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THE 

Kansas Historical 
Quarterly 



KIRKE MECHEM, Editor 
JAMES C. MALIN, Associate Editor 




Volume V 
1936 

(Kansas Historical Collections) 

VOL. XXII 



Published by 

The Kansas State Historical Society 

Topeka, Kansas 

1C-6211 



Contents of Volume V 



Number 1 February, 1936 



PAGE 

THE CHISHOLM TRAIL John Rossel, 3 

KlCKAPOO-POTTAWATOMIE GRAND INDIAN JUBILEE Frank A. Root, 15 

FERRIES IN KANSAS: Part IX Arkansas River George A. Root, 22 

LABOR PROBLEMS DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF GOVERNOR MARTIN'S 

ADMINISTRATION Edith Walker, 33 

THE ANNUAL MEETING: Containing the Reports of the Secretary, 
Treasurer, and Executive Committee; the Annual Address of 
the President, Thomas F. Doran; "The Pony Express," by W. 
R. Honnell; "The Governors of Kansas," by Thomas A. Mc- 
Neal; Election of Officers; List of Directors of the Society, 

Kirke Mechem, Secretary, 54 
RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY, 

Compiled by Helen M. McFarland, Librarian, 82 

KANSAS HISTORY AS PUBLISHED IN THE PRESS 105 

KANSAS HISTORICAL NOTES.. . 112 



Number 2 May, 1936 



PAGE 

FRANK HEYWOOD HODDER, 1860-1935 James C. Malin, 115 

ISAAC McCoY AND THE TREATY OF 1821 Lela Barnes, 122 

LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER, 1855-1860 Thomas C. Wells, 143 

FERRIES IN KANSAS : Part IX Arkansas River Concluded, 

George A. Root, 180 

LABOR PROBLEMS IN THE SECOND YEAR OF GOVERNOR MARTIN'S 

ADMINISTRATION Dorothy Leibengood, 191 

THE GRAVE OF SARAH KEYES ON THE OREGON TRAIL William E, Smith, 208 

KANSAS HISTORY AS PUBLISHED IN THE PRESS 213 

KANSAS HISTORICAL NOTES 224 

(iii) 



Contributors 

JOHN ROSSEL, native of Kansas, is history instructor at Franklin High 
School, Baltimore, Md. 

FRANK ALBERT ROOT was a pioneer newspaperman of Kansas and author of 
The Overland Stage to California. (For a biographical sketch see p. 15.) 

GEORGE A. ROOT is curator of archives of the Kansas State Historical Society. 
EDITH WALKER is an instructor of history in the high school at Eureka. 

NOTE. Articles in the Quarterly appear in chronological order without re- 
gard to their importance. 



The Chisholm Trail 

JOHN ROSSEL 

THE Chisholm trail is one of the most important but least known 
trails in American history. Its story has never been completely 
told, which accounts, to a large degree, for the many misconcep- 
tions which are held concerning it. 

At the annual meeting of the Old-Time Trail Drivers' Association 
in San Antonio there ensues a perennial dispute both as to the 
origin of the Chisholm trail and its location. At present they seem 
to be no nearer the solution than at the beginning. In their monu- 
mental work entitled, The Trail Drivers of Texas (1925 edition), 
written by the trail drivers themselves, we find on page 289 one 
explanation, while on page 950 we find an emphatic denial of this, 
with quite another explanation set forth in no uncertain terms. 

Modern scholarship has as yet neglected to deal with the subject 
in a thorough manner. Thus most that is known concerning the 
Chisholm trail is from the stories of the trail drivers, whose mem- 
ories are no doubt dimmed by time, and from various accounts 
dealing with the cattle industry which treat it only in an indirect 
manner. 

The object of this monograph is to make a critical analysis of 
available source material concerning the origin and location of the 
Chisholm trail. It will emphasize material brought out by maps 
of the period located in the Library of Congress, and bring to light 
the hitherto unpublished accounts of James R. Mead, an associate 
of Jesse Chisholm in the early-day trading business. Brief com- 
ment concerning the volume of trade that passed over the trail and 
its end will be in the conclusion. 

When the Civil War drew to a close the plains of Texas were 
swarming with cattle for which there was no ready market. Herds 
of cattle were offered for sale upon the range at one to two dollars 
per head without finding a buyer. So critical did the situation be- 
come that Joseph G. McCoy, prominent cattleman of the time, was 
led to remark, " there dawned a time in Texas that a man's 
poverty was estimated by the number of cattle he possessed." 1 

But the situation in the North was quite different. A good animal 
which would bring only a few dollars in Texas would sell for as 

1. Joseph G. McCoy, Sketches of the Early Cattle Trade (Kansas City, 1874), p. 261. 

(3) 



4 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

much as ten times that amount in the North. 2 Prior to the Civil 
War there had been attempts to drive Texas cattle to market, but 
never on a very large scale. 

After the Civil War, towns in southwestern Missouri and south- 
eastern Kansas were the destinations of these early drives. It was 
not, however, until the railroads began to move westward that the 
movement was to reach its height. The North was demanding the 
meat which already existed in Texas. The big problem was to find 
a connecting link, and in this fact we see the beginnings of the 
Chisholm trail. 

Joseph G. McCoy, a cattle buyer of Illinois, heard of the con- 
ditions in Texas and determined to see what he could do to remedy 
them. He came to Abilene in 1867, which was, as he describes 
it, "... a small dead place, consisting of about a dozen log 
huts, low, small rude affairs, four fifths of which were covered with 
dirt for roofing/' and determined to establish a cattle terminal there. 

The Kansas Pacific Railway had already extended its lines to 
this place, and McCoy decided that if the proper shipping facilities 
were set up it would be a comparatively easy matter for the Texas 
ranchers to drive their cattle overland to market. 3 

He bought 480 acres of land at five dollars an acre, and soon be- 
gan the construction of shipping-yards, corrals capable of holding 
3,000 wild Texas steers, along with chutes, scales, barns, and other 
equipment. 4 In the short space of two months, from July 1, 1867, 
to September 1 of the same year, he and his helpers had everything 
in readiness. 5 But as yet there was no connecting link between 
Texas and Kansas. 

We shall leave the cattle business for the moment and consider 
the details of the origin and location of the Chisholm trail. 

In considering such a problem it is necessary to make use of the 
many maps which made their appearance before the Civil War. 
Jefferson Davis, who was appointed Secretary of War in March, 
1853, became interested in the extension of railroads to the West, 
and he had numerous surveys made of the territory in the Mis- 
sissippi valley and westward. The results of these surveys are care- 
fully preserved by maps in the possession of the Library of Congress. 

One of the earliest surveys of this territory was made by a Capt. 

2. Monthly reports of the Department of Agriculture, 1867, pp. 168, 169. 

3. McCoy, Sketches of the Early Cattle Trade, p. 44. 

4. Joseph G. McCoy, "Historic and Biographic Sketch," Kansas Magazine, December, 
1909. 

5. McCoy, Sketches of the Early Cattle Trade, p. 50. 



ROSSEL: THE CHISHOLM TRAIL 5 

R. B. Marcy, between the years 1849-1852. 6 The results were 
published soon after. He shows in detail the many trails in the 
West, but the ones we are particularly interested in are those 
located in 4he Indian territory, later Oklahoma. He clearly in- 
dicates trails originating south of the Wichita mountains, and ex- 
tending north on both sides. After passing the mountains, they 
join, swing out into the central part of the Indian territory and 
extend about half-way. If the trail had extended in the same 
general direction, it would have entered the Kansas territory at 
about where Caldwell is now located. 

Two very significant facts are noted in this map. First, that 
the trail indicated by Captain Marcy followed very closely the 
natural topography of the land, indicating that Indians had early 
learned the easiest way to traverse the territory, and second, that 
the trail followed substantially the same path as the later Chisholm 
trail. Captain Marcy is very careful to note the natural topog- 
raphy. Mountains, rivers and crossings are traced in great de- 
tail. The trail, he indicates, simply followed the easiest course 
through the territory. 

From this map we conclude that there were probably many trails 
traversing the Southwest, originated by the Indians at an early date. 
Being familiar with the land, they would naturally pick the easiest 
way through. Later when the white man appeared, he simply made 
use of the existing trails. 

Joseph Stroud, who made many trips over the Chisholm trail, 
suggests further that many of these trails followed the old routes 
of the buffalo migrations, from the spring grazing grounds in the 
North to the winter grounds in the South. 7 

In 1858 another map was made at the instigation of Jefferson 
Davis. 8 This shows several military trails which assume great 
importance in the solution of our problem. One is especially sig- 
nificant. Prior to 1858 a Major Merril had left Fort Belknap, Tex., 
and moved northward, east of the Wichita mountains. At the 
mountains he swerved eastward into the central part of the Indian 
territory and headed towards central Kansas. A comparison of 
this map with the previous one mentioned clearly indicates that 
this military trail followed closely the course of the earlier Indian 
trail noted by Captain Marcy. 

6. Capt. R. B. Marcy, "Map of Western Trails," Division of Maps, Library of Congress. 

7. Joseph Stroud, Memories of Western Trails, p. 9, Library of Congress. 

8. War Department "Survey Map, 1858," Division of Maps, Library of Congress. 



6 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

In 1861 federal troops located in the Indian territory were ordered 
to Fort Leavenworth for mobilization. The federal garrison at 
Fort Smith, Ark., left its post, and joining with the troops of Fort 
Washita, the combined garrisons under the command of Col. Wil- 
liam H. Emory marched up the valley of the Washita river. Con- 
tinuing farther, the troops from Fort Arbuckle and later Fort Cobb 
joined with them, and they all set out for Fort Leavenworth. 9 In 
doing so they traversed much of the same territory of the Indian 
trails as indicated by Captain Marcy, and the military trail of 
Captain Merril. The principal difference is that they went farther 
north, through the territory near present Wichita, and thence to 
Fort Leavenworth. 

From these facts we arrive at the following conclusions : First, 
that at an early date Indians had marked out the easiest paths over 
the territory, following the natural topography of the land ; second, 
that military leaders under their guidance had followed substantially 
the same paths; and third, that these were later used by Jesse 
Chisholm in laying out his trail. 

In the spring of 1864 the affiliated bands comprising the Wichita 
Indians, about 1,500 in number, began their trek northward. Their 
ultimate destination was the mouth of the Little Arkansas river, 
the site of present Wichita, where they made their village. With 
them was Jesse Chisholm, a half-breed Cherokee Indian, who 
established a trading post there in the same year. 10 He was quite 
familiar with this territory as he had guided a party from Arkan- 
sas in search of buried treasure to the mouth of the Little Arkansas 
in 1836, and had made many subsequent trips. 11 

After Jesse Chisholm had established his trading post at the 
mouth of the Little Arkansas he immediately began to make plans 
to trade with the Indian territory. In the spring of 1865, when it 

9. James R. Mead, "The Chisholm Trail," Wichita Eagle, March 1, 1890; letter to 
author from George Rainey, pioneer of Oklahoma, now a resident of Enid; Joseph G. 
Thoburn, "The Chisholm Trail," Rock Island Magazine, v. XIX (December, 1924), p. 4. 

10. Jesse Chisholm was born in Tennessee, 1806. His father was of Scottish extraction, 
and his mother was a woman of the Cherokee Indian tribe. He settled among the Western 
Cherokees in Arkansas territory about 1825. Jesse Chisholm accompanied the Leavenworth- 
Dodge expedition to the country of the Comanche, Kiowa, and Wichita tribes, near Red 
river, and was one of the interpreters in the great peace council at the Wichita village. 

He became a trader among the many Indian tribes of the plains. At the outbreak of the 
war he was prevailed upon to aid the Confederate authorities in the negotiation of treaties 
of alliance with various tribes in the Indian territory, but in the latter part of 1861, he was 
numbered among the loyalist refugees who followed Opothleyahola northward to an asylum. 

Soon tiring of life in the refugee camps, he drifted westward to the mouth of the Little 
Arkansas river, where the Wichita and affiliated tribes, also refugees from the Indian territory, 
were located, and settled temporarily. There he started in his trading activities again. In 
order to contact the territory to the south, he laid out the trail which bore his name. 
However, it did not assume any great importance until the cattle industry started using it. 

He was reported to have a speaking knowledge of fourteen Indian languages. He died at 
his trading camp in what is now Elaine county, Okla., March 4, 1868. 

11. Mead, "The Little Arkansas," Kansas Historical Collections, v. X (1907-1908), p. 9. 



ROSSEL: THE CHISHOLM TRAIL 7 

was apparent that the war was drawing to a close, Chisholm invited 
James R. Mead to join him in a trading venture. Mead accepted 
the invitation. Together they loaded their wagons, crossed the 
Arkansas, and slowly drove to the crossing of the North Canadian. 
There a short side trip was made to Chisholm's trading post at 
Council Grove, just west of the site of present Oklahoma City, 
which had been abandoned at the outbreak of the Civil War. 12 

In the summer of 1865 Chisholm collected a herd of 3,000 head 
of cattle which grazed over the site of present West Wichita, and 
in the fall drove them to the Sac and Fox agency, and thence to 
fill government contracts in New Mexico. In December, 1865, 
Chisholm, purchasing goods from James R. Mead, loaded a number 
of teams, and in January, 1866, started across the Indian territory 
to his former trading post on the North Fork of the Canadian river 
and points south. In April, 1866, he returned over the same route, 
bringing with him teams loaded with furs and robes and 250 head 
of cattle. 13 

This trail over which Chisholm traveled included present Wichita, 
Clearwater, Caldwell, Pond Creek, Jefferson, Skeleton ranch (near 
Enid), Bison (formerly Buffalo Springs), Kingfisher, mouth of Tur- 
key creek, Cheyenne agency (Darlington), Wichita agency (Ana- 
darko), and Fort Sill. 14 

The historical student today, taking a map and drawing a line 
along these towns, will note that the trail laid out by Chisholm 
followed very closely the Indian trails as noted by Captain Marcy, 
1853, and the military trails of Captain Merril and Captain Emory 
as they made their way through the Indian territory. We conclude 
that Jesse. Chisholm simply followed the best paths over the terri- 
tory, paths that had been used many years earlier by the Indians 
and by military authorities. This does not in any way detract from 
the honor due Chisholm. He knew the land well, and guided the 
traders over the best possible routes to the North. 

The trail immediately became known as "Chisholm's trail" (1865) 
but not "The Chisholm Trail." It did not receive the latter appella- 
tion until after it was extensively used by the cattlemen. 15 The 
reader should note that Chisholm did not lay out a trail for the 
cattle trade. He laid out a trail for his own private business which 

12. Stroud, op. cit., p. 5. 

13. James R. Mead, "The Chisholm Trail," Wichita Eagle, March 1, 1890. 

14. Andreas, History of Kansas, p. 1385. 

15. Stroud, op. cit., p. 9. 



8 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

was later used by the cattlemen. However, it was the cattle trade 
which made it famous. 

In 1867 William Mathewson, the original "Buffalo Bill," went 
down over this trail taking two boys he had rescued from the 
Comanches to the commandant at Fort Arbuckle. There he met 
Colonel Dougherty of Texas on his way north over the new trail, 
and guided him as far as the North Canadian. This is the first 
herd of Texas cattle known to have passed over the Chisholm trail. 16 

On December 5, 1867, William Griffinstein crossed the Arkansas 
river with a wagon train and went on down the trail. He was fol- 
lowed a little later by Mead, with teams loaded with goods for Jesse 
Chisholm, who was trading with the Indians at his post on the 
North Fork of the Canadian river. 17 According to James R. Mead, 
"Mr. Chisholm 's teams and my own were the first which ever passed 
over that route and marked out what afterward became known as 
the Chisholm trail." 18 

Before returning to the cattle business at the close of the Civil 
War, it is interesting to note the present route of the Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific Railway. It passes through Wichita, Caldwell, 
Pond Creek, Enid, Kingfisher, El Reno, Chickasha, Waurika, and 
Fort Worth. The Chisholm trail went through Wichita, Caldwell, 
Pond Creek, Enid, Kingfisher, El Reno, and then branched off to 
Anadarko and Fort Sill. The railroad engineers recognized that 
the Chisholm trail was the best possible route through the territory 
because it followed the natural topography of the land. Thus the 
similarity of the routes. 

As noted before, Joseph G. McCoy had completed his yards at 
Abilene September 1, 1867. Before he finished his structures he 
started a man toward southern Kansas and the Indian territory to 
round up every drover possible and bring him to Abilene. This 
agent started at Junction City, then went in a southwesterly direc- 
tion toward the mouth of the Little Arkansas, now Wichita, and 
then into the Indian territory. 19 

The first herd of cattle to arrive in Abilene was driven from 
Texas by a Mr. Thompson. He sold them to some dealers in the 
Indian territory, by the names of Smith, McCord, and Candler, 
who in turn drove them to Abilene. Another herd owned by 

16. Mead, "The Chisholm Trail," Wichita Eagle, March 1, 1890. 

17. Ibid. 

18. James R. Mead, "Reminiscences of Frontier Life" (1898), p. 75, manuscript in 
possession of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka. 

19. McCoy, Sketches of the Early Cattle Trade, p. 50. 



ROSSEL: THE CHISHOLM TRAIL 9 

Wheeler, Wilson, and Hicks, all from California, and en route to the 
Pacific coast, was located about thirty miles from Abilene. The 
owners of the cattle were finally persuaded to dispose of them at 
Abilene, and this little town was on the road to big business. 20 

A total of 35,000 head of Texas cattle were rounded up and dis- 
posed of at Abilene in 1867. The first shipment was made Septem- 
ber 5, and consisted of a twenty-car train, en route to Chicago. 21 

The cattle shipped from Abilene this first year were rounded up 
from various places. But it is significant to note that some of 
the drovers began to use the newly laid-out Chisholm trading trail. 

McCoy was just getting started. During the winter of 1867 and 
1868 circulars were sent to every Texas cow man whose address 
could be secured. These circulars told of the advantages of Abilene 
as a shipping terminal, and invited all the Texas drovers to bring 
their cattle to this city. Then, in the further interests of his trade, 
McCoy sent two men to Texas to advertise Abilene and to make 
personal contact with as many ranchers as possible. At the same 
time he was running full-page advertisements in many of the 
Northern newspapers, urging buyers to come to Abilene to buy their 
stock. Over five thousand dollars was spent in advertising in these 
newspapers. 22 

But the climax to McCoy's advertising schemes came when he 
hired some Spanish cowboys to rope wild buffalo, load them in a 
reinforced boxcar, and ship them to Chicago. On the sides of the 
cars were huge circulars advertising Abilene and urging cattlemen 
to come there to buy their cattle. 23 

Since the Chisholm trading trail reached only to Wichita, McCoy 
hired a civil engineer by the name of T. F. Hersey, with a group of 
flagmen and workers, to extend the trail to Abilene. They took 
along spades and threw up mounds of dirt, thus completing the 
trail to its northern terminal. This task accomplished, McCoy 
placed a workman, W, W. Suggs, at the mouth of the Little Arkan- 
sas to direct the herds over the new trail, so that they would be 
sure to come to Abilene and not to some other point. 24 

Thus we see the Chisholm trading trail being extended in length, 
and being used more continuously by the cattlemen. 

Evidence of McCoy's success is shown by the fact that in 1868 

20. Ibid., p. 51. 

21. Ibid. 

22. Ibid., pp. 114, 115. 

23. Ibid., pp. 180-182. 

24. Ibid., p. 116. 



10 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

75,000 cattle arrived in Abilene for shipment, 25 and that in 1869 
150,000 were driven there. 26 These figures correspond quite closely 
with those given in the Second Annual Report of the Bureau of 
Animal Husbandry for the total number driven to market during 
these years, and they establish the importance of Abilene as a cattle 
terminal. 27 According to McCoy there was no place in the west 
five times as large as Abilene that was doing one half the business. 
Her cattle business amounted to more than three million dollars 
annually, aside from an immense trade in camp supplies. 28 

It should be clearly understood that McCoy had vefy little to do 
with the origin of the Chisholm trail. His great contribution was 
to establish a terminal at Abilene, and then by successful advertis- 
ing to cause the Texas rancher and Northern buyer to meet there. 
The connecting link was the trail laid out by Chisholm earlier for 
his own trading ventures. 

Now let us consider the completion of the trail to the south. At 
this time, 1867, there were a multitude of cattle trails in Texas. 
A map issued by the Kansas Pacific Railway in 1874, and now in 
possession of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, shows a 
large network of trails, embracing the entire state of Texas, re- 
sembling somewhat a huge fan. However, nearly all crossed the 
Red river at a place known as Red River station, near the present 
town of Terral. From there the trail followed a course almost due 
north, crossing the Washita river near the present town of Alex, the 
South Canadian near Tuttle, and the North Canadian just west of 
Yukon. From the North Canadian it inclined slightly westward 
and joined the Chisholm trading trail at the crossing of the Cimar- 
ron between Kingfisher and Dover. Inasmuch as the cattle trail 
from Texas and the Chisholm trail were thus joined together in the 
Indian territory, the name Chisholm trail soon came to be applied 
popularly, if not accurately, to the trail throughout its entire length 
from its beginning in Texas to Abilene. 29 

Now let us consider the disputes concerning both the origin of 
the trail and its location. Reviewing briefly the material which 
we have already covered there can be little doubt that the Chisholm 
trail received its name from Jesse Chisholm, the half-breed Indian 
trader, who laid out a trail between his trading post at the mouth 

25. Ibid., p.' 111. 

26. Ibid., p. 186. 

27. Second Amual Report of the Bvnau of Animal Husbandry (1885), p. 100. 

28. McCoy, Sketches of the Early Cuttle Trade, p. 204. 

29. Strood, op. dt., p. 6. 



ROSSEL: THE CHISHOLM TRAIL 11 

of the Little Arkansas, now Wichita, to the Indian territory. We 
have already seen how the cattlemen later made use of this trail 
and extended it northward to Abilene, and southward to Texas. 

But some of the pioneer cattlemen insist that the Chisholm trail 
received its name from John Chisum (sometimes incorrectly spelled 
Chisholm), a large cattle owner of New Mexico. 30 This Chisum 
was a frontier stockman who was said to have been one of the first 
to drive cattle over the trail. He formerly lived at Paris, Tex., and 
had many thousand head of cattle on the ranges in the southern 
part of the state. 31 He was the owner of the famous Jingle Bob 
outfit, and in 1867 he drove his herds into New Mexico from Texas, 
up the Pecos river, and located ranches near the present town of 
Roswell, N. Mex. It is said he did not know himself how many 
cattle he possessed, but a conservative estimate puts the total at 
over 75,000. Chisum trailed many cattle to Arizona and to various 
points in New Mexico to fill army and Indian agency beef contracts. 

Charles Goodnight, who was the partner of John Chisum for 
several years says, "In conversation with me, he (John Chisum) 
said that one Chisholm, in no way related to him, did pilot 600 
steers from the Texas frontier to old Fort Cobb, and he presumed 
that this was the origin of the name of the Chisholm trail." 32 And 
Goodnight adds, "I positively know that no trail north was laid 
out by John Chisum." 33 

This should clarify the issue as to whether the Chisholm trail 
received its name from Jesse Chisholm or John Chisum. 34 

Turning our attention to the location of the Chisholm trail, we 
have what on the surface appears to be a complicated situation, but 
actually it is relatively simple. 

30. John Simpson Chisum was born in Hardeman county, Tennessee. His father's name 
had been Chisholm and the altered spelling is said to date from the time of the battle of 
New Orleans. Claiborne Chisum, with his family, moved to Texas in 1837. 

In 1854 John Chisum started in the cattle business in Lamar county, but three years 
later moved to Denton county, where he remained until 1863. In that year he drove a herd. 
estimated at 10,000 head, into Concho county, where he engaged in business with a number 
of other men on shares. In the late fall of 1866 he drove a herd up the Pecos to Bosque 
Grande, about thirty miles north of Roswell, N. Mex., and in the following spring disposed 
of it to the government contractors for the Navajo and Mescalero Apache reservations. 

He then formed a connection with Charles Goodnight by which for three years he con- 
tinued to drive cattle from Texas to Bosque Grande. His herds multiplied and estimates of 
the number of cattle owned by him vary from 60,000 to 100,000. It seems certain that he 
was the largest owner in the United States, and may well have held the same title for the 
world. 

He died at Eureka Springs, Ark., leaving an estate valued at $600,000. For many years 
he had been known as "the cattle king of America." Dictionary of American Bioffraphjf, 
v. IV, p. 77. 

31. Charles Moreau Harger, "Cattle Trails of the Prairies," Scribner'g Magazine, v. XI 
(June, 1892), p. 734. 

32. Charles Goodnight, "More About the Chisholm Trail," in Trail Driven of Texas, 
pp. 950-952. 

33. Ibid. 

34. The reader should call to mind that the Chisholm trail received hs name approximately 
two years before cattle were driven north to Abilene. 



12 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

The existence of any point as a cow town must of necessity have 
been brief. As the settlers came in, they found their interests in 
direct conflict with those of the cattlemen. And it was the cattle- 
men who had to give way. Thus we see the cattle trails of the 
prairies shifting westward before the vanguard of civilization. The 
northern end of the Chisholm trail was located first at Abilene. 
Then it shifted to Newton, Wichita, and Caldwell in rapid succes- 
sion. But finally population became so dense in the central part of 
Kansas that a branch trail was laid out, leaving the Chisholm trail 
near Elm Spring, Indian territory, going northwest into western 
Kansas and ending in Dodge City. 85 

This explains the conflict as to the location of the Chisholm trail. 
As W. P. Anderson, railroad agent at Abilene during its heyday as 
a cow town, comments, "Nominally every man that came up the 
trail felt as though he had traversed the old Chisholm trail. Each 
westward movement of the cattle industry necessitated a new trail, 
yet so strong was the force of habit, each in succession continued 
to be known as the Chisholm trail." 86 

Separating myth and fantasy from historical fact, the issue is 
clear. In 1865, Jesse Chisholm, the half-breed Indian trader, estab- 
lished a trail from Wichita to Indian territory. At the close of the 
Civil War it became necessary to find a market for the Texas cattle. 
The Kansas Pacific Railway had extended its lines westward to 
Abilene. Joseph G. McCoy, recognizing the possibility of driving 
cattle to market, established shipping facilities there, and by a 
series of advertising activities, succeeded in persuading the cattle- 
men to drive their cattle there. His contribution to the Chisholm 
trail was its extension north from Wichita to Abilene. Texas cattle- 
men extended the trail from Indian territory to Texas. 

As population increased it became necessary to find a new ship- 
ping terminal. This caused the laying out of a branch trail, leaving 
the Chisholm trail at Elm Spring, Indian territory, and ending at 
Dodge City. But this was not the Chisholm trail. Desire for 
historical importance, or any other reason, cannot alter the fact 
that the Chisholm trail extended from Indian territory to Wichita, 
and thence north to Abilene. Although the trail drivers may have 
believed and are now willing to argue that they were traveling over 
the Chisholm trail, when traversing the western route, this cannot 
change historical fact. 

35. Harger, op. cit., p. 735. 

36. Letter from W. P. Anderson to Luther A. Lawhon, secretary of the Trail Drivers 
Association, quoted in Trail Drivers of Texas, p. 14. 



ROSSEL: THE CHISHOLM TRAIL 13 

Dodge City became the last and probably the most famous of all 
the pioneer cattle towns. Abilene had held the center of the trade 
from 1867 to 1870; Newton, 1871; Wichita, 1872; Ellsworth and 
Caldwell, 1873 ; and then Dodge City to the close of the long drive. 

Robert M. Wright, pioneer cattle dealer of I>odge City, insists 
that ". . . there were more cattle driven to Dodge any and 
every year that Dodge held it, than to any other town, and for 
about ten years, Dodge City was the greatest cattle market in the 
world." 37 ' 

But even Dodge City was beginning to be affected by the advance 
of civilization. Harry Norman of the New York World, passing 
through Dodge City in 1925, says, "Gone are the buffalo, the long- 
horn steers, the badmen, from this once rip-roaring town, the center 
of a vast region of which it was once said, that 'all they raised was 
cattle and hell.' " 38 

With the passing of the range cattle industry necessarily came 
the passing of the Chisholm trail. This trail was followed con- 
tinuously for more than twenty years, and since it has been esti- 
mated that between five and six million head of cattle were driven 
north from Texas, we can see the volume of business that passed 
over it. 89 

Probably no greater or more vivid description has ever been given 
of the Chisholm trail than that of Charles Moreau Harger, writing 
in 1892: 

From two hundred to four hundred yards wide, beaten into the bare earth, 
it reached over hill and through valley for over six hundred miles, a chocolate 
band amid the green prairies, uniting the North and the South. As the march- 
ing hoofs wore it down and the wind blew and the waters washed the earth 
away it became lower than the surrounding territory, and was flanked by 
little banks of sand, drifted there by the wind. Bleaching skulls and skeletons 
of weary brutes who had perished on the journey gleamed along its borders, 
and here and there was a low mound showing where some cowboy had literally 
"died with his boots on." Occasionally a dilapidated wagon frame told of a 
break down, and spotting the emerald reaches on either side were the barren 
circle-like "bedding-grounds," each a record that a great herd had there spent 
a night. 

The wealth of an empire passed over the trail, leaving its mark for decades 
to come. The traveler of today sees the wide trough-like course, with ridges 
being washed down by the rains, and with fences and farms of the settlers and 

37. Robert M. Wright, Dodge City, the Cowboy Capital (Wichita, 1913), p. 260. 

38. Harry Norman in the New York World, quoted in The Literary Digest, August 22. 
1925, p. 46. 

39. Second Annual Report of Bureau of Animal Husbandry (1885), p. 300. 



14 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

the more civilized redmen intercepting its track and forgets the wild and 
arduous life of which it was the exponent. 40 

In the New York Times for December 7, 1930, we find the future 
of this historic old highway: 

The famous cattle trail from Texas to Kansas, celebrated in the galloping 
measures of the songs crooned by all cowboys a generation ago and now 
broadcast to the far corners of the land has recently acquired belated but 
official recognition from the Lone Star state. For the state highway com- 
mission has authorized the Chisholm Trail Association to name two highways 
and mark them at historical spots with long-horned steer heads. By this action 
the most important of the south to north trails, linking parts of the Far West 
before the coming of the railroads, takes its place with the Santa Fe and 
Oregon in the nation's history. 41 

Progress has been made in marking out the trail, and Oklahoma 
and Kansas have joined in. Thus we see the gradual wearing away 
of the Chisholm trail, ". . . that legendary highway acclaimed 
in song and story as most celebrated of the Old West's premier 
cowland." 

40. Harger, op. cit., p. 734. The accurate historical scholar would probably question 
Mr. Harger's statement that the trail was a "beaten path." This would be true only where 
the topography of the country necessitated a limited trail. In order to feed the vast herds, 
the drovers naturally had to spread out over the prairie wherever possible. However, this 
does not detract from the merit of Mr. Harger's description. 

41. Carl L. Cannon, "The Chisholm Trail Lives Again," in the New York Times, 
December 7, 1930. 



Kickapoo-Pottawatomie Grand 
Indian Jubilee 

FRANK A. ROOT l 

DURING the last year of overland staging out of Atchison, it 
was my privilege on a hot day in the month of July, 1867, to 
be present at and witness the festivities connected with a grand 
Indian tournament and pow-wow. The festival took place on the 
Kickapoo reserve in northeastern Kansas, in the southwestern 
corner of Brown county, something over thirty miles a little north 
of west from Atchison. The chosen spot was only a short distance 
from the great overland wagon road built across the plains and over 
which the Concord stage to California passed. The pow-wow was 
gotten up on quite an elaborate scale. Of the Indians who were 
present and took part, there were less than one hundred Pottawato- 
mies and fully twice that number of Kickapoos, while the white 
guests in attendance were little more than half a dozen. 

The event to be celebrated had for a long time been in practice by 
these two tribes. It was the regular annual visit of the Pottawato- 
mies 2 to their old-time friends, the Kickapoos. For a long time it 
had been the custom of these two tribes, from their intimate rela- 
tions, to alternately visit each other once a year, on which occasion 
there would be a sort of jubilee and a general rejoicing, and this 
would be followed by an exchange of presents between the members 
of each tribe. 

I was present at this aboriginal entertainment through an invita- 
tion extended by Judge F. G. Adams, agent of the Kickapoos in the 
latter '60 's, as his guest. This was an opportunity I had long sought. 
I had frequently heard about their pow-wows, and, while I had seen 

1. Frank Albert Root was born in Binghamton, N. Y., July 3, 1837. He attended school 
in New York and Pennsylvania, and entered the printing business at Wellsboro, Pa., where 
he completed his apprenticeship. In April, 1857, he came to Kansas, and worked in news- 
paper offices in Lawrence, Quindaro, Highland and Atchison. He served as assistant post- 
master at Atchison, and also was city clerk. Later he was appointed express messenger on 
the Holladay Overland Stage line, and during 1863-1864 he was in the service of the govern- 
ment as Overland mail agent at Latham station, Weld county, Colorado territory, handling 
mails brought in from the Pacific slope. He retired from the Overland service in 1865. That 
year he became part owner of the Atchison Daily Free Press. Later he became a partner of 
John A. Martin in the publication of the Atchison Daily and Weekly Champion and Press. He 
was one of the first route agents on the Central Branch line of the Union Pacific from Atchison 
to Waterville. He started newspapers in Waterville, Seneca, Holton, Topeka, North Topeka, 
and Gunnison, Colo., and is author of The Overland Stage to California. He died in Topeka 
on June 20, 1926. The paper published here was written in the early 1890's. 

2. Since about 1819 or 1820, a number of Pottawatomies had been living with the 
Kickapoos, and had intermarried with them. By a treaty or national compact, in 1851, they 
had been adopted into the Kickapoo tribe. This accounted for the friendly relations existing 
between the two tribes. 

(15) 



16 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

several thousands of the "noble red men" in a stretch of more than 
five hundred miles on the plains, I never had spent a day among 
them in the country. Being on the ground in person and witnessing 
the weird festivities that followed this annual gathering, was indeed 
a rare pleasure. 

The exercises were held at the wigwams of Ke-o-Quack, 3 near the 
west bank of Walnut creek, a handsome stream that courses down 
through the Kickapoo reservation. The spot selected near the 
southwest corner of the reserve was a very beautiful one, no doubt 
one of the finest to be found in that lovely portion of Kansas. It 
was an elevated section of prairie, surrounded on the east, north 
and south sides with belts of elm, oak and walnut timber, while on 
the west an unbroken view was had for a considerable distance over 
the green landscape. The prairies were decked with a profusion of 
choice wild flowers and this added much to the appearance of the 
surroundings. 

The Indians had assembled on the premises a short time before 
I reached there, having come from almost every direction. In a few 
minutes, dividing up into four parties, they were each arranged in a 
different position on the ground they had selected for the exercises. 
Beginning their program, a party of between thirty and forty Potta- 
watomies on foot were stationed on the west side. They began by 
hopping and jumping several feet above the ground, at the same 
time hooting and yelling at the tops of their voices at every jump. 
At the same time they chanted a number of their peculiar tribal 
songs, to the strains of the most outlandish sounding music, their 
orchestra comprising a sort of drum that had been gotten up for the 
occasion by stretching the skin of some animal over the top of an 
old paint keg. I listened, of course, to the music, but the discordant 
sounds that came from this improvised instrument were little less 
than torturing to all the pale-face guests. The drum was placed 
on the ground and surrounding it were seated as many squaws and 
bucks as could comfortably get around it, each one being provided 
with a set of sticks. These musicians thumped away industriously 
on their instrument, at the same time chanting some of their 
hideous-sounding airs. It was a rum-dum, rum-dum, rum-dum, for 
several hours, and nothing I had ever before heard was so mo- 
notonous. 

While this musical part of the program was being gone over, a 
dozen or more of the bucks were out in front dancing, while another 

8. Ke-o-Quack, Kickapoo, married a daughter of Wathena, a Kickapoo chief. 



ROOT! KlCKAPOO-POTTAWATOMIE JUBILEE 17 

band was singing and dancing near by. During this part of the 
exercises a number of the braves were flourishing above their heads 
scalping knives, tomahawks, and several other promiscuous war 
trophies they were in possession of. On the south side of the in- 
closure was another delegation of Pottawatomies mostly squaws, 
boys and papooses. The squaws and boys were left in charge of the 
ponies belonging to that tribe. On the north side was still another 
delegation on foot, but to which tribe they belonged I did not learn, 
for nearly all the Indians looked alike though dressed differently. 
Stationed at the east end and nearest the wigwams were the Kicka- 
poos, the whole number, as arranged on the grounds, representing 
three sides of a rectangle, or perhaps more properly, a sort of oblong 
square. The most of the Kickapoos engaged in these exercises were 
mounted upon their fleetest ponies. 

The costumes worn by the Indians were varied and numerous. 
They consisted of a great variety of outlandish and ludicrous styles, 
while their dusky faces, and in many cases a goodly portion of their 
bodies, were daubed and striped with several different colors of paint. 
What seemed to me the strangest thing about the whole business 
was that no two of the Indians assembled were dressed exactly alike. 
Many of them had their heads ornamented in styles simply ridicu- 
lous, while some of them were indescribable. A few were fixed up 
with gaily colored ribbons and cords with tassels of gaudy colors 
streaming from their slouch hats; a few had bead ornaments, with 
wild turkey, hawk and buzzard feathers in the tops of their hats 
and caps; some had plug hats with different kinds and styles of 
overcoats; one had on a pair of fine doeskin pants and a yellow 
calico blouse; some were attired in leggins, with blankets of various 
colors wrapped around them. One tall fellow waltzed around with 
one foot bare, clad in a heavy buffalo overcoat, while the mercury 
was soaring in the 90's. One brave was carelessly wrapped in a 
heavy red blanket doubled and tied around his body, on his feet 
were stogy 4 shoes, while his head was covered with a chip hat, 
striped off in several colors of paint with a few feathers sticking 
out of the top. Another fellow was attired in a calico shirt, a pair 
of leggins, and on one foot was a buckskin moccasin, while a heavy 
cowhide shoe was on the other; another was dressed in corduroy 
pants and stogy boots with heavy spurs attached to them; another 
cut a big swell, clad in a long, turkey-red shirt and moccasins, his 

4. "Stogies" was the common name of the coarse, heavy cowhide boots and shoes made 
for rough manual labor and farm work. This designation was a common one up to about 
the last decade of the nineteenth century. 

21937 



18 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

head covered with a dilapidated old plug hat; another wore a red 
shirt, white hat and blue pants. Another was in a gaudy calico 
shirt with buckskin leggins, while on his head was one of the ugliest 
looking caps imaginable; it was made from the fur of a beaver, and 
was minus the crown; in its front was a buffalo horn sticking out 
about eight inches, while the tail of a buffalo dangled down his 
back. Another was cutting up all sorts of queer antics, attired solely 
in a breech-clout; another was dressed in a peculiarly odd-looking 
suit with a string of fancy beads around his neck and three crescents 
made of tin or German silver, which dangled behind. Still another 
and his was the most beautiful dress in the entire outfit wore a 
fur cape made of otter and silk, tapering down to a point, which 
dragged at least a foot on the ground. This was fixed up with a 
variety of silver ornaments of various shapes and sizes and tapered 
all the way down from the neck to the bottom of the lovely rich 
garment. A pair of buffalo horns protruded from the head of one 
of the Pottawatomie braves, while around his neck was a rather 
singular looking ornament a necklace manufactured from the claws 
of wolves. This made him look fierce enough, still he may have 
been as gentle and innocent as a lamb. 

It is hardly necessary to describe more than a few of the varied 
costumes worn by the Indians at this pow-wow. Some of them were 
extremely ridiculous and decidedly funny; two or three were per- 
fectly hideous; a number of them were ludicrous in the extreme. 
Such a contrast in styles and garments in an equal number of visitors 
from two tribes of "noble reds" may never have been seen in Kansas 
before or will ever be seen again. In a great measure the exercises 
became somewhat tiresome, still I rather enjoyed the dusky reunion 
as one of the rarest treats of the kind my eyes had ever feasted upon. 

The plan for distributing the presents was an interesting feature 
and this part of the exercises I also enjoyed. A short time after the 
arrival of our pale-face party on the premises, one of the Kicka- 
poos, mounted upon a fine horse and dressed in an elaborate costume, 
galloped around the band of Pottawatomies stationed on the west 
side of the "square," at the same time going through all manner of 
gestures known to but few besides the members of the two tribes, 
finally returning to the spot from whence he started. A young 
man John C. Anderson 5 a fine^looking half-breed who had been 
educated and spoke English fluently, was employed as the Kickapoo 
interpreter. He informed the writer that the exercises I had just 

5. John C. Anderson was government interpreter for the Kickapoo Indians, with head- 
quarters at the Kickapoo and Pottawatomie and Great Nemaha agency, during the 1860's. 



ROOT: KlCKAPOO-POTTAWATOMIE JUBILEE 19 

witnessed was the first "sign." It signified that a pony was to be 
donated by the fellow mounted on the fine horse to one of the Potta- 
watomie visitors. In the various exercises that followed at intervals 
of a few minutes, some thirty Kickapoos rode around the band 
stationed at the west end, each giving away a pony at the conclusion 
of the ride. A number rode up to within a few feet of the Potta- 
watomie line and returned without going outside and around to the 
rear of the dusky visitors. This was a "sign" that the gifts they 
were about to bestow upon their guests were of another nature, 
intrinsically worth considerably less than the price of a pony. 

In going through the various exercises out on the open prairie 
where the delegations formed the hollow square the time consumed 
was less than an hour. Following these the leader of the band of 
Kickapoos Ke-o-Quack rode forward on his fine horse and, in his 
native tongue, made a brief speech to his men. At the conclusion 
of his remarks all of the Indians then repaired to the wigwams which 
had been neatly arranged in the Walnut creek bottom, where they 
seated themselves, some on the fence, some on benches, stools, boxes, 
barrels, logs, etc., while a number were squatted around promiscu- 
ously on the grass. It seemed that there was not a breath of air 
stirring at one time and the heat from the broiling sun became op- 
pressive. Repairing to one of the wigwams close by was a relief to 
me, for there I was out of the intense heat and was able for several 
hours to watch the exercises that followed with a far greater degree 
of comfort than at any time before. 

Ali-co-the one of the prominent Kickapoos made a neat little 
speech in his native tongue. In his talk he took occasion to remind 
his brethren not to forget to be liberal in the donations to their 
visitors; at the same time he also reminded them that the time 
would swiftly pass when they would next become the guests of the 
Pottawatomie visitors. At the conclusion of his remarks another 
and not less interesting part of the program followed, that of "smok- 
ing" for the presents. This feature of the exercises was done in the 
following manner: A Kickapoo with a pipe the stem of which is 
at least three feet long desires to present a favorite small Potta- 
watomie boy with a substantial gift. Walking over to the little 
fellow he places the pipe to the lad's lips for a few seconds; then 
taking it away, he repairs a short distance to one side. In a minute 
or two he returns, leading a handsome pony which the young aborig- 
ine accepts, without even a smile no expression on his face indi- 
cating the least sign of gratification by the gift. The next "smok- 
ing" was done by an Indian clad in his favorite (though not very 



20 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

becoming) suit a breechclout his entire covering being little more 
than enough to wad an old flint-lock musket. In his practically- 
naked condition the Indian was presented with a gunny sack filled 
with clothing under the circumstances quite an appropriate gift. 
A young squaw put the pipe to the lips of one of her female visitors 
and presented her with a piece of calico. She next unhooked and 
took off her skirt and gave that to her also. One old gray-headed, 
gray-bearded man Mo-she-no 6 whose make-up appeared to be 
about three-quarters French and one-quarter Pottawatomie, was a 
rather conspicuous and somewhat prominent character on the scene. 
He was present bare-headed, with nothing but a calico shirt on his 
back and a pair of moccasins on his feet. After smoking a whiff or 
two he was presented with a skunk's skin stuffed with tobacco, 
something doubtlessly relished by the thinly-clad recipient. In ad- 
dition to the various ponies presented there were a goodly number 
of other gifts bestowed, still the greater portion of them were of 
slight value. 

At the conclusion of the presentation of gifts by the "smoking" 
plan, the next exercises consisted of dancing. An Indian carpet 
made of rushes and flag (or iris) leaves was spread out on the ground 
near the host's home and in front of the large wigwam the drum was 
placed. A half dozen or more Indians at once seated themselves 
around this instrument of torture and soon there was "music" in 
earnest. A few taps on the "drum" was the signal, and those seated 
around it at once began to render another selection of vocal and 
instrumental music in true aboriginal style. Almost instantly a 
dozen or more Prairie Pottawatomies jumped up and began dancing 
around the musicians. This was a scene interspersed with a number 
of antics that would do credit to an ordinary circus acrobat. Only 
a faint idea can be given of these dances ; no two of the dancers re- 
sembled each other in dress. The exercises embraced at least half 
a dozen different dances, but the motions and gestures made by the 
participants as the various figures were being gone through, were 
decidedly ludicrous. One of the Indian braves had an old-style rifle 
and a horse pistol ; another a flint-lock musket ; another had a pistol 
of the Colt patent; several had bows with quivers filled with arrows; 
two or three had lances ; some had tomahawks and several flourished 
hunting or scalping knives; a few had war clubs, while the balance 
were provided with a variety of other weapons. Some fearful shouts 

6. Mo-she-no (Ma-she-nah) or the Elk Horns, was with Tecumseh, in his confederation 
against the whites. He took part in the battle of Tippecanoe, and later moved to Kansas 
with the tribe and lived at Kickapoo for twenty-two years. Remsburg, Geo. J., "Scrap 
Books," v. B, p. 5, in library of the Kansas State Historical Society. 



ROOT: KlCKAPOO-POTTAWATOMIE JUBILEE 21 

arose when dancing begun. It seemed as if one was in the midst of 
a weird pandemonium. At first they would leap several feet into 
the air, coming down and alighting first on one foot and alternately 
on the other, at the same time flourishing their guns, knives, pistols, 
tomahawks, etc., in savage warlike fashion, and all the while yelling 
at the top of their voices. At the conclusion of each dance a volley 
of doleful yells and the most hideous whoops and shouts would be 
sent up which sounded almost deafening. 

As the exercises connected with the festival were held on the 
premises of Ke-o-Quack, courtesy naturally gave this popular Kick- 
apoo the position of "captain," "marshal," "great mogul," or "high- 
cock-a-lorum" of the day. He was an exceedingly bright Indian 
one of the most useful, intelligent, deserving and prosperous members 
of the tribe. He was past the half century mark in age when this 
"blowout" took place. His squaw was a prominent lady in the 
tribe, being the daughter of "Wa-the-na," after whom one of the 
prominent towns and the first county seat of Doniphan county was 
named in the latter '50's. Previous to the treaty of 1854 the year 
the Kansas-Nebraska bill passed Congress she resided where that 
handsome town named for her father now stands, six miles west of 
the Missouri river from St. Joseph. 

From the "spirited" condition of some of the Indians appearing 
at this gathering, it would seem that the festival might more prop- 
erly have been called a regular old-fashioned jamboree. It is a fact 
that quite a number of the members of both tribes had provided 
themselves with an ample supply of the vilest liquor. During the 
exercises they had been slipping away to secretly imbibe of this 
hidden store, and from the quantity they had gotten away with at 
this time, it was evident that they were not behind the pale faces 
in learning how to get their booze. 

In late years a religious form of worship, embracing a portion of 
the doctrines of a number of the Christian churches has appeared 
and is now practiced by some of the members of both the Kickapoo 
and Pottawatomie tribes. Only a few of these, however, are said 
to be earnest, consistent members of this church; yet they are an 
honor to their tribes. The most of them still believe in and practice 
the aboriginal doctrines taught by their "illustrious predecessors." 
The annual feasts connected with their jubilees and dances, which 
usually continue for several days, are illustrations of the manner in 
which the Indians express their loyalty and devotion to the one who, 
in their belief, they will join when they drop off and finally enter 
their new home in the "happy hunting ground." 



N 



Ferries in Kansas 
PART IX ARKANSAS RIVER 

GEORGE A. ROOT 

EARLIER mention of the Arkansas river has been found 
than that in narratives of the Coronado expedition of 1540-1541. 
The river was first sighted by the Spaniards accompanying the 
expedition on June 29, 1541. This being the day of St. Peter and 
St. Paul, the name was given the river. One of the expedition's 
members called the stream the "River of Quivera." x Marquette, 
the French explorer, called the stream the "Akansa." Mexicans 
called it the "Rio Napete." William Delisle, on his map of 1700, 
called it the "Acansa." Emanuel Bowen's map of 1752 lists it as 
the "Rio des Acansas." LePage du Pratz's map of 1757 designates 
the stream as the "Arkansas," this probably being one of the earliest 
spellings of the name as we have it today. 2 

The Arkansas has been termed the "Nile of America," traversing 
the miles of sandy country to the east of the Rocky Mountains. 
This appellation may have been applied to the river by Marshall 
M. Murdock, founder of the Wichita Eagle, who many years ago 
wrote a classic under that title which has been widely read and 
copied. Mr. Murdock also frequently referred in a jocular way 
to the stream in the columns of the Eagle as the "Rackensack." 

The Arkansas river rises in central Colorado, in a pocket of peaks 
in Lake county, near present Leadville, at an altitude of 10,000 feet. 
After leaving that county it takes a southerly course for about 
seventy miles, makes a turn to the east, through the celebrated 
Royal Gorge, then flows on and across the Great Plains region. 
Up to the early 1880's there was always an abundance of water in 
the river, and the channel, even down to the ever-flowing Little 
Arkansas, near Wichita, was usually filled. Occasionally, however, 
the river was a bed of dry sand above the mouth of the Little 
Arkansas for a couple of months in the fall. 3 

After leaving Lake county, Colorado, the river flows through 
Fremont, Pueblo, Otero, Bent and Prowers counties before it leaves 
that state, and enters Kansas near Coolidge, in Hamilton county. 

1. Kansas Historical Collections, v. 12, p. 223. 

2. Spellings and names taken from old maps and volumes in library of the Kansas State 
Historical Society. 

3. James R. Mead, "A Dying River," in Transactions of Kansas Academy of Science, 
v. 14, p. 113. 

(22) 



ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 23 

From here it crosses that county and the counties of Kearny, Finney, 
Gray, Ford, Edwards, Pawnee, Barton, Rice, Reno, Sedgwick, Sum- 
ner and Cowley, leaving Kansas at a point about eight miles south- 
east of Arkansas City. From here the stream cuts across northeast- 
ern Oklahoma, bisects Arkansas and joins the Mississippi at present 
Napoleon. 

In that portion of Colorado east of the Rocky Mountains and in 
Kansas, the course of the Arkansas is through gently rolling sandy 
soil, the bed of the river making up in width what it lacks in depth 
in some places being about a mile wide. 

Ordinarily the river receives but little water from its tributaries, 
except in times of flood. These usually occur in the spring, when 
the snows of the mountains begin to melt and spring rains set in. 
The most disastrous flood of this sort occurred in the upper river in 
Colorado, reaching Pueblo early in June, 1921, causing the death of 
over 500 persons and the destruction of property worth $10,000,000 
or more. 

Lowest stages of water in the river occur from August to Decem- 
ber. During prolonged dry spells water in the channel has been 
known to disappear suddenly, only to make its reappearance as un- 
expectedly within the next day or two. This phenomenon was re- 
corded by one of the early Sedgwick county newspapers, which, 
having mentioned that the river was dry, discovered water in the 
channel the next day. A short time later the water again dis- 
appeared, and reappearing just before the paper went to press caused 
the scribe to record an item to the effect that "The Arkansas wet its 
bed again last night." Low water was not unheard of even in the 
lower reaches of the river, for the Junction City Union, of November 
9, 1867, citing the Fort Smith (Ark.) Herald as authority, said that 
"the Arkansas river was so low above that place last week that a 
drove of cows stopping to drink in it, drank the river in two." 
Another instance of the scarcity of water in the channel occurred 
during the past two decades, when the city of Hutchinson made an 
appropriation to cover the expense of sprinkling the bed of the 
river for the purpose of keeping down the dust. 

The drainage area of the Arkansas is variously given as 177,510 
square miles by the U. S. Weather Bureau, and from 185,000 to 
188,000 square miles by standard encyclopedias, 4 this being greater 
than the area drained by the upper Mississippi. The stream is 
the greatest western affluent of the Missouri-Mississippi system, and 

4. Encyclopedia Britannica, v. 2, p. 371. New International Encyclopedia, v. 2, p. 129. 



24 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

its length is variously given as 1,477 miles by the Weather Bureau, 
and approximately 2,000 miles by the encyclopedias. 

It has been common knowledge for years that there is an under- 
flow of the Arkansas river. Probably this underflow was first 
noticed in June, 1860, the year of the great trans-Mississippi 
drought. That year M. M. Murdock dug down in the valley and 
found water. He dug a series of holes on different nights, and one 
night he sprinkled bran on the surface of the water and next morning 
when he got up the bran was on the south or southwest side of the 
hole. He called the attention of a government man to it, who said 
he had noticed the same thing. This government agent reported that 
the underflow was moving at the rate of eight or nine feet in every 
twenty-four hours. 5 Further investigations of this flow were made 
in the year 1904, by representatives of the U. S. Geological Survey, 
and some interesting facts were brought out. This underflow moves 
at an average rate of eight feet every twenty-four hours, in the 
general direction of the valley. The water plane slopes to the east 
at the rate of 7.5 feet per mile and towards the river at the rate of 
two to three feet per mile. The moving ground water extends several 
miles north from the river valley. No north or south limit was 
found. The underflow has its origin in the rainfall on the sand 
hills to the south of the river and on the bottom lands and plains 
north of the river. The influence of the floods in the river upon the 
ground-water level does not extend one half mile north or south 
of the channel. A heavy rain contributes more water to the under- 
flow than a flood. 6 

With the settlement of that portion of Kansas lying along the 
river between Dodge City and the west line of the state, the pioneers 
in irrigation began construction of canals and ditches, and the waters 
of the Arkansas were diverted for irrigation purposes. Miles and 
miles of canals and ditches were constructed between the 100th 
meridian and the Colorado line. With the influx of settlers in the 
valley from the base of the mountains eastward to the Kansas line, 
so much of the flow of the river was diverted for agricultural pur- 
poses that by the time the river reached Kansas the stream was dry. 7 
This action by farm owners in Colorado was the cause of ruining 
many farmers living along the river in western Kansas, and finally 
resulted in a suit brought by the state of Kansas against Colorado 

5. Testimony of M. M. Murdock in the supreme court of the United States, in the 
Kansas -Colorado water suit. Abstract of evidence, pp. 11, 12, in Archives division, Kansas 
State Historical Society. 

6. Water Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 153, p. 5. 

7. Transactions of Kansas Academy of Science, v. 14, p. 113. 



ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 25 

for a more equal distribution of the Arkansas' waters. This case was 
fought through the United States courts, but was decided against 
Kansas. 

While the lower portion of the river is navigable as far as Fort 
Smith, early writers had stated that the head of navigation on the 
stream was twenty-four miles below old Fort Mann, this being 
about south of present Kinsley, in Edwards county. However, 
navigation to that point could only have been accomplished during a 
period of flood, and only then by boats of light draft. Some attempts 
at navigation had been made during the 1870's, and a small steam- 
boat the Aunt Sally reached Arkansas City and was moored 
there on Sunday morning, June 30, 1878. During the early 1880's 
several small craft had managed to navigate from the lower river 
up as far as Wichita, but these attempts to prove the navigability 
of the river were disappointing to those most vitally interested. 
Dreams of being able to market surplus farm crops down the river 
by use of ferryboats, flat boats and steamers did not always 
materialize, for many cargoes shipped by water were stranded on 
sand bars en route. After a few trials these attempts were dis- 
continued, owing to the shifting channel, sand bars and lack of water. 

Ferries on the river north of the Oklahoma-Kansas line, with 
possibly one or two exceptions, do not antedate the establishment of 
towns in Cowley county about the year 1870. The first ferry en- 
countered after crossing the boundary line was probably near Delphi, 
now Arkansas City. 

On January 8, 1870, the Arkansas River Ferry Co. received a 
charter from the state of Kansas for a ferry near the town of Delphi, 
and in the vicinity of the mouth of the Walnut river about two 
miles above it and south of the town. The incorporators of this 
company were H. B. Morton, G. H. Norton, W. R. Brown, E. C. 
Manning, P. B. Plumb, C. V. Eskridge and L. B. Kellogg. 8 The 
principal office of the company was to be located at or in the vicinity 
of Delphi. Capital stock was placed at $2,000, with shares $100 
each. This charter was filed with the secretary of state January 10, 

8. Of the projectors of this ferry, three were prominent in the newspaper business and 
one was a noted educator. Manning arrived in Kansas in 1859 and published papers in 
Marysville, Manhattan and Winfield. He served in both branches of the legislature, and was 
a president of the Kansas State Historical Society. Plumb arrived in Kansas in 1856, and 
in December that year became foreman of the Herald of Freedom, Lawrence. In June, 1857, 
he founded the Kanzas News, at Emporia. He helped organize the Eleventh Kansas cavalry, 
and became its lieutenant colonel. He held many positions of trust in the state and county 
and was one of Kansas' United States senators from 1877 up to the time of his death on 
December 20, 1891. Eskridge was editor and publisher of the Emporia Republican, served as 
lieutenant governor and also as a member of the board of regents of the Emporia State 
Normal School. Kellogg was attorney general, 1889-1891, and prominent in the State Teachers' 
Association. 



26 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

1870. 9 More than likely this company never functioned, as no fur- 
ther history has been located. 

According to county commissioners' records, the first ferry license 
for the Arkansas river within Cowley county was issued April 11, 
1871, to W. H. Speers and others. This ferry was located at the 
point where the South Sixth street bridge of later date crossed the 
river, and was one of the busiest ferries in the county. The cross- 
ing was where the old Shoo Fly trail 10 from the west entered 
Arkansas City, and also where a few years later the Ponca trail n 
from the south reached the town. 12 

Various authorities agree that there was very little water in the 
Arkansas river in 1871, and the probabilities are that the ferryboat 
did not operate very much that year, if at all. There also appears 
to be a difference of opinion as to who operated the first ferry. 
According to Mrs. E. A. Eaton, who has been a resident of Arkansas 
City since 1871, the ferry was located at South Sixth street and 
Lincoln avenue, which is west of the main part of the city and to 
the south. A. A. Davis, known as "Peg Leg" Davis, was the 
operator, being assisted by his son Adley, a lad in his teens. 13 Ac- 
cording to Mrs. Eaton, Davis operated the ferry up to the time the 
first bridge was built, probably in 1873 or 1874, at the site of the 
ferry location. 14 His boat was large enough to carry four horses 
and two boomer wagons, by unhitching the horses. It was operated 

9. Corporations, v. 2, p. 206. 

10. This trail went west between townships 34 and 35 to the Sumner county line, and 
was named for a Sumner county creek which received its name from some travelers who were 
camped there one night on their return from the settlements where they had first heard a new 
song entitled "Shoo Fly." This trail led to the southwest and was used as a freight route 
and stage line to Hunnewell and Caldwell, and like all other trails branched south and west. 
Statement of Bert Moore, Winfield, in letters to author, dated January 10, 26, 1936. 

11. The Ponca trail, Mr. Moore says, went south on the one half mile section line 
through sections 1, 12 and 13 to the Indian territory. It "was not named until placing: of the 
Ponca Indians on their reservation in the years 1877 or 1878 ; was the trail from Arkansas 
City to Ponca agency on the Salt Fork river, being about forty miles long. Many trails 
branched from it leading to Indian agencies, cow camps and soldiers' camps. This trail also 
became a stage line until the building of the Santa Fe in 1886. This trail crossed at right 
angles the old Black Dog Osage trail near the village of Kildare, Okla. It was over this 
Ponca trail the homeseekers traveled in April, 1889, to reach the first land opened for 
settlement in Oklahoma. For several days after they were permitted to cross the Kansas - 
Indian territory line this trail was one broken line of covered wagons, all going south." Letter 
of Bert Moore, January 26, 1936, to author. 

12. Cowley county, "Commissioners' Journal," 1871. 

13. "Census of 1875," Cowley county, Creswell township, Arkansas City post office, p. 11, 
gives the following: "A. A. Davis, 42; farmer; native of Ohio; from Wisconsin to Kansas. 
Wife, Sophia Davis, 38; native of Ohio. Adley, 18; born Wisconsin." 

14. Fred C. DeMott, president of the Union State Bank, of Arkansas City, and a resident 
of that city for sixty-five years, in a letter to the author states that there was no way to 
cross the river until the bridge was built by subscription and opened as a toll bridge. "Amsley 
Davis, an old veteran who had taken a claim right by the approach of the bridge was given 
the job as toll-keeper. He was known as 'Peg Leg Davis' because he had a peg leg. When 
the bridge was carried away about 1877-'78, a man by the name of Boone Hartsock, who 
had some former experience in ferries, operated a cable ferry. After awhile there was a 
sand bar in the middle of the river and the ferry could not be operated clear across this 
part of the river, so they moved it up to the west part of town, a little north of Madison 
avenue, in S. 36, T. 34, R. 3 E., and operated it there until the bridge was repaired and 
built over. 



ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 27 

by means of pulleys on a cable which was attached to trees on either 
side of the river, the boat having a large spoke wheel, like the old- 
fashioned steamboats. There were many Indians in the vicinity 
during those early days, but very few made use of the ferry, and 
then not very frequently, as Mr. Davis would not trust them. 

After the building of the first bridge, the ferry south of town 
was moved up the river to a location immediately west of town. 
This first bridge was carried away or partially destroyed on several 
occasions. Lacking opportunity to consult commissioners' journals 
or early Cowley county newspapers, we are unable to give all dates 
when floods caused damage. However, the river was at flood stage, 
being bank full early in April, 1876. On July 12, 15 following, the 
river was reported to be twenty-six feet high at Little Rock, Ark., 
and full to the top of the bank at Arkansas City. 

Unprecedently high waters in the river during late May, 1877, 
carried away or disabled all the bridges on the lower Arkansas, 
every one in Cowley county being put out of commission. A portion 
of the Sixth street bridge two spans on the south was all that 
survived the flood. A temporary ferry service was soon established 
at this point, the local paper making the following announcement: 
"A wagon will carry parties to and from the river free of charge. 
They will also convey them across the river in a boat. The rope 
has been sent for and the boat is building, so that before many days 
the ferry will be running." 16 

About this time William H. Speers, mill operator, inaugurated 
a temporary free service, announcing that he "has a new boat and 
is carrying all parties with grists for his mill free of charge across 
the Arkansas." 17 Mr. Speers is listed in the ''Census of 1875," 
Cowley county, Creswell township, p. 18, as being 37 years of age; 
a miller, and a native of Ohio. He came to Kansas from Illinois. 

Lack of bridges was a serious handicap to the town and county, 
as settlers were coming into the region every day. The following, 
from a local paper, describes conditions: 

The clerk of this township engaged a boat last week and went down the 
Arkansas as far as Deer creek, in search of the missing bridge. On the island 
at the mouth of the Walnut he found one bottom cord and part of the flooring 
lodged in the trees. The next lot, one whole span, was found on an island 
near Mr. Myers' in good condition. Someone had been taking it to pieces, and 
some of the iron was carried away. About two miles this side of Deer creek 

15. Arkansas City Traveler, April 5, July 12, 1876, 

16. Ibid., May 30, 1877. 

17. Ibid., July 6, 1877. 



28 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

another lot was found, badly broken. Fully one half of the missing part was 
found, and information gained that one span and a half had lodged near the 
Kaw agency. They also learned that a considerable portion of a red painted 
bridge was lying at the mouth of Deer creek. 18 

Preparations for the ferry south of town went steadily on. Lum- 
ber for the boat and a cable to stretch across the river had been 
ordered. The lumber arrived on June 20, and as all necessary ar- 
rangements had been completed, the ferry was expected to be in 
running order very shortly. By this time, however, the free rides 
from town to the Arkansas had come to a stop, the local paper, in 
mentioning the matter, stating that "the sturdy yeoman is compelled 
to take a little exercise between the river and town." 19 This ferry 
apparently was sponsored by the city and was to be a free ferry, 
and in getting it in shape to operate, volunteer help was solicited, 
as the following would indicate: "Our neighbor merchant came into 
the office yesterday and demanded that we supply some of our loose 
men to help fix the ferry. The boys were all loose and not in 
condition to work." 20 

The ferry was completed early in July, and at a meeting of the 
city council, July 6, it was decided to employ C. R. Bridges to run 
the boat for one month at $1 per day. The ferry was to be free to 
anyone during that time. 21 Another notice regarding the ferry, 
evidently for the benefit of patrons living on the opposite side of 
the river, read: "Free ferry on the Arkansas at this place. Come 
and go as often as you please without costing you a cent, as long 
as it is daylight. After sundown toll will be charged." 22 

Occasionally something happened on a ferryboat to break the 
monotony. The following could almost be classed among the "be- 
lieve it or not" items so frequently found in papers of today: 

A stranger drove on the ferryboat last week with a wagon and a woman 
sitting in the bottom of it. He had heard that the boat only went half way 
across the river bed, and when the boat stopped in the middle of the stream 
a minute he drove off. The horses went down almost out of sight, and the 
wagon sank until the woman's head was all that was out of the water. She 
sat calmly in the bottom, however, until she reached the shore. It is hardly 
worth while to add she got wet. 23 

Following the high water another ferry had been started west of 
town. This was a toll ferry, and as such, was not popular. At a 

18. Ibid., June 6, 1877. 

19. Ibid., June 30, 1877. 

20. Ibid. 

21. Ibid., July 11, 1877. 

22. Ibid. 

23. Ibid., August 8, 1877 



ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 29 

meeting of the city council on July 2, 1877, an order was issued to 
pay $250 for the ferryboat west of town and to convert it into a 
free ferry. 24 

Another ferryboat had been built for the Arkansas following the 
flood, which had not been put to use at the time. This boat was 
about thirty-five feet long by twelve feet eight inches wide. It 
had a cabin at each end. On the Fourth of July this year the boat 
was tied up at the west ferry landing with five tons of chattels. 
Doctor Trichen, of Wichita, was in command of the boat and was 
moving his entire stock of drugs from the railroad terminus in Sedg- 
wick county to Fort Smith, Ark. Thirteen persons besides the 
skipper were en route with him. 25 

About this time Jacob Parr started a ferry across the Arkansas. 
Just where this ferry was located has not been learned, other than 
it was at Denton's ford. The announcement as published in the 
local paper was as follows: 

Jacob Parr will cross parties over the Arkansas at Denton's ford in a small 
boat for five cents each. He has a team that can be hired for $2 per day, and 
will run it two days a week, hauling passengers to town, and charging only 
enough to make the required two dollars. 26 

The next two items apply to one of the Arkansas City ferries, 
but which location we are unable to determine: 

On and after August 1st toll will be charged on the ferry for crossing the 
Arkansas river near Arkansas City as follows, from sunrise to sunset: One 
single or double team, round trip 10 cents; one passenger on foot or horseback, 
round trip, 5 cents; each additional span of horses or yoke of cattle, round 
trip, 10 cents. After sunset 25 cents per trip will be charged. 27 

Ferry tickets are sold at I. H. Bonsall's office. Single crossing on horseback, 
two and one half cents. Single crossing with wagon, five cents. With four- 
horse team, 10 cents. After sunset 25 cents. 28 

During August the ferry boat west of town was moved to a loca- 
tion south of town where the bridge formerly stood. This move 
evidently met with some popular approval and the local paper com- 
mented that it was much easier to get at, and added further: 

Since the ferry has been moved from the west to the south of town, many 
persons, especially those of East Bolton, express themselves well pleased. We 
crossed on it last Sunday and found that less than half the distance over sand 
has to be traveled. If an inclined platform was built to the remaining part of 
the bridge now, it would help it a great deal more. 29 



24. Ibid. 

25. Ibid. 

26. Ibid. 

27. Ibid. 

28. Ibid. 

29. Ibid. 



July 4, 1877. 
July 4, 1877. 
July 26, 1877. 
August 1, 1877. 
August 15, 1877. 
August 22, 1877. 



30 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

That the removal did not satisfy everyone may be inferred by 
the following item published the succeeding week: "The ferry is 
moved," says a Creswell man. "D- -n the ferryboat," says a Bolton 
man. 

The ferries at this time were well patronized. There was much 
freighting from Arkansas City, Winfield, Wichita and other points 
along the north side of the river. It was not an uncommon occur- 
rence to arrive at a ferry and find a large number of teams and out- 
fits awaiting their turn to be crossed. Each was anxious to get 
across and delays of any sort were not popular. 

Early in November, 1877, a project was on foot to place another 
ferry over the Arkansas west of town. The local paper in mention- 
ing the matter commented that the enterprise would be a paying 
investment to the owners as well as a benefit to the town. 80 Two 
weeks later the same authority stated that "arrangements have been 
about completed to place another ferry west of town." 81 No fur- 
ther mention of this is found this year than a laconic item in the 
issue of December 26, which stated that "the new ferry west of town 
floats like a swan." Two weeks later, the Traveler recorded that 
"the ferry west of town is running all right again," but failed to 
mention why it had not been running. This ferry was located be- 
tween Sees. 26 and 35, T. 34, R. 3 E., and was in operation after 
the Sixth Street bridge was built, as it saved a drive around the 
bend of the river. 82 It was projected by Speers and Walton. Early 
in April, 1878, they announced that their boat was to be operated by 
steam, the local paper stating that "the engine used on Christy's 
steam thresher is to be placed on the ferryboat west of town by 
Speers and Walton, to try the experiment of ferrying by steam." 38 
The same authority, in issue of April 23, following, said: "Speer 
and Walton will have their steam ferryboat ready to run this week, 
and before long will make a trial trip to Oxford, El Paso and 
Wichita." 34 

The owners named their boat the Arkansas Traveler, and by early 
in May it was engaged in ferrying as far upstream as Wichita, its 
cargoes being somewhat diversified ranging from excursionists to 
sawlogs and cordwood. On Sunday, May 5, 1878, the boat took 
a load of excursionists up to Salt City, making the trip without 

30. Ibid., November 14, 1877. 
81. Ibid., November 28, 1877. 

32. Statement of F. M. Arnott to Bert. Moore, January 10, 1936. Letter of Mr. Moore 
to author. 

33. Arkansas City Traveler, April 3, 1878. 

34. Kansas State Board of Agriculture, First Biennial Report, 1877-1878, p. 159. 



ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 31 

trouble of any kind. Being overconfident they tried going on after 
dark, when their boat stuck on a sandbar. There they remained 
until morning, compelling many of the anxious excursionists to find 
their way back home on foot. On the return trip the next morning 
the boat made the distance from Salt City to Arkansas City, seven 
miles, in three quarters of an hour. 35 

During June, 1878, high waters in the Arkansas again caused in- 
convenience to the residents of the county. Even ferry service was 
temporarily disrupted. The Traveler of June 19 said the river had 
risen some four feet over the bridge pilings at that place, but also 
conveyed the good news that "the ferry across the Arkansas is in 
good running order again, and ready for business." 

Down the river there was always a good market for surplus grain, 
flour, produce, etc. During the late 1870's it was not always an 
easy matter to sell surplus crops; the railroad was too far away, and 
the river afforded the most convenient route to a market, so ferry- 
boats were utilized for conveying such crops. A boat, under the 
command of Capt. H. B. Pruden, built early in 1879 at Arkansas 
City for the Pawnee agency, left on April 2 with a cargo of 12,000 
pounds of potatoes. 36 

High water late in 1879 or early in 1880 must have put the bridge 
at this location out of commission and necessitated the use of the 
ferry for a time. This was no doubt followed by a shortage of water 
in the channel, for the local paper said: "The ferry west of town at 
the present stage of water has assumed more the shape of a bridge 
than a boat, since it spans the channel from shore to shore." 37 
Midsummer brought good rains to the west and the Arkansas went 
"on a bender," rendering fords useless and ferries somewhat bother- 
some. 38 

Following the disastrous flood of May 27, 1877, which swept away 
all the bridges in the county, the only action taken was to call an 
election to be held on August 18, following, for the purpose of voting 
bonds for building and repairing the bridges on the Arkansas. This 
measure carried, but up to late in November nothing definite had 
been decided on. Early in March, 1878, Bolton township voted 
$2,000 in bonds to be used towards rehabilitating the old bridge, and 
a contract was let. Within the next six weeks a force was at work 
and it was thought that within sixty days teams would be crossing. 39 

35. Arkansas City Traveler, May 8, 1878. 

36. Ibid., April 2, 1879. 

37. Ibid., April 4, 1880. 

38. Ibid., August 11, 1880. 

39. Ibid., November 14, 1877; February 12, March 27, April 24, 1878. 



32 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

By early May about half the piles had been driven and work on the 
spans had commenced. A week later the local paper reported 
progress as follows: 

The piling on the Arkansas river bridge is about completed, and the floor will 
be laid in a few more days. Everybody will be glad of it, as it is not a pleasant 
matter to "stick on a sandbar" about the time the other party is getting away 
with your hotel grub. Then if Boone Hartsock was not a religious man the 
language of the boatman might be obnoxious. 40 

Two months later the bridge was not yet ready for use, and the 
ferry was still the only means for crossing. It was thought, how- 
ever, that within two more weeks the ferry could be dispensed with. 
There was also a growing feeling that the portion of the bridge on 
the Bolton side was not safe. The new section had been built some 
four or five feet higher than the old part, and township authorities 
were called upon to remedy this situation before the bridge was 
opened to traffic. 41 Before this, however, the local paper once more 
called attention to its unsafe condition and advocated that it should 
be nailed up and repaired before use. It was finally opened about 
the middle of September, 1878, about fifteen months after being 
wrecked by the flood. In August, 1879, the township trustee pub- 
lished a warning that the bridge was unsafe for heavily loaded 
wagons, and that any wagons carrying two tons must cross at their 
own risk. 42 The Traveler continued its fight until a new bridge was 
built. 

Roads were one of the requisites of the newly established Arkansas 
City, and during the session of the 1871 legislature three state roads 
were established to connect with the town. One, 89^ miles in 
length, ran from Florence, in Marion county, via El Dorado, Augusta, 
Douglass, Rock City, Folk's, Walnut City and Winfield. Another, 
76 miles in length, ran from Humboldt, via Fredonia, Longton, Elk 
Falls, Greenfield and Tisdale. The third road, 57 miles long, ran 
from Wichita to Arkansas City. 43 In 1877 another road was estab- 
lished, running from Arkansas City to Independence, via Cedar Vale 
and Sedan, this being a little over 82 miles in length. 44 

40. Ibid., May 15, 1878. 

41. Ibid., August 7, 14, 1878. 

42. Ibid., September 4, 25, October 16, 1878 ; August 13, 1879. 

43. Laws, 1871, p. 432. Plats, field notes, etc., of the first two roads, and commissioners' 
report of the last, are on file in the Archives division of the Kansas State Historical Society. 

44. Laws, 1877, p. 221. Field notes, plat and commissioners' report in Archives division. 

(Part IX Arkansas River Ferries to be concluded in the May Quarterly.} 



Labor Problems During the First Year of 
Governor Martin's Administration 

EDITH WALKER 

LABOR LEGISLATION IN 1885 

A LTHOUGH the force of economic change was not felt with 
-t** the same degree of intensity in Kansas as in the older sections 
of the country, still rapid changes in economic conditions were tak- 
ing place during the eighties. The development in the fields of 
mining, transportation, and manufacturing increased the number of 
workers in the state having special need for protective legislation. 1 
In 1884 the General Assembly of the Knights of Labor formulated 
a platform and declaration of principles in which the state legisla- 
tures were urged to establish bureaus of labor. 2 The following year 
such a department was established in Kansas. 3 

The sponsor of the bill creating a bureau of labor was Sen. W. J. 
Buchan, of Wyandotte, who had gone to work as a boy in Ohio when 
he was twelve years old. He served as a clerk in a drug store for 
several years and enlisted in the Union forces at the age of eighteen. 
After coming to Kansas in 1867 he worked for a time as a brakeman 
on the Kansas Pacific Railway before his admission to the bar in 
1871. 4 

He introduced the measure into the senate January 19, 1885, 
where it was debated vigorously. Sen. R. M. Crane, of Marion, 
proposed, for the sake of economy, that it be amended and the 
duties contemplated by the bill be added to the work of the bureau 
of agriculture. In this endeavor he was supported by Sen. C. H. 
Kimball, of Parsons, who explained that the duties of the secretary 
of the board of agriculture were concerned with labor. He cautioned 
the senators to think carefully before they passed legislation which 
would increase the expenses of the state. Sen. W. M. Congdon, a 
farmer from Sedgwick county, who opposed the establishment of a 
labor bureau, explained that Ohio, which suffered from serious in- 
dustrial conflicts, had such a bureau which was probably the cause 
of labor riots there. 5 Moreover, he was satisfied that the measure 
was useless and simply a move to provide someone with a job. 

1. Kansas Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, First Annual Report (1885), p. 4. 

2. Ibid., Fourth Annual Report (1888), p. 36. 

3. Laws, Kansas, 1885, ch. 188. 

4. Kansas tat senate, Directory (1889), p. 9. 

5. The Dmily Commonwealth, Topeka, February 18, 1885. 

(33) 
31937 



34 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Senator Buchan, in defense of his measure, maintained that forty 
percent of the citizens of Kansas merited more than a mere recogni- 
tion of their existence by placing the work proposed by the bill in 
the department of agriculture. The very nature of the work, he 
insisted, demanded a person especially fitted for the task. 6 Sen. 
Frank S. Jennings of Winfield claimed that the welfare of the Kan- 
sas laborer was entirely neglected. He was convinced that it was 
to the interest of all Kansas citizens to create an independent de- 
partment to better the condition of the workingman and that the 
time had come to establish it. 7 Efforts to amend the bill were un- 
successful, and it passed the senate providing for the creation of a 
labor bureau coordinate with the bureau of agriculture. 8 After an 
uneventful course in the house, where it encountered little opposition, 
it became a law March 5, 1885. 9 

It provided for the establishment of a bureau of labor and in- 
dustrial statistics under the direction of a commissioner who was to 
be appointed by the governor for a term of two years. The duties 
of the bureau were to collect, assort, and present to the governor, 
in annual reports, statistics relating to all departments of labor and 
industry in the state, especially in their relation to the commercial, 
industrial, social, educational, and sanitary condition of the labor- 
ing classes. The commissioner was given the power to take and 
preserve testimony, examine witnesses under oath, and while dis- 
charging his duty to enter any factory, workshop or mine, and 
compel persons to answer questions. The state, city, county, and 
township officers were required to furnish him information upon re- 
quest. 10 

F. H. Betton, who was indorsed for the position by the Knights 
of Labor, was appointed in April as the first commissioner of the 
labor bureau. 11 He had engaged in the lumber and milling busi- 
ness for years, took up the duties of the new office with that knowl- 
edge of the labor problem which comes from actual experience. 12 

A disastrous fire in a mine at Carbondale in 1883 had aroused 
the Kansas miners to action. The enactment of a law designed to 
protect their health and safety and to provide for the inspection 
of the mines was the result. 13 The code was revised March 13, 1885, 

6. Topeka Daily Capital, February 18, 1885. 

7. The Daily Commonwealth, Topeka, February 18, 1885. 

8. Topeka Daily Capital, February 18, 1885. 

9. House Journal, 1885, pp. 728, 748, 843. 

10. Laws, Kansas, 1885, ch. 188. 

11. Topeka Daily Capital, April 18, 1885. 

12. Editorial in the Atchison Daily Champion, April 19, 1885. 

13. Kansas State Inspector of Mines, First Annual Report (1884), pp. 3-5. 



WALKER: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 35 

and minor changes made. The annual number of visits the mine 
inspector was required to make to each mine in the state was re- 
duced from four to two. The revised law required all coal operators 
to make quarterly reports to the inspector of the amount of coal 
mined and the number of persons employed. An annual report to 
the governor supplanted monthly reports originally made by the 
inspector to the secretary of the board of agriculture. To further 
protect the miners a clause was added limiting the amount of ex- 
plosives which each miner was allowed to take into the mine at one 
time, and stating that this material was to be kept in a tight box. 14 

In June, 1885, John R. Braidwood of Pittsburg 15 was appointed 
inspector of mines. 16 As a practical miner and civil engineer he was 
well fitted for the position 17 and was recommended by the Knights 
of Labor as well as by others interested in Kansas mines and 
miners. 18 Both Mr. Braidwood and Gov. John A. Martin, who 
appointed him, were eager to see that the law was obeyed and the 
health and lives of the miners protected. Moreover, they hoped that 
the mine inspector, in the course of his duties, might be able to 
maintain harmonious relations between mine owners and employees, 
thus eliminating a resort to strikes. 19 

On January 16, 1885, Sen. John N. Ritter, of Columbus, intro- 
duced a bill to secure to the industrial workers of Kansas the pay- 
ment of their wages every month in lawful money of the United 
States. 20 It was referred to the committee on mines and mining of 
which Sen. T. L. Marshall, of Osage City, was chairman. 21 Senator 
Marshall worked diligently in the senate in favor of the measure, 
where it was passed by unanimous vote. 22 

The house, however, was reluctant to enact a law which might 
discourage the development of Kansas industries. J. R. Burton, of 
Dickinson county, felt that the lawmakers should do everything in 
their power to help build the state and not discourage its industrial 
development. 23 Toward the close of the session the house amended 

14. Laws, Kansas, 1885, ch. 143. 

15. Editorial in Labor's Tribune, Weir City, June 18, 1885. 

16. Letter from Gov. John A. Martin to J. R. Braidwood, June 13, 1885, in "Cor- 
respondence of Kansas Governors, Martin" (Letterpress books), v. II, p. 151, Archives divi- 
sion, Kansas State Historical Society. Hereafter, the various forms of this correspondence 
will be cited "C. K. G." 

17. Editorial in Parsons Daily Sun, June 27, 1885. 

18. Editorial in The Daily Citizen, Topeka, June 13, 1885. 

19. Letter of J. R. Braidwood, Pittsburg, June 15, 1885, in "C. K. G., Martin" (Per- 
sonal), v. III. Also letter of Governor Martin to J. R. Braidwood, June 16, 1885, in ibid. 
(Official), v. LVIII, pp. 436, 437. 

20. Senate Journal, 1885, p. 164. 

21. Ibid., p. 257. 

22. Ibid., p. 507. 

23. Topeka Daily Capital, February 22, 1885. 



36 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

the bill to the point of destroying its intent. 24 Two conference com- 
mittees were appointed to work out the differences existing between 
the two houses, but they proved unsuccessful and the bill failed to 
become a law. 25 

THE MISSOURI PACIFIC RAILWAY STRIKE 

Early in March, 1885, a strike occurred on the Missouri Pacific 
Railway which arrested the operation of the trains upon that com- 
pany's lines in Kansas, Missouri and Texas, except the passenger 
trains carrying the United States mails. Thus all freight traffic was 
entirely suspended and the railway system practically paralyzed for 
a period of nine days. 26 

On October 10, 1884, a notice had been posted informing the 
mechanics and other employees in the shops of a ten percent re- 
duction in their wages. This cut was to take effect from the first 
of the month. This, together with earlier reductions, brought their 
wages below the level paid by other railway companies in Kansas, 
Missouri and Texas. In addition, the hours had also been reduced, 
with less pay in proportion. 27 In February, 1885, with increase in 
business and consequent greater demand for rolling stock, full time 
had been restored. 28 The low wages remained, however, and the in- 
dignant workers demanded a restoration of the wage scale of Sep- 
tember, 1884. Their action was not impulsive, but taken only after 
consideration. They maintained that they could not live on less than 
the former wage, and that sickness or any emergency made it im- 
possible to live on that. 29 In March, 1885, fully aware of their 
opportunity to impair disastrously the services of the company, they 
walked out. 30 

Those included in this action were the shopmen employed at 
Atchison and Parsons in Kansas, at Sedalia and Kansas City in 
Missouri, and at Fort Worth and Denison in Texas points that 
practically commanded the entire railroad system of this company. 
They refused to work any longer until the matter of which they 
complained was arranged to their satisfaction. 31 On the afternoon 
of March 7, at the signal of a whistle, 300 men at Parsons dropped 

24. Editorial in The Daily Commonwealth, Topeka, March 8, 1885. 

25. Senate Journal, 1885, p. 855. 

26. Kansas Board of Railroad Commissioners, Third Annual Report (1885), p. 22. 

27. Kansas Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, Second Annual Report (1886), p. 21. 

28. Parsons Daily Sun, February 12, 1885. 

29. Atchison Daily Champion, March 10, 1885. 

30. Kansas City (Mo.) Daily Journal, March 9, 1885. 

81. Kansas Board of Railroad Commissioners, Third Annual Report (1885), p. 22. 



WALKER: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 37 

their work and walked out of the shops. That evening, acting upon 
orders from Sedalia, Mo., between 200 and 300 shopmen struck at 
Atchison. 32 Two days later the mechanical employees of the Mis- 
souri Pacific Railway at West Kansas City joined the ranks of the 
strikers. 33 

Members of the Knights of Labor had charge of the strike at 
Atchison, where they had a strong organization. 34 A meeting was 
called Saturday evening, March 7, where committees and leaders 
were chosen, and the details necessary to conduct a successful strike 
were carefully worked out. 

On March 9 the company tendered the workmen their pay up to 
the time they quit work and notified them of their discharge. They 
refused to receive the one or to recognize the other. They would 
not work nor would they vacate their places. 85 

From the beginning of the controversy every movement was di- 
rected by the executive committee representing the strikers, and a 
perfect police system was maintained, under which the property of 
the railroad company and private individuals was fully protected. 
The yards were closely guarded and two engines kept in readiness 
for any emergency. The strikers were determined to hold the freight 
engines. They were equally determined, however, that no violence 
should occur, and as a pledge of their intention not to destroy any 
property, offered to detail twenty-five or fifty of their men to be 
sworn in as special deputy constables. 36 

Soon after the trouble developed the railway authorities at Atchi- 
son filed notices of the controversy with the local officers and called 
upon them for protection of the company's property from the 
rioters. 37 There was no violence on the part of the employees, no 
attempt to destroy property, nor was there any record of any com- 
plaint having been filed charging the rioters with the violation 
of any law or resistance to arrest. The local officers, however, 
promptly stated that they were powerless to act. 38 Both the mayor 
of Atchison and the sheriff of Atchison county immediately in- 
formed the governor that an organized mob was in possession of the 
trains and engines of the Missouri Pacific Railway, and the latter 
called upon the governor to furnish sufficient militia to put down the 

32. Atchison Daily Champion, March 8, 1885. 

33. Ibid., March 10, 1885. 

34. Kansas City (Mo.) Daily Journal, March 9, 1885. 

35. Atchison Daily Champion, March 10, 1885. 

36. Ibid., March 11, 1885. 

37. Ibid., March 10, 1885. 

38. Ibid., March 11, 1885. 



38 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

riot and disperse the mob. 39 Superintendent Fagan notified Gover- 
nor Martin that the passenger and freight trains were in the hands 
of a mob and the passengers driven from the trains. He explained 
that the city and county officials could do nothing, and he appealed 
to the governor to take immediate action to furnish military pro- 
tection for the railroad property. 40 H. M. Hoxie of St. Louis, third 
vice-president of the Missouri Pacific Railway, not only requested 
but demanded that Governor Martin take steps necessary to pro- 
tect the company's property in the state of Kansas and thus make 
it possible for the railroad to continue to serve the public. 41 The 
following day, March 10, he again wrote to the governor explaining 
that the local authorities had expressed themselves to be powerless. 
Consequently, he requested immediate aid in order to avoid loss to 
the railway and to the shippers. Unless the state authorities 
stepped in, he insisted the people would soon suffer from lack of 
coal and other provisions. Gov. J. S. Marmaduke, of Missouri, he 
pointed out, had ordered out the state militia. In closing, he in- 
formed the governor that he had directed the attorneys represent- 
ing the company at Atchison and Parsons to communicate to him 
the seriousness of the situation. 42 

Rumors were rife that the company intended soon to abandon at- 
tempts at conciliation and appeal to the federal government for 
protection. If the state admitted itself powerless then the federal 
soldiers would be called upon. 43 Although the strikers laughed at 
the talk of ordering out the state militia, they realized that the use 
of federal troops was a far more serious matter. The men were 
determined to win, but it was believed that they would disperse 
rather than come into conflict with the regular soldiers. 44 

The situation facing the governor was a grave one. Local au- 
thorities and railroad officials alike had insisted that only the use 
of force could suppress the riot. Governor Martin realized fully 
that a serious outbreak resulting in the loss of life and destruction 
of property might occur. Still, the use of force might provoke a 
conflict with equally disastrous results. 

Determined to ascertain fully his duties and powers before taking 

39. Telegram of Mayor C. C. Burns to Governor Martin, March 9, 1885, in "C. K. G., 
Martin" (Official), 1884-1885. Also telegram of Sheriff L. B. Hargrove to Governor Martin, 
March 9, 1885, ibid. 

40. Telegram of W. W. Fagan, division superintendent of the Missouri Pacific Railway 
Co., Atchison, to Governor Martin, March 9, 1885, ibid. 

41. Telegram and lettsr of H. M. Hoxie to Governor Martin, March 9, 1885, ibid. 

42. Telegram of H. M. Hoxie to Governor Martin, March 10, 1885, ibid. 

43. Atchison Daily Champion, March 10, 1885. 

44. Kansas City (Mo.) Daily Journal, March 10, 1885. 



WALKER: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 39 

any hasty action in the controversy, 45 Governor Martin submitted 
to the attorney general eight definite propositions covering the 
perplexing problems which confronted him. Thus he learned first, 
that, according to Kansas laws, in case of invasion, insurrection, or 
breach of the peace, the executive authority of a state was author- 
ized and required to call out the militia. The constable and sheriff 
had the power to call to their aid all able-bodied citizens of their 
township and county in enforcing the law. Until they had done so, 
and thus exhausted every effort, they were not entitled to the aid 
of the militia. Second, no statute provided that any civil officer 
had the right to call on the executive for the militia. In the third 
place, in the case of a call from local officers for military aid, it 
was the duty of the governor to investigate first, and if he felt the 
militia unnecessary he might refuse to comply with the call. Fourth, 
a constable's and sheriff's authority was almost unlimited and only 
as a last resort might military aid be used. Fifth, military aid 
was justified when a mob prevented the legal serving of writs and 
rendered useless lawful court orders. Sixth, the governor must be 
satisfied on more substantial grounds, however, than rumor or news- 
paper reports, that the local officers were unable to do their duty. 
Seventh, like individuals, railway companies must use care in 
protecting their property. If molested they must first rely upon 
civil or criminal remedies. If the use of the railway property was 
interfered with by strikers it was the duty of the railroad authorities 
to file complaints and swear out warrants for the apprehension of 
the offenders. If the civil officers were powerless to do their duty, 
then they might call upon the commanding military officer, and he, 
in turn, upon the executive. Finally, no officer of a railroad had 
the legal right to demand of the executive the use of the militia. 46 
To the alarmed sheriff of Atchison county the governor pointed 
out his duty to preserve peace, and informed him that he was em- 
powered to call to his aid as many deputies as he felt necessary. He 
also cited the laws, the provisions of which set forth the sheriff's 
powers. If these laws were faithfully carried out, and an effort 
made to cooperate with the city officials, who were given like powers, 
need for executive action would be rendered unnecessary. 47 The 
sheriff promptly answered, and still insisted that he was powerless. 48 

45. Atchison Daily Champion, March 10, 1885. 

46. Attorney General of the State of Kansas, Fifth Biennial Report (1886), pp. 101-104. 

47. Letter of Governor Martin to Sheriff L. B. Hargrove, Atchison, March 9, 1885, "C. 
K. G., Martin" (Letterpress books, Official), v. LVI, p. 432. 

48. Telegram of Sheriff L. B. Hargrove to Governor Martin, March 9, 1885, ibid. 
(Official), 1884-1885. 



40 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

To these insistent demands for help the governor did not respond 
with troops, but he did investigate the facts. He dispatched Ad- 
jutant General Alexander B. Campbell to Parsons, 49 and requested 
the board of railroad commissioners to proceed to Atchison. In writ- 
ing to the commissioners he described the situation, and explained 
that although he was fully aware of the fact that legally they had no 
power to act in such an emergency, he believed their presence in 
Atchison would have a salutary effect. Therefore, he urged them 
to investigate the trouble there and see whether their services as 
mediators would be accepted by both parties. In this emergency, 
only one other course was left open, and that was to call out the 
militia a move he was very anxious to avoid. 50 He then informed 
the attorney representing the company at Atchison of his move in 
the direction of mediation through the agency of the railroad com- 
missioners, and asked him if his company would accept their services 
as arbiters. 51 In reply, the attorney ignored the governor's proposal 
and merely stated that the Missouri Pacific Railway Co. refused 
to yield to the demands of the strikers. 52 

After seeking information concerning wages paid by other rail- 
roads operated in Missouri, Kansas, and Texas, 53 Governor Martin 
endeavored to get in direct touch with the committee representing 
the strikers at Atchison. When informed that that committee was 
reluctant to leave the men without control, 54 he hastened to Atchi- 
son. Here he held a long conference with the executive committee, 
and though according the strikers his sympathy, he informed them 
that he was unable, as governor, to sympathize with the methods 
they employed to gain their point. Later, at a conference including 
representatives of all the parties in the controversy, the governor 
proposed that the railroad commissioners serve as arbitrators and 
said that he believed that the matter would be fairly adjusted if 
submitted to them. After careful consideration the striking em- 
ployees expressed their willingness to accept the services of the com- 
missioners, but subject to conditions which amounted to dictating 

49. Letter of Governor Martin to Adj. Gen. A. B. Campbell, Fort Scott, March 10, 1885, 
ibid. (Letterpress books, Official), v. LVI, p. 468. 

50. Letter of Governor Martin to the board of railway commissioners, March 10, 1885, 
ibid., pp. 459-462. 

51. Letter of Governor Martin to B. P. Waggener, Atchison, March 10, 1885, ibid., p. 465. 

52. Letter of Everest and Waggener, Atchison, to Governor Martin, March 10, 1885, ibid. 
(Official), 1884-1885. 

53. Kansas Board of Railroad Commissioners, Third Annual Report (1885), p. 23. 

54. Telegram of N. L. Prentis, Atchison, to Governor Martin, March 10, 1885, "C. K. 
G., Martin" (Official), 1884-1885. 



WALKER: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 41 

the terms of settlement. On the other hand, the Missouri Pacific 
Company made no reply whatever to the governor's proposal. 

The plan to arbitrate was abandoned, and the prospects of an 
immediate settlement seemed, indeed, discouraging. However, the 
governor made another attempt to adjust the difficulty and bring 
about an amicable settlement. At his suggestion committees repre- 
senting the strikers at the various railroad centers were appointed 
and prepared to go to St. Louis to confer with the railway officials 
there. While at no time during the deadlock was there any danger 
to either the property of the public or the company, nevertheless, 
every hour the strike was prolonged increased the difficulty for both 
the strikers and the company. 55 

While the governor was in Atchison awaiting developments he sent 
a long telegram to Mr. Hoxie describing the situation in Kansas in 
which he said: 

. . . Nothing whatever has been done by the strikers, either here or else- 
where in the state to justify a call for troops, or their use either by the state 
or the United States. This opinion is confirmed by the railroad commissioners, 
two of whom, you know, are lawyers. 

Second, I fear you do not comprehend the extent and character of the strike ; 
ostensibly, it is confined to the shopmen. In fact, as I am convinced, it ex- 
tends to the employees of every branch of your service. 

Third, the strike is, in all its features, phenomenal in the history of strikes. 
The strikers are sober, intelligent, orderly men, who have always, heretofore, 
been loyal to their employers. They are such employees as any private 
citizen would be glad to have. Their character and intelligence deserves 
respect. 

Fourth, There is not the slightest danger that the men engaged in the strike 
will destroy any property. The only danger is, that the lawless elements, who 
always gather where trouble prevails, may do so. 

Fifth, The men believe they have been wronged, and I am impelled to say 
that I believe the universal sentiment of the state sympathizes with them in 
this opinion. 

For all of these reasons, I appeal to you to abandon any purpose of provok- 
ing a collision, if you entertain it, and to endeavor to arrange terms for 
amicable settlement with your employees. I believe the men would promptly 
and gladly accept overtures looking to such a settlement. 

Mr. Hoxie replied that he appreciated fully the situation at 
Atchison. He wrote, ". . . if the men who have been in our 
employ . . . will permit us to resume business ... we 
will discuss and arrange wages with them ... for their future 
employment. . . ." The company demanded absolute submis- 
sion to its terms. Feeling that it was fruitless to remain any longer 

55. Editorial in Atchison Daily Champion, March 12, 1885. 



42 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

in Atchison, in view of this position, Governor Martin informed Mr. 
Hoxie of his intentions to return to Topeka. 

The situation at Atchison was characteristic of the condition of 
things existing at other places where the strike prevailed. Adjutant 
General Campbell informed the governor that the situation at Par- 
sons, though peculiar, was entirely safe so far as public peace was 
concerned. 56 At Kansas City the engines stood idle and the force in 
the freight department, though kept on duty, had very little work 
to do. Meetings were held regularly at Armourdale, and committees 
appointed to carry on the strike. 57 

The representative appointed by the strikers left Atchison Friday, 
March 13, for Sedalia, to join similar representatives from Sedalia 
and Parsons. They planned to go on to St. Louis, providing the rail- 
road officials there would give them an audience. With both parties 
to the contest demanding surrender to their terms, considerable at- 
tention was focused upon the committee on its way to St. Louis. 
The prospects of an amicable settlement, however, seemed discourag- 
ing, and especially so when the representative of the Atchison 
strikers returned the same night from Sedalia, having accomplished 
nothing. 58 Mr. Hoxie expressed no willingness to meet the com- 
mittee and so the men abandoned the plan of going on to St. Louis. 59 

The situation presented a real difficulty. If compliance with 
the demands of the strikers had been the only problem it would 
have been an easy matter to end the strike. But other questions of 
much greater importance had arisen in the progress of the conflict. 
The striking employees illegally held the property of the company, 
and refused to permit the owners to gain possession of it. 60 The 
company had tendered them full pay in discharge of its obligations 
to them. 61 Hence, for the Missouri Pacific company to treat directly 
with them now would amount to an abdication, on its part, of the 
management and direction of its own affairs. The company's chief 
executive officers believed the majority of their employees to be 
loyal to the company's interests; still it was felt that the strikers 
had placed themselves under the direction of ambitious and un- 
scrupulous leaders whose growing arrogance in the future would 

56. Letter of A. B. Campbell, Fort Scott, to Governor Martin, March 11, 1885, "C. K. 
G.," 1884-1885. 

57. Kansas City (Mo.) Daily Journal, March 12, 1885. 

58. Atchison Daily Champion, March 14, 1885. 

59. Ibid., March 15, 1885. 

60. Kansas City (Mo.) Daily Journal, March 12, 1885. 

61. Atchison Daily Champion, March 10, 1885. 



WALKER: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 43 

render impossible the efficient management of the property, and 
place the master in the position of servant. 62 

On Friday, the day that Governor Martin returned to Topeka, 
Mr. Fagan, division superintendent at Atchison, wrote him that 
Mr. Hoxie wished to meet him and the board of railroad commis- 
sioners at St. Louis. In reply the Kansas executive explained that 
he and the commissioners would cheerfully go to St. Louis to meet 
with Mr. Hoxie if terms for a friendly settlement of the strike were 
open for discussion. But if the terms announced by Mr. Hoxie 
in his last dispatch were final, Governor Martin failed to see how 
he and the commissioners could be of any service. Mr. Fagan 
replied that the general manager of the Missouri Pacific company 
had stated that he would be glad to confer with the Kansas au- 
thorities in order to bring about an adjustment of the strike. 

