.28
John Johnson was the next person to operate the ferry near the
Rocky Ford dam. He filed a bond for the faithful performance of
ferry duties, was granted a license on August 7, 1876, and was al-
lowed to charge the same rates of ferriage as were granted to C.
26. Corporations, v. 3, p. 211.
27. The Nationalist, Manhattan, July 31, 1874.
28. Ibid., March 3, 1875.
126 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Gearhart. Two years later he applied for another license, filed the
requisite bond, and was granted a license without cost. Ferry rates
were to remain as already established.29
No record of ferry licenses for this location between 1877 and
1880 have been located. On November 12, 1881, John Chalmers
was granted a license for the location known as the Rocky Ford
dam.30 No further mention of Chalmers' ferry has been located.
It probably was discontinued at the expiration of its license in
November, 1882.
Jefferson Brown, on October 6, 1884, presented a petition for a
license to operate a ferry at or near the General Casement farm,
known as the Rocky Ford ferry, which was granted, his ferriage
rates to be the same as at the Joseph Hays ferry.31
Riley county records of 1888 contain the last mentions of the
Barnes ferry. On January 5, that year, Sam Gardner was granted
a ferry license and allowed to charge the following rates: "Crossing
a two-horse team, one way, 20 cents; four-horse team, one way, 25
cents; horse and buggy, 35 cents; man and horse, 15 cents; footman,
5 cents; loose cattle or norses, per head, 5 cents." 32
On October 11, 1888, William Harrison received a license to run
the Barnes ferry, his rates to be as follows: "Four-horse team, 25
cents; two-horse team, 20 cents; one horse and buggy, 15 cents;
footmen, each, 5 cents; loose cattle, per head, 5 cents; loose hogs,
per head, 3 cents." 33
Paul's ferry, operated by J. W. Paul, was probably the next ferry
upstream. It was located at about the SE1^ S. 24, T. 9, R. 7, which
was approximately one mile almost due north of Rocky Ford. This
crossing was being operated as early as 1871 — perhaps earlier — al-
though no record of a license for it has been located. The earliest
mention of this enterprise was in 1871. When ice in the Big Blue
broke up in February, that year, the boat was carried downstream
for some distance, finally lodging against some trees, where it was
later retrieved and returned to its place undamaged.34
Early in March, 1872, an individual arrived at this ferry while
the ferryman was at dinner. Being impatient to cross at once he
hopped into the skiff to work his own way across. When in mid-
stream the boat went off and left him hanging onto the cable. His
29. Riley county, "Commissioners' Journal," v. 2, pp. 28, 99.
30. Ibid., v. 2, p. 233.
81. Ibid., v. 2, p. 368.
32. Ibid., v. 3, p. 11.
33. Ibid., v. 3, p. 49.
34. The Nationalist, Manhattan, February 24, 1871.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 127
calls for help attracted the ferryman who arrived and wanted to
know what had become of the boat. The unfortunate victim pointed
down stream, whereupon the ferryman exacted a promise to pay
$6 for the old cottonwood boat before he would take him out of the
water. The promise was given and faithfully carried out.35 This
ferry is shown on the map of Riley county, in Everts' Atlas of Kan-
sas, pp. 84, 85. Mr. Paul is listed in the census of Riley county for
1875 as a resident of Grant township, a farmer, age 37, born in
Missouri; wife, Nancy J., age 33, born in Missouri; six children —
Charles, 13, born in Missouri; Mary E., 11 ; John W., 9; Hester J., 5;
Martha, 2; and Julia 3/12, the last five being natives of Kansas.
Downing's ferry, run by J. M. Downing, apparently was the next
one functioning at this point, being operated early in 1872. The
first mention of this ferry we have located is the following:
We learn that Mrs. Legore and her three sons, in returning from Man-
hattan to her home on Mclntire creek, Pottawatomie county, on Monday
night, lost three horses, under the following circumstances: They reached
Downing's ferry, on the Blue, at about 10 o'clock, and went down the hill
pretty fast, the ferryman says. It is said the boat has no apron, and when
the wheels struck its front beam, which was high from the ground, it was
pushed out into the river by the concussion. The wagon on not rising into
the boat dragged the horses back into the river, and they with the running
gear, were carried under the ice by the current. The wagon box floating
enabled the occupants to save their lives by jumping upon the ice.36
A subsequent issue of the above paper stated that but two horses
were lost, and that there was but one of Mrs. Legore's sons and a
young man along at the time of the accident.
In July, 1873, Mr. Downing presented his petition for a license
to run a ferry on the Big Blue on the line between the farms of
Joseph Hays and Charles Sturgeon.37 His petition was granted
and rates of toll fixed as follows: "Two horses and wagon, 25
cents; each additional horse, 10 cents; one-horse buggy, 10 cents;
single horse, 15 cents; loose cattle, 10 cents; foot passengers, 10
cents." 38
In 1873 an effort was made to get a bridge across Mclntire creek,
in the immediate vicinity of Downing's ferry. The following com-
munication gives an idea of what one of the taxpayers thought of
the proposition:
35. Ibid., March 8, 1872.
36. Ibid., January 26, 1872.
37. This location is on the SE% S. 24, T. 9, R. 7, and is shown in Historical Plat Book
of Riley County, p. 64.
38. Riley county commissioners' proceedings, in The Nationalist, Manhattan July 18
1873; Historical Plat Book of Riley County, p. 64.
128 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
SHALL THE BONDS BE VOTED?
To the Voters of Blue Township :
An attempt is to be made, on Monday, Sep. 8, to vote bonds to build a
bridge over the lower crossing of Mclntire's creek for the benefit of Downing's
ferry. Movements are on foot to establish a ferry a few miles above, and
another at the Rocky Ford mill, at points where depots on the M. & N. rail-
road will be located — and when they are established Downing's ferry will have
to be abandoned, thus rendering the bridge utterly useless.
If it was proposed to build the Mclntire bridge where the main road up
the Blue crosses the creek I would not object, for one would always be needed
there, but it does seem foolish — or worse — to build one where it is certain
to be speedily abandoned. The proposed bridge across Cedar is also needed,
but the desire to secure it ought not to lead the voters to absolutely throw
away a large sum.
Let us then vote down this proposition and build bridges only where they
are needed. And also insist that hereafter such bridge proposition stand on
its own merits. ELBOW. 39
Another item about this time stated that Downing's ferry would
probably be moved to the old location of the Juniata ferry crossing.
In 1875 a license was granted to A. Johnson to run a ferry at this
point, the permit also fixing rates of ferriage. For some reason, not
recorded in commissioners' minutes, this license was canceled, and
on the petition of Joseph Hays (or Hayes) the license was issued to
him. This location is recorded as on lot 5, S. 24, T. 9, R. 7E. Rates
of toll were to be the same as prescribed for Mr. Johnson.40
Mr. Hays, apparently, was running the ferry as late as 1885, al-
though no record of licenses issued to him for the years 1883 and
1884 have been located. His license was dated April 13, 1885.41
M. E. Bush was the next operator in charge of this ferry, his li-
cense being dated October 5, 1885. Ferriage rates allowed by the
commissioners were: Four-horse team, 25 cents; two-horse team,
20 cents; one-horse team, 15 cents; footman, 5 cents; cattle, per
head, 5 cents.42
Apparently the ferry was not running during the year 1886, at
least no record was found of any license issued. The next year W.
W. Graves obtained a permit, his license being dated April 11, 1887,
and authorizing him to collect toll rates as heretofore established.43
G. W. Sigman was next operator at this location, his license being
dated April 9, 1888, with same privileges as were accorded the pre-
39. The Nationalist, Manhattan, September 5, 1873.
40. Ibid., April 23, 1875.
41. Riley county, "Commissioners' Journal," v. 2, pp. 3, 51, 83, 114, 160, 199, 225, 402.
42. Ibid., v. 2, p. 423.
43. Ibid., p. 539.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 129
vious year. Mr. Sigman had scarcely operated his ferry for three
months when complaints were filed against him. On July 5, fol-
lowing, a petition was presented to the county board, asking that
Sigman's license be revoked. The board listened to the sworn testi-
mony of George Washington, D. A. White, G. W. Hill, Jacob
Springer, Rude Springer, Frank White and a Mr. Ninch, all of which
was against Mr. Sigman. The board laid the matter over to Sat-
urday, July 7, 1888, the action at that time being set forth as fol-
lows:
The matter of revoking the ferry license of G. W. Sigman came up for
hearing. The board had listened to the testimony on the day before of the
parties who wanted the license revoked, and after hearing the sworn testimony
of G. W. Sigman, the board decided to revoke the license of the said G. W.
Sigman. And the board made an order revoking said license from and after
the expiration of Saturday, July 7th, 1888.44
M. F. Osburn received the next license for this location, which
was dated October 1, 1888.45
Two more changes in operators are of record for 1889, the first
license being issued to L. C. Wiley on January 11, and the last to
Theodore DeNoyer, on October 16, who filed a $500 bond for the
faithful performance of his duties, and was allowed to charge rates
as heretofore fixed for this crossing.46
Unadilla, Pottawatomie county, was incorporated in 1858 by
Arnold B. Watson, Lorenzo Westover, M. C. Keith, Ambrose Todd
and S. Newells, and was mentioned in early Gazetteers as late as
1866-'67. In 1859 the legislature granted to Zach Curtis the right
to establish a ferry across the Big Blue at this place, having a five-
year privilege, with the right and power to land on either side of
the river. He was required to furnish a bond for $2,000, with good
and sufficient security, and collect ferriage rates as allowed by the
county board. This act was to take effect and be in force from and
after its passage. It received the approval of Gov. S. Medary on
February 2, 1859.— Private Laws, Kansas, 1859, pp. 100, 101.
Stockdale had the next ferry upstream. J. H. Callahan estab-
lished a ferry near there in 1887, receiving his license from the
county on April 11. While his license failed to state the location of
the ferry, Everts' Atlas of Kansas, page 84, indicates the ferry was
located on the SE1^ S. 33, T. 8, R. 7E, this being between five and
six miles northwest of Rocky Ford by wagon road, and approxi-
44. Ibid., v. 3, pp. 19, 36, 39.
45. Ibid., v. 3, p. 49.
46. Ibid., v. 3, pp. 77, 119.
9—3410
130 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
mately two or three miles farther following the river. Callahan's
ferry was authorized to collect tolls as follows: Four-horse team, 25
cents; two-horse team, 20 cents; one-horse team, 15 cents; one man
and horse, 5 cents; loose cattle, per head, 5 cents; footman, 5 cents.47
Riley county records show that Callahan took out licenses for the
years 1888, 1890, and the last in 1896.48
A ferry was operated for a time at the town of Garrison, Potta-
watomie county. This crossing was about eight miles by river above
Stockdale, and a little shorter by road. The village dates back to
territorial days, Dr. J. P. Root introducing a bill in the council
during the session of the legislature of 1858 for its incorporation. No
mention of ferry licenses for this location has been found, but a ferry
is indicated on a plat of the county, located on the NW1/^ S. 7, T. 8,
R. 8E., the west landing being on land owned in 1881 by R. G.
Allen.49
Apparently other ferries operated at or near Garrison at different
times. Under the head of "Garrison Locals" the Randolph Echo of
May 2, 1883, printed the following: "The ferry boat recently pur-
chased by Mr. Webber is now in good running order."
Randolph, about five and one-half miles by road and a mile
farther by river, had the next ferry. This ferry was different from
any other on the river, inasmuch as it was a community affair instead
of a private one. The charter, as filed with the secretary of state,
was as follows:
RANDOLPH FERRY
We, the citizens of the town of Randolph in Riley county, Kansas, assembled
on this 3d day of June, 1878, do organize ourselves into a ferry corporation
to be known as the Randolph Ferry Company, for the purpose of legally
holding any real estate or other property that may come into its possession
for the use of said company.
The place in which all of its business shall be transacted shall be' in the
town of Randolph, Riley county, and state of Kansas.
The term for which said corporation is to exist shall be for (20) years.
The number of trustees of said corporation shall be five, to be elected an-
nually by ballot, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in April each
year.
At a meeting of said company held in the said town of Randolph on the
third day of June, 1878, the following-named trustees were duly elected:
Milton Foreman, John Chelander, John W. Nelson, Axel Axelson and Wm.
Pierson. The residence of said trustees is in Randolph, Riley county, Kansas.
47. Ibid., v. 2, p. 540.
48. Ibid., v. 3, pp. 19, 90, 170, 496.
49. Council Journal, 1858, p. 83; Historical Plat Book of Riley County, p. 55.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 131
The capital stock of said company shall be five hundred dollars, to be
divided into one hundred shares of five dollars each.
The aforesaid company was organized for the purpose of operating a ferry
across the Big Blue river, at or as near as possible or practical to the said
town of Randolph.
Signatures of five members of said company. A. WIKANDER,
JOHN W. NELSON,
MILES REED,
JOHN F. BECKMAN,
C. A. CHAPMAN.
State of Kansas, ) sg
Riley county, )
Be it remembered that on this 8th day of January, 1879, before me a notary
public, in and for said county and state aforesaid, came A. Wikander, John
W. Nelson, Miles Reed, John F. Beckman and C. A. Chapman, to me per-
sonally known to be the same persons whose names are affixed to the fore-
going instrument of writing, and duly they acknowledged the same.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notary
seal on the day and year last above written.
[Seal] Wm. Condray, Notary Public.
Filed with the secretary of state, January 24, 1879.50
While the foregoing charter mentions no specific location for the
ferry, it is more than likely it was located on the SW^ S. 12, T. 7,
R. 7E., as the Historical Plat Book of Riley County, page 73, shows
a ferry for Randolph located at that point. Whether the community
ferry was a going concern or not we have not discovered. However,
on November 12, 1881, the ferry seemed to have passed into other
hands, for Elijah Holden was granted a license for a ferry near the
town where the public road leading from Randolph to Olsburg
crosses the river.51 The next license, dated April 8, 1884, went to
Elijah Holden and Joseph Hays.52 In 1885 and 1886 it went to
Mr. Holden, the ferry being located between sections 12 and 13, T.
7, R. 6, ferriage rates for 1886 being as follows: Footmen, 5 cents
each; man and horse, 10 cents; two-horse team, 20 cents; loose
cattle, per head, 5 cents.53
Holden's connection with this ferry apparently ended in 1887.54
On July 8, 1887, Peter Jacobson was granted a license for a ferry
at this location, being allowed to charge the same rates as accorded
to Holden.55 In 1888 the license was issued to N. S. Bergman.56 It
is probable this ferry was discontinued after 1888, as no further
50. Corporations, v. 9, pp. 810, 311.
51. Riley county, "Commissioners' Journal," v. 2, p. 233.
52. Ibid., v. 2, p. 345.
53. Ibid., v. 2, pp. 401, 446.
54. Ibid., v. 2, p. 589.
55. Ibid., v. 2, p. 586.
56. Ibid., v. 3, p. 44.
132 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
mention of Randolph ferry matters is recorded in the commissioners'
proceedings until July 6, 1903, the year of the big flood, when an
entry in the record recites:
The board agreed to make a donation of $200 for the erection of a ferry-
boat to be located over the Big Blue at Randolph, and further agreed to pay
the sum of $15 per month for the running of the same after February 1, 1904,
until such time as the bridge can be constructed and ready for travel.57
A move for a bridge at Randolph was started during the summer
of 1889. Bonds had been voted, materials ordered for the structure,
and work commenced that fall. A neighboring community paper,
which evidently had not kept posted on the situation, printed the
following:
Report reaches us that the bridge company to whom the Randolph bridge
contract was awarded will not accept the Jackson township bonds for security.
The reason for this we do not know and it may be a rumor. However, their
time is rapidly passing and no move is being made to build the bridge. —
Olsburg News-Letter, September, 1889.
This item called forth the following reply from the Randolph
Enterprise, of October 4, 1889: "This is somewhat of a surprise to
the people of Randolph and vicinity, as one carload of material is
here and work has been commenced. It will be quite a difficult task
to make us believe that we are not going to have a bridge."
Construction was pushed that winter, the Randolph Enterprise
of January 23, 1890, reporting that work was going ahead nicely —
the ice on the river facilitating the work. This bridge was com-
pleted and thrown open for travel about the first of May, 1890,
served the community for a number of years, until it was so dam-
aged by floods and the passing years that it had to be replaced.58
Mariadahl, between three and four miles by land and about twice
that distance by river above Randolph, had the next ferry.- This
was being operated early in the spring of 1883, perhaps earlier. The
first mention we have located is the following item from the Ran-
dolph Echo, of March 7, 1883:
One of our esteemed fellow citizens and an ex-captain of the Garrison
ferry boat had a slight unpleasantness last week. The difficulty growing out
of a settlement of accounts. It seemed there was a small balance due from our
citizen, but the question was, who was entitled to receive this money, the
owner of the boat or the ex-captain, part of it belonging to the former and
part to the latter.
The late commander concluded he would take his share in meat, and
wrapped his mouth around our citizen's nose. This plan of adjusting accounts
57. Ibid., v. 4, p. 286.
68. Ibid., v. 8, pp. 863, 494 ; Randolph Echo, March 13, May 1, 1890.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 133
has failed in this instance to give satisfaction. The said captain hasn't been
seen around to any considerable extent since. He bites like a beast.
Another mention of the ferry by the same authority, about a
month later says: "George Sender is tending the ferry here and
the traveling public can now be accommodated."
A petition for a ferry at or near Mariadahl was presented to the
Riley county commissioners in April, 1885, by E. Kallberg and
others, praying that Kallberg be granted a license to run a ferry.
Kallberg was granted a license upon his promise to furnish a good
and satisfactory bond, and was to be allowed to charge the same
rate of toll as the Holden ferry was charging. At the July, 1885,
meeting of the county commissioners, this license was revoked as
the said Kallberg failed to file a bond. It was ordered that the part
of the minutes of the April meeting granting license privileges to
Kallberg be stricken from the journal.59
On July 8, 1885, Peter Nelson applied for and was granted a li-
cense for a ferry at or near S. 5, T. 7, R. 7. This location is vir-
tually at the village of Mariadahl. In 1887 he also was given a
license.60
A ferry at Mariadahl is shown in Everts' Atlas of Kansas, p. 84,
as located on the SE1^ S. 32, T. 6, R. 7.
Riley county "Commissioners' Journal," volume 4, pages 295,
297 and 308, recite that in 1906 an effort was made to secure a
bridge for Mariadahl for the convenience of residents on the Potta-
watomie county side of the river. Riley county commissioners
were willing to put up $1,500 towards the project. Evidently this
amount was not deemed sufficient to induce township officials in
either county to enter into any contract work, and at the October
meeting of the county board this offer was rescinded.
Cleburne, about three and one-half miles above Mariadahl by land
and about four miles by the Blue, had the next crossing. On October
4, 1886, Magnus Vilander was granted a license to operate a ferry
at a point about eighty rods south of where the center line running
east and west of S. 15, T. 6, R. 7, crosses the Big Blue river. The
county board prescribed a scale of ferriage charges, but the records
do not give the particulars.61 Vilander also received licenses for
1887 and 1888, which apparently were his last. A bridge was under
construction at Cleburne in 1890. During the flood of 1903 an
emergency ferry was put in operation there, but details are lacking.
59. Riley county, "Commissioners' Journal," v. 2, p. 402.
60. Ibid., v. 2, pp. 411, 539.
61. Ibid., v. 2, p. 476.
1,'J4 TIN-; KANSAS HFKTOIUCAL QUARTERLY
On July 3, 1807, a charter affecting Marfihall county was taken
out by a company known as the Western Bridge and Ferry Com-
pany, the incorporations being Rufus R. Edwards, Joseph R. Staley,
Thomas W. Waterson and Jerome D. Brumbaugh. The com-
pany's headquarters was located at Marysville, and the capital
stock of the enterprise was $50,000, with shares at $50 each. The
company's object was to build bridges over the Blue river from the
point where the south line of the (Ho Indian reservation crossed the
Blue to a point southward where the township line between town-
ships five and six crosses the river, this being the southern boundary
line of Marshall county. The corporation also was granted the
privilege to build and maintain bridges on the Little Blue from the
point where the north line of Washington county crosses that river to
the mouth of the stream, or its confluence with the Big Blue. The
charter also desired exclusive privilege to build and maintain ferries
between the points above named. This document was filed with the
secretary of state July 6, 1867 .°2 Further history of this project
has not been located.
A ferry at the town of Merrimac, Marshall county, is shown on
a plat of that town surveyed in 1858 and filed with the United
Slates land office at Ogden. .John P. llatlerschcidt, of Leavenworth,
was president of the Merrimac Town Company, and 0. P. Barbour,
secretary. This townsite was located at the junction of the Black
Vermillion and Big Blue, about one and one-half miles north of the
Pottawatomie-Marshall county boundary, and approximately thir-
teen miles up river from Randolph, Riley county. No further his-
tory of this ferry has been located.68
Irving, about three and one-half miles north of old Merrimac, had
the next crossing, known as Shipp's ferry. The legislature o.f 1859
passed an act granting to James W. and William E. Shipp the right
to establish a ferry on S. 18, T. 5, R. 7, with exclusive authority to
land on either side of the Big Blue for one mile up and one mile
down from said point. They were to keep a good boat or boats at
the ferry sufficient to accommodate the traveling public. They were
to pay the usual tax to the county for this privilege, and the county
commissioners were to prescribe ferriage charges not less than the
rates usually charged at ferries. This act was approved by Gov.
Samuel Medary and was to take effect and be in force from and
after its passage.64
02. Corporation*, v. 1, p. 867.
68. Printed plat in possession of the Kansas State Historical Society.
04. Private Lawt, Kansai, 1869, pp. 100, 101.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 135
The Shipp brothers, Ambrose, Easton, Martin and James, settled
on the south side of the Blue in what is now Blue Rapids township
in 1857, not far from Irving of the present time. The following
year A. Barry, representative from Riley county, introduced a
bill — No. 331 — in the house of representatives, to incorporate the
Shipsport Town Company. James and W. E. Shipp and Geo. W.
Brown were the incorporators. The bill also provided for the estab-
lishment of a ferry, which was to be located between the mouth of
the Little Blue and the mouth of the Black Vermillion, in S. 18, T.
5, R. 7E., the same location as the ferry incorporated in 1859.65
House Bill No. 5, also introduced by Mr. Barry, likewise provided
for a ferry for Marshall county.66
No official record of a ferry at Blue Rapids has been located,
although one may have been run temporarily, as the following item
from the Blue Rapids Times of May 17, 1877, indicates: "Orville
Cooley launched a boat on the billowy Blue this week. It was
demanded in the interest of commerce and agriculture."
A pontoon bridge across the Blue at the Rapids served the needs
of the public during the summer of 1870. This, however, was swept
away during a flood late in October following. A neighboring town's
newspaper, describing conditions at this place shortly after, said:
"Since the pontoon bridge has been carried away at the Rapids, foot
passengers are carried over in a row boat. A cable ferry is con-
templated." 67
Marshall county is especially rich in historical associations.
Through this section, in territory included in townships two and
three, the vanguard of Oregon pioneers under Marcus Whitman and
others passed during the 1830s, marking a route known for many
years as the Oregon trail. Fremont passed through this section in
1842, while searching out a route for a railroad to the west, and
mentions passing a train or two of emigrants bound for Oregon.
The great Mormon exodus of 1847 also passed through the county,
opening a road while on their way to Utah. In 1847 and 1848 these
pilgrims rolled along this highway by the thousands, the throng
being increased by tens of thousands in 1849, when the immense
army of gold seekers started on their way to California. This
travel had scarcely begun to lag when it received new impetus in
the year 1858 through the discovery of gold in western Kansas in
65. Kansas State Board of Agriculture, Report 1877-1878, p. 298; House Journal, 1858,
p. 198.
66. House Journal, 1858, pp. 23, 67, 306.
67. Waterville Telegraph, September 30, November 4, 1870.
136 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
the Pike's Peak region. There was no let-up during the days of the
Pony Express and the Overland Stage, and not until the era of
railroad building, which followed closely on the termination of the
Civil War, was there any perceptible slump in travel going west.
Independence crossing was the earliest established on the Big
Blue, the name no doubt attaching from the large numbers of Mor-
mons from Independence, Mo., who crossed the river here on their
memorable trek to the west. All the early traffic through this sec-
tion crossed the river here, the travelers no doubt being obliged to
build their own ferry boats when the river could not be forded. In
1849 Francis J. Marshall established a ferry at this point, having
first received permission from the Indian agent to establish a trading
house, and authority from the military authorities at Fort Leaven-
worth to put in ferry boats also. This crossing is described as being
on S. 30 or 31, T. 3, R. 7E., being about five and one-half miles
south of present Marysville, and about one-half mile south of
Shroyer.68 There was a ford close to this point, but it was passable
only when the water in the river was low. Edwin Bryant accom-
panied an Oregon and California party over this route in May, 1846.
The Blue was at flood stage, and his party being anxious to proceed
without delay, they set to work to build their own ferry boats,
fashioning two dugouts each twenty-five feet long from cottonwood
logs about three and one-half or four feet in diameter. These
immense canoes were fastened together with a framework that al-
lowed the wheels of the wagons to fit into them. The ferryboat
being completed, the craft was launched, ropes fastened to each end
and floated down stream to the point of embarkation. As fast as the
boat was loaded men on the opposite side of the river pulled the
ferryboat across, this mode of transportation being kept up until
everything was taken across. On account of the rapidity of the
current, and the great weight of the wagons, much difficulty was
experienced. "One of the canoes was swamped on the western side
in drawing the third wagon from it. The damage, however, was soon
repaired and the work resumed. Nine wagons and their contents
were safely ferried over during the afternoon." . . . The next
day "the business of ferrying was resumed at an early hour, and con-
tinued with vigor until nine o'clock at night, all the wagons, oxen,
and horses were safely landed on the western bank of the river,
where our corral was formed." 69
68. Ibid., April 15, 1870; Kansas State Board of Agriculture, Report 1877-1878, pp.
295, 296.
69. Bryant, What I Saw in California, pp. 62-65.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 137
The Independence crossing was also known as the "lower cross-
ing." Marshall did a flourishing business here up to about 1853. 70
In 1849 Lieut. Howard Stansbury, surveying the route from Fort
Leavenworth to Great Salt Lake, located a more practicable cross-
ing on the Blue, about six miles above the Independence crossing.
The government opened a road to this place in 1850, and by 1851
and 1852 this upper road and crossing became the favorite one with
the traveling public. Here early in 1851 Marshall established his
second ferry, built a blacksmith shop, erected a store building and
established a store, carrying on a thriving business up to 1853,
travel up to this time being divided between his two ferries. The
ferry at this new location was situated about 100 yards below where
a bridge later spanned the river, while his trading houses were about
the same distance above the bridge location. Mr. John G. Ellen-
becker, of Marysville, in a letter to the author, says the ferry "was
about thirty rods above the present old bridge and sixty rods above
the ford in S. 29, T. 2, R. 7E." Marshall's store was as convenient
for the Otos and Pawnees as it was for emigrants to the west, and
many a dollar of the red man's money was spent at Marshall's for
ammunition, whisky, red flannel, bright-colored calicoes, and other
essentials to Indian life. Marshall spent his winters at his home in
Missouri, coming out to the Blue in early spring and operating his
ferries and trading business during the period of California emigra-
tion. Only an eye witness can have any idea of the magnitude of
the travel at this time, or any conception of the stirring scenes and
incidents transpiring in the vicinity of Marshall's during those
eventful years. A traveler starting out from St. Joseph in the
spring of 1852 said there were thousands of people there awaiting
their turn in crossing. The throng was so great that Marshall would
cross only wagons and people, compelling owners to swim their
stock or ford the river. His ferry boat accommodated three wagons
at a time, for which, up to 1852, he charged $5 a wagon, his rate
this year being $3 each. Fording stock was something of a risk at
times. Cholera had broken out along the road at this time, probably
having been brought by emigrants from the Missouri river boats.
A number of victims of this scourge had been buried this spring
in the vicinity of Marshall's.71
A California emigrant who reached Marshall's in mid-May, 1852,
wrote :
70. F. G. Adams, in Marshall County News, Marysville, February 22, 1873; Andreas,
History of Kansas, p. 914,
71. Marshall County News, Marysville, February 22, 1873; Andreas, History of Kansas,
pp. 917, 918.
138 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Upon the banks of this river is a post office, carried on, I believe, by private
enterprise. There is also a store, groceries, and many articles whereby a per-
son can refit if he is out of such articles that's necessary for the journey. The
Big Blue river is quite a stream of water and when it is high has to be ferried.
At the time of our crossing the water had fallen so as to be fordable. Al-
though a cold and wet morning the boys took to water like young ducks. The
ferry charges are $3 per wagon for crossing. At this point the traveler begins
to learn the reality of high prices, especially if he notices the diminution in
the weight of his pocketbook from time to time as he has to use it. There
are many new made graves upon the banks of this river, perhaps fifteen. We
overtook a large train at the ferry. They have near 100 passengers and have
lost (we have been informed) ten or fifteen. Put in wood and water and
pushed out into the open prairie, and near good grass. . . J2
Marshall was sole operator and owner of his ferry up to 1854,
when the Kansas-Nebraska bill was signed. The next year he took
a partner, one Albert G. Woodward, and applied to the territorial
legislature for a charter, which was granted. This act authorized
them to establish and maintain a ferry across the Big Blue at the
crossing of the great military road leading from Fort Leavenworth
to Forts Kearney and Laramie, and also a ferry at the crossing of
the Independence and California road across the Blue, with special
privileges from the south line of the Oto Indian reservation to a
point one mile below the crossing of the Independence road.73
Marshall's ferry charter gave him a monopoly on the business
along this most widely traveled route. In 1856 he was operating
both ferries, and his license granted by county commissioners sitting
at Palermo on June 2, that year, prescribed the following schedule
of rates for his two ferries: Loaded wagon and team, $3; empty
wagon and team, $1.50; carriage and two horses, $2; loose stock,
per head, 25 cents.
These rates were materially reduced this year by the commis-
sioners, the new schedule being: Crossing a loaded wagon, $1.50;
man and horse, 50 cents; footman, 25 cents; all stock at 25 cents
per head.74
In 1859 Marshall paid a tax of $25 for his ferry license, and the
commissioners on March 22 established the following rates: Four-
horse team and wagon, $1; two-horse team and wagon, 50 cents;
man and horse, 15 cents ; footman, 5 cents.
The above figures were again reduced by the commissioners at a
meeting held June 4, following: Two-horse wagon, 50 cents; four-
horse wagon, 75 cents; six-horse wagon, $1; loose cattle, per head,
72. Copy of manuscript of John H. Clark, in possession of author.
73. General Statutes, Kansas, 1855, p. 777.
74. Andreas, History of Kansas, p. 918.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 139
10 cents; hogs and sheep, 5 cents per head; footman, 5 cents; man
and horse, 30 cents.
On January 21, 1860, a new schedule affecting all ferries operat-
ing in the county went into effect and established the following as
the legal rates:
One yoke of cattle and wagon, $1; two yokes of cattle and wagon, $1.20;
three yokes of cattle and wagon, $1.65; four yokes of cattle and wagon, $2;
five yokes of cattle and wagon, $2.25; six yokes of cattle and wagon, $2.50;
two horses and wagon, $1; four horses and wagon, $1.50; six horses and wagon,
$2.50; loose animals, per head, 12^ cents; horse and rider, 25 cents; horse
and buggy, 50 cents; freight, per cwt., 3 cents.
By 1862 there must have been a demand for lower ferry charges,
for at the January meeting of the county commissioners rates were
again revised, this time downward, as follows:
For United States mail coach, 40 cents; two yoke of cattle and wagon, 75
cents; four yoke of cattle and wagon, $1.25; six yoke of cattle and wagon,
$1.50; two horses and wagon, 50 cents; four horses and wagon, 75 cents; loose
cattle, per head, 5 cents; horse and rider, 10 cents; footman, 5 cents.
Marshall was connected with the ferry business until about 1858,
when he joined a party of gold seekers and set out for the Pike's
Peak region, leaving his brother-in-law, Henry D. Williams, in
charge of his trading house and ferry. After the Leavenworth and
Pike's Peak Express route was moved north from the Kaw Valley
to the old Oregon-California trail which ran through Marysville,
Mr. Williams was made a division superintendent of the line.75
Williams, a native of Missouri, was twenty years old in 1860.
The town of Marysville had been laid out by Marshall in 1855,
and the territorial legislature that year passed an act incorporating
the Marysville Town Company. Franklin G. Adams, a resident of
Marshall county in the early 1870's, gives this description of early
Marysville and Marshall's ferry:
During the Pike's Peak rush in 1859, Marysville was a lively place. Early
in the spring the ferry was thronged with travelers to the gold regions. Later
these travelers began to return. Thousands started back, without ever reach-
ing the mountains. Supplies they had bought to take along with them were
sold and almost given away at Marysville and elsewhere. At the ferry this
spring a tragedy occurred. Several hundred returning Pike's Peakers had
gathered on the west side of the river. Incensed at everybody who had profited
by what had proven their misfortune, they charged that General Marshall, the
owner of the ferry, had been one of the leading instruments in circulating the
fabulous accounts of the riches of the Colorado mines. He had, they said,
done it in order to make traffic at his ferry and at his town. They therefore
75. Colorado Magazine, Denver, v. 8, p. 232.
140 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
resolved that, as he had made money enough out of them as they went west,
they had a moral right to free ferriage in returning. A part of them took
possession of the boat, arresting and confining the ferryman. Word came of
the fact to Henry Williams, brother-in-law of Marshall, in whose control the
ferry had been left. Hastening to the boat, he demanded that it should be
given up. His demand being resisted, he deliberately shot and killed two of
the usurpers, when the others quickly abandoned the boat. Lawful ferriage
was thereafter paid. Williams was indicted for the killing, but was not con-
victed.™
Marshall, in a letter to J. S. Magill, of Marysville, written during
the summer of 1895, about four months before his death at Denver,
November 23, 1895, gives the following account of the establish-
ment of his trading house and ferry:
In the early settlement of Kansas, it is to be remembered, I established a
trading post at the government crossing of the Big Blue river on the road
leading to the great west, over which went all the travel starting from Fort
Leavenworth and all other points below old Fort Kearney on the Missouri
river to new Fort Kearney, Fort Laramie and all the Indian country, Utah,
Oregon, Washington and the great emigration to California, which meant at
least five thousand to ten thousand people a day from April to July. Over
this route went the great Pony Express enterprise to California, which the
country now knows partially led to the building of the Union Pacific Railroad.
Most of the time the river could be forded, but often for six weeks at a time
it could not be crossed except by means of the ferry. This was one of the
greatest thoroughfares which the country has ever known.
I applied to the Indian agent for the privilege of establishing a ferry and
trading post at the point where Marysville now stands. It was in the Indian
country, and there was no particular agent having jurisdiction over this part
of the Indian lands. He informed me that it was the battleground of the
different tribes when at war with each other, hence a dangerous place for the
establishment of a trading post, as I proposed.
I then applied to Major Ogden, the quartermaster at Fort Leavenworth,
for a contract with the government to put in boats, build ware- and' store-
houses and to supply troops returning from the western forts in the winter
time, and he protested that on account of its dangerous proximity to the
ground described such an establishment might not last long without military
protection. I expressed myself, however, as willing to arrange for my own
protection, to which he afterward gave his consent. On securing his permission,
I proceeded at once, bought a piece of artillery, mounted it, loaded my wagons
and was on my way to the Big Blue crossing at the point referred to within
twenty-four hours after my contract with the government. This arrangement
was universally concurred in by the officers at Fort Leavenworth. Colonel
Sumner, who then commanded the Second dragoons and who afterwards com-
manded a division in the late war, and Lieutenant Stuart, who was his
quartermaster on expeditions into the Indian country in the spring and sum-
mer and afterwards known as the rebel General Stuart, of the Black Horse
cavalry, on returning late in the fall crossed at this point, always required
76. Marshall County News, Marysville, March 1, 1873.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 141
supplies for his soldiers and horses, knew of the facts in connection with my
enterprise, and I had their hearty cooperation. ... In 1851 the Big Blue
river rose to the top of its banks, and perhaps this fact had something to do
with the facility with which I secured permission from the government officers
to carry out my plans for establishing a ferry, etc.77
Mrs. Forter in her history gives additional history of Marshall:
F. J. Marshall established a ferry at that point and for a time the place
was known as Marshall's ferry. Business thrived and Marshall brought his
wife, Mary Williams Marshall, to live here and named the place Marysville
in her honor. It will be recalled that in his letter to Judge Magill, Marshall
says, "There were five to ten thousand people at this point daily." A careful
research shows that about seventy-five thousand people traversed this county
and crossed the Blue river either at the lower crossing or at the crossing here,
from 1846 to 1856. So it is safe to say Marysville has never had an equal
number of inhabitants since that time.
Horace Greeley mentions an incident that occurred at this ferry
in 1859. Writing from Manhattan under date of May 24, he said:
. . . Let me close with an incident which is currently reported through-
out this region as having recently taken place at a crossing of the Big Blue,
known as Marysville (of course not the Marysville of Bull creek), some sixty
miles north of this place.
A party of disheartened gold seekers, it is said, were returning from the
plains, and came to this ferry, which they insisted on crossing without payment,
saying they had no money. The ferrymen refused to take them over until
paid (another account says he asked them an exorbitant price) when they
attempted to take the boat and put themselves across — whereupon he drew
his revolver, they drawing almost at the same instant. He was, of course,
riddled with balls, and fell dead, but not until he had either killed or severely
wounded five of his assailants 78
Marysville was the most important point on the old Oregon-
California road in Kansas after leaving the Missouri river. It was
the starting point as well as the terminus of a number of roads.
The legislature of 1855 established the first territorial road to this
place, which started from a point opposite St. Joseph, Mo., to the
town of Richmond, on the Great Nemaha, thence to the town of
Woodson on the Vermillion, and on to Marysville.79 Another ran
from Marysville to Council Grove.80 The military road from Fort
Leavenworth to Fort Laramie, as far as Marysville, and passing
through the counties of Leavenworth, Atchison, Brown, Nemaha,
and Marshall, was declared a territorial road.81 Another ran from
77. Extracts from letter of Francis J. Marshall to J. S. Magill, secretary of the Marshall
County Old Settlers' Pioneer Association, dated Denver, July 22, 1895, and published in
Forter's History of Marshall County, Kansas, pp. 65, 66.
78. Greeley, An Overland Journey, p. 59.
79. General Statutes, Kansas, 1855, p. 957.
80. Laws, Kansas, 1857, p. 178.
81. Ibid., p. 174.
142 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Marysville by way of Richmond, or the geographical center of
Nemaha county, thence to Claytonville on sees. 15 and 22, T. 3,
R. 17, in Brown county, thence to Troy, Wathena, and Roseport,
opposite St. Joseph.82 In 1859 a road was laid out from Elwood to
Marysville by way of Wathena;83 another started from the Blue
river, running west on the First Standard Parallel to the Republican
river;84 another, running from Elwood, up Peter's creek, by way of
Troy, Lewis' crossing of Wolf river, Highland, Hiawatha, Seneca
and Marysville was declared a territorial road;85 another, estab-
lished in 1861, ran from Marysville to New Hope, via Washington;86
another ran from Atchison, via Kennekuk and Granada to Seneca,
thence by one branch to Marysville, and, by another branch via Ash
Point, Guittard and Oketo, to the Nebraska line ; 87 another ran
from Marysville, by way of St. George to Wabaunsee;88 another
ran from Fort Leavenworth to Marysville, by way of Holton and
Nottingham ; 89 another ran from Marysville via Washington, thence
by a westerly course up Mill creek to some practicable point on the
Republican river.90 The legislature of 1863 passed an act declaring
the road leading from Seneca, on the township line west to S. 36 , T.
3, R. 7E., thence west by north to Marysville, to intersect the in-
corporated limits of Marysville on the east of Broadway street in
that town, thence west to the most suitable point for a bridge across
the Blue river, thence to follow the old military road to S. 2, T. 2,
R. 5E., in Washington county, thence to follow the old military
road to the north line of the state of Kansas, be made a state road.91
The next ferry location on the Big Blue was at Oketo, close to
the Oto Indian reservation, this being about ten miles above
Marysville by the river and about two miles less by land. The
legislature of 1859 passed an act granting to Henry W. Poor, V. C.
Poor and Robert M. Smith the right to keep a ferry at this town
for a period of ten years, having exclusive rights from the north
line of S. 14, T. 1, R. 7, to the south line of S. 26, T. 1, R. 7, including
three miles up and down the river. Ferriage rates were to be fixed
82.
Ibid.
p. 179.
83.
Ibid.
1859, p.
584.
84.
Ibid.
p. 585.
85.
Ibid.
p. 593.
86.
Ibid.
1861, p.
248.
87.
Ibid.
p. 248.
88.
Ibid.
p. 248.
89.
Ibid.
p. 247.
90.
Ibid.
1865, p.
243.
91.
Ibid.
1863, p.
86.
ROOT: FERRIES ix KANSAS 143
by the county. This act was approved by Gov. S. Medary February
10, 1859, and became effective from and after its passage.92
The following is the earliest mention of this ferry we have located :
A company, known as Poor, Whitehead and others, have built a ferryboat
and laid out a town some ten miles above here, on the Blue, and have located
a road from that point east, intersecting the military road at Ash Point, and
are directing emigrants by their ferry, telling them it is twenty-five to thirty
miles nearer than by the old road. Moses Blanchett, one of the principal men
of Ash Point, was directing traffic right straight on the old road, which con-
flicted with the interest of those living upon the new road.
Last Wednesday a body of armed men arrived at Ash Point from the new
road, and informed Blanchett that he must either quit working on the road
or they would clean him out ; and commenced pulling coats and making other
fighting demonstrations. Blanchett then procured a shot gun and returned
to the store where the mob was collected, when he was informed by them he
must quit working for the old road or leave the country. Blanchett told
them he should do as he pleased, when Wilson, with his coat off, approached
him, and Blanchett told him to keep off, or he would shoot him. "Shoot and
be d d," was the reply, and Blanchett discharged the gun at him, the shot
entering his breast and killing him instantly. Blanchett then fled and was
pursued the next day by a large party who intended to hang him on the first
tree if overtaken.93
Frank A. Root, in his Overland Stage to California mentions this
ferry. He says that the Holladay stages, which previously had run
via Guittard's station through Marysville, were, in the fall of 1862,
run over a " cut-off" Holladay had built from Guittard's, via Oketo.
This road was known as the "Oketo cut-off," and was laid out by
Holladay to spite Marysville. About the middle of October, 1862,
stages began running over the "cut-off" in spite of anything Marys-
ville people could do about it. Holladay evidently had first secured
permission from the Post Office Department to change the stage
route to the new road on which he and other interested parties had
expended a lot of money. He had a suitable ferry boat built for
crossing the river during periods of high water; and had put in
bridges and culverts over small streams and ravines. Naturally
Marysville was indignant at the change. The town had been getting
mail three times a week by stage. For a month afterwards they
were almost without service. Then a man was hired to bring it from
Guittard's by horseback three times a week. A petition to the
Post Office Department asking for a daily service by coach brought
a reply cutting the service to a semi-weekly delivery by horseback.
A second petition was sent, when service was cut down to once a
92. Private Laws, Kansas, 1859, p. 114.
93. Marysville Platform, copied in Kansas State Record, Topeka, June 2, 1860.
144 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
month. A third petition was forwarded after which service was
discontinued. For some time after that mail was forwarded by
oxteam and freight train from Guittard's to its destination. Finally
Marysville hired a man to carry it regularly between the two points.
Missouri river papers from St. Joseph, Leaven worth and Kansas
City were often a month old when received at Marysville. Marys-
ville, however, got even for this injustice. During a flood in the
Blue the ferryboat at Oketo was cut loose during the night and
floated away, causing considerable annoyance and delay in the
operation of the stage line. Later, parties unknown during the night
dug a ditch across the cut-off road, and tore up a stone crossing in
a bad slough. That night the west bound stage came along, and
the driver not seeing the ditch in the dark, drove into it, the severe
jolting that ensued throwing him off the seat and to the ground. A
general of the United States army was a passenger at the time and
received a good shaking up. He asked the cause of this sudden stop
and the driver explained it was probably on account of the ill feeling
of Marysville for Holladay. The general at once wrote to the com-
manding officer at Fort Leavenworth for troops to protect the over-
land mail line and stage company's property. A few days later a
detachment of the Third Wisconsin cavalry was sent out, making
its headquarters at Marysville, after which time further trouble
ceased. The cut-off was abandoned after about four and one-half
month's use and the stages again ran through Marysville on March
4, 1863.94
Mr. John G. Ellenbecker, of Marysville, furnishes the following
regarding the Oketo ferry:
The Oketo cut-off was laid out in 1861 and 1862 by Ben Holladay, and his
agents, no doubt, put in a ferry at old Oketo, one-half mile south of the
present Oketo, in 1860 or 1861, and provisions were made to cross the stages
over the Big Blue at that place especially during high water. There was,
however, a good ford there. This point was located in S. 14, T. 1, R. 7E.
Since Whitehead was in the employ of Holladay, no doubt the ferry company
you speak of — Poor, Whitehead & Co. — were the employes of Holladay. That
Poor was Val Poor who came to the Oketo country in 1857. So no doubt the
first ferry at Oketo was started by October, 1862, when Holladay's coaches
began to travel the Oketo cut-off.
The best living witness I could find at Oketo lately was Oscar DeLair.
He said he came to Oketo in 1866; thought the ferry was then running and
ran till the summer of 1867.
This was the northernmost ferry on the Big Blue river in Kansas.
94. Root and Connelley, Overland Stage to California, pp. 200, 519-523.
A Southerner's Viewpoint of the
Kansas Situation, 1856-1857
The Letters of Lieut. Col. A. J. Hoole, C. S. A. — Concluded
Edited by WILLIAM STANLEY HOOLE
My Dear Sister Douglas, K. T., Nov. the 2nd., 1856
IT IS quite true there is very little of interest to write that I can
think of at present, but perhaps I may be able to fill a couple
of pages. ... I know you are always glad to hear from us, so I
have endeavoured always to write to some one every week since I
left home. . . .
I guess you wish me to say something about myself, &c. Well,
my health is still improving. I thought I was taking the rheuma-
tism, but it has got well, and I suppose it was nothing more than
taking cold in my shoulder while at Lecompton, by lying with it
near a window where a pane of glass was out. I am quite well of it
now. I am quite well at this time, but after eating, whether I eat
much or little, I feel a choking sensation in my chest which some-
times turns me sick for a few minutes. . . . The Dr. advised
me yesterday to get some whiskey, and make me some bitters, but I
would have to give 75^ or $1 for a bottle full, and I dislike to spend
so much money. Moreover, I don't like the idea of buying liquor
anyhow. I am one of the jew men in this Ter. who do not drink.
I have been making a bedstead and doing other work, trying to
fix up the house, and other things comfortably for the winter. I
tell you, we look quite stylish with our new bedstead (a teaster, at
that) and the curtain all round. We intend to make us a mattress
this week. We have the tick already made & a hackle ready for the
hackling shucks. So you see we will soon be very comfortably fixed.
Betsie has quilted a quilt, and we have two thick comforts besides.
Our purse is getting low, but I still think we will have enough to
take us through the winter, so you need not fear of our suffering.
Court is still going on in Lecompton. One man tried for being
engaged in the Hickory Point fight on Saturday, has been convicted
and will go to the penitentiary, I guess. Four have been acquitted
for that, but then they have to be tried again for being in the fight
on the day after (Sunday). They are however getting on very
slowly with the court. I went up yesterday and elbowed my way
(145)
10—3410
146 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
into the court room. They were examining a witness, and though I
stayed in there at least fifteen minutes, the lawyer only asked the
witness three simple question. I should have remained in the room
longer but I happened to cast my eyes on the head of the man stand-
ing by me, and it was so well speckled with nits that I thought it
prudent to get away from him, for fear I might catch the disease.
There is very little regard paid here to the Sabbath. Now, while
I am writing, the hammers of the carpenters are going just as if it
were not Sunday, down at Lane & Go's steam-mill.
I don't know how many guns I have heard this morning. One of
my neighbours killed a beef. Last Sunday some of them went
driving, and so it goes on. I have sometimes thought that I could
tell Sunday from any other day in the week by the number of guns.
But then, I don't know but that I am doing as bad — as I generally
take Sunday to write letters. But I have no other way to pass off
the day. I get tired of singing and reading, in fact I can scarcely
find time any other day, and on the whole, it is as quiet and as
harmless a way of breaking the Sabbath as any other.
We have had no very cold weather yet, though the ground has been
frozen over several mornings. It is now raining and the wind is
bearing around to the north, so we may expect some cold weather.
Provisions have taken a fall in price; bacon can now be bought at
10^, corn at from 50 to 62 ^ cts., flour at from $4 to $5 pr. sack,
butter is worth 35 cts. per lb., sugar and coffee are worth 20 cts.
per pound, &c., &c.
Betsie joins me in sending love to you all. . . .
Your ever affectionate brother, A.
P. S. Tell Stin that Mr. Ellison & family are well, and that Mr. E.
was one of those who went driving last Sunday. He had a shot at
two large old bucks, and the dogs ran off after a wolf. . . .
My ever dear Sister D«uSlas> K' T" Novbr' the 20th> '56'
Yours of the 3d. inst. has just come to hand, and though it is now
7 o'clock at night & I am pretty tired, I have seated myself to an-
swer it, as by doing so, you will get it four days earlier than if I
should postpone till another day, the mail not leaving here after
Saturday till Tuesday. I would not have time to write to-morrow
and get it in the mail, as I am at work. . . .
I have made up my mind to remain here till next fall, and see
another crop made, when planters will have nothing in a political
way to contend with to throw them back. I wish also to endeavor
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 147
to get a claim, so that my trip here may not in the end be a final
loss. Another reason is, I don't think that the difficulty is altogether
over here. If the Abolitionists find that the Southerners are leaving,
they will immediately begin to send immigrants, so that in the end
we will lose Kansas, for which we have spent so much and suffered
so much already. I don't think, on the whole, that I can lose much
more than I have already lost by remaining here a year longer. That
will be the time which I have said I would return home, from the
first, and if nothing happens to change my mind, I will remain till
then. . . .
I am now, and have been for some weeks, in as good health as I
ever was in my life. 'Tis true at one time I thought that I had the
rheumatism, but it lasted only a short time, and I have come to the
conclusion that I must have hurt my shoulder, or taken cold in it.
The choking sensation which I felt after eating is removed. I got
a bottle of whiskey, and filled it half full of cherry bark, which
cured me.
'Tis a pleasure for me to hear how much love all of our Negroes
have for me. God knows they do not throw away their love away
on me, who does not reciprocate their feelings. Remember me to
them all, and also tell "Maum" Judy howdie for us. Tell Mary if
we live to see next year this time, we may drink some of her locust-
beer. I could fill a sheet in messages to them all, but I have not
time, but they may all rest assured that I think of them a great deal.
There is an effort in progress to make me up a school here in
Douglas, worth $30 a month, but they don't go at it rightly. I
have succeeded in making myself very popular so far as my ac-
quaintance extends. All seems to think a great deal of me. I have
been told that I was the very man for Kansas — I mend boots, make
axletrees for wagons, work at the carpenter's trade, and in fact do
any little thing of the kind, so make myself useful. Some have gone
so far as to suggest me to the committee as a nominee for the legis-
lature, but it was thought I was too little known in the county. But
enough of bragging — ! . . .
Don't fret yourself about me. . . . Were it not for you, my
dear Sister, I would hear from home but seldom. I get the Flag,
but there is very little news in that. I have received precious few
letters besides yours since I have been here. Col. Wilson has written
to me twice, once while in Virginia, and one I got from him today.
He speaks in his last as if he would be glad to see me in Old Dar-
lington, tho', like me, he fears the danger is not over. . . .
148 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Well, my dear Sister, I am on the middle of the 4th. page, and I
thought, when I commenced, that I would not write two. But I feel
now that if I had the time, I could write another sheet, but it is
time for one who rises before day to be in bed; it is nearly 9 o'clock.
So I will close by sending love to [the family] and all inquiring
friends' • ' • Your loving brother, A. J. H.
P. S. Tell Stin to ride Grant sometimes fox-hunting. I am afraid
he will forget how to run in the woods before I go back.
Dear Mother Douglas, K. T, Nov. the 30th, 1856
We are enjoying excellent health, tho I have had a cold for some
days past, which is not unusual in all places. The weather has been
pretty disagreeable for more than a week, cloudy and windy, but
no rain. Yesterday was a very clear still day, and to-day it is fair
but windy & cold. I have not felt the cold more severely than I
do winters at home, but then we have had some as cold weather
here already as it commonly gets in So. Ca. —
Dear Mother, I have had to lay down my pen for three or four
hours. A young man came in, and asked me to go with him up to
Lecompton, to preaching. So I dressed and went, but the preacher
did not come, and we had our walk (about 6 miles) for nothing.
I am astonished to see so little regard paid to the Sabbath, as there
is here among people who seem to be enlightened in every other
respect. When I went up to Lecompton today, the steam-mill was
going just as if it were not Sunday, and all of the groceries were
open, as on any week-day. But this is pretty much the case all over
the Ter. — those who do not work go hunting, or do something else,
not much better. For my own part, I generally take Sundays to
write letters, but then I have very little other time to write, unless
at night, and I don't feel able to afford to buy candles for this
purpose. It is also a quiet way of spending the day. On the whole
I don't see as there can any harm arise from it. It certainly dis-
turbs no one.
I am regarded here as a very quiet, consistent, moral man, and
one of the ladies said the other night that she had often thought
that I ought to be a preacher. Would to the Lord that I was good
enough to be one! A young man belonging to the Baptist church
asked me yesterday to go with him to-day to see one of our neigh-
bours, and on my refusing to go with him on the grounds that it was
Sunday, he told me that I was not a Methodist, but a strict Presby-
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 149
terian. I have written the above, my Dear Mother, not to make
you believe that I am any better than I was when I left home (for
I feel truly that I am worse) but merely to let you know that I am
not affected by the recklessness of those around me.
I and the young Baptist man (mentioned above) has some argu-
ments on doctrine. He has read Graves' Iron Wheel, and argues for
him, but I got him the other night. He came over to our house
expressly to argue with me. I had told him to prepare himself be-
fore he came, and I suppose he had at least fifty passages of Scrip-
ture picked out, but I think I headed him on his own selections. He
is the first male member of the church I have met with, that I know
of (except the preacher) since I have been here. It is quite a treat
for me to find some one to argue with on Scripture. But enough of
this —
My dear Mother, I don't want you to fret yourself about me. I
am afraid that you imagine that I am not getting along well, and
conjure up a great many imaginary hardships, dangers, &c., that
I have to undergo. Don't let such things disturb your mind. I am
getting along very well; my health is good. I expect that I weigh
as much at this time as I ever did. We have a plenty to eat,
a pretty comfortable house, and on the whole are getting along
finely. . . .
The neighbours around Douglas have been trying to make up a
school for me, but I don't think they will succeed. . . . It is
thought that everything will commence with new life [in the spring] .
Money will be more plentiful and a greater demand for work of
every kind. ... I can live very comfortable until then, but I
am deprived of many, yes, very many, luxuries that you all enjoy,
such as agreeable company, church-going, &c., &c.
There is little or no excitement here. The Kansas militia were
disbanded last week; the prisoners were put in charge of the regulars,
and as was expected, 38 of those who had not been tried, and 3 that
had been and condemned to five years' imprisonment, have escaped.
Nothing else could have been expected, when a good many of the
regulars are Abolitionists themselves. I saw a statement in the
paper today saying that Lane says he is coming to Kansas in the
spring with 10,000 men. I don't believe he will ever show his face
in Kansas again. My impression is that there will be no more
fighting here, but we need men more than ever. Those who are
here should stay at least a year longer, and more should come. The
balance of the fighting will be at the ballot-box.
150 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Well, my Dear Mother, I have very little else to write. I write
so often to some of you that I keep you posted as regards how things
are going on here. . . . Sister writes that you are all very dull
since I left. I don't see why that should be, for my company was
not so very agreeable, nor was I so very cheerful that I should cause
so much sadness by my absence. . . . If we all live, I expect we
will spend the next Christmas after the one near at hand, together.
God grant that we may all live to see it, and meet once more. My
heart yearns toward the loved ones in Old Darlington, and if I find
everything as I hope to find it, when I return, I don't think I shall
leave home again soon — for any length of time. Give my love to
all. . . . Ever Your Affectionate Son, A.
Dear Jack21 Douglas, K. T., Dec. the 21, 1856
I guess by this time you have heard of the increase in my family,22
as I wrote to sister more than a fortnight ago, and requested her to
let you know all about it. ... The little brat is getting along
finely, but it sleeps almost the whole time. It (or rather she, I
should have said) is very small, but pretty good looking. I don't
nurse her much yet, but when she gets so that she can notice and
laugh &c., I expect I will play with her a good deal — but enough of
this.
We are all well and getting along fine, though the weather is very
cold. The ground has not been clear of snow for more than three
weeks; before one snow can melt, another comes; every time it
clouds up, we have some snow, and the river has been frozen over
so that people have walked over it for two weeks or more.
I have been working for Gen'l Clarke for the last two weeks.
. . . I hear that I please him better than any one he has ever
had to work for him. I don't know how long he will want me. I
will finish what I engaged to do in another day, but he tells me
that he is not nearly done with me yet. He wishes me to go to
Missouri to buy provisions for him, and sundry other services
which he cannot trust others in his employ to do. . . .
Jack, I get more & more out with the Ter. every day, and if it
were not for the great cause, I would leave it as soon as I could.
But I think that Southerners are needed here now as much as ever,
and will be for the next twelve months, by which time I think that
the political fate of Kansas will be decided. From what I can gather
21. John A. Brunson, b. March 3, 1828; killed, Second Battle of Manassas, August 31,
1862.
22. A daughter, Ada Constantia Hoole, b. December 12, 1856; m. W. H. Lawrence,
September 7, 1881; d. August 30, 1904.
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 151
from newspapers &c., I am of the opinion that there will be a great
many Northern emigrants sent here next spring, and it would not
surprise me at all if we have more fighting. There is something
brewing. Only last week a party of desperadoes went to a man's
house, dragged him out of bed, and gave him fifty lashes on his bare
back, telling him that, if he did not leave in ten days, they would kill
him. They have also threatened others in the same way. These
men who have been thus treated and threatened are free-state men,
but law and order loving men, and the reason they have been treated
thus is because they would not join Lane's band, but served on the
jury in trying some of his robbers. This and signs convince me that
there is something in the wind, but let it come. We will meet it
like men. But the South should not rest on her oars and think all
is safe. If she does, she will be sadly mistaken. The Abolitionists
are going to work slyly and cunningly, and if our eyes are not wide
open, Kansas will be lost at last.
I shall try and tough it out till next fall, and do all that I can to
save it. Let as many go back as will. I may be the only representa-
tive of Old Darlington here now, for aught I know. I received a
letter from Bill Huggins the other day saying that he has heard that
Scarborough had gone back, and all of the others may be there. I
wish you would try to ascertain who are gone home from here, and
let me know in your next. I know from experience that it is hard
getting along here (Kansas is a hard road to travel) but then I
should think that young single men could have toughed it out,
at least one year. I am afraid they did not have the great cause
at heart sufficiently. If I live and nothing happens more than I can
imagine at this time, Kansas will have one representative from Old
Darlington next fall, at any rate, let others do as they may !
The corn crops here were light this year. In fact I don't believe
that it yielded but very little better than it is generally at home,
tho to look at it growing, it seems that it would more than double
acre for acre. It is planted a great deal thicker than we plant it in
So. Ca., but the ears are no larger. This year was not a good one
to test it, as all corn was planted too late on account of the War last
spring. Sweet potatoes do but poorly here on account of the short-
ness of the season. I have not tasted one since I have been in the
Ter. I saw some not long since, the largest about as large as a man's
wrist, but they were generally about as large as corncobs. Irish
potatoes do fine. The sweet are worth $2.50 a bushel, the Irish,
$1.50.
152 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Brown sugar & the meanest Rio coffee is worth twenty cents a
pound, cheese 30 cts, butter 40 cts, beef 78 cts, pork 6 cts, lard 15
cts, cornmeal $1.25 a bushel, flour $4.50 pr. sack of 80 Ibs, molasses
$1.50 per gallon. So by the above you can judge of the cheapness
of living here in Kansas. Everything else is in the same proportion,
except salt, which is $10 a sack.
There is one thing that I forgot to write in writing of the political
state of affairs here. It is that Robinson (the Free State governor
of the Ter.) has issued a proclamation ordering an election to fill
a vacancy in the Free State legislature, and also ordering the legisla-
ture to meet at Topeka on the 2nd. Monday of January next, the
same day that our legislature meets. Now we will see what Gov.
Geary will do. This shows that the Abolitionists still do not recog-
nize the existing laws of the Ter., and also that they do not consider
Geary, but Robinson, as Governor.
Everyone who see_s your rifle wants it. It is considered the
prettiest little gun in the country. I went over the river not long
ago with it and killed ten squirrels in twelve shots, and cut off the
forefoot of the eleventh. A little before that I killed four in four
shots, making fifteen times I hit in sixteen shots. But then I have
been mad enough to break her several times — I have popped four
caps at turkeys. It seems that every time I get a good chance to
kill one, the cap pops without the gun going off. I came on a doe
the other day which made a few leaps and stopped behind a cluster
of vines and bushes. I shot through at her, and she ran off, though
I thought I hit her. About a week after one was found dead, so I
would not be surprised if it were not the same deer. . . .
You must let Mother know of your getting this as soon as pos-
sible. . . . Do write to me. . . . Ever Yours &c., A. J. H.
My Dear Mother- Dou8las> K T" Dec" the 28th" 1856
It is now after night, but I must write you a few lines to let you
know how we are getting on. My common practice has been to
write to one of you every Sunday, but it happened that I could not
write this morning. ... We are quite well; Betsie is now by
the fire holding our little one, which is growing finely. I think it
will begin to notice and laugh in a short time. I have made a bet
with a young lady that she will talk at six months old. All in fun,
of course. Betsie makes a great to do over her, but it is too young
for me to notice much yet. . . .
I have very little that is interesting to write, except that I should
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 153
go into detail of what has transpired in the Ter. in a political way,
and that would be too great a task for me to undertake. Every-
thing appears to be going on very quietly here, but I fear that the
North is working secretly. I have suspicions that they are buying
over the influence of some who have heretofore called themselves Pro-
slavery men. There are some who were with us, that I feel pretty
confident are now working with the North. I have always watched
them with a suspicious eye; they are men that I never put much
confidence in, tho others did. But you will hear more of this before
long. I will now change the subject.
What sort of a Christmas have you all spent? For my own part,
it has been very dull. I went over the river squirrel hunting, walked
over the ice. After I got over I heard that there was to be a meeting
of the settlers on that side about a mile above. So I went up to the
meeting. There were about 12 or 15 men there; one got up and
endeavoured to explain the object of it, and after getting up and
trying to explain it about a half dozen times, making in all a speech
about two hours long, I gathered enough to find out that it was to
appoint a delegate to the Proslavery convention to be held in Le-
compton on the 2nd Monday in January. The speaker was drunk.
They had four bottles of liquor, and before the meeting broke up
(for it did not adjourn) one got so drunk that he fell down; another
got about a hundred yards off, and there he lay. Others got pretty
boozy, but they kept their feet. At least they were up when I left.
Thus passed my Christmas. Betsie went to our next neighbour
and spent the day.
I have been working for one of our neighbours (Gen'l Clarke) for
two or three weeks, and I intend going back to work for him in a
few days, but I will have to go to Lecompton tomorrow to buy some
flour or meal. ... If provisions were not so high, I could make
a very respectable living here. Flour has got up to $6 pr hundred,
meal $1.37^ per bu., salt $4 per bu., sugar and coffee 20^ pr lb., &c.,
so you see this is a dear place to live in.
It has been colder here for a month past than I ever saw, tho I
have not minded it much more than I did the winters at home. The
river is frozen so thick that they are hauling logs across on the ice
with two yokes of oxen, so you may know the ice must be thick.
We have had eight falls of snow, but it has never fallen more than
an inch thick. I tell the folks here that I would not make this my
home for life, if I had the whole Ter. There is no way that one can
enjoy himself. No matter how much one makes, there is little en-
154 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
joyment in it at last. I will stay till I see that there is no use in my
remaining any longer, and then Ho! for So. Ca. . . .
In the meantime I will try to make all the money I can . . .
don't fret yourself about me. I tell you honestly and sincerely that
I am getting on well. Let us endeavour always to look on the bright
side, remembering that the same One who watches over you there
is watching over, and I hope, protecting me here. Let us endeavour
to look to Him to spare our lives to meet each other again. . . .
Ever Your affectionate son, Axalla.
P. S. There is a weed here that they say put in whiskey will cure
the rheumatism. I have been told that it has never failed to cure the
worst cases. I intend carrying some home with me when I go. If
you are not well of it, I will get some, pound it up, and send it to
you.
My Dear Sister— Douglas, K. T., Jany the 4th., 1857
Your very acceptable and agreeable letter of the llth. Ult. came
to hand in due time, and I now seat myself to write you one in
return, as it is Sunday, which is my usual time for writing. . . .
I generally shave & clean up on Sunday mornings, just as if I were
going to church, and then seat myself and write my letters, after
which I spend the rest of the day in singing, and talking with Betsie.
Now that I have a little fellow, I nurse and play with it, but it is
too small to be interesting yet, Wait till it gets old enough to laugh
& jabber; then I will have fun. She has begun to notice some al-
ready. . . .
I commenced a job of work for my neighbour (Mr. Ellison) on
the 1st. inst. . . . When I get through with his work, I have
another to do for Gen'l Clarke, up on the prairie. . . . We have
had very cold weather here for a month, but I find that I can stand
it about as well as any one else here, tho most were raised farther
North than I was. The river is still frozen so that wagons can cross
on the ice.
Everything is apparently going on quietly here, but I fear it will
not continue so long. Several Proslavery men who held public
offices have been turned out, and it is thought that the Gov. is at
the bottom of it. There is a plan on foot to get him turned out, at
least I think so. I heard some hints on Christmas day which will
make me an important witness against him. My opinion of him,
and I told my friends so from the first, is that he is a doublefaced
Free-soiler. I have never had much faith in Pennsylvania poli-
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 155
ticians, Buchanan not excepted. Geary is an energetic Gov., but I
believe that he is working for the Free-soil party here. I wish I may
be deceived. One week more, I think, will throw light on his ma-
neuvers. Robinson has issued his Proclamation, calling together
the Free-soil legislature to meet at Topeka on the 2nd. Tues. in this
month. If Geary permits them to convene, then he will admit by
his actions that he is not The Gov. of Kansas, but that Robinson is
The Gov. The Proslavery legislature convenes tomorrow week, so
we will then have two law-making bodies in the Ter., assembled at
the same time. Time will soon test the matter. But enough of this —
. . . I am glad to hear that you have so many potatoes. They
would be a treat for us here ; we have not tasted one since we came.
I am sorry to hear of the short cotton crop, though it is just as I ex-
pected from the accounts I saw from different parts of the state, and
that is why I fear that the Negroes' eyes magnify. . . .
Well, my dear Sister, I have written a very scattering, discon-
nected letter so far, and I have but little else to write. Now I must
come back to myself again. . . . Everytime it clouds up here,
it snows. The ground is perfectly white now, but the snow will not
average more than two inches. The old settlers say this is a re-
markable fall; the ground has not been clear of snow for a month.
I have bought some pork that was killed last Friday week, but it is
frozen so that I can't salt it, and if the weather continues thus, there
will be no use. . . .
Give our love to [the immediate family]. Tell all the Negroes
howdie, "Maum" Judy, Frank & Delia included; tell them to be
faithful and do the best they can. If we all live and nothing hap-
pens, we will see each other next fall. . . .
Your loving Brother, Axalla.
Dear Cousin Billy Douglas, K. T., Jany the llth., 1857
I wrote a letter the other day to A. W. Sexton, stating to him how
near I came to dying a few days before, which letter I presume he
will get some days before you get this, and so I am satisfied he will
tell you all about it. I will only say that I had a severe attack of
the bilious cholic, but I now feel quite well. Betsie is also quite well,
& so is the little one, which, by the bye, is growing finely and begins
to notice a good deal. It has not been sick in the least yet. . . .
Everybody praises it as the prettiest thing in the country, and you
may know we think so. I think it is almost, if not quite, as pretty
as Lizzie Cooper, and you know I always thought she was the
156 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
prettiest thing in the world. Our little one's hair is shedding out
and I am afraid it will not be so pretty when it gets a little older.
The women around here say they never saw a child grow faster,
still it does not look blubberly and helpless as some children do,
but looks firm and hard. . . .
Everything is apparently going on smoothly here in a political
way, but I fear the storm has hardly commenced yet. I am getting
to despond a good deal. I know they are going on in the north
with their aid societies, &c., and I would not be surprised if they
are not planning another invasion of Kansas next spring, and at the
same time I hear of nothing being done by the South. Those who
came out last year have mostly gone back, and I hear of no others
coming. The South seems to -have given us few over and has lost
all care for the Ter. I fear Kansas will be lost yet, tho we now have
the upper hand. For my part, I will try to weather the storm, and
if we fall or fail, I may be found at my post. I will have the con-
solation of feeling and knowing that I did all I could for the South
and our cause. But Kansas is a hard road to travel and God alone
knows how I will weather it through. Few have made greater
sacrifices than I have, as yet, but if we gain our object I will not
regret what I have lost by the operation.
There have been two balls lately in which Proslavery and Aboli-
tionists mingled together, and there is to be one in Lecompton next
Thursday, of which The Governor is first manager, but in spite of
all this, there is still bitter feeling existing between the two parties.
Our legislature convenes tomorrow, I said our because the Aboli-
tionist legislature was to have met at Topeka last Tuesday, but I
have not heard from there. The great and engrossing subject here
at this time, is the Gov. & his actions. The papers are full of him,
most condemning him. There is also another topic in vogue, the
bank. Some are in favor of chartering a bank, and some not. For
my own part, if I were ever so much in favor of a bank, I would op-
pose chartering the one in contemplation, as the capital all comes
from the northern states. We are to have a vote tomorrow on the
subject in order to instruct the legislature. Several prominent Pro-
slavery men have been turned out of office, and I have no doubt it has
been through the representatives of the Gov. — I tell you, we are
down on him in this section. I regard him as a double-faced free-
soiler, tho I have had some of our party to find fault of me for view-
ing him in that light. That was my opinion from the first, for all he
seemed at the time to be acting in our favor. Time will prove!
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 157
We have had very cold weather for some time. The snow is now
from 4 to 10 inches deep. They say it is as cold here as it was any
time last winter, and it will not get any colder. If it does not, I can
stand it pretty well, though it is too cold for me to like to live here.
I find that I can stand it as well as anyone else, and I believe I com-
plain as little as anyone. The most I hate about it is, that when
it is too cold to work, it is not too cold to eat, and so I am losing.
I saw a prairie wolf this morning for the first. One of our neighbor
young men caught it and called me over to see it. We are going
out in the morning, if it is a good morning; they come to a dead ox
a short distance from here, and he says he knows he can start one.
I will not seal this letter till I can give you our success. . . .
P. S. Monday morning, Jany. 12th. Well, I went on the wolf
chase this morning, and such a chase it was. The hounds were
trailing it and one of the grey hounds saw it, and ran it about 200
yards, and caught it. It was a small one. The prairie wolves are
great fools; they will run in the openist place they can find. This
was on the ice on the river. I saw two more on the ice about one
mile above us, but we didn't go after them. ... I shot twice
at prairie chickens this morning, but missed. . . .
Yours sincerely, A. J. H.
My Dear Mother Douelas> K T" Feby the 22nd" 1857
... I have been elected, by the legislature, a judge of the
county court, which I have been told pays $3 a day, for every day
I serve. I was elected without any solicitation on my part, by the
unanimous vote of both houses. It is however an office of more
honor than profit. I go now by the title of Judge.
Quite a serious & shocking affair took place in Lecompton on last
Wednesday (the 18th. inst.), the particulars of which I will relate
in as few words as possible. Some two months ago the sheriff
(Jones) resigned his office, and the judges of the county court, of
which I am now one, appointed a young man named Shirard [Wil-
liam T. Sherrard] from Virginia to fill his place, but the Gov. re-
fused to give him his commission. Shirard met him in the ante-
room of the legislature about two weeks ago and spat upon him.
The Governor's friends (Abolitionists of course) held a meeting of
indignation against Shirard and commending the Gov.'s course.
Shirard's friends (myself among the number) attended the meeting.
The Gov.'s friends, convicts included, were all armed. After several
speeches Shirard got up to explain his position to the meeting (so
158 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
I learned, for I had left the meeting and gone to a store about fifty
yards off, to warm). In the course of his speech he said something,
and a man by the name of Sheppard gave him the lie. Shirard
dared him to repeat it, when they both drew pistols and commenced
firing at each other, but neither receiving a mortal wound, they both
closed in, when they were separated. At this time a young man of
the Gov.'s household ran up to Shirard and shot him in the head.
He was taken into custody, but gave bail, and has sloped [sic].
Shirard lived till yesterday evening. He is to be buried at 2 o'clock
today. Shep[p]ard was shot through the body near the hip, but
[it] is not considered dangerous. I am glad that I was off when the
firing was going on. Ex-Sheriff Jones had his watch chain shot off,
and another man was shot in the knee.
Monday morning, the 23rd. — My dear Mother, when I had writ-
ten the above I was called to go to the burying of Shirard, and did
not have time to finish, but we did not bury him, but concluded to
send his body back to Virginia. It is the opinion of a great many
here that the meeting on the 18th. was got up expressly for the
purpose of killing Shirard, Cramer, & Ex-Sheriff Jones, and that
the Governor was knowing to it, if not one of the plotters. There
is one thing certain, he was solicited by persons on both sides to try
and stop the meeting, as persons were fearful that evil would grow
out of it, but he refused. He is charged as being one of the plotters,
publicly by the paper here. Well . . . enough of this.
. . . I am going up to Lecompton this morning to take the oath
of office, and get my commission, but Geary may refuse it, as he did
poor Shirard, being as I am a South Carolinian. On the first of
Sept. next we are to elect delegates to frame a state constitution,
and if we succeed in making it a slave state, I can then return home
feeling satisfied that my enduring hardships here have not been in
vain. I feel pretty well satisfied that we have the majority in the
Ter., but they can beat us in this county. Oh, how I wish that 1000
Southerners would come in the middle of March and settle in this
county. . . . Well, my dear Mother, 'tis time I was going up
town, so I must close. . . . Tell all the negroes howdie, howdie,
howdie . . . and let me beg you not to fret yourself about me.
Recollect that there is One who watches over us here in Kansas as
well as those in So. Ca. — let me assure you that I will always try
to keep out of danger as much as possible, but if we should never
again meet on earth, let us try to meet where parting will be no
more. Remember us in your prayers, is a request of your ever
Devoted Son, A. J. H.
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 159
Dear Jack Douglas, K. T., March 22nd, 1857
Your very agreeable and acceptable, but very short letter, came
to hand a few days ago. . . . We hear from home so seldom,
that we can't help but feel sometimes uneasy. ... I would like
for you to tell us how they [the immediate family] are getting on,
what each one is driving at, &c., &c. . . . You can scarcely
imagine how anxious we are to know everything and a little more
time and labor on the part of our dear friends, which would be of
small sacrifice on their part, would be a source of great, Ah! very
great satisfaction to us. ... But enough —
One year ago yesterday we left old So. Ca, oh, how time flies!
and still it seems long to me since I have seen my dear friends. But,
thank God! if it is His pleasure, we will see you all again in eight
months more, for, if nothing happens, I expect to leave here about
the middle of Nov. It is impossible for me to make a decent living
here. ... I am to commence a job of work tomorrow that will
be worth $25 or $30 when it is finished, which I think I can do in
two weeks at least. And, if we should have no more difficulty this
year with the plagued Black Republicans, I think that there will be
a better prospect of making money. I fear however that we will
(but this in its proper place). I have sent frds of the money I
had to Mo. to buy provisions, and when it comes, we will have
enough to last us (without accident) three months at least, and I
hope by that time to make money enough to send for another supply.
The Delaware lands, which I spoke of in my last letters home,
have not been treated for, at least I fear so. So I shall have no
hope of making such a speculation, as I hoped to do, that would
remunerate me for my time and trouble in coming out here. Now
for my reasons for fearing that we are to have more trouble here this
summer, which will also inform you concerning the political state
of the Ter.
In the first place, as perhaps you are aware already, we are to
have an election on the 16th. of June to elect delegates to frame a
state constitution. Well, the Black Republicans held a meeting on
the 10th. at Topeka and have resolved not to vote on that occasion,
[and] also that they will not allow themselves to be assessed for
taxes, and will not submit to the laws. They also elected Chas.
Robinson as their governor for the 2nd. time. It is also reported
that Lane is in Lawrence and Old Brown23 (the notorius Ossa-
23. John Brown (1800-1859), of Harper's Ferry fame.— Cf. Dictionary of American
Biography, v. Ill, pp. 131-134.
160 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
wattomie murderer) brought in 100 men a few days ago. How true
these things are I can't say, but it is generally believed. Gov. Geary
left the Ter. secretly last week and took a boat for St. Louis. It
is reported here, but I doubt its correctness, that he died at Jefferson
City of bleeding at the lungs. He looked in bad health before he
left, and some think he has a fast consumption.
A letter was received from Washington a day or two ago, saying
that Geary would certainly be turned out of office. Few of our party
will cry about it, as we certainly can't endorse his course since he
has been Gov. of Kansas. I hear that he said before he left, that he
was heartily sick and disgusted with these Abolitionists. I some-
times think that he really meant well, but for want of judgment
and bad advice, he committed grievous blunders. He thought he
could come here and pat these rascals on the back and in a short
time all would be right, but he was grievously mistaken in his men —
he is gone however, and joy go with him.
I heard yesterday that Secy Woodson, who is acting Gov. in the
absence of the regular Gov., received despatches from Washington
that there is to be two regiments of regulars stationed at Lecompton
to be at the disposal of the Gov., [and] that some of them are to go
around with the tax collector. If this is true, it is good news. This,
Jack, is all the political news of importance.
. . . The mails have been irregular for the last month or more,
which may account for your not hearing from us, as you said, for I
am sure I write every week and sometimes twice a week. . . .
You said in your last that the Estate Negroes had been divided,
and that Cousin Billy got Peggy and her children. If I recollect
aright, that is the lot which he preferred, but you did not tell us of
the others, who got such and such lots. All such as that would in-
terest us. ... Make a big crop of corn and potatoes, as I wish
to buy my supply for next year. Oh, I wish I had a peck of sweet
potatoes now ; I have not tasted one in a year ! . . .
Ever your friend & Brother-in-law, A. J. H.
Dear Jack Douglas, K. T, Apl. the 12th, 1857
Your most acceptable letter of the 23rd. March came to hand
yesterday, with a check on the State Bank of N. Y. for seventy- five
($75). I doubt very much whether I can get it cashed conveniently
anywhere near here, but perhaps I may be able to trade it off in
Westport, Mo, or perhaps at Leavensworth City. If I fail to pass
it off my hands without putting myself to too much expense and
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 161
trouble, I will enclose it back to you. I shall go to Lecompton to-
morrow and see what I can do, but I have very little hopes, as neither
of the merchants there trade in New York; two of them trade in
Philadelphia, and the other in Kansas City & St. Louis. They are
all rather of the dropshot sort of merchants anyhow.
I had the pleasure of hearing a sermon preached today in the City
of Lecompton, the first I have heard since sometime about the
middle of July last. The text today was Romans V, 1. It was
preached by the Presiding Elder of the M. E. Church South in Kan-
sas— by the way, a pretty good, plain, matter-of-fact sort of sermon.
I enjoyed it pretty well, tho I had to stand the whole time during
service, as there were only enough seats for the ladies.
Well Jack, I have very little to write except what I have written
. . . for the Flag, which is political, and you will see it. I will
tell you, however, that Betsie got bloodthirsty this evening. The
news came that Jim Lane was at a house about 100 yards from the
one we live in. So Betsie and some of the other "Border Ruffians!"
women here talked about killing him. I saw him as he was going
off about a mile from me on the prairie, which is the first time I ever
saw him to know it, tho' I was once within 150 yards of him, but
could not tell him from any of the rest of his men. I am firmly of
the opinion that we will have more trouble here this year, if our
new Gov. is not a man of the right grit.
Betsie & the baby are both quite well. We have named the little
scamp Ada Constantia. What think you of that name? She grows
remarkably fast, and some of the women think that her under gums
are swollen as if about to cut teeth, but I think it is quite young.
However, I know little about these things.
Betsie joins me in love to you, . . . Tell all the Negroes
howdie, and give my best regards to all enquiring friends. . . .
Ever Yours sincerely, A. J. H.
My Dear Sister Douglas, K. T., April the 19th., 1857
. . . I received the draft which you mentioned, from Jack, God
bless him for his kindness. I have not yet got it cashed tho one of
the merchants in Lecompton says he will take it at 1 pr. ct. discount,
if I should happen in when he had money enough on hand to take
it up. His clerk told me yesterday that if I had been there a day
or two before, he would have taken it, as he was in want of one, but
he had got one that suited him better, as it was for an even $100.
It would be worth 1% pr. cent premium in St. Louis, but that would
11—3410
162 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
cost more than it would come to, to take it there. ... It may be
that we will be able to get along without using the $75 . . . until
we start home. . . .
We still have winter weather here. On the night of the 17th
Inst. the rain fell and froze on the ground, so that everything was
covered with ice. It then snowed a coarse hominy snow till the
ground was white. It all melted off however yesterday, but the
wind still blows cold from the west, too cold for me to go to Lecomp-
ton to preaching. I went last Sunday ... it was quite a treat
to hear a sermon, not having heard one before since last July — The
Presiding Elder (Bradford) called on Betsie and me last Friday.
He appears to be a very clever man. He wants Betsie to send for
her letter from the church, and deposit it here in Lecompton, but I
don't know as there would be any use in that, as we are going back
again. He hinted strongly at me about joining also, and I would do
so, but I fear I am not fitting, and never will be, to join the church.
I begin to hope that we will have no more fighting in the Ter.
Stanton,24 the Lieutenant Gov., has arrived. He made a speech in
Lecompton the other day, declaring most emphatically that the laws
should be enforced. He came out boldly and asserted that he was
born Proslavery, had lived Proslavery, and would die Proslavery.
Walker,25 the Gov., will be here about the middle of next month.
He is also Proslavery. So I think the Abolitionists will be afraid
to risk another fuss.
My health has been very good for more than a week, and I have
been at work. . . . Little Ada is well and growing finely. She
is a perfect prodigy, so pretty, smart, &c. . . . We named her
Ada Constantia, tho I call her Snooks, Snipes, Zip, Snapp, &c
Who could not be happy with the best of wives and the prettiest
best, smartest, and most interesting [of] little babies?
I think I will leave this part of the Ter. after a while. Gen'l
Clarke has been down to Fort Scott and speaks so favorably of that
section, that I believe I will go there. He (Clarke) is going, and
says he is going to carry me. He says they want a male academy
there. They have a good female. It is a fine opening, and he says
there are a good many vacant claims in that section. It is much
24. Frederick Perry Stanton (1814-1894), b9rn in Alexandria, Virginia. In the spring of
1857 he was appointed secretary of Kansas territory. Later in the year he served as acting
governor.
25. Robert John Walker (1801-1869), of Mississippi, though a native of Pennsylvania.
He reached Kansas and accepted the post of governor, May 5, 1857, on the pledge of
President Buchanan that the state constitution should be submitted to the vote of the people.
But after rejecting the forged and fraudulent returns in Kansas, and opposing the Lecompton
constitution, he resigned, November 16, 1857, and going before Congress, defeated the at-
tempt to force the corrupt measure on the territory. Appleton, op. cit., v. VI, p. 329.
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 163
warmer than it is here. . . . Give my love to Mother. . . .
Howdie all the Negroes for me ... and write soon, dear sister,
to Your Affectionate Brother, Axalla.
My Dear Mother Douglas, K. T., May 24th., 1857
I received a letter from Sister by Wednesday's mail, dated the
7th. Ult. which I will answer by writing to you, as I wrote my last
to her. ... I am sorry to hear that you will have no fruit this
year, and I fear from all the accounts I can get, that the prospects
for a crop are quite gloomy. Spring is very backward there as well
as it is here. People are not done planting corn here yet, and what
is planted does not seem to come up. We had just had a sprinkle
of rain and it looks as if we will have more directly. I wish we
could have a good rain, for then perhaps everything would come
up and grow.
Tell Sister I thank her for the seed she sent me, but I wish she
had sent me the cotton seed also, as there are a good many of my
neighbours who have never seen it growing, and I am anxious to
see what it would do here.
Times are very hard here at this time. I hear that there are some
families down south of here, about 20 miles, who are on the point
of starving. They are some of the northern emigrants, sent out by
the Aid Society. The North has done more for her emigrants than
the South has done ; still I believe they are getting along worse. In
some parts of the Ter. I hear they are generally quarreling and
fighting among themselves, burning each other's house, &c. —
The Indians are playing the mischief out west of this. They
have taken Fort Laramie, which is about 150 [?] miles from here,
I believe. I have not learned what tribe or tribes. Eight hundred
regulars left Fort Leavensworth last week for the scene of action,
so I guess they will soon be brought to terms. Everything is going
on quietly here with the exception of what I have told you above.
We are to hold a meeting in Lecompton to-morrow to nominate
delegates for the convention. Gov. Walker has not arrived yet, but
we are looking for him this week.
I did not go down to Fort Scott as I expected, but I asked Genl.
Clarke & ex-Governor Ransom26 to enquire what chance there would
be for me there. . . . Betsie's health has not been so good for
several weeks. She has a bad cold Our little one has
26. Epaphroditus Ransom (Democrat), state governor of Michigan, 1848-1850. — Cf
Encyclopedia Britannica, 13th. ed., v. XVII-XVIII, p. 377.
164 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
also had a cold and cough, which is the first time that she has been
the least unwell since she has been born. She has cut four teeth
and two more are almost through. She can sit alone, grows fast,
&c., &c. Everybody says she is a prodigy!
Mr. Ellison had a Negro woman that died yesterday ; she had been
sick for a long time. . . . The Negro left an infant about a fort-
night old, the poorest little object you ever saw. It does not weigh
more than three pounds. There has been a great deal of sickness
here in Douglas this spring, mostly from colds.
I killed a rattlesnake yesterday, but it was a small one, having
only three rattles & a button. One was seen by the path I go
to get water, very large, by a man yesterday and I was looking for
it when I found the one I killed. There are not many snakes here,
but I believe there are as many rattlesnakes as any other kind.
Provisions are still very high here; bacon has fallen a little, but
I believe everything else is on the rise. Cows are beginning to mend,
and milk is getting plentiful. My neighbours tell me to come after
milk, but I do so very seldom — it looks too much like begging to me.
Well, My dear Sister, I have written all the news that I know of
and some foolishness that I ought to have omitted. If I were with
you, I could find enough to talk about for a week, but when I come
to put it on paper, it is a different thing. ... I hope in God's
name we will see each other in about six months more. What I shall
do when I get back to Darlington, I can't tell . . . but I guess I
will try teaching again, and that will be a poor business, I fear.
. . . Give my love to [the entire family]
Your Affectionate Son, Axalla.
Dear Sister Douglas, K. T., July the 5th, 1857
I received yours of the 17th. Ult. the day before yesterday. . . .
Betsie is enjoying very good health at this time. ... As for my
town part/, tho I keep up and have worked every day. . . I would
perhaps have lain up some days, had it not been that I was (and I
am) so anxious to get through with the job of work I have in hand
for Col. Stanton. He is also in a hurry for it, as he says he wishes
to get out of town. He wants me to occupy one of the rooms.
. . . It would be much more convenient to live there than here,
as wood and water are more convenient, and moreover, he wishes me
to continue working for him. ... I guess by the time Mr.
Smith & I get through with the work, he (Stanton) wishes us to do
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 165
for him, we will be into his pockets about $150. ... I think
I can get along here pretty well till I get ready to go home.
I fear, Sister, that coming here will do no good at last, as I begin
to think that this will be made a Free State at last. Tis true we
have elected Proslavery men to draft a state constitution, but I
feel pretty certain, if it is put to the vote of the people, it will be
rejected, as I feel pretty confident they have a majority here at
this time. The South has ceased all efforts, while the North is
redoubling her exertions. We nominated a candidate for Congress
last Friday — Ex-Gov. Ransom of Michigan. I must confess I have
not much faith in him, tho he professes to hate the Abolitionists
bitterly, and I have heard him say that Negroes were a great deal
better off with Masters. Still, I fear him, but it was the best we
could do. If we had nominated a Southern man, he would have
been sure to have been beaten, and I doubt whether we can even
elect a Northerner who favors our side.
One of out most staunch Proslavery men was killed in Leavens-
worth a few days ago. It is hard to ascertain the facts in relation
to the murder correctly, but as far as I can learn, there was an
election for something. The man who was killed (Jas. Lyle) went
up to the polls and asked for a ticket. An Abolitionist handed him
one which he, Lyle, tore in two. The other asked him why he did
that; he replied he did all such tickets that way. The Abolitionist
told him he had better not do so again, when Lyle told him if he
would give him another he would. It was given him, and he tore
it also, at which the Abolitionist drew a bowie knife and stabbed
Lyle to the heart, then ran a few paces, drew a revolver, and com-
menced firing at the dying man. The fellow was taken prisoner
and eighty men were sent from Lawrence that night, by Jim Lane,
to keep Lyle's friends from hanging him. Gov. Walker put out for
Leavensworth on Friday to have the prisoner carried to the fort, in
order to keep the Abolitionists from rescuing him, or prevent Lyle's
friends from hanging him by mob law.
There was a big ball in Lecompton on the night of the 3d., but
they had no celebration there yesterday. The Abolitionists had a
barbecue at Bloomington, about 8 miles south of this, but it was
a party thing, I hear. There was a big celebration at Tecumseh
and all were invited to attend, tho it was given by Proslavery men.
Judge Cato was the orator of the day. I celebrated the day by hard
work ... so you may guess I felt like sleeping last night.
We have had no rain here for more than two months, worth a name,
166 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
but the corn seems to grow some, dry as it is. My Irish potatoes
look well, and are full of blossoms, but I have not tried them yet.
My cotton grows fast, but the other seed you sent me did not come
up. — Betsie is lying on the bed, reading the Bible & napping by
turns, but I believe she does most of the latter. Ada is asleep. Oh,
the sweet little creature. You may think I am only bragging, but
I tell you she is the smartest child I ever saw, has the most sense,
is the prettiest, and the best everything else. She can crawl, stand
up and hold to a chair, has cut six teeth and will soon have two
more . . . but she has precious little hair on her head. . . .
Some of the ladies here don't call her anything but Whitey, she is
so fair and looks so white. Enough of this —
You must give my love to all. . . . Tell all the Negroes a
hundred Rowdies for us. ...
Your Affectionate Brother, Axalla.
P. S. 6th. Mr. Smith, the man engaged with me in work, was
bit by a rattlesnake last night about midnight. He got up to give
his child a drink of water, & stepped on the snake on the floor. He
drank a pint of whiskey and got drunk. He has the Doctor with
him this morning, and I hope he will be up in a day or two.
Dear Cousin Mary Douglas> K T" Au8st' 16th" 1857
... I suppose you are aware ere this that we have moved from
the place we have been living ever since we have been here, and also
that we have changed our manner of living. So Betsie, instead of
complaining of the want of something to do, now is glad of a chance
to rest. . . . Col. Stanton has bought a cow, and you would
have been amused to see Betsie's first attempt at milking. If the
cow switched her tail, Betsie would jump, and if she happened to
look around at her, she was sure the cow would bite her the next
thing. She was even afraid to shift the calf from one teat to another
for fear it would bite her hand. . . . Oh, coming to Kansas has
been a great school for my old wife. She has learned something
about cooking, she has learned to wash, and milk cows, besides a
good many other things. So when I go back it will save me one
hand in the field, as I will have learned by then that in getting a
wife I got a first-rate cook & washer, &c. Jesting aside, I really
believe it will be of advantage to her, as she will be able to
know how things should be done. . . . But to change the sub-
ject, I tell you. ... I have the greatest little girl that ever was.
. . . She is beginning to walk already and her mouth is forever
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 167
jabbering when she is awake. She hollows at everything that comes
about, horses, cows, hogs, &c. Col. Stanton thinks she is a prodigy.
I will be dogged if I know how many teeth she has — I will ask
Betsie when she comes in. She beats everything in these parts —
that is enough —
Sister wrote to me in her last, bragging what a nice dinner she
and Mother ate at your house a few days before she wrote, and it
gave Betsie and me fits, we wanted to be there so bad. You must
not eat up all of your cabbages before the 1st. of Dec., as I guess
that will be all the kind of vegetables you will be able to have at
that time. . . . We have had no vegetables yet this year, except
some beets which Betsie bought at 15^ a dozen. As for chicken I
have almost forgotten how they taste as I have not eaten any in al-
most a year. I bought a few hens the other day, but have not got
them home yet. I am to give 30 cents apiece, and have to go after
them this morning, Sunday. As it is I don't like to do it, but it is a
kind of case of necessity, as the family I bought them of is going
to move to a different part of the Ter. to-morrow. I went after them
yesterday but they had neglected to shut them up the night before,
and I could not catch them. If provisions were not so dear here, I
think we would be able to live, but when meal is $2.50 a bushel,
flour $13 a barrel, meat 20 cts. a lb., sugar & coffee 20^, molasses
$1.50, eggs 30^f a doz., salt from $2 to $3 a bushel, I tell you it takes
money to live. We are doing, however, pretty well now. We have
about $120 ... on hand now, which is almost enough to take
us back to So. Ca., and I intend to try to keep that much on hand
ahead, for that purpose. . . .
Well, I have very little more to write. We have had several good
rains of late, which has improved the corn very much. There is a
good deal of stir about politics at this time, but I cannot go into
detail on the subject, as it would be too great a job. I will however
say that the candidate we have nominated for Congress (ex-Gov.
Ransom of Michigan) in one of his messages to the legislature of
that state, was strong on the Free State side, which has been found
out since his nomination, and he has been requested to withdraw.
I don't know whether he will, or not — enough of this. . . . Give
my love to ... all of the relations and friends . . . and
tell all the negroes howdie, howdie, howdie for me. . . . Hoping
that you are well and that, God willing, I will see you in the course
of about 3^ months, I subscribe myself. . . .
Your sincere and affectionate old Friend, A. J. H.
168 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
My Dear Sister— Douglas, K. T., August the 23rd., 1857
Your very acceptable and agreeable letter of the 5th. inst. came to
hand yesterday. It is now 3 o'clock in the evening, when I now take
my seat to write you. The reason I am so late commencing is that
I have been attending a meeting to organize a Sunday School here
in Douglas. A Sunday School missionary is going around in Kansas
for this purpose. The day was so unfavorable that we had had a
small turn out, but I think we will have a school of 25 or 30 children.
I was elected Librarian, Secretary & Treasurer of the Society and
also expect to take charge of a class, at least till we can get enough
teachers, which I hope we will. It is to be held in the house I moved
from in Douglas. . . .
I was in hopes that, if the peach and apples missed, you would
have watermelons, but it seems you have not. I ate some yesterday
for the first. I bought two small ones for 25^ apiece. I also bought
some beans & beets, and Betsie & I had a real old fashioned vegeta-
ble dinner today. I came near hurting myself, and Betsie com-
plained of having eaten too much. We have to buy everything
here — Great country this! !
Betsie & Ada are both well, but Betsie is still very thin. I will
say nothing of Ada, as you will think I am only bragging, but you
will see and judge for yourself, if God is willing, some day, whether
I am only bragging or not.
We have had a few pretty good rains lately and it is now raining
a slow rain. Crops are improving, my cotton I see is pretty full of
offers, blooms and small pods, tho' it is so late, I fear but few bolls
will mature.
The Col. [Stanton] is a very fine man personally, and I like him
so far very much, but he and I don't agree in politics. He is too
much of a Union man. We argue a good deal, and once or twice I
saw he got pretty warm. We get along first rate. He comes home
about sundown and leaves soon after breakfast, so B [etsie] and I
are alone all day. . . . We get \\ gallons at a milking from our
cow, or three gallons a day. Betsie makes from half pound to a
pound of butter at a time. ... I tell you, we are living at foun-
tain head now, if we do have to pay high for everything. Col.
Stanton bought a sow and six pigs to eat the buttermilk and scraps ;
he made Betsie a present of two of the pigs. . . .
There is little of importance to write in the way of politics, though
that is all of the topic here at this time, as it has always been. There
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 169
is to be a meeting tomorrow within a few miles from here to nomi-
nate another candidate for Congress. It is by the Conservative Free
State Men, nominally, but I fear it is gotten up by the Black Re-
publicans to divide our party, as they have learned that a good
many of us are dissatisfied with our nominee. But what surprises
me and rather puts me at a loss to guess what they are driving at
is that the Abolitionists' nominee says that if Col. Moore27 is the
nominee tomorrow, he (Parrott) will not run, but will do all he can
for Moore. Moore was a representative to Congress from New
York about 18 years ago, and made a speech against the Aboli-
tionists while in Congress. I have heard him express himself in
favor of Slavery — Tis hard to tell what will be the result.
Our Convention meets next month to frame a State Constitution.
I am satisfied that a majority of said convention are Proslavery,
but don't know how they will make it. The time for deciding the
great question will soon be at hand. What will be the future state
of Kansas no one can tell. So much for politics.
It has been quite cool here for several days, and now it is com-
fortable sitting by a fire. . . . Betsie has just cut one of the
watermelons I bought yesterday, and I must lay down my pen and
eat some. . . .
You say that Cousin Billy says he will not write, but will give it
to me when we return. Perhaps he may not have the chance of do-
ing so in a year yet, for I may not go back this fall, but wait till
next. So he had better give it to me by letter, for fear he may for-
get some by that time. . . .
Give my love to [the immediate family] and tell all the Negroes
a heap of howdies for me. . . . Do write soon to
Your ever loving brother, Axalla.
Dear Sister Douglas Co., K. T., Sept. 13th, 1857
Yours of the 25th Ult. came to hand a few days ago. ... I
have very little of importance to write. The constitutional conven-
tion met last Monday and organized, elected Genl. Calhoun28 Presi-
27. Ely Moore (1798-1861), was born in Sussex county, New Jersey. From 1834 to 1838
he served in Congress, and won national fame in his reply to Waddy Thompson, of South
Carolina. In 1853 President Pierce offered him the position of minister to England, but he
declined; and accepted, on account of his health, an Indian agency in territorial Kansas. It
is a part of the unwritten history of Kansas that he was to have been the first territorial
governor, but his health forbade, and he recommended his friend, Andrew H. Reeder. — Cf
Albert R. Greene, "United States Land-Offices in Kansas," Kansas Historical Collections,
v. VIII, p. 4.
28. John Calhoun (1806-1859), appointed as surveyor general of Kansas and Nebraska
by President Pierce in 1854. He was made first president of the constitutional convention in
1857. — Cf. Dictionary American Biography, v. Ill, pp. 410-411.
170 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
dent, and after being in session a week, they have adjourned, not to
meet again till the 3rd. Monday in Oct. after the election is over. I
guess they don't wish to adopt a constitution until they ascertain
what the Abolitionists intend doing in the coming election. The
great subject of contention here now is not whether the convention
will frame a slave constitution, for 'tis almost certain they will, but
whether it shall be put to the vote of the people for ratification, or
not, and who will be the legal voters. So far as Gov. Walker is con-
cerned, some endorse his course of policy and some do not; even
those who do, admit that they do not approve of some of his acts.
For my own part, I ... endorse nothing he has done, let alone
his general course of policy. A good many of our party appear to be
very sanguine about this being a slave state, but I am fearful 'twill
not, though I am sometimes high in hopes. I wish 'twas decided, one
way or the other. I am getting tired of it, and wish to leave the
Ter. We had Genl. McLean with us last night, he is one of the same
school of politics as myself, so he and Col. Stanton had it all the
time. Stanton is one of the Walker & Buchanan school of politics.
Crops look very fine here at this time, the rains having set in
about the right time, and if frosts should stay off long enough, there
will be a good deal of corn made in this part of the Ter., and ac-
counts from other parts of the Ter. are equally favorable.
We are all quite well at this time . . . getting along very
comfortably. I think Col. Stanton doesn't want us to leave here
this winter, [as] there is little prospect of his house being finished
this fall, so that he can move his family here. . . . He has found
out that we are not of the ordinary class of persons . . . and I
know that he does not like the idea of parting with us.
So far as living high is concerned, as the saying is, we are living
in clover, but I believe I gave an account of our living in the letter
I wrote to Mother last week. Our Sunday School I fear is a failure,
owing to the difficulty of getting the library. The agent said that
he would send the books to me at Lecompton, but they had not come
yesterday.
I thought I would say nothing about Ada, as I fear you will say
I am only bragging, but I will tell you however that she can walk
all over the house, has eight teeth, and her gums seem swollen as
if she was about to cut jaw teeth. . . . Mrs. Ellison, who has
had about a dozen children, and as many grandchildren, says that
she never saw such a child in her life. Col. Stanton says she is
HOOLE: A SOUTHERNER'S VIEWPOINT, 1856-1857 171
a prodigy ; he never saw such a forward child in his life. Whenever
he comes home, she commences jabbering to him, which pleases him
very much. He makes a great deal of her.
Well, my dear Sister, I expect you will find this a disconnected
affair. When I was on the 2nd. page, my Oddfellow's widow & her
sister came in, and in a few minutes after, two of her other sisters
came, and so I could not write steady with them talking around me.
You must excuse it, if it is written badly. . . . Give my love to
Mother. . . . Tell all the Negroes howdie, and my best regards
to enquiring friends. Your loving Brother, Axalla.
Camp Beecher
HORTBNSB BALDERSTON CAMPBELL
CAMP BEECHER was established at the junction of the Big and
Little Arkansas rivers on the site of the present city of Wichita,
May 11, 1868,1 to protect the settlers from the attacks of the Indians,
particularly from the terrors of the Cheyennes, who had been raid-
ing the east central portions of Kansas. It was not an isolated
camp, but was one of many forts built in Kansas to safeguard the
settlers from Indian raids. Its primary purpose was as headquarters
for a border cavalry patrol which extended northward to Marion
Center.2
The necessity for establishing the camp here at this time is evi-
dent, for on the 17th of May, 1868, two men were massacred by
Osages in Butler county on the Big Walnut. A dispatch from a
Eureka correspondent in the Kansas Daily Tribune tells of this
horrible event:
Two MEN KILLED BY OSAGE INDIANS, ON BIG WALNUT, BUTLER COUNTY,
THE BODIES FRIGHTFULLY MUTILATED
THE TRIBE SURRENDERS TWO OF THE GUILTY PARTIES FOR TRIAL
[From our Traveling Correspondent]
Eureka, May 27, 1868.
EDITOR TRIBUNE: On the evening of the 17th inst. Mr. Sam T. Dunn and
Jamea Anderson, living on what ia known as the Government Strip, were
examining a corner stone, near their residence, when they suddenly were sur-
rounded by fourteen Indian warriors.
Mr. Dunn was killed, it is supposed, instantly. Mr. Anderson was first dis-
abled by a tomahawk and then shot.
Their heads were both cut off and scalped, that of the former being left
several rods from the body. The fingers were also cut off from one of the
bodies and taken away.
After the massacre was completed, the party let down the fence to an
eighty-acre field nearby, and drove off two mules; they also chased a horse
to within a hundred and fifty yards of the house.
They were followed by a party of white men some twenty-five miles, far
enough to convince them that they were Osage Indians. They were recognized
by the cut of their hair, their clothes, and by articles left on their trail, as
being Osages.
I have the above from a brother of one of the deceased. J. S. B.3
1. U. S. War Department, Adjutant General's Office, letter from the adjutant general, C. H.
Bridges, major general, to Mrs. Hortense B. Campbell, January 13, 1933. A. G. 314.71
Camp Beecher, (1-3-33) Off. 442.
2. Kansas State Record, Topeka, June 12, 1868, quoted by Marvin H. Garfield, in his
"The Military Post as a Factor in the Frontier Defense of Kansas, 1865-1869" in Kansas
Historical Quarterly, v. I, p. 58; November, 1931.
3. Kansas Daily Tribune, Lawrence, May 31, 1868, p. 2.
(172)
CAMPBELL: CAMP BEECHER 173
The Kansas Daily Tribune also prints this article about the mas-
sacre :
The Journal of yesterday morning has the following:
After the signing of the Osage treaty, a Mr. Dunn, whose parents reside in
Johnson county, arrived in the commissioners' camp from Walnut creek,
Butler county, bringing the report that his brother, Samuel, and a partner by
the name of James Anderson, were killed on Sunday, the 17th inst., by a band
of White Hair Osages. The commissioners immediately called the chiefs in
council, and peremptorily demanded the surrender of the guilty parties. The
next morning, after two hours parleying, amid the moaning of the squaws and
the most intense excitement on the part of the warriors and braves, they gave
up two young men, who were brought by the commissioners to Ottawa, where
they will be turned over to U. S. Marshal Whiting to be tried for the crime
charged.
The matter of sending troops had been under consideration before
this atrocity was committed, Gov. Samuel J. Crawford having writ-
ten to Gen. Philip H. Sheridan previous to April 14, 1868. On that
date General Sheridan posted the following letter to the governor:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI.
Q FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS, April 14, 1868.
I am in receipt of your letter in reference to the establishment of a military
post at the mouth of the Little Arkansas, to protect the settlers in the county
of Sedgwick.
I had already ordered an examination of this point, intending to send a small
military force there and the place will be occupied by at least one company
by the 1st. May.
I am, Governor, Very respectfully Your obedient servant
His Excellency P. H. SHERIDAN,
S. J. Crawford Major General, U. S. A.4
Governor of Kansas
Topeka, Kansas
Many years later, writing of Camp Beecher in his article, "The
Little Arkansas/' James R. Mead said, "Why a company of infantry
should be sent to this point we were never able to learn. In the
previous years we had been coming and going over these plains with
no protection whatever and all had been peace and quiet in this part
of the state. A company of infantry would not have been effective
beyond one half mile of their camp. None but well-mounted horse-
men, trained to plains life, could have protected an extended fron-
tier." 5
At first the camp was called Camp Butterfield but that name was
4. Letter from Maj. Gen. P. H. Sheridan to Gov. S. J. Crawford, April 14, 1868, in
Archives division of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka.
5. Kansas Historical Collections (Topeka, Kansas State Historical Society, 1907-1908),
v. X, p. 13, and O. H. Bentley, editor, History of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas*
. . . (Chicago, C. F. Cooper and Company, 1910), v. I, p. 129.
174 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
not used long, for by June, 1868, the place was known as Camp
Davidson, and on October 19, 1868, this was changed to Camp Bee-
cher,6 which name it kept until it was abandoned in June, 1869.7
Why the camp had three names in a little over a year is not ex-
plained, although it is easily understood why the name was changed
to Camp Beecher, in honor of First Lieut. Frederick H. Beecher,
hero of the Battle of the Arickaree.8
In those days news traveled very slowly, for the order changing
the name of the camp to Camp Beecher, issued October 19, 1868, at
Fort Hays, was not printed in the Leavenworth Times and Conserv-
ative until Sunday morning, November 1st. It ran as follows:
Camp Beecher
Headquarters Department of Missouri
Fort Hays, Kansas, October 19, 1868
General Field Orders, No. 3
The station of United States Troops at the mouth of the Little Arkansas
river, Kansas, will hereafter be known as Camp Beecher, in commemoration of
the name and services of Frederick H. Beecher, 1st Lieutenant, 3d Infantry,
who was killed in battle with Indians, on Arickaree Fork of the Republican
river, September 17, 1868.