The Kansas governor and railroad commissioners were joined 
in this conference at St. Louis, Sunday morning, March 15, by the 
following Missouri officials: Gov. J. S. Marmaduke, Attorney Gen- 
eral J. C. Jamison, and Oscar Kochtitzky, commissioner of labor 
statistics. R. S. Hayes, first vice-president of the Missouri Pacific 
company, served as spokesman for the Gould system. After a long 
discussion of the situation, during which the facts were presented, 
the representatives of the two states formulated a proposition which 
they believed a just settlement. They recommended its acceptance 
by the company and the striking employees. They proposed that 
the company restore the wage scale of September, 1884, including 
one and one half price for extra time worked, and reemploy the 
men without prejudice on account of the strike. The railway officials 
immediately accepted this proposition and stated that the wage 
scale would go into effect March 16 and would not be changed ex- 
cept after thirty days' notice. Thus they yielded every point de- 
manded by the strikers. 63 

The news that the intercession of the representatives of Kansas 
and Missouri had resulted in their favor reached the employees 
Sunday evening, March 15. The next morning the shopmen re- 
turned to their regular posts, but before work was resumed, the 
leaders insisted that it was necessary to hear from headquarters at 
Sedalia. The command from the leaders at that point to return to 
work was received in the afternoon. The central committee had 
spoken ; the strike was over. 64 

62. Kansas City (Mo.) Daily Journal, March 17, 1885. 

63. Kansas Board of Railroad Commissioners, Third Annual Report (1885), p. 24. 

64. Kansas City (Mo.) Daily Journal, March 16, 1885. Also Atchison Daily Champion. 
March 17, 1885. 



44 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

The strike involved more than the employees and employers, for 
it reached the people through their business interests. Nevertheless, 
public sentiment arrayed itself very generally with the strikers, 
for it was believed that they had a just grievance, and their good 
conduct throughout the controversy created sympathy for them. 
Moreover, the actions of Governor Martin won for him the good will 
of the laboring man 85 as well as the approval of other Kansas 
citizens. 66 

Although no other strike occurred during the year affecting any 
railroad operated in Kansas, it was evident that the relations exist- 
ing between employers and employees continued to be of so strained 
a character as to excite great uneasiness. Measures of retrench- 
ment and economy adopted by the larger railroad companies pro- 
duced dissatisfaction among the army of railroad workers. 67 Fol- 
lowing the strike conflicting reports reflecting the apprehension felt 
by the railroad workers appeared from time to time in the Parsons 
newspapers. 68 At one time it was feared that another strike was 
imminent. 69 In May, Governor Martin instituted careful inquiries 
concerning a complaint sent him by a committee representing the 
railroad men at Parsons that certain employees had been discharged 
for participation in the strike. 70 He urged the board of railroad 
commissioners to go to that point, giving them definite instructions 
to make a full and impartial investigation of the alleged violation of 
the company's agreement. 71 At the same time, he informed Vice- 
president Hayes of the matter, urging him to give it his careful at- 
tention, for he was convinced that a violation of the terms of the 
agreement made by the company with the Kansas authorities would 
seriously undermine the confidence of the public in the railway 
corporation. Moreover, he concluded, such a violation would be an 
act of bad faith, not only to the employees, but also to the state 
officers who undertook to negotiate the terms of the settlement at 
the express request of the company. 72 Mr. Hayes, in his reply, ex- 
es. Letter of R. H. Semple, secretary of Franklin Assembly 2557, Knights of Labor, to 
Governor Martin, April 14, 1885, "C. K. G., Martin," v. II. Also letter from Cigarmaker's 
Union, No. 36, of Cigarmaker's International Union, to Governor Martin, April 21, 1885, ibid. 

66. Editorial in Topeka Daily Capital, March 13, 1885. 

67. Kansas Board of Railroad Commissioners, Third Annual Report (1885), p. 25. 

68. Parsons Daily Sun, March 26, April 29, May 2, 1885. Also Parsons Daily Eclipse, 
March 30, 31, May 4, 1885. 

69. Parsons Daily Sun, April 15, 1885. 

70. Letter of Governor Martin to W. Quarles, J. McFeely, and others, committee, Parsons, 
May 13, 1885, "C. K. G., Martin" (Letterpress books, Official), v. LVIII, pp. 181-184. 

71. Letter of Governor Martin to board of railroad commissioners, May 13, 1885, ibid., 
pp. 173-176. 

72. Letter of Governor Martin to Capt. R. S. Hayes, first vice-president of Missouri 
Pacific Railroad Co., May 14, 1885, toil, pp. 177-180. 



WALKER: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 45 

pressed his doubt concerning the truth of the report, but promised 
to investigate, and assured Governor Martin that the agreement of 
March would be complied with by the company. Investigation dis- 
closed the fact that the trouble which the Kansas authorities had 
been led to believe existed at Parsons, and which caused them no 
little concern, was actually located in Texas. 73 The railroad commis- 
sioners assured the governor that they believed a conference called 
at St. Louis would adjust the difficulty satisfactorily. 74 

Rumors in August of a strike on the Wabash line alarmed the 
public. 75 The road, which was in the hands of a receiver, reduced 
the force of men in the shops at Moberly, Mo., to a point which 
meant a lockout of the members of the Knights of Labor. As a 
result, the executive board of the Knights of Labor issued an order 
forbidding the members of the organization to repair any stock of 
that road. 76 At Parsons, where the Missouri Pacific employees 
watched the movement with interest, a notice was posted forbidding 
the Knights to handle Wabash cars, 77 while those employed on the 
Union Pacific Railway were awaiting orders from their labor head- 
quarters at Denver before refusing to do the work. Mr. Betton, 
commissioner of labor, after a meeting at Wyandotte with a com- 
mittee representing the Knights of Labor employed on the Union 
Pacific Railway, expressed his uneasiness concerning the gravity of 
the situation in a letter to Governor Martin. 78 The order of the 
executive board if fully carried out would affect over 20,000 miles of 
railroad, and a strike equal in dimensions to the one of 1877 would 
be the result. 

Jay Gould was unwilling to risk a general strike. Consequently, 
he arranged a conference between the executive board of the Knights 
of Labor and the managers of the Missouri Pacific and Wabash 
railroads. Here he assured the Knights that he believed in labor 
organizations. At length, he brought pressure to bear upon the 
managers of the Wabash and a settlement was effected. An order 
was issued directing the superintendents in filling vacancies to give 
the men who had formerly been employed preference over the 
strangers and to ask no questions concerning membership in the 
Knights of Labor or any other organization. 

73. Letter of Wm. Quarles, S. Gladwin, and others, executive committee, Parsons, to 
Governor Martin, May 14, 1885, "C. K. G., Martin." 

74. Letter of J. Humphrey, A. Gillett, Parsons, to Governor Martin, May 17, 1885, ibid. 

75. Parsons Daily Eclipse, August 18, 1885. 

76. Commons, History of Labour in the United States. 

77. Parsons Daily Sun, August 23, 1885. 

78. Letter of F. H. Betton, Wyandotte, to Governor Martin, August 27, 1885, "C. K. G., 
Martin" (Personal), v. IV. 



46 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

The Knights of Labor had dealt on an equal footing with Jay 
Gould, a man who in the minds of some people was more powerful 
than the United States government. The order stood out as a 
championship of the masses. As a result, with an exaggerated 
notion of its power, many hastened to join this mighty organiza- 
tion. 79 

BOYCOTTS IN KANSAS 

The boycott movement of the years 1884 and 1885 was truly 
nation wide, and during the latter year reached the epidemic stage. 80 
Such a method of coercion had the advantage over the strike of en- 
tailing little cost or effort to the laborer who supported it. More- 
over, it was frequently used to render strikes more effective. 

In Kansas, during 1885, two boycotts of importance were in- 
augurated at the instigation of the typographical union and sanc- 
tioned and aggressively carried on by the Knights of Labor. One, 
directed against the Kansas City Daily Journal, originated in Mis- 
souri but was actively supported by Kansas Knights. The other, 
ordered by the Knights of Topeka, was carried on against The Daily 
Commonwealth of that city. 

Although the Kansas City Daily Journal was published in Mis- 
souri it had a large circulation in Kansas, and maintained agents in 
the principal Kansas cities. The boycott on both its advertising 
business and its circulation was actively supported by Kansas 
Knights. The original trouble dated back to 1883, when the union 
printers employed on the Kansas City Daily Journal, claiming that 
they were treated unfairly, walked out. The boycott in Kansas, 
however, was not instituted until the spring of 1885, when the Kan- 
sas Knights of Wyandotte county indorsed it. From that point it 
spread to those cities where the Journal was patronized, until it 
reached practically every part of the state where assemblies of the 
Knights were located. Much ill feeling was created by the zeal of 
the Knights, who forbade the business men to subscribe or advertise 
in the offending journal under penalty of a withdrawal of patronage. 
The boycott was rigidly enforced until the spring of 1886, and un- 
doubtedly affected the interests of the paper to a considerable ex- 
tent. Although it continued into the year 1886 the bitterness 
diminished. 

The cause of the controversy in which the Topeka paper was 
involved centered about the employment of a foreman who had 

79. Commons, History of Labour in the United States, pp. 369, 370. 

80. Ibid., p. 365. 



WALKER: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 47 

been expelled from the typographical union. The union printers 
protested against his employment and walked out when they failed 
to induce the owner of the Commonwealth company to discharge 
him. This occurred on April 7. Early the next morning the com- 
pany put a new force of men to work. 

The striking printers, seeing their action fail, appealed to the 
Knights for assistance. In response, Local Assembly 1800 appointed 
a committee on April 13 to investigate the grievances of the printers 
and act as a board of arbitration between the typographical union 
and the proprietor of The Daily Commonwealth. 81 A few days 
later, at a special meeting, this assembly accepted the committee's 
recommendation that the printers be upheld in their action by every 
trade union, and more particularly by the Knights of Labor. 82 As 
a result, a boycott was declared against The Daily Commonwealth 
by the local assemblies of the Topeka Knights and championed by 
the senior Assembly 1800. 

Organized labor in Topeka earnestly set about to wage a success- 
ful campaign against the offending firm. Merchants and others who 
advertised in the offending paper were visited and requested to with- 
draw their patronage from it under penalty of loss of the trade of 
the Knights of Labor. 83 Early in the controversy the striking 
printers established an evening paper entitled The Citizen 84 and 
the first issue appeared on April 11. It set forth in its columns the 
methods of boycotting and urged those who subscribed for The 
Daily Commonwealth or bought goods from dealers advertising in 
that paper, to stop doing so at once until the company employed 
union men. 85 It achieved a wide circulation in Topeka, and by the 
middle of July claimed the largest circulation of any paper in the 
city. 86 The Citizen urged the business men to stop dealing with 
The Daily Commonwealth until the difficulty was settled, and those 
who refused were warned that they would be remembered in the 
future. 87 Although The Citizen declared that it did not propose to 
dictate to the business men of the city it did intend to stand by its 
friends. 88 The executive committee of the Knights of Labor issued 

81. Kansas Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, Second Annual Report (1886), 
pp. 76-94. 

82. The Citizen, Topeka, April 20, 1885. 

83. Ibid., April 11, 1885. 

84. Kansas Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, Second Annual Report (1886), 
pp. 81, 89. 

85. The Citizen, Topeka, April 11, 1885. 

86. Ibid., editorial, July 14, 1885. 

87. Ibid., editorial, April 11, 1885. 

88. Ibid., editorial, December 31, 1885. 



48 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

a special paper called the Boycotter which was devoted to the task 
of carrying on the boycott against the Commonwealth. 

A state-wide boycott was entered upon. Circulars were sent out 
by Topeka Knights to sister assemblies in other parts of the state 
urging them to take action against the Commonwealth. 89 The 
Trades-Union, a labor paper published in Atchison, carried notices 
urging its readers to boycott the Topeka journal. 

As a result of this persistent industrial warfare 90 organized labor 
claimed that it succeeded in seriously crippling the firm. In June 
The Citizen stated that the advertising patronage of the Common- 
wealth was daily growing less, and that merchants who advertised 
in it were beginning to notice a decrease in their trade. On the other 
hand, the owners of the paper asserted that it made no noticeable 
difference in their business. 

The controversy continued throughout 1885. On Sunday, Feb- 
ruary 7, 1886, C. U. Spencer of Emporia organized the printers of 
The Daily Commonwealth into a printers' assembly of the Knights 
of Labor. This action called forth a protest from Local Assembly 
1800 which was sent February 10 to the general executive board of 
the Knights of Labor at Philadelphia. A week later, February 17, 
representatives from all the labor organizations in Topeka, including 
the new assembly of printers, met in conference at the office of the 
commissioner of labor. Here it was agreed to refer the difficulty to 
the local assemblies, and arbitration as a solution of the problem 
was recommended. On February 24 the Commonwealth printers 
answered the protest of Local Assembly 1800 against the organiza- 
tion of Printers' Assembly 5314 in a statement termed "Our Vindi- 
cation." They, too, appealed to the general executive board at 
Philadelphia and asked for approval of their organization. The 
two protesting groups were attached to District Assembly 69. Con- 
sequently, the general executive board referred the matter to the 
officials of this district assembly, who met in Topeka March 2 to 
March 6 to settle the controversy. Here, March 5, they agreed 
unanimously that the boycott on The Daily Commonwealth should 
be lifted. Typographical Union No. 121 of Topeka objected strenu- 
ously to this action. The members issued a statement in which they 
set forth the opinion of T. V. Powderly expressed at Cleveland in 
May, 1886, concerning the relations of the trade unions to the Order. 
This statement read that "the only serious trouble between the 

89. Kansas Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, Second Annual Report (1886), pp. 
81, 89. 

90. The Trades-Union, Atchison, December 5, 12, 19, 1886. 



WALKER: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 49 

Knights of Labor and the trades unions, outside of the trouble with 
the cigarmakers' union, was the supposed granting of a charter to 
a number of 'rats' at Topeka, Kansas." Consequently, the typo- 
graphical union felt justified in refusing to accept, as final, the 
decision of District Assembly 69. 

In his second annual report the commissioner of labor said: 

In a general way . . . the boycott on the Commonwealth by the 
Knights of Labor extended over a period of time commencing in the latter 
part of April, 1885, and terminating March 5, 1886, by order of the Executive 
Board of District Assembly No. 69. ... In explanation it may be proper 
to add that while the boycott . . . has ended as far as the Knights of 
Labor are concerned, the original trouble remains unsettled and Typographical 
Union No. 121 still continues to consider it a "rat" office, although negotiations 
are now pending that may result in an amicable settlement. ... An amnesty 
has been agreed upon, and far more friendly feelings prevail. 91 

LEGISLATION PROVIDING FOR TRIBUNALS OF VOLUNTARY ARBITRATION 
The public was thoroughly aroused during the course of the rail- 
road strike and convinced of the need of setting up effective machin- 
ery for the prevention of industrial conflicts. It was argued that if 
the public demanded the services of the railway employees then it 
was the duty of the state to see that those employed received a 
reasonable compensation for their work. 92 Moreover, it was de- 
clared that a corporation undertaking to serve the public should 
submit to such regulations as would secure the safe performance of 
its work. 93 Some even contended that the public interest in strikes 
was great and important enough to justify the adoption of any 
measures to prevent their recurrence. 94 

Many were confident that the creation of a state tribunal would 
avert industrial controversies. 95 The establishment of a board to 
arbitrate these differences would practically abolish strikes through- 
out the state, it was believed. The part played by the board of 
railroad commissioners in the actual settlement of the Missouri 
Pacific strike suggested a solution which seemed practicable to 
many. It was proposed that the law which provided for the es- 
tablishment of the board of railroad commissioners be amended so as 
to empower the commissioners to act as referees in cases of serious 
difficulty between employer and employees. 96 

91. Kansas Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, Second Annual Report (1886), 
pp. 83-90. 

92. Editorial in Topeka Daily Capital, March 13, 1885. 

93. Editorial in Topeka Daily Journal, March 15, 1885. 

94. Editorial in Topeka Daily Capital, March 14, 1885. 

95. The Trades-Union, Atchison, December 19, 1885. 

96. Editorial in Atchison Daily Champion, March 18, 1886. 

41937 



50 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Governor Martin believed that the public interest in uninterrupted 
commerce was as great, if not greater, than that of the employees 
and the railway corporation. He felt that the welfare of the people, 
who were in no way responsible for the strike, should be considered. 
Consequently, with their welfare as well as that of the employees 
and employers in mind, he urged some action which would bring 
about industrial peace, 97 and agreed that the law which provided 
for the adjustment of differences between shippers and the railway 
corporations might be extended to arbitrate differences between 
railway companies and their employees. 98 During the course of the 
strike Governor Martin advanced the proposition to the railroad 
commissioners that in certain emergencies, due to the relation of 
the railroads to the public, it might become necessary for the state 
to take charge of the railroads and operate them. Such a step 
was not necessary, but it was his opinion that some legal measures 
should be provided enabling the state to intervene and settle con- 
troversies. 99 In a letter to an assembly of Knights of Labor written 
soon after the strike Governor Martin said that if afforded an op- 
portunity to address another legislature, he would certainly stress 
the need for legislation providing some method of arbitrating in- 
dustrial disputes. 100 

When the legislature convened in special session in January, 1886, 
the governor, in his message, reviewed the history of the strike and 
pointed out the difficulty of bridging the gap between the wage 
earner and the corporation. He said that the strikers were in- 
dustrious and law-respecting citizens who felt that the only way to 
gain relief from undesirable conditions was a resort to force, which 
they deplored, for they realized fully the losses a strike involved. 
Therefore he earnestly recommended the passage of a law providing 
regulations to govern the arbitration of disputes between employers 
and employees. 101 

A group of Kansas Knights, eager to cooperate with the law- 
makers and likewise express their views, met January 25 and 26, 
1886, at the office of the commissioner of labor in Topeka. This 
group recommended the creation of a board of arbitration composed 
of the commissioner of labor, who should serve as chairman, and two 

97. Letter of Governor Martin to W. S. Smith, Marysville, March 18, 1885, "C. K. G., 
Martin" (Letterpress books, Official), v. I, pp. 187-189. 

98. Letter of Governor Martin to Gen. T. M. Carroll, Paola, March 19, 1885, ibid., p. 203. 

99. Letter of Governor Martin to W. S. Smith, Marysville, March 18, 1885, ibid., pp. 
187-189. 

100. Letter of Governor Martin to R. H. Semple, secretary of the Franklin Assembly 
2557, Knights of Labor, Ottawa, April 21, 1885, ibid., pp. 337, 338. 

101. Special Message of John A. Martin, Governor, to the Legislature of Kansas (1886). 



WALKER: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 51 

others, appointed by the governor, representing labor and capital. 
It was also agreed to present to the legislature a resolution request- 
ing the appointment of a standing committee on labor. 

On the second day of the meeting a bill providing for arbitration 
was discussed. After careful deliberation it was agreed that not 
only was the group too small to assume responsibility for such im- 
portant legislation, but also the time allowed the delegates was too 
limited to frame an effective law. Moreover, since the time of the 
legislators was limited by the special session the delegates opposed 
immediate action on such important legislation. They feared that 
a crude bill might result from too hasty action, which would do more 
harm than good. Consequently, this meeting of the Knights of 
Labor adopted a resolution which provided, first, that all local as- 
semblies in the state should take steps toward drafting bills of 
arbitration, and second that a convention representing each local 
assembly in Kansas should assemble in Topeka September 7, 1886. 
It seemed to organized labor that the better plan, at that time, 
would be for the legislature to appoint a committee of labor with the 
authority to meet and study the problem, and report in 1887. As a 
result the subject would be better understood and a valuable law 
enacted. 102 

However, the legislators, recognizing the need of bringing labor 
and capital together, and desiring to erase the ill feeling between the 
two factions, immediately set about to solve the problem. On Jan- 
uary 27, 1886, a bill providing for the arbitration of industrial con- 
troversies, the first on this subject ever placed before a Kansas legis- 
lature, 103 was introduced into the house by Rodolph Hatfield, a 
young attorney of Wichita. 104 On the following day, in compliance 
with the resolution passed by Kansas Knights in Topeka January 
25, 105 the house adopted the resolution offered by J. J. Cox of 
Douglas county recommending the appointment of a committee of 
five to consider the rights and duties of Kansas labor. Mr. Hat- 
field's bill was referred to this committee and on February 10 the 
house adopted its recommendation that the measure be passed and 
that its consideration be made the special order of business for the 
following afternoon. 106 Mr. Hatfield eloquently upheld his measure, 
emphasizing the importance of the subject to the people of Kansas. 

102. The Trades-Union, Atchison, January 30, 1886. 

103. The Daily Commonwealth, Topeka, February 12, 1886. 

104. House Journal, 1886, p. 303. 

105. The Trades-Union, Atchison, January 30, 1886. 

106. House Journal, 1886, pp. 287, 666. 



52 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

He pointed out the fact that the problem of the relation of labor 
and capital was assuming great proportions, and demanded the 
attention of legislative bodies. He explained that in spite of the 
fact that the two factors were vitally related to and dependent 
upon each other, each was suspicious of and bitter toward the other. 
He said that he knew what it was to work ten, twelve, and four- 
teen hours a day. As a disinterested advocate of a measure of 
paramount importance to Kansas, he hoped the special session would 
enact a law which would stand as a monument in the march of 
civilization. 

Mr. David Overmyer of Shawnee county said in defense of that 
feature of the law which provided for voluntary arbitration that 
the Kansas constitution prohibited the establishment of a tribunal 
which would compel Kansas citizens to arbitrate their industrial 
difficulties. However, he explained that the bill provided that when 
both parties voluntarily placed their disputes before the tribunal 
its decision was final. His motion to suspend the rules and read 
the bill a third time while its provisions were well in mind was 
adopted. 107 The measure passed without a dissenting vote, Feb- 
ruary II, 108 and was sent to the senate. 

By request, Sen. A. J. Harwi of Atchison introduced a bill on the 
same subject on the day Mr. Hatfield introduced his measure in the 
house. The senate bill, however, was not reported from committee, 
and on February 11 the measure framed by the house was read in 
the senate for the first time. A week later, February 18, on the 
motion of L. U. Humphrey of Independence, the rules of the senate 
were suspended in order to advance the bill to its third reading. As 
in the lower house, the measure was passed, not a single vote being 
cast against it. 109 

The governor signed the bill February 19, 1886, and thus ma- 
chinery was set up which it was hoped would insure industrial peace 
in Kansas. 110 It embodied the principle of voluntary arbitration 
and applied to disputes between laborers and employers in manu- 
facturing, mechanical, mining, and other industries. It provided 
that the district court of each county, when petitioned by parties 
to a labor dispute, should establish a tribunal of voluntary arbitra- 
tion and appoint an umpire for that tribunal. It required the signa- 
ture of at least five employees or two employers to the petition 

107. The Daily Commonwealth, Topeka, February 12, 1886. 

108. House Journal, 1886, p. 602. 

109. Senate Journal, 1886, pp. 253, 522, 527, 703. 

110. House Journal, 1886, p. 969. 



WALKER: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 53 

praying for a tribunal, the establishment of which might be denied 
if the court found that the required number of petitioners were 
not as represented in the petition. It provided that the decision of 
the tribunal, which was to be composed of two employers and two 
employees, all residents of the county, should be final. In case the 
members of the tribunal failed to agree, they might submit the 
questions in dispute to the umpire, whose award was final only on 
those matters properly submitted to him by the court of arbitration 
or the parties to the dispute. It gave the tribunal and the umpire 
the power to question witnesses under oath, and to examine any 
documents or material pertaining to the matter before them and 
belonging to the parties in the dispute. The court of arbitration, 
when established, remained in existence for one year. 111 

111. Laws, Kansas, 1886, ch. 28. 



The Annual Meeting 

THE sixtieth annual meeting of the Kansas State Historical So- 
ciety and board of directors was held in the rooms of the Society 
on October 15, 1935. 

The meeting was called to order at 10 a. m. by the president, 
Thomas F. Doran. 

The first business was the reading of the annual report of the 
secretary: 

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY, YEAR ENDING OCTOBER 15, 1935 

The experience of this Society confirms reports from other historical agencies 
that the past few years have shown a material growth in popular interest in 
local and state history. The increased use of our facilities and the greater 
demand for information, which were noted in last year's report, have continued 
throughout the year. The study of local history was featured by many schools 
in small towns and rural communities, who wrote for detailed historical data 
about their towns and counties. The staff has been kept busy with routine 
work and much that should have been done in cataloguing and organizing 
books and other collections was postponed. The supervision of KERC workers 
took much time from regular tasks. This increase in the work of the Society 
is also reflected in the fact that the volume of our correspondence is nearly 
twenty-five percent greater than it was five years ago. This is a healthy and 
gratifying condition, but it emphasizes the statement, made last year, that the 
present staff is inadequate and that additional employees are needed. 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

The executive committee, consisting of W. W. Denison, E. A. Austin, John 
S. Dawson, Thomas Amory Lee and T. M. Lillard, met regularly except 
during the summer months. Advice of the members was sought in all matters 
of consequence, and in accordance with the constitution and by-laws they 
approved all expenditures. The committee and the Society suffered a great 
loss on July 5 in the death of W. W. Denison. For many years he served on 
the executive committee and at the time of his death was its chairman. A 
memorial in the form of a resolution, written by Thomas F. Doran, was 
adopted by the committee at its September meeting, and a copy was sent to 
Mrs. Denison. 

APPROPRIATIONS AND THE LEGISLATURE 

Appropriations requested for the biennium beginning July 1, 1935, were filed 
with the budget director in September. Our requests included $1,800 for 
additional newspaper racks and an increase of $500 a year in the contingent 
fund, which had been reduced from $2,500 to $1,500 by the legislature of 1933. 
Restoration of salary cuts was not asked for and no additional clerks were 
requested, although much needed. In his recommendation to the legislature 
the budget director disallowed both requests. Fortunately, however, we were 
able to secure from the legislature $900 for new newspaper racks and an in- 
crease of $250 a year in the contingent fund. 

(54) 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 55 

The reduction of $1,000 a year in the contingent fund, which became 
effective July 1, 1933, worked a hardship on the Society and made it necessary 
to apply the limited income from memberships on operating expenses. Due 
to increased demands on the Society and additional costs incident to super- 
vising KERC workers these expenses have been greater than ever before. 
The income from memberships has naturally decreased during the depression 
years. While the restoration of $250 a year in the contingent fund will help, 
the full amount should be restored, and it is hoped also that it will be possible 
to increase the revenue from memberships. 

It will be noted in the treasurer's report that on April 11, 1935, bonds in 
the amount of $2,500 were sold and the proceeds placed in the membership 
fund. These bonds were called by the government and had to be sold or 
exchanged for others bearing a much lower rate of interest. This action was 
authorized by the executive committee after careful consideration. The Society 
possesses invaluable collections of manuscripts, pictures and other documents 
which must be catalogued, calendared and otherwise organized to be made 
useful. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the bonds will be applied on this 
work and part will be available for the purchase of books and other historical 
material. It must not be supposed that this fund will enable us to complete 
the organization of our collections ; on the contrary this will require thousands 
of dollars and years of work. But much can be done now, and should be done, 
to make our collections serve the purpose for which they were intended. 

KERC PROJECT 

Application for a new project to continue the work begun under the Civil 
Works Administration project, which operated from January 15 to March 22, 
1934, was submitted to the Kansas Emergency Relief Committee September 
20, 1934. The committee approved the application, calling for an expenditure 
of $10,769 by the federal government in salaries for the equivalent of twenty- 
seven full-time workers for twenty-two weeks. 

Considerable freedom had been granted us under the CWA in selecting 
persons from other counties when the local county relief rolls could not supply 
the class of workers needed. Under the KERC regulations, however, it was 
specified that all project workers must be selected from the list of available 
relief clients on local county relief rolls. It was apparent from the start that 
this ruling was to interfere seriously with a successful operation of the project. 
No trained librarians were on the Shawnee county relief rolls; therefore the 
positions could not be filled. A further handicap was the fact that only a 
few days' time a month was allowed each worker, conditioned by the budget 
allowance set for the client by his case worker. 

At no time was the Society able to approach maximum employment. With 
the workers averaging from three to ten days' work a month, it would have 
been necessary to employ at least eighty persons to fill our quota. The county 
relief administration did its best to furnish suitable workers, but the total 
never exceeded twenty-two in any one month. Approximately $150 was 
expended by the Society for working materials and rental of typewriters. 

With the establishment of the Works Progress Administration in Kansas, 
relief work provided under the KERC was discontinued last month. Workers 
were called off the Society's project the evening of September 3. Of the 
original government grant of $10,769, $4,652.50 was actually spent. Since the 



56 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

KERC seems to be definitely out of the picture as a project supervisor, the 
$6,116.50 balance probably has been wiped off the books. 

Tasks were assigned KERC workers in accordance with their abilities. The 
project typists were employed copying fragile documents and manuscripts 
needed for immediate use by the general public. They also copied indexes of 
the first fourteen volumes of the Kansas Historical Collections, a preliminary 
step necessary to the preparation of a general index of the seventeen volumes. 
Mention of other work started or accomplished by workers on this project 
appears in this report under the department headings. Due to the inability 
of relief headquarters to furnish persons with library experience the Society 
was compelled to abandon temporarily a catalogue of the picture collection 
and special cataloguing in the library annex begun last year. 

Through the courtesy of Dr. Philip C. King, president of Washburn College, 
the Society was permitted to use three Washburn students part time from 
September, 1934, through May, 1935. The students, working under a college- 
student employment project, were paid from KERC funds. Two students 
have been supplied the Society during the present college year through a 
similar project sponsored by Washburn under the National Youth Adminis- 
tration. 

PROPOSED WPA PROJECT 

Upon the advice of the Shawnee County Relief Administration the Society 
made application for a project to operate under the Works Progress Adminis- 
tration. It calls for the expenditure of $8,900 by the government in salaries 
for the employment of fourteen full-time persons for ten months. The applica- 
tion was submitted to the WPA first district office August 24. We have been 
informed that it has been approved by both the first district office and the 
state office and that it is now in Washington. To date we have had no in- 
formation on Washington's disposition of the plans. Application was made in 
this project for two librarians to continue the work started under the CWA. 
If approved, work will be continued along the same lines as previously sched- 
uled under the other setups. 

LIBRARY 

The library received over three thousand requests for information, the 
greatest number being for Kansas subjects, and next for family history. 
Information was supplied to schools throughout the state on the history of 
their communities, which was a phase of their study in history. This often 
required the compilation and copying of material, and took much time. 

The KERC workers assigned to the library were not trained librarians and 
it was impossible to continue the work of cataloguing and classifying taken 
up the year before. However, much was accomplished in the physical care of 
the library: 8,648 books were relabeled; 4,829 leather-bound volumes were 
oiled to preserve the leather; 280 pamphlets were inclosed in binders; 436 
maps and broadsides were mounted; 150 books and pamphlets were repaired; 
200 pamphlet boxes and 37 adjustable binders were made; 331 pages of 
clippings were pasted, and 6,000 cards cataloguing the biographies in Andreas' 
History of Kansas were typed. 

Under the college-student employment project two Washburn students were 
received. Their work consisted of arranging and filing Kansas supreme court 
briefs, and filing cards in the Library of Congress depository catalogue. 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 57 

SUBJECTS OF RESEARCH 

The limits of this report prevent a detailed statement of the variety and 
number of requests for information received by the Society. The public con- 
siders it the depository of facts and relics pertaining to every conceivable 
subject. We are offered accessions ranging from live, two-headed snakes, as 
was the case only last week, to collections of current newspapers from every 
foreign country, as was the case only last month. To refuse material often 
incurs hostility, but it is obvious that the policy of confining the scope of the 
Society principally within the limits of Kansas and the Mid-west and their 
related subjects is a necessary one. In its field the holdings of the Society 
are not excelled by those of any other state association, and it is a constant 
source of gratification, and often of surprise, to be able to meet the thousands 
of demands for out-of-the-way information. 

The Society is used principally by students and writers of history, newspaper 
men, lawyers, students of genealogy and writers on general subjects. During 
the past year researchers for the Kansas State Planning Board and representa- 
tives of investment companies made much use of the collections for special 
studies. A list of the subjects on which extended research was made include 
the following: Early literature in Kansas; Jotham Meeker; county histories; 
blue-sky legislation; Holladay stage-coach lines; forts of Ford county; early 
missions; Union Pacific Railroad; Jedediah Smith; United States Indian 
Superintendency, St. Louis ; John Brown ; Pony Express ; William Allen White ; 
Cyrus K. Holliday; Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad; Populist uprising; 
primary elections; Kansas Industrial court; John A. Anderson; Cherokee strip; 
early history of telephones in Kansas; early mail routes; Robert J. Walker; 
state agricultural department; population studies; history and development of 
schools in Doniphan county ; histories of academies in Kansas ; Kansas poetry ; 
Methodist Indian missions in Kansas ; James H. Lane ; Baptist church ; Beadle's 
Dime Library; Kansas landmarks; Osawatomie; events in Topeka history for 
cartoons; historic pictures; Indian art. 

PRIVATE MANUSCRIPTS 

In this department 665 manuscripts and 53 manuscript volumes were ac- 
cessioned, in addition to two large collections those given by Miss Bessie 
Boughton and the Rev. J. E. Bartholomew which have not yet been com- 
pletely inventoried. Of particular interest are : 

The papers of Thomas C. Stevens, obtained from Mrs. Frank Mclntire. 
Stevens was at one time a partner of Thomas Carney in the merchandising 
business in Leaven worth. The papers contain some references to this partner- 
ship and cover later business activities of Stevens. Also there are letters and 
telegrams to and from Carney on military matters in Kansas during the period 
1863-1864. An interesting group of papers in the collection is that composed of 
statements of the steamboat Mollie Dozier which plied the Missouri river in 
1865. 

The Elam Batholomew collection containing letters from leading scientists 
in all parts of the country on the subject of fungi. Doctor Bartholomew was 
an authority in this field. For many years he conducted experiments on his 
large farm in Phillips county. In 1929 he became curator of the mycological 
museum at the Fort Hays State College. His death occurred in November 
1934. 



58 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

The collection given by the Wilder S. Metcalf estate containing twenty- 
eight diaries of General Metcalf, three of them covering the period of his 
service in the Spanish-American War. 

The sixteen scrapbooks of John Pierce St. John, governor of Kansas, 1879- 
1883. These contain clippings and letters relating largely to his activities in 
public life. 

The papers of John C. McCoy and Woodson McCoy, a gift of Spencer 
McCoy. In the collection are 158 documents deeds, mortgages, contracts, 
etc. relating to land matters in Jackson county, Mo., and Johnson county. 
Kan., 1836-1905; and account book of the firm of McCoy & Martin, Kansas 
City, Mo., 1847-1848. 

Work done in the manuscripts division by FERA help includes 11,900 
manuscripts chronologized and 1,750 manuscripts cleaned and pressed. 

Donors of manuscripts during the year were: The Rev. J. E. Batholomew, 
George F. Beezley, Bessie Boughton, Mrs. Thomas R. Bowman, James B. 
Brinsmaid, Dr. Edward Bumgardner, Harvey Myers Gary, F. F. Clinger, S. 
N. Dudley, Edward T. Fay, Lulu R. Fuhr, W. W. Gear, I. D. Graham, Mrs. 
Almira Belden Hall, Eusebia Mudge Irish, Mrs. Samuel J. Kelly, Davis Harold 
McCleave, Spencer McCoy, Mrs. Frank Mclntire, the Wilder S. Metcalf estate, 
Martie Millikan, Mrs. Emma Wattles Morse, Erne Parker, Paul Parrish, F. C. 
Penfield, H. C. Raynesford, W. P. Reese, J. C. Ruppenthal, Floyd B. Streeter, 
Harriet Thurman, William Allen White, Wichita City Library, Neale Wright, 
Walker D. Wyman, Lillian Way. 

STATE ARCHIVES 

There were no accessions in this department during the fiscal year. This 
month, however, we received the statistical rolls of the counties for the years 
1924 to 1928 consisting of approximately 8,500 manuscript return books. 
These were prepared under the supervision of the State Board of Agriculture 
and include the decennial state census returns for Kansas, 1925. This is the 
last state census which will be taken, the 1935 legislature having repealed the 
law that provided for it. These returns were received from the Kansas State 
College at Manhattan, where they were used by the federal government in 
estimating farm allotments. According to a recent agreement between the 
Board of Agriculture, the Kansas State College and the Historical Society, all 
statistical rolls in the future will be deposited with the Society after they have 
been used five years by the State College. Heretofore there had been no 
definite agreement as to the permanent disposition of these valuable records. 

NEWSPAPER SECTION 

The usual recommendation was made in our 1934 budget estimate for ade- 
quate shelving for the out-of-Kansas newspaper collection which has been 
stored on boxes and benches in our basement for nearly two decades. The 
state budget director did not include the request in the revised budget he 
submitted to the legislature. Three members of the house ways and means 
committee visited the building, however, saw the need for the shelving, and 
wrote an item for $900 into the appropriation bill to permit the Society to 
make a start toward a proper storage of these newspaper volumes. The 
appropriation was allowed and the fixtures were installed in July of this year. 
Room was provided in these shelves for nearly half of the volumes previously 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 59 

stacked on boxes and benches. KERC workers assisted in the reassembling 
of this collection in the new shelving. 

The 1935 annual List of Kansas Newspapers and Periodicals received by the 
Kansas State Historical Society was published in September. The edition 
listed 741 newspapers and periodicals which were being received regularly for 
filing. Of these, 60 are dailies, 11 semiweeklies, 512 weeklies, 21 fortnightlies, 
15 semimonthlies, two once every three weeks, 73 monthlies, nine bimonthlies, 
23 quarterlies, 12 occasionals, two semiannuals and one annual, coming from 
all the 105 Kansas counties. Of the 741 publications, 181 are listed republican, 
42 democratic, 294 independent of politics, 76 school or college, and 148 mis- 
cellaneous. In this list were included 452 weekly community newspapers. On 
January 1 the collection of Kansas newspapers totaled 42,783 bound volumes. 

Ninety issues of the Squatter Sovereign, Atchison's first newspaper, were 
acquired by the Society in February, one of the most important newspaper 
accessions in recent years. These issues, obtained from Howard F. Kelley, 
of Seattle, Wash., a son of one of the editors of the paper, date from the 
founding of the newspaper on February 3, 1855, to March 3, 1857, and represent 
most of the period during which the Sovereign was proslavery in politics. A 
volume of The Democratic Platform, of Liberty, Mo., dating from March 23 
to October 5, 1854, and a volume of the Herald of Freedom, of Lawrence, from 
January 13, 1855, to February 2, 1856, were also received from Mr. Kelley. 

Included among other newspaper accessions for the year were: The Madi- 
sonian, Washington, D. C., October 12, 1837, to September 21, 1841, from Mrs. 
E. L. Holmes, of Lawrence; Columbus (Miss.) Press, November 1, 1873, to 
April 15, 1876, from Mrs. Hiram Lewis, of Wichita; The National Tribune, 
Washington, D. C., August 20, 1881, to October 4, 1888, from Mr. and Mrs. 
W. R. Carrie, of Topeka; a large assortment of miscellaneous southeast Kan- 
sas newspapers dated in the latter 1870's to 1909, from H. M. Sender, of Kan- 
sas City, Mo.; copies of the Hampden Expositor, July 9, 1864, and The 
Neosho Valley Register, Burlington, January 3, 1860, October 17 and 24, 1861, 
from Mrs. Marian Kent Race, of Chicago, 111.; miscellaneous national agricul- 
tural and livestock journals, 1928 to 1933, from the Kansas State Board of 
Agriculture; miscellaneous newspapers (mostly Kansas) from Mildred Berry, 
of Topeka, Anna Meluish, of Ottawa, and Mrs. E. L. Holmes, of Lawrence. 
Camp newspapers of several Civilian Conservation Corps companies located 
in the state have been furnished the Society by the corps area educational 
adviser of Omaha. 

MUSEUM 

The attendance in the museum for the year ending July 1, 1935, was 30,392. 

Among the interesting accessions of the year were a physician's saddle bag 
belonging to Dr. Charles W. Hardy, of Ottawa, who came to Kansas in 1886 
and used the bag until 1892, when he began using a horse and buggy in his 
country practice. Lloyd Hill, Topeka, gave a censor's stamp which was used 
by officers in censoring soldiers' mail in the 137th (all-Kansas) infantry in 
France. A silver watch which had belonged to the Rev. Isaac McCoy, Baptist 
Indian missionary who came to Kansas in 1829, was donated by his great- 
grandson, Spencer McCoy. 

With the help of two FERA workers much cleaning and renovating was 
done. Five hundred labels and signs were made with pen and brush, seventy- 
nine display cases and more than 30,000 relics were cleaned, a number of 



60 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

pieces of furniture were repaired, many pictures and frames were restored, and 
the contents of three storerooms were cleaned and checked with the records. 
Through the courtesy of Dr. Chas. D. Bunker, of the University of Kansas, the 
birds in one of the largest cases belonging to the Goss collection were repaired 
and cleaned. 

ACCESSIONS 

Total accessions to the Society's collections for the year ending June 30, 
1935, were as follows: 

Library : 

Books (volumes) 1,180 

Pamphlets 5,350 

Magazines (bound volumes) 539 

Archives none 

Printed maps, atlases and charts 160 

Newspapers (bound volumes) 935 

Pictures 185 

Museum objects 20 

Private manuscripts: 

Separate manuscripts 665 

Volumes 53 

These accessions bring the totals in the possession of the Society to the fol- 
lowing figures: 

Books, pamphlets, bound newspapers and magazines 361,066 

Separate manuscripts (archives) 924,795 

Manuscript volumes 27,223 

Manuscript maps 501 

Printed maps, atlases and charts 10,525 

Pictures 15,328 

Museum objects 32,800 

THB QUARTERLY 

The Quarterly, now completing its fourth year, has established itself among 
the leading state historical magazines of the country. The fact that more 
articles are being submitted than can be printed gives the editors a wider 
selection of material and enables them to maintain an increasingly higher 
standard of scholarship. One of the most popular features of the magazine 
is the department headed, "Kansas History as Published in the Press," edited 
by Nyle H. Miller, the Society's newspaper clerk. These items consist of a 
quarterly review of articles on Kansas history appearing in the state's news- 
papers. Heretofore no record of this valuable material had ever been made. 

OLD SHAWNEE METHODIST MISSION 

This property, consisting of twelve acres of ground and three large brick 
buildings now nearly one hundred years old, was purchased by the state in 
1927 at an expense of about $50,000. The caretaker receives a salary of $1,000 
a year and $750 a year is allowed for maintenance. This sum is inadequate, 
but it has been impossible to secure an increase from the legislature. Our 
request for 1936-1937 called for $4,000 a year for maintenance, but it was dis- 
allowed. 

The secretaiy and the state architect prepared a project request for the 
restoration of the north building, calling for an expenditure out of federal 
funds of $30,000. No action was taken on this request by the authorities 
and presumably it was not allowed. Until money can be secured to restore 
this building all that can be done is to prevent further deterioration. 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 61 

There are five organizations cooperating with the Society at the mission: 
the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Colonial Dames, the Daughters 
of American Colonists, the Daughters of 1812 and the Shawnee Mission Indian 
Historical Society. These organizations have done much to improve the east 
building. At their own expense they have repaired and redecorated the 
rooms which were assigned to them. Only a personal inspection can give an 
adequate idea of the debt this Society owes them for this assistance. 

Last summer the unsightly frame garage was torn down and a brick garage 
and workshop was erected in its place. The state architect prepared plans 
which harmonized with the existing buildings and helped to supervise the work 
of construction. Brick from an old building in Olathe were used in an effort 
to match the other buildings. Despite the drought the grounds present a 
better appearance than they have since the state acquired the site. 

FIRST CAPITOL OP KANSAS 

More persons visited the first capitol building than at any time since it was 
restored by the Union Pacific Railroad Co. and placed under the supervision 
of the Historical Society. During the year ending September 30, 1935, there 
were 15,142 visitors, as compared with 6,647 last year and 11,546 the preceding 
year. Approximately forty percent were from other states. 

The 1935 legislature appropriated only $75 a year for the maintenance of 
this building. Last summer it was necessary to repaint the exterior wood- 
work and the box car which the caretaker uses when the weather is cold. This 
exhausted the fund for the year and it will now be necessary to pay mainte- 
nance costs for the balance of the year out of the Society's membership fund. 
The salary of the caretaker, who is required to be in attendance every day, 
including Sundays, was reduced by the legislature of 1933 to $37.50 a month. 
A request for increases in these wholly inadequate appropriations was turned 
down by the 1935 legislature. 

PIKE PAWNEE PARK 

The monument commemorating the visit of Zebulon M. Pike to the Pawnee 
Indian camp at this site in Republic county was blown down during a storm 
in 1934. A bill appropriating $1,600 for its replacement was allowed by the 
1935 legislature. Bids under plans drawn by the state architect were received 
by the Society this month and it is hoped the repairs will be completed within 
the next sixty days. 

LOCAL AND COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETIES 

County historical societies have done good work during the year in gathering 
and preserving historical documents and relics. An exceptional record was 
made by the newly organized Chase County Historical Society. In December 
of 1934 their first meeting was held with 154 charter members. Last July 
they sponsored the first annual picnic of Chase county pioneers and invited 
the secretary to make an address on the work of the state society. More 
than one thousand were in attendance. 

MARKING HISTORIC SITES 

The Society this year began the work of locating all the historic sites in 
Kansas. More than 300 have been tentatively listed, and as soon as possible 
they will be indicated by colored pins on a large mounted map of the state. 
The sites in each county will be numbered, and pins bearing these numbers 



62 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

will appear on the map. A loose-leaf book attached to the map will explain 
the significance of each site. Red pins will indicate that the site is unmarked, 
and yellow pins will show that there is a marker of some kind already in 
place. In this way the map will serve as a progress report of the marking of 
these sites throughout the state. 

The task of erecting markers on the sites must be the duty of the counties 
and communities in which they are located. The Kansas Chamber of Com- 
merce, the Woman's Kansas Day Club and the Kansas department of the 
D. A. R. are cooperating with the Society in encouraging local communities 
and individuals to place suitable tablets or monuments on their sites. When 
a sufficient number have been marked it is hoped that the state highway 
commission will install highway signs directing motorists to the sites. When 
this is done the Kansas Chamber of Commerce expects to publish a map that 
will be a valuable guide to all the places of historic interest in the state. 

This report must not be concluded without an expression of appreciation for 
the services of the members of the staff of this Society. They are uniformly 
courteous, loyal and conscientious. The secretary acknowledges his indebted- 
ness to them for what has been accomplished in the past year. 

Respectfully submitted, 

KIRKB MECHEM, Secretary. 

Upon the conclusion of the reading of the report of the secretary 
it was moved by E. A. Austin that it be approved and accepted. 
Seconded by John S. Dean. Carried. 

The president then called for the report of the treasurer, Mrs. 
Mary Embree, which follows: 

REPORT OF THE TREASURER 

STATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP FEE FUND 
From October 12, 1934, to October 15, 1935 

Balance, October 12, 1934 $486.83 

Treasury bonds bearing 3% percent 3,500.00 

Proceeds from sale of 4% percent Liberty bonds placed in member- 
ship fee fund 2,500.00 

Life membership fees 180.00 

Annual membership dues 161 . 00 

Interest on bonds 277.56 

Refund of money advanced for postage 170 .00 

Refund of overpayment of bills 3 .23 

Postage sent in for Quarterly .25 

Books purchased from the Society 5.00 

Refund to Society of money advanced to pay for clerk hire 21. 00 

Total receipts $7,304.87 

Expenditures : 

Traveling expenses $207. 10 

Extra clerk hire 321 .00 

Purchase of old books, newspapers, etc 185.00 

Subscriptions , 75.75 

Filing reports with secretary of state 2.00 

Flowers . 25.90 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 63 

Miscellaneous expenses $46.25 

Elliott Addressing Machine Co 118.30 

Transferred to State Savings Bank funds which had by mistake 

been deposited in the National Bank of Topeka 20.39 

Balance on contract for painting at First Capitol 14.50 

Gifts to janitors 13.50 

Rent of safe-deposit box 3.30 

Expenses of annual meeting 19.80 

Premium on bonds of secretary and treasurer 10.00 

Money advanced for postage , 247.00 

Premium on treasury notes 24.78 

Total expenditures $1,334 . 57 

Balance, October 15, 1935 5,970.30 

$7,304.87 



Balance consists of 

Treasury bonds $3,500.00 

Cash 2,470.30 

$5,970^30 

JONATHAN PECKER BEQUEST FUND 

Principal, Liberty bonds, $950, exchange for 2% percent treasury 

bonds . $950.00 



Balance, interest, October 12, 1934 $41 . 34 

Interest from October 12, 1934, to October 15, 1935 36.90 

Total amount received $78.24 

Expenditures : 

New Hampshire Historical Society, for vols. 33 and 34 of Pro- 
vincial and State Papers 9.00 

Balance on hand October 15, 1935 $69.24 

JOHN BOOTH BEQUEST FUND 

Principal, Liberty bonds, $500, exchanged for 2% percent treasury 

bonds $500.00 

Balance, interest, October 12, 1934 $0.53 

Interest from October 12, 1934, to October 15, 1935 18.94 

Total amount received $19.47 

No expenditures for the year. 

THOMAS H. BOWLUS FUND 

Principal, Liberty bond for $1,000, converted into treasury bonds bearing 
2% percent. Interest included in membership fund. 

Respectfully submitted, 

MARY EMBREE, Treasurer. 

On motion of F. H. Hodder, seconded by John S. Dean, the treas- 
urer's report was approved. 

The president called for the report of the executive committee. 
In the absence of E. A. Austin, who had been appointed to act for 
the committee, the secretary was asked to read the report: 



64 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

OCTOBBB 15, 1935. 

To the Board oj Directors, Kansas State Historical Society: 

Having been appointed to examine the accounts of the treasurer, I find 
that her accounts agree with the state accountant's report and same is hereby 
approved. EDWIN A. AUSTIN, Member of Executive Committee. 

On motion of J. M. Challiss, seconded by F. H. Hodder, the report 
of the executive committee was approved and accepted. 

In the absence of Mrs. Henry F. Mason, chairman of the nomi- 
nating committee, the report of the committee was read by the secre- 
tary as follows: 

REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE 

OCTOBER 15, 1935. 
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 president, F. H. Hodder,' Lawrence ; first vice-president, E. E. Kelley, 
Garden City; second vice-president, E. A. Austin, Topeka. 

Respectfully submitted, 
MRS. HENRY F. MASON, 
JAMES C. MALIN, 
ISABELLE C. HARVEY, 
ERNEST A. RYAN, Committee. 

On motion of Thomas A. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Flora I. Godsey, 
the report of the nominating committee was accepted. 

There being no further business for the board of directors, the 
meeting adjourned. 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 65 

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY 

The annual meeting of the Kansas State Historical Society con- 
vened at 2 o'clock p. m. The meeting was called to order by the 
president. 

The secretary read telegrams and letters from members who were 
unable to be present. 

Thomas F. Doran gave the annual address of the president, which 
follows : 

ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT 

I wish to thank the Kansas State Historical Society for permitting me to 
act as its president during the year now closing. I would indeed be lacking 
in gratitude should I fail to express my appreciation of the distinct honor 
thus conferred upon me. 

The territory now comprising our state was carved from the plains sloping 
eastward from the Rocky Mountains, formerly known as the Great American 
desert. I fear that it is still so considered by many untutored people living 
east of the Allegheny mountains who read only the headlines of the daily 
papers, magnifying blizzards, grasshoppers, drought and dust storms, forgetting 
that their daily bread comes largely from the wheat fields of Kansas and that 
a substantial portion of their best beef and pork comes from the feed lots 
and pastures of this state. 

Until the first half of the nineteenth century, this land had been inhabited 
by Indians and by countless millions of buffalo, deer, antelope and other wild 
life, furnishing a happy hunting ground for these nomadic tribes who pitched 
their tents in its wooded valleys and roamed its boundless prairies at will. 
However, about the middle of the last century trappers, adventurers and 
pioneer settlers seeking homes, drifted into this plethoric but untried land. 
They began the struggle, encountered by all pioneers, against the loneliness 
and deprivations of the wilderness and the desert; against the brassy skies, 
burning droughts and hot winds of summer; against the blizzards and bleak 
and dreary death of winter; and, both winter and summer, living in terror 
of attacks from savage Indians. 

The trials of such a life can be comprehended only by those who have 
endured its bitterness and enjoyed its luxuries. The freedom and charm of 
such a life lured the pioneer and gave him a feeling of independence and 
happiness found nowhere else on earth. Its memory is his heritage. 

Kansas came into existence as one of the United States in 1861. Its birth 
was almost coincident with the beginning of the greatest and most sanguinary 
civil war of all history. 

The admission of Kansas into the Union and the Civil War followed a bitter 
and bloody border war between the forces and factions of slavery from the 
South and the forces and factions of antislavery from the North. They met 
along the border line between Missouri and Kansas in their struggle to deter- 
mine by squatter sovereignty whether this state should be free or slave. 

The geographical location of Kansas and the character and conflicting ideas 
of its pioneer settlers made it the pivotal point of conflict between the North 
and South over the extension of slavery. The record of the struggles and 

51937 



66 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

tragedies of the period of the Kansas-Missouri border war presents one of the 
most absorbing and thrilling chapters of our nation's history. 

The names of John Brown, James Montgomery, James H. Lane, George W. 
Brown, Gaius Jenkins, Charles Robinson, William A. Phillips, Amos A. Law- 
rence, Eli Thayer, and countless other Abolitionists from the North, with 
David R. Atchison, Benjamin F. Stringfellow, the Andersons, George W. Clarke, 
and C. A. Hamelton, leader in the cold-blooded massacre of eleven Free- 
State settlers on the Marais des Cygnes; the massacre of five Proslavery 
settlers at Dutch Henry's crossing of the Pottawatomie by John Brown; the 
marauding bands known as the "Jayhawkers," the "Red Legs" and "Bush- 
whackers"; the Battles of Blackjack, Hickory Point, Osawatomie, and a score 
of others, and in 1863 the burning of Lawrence by Quantrill and his men all 
these incidents of the Border War bring up a flood of historic memories so 
thrilling and tragic as to constitute a story of real life unequalled in fiction. 
This often written and rewritten story is preserved in many forms in the 
records of this Society and should be read by all who are not familiar with it. 

Following the Civil War came the building of our state, physically and 
politically. We started with the ox wagon. We now have stream-line railroad 
trains, automobiles and airplanes. In the beginning, our folks had to travel 
six miles on foot to summon a doctor. There were no telephones. We now 
have telephones and radios in almost every home. In those early days, the 
mention of a radio would have been a just cause for the execution of the 
mentioner as a witch. 

In the development of this state, there have been seasons of drought and 
seasons of flood; years of famine and years of abundance. We have tried 
Republicans and Democrats; Pops and pretenders; rags and riches; Jerry 
Simpson and Mary Ellen Lease; poverty and Peffer. We tried whisky in the 
original package and then fell for absolute prohibition. Violations of this law 
were rigidly prosecuted for a generation, aided by Carrie Nation and her 
hatchet, but, despite our efforts to redeem the world from sin, a few fallen 
Kansans still indulge in an occasional glass of 3.2 beer. 

Through the cycle of the seasons, Kansas always has produced, and always 
will produce, an abundance. Indeed, the present federal administration says 
we produce too much, and is now paying us fabulous sums of money for what 
we could, but are forbidden to, produce. We are told that scarcity of products 
will give us abundance, and that poverty will make us rich; that prosperity 
and happiness are found, not in economy and thrift, but in extravagance and 
debt. Senator Ingalls once said: "Kansas can come nearer going to Hell than 
any country on earth, and then redeem itself." It may even recover from this. 

We are anxious to learn, however, what Alf Landon will do if and when he 
becomes President of the United States. His slogan now is: "Balance the 
budget and don't spend what you haven't got." 

What is the answer? We are just sticking around to find out. The His- 
torical Society is keeping the minutes and will correctly record the result. 

Following the reading of his address, the president called upon 
the secretary to introduce W. R. Honnell, of Kansas City, who spoke 
on the 'Tony Express." 

In his introduction Mr. Mechem said: 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 67 

Mr. Honnell used to live in a neighborhood on the route of the Pony 
Express. For the past several years he has been collecting data for the 
preparation of this map which we have on display here. You will note that it 
traces the entire route covered by the Pony Express, gives the names of rid*rs, 
locates all the stations and gives other pertinent information. This map Mas 
been in such demand since Mr. Honnell prepared it that he has already been 
repaid for the many hours he spent in research. He has made a most valuable 
contribution to the recorded history of one of the most romantic phases of 
the story of Kansas. It gives me pleasure to introduce Mr. Honnell. 

THE PONY EXPRESS 

I am not indifferent for the invitation and this opportunity of speaking to 
this group of men and women representing the intellectuals of Kansas. I am 
especially pleased with my place on the program just before Tom McNeal, for 
I know you will all stay to hear his address on "The Governors of Kansas," 
and you might all leave when he had finished. 

In northeastern Kansas twenty-five miles west of the Missouri river is the 
location of one of the lost towns of Kansas; a town that in the territorial 
days was known from the Missouri river to the Rocky Mountains. It derived 
its name from an Indian who was known as Kennekuk, for many years chief 
of the Kickapoo tribe of Indians. At this town three overland trails came 
together a stagecoach and Pony Express trail from St. Joseph, Mo.; an 
overland freighting and stagecoach road from Atchison; and a military road 
from Fort Leavenworth over which Gen. Sidney Johnston moved an army 
of 5,000 soldiers in 1857 to quell the Mormon uprising in Utah. There were 
located here at this time a United States Indian agency for the Kickapoo tribe 
of Indians; an Indian mission, at which my parents were married in 1855; two 
rather commodious hotels, a large livery barn, a blacksmith shop, a wagon 
shop, two stores, and a post office. It is said that Abraham Lincoln stayed 
all night at the Baldwin House when he visited Kansas in December, 1859, 
so you see that Kennekuk was a place of some historical importance besides 
the fact that I was born there. 

On New Year's day I received an invitation from an old Kennekuk Anti- 
Horse Thief Association to speak at a celebration of the seventy-fifth an- 
niversary of the Pony Express. This association has degenerated from its 
former noble purpose of holding necktie parties into an old settlers' reunion. 
At this meeting were a number of people from Kansas City, Mo., among whom 
was Ben Majors, a son of Alexander Majors, who, with his associates, built and 
operated the Pony Express. He is ninety years of age, and he brought with 
him some of the original records kept by the Pony Express officials. I was 
interested in reading from a printed page the rules and regulations governing 
the conduct of their employees which said that they must not drink, swear, 
quarrel, or fight with other employees of the company. 

Mr. Majors now lives on the state line in a rather palatial old home built 
by his father in 1855. It has seven fireplaces and seven gables. Mr. Majors 
frequently crossed the plains with the overland freight trains of his father, 
and was present when the golden spike was driven into the makgany tie 
that linked the eastern and western divisions of the Union Pacific. 

There are three things that make a nation great fertile soil, busy work- 



68 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

shops, and easy means of transportation for men and goods. The years 
preceding and those immediately following the Civil War were the years of 
the greatest activity in transportation, and no means of transportation was 
more romantic or more spectacular than the Pony Express which carried the 
mail on horseback from St. Joseph, Mo., to Sacramento City, Cal., a distance 
of 2,000 miles on a schedule of ten days. This reduced the time of the 
Butterfield stagecoaches through the south, and the Overland stagecoaches 
through the north by more than one half. At this time there were more than 
half a million people west of the Rocky Mountains isolated from all com- 
munication under thirty days, which brought about the demand and necessity 
for the Pony Express. It was a privately owned concern, built and operated 
by Russell, Majors & Waddell, one of the most outstanding firms of their 
day, at an expense of $750,000. No firm had a higher or more deserved reputa- 
tion for integrity in the fulfillment of their contracts. It operated eighteen 
months, and the total receipts did not exceed $500,000. 

On this trail there were 190 stations on an average of ten or twelve miles 
apart. It took approximately 450 horses, and 400 station keepers and helpers, 
of which 80 were riders, 40 always going east, and 40 always going west. All 
the equipment, supplies, grain and food had to be transported from the 
Missouri river to the various stations by ox teams. Hay cost from fifty to 
eighty dollars per ton, and grain cost from ten to twenty-five cents a pound. 
The charge for carrying mail was five dollars per one half ounce, so there 
weren't many love letters written at that time. The riders were chosen with 
the greatest care from among young lads reared on the frontier, and known 
to be expert horsemen, capable of thinking and acting quickly in moments of 
great personal danger. Their mounts were selected with no less care than 
the riders. Most of them were cayuses and bronchos, the same breed of 
horses only under a different name a distinction without a difference. They 
were descendants from the horses brought to this country by Cortez and 
Coronado, and their ancestors grazed on the steppes of Arabia. They were 
clean of limb, deep of chest, and outlaws in disposition, and had to be broken 
each time they were ridden. 

These horses were the fleetest mounts the company could buy, and were 
well groomed and cared for, thus giving the rider an advantage over the 
Redskins, with their horses that subsisted entirely upon the grass. The horses 
of the Redskins could not maintain a long pursuit, and would soon be out- 
distanced by the company's horses. The riders were instructed to outrun the 
Indians wherever possible, and only give battle where there was no other 
alternative. Each rider was armed, usually carrying two revolvers, a knife 
and extra cartridges. The whole equipment, including saddle and bridle, did 
not exceed thirteen pounds. They carried the mail in what was known as a 
"mochila," which was a leather blanket about four feet square, to which were 
sewed four small mail sacks about nine by twelve inches. Two of these 
were in front of the rider's legs and two behind, so he was always sitting upon 
his mail sack. 

When arriving at a station the rider found his change of mount ready and 
waiting. He quickly changed his mail sack to the fresh horse, and was on 
his way. These riders received salaries ranging from $80 to $125 per month, 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 69 

and the station keepers and helpers received from $50 to $100 per month, 
including their board. 

Alex Carlisle was the first rider out of St. Joseph, Mo. He was a con- 
sumptive and the pace was too much for him, so he soon resigned. The next 
rider was Johnnie Frye, who was a little Irish boy raised in Buchanan county, 
Missouri. He was an expert horseman before he entered this greatest school 
of horsemanship. The third station west of St. Joseph was Cold Springs ranch, 
kept by a homesteader who had three daughters, young, good-looking and 
vivacious. They would bake cookies, pie, and good things to eat and hand 
them to Johnnie Frye when he went by. They say Johnnie, on his three days' 
lay-over, used to go out to Cold Springs ranch to fish (I suppose that's what 
he went for). These girls were engaged in making a log-cabin quilt, and they 
desired to have Johnnie's red necktie to use as a pattern in their quilt. But 
Johnnie declined to accommodate them. Then the oldest girl, who was a 
good horsewoman, decided she would waylay Johnnie, and with her fresh horse 
ride along the trail beside him and grab his red necktie. After a few efforts, 
she was unsuccessful, and Johnnie's horse began to show greater speed than 
hers, so she made a last lunge at the necktie, and tore off a part of Johnnie's 
shirt. If you would visit today the descendants of this romantic girl, they 
would take great pleasure and delight in showing you the old log-cabin quilt, 
and indicating that a certain pattern was a part of Johnnie Frye's shirt tail. 

Among the more famous riders of this trail was Jack Keetley, who rode 
from Rock Creek, the first station in Nebraska, to St. Joseph, Mo., and then 
doubled back to Rock Creek and returned to Seneca, without taking time out. 
He covered more than three hundred miles of continuous riding. Another 
rider by the name of Jim Moore rode from Midway station in Nebraska to 
Old Julesburg in the northeast corner of Colorado, and returned to Midway, 
covering a distance of 280 miles. 

One of the longest authenticated rides was made by "Buffalo Bill," whose 
regular run was from Red Butte to Three Crossings, in Wyoming. When he 
arrived at Three Crossings the rider who should have taken the mail west had 
been killed, and the division superintendent sent him on to Rock Ridge, 85 
miles farther. This rider who should have returned with the mail had gone out 
hunting during his lay-over and the Indians had raised his hair, so "Buffalo 
Bill" had to double back to Red Butte, a distance of 322 miles without rest, 
through a very rough, lonely and dangerous region. 

Another of the old pioneers in this western country, who was in the employ 
of the Pony Express, was "Wild Bill" Hickok, who had charge of the station 
at Rock Creek, Neb. During the time he worked there he and his helper 
engaged in a fight with one of the local bad men and his associates, and are 
alleged to have killed four of them. They were tried for murder, but were 
later acquitted. Hickok was a remarkable marksman, and is alleged to have 
already killed forty-three men when he was appointed marshal of Abilene, 
these killings, however, being in the line of duty. 

Another interesting story concerning "Buffalo Bill" was this: On one of 
his rides he had to carry a large amount of money, and being fully aware that 
numerous outlaws and thieves lurked in the region through which he had to 
pass, this courageous rider used two "mochilas," placing the one containing 
the valuables under his saddle, and the other, containing nothing but worth- 



70 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

less paper, over the saddle. After he had gone but a few miles, two men 
jumped out from ambush and demanded the sack, covering him with their 
guns. "Buffalo Bill" gave them the worthless sack, and as they relaxed their 
watch on him, he shot and killed one of the men and the other ran away. 
He got back the other "mochila," although its contents were valueless. 

There are many others who performed feats of great courage and endurance 
in getting the mail through on time, which had become to these young riders 
a religious duty. 

Some of the beneficial results of this romantic and thrilling enterprise are 
as follows. It saved California to the Union, and proved that a line of com- 
munication could be maintained during all seasons of the year from the Mis- 
souri river to the Pacific coast. It encouraged the building of a telegraph line 
and hastened the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad. 

The Pony Express started on the evening of the third of April, 1860, from 
St. Joseph, Mo., going west, and from Sacramento, Cal., going east. It con- 
tinued until the completion of a telegraph line eighteen months later, which 
put the Pony Express out of business, for as swift as they were, they were 
not able to compete with lightning. This romantic and spectacular event in 
the early transportation and development of the great new West has increased 
in interest through the passing years. Having been born and reared on this 
trail, I have always had a sympathetic interest in its events, which led me to 
endeavor to reproduce this trail on a map, 24" x 48". This map gives the 
names of all the riders, alphabetically arranged, practically all of the 190 
stations, as well as the Oregon trail from South Pass to the Northwest. It 
shows numerous illustrated incidents of the trail and a correct location of the 
Santa Fe trail as taken from the original survey by the government in 1825. 
Their field notes say that they crossed into Kansas nine miles south of where 
the Kaw river empties into the Missouri river. The map shows the location 
of Council Grove, Fort Zarah, Fort Dodge, Cimarron crossing, Bent's fort, 
and old Pawnee Rock, the cornerstone of many of the tragedies of the plains. 
Many of the public schools, libraries, universities and historical societies have 
availed themselves of this map for the information it contains. 

These ponies and their riders were the air mail of 1860 and 1861. They 
traveled 650,000 miles, or twenty-six times around the world. They rendered 
faithful service to the people on the far Pacific coast, bringing them tidings 
from their friends and loved ones far away; tidings of the nation's struggle 
for freedom, and of battles won and battles lost. 

Like a weaver's shuttle, they glided to and fro until the task was done. 
Through winter and summer, sunshine and storm, day and night, they pressed 
on across swollen streams, wind-swept plains, and desert waste, through warring 
bands of blood-thirsty savages, renegade outlaws, stampeding herds of buffaloes, 
and droves of hungry coyotes, the ghouls of the prairie, always seeking whom 
they might devour. On they went, through the dark and stormy nights, with- 
out even a friendly star to guide them on their lonely way, singing their love 
songs to the rhythm of their galloping ponies, with the ever-present danger 
of their ponies stepping into badger holes or prairie dog dens, throwing both 
horse and rider, often crippling the ponies. Then it became the painful duty 
of the rider to dispatch his pony as a friendly act, rather than to leave him to 
be devoured alive by the hungry coyotes. Quickly removing his "mochila" 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 71 

containing its precious burden, he trudged on afoot to the next station where a 
fresh mount sent the mail on towards its destination. 

When the full-blooded Indian historian writes the story of the swift decline 
of his people and of the civilization that he loved and was centuries in build- 
ing, he will date it from the advent of the Pony Express and the completion 
of the telegraph line and the Union Pacific Railroad. 

The principal address was made by Thomas A. McNeal, of 
Topeka. He was introduced by President Doran, who said: 

Now, members and friends, I wouldn't be unkind enough to our preceding 
speaker to say that the best always comes last, but we have with us the 
greatest reporter and finest story-teller in Kansas, and probably the most be- 
loved citizen of our great commonwealth. I know that is a very broad state- 
ment, but had you been with us last night, with the other gentlemen who 
attended the eighty-second birthday meeting held in honor of the next speaker, 
you would realize the truth of what I have just said. 

I am now living on borrowed time. The Scriptural span of life, which would 
have ended my career three years ago, has passed, and in all that time I have 
never seen such whole-hearted, honest and moving tribute paid to any man 
as was paid to the next speaker at that meeting. I want to say to him that, 
like Cleopatra, "age cannot wither him, nor custom stale, his infinite variety." 

It is with the greatest pleasure that I introduce to you our most wonderful 
story-teller, greatest writer, and most beloved and honored citizen, Tom A. 
McNeal. 

THE GOVERNORS OF KANSAS 

According to the old theological concept you can divide humanity into two 
groups the sheep and the goats, yet I have known quite a lot of goats who 
got mixed in with the sheep, and a few sheep who were mingled with the goats. 
No man I have ever known was absolutely honest, and, on the other hand, 
while I have known a number of damned scoundrels, I knew none who was 
wholly dishonest. I have never known any man who was wholly truthful, 
nor any man who was entirely a liar. There is no such thing as living up to 
an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Nobody 
ever did that on all occasions and under all circumstances and if he did he 
would be a damned fool, and would very likely get himself into a lot of trouble. 

I was put down on your program to talk on "Governors of Kansas." 

Now, I don't know that there is so very much inspiration or interest in that 
particular subject, but it so happens that I have met, shaken hands with and 
talked a little with every governor of the state of Kansas. It happened in this 
way. In 1886, Kansas held a twenty-fifth anniversary celebration of the 
admission of Kansas into the Union. Gov. John A. Martin was then the chief 
executive. All the governors who had served up to that time were still alive. 
They met here in Topeka, and I happened to be in Topeka as a member of 
the legislature, so I met all of these governors, and I have known all of the 
governors serving since that time. 

The first governor of Kansas was Charles Robinson. He was born in the 
state of Massachusetts in 1818, was educated to be a doctor, but his eyes failed 
him and he was terribly discouraged thought his life was going to be a failure. 
In 1849 there was tremendous excitement throughout the country, because a 



72 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

miller by the name of Sutter discovered gold in his mill race near Sacramento, 
Cal. Immediately men of all classes and conditions began a race toward that 
land of promise, hoping to get a share of the precious yellow metal. They 
went by horseback, by boat, by wagon, and by stage ; some crossed the Rocky 
Mountains and some sailed around Cape Horn. Many of them died, but a 
good many of them got to California, and so Doctor Robinson decided he 
would go to California. 

He took what was the easiest but the longest way 'round, going by boat 
around Cape Horn to San Francisco. When he arrived at San Francisco a 
marvelous physical change had taken place in Doctor Robinson. He had 
gained much weight, and being a large man, standing about 6 feet, 2 inches in 
height, he was really a magnificent looking fellow. 

In fact, he had changed almost as much on that sea voyage as did an old 
man I heard of who came out to Kansas, and let our wonderful climate work 
on him. I am going to relate that particular instance because it shows what 
Kansas can do. 

There was an old gentleman in my native state who was ninety years of 
age; he had lost his sight, couldn't hear any too well, had lost all of his teeth, 
and didn't have enough hair left to make a collarette for a katydid. He had 
the rheumatism terribly bad, in fact he was stove up in every way, shape and 
form. He had a son who had settled out in western Kansas, and the old man 
took a notion that he would like to see his son before he died, and, as the 
old man had considerable property, the son was rather anxious to see him 
before he died. Well, the old man went out to see his son, and his people 
began to hear from him. In six months he had entirely recovered from his 
rheumatism, and in a year he had recovered his hearing and eyesight, and 
raised a new set of teeth, had a new crop of hair, and had joined the Boy 
Scouts, and a year and a half later had become the most proficient buck and 
wing dancer in the whole country roundabout. Then his folks didn't hear from 
him any more, and the son had apparently moved away from there, so they 
wrote to the postmaster, and asked him to tell them what had become of old 
man Badger. The postmaster answered that he regretted to tell them that the 
old man was dead. He had gone out with the Boy Scouts and taken an active 
part in most of their youthful sports, had contracted infantile paralysis and 
died as a result. 

Going back to Doctor Robinson; when he arrived there it was to find that 
there was almost a war going on in California. The lands there were held 
almost altogether under Spanish grants. And all this influx of gold seekers 
took gold digging without having leases from those holding the land, and went 
to digging gold, or panning rather than digging. The authorities of California 
tried to arrest these squatters; to eject them from their diggings. Doctor 
Robinson joined the squatters, led them against those who sought to eject 
them, and there was a battle. So, while the landholders had a semblance of 
authority, they could not enforce it, but they indicted our first governor for 
treason. He stayed there for two or three years, and then went back home, 
where he became interested in any question arising which appealed to his sense 
of adventure. About that time there was a tremendous struggle going on be- 
tween the forces of freedom and slavery. Massachusetts had an emigrant aid 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 73 

society, and he entered heart and soul into the struggle which was eventually 
to lead to the Civil War. 

He came to Kansas, with his young wife, in 1854, and became a leader in 
that movement. He was a natural born leader, but the forces of slavery were 
too strong for him, and so again Doctor Robinson was arrested, charged with 
treason, put in jail at Lecompton, and kept there for, I think, four months. 
He regained his freedom when there came a change in the administration, the 
Free State forces having the upper hand. 

Then came the Wyandotte constitutional convention, with its constitution, 
still our constitution, which was ratified by a considerable majority of the 
citizens of Kansas. This seemed to be admitted at Washington to be a fair 
election, but Kansas was not yet admitted to the Union. The Southern 
senators had not withdrawn from the senate, and they did not propose to 
ratify the admission of a free state into the Union, so Kansas was left hanging 
in the air. An election had been called under this new constitution, and Gover- 
nor Robinson was the first governor elected. He was elected for a two-year 
term, but it was almost a year before the Southern senators got out of the 
senate. Buchanan was still sitting in the presidential chair, apparently not 
knowing what to do. I never believed that James Buchanan was a traitor to 
his country, but he might just as well have been, so far as results were con- 
cerned. 

On the 29th day of January, 1861, Kansas was made a state. Robinson had 
been elected more than a year before that time, but when the word came 
from Washington that Kansas was finally admitted to the Union, he, as gover- 
nor, called the legislature into session on the 26th day of March, 1861. Already 
the skies were overcast with the dark clouds of war. On account of this delay 
in taking the oath of office by Governor Robinson, there resulted one of the 
first and greatest cases in our supreme court. It was claimed that his term 
had expired at the close of the two-year term for which he was elected, 
although he had not actually been inducted into office until more than a year 
after his election. The case was decided in favor of Robinson, and he served 
out his full two years. He had trouble all the time. There was the Robinson 
faction and the Lane faction. The state was poor, and bonds were issued with 
a provision that they were not to be sold for less than eighty cents on the 
dollar. It was claimed that the governor, secretary of state, also named 
Robinson, through a man named Stevens, and the state auditor sold these 
bonds for about fifty cents on the dollar defrauding the state out of thousands 
of dollars. It finally resulted in the impeachment of the governor, the secre- 
tary of state, and the auditor. 

One of the members of the committee on impeachment became the second 
governor of Kansas. They were all tried before the senate. Robinson was 
acquitted on all counts. The secretary of state and auditor were convicted, but 
these proceedings ruined Robinson's career, so in 1863 a groceryman named 
Thomas Carney, more often called Tom Carney, became governor. He was 
born in my own state of Ohio in 1827. There was nothing striking about him. 
I guess he was a pretty good business man. His administration was troublous, 
of course, but along with his many enemies he had many friends. He tried 
to be renominated but failed, and in 1865 Samuel J. Crawford became the 
third governor of Kansas. 



74 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

He was born on the 15th day of April, 1835, and came to Kansas in 1858 
settling at Garnett. When the war broke out he became a captain in the 
Second Kansas infantry, and fought with Lyon at Wilson's creek. He was a 
great soldier, and his book, Kansas in the Sixties, would indicate that he had 
a fine sense of military strategy. He was afterwards commissioned colonel of 
the U. S. Eighty-third Colored infantry. At that time it was a very unpopular 
thing for a white man to officer a colored regiment. The South had raised the 
black flag against them, and issued an order that no quarter was to be given 
to officers or men of colored regiments. When Colonel Crawford learned of 
that order it so happened that he had captured quite a number of officers 
belonging to the Southern army. He sent word to General Hindman, of the 
Southern army, saying, "I wish to respectfully tell you that I have (I have 
forgotten how many) men and officers of your command here as my prisoners, 
and unless that order that no quarter be given officers or men of colored 
regiments is rescinded, I intend to stand these men up and shoot them." 

These officers and men didn't want to be shot; the Southern army didn't 
want these prisoners shot, and after a great deal of blustering, the order of 
no quarter was canceled. It was said that Governor Crawford had the best 
trained regiment in the western army. How true that was I do not know. 

Came 1864, and the country was still in a state of war. In the fall of that 
year, September, the time was approaching for the election of another gover- 
nor. The war was pretty nearly over, and without his solicitation, possibly 
without his knowledge, Colonel Crawford was nominated by the Republicans 
for governor, and was elected in the fall of 1864, as the third governor of 
Kansas. He was the youngest governor that ever served in this state, being 
only twenty-nine years of age. 

He was a magnificent looking soldier; a man of great courage and in- 
telligence. The state was in a chaotic state financially, the people were poor; 
few crops had been raised, hardly more than enough to keep the people alive. 
Annies had marched across the state cleaning up everything as they went; 
in addition to that, heretofore peaceful tribes of Indians went on the warpath, 
with the result that more than 100 peaceful citizens in western Kansas were 
slaughtered in a most barbarous manner. The war was not yet over, and 
as I have said, the state was poor and ravaged, and yet out of it all Governor 
Crawford must be given credit for laying the foundation of all the great 
institutions of the state which have become so efficient and powerful in Kansas. 
He founded the university, the penitentiary, and the beginnings of our great 
agricultural college. In addition to that he did a great work in bringing peace 
to the border. He was continually after the government to help him to bring 
about peace. Sherman and Sheridan helped him, and he gave himself heart 
and soul to bringing about peace between the Indians and settlers. 

In 1868, near the close of his second term, he resigned to take the position 
of colonel of the Nineteenth Kansas and led it to the border in one of the 
most thrilling campaigns ever made. Governor Crawford always felt that he 
was not given the credit he should have had for bringing an end to the Indian 
troubles, and in the calling of the great peace council, near where my old 
town of Medicine Lodge was afterward located, where 15,000 Indians gathered, 
all full of hostility and treachery. The story goes, and I suppose it is true, 
that Governor Crawford noticed that the Indians far outnumbered the govern- 
ment troops and he didn't like the way the Indians were behaving. He sug- 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 75 

gested that the whole command form a hollow square as the best means of 
repelling any attack, and that when the Indians saw that they decided they 
wouldn't try to attack. 

Along with Crawford there was elected a Methodist, or he may have been 
a Presbyterian, preacher named Nehemiah Green, as lieutenant governor. 
You know people do not pay much attention to a lieutenant governor hardly 
anybody knows who he is. I once asked one of our former lieutenant gover- 
nors whether he had heard about that mysterious case near Buffalo, N. Y., and 
he said he hadn't, so I said, "Well, they found a man dead up there, and they 
couldn't find a thing upon him to identify him, so they said that probably he 
was a lieutenant governor of some state." I think he didn't like that story 
a bit. 

That was the only case in Kansas where a lieutenant governor became a 
governor during the term of the man who was elected governor, and he was 
the only preacher who became a governor. 

After him came James M. Harvey. He was elected in that year, 1868. He 
served four years, and then he was elected to the United States senate. He 
was the first governor to go from the governor's chair to the United States 
senate. He stayed there three years and then he was knocked out by Senator 
Plumb, who served about seventeen years. 

Governor Harvey was born, I think, in the state of Virginia. He was a 
farmer and lived, I believe, in Riley county. He was succeeded by Thomas 
A. Osborn, who was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1836. He moved to 
Doniphan county and was elected to the state senate from there. I don't know 
how he got into Leavenworth, but he was there in 1872. He served for four 
years as governor, and was succeeded by George T. Anthony. Anthony had 
everything that it takes to make a great governor except diplomacy and tact. 
He was a man of great ability. I loved him. He was one of the greatest men 
I ever knew, but he would offend a politician by too plain speech. The result 
was that he served only one term. He was born in New York in 1824. He 
served two years and then his enemies, led by his own. cousin, Col. Dan 
Anthony, defeated him for renomination. There was a bitter feud between 
these two powerful cousins. They hated each other as long as they lived, and 
how much longer I don't know, but anyway they hated each other. Col. Dan 
Anthony, as editor of the Leavenworth Times, marshalled his forces for John 
A. Martin, but he didn't have quite enough force to succeed in getting the 
nomination, so George T. Anthony, after battling for several days, threw his 
influence behind John P. St. John and nominated him. 

Then started a new page in the history of the state. John P. St. John was 
called by his enemies "the man with the painted mustache." He had what was 
called a walrus mustache and they claimed he dyed it. Maybe he did. It 
was his mustache and I suppose it was his right and privilege to dye it if he 
wanted to. He was a stalwart, rugged man, six feet or more in height, and a 
man of great courage and uprightness. He had a son who had been ruined 
by liquor and he was bitterly opposed to its sale. 

He intended when he took the governor's chair to seek the strengthening 
of the liquor law, but did not ask for constitutional prohibition. His enemies 
thought they could checkmate him by proposing a prohibitory amendment to 
the constitution, passed the resolution in the senate but expected to defeat it 



76 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

in the house. They didn't think that the people would vote for a prohibition 
amendment if submitted, nor did they believe that the lower house of the 
legislature would vote to submit such an amendment to a vote of the people. 
They were fooled on both counts. After an intense campaign, John P. St. John 
was reflected as governor, and the liquor amendment carried by about 8,000 
majority, so St. John became the head of the prohibition movement, not only 
in Kansas, but in the United States. The bolt that had been . launched to 
kill his political career was like a boomerang in its reaction on his enemies. 
However, he had raised up a mighty flock of enemies and they were not idle. 
When St. John was foolish enough to aspire to a third term they raised the 
cry of usurpation claimed that he was disrupting the state, with the con- 
sequence that George W. Glick became the first Democratic governor of 
Kansas. 

Glick served two years and then the state swung back to the Republican 
party, and John A. Martin achieved the ambition of his life by being elected 
governor. He was secretary of the Wyandotte convention when only twenty 
years of age. When the war broke out he became the colonel of the Eighth 
Kansas infantry, and made a magnificent record in the war. He was only 
twenty-two years old when he and his regiment made a record at Chickamauga, 
and in many other battles he proved his valor and courage as a soldier and 
leader of men. When he became governor he rather leaned to the anti- 
prohibition side, but before he got through with his four years of service he 
was one of the most intense prohibitionists I ever saw. He always felt, how- 
ever, a little disappointed; he felt that he was through that life was over 
for him. He had tasted the intoxicating wine of power and life seemed very 
flat and tasteless afterwards. I think he died long before his time, as he was a 
comparatively young man. 

He was succeeded by a lawyer from Independence, Lyman U. Humphrey, 
elected by a large majority, about 80,000. Before he got through his first term 
it was nip and tuck whether he would ever get a second term, and his enemies 
claimed that tuck had it. Humphrey was reflected by a small plurality. The 
first governor of Kansas, Charles Robinson, had left his party and became the 
leader of the independent party which called themselves the "Free Silver and 
Anti-Prohibition Party." He was nominated for governor by a coalition of 
antiprohibition Republicans and Democrats who wouldn't go with the Populists. 
He received about 90,000 votes, most of which would have gone to Willets, so 
Humphrey was reelected. 

To show you how complete was the political revolution of 1890, in 1889 
there were not enough Democrats to hold a caucus in the lower house of the 
legislature and two years afterwards there were hardly enough Republicans left 
in the lower house to hold a caucus. The house was overwhelmingly Populist. 
In 1892 L. D. Lewelling, a school teacher from Iowa, was elected governor by 
a small majority. Then came the legislative war when the question was raised 
as to whether we had a Populist legislature under the rule of J. M. Dunsmore 
or a Republican legislature under the rule of George L. Douglass of Wichita. 
Well, that is all history and you know that eventually the "Bald Hornet" 
Dunsmore and his crowd were ousted. 

In 1894 the Republicans nominated Edmund N. Morrill, of Hiawatha. He 
was born in Maine in 1834, and was a fine man, but he lacked the chief quali- 
fication for a governor, he couldn't say no. A man would come to him and 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 77 

ask for a job, and he would put his arm around his shoulder and tell him that 
he was a mighty good fellow and he didn't know any one he would rather 
give a job to than him. And the man would go away, sure that he had it, 
and the next day he would learn that some one else had the job. Well, of 
course, Morrill got to be known as something of a hypocrite, and although 
most of us are hypocrites to some extent, we don't like the other fellow to 
be one. So the result was that the governorship in 1896 was in the name of 
John W. Leedy, of Coffey county. He was nominated for governor at the 
Abilene convention and one of our most eloquent speakers of that day, Ed. C. 
Little, made a stirring speech pledging his support after the manner of Ruth 
to her mother-in-law, "Whither Thou goest I will go ; where Thou liest I will 
lie; Thy people shall be my people and where Thou diest there will I be 
buried." However, Ed didn't lie with the Populists very long and I know he 
didn't die with them. John W. Leedy served two years and was defeated by 
W. E. Stanley, of Wichita. He was a fine chap, able to trim his sails and make 
himself popular with the church people and with the politicians, better than 
any other man I have known. He could talk to the Sunday schools and they 
believed he was a prohibitionist, and when he spoke officially he kept on both 
sides of the question. 

Following him came Willis J. Bailey. After serving two years Bailey was 
defeated for renomination by a newspaperman, E. W. Hoch, who was a native 
of Kentucky, born in 1849. I happened to be for a while his secretary and 
I know he had plenty of troubles. 

After him came the misnamed redheaded governor. He was not a redhead, 
he was flaxen polled, but he acted like a redhead most of the time, Walter 
Roscoe Stubbs. Just about that time along came the Bull Moose movement, 
led by the immortal Teddy Roosevelt, and this division in the Republican 
party resulted in the defeat of Stubbs for the U. S. senate. 

George H. Hodges, the second Democrat to be elected governor, served 
two years, and was defeated by Arthur Capper, who served four years, and 
then went to the United States senate and is now serving his third term there. 

After Capper came Henry J. Allen, who managed to stir up among labor 
unions a very intense hatred. He served four years, and then came a farmer 
from Bourbon, Jonathan M. Davis, a Democrat, who defeated our Republican 
candidate, W. Y. Morgan, by about 20,000 votes. Davis served two years and 
was succeeded by Ben S. Paulen, who served four years. He was not born in 
Kansas, but he told me that if he had it to do over again he would have waited 
and been born in Kansas. He went out just as popular as when he became 
governor. 

And then came Clyde M. Reed, an able man, but one who could make 
more men mad without half trying than any one I have ever known. Reed 
served two years and then was defeated by Harry H. Woodring, a Democrat 
who is now our present assistant secretary of war. 

And last, but far from least, we have our present governor, Alf M. Landon, 
who actually has a chance to be elected president of the United States. 

Of those twenty-six men I have mentioned, all are dead except Hodges, 
Capper, Allen, Davis, Paulen, Reed, Woodring and the present acting governor. 
Eighteen of them have passed away. Of those that are left Sen. Arthur Capper 
leads in point of age, being seventy years old last July ; Hodges will be seventy 



78 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

next February ; Allen sixty-eight next September, Paulen sixty-seven next July, 
and the others are just kids. 

I don't know, ladies and gentlemen, whether this has bored you or not. It 
may have seemed to you more like a somewhat remarkable feat of memory 
than anything else. The governors I have known have been nearly all good 
men who did, I think, the best they knew, and guided the state through 
troublous times to the best of their ability. And through those troublous times 
and good times our state has grown, but it has grown through many hardships 
and vicissitudes. I have lived here for fifty-six years and have seen it in all 
its phases. I have seen it dry, so dry that you had to prime the mourners at 
a funeral so they could shed tears for the departed. I have seen the wind 
blow so hard that any intelligent dog when he wanted to bark turned away 
from the wind because if he turned the other way it would have turned him 
inside out. In fact, I knew of this kind of an accident. In the midst of a 
terrific wind storm a dog which loved to bark, forgot his caution and turned 
and barked right into the wind, and the wind went down his throat and 
promptly turned him inside out, and one of his enemies got at him and chewed 
up his insides. That dog didn't get over it for months, even when he was 
turned back the right way, and he never seemed quite the same dog afterwards. 

This is Kansas, the poorest state when it is poor, and the richest when it is 
rich; whose people are, as a rule, brave and loyal citizens. There is no state 
in the Union that comes nearer being inhabited by simon pure Americans than 
this our own state of Kansas. This fact gives me new faith in humanity 
new faith in our country, faith that this republic of ours is not going down but 
will go on and on and our children's children will still live under its starry 
banner, enjoying the blessings of its freedom and its opportunities. 

At the conclusion of Mr. McNeaPs address Mr. Doran said: 

After listening to Mr. McNeaPs address I know you feel that it justified 
every word I said about Tom, and inspires me to make another speech. 

It is from such men as Tom McNeal, and our early pioneers, from the worthy 
men who have governed this state, who have been a part of its history and 
have added luster to its already bright name, that we learn to appreciate, to 
know the truth of the motto on our great seal of the state, "Through difficulties 
to the stars." 

I would like to go on and on forever, telling you about the progress of 
Kansas; about its wonderful people; about its wonderful climate, about the 
joy of living in this unique state, and I want to say here and now that one of 
the greatest joys of my life is to have known and loved Tom McNeal, and 
I am glad to have this opportunity of saying it to him, before the hand of 
death has been laid upon our lives. Praise of the dead is most fitting, but 
falls on deaf ears ; praise of the living finds willing and open ears, and brings a 
glow to the heart of the giver. 

President Doran then called for the report of the committee on 
nominations for directors. In the absence of the chairman, Mrs. 
Henry F. Mason, the secretary, read the report as follows: 



THE ANNUAL, MEETING 79 

OCTOBER 15, 1935. 

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, 1938: 

Aitchison, R. T., Wichita. Malin, James C., Lawrence. 

Capper, Arthur, Topeka. Mason, Mrs. Henry F., Topeka. 

Carson, F. L., Wichita. Moore, Russell, Wichita. 

Challiss, J. M., Atchison. Morehouse, Geo. P., Topeka. 

Dawson, John S., Hill City. Price, Ralph R., Manhattan. 

Doerr, Mrs. Laura P. V., Larned. Raynesford, H. C., Ellis. 

Doran, Thos. F., Topeka. Russell, W. J., Topeka. 

Ellenbecker, John G., Marysville. Smith, Wm. E., Wamego. 

Hobble, Frank A., Dodge City. Solander, Mrs. T. T., Osawatomie. 

Hodder, F. H., Lawrence. Spratt, O. M., Baxter Springs. 

Hogin, John C., Belleville. Stevens, Caroline F., Lawrence. 

Huggins, Wm. L., Emporia. Thompson, W. F., Topeka. 

Johnston, Mrs. W. A., Topeka. Van Tuyl, Mrs. Effie H., Leavenworth. 

Knapp, Dallas W., Coffeyville. Walker, Mrs. Ida M., Norton. 

Lilleston, W. F., Wichita. White, William Allen, Emporia. 

McLean, Milton R., Topeka. Wilson, John H., Salina. 

McNeal, Thos. A., Topeka. 

Respectfully submitted, 
MRS. HENRY F. MASON, 
JAMES C. MALIN, 
ISABELLE C. HARVEY, 
ERNEST A. RYAN, 
E. E. KELLEY, Committee. 

On motion of J. W. Berryman, seconded by E. A. Austin, these 
directors were unanimously elected for the term ending October, 
1938. 

President Doran then called for the report of the Shawnee Mission 
Indian Historical Society. The report was read by the secretary. 
On motion of J. W. Berryman, seconded by E. A. Austin, it was 
voted to accept and file the report. 

Mr. Doran called for the report of the Chase County Historical 
Society, which was given verbally by its president, C. W. Hawkins. 
President Doran said, "This splendid report will be accepted and 
approved and filed in the records of the state Society, and it is 
so ordered." 

President Doran called for the report of the Riley County His- 
torical Society. Mrs. Caroline A. Smith of Manhattan responded 
and read the report which had been written by Mrs. George Failyer. 
At the conclusion of the reading of the report President Doran said, 
"We are very glad to have this excellent report. It is accepted and 
will be filed in the records of the state Society." 



80 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

President Doran called for the report of the Pawnee County His- 
torical Society. This report was given verbally by Mrs. Laura 
P. V. Doerr of Lamed. At the conclusion of Mrs. Doerr's report 
President Doran said, "We thank you, and your report, when 
written, will be filed in the records of the state Society." 

There being no further business, the annual meeting of the Society 
adjourned. 

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

The afternoon meeting of the board of directors was called to 
order by the president. He asked for a re-reading of the report 
of the nominating committee for the officers of the Society. The 
following were then unanimously elected: 

For a one-year term: F. H. Hodder, president; E. E. Kelley, 
first vice-president; E. A. Austin, second vice-president. 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. 

KIRKE MECHEM, Secretary. 

DIRECTORS OF THE KANSAS STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AS OF 

OCTOBER, 1935 

DIRECTORS FOR YEAR ENDING OCTOBER, 1936 

Beeks, Charles E., Baldwin. Mechem, Kirke, Topeka. 

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., 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. Seller, August, Washington. 

Kagey, Charles L., Wichita. Stanley, W. E., Wichita. 

Kinkel, John M., Topeka. Stone, Robert, Topeka. 

Lee, Thomas Amory, Topeka. Trembly, W. B., Kansas City. 

McFarland, Helen M., Topeka. Walker, B. P., Topeka. 
McFarland, Horace E., Junction City. Woodward, Chester, Topeka. 
Malone, James, Topeka. 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 



81 



DIRECTORS FOR YEAR ENDING OCTOBER, 1937 



Austin, E. A., Topeka. 
Berryman, J. W., Ashland. 
Brigham, Mrs. Lalla M., Council 

Grove. 

Brokaw, C. L., Kansas City, Kan. 
Bumgardner, Edward, Lawrence. 
Correll, Charles M., Manhattan. 
Davis, John W., Dodge City. 
Denious, Jess C., Dodge City. 
Fay, Mrs. Mamie Axline, Pratt. 
Frizell, E. E., Larned. 
Godsey, Mrs. Flora R., Bmporia. 
Hall, Mrs. Carrie A., Leaven worth. 
Hamilton, Clad, Topeka. 
Haskin, S. B., Olathe. 
Hegler, Ben F., Wichita. 
Jones, Horace, Lyons. 
Kelley, E. E., Garden City. 



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 B., Clay Center. 
Shirer, H. L., Topeka. 
Van de Mark, M. V. B., Concordia. 
Wark, George H., Caney. 
Wheeler, Mrs. B. R., Topeka. 
Woolard, Sam F., Wichita. 
Wooster, Lorraine E., Salina. 



DIRECTORS FOR YEAR ENDING OCTOBER, 1938 



Aitchison, R. T., Wichita. 
Capper, Arthur, Topeka. 
Carson, F. L., Wichita. 
Challiss, J. M., Atchison. 
Dawson, John S., Hill City. 
Doerr, Mrs. Laura P. V., Larned. 
Doran, Thos. F., Topeka. 
Ellenbecker, John G., Marysville. 
Hobble, Frank A., Dodge City. 
Hodder, F. H., Lawrence. 
Hogin, John C., Belleville. 
Huggins, Wm. L., Emporia. 
Johnston, Mrs. W. A., Topeka. 
Knapp, Dallas W., Coffeyville. 
Lilleston, W. F., Wichita. 
McLean, Milton R., Topeka. 
McNeal, Thos. A., Topeka. 



Malin, James C., Lawrence. 
Mason, Mrs. Henry F., Topeka. 
Moore, Russell, Wichita. 
Morehouse, Geo. P., Topeka. 
Price, Ralph R., Manhattan. 
Raynesford, H. C., Ellis. 
Russell, W. J., Topeka. 
Smith, Wm. E., Wamego. 
Solander, Mrs. T. T., Osawatomie. 
Spratt, 0. M., Baxter Springs. 
Stevens, Caroline F., Lawrence. 
Thompson, W. F., Topeka. 
Van Tuyl, Mrs. Erne H., Leavenworth. 
Walker, Mrs. Ida M., Norton. 
White, William Allen, Emporia. 
Wilson, John H., Salina. 



61937 



Recent Additions to the Library 

Compiled by HELEN M. MCFARLAND, Librarian 

IN ORDER that members of the Kansas State Historical Society 
and others interested in historical study may know the class of 
books we are receiving, a list is printed annually of the books 
accessioned in our specialized fields. 

These books come to us from three sources, purchase, gift and 
exchange, and fall into the following classes: books by Kansans 
and about Kansas ; books on the West, including explorations, over- 
land journeys and personal narratives; genealogy and local history; 
and books on the Indians of North America, United States history 
and biography. 

We receive regularly the publications of many historical societies 
by exchange, and subscribe to other historical and genealogical pub- 
lications which are needed in reference work. 

The following is a partial list of books which were added to the 
library from October 1, 1934, to October 1, 1935. Government and 
state official publications and some books of a general nature are 
not included. The total number of books accessioned appears in 
the report of the secretary in this issue of the Quarterly. 

KANSAS 

ALEXANDER, MBS. LILLIAN M., Candy. New York, Dodd, Meade & Company, 
1934. 

ALLEN, E. L., The Spiritual Conflict. A Memorial Discourse Delivered at Lane, 
Franklin County, Kansas, May 26, 1887. Kansas City, Mo., J. H. Smart & 
Company, 1887. 

ALLISON, GEORGE WILLIAM, and others, With Christ in Kansas; a History of the 
First Presbyterian Church of Topeka, Kansas, 1859 to 1934- Topeka, Com- 
mittee on the Seventy-fifth Anniversary, 1934. 

AMERICAN LEGION, Kansas department, Thomas Hopkins Post No. 4, Wichita, 
The American Legion Membership Directory, 1934, 1985. No impr. 

ANDERSON, MRS. BERNICE (GOUDY), Topsy Turvy and the Tin Clown. New 
York, Rand McNally [c!932]. 

Topsy Turvy's Pigtails. New York, Rand McNally [cl930]. 

ATWOOD, FREDERICK, Kansas Rhymes and Other Lyrics. Topeka, Crane & Com- 
pany, 1902. 

BASKA, SISTER MARY REGINA, The Benedictine Congregation of Saint Scho- 
lastica; Its Foundation and Development (1852-1930}. Washington, D. C., 
Catholic University of America, 1935. (Studies in American Church History, 
vol. 20.) 

(82) 



RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 83 

BECK, STEPHEN C., A True Sketch of His Army Lije. No impr. 

BECKER, EDNA, Pickpocket Songs. Caldwell, Idaho, The Caxton Printers, 1935. 

BOYLE, L. C., "Kansas," Toast, Kansas City Commercial Club Banquet, Coates 
House, December 19, 1898. No impr. 

BRYAN, S. A., Memorial Reminiscences; Sketches of Civil War Veterans of the 
WaterviUe Community. N. p., 1935. 

BURKE, JOHN M., comp., "Buffalo Bill" From Prairie to Palace; an Authentic 
History of the Wild West. Chicago, Rand McNally, 1893. 

BURRES, MARJORIE (BAKER), and PAUL WILLIAM BURRES, Thrills and Heart- 
throbs of Europe. Philadelphia, Dorrance & Company [c!934]. 

CADMAN, W. K., Kansas Natural Gas; a Report to the Kansas State Planning 
Board. Wichita, 1934. Mimeographed. 

CARPENTER, FRANK M., The Lower Permian Insects of Kansas. Parts 1-6. Pub- 
lisher varies. 1930-1933. 

CHITTENDEN DIRECTORY Co., comps. and pubs., Chanute and Neosho County, 
Kansas, Directory, 1903-1904. St. Louis, Chittenden Directory Company, 
1903. 

COULTER, 0. H., Roster of Illinois Soldiers Residing in Kansas. Topeka, West- 
em Veteran [1889]. 

CRARY, ALBERT M., The A. M. Crary Memoirs and Memoranda, Written by 
Himself. Herington, Herington Times [c!915]. 

DAIL, C. C., Adam Answered. No impr. 

DAVIS, ISABEL, Kansas Poems. N. p. [Turner] 1914. 

DILL, WILLIAM ADELBERT, The Newspaper's Family Tree. Rev. ed. Lawrence, 
University of Kansas, Department of Journalism, 1934. 