By command of Major General Sheridan J. Schuyler Crosby, Brvt.
Lieut. Col., A. D. C.9
Camp Beecher, as it is most commonly known, was located on the
present site of Wichita, the exact spot being in dispute. There are
three possible places where it might have been located.
John S. Whigan, a member of Company H, Fifth United States
infantry, visiting Wichita in 1916 after an absence of forty-eight
years, located it near Ninth and Waco. Mr. Whigan recalled that
6. Bridges to the author, loc. cit.
7. June, 1869, is accepted as the date of abandonment of Camp Beecher, on authority
of the letter listed in note No. 1, although Mrs. Frank C. Montgomery, in her article on
Fort Wallace, published in the Kansas Historical Collections, v. XVII, p. 233, gives a later
date which evidently is based on the U. S. War Department report, 1869-1870, Washington,
Government Printing Office, 1870 (U. S. 41st Congress, 2d session. House of Representatives),
Executive Document No. 1, part 2, s. n. 1412, p. 70. Here Major General Schofield makes
the following statement: "The outposts of Fort Zara and Camp Beecher on the Arkansas
have been broken up." The date of a dispatch on the same page as this notice is October
23, 1869.
8. Frederick Henry Beecher, born in New Orleans, June 22, 1841, was one of the famous
family of Beechers, being a nephew of Henry Ward Beecher and a son of the Reverend
Charles and Sarah Coffin Beecher. (Dictionary of American Biography; under the auspices of
the American Council of Learned Societies; edited by Allen Johnson, N. Y., Scribner's, 1929,
v. II, pp. 126, 129.)
Beecher was in the battles of the army of the Potomac from Fredericksburg to Gettysburg.
The severe nature of his wounds necessitated his transfer to the second battalion veteran
reserve corps, where he served as lieutenant and acted as adjutant general in the Freedman'a
Bureau. He was transferred to the Third U. S. infantry in November, 1864, and was made
first lieutenant in July, 1868. (Appleton't Cyclopedia of American Biography; edited by
J. G. Wilson and John Fiske, N. Y., Appleton, 1888, v. I, p. 221.)
In 1866, he was stationed at Fort Riley. Later he built several buildings at the Fort
Wallace army post. He was killed by the Indians in the Battle of Beecher Island, Colo, [or
Arickaree], September 17, 1868. (Beecher Island Annual, Wray, Colorado, Beecher Island
Battle Memorial Association, 1917, v. V, p. 55.)
9. The Leavenworth Times and Conservative, November 1, 1868, p. 1.
CAMPBELL: CAMP BEECHER 175
the soldiers built for their quarters a dugout seventy-five by fifty
feet, mostly underground.10
A dugout which William Finn said he had been told was used by
a troop of U. S. soldiers in the winter of 1868-'69 housed the first
school held in Wichita. Mr. Finn, speaking in 1928 of this first
school house, reported that the only building he could find [for it]
was a dugout half a mile north of the settlement and that it was
quite commodious, with a fireplace and dormer windows on the
south side of the roof. There was no log house of any shape or kind,
as some one else has pictured it, on top of the dugout.11
This first schoolhouse was located at Twelfth and Jackson, accord-
ing to Mr. Finn, who in 1924, took a party including his son-in-law
Earl C. Schaefer of Sedgwick; Earl's father, Charles Schaefer, also
of Sedgwick; Finlay Ross, former mayor of Wichita; Billy Peacock,
of Wichita, now of Aiken, S. C. ; and Bliss Isely, who says that Mr.
Finn did not say that this was the site of Camp Beecher; in fact
that he did not ask him about the location of Camp Beecher. Mr.
Isely ventures the statement that this location might have been a
sentry's outpost.12
On November 9, 1933, the school children of Wichita placed a
granite marker on the site at Twelfth and Jackson to commemorate
the place where the first school was held in Wichita, but it was not
definitely stated on this occasion that it was the site of Camp
Beecher though it was reported by Mrs. Earl Schaefer, the daughter
of William Finn, that the dugout formerly located there had been
used by Company A of the Fifth infantry.13
The third point at which Camp Beecher is said to have been
located is at the junction of the Big and Little Arkansas, between
the two rivers, just across the Little Arkansas from the present
municipal bathing beach. Kiowa, chief of the Wichita Indians, in
an interview with Mr. Isely in 1924, is authority for this location.
Chief Kiowa and the Wichita Indians left the present site of
Wichita in 1867, according to Mr. Isely, but returned to trade.14
At all events, wherever the dugout was located, it was close to the
Little Arkansas river, where the soldiers could fish for cat fish and
carp, could pick sand plums along the banks when they ripened
late in the summer, could make wine out of elderberries growing
10. Wichita Eagle, September 9, 1916, page 5.
11. Ibid., March 4, 1928, Magazine section, page 6.
12. Letter from Bliss Isely to Mrs. Hortense B. Campbell, December 4, 1933.
13. Wichita Eagle, November 10, 1933, page 2.
14. Isely to the author, loc. cit.
176 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
nearby, and could shoot buffalo and prairie chickens out on the
plains.
Mr. Whigan further declared: "Shortly after we pitched camp,
a man by the name of Lewellyn, his wife and three daughters, built
a cabin near the east bank of Little river about a mile above the
mouth." 15 Lewellen's patent from the United States government
shows settlement was made prior to July 15, 1870, but does not give
the exact date.16
Curious to relate, no one seems to know Lewellen's given name
or the correct spelling of it. The Kansas State Gazetteer of 1888-
1889, listing him later as a resident of Chelsea, records it simply as
Lewellen.17 Andreas' History of Kansas, in its history of Chelsea
township of Butler county, lists him as Doctor Lewellen18 and the
Wichita City Directory and Immigrant Guide, 1878, in its history
of Wichita, gives the name as Doc. Llewellan.19 Additional proof
that he never used his first name or that by some strange fate he
had no other name than Doctor is demonstrated by the fact that in
as important a transaction as securing the patent for his land he used
only the name Doctor Lewellen.20
Durfee's store must have been built then, too, for the Leaven-
worth Times and Conservative of December 18, 1868, says, "Mr.
Durfee has the honor of breaking the first sod at the new town of
Wichita, Sedgwick county, at the mouth of the Little Arkansas
river, where early in January, 1868, he erected a large store building
or 'ranch' at a cost of $2,500, stocking it with $25,000 worth of goods.
Since then emigration has poured into that section of country and
now, where a year ago were only his buildings, is now the thriving
town of Wichita." 21
Durfee's partner was Philip Ledrick22 who, according to records
in the tract book in the General Land Office at Washington, was
granted a patent on land located on the EJ, SWJ and Lots 1 and 2
of Section 17 of Township 27 South, Range 1 East of the Sixth
15. Wichita Daily Eagle, September 9, 1916, p. 6.
16. U. S. Interior Department, General Land Office, letter from the acting assistant com-
missioner, D. K. Parrott, to Mrs. Hortense B. Campbell, May 18, 1933, 1495563 "B" CWB,
advice relative patented entries.
17. Kansas State Gazetteer, 1888-1889 (St. Louis, R. L. Polk and Company, [c!889]), v.
VI, p. 239.
18. Andreas, A. T., publisher History of the State of Kansas. . . . (Chicago, A. T.
Andreas, 1883), p. 1450.
19. Wichita City Directory and Immigrant Guide, 1878, compiled by D. B. Emmert (Kan-
sas City, Tiernan and Wainwright, 1878), p. 15.
20. Parrott to the author, loc. cit.
21. The Leavenworth Times and Conservative, December 18, 1868, p. 2.
22. Wichita City Directory and Immigrant Guide, 1878, compiled by D. B. Emmert
(Kansas City, Tiernan and Wainwright, 1878), p. 15.
CAMPBELL: CAMP BEECHER 177
Principal Meridian, on April 15, 1873. In the proof Mr. Ledrick
gave the date of settlement as February, 1868.23
Mr. Whigan says that D. S. Munger's house wasn't here when he
came,24 although the Daughters of the American Revolution of
Wichita, in their Illustrated History of Early Wichita, are authority
for the statement that it was the first house built in Wichita.25 In
his proof, submitted to the Humboldt land office, February 2, 1870,
D. S. Munger, filing on the SEJ of Section 17, Township 27 South,
Range 1 East, of the Sixth Principal Meridian, stated that he had
settled on the land prior to May 15, 1868.26
Another resident in the early part of 1869 was Phares C. Hubbard
whose entry on land in the same section as Munger shows proof of
settlement made April 17, 1869.27 He must be the Hubbard whom
Fred A. Sowers, in his chapter of Bentley's History of Wichita and
Sedgwick County, entitled "The Early History of Wichita," men-
tions thus, "Jack Ledford traded Hubbard out of his interest with
23. Parrott to the author, loc. cit. The author's examination of a township map reveals
that, roughly speaking, early Wichita was built on Sections 16, 17, 20, and 21 of Township
27 South, Range 1 East of the Sixth Principal Meridian. The present boundaries of these
sections would approximate Thirteenth street on the north, Hydraulic on the east, Kellogg on
the south, and the Big and Little Arkansas rivers and Seneca on the west.
In present-day Wichita, the claims of these early settlers would be in the following
locations, according to the information from the survey plats of the city of Wichita in the
county clerk's office, Wichita, Sedgwick county, and the original township plats in the office
of the county surveyor, Sedgwick county, as prepared by Mr. N. W. Bass, U. S. Geological
Survey with headquarters in Wichita (now of Washington, D. C.):
Ledrick, Philip: E% SW& and Lots 1 and 2, Section 17— This tract extends from
Central avenue north to Riverside avenue and its extension due eastward across the Little
Arkansas river, and from Sherman avenue and its projection northward through Central
Riverside Park west to Buffum avenue and its projection southward through Riverside Park
(Central and South Riverside Parks) to the north bank of the Little Arkansas river in South
Riverside Park, thence southeast along the bank of the river to Central avenue.
Munger, D. S. : SE^4 Section 17 — The south boundary of this tract is Central avenue;
the north boundary falls about 130 feet north of Ninth street between Lawrence avenue
(name changed to Broadway by Ordinance No. 11325 of the City of Wichita, adopted October
30, 1933 — Wichita city clerk's "Office Ordinance Book"), and Waco avenue, and from Waco
avenue on westward it is the alley south of Ninth street; the east boundary is Lawrence
avenue and the west boundary is Sherman avenue and its projection northward through Central
Riverside Park.
Hubbard, Phares C. : NW*4, Section 17 — The south boundary of this tract is Riverside
avenue, which runs between Buffum avenue and the west bank of the Little Arkansas river,
and the projection eastward of Riverside avenue, along a line that would fall about 150 feet
south of Ninth street; the north boundary is Thirteenth street; the east boundary is a north-
south line about 34 feet west of Lewellan avenue; and the west boundary is Buffum avenue
and its projection northward through Riverside Park and Oak Park.
Watterman (usually spelled Waterman), Eli P.: NE& of NE& and Lots 1 and 2, Sec-
tion 20 — This tract extends from Douglas avenue north to Central avenue and from Lawrence
avenue west to the east banks of the Little Arkansas and Arkansas rivers.
Mathewson, William: NE*4, Section 21 — This extends from Douglas avenue north to
Central avenue and from Hydraulic avenue west to Washington avenue.
Mead, James R. : NW*4, Section 21 — This extends from Douglas avenue north to Central
avenue and from Washington avenue west to Lawrence avenue.
24. The Wichita Daily Eagle, September 9, 1916, p. 5.
25. Illustrated History of Early Wichita; Incidents of Pioneer Days; compiled by and
written for the Daughters of the American Revolution (Wichita, Eunice Sterling Chapter,
Daughters of the American Revolution, c!914), [p. 10].
26. Parrott to the author, loc, cit.
27. Ibid.
12—3410
178 THE KANSAS HISTOEICAL QUARTERLY
Matsill in the general merchandise business, getting also the Grand
Hotel, then being built (afterwards the rear part of the Tremont) ." 28
Eli P. Waterman settled on the NE*4 and Lots 1 and 2 in Section
20 of the same township and range, prior to June 20, 1869, and
William Mathewson made settlement on NE1^ of Section 21, on
July 20, 1869.29 James R. Mead, entering his claim to the NW*4
of Section 21 in the Humboldt land office July 29, 1870, showed
no date of settlement, though he says in his paper, "The Little
Arkansas," that he first saw the Little Arkansas on a sunny after-
noon in June, 1863.30 However, he says later in the article that he
was then visiting the valley on a three weeks' hunting and exploring
trip,31 so he probably did not settle here permanently at that time.
No doubt these early settlers were well known to the local officers
in charge of Camp Beecher, none of whom remained on duty for a
long period at a time. Capt. Samuel L. Barr of the Fifth U. S.
infantry was in command first, from May 11, 1868, to June 10,
1868, then Capt. Robert M. West of the Seventh U. S. cavalry took
charge from June 11, 1868, to September, 1868, after which Captain
Barr again resumed command from September, 1868, to April, 1869.
He was followed by First Lieut. George McDermott, Fifth U. S.
infantry, April 22, 1869, and by Capt. Owen Hale, Seventh cavalry,
May 20, 1869.
Company H, Fifth infantry, was stationed at the camp from May
11, 1868, to May 20, 1869, practically all the time the camp was in
operation. Company K, Seventh cavalry, served from June 11,
1868, to August 12, 1868, and from May 20, 1869, to June, 1869.32
Captain Barr was not an amateur at frontier posts for he had
seen service in the Civil War in Arizona and New Mexico, having
been stationed at Camp Lewis, near Pecos Church, N. M., in 1862,33
and at Fort Whipple in 1864,34 and had surprised an Indian camp
near Sycamore Springs, Ariz., and killed four Indians on December
31, 1864.35
Barr was a Delaware man who seems to have spent all the years
28. Bentley, O. H., editor, History of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas. . . .
(Chicago, C. F. Cooper and Company, 1910), v. I, p. 9; Andreas, A. T., publisher, History
of the State of Kansas. . . . (Chicago, A. T. Andreas, 1883), p. 1930.
29. Parrott to the author, loc. cit.
30. Kansas Historical Collections, v. X, p. 7.
31. Ibid., v. X, p. 10.
32. Bridges to the author, loc. cit.
33. War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Con-
federate Armies (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1883), series I, v. IX, p. 538.
34. Ibid. (1873), series I, v. XLI, part IV, pp. 381, 994.
35. Ibid. (1896), series I, v. XLVIII, part I, p. 907.
CAMPBELL: CAMP BEBCHER 179
of his service with the Fifth United States infantry, being appointed
a second lieutenant October 24, 1861, promoted to first lieutenant
April 30, 1863, and made a captain, October 31, 1866. Unassigned
May 19, 1869, he was mustered out January 1, 1871.36
Of the four men in command at Camp Beecher, Capt. Robert
M. West had the most distinguished military career. During the
Civil War he was an officer in charge of artillery with the Fourth
Army corps in the Peninsular campaign,37 was in command at
Fort Magruder in the North Carolina and South East Virginia
campaign,38 participated in the attack on Williamsburg,39 and was
present at the siege of Yorktown in April, 1862.40
Born in New Jersey, West enlisted as a private in Pennsylvania
Mounted rifles April 12, 1856, and was discharged February 5, 1861.
He was made a captain in the First Pennsylvania light artillery on
the 25th of July, 1861, was promoted to the rank of major on the
13th of September of that year, and to the rank of colonel on the
28th of July, 1862. He was transferred to another branch of the
service, the Fifth Pennsylvania cavalry on April 29, 1864, was made
a brevet brigadier general April 1, 1865, for gallant and meritorious
service at the battle of Five Forks, Virginia, and was honorably
mustered out August 7, 1865.41
The Seventh cavalry, which was stationed later at Camp Beecher,
had West for its captain July 28, 1866. West was also honored by
being made a brevet major, March 2, 1867 42 for gallant and meri-
torious service, in action at Charles City C. [ourt] H. [ouse], Vir-
ginia, December 13, 1863, and was made a brevet lieutenant colonel,
March 2, 1867, for the same kind of service in the battle of New
Market Heights, Virginia. West resigned March 1, 1869, and died
September 3d of that year.43
An Irishman, First Lieut. George McDermott, who was at Camp
Beecher from April 22, 1869, to May 20, 1869, was an officer
36. Heitman, Francis Bernard, Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States
Army, From its Organization, September £9f 1789, to March 2, 1903, published under act of
Congress approved March 2, 1903 (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1903), v. I, p.
37. War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Con-
federate Armies (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1883), series I, v. XI, part I, p. 282.
38. Ibid. (1887), series I, v. XVIII, p. 266.
39. Ibid. (1887), series I, v. XVIII, p. 262.
40. Ibid. (1884), series I, v. XI, part I, p. 359, 360.
41. Heitman, op. cit., v. I, p. 1020.
42. Hamersly, T. H. S., Complete Regular Army Register of the U. S. for One Hundred
Years (1779 to 1879), . . . (Washington, Hamersly, 1880), part I, p. 850, gives the rank
as brevet colonel, March, 1867, for gallant and meritorious service in the Battle of Five Forks
Virginia.
48. Heitman, op. cit.t v. I, p. 1020.
180 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
in the Fifth infantry,44 the same company in which Captain Ban*
served. McDermott was wounded at Valverde, N. M., February 21,
1862, in a battle between Union and Confederate troops 45 and later,
upon his recovery, was stationed at Fort Whipple, Ariz., Lieutenant
Barr being there at the same time.46 Lieutenant McDermott was
appointed from the army, being successively a private, corporal,
sergeant, and then first sergeant in the Fifth infantry. Made a
second lieutenant in the same infantry July 17, 1862, he was pro-
moted to a first lieutenancy July 14, 1864. He died June 21, 1878.47
All of these commanding officers saw service in the Civil War,
Capt. Owen Hale of the Seventh cavalry being no exception. His
stay at the post was short, for he was in command only from May
20, 1869, to some time in June, when the camp was abandoned.48
Captain Hale entered the service the first year of the War of the
Rebellion as a sergeant major of the Seventh New York cavalry,
and was made a second lieutenant in the Ninth New York cavalry,
May, 1863. For gallant and meritorious service during the war he
was commissioned a brevet captain March 13, 1865, was mustered
out November 29, 1865, but reenlisted as a first lieutenant in the
Seventh cavalry the 28th of July, 1866, and was promoted to a
captaincy March 1, 1869. Hale was killed in a battle with the Nez
Perce Indians at Snake river, Montana, September 30, 1877.49
Camp Beecher was established here in 1868 in spite of the fact
that in 1865 and again in 1867 treaties had been made with the
Indians which, if they had been lived up to, would have put an end
to Indian warfare, at least for a while. The treaty made in 1865
was witnessed not far from the spot on which Camp Beecher was
located, for James R. Mead, in his article, "The Little Arkansas,"
says the Indians and the White Men met on the east bank of the
Little Arkansas, six miles above its mouth and negotiated the Treaty
of the Little Arkansas.50 The 14th day of October, 1865, the treaty
with the Cheyenne and the Arapaho was made.51 Later the Apache,
the Cheyenne and the Arapaho negotiated with the White Men,52
44. Bridges to the author, loc. tit.
45. War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Con-
federate Armies (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1883), series I, v. IX, p. 487.
46. Ibid. (1893), series I, v. XLI, part II, p. 986.
47. Heitman, op. cit., v. I, p. 662.
48. Bridges to the author, loc cit. ,
49. Heitman, op. cit., v. I, p. 487.
50. Kansas Historical Collections, v. X, p. 11.
51. U. S. Congress, Senate, Indian Affairs Committee, Indian Affairs; Laws and Treaties,
compiled, annotated, and edited by Charles J. Kappler (Washington, Government Printing
Office, 1904), v. II, pp. 887-891.
52. Ibid., v. II, pp. 8»l-892.
CAMPBELL: CAMP BEECHER 181
and the Comanche and the Kiowa on October 18, 1865, concluded a
treaty with the whites.53
The treaties at Medicine Lodge were also made in October, the
first one being entered into at the Council Camp, on Medicine Lodge
creek, seventy miles south of Fort Lamed, on the 21st day of Oc-
tober, 1867, by and between the United States of America, repre-
sented by the commissioners duly appointed thereto, to wit, Na-
thaniel G. Taylor, William S. Harney, C. C. Augur, Alfred S. [BL]
Terry, John B. Sanborn, Samuel F. Tappan, and J. B. Henderson of
the one part, and the Confederated tribes of Kiowa and Comanche
Indians represented by their chiefs and headmen, duly authorized
and empowered to act for the body of the people of said tribes.54
On the same day, another treaty was made with the Kiowa, Co-
manche and Apache,55 and on the 28th of October, 1867, another one
was made with the Cheyenne and Arapaho.56 This treaty provided
that the Indian tribes with whom it had been concluded should con-
sent to unrestricted settlement by the whites of the country be-
tween the Arkansas and Platte rivers, should not interfere with the
construction of the Pacific railroads through the same territory
and that the Indians themselves should thenceforward occupy reser-
vations in the Indian territory south of the Arkansas river which
had been designated for their use. In return for these concessions,
the government was to furnish arms, ammunition and supplies, and
to pay certain sums as annuities toward the support of the several
tribes of Indians.57
"These treaties had been made, in the usual course, with the
chiefs and head men of the several tribes, but in the following spring
it was found that the young men and warriors were opposed to the
agreements made, and claimed they had been procured by personal
bribes offered to these unworthy chiefs by whom they had been
signed." 58
The Indian chiefs who sought to confer with Sheridan said they
had been deceived in signing the treaty they had made and had
never understandingly agreed to the stipulations it contained.59
There was no excuse for the outrages committed by the Indians
since the Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867, states Thomas Murphy
53. Ibid., v. II, pp. 892-895.
54. Ibid., v. II, pp. 977-982.
55. Ibid., v. II, pp. 982-984.
56. Ibid., v. II, pp. 984-989.
57. Davies, Henry E., "Great Commanders" Series, General Sheridan (N. Y., Appleton,
1895), pp. 286-288.
58. Ibid.
59. Ibid.
182 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
of the Central Superintendency No. 69, Office of the Indian Affairs,
with headquarters at Atchison, in his report for the year 1868. He
says that every promise made to them in the Medicine Lodge Treaty
had been complied with. Yet without provocation they attacked
the white settlers and committed numerous outrages. He recom-
mends they be left to the tender mercies of the army till they shall
be forced to sue for peace.60
Savages had been collecting about Forts Dodge and Larned, from
whence it was expected they would proceed during the summer to
their reservations in the Indian territory, but as the season advanced
it became evident that they had no intention of complying with the
treaty and were only awaiting a favorable opportunity for an out-
break. Savages to whom Sheridan was opposed had a force of about
six thousand warriors, and had at their disposal country extending
from Platte river in Nebraska to Red river in Indian territory.
There were large herds of ponies to mount the warriors and trans-
port the women and children, with their tepees and other property,
and, through traders and the bounty of the government, they were
well provided with arms and ammunition. General Sheridan de-
termined to confine operations during grazing and hunting season
to protecting the people of the new settlements and those on the
overland routes, and to begin an active compaign after winter set in.
Then the savages would be settled in their villages, their ponies
would be weak and thin from lack of grazing, and there would be
little game to be had. Headquarters was established at Fort Hays,
then on the extreme western line of settlement and the terminus of
the Pacific railroad.61
To guard the lines of the Union Pacific Railroad (usually spoken
of at that time as the Kansas Pacific) and the Denver stage road,
in addition to protecting the line of the Arkansas to New Mexico,
General Sheridan had only a force of about twelve hundred cavalry
and fourteen hundred infantry, he said in his report to the Secretary
of War, for 1868-1869. There were in the territory to be protected
Forts Barker, Hays, Wallace, Larned, Dodge, Lyon, and Reynolds,
and the outposts of Cedar Point, Zarah, and Camp Beecher.62 Gen-
eral Sheridan's total of two thousand six hundred men was in sharp
contrast to the Indians' six thousand warriors.68
60. U. S. Interior Department, Indian Affairs Office, Annual Report of the Commissioner
of Indian Affairs, 1868 (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1868), pp. 9, 257.
61. Davies, op. cit.f pp. 288-290.
62. U. S. War Department, "Report of the Secretary of War, 1868-1869" (Washington,
Government Printing Office, 1869), 40th Congress, 3d session, House Executive Document
No. 1, s. n. 1367, p. 17.
63. Davies, op. cit., pp. 288, 290.
CAMPBELL: CAMP BEECHER 183
As for the men stationed at the camp, the number varied from
time to time. The "Annual Report" of the Adjutant General of the
United States, October 20, 1868, says that there were stationed at
Camp Davidson, Kansas, near the mouth of the Little Arkansas
river, two companies of the Seventh cavalry and the Fifth infantry.
There was one post chaplain, one surgeon [Mr. E. B. Umstaetter] ,64
one major, one regimental adjutant, one regimental quartermaster,
and one subaltern.65
In a proposal for fresh beef and beef cattle, the Office of the
Chief Commissary of Subsistence, Department of the Missouri, Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas, advertised on May 3, 1869, for meat for only
one company, quartered at Camp Beecher. Evidently the Chief of
the Commissary Department did not know that Camp Beecher was
to be abandoned so soon for he stipulates in this "proposal for new
beef from the block" that the contracts will commence at all posts
July 1, 1869, and expire December 31, 1869.66 From these two
sources we know then that there were two companies stationed at
the camp at one time, and only one at another time.
No record has been found of any major engagements which
occurred at Camp Beecher. Mr. Whigan remembered that a band
of Indians attacked the camp in July or August of 1868, and that
the soldiers rallied behind the Lewellen camp to fight them off. He
recollected that one soldier was wounded and a number of Indian
ponies were killed. If any Indians were wounded their bodies were
carried away.67
Methods of transportation in Camp Beecher's territory were still
quite primitive in 1868-1869, though three years later, on May 15,
1872, the Santa Fe ran its first train through Wichita.68 A post road
between Towanda and Wichita established in 1868 was no doubt
used by the soldiers occasionally for various purposes, especially by
the infantry.69 Their mail came through Fort Harker, addressed
to Wichita, Kansas.70
The dreaded cholera came with the soldiers, James R. Mead says
in his article, "The Little Arkansas." He gives the date of the
64. Bridges to the author, loc. cit.
65. U. S. Congress. House Executive Document No. 1, 40th Congress, 3d session, s. n.
1367, pp. 732-733.
66. The Leavenworth Times and Conservative, May 12, 1869, p. 1.
67. The Wichita Daily Eagle, Wichita, September 9, 1916, p. 5.
68. Wilder, Daniel Webster, The Annals of Kansas, 1541-1885, new edition (Topeka, T.
Dwight Thacher, 1886), p. 572.
69. The Kansas State Record, Topeka, May 6, 1868, p. 3.
70. The Wichita Daily .Eagle, Wichita, September 9, 1916, p. 5.
184 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
troops being stationed here as 1867, 71 although the records already
quoted in this paper definitely establish the dates as 1868-1869,72
and he gives the name of the captain of the Fifth infantry as Thomas
F. Barr 73 instead of Samuel L. Barr.74 There was no doubt cholera
here when the troops came, though no official record of it is available
in the Army Medical Library; the records there do show, however,
that the disease was prevalent at Fort Zarah75 in 1868, so it was
likely to have been here, too.
The Wichita Indians who were moved in 1867 from Butler county,
Kansas, to their former homes on that part of the "Indian territory
known as the leased district" were sorely afflicted with the cholera
and had to be moved in wagons, many of them dying enroute, ac-
cording to the report made by J. H. Chollar, the special agent for
removing the Wichita.76
Mr. Mead corroborates the latter data in his same article on "The
Little Arkansas." He also states that the Nineteenth Kansas
cavalry, organized by Governor Crawford to fight the Indians,
stopped at Camp Beecher on the twelfth of November, 1868, and
remained till November 14, whence they proceeded to Camp Sup-
ply.77 This seems to be the only occasion on which any Kansas
troops were at Camp Beecher.
And so the soldiers came in May, 1868, to Camp Beecher and left
in June, 1869. The Leavenworth Times and Conservative of June 3,
1869, reports their final activities in the following order issued by
General Schofield, the commanding officer of the Department of the
Missouri: ". . . The Seventh cavalry, now at Camp Beecher,
will at once move northward towards the big bend of Smoky Hill,
scouring the country between the Arkansas and Smoky Hill. Jf no
Indians are discovered they will go to Fort Harker." 78 Evidently
no Indians were found for a dispatch from Ellsworth to The Times
and Conservative, under the date of June 15, 1869, reports that:
"Company 'K' of the Seventh United States cavalry, Brevet Major
Hale commanding, arrived yesterday at Fort Harker, from Camp
71. Kansas Historical Collections, v. X, p. 13.
72. Bridges to the author, loc. cit.
73. Kansas Historical Collections, v. X, p. 13.
74. Bridges to the author, loc. cit.
75. U. S. War Department, Army Medical Library, letter from the librarian, Edgar
Erskine Hume, major, medical corps, U. S. A., to Mrs. Hortense B. Campbell, January 19,
1933.
76. U. S. Interior Department, Indian Affairs Office, Annual Report, 1867 (40th Congress,
2d session, House of Representatives, Executive Documents), v. Ill, part II, pp. 330-331.
77. Kansas Historical Collections, v. X, pp. 13-14; v. XVII, p. 105; v. VI, p. 38. Craw-
ford, Samuel J., Kansas in the Sixties (Chicago, McClurg, 1911), pp. 321-322.
78. The Leavenworth Times and Conservative, Leavenworth, June 3, 1869, p. 1.
CAMPBELL: CAMP BEECHES 185
Beecher, where they had been relieved by a detachment of Company
'C,' Tenth cavalry. Signed, W. W. Creighton." 79
Several of the men who were in the army remained as settlers.
Sergeant Mohen afterwards became a policeman, and Sergeants
John Ward and Charles Bush also made their homes here.80 In
the Wichita Eagle for April 6, 1876, the following picturesque ac-
count is given of the later careers of some of the men:
During the winter [1868] a company of infantry were quartered at this point.
Several of the boys having served out their time were discharged and took
claims. One or two married and are still with us, honored and useful citizens.
One went to the mountains and his quietus made with his boots on. Another
was chosen by unanimous vote, without even asking it, to represent Sedgwick
county in the State Industrial Institute at Leavenworth for a term of seven
years. It was thought to be an "act of justice" by his constituents.81
79. Ibid., June 16, 1869, p. 1. No record has been found of the Tenth cavalry being
here, although it was in the field at the time, according to the "Report of the Secretary of
War for 1868-1869," House Executive Documents, 40th Congress, 3d session, v. I, p. 17. One
local authority, the Wichita City Directory and Immigrant Guide, 1878, compiled by D. B.
Emmert (Kansas City, Tiernan and Wainwright, 1878), p. 15, reports that a colored company,
commanded by Captain Rowelson, was stationed here at the time, but the letter to Mrs.
Hortense B. Campbell, January 13, 1933, from C. H. Bridges, major general, says that there
is no one by that name on the rolls in their office. The War Department also reports that
only the Fifth infantry and the Seventh cavalry were stationed at Camp Beecher.
80. Wichita City Directory and Immigrant Guide, 1878, compiled by D. B. Emmert
(Kansas City, Tiernan and Wainwright, 1878), p. 14.
81. The Wichita City Eagle, April 6, 1876, p. 1.
Recent Additions to the Library
Compiled by HELEN M. MCFARLAND, Librarian
/TM3E books received in the past year are from three sources,
-L purchase, gift and exchange, and fall largely into the following
classifications: Kansas; the West; Genealogy and Local History;
and General. We have been fortunate in receiving as gifts several
genealogies, and we receive regularly valuable publications con-
taining history and genealogy through our exchange with many his-
torical societies. We also subscribe to several historical and genea-
logical publications which are not available by exchange. These add
greatly to the usefulness of the library.
There are many books needed for the library, particularly those
relating to the West and Genealogy and Local History which have
been published years ago and are obtainable only through dealers
in rare Americana. We have acquired a number of early Kansas
books through dealers' catalogues. As there is often only one copy
of these books in a book dealer's shop it makes them very difficult
to secure.
The following is a partial list of books which were added to the
library from October 1, 1932, to October 1, 1933. The total number
of books accessioned appears in the report of the secretary in the
February issue of the Quarterly.
KANSAS
ABILENE, Ordinances of the City of Abilene Published by Order of the City
Council [Abilene, Strother Brothers] 1892.
ADAMS, ANDY, The Outlet. Boston, Houghton, Mifflin and Company , 1905.
ART PUBLISHING COMPANY, "The Magic City" Wichita, Picturesque and
Descriptive. Neenah, Wis., Art Publishing Company, 1889.
ATCHISON BOARD OP TRADE, Atchison, the Railroad Centre of Kansas: Its
Advantages for Commerce and Manufactures. Atchison, Daily Champion
Steam Printing Establishment, 1874.
AUCHAMPAUGH, PHILIP GERALD, James Buchanan and His Cabinet on the Eve
of Secession. [Lancaster, Pa.] Privately Printed, 1926.
BAKER, ROBERT OSBORNE, The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Em-
ployees and Moving Picture Machine Operators of the United States and
Canada. Lawrence, 1933.
BARTLETT, JENNIE V., History of the Salina Schools, With Reminiscences by
Mrs. C. W. Lynn. Published in Memorial Tribute by Saline County Chap-
ter, Native Daughters of Kansas, 1933.
RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 187
BEALS, CARLETON, Brimstone and Chili, a Book of Personal Experiences in the
Southwest and Mexico. New York, A. A. Knopf, 1927.
BERGIN, ALFRED, The Story of Lindsborg, Written for the Sixtieth Anniversary
of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church . . . April 19-
21, 1929. Published by The Luther Leagues of the Bethany Church. Linds-
borg, [Bethany Printing Company] n. d.
— , Tro och Lif Nagra ord till de unga om ett helgadt lif, grundadt i en
lefvande tro. Rock Island, 111., Augustana Book Concern, 1913.
, Under Furor och Palmer. [Smolan, Kan.] Gustaf Eriksons Forlog
[c!916L
BOWLBY, RICHARD, Kansas, the Seat of War in America. London, Effingham
Wilson, 1856.
BRADT, CHARLES EDWIN, Problems of Pin-Hole Parish. Wichita, Missionary
Press Company, [c!912].
BROWN, GEORGE ALFRED, Harold, the Klansman. Kansas City, Mo., Western
Baptist Publishing Company, 1923.
BRUCE, HENRY CLAY, The New Man. Twenty-nine Years a Slave. Twenty-
nine Years a Freeman. Recollections of H. C. Bruce. York, Pa., P. Anstadt
& Sons, 1895.
BURLINGAME, KANSAS TERRITORY, Its Location, Present Improvements and
Future Prospects: Lumber, Water, Coal, Stone, etc. Topeka, Ross Broth-
ers, 1857.
CARTER, ROBERT L., Pictorial History of the Thirty-fifth Division. St. Louis,
1933.
CHESTER, CHARLES, comp., Technocracy, a Book for Thoughtful Persons.
Topeka, F. E. Anderson Publishing Company, 1933.
CLAY CENTER, Revised Ordinances. Published by Authority of the City. Clay
Center, Clay Center Publishing Company, 1926.
, Revised Ordinances of the City of Clay Center, Kansas. Clay Center,
Dispatch Printing House, 1890.
COATES, GRACE STONE, Portulacas in the Wheat. Caldwell, Idaho, Caxton
Printers, 1932.
Commemoration of Nelson Timothy Stephens on Commencement Day, 1932,
at the University of Kansas . . . Upon the Reception by the University
of the Portrait of Judge Stephens . . . New York, Tudor Press, 1933.
[CoNE, JOHN PHILIP], Told Out of School. By One of the Pupils, no impr.
CONNELLEY, WILLIAM ELSEY, Wild Bill and His Era: the Life and Adventures
of James Butler Hickok. New York, The Press of the Pioneers, 1933.
Constitution and Government of Kansas. Lawrence, J. S. Boughton, 1889.
COSGROVE, MRS. HARRIET (SILLIMAN) AND C. B. COSGROVE, The Swarts Ruin;
a Typical Mimbres Site in Southwestern New Mexico. . . . Cambridge,
Mass., Peabody Museum, 1932.
DARLING, ARTHUR BURR, Political Changes in Massachusetts 1824-1848. New
Haven, Yale University Press, 1925.
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. [Year Books of Various Kansas
Chapters}, 440 Pamphlets.
188 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
DOUBT, SARAH L., My Summer Abroad. No impr.
DOUGLASS, JAMES HARVEY, AND R. H. ROBERTS, Instruction and Information
Units for Hand Woodworking. Winfield, The Practical Arts Publishing
Company, 1932.
EARHART, AMELIA, The Fun of It: Random Records of My Own Flying and
of Women in Aviation. New York, Brewer, Warren & Putnam, 1932.
EDMONDS, ALBERT SYDNEY, II Penseroso and Other Poems. [Topeka, College
Press, c!932.]
EHRLICH, LEONARD, God's Angry Man. New York, Simon & Schuster, 1932.
ENGBL, E. F., Engel's Laboratory Method in Beginning German. Hand Book
of Materials for Engel's German Laboratory Notebook. Rev. ed. Law-
rence, Sunflower Publishing Company, [c!932].
, Why and How to Learn German. Lawrence, Sunflower Publishing
Company, n. d.
FARNHAM, MRS. MATEEL (Hows), Lost Laughter. New York, Dodd, Mead &
Company, 1933.
THE FERRY-HANLY-SCHOTT ADVERTISING COMPANY, comp., A Square Deal for
Kansas Railroads: the Sentiment of Scores of Kansas Editors. No impr.
FLICKNER, PETER, J. J. KREHBIEL, AND P. P. WEDEL, A Brief History of Swiss
Mennonites Who Immigrated from Wolhynia, Russia, into Kansas. (In
German.) No impr.
FREEMASONS, ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED, By-Laws, Rules and Funeral Serv-
ices of Topeka Lodge No. 17. Topeka, MacDonald & Baker, 1865.
GRANT, BLANCHE CHLOE, ed., Kit Carson's Own Story of His Life as Dictated
to Col. and Mrs. D. C. Peters About 1856-57, and Never Before Published.
Taos, N. M., 1926.
HARBORD, JAMES GUTHRIE, America in the World War. Boston, Houghton
Mifflin Company, 1933.
HEY, C. A., comp., A Little Bouquet: Some Songs and Cheers for Kansas and
Her Pioneers. To the Pioneers of the Great Southwest This Book is Dedi-
cated. Dodge City, Dodge City Printing Company, 1930.
HIGGINSON, MRS. EDWARD, A Story of the Wichita Musical Club from Its
Organization, May 7, 1892, to . . . September 1, 1929. Wichita, The
Travis Press, n. d.
HODGES, GEORGE H., In Appreciation of Former Governor John P. St. John.
[Olathe, Olathe Democrat, 1933.]
HOLMES, MRS. HILDA (MAUCK), Wings of Hope. [New York, C. Kendall,
c!932.]
HOPKINS, G. M., A Complete Set of Surveys and Plats of Properties in Wyan-
dotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, Compiled and Drawn from Official
Records and Actual Surveys. Philadelphia, G. M. Hopkins, c!887.
HOPPER, BROWNLOW, The Rugged Rocky Region. [Detroit, c!92L]
HORTON, DUDLEY T., History of Hopewell School District No. 114, Plevna,
Reno County, Kansas, n. p. [1932.]
HOWE, EDGAR WATSON, The Story of a Country Town. New York, Dodd,
Mead & Company, 1932.
RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 189
INGRAM, JOHN C., Coming of Christ. [Ashland, Ingram, c!932.]
, Prophetic Democracy, [n. p. Ingram, c!927.]
INMAN, HENRY, The Ranche on the Oxhide, a Story of Boys' and Girls' Life
on the Frontier. New York, Grosset & Dunlap, [c!912].
JUNCTION CITY, General Ordinances of the City of Junction City Revised by
W. H. Laundy . . . 1896. Junction City, Republican Book and Job
Printing House, 1896.
KANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, Transactions, Vol. 35. Manhattan, Kimball
Printery Company, 1932.
KANSAS CITY, Revised Ordinances of the City of Kansas City, Kansas, 1909.
Kansas City, Gazette Globe, 1909.
Kansas Facts, Vol. 4, 1932 and 1933. Topeka, Kansas Facts Publishing Com-
pany, 1933.
KANSAS PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPANY, Kansas Pacific Railway Gold Loan $6,-
600,000. First Mortgage Seven Per Cent. Gold Bonds. . . . n.p. [1869].
KANSAS STATE BAR ASSOCIATION, Proceedings, 1930, 1931. 2 vols. No impr.
, Committee to Prepare and Revise a General Corporation Code, Gen-
eral Corporation Code. Topeka, Ives, 1933.
KAUFMAN, P. R., Unser Volk und Seine Geschichte. [Basil, Kan., 1931.]
KIENE, LLEWELLYN, The Story of Two Brothers. Topeka, Printed and Pub-
lished by the House of Smiths, 1905.
LAWRENCE, Revised Ordinances of the City of Lawrence, Kansas. Published
by Authority of the City. Lawrence, Journal Publishing Company, 1891.
LEAVENWORTH, LAWRENCE AND GALVESTON RAILROAD COMPANY, Trust Mortgage
to the Farmers Loan and Trust Company of New York. Chicago, Rounds
& James, 1869.
LEISY, ERNEST ERWIN, American Literature; an Interpretative Survey. New
York, Thomas Y. Crowell Company, [c!929].
LITOWICH, CAROLINA, Ugly Face. Boston, Christopher Publishing House,
[c!932].
LOCKWOOD, GREENE & COMPANY, Incorporated, Industrial Survey of Wichita,
Kansas. Mimeo. [1927.]
LOOMIS, NELSON H., Facts about the Railroads, Omaha, Neb., October 23, 1928.
No impr.
•, Railroad Issues of 1923; Speech Delivered at Salina, Kansas, September
26, 1923, Before the Farmers' Educational and Cooperative Union of
America. No impr.
LYTLE, J. A., A Brief History of District No. 34, "The Rose Valley District,"
Osborne County, Kansas, Embracing the First Thirty-five Years of the
District's Organization. St. Louis, Ross-Gould Company, 1933.
McCoY, JOSEPH G., Historic Sketches of the Cattle Trade of the West and
Southwest. Reprinted. Washington, D. C., The Rare Book Shop, 1932.
MACK, GEORGE, JR., ed. and pub., The 1933 Kansas Legislative Blue Book.
Lawrence, World Company, 1933.
MARCY, MRS. JENNIE C., Autumn Leaves. Baldwin, 1932.
190 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
MARKHAM, REUBEN H., Meet Bulgaria. Published by the author. Sofia,
Bulgaria, Printed by "The Stopansko Razvitiye Press," 1931.
MARYSVILLE, Revised Ordinances of the City of Marysville. Published by
Order of the City Council, May, 1893.
MAXTON, MRS. ROSIB ELLEN, The Last One. Joplin, Mo., Automatic Printing
Company, 1932.
MERRILL, O. N., A True History of the Kansas Wars, and Their Origin,
Progress and Incidents. . . . Cincinnati, 1856. Tarrytown, N. Y. Re-
printed by William Abbatt, 1932.
MOORE, MRS. ELMA (SETTLE), Winnowings. [Seneca, Courier-Tribune Press]
n. d.
Moss, RYCROFT G., The Geology of Ness and Hodgeman Counties, Kansas.
(State Geological Survey of Kansas, Bulletin 19, 1932.)
NYQUIST, EDNA, Pioneer Life and Lore of McPherson County, Kansas.
McPherson, Democrat-Opinion Press, 1932.
OLATHE, FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, Dedication Services of the First Christian
Church, Olathe, Kansas, Sunday, April the Fourth, 1926. No impr.
OLATHE, JOHN P. ST. JOHN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL, A Life Lived for Others:
John Pierce St. John 1833-1938. [Olathe, John P. St. John Memorial High
School, Journalism Class, 1933.]
OSWALD, A. LEWIS, Traditions of Troop One. Hutchinson, Rotherwood Press,
[c!931].
OWEN, JENNIE SMALL, Fodder. 4th ed. Emporia, Emporia Gazette Print, 1932.
PEJMBERTON, MURDOCK, AND DAVID BOEHM, Sing High, Sing Low; a Comedy in
Two Acts and Six Scenes. New York, Samuel French, Incorporated, [c!932L
PERRY, JOHN D., President Union Pacific Railway Company, Eastern Division.
[Letter to Hon. 0. H. Browning, Secretary of the Interior, Dated St. Louis,
December 31, 1868.] No impr.
PETERS, H. P., History and Development of Education Among the Mennon-
ites in Kansas. Hillsboro, 1925.
PHILLIPS, MRS. CATHERINE COFFIN, Cornelius Cole, California Pioneer and
United States Senator: a Study in Personality and Achievements Bearing
Upon the Growth of a Commonwealth. San Francisco, John Henry Nash,
1929.
, Portsmouth Plaza, the Cradle of San Francisco. San Francisco, John
Henry Nash, 1932.
Folk's Arkansas City (Kansas) Directory, 1930. Including Cowley County.
Kansas City, Mo., R. L. Polk & Company, 1930.
Polk's Chanute (Kansas) City Directory, 1929. Including Neosho County Tax-
payers. Kansas City, Mo., R. L. Polk & Company, 1929.
Polk's El Dorado (Kansas) City Directory, 1929. Kansas City, Mo., R. L.
Polk & Company, 1929.
Polk's Emporia (Kansas) City Directory, 1930. Kansas City, Mo., R. L. Polk
& Company, 1930.
RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 191
Folk's Kansas City (Kansas) Directory, 1930. Kansas City, Mo., R. L. Polk
& Company, 1930.
Folk's Salina (Kansas') City Directory, 1931. Including Saline County. Kansas
City, Mo., R. L. Polk & Company, 1930.
Folk's Topeka City Directory, 1933. Including Shawnee County Taxpayers.
Kansas City, Mo., R. L. Polk & Company, 1933.
Folk's Winfield (Kansas) City Directory, 1931. Including Cowley County.
Kansas City, Mo., R. L. Polk & Company, 1931.
POLLOCK, JOHN CALVIN, Charge to Grand Jury, Fort Scott, Kansas, May 1,
1922. No impr.
PORTER, KENNETH WIGGINS, John Jacob Astor, Business Man. Cambridge,
Harvard University Press, 1931.
"A Protest" of the Committee Representing Stevens, Morton and Seward
Counties in the State of Kansas Against the Passage of the "Voorhees-
Cimarron Land Office BUI." N. p. Judd & Detweiller, [1888].
QUAYLE, WILLIAM ALFRED, The Prairie and the Sea. Cincinnati, Jennings &
Graham, 1905.
READ, JOHN M., Speech on the Power of Congress Over the Territories, and
in Favor of Free Kansas, Free White Labor, and of Fremont and Day^
ton. . . September 30, 1856, at Philadelphia. Philadelphia, C. Sherman
& Son, 1856.
RHODES, HARRY L., Bird Notes, with Questions and Answers. Wellington,
Charles Hillebrandt, 1932.
ROENIGK, ADOLPH, ed., Pioneer History of Kansas. [Lincoln, Kan.] Author,
[c 1933].
ROSE, OSCAR JOEL, Just Ridin' 'Round Stories, n. p. c!932.
SEELEY, CHARLES LIVINGSTONE, Pioneer Days in the Arkansas Valley and South-
ern Colorado and History of Bent's Fort. Denver, Author, [c!932].
SEWARD, COY AVON, Metal Plate Lithography for Artists and Draftsmen. New
York, The Pencil Points Press, Incorporated, 1931.
SHARP, WAUBAN A., A Brief Sketch of the Central Normal College, Great
Bend, Kansas, from Its Beginning to Its Close. Topeka, 1933.
SHERWOOD, ELMER, Buffalo Bill's Boyhood. Racine, Wis., Western Publishing
Company, n. d.
SHUMARD, B. F., AND G. C. SWALLOW, Descriptions of New Fossils, from the
Coal Measures of Missouri and Kansas. St. Louis, George Knapp & Com-
pany, 1858.
SMITH, EDWARD B., Etymology and Syntax. Chicago, A. Flanagan Company,
[c!894].
Solid Shot. The Facts and the Arguments on the Liquor Traffic. 2d ed.
Springfield, Ohio, New Era Company, 1890.
STOLPB, MAURITZ, AND ALFRED BERGIN, Call for Lutheran Rallying. Rock
Island, 111., Augustana Book Concern, 1917.
STKOUD, ALBERT, Verdigris Valley Verse. Coffeyville, Journal Press, 1917.
192 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
TAYLOR, MRS. H. J., Snow and Goss, the Pioneers in Kansas Ornithology. Re-
printed from the Wilson Bulletin, September, 1932.
TOPEKA BOARD OF EDUCATION, Socializing the School. Report of the Board of
Education, Topeka, Kansas, for the Two Years Ending July 1, 1917. No
impr.
UNDERWOOD, MRS. EDNA WORTHLEY, Other Twilights. Portland, Me., Mosher
Press, 1928.
, Egyptian Twilights. Portland, Me., Mosher Press, 1928.
, Improvisations, Africa, the Mediterranean. Portland, Me., Mosher
Press, 1929.
-, Improvisations, South America, the Carib Sea. Portland, Me., Mosher
Press, 1929.
, Masque of the Moons. Portland, Me., Mosher Press, 1928.
, Songs from the Plains. Boston, Sherman, French & Company, 1917.
, tr., Anthology of Mexican Poets from the Earliest Times to the Pre-
sent Day. Portland, Me., Mosher Press, 1932.
The Book of Seven Songs by Tu Fu, Translated into English by Edna
Worthley Underwood and Chi-Hwang Chu. Portland, Me., Mosher Press,
1928.
, Famous Stories from Foreign Countries. Boston, Four Seas Company.
1921.
, The Slav Anthology, Russian, Polish, Bohemian, Serbian, Croatian.
Portland, Me., Mosher Press, 1931.
, Songs of Hafiz. Boston, Four Seas Company, 1917.
, The Taste of Honey: the Note Book of a Linguist. Portland, Me.,
Mosher Press, 1930.
Three Chinese Masterpieces, Translated into English by Edna Worth-
ley Underwood and Chi-Hwang Chu. Portland, Me., Mosher Press, 1927.
USHER, J. P., The Pacific Railroads: Their Operation as One Continuous Line.
Argument in Behalf of the Kansas Pacific Railway Before the House Com-
mittee on the Pacific Railroad. Washington City, 1878.
VAN NOT, KATHRYNE, AND ELINOR HEDRICK, Jack and Matt of the WX. New
York, Duffield & Green, [c!933].
VESTAL, STANLEY, pseud., Sitting Bull, Champion of the Sioux. Boston,
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1932.
Views of the Great Kansas River Flood, Lawrence, May and June, 190S.
Lawrence, Daily Gazette, 1903.
WAUGH, MAURICE C., Hearthside Musings. Wichita, Travis Press, 1931.
, Reanimation. Wichita, Travis Press, 1932.
WHITTEMORE, MRS. FRANCES DAVIS, George Washington in Sculpture. Boston,
Marshall Jones Company, 1933.
WICHITA CITY MANAGER, Report, 1922-1926, 1928-1932. 10 vols. No impr.
Wichita City Directory 1912, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1920, 1922, 1925, 1926, 1928,
1931, 19S2. 12 vols. Place and Publisher vary.
RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 193
WICHITA CITY SCHOOLS, Community Life and Development: a Manual for
Work in Community Civics. 4th ed. Wichita. Wichita Eagle Press, 1926.
WIRTH, FREDERICK E., Socialism: the Political Religion of a Christian. (Uni-
versity of Kansas. Hattie Elizabeth Lewis Memorial, No. 13.)
WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, Fifty-fourth
Annual Report, 1932, n. p. 1933.
WOMER, PARLEY PAUL, The Coming Creed. Boston, Sherman, French & Com-
pany, 1911.
WOOL WORTH, J. M., The Pacific Railroads: Their Operation as One Continuous
Line. Argument in Behalf of the Kansas Pacific Railway, before the House
Committee on the Pacific Railroad. Washington City, 1878.
WOOSTER, LYMAN C., The Fundamentals of Biology. Emporia, Emporia Ga-
zette, 1930.
THE WEST
ALLEN, JULES VERNE, Cowboy Lore. San Antonio, Tex., Naylor Printing Com-
pany, 1933.
BROWN, MRS. JENNIE BROUGHTON, Fort Hall on the Oregon Trail. Caldwell,
Idaho, Caxton Printers, 1932.
BRUCE, ROBERT, The Fighting Norths and Pawnee Scouts; Narratives and
Reminiscences of Military Service on the Old Frontier. . . . Published
with the cooperation and approval of the Nebraska State Historical Society.
Lincoln, Neb., c!932.
CHAPIN, FREDERICK H., Mountaineering in Colorado: the Peaks about Estes
Park. Boston, Appalachian Mountain Club, 1889.
CHARDON, FRANCIS A., Chardon's Journal at Fort Clark, 1834-1839: Descrip-
tive of Life on the Upper Missouri; of a Fur Trader's Experiences among
the Mandans, Gros Venires and Their Neighbors; of the Ravages of the
Small-pox Epidemic of 1837. Pierre, S. D., 1932.
CRAWFORD, LEWIS FERANDUS, Rekindling Camp Fires, the Exploits of Ben
Arnold (Connor) (Wa-si-cu Tam-a-he-ca) ; an Authentic Narrative of Sixty
Years in the Old West as Indian Fighter, Gold Miner, Cowboy, Hunter and
Army Scout. Bismarck, N. D., Capital Book Company, [c!926].
DAUGHTERS OF UTAH PIONEERS, Pioneer Songs. [Salt Lake City] Author,
c!932.
DELLENBAUGH, FREDERICK SAMUEL, The Romance of the Colorado River; the
Story of Its Discovery in 1540, With an Account of the Later Explora>-
tions, and With Special Reference to the Voyages of Powell Through the
Line of the Great Canyons. New York, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1906.
EGAN, HOWARD, Pioneering the West, 1846 to 1878; Major Howard Effan's
Diary, Also Thrilling Experiences of Pre-Frontier Life Among Indians. . . .
Richmond, Utah, Howard R. Egan Estate, 1917.
FITCH, FRANKLIN Y., The Life, Travels and Adventures of an American
Wanderer: a Truihjul Narrative of Events in the Life of Alonzo P. DeMilt.
. . . New York, John W. Lovell Company, [c!883].
13—3410
194 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
GELBERT, EDMUND WILLIAM, The Explorations of Western America 1800-1850,
an Historical Geography. Cambridge, University Press, 1933.
GREGG, JOSIAH, Commerce of the Prairies; the Journal of a Santa Fe Trader.
Reprint edition. Dallas, Southwest Press, [1933].
HAFEN, LERoy R., Colorado, the Story of a Western Commonwealth. Denver,
Peerless Publishing Company, 1933.
HAFERKORN, H. E., comp., The Mississippi River and Valley: Bibliography:
Mostly Nontechnical. Fort Humphreys, Va., The Engineer School, 1931.
HASTINGS, LANSFORD WARREN, The Emigrants' Guide to Oregon and California.
Princeton. Princeton University Press, 1932. (Narratives of the Trans-Mis-
sissippi Frontier: a series of reprints of Western Americana.)
HEBARD, GRACE RAYMOND, Sacajawea, a Guide and Interpreter of the Lewis and
Clark Expedition, With an Account of the Travels of Toussaint Char-
bonneau, and of Jean Baptiste, the Expedition Papoose. Glendale, Cal.,
Arthur H. Clark Company, 1933.
HOOPES, ALBAN W., Indian Affairs and Their Administration, With Special
Reference to the Far West, 1849-1860. Philadelphia [University of Pennsyl-
vania Press], 1932.
HUDSON, WILLIAM HENRY, Famous Missions of California. New York, Dodge
Publishing Company, [c!901].
HULBERT, ARCHER BUTLER, ed., Southwest on the Turquoise Trail; the First
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KELLY, HALL JACKSON, Hall J. Kelley on Oregon; a Collection of Five of His
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LANGWORTHY, FRANKLIN, Scenery of the Plains, Mountains and Mines. Prince-
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LEWIS, ANNA, Along the Arkansas. Dallas, Southwest Press, [c!932].
LOCKWOOD, FRANCIS CUMMINS, Pioneer Days in Arizona, From the Spanish
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LOVE, NAT, The L/ife and Adventures of Nat Love, Better Known in the
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MCLEAN, JOHN, Notes of a Twenty-five Years' Service in the Hudson's Bay
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MASSEY, STEPHEN L., James's Traveler's Companion. Being a Complete Guide
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OSTRANDER, ALSON BOWLES, The Bozeman Trail Forts Under General Philip
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RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRAEY 195
OWEN, JOHN, Journals and Letters of Major John Owen, Pioneer of the North-
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PIKE, JAMES, Scout and Ranger, Being the Personal Adventures of James Pike
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PIKE, ZEBULON MONTGOMERY, Zebulon Pike's Arkansaw Journal. Published by
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the Gold Mines, or Adventures with the Gold Diggers of California in
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STANTON, ROBERT BREWSTER, Colorado River Controversies. New York, Dodd,
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STONE, MRS. ELIZABETH ARNOLD, Uinta County, Its Place in History. Glen-
dale, Calif., Arthur H. Clark Company, n. d.
TALLACK, WILLIAM, The California Overland Express, the Longest Stage Ride
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GENEALOGY AND LOCAL HISTORY
AMERICAN CLAN GREGOR SOCIETY, Year Book, Containing the Proceedings of
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AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INCORPORATED, Ruj, Haight, Eddy, Sumner,
Hatch and Allied Families: Genealogical and Biographical. New York,
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AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Journal, 1932, Vol. 80. New York, So-
ciety, 1932.
Annual Review of Greater Kansas City: Illustrated 1908. Kansas City, D. M.
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ARDERY, MRS. WILLIAM BRECKENRIDGE, comp., Kentucky Court and Other
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196 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
BELL, LANDON C., Charles Parish, York County, Virginia. History and Regis-
ters. Births, 1648-1789. Deaths, 1665-1787. Richmond, Virginia State Li-
brary Board, 1932.
BERGEN, TEUNIS G., Genealogy oj the Lefferts Family, 1650-1878. Albany, Joel
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BERTHOLD, EUGENIE, Glimpses oj Creole Life in Old St. Louis. St. Louis,
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BRIMFIELD, MASS., Vital Records to the Year, 1850. Boston, New England
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BUCKS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Collection oj Payers, Vol. 6. Published
for the Society, 1932.
BUECHNER, CECILIA BAIN, The Pokagons. Indianapolis, Printed for Indiana
Historical Society, 1933.
CANTERBURY, CONN., CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, Records, 1711-1844- Hartford,
Historical Society and Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of
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COLLIER, EDWARD A., A History oj Old Kinderhook from Aboriginal Days to
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COLUMBIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Records, Vol. 83-34- Washington City, Society,
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COURT OF ALBANY, RENSSELAERSWYCK AND SCHENECTADY, Minutes, 1680-1685,
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DAUGHTERS OF FOUNDERS AND PATRIOTS OF AMERICA, History of the National
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DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, Lineage Book. Vols. 127-132.
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Descendants of John Porter, of Windsor, Conn., in the Line of His Great,
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Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania Biography, Vol., 20. New York, Lewis Histori-
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FABWELL, HARRIETTS F., Shaw Records, a Memorial of Roger Shaw, 1594-1661.
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FAUST, ALBERT BERNHARDT, The German Element in the United States. Boston,
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FAXON, FREDERICK WINTHROP, ed., Annual Magazine Subject Index, 1931.
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GERMAN AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF ILLINOIS, Jahrbuch, Vol. 32. Chicago,
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THE GOVERNOR THOMAS DUDLEY FAMILY ASSOCIATION, Year Book, Year Ending
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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, With Illustrations and Biographical
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History of Penobscot County, Maine, With Illustrations and Biographical
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History of Union County, Ohio. . . . Chicago, W. H. Beers & Company,
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HOES, ROSWELL RANDALL, Baptismal and Marriage Registers of the Old Dutch
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HUGUENOT SOCIETY. Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia, The
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198 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
HUGUENOT SOCIETY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, Transactions, No. 37. Published by
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HUNTER, C. L., Sketches of Western North Carolina, Historical and Bio-
graphical. Raleigh, Raleigh News Steam and Job Print, 1877. Reprinted,
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ILLINOIS STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Transactions for the Year 1982. Proceed-
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JACOBUS, DONALD LINES, ed., History and Genealogy of the Families of Old
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JEWETT, FREDERIC CLARKE, History and Genealogy of the Jewetts of America.
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KENT, ARTHUR SCOTT, Kent Genealogy. Privately printed, 1933.
KING, EDWARD THORP, Genealogy of Some Early Families in Grant and Pleas-
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KING, J. ESTELLE STEWART, comp., Abstract of Early Kentucky Wills and In-
ventories Copied from Original and Recorded Wills and Inventories, n. p.
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LEWIS, THEODORE GRAHAM, History of Waterbury, Vermont, 1763-1915. Water-
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LITTLE, MARYELLA ROBINSON, Stephen Little of New York, His Background
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LOCKE, JOHN STAPLES, Historical Sketches of Old Orchard and the Shores of
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LOWELL, MASS., Vital Records to the End of the Year 1849. 4 vols. Salem,
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McCABE, MRS. GILLIE (GARY), The Story of an Old Town, Hampton, Virginia.
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McCoRD, WILLIAM B., ed. and comp., A Souvenir History of Ye Old Town of
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MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly
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RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 199
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Proceedings, Vol. 64. Boston, Society,
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MILLER, BEN ROBERTSON, The Louisiana Judiciary. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
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MORISON, SAMUEL ELIOT, Builders of the Bay Colony. Boston, Houghton
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NATIONAL SOCIETY OF COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA, PATRIOTIC SERVICE COM-
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REX, LEDA FERRELL, George Rex Genealogy: Ancestry and Descendants of
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RODNEY, GEORGE BRYDGES, Letter-books and Order-book of George, Lord Rod-
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Some Tennessee Heroes of the Revolution, Compiled from Pension Statements.
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TAYLOR, CHARLES J., History of Great Barrington (Berkshire County), Massa-
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UTICA PUBLIC LIBRARY, comp., A Bibliography of the History and Life of Utica.
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VAIL, HENRY HOBART, Pomfret, Vermont. 2 vols. [Boston, Cockayne, 1930.]
VAN RENSSELAER, JEREMIAS, Correspondence of Jeremias Van Rensselaer, 1651-
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VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Proceedings. Montpelier, Vt., 1932.
VIRKUS, FREDERICK ADAMS, The Compendium of American Genealogy, Vol. 5.
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WADDELL, ALFRED MOORE, History of New Hanover County and the Lower Cape
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WEISB, ARTHUR JAMES, History of Lansingburgh, N. Y., From the Year 1670
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WESTON, THOMAS, History of the Town of Middleboro, Massachusetts. Boston,
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WEYBURN, SAMUEL FLETCHER, The Biography and Ancestry of Hon. George
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WHEELER, HENRY A., Genealogy of the Descendants of Samuel H. and Sarah
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WHITE, ALMIRA LARKIN, Genealogy of the Descendants of John White of Wen-
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WHITE MRS. NELLE RHEA, The Bradfords of Virginia in the Revolutionary
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WILSTACH, PAUL, Potomac Landings. Indianapolis, Bobbs-Merrill Company,
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WINFIELD, CHARLES HARDENBURG, History of the Land Titles in Hudson County,
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WOOD, WILLIAM SMITH, Descendants of the Brothers Jeremiah and John Wood.
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GENERAL
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ACADEMIE DE MACON, Societe des Arts, Sciences, Belles-Lettres, and Agricul-
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ADAMS, JAMES TRUSLOW, The March of Democracy; the Rise of the Union.
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202 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
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AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY, Proceedings, vol. 42, pt. 2. Worcester, Mass.,
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Americana Annual: An Encyclopedia of Current Events, 1933. New York,
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BARRETT, SAMUEL ALFRED, Ancient Aztalan. (Bulletin of the Public Museum
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BROWNING, ORVILLE HICKMAN, The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol.
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BRUCE, ROBERT, comp., Pawnee Naming Ceremonial, Near Pawnee, Oklahoma,
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BURROW, CLAYTON, Life of the Plains Indians. New York, Teachers College,
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• , The Plains Indians. New York, Teachers College, Columbia Univer-
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CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE, Year Book, 1932. Wash-
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CLAUDER, ANNA CORNELIA, American Commerce as Affected by the Wars of
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CONE, KATE MORRIS, A Sketch of the Life of Sylvester Morris. Boston, Alfred
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Contributions to Canadian Economics, Vol. 5, 1932. (University of Toronto
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CORNEJO, MARIANO H., The Balance of the Continents. London, Oxford Uni-
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CRAIGMYLE, THOMAS SHAW, BARON, John Marshall in Diplomacy and in Law.
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RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 203
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the Hardships, Sufferings, Battles, Defeat and Captivity of Those Heroic
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[DIRECTORIES OF VARIOUS CITIES OF THE UNITED STATES.] 65 vols.
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EISELEN, MALCOLM ROGERS, The Rise of Pennsylvania Protectionism. Phila-
delphia, University of Pennsylvania, 1932.
EMERSON, EDWIN, Hoover and His Times. . . . Garden City, N. Y., Garden
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FOREMAN, GRANT, Indian Removal: the Emigration of the Five Civilized
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FREEBURG, VICTOR OSCAE, ed., William Henry Welch at Eighty: a Memorial of
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GRAY, HOWARD LEVI, Influence of the Commons on Early Legislation; a Study
of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries. Cambridge, Harvard University
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GREELEY, HORACE, Recollections of a Busy Life. New York, The Tribune
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GREENE, EVARTS BONTELL, AND VIRGINIA D. HARRINGTON, American Population
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GRIFFIN, GRACE GARDNER, Writings on American History, 1929; Supplement
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GRIFFIS, WILLIAM ELLIOT, The Story of the Walloons at Home, in Lands of
Exile and in America. Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1923.
HARDY, EDWARD ROCHIE, JR., The Large Estates of Byzantine Egypt. New
York, Columbia University Press, 1931.
HOLLAND, RUPERT SARGENT, Historic Ships. Philadelphia, Macrae Smith Com-
pany, [c!926].
HOWARD, JOHN TASKER, Our American Music: Three Hundred Years of It.
New York, Thomas Y. Crowell Company, [c!929, 1930, 1931].
HUDSON, MANLEY OTTMER, ed., International Legislation; a Collection of the
Texts of Multipartite International Instruments of General Interest, 1919-
1929. 4 vols. Washington, Carnegie Endownment for International Peace,
1931.
204 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
HUNGERFORD, EDWARD, The American Railroad in Laboratory. Washington,
D. C., American Railway Association, 1933.
International Index to Periodicals, July, 1932-June, 1983. New York, H. W.
Wilson Company, 1933.
INDIANA LIBRARY AND HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT, HISTORICAL BUREAU, Indiana
Book of Merit; Official Individual Decorations and Commendations
Awarded to Indiana Men and Women for Services in the World War.
Indianapolis, 1932. (Indiana Historical Collections, vol. 18.)
JACKSON, JOSEPH STANLEY, The Public Career of Sir Francis Burdett; The
Years of Radicalism, 1796-1815. Philadelphia, 1932.
JAMES, MARQUIS, Andrew Jackson, the Border Captain. Indianapolis, Bobbs-
Merrill Company, [c!933].
JONES, AUGUSTINE, The Life and Work of Thomas Dudley, the Second Gover-
nor of Massachusetts. Boston, Houghton, Mifflin and Company, [cl899L
KNAPPEN, THEODORE MACFARLANE, Wings of War, an Account of the Important
Contribution of the United States to Aircraft Invention, Engineering, De-
velopment and Production during the World War. New York, G. P. Put-
nam's Sons, 1920.
LATTIMORE, OWEN, The Gold Tribe, "Fishskin Tatars" of the Lower Sungari.
. . . (Memoirs of the American Anthropological Association, No. 40. 1933.)
LEE, ROBERT EDWARD, Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee,
by His Son Captain Robert E. Lee. New York, Doubleday, Page & Com-
pany, 1904.
LELAND, WALDO GIFFORD, Guide to Materials for American History in the
Libraries and Archives of Paris. Washington, Carnegie Institution of Wash-
ington, 1932.
LYNCH, JEREMIAH, A Senator of the Fifties: David C. Broderick of California.
San Francisco, A. M. Robertson, 1911.
MANNING, WILLIAM RAY, ed., Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States ;
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and Brazil. Washington, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,
1932.
MARYLAND WAR RECORDS COMMISSION, Maryland in the World War, 1917-1919;
Military and Naval Service Records. 2 vols, and maps. Baltimore, Author,
1933.
MASSACHUSETTS, ADJUTANT GENERAL, Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors, and
Marines in the Civil War. Vol. 5. Norwood, Mass., Norwood Press, 1932.
MATHEWS, JOHN JOSEPH, Wah' Kon-Tah, the Osage and the White Man's
Road. Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 1932.
MEAD, FRANKLIN B., Heroic Statues in Bronze of Abraham Lincoln. Fort
Wayne, Indiana, Lincoln National Life Foundation, 1932.
MEAD, MARGARET, The Changing Culture of an Indian Tribe. New York,
Columbia University Press, 1932.
MILITARY ORDER OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES, Proceedings of the
Thirteenth Triennial Convention. 1932.
RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 205
MOORE, JOHN BASSETT, ed., International Adjudications, Ancient and Modern;
History and Documents. . . . Modern Series, vols. 4-5. New York,
Oxford University Press, 1931-1933.
National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. Vol. 22. New York, James T.
White & Company, 1932.
NEVINS, ALLAN, Grover Cleveland, a Study in Courage. New York, Dodd,
Mead & Company, 1933.
The New International Year Book for the Year 1932. New York, Funk &
Wagnalls, 1933.
New York Times Index, Year 1932. New York, New York Times Company,
1933.
NORTH DAKOTA, ADJUTANT GENERAL, Roster of the Men and Women Who
Served in the Army or Naval Service (Including the Marine Corps) of the
United States or Its Allies from the State of North Dakota in the World
War, 1917-1 918. 4 vols. Bismarck, Bismarck Tribune Company, 1931.
Patterson's American Educational Directory, Vol. 30. Chicago, American Edu-
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Peace Year Book, 1933. London, National Peace Council [1933].
PIERCE, FRANKLIN, Tariff and the Trusts. New York, Macmillan Company,
1907.
PORTER, HENRY MILLER, Autobiography of Henry M. Porter, 1838-1932. Denver,
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE U. S. A., Minutes of the General Assembly.
Philadelphia, 1933.
REA, PAUL MARSHALL, The Museum and the Community. ... Lancaster,
Pa., Science Press, 1932.
ROBERTS, EDWARD HOWELL, comp., Biographical Catalogue of the Princeton
Theological Seminary, 1815-1932. Princeton, N. J., Theological Seminary,
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SMITH, HURON HERBERT, Ethnobotany of the Forest Potawatomi Indians.
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U. S. ARMY, GENERAL STAFF, List of Conventional Signs and Abbreviations in
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206 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
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the George Washington Bicentennial Celebration. Washington, United
States Washington Bicentennial Commission, 1933.
VANDER VELDE, LEWIS GEORGE, The Presbyterian Churches and the Federal
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WILKERSON, MARCUS M., Public Opinion and the Spanish-American War.
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WILLARD, THEODORE ARTHUR, The Codex Perez, an Ancient Mayan Hiero-
glyphic Book; a Photographic Facsimile Reproduced from the Original in
the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. Glendale, Cal., Arthur H. Clark Com-
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, The Lost Empires of the Itzaes and Mayas. Glendale, Cal., Arthur H.
Clark Company, 1932.
WILSON, ROBERT ANDERSON, Mexico: Its Peasants and Its Priests; or, Adven-
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1917-1919. Issued by the Joint War History Commission of Michigan and
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The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 1933. New York, World Telegram,
1933.
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[cl894L
Kansas History as Published
in the Press
Garnett history has received an extensive review in Harry John-
son's column, "Past and Present," which has appeared regularly
for several years in the Garnett Review.
A column entitled "When Dodge Was Young," by F. A. Hobble,
is being published from time to time in the Dodge City Daily Globe.
The early-day recollections of F. L. Hodgson have appeared occa-
sionally in the Harveyville Monitor in recent months.
An Oregon woman who lived in Marysville from 1871 to 1882
wrote a series of interesting letters on early Marysville history which
were published for several weeks during the latter part of 1933 and
the first part of 1934 in The Advocate- Democrat, Marysville.
"How Chanute Was Founded," was the title of an article con-
tributed by Mrs. C. T. Beatty, of Chanute, to the St. Paul Journal
in its issue of August 24, 1933. Mrs. Beatty quoted quite exten-
sively from the manuscript of Judge J. A. Wells, of Erie, one of the
founders of New Chicago, now a part of Chanute.
Old notebooks kept by Mrs. S. T. Hendrickson, pioneer music
teacher of Wichita, provided Rea Woodman with material for a
feature story which was published in The Democrat, Wichita, in the
issues of October 7 to November 4, 1933, inclusive. The notebooks
which related Mrs. Hendrickson's musical activities covered the
period from 1874 to 1911.
"Riding Over the Santa Fe Trail," was the title of a series of
articles by Mrs. G. W. Crosby which appeared in the Chapman
Advertiser in its issues of October 26, November 23, 30, and Decem-
ber 7, 1933. The story related many historic events happening on
this famous highway.
Dorrance history was briefly sketched by J. L. Garrett in the
Bunkerhill Advertiser, November 23, 1933. Other contributions
from Mr. Garrett have appeared occasionally in later issues of the
Advertiser.
Centralia newspaper history was published in the Centralia
Journal in its fiftieth anniversary edition issued November 24, 1933.
The reminiscences of George M. Gray were written by Mrs.
Maude Richey for The Times, Clay Center, November 30, 1933.
(207)
208 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Mrs. Richey also wrote up the early-day experiences of Mrs. Nels
Okerstrom for the December 28 issue. A series of articles on the
origin of the names of the country schools in the Clay Center vicin-
ity was another feature published in The Times during November
and December.
A history of the Greenleaf Trinity Lutheran church was sketched
in the Greenleaf Sentinel, November 30, 1933. The church cele-
brated its fiftieth anniversary December 3.
The killing of the last buffalo in Smith county was recalled by
H. F. Henry, of Lebanon, in the Smith County Pioneer, Smith
Center, November 30, 1933. Mart McGraw, Mr. Henry's neighbor,
killed the animal in June, 1873.
Gray county history was pantomimed on the Farm Bureau
Women's Achievement day, November 14, 1933. The pageant, as
compiled by Mrs. C. B. Erskine, was published in The Jacksonian,
Cimarron, November 30.
The history of The Daily Republican, Burlington, was briefly
reviewed by John Redmond in its issue of December 2, 1933. Mr.
Redmond has been a Burlington publisher for thirty-five years.
Numerous cases of mob violence in southern Kansas were cited
by D. D. Leahy in his "Random Recollections of Other Days,"
published in the Wichita Sunday Eagle, December 3, 1933.
"Kansas Noddies' Persist, But Few Can Build Them To-day,"
reports the Kansas City Star in its issue of December 3, 1933. Some
of the difficulties of sod-house construction encountered by the en-
gineers in charge of the Civilian Conservation Corps at the Kinney
dam between Garden City and Dodge City were reviewed in this
article.
"Fire-arms Were Taboo in First Rules Adopted for Wichita
Pupils," by Victor Murdock, was the title of an article reviewing
the school situation in Wichita in 1871, which appeared in the
Wichita (Evening) Eagle, December 5, 1933.
The early history of Pawnee county was sketched in an article
published in the Lamed Chronoscope, December 7, 1933. The
Lamed Press, issued June 10, 1873, was the first newspaper.
Capt. Nathan Boone's journey through present Harper county
in 1843 was reviewed by Nyle H. Miller in the Anthony Republican
of December 7, 1933. Captain Boone, with a party of about ninety
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 209
men, followed a northerly course through the present counties of
Harper, Kingman, Reno and Rice and returned through the neigh-
boring Barton, Stafford, Pratt and Barber counties. The Attica
Independent reprinted the article in its issues of February 15, 22,
and March 1.
Hiawatha newspaper history was sketched by Ewing Herbert in
the seventieth anniversary edition of The Brown County World,
Hiawatha, issued December 8, 1933.
Topeka in the late 80's and the operation of the steam locomotive
on the "West Side Circle" was described by Dorothy Jane Willcutts
in the Topeka State Journal, in its issue of December 9, 1933.
A brief biography of Anthony A. Ward, stressing the part he
played in the founding of Topeka, was written by Dorothy Griffin
for the Topeka Daily Capital, December 10, 1933.
"Before the White Man Came," a new serial of the Western
country, by Paul I. Wellman, was commenced in the Wichita Sun-
day Eagle, December 10, 1933. A pageant, presenting the history
of the establishment of the Rose Hill Quarterly Meeting of Friends,
now the Wichita Meeting, was also summarized in this issue. The
story was written by Miss Emma Kendall, head of the English de-
partment of Friends University, for the fiftieth anniversary celebra-
tion of the Quarterly meeting held in September, 1933.
W. 0. Carter, pioneer in well irrigation, related his part in the
discovery and development of the Arkansas valley underflow in
western Kansas for irrigation purposes, in the Garden City Daily
Telegram, December 13, 1933. Lee Doty, the article relates, was
the first man in Finney county to utilize well water for irrigation.
A series of articles entitled "When Lincoln County Was a Young-
ster," was contributed recently to the Lincoln Sentinel-Republican
by C. C. Hendrickson. Mr. Hendrickson, who has lived in Lincoln
county since 1866, commenced the series in the issue of December
14, 1933.
The history of the Meadowlark library was sketched in the Lewis
Press, December 14, 1933. The library was organized April 25, 1925.
"Vacation by Stage," was the title of an article by E. E. Kelley
describing a trip in 1894 from Medicine Lodge to Pike's Peak in
an old Concord stage, which was published in the Topeka Daily
Capital, December 17, 1933. A biographical sketch of Dr. John H.
14—3410
210 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Holliday, Dodge City's "gun-toting" dentist of yesteryear, by
Milton Tabor, was another feature of this issue.
"Topeka Folks and Affairs of Yesterday," is the title of Frank
D. Tomson's column which appears as a regular Sunday feature of
the Topeka Daily Capital, starting with its issue of December 24,
1933.
E. H. Keller, a resident of the Horton community for fifty-eight
years, reminisced for the Horton Kiwanis club, December 26, 1933.
A summary of his talk was published in the Horton Headlight,
December 28.
A series of letters written by Sen. John J. Ingalls to his father
in the latter 1850's, while the senator was establishing himself in
Kansas territory, was printed in the Atchison Daily Globe, Decem-
ber 29, 1933; January 1, 4, 12, 17, 23, 26; February 2 and 5, 1934.
The capture of Black Kettle, famous wild horse of western Kansas,
by Frank H. Lockard in the early 1880's, was described by E. E.
Kelley in the Topeka Daily Capital, December 31, 1933.
"John Dougherty, Indian Agent," by Margaret Stauf, was the
title of an article published in Mid-America, Chicago, in its Jan-
uary, 1934, issue. Major Dougherty's headquarters were at Fort
Leavenworth during part of his term of service in the early 1800's.
Kansas Christian church history was featured in the sixty-four
page January, 1934, edition of The Kansas Messenger, Topeka.
Photographs of church buildings and historic sites were included.
Biographical sketches of prominent pastors and a list of the Kansas
Christian churches with the founding dates were of especial interest.
A bronze marker honoring Mrs. Mary E. Haines, writer and
lecturer for temperance and suffrage, was dedicated December 31,
1933, at the Augusta Baptist church. A biography of Mrs. Haines
was published in the Augusta Daily Gazette, January 1, 1934.
Syracuse in 1872 was recalled by George J. Haas, of Guthrie,
Okla., in a recent issue of the Syracuse Journal, and in the Dodge
City Daily Globe, January 3, 1934. Mr. Haas was a member of the
colony from Syracuse, N. Y., which founded Syracuse, Kan.
Colony Free Press history was reviewed by the Free Press in its
issue of January 4, 1934. C. T. Richardson and J. J. Burke were
the founders.
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 211
Ferries across the Republican river in the Clay Center vicinity
were described by several old settlers writing in The Times, Clay
Center, in its issues of January 4, 11, 25, and February 8, 1934.
Charles McQuiston, of La Junta, Colo., recalled the hardships of
pioneering in early-day western Kansas in an article written by Ida
Ellen Cox for the Dodge City Daily Globe, January 5, 1934. In
the Globe of January 29, Mrs. Cox published an interview with Mrs.
Luella Stutzman who witnessed the Kendall and Syracuse county-
seat fight.
A biographical sketch of John Norton Holloway, early Kansas
historian, was written for the Topeka Daily Capital by E. E. Kelley,
in its issue of January 7, 1934.
Russell county abstractors from 1889 to 1933 were named by
Judge J. C. Ruppenthal in his column, "Russell Rustlings," pub-
lished in the Paradise Farmer and the Waldo Advocate, January
8, 1934.
Names of persons receiving marriage licenses in Gove county
during 1933 were printed in the Republican-Gazette, Gove City,
January 11, 1934.
Reminiscences of an old-time preacher were contributed by J. W.
Manners, Sr., to the Lucas Independent in its issue of January
11, 1934.
The story of the life of Darius Jackman, by Mrs. Carrie Jackman
Humphrey, and a history of the Chapman creek mill, of which Mr.
Jackman was the owner for several years, were printed in the
Chapman Advertiser, January 11, 18 and 25, 1934. Titles of other
articles appearing in recent numbers of the Advertiser were : "Story
of the Michael Ryan Family," by Lawrence Ryan, February 15
and 22; "Pioneer History of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Clayton," by
Mrs. Caroline Clayton Ingersoll, March 1 and 8; and "Hold Meet-
ing in Chapman to Consider County Line," March 22, a reprint
from The Chronicle, Abilene, for January 28, 1876.
W. V. Jackson's "Just A Thinking" column published from time
to time in The Western Star, Coldwater, briefly reviewed the his-
tory of Comanche county in the issue of January 12, 1934. Cattle-
men were the first settlers in the present boundaries of the county
in the early 1870's, Mr. Jackson reported.
212 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Framed charters and photographs of members of patriotic or-
ganizations, lodges and railroad orders hanging in the G. A. R. room
at Dodge City recalled some of the early history of these societies
to a writer for the Dodge City Daily Globe in its issue of January
12, 1934.
"A Brief History of the Kansas Anti-Thief Association," was the
title of an article by G. J. McCarty, secretary of the Kansas division,
A. T. A., which was printed in The A. T. A. News, Cheney, January
12, 1934, and in the Cheney Sentinel, January 18. The charter for
the first Kansas lodge was dated September 17, 1876. It was organ-
ized in Republic county on the farm of Charles Northrup near
present Munden.
"Some Memoirs of a True Pioneer Mother of Kansas," was the
title heading the autobiography of Mrs. Amelia D. McQueen, of
Eureka, which was published in the Wichita Sunday Eagle, January
14, 1934. Mrs. McQueen came to Kansas from Pennsylvania in
1857. Her account was also published in the Eureka Herald, Jan-
uary 18.
The foundings of Chelsea and Towanda, Butler county towns,
were reviewed by Victor Murdock in the Wichita (Evening) Eagle,
January 17, 1934.
Postmasters of Plainville were named in a story of the founding
of the city's post office which was published in the Plainville Times,
January 18, 1934. W. S. Griffin started the Plainville post office in
a sod house in the late 1870's.
The Indian raid on Spillman creek in May, 1869, was reviewed
by Adolph Roenigk in the Salina Journal, January 18, 1934.
A brief history of Sycamore Springs was published in the Hi-
awatha Daily World, January 18, 1934. John Downs first purchased
the site from the state in 1866.
Maj. Stephen Long's description of the Kansas Indian village
near present Manhattan, which he visited in 1819, was reviewed by
C. A. Kimball at a meeting of the Manhattan Cooperative club,
January 18, 1934. The address was summarized in the Manhattan
Mercury, January 19.
Headlines of historical feature articles recently written by Byron
E. Guise for the Marshall County News, Marysville, include:
"Ducks Guzzled for Gold and Found It Near an Oketo Farm Until
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 213
the Big Flood of 1903," from an interview with Mr. and Mrs. Anton
Pribyl, January 19, 1934; "Barneston (Neb.) Spelled With or With-
out 'E' Says Son of Man After Whom Town Got Name," interview
with Fred H. Barnes, February 2 ; "Superstitions of the Indians Are
Related by an Admirer of the Race," Otto J. Wullschleger, of
Frankfort, March 9, and "Local Man Who Won Croix de Guerre
Refreshes His Memories of World War," from an interview with
F. A. Southworth, March 23. A story of the Pony Express which
was opened up through Marysville April 3, 1860, was printed by the
News, April 6.
The Lyons Daily News observed the tenth anniversary of the
discovery of oil in Rice county with the issuance of a special oil
edition, January 20, 1934. A full-page oil-field map of the county
and a brief history of every well drilled in the county were contained
in the edition.
The naming of Lincoln Ellsworth's South Polar ship the Wyatt
Earp, prompted A. B. McDonald to write a page illustrated review
of the life of that famous cowtown marshal in the Kansas City Star,
January 21, 1934.
A brief history of Lockport, once thriving town on the Gray-
Haskell county line, was recalled by Mrs. S. T. Alexander, of Cope-
land, for the Dodge City Daily Globe, January 22, 1934. The
article was reprinted in the Sublette Monitor, January 25.
Kansas history was briefly sketched in The Democratic Messenger,
Eureka, January 25, 1934.
A year-by-year history of southeast Kansas entitled "Annals of
Osage Mission," was begun in the St. Paul Journal in its issue of
January 25, 1934. W. W. Graves, editor of the Journal, compiled
the series.
The history of the Afton Trinity Lutheran church was briefly
reviewed in the Waterville Telegraph, January 25, 1934. The first
minutes of the church were written April 26, 1886.
"Pioneer Days" is the title of a column relating the pioneering
experiences of E. T. Wickersham, which appears regularly in the
Fall River Star. The series had an uninterrupted run for several
months from January 26, 1934, when it was continued under an-
other heading. Several of Mr. Wickersham's articles have been
reprinted in current issues of The Citizen, published at Howard.
214 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
A description of Topeka in 1874, when the wooden sidewalks were
wired down to keep them from being used for firewood, was pub-
lished in the Topeka State Journal, January 27, 1934. 0. K. Swayze
was the contributor.
Riley county school history was reviewed by J. E. Edgerton at a
meeting of the Riley County Historical Society, January 27, 1934.
A resume of this address was published in the Manhattan Mercury,
January 27.
"Let Not Kansas Forget Her Great Tradition," was the title of
the Kansas day feature article published in the Kansas City Star,
January 28, 1934. The story was contributed by Olin Templin.
Early schools in Saline county were briefly described in the Salina
Journal, January 29, 1934. Information for the article was obtained
from Mrs. Cora W. Rees, whose paper on Saline county history has
been published in pamphlet form.
The experiences of Hank Lord, early Kansas settler and soldier,
were related by C. C. Isely in a Kansas day address before the
Dodge City Kiwanis club, January 30, 1934. A resume of the speech
was published in the Dodge City Daily Globe, January 31.
C. D. Lamme reviewed the history of Kansas for the Hiawatha
Kiwanis club, January 30, 1933. His speech was summarized in the
Hiawatha Daily World in its issue of January 31, 1934.
The fifth annual Hutchinson Farm and Home Week was held
January 31 to February 3, 1934. The Hutchinson News and Herald,
sponsors, published historical notes of interest to Reno county people
in conjunction with the event.
An article on the development of Russell county's oil fields, with
a detailed list of the 250 tests drilled during the past ten years, was
printed in the Russell Record, February 1, 1934. Oil was first dis-
covered in the county in November, 1923.
The story of education in Kansas since the days when school
was held in crude log cabins was told by leaders in the state's edu-
cational field in a mimeographed publication for members of the
Kansas Educators' Club, which was edited by its president, C. H.
Oman. The volume, issued in February, 1934, is the tenth anniver-
sary number of "The Kansas Educator." "A History of the Schools
of Garnett, Kansas," an article written by Mr. Oman for "The
Kansas Educator," was published in The Anderson Countian, Feb-
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 215
ruary 1, 1934. The first school building was erected in 1856 by the
Garnett town company. Mrs. John R. Slentz was the first teacher.
A three-column history of Chetopa, written by Mrs. W. R. Veach,
was printed in the Chetopa Advance-Clipper, February 1, 1934.
Dr. George Lisle established the first settlement in 1857, but the
town was burned during the Civil War and was not reestablished
until 1868.
First settlers of Burlingame were named by Mrs. W. G. Beale in
The Enterprise-Chronicle, Burlingame, in its issue of February 1,
1934.
A resume of the accomplishments of the Tuesday Afternoon Club
of Blue Rapids was published in the Blue Rapids Times, Febru-
ary 1, 1934, in commemoration of the club's fortieth anniversary.
A brief story of Blue Rapids' old woolen mill, which employed as
many as 125 persons at one time in the 1880's, was another feature
of the edition.
Pioneering experiences of Mrs. Clark A. Smith were printed in the
Salina Journal, February 1, 1934. Mrs. Smith came to Kansas in
1871 with a colony of settlers from Pennsylvania.
A story of the Boston-Elk Falls county seat warfare in 1874 was
told in detail by Thomas E. Thompson in the Howard Courant in its
issues of February 1 and 15, 1934.
The third annual "Booster Edition" of the Leon News was pub-
lished February 2, 1934. Members of the Leon Methodist Episcopal
church edit these editions which regularly contain several historical
articles on the city and church.
A brief history of the Riley County Teachers Association was
printed in The Morning Chronicle, Manhattan, February 3, 1934.
The association was organized as an auxiliary to the Kansas State
Teachers Association, July 9, 1886.
The 1933 "Yearly Progress Edition" of the Kansas City Kansan
was issued February 4, 1934.
Activities of Russell, Majors and Waddell, early Leavenworth
freighting firm, were discussed by R. A. Barry in a recent issue of
the New York Herald-Tribune. The article was republished in the
Topeka Daily Capital, February 4, 1934.
"The Great Spirit Spring, Waconda," was the title of a historical
sketch by Elizabeth Mitchell Petro published in the Topeka State
216 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Journal, February 5, 1934. Zebulon Montgomery Pike, in 1806, was
the first white man to view the springs.
A history of Cottonwood Falls' old mill which opened for busi-
ness in 1861 was contributed by Mrs. Carrie Breese Chandler to the
Chase County Leader, Cottonwood Falls, February 7, 1934. Mrs.
Chandler also wrote a story of the Amos Noyes family for the
Leader in its issue of March 28. The Noyes family came to Kansas
in 1866.
Reminiscences of early-day Osage Mission, by Martha Rafferty,
appeared in the St. Paul Journal February 8, 1934. Miss Rafferty
settled in the Osage Mission vicinity in 1866.
A brief history of Blue Hill Masonic Lodge No. 198 of Lucas and
the names of the men who served as past masters from 1880 to 1933
were published in the Lucas Independent, February 8, 1934.
"Sketches From the Life History of Jacob Achenbach,'' was the
title of a five-column article which appeared in the Hardtner Press,
February 8, 1934. Mr. Achenbach was a railroad builder and organ-
izer of the Hardtner town company.
Old mills of Colony were discussed by F. S. Denney in the Colony
Free Press, February 8, 1934.
The hardships endured by the settlers in Kansas during the 1880's
were briefly reviewed by C. W. Thomas in The Butler County News,
El Dorado, February 9, 1934.
Early Abilene is described by Almon C. Nixon in a column en-
titled "Border Days in Kansas," appearing from time to time in the
Abilene Daily Chronicle. The series started with the issue of Febru-
ary 11, 1934.
Special historical feature stories published in the Topeka Daily
Capital, February 11, 1934, include: "Ravanna, Once Prosperous,
Is Ghost Town in a Dead County," by E. E. Kelley; "Grantville
Was Named After Famous General," by Marjorie Burroughs Welter.
A brief sketch of the Kansas Woman's Relief Corps also was in-
cluded in this issue.
A history of the Swede Creek Evangelical church was sketched in
the Waterville Telegraph, February 15, 1934. Preaching services
started as early as 1864, but the church did not organize a Sunday
school until 1871.
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 217
The reminiscences of Mrs. L. P. Darling, of Codell, as recorded
by W. F. Hughes in his column "Facts and Comment," appeared in
the Rooks County Record, Stockton, February 15, 1934. Mrs.
Darling settled on Paradise creek near present Codell in 1874.
Names of old settlers registering at the Barber county old settler's
reunion held February 9, 1934, at Medicine Lodge, and the years
they came to Kansas, were printed in The Barber County Index,
Medicine Lodge, February 15, 1934.
The reminiscences of Miss Mary E. Morrison, who settled in
Saline county in 1860, were published in the Elkhart Tri-State News,
February 15, 1934.
A history of the old road through the sand hills south of Syracuse
was written by C. W. Noell for the Syracuse Journal in its issues of
February 16 and March 2, 1934. Mr. Noell believes the road was
used as early as 1885. A story of the pioneering experiences of
Charles L. Ong, who arrived in Syracuse in 1886, was another fea-
ture of the March 2 issue.
"An Old Kansas Cattleman's Story," was the title of an article
concerning the experiences of D. W. Barton, former cattleman,
which was written by E. E. Kelley for the Topeka Daily Capital,
February 18, 1934.
Reminiscences of Junction City pioneers and notes on the history
of Geary county were published in the Junction City Republic,
February 22, 1934, commemorating the seventy-fifth anniversary of
the city. The experiences of Mrs. Mary Strand- Andreen, a pioneer
who now lives in Rock Island, 111., were recorded in the March 1
issue, and Will Mackey's reminiscences were printed March 8.
"In the Days of '49," was the title of an article by Harry John-
son which appeared in The Anderson Countian, Garnett, February
22, 1934. Mr. Johnson gave an account of Paul Fearing's journey
from Harmar, Ohio, to the gold fields of California.
Ogden was made county seat of Riley county in 1857 by a vote of
193 to 162, according to a Manhattan Mercury article in its issue of
February 22, 1934. Minutes of the first book of county commis-
sioners' proceedings revealed, however, that all was not harmony as
a result of the vote. Another article entitled, "Crucified Ogden,"
was published in the Mercury, March 7.
218 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Under the column heading, "Pioneer Reminiscences," The Barber
County Index, Medicine Lodge, is publishing a series of stories and
recollections as set down by Barber county pioneers. The first of
this series was written by Mrs. May Shepler Lytle in the issue of
February 22, 1934. Other contributors were: William Horn, March
1; J. Hugh Woodward, Howard J. Parker, March 8; lantha (Ferga-
son) Roach, Phoebe Rogers Gibson, March 15; Mrs. Laura M. Shell
and S. Ward, March 29.
"Color and Romance in Making of Early Saline County History,"
was the title given the reminiscences of Joseph Lockard, who came
to Kansas in 1870, which appeared in the Salina Journal, February
24, 1934. The story was presented at the February meeting of the
Saline County Chapter, Native Daughters of Kansas.
A controversy regarding the location of "The Lone Tree," famous
Santa Fe trail landmark, was discussed by E. E. Kelley in the
Topeka Daily Capital, February 25, 1934. The tree, the site of
which was regarded as approximately half way between old Fort
Dodge and Fort Aubrey, was cut down in 1879. Gold mining ac-
tivities on the Smoky Hill river near McCracken were reviewed by
Leonard A. Prowant in this same issue.
The Junction City Union, in commemoration of the seventy-fifth
anniversary of Junction City, published nineteen pages of illustrated
historical articles as supplements to the regular daily issues during
the week of February 26 to March 3, 1934. City librarians, mem-
bers of the journalism department of the high school and Junction
City pastors assisted the Union staff members in the preparation of
these stories. Included among the subjects treated were the growth
of the city and county; histories of the churches, schools, railroads,
mail service, fire department, public library, telephones, Hogan mill
dam, Ladies' Reading Club; the part German pioneers played in the
building of the city ; the housewarming at the Bartell hotel ; the first
white boy born in the city; flood of 1903; building of Army City;
Indian raids in the Saline valley; steamboats on the Kansas river,
and biographies of several of Junction City's pioneers.
A brief history of the Burr Oak Herald was published in its
"Booster Edition" issued March 1, 1934.
The history of the building of the Wallace county courthouse was
briefly sketched in The Western Times, Sharon Springs, March 1,
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 219
1934. Bonds were issued for the construction of the present building
March 1, 1914.
A biography of the late Gus Haucke, of Council Grove, was pub-
lished in the Council Grove Republican, March 3, 1934. Mr.
Haucke, who was born in Germany, settled in Kansas in June, 1873.
His son, Frank "Chief" Haucke, is a past Kansas state commander
of the American Legion, and in 1930 was the nominee of the Repub-
lican party for governor.
"Carried Away by Indians as a Girl, She has Spent 65 Years Near
Scene of Awful Atrocity," was the title of an article relating an in-
terview with Mrs. Sarah White Brooks which was printed in the
Kansas City Star, March 4, 1934. A. B. McDonald, the interviewer,
reports that Mrs. Brooks lives within a mile of the spot where, on
August 13, 1868, the Cheyennes captured her. The Clyde Republi-
can republished the article in its issue of March 8.
Items concerning early Waconda history as gleaned from the
Waconda column of the Beloit Weekly Gazette for 1872 were printed
in the Waconda Chief, March 6, 1934.
The old Thomas Stanley house four miles southwest of Americus
has been razed, the Emporia Gazette reports in its issue of March
7, 1934. The Stanleys, who were Quaker missionaries, first came
to Kansas in 1842. The house near Americus was erected in 1864.
A brief history of Atwood was contributed by Mary Elizabeth
Kelley to The Square Deal, Atwood, March 8, 1934. Atwood was
established in April, 1880.
"The Foundation for the First Irish Settlement Near Solomon,"
was the title of a brief article by Amos Jones which appeared in
the Solomon Tribune, March 8, 1934. Other reminiscences by Mr.
Jones were published in the Tribune March 22 and 29, under the
title, "Looking Into the Past."
The evolution of Topeka's water supply from the era of wells
and cisterns to the establishment of a water works in 1882 and the
laying of the water mains was reviewed in the Topeka State Journal,
March 10, 1934.
Reminiscences of J. H. Robinson, a resident of Geary county
for seventy -two years, were published in the Junction City Union,
March 12, 1934.
220 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
The Frankfort Boy Scouts, under the leadership of A. P. Hart-
man, coeditor of the Frankfort Daily Index, have begun a series
of trips to many of north central Kansas' historic sites. Historical
notes of these excursions have appeared from time to time in the
Index in recent months. As a feature of the issue for March 12,
1934, a description of Alcove Springs and a sketch of the life of
Williamson Franklin Boyakin, as prepared by Clyde K. Rodkey,
were published.
A half-page account of the Battle of the Arickaree, by Winfield
Freeman, was printed in the Salina Journal March 14, 1934.
Jonathan Millikan built one of the first houses in Olathe, the
Olathe Mirror reported in its issue of March 15, 1934. It was a
two-room structure, completed in 1857, and is still standing.
A newspaper history of St. Marys was published in the fiftieth
anniversary edition of the St. Marys Star, March 15, 1934. John
OTlannigan founded the Star on March 13, 1884. News of partic-
ular interest to the old-timers which was contained in two issues
of the St. Marys Times, published in 1875 and 1876, was printed
in the Star in its issue of March 29.
Forty manuscripts relating the histories of the school districts
of Anderson county were received in a contest held recently by Mrs.
Isabel Yokum, county superintendent of schools. The Garnett
Review, with its issue of March 15, 1934, commenced publishing
the series. The Anderson Countian, Garnett, also published the
prize-winning manuscript, "School District No. 11," by Wilma
Stewart, in its issue of March 22.
A letter relating some of the pioneering experiences of J. C.
Martin was printed in the Kingman Journal, March 16, 1934. Mr.
Martin established the Kingman Mercury, the first newspaper pub-
lished in Kingman, in 1878.
Life in early-day Kansas was briefly reviewed by William Free-
land for the Effingham New Leaf, March 16, 1934. Mr. Freeland
came to Kansas territory in 1854.
A brief history of the old covered bridge over Big Stranger creek
at Easton was published in the Leavenworth Times, March 16,
1934. The Easton bridge was one of three erected by army engi-
neers under direction of the then commandant at Fort Leavenworth,
Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, seventy-eight years ago, the Times
reports.
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 221
The story of the Ashtabula colony which was organized in Ohio
and settled in King City, McPherson county, in the early 1870's,
was written by Alex S. Hendry for the McPherson Daily Republi-
can in its issue of March 19, 1934.
An artist's sketch of Hutchinson as it appeared in 1878 was de-
scribed in the Hutchinson News, March 19, 1934.
Early-day Junction City was described by Mrs. E. N. Church
in the Junction City Republic, March 22, 1934, and in the Junction
City Union, March 27. Mrs. Church arrived in Kansas in 1864
and settled on Humboldt creek near the city.
A series of articles entitled "Pioneer History of Tescott," was
commenced in the Tescott News, March 22, 1934.
Early days in Clay county were briefly reviewed by Peter Hjelm
for The Times, Clay Center, in its issue of March 22, 1934. Mr.
Hjelm settled in Clay county in 1870.
The reminiscences of Mrs. M. S. Walker, who settled in the Rock
locality, Cowley county, April 2, 1870, were published in the Win-
field Daily Courier, March 24, 1934. Mrs. Walker reports that there
was only one store in Winfield at the time of her arrival.
Dodge City history was briefly reviewed by Elizabeth Mitchell
Petro in the Topeka State Journal, March 24, 1934. A pen sketch
of Dr. 0. H. Simpson's cowboy statue at Dodge City illustrated the
article.
"From the Old Family Album," a series of pictures of early-day
Wichita and Oklahoma, was published from time to time in the
Wichita Beacon starting with the issue of March 25, 1934.
A manuscript relating some of the early-day experiences of the
late Mrs. Sallie Crow was copied in the Garden City News, March
29, 1934. Mrs. Crow settled in Sequoyah county in 1879. Through
the courtesy of the publishers of the News, the story was made avail-
able to E. E. Kelley who had parts of it republished in the Topeka
Daily Capital, March 25.
The reminiscences of William M. Heirgood, of La Junta, Colo.,
were recorded by Ida Ellen Cox for the Dodge City Daily Globe,
March 26, 1934. Mr. Heirgood was a resident of Hartland during
the Kearny county-seat warfare.
Early-day Cuba was described in the Cuba Tribune in its issue of
March 29, 1934. The city was incorporated in the spring of 1884.
222 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
The story of the disarming of a band of men under Col. Jacob
Snively, who displayed a commission from the Republic of Texas
authorizing the band to prey upon Mexican commerce over the
Santa Fe trail, was related by C. C. Isley in the Kansas City Times,
March 29, 1934, and was reprinted in the Dodge City Daily Globe,
April 2.
"Your Yesterdays," a series of photographs showing persons and
scenes familiar to Johnson county residents of yesteryear is being
published in the Olathe Mirror starting with its issue of March 29,
1934.
The naming of Wichita's first streets was discussed by Victor
Murdock in the Wichita (Evening) Eagle in its issue of March 29,
1934.
Reminiscences of the late Percival Hawes, as written for the Alta
Vista Journal, December 18, 1913, were reprinted in the Journal,
March 29, 1934. Mr. Hawes, who died on March 23, 1934, home-
steaded a part of what is now the townsite of Alta Vista in August,
1870.
A history of Lerado, Reno county, was published in the Hutchin-
son News, April 2, 1934. Lerado was a boom town of the 1880's,
founded by Dr. J. A. Brady, of Louisville, Ky. Most of the buildings
were moved to Turon after Lerado failed to get a railroad.
School District No. 3, Russell county, was historically sketched
in a series of articles by L. C. Brown which appeared in the Lucas
Independent. The articles began in the April 5, 1934, issue.
"Among Our Souvenirs" is a new photographic feature appearing
regularly in the Altoona Tribune. The series, which commenced
with the issue of April 5, 1934, includes many pictures of persons
and scenes prominent in the early-day history of Altoona.
The Plainville Times published a historical sketch of the Plain-
ville Christian church in its issue of April 5, 1934, and a sketch of
the Plainville Catholic church, in the April 12 issue.
John McBee, a resident of Kansas since April 9, 1859, reminisced
for the Topeka Daily Capital in its issue of April 8, 1934. Mr.
McBee has been at the information desk in the Kansas state capitol
for nineteen years. The value of newspaper files to the historian
was discussed by E. E. Kelly in the same issue of the Capital.
Kansas Historical Notes
The eighth annual meeting of the Kansas History Teachers Asso-
ciation was held in Fraser hall at the University of Kansas on April
7, 1934. F. H. Hodder, head of the History Department at Kansas
University and president of the association during 1933, presided at
the sessions. Included on the program were the following papers:
"Unit Organization for Modern History," Robena Pringle, Topeka
High School; "Cross Currents of European Politics/' Ernest Mahan,
K. S. T. C., Pittsburg; "The Swedish Immigrant Churches/' J.
Olson Anders, Bethany College, Lindsborg; "Recent Historical
Literature," R. R. Price, Kansas State College, Manhattan; "The
Westward Movement; Life on the Frontier," John Ise, Kansas
University; "The Turnover in the Frontier Population," James C.
Malin, Kansas University, and "The Frontier in Pictures," Robert
Taft, Kansas University. At the business meeting the following
officers were elected : Sam A. Johnson, Kansas State Teachers Col-
lege, Emporia, president; J. B. Bright, McPherson College, vice
president; C. B. Realey, Kansas University, secretary and treasurer,
and Robena Pringle, Topeka, was elected to the executive committee,
her term expiring in 1937.
At a meeting of the Riley County Historical Society held at
Manhattan, January 8, the following officers were elected to serve
during 1934: W. D. Haines, president; Mrs. I. S. Smith, vice presi-
dent; Mrs. G. H. Failyer, secretary; Mrs. F. L. Murdock, corre-
sponding secretary; Mrs. Ida Warner, treasurer; G. H. Failyer, his-
torian and custodian of the cabin, and Mrs. Smith, assistant.
The Shawnee Mission Indian Historical Society recently pre-
sented its past presidents with gold pins. Mrs. Frank Hardesty
and Mrs. Ottis Fisher, past presidents, received the gifts.
An attractive twenty-six page booklet entitled, Old Kiowa — In
History and Romance, was recently published by T. J. Dyer. Kiowa
was established in the early 1870's.
The historical collection of the late A. M. Campbell, Jr., of
Salina, which was presented to the Salina Public Library by Mrs.
A. M. Campbell, Jr., and her daughter, Mrs. Mary Campbell-Palmer,
is now on display in the Saline county museum in the library build-
ing.
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224 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Hundreds of articles of historical interest were collected and dis-
played under the auspices of the Lindsborg Historical Society at
Bethany college April 13, 1934. Programs were given, both in the
afternoon and evening. The proceeds from the nominal admission
charge were used to assist the organization in carrying on its work.
The seventy-fifth anniversary of the meeting of the Wyandotte
convention which drew up Kansas' constitution, was observed in
Kansas City May 10 to 14, 1934, with an Indian festival. Special
historical features were published in the newspapers of the city in
conjunction with the event.
THE
Kansas Historical
Quarterly
Volume III Number 3
August, 1934
PRINTED BY KANSAS STATE PRINTING PLANT
W. C. AUSTIN. STATE PRINTER
TOPEKA 1934
15-3729
Contributors
THEO. H. SCHEFFER, a former resident of Ottawa county, now resides in
Puyallup, Wash. He is employed as an associate biologist in the United States
Department of Agriculture's bureau of biological survey.