DUNSMORE, J. M., Dedicatory Address, Delivered September 12, 1889, at the 
Unveiling of the Monument Erected to Mark the Position Held by the 116th 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsyl- 
vania, July 2, 1863. No impr. 

EDMONDS, MRS. MARY (MYERS), Historical Survey of Social Service in Wichita, 
Kansas, From 1870 to 1984. A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty 
of the University of Wichita in candidacy for the degree of Master of Arts, 
department of sociology. Typed, 1934. 

EMMERT, DAVID B., comp., Wichita City Directory and Immigrants Guide, 1878. 
Kansas City, Mo., Tiernan & Wainwright, 1878. 

ESTEY, STEPHEN SEWALL, Laugh, and Love, and Lift. New York, Fleming H. 
Revell Company [c!934]. 

FARNHAM, MRS. MATEEL (HOWE), Great Riches. New York, Dodd, Mead & 

Company, 1934. 

FIFTH KANSAS CAVALRY ASSOCIATION, Regimental Roster, 1911. No impr. 
FULLING, KATHARINE PAINTER, Trail Blazers; a Kansas Day Play for Children, 

in One Act. Typed, 1935. 
GANDY, LEWIS CASS, The Tabors; a Footnote of Western History. New York, 

Press of the Pioneers, Inc., 1934. 



84 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

GEARY COUNTY PLANNING COMMITTEE, "The Next Twenty Years." A Report 
to the Kansas State Planning Board. Junction City, 1935. Mimeographed. 

GRANT, BLANCHE CHLOE, When Old Trails Were New; the Story of Taos. New 
York, Press of the Pioneers, 1934. 

HALL, MRS. CARRIE A., and ROSE G. KRETSINGER, The Romance of the Patch- 
work Quilt in America . . . Caldwell, Idaho, Caxton Printers, Ltd., 1935. 

HARRINGTON, GRANT W., Historic Spots or Mile-stones in the Progress of Wyan- 
dotte County, Kansas. [Merriam, Kan., The Mission Press] 1935. 

HARRIS, CECIL H., Cecil's Poems. [Wichita, Composed and Printed by Cecil 
H. Harris] n. d. 

HEDGES, J. EDWARD, The Advertising of Fabricated Parts in Consumer Media. 
Lawrence, University of Kansas, 1934. (Kansas Studies in Business, No. 16.) 

HINSHAW, DAVID, Witt Republican Government Disappear? N.p. [1935.] 

HOINVILLE, JULIA SIMONS, The Purple Velvet Gown; a Christmas Story Reach- 
ing from Hodgeman County and Lamed, Kansas, to Chicago and Back 
Again. N.p. [1930.] 

HOLTON, ORDINANCES, Revised Ordinances and Rules of the Council, 1898. 
Holton, Signal Job Printing House, 1898. 

HOY, ELLA COMPTON, The Church Moths. Baltimore, Md., Saulsbury Publish- 
ing Company [c!919]. 

ISELY, MRS. ELISE (DUBACH), Sunbonnet Days, by Elise Dubach Isely as Told 
to Her Son Bliss Isely. Caldwell, Idaho, The Caxton Printers, 1935. 

JEFFREY, ORLANDO, Folks and Fairies in Poesy. [Marion, Kan., Printed by the 
Marion Record, c!931.] 

John Brown, and "The Union Right or Wrong" Songster: Containing All the 
Celebrated "John Brown" & "Union Songs" . . . San Francisco, D. E. 
Appleton & Company, 1862. 

JOHNSON, W. A., Address to the Citizens of Fredonia, Wilson County, Kansas. 
Delivered July 4, 1896. No impr. 

JOHNSTON, WILLIAM, Petition for Review Before the Secretary of the Interior; 
Settlers on the Osage Purchase in Kansas vs. Railroad Companies. Supple- 
mental Argument for Petitioners. Washington, D. C., Judd & Detweiler, 
1870. 

KANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, Transactions of the 66th Annual Meeting, April 
18-15, 1934, vol. 37. Topeka, Kansas State Printing Plant, 1934. 

KANSAS CATHOLIC HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Annals, May 1931, No. 1. No impr. 

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, COUNCIL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, Decennial; Weekday 
Church Schools of Kansas City, Kansas, 1923-1933. [Kansas City, Kansas, 
1934.] 

KANSAS COOPERATIVE LEAGUE, Kansas, Our State. [Topeka, Kansas Cooperative 
League, 1934.] 

KANSAS CRIME PREVENTION COMMITTEE, Safety for Kansas. Topeka, Kansas 
Crime Prevention Committee [1935]. 

KANSAS EDUCATORS CLUB, The Kansas Educator, Yearbook, February 1, 1935. 
Mimeographed. 



RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 85 

KANSAS EMERGENCY RELIEF COMMITTEE, Public Welfare Service in Kansas; a 
Ten-year Report, 1924-1938. Topeka, Committee, 1934. (KERC Bulletin, 
No. 127.) 

Kansas Fanner and Mail and Breeze, pub., Directory of Franklin and Douglas 
Counties, Kansas. Topeka, Kansas Farmer and Mail and Breeze [c!920] . 

Kansas Magazine, 1935: Essay, Short Story, Verse, Kansas Art. [Manhattan, 
Kansas State College Press, 1935.] 

KANSAS SOCIETY OP CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, Membership Roster, Con- 
stitution and By-laws of the Society, C. P. A. Law, C. P. A. Certificates 
Issued Under Provisions of State Law. No impr. 

KANSAS STATE PLANNING BOARD, Before Building Reservoirs or Levees; Some 
Important Considerations. Topeka, 1935. Mimeographed. 

The Coordination of Transport; a Study of Interstate Motor Traffic 

Into and Through Kansas, 1934- A Report of the Kansas State Planning 
Board. Topeka, 1935. Mimeographed. 

Inventory of Public Works; a Study of Possibilities in Kansas. A Re- 
port of the Kansas State Planning Board. Topeka, 1935. Mimeographed. 

Progress Report, September, 1934. Mimeographed. 

Progress Report, March, 1935. Mimeographed. 

Rural Schools in Kansas; a Study of Their Physical Condition and 

Recreational Equipment. A Report of the Kansas State Planning Board. 
Topeka, 1935. Mimeographed. 

KARSNER, DAVID, John Brown, Terrible "Saint" . . . New York, Dodd, 
Mead & Company, 1934. 

KEPLINGER, L. W., Address at Oak Grove Cemetery, Kansas City, Kansas, May 
SO, 1922. No impr. 

KIMBALL, MRS. MARIA PORTER (BRACE), My Eighty Years. Privately Printed, 
1934. 

KINNEY, A. M., Kansas Prairies and Other Poems. [Kansas City, Mo., Stock- 
yards Printing Company, c!935.] 

KISTLER, JOHN J., The Installation and Operation of a Cost-Finding System for 
Printers. Lawrence, University of Kansas, Department of Journalism, 1934. 

KOEPSEL, Louis HEHMAN, The Life Supreme; Being the Real and True Biog- 
raphy of Jesus Christ. Parsons, Foley Railway Printing Company, 1904. 

KOESTER, EDWARD A., Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of Kansas in 
1931 and 1932. Topeka, Kansas State Printing Plant, 1934. (State Geo- 
logical Survey of Kansas, Mineral Resources, Circular 3.) 

LANGSDORF, EDGAR, The Teachings of Jesus and the Treaty of Versailles. [Law- 
rence] University of Kansas, 1934. (Hattie Elizabeth Lewis Memorial, No. 
15.) 

LEAVEN WORTH, ORDINANCES, Charter and Ordinances of the City of Leaven- 
worth, compiled and revised by William Stanley. Leavenworth, Kansas 
Territory, Frank F. Barclay's English, French and German Printing Estab- 
lishment, 1859. 

LEWIS, SINCLAIR, and LLOYD LEWIS, Jay hawker; A Play in Three Acts. Garden 
City, N. Y., Doubleday, Doran & Company, 1935. 



86 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

[LooMis, N. H.], Directory of Saline County, Kansas, 1882. Lawrence, J. S. 

Boughton [1882]. 
McCLEAVE, DAVID HAROLD, History of the Indian Missions of the Presbyterian 

Church in Kansas, being a Thesis Presented to the Graduate Faculty [of 

the Fort Hays Kansas State College] in Partial Fulfillment for the Degree 

of Master of Science. Typed. 

McDANiEL, CHARLES W., Telephone Reminiscences. Mimeographed. 
McKaEVER, WILLIAM ARCH, Getting Ahead Financially. [Topeka, School of 

Creative Psychology] c!925. (His Creative Psychology [.Series], Book One.) 
Leaves of Healing. Topeka, School of Psychology Press, 1927. (His 

Creative Psychology Series, Book Two.) 
MADDEN, JOHN B., Just Who Is Stabbing Prohibition in Kansas! "The Story 

Behind the Story" Now Told for the First Time . . . to Henry L. Carey. 

N.p. [c!934.] 

MARKLEY, WALT, Builders of Topeka. Topeka, Capper Printing Company, 1934. 
M ATHENA, MRS. J. B., History of the Methodist Episcopal Church of WiUis, 

Kansas, 1872-1983. No impr. 
MAYBERRY, JAMES W., Physiology, Hygiene and Sanitation. Dallas, Tex., 

Southern Publishing Company, 1913. 

MAYBERRY, JAMES W., and LAWRENCE W. MAYBERRY, Primary Physiology, Hy- 
giene and Sanitation. Topeka, Kansas State Printing Plant, 1927. 
MILLER, A. Q., Logical Flood Control Program for Kansas. 1935. Broadside. 
MORRISON, [THOMAS] F., The Forgotten Hero. Typed. 
MORSE, ADELAIDE JANE, History of First Baptist Church of Emporia, Kansas. 

No impr. 

NATIONAL HIGHWAY USERS CONFERENCE, The Kansas Port of Entry Law; a 

Study of the Practical Effect of Its Actual Operation. Washington, D. C., 

National Highway Users Conference, 1934. (Highway Users Series, No. Rl.) 
NORTH, F. A., compiler and publisher, Fifth Annual Directory of the City of 

Wichita for 1889. Wichita, Eagle Job Office and Bindery, 1889. 
Sixth Annual Directory of the City of Wichita for 1890. Wichita, Eagle 

Job Offics and Bindery, 1890. 
OSWALD, A. LEWIS, Troop One Marches On! Hutchinson, Kan., Rotherwood 

Press [cl934]. 
OTTAWA, BOARD OF EDUCATION, Annual Report for the Year Ending July 31, 1884. 

Ottawa, Kessler & M'Allister, 1884. 
A Manual for the Government and Regulation of the Public Schools of 

Ottawa, Kansas . . . Ottawa, N. Waring, 1882. 
PEACOCK, ARTHUR SHELDON, Trego County, Kansas; a Brief History. [Wa- 

Keeney, 1914.] 

Polk's Coffeyville (Kansas') City Directory, 1930. Kansas City, Mo., R. L. 
Polk & Company, c!930. 

Polk's Emporia (Kansas) City Directory, 1932. Kansas City, Mo., R, L. Polk 
& Company, c!932. 



RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 87 

Folk's Kansas City (Kansas) Directory, 1932. Kansas City, Mo., R. L. Polk 

& Company, c!932. 
Folk's Leavenworth (Kansas) City Directory, 1930, Including Leavenworth 

County. Kansas City, Mo., R. L. Polk & Company, c!930. 
Folk's Pittsburg (Kansas) City Directory, 1930. Kansas City, Mo., R. L. Polk 

& Company, c!930. 
Folk's Topeka City Directory, 1935. Kansas City, Mo., R. L. Polk & Company, 

1935. 
Folk's Wichita (Kansas) City Directory, 1933, 1934. Kansas City, Mo., R. L. 

Polk & Company, c!933, 1934. 
RAYNESFORD, H. C., Kansas; an Address Given by H. C. Raynesford at the 

Kansas Day Banquet, Ellis, Kansas, January 29, 1930. Typed. 

Smoky Hill Trail. Typed. 

REASONED J. W., What Is Man? N.p., c!930. 

RICE, MARTIN, Rural Rhymes, and Folks and Tales of Older Times . . . 

Kansas City, Mo., Ramsey, Millett & Hudson, 1882. 

RITTER, C. S., The Origin of Thought and the Law of Memory. Tola, 1928. 
ROSEBERRY & FROGTiE, About Neosho County, Kansas, and Erie, the County 

Seat. N.p., 1912. 

SATTERLEE, ELBERT E., // Jesus Came. No impr. 
SCOTT, CHARLES F., Why We Are Fighting and What We Are Fighting For; 

an Address Delivered at the Old Soldiers' Reunion at Cherryvale, Kansas, 

August 20, 1917. lola, Press of the lola Daily Register, n. d. 
Semi-Centennial Celebration; Judge Nelson Case, Oswego, Kansas, May 15, 

1919. Commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of His Continuous Practice 

as a Lawyer at Oswego, Labette County, Kan. No impr. 
SHANNON, FRED ALBERT, Economic History of the People of the United States. 

New York, Macmillan, 1934. 
SHELDON, CHARLES MONROE, In His Steps Today. Elgin, 111., David C. Cook, 

n. d. 
SHERBON, DR. FLORENCE (BROWN), The Child; His Origin, Development and 

Care. New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1934. 
SHINN, J. F., The. Laws Governing the Orbital Distribution of the Solar System. 

Fredonia, Win. D. Christman, 1897. 
SHOUSE, JOUETT, The Constitution Still Stands. Speech Delivered Under the 

Auspices of the Young Men's Hebrew Association at St. Louis, Missouri, 

February 12, 1935. Washington, D. C., 1935. 
Democracy or Bureaucracy. Speech Before the Philadelphia County 

League of Women Voters, February 4, 1935. Washington, D. C. [1935]. 
Progress vs. Change. Speech Before the Bond Club of New York, 



November 20, 1934. Washington, D. C. [1934]. 

Recovery, Relief and the Constitution. Speech Before the Beacon 



Society of Boston, December 8, 1934. Washington, D. C. [1934]. 

Why? The American Liberty League. Washington, D. C., The Ameri- 



can Liberty League [1934]. 



88 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

You Are the Government. Boston, Little, Brown & Company, 1935. 

SIEGELE, HERMAN H., Twigs of Thought. Emporia, 1934. 

SLEMMER, E. G., Behold the Man! N. p., Author, n. d. 

The Buying Machine as the "Heart" of Business. Winfield, Townsend 

Club, n. d. 

Social Register, Wichita, 1921. [Wichita, Wichita Eagle Press] n. d. 

STEUNENBERG, GEORGE E., Songs of a Soldier. Kansas City, Mo., Franklin 
Hudson Press, 1914. 

STILWELL, ARTHUR E., and J. E. ROBERTS, editors and publishers, The Demone- 
tization of the Mule,. Kansas City, Mo., n. d. (Stilwell's Political Fables.) 

The Mystic 16 to 1. N. p., c!896. (Stilwell's Political Fables.) 

STRATFORD, JESSIE PERRY, Butler County's Eighty Years, 1856-1986. N. p. 

[cl934.] 

TOPEKA ENGINEERS CLUB and TOPEKA CHAMBER OP COMMERCE, "A Twenty- 
five Year Plan" for Shaumee County and the City of Topeka. A Report to 
the Kansas State Planning Board. Topeka, 1935. Mimeographed. 

TOPEKA PROVIDENT ASSOCIATION, Annual Report for the Year Ending December 
81, 19S4. No impr. 

[The Story of the Topeka Provident Association.] [Topeka, 1934.] 

TUCKER, HENRY HARRISON, JR., Standard Against Uncle Sam. Kansas City, 

Kan. [c!907]. 

UNITED SPANISH WAR VETERANS, Souvenir Book and U. S. W. V. History; 
Twenty-eighth Annual Encampment, May 12-13-14, 1935, Hutchinson, Kan- 
sas. [Hutchinson, South worth Printing Company, 1935.] 

VESTAL, STANLEY, New Sources of Indian History, 1850-1891 ; the Ghost Dance 
the Prairie Sioux; a MisceUany. Norman, Okla., University of Oklahoma 
Press, 1934. 

WALKER, D. W., Stevens County, Kansas. Typed. 

WALKER, WILLIS H., Franco-American Commercial Relations, 1820-1850. Hays, 
Author, n. d. 

WARE, EUGENE FITCH, Ancient Lawyers. From the Proceedings of the Twenty- 
fourth Annual Meeting of the Missouri Bar Association, held at St. Joseph, 
Mo., September 28, 1906. Columbia, Mo., E. W. Stephens Publishing Com- 
pany, 1907. 

tr., Roman Water Law. Translated from the Pandects of Justinian. 

St. Paul, West Publishing Company, 1905. 

WELLMAN, MANLY WADE, Builders of Wichita. Typed. 

WELLMAN, PAUL I., Death in the Desert; the Fifty Years' War for the Great 

Southwest. New York, Macmillan Company, 1935. 
WELLS, WILLIAM M., The Desert's Hidden Wealth. 3d and 4th eds. N. p., 

1934. 
WESTGATE, MRS. INEZ WHEELER, Memorial Volume of Selected Poems. No 

impr. 



RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 89 

WHITTEMORE, MARGARET, and EDNA BECKER, Trees; Woodcuts and Linoleum 

Blocks by Margaret Whittemore, Verse by Edna Becker. Boston, Bruce 

Humphries, Inc. [c!935]. 
WICHITA INDEPENDENT BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION, "Builders of Wichita"; a 

Historical Pageant in Commemoration of the 64th Anniversary of WickUa. 

N. p., 1935. 
WILSON, LUCTA S., and EDWARD B. WILSON, The Good Old Rule. Boston, 

Meador Publishing Company, 1935. 

THE WEST 

ADAMS, WINONA, ed., An Indian Girl's Story of a Trading Expedition to the 
Southwest About 1841. Missoula, Mont., University of Montana, n. d. 
(State University of Montana, Sources of Northwest History, No. 11.) 

ARESE, FRANCESCO, Conte, A Trip to the Prairies in the Interior of North Amer- 
ica (1837-1838). Travel Notes . . . Now First Translated from the 
Original French by Andrew Evans. New York, Harbor Press, 1934. 

BARROWS, JOHN R., A Wisconsin Youth in Montana, 1880-1882. Missoula, 
Mont., University of Montana, 1932. (State University of Montana, 
Sources of Northwest History, No. 1.) 

BEALL, JOHN BRAMBETT, In Barrack and Field; Poems and Sketches of Army 
Life. Nashville, Tenn., Publishing House of M. E. Church, South, 1906. 

BECKWOURTH, JAMES P., The Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth, 
edited by T. D. Bonner. New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1931. 

BIDDLE, MRS. ELLEN McGowAN, Reminiscences of a Soldier's Wife. Phila- 
delphia, J. B. Lippincott Company, 1907. 

BOOTH, MARGARET, ed., Overland From Indiana to Oregon; the Dinwiddie 
Journal. Missoula, Mont., University of Montana, n. d. (State University 
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BROOKS, ELJSHA, A Pioneer Mother of California. San Francisco, Harr Wagner 
Publishing Company, 1922. 

CADY, JOHN HENRY, Arizona's Yesterdays, Being the Narrative of John H. 
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CARDINELL, CHARLES, Adventures on the Plains. San Francisco, California His- 
torical Society, 1922. 

CELIZ, FRAY FRANCISCO, Diary of the Alarcon Expedition Into Texas, 1718-1719. 

Los Angeles, Quivira Society, 1935. (Quivira Society Publications, vol. 5.) 
CHITTENDEN, HIRAM MARTIN, The American Fur Trade of the Far West. New 

York, The Press of the Pioneers, Inc., 1935. 2 vols. 
CLOUGH, WILSON O., ed., Fort Russell and Fort Laramie Peace Commission in 

1867. Missoula, Mont., University of Montana, n. d. (State University of 

Montana, Sources of Northwest History, No. 14.) 
DRIGGS, HOWARD R., The Pony Express Goes Through; an American Saga 

Told by Its Heroes. New York, Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1935. 
DUNN, JACOB PIATT, Massacres of the Mountains; a History of the Indian 

Wars of the Far West. New York, Harper & Brothers, 1886. 



90 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

FLINT, TIMOTHY, Recollections of the Last Ten Years, Passed in Occasional 
Residences and Jowrneyings in the Valley of the Mississippi, From Pittsburg 
and the Missouri to the Gulf of Mexico, and From Florida to the Spanish 
Frontier; in a Series of Letters. Boston, Cummings, Hilliard & Company, 
1826. 

FULLER, HENRY C., Adventures of Bill Longley . . . Nacogdoches, Tex., 
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GALE, GEORGE, Upper Mississippi; or, Historical Sketches of the Mound Build- 
ers, the Indian Tribes, and the Progress of Civilization in the Northwest. 
Chicago, Clarke and Company, 1867. 

GARCES, FRANCISCO, On the Trail of a Spanish Pioneer; the Diary and Itinerary 
of Francisco Garces in His Travels Through Sonora, Arizona and California, 
1776-1776. New York, Harper, 1900. 2 vols. 

GIBSON, GEORGE RUTLEDGE, Journal of a Soldier Under Kearny and Doniphan, 
1846-1847. Glendale, Cal., Arthur H. Clark Company, 1935. (Southwest 
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GOLDER, FRANK ALFRED, The March of the Mormon Battalion From Council 
Bluffs to California; Taken From the Journal of Henry Standage; by Frank 
Alfred Golder, in collaboration with Thomas A. Bailey and J. Lyman Smith. 
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HICKMAN, RICHARD OWEN, An Overland Journey to California in 1852. Mis- 
soula, University of Montana, n. d. (State University of Montana, Sources 
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HOLDEN, WILLIAM CURRY, Alkali Trails; or, Social and Economic Movements 
of the Texas Frontier, 1846-1900 . . . Dallas, Southwest Press [c!930]. 

Rollie Burns; or, An Account of the Ranching Industry on the South 

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The Spur Ranch; a Study of the Inclosed Ranch Phase of the Cattle 

Industry in Texas . . . Boston, Christopher Publishing House [c!934]. 

HOUSMAN, ROBERT L., The Beginnings of Journalism in Frontier Montana. 
Missoula, Mont., University of Montana, n. d. (State University of Mon- 
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HULBERT, ARCHER BUTLER, ed., The Call of the Columbia; Iron Men and Saints 
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1830-1930, the Oregon Trail Centennial: The Documentary Background 

of the Days of the First Wagon Train on the Road to Oregon. Missoula, 
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, and Dorothy Printup Hulbert, eds., The Oregon Crusade; Across Land 

and Sea to Oregon. [Colorado Springs] The Stewart Commission of Colo- 
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KIRKPATRICK, JAMES, A Reminiscence of John Bozeman. Missoula, Mont., 
University of Montana, n. d. (State University of Montana, Sources of 
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RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 91 

KOCH, PETER, Journal of, 1869-1870. Missoula, University of Montana, n. d. 
(State University of Montana, Sources of Northwest History, No. 5.) 

LAROCQUE, FRANCOIS ANTOINE, Journal of . . . From the Assiniboine River 
to the Yellowstone, 1805. Missoula, University of Montana, n. d. (State 
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LEE, DANIEL, and J. H. FROST, Ten Years in Oregon . . . New York, 
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MAERDIAN, OTTO, Pioneer Ranching in Central Montana From the Letters of 
Otto Maerdian, Written in 1882-1883. Missoula, Mont., University of Mon- 
tana, n. d. (State University of Montana, Sources of Northwest History, 
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MILNER, JOE E., and EARL R. FORREST, California Joe, Noted Scout and Indian 
Fighter, With an Authentic Account of Custer's Last Fight. Caldwell, Idaho, 
Caxton Printers, 1935. 

MOKLER, ALFRED JAMES, History of Natrona County, Wyoming, 1888-1922. 
Chicago, R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company, 1923. 

MULLAN, JOHN, Journal From Fort Dalles 0. T. to Fort Wallah Wallah W. T., 
July, 1858. Missoula, Mont., University of Montana, n. d. (State University 
of Montana, Sources of Northwest History, No. 18.) 

MURRAY, MRS. GENEVIEVE, Marias Pass, Its Part in the History and Develop- 
ment of the Northwest. Missoula, Mont., University of Montana, n. d. 
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OTERO, MIGUEL ANTONIO, My Life on the Frontier, 1864-1882; Incidents and 
Characters of the Period When Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico Were 
Passing Through the Last of Their Wild and Romantic Years. New York, 
The Press of the Pioneers, Inc., 1935. 

Pacific Coast Annual Mining Review and Stock Ledger . . . and A Series 
of Finance Articles by Colonel Henry S. Fitch. San Francisco, Francis & 
Valentine, 1878. 

PHILLIPS, PAUL C., ed., "The Battle of the Big Hole," an Episode in the Nez 
Perce War. Missoula, University of Montana, n. d. (State University of 
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, and W. S. LEWIS, eds., The Oregon Missions as Shown in the Walker 

Letters, 1839-1851. Missoula, Mont., University of Montana, n. d. (State 
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REMINGTON, FREDERIC, Remington's Frontier Sketches. Chicago, Werner Com- 
pany [c!898]. 

SABIN, EDWIN LEGRAND, Kit Carson Days, 1809-1868 . . . Revised Edition 
with New Matter. New York, The Press of the Pioneers, Inc., 1935. 2 vols. 

SHAW, DAVID AUGUSTUS, Eldorado, or California as Seen by a Pioneer, 1850-1900. 
Los Angeles, B. R. Baumgardt, 1900. 

SHEA, JOHN GILMARY, Early Voyages Up and Down the Mississippi by Cavelier, 
St. Cosme, Le Sueur, Gravier, and Guignas. Albany, Joel Munsell, 1861. 

SMITH, JEDEDIAH STRONG, The Travels of Jedediah Smith ; a Documentary Out- 
line Including the Journal of the Great American Pathfinder, by Maurice 
S. Sullivan. Santa Ana, Cal., Fine Arts Press, 1934. 



92 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

STEPHENS, L. Dow, Life Sketches of a Jayhawker of '49. N. p., 1916. 

TAYLOR, LANDON, The Battle Field Reviewed . . . Chicago, Published for 
the Author, 1881. 

THOMAS, ALFRED BARNABY, tr. and ed., After Coronado; Spanish Exploration 
Northeast of New Mexico, 1696-1727. Documents From the Archives of 
Spain, Mexico and New Mexico. Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 
1935. 

UPHAM, HIRAM D., Upham Letters From the Upper Missouri, 1865. Missoula, 
Mont., University of Montana, n. d. (State University of Montana, Sources 
of Northwest History, No. 19.) 

WALKER, MARY RICHARDSON, The Diary of Mary Richardson Walker, June 10 - 
December 21, 1888. Missoula, Mont., University of Montana, n. d. (State 
University of Montana, Sources of Northwest History, No. 15.) 

Western Tourist and Emigrant's Guide Through the States of Ohio, Michigan, 
Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin, and the Territories of Min- 
nesota, Missouri, and Nebraska . . . New York, J. H. Colton and Com- 
pany, 1855. 

WHITAKER, ARTHUR PRESTON, The Mississippi Question, 1795-1803; a Study in 
Trade, Politics, and Diplomacy . . . New York, Appleton-Century Com- 
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The Spanish-American Frontier, 1788-1796; the Westward Movement 

and the Spanish Retreat in the Mississippi Valley . . . Boston, Houghton 
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WILLIAMS, CHAUNCEY PRATT, Lone Elk, The Life Story of Bill Williams, Trap- 
per and Guide of the Far West. Denver, John Van Male, 1935. (The Old 
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WILLIAMS, HENRY T., ed., The Pacific Tourist. Williams' Illustrated Trans- 
Continental Guide of Travel, From the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean . . . 
New York, Author, 1878. 

WILLISON, GEORGE FINDLAY, Here They Dug the Gold. New York, Brentano's 
[cl931L 

GENEALOGY AND LOCAL HISTORY 

ACKERMAN, ARTHUR WILMOT, Reverend John White of Dorchester, England, 
and His Participation in Founding the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Boston, 
1929. (Publications of the Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay in 
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AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY, Proceedings at the Semiannual Meeting Held 
in Boston, April 18, 1934. Worcester, Mass., Society, 1935. 

ANDREWS, CHARLES McLEAN, The Beginnings of Connecticut, 1632-1662. [New 
Haven] Published for the Tercentenary Commission of the State of Con- 
necticut by the Yale University Press, 1934. 

ATKINSON, JOSEPH, History of Newark, New Jersey ; Being a Narrative of its 
Rise and Progress, From the Settlement in May, 1666, by Emigrants From 
Connecticut, to the Present Time . . . Newark, William B. Guild, 1878. 



RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 93 

Augusta, Me., Vital Records of Augusta, Maine, to the Year 1892 . . . 
Published Under Authority of the Maine Historical Society. [Auburn, Me., 
Press of Merrill & Webber Company] 1933-1934. 2 vols. 

Bagley Family. Asbury Park, N. J., Martin & Allardyce, 1916. 

BARBER, Lucius, ISRAEL, Record and Documentary History of Simsbury [Con- 
necticut}. Simsbury, Abigail Phelps Chapter, Daughters of the American 
Revolution, 1931. 

BARRETT, WILLIAM, Genealogy of Some of the Descendants of Thomas Barrett, 
Sen., of Braintree, Mass., 1635. Saint Paul, D. Ramaley & Son, 1888. 

BELL, EDMUND HAYES, and MARY HALL COLWELL, comps. and eds., James Pat- 
terson of Conestoga Manor and His Descendants. Lancaster, Pa., Wicker- 
sham Printing Company, 1925. 

BURNS, LEE, Early Architects and Builders of Indiana. Indianapolis, Indiana 
Historical Society, 1935. 

Caldwell Chronicle. Vol. 1, Nos. 1-5; October 19, 1899 -March, 1900. Provi- 
dence, R. I., A. Caldwell, 1899-1900. 

CHAFFIN, WILLIAM LADD, History of Robert Chaffin and His Descendants and 
of the Other Chaffins in America. New York, F. H. Hitchcock [1913]. 

Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania . . . Vols. I-HI. 
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COLUMBIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Records. Vols. 35-36. Washington, D. C., 
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CONNECTICUT HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Annual Report; Reports and Papers Pre- 
sented at the Annual Meeting, May 21, 1985. Also a List of Officers and 
Members and of Donations for the Year. Hartford, Published by the 
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COOPER, W. Ross, Notes on the Jackson Family From Various Sources. Typed 
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CORNELL, JOHN, Genealogy of the Cornell Family; Being an Account of the 
Descendants of Thomas Cornell of Portsmouth, R. I. New York, T. A. 
Wright, 1902. 

CRAFTS, JAMES MONROE, and WILLIAM FRANCIS CRAFTS, The Crafts Family; a 
Genealogical and Biographical History of the Descendants of Griffin and 
Alice Craft, of Roxbury, Mass., 1630-1890. Northampton, Mass., Gazette 
Printing Company, 1893. 

CURTISS, FREDERICK HAINES, A Genealogy of the Curtiss Family; Being a 
Record of the Descendants of Widow Elizabeth Curtiss Who Settled in 
Stratford, Conn., 1639-40. Boston, Rockwell and Churchill Press, 1903. 

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, Lineage Books, vols. 139-144. Wash- 
ington, D. C. [Press of Judd and Detweiler, Inc.] 1934-1935. 

DODD, BETHUEL LEWIS, and JOHN R. BURNET, Genealogies of the Male De- 
scendants of Daniel Dod, of Branford, Conn., a Native of England, 1646-1863. 
Newark, N. J., Daily Advertiser Office, 1864. 

DUDLEY, DEAN, The History of the Dudley Family, Containing the Genealogy 
of Each Branch in Various Countries . . . Montrose, Mass., Author, 
1894. 3 vols. 



94 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

DUNHAM, SAMUEL, An Historical Discourse Delivered at West Brookfield, 
Mass,, on Occasion of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the 
First Church in Brookfield, October 16, 1867. Springfield, Mass., Samuel 
Bowles & Company, 1867. 

Duxbury, Mass., Copy of the Old Records of the Town of Duxbury, Mass., 
From 1642 to 1770. Plymouth, Avery & Doten, 1893. 

ELY, EZRA E., A Biographical History of Waterloo Township and Other Town- 
ships of the County . . . Berlin, Canada, 1895. 2 vols. 

Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania Biography, vol. 21. New York, Lewis Historical 
Publishing Company, 1934. 

EVANS, NELSON WILEY, History of Scioto County, Ohio, Together With a Pio- 
neer Record of Southern Ohio . . . Portsmouth, O., N. W. Evans, 1903. 

FERNALD, CHARLES AUGUSTUS, Genealogy of the Ancient Fernald Family. 1899. 
Chart. 

HARPER, MRS. LILLBB Du PUY (VAN CULJN), Colonial Men and Times, Con- 
taining the Journal of Col. Daniel Trabue . . . the Huguenots, Geneal- 
ogy, With Brief Sketches of the Allied Families. Philadelphia, Innes & Sons, 
1916. 

HAYES, LYMAN SIMPSON, History of the Town of Rockingham, Vermont, In- 
cluding the Villages of Bellows Falls, Saxtons River, Rockingham, Cam- 
bridgeport and Bartonsville . . . With Family Genealogies. Bellows 
Falls, Published by the Town, 1907. 

HERRICK, WILLIAM DODGE, History of the Town of Gardner, Worcester County, 
Mass. . . Gardner, Published by the Committee, 1878. 

History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania . . . Chicago, 
Warner, Beers & Company, 1886. 

History of Litchfield County, Connecticut, With Illustrations and Biographical 
Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers. Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & 
Company, 1881. 

History of Warren County, Ohio . . . Chicago, W. H. Beers & Company, 
1882. 

HONEYMAN, ABRAHAM VAN DOREN, Joannes Nevius . . . and His Descend- 
ants, A.D. 1627-1900. Plainfield, N. J., Honeyman & Company, 1900. 

HOPKINS, TIMOTHY, The Kelloggs in the Old World and the New. San Fran- 
cisco, Sunset Press and Photo Engraving Company, 1903. 3 vols. 

HOTTEN, JOHN CAMDEN, ed., The Original Lists of Persons of Quality . . . 
and Others Who Went From Great Britain to the American Plantations, 
1600-1700 . . . London, John Camden Hotten, 1874. Reprinted: Em- 
pire State Book Company, New York, n. d. 

HUGUENOT SOCIETY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, Transactions, No. 39. Charleston, Pub- 
lished by Order of the Society, 1934. 

IDAHO STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Fourteenth Biennial Report of the Board of 

Trustees. Boise, 1934. 
ILLINOIS STATE HISTORICAL LIBRARY, The French Foundations, 1680-1693. French 

Series, vol. 1. (Collections of the Illinois State Historical Library, vol. 23.) 



RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 95 

ILLINOIS STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Transactions for the Year 1934: Proceed- 
ings of the Annual Meeting and Papers Presented at That Time. Printed 
by Authority of the State of Illinois. (Illinois State Historical Library 
Publication, No. 41.) 

INDIANA (TERRITORY) LAWS, STATUTES, ETC., The Laws of Indiana Territory, 
1809-1816. Indianapolis, Indiana Historical Bureau, 1934. 

KAY COUNTY GAS COMPANY, KAY COUNTY, OKLAHOMA. Ponca City, Kay 
County Gas Company [c!919]. 

KELLOGG, LUCY CUTLER, History of the Town of Bernardston, Franklin County, 
Massachusetts, 1736-1900, With Genealogies. Greenfield, Mass., E. A. Hall 
& Company, 1902. 

KILBOURNE, PAYNE KENYON, The History and Antiquities of the Name and 
Family of Kilbourn. New Haven, Durrie & Peck, 1856. 

KIRKLAND, THOMAS J., and ROBERT M. KENNEDY, Historic Camden [5. CM 
Part Two, Nineteenth Century. Columbia, S. C., State Company, 1926. 

LAMAR, MRS. CLARINDA (PENDLETON), A History of the National Society of the 
Colonial Dames of America From 1891 to 1933. [Atlanta, Walter W. Brown 
Publishing Company, 1934.] 

LAWRENCE, MRS. GLADYS (WILKINSON), Rees History. N. p. [c!932]. 

Wilkinson and Irvine. No impr. 

LEA, ALBERT MILLER, Notes on the Wisconsin Territory, With a Map. Phila- 
delphia, H. S. Tanner, 1836. [Reprint by State Historical Society of Iowa, 
1935.] 

LITTLE, MRS. CYNTHIA MARIA (JONES) ATWOOD, History of the Clan MacFarlane 
(Macfarlane) MacFarlan, MacFarland, MacFarlin. Tottenville, N. Y., Au- 
thor, 1893. 

MCMURTRIE, DOUGLAS CRAWFORD, Early Printing in Dayton, Ohio. Dayton, 

Printing House Craftsmen's Club of Dayton and Vicinity, 1935. 
MARYLAND, COURT OP CHANCERY, Proceedings of 1669-1679. Baltimore, Mary- 
land Historical Society, 1934. 
MASSACHUSETTS, ADJUTANT GENERAL, Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors, and 

Marines in the Civil War, vol. 7. Norwood, Mass., Norwood Press, 1933. 
MATHEWS, ALFRED, and AUSTIN N. HUNGERFORD, History of the Counties of 

Lehigh and Carbon in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, 

Everts & Richards, 1884. 
MATSON, NEHEMIAH, Reminiscences of Bureau County [Illinois]. Princeton, 

111., Republican Book and Job Office, 1872. 
MELLON, MRS. RACHEL HUGHEY (LARIMER), The Larimer, McM asters and 

Allied Families. Philadelphia, Printed for Private Circulation by J. B. Lip- 

pincott Company, 1903. 
MORRELL, FRANCIS VANDERVOORT, Ancestry of Daniel Morrell of Hartford With 

His Descendants and Some Contemporary Families. [Hartford, Conn.] 

J. W. Morrell, 1916. 
MORRISON, LEONARD ALLISON, History of the Alison or Allison Family in Europe 

and America, A. D. 1135 to 1893; Giving an Account of the Family in Scot- 



96 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

land, England, Ireland, Australia, Canada and the United States. Boston, 
Damrell & Upham, 1893. 

The National Society Magna Charta Dames, Instituted March 1, 1909. June 1, 
19S5. No impr. 

NATIONAL SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF FOUNDERS AND PATRIOTS OP AMERICA, Lineage 
Book, vols. 22-24. [West Somerville, Mass., Somerville Printing Company, 
C1934-1935.] 

Ohio Chapter, Ohio Chapter of the National Society Daughters of 

Founders and Patriots of America. N. p., 1935. 

NEILL, EDWARD DUFFIELD, The Fairfaxes of England and America in the Seven- 
teenth and Eighteenth Centuries . . . Albany, N. Y., J. Munsell, 1868. 

NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY IN THE CITY OP NEW YORK, One Hundred and Twenty- 
Ninth Annual Report for the Year 1934- No impr. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE (PROVINCE), Probate Records of the Province of New Hamp- 
shire, vol. 3, 1741-1749; vol. 4, 1760-1753. (State Papers Series, vols. 33-34.) 

NEW JERSEY, SECRETARY OF STATE, Index of Wills, Inventories, etc., in the Office 
of the Secretary of State Prior to 1901. N. p. 1912-1913. 3 vols. 

NEW MEXICO HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Old Santa Fe and Vicinity; Points of Interest 
and Convenient Trips. [Santa Fe] El Palacio Press, 1930. 

NEWFANE, VT., Centennial Proceedings and Other Historical Facts and In- 
cidents Relating to Newfane, the County Seat of Windham County, Ver- 
mont. Brattleboro, D. Leonard, 1877. 

NEWTON, CLAIR ALONZO HEMENWAY, Ralph Hemmenway of Roxbury, Mass., 
1634, and His Descendants. Naperville, 111., 1932. 

NORTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, Fifteenth Biennial Report, July 1, 
1932, to June SO, 1934. Raleigh, North Carolina Historical Commission, 1934. 

^JUTB, GRACE LEE, and GERTRUDE W. ACKERMAN, Guide to the Personal Papers 
in the Manuscript Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society. Saint 
Paul, Minnesota Historical Society, 1935. 

ORCUTT, SAMUEL, The History of the Old Town of Derby, Connecticut, 161$- 
1880, With Biographies and Genealogies . . . Springfield, Mass., Spring- 
field Printing Company, 1880. 

Organization and the Execution of the Selective Service Act in the State of 
West Virginia. Charleston, W. Va., Tribune Printing Company, n. d. 

Panhandle-Plains Historical Review, vols. 7-8. Canyon, Tex., Panhandle-Plains 
Historical Society, 1934-1935. 

PECK, EPAPHRODITUS, The Loyalists of Connecticut. [New Haven] Published 
for the Tercentenary Commission of the State of Connecticut by the Yale 
University Press, 1934. 

PIERCE, FREDERICK CLIFTON, Fiske and Fisk Family; Being the Record of the 
Descendants of Symond Fiske . . . Suffolk County, England . . . 
Chicago, Author, 1896. 

Polk's Council Bluffs (Pottawatamie County, 7a.) City Directory, 1933. De- 
troit, R. L. Polk & Company, c!933. 



RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 97 

Folk's Des Moines (Iowa) City Directory, 1933. Des Moines, R. L. Polk & 
Company, c!932. 

Folk's Jefferson City (Missouri) Directory, 1931. St. Louis, R. L. Polk & Com- 
pany, c!931. 

Folk's Kansas City (Missouri) Directory, 1933. Kansas City, Mo., Gate City 
Directory Company, c!933. 

Folk's Lincoln (Nebraska) City Directory, 1932. Kansas City, Mo., R. L. Polk 
& Company, c!932. 

Folk's Omaha (Douglas County, Neb.) City Directory, 1933. Detroit, R. L. 
Polk & Company, c!933. 

Folk's Sioux City (Iowa) Directory, 1933. Detroit, R. L. Polk & Company, 
c!932. 

Folk's Springfield (Greene County, Mo.) City Directory, 1933. Kansas City, 
Mo., R. L. Polk & Company, c!933. 

PORTER, W. ARTHUR, comp., A History of Union Presbyterian Church, Walnut 
Township, Montgomery County, Indiana, 1834-1934. No impr. 

Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois . . . Chicago, 
Biographical Publishing Company, 1886. 

Portrait and Biographical Album of Mahaska County, Iowa . . . Chicago, 
Chapman Brothers, 1887. 

PRICE, BENJAMIN LUTHER, John Price the Emigrant, Jamestown Colony, 1620, 
With Some of His Descendants. N. p. [preface, 1910] . 

PUCKETT, JAMES Louis, and ELLEN PUCKETT, History of Oklahoma and Indian 
Territory and Homeseekers' Guide. Vinita, Okla., Chieftain Publishing 
Company, 1906. 

ROE, JOSEPH WICKHAM, Connecticut Inventors. [New Haven] Published for 
the Tercentenary Commission of the State of Connecticut by the Yale 
University Press, 1934. 

SEYMOUR, ORIGEN STORRS, The Beginnings of the Episcopal Church in Con- 
necticut. [New Haven] Published for the Tercentenary Commission of the 
State of Connecticut by the Yale University Press, 1934. 

SHOWERMAN, GRANT, The Indian Stream Republic and Luther Parker. Con- 
cord, N. H., New Hampshire Historical Society, 1915. (Collections of the 
New Hampshire Historical Society, vol. 11.) 

SMITHTOWN, N. Y., Records of the Town of Smithtown, Long Island, N. Y., 
With Other Ancient Documents of Historic Value. Published by Authority 
of the Town, 1898. 

SOCIETY OP THE CINCINNATI, Rules of the State Societies for Admission to 
Membership. Washington, D. C., Society, 1934. 

SOCIETY OP THB WAR OF 1812 in the District of Columbia [Year Book, 1934]- 
Washington, D. C., 1934. 

Some Account of the Park Family, and Especially of the Rev. Joseph Park, 
M. A., 1705-1777, and Benjamin Parke, LL.D., 1801-1882. Westerly, R. I., 
Westerly Historical Society, 1917. 

Some Tennessee Heroes of the Revolution, Compiled From Pension State- 
ments. Pamphlet No. 2. Chattanooga, Lookout Publishing Company, n. d. 

71937 



98 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

SONS OF THE REVOLUTION in the State of New York. Reports and Proceedings, 

July 1, 1983, to June 80, 1984. No impr. 
SPOONER, THOMAS, Records of William Spooner, of Plymouth, Mass., and His 

Descendants. Vol. 1. Cincinnati, 1883. 
SPRINGER, MOSES C., A Genealogical Table and History of the Springer Family 

in Europe and North America. Vol. 1. Amesbury, Mass., Guild & Cameron 

[1917]. 

SWISHER, JACOB ARMSTRONG, The Legislation of the Forty-fifth General Assem- 
bly of Iowa, Extra Session. Iowa City, State Historical Society of Iowa, 

1934. (Iowa Monograph Series, No. 7.) 

SWISSHELM, JANE GREY, Crusader and Feminist; Letters of Jane Grey Swiss- 
helm, 1858-1865. St. Paul, Minnesota Historical Society, 1934. 
TAYLOR, OLIVER, Historic Sullivan; A History of Sullivan County, Tennessee, 

With Brief Biographies of the Makers of History. Bristol, Tenn., King 

Printing Company, 1909. 
UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY, Georgia division, Willie Hunt Smith 

Chapter, Barnesville, History of Lamar County [Georgia], Barnesville, 

Barnesville News-Gazette, 1932. 
UPHAM, CHARLES WENTWORTH, Salem Witchcraft; With an Account of Salem 

Village, and a History of Opinions on Witchcraft and Kindred Subjects. 

Boston, Wiggin and Lunt, 1867. 2 vols. 

VAN RENSSELABR, MARIA, Correspondence of . . . 1669-1689. Albany, Uni- 
versity of the State of New York, 1935. 
VERMONT, ADJUTANT GENERAL, Roster of Soldiers in the War of 1812-14- [St. 

Albans, Vt., The Messenger Press, 1933.] 
Roster of Vermont Men and Women in the Military and Naval Service 

of the United States and Allies in the World War, 1917-1919. Montpelier, 

1927. 
VINELAND HISTORICAL AND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY, Annual Report for the Year 

Ending October 2, 1934. Vineland, N. J. [The Society] 1934. 
VINTON, JOHN ADAMS, The Symmes Memorial. A Biographical Sketch of Rev. 

Zechariah Symmes, Minister of Charlestown, 1634-1671, With a Genealogy 

and Brief Memoirs of Some of His Descendants . . . Boston, Printed 

for the Author by David Clapp & Son, 1873. 
WEBSTER, NOAH, Webster Genealogy . . . New Haven, 1836. With Notes 

and Corrections by His Great-Grandson, Paul Leicester Ford. Brooklyn, 

N. Y., Privately Printed, 1876. 
WHITE, HENRY, The Early History of New England, Illustrated by Numerous 

Interesting Incidents. Concord, N. H., I. S. Boyd, 1842. 
WHITEBREAD, S. A., comp. and pub., Genealogy of the Whitebread Family in 

America. Ottawa, Kan., Newman Waring, The Printer, 1902. 
WHITSITT, WILLIAM HETH, Genealogy of Jefferson Davis and of Samuel Davies. 

New York, Neale Publishing Company, 1910. 
WILEY, SAMUEL T., and W. SCOTT GARNER, eds., Biographical and Portrait 

Cyclopedia of Blair County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, Gresham Pub- 
lishing Company, 1892. 



RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 99 

WOMEN'S CANADIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF OTTAWA. Annual Report, 1983-1934. 
Mimeographed. 

[WooDiN, WALLACE I.], Descendants of Amos Woodin. Mimeographed [1934]. 

WOOLSEY, C. M., History of the Town of Marlborough, Ulster County, New 
York, From Its Earliest Discovery. Albany, J. B. Lyon Company, 1908. 

WORCESTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Publications, New Series, vol. 1, No. 8. Wor- 
cester, Mass., Worcester Historical Society, 1935. 

WRIGHT, FREDERICK H., [Brownlee Family} Brownlees in Scotland and Brown- 
lees in America. Typed. 

WYOMING COMMEMORATIVE ASSOCIATION, Proceedings, 1934. No impr. 

GENERAL 

ADAMS, JAMES TRUSLOW, America's Tragedy. New York, Charles Scribner's 
Sons, 1934. 

ALLSOPP, FREDERICK WILLIAM, Albert Pike; a Biography. Little Rock, Ark., 
Parke-Harper Company, 1928. 

BAILEY, WILLIAM FRANCIS, The Story of the First Trans-Continental Railroad. 
[Pittsburgh, Pa., 1906.] 

BARAGA, FRIEDRICH, bp., Katolik anamie-Masinaigan. A Catholic Prayerbook 
and Catechism in the Otchipwe-Indian Language . . . With an Ap- 
pendix of the Mass and Vespers in Latin; and Prayers in the Ottawa-Indian 
Language, by Rev. John B. Weikamp . . . New York, Benziger Brothers, 
n. d. 

BATTERSON, JAMES GOODWIN, Gold and Silver as Currency in the Light of Ex- 
perience, Historical, Economical, and Practical: a Series of Papers Written 
for the Travelers Record . . . Hartford, Conn., Press of Case, Lockwood 
& Brainard, 1896. 

BEAGLEHOLE, ERNEST, and PEARL BEAGLEHOLE, Hopi of the Second Mesa. Mena- 
sha, Wis., American Anthropological Association, 1935. (Memoirs, No. 44.) 

BEARD, CHARLES AUSTIN, and MRS. MARY (RITTER) BEARD, American Citizen- 
ship. New York, Macmillan Company, 1915. 

BEARD, CHARLES AUSTIN, and GEORGE HOWARD EDWARD SMITH, The Open Door 
at Home, a Trial Philosophy of National Interest. New York, The Mac- 
millan Company, 1935. 

BEECHER, HENRY WARD, Lectures to Young Men, on Various Important Sub- 
jects. New ed. With Additional Lectures. New York, Derby & Jackson, 
1860. 

BERRY, CHESTER D., Loss of the Sultana and Reminiscences of Survivors. Lan- 
sing, Mich., Darius D. Thorp, 1892. 

CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE, Yearbook, 1934-1935. Wash- 
ington, Endowment, 1934-1935. 2 vols. 

Division of Intercourse and Education, International Conciliation, Doc- 
uments for the Year 1934- Worcester, Mass., Carnegie Endowment for In- 
ternational Peace, n. d. 

CARTER, CLARENCE EDWIN, ed., The Territorial Papers of the United States. 
Vols. 1-3. Washington, D. C., Government Printing Office, 1934. 



100 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

CAUGHEY, JOHN WALTON, Bernardo De Galvez in Louisiana, 1776-1783. Berke- 
ley, University of California Press, 1934. (Publications of the University oj 
California at Los Angeles in Social Sciences, vol. 4.) 

CHAMPION, RICHARD, The American Correspondence of a Bristol Merchant, 
1766-1776. Berkeley, University of California Press, 1934. (University of 
California Publications in History, vol. 22, No. 1.) 

COBERN, CAMDBN McCoRMACK, The New Archaeological Discoveries and Their 
Bearing Upon the New Testament and Upon the Life and Times of the 
Primitive Church. New York, Funk & Wagnalls, 1917. 

CONFERENCE OP TEACHERS OP INTERNATIONAL LAW AND RELATED SUBJECTS, Pro- 
ceedings of the Fifth Conference Held at Washington, D. C., April 26-27, 
1983. Washington, D. C., Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 
1933. 

DEBO, ANGIE, The Rise and Fall oj the Choctaw Republic. Norman, Okla., 
University of Oklahoma Press, 1934. 

Dictionary of American Biography, vols. 15-16. New York, Charles Scribner's 
Sons, 1935. 

DODGE, GRENVILLE MELLEN, Address to Army Associations and Miscellaneous 
Papers Relating to Civil and Spanish Wars. New York, Unz & Company, 
1904. 

DYER, BRAINERD, The Public Career of William M. Evarts. Berkeley, Uni- 
versity of California Press, 1933. (Publications of the University of Cali- 
fornia at Los Angeles in Social Sciences, vol. 2.) 

Encyclopedia of American Biography, New Series, vols. 2-3. New York, 
American Historical Society, Inc., 1934-1935. 

FERGUSON, HENRY LEE, Archaeological Exploration of Fishers Island, New York. 
New York, Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, 1935. 
(Indian Notes and Monographs, vol. 11, No. 1.) 

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, Annual Report of the Director to the 
Board of Trustees for the Year 1934. Chicago, 1935. 

FISKE, JOHN, The Critical Period of American History, 1783-1789. Boston, 
Houghton Mifflin and Company, 1898. 

The Dutch and Quaker Colonies in America. Boston, Houghton Mifflin 

and Company, 1903. 2 vols. 

FOREMAN, GRANT, The Five Civilized Tribes. Norman, University of Okla- 
homa Press, 1934. 

FREEMAN, DOUGLAS SOUTHALL, R. E. Lee; a Biography. New York, Charles 
Scribner's Sons, 1934. 4 vols. 

GESSNER, ROBERT, Massacre; a Survey oj Today's American Indian. New York, 
Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith [c!931]. 

GRAHAM, MALBONE WATSON, The League of Nations; the Recognition of States. 
Berkeley, University of California Press, 1933. (Publications of the Uni- 
versity of California at Los Angeles in Social Sciences, vol. 3, pp. 1-76.) 

GRAY, CARL RAYMOND, The Significance of the Pacific Railroads. Princeton 
University, The Cyrus Fogg Brockett Lectureship, April 9, 1935. 



RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 101 

HAINES, CHARLES GROVE, The American Doctrine of Judicial Supremacy. Berke- 
ley, University of California Press, 1932. (Publications of the University 

of California at Los Angeles, vol. 1.) 
HALE, WILLIAM JAY, The Farm Chemurgic; Farmward the Star of Destiny 

Lights Our Way . . . Boston, Stratford Company [c!934]. 
HARLOW, ALVIN FAY, Old Waybills; the Romance of the Express Companies. 

New York, Apple ton-Century Company, 1934. 
HENDERSON, HAROLD GOULD, The Bamboo Broom; an Introduction to Japanese 

Haiku. Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1934. 
HOOVER, HERBERT, Challenge to Liberty. New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 

1934. 
HOWARD, JOHN TASKER, Stephen Foster, America's Troubadour. . . New 

York, Thomas Y. Crowell [c!934]. 
HUSSEY, ROLAND DENNIS, The Caracas Company, 1728-1784; a Study in the 

History of Spanish Monopolistic Trade. Cambridge, Harvard University 

Press, 1934. 
HYDE, GEORGE E., The Pawnee Indians, Part Two. 1680-1770. Denver, John 

Van Male, 1934. (The Old West Series, No. 5.) 
INDIAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION, Fifty-first and Fifty-second Annual Reports of the 

Board of Directors for the Two Years Ending December 16, 1934. Phila- 
delphia, 1935. 
JOHNSON, GERALD WHITE, The Secession of the Southern States. New York, 

G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1933. 
A Joint Catalogue of the Periodicals and Serials in the Libraries of the City 

of Toronto. [4th ed.] Toronto, Printed and Published by the King's 

Printer, 1934. 
JONES, ALONZO TREVIER, Civil Government and Religion, or, Christianity and 

the American Constitution. Chicago, American Sentinel, 1889. 
JONES, DANIEL WEBSTER, Forty Years Among the Indians. . . . Salt Lake 

City, Juvenile Instructor Office, 1890. 
JONES, ELECTA FIDELIA, Stockbridge, Past and Present; or, Records of an Old 

Mission Station. Springfield, Samuel Bowles & Company, 1854. 
KELSEY, D. M., Deeds of Daring by Both Blue and Gray . . . During the 

Great Civil War. Philadelphia, Scammell & Company, 1884. 
KENNELLY, ARTHUR EDWIN, Vestiges of Pre-Metric Weights and Measures 

Persisting in Metric-System Europe, 1926-1927. New York, The Macmillan 

Company, 1928. 
KNIFFEN, FRED, and others, Walapai Ethnography. Menasha, Wis., American 

Anthropological Association, 1935. (Memoirs, No. 42.) 
LADAS, STEPHEN PERICLES, The Exchange of Minorities; Bulgaria, Greece and 

Turkey. New York, The Macmillan Company, 1932. 

LEA, firm, publishers, Philadelphia, One Hundred and Fifty Years of Publish- 
ing, 1785-1985. Philadelphia, Lea & Febiger, 1935. 
LEE, DWIGHT ERWIN, Great Britain and the Cyprus Convention Policy of 1878. 

Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 1934. 



102 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

LOMAX, JOHN A., and ALAN LOMAX, comps., American Ballads and Folk Songs. 
New York, Macmillan, 1934. 

MANLEY, INZA JANE, Effects of the Germanic Invasions on Gaul, 234-284 A. D. 
Berkeley, University of California Press, 1934. (University oj California 
Publications in History, vol. 17, No. 2.) 

MANNING, WILLIAM RAY, Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States, 
Inter-American Affairs, 1831-1860. Vols. 3-6. Washington, Carnegie Endow- 
ment for International Peace, 1934-1935. 

MASTERSON, WILLIAM EDWARD, Jurisdiction in Marginal Seas With Special 
Reference to Smuggling. New York, The Macmillan Company, 1929. 

MEACHAM, ALFRED BENJAMEN, We-Ne-Ma (the Woman-Chief). Hartford, 
American Publishing Company, 1876. 

MILTON, GEORGE FORT, The Eve of Conflict; Stephen A. Douglas and the Need- 
less War . . . Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1934. 

MORRIS, T. A., Miscellany: Consisting of Essays, Biographical Sketches and 
Notes of Travel. Cincinnati, L. Swormstedt & A. Poe, 1853. 

MOUNT VBRNON LADIES' ASSOCIATION OF THE UNION, Annual Report, 1934. 
No impr. 

MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, Annual Report of the Trustees, 1934. 
New York, 1935. 

National Cyclopaedia oj American Biography, Current Volume D. New York, 
James T. White & Company, 1934. 

National Cyclopaedia of American Biography Indexes. New York, James T. 
White & Company, 1935. 

New York Times Index . . . Annual Cumulative Volume, Year 1934- New 
York, New York Times Company, 1935. 

NORBY, CHARLES H., and W. D. WYMAN, A Topical Guide to the Mississippi 
Valley Historical Review, Vols. 1-19, 1914-1932, and the Mississippi Valley 
Historical Association Proceedings, Vols. 1-11, 1907-1924. N.p. The Mis- 
sissippi Valley Historical Association, 1934. 

ORDER OF INDIAN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES, Proceedings of the Annual 
Meeting and Dinner . . . January 26, 1929. No impr. 

O'RELL, MAX, John Bull and His Island. New York, Norman L. Munro 
[cl884]. 

Pacific Coast Annual Mining Review . . . October, 1878. San Francisco, 
1878. 

PANELLE, MICHAEL ANTHONY, ed., Contemporary American Lyricists. San 
Francisco, Author, n. d. 

Patterson's American Educational Directory, vol. 32. Chicago, American Edu- 
cational Company, 1935. 

PEARSON, HENRY CLEMENS, Pneumatic Tires; Automobile, Truck, Airplane, 
Motorcycle, Bicycle; an Encyclopedia of Tire Manufacture . . . New 
York, India Rubber Publishing Company [c!922]. 

PENNYPACKER MEMORIAL COMMISSION OF PENNSYLVANIA, The Memorial to 
Brevet Major General Galusha Pennypacker . . . N. p. [The Commis- 
. sion] 1934. 



RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 103 

POLITIS, NICOLAS, La Neutralite et la Paix. Paris, Librairie Hachette, 1935. 

Folk's Dental Register and Directory of the United States and Canada . . . 
7th ed. Detroit, 1906-'07. 

POOLE, DEWITT CLINTON, Among the Sioux of Dakota; Eighteen Months' Ex- 
perience as an Indian Agent. New York, D. Van Nostrand, 1881. 

PORTER, DAVID DIXON, The Naval History of the Civil War. New York, Sher- 
man Publishing Company, 1886. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, General Assembly, Minutes, Third Series Volume 14 
1935 . . . Philadelphia, Office of the General Assembly, 1935. 

SCHUH, H. J., David Zeisberger, the Moravian Missionary to the American 
Indians. Columbus, The Book Concern, n. d. 

SCOTT, JAMES BROWN, The Spanish Conception of International Law and of 
Sanctions. Washington, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 1934. 

SELLERS, JAMES LEE, James R. Doolittle. [Eyansville, Antes Press, n. d.] (Re- 
printed from the Wisconsin Magazine of History. Vol. 17, Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 
vol. 18, Nos. 1, 2. December, 1933-December, 1934.) 

SHEPHERD, WILLIAM ROBERT, Historical Atlas . . . 7th edition, Revised and 
Enlarged. New York, Henry Holt & Company, 1929. 

SIMPSON, MATTHEW, ed., Cyclopaedia of Methodism, Embracing Sketches of 
Its Rise, Progress, and Present Condition, With Biographical Notices . . . 
Philadelphia, Everts & Stewart, 1878. 

SPOONER, LYSANDER, The Constitution of No Authority. Boston, Author, 1870. 
(No Treason, No. 6.) 

STEPHENSON, WENDELL HOLMES, Alexander Porter, Whig Planter of Old Louis- 
iana. Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University Press, 1934. (University 
Studies, No. 16.) 

[STEVENSON, WILLIAM G.], Thirteen Months in the Rebel Army; Being a Nar- 
rative of Personal Adventures in the Infantry, Ordnance, Cavalry, Courier, 
and Hospital Services . . . by an Impressed New Yorker. New York, 
A. S. Barnes & Burr, 1862. 

[STYLEPARK HATS, INCORPORATED], Hats of the World. [Philadelphia, Bingham 
Company, c!935.] 

THOMANN, GALLUS, Real and Imaginary Effects of Intemperance. New York, 
The United States Brewers' Association, 1864. 

TRUEBLOOD, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, The Development of the Peace Idea and 
Other Essays . . . Boston, 1932. 

VAN DE WATER, FREDERIC F., Glory-Hunter; a Life of General Cutter . . . 
Indianapolis, N. Y., Bobbs-Merrill Company [c!934]. 

WALKER, ROBERT SPARKS, Torchlights to the Cherokees: the Brainerd Mission. 
New York, Macmillan Company, 1931. 

WALLACE, W. STEWART, ed., Documents Relating to the North West Company. 
Toronto, Champlain Society, 1934. (Publications of the Champlain Society, 
vol. 22.) 

WELLCOME FOUNDATION, LTD., London, The Wellcome Research Institution and 
the Affiliated Research Laboratories and Museums Founded by Sir Henry 
Wellcome . . . London, Eng., Wellcome Foundation, Ltd., 1934. 



104 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

WHITE, LESLIE A., The Pueblo of Santo Domingo, New Mexico. Menasha, 

Wis., American Anthropological Association, 1935. (Memoirs, No. 43.) 
Who's Who Among North American Authors . . . Vol. 6, IQZZ-W-tt. Los 

Angeles, Golden Syndicate Publishing Company [c!935]. 
Who's Who in America, a Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men and 

Women of the United States. Vol. 18, 1934-1935. Chicago, A. N. Marquis 

Company, 1934. 
WILLOOX, JOHN, The Approaching Conflict: a Brief Sketch of the Object and 

Aims of Human Government . . . Chicago, Hazlitt & Reed, 1873. 
The World Almanac and Book of Facts for 19S5. New York, New York 

World-Telegram, 1935. 
YOUNG, JAMES CAPERS, Liberia Rediscovered. Garden City, N. Y., Doubleday, 

Doran & Company, 1934. 



Kansas History as Published 
in the Press 

Phillips county history is being discussed at length in W. M. 
Parham's column, for some time a regular feature of the Logan 
Republican. 

Allamead community of Lincoln county in 1882, and Boston Cor- 
bett as a preacher, were recalled by A. Boyer in the Seneca County 
Press, of Seneca Falls, N. Y., January 23, 1935. The article was 
republished in the Lincoln Sentinel-Republican and The Lincoln 
County News February 21. More information about Boston Cor- 
bett's activities were contributed by Gomer T. Da vies in a letter in 
the News February 28. 

Cawker City's library history, by Mrs. Adele Jennings, librarian, 
appeared in the Cawker City News in its issues from February 21 to 
May 2, 1935, inclusive. 

The rivalry of Glen Elder and Beloit for the county seat of 
Mitchell county was recounted briefly in the Glen Elder Sentinel 
February 28, 1935. 

Pioneer life in north-central Kansas was described by Mrs. Mary 
E. Darrow in the Simpson News March 7, 1935. 

"Early County Genealogy" is the title of a regular column in the 
McPherson County Advertiser, of McPherson. It began in the issue 
of March 22, 1935. 

The early history of the Simpson Baptist Church was reviewed in 
the Simpson News April 4, 1935. The church observed its fiftieth 
anniversary March 31. 

Early school days at Rocky Hill district, Lincoln county, were 
recalled in The Lincoln County News, of Lincoln, April 4, 1935. 
The school dates from the early 1870's. 

A stockade erected near present Alexander on the old Fort Hays- 
Fort Dodge trail was described briefly by Nels Olson in the La 
Crosse Republican May 2, 1935. 

The story of the migration from Mexico in 1900 of eighty German- 
Russians to join their kinsmen in Russell was related in The Russell 
County News, of Russell, May 16, 1935. 

(105) 



106 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

A resume of an article describing the first acid treatment of oil 
wells in Kansas, published in the Oil and Gas Journal of Tulsa, 
Okla., was printed in the Russell Record May 16, 1935. The first 
well treated in Russell county was on January 22, 1933. Another 
article on this subject was contributed by John G. Staudt to the 
Record August 8. 

St. John Lutheran Church of Kensington observed the fiftieth 
anniversary of its founding last spring. A history of the organiza- 
tion was sketched in the Kensington Mirror May 16, 1935. 

Brief histories of the municipal bands of Russell, Lucas, Luray, 
Osborne, Beloit, Sylvan Grove and Cawker City appeared in the 
"Band Convention Issue" of the Lucas Independent June 6, 1935. 

The diary of T. P. Alexander, pioneer hardware merchant of 
Florence, is being printed serially in the Florence Bulletin, starting 
with the issue of June 13, 1935. The diary runs from August 11, 
1883, to a short time before Mr. Alexander's death in 1912. 

Several stories about men and women who helped to build the 
Southwest were contributed by Mrs. India H. Simmons to the Dodge 
City Daily Globe during the summer months of 1935. Commencing 
with the issue of November 23, the Globe began a new series by Mrs. 
Simmons called "Southwest History Corner." These articles, pub- 
lished weekly, feature the narratives of pioneer men and women of 
the Southwest. 

The early history of the Presbyterian church at Minneapolis and 
the organization of the Presbyterian church at Bennington were 
recounted in The Lincoln County News, of Lincoln, July 4, 1935. 
The article, by Rev. Wm. B. Gary, was reprinted from the New York 
Observer of July 22, 1874. 

Early-day Cawker City was briefly described by Katherine Green 
in the Cawker City Ledger July 18, 1935. 

Reminiscences of Harry H. Wolcott as a printer on T. E. Left- 
wich's Larned Optic were recorded in a three-column article in the 
Lamed Chronoscope July 25, 1935. 

The first annual convention of Kansas county clerks was held 
in Topeka January 19, 1887. The Kansas Official, of Topeka, made 
a brief report of this meeting in its August, 1935, issue. 

Kansas' early forts were named and described briefly in the Dodge 
City Journal August 1, 1935. 



KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 107 

"Tragedies," a story recalling several fatal accidents in the Luray 
community during the past thirty years, was printed in the Luray 
Herald August 1, 1935. 

An account of the relief furnished Harvey county during the 
winter of 1874-1875 as recorded in the diary of C. W. Ives, pioneer 
resident, was published in the Marion Review September 11, 1935. 

The fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Oakley was celebrated 
September 12, 1935. Historical articles and early-day pictures, in 
addition to a regular series contributed by Clarence Mershon, were 
printed for several months preceding the event, in the Oakley 
Graphic. Mr. Mershon's "History of Oakley" still continues as a 
weekly feature. 

Horton history was outlined in the Horton Headlight and The 
Tri-County News in their issues of September 16, 1935. Horton 
was incorporated September 20, 1887. 

A history of School District No. 9, Grant township, Marion 
county, by Mrs. Edith Phillips Collett, appeared in the Marion 
Record September 19, 1935. 

The fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Syracuse Presby- 
terian Church was observed September 22, 1935. The Syracuse 
Journal gave a brief review of the church's history on September 20. 

"Some Lost Towns of Western Kansas," by Rebecca Wells Taylor, 
and "Rabbit Drives in Kansas," by L. D. Wooster, were historical 
features of The Aerend, quarterly publication of the Fort Hays 
Kansas State College, in its fall, 1935, issue. 

A series of articles entitled "Early Day History of Hamilton 
County" was contributed by George F. Rinehart, of Glendora, Calif., 
to the Syracuse Journal for several weeks beginning September 27, 
1935. Mr. Rinehart was a resident of Syracuse in the middle 1880's. 

Bethel School, District No. 8, east of Lincolnville, celebrated 
the fiftieth anniversary of the erection of its present building with 
a special program September 27, 1935. The history of the school 
was sketched in the Marion Review and Record October 3. 

Notes on old Plymouth and Lane's fort in Brown county by 
George A. Root and George J. Remsburg appeared in an article by 
Mr. Remsburg in the Horton Headlight October 3, 1935. 

Garden City during the "boom" of the 1880's was described briefly 
in the Garden City Daily Telegram October 3, 1935. 



108 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Several dead post offices of Russell county were listed in The 
Russell County News, of Russell, October 3, 1935. 

Arrmgton history was reviewed in The Tri-County News, of 
Horton, October 3, 1935. The leading article, "Community History 
of Arlington," was by J. M. Miller. 

Early-day history of New Maiden community, Atchison county, 
was recounted by G. W. Carpenter, of Horton, in the Horton Head- 
light October 7, 1935. 

The organization and early history of Haskell county's Sunday 
schools were discussed in the Sublette Monitor October 10, 1935. 

Bunkerhill in 1875 was described briefly in the Bunkerhill Ad- 
vertiser October 10, 1935. 

The Meade Globe-News issued a special historical edition October 
24, 1935, celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of 
Meade Center as a third-class city. Leading articles were: "Carrie 
S. Anshutz Tells of the Early Settlement of Meade County," "Frank 
Fuhr Gives Partial List of Business Men on Square," and "Meade 
Center Incorporated as Third-class City October 21, 1885." 

Early-day Kirwin is being described by F. E. Young, of Stockton, 
in the Phillipsburg News. His articles began October 31, 1935. 

Meade county's early boundaries were discussed in the Meade 
Globe-News October 31, 1935. The county was organized November 
4, 1885, with its present boundaries. 

John R. Walden's column, "Early History of Clark County," has 
been revived and is appearing regularly in The Clark County Clip- 
per, of Ashland, starting October 31, 1935. The previous series be- 
gan September 13, 1934. 

Early observances of Thanksgiving in Kansas were mentioned 
by Kirke Mechem in Progress in Kansas, of Topeka, in its issue of 
November, 1935, and by Cecil Howes in the Kansas City (Mo.) 
Times November 28, 1935. 

Hays high-school history was sketched by Kathryn McLain in 
the Hays Daily News November 11, 1935. High-school subjects 
were first available to Hays students in 1885. 

"Dramatic Kansas," a paper read by Olin Templin of Kansas 
University in lola November 18, 1935, was reviewed in the lola 
Daily Register November 19. It sketched the territorial history of 
Kansas. 



KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 109 

Wichita banking history from 1877 to 1916 as compiled by Frank 
O. Carr was discussed in Victor Murdock's front-page feature article 
in the Wichita (Evening) Eagle November 19, 1935. 

A history of the Ellsworth Reporter was briefly sketched in its 
issue of November 21, 1935. The Reporter has been published sixty- 
four years. 

The Hornet, mimeographed organ of the Sun City schools, issued 
an attractive sixteen-page edition November 21, 1935, featuring the 
history of Sun City and vicinity. 

Kansans in Congress during the first thirty years of statehood 
were discussed by David D. Leahy in the Wichita Sunday Eagle 
in its issues from November 24 to December 15, 1935, inclusive. 

"Can't Agree on Ware Poem" was the title of a short article by 
Cecil Howes in the Kansas City (Mo.) Star November 26, 1935, 
reviewing several accounts of how and where Eugene Ware wrote 
his poem commemorating Admiral Dewey's victory in Manila Bay. 

Excerpts from Saline county's official minute books of 1860 and 
1861 were printed in the Salina Journal November 26, 1935. 

"Thanksgiving Often Came in Midst of Hard Times, But Old- 
Timers Celebrated Anyway," was the title of Harry Johnson's ar- 
ticle in the Garnett Review November 28, 1935. Mr. Johnson is a 
frequent contributor of historical articles to the Review. 

Arthur Selleck's reminiscences of his experiences in Cloud and 
Mitchell counties in the 1870's as written for a meeting of the 
Mitchell county old settlers were printed in the Simpson News, 
November 28, 1935. 

The history of the Garden Plain Methodist Church was briefly 
reviewed in the Cheney Sentinel November 28, 1935. The church 
was organized in 1885 by the Rev. E. C. Beach. 

"Buffalo, Once Here in Millions, Now Almost Vanished From 
Earth," was the title of an article by John G. Ellenbecker in the 
Marshall County News, of Marysville, November 28, 1935. 

An Indian scare in Kirwin and vicinity in the fall of 1878 was 
mentioned in the Kirwin Kansan November 28, 1935. 

Some of the first automobiles in Dodge City and their owners 
were recalled in the Dodge City Daily Globe November 28, 1935. 



110 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

A two-column history of the Cultus Club, a woman's organization 
of Phillipsburg, was printed in The Phillips County Review Novem- 
ber 28, 1935. 

Springs in the Flint Hills and the part they played in the early 
history of Kansas were discussed by Milton Tabor in the Topeka 
Daily Capital December 1, 1935. 

Two Allen county churches the First Methodist Church of lola 
and the Humboldt Methodist Church celebrated the seventy-fifth 
anniversaries of their founding during the week starting December 
2, 1935. Brief histories of the organizations were published in the 
lola Daily Register December 2. A sketch of the Humboldt church 
was also printed in the Humboldt Union December 12. 

Names of Russell county court reporters of the twenty-third 
judicial district were listed in The Russell County News, of Russell, 
December 5, 1935. 

"The Lot of the Territorial Governor in Kansas Was Not an 
Enviable One" was the title of an article briefly reviewing the ad- 
ministrations of Kansas' ten territorial governors, published in the 
Kansas City (Mo.) Star December 11, 1935. 

A history of education in Edwards county as written by L. R. 
Clark was featured in the Kinsley Graphic's twenty-six page "Christ- 
mas Special," December 12, 1935. 

Biographies of several Lewis pioneers appeared in the Christmas 
edition of the Lewis Press, December 12, 1935. 

Salina's history and the story of its city government were outlined 
by J. R. Epp at a meeting of the Salina Chamber of Commerce, 
December 12, 1935. The Salina Journal reviewed the speech on 
December 12. 

"Col. Jack Potter Recalls Fight Near Dodge City," "An Early 
Day Doctor," Dr. G. W. Hollembeak's story as told to Ida Ellen 
Cox; 'The Heart of the Pioneer," by W. C. Pearce, of Garden City, 
and "Famous Cowboy Band Mixed Fun and Music," were the titles 
of historical articles featured in the Dodge City Daily Globe Decem- 
ber 24, 1935. 

Christmas in Salina in the early days was recalled by Mrs. N. H. 
Loomis, of Omaha, Neb., in a letter to the Salina Journal, printed 
December 25, 1935. 



KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 111 

A brief history of Cheney by John I. Saunders appeared in the 
Cheney Sentinel December 26, 1935. 

Russell in 1874-1876 was described by Thomas H. McGill in The 
Rwsell County News, of Russell, December 26, 1935. 

A history of Naomi Rebekah Lodge No. 61, of Minneapolis, as 
written and presented by John Hartley at the anniversary meeting, 
was published in the Minneapolis Better Way December 26, 1935. 
The lodge was founded in 1872. 

The history of the Kansas Frontier Historical Park, located on 
part of the old Fort Hays military reservation, was reviewed in the 
Topeka Daily Capital December 29, 1935. 

Articles describing the blizzard of 1886 were featured in several 
Kansas newspapers in January, 1936, on the fiftieth anniversary of 
the event. 

"Some Notes on the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention," by 
Kirke Mechem, appeared in Progress in Kansas, of Topeka, in its 
January, 1936, issue. 

"Passing of Old Salem Church Revives Memories of Early Days," 
was an article in the Emporia Gazette January 1, 1936. The church, 
located south of Emporia, was erected in 1870 and was destroyed 
by fire in December, 1935. 

The story of Fredonia's courthouse, now fifty years old, was re- 
viewed in the Fredonia Daily Herald January 11, 1936. 

Three articles by Cecil Howes in the Kansas City (Mo.) Times 
were: "County Seat Wars Provide a Lurid Addition to the History 
of Kansas," January 11, 1936; "Appearance of Topeka Scrip Issued 
in 1856 Recalls Kansas Conflict," January 17, and "Group of Kan- 
sans Traveling Together Gave the Populists Their Title," February 
4. An article describing the career of "Fighting Fred" Funston, 
written by Herbert E. Smith for Foreign Service, of Kansas City, 
Mo., was reprinted in the Times January 14. 

Excerpts from the narrative of Prince Paul of Wurttemberg, who 
visited at the mouth of the Kansas river in 1823, were published in 
the Kansas City (Mo.) Star January 19, 1936. The account of his 
explorations was originally printed in German; the Star's English 
translation was by Robert M. Snyder, Jr. 

A history of the Wichita Business College was sketched in the 
Wichita (Evening) Eagle January 24, 1936. It was founded in 1883. 



Kansas Historical Notes 

Eight of the nine directors of the Lindsborg Historical Society 
were reflected to their offices October 28, 1935, at the annual meet- 
ing of the society. The new member is E. 0. Deere, who succeeded 
Henry Olson. Members reflected for another year were: J. A. 
Holmberg, Birger Sandzen, C. A. Nelson, G. E. Eberhardt, John 
Altenborg, A. W. Carlson, H. J. Thorstenberg, and C. R. Rooth. 

All officers of the Ness County Historical Society were reflected at 
the annual meeting in Ness City November 5, 1935. The officers 
were: Lea Maranville, president; Grace Beardslee, secretary, and 
Martha Borthwick, treasurer. 

Sen. Arthur Capper addressed the annual meeting of the Shawnee 
County Old Settlers' Association in Topeka December 5, 1935. 
Newly elected officers of the organization are: Miss M. L. Addis, 
president; Mrs. Luther Smith, vice-president, and Mrs. Frank Kam- 
bach, secretary-treasurer. 

Olin Templin was the featured speaker at the annual meeting of 
the Douglas County Historical Society in Lawrence December 11, 
1935. Officers elected to serve during 1936 include: Mrs. E. M. 
Owen, president; Mrs. Ida Lyons, first vice-president; F. N. Ray- 
mond, second vice-president; Mrs. Caroline B. Spangler, secretary, 
and Walter Varnum, treasurer. 

Kirke Mechem, secretary of the Kansas State Historical Society, 
addressed the Memorial Craftsmen of Kansas in Salina January 10, 
1935. 

(112) 



D 

16-1987 



THE 



Kansas Historical 
Quarterly 



Volume V Number 2 

May, 1936 



PRINTED BY KANSAS STATE PRINTING PLANT 

w. c. AUSTIN. STATE PRINTER 

TOPEKA 1936 

16-3057 



Contributors 

JAMES C. MALIN, associate editor of The Kansas Historical Quarterly, is as- 
sociate professor of history at the University of Kansas, at Lawrence. 

LELA BARNES is curator of manuscripts of the Kansas State Historical So- 
ciety. 

THOMAS CLARKE WELLS, who died in 1907, was an early settler in the Man- 
hattan vicinity. A biographical sketch appears on page 143. 

GEORGE A. ROOT is curator of archives of the Kansas State Historical So- 
ciety. 

DOROTHY LEIBENGOOD is social science instructor in the Oak Street Junior 
High School at Burlington, Iowa. 

WILLIAM E. SMITH is an attorney at Wamego and a director of the Kansas 
State Historical Society. 



Frank Heywood Hodder, 1860-1935 

death of the president of the Kansas State Historical So- 
JL ciety, Prof. Frank Heywood Hodder, on December 27, 1935, 
brought to a close the career of one who has meant more to the cause 
of history in Kansas than any other man. Born at Aurora, 111., 
November 6, 1860, his early life was identified with that town. He 
was graduated from the University of Michigan in 1883 ; spent part 
of the next two years at Washington in civil service; served as in- 
structor in history and economics at Cornell University, 1885-1889, 
under his former teacher, Charles Kendall Adams, who had moved 
from Michigan ; became assistant professor of economics, 1889-1890 ; 
studied in Germany at the universities of Goettingen and Freiburg, 
1890-1891 ; came to the University of Kansas as associate professor 
of American history, 1891. After two years he was promoted to 
the position of professor of American history and political science 
and became head of the department of history in 1908. 

At the time when Hodder was beginning his historical studies 
several of the great teachers were urging young students to begin 
with the investigation of the history and development of local in- 
stitutions in their own communities. Hodder's first recorded re- 
search work was of this type, "The City Government of Chicago," 
which was scheduled to be published in the Johns Hopkins Uni- 
versity Studies in History and Political Science; 1 but for some 
reason not now determinable was not included in the volume of 
that series devoted to municipal government. This monograph was 
the first evidence of his interest in the historical development of 
Chicago, and for that reason is of importance, because that city was 
to be the focus of the studies in which he made his greatest con- 
tribution to historical knowledge during his later career. 

On locating in Kansas he undertook the study of the history and 
government of his adopted state, and in 1895 published his Govern- 
ment of the People of Kansas. 2 This little book combined Kansas 
history, as a background and introduction, with the study of state 
government. It illustrated his unusual ability to digest the conflict- 
ing materials of this most controversial of states and to present the 

1. H. B. Adams, The Study of History in American Colleges, p. 111. United States 
Bureau of Education Circulars of Information, 1887, number 2. 

2. Frank Heywood Hodder, The Government of the People of Kansas (Philadelphia, 
Eldredge & Brother, 1895). 

(115) 



116 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

results with simplicity and balanced perspective. In spite of the 
careful work that went into the book it did not please certain factions 
then prominent in Kansas political life. An attack of intense bitter- 
ness was made upon the book and its author, led by John Speer. 
The formal statement of the charges is to be found in the presidential 
address delivered by Speer at the annual meeting of the Kansas State 
Historical Society January 18, 1898, entitled "Accuracy in His- 
tory." 3 There is no point to discussing here the merits of the his- 
torical question in controversy. The matter that was at stake for a 
young professor of history was his position in the university. Some 
friends advised him to fight it out with Speer, while others pointed 
to the extremes of the controversies in which Speer and his con- 
temporaries had so often engaged, the power which Speer and his 
friends wielded in political circles and among newspaper men, and 
warned Hodder that it would be better to drop the subject. After 
full consideration he decided on the latter course, abandoning Kan- 
sas history as a major field of historical work for himself and his 
students and thereby the state of Kansas has been the loser. 4 
Hodder had intended to review the whole question in his presidential 
address in October, 1936. The present reference to the subject is in 
no sense intended as a substitute, neither is it intended to revive the 
old controversy in any form, but is introduced only because it be- 
came a turning point in Hodder's career and in justice to him and 
to the history of research in and the writing of Kansas history it is 
necessary to give this much of explanation in order to complete the 
record. 

For many years the only instructor in American history at the 
University of Kansas, Hodder devoted his energies to the develop- 
ment of courses which covered the whole subject, rather than to 
concentration on a single phase or period as was possible in the 
history departments of some of the larger and wealthier institutions. 
The guides to these courses were published in two small volumes, 
and as he was constantly engaged in original investigation, they 

3. Collections of the Kansas State Historical Society, v. VI, pp. 60-69. 

4. The few Kansas items he published include "Some Aspects of the English Bill," in the 
Report of the American Historical Association, 1906, pp. 201-210, and reprinted in the 
Collections of the Kansas State Historical Society, v. X, pp. 224-232; "Kansas, 1910-1920," 
in the supplement to The Encyclopedia Britcmnica, 1922; "The John Brown Pikes," in The 
Kansas Historical Quarterly, v. II, pp. 386-390, and a review of W. E. Connelley's History 
of Kansas, State and People in The American Historical Review, v. XXXIV, pp. 663-664. 

The publication of theses on Kansas and related subjects, written by students under his 
supervision include: Rosa M. Perdue, "The Sources of the Constitution of Kansas" in the 
Collections of the Kansas State Historical Society, v. VII, pp. 130-151; Anna H. Abel, 
"Indian Reservations in Kansas and the Extinguishment of Their Title," ibid., v. VIII, pp. 
72-109; Helen G. Gill, "The Establishment of Counties in Kansas," ibid., v. VIII, pp. 449- 
472; James C. Malin, "Indian Policy and Westward Expansion," University of Kansas 
Humanistic Studies, v. II, pp. 261-358. 



MALIN: FRANK HEYWOOD HODDEB 117 

were frequently revised. 5 His interest was primarily in the analysis 
of special problems historical criticism rather than factual narra- 
tive or philosophical synthesis. Although he labeled his courses as 
primarily political, they were not narrowly so. He was opposed to 
the separation of history into compartments, political, diplomatic, 
economic, social and cultural; all phases should be studied together 
as they were lived as a whole. If he had any prejudices which 
anyone might point to as coloring his presentation of history, it was 
an abiding abomination of those inseparable twins war and intoler- 
ance. 

He added to his courses, or changed them in many details, each 
year, and for some periods more than others. There was scarcely 
a topic to which he did not contribute something from his own in- 
vestigation. He did not rush into print with every new thing, but 
he taught these new things to a long succession of students. He was 
reluctant to publish, even when to others it seemed that the problem 
had been completed, and much or most of his work was never 
printed. On some problems where he did not publish, his mastery 
of the subject is attested beyond question by brilliant book reviews. 

Every student who worked with Hodder remembers problems, 
such as those dealing with Columbus, Cabot, the cause of the Ameri- 
can Revolution, the Missouri compromises, the Oregon question, 
the compromise of 1850, Douglas, the Pacific railroad and the Kan- 
sas-Nebraska act, the Dred Scott decision, John Brown, and the 
Grant-Johnson controversy. His success in dealing with these 
problems of historical criticism was derived from certain special 
talents of the man his faculty for analysis, by which he was able 
to fix upon the crucial point at issue ; his unusual power of discrimi- 
nation in dealing with masses of conflicting materials; and a mastery 
of the bibliography of his subject. These are essentials of every 
good historian, but he possessed them more fully than most men. 
When he had arrived at his conclusions, they were stated briefly. 
What many historians would require a book to present, he would 
condense into a magazine article. For these same reasons he was 
without a superior in the historical profession as a book reviewer. 6 
His talents included also a rare ability to interpret maps, portraits 
and cartoons for historical purposes. 

Among his earliest works was the Outline Historical Atlas of the 

5. F. H. Hodder, Outlines of American Colonial History (c. 1910, 1914, 1917). Seven 
printings. Outlines of American Political History (c. 1911, 1915). Five printings. 

6. Beginning in 1898, he wrote book reviews for The Dial (Chicago) until 1904, his 
first review article being "An American Chancellor of Law," a review of William Kent, 
Memoirs and Letters of James Kent, LL. D., Dial, v. XXIV, pp. 376-377. 



118 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

United States, illustrating territorial growth and organization. 7 
This was revised and perfected from time to time, going through five 
editions. As a recognized authority on the subject he reviewed 
several publications of similar nature for The American Historical 
Review. 8 He contributed also to two sections of the monumental 
Atlas of the Historical Geography of the United States published 
jointly in 1932 by the Carnegie Institution at Washington and the 
American Geographical Society of New York. 

In the utilization of portraiture as a source material for history 
Hodder published little, 9 but he acquired an extensive knowledge of 
portraits, especially those of Lincoln. He prepared lantern slides of 
the most significant Lincoln material for presentation in illustrated 
lectures. 10 Similar series of lantern slides and lectures were prepared 
to illustrate the development of the use of cartoons for political pur- 
poses. A short sketch of this subject was published, 11 but the book 
he had in preparation was not completed. 

Among his published articles, one that aroused as much comment 
as any was the paper entitled "Propaganda as a Source of American 
History." 12 Starting with the Columbian tradition, he indicated 
how it was established by propaganda, and except in a limited num- 
ber of works, is perpetuated in the standard histories of today. Other 
episodes were selected in successive periods down to and including 
Woodrow Wilson, to illustrate how similar influences determined in 
one way or another many of the established versions of history. 

The Columbus problem attracted Hodder's attention early in his 
career, and he was still working on it at the time of his death. The 
only publications which indicate the extent of his mastery of that 
complicated question are book reviews of 1904. 13 The Cabot prob- 
lem is not so complicated, but is one of unusual interest to the stu- 
dent of exploration, cartography and commerce. In a review of 
Beazley's John and Sebastian Cabot, he pointed out that Sebastian 
Cabot's Muscovy company voyage of 1553 was the first application 
of the trading corporation to the purposes of discovery. 14 

On the period of the American Revolution there are four book 

7. Boston, Ginn and Company, 1899, 1901, 1913, 1921, 1929. 

8. American Historical Review, v. VII, pp. 569-572; v. VIII, pp. 561-562; v. X, pp. 
215-216. 

9. F. H. Hodder, "Lincoln Portraits," New York Times, February 26, 1922; "Healey's 
Portrait of Lincoln," ibid., March 13, 1927. 

10. Mrs. Hodder presented this Lincoln material to the Kansas State Historical Society. 

11. F. H. Hodder, "Some Early Political Cartoons," The Historical Outlook, v. XIX, 
pp. 261-264. 

12. Mississippi Valley Historical Review, v. IX, pp. 3-18. 

13. Dial, v. XXXVII, pp. 12-13, 85-87, 363-366. 

14. Ibid., v. XXV, pp. 342-343. 



MALIN: FRANK HEYWOOD HODDEB 119 

reviews of his, two of which are of particular importance, the reviews 
of the books of Van Tyne and Mcllwain. 15 These are most excellent 
examples of his best work, as well as outstanding illustrations of 
what a book review ought to be. The review of the Van Tyne book, 
for example, traced the history of how the history of the American 
Revolution had been written, the multiplication of monographic 
studies, the place of the book as a new synthesis, and, lastly, the 
criticism of the work in detail. 

There is a considerable list of book reviews and there are a few 
articles on expansion and foreign policy. Particularly, however, he 
was interested in the internal development of western territory. He 
was primarily a historian of the Trans-Mississippi West. As an 
editor of original narratives he prepared the introduction and notes 
for an edition of Pittman's The Present State of the European 
Settlements on the Mississippi (ca. 1763-1770), and of Audubon's 
Western Journal, 1849-1850, both published in 1906. He reviewed 
in detail Chittenden's The American Fur Trade (1902) and Kevin's 
Fremont, the World's Greatest Adventurer (1928). 16 Incidentally 
the Fremont review must be ranked along with the Van Tyne and 
Mcllwain reviews. The Oregon question was another which engaged 
his interest over a long period, although he did not publish his re- 
sults, except as they came out in connection with book reviews. 17 

For the middle period of the nineteenth century the westward 
movement in its relations to railroads and slavery was the theme of 
Hodder's most important work. His earliest article on the anti- 
slavery movement was "Some Early Anti-Slavery Publications" in 
which he traced chronologically the publications of antislavery books 
prior to the book of Lydia Childs in 1833. 18 This kind of a biblio- 
graphical discussion is familiar to all students who heard his lectures. 
It was one of the distinctive features of his teaching. 

The Missouri compromises were the subject of three research 
papers 19 and two book reviews. The first published record of Hod- 
is. Review of Claudo H. Van Tyne, The Causes of the War of Independence, Mississippi 
Valley Historical Review, v. X, pp. 472-475; review of Charles H. Mcllwain, The American 
Revolution, ibid., v. XI, pp. 271-274; review of S. E. Morrison, Documents Relative to 
the American Revolution, ibid., v. XI, pp. 441-442; review of Paul C. Phillips, The West 
in the Diplomacy of the American Revolution, ibid., v. I, pp. 302-304. 

16. Dial, v. XXXII, pp. 412-414, and Mississippi Valley Historical Review, v. XV, pp. 
266-269. 

17. Review of E. G. Bourne, Essays in Historical Criticism, Dial, v. XXXII, pp. 40- 
43 ; review of W. I. Marshall, History vs. The Whitman Saved Oregon Story, American 
Historical Review, v. X, pp. 451-452; Joseph Schafer, A History of the Pacific Northwest, 
ibid., v. XI, pp. 949-950; J. C. Bell, The Opening of the Highway to the Pacific, Mississippi 
Valley Historical Review, v. IX, pp. 243-244. 

18. Dial, v. XXXI, pp. 310-311. 

19. F. H. Hodder, "An Omitted Chapter in the History of the Second Missouri Com- 
promise," abstract published in The American Historical Review, v. VI, p. 421; "Side-Lights 
on the Second Missouri Compromise," Report of the American Historical Association, 1909, 



120 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

der's interest in Stephen A. Douglas is found in a book review of 
W. G. Brown, Stephen Arnold Douglas (1903) . 20 About this time he 
planned a biography of Douglas. For various reasons the book was 
not written, but two phases of his research on the problem have been 
published. A part of his work on the compromise of 1850 was con- 
densed into an article read at the Lincoln, Neb., meeting of the Mis- 
sissippi Valley Historical Association in 1932, but was not published 
until after his death. 21 In this he pointed out conclusively, what he 
had taught for so many years, that the two points contributed by 
Henry Clay to the compromise were both rejected, that Clay was 
absent when the principal decisions were reached, and that Douglas 
was the chief author of the measures passed and the determining 
influence in securing the acceptance of the compromise. 

The first published clue to Hodder's interest in the Kansas- 
Nebraska act is found in his review of Mrs. Archibald Dixon's book, 
The True History of the Missouri Compromise and Its Repeal 
(1899). 22 An appreciation of the ramifications of this problem and 
Hodder's approach may be made more complete by reference to 
preliminary influences. His interest in exploration, the contribu- 
tions of exploration to geographical knowledge, the incorporation of 
such information into maps, all tended to focus on the importance to 
history of natural highways and of the instruments of transporta- 
tion. His appreciation of the work of Hulbert on historic highways 
of America is evident in his review article on the work of that 
author. 23 Hodder's own interest in highways was focused on rail- 
ways and a railway interpretation of American history, especially as 
associated with the Kansas-Nebraska problem and the Pacific rail- 
road project. The key to the situation was Douglas' interest in the 
Pacific railroad, of which Chicago was to be the beneficiary. The 
South wanted such a railroad also, and as a result of the Mexican 
War and the Gadsden Purchase appeared to be about to realize its 
objective. After ten years of advocacy Douglas secured the enact- 
ment of his bill to organize the territories of Kansas and Nebraska 
and to open them to settlement preparatory to the final contest for 
the authorization of the building of his Pacific railroad, as he hoped, 

pp. 151-161; the same also in The Missouri Historical Review, v. Ill, pp. 138-149; "Dough- 
Faces; the Occasion Upon Which John Randolph Coined the Phrase and a Discussion of 
Its Source and Meaning," Nation, v. C, p. 245 ; review of F. C. Shoemaker, Missouri's 
Struggle for Statehood, American Historical Review, y. XXII, p. 404; review of E. S. Brown, 
The Missouri Compromise, Mississippi Valley Historical Review, v. XIII, pp. 284-286. 

20. Review in American Historical Review, v. VIII, p. 390. 

21. F. H. Hodder, "The Authorship of the Compromise of 1850," Mississippi Valley 
Historical Review, v. XXII, pp. 525-536. 

22. Dial, v. XXVII, pp. 124-126. 

23. Ibid., v. XXXV, pp. 214-215. 



b 

MALIN: FRANK HEYWOOD HODDER 121 

by the northern or the central route connecting with Chicago, rather 
than by the southern route. 24 

Nowhere is Hodder's scholarship more brilliantly expressed than 
in his study of the Dred Scott case. For many years constitutional 
law was one of his major courses as a teacher, and he possessed a 
type of mind admirably suited to interpretation of the law. Most 
students of constitutional law know little history, and most his- 
torians know little law. Hodder knew both. He demonstrated 
beyond question that practically every point in the traditional anti- 
slavery accounts of the case was wrong; the motives for originating 
the case, its course through the courts, the responsibility for the 
political character of the opinions, the charges of delay in the de- 
cision, and the soundness of the legal argument in the opinions of the 
judges. From the standpoint of legal analysis, precision of state- 
ment and literary form it exhibits a standard of quality which is 
rarely equaled. 

In spite of the regular burden of teaching and administrative 
duties, with a limited time for research and writing, Hodder partici- 
pated in most of the activities of a historical character in the state. 
Especially he attended regularly and participated in the meetings of 
teachers of history in the public school system. 

On account of the limited facilities of the University of Kansas, 
most of his graduate students were urged to go to Eastern universi- 
ties. For this reason many history students who completed their 
work in the East and are credited to such institutions, received their 
major training in Kansas. In his profession he was never a member 
of a clique or faction; his interest was primarily in scholarly work. 
Especially he was interested in the work of the younger men, whether 
or not they were his own students. He gave unselfishly to them of 
his time, energy and knowledge. Much of the time he had on hand 
one or more historical manuscripts submitted to him from all parts 
of the country for his friendly and constructive criticism. It is not 
in one activity alone or in one locality that his influence has been 
felt; his was a well-rounded career in which substantial and perma- 
nent contributions were made which place him in the rank of the 
nation's foremost scholars and teachers. 

JAMES C. MALIN. 

24. Two other historians, W. E. Dodd and Allen Johnson, about the same time, recog- 
nized the relation of Douglas to railroads, but Hodder was the first to work out the problem 
in detail. His published articles are: "The Genesis of the Kansas -Nebraska Act," Proceedings 
of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin for 1912, pp. 69-86; "When the Railroads Came 
to Chicago," abstract in the Re-port of the American Historical Review, v. XX, p. 517 ; 
"The Railroad Background of the Kansas-Nebraska Act," Mississippi Valley Historical Review, 
v. XII, pp. 3-22. Review of Allen Johnson, Stephen A. Douglas, American Historical Review, 
v. XIV, p. 369. 



Isaac McCoy and the 
Treaty of 1821 

LELA BARNES 

ISAAC McCOY, Baptist missionary to the Indians, was an out- 
standing figure in the development of the Indian removal policy 
of the United States. He began his missionary work on the western 
frontier of Indiana in 1817 and spent the twelve years following with 
the tribes of Indiana and Michigan. By 1823 he was convinced that 
the ultimate decline and ruin of the Indians could be avoided only 
by removing them from the encroaching whites and by colonization 
in lands west of Missouri. The following year he submitted his 
conclusions to the Baptist Mission Board and was authorized to 
present the matter at Washington. Secretary of War John C. 
Calhoun, whose department was at that time in charge of Indian 
affairs, approved McCoy's plans and became a supporter of the 
measure. McCoy worked unceasingly for the program and pub- 
lished in 1827 his Remarks on the Practicability of Indian Reform, 
in which he urged concentration of the perishing tribes in some 
suitable portion of the country under proper guardianship of the 
government. 1 

By 1828 many of the tribes had migrated to the West and in that 
year an exploring expedition was ordered by the government to 
permit certain other tribes to examine the country west of the Mis- 
sissippi and select locations. McCoy was appointed one of the 
commissioners. Two tours were made and delegations of Pottawa- 
tomies, Ottawas, Creeks, Chickasaws and Choctaws were taken into 
the territory. In 1830 McCoy was appointed surveyor and agent to 
assist in the migration westward, and devoted more than ten years 
to the work. During this period he spent much time in what is now 
Kansas selecting and surveying locations for the tribes and estab- 
lishing missions and schools. Much of the early recorded history of 
the state relates to the settling of the Indians within its borders and 
subsequent efforts of mission groups to introduce the ways of civili- 
zation. 

This paper is a brief sketch of McCoy's life up to 1823, when he 
began his work at Carey mission, near St. Joseph's river, Michigan. 

1. Isaac McCoy was born near Uniontown, Pa., June 13, 1784. He died at Louisville, 
Ky., June 21, 1846. His published works include : Remarks on the Practicability of Indian 
Reform Embracing Their Colonization, 1827 ; The Annual Register of Indian Affairs Within 
the Indian (or Western) Territory, 1835-1838; A History of the Baptist Indian Missions, 1840. 