OHORGK A. ROOT is curator of archives of the Kansas State Historical Society.
A sketch of Dr. William Nicholson appears in the introduction to his article.
NOTE. — Articles in the Quarterly appear in chronological order without re-
gard to their importance.
Geographical Names in Ottawa County
THBO. H. SCHEFFER
IT IS some time since the writer last had residence in Ottawa
county; so many years, in fact, that when we visited Delphos
recently we found young people in the high school whose dads and
mothers had listened to our words of wisdom when we were in
charge of the same institution. At this former time a young lady
in the schools suggested something which we haven't quite forgot-
ten in all these years — an investigation into the sources of the
geographical names in the county.
Having since then had opportunity at times to follow up the mat-
ter, by way of mental recreation, we have found it most interesting,
and trust that our relation of some of the details will interest at
least those who are familiar with the scenes and places to be con-
sidered. The recording of these things will seem the more worth
while if, perchance, it stimulates an interest in like research in
other communities of the state. For much really valuable local
history of the early settlement and development of a region is lost
unless recorded before the first generation of pioneers, or their im-
mediate descendants, have passed from the stage. Already are the
years three score and ten since the first actual home builders found
their way up into the lower valleys of the Smoky Hill and the
Solomon. For, away off under the dome of the national capitol,
about that time, a group of men, in heated controversy over state
rights, started something when they threw down the gauntlet of
squatter sovereignty to the free and courageous.
In the near background of this period of first settlement are the
frontier traders and trappers, who outfitted for their trips and dis-
posed of their catches at Missouri river points. Still earlier were
the French of like pursuits, who, under concessions from the gover-
nor of the greater Louisiana, were the first to come up the streams
of central Kansas to take beaver and to traffic with the Indians.
Each of these groups of trader-trappers had something to do with
the naming of our streams. But, unless their trails were crossed by
an adventurer or explorer who kept a journal, some of the names
did not stick.
For some of the historical information, of local character, the
writer can vouch from his personal knowledge of things. Much
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228 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
more we gleaned from conversations or correspondence with a few
of the homestead settlers who were among the first on the ground.
The data of broader historical scope we gathered in the Library
of Congress during several short periods of residence in the national
capital.
The writer, having lived for some years now in a state that is all
shot to pieces with Indian names, considers it fortunate that the
part of the map we are dealing with in this sketch has only three
or four such designations. For sometimes when we come to analyze
the term which the local people fondly believe means "Babbling
Brooks," or "Sky-blue Moonbeams," it is found to designate the
"Place-Where-the-Buffalo-Had-a-Fit," or something equally pro-
saic. The name "Ottawa" is derived from a word which signifies
"to trade," "to buy and sell." In early traditional times and also
during the historic period the Ottawa Indians were noted among
their neighbors as intertribal traders. The national emblem of the
tribe was the moose.
The Ottawas were first visited by Champlain in 1615 on Georgian
bay, where they were picking huckleberries. In the next century
they are known to have migrated considerably in bands, some
settling in southern Wisconsin, northeastern Illinois, and along Lake
Erie. They took part in all the Indian wars of their region up to
1812. Pontlac, a chief in "Pontiac's War," 1763, was a member of
the Ottawa tribe.
By treaty of August 30, 1831, made at Miami bay, in Lake Erie,
four bands of Ottawa Indians dwelling along the Maumee river and
its tributaries, in Ohio, ceded their lands to the United States and
were moved to a tract of which the present Ottawa, Kan., is about
the center. This tract was about eleven miles square. In June,
1862, they ceded these lands back to the government, and under
the conditions of the treaty then made, the tribal relations were
to be dissolved in five years and the Ottawas to become citizens
of the United States.
The right of the Kanza Indians to the lands now comprised in
Ottawa county was recognized by the United States government
in its treaties, the first of which was made in 1815. By a second
treaty, at St. Louis in 1825, this tribe ceded to our government all
their lands lying north of the Kansas-Arkansas watershed and west
to the headwaters of the Smoky Hill and Solomon forks, except a
tract thirty miles wide beginning twenty leagues west of the mouth
of the Kansas river (near the mouth of Soldier creek) and running
SCHEFFER: GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES IN OTTAWA COUNTY 229
west through the lands ceded. This long and comparatively narrow
strip included approximately townships 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 south, gov-
ernment survey, covering thus all the present Ottawa county.
On January 14, 1846, at the "Methodist mission in the Kansas
country," the Kanza tribe ceded to the United States 2,000,000
acres, beginning at the east end of the above strip, including its
entire width of thirty miles and running west for quantity. This
cession included part of Ottawa county to be, but as insufficient
timber for the use of the Kanza was found to exist in the part of
the strip that was left them, the provisions of the treaty were made
to cover the entire strip to its western limit, and a new reservation,
about twenty miles square, was given to the Kanza Indians in the
region of Council Grove.
Thus the simple red man (very simple) disposed of his Ottawa
county hunting grounds, and thereafter received his rations of beef
more or less regularly from the generous hand of Uncle Sam. The
Council Grove reserve was diminished by treaty in 1859, and in
the period between 1873 and 1880 the lands of the reserve were all
sold, the Indians having been removed to the Indian territory on
a small reservation bordering the Arkansas river on the east, where
it enters the territory from Kansas.
A little history of the organization of Ottawa county may prove
interesting here. In the Council Journal, Kansas territorial legis-
lature, special session, 1860, February 25, we read in part:
House bill No. 420, "An act to provide for the organization of the counties of
Republic, Shirley and Wade," was taken up, and, by consent, "Ottawa" was in-
serted instead of "Wade," and the bill was read third time, and the vote stood
as follows: Yeas — 12; nays — none.
In the House Journal, morning session, February 27, 1860, we
read in part:
House bill No. 420, "An act to provide for the organization of the counties
of Republic, Shirley, and Wade," was taken up, and, on motion of Mr. Pierce,
the House concurred in the amendments of the Council.
At the evening session, February 27, which was the last day of
the special session, the following message was received from the
governor :
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, K. T.,
February 27, 1860.
To the House of Representatives: I have this day approved House bills
. . . "An act establishing and organizing the counties of Republic, Shirley,
and Ottawa, and to define the boundaries thereof." . . .
Respectfully, (Signed) S. MEDARY.
230 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
In the General Laws of Kansas territory, 1860, we find the text
of this bill:
CHAPTER XLIII
Be it enacted by the Governor and Legislative Assembly of the Territory
of Kansas :
SECTION 1. ... and the territory composed of townships nine, ten, eleven
and twelve south, in ranges' one, two, three, four, and five west of the sixth
principal meridian, shall constitute the county of Ottawa.
SEC. 2. The following-named persons are hereby appointed commissioners
for the aforementioned counties, to wit: ... for the county of Ottawa,
R. C. Whitney, Henry Martin, and Branch, of Pike creek.
It will be noted that the county barely escaped being named
''Wade." The selection of "Ottawa" instead was probably a com-
promise on a neutral name; for the same day on which the organiza-
tion bill was introduced, the governor had sent in his veto of a bill
prohibiting slavery in Kansas. Now, Benjamin F. Wade, for whom
it was sought to name the county, was a fiery antislavery senator
from Ohio, who fought the Kansas-Nebraska bill in 1854 and the
Lecompton constitution of 1858. He was also a strong opponent of
fugitive slave laws.
Though Ottawa county was thus defined and described by the
legislature of 1860, it was not formally organized until 1866. At the
first election, in this year, Minneapolis was chosen as the county
seat. Ayersburg had been designated by the governor as temporary
county seat.
ORIGIN OF NAMES APPLIED TO OTTAWA COUNTY STREAMS
Coming now to the geographical names of more local application,
we find ourselves in deep water at once — figuratively speaking — for
the Solomon is not that kind of a stream. We know that this river
was formerly the Nipahela (Ne-pah-ha-la) , meaning in the language
of the Kanza Indians "water-on-a-hill." This we had directly from
an educated tribesman who used to roam the valley as a boy. The
designation also appears occasionally on the older maps or journals
as the "Nepaholla river." The name originated from the peculiar
situation of the Great Spirit Spring, along the river's course near
the present site of Cawker City.
This name, however, did not stick, and we are left in some doubt
as to the origin of the newer term "Solomon." The first recorded
reference to the stream under this name is in the Expeditions of
Capt. Zebulon M. Pike, entry of date September 23, 1806. He re-
ferred to the stream as Solomon's Fork, and as Solomon's Fork it
SCHEFFER: GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES IN OTTAWA COUNTY 231
usually appears on the earlier maps up to about the time the terri-
tory was admitted as a state. Sometimes it is given as Solomon's
river.
There can be little doubt that the name was given the river by
the French traders and trappers who were in the country in the years
just preceding Pike's expedition; for they gave designations to other
streams of the region, two of these partly within the present limits
of Ottawa county. The name Solomon was fairly common among
these people at that time, as we may note from a perusal of some of
the journals of the early explorers. John C. McCoy, who came to
the Kansas country as early as 1830, states in a letter written about
fifty years later: uMy impression is that a man named Solomon,
connected with a company of early Rocky Mountain trappers, was
either lost or robbed by the Indians on that stream."
Our own impression is, however, that the name does not perpetu-
ate the glory of the mighty Prince of Israel, but that it had a more-
humble origin, in the character of the waters of the stream itself.
This for two reasons: First, that no other natural feature of the
region was given a personal designation at that early day; and,
second, that the French had called two other streams of the regions
the Grande Saline (Saline river) and the Little Saline (Salt creek)
on account of the properties of their waters. Therefore we may be
pardoned for expressing our belief that Pike, an Englishman, wrote
the word "Solomon" in his journal from confusing it with the spoken
French word "salement," pronounced almost identically the same,
sa-le-man. This is the adverbial form of a word meaning "dirty."
So there you are! Good-by, old swimmin' hole!
To relieve this tense situation somewhat, we will quote Pike's en-
tries in his Expeditions for the days he spent in Ottawa county — the
first recorded account touching the territory. The year is 1806.
September 18th. Marched at our usual hour, and at twelve o'clock halted
at a large branch [Saline river] of the Kans, [Smoky Hill] which was strongly
impregnated with salt. This day we expected the people of the village
[Pawnee] to meet us. We marched again at four o'clock. Our route being
over a continued series of hills and hollows, we were until eight at night before
we arrived at a small dry branch [of Salt creek]. It was nearly ten o'clock
before we found any watoi . Commenced raining a little before day. Distance.
25 miles.
September 19th. It having commenced raining early, we secured our bag-
gage and pitched out tents. The rain continued without any intermission the
whole day, during which we employed ourselves in reading the Bible, Pope's
Essays, and in pricking on our arms with India ink some characters, which will
frequently bring to mind our forlorn and dreary situation, as well as the
232 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
happiest days of our life. In the rear of our encampment was a hill, on which
there was a large rock, where the Indians kept a continual sentinel, as I
imagine, to apprise them of the approach of any party, friends or foes, as
well as to see if they could discover any game on the prairies. [The Indians
referred to here were some of Pike's scouts. The camp on this day was, ac-
cording to the editor of Pike's Expeditions, on one of the small branches of
Salt creek near the present site of Ada. The crossing of the Saline river at
noon of the previous day was somewhere in the vicinity of Culver.]
September 20th. It appearing as if we possibly might have a clear day, I
ordered our baggage spread abroad to dry; but it shortly after clouded up and
commenced raining. The Osage sentinel discovered a buffalo on the prairies,
upon which we dispatched a hunter on horseback in pursuit of him, also some
hunters out on foot; and before night they killed three buffalo, some of the
best of which we brought in and jerked or dried by the fire. It continued
showery until afternoon, when we put our baggage again in a position to dry,
and remained encamped. The detention of the doctor and our Pawnee am-
bassador began to be a serious matter of consideration. [They had been sent
ahead to the Pawnee village on the morning of the 14th.]
Sunday, September 21st. We marched at eight o'clock, although there was
every appearance of rain, and at eleven o'clock passed a large creek, remark-
ably salt. [This is Pike's Little Saline river, now Salt creek.] Stopped at one
o'clock on a fresh branch of the salt creek. Our interpreter having killed an
elk, we sent out for some meat, which detained us so late that I concluded it
best to encamp where we were, in preference to running the risk of finding no
water. . . . Distance, 10 miles. [We omit here an account of trouble with
one of the Indian scouts.]
September 22nd. We did not march until eight o'clock, owing to the in-
disposition of Lieutenant Wilkinson. At eleven waited to dine. Light mists
of rain, with flying clouds. We marched again at three o'clock, and continued
our route 12 miles [probably by mistake for 2 miles] to the first branch of
the Republican Fork. [There are some errors in Pike's map. He probably
refers here to a branch of the Solomon, near the Glasco-Simpson district.]
Met a Pawnee hunter, who informed us that the chief had left the village
the day after the doctor arrived, with 50 or 60 horses and many people, and
had taken his course to the north of our route; consequently we had missed
each other. He likewise informed us that the Tetaus [Comanches] had re-
cently killed six Pawnees, the Kans had stolen some horses, and a party of
300 Spaniards had lately been as far as the Sabine; but for what purpose
unknown. Distance, 11 miles.
September 23rd. Marched early and passed a large fork of the Kans
[Smoky Hill] river, which I suppose to be the one generally called Solomon's.
One of our horses fell into the water and wet his load. Halted at ten o'clock
on a branch of this fork. We marched at half past one o'clock, and encamped
at sundown, on a stream [Buffalo creek] where we had a great difficulty to
find water. We were overtaken by a Pawnee, who encamped with us. He
offered his horse for our use. Distance, 21 miles. [It may be noted here
that Pike counted distance mainly by his watch — so many miles per hour
of march.]
SCHEFFER: GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES IN OTTAWA COUNTY 233
This gets Pike out of Ottawa county and across the Solomon,
so we will follow him no further.
The Saline river and Salt creek, thus accounted for in connection
with the naming of the Solomon, did not appear on any map under
their present names until the settling-up period of territorial days.
"Salt creek," instead of "Little Saline," first appears on Mitchell's
map in 1859. The "Grand Saline," "Saline Fork," "Great Saline
Fork" is shown first as the "Saline river," on Ream's map of Kan-
sas, 1865.
The stream now known as Chapman creek was first recognized
under its Indian name, "Nishcoba," as it appears on Eastman's
Indian reserve map, 1854. A more nearly correct spelling of the
word is Ni-skoba or Ni-skopa, meaning "Crooked Water." We
may note here that the first syllable "ni" (water) appears also in
the Ni-pahela (Solomon river) and in the Ni-obrara river. The
equivalent Siouan or Dakotan form is "mi-ni," as in Minihaha and
Minitonka.
On Whitman and SearFs map, 1856, the designation Chapman's
creek is first used, and thereafter the stream was known by that
name, except that on two other maps of practically the same date
it appears as "Sycamore creek." This botanical name, though it
may be correctly applied, apparently did not find favor. But who
was Chapman? So far we have not been able to connect up any
man of that name with the early settlement of the stream's lower
course, in Dickinson county.
Pipe creek has probably shared the fate of many another geo-
graphical feature whose original designation has been carelessly
handled by the chartographer or copying clerk. There is a current
impression that the stream was originally called Pike creek in honor
of the explorer, who camped, however, on Salt creek, west of the
Solomon. At any rate we have noted that in the General Laws of
Kansas territory, February, 1860, a Mr. Branch of "Pike creek"
was appointed one of the first three commissioners of the newly
created Ottawa county. This was probably E. W. Branch, who
had come into the county the previous spring. Mitchell's map of
that year, on the other hand, has the name "Pipe creek" for the
stream. Therefore, if there was an error in listing or copying the
word it dated from the very beginning, and has been perpetuated
ever since, for the creek does not appear on any earlier map than
Mitchell's, 1859.
234 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
A post office named Pipe Creek was established June 24, 1874.
This office was discontinued September 30, 1898. The first post-
master was Edwin Colton.
Some of the pioneers who traveled or freighted by ox team must
have had trouble at the Coal creek fords, for this stream first ap-
pears on the map (W. J. Keeler, 1866) as "Hard-Crossing creek."
Concerning the change of name, we have the following from J. J.
Jenness, prominent in the pioneer history of the county:
Coal creek was originally called Hard Crossing, but in 1864 or 1865 a man
by the name of Gladden, living on the headwaters of the creek, discovered a
small vein of coal about six inches thick. He took a sample to Junction City,
then the nearest town of any importance, and endeavored to organize a com-
pany to prospect. In this he failed; but in order to keep the thing before the
public, he went to the land office at Junction City and succeeded in getting
the name changed, on the government map, to Coal creek.
Coal Creek post office was established October 3, 1866, with Jas.
L. Ingersoll as the first postmaster.
Sand creek trickles, sometimes flows, over a stream bed whose
nature has given this watercourse its name. In places the ripples
are clear enough that one can see the bottom and find proof of this
condition — which is rather unusual in a prairie stream. Before the
country was settled up the antelope came there to drink, and as
"Antelope creek" the stream was first known to the pioneers. We
find it thus represented on Colton's map, 1867, on Johnson's map,
1870, and on Cram's map in 1872. On a revised edition of the lat-
ter, appearing in 1876, the designation "Sand creek" is first used.
Why the name was changed, after it had been on record for nearly
ten years, we have not been able to learn.
Concerning the naming of Lindsey creek there is some difference
of opinion. Mrs. S. B. Chapman, who, with her husband, settled in
the valley just below the mouth of this stream in 1863, wrote me
some time ago as follows: "A man by the name of Lindsey took a
claim before the Civil War, running from Lindsey creek east. His
home was on the creek. All who took claims were run out by the
Indians at the commencement of the war."
On the other hand, we find in Cutler's voluminous History of
Kansas, published in 1883, pertinent matter of interest on this
subject:
In 1857-1858 the hunters and trappers who visited Solomon valley gave names
to many of its creeks. For some unexplained reason these wayfarers left a
wagonload of plunder behind them, just above Minneapolis, for the ownership
of which a lawsuit was subsequently tried in the district court, at Junction
SCHEFFER: GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES IN OTTAWA COUNTY 235
City. Judging from the evidence there produced the "gentlemen" who gave
Fisher, Lindsey, Brown, and Chriss creeks their names, were not the most
savory morsels of humanity in the world. Most of the names of these Solomon
valley creeks have since been changed — in respect to the living.
We may reconcile these two accounts of the man Lindsey by as-
suming that he "stuck around" for a while subsequent to the events
just narrated, and tried to hold a piece of land on the creek. This
appears reasonable from the fact that his name came to be asso-
ciated with the stream, while the wanderers Fisher, Brown, and
Chriss lost out on their geographic designations. "Lindsey creek"
first appears on Keeler's map in 1866.
We have made diligent effort to locate the court records to which
Cutler evidently had access, but have met with no success. Prob-
ably they have long since been destroyed.
Flowing through the southeastern part of the county and nosing
into the Solomon not far above the place where the latter joins
the Smoky Hill, is a stream called Buckeye creek. We have had
no opportunity to explore this stream in search of the buckeye
bush, but have been told on good authority that it does not grow
there. Several types of tree and shrub — as the buckeye, hickory,
and sycamore — which are to be found in the Permian limestone dis-
trict as far west as eastern Dickinson county, disappear when we
enter the Dakota sandstone belt of central Kansas.
We are left, then, to assume that Buckeye creek was so called
by some of the pioneers who had come from the Buckeye state —
Ohio. In the history from which we have quoted above, Cutler
states that: "In June, 1855, a party from Ohio explored the Solo-
mon valley with a view to locating a colony, but were deterred by
Indian scares and by the fact that the Kansas river was found to
be not navigable." John Riordan, who settled on or near the creek
in 1859, says that it bore the name Buckeye at that time.
Keeler's map, 1866, is the first to give the stream a name —
Buckeye creek. Colton's map, appearing the following year, changes
it a little to "Buck Eye creek." The next transformation of the
work was evidently the work of a susceptible young copying clerk
whose thoughts were busy with dimples and lace bonnets; for he
wrote it down "Blue Eye Creek." Johnson's map, 1870, is respon-
sible for this bit of romance. Two years later Cram's atlas goes
him one better, by calling the little brook "Blue Eye river." He
corrects his mistake, however, in his revised atlas of 1876, and since
that time the stream has been plain Buckeye creek. One of the
municipal townships of the county has been given the same name.
236 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Rand, McNally & Company's map, 1879, is apparently the first
publication to recognize and record the local names of three of the
smaller streams of the county. These are Table Rock creek (flow-
ing into the Saline from the south, between Tescott and Culver),
Mortimer creek, and Yockey creek, the latter two tributaries of the
Solomon, from the east, just above Delphos.
Table Rock is no more, but before it fell from the attacks of van-
dals it had perpetuated its name in the stream which flows close by,
in the eastern edge of Lincoln county.
Yockey creek perpetuates the memory of Levi Yockey, whose
homestead cabin once stood on the bank of this stream somewhat
less than a mile west of the present site of Delphos. The few who
still remember the location can trace the foundation of the old log
structure and that of the pioneer schoolhouse which was near it.
The groves of timber on Mortimer creek, about two miles farther
up the Solomon valley, still shelter the home of David Mortimer,
who came to the county in 1865. These groves once witnessed serious
Indian troubles, but the writer remembers them only as the happy
hunting grounds of unforgettable vacation days.
Dry creek, which doesn't flow into the Solomon about two miles
south of Delphos, and Henry creek, which sometimes does run
through the city limits, are streams that occasionally appear on the
maps. As to the former, we need offer no explanation of the origin
of its name. Henry creek may have been named for Henry Stelter.
a pioneer, whose home was on the edge of the stream just south of
Delphos. But David Mortimer, mentioned above, thinks the name
dates back to an earlier settler who lived there for a time before
the lands were surveyed, and who was driven out by the Indians.
In this connection we may note that one of the municipal townships
of the county also bears the name "Henry."
Other small streams of the county are only branches of the creeks
already accounted for, and have merely a local interest that will
not, in the scope of this article, warrant inquiry into the origin of
their names.
ORIGIN OF NAMES APPLIED TO OTTAWA COUNTY TOWNS
As a preliminary to discussing the origin of names applied to
towns in Ottawa county, or anywhere else for that matter, we may
say that such names usually originate with the establishment of a
post office at the place designated. Now, the naming of a post office,
or a Pullman car, is anybody's game so long as the alphabet holds
out. We have never been able to fix responsibility for the atrocious
SCHEFFER: GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES IN OTTAWA COUNTY 237
combinations of letters that appear on some of the cars, but with
the post offices we have fared better. Not that we object to any of
our home county names — understand! We are lucky to have a list
of good and worthy ones. If they were not such they could be
changed, for all names of towns in our basic language are feminine.
A letter or petition from local residents requesting the federal
government to establish a post office in their community, may or
may not suggest a name for the new geographical location. When a
name is offered, the officials in charge of such matters usually adopt
it, though they reserve the right to reject fool names, or one that is
so nearly like another in the same state that confusion might arise
in routing the mails. If no name is suggested in the petition, an
official or clerk in the Washington office used to take it upon himself
to call the place after some friend, or perhaps a person of high rank
in his estimation. Sometimes, however, the name has proved to be
too rank to suit the community concerned, wherefore in more recent
years the federal office has adopted the slogan "Give us a name or
you don't get the mail bag," or words to that effect.
With these necessary preliminaries, we will try to discover who's
who and what's what as pertains to a dozen or more names of
towns in Ottawa county.
"Minneapolis" is an Indian-Greek combination — Mini (water),
apolis (city), therefore, "City of Waters." Good, so far as it goes!
We drank from the old town well many years and found that it
satisfies.
As to the local use of the word, we have it on the authority of the
late Frank Rees, who may have been present at the christening, that
the name for the future county seat was suggested by Captain
Pierce, who had come to the county from Minneapolis, Minn.
Everybody came from somewhere in those days. The homestead
of Capt. A. D. Pierce was a mile or so below the present site of
Sumnerville station, at a fording place on the Solomon which still
bears his name. At one time, in June, 1869, an Indian raid ex-
tended as far down the valley as his place ; but the marauders were
beaten off by the homesteader, with the able assistance of another
pioneer — Ben Markley.
The Pierce family evidently did not remain to enjoy the peace
and prosperity that later came to the Solomon valley, for, after the
death of the captain, survivors of that name appear to have left
the country.
Although Ottawa county had been legally established in 1860, it
238 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
was not formally organized until six years later. At the time of
its establishment Ayersburg had been designated by the governor
as the temporary county seat; but at the first election held in the
county, November, 1866, the community center of Minneapolis was
chosen instead. A post office was established at the latter place on
January 13, 1868. Elijah Smith, who was afterwards identified with
the business interests of the new town, was the first postmaster.
Minneapolis appeared on a state map for the first time in 1870.
Ayersburg, to which reference has been made above, was the
cabin of Seymour Ayers, on Lindsey creek, between the present high-
way bridge and the mouth of the stream. As legally constituted,
it had been the county seat for more than six years. A post office
of that name was established on July 16, 1864, the same date on
which Bennington post office was created. These two, then, were
the first post offices in the county.
The first postmaster at Ayersburg was John C. Boblett, who, ac-
cording to report, dealt out the postal cards at a cabin somewhat
nearer the present site of Minneapolis than the home of Seymour
Ayers on Lindsey creek. The latter, however, succeeded to the post-
mastership on September 12, 1865. From the recollections of Mrs.
Frank Rees, Ayers used to ride to Solomon once or twice a week to
supply the neighbors with their news of the outside world. After
serving in this capacity until July 5, 1867, he was succeeded by
Thomas Waddell, who held the office until it was changed in name
to Lindsey the next year. "Ayersburg" appears on Heeler's map,
1866-1867, and on Colton's map, 1867, but on no map published later.
The Ayers family afterwards moved to a farm on Pipe creek, on
which, or near which, the Ayers schoolhouse, district No. 10, stood
in later years. The old stone schoolhouse has been replaced by
another which bears the name of Woodsdale.
The original townsite of Lindsey was less than a mile from the
proposed Ayersburg, and the history of the two efforts to establish a
community center is practically the same — early rivalry to hold
there the county seat designated by the governor at the creation of
the county. As we have noted, however, Minneapolis was chosen
in the election of 1866.
A post office was established at Lindsey on July 7, 1868, Harvey
Markel (Markley?) being appointed postmaster. When the writer
first saw the place, in October 1879, this office was in the old hotel
or stage tavern which stood at the first corner south of the Lindsey
creek bridge. It was then the home of the Best family and Mrs.
SCHEFFER: GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES IN OTTAWA COUNTY 239
Best's second husband, 0. B. Potter. The schoolhouse, "Dickie"
Knight's blacksmith shop, two or three old shacks, and a number of
cellars were all that remained of the former aspirant for county-
seat honors. In later years the school, the blacksmith shop, and the
post office were reestablished at the railroad crossing a half mile
farther south, where Lindsey is still on the map.
If the man Lindsey, who once claimed the creek for his own, was
the type of "gentleman" Cutler pictures him in his historical refer-
ence, perhaps his hoodoo thwarted the efforts of the settlers to build
on this stream a city of destiny. On the other hand, the shades of
the gallant Pike, who fell at York in the defense of his country, may
have assisted in the establishment of a town at the mouth of a
stream evidently intended to be named for him.
We have not been able to learn definitely just why the original
post office at Bennington was so named. But since there is a post
office in each of seven states of the Union apparently named for the
original Bennington, Vt., we assume that this is a case in which a
designation was given the Ottawa county location by an official of
the federal post office. Bennington, Kan., post office was established
on July 16, 1864. Two years later the name appeared on both
Colton's map and Keeler's map of the territory.
Samuel Z. Boss was the first postmaster at Bennington, according
to government records. Some have thought to identify Richard
Knight with this position, and state that he came to the Solomon
valley from Bennington, Vt. But members of Richard Knight's
family state that he came to Bennington, Kan., in 1866, after having
served an enlistment in the Second Colorado cavalry. He was born
in Ireland, and when he came to this country located at Sandusky,
Ohio, before coming to the West. His homestead dugout and black-
smith shop were near a lone cottonwood tree about one-fourth
mile southwest of the intersection of the section lines in the present
town of Bennington. In 1870 he was flooded out by high water in
Sand creek and moved to Lindsey.
Bennington, Vt., is the only town in the list of eight of the name
that has a population over one thousand. It was there we fought,
and won, a decisive battle of the Revolutionary War.
In discussing the two geographical locations down the line below
Bennington, we are inclined to sympathize with the fellow who
"Stood on the bridge at midnight, feeling rather tough; Two moons
rose o'er the city, where one would have been enough."
There are some discrepancies in the reports we have as to the
240 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
naming of Niles and Verdi, but all other historical facts seem to
accord fairly well. To begin with the federal government records,
a post office was established at "Coal Creek" on October 3, 1866,
with Jas. L. Ingersoll in charge. This office was located on a claim
between the present stations of Niles and Verdi, which are less than
three miles apart. The origin of the name Coal creek has been dis-
cussed elsewhere in this article.
On April 18, 1879, the name of the office was changed to "George-
town," the first postmaster under this new name being John J.
Jenness. Two correspondents who gathered information for the
writer about twenty years later, at Niles and Verdi, respectively,
state that this office was so named in honor of George Ingersoll, on
whose original claim it was located. Did the old timers have in
mind Jas. L. Ingersoll, the first postmaster at the "Coal Creek"
office? At any rate there are Georgetown post offices in twenty-
seven different states of the Union, all presumably named after the
"Father of his Country."
A few years later, January 16, 1885, this office was changed to
"Verdi," with C. H. Shultice as the first postmaster. Verdi was a
new railroad station just north of the mouth of Coal creek. In the
same year, according to one correspondent, a post office was estab-
lished at "Nilesville," a station about three miles farther down, and
below the mouth of Coal creek. The report of this correspondent
we have been able to verify just recently by further inquiry at the
federal department. The office at Nilesville was created August 10,
1885, with Thomas Casebeer in charge. Two years subsequent to
this event, or, to be exact, on August 25, 1887, the office was re-
christened "Niles."
As to the origin of the two names, "Niles" honors the memory of
Hezekiah Niles, an American publisher who was the founder and
for many years editor of the Niles' Weekly Register, at Baltimore,
Md., and Washington, D. C. This publication was devoted chiefly
to the discussion of political matters and affairs of state and is a
valuable source for the study of American history of the period 1810
to 1850. There are ten towns named Niles in as many different
states of our country. Two of them only, in Ohio and in Michigan,
have a population of more than one thousand.
Josiah Hocker, on whose land the railroad station of Niles, Kan.,
was built, is reported to have named the place after his old home
town of Niles, Ind., according to one correspondent, or Niles, N. Y.,
in the Mohawk valley, according to another. As there is neither a
SCHEFFER: GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES IN OTTAWA COUNTY 241
"Niles" nor a "Nilesville" in either state, it is probable that the
name was suggested by someone in the federal post office.
"Niles V" appears on Rand, MeNally & Company's map published
in 1886. On a revision of this map in 1888 the name has been
changed to "Niles."
Kansas, Minnesota and Texas have each honored the great com-
poser, Verdi, with a post office bearing his name. If anyone at
Verdi, Kan., suggested the name for the local office, it may have
been, as one correspondent writes, because of the famous singing
schools conducted there at the time by Thomas Wood, and by the
musical compositions of Mrs. Effie B. Frost. Officials of the Union
Pacific railroad, who are credited with having named the station,
report that their records do not show this to be the case. "Verdi"
first appears on a map, along with "Niles V," in 1886.
Cleomenes, returning from a visit to the famous oracle at Delphos,
in ancient Greece, reported, "The climate's delicate; the air most
sweet." Considerations of this sort may or may not have in-
fluenced the Ottawa county pioneer, Levi Yockey, to suggest the
name Delphos for the post office of which he first had charge. Prob-
ably, however, memories of his old home town of Delphos, Ohio,
influenced him more than any knowledge of Shakespeare's Winter's
Tale.
The office was established on November 13, 1866, in Yockey 's
cabin on the creek that still bears his name. Here the pioneers are
reported to have gathered on "mail days" to witness the dumping
of the sack's contents in the middle of the floor, after which cere-
mony every fellow scrambled about on hands and knees to get all
he could rightfully claim.
The townsite of Delphos was laid out by W. A. Kiser, on his land,
in 1869-1870, when the memory of Indian raids was still fresh in
the minds of the few settlers. One such incursion of the Cheyennes
reached Yockey creek on August 12, 1868. In another raid, on
October 14 of the same year, Peter Karnes, John Andrews, and two
members of the Smith family were killed, and Mrs. Morgan was
taken prisoner. A third raid has been mentioned in connection with
Captain Pierce's defense of his cabin at Pierce's ford.
Delphos first appears on a map of the state (Keeler's) in 1866-
1867, along with three other locations in the county — Ayersburg,
Coal Creek and Bennington.
In the summer following the arrival of the first mail bag at
Yockey's cabin, Capt. A. D. Pierce landed a post office for his
16-^3729
242 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
community down the river. This was on June 21, 1867, and the
place was called Sumnerville. It still has the distinction of being
the only Sumnerville in the United States, though there are nineteen
places called Sumner. All apparently were named in honor of the
eminent statesman, Charles Sumner, whose famous speech in the
senate on "The Crime Against Kansas" provoked the assault on
his life by Representative Brooks of South Carolina. Whether the
name of the new post office was suggested by Captain Pierce or pro-
vided by the federal officials we have not been able to learn. . A
railroad station still bears the name, but the post office has been dis-
continued with the spread of rural free delivery.
The post office at Ada, Kan., was called to serve the public on
August 26, 1872. Jacob B. Lane was in charge, and in honor of his
wife, Ada, he suggested the name for his cabin which held the soap
box which held the few communications received once a week from
the outside world. S. P. Beucler later secured the office for his store,
the nucleus of the town Ada, about two miles northeast of the Lane
homestead. For a long time, he writes, his office did not average
more than a half dozen pieces of mail a week. With the coming of
the Santa Fe railway, in 1887, the post office and the town of Ada
were shifted three-fourths of a mile southeast to the station located
there.
The Santa Fe railway officials named their way station between
Minneapolis and Ada in compliment to Mrs. Blades, on whose land
it is located. As Miss Thirza A. Brewer she had homesteaded the
quarter in 1871. The year previous to the coming of the railroad a
star-route post office had been established in this locality at the
bachelor headquarters of Nathaniel B. Penquite and his brother
Frank. This event dates back to January 11, 1886. Nathaniel was
named as postmaster and, in addition to their none too burdensome
duties of canceling stamps and distributing mail, the two brothers
kept a small stock of goods for sale to the neighbors.
When Brewer station was located the next year the post office was
transferred there, with Mrs. Blades in charge. Owing to a similarity
in the name of the station and that of another post office in Kansas,
the office at Brewer kept its original name of Penquite until it was
discontinued on March 15, 1895.
About nine miles east of Minneapolis another station was located
on the new Santa Fe line in 1887. It was called "Wells" by the rail-
way officials, probably in honor of Henry Wells, whose name was
SCHEFFER: GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES IN OTTAWA COUNTY 243
linked with that of Wm. G. Fargo in the operation of an express
company on that line.
The name "Wells" has been given also to a dozen other towns in
the United States, not to mention combinations which may refer to
springs of water. At first the federal officials refused to accept the
designation for a post office, and when one was established there on
May 21, 1888, it was called 'Toe." The first postmaster was Isaac
Piper, who still held the position when the name of the office was
finally changed to Wells, October 26, 1892. Another post office, in
Logan county, fell heir to the name Poe.
The location of a post office at Vine creek, or Vine, in the eastern
part of the county, antedated by several years the coming of the
railroad; for the records show that the date of its establishment was
December 9, 1879. The writer, having hunted rabbits in pedagogic
days along these branches of Coal creek, is ready to testify that
there are more vines than creeks. Therefore, perhaps, the govern-
ment officials were justified in shortening the name of the office to
"Vine." The name was suggested by the first postmistress, Mrs.
Sara D. Seely.
Rumor has it that the little stream on which the railway station
of Vine Creek is now located was once called "Nigger creek." All
honor to the lady who suggested the change.
For forty years a post office was maintained at the community
center of Lamar, on upper Pipe creek. This office was established
on June 20, 1872, with Harlan P. Sanford in charge. Its sponsor
was Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, of Confederate fame, later
member of congress and associate justice of the supreme court. The
site of the civic center of Lamar is said to have been changed, in
1882, to a point about 140 rods east of its first location. The post
office was discontinued on March 28, 1912, the place being served
thereafter by rural free delivery.
Early developments in the Saline valley district of Ottawa county
resulted in the establishment of the two post offices there on the
same date, April 8, 1869. The "Churchill" office was on the farm of
T. B. Sears, its first postmaster. This was on the section directly
south of the one on which the railroad station at Tescott is now
located. The place was named by Mr. Sears in honor of his mother's
family, the Churchills, of New England stock. The other office was
called "Windsor," but for whom and by whom we have not been able
to learn. Neither can we place its exact location. Its first postmaster
244 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
was E. C. Fisher, and as an office under the name Windsor it was
discontinued on May 24, 1887, with the coming of the railroad.
About the same time, or a little earlier, two other star-route
post offices of the Saline valley were discontinued and for the same
reason — the building of the new Lincoln Branch railroad. These
offices were "Bluffton" and "York." The former had been estab-
lished on January 30, 1872, and was discontinued August 4, 1886.
Its location was about three miles south and a little east of Tescott,
near the county line. Its first postmaster was Peter Kipfer. York
post office was located perhaps four miles northeast of Tescott and
was first in charge of Henry M. Miner. It was created on April 14,
1880, and ceased to exist August 20, 1886.
Churchill office was never really discontinued but was changed
in name to "Tescott" on August 4, 1886. At that time it was changed
in location, also, to the new railroad station and town of Tescott,
across the river and a mile or so to the north. The place was so
called in honor of T. E. Scott, one of the progressive, outstanding
farmers of the community. On his lands a part of the new town had
been platted. The first postmaster at Tescott was Nathan H. Eddy.
Culver had its baptism of fire in the mid-September days of 1868,
when the sun shone hot on the sands of Beecher Island. There in
the dry bed of the Arickaree Fork, Lieut. Geo. W. Culver gave his
life on the first day of the memorable fight with Indian hordes under
the leadership of Roman Nose. Lieutenant Culver, originally from
New York state, was reputed as a man of intelligence and sterling
worth, and had won honors in service with the second Colorado
cavalry. Before entering upon the campaign in which he lost his
life, he had requested that in case he should never return his home-
stead claim on the Saline river should be given to his partner, a
Mr. Hotchkiss. This homestead, according to a comrade, was lo-
cated about a mile south of the present site of Tescott.
Associated with Culver in the fight at Beecher Island for the de-
fense of their homes on the Kansas frontier was Howard Morton,
another settler of the Saline valley. He was seriously wounded by
an Indian's bullet, but survived the terrible encounter to live through
the years of peace and prosperity that came as a result of the
sacrifice at Arickaree.
Two of the municipal townships in the southwestern part of the
county were named in honor of Culver and Morton. As a memorial
to the former, also, Culver post office was established on April 14,
1875, at the home of the first postmaster, Robt. H. Lesley. After
SCHEFFER: GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES IN OTTAWA COUNTY 245
one or two changes to other farm homes, the office was located at the
new railroad station of Culver in 1886.
In closing this historical sketch it may be considered worth while
to include a few extinct geographical locations in Ottawa county —
farm-home post offices which have ceased to exist:
NAME.
Established.
Location.
Discontinued.
First postmaster.
Ackley
Mar. 7, 1879
Ottawa township
June 2, 1888
Matilda Edward*
Ailanthus
Oct. 13, 1881
Garfield township. . . .
Oct. 16, 1882
A. S. Kinsey
Braid
Dec. 21, 1885
Durham township
May 14, 1890
Thos. Durham
Caledonia
May 5, 1876
Concord township . . .
Feb. 12, 1885
Cicero H. Frost
Grover
April 19, 1870
Logan township
Nov. 4, 1885
Wm. Postlethwait
Melville
Mar. 25, 1878
Chapman township . .
Sept, 4, 1890
Jaa. S. B. McNay
Ohio Grove
Oct. 20, 1873
Culver township
•
J. C. Pittinger
Pipe Creek
June 24, 1874
Logan township
Sept. 30, 1898
Edwin Colton
Ritsraan
June 7 1880
Oct 5 1881
David T Ritsman
Widerange
Sept 4 1882
Feb 29 1904
Wm M Wyant
Yale
Mar. 17, 1873
Sherman township . . .
Feb. 5, 1887
S. Y. Woodhull
Changed to Crown Point, in Saline county.
Ferries in Kansas
Part IV — Republican River
GEORGE A. ROOT
THE Republican river, first known to early cartographers as the
Republican Fork, took its name from a branch of the Pawnee
Confederacy known as the Kit-ke-hah-ki or Republican Pawnees,
who lived along the stream up to about 1815. 1 The river had a
name bestowed by the Indians, Wa-wa-bo-gay,2 but by what tribe
has not been learned.
Zebulon M. Pike, the explorer, traveled up the stream a short
distance in September, 1806, while on his way to the Pawnee village.
An atlas published by M. Carey & Son in 1817 names the river the
Republican Fork. So far as is known by the writer, the shortened
form, the Republican, was first used on a map of the western portion
of the United States, drawn by Anthony Finley and dated 1826.3
John C. McCoy, who surveyed many of the Indian reservations em-
braced in present Kansas, has stated that the Kansas Indians called
it the Pa-ne-ne-tah or Pawnee river.4 Black's General Atlas, pub-
lished in Edinburgh in 1841, calls it the Republican, as also does
Fremont, the explorer. However, Capt. John W. Gunnison, who
explored the West for a railroad route to the Pacific in 1853, in his
report to the government designated the river as the Pawnee's river.5
Capt. Charles S. Lovell, Sixth U. S. infantry, formed an encamp-
ment at the mouth of the Pawnee river in 1853, which he named
Camp Center6 (now Fort Riley).
The Republican is formed by three branches, all of which rise in
eastern Colorado, the northern fork in Yuma county, and the Arick-
aree and southern forks in Lincoln county. These all flow in a
slightly northeasterly direction. The south branch cuts across Chey-
enne county, Kansas, from a point at about the line between town-
ships four and five. About thirty-eight miles downstream it enters
Nebraska in Range 28 West, uniting with the north fork near
Benkelman, and forming the Republican river proper. From here
the stream flows in an easterly direction, passing through the counties
1. Blackmar, History of Kansas, v. 2, p. 377.
2. Junction City Union, May 6, 1876.
3. Hulbert, Where Rolls the Oregon, map facing p. 7.
4. Kansas Historical Collections, v. 4, p. 405.
5. House Executive Document No. 29, 32d Cong., 1st sess., s. n. 737.
6. Kansas State Board of Agriculture, Biennial Report, 1877-1878, p. 171.
(246)
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 247
of Dundy, Hitchcock, Red Willow, Furnas, Harlan, Franklin and
Webster, across the corner of Nuckols county, entering Kansas the
second time in Jewell county in the NW1^ S. 4, T. 1 S., R. 1 W.
Within a mile of this point the river again leaves the state and enters
Kansas for the third time in the same township and range. The
river here, for somewhat less than a mile, flows directly west. After
another turn to the southeast the river's course is slightly north of
east, passing into Cloud county. The stream from here runs to the
southeast, a little north of present Concordia, thence in an easterly
direction into Clay, traversing that county in a southeasterly course,
entering Geary and uniting with the Smoky Hill about one and one-
fourth miles northeast of Junction City, near Fort Riley.
A manuscript map of Indian reservations included in northeastern
Kansas, made by John C. McCoy in September and October, 1833,
shows the junction of the Republican and Smoky Hill rivers, desig-
nating the point of land at the juncture as the "Grand Point." The
fact that one can obtain a view of the different valleys and the sur-
rounding landscape for miles around from the tops of the high hills
in this vicinity may have been a contributing factor for the Indian
name handed down.
The United States weather bureau is authority for the statement
that the Republican is 461 miles long, about 150 of which are in
Kansas. The river drains an area of 23,067 square miles. Disastrous
floods have occurred from time to time, that of March, 1881, being
the most serious of record up to that date. It was exceeded, how-
ever, by the big floods of 1903 and 1915. In order to get accurate
measurements of the amount of water carried by this stream during
the year, several gauging stations were established by the United
States weather bureau along the course of the river. The first of
these above the mouth was set up by Arthur P. Davis on the wagon
bridge at Junction City, April 26, 1895. Daily readings kept since
then have been published from time to time. Figures for 1899, which
may be taken as a normal year, show that the high-water mark
was reached on June 4, at which time the Republican had attained
a depth of 10 feet, with a discharge of 1,224 cubic feet per second.
The river on January 1 and December 1, that year, showed a depth
of 3.40 feet, while the lowest stage for the same period was 2.4 feet
on November 14 and 16. 7 A gauging station was also established at
Clay Center on August 1, 1904. The width of the river at this point
at average low water is 200 feet, and the drainage area above is
7. Water Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 37, pp. 248, 249; Daily River Stages, v. 13,
p. 33.
248 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
22,756 square miles. On May 29, 1903, the highest water of record
on the river at this point reached a depth of 24.8 feet, a trifle over
18 feet being the danger point.8
The legislature of 1864 declared the Republican river unnavigable,
notwithstanding the fact that Financier No. 2, a side-wheel steam-
boat of 125 tons burden, ascended the stream in 1855 for a distance
of forty miles, returning safely the following day to the Kansas
river. This side trip is said to have taken the steamer to the vicinity
of Clay Center.9
The earliest ferry on the Republican, and probably the first above
its confluence with the Smoky Hill, was located at the crossing of
the road from Fort Riley to Junction City. This thoroughfare
reached the river in the SE% S. 30, T. 11, R. 5 E.10 The name of
the man who inaugurated this service was, perhaps, Capt. Asaph
Allen,11 who, in 1858 and 1859, operated a ferry 12 between the fort
and Junction City.
An early reference to the above ferry is found in the diary of
Christian L. Long, who was accompanying a party of emigrants
on their journey westward. Under date of April 28, 1859, he records
having crossed on this ferry, stating that the river was about ninety
feet wide at that point, and ferry charges $1 a team. Horace Greeley
also mentions crossing on this ferry in May, 1859, when he reached
Junction City on his journey westward. He described it as a rope
ferry, and stated that a number of families and a large herd of
cattle had been taken across. These pilgrims were on their way to
California. They took the road up the right bank of the Republican
to Fort Kearney and on to Fort Laramie.13
George W. Martin, second secretary of the Kansas State Historical
Society, a resident of Davis county for a number of years and pub-
lisher of the Junction City Union, recalls crossing on this ferry dur-
ing a return trip from Leavenworth in the winter of 1862-1863.
He said:
We changed mail at Riley without trouble and soon reached the ferry across
the Republican. It was five o'clock in the morning; the river was full of
slush ice, and the most difficult part of the night was to arouse Tom O'Day,
the ferryman. We drove on the boat, happy in the thought that we were
nearing home. The boat stranded about the middle of the stream, probably
8. Daily River Stages, v. 9, pp. 33, 34.
9. Kansas Historical Collections, v. 9, p. 388.
10. Bird & Mickle, Map of Davis County, n. d.
11. Asaph Allen was a delegate to the Philadelphia convention in 185C, and in 1857 was
chief clerk and secretary of the senate during the session of the Topeka legi.slature.
12. Junction City Union, June 19, 1866.
13. Greeley, An Overland Journey, p. 72.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 249
fifteen feet from either shore. The driver looked around for the ferryman,
and there he was standing on dry land. ''What do you mean?" he inquired,
accompanied by the most awful abuse that ever came from the mouth of man.
"An' I knew it would stick; do you suppose I'd go out there?" He crawled
into his warm bunk; the slush ice soon solidified; we took a few planks from
the bottom of the boat, laid them across the ice, walked over and into town,
and I crawled into bed at Sam Strickler's at six o'clock. Contrast that way
of getting into town with the present Pullman service at forty miles an hour,
and then growl.
But before we forget the ferry, which was often either rightly or wrongly
the excuse for beating us out of our mail, when we were getting it but three
times a week, contrast four bridges within a few hundred feet of its crossing,
one bearing a transcontinental line, with a score of long trains daily, and
another a trolley line between Junction City and the fort. . . ,14
This ferry probably operated more or less regularly until late in
the 1860's, but whether under more than one ownership the writer
has been unable to discover, as early records of Davis county com-
missioners contain scant mention of ferry matters. Presumably
there was some dissatisfaction at the manner in which the ferry was
operated, for the Union, early in 1863, called attention to the matter
in the following paragraph :
A NUISANCE. — The most intolerable nuisance with which this country has
been afflicted, is the ferry across the Republican river at Fort Riley. For the
past week or ten days the mail has been a half a day behind, for the reason
that they would not cross that thing in the night. It has always been a
wonder why the military authorities at Riley tolerate such a nuisance under
their nose. We hope the day is not far distant when a substantial bridge will
connect us with America.
Late in February, 1863, the Union said "we got but one eastern
mail in eight days."
In the issue of January 31 it registered another "kick" at ferry
conditions :
A SUGGESTION. — We would suggest, as a matter of great convenience to the
traveling public, that a wooden man be substituted for the Irishman who at-
tends to the ferry across the Republican. We have crossed a few times there
lately, and have been unable to find where the fault rests. Whoever has charge
of that ferry must get someone who will attend to it, as it is serious to the
county to have travel so impeded.
The summer of 1863 was a wet one in the Republican valley, and
that stream was a trifle too high to be safely forded a good portion
of the time before midsummer. Yet there were those who willingly
took a chance and forded the river in order to save ferry charges,
as the following incident would prove:
14. Kansas Historical Collection*, v. 7, pp. 381, 382.
250 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
DISCARDING FERRY BOATS. — One day last week a man from up the Republican
came to town shopping. He started home with a few dollars' worth of dry
goods, groceries, etc. Arriving at the Republican he resolved to save twenty-
five cents, and accordingly resolved to ford. Riding up to the pier where the
boat lands, he spurred his horse into about fifteen feet of water. Horse and
rider went with the current — the horse passing completely under the boat,
coming out at the lower side. The man clung to the boat with more tenacity
than he did to the two bits. Both were finally rescued, but the sugar, etc.,
mingled with the sand. The ferryman enjoyed the sport hugely. — Junction
City Union, July 25, 1863.
Apparently there was little or no complaint at the operation of the
ferry during normal river conditions. In time of flood, however,
there was considerable dissatisfaction. No doubt the narrowness of
the channel made the operation of a ferry boat somewhat hazardous,
which in turn made the ferryman overly cautious. The following
items from the local paper are indicative of conditions during the
next year or two:
Will those interested in the ferry across the Republican, for their own
benefit and that of the country, please get some one who will run the boat?
Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week, the stage started east but wa?
compelled to return because the ferryman would not cross it. Sunday it
started out again, and this time the driver, Jim Hall, swam the river and
brought the boat over. A gentleman from the Solomon, who was going to
mill at Manhattan, a few days ago, was compelled to do the same thing, while
the man who has run the boat for a year declared he couldn't do it! It is to
be hoped that the interests of the community is not longer to suffer by that
ferryman being retained there. During all this high water there had been no
earthly excuse, except the incompetence or laziness of that man, for keeping
from us the mails for three or four days.— Junction City Union, August 15, 1863.
TOMMY. — ;We allude to the ferryman across the Republican. He is a genius.
Old settlers have become accustomed to him, and have pretty much quit
growling. Tommy is a good fellow, but he is not fit to run a ferry boat: The
other day some men from town went down to get the mail across, and after
making all preparations asked him to take hold and pull. He replied, "Sure
it'll get wet, and who can handle it when it's wet?" with his peculiar brogue.
We will next hear that he is afraid the boat will get wet. — Junction City Union,
February 20, 1864.
During the past few weeks, the "navigation" of the Smoky Hill and Re-
publican have been occasionally interrupted by high water. The ferry across
the Republican is now managed with more efficiency, courtesy and decency
than at any time during the past three years; yet notwithstanding the desire
of the ferryman to oblige the traveling public, he was not able, every time,
to make the "connection." We do trust that the time will come when both
the Smoky Hill and the Republican will be bridged, and when the intercourse
between the different portions of the state will be uninterrupted. Had our
Congressional Committee reached Fort Riley a few days before or the day
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 251
after they did, they would have been delayed from twelve to twenty-four hours
in crossing the Republican. This ought not to occur on a reserve of which
government claims the ownership of exclusive jurisdiction. The government
either ought to bridge the stream or grant the privilege of bridging it to
citizens, with reasonable aid in doing so. — Junction City Union, June 3, 1865.
Between pleasing the traveling public and combating the forces of
nature the ferry operators had their hands full. Ice and high waters
were the greatest hazards. An illustration of the inconvenience of
those weather conditions to both operators and patrons will be found
in the following paragraph:
The fords and ferries on the Republican and Smoky Hill the past week have
been impassable for teams. The thaw last week raised the water, and the boat
at the fort was carried off Saturday night, since which time the only com-
munication with the fort and below has been by skiffs until Friday towards
night, when a temporary structure was fixed, upon which trains, &c., have
crossed since. It is feared that the garrisons of the government posts west
will be nearly starving, from the long stoppage of trains. There are reported
to be some eight trains of from 300 to 400 wagons, detained by inability to
cross the Republican here and at the Big Blue at Manhattan. The mail has
been got through every day but Monday. Teams have arrived from above
by fording from two to three feet of water in Chapman's creek. — Junction City
Union, January 20, 1866.
The last mention of ferry matters in the immediate vicinity of
Fort Riley is the following from the Junction City Union of March
29, 1873: "A ferry is being established at the fort, evidently for the
benefit of the wood contractors, as a large quantity of that article
is corded up on the opposite side of the river."
In this series of articles on ferries mention has been made of the
bridges which replaced them at some of the more important points,
and this has necessitated brief consideration of the roads over which
the early-day traffic passed. The problem of river crossings was not
always solved with the construction of bridges. The digression
which follows is illustrative of the difficulties many sections en-
countered in the era of bridge building, and shows the extent of
travel over the roads which converged in the vicinity of Fort Riley
and the junction of the rivers.
There had been some early travel up the Republican by emigrants
on their way west, which increased after the establishment of Fort
Riley in 1853. That year the government erected a truss bridge
across the river to help care for this traffic. This bridge went out in
1856, during a freshet. The year following another bridge was
built which was swept away during a flood in 1858.15
15. Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 1001, 1007.
252 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
In 1858 private interests sought a franchise for bridge purposes
and obtained from the legislature that year a twenty-year charter
for the Republican River Bridge Company, which granted exclusive
bridge privileges and rights at or within five miles from Fort Riley,
with right to charge toll at rates not to exceed the average rates
charged by the several ferries across the Kansas river established by
law. A provision of the act stipulated that unless the bridge was
built within three years the act would be void.16 No bridge was
built within the time limits.
A "float" or pontoon bridge had been erected across the Republi-
can between Fort Riley and Junction City in the late 1850's. This,
according to the Manhattan Express of February 25, 1860, was
destroyed by high water and floating ice on February 19. This
structure, apparently, was replaced or rebuilt later that year, for
on October 6, following, the board of county commissioners issued
an "order that Charles F. Clarke 17 take out license for his bridge.
License at thirty dollars per annum. Rates of tole are the same
as those of John Wallace for bridge across the Kansas river at
West Point." 18
During the session of the 1864 legislature, senate concurrent reso-
lution No. 20 was passed, asking congress to improve the Fort
Leavenworth-Fort Riley military road, the memorial contemplating
the bridging of the Republican at Fort Riley as well as improving
the highway westward, copies of this document were forwarded to
the Kansas delegation at Washington to be brought before con-
gress.19
This action may have spurred the bridge company to life, for the
company, or another of the same name, filed a certificate of incorpo-
ration with the secretary of state on November 11, 1864,20 authoriz-
ing the company to construct a bridge over that stream. This com-
pany was formed after the passage of joint resolution No. 56, by the
39th congress, entitled "A joint resolution for "the reduction of the
military reservation of Fort Riley and to grant land for bridge pur-
poses to the state of Kansas." The state accepted the terms and
provisions of the resolution which guaranteed "that a bridge shall
be constructed over the Republican river on the highway leading
16. Private Laws, Kansas, 1858, p. 47.
17. Charles F. Clarke is listed in the 1860 census of Davis county, p. 80, as a native of
Ireland, 32 years of age, owner of real estate valued at $4,000, and personal property, $4,000.
His wife, Bridget, was born in Ireland. The three children, minors, were born in Kansas and
Nebraska.
18. Davis county, "Commissioners' Journal," Book 1, p. 79.
19. Senate Journal, 1864, pp. 378, 379, 394.
20. Corporations, v. 1, p. 14, in the Kansas State Historical Society's archives.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 253
through the present Fort Riley military reservation, and that said
bridge should be kept up and maintained in good condition, and
should be free to the use of the government of the United States for
all transit purposes forever, without toll or charges," etc.21
As late as the last of July, 1865, no actual construction work on a
bridge at the fort had been started, though plans for a structure
were being suggested. The first move evidently was started by the
government, as the following item would indicate:
We learn that Captain Berthoud has arrived at Fort Riley with orders from
department headquarters to construct a bridge across the Republican river at
that point. The reputation of Captain Berthoud as an engineer insures a first-
class structure. Work upon it will shortly be commenced. We learn that
Butterneld has purchased a complete stock for a daily line of coaches from
Atchison to Denver. We hope our Salina neighbors will be spurred up by
these items and make a good road which will be without hindrance to this
enterprise. Go to work, and by the time the bridge is completed, have sub-
stantial bridges across the Solomon and Saline. — Junction City Union, July 29,
1865.
Apparently nothing was accomplished up to 1867. That year the
bridge company got an act passed by the legislature granting the
right to build a bridge, to be completed within one year from the
passage of the act, which was approved by Governor Crawford
February 26, 1867.22 One of the provisions of the law stipulated
that it was the duty of the bridge company to notify the governor
when the bridge was completed, whereupon the governor in person,
together with a competent engineer, should proceed to examine the
bridge, and if the governor found that a good and substantial struc-
ture had been built across the Republican by the company, it was
his duty to certify the same to the Secretary of the Interior and
request that he issue patent for the lands mentioned and described
in the joint resolution to congress, etc. The bridge company was
also required to deposit with the governor satisfactory surety and
guarantees, fully indemnifying the state of Kansas against any loss
or losses by the guarantee given by the state of Kansas to the United
States. The lands contemplated for the bridge embraced the portion
of the military reservation lying between the Republican and Smoky
Hill rivers — being the part lying between Junction City and the
forks of the rivers. This bridge was started in the spring of 1867
and was completed by December following.23 By 1873, however,
the condition of this bridge had become so impaired as to be danger-
21. U. S. Stat. at Large, 39th Cong., 2d seas., pp. 573, 674.
22. Laws, Kansas, 1867, pp. 68, 59.
28. Andreas, History of Kansas, p. 1007.
254 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
ous for traffic, and on March 15 the Davis county commissioners
passed the following order, which was addressed to Gov. Thomas A.
Osborn:
Ordered, that the county clerk be instructed to notify the governor of the
state of Kansas that the bridge across the Republican river is now and lias
been impassable for the last week, and that the county commissioners of Davis
county respectfully calls his attention to the same as the guardian of such pub-
lic property.24
Governor Osborn's reply was written March 18, and stated that
the matter had been referred to the attorney-general for his opinion.
That officer was of the opinion that it was the duty of the county
attorney of Davis county to institute suit against the bridge com-
pany if the county commissioners deemed it necessary to do so to
enforce a compliance by the bridge company with the terms of their
charter under which it was organized. The county clerk was re-
ferred to section 136, chapter 25, General Statutes of 1868.25 This
answer brought a communication from the chairman of the board of
county commissioners of Davis county, dated March 24, asking that
a certified copy of the bond given the state by the bridge company
be sent. He said the president of the bridge company claimed that
his company was a private corporation, and that the county com-
missioners had no right to inquire into its affairs. The letter also
stated that property had been sacrificed and life endangered, and
business from a portion of the county suspended by the failure of
the bridge company to fulfill their bond.26
On the 29th of March the governor addressed a letter to the
attorney-general, telling of the impassable condition of the bridge
and stating that no action was being taken by the bridge company
to repair it. His letter also gave a complete history of the company's
charter, and also directed the attorney-general to start action. The
last paragraph recited:
The Republican River Bridge Company having failed to comply with the
act of the legislature and the terms of said bond, you are hereby requested to
institute such proceedings in this case, and with the least possible delay, as
will best protect the interests of the state, and enforce a full discharge of the
obligations owing to the state by said bridge company.27
In the meantime the governor had received complaints from the
military, for on March 29 he wrote Maj. Gen. John Pope, at Fort
Leavenworth, acknowledging receipt of his letter of the 26th, and
24. Governor's correspondence, 1873, "Letters Received," in Archives division, Historical
Society.
25. Ibid., "Impression Book No. 2," p. 11.
26. Ibid., 1873, "Letters Received."
27. Ibid., "Impression Book No. 2," pp. 15-18.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 255
informing the general "that measures will be taken immediately to
compel the Republican River Bridge Company to repair the break
and place the bridge in a safe, passable condition." The same day
he also answered the letter of the Davis county commissioners, in-
closing a certified copy of the bond given by the bridge company
which was on file with the secretary of state. He also asked to be
notified in case the company refused to make repairs, and advised
that the attorney-general would assist in prosecuting if it became
necessary.28
Evidently the bridge company got busy at once, for on April 1,
following, the chairman of the board of county commissioners wrote
the governor to the effect that "the bridge company are at work
repairing the bridge with a force sufficient to do the work at once."
A letter to the governor from the county chairman, written April 7,
contained word that the bridge was temporarily repaired. The letter
also stated that —
we have written the attorney-general requesting information in the event of
the bridge company attempting to collect tolls, but got no answer. The county
attorney is also awaiting information from the attorney-general previous to
commencing suit against the company. We are of the opinion that suit com-
menced now would have a better effect than to let them do as they please.
It seems the bondsmen are all stockholders and wish to call your attention to
the fact that some of them are worthless — bankrupt — or left the state.29
By the following May the bridge was again in an impassable
condition, and on the 22d of that month Major General Pope again
addressed a letter to the governor, calling attention to the matter,
which letter was referred to the attorney-general two days later, the
governor asking that he "take such action as was necessary to pro-
tect the interests of the state and compel the bridge company to live
up to the terms of their contract with the state." The governor also
wrote Major General Pope that he had referred the whole matter
to the attorney-general with a request that proceedings be instituted
against the bridge company to enforce a compliance on their part
with the conditions of their contract with the state.30
It would be interesting to note what the attorney-general had to
say in regard to the matter, but unfortunately no correspondence of
his office covering this episode is included in the Historical Society's
archives, and the first printed report of that officer was not issued
until 1875.
The Junction City Union, however, had kept informed on the
28. Ibid., pp. 19, 20.
29. Ibid., "Letters Received," 1873, Archives division.
30. Ibid., 1873, 1874, "Impression Book No. 2," pp. 178, 179.
256 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
bridge situation, and had called the attention of its readers and the
county authorities to its deplorable condition no less than six times
in as many weeks. Beginning with the issue of March 8, and
closing with that of April 5, 1873, it said:
The approach to the Republican river bridge was broken down on Thursday
by a wagon loaded with wood. . . . Wednesday morning several wagon
loads of emigrants crossed on the bridge. After waiting a couple of days for
some one to fix it, they went to work and in a day and a half had it so that
it could be crossed. A few days ago a blacksmith working for Meader, having
occasion to cross over, could only cross on the railroad bridge. In doing so
he fell through, but falling on some timbers had his shoulder broken. . . .
A few days ago a man in attempting to cross had a horse killed. A party
of emigrants crossed over the other day by unloading their wagons and pack-
ing the goods over. The bridge has been in this condition for about a
month. . . . We passed the Republican bridge the other day, and of all
the disgraceful, dilapidated concerns, it is the worst. We understand the com-
pany have sent to Chicago for lumber to fix it. In the meantime, we hope
the U. S. military authorities will take charge of it, and put it in the shape
government designed it should be when the land was donated. . . . The
Republican bridge is actually being repaired, a large force of men being en-
gaged on the work, and from present indications it will be a most substantial
improvement on the old. . . . The Republican river bridge is finally re-
paired and rendered passable, being rebuilt on a more substantial basis than
heretofore. No accident insurance will now be required in view of making an
attempt to cross it.
The third bridge to span the Republican river at this point was
that of the Kansas Pacific railway, which was completed in 1866.
This bridge, like the first two wagon bridges, was a victim of the
elements of nature in February, 1867, its fate being chronicled
briefly, as follows:
The railroad bridge over the Republican, this side of Junction City, went
out on Thursday morning. One-half of the superstructure was secured so as to
prevent it from floating downstream, and the other half came down and lodged
against an island just above Wamego. It will soon be put to rights again. —
Wyandotte Gazette, February 16, 1867.
Thursday morning a bridge supposed to be that of the Union Pacific railroad
over the Republican river, came floating past Manhattan. Two men were upon
it trying to steer the unmanageable bark ashore. We learn that a line was
thrown to them from the shore a little below here, and thus at least, one span
of the bridge was saved and safely moored. — Manhattan Independent, February
16, 1867.
The Republican river bridge beyond Manhattan was swept away on Febru-
ary 14, during the highest water ever known up to that time. — Kansas Radical,
Manhattan, February 16, 1867.
Bridges at Riley, Manhattan and Wyandotte have been swept away by the
flood. Also a large portion of the pontoon at Topeka. — Leavenworth Con-
servative, February 15, 1867.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 257
During 1867 another corporation known as the Junction City and
Republican Bridge and Ferry Company filed a charter with the
state. The incorporators were R. W. Hilliker, F. M. Ferguson, John
Wayland, 0. J. Hopkins and Thomas D. Fitch. This company was
capitalized for $300,000, with shares $300 each. It was the purpose
of the company to operate a ferry and build bridges in Davis county
at a point on the Republican in S. 17, T. 11, R. 5 E., and between
points five miles above and five miles below. This company was
organized July 27, 1867, and filed its charter with the secretary of
state July 30, 1867.31 No further history of this bridge and ferry
project has been located.
From Junction City and vicinity roads led out in all directions.
The military road passed through the town and led on to Salina and
the military posts on the Smoky Hill and southwest to the Santa Fe
trail. The Leavenworth and Pike's Peak express route ran through
the town and went up the Smoky Hill for a distance. A Mormon
road ran across the military reservation, and continued in a northerly
direction close to the east line of Range 5. A road from Junction
City crossed the Republican at the north line of the city at S. 1,
T. 12, R. 5, and connected with a road running west from the fort.
A letter to the author from Henry Thiele, of Junction City, indicates
that there was an old Indian ford across the Republican at this
place. A branch of this road ran up the east side of the river
towards the Nebraska line.32
In 1857 the legislature passed an act declaring "The road as now
located and opened as a military road from Fort Riley northwest
to the Nebraska line, is hereby made a territorial road." 33 The
road leading from Fort Riley to Bent's Fort, as already established,34
was likewise made a territorial road. In 1864 Congressman A. C.
Wilder presented a concurrent resolution of the Kansas legislature
to congress for the establishment of a military road from Fort
Leavenworth via Fort Riley to Fort Lamed.35 Another road started
from Fort Riley via Ogden, turned northwest, followed up the east
bank of the Republican, touching the towns of Milford, Gatesville,
Clay Center, Lima, Clifton, Clyde, Lawrenceburg, Lake Sibley,
thence a little west of north to a point just across the Kansas-
Nebraska line, where it joined the Fort Riley-Fort Kearney road.
31. Corporations, v. 1, p. 370.
32. Road shown on original land surveys, state auditor's office, Topeka; Bird & Mickle,
Map of Davis County, Kansas, issued during the 1880's.
33. Laws, Kansas, 1857, p. 170.
84. Ibid.
35. Junction City Union, April 2, 1864.
17—3729
258 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Another road started from Junction City and followed up the west
side of the Republican, touching at McGeesburg, Five Creeks, Mul-
berry, and, crossing the river at Lawrenceburg, terminated at Salt
Marsh on Salt creek, a few miles north of the river.36
Prior to 1861 no mail was carried beyond Junction City. In April,
that year, a contract was let for carrying it once a week from that
point to Salina, a distance of about forty-five miles.37
The Leavenworth & Pike's Peak express line, which went into
operation in May, 1859, followed up the Smoky Hill after reaching
Junction City, turning towards the northwest in present Ottawa
county. Inside of a year this line was moved north to the Platte
river. During the summer of 1862 the Kansas Stage Company
started running stages from Junction City to points on the Santa
Fe trail. The first coach left Junction City August 22 for the far
West, this being the formal opening of the Smoky Hill route to
Santa Fe*. Prior to this time all travel had passed over the Santa
Fe trail through Morris county. Five days later the stage from the
West arrived in Junction City.38
With the organization of the Butterfield Overland Despatch in
May, 1865, that company started construction work on a line to
Denver. On June 30 their construction train reached Junction City,
from which point it started west on July 3, opening up a road and
reaching Denver on August 7, following. This company transported
an immense amount of merchandise over the military road and over
the ferry on the Republican. The first train sent out by the com-
pany— a small one — was on June 24, 1865. It was loaded with
150,000 pounds of freight for Denver and other Colorado points. On
July 15, following, a train left Atchison for Colorado with seven-
teen large steam boilers. Steamboats discharged great quantities
of freight on the Atchison levee for shipment by this line. In one
day during July, 1865, nineteen car loads of freight were unloaded
at Atchison consigned to the "B. 0. D." Early in August a train
was loaded with 600,000 pounds of mechandise for Salt Lake City
merchants.89
The location of the next ferry upstream is a matter of conjecture.
On November 1, 1865, a license was issued to Mary Clark to keep
a ferry across the Republican. She filed the $500 bond required by
36. "Map of Kansas," ordered by Maj. Gen. J. M. Schofield, and drawn by Ado Hunnius,
1870.
37. Andreas, History of Kansas, p. 1007.
38. Ibid., p. 1002 ; Junction City Union, 1862, advertisements of Stage Co.
39. Root and Connelley, Overland Stage to California, p. 879 ; Andreas, History of Kan-
tas, p. 1002.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 259
law. J. R. McClure was the security.40 The location of this ferry-
does not appear on the records, nor has any further history been
located.
On February 5, 1867, a company was organized at Junction City
known as the Republican River Bridge and Ferry Company. The
incorporators were James Streeter, A. W. Callen, 0. J. Hopkins,
James H. Brown, P. L. Taylor, S. M. Strickler, G. E. Beates, Daniel
Mitchell, Wm. K. Bartlett and Robert McBratney. This company
proposed to operate bridges or ferries from the mouth of the Re-
publican river to the point where the west line of Davis county
crossed that river. The principal office of the company was to be at
Junction City. Capital stock was listed at $150,000, with shares
$50 each. This charter was filed with the secretary of state February
6, 1867. No further mention of this enterprise has been located.41
Another project, the Union Ferry Company, Davis county, was
organized July 20, 1867, and proposed to maintain a ferry or bridge,
or both, across the Republican river at a point (not specified) be-
tween the Fort Riley military reservation and where the river inter-
sects the east line of Clay county. The incorporators were E. W.
Rice, Will C. Rawalle, G. E. Beates and Bertrand Rockwell. The
capital stock was to be $5,000, with shares $100 each. This charter
was filed with the secretary of state July 24, 1867. 42 Aside from the
charter no further record of this ferry has been located.
Bachelder, about nine miles northwest of Junction City by land,
and about fifteen by the river, was the next ferry location. The
legislature of 1859 granted to Abram Barry the right to keep a
ferry at or within one mile of Bachelder for the period of ten years,
with right to land on either bank of the river. Rates of ferriage
were to be fixed by the county board. This act also granted to
Barry and his associates the privilege of building a bridge at this
same location and maintaining it for a period of twenty years, they
to have all the rights of the Lawrence Bridge Company, authorized
at this same session of the legislative assembly. This act was ap-
proved by Gov. S. Medary, February 11, 1859.43
There must have been need of a ferry at this point and one may
have been operated there more or less continuously for many years,
although no confirming evidence has been found except the following
from the Topeka Daily Capital, of March 19, 1881 :
40. Davis county, "Commissioners' Journal," v. 2, p. 148.
41. Corporations, v. 1, p. 284.
42. Ibid., v. 1, p. 366.
43. Private Laws, Kansas, 1859, p. 117.
260 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Mr. A. B. Whiting returned to-day from a visit to Davis county. At Mil-
ford, on the Republican river, the ferry boat had washed away leaving sus-
pended in the air the wire cable which was utilized in an odd way by those
desiring to cross. A crockery crate was slung under the cable or pulley, and
passengers climbed in by ladder on each side. The crate being cut loose it
would descend with great rapidity, just touching the water in the center of the
river, and its impetus would carry it part way up the grade, and then the
occupants of the crate, never more than four, would haul hand over hand until
the terminal air station on the other side was reached. The return was made
in the same way, and the appearance of the crate as it descended the curve was
somewhat similar to that of a basket full of human beings shot out of a mortar.
It was more novel than popular as a mode of transit, but it was the only way
left to cross the high waters. Mr. Whiting crossed with a party of three and
found his hair standing on end and moral reflections coming very naturally to
his mind.
Wakefield, Clay county, was the next ferry location, being about
seven miles by river and about one mile less by land. This town
was started in 1869 by a colony of English settlers, and was named
in honor of Rev. Richard Wake, who came to America in 1854 and
united with the Methodist Episcopal church. He was one of the
leading spirits in the new colony. On March 30, 1870, the Wake-
field Bridge and Ferry Company was organized, the charter members
being Alexander Maitland, A. B. Whiting, A. C. Jewett, Moses
Younkin and Perry M. Gushing. The company had its offices at
Wakefield, and the organization was capitalized for $1,000, with
shares at $10 each. Their ferryboat was to ply the Republican river
and have suitable piers on each side of the stream opposite the town.
This charter was filed with the secretary of state, April 19, 1870. 44
William J. Chapman, in his account of the Wakefield colony,
stated that James Eustace was president of the Wakefield Bridge
and Ferry Company and William Guy the ferryman.45
Just when this ferry actually went into operation has not been
learned, but it must have been late in 1870 before it was ready to
function. On January 3, 1871, a petition was presented to the
county commissioners of Clay county, asking for a license to operate
a ferry at this town. This petition was granted and the license fee
fixed at $10 a year. Rates of ferriage were accepted in accordance
with rates accompanying the petition, and were as follows:
Single passengers, 10 cents; single passengers who return same day, 15 cents.
Family of three, 25 cents; return same day, 40 cents. One horse and rider, 15
cents; return same day, 25 cents. Two horses, 20 cents; and return, 30 cents.
One team and wagon, laden or empty, 35 cents; return same day, 50 cents.
44. Corporations, v. 2, p. 345.
45. Kansas Historical Collections, v. 10, p. 496.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 261
Live stock, single head, 15 cents; three head, 35 cents; five head, 50 cents.
Sheep, 5 cents each; 50 or over, 3 cents a head. Family tickets to include the
members of the family of the same name under 21 years of age, and one
team and wagon, or one horse or single head of stock to pass once and back
in one day, per month, $2.50; six months, $7.50; 12 months, $12.46
The next mention of this ferry in county records was on October
5, 1874, the county board granting a ferry license to A. Maitland
for one year, on condition that Maitland pay a license fee of $10,
and file a bond for $1,000, "the board believing that such ferry was
necessary for the accommodation of the public." The county board
fixed the following rates, which Maitland was authorized to charge
and collect for his services:
Foot passengers, single crossing, 5 cents; horse and rider, single crossing, 10
cents; horse and buggy, single crossing, 15 cents; one team and wagon, loaded
or empty, 25 cents; threshing machine and all double loads, 35 cents; cattle —
5 head or less, each, 10 cents; over 5 head, 5 cents; 5 head of sheep or hogs,
5 cents. One-trip tickets for foot passengers returning same day, twelve for
75 cents; one-trip tickets for wagon loaded or empty, returning same day,
twelve for $2.47
In the spring of 1875 the ferryboat at Wakefield was lost or
destroyed, and need existing for such a convenience, Messrs. Thomas
H. North and N. B. March presented their petition to the county
board on April 12, asking for a license to run a ferryboat on the
river at or near Wakefield, within one mile of the present ferry there.
This firm proposed to charge the following rates of ferriage:
Two-horse team, 20 cents; one-horse team, 15 cents; horseman, 10 cents;
footman, 5 cents; four-horse team, 30 cents; threshing machine, 30 cents;
horse power, 25 cents. To return same day in each case, 5 cents additional.
Cattle — 2 head, each 10 cents; over 2 head, each 5 cents. Sheep — 2 head, each
5 cents; all over 5 head, each 3 cents. Hogs — same as sheep.
The county board granted the license, contingent on the filing of a
bond of $1,000, and the receipt of a sum of $10 as a license fee for
one year.48
With the loss of his ferryboat early in the year, Mr. Maitland
must have neglected to file the necessary bond required of ferry
owners. In the meantime North and March must have "stolen a
march" on him by filing their bond and putting their ferry into
operation. Later, learning that Maitland contemplated a resump-
tion of business, North and March presented a petition to the
county board June 6, 1875, reciting that Maitland had not filed the
46. Clay County, "Commissioners' Journal," Book A, pp. 162, 163.
47. Ibid., Book 1, pp. 212, 213.
48. Ibid., Book 1, p. 262; Book 2, p. 49.
262 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
necessary bond, and asked that the licenses to him be revoked, giving
the following reasons therefor:
1st — That said Maitland has no ferryboat and is not using due diligence to
build one, and has had no boat since the breaking up of ice last spring.
2d — That Mr. Maitland had not complied with the law in having, when
his boat was running, a list of rates of fare at his ferry, and having charged
more than the rates allowed by the county commissioners.
3d — That said A. Maitland claims that his license is in full force and effect,
and that he has a right of way extending 1% miles above and the same distance
below the former Wakefield ferry, to the damage and annoyance of the said
North and March, who hold a license to run a ferry at Wakefield, and who
have a good boat, and are complying with the law concerning ferries, and
further, they are prepared to prove the above under oath and by other wit-
nesses if necessary.49
Under date of July 7, 1875, the ''Commissioners' Journal" recites:
A. Maitland appeared before the board to ask permission for a certain
length of time to rebuild a ferryboat to replace the one destroyed last spring.
The board having no power could grant no permission. Other matters were
presented by Mr. Maitland but the board having no jurisdiction could offer
no relief. And it appears by the record that Mr. Maitland, by order of this
board, was granted a license to run a ferryboat at or near Wakefield, on the
5th of October, 1874, and the said Maitland having failed to file the bond re-
quired by law, and as Mr. Maitland expressed himself as not caring whether
the license continued or not, it is hereby ordered that said license be revoked
and the clerk notify Mr. Maitland of the action of the board.50
Another entry of July 7 says: "By reason of the revoking of Mr.
Maitland's license no action on the above petition [of North and
March] was necessary." 51
W. P. Gates, of Wakefield, may have operated the ferry in 1876,
as the "Commissioners' Journal" of April 4, 1877, states that Mr.
Gates presented a petition to renew the license for a ferry across the
Republican at that place. He presented a bond approved by the
board, and having paid the $10 fee required, the board ordered a
license granted, toll rates to be as follows: "Foot passengers, 5
cents; horse and rider (return 10 cents extra), 10 cents; horse and
buggy (return 10 cents extra), 15 cents; two-horse team loaded or
empty (return 10 cents extra), 25 cents; threshing machine and four-
horse teams, 35 cents." 52
Evidently Mr. Gates interested outside capital in his ferry busi-
ness this year, for on July 3 the Wakefield Ferry Company was or-
ganized, the ^corporators being William Preston Gates, D. H.
49. Ibid., Book 2, p. 71.
50. Ibid., Book 2, pp. 70, 71.
61. Ibid.f Book 2, p. 71.
62. Ibid., Book 2, p. 248.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 263
Myers, R. T. Bachelor, Joseph Christmas, William Alloway, David
Hayden and Pharselia Marcellus Hocking. The company was capi-
talized at $300, with shares $5 each. The charter stated that the
ferry was to be over the Republican river at the town of Wakefield,
Clay county, between the townships of Republican and Grant, and
the corporation was to exist for ten years. This charter was filed
with the secretary of state July 26, 1877.53
The last mention of a ferry at Wakefield found in county records
is of date February 19, 1880, which states that an application was
received from William Alloway, secretary of the Wakefield Ferry
Company, asking that a license be granted the company to operate
the ferry at or near Wakefield. The license was ordered granted on
the payment of a $10 fee and the filing of a bond of $1,000, and was
to be dated from February 28, 1880. Rates of ferriage were not
mentioned in the commissioners' minutes.54
Broughton, about midway between Wakefield and Clay Center,
was the next ferry site upstream. The only reference to this ferry
we have located is the following from The Times, Clay Center, of
February 9, 1934:
Some weeks ago The Times stated that, as far as this paper had learned the
only ferry across the Republican river between Clay Center and the Geary
county line was the one at Wakefield. However, Harry Clark informs the
paper that in the spring of 1882 a ferry was 200 feet up the river from where
the present river bridge stands. It was maintained until 1887, and operated by
two brothers named French.
There was a little draw on the south side of the river and a road ran down
to the river bank. People drove down and were ferried across the river. When
the bridge was built at Broughton the ferry was discontinued. So that makes
another ferry for Clay county, but seems to establish the fact that there were
but two from Clay Center to the Geary county line.
Clay Center, about six or seven miles upstream and a little less
by wagon road, was the next ferry location. On July 3, 1867, a
license was granted to N. Duncan to build a ferry across the Repub-
lican river at the crossing of the county road near Dexter's mill, at
the southwest edge of Clay Center, with license fee to hold good for
one year.55 Neither the amount of the fee nor ferriage rates were
given in this record. No further mention of this ferry has been
located. Apparently no other license was issued for a ferry at this
place until October 6, 1873, when the county board granted ferry
privileges to Messrs. Wickham & Plant. Whether they started their
63. Corporations, v. 8, p. 52.
64. Clay county, "Commissioners' Journal," Book 2, p. 873.
66. /bid.. Book A, p. 15 ; The Dispatch, Clay Center, January 29, 1914.
264 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
ferry at this time is a bit uncertain, for on January 7, 1874, the
commissioners' minutes record that C. E. Linsley filed his applica-
tion and bond, asking for a license. His application was filed for
future action.56 No further mention of this matter has been located.
On the same day that Mr. Linsley filed his application Messrs.
James Plant and Asa Anderson also made application to the com-
missioners for a license to run a ferryboat at the crossing of the
river on the route from Clay Center to Republican City, at Clay
Center. The board believed that such a ferry was necessary for the
accommodation of the public, and accordingly granted a license for
the period of one year from that date. The board also ordered that
they should have the exclusive privilege of building and operating
a ferry at Clay Center, and authorized them to charge and collect
the following ferriage rates:
For four-horse team, or two-horse team and threshing machine, one trip, 30
cents; two-horse team and threshing machine power, one trip, 20 cents; two-
horse team and conveyance, one trip, 20 cents ; single buggy or wagon, one trip,
15 cents; horse and rider, one trip, 10 cents; foot passenger, one trip, 5 cents;
cattle, one head, one trip, 10 cents; over one head, each head, one trip, 5 cents;
sheep or hogs, five head or less, one trip, each, 5 cents; each additional head,
one trip, 2 cents.
One driver to be passed with each team. No person other than those be-
longing to family of person owning team or driving same to be allowed to
cross with the same without charge. The ferry to be run at the above rates
from 5 o'clock a.m. to 9 o'clock p.m. And from 9 o'clock p.m. to 5 o'clock
a. m., double the above rates to be charged.
The above list of rates on the said ferry to apply to one crossing if the
return is not made before 9 o'clock p. m. of the same day. And the word "trip"
to be construed to mean "across the river and back again if made before 9
o'clock p. m. of the same day."
And it was further ordered by the board that the said Plant & Anderson
should file a bond of two thousand dollars for a strict performance of their
agreement with the board, and pay into the county treasury the sum of fifteen
dollars as a license fee to run their ferry.57
The Times, Clay Center, in its issue of January 4, 1934, has an
interesting article on Clay county ferries, from which the following
regarding the above-mentioned ferry is taken :
George Neill has about the best recollection of ferries around Clay Center.
The first ferry here, he says, was operated by Plant & Anderson, just where
the old Fourth street bridge has stood for so many years. That was around
1873. Mr. Neill was running a store at Republican City, southwest of town, of
which city he was also postmaster. He states that he lost a load of merchan-
dise, worth $200, in the river at that ferry, as he attempted to drive onto the
56. Clay county, "Commissioners' Journal," Book 1, p. 163.
57. Ibid., Book 1, pp. 161, 162.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 265
ferry. Mr. Neill states there was also a ferry just south of the mouth of Five
Creeks, operated by George Small. Then there was a ferry at the present
Airline bridge site, run by a man named DeMond, who lived at the place. Mr.
Lippe (Rev. Lippe) operated the ferry at Rocky Ford which was just a mile
up the river from the Airline river bridge.
Clay Center being off the main-traveled highways to the West,
was not much of a road center in its early days. However, it was
on the route of a road running from Fort Riley, up the east side of
the Republican via Bachelder, Riley county, St. Julien, Mount Pleas-
ant, Clay Center, Clifton and on to the Nebraska line. A state road
was laid out from Clay Center to Waterville in 1870. Clay county
accepted the road on November 12, that year, issuing warrants for
her share of the expense.58 At this time Waterville was the terminus
of the Central Branch railroad, and the newly opened state road
was a benefit to settlers living in the sparsely settled sections be-
tween these two points.
The next ferry location up the south side of the river was the Five
Creeks ferry, and while not operated on the Republican, was located
close to the mouth, and proved a great convenience to residents and
travelers going up or down the river, or to and from Clay Center.
For that reason its history is included at this point.
This ferry was started by Timothy Martell, who, on July 2, 1877,
petitioned the county board to grant him a license. In his petition
he stated that his ferry was so situated as to produce no revenue,
and asked that his license be granted without payment of the usual
fee. He furnished a bond, which was acceptable to the board, where-
upon a license was granted.59 He ran this ferry about two years. D.
G. Brooks appeared to be in charge of this ferry in 1879, and on
July 9 made application for the necessary license, which was granted
without the payment of the $10 fee. He was allowed to charge the
same rates as previous owners of the ferry.60 F. B. Dodds, of
Lawrence, states that this ferry was in operation as late as 1881,
or till the bridge was built. The ferry was located in the NW%
S. 13, T. 8, R. 2, and about one mile northeast of Republican City.61
A ferry was in operation at the location now known as the Air
Line bridge during the late 18607s, according to F. B. Dodds, of
Lawrence. This location is about four miles upstream from the
Five Creeks ferry. While commissioners' records of Clay county
contain no record of ferry licenses for this location under that name,
58. Ibid., Book A, p. 158.
59. Ibid., Book 2, p. 271; Book 3, p. 31.
60. Ibid., Book 2, p. 251.
61. Bird & Mickle, Historical Plat Book of Clay County, p. 51.
266 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
the ferry site is so named and located on the SE^ of the SWV4 S. 2,
T. 8, R. 2 E., on land owned in 1881 by T. G. Ryan.62 No further
history was located.
Rocky Ford ferry was next upstream from the Air Line location,
and nearly two miles distant, being in the extreme northeast corner
of S. 4, T. 8, R. 2 E. An atlas of 1881 shows this ferry located on
land owned by J. L. Woodside. It is said a ferry was in operation
here in the 1860's, notwithstanding county records prior to 1874 con-
tain no mention of licenses issued. On June 8, that year, however,
the county board ordered the clerk to issue a license to W. J. Wood-
side to operate a ferry near Rocky Ford, on condition that Woodside
file a bond for $1,000 with the county clerk and pay into the county
treasury the sum of $10 as a license fee for the period of one year,
and otherwise comply with the law regarding ferries. Woodside was
allowed to charge and collect the following rates of toll for his
services:
For one threshing machine, 30 cents; four-horse team and wagon, 30 cents;
one-horse vehicle, 15 cents; one man and horse, 10 cents; one footman, 5 cents.
The above prices are only extended from 7 o'clock a. m. till 9 o'clock
p.m. of same day.
All of the members of any family under the age of 21 years are allowed with
the wagon and team.
Each team crossing shall pay 20 cents, and if said team don't come back
within ten days, it can have a return trip for 30 cents. [Probably meant if
team returned inside of ten days.}
All care to be taken to prevent accidents, and all those who will not comply
with the terms of the ferry rules shall be responsible for their damages should
any occur. If the river is very high the teamster must loose the traces and
put down the tongue if the ferryman thinks it unsafe.63
This ferry must have passed into new hands the next year, for on
July 7, 1875, Messrs. Williams and Bebout appeared before the
county board and made application to operate the ferry at or near
this place. They made it plain to the board that the ferry was to
be run as a neighborhood convenience, would have very little to do,
and that the fees collected would not amount to enough to pay for
the license fee. The board was convinced it was necessary for the
convenience and use of the neighborhood, and accordingly issued a
license for one year without payment of the usual fee. Messrs.
Williams and Bebout were required, however, to file a bond in the
sum of $1,000, and charge the same rates of ferriage as were recorded
62. Ibid., p. 61.
68. Clay county, "Commissioners' Journal," Book 1, p. 187.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 267
on page 187 of the "Commissioners' Journal," and to fulfill the re-
quirements of the ferry law.64 Mr. Williams seems to have operated
his ferry about three months, for on October 5, following, he in-
formed the county board that he had disposed of his ferry at Rocky
Ford and wished his license canceled as he had sold out his interest
and the buyer would continue the business. As no loss would result
to the public, the board ordered the license canceled.65
A. M. Marker was the new operator, and he presented his petition
for a license to operate on the route heretofore occupied by L. M.
Williams. Marker filed the required bond and the board granted
him a license, ferriage rates to remain the same as before.66
Timothy Martell was in charge at this point the next year. On
June 5, 1876, his petition was presented to the county board, together
with a bond signed by himself, J. M. Coffman and Edmond Des-
mond. His petition was accepted and a license granted for one year
without payment of a license fee, ferriage rates to remain as hereto-
fore allowed.67 Martell operated this ferry about two years, after
which time it passed into new hands. In 1878 Adolph Eberhard
was granted the license. In 1879 it went to T. M. Wilson. From
1880 to 1883, when the last license was issued, Mr. Eberhard (or
Ehrhardt) was proprietor. Ferriage charges allowed by the county
board in 1880 were: ''Round trip, two-horse team, 15 cents; round
trip, one-horse team, 10 cents; round trip, footman, 10 cents."68
Morgan was the next ferry location, this being about twelve miles
slightly northwest of the Rocky Ford ferry, as the crow flies, and
approximately half as far again by the river. The first mention
of ferry matters at this point is found in an item from The National-
ist, Manhattan, of September 1, 1871, which stated that it was "a
good ferry point where a ferry is soon to be built by a company
lately formed in the town." No specific location for this ferry has
been located, but it probably was in the immediate neighborhood of
the bridge later erected over the Republican almost directly west of
the town.
E. W. Reed appears to have been the first to receive a license to
engage in business at this point. His application, bearing date of
July 8, 1873, and presented to the county board, was granted, the
license being issued October 3, following, without charge, on condi-
tion that he file a bond with the county clerk in the amount of
$1,000.69 One year later Mr. Reed received another license, the
64. Ibid., Book 1, p. 278. 67. Ibid., Book 2, p. 266.
65. Ibid., Book 2, p. 102. 68. Ibid., Book 3, pp. 46, 74.
66. Ibid., Book 2, p. 102. 69. Ibid., Book 1, p. 115.
268 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
county board prescribing ferry charges as follows: "For two horses
and wagon and driver, 20 cents; one horse, buggy and man, 15 cents;
footman, each way, 5 cents; loose stock, per head, 5 cents; one man
and horse, 10 cents." 70
Mr. Reed operated this ferry until March 11, 1875, when he peti-
tioned the county board to release him from his bond as he had sold
his ferry at Morgan City. The board granted his petition that he be
released from any liability occurring after this date.
Charles Ehrhardt became the new owner, and this same day he
presented his petition for a license to operate at this same location.
He furnished the required bond, signed by himself, J. Stirling and
Peter Young.71 This ferry was operated regularly as late as 1881,
being under the control of Timothy Martell on October 4, 1875;
J. W. Luce, in 1876; Nathan Fowler and Thomas Truffly (?) in
1877, 1878 and 1879 ;72 and A. Ehrhardt in 1880 and 1881. The
license for 1880 fixed ferriage charges as follows: "Round trip, two-
horse team, 20 cents; round trip, one-horse team, 15 cents; round
trip, footmen, each, 10 cents."73 The application for 1878 stated
that the ferry was located on the section line dividing sections 6
and 7, T. 7, R. 2 E. This ferry site is shown in Bird & Mickle's
Historical Plat Book of Clay County, 1881, page 49, as located on
the NE corner S. 7, T. 7, R. 2 E. It was probably discontinued
when the Morganville bridge was built. This bridge went out dur-
ing a flood in the 1920's, and for a time an emergency ferry was
put into operation to care for traffic.74
Eagle Bend, in the immediate vicinity of Morganville, also had
a ferry that operated for several years. This location, as recorded
in the Clay county courthouse, was in the extreme northeast corner
of S. 7, T. 7, R. 2 E., practically identical with that of the Morgan-
ville ferry. It may have been a new name for the older ferry. On
June 5, 1876, Timothy Martell presented a petition to the county
commissioners for a license to operate a ferry at this location, pay-
ing a $10 fee for this privilege and receiving authority to charge
ferriage rates as already established. In 1877 he presented his peti-
tion for similar privileges.75 Martell at this time was also operating
a ferry at Rocky Ford. These are the only licenses issued by Clay
county for ferry privileges to the Eagle Bend ferry.
70. Ibid., Book 1, p. 190.
71. Ibid., Book 2, p. 47.
72. Ibid., Book 2, pp. 101, 173, 239, 363 ; Book 3, p. 74.
73. Ibid., Book 3, p. 354.
74. Statement of George P. Lawson, Clay Center, to author.
75. Clay County, "Commissioners' Journal,'* Book 2, pp. 169, 266.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 269
An article in The Times, Clay Center, January 4, 1934, described
an interview with Tom Edmonds relative to the start of this ferry.
It says:
. . . In 1873, he was herding cattle a little northwest of Clay Center for
Tom Morgan. One day he saw men twisting wires to make a cable and within
a short time they had a ferry in operation across the river. That was two
miles west and one mile south of Morganville. That ferry is what is known
as "The Eagle Bend Ferry." It was operated for some time. The ends of the
old cable can still be seen twisted around the trees at Eagle Bend. Perry
Peterson, mail carrier, confirms that statement, that the old cables are still
visible. George Carl and Philip Girard own the land on each side of the river
there now.
Another reader of The Times, writing to that paper from Clyde,
said:
It was started there near 1878 by Timothy Martell from Clyde, and William
McCaddon rented the boat near that time and ran it from April until October.
It was situated north of the Snell farm on the west side of the river and be-
tween the Brazil farm, now occupied by Claude Stewart, and the Barrows farm,
now owned by Carls on the east. We lived there in a little log cabin on the
bank of the river.
The next ferry above Morganville was known as the Riverdale
ferry, being between five and six miles by the river and about three
miles downstream from Clifton. Riverdale post office was about
two miles west of the Republican, and on a section road reaching
the river between sections 13 and 24, T. 6, R. 1 E. The Times, Clay
Center, in the issue of January 4, 1934, has an interesting article
regarding ferries in this immediate neighborhood, as recalled by
Frank Knapp, of Clay Center and formerly of Clifton. It says:
According to Mr. Knapp in 1871 there were two ferries across the Repub-
lican river northwest of Morganville. One was across the river directly west
from the Crawford schoolhouse about 1% miles, connecting land now owned
by Henry Mellies. The other was directly west from the Sherman schoolhouse,
about two miles, connecting the present Bauer-Pederson land. It was ap-
proximately 3 miles down from Clifton. This was the ferry known as the
Riverdale ferry. It was operated by a man named T. L. Tanney (or Tenney).
Mr. Knapp says that the ferry west of the Crawford schoolhouse was not
operated long. The Riverdale ferry was much the better known. Mr. Knapp
is not sure whether these two ferries were operated at the same time or whether
the Crawford school ferry was moved up the river to the Riverdale neighbor-
hood. All he remembers is that there were in 1871 ferries at each of these
places.
The Riverdale ferry apparently was nearer the town in 1876 than
it was in 1871. A notice in the Concordia Empire, June 23, 1876,
said: "Riverdale Ferry. One mile east of Riverdale, on the most
270 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
direct route to Clay Center. Cross the Republican at Tinney and
Greenwood's Ferry. They will cross you day or night."
A Clifton reader of The Times, in its issue of January 11, 1934,
adds the following to Clay county's ferry history: "The Riverdale
ferry was on the Harrison land, and, I think, run by a man named
Tenney, from Morganville, and there was still another one near
Pete Young's, and in 1870 there was no way to cross the river ex-
cept to ford, only at Clyde was a pontoon bridge."
The only license for a ferry in the Riverdale neighborhood was
issued on April 3, 1876, to T. L. Tinney and William Greenwood.
They filed the required bond, paid a $10 license fee and were allowed
to charge the following rates of ferriage:
Two-horse team to cross and return same day, 20 cents; two-horse buggy
to cross and return same day, 20 cents; one-horse buggy to cross and return
same day, 15 cents; horseman to cross and return same day, 10 cents; footman,
each way, 5 cents; loose stock and horses, per head, less than 5, 5 cents; loose
stock and horses, 5 head or over, per head, 2 cents; hogs or sheep, per head,
2 cents; four-horse teams to cross one way, 30 cents; threshing machines to
cross one way, 30 cents.76
Clifton, three miles above the Riverdale ferry, was the next ferry
location. A crossing known as the Sturtevant ferry was said to have
been in operation during the late 1860's, according to F. B. Dodds,
of Lawrence. This enterprise was running before the bridge was
built. However, the first ferry license located for this town bears
date of April 2, 1878, when G. E. Brooks was granted the right to
operate a ferry at or near the line between sections 5 and 6, T. 6, R.
1 E. To Mr. Brooks' application a $1,000 bond was attached, signed
by himself as principal and C. E. Doolittle, E. Dole and Wm. H.
Rich as sureties. His license cost him $10 and he was authorized
to make charges similar to neighboring ferries.77
Apparently another ferry was in operation in this immediate
vicinity the year before, for on November 9, 1878, an entry in the
"Commissioners' Journal" recited: "The ferry license of H. A. Sut-
ton and H. G. Reed for a ferry across the Republican river near W1/^
S. 14, T. 6, R. 1 E., in Mulberry township, expires the 12th inst., and
the said parties have made application for a renewal, and it is
ordered that license be granted for one year November 12, 1878, free
of license fee." 78
Mr. Reed must have approved of this location, for on December
20, 1878, the Clifton Ferry Company was organized, the incorpo-
76. Ibid., Book 2, p. 155.
77. Ibid., Book 2, p. 362.
78. Ibid., Book 2, p. 441.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 271
rators being Leavitt Bartlett, C. C. Funnell, G. E. Reed, E. W.
Snyder and Albert Lavy. The new company was capitalized at
$200, in forty equal shares. The principal office of the company was
at Clifton, and the ferry was south of town on the east line of S.
14, T. 6, R. 2. This charter was filed with the secretary of state
January 4, 1879.79
S. Bartlett applied for a license at this location on February 11,
1880, which was granted without fee upon his filing bond. His
ferriage charges were uniform, costing patrons ten cents for each
crossing for every kind of vehicle, or footman.80 No record of licenses
for 1881 and 1882 have been located. On April 15, 1883, A. Ehrhardt
applied for and was granted the license for this location, this being
the last date a license was granted.81 This was the northernmost
ferry site in Clay county.
The next ferry upstream was in Cloud county, and was located
on the parallel about four miles above Clifton and three miles below
Clyde. It was started in the spring of 1871 by A. J. Bradford. The
Concordia Empire, of April 8, 1871, stated that it was to be running
inside of a month, and the Atchison Champion of April 29, follow-
ing, said: "There is a good rope ferry here and charges are reason-
able." In November, that year, for reasons not stated, the ferry
was not in working order, and stages to Concordia on the north side
of the river were routed by way of Sibley.82 Just how long this
ferry was operated we have not learned.
Clyde was the next ferry location upstream. It was about six
miles by the river, or four by wagon road from Clifton. The first
ferry recorded at Clyde was in 1870, although it could not be classi-
fied as a permanent institution. Heavy rains occurred in Cloud
county in September of that year, and Elk creek, which flows
through the town, overflowed and caused considerable damage and
inconvenience. Flood waters got into the pit of Kennedy's saw
mill, at the east edge of town. While the water was up the boiler
of the shingle mill was used as a ferry boat. Several bridges were
washed away. The Republican river rose ten or twelve feet, but
at Clyde did not greatly overflow its banks. It was falling by the
latter week of September, and in the meantime people in the flooded
district crossed in boats.83
79. Corporations, v. 9, pp. 272, 273.
80. Clay county, "Commissioners' Journal," Book 2, p. 355.
81. Ibid., Book 3, p. 74.
82. Concordia Empire, November 25, 1871.
83. Republican Valley Empire, Clyde, September 20, 1870.
272 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
On April 24, 1871, the Clyde Bridge and Ferry Company was
organized, the incorporators being A. W. Campbell, David Heller,
Charles Davis and David Turner. The principal place of business
of the company was at Clyde, and the charter secured from the state
was for twenty years. Officers of the company included A. W.
Campbell, president; David Heller, treasurer; David Turner, secre-
tary, who were also directors, the other members being B. H. Mc-
Eckron, A. J. Bradford, Charles Davis, Geo. W. Barnes, Ephraim
Kennedy and William Hare. The company proposed to operate a
toll bridge or ferry on or near the section line between sections 26
and 27, T. 5, R. 1 W., in Elk township, Cloud county, this being
just north of the old Central Branch railway. This enterprise was
capitalized at $15,000, in shares of $50 each. This charter was filed
with the secretary of state April 26, 1871.84
This ferry must have gone into operation shortly after the charter
was obtained. The following year B. H. McEckron wrote the secre-
tary of state, asking if their charter gave them control of the ferry
rights for a distance of five miles each way from the ferry, no
legislation having been had to that effect.85 The secretary's reply,
unfortunately, has not been preserved.
On March 14, 1872, the Clyde ferry was granted a license on pay-
ment of a $25 fee to the county treasury. The board of county com-
missioners prescribed the following rates: "Team and wagon, 25
cents; single animal and wagon, 15 cents; horse and rider, 10 cents;
foot passengers, 5 cents; loose horses and neat cattle, each 5 cents;
sheep and swine, each 5 cents. The ferry company was required to
post rates of ferriage in conspicuous places on both sides of the
river." 86
Ferrymen as well as those wishing to cross on the boats had their
worries. Floods made their business hazardous; winter put an end
to it, while drouth halted operations at times. This latter condition
obtained early in the spring of 1872, as will be seen by the following:
The Waterville stage did not arrive until quite late on Saturday night, and
many thought it singular, as the day was pleasant and roads good. From
Superintendent Scott we learn that while crossing on the ferry at Clyde, the
boat grounded and after working a long time to get it afloat the horses were
taken off and used to haul the boat ashore. This detained the coach a couple
of hours. We make this statement in justice to the company. — Concordia
Empire, April 13, 1872.
84. Corporations, v. 3, p. 264.
85. Secretary of State, "Letters Received," 1872, in Archives division, Kansas State
Historical Society.
86. Cloud county, commissioners' proceedings, in the Concordia Empire, March 23, 1872.
ROOT: FEERIES IN KANSAS 273
This ferry operated as late as 1878, the last license record located
being in the commissioners' proceedings for April 9, 1877, and grant-
ing a license in January 1, 1878.87 On this date, however, the "ferry
was not working. The river was full of running ice and the ferry
boat was moored to the Clyde shore, unable to do duty. Conse-
quently passengers on the stage, with their baggage and the mails,
had to be crossed on the railway bridge — a procedure not so pleasant
we apprehend, for the ladies and children, owing to the incomplete
condition of the bridge." 88
On July 7, 1870, the Concordia land office was opened, and im-
mediately the tide of immigration set in to the Republican valley.
As there was no bridge on the river nearer than Junction City these
settlers were obliged to make use of the ferries when not able to
ford the river. Some idea of this rush of settlers is indicated by the
fact that the office was besieged for weeks and months by hungry
land seekers, who sometimes stood in lines 200 or 300 yards in length,
remaining night and day awaiting their turns to secure the coveted
homestead or preemption.89 Awaiting their turn to cross the river
at the ferries must have been irksome to these settlers, for as early
as 1871 there was considerable talk in favor of bridges. These early
attempts, however, came to naught, as some of the wiser heads in
each county pointed out the heavy taxes such improvements would
entail upon the settlers, and arguing that "Good ferries are being
put in at every point where they are necessary." It was not until
1877 that an election to vote bonds for bridge purposes carried.90
While but few roads centered there, Clyde was quite an important
early-day point. Stages from the Republican valley routed for
Concordia and other points westward all crossed the river here.
The road from Atchison to Clifton, running west on or near the first
standard parallel, by way of Lancaster, Muscotah, Eureka, America
and Irving City, was made a state road by the legislature of 1861.91
Capt. Nathaniel Fox, who purchased Seymour's ferryboat early
in April, 1872, and moved it down the river to Bunton's ford, had
the next ferry. He applied to the Cloud county commissioners for
a license which the board considered at a meeting a few days later
and refused, as being within the charter limits of the Clyde Ferry
87. Concordia Empire, April 27, 1877.
88. Ibid., January 4, 1878.
89. Edwards' Atlas of Cloud County, Kansas, p. 9.
90. Concordia Empire, March 25, 1871, October 19, 1877.
91. Laws, Kansas, 1861, p. 252.
18-3729
274 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Co.92 The Concordia Empire at this time stated that Mr. Fox's
ferryboat at Bunton's was operating and running successfully, and
that he claimed the route to Clyde from Concordia was two miles
nearer than by any other route, that the road was better and that
there was one less creek to cross. Mr. Fox evidently started his ferry
with the intention of catching the cream of the travel up the river.
In the Empire of April 13 appeared the following advertisement:
BULL RUN FERRY
I have established a ferry at Bunton's crossing of the Republican, and am
prepared at all times of the day or night to cross teams or foot passengers.
My boat is new and safe. The approaches are level and in good condition.
The distance between Concordia and Clyde by this route is
TWO MILES LESS
than by any other, and there are not as many creeks to cross.
The following are the rates: Four-horse team, 40 cents; team and wagon,
25 cents; single animal and wagon, 15 cents; horse and rider, 10 cents; foot-
man, 5 cents; sheep and swine, 3 cents each.
The commissioners evidently reconsidered Mr. Fox's application
within the next week, for on April 20 their minutes recite that
"License was granted to Nathaniel Fox to run a ferry at Bunton's
ford on the Republican river, provided that he do not run the ferry
within the limits of the Clyde ferry, measured by the channel of the
river, and subject to the same conditions as the Clyde and Con-
cordia ferries." 93
Presumably Mr. Fox had not been worried by the action of the
county board, for he kept ahead with his ferry, apparently running
it free in the meantime, as the following might indicate: "The Bull
Run Ferry (at Bunton's Crossing) is crossing over free all the good
looking men in the country. Mr. E. A. Wannemaker availed himself
of the privilege and reports the ferry in good order, and insists that
it is the nearest way down the valley." 94
In May, 1872, Captain Fox was not depending entirely upon the
revenue derived from his ferry for a living, for his ferry advertise-
ment also carried information to the effect that plenty of grain and
hay could be obtained at the ferry for teams waiting to be crossed,
and that meals could be had for 25 cents.95
Late that fall the editor of the Empire had occasion to cross the
river on this ferry and mentioned the incident:
92. Cloud county, commissioners' proceedings, in the Concordia Empire, April 13, 1872.
93. Concordia Empire, April 27, 1872.
94. Ibid.
95. Ibid., May 25, 1872.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 275
The other day we passed over the river on the boat run by Captain Fox,
and must say that it was just no trouble at all. The boat is a very safe one,
and large. The approaches are easy, enabling loaded teams to cross easily.