(122) 



BARNES: THE TREATY OF 1821 123 

Although the establishment of this mission was the result of many 
years of directed effort, it hinged at the last upon the terms of the 
Treaty of 1821, whereby the government sought to purchase lands 
from the Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawatomie nations. McCoy's 
hopes depended on the adoption of a provision for the establishment 
of a school for the Pottawatomies in Michigan territory and his 
own subsequent appointment as teacher. He planned, of course, to 
combine teaching and religious instruction. The treaty, as con- 
cluded, provided for the school, and upon its ratification McCoy 
received his appointment. But he had struggled with many deter- 
ring forces by the time this end was reached. 

McCoy's determination to "labor" in the Indian country runs like 
a vein of iron through the account of his life. Before his twentieth 
year the idea of going to Vincennes, Indiana territory, had taken 
definite form in his mind, strengthened by a mystical experience in 
which he was directed by a luminous spot in a cloud-darkened sky 
to that place. 2 Soon after this occurrence he married Christiana 
Polke, and in the year 1804 set out from Shelby county, Kentucky, 
with his sixteen-year old bride, for the territory of the Wabash. 
Here he settled on public land about seven miles above Vincennes, 
later removing to the settlement where he prepared to follow the 
art of making spinning wheels, which he had learned from his 
father. But the climate of the region was not favorable and in 1805 
the little family (there was by now a small daughter) removed to 
Clark county, Indiana territory, and settled on Silver creek. 

Throughout his journal for this period are references to mental 
perturbation on the subject of preaching. By 1808 he had been 
regularly licensed. In 1809 he was again visited by "agitations of 
the mind" respecting preaching at Vincennes, and with the consent 
of his wife who expected never to be settled until he had accom- 
plished his purpose of laboring at that place the family returned 
to the country of the Wabash where, in the year following, McCoy 
became pastor of Maria church. Here life was filled with peril and 
hardship. The family suffered much illness; only a bare existence 
was possible on the small earnings from wheel-making; and the 
Indians were a constant menace, forcing them at times to live at 
the forts. But in spite of all this McCoy planned to enlarge the 
field of his work and by 1815 had conceived the idea of forming a 

2. Statement of the events of his life, addressed to his brother-in-law, William Polke. 
Isaac McCoy's journals, correspondence and manuscripts referred to in this article are part of 
the McCoy collection of manuscripts belonging to the Kansas State Historical Society. The 
journal covers, with some gaps, the years 1817-1841; the correspondence begins with the year 
1808 and continues until McCoy's death. 



124 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

society for domestic missions. He later found that the idea had 
been developed elsewhere, yet "such was the obscurity of my situa- 
tion," he recorded, "that I had never heard of it. . . . I con- 
cluded it would not be foreign from the general Missionary Cause, 
for these western regions to turn their attention in part to the 
destitute [who] were immediately under their notice. I had no 
sooner conceived the plan than I felt pretty much transported with 
the idea." 3 As a result of perseverance he was given an opportunity 
in 1816 by the Longrun (Kentucky) Association to a make a three 
months' tour in the territories of Illinois and Missouri. This tour 
took him to what he describes as the heart of the devil's empire a 
place less menacing in aspect after 120 years, known as St. Louis. 

The enthusiasm of the Longrun Association for domestic missions 
had declined, however, by the time the tour was over. There were 
but few members then favoring the project and these, wrote McCoy, 
could not obtain for the expiring scheme a decent funeral. The 
cause of foreign missions was then in the ascendency. A period 
of despair followed, out of which came the idea that he must so 
improve his financial condition as to be able to give all his time 
to preaching seemingly an impossible goal, since time already 
spent in the ministry had brought him to a state of poverty. Rest- 
lessness filled his heart and his constant prayer was for a larger 
sphere in which to work. "I have thought," he wrote, "that if a 
suitable opportunity should offer I would offer my services to the 
Baptist Board of Foreign Missions to travel under their auspices 
in these western regions." 4 

Hearing that the Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society was 
contemplating a mission in the West, McCoy made known his desire 
for an appointment. Also he informed the Baptist Board of Foreign 
Missions for the United States of his desire to become a missionary, 
suggesting St. Louis as a field. But the board did not favor his 
request and selected two others for the St. Louis post. News of this 
action came when his fortunes were at low ebb, when he was afraid 
"to go in company" lest he should see a creditor, and when the needs 
of eight children pressed down upon him. Fever, which failed to 
respond to "physick and barks" burned his strength and energies, 
and he believed that he was dying. Then, when matters had reached 
the lowest point during this time of trial, he received notice from the 
Baptist board of his selection as missionary to the Wabash country 

3. Ibid, 

4. Journal of Isaac McCoy, January 12, 1817. Hereinafter cited as Journal. 



BARNES: THE TREATY OF 1821 125 

for the period of a year. This was in August, 1817. His field was 
defined as the counties of Edwards and Crawford, Illinois territory ; 
Knox, Sullivan and Daviess counties, Indiana territory. 5 

McCoy received the appointment in October, following, and as- 
sumed his duties at once. His journal record of distances traveled 
indicates his determination to carry the message to remote corners 
of the assigned territory. But his program of work did not permit 
him to spend much time with the Indians and, since he had by now 
decided to dedicate the remainder of his life to their earthly and 
eternal welfare, he set about to devise means. Late in 1817 he 
visited Thomas Posey, Indian agent at Vincennes, and informed 
him of his plans. Posey was friendly and offered assistance, sug- 
gesting that McCoy defer any trips to the Indian villages until after 
his desire to work among them had been presented in council. Early 
the following year McCoy visited Territorial Judge Benjamin Parke. 
He recorded the interview as follows: 

I rode to Vincennes and conversed with Judge Parke on the introduction 
of civilized habits among the Indians, he having been in the service of govern- 
ment in Indian affairs, is well acquainted with their character, altho. he thinks 
their civilization practicable, he supposes it will require say 15 or 20 years 
to effect any thing of consequence, but I hope that this dis-heartening opinion 
of his is owing to his want of faith. 6 

Judge Parke's lack of enthusiasm did not act as a deterrent. 
In a short time McCoy wrote, "My feelings are all alive with the 
Subject of introducing the Gospel among the Indians"; 7 and he 
set out on a tour with a view of preparing for the meeting of the 
Indians. But at this point, the death of Agent Thomas Posey 
halted his plans. In considering the situation it occurred to McCoy 
that it would be desirable to have a missionary appointed to the 
position of agent. This plan, he reasoned 

would bring the whole business with the Indians under the Control of the 
Board, in a way that our Benevolent measures would not be liable to be 
thwarted by an ill-natured Agent, and every movement in the Agency might 
be rendered subservient to their Civilization. The Indians might be persuaded 
to accept of such articles as part of their annuities, as incline them to Civiliza- 
tion such as Cattle, hogs, etc. . . . and knowing that he could obtain stock, 
and implements of husbandry, he [the Indian] would hardly fail to become 
a farmer, a Citizen of the U. S. A Christian. 8 

McCoy found no means of putting the plan into operation, how- 

5. Letter, William Staughton, corresponding secretary Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, 
to Isaac McCoy, September 16, 1817. 

6. Journal, January 24, 1818. 

7. Ibid., March 7, 1818. 

8. Ibid., March 30, 1818. 



126 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

ever, and was obliged to wait for the development of favorable 
circumstances. Judge Benjamin Parke, acting as temporary agent 
following the death of Posey, was clearly out of sympathy. With 
the appointment of William Prince as agent, McCoy's outlook be- 
came brighter. Prince favored the project of an Indian school and 
arranged a meeting with the Weas for June, 1818, at which time 
McCoy set forth his plans. The Indians appeared to favor the 
proposal. 

Although his appointment as missionary had been for a period 
of one year only, and had implied no desire on the part of the 
Baptist board to locate him permanently, McCoy determined to 
establish himself in the Indian country. He wrote of his decision: 
"We resolved to show to those to whom it might concern, that when 
we spoke of laboring for the benefit of the Indians, we meant pre- 
cisely what we said; and having actually made a beginning among 
them, we hoped that if the Baptist board of missions should not 
continue its patronage, help would be obtained from some other 
source." 9 He fixed upon a site for the mission on Raccoon creek, 
Parke county, Indiana, and erected two log cabins. By this time 
October, 1818 his commission had expired, and he went into the 
wilderness with Christiana and their seven children (the eldest had 
died of typhus) with no more tangible support in the venture than 
the hope that Heaven would dispose the hearts of some to lend them 
aid. This naive faith was rewarded by a pledge of assistance from 
the board, given in a letter from the corresponding secretary to 
McCoy dated at Philadelphia, December 2, 1818. He wrote: 

The drafts you have sent on have been duly honoured and will continue to 
be so. . . . The Board is anxious to see the cause of the Redeemer spread 
through the nations and in a peculiar degree to hear of its influence on the 
Indian bosom. It also wishes its missionaries to be comfortable to the utmost 
extent of its ability. ... It might be a matter of question whether one 
broad Indian station might not be preferable as to the prospect of ultimate 
success than several more limited ones. The latter however seems demanded 
by reason that the funds come in a greater or less degree from all parts of 
the Union. ... It [the board] nevertheless confides much in the wisdom, 
piety and prudence of its Missionaries, and I may add has a high sense of the 
zeal, disinterestedness and discretion of their beloved Brother McCoy. The 
expenses attendant on the preparing a mission house you will state and had 
better draw on us, so as not to feel the least embarrassment. The idea of 
the Board was to supply you with $500 annually, leaving you to devote as 
much of your time to the mission as you could command from family de- 
mands. ... I can only in general observe that the board will ever be 
happy that you state to them what your comfort will require at their hand, 

9. McCoy, Isaac, History of Baptist Indian Missions, p. 46. 



BARNES: THE TREATY OF 1821 127 

and I am convinced you will ever find the principles on which they act are 
liberal, sympathizing and evangelic. ... An assistant will be sent as soon 
as the Lord shall provide a suitable character. 

McCoy notes the receipt of this letter in his journal entry for 
January 19, 1819: 

On the 9th inst. I received a letter from the Board, which, although its 
contents did not fully come up to our desires, gladdened our hearts by an 
assurance of the patronage of the Board. While I fear that our mission will be 
restricted in its operations on account of the fearfulness of the Board that 
they will incur too great an expense, I feel much pleasure in finding them 
disposed to adhere to a cautious frugality in the expenditure of the moneys 
entrusted to them and in the very affectionate & friendly manner in which 
they write to me. The sincerity of these assurances of friendship is confirmed 
by their desire & labor to afford me a colleague. 

A very practical idea now entered into McCoy's planning. He 
had been unable to attract more than a few Indian pupils to the 
school on Raccoon creek and as a consequence had made but a poor 
showing. The board, he reasoned, would soon suggest a discon- 
tinuance of his labors unless he widened his activities. Therefore he 
directed his efforts towards securing a location where he could in- 
crease the number of pupils, and reach, as well, a larger number 
of adults. It was this determination that led, later, to his intense 
interest in the 1821 treaty, and his eventual location on St. Joseph's 
river. But before this removal to St. Joseph's there was a season 
of work at Fort Wayne. 

Immediately after his arrival at Raccoon creek, McCoy had 
journeyed to the frontiers of Ohio with the view of extending his 
acquaintance with the Indians and finding, if possible, a field for 
his labors. A few months later he made a second tour, having in 
the meantime received permission from the Secretary of War to 
settle in the Indian country. After consideration of two possible 
locations, one at the Miami Mississinewa villages, the other at 
Fort Wayne, he decided upon the latter place as more favorable. 
He was offered here the gratuitous use of public buildings and 
assured of the cooperation of William Turner, agent to the Miamis. 

In May, 1820, therefore, the family removed to Fort Wayne. 
They were accompanied by two Indians, one white man Johnston 
Lykins, teacher fifteen head of cattle and forty-three swine. Their 
household goods were conveyed by a batteau, poled up the Wabash 
river by four men. School was opened on May 29 with ten English 
pupils, six French, eight Indian and one Negro (who, it was hoped, 
would in time find his way to Liberia). 



128 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Life here was marked by opposition from the Indians, difficulties 
attendant upon remoteness from supply stations, and steadily in- 
creasing financial problems. There was also criticism of his plans. 
To one critic, Samuel Dedman of Pike county, Indiana, McCoy 
announced his stand. It may be taken as an answer to all objectors. 

I have patiently heard the advice you gave us to relinquish our missionary 
pursuits, & have weighed the arguments by which you have enforced it, and 
must say that what you have said is among the many things which are calculated 
to make us doubt the correctness of our present and intended movements. 
. . . When I look among the Indians, I find them barbarous & wild, 
ignorant, cruel & deceitful. If I live among them I must bear with their un- 
couth manners & insults, I must be exposed to hunger, wet, & cold. I must, 
with small exceptions be denied the luxuries of life, the comforts of society, the 
aid of physicians, & the consoling voice of friends. I shall never hereafter 
lay up, by personal service, a shilling for the widow & orphans which I shall 
probably in a few years, leave in the wilds of wabash, or arkansas, & lastly I 
must probably die without seeing much fruit of my labours, only that I have 
prepared the way for others to follow. This colouring, my brother is not too 
high. ... I assure you, my brother, that every opposing difficulty, the 
opposition of the assn. not excepted, has only tended to increase my mis- 
sionary ardour. May my merciful God forgive me if I be wrong, and set 
me right. I would rather be a missionary to the Indians, than fill the Presi- 
dent's chair, or sit on the throne of Alexander, emperour of Russia. I would 
rather preach Jesus to the poor Indians in a bark camp, than address the 
thousands who assemble in Sansom Street meeting hous, philadel. Something 
has turned my attention towards the Indians, & every feeling of my soul is 
enlisted in their cause, yet still I may be wrong. But I feel not the least 
inclination to turn back, but would drive on with the vehemence of Peter, the 
meekness of Moses, & the wisdom of Solomon. 10 

McCoy's financial troubles at this time were due in part to the 
fact that the board placed no money in his hands for the purchase 
of supplies. Accounts were submitted for payment if approved. 
The distraught missionary lived in constant dread of the refusal of 
that body to settle for goods delivered to him by more optimistic 
merchants. He had learned indirectly of the surprise occasioned 
by some of his expenditures. The consumption of pork in the 
wilderness, for example, had seemed beyond reason to those sitting 
at Philadelphia. Throughout his journal for these dark months 
are expressions of despair. Debts piled up; he borrowed money 
with which to pay them ; he then came to that financial extremity 
borrowing money to pay back borrowed money that had gone to 
settle debts. In spite of discouragement and uncertainty, however, 
his mind leaped constantly to possibilities for fruitful work, and 
even in the shadow of the necessity to terminate his labor he made 

10. Draft of letter, January 12, 1820. 



BARNES: THE TREATY OF 1821 129 

plans for continuing. He wrote to John Kinzie 11 and Alexander 
Wolcott 12 at Chicago inquiring about the possibility of attracting 
Indian children of that region to the school at Fort Wayne. Their 
replies are suggestive of obstacles to Indian reform. 

Sir, Chicago Illinois January 3d, 1821 

I have great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your favor of the 
twenty fourth ultimo, by our express which arrived yesterday. I rejoice that 
your school has been opened and continued under such favorable auspices. 
The task you have undertaken is really a formidable one. To soothe, to cor- 
rect, or subdue the perversness and capriciousness of the Indian disposition, 
increased as those qualities are by the unlimited indulgence with which chil- 
dren are treated by their parents from earliest infancy, requires a command 
of temper, a degree of patience and perseverance, which few men possess. The 
meliorating of the condition of the Indians must be always an object of great 
interest to the philanthropist; and, at this time, when we have such extended 
and growing relations with them, must be peculiarly important to the Ameri- 
can people. Institutions of pure benevolence, such as that over which you 
preside, reflect honor on all concerned in them, and I truly hope that you, 
and those under whose directions you act, will find your efforts rewarded with 
distinguished success. Whenever it shall be in my power to do anything to 
promote the interests of your school you may depend upon my zealous co- 
operation. But I cannot promise you any considerable additions to your num- 
ber from this quarter. There are it is true, several half breeds here of a 
proper age and who are much in want both of the training and instruction 
which they would receive if placed under your care, and the parents of some, 
perhaps of all of them, might be easily prevailed on to send them to fort 
Wayne; but then their parents are for the most part Indian traders, and 
doubtless intend to bring their sons up to the same employment, so that what- 
ever instruction their sons may receive, though it may be of great benefit to 
them individually, will be wholly lost as regards the improvement of the 
Indians, which I take to be the grand object of your institution. The savages 
of this neighborhood are remarkably indolent, holding all labors, except those 
of the chase, in utter contempt. They have moreover a strong affection for 
their children, and can seldom be brought to part with them even to those 
whites whom they know and in whom they have confidence. They say that 
obliging them to labor is reducing them to a state of slavery, which they 
consider the greatest of evils. There is another objection which will perhaps 
operate with equal force upon the Indians of this vicinity. They would be 
very unwilling to send their children into the country of the Miamis, with 
whom they have been often engaged in hostilities, and towards whom their 
feelings are never very cordial. Should the association of which you are a 
member ever so far extend its views as to think of establishing a school in 
this place, it is very possible that, when the Indians see it before them, and 
are made to understand its advantages, their repugnance to parting with their 
children may be more easily overcome. As it is, I think it very improbable 

11. Pioneer who settled at Fort Dearborn in 1804. 

12. United States Indian agent at Chicago, 1820-1830. 

9-3057 



130 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

that any of them can be prevailed on to send their children to Fort Wayne. 
I will however make the experiment, and use my influence to effect that object 
when the Indians shall return in the spring from their hunting-grounds. At 
present there is not one in this neighborhood. 
With the best wishes for your success 

I have the honor to be 

Very Respectfully 
Revd. Isaac McCoy Your Obedient Servant 

Fort Wayne. Alex. Wolcott Jr. 

Mr. John Mackoy Chicago January 27 1821 

Sir 

I have not had an opportunity to see any of the Principle men of the 
different tribes of Indians resident in this Agency since I had the pleasure of 
your favor and without a discourse with them on the subject you wrote on I 
would not pretend to give my Opinion Positive. I expect that Doctor Wolcott 
will Introduce the subject to them as soon as opportunity will offer and that 
cannot well be untill sometime in May as they will not be into their respective 
Villages untill then. I consider it a part of my duty to inculcate into the 
breast of the savage the great benefits they will derive from education, and I 
think that there are a few that might be led to believe its benefits. You 
must know that your residence at Fort Wayne is immediately in the neighbor- 
hood of the Miamis, and as they are different tribe the Indians of this place 
might not wish to send their Children so far out of their country, this I know 
will be one objection, not but they are confident they would be treated with 
all the kindness in your Power but the Ignorance of the savage is such, that 
they would constantly be in dread of some revenge from some former acts of 
Violence that have been committed by this Nation on the Miamis and all I 
could say to the contrary would not have the good effect required, but I am 
still of opinion was there a school opened here that a small portion of children 
might be prevailed on to be educated. However you must not expect to effect 
this good and benevolent purpose in a day or two pray the society to hold 
on some time and probably their expectations and wishes may be reallized 
this is my sincere wish and I shall not fail to get the Opinion of the Principals 
as soon as I shall have the seeing of them. 

With respect believe me D Sir 

Your Most Obt. Servt 

John Kinzie 

Acting upon a suggestion that assistance might be obtained from 
the government, McCoy went to Detroit in February, 1821, and 
placed the details of his situation before Gov. Lewis Cass. He re- 
ceived aid in the form of food and clothing, and the promise of 
gratuitous work at the Fort Wayne smithery. At this meeting he 
told Governor Cass of his desire to settle farther in the Indian 
country. Cass thought permission of the Indians to do so might 
be obtained at the contemplated treaty. A single statement in Me- 



BARNES: THE TREATY OF 1821 131 

Coy's writings introduces the subject of this treaty, but it now be- 
came the point of concentration in his planning. 

While deeply thankful for assistance given by the government, 
McCoy realized that it would serve to alleviate only temporarily his 
great distress. He wrote on February 28, on the journey back to 
Fort Wayne: "I am returning home with an aching heart. The 
mission never appeared to me to be in a more precarious situation. 
Unless we obtain pecuniary assistance in a short time from the 
Board or from some other source a few months will put a period to 
the Mission unless God almost miraculously preserve it." 13 

Immediately after his return from Detroit he formulated plans 
for having incorporated into the proposed treaty provisions for 
educational work among the nations. "In all this I was careful," 
he wrote, "to ascertain that I acted in accordance with the views of 
those who would be the principal agents of the U. S. in the negotia- 
tions." 14 He believed that a tour among the Pottawatomies would 
promote his ends. The specific objects of the tour were set forth in 
his journal entry for June 6, 1821. He wrote: 

The objects of my journey are to convince the Indians that I am what I 
profess to be To look out a suitable site for our Mission establishment 
when we shall wish to leave this, and to persuade the Indians to invite me on 
to it To endeavour to persuade them to do something for the benefit of their 
children at the contemplated treaty to encourage them to send their chil- 
dren to our school, and to adopt civilized habits, and especially to talk to 
them about the way of life & salvation thro, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Hope had been fired by the intelligence that several of the Potta- 
watomie chiefs had determined to invite him to settle at St. Joseph 
of the Lake. 

This tour took McCoy to the village of the Pottawatomie chief, 
Topenebee, where he had a talk with leaders of the tribe. He pre- 
sented his plans with considerable caution, emphasizing the advan- 
tages of education and his desire to establish a school, but leaving 
other phases of his program unannounced. From this village he 
went to the shore of Lake Michigan where a stop was made at the 
residence of the Burnetts, relatives of the Indian, Abraham, who ac- 
companied him. On the return journey he selected a site on the 
Elkhart river as suitable for the location of the mission. 

The tour ended on June 19. Christiana McCoy, expecting shortly 
the birth of another child, set out a few days later with her three 
young daughters for a journey down the Wabash to the settled 

13. Journal. 

14. History of Baptist Indian Missions, p. 100. 



132 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

country. The trip was made in an open canoe, a distance of be- 
tween three and four hundred miles. McCoy was thus left with the 
entire responsibility of the mission establishment. Farm, house and 
forty-seven pupils required his constant supervision and these 
manifold duties prevented him from attending the treaty. He 
formulated his plans carefully, however, and recorded them under 
date of July 18, 1821, as follows: 

I do not wish to thwart the plans of government, and I am confident that 
my plans must accord with the righteous course which it is hoped govern- 
ment will pursue with the Indians. 

If the Putawatomies should sell their lands at the contemplated treaty, 
I hope they will reserve at least 30 miles square on E'lksheart, including the 
large prarie on the road to Chicago, 40 miles square would be still preferable. 
On to this reservation I wish the Putawatomies to invite me to establish our 
School. Even ten miles square would be desirable, But a large Reservation 
would prevent white population from crowding their clashing interests in the 
way of our operations. 

Whether the Putawatomies sell their land or not, I am very desirous that 
they should give me permission to establish our School in the above mentioned 
prarie. The 1st of next October I shall report the progress of the Missions to 
the President of the U. S. I wish, if possible to get the consent of the Indians 
before that time, so that I may be able to say to the Prest. that I am going 
on to build on said prarie immediately. In which case the Prest., agreeably to 
letters I have lately received, would defray two thirds of the expense of 
erecting the necessary buildings. 

I have never yet told the Indians that I wished to live at that place, I 
wish my good friends to endeavour to prevail on the Chiefs to grant me 
permission. Were I to ask permission to settle there, they might be led to 
suspect the purity of my motives. I therefore wish my good friends to 
convince the Chiefs that it would be greatly to their advantage for us to 
have our school more immediately in their country, and that the above men- 
tioned prarie would be the most suitable site for the establishment. I shall 
not ask a title to the land, I only want permission to live on their land so 
long as they remain satisfied with the school, and with the objects of the 
mission. 

I wish them, if they sell, to say at the treaty that two, or three or four 
Townships of land, of good quality, which they may sell to government, shall 
be sold, and the proceeds of the sale, laid out in educating their children, 
and for other purposes of civilization. This would be no material loss to 
government, because they would get the land, which is the main object. It 
would be a great benefit to the Indians, because it would enable us to hold out 
to them such inducements to civilized and religious habits, that their most 
inflexible jealousies, and prejudices could not resist. 

Unfortunately for the Indians, most of the Agents consider their reforma- 
tion impracticable, and are therefore somewhat indifferent to it. For these 
reasons, if the Indians were to provide for the education of their children in 
the manner suggested above, the money would be liable to be placed in the 



BARNES: THE TREATY OF 1821 133 

hands of men who would not promptly dispose of it to their advantage, and 
the whole might be squandered to no purpose. I would therefore propose 
that they say that the said money shall be laid out for their benefit at the 
time and place, and in the manner, that I, or a succeeding missionary in my 
place, should deem expedient for their welfare. I would of course be under 
the necessity of obtaining the approbation of the Prest. for every appropriation 
which I would wish to make. Government would keep the money in their 
own hands, and issue to me in such sums as they might think proper in order 
to avoid abuse, or extravagance on my part. 

If the Indians consent to my living among them for these purposes, govern- 
ment cannot object to their taking the above measures in order to increase 
my usefulness. The presumption is that such a course would be perfectly 
congenial to the humane wishes of the Prest. Nevertheless the Commissioners 
as Agents of government might feel it their duty to make as good a bargain as 
possible for their employers. They would not therefore make these proposals 
themselves to the Indians, but would cheerfully consent to them if the Indians 
made the request. Isaac McCoy 15 

July 18, 1821. 

With detailed instructions regarding the best methods of obtain- 
ing desired ends, Robert Montgomery, teacher at the mission, was 
sent to represent McCoy at Chicago. Montgomery left Fort Wayne 
on August 2, but had preceded only a short distance when that 
enemy of the traveler in the wilderness, ague, struck him down and 
imperiled the entire cause. But he so far recovered as to reach 
the treaty grounds. Two letters addressed to McCoy from Chicago 
give details of his work there. 

Chicago. Illinois State 
Revd. Isaac McCoy Augt. 12th 1821 

My Dear Sir 

Your letter of the 4th Inst. has just come to hand, also one from John 
Johnston, Rice McCoy, &c. I return you my sincere thanks for the Interest 
you manifest in your Letter for my welfare, and comfort. God in his provi- 
dence has permitted me to reach this place, and I desire to act as pope 
directs, "Why charge to heaven in those, in these acquit? In both to reason 
right, is to submit." Mr John Burnett had the goodness to present me with 
his "Essay on Man," which I peruse with much Interest. 

As I have plenty of time, I will proceed to give you a minute description 
of my proceedings since I left Mr Bertrands. That day my ague paroxism 
was worse than it had been before, was quite deranged, for some time, Abram 
was much alarmed. The next day we left Mr Bertrands where we were kindly 
treated, and arrived in the evening at John Burnetts, he was laying with the 
Fever the next day I took Emetic which did not vomit me any though purged 
me well, this day I felt nothing like the ague, nor have I since. I however 
concluded to continue here three days and was kindly treated by the family 
during which time I took profusely of the Bark. The Second day the principal 
chief Topash, arrived, he stayed one day. I had a talk with him on the sub- 

15. MS. statement. 



134 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

ject of our business, his only reply was that they would council on the subject 
when they arrived at this place. I stop my narrative Topash, and chebas 
come into my room. After the usual salutations, I quit writing, and holding 
your letter in my hand, told Mr. Bobia, 16 my Landlord, to inform them, it was 
from you, that you thought often of them &c, was desirous to come nearer 
them, and hoped they would permit you to do so, that I would come out 
to their camps and see them, to which they replied that they would do every 
thing they could, that I would hear them talk to Govr. Cass &c. I gave them 
some tobacco and they went away. To continue. On thursday Mr Burnett 
and myself being better we set out for this place, though I was quite weak 
and still am. We arrived here on Saturday, which was yesterday, without any 
material difficulty, but the Journey fatigued me very much, in my weak State, 
and our horses are much Jaded indeed. I calFd at Mr Kinzie's, but his house 
being entirely occupied by the public he could not accommodate me, was very 
friendly, and permitted me to put my horses in his pasture, which is not very 
good, and dispatched his son over to my present Lodging to request him to 
afford me every comfort in his power, as I was his particular friend. My 
accommodations are reasonably good, and quite high. Abraham went out to 
his brothers yesterday and has not since returned, my health is improving and 
hope, (unless a relapse) that it will soon be restored again. 

Govr. Cass 17 has not yet arrived, but is hourly expected. It is expected the 
Treaty will be tardy, perhaps may be the 1st of Sept. before I will get to leave 
this place Unfortunately I cannot do any business of a decisive nature, untill 
the result of the Treaty is known, because if I were to enter into a contract 
with them to locate at a certain Spot, they might afterwards dispose of the 
Same, thus you will at once discover my difficulty in the case, this will neces- 
sarily detain me untill all is over. 

I have concluded if they should sell their country generally, and make but 
small reserves, and if they should be unwilling to give us liberty to settle 
thereon, to endeavour to get them to make a reserve of 2, 4 or 6 miles square 
(as near their principal reserve as possible) for the exclusive use and benefit 
of the Society, and Mission, adjoining if practicable, and we could locate 
thereon. 

If all other attempts should prove abortive, and I should succeed in this 
dernier alternative, I hope it may meet your approbation. Should like your 
council, which is altogether out of the question. 

If the Indians refuse, it will not be because they are opposed to the Mission, 
it will be from a fear of Monopoly, but rest assured my dear Sir I will use 
every exertion to effect the objects of my agency, to what I shall consider to 
be the most advantageous to the Mission 

Mr. John Burnet is quite friendly and says he will afford me all the aid 
which is in his power, he is with them in their private councils, and will use 
his influence. I depend much on his interposition in our behalf, told him in 
our first interview that I would be govd. by his advice on which he promised 
me. Appearances are not unfavourable at present, but not sufficient to justify 
an opinion on as to the result. I hope for success. If I should have to return 

16. Probably phonetic spelling of Beaubien. 

17. Lewis Cass, governor of Michigan territory and ex officio superintendent of Indian 
affairs for that region, and Solomon Sibley, pioneer and jurist, acted as United States com- 
missioners at the treaty. 



BARNES: THE TREATY OF 1821 135 

to Fort Wayne without success, after spending so much time, money, jading 
my Horses &c. I shall be much chagrin'd indeed. 

This morning several of my friends called in to see me amongst whom was 
Maj. Phillips paymr. of the Army, and Doct. Woolcot, Indian Agent here, two 
of my particular friends. There are about 1900 Hundred Indians now here, 
Putaws. Chippys. & Ottaways. The object is, as far as I can learn, to purchase 
all the Land laying in the Michigan Territory but I am rather of the opinion 
thfey] will not dispose of all within those boundtaries]. 

I am happy to discover that your confidence is strong in myself. Your 
confidence in my ability to perform may be misplaced, but your confidence in 
my disposition to use every exertion, cannot be. Any assistince you might 
have sent, would not have added much to my comfort, nor could they have 
been much benefit towards effecting the object, only have incurred an expense 
which you will think enough by the time I return, though am under obliga- 
tions to you, for your disposition to render me comfortable. Make yourself 
easy about me. I trust I shall again see you, though much doubted it when I 
wrote you last. Give my Love to Miss Delilah, and Miss Rachel, and the 
family generally, and in addition tender Miss R. my unfeigned respects, tell her 
that I am gratified to think, that the news of my distress, should excite in 
her susceptible heart, emotions of sympathy, and sorrow I feel grateful to her. 
I should be glad to hear from you by return express though I may have left 
it by that time if not I will write you. I remain 

Truly Yrs 
R. Montgomery 

Revd. & Dear Sir, Chicago 22d Augt. 1821 

Capt Hackly goes in the morning I have delay'd writing until the last hour, 
in order to give you the latest information, relative to the objects of my 
Agency, which to my regret and deep sorrow, is not flattering. I need not 
give you a detail of my proceedings, inasmuch as I shall (if spared) be home 
so soon. 

I reed yours of different dates, have had many interviews with Col. 
Trimble, 18 he is a fine man & is much advantage to me here. The Indians 
were not collected previous to his arrivel Gen. T. & I did not wish to make 
any comm. indeed I could not untill Govr. Cass had made his propositions 
to them. Mr Trimble & myself visited their camps together, concluded as 
his object or business & mine were simular that we would comm together. 
He made his first, which was a handsome prelude & paved the way for mine, 
he requested to know if the Indians wished any change in relation to the 
Factory system, if they wished Blacksmith, schools &c among them, and 
closed with saying that he knew Mr. McCoy & myself that we were good 
men and that they might depend on any thing I would say to them. I then 
made my comm touching lightly on reserves to which they replyed that they 
would give us answers at a few days. We have heard from them frequently 
since, which is rather unfavourable, and as an evidence that our propositions 
did not relish well, they have not given either of us an answer, and Col. 
Trimble has since that time frequently reqt. it, stating that he was going away 

18. William A. Trimble, U. S. senator from Ohio. Trimble visited McCoy at Fort Wayne 
on his way to the treaty and promised support of McCoy's program. 



136 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

soon, he starts on tomorrow, without any answer to Green Bay in a Birch 
Canoe, in company with Major Biddle. I much regret his leaving me. 

The objection is what I stated, "fear of Monopoly." I anticipated this and 
guarded against it in my speech to them, but they state that though we want 
no Land at the present time, after some time we will creep in to get some. 
Col. Trimble says he has no hopes of my succeeding, but we must pursad them 
by degrees, gradually overcoming their strong prejudices, and allaying their 
suspicion, by a course of conduct corresponding with our professions, towards 
them, in doing them good. That this circumstance though somewhat thwart- 
ing our plans at the present, ought not to discourage, or cause an abandon- 
ment of so laudable, and rightious an undertaking. That God in his wisdom & 
goodness, will provide ways and means to carry on so good a work, which are 
at present unforseen by us. The above observations were no doubt made as a 
consolation to my mind which he discovd. was much agitated, by the appear- 
ance of an unfavourable result. It is indeed much distressed. This morning 
Col. Trimble, Gov. Cass and myself had a conversation on the subject, and 
the conclusion was as a last effort that Govr. Cass would at his last council 
with them, make the request, to get permission to settle in their country that 
I yet have hope, but not much ground therefor. Mr. Burnet has not as much 
influence as I expected, and he has much business of his own. I have altogether 
given up any reserves. Col. Trimble says it is not material. The Govt. will 
afford means sufficient. I have had frequent talks with the chiefs since my 
first one. Govr. Cass & Mr. Sibley are quite favourable. There has been much 
councelling about the Treaty. I apprehend a cession will be made though 
some think otherwise. A few days will determine. I hope to be able to leave 
here in a few days, say monday next. My Horses are [rec]uperaiting some. I 
have procured some corn for them, my health is nearly restored for which I 
feel grateful. I hope you all enjoy good health, refer you to Capt. Hackly 
for particulars. I am happy to hear of the arrival of assistince in the arduous, 
I say arduous work of Indian r[e]form, prejudices & suspicions (which are 
not natural to such a degree, but excited,) to bear with. The latter are 
augmented if not produced by the former, bearing with them and endeavour- 
ing to remove them, requires the exercise of adequate qualifications, which un- 
fortunately few of us possess. Give my respects to Miss Delala & Rachel, and 
all friends hoping that I may be blest with health sufficient to return, may 
find you all in health and spirits. I subscribe myself, 

Yr. affectionate friend 
Robt. Montgomery 

The treaty had formally opened on August 17. For several days 
the Indians had been gathering upon the plain. Schoolcraft, return- 
ing from his tour of the Mississippi valley, arrived August 14 and 
recorded the total number encamped at the opening of negotiations 
as about three thousand. 19 The vast scene was one of moving color, 
rimmed by the blue splendor of Lake Michigan. Records of the 
talks indicate that the Indians were reluctant to deal, partly be- 

19. Schoolcraft, Henry R., Travels in the Central Portions of the Mississippi Valley (New 
York, 1825), p. 336. 



BARNES: THE TREATY OF 1821 137 

cause of dissatisfaction over the outcome of the St. Mary's Treaty 
of 1819, and partly because of general aversion to disposing of the 
lands. Terms were finally arranged for the ceding of certain tracts, 
and the treaty was concluded on August 29. 

Article 4 of the treaty specified that one mile square should be 
selected under the direction of the President, on the north side of 
the Grand river, and one mile square on the south side of the St. 
Joseph, within the Indian lands not ceded, upon which blacksmiths 
and teachers for the Ottawas and Pottawatomies, respectively, 
should reside. Immediately upon the return of Montgomery from 
Chicago with news of this provision, McCoy leaped into action. 
He addressed a letter to Governor Cass : 
Dear Sir Fort Wayne, Sep. 2d 1821 

As the Putawatomies have asked for a teacher and blacksmith to be 
stationed on a section of land appropriated for that purpose, it is desirable 
that this mission should realize the advantages arising from this arrangement. 
A smith, it is expected, will shortly be united with us. 

The Board of Missions have authorized me to enlarge the sphere of our 
labours. It would, therefore, be truly gratifying for some of our missionaries 
who will shortly be connected with this mission, to be appointed, teacher, 
farmer, & blacksmith, for the Ottaways. The two establishments, so far as 
they would be under the control of the board of Missions, would be placed 
under one superintendent, and would mutually assist each other. 

I shall report the state of the mission to the Department of War, the 
1st of Oct. and shall solicite a proper share of the $10,000 annual appropriation 
for Indn. reform. Now, sir, permit me, in behalf of the society which I serve, 
to solicit most earnestly your good offices in obtaining the above mentioned 
objects. 

A few lines from you, before you leave Detroit for Washington, would be 
a singular favour. Most respectfully 

His Excellency L. Cass Your Humble Servt. 

Isaac McCoy 20 

Details of his plans were placed before the Board of Baptist 
Missions in this communication to the secretary, William Staughton : 

Rev. bro. Fort Wayne, Sep. 6, 1821 

To obtain a permanent and eligible site for the mission establishment, and 
to induce the Indians to aid somewhat in the support of schools among them, 
I have been labouring a long time. Thro, the good providence of God I have 
at length succeeded in a good degree. 

At a treaty last month at Chicago, when the Indians were ceding to the 
U. S. about 4,000,000 of acres of land in Michigan Territory, the Putawatomies 
obligated government to furnish them with a teacher, and a blacksmith and to 

20. Draft of letter. 



138 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

expend in supporting them $1,000 annually for 15 years. For the residence 
of those men, or in other words, for a Mission plantation, they gave one mile 
square of land to be selected by the Prest. of the U. S. any where in their 
country. 

This arrangement is the result of plans which I had formed long since, 
and for the accomplishment of which I had felt much solicitude, and had 
put up many prayers. Should the government choose to appoint me teacher 
for the Putawatomies, and allow me to nominate the blacksmith, I beg leave 
to accept those offers, and permission to remove the establishment to the 
appropriated spot, so soon as the state of our funds and other circumstances 
shall justify. 

Nothing can be certainly known respecting those appointments, and noth- 
ing can be done relative to removing from this place, until the treaty shall 
have been retified by Congress. My present wishes are, to commence at the 
new site next March, make a crop of corn &c. build cabins, and in the fall 
remove thither the family and school, having grain & vegetables at the place 
for the subsistince of the family, which will save a deal of cost. Government 
I trust will defray most of the expense of building. 

Permit me to say that the Commissioners of Government expect the Board 
to avail themselves of the facilities offered to missionaries by their treaty 
with those natives, & the Indians themselves consider that we are under 
obligations to do so. 

The site which I would prefer, & which I hope will be selected is about 
50 miles N. W. of this, and that much further from white settlements. 

When we shall settle at our more permanent residence, It is my wish to 
vary a little from the ordinary course of Missionaries among the Indians. I 
wish to lay off a town, not very compact, Let the houses be, say 20 poles apart, 
so that each family could have room for feeding cattle, horses, hogs, sheep 
& poultry. The missionaries would form one family. In this town I would 
invite all well disposed Indians to settle, preventing, as much as possible the 
Introduction of ardent spirits. Our fields would be a little back, at the 
mission house would be the place for public worship & for the school. 

Anticipating the arrangements made at the late treaty, I have for almost 
one year, been pursuing measures to prepare the minds of a number of Indian 
families to settle with us, and I am encouraged to expect emigrants from 4 
different sources so soon as I shall say I am ready to receive them. The head 
of one family, who speaks english, has agreed to be our interpreter being a 
citizen Himself and his children attending school, his services will occasion no 
expense to the Mission, except on particular occasions. 

The Ottaways at the same time contracted with the U. S. for a teacher, 
a farmer, and a blacksmith, for the support of whom government is to allow 
$1,500 annually for 10 years, and also to furnish the nation with a number 
of cattle. 

The demands of these two tribes astonished the Commissioners in as much 
as the like had never before occurred with any of the Indians N. W. of Ohio, 
or west of Mississippi. 

As the arrangement of the Ottaways offer such facilities to Missionary I 
hope the Board will endeavour to avail themselves of them, all those persons 
whom the Indians have asked for to assist them, will be appointed by -govern- 



BARNES: THE TREATY OF 1821 139 

ment, and I have already petitioned the proper persons, to appoint some of 
our missionaries, I presume that men of the proper characters may be obtained 
in the course of one year from this time. The establishment among the 
Ottaways could be located at a place not more than 100 North [sic] of that 
among the Putawatomies, and, if the Board pleased, the former might be an 
apendage to the latter. 

These two tribes speak the same language with very trifling variations. The 
establishments being near to each other, and connected in their labours, would 
always act in unison, and would mutually assist each other. If the Board 
should not choose to expend any thing on the branch among the Ottaways, It 
would be no objection to my plan, for it would be better for us to have three 
missionaries living there on the annual salary of $500 each, than to risk an 
establishment which might not favour our views. Farming utensils, blacksmith 
tools, and even stock to work upon, would, I conclude be furnished by govern- 
ment. However, if the board will please to say that they approve the measure, 
provided the teacher, farmer & blacksmith can be supported at the station by 
the salary they shall receive from government, or, rather if they could afford 
to say that after bearing the expense of conveying the missionaries to the 
ground, they could afterwards allow that department the annual sum of $1000 
towards defraying the current expenses, I would then if they please, make the 
best possible arrangement with government, after which we would be enabled 
to decide on the eligibility of the plan. 

I fear that my worthy patrons will think that I am likely to run on pre- 
cipitately & extravagantly in business, but I assure them that my present 
requests are the results of sober reflection and, as I said before, of much labour. 

It is however uncertain whether with all our labour & pains we shall be 
able to get a footing among the Ottaways. At the moment when the Puta- 
watomies requested the teacher &c. a Roman catholic, who was interpreting 
for the commissioners had the audacity to say in publick council, that the 
Indians desired government to furnish them with a Roman catholic teacher. 
The indians being informed of what the interpreter had said, immediately con- 
tradicted him, and declared that / was the man whom they wanted. From this 
circumstances you will perceive, dear sir, what vigilence, and care are necessary 
to secure the best interests of the mission. 

It is also very desirable that a teacher farmer & blacksmith be located 
among the Miamies, say 40 miles southeast of the plantation among the 
Putawatomies. The Miamies are already entitled to a smith. I trust they 
will yet be prevailed upon to request of government the other two persons. 
The prospects around us, are brightening. Shall I ask pardon for wishing to 
improve every opportunity which presents itself for putting the mission into 
extensive operation? But we are liable to disappointment. 

In order to render our plans effective and to secure a liberal share of patron- 
age from government, I have thought it would be well for me to visit Wash- 
ington at the next session of Congress, provided the business of the establish- 
ment would admit of my leaving home. I could then more fully explain to 
the proper persons my wishes, and more hopefully press upon them my 
requests. I would not, however, like to take such a journey, without the per- 
mission of the Board. I have written to a particular friend, who is a member 
of the Senate, to know at what time I had better attend. Should the Board 



140 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

permit me to go to Washington, perhaps they may instruct me to meet them 
before I return, that our plans may be more fully developed, and the best 
measures adopted. ... 

I have received the last Annual Report, and your late affectionate letters. 
I feel sensibly affected with the sympathy and liberality of the Board, I sub- 
scribe myself Your Obedient Humble Sevt. 

Isaac McCoy 

Rev. Wm. Staughton Corr. Sec. &c. 

Ps. The necessity of an answer as soon as possible to the foregoing will readily 
occur to you. I. M. 21 

The attitude of the board, as expressed by its secretary, was one 
of qualified encouragement. Mr. Staughton wrote on September 29 : 
"The plan you propose seems a good one, but, I do not think the 
Board is favorable to frequent changes. Circumstances may some- 
times require them, but in general the best rule, to use the words of 
Dr. Young is 'in fixing, fix.' Or as Franklin expresses himself 'a 
rolling stone gathers no moss.' " Another letter dated October 18 
transmitted information that the board had declined to take action 
on McCoy's proposed move until he could appear before that body ; 
nor was it deemed advisable that he solicit aid from the government 
before visiting the board. Frequent removals it was felt, were un- 
desirable, having usually an ill effect upon the public mind. Mr. 
Staughton again recommended the axiom of Dr. Young. 

Following instructions from the board to appear before the group, 
McCoy set out upon a journey by horseback to Philadelphia on 
December 4. On January 7 he made a statement of his work and 
plans. His entire program was approved, including three proposed 
missionary stations, one among the Pottawatomies, one among the 
Ottawas and one among the Miamis. He was given full authority 
to select workers and to remove from Fort Wayne when he deemed 
it expedient to do so. In view of the indifference of the board before 
his personal visit, it must be concluded that McCoy spoke with 
convincing fervor. Before his return to Fort Wayne, he visited the 
Secretary of War in Washington and obtained assurances of aid 
insofar as it could be given when the treaty should be ratified. 

It must not be assumed that McCoy was seeking the slightest 
pecuniary advantage for himself in asking the appointment as 
teacher to the Pottawatomies, which position he expected to fill 
while acting also as representative of the Baptist board. Although 
he should be drawing money from two sources under that arrange- 
ment, all was to be applied to the work of the mission. Two rules 

21. Draft of letter. 



BARNES: THE TREATY OF 1821 141 

from "General Rules for the Fort Wayne Mission Family" indicate 
the sincerity of these laborers in the wilderness : 

2d. We agree that our whole time, talents, and labours, shall be dedicated 
to the obtaining of this object [to meliorate the condition of the Indians], and 
shall all be bestowed gratis, so that the mission cannot become indebted to 
any missionary for his or her services. 

3d. We agree that all remittances from the board of missions, and all money 
and property accruing to any of us, by salaries from Government, by smith 
shops, by schools, by donations, or from whatever quarter it may arise, shall 
be thrown into the common missionary fund, and be sacredly applied to the 
cause of this mission; and that no part of the property held by us at our 
stations is ours, or belongs to any of us, but it belongs to the General Con- 
vention which we serve, and is held in trust by us, so long as said society shall 
continue us in their employment: Provided that nothing herein contained 
shall affect the right of any to private inheritance, &c. 22 

The treaty was ratified March 25, 1822. In July, following, Mc- 
Coy visited Governor Cass at Detroit and subsequently received his 
appointment and full instructions. A small portion of an appropria- 
tion by Congress of $10,000 for the purposes of Indian reform was 
allotted to the new station. 

The location finally determined upon was not exactly that desired 
by McCoy, but he yielded to the wishes of the Indians in the matter. 
The site was about one mile west of the present city of Niles, Berrien 
county, Mich., one hundred and eighty miles from a settlement and 
an even greater distance from a mill. The mission was called Carey, 
honoring a celebrated Baptist missionary. 

Preparations were immediately started for removal. In August 
McCoy took workers to the new location where hay was prepared 
for the stock. In October a company left Fort Wayne and began 
the erection of buildings at Carey. And on December 9 the mission 
family departed from the old station. The train consisted of three 
wagons drawn by oxen and one by horses. There were thirty-two 
persons seven members of the McCoy family, one assistant, six 
work hands and eighteen Indians. Fifty hogs and five cows were 
driven with difficulty over the icy ground. The journey was com- 
pleted in eleven days. 

The concerns of life were altogether too serious and pressing to 
admit of any period of relaxation upon their arrival at the goal. 
The cabins were unfinished and the school not yet begun; it was 
necessary to butcher the hogs because there was no grain with which 
to feed them; the Indians immediately demanded work at the 

22. History of Baptist Indian Missions, p. 170. 



142 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

smithery; and food stuffs had to be hauled from the settlement a 
trip of four hundred miles for the wagons. 

It was deemed expedient, however, to pause from labor at the 
beginning of the new year and extend a welcome to the neighbors of 
the region. McCoy wrote in his journal on January 1, 1823: 

Ohebass & Topenebee, chiefs, and others, men, women & children, about 
40 in all, called in to congratulate us on the opening of the New Year. Shak- 
ing of hands and kissing are among the ceremonies which prevail among them 
on this day. In conforming to the former we felt no embarrassment. But 
we dispensed with the latter, as it was a performance] which we could not 
very well relish. Their observance of holidays is not an original custom 
among them, but is derived from the French traders among them. Smoked 
the pipe of peace and friendship together, after which we sat down together 
and partook of a dinner we had prepared for them. All appeared remarkably 
cheerful and well pleased. Some of the principal men expressed to our in- 
terpreter the greatest satisfaction in the manner we had received them. Said 
they could not think there were any more such good men among the whites, 
and that our kindness should be rewarded by presents of sugar, or something 
else by and by. 

Life and work had begun at Carey mission. The story of the 
years that followed differs little from that of the years that went 
before. There were hardships, always, obstacles and discourage- 
ment. But there was also a new and stronger purpose the removal 
of the tribes to the region beyond the Mississippi. And it was in his 
application to this purpose that McCoy became in time a leader in 
the movement to better the condition of the Indian. 



Letters of a Kansas Pioneer 
1855-1860 

THOMAS C. WELLS * 

My Dear Father, Waites Hotel Prov. Mar. 12, 1855. 

I HARDLY know what to write you or what to do. I met James 
at the depot in Providence and he had found the tickets at the 
Express Office. I must say I had really hoped that he would not 
get them and that would furnish a reason for returning home, not 
that I shrink from any hardships, real or imaginary which I might 
be called to endure in Kansas, but I do find it hard to leave you and 
Mother & sister, Herbert, &c at home. 

I say again I do not know what to do, I have prayed that I might 
be guided in the right way, and I trust that I shall be thus guided. 
James seems to be as eager to go as ever. I shall probably go on to 
Boston tomorrow, at least, and shall have a plain talk with him, 
and tell him just what I think about it. I may yet see it best to 
return and not go at all, but if I do go I may not stay or but a 
short time at any rate. I certainly will not stay (and would not 
go did I know that you felt so) if you feel the need of me greatly 
at home, and if you think that I ought to come back or that you 
cannot get along comfortably without me (I did not think that I 
was so important) I do hope that you will write me so and I will 
gladly return and be contented and not only contented but esteem 
it a priviledge to remain with you and mother and try to be a 
comfort to you as long as you or I shall live. 

1. Thomas Clarke Wells, the son of Thomas Potter Wells and Sarah Elizabeth Clarke, was 
the eighth and last Thomas Wells born in direct line, descendants of Nathaniel Wells who 
emigrated to this country in 1629 from Essex county, England. His mother died in 1834 
and his father made two subsequent marriages, the first to Clarissa Sherman in 1836, who 
died in 1846, and the second to Julia Esther Johnson in 1848. Two children were born of 
each marriage. They were: (1st) Thomas Clarke, 1832, and Frances Elizabeth, 1834; (2nd) 
George Henry, 1837, and Theodore Backus, 1840; (3rd) Herbert Johnson, 1850 and Helen 
May, 1861. 

Mr. Wells was born April 26, 1832, in Hopkinton, R. I., spent his early life in Kingston 
and Wakefield and at the academy of East Greenwich, and as a young man planned to enter 
his father's bank. Ill health, however, forced him to leave the Atlantic coast and in 1855 he 
came West, taking a claim near Juniata, and subsequently one near Manhattan. On October 
30, 1856, he was married to Miss Eleanor Bemis of Holliston, Mass., who lived on a near-by 
claim. As the accompanying letters written to his father, stepmother and half brothers show, 
Mr. Wells was a Free-State man, on one occasion joining a party which started to the de- 
fense of Lawrence, and was active in the affairs of the community, particularly in the work 
of the Congregational church in Manhattan where he was a charter member. He died in 
Manhattan, January 9, 1907. 

The originals of the letters published here are preserved in the Manuscrint division of the 
Kansas State Historical Society. They were presented by Elizabeth J. and Emily P. Wells of 
Kingston, R. I., nieces of Thomas C. Wells, daughters of the Herbert J. Wells who is men- 
tioned in the letters. Included in the series are several letters written by Eleanor Bemis Wells 
to her new relatives. Spelling and punctuation as contained in the original letters have been 
followed throughout. 

(143) 



144 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

But if you find it easier to get along without me than you thought 
at first then it may be best for me to stay a year or two in Kanzas 
if I should ever reach that country. 

James says that he has learned of two printers who he thinks 
might suit you and they will probably write you soon. 

But I must bid you goodnight Do not be troubled on my ac- 
count I doubt but that all will in the end be for the best though 
what the end may be I am sure I cannot now tell 

Yours affectionately in haste 

T. C. Wells 

Dear Father 

I have just been to wash my face &c and when I came back I 
found James just directing a letter to you, and I will add two or 
three words and more soon. 

We have been on the railroad all night stuck fast for three or 
four hours in a snow bank on Mount Holly in Vermont A strange 
way to get to Albany through Fitchburg Mass., Keen, N. H., Bellows 
Falls, and Rutland Ver., but we shall have a chance to see the 
country, for the last hour we have been going [through] the Moun- 
tain hills this is the most broken roughest country I have ever 
seen. I should think there were as many as three hundred on their 
way to Kanzas with us, some thirty or forty Women some whole 
families. We expect to arrive at Albany at about six (6) this 
evening or rather we arrive three or four hours before that and 
start from there at six. If you wish to write before I get in Kanzas 
you may direct to the care of Samuel C. Pomeroy, 2 Esq., Kanzas 
City, Mo. and I shall get them as soon as they can be forwarded, 
If it should be necessary you can communicate with me by telegraph 
directing to the care of same person in Kanzas City as there is a 
telegraph there. Yours affectionately, 

Will write more soon as can. T. C. Wells. 

Detroit Michigan 
Dear Father, Mar. 16-55 

Here we are in Detroit Start for Chicago at % to nine this eve'g. 
We arrived at Albany at about seven Thursday evening, and a mean 
dirty place it is around the depot at least if I am any judge. 

We left Albany at % past eleven at night for Suspension Bridge, 
Niagara Falls where we arrived at about % past four yesterday 

2. Samuel C. Pomeroy was United States senator from Kansas from 1861 to 1873. For 
biographical sketch see Kansas Historical Collections, v. VIII, p. 278. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 145 

afternoon; we took a walk up to the falls on the Canada side. I 
will not attempt to describe them, the pictures which I have seen 
of them give as good an idea as you could expect to get on paper. 
The river below the falls is quite narrow but deep and rushes along 
furiously under the suspension bridge, two or three hundred feet 
below the carriage path. Two or three of us went down a long 
flight of steps and clambered down the bank of the river, clear to 
the water's edge and drank of the river directly under the bridge. 
Those standing on the edge of the bank, which was almost perpen- 
dicular, looked like mere monkeys in size. The Susp. Bridge is 
most as great an artificial wonder and curiosity as the Falls is a 
natural. 

We left Niagara at ll 1 /^ o'clock last night and arrived in Detroit 
at about 2 o'clock this afternoon. It seems to be a fixed fact that 
we travel nights and "lay by" if we lay by at all, in the day time. 

My health is as good as it has been at any time for a year past, 
but I shall be glad when we get to Kanzas or somewhere where 
one can "stretch his weary limbs" once more, for though I am not 
very tired, yet sleeping for three or four successive nights in the cars 
is not the most comfortable way of resting, especially when cramped 
up with two on a seat all night. I cannot write many particulars 
now as I have hardly time and am crowded up in "Johnson's Hotel," 
about 75 or 100 men talking all around me. 

We have great times with our baggage, hunting for it every time 
we change cars, and generally, as it has happened, in the dark. I 
keep a little minature sort of a journal as we go along, and will 
write more fully of our journey when I get a chance. 

Have you found a printer yet? I hope I shall find a letter from 
home at Kanzas City when I get there. I might go and back again 
while we are going, we might as [well] sail around Cape Horn as 
to go this way. I send a copy of today's Tribune. 

Yours in haste, 

T. C. Wells. 

Steamer Lonora Missouri River 
My dear father, Saturday March 24, 1855 

It is several days since I sent a letter to you and I suppose you 
would like to hear from us once more. At about noon last Tuesday 
we left St. Louis on the "Steamer Lonora" with about 300 passengers 
on board, and when you know that the steamers this way are flat 
bottom and those of the larger size among which our boat may be 
103057 



146 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

ranked, are only about one hundred feet long, you will not imagine 
but know that we are rather short for room and accommodations. 
This steamboating up the Missouri, when the water is as low as it 
is now, in a crowded boat is just the meanest way of getting along 
that ever I tried. By far the greater portion of us have to sleep 
on mattresses on the floor, and I believe that we should be more 
comfortable and less liable to catch cold if we slept out of doors. 
As it is I do not believe there are a dozen on board who have not 
taken a severe cold and I have not escaped. For two or three 
days it made me most or quite sick and that is the reason why I 
have not written before since I have been on the river. I am much 
better now, however, and feel about well today. 

If we have good luck and don't get stuck in a sand bar we shall 
get to Kansas City a little after noon today. The Missouri is a 
strange river, at least it seems so to us Eastern people. Every few 
minutes we run against a snag which one would think would knock 
a hole through the bottom of the boat, and every day, and sometimes 
several times a day we are delayed from half an hour to three or 
four hours on a sand bar. Yesterday we remained stationary for 
full half a day on this account and after all had been done that 
the captain thought best he sent about 250 of us ashore, most of us 
without our dinner, and we had to [walk] five or six miles around 
to a point while the steamer worked her way across the bar. We 
got our dinner and supper together. Our Yankees say that they 
expected to meet with some hardships in Kanzas and have prepared 
for it, but such hard times in the cars and on the boat is something 
that they had no reason to expect. They did not bargain or pay for 
it, and I assure you they do not like it. We have formed an asso- 
ciation among ourselves and shall probably, quite a large number 
of us, settle together. We expect to hear from Mr. Goodnow 3 in 
Kansas City and can then tell perhaps about where we shall go. 
The Missourians, some of them, are making a tremendous row 
about the "pauper Yankees" as they call them, coming out to make 
Kanzas a free state; but some of them talk very reasonable on the 
subject. I think there is more danger of being frightened than hurt 
by them. How do you all do? I want to hear from you very much, 
and hope I shall when I get to K. C. 

It is most time for dinner and the servants, not slaves, will want 
the tables and chairs, and I must stop writing. We have just been 

3. For biographical sketch of Isaac T. Goodnow, one of the founders of Bluemont College, 
see Kansas Historical Collections, v. VII, p. 170. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 147 

walking over a bad bar on "stilts," I call them, two long, strong, 
pieces of timber by means of which they walk over sand bars, stick- 
ing one end in the sand, and with rope and tackle raising the boat 
up while the paddle wheels drive the boat along. I will try to write 
to mother soon and give a sort of history of my journey. Love 
to all. Yours affectionately in haste, 

T. C. Wells 

Kansas City, Mo. Sunday 
Dear Mother, March 25, 1855. 

We did not arrive at this place until after dusk last evening, 
owing to snags, etc. in the river, indeed we have been behind time 
and had to wait for trains and boat at almost every station so that 
instead of coming here in eight days as we ought to and as many do 
when the trains connect we have been twelve days tossed about with 
night and day without decent accommodations, and without stoping 
a single night to rest ones weary bones, even on the boat we had to 
sleep on the floor, and I doubt not but that I should have felt better 
and stronger had I remained in a chair by the stove, as, indeed, I 
did one night. Last night for the first time, more fortunate than 
some of the company, I obtained a good bed on a bedstead with 
only three other persons in the room, and I assure you I enjoyed it. 
It is a luxury which those only know how to value who have been 
for some days deprived of it. My cold has not entirely left me, I 
cough a little, but hope soon to be well. But enough of the blue in 
the past, now for a word on the prospects of the future. We have 
not heard definitely from Mr. Goodnow, but know that he has gone 
up the river toward Fort Riley, and the company have good reason 
to expect to see him in Lawrence, about fifty miles from here, for 
which place most of them expect to start tomorrow, though I am 
sorry to say that quite a large number started today. We have a 
goodly number of very fine men, and women too, but we have also 
a large number of such as I have no desire to associate with, many 
of whom I expect and hope will separate from the company and 
some go back home. I am not yet decided whether to go with the 
company toward Fort Riley or independent of them start for 
Council City. Am strongly inclined to the latter place. It is highly 
spoken of by all who have been there, both as to the character of 
the people and its situation. It is on an elevated prairie country at 
a distance from the river, and the low bottom lands having wells of 
the best water in the territory, and on either side is a stream of clear 



148 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

running water, and there is a good opportunity for selecting a good 
claim and a city lot by paying five dollars for a share of the com- 
pany's stock. I did [not] hear anything from home here. Perhaps 
you have not received a letter from me, though I have sent three 
before these and a paper. 

I feel rather tired and sleepy and fear that I shall not be able to 
secure a bed unless I occupy it soon "Squatter Law," or rather 
grab law is supreme in this part of the country and has been with us 
ever since we started from Boston. 

I hope that the next time that I write I shall be able to inform 
you where to direct letters to your humble servant and affectionate 
son, T. C. Wells 

Remember me kindly to friends, and tell some of them that I shall 
try to write to them when I can find an opportunity to do so. 

T. C. W. 

According to directions I send a feather from the banks of the 
Missouri and a piece of the inside bark of a tree near the far famed 
Kansas river. 

Hope all are well. 
Please Write direct Topeka Kanzas Ter. (and I will find your 

letters) 

My Dear Mother, Topeka, K. T., April 1, 55. 

Here I am in the far famed Kanzas Territory, we left Kanzas 
city on Monday last at about noon, and passing through Westport, 
a large Missourian town, we soon came upon the Indian reserve 
(belonging to the Shawnee's) which extends for thirty miles up the 
Kanzas or Kaw river. We went as far as Mill Creek the first day, 
called about twenty miles from Kanzas, and there we hired for the 
night an old log cabin of the Indians, made a good fire in the old 
fireplace, made some coffee, which we drank with our crackers and 
gingerbread, and then we all, seven in number, spread down our 
blankets etc., pulled off our boots and overcoats, and, tried to go to 
sleep. 'Twas a pretty cold night, the wind whistled through the 
holes in the old cabin, which was thoroughly ventilated, as we could 
put both hands between most any of the logs, but we fastened our 
tent up on the windy side, and slept quite comfortably. The next 
morning we started for Lawrence City about thirty miles further 
up the river. We found the ground frozen in the morning, but it 
grew warmer as soon as the sun was well up, and we had quite a 
good day for traveling. We found no settlements on the road, 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 149 

except once in a while an Indian cabin, but we saw a plenty of rich 
rolling prairie, with here and there a ravine skirted with timber, 
and generally a spring or brook at the bottom. We traveled nearly 
all day among a large party of Missourians, number about 200, who 
were going to Lawrence to vote and a pretty rough looking set they 
were, some on horseback, some in covered wagons, and others on 
foot, all hardy, sunburnt, frontier men, and all well armed with 
guns, revolvers and bowie knives. We were often asked what 
county (in Missouri) we came from, and when they learned that we 
were from the East we had the pleasure of being called "damned 
Yankees" etc., but they did not succeed in frightening us or in 
driving us back, though they assured us that they could fire some 
twenty shots each, and that they had a six pounder with them. The 
thing which I was most afraid of was a barrel of whisky which we 
discovered in one of their wagons. They all stoped at the Waka- 
rusha, where we pased their camp toward Lawrence about five 
mile distant but I can tell you those five miles were long ones, for 
although we hired a team to carry our luggage we had to walk 
ourselves, and thirty miles is something of a walk for a beginer 
especially when we had come twenty miles the afternoon before. 
However we arrived at L. at near sunset, a little after and put up 
at Page's Hotel, the best in the City but poor enough at that. For 
breakfast, dinner, and supper we had fried pork, and very poor 
bread, biscuit and combread, a little miserable butter, and molasses. 
We were not able to procure a team to carry us further on our 
journey, and were therefore obliged to remain several days in L. 

I will describe L. to you in my next if nothing prevents. We came 
here (Topeka) yesterday, and start for Big Blue, where Mr. Good- 
now is, tomorrow. We are both well. James has gone to sleep. 

Yours affectionately in haste, 

T. C. Wells 

Dear Father Cedar Creek, May 28, 1855. 

In my letter to mother a few days ago I expressed a wish for you 
to send me some money and suggested that you send it in your 
letters to me in fifty dollar notes on Wa[kefield] Bank. But as 
letters come so irregularly here I do not think it will be safe to send 
money thus, and I do not know as you can send to me at all unless 
you can procure a check, payable to my order, on some banking 
house in St. Louis. I suppose I can get along without the money, 



150 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

but I am and shall be pretty short of funds until I either raise 
something on my claim to sell, or else sell the "claim" itself. 

As to the last I have thought that I should not try very much to 
do it until toward fall, as it is hardly safe to go down the river 
now on account of cholera, and I think it will be much easier to 
find a purchaser in three or four months from now than at present. 

I like the country here very much, it is beautiful now that every 
thing is green; but I do not like the idea much more the reality of 
having no letters or communication from home, neither do I like to 
think that you may be sick and have no one to assist you. 

For these reasons I feel often that I ought to come home though 
if it were not for these I could get along very well here for two or 
three years, but I should want very much to see you all before the 
end of that time. 

I have no doubt but that letters have been mailed to me from 
home often but I have received but one as yet that dated March 22. 

I have also written home about once a week ever since I came 
here, I do not know whether you receive them regularly or not. 

Three deer ran by the cabin a few days ago, I have seen quite a 
number since I have been here, but not near enough to get a shot at 
them. 

I shot a turtle in the creek last Saturday which weighed twenty 
one Ibs. I should like to get another of the "Narragansett Times," 
I heard while down to Mr. Dyer's 4 to meeting yesterday that there 
was a paper there for me, but it could not be found then, perhaps I 
may get it today. We have preaching somewhere within a dozen 
miles twice each Sabbath and a Sunday School has just been started 
at Mr. Dyer's. But we have no prayer meetings here and I miss 
them very much more than almost any thing else. We are so much 
scattered here that it is hardly possible to get together more than 
once in a week and that of course is on the Sabbath. 

Does the interest continue in the meetings at Wakefield? And 

4. Samuel D. Dyer, a native of Tennessee, came to Kansas in 1843, settling at Fort Scott, 
where he worked for the government as a mechanic. In 1853 he was transferred to Juniata to 
operate a ferry across the Blue river on the military road between Fort Leavenworth and 
Fort Riley, and he later collected toll on the bridge that replaced the ferry. He had served 
as a major in the Black Hawk war and was already an old man when he came to what is now 
Pottawatomie county. 

Mr. Dyer homesteaded land at the mouth of Cedar creek where old Juniata was located. 
His house served for several years as a voting precinct and also as a preaching place for 
ministers of all denominations. The first county jail was the cellar under a little store kept by 
him. He was noted for his generosity and his place was designated as a free hotel. Politically 
he was a Free-State Democrat. He was elected justice of the peace in 1858 and held this 
office for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Dyer were the parents of eleven children. He 
lived on his farm until his death February 1, 1875. For another biographical sketch of Mr. 
Dyer, see The Kansas Historical Quarterly, v. Ill, pp. 120-123. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 151 

how is the state of religious feeling in Kingston? I wish that they 
might have a real genuine revival there. 

James has not left me yet and he may not for some time but if 
he should I do not know but I should be obliged to give up keeping 
house as it would be rather lonely for often we do not see another 
person for several days, sometimes for more than a week, unless we 
happen off three or four miles to look for them. 

Love to all friends, and hoping that you and yours are well 

I am yours affectionately, 

T. C. Wells 

My dear Mother, Cedar Creek, June 11 55 

I found at Mr. Dyer's yesterday, when I went down to meeting, 
a letter from you, and three papers all "Narragansett Times" I 
assure you I was not at all sorry to get them all but especially glad 
was I to get the letter. 

James was down to Dyer's this morning and brought me a letter 
from Lizzie which had lodged for sometime in the P. 0. at the 
Catholic Mission 5 and would have remained in those comfortable, 
quarters, no-one knows how long, if an acquaintence of mine had 
not passed through there and spying it out brought it up to me. The 
Mission is about thirty miles from here and why in the name of 
reason the [letter] should stop there I cannot tell, for it was plainly 
directed to the care of S. D. Dyer, &c. I was glad to get a letter 
from Lizzie too and will try to answer it soon. Yesterday was the 
second time that I have received either letter or paper since I left 
home and "good news from a far country" is worth having I can 
tell you. James, too, has been favoured with letters, he received 
three from Prov. yesterday which were very acceptable though he 
would have prefered one from home. 

A man from Topeka says that there are two or three letters there 
for me which the P. M. would not let him have as he did not re- 
member my whole name. I am going to start after them tomorrow 
if nothing happens to prevent. What would you think in the East 
of going over fifty miles after one or two letters and that on horse 
back? bub we do not think so much of riding fifty miles here as you 
eastern people would of going two, provided we both have the same 
mode of conveyance. James has heard that there is a letter for him 
at the Mission and I can stop and get it for him. 

. . . You tell me in your letter of a number of things that you 

5. Doubtless St. Mary's mission, established in 1848. 



152 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

"want to know" and I will try to inform you though perhaps, I have 
already given some of the desired information in previous letters 
that you have not yet received. But to the point. I do cook myself, 
sometimes James cooks but I generally do that part of the business. 
We make wheat bread, biscuit griddle cakes, (flapjacks west) 
puddings, etc., soups out of turtles and squirels, boil duck, snipe and 
other birds and sometimes ham and also eggs. and we fry ham and 
fish. Of course I have a good cook stove. We have made nothing 
but what we could eat and tasted good; have not had sour bread 
once, neither have we burnt it up, had nothing to throw away be- 
cause 'twas not good. Can you beat that? We do most of our 
own washing also though we carry some of our shirts, pants, etc., 
which need starching and ironing about a mile over the bluffs where 
we get them "done up" for us at $1 a doz. as for coats and vests 
they remain in our trunks the most of the time walk out perhaps 
once a week or so, that's all. I have a very good garden, but more 
than that I did not get ploughed as the man whom I engaged to 
''break up" for me disappointed me; he could not make it go. We 
do have meeting once a day on the Sabbath at Mr. Dyer's also an 
interesting S. School both conducted by Methodists. There are 
meetings held in other places in the neighborhood but too far off for 
us to attend as we should have to go nine or ten miles each way 
and that takes too long Sunday afternoon. I am glad you and 
father had an opportunity to take the air while Henry was at home. 
Every one says that I look much better than when I came here. 
Indeed, I know that I am better, am not sick at all now. The 
country agrees with me well, and all the people here to whom I have 
spoken of leaving say that they don't want me to go, and that I 
ought not to leave the country but I think I shall come home before 

Spring. Yours aff 

T. C. Wells 

Mrs. Thos. P. Wells, Cedar Creek July 21/55 

My Dear Mother, Juniata Kansas Ter. 

I received two letters last Tuesday morning, one from you and 
one from Henry both of the same date June 18. May llth was 
the date of the last letter which I had received, it was from Lizzie. 
It seemed a long time since I had heard from home more than nine 
weeks. I am glad you all had so nice a visit in East Lynne and hope 
grandfather will soon get well. 

So I have two new cousins, have I? that is good but I am sorry 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 153 

to hear that aunts E. and L. are so sick, hope to hear that they are 
better in the next letter. 

Thus it is joy and sorrow are mingled here below, but even while 
sad we may yet be really happy and looking beyond above these 
present sorrows expect a life of eternal joy. May we not only expect 
but receive that life. 

I have received every number of the "Times" as far as June 23rd. 
No. 8 and they are very welcome visitors, especially when one lives 
alone. A family moved in above me yesterday, consisting of a 
father, mother, and four daughters ; they are three fourths of a mile 
from my cabin and out of sight behind the bluffs. 

My horse was found a few days after he was lost, about thirty 
miles down the river. He was not just such a horse as I wanted and 
I traded him off together with my wagon for a pair of steers and 
another horse. In less than an hour afterwards I sold the steers 
for more than the horse was worth, and I can sell the horse that I 
have now for all that I could have got for the wagon; he is worth 
more to me than the one that I had before. 

I do not like to have father so closely confined and feel badly 
every time I think about him; but it does not seem to me best to 
return home quite yet. Even if it was perfectly safe going down 
the Missouri, I fear that my ill health might return if I should go 
east now and then I should be of little use to any one, but I am so 
well here that I hope if I remain until cold weather I shall have 
so entirely recovered that my health will not be affected by the 
Atlantic fogs. The Missourians are circulating all kinds of evil 
reports about Kanzas, to discourage northern imigration, but they 
are not founded in fact. We feel in no danger whatever from hostile 
indians or cholera. It is very healthy here, and, in this section at 
least, the crops look finely and promise a plentiful harvest. I hope 
the South Kingston people will succeed in establishing a good public 
Library and erect a suitable building. 

I am obliged to Joanna for her kind wishes. Tell her that I get 
along nicely cooking for myself and dog which is my only com- 
panion now. I did cook the turtle I shot and it was very good. 
Tell father that, Providence permitting, I will come home as soon 
as I well can and take [care] of the printing office, paper, or bank, 
and, if possible, all together for a while and let him rest a little. 
Tell Lizzie if it does not happen before Thanksgiving I will try to 
be there. 



154 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

I am glad father did not send any money. I wrote for him not to 
send it in another letter immediately afterward. Did he not get it. 

We have had a real rainy day just such as we have in the east, 
here the rain usually comes in thunder showers and rains very hard. 
Love to all, not forgetting Fanny Burdick. She sent love to me 
in one of your former letters and I neglected to acknowledge the 
receipt of it, so I send a double portion now to make up. 

Yours affectionately T. C. Wells 

Mrs. Thos. P. Wells, Juniata, Kanzas T., Aug. 9, 1855. 

Dear Mother, 

I am happy to say that I get your letters quite regularly now; the 
last reached me in less than a month after it was written. 

It would have given me much pleasure to have made one of your 
pic-nic party on the fourth no doubt you all had a very fine time. 
I am sorry, on father's account that I shall not be able to settle up 
my affairs so as to go home before the middle or last of November. 

I still sleep in my log cabin, but take my meals in Mr. Hanna's 
family, three quarters of a mile up the creek. 

I began to get quite lonely and after my cow was gone I decided 
not to keep house for myself any longer for the present. 

I received a very good offer for my horse and cow, and thought 
best to sell as I might not again get so good an opportunity. 

I "reckon" $45. dollars is a good price to get for a cow and calf 
in Kanzas when you can buy as many as you please for from $15, to 
$25. in Missouri but mine was a little extra. 

The cholera has been raging terribly at Fort Reiley, chiefly among 
the soldiers who were in the habit of drinking large quantities of 
whiskey. Some forty five or fifty persons died there last week. I 
believe there have been no cases since Sunday. 

There is but little sickness in this part of the territory no cholera. 

We have not had a "wet" season but have been favored with 
sufficient rain to make the corn fields look finely. 

I picked a ripe tomato in my garden today, the first I have seen 
this season, I shall have plenty of them soon. I have no lack of 
garden vegetables, except beans which don't do very well here this 
season, and I turn them in, in part pay for my board. 

You ask How long it takes me to go fifty miles. It is about 
fifty five miles from Topeka here, and I rode home on a very hard 
riding horse, in a day and half, with an easy riding horse it would 
not take as long. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 155 

I had an invitation to go on a grape hunt last Monday, with 
about a dozen young people of both sexes and had a nice time. I 
may tell you more about it some other time. They were the smallest 
grapes I ever saw, not much larger than our whortleberries, but when 
ripe are quite good. 

Wild plums grow about here, I have found some plum bushes up 
the creek that hang very full indeed but they are not yet ripe. 

Our Missouri Legislature has adjourned without accomplishing 
anything. The governor would not recognize them as a legal body 
while at the Shawnee Mission, and the people will not trouble them- 
selves to obey any laws passed by such a sham Legislature. 

The truth is many of the members were Missourians, elected by 
fraud and mob force, and some of [them] now live in Missouri. 

Yours affectionately 

T. C. Wells 

Mrs. Thomas P. Wells, Juniata, Kanzas T., Aug. 29/55 

My Dear Mother, 

I have neglected writing to you for some time past, waiting to 
receive a letter from you first, but it does not come and I will put 
off writing no longer. It is eight weeks tomorrow since your last 
letter was written and the mail will not be here again under ten 
days or a fortnight. 

I soon became tired of sleeping alone in my cabin and taking my 
meals, so far away, and so I determined to move up to Mr. Hanna's 
altogether and for the last three weeks have been "camping out" 
with them. 

I am now in the little tent that I brought from home, it has been 
quite useful both to me and others. If I should tell you how we 
live here you would think we had rather a hard time you could 
not bear it, 'twould kill you, etc., but I like it very well especially 
in pleasant weather 'tis not quite so pleasant when it storms. The 
cooking is all done over the fire out of doors, something as yould 
cook at a picnic in the east. We set our table under a large oak 
tree and under its shade we sit and talk or read when we have 
nothing else to do. We had a wedding here last week out of doors ! 
one of Mr. Hanna's daughters was married to a Mr. Dyer who lives 
at Juniata about four miles from here, he is a son of the old man 
Dyer who is spoken of in Boynton's "Journey through Kanzas," 
which you saw while I was at home. The knot was tied at four 
o'clock last Thursday evening. 



156 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Everything was prepared before hand as well as could be done 
under the circumstances. A long table was set under the trees, 
loaded with cake of various kinds, tarts made from native grapes, 
which by the way are much smaller than the wild grapes of the 
east, custards, preserves etc., while at a side table was roast pork, 
mutton and chicken in abundance. At about three o'clock the 
bridegroom and his friends with the "preacher" came a part in two 
large two horse wagons and others on horse-back. The bridegroom 
was dressed in black coat and pants with white vest and the bride 
in pure white with a head dress also of white. At the appointed 
hour the relations and friends formed a semicircle; the bride and 
bridegroom stood up alone in front and the minister before them. 
After they had promised to love, respect, obey, etc., as long as they 
both should live they were pronounced man and wife. The minister 
then made a prayer commending them and their friends to the care 
of God and asking his blessing upon them. Then all the party 
were invited to partake of the refreshments prepared for them. Two 
young men were selected to carve the meat etc., for the first table. 
When they were through others who could not find room at first 
together with the carvers took their places and were waited on in 
turn. After dinner all were invited to the "infare" or second wed- 
ding at the house of Mr. Dyer on the morrow. 

After a little while most of the friends went home, but the bride 
and bridegroom with one of his sisters and two or three others re- 
mained all night. 

On the next morning I had the pleasure of riding down with them 
to the infare where we remained until nearly night. This time the 
table was set in a large log house, a story and a half high, contain- 
ing four rooms with a kitchen built on one side, this is a first class 
house in Kansas. 

We were supplied with a greater variety of nice things than we 
had the day before. More than fifty persons were there to take 
dinner with them. 

After dinner some of the company took a walk to the water melon 
patch, eat as many as they wished and went back loaded with 
melons for those that they had left behind. We had no dancing, 
no instrumental music but considerable time was spent in singing 
sacred songs. So you have a brief description of a wedding in 
Kanzas. 

They say that there will be a number of weddings more in a short 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 157 

time, as all of the young men have become tired of keeping batche- 
lor's hall. 

A number of [us] went a plumming yesterday, I have been once 
before. We had a pleasant time and came home loaded with as 
many plums as we could bring. 

They grow on bushes not much larger than our current bushes, 
they would grow larger, but the prairie fires keep them down. The 
plums were very thick and so ripe that we could scarcely touch the 
bushes without shaking them to the ground. These plums are of a 
yellowish red when ripe, are nearly as large as our tame plums and 
are very sweet and good. I have saved some of the seed to carry 
east. 

I have had about six acres of prairie broken and shall probably 
have ten or twelve in all, which will make quite a good start for 
some one next spring. It may possibly be me for if my health 
should not continue good in the east this winter I do not know what 
I can do better than return here and go to farming in earnest. 

I have spoken with two or three physicians and they together with 
all the old people who have lived in different parts of the country, 
say that I am very foolish to think of returning east to live and that 
the first cold I catch there will bring on my former sickness as bad 
or worse than ever. I intend however to go home this fall, and try 
it next winter, though I do not expect to be as well in the east. I 
have made up my mind not to sell my claim this fall unless I am 
offered a very good price but leave it in the care of some friend until 
spring and then if I remain in the east I can get them to sell it for 
me or if I decide to come back it will be ready for me. If I should 
return here again I wish you and father, etc, would come too. It 
would be much better for father's health and I think you could all be 
happy. It will not cost much to live out here after the first year, 
and it may be good for your health too. There have been one hun- 
dred and thirty or forty deaths of cholera at Fort Reilly but in this 
part of the country it has continued quite healthy. The cholera has 
not appeared at all here I believe. 

I hope to hear from you soon. 

My health continues good and I expect to be on my way home in 
a little more than two months. I have written to Amos [?] but 
have not yet heard from him. Love to all, 

Yours affectionately 

T. C. Wells 



158 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Juniata, Kansas Territory 

Thos. P. Wells Esq., Oct. 12th, 1855. 

My dear Father, 

I was very glad to receive a letter from you about ten days ago, 
the first you have written me since I have been in Kansas. 

I received five or six other letters at the same time and as many 
papers. I have not been well for a part of the time since having had 
two pretty severe attacks of fever and ague, I have also had to spend 
considerable time in my garden, gathering beans, fixing fence etc., 
and have not had an opportunity to answer your letter before now. 

I have got over the ague entirely I hope for there is nothing 
pleasant about it. 

A lot of unruly oxen broke into my garden and destroyed some 
thirty dollars worth of things most too bad! 

Your paper takes so much of your time that I am almost sorry 
that you ever commenced publishing it for even if it paid well your 
health is worth much more to you than money. 

Had I known two months before how you felt about my remaining 
here I would have made arrangements to stay here a year or two 
at least for although I have been much better here than I was in the 
east yet I do not feel that I have entirely recovered, and to tell the 
truth I am almost afraid to return home. I intend to start next 
month however and spend the winter with you if I am able but I 
think I will have to return here in the spring. We will talk about 
this when we see each other if we are permitted to meet again. 

You ask about Mr. Goodnow; he and his wife live about ten 
miles from me, but I see them occasionally, they both have been 
sick for sometime past. Mr. G. has got pretty well but his wife is 
very poorly yet. Three claims have been taken on our creek since 
I first settled here two above me and one on a small branch half a 
mile southeast of my claim. 

The emigration comes in rather slowly this fall as yet, owing to 
our political troubles, the doings of our sham legislature and the 
border ruffians under Atchison and Stringfellow, but people need 
not fear to come to Kanzas the Missouri laws are a dead letter to 
Kanzas freemen, their hirelings dare not enforce them There are 
eight free state men to two who are in favor of slavery in the terri- 
tory and the ratio is constantly increasing in favor of freedom 
Kanzas must and will be free. Nearly every one who comes here 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 159 

wants a claim and so houses are seldom built nearer than half a 
mile of each other, but at Manhattan, ten miles from me, there are 
fifteen or eighteen houses and there is a good prospect of soon having 
quite a town there. 

There are but two or three families very near Mr. Dyer's but he 
has a fine situation for trading and probably others will build near 
him. He lives 2% or 3 miles from me. Nearly all our meal and 
flour is ground in the States 110 to 130 miles from here, but there 
are mills at Lawrance, 80 miles, and at Topeka 55 miles, and we 
shall have mills here this fall. There are persons who make a busi- 
ness of going to the States after provisions, of course we purchase 
here. 

Cattle will sometimes get there [sic] living here without feeding, 
but it is best to allow them about a ton of hay to the head, which is 
quite sufficient for them to winter on. We can cut plenty of hay 
here on the prairies. Do not direct any more letters to me at this 
place, as I shall not be here when they arrive. I hope to write 
mother soon. I have also unanswered letters from Henry, Amos, 
and Theodore which I will try to remember soon. 

Yours Affectionately 

Thomas C. Wells 

Mrs. Thos. P. Wells, Juniata, Kanzas Ter. Oct. 26/54. [1855] 

My Dear Mother 

If you had ever spent a month or two "camping out" in tents you 
would excuse me for not being more regular in writing home of late. 

But beside living in tents I have had two or three touches of 
fever and ague within a few weeks and have not felt much like 
writing or doing much of anything else for a good part of the time. 

I have now three unanswered letters of yours before me, but have 
received none since I wrote father a few days ago. The last letter 
I have had was from Henry, dated Sept 11. 

We have just moved into a house, that is a pile of logs with a 
roof on the top of them. The spaces between the logs are not filled 
up yet, but we have a tent cloth, wagon cover, quilts, comforters, 
etc hung up around the sides to keep off the wind for the present, 
and have, also, a tent set up inside of the house; we have no chimney 
but build our fires on the ground in one corner of the house. Of 
course we have no cellar or second story, and old mother earth 
serves us for a floor. But this is a great improvement on "camping 
out" as we have done Now we are quite comfortable although we 



160 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

have some cold, frosty, weather. I suppose however, that if you 
could look in upon us and see just how we live, you would think 
that you could not endure it for a week, " 'twould kill you." 

. . . My letter will not be very well connected this time for I 
read your letters and then write down whatever thought they sug- 
gest in the same order that they come into my head. . . . 

You say I have written nothing about the flowers in this country. 
We have some that are very pretty, and I have saved seeds of as 
many as I could so that if nothing happens to prevent you may yet 
see some of the Kanzas flowers in the east. I intend, also, to bring 
with me some garden seeds. . . . 

You and Henry and Theodore keep wishing me to "write for the 
"Times", but really that is out of my line of business. I know not 
what I could write that would be interesting to the people, the news- 
papers are all so full about Kanzas that I could hardly write any- 
thing new on that subject, and I conclude that the "Times" has cor- 
respondents enough without me. . . . 

The two Kansas elections have just come off, the pro-slavery elec- 
tion, called by the sham Legislature occurred one week before the 
free state election which was called by the people assembled in 
convention. 

We did not have pro-slavery men enough in our precinct to hold 
an election, but there were seventy nine free State votes cast. 

In the whole territory the pro-slavery people report 1,800 votes 
cast for Gen. Whitefield [John W. Whitfield] and probably half of 
them were foreign votes. 

Gov. Reeder the free state candidate received more than 4,000 
votes! I think congress will hardly refuse to receive him as dele- 
gate from Kanzas, if they do there will be a /wss. 

You may not get any more letters from me, as I shall probably 
start for the east in a few days, and shall be able to travel as fast 
as a letter. I may be delayed on the way, however, and you need 
not expect to see me much befor the first of Dec. I shall not bring 
home but a few of my things as I shall expect to come back in the 
Spring even if I remain here only through another summer. 

Yours affectionately 

Thomas C. Wells. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 161 

Johnston's Hotel, Detroit 

Mrs Thomas P. Wells Mich, 2% o'clock Mar 27/56 

My Dear Mother, 

We arrived here at about half past one this P. M. four hours be- 
hind our time owing to the immense length of our train. I think we 
had on fourteen cars. 

We crossed Susp bridge at about midnight and last night, we did 
not have time to go to the falls but caught a glimpse of them as we 
crossed the bridge a little before dark. I made a mistake in saying 
above that we crossed at midnight that was the time that we started 
for Detroit. 

We were behind on the Hudson River R. R. and have been behind 
ever since, so that we have to lay by and wait for trains in the day 
time and travel nights in order to reach St Louis before Sunday 
which we wish to do if possible. 

Theodore gets so excited at what he sees sometimes that he can 
hardly control himself; coming through western Canada this morn- 
ing he almost jumped up and down at the sight of the prairie we 
were passing through, I don't know what he will do with himself 
when he sees the immense prairies of Illinois, the Missisipi and Mis- 
souri rivers etc. etc. 

Detroit is a beautiful city in my opinion, it is regularly laid out 
in straight, wide streets, well paved and good side walks, and con- 
tains several very fine churches, and hotels. I hope I shall get a 
letter from you as soon as I reach Juniata and would like very much 
to receive letters from father, Henry, and others in Wakefield 
whom I might mention Write me what father is going to do about 
the Times as soon as he decides. 

Do you feel any better than when we left? you were most sick 
then I hope all are well. 

We are not sick, but are rather tired of traveling night and day 
in the cars; we shall finish that business, however, for the present, 
in two or three days. 

Theodore is so full of seeing that he thought he could not write 
now. There is a great deal of snow in western N. Y. and in Canada, 
and I am afraid that we are too early to drive stock up into the 
territory if so we shall go right along and attend to something else 
first and come down to the States again in a few weeks to get our 
cows oxen etc Yours truly, in haste 

I enclose a few spring flowers Thomas C. Wells 

113057 



162 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Apr 3, 1856, 
Steamer Jas H Lucas 
My dear Mother Missouri River. 

I believe my last letter home was written from Detroit Mich, 
but Theodore has written you since. We left the beautiful city of 
Detroit one week ago to-day, at six o'clock P. M. and arrived in 
Chicago, the "Garden City of the West," at about eight o'clock the 
next morning. 

As we had two or three hours to ourselves before the train started 
for St. Louis, we went to the American Hotel and took breakfast. 
Theodore and myself then started up State St to find our old friend 
Benj Watson while, our companion Mr Wilson went in another part 
of the city to hunt up an old acquaintance of his. 

We found Ben at the store door and as may be imagined some- 
what surprised to see us, for though he had heard that we were 
coming and had expected us two or three weeks before he had, I 
think, quite given us up, thinking that we [had] gone some other 
rout or passed through the city without seeing him. After talking 
a few minutes he started with us for the Depot which is about a 
mile from his store, and there he introduced us to one of his partners, 
the yonger Mr. Otis, who happened to be on the spot. 

I received a much more favorable impression of Chicago this 
time than at either of my previous visits the mud was all frozen 
up and I had a better opportunity to run around. 

At half past nine we started on the Chicago, Alton, and St Louis 
R. R. for St Louis and were accompanied for thirty or forty miles 
by Mr Otis who had business in a little village at that distance from 
Chicago. We found him very sociable and agreable. 

We arrived among the one hundred and forty thousand inhabit- 
ants of St Louis at a little before three o'clock A. M. and immedi- 
ately proceeded to the Missouri Hotel, went to bed and slept 
soundly until late breakfast time. This was the first time we had 
enjoyed a bed since we left the Commodore's births in L Island 
sound. 

On Saturday we spent the time in hunting up a Missouri River 
boat, and doing some of our shopping. Sunday was quite un- 
pleasant, cloudy damp, and in the afternoon it snowed hard for two 
or three hours, accompanied by considerable thunder and lightening, 
a new thing in my experience thunder and lightening in a snow 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 163 

storm. I did not feel at all well, having taken a very bad cold, on 
my journey, and did not go to meeting in the day time, but was 
persuaded [to go to] Dr. Rice's church in the evening by a yong 
man who had heard the Dr. preach in the morning and was very 
much pleased with him. I was disappointed in not hearing him as 
a stranger preached in the evening. 

We went on board the Steamer J. H. Lucas on Monday Morning 
and engaged passage for Kansas City. The Lucas is a very fine 
boat, the fastest on the river, has a very gentlemanly Master and 
clerk and good accomodations. We were so fortunate as to obtain 
good State rooms, many of the passengers have to sleep on mat- 
trasses on the floor. As the[y] did not advertise to start until Tues- 
day at 4 o'clk, we had plenty of time to walk about St Louis, spend 
as much money as we chose at the stores and hear more swaring and 
profane talking than we could in the same time in any other city 
with which I am acquainted. 

An immense quantity of business is done in St L. I can liken the 
appearance of the levee to nothing than B. Way in N. Y. in a very 
busy time, only instead being enclosed by two rows of buildings, it 
is bounded of one side by a long line of splendid Steamers on the 
Missisippi river. 

St L. is a good market, anything can be purchased there for 
money, though sometimes a good deal of that useful article is re- 
quired. 

We live finely on board the boat. The table is set nearly the 
whole length of the cabin, and at dinner time is loaded with almost 
every thing in the eatable sort. Beef, pork, ham, veal, turky, 
chicken duck fish etc cooked in every style, pies of apple, peach, 
plums, prunes, blackberries, cranberries, etc various kinds of pud- 
dings tarts, fruit, nuts, etc. Today we had fresh greens, yesterday 
lettuce, you would enjoy it I know especially as you would not be 
seasick on the river. 

Quite a number of people are on board from South Carolina and 
Georgia going to Kansas. What think you of that? I will tell you 
what I think. Nine tenths of them will return home, or at least 
leave Kansas before they have been there three months. They have 
left their old homes in beautiful Springtime, all nature looking green 
and luxuriant their warm and suny homes in the South, for the 
windy plains of Kansas, as yet brown with the frosts of winter. 
They have taken the wrong time to emigrate and the new country 
will not suit them. 



164 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

And of those who do remain, nine out of ten will ere long turn 
free state men. They will find it for their interest to do so, and 
when their interest decides against slavery they will both see and 
acknowledge that the whole system is entirely wrong. We antici- 
pate no trouble from them. And indeed we expect that the worst 
trouble is over and that we shall be left comparatively to ourselves, 
at least we hope so. 

The free state people must eventually conquer the South cannot 
compete with the North in sending emigrants, and very few of 
the small number who come from the South dare to bring Slaves 
with them Theodore is not very well but is better than he has been. 

Remember me to inquiring friends, I shall try to write some of 
them when I get to the end of my journey, and should in the mean 
time be very happy to have about a dozen of them write me. The 
jarring of the boat makes it quite difficult to write distinctly and I 
have written considerably in haste in order to finish before supper 
time Yours affect'ly 

Juniata Kansas Ter. 

Apr 13th. I expected to have sent this letter long ago, and you 
will doubtless wonder before you get it why I do not write. 

The mail leaves here tomorrow and I will just write a little more, 
and send this and write again some other day and give more partic- 
ulars. We landed at Leavenworth City, instead of Lexington or 
Kansas. Leavenworth is 50 miles further up the river than Kansas 
City, and is 15 or 20 miles nearer the Blue than K. The road is also 
much better, it being the Government road from Fort L. to Fort 
Reiley. I was quite sick at Leavenworth had a little touch of the 
chills and a pretty high fever, together with a very bad cold and 
cough which I caught in the cars. I felt so miserably that I did 
not undertake to write or even send this letter which I had already 
partly written on the boat. Theodore was not much better off. I 
wrote you that he was not very well, and he was [missing] care of 
himself while at Leavenworth but he is getting better now quite fast. 
I did not buy any cows or oxen in Missouri as the grass was not high 
enough to keep them. 

I bought a waggon in St Louis and also a plow, harrow, cultivator 
etc and at Weston Missouri I purchased two very good horses which 
brought us and a part of our things up from Leavenworth. I have 
got to go down to L again in a few days and get the rest of our 
things. There has been more trouble in Kansas this winter than I 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 165 

had supposed; the wrongs of the free state people have not been 
exagerated in the papers. The Lawrance people especially have suf- 
fered immensely. For a long time no one could go to or from Kan- 
sas City without having his baggage searched, and even now the 
Missourians frequently break open heavy trunks or boxes to search 
for Sharps rifles of which they stand in great fear. I think they 
must feel rather cheap at times, however, when the[y] find what 
the contents of the boxes really are. One which they opened in Kan- 
sas contained a piano, and a chest which they had opened at Leaven- 
worth while we were there was full of books, surveyor's instruments 
and a few articles of clothing, and this was done at the request of 
the mayor and marshall of the city shame on such proceedings. 

When we arrived at Juniata we found the Government bridge 
across the Blue had been carried away by the ice. We have to 
cross on a ferry boat now which is rather expensive and not very 
pleasant business. Mr. Dyer has turned strong pro slavery and they 
have got a pro slavery minister there of the Methodist Church 
South, who says "he would as leave sell a nigger as an ox." They 
have organized a church under pro slavery influence and intend to 
do all they can to bring slaves into Kansas and drive out the yankees 
"for," they say, "they do not want eastern men to rule the territory." 

They may do their best however, and they will not succeed, they 
have a class of people to deal with that are not frightened at trifles, 
and not withstanding their threats and their struggles Kansas will 
be a free state and and [sic] the territory will be ruled by eastern 
men. 

I do not consider my claim half as valuable as I did last fall and 
I think I shall sell out and take one on the other side of the blue. 

The claim is really an excellent one but the society is not such as 
I would choose it being mostly composed of western and Southern 
people, some of them very good neighbors in their way, and others 
pretty strongly tinctured with pro slavery notions, while the greater 
part of the settlers on the west side of the Blue are eastern men. 

I have an excellent opportunity to get a claim within half a mile 
or so of Manhattan, only a little way from Mr. Goodnow's with 
eleven acres plowed land and a good spring on it. There is no wood 
on it, but in a few years if it is not already, it will be more valuable 
than my old claim. 

I shall be much nearer churches schools, stores, Post Office etc 
than if I remained on my old claim. I have written much more than 
I intended to when I commenced, but I have hard work to write 



166 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

any thing straight. I must either be thick-headed today or my 
mind if full of something else, in either case I had better stop. I 
hope I shall get another letter from you soon. 

Yours truly 

T. C. Wells 

Juniata, K. T. Monday, May 5th 1856. 
Mrs Thos. P. Wells 
My dear Mother, 

I commenced to write a letter home last Friday noon but had to 
leave to go to plowing and have had no opportunity to finish it until 
now, so I concluded to begin again and write a new letter. It rained 
nearly all night so that the ground is too wet to work today and I 
am going to improve the time in writing two or three letters. 

I believe I wrote that I was going to sell my old claim and take 
another on the prairie. My new claim is situated about three miles 
west of, or rather south-west of, the ferry across the Big Blue at 
Juniata and about one or one and one half miles N.N.W. of Man- 
hattan which in all probability will be much the largest town any 
where in this vicinity. There are at present not more than twenty 
five homes in Manhattan, including two stores, and one very good 
saw-mill with grist-mill attached which work very well. Quite a 
large number of houses are going up very soon, some of them will 
be built of stone, and another saw mill is going up within two miles 
of the "city." We expect that a Cong. Church will be built in Man- 
hattan during the summer. 

I did not remain here but two or three days after I first arrived, 
before I again returned to the "States" to get the rest of my things 
which I left at Leavenworth City. 

The distance from Juniata each way is about 110 miles and I 
assure you it is no small undertaking to make such a journey in a 
two horse wagon, putting up nights at any little cabin you may 
chance to find on the road, making your supper and breakfast of 
corn-bread and bacon, with strong coffee to wash them down and 
eating crackers and cheese, by the roadside, for your dinner. We 
generally have good appetites, however, and can make a hearty 
meal out of the plainest fare and are tired enough at [night] to 
sleep well on the hardest beds even though we should be obliged to 
roll ourselves up in a blanket or buffalo skin and lay on the floor. 
Mr. Wilson went down to L with me and bought four yoke of oxen, 
which we took turns in driving up, and I assure you we were both 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 167 

pretty well tired out by the time we got back to the Blue, one week 
ago last Friday evening. I had a hard chill next day, and a worse 
one Sunday. Monday I got some quinine etc had only a very light 
chill and have had none since. 

I hope I shall not be troubled with the chills any more, I enjoy 
better health now than I have done before for two months at least. 

I was very glad to find some letters waiting for me when I re- 
turned from L one each, from you (enclosing one from Mr Good- 
now Did you attempt to read his hieroglyphics? and a sort of one 
from Henry for which I enclose a one cent stamp please deliver it,) 
Lissie, and N. A. Reed, Jun. I am sorry you have been so unwell 
and hope that now you have got better you will continue to improve 
You seem to have poor luck in getting help. Have you found no 
one to suit you yet? 

We have received two copies of the "Times," the last first, and 
also two copies of the "Puritan Recorder" 

We were surprised to see a notice of Mr Reynolds' death in one 
of the "Times." You ask about Mr Wilsons family, they did not 
come out with him and he will return east again in the fall. 

I shall not get much if any more for my old claim than I shall 
have to give for my new one. There are no improvements on my 
new claim except eleven acres of broken land which I intend to 
plant mostly in corn this season. I want to get twenty-five or thirty 
acres more broken this summer and sow a part of it in wheat in 
the fall. I want to put a good fence around the whole which will 
cost me from two hundred and fifty to three hundred dollars ; and I 
must put me up a little house which will cost me as much more. The 
house will be small (good size for this country) only 16x24 and a 
story and a half high, but it costs a sight to build here where poor 
lumber is worth $40. a thousand and carpenter's wages are $2.50 
per day. I must also build a small stable in the fall, large enough 
to shelter two horses and one or two cows. 