The Captain has made arrangements for high or low water. As this route is
nearest to Clyde and Waterville, and the road the levelest, the ferry is kept
running a large portion of the time. Captain Fox is an enterprising boatman,
and worthy of patronage.96
There has been no opportunity to consult Cloud county records
for the years 1873 to 1875, inclusive, nor the newspapers covering
those years, and it is barely possible that Mr. Fox did not operate
his boat for that full period. On October 1, 1876, Burkdall & Ash-
lock filed a petition with the county board asking permission to run
the Bull Run ferry for one year from that date. Their request was
granted on payment of $15.97 Apparently there was a change in the
management of the ferry in the spring of 1877, for commissioners'
proceedings of date April 9, 1877, state that the application of
Messrs. Venne & Gamper for a license to run the Bull Run ferry
over the Republican on S. 29, T. 5, R. 1 W., until January 1, 1878,
was granted, the license fee being fixed at $15. 98 No further history
has been located.
Lawrenceburg, seven or eight miles upstream from Clyde, and
about six and one-half by land, had the next ferry, which must have
been started in the spring of 1871. Although no record of a county
license has been found for this ferry that year, the Waterville
Telegraph, of May 17, 1871, states that "a ferry has been established
across the Republican at Lawrenceburg, Cloud county." This ferry
was operated for a short time in the spring of 1872, under the con-
trol of D. C. Seymour, before it went out of business. The follow-
ing is an account of its "wind-up":
The Lawrenceburg ferry was sold quickly the other day. The proprietor,
Mr. Seymour, was coming over to town when he met Mr. Fox, who bantered
him for the boat. The price was given and accepted, and in a very short time
Mr. Fox was on board the boat, cable hauled down, and on the way down the
river to Bunton's, where it will be used hereafter. A new boat will probably
be put in at Lawrenceburg. Mr. Seymour informs us that when he sold the
boat, he supposed it would remain where it was."
That an attempt to establish a new ferry at this point was made
a few days after the sale is indicated by the following item in the
commissioners' proceedings of April 10, 1872: "The proposition of
Frank Lawrence to build a free ferry on the Republican river near
96. Ibid., October 26, 1872.
97. Ibid., October 13, 1876.
98. Ibid., April 27, 1877.
99. Ibid., April 6, 1872.
276 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Lawrenceburg, and equip the same, and present it to the county, if
the county would agree to maintain the same and run it forever, was
rejected after due consideration." 10°
Another item from the above source, for August 10, 1872, stated
that the Lawrenceburg ferry was nearly ready for operation. No
further mention of this enterprise has been found.
The Concordia and Lawrenceburg Ferry Company had the next
crossing above Lawrenceburg. This company was organized January
31, 1871, the incorporators being W. S. Symonds, Albert Neally,
Hugh 0. Regan, Patrick O'Brien and Timothy O'Brien. The new
company was capitalized for $300, with shares $10 each. The com-
pany proposed to operate a ferry across the Republican at a point
on sections 19, 20 or 29, T. 5, R. 2 W. Business offices were to be
maintained at both Concordia and Lawrenceburg. This charter was
filed with the secretary of state March 24, 1871.101 No further men-
tion of this enterprise has been found.
On December 20, 1871, the Concordia and Clyde Ferry Associa-
tion was organized, the incorporators being Calvin H. Sanders, D. C.
Seymour, David Lilly, A. B. Seymour and F. Saunders. Its charter
stated that the ferry was to be located in S. 20, T. 5, R. 2 W, in
Cloud county, Kansas, with the place of business at the ferry. The
incorporators were the first board of directors, and were to serve
the first year. This charter was filed with the secretary of state
December 23, 1871.102
D. C. Seymour appears to have obtained control of this ferry,
which was about two miles slightly southwest of Lawrenceburg by
land, and between seven and eight miles by the river. He was. oper-
ating it in the spring of 1872, when he sold his boat and equipment
to Capt. Nathaniel Fox, who floated it about twelve miles down
stream to start the Bull Run ferry at Bunton's ford. Within ninety
days Mr. Seymour built another boat and applied to the county
board early in June for a license to operate a ferry on S. 20, T. 5, R.
2 W., which was granted free for one year, ferry charges being as
follows: "One span of horses, or mules, or yoke of oxen, 25 cents;
each additional animal, 10 cents; one horse and vehicle, 20 cents;
each horseman, 10 cents; each footman, 5 cents."103
Concordia, about eight or nine miles by the river and a trifle over
four miles by land, had the next ferry. In 1859 or 1860 a profitable
100. /bid., April 20, 1872.
101. Corporations, v. 3, p. 220.
102. Ibid., v. 4, p. 56.
103. Cloud county, commissioners' proceedings, in the Concordia Empire, June 13, 1872.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 277
ferryboat is said to have been in operation on the Republican just
north of present Concordia. As there were comparatively few set-
tlers in Cloud county at that time, it is more than likely this ferry
picked up some patronage during the time of the gold rush to Pike's
Peak. Concordia was located in 1869, and not until 1870 was there
enough travel to justify a ferry at this point, though none was in
operation that year. Early in 1871, however, it was announced that
this want was to be supplied. In the Concordia Empire of February
11 the following item appeared: "It is expected that the ferry op-
posite this town will be in running order in three weeks. A good
ferry anywhere between here and Clyde would surely have paid for
itself and $500 more than expenses since last fall, and been of great
benefit to the traveling community."
The new ferry evidently was put into operation according to
schedule, for the Empire of March 11, following, stated: "The new
ferryboat was launched last Saturday [March 4] and is now in
good running condition. Mr. Lanoue is fixing up the landing, and
when completed will be all that the traveling public could wish."
Mr. Lanoue at this time also operated a saw mill, and had a
blacksmith shop near his mill, and as soon as his ferry was gotten
into running order, he advertised that parties who lived on the north
side of the river who needed blacksmithing and had their work
done by him, would be ferried free. He was spoken of as one of
the most enterprising men in the valley and deserved success.104
An incident occurred at this ferry during midsummer, 1871, which
furnished thrills for the principals. A Mr. Bogue, who lived on the
north side of the river near Lake Sibley, had been at Concordia, and
on his return drove on the ferryboat at Lanoue's crossing. The boat
for some reason had not been properly secured, and when the fore
wheels of the wagon struck the boat it was pushed into the stream,
and the wagon, team, women and all were precipitated into the
river, which was quite deep at that place. Mr. Henry Newman and
James Hall plunged into the stream and rescued the women, who
were badly frightened and very wet, and narrowly escaped drown-
ing.105
Not always did this ferry work to the satisfaction of every patron.
A resident of Clyde voiced his complaint to his home paper, which
in turn was answered by the Empire of April 29, 1871, as follows:
A correspondent of the Watchman pitches onto our ferry because he was
delayed a few hours, the boat being out of order. Of the hundreds who have
104. Concordia Empire, March 18, 1871.
105. Ibid., August 18, 1871.
278 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
crossed, no complaint has been made. The enterprise is new, and as a matter
of course it takes some time to get everything in first-class shape. The pro-
prietor, Mr. Lanoue, has spared no expense in putting in a first-class ferry.
He has dug down a steep bank and put probably two hundred loads of rock
on the bar and in the river to make the approaches safe a-nd convenient. The
boat is strongly made of oak, and the wire rope is strong enough to stand the
swiftest current. The charter for a ferry at Clyde was granted at the same
time as the one for this place. How's your boat?
By September this year the river had reached such a low stage
that it was no trouble to ford it any place. Fall rains, however,
again made ferrying necessary, and Mr. Lanoue, just before cold
weather set in, was allowing the teams loaded with coal to cross for
one-half the regular rate, which generosity was duly appreciated by
citizens who were obliged to make use of the ferry.106 By November
28 teams were crossing on the ice, and early in December zero
weather set in and put a stop to ferrying. However, Mr. Lanoue
started advertising to keep his ferry before the traveling public.
Beginning with the December 23, 1871, issue of the Empire, he car-
ried the following advertisement of his enterprise:
FERRY AT CONCORDIA
A new ferryboat at Concordia has just been completed by the undersigned,
and is in splendid running order. A substantial wire rope is used. The travel-
ing public may rest assured that they will be properly attended to. We can
ferry loads of any size. H. LANOUE.
The winter of 1871-1872 was a cold one, and in January, 1872, ice
men were putting up river ice twenty-two inches thick, and clean.
Late in February this ice broke and went out. Four hours after it
had broken the river rose some seven feet. For several days the
river was in an impassable condition. Stages containing the mail
from Waterville, then the end of the Central Branch railroad, were
unable to cross the Republican for a day or two. Mr. Lanoue was
ready and within four days after the river opened had his ferry-
running and was crossing teams and passengers safely.107 Besides
his ferry, saw mill and blacksmith shop, he was embarking in other
lines. In March, following, he was completing a grist mill, and had
formed a copartnership in the brewery business with a Mr. Geis of
Concordia. He was also making preparations for the manufacture
of 200,000 brick, and had contracted to erect a fine brick building
on Main street for the Larocque Bros.108 Lanoue's petition for a
license for his ferry in 1872 was granted by the county board on
106. Ibid., September 23, November 21, 1871.
107. Ibid., January 13, February 24, 1872.
108. Ibid., March 23, 1872.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 279
March 14. License fee was fixed at $25, and ferriage rates estab-
lished as follows:
Team and wagon, 25 cents; single animal and wagon, 15 cents; horse and
rider, 10 cents; foot passenger, 5 cents; loose horses and neat cattle, each 5
cents; sheep and swine, each 3 cents.
Said ferry company to have this list of rates of ferriage posted on each side
of the river near the ferry.109
Lanoue must have found that it paid to stand in with the county
officials, for Deputy Sheriff Votaw informed the editor of the local
paper "that Mr. Lanoue crosses all county officers at his ferry free,
when traveling on county business." no
An unfortunate accident occurred at this ferry late in 1872, which
was recorded in the Empire of November 23, as follows:
The community was surprised and saddened, on Tuesday morning last, by
the finding of the dead body of the ferryman at this place— a Swede, familiarly
known as "Capt." Kohlenberg. The facts, as we learned them, seems to be, that
after midnight the boat crossed over to the north shore with Mr. C. M. Albin-
son as a passenger — the ferryman being aboard, but unable, from intoxication,
to work the boat, and obliging his passenger to work himself across. It seems
that after landing Mr. H. must have gone to the edge of the boat, near the
shore end, for some purpose, fallen overboard, and alone and helpless, miserably
perished. He was found in the morning lying close to the boat; his feet
touching it, and his head under the ice that had formed about him. The body
was removed, and the coroner's jury, which met and examined it, returned a
verdict of "Death by accidental drowning."
The "Captain," we understand, was at one time a Swedish soldier, and a
member of the bodyguard of a Swedish king, and had seen a great deal of
active service. He had four children, now in Sweden, to whom the news of
his death in this far away land, will be a sad, sad message.
Lacking opportunity to consult county records or newspaper files
for 1873, 1874 and 1875, the history of the ferry for those years is
not known, but it is probable it changed hands during this time.
Manna and Gerard were granted a ferry license by the county
board on January 3, 1876, upon paying a license fee of $25.m As
this license mentions no specific location, it may apply to Clyde,
Concordia, Lake Sibley or any other locality on the river having a
ferry. Late in June that year the Empire published the following:
On Sunday last, Esq. Eaves, who was at his ferry station, discovered a large
black object moving in shallow water near the ferry. He went at once to
reconnoiter and found a huge catfish, which had "foundered" and was unable
to reach deep water again. He soon dispatched the fish with a pike pole, and
had a 48-pounder for his pains.112
109. Ibid., March 23, 1872.
110. Ibid., May 11, 1872.
111. Ibid., January 7, 1876.
112. Ibid., June 30, 1876.
280 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Eighteen seventy-six was not overly damp the first half of the
year and for a month or more Eaves' ferryboat had been obliged to
"lay-up." However, there was easy crossing at the ford, a few rods
below the ferry.113 The month of August, following, more than
made up for the lack of water. For some days Concordia received
no mail from any river towns on account of the bridges being put
out of commission.114
While an attempt had been made to secure a wagon bridge in 1871,
it was not until September 22, 1876, that the Concordia bridge was
completed.115 A celebration was held in honor of the event, and
some speeches were made, the Concordia band being on hand to
furnish music for the occasion. The home paper records that the
celebration was not much of a success, for several reasons, one of
which was a difficulty pending between the county boards and the
contractors over the acceptance of the bridge and the final settle-
ment.116 A flood in the Republican in January, 1902, swept away
the wagon bridge. The river at some points in the county was four
miles wide. During the period of the flood the river cut a new
channel about one-fourth of a mile north of the old one, rejoining
the old course about one and one-half miles to the northeast. This
left the Concordia electric light plant and mills without water power,
and necessitated the building of a new bridge.117
Prior to 1870 there were few roads in Cloud county, but with the
tide of home seekers coming on during the next few years, the county
commissioners were kept busy acting on petitions of homesteaders
and others who asked for new roads to be opened up. In 1871 the
legislature established a state road from Concordia to Cawker
City.118 This road late that year became the route for a stage line
operated by the Southwestern Stage Company between Concordia
and Beloit.119
The town of Lake Sibley, located about two miles northwest of
Concordia and about one-fourth of a mile north of the "lake," was
the next ferry site upstream. The earliest mention of this crossing
we have located is an item in the Concordia Empire of March 21,
1871, which stated that "A new ferry is being put across the Re-
113. Ibid., June 30, 1876.
114. Ibid., August 25, 1876.
115. Ibid., September 22, 1876.
116. Ibid., October 6, 1876.
117. Hollibaugh, History of Cloud County, pp. 146, 177.
118. Laws, Kansas, 1871, p. 298. Original plat of this road is in the Archives division
of the Kansas 'State Historical Society.
119. Concordia Empire, December 16, 1871,
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 281
publican two miles west of Lake Sibley, and will soon be in opera-
tion." Another item from the Empire of May 27, following, says:
"Jenning's Ferry, two miles west of Sibley is now in good running
condition. The boat is well made and competent men run it. Teams
are charged 35 cents — other rates in proportion." The exact loca-
tions of Jenning's ferry and ford have not been found, but Edwards'
Atlas of Cloud County shows a road leading west to the Republican
from the vicinity of the town of Sibley, striking the stream at about
two miles distant, either on sections 13 or 24, T. 5, R. 4W. The
only other mention of this ferry we have located is the following
from the Empire of July 8 :
Rev. M. P. Jones, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of this place, was
out in all the severe storm of Sunday, on an open ferry boat in the river. He
had been to preach at Sibley, but got caught on his return. Being wet to the
skin, three miles from home, and church about to commence, he was in a
somewhat unpleasant predicament. But he was equal to the occasion. Pro-
ceeding to the house of a friend he procured a suit of clothes though many
times too large, and preached as usual. Mr. Jones is from Philadelphia, and
though unused to frontier life, makes a capital pioneer minister.
About the time this ferry was started another was projected, its
backers apparently having an eye on the same location. This
organization styled itself the Lake Sibley Ferry Company, was
organized March 28, 1871, and was to be located at or near "Jenn-
ing's Ford." The principal place of business was at Lake Sibley.
The incorporators included A. R. White, C. M. Alberson, S. R.
Miller, J. D. Robertson and W. G. Hay, who were also selected as
the first board of directors for three months. The organization was
capitalized at $400, with shares of $5 each, and was chartered for
100 years, their charter being filed with the secretary of state April
7, 1871.120
Andreas' History of Kansas, p. 1055, has the following reference
to a ferry supposedly in this locality: "Messrs. E. B. Cook and W.
Way had been with William Hemphill on the Republican river near
the bend, assisting Judge Adams to build a ferry boat so as to make
a more direct route between Atchison and Denver." The "bend" of
the river mentioned must have been somewhere between Concordia
and the south line of Republic county, as the parallel road ran west-
ward close to the line of the first parallel. This road was laid out
in 1859 under the supervision of Judge Franklin G. Adams, who
served the Kansas State Historical Society for many years as its
first secretary.
120. Corporations, v. 1, p. 238.
282 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
The earliest mention of a ferry in this vicinity appeared in the
Freedom's Champion, Atchison, February 17, 1859, and stated that
one was "to be started at the town of Courtland, 79 miles west of
Atchison, on the Great Parallel Route to the Gold Mines." There
was no town of Courtland in Republic county at that time. The
present town, six miles west of the river, was not established until
1885.
Scandia, 16 miles above the Sibley ferry, was the next crossing
place on the river. Late in the year 1870 arrangements were being
made to establish a ferry at what was then called Scandinavia. The
first mention we have found of this enterprise appeared in the Water-
ville Telegraph, of December 16, 1870, which stated:
The citizens of Scandinavia have closed a contract with A. B. Whiting for
the construction of a ferry across the Republican there. The ferry will cost
some $700, and is to be a substantial affair. The approaches are to be of stone
and brush. N. O. Wilkie is superintending the construction of the ferry.
Another mention of this enterprise appeared in the Concordia
Empire of March 25, 1871, and stated that "A first-class ferryboat
is to be put in the Republican at New Scandinavia soon. A strong
wire rope will be used."
Mr. P. T. Strom, of Republic, in a letter to the author, gives the
following first-hand information regarding this ferry:
The first ferry was put in operation in the spring of 1871. I can't recall who
was the first ferryman, or who took out the charter, but I suppose you will
be able to find the names of the charter members on file at Topeka, for I
believe anyone operating a ferry was required by law to take out a charter.
After an ex-government scout by the name of Charlie Hogan took possession
of the ferry, there were many free rides across the Republican for little me
and some of the other boys who made their playground around the landing
place of the ferry. There were several others who ran the ferry, among whom
I think was N. 0. Wilkie and a Mr. Holmstrom. The ferry came to an un-
timely end in a heavy windstorm that filled her with water and sank her, and
I suppose she is still there, buried in the sand. This ferry was located about
on the section line on the north part of Scandia, directly west from the Swedish
Methodist church. The banks of the river were low there and made a good
crossing. If my memory serves me right, the ferry was followed by a pontoon
bridge that served until a bridge was built. To operate the ferry a heavy steel
cable was stretched tight from shore to shore. On the east bank of the river
the cable was fastened to heavy anchor posts, well braced, while on the west
side of the Republican was a grove of cottonwoods, one large tree of which
answered the purpose of an anchor post. On this cable a pulley was slipped
and a rope went from this pulley to each end of the ferry, and as the boat
moved forward the pulley slipped along on the cable. Another rope was
stretched from bank to bank, which was used to pull the ferryboat across
the river. Sometimes, when the load was heavy, poles or what were called
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 283
hand spikes were used to push the old boat along. I do not remember how
many years the ferryboat was in use, but I think it must have been about five
or six years.
The Empire of March 2, 1872, contains a little additional informa-
tion regarding this ferry, and says "The ferryboat . . . went
down the river during the last rise, and the ferryboats at Sibley and
Lawrenceburg shared the same fate. Mr. Lanoue hauled his boat a
long way on land and managed to save it."
The Scandia ferryboat must have been recovered and again put
in operation, for the Empire of April 20, following, stated that the
boat stuck on a sand bar in the middle of the river during the time
when ice was going out. In 1872 some of the residents of the com-
munity started agitation for a wagon bridge to span the river at this
point. An election was held to vote on the proposition of issuing
bonds for the purpose of bridge building, at which time the proposi-
tion was voted down by a majority of over 800. In some precincts
every vote cast was against the bonds.121 Late in the 1870's, how-
ever, a wagon bridge was built to replace the ferry, and served the
needs of the community for several years. This structure was swept
away on March 4, 1881, by high water, caused by the breaking of
an ice gorge in the river. Two young men, M. C. Van Slyke and
Tom Donahan, had occasion to cross the river at Scandia at this
time, and set out in a row boat. They succeeded in getting within
a short distance of the opposite shore when their boat sank. Tom
being the best swimmer of the two reached the shore first, stripped
off his coat and boots and plunged in and assisted Van Slyke to
shore. It was a close call for both of them.
There was now a need for either bridge or ferry. Accordingly a
public meeting was held at Scandia on March 4, 1881, and a fund
of $300 was raised to build a free ferry to be used until a new bridge
could be built, active steps having been taken for that purpose at
this time.
In the meantime T. P. Smith applied to the county board for a
ferry license at this point, and was granted the right to operate his
ferry at the quarter section line running east and west through the
center of S. 17, T. 3, R. 4 W., with exclusive privilege for a distance
of two miles north and two miles south. His license was dated
March 9, 1881, and was for one year, the county board granting this
monopoly for a $10 fee, at the same time establishing the follow-
ing rates of ferriage:
121. Concordia Empire, July 27, 1872.
284 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Crossing span of horses and wagon, with or without family, 50 cents; second
crossing same day, free; man and horse, each crossing, 15 cents; footman, 10
cents, horses and cattle (corraled on boat) per head, 5 cents; sheep and hogs,
per head, 2^ cents; double rates of ferriage being allowed between the hours
of 7 o'clock p.m., and 6 a.m., of next day.122
This move on the part of Mr. Smith to thwart the free ferry proj-
ect is best told in an account taken from the local paper of the
week following:
A FREE FERRY
On Friday last, immediately after the bridge was swept away, a meeting
was called and steps taken towards making some arrangements for crossing the
river. Finance and building committee were selected, a subscription raised to
the amount of $235. On Saturday the subscription raised and the cash paid
down to the amount of $350. Lumber was purchased, and the cable was ordered
by telegraph and the building committee went to work and were straining
every nerve to complete the same.
On Monday, while all this was going on, one of our worthy attorneys know-
ing what the citizens were doing, was secretly getting the commissioners to-
gether for the purpose of securing a license for one Thomas Smith, of Beaver
township, also who had been in town for several days, and knew all the pro-
ceedings of our citizens, and who knowingly, in direct opposition to that which
the citizens of this place were doing for a free ferry, went and succeeded by
misrepresentations to the county commissioners, in procuring a license for
Smith to run a toll ferry.
Another meeting was held Monday night when further steps were taken in
the direction of a new bridge.
All passed along smoothly until Tuesday evening, when Mr. Smith returned
from Belleville, went to our committee and proposed to give them but a few
minutes to sell out to him all the material for which they had contracted and
informed them that he had procured his license giving him control of the river
for two miles north and two miles south of this place, and that no free ferry
could run at this place. He then produced his license much to the surprise of
our committee. This bold move on the part of Smith created considerable
excitement on our streets.
Wednesday morning a number of our leading citizens repaired to Belleville,
called a meeting of the board of county commissioners, laid down the true
facts of the case, whereupon the board at once, seeing that they had been
imposed upon, rescinded the action of their licensing a toll ferry, and pro-
nounced it null and void.
. The committee returned from Belleville, Wednesday evening, and gave in
their report at the city hall during the evening, and read the rescinding order
from the board of county commissioners, which was loudly applauded by all
present.
The following resolution was passed by the assembly :
"Resolved, That we, as citizens of Scandia, extend to the people of Belle-
ville our heartfelt thanks for their sympathies in the sad calamity that has
122. Republic county, commissioners' proceedings of March 8, 1881, in The Journal,
Scandia, March 26, 1881.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 285
befallen us in the loss of our bridge, and for their assistance in unearthing
and correcting a base wrong that had been perpetrated upon us."
During Wednesday afternoon Mr. Smith crossed the river and returned to
his home, likely not desiring to hear that his little game of bluff had so
suddenly met its death.
The free ferry is almost completed, and will be in running order in a few
days. Those from the west side of the river need not be uneasy about getting
across to town as a free skift will be run until the ferry is completed.123
On the completion of the boat there were busy times for the next
few days. There were not a few emigrants who struck the place
after the bridge had gone out and before the ferry was completed.
They had to wait until the boat was ready.124 Shortly after the
new enterprise began operations, it suffered a mishap which is de-
scribed in the following:
Some little excitement was caused Wednesday evening [March 7] at the
landing of the ferry. The two men who have been running it had been hurried
so much by parties desiring to cross from each side that they had not taken
time to pail the water out of the boat, and as it had been leaking some little,
and in the second place, the landing had been constantly falling in and wash-
ing out until it was badly in need of repair. A team from White Rock had
just been driven onto the ferry and being somewhat excited were very restless
and kept running from one end of the boat to the other, and at last to the
extreme west end when it began to sink, the wagon being empty left the full
weight on that end. The boat had just been started from this shore but was
drawn back, the team unhitched, but the neck yoke could not be loosened from
the pole of the wagon which caused some little delay. By this time the boat
tipped and the horses were almost covered with water. The driver who was
assisting in saving the team was compelled to leave them and swim out for
shore; but the current was so swift as to make it almost impossible. He called
for help and the skiff was sent to his assistance, but he reached the shore just
as the boat got to him. Ed Dennison and Tom Denehy deserve great credit
for the cool manner they displayed in the rescue of the man and team.125
A few weeks later two young men from the west side of the river
undertook to take charge of the ferry. Just what they did is not
recorded in the local paper, which briefly chronicles that they found
somebody to take charge of them, for they looked through calaboose
windows for some time.126
On March 22, 1881, a stock company was organized at Scandia
for the purpose of building a bridge to span the river. They re-
ceived their charter late in March or early in April. The corporation
was capitalized for $10,000, with shares at $50 each. G. L. White
was president; Isaac McClure, treasurer, and Ben F. Hershe, secre-
123. Scandia Journal, March 12, 1881.
124. Ibid., March 12, 1881.
125. Ibid., March 26, 1881.
126. Ibid., April 16, 1881.
286 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
tary. One of the provisions of the charter was to sell to the county
as soon as it saw fit to buy, by paying the cost of the property.127
During this time the free ferry was operating, but evidently had
not proved to be a very satisfactory solution of the problem. The
Journal of April 16 said the people were becoming tired of spending
from five to ten dollars a day to keep it in operation, and it was de-
cided to turn it into a toll ferry. Tom Smith, who previously had
secured the ferry charter, was notified to this effect, it being sup-
posed he had the first right on a licensed ferry. Mr. Smith very
shortly made his way to Belleville, where the county commissioners
were in session and insisted on having his old license renewed, stat-
ing to them he did not wish a new license. This request was refused
and Smith stepped out to get legal advice, during which time a com-
mittee from Scandia appeared in the county board's office, presented
a petition signed by A. D. Wilson and thirty-one others, asking that
a license be granted to the Scandia Toll Bridge Company to operate
a bridge over the Republican river at the foot of Fourth street, in
Scandia, and that a ferry license be granted to said company in
connection with the bridge license to enable the company to main-
tain and operate a toll ferry at this point until the company could
complete its bridge. The license also asked exclusive control for a
distance of two miles up and a like distance downstream on either
or both sides of the river from this point. The petition was granted
and a license issued for one year upon payment of a $10 fee. Ferri-
age charges were the same as allowed in Smith's license.128
Work on a new bridge was commenced early in the fall, but was
not pushed very vigorously. Early in September the Journal stated
that it would "be done before election, but in the meantime candi-
dates have to pay toll or ford it." An item in the issue of December
3, following, stated that "the pile driver doing work on the bridge
at this place, fell into the river last Sunday, the false work under-
neath giving away." The bridge was completed early the following
year.
The next ferry upstream was about ten miles by the river and
twelve by road, and was located about one-half mile northwest of
the present Pawnee Park bridge. This was popularly known as the
Dan Davis crossing. For the early history of this enterprise we are
indebted to P. T. Strom, of Republic. He says that the ferry was
built in the spring of 1873, three of the charter members being R. T.
127. Ibid., April 2, 1881.
128. Ibid., April 16, 30, 1881.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 287
Stanfield, Dan Davis and William Polley. There may have been
other members, but he could not learn their names. As none of the
company had any money to buy a cable, they wove their own by
twisting thirteen strands of No. 9 smooth wire together, accomplish-
ing this by the following method: A short oak plank, through which
thirteen holes had been bored, was fastened to the rear wheel of a
wagon. The thirteen wires were securely fastened together at one
end and the opposite ends were thrust through the holes in the oak
plank and were fastened to the wheel. This gave them a crude
gauge to get a uniform twist on the wire. A pan with a good fire
in it was moved a little ahead of the twist so as to heat the wires,
making a better cable, they thought. Ralph W. Polley, son of
William Polley, operated the ferry at the Dan Davis crossing dur-
ing 1873 and 1874, after which it was sold to a Mr. John Trimmer.
Mr. Strom secured these details from Ralph Polley, who, so far as
he knows, is the only ex-ferryboat man alive in that section of the
country. Mr. Polley said there were crooks even among those early-
day prairie-schooner tourists. One of their favorite tricks was to
present currency of large denomination in payment. Most of the
time he could not make change, so had to let them go with the
promise that they would be back this way next week. One day a
traveler pulled a one hundred dollar bill on him, but Ralph happened
to be prepared. When the traveler saw that the ferryman was going
to change it, he said: "Wait a minute. I will see if my wife has any
change." Ralph said, "No, I have so much in small bills I was hop-
ing a man like you would come along." In passing over the big
bill, the traveler said, "I've paid my way from Illinois with that bill."
Ferriage rates at this crossing were: "Team and wagon, 40 cents;
horse and rider, 15 cents; cattle, 10 cents; footman, 10 cents." The
bulkiest fare collected was two armfuls of jerked dried buffalo meat.
This ferry was operating as late as 1877, when R. Daniels and
D. N. Davis presented a petition to the county board for a license
at or near the mouth of White Rock creek. The petition was
granted.129
A bridge built in the late 1870's put an end to the ferries. This
bridge was destroyed early in March, 1881, when an ice gorge eight
miles long above Republic City broke. At this time there was
another and larger ice gorge reported at Superior, Neb., said to be
129. Republic county, commissioners' proceedings, July 2, 1877, in the Belleville Telescope
July 12, 1877.
288 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
worse than any other on the river. A new bridge was completed
about the last of August, that year.130
There was another ferry about six miles upstream from the Davis-
Polley ferry. In a conversation with Mr. Strom, C. C. Hobson, an
old settler of Big Bend township, stated that his father, John Hob-
son, and J. C. Price constructed and operated a ferryboat one-half
mile south of the Kansas-Nebraska line in 1874 and 1875, after
which it was moved two miles west into Jewell county where it was
used until a bridge was built across the Republican at Hardy, Neb.
This is the last and most northern ferrying place on the Republican
river in Kansas.
ISO. Scandia Journal, March 6, September 3, 1881.
A Tour of Indian Agencies in Kansas
and the Indian Territory in 1870
WILLIAM NICHOLSON
I. INTRODUCTION
/CRITICISM of the methods used by the United States govern-
^^ ment in its dealings with the Indians reached a fever heat in
the latter 1860's. Considerable mismanagement was alleged on the
part of many agents engaged either officially or unofficially in
traffic with the Indians. President U. S. Grant, with a view to cor-
recting these political abuses, delegated the nomination of the Indian
agents to the several religious organizations interested in mission
work among the Indians.
In his message to Congress delivered December 5, 1870, President
Grant said:
Reform in the management of Indian affairs has received the special at-
tention of the Administration from its inauguration to the present day. The
experiment of making it a missionary work was tried with a few agencies,
given to the denomination of Friends, and has been found to work most
advantageously. All agencies and superintendencies not so disposed of were
given to officers of the Army. The act of Congress reducing the Army renders
Army officers ineligible for civil positions. Indian agencies being civil offices,
I determined to give all the agencies to such religious denominations as had
heretofore established missionaries among the Indians, and perhaps to some
other denominations who would undertake the work on the same terms, i.e.,
as a missionary work. The societies selected are allowed to name their own
agents, subject to the approval of the Executive, and are expected to watch
over them, and aid them as missionaries to christianize and civilize the Indian,
and to train him in the arts of peace. The Government watches over the
official acts of these agents, and requires of them as strict an accountability
as if they were appointed in any other manner. I entertain the confident hope
that the policy now pursued will in a few years bring all the Indians upon
reservations, where they will live in houses, have school-houses and churches,
and will be pursuing peaceful and self-sustaining avocations, and where they
may be visited by the law-abiding white man with the same impunity that he
now visits the civilized white settlements.1
Pursuant to the President's instruction, the Society of Friends
undertook to select the agents for Nebraska, Kansas, and the Indian
territory. At a meeting of "The Associated Executive Committee
of Friends on Indian Affairs," held at Damascus, Ohio, May 18,
1. Congressional Globe, 41st cong., 3d seas., 1870-71, pt. 1, p. 9.
19—3729
290 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
1870, the Washington committee reported as follows: "Under au-
thority given us in the first month, we have selected and appointed
Dr. William Nicholson as General Agent of the Associated Execu-
tive Committee." 2
This branch of the society (Orthodox Friends) appointed several
committees to take charge of the missionary work among the
Indians. Since it was impossible for all members of the executive
committee who were charged especially with the work among the
Indians to visit the various agencies under its control and to report
their condition and progress, one of its members, Doctor Nicholson,
was delegated to perform that duty.3 He divided his time between
Washington and the Central Superintendency, which district in-
cluded the Indians in Kansas and part of the Indian territory. It
was on the first of these inspection tours taken in the fall of 1870
that Doctor Nicholson made the observations in his diary which are
here reproduced.
Doctor Nicholson was by vocation a physician. He obtained his
medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1850 and
practiced in the neighborhood of his home at Belvidere, N. C, By
avocation, however, he was an active member of the Friends' meet-
ing, and was a leader in what would now be called social service
work. His family consisted of his wife Sarah, and two sons,
William and George T. The latter was for many years associated
with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railway, and died in 1913,
while holding the position of vice president in charge of traffic.
At the close of the Civil War Doctor Nicholson was a delegate to
the North Carolina state constitutional convention. Later, while
still engaged in his Indian work, he moved to Lawrence where his
family joined him. The Report of the Secretary of the Interior
publishes a report he made at a conference of missionary societies
meeting with the board of Indian commissioners in Washington, D.
C., January 11, 1872.4 The following day, at a convention of repre-
sentatives of the various religious denominations engaged in the work
of Christian civilization among the Indians of the United States,
Doctor Nicholson was chosen secretary.5 On February 1, 1876, he
became superintendent of the Central Superintendency 6 and served
2. From a copy of the minutes of the proceedings furnished the Kansas State Historical
Society by Mrs. Arthur M. Jordan of Chapel Hill, N. C.
8. Report of the Secretary of the Interior, 42d cong., 2d sess., 1871-72, v. 1, s. n. 1506,
p. 597.
4. Ibid., pp. 583-586.
5. Ibid., p. 599.
6. Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1876, p. 68.
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 291
for a term. A copy of a letter from C. Schurz, Secretary of the In-
terior, dated at Washington, May 6, 1878, acknowledges receipt of a
notice from the Associated Executive Committee of Friends on In-
dian Affairs announcing the appointment of Dr. William Nicholson
as their general agent.7 He was elected to the Kansas house of
representatives from Douglas county in 1880.
Mrs. Arthur M. Jordan (Carrie Nicholson Jordan), of Chapel
Hill, N. C., daughter of George T. Nicholson and granddaughter of
Dr. William Nicholson, recently presented the diary to the Kansas
State Historical Society for publication and preservation. She writes
that Doctor Nicholson "was a tall man, grave and rather serious of
mien, and possessed of that gentle dignity which is so often charac-
teristic of the Friends."
The diary itself was recorded in pencil in a pocket-sized daybook
bound in black cloth. The first eight pages contained miscellaneous
and disconnected memoranda having to do with names of persons
desiring employment in the Indian service, notes on Friends
churches, and personal expenditures all of which was not deemed
of sufficient interest to publish here.
Included in these memoranda, however, were the following notes,
obviously set down to guide him in a personal survey of the health
of the tribes, and of the provisions made for schools and religious
training:
MEDICAL INQUIRIES —
Diseases — of the Lungs, Alimentary Canal, Brain, Skin — acute and chronic
Intermittent & Remittent Fevers
Typhoid Fever
Syphilis primary &c —
Gonorrhea —
Scrofula —
Diphtheria —
Parturition — average duration, difficulties and dangers —
Post parture difficulties, hemorrhage, Child bed fever — Mammary abscess
&c Displacement of the Uterus — Frequency of births — Average number
of children — Age of puberty & period of decline of the Menses —
Treatment during & after labor —
Treatment of new born children —
Food of children — Bathing, dress —
Mortality in childhood — Youth & mature age — average of life —
Twin births. Effects of intermarriage amongst themselves and with other
races — upon vitality, health, & mental & moral characteristics —
7. From a copy of a letter from C. Schurz furnished the Kansas State Historical Society
by Mrs. Arthur M. Jordan.
292 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Prevalent vices —
Intellectual development —
Social affections — Conjugal affection — parental — filial — tribal.
Loyalty to their chiefs or other powers of government — Physical — endur-
ance of pain — fear of death —
Religion — Ideas of a Supreme Being and of a future state — Sin and atone-
ment— Strength of their feeling of moral obligation
Civilization — grade — tendency whether upwards or downwards —
Government — form — laws — enforcement & enactment —
Physical development — Muscular — nervous — bony — fatty —
Color — hair — beard — teeth
Language — Marriage — Burial &c — Increase or decrease —
Name of Agency — Agent and address —
Location, bounds & size of reservation
Number of persons in each tribe —
Lands in severalty or common. If both in what proportion —
Do they follow the chase —
Any schools — Who conduct them How are they supported — To what
denomination are the Teachers attached — Average no. in Schools Num-
ber of children receiving instruction — Number in all of a suitable age to
go to school
Does Government provide any support to schools —
Any school for special religious instruction —
Any openings for schools —
Aid in agriculture from the Government — Treaties in force —
Is their location regarded as permanent.
The first entry in the diary proper was dated on October 4, 1870,
at the Kaw Agency in Kansas, and it is here the following reproduc-
tion begins. The portion printed is a connected narrative of Doctor
Nicholson's tours of inspection from this date to December 28,
1870. In it he described his visits to agencies in eastern Kansas and
the Indian territory, made comparative estimates of the industry,
morals, customs, sanitation, health, and religious activities of the
various tribes on the reservations, and impartially recorded the
attitude of the white man — the trader, the missionary, the soldier,
the Indian agent and the settler — toward the Indian. Interspersed
were copious accounts of his attendance at religious gatherings, in
nearly all of which he took a leading part.
Lawrence, the headquarters of the Central Superintendency, was
the starting point for these inspection tours. Kansas agencies were
visited first. In the latter part of October he left for the Indian
territory or what is now Oklahoma, via Humboldt and Chetopa. In
the territory he visited in turn the agencies of the Delaware, Osage,
Sac and Fox, Shawnee, Cheyenne and Arapahoe, Wichita, Kiowa
and Comanche, Chickasaw, Seminole, and Creek Indians.
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 293
He arrived at Okmulgee on December 5 and attended the ad-
journed session of the first general council of the Indian territory
where, with other United States Indian officials, he advised the
assembled Indian delegates. A provision was made in the Indian
treaties of 1866 for the establishment of this council of all the tribes
resident in the Indian territory. For various reasons the council
was not called until September 27, 1870. After a four-day meeting
it adjourned until December when a proposed constitution for the
Indian territory was reported, considered and ordered to be sub-
mitted to the several tribal councils for ratification or rejection.
Delegates from the Cherokee, Creek, Ottawa, Shawnee, Quapaw,
Seneca, Wyandotte, Peoria, Sac and Fox, Osage, Seminole, Chicka-
saw and Choctaw tribes were in attendance.
Doctor Nicholson has faithfully recorded the proceedings of this
adjourned meeting and has summarized the chief provisions of the
new constitution. Many hoped that the machinery set up at this
meeting would make the Indian territory a regularly organized
territory of the union, with a legislature, a delegate in Congress, and
all the usual offices of a civil government. But the Okmulgee con-
stitution, as the document framed by the council came to be known,
was never ratified by the legislatures of the several civilized tribes
and congress failed to act upon it.8
After the council's adjournment Doctor Nicholson and party set
out for Lawrence via Fort Gibson and Chetopa. He arrived there
on December 28 and left immediately for the East, abandoning his
diary for a time.
Daily entries were regularly resumed in the diary on April 14,
1871, two days after he returned to Lawrence. He again took up his
work in the Central Superintendency as the general agent of the As-
sociated Executive Committee of (Orthodox) Friends on Indian
Affairs. Entries were continued until June 24, 1871, when the
book was filled, but his daily notations were briefer, less connected
and more concerned with personal affairs than formerly ; hence they
will not be included in the two installments of the diary published
in this and the November issues. Doctor Nicholson records several
visits to Friends meetings during these two months. Several more
pages were devoted to names, addresses, and qualifications of persons
seeking employment.
8. The minutes of the September and December meetings of the General Council of the
Indian territory and a copy of the proposed constitution were republished by the Oklahoma
Historical Society in its Chronicles of Oklahoma (1925), v. Ill, pp. 33-44, 120-140, 216-228.
294 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
II. ENTRIES FROM THE DIARY: OCTOBER 4 TO DECEMBER 28, 1870
[Kaw Agency]
10 mo. 4 - 1870
Kaw Agency — Mahlon Stubbs, Agent Mahlon Newlin, Trader —
Joseph Newson, Farmer. Nathan & Mary Ann Pinson, Teachers —
Address Council Grove, Kansas —
Reservation 9 Miles N & S by 14 E & West — traversed by Neosho
River from NW to S. E — about one third valley land — remainder
bluff & high prairie — the latter poor — Missouri, Kansas & Texas
R. Road traverses the reservation on the East side of the Neosho —
with right of way & privilege of timber —
Kaws — the company [illegible] $ [uncertain] for timber — The
annuity of the tribe is $10,000 — payment annual — They trade
beforehand to the amount due each & so the money passes directly
into the hands of the trader who furnishes his own capital — The
quality of the goods is excellent & the tribe has been well fed this
year—
******
(The Kaw delegation of 1866 left the facts on file at Washington
concerning annuity due said tribe by default of Agent & sureties.
Said facts were set forth in a treaty made in 1866 but not ratified.
The treaty made with R. R. Company in 1869 acknowledges that
$18000 are due them & should draw interest, if the Kaws have to
pay interest on their indebtedness
Dickey, Agent about 1857 or 58 used funds appropriated for bene-
fit of Indians when they left Topeka about 1859— Treaty left with
Mix, who has facts — Montgomery preceded Dickey & is accused
of making a false pay roll & getting $2000— Treaty of 1866 (with-
drawn) acknowledges interest & principal about $23000)
******
Their Buffalo hunt was successful having captured about 500 last
winter & an equal number this summer. They will go again this
fall — Their corn, beans & pumpkins are more than usual, not-
withstanding the dry weather — They are busily engaged in drying
these for winter — A few of them live separately in the houses
built by Government, but most of them are in their own wigwams
in villages. Houses are warm & dry — made of bark or buffalo hides
opening at top for smoke & light & at each side (if large) for en-
trance the latter closed with buffalo skin when necessary — No
stock but ponies & dogs — A very few keep pigs — Make their own
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 295
saddles, two forks are selected & then side pieces & all covered with
raw hide & highly ornamented sometimes with brass tacks &c.
Lariette ropes are sometimes made of horse hair — first twisted into
small strands & then 5 or 6 twisted into a rope % inch in diameter —
They are addicted to horse racing betting ponies, blankets & even
their shirts sometimes — They often have dances — Most of them
have shirts & leggings — the latter sometimes of flannel & sometimes
of buffalo skin Their moccasins are mostly of the latter material
& some of them highly ornamented with beadwork — All wear
breach cloths & blankets — Some of them have very fanciful dresses
One had a head band of nice fur (otter) over the forehead was bead-
work in the shape of two infant's hands, on each side was a buffalo
horn, one painted red, the other green, & a long strip of otter fur
descended from the back part down nearly to the floor & highly
ornamented with tape &c — Their ears have 4 perforations each &
sometimes each perforation is loaded with an assemblage of trinkets.
Faces painted red with blue & black streaks — They must suffer
much from wet feet — Hair is mostly cut close or shaven except on
the top of the head — Women have long hair, but dress much as the
men — The men pull out their beard with spiral wire pressing the
coil over their faces & compressing the spiral & pulling it — Hair
black & coarse — teeth mostly good & White but concealed by the
lips —
They are polygamous & put away their wives when they please —
& these divorced wives can marry again — Wives can leave their
husbands also — but if a man steals another's wife, he is liable to
summary vengeance — Men purchase their wives and at a very
early age — girls of 12 or 14 are often sold & thus it is difficult to
secure the attendance of girls at School — They have something of
a marriage ceremony — The bridegroom takes his presents to the
parents of the bride A crier calls for objections if there be any <fe
then they proceed to the wedding feast —
Parturition is attended with some difficulties & dangers, but prob-
ably with no greater than with white women They are usually
up & around soon after perhaps the next day — During the process
they walk about sit or lie according to their own preference — Very
many children die in infancy — they are poorly cared for often — tied
upon a board for some months & then tucked under the blanket
between the woman's shoulders — Very many of the children are
Scrofulous Enlarged — indurated & suppuration [of] cervical glands
or cicatrices of previous suppuration — I saw several afflictions of
296 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
the skin which seemed to be syphilitic — Many are marked with
Small pox & I think it important that the tribe be vaccinated again
— the last vaccination was totally unsuccessful —
The greatest mortality amongst the adults is in Spring — Pneu-
monia is the most fatal disease. Whenever a man gets very sick,
they are apt to despair of his recovery & so they cover him closely
with blankets & almost suffocate him to death rather helping him
along to the happy hunting ground — Their custom is to bury with-
out coffins & to put the clothing, bow & arrows & many small
articles into the grave, with a plate of food & after the grave is
filled they choke a pony to death over it & leave it there
They believe in a resurrection of the dead & think the person will
need all these things when he comes to life again. The physical
development of very many of the men is very good — stout muscular
frame. But the majority are rather under size — Very many have
a good proportion of the fatty constituents of the frame — but the
most are lean looking — altho they have recently been well fed —
I suppose protracted exposure to inclemencies of weather and irregu-
larities in the supply of wholesome food have gradually interfered
with proper nutrition &c — I presume that Pneumonia could be
less frequent amongst them if their clothing & food were better —
their moccasins do not keep their feet dry — & their blankets &
leggings are a poor substitute for close fitting coats & pantaloons —
but they will not wear white men's clothes — They are quite in-
disposed to adopt the habits of civilized life.
Unchastity is a very prevalent vice amongst the females. They
do not have a very strict regard for truth, especially in matters of
trade — They have not a great respect for the rights of property
though not notoriously thievish —
Their conjugal attachment is not strong — but parental and filial
affection is well developed — Their form of Government is now re-
publican— the head- chief is elected once in 4 years & their Council
men once a year — Their religion is monotheistic — & they some-
times subject themselves to punishments to atone for sin or appease
the displeasure of the Great Spirit — They have no ideas of a
Savior or Redeemer — When a great man is dying they try to help
him bear his suffering by afflicting themselves — cutting themselves
&c &c —
In smoking they frequently puff the first whiff of smoke upwards
as an offering of thankfulness to the Great Spirit — Previous to
their hunts they go through with various ceremonies to secure the
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 297
help of the Great Spirit in their expedition — Mobegu Kinnekin-
nick —
In smoking they mix sumach leaves with the tobacco — & in the
process of smoking they inhale the smoke into the lungs & force it
through the nasal passages in expiration — Some of their hatchets
or tomahawks have a pipe in the hammer part & the handle has a
canal through it communicating with the pipe — the end of the han-
dle is shaped to be put into the mouth — handle of hickory the pith
being burned out — when one has smoked awhile he passes it to
another & he to another & so on. The men nearly all use tobacco
in some way — The women seldom use it. The School is not very
encouraging — average 20
The superintendent has $100 for each scholar & is responsible for
all expenses — The parents do not like for their children to go to
school & the children often run away & go home — By allowing
them to go home once a fortnight & then going after them in a
wagon, some gain has been made — But the great trouble is when
they leave school their friends & others make so much fun of them
that they soon drop English language & citizens dress & go back
into Indian habits — It is doubtful whether the boarding School
system is best unless the children can be kept permanently away
from the tribe. By establishing day schools, the children might not
seem to improve so rapidly, but the older people would be lifted up
with them & the children become accustomed to association at the
same time with both teachers & Indians & thus be able to act out
the lessons taught in the School before their own people.
The annual payment of the Raws occurred on the 6th of 10 mo.
& was made by their agent, assisted by A. C. Farnham, Chief Clerk
of Supt. Hoag — They have been in the habit of trading to the
amount of $10. for each individual in advance of their payment &
so of course the money passes directly into the hands of the trader —
The $10. each does not exhaust the annuity now & usually they
divide the surplus & receive it in money — But owing to scarcity of
provisions the last winter, they all agreed, with consent of the Su-
perintendent to take it up in advance, in flour, coffee, sugar &c. &c. &
so their surplus of $1080 was also due to the trader — This being
different from their usage, although they had fully consented to it
& had received the full benefit of the arrangement, seemed at first
to make them dissatisfied — they wanted the $1080 divided amongst
themselves & seemed to dislike very much to see it paid over to the
trader — The whole thing had to be repeatedly explained to them
298 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
& then they waited a long time before the chief & councilmen would
sign the pay roll. At last they told the trader that he must roll out
some presents to them — that the old traders did &c &c — he told them
he would give them some crackers & tobacco <fe then they signed &
went out to receive their presents They soon had the boxes opened
and the articles were regularly and systematically divided — One
head man divided the tobacco into 2 equal parts & gave each part
into the hands of another & so on & another head man divided the
crackers in the same way & they soon were all ready to start home
except a few who lingered about the agency to get their supper. The
former traders were in the habit of putting on about 100 per cent &
then to keep the good side of the Indians, they made presents of
trinkets, tobacco &c — Under the present policy of giving good
articles at a moderate profit, the trader cannot afford to make many
presents and altho' the Indians are delighted with the quality &
quantity of their goods, they cannot seem to understand why the
trader now will not make presents & incline to think him selfish,
stingy & unfriendly to them & in these notions they are encouraged
by persons around them who are unfriendly to the present arrange-
ment & who lose no opportunity of making the Indians dissatisfied
with their present agent & trader &c
The difference in language often gives rise to difficulty from sim-
ple misunderstanding
Another thing which gave dissatisfaction at the payment was
that the Railroad company had failed to pay what it owed the In-
dians for wood — The most of them had traded out their full por-
tion of this money & of course did not care, but a few had not traded
all of theirs & so they insisted that the trader should pay them the
balance — This he was unwilling to do, for he had already fur-
nished goods for the principal portion & in case of a failure of the
R. R. Company, he (the trader) would lose that & he did not feel
justified in paying out cash for the balance — Shegincah & several
others seemed very much out of humor about it — The contract
with the Company was only to run 12 mos. & was limited to getting
ties for that part of the road in the reservation — But Robt. Stev-
ens, the Company's agent, wrote the contract without limit as to
quantity — so that the company got some advantage unjustly, <fe as
to how much timber they got there is no means of knowing except
their own statement
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 299
10 mo. 7th 1870
To-day they met to enrol — but wanted a council first — Allaga-
Wa-hu their chief made a long speech & seemed to dwell upon the
fact that they merely saw their money but never handled it — that
the trader got it all &c — This was all explained again & again.
Then they wanted a conference amongst themselves — So we re-
tired— And when recalled, they said they wanted to trade, but
not to be credited for their annuity — they wanted to save that &
have it in money — but wanted the trader to let them have goods
& they would go off upon the hunt & pay him in furs — He told
them he was not willing to trade in that way but if they brought
any furs he would buy them. They then declined to enrol & so
after considerable conversation they went to their homes —
If the Kaw Reservation be sold at $2.50 per acre it will amount to
$201,600. Their trust lands will pay their indebtedness — Their
new reservation in the Indian Territory will cost $46,000, leaving
$155,520
10 mo. 8th 1870
Kaw Council. Allaga, wa hu the head Chief absent on account of
sickness of his mother in law. The subject of their removal to the
Indian Territory, west of 96° on Cherokee Lands — their new res-
ervation to contain 160 acres for each individual of their tribe was
opened by reading a letter from Indian Office at Washington & one
from Supt, Hoag's Office & a clause of Cherokee treaty. Various im-
portant considerations were brought to their attention by Agent
Stubbs. They talked over the measure & desired until the 10th to
talk with their people & are to report at that time.
10 mo. 10th
The Council with the head chief & a large number of the tribe met
& had the whole subject again explained to them by the Agent.
They then took an hour or more for consultation & when we were
recalled Allagawahu the head chief made a speech in which he said
they had concluded to send a delegation of the Raws & half breeds
with the Agent to view the country & if they liked it they would be
willing to go. They wished to see the country & know about the
water & the trees & to scratch the land to see if it would bring corn
&c — that they wanted good land so they could walk the white man's
road, follow the plow &c — that if their Great Father could move
their present land and river and timber all down there, they would
go altogether at once but as they would have to leave their present
good land they wanted to see whether they could find more as good
300 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
as that is. They wanted to sell their land directly to their Great
Father. Did not want to bargain with any body else &c. They
wanted to go down there to see the country at once while the leaves
were green & did not want to wait until they would have to dig under
the snow to see what kind of soil it was. He wanted to live like
white men and did not wish to have anything to do with the wild
southern red men, alluding to Cheyennes, Arapahoes, Kiowas, Co-
manches &c — said they would come and eat with the Kaws out of the
same spoon & sit by the same fire & then go off & shoot them. He
did not want to mix with them. He wanted to follow his plow with
the white man & if the wild Indians killed him at his plow, he
wanted his children still to follow the plow & to be the white man's
friend — Wa-pah, gu followed him in confirmation — Ca-wal-o
gu (the giant of the tribe in stature) followed in the same strain &
so did Fool-Chief & Pa-du-cah-gah-lu. After some remarks from
the Agent & some of us congratulating them upon the harmony and
excellent conclusions of their council, they were again requested to
consider the subject of enrollment & they agreed to come tomorrow
and enrol & so separated in good humor. They had seemed very un-
settled for several days. The days were rainy & during their last
council the sky cleared — So their mental condition coincided with
the weather — Post hoc sic non propter hoc. —
Paducahgahlu wishes me to send him a copy of the treaty which
he signed He gave it to Mix at Washington —
Joseph James, Interpreter of Kaw Indians — a half breed
Frank James — a brother-
Jos. Dunlap U. S. Marshall
Huffaker, former trader
We gave the Indians all the encouragement we could to send their
children to school whilst the delegation went to view the country
& whilst many others of them went to the Buffalo hunt. —
10 mo. llth
Left Kaw Agency — Took train at Big John, a flag station in
front of Agency buildings — on my way to Lawrence via Emporia
& Topeka, to consult with Enoch Hoag, who I learned has returned
from Ind. Territory — Stayed at Topeka.
In Kaw language Yolly means "Good" — Edodge means the
Agent or Father —
Williamson, Ch Clerk in financial department of the Interior
Office 50 millions
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 301
Clum, Chief Clerk of Commissioner Parker
New York Indians have 32 certificates for Land patents for land
near Ft Scott, now occupied by settlers — 1 certificate is in Neosho
Agency — the others in Department at Washington, filed by Agent
G. C. Snow-
Young officer Thompson at Ft Gibson — intimate friend & room
mate of Leut. Whipple at Pottawattomie, stationed at Ft Riley.
[Quapaw, Seneca and Shawnee Reservations]
10 mos 12 — left Topeka at 4.30 A. M. for Lawrence — found Edwd
Earle on train who had been to Pottawatomie Agency looking for
me — Met Enoch Hoag & Asa Tuttle at Lawrence Depot & so we
all went on together to Baxter Springs. Arrived at night & found
John D. Lang one of the President's unpaid Commission & [incom-
pleted]
10 mo. 13 We all (except A. C. Tuttle who took stage for his
school) left Baxter for the Quapaw who were to receive their pay-
ment by Williamson the Government Agent, commissioned as pay-
master— This payment is of $90,000, as provided in last Indian
Appropriation Bill as indemnity to the Indians of the Quapaws &
Shawnees Senecas & mixed Senecas & Quapaws for losses sustained
during the war in the destruction of their stock & other property.
Genl James Blunt bargained with these Indians to endeavor to se-
cure indemnification for these losses, for one third of the amount se-
cured. He says he succeeded in getting Article XII reinserted into
the Omnibus treaty with various tribes after it had been stricken out
by the Senate's Committee on Ind. Affairs — That it was shown
there had been a quasi treaty with these Indians & the Confederate
Government which prejudiced their claim & had to be satisfactorily
explained & that he was at a great deal of loss of time & spent a
great deal of money in securing the claim That he has paid out
$6000 & may have to pay out 10000 more. And that he does not
think he will make a very big thing of it &c — It seemed to all of
us a very large per cent and whilst I did not feel at all like en-
couraging the Indians to repudiate their obligation I tried to pre-
vail upon Gen Blunt to return to them a few thousand doll — for
Educational purposes — I think the whole thing had been carefully
explained to them — They sent voluntarily to Genl Blunt to get
him to press their claim & each of them had signed an agreement
to give him one third of what he could secure for them & if he did
not secure anything he was to have nothing — This had been care-
302 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
fully explained repeatedly by their Interpreter & seemed to be fully
understood
Two Commissioners had been sent out by the Government to pass
upon the claims & had made out an amount of $110,000 or about
that — The claim of about 12000 was rejected as the woman had
gone amongst the Cherokees or Creeks to reside & the amount was
cut down to $90,000 by Congress — Secretary Cox had commis-
sioned Williamson to pay this money to each claimant ac-
cording to the roll — I had no authority to control the money after
it had passed from Williamson's hands — So it was handed to the
Indian — he passed it to the Agent Mitchell; he paid the traders'
claims & & handed over 33% per cent to Genl Blunt & the balance
was given back to the Indian — There seems to be no way to regu-
late the amount charged by these claim agents unless Congress will
pass some law to regulate it. All business of the Indians ought to
be transacted through their regular Agents who are directly re-
sponsible to Government & no percent charged, as these agents are
paid for their services by the Government — But it has become so
much the habit of Govt to delay payments justly due unless there
is some one present at Washington to prosecute claims that it has
given rise to the present system of claim Agents & attorneys in the
Indian Department Pension office — Land office &c & there is real
difficulty in getting anything done except through these agencies &
thus the claimants have to sacrifice a considerable part to secure the
balance — This system also gives rise to the presentation of false
claims & monied influence often prevails to get these false claims
allowed — This is really a great business & the country is often
cheated out of large amounts.
These Quapaws, Senecas &c are very poor — and very much in need
of schools — They mostly dress as citizens — and are very desirous
of having schools — They are self supporting and are beginning
to get cattle, horses &c all of which they lost in the war. Many of
them speak English — The Ottawas have a school taught by A. C.
Tuttle & wife & the Peorias have a house nearly ready and a young
man John Collins Isaacs, has come from Philada. to teach their
school — Philada. Friends have furnished $1000 for the Ottawa
School & will assist some in the Peoria School — J. M. Hiatt
assisted by Lindly Pickering have opened a store at the Agency —
Many of these people go to Seneca a town in Missouri & get whiskey
— Their greatest and most urgent need is to have good schools —
We met on the 14th of 10 Mo — Paymaster Williamson (Jas. A.)
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 303
Jocnic & — Pilkinton sent by Secretary Cox to make the payment —
Genl Blunt, Agent Mitchell & they commenced the payment in the
afternoon — J. D. Lang and E. Hoag left for Baxter — E. Earle
& myself remained.
These Indians are greatly advanced above the condition of the
wild tribes — They are very decently clothed and the women look
altogether better than the Kaw women — The Agent's wife speaks
very highly of their good qualities & their anxiety to learn, in cook-
ing making clothing &c — She had an Indian woman assisting
her in her household duties — She seems to take a real interest in
the welfare of these people & is certainly a superior lady — I am
persuaded that she has a deep Christian solicitude for their real
improvement — At night they gathered around their camp fire &
some of them engaged in what they called a dance — which was
much like a children's game — A circle of them kept moving around
the fire & kept up a sort of tune — the drummer beating his drum
at the same time — Drum made of a churn with Buckskin stretched
over the head of it — They did not move the feet much in the
dance except in moving around the fire — most of the motion being in
a rapid movement of the knee & ankle joints Some of the women
joined in the exercise — The Senecas are a decidedly religious
people but have not been instructed in Christianity — Once a year
they offer a dog in Sacrifice — They select a white male dog — keep
him shut up & as clean as possible feed him highly so that he
shall be very fat & at the proper time he is killed & suspended & a
fire kindled under him & as he burns & the smoke ascends, they
say their prayers & express their gratitude & they believe that these
prayers & praises ascend upon the Smoke to the Great Spirit and
they believe that He hears them. An instance was related to me
in which this sacrifice was made in time of great drought & they
prayed for rain & very shortly the rain came, as they believe in
answer to their prayer — They are superstitious & have somewhat
objected to Schools — partly because the Christian religion is not
exemplified in the character of a large part of the white people with
whom they have been brought into contact — They consider white
people as the representatives of Christianity & they judge of the
system by the character of those whom they consider its representa-
tives— This is perfectly natural — but very unfortunate. How
much they need the constant presence of solid, earnest loving
Christians to live amongst them & teach them by example as well
as by precept — I believe that Lindly Pickering & John Milton
304 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Hiatt and John Collins Isaacs appreciate these things and are very
desirous of securing the confidence of these Indians by an upright
Christian example and precept — But a few earnest Christian
women thoroughly practical and of industrious domestic habits —
refined and desirous of doing good to these people would effect
wonders amongst them — These people have the basis for a very
solid character, if they can be rightly cared for & the object should
not be to combat directly their superstitious notions, but to teach
them the better way by example in connection with instruction &
this is rendered peculiarly necessary because of the bad example
which white people have set before them & by which they have
been confirmed in the superior excellence of their own religious &
social system. These Indians have but one wife & are usually
faithful in their conjugal relations. One of their most remarkable
moral characteristics is honesty — a sacred regard for their promises.
The payment was resumed on the 15th. We remained until 3
o'clock having witnessed about 150 payments — the entire number
being about 176. We then had to leave & rode 16 miles to Wm
Hills & next morning through the rain 8 miles to Spring River
Meeting — Stopped at Moses [omission] and got warm & dry as
there was no fire at the meeting house.
(Genl James Blunt & McBracney McBradly [McBratney?]
are Agents for the Eastern Band of Cherokees in N. Carolina & are
endeavoring to secure for them their portion of the tribal funds &
annuities of the Cherokee nation — The suit of this Band against
their old Agent Thomas, to secure their lands which he purchased
& took title in his own name & whose creditors are now driving
those Indians from their homes — cannot be prosecuted because
Congress failed to make any Appropriation for the costs — I wish
to examine at Washington the whole matter of these Indians &
their relations with their old Agent & with the Cherokee Nation &
the historical facts bearing upon the cause of their remaining in
N. Carolina — They receive no annuities — beyond the interest on
an Appropriation made for the purpose of [omission]).
Cherokee treaty of 186 — cannot be ratified because of the in-
fluence of lobbyists —
The claim of Eastern Cherokees is for hundreds of thousands
Samuel Valier— Chief & Interpreter of Quapaws—
— Spicer, do. do. of Senecas —
Spring River, Sub Agency—
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 305
George Mitchell Agent
Seneca, Missouri —
Asa C. Tuttle—
McLane's Station
Ind. Territory
via Baxter, Kansas —
14 miles — S. West from Baxter — Stage leaves Southern Hotel at
Baxter on mornings of 3rd 5th & 7th days —
10 mo 16—
Edward Earle & myself attended the meeting at Spring River,
but the day was so stormy that not more than 20 persons were
present — We dined at Moses [omission] & then went through the
storm in an open wagon to Timber Hills meeting, held at present
in the house of Amos W. Hampton — a minister — Here we met at
4 o'clock a company of perhaps 40 or 50 who braved the Storm to
attend the meeting — It was an interesting meeting — Several com-
munications, besides what I felt called to offer — We were very
kindly entertained at A. W. Hampton's by himself & wife — & next
morning the storm being heavy still we concluded to abide with
them until it should moderate — We have some opportunity of
witnessing the discouragements which beset the people in this new
country — The prospect is fair that after a long & hard scuffle they
will be able to realize the fruits of their labor — but at present it is
a hard time with them — They are very much in need of good meet-
ing houses in various neighborhoods but as their lumber has to
be brought from Chicago by railroad, building is very expensive —
We met here Thomas Smith formerly of Iowa, who was once one
of the United Brethren but has now become a member of our Society.
He appeared in Supplication in the meeting at this house — We
also met Selinda Johnson, formerly of Eastern Ohio — She also
spoke a little in the meeting & was engaged in supplication in a
sitting in the evening. There are many persons, not Friends, who
would be glad to go to Friends meetings if there was room for them
in the meeting houses, & thus good houses would here very much
tend to build up the Society & promote its usefulness —
10 mo. 18 — Amos W. Hampton took us to Columbus, as the storm
had moderated — It is about 15 miles above Baxter Springs & is a
suitable place to leave the train for one who goes down from Kansas
City to visit the settlements of Friends in Spring River Quarter-
It is 6 miles from Timber Hills meeting —
20—3729
306 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
The R. Road from St. Louis to Pierce City may be extended so
as to intersect at Columbus &c.
10. 19th—
At Lawrence — meeting — correspondence —
10. 20.
Letter to J. B. Garrett.
Box of books No. 1 — distributed to Ottawas & Peorias — No.
2 — Laurie Tatum — No. 3 Sac & Foxes Kickapoos & Wichitas,
Caddoes
Three boxes are desired at once — 1 for Darlington's Agency — 1
for Quapaws & Wyandottes — & 1 for general distribution — Ele-
mentary books desired & charts & cards — No second readers
wanted
Clothing to be sent to E. Hoag — Calico for Comforts a cheaper
article for lining & batting for wadding for the Ind. women to make
up.
Suggest that meeting of the Committee be 26th of 12 month —
Grand Council meets on 5th of 12 mo —
John B. Garrett
217 Church St.
Philada.
[School for the Ottawa Indians]
Asa C. Tuttle and wife Emmeline (formerly Howard,) are doing
an excellent work amongst the Ottawa Indians. Their School is
about 14 miles S. West of Baxter and averages 26 —
Their influence upon the tribe in favor of religion & morality have
already been very marked — It had been a universal practice with
the men & boys to carry pistols — The boys brought them to
school — After a time Emmeline felt that she must speak to them
about it and they told their parents & the Chief Judge Wynn —
The council considered the subject & her reasons for her desire in
the matter and they passed a law not only forbidding boys to carry
pistols but men also & thus the entire habit of the tribe in this
respect has been reformed— She was much concerned also that
they should have proper regulations concerning marriage and proper
views concerning chastity &c — The results of the labors of these
missionaries is a good marriage law & several parties have come to
Asa and requested him to join them legally as man & wife — he being
a minister of the Gospel. Some of these parties had been living to-
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 307
gether but were not married. This brought him into something of a
strait — but after having talked to them so much upon the subject,
he felt that it was right and so in a solemn & religious manner he
has performed the marriage ceremony, as nearly in conformity with
our practice as circumstances would admit — The opportunities
have been often remarkably serious and impressive — He speaking
to them in ministry & for them in prayer and they being tendered to
tears — There has been a great deal of sickness amongst them &
many deaths — A physician is very much needed there and a house
for the Teachers — Their boarding place is very unsuitable. It
does not protect them from rain — They have both been very sick
& are still feeble — Something should be done to make them more
comfortable else they will utterly break down — I do not remem-
ber ever to have felt more forcibly the force of our Savior's saying
"The fields are already white unto harvest," than when visiting the
Indians of the Spring River Agency — I advised Enoch to have a
house built for them as there are appropriations which can.be used
for this purpose — He has made out no schedule yet for the dis-
tribution of the $60,000, because he has never received any direction
from the Indian Bureau concerning it. Commissioner Parker told
me more than a month ago that he had directed E. H. to make out
the Schedule — But the direction was never received by E. H —
10 mo. 21st. Just before retiring for the night — Oh, Lord, give
to me, to my wife and to my Georgie & Willie, an interest in thee
and in thy salvation — I ask this before wealth or any earthly
gift —
[Peoria Reservation]
10— 20th
Edward Earle attended the payment of the Peorias who had be-
come citizens & had drawn their share of the tribal funds, amount-
ing to over $72000 — It took place at Paoli, Kansas & was made
by paymaster Williamson — Major Baptiste, Chief of the Peorias,
had one tenth for his services in getting the money drawn from the
Treasury — He is an intelligent man of some wealth — speaks Eng-
lish well, has a fine farm — nice house, an intelligent wife & Edward
says he has seldom a better dinner than she set before them. He
lodged with them and spoke of the bed, parlor &c as indicating that
they were under the care of a skilful housekeeper — Many of these
citizen Peorias are skilful farmers and some of them are well edu-
308 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
cated evincing the capacity of the Indian for civilization even when
surrounded by very adverse influences —
Miami Indians HR. 2347
June 27, 1870 — Bill read twice in House of Representatives
******
10 mo 23 — E. Hoag & wife & E. Earle & myself went to Hesper
& attended the meeting there — It was large & lively
I spoke from the text, "I beseech you brethren, by the mercies
of God, that ye present your bodies, a living sacrifice, holy, ac-
ceptable unto Him" &c — There were several other testimonies and
supplication — We dined with Wm & Penelope Gardiner & had the
company of Winslow & Margaret Davis, Dr. Reuben L. Roberts
& wife Rebecca (formerly Jucks) & other Friends — also met David
Davis & wife — the former a young man who went with us upon
part of our journey in N. Carolina some years ago & the latter a
daughter of the widow Hill below Springfield, N. C. — Hesper is 10
or 12 miles a little South of East from Lawrence & 4 miles South
of Eudora. A nice rolling country & thickly settled by Friends —
The meeting there is a highly interesting one, containing a goodly
proportion of the old the middle aged & the young — Returned to
Lawrence about dark — Eudora is at the mouth of Wakarusha
River where it enters the Kansas —
[Chippewa and Munsee Reservation]
10 mo 24
Chippewas & Munsees 63 in all $15.00 to each individual —
$113.80 surplus for painting schoolhouse, firewood for School (fee-
Payment was made at the Mission 6 miles southwest of Ottawa —
Ignatius Caleb, the Muncy chief — thinks they would like to go
amongst Cherokees — they like to live here and want to be in peace
with white people & to follow the Christian ways — but their cattle
sometimes go off the reservation & white people shoot them and
they have no redress in the law — the white people cut their timber
& they have no redress in law — He feels thankful to the Lord for
the little payment they are to receive & for all their other blessings —
but says they are constantly diminishing in numbers & they would
rather 'be associated with some larger <fe stronger tribe. These
Indians are well dressed The women are as neatly attired as the
same number of white women collected in the country — They have
a school conducted by Romig, a Moravian —
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 309
Donahu spoke on behalf the Indians — He says the settlers have
squatted upon some of the land and are not willing to pay the value
of the Land — He thinks the Indians would like to be here & be
citizens that they may have the protection of law — that each one
may have a patent for his land so he can sell it for its full value &
give a permanent title
A part of their land has been sold under their last treaty (perhaps
'54 or '56) & more of it might be, if, the Secretary of the Interior
would advertise it —
These Indians are diminishing in part from the remains of syph-
ilitic disease
The tribe was once very deeply tainted with this affection & it
prevents fecundity & causes the loss of a great proportion of the
children — They are now greatly improved in their morals and
most of them are professors of Christianity Romig & his wife are
located amongst them by the Moravians — The Indians do not pay
them anything, except the use of a dwelling & a farm of 15 acres —
Their labors have doubtless been of great service, to the tribes but
unless they are moved to the vicinity of a larger tribe & intermarry
they will soon run out — Constant intermarriage in so narrow a
circle and that an unhealthy circle tends to a constant physical
deterioration — I saw one case, of what was probably syphilitic
laryngitis in a child 18 months old — I suppose it was hereditary
syphilis
[ Potta watomie Reservation ]
10 mo. 25th
Went to St. Mary's — in the Pottawattomie Reservation and were
kindly entertained by Dr. Palmer — who was formerly agent here.
Williamson, paymaster, had not arrived — We found here a collec-
tion of Indians & white people — some said to be of a very poor grade
morally — all waiting the payment —
10—26
We went to the Catholic Mission — were admitted into the girls'
school room, about 80, 20 of whom were day Scholars — Most of them
where white children — The Indians do not send their children
much now. It is the same with the male department. They are
putting up large brick buildings now for each sex & will have ac-
commodations for many students — They have a farm of 1200 or
more acres of very good land — keep 100 cows — raise wheat enough
for the use of the establishment — also apples, peaches & vegetables —
310 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
The buildings are very close to the railroad & farm on both sides
of it — The view southwards from the hill above the building is
very fine reaching for 25 or 30 miles beyond the Kansas River,
which runs about 2 miles and a half south of the Institution —
The payment is a division of the funds to those of the Pottawat-
tomies who have become citizens — amounting to $680 ($525,000 in
all) for each individual — Many of these are good farmers & doing
well — but many others are intemperate and will not take care of
their money — It is thought the whole tribe will soon be ready to
go to the Indian Territory — There is not much hope of their im-
proving where they are — Their most fatal disease is pneumonia —
Consumption is very common — There is a good deal of Scrofula
Syphilis is also prevalent especially with the Citizen & half breeds —
Parturition is attended with comparatively little difficulty either
at the time or subsequently — At the menstrual period, women
separate themselves from society & in the advanced stages of
pregnancy the woman is placed in a house by herself and not visited
by her husband or any one except some of the elderly women —
She has little or no assistance in the process — Children are treated
in the same way as the Kaws treat theirs — Very many children
die before the second year — There are very few old people
amongst them — Intemperance, sensuality — untruthfulness, are
prevalent — The Prairie band are blanket Indians & live much like
the Kaws — Parental & filial affection well developed — Conjugal
attachment not very strong — Husbands & wives often separate —
They are not polygamous — The office of chief is hereditary —
They have some tribal laws. Have a marriage ceremony — Their
religion is monotheistic and they make a sort of offering of their
first fruits — They believe in a future state of existence happy for
the good & miserable for the bad — Bury soon after death — in
boxes — with prepared food in the box — They always manifest
great seriousness & reverence when they speak of the Great Spirit —
There does not seem to be much opening for educational work
amongst them as they are looking towards removal —
(Joseph N. Bourassa — (Bur-ra-saw) U States Interpreter for
Pottawattomies. )
These Indians show the bad effects of Annuity payments. They
sit and wait for their money and then use it badly
In this payment 10 per cent is charged by George Young, Dr.
Palmer & Mr Bertrand, for the portion which they obtain & 12 pr
cent for the portion obtained by Major Ross — Col Murphy — &
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 311
Wilmarth &c. These firms join together and work in concert. They
have been working for years to get the Government to make this
payment They used 6 per cent of the 12 per cent claims upon mem-
bers of Congress (Pomeroy — Clarke — &c. &c.) and about $2000
or more upon clerks in the Department of the Interior — Irving
& Clum would not accept anything.
The Michigan or Wisconsin Pottawattomies numbered 250 a few
years ago — $25,000
Shaw-gue — now blind — was once a chief and a very eloquent
orator — Has been to Washington —
About 150 Pottawattomies strayed off about 1861 & are supposed
to be about the Wichita Mountains — They were allotted Indians
& have some of the best land allotted to them on [omission] Creek
Some of the principal men are Big Kickapoo or Capt John —
Shomin — Pame-je yah Niscod nemma
******
Black Beaver says they went to Mexico with the wandering
Kickapoos —
11 mo— 28th
******
Mr. Wilmarth
Capt John or Big Kickapoo — Shomin (dead). Pame-je-yah Nis
cod nemma — dead
These stray Pottawattomies are entitled to all the privileges of
the tribe — Might get certificates of citizenship, patents for their
land & their share of the tribal funds —
10 mo — 26—
Afternoon — Williamson arrived & commenced payment — Each
Indian receives his portion from the paymaster hands it to E. Earle
to be counted again — directs him to pay to Dr Palmer the 12 pr
cent for the agents who secured the appropriation & takes the
balance — Most of them deposit their money with bankers who
are here from Topeka — as it is unsafe for them to undertake to keep
it themselves — as there are thieves, pickpockets, and robbers around
watching their opportunity. There are many saloons & gambling
houses — and there is no law against selling whiskey to those Indians
who have become citizens Hence those who undertake to carry
their money will be likely to lose it. Counterfeit money men are
usually on hand ready to change money for the Indians & pass off
their spurious bills — as many of the Indians receive large amounts
312 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
and many $100 bills — The head of a family draws for each of his
children as well as for his wife & himself It thus happens that one
man often draws a large amount —
10 mo. 27th—
Payment resumed —
Louis Vieux (View) the crier — Saml Nevoir, one of the business
Committee very intelligent but intemperate
10— 28th
Payment continued — The paymaster closed payment at dark
last night, because it was not considered safe. There was a large
class of bad men known to have collected in town & it was supposed
some of the Indians would be robbed, in going from the office to the
camp after receiving their money — Lieut Whipple had charge of
the guard — he is now stationed at Ft. Riley, but for two years, has
been at Key West — Dr. Gabby & Lewis Ogee drew a part of the
percentage — At noon we left for Lawrence to prepare for our
journey to Ind. Territory
Mr Smith, Banker at Topeka — Mr. Laslie — Banker St Mary's
10/29 Left Lawrence by rail to lola & then stage 8 miles to Hum-
bolt, after dark in a severe storm of rain with thunder & lightnings —
I glean from the Humbolt Union the following
Rev. W. S. Robertson, Presbyterian missionary to Creek Nation
is translating (has) the Scriptures into Muscoga Rev. J. R. Ram-
say is amongst the Seminoles. Will soon open School — The house
to be built of lumber sawed at their own mill — He has 120 Church
members — $500 have been subscribed by members & others —
The head chief is a warm hearted Christian — Mr. John B.eck of
Ft Scott is recommended to the Board of Foreign Missions as a
suitable person to be nominated to the Government as an Indian
Agent for Seminoles — Mr. Robertson has 34 members in his
Church in Creek Nation —
We did not make connection at Humboldt with the train for
Chetopa & so had to wait there until second day afternoon —
On First day morning, went to the Sabbath School at Methodist
Church and took charge of a class which the Minister assigned
me — As the services at 11 oclock were to be conducted in German
for the benefit of that class of the population we did not remain —
The Minister said he would have been very glad for us to have the
use of the house for a meeting in the evening, but he had already
given it up to a Baptist Minister from Ottawa — He seemed to
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 313
regret it much & said if he had only known that we would be here,
it should have been otherwise — We attended the Presbyterian
Meeting at 11 oclock — heard an excellent sermon by Dr. Lewis —
Sermon on the Holy Spirit and had some conversation with the
minister afterwards, in which we endeavored to encourage him as
we did the Methodist Minister in the morning. These men (the
only ministers in the place) seem to be earnestly working in the
midst of an ungodly people, for the promotion of Christianity —
Their congregations are very small — In the evening we again
went to the Methodist meeting house to hear the Baptist Stranger —
When the appointed hour had arrived, he was not present, altho'
he was known to be in the city — The Methodist Minister seeing
me in the central part of the house, made his way to me & said that
the hour had arrived & the Baptist minister was not there & he felt
under no obligation to wait for him & he desired me to take charge
of the meeting — I told him that I did not feel free to do so until
we had waited a while — as the Baptist would probably soon be in —
He again expressed his regret that he had not known that we would
be there — After a while the Baptist came & preached — So there
seemed no open door for us to have a meeting & we left our hotel
second day afternoon at 5 o'clock & went across the Neosho River
to the Depot, half a mile away. But the train did not come and as
we were constantly expecting it, we remained all night in the Station
house —
They have but one train a day each way & no telegraph — - We
of course could not tell why it did not come nor when it would come
& we did not want to miss it because our team is probably await-
ing us at Chetopa, 60 miles southward — So we arranged some
boxes of merchandize which were stored in the room & with carpet
sacks for pillows & our blankets for covering we got along pretty
well — tho' the boxes felt pretty hard before day — There was no
fire in the room — but the weather was not very cold — Neither
had we any light but the moon shone, the forepart of the night, so
we could see how to arrange our boxes — By morning, we were
ready for breakfast as we had no supper & we succeeded in getting
something to eat & after a while an engine came down the road &
said that the bridge over the Cotton Wood at Emporia was washed
badly & that it was very uncertain when a train would be along —
So we just have to wait here — Moreover we now learn that had
we gone from Lawrence by Emporia we should have been detained
there — So that we are really farther on our journey than we
314 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUAHTERLY
should have been — I feel thankful that we are well & as comfort-
able as could be expected.
11 mo 1st
I weigh today 148 Ibs. without overcoat, with ordinary fall suit of
clothing. We waited all day at the Depot & until 9 o'clock at
night & no train arriving we went again to the Humboldt House and
we four had to sleep in the garret, in small quarters in which was
already one man — A few nights before, at the Eagle Hotel, we
jour slept in a room just 7 feet by 11% — by actual measurement —
A strong prairie wind gave us ventilation to some extent both those
nights —
[Delaware Agency]
11 mo - 2nd
Again at the Depot after breakfast — The Engine again passed
down but no satisfactory intelligence about a passenger train —
But after an hour & a half a train came along & we joyfully took
seats in the car — Arrived at Chetopa about 1 oclock & found our
driver & team & some of the Delaware Indians, al ready to ac-
company us —
Isaac Johnny Cake a brother of the Delaware Chief was on the
train with us, having his wife & daughter They were going out to
the Agency also & so we all set out together —
Seminole means a Seceder or a wild Indian as they separated
from the Muscogee or Creek nation a long time ago & settled in
Florida — They pronounce it Sem-i-no-le putting the emphasis on
the last syllable —
We left Chetopa at 3 o'clock, and arrived at McGees near Cabin
Creek about sunset — 10 miles South West from Chetopa — He was
away hunting deer & would not be at home but his wife said we
could stay
The house was small with a shed attachment — two rooms in all
& no up stairs — E. H. E. E & myself & Isaac Journey Cake &
wife & daughter stayed in the house & the two young men Edward
F Hoag & Cyrus Frazier, slept in the Ambulance & the two Delaware
Indians young men slept in their wagon — There were 14 in all
in the little house — We got a good supper & breakfast & were only
charged 50 cents apiece The horses also had hay furnished we
having grain with us — We found them with plenty of hogs, sheep
& goats & cattle — Left at 7.10 and rode 30 miles by 1.30 P. M.,
in a Southwestent direction — crossing several small creeks & came
down between Salt Creek & Lightning Creek & crossed to the east
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 315
bank of the latter about 2 miles above its junction with the Verdi-
gris River — We saw plenty of prairie chickens a few deer — many
buffalo birds — a species of black birds which follow the Cattle and
buffalo over the prairies to catch flies which trouble the cattle —
We passed very many mounds or rounded hills — smooth enough to
drive a carriage over though some of them too steep — We stopped
on Lightning Creek at Charles Journey Cake's one of the Chiefs —
the other two being John Conner & Anderson Sarcoxie. Charles
Journey Cake lives in a very comfortable house — has a good farm
a fine carriage &c — We were invited to sit down to an excellently
prepared dinner of roast beef — baked chicken nicely baked Svjeet
potatoes, very good light bread — Irish potatoes — Coffee, Rice
pudding & dried Apple pie — Charles himself had gone deer hunt-
ing— he has several very large Buckskins & some fawn Skins —
The Delawares had some of them been here for several days
expecting their payment — we intending to have been here two or
three days ago — But many of them are upon the other side of the
Verdigris River & they cannot get over as the water is high &
will not fall sufficiently until a day or two more has passed — These
are good looking Indians dressed like citizens. Many of them speak
English — They are industrious and are beginning to get a little
stock &c — They have only been down here a short time and had
met with heavy losses of stock &c in the war & by thieves before
coming down here — They are now incorporated with the Chero-
kees — A few of them have become dissatisfied, because, as they
say, the Cherokees are not kind to them & these dissatisfied
Delawares have gone eastward amongst the Peorias about 30 or 40
miles away — There are about 950 individuals — & they receive
$30.00 each— The Post office is Goody's Bluff— Cherokee Nation,
Ind. Ter — They are the remains of the tribe with whom Wm Penn
made his Celebrated treaty under the old Elm tree upon the banks
of the Delaware River —
About 5 o'clock P. M. on 5th day the 3rd of 11 mo — Charles
Journey Cake and other hunters came in with five or six fine deer —
He killed one a few days ago which weighed over 200 Ibs after it
was dressed — They sell the skins at about $1.37 per Ib — after
they are dressed — It takes a very large skin to come to $2.00
Charles Journey Cake has a lithograph representation of the belt
of Wampum delivered by the Indians to Wm Penn at the Great
Treaty under the Elm tree at Shackamaxon in 1682 from Historical
Society of Penn — "Not sworn to & never broken," furnished by a
grandson of James Logan.
316 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
11 mo — 4 —
We sat up last night until after 1 o'clock for Superin — Hoag to
get his roll corrected by the chief & Council — This morning we
had a nice breakfast of venison & commenced payment at about 9
o'clock — Worked very closely & until 9 o'clock P. M.
11— 5th
Commenced again and finished payment
About 100 of the Delawares are professors of the Christian
Religion, mostly Baptists — They meet regularly for worship but
have no regular minister — Charles Journey Cake lives so far
from the meeting place that he collects the people of his neighbor-
hood & reads the Bible to them in Delaware language & exhorts &
teaches them — He gave thanks and prayer at the table before
meals in Delaware — I could not under stand any of it except the
Name Jesus near the close — It was sweet to hear him pronounce
that Name in reverence & with Solemnity — He has 6 daughters — 4
married — the two unmarried are twins and very much alike — about
16 — intelligent — educated modest — refined girls — Some of his
Grandchildren were present — one, Ella May Pratt, sung very
sweetly the hymn "Don't think there is nothing for Children to do"
&c. It was late at night before we finished the payment. The
people had been waiting several days & we worked hard to get thru
& let them go home —
11 mo— 6th
First day morning —
E. Hoag learns that the Osages have not gone on the hunt as he
had been told, but are waiting for their payment so he concludes
to go home at once and get their money — Edw. Earle, myself &
driver with the ambulance remain here today, to spend First day &
see if way opens for anything to do or say for the good of the people
or the encouragement of their excellent chief — John Conner &
Anderson Sarcoxie the other chiefs, are in feeble health. Conner the
head chief is here but not able to leave his tent — He talks English
— is very intelligent and expressed a hope of a better existence
beyond the grave — He belongs to the Baptists. In the tabular
statement furnished to Supert. Hoag from the Department, $100
was directed to be paid to Capt Sarcoxie as a continuation of a
special annuity to his father according to treaty 1829 — Conner &
Journeycake say that it was only an annuity of $100 & that he
received it at the spring payment & of course it is not due again
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 317
until next spring — They furthermore say that in treaty 1860 the
chiefs & council men are entitled to receive pay for their services
but that for the last two years their pay has been stopped & they
do not know why it is —
******
I received of Isaac Journey Cake for Thomas Haines, a teacher
$25.50 — balance of his account— Pd. to Enoch Hoag Also of the
same for Linneus Roberts $50.00, balance of his school account —
Pd. to Enoch Hoag —
Paid these to Enoch Hoag.
******
They furthermore say that they have a claim upon the Govern-
ment for property stolen by white people whilst they lived in Kan-
sas— That the last treaties recognize these losses as just — & they
do not know why they are not paid —
Mr. C. N. Vaun a Cherokee Lawyer proposes to draw the tribal
funds of the Delawares for 3 or 4 or 5 per cent — acting in coopera-
tion with E. Hoag If the Chiefs & Councilmen agree to it — The
Delawares are rather averse to drawing their funds — though it
might be better for the more industrious part of them to do so — If
Congress would permit this they would be glad —
Henry Armstrong, son in law of Chas. Journey Cake has a store
at Journey Cake's but he lives several miles above near his brother
Charles Armstrong another soninlaw of Charles Journey Cake —
John T. Smith has a store near Charles Armstrong's — C. C. Burnett
is a trader over the Verdigris on the Caney —
Charles Armstrong is a great hunter. He has sat on his horse &
shot a deer in one direction & turned & shot another in a different &
killed both — The Caney river is the same as the Little Verdigris
& runs into the Verdigris Dr. Allen married a daughter of Isaac
Journey Cake & practices some amongst the Indians — Dr. Lovell
formerly of vicinity of Pilot Mountain in N. C. lived on Grand
River & has practiced here sometimes —
"It is very pleasant to me to hear the good book read. It almost
seems to me that I can sometimes see the Savior when he Spoke
these words — so pleasant, so kind, so lovely — He is full of love —
He is a true Savior and there is no. other but Him." These words
were spoken very deliberately and seriously by Charles Journey
cake at a religious opportunity in his family after I had read the
18th Chapter of John He then knelt & offered a prayer in Delaware,
which of course I could not understand except the names Jesus &
318 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Christ — In speaking English he had to be very deliberate but in
his native language he was fluent — Osage Wah sah she Ou sa-ge
Wa-sa she
ll-7th
We left C. Journey cake's & went Southward a few miles below
the mouth of Lightning Creek & crossed the Verdigris at a ferry
near Ballitt's — The bank on the west side was very bad — & steep
— river 150 ft wide & 15 deep but had been much deeper. It would
have been much better to have crossed it higher up about Goody's
Bluff — but the water was too high there to ford & there was no ferry
at that place — the road would have been much more direct to the
Caney river. After crossing the Verdigris and passing the river
bottom of Splendid rich land we came to Capt John Conner's, Head
Chief of Delaware's — We then went North of West over the
prairie and & then turned west towards the mouth of the Caney
River — but as the roads were very indistinct we rather got off the
exact course — We passed but one house between Capt. Conner's
& John Carter's, a distance of 20 miles — We reached Carter's a
little before night & thought we had better stop as they were willing
to entertain us — as well as they could — We rested pretty well
although the wind blew hard & the house was somewhat open. The
beef & coffee were very good — though the surroundings — the table
— knives — &c &c were in such a condition as under some circum-
stances would have rather destroyed appetite — They only charged
50 cents for each person & nothing for horsefeed — The man had
a dozen horses 75 or 80 cattle & was preparing to open a little farm.
He lives near the Cana below Curleyhead Creek — Cattle & horses
live in the bottom lands of the Cana all winter without being fed
upon cane (reeds) wild rye &c Wild Geese are there all winter
A flock of 10 or 12 flew up, not more than 200 yds from the house
in the morning — There are also many wild ducks & an abundance
of fish in the river.
[Osage Agency]
11 mo 8—
After leaving Carter's we crossed one small creek & then Curly-
head Creek the water of which was quite deep — Between this
Creek & Shoteau's store we passed some splendid bottom Land but
rather wet — Prairie grass 8 ft high in some parts — It is about
10 miles from Carter's to Choteau's Store & that is one mile (200
rods) west of 96° & about 12 miles below the junction of the little
or East Cana with the Big or west Cana & 22 miles below Kansas
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 319
Line — The Cana formed by the junction of these streams is also
called little Verdigris & runs southward a little west of 96° & at
about latitude 36°-30' — it turns Southeast & runs to the Verdigris.
There is a good deal of chill & fever in this section The river &
creeks are well supplied with timber. We found entertainment, at
Mrs. Gildstraps — Quite a number of Delawares are settled on the
Cana & also Shawnees on Bird Creek which runs into the Cana on
the Western side about 15 miles below Shoteaus — These people
all supposed that they were east of 96° — And the best Government
map's represent the Cana river as East of 96. whereas it is entirely
west of it until it turns to the South East to reach the Verdigris —
We find upon coming here, Mahlon Stubbs & the Kaw delegation
who have been examining for a location They like the country of
the little & Big Cana but as that has been selected by the Osages it
is difficult to arrange it unless the Cherokees will consent for the
Osages to have a strip about Sl/3 miles East of 96° & which belongs
appropriately to the Cana River as otherwise it would be devoid of
timber. The line would then run upon the divide between the Cana
& the Verdigris — near to the Cana because the Creeks of the
Cana are smaller & shorter than those of the Verdigris — This
strip of Sl/2 miles is not occupied to much extent and is mostly
arable land and could be well supplied with timber from the Cana —
It seems appropriately to belong to the Cana —
We find Isaac T. Gibson here also, and Joseph Newsom & Thomas
H. Stanley — the two latter being with Mahlon Stubbs
Hard rope & his band of Osages came in today also —
11 mo 9—
We find that most of the Osages have gone on the hunt & that
the trader misinformed E. Hoag — I suppose he wanted the money
to come so he could get some of it — The weather is fine & we
would be glad to be on our journey but we must be patient — We
bought a pair of horses of M. Stubbs, as he was going to send all his
party home & he himself going with I. T. Gibson to Tahlequa to
the Cherokee Council to try to adjust the land matter — but they
will wait for Enoch Hoag — In company with I. T. Gibson & M.
Stubbs we hired a Cabin — built a fire, roasted some sweet potatoes
& after a light supper, spread down our robes & blankets upon a
pile of corn in the husk — Our blankets being narrow for two &
the night cool, we were not over comfortable — but got along
pretty well — In the morning we had a nice breakfast prepared by
320 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
our driver & I. T. Gibson. Coffee beef steak (cheese — bread &
crackers we already had on hand — this was the morning of the
10th of the mo —
After breakfast, we read a portion of Scripture & had a devotional
pause — Then sent Cyrus after some sweet potatoes & spoke to a
woman to bake us some buiscuit for dinner — C. got a bucket full
a peck of potatoes for 87% & we hired a dutch oven of a neighbor
& baked some splendid potatoes — also had beef — &c &c & of
course Coffee for dinner I carried the potatoes to the river &
washed them & then we walked over the adjoining lands, surveying
for agency Buildings & after dinner Isaac, Mahlon & myself took a
horseback ride over the river to view the premises there —
We crossed just westward from Mrs. Gildstraps & ascended by a
bridle path to the top of the bluff & made our way towards a re-
markable mound a mile & a half away — We first descended
slightly & then more rapidly into a ravine where we lost sight of
the mound — Then in ascending we had a beautiful view of its
constantly & regularly increasing proportions — We came to a
plateau or broad terrace perhaps 300 ft below the top of the
mound which was very regularly conical for the last 80 ft — the
upper portion resting upon a broader base of much the same char-
acter— At the foot of the basilar portion we crossed a little stream
& prepared to ascend — Reaching the top of the basilar portion
we tied our horses to some little shrubs & walked or clambered up
at an angle of 45° to the summit which was about 40 ft in diameter —
There was not a tree nor even a [illegible] bush from the top to the
ravine below — Prairie grass grew to the top — Small fragments
of rock wrere intermingled with the soil & upon these were impressions
of seashells — WTe also found petrified sticks — coral &c upon the
summit — We had a fine view of the surrounding country — the
Cana immediately East & stretching first south & then in the dis-
tance winding by south — the Curley head Creek making into it
from the Eastern side
Various mounds in different directions &c — Descending we
went upon the south side of a mound nearly west & found an abun-
dant supply of excellent building sandstone — some of it apparently
already dressed — having two, three & sometimes 4 faces of a cube
nicely squared — Upon the face of very many of these rocks were
impressions of sea shells of varying character & also of leaves &
stems of vegetables — On one rock the face of which measured
two square feet were over 120 distinct impressions of Shells.
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 321
After a good supper we talked over the dangers of this country
for men who travel with money. We felt some solicitude for our
Superintend — whom we were expecting &c and so after a time we
read some in the Bible — The voice of prayer was heard amongst
us & we spent an hour or two in exchanging our feelings of interest
in one another's welfare & were able, I trust, to cast our cares, our
fears, & our burdens upon the Lord and in peace & composure to
commit ourselves unto his will — We had removed the corn to
one side of the cabin & husked a part of it & made a bed of the husks
upon which we spread our robes & blankets & had a good rest —
10 mo llth [undoubtedly "11 mo. 10th or llth" is meant here] 1870.
In the morning after a good breakfast I took another bucket
of sweet potatoes to the river & washed them & then proposed to
E. Earle & Cyrus Frazier to make it wash day — so changing our
apparel we went to the river where it rushes over the rocks & had
quite a time in washing clothes — We then tied up a rope for a
clothes line & hung them up to dry near our cabin — Saw a flock
of Paroquettes — red bills, yellow heads & green bodies Said to be
capable of speaking like Parrots
This mound is a little S. of West from Shoteau's agency — or Mrs
Gildstraps — & about a mile & % half west of the Cana river at its
great westward curve — Another mound is connected by its base
with the base of this — It is North West from this & a little
taller — Upon the South face of this and all over the summit is
the fine sandstone with petrified shells &c [The author here in-
serted in his diary a rough sketch of a mound which accompanied
this paragraph.]
Two of the Cana River mounds as viewed from the North-East —
These mounds are about 1% miles from the River & about 2 miles
a little South of West from Choteau's Store, or Caneyville or Gill-
straps crossing — [Here a sketch of two mounds appeared.]
Afternoon of llth of 11 mo. We rode again on horseback west
of the Cana — first Northward, then Westward to the mounds again
Returned at night fall — Superintendent not yet arrived.
Ennisville is about one mile east of 96° & near the Kansas line
Parker is about 30 miles east of Ennisville [A roughly sketched
map of the Little Verdigris river area a little south of the Kansas
line accompanied this paragraph. It locates Choteau's store and
names the creeks in its vicinity.]
21—3729
322 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
11 mo 12th
E. E. M. S. I. T. G & myself rode Northward so far as Cotton
Creek three miles south of Kansas line.
Coon creek is about 6 miles north of Shoteau's — Post Oak Creek
about 6 miles above Coon creek — Junction Creek a small stream
runs in at the junction of the Big & Little Cana about three miles
above Post Oak Cr. & then Cotton creek is about three miles above
Post Oak Cr. & then Cotton creek is about three miles beyond
Junction Creek Just before reaching Cotton Cr we pass between
two remarkable mounds — We saw a flock of wild turkeys & one
of wild Geese on banks of Cotton Creek — & in returning saw a
wolf which seemed very much frightened & ran away as rapidly as
possible. We also saw a flock of 18 Sand hill Cranes much taller
than geese They were about 100 yds from us, standing on the open
prairie & did not seem at all alarmed by our passing so near to
them — We found coal at Post Oak Creek — Upon return at night
to our Cabin, we found Supt Hoag had come — with John Rankin,
Post Master at Lawrence & trader at the Sac & Fox Agency and
also Robt Dunlap, trader with Osages — They will go with us to
the Sac & Fox Agency.
11 mo 13th
About eleven A. M we set out for the Arkansaw River 8 in Com-
pany— Crossed the Cana at a ford about 2 miles below Shoteau's
Store — passed between two mounds & finally into a sort of canon
& saw immense blocks of lime stone on the hill sides — Came about
3 o'clock to Judge Roger's 18 miles from Shoteau's in a South
Western course — Judge Rogers has gone to Tahlequah to the meet-
ing of the Cherokee Council or Legislature — he being one of its
members — His wife gave us permission to stay with them all night
& as there was no other stopping place which we could reach, we
were glad of the permission — though the quarters were not such as
might be expected at a Judge's residence in the Eastern States
Edward & I & Enoch & John Rankin slept on beds on the floor very
comfortably — It turned suddenly cold in the night We passed
no house yesterday, the whole 18 miles —
11 mo 14—
Left at 8l/2 o'clock In 2 miles came to Polecat Cr & 2 miles fur-
ther to Bird Cr. A half mile beyond Bird Cr, the best road (though
several miles the longest) turns to the right & in 5 miles leads to
the Falls of Fall Creek — the direct road leads to a bad crossing some
miles below the falls — The water at the Falls is about 100 ft wide
& plunges over the solid rock about 8 ft.
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 323
A flock of wild Geese, 11 in number flew up just before us in the
morning within easy gunshot — Also ducks — Saw a wolf in the
distance —
Stopped at noon & cooked our dinner — Then met a drove of
Texas cattle numbering 1000 — & another drove just behind of 4 or
500 — They lost 150 in fording the Arkansaw by their getting in-
to quicksand — We reached the bank of the Arkansaw about half
hour before Sunset but had to go higher up to another ferry — & as
I. T Gibson & Mahlon Stubbs were going to Tahlequah they parted
company with us here & went down the Arkansaw on the North
bank — We were so delayed in finding the ferryman that we con-
cluded to camp on the North bank & soon had our fire going & our
beef on a stick before it — tea made &c — & at bedtime E. E. &
myself took the ambulance & the others lay before the fire — E. E.
got cold & left for the fire at 1 o'clock— I rested but did not sleep
soundly
11. 15th
Wild Geese & wolves kept a music for us last night — We had an
early & good breakfast & expected the Ferryman to come early but
it was fully 8 o'clk before he came & then we were delayed in getting
the boat ready & starting — The river is about half a mile in
width and we had to go down the river about half a mile to avoid
a shoal & the current being stronger on the other side it was difficult
to get the boat to the landing place — The bank was very steep &
we had to fasten the horses to the end of the carriage pole & to
take everything out of it & thus were enabled to get it dragged up
the bank — It was near ten o'clock before we left the west bank
of the river —
The weather was fine & we went on over various Creeks — & in
the afternoon over one or two considerable mountains and about
8 o clock P. M. came to Post Oak Taylor's a Creek Indian — We
had passed no other house since leaving the Arkansaw except a
little settlement within a mile of the river — Taylor was not at
home & none of his family except one grown daughter who had gone
to bed — Supt Hoag & John Rankin were acquainted there & had
stayed with them before — She could not talk English — They
made her understand that we wanted corn for the horses & to
sleep on the floor before the fire ourselves — She gave assent &
went back to her bed in the corner of the room — E. E. J. R. & my-
self went into the woods & cut down a tree & brought up the wood
as there was no wood pile & making a good fire we spread down our
324 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
robes & blankets & slept pretty well — In the morning we ate our
breakfast, having some cold food — & having made some coffee — E.
H paid the woman $3.00 & we left her some good coffee on the table
she not having left her couch —
[Sac and Fox Reservation]
We reached the Sac & Fox Agency about 1, o'clock P. M & had a
good dinner at J. Crowley's the Blacksmith — Agent Miller & Dr.
Williams & wife seemed glad to see us &c. In going from Shoteo's
to the Arkansaw we went nearly south & after crossing the Arkansaw
we went South west to the Sac & Fox Agency — From Choteou's
to Judge Roger's is 18 miles Judge Rogers to the Arkansaw is
35 miles. From Arkansaw to Post oak Taylor's is nearly 40 miles —
from Taylor's to Agency 20 miles — total from Shoteou's 113
miles — We passed the Deep Fork about 11/2 from Agency — This
runs centrally from east to west through their reservation — Enoch
boards with Dr. Williams & wife & Edward & I with Jacob Crow-
ley & wife We had a comfortable bed & good fare.
11 mo 17
Sac & Fox Reservation extends from the North Fork of the
Canadian on the south to the Red Fork of the Arkansaw on the
North 46 miles and from the Creek line on the east a distance of
16 3/4 miles to the west — embracing 770% Square miles. There
are 660 of this tribe. They manifest some disposition to agriculture
and have a very favorable location The climate is mild and al-
though chills & Fever prevail to some extent in the Fall, yet it will
become healthier as it is brought under cultivation. Corn, sweet
potatoes, cotton, Sorghum &c will be staples here also wheat. The
affairs of this agency are not in so good a condition as they would
have been under other circumstances. Our excellent friend Thomas
Miller offered his resignation months ago, believing that the time
had come for him to be released — He had very successfully &
economically removed these Indians from Kansas last winter &
wished some one else to take hold of the work of putting up the
Agency buildings &c John Hadley has been recommended & ap-
pointed as agent but does not come & we suppose will not be able
to do so and this disappointment, of course, adds to the delay in
getting things ready
They need a saw mill at once. As the climate is mild, it is practi-
cable to do a great deal of work here in the winter Agent Miller has
5 or 6 men employed in farming operations putting up temporary
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 325
buildings breaking the sod, fencing &c. He has had about 200 acres
broken.
The Agency is situated near Deep Fork which has a fine rich
bottom in which the wild rye remains green through the winter —
The bottom is liable to overflow — It is difficult to cross this stream
in high water as they have neither Bridge nor Ferry — The Osage
women crossed their little babies & their property last summer by
making a sort of basket of a rawhide by drawing up the edges with
a rope so as to bring the hide into a cup shape — then taking the rope
in the teeth the mother would swim across & carry the whole con-
cern over & depositing the freight, would swim back for another
cargo — Deer & wild turkey are abundant. But such articles as
have to be brought from the States are high owing to the distance
of wagon transportation Pecan nuts here are abundant — worth
$2.00 per bushel — They have 80 bushels at the trader's store —
About 60 acres of the broken land is around the Agency & 140 or
more for various Indians —
The general condition of these Indians does not vary much from
that of the Pottawatomies — Their women are overworked and
become prematurely old — There are evidences of hereditary syph-
ilitic taint & Scrofula amongst these Indians. Very few children
are born amongst them & of those few many die — They are con-
stantly diminishing in numbers — One chief & part of his band
are still at the old reservation & refuse to come down but they will
get no money until they come — One article in their last treaty
(Article XV) needs my attention when I return to Washington —
Mo-quaw-ho-ko is the chief who will not come — The absentee
Shawnees & some Delawares who live west of the Seminole Reser-
vation about 550 in number are now placed under the care of the
Sac & Fox Agent — These Indians are located within the area
which the Pottawattomies will probably select —
******
Louis Goky is Interpreter for Sac & Foxes — Keokuk is one of
the chiefs — Muttatah — muttata —
Jacob Crowley— Blacksmith $800— Mary Crowley his wife— $300.
James Hadley ^
Timmerman > Farmers $600
Wm Baldwin J
Dr. David Williams, Physician & wife — $1500 per year & furnish
his own medicines —
326 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Oliver Smith — Gunsmith
Thomas Miller Agent — succeeded by John Hadley in 3rd
mo— 1871—
Sac & Fox Agency
via Okmulgee, Creek Nation, Ind. Territory
PRICES cts eta.
Bacon — sides 50 .30
Flour 10 .09£
Sugar 25 .25
Coffee 50 .35
Syrup 2.25
Calico .20
Heavy cost in coming here —
******
(To be concluded in the November Quarterly)
Kansas History as Published
in the Press
"Some Memories of the Past" is the title of a column by H. V.
Butcher which appears occasionally in The Western Star, Coldwater.
A "Query and Answer Column," sponsored by the Dickinson
County Historical Society, has been published from time to time
in the Abilene Daily Chronicle.
The reminiscenses of Allison J. Pliley, scout and Indian fighter,
were printed in the Olathe Mirror in its issues of March 19 and
26, 1931. S. T. Seaton, the author, interviewed Mr. Pliley in 1909
and submitted the manuscript to him for correction and verification.
Mr. Pliley served on the plains in the latter 1860's.
A history of St. Joseph's Alumni Association was published in
the St. Joseph college student publication, The Cadet Journal, of
Hays, in its issues of October 7, 1933, to May 26, 1934, inclusive.
The construction of the sod house, home of many early Kansas
settlers, was discussed by Donald S. Gates in the December, 1933,
issue of The Journal of Geography, published in Chicago, 111.
Articles of a historical nature appearing in the Winter, 1934,
number of The Aerend, a Fort Hays Kansas State College publica-
tion, included : "History of Fort Lamed," by B. Z. Woods ; "Meteor-
ites of Kansas," by Elizabeth Eppstein; "Bent's Fort: Pioneer
Memory," by Paul King; "A Prima Donna [Dora Hand] of Dodge
City," by F. B. Streeter; "Martin Allen: Pioneer Prophet," by R.
L. Parker, and "Kansas Fossils," by Letha Abell.
Several letters written during the Spanish-American War by
Lawrence participants were printed serially in the Douglas County
Republican, Lawrence, in its issues of February 22; March 1 and 8,
1934.