I believe I wrote that I bought a wagon and harnesses at St Louis 
and two horses in Weston Mo. My whole team costing me nearly 
$400. so you see that it costs something to start even in this country. 
I find that I shall come short of cash and I wish father would sell 
ten shares of my stock in Landholders Bank as soon as he can and 
send the proceeds out by Amos if he concludes to come this way, in 
bills of Wakefield Bank if he chooses and I will give it as good a 
circulation as I can. If he can not send it by Amos he may send it 
by letter in hundred dollar checks on Hanover Bank N. Y. and I can 
get them cashed here. 



168 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

We are boarding for the present, and until my house is finished, 
which will be ten or twelve weeks perhaps, with a young couple by 
the name of Browning from Fitchburg Mass. We like them very 
much they are both members of the Cong Church organized here a 
few weeks ago and have family prayers morning and evening. They 
live in a stone house on the claim just east of mine, belonging to 
Mr. Wilson Mr. B. will not be able to get a house up on his own 
claim, which is a little further north, before fall. 

We have to pay three dollars, each, per week for board and get 
pretty plain fair at that, but Mr. B. expects to get a cow in a few 
days and then we shall live somewhat better. We could board our- 
selves for half the expense if we had a place to live in. 

The season is much more forward than it was last year; the trees 
have put out their leaves and the prairies are covered with the green 
grass and flowers. Changing claims and going a second time to the 
states has made me late with my garden. I have planted nothing 
as yet except a few seeds in a box, but as we are boarding we shall 
have no need for a very early garden. I intend to commence plant- 
ing tomorrow. Mr & Mrs Browning and Theodore have all gone 
six or seven miles up the Wild Cat Creek today to get some seed 
corn and potatoes. The corn costs $1.50 and the potatoes only $4.00 
per bushel. 

I will stop now and write to some one else, but as this letter can- 
not go until next Monday I shall probably add a few lines before I 
send it. 

Sunday, May llth, I have been so busy plowing and planting my 
garden, and drawing lumber for my house, that I have not been able 
to add anything to this letter until now, and as it is Sunday and we 
have about two miles to go to meeting this morning I shall write 
but little today. Our mail goes out Monday mornings and comes 
Friday afternoon. 

I reed another letter from Henry yesterday morning and quite 
a good one too which I will answer as soon as I can get time. I'll 
send no stamp now. 

Theodore seems to really like the country and he is very well. 
I think I am getting stronger and in better health every day. 

I do not remember whether I wrote you that I had had a private 
surveyor run the lines on my claim. I do not suppose that they will 
correspond exactly with the government lines, but they will not 
probably vary more than a few rods, so that I may be pretty sure to 
get all the improvements which I make before the regular survey on 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 169 

my own claim. There is a prayer meeting at Mr Blood's this after- 
noon and a church meeting of the Congregational Church. A Mrs 
Flagg is coming before the church as a candidate for admission. 
She has experienced religion within a few weeks. I expect to unite 
with the church (by letter) at the same time. 

Yours truly, in haste 

Thomas C Wells 

Dear Brother, Juniata, K. T. June 21/56 

I received a letter from you a long time ago, and it should have 
been answered long ere this, but my time has been very much 
occupied and besides your letter has been mislaid and I cannot find 
it. 

Perhaps you laugh because I make want of time an excuse for 
not writing and say that there are odd times enough when I might 
write if I chose to might write a little at a time even if I could 
not finish a letter at once. 

All that will do very well to talk and, indeed, I frequently have 
to improve such odd times or write Sundays, which I do not like 
to do, if I write at all, but I find very few leisure hours when I have 
nothing else to do but write letters. 

But enough of such talk no doubt you would like to hear how 
we get along and the Kansas news. 

Just now we are getting along finely Both of us enjoy excellent 
health, you would hardly know either of us. We are strong and 
hearty, in good flesh and burnt as black as Indians. Our corn field 
and garden looks well except that the grasshoppers have eaten up 
some things that we planted in the beds. Although every thing was 
planted very late, we already begin to get things from the garden 
shall have peas fit to pick in a week or ten ds. 

Shall commence to build my house next week will not finish it 
off very nicely at present will move into it as soon as 'tis done 
which will probably be in a month at most after it is commenced. 

We have had pretty hard times in our territory since we have been 
here. The "border ruffians" accompanied by a large number of 
Southerners have been over here with the intention of either driv- 
ing the Yankees home or making them submit to the laws of the 
bogus legislature neither of which they have been able to do. Gov. 
Shannon has enrolled the names of these mob-ocrats as part of the 
Kansas militia some 500 of them, though they do not claim to be 
citizens of this territory. 



170 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

1000 of them according to there own reports, but probably not 
quite so many, have been for a long time encamped in the vicinity, 
commiting all sorts of depredations, stealing cattle, robbing private 
houses, and searching, and taking whatever they wished from, every 
wagon or individual that attempted to pass by them, and they killed 
several men and took others prisoners. About the middle of May 
they threatened to destroy the city of Lawrance and drive the in- 
habitants from the territory, and we received a call from the Law- 
rance people for help. Although it was a very busy time for farmers 
and it seemed almost impossible for any one to leave, about forty 
of us from this vicinity took what arms we could muster and 
started for Lawrance. When we reached Topeka 55 miles from here 
and within 25 of L we heard that the Missourians had done noth- 
ing more than threaten the destruction of the town etc and probably 
would not as Col Sumner at the head of a large number of U. S. 
troops had threatened to fire upon the party that made the first 
attack. 

This prevented an open fight and as we could not afford to remain 
a long time at Topeka for nothing we returned home, but the 
Missourians were permitted to remain where they were committing 
every kind of outrage upon the free state people. 

But not content with robbing the emigrant and baggage wagons 
that passed along the road, and the private homes near them, and 
taking prisoners whom they chose of the passers by, they got five 
men (?) Shannon, Atchison, the U. S. Marshall, Gen Stringfellow, 
and the bogus Sheriff Jones to lead them on, marched upon Law- 
rance, and demanded the public and private arms of the people and 
the privilege of making what arrests they desired. The U. S. Mar- 
shall was premitted to make arrests and the public arms were given 
up, but the people refused to give up their private arms. 

So these five men (?) with these foreign highway men to back 
them destroyed the free state hotel, worth with its furniture which 
was also destroyed $28,000., the two printing offices and the House 
of Dr. Robinson with all its contents, and ransacked and robbed 
private dwellings. 

There has been some small skirmishing, but nothing of much con- 
sequence has occurred within two or three weeks that I have heard 
of We hear various reports that Shannon has been removed, that 
Col. Sumner is at the head of affairs, and that the Territory is now 
under Marshall law, but do not know what to believe. 

As yet all is peaceable where we are, but we know not how 
long it will remain so, yet it seems that the present state of things 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 171 

cannot last long or if it does there will be civil war between the 
whole North and South and then we shall be as well off here as 
elsewhere. 

We can but hope however that these troubles will soon cease, 
and we trust that Christians in the east will unite their prayers 
with ours to the great Ruler of the Universe for a return of peace 
and prosperity to this part of our country and for the removal from 
our midst of that great evil which has caused so much disturbance 
American Slavery. 

The prairies look beautifully now, and you do not know how I 
wish father could come out here and spend two or three weeks, at 
least, with us. It would do him good, and I really believe he would 
want to move out here immediately. 

I wonder if he has sent the money that I sent for on the first of 
May? The letter may have been miscarried. I wanted him to sell 
half my stock in Landholders bank and send me the proceeds either 
in Wakefield bills, or drafts payable to my order on Hanover bank, 
N. Y., I am expecting the money every week and need it very much. 
It costs considerable to start the first year, but if father should 
come out here it need not cost him half what it has me for obvious 
reasons. 

Our last letter from home was mailed May 28th. We were very 
sorry to hear that Mr Burdick was so dangerously ill is he no 
better? 

Our letters and papers are sometimes unaccountably delayed but 
we have no reason to believe that the mail has ever been robbed. 

Give my love to inquiring friends and tell them that when I get 
over my hurry (poor prospect at present) I intent to write lots of 
letters 

Please write again soon Your truly 

To G. H. Wells T. C. Wells. 

Wakefield, R. I. 

Sunday morning, Juniata 
My dear Mother, K. T. July 27th 1856 

I used to think it wrong to write letters of any kind on the 
Sabbath day, but I have somewhat changed my opinion of late, and 
although I would not spend Sunday in writing business letters, I do 
not think it wrong to spend an hour or two in writing letters to 
your friends any more than it would be to spend the same time in 
talking with them. 



172 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

We reed a letter from you a week ago last Friday written just 
after your return from a visit to Lynne; also a note from Henry 
enclosed. We are glad you had a good visit. I should love to look 
in upon you and have a little talk with you all. I could tell you 
more in half an hour than I could write in all day. 

Sorry the Kanzas flower seed did not come up will try to send 
more this fall. I am glad you think that ambrotype so good. I 
wish that you and father and Herbert would have yours taken all 
together and send to me in the mail; it would cost but little and I 
should be very glad of it indeed. Theodore likes the country as well 
as ever, talks a little about going home once in a while, but generally 
sets the time as far off as a year from next fall. 

We reed a letter from bro Samuel and Lissie last Friday, also one 
from father, both which we were very glad to get and I will try to 
answer them soon. Father's letter contained a draft on N. Y. for 
$132 9 %oo which I very much needed just then. I wish father would 
write oftener. 

The cabins or houses here are so small generally that we fre- 
quently have our meeting on the Sabbath under a tree in the woods 
when pleasant weather and find it much more agreeable than to be 
shut up in a small room. Last Sabbath the Methodists held their 
quarterly meeting in a grove two or three miles from here, and as 
there was no other preaching a great many were there. They had 
a "love feast," preaching by their presiding elder, (very good) 
administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper and invited all 
members in good standing of every evangelical church to partake, 
and then another sermon by the Rev. Mr. Lovejoy who has just 
returned from a tour to the east to raise money to build churches 
for his denomination in Kansas The day was pleasant and the 
services very interesting. 

We are enjoying a time of comparative peace and quiet, though 
the Missourians, Georgians, etc seem to hold a grudge against Man- 
hattan and threaten to destroy the town and arrest those who went 
down to Topeka, but we do not feel much in fear of them. Our field 
and garden look nicely and we get along with our house very well 
but slowly. 

What do you think of what I wrote father in my last letter home? 
I do not think I shall keep batch a great while in my new house I 

think it will be much pleasanter having a home, and so does 

somebody else. The more I know her the better I like her. I be- 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 173 

lieve she is truly a good Christian and think that you and father 
would both love her if you knew her. 

I hope you will write often, we expect a letter from home every 
week. 

Love to Herbert and tell him he must write once in a while to his 
brothers in Kansas. Yours truly 

Mrs. Thomas P. Wells Thomas C. Wells 

Wakefield, R. I. 

My dear father, Juniata, Kanzas T. Aug 2d 1856 

I was very glad to get a letter from you last week, glad both for 
what was written and for the dft enclosed. 

You speak of your garden and say that you do not see that we 
have vegetables any earlier than you do. Our garden was planted 
very late, some of our neighbors had vegetables three or four weeks 
earlier than we. I plant in all this season about eleven acres ; nine 
of it in western field corn, and an acre and a half is a garden planted 
with potatoes, sweet corn, beans, vines, etc, etc and Browning has 
about half an acre in one corner for a garden I keep no other 
stock at present than two horses, 1 cow and calf some hens and a 
dog, which last is almost indispensable here to keep off the prairie 
wolves from the chickens etc. 

We board not more than quarter of a mile from the eastern line 
of my claim. 

I hope Henry will be successful in finding business, and when he 
gets a good situation I hope he will stick to it long enough to do 
him some good Please remember me to Morton Sweet Much 
obliged for the papers that you sent. 

I find that it costs a great deal more to get started here than I 
supposed, and I shall have to raise yet more money than I have 
heretofore sent for. You may think that I could get along with 
less, but I will mention some of the principal items of expense which 
I have had and shall have to meet and then you may judge for 
yourself whether I can well get along with less. 

First our fare out here cost me full $100 

1 two horse wagon and harnesses in St Louis 100 

2 horses in Weston Mo 300 

Plow, harrow, cultivator, rifle, & necessary sundries stove, corn 

planter, crockery, corn for horses etc 200 

Second trip to Leavenworth for bal of things 40 

board since we have been here $6.00 per week 75 

It will cost me to finish my house at least 500 



174 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

for my claim, due next Month 160 

must have a well dug and stoned up 60 

must build a barn this fall 250 

must pay for rails, stapes, etc to fence field 100 

must buy provisions some furniture etc, etc 1,875 

etc. etc. etc. to commence keeping house the amt of which I can- 
not estimate exactly but we shall be very prudent and get along 
with as little as possible until we have more means to do with. I 
have mentioned only some of the chief things for which I have to 
pay money and have not estimated largely in any case; everything 
costs more, here than in the east, except what we can raise our- 
selves, and be as prudent and careful as you will it must cost a good 
deal to make a fair start and live. In the east the yong man just 
begining life for himself finds very many things already done for 
him by those who have gone before him ; but here the land alone is 
given to us we have every thing to do to make a home. I started 
from home with about $1050. and reed a dft from you for $132.97, 1 
shall have to take pay for my old claim mostly in breaking prairie 
which I shall want done for another year. I suppose I shall receive 
from you when that stock is sold dfts to the amt of about $550. I 
suppose, also, that my stock in Prov has been sold and the proceeds 
applied to my note at Landholders Bank, if so, I would like to have 
you sell the remainder of my stock in L Bank and send me the pro- 
ceeds, after paying the balance of my not[e] there. With that I 
can, I think, get along very comfortably, I hope to raise enough corn 
this season to pay for my land when it comes into market and to- 
gether with what we can earn by our work support us comfortably 
until we can gather another crop. 

I would love dearly to see you out here and talk over my plans 
with you and would love to have you make us a visit I might 
say mother and Herbert too but suppose it would be useless to 
think of their coming. 

A very fine man living in our vicinity formerly from Wonsocket, 
R. I. is going east in a week or two after his wife and sister and will 
return as soon as possible. I think he would be perfectly willing to 
take charge of any dfts that you may want to send me and I would 
like to have you go up there and see him if you can, as he could give 
you more information about Kansas affairs and how I am geting 
along etc in an hour or two than I could by writing a week. I will 
write you when he is expecting to reach R. I. or give him a letter 
to you to drop in the P. 0. when he gets there so that you may know 
when to go. His name is Ambrose Todd. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 175 

I have written in much haste, you will please excuse the unsightly 
appearance of the letter. 

Love to Mother, Herbert, and friends. 

Thos. P. Wells, esq. Yours truly 

Wakefield, R. I. Thomas C. Wells 

My dear Mother Juniata, Aug last, 1856 

We were so glad to receive a letter from you last Friday, dated 
Aug 10th. We received one from Henry a week or two ago and 
have not answered it yet we do not know where to direct. 

I feel almost ashamed to date most all of my letters to you on 
Sunday, but I get very little time to write during the week, and 
am obliged to remain at home half the day each Sabbath because, 
for fear of the cattle we dare not leave the corn, therefore I fre- 
quently take that time to write. 

So you think it "surprising news," do you, that I am "really en- 
gaged" to be married? Did you think that I was going to remain a 
bachelor all my days, and live and improve my claim alone among 
these western wilds? If you did you are much mistaken, why I 
never thought of such a thing. 

To be sure I tried that way of living last summer, but 'twas only 
an experiment and an experiment tried of necessity and the result 
proved, to my mind at least, that "it is not good for man to be 
alone." 

Were I in different circumstances I might, perhaps, have chosen 
a wife among my acquaintance in the east, but one who would have 
made a very pleasant companion for a man in an eastern village, in 
the midst of schools and churches and the comforts and conven- 
iences of civilization, might be poorly suited to endure the hard- 
ships and privations incident to a border life and illcontented withal. 

And now I suppose you would like to have me write you a "full 
description" of my lady I will try and do the best I can, and first 
I will endeavor to answer your questions. 

She is the youngest of quite a large family of children, all of 
whom with the exception of herself continue to life, either married or 
single, near their native place not far from the centre of old Massa- 
chusetts. 

Her father is still living but she lost her mother when only eleven 
years of age I think her father and her brothers and sisters are in 
comfortable circumstances though not wealthy I have not asked 



176 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

and do not know the business of any of them. She is nearly as tall 
as myself and well proportioned, neither very light nor very dark 
complexion, and according to my notion very good looking. Her 
name is Eleanor S. Bemis. Your questions are answered. 

At an early age she lost her mother as I have informed you, her 
health was very poor until sixteen and for four years from that 
time she was employed in keeping house for her father consequently 
her advantages for obtaining an education have been very limited 
in comparison with those of most young ladies in New England, 
though I believe they have been well improved. She is a woman 
of good sense and good temper and I doubt not a Christian. She is 
a member of the Methodist E. Church 

She has no relations in Kansas but many friends. I can write 
no more about her at present as 'tis about time for me to go to 
church, and send this letter to the P. 0. 

We both are in good health. Theo. says he does not care much 
whether he goes home this fall or not but I think he would be much 
disapointed if he should be obliged to remain here though it may be 
best that he should. 

My love to all the friends and please write where Henry is, and 
write often as you can. Yours truly in haste 

T. C. Wells 

Dear parents Juniata, K. T. Sept 14/56 

We were very glad to get a letter from you last Friday, and to 
hear that you were well etc. 

We are and ought to be thankful that the mail continues to come 
quite regularly in these troublous times. I have no reason to think 
that we have not reed every letter that has been sent to us from 
home as yet I have reed but one, however, from N. A. Reed, Jr. 
and no papers, and but one from Amos, both of which I have an- 
swered but it is probable that Amos left the west before his letter 
arrived at Hastings Min. the place to which it was directed. 

I will endeavor to write Nathan again soon and would write to 
Amos too did I know where to direct. Where is Henry now? We 
had a letter from him a week ago Friday written while he was in 
Beloit, Wis. 

You must not think too much of the newspaper accts of what 
the pro-slavery people are going to do in Kansas, or of what either 
party have done or are doing here very many of them have little 
foundation in fact; for instance, in the last N. Y. Tribune we saw 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 177 

it stated that a large party of Southerners had been up in this part 
of Kansas, had a battle with the people of Reilley County near, 
Manhattan, were defeated, driven back, etc etc all of which is false, 
except that a party of armed Southerners did march up the Blue a 
few weeks ago and have returned without doing any damage that I 
have heard of. 

There have been several battles down below between the free 
State and pro slavery parties in which I believe the free State parties 
usually if not always came off conquerors, but our news from below 
is rather indefinite at present and we do not know exactly what is 
the state of things. It is said that our new Governor has come and 
is intending to enforce the bogus laws, which [he] or any other 
man cannot do, the people will not acknowledge them as binding on 
them and they will remain a dead letter do what they may. We 
that is Ella and myself are not prepared to leave Kansas yet. we 
still live in hope and believe that we shall soon see the end of these 
troubles as soon as we get another President at least if not before; 
but should this state of [uncertainty?] continue still longer we 
would endeavor to seek some more peacable though we would not 
expect to find a more healthy or fertile, country. Really I did not 
think of being uncle to any body quite so soon, but I suppose it is 
so. I am afraid it will be quite a long time before little Susan will 
see her uncle Thomas, but she may see uncle Theodore this fall. 
Theodore is very impatient to hear your decision with respect to 
his coming home this fall. 

He ought to be somewhere where he will be under authority! 
we get along pretty well together, generally, but once in a while he 
will get some foolish notion into his head which I can neither coax 
or reason out of him, for he is of just that age when young lads 
think that they know a little more about every thing than any one 
can tell them; but after all T. is a pretty good boy. 

You complain that I have written very little about my lady Ella, 
but really I was not aware that I had been so very silent, yet I 
should doubtless have written more if I had not had so much else 
to attend to and consequently but little time to write, and I would 
want considerable time to give a full description of her. But really 
I do not know what to write, I answered a lot of your questions 
about her a while ago and wrote much more besides. What shall I 
say now? 

Do not think that I have lost all my common sense (I trust I had 
a little though none to bost of.) since I have been in Kansas; and 
123057 



178 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

that in my haste to get a wife I have engaged myself to one un- 
worthy of me or of whom after longer acquaintance I am ashamed 
Truly such is not the fact. The more I know of Ella the better 
I become acquainted with her the better I like her, yes the more 
I love her and am satisfied that she is just the woman to make me 
happy to be, indeed, a help to me both in a temporal and spiritual 
sense. I surely have no reason to regret my choice and trust that 
I shall never have. I only wish that you could see her and get ac- 
quainted with her. I believe you both would love her and the more 
the better you knew her. I do not suppose that every one would like 
her, and I doubt not many would think me a foolish young man to 
choose a young lady for a wife without property or even a finished 
education, but I beg leave to be my own judge in such matters, and 
shall be satisfied if every body is not suited, so long as I believe 
that we are suited to each other. If Ella has not wealth, she has 
what is better an affectionate heart and good sound sense; and if 
her school education has been somewhat deficient, she has an in- 
dependent and energetic mind that knows how to think for itself 
and turn to good advantage the knowledge it does possess, and she 
has a home education that few of our eastern girls possess. 

Did father go to Woonsocket and see Mr. Todd? I really hope 
he did for he is well acquainted with Ella and has seen her folks in 
Mass, which I have not, and could give him more information in a 
conversation of a few minutes than I could in a dozen letters. He 
could tell also just how I am situated. I would rather give ten 
dollars than that father should not see him. It is strange that 
aunt Marian did not get her letter before I wrote her about affairs 
in particular at about the same time that I wrote you. 

In seeking some business by which he can pay his own way Henry 
has done just as I would have done myself, only I think I should 
never have attempted any other way at first. I really hope he will 
be successfull. 

It is very dry here now, we have had but very little rain for a 
long time I have just had a well dug and stoned up near my 
house an excellent time now it has been so long dry and have 
seven feet of very good water in it. I think it will not dry up very 
soon. This the worst month for sickness here, in the whole year 
very many have bilious fevers and fever and ague in verious forms. 
Theodore continues well, and I am well too. I had a little chill 
about ten days ago, but my health has been very good throughout 
the whole summer. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 179 

Excuse the blots on the first page I do not know how they came 
there. 
Mr. Thomas P. Wells, Yours truly 

Wakefield, R. I. Thomas C Wells 

I send you two flowers that Ella pressed ; the larger one is called the 
"devil's shoe string" on acc't of its long tough roots which are 
troublesome in plowing 

(To be continued in the August Quarterly) 



Ferries in Kansas 
PART IX ARKANSAS RIVER CONCLUDED 

GEORGE A. ROOT 

next ferry location upstream was near Salt City, Cowley 
A county, between seven and eight miles from Arkansas City. 
On June 12, 1871, the Salt Springs Ferry Co. was chartered, its in- 
corporators including C. R. Sipes, William Wright, W. J. Walpole, 
M. J. Martin and E. A. Fish. This company was capitalized at 
$200, with shares at $10 each. The principal office of the company 
was at Arkansas City, and the company proposed to operate a ferry 
on the river at the N. W. *4 S. 8, T. 34, R. 3 W. This corporation 
was to exist for ten years, the charter being filed with the secretary 
of state June 17, 1871. 45 

Mr. Walpole received a license from Cowley county to operate a 
ferry at Salt Springs (now Geuda Springs) four miles north and five 
miles west of Arkansas City on August 22, 1871. Evidently Walpole 
did not operate for any length of time, as John Murray was given 
a license to operate at Salt Springs on August 22, 1872. Ferry 
charges were usually the same as established for the Thomas Night 
ferry which were: Two-horse team and wagon, 75 cents. One- 
horse team, 50 cents. Horse and buggy, 25 cents. One horse, 15 
cents. Footman, 10 cents. Loose horses and cattle, 15 cents. Sheep 
and hogs, 5 cents each. 46 

In the Geuda Springs News of June 15, 1933, George M. Briggs 
related some of his experiences, and mentioned a ferry operated by 
a John Conley over the Arkansas at a point nearly a mile east of 
Geuda Springs about the year 1874, when a bridge was completed 
at this place. 

During the flood in the river on May 20, 1877, bridges at Arkan- 
sas City, El Paso and Wichita were carried away. A similar con- 
dition must have occurred at Salt City the same year, for the Oxford 
Independent of September 6, stated that "a flat boat is being con- 
structed upon the west side of the river and will be sent to Salt City, 
where it will be used in the absence of a bridge." 

Just how early this ferry went into operation has not been learned. 
However, the Traveler early in October, 1877, stated that it "is well 

45. Corporations, v. 3, p. 368. 

46. Letter of Bert Moore, office of county clerk, Winfield, to author, January 9, 1936. 

(180) 



ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 181 

patronized and meets the favor of every one." In the issue of 
October 21, the following complimentary notice was printed: 

In another column will be seen the advertisement of the Salt City ferry 
offering to cross parties at any time of night or day for the small sum of 
twenty-five cents. The route by the way of Salt City is a good one, and 
generally favored by freighters going to the Indian agencies in the territory. 

The advertisement follows: 

SALT CITY FERRY. This ferry is located on one of the best crossing points 
on the Arkansas river, within one mile from Salt City, and on the most direct 
route to Caldwell and the Indian agencies. Teams or horsemen taken across 
at any hour of the day or night. Good shelter for stock and ample accom- 
modations for travelers at the city. 

This ferry must have operated for a number of years at this loca- 
tion, and is shown in Edwards' Atlas of Cowley County, 1882. The 
following are the last mentions of this enterprise we have located: 
"A ferryboat is to be placed on the Arkansas east of Salt City. Win. 
Berkey has the contract for constructing it." Arkansas City Trav- 
eler, August 29, 1877. "The boat formerly used as a ferry at Salt 
City will be loaded with wheat and floated down the river to Little 
Rock." Sumner County Press, Wellington, July 25, 1878. 

The next point above Salt City where a ferry operated was at the 
town of Oxford, about five miles distant. This town was settled in 
the fall of 1870, and was first known as Napawalla or Neptawa, for 
an Osage chief. 47 

Locally, Oxford was known as "Big Cottonwood Crossing," no 
doubt from the large trees bordering the river at this point. The 
name was changed in 1871 to Oxford. One of the first conveyances 
for crossing the river there was a rude dug-out or skiff, about four- 
teen feet long, fashioned from white ash, made about 1871 by John 
and Lafe Binkley and A. Merrill. The Binkley brothers operated 
the first store opened in the town, and the boat was probably a 
convenience for patrons who lived on the opposite side of the river 
before the ferry was put in operation. 48 

On July 1, 1871, the Oxford Ferry Co. was organized, T. J. Bar- 
ton, E. S. Tonance, W. M. Boyer, J. H. Nyton and J. M. Patterson 
being incorporators. The capital stock of this enterprise was listed 
at $3,000, with shares $50 each. The principal place of business 
evidently had not been decided on at the time of incorporation, as 
the charter stated it would be at any point in the state of Kansas 
as best suited the convenience of the directors. T. J. Barton, Wil- 

47. Oxford Weekly, 1880 or 1881. Andreas, History of Kansas, p. 1507. 

48. Andreas, op. cit., pp. 1495, 1507. 



182 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

liam Barton and I. T. Confan, of Belle Plaine, and J. Romine and 
R. Walker, of Oxford, were named as directors for the first year. 
This charter was filed with the secretary of state July 5, 1871. 49 
It will be seen that the company did not give any specific location 
for the ferry, and may not have operated one. 

Just sixteen days later the Oxford Ferry and Bridge Co. was 
organized, the incorporators being 0. E. Kimball, John G. David, 
Charles Tilton, John Dunlap and Thomas M. Moss. This company 
had a capital stock of $50,000, with shares at $100 each. The princi- 
pal place of business of the new company was at Oxford, and its 
ferry was to be located at or near the crossing of the state road lead- 
ing from Labette City, Labette county, to Meridian, Sumner county, 
at or near the south line of S. 12, T. 32, R. 2 E. of the Sixth P. M., 
the west landing adjoining the townsite. This charter was filed with 
the secretary of state July 21, 1871. 50 

This company obtained a license from Cowley county on July 16, 
1871, and operated the ferry about a year. 51 

The following pertains to the ferry at this point and gives a good 
idea of the volume of travel that came to the ferry in the early 
days: "Mr. A. J. Keeley, the ferryman, informed the editor that 
on Monday (July 15) he had ferried over the river twenty-two 
two-horse teams, eighteen horsemen, fourteen footmen, four buggies, 
two four-horse teams and nineteen head of loose stock." 52 

During 1872 a toll bridge built at this point supplanted the ferry. 
Toll rates were 35 cents for two-horse team, Winfield charging 50 
cents for a similar service. This bridge, as well as every other one 
in the county was destroyed by the big flood of 1877. 

Several years later another ferry was started at this point. A 
neighboring paper mentioning the new enterprise said that "the 
ferry boat at Oxford tipped up and put one man in the river." A 
subsequent item from the same source reported the ferryboat as 
doing a fine business crossing freight and passengers. 53 

This ferry was supplanted by a pontoon bridge, which was in 
running order late in 1877 or early in 1878. An item in the Oxford 
Independent, copied in the Arkansas City Traveler, of January 23, 
1878, said: 

The new pontoon bridge is now in place and proves to be a great success. 

49. Corporations, v. 3, p. 412. 

50. Ibid., p. 435. 

51. "Commissioners' Journal," Cowley county, 1871. 

52. Oxford Weekly Press, July 17, 1872; republished in Monitor-Press, Wellington, July 
17, 1912. 

53. Arkansas City Traveler, June 6, 27, 1877. 



ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 183 

The crossing of the Arkansas at this place was never better or safer in our 
most prosperous days. 

The pontoons, five in number, are safely anchored, and stayed by strong 
guy ropes, and the intervening spaces covered by portable but broad, safe 
bridges, with bannisters running the entire length. 

Why can't we do the same thing at this place? 

This bridge had scarcely been gotten into usable shape when a 
sudden rise in the river tore it loose and broke it up, crossing being 
suspended for about a year. 54 Apparently nothing was done to 
remedy the situation until early in 1879. On January 30 the Arkan- 
sas River Bridge and Ferry Co. was incorporated, its promoters 
being John Murphy, Angus Carroll, Clark Scott, John F. Coldwell 
and William Sherburne. This organization was capitalized for 
$5,000, with shares of $100 each. The principal place of business 
was at Oxford and the charter was for twenty years. The com- 
pany proposed the construction and maintenance of a toll bridge and 
ferry across the Arkansas river at Oxford, at a point on the river 
within a distance of 200 feet south of the site of the bridge erected 
by the Oxford Bridge and Ferry Co. in the year 1872. This charter 
was filed with the secretary of state January 31, 1879. 55 

The last mention we have located concerning a ferry at Oxford 
is in 1881, the Oxford Weekly of March 11 stating: "Mr. Richard- 
son sailed through town last Saturday on the ferryboat on wheels, 
with the stars and stripes flying, and safely launched the same at its 
old moorings. Mr. R. generally accomplishes what he undertakes." 

A new concrete bridge 575 feet long, with seven spans of 77 feet 
each, was completed just east of Oxford and dedicated on June 20, 
1930, with Gov. Clyde M. Reed, as the principal speaker. The 
bridge cost $55,000. It was erected on the site of the old ferry land- 
ing of 1871, and appropriately marks U. S. Highway No. 130. At 
the christening it was planned to use a bottle of wine for this time- 
honored ceremony, but. as the sheriff declined to furnish anything 
more potent, a bottle of water was used instead. 

The next ferry up-river was in the vicinity of the town of Nin- 
nescah. On February 21, 1871, the Arkansas and Ninnescah Ferry 
was chartered, the incorporators being Silas Rain, Marion McCoy, 
E. H. Prentice, John A. Henry, and Mahlon Barr. This company 
was capitalized at $2,000, with shares $50 each. It was proposed 
to operate a ferry across the Arkansas river at any point desired 
between the mouths of the Ninnescah river and Cowskin creek, 

54. Ibid., February 20, 1878. 

55. Corporations, v. 9, pp. 326-328. 



184 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

their principal office to be at any point within the limits of the state 
of Kansas as best suited the convenience of the board of directors. 
Directors chosen for the first year were T. J. Barton, William 
Barton, James Hamilton, George Hamilton and Walter Smith, all 
of Augusta. 56 There is some doubt whether this ferry ever operated, 
the charter probably having been secured for speculative purposes. 

Just one week later, March 1, 1871, the Ninnescah Ferry Co. was 
chartered by L. B. Wansley (Wamsley?), Ernest Palmer, R. C. 
Gordon, Burr Mosier and C. M. Kellogg. The principal office of 
the company was at a point opposite the town of Ninnescah, and its 
purpose was to operate a ferry across the Arkansas river above the 
mouth of the Ninnescah river, and extending four miles in Sumner 
county. Capital stock of the enterprise was $500, divided into five 
shares. This charter was filed with the secretary of state March 5, 
1871. 57 No further history of this enterprise has been located. 

The first ferry across the Arkansas river in present Sumner county 
was started January 25, 1871, by David Richards. It was located 
at a point opposite present Belle Plaine, on S. 35, T. 30, R. 1 E. 58 
Just how long this enterprise functioned we have not discovered. 

El Paso, now Derby, about five miles north of the Sumner- 
Sedgwick county line was the next point to have a ferry. This town 
was started in the fall of 1870 by John Haufbauer and J. Hont 
Minnich, and during the spring of 1871 they operated a ferry, having 
been granted a license for that purpose on March 4. They were 
required to file a $1,000 bond for the ferry privilege and pay a $10 
license fee to the county. 59 At a meeting of the board of commis- 
sioners on April 7, 1871, the following ferriage rates were established: 

For one span of horses and loaded wagon, 75 cents; each additional span 
15 cents; one span of horses and empty wagon or other vehicle, 50 cents; 
horse and rider, 25 cents; each foot passenger, 20 cents; two yoke of oxen and 
loaded wagon, $1.00; each additional yoke, 20 cents. 60 

There appears to have been very little water in the Arkansas' 
channel during 1871, but this ferry operated up to 1873, when a toll 
bridge was built by the El Paso Bridge Co. The structure was 
ready for traffic by July 7, the county commissioners approving 
the following schedule of toll rates: 

For wagon and two horses, or one yoke of oxen, 25 cents, for each additional 
horse or ox 10 cents. For horsemen 10 cents. For footmen, 5 cents. For 

66. Ibid., v. 3, p. 171. 

57. Ibid., v. 3, p. 198. 

58. Andreas, History of Kansas, p. 1495. 

59. Ibid., p. 1402. "Commissioners' Journal," Sedgwick county, Book A, p. 12. 

60. Ibid., p. 14. 



ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 185 

loose cattle or horses, per head, 5 cents. For loose cattle, hogs and sheep, 2Vz 
cents per head. 61 

During the flood of 1877, this bridge was washed away. A new 
bridge was completed during the winter of 1879-1880. 62 

Wichita was the next point up the river to have a ferry. During 
the special session of the legislature of 1860 a bill was introduced 
in the council to establish a ferry across the Arkansas at a point 
near the mouth of the Little Arkansas. Samuel F. Wright, John 
Sharkey, John McShane, H. Harrison Updegraff, John Frame and 
their associates were to have exclusive right and privilege of main- 
taining and keeping a ferry at that point for a term of twenty years, 
no other company being permitted to operate within four miles of 
the point selected. This ferry franchise was no doubt obtained for 
speculative purposes, for "section 2" of the act specified that the 
company should have five years from the date of the passage of the 
act, or sooner if the interests of the traveling public required it, to 
keep and maintain a good boat or boats, sufficient to cross the 
traveling public in a reasonable time; failure to do so would forfeit 
the charter. It was provided that in case of accident they should 
have time to replace or repair their boats. Neither Sedgwick county 
nor Wichita had yet been organized and the act provided that the 
county board nearest the ferry should fix toll rates, etc. The bill 
was introduced in the council by Senator Updegraff and passed that 
body on February 6. It was messaged to the house of representa- 
tives that afternoon and was referred to committee. In time it was 
referred back to the house without amendment, for passage, but for 
some unexplained reason the measure received no further considera- 
tion from that body. 63 

A recent history of early Wichita states that records of the govern- 
ment survey of June 28, 1867, mention a ferry and ford across the 
river between present First and Second streets. This survey locates 
the east bank of the river where the present Missouri Pacific depot 
is now located. The Arkansas river that year was said to be bank 
full all season. Indians who had occasion to cross ferried their 
families over in "tubs" fashioned of a single buffalo hide, and swam 
their horses. Those "tubs" were probably the "bull" boats, much in 
vogue in early days on western streams where buffalo were plenti- 
ful. 64 

61. Ibid., p. 136. 

62. Andreas, History of Kansas, p. 1402. Bentley, History of Sedgwick County, p. 626. 

63. Council Journal, 1860, special session. House Journal, 1860, special session, pp. 224, 
228, 297. 

64. Illustrated History of Early Wichita (Eunice Sterling chapter, D. A. R., publisher), 
p. 16. 



186 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

On March 6, 1868, a company composed of E. P. Bancroft, B. 0. 
Carr, M. Greenway and James R. Mead, organized the Arkansas 
River Bridge and Ferry Co., with a capital stock of $20,000, divided 
into shares of $100 each. The company proposed to operate bridges 
and ferries across the Arkansas river at any and all points within 
the boundaries of Sedgwick county. Their charter was filed with 
the secretary of state March 16, 1868. 65 

This probably was the first ferry that operated at Wichita, and 
Greenway was the individual who ran the boat for the company. 
L. C. Fouquet, of Chandler, Okla., an early resident of Wichita, has 
the following to say of Greenway in an article published in the 
Humboldt Union of July 5, 1934: 

Greenway was a friesky, funny entertaining fellow. I could tell you of 
how at one time while entertaining a crowd at F. Shattner's saloon, butcher 
knife in one hand, singing a combination of war and scalping songs and danc- 
ing, he, with a ferocious face at its finishing part, scared them pretty bad. 
(Me too.) I was watching from behind the spectators and as he was somewhat 
under the influence of liquor and was getting apparently more ferocious in the 
way of handling that butcher or scalping knife most of them realized that he 
was now crazy and was likely to at once put the knife into use. He started 
on one, but one of the cowboys quickly got on the floor behind him and 
pulled one of his feet which caused him to fall down. He got up in a ferocious 
rage, and somehow managed to get out of doors. I did too and run clear out 
of danger, booh ... I never tried to find out how they managed to quiet 
him. However, he always was a nice friendly fellow to me and others when 
sober. But he always had a bottle with him. Perhaps you might say, how did 
you know. Well, he was the owner of the ferry boat and I run it for 
him. ... On a beautiful Sunday he came up the river in his little canoe, 
perhaps to see how I was getting along. But everything was at a standstill. 
So he invited me to take a ride with him in his little thing which he rowed 
from one side with a peculiar oar. 

Me, particularly adventurous, was tickled to accept the chance of getting 
an Indian ride. As I got in he had a most friendly and pleased smile. He 
pulled a bottle out of his coat pocket and offered me a drink. I drank a little 
and he took a big one. Oh, he was happy. He started to row and sing at the 
same time. It was a wonder to me how he could run that little boat so 
straight from only one side. We had got at what I guessed to be one mile when 
he stopped and turned it around so as to go back to the ferry. Then he 
dropped the oar, got his bottle and most politely handed it to me, after taking 
the cork out. Oh, but I didn't want any more. But as in France it is very 
unmannerly to refuse, I took it and let on that I was taking several swallows. 
He received the bottle and ho how he did drink. He was having a happy 
time, becoming real gay, and singing in English and sometime in Indian. Then 
he once more dropped the oar and he again took a drink. I was surprised and 
glad that he forgot to pass it to me. We finally got close to the ferry but he 
stopped in mid water, took another drink and then again took hold of the 

65. Corporations, v. 1, p. 492. 



ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 187 

oar, and as I remembered of his doings in the saloon I was glad to think that 
we'd go to the landing, but instead of using it he dropped it and again started 
singing in English, then in Indian. He didn't sing any scalping songs as at 
the saloon. I enjoyed his gay face and Indian song until he had a finish to it 
with a sound like Aihai Gah Aihahhah. He had placed one hand on each side 
of the canoe when he said Aihai Gah. He would push on the left side and 
hallowed Aihai Gah, he would push on the right side, which made it swing up 
and down, up and down and getting worse. Oh, gee, I realized that it would 
soon turn over. And that, though I had crossed the Atlantic ocean several 
times without fear, I never knew how to swim, I sure got scared. And I knew 
from what he had done in the saloon that to scare a white man was his hobby. 
But I didn't let on that I was. Although my following words gave him a be- 
ginning touch of enjoyment. I shouted, oh, say, you are going to turn it over. 
With a most pleased face and words he answered, oh, what of it? Then I 
shouted hay, hay, hay. But you have your Sunday clothes on. He at once 
stopped with a sigh, and said, oh, I forgot. Then he pulled the bottle out of 
his pocket, handed it to me saying. Oh, you dear boy, take a drink. And I 
took a little bit, and oh goody we finally landed. 

Victor Murdock, in the Wichita Evening Eagle, of November 17, 
1932, gave the recollections of S. L. Dunkin, and had the following 
to say of the old Wichita ferry : 

The river at Wichita was once very wide, carried a lot of water and was 
measurably free from "islands." The eastern end of the ferry was somewhere 
east of the Broadview hotel of this day. Incidentally the first plat of this 
addition shows the present corner of Waco and Douglas as nonexistent. It 
was river bank then. The western end of the ferry was north of the present 
Midland station. On each bank was a wooden tower and from tower to tower 
stretched rope. The raft was attached to this trolley rope by two ropes, these 
ropes equipped with wheels. The raft had no power. It crossed and recrossed 
the stream by a manipulation of the current of water. Going from east to 
west the rope on the west side of the craft was slackened, and going from west 
to east this rope was tightened and the rope on the east end of the raft slack- 
ened. The force of the current did the rest in either trip. 

The ferry went into operation May, 1871, to pick up trade incident to the 
spring rise. The fare was 10 cents for foot passengers, 50 cents for one team 
and an unloaded wagon; one dollar for one team and loaded wagon. 

Now a year later the ferry was no more. For in the fall of 1871 work had 
begun on the bridge at this point and the bridge was in use in the spring of 
1872. 

The bridge was a long one, had nine spans. The approach on the east bank 
was 125 feet; the one on the west was 75 feet. The material for the bridge 
came from St. Joe., Mo., and by December, 1871, the work was taking shape. 

The bridge charged a toll for crossing. It ended the ferry business as soon 
as it went into operation. 

If the ferry business was as good in 1870 as the prices for ferriage, 
operators must have been able to "clean up" handsomely. Com- 
missioners' records recite: 



188 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

At a special meeting of the board of county commissioners held at Wichita, 
June 13th, A. D. 1870, the rates of toll for the Arkansas ferry were fixed for 
crossing footmen each 20c. For man and horse, 40c. For two-horse team, 
75c. For four-horse team, $1.50. For freighting teams, $5. ... Ordered 
that the license fee for the Arkansas Ferry be fixed at $10 per year and clerk 
issue license therefor. Board adjourned. J. M. Steele, clerk. C. S. Roe, Dpty. 
Co. Clerk .66 

The next mention of the Wichita Ferry in commissioners' pro- 
ceedings was on July 1, 1872, when W. A. Sayles was granted a 
license on payment of $10 for a year's privilege. 67 

The first move for bridges within Sedgwick county was taken by 
the board of county commissioners at a meeting held on November 
11, 1870, when 

It was ordered that a special election be held on the first Tuesday in April, 
1871, at which the following questions shall be submitted to the people. Shall 
the county commissioners be authorized to issue county bonds for the purpose 
of building bridges. $1500 to build a bridge across the Little Arkansas river 
on the township line between Ranges 24 and 25, Range 1 West. $500 to build 
a bridge across Chisholm creek on the section line east through Section 22, 
Township 27. $500 to build a bridge across Spring creek on the quarter sec- 
tion line running East through Sec. 13, Towns. 29, Range 1 East. . . . J. M. 
Steele, Co. Clerk per Fred Schattner, clerk. N. A. English, Chairman Board 
Co. Comm. 68 

On March 4, 1871, Fred A. Sowers, county clerk, recorded that 
the commissioners "Ordered the publication of a notice calling a 
vote for the issuing of bonds to build bridges in the sum of $3,000. 
$1,500 for bridge over Little Arkansas; $500 for bridge over Chis- 
holm creek and $500 for bridge over Spring creek." 69 

Within the limits of Wichita, the first bridge to span the Arkan- 
sas was a toll bridge on the line of Douglas avenue, erected by pri- 
vate enterprise, William Griffenstein, N. A. English, James R. 
Mead, Nelson McClees and Charles Gilbert being its projectors. 
This was a combination of wood and iron, and had eight spans of 
100 feet each, with a 16-foot roadway and a toll house at each end. 
The bridge had stone piers and abutments resting on foundations of 
piling driven deep into the river bed. The contract price of the 
structure was $29,000. It had been said the company was short of 
cash when the bridge was opened for traffic, June 12, 1872, and that 
they traded in some town lots in part payment. Just five days be- 
fore the bridge was opened the board of county commissioners 
adopted the following rates of toll: 

66. "Commissioners' Journal," Sedgwick county, Book A, p. 2. 

67. Ibid., p. 12. 

68. Ibid., p. 8. 

69. Ibid., p. 12. 



ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 189 

Two-horse or mule team and wagon, 50 cents. Each additional team, 10 
cents. Four-horse or mule team and wagon, 75 cents. Six-horse or mule team 
and wagon, $1. One horse or mule with buggy, 25 cents. One yoke of oxen 
and wagon, 50 cents. Each additional yoke, 10 cents. "Two" or "Three" 
yoke of oxen and wagon, 75 cents. "Five" or "Six" yoke of oxen and wagon, 
$1.25. Empty wagon, (extra) 25 cents. Loaded wagon, (extra) 50 cents. 
Lead horse or mule, 10 cents. Horse-man, 15 cents. Footman, 5 cents. Cattle 
per head, 5 cents. Sheep and hogs, per head, 2 cents. No charge shall be 
made for team recrossing same day. 70 

By the latter part of 1874 there was a growing sentiment in favor 
of making this a free bridge. At a meeting of the county commis- 
sioners, on December 12, that year, it was ordered that a donation 
of one thousand dollars be granted to the Wichita Bridge Co., upon 
condition that the bridge be made free within a period of three 
months. At this same time an election was ordered by the com- 
missioners to be held February 6, 1877, in order to purchase the 
bridge. 71 This met with popular approval and the bridge was taken 
over, the county paying $6,400. 72 

Wichita did not have many early-day roads. Several trails en- 
tered the county before its organization in 1870. One of these 
branched off from the Osage or Black Dog trail in Chautauqua 
county, turned northwest, crossing the southwest corner of Butler 
county and the northeast corner of Sedgwick county a few miles 
east of old Camp Beecher, site of present Wichita. Another road 
or trail ran from Fort Harker, southeast through Wichita, and down 
the east side of the Arkansas river, to Fort Gibson, in the Indian 
territory. The Chisholm cattle trail ran north from the Indian terri- 
tory and ended at Wichita. This trail was later extended from 
Wichita to Abilene by Joseph G. McCoy, where McCoy had per- 
suaded a number of large Texas cattlemen to drive their cattle for 
shipment east over the Kansas Pacific railroad. In 1869 a state 
road running from Humboldt to Wichita was established by the 
legislature. This road was 112 miles in length, and ran through 
Allen, Woodson, Greenwood, Butler and Sedgwick counties. 73 In 
1871 another state road was provided for by the legislature, to run 
from Solomon City to Wichita. This road, seventy-five miles long, 
ran through Dickinson, Saline, McPherson, Marion, and Sedgwick 
counties. 74 That same year a petition was presented to the board 
of county commissioners for a road running from the south line of 

70. Ibid., p. 95. 

71. Ibid. 

72. Wichita Beacon, July 14, 1909. 

73. Laws, 1869, p. 222. 

74. Ibid., 1871, p. 303. 



190 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

the county to a point on the Arkansas river opposite the Wichita 
ferry. Messrs. S. K. Davis, S. Mann and A. S. Dodge were ap- 
pointed as viewers, and their report was accepted and the road 
ordered. 75 

The next mention of a ferry above Wichita was in the vicinity 
of the Cimarron crossing of the Arkansas, in present Gray county. 
An early writer mentions that the river at this point in times of 
freshets was crossed by means of a rope ferry, the boat or scow 
being a wagon bed rendered watertight by being covered with 
skins. 76 

The westernmost ferry on the Arkansas within limits of present 
Kansas was at Pierceville, on the line of the old Santa Fe trail. 
This point was a post office as early as 1873, being located then in 
old Sequoyah county later Finney county. This point is in the 
eastern edge of the county, on S. 13, T. 25, R. 31 W. A road crossed 
the river here, ran parallel with the river westward a few miles, 
thence across the sand hills to the southwest. 77 This ferry was 
started in 1879 and was operated till about the fall of 1886. The 
following is from Leola Howard Blanchard's Conquest of the South- 
west, pp. 198-199: 

The Barton Brothers operated a ferry during those years [1879-1886], which 
made it possible for people south of the river to trade at Pierceville. They 
could haul a load of four tons and made trips whenever teams and wagons 
appeared on the opposite bank and hailed the ferry. They used a saddle horse 
to pull away from the bank, by tying a rope to the saddle horn. Once out in 
the current, a sail was hoisted and it didn't take much paddling to get the 
boat across. The fall of '86 they started across with five tons of coal, there 
was a strong wind blowing, and in spite of its big load the boat was carried 
along at a rapid rate. The sail was dropped as usual when within thirty feet 
of the bank, but the boat refused to stop, and shot clear over the bank, 
wrecking it beyond repair. 

During the session of the Territorial Legislature of 1860 several 
bills were introduced for the establishment of ferries on the river 
close to the mountains, in territory then Kansas but now Colorado. 
One of these provided for a ferry at the mouth of the Fountain 
Qui Bouille, and the other at the town of Huerfano. The projectors 
of this last-named enterprise were to have the power to charge such 
rates of toll as might be prescribed by the tribunal transacting busi- 
ness for Arapahoe county, Kansas. 78 No further history of this 
enterprise has been located. 

75. "Commissioners' Journal," Sedgwick county, Book A, p. 14. 

76. Max Greene, The Kanzas Region, p. 131. 

77. Everts, Atlas of Kansas, p. 316. 

78. House Journal, Kansas, 1860, special session, pp. 69, 98. Council Journal, 1860, spe- 
cial session, p. 42. 



Labor Problems in the Second Year of 
Governor Martin's Administration 

DOROTHY LEIBENGOOD 

THE year 1886 was a period of great labor unrest in Kansas as 
well as the United States as a whole. It saw the inauguration 
of many unsuccessful strikes, boycotts, and agitations by the 
Knights of Labor, which marked the beginning of the decline of that 
order. In presenting the labor problems of Kansas for this year the 
purely local strikes will be reviewed, then the Gould Southwestern 
strike which affected not only Kansas but Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, 
and Illinois, and finally the effect of this strike in Kansas, partic- 
ularly in the gubernatorial campaign of that year and upon the 
legislation of 1887. 

Purely local strikes were few and unimportant. The most serious 
probably was the strike at the Kansas City Smelting and Refining 
Co. at Argentine. This establishment engaged in the business of 
refining lead and silver ores, receiving supplies principally from 
Colorado, and employed in the neighborhood of two hundred men. 1 

On May 15, 1886, the employees struck, demanding a reduction 
of hours from twelve to eight with no decrease in pay. 2 As the 
nature of the employment required day and night work this meant 
the substitution of three shifts for two, or an increase in the working 
force of thirty-three and one third percent. Among other grievances 
was the imposition of a hospital tax of one dollar a month. 

Sheriff James Ferguson of Wyandotte county went to Argentine 
early the morning of the fifteenth and placed a strong guard of 
deputy sheriffs so that every portion of the property was protected. 3 
On the night of May 17 twenty men were sent from Kansas City, 
at the expense of the smelting works, to stand guard over the prem- 
ises. 4 The next day F. H. Betton, commissioner of labor statis- 
tics, went to Argentine in response to a telegram, and held con- 
ferences with both parties. 5 

The men claimed that the labor was severe, unhealthy and ex- 
hausting, and that twelve hours was longer than men ought or should 

1. Kansas Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, Second Annual Report (1886). 

2. Kansas City (Mo.) Daily Journal, May 16, 1886. (Notes from Argentine.) 

3. Ibid. 

4. Ibid., May 18, 1886. 

6. F. H. Betton to John A. Martin, May 20, 1886, in "Correspondence of Kansas Gov- 
ernors, Martin (Official)," Archives division, Kansas State Historical Society. Hereafter this 
reference will be cited as C. K. G., Martin. 

(191) 



192 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

be required to work, and longer than they were able to work for 
any considerable length of time and retain their health. Concern- 
ing the hospital tax the men said that the company had no hospital 
and that in case of sickness it was difficult to secure the company 
physician, as he resided in Kansas City. In many instances they 
were forced to employ a physician at their own expense. When a 
man was "leaded," as they termed a disease often incidental to 
smelting work, he had no time to send to Kansas City for a doctor, 
but needed relief at once. On general principles they preferred to 
select their own doctor, and to pay him themselves. They also 
claimed that in some instances a double tax, or two dollars, was ex- 
pected as the hospital fee for one month. 6 

H. A. Meyer, president of the smelting company was in Mexico 
at the time of the strike. 7 A. F. Snyder, the superintendent, stated 
that the business was run on a very close margin and would not 
justify the large increase in wages. He said he would have been 
willing, had the men continued at work, to substitute three shifts 
for two, if the men had agreed to scale their wages to eight hours. 
Since they had abandoned the works and subjected the company to 
great loss and inconvenience he would refuse to grant any conces- 
sions whatever, for he had given the men ample time to return and 
they had failed to do so. He would not reemploy them at all, but 
if any of them wanted to go to work they would have to apply in- 
dividually to the foreman as any other new man would have to do. 
If the foreman needed more men and saw fit to employ them he 
might do so. The superintendent admitted that the work was hard 
and the hours long, and that in some cases it was also unhealthy, 
but he thought that the men who abstained from liquor were in no 
great danger from lead poison. Concerning the hospital tax, he said 
that when the company first established their works at Argentine 
the nearest physicians were at Kansas City. He did not think the 
fee was excessive since it was virtually a guarantee to pay a man's 
medical attendance, or to insure such attendance if needed, for 
twelve dollars a year. Since there were now plenty of physicians 
living in Argentine he did not know but that he would favor the 
abolishment of the hospital tax. but he could promise only to sub- 
mit the matter to the president of the company. 8 

After a lengthy conference between Mr. Betton and the strikers, 
the strike was declared off. The strikers returned to work on the 

. Kansas Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, Second Annual Report (1886). 

7. Kansas City (Mo.) DoMy Journal, May 18, 1886. 

8. Kansas Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, Second Annual Report (1886). 



LEIBENGOOD: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 193 

old basis, excepting the ringleaders, whom the company refused to 
take back. 9 Armed guards, hired by the company to protect its 
property, continued on duty several days. The wages paid at the 
time of the strike were generally one dollar and thirty-five cents to 
one dollar and fifty cents per day, very little skilled labor being 
required. Labor Commissioner Betton seemed to think that if the 
workers had understood the arbitration law passed by the legis- 
lature in 1886 the strike might have been avoided. 10 

A so-called strike or suspension of work, lasting about three 
weeks, took place in the coal mines at Osage City, Scranton, Peter- 
ton, and Burlingame, in Osage county, starting September 14, 1886, 
because of the refusal of the operators to pay the usual advance, 
on September 1, of one cent a bushel. 11 The Osage miners' delegate 
convention had met at Burlingame, September 10, and while in 
session decided that the miners of Osage county should ask for the 
advance, to commence September 15. If the operators refused the 
miners were to suspend work. 12 The mine operators failed to accede 
to the demands of the miners, and they left their work September 14. 

The operators felt they were unable to give the increase because 
of the competition of coal companies outside of Osage county. Com- 
petition had been great on coal hauled long distances, from Wyoming 
territory, eastern Iowa, Illinois, and Colorado, on which a very low 
freight rate was charged by the railroads. Southern Kansas coal, 
too, was competing with Osage county coal in Topeka and Emporia. 
Southern Kansas railroads seem to have given their coal men better 
rates than the mine operators of Osage county could obtain from 
the Santa Fe. The operators found that the market, which had been 
taken by foreign coals, would not react in favor of Osage county 
coal quickly enough to enable them to raise the price sufficiently to 
comply with the demands of the miners. 13 

The people of Osage county thought the strike was inopportune, 
since hundreds of miners had not earned enough during the summer 
to support their families, and also because at that time there was 
not much demand for coal, and the companies could afford to let 
the mines lay idle for a time. 14 The Osage City Free Press blamed 
the railroad companies for the trouble. It thought that a settlement 

9. The Kansas Democrat, Topeka, May 20, 1886. 

10. F. H. Betton to John A. Martin, May 19, 1886, in C. K. G., Martin (Official). 

11. Kansas Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, Second Annual Report (1888). 

12. Burlingame Independent, September 16, 1886. 

13. Kansas Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, Second Annual Report (1886). 

14. Osage County Democrat, Burlingame, September 18, 18S6. 

133057 



194 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

could be reached between the operators and miners if the railroads 
were compelled to confine themselves exclusively to the business of 
hauling freight and passengers. 15 

The several companies posted notices that they would give one 
half cent more per bushel on October first, and one half cent more 
per bushel on November first, so that the price of mining would be 
six and one half and seven cents per bushel respectively. 16 Many 
of the miners seemed not to care whether they worked, for they 
felt that at the prices they were not able to make a living. How- 
ever, they finally accepted the terms of the company and went to 
work at the wages stated above. 17 

THE GOULD SOUTHWESTERN STRIKE 

The Southwestern strike of 1886 was begun at Marshall, Texas, 
March 1, by the men in the Texas and Pacific shops. 18 The reason 
given was the discharge of C. A. Hall, foreman of the woodworkers 
of the Texas and Pacific car shops at Marshall. 19 It is alleged that 
he had secured a leave of absence from his immediate superior to 
attend a four-day convention of District Assembly 101 of the 
Knights of Labor, which met at Marshall February 15. At noon of 
the last day he returned to work but was discharged that evening 
for being absent without leave. The local committee demanded his 
reinstatement and the company refused. The executive board again 
asked for reinstatement and threatened in case of refusal to call out 
all the men on the Gould system. 20 Ex-Governor J. C. Brown, one 
of the receivers of the Texas and Pacific, said that Hall was in- 
competent, that he had obtained leave from the master mechanic to 
be absent only three hours, and that he was absent three or four 
days without further permission. 21 On March 6 the employees of the 
Missouri Pacific were called out. 22 

Prior to this, as early as January, the executive committee of 
District Assembly 101, Knights of Labor, had been authorized to 
order a strike. At that time Martin Irons, district master workman, 
issued a circular to the locals of that assembly asking if they would 
sustain the executive board in demanding $1.50 a day minimum for 
unskilled labor and the recognition of the employees as Knights of 

15. Osage City Free Press, October 7, 1886. 

16. Ibid. 

17. Osage County Democrat, Burlingame, October 2, 1886. 

18. Kansas Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, Second Annual Report (1886). 

19. Topeka Daily Capital, March 7, 1886. 

20. Editorial in Parsons Daily Sun, April 4, 1886. 

21. The Daily Commonwealth, Topeka, March 10, 1886. 

22. Daily Eclipse, Parsons. March 6, 1886. 



LEIBENGOOD: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 195 

Labor. 23 Ex-Governor Brown said that this refusal of the receivers 
to sign an agreement recognizing the employees as Knights of Labor 
was the sole cause of the subsequent strike, and that any other 
allegation of cause was an afterthought. 24 

On March 16 Vice-President H. M. Hoxie of the Missouri Pacific 
Railway received a letter from Martin Irons asking him to meet a 
committee of Knights of Labor to confer in regard to difficulties that 
existed between the employees and the railroad companies composing 
the Gould Southwestern system. 25 Hoxie replied that he could not 
see that a meeting with a committee could adjust the trouble since 
the cause for the strike was the discharge of C. A. Hall by the Texas 
and Pacific Railway Co., a road which was not under his control but 
in the hands of a receiver. He added that the action taken by their 
late employees had so reduced the traffic that they soon would not 
require as many men in the shops as before. 26 On March 18 Grand 
Master Workman T. V. Powderly, of the Knights of Labor, arrived 
in Kansas City for a conference with delegates from five districts. 27 
He telegraphed Mr. Hoxie for a conference but was refused. 28 

Frank H. Betton, commissioner of Labor for Kansas, telegraphed 
to Martin Irons on March 15 asking if the services of the governors 
of Missouri and Kansas could not be invoked as mediators to settle 
the differences between the company and its employees. 29 Irons re- 
plied that he would be pleased to have the two governors act as 
mediators. 30 On March 19 the two governors met at Kansas City 
and after a conference with strike leaders suggested that the Mis- 
souri Pacific continue the agreement made with the management of 
the road on March 15, 1885. This was to restore to the striking 
employees in Missouri and Kansas the same wages paid them in 
September, 1884, including one and one half price for extra time 
worked, and to restore to all employees their respective employments 
without prejudice because of the strike. The governors assured Mr. 
Hoxie that the strike could not have been, and was not based on 
a violation of the terms of the agreement of March 15, 1885, by the 
management of the Missouri Pacific Railway Co. in its dealings 

23. Kansas Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, Second Annual Report (1886). 

24. The Daily Commonwealth, Topeka, March 10, 1886. 

25. Topeka Daily Capital, March 17, 1886. 

26. Ibid. 

27. Ibid., March 19, 1886. 

28. The Standard, Leavenworth, March 20, 1886. 

29. Kansas Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, Second Annual Report (1886). 

30. Martin Irons to Frank H. Betton, March 15, 1886, in C. K. G., Martin (Personal) 
v. 6, p. 436. 



196 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

with its employees of Missouri and Kansas. 31 Mr. Hoxie accepted 
the proposition but said that while the company would take back 
all strikers necessary to do the work it would not discharge men 
who had been employed meanwhile. 32 The agreement was then 
presented to the executive committee of District 101 of the Knights 
of Labor. But though Governors Martin and J. S. Marmaduke 
called in person on Martin Irons urging him to accept the plan, he 
refused the terms. 33 

On March 28 Mr. Powderly had an interview with Jay Gould 
which resulted in the executive board ordering the men back to 
work with the understanding that arbitration would follow. Mr. 
Hoxie, however, refused to meet any committee for arbitration ex- 
cept one made up of actual employees. As the general executive 
board believed this to be a direct violation of the agreement between 
Gould and Powderly to arbitrate the differences between the Gould 
Southwestern system and the Knights of Labor, they recalled the 
order given the men to return to work. 34 

On April 12 Ex-Governor A. G. Curtin of Pennsylvania intro- 
duced a resolution in Congress, which was passed, authorizing the 
appointment of a committee to investigate the labor troubles in 
Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, and Illinois. 35 The Curtin 
committee was formed and examined many witnesses. 36 On the 
evening of May 1 correspondence was begun between the executive 
board of the Knights of Labor and members of the committee, re- 
sulting in declaring off the strike on May 4. 37 

THE STRIKE IN KANSAS 

The general course of the strike throughout the Southwest and 
the role of Governor Martin in attempting a settlement has been 
mentioned. In Kansas the main points of the strike were at Atchi- 
son, Kansas City, and Parsons. The strike did not reach Atchison 
until March 8, but due to the walk-out at Kansas City below and 
at Hiawatha above only local freight was received at Atchison. 38 
Governor Martin was in Atchison March 10 and urged settlement 
by the arbitration law of the state, but the committee refused to 

31. H. M. Hoxie's "An Address to the Employees of the Missouri Pacific Railway Co.," 
March 8, 1886, ibid., p. 17a. 

32. The Standard, Leavenworth, March 31, 1886. 

33. Topeka Daily Capital, March 23, 1886. 

34. Ibid., April 6, 1886. 

35. "Investigation of Labor Troubles in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, and Illinois," 
in Reports of Committees of the House of Representatives, No. 4174, v. Ill, 49 Cong. 2 sess. 

86. Ibid. 

37. Ibid. 

38. Kansas City (Mo.) Daily Journal, March 7, 1886. 



LEIBENGOOD: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 197 

accept the proposition without orders from the district assembly 
at Sedalia. 39 On March 12 an attempt was made by the company 
to send a freight train west but they had to abandon the attempt 
because of the determined resistance of a force of strikers at the 
round house. 40 Many people were applying for work but they 
were deterred by fear of violence. 41 On the night of March 21 
masked men drove the engineer and watchmen out of the Central 
Branch round house and armed men stood guard over them while 
the gang damaged as many as twenty-three engines. 42 The strikers 
denied any knowledge of the affair. 43 On March 26 F. E. Shaw, 
sheriff of Atchison county, wrote Governor Martin that he would 
extend to the Missouri Pacific property in that county all the needed 
protection if the company would furnish the men to do their work. 44 
By March 30 the situation apparently began to improve at Atchi- 
son. Two trains were taken out that day without objection. A 
force of men was employed at the shops all the night before and 
repaired thirteen engines. But on the night of March 31 a mob 
of at least one hundred masked men visited the Central Branch 
machine shops and proceeded to make a total wreck of all the 
costly machinery in that building. 45 The Knights of Labor of 
Atchison hastened to pass a resolution condemning these acts of 
violence. 46 By April 3 the strike was over at Atchison, the Missouri 
Pacific Co. having reemployed forty or fifty of its former work- 
men. 47 

The strike on the Missouri Pacific system at Kansas City was 
inaugurated the morning of March 5. The strikers took possession 
of the yards at the state line and of Cypress round house, and killed 
all engines save those needed for passenger service, which were not 
molested. 48 Attempts were made to get the local assemblies to 
appeal to the arbitration law of Kansas, but without success. 49 
Many deeds of violence were committed during the strike. On the 
morning of April 26 some unknown parties fired several shots into a 

39. The Daily Commonwealth, Topeka, March 11, 1886. 

40. Daily Eclipse, Parsons, March 13, 1886. 

41. Prentis to John A. Martin, March 12, 1886, C. K. G., Martin (Personal), v. 5, p. 343. 

42. Telegram. Prentis to John A. Martin, March 23, 1886, ibid., v. 6, p. 31. 

43. J. T. Cougher to John A. Martin, March 26, 1886, C. K. G., Martin (Official). 

44. F. E. Shaw to John A. Martin, March 26, 1886, C. K. G., Martin (Personal), v. 6, 
p. 456. 

45. A. H. Martin to John A. Martin, March 81, 1886, ibid., p. 466. 

46. Kansas Daily State Journal, Topeka, April 3, 1886. 

47. John A. Martin to Col. A. B. Campbell, April 3, 1886, C. K. G., Martin (Personal), 
v. 6, p. 495. 

48. Kansas City (Mo.) Daily Journal, May 4, 1886. 

49. F. H. Betton to John A. Martin, March 25, 1886, C. K. G., Martin (Personal), v. 6, 
p. 45. 



198 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

freight train as it was passing near Cypress yards. Later in the 
morning, between Cypress yards and Wyandotte, a freight train 
was thrown from the track and the train generally piled up. The 
fireman and brakeman were killed. 50 The accident was the result 
of malicious tampering with the rails, 51 and Governor Martin issued 
a proclamation offering a reward for the arrest and conviction of the 
guilty parties. 52 The train wreckers were arrested in July. At the 
preliminary hearing, which started July 29, evidence showed that 
the scheme was concocted in the lodge of the Knights of Labor. 53 

The strike at Parsons began at ten o'clock the morning of March 
6. The strike was inaugurated in conformity with demands made 
by the officers of the Knights of Labor at Sedalia, and in unison with 
employees of all the Gould system. 54 On March 7 operators, clerks 
and men in the freight departments who were not on strike were in- 
definitely suspended from duty by the company. 55 On March 12 
the city of Parsons was notified by officials of the Missouri Pacific 
Co. that a body of men without authority were in possession of the 
company's property, and that the officials would hold the city of 
Parsons strictly accountable at law for all damages. 56 The same 
day Supt. T. V. Golden, of the Missouri Pacific, asked A. 0. Brown, 
mayor of Parsons, to appoint eighteen special policemen to guard 
the property of the company. Mayor Brown replied that while by 
ordinance he and the council had authority to appoint special police- 
men to guard the property of railway companies, they were author- 
ized to make only such appointments as were recommended by the 
superintendent of the railway company. Mayor Brown said he 
would be willing to appoint any fit persons upon Mr. Golden's rec- 
ommendation. 57 On March 13 C. B. Woodford, sheriff of Labette 
county, telegraphed Governor Martin asking for military assistance 
to aid him at Parsons in preserving peace and enforcing the laws. 58 
The same day David Kelso, attorney for the Missouri Pacific, tele- 
graphed Governor Martin that the civil authorities were wholly un- 
able to cope with the situation. That day a mob had forcibly taken 
a freight engine which the sheriff was endeavoring to protect, and 

50. Jas. Ferguson to John A. Martin, April 26, 1886, C. K. G., Martin (Official). 

51. Topeka Daily Capital, April 27, 1886. 

52. The Trades-Union, Atchison, April 30, 1886. 

53. Daily Eclipse, Parsons, July 30, 1886. 

54. Ibid., March 6, 1886. 

55. Ibid., March 7, 1886. 

56. Ibid., March 12, 1886. 

57. Parsons Daily Sun, March 13, 1886. 

58. C. B. Woodford to John A. Martin, March 13, 1886, C. K. G., Martin (Personal), 
v. 6, p. 433. 



LEIBENGOOD: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 199 

had disabled the engine in the sheriff's presence. Mr. Kelso asked 
the governor's interference to see that the laws were executed. 59 
Governor Martin wired Kelso that the sheriff should exhaust all the 
civil powers of his office, then, if he were unlawfully resisted in the 
performance of his duty, he should notify the governor. 60 On March 
14 Governor Martin telegraphed Col. A. B. Campbell, adjutant 
general of Kansas, to go to Parsons to determine whether the civil 
authorities had exhausted their remedies and if such disturbances 
justified the use of military power. Mr. Campbell was to order 
Brig. Gen. J. N. Roberts to accompany him and to effect a peaceable 
settlement if possible. The governor emphasized the fact that the 
military forces of the state would not be used unless the processes 
of law were resisted and the authority of the civil officers was de- 
fied. 61 Colonel Campbell went to Parsons March 15, accompanied 
by Brigadier-General Roberts. They remained in Parsons during the 
fifteenth and found no necessity for the presence of troops at that 
time and no prospect of immediate settlement of the labor troubles. 
They returned home the next day. 62 That night a citizens' meeting 
was held in Parsons wherein resolutions were passed condemning the 
strike on the Gould system as being detrimental to the best interests 
of the city and charging that false statements had been prepared by 
paid agents of the company to induce Governor Martin to invoke 
military protection in time of profound peace, regardless of the 
wishes of business men and citizens generally. The meeting resolved 
that civil authorities were able to protect the lives and property 
without the aid of the militia. 63 On March 17 the sheriff served in- 
junctions on the strikers, enjoining them from interfering with the 
property or business of the Missouri Pacific. The application was 
filed in the district court of Labette county by Judge Kelso, the at- 
torney for the Missouri Pacific Railway Co. 64 

On March 29 David Kelso again telegraphed the governor that no 
train would move out of Parsons for some time unless aided by the 
military forces, because of the action of the strikers. 65 The same day 
C. E. Faulkner sent a dispatch to Governor Martin saying that he 
thought the presence of the military power was the only solution to 

59. David Kelso to John A. Martin, March 13, 1886, ibid., p. 432. 

60. John A. Martin to David Kelso, March 13, 1886, ibid., p. 434. 

61. John A. Martin to A. B. Campbell, March 14, 1886, ibid., p. 435. 

62. Adjutant General of the State of Kansas, Fifth Biennial Report (1885-1886). 

63. Parsons Daily Sun, March 17, 1886. 

64. Daily Eclipse, Parsons, March 18, 1886. 

65. David Kelso to John A. Martin, March 29, 1886, C. K. G., Martin (Personal), v. 6, 
p. 459. 



200 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

the question of moving the trains. 66 Also the mayor of Parsons and 
the sheriff of Labette county communicated with the governor the 
same day. They stated that all attempts to move trains had been 
successfully resisted. They asked him to order five hundred militia- 
men to Parsons at once. 67 

Governor Martin replied that the strike had ended elsewhere, 
having been ordered off by Mr. Powderly, and presumed there 
would be no further trouble. 68 In a telegram to Governor Martin on 
March 30, however, Mayor Brown renewed his request for troops. 
He said that the strikers had orders from their committee not to 
yield. The night before a passenger train approaching Parsons had 
been ditched. 69 Governor Martin again replied that he expected 
the trouble would be peaceably and finally settled that day. He 
thought it better to wait twenty-four hours than to provoke a 
conflict just as the strike seemed to be approaching an end. 70 David 
Kelso and C. H. Kimball sent dispatches to the governor telling of 
the lawlessness of the strikers. 71 The governor again ordered the 
adjutant general to Parsons to examine the situation and to report 
to him. This time he found the situation much worse. The 
proclamation of the governor, the writs of the courts, and the 
officers of the law had been defied. Many engines had been killed 
and disabled. 72 

On March 31 the adjutant general had a long conference with 
the local committee in charge of the strike, in which he urged them 
to make no further resistance to the movement of trains. The com- 
pany then attempted to resume operations. The first train was 
permitted to go, but the second engine was killed. Colonel Campbell 
then addressed the strikers directly asking them to make no further 
resistance. They asked for a conference with Mr. Golden, division 
superintendent, and the adjutant general, that evening, at their com- 
mittee room. The meeting was held but nothing was accomplished 
toward settlement of the trouble. 73 On April 1 another unsuccessful 
attempt was made to move trains, whereupon Colonel Campbell 
wired the governor, as also did the mayor, sheriff, deputy county 

66. C. E. Faulkner to John A. Martin, March 29, 1886, C. K. G., Martin (Official). 

67. C. B. Woodford and A. O. Brown to John A. Martin, March 29, 1886, C. K. G. 
Martin (Personal), v. 6, p. 460. 

68. John A. Martin to Mayor of Parsons, March 29, 1886, ibid., p. 462. 

69. A. O. Brown to John A. Martin, March 30, 1886, ibid., p. 465. 

70. John A. Martin to A. O. Brown, March 30, 1886, ibid., p. 468. 

71. C. H. Kimball and David Kelso to John A. Martin, March 30, 1886, ibid., p. 472. 

72. Adjutant General of the State of Kansas, Fifth Biennial Report (1885-1886). 

73. Ibid. 



LEIBENGOOD: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 201 

attorney and others. They asked him to send from six hundred 
to one thousand soldiers to Parsons. 74 

Governor Martin wired Colonel Campbell authority to move 
Colonel Patrick to Parsons with all the force necessary to sustain 
the civil officers in the performance of their duties. 75 Colonel 
Campbell ordered Colonel Patrick to place the entire First regiment 
under marching orders, and then went to Kansas City to arrange 
transportation. 76 By nine o'clock on the evening of April 2 the 
First regiment was in Parsons. 77 

The presence of this militia had the desired effect, for by April 6 
traffic on the Missouri Pacific had assumed almost its usual propor- 
tions. 78 A Law and Order League, made up of citizens of Parsons, 
was organized April 5, with arms secured by the adjutant general. 
This body was to place its entire force at the disposal of the mayor 
and sheriff to enforce law, preserve order, keep the peace and protect 
property. Individually the members agreed to use their names to 
resist boycotting. 79 

On April 7 one half the First regiment was sent home. It was 
thought best not to have a sudden withdrawal of all the troops, as 
the strikers might attempt to stop trains as soon as they left. 80 On 
April 14 the remaining troops broke camp. 81 Thereafter there was 
little trouble in Parsons. 

THE LABOR ELEMENT IN THE GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN OF 1886 
AND LABOR LEGISLATION OF 1887 

While the Missouri Pacific strike was in progress the press was 
commenting on the effect the labor question would have on Gover- 
nor Martin's chances for reelection. Some papers claimed that his 
lack of action in the strike was a bid for the Knights of Labor vote. 
Others felt that because he was so closely associated with the Typo- 
graphical union he dared not say a word against the strikers. 82 
Many papers expressed the belief that the Knights of Labor were 
against him because he ordered the militia to Parsons while the 

74. Sheriff Woodford, Mayor Brown and others to John A. Martin, April 1, 1886, C. K. G., 
Martin (Official). 

75. John A. Martin to Col. A. H. Campbell, April 1, 1886, C. K. G., Martin (Personal), 
v. 6, p. 482. 

76. Adjutant General of the State of Kansas, Fifth Biennial Report (1885-1886). 

77. Ibid. 

78. Daily Eclipse, Parsons, April 6, 1886. 

79. Ibid. 

80. A. B. Campbell to John A. Martin, April 9, 1886, C. K. G., Martin (Personal), 
v. 6, p. 503. 

81. Ibid., April 13, 1886, p. 504. 

82. Leavenworth Times, April 24, 1886. 



202 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

friends of the Missouri Pacific were opposed to him because he did 
not order the militia out at Atchison. They thought because of the 
labor question the Democrats might select the next governor of 
Kansas. 83 

Governor Martin was afraid of the opposition of the Knights of 
Labor in the campaign. He wrote to Senators Plumb and Ingalls 
that many of the leading men of the Knights of Labor were the old 
leaders of the Greenback and Anti-Monopoly parties, and they 
would endeavor to shape their forces against the Republican party, 
perhaps in an alliance with the Democrats. He asked the senators 
to help him in the campaign by taking an active part in the canvass, 
if he were nominated. 84 He also wrote to James G. Elaine, asking 
him to devote one week to the canvass in Kansas, that fall, making 
speeches at several of the more important centers. He explained to 
Elaine that the labor question complicated matters ; that the leaders 
of the labor movement, being old Greenbackers, who would use all 
their influence to alienate the labor vote from the Republican 
party. 85 Later he wrote Senator Plumb and asked him to get some 
speakers from out of the state, men like Elaine, Sherman, Logan, 
Hawley, and others, who, by their presence, could stir up en- 
thusiasm. He felt that the elements of discontent and discord were 
numerous and that the Republicans would have a hard fight to win 
the campaign. 86 

Gen. Hugh Cameron, organizer and member of the corporation 
board of the Knights of Labor, up to the time Governor Martin 
called out the troops in the Missouri Pacific strike, had felt very 
kindly toward him, and would have generously supported him; but 
it was felt that this action had been entirely unnecessary and con- 
stituted a menace and insult to the order. But for this fact labor 
would have been well disposed toward Governor Martin. 87 

Martin was nominated by acclamation at the Republican state 
convention in July. 88 The platform adopted had several provisions 
concerning labor. In the resolutions the party pointed to the past 
record of the Republicans on labor. They asserted that the Repub- 
licans had abolished slavery and had ever contended for the protec- 
tion of American labor and had been against the importation of 

83. The Standard, Leavenworth, May 7, 1886. 

84. John A. Martin to P. B. Plumb and John J. Ingalls, June 17, 1886, C. K. G., Martin 
(Personal), v. 7, pp. 172-180. 

85. John A. Martin to Jas. G. Elaine, June 18, 1886, ibid., pp. 187-190. 

86. John A. Martin to P. B. Plumb, June 29, 1886, ibid,, pp. 239-245. 

87. Daily Eclipse, Parsons, June 24, 1886. 

88. The Kansas Democrat, Topeka, July 8, 1886. 



LEIBENGOOD: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 203 

foreign pauper competition. In the following resolutions they gave 
the record of the Republican party of Kansas on the labor question: 

The Republican party of Kansas has embodied in the constitution of the 
state and in various legislative enactments: 

First, Protection to the homesteads and wages of the laborer. 

Second, A liberal exemption to the small manufacturer and dealer. 

Third, A mechanics lien law, broad enough in its provisions to amply secure 
the payment of any just demand for work and material. 

Fourth, The establishment of a bureau of labor statistics, so that a correct 
knowledge of the educational, moral, and financial condition of the laboring 
masses can be obtained. 

Fifth, A general incorporation law under which all associations organized by 
the workingmen to improve their condition and protect their rights can be 
perpetuated. 

In addition the Republican party stated that it was in favor of 
all other legislation tending to secure to the laborers their just pro- 
portion of the proceeds of their work, to protect them against the 
encroachments of organized capital, and to provide easy and speedy 
redress for all wrongs suffered by them, or threatened to them. And 
while it endorsed and espoused all just demands of the laboring 
masses, it was unalterably opposed to the doctrines of the com- 
munists and the red flag of the anarchists. It acknowledged al- 
legiance to no flag but the red, white and blue of the United States, 
under whose beneficent folds every American must and should en- 
joy the blessing of a stable government, with every right enforced 
and every wrong redressed in peace and good order, each moulding 
his own life, controlling his own property, enjoying his own liberty, 
subject only to such legal restrictions as the general welfare de- 
mands. 89 

The Democratic state convention was held in August at Leaven- 
worth and Thomas Moonlight of Leavenworth was nominated for 
governor. The platform adopted by the party had the following 
resolutions on labor: 

Resolved, That we recognize labor as the source of all wealth, and demand 
for the working classes such remuneration for their services as will enable them, 
with economy and sobriety, to increase their social and financial condition; 
further, we condemn the policy of the Republican party in building up monop- 
olies and classes by special legislation hostile to the best interests of the 
masses. 

Resolved, That difference between labor and capital be settled by a board 
of arbitration in each state, and general supervising board, appointed by the 
United States as a final board of appeal, so that the persecutions of corporate 
powers and the retaliation of labor strikers may cease and justice prevail. 

89. Ibid. 



204 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Resolved, That the present railroad law should be so amended, as to pre- 
vent the railroad companies from charging the people excessive rates of freight 
to pay the interest on watered stock; should provide for reasonable compen- 
sation for services rendered and no more; and the commissioners, if there be, 
should have the power to enforce their decisions in the name of the state. 

Resolved, That we are opposed to convict labor or pauper labor and demand 
the most stringent legislation on the subject. 90 

An Anti-Monopolist convention met at Topeka on August 25. The 
convention made no nominations for executive offices but delegates 
were instructed to work for the election of such candidates as would 
pledge themselves to secure the adoption of all the measures for the 
relief of labor and the great producing class that were in harmony 
with the Anti-Monopolist, Greenback, and Knights of Labor declar- 
ation of principles. 91 

On September 15 Governor Martin delivered his opening speech of 
the campaign at Crawford's opera house in Topeka. He said that 
the Democratic party was the enemy of honest labor, as was shown 
by the fact that the Homestead Law was repeatedly defeated 
by Democratic congressmen and was never enacted until the Re- 
publicans came into power. He stated that every attempt of the 
Democratic party to legislate on the subject of the tariff was in the 
interest of foreign capital and low-priced labor, and against home 
enterprise and American workingmen. He asserted that the Re- 
publican party had always been the friend of working men; it had 
freed the slaves, established a protective tariff and passed the Home- 
stead Law. In this speech he also reviewed the laws of Kansas that 
had been passed in the interest of the workingmen. 92 

Col. D. R. Anthony, editor of the Leavenworth Times, repeatedly 
assailed the Knights of Labor, and assured them that their votes 
were not wanted by the Republican party. 93 The action of Gover- 
nor Martin in calling out the militia was commented upon and 
used to prejudice all members of the Knights of Labor. 94 Some of 
the Democrats had the Knights of Labor issue a circular bearing the 
semblance of authority, urging members of the order to support 
Moonlight for governor. It went out as an official document, but 
was not made up in such an official manner as to get any of the per- 
petrators into trouble. 95 

90. The Standard, Leavenworth, August 5, 1886. 

91. The Trades-Union, Atchison, September 2, 1886. 

92. The Daily Commonwealth, Topeka, September 16, 1886. Governor Martin's speech 
in full on the editorial page. 

93. Leavenworth Times, October 3, 1886. 

94. Atchison Daily Champion, September 25, 1886. 

95. W. P. Hackney to John A. Martin, October 18, 1886, C. K. G., Martin (Personal). 



LEIBENGOOD: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 205 

The Knights of Labor of Atchison in commenting upon Martin and 
Moonlight as candidates for governor said that in the strike Gov- 
ernor Martin had refused to place the lives of citizen workingmen 
in Kansas in danger and had refrained from inciting a spirit of de- 
structiveness by a show of unnecessary power. He had stepped to 
the front on behalf of the citizens of Kansas and had investigated 
the Missouri Pacific strike by personal inquiry and had submitted a 
plan of settlement. They said that Governor Martin's course could 
be summed up in three sentences. 

The employees had exhausted their individual and organized efforts to ob- 
tain a settlement of the cause of the strike. Governor Martin's services were 
called to see if the contract of 1885 had been violated, and he made a personal 
investigation. He effected an agreed settlement which was honorable to the 
men. 

They called attention to the fact that during Governor Martin's 
administration five and one half of the eleven demands made in the 
Knights of Labor platform had become laws in the state of Kan- 
sas. They felt that Governor Martin's opponents in the campaign 
had nothing to offer but promises. 96 

A reporter interviewed W. S. Anderson, state master workman of 
the Knights of Labor in Kansas. He said that Mr. Martin had 
made a good, just, perhaps conservative, yet fearless governor, and 
was entitled to a second term. 97 He believed there was no truth in 
the statements that the Knights of Labor would vote for Colonel 
Moonlight. 

In many of his speeches Colonel Moonlight, the Democratic candi- 
date, stated that he was in full sympathy with the aims and aspira- 
tions of the workingman. He said he believed in elevating the con- 
dition of the laboring man so as to benefit him morally, socially, 
and financially. To prevent strikes between capital and labor he 
would appoint a board of arbitration composed of one member from 
each great political party, one from the commercial interests, and 
one from the laboring interests. 98 The Republicans pointed out that 
they had an arbitration law quite as good as the one Colonel Moon- 
light suggested. 99 

There were reports that the Typographical union was going back 
on Governor Martin because he was supported by the Kansas City 
Journal and the Leavenworth Times, two newspapers that employed 

96. Atchison Daily Champion, October 23, 1886. 

97. Topeka Daily Capital, October 24, 1886. 

98. Osage County Democrat, Burlingame, October 23, 1886. 

99. Topeka Daily Capital, October 22, 1886. 



206 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

nonunion men. 100 However, these organizations supported him, 
contrary to the expectations and claims of some of the Democratic 
newspapers. 

Governor Martin was elected by a large majority. The legislature 
met in regular session on January 11, 1887, 101 and in his message 
Martin recommended the repeal of sections 28, 29, 30 of the militia 
law of 1885. This was a result of the Missouri Pacific strike of 
1886. The governor felt that the law conferred dangerous powers 
upon officers of the national guard, sheriffs and mayors of cities by 
authorizing them to use military force at their own discretion. He 
contended that this was in violation of the state constitution which 
confers upon the governor the sole power to call out the militia to 
execute the laws, to supress insurrection, and repel invasion. He 
mentioned the fact that the statute books of Kansas had an un- 
usually large number of acts designed to secure laboring men against 
the encroachment of capital, and to provide remedies for injustice 
done them. This, he said, should continue until the removal of 
abuses was complete. 102 

There were many bills concerning labor and laboring men in- 
troduced in this session. Among those that became laws were: A 
mechanic's liens act, an act encouraging the formation of cooperative 
societies, an act securing payment to miners and laborers in lawful 
money, and an act exempting pension money from garnishment. 
The first of these, an act to protect mechanics, laborers and per- 
sons furnishing material for the construction of public buildings and 
public improvements, provided that when any public officer con- 
tracts for such work in any sum exceeding one hundred dollars he 
must secure a bond from the contractor guaranteeing the payment 
of all indebtedness for labor or material furnished. 103 The act en- 
couraging the creation of cooperative societies provided that twenty 
or more persons might organize for the purpose of more successfully 
promoting and conducting any industrial pursuit, and that every 
society when so organized should enjoy all the rights, privileges, 
and powers conferred by law on other chartered or incorporated 
companies in the state. 104 The act relating to the payment of wages 
to laborers provided that laborers in and about coal mines and 
factories should be paid their wages at regular intervals, and in law- 

100. The Kansas Democrat, Topeka, October 30, 1886. 

101. Topeka Daily Capital, January 11, 1887. 

102. Biennial Message of John A. Martin, Governor, to the Legislature of Kansas (1887). 

103. Laws of Kansas, 1887, Ch. CLXXIX. 

104. Topeka Daily Capital, March 19, 1887. 



LEIBENGOOD: GOVERNOR MARTIN'S LABOR PROBLEMS 207 

ful money. Wages paid in scrip, checks, etc., might be recovered 
in money from the person or firm issuing; coercion of employees to 
purchase goods from particular firms was to be punished by fine or 
imprisonment or both. 105 The law relating to garnishment and at- 
tachments provided that United States pension money received by 
a debtor within three months before the garnishment process, could 
not be applied on his debts when it was shown to be necessary for 
the maintenance of a family, supported wholly or in part by the 
pension money. 106 

Some of the bills introduced in the legislature of 1887 that failed to 
pass were: An act establishing eight hours as a legal day's work, 
an act providing for the safety and health of persons mining coal, 
and an act to prevent unjust discrimination against employees of 
corporations, compounds, or individuals. A great many other bills 
were introduced concerning the welfare of the working classes, not 
directly connected with the labor problem. 

105. Laws of Kansas, 1887, Ch. CLXXI. 

106. Ibid.. Ch. CLXI. 



The Grave of Sarah Keyes 
on the Oregon Trail 

WILLIAM E. SMITH 

r APRIL, 1830, more than 100 years ago, the first wagons passed 
over the Oregon trail. 1 Sixteen years later the ill-starred Donner 
party toiled along the trail across Kansas, to meet disaster in the 
winter snows of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Here forty-two of 
the ninety died from starvation and cold, and a portion of the re- 
mainder barely kept alive by subsisting on human flesh. 2 

The parties composing this caravan left Independence, Mo., about 
May 1, 1846. A short distance out of Independence it consisted of 
the following: Sixty-three wagons; one hundred nineteen men; 
fifty-nine women; one hundred ten children; bread stuffs, 58,484 
Ibs.; bacon, 38,080 Ibs.; powder, 1,065 Ibs.; lead, 2,557 Ibs.; guns, 
144; pistols, 94; 700 head of cattle and 150 head of horses. This 
was an unusually large caravan and later divided itself into two or 
three trains. 3 

After crossing the Kansas river the company was increased by 
two. A Mrs. Hall, the wife of one of the immigrants, gave birth 
to twins. On the morning of May 19, a new census of the party was 
taken and it was found to consist of ninety-eight fighting men, fifty 
women, forty-six wagons, and 350 head of cattle. Two divisions 
were made for convenience of marching. On this day nine wagons 
from Illinois belonging to Messrs. Reed and Donner and their 
families joined. 

The caravan moved slowly, seldom more than fifteen miles per 
day, and on May 26, 1846, the band of immigrants reached the Big 
Blue in what is now Marshall county, at what is called Independ- 
ence crossing. The river was very much swollen and they were 
forced to remain at this camp from May 26 until nine o'clock p. m. 
on the 31st, when the wagons, oxen and horses were safely landed 
on the west bank. Because of the continued high water a crude 
ferry boat, named Blue River Rover was constructed by making 
dugouts of large cottonwood trees. Two of these dugouts were 
framed together so that the wheels of the wagons rested in the 

1 Joseph G. Masters, Oregon Trail Memorial Association Centenary Celebration (Pam- 
phlet). 

2. C. F. McGlashan, History of the Donner Party, p. 236. 

3. Edwin Bryant, Rocky Mountain Adventures, p. 2. 

(208) 



SMITH: GRAVE OF SARAH KEYES 209 

canoes. Lines were attached to both ends and the raft was pulled 
back and forth by hand. 

While the emigrants were waiting to cross the river they were 
saddened by the death of Sarah Keyes, whose grave as it is today is 
described in this paper. Their activities of these few days are well 
depicted by Edwin Bryant in his Rocky Mountain Adventures, on 
which this article is principally based. 

On the 26th the women washed clothes and some of the men 
fished, one catch being a catfish three feet long. There had been 
some contention among the leaders of the caravan, and the evening 
of that day was given over to a public meeting in an effort to pre- 
pare a system of law for the purpose of preserving order. The day 
had been delightful, nothing v disagreeable had happened, perfect 
harmony prevailed. After sunset a new moon appeared above the 
tree tops to the west of the camp, but later, however, a terrific 
thunder storm and heavy rain came up. Of this, Mr. Bryant says: 

A terrific thunder storm roared and raged, and poured out its floods of 
water throughout a great portion of the night. But for the protection against 
the violence of the wind, afforded by the bluffs on one side and the timber on 
the other, our tents would have been swept away by the storm. The whole 
arch of the heavens for a time was wrapped in a sheet of flame, and the 
almost deafening crashes of thunder, following each other with scarcely an 
intermission between, seemed as if they would rend the solid earth, or topple 
it from its axis. A more sublime and awful meteoric display, I never witnessed 
or could conceive. 

The morning of the 27th was clear, cloudless and peaceful, just 
as we have seen it many times in Kansas after a thunderstorm. 
The rain caused the river to rise several feet. Mr. Grayson, who 
was a member of the party, and others went out to search for bee 
trees and they returned with several baskets of honey. 

It was on the morning of May 29, 1846, when Mrs. Keyes died. 
Mr. Bryant says: 

Last night Mrs. Sarah Keyes, a lady aged seventy, a member of the family 
of Mr. J. H. Reed, of Illinois, and his mother-in-law, died. Mr. Reed, with his 
family, is emigrating to California. The deceased Mrs. Keyes, however, did 
not intend to accompany him farther than Fort Hall, where she expected to 
meet her son who emigrated to Oregon two or three years since. Her health, 
from disease and the debility of age, was so feeble, that when she left her 
home she entertained but faint hopes of being able to endure the hardships 
of the journey. Her physicians had announced to her that she could live 
but a short time, and this time she determined to devote to an effort to see 
her only son once more on earth. Such is a mother's affection! The effort, 
however, was vain. She expired without seeing her child. 

The event . . . cast a shade of gloom over our whole encampment. 

14_3057 



210 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

. . . All recreations were suspended, out of respect for the dead, and to 
make preparations for the funeral. A cotton wood tree was felled, and the 
trunk of it split into planks, which being first hewn with an axe and then 
planed, were constructed into a coffin, in which the remains of the deceased 
were deposited. A grave was excavated a short distance from the camp, 
under an oak tree on the right hand side of the trail. A stone was procured, 
the surface of which being smoothed, it was fashioned into the shape of a 
tombstone, and the name and age, and the date of the death of the deceased 
were graved upon it. 

At 2 o'clock P. M., a funeral procession was formed, in which nearly every 
man, woman and child of the company united, and the corpse of the deceased 
lady was conveyed to its last resting place in this desolate but beautiful wilder- 
ness. Her coffin was lowered into the grave. A prayer was offered to the 
Throne of Grace by the Rev. Mr. Cornwall. An appropriate hymn was sung 
by the congregation with much pathos and expression. A funeral discourse 
was then pronounced by the officiating clergyman, and the services were 
concluded by another hymn and a benediction. The grave was then closed 
and carefully sodded with the green turf of the prairie, from whence annually 
will spring and bloom its brilliant and many-colored flowers. The inscription 
on the tombstone, and on the tree beneath which is the grave, is as follows: 
"Mrs. Sarah Keyes, Died May 29, 1846; Aged 70." 

The night is perfectly calm. The crescent moon sheds her pale rays over 
the dim landscape; the whippoorwill is chanting its lamentations in the 
neighboring grove; the low and mournful hooting of the owl is heard at a 
far off distance, and altogether the scene, with its adjuncts around us, is one 
of peace, beauty and enjoyment. 

Mr. Bryant described the Blue at Independence crossing as being 
a stream about one hundred yards wide, with turbid water and 
strong and rapid current. When he saw it it was in flood time. He 
mentions a small spring branch which empties into the Blue just 
above the ford. He followed up this small branch, he says, about 
three quarters of a mile from the camp, where he found a large 
spring of water, ice-cold and pure. From the shelving rock project- 
ing over a basin a beautiful cascade of water fell some ten or twelve 
feet. This spring was named by them, "Alcove Spring," and many 
names were graven on the rocks, and on the trunks of trees sur- 
rounding it. 

On March 16, 1930, the writer visited Independence crossing. 
The river was normal and the crossing was about fifty yards wide, 
with a gravelly bottom on the east side. Numerous floods had left 
a high bank on the west side. I am informed that this crossing was 
used a great deal up to the flood of 1903. The small stream empty- 
ing into the river just above the ford is still there, although at the 
time I visited it, it was dry. I followed the little creek up to Alcove 
Springs, which is about one half mile from the crossing, practically 



SMITH: GRAVE OF SARAH KEYES 211 

due east. No doubt the spring has changed considerably since Mr. 
Bryant saw it in 1846. No water was running over the ledge. The 
stones upon which the names were graven had broken from the ledge 
and had been washed down the stream a short distance. There were 
two very fine springs coming out of the ground on the east side. 
The following names and dates were engraved upon the rocks: 

ALCOVE SPRING 

Engraved by Edwin Bryant 

May 28, 1846 

J. F. REED 
May 26, 1846 

The small stream is called Alcove Springs creek. The grave of 
Sarah Keyes is between Alcove Springs and the crossing, as nearly as 
I can judge, about half way or a quarter of a mile from the springs 
and a quarter of a mile from the crossing. It is located on a sloping 
hill on the north side of Alcove Springs creek, about fifty yards 
from the wagon road. It is on the side of the bluffs and this ground 
is still virgin prairie, used for pasture. The grave is beside an oak 
tree, which now consists of three trees growing from the same stump. 
They are not very large, being about one foot in diameter in the 
largest place, although the stump from which they sprang is about 
two and one half to three feet thick. Apparently the parent tree 
was blown or cut down and these sprouts came up from the stump 
and grew together at the base and formed three trees. The stone 
which was fashioned into a headstone is still standing, the upper 
portion rounding. Apparently all markings are obliterated; neither 
did I find any markings on the tree as described by Bryant. This, 
however, is not strange, as eighty-four years had passed and the 
markings would have long since been grown over. 

Independence crossing, the grave, and Alcove Springs are all in 
the southeast quarter of section thirty-one, Elm Creek township, 
in Marshall county. They may be easily reached by automobile, 
by driving to Blue Rapids, taking the Marysville road from there, 
and after crossing the Big Blue, taking the first road to the left 
and driving up the river to within two miles of Shroyer. This wagon 
road passes very close to the crossing and one can drive into the 
pasture, by the grave, and up to Alcove Springs. 

One can only hazard a guess why this was called Independence 
crossing. Presumably it was named for Independence, Mo., where 



212 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

those traveling on the Oregon trail in the early days outfitted them- 
selves for the journey across the plains. The Donner party named 
Alcove Springs. The early writers on the Donner party often 
referred to this grave as being near Manhattan, and in the Kansas 
City (Mo.) Star of Wednesday, June 11, 1930, in an article, "Death 
Takes the Last Survivor of the Donner Party," the following 
appears: "On May 29, Grandmother Keyes died and she was buried 
under a big oak tree where was later the city cemetery of Man- 
hattan." 

This of course is not true, as this grave is located about eight miles 
south of Marysville and about fifty-two miles north of Manhattan. 

It may be of interest to know that Sarah Keyes was a great-aunt 
of James Madison Harvey, governor of Kansas in the early 1870's. 
Two sons and three daughters of ex-Governor Harvey still reside 
on the one hundred sixty acres preempted by him in Riley county 
in 1859. 



Kansas History as Published 
in the Press 

"The Story of the Queen's Daughters in the City of Wichita," by 
Mrs. Sophia Kramer Joy, was printed serially in The Catholic 
Advance, of Wichita, from January 12 to June 1, 1935. Persons 
interested in Kansas Catholic church history will find considerable 
material in the Advance which frequently publishes historical 
sketches of the various churches in the state. 

A two-column history of School District No. 76, near Summer- 
field, appeared in the Summerfield Sun February 14, 1935. 

Electors of the first election held in Corinth township, Osborne 
county, on November 4, 1873, were named in the Downs News 
February 21, 1935. 

A history of Lone Tree school, Pottawatomie county, by Orman 
L. Miller, was printed in the Onaga Herald February 21 and 28, 
1935. A list of teachers from 1875 to date was included. 

Early Natoma history was discussed in articles published under 
the heading "Pioneer Gleanings" in the Natoma Independent 
February 28 and March 21, 1935. 

Brief historical sketches of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran 
Church of Lincolnville, by the Rev. K. J. Karstensen, were printed 
in the Marion Review May 8, 1935, and the Marion Record May 9. 
The congregation was organized in 1877. 