The address given by Charles F. Colcord, president of the Okla-
homa Historical Society, at the Barber county old settlers' reunion
held in Medicine Lodge, February 9, 1934, was published in the
March issue of the Chronicles of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City. Mr.
Colcord related some of the frontier history of southern Kansas and
the Indian territory.
(327)
328 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
An article discussing the work done by Company 1778, Civilian
Conservation Corps, on the site of old Fort Hays, was contributed
by Lloyd Kohler to the March 10, 1934, issue of Happy Days, the
corps newspaper printed in Washington, D. C. The Enterprise
Journal republished the article in its April 19 issue.
Seventy-five years in Kansas were reviewed by Frank M. Spurrier
in the Sylvan Grove News, March 15, 1934. Mr. Spurrier came
from Iowa in the summer of 1858 and settled twenty miles west of
Manhattan.
Bone picking near Fort Hays in 1875 was recalled by J. L.
Garrett in the Bunkerhill Advertiser, March 22, 1934.
"When Methodism Reached Kansas," by S. T. Seaton, was the title
of an article published in the Kansas City Star, May 26, 1907, and
republished in the Olathe Mirror, March 29, 1934. In the prepara-
tion of this story Mr. Seaton had access to original minute books
of the church which he later presented to the Kansas State His-
torical Society.
Questions and answers relating to Elkhart's history were printed
in the Elkhart Tri-State News in its issues of March 29 to May 3,
1934, inclusive.
A brief history of the First English Lutheran church of Lawrence
appeared in the April issue of the Kansas Synod Lutheran, pub-
lished at Atchison. The congregation was organized March 16, 1867.
The history of the Independence High School was briefly sketched
in the Independence Daily Reporter, April 4, 1934, and in the South
Kansas Tribune, April 11. The school was organized by T. W.
Conway in 1884.
A brief history and the list of charter members of the old Garden
City Board of Trade were published in the Garden City News, April
5, 1934.
The early days of Washara, Lyon county, were recalled by John
Flynn in the Emporia Weekly Gazette, April 5, 1934. The town was
founded on the Santa Fe trail in the middle 1860's.
"Bear Creek Cowboys of 1883 Left Horses in Indian Scare," and
"First Known White Man Crossed Stanton in 1850," were the titles
of two articles by R. I. Cockrum which appeared in the Johnson
Pioneer, April 5 and May 3, 1934, respectively. The latter story
dealt with F. X. Aubrey's activities in the region now known as
Stanton county.
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 329
"Builders of Wichita," a pageant written by Manly Wade Well-
man, was presented at the Wichita Forum April 9, 1934. The
Wichita Eagle and Beacon published special illustrated historical
sections in their issues of April 8 commemorating the first meeting
of the city council held in April, 1871, when Wichita was formally
recognized as a city.
"Always Ready to Help Railroads," an article reviewing Hutchin-
son's railroad bond elections held during the boom of the middle
1880's, was printed in the Hutchinson News, April 11, 1934.
The history of the Church of Christ at Miltonvale was briefly
sketched in the Miltonvale Record, April 12, 1934. The church was
organized April 17, 1884.
The recent abandonment of ninety-seven miles of the Missouri
Pacific railroad from Fort Scott to Lomax led George T. Clayton
and Tom Johnson to review the line's establishment as the Kansas,
Nebraska and Dakota railroad in the spring of 1886, in the Fort
Scott Tribune in its issues of April 13, and May 18, 1934, re-
spectively.
A brief history of the Ost community in southeastern Reno county
was published in the Wichita Sunday Eagle, April 15, 1934.
The First Methodist Episcopal church of McPherson observed
the sixtieth anniversary of its founding April 15, 1934, with an
all-day program held at the church. A history of the organization,
including a list of the early pastors, was published in the McPherson
Daily Republican, April 16.
Pratt's First Methodist Episcopal church observed its fiftieth
anniversary with a week of special services starting April 15, 1934.
An eight-page illustrated supplement devoted entirely to the history
of the church was a feature of the Pratt Daily Tribune, April 17.
The Pratt Union, of April 19, also published an illustrated history of
the organization.
The experiences of George M. Hoffman, Kansas stockman and
banker, were retold by George G. Green in the Hutchinson Herald
of April 17, 1934.
"It's an ill wind that blows nobody good," the Johnson Pioneer
reported in its issue of April 19, 1934. The recent high winds in
the West have uncovered quantities of Indian relics in Stanton
and other western Kansas counties. Arrowheads of various sizes,
330 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
shapes and kinds have been picked up, as well as spearheads, stone
knives, hammer rocks, and other bric-a-brac peculiar to the once
rulers of the plains. On a particularly high spot twenty miles
northwest of Johnson, "fire holes" are reported to be showing.
A brief history of the Richfield First Presbyterian church was
published in the Dodge City Daily Globe, April 19, 1934. The
church was organized November 23, 1886.
The history of the Emporia city library was sketched in the
Emporia Gazette, April 19, 1934. The first library association was
formed in December, 1869.
An autobiography of Darwin B. Wolcott, Pawnee county pioneer,
was published in the Lamed Chronoscope, April 19, 1934.
"Historical Sketches of Coffey County," is the title of a series of
articles by A. D. Wiseman which appear serially in the Gridley
Light. The series, which commenced with the issue of April 19, 1934,
featured the Hampden colony, April 26; record of crimes and
casualties, May 3; county seat troubles, May 17; location of county
seat, May 24; early newspapers, May 31; land grant warrant of
1861, June 7; LeRoy newspaper history, June 21, and defunct towns,
July 5.
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church, northeast of Cheney,
celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, April 22, 1934. A history of the
church was published in the Cheney Sentinel, April 19.
"Tells Drama of Early-day Railroad Race," was the title of a
story by William W. Gear relating a run between two freight trains
for a rail crossing on the Kansas prairies forty years ago, which was
printed in the Topeka Daily Capital, April 22, 1934.
Experiences of Joe Talbott, freighter over the old Medicine Lodge
trail, were related in the Hutchinson News, April 23, 1934.
Pioneer life on Elm creek, Lyon county, was recalled by Robert
Langley of Miller in an interview published in the Emporia Gazette,
April 24, 1934. Mr. Langley settled on Elm creek in 1857.
The history of Hoxie was reviewed in a series of articles in the
Hoxie Sentinel, commencing with its issue of April 26, 1934. Several
articles were contributed by members of the English department
of the Sheridan county high school.
Members of the St. John's Catholic church of Herington celebrated
the twenty-fifth anniversary of their church building, May 2, 1934.
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 331
Both the Herington Times and Sun published a history of the organi-
zation by A. J. Farrell, in their issues of April 26, 1934.
The coming of the automobile to Clay Center was discussed by
The Times in its issue of April 26, 1934.
Cheyenne county school history was reviewed by C. E. Curry in
the "Old Timers' Column" published in the Bird City Times, April
26, 1934. Etta Linn, the first superintendent, served from July 5,
1886, to January, 1889.
The reminiscences of W. J. Richardson were printed in the
Eureka Herald, April 26, 1934. Mr. Richardson arrived in Green-
wood county in the early 1870's.
Old settlers contributing to the "Pioneer Reminiscences" column
published weekly in The Barber County Index, of Medicine Lodge,
include: William E. Marquand, Mrs. Lizzie Herr Sommer, April
26, 1934; M. J. Lane, May 3; Carrie C. Shaw, J. D. Mills, May 10;
George McGuire, L. A. Eby, H. H. McCoy, May 17; M. S. Justis,
Mrs. C. E. Thompson, May 24; Sam Smith, I. T. Strickland, May 31;
Clarence E. Thompson, Rose Hildebrand, June 7; Mrs. H. A. Ted-
row, R. J. Taliaferro, June 14; Mrs. Harriet Mills, Mrs. Dan H.
Axtell, Bert Clark, June 21 ; Ben S. Kauffman, Louis Walton, L. W.
Moore, July 5, and William Palmer, July 12.
Washington county's courthouse history was again reviewed in
the "Special Court House Dedication Edition" of the Washington
County Register issued April 27, 1934. The new courthouse was
dedicated May 4.
John Brown's activities in Kansas territory were discussed by
Eliza Johnston Wiggin, of Otego, in the Topeka State Journal, April
27, 1934.
The seventieth anniversary of the founding of the Ottawa First
Baptist church was observed April 29, 1934. A brief history of the
organization was published in the Ottawa Herald, April 27.
Arkansas City in 1870 was described by F. A. Chapin in the
Arkansas City Daily Traveler, May 2, 1934.
The Howard Baptist church celebrated its fiftieth anniversary
April 29, 1934. A history of the organization was briefly sketched
in The Citizen, Howard, May 2.
Wichita's livery stable boom was recalled by Andy S. Huff in an
interview by Victor Murdock which was published in the Wichita
332 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
(Evening) Eagle in its issue of May 2, 1934. Mr. Huff settled in
Wichita in 1869.
"A Tale of Prairie Days," an article written by Mrs. W. R. Bullen
describing her experiences in Kansas in 1886, was printed in The
Kansan, Concordia, May 3, 1934.
The Waterville Telegraph issued a thirty-six page sixty-fourth
anniversary edition May 3, 1934. Among the historical articles
were: "Waterville Incorporated in the Year of 1870," "Indians
Massacre Six From Waterville in 1869," "Musical Development of
Town Told by S. A. Bryan," "Julius Rahe Tells of Pioneer Days,"
"The Telegraph's First Issue January 1, 1870," "School Development
Related by Mrs. Gordon," and "Early Tales of Blanchville." His-
tories of the city's churches, lodges, clubs, and library, and biograph-
ical sketches of pioneers were also included in this edition. A four-
page supplement, which was issued May 10, published letters from
old settlers and a sketch of Waterville's school system.
A history of the school in district No. 90, Marshall county, was
sketched in the Summerfield Sun, May 3, 1934.
The forty-second anniversary of the lola United Brethern church
was observed May 6, 1934. A brief history of the organization was
printed in the lola Daily Register, May 3.
A twenty-page historical edition was issued by the Tipton Times,
May 3, 1934. Tipton was established in 1872 as Pittsburg, and was
named for W. A. Pitt. A few years later the Post Office Department
asked that the name be changed. Judge J. C. Ruppenthal, now of
Russell, recently wrote that he remembered how bitterly the settlers
objected to giving up the name "Pittsburg" for Tipton. Historical
sketches of St. Boniface Parish, Zion Lutheran church and the
American Legion and Auxiliary were published as features of the
edition.
The pioneer mill on Buffalo creek was recalled by J. H. Swenson in
an article appearing in The Kansas Optimist, Jamestown, May 3,
1934. Another story concerning the mill was printed in the May
24 issue.
A history of Morganville by Mrs. W. H. Lennard was a feature of
the thirtieth anniversary edition of The Tribune, Morganville, May
3, 1934. The city was founded in 1870 by Ebenezer Morgan.
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 333
Some of the correspondence between Maj. Richard I. Dodge and
Gov. Thomas A. Osborn regarding the Dodge City Vigilantes of
1873 was published in the Dodge City Daily Globe, May 5, 1934.
"Exploring Scenes Rich in Beauty and Big With History in the
John Brown Country" was the title of a story relating the high
lights of a trip made by A. B. MacDonald through eastern Kansas,
printed in the Kansas City Star, May 6, 1934.
The fiftieth anniversary of the organization of Finney county
was observed at the Finnup Pioneer day celebration held in Garden
City May 8, 1934. Special historical features were published in
both the Garden City News and Daily Telegram preceding the event.
Manhattan newspaper history was briefly reviewed in the Man-
hattan Mercury, May 9, 1934.
A brief history of the Osborne city library was contributed by
Vera Olds Botkin to the Osborne County Farmer, May 10, 1934.
The library was first organized in 1889 under the name of the
Ladies Library Association.
Garnett as it appeared sixty-six years ago was described by J. W.
Barndt in The Anderson Countian, Garnett, May 10, 1934.
The seventy-sixth anniversary of the founding of St. Paul's Epis-
copal church of Manhattan was observed May 13, 1934. A history
of the organization was sketched in the Manhattan Mercury, May
12, and The Morning Chronicle, May 13.
Origin of the names of several Kansas towns as given in a radio
address over KFKU by Allen Crafton, of Kansas University, was
published in the University Daily Kansan, Lawrence, May 15, 1934.
The fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Wilsey was observed
May 15, 1934. The Wilsey Warbler issued a six-page special his-
torical souvenir edition on that date, and on May 17 printed the
names of the old settlers registering at the event.
The death of William "Billy the Kid" Bonney was discussed in an
article by Col. Jack Potter, of Tascosa, Tex., in a recent issue of the
Union County Courier, which was republished in the Dodge City
Daily Globe, May 16, 1934.
Morrill history was reviewed in detail in a special twelve-page
edition of the Morrill Weekly News, issued May 17, 1934. Sketches
of the railroad, churches, schools and newspapers were included in
334 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
the history, which was prepared by the senior English class of the
high school under the supervision of C. R. Van Nice.
The history of Fowler was reviewed in the Fowler News, May 17,
1934. Ben F. Cox, Solomon Burkhalter and George Fowler laid out
the townsite in 1884.
Names of students who were graduated from the Winona con-
solidated high school from 1915 to 1933 were printed in the Logan
County News, Winona, May 17, 1934.
Biographical sketches of the late Selah B. Farwell and Robert
R. Hays, Osborne county pioneers, were published in the Osborne
County Farmer, Osborne, May 17 and June 21, 1934, respectively.
St. Francis Catholic church of St. Paul celebrated its golden
jubilee May 16, 1934. A history of the church as prepared by Paul
M. Ponziglione, S. J., was printed in the St. Paul Journal, May 17,
and republished in the Parsons Sun, May 24.
The seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of St. John's
Catholic church of Hanover was observed May 15, 1934. Histories
of the church were printed in the Hanover Herald and Democrat in
their issues of May 18, 1934.
A two-column biographical sketch of Charles Jesse "Buffalo"
Jones entitled "The Last of the Plainsmen," was contributed by
E. E. Kelley to the Topeka Daily Capital, May 20, 1934.
The activities of Jason Lee, and other early Methodist mission-
aries to Oregon, were discussed by A. B. MacDonald in the Kansas
City Star, May 20, 1934.
Special historical articles were published in the Baldwin Ledger
•and The Baker Orange preceding the diamond jubilee celebration
of Baker University held at Baldwin May 24-28, 1934. A history of
The Baker Orange, college student publication, was a feature of the
Orange in its issue of May 21.
A history of Trinity Episcopal church of Arkansas City was
sketched in the Arkansas City Tribune, May 24, 1934. The church
was organized on December 27, 1884.
Names of Civil War veterans who settled in Pawnee county were
published in the Lamed Chronoscope, May 24, 1934.
A history of the Ottawa Campus, student publication of Ottawa
University, was printed in its fiftieth anniversary edition issued
May 24, 1934.
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 335
The fiftieth anniversary of the Wathena Christ Lutheran church
was celebrated June 3, 1934. A history of the organization by Rev.
H. C. Lubeck was sketched in the Wathena Times, May 25.
The fiftieth anniversary of the Garden City First Christian church
was observed May 27, 1934. Brief histories of the organization were
published in the Garden City Daily Telegram and News on May 24.
A history of Wright Park, Dodge City, was written by Dr. 0. H.
Simpson for the Dodge City Daily Globe, May 29, 1934.
A letter from A. B. Ostrander, former contest clerk in the Inde-
pendence land office, was published in the South Kansas Tribune,
Independence, May 30, 1934. Mr. Ostrander briefly related some
of the difficulties a few of the settlers had in getting title to their
lands.
The story of the Kidder massacre in 1867 was retold by A. H.
Stewart in The Sherman County Herald, Goodland, May 31, 1934.
Clay county post offices in 1881 were named in The Times, Clay
Center, May 31, 1934.
The organization of George Graham Post No. 60 of the Grand
Army of the Republic on August 3, 1882, was reviewed in The
Courier -Tribune, of Seneca, in its issue of May 31, 1934.
"On the Last Frontier," by Charles Adam Jones, a cattleman's
story of ranch life in the Southwest, was published in The Atlantic,
Boston, Mass., in the June, 1934, issue. Mr. Jones related his ex-
periences while assisting in transporting several carloads of cattle
across Kansas to Great Bend and driving them from Great Bend to
Las Animas, Colo.
A narrative of the Cherokee outlet country entitled "A True
Story of Frontier Life — The Killing of Johnnie Potts," was written
by Harry Woods for the eighth annual homecoming edition of the
Hazelton Herald, issued June 1, 1934.
An interview with Rev. A. M. Weikman of Wichita, pioneer
Catholic priest who conducted services in Marysville in the 1870's,
was published in the Marshall County News, Marysville, June 1,
1934.
The history of Dodge City as a military center was sketched in
the Dodge City Daily Globe, June 2, 1934.
Kansas Historical Notes
The names of Moses Milton Beck, for more than fifty years
editor of the Holton Recorder, and William Elmer Blackburn, of the
Anthony Republican and Herington Sun, were added recently to the
"Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame." Portraits of these men will be
added to those of their eight predecessors on the classroom walls
of the department of journalism at the University of Kansas. The
"Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame" was established four years ago
by the University of Kansas. The names of editors selected pre-
vious to this year's announcement were: Sol Miller, The Kansas
Chief, Troy; Maj. J. K. Hudson, The Kansas Farmer, Topeka, and
the Topeka Daily Capital; Marsh M. Murdock, Osage County
Chronicle, Burlingame, and Wichita Eagle; D. R. Anthony, Leaven-
worth Daily Conservative and Leavenworth Times; Noble L.
Prentis, Topeka Daily Record, Junction City Union and Kansas
City Star; D. W. Wilder, Fort Scott Monitor and Hiawatha World;
Edward Wallis Hoch, Marion Record; and John A. Martin, tenth
governor of the state of Kansas and editor of the Atchison
Champion.
A tour to several Dickinson county points of historic interest was
made by the members of the Dickinson County Historical Society
after a luncheon meeting held at Lyona, June 12, 1934.
The Riley County Historical Society observed its twentieth anni-
versary with a picnic supper and program held June 15, 1934.
Kirke Mechem of the State Historical Society and Mrs. Eusebia
Irish were the speakers.
(336)
D
15-8729
THE
Kansas Historical
Quarterly
Volume III Number 4
November, 1934
PRINTED BY KANSAS STATE PRINTING PLANT
W. C. AUSTIN. STATE PRINTER
TOPEKA 1934
15-5574
Contributors
GEORGE A. ROOT is curator of archives of the Kansas State Historical Society.
DR. WILLIAM NICHOLSON was bom in Perquimans county, North Carolina,
on November 9, 1826. His early education was received in Friends schools
in North Carolina and in Providence, R. I. In 1850 he was granted a medical
degree from the University of Pennsylvania. His work among the Indians of
the Central Superintendency in the 1870's led Doctor Nicholson to establish
his residence at Lawrence, where he continued his Friends activities and served
as clerk of the Kansas Yearly Meeting from 1872 to 1888, when he removed to
Pasadena, Calif. He died there on March 1, 1899. For additional biographical
data see ante, pp. 289-291.
DOMENICO GAGLIARDO is associate professor of economics at the University
of Kansas, Lawrence.
NOTE. — Articles in the Quarterly appear in chronological order without regard
to their importance.
Ferries in Kansas
Part V — Solomon River
GEORGE A. ROOT
'TVHE Solomon river, the largest affluent of the Smoky Hill, is
-L formed by two branches, both of which rise in the northwest
part of Kansas. The north fork has its source in the southwestern
part of Thomas county, flows in a northeasterly direction across
Sheridan, thence easterly across Norton and Phillips, southeast
across the southwest corner of Smith, the northeast corner of Cloud,
southeast across Ottawa, across the northeast corner of Saline, and
joins the Smoky Hill just east of the Saline-Dickinson county bound-
ary line. The south fork also rises in Thomas county, and takes
a course almost due east across the counties of Sheridan, Graham,
Rooks and Osborne, uniting with the north branch in the northwest
corner of Mitchell county, about two and one-half miles from the
west line of the county and near the village of Waconda.
The river had two names bestowed by the Indians, one being
"Wus-cu-pa-lo." J The other was "Ne-pa-hol-la," meaning "water
on a hill. " The Great Spirit Spring lies near the junction of the two
branches and was called by the Kaw Indians "Ne-woh-kon-daga" —
"Spirit Spring."2 The Pottawatomies called it "Menaton'beesh,"
and on passing it would make an offering.3
In Pike's account of his trip to the Pawnee village in 1806 is
probably the earliest printed mention of this stream. He recorded
on September 23: "Marched early and passed a large fork of the
Kansas which I suppose to be the one generally called Solomon's.
One of our horses fell into the water and wet his load." 4 Carey's
Atlas, of 1817, shows the stream as Solomon's Fork. Capt. John
W. Gunnison, the explorer, reached the mouth of Solomon's Fork,
July 6, 1853.5 Francis T. Bryan, lieutenant of engineers, in a report
to Gov. John W. Geary, dated at St. Louis, Mo., December 26, 1856,
calls the stream the Solomon's Fork.6
The Solomon is approximately 300 miles in length, two-thirds of
this distance being above the forks of the river. It drains an area
1. Junction City Union, May 6, 1876.
2. McCoy, History of Baptist Indian Missions, pp. 411, 412.
3. Kansas Historical Collections, v. 4, p. 306.
4. Coues, Pike's Explorations, v. 2, p. 408.
5. 'Ibid.
6. Kansas Historical Collections, v. 4, p. 669.
(339)
340 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
of 6,882 square miles.7 The river has often been spoken of as the
most rapid stream of western Kansas. Lieut. Julian R. Fitch, in
his report on the river in 1864, stated that it was a rapid stream
with high banks and had a watercourse eighty feet in width.8 The
bed of the stream, however, is said to be muddy.9
Disastrous floods have occurred from time to time on this river,
that of June, 1903, being one of the most serious.10 In order to
obtain accurate information of the quantity of water carried by
this stream during normal and flood years, a gauging station was
established at Solomon, September 4, 1904.11
There were only a few ferries located on the Solomon. The first
across the river was established at the mouth of the stream in 1858,
by D. Bruce. He also started a town known as Bruce City,12 which
was located at the mouth of the Solomon, and in all probability
never attained greater proportions than the rude shanty of its
projector. A diligent search has been made through early records
for something about Mr. Bruce, but aside from the meager state-
ment that he laid out the "city" and operated a ferry, no other
information is available.
About one year later, on June 4, 1859, Henry Whitley settled on
land near the mouth of the Solomon, and likewise started a ferry.
He was a native of England, born on September 4, 1830. In 1858,
the year before he settled on the Solomon, he married Catherine
Hall, daughter of Deacon Jabez Hall, of Toronto, Canada, and had
come west with his bride, settling near the present Dickinson-
Saline county line, and close to the military road which crossed the
Solomon near its mouth. His nearest neighbor at this time lived
at Mud Creek (now Abilene), nine miles away. The nearest post
office was Junction City, thirty-five miles distant, and the closest
grist mill, at Council Grove, was sixty miles distant. His chief
market was Leavenworth, 170 miles away. When he went to mill
or market, Mrs. Whitley remained alone in their shanty cabin for
days at a time while he made the slow and laborious trip by ox
team for necessaries. On such occasions it is more than likely
Mrs. Whitley was frequently obliged to assist in running the ferry.
Not long afterwards Whitley took as partner a relative, probably
7. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Weather Bureau, Daily River Stages, Pt. XI, p. 113.
8. Ware, Eugene, F., The Indian War of 1864, P- 585.
9. U. S. Geological Survey, Water Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 37, pp. 249, 250.
10. Hollibaugh, History of Cloud County, pp. 146, 147.
11. U. S. Geological Survey, Water Supply Papers, No. 131, p. 111.
12. Andreas, History of Kansas, p. 685; "Dickinson County Clippings," v. 1, p. 178, in
Library of the Kansas State Historical Society.
ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 341
Luther Hall, and for several years operated this crossing as the
Whitley & Hall ferry.13 Whitley was the first postmaster of Solomon
City, and served a number of years. He opened a store in connection
with his ferry in 1863. He was elected commissioner of Saline
county in 1861.
In 1865 much travel went west and southwest over the military
road, and this year Henry Whitley, John Williamson and Luther
Hall organized themselves as a town company and laid out Solomon
City on lands belonging to Whitley, the SW% S. 18, T. 13, R. 1 E.,
and the E% of SE% S. 13, T. 13, R. 1 E. The town was located on
the west line of the county, a portion being in both Dickinson and
Saline counties.14
The Whitley & Hall ferry probably had some opposition, for the
Junction City Union in the early 1860's said that Capt. Asaph Allen,
who ran a ferry across the Republican between Junction City and
Fort Riley, also ran a ferry on the Solomon, the item not specifying
the exact location.
Another ferry enterprise was started early in 1863, the Junction
City Union of January 19 stating, "A ferry boat has been placed
on the Solomon, which will expedite travel greatly. It was built
by Fletcher, Cobb & Marvin, who are a 'hull team/ consequently
it must be a 'hull' boat." No further mention of this enterprise
has been located.
On May 1, 1866, the Whitley & Hall enterprise was reorganized
as the Solomon River Bridge and Ferry Company. Its incorpo-
rators included Guerdon E. Beates,15 Elias S. Stover,16 Luther Hall,
George B. Hall and Henry Whitley. The object of the new enter-
prise was to erect, construct and operate bridges or ferries across
the Solomon river, where said river crosses the township line between
township 12, ranges 2 and 3, west, and the mouth of the Solomon
river. The principal office of the company was located at Solomon
City. Capital stock was placed at $60,000, in shares of $100 each.
13. Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 692, 693.
14. Ibid., p. 691.
15. Guerdon E. Beates was an early resident of Davis and Saline counties, first settling at
Junction City. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Second Kansas infantry,
and served four years and seven months. He took a prominent part in early Davis county
politics, and was deputy revenue collector during 1877- '79. In 1885 he was elected to the
legislature and served one term. He held many other positions of trust. His death occurred
at Salina early in January, 1888, burial being at Junction City.
16. Elias Sleeper Stover was born in Rockland, Me., Nov. 22, 1836. At the age of
fifteen he became a sailor, and visited nearly all the principal seaports of the United States,
as well as many of those of foreign countries. He came to Kansas in 1856, settling in the
vicinity of Junction City, and helped in the Free State cause. He was a Civil War soldier and
participated in fifty-one different engagements. He was appointed Kaw Indian agent in 1872.
Later he removed to Albuquerque, N. Mex., served in the legislature of that state, and was
the first president of the University of New Mexico. He was prominent in G. A. R. circles
of New Mexico, and was a past commander. In 1920 he married Margaret Zearing, of San
Diego, Calif. He died in Albuquerque, February 3, 1927.
342 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
This charter was placed on file with the secretary of state May
5, 1866.17
At times these early-day ferries did not operate to the entire
satisfaction of everybody. J. A. Slover, writing from Solomon,
under date of July 1, 1867, said:
. . . Our ferries on Solomon and Saline are, at certain times of the year,
a perfect nuisance. The one on Solomon especially, though not through the
fault of the owners, or those in charge of it, but through causes over which
they have no control, is anything but satisfactory at times. Twice already this
season while the water was high, has the ferry been compelled to lie idle, to the
great inconvenience of the traveling public. Now, why cannot Dickinson
county and Saline county, unite on this, to them, important question and
build a bridge across Solomon at the most convenient and accessible point to
the county road of Saline county. It will be to the interest of Solomon City,
and they can certainly give their support, and when the citizens of the county
think of the matter, they will see at a glance, its necessity and benefit. . . ,18
The next ferry point of which we have information was at the
town of Waconda, Mitchell county, about eighty miles upstream.
Aside from this bare mention no further history has been located.
The Waterville Telegraph, of August 11, 1871, quoting the Beloit
Mirror, says: "Our people are getting out the timber for a ferry,
and soon we shall have accommodations for crossing the river at
this point."
A state road was established by the legislature of 1866, running
from Henry Whitley's, in Saline county, up the Solomon river, by
way of Fort Solomon to Boblett's mill. George Hall, Henry Whitley
and J. C. Boblett were commissioners appointed to lay out the
road. This same year another state road was laid out from the forks
of the Solomon river, via the State Salt Springs, on Salt creek, thence
south, via Scripps and Mays' settlement on the Saline, to Salina,
thence south, via Sharp's creek to the Santa Fe road. Charles
Holtzman, Alexander C. Spillman and Mr. May were appointed
commissioners to lay out the road.19
Probably there were other ferries on the Solomon river, but no
record of them has been available for this paper.
17. Corporations, v. 1, pp. 144, 145.
18. Junction City Union, July 6, 1867.
19. Laws, Kansas, 1866, pp. 225, 227.
A Tour of Indian Agencies in Kansas
and the Indian Territory in 1870
WILLIAM NICHOLSON
CONCLUSION
[Shawnee Reservation]
11 mo 19—
LEFT the Sac & Fox Agency & went Southward towards the
North Fork of the Canadian — Reached the river at sunset after
a drive about 6 hours over a good rood except one or two quicksandy
creeks — the last 15 miles was mostly prairie
The crossing is 30 miles a little west of South, from Sac & Fox,
Agency — River about 120 ft wide & at present 4% feet deep —
Samuel Charley a Shawnee has some fine corn here & had two
wagons loaded with it & ready to cross the river — Some other
Shawnees had been hunting their hogs & had got down to the Stream.
They drove 6 or 8 of them into the river & Swam them across — But
some others were refractory & refused to go into the water — So
with the aid of dogs they caught them & putting their lariatte
ropes around behind their forelegs & mounting their ponies they
pulled the hogs into the water, holding them up so they would not
drown — The dogs swam along to see it well done.
We reached the house of John White a mile beyond the river,
about dark & he said we could stay with him — He is a sort of
Chief amongst these Absentee Shawnees who live in this vicinity &
Black Beaver a chief of the Delawares at Witchita — He is now
very sick
******
466 now there & 175 coming from Kansas — 100 on Bird Creek
John White — Samuel Charley — Joseph Ellis. Robert Deer
William Shawnee
* * * * * *
These Shawnees mostly speak some English and cultivate the soil
to some extent — They have horses, cattle, hogs &c — Their
houses are rudely constructed and unfinished as they had nearly all
their buildings destroyed in the war & they have not yet recovered
from their losses— They have claims upon the Government for
(343)
344 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
these losses ($250,000) & Major Voir, a Secretary of the Grand
Council, is acting as their agent in endeavoring to secure these
claims
Agent Miller of Sac & Foxes who has care of these Indians has
recently been down here taking their census & looking into the
matter of their losses — John White lost 200 cattle & 43 horses &
others in proportion — These people came here a long time ago —
some from about St Louis and have been constantly improving until
the war devastated them — They left their homes & went to Kan-
sas for protection — they being loyal and because of their being
absent their property was destroyed — Their cattle were probably
stolen by army contractors & sold to the Government — on one side
or the other — Supt Hoag suggests that they should have $200 out
of the $60,000 fund for their smith work to be paid to the Black-
smith & Gun smith of the Sac & Fox agency — E. Earle & myself
coincide and feel that they need two good schools at once —
11 mo 20
Left John White's at 9 o'clock and traveled over rough & mostly
timbered road for 10 miles in a direction a little west of south to a
settlement of Shawnees a mile or two north of Little River — Here
with a Shawnee for a guide we turned west & a little Northwest
first through timber & then through marshy Prairie for 5 or 6 miles
where we crossed the Little River & camped for dinner upon its
southern bank & our guide went back — It is a narrow stream here —
perhaps 30 ft wide — about 4 feet deep & very steep banks — We
then went North West for about 5 miles & came again to the South
bank of what we suppose was the same stream & followed the
bottom in a westward & south westward direction for about 3 miles
& then crossed to its north bank & went still south westward for
about 4 miles when we camped for the night. We passed an en-
campment of Shawnees where we saw many deerskin hanging in
the trees & met the Indians not far off — They were out merely
to get skins
At 9 o'clock we read the 4th of Hebrews as we sat under our tent
before the warm camp fire & had a solemn devotional peace in
which my heart was tendered to tears in secret prayer for my dear
ones at home & especially for Bro Josiah's children — thinking it
most likely from what I last heard, that their dear mother had
before this passed to her heavenly rest.
NICHOLSON : TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 345
11 mo 21—
Beautiful, clear cold morning — ground crusted &c left about
8 o'clock & went in a westward direction about 8 miles & came
down to the Canadian River, at an old trading post now deserted,
& at a creek which we crossed near where it enters the Canadian
here we came into the road leading up from the old Seminole Agency
& were soon joined by one which we suppose came from a ford of
the Canadian tho we did not go down to the bank. We saw a road
on the Southern bank which seemed to lead over the hills in a South
western direction — We here turned N. West & traveled about 10
or 12 miles & came to an old deserted trading post near a creek
where the road forked & we stopped for dinner. Then about 8 miles
further we came to another creek with a bad crossing, where was
once a bridge, but it was broken down — we rode 12 or 14 miles
further & camped near a creek — Our general course has been
nearly north but slightly west of north — very little timber — poor
prairie some buffalo grass — we have seen 10 deer — 4 wolves
& E. H. killed one prairie hen today —
We have not seen a human being today — Weather clear & this
forenoon a very cold wind nearly facing us — but afternoon very
pleasant — The creeks which we have crossed this afternoon have run
towards the north Fork of the Canadian — Camped & rested pretty
well „
11 mo 22—
Left about 8 and quickly came upon several flocks of wild turkeys
— from 10 to 12 in each — E. H & Cyrus each killed one — in a
mile or two we came to a deep large stream, which we suppose to
be the North Fork of the Canadian — We crossed it and traveled
all day in a North west direction going probably 35 miles or 40 —
We crossed some rapid streams with very steep banks. The water
was not deep but there were evidences in the drift that one of these
sometimes rises 20 feet above its present level — These creeks &
very many ravines were very bad to cross — Near night E. H.
sat in the carriage & killed a prairie chicken & as we approached
some timber to look for a camping place we found turkeys perched
in the trees — The streams this afternoon run in a North Eastern
direction as though they are branches of the Red Fork of the Arkan-
saw — The waters must be very red during a freshet as indicated
by the land and by the water stains upon the trees — The ground
is very barren — & as our Corn is exhausted it is really a hard time
for our horses — There is very little grass & that is mostly dry —
346 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
We are greatly blessed with good dry weather though it is quite
cool — We think we have missed the right road to the Cheyenne
Agency — but have not seen a single human being today — We
passed a Prairiedog village this afternoon — Had a pretty com-
fortable night altho the wind blew so hard before morning that we
thought our tent likely to blow over.
[Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency]
11 mo. 23 —
Cyrus killed another turkey this morning — We started at 8
o clock & in an hour or two came in sight of water some miles away
— & finally reached it & crossed it. I suppose we traveled about 8
miles & we concluded it must be Red Fork — we went on a few
miles further & came in sight of a wagon moving southward, (we
moving N. West & soon found that we were approaching the road
leading from Wichita, Kansas to the Cheyenne Agency and the
wagon men soon relieved us of our uncertainty & by some persuasion
we secured a few oats for our horses — We fed them, recrossed the
Red Fork, a few miles above where we had just crossed it & went
on over a very good road for 30 miles & reached the Cheyenne &
Arapahoe Agency about 6 o'clock — & found comfortable quarters
at Agent Darlington's — We are blessed with good health and I
trust are thankful for our many favors —
After sunset we saw some turkeys about a hundred yards from the
road perched in trees & Cyrus killed two at one shot. He & Enoch
saw a large buck in the morning when they went to get the horses as
they were lariatted some distance from our tent in the best grass
that could be found — Our horses held out nobly for all they had
so little to eat for the last two days — We now suppose that the
deep stream we passed yesterday about 8 or 10 miles beyond North
Fork of the Canadian was Chisholm's Creek, a branch of the Red
Fork or sometimes called Cimarone River (More probably it was
the head of Deep Fork)
11 mo— 24
Blessed with refreshing sleep — It being thanksgiving day, the
employees of the Government are released from duty and so Agent
Darlington proposed a meeting
We were willing & at 10% we met a considerable company & I
think we found it a profitable opportunity — I spoke upon thanks-
giving as the duty & privilege of Christians, but that no acts of
thanksgiving are valueless unless they are the outspringing of a right
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 347
state of mind — That we must come to a proper appreciation of
our Heavenly Father's mercies and avail ourselves of his kindness
through Christ Jesus before we can be truly thankful — & when
we do avail ourselves of the offers of his love, we shall give up our
wills to His — give him the preference trust Him — believe his
truth believe what the Bible says not a part only but all — &
accepting the truth of our fallen nature we come to true repentance
& desire for deliverance from both the guilt & the dominion of sin
through our Lord Jesus Christ &c. &c. & then followed in exhorta-
tion & then in prayer for ability to see ourselves as we are & to be
delivered from all sin & prepared for heaven while we live here &c.
&c. Edward Earle then spoke & then E. Hoag followed, all in good
spirit & to good purpose —
In afternoon we held a council with Bigmouth, White Crow &
Yellow Horse, three Arapahoe Chiefs who want to follow the white
man's road & to live in peace — They are represented by agent
Darlington as very good men They plead for help and encourage-
ment. They say that their own people & the Kiowas & Comanches
are opposed to their following the ways of white people & talk about
them very much They say that much has been promised to be
done for those Indians who would settle down & they are now as
much settled as possible and want some help in getting things ar-
ranged
They want chickens, and plows & wagons & cooking utensils &c
White Crow's son was found dead last summer and it was supposed
that some Osages who left the place about that time had murdered
him and so the Arapahoes talked of making war upon the Osages —
But upon consultation White Crow said that if they succeeded in
killing some of the Osages, it would not bring his boy to life again
and that he desired them to refrain from war — that if he could
forgive the Osages and bury the whole matter & live in peace, he
thought his people ought to be willing to do the same — This seems
remarkable for an Indian — Can white men who profess Christian-
ity show more of the Christian spirit
Brinton Darlington Agent
Jesse Townsend Elma Townsend Soninlaw & daughter of Agt
Jos. Jon Hoag Israel & Ruth Negus John Williams, Blacksmith
Dr. [omission] Henley — John Smith Interpreter —
Menimic — Head Cheyenne Chief
Powder Face 1 . , . .
Left Hand \ Arapahoe chiefs
348 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
These Indians suffer some from Intermittents when confined near
the Agency — But are healthier when upon the hunt — The
Cheyennes are a strong healthy people — The Arapahoes are much
affected with Syphilitic affections — mostly secondary. Their women
are muscular and suffer very little in childbirth — They bury the
best clothing, bows & arrows & some food with the dead & kill the
best horse at the grave — that they may have every thing ready
for their journey at the resurrection — They believe in a happy
place for the good & an evil place for the bad — They are Mono-
theists — and when they feel badly or are in distress they offer their
own blood in sacrifice, cutting their bodies —
Red Moon, Little Bear, Lean Bear, Good Bear & Bear's Tongue
******
Arapahoe head men
Little Raven Big Mouth
Spotted Wolf White Crow
Storm Yellow Horse
Ice Bird Chief
Powder Face Tall Bear
Left Hand's (Bro represent) Yellow Bear's Band rep
Head men of Cheyennes
Big Jake Bear's Tongue
Little Robe (Menimics band) Bear Shield
Sitting Bear Lean Bear
Heap of Birds Whirlwind Junr
Big Horse Stone Calf
White Beard White Bull
Red Moon Good Bear
Wolf's Road Lone Chief
(When a man will not take advice the Indian expression is — "He has no
ears.")
******
The bands of all the above chiefs have been in & drawn rations at
the Agency since leaving for their Fall hunt notwithstanding Col.
Nelson's statement to the War Department, that they would never
return — They include the entire tribes of Cheyenne & Arapahoes.
Little Heart — a Kiowa Chief
Apaches — Tracy —
Big Mouth, Arapahoe, commanded the Indian troop which slaugh-
tered Major Elliott & his command, perhaps the day after Black
Kettle's Camp was destroyed — Big Mouth has Major Elliott's
horse yet.
NICHOLSON : TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 349
11 mo. 26th
Fine cool weather — Council with some Cheyenne Chiefs — Red
Moon did the speaking Said the whole Cheyenne tribe was bound
to the peace by what had been said — That they will use all their
influence for peace — Complains of the prohibition of Ammuni-
tion— do not want it for any evil purposes but to kill small game —
That the prohibition gives some of their men the idea that the
object of the Government is to disarm them & make them weak so
it can easily destroy them — They do not want to be confined to
a small reservation — want the privilege of hunting and moving
around — Do not like to be prohibited from going into Camp
Supply — Do not want Railroads to come through their country —
for then bad white men will come in as they did in the Smoky Hill
Country & drive the Indian out —
[Wichita Agency]
Left at 9% for Wichita Agency — Crossed the Big Canadian at
12 o clock but Brinton Darlington & J J Hoag being in Com-
pany & stopping to let their horses drink the wheels settled in the
mud & when the horses started the Doubletrees broke & it was quite
a job to get the Ambulance out of the Quicksand — this river is
% of a mile wide but does not seem to have any more water in it
than the North Fork which is not more than 100 feet wide — neither
stream seems to have as much water here as they do above — it
seems to sink away in the Sand — So also of the Arkansaw & may
be the sources of springs in some lower country many miles away —
These Sandy bottoms are very treacherous & it is not safe for a
team to stop in crossing — The quicker you cross the better —
Going on 8 or 10 miles further we came to a fine valley which
gradually winds south ward to the Washita River but we found some
dangerous places in it — One of our wheels horses suddenly sunk
in the mud and the wheels on one side of the Ambulance went to
the hub — We loosened the horses as soon as possible and then by
fastening two of them to the end of the pole and digging with the
Spade in front of the wheels we succeeded with difficulty in extricat-
ing it — We crossed Sugar Creek about dark & arrived at Shirley's
trading post at 8 o'clock — We got some supper here and the privi-
lege of spreading our robes & blankets on the floor —
There were some men there working for Shirly & Agent Richards
& they had a man to cook for them & he kindly offered to prepare
supper for us — Agent Richards has gone to Lawrence & his Indians
350 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
are upon the hunt — his house is partly built & is located % of a
mile N. W. of the trading post which is close to the falls of Washita
River— 2 [?] ft of fall—
[Kiowa and Comanche Agency]
11 mo. 27—
After Breakfast B. Darlington proposed to have the men of this
place collected & read in the Bible before we leave — I went out
& asked them if they were willing to come in — They readily as-
sented & about a dozen gathered in — all that were there. E. H.
proposed 55th of Isaiah — I read it & then after a pause spoke from
our Savior text — "Repent ye & believe the Gospel/' explaining the
nature of repentance — That it was not simply a sorrow for one sin,
or for many sins, but an earnest desire & purpose also to turn from
& be delivered from all sin — both its guilt & its power — that the
invitation is to all — Every one — that our being exhorted to seek
the Lord whilst he may be found intimates that there is a time
when he cannot be found &c. &c — Then soon followed in prayer that
as in mercy we were preserved unto this day, He would put into
our hearts the desire to be made wholly his — to follow him to give
our wills to him — & thus to be made partakers of his love &
mercy here & hereafter &c
We then started on our journey saw Mt Scott in the south —
dined at the Cache Creek & bearing around to the East & South
East of the Wichita mountains we came to Medicine Lodge Cr
which joins Cache Cr at Ft Sill which we reached at Sunset &
passed on a mile further to the Agency & were kindly entertained by
Laurie Tatum — Most of the Indians are upon the hunt. Their
annuity goods are not here — Left Ft Harker 7th & may be two
months on the road (350 miles) ox team probably
The treaty provides for the goods to be delivered on 15th of
10 mo — just when the Indians need them as their clothing is then
much worn.9 After this time when the Indians are getting good
robes they do not so much need their clothing — Robes $10. best —
The annuity gds are transported by the military & they have so
much to do of their own that it is always very late before they reach
9. In a section of miscellaneous matter in the back of his diary, Nicholson makes the
following entry: "1871 1/8. Josiah Butler writes from Kiowa and Comanche Agency that
the Annuity goods, due 10/15, 1870 had not yet arrived. Neither have their rations come.
The Commissary department of the Agency has been buying & borrowing sugar for months —
the stock of bacon also is exhausted — Also states that it is reported the Indiana made a
raid into Texas on the 2nd of 12 mo. last, and 12 miles from Montague killed a woman A
three children, seriously wounded & scalped another woman & slightly wounded a boy A
left three children in the house unhurt — The report had not been confirmed."
NICHOLSON: TOUR OP INDIAN AGENCIES 351
the Indians goods — It would be better for the Interior department
to do its own freighting for it has to pay for it any way & is so
much longer about it — The Military ordered the man of whom
they bought beef to turn the whole amount contracted for at one
time — The contract had bound him to deliver a few at a time as
they were wanted at 2% cts gross — But as he turned over the entire
amount (4000 head) at once, it has cost $15000 to herd them —
The Indians get so much buffalo that they do not want much beef —
The trader did not gain the whole $15000 because he had to be in
a hurry to fill his contract & he would not have bought the whole at
once & so would not have been at the entire expense of herding —
Little Heart, the Kiowa Chief who is said to have killed the
Mexican at Camp Supply on the night of about 29 or 30 of 6 mo —
has recently died — out upon the plains —
11 mo— 28th
Cloudy morning — &c
Nearly all the bands of these Indians have been engaged in raid-
ing this year and quite a number of the Wichitas & affiliated bands —
The Qua ha dee or Roving Comanches have never come in upon
the reservation — never draw rations & declare that they never
will come in. This band is a nucleus — Its size is very variable
depending upon how many of other bands may join them tem-
porarily for raiding purposes — thus the blame is thrown upon the
Qua ha dees when in reality it is mostly members of other bands.
The Mexican influence is also very bad — Many Mexicans are
amongst them as Indians — They go down into Mexico and get
guns & ammunition and tell the Indians that they have a great
Father in their country as big as the one at Washington and much
kinder to the Indian because he will let them have all the ammuni-
tion &c they can buy and does not care how much they raid upon
the Texans
The Wild Apaches of New Mexico now camped on Head Waters
of Brazos are coming amongst these Indians, as the Government is
fighting them there and that is an additional reason for solicitude &
of probable future trouble —
The Comanches 10 years ago were in Texas and farming and herd-
ing to a considerable extent But the Texans drove them from the
country & killed their Agent upon his return — The Indians will
not forget all this — They laugh at the Kiowas & Apaches and call
them cowards and women & in this way they induce them to join
their raids — They moreover say that when they are quiet the
352 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Government does not do much for them, but when they go to war
then they are well treated & have many presents Say they can
always tell when they will have an abundance of presents & when
they will have very few — Very many of them were sick last year
& died & they thought they must kill some body for that also —
They complain that the Government shows a want of confidence
in them
In regard to the beef contract, which Col. Lee ordered to be closed
at once, on 1st of 7 mo when the Commissary was turned over to
Agent Tatum, a few were selected and weighed & the others esti-
mated by the weight of these — One lot was appraised by two men
one of whom was selected by Agent Tatum & the other by the man
who sold the cattle & the other lot was appraised by two military
men who were considered to be good judges About 1000 head were
sold to the Cheyenne & Arapahoe Agency — Another thousand have
been used here — & there are about 2000 now on hand — There is
a regular account kept with the mill & the product of the mill in
toll is applied for any expenses which may be necessary about the
mill or house — a full account being kept, but not put upon the de-
partment books, because it would have to go upon the property
return & would give much more trouble — The wheat is ground and
sold to the Military for horse feed — as there are no flour mill or
bolt. There are about 800 bushels & sold at $3.00 (5 cts pr Ib)
There is also a fair crop of corn — but this will be necessary to feed
the mules —
The rations turned over to L. Tatum by N. D. Badgeon 11 mo
1869 — which had apparently been issued, were sold for over $4466
and entered upon his books and applied for the benefit' of the
Indians as is clearly shown by his books in the office — The house
Built by Col Boone for an Agency is turned into a farmer's house
because it is too far away across the Creek for the Agent's house
& is just where it is wanted for a farmer's house — It is adobe &
no rock at the bottom — & he has built an Agent's house out of the
money appropriated for the putting up of houses for employees &
built it where it is much more convenient — These matters all seem
to be entirely correct although upon the department reports they
are not exhibited.
11 mo— 29
Edward Earle & myself have examined carefully the books &
accounts of Agent Tatum and we do not discover anything that is
not entirely correct and straightforward — He believes that he will
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 353
have ample funds for all his estimates of the current fiscal year —
There is a balance of the $20,000 appropriation not yet expended,
amounting to over $6000 — some of which he wishes to be used for
educational purposes & some for assisting in erecting houses for
chiefs &c. &c.
Charles Ehresman Interpreter for Kiowas Comanches & Apaches
Lone Wolf ^|
Kicking Bird V Kiowa Chiefs
Tumbling Bird J
Pacer — Apache
Lone Wolf complains of the witholding of ammunition — thinks
it because the government wants to take the advantage of them —
complains of Gen Nelson's driving them away from the vicinity
of Camp Supply — said they went there because they were so
sickly near the Agency and that is why they gave up farming —
they thought something was wrong or else they would not be sick
& die & so they wanted to try their old way of living again — Com-
plains that their annuity goods had not come & wants E. H to
give them some presents — that their women are naked & they
want tobacco blankets and kettles & a great many other things —
complains that the Texans kill so many of them that they want to
kill some Texans also — Again & again he calls for powder &
lead thinks we are big enough chiefs to give them a little to go
hunting has been waiting two days to see us & when he heard last
night that we had come, they were all so glad they could not sleep —
that we were all big Captains from Washington and he thought we
might give them a little for killing birds, turkeys deer & buffalo &c —
300 Apaches
1896 Kiowas
2742 Comanches
1000 Quahadas—
Lone Wolf says that none of the Kiowas will go — & none of the
Apaches to the Grand Council He will not talk about anything
but ammunition He says if they go to the Council all their words
will fall to the ground — the white people wont pay any attention
to them Then they persistently demand presents of clothing &c
&c — E. H offered them tobacco & apples — they said they did not
want them they wanted clothes & thought he might go to the
traders & buy some — E. H. told him he did not have money —
They said he might go to the trader's & borrow some & pay the
trader when the annuity goods came — that they did not expect
23—5574
354 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
the goods would be here until winter was over or summer had come —
& they said it is cold now & they want goods now They have al-
ways been used to have big chiefs give them something when they
come. They think it strange we do not give something to them
Kiowas 1896
Apaches 300
Comanches 2742
4938
Quahadas 1000
Total 5938
Satanta complains of ammunition being withheld — says that
he wants Enoch to tell his Great Father at Washington that if he
will move Texas farther off he will not raid there any more that
he wants Camp Supply removed & he wants ammunition — He
says they raided last summer because they could not get ammuni-
tion— That they think the white people want to fall upon them
and destroy them & that is why they will not let them have ammuni-
tion He says he does not want to go to Washington — but wants
E. H to tell his Great Father what he says & then if he will send
him some ammunition, perhaps after a while he will go to Wash-
ington & see him —
There were Sioux Indians here last summer —
Gen. B. H. Grierson believes that the troubles last summer were
the result of a preconcerted arrangement between the Sioux, &
all the plains Indians for a general Indian war. But as Red Cloud
went to Washington & the thing was broken up, the difficulties in
this vicinity did not amount to much — He seems disposed not
to use his soldiers except in extreme necessity.
We dined to-day (29th) with Genl Grierson & had much interest-
ing conversation on the subject of the Indians & their management
He proposes to concentrate the troops at Fort Sill He objects to
setting a part of the Kiowa reservation to the Wichitas — says all
the Indians object to it and that it will lead to difficulty — but that
those Indians are welcome to remain — only the Kiowas do not want
any of their territory cut off— They will say that next thing
another part will be set off to some other Indians & then another
&c until they will have nothing left — The Wichitas &c used to
live here near these Mountains and consider that this is just the
place for them — that it is their home &c but are willing to re-
main on the Washita River
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 355
The Comanches — Caddoes, Wacoes &c were located on the
Brazos River near Camp Cooper 99° Long — 33' Latitude in 1855 and
in 1859 they were driven out of the country by the Texans —
[Chickasaw Agency]
11 mo 30th
Left Kiowa & Comanche Agency at 7% A. M. & took the road
Eastward towards Cherokee town on the Washita River — A
beautiful clear cold day — after some rain & wind — We feel grate-
ful for so much good weather — At 30 miles we passed within 2^2
miles of Dr. Sturns — south of the road — We camped about 40
miles from fort Sill & had an excellent rest — & this morning — 12 mo
1st we are off at 7% — We found good roads yesterday afternoon
Read the 4th of John before retiring last night — Cyrus killed a
turkey just before we started — There were very many near our
camp & a great many prairie chickens were near our road for the
first 2 hours — We saw a large Buck also & several flocks of wild
geese — In about 10 miles we came to where the road from the
Wichita Agency came into ours & then we kept down the Washita
valley — passing one Ranche — some herds of cattle — The valley
is from one to 2 miles wide & very fertile, the musquite grass being
green in many parts of it and looking as if it would afford pasturage
all winter — We passed on after dinner across a deep Creek &
then down the valley of the Washita to Smith Paul's large farm —
then took the left to the Ferry opposite Cherokee Town — crossed
by moonlight & then went to Dr. Shirley's 2 miles beyond Cherokee
Town, through a muddy circuitous route — Smith Paul's farm
will yield 200,000 bushels of corn this year — He is a Georgian who
married a Chickasaw woman. A man can occupy all the land that
he will fence & is entitled to a strip 1/4 of a mile all around his
fence — so that no one shall encroach upon his pasture & timber —
There are about 5000 Chickasaws & 1500 Freedmen — These Freed-
men are not citizens The Chickasaws voted according to treaty to
allow the $300,000 which the Government was to pay them for the
Kiowa Reservation to be appropriated for the Colonizing of the
Colored people — But nothing has been done yet by the Govern-
ment & the Chickasaws will probably now be willing to let them re-
main as citizens At present they are not amenable to law and are
engaged sometimes in Cattle Stealing & other improper practices.
The Chickasaws are sending their children to the States to be
educated, as their law allows their school fund to be used in this
356 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
way. The colored people have no right to any lands and if one
makes any improvements a Chickasaw can come in and expel him —
Dr John Shirley is a trader here & brother of Wm Shirley trader
at the Wichita— He lives about 80 miles from Ft. Sill & just about
half way between Ft Arbuckle & old Ft. Arbuckle.
12 mo-2nd
We have had excellent accommodations (for this country) at Dr.
Shirley's — Good feather beds — a stove in each room &c — The
morning is very fine — clear, cool & frosty — We trust we are not
altogether devoid of appreciating these blessings — "Bless the Lord
Oh my Soul & forget not all his benefits — "
We traveled over a road quite muddy from recent rain & crossed
the Canadian at Topofki ford, 5 miles above the mouth of Topofki
Creek, a little before Sunset — The water was not deep but it is
a treacherous bottom & we kept the horses moving on a brisk walk,
for fear of quicksand — were favored with safe crossing and found
accommodation at the house of an industrious colored man named
Tecumseh, who lives about one mile north of the Canadian —
Tecumseh has between 200 & 300 hogs— 200 cattle & 21 horses-
he lost much stock during the war — His hogs get fat on acorns
& those that are designed for bacon, he drives up & fattens on corn —
But he eats a great deal of fresh pork — Says that he kills a hog
every other day — there being other families around — He has 6
children — no school for his children. He was a slave to a Creek
Indian and came when quite small with his parents & master from
Alabama when the Creeks were removed thence He speaks English
well & is enterprising & industrious — He has one small very com-
fortable log house for travelers with a good bed in it & this was
placed at our disposal — 2 of us occupied the bed & two arranged
robes &c upon the floor — had a splendid fire & felt that we were
well provided for — Our horses too were well supplied 'with corn
well cured blade fodder (the first we have had) hay — oats &c. We
have traveled 30 miles to day.
12 mo— 3rd
Blessed with a very comfortable rest upon robes, blankets &c
upon the floor — A good breakfast & ready to leave at a little
before 8. A very mild clear morning — Wind from the South,
indicating rain — I read some chapters in the Bible to Tecumseh
& his family last night & we explained matters as well as we could
to them — His wife is a Baptist — They occasionally have meet-
ings at his house — It is a pity they cannot have a school in that
NICHOLSON : TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 357
neighborhood — We traveled for 15 miles to Little River — here
we found a considerable company on each side, detained by high
water — No ferry boat — water 15 ft — river about 75 ft wide —
Indications of rain — river rising instead of falling & no prospect of
its being fordable in a week —
From the Kiowa & Comanche Agency at Fort Sill to Dr. Sturn's
a little south of the road leading to Cherokee Town is about 30
miles — From Dr. Sturn's to Cherokee Town a mile or two east
of the Washita is 50 miles from Cherokee Town to the Canadian
is 30 miles from Canadian to Little River is 15 miles — from Little
River to the Seminole Agency is 15 miles — from Seminole Agency
to Okmulgee is 50 miles & thence to Ft Gibson is 50 miles — From
Ft Sill to Ft Gibson is 240 miles
We got the assistance of 2 colored men & one Seminole and all
hands went to work to make a raft and got it launched by night.
[Seminole Agency]
12 mo— 4th
Commenced to raft — sent over baggage — then wheels then
ambulance body &c assisted by Lieutenants Doyle & Beck & Willey
& their men — We got over & then swam the horses — It was near
eleven o'clock before we got started — & but for there being a
heavy force of men there we could not have succeeded — Lieut
Willey was in charge of a large train of commissary stores for Ft
Sill and was on the North Bank & his teamsters helped us to pull
the Ambulance off the raft & put on the wheels & then pull it up
the bank — The ambulance weighs about 1200 Ibs — The other
Lieutenants were on the South bank and were traveling in the same
direction that we were — It is First day morning & it seems much
like work — but the Council is to convene tomorrow 55 miles away
and it seems necessary to hasten (Dr. Bryner of Pittsburg is the
New Seminole Agent)
We reached Seminole Agency at 2. o'clock & got dinner — then
drove until night when the forward wheel striking a stump, caused a
fracture of our carriage pole, so we camped for the night & by 9
o'clock next morning we had a new oak sapling pole & started on
our journey — We crossed North Fork of the Canadian on a good
Ferry boat — and also Deep Fork and reached Okmulgee about
moonlight — finding comfortable quarters for this country at [omis-
sion] Smith's — Not very many members of the Council have
arrived yet.
358 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
[Okmulgee and the Meeting of the General Council of the Indian
Territory]
12 mo —6—
The weather is cool & looks as if we might have snow — Smith
is a white man but his wife is colored — She keeps an excellent
table — The colored people in the Creek country are upon an equal
footing with the Indians & a man who marries a colored woman
becomes a member of the nation the same as if he had married an
Indian woman.
They have excellent Sandstone here for building purposes — some
of it fine enough for grindstones. It hardens upon exposure to the
air — We saw some beautiful specimens, scattered over the hills,
yesterday. They seemed to be fragments of a solidified stratum of
reddish sand over which water had been flowing & left it in ridges of
a waving character — We often see the sand left in just such a
condition upon the subsidence of a stream — in waving ridges — just
imagine such a surface to become petrified & then by some upheaval
broken into fragments of from 6 by 8 inches up to two or three feet
square & from 3 to 6 inches in thickness & we have somewhat the
idea
At 2 o'clock the Council convened — but there was not a quorum
present — Credentials were presented by several who were not here
at the last Session President Hoag made remarks encouraging the
members to confer with one another and endeavor to mature their
views & plans of legislation so that when a quorum should arrive,
they might be able to act promptly & wisely.
He advised them to consider themselves as persons who were sent
here to devise measures (not of their own personal aggrandizement)
but for the good of their people at home — that legislatures 'should
remember that their power comes from the people & that it is their
duty to look to the true interests of the people & that their atten-
tion should be given to those educational, agricultural, & general
industrial measures which will tend to the elevation & permanent
improvement of the tribes which they represent — Upon motion
the Council then adjourned until tomorrow 9 A. M.
This General Council consists of delegates from each of the tribes
that chooses to be represented, and that lives in the Indian Terri-
tory— Each tribe is entitled to one delegate & then to an addi-
tional one for every thousand people or fractional part of a thousand
above five hundred — Major Vore, Secretary pro tern — (Vore)
(Vore)
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 359
12/7—
Council met — no quorum Some addition was made to a few of
the Committees — Super Hoag gave a short account of the condi-
tion of some of the tribes, which he had recently visited — & called
for remarks from any members who were willing to speak — Francis
King, of the Ottawas said his people have only been in the territory
2 years — that they are now improving in civilization — have
mostly good houses — a saw mill — a good school and religious
meeting every Sunday — He bore testimony to the great value of
the Sabbath meetings, both as a religious point of view and as a
civilizing institution — that before they had these meetings, if you
went over to a neighbors at 8 or 9 o clock of a Sunday morning,
you would find the morning's work unfinished — the dishes un-
washed upon the table — the children with their soiled clothes &
other evidences of sloth and carelessness — but now they provide all
the week for Sunday — rise early that day — put the house in
order — dress the children in clean clothing and go promptly to
their meetings — He said his people were deeply interested in the
proceedings of this Council and he hoped the stronger tribes repre-
sented in the Council would not oppress the weaker — that he him-
self felt an obligation to look to the interest of his neighbor as well
as to his own interest and he sincerely hoped all the members would
be influenced by such a consideration in their deliberations — He
furthermore said that many of the delegates present are men of edu-
cation and intelligence and capable of expressing themselves clearly
and forcibly and that many others like himself had had fewer
opportunities — could speak English with difficulty and had had no
experiences in legislative matters — This diversity leads to some
delay and hesitation — the former class do not like to say much
because they suppose it will not be understood or appreciated & the
latter because they feel distrustful of their capacity to express them-
selves These hindrances will gradually diminish and he looked
hopefully to the future —
Augustus Captain, of the Osages said his people were out upon
the plains hunting buffalo — that the matter of securing a home
in the Indian Territory had been delayed by unavoidable causes —
that they had given up their homes in Kansas because the settlers
had treated them so badly — and were now practically homeless —
he could not say that they gave much encouragement to schools
and civilizing influences as the treatment which they had received
at the hands of the whites tended to prejudice them against the
360 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
ways of the white man — President Hoag said he was sorry for
all this but believed the land question would soon be settled & hoped
the future of the Osages upon their new home would be brighter
than the past —
Edward Earle addressed a few words of encouragement to the
Council and assured them of the great interest which he felt in the
welfare of their race — spoke of the great kindness and hospitality
which we had received from them on this journey, in such striking
contrast with what had so often been represented as to their savage
and barbarous nature &c — After the Council a Cherokee named
W. A. Duncan who lives near the Arkansas line and who is evi-
dently a man of education and intelligence, thanked E. E. for the
kindly interest which he manifested in the Indians. Said it re-
joiced him to find that they have some friends in the midst of the
general indifference & hostility manifested towards them — He is
not a member of the Council but being in Okmulgee on business
came in out of interest in the proceedings — Council adjourned
to 9 A. M. to-morrow.
W. A. Duncan called upon us after dinner and we had much in-
teresting conversation. We find him very intelligent, of a well
balanced mind, well educated and a minister of the Methodist
Church — His address is Evansville Arkansas & he resides on Bar-
ren Fork of Illinois river near the Arkansas line and perhaps 20
miles East of Tahlequa or a little North East —
There are of the Cherokees 18000 of all ages, & colors — they
have about 42 public schools — their colored people have separate
schools — Thirty five per cent of all funds due the nation & which
may hereafter accrue to them are appropriated to the support of
common Schools and for other educational purposes — the people
in the Eastern part of the Cherokee nation are largely engaged in
farming — wheat does remarkably well — corn & sweet potatoes
also — In the western portion of the nation, stock raising is the
chief occupation of the people — We feel a great desire to en-
courage education amongst them and that they would as soon as
possible, have native teachers — We feel very desirous also of en-
couraging Normal Schools that the System of instruction in their
schools may be improved as rapidly as possible. At night W. A.
Duncan had a religious meeting of an interesting character. He
spoke from the text "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" —
gave a description of the attributes of the Creator — his love —
his justice — his mercy — his truth & truthfulness &c. & improved
NICHOLSON : TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 361
the teaching of these truths by an Exhortation to all present to ac-
cept in their hearts the God of the Bible and to endeavor to be as
near like him as possible — to copy his character — to imitate
in our example and life that which he reveals to us as his character —
They then sang in Muscogee language, in a very earnest and spirited
manner —
1 then spoke a few words and Thomas Miller followed — They
then sang again — The Minister spoke in English and what he &
the rest of us spoke was interpreted in very good style by a young
man David Hodge into the Muscogee language — Checota, head
chief of the Creeks is a minister and very earnest 2160 Semi-
noles
12 mo— 8th
Council met at 9 — A. quorum present — 37 delegates present —
64 being the entire number — Journal of yesterday & day before
read & confirmed. Mr Purcy of Chickasaw amended by Scales,
Cherokee, moved appointment of Interpreters to such as need —
carried — Sands to whom was committed the duty of inviting the
wild tribes to participate by delegations in this council reports that
he sent the message but has had no reply — He sent it to the
Absentee Shawnee & they to Cheyennes &c in runner style — But
many of the tribes were on the hunt & did not hear of the request
in time for the appointment of delegates. President Hoag read an
extract from Commissioner Parker's official report just published,
giving a favorable report of the proceedings of the late session of
the Council and expressing a hope of good results from its present
session — The journal of the late session of the Convention was
then read and interpreted — 2 additional rules were introduced
regulating contested Seats of members & providing for a fine of
$4.00 for disorderly conduct or for expulsion by a 2/3 vote, if neces-
sary— Adjourned to 2 P. M.
2 P. M. — Met according to adjournment. The rule proposed for
disorderly members was rejected as an imputation upon the good
character of the Indian people. The rule concerning legal qualifi-
cations was adopted and a committee of 5 directed on Credentials —
There being 2 sets of Credentials presented by those who claim to
represent the Muscogee nation, they were referred to Com. on
Credentials
On motion a Com of 10 was appointed to propose a plan for
permanent organization of the tribes & nations of the Ind. Terri-
tory in accordance with the provisions of treaties of 1866 — ad-
journed till 9 A. M tomorrow —
362 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
12 mo 9th—
40 delegates present. President Hoag remarked that we were
dependent upon the Divine blessing for all good & that it was a
duty resting upon us all to ask for that blessing — & that a pause for
devotion would be made at the opening of each morning session & he
exhorted every member — ministers and all others to attend to their
impressions of duty & if they feel prompted by the Good Spirit to
pray publicly that they be faithful to do it. After a devotional
pause the Secretary was directed to call the roll — read minutes of
last meeting &c in routine — Adjourned to 9 o'clock to-morrow
Morning so as to give the Com. on Organization time to work as
every thing seems to hang upon the report of that Com.
******
Judge Baker — Railroad man Lobbyist
*
We had an interview to-day with John White, Joseph Ellis &
Robert Deer of the Absentee Shawnees & we propose to assist them
in building three school houses & also to help them about their
blacksmith business — there are some farming implements on the
way to them — they are a deserving people, desirous of improve-
ment but lost $200,000 dollars worth of property, in houses stock
&c during the war — About 100 have been living on Bird Creek
which runs into Cana — 175 or more are on the way from Kansas
& some Delawares from Washita are coming & there are 460 or
more already between the North Fork & Canadian — Those now
in Kansas will many of them come down & I suppose in a short time
there will be at least 700 collected in that region.
******
Mr. Cramer — teacher
Timothy Barnard — Colonel
******
12 mo— 10th
Devotional pause — Quorum — Com. on Credentials report
against 2 claimants from Creek nation — Report adopted — The
Committee on Organization report recommending a form of Govern-
ment for the Territory, republican in form, providing for Executive,
legislative & judicial departments — and to be based upon & strictly
in conformity with the various treaties of 1866 — so arranged also
as to protect the weaker tribes from oppression by the Stronger &
to promote the general good of all the nations and tribes & not to
NICHOLSON : TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 363
be binding upon any except those who accept and consent to it —
Mr. Johnson, Cherokee, opposed the report of the Com on the ground
of its not being specially provided for in the Cherokee treaty which
had been adopted as a basis of legislation He concluded his re-
marks with a motion to adjourn until 12th, 9 o'clock— Carried —
12 mo 11—
Commissioners of President arrived yesterday and to-day at 3
o'clock had meeting with delegates & others — & spoke to them upon
various matters of interest — 'I appointed a meeting for the evening
and read a part of 4th Chapter of Philippians & spoke from the 8th
verse, first dwelling upon the proofs of the authenticity of the
Bible &c & then pressing the duties prescribed therein — the evils
of war & Intemperance were specially dwelt upon and I had great
freedom of utterance especially upon the latter Subject, going into
it quite fully— Thomas Miller then spoke — Then Judge Baker
& the meeting was very quiet and orderly — Delegates mostly
present —
******
The Council met Sep— 27
Com on organization of the Council & order of business
Com on Relations with U. S.
Com on International (tribal) relations
Com on Judiciary
Com on Finance
Com on Education & Agriculture
Com on Enrolled bills
The Com on relations with U. S were were instructed to report a
memorial to President of U. S. setting forth our relations with the
Gen. Gov as defined by Treaty Stipulations, & protesting against
any legislation by Congress impairing the obligation of any treaty
provision & especially against the creation of any government over
the Ind. Territory other than that of the Gen. Council. And also
against the Sale or grant of any lands directly or contingent upon
the extinguishment of the Ind. Title to any Railroad company or
Corporation now chartered for the purpose of constructing a Rail-
road from a point north to any point south or from a point East to
any point west through the Indian Territory, or the construction of
any other R road other than those authorized by existing laws —
Assurances were sent to Kiowas Comanches Apaches — Cheyenne,
Arapahoes, Wichitas &c of friendship & kindly feeling & invitation
364 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
to meet at the next convention of the Council which adjurned till
12. 5th
******
12-11
Strangers present at Okmulgee J. D. Lang — Robert Campbell —
John V. Farwell of the President's Commission — Major Reynolds
former Seminole Agent — Mr Denman, former Super, of Northern
Superintendency — Mr. Fenlon beef contractor — Judge Baker &
Mr. Hubbell of Springfield Missouri as the agents or attorneys of
the South Pacific Rail Road — Mr. Hanna of Kansas City — Mr
M. E. Joyce reporter for N. Y. Herald — Mr (Mr Pales-Missouri
Republican) & Mr. H. A. Goldsmith of Kansas City Times — Gen
E. S. Parker Commissioner of Ind. Affairs — Dr Long of the
Chickasaw —
12-12
Quorum — Upon motion of Mr Johnson the yeas & nays were
ordered when the vote shall be taken upon the report of the Com
on organization — Mr. Ross spoke of the necessity of organiza-
tion— Legislation by the Genl Council is useless without Executive
& Judicial powers & processes He favored organization as a matter
of necessity — humanity, & essential to carrying out the principles
of the treaties of 1866 — Mr. Johnson opposed the report of the
Commit & proposed some alterations Mr. Vann again defended
the report — Mr. Folsom of the Choctaw, approves the report, but
feels they are launching upon a sea which they may never be able
to navigate — but the crisis is upon them — they must meet it— there
is difference of sentiment, but we must freely express our views &
endeavor to do the best we can under the exigencies of the times.
If we work with trusting hearts in the Great Over ruling Hand
above, we may be able to work a temporal salvation for our people
& unite ourselves under such a form of Government as shall be
favorable to the growth of a happy & great & harmonious people —
Mr Johnson again spoke in opposition — Mr Fry of Choctaw hoped
they would get to some solid foundation & all unite upon it & pro-
mote education and the spread of the Gospel & all its civilizing in-
fluences— Genl Jackson in 1837 promised us this country & took
our country in the east from us — So we were forced here — there
is no other land to which we can be removed — here are our hopes —
here the problem must be worked out — here is the place of our
destiny — let us form a government which shall be able to promote
our best interests & shall suit the Gov — U States —
NICHOLSON : TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 365
Mr La flore Choctaw defended the report — was unwilling to con-
fine himself to the Cherokee treaty — The Choctaw treaty went
further & was more conformable to the general Indian policy of the
U. S. Gov. He was willing to conform to the wishes of the U. S.
Govern in any way which did not compromise their own rights &
privileges to their own detriment — He was sorry that the move-
ment meets with opposition at the threshold — Pres. Hoag read
from the Cherokee treaty the article defining the powers of the
Council — It may legislate upon matters pertaining to the inter-
course & relations of the Indian tribes & nations & colonies of Freed-
men resident in Ter — the arrest & extradition of Criminals &
offenders escaping from one tribe to another or into any community
of freedmen the administration of justice between members of dif-
ferent tribes of said territory and persons other than Indians &
members of said tribes & nations & the common defense & safety
of the nations of said Territory He considered the last clause as
fully authorizing the proposed organization — Mr. Porter, Cherokee
defends the report of the Com. & calls for the question. Ayes 48 —
Nays 5 —
Mr. Carter, Chickasaw, moves a Com of 12 to draft a Constitu-
tion— (No law shall be enacted inconsistent with the Constitution
of the U. States or laws of Congress or existing treaty with U. S.
The legislative powers of the Council may be enlarged by consent
of the Councils & consent of President of U. S. The President
seems to have the power of suspending the operations of the laws
of the Council, when he deems it necessary)
Mr W. P. Ross Chairman of the Committee Messrs Leflore —
C. Carter— J. F. Brown F. King J. P. Folsom, G. W. John-
son C. P. H. Percy— Oktarsar Harjo (or Sands), G. W. Stid-
ham, Riley Keys — Augustus Captain — & [omission]
Adjourned to 2. o clock —
2. P. M-
Resolutions were passed expressing the gratification of the Coun-
cil at the visit and words of cheer and encouragement of Messrs.
Campbell, Lang and Farwell, Commissioners on Indian Affairs ap-
pointed by the President of the U. S. — The Committee on Agri-
culture made a very interesting report— The largest farm is that
of Smith Paul enclosing 2000 acres. The Cotton crop of Chicka-
saws is estimated at 5000 bales — Mr. Vann one of the delegates,
lost his entire herd by the war — He does not know how many
cattle he had but he knows that for several years before the war
he marked over 600 calves each year How sad the devastations of
366
THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
war — Report adopted — Mr. Brown proposed rules 1st No mem-
ber to be placed on more than 3 Committees without his consent —
2 Some one to be called upon by the President to pray before
commencing business in morning — referred to Com on Rules &
Regulations — adjourned to 9 A. M. tomorrow
Roll of Delegates-
Cherokee
J. W. Adair
Jos. F. Thompson
Muskogee or Creek
Ottawa
Eastern Shawnee
Quapaws
Senecas
Wyandottes
Confed. Peorias
Sac & Fox
Absentee Shawnee s
Osages
Seminole
Chickasaw
Choctaws
W. P. Ross
Allen Ross
John Sarcoxie
S. M. Taylor
Stealer
Ezekiel Procter
Henry Chambers
Geo. W. Johnson
D. N. Hodge — temporary
G. W. Stidham
P. Porter
G. W. Grayson, Secretary
(resigned)
S. W. Perry man
Charke
J. M. C. Smith
Francis King
Lazarus Flint
Robert Lumbard
George Spicer
George Wright
Edwd Black
Keokuk & Muttatah
John White & Joseph Ellis
(Robert Deer Interpreter)
Augustus Captain
Samuel Bevenue
Hardrope
Fushatche harjo
John F. Brown
(Brown The Trader)
Chas. P. H. Percy
Joseph James
Hopiah tubby
Campbell Leflore
John McKinney
Wm. Frye
Maha tubber
Alex R. Durant
Riley Keys
S. H. Binge
O. H. P. Brewer
J. A. Scales
Moses Alberty
Joseph Vann
Stand Watie
Mortopyarhola
Vice Grayson
J R. Moore
L. C. Ferryman
J. M. Ferryman
Oktarharsars-har j o
Timothy Barnett
G. W. Walker
(Wati-inca)
Colbert Carter
Jackson Kemp
James Thompson
Joseph P. Folsom
Alfred Wright
Coleman Cole —
NICHOLSON : TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 367
12 mo — 13—
Gen. E. S. Parker — Commissioner of Ind. Affairs, addressed the
Council — expressing his own deep interest in the welfare of the
people of this Territory and also the deep interest of the President
of the United States and of many members of Congress He ex-
pressed the hope that this Council would take such a course as
would organize the nations & tribes of the territory into a com-
pact, territorial government for mutual protection and encourage-
ment He believed it most likely that Congress will accept the
presence of a delegate from this Government, who shall be charged
with the duty of representing in Congress the interests of the People
of this territory and that the territorial Government may in due
time be changed into that of a State Government & thus the
Territory become a State with all the privileges of any other in the
Union — He also recommended the opening in the Territory of a
United States Court, because it subjects the people here to a great
deal of trouble to have to go out of the Territory to attend the
Courts of the U. States — besides it is necessary for the people
here to become accustomed to forms of law. It would be better also
for juries to be formed of Indians for the trial of cases arising in
the Courts — Another point is that, other friendly tribes may be
introduced into this territory — This will require some legislation —
that there may be some uniformity of action in the matter —
He wished them also to indicate their preference of a Secretary —
He should be a man in whom they have full confidence — He
should not be partisan — Should not favor one tribe more than
another — He will commission such a man, as they will prefer —
It is important for the journal to be accurate and such in every re-
spect as will command the respect of Congress, when submitted to
their inspection — He was responded to by C. Leflore of the
Choctaws & by P. Porter of the Creeks & that very handsomely —
Remarks also by Farwell & Lang of President's Commission —
Com. Parker says Sen Harlan has introduced a bill for the recep-
tion of a delegate from the Territory & that his idea is to form a
Territorial Government, preparatory to a State Gov as in other
cases —
2. o'clock
Committee on Constitution granted privilege of retiring— ad-
journed to 9 o'clock —
368 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
12 mo— 14—
Mr. Scales — Resolution requesting the Supert of Southern Super-
intendency to inform through their respective agents, the wild tribes
of the plains, that the Cherokees &c have met in general Council
and wish to extend to them the assurances of their friendship &
kindly feeling and their desire that these tribes should maintain the
peace amongst themselves & with the people of the Un S. & that
this is the object of the Confederation as well as to promote the
general welfare of all Indians & secure peace amongst them —
secure their lands exclusively to themselves & to their children
referred to Com on Intertribal relations — (Adopted)
Sec. Interior, through Commissioner of Ind Affairs appoints
George W. Grayson Secretary of the Great Council to hold said
office during pleasure of said Seer. Interior — Vote of thanks to
Maj. J. G. Vore for the satisfactory manner in which he has per-
formed his duty as temporary Seer of this Council & requesting the
Pres. to make him due compensation for his services — Adjr 9 A. M.
Tomorrow
At a Conference of the Council of the Creek Nation — Checote —
(Governor presiding) — presented to Commissioner Parker the case
of Surveying Creek lands — that of two white Creeks now con-
fined in jail in Arkansas who having lived here from childhood &
been adopted into the nation were placed upon the Light horse or
Police of the nation and were present and participated in the at-
tempt to arrest a Creek charged with crime.
He resisted and was killed Who of the Police force did the killing
is unknown but as they were whites they were considered subject to
U. States law & arrested for trial — Also the case of funds im-
properly paid by Late Agent Capt Fields, of the orphan Fund —
Also the case of Traders licensed by the agent who refused to respect
the Nation's laws in prohibiting the selling of goods on the Sabbath
day—
The Commissioner informed him that Wm Rankin had been
ordered to resurvey the Creek lands as the former survey is not
satisfactory — Also that it is probable the Seminoles were located
too far East and that perhaps some change in the Creek line may be
necessary in order to prevent disturbing the Seminoles —
As to the men in Prison, the Government claims jurisdict over
all white men whether in the Ind. Ter. or not. They can either
defend them as Creeks and if convicted appeal to the U. States
President & he will probably pardon — or they may present all the
facts in the case to the Attorney General & perhaps he would direct
NICHOLSON : TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 369
a nolle prosequi — He would inquire into the money case & no
agent will be allowed to violate the Sabbath laws of the nation —
John Chupco, Chief of the Seminoles was in 1859 a blanket
Indian in Florida — but now has 140 acres in cultivation and a large
amount of stock. He is a Presbyterian & an excellent man — About
500 came when he did from Florida. Chupco, loyal —
The Seminoles on one occasion wanting beef & flour for a Council
meeting were offered what they wanted for rails and in 24 hours
they split 3100 rails & purchased what they desired — The beef
was supplied by (E J. Brown) Brown the trader —
A Seminole Indian seeing John F. Brown making a Field Gate
stood by and watched him all day long — Next day he went to
the Sawmill & bought timber and when (E. J. Brown) Brown went
to his house not long after, the Indian had made 5 or 6 gates and
erected them in different parts of his own farm —
John Jumper, the other chief of Seminoles is a Baptist minister,
an excellent man, very industrious and has an excellent farm Mr
Brown has sold them over 180 wagons since the war — this shows
thrift — for they paid for them with their own earnings —
12—15—
A committee of three on Revision of the journal — to produce the
revised copy to be read in Council before its adjournment — Allen
Ross G. W. Walker & E. J. Brown Com on revision — Adjourned
to 2 o'clock —
Will meet the wild tribes in Council whenever practicable &
desired by the Superintendent of Ind. Affrs.
Adjourned to 9 A. M. Tomorrow
******
12—16
Education —
Choctaws — neighborhood schools & maintaining about 20 youths
at schools in the States — A male & a female Boarding School are
to be opened as by authority of Council — Annual school fund
$30,000— Neighborhood schools 3 for each of 16 counties = 48—
Children at each 20 to 40 — Whole number of children of the
Choctaw Nation at School 1460 Population 16,000 to 17,000—
Cherokee — Population about 17,000 School & orphan fund con-
sists of money invested in State & U. S. bonds 596-140, 219,774
School Fund $596,140
Orphan Fund 219,774
5 to 7 percent interest
24—5574
370 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
48 Public Schools. 3 colored
% of teachers natives
Total no of pupils.. 1928
Males 973
Females 955
Orphans of these pupils are boarded & clothed by the orphan Fund
One Moravian Mission School and a few private Schools, besides
Muscogees — population inclusive of Freedmen 13000 22 Public
Schools — with a Supt of Public Instruction. 1 teacher to each School
Salary $400 for 10 months 9 more Schools will soon be opened =
total 31 — One Boarding School besides has 80 pupils & another
will be ready by Spring for an equal number (80) Salaries of
Super. & teachers of these boarding Schools are paid by the Method-
ists & Presbyterians — balance of their expenses by the Nation —
6 of the public Schools are exclusively for the freedmen —
Treaty Stipulation fund $10,000
Contingen on President's pleasure 1,000
National appropriation 13,758
Total $24,758 annual
Average no of Children at School for Scholastic year 1870 — 700
Seminoles — Population 2500 4 neighborhood Schools — Teacher's
salary $600 per Annum Whole no. of pupils at these 4 schools is 225
— average daily attendance about 40 — A mission building is in
process of erection Rev Mr Ramsay Superintend to accommodate
over 50 pupils
School fund — annual Treaty Stipulation — $2500
Chickasaw population 5400 11 neighborhood schools 440 the
whole no of pupils — 60 pupils at $350 each (annually) are at school
in the States at expense of the nation —
School fund $29,000
For children going to state schools 21,000
Annually $50,000
Osages — popula 3000 to 4000 50 pupils at Catholic Mis. School
School fund $3000 Annually
Confed. Peorias, pop — 170 One Public School No. pupils 25
average daily 20 School fund (entire) 35000 to 40000
Shawnee 80"^
Wyandotte 160 L no schools
Senecas 188 I
NICHOLSON : TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES
371
Educational report —
Afternoon 12—16
.5
A,
. . 16 500
02
"o"
ci
fc
48
Indians
Colored
^ Boarding
Mission
o'3
fcj
1460
Average
Eh
III
$30,000
Salary oj
teachers
11
II
?0
17 000
48
45
3
1
1928
50,000
Creek
. . 13,000
31
25
6
2
TOO
24,758
$400
Seminole
Chicka^aw
-2,500
. . . . 5,400
4
11
1
225
440
160
2,500
50,000
$600
*
6(i
Osages
. . . . 3,500
1
3,000
170
25
20
2 000
Ottawa"'
1
52
. . . 700
Quapaws & Others
. . . 660
Absentee Shawnees. . . .
700
....
* $3.00 per month for each pupil.
Entire population represented in the General Council 60,000 —
140 School— 4800 pupils— Entire School fund (annual) $163,000.
The people of the nations of Indians inhabiting the Indian Terri-
tory have met to frame laws and arrange the machinery of a Govern-
ment for the country occupied & owned by them, in order to draw
&c & relying upon the guidance & favor of Almighty God to carry
out in a consistent & practicable form the provisions of treaties
Report of Com. on Organization objects are to draw themselves
together in a closer bond of union for the better protection of their
rights — the improvement of themselves and the preservation of
their race —
Art 1
Section 1 — gives the boundaries of the Ind. Territory & the name
of the Government viz — Indian Territory
Sec 2 — guarantees to the citizens of each of the nations entering
into this compact, the same rights of transit commerce, trade or
exchange in any of said nations which he has in his own, subject
only to consistency with existing treaties with the U. S. & the
laws regulating trade & intercourse, & under such judicial regula-
tions as are hereinafter provided. No rights of property or lands
or funds owned by one nation shall be invaded by citizens of
another and the rights of each nation to its lands, funds & other
property remains sole and distinct to itself — Any Indian nation
now represented in this Council & which may hereafter lawfully
enter the Ind Terr, or may now be lawfully in it, shall be admitted
to representation & all the privileges of this joint Gov — by ac-
cepting the provisions of this Constitution
372 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Art. 2 Sec 1-Provides 3 distinct departments, Legislative — Ex-
ecutive & Judicial — for the powers of the Gov.
Sec. 2 No one belonging to one of these departments shall ex-
ercise the powers belonging to any other except as hereafter pre-
scribed
Art 111
Sect. 1 — Vests the Legislative power in a Senate & House of
Representatives — Style of enactment is by the General Assembly
of The Indian Territory —
Sect 2 — Provides that the Senate shall consist of one member
from each nation whose population is 2000 — and one member for
every additional 2000 or fraction thereof greater than 1000 — pro-
vided that nations whose individual population does not equal 2000,
may unite & be represented in the same ratio & Provided further
that the Ottawas, Peorias & Quapaws shall be entitled to one
Senator & the Senecas Wyandottes & Shawnees to one Senator —
& the Sacs & Foxes one Senator —
Sect. 3 — limits eligibility to the General Assembly to bona fide
citizens of the nation represented & to those who have attained the
age of 25 yrs —
Sec. 4 — House Representatives shall consist of one member for
each nation and an additional member for every thousand popula-
tion or fractional part of 1000, greater than 500 —
gee 5 — Members of the Gen Assembly are to be elected by the
qualified voters of their respective nations, according to their laws
or customs — term of office is 2 years — Vacancies to be filled
as original Elections —
Sec. 6 — Senate shall choose its own President & other Officers —
The House shall choose its Speaker & other officers — Each House
to judge of the qualifications & returns of its own members — A
majority constitutes a quorum for each house A smaller number
may adjourn from day to day or take measures for compulsory at-
tendance of absentees, as each house may provide
Sec. 7 — Each House shall provide its own rules of proceeding —
punish for disorderly behavior & with the concurrence of 2/3 expel
a member — but not twice for the same offence — Each House
shall keep a journal of its proceedings-
Sec. 8— General Assembly shall have power to legislate upon all
subjects pertaining to the intercourse & relations of the Ind. Terr.,
the arrest & extradition of criminals escaping from one nation to
another— the administration of justice between members of the
NICHOLSON: TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 373
several nations and persons other than Indians & members of said
nations and the common defence & safety of the nations of said
territory— But they shall not legislate upon any other subjects
than these
Sec 9 — Provides oath or affirmation of office — obliging to a sup-
port of the Constitution of the Ind. Territory & to a faithful &
impartial discharge of official duty
Sec. 10. Provides a per diem of $4. for every day's actual at-
tendance in the Genl Assembly — & $4 for every 20 miles of travel —
going & returning — by the shortest practicable route to be certified
by the presiding officer of the house — No member to receive per
diem compensation for more than 30 days at any annual session —
Sec 11 — Except for treason, felony or breach of the peace, mem-
bers are exempt from arrest during the sessions of the Gen Assembly
or in going & returning
Sec. 12 — No power of suspending the laws of this territory shall
be exercised except by the Genl Assembly or its authority — No
retrospective law or law impairing the obligation of contracts shall
be passed —
Sec. 13 — Gives power to Gen. Assembly to raise revenue — but
only as actually necessary & in accordance with law — which law
shall be uniform in its operations throughout the Terr.
Sec. 14 — All Appropriation bills shall originate in the House of
Representatives — but Senate may propose amendments or reject the
same — Other bills may originate in either house & be subject to
the rejection or concurrence of the other —
Sec. 15. The House of Representatives shall have sole power of
impeachment — All impeachments to be tried by the Senate —
Senators being on oath & the Chief Justice presiding A concur-
rence of 2/3 shall be necessary to conviction
Sec 16 — Governor & all civil officers liable to impeachment —
but punishment not to extend beyond removal from office & dis-
qualification for holding any office of trust, honor, or profit in the
Territory — but the party whether convicted or acquitted shall be
liable to indictment trial & punishment according to law as in
other cases —
Art5
Sect. 1 — Judicial Power is vested in one Supreme Court — three
district Courts & such inferior Courts as may be provided by law
Sec 2 — Supreme Court to consist of three Judges to be appointed
by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate, as district judges.
374 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Two of said judges shall form a quorum of the Supreme Court for
the transaction of business — Official term 6 years — one to be
vacated in 2 years — one in 4 & one in 6 &c The Chief Justice
shall be the one appointed for 6 years & afterwards the Senior judge
in office
Sec. 3 — Supreme Court to meet at Capital — 1st Mondays in June
& December — to be a court of Apellate Jurisdiction from the Dis-
trict Courts & of original jurisdiction in cases prescribed by law — but
such jurisdiction shall not interfere with the civil & criminal juris-
diction retained by each separate nation by the treaties of 1866 —
Sec. 4. Supreme & district judges shall have power to issue writs
of habeas corpus & other necessary process —
Sec. 5 — District Courts shall have original jurisdiction of all
civil & criminal cases arising from the trade or intercourse between
the several nations — and all cases arising under the legislation of
this Gov. according to law —
Sec. 6 — Writs of Error, Bills of exceptions & appeals may be
allowed from the final decisions of the district courts, as prescribed
by law
Sec. 7 — Genl. Assembly to divide the Ind. Terr, into 3 districts of
as nearly equal dimensions & population as possible — assign a
judge to each — & provide for holding terms of the District Court
in each at such times & places as may be deemed expedient —
Sec. 8 — Judge must be 30 yrs of age — of good character & suitable
qualifications —
Sec. 9. No judge to sit upon a case in which he is interested or
connected with either party by consanguinity or affinity, except by
consent of parties & in case of disqualification, vacancies to be
filled according to law —
Sec. 10 — All writs & other process are to run in the name of the
Indian Territory & bear test & be signed by the clerk issuing the
same —
Sec. 11. Indictments conclude against the peace & dignity of the
Ind Territory.
Sec. 12 — Every court to appoint its clerk to be qualified according
to law & compensated also —
The General Assembly may propose such amendments to this
constitution as three fourth of each branch may deem expedient &
the Governor shall issue a proclamation directing all civil officers of
the Territory to promulgate the same — as extensively as possible
NICHOLSON : TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 375
within their respective limits at least six months previous to the
annual session of the National Council of the nations parties hereto,
& if three fourths of such national councils, at such next annual
sessions — shall ratify such proposed amendments they shall be
valid to all intents & purposes as a part of this constitution
Art. IV—
Sec. 1. The Executive power is vested in a Governor whose term
of office shall be two years to be elected by the qualified voters of
each nation on 1st Wednesday in April — The mode of examining
the returns the same as usual in such cases — Governor must be
30 yrs of age — Compensation to be fixed by law — liable to im-
peachment— His office to be filled (in case of vacancy), by the
President of the Senate & The usual powers & duties of the Governor
of a State or Territory are prescribed. He is also clothed with the
veto power. Provision is also made for the appointment of a Secre-
tary of the Ind. Territory & he is ex officio, the Treasurer also — &c
An Attorney General — district attorneys, marshall & deputies
are provided for — The Bill of rights is essentially the same as in
the Constitution of the United States and of the Several States of
the Union.
12 mo— 19—
Council met after having had all of the 17th for interpreting &
fully understanding the Constitution — as they could do this better
out of session than in it. Quorum — Journal read — Resolution
allowing mileage to Smith & others who left their homes but failed
to reach Okmulgee in time for the September Session before its
adjournment — Constitution read & interpreted the Second time
Com. on Education presented a revised report — adjourned to 2
o'clock.
2. P. M— 19th
Schedule — Secretary to transmit a duly authenticated copy of the
Constitution to each nation represented in this Council & to ask the
ratification of the same by their respective Councils— When the
secretary receives official notification from % of the National
Councils, of their ratification, the Secretary is to call together the
delegates from those nations assenting in General Council and that
Council shall provide for the election of Governor and members of
the General Assembly — fix the time for the meeting of the General
Assembly, that it may provide for the necessary laws for putting
this Constitution into working condition — This Constitution shall
376 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
not be obligatory upon any nation which does not duly ratify and
adopt the Same — continued to read & interpret the Constitution
for 3rd time — Adjourned to 9 A. M. tomorrow.
12 mo. 20th
Proceeded to finish 3d reading of Constitution — The Constitu-
tion was finally adopted ayes 52, nays 3 — Adjourned to 2 o'clock.
2 P. M.
Council voted, viva voce, as to where the next Council meet — It
was, as follows — Okmulgee 28 — Ft Gibson 13 & North Fork
Town 10 — decided to meet at Okmulgee on the 1st monday of June
1871—
The President made some remarks congratulatory of the kind-
ness, &c of the delegates — A vote of thanks was tendered the
President for his impartial, and faithful discharge of the duties of
the Chair Also a vote of thanks to Thomas Miller — Edwd Earle &
myself — for our assistance &c to the members of the Council in
their important work — At the close of Enoch Hoag's remarks
Thomas Miller was engaged in earnest vocal supplication — I
responded in a few words of gratitude for the kindness of the Council
in permitting us to be present in its deliberations and expressive of
my deep interest in their work & my earnest desire for its complete
success &c —
We had a most satisfactory adjournment after which most of the
members came up to give us a cordial shake of the hand and say,
"good bye"
We have boarded since being here with Silas Smith who is a
white man but his wife is a colored woman — Their dwelling and
cook house are in the yard and the dining room is under the same
roof as our room. Five of us have slept in this one room and some-
times eight during the past fortnight In the day time and evening
our room has frequently been thronged and as the floor is very
limber it has been difficult to write much, for both the above reasons
Yet E. Earle — C. Frazier & myself have managed to do the cor-
respondence for 5 or 6 newspapers as we were desirous that accurate
reports should be furnished to the public press of the proceedings of
the Council and of our observations of the working of things in this
portion of the Territory — Amongst the Creeks there are many in-
stances of intermixture between the Indian & African races — Four
or five of the delegates are at least half African— With the other
tribes, there is much more of an aversion to a social equality with
NICHOLSON : TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 377
the colored race — Indeed with many, there is much the same feel-
ing as exists in our Southern States.
These were slaveholding nations before the war — very many of
them went into the Confederate Army and when the war closed the
Government of the United States dictated the abolition of Slavery
amongst them as it did in the Southern States — It is perfectly
natural that the old feeling should still be to some extent apparent,
but we may hope that it will gradually disappear as a new genera-
tion comes upon the stage and new circumstances surround these
nations —
[Seminole Business]
According to provisions of Seminole treaty of 1856, the sum of
$3,000. was to be appropriated annually for ten years for Educa-
tional purposes — the sum of $2000 for agricultural purposes and
the sum of $2200. for Smith & Shop work, annually for 10 years —
The former appropriation is due up to Aug 1, 1861 when the Con-
federate treaty was signed — The two last are due to December
1st 1860— The Seminole treaty of 1866 (Art. 8 & 9) reaffirms and
assumes all the provisions of the treaty of 1856 not conflicting with
the treaty of 1866. The Seminole Government believes that the
above monies are still due them & desire they may be paid to Supt
of Ind Affrs & by him to the Council to be used for Support of
Schools Smith work &c amongst them —
[Creek Business]
Of the $200,000 provided in article 3rd of Creek Treaty 1866, it
is alleged that 25 per cent was paid to Perry Fuller, as Claim agent,
by direction of the Creek Council, Gov. Checota at its head — in
presence of D. N. Mclntosh — T. Barnett — $2000 was paid for
the damages to the Mission building and $10,000 were set apart for
the payment of the delegates who went to Washington to ratify the
treaty— Of this $10,000, it is alleged that a son of Agent Dunn
received $3,000 & that $7,000 were placed in the treasury of the
Creek Nation - - T. Barnett, treasurer, & that the delegates have
never received any compensation — Some say that the $10,000 were
specially appropriated by Congress & did not come out of the
$200,000—
Perry Fuller j
F. Lense J
D. N. McDonald
McDonald 1 T ., , , _. , . ,
a .,, }• Little Rock, Ark.
Smith J
378 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Maj Dunn Agent of Creeks —
Capt. Fields & Lieut. Joslyn assessed the losses of the loyal
Creeks — freedmen — soldiers &c at $6,000,000 — It was cut down
to $1,800,000, and $100,000 directed to be paid out of the money
received by the U. States from the Seminoles. The Seminoles paid
the U. S. 50 cts per acre — The U. States agree in Art. 3 to pay to
the Creek Nation 30 cts per acre for the West half of its territory —
& in Article 4 they agree to pay out of the proceeds of these lands,
the losses of the loyal Creeks, freedmen & soldiers, at least to the
amount of $100,000— In effect the Creek Nation pays $100,000
out of the proceeds of the sale of its lands, to the loyal portion of
its citizens as indemnification for their losses in the war — The
Government of the U. States pays no part of it really — The money
paid by the Gov. for the Sac & Fox reservation is now due to the
Creek Nation, with interest on $275,000 — Sac & Fox land costs
$144,000 at $.30 pr acre
12—18—
Thomas Miller, Edward Earle & myself went to a meeting for
worship held in a Creek School house near the residence of Checota
the Governor of the nation — They have meeting there every
Sabbath at 11. o'clock — The Governor usually preaches — But
today after singing in the Creek language, Thomas Miller preach
at length & the Governor interpreted — Then they sang again &
Wm Frye, prayed with much animation in the Choctaw language —
then they sung very impressively in Creek — The hymn in English
is "Come along" — "Come along" Then the Governor spoke a
while in Creek & pronounced the benediction — One woman was
shedding tears during the singing — and another woman began to
tremble & gradually to bow her head until she became very -much
bent forwards & was in a universal tremor her shoe heals making
a most rapid tapping upon the floor — This soon ceased when the
singing closed — but she showed the earnestness of her feeling in
coming forward at the close of the meeting & shaking hands with all
in our vicinity — This was remarkable for an Indian Woman — they
are usually very backward & keep their faces downward in the
presence of Strangers — I think the woman, above mentioned was
partly African as her hair was slightly curly — this may partly
account for her agitation as the colored people are more demonstra-
tive in their worship —
12—19
Snow Storm — 4 or 5 inches of Snow — much melted & still falling —
NICHOLSON : TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 379
12 mo. 20—
Cold clear — Council adjourned.
12 mo. 21—
Clear cold morning — We left early & soon found the Creeks
obstructed by ice so as to require the aid of our Axe & of poles to
make way for the horses — About 9 o'clock Col. Wm P. Ross &
Allen Ross came up riding in an open Buggy with two horses &
Judge Key on horseback — they took the lead and were of great
service in breaking the ice — In one creek with 4 feet of water as
Col. Ross' horses came to the ice upon the further shore, one of
them with great sagacity, reared up & threw his fore feet upon the
ice & crushed it — then advancing again, he repeated the operation
and they next time, leaped upon the bank and took the buggy
squarely up on the shore line ice — After our horses had mounted
the bank & the front wheels came in contact with the frozen bank,
it was impracticable to raise the wheels until we all jumped out —
the horses had to make a turn very suddenly & the ice was so solid
upon the hill side that it was very difficult for them — We drove
on until near night — It became cloudy early in the day & was
very cold — We succeeded in getting entertainment at the house
of a colored man named [omission] and were permitted to have
the sole use of a room about 11 feet square with a fire place & one
narrow bed — Mr Thompson another of the delegates joined us a
little after we got in so there were 8 of us — We furnished our own
coffee & bread and they gave us some sweet potatoes & fried pork
& we made a good supper — We then took the bedstead out of the
house & put down our robes, blankets &c & we 8 wedged ourselves
into the 11 feet of width & having some hay spread on the floor,
under our robes & a good fire, we succeeded in being comfortable —
[Creek Agency]
12/22
In the morning, it was colder — a strong N. West wind & snow-
ing moderately — We were up early, took a cup of coffee, some
cheese & crackers & then started on our way — The snow storm
increased & at 10% we reached the Creek Agency & stopped for
dinner & to get the horses shoes fixed so they would not slip on the
ice so badly — It has been very hard on our horses — They had to
stand out all night last night, though had blankets & plenty of
food — & also had grain this morning before we left — We find very
comfortable quarters here at the Creek Agency —
380 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Evening — It was nearly sunset when the Blacksmith finished
shoeing the horses & so we concluded to remain here to night as
there was no house nearer than 8 miles & we were strangers to the
road —
12/23
It was extremely cold this morning — One of our Company is a
native of Canada & two of New England & they seem to think it
is about as cold as they almost ever felt it — We got off after
early breakfast & got down to the Arkansaw opposite the mouth of
Grand River & a little below the mouth of Verdigris & in sight of
Fort Gibson. The steam Ferry Boat was on the other side & they
said the pipes were frozen — So we waited all day until dark, they
assuring us they would soon be over — We had a fire under the hill
& did not suffer extremely with the cold — After night we succeeded
in getting permission to stay in a house near by & 4 of us occupied a
room with 4 others (strangers) who had come down to cross the
river but had to beg a chance to stay in the house —
We fixed beds upon the floor, spreading our robes blankets &c —
We had a good fire in the forepart of the night & were comfortable —
but as the fire went down it became very cold in the room & at a
little before 5 o'clock, I got up & put on wood — As soon as the
fire got fairly under way we were able to rest a little more comfort-
ably as our beds were as close to it as we dared to place them.
12/24
We learn this morning that the real reason why the boat does not
run, is the ice — They fear it will be cut through — The Surface of
the Arkansas is covered with masses & sheets of floating ice, & in
the channel, but the still water is hard frozen — It is beautifully
clear this morning — wind has changed from N. W. to East or 'South
East — We suppose it will soon be warmer.
This place is called Nevins' Ferry & Nevins receives $1000 per
year rent for the privilege of landing the Ferry Boat on his premises.
Edward Earle & Francis King (the Ottawa delegate, half French,
a machinist) have gone over in a little canoe — To night they
return & say that after they had thawed the pipes, they found the
boat fast upon a log — The pump rod broke & they had to go to
Ft Gibson to get it repaired — All hands have worked hard all day
and moved the boat somewhat & think that in 3 hours effort in the
morning they will succeed — In the mean time the river continues
to fall & the boat rests more heavily — so we cannot tell when we
shall get over — I believe we are favored with a good degree of
NICHOLSON : TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 381
patience & feel thankful for health and many comforts, considering
our situation —
12/25
It is now past 1 o'clock P. M — They have been working hard all
day and the boat is still fast — We have understood that they move
it a little & expect to get it off before night — Enoch, Edward &
Francis King are over helping the men at the boat & so are many
others — Cyrus & I have packed up, harnessed the horses & paid
our bill, hoping to see the old boat move her wheels, but we may
after all have to stay where we are a while longer
We learn that all the ferries in this part of the river are im-
passable so that we should fare no better elsewhere than here —
The weather has moderated but the wind is chilly from the south-
east and it is quite cloudy — It looks quite as if we might have
another snow storm. We expected to be in Lawrence to-day & to
meet the Committee there to-morrow unless they have changed the
time and place of meeting. We have done our best to meet the
engagement. It is simply impossible to make any accurate calcula-
tions about traveling through this country —
We thought we had given ourselves ample time in arranging for
the Committee meeting. But it will require 4 days yet for us to
reach Lawrence even though we could cross the river to-day & if the
snow melts suddenly we may expect high water in some of the
Creeks between here & Kansas —
Well at half past one P. M. the old Boat blew her whistle and
after various efforts to reach the landing places & she finally came
so near that we succeeded in getting aboard & by 4 o'clock we were
on the north bank of the Arkansaw or rather we had to be landed
on the west bank of Grand River. We were rejoiced & our horses
seemed as much so as we — We drove 15 miles although a part of
it was through the woods & would have been exceedingly bad but
for being frozen — Came to a Stage Station which was already
filled with men mostly very rough profane fellows but fortunately
not drunk — One of the men Captain of a surveying party was so
clever as to give up his bed to Supt Hoag as he had a mattress &
blankets of his own & as I was rather unwell from a cold, Edward
Earle made me share the bed with Enoch — refusing it himself — He
& Cyrus had all our robes, most of the blankets &c & said they were
comfortable F. King & E. Black, got a place before the fire in the
family room — Edward & Cyrus spread down in the dining room or
kitchen which was as open as a barn — Enoch & I with 11 or 12
382 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
others occupied to the full the company room — I believe there were
two or three families in the family room where King & Black slept —
So the house was full —
12/26
Edward was up early, started a fire in the cook stove & made a
pot of coffee — warmed our frozen biscuit & so we breakfasted on
coffee, cheese & Biscuit & left a little before sunrise and reached
Alberty's Store about ll1/^ & stopped for dinner— Here we met
[F. ?] Adair a prominent Cherokee lawyer who lives opposite this
place, east of Grand River & is detained by ice — The weather is
still very cold — though clear to-day — The roads are frozen &
smooth & our horses get along finely since their shoes were fixed —
We begin to hope we may reach the railroad to-morrow night as we
are making greater speed than we have hitherto done on this journey
We are now 37 miles north of the Arkansaw
Night — Well we are at Cochran's, 40 miles from Chetopa — We
arrived here just at dusk and half an hour before getting here we
noticed that Faithful Jennie one of our wheel horses seemed sick —
As soon as we stopped the Ambulance here, she dropped upon the
ground — She seemed in great agony & in 20 minutes she was
dead — We cannot tell what was the matter — She had done her
part most faithfully upon this long journey & and it was a grief
to us to lose her — though, as we are now within one day's journey of
the railroad, we can easily make it with three horses — But a
faithful performance of duty endears even our domestic animals to
us — We learn that about 50 horses have died this year on the
road from Chetopa to Ft Gibson —
12 mo/27
We rested pretty well last night though the accommodations were
poor—
We left at 8% o'clock & a man who stayed there put his horse
in & drove 10 miles & then we put one of our horses ahead of the
other two & reached Chetopa at 3% o'clock— I trust we feel
thankful to get to the railroad again & hope to be able to leave at 5
in the morning & to reach Lawrence in the Afternoon —
******
At Chetopa, Enoch Hoag — Edward Earle & myself adjusted our
accounts —
Enoch has in very many instances paid my expenses, as his assist-
ant, he being allowed an assistant by the Government — Edward
NICHOLSON : TOUR OF INDIAN AGENCIES 383
Earle has supplied most of our Commissary Stores — My part of
Edward's bill is
$32.70
My board bill at Okmulgee 10.62
My other expenses are 4 . 18
Before Leaving Lawrence for the Territory, I had paid out in traveling
expenses since 8/13 142.00
My traveling expenses from 8/16 to 12/28— $189.50
Fare from Lawrence to Washington $42.00
Sleeping car 2.00
Supper 12/29 75
Dinner 12/30
Baggage &c 1 .50
12/28
Left Chetopa at 5 A. M.—
Just before leaving the hotel Enoch came to our room & said that
he had lost his key and wanted a collar — I had just closed my
trunk, but told him I would open it & get him one — When I got
upon the train I found that I had lost my own keys — I suppose
that I locked my trunk & laid the keys upon the floor to adjust the
other fastenings & then failed to pick them up — I mention this
incident, to remind myself of my own carelessness and to make me
careful about complaining of the carelessness of other people — We
were momentarily expecting the omnibus to call for us & were of
course in some haste — especially as they failed to waken us as early
as we expected them to do — Upon arriving at Lawrence, we found
Joseph Jonathan Hoag there and with his usual readiness, he set
about getting me some more keys & succeeded in supplying the loss
of Enoch & myself —
"Review 11/19— No. 13— pg 194
"The School is not a success & yet I believe Nathan & Mary Ann
Pinson are doing the best they can — The Kaws are very much
opposed to sending their children to school &c — "
I learn that some Friends have drawn the inference from the
above quotation, that I consider the want of success to be due to
incapacity in the Superintendents above named — I did not mean
this at all — I believe them to be earnest, faithful and capable
laborers — but the difficulties against which they have to contend are
very great — I felt very great sympathy with them and am sorry
that in the haste of correspondence, I should have used expressions
384 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
which could possibly be construed unfavorably to these dear
friends —
The want of success does not refer to any defect in the manage-
ment or mode of teaching. The children actually at School are
doing all that could be expected — The teaching is successful — 1
only meant that the school as a paying Institution is not a success —
The Superintendents are allowed $100 for each pupil, per annum —
Now it costs nearly as much to run the establishment with only a
few children as with 40 The great difficulty lies in the disinclina-
tion of the Indians to keep their children at the School" —
Sent to Review 12/29 as explanation —
12/28
We were favored to reach Lawrence this afternoon — I learned that
the Committee were not in session — A letter from J. B. Garrett
instructs E. Earle & myself to attend to such matters as we deem
necessary with Enoch Hoag & then come East. We endeavored to
do so & left Lawrence 2% P. M. & at Kansas City, Edward took the
Hannibal & St. Joseph, road via Chicago & Boston & I the North
Missouri for Washington via Richmond, la — We had been almost
constantly together for more than 11 weeks and with our other
traveling companions had been closely united in our views & feelings
about the work we were engaged in — We parted, as we had
journeyed in good feelings towards one another —
The Gompers-Allen Debate on the
Kansas Industrial Court
DOMENICO GAGLJARDO
ON THE night of May 28, 1920, in New York City, occurred the
climax in the controversy over the Kansas Court of Industrial
Relations. Carnegie hall was crowded to capacity. Every seat was
taken, and fire regulations were stretched to allow standing room.