The Marion Methodist Episcopal Church observed the sixty- 
sixth anniversary of its founding with a week of special programs 
beginning May 19, 1935. A brief historical sketch of the church 
appeared in the Marion Review May 15. A more detailed history 
compiled by Mrs. William Rupp was published in the Marion 
Record May 16 and 23. 

Reminiscences of Robert Banks, who settled in Kansas in 1854, 
as told to Mrs. R. C. Moseley, were contributed by her to the 
Wamego Reporter June 6, 1935. 

Jefferson's Methodist Church history was briefly outlined in the 
Independence South Kansas Tribune June 12, 1935. The church 
building was dedicated June 7, 1885. 

(213) 



214 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Clearwater's First Presbyterian Church history was briefly 
sketched by Mrs. Bessie Colver in the Clearwater News June 27, 
1935. The church was organized in February, 1874. 

An "old-fashioned" Fourth of July held in Altamont in 1905 was 
described in the Altamont Journal July 4, 1935. 

The story of Camp Gardner, Johnson county transient camp, 
was contributed by Jack Chesbro to the Gardner Gazette July 31, 
1935. The camp was established May 16, 1934. 

Histories of the municipal bands of Belleville, Beloit, Bennington, 
Cuba, Ellsworth, Minneapolis and Salina were briefly sketched in 
the Ellsworth Messenger August 1, 1935. 

Life in early Kiowa county as experienced by Mrs. Mary Evans 
and Charles Isham was described in an article appearing in the 
Greensburg News August 1, 1935. In the August 15 issue, James 
Briggs, another pioneer, recounted his experiences. 

Several articles of historical interest were contributed by A. H. 
Stewart to Goodland newspapers in recent months. Titles of some 
of these stories and the dates of their publication were: "The 
Murder of Corley and Lynching of the McKinleys, Father and Son 
. . . Wallace County's Peak oif Tragedy," News-Republic, 
August 7, 1935; "The Battle With the Train Robbers; a Stirring 
Event of 35 Years Ago," August 8, "Goodland Man Tells Interest- 
ing Facts About Early Day Droughts," September 5, and "Battle 
of Arickaree Was Section's Great Incident in Struggle for Prairies," 
September 12, in The Sherman County Herald. 

"Methodism in Conway Springs" was the title of a three-column 
article written by F. H. Poore and L. E. McNeil for the Conway 
Springs Star August 8, 1935. 

Arrival of the grasshoppers in Harvey county in 1874 was de- 
scribed by John S. Biggs, of Washington, D. C., in a two-column 
article appearing in the Sedgwick Pantagraph August 15, 1935. 

The fifty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Oneida Christian 
Church was celebrated August 18, 1935. A brief history of the 
church, which was organized by Elder R. C. Barrows on August 22, 
1880, was published in the Seneca Times and The Courier-Tribune 
in their issues of August 15 and 22. 

Subjects discussed by "Old-Timer" in recent issues of the Pro- 
tection Post and the dates of their publication were : Red Bluff and 



KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 215 

Protection townsites, August 15, 1935; preparations for Indian raid, 
September 5; a trip through the blizzard in the middle 1880's, 
December 12; early days in Protection, February 6, 1936, and the 
city's first newspaper, February 20. 

Brief histories of the Kingman county farm bureau and 4-H clubs 
were printed in The Leader-Courier, of Kingman, August 16, 1935. 

Frank D. Tomson's impressions and reminiscences of Burlingame 
were recorded in The Enterprise-Chronicle, Burlingame, August 29, 
1935. 

Norcatur's Methodist Episcopal Church celebrated the fiftieth 
anniversary of its founding September 1, 1935. Its history was 
briefly sketched in the Norcatur Dispatch August 29. 

A twenty-page souvenir historical edition of the Potwin Ledger 
was issued September 5, 1935, commemorating the founding of the 
Potwin Methodist Episcopal Church fifty years ago. 

The history of St. Augustine's church at Fidelity was reviewed in 
the Fairview Enterprise September 5, 1935. The first church edifice 
was built in the middle 1860's. 

Gove county teachers for the 1935-1936 school term were named 
in the Gove County Republican-Gazette, of Gove City, September 
12, 1935. 

"Antecedents of Osage Mission," an article written in 1897 by 
the Rev. Paul M. Ponziglione, S. J., was printed in the St. Paul 
Journal September 12, 1935. 

Excerpts from the diary of Stephen J. Wilson describing three 
guerilla "visits" to Gardner during the Civil War were published 
in the Gardner Gazette September 18, 25, and October 2, 1935. The 
raids, as reported by Mr. Wilson, occurred on October 22, 1861; in 
May, 1862; and on August 23, 1863. 

A twenty-page souvenir edition of the Sedgwick Pantagraph was 
issued September 19, 1935, in commemoration of the incorporation of 
the Sedgwick Methodist Church on October 22, 1875. 

The history of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Paola was 
briefly sketched in The Western Spirit, Paola, September 20, 1935. 
The church held special services October 10 in observance of the 
seventy-fifth anniversary of its founding. 



216 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

A five-column illustrated history of the Coldwater Methodist 
Episcopal Church was published in The Western Star, of Coldwater, 
September 20, 1935. The church was organized in April, 1885. 

Barton county's rural teachers for the 1935-1936 term were named 
in the Hoisington Dispatch September 26, 1935. 

Early Altamont history as recorded in the city's first minute book 
was briefly recounted in the Altamont Journal October 3, 1935. The 
city was incorporated in September, 1884. 

A series of articles on pioneer days in Kingman county as written 
by P. J. Conklin, early Kingman newspaperman in the fall of 1915 
for The Leader-Courier, Kingman, was republished in issues dated 
from October 11 to November 15, 1935, inclusive. 

Trego county teachers for the 1935-1936 school term were named 
in the Western Kansas World, Wakeeney, October 17, 1935. 

The fiftieth anniversary of the dedication of the present Solomon 
Methodist Episcopal church building was celebrated October 25, 
1935. A brief history of the organization, including names of 
pastors serving the church from 1870 to date, was published in the 
Solomon Tribune October 24. A more detailed history of the church 
by Ethel Vanderwilt followed in the Tribune in its issues of Novem- 
ber 7 and 14. 

Salem Lutheran Church of Lenexa celebrated its golden jubilee 
October 27, 1935. A history of the church as read at the anniversary 
meeting by the Rev. George W. Busch, pastor, was published in the 
Olathe Mirror and The Johnson County Democrat in their issues of 
October 31. 

Life in early-day Rooks county as recalled by Mr. and Mrs. J. A. 
Hebrew, who came to Kansas in 1872, was published in W. F. 
Hughes' column "Facts and Comments" in the Rooks County 
Record, of Stockton, October 31 and November 7, 1935. The 
county's first election in 1872 was discussed in another article 
printed in the latter issue. 

The killing of Stafford county's last wild buffalo in 1879 was 
described in the Topeka Daily Capital November 24, 1935. 

Twenty-five years of reporting for the Bonner Springs Chieftain 
were recalled by Mrs. Frances Zumwalt Vaughn, its editor, in the 
issue of November 28, 1935. 



KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 217 

"Memories of Four Mile in the Early Eighties," was the title 
of a one-column article by Ed A. Smies, of Manhattan, appearing 
in The Times, of Clay Center, December 26, 1935. 

The history of the Quinter Church of the Brethren was sketched 
in The Gove County Advocate, of Quinter, December 26, 1935. The 
church was organized August 14, 1886. 

"A Trip to Kansas and Return," the day-by-day account of Ben- 
jamin F. Pearson's journey from Iowa, May 20 to June 27, 1872, 
was published in the Annals of Iowa, Des Moines, in the January, 
1936, issue. Mr. Pearson entered Kansas through Doniphan county 

and traveled west to Jewell county before returning. 



A train robbery in Atchison in 1882 was described by Fred E. 
Button in an article printed In the Atchison Daily Globe January 
1, 1936. 

The Broken Treaty, a story of the Osage country, by W. W. 
Graves, publisher of the St. Paul Journal, is appearing serially in 
the Journal starting with the issue of January 2, 1936. The story 
was issued in book form in December, 1935. 

Osborne county's log stockade, constructed in the early 1870'e by 
pioneers for protection against the Indians, was described by Mrs. 
R. R. Hays in the Topeka Daily Capital January 5, 1936. Frank 
Rothenberger, of Osborne, is the only old-timer yet alive, Mrs. Hays 
related. 

A history of The Empire- Journal, of Osborne, was briefly sketched 
in its issue of January 16, 1936. The Empire- Journal is a consoli- 
dation of the Alton Empire and the Osborne Journal. 

Historic spots in Osborne county were mentioned in the Osborne 
County Farmer, of Osborne, January 16, 1936. 

Recollections of Atchison in the latter part of the nineteenth 
century were recorded by Joseph Kathrens, of West Milton, Ohio, 
in letters printed in the Atchison Daily Globe January 20 and 
February 17, 1936. 

St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Clay Center, established fifty-five 
years ago, observed its anniversary with special services January 
23, 1936. The history of the church was reviewed in the Clay Center 
Dispatch, January 21, The Economist, January 22, and The Times 
January 23. 



218 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

"L. H. Thorp Owned First Bicycle Ever Brought to Lamed," the 
Larned Chronoscope reported in its issue of January 23, 1936. The 
first wheel was made in Pawnee county in 1881 and the first mail- 
order purchase arrived in the county late in December, 1882. 

A history of the Masonic lodge of Larned was briefly sketched in 
The Tiller and Toiler, Larned, January 23, 1936. The lodge was 
organized in January 1876. 

Several newspapers recently published brief histories of the tele- 
phone in their communities. Among these were: The Larned 
Chronoscope and The Tiller and Toiler, January 23, 1936; Council 
Grove Republican, January 27; Clifton News, January 30, and the 
Chanute Tribune, February 3. 

An advertising circular of the Atchison Board of Trade, citing 
the early advantages of Atchison, was reprinted in the Atchison 
Daily Globe January 24, 1936. The circular was dated November 
1, 1864. 

"Buffalo Bill" Cody's life in Kansas particularly in Leaven- 
worth county was recounted in the Leavenworth Times January 
26, 1936. It has been proposed in Leavenworth to erect a bronze 
statue honoring Cody on Highway 73, northwest of the city, near 
the spot where he spent his boyhood days. 

The story of the invention of basketball was told in a two-column 
article printed in the Topeka Daily Capital January 26, 1936. Dr. 
James A. Naismith, now of Kansas University, devised the game 
while a staff member of the Y. M. C. A. college at Springfield, Mass. 
"Kansas Women's Republican Club's Six Years of Service," by 
Margaret Hill McCarter, was another historical feature of this issue 
of the Capital. 

A horseback ride from Wakefield to Manhattan and back in the 
winter of 1872 was described by Dr. Charles Hewitt, of Manhattan, 
in The Economist, of Clay Center, January 29, 1936. 

Leavenworth's reception of the news that Kansas had been ad- 
mitted to the Union was recounted in the Kansas City (Mo.) Star 
January 29, 1936, under the title "Dan Anthony Scooped His Own 
Paper When Kansas Entered the Union." 

Kansas history was reviewed in Kansas Day editions of Topeka's 
dailies issued January 29, 1936. Articles by Milton Tabor entitled 
"Highlights of Kansas History From Coronado to Now" and "Mod- 



KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 219 

ern Day Topekans Owe Much to Pioneers," were featured in the 
Daily Capital. In the State Journal special articles on the early 
history of the Kansas Day Club by Frank S. Crane, Leonard S. 
Ferry, Charles F. Scott, George A. Clark, Charles M. Harger, 
Charles S. Elliott and Ewing Herbert were prominently displayed. 
Titles of other articles included "First Press, 1833," by Eileen Rein- 
hardt; "Topeka in 1861," and "When Kansas Heard 'Flash' of 
Statehood," by George A. Root, and "Farm Growth Since 1861 Is 
Story of Toil." 

The history of Kanwaka community, Douglas county, was out- 
lined in the Lawrence Daily Journal-World January 30, 1936. The 
sketch was a review of a paper presented by Mrs. Nellie Colman 
Brigsby at a meeting of the Douglas County Historical Society on 
January 29. 

Histories of Summerfield and its newspaper, the Sun, were briefly 
reviewed in the Summerfield Sun January 30, 1936. 

Spearville's history was reviewed by Carol Jean Nelson in the 
Spearville News January 30, 1936. 

Pleasant Hour Club of Paola observed the sixtieth anniversary of 
its founding at a meeting held January 30, 1936. The history of the 
organization was sketched in The Miami Republican, of Paola, 
January 31. 

The Leon News' "Fifth Annual M. E. Booster Edition," featuring 
histories of the church and city, was issued January 31, 1936. 

Le Roy Methodist Church history was reviewed in the Le Roy 
Reporter January 31, 1936. The congregation was regularly estab- 
lished as the Le Roy mission in 1858. 

"Chronology of the Farmer's Ten Years of Existence in Rolla," 
by A. B. Edson, and "Morton County Pioneers Recall the Early 
History of Morton County," as compiled by Bertha Carpenter, were 
feature articles of The Morton County Farmer, of Rolla, January 
31, 1936. 

Celebrating Kansas' seventy-fifth birthday, the Graduate Maga- 
zine of the University of Kansas at Lawrence issued a "Kansas Day 
Number" in February, 1936. "Kansas Before the Indians," by 
Kenneth K. Landes, and "Some Notes on the University's Progress," 
by Fred Ellsworth, were features. 



220 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

A sawmill boiler explosion in Leavenworth county in 1861 which 
fatally injured eight men was recalled in the Leavenworth Times 
February 2, 1936. 

The Kansas City Kansan issued its special "1936 Yearly Progress 
Edition" February 2, 1936, observing the fifteenth anniversary of 
the taking over of the Kansan by the present management, the 
fiftieth anniversary of the city of Kansas City, and the seventy-fifth 
anniversary of the state. 

Instances of American Indian tribes sanctioning public ownership 
of utilities, free public school systems, woman's suffrage, fraternal 
organizations and prohibition were related by Grant W. Harrington 
in a letter published in The Masonic News, of Kansas City, Feb- 
ruary 7, 1936. 

Two articles contributed by George J. Remsburg to the Leaven- 
worth Times and published in recent issues were: "A Century Ago 
in and Around Leavenworth," appearing February 9, 1936, and 
"Kapioma, a Kickapoo Chief, Killed by Texans in the Ws," printed 
February 14. 

A history of the Holyrood Gazette was reviewed by John Russ- 
mann, editor, in the issue of February 12, 1936. An article on the 
origin of the city's name was another feature of this edition. 

Stockton's old log hotel built in 1871 by Joseph McNulty was 
mentioned by W. F. Hughes in the Rooks County Record, of Stock- 
ton, February 13, 1936. 

Pioneer memories of James Barton, of Cuba, who settled in Re- 
public county in 1871 were published in the Belleville Telescope 
February 13, 20, and 27, 1936. 

"Tracing the March of Coronado Through Kansas to Find His 
Tomb in Mexico," as told by Paul Jones, of Lyons, to A. B. Mac- 
Donald, was the title of an article printed in the Kansas City (Mo.) 
Star February 16, 1936. 

Highlights in the history of the Frankfort Daily Index, founded 
on February 26, 1906, were recounted by Jim Reed in the Topeka 
State Journal February 20, 1936. H. H. and A. P. Hartman, sons 
of F. M. Hartman, one of the cofounders, are the publishers. 

The history of School District No. 66 near Summerfield was out- 
lined in the Summerfield Sun February 20, 1936. District 66 was 
formed from a division of Districts 47 and 22 in 1885. 



KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 221 

"Great frauds in connection with the adoption of the Lecompton 
constitution came to light through the revelations of Charlie Torry," 
the Kansas City (Mo.) Times reported in a two-column illustrated 
article appearing in its issue of February 21, 1936. Torry, who 
was a clerk in the office of the surveyor general at Lecompton, 
witnessed the hiding of fraudulent election returns and revealed 
their whereabouts in time for the subsequent publicity to prevent 
the adoption of the constitution by Congress. 

Several letters describing Clay Center's street cars which were 
operated in the late 1880's were published in the Clay Center Dis- 
patch starting February 24, 1936. 

The Pratt Daily Tribune printed a forty-four page "Yearly Prog- 
ress Edition" February 26, 1936, featuring stories and photographs 
of Pratt's leading institutions and business houses and pictures of 
several prominent citizens. 

A "Cornerstone Edition" of the Caldwell Daily Messenger was 
issued February 26, 1936, announcing the program for the corner- 
stone laying of Caldwell's new city building on February 27. "City 
Founded 65 Years Ago by Wichita Group" and "Oil Found Here 
After 40 Years" were the titles of two historical articles in the 
edition. 

Some of the more important historical documents and collections 
preserved by the Kansas State Historical Society were discussed by 
Cecil Howes in a two-column article in the Kansas City (Mo.) 
Times March 6, 1936. Included among other recent articles by 
Mr. Howes were: "Eighty Years Ago 'Beecher's Bibles' Made Their 
Appearance in Kansas," published in the Times, February 26, and 
"Marker Sought for Site of Lone Tree Indian Massacre in South- 
west Kansas," in the Star of March 28. 

Linn history was sketched by Mrs. Vern Sizemore in a paper de- 
livered at a recent meeting of the Linn Study Club and published 
in the Linn-Palmer Record February 28, 1936. Linn, which was 
established in 1877, was originally called Summit. 

Henry W. Kandt's reminiscences of early-day Kansas and Dick- 
inson county in particular were related in the Abilene Daily Re- 
flector February 29, 1936. Mr. Kandt arrived in the territory in 
1859. 



222 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

"Rise and Fall of Most Famous 'Ghost Town' in Kansas," was 
the title of Harold C. Place's brief sketch of Minneola in the March, 
1936, issue of Progress in Kansas, published at Topeka. 

Included among the historical articles printed in recent issues 
of the Pony Express Courier, of Placerville, Calif., were: "Curing 
Buffalo Meat," by John G. Ellenbecker, "Guittard Station and Its 
Founder," and "Abe Lincoln [while in Atchison in 1859] Made Jack 
Slade Laugh," in the March, 1936, number; "The Pony Express 
Service and Harry Roff," by Frances Fairchild, and "Daniel Mont- 
gomery Drumheller," a Pony Express rider, by John G. Ellenbecker, 
in the April issue. 

"The Father of Governor Landon Points With Paternal Pride" 
was the title of a five-column interview A. B. MacDonald had with 
John M. Landon published in the Kansas City (Mo.) Star March 
1, 1936. 

Notes on the history of the Republican party in Kansas, and 
biographical sketches of several prominent members of the party, 
past and present, were included in a special thirty-two page Re- 
publican supplement issued by the Wichita Beacon March 4, 1936. 
On April 28 the Beacon issued its Democratic party supplement, 
featuring biographies of national and state Democratic leaders. 

A history of the Wilson State Bank was sketched in the Wilson 
World March 4, 1936. The bank was chartered July 16, 1886. 

Twenty-two Republic county ghost towns were named in the 
Belleville Telescope March 5, 1936. 

Marquette Mission Covenant Church observed the thirty-fifth 
anniversary of its founding March 6 to 8, 1936. A two-column his- 
tory of the organization by Edwin T. Clemens was published in the 
Marquette Tribune March 5, 1936. 

A brief history of Charity Masonic Lodge No. 263 was printed in 
the Hazelton Herald March 6, 1936. The lodge was organized on 
June 30, 1885. 

"Plow Not to Blame for Dust Storms Say Old-Time Western 
Kansans," the Kansas City (Mo.) Star reported in its issue of 
March 9, 1936. The article included quotations from the journals 
of early explorers who had encountered dust storms in this region. 

The route of the Chisholm trail was discussed by T. E. Beck writ- 
ing in a recent issue of the Grant County Journal, of Medford, Okla. 



KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 223 

His observations were reprinted in the Wichita (Evening) Eagle 
March 11, 1936. 

Several Kansans who are prominent in theater or radio profes- 
sions were named by Phil Zimmerman, of Lindsborg, in a short 
article published in the Topeka State Journal's radio column March 
12, 1936. 

Early-day recollections of Anderson county as told by B. F. 
Reiber to the editor of the Kincaid Dispatch were printed in the 
Dispatch March 12, 1936. Mr. Reiber settled in eastern Kansas in 
1870. 

The history of the Beloit Gazette was briefly reviewed in its issue 
of March 12, 1936. The Gazette is now entering its sixty-fifth year. 

"How Nova School in Carmi Township Received Its Name/' by 
M. H. Long, was the title of a one-column article in the Preston 
News March 13, 1936. 

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the Independence Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, six miles southeast of Goddard, was observed March 
15, 1936. Pictures and a brief history of the church were printed 
in the Wichita Beacon March 15. 

"Orders for Founding Fort on West Bank of Missouri River Is- 
sued in March, 109 Years Ago," was the title of an article recount- 
ing the early history of Fort Leavenworth in the Leavenworth Times 
March 15, 1936. 

The early history of old Paxico, near present Paxico, Wabaunsee 
county, was reviewed by E. B. Chapman in the Topeka State Journal 
March 19, 1936. 

Augusta's newspaper history was sketched in the Augusta Jour- 
nal March 20, 1936. The Journal was founded on March 17, 1887. 

Seven families of Amish farmers have moved from their frontier 
homesteads at Yoder (now an oil producing center) to Iowa. In an 
interview with members of the settlement Pliny Castanien, Wichita 
Eagle newsman, relates in the Sunday Eagle of March 22, 1936, that 
"Tractors, Not Oil, Cause Kansas Amish to Migrate." 

The history of the Henry Rohr chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, 
was reviewed by Mrs. Isabel Mace Gillmore for the St. John News 
March 26, 1936. 



Kansas Historical Notes 

The federal government is sponsoring several projects in the his- 
torical field of interest to Kansans. In addition to local projects 
under the Works Progress Administration and the National Youth 
Administration operating under the sponsorship of the Kansas State 
Historical Society at the Society's rooms in Topeka are three of 
state-wide and national scope. The American Guide Manual, a writ- 
ers' project of the WPA, is employing persons in all sections of the 
state to prepare material for the Kansas section of a manual to be 
published in five regional volumes. The topics to be included in the 
manual are: Topography, fauna, flora, history, Indian tribes and 
reservations, folks, monuments, literature, music, art, education, re- 
ligion, libraries, museums, health and social work, recreation, trans- 
portation, hotels, industries, products, markets, organizations, water- 
ways and conservation. A Historical Records Survey, to include 
city, county and state archives, was recently instituted by the Kan- 
sas WPA. Work is also progressing in several cities of the state on a 
Federal Archives survey. It is planned under the latter organi- 
zations to compile a catalogue showing the nature and location of 
documents and historical material throughout the state. Other proj- 
ects of a local historical nature are being sponsored in several Kan- 
sas communities. A local project to index the contents of all Russell 
county newspaper files was recently started under the supervision 
of Judge J. C. Ruppenthal, of Russell. The Fort Hays Kansas 
State College library is also working on an index of several western 
Kansas newspapers, files of which are preserved at Hays. 

(224) 



D 



THE 

Kansas Historical 
Quarterly 



Volume V 



Number 3 



August, 1936 



PRINTED BY KANSAS STATE PRINTING PLANT 

w. c. AUSTIN, STATE PRINTER 

TOPEKA 1936 
16-3875 



153875 



Contributors 

LELA BARNES is curator of manuscripts of the Kansas State Historical Society. 

DR. EDWARD BUMGARDNER, dentist by profession and a long-time member of 
the Kansas State Historical Society, is a resident of Lawrence. 

THOMAS CLARKE WELLS, who died in 1907, was an early settler near Man- 
hattan. For a biographical sketch see page 143 of the May number. 

GEORGE A. ROOT is curator of archives of the Kansas State Historical Society. 



Articles in the Quarterly appear in chronological order without regard 
to their importance. 



Journal of Isaac McCoy for the Exploring 
Expedition of 1828 

LELA BARNES 
I. INTRODUCTION 

WITH the purchase of Louisiana by the United States in 1803, 
removal of eastern Indians to unoccupied territory became a 
feasible plan, but it was not until the election of Andrew Jackson 
that settlement of the tribes on lands west of the Mississippi river 
became established as a national policy. By this time several tribes 
had removed to the West under treaty arrangements; removal of 
those remaining was legalized by the act of Congress of 1830. 

A step in the development of this program was an exploring ex- 
pedition ordered in 1828 to permit certain tribes to examine the 
country west of the Mississippi and select locations. Isaac McCoy, 
Baptist missionary at Carey, Michigan, was appointed commissioner 
to accompany representatives of the tribes. 1 His appointment and 
instructions were contained in a letter from Thomas L. McKenney, 
superintendent of Indian trade : 

Department of War, 
Off: Ind: Affairs, 
10th June, 1828. 
To The Revd. 
Isaac McCoy, 
Supt. Indian School, 
Carey, via Fort Wayne, Indiana. 
Sir, 

The Congress having appropriated fifteen thousand Dollars to defray the 
expense of an exploring party of Indians, and you having made known the 
desire of certain Potawatomies to visit the Country west of the Mississippi, 
the Secretary of War directs me to inform you that you are appointed to ac- 
company the party, and that you are at liberty to take with you three Pota- 
watomies, and if necessary an Interpreter. To you is confided the trust of ex- 
pending the means provided for the expense of the undertaking. You will be 
particular therefore in the exercise of a rigid economy, and in keeping regular 
and properly vouched accounts of the expenditures. Of the fifteen thousand 
Dollars, I am directed to authorize you to draw for Ten thousand on the 
Secretary of War, at sight, accompanying the bill with a letter of advice. 

You will repair to St. Louis as early as possible, and report to Genl. Wm. 
Clark, Supt. Ind: Affairs, who has instructions upon the subject, and who will 
name a leader of the party, and in general give the necessary detailed in- 
structions for the government of your route and movements. 

1. For a sketch of McCoy's work with the Indians of Indiana and Michigan, from which 
developed his interest in Indian reform, see "Isaac McCoy and the Treaty of 1821," The 
Kansas Historical Quarterly, May, 1936. 

(227) 



228 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Should it be found indispensable to use more than ten thousand Dollars, in 
paying the necessary expenses of the undertaking, Genl. Clark will arrange 
with you at St. Louis for the remainder of the appropriation by placing it 
within your reach, which, however it is expected will be so managed as to cover 
the cost of the agents, including your own pay, and which will be made equiva- 
lent, as far as that may be possible, to the nature and value of the services 
which you may render. 

The Chickasaws and Choctaws are notified to be off as soon as possible. 
You had better drop Genl. Clark, at St. Louis, a line saying when you will be 
there. Move quick. I am 

Very Respectfully 

Yr Obt. Servt. 
Tho : L. McKenney 2 
McCoy's acceptance was as follows: 

Carey, 100 Miles N. West of 
Fort Wayne, Ind. July 1, 1828 
Sir 

Yesterday I had the honor to receive your favour of the 10th ult. au- 
thorizing and instructing me to accompany an exploring party of Indians to 
West of Mississippi. 

In obedience to your instruction, I shall set out tomorrow for St. Louis 
accompanied by several Indians. 

Most Respectfully 

Sir Your Obt. Sevt. 

Isaac McCoy 3 
Thomas L. McKenney Esq. 
Department of War, 
Off. Ind. Affairs, 
Washington. 

With representatives of the Pottawatomie and Ottawa tribes 
McCoy set out for St. Louis on July 2, 1828. Upon arrival there it 
was found that delegations from the southern tribes would not reach 
the city for some time. Fearing that the entire project would have 
to be abandoned if it became necessary to postpone the starting date 
until late in the season, McCoy persuaded General Clark to au- 
thorize two tours, one for the Pottawatomie and Ottawa representa- 
tives who were already on the ground, and a later tour for the 
Creeks, Choctaws and Chickasaws should representatives of the two 
last named tribes arrive in time. 

McCoy's journal here reproduced covers the journey from Michi- 
gan to St. Louis and the first tour with the northern Indians. 4 A 
second tour was made, but the journal record is missing. 

Following the journal entries are various statements of account, 

2. Isaac McCoy collection of manuscripts, Kansas State Historical Society. 

3. Ibid. Autograph draft signed. 

4. Ibid. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 229 

provision lists and receipts, suggestive of the needs and costs of the 
expedition. Unless marked as original these documents are dupli- 
cates retained by McCoy for his own records and preserved with his 
correspondence. 

II. ENTRIES FROM THE JOURNAL: JULY 2 TO OCTOBER 12, 1828 

At Camp, Shawaunukwuk, one of the Putawatomies who are to 
Wednesday, accompany me, went day before yesterday to see some 
July 2d. 1828 ^ j^ g fiends, anc | commenced drinking. Yesterday I 
sent twice after him, but could not get him home. This morning I 
sent for him early He came but had sold his shirt which we had 
given him a few days since, for whiskey, and had abused an outer 
garment which I had lent him. 

At ten o'clock I made a short address to our company and set out 
on our journey to west of Mississippi. Our company consisted of, 
Naoquah Kozhuk, Gosa, & Wesauogana, Ottawas, and Magaukwok, 
& Shawaunukwuk, Puts. & Shadenoy, who is half Putawatomie for 
an interpreter. Several of the neighbors were present at our starting. 
My wife and child, and Mr. Bay accompanied us this day, and will 
spend the night with us, and return tomorrow. By the Secretary of 
War we are directed to proceed to St. Louis, & report to Genl. Clark, 
of whom we shall receive further instructions. 

Wednesday I was quite sick during the night, became worse at day- 
July 3 ij gnt took medicine and at 9 o'clock took my leave of 
my wife and babe, our brother Bay. They started back and we pro- 
ceeded. I was scarcely able to set on my horse. At 12 better, at 
which time I write this. After taking some food, and rest, felt 
better and proceeded. Encamped beside a small Creek. 

Friday Swam our horses across Calemink, mired one at [an] other 
July 4 place, and with some difficulty got him a [nd] the others 
across that and similar rivers, and encamped at the mouth of the 
Calemink. 

Saturday Having some writing to do we [c] ould not leave our camp 
July 5 before 9 o'clock. It was fortunate for us that we were 
near an encampment of Indians. Of them we obtained a Canoe, in 
which we crossed the Calemink ourselves and baggage, & swam the 
horses. We reached Chicago about 12, wh[ere] we found a few 
articles which we needed, & transacted some other business. I have 
written the governor requesting, for reasons assigned, that the treaty 
on St. Joseph be deferred till October in the hope that by that time 



230 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

I may be back. The Putawatomies with me having seen the new 
country may be of service at this treaty. Mr. Reed, subagent at 
Carey has promised to write Gov. Cass to the same effect. I had 
hoped also that the agt. and subagt. A[lexande]r Wolcott and Mr. 
Doyle of this place, would also commend the same to the Governor 
but this they declined for reasons which they did not assign. I am 
of opinion that these gentlemen, tho. veiy friendly to me personally 
are unfriendly to the project of the removal of the Indians. Mr. 
Siliman the Governor's nephew, now on a commission to the Wina- 
bago & others, will do what he can for us in relation to the treaty. 
Spent some time swiming our horses across Chicago river, and 
crossed our baggage in a veiy small Canoe, and encamped on the 
river Auplain, 12 miles from Chicago Fort, or Fort Dearbourn. 
Every day we pass Indians traveling or encamped. We are now 
near an encampment. 

River Auplain 5 Here we are resting. At half past 8 o'clock 

12 miles from Chicago commenced Service in Ottawa, which consisted 
a ^S28 y ^ a k vmn & P ray er a discourse, & concluded 

with another Hymn. In the evening we had 
a Hymn & prayer. Having little to do, am afforded time for reflec- 
tion on the awful responsibility which at this time devolves upon me. 
This is increased [by] a view of the peculiar and very merciful deal- 
ings of Providence [in] relation to our affairs. 

The measure of alocating the Indians in a country of their own 
under suitable provisions of our government, is the only one in 
which we can discover grounds to hope for their preservation. This 
measure is warmly opposed by many in authority. Zealous efforts 
on the part of a few worthy advocates, obtained for it a majority in 
the House of Representatives in Congress merely of ten votes. We 
have laboured more than five years on the subject, and do now re- 
joice to see that it has gained an ascendency over opposition, and, 
the more to be dreaded apathy of too many, even in the small degree 
which authorizes this expedition. Should some disaster, or some mis- 
management occur Should the Indians be dissatisfied with the 
country they shall see, the business might receive such a check that 
it could not be resusitated until too late for many almost expiring 
tribes! We are going to look [for] a home for a homeless people a 
people who were once lords of all the Continent of America, and 
whose just claims have never been acknowledged by others, nor 
conveyed away by themselves. Half the United States say the 

5. Des Plaines river. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 231 

southern Indians shall not come north of the degree of 36-30 N. 
latitude. Or in other words we are limited to the regions west of 
Arkansas territory, and Missouri State. Should the inhospitableness 
of that country deny them a place there, they will be left destitute 
unless mercy provides by means unseen to short sighted mortals. 

I feel myself inadequate to these responsibilities. The particulars 
of this inadequacy need not be entered in my journal. But under 
a sense of dependence on God I have asked of Him the appointment 
which I now have received and to Him I look for ability to per- 
form its duties. To Him alone must be ascribed the Kingdom and 
the power and the Glory for ever Amen ! 

River Auplain Left camp at six oclock At noon halted for dinner 
Monday, July 7 near fa e r j vei . Passed this morning a curious rock 
singly in the prarie, porous, with holes large enough to admit 
Dozens of apartments for snakes, and convenient passages from one 
to the other. The rock is about 9 feet long 7 wide, & 4 feet higher 
than the surface of the ground. Three or four striped snakes were 
basking in the sunshine on the top, which retired on our approach, 
others or the same were seen passing at pleasure through their 
habitation. 

In the afternoon passed a singular hill rising about 40 feet in the 
level prarie, mentioned by Schoolcraft. 6 Encamped at the River 
Page. 

Tuesday Arrived at 12 encamped at the mouth of Fox river 
July 8 about this place reside a few distressed looking white 
people 

Wednesday 9 Crossed Illinois river in a canoe, and swam our horses. 
Passed several huts of poor looking white people, near 
one of which we halted for dinner tired of bacon, we have been 
able to take a few pigions, & the like, but cannot get either beef, 
venison, or chicken, of the few inhabitants. Travelled ten miles 
without the appearance of a road, steering our way thro, the praries. 
Encamped earlier than usual for the sake of water four of our men 
Hunted till dark, but killed nothing. 

Thursday As usual halted an hour and a half at noon. Encamped 
Jul > r 10 about 10 miles South of Fort Clark. Bot. some bacon, 
and a fowl today, at one of the two houses we have passed. Trav- 
elled several miles without a road. 

6. Schoolcraft, Henry R., Travels in the Centred Portion of the Mississippi Valley (New 
York, 1825), pp. 330, 331. See, also, "Mount Joliet: Its Place in Illinois Histoiy and Its 
Location," by Robert Knijrht and Lurius Zeuch, in Journal of the Illinois Historical Society, 
April, 1930. 



232 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Friday We commonly set out at 6 oclock in the morning. Since 
July 11 we p asse( i Chicago we have travelled about 14 miles of 
every 15 in Prarie. Since we left Illinois river Praries have been 
more extensive. To our left there is only now and then a small 
grove or streak of timber along water courses. We usually encamp 
in the open Prarie contiguous to wood for fuel. Dews fall heavy 
on us. Where there is no fear of rain I merely pitch my musquito 
bar, this morning it was so wet that water could be wrung out of it. 
We dined in a Prarie where no fuel could be obtained within a 
long distance except pieces of a Broken bridge of which we availed 
ourselves of as much as cooked our dinner encamped on a branch 
of Sangamofn]. 

Saturday Dined near a whiteman's house, where we obtained a 
July 12 kettle to aid in preparing our dinner, passed Springfield 
near Sangamo[n] river. The inhabitants and people around the 
place may be denominated unmannerly or without manners at all. 
Bot. a little sugar & flour. Encamped on a branch of Sangamo[n]. 
We are yet 93 miles from St. Louis. 

Sunday I halted here last evening with a severe pain in the head 
July 13 w hich continued the greater part of this day. I have had 
a sick day. About 10 in the morning took a potion of Rheubarb & 
Magnesia. So sick that we could have no other service morning 
and evening than a hymn and prayer. Confined to my tent most 
of the day. 

The difficulties attendant on such tours as this seem small while 
in tolerable health compared with the magnitude to which they 
swell in sickness. The parting with my dear wife and babe after 
they had accompanied us one day & night, was rendered doubly 
hard by the circumstance of my being so sick as to be scarcely able 
to sit on my horse at the time of our adieus. My poor wife had 
mounted her horse and waited to see me seated on mine then rode 
off without once looking back. 

Monday Set off at 6 a. m. quite unwell, yet rode 22 miles before 
July 14 we h a ited for dinner. Ate very little, proceeded 18 miles 
further and encamped near one of the 3 houses we have passed to- 
day. I am so tired of our travelling food that my appetite will not 
take it. Tried here to get something more palatable, but could 
obtain nothing but 3 eggs, of two of these I prepared a pudding 
which I tied up in a cloth & boiled, and ate with sweetened water. 
I have just finished my repast. I am saving my third egg for my 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 233 

breakfast. My health more comfortable. Two men out looking 
for deer. 

Tuesday A young man left camp early to look for Deer, joined a 
July 15 m il e or two from camp but had taken nothing. Dined 
in a prarie where scarcely a few small bushes could be found along 
a rivulet, sufficient to prepare our dinner, two small willows were 
found and placed in the ground so as with the assistance of my 
umbrella, to shelter me from the sun. The flies bad the road re- 
markably dusty, water found at eight and nine miles distance, 
houses not so frequent, until evening we reached Edwardsville. The 
settlement now compact. Encamped two miles South of Edwards- 
ville. 

Wednesday By a disagreeable ride thro, the praries, sunbeams, and 
July 16 dust, of 18 miles we reached Mississippi opposite St. 

Louis about 12 o'clock, after waiting an hour for the boat we crossed, 
and pitched our tents a mile above the town. I returned and made 
my call on Genl. Clark. He presently introduced me to a Captain 
Kennerly 7 who has been appointed leader of the party. 

The Southern deputations of Indians have not yet arrived. Some 
preparations are making for the tour, and it is thought we may 
leave this by the 27th and return in the course of 50 or 60 days. 

Cap. Kennerly appears to be a pleasant man. He has lately re- 
signed an Indian Agency up the Missouri. He is well acquainted 
with the Country & people we expect to visit. He was spoken of by 
the Department of war as suitable for our leader, at the same time 
an opinion was expressed by the Department that he would likely 
not accept the appointment, and in that case Genl. Clark to whom 
the trust of appointing was confided was to appoint another person. 
But he has accepted, and I trust will do well. 

In the evening we brought our horses into town to have them fed, 
and I took lodgings at the City Hotel. The company sleep in their 
tents tonight. 

Thursday Wish'd to procure lodgings for our Indians in town but 
July 17 did no t succeed. Wrote many letters. 

Friday Made arrangements for lodgings for our Indians. Sent 
July 18 ou t f or th em an d their baggage, when to my grief I 
learnt that some of them had become intoxicated. Noonday & 
Wesauogana came in, expressed great grief that the thing had oc- 

7. George Hancock Kennerly. 



234 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

curred. These were sober. Chandonois & the others kept away in 
order to get sober and through the day, came to their lodgings and 
lay down. They had not been much drunk, except Chandonois who 
came in the evening much intoxicated Mr. Forsythe saw him and 
as he was taking him up stairs to their lodgings, Chandonois fell and 
wounded his face. About that time I went into the room. He was 
becoming noisy as a drunken Indian, when I took hold on him and 
told him to lay down & become quiet which he did. I was much 
mortified at this circumstance. 

Dined at Genl. Clark's in company of Col. Menard going on to 
treaties at Green Bay & Carey. 

Saturday This morning early I was attacked with a bowel corn- 
July 19 plaint supposed to be chiefly the effect of the water of 
this place, which to my taste is unpalateable, and always warm ex- 
cept when cooled with ice. I had a poor day confined to my room 
until evening when I rode out a short distance. 

Sunday Feel in better health this morning. I have talked with 
July 20 Chandonois and the Indians and they say they think the 
error will not be repeated. Chandonois says he knows he has done 
wrong, and that he will not repeat it here. The Indians blame him 
for leading them into the error. Gosa pleads that he did not expose 
himself, that he drank a little and lay down until he had recovered 
and then came into town. Went to hear a Presbyterian preach in 
company of several of our Indians. 

Monday Among other business gave drafts on Sec. War to the 

July 20 [21] amount of $5000. Wrote home by Maj. Forsythe & 
Col. Menard who are going to attend the treaties. 

Tuesday Rode into the country ten or 12 miles to seek for ac- 

July 21 [22] commodations for ourselves and horses, this measure I 
believed would tend to the improvement of the condition of our 
horses, the preservation of our health and would be much more eco- 
nomical. Lodged at H. Walton's. On this day at my instance Cap. 
Kennerly & Genl. Clark sent a man in a steam boat to inquire after 
the southern Indians. Genl. Clark gave him instructions. 

Wednesday This morning I pursued my inquiries, breakfasted at 
July 23 j Walton's rode into St. Louis at one oclock p. m. 
Having engaged horsekeeping and boarding at a Mr. Brown's, by 
which the 22 horses, and eight persons now here on expenses very 
high could be accomodated at a saving of $58.50 for every week. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 235 

On arriving in town I communicated this inteligence to Cap. 
Kennedy and Genl. Clark, both of whom approved of the arrange- 
ment, though about four of the horses they suppose will be needed 
in town and will not be sent out. 

Thursday I took our company of Indians and our horses and rode 
July 24 ou t m t the country ten miles, to Mr. Brown's where I 
had procured quarters. Cap. Kennerly has promised to send out 
ten of the other horses today, keeping four in town for other uses. 

Friday The other horses from town have not arrived Wrote 
July 25 several letters, and also wrote some Indian. 

Saturday Cap. Kennerly sent out to my care 9 horses. We are corn- 
July 26 fortably situated here, and our horses have a fine situa- 
tion. Thankful for a letter from my son Calvin in Ohio, by which I 
heard from my Dear children scattered in three different places 
among strangers. 

While in St. Louis Wesauogana met with a cousin of his, a girl of 
about 11 years of age, whose parents were dead, and she had fallen 
into the hand of some poor Sauks. The child wept and begged him 
to help her. The people whom she was following also desired to get 
rid of her. On being informed of this and asked by Wesauogana if 
I would do any thing for her, I obtained the consent of Mrs. Brown 
to take her in here. Weasauogana and Gosa went into St. Louis to- 
day, reached the camp of the Sauks a little before they left the place. 
And brot. her hither. The child is very sick of a fever. Wesauogana 
put her on his horse, and led him, but it would have been with dif- 
ficulty she could have reached this, had not young Mr. Brown, who 
was returning in a Dearbourne, kindly taken her into his carriage. 
I have hired Mr. Brown's to take care of her until we return from 
our tour to the west, when we design to take her with us to one of 
our schools. 

Sunday Rode three miles to a Baptist meeting house, heard 

27, July sermon and preached myself from Prov. 1. 32, 33. 

Monday 28 Rode to St. Louis. Heard no news of the rest of our 
party, transacted some business. 

Tuesday 29 Employed busily in drawing a map of the country 
& Wednes. 30 west O f Arkansas Ter. & State of Missouri, and S. 
West of Missouri river. 

Thursday 31 Went into St. Louis no news from the rest of our 
company. 



236 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Friday Aug. 1 Worked faithfully on my map. 
Saturday Aug. 2 

Sunday, 3 Preached at the place at which I reside, a funeral 

sermon on the recent deaths two sisters who died 
within a few hours of each other and were buried at the same time 
and place, one of whom was buried with an infant in her arms. A 
congregation respectable for numbers and attention attended. 

Monday Received a letter from my Son Rice in Kentucky, contain- 
Aug. 4 m g ^ e ver y satisfactory inteligence that my daughter 
Sarah at School in Cincinnati with a younger sister, herself about 13 
years of age, had lately been Baptized by Rev. Vardeman of Ken- 
tucky. This little girl is the first of my children which has made 
public profession of religion. I cannot conceive of any other kind of 
inteligence that I could have received that would have afforded equal 
satisfaction, or equally conferred on me a sense [of] gratitude to 
God. The circumstance seems to have inspired new hopes in rela- 
tion to my other dear children, and increased fervour to prayers in 
their behalf. The necessity of having our children scattered, not 
among relatives & particular friends, but as I may say, among 
strangers, has given their good mother and me much uneasiness. 
But hitherto the Lord has been very merciful to us in relation to our 
children. 

Tuesday Yesterday three of our Indians went into St. Louis. I had 
Aug. 5 requested a gentleman to take care of them. He sent them 
out of town in time but at some wretched whiskey-shops on the road 
they obtained liquor and came home drunk. Two of them capable 
of taking care of themselves, the other was brot. home by Mr. 
Brown in his little wagon who found them drinking by the road side 
about four miles from this. 

I was in bed before they arrived, and on hearing a noise went into 
the Indians' apartment to quiet the drunkard. He obeyed me in un- 
dressing and laying down, but as soon as he supposed I had left the 
room he would again begin his noise, and it was with difficulty that 
a young man could hold him. I at length with the assistance of the 
young Indian tied his hands and feet, and left him to loosen him 
when he would become quiet. They lost a few articles they had bot. 
in St. Louis. 

This day I completed my map of the country proposed for Indian 
territory. It is 2 feet 7 inches by about 3 feet. 

Wednesday Wrote not much to do. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 237 

Thursday Cap. Kennerly sent me a letter he had received from 
the man sent to the Southern Indians. Information he had received 
on the way was calculated to cause fears that those Indians would 
not come at all. The man himself may be back in a few days. 

Friday I rode to St. Louis. Reed, a letter from Mr. Simerwell 8 
Aug. 8 m Boston informing that a Mr. Bingham had been appointed 
a missionary to Saut De St. Marie. We had hoped that Mr. Bing- 
ham would have come to Carey 9 for the assistance of that place after 
the departure of Mr. Lykins 10 and myself. A Mr. Stannard whom 
we hoped would engage with us, or at St. Marie, is in a state of 
health too poor to engage. We are in much want of missionary aid 
for Carey. 

Saturday Remained at home. 

& Sunday had a prayer, &c. for such as understand English, 
Sunday 10 i T T 

and a service in Indian. 

Monday I have had little to do this week, and this day above 
Tuesday a j} others since I left home, I am tired of delay, 
lonesome, & homesick. I cannot be contented in idle- 
ness, and our delay here must make sad havoc of some of our fav- 
ourite plans of the coming autumn. 

Thursday I went into St. Louis. Met a note from Cap. Kennerly 
Aug. 14 informing that Mr. Blake and three Creek Indians & an 
interpreter had arrived. Their horses are sent out to our place. I 
introduced 3 of our Indians with me to the Creeks hope they will 
consent to come into the country. 

Thankful for a letter from my Son at Carey, 16 days after I left 
home, and that all were well. 

I called on Col. Benton, 11 a Senator, and Chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Indian affairs, whose aid was last winter solicited and af- 
forded in support of the exploring bill. 

Friday I did little except write Indian 

& 
Saturday 

Sunday Rode out to hear a Presbyterian preach preached myself 
from the parable of the talents. 

8. Robert Simerwell, Baptist missionary. See The Kansas Historical Quarterly, February, 
1932, p. 91, footnote 6. 

9. Carey mission, on St. Joseph's river, Michigan. For an account of the founding of 
this mission see ibid., May, 1936, 

10. Johnston Lykins, Baptist missionary. Ibid., February, 1932, p. 90, footnote 3. 

11. Thomas Hart Benton (1782-1858), American statesman, U. S. senator from Missouri 
1820-1850. 



238 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

This evening I received a letter from Cap. Kennerly saying the 
m*n whom we had sent to inquire the cause of delay of the Chicke- 
saws, & Choctaws, returned on Saturday, with a letter from Colbert, 
Principal Chief of the Chickesaws, saying that they and the Choc- 
taws had decided not to go on the exploring expedition until next 
March. The reasons assigned by him for this conclusion were, it 
had become so late in the season that cold weather wo[ul]d over- 
take them, and there would be no grass for horses, it would be 
severe on the men, and the ground would be covered with snow so 
that its quality could not be determined. They said that they had 
received no orders to march from the war Department, and knew 
nothing of the time to go, &c. until our express arrived. 

Blake who came in the other day with the Creeks, saw the Agent 
& Subagent of the Chickasaws, on his way. He said they were at 
variance with each other on the subject. 

It is hardly possible that the Sec. War has omitted to give them 
notice of the time to start more probable that he wrote orders to 
the Agent, who is the proper medium and that he, unwilling that 
the Indians should go, and ultimately remove, and he would lose 
his salary of $1600 pr. annum, had never informed the Indians. 

Monday I went into St. Louis, and found that Mr. Blake had ex- 
Aug- 18 pressed an opinion that if he could visit those Indians 
he could yet bring them this fall. He was much inclined to make 
the trial. Genl. Clark and Cap. Kennerly seemed willing he should. 

I could not approve the course because I did not believe Blake 
would succeed. If he should, it would be six weeks before he could 
return, during all that time all who were already here must lay by 
at great expense and much trouble to some of us on account of the 
disposition of the Indians to drink. Should Blake not bring the 
Indians, it would then be too late for our Indians to make the tour 
Therefore after all the expense of this summer's work nothing would 
be done, and the Indians who had come this far would return to their 
homes disappointed and displeased. 

I thought that those of us who had already arrived had better 
proceed, then the business so far as related to them would be done, 
and let the others make the tour next Spring as they proposed. To 
going next spring all seemed opposed. They said the flies, high 
waters, and mires would render it almost impracticable. I plead 
that I travelled in the wilderness at all seasons. And if they set out 
next Spring, they would have time to extend the rout[e] as far as 
they pleased, whereas to go late this fall, their time would be limitted 
by the approach of winter. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 239 

However, when I saw their determination to send again for those 
Indians, I proposed proceeding on a tour of six weeks, the time they 
supposed it would require to bring those from the south, with our 
five Indians. If on my return I met the Southern deputations, send 
home our Putawatomies, and Ottawas, and I would turn about and 
make a second tour. If this could not be allowed, I thought our 
Indians had better go home now. It would cost less for us to make 
this tour now, and then discharge our Indians, than to lay by here 
six weeks and then make the tour. 

This course was approved by Genl. Clark & Cap. Kennerly, but 
a difficulty arose out of the circumstance of the Sec. of War having 
directed that none should move until the Chickasaws arrived. On 
this account neither Genl. Clark nor Cap. Kennerly will assume the 
responsibility of giving me direct instructions to go. I therefore 
take upon myself the entire responsibility of this measure. 

Dr. Todson 12 also pleads that he cannot go without order to that 
effect given in direct terms. 

I shall hire two young men to assist, and take in an interpreter 
about 250 miles from this. I sent out to have 12 horses brought in 
for shoeing, while I remain in town to prepare for the expedition. 

Mr. Blake started in a steam boat this afternoon. His three 
Creeks & interpreter have gone out to spend the six weeks at our 
place in the country. 

St. Louis Our people brought in the horses, and two of the Creeks 
Tuesday came ^^ them. The Creeks and Chandonois got into 
a notion of drinking, and gave me much trouble. I had 
a hard days work of it, procuring my out-fit, &c. I started some of 
the Indians home before me. It was almost sundown when I and 
two of them left St. Louis We then had 13 miles to ride. The 
drunken part had went ahead of the rest. I overtook the companies 
in different places, the last were the drunkards who had stopped at 
a whiskey house 4 miles from ours. They had slept in the yard. I 
alighted to search for whiskey but could find none and the wretch 
who lives by this base traffic after receiving a very severe reprimand 
from me, which he did with great submission, for selling whiskey to 
our people, declared they had drank only water there. Some of 
them were unwilling to leave the house but I insisted, and took 
them with me. One of the Creeks gave me much trouble. He fell 
off his horse two or three times. 

12. Dr. George P. Todsen was employed as physician and surgeon to accompany the ex- 
pi orimg party. 



240 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Wednesday preparing to start Genl. Clark sent me the following 
Aug. 20 instructions, for which I am very thankful. Cap Ken- 

nerly also has given me a number of introductory letters to persons 
on the frontiers. 

Superintendency of Indian Affairs 

St. Louis, Aug. 20, 1828 
Revd. I. McCoy 
Dr. Sir 

As the exploring party of Chickasaws is not expected before the 20th of 
next month, & should they arrive will not be in advance of this state until 
the 1st of October, and as the Putawatomies & Ottawas who accompanied you 
to this place are unwilling to delay, I would, in accordance with your sug- 
gestions recommend that you proceed with your party, and explore a portion 
of the country purchased of the Osage & Kansas West of the State of Missouri, 
& between the Osage & Shawanoe reservations, and north of the Kansas 
Reservation, taking care not to go so far west as to endanger your party by 
falling in with war parties of the Panis, 13 and other Tribes who are at War 
with the Osage & Kansas. 

The Indian Agents in your direction are informed of your movements & 
will afford you every aid & assistance in their power. 

You will take Noel Mongrain a half-breed Osage, who is acquainted with 
the country, the routes of the Indians, & speaks the Osage & Kansas lan- 
guages. 

I must request the favor of you to write to me from Harmony Mission, 14 
& on your return to Camp Leavenworth, or the out settlements, & state your 
views & wishes, that I may be enabled to afford such aid as may be necessary. 

Accept the assurance of my best wishes. Yours sincerely 

Wm. Clark 

1828 I set out from my lodgings at Browns, 13 miles from 

Thursday 21 g^ Louis. Our company consists of Chandonois the 
Interpreter, five Indians and two hired white men in 
all 9. We have 12 horses, one of which is to place an interpreter & 
guide on, whom we expect to take from Harmony mission Station. 
We are all armed with guns, and besides I have a brace of horse 
pistols. We proceeded 14 miles & spent the night at Fishwaters'. 
The men lodged in their tents, but I lodged in the house. 

Friday We nooned in the woods, & lodged in our tents, near a 
Aug. 22 house where we obtained some food for ourselves, but 
could not obtain a grain of corn for our horses, though we sent two 
of our men to another house in the neighborhood 

13. Pawnee. 

14. A mission in Bates county, Missouri, established in 1821 by the United Foreign 
Missionary Society. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 241 

Saturday We stopped in a little village Union, obtained breakfast 
Aug. 23 an d a f ee d f or our horses. Nooned in the woods In 
the afternoon met a man in the wilderness going 13 miles to mill, & 
prevailed on him to let us have about one bushel of corn for which I 
gave him 75 cts. This was all the grain we had for our horses at 
camp at night. 

Sunday We proceeded from Camp about 4 miles and pitched our 
Aug. 24 tents about % of a mile from a solitary and wretched hut, 
at which we obtained a little food for ourselves, but none for our 
horses. 

After breakfast, and the morning Service I laid down to rest & 
fell asleep, In the course of an hour & a half I arose and discovered 
that my beast was absent from the company. I immediately sent 
a young man on horseback in pursuit of her. He instead of pursue- 
ing the road we had come, listened to an idle story of the woman of 
the house and went in search of the beast in a direction of all the 
others the least promising. I had but just started this man when I 
mounted a horse myself and taking Chandonois, went in pursuit. 
The man at the house had that moment returned from the routfe] 
the beast went said two travellers had stopped at the farther side 
of a prarie a mile distant, to feed their horses They had told him 
that the beast had passed them, but the man who had come along 
the road had not met her. We proceeded in a gallop and passed the 
men before they had set off. They told me the beast had not been 
gone more than 15 minutes, & that she went directly along the road. 
We galloped on, believing she would stop where we had encamped 
the night before, and had fed the horses on the ground. 

But she had not passed that way, we returned and kept three or 
four persons searching for her till dark Beleiving that the two men 
who had seen her had caught her and concealed her in the wood?. 
We thought so because, they stopped at an undesirable place to 
graze or feed no traveller acquainted with the road as they were, 
would have stopped there because they could see a long distance 
back if any one was persueing the beast, because it was not likely 
that the beast would so scon have left theirs especially as they were 
feeding, ours being hungry for grain because she would not likely 
have left the road. We suspected the man near whose house we 
had stopped for having a hand in it, and we set three men to watch 
his house. They watched until some time in the night thinking he 
might go out in the night to convey the beast further off. But they 

163875 



242 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

made no discoveries. Those two men whom we had suspected had 
but two horses, yet our men discovered three places where horses 
had been fed, hence we inferred that one place was where they had 
caught our beast. 

I scolded some about the carelessness of the men while I was 
asleep. 

Monday Those two suspected men said they were going to a cer- 
Aug. 25 tain house on the road This evening a man overtook 
us who had lodged at the same house, and said the men 
had not been there. I am confirmed in the opinion that they stole 
the beast and conveyed her away in the night. I regret the lose 
much. I had bot. her myself, and for my own use on the tour. 
We nooned at the usual hour, and sleep I know not where. 

Tuesday Sent some hunters ahead early, but without success. One 
Aug. 26 killed one Turkey. Rested at noon reached the house 
of a white man near which we encamped & of whom we obtained 
corn for our horses, & our Suppers. We are on Gasconade river, 
about 40 miles below the mills 

Wednesday I bought a horse of Harrison for $45. By Banson of 
Aug. 27 g Louis who has travelled a day with us, I wrote to a 
number of persons respecting our lost beast, requesting aid in her 
recovery, and offering a reward of $10. We found a house at which 
we obtained something to eat for ourselves & horses. Encamped on 
a branch of Gasconade. 

Thursday Our new horse attempted to escape I sent two men after 
Aug. 28 hj m before day who caught him in the course of a few 
miles found another house today at which we obtained food for 
selves & horses. Encamped on the waters of grand Auglaize, a 
branch of the Osage river. 

Our Indians have daily tried to take some game but the grass and 
bushes are so high and thick that they had taken nothing larger than 
one turkey Until dark this evening, Gosa brought in a young bear, 
and reported that he had wounded the dam. This circumstance has 
raised the Spirits of them all 

Friday Three men went out & brought in the bear shot last 
Aug. 29 night or rather the hams & shoulders and even these 
were scarcely eatible it was so lean. 

On leaving our camp Noonday carefully covered the feet & some 
other pieces of the bears that were left, with brushes at the root of a 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 243 

tree. When I asked the reason for this Chandonois answered it was 
the Indian fashion that the bear in the symetry of its person so 
much resembled a human being that they were deemed a species of 
man, and on this account it was becoming in us to bury the remains 
of such as we killed. 

Yesterday we met in the wilderness a fair delicate looking youth 
in Shirt and panteloons, hat and moccasins. I made some inquiries 
respecting the way, and he did the same of me. At one o'clock 
today we reached a house on Osage river & learnt that the youth was 
a female who lived five miles below, who had taken it into her head, 
without letting the cause be known, to escape from her father's 
house in this disguise. Her parents were absent. Her friends had 
searched for her, particularly in the river supposing she had killed 
herself They at length noticed that some of her brothers clothes 
were missing, and thought they had discovered her track. Their 
first inteligence of her was received from us. She had told me she 
was going to Gasconade. She had 25 miles to walk to the 1st 
house and about the same distance to the next. 

Soon after leaving St. Louis we fell into a poor hill country ex- 
ceedingly stony. The stones in the road remarkably severe on our 
horses feet They are all square & pointed. They diminish in size 
from the very large rocks down to those of the size of a pea, and all 
the smaller resemble stone broken by the hammer for making a 
turnpike none assume a globular form. They are generally white 
flint. Among these sterile hills a few people are scattered, most of 
whom seem to have taken pains to settle remote from every body 
else. It is not surprising that such inhabitants should be less moral 
& refined than in many other countries, and that among them a 
female could undertake an exploit which would scarcely be ventured 
upon by her sex elsewhere. 

We crossed Osage river at 12 o'clock, nooned on Gravois Creek 
& ascended and encamped on the same. 

Saturday Just as I was ready to leave camp an old white man one 
Aug. 30 O f th e f ew m t n i s wilderness, came to request some medi- 
cine for a son sick of a fever, for which he said he had nothing to 
pay. I sent on the company, except one, unpacked a horse to get 
at the medicine and gave what I deemed appropriate. We had en- 
camped near a family of free blacks, one of whom I hired to pilot 
us 11 miles. Here we intersected a waggon road leading from the 
settlements on Missouri river to Harmony Mission Station. Had 
we crossed Missouri at St. Charles & ascended on the north side 



244 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

and re-crossed at Jefferson City we should have had a settled country 
all the way except about [blank in MS.'] miles of the road we are 
now on. Today we left the poor hilly country and have entered a 
beautiful, rolling, healthy looking region, delightfully varied with 
praries & wood-lands. We nooned at a creek, and encamped a little 
before night on account of water. Our hunters killed two turkies 
and a squirril, and wounded two deer neither of the latter was 
found. 

Sunday We rest in our tents attend the usual religious services of 
Aug. 31 f- ne day jj ac j ram tin noon. The weather has been very 
warm since we left St.. Louis, and it is now the most sickly and un- 
pleasant season of the whole year in these regions, yet my health, 
and that of all the company are preserved. I find myself, however, 
growing home-sick & impatient. The Indians also feel too much so. 
It is discouraging to us all, to be detained so long from entering the 
country we came to see. I feel anxiety about my people & place 
at home Lord take care of them and me ! 

Monday passed without any noticeable occurrence. Encamped on 
SeP- l Grand river. 

Tuesday In haste to get on to the Mission Station, did not unsaddle 
Sep. 2 a n oon Near night reached the Harmony mission. 
Sorry that three of the missionaries were absent. Was treated with 
kindness by those at the place pleased to see the place, apparantly 
& without doubt consecrated to promote the interests of religion, & 
especially among the poor Indians. If from appearances I was to 
Judge, I would say the preference in praise of the management 
should be given to the female department This has been obvious 
at other stations as well as this. While females labour in more 
obscurity than the other sex & under greater trials & discourage- 
ments they, I believe, usually perform their part best. 

At this place we had expected to furnish ourselves with supplies 
for 30 days. But such is the state of things that to our grief, we are 
told that we can obtain of flour no more than 30 pounds. The only 
alternative appears to be parched corn. I have stated the case to 
our company, and all declare their willingness to encounter the 
journey, and be satisfied with the fare. And say the flour shall be 
saved for me, while they will live on corn. 

Wednesday I saw Noel Mograin an old man of 65 a half Osage. 
Sep. 3. 1828 Speaks French but English imperfectly. He agreed 
to go with me as interpreter & guide, but insisted that I should take 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 245 

another old Osage. He said he had not expected to go the rout[e] 
I was taking that he was not well acquainted with the country. I 
at length consented to take the other old man. I inquired where his 
horse was, when Mograin pointed to the old man's legs and said 
there was his horse, one he had used many years. Our tent is pitched 
about half a mile from the mission on account of grass. Attended 
a prayer with the missionaries having breakfasted & dined with Mr. 
& Mrs. Austin & drank tea with Mrs. Jones. 

Thursday At day light a poor wretched Osage woman came to camp 
Sep. 4. sa d own by our fi r6j & se U p a hideous crying or howl- 
ing. This we understand to be her method of begging. We had 
nothing to give, except a little of our food. 

To our joy we obtained 69 pounds of flour instead of 30, & 100 
Ib. corn meal this with our corn w r e hope will be such as we can do 
with tolerably well. We procured pork, & salt, but no sugar we 
have partly a supply of our old stock. From this place I have, in 
obedience to instruction, written to Genl. Clark Wrote also to 
Mr. Bolles & to my wife I have been exceedingly hurried since 
I arrived here. Am much fatigued, and some distressed for want 
of sleep. 

About 9 oclock we set off our company now consisting of 11 
persons with 13 horses & Mograin's dog. Our old Osage had 
agreed to walk. He had Deerskin Moccasins and leggings, and the 
usual cloth, but was destitute of shirt, or any covering for head or 
body above the loins. Even hair on his head was scarce. He 
carried an old gun which I had had repaired for him, a horn and 
pouch & an additional pair of moccasins. His blanket, which was 
a mere rag, was thrown across his shoulder under his gun. A small 
bag that would contain a pint containing his smoking apparatus, 
was hitched under the belt of his cloth. Thus this almost naked 
old man of 60 set out on a six week's tour. We steered a little north 
of west, and soon were without any road. 

The weather which had been very hot since we left St. Louis, 
became cool on Sunday night, on Monday it was almost disagree- 
ably cold in the praries. Tuesday night and Wednesday night there 
fell white frosts which has killed the vegetation considerably. 

The season has been so exceedingly dry in this country that vege- 
tation has become so dried that we can see the praries burning in 
two or three directions at the same time. 

About noon we passed two Osage women, a girl, 2 boys, & two 
infants. They had three small horses, on one was seated a naked 



246 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

child of a year and a half old, and led by the mother. On another 
was seated the girl and on the third, a mother naked above the 
loins, & scarcely covered any where, and carrying in her arms a 
naked infant the hairs of all hung loosely. The above description 
approaches near enough to that of the others. The boys were naked 
one carried an old gun, & the other a bow. These wretched people 
were going in search of roots. In our Lake country the men & 
children are commonly naked in summer, but the females wear 
shirts. Most of the Osage women I have seen have been destitute 
of shirt. 

We did not stop until evening when we encamped on the Miry De- 
gein or Miry Swan river 15 which is the main branch of Osage 
river. A sluggish, muddy stream, though we are encamped on a 
limestone bank, & at a pretty ripple. 

We have now left the State of Missouri, & entered the Territories 
west. It therefore becomes my duty to describe the country through 
which we pass. So far it is a beautiful rolling prarie country, 
happily diversified with streaks of woodlands. Limestone appears 
on the sides of hills, and in the rivulets. 

This evening I was attacked with Dysentery. But had been so 
much fatigued with my two past day's labour, that when I could 
obtain a moment's rest, I slept soundly. At 3 oclock in the morning 
took a potion of Rheubarb & Magnesia. 

Friday Was not able to leave camp befor half past 9, & then 
^P- 5 scarcely able to sit on my horse. I had noticed yesterday 
that Mograin manifested some fears that our old Osage would 
desert us. He often stopped and looked back to see if the old man 
was on the way. We lent the old fellow a blanket to sleep on last 
night, & this morning informed him that he should ride part of the 
time. We had proceeded about a mile & a half, when we noticed 
that he was not in company. Mograin went back in quest of him, 
and fearing we should lose Mograin too, I sent Gosa back with him. 
By his track they discovered he had retraced our steps but they 
returned to us without him. I encouraged Mograin that we should 
get along well enough, & so proceeded. % past ten reached a large 
creek, which was muddy, and detained us an hour & a half in find- 
ing a crossing. At 3 oclock crossed another large creek near its 
Junction with Miry Desein and being very feeble and sick, en- 
camped on the former. Passed thro, a fine Limestone country as 
yesterday. In a few instances sand stones appear. The timber on 

15. Marais des Cygnes. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 247 

this river appears to be about a mile in width, & that along each 
large creek half a mile On smaller branches less and consisting 
chiefly of oak & hickory, with sometimes walnut & ash &c. The 
prarie bottom lands are usually covered with a beautiful grass for 
hay but we seldom find a quagmire. We ascended a high natural 
naked mound from which we saw the country on both sides up the 
river stocked with timber sufficient for support of a tolerably dense 
population. 

The nature of the soil of the praries may be compared with those 
on the Illinois river, and generally in the western parts of Illinois 
State. On the uplands, hills rise up to considerable hight, round 
oblong, &c. &c. exhibiting a singular appearance, because each seems 
to dwell alone, and because in general they are destitute of timber. 
These hills are peaks of Stone, which appear on the sides not in 
large masses, and sometimes on their summits. 

Deer are plenty. Yesterday our men had several shoots, as they 
rose and run before us, but took nothing except a squirril killed for 
me. Today Chandonois had killed a goose & a turkey before we 
encamped. 

Saturday Left camp at 7. Hunters last evening & this morning un- 
Sep. 6. successful. At 9, passed where some Sauks settled three 
years ago, but left again in compliance with the requisition of the 
Osages. We saw at a distance three or four of their old deserted 
huts. About 11 oclock I thought we were leaving the main river. 
I therefore turned to the left & descended a steep stony hill to the 
stream which was our guide. Mograin said it was the main Osage 
river. I did not think so, but as three of our men were out hunting, 
& fearing they would find difficulty in overtaking us, we went back 
into the prarie again and waited till they arrived having twice fired 
guns for them. When they came up I told Mograin that I believed 
the river lay more to the southwest, I therefore went ahead went 
directly across the stream he had called the main river, & proceeded 
southwest until we reached the main river. We then turned back 
into the praries again & proceeded till camping time. I made 
several attempts to get to the river in which we were prevented by 
stony bluffs. At a half past 5, we crossed and encamped on the 
south bank. Four hunters afterwards came up all unsuccessful 
except the taking of one turkey. My health somewhat improved 
but I am still afflicted with bowel complaint, and am weak, tho. not 
in much pain. Wood today has been more abundant than heretofore. 
High lands coming in nearer the rivers and creeks the timber often 



248 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

stretching out on to the hills. The hills more abrupt on the sides, 
from their tops spread out a beautiful rolling country. Slopes that 
wash, steep side hills, and all water courses, disclose a bed of lime- 
stone. The stone in appearance may be compared with the condi- 
tion of limestone in the limestone lands of the middle counties of 
Kentucky. The soil is almost universally rich darker than the 
timbered rich lands of Ky. and possesses the mellowness peculiar 
to limestone lands. The river, and Creeks here, though still too 
sluggish, are stony, and more clear than below. Springs we have 
seen none, along the river & creeks are fertile bottoms of timbered 
lands, covered with oak, ash, hackberry, walnut, hickory, honey 
locust &c. &c. But these bottoms in too many instances are sub- 
ject to inundation. 

Sunday Sep. 7 We remain in camp on the south bank of Miry 
Desein or the Osage river. Attend the usual religious 
services. But regret that the state of our provisions requires hunt- 
ing. Three men went out and by 9 oclock brought in two deer, 
which is an acceptable & ample supply. 

The river here passes about as much water only as would move a 
common grist mill. In most of the large creeks the water has been 
merely standing, and all the smaller branches are entirely dry. We 
have not seen a single spring of water. 

Monday I took Gosa early & rode into the prarie about three miles 
Sep. 8. m orc [ er to view a tract of land three parts surrounded by 
timber. We are encamped in a bottom of excellent woodland. Dur- 
ing our excursion the company had prepared to move. We heartily 
breakfasted & at % past 9 set off recrossed the river, and in a few 
miles bore to the left to see if we were following the main river, or 
a tributary. Mograin and Chandonois both inclined to think it was 
the main river. It was indeed little less, but discharged not more 
than a 4th so much running water. I steered directly across it & at 
5 or 6 miles distance ascended a Naked hill, whence we could ob- 
serve the course of the river. About one oclock in a woodland 
crossed a branch that a man could step across, about half a mile 
from its source in prarie in which was wholesome water with small 
fish in it, indicating that it had not been dry this exceeding drought. 
A mile & a half further crossed another similar rivulet with running 
water. Towards camping time bore towards the river, found it 
so exceedingly difficult descending a large creek, on account of grass, 
vines, &c. that we halted at 5. & I took Wesauogana, & went on foot 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 249 

and found the river in less than half a mile. Here the discharge of 
water is not quite sufficient at this time for a grist mill. It is a large 
creek in the Spring season. Its waters have assumed a wholesome 
appearance Its bed, as also all those of the Creeks & rivulets, is 
limestone. 

Timber today has been rather more plenty than heretofore, and 
we have passed over the same fertile, rolling, limestone kind of 
country that we did on Saturday last. My health much improved. 

Tuesday We left camp at a quarter past 8. In the course of about 
Sep. 9. two miles happened on a fine Spring of water running 
out from limestone rocks. At noon crossed a large creek running 
along side a steep hill of limestone. Here we stopped half an hour 
and ate a bite. Timbered bottom half a mile wide, very rich, covered 
heavily with black walnut, hickory, honey locust [MS. illegible], 
oak, some [MS. illegible] tree, mulberry, &c. Afterwards crossed 
two small creeks each affording water but not running. At 4 reached 
a large creek, spent an hour in finding a crossing, & at 5 encamped 
on its west bank. The bottoms of all the creeks wide and rich. The 
creeks this afternoon more muddy, less stone & less current than 
yesterday. Timber about the same as yesterday, land the same 
though with less stone to be seen. The country in which we en- 
camped last night, I supposed to be well watered with Springs. 

Wednesday Left camp a quarter after 8. In the course of four miles 
Sep. 10. crossed two small branches with considerable water, but 
no perceivable current. At one of them a sandstone rock appeared 
in the side hill. At one o'clock dined at a rocky creek. Water is 
now found in most of the rivulets so that it is not necessary to 
mention each occurrence. Timber was about the same as heretofore 
until towards noon, when, being near the source of the river, the 
quantity diminished. Untill at 5 we encamped at the last little 
grove on the stream we were following up. We had taken this as 
the main stream which we afterwards found was a mistake. Passed 
the same kind of high, rolling, limestone, fertile country as hereto- 
fore. By my map I had for three parts of the day supposed we were 
near the road leading from St. Louis to Santa Fee. Unwilling that 
our trail should be seen on that road, Chandonois and I kept ahead 
of the company. Seen much sign of Elk, and in the evening Gosa 
fired on one in a gang of eleven. After camping sent a man back 
to watch till dusk if any one was following our trail. At 11 we had 
crossed a large trail made a few days ago, but as it went north it gave 
us no uneasiness. Did not unstop the bells till morning. 



250 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Thursday I took Chandonois and early went forth to look for the 
Sep. 11 Santa Fee road, which we found at the distance of about 
three miles. We left camp at half past 9, In the course of about 
three miles crossed the stream marked on the map as the river, 
proceeded north west several miles and crossed the main stream, 
and proceeded west up the river on the south side and encamped at 
5. We have crossed many small streams today, generally with water 
in them. High country as before, less stone, land rich, but timber 
scarce. Only a small patch seen here & there, besides that on the 
river, which is sufficient to admit of a farm to about every three 
fourths of a mile along the river. 

By my map, the measurement of the Santa Fe road, made our 
encampment last night eighty one miles west of the state of Missouri. 
We have travelled since we left Harmony mission seven days, we 
suppose at an average of 24 miles per day making in our turnings 
168 miles. Several deer fired on today as they ran, none killed. 
Magaukwuk found bees in a tree near camp & climbed and cut with 
a Tomahawk & took considerable honey. The praries are burning a 
few miles above us, whence we infer that a hunting party is near. 

We find it often difficult to get through the briers, brush, & vines 
along the small streams. Sometimes we use the knife and sometimes 
the Tomahawk in opening our way through. We keep much in 
praries where, excepting the water courses, travelling is fine. 

I have for myself, a lonesome time. No one is with me who feels 
interested in the enterprize beyond his own immediate comfort, or 
with whom I can indulge as an associate. The Indians are exceed- 
ingly careless and improvident. Willing to do anything I tell them, 
but will not put themselves to the trouble of thinking. Like children, 
some of them think the distance great and appear to be somewhat 
home-sick. I almost daily show them on the map where we are, and 
whither we are going. Were it not for this, some would be ready to 
fancy themselves near the edge of the World. Upon the whole, how- 
ever, they are generally cheerful. The two white men hired as pack- 
men &c. are poor sticks & give me trouble. Scarce a day passes 
that I have not to reprove one of them, and sometimes threaten to 
discharge them there in the wilderness, I think however, that they 
are rather improving in their ways. Chandonois performs his part 
well, and is my main dependence 

Friday Our venison being exhausted, I informed the men that we 
Sep. 12 mus t lie here until they could take more. Four hunters 
went out early & remained till after seven without even seeing any 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 251 

game. This is remarkable since it has been so plenty in the country 
through which we have travelled, We suppose the cause is the prox- 
imity of Hunters, which has made the game scarce. Hunting & rain 
made it half past ten before we left camp. We proceeded Southwest 
in order to find a branch of Neosho river. Travelled thro, prarie. 
It rained on us considerably. At the distance of about 12 miles 
reached the stream we sought, a large creek with deep water, but 
at a ripple, at which we cross [ed] there was not enough running 
water to turn a common grist mill. Timber today seen only in small 
patches until we came to this stream. Here might be a farm on each 
side of the river at the distance of half a mile. The country high, 
and very rich, stone less. We encamped on the southwest bank, at 
3 oclock, after our men had shot four raccoons on one oak tree 
which they had ascended for the sake of the fruit, one of which was 
lost in the river. 

Sent out three hunters who returned at dark without game. Our 
company, except myself supped bountifully on their raccoons. 

We have now left the Osage river. The water in it and its tribu- 
taries is too stagnant. Streams for mills are abundant, but mills 
would be still in the dry season of the year. From our Saturday's 
encampment upward a distance of 70 miles on a straight line, there 
can be no want of spring & well water, below spring water ap- 
peared scarce, Timber is in plenty to admit a tolerably dense popu- 
lation for 75 miles west of Missouri State afterwards more scarce. 
The country promises health, except on the immediate banks of the 
larger streams, where it will be subject to Agues & fevers. The soil 
is almost universally fertile, and the whole supplied abundantly with 
limestone. It is the most sightly country I ever saw. I have seen 
no coal, but have not had time to search. I examined two banks 
which at a distance appeared to contain coal, but they were slate. 

Saturday Sent out two hunters who returned unsuccessful. Left 
Sep. 13. camp a[t] half past 8. proceeded southwest in order to 
reach another large branch of Neosho. In the course of 4 miles we 
crossed a pretty large creek in which Wesauogana shot a fish, as 
they said, for my supper. This creek is pretty much wooded, two 
other streams with timber are in sight, so that the country here will 
allow a tolerable settlement. We had left the creek about a mile 
when a large gang of Elk about 20 in number were discovered. A 
halt was called, and a brief council held, the result of which was that 
I & the two pack-men returned to the creek with six horses and all 
the baggage, and the other seven men, thus lightened, went on 



252 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

horseback in quest of the Elk, & while we wait by the baggage I 
make this note. 

At dusk our hunters returned, having taken one elk, and having 
enjoyed fine sport in chasing and shooting. No set of men could be 
better pleased than were those. And I was not much less so, for we 
were in want of meat, and I was very desirous that they should be 
allowed thus to enjoy themselves. This circumstance will go 
further in commending the country to them than a million of acres 
of rich land. 

Sunday We remain in camp. The men happy that they have 
Sep. 14 meat and marrow bones to the full. Religious Sendees 
morning and evening as usual on Sundays. 

Monday Rose at daylight & left camp at 7 oclock. The wolves 
Sep. 15 S t i e some O f our e jk meat last night, but we still have as 
much as we can take with us. We had proceeded a few miles when 
we discovered an Elk, all the men joined in the effort to take him 
except Mograin & I. Four of them fired at him, but he escaped un- 
hurt, for which I was not sorry as we should have been unable to 
save the meat. Saw a wolf, & again saw an Antelope, an animal 
few of us had ever before seen. Shawaunukwuk tried to take him 
but failed. At half past One reached a large branch of Neosho, 
which might be compared with St. Marys at Fort Wayne, though 
something larger. My map appears to be incorrect so that I am not 
able to decide which branch of Neosho this is. I supposed it to be a 
middle fork, but Mograin says it is the main Southern branch. We 
ate a little, and turned to the N. West & encamped on a large creek 
not many miles from the main river. We travelled W. S. W. until 
we reached this stream. On Thursday we beleived we travelled 15 
miles, on Friday 12 miles, Saturday 4, and this day 27 miles. Gosa 
shot deer a little before we encamped. We crossed many small 
creeks today. The country to our left sufficiently timbered to ad- 
mit a good settlement, but to our right was chiefly prarie. We 
passed over the same kind of high, limestone, rich country that I 
have heretofore described, water found in almost all watercourses, 
even those that are very small. The Bottom lands of this river ap- 
pear to be full three miles wide. Deer abundant, elk sign plenty. 

We had rain today which is disagreeable enough in these praries. 
About the time we reached the river, we crossed a trail of foot men 
going south, might suppose them to be 20 or 30 in number. Sign 
not recent. Supposed by Mograin to be a war party gone against 
his people, who mostly reside on this river below. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 253 

Tuesday Left camp quarter after 8. proceeded up the creek on 
Sep. 16 which we had s[l]ept, north, about 9 crossed & passed 
between forks of nearly equal size, Saw three antelopes lying on 
the side of the hill, stopped the company & three went to take them, 
but failed. These animals appear remarkably nimble in running. 
At 11 reached the Santa Fe road, and followed it eastward. Halted 
at a creek between 12 and one. I wished to ascertain at what point 
on the road we were and must therefore return until I find distances 
to correspond with the map. But in following the trail I left the 
surveyors marks, the latter being that only which would explain the 
map; we left the trail & bore N. east, separating, in order to find the 
mounds raised by the surveyors, but we did not succeed, then, bore 
due east. Near 5 oclock, an elk was discovered a little beyond the 
creek on which we intended to encamp. The men went in chase, 
there was a large flock, some of them ran near us. They killed a 
very large male Elk & one wounded a large Deer. The elk they pro- 
nounced too lean & old for use, tho. in fact it was pretty good, but 
we were not in great want, & brought only the horns to camp. This 
elk chasing kept us till nearly dark before we encamped. Our 
Indians are wonderfully delighted with their evening's sport. 

Mograin is a good natured, simple old man, of no manner of use 
to us than to add one to our number, & to be our interpreter should 
we come in contact with Osagcs or Kanzas, unless we add his 
capacity for lightening the loads of the packhorses which carry the 
provision. He says he never before travelled through this country 
which we are exploring. I am my own pilot solely. Yesterday we 
recrossed the Indian trail which we crossed on monday, & which 
Mograin pronounced the trail of a war party. Today I alighted 
and examined the trail myself and found it to be made in part by 
horses am sure therefore it is not the track of a war party, but of 
a hunting party, no doubt of Kanzas as it comes from that direction. 

The country today not quite so well timbered as heretofore, 
though sufficiently so to allow considerable population. In respect 
to soil, limestone, and situation, it resembles what we have hereto- 
fore described. 

Wednesday Four men went to search for the Deer wounded yester- 
Sep. 17 . - we 



could leave camp. We proceeded east until we again reached the 
Santa Fe road, which we kept until I supposed I had ascertained the 
point at which we were, which was 122 miles, due west, from the 
western boundary of State of Missouri. Here we steered north, 



254 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

from 12 till five o'clock, when we encamped as I beleived on the 
waters of Ne[os]ho which we had descended about two miles. Poor 
old Mograin is fairly lost, and supposed we were here on the waters 
of a large Creek we crossed the third day's travel from Harmony. 

This day's journey lying across the land dividing Neosho & Osage 
rivers from Kanzas, I had expected to find the country almost wholly 
destitute of wood. In this I have been happily disappointed. Tim- 
ber is more scarce than formerly but the country will admit a 
tolerable settlement the whole way. The country rises to the divid- 
ing lands. Then descends towards Kanzas. Still high, rich, and 
abounding in limestone. One of our horses lame, so that one man 
has to walk. Tuesday we travelled, we suppose 17 today 20. 

We have now left Neosho waters, which country needs no other 
description than to say it resembles that on the Osage, rather less 
timber, & perhaps better watered. It may justly be pronounced an 
excellent country so far as I saw it. 

Thursday Left camp before 8. In an hour's ride fell in with a 
Sep. 18 Kanza hunting, by whom learnt we were not far from a 

village. We found much difficulty in crossing a large Creek & some 
other branches. On the top of a high natural mount we discovered 
an artificial mound of stone, apparantly constructed from the same 
principles on which our earthen mounds are to the east. 

Coming in sight of two houses about two miles from the principal 
village, the inhabitants became alarmed, some of the women & 
children hid in the brush, and one man came running to a wood to- 
wards us for the purpose of securing his horses. He did not reach 
his horse until we were within fifty yards of him. I sent Mograin 
to speak to him who soon allayed his fears. We halted to take some 
refreshment half a mile from the houses, & sent the man, with some 
tobacco to inform the main village that we were coming to smoke 
with them. A woman presently came from the two houses with a 
kettle of boiled corn. After an hour we proceeded and after much 
delay to wait Mograin's tedious, & tiresome talkativeness to every 
one of the many Indians that met us, we encamped a mile & a half 
from town & went upon foot to talk, leaving the baggage in charge 
of the two hired men. At camp and every where else, men, women, 
children & dogs swarmed about us. We were shown into a large 
bark hut, which was immediately crowded as thick as it could be, 
with exception of a little room at each fire, such a scene of crowd- 
ing, of men women & children, talking, scolding, crying of children, 
a few good mothers singing to quiet them, dogs fighting & the con- 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 255 

quered begging aloud for quarters, I never before witnessed. Boiled 
corn in two large wooden bowls, supplied with a few Buffaloe horn 
spoons & ladles, were placed before us. 

Sixteen Pawnees had been there, who on hearing of our approach 
had left except three. I enquired for them, & as they were in a 
hurry to be gone, I gave them some tobacco, and a little friendly 
talk, to which they replied in similar friendship, and they departed. 
The Pawnees & Osages are hostile to each other. The Kanzaus are 
identified in language & friendship with the Osages. They are in- 
deed a band of the same tribe, they are afraid of the Pawnees, but 
appear to dread them less than do their brethren. I suppose these 
Pawnees thought I had some Osages in company, & on this account 
left as they did, leaving three of their numbers to learn the circum- 
stances of our visit &c. 

We smoked with the Kanzaus, & gave them some tobacco, & a lit- 
tle friendly talk. We were obliged to extend our voices in order to 
be heard amidst the continued noise & confusion. 

I then went to view the river. I should judge it to be over a 
quarter of a mile wide at this place, deep, the water of a milky ap- 
pearance, & running slowly between sand banks. It much re- 
sembles Missouri, tho. so much less, & is less rapid, & muddy. It 
passes between pretty high hills, & the country, as might be ex- 
pected, is more broken & hilly near the river. The land fertile, no 
limestone seen, but plenty of freestone, Timber too scarce but suf- 
ficient to allow a very considerable population. 

It was dark when I reached camp, the principal Chief & his wife 
both aged people, and many others came to camp. I had the chief to 
eat supper with me, gave his wife also, and a little to some others, 
gave the chief two or three pounds of flour at his request. And on 
preparing for rest, they all left us. One old fellow on our arrival 
had offered his service to assist in the work, &c. We accepted his 
offer merely for his gratification, & rewarded him with food & 
tobacco. 

The Kanzas appear to be more wretched than even the Osages. 
Men generally naked with exception of the small cloth & sometimes 
a blanket thrown over their shoulders. The women with a ragged 
piece of cloth about the middle, and some of them with a narrow 
piece of cloth passing awry over one shoulder & under the other arm, 
to conceal the breasts, which is commonly held over them with one 
hand. But many of the women were wholly uncovered above the 
waist & below the knee. Boys entirely naked, girls, with a piece of 



256 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

cloth about the middly. They were much pleased with our visit, & 
very friendly. 

I am instructed to pass thro, the country north of this river, but, 
it is remarkable that, I cannot hear of one single canoe, or other 
craft for crossing anywhere on the river. These people, if ever they 
cross, swim or cross on rafts, With my lazy company I do not think 
we should be able to construct rafts, & get ourselves, &c. across in 
less than four days. I cannot lose this time. Indeed the time al- 
lowed me is so far gone that I must bend my course towards St. 
Louis. This is the upper Indian town on the river, & consists of 
about 15 houses. It is 125 miles due west of Missouri State. 

Friday Left camp before 8, took a road down the river, a few miles 
Sep. 19 from it, towards other villages. In the course of 10 miles 
passed between two small villages, travelling a little north of east. 
At one oclock, stopped to dine, sent some tobacco to the principal 
Kanzau village, now in sight, say 7 miles off, by two Indians who 
have accompanied us from above. While we left the road & bore 
south east, in order to see the country on some large creek, which 
lay before us, and, to endeavor to procure some meat. It was dusk 
when we reached a suitable camping place. 

We had travelled five or six miles after we parted with the mes- 
senger sent with tobacco to the village, when an Indian came riding 
to us at full speed, from the village, which now must have been seven 
or eight miles distant, He was entirely naked from head to heels 
except the breech cloth. Had no other business he said than to get 
a little tobacco. This we gave him and went on. An old chief he 
said had started with him, but finding the chase too long had become 
discourage [d], & went back. 

Timber of the Kanza river is sufficient to allow a dense settlement 
for four or five miles on each side. It appears well watered. Small 
creeks, & rivulets are numerous, and wooded, and watered. 

Saturday The rain which commenced in the night continueing the 
Sep. 20 men were no t called up early. It was so wet that they 
seemed disinclined to hunt. Chandonois killed a turkey near camp, 
& at 10 we proceeded on our way, eastwardly crossed a large creek 
near camp. On this creek we find both limestone & free stone. The 
wind blew all day so severely that travelling in the prarie was almost 
impracticable. About the middle of the afternoon a violent wind 
and rain overtook us. We were favored in being at that moment 
in a wood, & being able to secure most of the baggage from wet. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 257 

Six of the men were hunting three came to us half an hour after 
the storm. The other three were a little lost, but reached us after- 
wards with a fine deer. We are much favored by providence, in 
being allowed to stop at a place favourable for resting on tomorrow, 
being well supplied with grass for horses, and we are now well sup- 
plied with meat. 

The country continues the same in appearance. Except that the 
lands, though excellent, I think are not quite so rich as on Neosho. 
Wood scattered in streaks & groves all over the country. We are 
now about 70 miles due west of State of Missouri, & 15 south of 
Kanza river Yesterday I suppose we travelled 30 miles, and today, 
20. 

Since we left Neosho, Mograin has said he supposed, from the 
circumstance of our seeing antelopes, &c. that we were near to the 
Buffaloe. He says he was afraid to tell us so at the time lest we 
should be inclined to go further west, which he was afraid to do, 
lest we should fall in with enemies. He had all along given it as 
his opinion that it was a long distance to Buffalos. The night we 
lay farthest west some ravens were croaking about us till pretty late 
in the evening. The old man said that from that circumstance he 
judged that enemies were near. 

Sunday Remained in camp, religious Service morning & evening as 
Sep. 21 usua i on Sabbaths. 

Monday Left camp at 8 Steered eastwardly, but at length found 
Sep. 22 t^ hiijg so s t e ep & rocky, and the brush & vines so thick, 
that we bore to the south west in order to head some branches. We 
were in sight of Kanza river, tho. perhaps ten or 12 miles distant. 
About 12 oclock we fell into the Santa Fe road unexpectedly for, 
by the map the road at this place was 35 miles from the river, and 
we had been turned off from the river by the broken land which 
bordered there on. The road appears not to correspond with the 
map. We followed it till after 4, a south east, or rather S. S. east 
course when we turned to the North east, found an encamping place 
& halted. While in the road we were on the dividing ridge between 
Kanza & Osage rivers. The country descended with gentle slopes 
toward Osage, but broke of [f] in abrupt hills towards Kanza. The 
hills are generally two or three times as high as the trees in the low 
grounds, very steep & rocky the vales covered with timber, stretching 
frequently to the tops of the hills. From the hilltops the land passes 
off beautifully rolling level enough for cultivation. Between the 

173875 



258 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

hills on which we were & Kanza there appeared a large tract chiefly 
prarie, 150, or 200 feet lower than the hills. Along the hills facing 
Kanza is more wood than is common at the sources of the streams. 
We are encamped in a tract of woodland along side of which I think 
we have travelled ten miles. This woodland lies across the sources 
of many small rivulets. Wood today has been much more plenty 
than we have heretofore seen it. The country high, healthy, & rich 
with abundance of limestone. This excellent tract of Kanza land 
lies adjoining the better parts of Osage, which we were on about the 
7th 8th & 9th September. Much sign of Elk & Deer, Hunters 
brought in three turkeys in the evening 

Tuesday Left camp at 8 and by the compass travelled all day 
Sep. 23 North east, stopped at 12 rested % of an hour and en- 
camped at 5. In the forenoon we had freestone, and land somewhat 
sandy, In the afternoon limestone. Crossed many small creeks, 
& lesser streams in all which was water. Country high & rich re- 
sembling the better part of Osage. Timber about as plenty as seen 
on the more plentiful days. 

Wednesday Left camp at quarter past eight. Rested % an hour 
Se P- 24 at noon. Followed a trail made in the summer until 

about 11 oclock when we fell into an old Indian road which we kept 
until 3 oclock we reached the first Shawanoe village. The men 
mostly were absent, hunting, &c. We gave them some tobacco & 
proceeded to another settlement of Shawanoes on the line of Mis- 
souri. Sorry that Shane the Interpreter was absent. His wife, who 
is a member of the Church at Carey, was absent in the neighborhood. 
We pitched our tents a little way off. 

After a few miles in the morning, wood has been plenty though it 
might be said that we were in the wood of the river, extending 8 or 
10 miles therefrom, tho. not in a solid body. The country high & 
rich with Limestone in abundance 

Travelled on monday 27 miles Tuesday 25 Wednesday 28. 

I have now returned to the border of the Indian Territory. It is 
proper therefore to take a retrospect of our tour therein. 

I have been favoured, in general with good health have been 
favoured with pleasant weather, have been comfortably supplied 
with food, and not allowed to meet any material accident or loss. 
Our horses look nearly as well as when we left St. Louis. 

The country we have explored, I am ready [to] pronounce ex- 
cellent. It is admitted that timber is too scarce, but by a judicious 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 259 

arrangement in settlement, a vast population can be conveniently 
situated. There is great sameness in appearance of the country. 
High, rich, healthy in appearance, stone for building, & for lime in 
abundance. Water without scarcity all over the country, for com- 
mon use of man & beast. Mill streams in abundance but all fail in 
the dry season. We might expect water-works to stand still for 
want of water, in general, 4 or 5 months in the year. There is 
scarcely a quagmire in all the country. I saw only one pond of 
water, & that covered about an acre of land. Most travellers seek 
the higher and more open lands, because it is exceeding troublesome 
getting thro, the timber, brush, & vines, along the watercourses. The 
hills rise generally once, twice, & thrice, as high as the trees in the 
low grounds. The sides of the hill are often abrupt, and on the top 
becomes sufficiently level for cultivation. On these accounts one 
may pass at a short distance from a grove of timber at a water 
course, the streak of wood one fourth, one half or even a mile in 
width, and scarcely [MS. illegible] the bough of a tree. The country 
therefore has been reported to be more scarce of wood and water 
than is the fact. It is remarkable too that because there is but 
little timber on the uplands, travellers looking over prarie as far as 
sight could reach, have fancied the country to be level, when, if the 
whole country were timbered they would report it to be as high & 
rolling as the middle counties of Kentucky. The ri[vers?] are 
broader & the slopes of tillable land more gradual than generally ID 
Kentucky. 

Notwithstanding there is so little wet land in the country, yet 
grass for hay can be obtained in abundance especially on Osage & 
Neosho. 

In settling the country, lands should be so laid out that to each 
home should be allowed 50 or 80 acres of wood-land, and then as 
much prarie back as should be necessary. Hogs will thrive in any 
country while new, but this country will not be particularly favour- 
able to the growth of that kind of stock after the country becomes 
thickly settled, it is too high & open. It will always be remark- 
ably well adapted to the growth of sheep & cattle. This will be the 
principal business of farmers. On the settling of Indians there, a 
small field to each will be sufficient. That is, a little larger than will, 
in that fertile soil, be enough to furnish his bread and vegetables. 
The extensive grazing & hay of the praries will supercede the neces- 
sity of farm pasturage and meadows. 

I extended mv tour west of Missouri State 140 miles on a direct 



260 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

line as measured on the map. Say 160 miles the nearest way that 
could be travelled, and within 60 miles as measured on the map, of 
the place where the Santa Fe road crosses Arkansas river, 16 and not 
more than 50 miles from that river at a point lower down. I think 
I have been enabled to form a pretty just estimate of the country 80 
miles in width, and 150 from east to west, making 12,000 square 
miles or 7,680,000 acres. How much further west the country is in- 
habitable I am not able from observation to say. 

The country of the Shawanoe, near the mouth of Kanzas river is 
best supplied with timber. On the upper branches of the creek of 
Kanzas named on the map Wahusa, 17 and opposite, south, & near 
thereto on Osage river, is the most desirable country for a good 
settlement, & in that region I am inclined to hope for a mission 
Station, & perhaps the seat of government of the Indian Territory, 
say from 30 to 70 miles due west of Missouri. 

And now, thou father of the fatherless & friend of the poor. 
Grant that in these deserts, where, with a few, I have been allowed 
the privilege of bowing the knee, and lisping a song, prayers & 
praises may arise from the thousands of a people Saved by Thee! 
and all the glory all the Glory shall be Thine. 

The Shawanoes arrived in this country last Spring late. They 
consist chiefly of about one half of those who resided at Waupaug- 
konetta in Ohio, some from Merimack, in this State, some from 
Lewistown, 0. & elsewhere. With some aid from government, 
chiefly in food & clothing, & farming utensils, they are in three or 
four settlements or villages putting up with their own hands very 
neat log cabbins. 

Thursday Took breakfast with our sister Shane, happy to hear her 
Sep. 25. O f ner own accorc i readily speak of religion, and lament 
that there was not much of anything like it in their country. I 
find too that she maintains an excellent character. 

Mograin now chose to return home, & I had no further need of his 
services. I therefore paid him. But his horse had left the company 
last night, and having no bell on, could not be found this morning. 
I was anxious to proceed to the town of Liberty, to which place I 
had directed all my papers to be sent. At 11, I therefore took one 
man, and leaving the company to search for the horse, set out, 
crossed Missouri about six miles below the mouth of Kanza river. 
The Kanzas do not pronounce this as usually written. Their pro- 

16. McCoy probably referred to the first point at which the Santa Fe trail touched the 
Arkansas river, in present Barton county. The first crossing was in present Ford county, 
about 280 miles west of the western line of Missouri. 

17. Wakarusa. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 261 

nunciation is truly Kan'-zau, & for Osages Wos-soshe'. We travelled 
21 miles & reached Liberty at sun-setting. No news of the southern 
Indians. Seven letters from various members of my family, and one 
from Rev. Cone. 18 Thankful to hear of the health & comfort of my 
family. Cone manifests his usual interest in our affairs, and assures 
me of his readiness to co-operate in carrying forward our designs. 

Friday I remained at Liberty. In the evening the company ar- 
Sep. 26 rived having found Mograins horse. The old prophet & 
other Shawanoes called on our people after I left them and had con- 
siderable talk, some of our Indians accepted an invitation of the 
Shawanoes to attend a dance with them that night. I left tobacco 
for the Shawanoes, some of which I left in care of Shane. 

Saturday Left Liberty about 8 oclock and travelled about 28 miles 
Sep. 27 to near Richmond (Martin's) 

Sunday Did not travel. 
Sep. 28 

Monday Set off at 7 crossed Missouri, travelled till 5, and made 
Sep. 29 32 miles Lodged at Estis'. 

Tuesday Left at 7 oclock, travelled 32 miles to Shackleford's. 
Sep. 30 

Wednesday It was a half past 9 before we could be ready to travel, 
October 1 Crossed Missouri Near Chanton and reached Fayette sun 
an hour high. I sent the company on a few miles, as we had only 
travelled 21 miles today, and because it is unpleasant stopping them 
in a town where there is whisky, which Chandonois and the hired 
hands are as much inclined to drink, as the Indians. 

Hoping that I and Mr. Lykins with our families will be able to 
come to this country next Spring for the purpose of commencing 
our missionary operations in the west. It is desirable that we, ere 
that time, have some place selected at which we may temporarily 
locate our families while we prepare houses for them in the wilder- 
ness, and that we have a friend to whose care we may, if we choose, 
direct some property. I had hoped to find an eligible situation 
nearer the frontier, but was discouraged in the attempt by the ap- 
parent sickliness of the country above. Pleased with the situation 
of this town and country I have stopped here tonight to attend to 
that business. I engaged Mr. Wm. Wright of this place, & he com- 
mends a Mr. Samuel of Franklin as consignee. 

18. Spencer H. Cone, member of the American Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. 



262 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Thursday I set off very early. In about 4 miles overtook my com- 
Oct. 2 pany, breakfasted with them and proceeded about in all 
today, 33 miles, to Wilburn's, where I stopped very much fatigued. 
I feel much worn down with my journey ings, and greatly in want 
of rest. 

Friday Resumed our journey at a half past six, and travelled 39 
Oct. 3 miles to McMurtry's. 

Saturday Set off at 7 and made 42 miles, to Taylors. Today I met 
O ct - 4 A. Shane, Interpreter for Shawanoes, on his way home. 
Sometime ago I heard that Shane was much dissatisfied with me. 
In my absence to the east in 1823-4 Mr. Polke, then a missionary, 
employed Shane to accompany him to see the Ottawas on Grand 
river, and encouraged Shane to expect a situation, in the mission 
which circumstances afterwards did not admit of. Shane left his 
place 40 miles east of Fort Wayne, & brought his wife and children 
to Carey, where I found them on my return, but about that time 
they concluded to return. Neither Shane, nor any one else, told me 
the amount of his expectations. I paid him for his services to Mr. 
Polke to the extent of the agreement. Mr. Polke did this with the 
best intentions, but fact proved it to be an unfortunate plan and I 
was sorry to hear that Shane, who has influence with the Shawanoes 
in this country should be dissatisfied with me. Yesterday I con- 
versed with him on various subjects, & I mentioned what I had heard 
he had said in Ohio respecting me, and let him know that I was 
confident that I had always acted as his sincere friend. He ap- 
peared abashed, as well he might be. Did not deny, nor pretend to 
justify what he had said, nor even repeat the reasons for his dis- 
satisfaction. But said, "We'll drop it," reached to me his hand in 
token of friendship, of which he re-iterated assurances, and declared 
that he had always spoken well of me in this country. 

I am glad to have this matter settled, which was one (& I viewed 
it as a serious one) of the difficulties which had grown out of the 
circumstance of employing unsuccessful missionaries. 

Shane informs me that the southern Indians are daily expected 
at St. Louis. There is therefore great probability that instead of 
being allowed to proceed direct to the embraces of my family, I must 
turn about and make another tour in the deserts. Disappointments 
& delays, and the supposed state of affairs at Carey & Thomas, 19 
render me distressed. A treaty has been held there since I left, which 

19. Baptist mission for the Ottawa Indians on Grand river, 40 miles east, of Lake Michigan, 
established by Isaac McCoy in 1826. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 263 

circumstance deeply involved the interests of the Mission. I have 
heard that Mr. Slater, dissatisfied that he could not be allowed to do 
as he pleased, had gone to New England to see the Board. I had 
heard of his being on the way back, & that Dr. Bolles 20 was in com- 
pany intending to examine the state of things at the stations, and to 
attend the treaty. The burden of affairs have been greatly increased 
on the brethren at the stations, particularly at Carey, and more 
especially must the labours of Mrs. McCoy & our daughter, have 
been increased. Mrs. Simerwell has been absent, with Mr. S & 
Mr. Bay has been a journey to Ohio which must have taken several 
weeks so that much of the time no male missionary was there except 
Lykins, and for a long time no female missionaries except my wife 
and Mrs. Lykins. 

I had hoped to be able to be at Washington next winter and to 
have visited the Board, &c. and to have reprinted an enlarged edition 
of My Remarks on Indian Reform, 21 preparatory to our coming to 
this country, & to provide for the situation of Mrs. L and to afford 
a little rest to my wife, during my almost constant absence, I had 
hoped to remove them from Carey, to Ohio, or elsewhere for a few 
weeks, & then allow them time to visit their relations What now 
will become of our plans, & arrangements, I cannot guess. My mind 
is filled with anxiety. I am unworthy of favour, yet I am in many 
respects favoured to Him with tears, I appeal for help, for my- 
self & family to Him who has been our help in days that are past, 
and who is our hope for days to come. what should I do had I 
not a God to go to, and to whose care to commit my dear lonely 
companion, and our dear babes, the mission & all connected there- 
with! Here alone I find comfort. But since the friends of the 
Indians are so few their miseries so great, & their destruction so 
menacing who would not toil & suffer in support of this work of 
benevolence ! O that God would prepare me for all the duties of this 
service. 

Since I left St. Louis I have not employed much religion. I have 
had a troublesome company to manage. Have had no associate, I 
have been very lonely. My mind seems to have assimilated too 
nearly to the wildness of the wilderness. I cannot generally enjoy 
myself in prayer. Prayer and other religious services are accom- 

20. Lucius Bolles, corresponding secretary, American Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. 

21. The first edition of this pamphlet was printed by Lincoln & Edwards, Boston, Decem- 
ber, 1827; a second edition, with appendix, was printed by Gray & Bruce, 224 Cherry street, 
New York, 1829. The expense of printing the latter was borne by McCoy, the Baptist Board 
of Foreign Missions having declined to pay costs because of disapproval of certain statements 
in the appendix. The manuscript of the work is owned by the Kansas State Historical Society. 



264 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

panied by too little reverence for him whom I profess to serve. 
Sometimes however I am blest with a comfortable engagedness. 

Monday We set off very early, Crossed Missouri at St. Charles, 
Oct. 6 travelled hard, and till in the night, made 46 miles and 
reached Mr. Browns, my former lodgings 12 miles from St. Louis. 
Here my acquaintances received me with much friendship. It has 
been forty seven days since I set out from this place. The beast 
that escaped from me on the [24th of] Aug. had been brought in to 
St. Louis and is safe. The four Creek Indians whom I left here 
when I started, are still here. 

Tuesday After over-hauling our baggage & making some arrange- 
Oct. 7 ments preparatory to sending my company of Indians 
home, I rode in to St. Louis, and made a brief written report to Genl. 
Clarke. This is the 50th day since I left this place. 

The southern Indians have not yet arrived but are daily expected. 
I have therefore no prospect but of being under the necessity of 
turning about and making another tour. 

(Copy of my Report to Genl. Clark) 

St. Louis, Mo. Oct. 7, 1828. 
"Sir 

In obedience to your instructions I wrote you from Harmony mission station. 
I informed that I had commenced my tour at St. Louis the 19th August. I 
have this day returned to this place, having been absent 49 days. 

On leaving the State of Missouri I proceeded westwardly up the Osage 
river, generally on the north side. Passing the sources of Osage we bore 
South west across the upper branches of Neosho until we intersected the main 
river at a point eighty miles south, and 127 west of the mouth of Kanzas 
river, and [a]bout 25 miles southeast of the Santa Fe road. We then bore 
north west until we reached the Santa Fe road sixty miles from Arkansas 
river, and 140 due west of this State. These estimates are made according to 
measurement on the map, and not according to distances travelled, survey of 
the road, &c. We turned eastward along and near to the Santa Fe road, to a 
point due South of the upper Kanzas village, then travelled north to said 
village on the Kanzas river, 125 miles west of this State. 

I had been instructed to cross Kansas river and to return on the north side 
thereof, but the Indians informed me that there was not a canoe or other craft 
on the river. My time was then so far consumed that I deemed it inadvisable 
to incur the delay that would be occasioned by crossing on rafts. I therefore 
proceeded eastwardly near to the southern limits of the Kanzas reservation, 
and came down to the Shawanoe settlement near the mouth of the Kanzas 
river, varying in our journey north and south 40 miles. Thence I came on the 
most direct rout[e] to this place. 

There is great similarity in the appearance of all parts of the country we 
explored. It is generally a high rolling country, exhibiting a healthy appear- 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 265 

ance. Stone, and almost universally limestone sufficiently abundant for use. 
The soil exceedingly fertile with scarcely the occurrence of an exception, and 
possessing the mellowness peculiar to limestone lands. We suffered no in- 
convenience from want of water, but found it happily distributed in the creeks 
& smaller streams all over the country, though not much running. Streams for 
mills and other water-works are abundant, but all these would fail in the more 
dry season of the year. Wood is too scarce, especially beyond the distance of 
sixty miles west of this State; and ten miles south of Kanzas river, neverthe- 
less I suppose the whole country is supplied with groves, and streaks of timber 
sufficient to sustain a considerable population, if judiciously located. I 
persuade myself that the scarcity of timber in this country is not so great as 
has been sometimes reported. The wood is chiefly along the watercourses. 
The hills, which sometimes are abrupt though sufficiently level on top, and 
other uplands formed by gentle ascent generally rise once, twice, or thrice as 
high as the timber in the low grounds. Travellers usually avoid crossing the 
watercourses as much as practicable because of the unevenness of the way, the 
brush, and the rocks, and hence most of the timber is unseen by one passing 
hastily through the country uninterested in the matter of wood. It would be 
fortunate for this country, if, in its settlement surveys should be so made that 
to each farm should be allotted so much timber only as would be necessary, 
and let the residue be prarie. 

The Putawatomies and Ottawas whom I conducted, while they lament the 
scarcity of wood, and especially the almost total absence of the sugar tree, 
pronounce it a fine country. 

On our tour we came in contact with Osages, Kanzas, Pawnees, and 
Shawanoes, the kind treatment received from all whom is pleasantly acknowl- 
edged by our party. 

With the exception of a few warm days at the commencement of our tour, 
the whole has been pleasant and our Indians, I am happy to say, have re- 
turned with fine feelings. 

I have the honour to be 
With great respect, Sir, 

Genl. William Clarke Your Obt. Servt. 

Present." Isaac McCoy" 

Tuesday Since our return to the settlements I asked Noonday 

Oct. 7. 1828 if ne thought the country on Osage river, &c. was a 
suitable place to settle the pupils of our schools, and for the location 
of the southern Indians, &c, and he replied in direct terms, "yes, it 
is a good country for such purpose." He cannot bear the idea of 
leaving Michigan. Having discovered the others pleased with the 
country he had repeatedly mentioned objections, such as the scarcity 
of wood, of sugar tree of bark for bags and twine, and of bulrushes 
for mats, &c. Gosa tells me all that passes among them, and I had 
occasionally made remarks which were intended as replys to his 
objections. Gosa goes so far as to say that Chandonois also has 
endeavoured to discourage them, and has not only found fault with 
the country but said that should the Indians settle in it, they would 



266 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

soon be driven thence by the influx of white population. Notwith- 
standing all which Gosa has, of his own accord, frequently told me 
that he had resolved to come to this country should I come. He 
further assures me that Wesauogana, Magaukwuk, and Shawaunuk- 
wuk, also, all say the same. I am bound to be thankful that I have 
so much reason to beleive that, notwithstanding all the disadvan- 
tages under which the tour from Michigan has been made, appear- 
ances so far promise the result desired. 

Wednesday Col. Manard one of the Commissioners who treated 
October 8 w ^ ^he Putawatomies at Carey since I left has 
brought me a brief communication from Mr. Lykins. I am sorry 
it is so short, but it was written at the breaking up of the treaty & 
when all no doubt were much hurried which is the apology for its 
shortness. Some land has been purchased of the Indians, & some 
favourable provisions made for the mission. 22 The particulars will 
be inserted when they are better known. I was exceedingly busy till 
12, when not waiting to dine, I rode back to my lodgings in the 
country, 13 miles. Where I was busy till bed time. 

Thursday I took eight horses, and fixed our five Indians & the little 
girl whom the Ottawas found here in the summer, and 
who has ever since resided at Mr. Browns where I provided a place 
for her, and after a busy morning, set off at 11 o'clock for St. Louis, 
intending to send the Indians home. Chandonois last Sunday, with 
Magaukwuk went ahead to spend the time with some acquaint- 
ances. The former has received a fall from his horse, and is unable 
to travel. Both, no doubt were drunk, Magaukwuk has lost several 
articles. Shawaunukwuk got drunk yesterday in my absence. The 
Creeks here drink very much also. I am glad that our Indians are 
likely to go without Chandonois. He is a murderous fellow, and in 
a frollick on the road might kill some of them. His horse has a 
severe wound on the head made no doubt with a tomahawk in an 
attempt of Chandonois to kill him. 

On reaching St. Louis I entered upon business of fitting out our 
party &c. & continued busy till bed time. 

22. Article 6 of the treaty which was concluded September 20, 1828, and ratified January 
7, 1829, was as follows: "Circumstances rendering it probable that the missionary establish- 
ment now located upon the St. Joseph, may be compelled to remove west of the Mississippi, 
it is agreed that when they remove, the value of their buildings and other improvements shall 
be estimated, and the amount paid by the United States. But, as the location is upon the 
Indian reservation, the commissioners are unwilling to assume the responsibility of making 
this provision absolute, and therefore its rejection is not to affect any other part of the 
treaty." Treaties Between the United States of America and the Several Indian Tribes from 
1778 to 1837, compiled by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, 1837, 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 267 

Friday I paid our Indians according to agreement at the rate of 
Oct. 10 $IQ pr m0 nth from the time of leaving their homes until 
they can return, In addition to this they have received Clothing to 
a considerable amount, each of them a new gun blankets, & sundry 
small articles for travelling. To Noonday I gave an old horse 
saddle, & bridle, &c. and to the others horses at half their value so 
that to each one was given $15 20, or 25, in the value of their 
horse, besides, saddle, &c. &c. So that each has received, since he 
entered by service near $200. in cash, clothing, &c. &c. 

I was extremely anxious to get started today, lest the Putawa- 
tomies should begin to drink. I had prepared every thing by one 
oclock, when they said they wished to see Genl. Clarke, I went with 
them. After they said they were ready to go, they loitered so that 
it was near night before we crossed Mississippi. I rode about 5 miles 
and slept at Belsha's at which place we arrived in the night. 

As I am much worn with riding on horseback, Cap. Kennerly has 
lent me a horse & gig. 

They had considerable talk with Genl. Clarke after I left them. 
I suppose they had begged something of him. I returned to hurry 
them off and the Genl. told me he thought I had better give them an 
additional blanket and perhaps something else. I told him that they 
had already been amply rewarded. However at his suggestion I 
gave each of them a first rate blanket, and one good one to the 
girl. 

Saturday I made about 25 miles. White inhabitants on the road 
Oct. 11 are now scattering. Here I have completed my supply of 
provisions for them. Gave them additionally $10. to bear their 
travelling expenses, and, as they were anxious to be going, and 
deemed it most advisable for them to be on the road, at 11 o'clock on 

Sunday They proceeded. Here we parted they and I both ex- 
Oct. 12 pressing & feeling affection. I trust the Lord will return 
them in safety to their people. I have go[od] reason to beleive that 
their journey will be a means of promoting in no small degree, the 
objects of our labours among them. All except Noonday say they 
are determined to go to the west, and that they will take with them 
some of their friends. Two of them told me this morning that by me 
on my visiting Washington, they wished to make a communication 
on this subject to the President, in which they would be joined by 
many of their friends. 

I have great reason to be thankful to God that notwithstanding 



268 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

all the disappointments and delays, so that none others have yet 
seen the country we were to explore, yet all the objects of the tour 
in relation to the Putawatomies & Ottawas have been fully accom- 
plished, and promise a favourable result. 

By these I have written home to my dear family & brethren from 
whom, for a few years past I have been much absent. This is a 
great privation! I feel much anxiety of mind. that the Lord 
would strengthen me for my work, and enable me to endure hardness 
as a good soldier! No one not in similar circumstances can form an 
idea of my anxiety. Lord sustain my lonely companion in life, 
& preserve our dear babes and older children ! 

III. STATEMENTS OF EXPENSES OF THE TOUR 

Carey, July 1. 1828. 

The following articles were furnished by the Mission for the use of Indians 
on the exploring expedition being second hand and repaired. 
3 Coats, 5 vests and 3 pr. pantaloons 

5 pair socks and 2 pair suspenders 

2 Shot pouch straps 1 hunting shirt & Coat 

1 vest and 2 pair Socks 

1 pair pantaloons Belt & shot pouch Strap 

6 Saddles 3 saddle Bags, 6 Bridles 6 saddle blankets & 
6 circingles 

1 saddle, saddle bags, bridle saddle Blanket circingle 
and Buffalo robe 

1 Pack saddle circingle & Bridle 

5 Bell Collars & 2 Leather hobbles 

9 Bags Buffalo Robe Deer & Bear skin 

100 Ib flour 4 Tin Kettles 1 pan 8 cups 1 canteen 

2 spoons & pepper Box 
one musquito Bar 

2 Rifles & 1 heavy shot gun with pouches & horns 

1 Ib Tea 2 Ib Coffee 1 pr socks & 14 Ib sugar 

2 blankets 

For the above mentioned articles McCoy Received of the U. States $261. 81% 
which is accordingly Credited on the mission book for Sep. 1829. 

Fayette, Mo. Sep. 8. 1829 
Isaac McCoy 

Isaac McCoy 

to David Walker 
1828 To Ferriage of 7 men & 8 horses 

July 10 mouth Fox river 50 cts 

Reed payment 
David Walker 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 269 

Isaac McCoy Bot of 
William Holland 

22% Ib. bacon @ 8 cts $2.81 1 /4 

Reed, payment 

Farm Creek, near Fort Clark 

July 10. 1828 

Wm. Holland. 

Springfield, 111. July 12. 1828 
Bot. of A. G. Herndon 

12 Ib. sugar 2.00 

20 " flour 40 

2.40 

Reed, payment 
A. G. Herndon 

Isaac McCoy 

To Samuel Wiggins Dr. 

For ferriage at St. Louis 8 horses & 7 men $3.87^ 

St. Louis, July 16, 1828. Reed, payment for Samuel Wiggins 

Benjamin Ground 

Isaac McCoy 

to John Cormack Dr. 

For keeping 8 horses one night, & for provisions 

for company $1 .25 

Reed, payment 
[MS. torn] Edwardsville, 111. July 16, 1828 

John Cormack 

Isaac McCoy Dr. 
to J. Baum 

July 22 Repairing Coat for Gosa, Ottawa 2.00 

1 Sett Buttons . .1.00 



$3.00 

Reed, pay St. Louis, July 23, 1828 
[Original] J. Baum 

St. Louis, City Hotel 
The Revd. Isaac McCoy Dr. 

To G. S. Greene 

Expenses necessarily incurred for entertainment of self 
and a party of Indians on an exploring expedition to the 
west. 



270 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

1828 

July 16 To supper & lodgings for self 62% 

17 " one bottle Madiera Wine 2.00 

" washing of peices 56% 

" Do. 24 Do. for Indians 1.50 

22 "Do. 8 Do. for self 50 

23 " Two bottles Madeira Wine 4.00 

" 7 days board and lodgings for self 7.00 

" 6 days entertainment for one interpreter and five 

Indians at $1. pr. diem for each person as pr. 

contract . .36.00 



11 one weeks keep of 1 Horse 2 .00 




54.18% 
Received Payment 

Geo. S. Greene 

St. Louis, Aug. 14. 1828. 

Magaukwok Coat $6.50 

3 brevetts 1 .00 

Wesauogana Hkf 50 

Noonday Hkf 50 

Shawaunukwuk.. .vest .. 2.00 



10.50 

Reed. Payment 
Saml. Waddell 

The United States 

To Henry Crossle Dr. 

For the following No of Horses furnished Capt George H. 

Kennerly as leader of a party of Indians &c on an exploring 

party west of the State of Missouri & Territory of Arkansas 

authorized by the last Session of Congress. 

For 1 Roan Mare $38.00 

1 Gray Horse 40.00 

1 Roan Horse 75.00 

1 Bay Horse 35.00 

$188.00 
St. Louis August 14th 1828 

Received of the Revd. I. McCoy One Hundred and 
eighty eight dollars in full of the above a/c 
$188. Henry Crossle 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 271 

The United States 

To Robert Payne Dr. 

For the following No. of horses furnished Capt Geo H Ken- 
nerly as Leader of a party of Indians &c on an exploring party 
west of the State of Missouri & Territory of Arkansas. Au- 
thorized by the last Session of congress. 

For 1 Large Sorrel Horse $80.00 

" 1 Dark Bay Horse 60.00 

1 Light Sorrel Horse 75.00 

1 Dark Sorrel 65.00 

" Light Bay ditto 95.00 

" 1 Dark Gray ditto 83.00 

1 Black ditto 65.00 

$523.00 
St. Louis August 14th 1828. 

Received of the Revd. I. McCoy Five Hundred & 
Twenty three dollars in full of the above a/c. 

R. Payne 

Approved [Signed duplicate] 

Wm Clark S. I. Af. 

For the service of an expedition to the West Isaac McCoy 
Bought of me one Horse for which I have this day received 
sixty Dollars. 

St. Louis County, Missouri, 

August 15, 1828 
$60.00 (Duplicate) Lewellyn Brown 

Revd. Isaac McCoy 

Bot. of Joseph Charless Senr. 
% Ib. Best Lima Bark @ 1 $ .25 

2 oz. Blister Plaister 18% 37% 

3 Nutmegs 

4 oz. Ess. Peppermint & Phial 

2 oz. Calomel & vial 37 

1 oz. Jallap & vial [MS. torn] 

% Ib. Epsom Salt [MS. torn] 

1 Small bottle Gas [MS. torn] [MS. torn] 

2 drs. Opium [MS. torn] 

$2.23 

Reed. Payment 
St. Louis, Aug. 19. 1828. 

Jos. Charless Senr. 
Isaac McCoy 

To Samuel Worthington Dr. 

For accommodations for himself and party of eight, with 12 

3, night & morning $3.62% 

Reed. Payment 

St. Louis County, Missouri 

Aug. 22, 1828 

Saml. L. Worthington 



272 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

The Reverend Isaac McCoy 

Dr. 

1828 on an exploring expidition to the west, To John Brown 

July 24 To boarding self & 5 indians four weeks 

at 175c per week each 42.00 

To Interpreters Board 3 weeks @ I75c 5.25 

To 7 horses kept 4 weeks @ 1$ per week 28.00 

To 1 horse one week do 1 . 00 

To 9 horses kept 3 weeks and 5 days @ 1$ pr 33.75 

To keeping sorrell mare one week @ 1.00 

To washing 2 doz & 5 pieces per self @ 50c 1.25 

To whng 6% dozen per Indians @ 62% 4. 06% 

To washing 10 blankets per do @ lOc 1.00 

To heming 2 handkercheifs per do . 12% 

To paid for shoeing 2 horses 2.62% 

To 25 Ib flour @ 3c .75 

To 30 Ib Buiscuits @ 5c 1.50 

August 25 To 1 Bacon ham 12 Ib @ 8 cents .96 

To 1 Midling bacon 11 Ib @ e^c .68% 

To 3 horses one night @ 25c .75 

To 2 men 6 meals @ 12%c . 75 

To % Ib Tea 1.00 

" 5 quts Salt @ 25c 1 Rope @ 25c .50 

126.96 

Received payment in full of the above account from the 
Revd Isaac McCoy 
[Original] John Brown 

The United States 

To Thornton Grimsley Dr. 

For the following number of Saddles, Bridles, pack Saddles 
Halters & Hobbles furnished Capt George H Kennerly as 
leader of a party of Indians &c on an Exploring party west of 
the State of Missouri and Territory of Arkansas. Authorized 
by the last Session of Congress., &c 

1828 

Augt26th For 6 Common Saddles @$6.60 $39.00 

1 ditto ditto 10.00 

6 Bridles 50c 3.00 

12 Pack Saddles 3.00 36.00 

1 Bridle 2.50 

14 Halters 1.00 14.00 

12 Hobbles .50c 6.00 



$110.50 

Received St. Louis Augt 26th 1828 of the Revd. I. McCoy 
One Hundred & ten dollars and fifty cents in full of the above 
acct. 

(Signed duplicates) 

Thornton Grimsley 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 273 

Isaac McCoy 

To Thomas Gibson Dr. 

For Dinners, horsefeed and 10 Ib. bacon $2.50 

Received Payment 
Gasconade, Aug. 27. 1828 

Thorn. Gibson 
Isaac McCoy 

To James Wilson Dr. 

For Dinners & horsefeed for party & 

11 Ib. pork $2.50 

Received Payment 
Grand Auglaize, Aug. 28. 1828 
James Wilson 

Isaac McCoy 

To Edmund J. Carter Dr. 

For provisions for party, and piloting 
five miles $1.50 

Received Payment 
Gravois, Cooper County M. 

Aug. 30. 1828 
Edmund J. Carter 

1828 Rev. Mr. McCoy and party Dr. to Harmony Mission 

Sep. 4th To 1 bushel Corn @ 1.00 pr. bush $1.00 

Blacksmith's bill 25 

1.25 

Reed, payment for said Mission 
D. H. Austin 

St. Louis September 10th 1828 
The United States 

To William King Dr. 

For Hunting and finding one sorrel mare on the Merrimack 
River lost by the Revd. I. McCoy while on an exploring ex- 
pedition west of the State of Missouri & Territory of Arkan- 
sas and bringing her to St. Louis $15 .00 

St. Louis 1828 Reed, of the Revd. I. McCoy 

Fifteen dollars in full of the above acct. 

(Signed Duplicate) 

his 

William X King 

Witness mark 

Henry Crossle 



183875 



274 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Isaac McCoy 

To Wm. Everett Dr. 

For ferriage of himself and man & two horses on Sep. 25 

and Do. 7 men & two horses on Sep. 26 $2.50 

Received payment, Clay Co. Missouri 
Sep. 25. 1828 
Wm. Everett 

The United States Indian Dept. 

To Leonard Searcy Dr. 

For 2 Gentlemen ten meals $2.50 

" 2 Horses thirty six hours 1 .50 

" 8 Horses for one night 1 .00 

7 Suppers and Breakfasts 3.25 8.25 

Reed. Liberty Sept. 27th 1828 of 
the Revd. Isaac McCoy the sum 
of eight dollars and twenty five 
cents in full of the above act. 

L Searcy 

Isaac McCoy 

To Joseph Erwin Dr. 

For ferriage across Missouri river of himself 

& eight men and 12 horses $2.50 

Received payment 

Jack's ferry, Ray County, Mo. 

Sep. 29. 1828 

Joseph Erwin 

Isaac McCoy 

1828 To Wm. B. Martin Dr. 

Sep. 29 To accomodations for self and eight men & 

12 Horses, 2 nights & one day $10.00 

Received, Richmond, Ray County, Mo. 
Payment in full 

Wm. B. Martin 

Isaac McCoy 

To A. A. Evans Dr. 

For ferriage across Tabbo creek of himself & 
eight men and twelve horses. 

Reed, payment 

La Fayette County, Mo. 

Sept. 29. 1828 

Abner A. Evans 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 275 

Isaac McCoy 

To Littlebeny Estes Dr. 

For suppers & breakfasts, &c. for himself .& 
eight men, and the keeping one night of 

twelve horses $7.50 

Received payment 
September 30, 1828 
Little B. Estes 

Isaac McCoy 

To Noel Mograin Dr. 

For services as interpreter to Osage & Kanzas, and 
for the use of horse from September 3d. to 
Sep. 30th inclusive, being twenty eight days at 

$1.50 pr. day $42.00 

Received payment in full 
Shawanoe village 
September 30. 1828 

his 

Noel X Mograin 
mark 

Isaac McCoy 

To Thornton & Thrash Dr. 

For ferriage of himself and eight men and 

twelve horses $3 . 00 

Received three Dollars in payment 
Chariton County, Mo. 
Oct. 1. 1828 

Thornton & Thrash 

Mr. Isaac McCoy 

To William Wright Dr. 

1828 To supper 25 

Oct. 2 " Horse 37V 2 

" Lodgings 12V 2 



.75 cts 

Received Payment 
Fayette, Oct. 2. 1828. 
Wm. Wright 



276 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Isaac McCoy 

To Jonah H. Shepherd Dr. 

For 4 bush, of corn @ 37% $1.50 

4 Dozen bundles fodder 25 1.00 

Supper for eight " 2.00 

Breakfast for nine . . " . 2.25 



$6.75 
Received six Dollars 75 Cents 

Howard Co. Mo. 
Oct. 2. 1828 

Jonah H. Shepherd 

Isaac McCoy 

To Levy McMurtry Dr. 

9 suppers @ 25 $2.25 

9 breakfasts 2.25 

11 horses all night 25 2.75 

$7.25 

Received seven Dollars and twenty five Cents in 
payment. Callaway County, Mo. 

Oct. 4. 1828 

Levy McMurtry 

Mr. Isaac McCoy 

To Roger Taylor Dr. 
Oct. 4th. 5th. 1828 

9 suppers @ 25 2.25 

9 breakfasts " 2.25 

1 lodging 12% 

12 horses per night 25 each 3.00 

6 dinners 25 1 .50 

10 Horses pr. day 12% each 1.25 

10 horses per night 25 " 2.50 

7 breakfasts 25 each 1 .75 

1 lodging 12% 

14.75 

Reed. [MS. torn] 1828 of Mr. Isaac McCoy fourteen 
Dollars & seventy [MS. torn] cents, Montgomery 
County, State of Missouri 

Roger Taylor 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1828 277 

Isaac McCoy 

To George Belsha 

For supper & breakfast for himself & six Indians & 
for one lodging and the keeping one night of 

nine horses $4.87% 

Received four Dollars 87% cts. in full 

St. Glair County II. 
Oct. 11. 1828 

G. Belsha 

Isaac McCoy 

to Gaius Paddock Dr. 

For two meals for six Indians @ 25 $3. 00 

The keeping one night of eight horses. . @ 25 2.00 

63 Ib. pork @ 2% cts. . . . 1.57% 

3 meals, 2 lodgings & keeping horse two nights 1.50 

$8.07% 
Received eight Dollars 7% cts. in payment 

Madison County II. 
Oct. 13. 1828 

Gaius Paddock 



The First Kansas Band 

EDWARD BUMGARDNER 

TN THE early records of the Kansas Academy of Science the name 
A of Joseph Savage occurs frequently. He was the pioneer explorer 
in the fertile field of Kansas paleontology. As a boy he lived at 
Hartford, Vt., where he was a member of the village brass band. 
On Sunday, August 26, 1854, he suddenly decided to emigrate to 
Kansas. One party of New Englanders had already availed them- 
selves of the reduced rates secured by the Emigrant Aid company, 
and had reached the site of Lawrence. Another party was to leave 
Boston on the 29th of that month. Mr. Savage made his way to 
Boston, arriving there on Tuesday. When he went to the station 
the next day to join the party bound for Kansas he was surprised 
to find his brother, Forrest Savage, and two cousins named Hazen, 
who were also members of the Hartford band. At the last moment, 
they too, had decided to go to Kansas. They were carrying in their 
hands their four musical instruments "one e flat copper key bugle, 
one brass post horn in b flat, one b flat cornet, and one b flat 
baratone." 1 

There was considerable excitement at the station. A large crowd 
was on hand to bid the emigrants farewell. Whittier had written a 
poem especially for the occasion. This had been printed on cards 
and distributed among the people in the crowd. Some one dis- 
covered that the meter of the poem corresponded to "Auld Lang 
Syne." The four Vermont boys took up that tune wtih their horns, 
and as the train pulled out the voices of the Kansas emigrants and 
of the people remaining at the depot, led by the four instruments, 
were united in singing: 

We cross the prairies as of old 
The Pilgrims crossed the sea, 
To make the West as they the East 
The homestead of the free. 

The route of that second party of New Englanders bound for 
Lawrence was a little different from what it would be today. 
They went from Boston to Buffalo by rail, from there to Detroit 
on a lake steamboat, from Detroit to Chicago by rail, to the 
Mississippi river over the Chicago and Alton Railroad which had 
just been completed, down the river to St. Louis on a Mississippi 
steamer, and up the Missouri by boat to Westport Landing. 

1. The Kansas Memorial (Kansas City, Mo., 1880), pp. 160-162. 

(278) 



BUMGARDNER: FIRST KANSAS BAND 279 

At different points along the way through the North, people as- 
sembled to see the "abolitionists," and were entertained by the 
playing and singing of the Kansas hymn. The song had become 
immensely popular as soon as it was published. No sooner had the 
party boarded the boat at St. Louis, however, than profane threats 
against the Yankees warned them that the song of freedom must be 
taboo on the long journey up the Missouri river; but when the 
little band relieved the monotony by such selections as "Annie 
Laurie" and "Oft in the Stilly Night" there was no interruption. 

At Kansas City wagons and equipment were bought and the 
emigrants started on the last lap of their journey to Lawrence. 
Walking beside their loaded wagons, the four Vermont boys led 
the procession across the Kansas line playing patriotic airs. As 
they passed Shawnee mission they took up again the song that was 
not welcome in Missouri. 2 

After arriving at Lawrence they became the nucleus of the first 
musical organization in Kansas. 3 Often that fall the settlers would 
assemble on pleasant evenings to listen to national airs played by 
the little band and to sing hymns and Sunday school songs to its 
accompaniment. 

Gradually new members were added to the band. 0. Wilmarth 
soon came out from Rhode Island with a clarinet, and Mr. Harlow 
from Vermont with a melodeon. Thus reenforced, they furnished 
music for the first Fourth of July celebration in Lawrence in 1855. 
This celebration was held in a grove a mile northwest of the town. 
It was the first festive occasion after the settlements in Kansas were 
started. By primitive modes of travel, including a train of wagons 
from "Kennedy valley" 4 drawn by eleven yoke of oxen, settlers 
came from every direction until the greatest crowd of white people 
thus far seen in the territory had assembled. The Delaware and 
Shawnee Indians had been invited and many of them were present. 
They appreciated the antislavery attitude of the New Englanders. 
After he had heard "Home, Sweet Home," "Yankee Doodle" and 
"Hail Columbia," Pechowkee, a dignified old Delaware chief made a 
speech of welcome in which he said, "We are glad that our white 
brothers do not come to us with the trumpets of war, but with the 
sweet flutes of peace and civilization. The Indian, too, loves 

2. Susan D. Alford, "The Old Band," The Atlantic Monthly, January, 1929, p. 31. 

3. Although the author has found no records of them there may have been military bands 
at Fort Leavenworth or other posts in Kansas territory, but he believes this is the first band 
of any kind organized in Kansas. 

4. Andreas, History of Kansas, p. 318. 



280 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Liberty; the tree of liberty has been watered by many an Indian 
with his blood." 

It was but a few months afterward that the owners of the cornet 
and clarinet were called upon to play the Portuguese hymn or "dead 
march" for the funerals of Thomas Barber, Captain Shombre and 
other martyrs of the Free-state cause. 

By the spring of 1856 the pioneer band was fairly well organized. 
Samuel, Edward and Fred Kimball, three brothers from New 
Hampshire, became interested and proved to be good musicians. 
Samuel Newhall came out from Boston, John Ross beat the bass 
drum, Abram Wilder the tenor drum, and they were led by Leonard 
Worcester. Often during the troubles of 1856 they were called upon 
by Gen. James Lane to provide martial music to stimulate enlist- 
ment in the volunteer militia for the protection of the town. 

The band grew in numbers and prospered until 1863. In March 
of that year the Kansas conference of the Methodist Church was 
held in Lawrence. In honor of the event the Methodist Sunday 
School arranged for a concert in which the band took a prominent 
part. 5 

About this time a movement was started to secure new instru- 
ments for the band. Gov. Charles Robinson headed a subscription 
list to raise the necessary funds, and the band gave a series of open- 
air concerts to encourage contributions. At last their hopes were 
realized. A set of fine new silver instruments was received from 
Hall, of Boston. As soon as they had been tested the members of 
the band were anxious to appear in a public recital with their new 
equipment. It was a good band. Patient drill had made the 
members proficient and they were able to render harmonious music 
under the direction of their new leader, Mr. McCoy, from Ohio. 
Proudly they assembled on the evening of August 20, 1863, and 
gave a concert from a platform that had been erected on the spot 
where the great Shunganunga boulder now stands. 

Several times that evening they were called upon to respond to 
encores. It was high tide for the old band. Little did the players 
or the listeners dream of impending disaster. The next day Law- 
rence was destroyed by Quantrill. Fred Kimball, E. P. Fitch and 
another member of the band were instantly killed, and their di- 
rector was so injured that he died soon afterward. For more than 
a year the survivors had but little time or heart for music, but at 

5. Kansas State Journal, Lawrence, March 19, 1863. 



BUMGAEDNER: FIRST KANSAS BAND 281 

the time of the Price raid in October, 1864, they went to the front 
as a militia band and served on the border for two weeks. 

Another noteworthy service was performed in June, 1867, when 
the old band had the honor of assisting in the exercises of the first 
commencement of the University of Kansas. 

On September 15, 1879, the remaining members of the band 
assembled and played for the last time. It was the twenty-fifth 
anniversary of the arrival at Lawrence of that New England party 
which left Boston in 1854 singing Whittier's "Kansas Emigrants," 
and they had been called together to furnish music for the old 
settlers' meeting at Bismarck Grove. Samuel Kimball still lived in 
Lawrence. Samuel Newhall came from Ouray, Colo., where he 
was interested in mining. Leonard Worcester came from Greens- 
burg, Ind., where he was a dealer in musical instruments and 
leader of a band. Forrest Savage and Joseph Savage came in from 
their farms near Lawrence. The music furnished by the old band 
was one of the most appreciated features of that quarter-centennial 
celebration. 

The last survivor of the band was Forrest Savage. He died at 
his home in Lawrence August 17, 1915, in his eighty-ninth year. 

6. Lawrence Journal-World, August 18, 1915. 



Letters of a Kansas Pioneer 
1855-1860 

(Continued) 
THOMAS C. WELLS 

Juniata K. T. Sept 28/56 
My dear father, 

WE ARE as well and as busy as ever, and though we have but 
little time for letter writing I will try to send a few lines home 
as often as I can, that you may know how we are situated in these 
troublous times. 

As yet we have had no fighting in our neighborhood, and the war- 
below affects us, only, in that it cuts off in a great measure com- 
munication with the states, making provisions very high, except 
what we can raise ourselves, and taking all the troops and horses 
from Ft. Reiley we have not so good a market for our corn etc. I 
am mistaken it affects us much more than this, it prevents settle [r]s 
from coming among us, and filling up the country thereby putting 
[off] for a year or two at least, the growth of our cities and villages, 
and it tends greatly to discourage the settlers that are here from 
building churches or school houses, engaging extensively in any 
business or, indeed, making any improvements. 

We do not wonder that you are alarmed for our safety when you 
read the newspaper accounts from Kansas, they are frequently 
exagerated however and more frequently inaccurate as to names of 
places and numbers of people engaged in battles etc but they are 
more always founded in fact and sometimes do not statfe] the 
case nearly as bad as the truth would allow. 

Sometimes we think that the future looks dark, but generally we 
keep up good courage and hope for better times At all events we 
(I mean our free state settlers) are determined to "stick to the ship 
until we know she is lost" and whether we remain in Kansas or not 
we will do all we can, to prevent slavery from coming hither. If 
we may credit the latest news from below our new governor has 
turned decidedly against us, has been taking prisinors free state 
men and calls out the troops to assist the Missourians and their 
allies in enforcing the shameful, bogus laws, and in driving the free 
state Settlers from their homes. 

But whether it be true or not that our governor Sides with our 

(282) 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 283 

enemies, they are making all the mischief, committing all the out- 
rages & murdering or driving out all the free State people that they 
can. I am surprized to learn from you that so many, even some of 
our "near relatives are such blind slaves to party or such selfish 
seekers for office as not, to believe the stories of or wrongs, or care 
whether the advocates of liberty or oppression triumph. They may 
get their reward, but I pity them, and would not give a three cent 
piece, for their friendship or their patriotism. 

But I must close will write more soon as practicable and I hope 
to hear frequently from you. 

House is not finished yet getting most out of patience. 

Would be glad to have you sell that stock soon as you can for I 
shall need the money much. 

My letters being directed tb a pro-slavery P. 0. generally come 
regularly. Yours truly in haste 

T. C. Wells 

Manhattan, K. T. Oct 19th 1856 
My dear Mother 

We very gladly received a letter from you last Friday, we got no 
letter from any one week before last and by some mistake we got 
none last week when we first went to the office, but afterwards two 
letters, one for Theodore from Lissie Sheldon and one from you, 
were sent to us. 

I have been expecting to receive more drafts from home for two 
or three weeks, and if they do not come soon I shall hardly know 
how to get along, for I have calculated upon getting them and I 
really need the money. Theodore has decided to go home this fall, 
with Mr Wilson, Nealley etc who are going east to spend the 
winter with their friends; but if I do not receive the drafts from 
home I do not know how I can get the money for him. It will be as 
much or more than I ought to spare even if they come. 

Everything is quiet now in the territory, no fighting, and no 
trouble hope it will remain thus quiet but I fear that we may 
have more trouble again after the presidential election in the States. 
Thus far our new governor seems to act impartially. 

I am sorry father was not able to go and see Mr. Todd. He is one 
of our nearest neighbors and I think he would have liked him much. 
Mr. T. has returned with his wife and little boy, and his wife's 
brother and they are now keeping house on their claim the third 
one north of mine. 



284 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Providence permitting we shall be married before Theodore starts 
for home, probably on the Thursday previous. Theodore is the only 
relation that either of us have in Kansas. Ella wishes she could 
have some of her folks here at that time if at no other. 

I expect to harvest my corn this week, I think I shall have 275 
or 300 bushels, and I expect to get 25 or 30 bush, potatoes and two 
or three bush of beans we have gathered two or three wagon loads 
of winter, squashes crooknecks etc and have quite a lot of beets 
yet in the garden. 

I wish you and father and little Herbert were here to share some 
of the good things with us, prairie hens will be plenty, once in a 
while we may get a wild turkey, or a deer, and we can buy dry 
buffalo meat of the indians ; but in the absence of all these we have 
beef, and there is no beef like that raised on the Kansas prairies. 

Is Henry at Beloit now? we have not heard from him in a long 
time, and we know not where to write to him. 

You will be really lonely when Mr. Reeds family and Fannie 
Burdick go away I think you had better move out here and settle 
near us in Kansas ; It would not cost father so much to get started 
as it has me for he could use my horses, oxen, wagon, plow, etc. 
etc., that I was obliged to buy, until it may be convenient for him to 
get such things for himself, and after the first year or so he would 
have quite an easy time, and I doubt not that both his health and 
yours would be better here than there. 

Come now make up your minds to come out here and bring the 
Lyme folks with you, or at least, after Theodore gets home and 
learns enough about the Bank to get along alone for a few weeks 
say by next June, send father out west on an exploring expedition. 
The journey will do him good, even if he should decide to go back 
and spend his days in R. I. nothing would be lost, and I assure you 
we should be very glad to see him. 

How does Gillies get along with the Printing Office? We reed a 
letter from him not long ago and I will try to answer it soon. 

Is there any prospect of the Baptist Church geting any one to 
take Mr. Reed's place? Do you have any preaching in the Episco- 
pal church now? 

Emigrants come in every week and soon all the good claims will 
be taken up, so that none can be had without buying. We expect 
a very large emigration in the Spring. 

Love to friends and I hope you will write often and oblige yours 
truly, T. C. Wells. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 285 

Manhattan, K. T. Nov. 2d 1856. 
Mrs. T. P. Wells 

My dear Mother, 

I did not write home last week for I had enough else to occupy 
my time. 

The past week has been an eventful one to me, on Thursday even- 
ing last (Oct. 30th) Ella and I were married. Everything passed 
off very pleasantly; 'twas a beautiful day, not a cloud to be seen, 
and all the guests that were invited came, except two, and they were 
quite unwell; sixteen, besides ourselves and the family in whose 
house we were married, were present, and that is doing pretty well 
for Kansas, for you must know that they all had to come from one 
to five miles over the prairies jn the dark and several of them got 
lost and wandered about for half an hour or more before they could 
find the house. 

Ella has made her home at Rev. Mr. Traftons during the past 
six months; he is a Methodist Minister, ordained only week before 
last at Lawrance; he married us, the first job of the kind he has 
had, and he did his part well. 

Both he and his wife have been very kind to us, and we regard 
them as our very best friends in this far off land. 

We are boarding with them for a few days as our house is not 
quite ready for us. We hope to move into it toward the last of this 
week. 

We would not have hurried matters quite so much had not 
Theodore been intending to start for home on Tuesday, next, and 
as he was the only relation that either of us had out here, we wanted 
him to be present when we were married. 

I assure you that I have no reason to regret my choice, nor do I 
ever expect to have, and I hope I am, I know that I ought to be, 
very grateful to my Heavenly Father for so good a wife. 

How little do we know of the future ! Little did I think two years 
ago that I should now be living in this distant land, and married 
to one of whom I had never heard, a perfect stranger, but so it is. 

I feel more than ever that all things are ordered by a higher power, 
and He doeth all things well. 

I suppose that Theodore will start, with Mr. Wilson and Mr 
Nealley, for New England, on Tuesday. 

I have had considerable trouble in raising the money for him to 
go, for times are rather hard here now and money is very scarce. I 
tried to collect some in several places where it was due me but was 



286 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

unsuccessful!. I then tried to sell some of my Manhattan stock, but 
could find no one ready to buy just then. At last I made a raise by 
hiring it of Mr. Wilson for a few months at a pretty high rate of 
interest. 

Father wrote me a long time ago that he would sell the remainder 
of my stock at Landholders Bk. and send me the proceeds, and I 
have been looking for the drafts for several weeks had they come 
as I expected I should have had no such trouble. 

I [t] takes a great deal to do a little in a new country and I hope 
the drafts will come soon for I really need them to pay for what I 
have been obliged to get trusted. I am getting a very good start 
here now and if I can once more get "squared up" I think I shall 
have no difficulty in keeping so and doing something better to'o 
another season. 

My expenses have been much greater than I expected since I 
have been here this time. I have been obliged to pay a board bill 
of six dollars a week for myself & Theodore besides one dollar a 
dozen for washing, and my house has cost me more than I expected 
etc. etc. and the man who engaged to furnish me with rails disap- 
pointed me so that I did not get my field fenced and the stray cattle 
have harvested considerable of my corn for me which is not very 
pleasant, but I hope I shall do better another season, for I shall not 
have quite every thing to do. We shall feel rather bad at parting 
with Theodore, but I think it best both for him and us that he should 
go, for though he does as well perhaps as any young fellow of his 
age would do, yet he needs a father's care, and we do not really 
need his help. I hope he will have a safe journey home, and that he 
will do his best to help father this winter. 

After a little while now I do not expect to be so driven with work 
as I have been, and shall try to write more frequently to my east- 
ern friends 

How is Doct. Clarke now? I have written him a long while ago 
but have received no answer. 

I wish that you and father could come and make us a good long 
visit when we get settled in our new home, it would be so nice; 
but I would like still better to see you settled near us in a home of 
your own. We did not know that Theodore would certainly start 
on Tuesday until yesterday afternoon, for I was not able to get the 
cash for him until then; so that will account for his clothes being 
in no better condition, but I am glad that he can go now for I would 
rather he would go with Mr. Wilson than most any one else. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 287 

Theodore will tell you all the news when he gets home, so I need 
not write more. We send a few cards by him, they are not just 
what we wanted, but you must remember that we are in Kansas and 
we got the best we could, we sent east for some others, but they 
have not come yet, and we may not get them at all should they come 
however. I think they will be better than these and we will send 
you some of them. Give Herbert a kiss for me and remember me 
to old friends. Where is N. Read Jr now? I would like to know 
where to direct a letter to him. Ella sends love. 

Yours truly from your afiVt son, 

T. C. Wells. 

We are short of envelopes, so I send three cards in yours one for 
Lissie and one for Henry, and I will put in two more for Grand- 
father and grandmother Johnson and Mr & Mrs Denison. We did 
not get as many cards or envelopes as we wanted. We had to send 
east for them and had to take up with what we could get We can 
get none printed here. I think you will give me credit for writing 
a good long letter this time and if I had time I could write as much 
more. T. C. W. 

Mrs. Thos. P. Wells, Manhattan, K. T. Nov. 16/56 

My dear Mother, 

I have before me your letter dated Oct. 4th the last which we 
have received from home or any where else ; I should have said, the 
last that I have received, for Theodore has left us, and Ella got 
two letters from her friends last week. 

I have been anxiously expecting a letter from home containing 
drfts. for several weeks past but have been disappointed thus far 
and if the dfts do not come pretty soon I do not know what I 
shall do. 

I saw Mr. Randolf, the gentleman that carried Theodore and 
Mr. Wilson etc down to the states, last Friday, and was glad to 
learn that finding a boat at Leavenworth, they were able to proceed 
immediately on their journey, without any delay and that he left 
them all well and in good spirits. 

We both rniss Theodore a good deal, and should miss him much 
more had we not so much to occupy our time and thoughts. 

We moved into our new house last Saturday, Nov 8th rather a 
queer time to move, I own, but "circumstances alter cases" 'tis said, 
and we thought that in this case circumstances would justify our 
moving, and I believe we were right in thinking thus. 



288 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Twas a cold day, the 8th of Nov., the ground was all covered 
with snow and it seemed very much like winter. The house was 
just as the carpenters had left it, only partly finished, doors only to 
one room, neither lathed or plastered, the floors all covered with dirt 
and shavings, and everything in "sweet confusion." 

In the morning Mr. Browning and myself put up the cook stove 
in our parlor-kitchen-dining room-and-sitting room, and I moved 
over some of our things from Mr. B.s with an ox team, and with the 
same I brought over in the afternoon the remainder of our things 
from Mr. Trafton's, and Ella. We arrived at our house at about 
four o'clock, and set up a bedstead made a bed, and arranged our 
things a little, during the evening so that we got along quite com- 
fortably until Monday, and Ella has been very busy all the past 
week in cleaning up, and arranging our things so that it begins to 
seem quite like home. 

I would not have you think that, every thing is straightened up 
and fixed to our liking and that there is now nothing more to 
be done, by no means, but we have made a begining, and a good 
begining, and we see some prospect of getting done before a great 
while. 

Ella does not half do anything and what she has done is done 
thoroughly, so that it will not have to be done over again. 

The township surveyors have been along here and the section 
surveyors will be along in a few days, so that we shall soon know 
where our claims are. As near as we can judge from the township 
lines, our claims will go 40 rods further west and six rods further 
south than we supposed judging from Thurstons survey, if this 
should be the case nearly all my plowed ground will come on Mr. 
Wilson's claim which will not be very pleasant as it costs from four 
to five dollars an acre to break up the soil here for the first time. I 
think however that Mr Wilson will do the fair thing and break as 
many acres for me as he gets of mine. 

It seems real good to have a home once more, we have both of 
us been flying about, here and there, settled no where for so long 
a time that we know how to prize a home now that we have one, and 
I assure you we do prize and enjoy it. 

We have had no meeting today as the minister Rev. Mr. Deni- 
son, 6 whose turn it was to preach was sick The peace still con- 
tinues below, and a little while ago this morning, we saw a large 

6. Probably Joseph Denison, one of the founders of Bluemont college. He was president 
of the college when it became a state institution. For a biographical sketch see Kansas His- 
torical Collections, v. VII, p. 169. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 289 

company, perhaps one hundred and fifty, dragoons returning from 
below to Fort Reiley. 

Ella received a box from home yesterday containing a lot of things 
which will be both useful and pleasant for us, it came out with Mr 
Todd's things. I suppose you know long before this who is elected 
president, we have not heard yet. 

I wish you would send us some flower seeds, a few at a time in 
your letters, we would be very much obliged, indeed, for them. 

I think of nothing more of interest at present, please write often. 
I hope we shall get a letter from you this week. 

Ella sends love, and says Tell Theodore I want to see him very 
much indeed and he must write as soon as he gets home. 

Has father got well of his lameness yet. I do so wish some of you 
could come out and see us, and, make us a good long visit. 

Yours very truly 

T. C. Wells 
I enclose a letter from G. I. Robinson to Theodore. 

Manhattan K. T. 

Thos. P. Wells, Esq., Nov. 29th, 1856. 

My dear father, 

I received a letter from you yesterday, dated Nov 12th 
with enclosures as stated, and was very glad to get the same and 
am much obliged to you for the trouble you have had in doing 
business for me. I had been obliged to borrow some money here 
at the usual rate of interest, (ten per cent) and also to purchase 
some things on credit, and was fearful that I should not get the 
drafts in time to meet my engagements, and pay my honest debts, 
but they have come at last and all is right To me it is unpleasant 
to get into debt at all, but it is very unpleasant when one does get 
into such a fix not to be able to see his way out, nothing will make 
me feel blue sooner I think I can "pay up" and get "square" with 
the world now and if possible I intend to keep so. 

We were very glad to get your letter, for though it contained 
no news it furnished evidence that some one was still alive in the 
east and that we were not quite forgotten 

We have not heard from home before since Theodore left more 
than three weeks ago. We have heard nothing from Theodore or 
Mr. Wilson since they left Leavenworth City and feel almost afraid 
that something has happened to them. 

Another week has nearly gone. It is Saturday evening and we 

103875 



290 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

are glad that another Sabbath is near at hand We find a great deal 
to do and feel that we ought to work while we can, but tired with 
the labors of the week we are glad when that day approaches wherein 
we must not work. 

We get along nicely in our new home ; true when we moved here we 
found nothing done, and every thing to do, but we have got a few of 
the odd jobs off our hands and hope that sometime the time will come 
when we shall not feel quite so hurried. 

Our house is quite comfortable as much or more so than any in 
this region, and yet you would almost as soon think of moving into 
a barn, in the east, as of moving into an unfinished house like this. 
I have not heard from Elisabeth, Henry, or Amos, in a long time. 
What's the matter with them all? It is getting late, and I am get- 
ting sleepy as you may judge from this letter so I must close. Do 
write us a good old-fashioned long letter soon. 

Yours truly 
T. C. Wells 

Manhattan, K. T. Dec 14/56 
My dear Mother, 

You did indeed write me a good long letter this time it is now 
just three weeks since it was written I would like to get as long 
a letter from you every week. I entirely agree with you in thinking 
it a "shame" that the Baptist church in Wakefield should let so 
good a minister as Mr. Reed go and be willing to take up with such 
preaching as they may chance to get from Sabbath to Sabbath or 
go without any preaching at all ; one would think that their religion 
was all in their pockets or they would not be satisfied with such a 
state of things. 

We can, indeed, tell a "better" story of Kansas society than you 
do of Wakefield. There are three little churches formed in our 
vicinity Methodist, Congregational, and Baptist, each provided with 
a minister; But each minister preaches at several different places 
so that we do not hear the same one only once in three Sabbaths, 
but we have preaching every pleasant Sunday. 

And then as I have told you before we have as good neighbors as 
we could wish, and I very much doubt, whether, in any New 
England village you would find a less number of objectionable char- 
acters than there are in our vicinity. 

We have no factory help, no colored people, and very few for- 
eigners of any kind (not to say that there are not often to be found 
very fine people in each of the classes above named.) But society 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 291 

is not nearly so good in Manhattan, as among the farmers on the 
prairie. 

You are right in saying that "you will be far happier" for being 
married. I do not know how I could get along without Ella. I 
do wish that you and father and Herbert could come and spend not 
only a "f ew days" but a few weeks with us ; I know that you would 
enjoy your visit and we would so love to have you here. If Henry 
should come home again could not he take charge of the Bank a 
while in the spring so that father could leave awhile? I do wish you 
could all come out here and live; there is a claim just north of me, 
that is not yet, but soon will be, taken if father could only settle 
on that or some other claim near us, he would then have a home of 
his own while he lived, and be near, at least, two of his children. I 
believe he would be far happier, and you too if you would only be- 
lieve it, than to remain in Wakefield. To be sure father gets a 
regular salary, you all have enough to eat, drink, and wear, the 
body is well cared for but that is not all you want to make you 
happy here below. " Tis not all of life to live." ... If Dr. 
Clarke comes out to visit Amos in the spring, we would be very glad 
to have him come and stay awhile with us; tell him if you see him 
soon that he owes me a letter and I should be very happy to get it. 
I hope he will like my "wife" as well and better than he thinks. 

We spent last Friday evening at Mr. Todd's and Mr. Trafton 
and Mr Browning with their wives were also there we had a very 
pleasant time. Theodore will tell you who they were. 

Tell Sam. he must come and see my wife and then he will know 
something more about her. We got a letter from him and Lizzie 
yesterday all well. 

I think with him that Kansas will be a free state, and that we 
shall have little more trouble with "border ruffians;" all continues 
quiet. Did you save the seeds of that squash that Theodore 
brought you? 

I hope Theodore will really be of much help to father, and will 
learn all he can about banking; it will be a good thing for him. 

I am sorry he was so foolish as to buy a watch, and on credit, too. 
He seemed to have a fever for a watch all the time he was here, 
and wanted to sell something that he had and get one or buy one on 
credit, but I advised him not to do so. 

Theodore left a good many clothes here, but none of them were 
fit for him to wear and we thought it not worth while for him to 
take them home with him. 



292 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Theodore, like all young lads has a great many notions of his own, 
and thinks he knows all about many things of which he is quite 
ignorant and he needs the advice and counsel of wiser and older 
heads He has naturally an affectionate disposition and can be led 
more easily than driven, but yet he must know what it is to obey. 

I am sorry that Henry has had such poor success in getting busi- 
ness, I do not know what he can do. He must not despise the day 
of small I fear he is trying to get too good a situation and because 
he cannot find such an one as suits him in every particular will not 
accept of any. If he wants to learn any kind of business or rather 
if he wants to get a living and make money at any kind of business 
he must begin at the begining and learn it, and be content with a 
small salary at first. If he attempts to commence at the top of the 
ladder he will surely fail and have to try again and another way 

I hope he will soon be successful and find some employment which 
will be profitable. I wrote him a week or two ago, directed to 
care of A. B. Carpenter & Co. Beloit. Will he be likely to get it? 

I am sorry that you are going to lose your library; a sort of 
literary society with a library connected with it is just starting at 
Manhattan I hope it will succeed. 

I have written quite a long letter, and must stop without giving 
many particulars of our house-keeping, for I was not very well 
yesterday and today and though I feel pretty well now I am getting 
tired and feel that I should be better off in bed. I received a letter 
from Theodore last week and will try to answer it soon. Do write 
often. A large grey wolf came up quite near the house this after- 
noon, and two more came quite up to the hay stack about sunset. 
They will not attack men unless a number of them are together and 
then only under cover of the night and in winter when half starved. 

Yours truly 

T. C. Wells 

I have written by candle light and cannot see whether I write on 
the lines or not. I enclose a few cards which you may make such 
use of as you think best. 

Jany llth 1856 [1857; misdated.] 
Mrs. Thos P. Wells Manhattan, K T. 

My dear Mother, 

It is four weeks since we heard from home and it seems to us a 
long time. Why is it? because you do not write? or because the 
letters are delayed on the way. 
Our mail usually comes Fridays and Mondays; I hope we shall 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 293 

get some letters tomorrow. It is very unpleasant to be so long 
without hearing from our eastern friends, we do not get homesick, 
exactly, but, we can but fear that something bad may have hap- 
pened, and we long to know how they do. 

You must not think that because we have come so far from our 
old homes to Kansas, and like the country so well, and are con- 
tented to live here that we do not think often of you in the east, 
feel interested in your welfare and long to see you. 

If I do not get a letter soon I shall have to write father to look 
up some suitable person, in his vicinity, who, for a fair compen- 
sation, will inform me regularly of the health and prosperity of my 
friends and relations in South Kingstown. 

We enjoy good health and get along finely. At present a young 
friend, formerly of R. I. (Frank B. Smith) is staying with us for 
a few days. He is going to the States, to Davenport, Iowa some 
time this week; his brother is in business there, G. W. Smith who 
used to keep the house furnishing store in Providence. 

I have a map of Manhattan which I intend to send to father 
as soon as I can get time to mark the direction and distance from 
Manhattan of some of our neighbors, and some of the villages 
near us. 

The bogus legislature meets. at Lecompton tomorrow. I think 
they will not do much business except to pass an act authorising 
the Governor to call an election of delegates to a convention to 
form a state constitution. 

I reed two papers from home last week, the Prov. Journal and 
N. Y. Evangelist. Much obliged. We had quite a pleasant time at 
our house on New Year's evening. Eleven of our neighbors came 
by invitation, took supper with us and spent the evening, three re- 
maining with us all night. It was quite stormy nearly all day the 
wind blew and it half snowed and half rained and the walking was 
very slippery, but our Kansas neighbors are not afraid of a little 
rough weather. Perhaps you would like to know something about 
our friends: I will tell you who they were and where they come 
from. First, Harriet Leyman, the young lady who stood up with 
us when we were married, lives on a claim about three miles N. E. 
of us; her father-in-law (Mr Childs) brought her in a mule team 
she stayed all night. She came from 111. Mr. and Mrs. Whelden, 
from Prov. R. I. live on a claim two miles N. E. of us. they walked, 
and remained all night. Mr. & Mrs. Todd and little boy, and Mrs 
T's brother Henry Booth (who also stood up with us) from Woon- 



294 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

socket, R. I. Mrs T. and boy rode on a sled drawn by one horse and 
returned after ten o'clock in evening, they live just west of Mr 
Whelden one and half miles from here. Mr. and Mrs. Browning 
living on claim east of us, from Fitchburg Mass, they walked. 
Mr & Mrs Trafton, claim west of us walked from Mass, all 
very fine people and as good neighbors as we could desire ; Theodore 
can tell you more about them. I have been thus particular to 
satisfy your curiosity. How does Theodore get along in the bank? 
Is he a good boy? Is Henry at home? 

Is uncle Hagadorn doing well? How does the school prosper in 
Kingston? Remember me to Dr. Clarke if you see him and tell 
him I would be glad to have him write. Do you think there is any 
prospect of his coming out as far as here in the spring? Are you and 
father well? Do you ever talk (in earnest) of coming west? You 
see I am full of questions. It is reported that we are going to have 
a semiweekly mail hope it is true. 

We have not heard very much from Congress yet. I wonder 
whether they will do anything for Kansas this Session. 

But it is getting late and I must stop until another week. Do 
write soon and often Yours truly, 

Wakefield, R. I. T. C. Wells 

Manhattan, K. T. Jany 27/57 
My dear Mother, 

I was very glad to get a letter from you two weeks ago yesterday 
I received two other letters on the same day, one from Henry and 
one from Dr. Clarke. I had had no letters for three or four weeks 
before and have received none since. 

I should have answered before but for two or three weeks past, 
I have been much troubled with the toothache from a decayed tooth 
and as there was no regular dentist here I dreaded to have it out, 
but yesterday I went down to Dr Whitehorn's and had it pulled. 
The Dr. performed the opperation as well as any one could. 

You must not "mourn" you and father, because we are settled 
so far away from you; though I confess that I should feel very 
badly too did I think that we should always be thus separated. I 
have hoped that you would move out here, and settle on a home 
of your own near us, and would love to have you do so now; but if 
that is impossible or even impracticable we must hit upon some 
other plan. What that plan may be I cannot at present say. I 
do not think that it would be prudent for me to settle near the sea 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 295 

eo[a]st soon and perhaps never, and it may be best for me to remain 
here one, two, or three years longer. It would be pleasant if we 
could find business in eastern Ohio, Southwestern N. Y. or Western 
Penn. and live near each other and near Sam'l and Lizzie too. 

My health is very good now, very much better than it was one 
year ago. My lungs do not trouble me at all, and I have had but 
one "chill" since I have been married and that a very slight one 
on the day that Theodore left for Leavenworth City. 

I intend to continue to improve my claim and work upon it as 
though I were going to make it my permanent home, but if I should 
get a good opportunity to sell I should probably sell out and try 
to find business nearer my eastern friends. Perhaps you may think 
from the tenor of the above, so different from anything that I have 
written before, that I am getting homesick or tired of the country. 
Not in the least, I have as pleasant a home as an affectionate wife 
can make it and I think none the less of the country as I become 
more and more acquainted with it. Were not my own and my wife's 
friends so far away I would not think of changing my place of 
residence. 

Father never could have thought more of my society than I of 
his, & I would love, dearly love, to be where I could see him and 
you often but we must " 'bide our time." 

Ella frequently says she wishes some of my folks or hers were out 
here. 

She is very much obliged for that collar, it did not reach here 
as soon as the letter. Please consider what I have written as con- 
fidential, I do not want it to go out of the family. 
Has father received the map of Manhattan that I sent to him? 
What is Theodore doing now? Why does he no^ write to us? 
Ella sends her love to him and says she is most thod waiting for 
that letter that he promised to write her. The lines are so faint 
on this paper that it is quite difficult to see them by candle light 
so please excuse the appearance of the writing. I enclose a little 
letter to Herbert, and a tulip that Ella painted expressly for him. 
I feel anxious to hear again from Henry, and know how he gets 
along. I do hope he has been successful. I intend writing him this 
week. 

We have had some very cold weather; one week ago Sunday Mr. 
Todd says that the mercury was 16 degrees below zero, Mr Blood 
says that half an hour after sunrise 'twas 24 below zero. 
We have been reading Mrs. Robinson's book on "Kansas" it is 



29.6 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

very interesting and can be relied on as true; I wish you would get 
it and read it; it will give you a better idea of what has been done 
here than anything else that you can find, and it is well worth 
reading. 

Do you have any regular preaching in Wakefield now? It has 
been so cold and such bad traveling that we have not been to meet- 
ing but little for a month or two past. Do write often. Yours 
affectionately 
Mrs. Thos. P. Wells T. C. Wells 

Wakefield, R. I. 

Feby 1st. The mail goes tomorrow, I have been writing a letter to 
father to go in the same mail. Do not urge him to stay I cer- 
tainly think it will be for the health and happiness of him and you 
too to acceed to my proposal. If he continues in his present employ- 
ment and with no one on whom he can depend for assistance he will 
soon be obliged to give up business entirely but if you were here and 
he should be sick or anything should happen to him you would have 
some one to look to for help and one too, that would gladly give it. 

The male prairie chickens have little tufts of feathers on each side 
of their heads just back of their ears; they look like little wings 
Wife cut them off of one that I shot the other day and I enclose one 
for you. It has been very warm and pleasant for a few days past, 
it seems as though spring was coming in earnest. I hope we shall 
have no more very cold weather. 

T. C. Wells 

Manhattan, K. T. Feb 1/57 
My dear father, 

Since writing to Mother I have been thinking more about your 
circumstances and mine and I sincerely hope that you will agree 
with me in the conclusions to which I have come. It is the after- 
noon of the Sabbath day but I do not feel that it is wrong for me to 
write what I am going to for no time ought to be lost. 

I came out here, as you know, with very poor health, little ex- 
perience in the ways of the world and a comparatively small amount 
of money ; I am now settled on a farm of my own (I may call it so, 
although I have not yet paid the government the nominal price 
asked for it.) and in my own house; My health is very much im- 
proved, indeed it is quite good, and notwithstanding my inexperi- 
ance, I have managed to get a comfortable living and the property 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 297 

that I have here now is worth more than all that I had in the east 
before I came out here. In a most beautiful country I have a very 
good location, near a growing town which promises to become shortly 
a large business place; my neighbors are such as no one need be 
ashamed of, kind hearted, and true, and most of them proffessors of 
religion (in this respect I think I could never better my situation.) ; 
during the coming year we expect to have good schools established 
and churches built. 

All things induce me to stay here and there is only one drawback 
of any consequence, and that is my friends, my old friends, espe- 
cially my father and mother, are far, far away, if they were here 
wife and I would be perfectly contented to stay here. 

Now a word for you. Perhaps I can imagine better than you 
think your feelings and you [r] situation. Your business is very try- 
ing to both your mind and body; it is continually injuring your 
health, as much so as though you drank daily small quantities of 
some poisonous mixture ; and if you continue in it you will soon be 
unable to do much at any kind of business. You need to be free 
from so much perplexing hard work and you ought to have more out 
of doors exercise You greatly enjoy the society of "congenial 
spirits," you do not care for very many intimate friends but some 
you do want and those few you dearly love, in a great measure you 
are deprived of these, those for whom you cared the most are far 
away, and this is a cause of many unhappy moments and anxious 
thoughts. I know that there is little society in Wakefield for you, 
and I think there is little prospect of any improvement in that 
respect. 

Now in view of these things (and I say not this without considera- 
tion) I would earnestly urge you to resign the cashier ship whether 
you have any other business in view or not; it seems to me as 
though your health, and your happiness, and as your family are 
dependent on you, they too, demand it, for should you be entirely 
deprived of health you could do little for yourself or them. 

And then I would urge you, while mother and Herbert and per- 
haps Theodore are on a visit to Lyme, to come out here and see the 
country for yourself and determine whether you could be happy and 
get a comfortable living here. 

I will guarantee that you will not be disappointed, if you are I 
will agree to pay your expenses here and back with pleasure, if I 
cannot do so immediately as soon as I can get the ready money. 
I have no doubt but that should you and mother move out here 



298 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Uncle John Denison and his wife and even grandfather and grand- 
mother would soon follow, but even should they not, it cannot be 
best for you to remain there on that account. It does them no ma- 
terial good for you to remain there except that they occasionally 
receive a visit from you or mother this could be done though per- 
haps at longer intervals if you were here and the means of com- 
munication will continually improve between here and New England, 
and in a few years it will take but little if any more than half the 
time that it does now to make the journey. At all events they will 
not be left alone for uncle J. D. and wife will not leave without 
them, and under the circumstances they certainly can not want you 
to stay where you are. 

The troubles in the territory are doubtless ended, the free state 
majority is constantly increasing and we anticipate a very large 
emigration in the spring. 

As for the fever and ague I think you need not fear that with 
decent care and prudence, many of our citizens have not been 
troubled with it at all. 

And as for the expense of "starting" out here you need not fear, 
you have enough to give you a good start, twice as much as nine 
tenths of those who move to this far western country; and it need 
not cost you half what it did me to make a begining. As for cattle 
and horses and farm implements generally we can use the same in a 
great measure, and I have a pretty good supply. 

Your age is no objection many come from New England older 
than you, and do well and you could not get them to return 

Now the claim north of me is not taken the claim east or south 
of me can be purchased for much less than they will be worth one 
year hence but six, perhaps four months from now they will not 
probably be for sale. 

And now my dear father will you not carefully weigh these con- 
siderations in your mind and may God be with you and help you 
to decide aright. I should be overjoyed to see you; it seems as 
though you must come. Even if you should not, (and I hope such 
will not be the case,) conclude to remain here the visit and journey 
will do you much good, and you certainly could find business again 
as good, all things considered, as that you have at present. Please 
write me very soon in answer to this, and if you conclude to "come 
and see" start as early as possible in the spring in order to secure a 
good claim while it may be had. I almost expect you will come. 
While down to Manhattan to meeting today I got a letter from 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 299 

Theodore to wife. She will endeavor to answer it next week. I reed 
a letter from Mr. Wilson also. He says Theodore was a very good 
boy in going home in doing as he advised him to. 
Thos P. Wells Esq Yours most affc'tly 

Wakefield, R. I. Do come T. C. Wells 

[From Ella S. Wells to Theodore] 

Mr. T. B. Wells Manhattan, K. T. Feb 7th/56 [1857]. 

My Dear Brother 

It is 8 oclock Saturday night and I have but just taken my pen 
to answer your letter. I was intending to write you a long letter 
but as I want to send this to the office in the morning fear that I 
shall not be able to this time. Yours was received last Sabath I 
was very glad to hear from you and read your letter with pleasure. 

I think you must have been tired and glad to get home after your 
flying journey you have not wished yourself here more than I 
have. I do want to see you very much I could not realize when 
I bade you goodbye that I was not to see you for a long long time. 
yet I trust it is all for the best and that you will be very usefull 
to father We wish very much that he could be induced to come out 
here if for nothing more to make us a good long visit, his health 
is of more consequence than anything else. The journey would do 
him good and we should be glad to see him. You do not speak very 
flatteringly of Wakefield people I hope there are ten righteous 
ones left. 

Do you like working in the Bank better than working in a Kan- 
sas cornfield? Thomas says you cannot locate a land Warrant 
until the land comes into market but one can be used to pay for a 
claim if you are settled on it. 

I thought I would write you the particulars of our household 
arrangements as you knew how the house was planed and then you 
could visit us in your mind's eye but shall not have time to write 
half I was intending. I will tell you about the sitting room as we 
spend most of our time in it this cold weather. By much hard 
rubbing I got the tent so it looks quite white I lined the sitting 
room over head and also the open space by the stairs with it & I 
got some thick brown paper to line the rest of the room. The stove 
sits on the side by the stairs T put up a long black walnut mantle 
shelf back of it he also has made quite a nice bookcase that holds 
all our books that is behind the entry door our looking glass 



300 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

hangs to the right of the window that looks towards Mr. Brownings 
I put a large shelf under that that looks like a table with a cloth 
on it. The table he got of Mr. Childs sits on the side next the well 
room, the little one he got at the Fort at the right of the door to 
the well room T's trunk at the right of the window that looks 
towards Mr. Traftons with 5 chairs & a cricket leaves but little 
spare room. I got a large stuffed chair of Mr. Whelden which is 
quite a luxury, the clock sits on the mantle shelf but chooses not 
to go the box that my things came in from home sits at the left of 
the stove & answers for a wood box Now dear little brother after 
such a detailed account of one room I think there will be nothing 
to hinder you from making us a visit. 

I must tell you that poor Rover is dead he died yesterday from 
repeated blows of an axe first having had one leg shot off our hens 
commenced laying in Dec & Rover took a notion to eat the eggs 
which we preferd to do ourselves. We have a small pupy that Mr. 
Boasa gave Thomas we call him Tiger. 

Mrs Browning was in and spent the afternoon she enquired after 
you said she would like to see you and wished me to give her love 
to you when I wrote. Hatty Leyman was here new years she en- 
quired after you Mrs Lipher & many others to numerous to men- 
tion often ask if we have heard from you & if you are coming out 
again. I have had a miniature and an ambrotype from the east & 
this year wish my dear brother would drop his in the ofice for me. 
Mrs. Trafton wished me to give her love to you when I wrote she 
is as well as usual & has Mrs Becknal boarding with her whose 
husband died at Mr Goodnows soon after you left. It is almost 10 
oclock T is wating very patiently for me & I must close although 
I have not writen half I wanted to. My love to father & mother & 
a kiss for Herbert. Now do write often. Dear brother, do not 
ferget for what you are placed here in this world but prepare for 
the world to come you know that you will be a great deal happier. 
I must close. Your aff sister, 

Ella S. Wells. 

Manhattan, K. T. 
My dear mother, March 14th, 1857. 

I have your letter before me, written Feb'y 1st, as yet un- 
answered ; I received it a fortnight ago today, but have been very 
busy of late and have had little time to write. During a part of the 
time since I wrote you I have been in the woods chopping saw logs 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 301 

which I intend to get sawn into fencing stuff 1 in. x 4 in. A part of 
the time I have been having a shed put up for a shelter to my 
horses etc. and a part of the time I have been helping a man draw 
some cedar posts to his claim and have not finished yet. I can earn 
three dollars ($3.) a day with my oxen, and wagon. I am going to 
take my pay for this job in cedar posts. I do not mean to plant 
any this year unless I can have it fenced. I expect to lose all the 
plowed ground that I had last year as the lines will probably run 
between that and my house. My claim is not yet surveyed though 
I am pretty well satisfied that the line between Wilson and me will 
run two or three rods east of my house. We expect the surveyors 
along very soon, and then we shall know where we are, and what 
we may call our own. 

I got a letter from Dr. Clarke this week. He wrote that he had 
just written father and says that he will come out and visit us this 
spring if father will. I do so wish that they would come. It 
would do both of them good, and us too I assure you. Perhaps 
father has already decided to come. I hope he has but if not do 
try and prevail on him to undertake the journey with Dr. I do 
not love to have him confine himself so closely, I am afraid that 
if he does his health will get so poor that he wilf be obliged to give 
up all business. Do get him to come. // he should not come, or if 
you receive this before he starts, I wish he would send me a state- 
ment of my affairs there, bank stock, notes, etc., and also how they 
stood on January lst/57. I would like to know how they stand, 
and if he can I would like to have him buy a one hundred and sixty 
acre land warrant, for me ; and if he cannot raise the money to pay 
for it, on anything that I have in the east, I will raise it here and 
send it on to him when I know how much it is. It would save me 
$45. or $50. to pay for my claim with a land-warrant instead of the 
cash. A transfer the name left blank, must be legally written upon 
it and signed by the person to whom the warrant was made out. 
Since the first week in February we have had very pleasant weather 
for winter, until within a few days it has been rather cold, but not 
so that we could not work pretty comfortably out of doors. 

We had quite a snow storm last night and this morning. 

We do not have so much mud when the frost is coming out of 
the ground as you in the east it generally drys up most as fast as 
it thaws, but it is pretty sticky, after a heavy rain. 

We did receive the letter or paper containing a collar for Ella 
and she is greatly obliged for it. I think I have written you this 
before. I should think from what you write and from what I can 



302 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

learn from other sources, that you have had a much more cold and 
tedious winter than we. We certainly have had no such snow storm 
as you speak of. I am real sorry that the steeple has blown off the 
meeting house at K. I always liked that steeple. Will they try to 
build another? You say that many wells in your vicinity are dry 
we have had no trouble of that sort here. We have had seven ft of 
water in our well all winter. Please remember me to Mr. Reeds 
folks if you write them soon. It is strange that Lissie has not heard 
from me since I have been married. I have certainly written her or 
Samuel and have been wondering why she did not write us. I will 
try to write again soon. I am very sorry that Henry has such poor 
success. If he was out here and would hear to reason a little from 
a friend I could put him in a way to do a good business with $500. 
capital or even less, but I do not know that it is best to write him so. 
I am expecting a letter from him soon. I have not had a letter from 
Amos in five or six months or more. I do not know why. I do not 
think that West Point would be a good place for Theodore in every 
respect. He would learn to obey of course, he ought to do that at 
home, but I fear he would not learn good morrals there. 

We are always glad to get a letter from home and I hope you will 
write often. Hope Theodore will write. Love to all, & kiss to 
Herbert. Yours truly 

To Mrs Thos. P. Wells, T. C. Wells. 

Wakefield, R. I. 

Manhattan, K. T. Apr 5th, 1857. 
My dear mother, 

I was very glad to get a letter from you last Friday, dated Mar. 
8th. We had not heard from home in a long time, and were anxious 
to hear from you once more. I am glad you do not always [wait] 
for a letter from me before you write, it takes so long for letters 
to go and come that it will not do to wait one for another. 

I used to think that Wakefield promised to be the village of the 
town but should think from your letter than Peacedale was going 
ahead of it. 

We have not heard from Lizzie in a long, long time. Is she and 
Samuel and little Susy well? Does Henry think of going into busi- 
ness in Rockford? I wish he would write me. I am happy to hear 
that uncle Hagadorn succeeds so well with his school, would like 
to get a letter from him. 

Dr. Clarke means to do what he thinks right I believe, but I did 
think he would vote for Buchanan. I thought that "Spiritualism" 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 303 

was about dead or at least on the wane, we seldom hear anything 
about it hear, and I was much surprised to hear that so many in 
your neighborhood had turned "Spiritualists." 

I sent a map of Manhattan to father at the same time that I 
mailed the two letters that you write have been received. Has he 
never got it? I sent one to Dr. Clarke at the same time and he 
wrote me that he had received it some time ago. 

I am exceedingly sorry, and so is Ella, that father thinks he will 
not be able to come and see us this spring. I hope something will 
turn up at the annual meeting that will lead him to alter his mind. 
It is very possible that he could find some other business than farm- 
ing and even if he should not I do not think he would find it so bad 
as he anticipates. We do not have to work so much in the hottest 
weather here as eastern farmers do. I wish he would come and see 
us at least, and then he could tell better whether it would be well to 
move out here or not. 

Kansas would be just the place for uncle John Denison and aunt 
Mariann. They would get along finely on a claim here I know, and 
I often think of them and wish they were here. 

The Methodist Church are going to build a college in Kansas. 
The Conference meets at Nebraska City next week and will decide 
on the location. Manhattan association have offered large induce- 
ments to have it built here, and it will probably be located on the 
claim south of me. It has been bought and is reserved for that pur- 
pose. Should this be done it would increase the value of my claim 
very much. 

The association have also voted ten shares each toward building 
the Methodist and Congregational churches, and the Cincinnatti 
Company agree to give 20 lots each for the same. Shares sell at 
from $50. to $75. each and lots at from $25. to $50. each. We ex- 
pect both churches will be built before next fall. 

A room for a school has also been hired until a school house can 
be built and a school will be commenced soon. If you should come 
out here to live you would not know much about a new country. 
All the claims around me and within several miles of the city are 
taken and can be got only by purchase ; they are increasing in value 
every day. My claim is not yet surveyed by government, and I 
cannot therefore tell exactly where the lines will be, and on that 
account I do not intend to plow up any new ground or make any 
improvements until the lines are run. I think I shall put a tem- 
porary fence around the land that I plowed last year and plant that 
again without any addition. 



304 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Ella sends her love, and wants Theodore to write to her. How 
does Gillies get along with the printing? remember me to him. I do 
really think that you and father would be better off and better 
contented after you had been out here two or three years than you 
ever will be in Wakefield. Yours truly 

To Mrs. Thos. P. Wells, T. C. Wells 

Wakefield, R. I. 

Manhattan, Kansas Territory, 

May 12th, 1857 
My dear father, 

Very glad indeed was I to get a good long letter from you last 
week. I believe you have not written me so long a letter before 
since I have been in Kansas. I am very much obliged to you for 
purchasing me a land warrant and sending me a statement of my 
affairs in the east; perhaps it would give you pleasure if I would 
send you an account of my affairs in Kansas, and I will try to do so 
before I close. I am sorry that you and Dr. Clarke could not have 
come out and visited us this spring, we almost expected you and are 
really disappointed. As to the bank and the state of your health, 
you, of course, know your own business better than I, but I have 
been afraid that the confinement and the perplexity of your business 
would ruin your health. I am glad that you think your health so 
good. It was too bad that you should lose so much money (for the 
present at least) by Henry. I am sorry for Henry and you too. He 
wrote me that that was the case, since he got his present situation 
in Beloit, but did not write what his trouble was. I do hope you will 
be able to make some arrangement so that you can visit us before 
another year. You ask if Mr Wilson will make the loss of my 
plowed ground good to me by plowing again? He says that he will, 
and I am going to have the use of it this year, (the old ground I 
mean). It is not absolutely certain yet that I shall lose my plowed 
ground. My claim nor Mr. Wilsons (except his eastern line) is not 
surveyed yet; but as near as we can tell the line will run about two 
rods east of my house , it may possibly run west of my house; in 
that case I should hold the quarter section that Mr. Wilson claims 
and hold not only my plowed ground but his house and well which I 
do not want. I do not think there is much danger of that however. 

June 20th 1857. I have been waiting now for more than five 
weeks for a little leisure time, except Sunday, that I might finish 
this letter to you, but I have tired of waiting and have concluded 
to take the time this afternoon. Since I commenced this letter the 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 305 

surveyors have been along and now our claims are all surveyed ; the 
line runs about three rods east of my house so that I lose all my old 
plowed ground as I expected, but Mr. Wilson has paid me the cost 
of breaking as much more and I have the use of the old land this 
year. 

I have my field all planted and fenced and the corn has come up 
finely and looks well. I mean to take good care of it and if we have 
a good season I expect to get six or seven hundred bushels of corn. 
It is very dry now, however, and if we do not get rain soon I am 
afraid we shall not have much corn or grass or any thing else, but 
I hope for the best we may have a good shower before night. Some 
of our neighbors have peas fit to eat, but I shall not have any in 
a good while yet. I put off plowing and planting even a garden, as 
long as I could, hoping that the surveyors would come along and 
show me where my claim was and also waiting for Mr Wilson to 
come out in order to make some arrangement with him about plant- 
ing my old land if it should come on his claim. You suggest that one 
inch by four in is too thin for fencing. It is as thick as any of my 
neighbors use. We set our posts pretty close together, about seven 
ft apart on the average. When we have to pay $35. and $40 per m. 
for the cheapest kind of lumber, we have the disposition to make a 
little go as far as we can. I have not planted any more than I did 
last year, as I was afraid to have any more land broken until I 
knew where my claim was. I did not sell more than $30 or $40 
dollars worth of last years produce, we had a very cold winter and my 
stock consumed a great deal, much more than they would have done 
if I had had a good barn to keep them in. We have had as chang- 
able weather here as you write you have had in the east; the spring 
was very late, three or four weeks later than usual but during this 
month it has been very warm the thermometer ranging at mid day, 
in the shade, from 95 to 102, which would be considered rather hot 
in the east but as we nearly always have a good breeze, even in the 
hottest weather we manage to keep quite comfortable. And now I 
will try to give you an idea of what I have here in Kansas, what I 
am doing and what [I am] intending to do. 

I have a good claim of 160 acres within one and one half miles 
of Manhattan nine tenths of which is suitable to plow and the rest 
can be plowed but is rather uneven, a snug little house 16 ft x 24 ft 
with an ell 12 x 14 and a good well of water in the ell cost about 
$900. a shed 12 x 17 cost $80. about 500 cedar posts worth $100. 
nearly 1500 ft of fencing lumber at my house (besides nine or ten 

20-3875 



306 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

logs not yet sawed) worth $50. between 1150 and 1200 rails, and 
stakes and forkes to go with them, worth $150. I have three lots 
in Manhattan worth at least $50 each, an order for 500 ft of lumber 
at the mill which I shall get in a few days worth $20. cash on hand 
$165. due me for sundries $70. and I do not really owe $5. in the 
world except what I owe the Wa. & La. banks in R. I. I consider 
my claims with the buildings and fencing materials on it very low at 
$2500, and would not be willing to take that for it. I have two 
horses $250 two pr. oxen $225. two cows & calf $100. two pigs 
$10. & 70 or 80 chickens worth at least $10. Wagon, harnesses, 
plow, harrow, cultivator & other farming tools $150. household 
furniture and provisions $100 total $3750. 

I have represented everything at less than I really thought it 
worth and if I wanted to purchase should expect to pay more than 
I have valued them at. I started from home the first time with 
about $700. the second time with $1100. and have reed about $700. 
in drafts since I have been here in all $2500. 

And now father, considering my inexperience at farming the ex- 
penses of traveling the cost of living in a new country and that I 
have married a wije do you not think that I am getting along pretty 
well. I enjoy excellent health, am comfortably and pleasantly sit- 
uated except that I want you and mother and Lizzie and Henry & 
Theodore & Herbert nearer to us. I do so much wish that you all 
could come and live near us. You wish you could get acquainted 
with wife, I wish so too. I believe that the better you knew her the 
better you would like her. Cannot you possibly come and see us 
this next fall, say September? Unless, the banks are anxious to have 
the notes paid immediately I do not wish to have the remaining 
stock sold. I hope to be able to pay something on them before 
another year. I see that I have skip[p]ed a page, but you will find 
no difficulty in finding the place I think. 

Sunday evening, June 21. We have had beautiful weather for 
three or four days, warm and pleasant, with just breeze enough to 
make it comfortable, and the nights comparatively cool. Though 
we usually have very warm weather here in the summer, we almost 
always have a good breeze so that we do not suffer so much from the 
heat as the people in the east, and we have very few nights so warm 
as to make it difficult, to sleep. We have been down to Manhattan 
to church today ; we have a pretty good congregation usually on the 
Sabbath, and our church going people, and our citizens generally 
will compare favorably with those of any New England town, I do 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 307 

not care where you find it. We had a Sunday School after meeting 
and I acted as Superintendent The Sunday School was organized 
sometime ago and Mr. Wheldon, who was expected to move into 
town immediately, was chosen Superintendent and I assistant, but 
he did not come as anticipated and met with the school only once, 
and living so far away as I do, on account of bad weather etc I am 
frequently unable to attend, so that if there were no other reason, I 
thought best on that account to resign, and a man by the name of 
Butterfield, much more capable of holding such an office than myself, 
I think, is going to take charge of the school next Sunday. I hope 
we shall be able to keep up a good and interesting school, with the 
blessing of God. 

The School house in Manhattan makes quite a show; it is built 
of limestone, size 32 ft by 4& ft I believe and two stories high. 
They are now building two large stone hotels and a Methodist 
Church also of stone the Congregational church has not yet been 
commenced but we hope will be soon. I did not write you so much 
as I was intending to about what I was doing and hoping to do, but 
will try to do so when I write again. It is now quite late and I must 
close. Ella sends her love. She often expresses the wish that you 
would come and see us and thinks she should like you. 

Why does not Theodore write? We have not had a letter from 
home in three or four weeks. Hope you will write soon again. 
To Thos. P. Wells Esq Yours truly 

Wakefield, R. I. T. C. Wells. 

Love to Mother, Theodore, Herbert, etc. 

Morton Sweet is in this vicinity, he called here a few days ago. He 
said you told him to tell me something but he had forgotten what. 

I wish James A Ward would pay you what he owes me. I would 
like to have it applied to my notes in Wa. & La. banks. 

Manhattan, May 30/57. 
My dear Mother Kansas Territory 

We received your letter of May 3d more than a week ago, and 
had I not been very busy should have answered it immediately. 

I have written to Samuel and Henry quite recently, and I sent 
three papers to father two or three weeks ago but owing to the care- 
lessness of the P. O. master they were sent back to me a day or two 
ago after the stamp had been defaced and it had been postmarked 
Manhattan. I will start them again and send more soon. I re- 
ceive the Prov. Jour. & N. E. Farmer, from home quite often and am 
very much obliged for them. I find very many good things in the 



308 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

N. E. Farmer. The season is very late here this year three or four 
weeks later than last year I should think ; some of our farmers have 
been and are planting their corn over again as that which was 
planted early rotted in the ground. Some are planting now for the 
first time. I have planted all of mine but about one acre and that 
I intend to plant tomorrow. 

Mr. Booth, Mr. Todd's father in law, has just arrived from R. I. 
He says that the grass is just starting there, We have had good 
feed for four weeks. Mr. B. was only one week coming from R. I. 
here, I do not see why it need take three or four weeks for letters 
to pass between us. Does the weather still continue cold in the east? 

I am glad to hear that uncle Hagadorn succeeds so well with his 
school. How does the Female Seminary prosper? How does Theo- 
dore get along in the store? Have you finished planting in the 
garden yet? Those Crowder peas do not need sticks or brush. If 
you plant the seeds of the sensitive plant in the house out of the 
wind it will do better and be more sensitive, they should not be 
handled while very young. 

I do not think we shall be able to get the Cong Meeting house 
built this season ; money commands a high rate of interest, from ten 
to fifty per. cent., and sufficient funds cannot be raised immediately. 
The surveyors have come along at last, and my claim has been sur- 
veyed The lines come better than I feared, east line about four rods 
east of house, but I loose my plowed ground. Mr. Wilson has paid 
me enough to get as much more broken up, and I am going to have 
the use of the old ground this year. 

It is getting quite late and I must close. 

Wife sends her love to you all Tell Herbert to write us a letter. 
The election for delegates to Constitutional convention comes off on 
the 15th of June, we do not anticipate any trouble. Do write often. 
Mrs. T. P. Wells Yours aff'cty. 

Wakefield, R. I. T. C. Wells 

Manhattan, K. T. 

July, 16th 1857. 
Dear father & mother, 

We were very glad to get a letter, written in part by both of you, 
last week. Mother thought it was time I had a letter from home 
even if it was a "short one," So think I ; it was four weeks since we 
heard from you before, but instead of a "short one" we were very 
glad to get a good long letter. Sorry to hear that Aunt Mariann's 
health is so poor. I believe she is owing me a letter, I wish she 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 309 

would write, if she does not soon, perhaps I shall take the liberty 
to write again. 

I had forgotten that I made any promise to write grandmother 
Clarke, but have been intending to write her when I had a little 
leisure. I will try and write her soon. It has taken about all my 
spare time to answer my old correspondent's letters. 

I am happy to hear that they have settled a minister in Lyme, 
and one too that gives satisfaction I hope their like for him will 
continue to increase on acquaintance and that God may bless his 
labors there to the good of the church and society. 

We have not yet commenced building the Congregational Church 
but intend doing so soon. We have now about three thousand dol- 
lars towards building a church, which would pay for a building 
sufficiently large to accommodate the present congregation, but in 
this fast growing country we have to calculate a little for the future 
A church large enough for us today would be too small a year hence. 

Do you feel able to help us a little? and do you know of any one 
in your vicinity that would give us a little? 

Our little church now numbers twenty five; ten united with us 
last Sunday, nine by letter or recommendation from other churches, 
and one by profession; and there are several more that think of 
joining us soon. 

So it seems that you hear from us once in a while, besides through 
our letters. Mr. Goodnow says we "are very pleasantly situated" 
and so we are. I wish you could come and see us you would say so 
too. And then Judge Woodworth has been in Waken" eld; the last 
man that I should have thought of being there, a queer man. 

We have heard nothing of Dr Clarke since he left the east, he 
owes me a letter and I should be glad to hear from him. I wonder 
how he liked the west. I am sorry that Theodore is out of business 
again ; he will never be easy without some active business or without 
company. He never was made to be much alone, I think; and if he 
cannot have good companions he will have bad ones. By com- 
panions I mean those of near the same age. Perhaps it would be 
well for him to go to school awhile longer, he might get over his 
fever for going to sea and take a liking to something else less ob- 
jectionable. I would have liked to have him stay out here with me, 
if he would have done as well for me as any one else would. I 
always liked Theodore and am willing to do much for him, but did 
not feel that I could afford to keep him with me unless he would 
take more interest in my affairs. I did not feel as if I could afford 
it, and yet perhaps he did as well as any young fellow of his age 



310 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

would do under the circumstances. I think he got a little homesick 
once in a while and that would make him a little careless as to what 
he did and how he worked. 

I would rather try him again than have him go to sea he might 
do better the second time; and I think Ella's influence over him 
would be very good as they seem to think a good deal of each other. 
If he must go to sea it seems to me that it would be much better for 
him to go a long voyage under a good captain than to go a coasting. 
I mean if he must follow the sea as a means of livelihood, but I 
think that one short voyage from Wakefield to N. Y. would sicken 
him of sea life so that he would be glad to remain on land after that. 
If he should go on a long voyage he might get to liking it before he 
reached home again. July 18th The thermometer stands 109 in 
the shade rather too warm to work with comfort out of doors and 
so I will try and finish my letter to you. 

We had a fine rain a week ago today after a drouth of five weeks 
wanting two days. We needed rain very much, the ground was 
very dry and the grass was all drying up. Nearly all the sod corn 
was killed by the drouth. Although considerable water fell the 
ground was so very dry that it soaked it all up and it is getting 
quite dry again. My corn grows finely and looks as well as any- 
body's. I have cultivated it twice in each row, both lengthwise and 
cross wise of the field, making four times that I have gone through 
it with the cultivator. I have also gone through the most of it and 
pulled off the suckers, the soil being stronger we are troubled much 
more with suckers than you are in the east. The tobacco worm has 
destroyed most of the potatoes in this vicinity and as far as I can 
learn throughout Kansas. Those that were fortunate enough to 
have their potatoes planted near the house where the chickens could 
get at them will probably have a good crop. I have killed all the 
worms on mine several times and may get a fair crop from my early 
ones, but my late ones are, I fear, entirely destroyed. 

The spring being so late and the drouth following, our gardens 
have fared rather hard; many things in the beds that were planted 
late did not come up and many things that did come up, as cab- 
bages, have been killed by the dry weather and grasshoppers, we 
have had radishes, and spinage, and a small mess of peas. We have 
cucumbers and squashes nearly large enough to eat, and our early 
com has tasseled. My well holds out finely during the dry time, 
seven feet of water in it all the time. I don't know what we should 
do without it. Several of the neighbors have to come here after 
their water. I have had a hired man with me for nearly two months 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 311 

past, find plenty of work all the time. When there is not much to 
be done on the farm, a man and team (two yoke of oxen and wagon) 
can get $4. per day drawing stone, sand, or water down to Man- 
hattan. Houses are springing up there like mushrooms, and it will 
soon be quite a town. 

I am glad, if you intend to remain in Wakefield, that you have 
bought some land; I wish you could put up a snug little house on it 
and have a nice home of your own, that is if you think it impossible 
that you can ever come and live out here with us. If you lived one 
or two hundred miles further in land I should entertain strong hopes 
of sometime selling out here and going east, to live near you again. 
You say that the farmers there have had to plant over their corn as 
we did here. Many of our farmers had to plant over on account of 
poor seed, but I did not, except a little where the crows pulled it up. 

Your garden would not suffer for warm weather if you had a few 
such days as we are having now; the thermometer has gone up a 
degree since I have been writing it now stands 110. 

I am glad Uncle Hagadorn succeeds so well with his school. 

I have no doubt but that my old ground is worth much more than 
I got for it from Wilson, but that was the best I could do with him. 
You must consider that Mr. Wilson was not legally obliged to pay 
me anything. 

Mr. Wilson has sold his claim for twelve hundred dollars and gone 
east. He has considerable property here yet in the shape of town 
shares and town lots etc. has left two notes with me, not yet due, to 
collect. The thermometer has gone up two degrees more; we shall 
catch afire soon ! But we do not suffer nearly so much from extreme 
heat here as in the damper atmosphere of the east. 

July 19; Sunday. The thermometer rose above 114 during 
yesterday afternoon, but it has not been so warm today by 9 or 
10. We have not been to meeting today James, the man that helps 
me, went down to his claim, about six miles S. E. of here, yesterday 
and did not get back until this afternoon. He had one of my horses 
and the saddle and it was too warm to walk to meeting, so we staid 
at home and spent most of the time in reading. Do write often and 
tell Theodore and Bertie to write. 

Love to all. Has Lizzie returned to Rochester yet? 

Yours truly in haste 

T. C. Wells 

July 20th No rain yet: very dry. 

If you can get anything toward helping us build a church please send 
to me and I will hand to the treasurer of the society with name of 
donor. 



312 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

[Ella S. Wells to Theodore] 

Manhattan, K. T. Aug 23rd 1857 
Mr. T. B. Wells. 

My Dear Brother Theodore, 

I have three letters that I ought to answer, but somehow I feel 
a strong inclination to write to you. I have been thinking for some 
time it was very strange that you did not write and let us know 
how you were getting along. I have thought of you more than usual 
of late especially last week when we went graping. We found them 
much nicer & thicker than they were last year. I would much 
rather have had a good time with you if I had not got quite as many 
grapes. We did not start until after dinner and three of us got as 
many as two bushels. How I do wish I could see you. 

I often think that you would have enjoyed yourself much better 
had you been here this year insted of last. Do you not think so? 
I am sometimes silly enough to think that we are as happy and con- 
tented as people ever are in this world. 

There has been some changes since you left Mr Browning has 
a house on his claim & has lived there since early last spring. His 
family now consists of himself wife, & little daughter. The neigh- 
bors say it is the handsomest little girl they ever saw. Mr Todd 
has a new shop apart from the house his sister that came out last 
spring is failing very fast I do not think she will live two months. 
Mrs. Todd now says that she is willing to live here or any where 
else that Mr. T. can be well; it would kill her to see him suffer as 
Mary does. Mr. Whelden lives about as usual ; he has been below & 
traded some this summer but he has had quite a number of fits and 
if they continue it is not safe for him to do so. he has provided 
for his family better than last year. Hatty Lyman is just as sweet 
as ever Henry Booth waits upon her some. I have not time to 
write about all the folks. It is almost bed time, when I get to writing 
to a dear friend it is hard for me to stop. I shall never see my father 
again; he has left this world of sin for a better clime I trust. I 
will send you a letter from sister Nancie giving the particulars. 
Excuse me for so doing, it was so interesting to me it seemed as if 
it would be to you. Please save it for me until I come home. Now 
Theodore will you not write and tell us all about yourself. What 
are you doing? How you enjoy yourself? Are you a good boy and 
try to please you[r] Heavenly Father and your earthly parents? I 
hope you are and that you are happy. Naught else will make you so. 
Much love to father & mother and a kiss for Herbert. I will leave 
the next page for T. Do write soon I want to hear from you much. 

Your Affectionate sis Ella. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 313 

Dear Brother, 

Ella has written and wishes me to write you a little on this page. 
We have wondered why we have not heard from you this long time. 
Have you been sick We have not heard from Wakefield in four 
weeks. Do you think of coming out here again at any time? 

I hope we shall be able to make a visit east in two or three years, 
but hope we shall receive a visit from father first. Are father and 
mother and little Bertie well? Tell Bertie to write us a letter. My 
Corn looks finely. For two weeks past we have been drawing stone 
and digging out and walling up our cellar. It will take two or three 
days more to finish it. 

Excuse the appearance of this letter. I could write better with a 
stick, if it was not very sharp, than with such a pen as this. 

Do write us soon 

Yours truly 

T. C. Wells 

Manhattan, Kansas T. 
My Dear Mother, Oct 4th, 1857. 

Your letter should have been answered before; we received one 
from Theodore at the same time and answered that, and as I was 
pressed for time, concluded to wait a week or two before I answered 
yours. 

Our hired man has left us, his time being out, and now I have to 
work alone again. 

We have been haying for the past two or three weeks, and I have 
got up two large stacks of excellent hay. My corn is ready to 
gather, or rather to cut up, it is hardly dry enough to put away in 
a crib. I expect to have 400 or 500 bushels notwithstanding the 
injury it received from drought and grasshoppers. My corn suf- 
fered less from drought than most other fields around, because I 
plowed deeper, and the grasshoppers did not injure it so much as 
they did many other fields. 