People from all walks of life were there, for everyone expected a
great debate, a debate which in the words of its chairman, the Hon.
Alton B. Parker, was perhaps to be the most momentous clash since
the historic meeting between Lincoln and Douglas.
The industrial court law had been enacted a few months earlier
after severe and trying strikes had caused some suffering and much
public indignation. Upon the operation of this act the nation's
interest was riveted. Against it organized labor stormed furiously,
while its adherents offered a relentless and even vociferous defense.
The debaters, Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federa-
tion of Labor, and Henry J. Allen, governor of Kansas, were recog-
nized leaders of men, were unusually skillful debaters, and by their
previous work had given abundant proof of deep faith in the posi-
tions they defended.1
Unfortunately, the question to be debated had not been specifi-
cally formulated. Mr. Gompers had desired to debate the question:
"Has the state a right to prohibit strikes?" while Mr. Allen had in-
sisted on the broader statement: "The Industrial Controversy;
President Gompers will present the remedy of the American Federa-
tion. Mr. Allen will present the remedy as proposed in the In-
dustrial Court." 2 Consequently, though the cheers, applause, groans,
and boos of the audience testified eloquently to the interest and
satisfaction of the equally divided adherents, there was nevertheless
little consistent opposition of argumentation. It would seem fair
to say that in this historic debate the minds of the two contestants
rarely crossed. Each man developed his own project, and each
merely put on record his own views of the struggle between capital
and labor.
1. A representative of the American Federation of Labor challenged Governor Allen to
debate the industrial court law with Clarence Darrow. This challenge Governor Allen declined,
but suggested a debate with Gompers. — New York Times, April 26, 1920, 17 :7.
2. Henry J. Allen, The Party of the Third Part (N. Y., Harper and Brothers), pp. 93, 94.
(385)
25—5574
386 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Mr. Gompers began by stating that the issue involved two princi-
ples: On the one hand, freedom, justice, and democracy; on the other
hand, tyranny and injustice. He assumed it is a fundamental
principle that liberty consists of the ownership of one's self, that
the right to organize, strike and peacefully picket flows naturally
from one's ownership of himself, and that therefore this right is
essential to liberty.
If ownership of free men is vested in them and in them alone, they have
not only the right to withhold their labor power, but to induce others to make
common cause with them, and to withhold theirs that the greatest advantage
may accrue to all. It further follows that if free men may avail themselves
of the lawful rights of withholding their labor power, they have the right to
do all lawful things in pursuit of that lawful purpose. And neither courts,
injunctions nor other processes have any proper application to deny to free
men these lawful, constitutional, natural and inherent rights.3
These principles, Mr. Gompers maintained, are among the inalien-
able rights embodied in the Declaration of Independence and are to
be found in the statute laws, especially in the Clayton act, and in
court decisions.
Not only is it true, he argued, that the right to organize, strike
and picket is "lawful, constitutional, natural and inherent," i. e.,
"divine," but that it is essential to the public welfare. The rocky
road of progress, he pointed out, is long and hard, rilled with obscure
turns and treacherous pitfalls. Valiant bands must of necessity find
the way and lead others onward and upward. In the vanguard are
the trade unionists, leading the toiling masses to a better life. By
being organized into unions, this noble army makes greater and
more rapid headway. And it is the better able to overcome those
obstacles that naturally lie, or are deliberately placed, in the. path-
way of their progress. The strike, that terrible weapon which Mr.
Allen dreads so much, is used only as a last resort. When all other
means have been tried and found ineffective, then, by the sheer force
of a strike, the obstacle is overcome, and the onward march is again
resumed. The immortal Lincoln could say: "Thank God we have a
system of labor where there can be a strike. Whatever the pressure,
there is a point where the workingman may stop."
Violence, he asserted, "in the form of any attack upon life, body
or property," is of course wrong, and those responsible for it must
be punished to the end that it be wiped out. But to tie men to their
jobs by making strikes unlawful is a confession that republican
3. Gompers -Allen Debate (N. Y., E. P. Button & Co., 1920). All quotations are taken
from this book except where otherwise noted.
GAGLIARDO: THE GOMPERS-ALLEN DEBATE 387
institutions and democracy no longer exist. And it is a subterfuge
to say that antistrike legislation does not deny the individual the
right to quit. The dissatisfied worker may indeed quit his job, "and
just imagine what a wonderful influence such an individual would
have ... in the United States Steel Corporation." Deep in
every man's breast is the hope of freedom, of better times for himself
and his own; and only a poltroon would refuse to struggle for a
better day for himself, his dependents and those who are to follow.
Strikes, to be sure, are frequently uncomfortable and make for in-
convenience; but there are worse things, and among them is that
"degraded manhood" which results from antistrike legislation.
And how good have unions and strikes been, for America, land of
liberty, whose Declaration of Independence was signed in the hall
of a carpenters' union! Precious children have been rescued from
the black depths of yawning coal pits, Mr. Gompers declared, from
the interminably weary hours of mill and factory, and have been
put into schools and into God's sweet sunshine to develop manhood
and womanhood. Men and women have been rescued from the
degrading sweatshops of the needle trades and from other equally
degrading "home" work, when laws for their protection enacted by
the state have failed. Those who favor nostrums such as that em-
bodied in the Kansas industrial court law are men who, "impatient
of the struggle of the human family, want to find a royal road to
the goal of tranquility and peace." Alas! There is no royal road.
During the World War, Mr. Gompers said, American trade union-
ists loyally fought abroad and faithfully labored at home, to the
end that autocracy might forever be destroyed. And now, now that
the victory abroad has been won, they find that selfsame autocracy
being forced upon them, find their hard-won liberty being destroyed
at home. What a travesty on our sacred dead in Flanders Fields.
The world is seething with deep unrest. In many countries this un-
rest is expressed in terms of mild or radical revolution. In our
country it is expressed in terms of labor organizations and their
activities. Our labor movement has brought so much light and hope
and opportunity to the masses that every law which forbids strikes
will be futile, and "will simply make criminals and lawbreakers out
of workmen who are honest, patriotic citizens." "We are at the part-
ing of the ways," he warned, "and the time is at hand when it must
be determined whether eternal principles of freedom, of justice and
democracy shall hold sway or be supplanted by the tyranny and
the injustice as of old."
388 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Governor Allen began his presentation by describing in some detail
the events leading to the passage of the industrial court law. There
was the lifting of the fuel ban by Doctor Garfield, the national coal
strike and the exorbitant demands of the union, the receivership of
Kansas mines, the governor's own fruitless efforts to induce Kansas
miners to return to their work, the call for volunteers to operate the
mines, and the production of coal by those volunteers. Interspersed
throughout his talk were "human interest" stories. There were
stories of shivering patients in a local hospital, of a poor washer-
woman fearful of harsh and revengeful unionists, of groups of union
miners willing to work, but afraid of their leaders, of a brave coal
miner who, refusing to strike, was ostracised by his fellow unionists,
and of uniformed ex-service men moving bravely and resolutely to
the coal-mining front. But all this was not the substance of his
remarks.
The substance of Governor Allen's statement was that the public
was faced with a formidable condition. Time was, said Mr. Allen,
when unions were harmless. That was thirty-five or forty years
ago, when economic conditions were simpler. Under the guiding
hand of those early unions, progress was made, victories were won
from reluctant capital; and the governor could say he was glad for
all "legitimate" progress made by unions. But now that times have
greatly changed, that economic life has become so interdependent
and so exceedingly complex, unions have become truly dangerous.
What was liberty then is tyranny now. "Organization has become
a huge thing like a Frankenstein in its potentiality. Its power seems
unsuspected by Mr. Gompers, who has watched it since its inception
as a crude, rudimentary thing, devoted to simple and laudable
objects."
The right of an individual worker to quit his job cannot be ques-
tioned, and it is not questioned, the governor said. The Kansas law
specifically safeguarded that right. But a strike? That is different.
A strike is a private conflict between capital and labor. And more
important still, it is a conflict that is initiated by union leaders
rather than by union workers. The Kansas industrial court law was
not really aimed at the workers; it was aimed at their leaders. "The
law does not take away from the individual workman the divine
right to quit work." It merely takes away from Mr. Gompers the
"divine right to order a man to quit work." Naturally, union leaders
resent this. Yet the law does not even take away the worker's
right to organize and bargain collectively through union leaders, for
GAGLIAKDO: THE GOMPERS- ALLEN DEBATE 389
these rights are both specifically safeguarded in the act. But it does
require reasonable continuity of operations, and eliminates that
"economic pressure" from both workers and employers, of which the
public has "had enough."
To-day, he continued, strikes bring unendurable suffering to an
innocent party — the public. That is a great wrong. The union
worker may gain, but the public loses, more even than the union
gains. Surely, in a civilized society, this should not be. There
should be some way to prevent the needless suffering of the party of
the third part. Man's activities in other lines have been curtailed
and regulated for the public welfare. Why not here? Already the
state has protected the workers. Child-labor, anti-black-listing,
anti-injunction, convict labor, free employment services, mechanics7
liens, laws regulating the working conditions of women and minors,
safety codes for mines and factories, and other laws have already
been enacted and made effective. "The quarrel between capital and
labor is the only private conflict the government still allows to go
on." Unions and strikes are costly. High dues and loss of wages
take a heavy toll from workers.
The time has now come when the capital-labor conflict should
also be regulated. Surely, Governor Allen insisted, a just govern-
ment can do better by mankind if it makes impossible a recurrence
of those awful conditions which prevailed in the winter of 1919-1920,
when miners and operators were at each others throats and the
public was helplessly freezing. A fair law can impose justice upon
both employers and workmen and give first consideration to the in-
terest of the public. This Kansas has done, and the industrial court
law is the only effective method yet attempted to protect the public
interest. The right to strike has been curtailed. A great hue and
cry has gone up, and it is shouted from the house tops that labor
has been deprived of its only weapon. But it is an adequate answer
to say that labor has been given "in every honorable controversy the
more reliable weapon of the state government." Indeed, many
workers, even some trade-union leaders, and many prominent persons
have expressed approval of the industrial court. Trade unions in
Kansas are actually using it. For, although the wheels of justice
may grind slowly, they grind exceedingly fine, and this is being more
clearly recognized by thoughtful persons.
In brief outline these were the principal arguments of the two
opponents. During the course of the debate, as each alternated with
the other in presenting his ideas, both Mr. Gompers and Governor
390 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Allen necessarily took some cognizance of the other's remarks, and
there was some thrusting and parrying, but for the most part this
was done only in a desultory and haphazard manner. At one point,
perhaps the most significant one in the entire debate, Governor Allen
asked Mr. Gompers three questions:
When a dispute between capital and labor brings on a strike affecting the
production or distribution of the necessaries of life, thus threatening the public
peace and impairing the public health, has the public any rights in such a
controversy, or is it a private war between capital and labor?
If you answer this question in the affirmative, Mr. Gompers, how would you
protect the rights of the public?
And . . . who had the divine right to forbid the switchmen to strike in
their outlaw strike? Who controls this divine right to quit work?
This thrust struck home. The philosophy of the unionism Mr.
Gompers preached was of the "more here and now for us" variety.
If the public is hurt, why that is too bad, but we must progress. Let
the employer pass the burden on to the consumer, to the public.
Yet he couldn't say this, for then Governor Allen would have made
his point.
Mr. Gompers therefore attempted first to put off the answer. "If
I had the time, I would answer the governor." From the audience
came cries of "You can't! You can't!" This nettled Mr. Gompers,
and he shouted: "I will prove it to you, if I live long enough." Then
he attempted to parry the thrust. It is "really a catch question"
comparable to the question "Do you still beat your wife?" "Let me
say this, however, that an innocent child can ask more questions of
his father. . . ." Here he was again interrupted by laughter and
great applause, and cries from the audience exhorted him to "Answer
it! Answer it!" But the veteran president of the American Federa-
tion of Labor could only say in reply: "I assure you of an answer,
if I have the time, even this evening."
The questions were not answered during the course of the debate.
All that the idol of organized labor could say was that if strikes in
this country had prostrated the economic system, there might be
some justification for the questions, but that the United States, with
all its strikes, led the world in production. He added that "if
strikes were the abomination and the curse that some people want
to attribute to them, then China ought to stand at the head of
civilization."
A month later Mr. Gompers attempted in a supplementary state-
ment to answer Governor Allen's questions. I shall discuss first
Mr. Gompers' reply to the third question. The question concerning
GAGLIARDO: THE GOMPERS- ALLEN DEBATE 391
"rebel" strikes, i. e., those not authorized by unions and opposed by
union officials, no doubt greatly troubled Mr. Gompers. Had he
answered it properly, he should have had to distinguish between
"regular" and "rebel" strikes. This would have led him openly to
qualify the "divine" right to strike, and would necessarily have led
to other qualifications. But the question was not properly answered.
Mr. Gompers said it was absurd and revealed the insincerity of the
critics. "Labor is damned if it does and damned if it doesn't," he
declared. The whole thing boils down to this, that a "minority,
goaded by employers beyond endurance," defies the majority. "That
is all there is to that."
This is certainly an unsatisfactory answer, assuming that the
strike is "divine," or is an inherent right. For on that assumption
no one, including union officials and even a majority of the members
of a union, has the right to oppose a strike. But if, on the contrary,
the right to strike is based essentially on democratic principles, which
theory the writer accepts, then Mr. Gompers' answer is sound as
far as it goes. Yet it does not go so far as some might wish. For
the same democratic principles justify the state, which includes the
union, in forbidding any or all strikes. Thus Mr. Gompers' answer
was rather an argumentum ad hominem than a reasoned reply.
In discussing the question relating to the public welfare, Mr.
Gompers tried first to evade it by saying that the language was im-
proper because it described a strike as a "private war between capital
and labor," which, he said, is perilously near thoughtlessness or
ridicule of mankind's struggle towards an ideal. Governor Allen had
not really described the conflict in that way ; he had asked if such a
struggle was a private war. Then came another attempt to evade
the issue in the statement that to the employer employment has
meant profit while to the workers it has meant a "means of sustain-
ing life." This statement might have been lifted bodily from the
works of Karl Marx, for whom, it must be added, Mr. Gompers had
no love.
Large strikes, Mr. Gompers continued, temporarily affect the
general public, but the general public includes union men and women,
who account for one-fourth of the total. Now when a strike affects
the production and distribution of the necessaries of life, thus
threatening the public peace and impairing the public health, he
admitted, the public does have rights. Here for the first time Mr.
Gompers really joined the issue, and could be expected to explain
what are the public rights and perhaps how they are protected.
392 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
But that he did not do. He merely said that when these strikes
occur, the union strikers are usually the first to recognize that the
public has rights. But how do unionists show this recognition?
Mr. Gompers did not say, did not even suggest. Here he might have
struck a blow for organized labor. Had he shown that striking trade
unionists do concern themselves with the public interest Governor
Allen's sword would have been broken! Instead, he contented him-
self with saying that there are few such serious strikes which so
affect the public. More evasion on the part of Mr. Gompers, and he
asserted that most of these have been "strikes in which employers,
or public officials influenced by the employers, have created the
breach of peace by the use of thugs, armed guards and detectives,"
a statement which contains only too much truth, but which is quite
beside the point.
And then for once he really defined his position. "The public has
no rights which are superior to the toiler's right to live and to his
right to defend himself against oppression." This constitutes the
first ground, the middle ground, and the final ground on which Mr.
Gompers stood. The trade unionist is in the vanguard of human
progress. "So far as labor is concerned, the right to strike must be
and will be maintained, not only as a measure of self-defense and
self-advancement, but as a measure necessary to public progress."
When, but only when, "industry ceases to be operated for profit
alone" will it be time to "relax that eternal militant vigilance which
has saved the workers from the abyss and given them a position of
power and intelligence fitting our Republic and our time."
What have we here? Samuel Gompers, arch-enemy of socialism,
converted to the hated doctrine? I think not. We have rather a
man who has been pushed to the wall, inadequately armed and fight-
ing desperately.
This is strictly in accord with the philosophy of the trade unionism
which Mr. Gompers represented. That unionism is almost totally
devoid of altruistic principles. Mr. Gompers maintained that in
bettering their own conditions, trade unionists improved the lot of
the masses. This, I think, is true. But it is also true that the im-
provement of the masses is purely and simply a by-product, and the
dominant type of trade unionism does not concern itself with the
by-product. Mr. Gompers was unable to answer Governor Allen's
main question, and for the inescapable reason that the public wel-
fare was not one of the prime considerations in his brand of
unionism.
GAGLIARDO: THE GOMPERS- ALLEN DEBATE 393
Perhaps the question was unfair in a debate. It is no simple mat-
ter to evolve on the spur of the moment a short answer to a momen-
tous question.4 But I do not think the question was unfair. For
months Governor Allen had been speaking before groups in different
parts of the country, extolling the virtues and the success of the Kan-
sas industrial court law. And Mr. Gompers trailed after him, try-
ing to undermine what the governor had said. The fundamental
problem involved in the court law was not new to Mr. Gompers.
Any trained debater should easily have forecast the tenor of Gover-
nor Allen's argument. Why, then, when for the first time in the
history of American organized labor, the challenge of the public in-
terest was effectively hurled at trade unionism, did Samuel Gompers,
the foremost spokesman of the American trade union movement,
persistently evade the challenge? I can see only one answer. Gom-
perian trade-union philosophy had not adequately felt and con-
sidered the challenge.
But a different type of union leader, representing a different brand
of unionism, might have answered the question, even on the spur of
the moment. Sidney Hillman, president of the Amalgamated Cloth-
ing Workers, might have said that the struggles of his union were for
the purpose of introducing a better industrial organization, one which
promised not only to better the conditions of the worker, but to in-
crease the efficiency of industry and to assure the public a better and
a more certain supply of goods.5 The soundness of this reasoning
most certainly would not have appealed to all men. But the issue
would have been definite. The question could then have been de-
bated. Trade unionism could then have attempted to show that its
methods are superior to state regulation. It would have been pos-
sible to appeal to science and reason rather than to emotion and
sentimentalism. The strike could have been considered pragmatic
rather than divine. But it was not so. And at this crucial point
where the minds of these two men clashed, Governor Allen un-
doubtedly succeeded in inflicting the greater damage.
Governor Allen answered Mr. Gompers' supplementary statement
in a stinging sur-rebuttal. That statement, Governor Allen said,
was in essence this: "The public be damned." The toiler's right to
live is not questioned. But many great strikes are called rather
"to dictate the terms of life to society." Mr. Gompers failed to
distinguish between a strike in private industry and one in an
4. "The Kansas Challenge to Unionism," New Republic, v. 27, No. 339, June 1, 1921, p. 4.
5. Ibid., p. 5.
394 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
essential industry, which attempts to "coerce the public" and force
the issue by means of economic pressure or distress. To say that
industrial conflict in essential industries cannot be settled by the
state is equivalent to saying that we must be governed by organized
capital or organized labor. The capital-labor conflict is anti-social,
and "there is no element of progress in the strike. It is reactionary."
The collective bargaining which Mr. Gompers offered as a basis of
industrial peace "is not a conciliatory or harmonizing function, but
a one-sided arrangement whereby the employee dictates to the em-
ployer and lets the devil take the hindermost, which is usually the
public."
Here, I think, Governor Allen's enthusiasm led him astray. To
say that without compulsory arbitration we have government by
organized labor or organized capital is to identify the scope of
limited industrial action with the broader scope of government. It
rarely happens, even in important conflicts, that the victorious con-
testant rides rough shod over the vanquished and the public. To say
that the capital-labor conflict is anti-social and that there is no
element of progress in the strike, shows, I think, a misunderstanding
of social processes. This does not mean that the capital-labor con-
flict represents the most desirable form of social process in that field.
But it does mean that the struggle between capital and labor is, in
general, a useful social process. It is costly, perhaps needlessly so,
but it is nevertheless useful. Competition is also costly, perhaps
needlessly so, but it has certainly not yet outlived its usefulness. I
think also that Governor Allen is wrong in his belief that Gomperian
collective bargaining is a one-sided arrangement which the union
dictates at the expense of the public. The collective bargain is
rarely ever dictated by the union, but is generally the product of
much deliberation, of give-and-take by both sides, and nearly al-
ways with some consideration for the public. It is unfair to
organized labor to say that the employer and the public are both at
its mercy. And I think it is also an unjust criticism of Mr. Gompers
to say, as Governor Allen did, that he once considered the strike a
last resort, but now considered it the first resort. The strike is a last
resort, and it has, in general, been so used by organized labor.
In conclusion, Governor Allen said that Mr. Gompers' first appeal
was on behalf of union leadership, his second on behalf of organized
labor, and that for the unorganized worker and for the public he had
no consideration whatsoever. Here again it appears to me that
Governor Allen was less than just. The large number of union
GAGLIARDO: THE GOMPEBS- ALLEN DEBATE 395
officials drawing salaries seemed to irk the governor, and on more
than one occasion he gave vent to his feelings on that subject. I
think Governor Allen both misunderstood the function of the full-
time union official, and underrated that official's loyalty to the rank
and file of organized labor. Samuel Gompers set a high standard
of honesty, faithfulness, and efficiency for his fellow leaders, and he
cannot properly be charged with being mercenary in his motives
or acts.
I think, also, that the whole episode would have been lifted to a
higher plane, and would have been less confusing if Governor Allen
had clearly and consistently limited his discussion to strikes in
essential industries. That he certainly did not do. Many, and I
think most, of his severest criticisms can fairly be interpreted as
applying to all strikes. And I also believe that Governor Allen
really felt bitterly towards all strikes and not merely towards those
in essential industries. But whether or not this last opinion is sound,
I am convinced that the issue was not drawn clearly enough or
maintained consistently enough. It therefore follows, I believe, that
the solution of the fundamental problem involved in prohibiting
strikes was not appreciably advanced in the debate between Mr.
Gompers and Governor Allen. Consequently, this much heralded
clash, which at the time appeared to hold great promise of enlighten-
ing the public on the fundamentals of the struggle between capital
and labor, has sunk into almost complete oblivion.
Kansas History as Published
in the Press
Historical articles of particular interest to Kansans, appearing in
recent issues of The Aerend, a quarterly magazine published by the
Fort Hays Kansas State College, include: "Tragedies of a Cow
Town/' by F. B. Streeter, a story of frontier Ellsworth and the shoot-
ing of Sheriff C. B. Whitney, featured in the spring and summer,
1934, numbers; "Sorghum — The Emigrant Crop of Kansas," by
Arthur F. Swanson; "Wild Bill— Peace Officer in Hays," by Paul
King; and "Fort Zarah," by Elizabeth Eppstein, published in the
spring number; "Harvest, Then — And How!" by Christine M. Herl;
and "The Christening of a Kansas Town [Herndon]," by Alfred
Carney, printed in the summer number. Mr. Streeter's story,
"Tragedies of a Cow Town," was republished in part in the Ellsworth
Messenger, July 26, 1934.
The fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Newton First
Congregational church was observed May 6, 1934. Notes on the
history of the organization were printed in Newton newspapers
following the event.
A journey from the Cherokee Nation in present Oklahoma to the
California gold fields in 1850 was recorded by John Lowery Brown
in his diary, which was edited by Muriel H. Wright and published
by the Oklahoma Historical Society in its Chronicles of Oklahoma
for June, 1934. The party of Cherokees, of which Mr. Brown was
one, went northwest from the Grand Saline, Cherokee Nation, struck
the Santa Fe trail in present central Kansas and followed it to
Bent's fort in present southeastern Colorado, on its way to the coast.
A history of the Larned Portia club, as prepared by Mrs. C. E.
Grove, was printed in The Tiller and Toiler, Larned, June 7, 1934,
and in the Chronoscope, in its issues of June 7, 14, and 21.
"When Sherman County was on Frontier," was the title of a series
of articles by Lewis C. Gandy which appeared in the Goodland
Daily News from June 8 to 15, 1934, inclusive. Another series by
Mr. Gandy entitled "Old Fort Wallace and the Smoky Hill Trail,"
was commenced June 22.
The activities of the Homesteaders' Protective Association, later
renamed the Homesteaders' Union Association, and the organization
(396)
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 397
of Sherman county were reviewed in a three-column article published
in The Sherman County Herald, Goodland, June 14, 1934.
Lawrence school history was reviewed by Dr. A. R. and Jane
Kennedy in the Douglas County Republican, Lawrence, June 14,
1934.
The history of the Plainville Nazarene church was sketched in the
Plainville Times, June 14, 1934.
Larned postmasters were named in The Tiller and Toiler in its
issue of June 14, 1934. The post office was established in Larned
on August 15, 1872. George B. Cox was the first postmaster.
A brief historical sketch of the First Baptist church of Wathena
was published in the Wathena Times, June 15, 1934. The church
was organized on June 13, 1858.
"Geologic History of Stevens County, and Southwestern Kansas
and Vicinity," is the title of an article by J. W. Dappert, of Taylor-
ville, 111., being published serially in the Hugoton Hermes, com-
mencing with the issue of June 15, 1934. Mr. Dappert was an early-
day surveyor in southwestern Kansas.
The sixtieth anniversary of the founding of St. John's Lutheran
church of Topeka was observed June 17, 1934. A brief history of
the organization was written by Arnold Senne for the Topeka State
Journal, June 16.
A two-column history of the Chilocco Indian School, located six
miles south of Arkansas City in present Oklahoma, was printed in
the Caldwell Daily Messenger, June 16, 1934. W. J. Hadley estab-
lished the school for the United States government in 1884.
Notes on the building of Gen. William T. Sherman's house north
of Topeka in 1859, a brief history of Topeka's fire department, and
W. K. Myers' account of the Battle of Adobe Walls in 1874, were
features of the Topeka Daily Capital, June 17, 1934. Mr. Myers'
story was a reprint from the Chase County Leader, Cottonwood
Falls, of June 13.
Wichita, as it appeared in 1869, was described by Victor Murdock
in an article relating an interview with Landon Haynes, former
cattleman, which was published in the Wichita (Evening) Eagle,
June 19, 1934.
A two-column biographical sketch of C. R. "Buck" Teeters, one
of the Fort Wallace buffalo hunters, was written by A. H. Stewart
398 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
for The Sherman County Herald, Goodland, in its issue of June 21,
1934.
The early history of the Baileyville Baptist church was reviewed
by Mrs. Bert Hay, of Holton, in The Courier-Tribune, Seneca, June
21, 1934. The church was organized on August 23, 1884.
A history of West Powhattan school was published in the Horton
Headlight, June 21, 1934.
"Sixty Years of Newspaper History in Butler County," by George
F. Fullinwider, was the title of a four-column article printed in the
El Dorado Times, June 22, 1934. The Walnut Valley Times, founded
at El Dorado on March 4, 1870, is the first on record. Additional
notes to this newspaper history were supplied by T. P. Manion in
the Times of July 14.
The fiftieth anniversary of the dedication of the Centennial
Methodist Episcopal church building near Halstead was celebrated
June 17, 1934. A brief history of the church organization was pub-
lished in the Halstead Independent, June 22.
A brief history of the old Hesper Academy near Eudora was
printed in the Douglas County Republican, Lawrence, June 28, 1934.
The Society of Friends chartered the institution on June 10, 1884.
"Post Office Closing Recalls Early Day," was the title of a his-
torical sketch of Bayneville in the Clearwater News, June 28, 1934.
Goodland history was reviewed by Jean Beckner in The Sherman
County Herald, Goodland, June 28, 1934. A biographical sketch
of Col. George Bradley, pioneer of Sherman county, written by A.
H. Stewart, was another feature of this issue.
"Some Early History" was the title of an article by Lillian Forrest
recalling early Jewell county Fourth of July celebrations and the
organization of a Union Sunday School, which was published in
The Jewell County Republican, of Jewell, in its issue of June 28,
1934.
"When Humboldt Was the Distributing Depot for the Great
Southwest," an article by J. H. Andrews, was printed in the Hum-
boldt Union, June 28, 1934. Humboldt in 1870 was the nearest rail-
road point to several southwest Kansas towns, Mr. Andrews re-
ported, and trainloads of supplies were deposited there for re-
shipment overland by wagon.
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 399
Attica observed the fiftieth anniversary of its founding with a
celebration held July 4, 1934. Histories of the city's newspapers,
early business houses and railroad were published in the "Golden
Anniversary Number" of the Attica Independent, issued June 28,
1934. Names of pioneers registering at the event and their recol-
lections of early-day Attica were recorded in the Independent July 5.
The history of Oakley, as written in detail by Clarence Mershon,
librarian at the Oakley Public Library, is being featured in cur-
rent issues of the Oakley Graphic. The series was commenced in
the issue of June 29, 1934.
The fiftieth anniversary of the laying out of the city of Coldwater
was recently observed. A letter from Cash M. Cade, of Shawnee,
Okla., one of the members of the original townsite company, was in-
cluded in the historical articles printed in The Western Star, Cold-
water, June 29, 1934.
A paper by B. R. H. d'Allemand relating the history of Stevens
Park at Garden City and the part the late S. G. Norris had in its
development was published in the Garden City News June 30, 1934.
The pioneer-day celebration held at Greensburg, August 3, 1934,
commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Kiowa
county. The July and August issues of the Greensburg News and
Progressive-Signal, the Haviland Review and the Mullinville News,
Kiowa county newspapers, contained many historical notes and
articles contributed by pioneers and others. The Kiowa County
Historical Society, organized on August 19, 1932, assisted in the
arrangements.
"An Unexplained Mystery of the Western Plains," was the title of
an article by Leta Edgar relating the history of the Beales-Royuella
Spanish land grant, published in the Wichita Sunday Eagle, July 1,
1934. Dr. John Charles Beales, as a part of his project to colonize
this empire of 60,000,000 acres, which included portions of the
present states of Texas, Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico, brought
out 100 Catholic families from Massachusetts in 1824, settled them
in this region, and then was unable to find the colony again, wrote
Miss Edgar.
The history of the Atchison Globe was sketched by Samuel T.
Bledsoe, president of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad at a
dinner held in Topeka, June 30, 1934, honoring Edgar Watson Howe,
400 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
founder of the Globe. William Allen White, publisher of the Em-
poria Gazette w*as toastmaster. Other speakers included Col.
Robert R. McCormick, publisher of the Chicago Tribune, Gov. Alf
M. Landon, and Frank A. Ripley, president of the Topeka Chamber
of Commerce. The speeches by McCormick and Bledsoe and Howe's
response were printed in the Topeka Daily Capital, July 1.
Early western gunmen were recalled by Fred Sutton in a three-
column article appearing in the Kansas City (Mo.) Journal-Post,
July 1, 1934.
The twenty-fifth anniversary of the University Methodist church
of Salina was observed at special services held at the church July
1, 1934. A brief history of the organization was published in the
Salina Journal, July 2.
Reading history was sketched by Joyce Gibbs in the Emporia
Gazette July 3 and 4, 1934.
Names of Chase county school teachers listed in five-year periods
from 1890-'91 to 1905-'06 were published in the Chase County News,
Strong City, July 4, 1934.
The Spanish bull fights held at the opening of Dodge City's fair
grounds in July, 1884, were described in the Dodge City Daily Globe,
July 4, 1934.
Early Downs and Osborne county history was recalled by W. A.
Listen, of Salem, Oregon, in a letter printed in the Downs News,
July 5, 1934. Mr. Listen arrived in the Downs vicinity in 1879.
Additional Downs history was reviewed in the News in its September
27 issue.
The fifty-first anniversary of the organization of the Calvary
Sunday School, near Randall, was observed June 24, 1934. A his-
tory of the organization was briefly sketched in The Jewell County
Republican, of Jewell, in its issue of July 5.
Early Wichita and southern Kansas history was recalled by L.
C. Fouquet, of Chandler, Okla., in a letter published in the Hum-
boldt Union, July 5, 1934. Mr. Fouquet arrived in Wichita in 1870.
He later served as postmaster at Magnolia and Andale.
"Haun's Bluff Cooled the Dodge Toughies," was the title of an
article relating the reminiscences of C. E. Roughton, of Jetmore,
which was printed in the Dodge City Daily Globe, July 5, 1934..
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 401
Mr. Roughton wrote of a gang's unsuccessful attempt to kill Thomps
Haun in 1879.
"Pioneering With Wash Kennedy/' was the title of a two-column
article published in the Greensburg News, July 5, 1934. Mr. Ken-
nedy came to Kansas in 1862.
"Changes of Forty Years in Coldwater," by H. V. Butcher, is the
title of a feature column appearing occasionally in The Western
Star, of Coldwater. The first article of the series was published
in the issue of July 6, 1934.
A biographical sketch of Jules B. Billard, first mayor of Topeka
under the commission form of government, was written by Dwight
Thacher Harris for the Topeka State Journal, July 7, 1934. Mr.
Billard came to Kansas in 1854.
The history of Fairmount college, now the University of Wichita,
was sketched by Rea Woodman in the Wichita Beacon, July 8, 1934.
Anecdotes from the life of Col. Sam Radges, for many years
publisher of the Topeka city directories, were recalled by Oscar
Swayze in the Topeka Daily Capital, July 8, 1934.
The settlement of the territory around present Plainville was
reviewed by W. F. Hughes in his column, "Facts and Comments,"
published in the Rooks County Record, Stockton, July 12, 1934.
Historical topics of general interest discussed in Harry Johnson's
column, "Past and Present," printed in recent issues of the Garnett
Review, include: "The Ferry Boat Across North Fork," July 12,
1934; "Anderson County's First Citizen— Eliza Priest," and "First
Burials in Anderson County," July 26; and "Our Early Autos,"
September 6.
The political activities of the late Chester I. Long and Jerry
Simpson were mentioned by D. D. Leahy in his column, "Random
Recollections of Other Days," published in the Wichita Sunday
Eagle, July 15, 1934.
Brief histories of Sylvan Grove School District No. 22, west of
Horton, were printed in the Horton Headlight and The Tri-County
News in their issues of July 16, 1934. The school district was organ-
ized in the middle 1860's.
A thirty-six page historical edition commemorating the founding
of the South Haven Methodist Episcopal church was issued by the
26—5574
402 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
South Haven New Era, July 19, 1934. The church was organized
by the Rev. B. C. Swartz on August 27, 1873.
Life in territorial Kansas and John Brown's slave-running ac-
tivities were recalled in the Garnett Review, July 19, 1934.
The first court docket used in what is now Garden City was
briefly discussed by the Garden City News in its issue of July 19,
1934. The first case was tried on September 1, 1879, the News
reported.
"Lawrence, Kas., Was Founded as Free State Stronghold Eighty
Years Ago," was the title of an article published in the Kansas City
(Mo.) Star, July 19, 1934.
Barber county old settlers contributing to the "Pioneer Reminis-
cences" column appearing occasionally in recent issues of The Bar-
ber County Index, of Medicine Lodge, include: Arthur D. Shaw,
Wm. L. Derrick, July 19, 1934; Aubra Donovan, Allen E. Herr,
July 26; H. A. Tedrow, Robert L. Groendycke, August 2; Lela
Teagle Yoke, August 23, and Mrs. J. W. Young, September 6.
A biographical sketch of Gen. Henry Leavenworth, founder of
Fort Leavenworth, was published in the Kansas City (Mo.) Times,
July 21, 1934.
Prairie fires, drought, Indian scares, the grasshopper invasion and
scurvy combined to make 1874 one of the hardest years ever ex-
perienced in Sumner county, the Caldwell Daily Messenger reported
in a feature article printed in its issue of July 25, 1934.
A story of the building of Chase county's courthouse and the
temporary quarters used before its erection, was written by Carrie
Breese Chandler for the Chase County Leader, Cottonwood Falls,
July 25, 1934. The county's present courthouse was completed in
1873.
William Hammond's reminiscences of the drought of 1860 were
published in the Emporia Gazette, July 25, 1934. Mr. Hammond
went to Emporia with his parents in June, 1857.
"Just a Country Town," was the title of an article by C. B.
Andrews, which appeared in the Seneca Times, July 26, 1934, de-
scribing a little town in Nemaha county forty years ago.
Pioneer days in Mitchell county were described by the late Mrs.
James Humes, of Beloit, in a paper published in the Beloit Gazette,
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 403
July 26, 1934. Mrs. Humes arrived in Mitchell county in Septem-
ber, 1871.
The reminiscences of Henry Lord, of Dodge City, a former Indian
fighter, were printed in the Kansas City (Mo.) Star, July 26, 1934.
Mr. Lord was a member of the Eleventh Kansas regiment.
A history of Shell Rock township, Greenwood county, by Royal
Wolcott, was published serially in the Madison News in its issues
of July 26, August 2, 9, 16, and 23, 1934.
Eighty years of Atchison history were briefly reviewed by the
Atchison Daily Globe in its issue of July 27, 1934. The first town
meeting was held on the townsite of Atchison July 27, 1854.
The history of the Shawnee Methodist mission near Kansas City
was recalled by Mrs. Harry B. Tasker, of Topeka, in the Topeka
Daily Capital, July 29, 1934. Mrs. Tasker is chairman of the Shaw-
nee mission committee of the Kansas Daughters of the American
Revolution.
The sixty-second anniversary edition of the Wichita Eagle was
issued July 29, 1934. "The Story of the Eagle," by Kent Eubank;
"Recollections of Col. Marsh Murdock," founder of the Eagle, by
David D. Leahy, and "Wichita Was Once a Military Post," by Hor-
tense Balderston Campbell, were features of the edition.
Five special services were held by the Swedish Evangelical
Lutheran Bethany church of Lindsborg during August, 1934, in
observance of the sixty-fifth anniversary of its organization. His-
torical notes were published in current issues of the Lindsborg News-
Record in conjunction with the event.
A brief history of Cadmus Grange, No. 350, of Linn county, was
printed in the Kansas Grange Monthly, of Kingman, in its August,
1934, issue. The grange was organized on July 21, 1873.
Herington newspaper history was reviewed by Muriel Harris
Knox in a page article published in the Herington Times-Sun, August
2, 1934.
The history of Garden City's first experiment station was sketched
in the Garden City News, August 2, 1934. The experiment station
was established two miles north of the city in 1888.
A historical sketch of the Eskridge Covenanter church, by Mrs.
J. R. W. Stevenson, was featured in the Eskridge Independent on
August 2, 1934. A committee of the Kansas Presbytery, with Rev.
404 KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
J. R. Latimer, moderator, organized the congregation on April 16,
1884, with twenty-five members.
Incidents happening at Fort Saunders, Douglas county, during
the border warfare period, were briefly discussed in the Kansas City
(Mo.) Star, August 3, 1934.
Several Kansas newspaper presses have been sunk into a watery
grave by irate readers as a result of strong editorial policies on the
part of their editors. One newspaper to meet this fate was The
XVIth Amendment, of Ness City, edited by Joseph Langellier, and
devoted to the cause of prohibition. In 1885 it published almost
regularly the names of those who bought liquor at the local drug
store for "medicinal" purposes. According to an article published
in the Dodge City Daily Globe, August 7, 1934, some of these citi-
zens so publicized "did not like to have their tastes aired" and saw
to it that the press was dumped into Sunset Lake in Ness City
where it rests to-day. Mr. Langellier did not revive the Amendment
after this disaster.
A history of the St. Mary's Catholic church of McCracken was
sketched in the McCracken Enterprise, August 10, 1934. The Rev.
Father Hardis, of Liebenthal, held the first Catholic service in the
community on August 12, 1884.
The fiftieth anniversary of the organization of Saint Peter's Lu-
theran church of Holyrood was observed August 12, 1934. A history
of the church was published in the Holyrood Gazette in its issue of
August 15.
"The Old Home Town Band Stand," was the subject of a
two-column sketch by Harry Johnson appearing in The Anderson
Countian, of Garnett, August 16, 1934.
^ history of the Pony Express was contributed by John G. Ellen-
becker to the Hanover Democrat of August 17, 1934.
The history of the Kimball United Brethren church was reviewed
by R. E. Morgan, of Kimball, in the Chanute Tribune, August
17, 1934.
A cartoon strip entitled "History of Topeka in Pictures," by
Robert Currie, is a weekly feature of the Topeka Daily Capital.
The series started with the issue of August 19, 1934.
The accomplishments of the Beloit Women's Civic Club since its
organization on March 15, 1922, were reviewed in the Beloit Daily
Call, August 23, 1934.
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 405
Early postoffices and the Santa Fe trail in Lyon county were
discussed in the Emporia Gazette, August 23, 1934.
The droughts of 1860 and 1934 were compared in the Humboldt
Union, August 23, 1934. In 1860 relief rations were hauled from
Missouri river points with starved teams, the writer reported.
The story of the massacre at Lone Tree in 1874 in which 0. F.
Short and a party of surveyors were killed by Indians was retold in
the Meade Globe-News and the Meade County Press in their issues
of August 23, 1934. A bronze tablet honoring the surveyors has been
purchased. It will be placed upon the trunk of the original Lone
Tree.
A brief history of the Kansas City Advertiser was published in
The Wyandotte County Record of Kansas City, August 24, 1934.
The Advertiser is a continuation of the Argentine Republic, estab-
lished in Argentine in 1887.
The history of the Liberal Christian church was briefly reviewed
in the Liberal News, August, 27, 1934, and in The Southwest
Tribune, August 30. The church was organized on August 26, 1894,
with J. H. Knapp as the first pastor.
Henry Burnard's pioneering experiences in southern Kansas in
the early 1870's were related in the Mulvane News, August 30, 1934.
Mr. Burnard came to Kansas in 1870 and settled along the Arkansas
river bottom near present Udall.
The Cheney Methodist Episcopal church celebrated its fiftieth
anniversary September 2, 1934. The names of former pastors were
included in the history of the organization published in the Cheney
Sentinel, August 30.
Early Kansas newspaper history was briefly reviewed by Milton
Tabor in the Topeka Daily Capital, September 2, 1934.
"Graveyard at Chelsea First of Cemeteries in the Prairie Empire/'
was the title of an article by Victor Murdock published in the
Wichita (Evening) Eagle, September 5, 1934. Chelsea is the oldest
neighborhood in the Butler-Sedgwick county region, wrote Mr.
Murdock, and the cemetery was started contemporaneously with
the establishment of the town.
Neosho Falls in the 1880's was briefly described by Mrs. Luta
Van Boskirk, of Kansas City, in The Woodson County Post, Septem-
ber 6, 1934.
406 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Fort Leavenworth history was reviewed in the annual "Fort
Leavenworth Edition" of the Leavenworth Chronicle, issued Septem-
ber 6, 1934.
The Newton First Presbyterian church celebrated the sixty-
second anniversary of its organization on September 9, 1934. A
brief history of the church was published in the Newton Evening
Kansan- Republican, September 8.
An article relating the history of the prohibition movement in
Kansas was printed in the Kansas City (Mo.) Star, September
9, 1934.
The introduction of electric lighting in Topeka was recalled in
the Topeka Daily Capital, September 9, 1934. F. B. Roper, who
made the installation in 1881, still resides in the city.
Clark county history is being reviewed in detail in a series of
articles contributed by John R. Walden to The Clark County Clip-
per, of Ashland. The series was commenced in the issue of Septem-
ber 13, 1934.
The experiences of Thomas A. Butler, western Kansas railroad
contractor, were printed in the Dodge City Daily Globe, September
13, 1934. The story was obtained by Victor Murdock from the son,
Newton W. Butler, of California, and was first published in the
Wichita Eagle.
A series of articles concerning the personnel of Veteran Company
1779, Civilian Conservation Corps, is being contributed by Capt.
Albert Whipple Morse, Jr., commanding officer, to the Burr Oak
Herald. The series was commenced in the issue of September 13,
1934.
The part Arkansas City played in the opening of the Cherokee
strip in 1893 was recalled by F. B. Hutchison in the Arkansas City
Daily Traveler, September 15, 1934.
A biographical sketch of Gen. James G. Blunt, by Kirke Mechem,
was published in the Wichita Sunday Eagle, September 16, 1934.
General Blunt was Kansas' first major general.
The seventy-fifth anniversary of the St. Andrew's Episcopal
church of Fort Scott was observed September 20, 1934. The history
of the organization was reviewed in the Fort Scott Tribune in its
issue of September 19, 1934.
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 407
A French settlement made over seventy-five years ago in Chase
and present Marion counties was discussed by John Madden in an
article printed in the Marion Review, September 19, 1934. Names
of Kansas pioneers who came to the state before 1880 and who at-
tended the Marion old settlers' meeting held September 13, were
also featured. In the issue of September 26, the Irish colonization
in Marion county was described by Mr. Madden, and in the October
3 issue the English colonization was reviewed. The history of the
Mennonite colony was reviewed in the October 10 issue, by William
Burkholder.
Weir's history was briefly sketched by J. W. Farrell in the Weir
Spectator, September 20, 1934.
Commemorative editions of the St. John News and The County
Capital were issued September 20, 1934, honoring the founding of
the First Methodist Episcopal church at St. John fifty-one years
ago. A history of the church compiled by Mrs. W. H. Waters, Mrs.
L. L. Carleton and L. B. Asher, was published. Photographs of
persons prominent in the church history were also featured.
The Pittsburg Headlight and Sun printed their sixth annual
"Kansas Coal Edition," as a part of their issues of September 24
and 25, 1934, respectively. Included in the featured articles was a
two-page history of the southeast Kansas industry as it was thirty
years ago, republished from the industrial edition of the Headlight
issued September 10, 1904.
The seventy-fifth anniversary of the Lyona Methodist Episcopal
church was observed during the week ending September 23, 1934.
A brief history of the church published in the Topeka Daily Capital,
September 25, related that the Lyona church was the first organized
in Dickinson county.
A. D. Searle's survey of the Lawrence townsite begun on Septem-
ber 25, 1854, was recalled in the Lawrence Daily Journal-World,
September 25, 1934. The two-column story related the origin of
street names and located some of the early boundaries of the city.
Over four square miles was included in the original townsite.
"Early Wallace County, General Custer, and the Seventh Cav-
alry," a series of articles written by Lewis C. Gandy, has been
resumed in The Western Times of Sharon Springs. The series com-
menced with the issue of September 27, 1934.
408 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
A history of the Dry Creek school, as written by C. H. Gustln in
1900, was published in the Toronto Republican, September 27, 1934.
The school district was first organized in April, 1866.
A letter from Rev. H. E. Ross, of Whitewater, relating his early-
day experiences as a Methodist pastor in Hugoton, was printed in
the Hugoton Hermes, September 28, 1934. Reverend Ross arrived
in Hugoton in 1897.
"When Civil War Threatened Kansas Seventy Years Ago," was
the title of an article by Manly Wade Wellman, reviewing Gen.
Sterling Price's campaigns around Kansas City in October, 1864,
published in the Wichita Sunday Eagle, September 30, 1934.
A biographical sketch of Oscar Stauffer, Arkansas City news-
paperman, was printed in the Kansas City (Mo.) Star, September
30, 1934.
The history of the Masonic Order in Kansas was briefly reviewed
in the October, 1934, issue of the Kansas Masonic Digest, published
at Wichita. Lodges were established in Kansas a few weeks after
the territory was opened to settlement in 1854.
Cale, a town founded near the state line southwest of Arkansas
City in 1886, was described in the Arkansas City Daily Traveler,
October 2, 1934. The town did not prosper and the townsite was
abandoned a few years after its founding.
A biography of Eugene Fitch Ware, Kansas poet and former editor
of the Fort Scott Monitor, was published in the Fort Scott Tribune,
October 3, 1934. A copy of the manuscript as written by A. M.
Keene was placed in the cornerstone at the dedication ceremonies
for a new school building at Fort Scott, October 2. The school will
bear the name of the poet.
Names of persons still alive who resided in the Conway Springs
neighborhood in 1884 were listed in the Conway Springs Star, Octo-
ber 4, 1934.
Biographical sketches of Civil War veterans who made their homes
in the Waterville community are being published in the Waterville
Telegraph. The first of the series appeared in the issue of October
4, 1934.
The history of Havana, located four miles west of Burlingame
on the old Santa Fe trail, was reviewed by Marie A. Olson in the
Topeka Daily Capital, October 7, 1934. A colony of Germans from
KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 409
St. Louis and Chicago laid out the townsite in 1858, but abandoned
it in the early 1870's.
A biographical sketch of F. Dumont Smith, Hutchinson attorney,
was published in the Kansas City (Mo.) Star, October 7, 1934.
The story of Presbyterianism in Kansas, from its Indian-mission
work in the early 1800's to its present-day membership, was related
by Rev. Drury H. Fisher, of Manhattan, at a meeting of the Kansas
Presbyterian synod in Clay Center, October 10, 1934. A resume of
this address was printed in the Clay Center Dispatch, October 11.
Waushara Methodist church, near Eskridge, celebrated the thirty-
fifth anniversary of the building of its present church edifice on
October 7, 1934. A history of the organization, by Lester E. Bush,
was published in the Eskridge Independent and the Harveyville
Monitor in their issues of October 11. Names of teachers and mem-
bers of the various public school boards in Wabaunsee county were
listed by Anna Nash-Wagner, county superintendent, as another
feature of the same issue of the Independent.
A history of Ravanna, a boom town of the 1880's, was briefly
sketched by R. K. Myers in the Dodge City Journal, October 11,
1934.
The history of Vinland Grange and the Grange Fair was reviewed
by Allison Andrews in the Baldwin Ledger, October 11, 1934. Vin-
land Grange was organized on May 24, 1873, with twenty-eight
charter members.
Mennonite settlements in Kansas were briefly reviewed by Laura
Knickerbocker in an article published in the Kansas City (Mo.)
Star, October 14, 1934. A description of the Shawnee Methodist
mission as it appears to-day, and a biographical sketch of William
Allen White, were other Kansas features included in the issue.
The history of Haskell Institute at Lawrence was sketched in the
Kansas City (Mo.) Star, October 16, 1934. The first building of
the Institute was erected in 1884.
Life at old Camp Nichols, established by Col. C. Carson on the
Cimarron cut-off of the Santa Fe trail in present Cimarron county,
Oklahoma, was described in the Dodge City Journal, October 18,
1934. Crumbling rock walls are all that remain to-day of that
camp erected in 1865 to house soldiers who acted as escorts to
wagon trains through the territory from Fort Dodge or Fort Lamed
southwest to the camp.
410 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
The golden anniversary of the Block Trinity Lutheran church
was observed October 21, 1934. The history of the church was
briefly reviewed in the Miami Republican, October 19.
Oswego's First Methodist church history was sketched in the
Oswego Democrat and Independent in their issues of October 19,
1934. The sixty-sixth anniversary of the organization of the church
was observed at a homecoming on October 14.
The eightieth anniversary of the organization of the Plymouth
Congregational church of Lawrence was observed October 21-24,
1934. The church was organized on October 22, 1854, with ten
charter members, the Lawrence Daily Journal-World reported in its
issue of October 19. The Kansas City (Mo.) Star, of October 21,
also published a history of the church.
Reminiscences of Mrs. Anna Vandervourt Smith, a pioneer Kan-
san, were recorded by Jennie Small Owen in the Topeka State
Journal, October 20, 1934. A story of a dog and the protection it
gave to a party of whites during an Indian attack in present Jewell
county in 1868, by Lillian Forrest, was another feature of this issue.
A biographical sketch of Fred Stone, Kansas actor, was published
in the Kansas City (Mo.) Star, October 21, 1934. Mr. Stone is now
featured in the new play The Jayhawker, written by Sinclair Lewis
and Lloyd Lewis, and based on Kansas' part in the War of the Re-
bellion. The Star in this same issue also printed a biographical
sketch of Earle W. Evans, of Wichita, who is a former president of
the American Bar Association.
The history of the Norton Community High School was briefly
reviewed in the Norton Nugget in its issue of October 22, 1934.
Kansas Historical Notes
A Pony Express marker, erected in the city park at Hanover, was
dedicated August 22, 1934, as a feature of the Hanover "Days of
'49" celebration.
Desire Tobey Sears chapter, D. A. R., of Jewell county, has
erected a memorial in the city park at Jewell commemorating the
establishment of Fort Jewell and honoring the pioneer settlers. A
bronze plate on the marker bears the inscription, "Fort Jewell,
Built May 13-14, 1870."
At the twentieth annual reunion of the surviving members of the
Eighteenth and Nineteenth Kansas regiments, held in Topeka Sep-
tember 12, 1934, Frank M. Stahl was reelected president; John Mc-
Bee was elected first vice president; H. L. Burgess was reelected
second vice president, and Mrs. Ella Shaul was reelected secretary-
treasurer.
The Kansas state chapter of the United Daughters of 1812 dedi-
cated the two rooms which have been assigned to it at the Shawnee
Methodist Indian mission at ceremonies held at the mission Septem-
ber 19, 1934. The dedication furniture was a walnut bedroom suite
which had belonged to the family of Mrs. S. H. Kilgore, second
state president of the Kansas chapter.
At the annual meeting of the Riley County Historical Society
held in Manhattan on October 1, 1934, the following officers were
elected: C. M. Correll, president; Mrs. Caroline A. Smith, vice
president; Mrs. Gertrude B. Failyer, secretary; Mrs. John Flick,
treasurer; G. H. Failyer, historian and custodian, and Mrs. C. A.
Smith, assistant custodian. Directors of the Society who were
elected are: W. D. Haines, chairman, Mrs. Caroline A. Smith, Mrs.
Medora Flick, Mrs. C. B. Daughters, Mrs. F. L. Murdock, Mrs.
Ida Warner, G. H. Failyer, C. W. Emmons, and C. M. Correll.
W. B. Trembly, of Kansas City, was elected president of the
Twentieth Kansas infantry at the thirty-fourth annual reunion held
in Topeka, October 8, 1934. Other officers are: Fred A. Recob,
Topeka, vice president, and Jerry C. Springstead, Topeka, secretary
and treasurer.
A temporary sign was recently placed west of Ingalls, in Gray
county, marking the old Cimarron crossing of the Arkansas river on
the Santa Fe trail.
(411)
412 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Many Kansas cities and towns annually sponsor pioneer meetings
or old-settler reunions. Newspapers in some of these localities
issued historical editions in conjunction with these meetings which
are mentioned elsewhere in these notes. In other localities historical
facts brought out in the newspapers, which, although not listed in
separate paragraphs, are of sufficient importance to be catalogued
here; consequently, a list of communities sponsoring meetings, and
the dates, are appended for reference: Wabaunsee, May 30; Hazel-
ton, June 1 ; Wichita, June 2 ; Cameron, June 3 ; Scott City, June 12 ;
Shields, June 13, 14; Garden Plain, July 22; Downs, July 25;
Quenemo, July 26, 27; Wilson, July 26-28; Nickerson, August 2, 3;
Lebanon, August 2-4; Halstead, August 8, 9; Baldwin, August 10,
October 9; Jewell, August 10, 11; Leoti, August 13, 14; Lakin,
Selden, August 16; Hanover, August 21-23; Russell, August 22-24;
Melvern, August 23, 24; Sparks, August 23-26; Colby, August 24;
Oskaloosa, August 24, 25; Americus, Mulvane, Spring Hill, White
Rock, August 30; Holton, August 31; Drury, Severy, Syracuse,
September 3 ; Thayer, September 5-7 ; Solomon, Stafford, September
6; Reading, September 7; Cimarron, Uniontown, September 8; To-
peka, September 10; Neosho Falls, September 12-14; Marion, Sep-
tember 13; Howard, Lawrence, Pratt, September 14; Toronto,
September 16; Humboldt, September 17-22; Oakley, September 18;
Fontana, September 20 ; Herington, September 21 ; Weir, September
22, 23; Cherry vale, Smith Center, September 26; Pike-Pawnee park
celebration, September 27-29; Fall River, September 29; Stockton,
October 2; Ford, October 5; Bennington, Olathe, Sedan, October 6;
Rush Center, October 10; Mt. Hope, October 11; Dwight, Man-
hattan, October 13; Oswego, October 20, and Paola, October 26-31.
Errata in Volume III
Page 52, lines 1 to 4. The Buford mentioned here was Maj. Jefferson
Buford of Eufaula, Ala., instead of John Buford as suggested in footnote 9.
For an account of Major Buford 's activities in the territory see Walter L.
Fleming's "The Buford Expedition to Kansas," in The American Historical
Review, v. 6, pp. 38-48.
Page 123, lines 17 to 19, referring to ownership of Dyerstown or Juniata,
an error.
Index to Volume III
Abbott, James B., account of Doy
rescue by, mentioned 5
Abell, Letha, mentioned 327
Abilene 7, 12
— early days in, described by Almon C.
Nixon, in Abilene Daily Chronicle.... 216
— formerly known as Mud Creek 340
— trestle bridge near, mentioned 10
— views of 11
Abilene Daily Chronicle, mentioned 106
109, 216, 327
Abilene Daily Reflector, mentioned 109
Abilene Grace Reformed Church, fiftieth
anniversary of 109
Abilene Public Library, records and relics
of Dickinson County Historical Society
to be placed in Ill
Abolitionists 56
— accused of stealing horses from Pro-
slavery men 60
— casualties reported 60
— committing depredations on Proslavery
people 56
— hold barbecue at Bloomington 165
— Michigan, bound for Kansas 59
Absentee Shawnees. See Shawnee Indians,
Absentees.
Achenbach, Jacob, sketches from life his-
tory of, published in Hardtner Press, 216
Ackley, Ottawa county, Matilda Edwards
first postmaster 245
Ada, Ottawa county, Pike's camp near
site of 232
— post office named in honor of Ada, wife
of Jacob B. Lane 242
• — town and post office shifted three-
fourths of a mile to a railroad station, 242
Adair, F., prominent Cherokee Indian
lawyer 382
Adair, J. W., delegate to Indian Council, 366
Adams, Elmer B., judge U. S. district
court 72, 73, 79
Adams, Franklin G 64
— quoted 137
— Marysville and Marshall's ferry de-
scribed by 139
— Parallel road in northern Kansas laid
out by 281
Adams, Nathaniel A., ferry incorporator, 39
Adamson eight-hour act, declared uncon-
stitutional by Judge Wm. C. Hook 83
Addis, Miss M. L., vice president Shawnee
County Old Settlers' Association 112
Adobe house 352
Adobe Walls, battle of, mentioned 397
Advocate-Democrat, Marysville 207
Mrand, The, Hays 396
— publication of Fort Hays Kansas State
College 327
Afton Trinity Lutheran church, history
of, reviewed by Waterville Telegraph.. 213
Aid Company (N. E. Emigrant Aid Co.), 163
Ailanthus, Ottawa county, A. S. Kinsey,
first postmaster 245
Air Line ferry, Clay county, location
of 265, 266
— operated by DeMond 265
Aitchison, R. T., Wichita 103
Alabama, canvassed for money to aid
southern cause in Kansas 52
Alberson, C. M., ferry incorporator 281
Alberty, Moses, delegate to Indian Coun-
cil 366
Alberty s store, mentioned 382
Albinson, C. M., mentioned 279
Alcott, Mrs. W. W., vice president Cha-
nute Old Settlers' Association 112
Alcove Springs, mentioned 220
Aldrich, Chester H., governor of
Nebraska 77
Alexander, Mrs. S. T., history of Lock-
port, on Gray-Haskell county line re-
called by 213
Alien enemy registrations, World War, in
Kansas State Historical Society 93
Allaga wa hu, Kaw chief 299
Allen, Dr. , married a daughter of
Isaac Journeycake 317
Allen, A. C., of Riley county 121
Allen, Capt. Asaph, ferries run by 341
— operated ferry on Republican river. . . . 248
Allen, Henry J., attitude on strikes, 385- 395
— debates Samuel Gompers on merits of
Kansas Industrial court 385- 395
— proposed debate with Clarence Darrow
declined 385
Allen, Martin, pioneer prophet 327
Allen, R. G. Pottawatomie county land
owner 130
Allen, Wm. F., of Riley county 121
Allingham, William, bridge contractor. . . 34
Allison, Messrs., bridge contractors 116
Alloway, William, ferry incorporator 263
— secretary Wakefield Ferry Co 263
Alma Herald, quoted 116
Alma Union, quoted 28
Alrich, A. G., donor 94
Alta Vista Journal 222
Altoona, early day pictures of persons and
scenes appearing in Altoona Tribune. . . 222
Altoona Tribune 222
Alum creek, "Devil's Bake Oven" on.... 11
Amalgamated Clothing Workers, Sidney
Hillman president of 393
Ambrotype, patents covering 3
America City, hack line to Louisville
from 25
— on state road 273
American Bar Association, Earle W. Evans
former president of 410
American Federation of Labor, aims of, 386
387, 392, 393
— attitude on strikes 385-395
American flag, raised at Pawnee village. . 97
American Historical Association 86
American Legion and Auxiliary 332
American photography, chronology of ... 3
American Tobacco Company case 77
Americus 219
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
Ammunition, Kiowa Indians demand for, 353
Ampitheatre road, Leavenworth,
mentioned 9
Andale, L. C. Fouquet was early post-
master at 400
Anders, J. Olson, mentioned 223
Anderson, James, killed by Osages.. 172,173
Anderson Countian, Garnett, quoted and
cited 214, 217, 220, 333, 404
(413)
414
GENERAL INDEX
PAGE
Anderson county, early burials in 401
— first automobiles in 401
— manuscript histories of school districts
of, mentioned 401
— Mrs. Isabel Yokum, county superin-
tendent 220
Anderson Galleries, mentioned 87
Andrews, Allison, mentioned 409
Andrews, C. B., mentioned 402
Andrews, George, ferry incorporator 33
Andrews, J. H., mentioned 398
Andrews, John, killed in Indian raid 241
Annuity payments to Indians; thieves,
pickpockets and robbers abound during, 311
Antelope creek, Ottawa county, first known
as Sand creek 234
Anthony, Daniel R., Sr., editor Leaven-
worth Daily Conservative and Leaven-
worth Times 336
Anthony, Daniel R., Jr., representative in
Congress 79
Anthony Republican, mentioned 208, 336
Apache Indians, mentioned 180, 363
— Charles Ehresman interpreter for 353
— of New Mexico, camped on headwaters
of Brazos river 351
— Tracy, member of 348
— under charge of Kiowa and Comanche
agency 351
Arapahoe Indians 180, 181, 292, 300
347, 363
— burial customs of 348
— list of head men 348
— religious beliefs of 347
Archaeological specimens, picked up on
Kansas farms 87
• — proper arrangement of 89
Argentine Republic, files of, given the
Historical Society 94
— note on history of Kansas City 405
Arickaree Fork of Republican, battle
of 220, 244
— rises in eastern Colorado 246
Arkansas City 397
—in 1870 331
— part played in the opening of the
Cherokee Strip 406
— Trinity Episcopal church 334
Arkansas City Daily Traveler. . 331, 406, 408
Arkansas City Tribune 334
Arkansas river 172, 174, 175, 177, 181, 184
322, 324, 349,380- 382
— Cimarron crossing of 411
— ferry on 405
—Red Fork of 324, 345
— road to, protected 182
— settlement along 405
— Texas cattle lost in quicksand while
fording 323
Arkansas Valley underflow, development
of, for irrigation purposes 209
Armstrong, Charles, son-in-law of Charles
Journeycake 317
Armstrong, Henry, kept store at Journey-
cake's 317
— son-in-law of Charles Journeycake 317
Army City, building of, mentioned 218
Army of the Potomac, mentioned 174
Arrowheads, uncovered by high winds. . . 329
Ash Point, on military road to Marys-
ville 142, 143
Asher, L. B., mentioned 407
Ashland, roads leading to 37
Ashland bottoms, south of Kansas river, 40
Ashland ferry 86, 40
— ferriage rates of 36- 38
— history of 37
— road from to Manhattan ferry peti-
tioned for 37
PAGE
Ashlock, Burkdall &, Bull Run ferry
operated by 275
Ash tabula colony, organized in Ohio 221
A. T. A. News, Cheney 212
Atchison 253
— eightieth anniversity of founding of ... 407
— freight for Colorado and other points
forwarded from 258
— headquarters of Central Superintend -
ency, Indian Department at 182
— newspaper history of 399
— road to Marysville 142
to Pawnee 40
Atchison Champion, cited or quoted, 271, 336
Atchison Daily Globe 210, 403
— note on history of 399, 400
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
Railroad 79, 242
— A. A. Hurd, general counsel for 78
— first train through Wichita run by 183
— Ottawa branch 12
— Samuel T. Bledsoe, president of 399
Attica, fiftieth anniversary of founding
of 399
Attica Independent, cited 209
— golden anniversary number of 399
Attorney -general, Kansas, instructed by
governor to bring suit against Repub-
lican River Bridge Co., to compel com-
pliance with terms of its charter. . 254, 255
Atwood, John H., attorney, Kansas City,
Mo 70
Atwood, brief history of, by Mary Eliza-
beth Kelley, published in The Square
Deal, Atwood 219
— established in April, 1880 219
Aubrey, F. X., in Stanton county 328
Augur, C. C. treaty commissioner for
Indians 181
Augusta Baptist church 210
Augusta Daily Gazette 210
Augustus Captain, Osage Indian, delegate
to Indian Council 359,365,366
Austin, Edwin A 99, 103
Automobile, coming of, to Clay Center.. 331
— first in Anderson county 401
Avey, Zebulon, of Riley county 122
Axtell, Mrs. Dan H 331
Ayers, Seymour, Ayersburg named for... 238
— recollections concerning 238
Ayers school house, Ottawa county 238
Ayersburg 241
— description of 238
— John C. Boblett first postmaster 238
— temporary county seat of Ottawa
county 230, 238
Bachelder, Riley county, Abram Barry
granted right to keep ferry at 259
— on road up Republican river 265
Bachelor, R. T., ferry incorporator 263
Bacon, price per pound 50
Badgeon, N. D., mentioned 352
Bailey, Mahlon, bridge incorporator 34
Baileyville Baptist church, note on his-
tory of 398
Baker, Judge 363, 364
— railroad man, lobbyist 362
Baker, Hook & Atwood, Leavenworth at-
torneys 70
Baker, Lucien, elected to United States
senate 70
Baker Orange, Baldwin 334
Baker University, Baldwin, diamond jubi-
lee celebration 334
— founding of 110
Baldan, James, ferry on land of 21
GENERAL INDEX
415
PAGE
Baldwin, William, farmer ior Sac and
Fox Indians 325
Baldwin, newspaper history of 110
— old settlers' reunion at 412
Baldwin Ledger 334, 409
— fiftieth anniversary of 110
Ballitt's, on Verdigris river, Indian terri-
tory 318
Balls, territorial, where Proslavery and
Abolitionist mingled together 156
Banks, early Kansas, northern states fur-
nish money for 156
— checks on, difficulty in cashing in
Kansas 160
Baptist church, Howard, fiftieth anniver-
sary celebrated 331
— First, Ottawa, seventieth anniversary of
founding celebrated 331
Baptist Pottawatomie mission, near
Topeka 17
— date of establishment 15
Baptiste, Major (Baptiste Peoria), chief
of Peoria Indians, described 307
Barber county 209
— biographies of old settlers in 402
— cedar posts from, exchanged for food, 108
— old settlers' reunion 327
— pioneer reminiscences published in Bar-
ber County Index 218, 331
Barber County Index, Medicine
Lodge 217, 881, 402
Barber County Old Settlers' reunion,
names of those registering published
in Barber County Index 217
Barbour, O. P., secretary Merrimac
Town Co . . 134
Barker, , early daguerreotypist, in
Kansas 5
Barlow, , resident of Riley county, 37
Barnard, Timothy, mentioned 362
Barndt, J. W., mentioned 333
Barnes, Charles, Riley county ferry oper-
ator 122, 125
Barnes, Fred H 213
Barnes, George W., director Clyde ferry, 272
Barnes, J. H., Cedar Creek ferry, rates of
ferriage on 120
— ferry operator 125
on Blue river 123
locations at Rocky Ford and Cedar
creek 120
— operating lime kiln 125
Barnes, S. B., ferry operator 125
Barnes' ferry, above Manhattan 118
— below Rocky Ford 124
— William Harrison granted license to
operate 126
— writeup by Manhattan Independent... 124
Barneston, Neb 213
Barnett, Timothy, delegate to Indian
Council 366, 377
Barr, Capt. Samuel L., Fifth U. S. in-
fantry, at Camp Beech er 180, 184
— military sendee seen by 178
Barr, Thomas F 184
Barren Fork of Illinois river 360
Barrett, road up Blue river via 36
Barrows, , Clay county farm owner, 269
Barry, Abram, granted right to keep ferry
at Bachelder 259
— representative, Riley county, 1857 .... 135
Barry, R. A., activities of Russell, Ma-
jors & Waddell, early Leavenworth
freighting firm, discussed in New York
Herald -Tribune by 215
Bartell hotel, Junction City 218
Bartlett, Leavitt, ferry incorporator 271
Bartlett, S., granted license for Clifton
ferry 271
PAGE
Bartlett, William K., bridge and ferry
incorporator 259
Barton, D. W., former cattleman, ex-
periences of told by E. E. Kelley, in
Topeka Daily Capital 217
Bass, N. W., of U. S. geological survey.. 177
Bates, Robert, ferry operator 37
Battle of Adobe Walls 397
— Arickaree, or Beecher's Island 174,244
account by Winfield Freeman in
Salina Journal 220
—Battery Wagner, Charleston, S. C 49
— Charles City Court House, Virginia... 179
— Chickamauga 43
— Five Forks, Virginia 179
—Hickory Point 145
— Manassas, first 43
second 150
—New Market Heights, Va 179
— Valverde, N. M 180
Bauer, , Clay county land holder.. 269
Baxter Springs 301, 305
— Southern Hotel 405
Baxter Springs Citizen 108
Bayneville, note on history of 398
Beach (?), , resident of Riley
county 37
Beal, Hiram, ferry incorporator 33
Beale, Mrs. W. G., first settlers of Bur-
lingame, named by 215
Beales, Dr. John Charles, colonization
project of 399
Beales-Royuella Spanish land grant 399
Bear creek cowboys, of 1883, mentioned. . 328
Bear Shield, Cheyenne chief 348
Bear's Tongue, Cheyenne chief 348
Beates, Guerdon E., biographical sketch
of 341
— bridge and ferry incorporator 259
— member Solomon River Bridge and
Ferry Co 341
Beatty, Mrs. C. T., of Chanute, "How
Chanute was Founded" 207
Beaubien, Charles, ferry operator 20
Beaubien-Ogee ferry, history of 20
Bebout and Williams, Rocky Ford ferry
operated by 266, 267
Beck, Lieut. , mentioned 357
Beck, John, of Fort Scott, recommended
as agent for Seminoles 311
Beck, Moses Milton, editor Holton
Recorder, name added to Kansas news-
paper hall of fame 336
Beckman, John F., member Randolph
Ferry Co 131
Beckner, Jean, mentioned 398
Beckwith, Dent &, Manhattan 81
Beds, few in early Kansas 50
Beecher, Rev. Charles 174
Beecher, First Lieut. Frederick Henry,
hero Battle of the Arickaree, biograph-
ical sketch of 174
Beecher, Henry Ward 174
Beecher, Sarah Coffin 174
Beef, contracts for supplying Indians .... 352
— furnished to Indians at Kiowa and Co-
manche Agency 251
Beeks, Charles E., Baldwin 101, 104
Beeson, Merrit, historical museum at
home of 112
Beezley, George F., Girard 101, 104
Bell, H. B., president Southwest
Historical Society . , 112
Bell, Dr. William A., photographs made
by 13
Belleville, mentioned 284
Belleville Telescope, quoted 287
Bellport, A. J., saddle used by, in driving
cattle over Chisholm trail, given to
Kansas State Historical Society 95
416
GENERAL INDEX
Bellport, Miss Abbie, donor 95
Beloit Daily Call, cited 404
Beloit Gazette, cited 219, 402, 403
Beloit Mirror, quoted _• • 342
Beloit Women's Civic Club, note on his-
tory of 404
Belvidere, N. C 290
Benecke, Robert, St. Louis, photographs
made along route of Union Pacific in
1874 13
Benkelman, Neb., forks of Republican
unite near town of 246
Bennington 241
— date of establishment of 239
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
— post office established at 238
Bennington, Vt., only town of that name
in United States with population over
1,000 239
Bent's fort 327, 396
— military road from Fort Riley to, made
a territorial road 41, 257
Bergman, N. S., ferry operator 131
Berryman, J. W., Ashland 103
Berthoud, Capt. E. L., arrival at Fort
Riley to build bridge across Republican
river 253
Bertram, , mentioned 52
Bertrand, B. H., mentioned 310
Best family, of Ottawa county 238
Bethany college, Lindsborg 91, 223, 224
Beucler, S. P., postmaster at Ada 242
Bevenue, Samuel, delegate to Indian
Council 366
Big Blue river 10, 29, 120, 134
— approximate length of 115
— bonds voted for bridges over 124
— bridges over, destroyed by flood of
1855 122
— dam below Rocky Ford, near Manhat-
tan, a favorite swimming hole 123
— ferries on, article by George A.
Root 115- 144
— ferry, near Rocky Ford 123
first above mouth, at Manhattan.. 115
— ferrying on, in 1846 136
free ferry, considered 31
run by M. J. Gore 116
—flood, 1846, mentioned 136
1855 122
1867 34
1870 36
1903 119
— ford near town of Schroyer 136
— forms Pottawatomie-Riley county
boundary line 115
— government bridge built at Rocky Ford, 117
— government crossing of 140
— high water in 251
— history of 115
— ice gorge of 1871, described 124
— Juniata crossing 120
— Rocky Ford crossing 116, 117
Big Canadian river, some description of . . 349
Big Horse, Cheyenne chief 348
Big Jake, Cheyenne chief 348
Big John, flag station in front of Kaw
Agency building 300
Big Kickapoo, or Captain John, a princi-
pal man among Pottawatomies 311
Big Mouth, Arapahoe chief 347
— commanded troop which slaughtered
Major Elliott 348
Big Stranger creek, old covered bridge
over, at Easton 220
Big Walnut river, Osage Indians kill two
men on 172
Bilious fever 59
Billard, Jules B., ex-mayor of Topeka. . . 401
— note on biographical sketch of 401
PAGE
"Billy the Kid," death discussed 333
Binge, S. H., Cherokee, delegate to In-
dian Council 366
Bird Chief, Arapahoe chief 348
Bird City Times 331
Bird creek, Indian territory 322
— Shawnees residing on 310, 343, 362
Bisbey, J. M., ferry incorporator. . . . 26, 27
Bissell, Mary Calkins, co-editor of Phil-
lipsburg Herald, placque honoring 111
— mother of first white child born in
Sixth district Ill
Black, Edward, delegate to Indian
Council 366, 381, 382
Black Beaver, a principal man among
Pottawatomies 311
Black Beaver, Delaware chief, at
Wichita 343
Blackbirds 315
Black Kettle, camp of, destroyed 348
Black Kettle, famous wild horse of west-
ern Kansas, capture of, by Frank H.
Lockard, described by E. E. Kelley.. 210
Black Republicans 159
Black Vermillion river 134, 135
Blackburn, William Elmer, editor
Anthony Republican 336
Blades, Mrs. Thirza Brewster, Santa Fe
Railway officials name way station for. 242
Blanchett, Moses, of Ash Point, shoots
one of party trying to intimidate him. . 143
Blanchville, early days in, mentioned. . . . 332
Bledsoe, Samuel T., president of A. T.
& S. F. Railway Co 399
Block Trinity Lutheran church, note on
history of 410
Bloomington, abolitionists hold barbecue
at 165
Blue Earth river, an early name of the
Big Blue river 115
Blue Eye creek and river 235
Blue Hill Masonic Lodge No. 198, of
Lucas, history of, published in Lucas
Independent 216
Blue Mont Hill, Manhattan 117
Blue Mount, Douglas county, mentioned . . 9
Blue Rapids, boat launched at 135
— pontoon bridge at 135
— woolen mill at 215
Blue Rapids Times, cited and
quoted 135, 215
Blue Rapids Tuesday Afternoon Club,
accomplishments of 216
Blue River Ferry Company, organized by
Barnes family and others 124
Bluffton, post office in Ottawa county 244
Blunt, James G 304
— at Quapaw payment 303
— bargains with various Indians to en-
deavor to secure indemnity for losses of
stock, etc., during Civil War, for one-
third of amount secured 301
— note on biographical sketch of 406
Board, early Kansas, rates of 50
Board of Trade, Garden City 328
Boat bridges, mentioned 118
Boblett, John C., first postmaster at
Ayersburg 238
Boblett's mill, on Solomon river, state
road to 342
Bogue, Mr. , exciting experience at
Lanoue's ferry 277
Boles, J., early daguerreotypist of Kan-
sas 5
Bomar, Mr. , photographer, granted
permission to accompany Fremont's ex-
pedition as far west as Westport .... 4
Bonds, of Missouri-Oklahoma Gulf
Railroad Co 82
Bone picking, near Fort Hays, 1875 328
GENERAL INDEX
417
PAQB
Bonebrake, Fred B., Topeka 101, 104
Boone, Col. , house built by, for
Agency building 352
Boone, Capt. Nathan, note on journey
through present Harper county in
1843 208
Booth, Fox B., ferry operator, negro slave
woman owned by 39
Booth, Wilbur, judge Eighth circuit court
of appeals 82
Border cavalry patrol, from Camp
Beecher to Marion Center . 172
Border Ruffian women, talk of killing
Jim Lane 161
Boss, Samuel Z., first postmaster of Ben-
nington 239
Boston-Elk Falls county-seat warfare,
1874, story of, told by Thomas E.
Thompson in Howard Courant 215
Boston Gazette, original copy of 87
Boston Herald, quoted 77
Boston Massacre, first account of, in
Boston Gazette 87
Botkin, Vera Olds 333
Bourassa, J. N., ferry operator 19
— interpreter for Pottawatomies 310
Boutwell, Daniel W., ferry incorporates. . 17
— scout and messenger for Union forces
during Civil War 18
Boutwell, Victor S., donor 94
— foreman state bindery 18
Bowers, George, road commissioner 37
Bowlus, Thomas H., Tola 101, 104
Bowman, Noah L., Garnett 103
Boyakin, Williamson Franklin, mentioned 220
Boyd, John J., bridge incorporator 119
Bradbury, H. C., first preaching service
in Sylvan Grove Presbyterian church
held by 107
Bradford, A. J., director and operator of
Clyde ferry 271, 272
Bradford, Rev. Wm., presiding elder
M. E. Church, South 162
Bradley. Addie Oowlev, first white girl
child born in Fifth district, plaque
honoring Ill
Bradley, Col. George, Sherman county
pioneer 398
Brady, Dr. J. A., of Louisville, Ky.,
Lerado, Reno county, founded by.... 222
Brady, Mathew B., most widely known
of American photographers 6
Bragg, Gen. Braxton 43
Braid, Ottawa county, Thos. Durham,
first postmaster 245
Branch, E. W., of Pike creek, appointed
commissioner of Ottawa county. . . 230, 23
Brazil, , farm owner, Clay county.. 269
Brazos river, Apache Indians camped on
headwaters of 351
— Indian tribes located on, driven out by
Texans 355
Breeder's Gazette, Chicago, bound volume
given Historical Society 94
Brewer Bros., store keepers at Brewer
Station 242
Brewer, David J., appointed to federal
bench 69
— associate justice Kansas supreme court. 69
— circuit judge of Eighth circuit 71
— date of death 76
Brewer, O. H. P., delegate to Indian
Council 366
Brewer, Thirza A., Ottawa county home-
steader 242
Brewery, located at Concordia 278
Bridge, covered, over Big Stranger creek,
at Easton 220
— over Republican river at Hardy, Neb. . . 288
— pontoon, at Clyde 270
Bridges, Maj. Gen. C. H., U. S. A 185
27—5574
PAGE
Bridges, bonds voted for 132
lections for 283
— for Blue and Republican rivers, bonds
voted for 124
on Union Pacific, carried away by flood
of 1867 118
— over Republican 267
at Fort Riley carried away by floods 251
Brigham, Mrs. Lalla M., Council Grove. . 103
Bright, J. B., elected vice president Kan-
sas History Teachers' Association 223
Brininstool, E. A., author Charley
Reynolds — Hunter and Scout 105
Bristow, Joseph L., progressive senator of
Kansas 76, 79
Brobst, Emory, president Shawnee County
Old Settlers' Association 112
Bronson, Elizabeth. See Mrs. A. J. Hoole.
Bronson, Mary, date of birth 55
Brooks, D. G., operator of Five Creeks
ferry 265
Brooks, Henry K., member executive
committee 99, 103
Brooks, Preston S., assault on Charles
Sumner, mentioned 242
Brooks, Mrs. Sarah White, captured by
Cheyennes when a girl 219
Brought ton, Clay county, ferry at 263
Brown, , Ottawa county creek
named for 235
Brown, E. J., Indian trader 369
— member Okmulgee constitution revision
committee 369
Brown, George W., incorporator 135
Brown, J. Lewis, ferry incorporator.. 22, 23
Brown, James H., bridge and ferry in-
corporator 249
Brown, Jefferson, ferry incorporator 126
Brown, John 333
— activities in Kansas, mentioned 331
— note on slave-running activities of.... 402
— of Harper's Ferry fame 159
Brown, John, Jr., Free State prisoner. ... 6
Brown, John F., member Indian
Council 365, 366
Brown, John Lowery, diary of, cited.... 396
Brown, L. C 222
— coal mining in Russell county discussed
by 109
Brown, Lewis, secretary Wamego Bridge
and Ferry Company,
Brown County
Hiawatha, seven-
tieth anniversary edition of 209
Brown creek, naming of 235
Browne, Mr. , mentioned 68
Browne, Charles H., Horton 101,104
Brownsville, road up Blue river via 36
Brownville community, near Colby, old
settlers' meeting held in 112
Bruce, D., ferry on Solomon river estab-
lished by 340
Bruce City, establishment of 340
Brumbaugh, Jerome D., incorporator. . . . 134
Brunson, John A., birth and death dates
of 150
Bryan, Francis T., mentions Solomon
river 839
Bryan, S. A 332
Bryant, Edwin, passed through Marshall
county in 1846 136
Bryner, Dr. , new agent for
Seminole Indians 857
Buchanan, President James 65, 162, 170
Buckeye creek 235
Buckskins, price per pound sold for 315
Bucksley, Mrs. A. H., recprding secretary
Shawnee Mission Historical Society 111
Buffalo 176, 351
—flies which trouble 315
— killed by hunters with Pike's expedi-
tion 282
418
GENERAL INDEX
PAGE
Buffalo, last killed in Smith county 208
Buffalo birds 315
Buffalo creek 232
— pioneer mill on 332
Buffalo fish, caught in Kansas river 57
Buford, Maj. Jefferson, arrival in Kansas
at head of several hundred southerners, 52
— some of party brought to Kansas prove
to be robbers 56
Buford, John 52
Buford, Maj. Gen. Napoleon Bonaparte,
U. S. A 52
Building, costs expensive 305
Bull fights, held at Dodge City 400
Bull Run ferry, operated by Capt. N.
Fox 274, 276
— ferriage rates of 274
Bull train, crossing Smoky Hill river,
mentioned 11
Bullen, Mrs. W. R 332
Bumgardner, Edward, Lawrence 103
Bunkerhill Advertiser 207, 328
Bunn, C. W., of St. Paul, Minn 84
Bunton's ford, on Republican river, Cloud
county 273- 276
Burgess, H. L., vice president of cavalry
association 411
Burials, first in Anderson county 401
Burkdall & Ashlock, Bull Run ferry op-
erated by 275
Burke, J. J., and Clark T. Richardson,
founders of Colony Free Press 210
Burkhalter, Solomon 334
Burkholder, William, mentioned 407
Burlingame, first settlers of, named by
Mrs. W. G. Beale in Enterprise-
Chronicle, Burlingame 215
Burlington, note on history of
Daily Republican 208
Burnard, Henry, note on pioneering ex-
periences of 405
Burnett, C. C., trader on Caney river... 317
Burr Oak Herald 406
— history of, mentioned 218
Burt, George S., ferry incorporator 27
Bush, Sergt. Charles, U. S. A., a resident
of Wichita 185
Bush, Lester E., mentioned 409
Bush, M. E., ferry operated by and rates
of ferriage charged on 128
Butcher, H. V 327, 401
Butler, Josiah 350
Butler, Newton W., of California 406
Butler, Thomas A., western Kansas rail-
road builder 486
Butler county 405
— notes on newspaper history of 398
— Wichita Indians moved from, to
Wichita 184
Butler County News, El Dorado 216
Butterfield, David A., purchases stock for
stage line from Atchison to Denver. . . . 253
Butterfield Overland Despatch, freight
consigned to 258
— organization of 258
Byrd, Dr. , of Darlington, S. C. . . . 65
Cabin creek 314
Cache creek, Indian territory 340
Cade, Cash M., member of Coldwater
town company 399
Cadet Journal, Hays 827
Caddo Indians, books distributed to 306
— located on Brazos river 355
Cadmus Grange No. 350, of Linn county,
note on history of 403
Caldwell, Henry C., judge Eighth circuit
court 71, 73
Caldwell, R. C., Topeka postmaster 93
Caldwell Daily Messenger, cited 397,402
PAGB
Cale, note on history of 408
Caledonia, Ottawa county, Cicero H.
Frost, first postmaster at 245
Calhoun, Maj. A. H., photographs made
by 13
Calhoun, John, president of constitutional
convention in 1857 . : 169
— surveyor general of Kansas and
Nebraska 169
California, emigrants, at Republican river
ferry 248
crossed at Smith's ferry 16
— emigration, magnitude of 137
— gold rush of 1850, mentioned 396
— gold seekers, passed through Marshall
county 135
California road, St. Marys on route of.. 22
Callahan, J. H., ferriage rates charged
by 130
— Stockdale ferry operated by 129
Callen, A. W., bridge and ferry
incorporator 259
Calvary Sunday School, near Randall,
note on organization of 400
Cameron, old settlers' reunion held at... 412
Camp Beecher 173, 179, 403
— article by Hortense Balderston Camp-
bell on 172-185
— cholera among troops at 183, 184
— date of abandonment 174
establishment 172
— General Field Order naming 174
— Indian attack on 183
— located on site of Wichita 174
— Nineteenth Kansas cavalry stop at. ... 184
— outpost 182
— soldiers' quarters a dugout 174, 175
— various locations given for site of 175
Campbell, Mr. , commissioner on
Indian Affairs 355
Campbell, A. M., operated ferry over
Smoky Hill at Salina 112
Campbell, Mrs. A. M., assisted in operat-
ing ferry across Smoky Hill 112
Campbell, A. M., Jr., historical collection
of, presented to Salina Public Library. 223
Campbell, Mrs. A. M., Jr 223
Campbell, A. W., bridge and ferry
incorporator 272
—president, Clyde Bridge and Ferry Co.. 272
Campbell, Mrs. Hortense Balderston 185, 403
— author of "Camp Beecher" 172- 185
— reference librarian, Wichita City
Library 114
Campbell, Philip P., representative in
Congress 79
Campbell, Robert, mentioned 364
Campbell -Palmer, Mrs. Mary 223
Camp Butterfield, Camp Beecher first
known as 173
Camp Center, Fort Riley first known as. . 246
Camp Cooper, on Brazos river, exact
location of 355
Camp Davidson, Kansas, troops stationed
at 183
— later called Camp Beecher 174
Camp Lewis, near Pecos Church, N. M.. 178
Camp Nichols, on Santa Fe trail 409
Camp Supply, Mexican killed at,
by Little Heart, Kiowa chief 351
Cana river. See Caney river.
Canadian river 349, 362
—Deep fork of 324, 825, 346, 357
—North fork of 324, 345, 349, 362
ferry boat on 357
location of 343
— Topofki ford on 356
— trading post on 345
Caney river 318, 319, 362
— ford on, two miles below Chouteau's
store 32J
— junction of Big and Little 318
GENERAL INDEX
419
Caney river, mounds on 321
—tributary of Verdigris 317
Caney valley, stock live all winter long
without feeding in 318
Caneyville, Indian territory 321
Cannon balls, cast from type of Lawrence
newspaper offices destroyed by
Proslavery mob 62
Cannon, Proslavery forces at Lecompton
provided with 64
— shipped into Kansas 45
— used in attack on home of Col. Titus. . 62
Canoes, for Big Blue, built in 1846 136
Capital -labor conflict discussed 385- 395
Capper, Arthur, Topeka 103, 112
Captain John, or Big Kickapoo, a princi-
pal man among Pottawatomies 311
Carey, M. & Son, atlas published by, 246, 339
Carl, George, Clay county landholder 269
Carleton, Mrs. L. L., mentioned 407
Carlton, Alanson, ferry incorporator t
Carney, Alfred, mentioned 396
Carney, Joseph, bridge incorporator 118
Carpenter's wages, schedule paid at
Douglas 47
Carson, Col. C., establishes Camp
Nicholas 409
Carter, Colbert, Chickasaw delegate to
Indian Council 365, 366
Carter, John 318
Carter, Mrs. Minnie, secretary-treasurer,
Chanute Old Settlers' Association..... 112
Carter, W. O., pioneer in well irrigation
in Arkansas valley 209
Carvalho, S. N., Incidents of Travel and
Adventure in the Far West, book by,
cited 4
— photographs made on Fremont's expe-
dition of 1853 and 1854 4
Casebeer, Thomas, first postmaster of
Nilesville 240
Casement, Dan 123
Casement, Gen. J. S 123, 12G
Cash, Col. E. B. C., C. S. A 43
Castrite Foundry Company, Topeka,
donor 95
Catfish, forty-eight pounder captured at
Eaves' ferry 279
— large ones caught in Kansas river 47, 50, 57
Catholic cathedral, Leavenworth 9
Catholic church, Plainville 222
— St. Paul, golden jubilee celebrated 334
Catholic mission, St. Marys 309
Catholic mission school, for Osage
Indians 370
Catholics, members of the Beals
colonization company 399
Cato, Judge Sterling G 93
— orator at Fourth of July celebration at
Tecumseh 165
Cattle, driving, mentioned 335
— flies which trouble 315
— in the Indian country 355
— stealing, Freedmen not amenable to
law, sometimes engaged in 355
— See, also, Texas cattle.
Cattlemen, first settlers in Comanche
county in early 1870's 211
Ca-wal-p-gu, Kaw Indian, the giant of
the tribe in stature 300
Cawker City, Great Spirit Spring near. . 230
Cawker City Camp Fire, file given
Historical Society 94
Cawker City Public Record, files given
Historical Society 94
Cedar creek, Riley county 125
— tributary Blue river, road to 120
Cedar Point, outpost 182
Cedar posts, exchanged for food 108
Census, 1860, Davis county, mentioned.. 252
PAGE
Centennial Methodist Episcopal church,
note on history of 398
Central Branch railway 272, 278
Central Electric Railway Co 80
Centralia, newspaper history of 207
— road up Blue via 36
Centralia Journal., fiftieth anniversary
edition of 207
Chaffee, Judge , contribution for es-
tablishment of ferry 123
Chalmers, John, ferry operator 126
Chamberlain, L. B., ferry incorporator. . 17
— secretary Pottawatomie Bridge and
Ferry Co 18
Chambers, Henry, delegate to Indian
Council 366
Champlain, first visited Ottawa Indians
on Georgian Bay 228
Chandler, Mrs. Carrie Breese 402
— history of old mill at Cottonwood Falls,
published in Chase County Leader. . . 216
Chanute, note on history of 207
Chanute Old Settlers' Association, new
officers of 112
Chanute Tribune, cited 404
Chapin, F. A 331
Chapman, C. A., member Randolph
Ferry Co 131
Chapman, D. B., road commissioner 37
Chapman, M., St. George, road commis-
sioner 22
Chapman, Mrs. S. B., early settler in
Ottawa county 234
Chapman, William J., cited 260
Chapman Advertiser 207, 211
Chapman creek, appeared on early maps
as Sycamore creek 233
— first called Nishcoba 233
— fording of 251
Charles City Court House, Va., battle of. 179
Charley, Samuel, Shawnee Indian farmer 343
Chase county, building of courthouse of. . 402
— Clements Community Center 87
— Cottonwood City a forgotten townsite
in ,92
— note on French settlement in 407
— school teachers of 400
Chase County Leader, Cottonwood Falls,
cited 110, 216, 402
Chase County News, Strong City, cited.. 400
Checota, governor of Creek nation. . 361, 377
— religious services at residence of 378
Chelander, John, trustee Randolph Ferry
Co 130
Chelsea, founding of, reviewed by Victor
Murdock in Wichita Eagle 212
—note on establishment of cemetery at . . 405
Cheney, fiftieth anniversary of founding
observed 107
— Methodist Episcopal church, note on
history of 405
— pioneer business men of 109
— St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church
near 330
Cheney Sentinel, cited, 107, 109, 212, 330, 405
Cherokee Indians 293, 302, 363
— Chippewa and Munsee Indians desire to
settle among 308
— Council, or Legislature, held at
Tahlequah 322
— dissatisfied Delawares leave and go
amongst Peorias 315
— Kaw Indians to be removed to lands
of 299
— list of delegates to Indian Council.... 366
— number of, in Indian territory 369
children in attendance at schools of. 370
schools operating for 370
supported by 360
—party of, journeys to California 396
420
GENERAL INDEX
PAGE
Cherokee Indians, population of 360
— school and orphan fund of 369
— tabulated educational report of 371
—treaty 365
of 186-, cannot be ratified because
of influence of lobbyists 304
— Eastern Band, in North Carolina, Gen.
J. G. Blunt and — McBracney, agents
for 304
— claim of 304
Cherokee Nation, Indian territory, men-
tioned 396
— Moravian mission school in 370
— people of eastern part engaged in farm-
ing 360
Cherokee outlet country, narrative of,
mentioned 335
Cherokee strip, opening of, mentioned... 406
Cherokee Town, I. T., on Washita river,
ferry opposite 355
Cherry vale, old settlers' reunion held at. . 412
Chetopa 292, 293, 312, 314, 382
— burned during Civil War 215
— first settlement in, made by Dr. George
Lisle 215
• — history of, written by Mrs. W. R.
Veach, printed in Chetopa Advance-
Clipper 215
Chetopa Advance-Clipper 215
Cheyenne county 246
— school history reviewed 331
Cheyenne Indians 180, 181, 292, 300, 363
— complain of prohibition of ammunition. 349
• — east central portion of Kansas raided
by 172
— invited to Indian Council but not pres-
ent 361
— list of head men 348
— Mrs. Sarah White Brooks captured by,
when a girl 219
— raid on Yockey creek, Ottawa county. . 241
— strong, healthy people 348
Cheyenne and Arapahoe Agency 346
— live beef furnished for 352
—road from Wichita to 340
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad,
M. A. Low, general counsel for 78
Chickamauga, battle of 43
Chickasaw Indians, mentioned 292, 293
— Agency 355
Dr. John Shirley a trader at 356
— cotton crop estimated at 5,000 bales. . 365
— delegates to Indian Council 366
— number of 355
in Indian territory 370
schools and pupils 370
— send children to the States to be edu-
cated 355
— school fund of 370
— Smith Paul, married woman of 355
— tabulated educational report of 371
Child labor, state laws against 389
Childs, , Riley county landholder... 125
Chilocco Indian School, note on history
of 897
Chilson, Edward, ferry operator 19
Chilson, William, ferry incorporator 18
Chiltoon, W., of Riley county 122
Chippewa and Munsee Indians, brief de-
scription of 308
— Mission for, six miles southwest of Ot-
tawa 308
— reservation of 308
— school for, conducted by Joseph Romig,
a Moravian 308
— syphilitic disease diminishing numbers
of 309
— wish to settle among Cherokees 308
Chisholm trail, mentioned 95
Chisholm's creek 346
PAGH
Choctaw Indians 293
— delegates to Indian Council 366
— population of nation of 369
— schools, number of children in attend-
ance at 369
— tabulated educational report of 371
— treaty of, mentioned 365
Cholera, along Fort Leavenworth to Salt
Lake road 137
—at Camp Beecher 183, 184
— in New Orleans 20
— prevalent at Fort Zarah 184
— victims buried in vicinity of Marshall's
trading post 137
Chollar, J. H., special agent for removal
of Wichita Indians 184
Chouteau's agency 321
Chouteau's store 322, 324
— on Caney, about 22 miles below Kan-
sas line 318, 321
Chriss, , Ottawa county creek named
for 235
Chriss creek, naming of 235
Christian church, Clyde 106
— Plainville 222
— history, Kansas, published in The Kan-
sas Messenger, Topeka 210
Christman, Joseph, ferry incorporator... 263
Christmas, at Douglas, 1856 153
Chronicle, Abilene 211
Chronicles of Oklahoma, Oklahoma
City 327, 396
Chupco, John, Seminole chief 369
Church, Mrs. E. N., Junction City
pioneer 221
Church of Christ, Miltonvale, history
printed 329
Churchill post office, name changed to
Tescott 244
— on farm of T. B. Sears, its first post-
master 243
Churchills, of New England stock 243
Cimarron, old settlers' reunion held at.. 412
Cimarron county, Oklahoma, establish-
ment of Camp Nichols in 409
Cimarron crossing, on Arkansas river 411
Cimarron cut-off, Santa Fe trail, estab-
lishment of Camp Nichols on 409
Cimarron river, sometimes called Red
Fork of Canadian 346
Circuit courts, records in Historical So-
ciety 93
Circuit rider, at Douglas .' . . . 46
Citizen, Howard 213, 831
Civil War, mentioned 136, 178, 341
— veterans of, residents of Waterville. . . 408
Civilian Conservation Corps, at Kinney
dam, between Garden City and Dodge
City 208
— Company 1778 328
—Veteran Co. 1779, mentioned 406
Claflin, founded in spring of 1887 108
— memories of early, published in Claflin
Clarion 108
Claflin Clarion 108
Claim agents, in Indian Department 302
Clapp, Isaac D., bridge incorporator. . . . 119
— ferry incorporator 25
Clardy, J. E., ferry incorporator 23
Clark, Mr. , attempt to burn house
of 48
Clark, Sen. , of Wyoming, chairman
of senate judiciary committee 76
Clark, Bert 831
Clark, Harry, Broughton ferry recalled
by 263
Clark, John H., manuscript of, quoted. . . 138
Clark, Mary, ferry license issued to 258
Clark county, note on history of 406
GENERAL INDEX
421
PAGE
Clark County Clipper, The, Ashland,
cited 406
Clarke, , delegate to Indian Council, 366
Clarke, Bridget, native of Ireland 252
Clarke, Chas. F., biographical mention
of 252
— ferry license issued to 252
Clarke, Gen. George W. ..150,153,162,163
— biographical sketch of 63
Clarke, Sidney 311
Clark's creek, Davis county 39
Clay Center 270
— coming of the automobile to 331
— Duncan's ferry at 263
— gauging station on Republican river
established 247
— Kansas Presbyterian synod meets in. . 409
— roads leading to and from 257, 265
Clay Center Dispatch, cited 409
Clay Center Times 210, 211
Clay county, mentioned 247, 259
— action of county commissioners in re-
gard to Wakefield ferry 262
— Clifton ferry most northern in county. . 271
— early days in, reviewed by Peter Hjelm,
in The Times, Clay Center 221
—ferries in 260- 271
— origin of names of country schools in. . 208
— post offices, 1881, named in Times,
Clay Center 335
Clayton, Mr. and Mrs. Abraham, note on
biographical sketch of 211
Clayton, George T 329
Clayton act, cited 386
Claytonville, Brown county 142
Clear creek, ranch near, formerly an over-
land stage station 11
Clearwater News, cited 398
Cleburne, bridge constructed at 133
— ferries at 133
Clements Community Center, in Chase
county 87
Cleomenes, mentioned 241
Clifton 269, 270
— ferry, A. Ehrhardt granted license for. 271
G. E. Brooks granted license to op-
erate 270
S. Bartlett granted license for.... 271
— on road up Republican river 265
— road to 257
— Sturtevant ferry at 270
Clifton Ferry Company, organization
of 270, 271
Cloud county 247, 339
—ferries in 271- 288
— ferry operated by A. J. Bradford 271
— pioneer mill on Buffalo creek 332
— roads petitioned for 280
Clough & Wheat, Leavenworth lawyers. . 70
Clum, , mentioned 311
— chief clerk of Commissioner Parker. . . 301
Clyde 275
— boats used at, during flood in 1870. . . . 271
— boiler at shingle mill used as ferryboat
at 271
— ferry 274
boat grounded with stage from
Waterville 272
ferriage rates of 272
running ice prevents operation of . . . 273
— pontoon bridge at 270
— road to 257
— roads centering at 273
— stages for Concordia crossed river at. . 273
Clyde Bridge and Ferry Company, in-
corporation of 272
Clyde Christian church, fiftieth anni-
versary of 106
Clyde Ferry Co 273
Clyde Republican 106, 219
Coal, found on Post Oak creek, Indian
territory 322
— mined, in Russell county 109
Coal Creek, Ottawa county 241,243
— post office, changed to Georgetown.... 240
establishment of 234, 240
— trouble crossing fords of 234
Cobb, , ferry operator 341
Cochran's, forty miles from Chetopa.... 382
Cockrum, R. 1 328
Coe, Clare A., president Twentieth Kan-
sas infantry organization 112
Coffee, price per pound 50
Coffey county, historical sketches of, in
Gridley Light 330
Coffeyville 12
Coffeyville high school, historical exhibi-
tion sponsored by annually 89, 90
Coffman, J. M., mentioned 267
Colby, old settlers' reunion held at 412
Colcord, Charles F., president Oklahoma
Historical Society 327
Coldwater, fiftieth anniversary of found-
ing of 399
— note on history of 401
Cole, Coleman, delegate to Indian Coun-
cil 366
Cole, Laurence V., author of Manual for
Small Museums 88
Collective bargaining, "not a conciliatory
or harmonizing function" 391
Collier's magazine 96
Collins, , from Exeter, N. H., build-
ing ferry boat for Blue river 123
Colonial Dames of Kansas, bronze plate
bearing profile of Washington, pre-
sented to Historical Society 102
Colony, old mills of, discussed by F. S.
Denny, in Colony Free Press 216
Colony Free Press 216
— history of, reviewed 210
Colorado, mines, fabulous accounts of
riches of 139
— regiments, Second cavalry 239, 244
— Republican river rises in 246
Colored people, among Chickasaws, had
no right to any lands 356
Colton, Edwin, first postmaster, Pipe
Creek, Ottawa county 234, 245
Colton, G. A., "Map of Kansas" by,
mentioned 234
Columbia Law Review, quoted 81, 82
Columbus, mentioned 305, 306
Comanche county, cattlemen first settlers
in 211
— cedar posts from, exchanged for food, 108
— history of, reviewed by W. V. Jackson
in Western Star, Coldwater 211
— prairie fire scare of 1887 110
Comanche Indians 181, 232
292, 300, 347, 363
— Charles Ehresman interpreter for 353
— driven out of Texas 351
— located on Brazos river 355
— under charge of Kiowa and Comanche
Agency 354
— and Kiowas, engaged in raiding 351
Concordia 247, 277
— completion of bridge at 280
— ferry, mentioned 274
ferryboat operating at, in 1859 or
1860 276
^-drowning at 279
— First Presbyterian church 281
— land office, land seekers standing in
line before 273
-opening of 273
— Republican river cut new channel dur-
ing flood of 1902 280
— stage line to Cawker City established . . 280
422
GENERAL INDEX
Concordia, stages to, routed via Sibley
when ferry not working 271
Concordia and Clyde Ferry Association,
ferriage rates of 276
— organization of 276
Concordia Empire, quoted 269, 271
272, 274, 275, 277- 283
Condray, William, notary public, Riley
county 131
Cone, William W., quoted 17
Confederate army, Indians in service of, 377
Confederate government, had quasi treaty
with Quapaws, Shawnees, Senecas and
mixed Senecas 301
Confederated Peorias, delegate to Indian
Council 366
Congregational church, Sabetha 109
Congress, memorialized by legislature to
make provision for bridging and im-
proving road from Leavenworth, via
Fort Riley to Fort Lamed 42
Congressional committee, Fort Riley
visited by 250
Conner, John, head chief of
Delawares 315, 318
—in feeble health 316
Conway, T. W 328
Conway Springs, note on early residents
of 408
Conway Springs Star, cited 408
Coody's Bluff, Indian territory 318
— post office, Cherokee nation 315
Cook, E. B., mentioned 281
Cook, John, ferry license granted to 119
Cooley, Orville, boat launched at Blue
Rapids by 135
Coon creek, about six miles north of
Chouteau's 322
Cooper, Mr. , mentioned .... 50, 52, 53
Cooper, Lizzie, of South Carolina 155
Copley, Rev. Josiah E 102
Corn, grown in Kaw valley 58
— raised in 1856 151
— yield of, in Kaw valley 46, 151
<m Smith Paul's farm 355
Corning, hack line from Louisville to 25
Correll, C. M., officer of Riley County
Historical Society 411
Cory, Chas. E., Fort Scott 103
— letter of William H. Mackey to, re-
garding negro woman slave 39
Cotton, grown at Douglas in 1857 by
A. J. Hoole 166, 168
— raised by Chickasaw Indians, estimated
at 5,000 bales 365
Cotton creek, three miles south of Kansas
line 322
Cottonwood City, Chase county, forgot-
ten townsite started by French immi-
grants in 1857 92
Cottonwood Falls, mill at, opened for
business 1861 216
— First Methodist church, seventy-fifth
anniversary of 110
Cottonwood river, bridged at Emporia. . 313
Council Grove, grist mill at 340
— Kansas Indian reservation at 229
— road from Marysville to 141
Council Grove Republican 219
Counterfeit money men, on hand during
annuity payments to pass spurious bills, 311
County Capital, The, St. John, cited 407
County-seat warfare, Boston and Elk
Falls, 1874 215
— Kendall and Syracuse 211
Courier- Tribune, The, Seneca, cited. .335, 398
Courtland, Republic county, early town
on Parallel Route to the Gold Mines. . 282
Covered bridge, over Big Stranger creek,
at Easton 220
Cowley county, Mrs. M. S. Walker early
settler of 221
Cox, , secretary 302
Cox, Ben F 334
Cox, George B., Larned postmaster 397
Cox, Ida Ellen, mentioned 211, 221
Cracraft, W. G., copper tools of, used in
early Kansas, given Historical Society, 95
Graf ton, Allen, of Kansas University. . . . 333
Cram, Geo. F., "Map of Kansas," men-
tioned 234
Cramer, Mr. , teacher 362
Cramer, Thomas J. B 158
Crane, Franklin L., bridge incorporator, 34
Cranes, sand hill, seen in Indian territory, 322
Crawford, H. C., ferry incorporator 23
— Wamego ferry operated by 24
Crawford, Gov. Samuel J 173
Crawford school house, Clay county 269
Creek Indians 292, 293, 302
— agency 379
— attitude towards Negroes in the country
of 358
— Council, Gov. Checota at head of 377
— crime among 368
— intermarriage with Africans 376
— losses during Civil War 378
— Maj. Dunn, agent of 378
— or Muscogee Indians, delegates to
Indian Council 366
— police of 368
— Post Oak Taylor 323
— some provisions of treaty of 1866. . . . 377
— tabulated educational report of 371
— Tecumseh, colored man, a slave of. ... 356
Creek nation 314, 362
— Checota, governor of 368
— Rev. W. S. Robertson Presbyterian
missionary to 312
Creighton, W. W 185
Crosby, E. H., Topeka 103
Crosby, Mrs. G. W 207
Crosby, J. Schuyler, mentioned 174
Cross creek, ferry on 21
— pole ferry near mouth of 20
Crow, Mrs. Sallie, settled in Sequoyah
county in 1879 221
Crowley, Jacob, blacksmith Sac and Fox
agency 324
Crown Point, Saline, mentioned 245
Cuba, incorporated in spring of 1884:. . . 221
Cuba Tribune, cited 221
Culver 236
— establishment of post office 244
— named for Lieut. Geo. W. Culver 244
— Saline river crossed by Pike in vicinity
of 232
Cumberland river, steamer City of
Huntsville on 43
Curleyhead creek 320
— water deep in 318
Currie, Robert, mentioned 404
Curry, C. E., mentioned 331
Curtis, Charles 76, 103
— former vice president, oil painting of,
given Historical Society 95
— U. S. senator of Kansas 79
Curtis, Zach, ferry rights at Unadilla
granted to, by legislature of 1859 129
Gushing, Perry M., bridge and ferry in-
corporator 260
Custer, Gen. George A., mentioned 407
Cutler, A. C., ferry incorporator 26, 27
Cutler, W. G 235, 239
— History of Kansas, quoted 234, 235
Cutting, J. A., patents issued to, covering
the ambrotype 3
GENERAL INDEX
423
D PAGE
Dabbs, J. A., Elizabeth Euphrasia Hoole
became wife of 50
Daguerreotype, era of 3
— made in Kansas 5
Daily Legal News, Topeka, files given the
Society 94
Daily Republican, Burlington, history of, 208
Daily Telegram, Garden City 333
DaLee, A. G., pioneer photographer of
Lawrence 5
— short biographical sketch 5
Dam, on Kansas river at Kiro, proposed
as flood control project 22
Damascus, Ohio, meeting Associated Exec-
utive Committee of Friends on Indian
Affairs held at 289, 290
Daniels, R., operated ferry at Dan Davis
crossing 287
Dappert, J. W., Taylorville, 111., early
Kansas surveyor 397
Darling, L. K., ferryman Pottawatomie
Agency 20
—hotel man, Shawnee, Okla 20
Darling, Mrs. L. P., of Codell, reminis-
cences of, as recorded by W. F.
Hughes, in Rooks County Record 217
Darling's ferry, location of 20
— roads leading to 20
Darling's mills, Lawrence 9
Darlington, Brinton, agent for Cheyenne
and Arapahoes 346, 347, 349, 350
— books desired for agency 306
Darlington Flag, Darlington, S. C 52
59, 63, 67, 147
— no files extant 49
Darlington Riflemen, South Carolina mi-
litia 306
Darrow, Clarence, proposed debate with
Henry Allen did not materialize 385
Daughters, Mrs. C. B., officer of Riley
County Historical Society 411
Daughters of the American Revolution,
Kansas, Desire Tobey Sears chapter,
erects Fort Jewell marker 411
— Shawnee mission committee 403
—Wichita, Illustrated History of Early
Wichita issued by 177
Davies, Gomer T 97
Davis, Charles, bridge and ferry in-
corporator 272
— director Clyde ferry 272
Davis, Dan, crossing on Republican river,
near Pawnee Park bridge 280
— member of ferry company 287
Davis, David, mentioned 308
Davis, Mrs. David, mentioned 308
Davis, D. N., ferry operator 287
Davis, John W., Dodge City 103
Davis, Margaret, mentioned 308
Davis, Winslow, mentioned 308
Davis-Polley ferry, mentioned 288
Davis county 341
— bridge and ferry projects in 248-257
— commissioners' records 249
— county attorney instructed to start suit
against Republican River Company for
non-compliance with terms of its char-
ter 254
— county clerk ordered by commissioners
to notify governor of dangerous con-
dition of bridge over Republican 254
— steps taken to collect ferry licenses 37
Dawson, John S 102, 103
— attorney -general and justice Kansas su-
preme court 85
Dayton, Celia, first woman physician in
Kansas, plaque honoring Ill
d'Allemand, B. R. H., mentioned 399
Dean, John S., Topeka 101, 104
Deck ferry, only one on Kansas river. . , . 16
PAGE
Deep Fork of Canadian river. See Ca-
nadian river.
Deer, Robert, absentee Shawnee, inter-
preter and delegate to Indian coun-
cil 362, 366
Deer 314, 315, 346, 355
— abundant 325
— in Douglas county, 1856 146
— remarkable shots at by man on horse-
back 317
Deerskins, Shawnees out to get 344
Deever Bros, and John Flagg, Jr., leased
Manhattan ferry 34
Deitzler, Gen. G. W., mentioned 9
DeLair, Oscar, of Oketo 144
DeLair, Mrs. S. A., prairie fire scare of
1887 recalled by 110
Delaware Indians 292, 314, 325
— agency 314
— annuity, payments of 316
— Black Beaver a chief of 343
— claim against government for property
stolen by whites while they lived in
Kansas 317
— dissatisfied at treatment by Cherokees, 315
—from Washita river 362
— lands of 58, 159
— names of chiefs of 315
— proposal to draw tribal funds of, for
small per cent 317
— remnant of tribe with whom Wm. Penn
made treaty with on banks of Dela-
ware river 315
— reserve 58
— settled on Caney river 319
Delaware Land District, Kansas, Daniel
Woodson appointed receiver of 62
Delaware river, William Penn's treaty with
Delaware Indians on banks of 315
Delphos, high school, in charge of Theo.
H. Scheffer 227
— laid out by W. A. Kiser 241
— location of post office and date of
establishment 241
— "mail days" at post office 241
Democrat, Wichita 207
Democratic Messenger, Eureka 213
DeMond, , Airline ferry operated by,265
Denehy, Tom, rescue of man and team
at Scandia ferry 285
Denious, Jess C., Dodge City 103
Denison, Ed, rescue of man and team at
Scandia ferry 285
Denison, O. J., hack line operated by. ... J5
Denison, W. W., Topeka 98-100, 102, 103
Denman, Mr. , former superintendent
of Northern Superintendency 364
Denny, F. S., old mills of Colony dis-
cussed by, in Colony Free Press 216
DeNoyer, Theodore, ferry operator 129
Dent & Beckwith, Manhattan 31
Denver, Colo 253
— Butterfield Overland Despatch line
opened to 258
— stage road, protection of 182
Denver Water Works Co 82
Derrick, Wm. L., note on biographical
sketch of 402
Desert Land Act, 1877, mentioned 92
Desmond, Edmond, mentioned 267
Desperadoes, treatment of Free State men
by 151
Dexter 's mill, Clay Center, Duncan's ferry
located near 268
Dickey, Milton C., agent for Kaw Indians, 294
Dickinson county 341, 342
— Lyona church first in 407
— some varieties of trees found in 235
Dickinson County Historical Society 327
— meeting of 106
424
GENERAL INDEX
Dickinson County Historical Society, offi-
cers of HI
— tour and luncheon by 336
Dickinson county line, holding meetings
in Chapman to consider 211
Dickson, Capt. James 70
Dickson, Louise, became Mrs. William C.
Hook :•••:••, 7o
District courts, records of in Historical
Society 93
Dixon, Patrick, ferry incorporator 2
Dixon, Thomas, ferry incorporator. . . 38, 39
Documents and relics, in hands of private
individuals 86
Dodds, Frank B., historian Twentieth
Kansas infantry organization 11
— recollections of Five Creeks ferry 265
Dodge, , Riley county land holder.. 125
Dodge, Col. Richard 1 333
Dodge City 221
—bull fights held at 400
• — Dora Hand, a prima donna of ... 327
— framed charters and photographs of
members of patriotic organizations,
lodges and railroad orders in G. A.
R. room at Dodge City 212
— history of, as a military center,
sketched in Dodge City Globe 335
— John H. Holliday a gun-toting dentist
of old days 21
— Kinney dam between Garden City and, 208
— nucleus of excellent museum brought
together at 97
— opening of fair grounds at 400
— Southwest Free Fair held at 105
— vigilantes of 3^
• — Wright park 32
Dodse City Daily O^e.c^. ... .105, 207
400, 401, 404, 406
Dodge City Journal, cited 409
Dodge City Kiwanis Club 214
Dodgson, Jehu, commissioner 27
Doerr, Mrs. Laura P. V., Larned 103
Dogs, offered as sacrifices by Seneca
Indians 3£
Dole, E., mentioned 270
Donahan, Tom, rescue of M. C. Van
Slyke from Republican river during
flood 283
Donahu, mentioned ; • • 309
Donovan, Aubra, note on biographical
sketch of 402
Doolittle, C. E., mentioned 270
Doran, Thomas F., Topeka. . . . 100, 102, 103
Dorrance, history of, sketched by J. L.
Garrett 207
Doty, Lee, first man in Finney county to
utilize well water for irrigation pur-
poses 209
Dougherty, John, Indian agent .210
Douglas, W. F., farming site of old
Uniontown • • • • • • 18
Douglas-Lincoln debate, Gompejs-Allen
debate compared with . . .• • • • 385
Douglas City, Kansas territory, descrip-
tion of 45, 50
country around 49
— efforts to start school at 45,48,147
Sunday School at 168, 1 1 0
— Lane & Co.'s steam mill at 140
—observance of Sabbath day at 146
—rumored attack planned for 62
— selected for state university »U
Douglas county, A. J. Hoole elected pro-
bate judge of *°
— Fort Saunders erected in 404
— old settlers' meeting held in 112
— Dr. William Nicholson elected to legis-
lature from 28
Douglas County Old Settlers' Society 107
PAQ»
Douglas County Republican, Lawrence,
cited 327, 397, 398
Douthitt, William P., Topeka attorney
and ferry operator 25, 27, 119, 120
Downing, J. M., ferry operator 127
Downing's ferry 125, 128
xciting accident at 127
— ferriage rates of 127
Downs, John, Sycamore Springs townsite
purchased from state by 212
Downs, note on early history of 400
>\d settlers' reunion held at 412
Downs News, cited 400
Doy rescue party, ambrotype picture of,
owned by State Historical Society .... 5
Doyle, Lieut. , mentioned 357
Drafts, worth premium in St. Louis 161
Dried apples, worth $3 a bushel 60
Drought of 1860, relief rations hauled
from Missouri river points 405
William Hammond's reminiscences
of 402
—of 1874, note on 402
—of 1934 405
Drury, old settlers' reunion held at 412
Dry creek, near Delphos 236
Dry Creek school, note on history of 408
Dry plate photography, beginning of .... 4
Ducks, along Missouri river 44
—wild, mentioned 323
Dugouts, for Big Blue, built in 1846 136
Duke University, Durham, N. C 2, 114
Duncan, N., granted right to operate a
ferry near Dexter's mill, at Clay Center, 263
Duncan, W. A., Cherokee Indian, residing
at Barren Fork of Illinois river near
Arkansas line 360
Duncan, William 109
Dundy county, Nebraska, mentioned 247
Dunham, Robert J., appointed receiver. . . 80
Dunlap, , ferryman at St. Marys... 22
Dunlap, — • — , U. S. marshal 300
Dunlap, Robert, trader with Osages 322
Dunn, Maj. , agent of Creek Indians, 378
Dunn, Sam T., killed by Osages. . . . 172, 173
Durant, Alex R., delegate to Indian
Council 366
Durfee, , broke first sod at new town
of Wichita 17fi
Durham, J. H., ferry incorporator . 21
Durham, Thos., first postmaster Braid,
Ottawa county 245
Dwight, old settlers' reunion held at..... 412
Dyche, Calvin M., ferry incorporator, 38, 39
Dyer, Abraham, ferry assistant . 120
Dyer, Abraham O., of Riley county 12
Dyer, Enoch P., of Riley county 122
Dyer, J. W., of Riley county 121
Dyer, James, ferry assistant 12
Dyer, James D., of Riley county 122
Dyer, John N., of Riley county 12
Dyer, Lydia, of Riley county 12
Dyer, Mary, of Riley county 12
Dyer, Martha Ann, of Riley county 12
Dyer, Pamelia, wife of Samuel D 122
Dyer Samuel D., biographical sketch
of 120, 12
— commissioned justice of the peace 122
— ferry operator 12°
— operates new ferry boat at Juniata 121
— penalized by Riley county for running
ferry without license 121
— petitions to the governor of Kansas
territory asking for remittance of fine
imposed against for operation of ferry
without license 121, 12
Dyer, Sarah, of Riley county 122
Dyer, T. J., Old Kiowa — In History and
Romance, booklet published by 223
Dyer, Wm. C., of Riley county 121, 122
GENERAL INDEX
425
Dyer township, Riley county, who named
for 122
Dyer's town, Juniata also called 121
E
Eagle Bend ferry, over Republican river,
Clay county 268, 269
Earle, Edward, in Indian service. . . . 301, 303
307, 308, 311, 314, 316, 321, 322, 347, 360
376, 378, 380- 384, 405
— agent's books at Kiowa and Comanche
agency examined by 352
Eastern Shawnee Indians. See Shawnee
Indians, Eastern.
Eastman, S., Indian reserve map of 1854. 233
Easton, old covered bridge over Big
Stranger creek at 220
Eaves, Esq., ferry operator 279
— ferry, temporarily halted by dry
weather 280
Eberhard, Adolph, operator Rocky Ford
ferry 267
Eberhard t, G. E., secretary Lindsborg
Historical Society 112
Eby, L. A 331
Eddy, B. H., R. F. D. No. 8, Topeka. . . 17
Eddy, Nathan H., first postmaster at
Tescott 244
Edgar, Leta, mentioned 399
Edmonds, Tom, recollections of Eagle
Bend ferry 269
Education, Cherokee Indians 360, 369
— Chickasaw Indians 370
send children to states to receive
schooling 355
— Choctaw Indians 369
— in Kansas, note on story of 214
— Muscogee Indians 370
— Osage Indians 370
attitude towards 359
— Ottawa Indians, school for 306
— Peoria Indians, Confederated 370
— resume of, among Indians in Indian
territory 371
— school districts, Anderson county 401
— Seminole Indians 370
provisions of treaty for 377
— Seneca Indians 370
— Shawnee Indians 370
— Wyandot Indians 370
— University of Pennsylvania 290
Edwards, , mayor of Kansas City,
Mo 82
Edwards, Matilda, first postmistress at
Ackley, Ottawa county 245
Edwards, Rufus R., ferry incorporator. . . 134
EfRngham New Leaf, cited 220
Ehresman, Charles, interpreter for Kiowa,
Comanche and Apache Indians 353
Ehrhardt, A., granted license for Clifton
ferry 271
• — Morganville ferry operated by 268
Ehrhardt, Charles, Morganville ferry op-
erated by 268
Elderberries, growing on Little Arkansas. 175
El don, early Riley county town 119
El Dorado Times, cited 398
Eldridge family, Lawrence 106
Eldridge House, Lawrence, mentioned ... 9
Elk, killed by interpreter with Pike's ex-
pedition 232
— tame, at Clear creek ranch 11
Elk county, E. T. Wickersham a settler
in 1862 107
— history of, mentioned 92
Elk creek, Cloud county, flood waters in. . 271
Elkhart, note on history of 328
Elkhart Tri-State News, cited 328
PAGE
Ellenbecker, John G., Marysville 103, 404
— letter of, quoted 137
— statement of, regarding Oketo cutoff. . 144
Elliott, Maj. Joel H., killed by Indian
troops under Big Mouth, Arapahoe... 348
Ellis, Joseph, absentee Shawnee 343, 362
— delegate to Indian Council 36fi
Ellison, , resident of Douglas City. . 45
47, 57, 67, 146, 154
— death of negro woman slave of 164
— horse stolen from 60
— Maj. Jefferson Buford stopped with... 62
Ellison, Mrs. , resident of Douglas
City 53, 63, 170
Ellsworth, Lincoln, South Polar ship of,
named the Wyatt Earp 213
Ellsworth, frontier story of, cited 396
— views at 11
— Walnut street, illustration, facing, p. ... 6
Ellsworth Messenger, cited 896
Elm creek, Lyon county 330
Elm Street ferry, Wabaunsee, chartered . . 26
Elmore, Judge Rush, mentioned 93
Elwood, road to 142
Embree, Mrs. Mary, Topeka, treasurer
Kansas State Historical Society. . . 100, 104
— report of 98
Emigrants, Kansas, plight of, 1857 163
Emigration, California, magnitude of. ... 137
— Northern, Missouri river closed to 62
Eminence, former county seat of Garfield
county 110
Emmert, D. B 185
Emmons, C. W., officer Riley County
Historical Society 411
Emporia 300
— Cottonwood river bridge at 313
— first woman school teacher in Ill
— note on history of city library of 330
Emporia Gazette, cited 219, 330, 400, 402, 405
Emporia Times, cited 110
Emporia Weekly Gazette, cited 328
English colonists, founded town of Wake-
field 260
English Lutheran church, First, Law-
rence, note on history of 328
Ennisville, near Kansas line 321
Enterprise-Chronicle, Burlingame 215
Enterprise Journal, cited 328
Episcopal church, Arkansas City, note on
history of 334
Eppstein, Elizabeth, mentioned 327, 396
Errick, John, ferry charter at Manhattan
obtained by 29
Erskine, Mrs. C. B 208
Eskridge Covenanter church, note on his-
tory of 403, 404
Eskridge Independent, cited 403, 409
Estes, L. M., and others, petition for
ferry at Ogden 38
Eubank, G. W., of Riley county 122
Eubank, Kent, mentioned 403
Eudora, at mouth of Wakarusa 308
Eureka, near Brown-Calhoun county line,
on state road 273
Eureka Herald, cited 212, 331
Eustace, James, president of Wakefield
Bridge and Ferry Co 260
Evangelical church, Swede creek, note on
history of 216
Evans, Earle W., note on biographical
sketch of 410
Evansville, Ark 360
Evening Kansan- Republican, Newton,
cited
406
Express lines. See Leavenworth & Pike's
Peak Express Line.
Express routes, Leavenworth & Pike's
Peak 257
426
GENERAL INDEX
F PAGE
Factories, safety codes for 389
Failyer, George H., officer of Riley
County Historical Society 223, 411
Failyer, Mrs. George H., secretary Riley
County Historical Society 223, 411
Fairmount college, note on history of . . . 401
Fales, Mr. , of Missouri Republi-
can 364
Fall creek, bad crossing on 322
— falls on, described 322
Fall River, old settlers' reunion held at. . 412
Fall River Star, cited 213
Fargo, Wm. G., partner of Henry Wells
in express business 243
Farm Bureau, Women's Achievement
day 208
Farnham, A. C., chief clerk, Central In-
dian Agency 297
Farrell, J. W., mentioned 407
Farwell, John V., commissioner on Indian
Affairs 364, 365, 367
Farwell, Selah B., Osborne county
pioneer 334
Fearing, Paul, note on journey of, to
California gold fields 217
Fearons, George H 72
Federal Land Grant Act, 1891, men-
tioned 92
Felts, J. G., Winona newspaper history
reviewed by 107
Fenlon, Mr. , beef contractor 364
Ferguson, F. M., bridge and ferry incor-
porator 257
Fernald, W. H., mentioned 108
Ferries, across Republican river in Clay
county, described by old settlers in
Clay Center Times 211
— in Kansas, articles by George A. Root,
Blue river 115- 144
Kansas river 15- 42
Republican river 246- 288
-Solomon river 339- 342
— tricks resorted to by patrons riding on. 287
Ferrotype 4
Ferry, opposite Cherokee Town, Indian
territory 355
— over Verdigris river, Indian territory,
near Ballitt's 318
— rope, first established on Kansas river
above Wyandotte 15
— See also, names of streams.
Ferryboat, boiler at shingle mill at Clyde
used in lieu of 271
— built by quartermaster of Fort Riley
for Rocky Ford on Blue river 122
for Oketo 143
— Fort Riley, carried away by high
water 251
— in Anderson county 401
— near Fort Gibson, Indian territory. 380, 381
— pulled out of Republican by stage
team 272
Ferryboats, at Manhattan during flood of
1903 119
— handspikes used to pole across
river 282, 283
Ferry cable, one method of making 287
Fey, Mrs. A. P., Lawrence 14
Fields, Capt. , assessed losses of
loyal Creeks 378
— Creeks' complaint of, in handling fund
for orphans 368
Financier No. 2, steamboat, on Repub-
lican river 248
Finley, Anthony, map drawn by 246
Finn, William 175
—Wichita's first school teacher 109, 112
Finney county, fiftieth anniversary of or-
ganization of 333
— Lee Doty first man in, to utilize well
water for irrigation purposes 209
PAGE
Finnup Pioneer day celebration, Garden
City 333
Firearms, taboo in first rules for Wichita
schools 208
"Fire holes," uncovered by high winds.. 330
Fish, caught in Kansas river 47, 50, 57
Fisher, , Ottawa county creek named
for 235
Fisher, Rev. Drury H., mentioned 409
Fisher, E. C., postmaster Windsor, Ot-
tawa county 244
Fisher, Mrs. Ottis, officer Shawnee Mis-
sion Indian Historical Society, 103, 111, 223
Fisher creek, naming of 235
Fitch, Lieut. Julian R., mention of Solo-
mon river 340
Fitch, Thomas D., bridge and ferry in-
corporator 257
Five Creeks ferry, Clay county, D. G.
Brooks, operator of 265
— location of 265
— operated by Timothy Martell 265
— road to 258
Five Forks, Va., battle of 179
Flag, American, raised at Pawnee
village 97
Flagg, John, ferry license granted to.... 119
Flagg, John, Jr., and Deever Bros., lease
Manhattan ferry 34
Flannelly, Thomas J., judge district court
of Montgomery county 82
Flat boat, of Manhattan ferry 29
Fletcher, Cobb & Marvin, ferry on Solo-
mon river established by 341
Flick, Mrs. John, officer of Riley County
Historical Society 411
Flies, which trouble cattle and buffalo.. 315
Flint, Lazarus, delegate to Indian Coun-
cil 366
Flint hills, archaeological specimens picked
up in 87
"Float," built across the Republican river
near Fort Riley 252
Flood, 1855 121
Blue river bridge at Rocky Ford
carried away during 117
— 1867, in Big Blue river 118
Kansas river 256
—1903 131, 133, 213, 218
in Blue and Kaw rivers 119
Republican river 247, 251
Solomon river 340
Florence, S. C., prisoner's stockade at... 49
Florence Bulletin, cited 108
Florida, Seminole Indians formerly re-
sided in 369
Flour, price per barrel 50
Folsom, Joseph P., of Choctaw Nation,
delegate to Indian Council 364, 366
Fontana, old settlers' reunion held at. ... 412
Fool Chief, Kaw Indian 300
Ford, old settlers' reunion held at 412
Ford, Indian, across Republican river at
Junction City 257
Foreman, Milton, trustee Randolph Ferry
Co 130
Forrest, Lillian, mentioned 398, 410
Fort Arbuckle 356
Fort Aubrey 218
Fort Dodge 182, 218, 409
Fort Gibson. Indian territory 293, 301
376, 380, 382
— distance from Okmulgee to 357
Fort Barker 7, 12, 182, 184, 350
— mail for Wichita, sent by way of 183
— road from Fort Riley to 41
— views near, mentioned 11
Fort Hays 174, 182
— bone picking near, in 1875 328
— terminus of the Pacific railroad 182
— work done on old site of 328
GENERAL INDEX
427
Fort Hays Frontier Historical Park, man-
agement of 97
Fort Hays Kansas State College,
Hays 97, 327, 396
— duplicate newspaper volumes given to, 94
Fort Jewell, marker erected at site of... 411
Fort Kearney 140, 248
Fort Kearney-Fort Leavenworth road... 138
Fort Kearney-Fort Riley road 41,257
Fort Laramie 140, 141, 248
— reported captured by Indians 163
Fort Laramie-Fort Leavenworth road... 138
Fort Lamed 182, 327, 409
Fort Larned-Fort Leavenworth (via Fort
Riley) road, made territorial road 257
Fort Larned-Fort Riley road, made terri-
torial road 42
Fort Leavenworth 5, 9, 136, 141, 144, 183
210, 220, 254
— early view of, facing p 6
— Gen. Henry Leavenworth, founder of. . 402
— note on history of 406
— regulars leave for Fort Laramie 163
— route to Great Salt Lake, surveyed by
Lieut. Stansbury 137
Fort Leavenworth -Fort Riley military
road 22, 25, 36, 39, 40, 42, 116
— Congress memorialized to improve 252
Fort Leavenworth- Mary sville road 142
Fort Lyon 182
Fort Magruder, N. C 179
Fort Reynolds 182
Fort Riley 7, 10, 37, 96, 122, 174, 247
257, 301,312
• — bridges over Republican river at, swept
away by floods 251
— dissatisfaction at mode of operation of
ferry at 250
— ferry operated at 40, 248
in 1856 41
in 1873, for use of wood contract-
ors 251
— first called Camp Center 246
— Gov. J. W. Geary visits 39
— military reservation 39, 253, 259
area reduced and land granted to
Kansas for bridge purposes 252
— military road to 20
to Nebraska line, made a terri-
torial road 42
— military supplies for, hauled over mili-
tary road 116
— originally in Riley county 22
— pontoon bridge over Republican built
near 252
— quartermaster at, built new ferry boat
at Juniata 121
— road to 22
— road to Clay Center from '. 265
— roads leading to and from. .22, 25, 36, 39
40- 42, 116, 257
— soldiers of, killed at Whisky Point dur-
ing a brawl 41
Fort Riley-Bent's Fort military road,
made a territorial road 257
Fort-Riley-Fort Kearney road 257
Fort Saunders, Douglas county, men-
tioned 404
Fort Scott (city) 329
— Indian lands near, occupied by set-
tlers 301
— land office at, George W. Clarke regis-
ter of 63
— male academy needed at 162
• — school house named for Eugene Fitch
Ware 408
— seventy-fifth anniversary of St. An-
drew's Episcopal church of 406
Fort Scott Monitor, cited 336, 408
Fort Scott -Mount Oread road, mentioned, 9
Fort Scott Tribune, cited 329, 406, 408
PAGE
Fort Sill 350, 356
— distance from Fort Gibson to 857
— plan to concentrate troops at 354
Fort Smith, Perry Fuller, trader at 377
Fort Solomon, state road to 342
Fort Sumter, outbreak of hostilities at . . 43
Fort Union, Lawrence, mentioned 9
Fort Wallace 174, 182
— buffalo hunters of 397
— note on historical article concerning. . . 396
Fort Whipple, Ariz 178, 180
Fort Zarah 174, 182, 396
— cholera prevalent at 184
— road from Fort Riley to 41
Forter, Mrs. Emma E 141
Forts, many built in Kansas for protec-
tion against Indian raids 172
Fossils, Kansas 327
Foster, Judge Cassius G., resignation as
judge of U. S. circuit court 71
Foster, E. L., ferry incorporator 33
Fouquet, L. C., Chandler, Okla 400
Fowler, George 334
Fowler, Nathan and Thomas Truffly,
Morganville ferry operated by 268
Fowler, Samuel, of Riley county 122
Fowler, note on history of 334
Fowler News, cited 334
Fox, Capt. Nathaniel, ferry operator, 273, 276
Fox and Sac Indians. See Sac and Fox
Indians.
Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper,
woodcuts of Kansas interest printed
by 5, 6
Frankfort boy scouts 220
Frankfort Daily Index, cited 220
Franklin, Douglas county, attacked by
Abolitionists 54, 61
Franklin county, Nebraska, mentioned... 247
Fraser, Mrs. A. E., historian Shawnee
Mission Indian Historical Society Ill
Fraser, Mrs. Bernice 102
Fraser hall, University of Kansas 223
Frazier, Cyrus 314, 320, 321, 355, 376
Fredonia Daily Herald, cited 107
Free State Legislature, ordered to meet
at Topeka 152, 155
Free State prisoners, daguerreotype of,
made for Mrs. Charles Robinson 6
Freedmen, among Chickasaw Indians. . . . 355
Freedmen's Bureau 174
Freedom's Champion, Atchison, quoted.. 282
Freeland, William, mentioned 220
Freeman and Kennedy, Uniontown 15
Freeman, Winfield 220
Freight, for Colorado points 258
Fremont, Col. John C., explorer 4, 246
— personal effects of, destroyed by fire, 5
— surveys of 115
Fremont, Mrs. John C 5
French immigrants, Cottonwood City
started by 92
French revolution 87
French traders and trappers, first to come
up streams of central Kansas 227
Freespilers 56
— intimidation of 151
Friends, Society of, at suggestion of presi-
dent, select Indian agents for Nebraska,
Kansas and Indian territory 289
— Kansas yearly meetings of 338
— of Philadelphia, furnish funds for
Ottawa and Peoria schools 302
— Rose Hill quarterly meeting of, note
on history of 209
— settlement of, in Spring river district . . 305
Friends University, Wichita 209
Frizell, E. E., Lamed 103
Frost, Cicero H., first postmaster at
Caledonia, Ottawa county 245
428
GENEEAL INDEX
Frost, Mrs. Effie B., musical compositions
of, mentioned 241
Frye, William, of Choctaw Nation, dele-
gate to Indian Council 364, 366, 378
Fuller, Chief Justice M. W., date of
death of 76
Fuller, Perry, trader, claim agent of Creek
Indians 377
Fullinwider, George F., mentioned 398
Funnell, C. C., ferry incorporator 271
Furnas county, Nebraska, mentioned.... 247
Fushatche-harjo, delegate to Indian
Council 366
Gabby, Dr. R. S 312
Gagliardo, Domenico, author of "The
Gompers-Allen Debate on the Kansas
Industrial Court" 385-395
- — associate professor of economics, Uni-
versity of Kansas 338
Gahan, James, ferry incorporator 33
Galloway, , of Darlington, S. C 65
Game, scarcity of, around Lecompton. . . 47
Gamper, Venne &, Bull Run ferry oper-
ated by 275
G'andy, Lewis C., mentioned 396, 407
Garden City, First Christian church, fif-
tieth anniversary 335
— Kinney dam between Dodge City and, 208
— note, on first court docket used in 402
history of first experiment station
in 403
Garden City Board of Trade, note on
history of 328
Garden City Daily Telegram 209, 335
Garden City News. . . 110, 221, 328, 333, 335
399, 402, 403
Garden Plain, old settlers' reunion held
at 412
Gardiner, Penelope, mentioned 308
Gardiner, William, mentioned 308
Gardner, Alexander, photographs of Lin-
coln made by 6
— of Washington, D. C., early photog-
rapher 6
— photographs along Union Pacific ob-
tained by 7
— side trips made by 12
— stereographs, catalogue of those in pos-
session of Historical Society 8- 11
Gardner, Sam, ferry operator 126
Gardner, Theodore 5
Garfield, Dr. , lifts fuel ban 388
Garfield, Marvin H 172
Garfield county, Eminence county seat of, 110
Garnett, first school building in, erected
by Garnett Town Company 215
— history of schools of, written for Kan-
sas Educator 214
— note on history of 207
band stand in 404
— sixty-six years ago, described 333
Garnett Review, mentioned 207, 401, 402
Garnett Town Company, first school
building in Garnett erected by 215
Garrett, A. A., justice of the peace, Riley
county 121
G'arrett, John B., Philadelphia 306,384
Garrett, J. L., bone picking near Fort
Hays in 1875 recalled 328
— Dorrance history sketched by 207
Garrett, M. A., of Riley county 122
Garrison, ferry at 130
Garvey, E. C. K., bond signed by 16
Gates, Donald S 827
Gates, Dr. F. C., editor Transactions of
the Kansas Academy of Science 3
Gates, William Preston, ferry incorpo-
rator and operator 262
PAGB
Gatesville, road to 257
Gear, William W., story of an early-day
railroad race printed in Topeka Daily
Capital 330
Gearhart, C., ferry operator 125, 126
Geary, Gov. John W 152, 155, 339
— arrival at Lecompton 65
— biographical sketch 65
— refused commission to W. T. Sherrard
as sheriff of Douglas county 157
— reported death of 160
— visits Fort Riley 39
Geary county 247
— poor farm, Mormon road ran close to, 41
— See, also, Davis county.
Geese, wild 355
— along Missouri river 44
— on banks of Cotton creek, Indian ter-
ritory 322
Geis, Mr. , of Concordia 278
Genealogy and local history, books re-
lating to added to Kansas State His-
torical Society library 195- 201
General Council, Indian territory, tabu-
lated educational report of 371
— proceedings of 358-379
"Geographical Names in Ottawa County,"
article by Theo. H. Scheffer 227-245
George Graham Post No. 60, G. A. R.,
Seneca 335
Georgetown, Ottawa county,, formerly
Coal Creek 240
— post office changed to Verdi 240
— twenty-seven states have post offices so
named 240
Georgian Bay 228
Georgians, emigrating to Kansas 44
— settling at Douglas City 45
Gerard and Manna, ferry operators 279
Gibbs, Joyce, mentioned 400
Gibson, Phoebe Rogers, reminiscences
written for Barber County Index 218
Gibson, I. T., 322, 323
— mentioned at Osage agency 319, 320
Gildstrap, or Gillstrap, Mrs. ,320,321
Gildstrap's crossing 321
Giles, Fry W., bond approved by 16
Giles, J. H., secretary Dickinson County
Historical Society Ill
Girard, Philip, Clay county land holder, 269
Gladden, , discovered coal on Hard-
Crossing creek 234
Glasco, St. Paul's Lutheran church, for-
tieth anniversary celebrated 108
Glasco Sun, cited 108
Gleich, John P., settler on Mill creek,
ferryman 20
—biographical sketch 2
Godard, A. A., attorney -general 72
Godsey, Mrs. Flora I., Emporia 103
Goky, Louis, interpreter for Sac and Fox
Indians 325
Gold, California gold seekers passed
through Marshall county on way west, 135
— discoveries in western Kansas.... 135,218
— found near an Oketo farm 212
— mines of Colorado, routes to 16, 282
disappointed gold seekers returning
from, killed at Marshall's ferry 141
—Pike's Peak rush 277
Goldsmith, H. A., of Kansas City Times, 362
Gompers, Samuel, attitude on strikes, 385-395
—had no love for Karl Marx 391
— president of the American Federation of
Labor, debates Gov. Henry J. Allen, 385-395
Gompers-Allen debate, compared with
Lincoln-Douglas debate 385
Good Bear, Cheyenne chief 348
Goodland, note on history of 398
Goodland Dailv News, cited 396
GENERAL INDEX
429
Goodnow, Isaac T., bridge incorporator, 118
Gordon, Mrs. , of Waterville 332
Gore, M. J., ferry operator 115, 116
Gore, Thomas P., U. S. senator from
Oklahoma 77
Gove county, names of persons receiving
marriage licenses published in Repub-
lican Gazette, Gove City 211
Government farm, Leavenworth,
mentioned 9
Government Strip, settlers on, killed by
Osages 172
Gove's hall, Manhattan 32
Grace Reformed church, Abilene 109
Graf, E. A., associate director United
States museum, Washington 88
Graham county, mentioned 339
Granada, on road to Marysville 142
Grand Army of the Republic, New Mex-
ico, E. S. Stover a past commander of, 341
Grand hotel, Wichita 178
Grand Point, at junction of Republican
and Smoky Hill rivers 41, 247
Grand river, Indian territory. . 317, 380, 382
Grand Saline river 231, 233
— Cherokee nation 396
Grant, Pres. U. S., message to Congress
quoted 289
Grantville, named for famous general 216
Grasshopper creek, mentioned 10
Grasshopper Falls, on road from Atchison
to Pawnee 40
— road from Fort Leavenworth to Fort
Riley, via 42
Grasshopper invasion in 1874, note on.. 402
Graves, W. W., ferry operator 128
Gray, G. W 105
Gray, George M., reminiscences of, men-
tioned 207
Gray, John M., Kirwin 101, 107
Gray county, Cimarron crossing of
Arkansas river in 411
— history of, pantomimed 208
Grayson, G. W., Muscogee Indian.. 366,368
— secretary, delegate to Indian Council,
resigned 366, 367
Great Bend 335
Great Nemaha river 141
Great Salt Lake, route from Fort Leaven-
worth to, surveyed by Lieut. Stansbury, 137
Great Spirit Spring, note on history of, 215
— on Solomon river near present Cawker
City 230, 339
— Pike first white man to view 216
Greeley, Horace, crossed ferry on Re-
publican at Fort Riley on journey west, 248
— guest of Robert Wilson, during period
of high water 25
— mentions incident occurring at Mar-
shall's ferry 141
Green, George G 329
Greene, Albert R 169
Greene, Max, quoted 21
Greenleaf, Trinity church, fiftieth anni-
versary of 208
Greenleaf Sentinel, mentioned 208
Greensburg, pioneer-day celebration held
at 399
Greensburg News, cited 399, 401
Greenwood & Tinney ferry, on Republican
river, ferriage rates of 270
Greenwood county 331
— note on history of Shell rock township
in 403
Gregg, , daguerreotypist, in Kansas, 6
Gregg, J. E., ferry incorporator 22
Gresham, Mrs. Walter E., president
Shawnee Mission Indian Historical
Society Ill
Gridley Light, cited 330
Grierson, Gen. B. H., views regarding
Indian troubles 354
Griffin, Dorothy, brief biography of
Anthony A. Ward written by 209
Griffin, W. S., Plainville postoffice started
in sod house by 212
Grindstones, sandstone in Creek country
suitable for 353
Grinstead, Minnie Tamar Johnson, first
woman to serve as representative in
Kansas legislature, plaque honoring... Ill
Gristmill, for Pottawatomies, on Mill
creek 21
— Lanoue s, at Concordia 278
Griswold, Walker, ferry incorporator .... 26
Groendycke, Robert L., note on bio-
graphical sketch of 402
Grove, Mrs. C. E., mentioned 396
Grover, Ottawa county, Wm. PostJe-
thwait, first postmaster 245
Gunmen, of the West, mentioned 400
Gunnison, Capt. John W., explorer 246
— at mouth of Solomon's Fork 339
Guise, Byron E., Marysville 212
Guittard's station on road to Marys-
ville 142, 143
Gustin, C. H., mentioned 408
Guy, William, ferryman for Wakefield
ferry 260
Haas, George J., recollections of Syracuse
in 1872 written and published by 210
Hack lines, starting from Louisville 25
Hackle, for hackling corn shucks 146
Hadley, W. J., mentioned 397
Hadly, Herbert S., governor of Missouri, 83
Hadly, James, farmer Sac and Fox
Indians 325
Hadly, John, appointed agent for Sac
and Fox Indians 824
— succeeded Thomas Miller as agent for
Sac and Fox Indians 326
Hagerman, Frank, Kansas City, Mo.. 72, 84
Haines, Mrs. Mary E., biography men-
tioned 210
— writer and lecturer for temperance and
suffrage, dedication of bronze marker
honoring 210
Haines, Miss Stella B., president of Wo-
man's Kansas Day Club Ill
Haines, Thomas, teacher 817
Haines, W. D., officer of Riley County
Historical Society 411
— president Riley County Historical
Society 223
Hale, Capt. Owen 180
— at Camp Beecher 178
— Bvt. Major 184
Hall, Mrs Carrie A., Leavenworth 103
Hall, Catherine, daughter of Deacon
Jabez, became Mrs. Henry Whitley... 340
Hall, George B., member Solomon River
Bridge and Ferry Co 341
— road commissioner 342
Hall, Deacon Jabez, of Toronto, Canada, 340
Hall, James, rescued women at Lanoue's
ferry 277
Hall, Jim, stage driver at Junction City,
swims Republican river to bring ferry
boat across 250
Hall, Luther, member Solomon City town
company 841
— member Solomon River Bridge and
Ferry Co 841
— partner of Henry Whitley in ferry busi-
ness 840, 841
Halls, G. G., road commissioner 27
Halstead, old settlers' reunion held at. ... 412
430
GENERAL INDEX
PAGE
Halstead Independent, cited 398
Hamilton, Clad, Topeka 103
Hamilton, Mrs. R. L 108
Hamilton county, Nebraska, Big Blue
rises in 115
Hammer (Mauls) rocks, Indian, uncovered
by high winds 330
Hammond, William, reminiscences of the
drought of 1860 402
Hampden colony, mentioned 330
Hampton, Amos W., minister 305
Hampton, Mrs. Amos W 305
Hand, Dora, a Dodge City prima donna, 327
Hanna, Mr. , of Kansas City, men-
tioned 364
Hanna, William, of Riley county 122
Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, men-
tioned 384
Hanover, "Days of '49" celebration held
in 411
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
— Pony Express marker erected at 411
— St. John's Catholic church, seventy-
fifth anniversary celebrated 334
Hanover Democrat, cited 334, 404
Hanover Herald cited 334
Happy Days, C. C. C. corps newspaper, 328
Hard-Crossing creek, Coal creek first
known as 234
Hard Rope, chief, band of Osages 319
Hardesty, Mrs. Frank, past president
Shawnee Mission Indian Historical So-
ciety 223
Hardis, Rev. Father, of Liebenthal, held
first Catholic service in McCracken 404
Hardtner Press, cited 216
Hardtner Town Co., Jacob Achenbach
organizer of 216
Hardy, Neb., bridge over Republican
built at 288
Hare, William, director of Clyde ferry. . . 272
Harger, Charles M., Abilene 101, 104
Harlan, John Marshall, associate justice
United States supreme court, death
of 76, 77
Harlan county, Nebraska, mentioned 247
Harney, William S., treaty commissioner, 181
Harper, M. A., mentioned 105
Harper, newspapers of, given Historical
Society 94
Harper county 209
— note on Capt. Nathan Boone's journey
through in 1843 208
Harper's Weekly 13
Harriman merger case, Judge Hook's
opinion, quoted 74
Harris, Dwight Thacher, mentioned 401
Harrison, William, granted license for
Barnes' ferry location 126
Hart, F. H., ferry incorporator 26
Hartland 221
Harvey, Ford F., appointed receiver. ... 80
Harvey, Isabella C. (Mrs. A. M.). . . 100, 101
103, 104
Harvey, James M., ferry incorporator. ... 38
Harvey, Mrs. Sallie 103
Harveyville Monitor, cited 207, 409
Haskell Institute 91
— note on history of 409
Haskin, S. B., Olathe 103
Hatch, , Missouri congressman 91
Hathaway, , daguerreotypist, of
Weston, Mo 5
Haucke, Frank, Council Grove 101, 104
— past Kansas state commander of the
American Legion 219
— Republican nominee for governor in
1930 219
Haucke, Gus, biography, published in
Council Grove Republican 219
Haun, Thomas, note on experiences
of 400, 401
Havana, colony of Germans laid out town-
site of 408, 409
— note on history of 408
Haviland Review, cited 399
Hawes, Percival, reminiscences of, written
for Alta Vista Journal 222
Hawkins, Mrs. Letha, registrar, Chanute
Old Settlers' Association 112
Hay, Mrs. Bert, of Holton, mentioned... 398
Hay, W. G., ferry incorporator 281
Hayden, Davis, ferry incorporator 263
Haynes, Landon, early-day cattleman... 397
Hays, Charles, Riley county land owner.. 127
Hays, Joseph, ferry operator... 126,128,131
Hays, R. S., of Riley county 122
Hays, Robert R., Osborne county pioneer, 334
Hays, Union Pacific built to 7
— Vance Post No. 2, G. A. R., history of, 100
— views at n
-"Wild Bill" Hickok peace officer of 396
Hays Daily News, cited 106
Hayse, David, of Riley county 122
Hayse, Samuel, of Riley county 122
Hazelton, old settlers' reunion held at... 412
Hazelton Herald, eighth annual home
coming edition of 335
Heap of Birds, Cheyenne chief 348
Hegler, Ben F., Wichita 103
Heirgood, William M., reminiscences of,
mentioned 221
Heller, David, bridge and ferry incor-
porator 272
— treasurer Clyde Bridge and Ferry Co. . . 272
Heminger, J. W., president Chanute Old
Settlers' Association 112
Hemphill, William, mentioned 281
Henderson, J. B., treaty commissioner. . . 181
Hendrickson, C. C., resident of Lincoln
county since 1866 209
Hendrickson, Mrs. S. T., pioneer music
teacher of Wichita, old notebooks kept
by 207
Hendry, Alex S 221
Henley, Dr. , physician at Cheyenne
and Arapahoe agency 347
Henry, H. F., of Lebanon 208
Henry creek, near Delphos 236
— Stelter, Henry, Henry creek named for, 236
Henry township, Ottawa county 236
Herald of Freedom, Lawrence 5
— presses and type destroyed •. . . . 62
Herington, note on history of newspapers
of 403
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
— twenty-fifth anniversary of building of
St. John's Catholic church cele-
brated 330, 331
Herington Sun, cited 331, 336
Herington Times, cited 331
Herington Times-Sun, cited 403
Herl, Christine, mentioned 396
Herndon, mentioned 396
Herr, Allen E., note on biographical
sketch of 402
Herren, Nanon L., donor 94
Hershe, Ben F., secretary Scandia Bridge
Company 285
Hesper, location of 308
Hesper Academy, founding of 398
Hiatt, John Milton, missionary 304
— opens store at agency 302
Hiawatha, Kiwanis club 214
— Methodist church, seventy-fifth anni-
versary observed 107
— newspaper history of, reviewed by
Ewing Herbert 209
— road to 142
Hiawatha Daily World 107, 212, 214, 336
GENERAL INDEX
431
57
i
Hickok, James B. (Wild Bill), mentioned, 396
Hickory Point battle, participant in, con-
victed ..................... . .......
Hickory shad, caught in Kansas river ----
Highland, First Presbyterian church,
ninetieth anniversary ...............
—road to ...........................
Highland Vidette, cited ....... . . . .....
Highway No. 40, old Pawnee capitol on. .
Higinbotham, William P., ferry incor-
porator ........................... _*•
Hildebrand, Rose ............. • • ••-.-•• 331
Hill, Esther Clark, poet, plaque honoring, 11
Hill, G. W., of Riley county ........... 129
Hilliker, R. W., bridge and ferry incor-
porator ...................... » ' ' i '
Hillman, Sidney, president of the Amal-
gamated Clothing Workers ........... 393
Hills, William, mentioned .............. 304
"Historical Collections and Public Enter-
tainments," article by O. W. Mosher,
Historical entertainment .............. 89
Historical societies, local and county re-
cently organized ................ • • • • 97
History, general, books relating to, added
to Kansas State Historical Society li-
brary ....................... : 201- 206
— local, and genealogy, books relating to,
added to Kansas State Historical So-
ciety library ................... 195- 201
Hitchcock county, Nebraska, mentioned.. 247
Hjelm, Peter, early settler Clay county.. 2;
Hoag, Edward F ..................... 314
Hoae Enoch .,..300,301,303,306,308,314
316, 317, 319, 322, 323, 347, 350, 353, 359
360, 362, 365, 376, 381- 384
—killed prairie hen .............. .... 345
— money paid to by Dr. William Nichol-
son ............................... 317
— president of Indian council ........... 358
—superintendent Central Agency ---- 297, 34
Hoag, Mrs. Enoch, mentioned .......... 3C
Hoag, Joseph Jonathan ........ 347, 349, 383
Hoar, John, bridge incorporator ...... 30, 3
Hoar's ferry, Manhattan ............... 8
— crossing of ......................... ***
Hoard's Dairyman, Fort Atkinson, Wis.,
volumes of, given Historical Society... £
Hobble, Frank A., Dodge City. ........ 103
—articles by, in Dodge City Daily Globe, 20 i
Hobson, C. C., Big Bend township, Re-
public county ...................... 2^
Hobson, John, Ferry operator .......... 288
Hoch, Edward Wallis, editor Marion
Record ...................... • • • • • •
Hocker, Josiah, railroad station of Niles
built on land of ................. • • • 240
Hodder, Frank H., Lawrence. . .100, 102, 103
— head History department, University
of Kansas .................. • ...... 223
Hodge, David N., delegate to Indian
Council
— interpreter for Muscogees. . . ......... £t
Hodgson, F. L., recollections of ......... 207
Hoffman, George M., stockman and
banker ............................ 329
Hogan, Charlie, government scout ...... 282
Hogan mill dam, Junction City ......... 218
Hogin, John C., Belleville .............. 103
Hogs, few in Kansas in 1856 . . . ---- .... 49
Kohlenberg, Capt. -- , drowning of, at
Concordia ferry 279
Holbin, John, Riley county
Holden, Elijah, ferry operator .......... 18
Holladay, Ben, stages operated by ...... 143
—ferryboat built for use at Oketo ...... 143
Holliday, Dr. John H., Dodge City's gun-
toting dentist, biographical sketch of,
by Milton Tabor ............... 209, 210
PAGE
Holloway, John Norton, early Kansas
historian 211
Holmberg, John A., president Lindsborg
Historical Society 112
Holmstrom, Mr. , connected with
Scandia ferry 282
Holton, old settlers' reunion held at 412
— on road to Marysville 14
Holton Recorder 336
Holtzman, Charles, road commissioner. . . 342
Holyrood, note on organization of Saint
Peter's Lutheran church in. 404
Holyrood Gazette, cited 404
Homesteaders' Protective Association,
note on organization of 396
Homesteaders' Union Association, note
on 396
Hook family, journeys of 70
Hook, Elizabeth Inghram <0
Hook, Enos, member of Congress from
Pennsylvania 70
Hook, Inghram D., of Kansas City, Mo.,
captain of infantry overseas in World
War 70
Hook. Captain James, of Continental
army 70
Hook, Judge William C 101
• — Adamson eight-hour act declared un-
constitutional by 83
— appointed to the bench by President
McKinley • 78
— appointment protested on account of
decision upholding Oklahoma Jim Crow
law 78
— biographical sketch '0
— buried at Leavenworth t
— characteristics of 83-85
— considered for a place on United States
supreme bench 77
— cottage at Plum Lake, Wisconsin fc
— first opinion handed down by 71
— important cases given attention by. . . c
— in Standard Oil case 77
— "Judge of the Eighth Circuit Court of
Appeals of the United States," article
by Thomas Amory Lee 69- 85
— opinion in Harriman merger case 74
-opinion in Omaha City Water Works
case • 73
-opposition to appointment of on su-
preme court bench 78
— recommended for place on U. S. su-
preme bench •.•••;• 76
— succeeded Judge C. G. Foster, resigned. 71
— The Western Union Telegraph case 72
Hooke, Thomas, settled near Providence,
Md 70
Hoole,' Ada Constantia 161, 162
— biographical notes of It
—described by her father 166, 167, 163
Hoole, Lieut. Col. Axalla John, C. S. A.,
Ada Constantia name given daughter.. 161
— attacked with bilious fever 59
— biographical sketch 2, 4
—Christmas, 1856, spent by . 153
— complaint of mail facilities in Douglas
county ol
— cotton grown by 1««
— daughter born to 1«
— distrust of Governor Geary Io3
— elected county judge by legislature 15.
probate judge of Douglas county,
Kansas *°
— employed by Fred P. Stanton 164
— fears northern aid societies plan another
invasion of Kansas 156
— fears south has abandoned effort to
control Kansas 156
— guard duty performed by 64
— hunting trip of lj2
432
GENERAL INDEX
Hoole, Lieut. Col., illness of 66, 67
— introduction to Governor Shannon 4G
— Letters of, "A Southerner's Viewpoint
of the Kansas Situation, 1856-1857,"
edited by William Stanley Hoole.. 43- 68
145- 171
— librarian, secretary and treasurer of
Sunday School society 168, 170
— selects lands on Delaware reserve 58
— suggested as nominee for legislature... 14
— works for George W. Clarke, at Le-
compton 150
Hoole, Mrs. Axalla John (Elizabeth
Bronson) . . .51, 55- 57, 60- 63, 67, 146, 152
155, 161- 164, 166- 168
— dates of birth and death 45
Hoole, Elizabeth Euphrasia, dates of
birth and death 50
Hoole, Mrs. Elizabeth Stanley, wife of
James C. Hoole, dates of birth and
death 45
Hoole, James C., soldier of War of 1812, 43
Hoole, Joseph, emigrated from England.. 43
Hoole, Joseph Bertram, served in Semi-
nole War 43
Hoole, Samuel Eugene, surgeon in Mexi-
can War 43
Hoole, Thomas Stanislaus, biographical
mention 43
— served in war between the states 43
Hoole, William Stanley, assistant gradu-
ate instructor Duke University, Dur-
ham, N. C 2, 114
— editor, "A Southerner's Viewpoint of
the Kansas Situation, 1856-1857; the
Letters of Lieut. Col. Axalla John
Hoole, C. S. A." 43-68, 145- 171
Hopiah Tubby, delegate to Indian Coun-
cil 366
Hopkins, O. J., bridge and ferry in-
corporator 257, 259
Horn, William, reminiscences written for
Barber County Index 218
Horses, fifty died on road between Che-
topa and Fort Gibson 882
Horse stealing, Abolitionists accused of,
by Proslavery men 60
Horton, Albert H., chief justice supreme
court 78
Horton Headlight 210, 398, 401
Horton Kiwanis club 210
Hotchkiss, Mr. 244
Hotel de Dutton, State Line, Kansas S
Houses, early Kansas, described 46
Houston, S. D., of Riley county 122
— bridge incorporator 118
Howard, Emmeline, became wife of Asa
C. Tuttle 306
Howard, Baptist church, fiftieth anni-
versary celebrated 331
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
Howard Courant 215
Howe, Edgar Watson, dinner held in
honor of 399, 400
Hoxie, history of, reviewed 830
Hoxie Sentinel, cited 330
Hoyt, Frank, Rice county pioneer, Lyons
history being written by 105
Hoyt, S. G., bridge incorporator 118
Hubbard, Phares C., description of land
settled on 177
—settled at Wichita April 17, 1869 177
Hubbell, Mr. , of Springfield, Mo.,
agent of Southern Pacific Railroad 364
Huckleberries, mentioned 228
Hudson, Maj. J. K., editor Kansas
Farmer 336
Huff, Andy S 331, 332
Huffaker, Eliza Ann, missionary teacher
to Kaw Indians, plaque honoring Ill
Huffaker, Thomas H., former trader with
Kaws 300
Huggins, Bill, of South Carolina! !!!!!!! 151
Huggins, James L., bridge and ferry in-
corporator 27
Huggins, Joseph L., ferry incorporator!.'. 25
Huggins, William L., Emporia 103
Hughes, Charles Evans, governor of New
York, veto of two-cent law 80
Hughes, W. F., newspaper writer 401
— reminiscences of Mrs. L. P. Darling in
Rooks County Record 217
Hugoton, Rev. H. E. Ross, early-day pas-
tor in 408
Hugoton Hermes, cited 398, 408
Humboldt 292, 312
— a supply distributing depot .' 398
— land office at 177, 173
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
Humboldt creek, near Junction City 221
Humboldt house, mentioned 31 i
Humboldt Union, cited 312, 398, 400, 405
Humes, Mrs. James, mentioned 402, 403
Humphrey, Mrs. Carrie Jackman, note on
the life of Darius Jackman 211
Humphrey, H. L., Abilene 103
Humphrey, Mrs. H. L., vice president
Dickinson County Historical Society... Ill
Hunt, , resident of Riley county... 37
Hunt, Jesse, petitions for establishment
of road 37
Hurd, A. A., general counsel for Santa
Fe 78
Hutchinson, F. B., mentioned 406
Hutchinson, "Always Ready to Help
Railroads" 329
— Farm and Home Week, fifth annual... 214
— in 1878, artist's sketch described 221
— railroad bond elections held during
boom of middle 1880's 329
Hutchinson Herald 214, 329
Hutchinson News 214, 222, 329
Ice, Arapahoe chief 348
Ice gorge, in Blue river, 1871 124
Illinois, Ottawa Indians settle in north-
eastern portion of 228
Illinois river, Barren Fork of 260
Immigration, to Republican valley 278
Independence (Kan.) Daily Reporter 828
Independence (Kan.) High School, his-
tory printed 328
Independence (Kan.) Land Office, A. B.
Ostrander contest clerk in 335
Independence, Mo 48
— mail route on Santa Fe road started
from 92
— Mormons from, on way west, gave
name to crossing on Big Blue 136
Independence and California road to Big
Blue river 138
Independence crossing on Big Blue, also
known as lower crossing 136
— distance from Marysville 137
— earliest established on Big Blue river.. 136
[ndian, affairs, Central Superintendency. . 290
— agency, Col. Ely Moore appointed to.. 169
— "Agencies in Kansas and the Indian
Territory, A Tour of," article by Wil-
liam Nicholson 289- 326, 343- 384
— cave on Alum creek 1 J
-claims, subsidizing members of Congress
in order to obtain payment of 311
— Council, membership of 358, 366
— dance, described 303
— Department, claim agents in 802
— festival, observed in connection with
the seventy-fifth anniversary of meet-
ing of the Wyandotte constitutional
convention 224
GENERAL INDEX
433
PAGE
Indian hieroglyphics rock, on Smoky Hill
river 11
— lands, near Fort Scott occupied by set-
tlers 301
— maxims 348
—names 228
— raids, in Ottawa county 241
Saline valley 218
on Spillman creek, reviewed by
Adolph Roenigk in Salina Journal.. 212
protection against 172
— relics, uncovered by high winds in
western Kansas 329
— reservations, in Kansas, surveyed by
Isaac McCoy, 1830 to 1832 92
surveyed by John C. McCoy 246
— scares 235, 328
in 1874, note on 402
— schools, amounts allowed superinten-
dents for each pupil annually 284
— sentinels, mentioned by Pike 232
— superstitions 213
— war, plans for, go awry 354
Indian territory 292, 312
— "A Tour of the Indian Agencies in
Kansas and the, in 1870," article by
William Nicholson .... 289- 326, 343- 384
— Indian agents for, selected by Society
of Friends 289
— Indians of, against any grant or sale of
lands to any railroad company 363
— tabulated educational report for In-
dians in 371
— jurisdiction over white men in, claimed
by U. S. government 368
Indians 231
— appointment of committee to propose
plan for permanent organization of
tribes and nations of Indian territory. . 361
— aversion to social equality with colored
race 376
— claimed they had been deceived in
signing Medicine Lodge treaty 181
— criticism of Government methods in
dealing with 289
— depredations of 163
— 1867, number of warriors at disposal
of 182
• — elementary books desired for 306
— government agrees to furnish arms, am-
munition and supplies to, for conces-
sions on part of 181
— Indian territory, general council, tabu-
lated educational report of 371
— killed near Sycamore Springs, Ariz 178
— Kiowas and Comanches engaged in
raiding 351
— large herds of ponies possessed by.... 182
— massacre six from Waterville 332
surveying party in 1874 405
— of Central Superintendency 338
— raid in Jewell county, 1868 410
— Republican Pawnees 246
— slave holding nations before Civil War, 377
Ingalls, John J., series of letters by, in
latter 1850's, printed in Atchison Daily
Globe 210
Ingalls, Gray county, near Cimarron
crossing of Arkansas river 411
Ingersoll, Mrs. Caroline Clayton, "Story
of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Clayton,"
printed in Chapman Advertiser 211
Ingersoll, George, Georgetown post office,
Ottawa county, named for 240
Ingersoll, James L., first postmaster of
Coal Creek post office 234
Insects, troublesome in early Kansas 60
International Book Binder, Indianapolis,
files given Historical Society 94
Interstate Commerce Commission 75
PAGE
lola 312
— old settlers' meeting held in 112
— United Brethren church, forty-second
anniversary of 332
lola Daily Register, cited 332
Irish, Mrs. Eusebia, speaker at anniver-
sary supper and program of Riley
County Historical Society 336
Irvin, Rev. Samuel M., diary mentioned, 106
Irving 135, 311
—ferry at 134
— hack line from Louisville to 25
— on state road 273
— road up Blue river from Manhattan
to 36
Isaacs, John Collins, missionary 304
Isbell, Isaac H., ferry incorporator. . . 26, 27
Ise, John 223
Isely, Bliss 175
Isely, C. C 222
— experience of Hank Lord, early day set-
tler and soldier, related by 214
Island City, platted by David Wilson for
L. B. Perry 41
Ives, F. E., patent issued to, for halftone 4
Jackman, Darius, story of the life of, by
Mrs. Carrie Jackman Humphrey,
printed in Chapman Advertiser 211
Jackson, Gen. Andrew, promised lands for
Indians in Indian territory in return for
lands in east taken from them 364
Jackson, Fred S., Progressive representa-
tive in Congress 79
Jackson, W. V., history of Comanche
county reviewed by, in Western Star,
Coldwater 211
— stories by 108
Jacksonian, Cimarron, mentioned 208
Jacobia, Jacob, hack line operated by. ... 25
Jacobson, Peter, ferry operator 131
James, Frank, brother of Joseph James . . 300
James, Joseph, delegate to Indian Coun-
cil 366
James, Joseph, Kaw interpreter 300
Janes, Herman, of Erie, director in
Janes' ferry 21
Janes, M. W., ferry incorporator 21
— history of ferry operated by 21
Jenkins, Gaius 9
Jenning's ferry, two miles west of Lake
Sibley 281
Jennings' ford, on Republican 281
Jewell, marker erected commemorating the
establishment of Fort Jewell 411
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
Jewell county 247
— D. A. R. chapter erects Fort Jewell
marker in 411
— ferry on Republican near eastern edge
of 288
— Indian attack in 1868 410
— notes on early history of 398
Jewell County Republican, The, Jewell,
cited 398, 400
Jewett, A. C., bridge and ferry incor-
porator 260
Jewett, John E., bridge incorporator 34
Jim Crow car law, upheld by Judge
Hook go
Jocnic, , sent to make Quapaw pay-
ment 303
Johnny Cake. See Journey Cake.
Johnson, , Cherokee Indian attends
General Council 363, 364
Johnson, , Map of Kansas by,
mentioned 234
Johnson, A., ferry operator 128
28-^5574
434
GENERAL INDEX
PAGE
Johnson, Rev. A. F., Leavenworth, chap-
lain of 140th infantry, Thirty-fifth
division 95
Johnson, Eason, ferry incorporator 18
Johnson, G. W., member Indian Coun-
cil 365, 366
Johnson, Harry, newspaper writer. . . 401, 404
— Garnett history reviewed by 207
— "In the Days of "49," article by,
printed in The Anderson Countian. . . . 217
Johnson, H. W 110
Johnson, I. C., ferry incorporator 18
Johnson, John, ferry operator, near Rocky
Ford dam 125
Johnson, Osa Leighty (Mrs. Martin), ex-
plorer, plaque honoring Ill
Johnson, Sam A., elected president Kan-
sas History Teachers' Association 223
Johnson, Selinda, formerly of Eastern
Ohio 305
Johnson, Tom 329
Johnson County Democrat, Olathe 106
Johnson Pioneer 328, 329
Johnston, Gen. Albert Sidney, command-
ant at Fort Leavenworth 220
Johnston, Mrs. Wm. A., Topeka 103
Jones & Russell, Leavenworth and Pike's
Peak Express line established by 119
Jones, Amos, note on Irish settlement
near Solomon 219
Jones, Charles Adams, story of ranch life
in southwest, published in Atlantic
Monthly 335
Jones, Charles Jesse (Buffalo) 334
Jones, Horace, Lyons 103
Jones, Rev. M. P., pastor First Presby-
terian church of Concordia 281
— experience on ferry boat 281
Jones, Sheriff Samuel J., attempt to
shoot 47
— resigned as sheriff 157
— sacking of Lawrence by force under. . . 106
— shooting of 48
— watch chain shot off 158
Jordan, Mrs. Arthur M., of Chapel Hill,
N. C., daughter of George T. Nichol-
son 290, 291
— presents Dr. William Nicholson's diary
to the Kansas State Historical Society, 291
Josly, Lieut. , assessed losses of
loyal Creeks 378
Journal of Geography, Chicago, 111 327
Journey Cake, Charles, lithograph repre-
sentation of wampum belt delivered to
Wm. Penn, in possession of 315
— family worship at 317, 318
— sketch of home life of 316
— Henry Armstrong a son-in-law of 317
Journey Cake, Isaac 314, 320
— brother of Delaware chief 314
— receipt for money to be paid Thomas
Haines, teacher 317
Joyce, M., reporter of New York Herald. 364
Jucks, Rebecca, became Mrs. Reuben L.
Roberts 308
Jumper, John, Seminole chief and Baptist
minister 369
Junction City ... 7, 41, 42, 234, 247, 253, 256
273, 340, 341
— early day 221
— ferry between Fort Riley and 248
— gauging station on Republican river es-
tablished at 247
— no mail carried beyond, in 1861 258
— pontoon bridge over Republican built
near 252
— reminiscences of pioneers and notes on
history of Geary county, published in
Junction City Republic 217
— road to Salt Marsh 258
— roads to and from 257, 258
PAGB
Junction City, seventy-fifth anniversary of, 218
— views of, mentioned 10
Junction City and Republican Bridge and
Ferry Co., charter for 257
Junction City Republic 217, 221
Junction City Union, cited and quoted. . . 221
249, 250, 255, 256, 336, 341
— edition in commemoration of seventy-
fifth anniversary of Junction City 218
— published by Geo. W. Martin 248
Junction creek, Indian territory 322
Juniata, government bridge at, carried
away in flood of 1855 121
— sometimes called Dyer's town 121
Juniata crossing, Blue river 120
— ferry suggested for 125
Justis, M. S 331
Kagey, Charles, Beloit 101, 104
Kallberg, E., license granted for ferry at
Mariadahl revoked for failure to file
bond 133
Kansan, The, Concordia 332
Kansas, archaeology 97
— attempt to organize Democratic party
in, by J. H. Lane 62
— bar, members of appointed to federal
bench 69
— books relating to, added to Kansas
State Historical Society library 186- 193
— coal mines, labor troubles in 388
— crops in 1856, destroyed by marauding
bands 65
— earliest photographs mentioned 4
— fewer snakes in 60
— gold discovered in western portion of.. 135
— hard times in 1857 163
— "Historical Notes" ill, 112
223, 224, 336, 411, 412
— "History, as Published in the State
Press" 105- 110, 207- 222
327- 335, 396- 410
sketched in Democratic Messenger,
Eureka 213
— legislature, 1855, established territorial
road to Marysville 141
1857, territorial and state roads es-
tablished by 257
1858, mentioned 252
1860, ferry legislation at special ses-
sion of H6
1863, state road created by ' 142
1864, resolution of, presented to
Congress for establishment of mili-
tary road from Fort Leavenworth
via Fort Riley to Fort Lamed 257
1871, state road established by 280
— Mennonite settlements in 409
— militia, disbandment of 149
— newspaper presses of, sunk into watery
graves 404
— note on territorial life in 402
— Photographic History of Early, by
Robert Taft 3- 14
— photographs made in, by Carvalho . . . . 5
— private collections in, contain more or
less valuable material 87
— regiments, Second infantry 341
Second militia, Southern division, H.
T. Titus commissioned colonel of ... 62
Tenth 105
Eleventh cavalry, Henry Lord, mem-
ber of 403
Eighteenth cavalry, twentieth annual
reunion of surviving members of. ... 411
Nineteenth cavalry, at Camp
Beecher 184
twentieth annual reunion of sur-
viving members of 411
GENERAL INDEX
435
PAGE
Kansas, regiments, Twentieth infantry... 112
in the Philippines 101
reunion of survivors of 411
— scarcity of money during 1850's 60
— Tour of Indian Agencies in, in
1870 289- 314
— troubles in, greatly exaggerated 54
— Wilson Shannon resigns as governor of
territory 56
— women, plaques honoring, placed in
seven congressional districts of state. . Ill
Kansas Academy of Science 3
"Kansas Anti -Thief Association, A Brief
History of," by J. G. McCarty, printed
in A. T. A. News 21
— organized in Republic county 212
Kansas-Arkansas water shed, lands of
Kanza Indians lying north of, ceded
to United States 228
Kansas Bridge and Ferry Company, loca-
tion of 120
— organization of 119
Kansas Chief, Troy 336
Kansas City (Kansas) Advertiser, note on
history of 405
Kansas City (Kansas) Kansan, "Yearly
Progress Edition" of 215
Kansas City, Mo 43, 384
— Price's campaign in vicinity of 408
Kansas City (Mo.) Elevated Railway Co. 80
Kansas City (Mo.) Journal Post, cited.. 400
Kansas City (Mo.) Metropolitan Railway
system, receivers appointed for 80
Kansas City (Mo.) Public Library 94
Kansas City (Mo.) Star, mentioned and
cited 208, 213, 214, 219, 333, 334, 336
402, 404, 406, 408- 410
Kansas City (Mo.) Times 222, 402
— H. A. Goldsmith representative of. ... 364
Kansas City -North western Railroad Co.. 82
Kansas Court of Industrial Relations, de-
prived labor of striking privileges 389
— events leading up to passage of law
creating 388
— Gompers- Allen debate on merits
of 385-395
Kansas Daily Tribune, Lawrence, quoted, 172
Kansas Daughters of the American Revo-
lution, Shawnee Mission committee,
mentioned 403
Kansas Educator, cited 214
Kansas Educator's Club, C. H. Oman,
president 214
Kansas Free State, Lawrence, office de-
stroyed by Proslavery force 62
Kansas Grange Monthly, Kingman, cited 403
Kansas History Teachers' Association,
eighth annual meeting of 22
Kansas, or Kaw Indians 232, 310
— accompanied by Mahlon Stubbs, seeking
a location 319
— addicted to horseracing 295
—agency 292
— annuity payments 294, 297
Council Grove 300
described by Dr. William Nicholson, 294
— buffalo hunt of 294
— burial customs of •. 296
— cede lands to United States 228, 229
— council, meeting of 299
— defaulted annuities 294
— drying vegetables for winter use 294
— E. S. Stover appointed agent 341
— Eliza Ann Huffaker missionary teacher
to Ill
— failure of railroad to pay for wood cut
on reservation cause of dissatisfaction, 298
—first treaty with, in 1815 228
— form of government among 296
— houses described 294
PAGB
Kansas Indians, lariat ropes made by .... 295
— marriage customs 295
— mortality among 296
— name for Great Spirit Spring 339
Republican river 246
— opposed to sending children to school. . 383
— ornamented attire of 295
— parturition among 295
— polygamous 295
— religion monotheistic 296
— removed to Indian territory 229
— reservation, extent of land embraced
in 228, 229
— • — along Kansas river 228
bordering Arkansas river in Indian
territory 229, 299
near Council Grove 29P
description of 294
to be sold 299
— saddles made by 295
— school for 297
— smoking customs 296
— traders have trouble in satisfying 298
— unchastity among females 296
— village, at mouth of Big Blue river. . . . 115
near Manhattan, visited by Long's
expedition in 1819 212
— wished to send delegation to Indian
territory to investigate new lands 299
— women of 295
compared with Quapaw women 303
Kansas Masonic Digest, Wichita, cited, 408
Kansas Messenger, Topeka 210
Kansas Natural Gas Company, litigation
of 85
— receivership history 8il
Kansas-Nebraska bill 138, 23U
Kansas, Nebraska and Dakota Railroad,
established in 1886 329
Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame, estab-
lished by University of Kansas 336
— names of editors selected for 336
Kansas Optimist, Jamestown 332
Kansas Pacific Railroad 182
— bridge at Fort Riley over Republican
river, carried away by flood in 1867... 256
— building of 7
Kansas Presbyterian synod, meets in Clay
Center 409
Kansas Presbytery, committee of, as-
sists in organizing Eskridge church, 403, 404
Kansas Radical, Manhattan, quoted 256
Kansas Reporter, Louisville, quoted 22
Kansas river 8, 21, 120, 184, 231, 248
— above Fort Riley 10
—Big Blue largest tributary of 115
— bonds voted for bridges over 124
—bridge at St. Marys 22
— deck ferry boat operated on 16
— described 50
— ferries on 15-42
—fish in 47, 50, 57
— floods in 24, 107
ferry service disrupted by 29
1867 34
1870 36
1903 119
Kiro dam proposed as a flood con-
trol project 22
— Great Crossing of 16, 17
— Manhattan, location of principal ferry
crossing 33
steps for bridge at 34
— steamboats on 28, 218
— toll bridge across at West Point 252
— valley of, great corn country 58
— Whitfield north of 43
Kansas Stage Company, line from Junc-
tion City to Santa Fe established by, 258
Kansas State College, Manhattan 223
436
GENERAL INDEX
PAGE
Kansas State Historical Society 2
— accessions 95
— addresses made by secretary during
year 96
— annual meeting, October 17, 1933, min-
utes 91-104
— appropriations and the legislature 91
— archives and manuscripts 92
— archives division, accessions 95
— Colonial Dames of Kansas present
bronze plate bearing profile of George
Washington 102
— daguerreotype of Free State battery
1856, in collections of 5
— diary of Dr. William Nicholson given
to 291
—directors, 1933, 1934 103
meeting of 102
nominations for 101
— executive committee 91
— first capitol of Kansas 96
— Gardner sterographs possessed by 8
— John Booth bequest fund 99
— John Brown collection of manuscripts
repaired 93
— Jonathan Pecker bequest fund 99
— Judge Franklin G. Adams first secre-
tary of 281
— Kansas books and pamphlets added to
library 186- 193
Historical Collections 5
Historical Quarterly 95
—liberty bonds 99
—library 91, 92
accessions 95
students make use of £
— manuscripts in 22
received from post office included
original court records 92, 9
repaired 92
and archives 92
— membership fee fund 98
— museum, accessions to 95
visitors during 1933 95
— newspaper section, List of Kansas
Newspapers and Periodicals Received
by, published 94
statistics of 93
— nominating committee's report 100
—officers elected 102
nominated 100
— Old Shawnee Methodist mission 96
— original minute books of Methodist
church presented to 329
— photostating or photographing equip-
ment needed by 100
— picture collection 94
— Pike Pawnee park 97
— "Recent Additions to Library," com-
piled by Helen M. McFarland . . . . 186-206
— stereoscopic photographs possessed by, 7
— Thomas H. Bowlus fund £
— treasurer's report 98, 99
— World War Historical Commission
planned for 102
Kansas State Teachers' Association 215
Kansas State Teachers' college,
Emporia 2, 223
Kansas State Teachers' college,
Pittsburg 223
Kansas supreme court, David J. Brewer
associate justice of 69
Kansas Synod Lutheran, Atchison 328
Kansas Tribune, Topeka, quoted 15
Kansas University, Lawrence 333
Kansas Weekly Herald, Leavenworth 5
Kansas Woman's Relief Cprps, brief
sketch of, in Topeka Daily Capital 216
Karns, Peter, killed in Indian raid 241
Kauffman, Ben S 331
PAGB
Kearny county-seat warfare, mentioned, 221
Keeler, , "Map of Kansas" 235
Keene, A. M 408
Keith, M. C 129
Keller, E. H., old resident of Horton
community 210
Kelley, E. E 100, 101, 103, 221, 222, 334
— "An Old Cattleman's Story," article by,
describing experiences of D. W. Barton,
published in Topeka Daily Capital.... 217
— biographical sketch of John N. Hollo-
way, written by, published in Topeka
Daily Capital 211
— capture of Black Kettle, famous wild
horse of Western Kansas, by Frank H.
Lockard, described by 210
— "Ravanna, Once Prosperous, is Ghost
Town in Dead County," article by, in
Topeka Daily Capital 218
— "The Lone Tree," famous Santa Fe
trail landmark, location discussed by,
in Topeka Daily Capital 218
— "Vacation by Stage," article in Topeka
Daily Capital describing trip in 1894
from Medicine Lodge to Pike's Peak in
an old Concord stage, written by 209
Kemp, Jackson, delegate to Indian Coun-
cil 366
Kendall, Emma, note on history of estab-
lishment of Rose Hill quarterly meeting
of Friends, written by 209
Kendall, county-seat fight between Syra-
cuse and 211
Kennedy, , partner of S. W. Smith. . 15
Kennedy, Dr. A. R., Lawrence 397
Kennedy, Ephraim, director Clyde ferry, 272
Kennedy, Jane, of Lawrence 397
Kennedy, Wash, note on experiences of, 401
Kennedy, and Freeman, Uniontown 15
Kennekuk, on road to Marysville 142
Kentucky Railroad commission 77
Keokuk, delegate to Indian Council 366
— Sac and Fox chief 325
Kerns, F. Frank, Lecompton history re-
called by 107
Key, Judge , mentioned 379
Keys, Riley, delegate to, and member of
Indian Council 365, 366
Key West 312
Kickapoo Indians, books distributed to, 306
— wandering, went to Mexico in 1861. . . . 311
Kicking Bird, Kiowa chief 353
Kidder massacre, 1867 335
Kilgore, Mrs. S. H., former officer of
Daughters of 1812 411
Kimball, C. A 212
Kimball United Brethren church, note on
history of 404
Kindergartens hi Kansas 92
King, Francis, delegate to Indian Coun-
cil 365, 366, 380- 382
— member Ottawa tribe 359
King, Leonidas, from Euf ala, Ala 67
King, Paul 327, 396
King City, McPherson county 221
Kingman county 209
Kingman Journal 220
Kingman Mercury, established by J. C.
Martin 220
Kingsbury, Frank B 99
Kinkel, John M., Topeka 101, 104
Kinney dam, between Garden City and
Dodge City 208
Kinsey, A. S., first postmaster Ailanthus,
Ottawa county 245
Kiowa, chief of Wichita Indians 175
Kiowa, established in early 1870's 223
Kiowa county, anniversary of settlement
of 399
Kiowa County Historical Society 399
GENERAL INDEX
437
PAGE
Kiowa Indians. . . .181, 292, 300, 347, 351, 363
— Charles Ehresman, interpreter for. 353
— complain of government withholding
ammunition 353
— complaint that many of their tribe have
been killed by Texans, and want per-
mission to kill some Texans 353
— demand presents of ammunition and
clothing 353
— Laurie Tatum, agent for 350
—Little Heart, chief of 348
— reservation, money for, to be used to
colonize Freedmen 355
objections to plan of setting apart a
portion of, for use of Wichitas 254
— under charge of Kiowa and Comanche
Agency 354
— wish Texas moved farther off 354
— and Comanches, Confederated tribes
of 181
engaged in raiding 351
Kiowa and Comanche agency. . . 350, 355, 357
—beef contract at 352
— number of various Indians under super-
vision of 354
Kipfer, Peter, postmaster Bluff ton, Ot-
tawa county 244
Kiro dam, flood control project 22
— note on stories of 107, 108
Kiser, W. A., Delphos laid out by 241
Kit-ke-hah-ki, or Republican Pawnees.. 246
Klein, H., ferry incorporator 21
Knapp, Dallas W., Coffeyville 103
Knapp, Frank, Clay Center, recollections
of Clay county ferries 269
Knapp, J. H., first pastor Liberal Chris-
tian church 405
Knickerbocker, Laura 409
Knight, Capt. J. Lee, early Topeka pho-
tographer, biographical mention of.... 14
Knight, Richard (Dickie), pioneer black-
smith of Ottawa county 2S
Knives, stone, uncovered by high winds. . 330
Knowles, Joshua, ferry incorporator 17
— president Topeka Bridge Company 18
Knox, Rev. John D., secretary and treas-
urer of National Marriage Aid Associa-
tion 92
Knox, Muriel Harris 403
Kohler, Lloyd 328
Krapp, Edward, road commissioner 27
Krauthoff, L. C 72
Labor-capital conflict discussed 385, 395
Ladies' Library Association, Osborne 333
Ladies' Reading Club, Junction City 218
Lake, (Kiro), projected, on Kansas river,
as flood relief measure 22
Lake Erie, Ottawa Indians settle on 228
Lake Sibley, Cloud county 277
— ferry at 280, 281
— Jennings' ferry two miles west of 281
—road to 257
Lake Sibley Ferry Co., organization of . . . 281
Lakin, old settlers' reunion held at 412
Lamar, Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus, of
Confederate fame 243
Lamar, post office on upper Pipe creek,
Ottawa county, history of 243
Lambertson, William P., congressman... 97
Lamme, C. D., history of Kansas re-
viewed for the Hiawatha Kiwanis club. 214
Lamon, W. H., Lawrence
photographer 13, 14
— biographical mention of 14
Lancaster, on state road 273
Land office, claim agents in 302
Land offices, records of, in Historical So-
ciety 93
Landon, Gov. Alf M., mentioned 400
Landon, John, bridge and ferry incor-
porator 25, 27, 119
Lands, belonging to New York Indians,
occupied by settlers 301
—ceded to United States by Ottawa In-
dians of Ohio 228
— in Indian territory, Indians against the
sale or grant of, to railroads 363
— troubles of settlers getting title to 335
Lane & Co.'s steam mill, at Douglas. . . . 146
Lane, Jacob B., first postmaster at Ada. . 242
Lane, James H 63, 65, 159, 165
— Army of the North 62
— attack on Lecompton prevented by U.
S. soldiers 64
— biographical sketch 62
— border ruffian women talk of killing. . . 161
— Free state forces under 62
— home mentioned 9
— on way to Kansas with 10,000 men.. .149
Lane, M. J 331
Lane University, Lecompton, men-
tioned 9, 10
Lang, John D., commissioner on Indian
Affairs 301, 303, 364, 365, 367
Langellier, Joseph, editor The XVIth
Amendment 404
Langley, Robert, of Miller 330
Lanoue, H., complaint against 277
—described 278
—ferry of 277, 283
ferriage charges at 278
Lariat ropes, made by Kaw Indians 295
Larned, establishment of post office in... 397
— George B. Cox, first postmaster of 397
— postmasters of, mentioned 397
Larned Chronoscope 330, 334, 396
— early history of Pawnee county pub-
lished by 208
Larned Portia club, mentioned 396
Larned Press, first newspaper in Pawnee
county 208
Larocque Bros., Concordia 278
Las Animas, Colo 335
Laslie, , St. Marys banker 312
Latimer, Rev. J. R., organized Eskridge
Convenanter church 403, 404
Lavy, Albert, ferry incorporator 271
Lawrence, Frank, proposed free ferry near
Lawrenceburg 275
Lawrence, W. H 150
Lawrence 12, 44, 293, 300, 301, 308, 312
313, 327, 349, 382- 384, 396
— abolition headquarters 45
— A. D. Searle, early surveyor of 407
— Darling's mills at 9
— early boundaries of, noted 407
— eightieth anniversary of founding of... 402
— first Free State convention held at 62
— Fourth of July celebration at, on July
4, 1856 68
— headquarters, Central Superintend-
ency 292
for abolitionists of Kansas territory, 50
— history, First English Lutheran church
published 328
Haskell Institute at 409
— impending attack on 52
— Kansas river at 8, 9
— Lane and Brown at 159, 160
— Massachusetts street, five years after
Quantrill raid, illustration facing p. 6
— names of pupils and teachers at, dur-
ing May, 1863 109
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
— origin of street names 407
— political prisoners rescued 47
— population figures
— profane residents of 48
438
GENERAL INDEX
Lawrence, Plymouth Congregational
church, eightieth anniversary of 410
— Proslavery men ready to march against, 48
— residents reported on verge of starva-
tion 65
— sacking of 62
— school history of 109, 397
— stage from Kansas city to 43
— struggles in early day 106
Lawrence Bridge Company, mentioned... 259
Lawrence Daily Journal, cited 5, 106
Lawrence Daily Journal -World,
cited 109, 407, 410
— Lecompton history published in 10
Lawrenceburg ferry 275
— boat purchased by N. Fox for use at
Bunton's ford 275
— ready for operation 276
—road to . 257, 258
Lead and powder, asked for by Kiowas. . 353
Leahy, D. D., newspaper writer 108, 208
401, 403
Lean Bear, Cheyenne chief 348
Lease, Mary Elizabeth, described by
James M. Mickey in Leavenworth
Times 108
Leavenworth, Gen. Henry, note on bio-
graphical sketch of 402
Leavenworth 48, 340
— Abraham Lincoln's visit to 94
— depot, mentioned 9
— high school of 70
— members of bar appointed to federal
bench 69
— population figures 13
— William C. Hook appointed city at-
torney of 70, 71
Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Express
line, established by Jones & Russell... 119
— Horace Greeley a passenger, detained at
Louisville 25
— route of 257
changed to Platte river 258
moved from Kaw Valley to Oregon-
California trail 139
Leavenworth Chronicle, annual "Fort
Leavenworth Edition" of 406
Leavenworth City Directory, cited 5
Leavenworth Conservative, quoted 256
Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Rail-
road 12
— bridge of, at Lawrence 9
Leavenworth, Pawnee & Western Rail-
road, name changed to Union Pacific,
E. D 7
Leavenworth Times, cited 108, 220, 336
Leavenworth Times and Conservative,
cited 174, 184
Lebanon, old settlers' reunion held at... 412
Lecompte, Judge S. D., mentioned 93
Lecompton 10
— abolition prisoners escape from 149
— arrival of Gov. Geary at 65
— ball given at, on July 3, 1857 165
— barbecue, July 4, 1856, planned 58
— court in session at 145
— difficulty in cashing checks at 161
— note on history of 107
— preaching service by presiding elder of
Methodist church, south 161
— Proslavery settlers between Lawrence
and, gather at 64
— scant attention paid to Sabbath ob-
servance 148
— state house at 10
— two miles from Douglas 45
— U. S. troops near, daguerreotype of,
made for Frank Leslie's Illustrated
Newspaper 6
PAGl
Lecompton constitution 230
— delegates to be elected to frame 159
— Francis J. Marshall elected governor
under 64
— Gov. R. J. Walker opposed to 162
— Republicans resolve not to participate
in election for 159
Lecompton constitutional convention. . . . 169
— adjourned until after election 170
Ledford, Jack 177
Ledrick, Philip, of Wichita, description
of land settled on in 1868 177
— partner of Durfee, in store at Wichita. 176
Lee, Col. , mentioned 352
Lee, Allen B., of Riley county, ferry in-
corporator 33, 122
Lee, G. W., of Riley county 122
Lee, Jason, Methodist missionary to Ore-
gon 334
Lee, S. V., ferry operator 125
Lee, Thomas Amory, of Topeka, presi-
dent Kansas State Historical Society. . 2
91, 100, 102, 104
— address, "William C. Hook, Judge of
the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals of
the United States," read before the
Kansas State Historical Society, at an-
nual meeting, October 17, 1933 69- 85
— receives thanks of Historical Society for
work in behalf of 103
Leffer, Henry, bridge incorporator 34
Leffer pontoon bridge, Manhattan, moved
up river to site of old Barnes ferry 118
Leflore, Campbell, Choctaw Indian, dele-
gate to Indian Council 365, 367
Left Hand, Arapahoe chief 347, 348
Legore, Mrs. , resident on Mclntire
creek, accident to, at Downing's ferry. . 127
Legore, Jos., of Riley county 122
Lennard, Mrs. W. H., history of Morgan -
ville by, mentioned 332
Lense, F., trader at Fort Smith 377
Leon Methodist church, note on history
of 215
Leon News, booster edition of, edited by
members of Leon Methodist church... 215
Leoti, old settlers' reunion held at 412
LePoint, Fallobia, widow, farm of, site of
old Uniontown 18
Lerado, Reno county, history of, pub-
lished in Hutchinson News 222
LeRoy, newspaper history of, recently
published '....330
Lesley, Robert H., first postmaster at
Culver, Ottawa county 244
Letore, H. J., ferry incorporator 33
Lewellen (or Lewellyn), Dr. , built
cabin on Little Arkansas in 1870 176
Lewellen camp, near Camp Beecher 183
Lewis, Lloyd, co-author of new play
The Jayhawker 410
Lewis, Sinclair, co-author of new play
The Jayhawker 410
Lewis Press, cited 209
Lexington, Mo., Michigan abolitionists on
way to Kansas, disarmed and guns
confiscated 59
Liberal Christian church, note on history
of 405
Liberal News, cited 405
Library of Congress, mentioned... 6,94,228
Lightning creek, Indian territory 314, 318
— Charles Journey Cake, Delaware chief
resided on 315
Lillard, T. M., Topeka, director His-
torical Society 92, 103
Lilly, David, ferry incorporator 276
Lima, road to 257
Limestone, immense blocks of, along
Caney , 322
GENERAL INDEX
439
Lincoln, Abraham 6
— entertained at home of Mrs. Betty
Woolman 94
— letters of, in hands of private individ-
uals 86
Lincoln-Douglas debate, Gompers-Allen
debate compared with 385
Lincoln Branch railroad 244
Lincoln college, Topeka 10
Lincoln county 236
— life in, from 1871 to 1877, revealed in
diary of J. Z. Springer 109
— note on history of 209
— school teachers and school officials for
1933-1934 108
Lincoln county, Colorado, mentioned.... 246
Lincoln Sentinel -Republican 109, 209
Lindsborg and Bethany College, men-
tioned 91
Lindsborg Historical Society, articles of
historical interest collected and dis-
played under auspices of 224
— new officers of 112
Lindsborg News-Record, cited 403
Lindsborg Swedish Evangelical Lutheran
Bethany church, sixty-fifth anniversary
of organization of 403
Lindsey, , Ottawa county creek
named for 235
Lindsey, Ayersburg postoffice changed to, 238
— remains of 239
Lindsey creek 238
— origin of name of 234, 235
— K>ld stage tavern near bridge over 238
Lindsley, H. K., Wichita, president Kan-
sas State Historical Society. . 100, 102, 103
Lines, Charles B., ferry incorporator. . 26, 27
Lines, E. C. D., ferry incorporator 26
Lines, E. J., ferry incorporator 27
Linn, Etta, first superintendent Chey-
enne county 331
Linn county, George W. Clarke at head
of 400 Missourians in raid on 63
— note on history of Cadmus Grange No.
350 in 403
Linsley, C. E., application for ferry
license at Clay Center 264
Lippe, Rev. , operated Rocky Ford
ferry, Clay county 265
Listen, W. A., Salem, Ore 400
Little Arkansas river. . 172, 173, 175- 178, 183
— soldiers at Camp Beecher fished for
catfish in 175
— treaty with Cheyenne and Arapahoe
Indians concluded on 180
Little Bear, Indian, mentioned 348
Little Blue river 115, 134, 135
Little Heart, Kiowa chief 348
— death of 351
Little Raven, Arapahoe chief 348
Little river 344
— distance from Canadian to 357
— ferry boat gone at 357
— people detained at, on account of high
water 357
Little Robe, Cheyenne chief 348
Little Saline, or Salt creek 231, 233
Little Verdigris river, also called
Caney 317, 319
Lockard, Frank H., Black Kettle, famous
wild horse of western Kansas captured
by 210
Lockard, Joseph, reminiscences of, writ-
ten for Salina Journal 218
Lockport, once thriving town on Gray-
Haskell county line, history of, recalled 213
Logan, James, mentioned 315
Logan county, mentioned 243
Logan County News, Winona 107, 334
Lomax, Missouri Pacific Railroad from
Fort Scott to, abandoned 329
Lone Chief, Cheyenne chief 848
"Lone Tree, The," famous Santa Fe trail
landmark, location discussed by E. E.
Kelley in Topeka Capital 218
Lone Tree massacre, note on story of . . . 405
Lone Wolf, Kiowa chief, mentioned 858
Long, Dr. , of Chickasaw nation... 864
Long, Chester I., note on political activi-
ties of 401
Long, Christian L., Selinsgrove, Pa., diary
mentioned 119, 248
Long, Maj. Stephen H., expedition
of 115, 212
Loomis, Mrs. Christie Campbell, ferry
marker unveiled by 112
Lord, Henry (Hank), early day settler
and soldier, note on reminiscences
of 214, 403
Louisville, bridge connecting Wamego
with 26
— discontinuance of ferry at 26
— ferry history 25
— first county seat of Pottawatomie
county 25
— hack lines starting from 25
— named for Louis Wilson 25
Louisville Bridge and Ferry Company,
incorporation of 25
Lovell, Dr. , formerly of vicinity of
Pilot Mountain, N. C 317
Lovell, Capt. Chas. S., Sixth U. S. in-
fantry, encampment of, at mouth of
Pawnee river 246
Low, Marcus A., general counsel for Rock
Island Railroad 78
Lucas, history of Blue Hill Masonic
Lodge No. 198 published in Lucas In-
dependent 216
Lucas Independent 107, 211, 216, 222
Luce, J. W., Morganville ferry operated
by 268
Lumbard, Robert, delegate to Indian
Council 366
Lumber, brought from Chicago 305
— price per 100 feet 50
Luray Herald 110
Lurton, Judge Horace Harmon, of sixth
U. S. circuit court 77
Lutheran church, Glasco 108
— Wathena 335
Lyle, James, Proslavery man, killed at
Leavenworth 165
Lyon county, early days of Washara, re-
called 328
— note on early postoffices in 405
— Santa Fe trail in 405
Lyon creek 84
— Alex and John Smith, early settlers on. 41
Lyona, Dickinson county 886
— Methodist Episcopal church, seventy-
fifth anniversary of, note on history
of 407
Lyons, history of, written by Frank
Hoyt 105
— Presbyterian church, sixtieth anni-
versary celebration 105
Lyons Daily News 105
— special oil edition of 213
Lytle, Mrs. May Shepler, reminiscences
written for Barber County Index 218
M
McBee, John 222
— vice president of cavalry association. . . 411
McBracney, McBradley, McBratney (?),
agent for Eastern band of Cherokees in
North Carolina 804
McBratney, Robert, bridge and ferry in-
corporator 259
McCabe, , mentioned 79
440
GENERAL INDEX
PAGE
McCaddon, William, and Timothy Mar-
tell, ferry operators 269
McCarter, Mrs. Margaret Hill 103
— plaque honoring Ill
McCarthy, Mrs. Kathryn O'Laughlin, con-
gresswoman, efforts for improvements
at Fort Hays Historical Park 97
— efforts for making Pike's Pawnee park
a national park 97
McClure, Isaac, treasurer Scandia bridge
company 285
McClure, J. R., Junction City 122, 259
McCormick, J. M., of Riley county 122
McCormick, Col. Robert R., publisher
Chicago Tribune 400
McCoy, H. H 331
McCoy, Rev. Isaac, copy of map of In-
dian reservations surveyed by, 1830
to 1832 92
— surveys of 115
McCoy, John C., impression regarding
naming of Solomon river 231
— Indian reservations surveyed by 24fi
— map of Indian reservations by 247
— surveys by 115
McCoy, Dr. Rice, surveys of 115
McCoy's stockyard, Abilene, men-
tioned 11, 12
McCracken, gold mining activities on
Smoky Hill river near, mentioned 218
— note on history of St. Mary's Catholic
church in 404
McCracken Enterprise, cited 404
McCurdy, E. R., ferry incorporator 33
McDermott, First Lieut. George, military
service 178, 180
McDermott, George C., appointed judge
of United States district court 69
McDonal, C. P., of Riley county 122
MacDonald, A. B 334
— interview with Mrs. Sarah White Brooks,
captured by Cheyennes, published in
Kansas City Star 219
— life of Wyatt Earp, Dodge City town
marshal, written by 213
— of Kansas City Star 333
McDonald, D. N., trader at Little Rock,
Ark 377
Macdonald, Spofford D., bridge incor-
porator 34
McDowell's creek, mentioned 39
McEckron, B. H., director Clyde ferry.. 272
McFarland, Helen M., Topeka 101, 104
— librarian Kansas State Historical So-
ciety, "Recent Additions to the Li-
brary," compiled by 186- 20(5
McFarland, J. A., Jr., editor Baldwin
Ledger 110
McGee's, near Cabin creek 314
McGeesburg, on Republican river, road
to 258
McGinnis, Walter F 105, 106
McGraw, Mart, killed last buffalo in
Smith county 208
McGuire, George 331
Mclntire creek, efforts to secure a bridge
across 127, 128
Mclntosh, D. N., mentioned 377
Mclntosh's battery, Pee Dee artillery,
South Carolina 43
Mackey, Will, reminiscences of, printed
in Junction City Republic 217
Mackey, William H., of Junction City,
letter of, quoted 39
McKinney, John, delegate to Indian
Council 366
McLane's station, Indian territory 305
McLean, Gen. L. A., of Lecompton. ... 170
McLean, Milton R., Topeka 103
McMillan, A. P., ferry incorporator 22
PAGB
McNey, James S. B., first postmaster
Melville, Ottawa county 245
McNeal, T. A., Topeka 103
McPherson, First Methodist Episcopal
church, sixtieth anniversary observed.. 329
McPherson college 223
McPherson County Historical Society,
outstanding work being done by 97
McPherson Daily Republican 221, 329
McQueen, Mrs. Amelia D., autobiography
of, published in Wichita Sunday Eagle, 212
McQuiston, Charles, of La Junta, Colo.,
hardships of pioneering in early day
western Kansas, recalled by 210, 211
Madden, John, mentioned 407
Madison News, cited 403
Magill, J. S., of Marysville 140,141
Magnolia, L. C. Fouquet was early post-
master at 400
Maha Tubber, delegate to Indian Coun-
cil 366
Mahan, Ernest 223
Mails, carried to Salina 258
— Concordia, delayed when bridges out
of commission 280
—delayed 160, 250
— facilities for handling unsatisfactory.... 61
— irregularity of, at Junction City 249
— Marysville service disrupted by Ben
Holladay 143, 144
— none carried beyond Junction City in
1861 258
—route along Santa Fe trail from Inde-
pendence, Mo., to station on Pawnee
Fork 92
— service disrupted by floods in Blue
river 117, 118
Maitland, Alexander, bridge and ferry in-
corporator 260
— ferriage rates granted to 261
— ferry license revoked 262
— granted license to operate Wakefield
ferry 261
Malin, James C., Lawrence, 100, 101, 103, 223
Malone, James, Topeka 101, 104
Manassas, first battle of 43
— second battle of 150
Manhattan 10, 18, 22, 328
— bridge, carried away by flood in 1867. . 256
first steps for, over Kansas river at, 34
free bridge agitated 118
lack of 34, 35
over Kaw river completed : . . . 36
— ferry, accident at 32
first on Big Blue located at 115
free ferry at 30, 32
history of 29
landing at 29
location of principal crossing on
Kansas river 33
— flood of 1867 makes Union Pacific
terminus at 118
— illustration facing p. 6
— Kansas River Ferry Company, called
meeting of 32, 33
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
— Poyntz avenue, early photograph of ... 6
— Riley County Historical Society meets
in 411
— roads leading to 36
— Union Pacific bridge at Fort Riley
floated past 256
— vote taken towards securing bridges. ... 35
Manhattan and Blue River Bridge Com-
pany, organized in 1867 117
Manhattan and Kansas River Bridge
Company, chartered in 1867 30
Manhattan Cooperative Club 212
Manhattan Express, cited. . 29, 115, 117, 252
GENERAL INDEX
441
Manhattan Ferry Company, ferryboats
of, leased to Deever Bros, and John
Flagg, Jr 34
— ferry boat of, sunk 8
— incorporation of 33
Manhattan Independent, quoted. . . 30, 32, 34
123, 124, 256
Manhattan Mercury, cited. 212, 214, 217, 333
Manhattan Nationalist, quoted 125,127
Manhattan newspaper history, reviewed.. 333
Manhattan Standard, cited 36, 116
Manion, T. P., mentioned 398
Manna and Gerard, ferry operators 279
Manners, John W., Sr 107
— reminiscences of an old time preacher
contributed to Lucas Independent 211
March, N. B. and Thomas H. North,
granted license to run Wakefield ferry. . 261
— ferriage rates of 261
Mariadahl, efforts to secure a bridge at. . 133
— ferry, slight unpleasantness at 132
Marion, old settlers' reunion held at. 407, 412
— border cavalry patrol from Camp
Beecher to 172
Marion county, note on English coloniza-
tion in 407
— note, French settlement in 407
Irish colonization in 407
Mennonite settlement in 407
Marion County Historical Society 102
Marion Record o36
Marion Review, cited 407
Markel (Markley), Harvey, appointed
postmaster at Lindsey 238
Marker, A. M., operator Rocky Ford
ferry 267
Markley, Ben, Ottawa county pioneer 237
Marquand, William E 331
Marriage, Ottawa Indians pass law re-
garding 306
Marshall, Gen. Francis J., biographical
sketch 64
— date of death 140
— did flourishing business at lower ferry
crossing 137
— elected governor under Lecompton con-
stitution 64
— ferry established by, at point where
Mormons crossed Big Blue 136,141
rates for 1856 138
for 1860 and 1862 139
throngs waiting to be ferried across
Big Blue river 137
tragedy at, 1859 141
— obtained permission to establish trad-
ing post 136
— own account of starting of trading post
and ferry 140
Marshall, Mary Williams (Mrs. F. J.)... 141
Marshall county 115
— ferries in 134- 144
— rich in historical associations 135
— school history mentioned 332
Marshall County News, Marysville 137
212. 335
Martell, Timothy, Morganville ferry op-
erated by 268
— operated Eagle Bend ferry 268, 269
Five Creeks ferry 265
Rocky Ford ferry 267
Martin, Geo. W., recollections of ferry at
Fort Riley 248
— secretary of Kansas State Historical
Society 248
Martin, Henry, appointed commissioner
for Ottawa county 230
Martin, J. C., pioneering experiences of,
mentioned 220
Martin, John A., editor Atchison Champ-
ion 336
Martin's hill, west of Topeka 17
Mary McDonald, steamboat, Wyandotte. 8
Marysville, Ben Holladay's mode of
spiting 143
— bridge across Big Blue built at 137
— distance from Independence crossing... 137
— interesting letters on history of, pub-
lished in The Advocate-Democrat 207
—laid out in 1855, by F. J. Marshall... 139
— mail for, forwarded from Guittard's by
ox team and freight wagons 144
— mail service to, disrupted by Ben
Holladay 143, 144
— newspapers from Missouri river towns
a month old before receipt at 144
— retaliatory measures for treatment of
town by Holladay 144
— road up Blue river via 36
— roads starting from and terminating
at 141
— services for Catholics in the 1870's con-
ducted by Rev. A. M. Weikman 335
Marysville Town Company 139
Marvin, , ferry operator 341
Marx, Karl, Samuel Gompers had no love
for 391
Mason, Mrs. Henry F., Topeka. 100, 101, 103
— chairman nominating committee 99
Masonic order in Kansas, note on or-
ganization of 408
Massachusetts Political League 78
Massachusetts street, Lawrence 9
Massacre, Kidder, 1867 335
— Lone Tree, in 1874, note on 405
Mathewson, William, Wichita, descrip-
tion of land settled on 177, 178
Matsill, , partner of Hubbard in
general merchandise business at
Wichita 178
Matthews, Mr. , first coal in Russell
county mined by 109
Maumee river, Ottawas cede lands on to
United States 228
Maxwell, . . 72
May, , road commissioner 342
Mead, Andrew J., bridge incprporator . . . 34
— Manhattan, road commissioner 22
— road from near Fort Riley to base of
Rocky Mountains sponsored by 42
Mead, James R 180, 183
— description of land settled on 177, 178
— quoted 173
Meade County Press, Meade, cited 406
Meade Globe-News, cited 405
Meader, , mentioned 356
Meadowlark library, history of 209
Mechanics, in early Kansas, wages of.... 50
Mechem, Kirke, Topeka 101, 104, 406
— speaker at anniversary supper and pro-
gram of Riley County Historical So-
ciety 336
Medary, Gov. Samuel 42, 129, 134, 143
229, 259
Medicine Lodge, Barber county old set-
tlers' reunion held at 327
— treaties concluded at 181, 182
Medicine Lodge creek, Council camp on.. 181
— Indian territory 350
Medicine Lodge trail 330
Melainotype 4
Mellies, Henry, Clay county land holder. 269
Melvern, old settlers' reunion held at... 412
Melville, Ottawa county, Jas. S. B. Mc-
Nay, first postmaster 245
Menimic or Menimie, Cheyenne
chief 347, 348
Mennonite settlements in Kansas, note on 409
Mencken township, Shawnee county, men-
tioned 15
Mercer, Joseph H., Topeka 103
Merrimac, Marshall county, ferry at.... 134
— short sketch of 134
Merrimac Town Company, officers of. ... 134
442
GENERAL INDEX
Mershon, Clarence, Oakley librarian 399
Metcalf, Wilder S., Lawrence 104
— relics given Historical Society by 101
Meteorites of Kansas 327
Methodism, when it reached Kansas 328
Methodist Episcopal church 260
— Cottonwood Falls 110
— Hiawatha 106
— McPherson, sixtieth anniversary ob-
served 329
— mission in Kansas country 229
— missionaries, to Oregon 334
— Olathe 106
— original minute books presented to the
Historical Society 328
— Paola 106
— pay salaries of teachers for Muscogee
Indians 370
— Pratt, fiftieth anniversary observed. . . . 329
— Sabetha 109
— Southern 120
sermon preached at Lecompton by
presiding elder of 161
— Wichita 109
Metropolitan Street Railway system, of
Kansas City, Mo., receivers appointed
for 80
— reorganization of 71
Mexican, killed at Camp Supply by Lit-
tle Heart, Kiowa chief 351
Mexican commerce, on Santa Fe trail,
mentioned 222
Mexican War, mentioned 43
Mexicans, join Indians for raiding pur-
poses 351
Miami bay, in Lake Erie, treaty with Ot-
tawa Indians made at 228
Miami Indians, mentioned 308
Miami Republican, Paola, cited 410
Michigan, abolitionists of, disarmed and
guns confiscated while coming up
Missouri river 59
— large party of emigrants expected
from 56
Mickey, James M 108
— editor Osage Free Press 108
Mid-America, Chicago 210
Milford, road to 257
Military road, crossed Solomon near its
mouth 340
— Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Riley. . 36, 37, 116
Congress memorialized to improve.. 252
— Fort Leavenworth to Fort Laramie. ... 141
— Fort Riley to Nebraska line, made
territorial 42
— in Washington county 142
— Louisville on line of 25
— to Fort Riley 20
Militia, territorial, disbandment of 149
Mill, at Cheyenne and Arapahoe agency. 362
— for Pottawatomies, on Mill creek 21
— on Buffalo creek, Cloud county 332
Mill creek, road from Marysville to Re-
publican river by way of 142
— Wabaunsee county 22
grist mill for Pottawatomies on.... 21
Miller, Grange, of Riley county 122
Miller, Nyle H 94, 208
Miller S. R., ferry incorporator 281
Miller, Sol, editor Kansas Chief, Troy... 336
Miller, Thomas, agent of Sac and Fox
Indians 324, 361, 363, 376
— had care of Shawnee Indians 344
— in charge of removal of Sac and Fox
Indians from Kansas 324
—preached to Creeks 378
— succeeded by John Hadley 326
Millikan, Jonathan, one of first houses in
Olathe built by 220
Mills, , of Topeka, mentioned 116
Mills, J. D 331
PAGE
Mills, Mrs. Harriet 331
Miltonvale, first called Zahnsville 105
—note on school history of 105
Miltonvale Church of Christ, note on his-
tory printed 329
Miltonvale Record, cited 105, 329
Miner, Henry M., postmaster, York, Ot-
tawa county 244
Mines, safety codes for 389
Minneapolis 234
— chosen county seat of Ottawa
county 230, 238
— derivation of name 237
— first postmaster at 238
Minnesota Historical Society, mentioned, 94
Minnesota Railroad and Warehouse
Commission 77
Mission creek 20
Mission township, Shawnee county, men-
tioned 15
Mississippi river, mentioned 44
Missouri, early Kansans obtain provi-
sions from 47
— fine crops grown in 1856 65
— passed resolutions not to sell provisions
to abolitionists 65
— plans for aiding southern settlers in
Kansas 57
Missouri Democrat, St. Louis, quoted. ... 31
Mis.puri, Kansas & Texas Railroad 294
Missouri-Oklahoma Gulf Railroad 83
— bonds of, owned in Belgium and
France 82
Missouri Pacific Railroad, abandonment
of line from Fort Scott to Lomax, men-
tioned 329
— Bailie P. Waggener general counsel for, 78
— receivership of 82
— reorganization 81
Missouri Republican, St. Louis 364
Missouri river, closed to Northern emi-
gration 62
— description of 44
— great bend of mentioned 8
— steamboats on 44
cholera scourge spread by 137
Missourians, planning to send 300 milk
cows into Kansas for southern set-
tlers 61
Mitchell, Daniel, bridge and ferry in-
corporator 259
Mitchell, George, Indian agent 305
— at Quapaw payment '. . 303
Mitchell, Henry, ferry incorporator 38
Mitchell, William, ferry incorporator 26
Mitchell county 339
— note on pioneer days in 402
— Waconda ferry mentioned 342
Mitchell's Atlas, 1859, cited 233
Mix, Charles E 300
— treaty commissioner 294
Mob violence, in southern Kansas, cited
by D. D. Leahy 208
Mobegu Kinnekinnick, great spirit of
Kaw Indians 297
Mobley, C. R., commissioner Riley
county 121
— ferry operator 38
— road commissioner 22
Mobley, R. D., ferry operator 38
Mohen, Sergeant , became Wichita
policeman 185
Moh-e-ca-to, or Blue Earth river, In-
dian name for Big Blue 115
Molasses, price per gallon. _ 50
Money, scarce in Kansas in 1860s. 60
Montague, Tex., Indian raid in vicinity of 350
Montgomery, Mrs. Frank C., article on
Fort Wallace, mentioned 174
Montgomery, John, agent for Kaw In-
dians 294
GENERAL INDEX
443
PAGE
Moore, Ely, biographical sketch of 169
— of Lecompton 58
— once a representative to Congress from
New York 169
— refused appointment as minister to
England 169
Moore, J. B., delegate to Indian Coun-
cil 366
Moore, L. W 331
Moore, Langel W., old settler, Shawnee
county 15
Moore, Russell, Wichita 103
Moore's Summit, on branch road between
Lawrence and Leavenworth 9
Mo-quaw-ho-ko, Sac and Fox chief 325
Moravian (United Brethren) mission
school in Cherokee nation 370
Morehouse, George P., Topeka 103
Morgan, Ebenezer, Morganville founded
by 332
Morgan, Mrs. James, taken prisoner by
Indians 241
Morgan, R. E., of Kimball, mentioned.. 404
Morgan, Tom, Clay county pioneer 269
Morgan, (later Morganville), Clay county,
ferry at 267
Morganville, bridge over Republican river
built west of town 267
destroyed by flood 268
— emergency ferry operated at 268
— ferry, E. W. Reed, operator, ferriage
rates of 267, 268
history of, printed 332
various operators of 268
Mormon, exodus of 1847, passed through
Marshall county 135
— road, crossed Fort Riley military
reservation 257
near Fort Riley 39, 41
Morning Chronicle, Manhattan 215,333
Morrill, history reviewed 333
Morrill Weekly News 333
Morris county, mentioned 258
Morrison, Mary E., early Saline county
settler, reminiscences of, published in
Elkhart Tri-State News 217
Morrison, T. F., Chanute 101, 104
Morse, Capt. Albert Whipple, Jr., men-
tioned 406
Morse, T. W 110
Morse, William, bond signed by 16
Mortimer, David, settled in Ottawa
county in 1865 236
Mortimer creek, Ottawa county 236
Morton, Howard, in Battle of Arickaree. . 244
Morton, Mrs. Margaret Hubbard 106
Mortopyarhola, vice Grayson, delegate to
Indian council 366
Moses, 405
Mosher, O. W., Jr., associate professor
of history at K. S. T. C., Emporia 2
• — "Historical Collections and Public En-
tertainments," article by 86- 90
Mounds, in vicinity of Chouteau's agency,
Indian territory 322
— on Caney river 321
Mount Hope, old settler's reunion held
at 412
Mount Oread, Lawrence, mentioned 9
Mount Pleasant, on road up Republican
river 265
Mount Scott, Indian territory 350
Mud Creek (now Abilene) 340
Muddy creek, Abilene, mentioned 10
Mulberry, on Republican river, road to. . 258
Mulberry creek, Indian cave on 11
Mullinville News, cited 399
Mulvane, old settlers' reunion held at... 412
Mulvane News, cited 405
Munden, Kansas A. T. A. organized on
farm near 212
PAGE
Munger, D. S., Wichita, date of settle-
ment at Wichita 17
— description of land settled on 177
Munger, W. H., judge district court 72
Munsee Indians. See Chippewa and
Munsee Indians.
Murdock, Mrs. F. L., officer of Riley
County Historical Society 223, 411
Murdock, Marshall M., editor Osage
County Chronicle 336
— founder of the Wichita Eagle 403
Murdock, Victor, Wichita 208,222,331
397, 405, 406
• — discusses early history of Wichita First
Methodist church and dedication of its
church bell 109
— foundings of Chelsea and Towanda re-
viewed by 212
Murphy, Thomas, of Central Superin-
tendency 181, 182, 310
Muscogee Indians 361
— appropriations for 370
— number of, in Indian territory 370
— salaries of teachers for 370
— saw mill of 312
— schools operated for 312,370
— translating Scriptures into language of 312
Muscogee or Creek Indians, delegates to
Indian Council 366
— Seminoles seceders from 314
Muscotah, on state road 278
Mushroom rock, Alum creek 11
Muttatah, delegate to Indian Council 366
— Sac and Fox chief 325
Myatt, A. J., state solicitor 72
Myers, D. H., ferry incorporator 263
Myers, R. K., mentioned 409
Myers, W. K., mentioned 397
N
Nadeau, Hilliary, ferryman 20
Nagle, Charles, Secretary of Commerce
and Labor 77
Naly, H. B., of Riley county 122
Nashville, Tenn., mentioned 43
Nation, Mrs. Carrie, hatchet used by, in
a raid on a Topeka joint, given His-
torical Society 95
— temperance crusader, plaque honoring, 111
National Democratic party 62
National Marriage Aid Association, Rev.
John D. Knox, secretary and treasurer
of 92
National Tribune, Washington, D. C.,
quoted 80
Nationalist, The, Manhattan, quoted .... 267
Native Daughters of Kansas, Saline
County Chapter 218
— marker for first free ferry across Smoky
Hill erected by 112
Natoma Independent 110
Neally, Albert, ferry incorporator 276
Nealy, H. B., of Riley county 122
Nebraska, Big and Little Blue rise in... 115
— boundary line, military road from Fort
Riley to, made territorial road 257
— forks of Republican unite near Benkle-
man 246
— Indian agents for, selected by Society
of Friends 289
Nebraska City, road up Blue river to. ... 33
Needles, , daguerreotypist, in Kan-
sas 5
Negroes, attitude of Creek Indians to-
wards 358
— efforts to prevent discrimination during
railroad travel 79, 80
— married into Creek tribe 376
Negus, Israel, mentioned 347
Negus, Ruth, mentioned 347
444
GENERAL INDEX
Neill, George, merchandise lost in Re-
publican river at Republican City
ferry 264, 265
— operated store at Republican City.... 264
— recollection of ferries in and around
Clay Center 264
Nelson, Gen. , mentioned 358
Nelson, Axel, trustee Randolph Ferry Co., 130
Nelson, John W., trustee Randolph Ferry
Co 130, 131
Nelson, Peter, ferry operator 133
Nemaha county, mentioned 402
Neosho agency, mentioned 301
Neosho Falls, as it appeared in the 1880's,
note on 405
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
Neosho river 294, 313
Ne-pa-hol-la, Indian name for Solomon
river, meaning of 339
—or Ne pah ha la, Kanza Indian word,
meaning "water on a hill" 2SO
Nesbit, John N., ferry incorporator 26
Ness City, press of The XVIth Amend-
ment dumped in lake in 404
Nevin's Ferry, near Fort Gibson 380, 381
Nevoir, Samuel, member business com-
mittee of Pottawatomies 312
New Chicago, now part of Chanute 207
New England Suffrage League 78
New Hope, road from Marysville to .... 142
New Market Heights, Va., battle of 179
New Mexico, University of, E. S. Stover
first president of 341
— wild Apaches of 351
New York City, debate on merits of Kan-
sas Industrial Court held in 385-395
New York Herald, M. E. Joyce reporter
for 364
New York Indians, lands of, near Fort
Scott, occupied by settlers 301
New York regiments, Seventh cavalry... 180
—Ninth cavalry 180
New York Times Magazine 96
New York Tribune, Albert D. Richardson,
correspondent of 119
Newell, E., secretary of Manhattan Kan-
sas River Ferry Company 33
Newell, E. M., of Riley county 122
Newells, S 129
Newlin, Mahlon, trader for Kaw Indians, 294
Newman, Henry, rescue women at Lanoue's
ferry 277
Ne-woh-kon-daga, Kaw Indian name for
Great Spirit Spring 339
Newsom (or Newson), Joseph, at Osage
agency 319
— farmer for Kaw Indians 294
Newspapers, early Kansas, note on his-
tory of 405
—value of files, of 222
Newton, First Congregational Church,
founding of, mentioned 396
— First Presbyterian church, sixty-second
anniversary of organization of 406
Nez Perce Indians, battle with 180
Nichols, Clarinda Howard, woman suffra-
gist, plaque honoring Ill
Nicholson, George T 291, 307
—associated with A. T. & S. F. railroad, 290
—death of 290
Nicholson, Mrs. Sarah, mentioned 290
Nicholson, Dr. William 226, 314, 320, 322
— "A Tour of Indian Agencies in Kansas
and Indian Territory in 1870," diary
of 289- 326, 343- 384
— appointed general agent of associated
executive committee of Friends 290
— biographical sketch 289-291, 338
— delegate to North Carolina constitu-
tional convention 290
PAGE
Nicholson, Dr. William, diary of, pre-
sented to Kansas State Historical
Society 291
— elected to legislature 291
— superintendent of Central Superintend -
ency 290
Nicholson, William (son of Dr.
William) 290, 307
Nickerson, old settlers' reunion held at, 412
Nigger creek, Ottawa county, name
changed to Vine creek 243
Niles, Hezekiah, founder and editor of
Niles' Weekly Register 240
, Ottawa county 240
— named in honor of Hezekiah Niles,
founder and editor of Niles' Weekly
Register 240
— probable origin of name 241
— ten states have towns so named 240
Niles' Weekly Register, Baltimore, Md., 240
Nilesville, post office, Thomas Casebeer
first postmaster 240
— rechristened Niles 240
Ninch, Mr. , of Riley county 129
Ni-obrara river 233
Ni-pahela (Solomon river) 233
Niscod nemma, a principal man among
Pottawatomies 311
Nishcoba, Ni-Skobe or Ni-skopa (Chap-
man's creek), meaning "Crooked
Water" 233
Nixon, Almon C., early days in Abilene
described by, in Abilene Daily Chron-
icle 216
Noell, C. W., history of old road through
sand hills south of Syracuse, published
in Syracuse Journal 217
Normal Schools, suggested for the Chero-
kee Indians 360
Norris, Mrs. George, Arkansas City, 101, 104
Norris, S. G., mentioned 399
North, Thomas H. and N. B. March,
granted license to run Wakefield ferry, 261
— petitioned county board asking that li-
cense granted to A. Maitland be re-
voked 261, 262
— rates of ferriage 261
North Dakota Historical Quarterly, cited, 105
North Fork of Canadian. See Canadian
river, North Fork.
North Fork Town, I. T., mentioned 376
North Missouri railroad •. . 384
Northern Securities case 74
Northrup, Charles, Kansas A. T. A.,
organized on farm of, near Munden,
Republic county 212
Norton, N. D., ferry operator 125
Norton Community High School, note on
history of 410
Norton county, mentioned 339
Norton Nugget, cited 410
Notaries, Russell county, noted by Judge
J. C. Ruppenthal 11
Nottingham, on road to Marysville 142
— road up Blue via 36
Noyes, Amos, story of family of, written
by Mrs. Carrie Breese Chandler, pub-
lished in Chase County Leader 216
Noyes, Judge Walter C., figured in Ameri-
can Tobacco Company case 77
— United States circuit judge for second
district 77
Nuckols county, Nebraska, mentioned 247
Oak Park, Wichita 177
Oakley, note on history of 399
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
— public library, mentioned 399
Oakley Graphic, cited 399
O'Brien, Patrick, ferry incorporator 276
GENERAL INDEX
445
PAGE
O'Brien, Timothy, ferry incorporator 276
O'Day, Tom, ferryman at Fort Riley
ferry on Republican 248, 250
Oesterreich, Herman, mentioned 41
O'Flannigan, John, St. Marys Star
founded by 220
Ogden, Major E. A., monument to 1
— quartermaster at Fort Leavenworth . . . 140
Ogden 22
— efforts to secure bridge for 39
—ferry at, rates of 38- 40
— made county seat of Riley county 217
Ogden and Kansas River Bridge Com-
pany, charter for 39
Ogden, Pawnee and Santa Fe Bridge and
Ferry Company, incorporation of 38
Ogden Town Company, organization of.. 39
Ogee, John, ferry operator 16
Ogee, Joseph, ferry operator 16, 17
Ogee, Louis, ferry operator 16, 17, 20, 312
Ogee, R. A., ferry operator 20
Ohio, Ottawa Indians living in, cede lands
to United States 228
— party from, in 1855, explore Solomon
valley 235
Ohio Grove, Ottawa county, J. C. Pittin-
ger, first postmaster 245
Ohio river, mentioned 44
Oil, Russell county fields, development of, 214
— tenth anniversary of discovery of, in
Rice county 213
Okerstrom, Mrs. Nels 208
Oketo 115
— cut off, described by Frank A. Root. . . 143
— ferry at 142
boat cut loose during flood 144
length of time in operation 144
— on road to Nebraska line 142
Oklahoma, early-day pictures of, men-
tioned 221
— Jim Crow car law 78, 79
Oklahoma Corporation Commission 77
Oklahoma Historical Society,
mentioned 292, 327, 396
Okmulgee, I. T 364, 376
— distance from Seminole agency to 357
— session of General Council of the Indian
territory held at 293
proceedings of meeting of 358 et seq.
Okmulgee constitution, resume of ... 371-375
— revision committee meets for 369
Oktarharsars-harjo (or Sands) delegate to
Indian Council 365, 366
Olathe, old settlers' reunion held at 412
— Methodist Episcopal church 106
Olathe Mirror, cited. . 106, 220, 222, 327, 328
Old settlers, meetings held in Kansas dur-
ing fall of 1933 112
— registering at Southwest Free fair,
Dodge City 105
— Wabaunsee county 25
Oliver, Hannah P., Lawrence 103
Oliver, Joseph B., ferry operator 19
Olsburg, road from Randolph to 131
Olsburg News Letter, quoted 132
Olson, Henry, treasurer Lindsborg His-
torical Society 112
Olson, Marie A., mentioned 408
Omaha City Water Works Co., opinion
in case of, written by Judge Hook. ... 73
Oman, C. H., president Kansas Edu-
cator's Club 214
O'Neil, Ralph T., Topeka 101, 104
Ong, Charles L., note on pioneering ex-
periences of 217
Oregon-California road 141
Oregon pioneers, passed through Mar-
shall county 135
Oregon trail, crossed Kansas river at
Smith's ferry 17
PAGE
Osage City Free Press, J. M. Mickey
editor of, in 1896 108
Osage Indians 292, 293, 316
— agency 318
— attitude towards education 359
— Augustus Captain a principal man of, 359
— away on hunting trip 319
— buffalo hunt of 359
— Catholic mission school operates for. . . 370
— delegates to Indian congress 366
— gave up homes in Kansas because set-
tlers treated them badly 359
— massacre two men on Big Walnut, in
Butler county 172
— novel method of conveying babies across
swollen streams 325
— number of, in Indian territory 370
— pronunciation of, in native language. . . 318
— Robert Dunlap, trader with 322
— school fund of 370
— sentinel, with Pike expedition 232
— supposed to have murdered son of
White Crow, Arapahoe chief 347
— surrender members of tribe guilty of
murder of Dunn and Anderson 173
— tabulated educational report of. 371
Osage Mission, Annals of, compiled by
W. W. Graves, editor of St. Paul
Journal 213
— reminiscences of early day, written by
Martha Rafferty, published in St. Paul
Journal 216
Osborn, Gov. Thomas A 333
— instructs attorney -general to start ac-
tion against Republican River Bridge
Company for noncompliance with terms
of its charter 254
— notified by Davis county commissioners
of dangerous condition of Republican
river bridge 254
Osborne city library, mentioned 33
Osborne county 339
— note on early history of 400
— old settlers' meeting held in 11
Osborne County Farmer, Osborne. . . 333, 334
Osburn, M. F., ferry operator 15
Oskaloosa, old settlers' reunion held at, 412
Ost community, southeast Reno county.. 329
Ostrander, A. B., former contest clerk in
Independence land office 335
Oswego, First Methodist church, note on
history of 410
— historical data of 107
— old settlers' meetings held at 107, 412
Oswego Democrat 107, 410
Oswego Independent 107, 410
Otis, John G., bridge and ferry incorpo-
rator 25, 27, 34, 119, 120
— in army 120
— member Congress 25, 120
Otoe Indians, Marshall's trading house
convenient to 137
— reservation 142
Ottawa 12, 312
— Chippewa and Munsee mission six miles
southwest of 308
— First Baptist church, seventieth anni-
versary of founding observed 331
Ottawa county 339
— Ayersburg temporary county seat 238
— commissioners appointed for 233
— first election in 230, 238
— "Geographical Names in," article by
Thep. H. Scheffer 227-245
— Indian raids in 241
— lands embraced in 230
— legally established in 1860 237
— meaning of name 228
— old settlers' meetings held in 112
446
GENERAL INDEX
PAGE
Ottawa county, once included in Kanza
Indian reservation 229
— organization of 229, 238
— origin of names applied to streams... 230
— Pike's course through 232
— post office history 245
—Saline valley district of 243
— towns, origin of names attached to. ... 236
Ottawa Campus, fiftieth anniversary edi-
tion of 334
Ottawa Herald 331
Ottawa Indians 293, 372
— books distributed to 306
— cede lands in Kansas 228
— council passed law forbidding boys to
carry pistols 306
— delegate to Indian Council 366
— first visited by Champlain 228
— Francis King delegate of, to Indian
Council 359
— marriage law passed by council 306
— migrations of 228
— moved to Kansas 228
— religious services conducted by 359
— reservation 134
— saw mill possessed by 359
— schools conducted for 306, 359
taught by A. C. Tuttle 302
conditions at 306, 307
located southwest of Baxter Springs. 306
— tabulated educational report of 371
— took part in Indian wars up to 1812. . 228
Ottawa University 334
Otter fur, used in Indian attire 295
Overland Bridge Company, charter se-
cured for 34
Overland routes, protection of 182
Overland Stage Line, passed through
Marshall county 136
Owen, Jennie Small, mentioned 410
Pacer, Apache chief 353
Pacific railroad, Hays city terminus of... 182
Pacific railroads, Indians sign treaty not
to interfere with 181
Paddock, 91
Pa-du-cah-gah-lu, Kaw Indian 300
Palco Enterprise 105
Palco News, brief history of 105
Palmer, Dr. Luther R., former agent of
Pottawatomies 309- 311
Palmer, William 331
Palmetto, road up Blue river via 36
Pame-je-yah, a principal man among
Pottawatomies 311
Pa-ne-ne-tah or Pawnee river, name given
the Republican by the Kansas Indians, 246
Paola, Methodist church, seventy -fifth
anniversary of 107
— old settlers' reunion held at 109, 412
— Peoria tribal funds distributed at 307
Papan's ferry, mentioned 15, 20
Paradise Farmer, cited 211
Parallel road, laid out by Judge F. G.
Adams 281,282
Parker, Alton B., mentioned 385
Parker, Gen. E. S., commissioner of
Indian Affairs 301, 307, 361, 364
— synopsis of address at Indian Council, 367
Parker, R. L 327
Parker, location of 321
Paroquettes, flocks of, in Indian territory, 321
Parrott, , mentioned 48
Parrott, D. K., acting assistant commis-
sioner General Land Office 176, 177
Parsons, John W., ferry operator 37
Parsons Sun, cited 334
Patrick, Mrs. Mae C., Satanta 103
Paul, Charles 127
PAGB
Paul, Hester J 127
Paul, J. W., biographical data of 127
— ferry operator 123
Paul, John W. (son) 127
Paul, Julia 127
Paul, Martha 127
Paul, Mary E 127
Paul, Nancy J 127
Paul, Smith, native of Georgia inclosed
farm of 2,000 acres owned by 365
— corn yield of 355
— married a Chickasaw woman 355
Paul's ferry boat carried away by ice
gorge in 1871 124
— location of 126
— predicament of impatient patron. . 126, 127
Pawnee, destroyed by order of War De-
partment 39
— ferry at 39
—first territorial capitol located at 39
visitors to 96
— roads leading to 40
Pawnee county, Civil war veterans settled
in 334
— Darwin B. Wolcott a pioneer of 330
— note on early history of 208
Pawnee Fork, mail route to, from Inde-
pendence, Mo 92
Pawnee Indians 232
— Confederacy of, known as Kit-ke-hah-
ki or Republican Pawnees 246
— hunter, met by Pike 232
—killed by Comanches 232
— Marshall's trading house convenient to, 137
— village, Pike's expedition to 232, 246
Pawnee Park bridge, ferry near 286
Pawnee river, Republican once known as, 246
Peacock, Billy, of Wichita 175
Pecan nuts, $2 a bushel 325
Pederson, , Clay county land holder, 269
Pee Dee artillery, South Carolina 43
Pelican, killed in Kansas river at Douglas, 47
Perm, William, made treaty with Dela-
ware tribe on banks of Delaware river, 315
Pennsylvania, colonists of, to Kansas in
1871 215
— regiments, Fifth cavalry 179
Mounted Rifles 179
— University of 290
Pennsylvania Historical Society, wampum
belt possessed by 315
Penquite, Frank 242
Penquite, Nathaniel B., postmaster at'
Brewer post office 242
Penquite post office, date of discontinu-
ance of 242
Pension office, claim agents in 302
— records of, in Historical Society 93
Peoria Indians 293, 372
— books distributed to 306
— confederated tribes, number of, in In-
dian territory 370
school fund of 370
students attending schools of 370
tabulated educational report of 371
— Delawares leave Cherokees and go
amongst 315
— John Collins Isaac, of Philadelphia to
teach school for 302
— many skilful farmers among 307
— reservation 307
— school building for, nearly completed, 302
—tribal funds distributed by 307
Percy, Chas. P. H., Chickasaw, delegate
to, and member of Indian Council 361
365, 366
Perry, L. B., ferry operated by 40
Ferryman, J. M., delegate to Indian
Council 366
Ferryman, L. C., delegate to Indian
Council 366
GENERAL INDEX
447
PAGE
Ferryman, S. W., delegate to Indian
Council 366
Perryville, mentioned *J
Peter's creek • • • • I*2
Peterson, Perry, mail carrier of Clay
county 269
Petro, Elizabeth Mitchell, historical
sketch of Great Spirit Spring by,
published in Topeka State Journal, 215, 221
Petrolia, Neosho county, old settlers'
meeting held in 112
Philadelphia Photographer, cited... 5, 7, 13
Philadelphia Photographic Society 7
Phillip, Mrs. W. D., Hays, mentioned, 101, 104
Philippine Islands, Twentieth Kansas in, 101
Phillips, Mr. , Riley county land
owner I24
Phillips, John F., former U. S. judge of
district court of Missouri 72, 85
Phillips county, mentioned 339
Phillipsburg Herald, Mary C. Bissell, co-
editor HI
Photographs, introduction of carte de
visite, in the United States
• — American, chronology of
influence of
— on silvered copper
— on wet glass 3
Pickering, Lindley, missionary . 304
Picketing, arguments for and against, 385-395
Pierce, Capt. A. D., defense of his cabin
at Pierce's ford 241
— homestead of 237
Pierce, Pres. Franklin 62, 169
Pierce, Mr. Geo. G 229
—member legislature of 1860 116
Pierce City, mentioned 306
Pierce's ford, on Yockey creek, Ottawa
county 241
Pierson, William, trustee Randolph Ferry
Co 130
Pike, Capt. Zebulon M 231
— course through Ottawa county 232
— errors in map of • • • 232
— first white man to view Great Spirit
Spring 216
—mention of Solomon's fork 230, 339
— visit to Pawnee village 246
Pike creek, Ottawa county later called
Pipe creek 230, 233
— See also Pipe creek.
Pike -Pawnee park, celebration at 412
— efforts being made to make a national
park 97
— 127th anniversary of Pike's visit cele-
brated in 1933 97
Pike's Peak 119
— gold discoveries at 136
—rush, 1859 139, 277
Pilkinton, , sent to make Quapaw
payment 303
Pillsbury, Josiah M., bridge incorporator, 118
Pilot Knob, Leavenworth 9
Pilot Mountain, N. C 317
Pinkerton, John H., ferry incorporator. . 33
Pinson, Mary Ann, teacher Kaw
Indians 294, 383
Pinson, Nathan, teacher Kaw Indians, 294, 383
Pipe creek ; . . 238, 243
— may have been named for Pike, the
explorer '
— Ottawa county, Edwin Colton, first
postmaster 24f
— post office history 234
Piper, Isaac, postmaster at Poe, Ottawa
county 24.:
Pipher, John, of Riley county 12
— bridge incorporator 11?
Pipher, John W., of Riley county 122
Pitney, Mahlon, of New Jersey, appointed
on supreme bench 79
PAGB
itt, W. A., Pittsburg, Mitchell county
named for 332
ittinger, J. C., first postmaster Ohio
Grove, Ottawa county 245
ittsburg, Crawford county, notes on his-
tory of coal industry at 407
ittsburg, Mitchell county, who named
for 332
'ittsburg, (near Manhattan), ferry at... 119
laid out in 1857 119
mentioned by Christian L. Long... 119
station on Leavenworth and Pike's
Peak Express line 119
Pittsburg Headlight, cited 407
Pittsburg Sun, cited 407
Plainville, Catholic church 222
—Christian church 222
— Nazarene church, note on history of.. 397
— note on early history of 401
— postmasters of 212
Plainville Times, cited 212, 222, 397
Plant, James and Asa Anderson, granted
license to operate ferry at Clay
Center 263, 264
Platte river, Nebraska 115, 181, 182
— Leavenworth & Pike's Peak express
route changed to 258
Pliley, Allison J., scout and Indian fighter, 327
Plums, wild 60
Plymouth Congregational church, Law-
rence, note on history of 410
Poe, Logan county 243
— postoffice in Ottawa county, name
changed to Wells 243
Polecat creek, Indian territory 322
Policy, Ralph W., operated ferry at Dan
Davis crossing 287
Polley, William, member ferry company, 287
Pollock, John C., associate justice Kan-
sas supreme court 69
Pomeroy, Samuel C 311
Ponies, large herds of, possessed by
Indians 182
Pontiac, member of Ottawa tribe 228
Pontiac's war 1763 25
Pontoon bridge, Blue Rapids 135
— built across Republican river near Fort
Riley 252
—Clyde 270
—Manhattan 118
— on Kansas river near old sugar mill
west of Topeka 17
— over Big Blue 117
— Scandia 282
—Topeka 10
Pontoon bridges, ancient 35
Pontoons, used on Kansas river at
Topeka 24
Pony Express 140
— note on history of 213, 404
— passed through Marshall county 136
Ponziglione, Paul M., S. J 334
Poor, Henry W., ferry operator 142
Poor, V. C., ferry operator at Oketo, 142, 144
Poor, Whitehead & Co., ferry boat and
ferry of 142-144
— town laid out by 143
Pope, Maj. Gen. John, Fort
Leavenworth 254, 255
Populists, in 52d Congress 91
— Mary Elizabeth Lease, a famous orator
of 108
Porter, P., Cherokee Indian, member
Indian Council 365-367
Post Oak creek, Indian territory 322
Post road, between Towanda and Wichita, 183
Postoffice, government requirements re-
garding names for 237
— petitions for establishment of 237
Postoffices, in Lyon county 405
448
GENERAL INDEX
PAGE
Postlethwait, William, first postmaster
Grover, Ottawa county 245
Potatoes, prices in 1856 151
Pottawatomie Bridge and Ferry Co., fin-
ancial statement of 18
— organization of 17
Pottawatomie Baptist mission, school at, 15
Pottawatomie county, Louisville first
county seat of 25
Pottawatomie Indians 325
—agency 301
L. K. Darling ferryman at 20
— at St. Marys mission 10
— claims against government, fees charged
Indians for collection of 311
— deposit money with Topeka banks. ... 311
— ferries in 21- 26, 133
— George W. Clarke, agent for 63
—gristmill on Mill creek 21
— in Mexico, entitled to all privileges of
tribe 311
— Joseph N. Bourassa interpreter for. ... 310
— mortality among infants 310
— name for Great Spirit Spring 339
— number from Michigan or Wisconsin, 311
— parturition among 310
— Prairie band described 310
— reservation 17, 27, 309
— show bad effects of annuity payments, 310
— some principal men among 311
— trail, Riley county 37
— went to Mexico with wandering
Kickapoos 311
Potter, Col. Jack, Tascosa, Tex 333
Potter, O. B 239
Potts, Johnnie, killing of, mentioned 335
Potwin Ledger, pioneer edition of 105
Powder Face, Arapahoe chief 347, 348
Powder and lead asked for by Kiowas. . . 353
Prairie 12
—chickens 176, 315, 345, 355
— country, along Missouri river 44
— dog village 346
Abilene 11
— fire scare, Comanche county, 1887.... 110
1874, note on 402
—grass, eight feet high 318
—wolf 157
Prairie-Sinclair Oil Co., receivers ap-
pointed for 82
Pratt, Ella May, granddaughter of
Charles Journey Cake 316
Pratt, old settlers' reunion held at 412
— First Methodist Church, fiftieth anni-
versary observed 329
Pratt county, mentioned 209
Pratt Daily Tribune 329
Pratt Union, cited 329
Prentis, Noble L., editor 336
Presbyterian church, Concordia, men-
tioned 281
—Highland 10G
— Lyons 105
— missionary to Creek nation 312
— Richfield, brief history recently pub-
lished 330
— Sylvan Grove 106
Presbyterian mission, at Highland, cele-
bration commemorating 102
Presbyterianism in Kansas, note on story
of 409
Presbyterians, pay salaries of teachers for
Muscogee Indians 370
Preuss, Charles, map of road from Mis-
souri to Oregon, made by 115
Pribyl, Mr. and Mrs. Anton, mentioned, 213
Price, Gen. Sterling, campaigns around
Kansas City in 1864 408
Price, J. C., ferry operator 288
Price, R. R., mentioned 223
PAGE
Priest, Eliza, early Anderson county citi-
zen 401
Pringle, Robena, mentioned 223
Proctor, Ezekiel, delegate to Indian
Council 366
Progressive-Signal, The, Greensburg,
cited 399
Prohibition, in Kansas, note on history
of
406
Proslavery party 66
— men of, ready to march against Law-
rence 48
— office holders, Kansas, turned out 153
Provisions, prices of, at Douglas... 146,152
153, 167
— send to Missouri for 47
Prowant, Leonard A., gold mining activi-
ties on Smoky Hill river near Mc-
Cracken discussed by, in Topeka Daily
Capital 218
Prunty, Atchison, ferry incorporator . . . 23
Prunty, James L., ferry incorporator. ... 23
Prunty, John, ferry incorporator 23
Prunty, Leonard C., ferry incorporator 23, 24
Public, rights of, during labor
strikes 385- 395
Public schools, among Cherokees 360
Pullman Car Company 72
Purcell, E. B., ferry incorporatpr 39
Putnam, Amelia Earhart, first aviatrix to
fly across Atlantic Ocean Ill
— plaque honoring Ill
Quahada, Qua-ha-dee, or Roving Com-
manche Indians 351, 353
— under charge of Kiowa and Comanche
agency 354
Quaker missionaries, Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas Stanley 219
Quantrill, William C., raid on Lawrence
by 5, 106, 109
Quapaw Indians 293, 372
— books desired for 306
— delegate to Indian Council 366
— description of 302
— greatly advanced above condition of
wild tribes 303
— indemnity paid for loss of stock,
etc., during Civil War 301, 302
— reservation 301
— Samuel Vallier, chief and interpreter
for 304
— school, near Baxter Springs 301
— tabulated educational report of 371
— Seneca and Shawnee reservations 301
Quenemo, old settlers' reunion held at.. 412
Quicksand .' . . 356
— in Big Canadian 349
Radges, Col. Sam, Topeka publisher 401
Rafferty, Martha, note on reminiscences
of 216
Rahe, Julius 332
Railroads, bond elections, Hutchinson,
held during boom of middle 1880's. . . 329
— building era of 136
— Cheyenne Indians, aversion to 349
— Indians of the territory against the sale
or grant of any lands to 363
— Lincoln branch 244
— route to Pacific, Gunnison's explora-
tions for 246
Rain, scarcity of, 1857 165
Rain makers 105
Raleigh, Sir Walter, early account of voy-
ages of, mentioned 87
GENERAL INDEX
449
PAGB
Ramsay, Rev. J. R., missionary and
agent for Seminoles 312, 370
Rand, McNally & Co., publishers 236
Randlett, Reuben A., pioneer resident of
Shawnee county 18
— ferry incorporator 17
Randolph, Frank L 105
Randolph, community ferryboat operated
after flood of 1903. 131
— road up Blue river via 3
— steps taken for bridge over Blue river. . 132
Randolph Echo, quoted 130
Randolph Enterprise, quoted 132
Randolph Ferry Co., establishment
of 130,131
— ferriage rates of 131
Rankin, , daguerreotypist, in Kan-
sas 5
Rankin, John, postmaster at
Lawrence 322, 323
— trader at Sac and Fox agency 322
Rankin, Robert C., Lawrence 101, 104
Rankin, William, ordered to resurvey
Creek lands 368
Ransom, Epaphroditus, ex-Governor of
Michigan 163
— nominated for Congress by Proslavery
votes 165, 167
Rattlesnakes 60, 164, 166
Ravanna, notes on history of 216, 409
Rawalle, Will C., ferry incorporator 259
Raynesford, H. C., Ellis 103
Reading, Lyon county, note on history of 400
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
Realey, C. B., elected secretary-treasurer
Kansas History Teachers' Associa-
tion 223
Ream, Robert L., "Map of Kansas" by. 233
Ream, Virginia B., cited 7
Recob, Fred A., officer of infantry regi-
ment 112, 411
Red Bluffs, near Uniontown, mentioned.. 21
Red Cross work, records of, in Historical
Society 93
Red Fork of Arkansas river 324, 345, 346
Red Moon, Cheyenne chief 348
— views of, at council 349
Red river, Indian territory 182
Red Willow county, Nebraska, men-
tioned 247
Redhorse, fish 57
Redmond, John, a Burlington publisher
for thirty-five years 208
Reed, Clyde M., Parsons 103
Reed, E. W., ferry near Morganville op-
erated by 267, 268
Reed, G. E., ferry incorporator 271
Reed, H. G. and H. A. Sutton, ferry on
Republican operated by 270
Reed, Miles, member Randolph Ferry
Co 131
Reeder, Gov. Andrew H 169
— large oil painting of 94
Rees, Mrs. Cora W., Saline county his-
tory by, published in pamphlet form.. 214
Rees, Frank, mentioned 237
Rees, Mrs. Frank, mentioned 238
Regan, Hugh O., ferry incorporator 276
Reiff, Josiah C., of Philadelphia 7
Religion, among Seneca Indians 303
— history of, in Kansas, Nebraska and
western Missouri, mentioned 92
Religious services, for Ottawas 859
Reno county 209
— Ost community 329
Republic county, bill for organization
of 229
— commissioners of, revoke ferry license
issued to T. P. Smith 284
— Kansas A. T. A., organized in 212
29—6574
PAGB
Republican Fork, once the designation
for Republican river 246
— Pike mentions 232
Republican City, Clay county ferry on
road to 264
— road from Clay Center to 264
Republican-Gazette, Gove City, cited... 211
Republican National Convention, 1Q12... 80
Republican Pawnees, known as Kit-ke-
hah-ki 246
Republican river 34, 41, 247
—bridge built at Hardy, Neb. over 288
— Bunton's crossing of 274
— clamor for bridges on 250, 251
— course of 246, 247
— declared unnavigable 248
— drainage area of 247
— early travel up valley of 251
— ferries on, articles by George A.
Root 246- 288
described by old timers in Clay
Center Times 211
— ferry, at Fort Riley, exciting experi-
ence of horseman at 250
first 248
run by Capt. Asaph Allen on 341
— Financier No. 2 in 1855 ascends for
forty miles 248
— floods in 247, 248
1866 251
1902, carried away Concordia
bridge 280
— gauging stations established on 247
— high water in 250, 251, 271, 278
— ice gorges in 1881 carry away
bridges 283, 287
— Indian ford across north of Junction
City 257
— Indian names for 246
— Kansas Pacific bridge at Fort Riley,
carried away by flood in 1867 256
— low water at Concordia 278
— road from Fort Riley up east bank to
Nebraska line 257
from Marysville to 142
— truss bridge built by the government
in 1853 and 1857 251
— valley, 1863 a wet summer in 249
settlers flocking to 273
— various names applied to 246
Republican and Smoky Hill rivers, junc-
tion of 10
Republican River Bridge Company, bond
required from by state of Kansas 253
— bridge, built in 1867 under new char-
ter 253
dangerous conditions of 253, 256
free to the use of the government
for all transit purposes 253
legal action started to compel com-
pany to put bridge in safe, passable
condition 254, 255
— charter obtained from legislature for. . 252
— extent of lands granted for bridge
purposes by government 258
• — incorporation of , 259
Revolver 44
Reynolds, Maj. , former Seminole
agent 364
Reynolds, Charley, member Tenth Kan-
sas regiment 105
Reynolds, Thomas, of Riley county 122
— trades for negro woman slave 39
Rheumatism cure 158
Rice, E. W., ferry incorporator 259
Rice county, tenth anniversary of dis-
covery of oil in 218
Rich, Wm. H., mentioned 270
Richards, , location of residence at
Wichita agency 349
450
GENERAL, INDEX
PAGE
Richardson, Albert D., correspondent
New York Tribune 119
Richardson, Clark T., and J. J. Burke,
founders of Colony Free Press 210
Richardson, W. J., reminiscences printed
in Eureka Herald 331
Richardson county, now Wabaunsee
county 26
Richey, James, ferry incorporator 23
Richey, Mrs. Maude 207, 208
Richfield, First Presbyterian church, note
on history of 330
Richmond, on Great Nemaha 141
— road to Marysville via 142
Riley City 39
— in Ashland bottoms, ferry history
of 40
Riley county 22
— courthouse, early records not acces-
sible 29, 115
— ferries in 29-42, 115- 133
— first election in, held in Dyer's
house 122
— Fort Riley formerly in 22
— S. D. Dyer first settler in 120
— school history reviewed at meeting of
Riley County Historical Society 214
Riley County Historical Society 214
— annual meeting of 411
— newly elected officers of 223
— twentieth anniversary celebrated 336
Riley County Teachers Association, brief
history of, printed in Morning Chron-
icle, Manhattan 215
Rino, E. P., ferry incorporator 18
Riordan, John, settler on Buckeye creek. 235
Ripley, Frank A., president Topeka
Chamber of Commerce 400
Ritsman, David T., first postmaster Rits-
man, Ottawa county 245
Ritsman, Ottawa county, David T. Rits-
man, first postmaster 245
Riverdale ferry, Clay county, on Harri-
son land 270
— operated by T. L. Tanney (or Ten-
ney) 269
Riverdale postoffice, location of 269
Riverside Park, Wichita 177
Roach, lantha Ferguson, reminiscences
written for Barber County Index 218
Roads, Alma to St. George 27
— asked for 124
— Atchison to Clifton 273
to Pawnee 40
— built by government to Big Blue 137
— Clay Center, to and from 264, 265
— Concordia to Cawker City 280
— Davis county 257
— Forks of Solomon river to Santa Fe
road 342
• — Fort Leavenworth, via Fort Riley, to
Fort Lamed made territorial road 257
— Fort Riley to Fort Kearney 257
to Fort Larned, made territorial
road 42
— in Cloud county 280
— Junction City, to and from 257, 258
to Salt Marsh 258
— Manhattan across Blue river to Cedar
creek 120
— Missouri to Oregon, topographical map
of, by Charles Preuss 115
— Mormon, crossed Fort Riley military
reservation 257
—on First Standard Parallel 142
—Parallel, laid out by F. G. Adams 281
— Pottawatomie Baptist mission to Smith
ferry 15
— Randolph to Olsburg 131
— St. George to Alma 27
— St. Joseph to Fort Riley 40
PAGE
Roads, starting at Marysville 141, 142
— state, established in 1866 342
— Syracuse vicinity 217
— territorial, established by legislature of
1857 057
from Fort Riley to Bent's Fort made
territorial road 257
— to ford on Canadian river 345
— Towanda to Wichita ] 83
— Wabaunsee to Topeka 20
— Waterville to Clay Center 265
— Wichita vicinity 346
— Wilmington to Darling's Ferry 20
to Wabaunsee 27
Robert Deer, absentee Shawnee 343
Roberts, H. S., ferry incorporator 33
Roberts, Linneus, receipt for money to be
paid as balance of school account 317
Roberts, Rebecca, formerly Jucks 308
Roberts, Dr. Reuben L., mentioned 308
Robertson, J. D., ferry incorporator 281
Robertson, Rev. W. S., Presbyterian mis-
sionary to Creek nation 312
Robinson, , resident of Riley
county 37
Robinson, Charles, arrested for treason,
and released 58
— free state governor 152, 154, 159
— prisoner 6
Robinson, J. H., pioneer of Geary county,
note on reminiscences of 219
Robinson, Mrs. Sara T. D 6
Rock creek, on military road 25
Rockefeller, John D., case against 73
Rockwell, Bertrand, ferry incorporator.. 259
Rocky Ford, (Blue river) 129
— Barnes family and others operate ferry
just above 120, 125
— bridge built at, in 1890 123
— crossing at 117, 123
— distance from Uniontown 20
— Dyer's ferry equipment moved to 123
— ferriage rates at 126
Rocky Ford (Republican river)
ferry 265- 267
— Eberhard, operator 267
— ferriage rates of 266
— Lippe, operator 265
— Marker, operator 267
— Martell, operator 267
— Williams and Bebout, operators. . 266, 267
— Wilson, operator 267
— Woodside, operator 266
Rocky Ford mill, near Manhattan 128
Rocky Mountains, road from near Fort
Riley to base of, sponsored by Senator
Mead 42
Rocky Mountain trappers 231
Rodkey, Clyde K 220
Roenigk, Adolph, Indian raid on Spillman
creek, reviewed by, in Salina Journal.. 212
Rogers, Judge, member Cherokee Council
or legislature 322, 324
Roman Nose, Indians under leadership of,
in fight at Beecher's Island 244
Romig, Mr. Joseph, Moravian, school for
Chippewas and Munsees conducted
by 308, 309
Rooks county 339
Rooks County Record, Stockton 123, 217, 401
Roosa, Tunis I., of Riley county 122
Roosevelt, Pres. Theodore 72, 73, 78
Roosevelt-Taft fight, resulted in election
of Woodrow Wilson 80
Root, Frank A., Oketo cut off described
by 143
Root, George A., curator of archives,
Kansas State Historical Society 2,114
226, 338
— "Ferries in Kansas," articles by, on
Blue River 115- 144
GENERAL INDEX
451
PAGE
Root, Geo. A., "Ferries in Kansas,"
Kansas river, concluded 15- 42
Republican river 246- 288
Solomon river 339- 342
Root, Dr. J. P., member legislature of
1858 130
Roper, F. B., early Topeka electrician. . . 406
Rose, Miss Crete, of Lanham, Md.,
mentioned 8
Rose Hill quarterly meeting of Friends,
note on history of 209
Rosenberg, James N., article quoted 81
Roseport, opposite St. Joseph, road to. . . 141
Ross, Maj. , mentioned 310
Ross, Allen, Cherokee, delegate to Indian
Council 366, 379
— on Okmulgee constitution revision com-
mittee 369
Ross, Finley, former mayor of Wichita. . 175
Ross, Rev. H. E., 9f Whitewater, early-
day Methodist minister 408
Ross, J. E., Riley county 37
Ross, Thomas, Riley county 37
Ross, W. P., delegate to Indian Coun-
cil 364- 366, 379
Rossington, Smith & Histed, Topeka
attorneys 72
Rossville, Shawnee county 20
Rough ton, C. E., note on reminiscences
of 400, 401
Rowelson, Capt. , in command of
colored troops 185
Royuella-Beales, Spanish land grant 399
Rudkin, Frank H., United States district
judge of Wisconsin 77
Runners, Indian messages sent by 361
Rupp, Mrs. Jane C. (W. E.), Hills-
boro 103
— secretary Marion County Historical So-
ciety 102
Ruppenthal, Judge Jacob C., Rus-
sell 101, 104, 332
— list of abstractors of Russell county
compiled by 211
Rural mail delivery, first out of Wichita. 110
— spread of 242
Rush Center, old settlers' reunion held
at 112, 412
Russell, Jones &, Leavenworth and Pike's
Peak Express line established by 119
Russell, Majors and Waddell, Leaven-
worth freighting firm, notes on activi-
ties of 215
Russell, W. J., Topeka. 103
Russell county, coal mining in 109
— development of oil fields of 214
— note on abstractors of 211
notaries and early settlers of 110
— School District No. 3 222
Russell Record, cited 214
Ryan, Ernest A., Topeka 100, 101, 104
Ryan, Lawrence 211
Ryan, Michael, note on family of 211
Ryan, T. G., Air Line ferry located on
land owned by 266
S
Sabbath day, observance of, at Douglas
in 1856 146
Sabetha, Congregational church, seventy-
fifth anniversary of 109
— Methodist church, seventy-fifth anni-
versary of 109
Sabetha Herald 109
Sabetha Star 109
Sac and Fox Indians. . 292, 293, 324, 343, 372
— agency, John Rankin trader at 322
located near Deep Fork 325
prices of staples at 326
— books distributed to 306
— delegate to Indian Council 366
PAGB
Sac and Fox Indians, farmers for 325
— gunsmith for 326
— hereditary diseases among '. 325
— John Hadley, agent for 326
— Louis Goky, interpreter 325
— reservation 324, 378
dimensions of 324
— tabulated educational report of . . '. 1 ! ! ! 371
— Thomas Miller, agent for 324
— and Shawnee Indians, under care of
Agent Miller 344
Saddles, made by Kaw Indians ! 295
St. Andrew's Episcopal church of Fort
Scott, note on history of 406
St. Boniface Parish, Mitchell county.... 332
St. Francis Catholic church, golden jubi-
lee celebration 334
St. George 22
— ferry history 27
— first free ferry in Pottawatomie county
at 27, 28
— James Wood operates ferry at 29
— on road to Marysville 142
St. George, steamboat, on Kansas river.. 28
St. George Bridge and Ferry Company,
incorporation of 27
St. John First Methodist church, note on
founding of 407
St. John News, cited 407
St. John's Academy, Darlington, S. C. . . 43
St. John's Catholic church, Hanover. ... 334
St. John's Catholic church, Herington,
twenty-fifth anniversary celebrated.... 330
St. Joseph College, Hays City 327
St. Joseph's Alumni Association, history
of, recently published 327
St. Julien, on road up Republican river. . 265
St. Louis, Mo., Missouri river steam-
boats 44
St. Marys 309
— bridge started at 22
—ferry at 21
— Mr. Dunlap, a ferryman at 22
— newspaper history of, published in
St. Marys Star 220
St. Mary's Catholic church of Mc-
. Cracken, note on history of 404
St. Mary's mission 10
— Calhoun county 22
St. Marys Star, fiftieth anniversary edi-
tion of 220
St. Paul Journal 207, 216, 334
— "Annals of Osage Mission," compiled
by W. W. Graves 213
St. Paul's Episcopal church, Manhattan,
seventy-sixth anniversary 333
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church,
northeast of Cheney 330
St. Peter's Lutheran church of Holyrood,
note on organization of 404
Salem Evangelical church, Leavenworth,
forty-fifth anniversary of 108
— note on history of 108
Salina 7, 253, 342
— mail carried from Junction City to. ... 258
— Public Library, historical collection of
A. M. Campbell, Jr., presented to 223
— seventy-fifth anniversary of founding
of 112
— views of, mentioned 11
Salina Journal 212, 215, 218, 220, 400
Salina University Methodist church, note
on anniversary of 400
Saline county 339, 341, 342
— early day, briefly described in Salina
Journal 214
— Henry Whitley elected commissioner
of 341
— museum, in Salina Public Library
building 223
452
GENERAL INDEX
Saline county, reminiscences of early,
written by Joseph Lockard for Salina
Journal 218
by Miss Mary E. Morrison, pub-
lished in Elkhart Tri-State News.. 217
Saline County Chapter, Native Daughters
of Kansas
218
Saline river 231,232,236,244
— bridge across wanted £0j>
— first shown on map of 1865 2drf
. Scripps and Mays' settlement on 342
Saline valley, Indian raids in, men-
tioned 2J8
Salt, per pound I';1" °
— Solomon river strongly impregnated
wifh 231
Salt creek".'.'.'.'.'.' 231, 232, 258
— first shown on map 233
— Indian territory •>]
— State salt springs on o4Z
Salt creek valley, near Leavenworth,
mentioned 9
Salt Lake City, Utah, freight forwarded
from Atchison to 258
Salt Marsh, on Salt creek, road from
Junction City to ; ....... 258
Salter, Susanna Madora, said to be first
woman mayor in United States, plaque
honoring • •, Ijj
Sanborn, John B., treaty commissioner.. 181
Sanborn, Judge Walter H., judge Eighth
circuit court 71, 73, 79, 80
— tribute to Judge Hook c
Sand bars, in Kansas river 50
Sand creek, Ottawa county, high waters
in 239
— known first as Antelope creek 234
Sanders, Calvin H., ferry incorporator... 276
Sand hill cranes, in Indian territory 32
Sand hills, south of Syracuse, mentioned. 217
Sandmeyer, Mrs. R. R., vice president
Shawnee Mission Indian Historical So-
ciety 11
Sand plums, on Little Arkansas 175
Sands, Indian at Council meeting, men-
tioned 361
Sandstone, for building purposes 358
Sanford, Harlan P., first postmaster of
Harlan 243
Santa F6, Haskell county, buildings
moved to Sublette and Satanta 108
Santa Fe, N. M., Kansas Stage Company
established line to 258
Santa Fe crossing, on Smoky Hill, at
Ellsworth 11
Santa Fe trail 16, 20, 222, 258, 396
— Cimarron crossing on the Arkansas
river 411
— establishment of Camp Nichols on
Cimarron cut-off 409
— in Lyon county 405
— mail route along 92
— old town of Havana located on 408
— Riding Over the, note on articles by
Mrs. G. W. Crosby 207
— road from Forks of Solomon to 842
— road from Fort Riley to 41
— Washara on line of 328
— Wilmington on 27
Sarcoxie, Anderson, chief of Delawares. . 315
— in feeble health 316
Sarcoxie, John, delegate to Indian Coun-
cil 366
Satanta, Kiowa chief, complaint of am-
munition being withheld from Indians, 354
Satanta, history of 108
Satanta Chief 108
Saturday Evening Post, Philadelphia 96
Saunders, F.. ferry incorporator 276
Saville, Joseph, ferry operator 18, 1
Saville-Bourassa ferry, rates of ferriage.. 19
Sawmill, Lanoue's, at Concordia, op-
erated by H. Lanoue 277, 278
—possessed by Ottawa Indians 359
Sawtell, James H., Topeka 101,104
Say, Prof. Thomas, Kaw village visited
by Ho
Scales, J. A., Cherokee Indian, delegate
to Indian Council 861, 366- 368
Scandia, agitation for wagon bridge at.. 283
— bridge, company organized to build
structure at 285
pontoon 282
structure over Republican swept
away during flood in 1881 285
toll, pile driver doing work on, falls
into river 286
work commenced on 286
—ferry at 282
exciting incident at 285
P. T. Strom's recollections of. . 282, 283
—free ferry 28U
completion of 285
public meeting held to raise funds
to build 283
Scandia Journal, quoted 285, 286, 288
Scandia Toll Bridge Company 286
Scandinavia, ferry at 282
Scarborough, , returns to South
Carolina 151
Schaefer, Charles, of Sedgwick 175
Schaefer, Earl C., of Sedgwick 175
Schaefer, Mrs. Earl, daughter of William
Finn 175
Scheffer, Theo. H., associate biologist
U. S. Department of Agriculture 22
— former resident of Ottawa county 226
— "Geographical Names in Ottawa
County," article by 227- 245
— in charge of Delphos high school 227
Schiller, Henry, ferry operator 89
Schmidt, H. F., secretary -treasurer
Southwest Historical Society 112
Schofield, Maj. Gen. John M., quoted... 174
School history, Anderson county 401
— Cheyenne county 331
School museums, and private collections.. 87
— suggestions for starting 88
Schoolhouses, proposal to assist absentee
Shawnees to build 862
Schools, country, origin of names of, in
Clay county 208
— early Saline county, briefly described in
Salina Journal 214
— for Ottawa Indians 306, 359
— Miltonvale, the history of 105
— public, among Cherokees 360
Schultz, Floyd, Clay Center 103
Schurz, Carl, Secretary of the Interior... 291
Scott, Chas. F., lola •. . . 103
Scott, T. E., town of Tescott named for, 244
Scott City, old settlers' reunion held at. . 412
Scripps and Mays' settlement, on Saline
river 342
Searle, A. D., early Lawrence surveyor.. 407
Seaton, Sam T 106, 327, 328
Sedan, old settlers' reunion held at 412
Sedgwick county, mentioned 405
Seely, Mrs. Sara D 243
Seelye, Mrs. A. B., president Dickinson
County Historical Society 13
Selden, old settlers' reunion held at 412
Selder, H. M., ferry incorporator 26
Seleen, Rev. J., pioneer pastor of
Mariadahl 123
— recollections of ferrying on Blue river.. 123
Seminole, meaning and pronunciation of
name «•••..••..•••••«•••••«••••••• 814
Seminole Indians 292, 293, 377
— agency 857
Council held at 85f
GENERAL INDEX
453
PAGE
Seminole Indians, Agency, distance from
to Okmulgee 357
old road leading to. . . . 345
— delegates to Indian Council 366
— Dr. Bryner, new agent for 357
— formerly in Florida 369
— good imitators 369
— John Chupco, chief of 369
— John Jumper, chief of 369
— Major Reynolds, former agent of 364
— mission building for 370
—number of 361, 370
— reservation 325
— Rev. J. R. Ramsay, missionary to. ... 312
— salary of teachers for 370
—school fund of 370
— seceded from Muscogee or Creek na-
tion 314
— split rails for beef and flour 369
— tabulated educational report of 371
Seminole War, mentioned 43
Sender, George, Mariadahl ferryboat op-
erated by • 133
Seneca (Kan.), on road to Marysville . . . 142
— road from Manhattan to 36
Seneca (Mo.) 305
— Indians obtain whisky at 302
Seneca Indians 293, 372
—decidedly religious 303
— delegate to Indian Council 366
— description of 302
— George Spicer, chief and interpreter
of 304
— no schools for 370
— reservations 301
— sacrifices made to great spirit 303
— and mixed Senecas, indemnity paid to
for loss of stock, etc., during Civil
War 301
— and Quapaws, description of 302
Seneca Times, cited 402
Senne, Arnold, mentioned 397
Sequoyah county 221
Sessions, Charles H 108
Settlers, in Kansas, during 1880's, hard-
ships of, reviewed by C. W. Thomas,
in Butler County News 216
Setzler, F. M., assistant curator Smith-
sonian Institute 89
Severy, old settlers' reunion held at 412
Sexton, A. W 155
Seymour, A. B., ferry incorporator 276
Seymour, D. C., ferry incorporator 276
— Lawrenceburg ferry operated by 275
—sells ferryboat to Capt. N. Fox 273
Shackamaxon, treaty of 1682 made by
William Penn with Delawares at 315
Shane creek, citizens of, ask for road
from Ashland to Manhattan 36
Shannon, Gov. Wilson 62
— biographical sketch of 48
— life threatened 48
— resigns as governor of Kansas terri-
tory 56
Sharp's creek 342
Sharp's rifles, shipped into Kansas 44
Shaul, Mrs. Ella, secretary of cavalry as-
sociation 411
Shaw, Arthur D., note on biographical
sketch of 402
Shaw, Carrie C 331
Shaw-gue, Pottawatomie, once chief,
blind 311
Shawnee, OkJa., L. K. Darling operated
hotel at 20
Shawnee County Old Settlers' Associa-
tion, officers of 112
— addressed by Sen. Arthur Capper 112
Shawnee Indians 292, 293, 372
— absentee 325, 343
—delegates to Indian Council 366
farming implements for 362
n,j
9 b,
Shawnee Indians, absentee, invited to
Indian Council, but not present
lost $200,000 worth of property
during Civil War ;••.••
proposal to assist them in building
three school houses
tabulated educational report of
went to Kansas for protection dur-
ing Civil War
— agent for, killed
— buildings of, destroyed during Civil
War ; • • • •
— claims against United States for losses
during Civil War 343,
— condition ; ............
— Eastern, delegate to Indian Council . . .
— hunting their hogs •
— indemnity paid to, for loss of stock,
etc., during Civil War
— no schools for
— number of, and where located
— reservation 301,
—Samuel Charley, farmer for
— settled on Bird creek, tributary o:
Caney •.
Shawnee Methodist mission ....
— note on history of • • • v •
United Daughters of 1812 furnish
rooms at „• • • • • • • • '
Shawnee Mission Indian Historical bo- <
ciety, collections gathered by, placed in
old Shawnee mission • • • • « •
—gold pins presented to past presidents
Mrs. Ottis W. Fisher, president of. ...
— newly elected officers of
Shegincah, Kaw Indian .
Shell, Mrs. Laura M., reminiscences
written for Barber County Index.
Shell Rock township, Greenwood county,
note on history of • •
Sheppard, , shot during encounter
with W. T. Sherrard
Sheridan, B. J • LY
Sheridan, G'en. P. H.. . ............ 174,
—forces at disp9sal of, inadequate to
cope with Indians «•**'/'""
—letter to Gov. Samuel J. Crawford re-
garding establishment of military post
at mouth of Little Arkansas
Sheridan county
.William T., house of, near
„„„„_ anti-trust 'art, '1890,' mentioned . 92
Sherman county, notes on early history ^
Sherman ' County Herald,
361
362
362
371
344
343
344
«j
366
343
343
319
409
403
411
y'
102
111
.. 218
i'jj
house, Clay county ....
Sherrard, William T., appointed sheriff,
vice Jones resigned ...... • • • • • •/ • • • • f-°'
—body shipped to Virginia for burial... IE
—killing of, at Lecompton. . . .. . ....... 16
Shields, old settlers' reunion held at ---- *J
Shipp, Ambrose, of Marshall county.... 135
Shipp, Easton, of Marshall county ...... 135
Shipp, James, of Marshall county ....... IS
Shipp, Martin, of Marshall county ...... 18
Shipp's ferry, at Irving ................ 13*
Shipsport Town Company, incorporatora
of ................................ 135
Shirer, H. L., Topeka ................. 103
Shirley, Dr. John. . ................... 355
— good accommodations at ............. 356
—trader at Chickasaw agency .......... 356
Shirley, William, trader at Wichita
agency
356
— trading post of, on Sugar creek 349
Shirley county, bill for organization of. . 229
454
GENERAL INDEX
Shomin, a principal man among Pottawa-
tomies 311
Short, O. F., bronze tablet honors sur-
veying party of 405
— surveying party of, killed by Indians in
1874 405
Shroyer, Marshall county 136
Shultice, C. H., first postmaster at Verdi, 240
Sibley, Maj. Geo. C., dragoons under
act as escort for Gov. J. W. Geary... 39
Sibley, stages to Concordia routed via,
while ferry not working 271
Sigman, G. W., complaints against opera-
tions of ferry result in cancellation of
license 129
— ferry operator 128
Silver Lake 18
— distance from Darling's ferry to 20
— location of 18
-yOgee ferry near 20
Silver Lake Bridge and Ferry Co., license
granted to 19
Silver Lake Ferry Company (first), char-
ter granted to 18
Silver Lake Ferry Company (second), or-
ganization of 19
Simons, W. C., Lawrence 99, 101, 104
Simpson, Jerry, note on political activi-
ties of 401
Simpson, Dr. O. H 335
— cowboy statue of, at Dodge City 221
Sioux Indians, at Kiowa and Comanche
agency, mentioned 354
-^xpedition of 1855 52
Sitting Bear, Cheyenne chief 348
Sixteenth Amendment, The, Ness City,
press of, dumped into lake 404
Skiff, run free at Scandia, during con-
struction of ferry boat 285
Skiffs, at Manhattan ferry landing 29
Slave, female negro, owned by Fox
Booth, worked ferryboat 39
Slavery, among Indian nations 377
Slentz, Mrs. John R., first teacher in
Garnett 215
Sloyer, J. A., quoted regarding Solomon
river ferry 342
Small, George, Five Creeks ferry operated
by 265
Smith, , a white man with colored
wife 358
Smith, , delegate to Indian Council, 375
Smith, , mentioned 357
Smith, , of Douglas, bitten by rat-
tlesnake 166
— employed by F. P. Stanton 164
Smith, . trader at Little Rock, Ark., 377
Smith, , two members of family of,
killed in Indian raid in Ottawa county, 241
Smith A. W., ferry incorporator 21
Smith, Alex, ferry operator 41
Smith, Mrs. Anna Vandervourt, note on
reminiscences of 410
Smith, Mrs. Clark A., pioneering ex-
periences of, printed in Salina Journal, 215
Smith, Mrs. Caroline A., officer of Riley
County Historical Society 411
Smith, Elijah, first postmaster at
Minneapolis 238
Smith, F. Dumont, note on biographical
sketch of 409
Smith, Jacob, Topeka banker 312
Smith, H. L., patent for tintype issued to, 4
Smith, Mrs. I. S., vice president Riley
County Historical Society 223
Smith, J. M. C., delegate to Indian
Council 366
Smith, John, ferry operator 41
Smith, John, interpreter, Cheyenne and
Arapahoe agency 347
PAGE
Smith, John T., kept store near Charles
Armstrong's 317
Smith, Joseph, bond signed by 16
Smith, Oliver, gunsmith Sac and Fox
Indians 326
Smith, Robert N., ferry operator 142
Smith, Sam 331
Smith, Sidney W., advertisement of his
ferry 16
— bond given for operating ferry 16
— history of his ferry on Kansas river. . . 15
— peak of travel on ferry of 17
Smith, Thomas, of Society of Friends. . . 305
Smith, Tom P., applies for ferry license
to thwart move for free ferry at Scandia, 284
— license granted for ferry at Scandia,
together with rates of ferriage. ... 283, 284
— offered opportunity to take over Scandia
free ferry 286
Smith, William E., Wamego 103
Smith Center, old settlers' reunion held
at 412
Smith county 339
— last buffalo killed in 208
— old settlers registering at annual meet-
ing, 1933 105
Smith County Pioneer, Smith Center. . . . 208
Smithsonian Building, Washington, D. C., 88
Smoky Hill country, Cheyennes driven out
of . ! 349
Smoky Hill river 34, 41
228, 231, 232, 235, 247, 248
—big bend of 184
— gold mining activities on, mentioned.. 218
— high waters on 250, 251
— Indian hieroglyphics rock on 11
— Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express
route followed for a distance 257
— marker for first free ferry over 112
— Santa F6 crossing of 11
—Solomon largest affluent of 339
— and Republican rivers, junction of.... 10
Smoky Hill route or trail 396
— formal opening of 258
Smoky Hill valley 227
Snake river, Montana, battle with Nez
Perce Indians on 180
Snell, , farm owner, Clay county... 269
Snively, Col. Jacob, commissioned by Re-
public of Texas to prey upon Mexican
commerce on Santa Fe trail 222
Snow, George C., agent, Neosho sub-
agency 301
Snyder, E. W., ferry incorporator 271
Society of Friends, charters Hesper
academy 398
Sod houses, construction of 208, 327
Sorghum, in Kansas, mentioned . 396
Soldier creek 228
Soldiers, of Fort Riley, killed at Whisky
Point 41
Soller, August, Washington 101, 104
Solomon City 238, 342
— foundation for first Irish settlement
near, sketch by Amos Jones in Solomon
Tribune ..219
— gauging station on Solomon river, estab-
lished at 340
— Henry Whitley, postmaster of 341
— old settlers' reunion held at 41
— projectors of 341
Solomon river 232, 233, 235, 236
— approximate length of 33
— bridge across wanted 253
— Capt. Asaph Allen's ferry on 341
— drainage area of 340
—ferries on, article by Geo. A. Root, 339-342
— few ferries located on 34
—first recorded reference to name 230
—floods in 340
GENERAL INDEX
455
Solomon river, fording place on 237
—Forks 228
mentioned by Pike 230
— formerly called Ni-pa-he-la 230
— gauging station established on 340
— Indian name for 339
— largest affluent of Smoky Hill 339
— "Solomon's River," name given the
stream by French traders and trappers
just prior to Pike's expedition 231
— strongly impregnated with salt 231
Solomon River Bridge and Ferry Co.,
Whitley & Hall ferry enterprise organ-
ized as 341
Solomon Tribune 219
Solomon valley 227
— explored by Ohio party in 1855 235
— hunters and trappers gave names to
many creeks of 234
Sommer, Mrs. Lizzie Herr 331
South Carolina militia, Darlington Rifle-
men, a unit of 43
South Carolina regiments, C. S. A., First
Volunteer artillery 49
— Eighth, Company A 43
—Pee Dee artillery 43
South Haven Methodist Episcopal church,
note on history of 401, 402
South Haven New Era, cited 401, 402
South Kansas Tribune, Independence, 328, 335
South Pacific Railroad, Mr. Hubbell and
Judge Baker, agents of 364
Southern Pacific Railroad 74, 75
Southerners, in Kansas, Missourians plan
to send milk cows for benefit of 61
— sick of Kansas 57
"Southerner's Viewpoint of the Kansas
Situation," 1856-1857; the Letters of
Lieut. Col. A. J. Hoole, C. S. A.,
edited by William Stanley Hoole.. 43- 68
145-171
Southwest Free Fair, Dodge City 105
Southwest Historical Society of Dodge
City, new officers of 112
Southwest Tribune, The, Liberal, cited . . . 405
Southworth, F. A 213
Sowers, Fred A., quoted 177
Spaniards, mentioned by Pike 232
Spanish -American War letters 327
Spanish halberd, picked up in Flint hills
of Kansas 87
Spanish land grant, Royuella-Beales. . . . 399
Sparks, old settlers' reunion held at.... 412
Spearheads, uncovered by high winds... 330
Spencer, James M., bridge incorporator, 34
Spicer, George, chief and interpreter for
Seneca Indians 304
— delegate to Indian Council 366
Spillman, Alexander C., road
commissioner 342
Spillman creek, Indian raid on, reviewed
by Adolph Roenigk, in Salina Journal, 212
Spotted Wolf, Arapahoe chief 348
Spratt, O. M., Baxter Springs 103
Spring Hill, old settlers' reunion held at, 412
Spring river 405
— agency 307
— Quarter, settlement of Friends in 305
— sub agency on 304
Springer, J. Z., note on diary of 109
Springstead, Jerry C., officer of infantry
regiment 411
— secretary and treasurer, Twentieth
Kansas infantry organization 112
Spurrier, Frank M 328
Squirrels 47
— near Douglas, Douglas county 152, 153
Stafford, old settlers' reunion held at.... 412
Stage tavern, on Lindsey creek, Ottawa
couaty 238
Stages, Baxter Springs to McLane's
Station 405
— Concordia, routed via Sibley while ferry
not working 271
— Concordia to Cawker City 280
— Lawrence 43
— unable to cross Republican 278
— Waterville to Concordia, delayed cross-
ing Republican at Clyde 272
Stahl, Frank M., president of cavalry
association 411
Staley, Joseph R., incorporator 134
Standard Oil Co., case against 73, 83
Stanfield, R. T., member ferry company, 287
Stanley, Elizabeth, mentioned 43
Stanley, Thomas H., at Osage agency... 319
— and wife, Quaker missionaries, came to
Kansas in 1842 219
— old house of, southwest of Americus
razed 219
Stanley, W. E., Wichita 101, 104
Stansbury, Lieut. Howard, surveyed route
from Fort Leavenworth to Great Salt
Lake 137
Stanton, Col. Fred Perry 164
166-168, 170, 171
— acting governor 162
— biographical mention of 162
Stanton county, F. X. Aubrey in 828
— first known white man crossed in 1850, 328
— Indian relics uncovered by high winds, 329
Star route post office, mentioned. . . . 242, 244
Starr township, Cloud county, first
settler in 105
State House, Lecompton 10
State Line Hotel, Kansas 8
State road, from Clay Center to Water-
ville 265
State salt springs, on Salt creek 342
State treasury scandal, inspection of origi-
nal impeachment proceedings relating
to 92
State University, Douglas City selected
for location of 50
Stauf, Margaret, "John Dougherty, In-
dian Agent," article in Mid-America,
Chicago, by 210
Stauffer, Oscar, note on biographical
sketch of 408
Stealer, Indian delegate to Indian
Council 366
Steamboats 44
— City of Huntsville, on Cumberland
river 43
— Financier No. 2, on Republican river, 248
— Kansas river 50, 218
— St. George, packet 28
— unload freight at Atchison 258
Steam ferry, considered for Kansas river, 28
— on Arkansas river, opposite Fort
Gibson 380
Stevens, Caroline F., Lawrence 103
Stevens, Robert S., agent of railroad
company 298
Stevens county, note on geologic history
of 897
Stevens park, Garden City, note on his-
tory of 399
Stevenson, Mrs. J. R. W., mentioned 403
Stewart, A. H., 335, 397, 398
Stewart, Claude, Clay county farm owner, 269
Stewart, Merton 106
Stewart, Wilma, prize winning manu-
script of 220
Stidham, G. W., delegate to Indian
Council 366
— member Indian Council 865
Still, Dr. Andrew T., founder of
osteopathy 110
Stockade, Confederate, at Florence, S. C., 49
456
GENERAL INDEX
PAGB
Stockdale, J. H. Callahan operates ferry
at 129
Stockton, old settlers' reunion held at. . . 412
Stone, , resident of Riley county... 37
Stone, Fred, Kansas actor, note on bio-
graphical sketch of 410
— stars in new play, The Jay hawker 410
Stone, George M., oil painting of former
vice president Charles Curtis painted
by 95
Stone, Robert, Topeka 101, 104
Stone Calf, Cheyenne chief 348
Stone knives, uncovered by high winds . . . 330
Stone sawing mill, Junction City, men-
tioned 10
Storm, Arapahoe chief 348
Stormont, Dr. David W., bridge incorpo-
rator 34
— ferry incorporator 17
— founder of Stormont Hospital 18
Stormont hospital, Topeka 18
Stover, Elias S., biographical sketch 341
— member Solomon River Bridge and
Ferry Co 341
Strand -Andre, Mrs. Mary, Junction City
pioneer, reminiscences of, published in
Junction City Republic 217
Stranger, mentioned 8
Strawberries, wild, profusion of 52
Street Railway Co., of Kansas City, Kan., 81
Streeter, F. B 327
— librarian, Fort Hays Kansas State
College 396
Streeter, James, bridge and ferry incorpo-
rator 259
Strickland, I. T 331
Strickler, Sam. M., bridge and ferry in-
corporator of Junction City 249, 259
Strikes, arguments for and against.. 385-395
Strom, P. T 287, 288
— recollections of bridge near Pike's
Pawnee village 286
— recollections of ferry matters 282, 283
Stuart, Gen. J. E. B., of Black Horse
cavalry 140
— quartermaster under Col. Sumner on
expeditions into Indian country 140
Stubbs, Mahlon 320, 322, 323
— agent for Kaw Indians 294, 297, 299
— and Kaw delegation, examining for a
location 319
Sturgeon, Charles, Riley county land
owner 127
Sturns, Dr. , mentioned 355
Sturtevant ferry, Clifton 270
Stutzman, Mrs. Luella, Kendall and Syra-
cuse county-seat fight witnessed by... 211
Sublette, history of 108
Sublette Monitor 108, 110, 213
Sugar creek 349
Sumach leaves, mixed with tobacco by
Indians before smoking 297
Summerfield Sun 332
Sumner, Charles, speech "The Crime
Against Kansas" mentioned 242
Sumner, Col. E. V., commander of
Second dragoons 140
— encamped on Kansas river 48
— military service of 48
— ordered to act in case of meeting of
Topeka legislature 58
Sumner county, in 1874 402
Sumnerville, Ottawa county, only town of
name in United States 242
— postoffice discontinued 242
— station 237
Sunday School missionary, work in
Kansas 168
Sunset Lake, Ness City, press of The
XV 1th Amendment dumped in 404
Superior, Neb., enormous ice gorge at 287
rioi
Sutton, Fred, mentioned 400
Sutton, H. A. and H. G. Reed, ferry on
Republican operated by 270
Swanson, Arthur F., mentioned 396
Swartz, Rev. B. C., organizer of South
Haven M. E. church 402
Swayze, Francis J., justice, supreme court
of New Jersey 77
Swayze, Oscar K 401
— description of Topeka in 1874, written
by 214
Swede Creek Evangelical church, note on
history of 216
Swedish Methodist church, Scandia 282
Sweet potatoes, Kansas grown 151
— seed of, almost lost in Kansas territory, 51
Swenson, J. H., pioneer mill on Buffalo
creek recalled by 332
Sycamore creek, Chapman creek so named
on early maps 233
Sycamore Springs, Ariz., Indian camp
near, captured 178
Sycamore Springs, (Kansas), brief history
of, published in Hiawatha Daily World, 212
Sydney, H. M., Anthony, donor 94
Sydney, J. P., Anthony, donor 94
Sylvan Grove, Presbyterian church, his-
tory of 107
Sylvan Grove School District No. 22 near
Horton, note on history of 401
Sylvan Grove News 107, 108, 328
Sylvester, Captain , of Company K.,
Twelfth Wisconsin, destroys whisky at
Island City 41
Symonds, W. S., ferry incorporator 276
Syracuse, county seat fight between Ken-
dall and 211
— Hamilton county, founded by colony
from Syracuse, N. Y 210
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
Syracuse Journal 217
Table Rock, Ottawa county land mark,
destroyed by vandals 236
Tabor, Horace A. W., road commissioner, 37
Tabor, Milton 405
Taft, Robert 223
— "A Photographic History of Kansas,"
article by 3- 14
given by 101
— associate professor of chemistry at Uni-
versity of Kansas 2
Taft, President William H. ... 73, 76, 77, 79
Tahlequah, I. T 323, 360
— Cherokee Council or legislature in ses-
sion at 319, 322
Talbot, , freighter over old Medi-
cine Lodge trail •' . . 330
Talbot, , wax paper negatives made
by 4
Tahaferro, R. J 331
Tall Bear, Arapahoe chief 348
Tanney (or Tenney), T. L., Riverdale
ferry operated by 269
Tappan, Samuel F., treaty commissioner, 181
Tasker, Mrs. Harry B., Topeka 403
Tatum, Laurie 306, 352
— Kiowa and Comanche agent 350
books of, examined and found O. K., 352
Tauromee, road up Blue river via 3
Tax collector, U. S. troops to accompany, 160
Taylor, , taken prisoner at
Lawrence 54
Taylor I., ferry incorporator 2
Taylor, Ira, of Riley county 122
Taylor, Nathaniel G., treaty commissioner, 181
Taylor, "Post Oak" 324
Creek Indian, entertained at home of, 323
Taylor, P. L., bridge and ferry incorpo-
rator 29
GENERAL INDEX
457
PAGE
Taylor, S. M., delegate to Indian Council, 366
Tecumseh, colored man, on Canadian river,
independent condition of 356
Tecumseh, Shawnee county, Fourth of
July celebration at • • • 165
Tedrow, H. A., note on biographical
sketch of 402
Tedrow, Mrs. H. A 331
Teeters, C. R. (Buck), note on bio-
graphical sketch of 397
Templin, Olin, Kansas Day feature article
by, in Kansas City Star 214
Terminal Railroad Association, of St.
Louis, Mo., Judge Hook concerned in
reorganization of 82
Territorial roads, created by legislature
of 1857 257
See, also, Roads.
Terry, Alfred H., treaty commissioner... 181
Terry, Mrs. C. C., treasurer Shawnee
Mission Indian Historical Society Ill
Tescott 236
—Nathan H. Eddy, first postmaster 244
— named for T. E. Scott 244
— pioneer history of, published in Tescott
News 221
— railroad station of 243
Tescott News 221
Tetaus (Comanche) Indians 232
Texas, cattle, driving north 323
lost in quicksand while fording Ar-
kansas 323
— citizens of, killed agent of Comanche
Indians 5
— Comanche Indians farming and herding
in 351
— Indian raid into, mentioned 350
Thayer, Amos M., judge Eighth circuit
court 71, 73
Thayer, old settlers' reunion at 412
Thiele, Henry, early resident of Junction
City 41, 257
Thisler, Mrs. O. L., treasurer Dickinson
County Historical Society Ill
Thoes, Joseph, settler on Mill creek,
ferryman 20
Thomas, , agent for Cherokee nation,
suit against, to secure lands he pur-
chased and took title to in his own
name 304
Thomas, C. W., hardships of early set-
tlers during the 1880's, reviewed by,
in Butler County News 216
Thomas, S. M., ferry incorporator 26
Thomas county 339
Thompson, , officer at "Fort Gibson, 301
Thompson, Mr. , delegate to Indian
Council 379
Thompson, Clarence E 331
Thompson, Mrs. Clarence E 331
Thompson, James, delegate to Indian
Council 366
Thompson, Joseph F., delegate to Indian
Council 366
Thompson, Thomas E., story of Boston-
Elk Falls county seat warfare, 1874,
in Howard Courant 215
Thompson, W. F., Topeka 103
Thompson, Waddy, of South Carolina. . . 169
Thorstenberg, H. J., vice president Linds-
borg Historical Society 112
Three Mile creek, Riley county 38
Ticks, stock covered with them 60
Tiller and Toiler, Larned 396, 397
Tilton, George, of Riley county 122
Timber, around Douglas, described 49
— more plentiful at, than at Lecompton. 50
— scarcity of 46
Timber Hills, Indian territory 305
Times, The, Clay Center, cited and
quoted 207, 263, 264, 269, 335
PAGE
Timmerman, , farmer Sac and Fox
Indians 325
Tinney & Greenwood's ferry, on Repub-
lican river 270
Tintype, names variously known by 4
Tipton Times, historical edition of 332
Titus, Col. H. T., biographical sketch... 62
— house of, attacked by abolitionists .... 62
Todd, Ambrose 129
Tomahawk pipes 297
Tomson, Frank D., "Topeka Folks and
Affairs of Yesterday," Sunday features
of Topeka Daily Capital 210
Tonganoxie, mentioned 9, 10
Topeka 300
— bridge, rebuilding of 14
— city directories of, published by Col.
Sam Radges 401
— electric lighting introduced in 406
— evolution of water supply of, reviewed
in Topeka State Journal 219
— fire department history, note on 397
— Fourth of July, 1856 58
—high school 223
— history in pictures, sketched by Robert
Currie 404
— Jules B. Billard, mayor of 401
— legislature, 1856, to convene at 58
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
— photographic views of 10
— population figures 13
— St. John's Luthern church, note on
history 9f , 397
— sugar mill, location of 17
—West Side Circle railway, described... 209
— wooden sidewalks in 1874 wired down
to prevent being used for firewood 214
Topeka Bridge Company, Joshua Knowles,
president 18
Topeka Commonwealth, quoted 19
Topeka constitution, ratified by Free
State voters 62
Topeka constitutional convention 62
Topeka Daily Capital, cited and quoted. . 108
110, 209-211, 215, 216, 218, 221, 222, 259
260, 330, 334, 336, 397, 400, 401, 403-409
Topeka Daily Record 336
Topeka State Journal, cited and quoted, 214
215, 219, 331, 397, 401, 410
Topeka Tribune, quoted 16
Topeka Weekly Leader, quoted $
Topofki creek, Indian territory 356
Topofki ford, on Canadian river 356
Toronto, history of, reprinted 106
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
Toronto Republican, cited 106, 408
"Tour of Indian Agencies in Kansas and
the Indian Territory in 1870," diary
of William Nicholson. . 289- 326, 343- 384
Towanda, note on founding of 212
Towns, Ottawa county, origin of names
attached to 236
Townsend, Elma, daughter of Brinton
Darlington .• • • • ^47
Townsend, Jesse, son-in-law of Brinton
Darlington 347
Trade unions, attitude toward Kansas
industrial court law 885-895
Trading post, on Canadian river 345
— on Sugar creek, Indian territory 349
Trappers and traders 227
Treadwell, Col. B. F., active in Southern
interests in territorial Kansas 62
— settlement of, attacked 61
Tree growth, Lawrence 13
Trembly, W. B., Kansas City 101, 104
— officer of infantry regiment 411
Tremont hotel, Wichita 178
Tri-County News, The, Horton, cited... 401
458
GENERAL INDEX
PAGE
Trimmer, John, operated ferry at Dan
Davis' crossing 287
Troy, road to 142
Truesdall, L. E., statistician, census
bureau 13
Truffly, Thomas and Nathan Fowler,
Morganville ferry operated by 268
Tumbling Bird, Kiowa Chief, mentioned, 353
Turkeys, wild 355
— on Cotton creek, Indian territory 322
Turner, David, bridge and ferry incorpo-
rator 272
— secretary Clyde Bridge and Ferry Co. . 272
Turnpike bridge, near Wyandotte 8
Turon, most of buildings of Lerado
moved to 222
Tuttle, Asa C., marriage ceremonies for
Indians performed by 306, 307
— teacher at school for Ottawas, 301, 302, 305
— and wife, conduct school for Ottawas, 306
Twentieth Kansas infantry organization,
new officers of 112
U
Udall, mentioned 405
Unadilla, Pottawatomie county, date of
incorporation and incorporators 129
Union County Courier, Tascosa, Tex 833
Union Ferry Company, organization of, 259
Union Pacific Railroad. . 34, 74, 75, 117, 241
— Archibald Williams general counsel for, 78
— bridges carried away during flood of
1867 118
— building of 140
— Eastern Division, under construction,
illustration 6
— maps and manuscripts relating to 92
— once known as Kansas Pacific 182
— photographs made along route of, in
Kansas 13
United Brethren 305
— church, lola, forty-second anniversary
of 332
— mission school. See Moravian mission.
United Daughters of 1812, Kansas state
chapter furnishes rooms at Shawnee
Mission 411
United States, attorney-general 368, 369
government claims jurisdiction over
all white men in Indian territory . . . 368
— circuit court, Eighth the largest in the
country 73
— district court, George C. McDermott
appointed judge of 69
John C. Pollock appointed judge of, 69
William C. Hook appointed judge of, 69
— land office 176
at Ogden 39
— geological survey 177
— interior department 351
clerks in, paid $2,000 to facilitate
payment of Pottawatomie claims... 311
— mail coaches, ferriage rates at Mar-
shall's ferry 139
— marshal, records of, in Historical
Society 93
— museum, Washington, A. E. Graf, as-
sociate director 88
—Official Register 20
—regiments, two to be stationed at
Lecompton 160
under Major Sibley, escort for Gov.
John W. Geary 39
Second Dragoons, commanded by
Col. E. V. Sumner 140
Third infantry 174
Fifth infantry 175, 179, 180, 184
Company H 174
in command at Camp Beecher. . . 178
Seventh cavalry 178, 407
Tenth cavalry, at Camp Beecher... 184
United States, attorney -general, superin-
tendent of Indian affairs...
— supreme court 75
— war department, Kiro dam proposed as
flood control project 22
— weather bureau, data of Republican
river compiled by 247
United States Express Overland stage 11
United States Steel Corporation 387
Uniontown, Bourbon county, old settlers'
reunion held at 412
Uniontown, Shawnee county, ferryboat
built at 15
— location of 20
Uniontown crossing, Kansas river, location
of 21
University of Chicago, mentioned 84
University of Kansas 9, 223, 333, 336
— Domenico Gagliardo, associate professor
of economics 338
— library 5
— Robert Taft, associate professor of
chemistry 2
— two years old, illustration, facing 6
University of Pennsylvania 290, 338
University of Wichita, formerly Fair-
mount college 401
Utah, Mormon exodus to, passed through
Marshall county 135
Vallier, Samuel, chief and interpreter of
Quapaws 304
Valverde, N. M., battle of 180
Van Boskirk, Mrs. Luta, of Kansas City,
mentioned 405
Van De Mark, M. V. B., Concordia 103
Van Devanter, Judge Willis H., judge of
Eighth circuit court, appointed to su-
preme bench 76
Vann, Jerry 49
— starts school at Douglas 48
Vann, Joseph, of Indian Council 364
— delegate to Indian Council 365,366
Van Nice, C. R 334
Van Petten, A. E., Topeka 103
Van Slyke, M. C., narrow escape from
drowning in Republican river flood . . . 283
Van Tuyl, Effie H., Leavenworth 103
Vaun, C. N., Cherokee lawyer 317
— proposal to draw Delaware tribal funds
for small per cent 317
Veach, Mrs. W. R., Chetopa history
written by 215
Venne & Gamper, Bull Run ferry operated
by 275
Verdi, Ottawa county 240
— C. H. Shultice first postmaster 240
— Georgetown post office changed to...-. 240
— railroad station north of mouth of Coal
creek 240
Verdigris river 315, 317, 380
— ferry over, near Ballitt's 318
— high water in 315
Vermillion river 115, 141
Vesper creek, Shawnee county 18
Vieux, Louis, crier for Pottawatomies 312
Vilander, Magnus, ferry operator 133
Vine creek, Ottawa county, formerly called
"Nigger creek" 243
Vine Creek post office, Ottawa county,
date of establishment 243
Vine post office, who suggested name. . . . 243
Vinland Grange and Grange Fair, note on
history of 409
Virginia regiments, Thirteenth, in Con-
tinental army 70
Vore, Maj. J. G., secretary of Grand
Council of Shawnee Indians, agent to
press Shawnee claims against United
States 344
GENERAL INDEX
459
Vore, Maj. J. G., temporary secretary of
Indian council 358, 368
Votaw, , deputy sheriff Cloud
county 279
Vulcan Sheet Metal Co 82
W
Wabaunsee, ferry 25, 26, 31
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
— on road to Marysville 142
— road from Wilmington to 27
Topeka to 20
Wabaunsee county, Janes' ferry organized
to operate in 21
— names of teachers and members of
various school boards in 409
— old settlers' meeting, held in 25
— residents of, used Wamego ferry 24
Wabaunsee County Herald, Alma, quoted, 21
24, 28, 33
Wabaunsee County Truth, Wabaunsee,
quoted 26
Wabaunsee Ferry Company, chartered by
legislature 26
— reorganization of 27
Wabaunsee Town Company, ferry spon-
sored by 26
Wabonsa (or Wabaunsee) and Webster City
Ferry Company, charter granted to ... 26
Waco Indians, located on Brazos river... 355
Waconda 339
—ferry at 342
— history of, gleaned from columns of
Beloit Weekly Gazette 219
Waconda Chief, cited 219
Waddell, Thomas, postmaster at Ayers-
burg 238
Wade, Benjamin F., United States sena-
tor from Ohio 230
Wade, Mary A., one of first woman mayors
to serve with five women council mem-
bers Ill
Wade county, bill for organization of 229
Waggener, Bailie P., general counsel for
Missouri Pacific 78
Wagner, Anna Nash, Wabaunsee county
school superintendent 409
Wagon trains, delayed by high water in
Big Blue and Republican 251
— favorite camping place for 15
Wakarusa river 308
— valley of 9
Wakarusa war, mentioned 48
Wake, Rev. Richard, Wakefield named in
honor of 260
Wakefield, established by English
colonists 260
— ferry, boat lost or destroyed 261
ferriage rates of 262
history of 260- 263
Wakefield Bridge and Ferry Company,
ferriage rates of 260, 261
— history of 260- 263
Wakefield Ferry Company, organized.... 262
Walden, John R., mentioned 406
Waldo Advocate 110, 211
Walker, Bert P., Osborne 101, 104
Walker, G. W., delegate to Indian Coun-
cil 366
— on Okmulgee constitution revision
committee 369
Walker, Mrs. Ida M., Norton, men-
tioned 103
Walker, Mrs. M. S., early settler Rock
locality, Cowley county 221
Walker, Robert John 43, 163, 165, 170
— biographical sketch 162
— governor 162
— rejected the forged and fraudulent elec-
tion returns in Kansas 162
PAGE
Wallace, John, toll bridge across Kansas
river at West Point 252
Wallace, William, mentioned 108
Wallace county, building of court house
briefly sketched in Western Times. 218, 219
— note on early history of 407
Wallace's Farmer, Des Moines, Iowa, vol-
umes given Historical Society 94
Walnut Valley Times. See El Dorado
Times.
Walton, Louis 331
Wamego 10
— bridge connecting Louisville with 26
—ferry at 22
location of 2
— hack line from Louisville to 25
— portion of Union Pacific bridge at Fort
Riley carried away by flood, stranded
on island near 256
— toll bridge completed at 25
Wamego Bridge and Ferry Company,
bridge site of 2
— incorporation of 22, 2
— notice of assessment 2
— (second) organization of 23
Wamego ferry, mentioned 31
Wamego Ferry Company, dissatisfaction
of . . 23, 24
— organization of 23
Wampum belt, lithograph of, possessed
by Charles Journey Cake 315
Wannemaker, E. A., mentioned 274
Wa-pah-gu, Kaw Indian, mentioned. ... 300
War of 1812, mentioned 43
Ward, Anthony A., part played in found-
ing of Topeka 209
Ward, John, sergeant in U. S. Army, resi-
dent of Wichita 185
Ward, S., reminiscences written for Barber
County Index 218
Ware, Eugene Fitch, Fort Scott school
building named in honor of 408
Wark, George H., Kansas City, Kan 103
Warley, Maj. F. F., mentioned 52, 55, 59
63, 65, 67
— editor of Darlington (S. C.) Flag, let-
ter of A. J. Hoole to 49
Warner, Mrs. Ida, treasurer Riley County
Historical Society 223, 411
Warren, Sen. , of Wyoming 76
Washara, Lyon county, early days of, re-
called 328
Washington, George, of Riley county 12
Washington, on road from Marysville... 142
—road to 142
Washington county, court house history
reviewed 331
— military road 142
Washington County Register, Washing-
ton 331
Washington University, St. Louis, Mo 70
Washita river 349
— Cherokee town on 355
—falls of 349
— valley of 355
— Wichita Indians willing to remain on. . 354
Watchman, Washington, mentioned 277
Wateman, R. H., ferry incorporator 26
Water, scarcity of, in early Kansas £
Watermelons 60
Waters, Mrs. W. H., mentioned 407
Waterson, Thomas W., incorporator 134
Waterville 275
note on Civil War veterans residing in. 4C
— state road from Clay Center to 265
— terminus of Central Branch railroad . . . 265
Waterville Telegraph, cited and quoted . . 213
216, 275, 282, 342, 408
— anniversary edition of 332
Wathena, Christ Lutheran church, fiftieth
anniversary of 335
460
GENERAL INDEX
Wathena, First Baptist church, note on
history of 397
— road to 142
Wathena Times, cited 397
Watie, Stand, delegate to Indian Council, 366
Wati-inca, delegate to Indian Council... 366
Watson, Arnold B 129
Watson-Sort, Mary Jane, first woman
teacher in Emporia, plaque honoring.. Ill
Watterman Eli P., Wichita, description
of land settled on 177, 178
Wattles, Augustus, Linn county settler. . . 110
Waushara Methodist church, note on his-
tory of 409
Wa-wa-bo-gay, Indian name for Repub-
lican river 246
Way, W., mentioned 281
Wayland, John, bridge and ferry incor-
porator 257
Weather, conditions, 1856-1857 153, 154
— Kansas, January, 1857 157
Webster, J. M., and family, Wyandotte.. 8
— ferry incorporator 22
Webster City, Richardson county 26
Webster county, Nebraska, mentioned.. 247
Weed, Samuel R., ferry incorporator, 26, 27
Weikman, Rev. A. M., of Wichita, pioneer
Catholic priest 335
Weiner, Philip, of Riley county 122
Weir, note on history of 106, 407
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
Weir Spectator 407
— reminiscences published in 106
Welch, Orrin T., bridge incorporator.... 34
Wellman, Manly Wade 408
— "Builders of Wichita," pageant written
by 329
Wellman, Paul A., "Before the White Man
Came," serial by, in Wichita Sunday
Eagle 209
Wells, Henry, partner of Fargo in express
business 242, 243
Wells, Hiram, ferry operator 16
Wells, Judge J. A., manuscript of 207
Wells, Ottawa county, formerly Poe 243
— a dozen other states have towns so
named 243
— postal officials objected to name 243
— station on Santa Fe railroad 242
— whom probably named for 242
Wells, Fargo & Co., express 243
Welter, Marjorie Burroughs, "Grantville
Was Named After Famous General,"
article by, in Topeka Daily Capital 216
West, Capt. Robert M., biographical
sketch 179
— in charge of artillery with the Fourth
army corps in Peninsular campaign. ... 179
— of Seventh U. S. cavalry, at Camp
Beecher 178
West, books relating to, recently added to
Kansas State Historical Society li-
brary 293- 295
West Point, better known as Whisky
Point 41
— toll bridge of John Wallace across Kan-
sas river 252
West Powhattan school, note on history
of 398
Western Bridge and Ferry Company,
charter granted to 134
Western Spirit, Paola, cited 107- 109
Western Star, Coldwater, cited 107, 108
110, 211,327,399, 401
Western Times, Sharon Springs,
cited 218, 407
Western Typewriter Company 98
Westmoreland, county seat of Potta-
watomie county moved to 25
Weston, Mo., Hathaway an early
daguerreotypist of 5
PAOB
Westover, Lorenzo, mentioned 129
Westport, Mo., mentioned 4, 43
Wetherall, Mr. — • — , Topeka 10
Wetherall, William D., ferry incorporator, 22
Wheat, Clough &, Leavenworth lawyers.. 70
Wheat, raised by Kiowa and Comanche
Indians, ground and used for horse
feed 352
Wheeler, Mrs. Bennett R 100, 103
— presents bronze plate bearing profile of
Washington, on behalf of Colonial
Dames of Kansas to Historical So-
ciety 102
Wheeler, Calvin D., ferry in-
corporator 26, 27
Whigan, John S 183
— member Company H, Fifth U. S. in-
fantry, site of Camp Beecher located
by 174
—quoted 176, 177
Whipple, Lieut. , at Pottawatomie
payment 312
— stationed at Fort Riley 301
Whirlwind, Jr., Cheyenne chief 348
Whisky, destroyed at West Point by
squad under Captain Sylvester 41
Whisky Point, near Fort Riley 40
— soldiers killed at, during a brawl 41
—West Point dubbed as 41
White, A. R., ferry incorporator 281
White, D. A., of Riley county 129
White, Associate Justice Edward Douglas,
of U. S. Supreme court 76
White, Edward J., of St. Louis, Mo 84
White, G. L., president Scandia bridge
company 285
White, John, absentee Shawnee 362
—delegate to Indian Council 366
—livestock lost by 344
— sort of chief among absentee Shaw-
nees 343
White, William Allen, note on biograph-
ical sketch of 409
— publisher Emporia Gazette 400
White Beard, Cheyenne chief 348
White Crow, Arapahoe chief 347, 348
— son of, supposed murdered by Osages. . 347
White Hair Osages, band of, kill two
settlers living on the Government strip, 173
White Rock, old settlers' reunion held at, 412
White Rock creek, ferry near 287
Whiteside, Henry, of Riley county 121
Whitfield, Kansas territory, north of
Kansas river 43
Whiting, , U. S. marshal 173
Whiting, A. B., bridge and ferry incor-
porator 260
— contracts to build ferry at town of
Scandinavia 282
— experience crossing ferry on Repub-
lican river 260
Whitley, Henry, biographical sketch..... 340
—ferry established by 340
— member Solomon River Bridge and
Ferry Co 341
— road commissioner 342
— Solomon City laid out on lands of. ... 341
Whitley, Mrs. Henry, remained alone while
her husband went to mill or market. . . 340
Whitley & Hall ferry 341
Whitman, Marcus, Oregon pioneer 135
Whitney, Sheriff C. B., shooting of 396
Whitney, R. C., appointed commissioner
for Ottawa county 230
Wichita 343
— builders of, pageant by Manly Wade
Wellman 329
— Camp Beecher located on site of 174
— Durfee's store at 176
— early day pictures of, mentioned 221
— erected on site of Camp Beecher. ..... 403
GENERAL INDEX
461
PAGE
Wichita, establishment of first rural mail
delivery out of 110
— First Methodist church, early history
of 109
— livery stable boom 331
• — mail for, came via Fort Harker 183
— Mrs. S. T. Hendrickson a pioneer music
teacher of 207
— naming of first streets of, mentioned. . . 222
— note on early history of 397, 400
— old settlers' reunion held at 412
— schools, first held in 175
site of marked by school
children 112, 175
fire arms taboo in first rules for. . . . 208
William Finn first teacher in 109
Wichita Beacon, cited 221, 401
—special illustrated edition of 329
Wichita City Library 114
Wichita Eagle, cited. . 108- 110, 185, 208, 209
211, 222, 331, 336, 397
399, 401, 405, 406, 408
— sixty-second anniversary of 403
—special illustrated edition of 329
Wichita Indians 292, 363
— agency 349, 355
William Shirley a trader at 356
— band of, engaged in raiding 351
— books distributed to 306
— cholera amongst 184
— J. H. Chollar special agent for removal
of 184
— Kiowa, chief of 175
— moved from Butler county to Wichita, 184
— willing to remain on Washita river. . . . 354
— Wichita mountains 311
Wichita University, duplicate newspaper
volumes given to 94
Wickersham, attorney -general of
U. S 73, 77
Wickersham, E. T., of Fall River, rem-
iniscences of 107
— pioneering experiences of, published in
Fall River Star 213
Wickham & Plant, granted license to op-
erate ferry at Clay Center 263
Widerange, Ottawa county, Wm. M.
Wyant, first postmaster 245
Wiggin, Mrs. Eliza Johnston 331
Wikander, A., member Randolph Ferry
Co 131
Wild Cat creek, road near mouth of 22
Wild ducks, live on Caney all winter 318
Wild geese 323, 355
• — along Missouri river 44
— live on Caney all winter 318
— on banks of Cotton creek, Indian terri-
tory 322
Wild turkeys 152, 355
— abundant 325
— on Cotton creek 322
North Fork of Canadian 345, 346
Wilder, A. C., member of Congress from
Kansas 257
Wilder, Daniel W., editor Fort Scott
Monitor and Hiawatha World 836
— need of bringing Annals of Kansas down
to date 100
Wiley, L. C., ferry operator 129
Wilkie, N. O., superintended construction
of ferry across Republican 282
Wilkinson, Lieut. , with Pike's ex-
pedition 232
Willard, Julius F., ferry incorporator 26
Willcutts, Dorothy Jane, Topeka in late
'80s and the steam locomotive on the
West Side Circle railway described 209
Willey, Lieut. , commissary stores
for Fort Sill in charge of 857
"William C. Hook, Judge of the Eighth
Circuit of Appeals of the United States,"
article by Thomas Amory Lee 69- 85
William Shawnee, absentee Shawnee 343
Williams, A., of Riley county 122
Williams, Archibald, general counsel for
Union Pacific 78
Williams, Dr. David, physician Sac and
Fox agency 324, 325
Williams, George H., St. Louis, Mo 84
Williams, Henry D., brother-in-law of
F. J. Marshall 139
— division superintendent on Leavenworth
and Pike's Peak Express 139
— in charge of Marshall's trading house
and ferry 139
—indicted for murder but not convicted, 140
— kills two returning gold seekers who took
possession of Marshall's ferry 140
Williams, J. S., of Riley county 122
Williams, S. B., of Riley county 122
Williamson, , chief clerk in financial
department of Interior office 300
Williamson, J. A., government paymaster
Indian service 301, 302, 307, 309, 311
Williamson, John, member Solomon City
town company 841
Wilmarth, 310
Wilmington, on Santa Fe trail 27
— road to Darling's ferry from 20
Wilsey, fiftieth anniversary of founding
of 333
Wilsey Warbler 333
Wilson, Col. 147
Wilson, A. D 286
Wilson, C. N., of Riley county 121, 122
Wilson, David, platted Island City for
L. B. Perry 41
Wilson, John H., Salina 103
Wilson, Louis, Louisville named for 25
Wilson, T. M., operator Rocky Ford
ferry 267
Wilson, Woodrow, elected as result of
Roosevelt -Taft fight 80
Wilson, old settlers' reunion held at 412
Wilson World, cited 110
Wind, complaint about 46
Winds, high, uncover Indian relics in
Stanton and other western counties 329
Windsor post office, Ottawa county. . 243, 244
Winfield, members of bar appointed to
federal bench 69
Winfield, one store in 221
Winfield Daily Courier 221
Winona, consolidated high school 334
— newspaper history of 107
Winter, 1871, 1872, described 278
Wisconsin, Ottawa Indians settle in south-
ern 228
— regiments, Third infantry, detachment
of protects Holladay stage property... 144
Twelfth, Company K, soldiers of,
killed at Whisky Point 41
Wisconsin Historical Society, mentioned. . 94
Wiseman, A. D 330
Wolcott, Darwin B., Pawnee county
pioneer 330
Wolcott, Royal, mentioned 403
Wolf creek history, by John W. Manners,
Sr 107
Wolf river 142
Wolf's Road, Cheyenne chief 348
Wolves 146, 345
— account of chase of 157
— in Indian territory 323
Woman's Kansas Day Club, hatchet used
by Carrie Nation in a raid on a To-
peka joint, given Historical Society 95
— Kansas women honored by plaques... Ill
462
GENERAL INDEX
Women's Relief Corps, Department of
Kansas, history of, published 108
Wood, Thomas, singing school conducted
by 241
Wood ticks, troublesome in early Kan-
sas 60
Woodhull, S. Y., first postmaster Yale,
Ottawa county 245
Woodman, Rea, Wichita, mentioned 401
Woods, B. Z., mentioned 327
Woods, Harry, mentioned 335
Woods, James, ferry at St. George op-
erated by 29
Wood?dale school house, Ottawa county, 238
Woodside, W. J., Rocky Ford ferry op-
erated by 266
Woodson, Daniel, secretary and acting
governor 62, 160
— biographical sketch 62
Woodson, on Vermillion river 141
Woodson County Hand Book, reprinted. . 106
Woodson County Post, The, Neosho
Falls, cited 405
Woodward, , Manhattan ferry op-
erated by 30
Woodward, Miss A. A., secretary-treas-
urer Phawnee County Old Settlers' as-
sociation 112
Woodward, Albert G., partner of
Marshall in ferry business 138
Woodward, Chester, Topeka 101, 104
Woodward, J. Hugh, reminiscences
written for Barber County Index 21S
Woolard, Sam F., mentioned 98
Woolman, Mrs. Betty, pioneer, Kansas,
entertained Abraham Lincoln in her
home at Leavenworth 94
Woolman, William J., of New York, por-
trait of his mother given the His-
torical Society 94
Wooster, Lorraine E., Salina 103
World War 93
— historical commission, executive com-
mittee instructed to prepare plans for. . 102
— need for compilation of history of Kan-
sas' part in 100
— relics, given Historical Society 95
Wright, Alfred, delegate to Indian Coun-
cil 366
Wright, George, delegate to Indian Coun-
cil 366
Wright, Muriel H., mentioned 396
Wright park, Dodge City 335
Wullschleger, Otto J., of Frankfort 213
PAGE
Wus-cu-pa-lo, Indian name for Solomon
river 339
Wyandot Indians 293, 372
— books desired for 306
— delegate to Indian Council 366
— no schools for 370
Wyandotte 8
— bridge at, carried away by flood in
1867 256
Wyandotte constitutional convention,
seventy-fifth anniversary observed with
an Indian festival 224
Wyandotte County Record, The, Kansas
City, cited 405
Wyandotte Gazette, quoted 256
Wyant, Wm. M., first postmaster Wide-
range, Ottawa county 245
Wyatt Earp, name of Lincoln Ellsworth's
South Polar ship 213
Wynn, Chief Judge 306
Yale, Ottawa county, S. Y. Woodhull,
first postmaster 245
Yale Law Journal, accords praise to Judge
Hook in receivership proceedings 82
Yellow Bear, Arapahoe chief 348
Yellow Horse, Arapahoe chief 347, 348
Yockey, Levi, Ottawa county pioneer, first
postmaster of Delphos 241
— Yockey creek named for 236
Yockey creek, Ottawa county 236
— Cheyenne raid on 241
Yoke, Lela Teagle, note on biographical
sketch of 402
Yokum, Mrs. Isabel, county superintend-
ent of schools, Anderson county 220
York, post office, Ottawa county 244
Young, E. H., picture catalog begun by.. 94
Young, George 310
Young, Mrs. J. W., note on biographical
sketch of 402
Young, Pete, ferry located on land of . . . 270
Young, S. B., hack line operated by 25
Younkin, Moses, bridge and ferry in-
corporator 260
Yuma county, Colorado, mentioned 246
Zahnsville, later renamed Miltonvale. . . . 105
Zearing, Miss Margaret, became Mrs.
E. S. Stover 341
Zeigler, P. W., Manhattan free ferry in
charge of 31
Zion Lutheran church, Mitchell county. . . 332
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