Corn is worth $1. per. bush, here now and will be worth $2. or 
more in the spring. We shall have plenty of squashes & pumpkins, 
but very few beets and no potatoes. There are a cartload or more 
of nice water-melons in the field; you may have as many as you 
wish if you will come after them. 

Our pigs grow finely, and we shall have plenty of fresh pork by & 
by. We have about 100. hens & chickens from seven or eight last 
spring, and might spare you a few very well. My cow "Beauty" 
met with a misfortune the other day, so that she does not look quite 



314 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

so beautiful She had been off with some other cattle and was rather 
fractious, so we tied her up to a post, but she tried hard to get away, 
twisted herself around the post and broke off one of her horns. We 
tied a tarred cloth around the wound immediately and it is doing 
well. Meeting was held in the hall over the new stone school house 
today; the Lords Supper was administered, and Mr. Parsons, of 
Ogden, (formerly of Cape Cod,) preached to us from the text They 
crucified him. Quite a large congregation were out. I think Uncle 
Hagadorn must be acquainted with this Mr Parsons. You ask if 
we ever "think" of coming home. Indeed we do, few days pass but 
what we speak of making a visit east, and if our lives and health are 
spared we anticipate much pleasure from such a visit before many 
years. 

You speak of Amos being in New York. Has he been there on 
business or on a visit, or has he left Minnesota? Is grandmother 
Wells in Kingston now? How does Theodore get along? I think 
that he is naturally very affect [ion] ate and will do most anything 
for you if he really feels that you love him. 

I hope I shall have more time, now that long evenings have come, 
so that I can answer your letters more punctually. Have not had 
a letter from father in a long time. Does he talk any of coming to 
see us now? I do wish he would come and make us a visit. Ella 
sends her love to you and father, and says that you "are all that she 
can call father and mother now." She also sends love to Theodore. 
Tell him we want him to write us. 

Tomorrow is election day when the great question will be de- 
cided whether the people of Kansas shall rule Kansas or not. May 
God speed the right. Yours truly 

Mrs. Thos P. Wells, T. C. Wells 

Wakefield, R. I. 

Manhattan K. T. 
My dear Mother, October 25th 1856 [1857] 

It is Sabbath evening and I was intending to go down to Man- 
hattan to a prayer meeting this evening, but wife was taken with so 
bad a tooth ache that she was obliged to go to bed, and I thought it 
not best to go and leave her. 

You have been doing great things in the picnic line in Wakefield. 
Why did Uncle Christopher leave .Norton? Will the boy's school in 
the Seminary injure uncle H's school? 

The Rev. Mr. Kelloch 7 (the one about whom there has been so 

7. Kalloch, Rev. I. S. See Kansas Historical Collections, v. VIII, p. 79. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 315 

much talk in Boston and the papers) a Baptist minister from Bos- 
ton, preached in Manhattan today, and the best sermon in my judg- 
ment that I have heard in a year. He is a fine looking man, and an 
intimate friend of Dr. Robinson, from Maine, who resides here, and 
who seems to think as much of Mr. K. as of an own brother. Mr. K. 
talks some of coming out here to settle in the spring and bring a 
number of families with him. He is a great advocate of temperance 
and a very interesting temperance lecturer, and we need such a man 
here very much. 

The Oct. election has resulted in a perfect triumph to the free 
state party, notwithstanding the disadvantages under which they 
laboured. They have elected their delegate to Congress and have 
a working majority in both branches of the legislature. So now I 
hope the question is settled that we shall have a free state, and 
there will be no more trouble. 

I have traded off one of my horses for a buggy wagon and do 
not intend to keep but one horse now. I find that one will answer 
my purpose very well. Oxen are much better to do heavy work with 
and there is not near so much risk in keeping them as horses. Times 
are hard here, but not quite so bad as in the east. Money is very 
scarce. I had $90. dollars to get for a man last week and I never 
found so hard work to get a little money before. Could not collect 
a cent where it was due me and found it very difficult to borrow or 
hire for the reason that every bodie's pocket was empty. By perse- 
verance, however, I made out to get it at last. Does the Wakefield 
Bank still continue to redeem her bills? Some emigrants have come 
in this fall. The country is continually filling up and cabins and 
houses are going up all the time. Manhattan "city" has got to be 
considerable of a place. 

The Chinese Sugar cane does well here; several barrels of Sirup 
have been made in this vicinity and they are still making. Next 
year I think we shall raise all the sweetening that we need in this 
part of the country. I can raise sugar cane enough on an eighth 
acre of land to supply me with Sweetening for a year and it is no 
more work to raise it than corn. It is said that the seed are as good 
to make cakes of as buckwheat. You had better come out and live 
with us on some good claim near by. Do write often. 
Mrs. T. P. Wells Yours truly in haste 

Wakefield, R. I. T. C. Wells 



316 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Manhattan, K. T. Nov. 22/57. 
My dear father, 

We have been watching the prairie fires for an hour past. The 
wind is strong from the west, and the fires are quite near on the S. 
and within four or five miles on S. W. and W. They look fearfully 
grand in the night, and we have felt somewhat afraid that they 
might come upon us in the night and do some damage, but it has 
commenced raining within a few minutes and deadened the fires 
very much, yet they continue to burn a little. 

We have not had a letter from home in a long time, five or six 
weeks at least; mothers last letter was written sometime in Septem- 
ber and was answered within a week or two. Are some of you sick 
or what has happened that we hear nothing from any of you? 

We have had a very stormy fall, some snow and a good deal of 
rain and most of our farmers are late about harvesting there corn. 
Some few have theirs all gathered but many have either a part or 
the whole of their crop still standing in the field. I hope to get 
mine all secured in a few days. 

I do not think there has been much, if any, more corn raised here 
this year than there was last year, as the drought killed nearly all 
the sod corn and the grasshoppers very much injured that on the 
old ground. There are many more people and cattle here, to create 
a deman[d] for corn, than were here last year, and I doubt not it 
will be worth from $2.50 to $3. per. bush, before another autumn. 

I do not think that there will be much suffering here this winter, 
as there doubtless will be in the east. Labor is in good demand; 
common laborers getting from $1.75 to $2. per day while masons, 
carpenters &c get $2.50 and $3. a day. 

I went up to Ogden, a few days ago, and paid for my claim and 
received the usual certificate or receipt which answers for a deed 
until I get my patent from Washington. So now I have a farm of 
my own, secured by government title ; and if you will come and live 
on it I will give you forty acres of it for a home, and you can raise 
your own corn and wheat, sugar and molasses, and beef and have as 
much milk and butter and as many chickens and eggs as you choose, 
and all sorts of garden vegetables, and enough over to furnish your 
family with suitable clothing. There will be churches, schools and 
stores, within two and one half miles, and probably there will soon 
be a college on the claim directly south. 

There is little danger of fever and ague on the high prairie, and 
Kansas is to be a free state. It would be so nice if we could live 
near each other. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 317 

How does Theodore come on? Is he a pretty good boy now? I 
wish he would write to us oftener. 

It is getting late and I must bid you goodnight. Do write soon. 
Love to mother, Theodore and Herbert. Yours truly 

To Thos. P. Wells Esq. Thomas C. Wells 

Wakefield, R. I. 

Manhattan, K. T. Dec. 20/57. 
My dear mother, 

I have neglected answering your letter longer than usual on acct 
of press of business. I have had two or three men helping me get 
in my corn; there has been so much wet weather this fall and win- 
ter that corn has not been dry enough to crib until quite lately. 
We finished a week ago yesterday. I had between 450 & 500 
bushels, which considering the dry weather and the grasshoppers 
was a good crop much better than most of my neighbors succeeded 
in saving. I attribute my success, principally, under the blessing 
of God, to deep plowing and the frequent and thorough working of 
the ground with the cultivator, especially during the dry season. 
How do you like Rev. Albert Palmer, as a preacher and as a neigh- 
bor? As well as Mr. Reed? What do you mean by the sentence 
"When we are thrown out of Wakefield Bank we may possibly build 
a house there"? &c Is there any chance of fathers leaving the 
Bank? If he ever does I hope he will not settle in Wakefield but will 
come out west and live near us. He can then have a farm of his 
own and be as independent as you please. Ella's friends write that 
they have been afflicted with very bad colds similar to what you 
say that you and many others have had around Wakefield. 

I have not heard from Dr. Clarke in a long time. I presume that 
he has been busily engaged with business of his own, for Lizzie says, 
in a letter that I received last week, that he has married again a 
sister of Rev. Mr. Clarke's wife of Whitinsville. We hear enough 
about ''failures" "broken banks" &c but they do not trouble us 
much, except that they make money scarce, for we find it quite 
difficult to get the cash for dfts on the east. 

Uncle Sam is buying considerable corn, however, and will soon 
make money more plenty here. Lizzie writes that you think the 
reason Theodore went home was because I "could not manage him," 
but that is a mistake. I did get tried with him sometimes and I 
presume he did with me; but he went home principally because he 
was home-sick. He was young, had never been from home but 
little, had never been used to working much at home, here he had to 



318 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

work a good deal alone, and then we were boarding, and did not 
have things very comfortable, compared with what he had been 
used to in the east, or we now have it here; altogether it was not 
strange that he wanted to go home; and I did not discourage him 
because I did not feel that I needed his help much in the winter and, 
he and I both felt that father needed his assistance. Theodore felt 
more free to do as he was a mind to with me than he would with a 
stranger, and did not seem to interest himself so much in my behalf 
sometimes as I would have liked, but perhaps he did as well as I 
could expect one so young as he to do under the circumstances. If 
father does not need his assistance I would like to have him help 
me next year, and would pay him reasonable wages. I shall have to 
get some one to help me in the spring, for I shall have forty acres 
to fence and at least twenty five to plow and plant, and if T. will 
try to do right would rather have him than another. 

We have had a very mild winter thus far. Warmer this month 
than in Nov. the thermometer ranging generally, on the north side 
of the house, from 30 to 50. 

It is expected that quite a number will unite with the Congrega- 
tional Church at the next Communion seasion. 

It is very probably that Kansas will be admitted as a state by the 
present Congress under some sort of a constitution. 

At least nine tenths of the people are in favor of a free state ; and 
if Congress attempts to force a pro slavery Constitution upon us 
there will be civil war. We do not expect any such thing, however, 
thus far God has been with us, and brought to nought the counsels 
of those that would tyranize over us and I trust he will not forsake 
us now. Love to father Theodore and Herbert, would like to have 
them all write us. Ella sends love. 
To Mrs. Thos. P. Wells, Yours truly in haste, 

Wakefield, R. I. Thomas C. Wells 

Private. Dear father, 

I shall want some one to help me in the spring, and I have some- 
times thought that, if Theodore cannot be contented there and will 
not be useful to you, I would be willing to try him here again. Liv- 
ing with us in our own home he might be better contented than 
before, and I cannot but think that Ella's influence over him would 
be good. 

I simply make this suggestion and want you to [do] just as you 
think best about it. Yours truly 

T. C. W. 
(To be concluded in the November Quarterly) 



Ferries in Kansas 
PART X GRASSHOPPER RIVER 

GEORGE A. ROOT 

/GRASSHOPPER (now called Delaware) river is the largest af- 
^J fluent of the Kaw between the Blue river and the Kansas-Mis- 
souri border, and has its source in the eastern part of Rock Creek 
township, Nemaha county, about one and one half miles west of 
Sabetha. At its head the stream is designated as Grasshopper 
creek, attaining the dignity of river after it crosses the Brown county 
line. Its course is to the southeast from Nemaha county, across the 
southwest corner of Brown, the northeast corner of Jackson, across 
the southwest portion of Atchison and then south across Jefferson 
county from north to south, entering the Kaw river on Kaw Half 
Breed land, Tract No. 20, about one mile due south of Perry. The 
stream originally was about 91 miles long, of which approximately 
six and one half miles are in Nemaha, eighteen in Brown, nineteen 
in Atchison, six and one half in Jackson and forty-one in Jefferson 
counties. This river has few tributaries of any importance, the 
principal ones being the Little Grasshopper, in Atchison county, and 
Cedar, Slough and Rock creeks in Jefferson county. The Delaware 
drains a section of the state rarely affected by drought. The banks 
of the stream in some places are low, and the rich bottom lands 
along its course are easily flooded. In one locality land was flooded 
every year from 1902 to 1912 and again in 1914. In the latter year, 
however, the channel in places was straightened, and approximately 
ten miles of the river's length eliminated. 1 

It is common belief that the stream took its name from some visi- 
tation of grasshoppers many years ago. The first printed reference 
to the stream the writer has been able to locate is a mention by 
Prof. Thomas Say, of the Long expedition, who camped on its head- 
waters the night of August 27, 1819. His comment of the stream 
was that "About Grasshopper creek the soil is fertile, the grass 
dense and luxuriant." 2 No doubt the name attached long before 
his visit. 

The stream has been known by a number of names during the past 
100 years. John C. McCoy, in a reminiscent article published many 
years ago, says: 

On the morning of October 11 [1856], we reached a stream thirty-four and 
one-half miles from the military reservation, which the Indians called Nesh- 

1. Topeka Daily Capital, November 30, 1914. 

2. Kansas Historical Collections, v. 1-2, p. 297. 

(319) 



320 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

cosh-cosh-che-ba 3 or Swallow river, seventy-six links wide about which there 
was a large timber. Another mode of rendering the sounds of this Indian name 
of this river is Nach-uch-u-te-be, and this is the orthography given on the map 
which we made of the Delaware reservation. The stream was also called 
Sautrelle river and also Martin's river, in 1830. In the field notes of our survey 
it is given as Nesh-cosh-cosh-che-be. 4 

Delaware Indians, according to William E. Connelley, in a letter 
to George J. Remsburg, called the river the "Chuck-kan-no," mean- 
ing "they stopped here." Remsburg wrote an excellent account of 
the river, which was printed in the Atchison Daily Globe, November 
29, 1907. He mentions that William P. Badger, agent for the 
Kickapoos, stated that the stream was called for a Frenchman 
named Sautrelle, whose name in English signified Grasshopper. The 
Delawares called the lower part of the river "Hing-gwi-men-o-ken," 
signifying "Big Muddy." The names "Martin" and "Swallow" 
river, according to Remsburg, probably originated from the cliff 
swallows or martins that frequent the banks of the stream. Kaw 
Indians may have given the stream its name. Bourgmont, the 
French explorer, camped on the stream a few miles below the site 
of present Muscotah on the night of July 27, 1724, while en route 
from the Kanza nation (present Doniphan) to the Padouca nation, 
in north central Kansas. From an examination of various old maps, 
atlases and narratives, it would seem that the name Grasshopper 
river, antedates that of Sautrelle, but from 1830 to well in the 1850's, 
one name was used about as frequently as the other. 

Falls on the river were unknown to the whites until 1852. That 
year a military train under command of Maj. E. A. Ogden was 
conveying workmen, mechanics and supplies to Fort Riley, when a 
Kickapoo Indian informed the major that there was a much better 
road than the one by the way of Osawkee they were then using. The 
major tried the route once, but not a second time. Henry Sen ac- 
companied the expedition as a mechanic, and on this trip made the 
accidental discovery of the falls. The expedition crossed the river 
at the location where the old road crossed in 1857 and 1858. 5 In 
1859 a town was laid out at this point, and named Grasshopper Falls 
for the river. 6 Following a number of grasshopper visitations which 
started as early as 1820 and recurred in 1855, 1860, and 1861, 7 the 
residents of Jefferson county became "fed up" with the name grass- 
hopper, and asked the legislature to change the name of the town- 

3. McCoy's map, survey of 1830, gives spelling as Neesh-cosh-cosh-che-bah. 

4. Kansas Historical Collections, v. 4, p. 305. 

5. Valley Falls New Era, May 18, 1878. 

6. Laws, Kansas, 1859, p. 141. 

7. Wilder's Annals. 



ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 321 

ship, river and city, substituting Sautrelle in place of the despised 
name. This was done in 1863. 8 This discarding of an ancient name 
furnished Sol Miller, editor and publisher of The Kansas Chief, at 
White Cloud, with an excuse to have some fun, and he promptly 
substituted "Sowtail" for Sautrelle, when speaking of the town, 
river or township. Ridicule is a hard thing to combat, and the 
populace did not relish being spoken of as residents of a community 
with such a ridiculous nickname, so the legislature in 1864 9 re- 
stored the old name, which was used for the next eleven years. By 
the irony of fate the worst visitation of grasshoppers came during 
the summer of 1874, and mention of hoppers was not a popular sub- 
ject for discussion with the residents of this county, so with the 
meeting of the legislature of 1875 a bill was introduced in that body, 
and passed, changing the name" of the town to Valley Falls and the 
township and river to Delaware. 10 

The first ferry location on ascending the river is a matter of 
speculation. However, a ferry was contemplated and authorized by 
the legislature of 1861, to be located at or near the junction with 
the Kansas river. This act gave John C. Bailey the right to main- 
tain a ferry at that point for ten years and have exclusive privilege 
for a distance of three miles from the mouth of the river. 11 This 
must have been close to Perryville of later date. 

In 1867 Klews & McHenry were granted a license for a ferry over 
the Grasshopper at or near where the Union Pacific Railway, East- 
ern division, crosses that stream. Their license was to date from 
May 1, 1867, and was to continue in force for one year on payment 
of $10. Ferriage rates established by the commissioners were: 

Two horses and wagon, over, 25 cents ; two horses and wagon, over and back 
on same day, 40 cents. Four horses and wagon, over, 40 cents ; four horses and 
wagon, over and back on same day 40 [50?] cents. One yoke of oxen, over, 
25 cents; one yoke of oxen, over and back on same day, 40 cents. For each 
additional yoke of cattle, 10 cents. A man and horse, both ways, 15 cents. 
Footman, .05 cents. Sheep and swine per head, .02 cents. Loose horses per 
head, .05 cents. Loose cattle, .03 cents. 12 

This location was at or close to present Perry, on the river road 
running west from Jefferson county. 

From Wyandotte and the Missouri river points the bulk of travel 
and freighting of course went over the military road, but a consider- 

8. Laws, Kansas, 1863, p. 71. 

9. Ibid, 1864, p. 169. 

10. Ibid, 1875, p. 178. 

11. Private Laws, Kansas, 1861, pp. 34, 35. 

12. Jefferson county, "Commissioners' Journal," 1863-1869, pp. 406, 407. 

213875 



322 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

able portion of it took the river road. Just how long this ferry was 
operated is uncertain, no further mention having been located. 

The next ferry licensed for this location was on November 11, 
1876, when Wm. M. McKinney was granted a license to keep a ferry 
across the Grasshopper at Perry; also a license for the Lecompton 
Bridge Company for a bridge across the Kaw river upon the pay- 
ment of the clerk's fees. 13 McKinney was an old hand at the busi- 
ness, having been engaged in ferrying at Lecompton from 1868 to 
1870. 14 

In 1857 a bill was introduced in the council to authorize the build- 
ing of a bridge at or near the mouth of the Delaware river, but this 
failed of passage. 15 

Early in 1872 travel must have been sufficient to warrant the in- 
stallation of a pontoon bridge at this point, since Thomas G. Smith 
in March, 1872, applied to the board of county commissioners to 
grant him a license for a private pontoon bridge on payment of 
$10. 16 Apparently this was the last license issued at this point. 

The next ferry location upstream was at Osawkee. In March, 
1856, Jefferson Riddle 17 was granted the first license issued by the 
board of county commissioners to maintain a ferry at that point, 
paying $10 for the privilege for one year. 18 

This ferry was located at the crossing of the military road, and 
probably did not operate for more than a year, as W. F. and G. M. 
Dyer took steps to establish a bridge at this point, Doctor Tebbs 
introducing a bill in the legislature asking that privilege for them, 
which became a law. 19 

Osawkee is the oldest town in Jefferson county, and in its early 
days was settled by Southerners. During the troublous days in 1856 
the town was raided by a Free-state party. It was the first county 
seat, and for a few years was accounted one of the most important 
towns in the county. The Delaware land sales were held at this 
point. 

13. Ibid., Book C, p. 193. 

14. Kansas Historical Quarterly, v. 2, p. 345. 

15. Council Journal, 1857, pp. 196, 220, 280, 245. 

16. Jefferson county, "Commissioners' Journal," Book D, p. 41. 

17. Mr. Riddle was a wealthy Southerner who settled at Osawkee and engaged in busi- 
ness operating a ferry on the side. He attended the land sales at that point when the 
Delaware lands were sold, and bought several farms. On the breaking out of the Civil War 
he took his family and left for the South, joining the Confederate army. Returning to his 
old neighborhood in Kansas after the war was over, he had a feeling that he might be taken 
into custody on account of his Southern sympathies. All his farms with the exception of one 
were in the possession of others. A daughter of Mr. Riddle, Mrs. Maude DeLong, now resides 
at Silver Lake, Shawnee county. She was reared by grandparents on her mother's side, who 
were strong unionists. 

18. State Board of Agriculture, Report, 1877-1878, p. 240. 

19. House Journal, 1857, pp. 75, 196, 212; Council Journal, 1857, pp. 75, 169, 174, 184, 
201; Lawt, 1857, p. 145. 



ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 323 

During the legislature of 1857-1858 Mr. Owens introduced House 
bill No. 312, 20 for the establishment of a ferry over the Grasshopper. 
This bill passed both houses, but was vetoed by the governor, who 
sent the following message to the House, giving his reasons for so 
doing: 

To the House of Representatives: 

Gentlemen I herewith return "An act to establish a ferry at the mouth of 
the Grasshopper river," without approval, for the reason that the locality does 
not come within the jurisdiction of the Territorial Government of Kansas. 
The mouth of the Grasshopper is within the limits of the Delaware Reserve, 
though the Half-Breeds of the Kansas tribe, by virtue of a prior treaty, have 
a life estate in the lands at that point, the reversion being to the Delawares. 
But the Indian title has never been extinguished to those lands, and the 
Organic Act declares that "all such territory shall be excepted out of the 
boundaries, and constitute no part ofthe Territory of Kansas." With a knowl- 
edge of these facts, I do not see how I, as Governor of the Territory, can 
exercise any legislative control over that locality. With these objections the 
bill is returned to the House in which it originated. 

February 11, 1858. J. W. DENVER, Acting Governor. 21 

At this same session Council bill No. 5 was introduced to incorporate 
the Grasshopper Bridge Company. A similar measure, House bill 
453, was introduced in the House of Representatives, but neither 
measure passed. 22 

A toll bridge was constructed at Osawkee some time in the 1860's 
and must have been a paying proposition. No names of anyone con- 
nected with the enterprise have been found, and the only reference 
we have located is that a petition was presented to the board of 
county commissioners asking for an appropriation of $500 for the 
purchase of the toll bridge across the Grasshopper at this point. 23 

Grasshopper Falls was the next ferry location, one being in opera- 
tion at this point in 1859. No mention of a license was found for 
this enterprise, but a Leavenworth paper refers to a ferry in con- 
nection with the relocation of a road from Fort Leavenworth to Fort 
Riley via Grasshopper Falls. 24 No further notice of this ferry has 
been located. Late in the fall of 1862 a bridge had been constructed 
at this point having a span of 123 feet in the clear. C. G. Waite, 
formerly of Tecumseh, was the architect and builder. 25 

As early as 1855 Grasshopper Falls took steps towards getting 
roads, the legislature that year establishing one from Leavenworth 

20. House Journal, 1857-1858, pp. 191, 217; Council Journal, 1857-1858. 

21. House Journal, 1858, p. 888. 

22. Ibid., 1858-1859, pp. 221, 261, 327. 

28. Jefferson county, "Commissioners' Journal," January 11, 1867. 
24. Kansas Weekly Herald, Leavenworth, March 26, 1859. 
85. Kansas State Journal, Lawrence, November 27, 1862. 



324 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

to Indianola, by way of Money creek and Grasshopper Falls. James 
Frazer, J. B. Ross and Geo. H. Perrin were appointed commis- 
sioners to survey and establish the road. 26 At the same session a 
road was also established from Osawkee to Grasshopper Falls. 27 In 
1872 a road was laid out from Grasshopper Falls to Leavenworth, 
via Winchester. 28 

Probably the uppermost ferry on the Grasshopper was one thought 
to have been located on S. 28, T. 5, R. 18, five miles north of Effing- 
ham, on the military road. 29 

26. General Statutes, Kansas, 1855, p. 977. 

27. Ibid., p. 949. 

28. Jefferson county, "Commissioners' Journal," Book D, p. 244. 

29. This ferry was marked on a map of historic spots in Atchison county, prepared by 
the late Franklin J. Hole, of Effingham. (Map in Archives division of Kansas State Historical 
Society.) Mrs. Agnes C. (Franklin J.) Hole was not certain about its existence, however, and 
under date of June 30, 1936, wrote as follows: 

"I have talked with James Snyder here in Effingham, who has resided here 68 years. He 
said the river five miles north of Effingham is the Little Grasshopper, running into the Grass- 
hopper farther west ; a very small stream now, even dry at times, but showing evidence that 
it was larger formerly. He is sure that there was never a ferry at this point, though remem- 
bers something of a ford west of Effingham. The military road from Leavenworth to Fort 
Kearney is about at that point and he remembers much traffic, both military and immigrants, 
going farther west. There are deep ruts all along this old road that can yet be seen, es- 
pecially near old Huron. There seems to be some confusion regarding the military road and 
the Oregon trail ; some say they are the same and others say they are separate, but they 
were at least both near this county. 

"I have talked with the Ed. Phillips family, who own a farm five miles north of Effingham 
and have lived on it for twenty years. Mr. Phillips was born in Leavenworth and is about 70 
years old and remembers very well the soldiers and freighters using the old military road, 
passing through old Huron and Kennekuk. On his place there is evidence of a trail that crosses 
the place; also large timbers show near the banks of the former stream that look as though 
they were parts of a large building and possibly a bridge. They remember an old story of a 
flat boat and that there was a ford at this place ; there is sometimes water in this cut, but 
think it never could have been large enough for a ferry. There seems to be old Indian mounds 
on the Phillips place and the one directly north of them. 

"Mrs. Neva Jackson, telephone operator, heard us talking and volunteered the information 
that her uncle Abram Bennett was Indian agent at Kennekuk, and that there was an old 
stage barn there, and she had heard much of the travel, both military and people going west. 
She said there was a ford on Clear creek, south of Kennekuk, seven or eight miles north and 
east of Muscotah, on land now farmed by Mark Hardin. She was also quite sure the ferry, 
if any, must have been on the Big Grasshopper." 



Kansas History as Published 
in the Press 

Events in early Kansas history were reviewed in three articles 
published in the winter, 1936, number of The Aerend, of Hays. 
Titles and authors of the stories were: "A Hero of the Wakarusa 
War [Capt. Thomas Bickertori] ," by F. B. Streeter; "They Gave 
the Crowd a Thrill," a story of a shooting in the early days of 
Ulysses, by Bee Jacquart; "In the Bad Old Days," an account of 
Dr. William Tichenor's encounter with the Sioux Indians in western 
Kansas in 1876, by Paul King. 

Histories of Kansas local lodges of the A. 0. U. W. appear from 
time to time in the Kansas Workman, of Erie, the order's official 
monthly newspaper. 

Reminiscences of Troy in the 1870's, by Eliza Johnston Wiggins, 
of Otego, were recorded in a letter printed in The Kansas Chief, of 
Troy, January 30, 1936. 

"A Story About Alma in the Eighties," by D. R. Brummitt, was 
published in the Alma Signal February 6, 1936. 

The history of the Montezuma Press, founded as the Chief in 1914, 
was briefly reviewed in its issue of February 20, 1936. 

Histories of cattle trails through the Indian territory and more 
particularly of the Chisholm trail, including statements of pioneers 
regarding its location and a sectional map of its course from the 
Red river station to the Kansas border, were published in the 
Chronicles of Oklahoma, of Oklahoma City, in March, 1936. The 
article was prepared by H. S. Tennant of the Oklahoma State High- 
way Commission. 

A fiftieth anniversary celebration of the organization of Mary S. 
Wells Chapter, No. 41, Order of the Eastern Star of Osborne, was 
held March 13, 1936. A history of the society was outlined in the 
Osborne County Farmer, March 19. 

"Fort Leavenworth Claims Honor of Being the First Kansas 
Capital," the Leavenworth Times reported in an article appearing 
March 22, 1936. Congress prescribed in 1854 "that the seat of gov- 
ernment shall be temporarily located at Fort Leavenworth," accord- 
ing to the Times' article, and "Governor Andrew H. Reeder, first 

(325) 



THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

territorial governor, established his official residence at Fort Leaven- 
worth in October, 1854." Remaining there "for a little more than 
six weeks," the Times reported, "Governor Reeder and his staff took 
themselves off to the Shawnee Methodist Indian Mission." 

Coats Methodist Church history was reviewed in detail in a 
special church fiftieth anniversary edition of the Coats Courant 
issued March 26, 1936. Services in commemoration of the founding 
were held March 25 to 29, inclusive. 

David Donoghue, of Fort Worth, Tex., writing in the April, 1936, 
number of Mid-America, of Chicago, limits the location of Quivira 
to an area immediately to the north of the Canadian river, and 
makes the "end of Quivira" coincide with the end of the flat plains 
at or near the North Canadian in Beaver county, Oklahoma. The 
"Quivira-in-Kansas idea" was discounted by the author. 

Early Runnymede was mentioned in Victor Murdock's column in 
the Wichita (Evening) Eagle April 1, 1936. 

Names of pioneers registering at the annual meeting of the Barber 
County Old Settlers' Association held at Medicine Lodge March 27, 
1936, were listed in The Barber County Index, of Medicine Lodge, 
April 2. 

On April 2, 1936, Wellington observed the sixty-fifth anniversary 
of its founding. In celebration of the event both the Wellington 
Daily News and The Sumner County News issued 14-page editions 
carrying more than fifty stories of historical interest. The Monitor- 
Press, of Wellington, also featured a short history of the city. 

A resume of a history of the Junction City Methodist Church, 
edited by the Rev. Lynn H. Rupert, and published in pamphlet 
form, was printed in the Junction City Republic April 2, 1936. 

William F. Cody and his old home in Leavenworth county were 
discussed by A. B. MacDonald in an article entitled, "The Boyhood 
Home of 'Buffalo Bill' To Be a Memorial to Frontier Heroism," in 
the Kansas City (Mo.) Star, April 5, 1936. 

A biographical sketch of Jesse Chisholm and the story of the 
founding of the trail which bears his name was published in the 
Wichita Sunday Eagle April 5, 1936, under the title "Would Me- 
morialize Chisholm With Monument." 

Old buildings at Fort Leavenworth are still preserved, the Leaven- 
worth Times reported in an illustrated article April 5, 1936. 



KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 327 

Early-day Huntsville was described by Herbert C. Totten in the 
Hutchinson Herald April 5, 1936. 

Wichita's first funeral and first Sunday School were recalled by 
William G. Taylor, of Cleveland, Ohio, in an interview with Victor 
Murdock in the Wichita (Evening) Eagle April 8, 1936. Mr. Taylor 
discussed the building of the city's first church in the issue of April 
10, and earlier history in the April 11 number. 

The history of the Hillsboro Star, founded May 2, 1924, was 
printed in its issue of April 9, 1936. 

Reminiscences of the late Otto P. Byers, of Chicago, who had a 
part in the building of eight railroads in Kansas, were published in 
the Wichita (Evening) Eagle April 9, 1936. 

"Colonial Ancesters Give Landon Background for Presidency" 
was the title of a full-page article by Joe Nickell in the Topeka 
Daily Capital April 12, 1936. 

A biographical sketch of the Rev. Charles M. Sheldon, author of 
In His Steps, was contributed by Cecil Howes to the Kansas City 
(Mo.) Star in its issue of April 12, 1936. Other articles by Mr. 
Howes included: "[Edmund G. Ross] Kansas Senator Who Voted 
to Acquit Andrew Johnson Was Called Betrayer," Times, April 17; 
"Many Saloons in Kansas Smashed Before Carry Nation's Crusade," 
Star, May 18, and "Kansas Is Far From the Treeless Prairie That 
Many Believe It to Be," Times, June 10. 

"Early History of Kanwaka," was the title of an article by Mrs. 
Guy Bigsby which appeared serially in the Lawrence Democrat 
from April 16 to May 21, 1936, inclusive. The article was read at 
a meeting of the Douglas County Historical Society on January 29. 

Margaret Whittemore, of Topeka, has been preparing sketches of 
early Kansas landmarks which she plans to issue in book form 
soon. These drawings are being published in the Sunday issues of 
the Topeka Daily Capital starting with the issue of April 19, 1936. 
Descriptions and histories of the landmarks which accompany the 
pencil sketches were also written by Miss Whittemore. 

A brief history of the History and Literature Club, Horton's old- 
est woman's society, was related in the Horton Headlight April 20, 
1936. The club was organized in 1891. 

"Early Day Colonization Attempts Found Jewell County Indian 
Tribe Inhospitable," was the title of an article printed in the Burr 
Oak Herald April 23, 1936. 



328 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Histories of the Rule and Hide Out schools in the Fall River vi- 
cinity were briefly sketched in the Fall River Star April 24, 1936. 

The Clay Center First Baptist Church held a celebration April 30, 
1936, in observance of the silver anniversary of the dedication of its 
present building. The church's history was reviewed in the Clay 
Center Dispatch, Times and Economist in issues contemporaneous 
with the event. 

Wichita in April, 1886, in the fourth month of its memorable 
boom year, was described by Victor Murdock in the Wichita (Even- 
ing) Eagle April 30, 1936. 

On April 30, 1936, the Eudora Weekly News celebrated its fiftieth 
anniversary with the issuance of a special twenty-eight page paper 
in tabloid form. Histories of the News and the city's churches, 
schools, and clubs, biographical sketches of pioneers, and letters and 
greetings from friends of the newspaper were published. Included 
in the feature articles were: "Eudora Seventy-nine Years Old," 
"First Marriage," and "Main Street Fifty Years Ago." 

Four letters recalling the early history of Burr Oak were pub- 
lished in the Burr Oak Herald on April 30, May 14, 21, and June 4, 
1936. 

A history of the Woman's Relief Corps of Coffeyville was briefly 
sketched in the Coffeyville Leader May 1, 1936. 

The activities of the Anti-Horse Thief Association in Hutchinson 
in the latter part of the nineteenth century and names of some of 
the members were recalled by Charles Epley in an interview in the 
Hutchinson Record May 1, 1936. 

Hypnotism as it was first introduced in Wichita was discussed by 
David D. Leahy in the Wichita Sunday Eagle May 3, 1936. 

The history of the Osborne County Farmers Union, organized on 
May 11, 1908, was briefly outlined in the Osborne County Farmer, 
of Osborne, May 7, 1936. 

A tale of an overdue bill in the late 1860's and Jesse Chisholm's 
shrewdness was retold by Victor Murdock in the Wichita (Even- 
ing) Eagle May 7, 1936. Chisholm first lived on the bank of the 
Little Arkansas river and in 1866 he moved on what is now Chis- 
holm creek, Mr. Murdock reported. 

The Sublette Monitor issued an eighty-page magazine-size sup- 
plement to its regular issue of May 7, 1936, celebrating its fiftieth 



KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 329 

anniversary. Features of the edition included: "The Story of 
the Sublette Monitor Since Days of the Homesteaders" "Haskell 
County's Outline of History," and numerous letters and greetings 
from friends of the newspaper. 

A history of the Leon Christian Church was reviewed in the 
"Christian Endeavor Edition" of the Leon News May 8, 1936. 

"Kansans Prominent in Consular Service," was the heading for a 
series of biographical sketches contributed by Frank K. Tiffany to 
the Topeka State Journal in its Saturday issues, May 9 to June 13, 
193,6, inclusive. 

Histories of Wichita's hospitals were briefly reviewed in the 
Wichita Sunday Beacon May 10, 1936. 

Prominent Wichita physicians during the first twenty-five years 
of the city's history were named in an article entitled "Physicians 
of Early Day Wichita Were Hardy Lot" published in the Wichita 
Sunday Eagle May 10, 1936. The article was reprinted from the 
Medical Bulletin, publication of the Sedgwick County Medical So- 
ciety. An article by F. S. Vassar, reviewing the Salvation Army's 
fifty years in Wichita, was another feature of this issue of the Eagle. 
A memorial plaque was embedded in concrete in the 100 block on 
East Douglas on May 12, marking the place where the Army first- 
met fifty years ago. 

"Reminiscences of an Old Republican of 93 Years," by Thomas 
F. Wilson, and "Recall Early Days at Diamond School District 14," 
west of Green, were feature articles of The Times, Clay Center, 
May 14, 1936. 

The history of St. John's Lutheran Church of Bird City, or- 
ganized January 8, 1911, was printed in the Bird City Times May 
14, 1936. 

Osborne observed the opening of a new bridge over the Solomon 
river, the completion of a dam and lake, and the anniversary of the 
arrival of the Pennsylvania colony with an all-day celebration on 
May 21, 1936. Historical articles in the Osborne County Farmer 
contemporaneous with the event included: "Enchanted Valley," 
and "The Village Deacon Recalls a Few Old Settlers," by B. P. 
Walker, "Migration of the Pennsylvania Colony," "Osborne County 
Was Organized in 1871," "The County Census of 1870," "Osborne 
Fire Department Organized in 1888," "An Indian Baby Born Near 
Present Site of Library," "Original Minutes of the Pennsylvania 



330 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Colony/' in the May 14, issue, the last-named article being con- 
tinued for several weeks following; "Covert Community Pioneers," 
by Sylvia DeWitt Gorham, May 21; "Old Settlers Register," and 
"Notes of the Celebration," May 28; "Pioneer Tales," by Myrtle 
Curran Hose, and B. F. Yost's recollections of consular service in 
Germany, June 4. 

A story of the founding of the Hutchinson Typographical Union 
was related by Ed M. Moore, charter member, in The Labor Re- 
view, Hutchinson, May 15, 1936. 

"The Memory of the Notorious Marais des Cygnes Massacre Is 
Revived on Anniversary Day," was the title of an article featured 
in the Fort Scott Tribune May 19, 1936. A monument was erected 
at Trading Post some time ago in memory of the victims of the 
1858 massacre. 

Early Thomas county history was briefly outlined in the Colby 
Free Press-Tribune May 20, 1936. 

"This Month Marks 75th Anniversary of Chisholm Trail to Abi- 
lene, Kas.," was the title of an article by Bliss Isely in the Kansas 
City (Mo.) Star May 20, 1936. 

Cimarron's Methodist Episcopal Community Church celebrated 
the fiftieth anniversary of its founding May 21, 1936. The history 
of the organization was reviewed in the May 21 issue of The Jack- 
sonian, of Cimarron. 

Names of former teachers and the salaries paid them were fea- 
tured in a history of Hard Pan School, District No. 3 of Coffey 
county, contributed by Ben Preston to The Daily Republican, of 
Burlington, in its issue of May 23, 1936. 

"Research Has Separated Truth From Myth In History of Mar- 
cus Whitman," missionary to Oregon who made the journey from 
Independence to Oregon in 1836, the Kansas City (Mo.) Star re- 
ported in a two-column article printed May 23, 1936. 

The story of the Beecher Bible and Rifle colony, which founded 
Wabaunsee, was reviewed by Mrs. Willard Green in the Topeka 
Daily Capital May 24, 1936. The history of Kickapoo parish, 
which on June 1 celebrated the centenary of the erection of the first 
Catholic church in Kansas, was contributed by Sue Carmody Jones 
as another feature of this issue. The story of the church was also 
recounted in the Kansas City (Mo.) Times May 25. 



KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 331 

"White Cloud, Kas. Has Retained the Culture of Its Pioneer 
Founders," was the title of a three-column article by A. B. Mac- 
Donald in the Kansas City (Mo.) Star May 24, 1936. 

"Some Shawnee County History" was the subtitle to E. E. Kel- 
ley's "Kansas Grass Roots" column in the Topeka Daily Capital 
May 25, 1936. 

More than twelve pages of the Hays Daily News of May 26, 1936, 
was devoted to the activities of the Hays High School during the 
past year. Featured in the edition were a page history of the school 
and a list of graduates from 1889 to date. 

A monument was erected and unveiled near Colby on May 31, 
1936, at the graves of Alfred and Fred Gould who died in an attempt 
to reach their semi-invalid father who was alone on the homestead 
during the blizzard of January, 1886. The story of the tragedy 
was told in the Colby Free Press-Tribune May 27. Original notes 
made by the early surveyors of Thomas county were published in 
part in another article in this issue. 

The Haven Journal celebrated Haven's fiftieth birthday with the 
issuance of a forty-page tabloid edition on May 27, 1936. Histories 
of Haven and its churches, and several biographical sketches of early 
settlers were published. Pioneers reminiscing for the issue included : 
Etta Williams Astle, C. W. Peckham, the Rev. C. V. Priddle, Chris 
Stecher, F. 0. Mott, W. F. Williams, Mrs. Mattie Fisher, and Mrs. 
Ellen T. Doles. Feature stories included: "Extracts From the 
Diary of G. S. Bishop," "Haven's First Newspaper and Post-office 
Building," "Recollections of Haven by Founder of Haven Journal," 
"Organization of the Haven Grade School," "First Haven Free 
Library," "The Haven Rural High School," and "Farms Taken by 
Homestead and Still Owned by First Settlers or Families." 

An eye-witness account of "Wichita's Last Touch of Shooting Up 
Town [1880] and What Took Place," by Fernando Robey, pioneer 
Wichitan, was the subject of Victor Murdock's front-page column 
in the (Evening) Eagle May 28, 1936. 

The Kanopolis Methodist Episcopal Church celebrated the fiftieth 
anniversary of its founding May 31, 1936. Brief histories of the 
church were sketched in the Ellsworth Messenger and Reporter in 
their May 28 issues. 

"Richard Cleve," Pony Express rider, by John G. Ellenbecker, 
and "Wagon Wheels Reverberations of Wagon Days Caught Along 



332 THE KANSAS HISTOKICAL QUARTERLY 

the Old Overland Trails/' by George J. Remsburg, were features 
of the June, 1936, issue of the Pony Express Courier, of Placerville, 
Cal. Articles of interest to Kansans printed in the July issue in- 
cluded: "William F. Cody," by John G. Ellenbecker, and "Bull 
Wagon Bosses," by George J. Remsburg. In the August issue Mr. 
Remsburg continued his "Wagon Wheels" column. 

A brief history of the Burns consolidated schools including the 
names of graduates was recorded in the Burns Citizen June 4, 1936. 

Celebrating fifty years of service to the Gypsum community the 
Gypsum Advocate issued a twenty-eight page anniversary edition 
June 4, 1936. A detailed early history of Gypsum, and historical 
sketches of its churches, newspapers, institutions, and clubs were 
printed. Other features included: "Mail Service in Gypsum"; 
"Union Veterans Who Lived Here"; "The Gypsum Public Schools," 
by A. R. Manning; "Gypsum Fire Department"; "From Kentucky 
to Kansas," by Charles Burnham Manning; "Fragments of Mem- 
ory," by Ida Tressin; "The Municipal Water System"; "Public 
Library in Gypsum," by Ulilla Wheatley; "Saline County Fifty 
Years Ago," by Edith Wellman-Brown; "Forty-Eight Years in 
Gypsum," by John Schmitter; "City Auditorium"; "Beginnings in 
Saline County"; "Gypsum Always a Band Town"; "The Advocate's 
First Editor"; "Early Settlers in the Valley," by Ella Tinkler; 
"When They Met at Island Park," by E. E. Wheatley; "Floods in 
Gypsum Valley," by G. H. Goodwin; "Disastrous Fires of Past 
Years"; "Oldest Resident of Our City," by Dorothy Reynolds. 

Eighty-year memorial of the Beecher Bible and Rifle colony was 
held at Wabaunsee May 30, 1936. The history of the colony was 
reviewed by F. I. Burt in the Alma Signal June 4, 1936, and the 
Wamego Reporter June 4 and 11. Another history was published 
in the Wabaunsee County Truth, of Wabaunsee, in its July issue. 

A one-column history of The Kansas Chief, of Troy, famous 
weekly newspaper founded in 1857 at White Cloud by Solomon 
Miller, appeared in the Topeka State Journal June 5, 1936. 

"It's No Longer the 'Dust Bowl,' " A. B. MacDonald reported in 
a seven-column article in the Kansas City (Mo.) Star June 7, 1936. 
Mr. MacDonald interviewed many persons in the southwest corner 
of Kansas who have lived in a part of the so-called dust bowl 
region through good crop years and bad, and wrote what he saw 
and heard. 



KANSAS HISTORY IN THE PRESS 333 

Trinity Lutheran Church near Ludell celebrated its fiftieth anni- 
versary June 7, 1936. A history of the organization was briefly 
sketched in The Citizen-Patriot, of Atwood, June 11. 

A history of the First Methodist Church of Burns, organized in 
1885, was recorded in detail in the Burns News, June 11 and 18, 
1936. 

Grace Methodist Episcopal Church of Wichita, established in 
June, 1886, celebrated its fiftieth anniversary during the week com- 
mencing June 14, 1936. A history of the organization was printed 
in the Wichita Beacon June 13. 

The part Wadsworth Mound, near Greeley, played in Kansas' 
territorial history was reviewed in an article entitled "Where John 
Brown Watched for Raiding Enemies" in the Kansas City (Mo.) 
Star June 14, 1936. 

A thirty-eight page "Southwest Kansas Resource Edition" was 
issued by the Garden City Daily Telegram June 16, 1936. 

The fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Colby First Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church was observed with special services held on 
June 28, 1936. A history of the church was sketched in the Colby 
Free Press-Tribune June 17. 

Ottawa history was reviewed in the Ottawa Herald's illustrated 
"Ottawa Seventieth Anniversary Edition" June 18, 1936. Full-page 
reproductions of the entire first issue of the Western Home Journal, 
of December 7, 1865, Ottawa's first newspaper, and histories of the 
city's churches, lodges and clubs were printed. Other feature 
articles included: "Early Efforts to Bring Rails Into Ottawa"; 
"Early Cyclone Helped to Make Weather History"; "Memories of 
Ottawa," from the files of the Herald; "Phone Business Grew With 
Town"; "Atkinson Saved the Infant 0. U.," by Claude Webb; 
"River Has Made Ottawa History by Its Rampages"; "Thrilling 
Events in Early Days of Franklin County," by Harry Ireland; 
"Business Firms of Early Times Still Function"; "Ottawa Noted 
for Chautauqua"; "Doctors Came in Early Days"; "Ottawa's D. A. 
R. Organized in 1889"; "A Post Office Here in 1864"; "Some Big 
Fires in City's History"; "Asa S. Lathrop Was Ottawa's First 
Mayor"; "School District Formed Here on November 12, 1864," 
by George H. Marshall; "Isaac Kalloch, Pioneer Editor and Min- 
ister, a Sharp Dealer," by John P. Harris; "Old Rohrbaugh Still 
Lives in Theater Memory"; "[Ellis M.] Clarke Recalled the Early 



334 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Days"; "Electric Plant Here Four Years After New York," by W. 
0. Myers; "Roster of 'Boys in Blue' in Franklin County, 1861- 
1865"; "G. A. R. in 1880"; "Social Doings in Ye Old Time"; "Cut 
Acreages Back in 1874," by H. A. Biskie; "Historic Spots in Kan- 
sas," by Margaret Whittemore; "Reading Club Library Nucleus"; 
"Artificial Gas Came in 1886"; "Sons of Ireland Founded Emerald," 
by J. R. Karnowski. 

A three-column biography of John D. M. Hamilton, of Topeka, 
was published in the Kansas City (Mo.) Star June 21, 1936. On 
June 24 the Star recalled that members of the Lewis and Clark 
expedition held the first court session in the Missouri valley at the 
mouth of the Kansas river in 1804. 

The Marion Hill Lutheran Church celebrated the sixtieth anni- 
versary of its organization with special services on June 21, 1936. 
A history of the church by the Rev. J. J. Richard was outlined in 
the White City Register June 25. 

"What Price White Rock? A Chronical of Northwestern Jewell 
County" is appearing serially in the Burr Oak Herald commencing 
with its issue of June 25, 1936. The history was prepared by Harry 
E. Ross, a former editor of the Herald. 

"First Fourth of July Celebration in Kansas 132 Years Ago," by 
Harold C. Place, and "The Story of Kansas Salt," were historical 
features of the July, 1936, issue of the Kansas Chamber of Com- 
merce's Progress in Kansas. 



Kansas Historical Notes 

The tenth annual meeting of the Kansas History Teachers As- 
sociation was held at McPherson College April 4, 1936. Ap- 
proximately seventy members were in attendance. Papers read be- 
fore the association during the day's sessions included: "Foreign 
Policy of the New Deal and Recovery," Elmer B. Staats; "Some 
Recovery Methods Being Used in Canada/' H. C. Jordan; "The 
British Road to Recovery," Ernest Mahan; "High-school Social 
Studies and Recovery," Jessica Smith; "Recent Historical Litera- 
ture," John Rydjord; "French Diplomacy in the Americas, 1816- 
1850," W. H. Walker; "A Mid-Nineteenth Century Crisis," E. L. 
Harshberger, and "The Homestead Act and the Labor Surplus," 
F. A. Shannon. Tribute was paid to the late Frank H. Hodder by 
Samuel A. Johnson during the luncheon session. Officers elected for 
the new year are: H. A. Shumway, El Dorado Junior College, 
president; T. L. Parrish, Kansas State College, vice-president, and 
S. A. Johnson, Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia, secretary- 
treasurer. Other members elected to the executive committee are: 
J. D. Bright, McPherson College, the retiring president; Robena 
Pringle, Topeka High School, and Ernest Mahan, Kansas State 
Teachers College of Pittsburg. 

Kansas has erected a monument at the grave of the late John W. 
Leedy, former governor of the state, who is buried at Edmonton, 
Alberta. The bronze plate attached to the monument reads : 

John W. Leedy 

Thirteenth Governor of Kansas 
Born in Richland County, Ohio, 1849 

Died in Edmonton, Alberta, 1935 
Sincere in Purpose, Simple in Manner 
Rugged in Speech, His Public Services 

Are Here 
Commemorated by the People of Kansas 

A two-column biographical sketch of Governor Leedy by Cecil 
Howes was published in the Kansas City (Mo.) Times, May 27, 
1936. A picture of the bronze tablet appeared in the June 14 issue 
of the Topeka Daily Capital. 

A bronze tablet was recently unveiled on the Pioneer monument 
at Colfax and Broadway, Denver, Colo., bearing the inscription: 

(335) 



336 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

"Here was the end of the famous Smoky Hill Trail, Immigrant and 
Stage Road extending from the Missouri river to Denver. Entered 
the city by Fifteenth street. Traversed by Pioneers in 1858. Sur- 
veyed by W. G. Russell in 1860. Route of Butterfield's Overland 
Despatch and Wells-Fargo Express. The trail took its human toll 
deaths by thirst and by Indian raids. Placed by The State His- 
torical Society of Colorado from the Mrs. J. N. Hall Foundation 
and by the city and county of Denver. 1936." 

Kirke Mechem addressed a meeting of the Shawnee Mission 
Indian Historical Society at Overland Park April 27, 1936. 

A granite marker has been erected on the bank of White's creek 
southeast of Jamestown bearing the inscription: "White's Creek 
and Benj. White Homestead, 1867." The stone was erected last 
winter by Mrs. E. M. French, of Jamestown, a daughter of Ben- 
jamin White. Her father, who was one of the earliest pioneers and 
homesteaders in the vicinity, was killed by the Indians in 1868. 
Another daughter, now Mrs. Sarah Brooks, was carried off to the 
Indian territory and held prisoner by the Cheyennes for several 
months. 

Names of Frank P. MacLennan, editor of the Topeka State 
Journal, and George Watson Marble, editor of the Fort Scott Trib- 
une-Monitor, each a Kansas newspaper man for half a century, 
were recently added to the "Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame" 
sponsored by the University of Kansas department of journalism 
and by Sigma Delta Chi, journalism fraternity at the university. 
Addition of these names brings to thirteen the list which was started 
five years ago. For names of other Kansas newspapermen who have 
been nominated to this honor see The Kansas Historical Quarterly, 
v. Ill, p. 336, and v. IV, p. 223. 

The Second U. S. cavalry, now stationed at Fort Riley, celebrated 
the centennial of its organization with a two-day program held at 
the fort May 9 and 10, 1936. The Second cavalry was organized as 
the Second dragoons in Florida May 8, 1836. 

Members of the Douglas County Historical Society visited Le- 
compton June 16, 1936, being the first of a series of historical tours 
under the auspices of the Society to places of interest in the county. 



n 



THE 

Kansas Historical 
Quarterly 




Volume V Number 4 

November, 1936 



PRINTED BY KANSAS STATE PRINTING PLANT 

W. C. AUSTIN, STATE PRINTER 

TOPEKA 1936 

16-5211 



225211 



Contributors 

LELA BARNES is curator of manuscripts of the Kansas State Historical Society. 
GEORGE A. ROOT is curator of archives of the Kansas State Historical Society. 

THOMAS CLARKE WELLS, who died in 1907, was an early resident of the Man- 
hattan vicinity. For a biographical sketch see page 143 of the May number. 

NOTE. Articles in the Quarterly appear in chronological order without regard 
to their importance. 



F 



Journal of Isaac McCoy for the Exploring 
Expedition of 1830 

LELA BARNES 
I. INTRODUCTION 

OR several months previous to his tour of 1828 into what is now 
Kansas, Isaac McCoy had been preparing to leave the Baptist 
missionary station at Carey, Michigan, 1 which he had founded in 
1822, and remove to a western field. McCoy had worked indefati- 
gably for the betterment of conditions for the Indian, and his in- 
sistence upon the removal of the tribes from the influences of the 
whites had been a factor in the development of the Indian removal 
policy of the government. By, 1828 this national policy was taking 
form and McCoy looked to the West as a field for greater service. 
He had not, however, been able to interest the Baptist mission 
board in establishing stations in the western territory, the attention 
of that body being given chiefly to missions in foreign lands. "We 
did not believe," wrote McCoy, "that they [the board] would grant 
us permission at that time, to go west, and we therefore did not ask 
it; for it would have been more painful to go contrary to direct 
orders, than to go without orders." 2 He resolved that no work 
should be undertaken at the cost of the board, but that he would 
follow the course that lay clear before him the dedication of his 
remaining years to the assistance of the tribes in the western terri- 
tory. 

August, 1829, found the McCoy family established at Fayette, 
Mo. From that point McCoy made a short tour into the country 
beyond the Missouri in the early autumn for the purpose of secur- 
ing additional information about the lands. He spent the months 
from November, 1829, until June, 1830, in Washington, Boston, 
and other Eastern cities, working for the bill which would legalize 
the removal of the Indians to the country west of the Mississippi. 
The bill was approved May 28, 1830. 

The apportionment of territory to the tribes was the next step in 
the removal program and McCoy was commissioned to survey lands 
which had been assigned by treaty to the Delawares. His appoint- 
ment and instructions were received in a letter from Thomas L. 
McKenney, superintendent of Indian affairs: 

1. For a brief history of the founding of Carey mission, see The Kansas Historical 
Quarterly, May, 1936. McCoy's journal entries covering his tour of 1828 may be found in 
the Quarterly for August, 1936. 

2. McCoy, Isaac, History of Baptist Indian Missions (Washington, 1840), p. 371. 

(339) 



340 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

War Department 
Office Indian Affairs, June 3, 1830. 

Dear Sir: The conditional ratification of a supplementary treaty with the 
Delaware Indians, by the United States' Senate, requires that certain surveys 
shall be made. The conditions are stated in the accompanying copy of a reso- 
lution of the Senate, and the lines to be run are defined in the first paragraph 
of the treaty aforesaid, 3 and illustrated by a sketch which accompanies this 
No.l. 

The Secretary of War, by the authority of the President of the United 
States, refers the execution of this trust to you. No detailed instructions are 
necessary, since these are ample in the treaty and the resolution of the Senate 
which accompanies it. You will be governed by these; and in every particular. 
To aid you with a better view of the country, contiguous to that which is to be 
surveyed and marked by you, I enclose a copy (No. 2) of Mr. Langham's 
survey of the Kansas reservation. 4 

I am directed by the Secretary of War to say, that your compensation will 
be at the rate of five dollars a day, for the time that you may be actually 
engaged in the execution of this trust; that you will be aided by an assistant 
surveyor, to be chosen by yourself, whose compensation will be at the rate of 
three dollars a day, whilst actually engaged; and by a corporal's guard, which 
will be detailed to report to you from Cantonment Leavenworth. This guard 
will perform the duties of axemen, &c., and marking of the lines, and in aiding 
in the transportation of your supplies, &c., from place to place. 

You will obtain of the Delawares a designation of their agent, for which 
the resolution of the Senate provides, whose support will be allowed him, or 
a daily compensation equivalent to it. 

You will be careful, in all things, to conform to the provisions of the resolu- 
tion of the Senate, in obtaining the certificate of the agent who may be ap- 
pointed by the Delawares, and in transmitting the map of the surveys, &c., 
to the President of the United States, for his approval and signature, &c. You 
will be particular in making up your accounts, and these will embrace your 
own pay, at the rate mentioned, and your assistant, and the number of days 
the guard may be with you; as to each man, an extra allowance over the pay 
in the army will be made, at the rate of fifteen cents a day. The voucher will 
be your own certificate that the whole is correct as stated. 

You will engage in fulfilling this trust with as little delay as possible. 

I have, &c., &c., 

Thomas L. McKenney. 5 

3. Paragraph 1, supplementary article ratified March, 1831, to the Delaware treaty con- 
cluded at St. Mary's, in the State of Ohio, on the 3d of October, 1818: "Whereas the fore- 
going treaty stipulates that the United States shall provide for the Delaware nation, a country 
to reside in, west of the Mississippi, as the permanent residence of their nation; and whereas 
the said Delaware nation, are now willing to remove, on the following conditions, from the 
country on James's fork of White river in the State of Missouri, to the country selected in 
the fork of the Kansas and Missouri river, as recommended by the government, for the 
permanent residence of the whole Delaware nation ; it is hereby agreed upon by the parties, 
that the country in the fork of the Kansas and Missouri rivers, extending up the Kansas 
river, to the Kansas line, and up the Missouri river to Camp Leavenworth, and thence by a 
line drawn westwardly, leaving a space ten miles wide, north of the Kansas boundary line, 
for an outlet ; shall be conveyed and forever secured by the United States, to the said 
Delaware nation, as their permanent residence : And the United States hereby pledges the 
faith of the government to guarantee to the said Delaware nation forever, the quiet and 
peaceable possession and undisturbed enjoyment of the same, against the claims and assaults 
of all and every other people whatever." Treaties Between the United States of America and 
the Several Indian Tribes, 1778-1837 (Washington, 1837), p. 444. 

4. See footnote No. 28. 

5. "Indian Removal," 23d Cong., 1st sess., S. Doc. 512, v. 2, p. 5. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 341 

That part of McCoy's journal here published covers his tour to 
establish the Delaware boundaries. The first survey was that of 
the western line beginning three and one-half miles west of the 
center of present Topeka where the eastern boundary line of the 
reservation of the Kansas Indians crossed the Kansas river; thence 
north to the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of Section 3, 
Township 6, Range 15 in present Jackson county. A random line 
was then run southeast to the Missouri river at Cantonment Leaven- 
worth and the military reservation boundaries established. The 
party returned to the northwest corner of the Delaware reservation 
and proceeded to establish the boundaries of the outlet, a strip ten 
miles wide extending 150 miles westward from the western boundary 
line. 

Isaac McCoy's journal and other manuscripts cited are in the 
possession of the Kansas State Historical Society. 

II. ENTRIES FROM THE JOURNAL 

Memorandum I actually commenced making preparations for sur- 
veying expedition July 19 Dr. McCoy 6 started to Fort Leaven- 
worth, 7 and Delaware agency July 26. He returned August, 7th. 
On his return I ascertained that the decision of the commanding of- 
ficer at the Fort was such that I must purchase and equip at least 
five more horses. 

1830, I started on my surveying expedition 

Monday, at V 2 past 11, o'clock attended by my son Rice as asst. Sur- 
veyor, son Calvin as baggage master 

Two white-men as chain-carriers, and black man as cook, &c. and 
a man to help us with the pack horses as far as Can. Leavenworth. 
We have 14 horses, We are packed with flour, bacon, and all our 
out- fit. 

My wife and child accompanied me six miles, where I took my 
leave of them. 

We rode 13 miles, was able to get corn for our horses but no 

6. Rice McCoy, eldest son of Isaac McCoy. In his History of Baptist Indian Missions 
(Washington, 1840), Isaac McCoy wrote, regarding his son's participation in the tour: "From 
the time of our reaching Fayette, my eldest son had been employed in the practice of medicine, 
and his prospects were flattering, but he cheerfully consented to gratify my desire to see him 
labouring in some manner in the Indian country, and took an appointment as assistant sur- 
veyor." p. 404. 

7. In March of 1827 Col. Henry Leavenworth was ordered by the War Department to 
select a site for a cantonment on the left bank of the Missouri river, near the mouth of the 
Little Platte river. Colonel Leavenworth, however, upon examination of the site suggested, 
did not find it favorable and chose instead a location on the right bank of the Missouri river. 
This choice was approved and the post was officially designated Cantonment Leavenworth by 
Department Order No. 56, of 1827. The primary purpose in stationing troops at this point 
was for protection of the rapidly increasing trade over the Santa Fe trail. Fort Leavenworth 
(official designation under Department Order No. 11, 1832) figures prominently in the history 
of the West and the military history of the United States. 



342 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

accomodations for ourselves, therefore slept without a house, and 
cooked our own suppers. 

Tuesday Crossed Missouri river near Chariton Village 8 rested 
Au s- 17 at Smiths, and put up for the night at Mrs. McCafferty's 
where I make these Notes. 

Wednesday Breakfasted & fed at Davis's and stopped for the night 
Au &- 18 at Estes's 

Thursday Nooned at Jennings, & nighted at C. Ewing['s]. 
Aug. 19 

Friday 20 Nooned at Rennick's, & nighted at Russel's 

Saturday 21 Nooned at Flournoys, Independence. Here I saw M. G. 
Clark the Sub. agent for the Kanzas, took a letter from him to aid 
me in assuring the Kanzas that I am not about to disturb them in 
their lands, nor to intercept any promise which the U. S. had made 
to them; &c. I purchased a few additional articles of out- fit here, 
as I had done at Lexington. Received a letter from Genl. Clark, 9 
of St. Louis, and a Flag which I had requested him to send me for 
my use on the expedition. 

In the evening reached the Shawanoe & Delaware agency, at the 
house of Maj. J. Campbell the Sub. Agt. by whom we were kindly 
received. 10 Our tents were pitched for the company, while I ac- 
cepted an invitation to take quarters with Maj . Campbell. 

Cohern, the Shawanoe express sent to the Delawares to bring on 
their Commissioner to see their lands marked off, has not yet re- 
turned Is expected soon. 11 

Sunday Our Sister Wiskehelaehqua, alias Mrs. Shane, I am happy 
Aug. 22 to j iear con d uc ts like a Christian. She expresses a great 
desire that a mission should be established here among the Shaw- 
anoes, at which she could attend and enjoy religious privileges. 
She expresses great solicitude for the welfare, especially the Spiritual 
welfare of her people. 

Monday Major John Campbell, the Sub., but now, acting agent 
Aug. 23 f or the Shawanoes & Delawares, &c., has requested me, 
since my arrival, to endeavour to establish a School among the 

8. Near present Glasgow in Howard county, Missouri. The following notice appeared in 
Niles' Register, v. 17 (1819-1820), p. 30: "Chariton, a new town somewhere in Missouri, con- 
taining about eighty houses, and several brick buildings are now erecting. A year ago there 
were only 'five or six unchinked cabins' on the town plot." 

9. William Clark, U. S. Indian superintendent at St. Louis. 

10. The agency was located on the E. V 2 of the S. E. % of Section 10, and the W. Vfc 
of the S. W. % of Section 11, Township 12, Range 25, in present Johnson county, Kansas. 

11. In his abstract of disbursements for the tour, McCoy gave the name of the express 
as J. Cohon. "Indian Removals," 23d Cong., 1st sess., S. Doc. 512, v. 5, p. 229. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 343 

Shawanoes. Shane the Interpreter, who is a half-Indian, united in 
the request. The Methodists have been talking of forming an es- 
tablishment among them, but their project seems not likely to suc- 
ceed. They have done nothing yet. 

Today more than twenty Shawanoes assembled in obedience to a 
call of Major Campbell, to whom I made a pretty lengthy address 
on the subject of a mission being established among them. My re- 
marks were seconded by remarks from Maj. Campbell, and some 
from Shane. The celebrated Shawanoe prophet, who was so often 
heard of in the last war, and was brother to Tecumseh, replied 
briefly to me, approbating my doctrine. 12 

An answer in form from the tribe is deferred, until I return from 
my tour in the wilderness. After the council was dissolved, I had 
an interview with Fish, alone, He is the Chief of a band of them, 
He assured me that he and his party were in favour of having a mis- 
sion established among them. They had been desiring it for some 
time. They would not have come to this place had they not hoped 
that this would be done for them. He said he had often expressed 
his opinion to Shane, He was of the same opinion still. He thought 
that if a School, &c. was once begun those who are now indifferent 
to the subject would be induced to follow the example of others who 
are now ready to adopt those measures, and when they would see 
others sending their children to school, &c. they would be induced to 
do the same, &c. &c. 

I assured him that at his request a mission should be given them, 
and that I would enter immediately upon the work of bringing it 
about. Another man of influence said to me alone that he greatly 
desired a school that he might send his children, and that his brother 
might be allowed to send his. Another man, one of Fish's party was 
pointed out to me, who said that if a school could not be established 
here he would have to send his daughters into the settlements of the 
whites, which would occasion an expense which he could not well 
bear. 

Cohern the express sent to the Delawares returned today, and with 
him the agent of their choice. He is an old man named Johnny 
Quick is second Chief in the tribe. The interpreter Co[nn]or is 
bearing the message of the Delaware council he has not yet ar- 
rived. 

12. Shawnee medicine-man, Tenskwatawa, known as the Prophet, commander of the 
Indian forces at the battle of Tippecanoe. He removed from Cape Girardeau county, Missouri, 
to the Shawnee reservation in present Kansas in 1828 and located a town known as Prophet 
Town in what is now Shawnee township, Wyandotte county. For an account of his death, 
November, 1837, see Kansas Historical Collections, v. 9, p. 164, footnote. 



344 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Tuesday I made a formal application thro. Mr. Campbell, for per- 
mission from government to establish a mission here. I 
also communicated this and the circumstance of the case generally 
to the Board thro. Mr. Cone. 13 These letters are on file, and may be 
considered as belonging to the mission Journals. 

In the afternoon of this day, J. Connor the Delaware interpreter 
arrived with the written communications of the Chiefs. The sub- 
stance of which was that they had been in council on the subject of 
our surveying. Had chosen and sent as their agt. to see the land 
marked off John Quick an aged and respectable Chief They 
wished to remove on their lands in the course of two months. While 
we would be surveying their land, they requested that Maj. Camp- 
bell their Agent should be purchasing horses, and wagons, &c. to 
transport them to their new country before cold weather. 

They required that the nature of the whole subject be again ex- 
plained to their Commissioner, and in event of his being satisfied, 
he was to proceed. This was done to his satisfaction, and he 
cheerfully agreed to proceed. But stated that neither the nation 
nor he wished for him to go farther than to see the bounds of their 
tract generally marked that they cared not to see their out-let 
marked. They would be content without it. It would save the 
agent, who is old, from much fatigue, and would allow him to re- 
turn in time to aid in removal to their new country. 

Wednesday It was not until the evening of this day that Maj. 
Campbell could procure a horse for John Quick to ride. 

Thursday We have been detained here until this time waiting for 
Aug. 26 tri e Delaware Commissioner to prepare. This done we 
proceeded. As we passed the Shawanoe village we found 35 Kanzas 
there, assembled to have a talk with the Shawanoes. They said that 
the Shawanoes had been living two years in the country, that a 
general talk between them had been expected, and they had now 
called for that purpose. The Shawanoes invited me to attend their 
council, as one, as they said, who took a deep interest in Indian 
affairs, with which I had made myself acquainted, &c. This was a 
high compliment, of which I cheerfully accepted. I proceeded to 
the river five miles, directed the company how to encamp, and re- 
turned with my son Rice. By this time it was late in the day & 
their interpreter having not yet arrived, we returned to camp with 
the understanding that we should meet them on the following day. 
It was dusk when we reached camp and I was really fatigued & 

13. S. H. Cone, Baptist minister of New York, loyal friend and supporter of Isaac McCoy. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 345 

hungry. Maj. Campbell, & Mr. Shane and his son are with us ac- 
companying us to the Garrison. 

We expected to have to raise a boat that was sunk in the Kanza 
river here, to enable us to cross, and to this end the Shawanoes to 
a considerable number, had been invited to help. On arriving here 
the Indians pronounced the boat unfit for use. 

I had bought of an Indian a small beef for their use when helping 
us, and for our company. We now gave half of it to the Kanzas. 
Soon after I had passed them with our packs today, old Plume, 14 
sent two persons in great haste after us. We saw them coming run- 
ning, and halted to hear what news when we were informed that 
Plume had sent to get some of our Bacon. Having no disposition to 
unpack there, and as little disposition to give away our bacon, we 
went on. 

Friday I left Rice to take on the company, and took Calvin and 
Aug. 27 M r Shane, an d returned to the Shawanoe village. It was 
indispensable for me to see the Kanzas to explain to them the nature 
of our expedition before we commenced surveying. It is favourable 
that I can see them here and will save us several days hereafter. 

I addressed 35 Kanzas, seated on one side of the Council-house 
and some Shawanoes on the other. A fire in the centre, near which 
I placed a few twists of tobacco for them all to smoke. I spread out 
the map before the Kanzas and explained to them what we were 
about to do, the wishes of the government in relation to settling the 
Indians in this country, and enjoined on them to be at peace among 
themselves. 

The Kanzas said they had not yet ceded away that country. Why 
should the U. S. give it to the Delawares without first consulting 
them. 

I told them that they had ceded it five years ago that I was not 
at the treaty, but so said the paper, to which they had signed their 
names. 15 They knowing this to be true said no more, especially as 

14. White Plume, Kansas Chief. See Kansas Historical Collections, v. 9, pp. 194-196. 

15. Article 1 of the treaty made and concluded at St. Louis, Mo., June 3, 1825, between 
William Clark, superintendent of Indian Affairs, commissioner on the part of the United 
States, and representatives of the Kansas was as follows: "The Kanzas do hereby cede to 
the United States all the lands lying within the State of Missouri, to which the said nation 
have title or claim; and do further cede and relinquish, to the said United States, all other 
lands which they now occupy, or to which they have title or ; claim, lying west of the said 
State of Missouri, and within the following boundaries: Beginning at the entrance of the 
Kanzas river into the Missouri river; from thence north to the northwest corner of the State 
of Missouri ; from thence westwardly to the Nodewa river, thirty miles from its entrance 
into the Missouri; from thence to the entrance of the Big Nemahaw river into the Missouri. 
and with that river to its source ; from thence to the source of the Kanzas river, leaving 
the old village of the Pania Republic to the west; from thence, on the ridge dividing the 
waters of the Kanzas river from those of the Arkansas, to the western boundary of the State 
line of Missouri, and with that line, thirty miles, to the place of beginning." Article 2 pro- 
vided for a reservation 30 miles in width on the Kansas river. Treaties Between the United 
States of America, and the Several Indian Tribes, 1778-1837 (Washington, 1837), p. 334. 



346 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

I had told old Plume that he understood it all, for he had last year 
showed me where their line crossed the Kanza river. 

Having gone thro, with my talk with the Kanzas, I was anxious 
to follow after our company. But the Kanzas asking me to stay and 
hear what should pass between them and the Shawanoes, I con- 
sented to stay. 

The speeches of each are on separate sheets from this and may be 
considered as a part of this Journal. 16 

The packhorses had with difficulty, and some miring in the river, 
and some wetting of packs, got over. The river is sandy and miry 
with quick-sands. It is muddy so that the bottom cannot be per- 
ceived. Neither of us knew the ford Shane got thro by wading 
very deep. Calvin and I took a little to one side of his place, found 
it more shallow. Calvin went before to try the bottom, &c. His 
horse mired about the middle of the river, so that he had to dis- 
mount, and carry out his saddle bags. His horse relieved of so much 
of his burthen arose and was led out. 

I seeing this, dismounted in the river, tied up my bridle and let 
my horse follow, With much difficulty he got across. I having my 
saddle-bags, which were very heavy, and my gun to carry waded 
slowly after him. Calvin having got his horse and mine safely 
ashore returned and met me in the river and relieved me of my load. 

We stopped at a solitary wigwam at which lived an Old Delaware 
alone, without any other human being near him on either side of 
the river. It was now in the afternoon and we began to get pretty 
hungry. I had found a few ears of green corn in a deserted Indian 
field. While we dried our clothes wetted in crossing the river, we 
roasted the corn. We over-took our company in camp at dark. I 
was very much fatigued. 

Saturday Quick's horse could not be found. We proceeded a few 
Aug. 28 miles and encamped. Son Rice, Shane & I went to 
Cantonment Leavenworth, three miles from our camp. We saw the 
Commanding officer, Maj. Davenport, 17 and Maj. Dougherty Agent 
for the Pawnees, 18 on our business the history of this interview will 
be given a few days hence. We came back to our camp, and my two 
sons again went to the garrison with our papers for the inspection 
of those officers. 

16. Missing from journal. 

17. Maj. William Davenport, Sixth infantry. 

18. Maj. John Dougherty received his appointment as Indian agent in January, 1827, and 
began his work at Cantonment Leavenworth in September of that year. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 347 

Sunday We remain in camp. Receive communications from home. 
Aug. 29 Also a letter from Rev. S. H. Cone, in which among other 
things he very kindly states that as it is probable that we are in 
want of funds for the support of my family, I was at liberty to draw 
on him for one-two-or three hundred Dollars. He does not say how, 
or when he would expect to be remunerated. This is an act of kind- 
ness [and] generosity worth recording, in our Journal, and on our 
hearts, and one that will be rewarded by Heaven. I am thankful 
to the Lord for such a friend and thankful that I am not under 
the necessity of accepting the offer. True, we had not funds to fit 
out Mr. Lykins, 19 and to bear his expenses, nor to leave for the use 
of my family, but the Lord has given us friends, who have, and will 
let us have what we need on credit in Fayette, until I realize the 
earnings of my present labours. 
Major Dougherty spent most of the day at our camp. 

Monday Son Rice & myself again visited the garrison, In order to 
Aug. 30 make arrangements for proceeding. We hope to get off 
on Wednesday next, which will be as soon as we can arrange our 
business with the commanding officer at the garrison. 

When I undertook this work, the Secretary of War was advised 
that there would probably be some difficulty with the neighbouring 
Indians, and ordered a Corporal's guard, (10 men) and at my 
request he then left the matter to the discretion of the commanding 
officer at Cantonment Leavenworth. I had sent my son to the 
garrison to arrange with the commander, who then was Maj. Riley, 20 
all appeared fair. 

A Maj. Davenport had succeeded to the command a day or two 
before our arrival, and he perceived difficulties in everything. 

He first appeard unwilling to furnish any men to help me, said 
that my surveying company might be completed by my hiring men. 
That he could not senol an escort, because if one were necessary, it 
would require more men than he had to spare at least two com- 
panies. I stated to him the nature of the case, that a guard had 
from the first been deemed indispensable, and therefore the Sec- 
retary of War had ordered it. I returned to my camp, & wrote 
him an official notice that I was now engaged in the work and de- 

19. Johnston Lykins (1800-1876), son-in-law of Isaac McCoy, had been associated with 
him in missionary work in Indiana and Michigan and at this time was planning to continue 
his labors in the West. He founded the Shawnee Baptist mission in present Johnson county, 
Kansas, in 1831. The trip referred to was from Fayette, Mo., to Carey, Michigan, where he 
arranged for the appraisal of the Baptist mission property at that place, preparatory to the 
closing of the mission. 

20. Ma.i. Bennet Riley (1787-1853) for whom Fort Riley, Kansas, was named. For a 
sketch of his life see Kansas Historical Collections, v. 12, p. 1, footnote. 



348 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

sired him to furnish the men needed to complete my surveying 
company, and also the necessary escort. When he discovered that 
I was disposed to proceed in a way that would tell, he appeared 
more obliging. He said he expected some orders on the subject 
from Genl. Atkinson, 21 near St. Louis, on Sunday. I also sent him 
on Saturday evening, my Commission & instructions, and the rati- 
fication of the treaty by the Senate &c. for his inspection. 

[Marginal note.] This took place on Saturday, Aug. 28. 

On Sunday, he forwarded me a letter stating that the number of 
men that I asked for, to aid me for the first three weeks, which was 
only six, should be in readiness to start at any time, but that he 
could not furnish an escort, because, if the disposition of the Indians 
rendered a guard necessary at all, it would require more men than 
he could spare. 

It seems that he had received an order from Genl. Atkinson stat- 
ing that as there was no appearance of hostility on the frontiers, no 
escort was necessary. And if needed at all, not more than 20 men 
could be spared &c. (this was stated to me by Maj. Dougherty). 

All this was mere trifling. Atkinson, and every one else in this 
country knew that not a year for several years had passed, in which 
those Pawnees did not kill, and rob, and otherwise abuse, more or 
fewer of the citizins of the U. States who happened to fall into their 
hands. 

The Secretary of War, aware to some extent of the difficulties to 
be apprehended from the Indians within the vicinity of our survey- 
ing, had issued an order to Genl. Clark, Superintendent of Indian 
affrs. at St. Louis that he should require the Indian Agents for those 
tribes with whom I should likely come in contact, to notify the 
Indians of their several charges that I acted under the authority & 
protection of the U. States, and to require them to treat me with 
friendship &c. accordingly. 22 Genl. Clark had not given this notice 
to the agents. He had written to me that he had notified the Sub- 
agt. of the Kanzas, but he, the Sub-agent, M. G. Clark, told us the 
other day at Independence that he had not been notified. Neither 
had Maj. Campbell, S. Agt. for the. Shawanoes. Both those men 
acted promptly upon my statements to them. 

21. Gen. Henry Atkinson, commanding the western army. 

22. "War Department, Office Indian Affairs, June 5, 1830. Sir: The Rev. Isaac McCoy 
is charged by the executive with the duty of running and marking the lines called for by 
the treaty with the Delawares. You will instruct the agents who have charge of the Indians, 
owning the country over which Mr. McCoy will have occasion to travel, to inform them of 
Mr. McCoy's object; that he is under the protection of the United States, and to require their 
kind and friendly conduct towards him and his party. I have, &c., &c., THOS. L. McKENNET. 
To General Wm. Clark, Superintendent Indian Affairs, &c." "Indian Removals," 23d Cong., 
1st sess., S. Doc. 512, v. 2, p. 8. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 349 

I brought on the order to Clark from the Sec. War, and knowing 
that there were many crooked sticks about St. Louis, I had the pre- 
caution to take a copy. This I have used to effect with the agents 
above named. But Dougherty was absent at the time my son was 
at the Garrison. He was then in St. Louis, was many days in Clark's 
company, both at St. Louis, then at Prarie-Du Chien, at a treaty, 
then again at St. Louis. He asked Clark about it, but Clark gave 
him no information, and intimated that he did not believe that the 
treaty had been ratified. After Dougherty's return to the garrison, 
and his hearing that we were certainly going to work, and knowing 
that the Pawnees were the only Indians from whom we need fear 
any hostility, wrote to Clark, from whom he has not yet heard. 
Clark's neglect of duty, and Atkinson's foolish & wicked orders, 
and Davenport's childishness "are partly unaccountable. 

Dougherty could omit doing any thing for us, because he had re- 
ceived no orders, but he kindly consented to act. To justify him 
in doing so, I made a written request for him to notify and en- 
deavour to conciliate the Pawnees. I also inquired if there were any 
circumstances which had recently occurred which evinced that they 
were now under the influence of better feelings than formerly, and 
what those circumstances were if they did exist. I forwarded him a 
copy of the Sec. War's order to Clark, and also other documents to 
show to him the full character of the expedition. 

He agreed to send immidiately to the Pawnee towns, and bring in 
some of them to council on the subject. But he had not horses to 
send, and I was obliged to let him have two of our horses. These 
I sent up to him today and his express will start today or to- 
morrow 

Tuesday I again went, in company of Rice, and conversed with 
Aug. 31 Major Davenport, respecting an escort when we shall 
commence running our long line. But he appeared to be no more 
accommodating than before, and wished, as he had stated in his let- 
ter, to let the matter rest until we could hear from the Pawnees. 

Maj. Dougherty politely replied to my communication and offers 
to afford all the aid in his power. In reply to my enquiries, "If any 
recent circumstances evinced that the Pawnees are now under the 
influence of better feelings than formerly," &c. He stated that he 
knew of no such favourable circumstances. 

Davenport advised me to write to Genl. Atkinson, and state the 
number of men that I should probably need, &c. This I declined 
to do. 



350 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

The neglect of Davenport I attribute to his naturally, disobliging 
disposition, as he wished to be understood as treating me with polite- 
ness. The unreasonable, and foolish opinion expressed by Atkinson, 
I attribute to the influence of Clark. The neglect of duty on the 
part of Clark, I attribute in part to his dislike of Dougherty, but 
chiefly because he dislikes Vashon, 23 and was not pleased that 
Vashon had made a treaty with the Delawares, and more especially 
because that treaty does not stipulate for the payment of certain 
claims of traders against the Delawares. 24 

This is the last treaty to be made with the Delawares respecting 
land, and those who had hovered about them like crows about a 
carcase, knew that this was their last draw. After the treaty with 
Vashon, the Delawares were prevailed on to ask that certain claims 
to the amount of some thousands of Dollars, should be paid by the 
U. States. Vashon told them that the U. States had paid their debts 
at the treaty of St. Marys in 1818 and that ought to suffice. The 
Indians gave him to understand that they were quite satisfied to let 
matters rest so, and that they had made the request at the instance 
of others. 

The nature of those claims are generally as follows. Traders 
credit the Indians, charging three or four prices for their goods, ex- 
pecting that all will not be collected, and charging so high as to 
make themselves safe if but a small amount should be collected. 
They always enter the trade upon their own risk, and have no more 
right to insurance from the U. States than any other merchants and 
traders. When a treaty occurs, they come in with these claims. A 
trifling present or profession of friendship, &c. will induce an Indian 
to say the claim is just, and must be paid, if he sells his land. If the 
amount of claims of the claimer, is not equal to what he hopes the 
U. States will agree to pay, he creates claims by the same means 
that he has proven his old ones. 

Vashon informed me of Clark's displeasure that the treaty had 
been made, and of the circumstance of those claims. 

Such is the character of the people with whom I have to do this 
business, and such the state of things in relation to the Indians. 

The express two men, will start this day for the Pawnees. Some 
Kanzas are at the garrison, by these Dougherty sends for the Kanza 
chiefs to assemble. He is going with us that far, and will talk to 

23. George Vashon, Indian agent for Cherokees West. 

24. Treaty with the Delawares concluded September 24, 1829, ratified March 24, 1831. 
This was a supplemental article to the Delaware treaty concluded at St. Mary's, Ohio, October 
3, 1818, and provided for the cession by the Delawares of all lands in the state of Missouri. 
George Vashon represented the United States at the treaty. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 351 

them on the subject of our surveying. This he deems necessary, 
notwithstanding the interview I had with some of them the other 
day. 

A band of Kanzas have lately stolen nine horses from the 
Pawnees, a little previously, the Osages and Pawnees had a fight in 
which some ten or twelve Pawnees and two or three Osages were 
slain. Thes[e] circumstances have induced Dougherty to suggest 
to me the propriety of taking a guard on our first and present tour. 
This is to extend only sixty miles west of Missouri State, and will 
last about three weeks. We shall then be led back to this place by 
our work, and shall re-fit for our more remote and important ex- 
pidition. 

We leave some of our supplies at Canto. Leavenworth and are 
preparing to proceed on our Journey, tomorrow, which is as early as 
we have been able to adjust our business with our trifling major. 

Maj. Campbell, Shane, & his son, left us yesterday for their place. 

Wednesday At a half past 9 o'clock we left camp, proceeded to 
September 1 Cantonment Leavenworth, where we took into our com- 
pany a Corporal & eight men with 21 days' provision. We have de- 
posited the balance of our supplies at the garrison. The garrison 
furnished food for the men from there but we had to furnish horses 
and bags, &c for transportation. We there borrowed a spade for 
mound-making, & a tent for the soldiers. 

I and Calvin proceeded with the company, at 12 made, about 
15 miles and encamped at the Stranger. 25 Rice, Major Dougherty, 
& Lieut. Cook overtook us at dark, the latter merely to spend the 
night. 

Thursday Major Dougherty & I proceeded early and left my sons 
Sep. 2 ^ Dr i n g on the company. We reached Boon's, 26 at the 
Kanza agency at 1 o'clock, soon after, about 20 or 30 Kanza chiefs 
& others assembled, to whom Dougherty explained the objects of 
our coming into their country &c. and conversed with them on the 
subject of their differences with the Pawnees. 

A band of [Kansas] have lately stolen 9 horses from the Pawnees 
Since that two other parties have gone, one a party of five, 
which has been out five days, the other a party of four, which have 
been gone four days. One party have gone to the Republican 

25. Stranger creek rises in the central portion of present Atchison county and flows in a 
southeasterly direction, emptying into the Kansas river at present Linwood, Leavenworth 
county. The stream was named O-keet-sha by the Kansas Indians, the word meaning stranger. 

26. Daniel Morgan Boone, son of Daniel Boone, pioneer, was appointed farmer for the 
Kansas Indians in 1827 and located seven miles west of present Lawrence, on the north bank 
of the Kansas river, at the Kansas agency. 



352 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Pawnees, and the other to the Grand Pawnees on the great Platt 
both to steal horses. This increases the danger to us, of falling in 
with hostile Pawnees following in after the Kanza thieves, and to 
avenge their thefts. We shall be in danger of having our horses 
stolen at least, even while we are near to the Kanza villages. 
The Company overtook us at night, & we encamped near Boon's. 

Friday Had further talks with the Kanzas, Maj. Dougherty 
Sep. 3 warned them not to follow our party to beg for provisions, 
&c. &c. I have hired our interpreter who speaks Kanza. He has 
agreed to overtake us tomorrow & to accompany us a few days only. 
An interpreter is necessary, because, otherwise we could not distin- 
guish a friend from a foe as he would approach us. The Kanzas 
have not yet decided whether they will deliver up the horses they 
have lately stolen. 

[Marginal note.] Connor returned, had not found the Del. Chiefs 
horse but brought another. 

About 11 o'clock Maj. Dougherty started home We sent a man 
with him a days journey. The company started and I and Calvin 
soon followed, having obtained some smith work on our guns and a 
horse. Stopped at Plume's, 3 miles from our camp, and borrowed an 
U. States' flag. Made about eight miles and encamped on Grass- 
hopper creek. 27 Col. Boon accompanies us. 

Saturday Several Kanzas passed us both ways yesterday and two 
Sep. 4. encamped with us. We started before 8 oclock, saw a 
considerable number of Kanzas going each end of the road. We 
encamped on Soldier creek. 28 More than twenty Kanzas came to 
our camp, many of them seemed anxious to beg some of our pro- 
visions or clothing. But we assured them that we had not come to 
trade We had come to perform a piece of work for the benefit of 
their Delaware neighbors, and had brought no more of food or 
raiment than we needed for our own use. I gave them some tobacco, 
at dusk they all left us. 
We are now within three miles of the line on which we shall com- 

27. Now called the Delaware river. The stream flows in a southeasterly direction across 
present Jefferson county emptying into the Kansas river near present Perry. 

28. "The first surveys in what is now the State of Kansas were made in 1826-7 by Maj. 
Angus L. Langham of St. Louis but previously from Chillicothe, Ohio. These were 1st the 
meanders of the Kansas river from its mouth to a point twenty leagues due west of the 
western boundary of Missouri as provided by the treaty of 1825 with the Kansas tribe as 
the east boundary of their reservation thence south about 13 miles to the S. E. corner thereof, 
then west two hundred miles marking the south line thereof. He passed the winter of 
1826-7 on Soldier creek about four miles north of present Topeka and about three miles east 
[of] the Kaw village of the 'Fool Chief.' He had with him a small guard of infantry 
detailed from Fort Osage. Cantonment Leavenworth was not established as a military post 
until 1827. The name 'Soldier Creek' was adopted afterwards in honor of the flag that 
proudly waved over the Major's shanty and the warlike aspect of the camp. . . ." Letter, 
John C. McCoy to F. G. Adams, February 9, 1885. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 353 

mence our work, and not more than four or five miles from the place 
of our beginning. Jo Jim, the Kanza interpreter whom we hired 
overtook, and joined our company at camp. 

Sunday We spend the day in camp, My writing desk is the pad 
Sep. 5. o f a packsaddle, one board of the saddle being tied fast 
to a stake on the out-side, the other board necessarily projects from 
the stake, and forms a kind of shelf. The two pads are then suffered 
to fall on to the shelf part, and forms a kind of cushioned table. 

My seat is formed upon three stakes driven into the ground, with 
sticks fastened across the top so that the seat is made firm. 

Monday Left Calvin in charge of the camp, and Rice & I com- 
Sep. 6. menced our work. We had to go about 5 miles to find the 
line of the Kanza lands at the crossing of the Kanzas river. We 
crossed Soldier creek one mile & three quarters from the river. The 
creek is three rods & fifteen links between the banks. 

About a mile and a half north of us between the creek and river 
is the village of Chachhaa hogeree, Prarie-village. It contains about 
50 houses, with say three families to the house. All except three or 
four persons, started yesterday and today, on their hunting excur- 
sions. Sent the Kanza interpreter Jo Jim to try to get some sweet 
corn of them but he was unsuccessful. From the creek, which we 
could not cross with our horses, I returned to camp with Quick and 
his interpreter. The surveyors got in at dusk, I having sent horses 
to meet them. 

Tuesday Sent four men early to take a Bee tree which they had 
Sep. 7 found yesterday. They got no honey of consequence. 
We left camp a little after 9. The packhorses encamped so far 
ahead that it was dark before the surveyors came in. We were 
encamped on a branch of Soldier creek. I had sent a man to meet 
them, who returned at sundown without having seen them. I took 
Connor and rode till dark before we met with them. 

Wednesday It rained on us last night, and I omitted to state that 
S G P- 8 I have made some beginning for a mission on Missouri 

above Cantonment Leavenworth sixty or eighty miles. In June & 
July a treaty was held with various tribes viz Sauks, Foxes, lowas, 
Otoes, Omaha, and Sioux assembled at Prarie-Du-Chein, at which 
treaty it was stipulated that $3000. pr. Ann. for ten years, be 
paid by government for education purposes among those tribes. 
Dougherty, the Agt., since I met with him at the garrison suggested 
that a suitable place for a mission would be on a tract of land above 
235211 



354 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

the garrison, between the two Nemaha rivers, on the Missouri, about 
ten miles wide and twenty miles long, which had been set apart at 
the late treaty for the use and settlement of half-breeds. The land 
is to be held by them as other Indians hold their lands, though the 
Prest. of the U. S. may grant to any one of them a tract, not ex- 
ceeding 640 acres, in fee simple. Maj. Dougherty thought that some 
or all of the three thousand dollars mentioned above might be ob- 
tained to aid an institution there (though I am of opinion that there 
has been a contrivance among some whites to apply it to Johnson's 
School) 29 In conference with him, he has assured me that he would 
do all in his power to promote such an undertaking. 

I have stated to him that we would turn our attention to the 
matter. On Sunday last I wrote to Mr. Cone on the subject, and 
have requested that he & the Board resolve to enter upon the work. 
I state to him that in event of the Board not seizing upon these 
openings, that others of us intend to improve them. See my letter 
to Cone, which may be considered as part of this Journal. 30 

We left our camp after 12 oclock, passed the surveyors who had 
commenced their work pretty soon, and encamped on the Soldier 
creek, left of our line. The surveyors came in at dark. 

Thursday Our work went on as usual surveyors made seven 
Sep. 9 miles today. We encamped half a mile to the east of our 
line, on the upper branches of (perhaps) Sotraell creek. 31 Connor 
and the Delaware Chief went a hunting about 9 o'clock yesterday 
morning, and have not yet returned. I had been very particular in 
telling Connor where we intended to encamp. 

A little after dark a white man express arrived with dispatches 
from Genl. Clark & Maj. Dougherty, sent by the latter. Genl. 
Clark has sent us plats of the meanderings of Missouri and Kanza 
rivers, the Kanzas reservation &c. He advises that we should not 
run farther west than the Republican river becaus we should likely 
run onto Pawnee lands, and because we should be in danger of in- 
jury from the Pawnees. 

Dougherty wishes to know what I intend to do, and whether we 

29. Under the terms of the treaty of 1825 with the Choctaw, the sum of six thousand 
dollars was to be allowed the tribe annually for twenty years for the use of schools. A school 
for boys was established at Blue Springs, Scott county, Kentucky, under the management of 
the Baptist church and the sponsorship of Richard M. Johnson. The first students were 
received in the autumn of 1825. Boys from other tribes were also accepted and for a number 
of years the institution flourished, but by 1842 the Indians began to withdraw their boys on 
account of dissatisfaction with the results of the educational plan. Soon thereafter the 
school closed. 

30. Missing from journal. 

31. Grasshopper river, later known as the Delaware river, was also at this time called 
Sautrelle river. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 355 

wish him to delay a tour up Missouri on which his business press- 
ingly calls him, to attend our interview with the Pawnees. I am 
gratified with Clark's attention in this case, Dougherty appears to 
be very prompt and obliging. 

I replied to Dougherty, and early on 

Friday Sep. 10 I started the express back 

Surveyors commenced early. We passed the northeast corner of 
the Kanzas reserve, and encamped on the sources of Grasshopper 
river. We have not been able to kill either Deer or Turkeys, or any 
thing larger than squirrils. We have found wild honey frequently. 
Today we have found and taken two trees. 

Near night Connor & the Chief got in to camp. 

Saturday I went with some hands and enlarged the mound at the 
Sep. 11. north east corner of the Kansa reservation. We had rain. 
We found trouble to get a good camping ground, which was on 
Grasshopper creek. Killed a rattle-snake in the midst of our en- 
campment sometime after we had been tramping over it. Sur- 
veyors came in at 4 oclock Jo Jim killed a deer. 

Sunday We spend the day in Camp. Every night we tie up three 
Sep. 12. horses, so that if the Indians should steal the others we 
might still have some. Our horses sometimes get affrighted and 
one taking alarm from another, all are put in motion, and soon 
would leave us, were they not securely hobbled. By tying up some 
of them there is less danger of the others leaving camp. 

Monday We surveyed to the northern line of Del. lands, and be- 
Sep. 13 gy-Q a mO und ten feet square at the base, & six feet high. 
Removed our encampment to another branch of Sotrael. Elk sign 
has been seen for several days. Today a Buck Elk stalked near the 
camp, Two of the men got each a shoot at him, but he escaped 
Found iron ore on Delaware lands near the corner. The Doctor 
killed three Turkies. 

Tuesday Set our course as nearly towards Cantonment Leaven- 
Sep. 14 worth, (which is one of our points) as possible. Finished 
our mound, and made six miles. Encamped on a small branch of 
same creek. Two of our men fired on a large flock of Elk. 

Wednesday Moved our encampment a few miles down the same 
S G P- 15 creek. Three men started early hunting. One of them 

came in, unsuccessful, after dark. The other two remained absent. 



356 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Thursday Found difficulty in crossing two Creeks. Encamped on a 
Sep. 16 branch of same creek, Two lost men still out Fired 
the prarie, that by the immense, column of smoke that arises by the 
burning of old grass mingled with the green, they might see where 
we were. One of our men killed four turkeys. 

Friday Two lost men not returned. We saw a smoke rise not 
Sep. 17 many miles from us, and thought it possible that our lost 
men had given a signal. We answered by kindling two fires in the 
grass at different times, but heard nothing from them. Found two 
bee trees, but obtained little honey. Discovered a large flock of Elk 
at a distance, about middle of afternoon. Stopped & encamped. 
Called in the surveyors, and four of us remaining to keep camp, the 
residue of our company made an unsuccessful effort to take an Elk. 
Encamped on a branch of Stranger creek as we supposed. 

Saturday Paid Jo Jim our interpreter with Kanzas & others, and 
Sep. 18 sen f; him home, supposing that we should have no further 
need for him until we should re-fit for another tour. Took a bee 
tree. Came in sight of Missouri river, say seven miles ahead. Found 
that we were too far north for the garrison. Turned at right angles 
southwardly. Found a grove of wood & brush, and encamped on a 
water of Missouri. 

Sunday No water for our horses, and food poor, we removed four 
Sep. 19 or fi v e m iies (without surveying) and encamped on 
Stranger creek. 

Monday Yesterday my son narrowly escaped serious injury by 
Sep. 20 ttie kick of a horse on his head and arm. Being in want 
of meat, Jackson shot a fine buck. We brought up our off-set line, 
and turned towards the garrison again. Encamped on a small 
stream running into Missouri. 

Before we left camp this morning, Cap. John Quick the Delaware 
Chief told me that he had seen enough to satisfy him. he would go 
on to the Garrison and wait until I arrived and then go on home. 
He could not continue longer with us. They wished to come to this 
country before cold weather they had many women & children 
who would suffer much with cold if it should be late in the season, 
&c. &c. 

He has all along indicated no disposition to stay long with us. 
After he had started I called to him and made a second effort to 
pursuade him to stay. The day was cloudy and I feared he could 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 357 

not find the garrison. I promised to send a man in with him on the 
following day. He stayed with us. 

Tuesday We have kept up one Sentinel at a time during the night 
Sep. 21 f or mos t; O f the tour. Last night we dispensed with it, 
and think of not having guard while near the garrison. 

Delaware Chief went for the garrison attended by one of our 
soldiers. Saw at a great distance in the prarie a company of Indians, 
amounting, to one hundred going towards the garrison. 

Found ourselves getting too near Missouri and had to make an- 
other off-set. Had to travel at least two miles along a difficult stream 
to find water for encampment, which was not far from the river. 

Wednesday Encamped on a branch of Stranger, fired the prarie for 
Sep - 22 a signal to our men sent to the garrison. 

Thursday Rode out with son and ascertained the best way to get 
Sep. 23 fo ^e g arr ison. Sent Calvin and a man to the garrison 
for supplies. Our man returned from the garrison with a large 
bundle of papers, letters, &c. Altho. we were no more than 12 or 13 
miles from the garrison, such had been his awkwardness that he and 
the Delaware did not reach it until the second day, & they as awk- 
wardly slept out last night on their return. 

The Indians we saw passing in were the Pawnees we had sent for. 
Dougherty & Davenport requesting me to go in as soon as possible 
to attend the council, I rode to the garrison but it was too late to 
call the council. 

Connor & Vincent, who got lost on the 15th did not go together. 
Each had made the best of his way to the garrison and after three 
or four days reached it. Vincent returned to us today with our ex- 
press. Connor started alone yesterday to find us, crossed our trail 
more than once, We had fired the prarie, notwithstanding all which 
he slept alone in the woods and after spending two days, was mak- 
ing his way back to the garrison last night when, a little after dark 
as I was returning to camp, I met him and took him with me. 

Friday We moved our encampment further down Salt creek. 
Sep. 24 Went to the garrison. Had a talk with the 100 Pawnee 
chiefs & Wariours. Dougherty stated I had been sent to survey 
lands of the Delawares, and that if any of them should meet with 
any of our party, they must treat us well, &c. 32 I said a few words 

32. "Cant: Leavenworth, 22d. Octr. 1830. To Genl. Wm: Clark, Supt. Ind : Affs. Sir, 
I have the honor to inform you that in obedience to a message that I sent to the Pawnee 
Republicans, about one hundred of that tribe consisting of their chiefs and head men as- 
sembled at this post, on the 24th ult. My object for calling a council of those Indians at 



358 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

to them, enjoining on them to be peaceable to the Delawares. John 
Quick made a short speech to them, expressive of friendship &c. 
Dougherty gave them a considerable amount of presents which was 
due them, consisting of powder, lead, blankets, tobacco, &c. &c. 

Lately the Kanzas sent to Dougherty to say that the 9 horses 
lately stolen by them from the Pawnees they could not restore, be- 
cause their hunting party had taken them with them. This is as it 
usually happens in those cases. Dougherty now told this to the 
Pawnees, and said the Kanzas have gone to hunt. If you should 
meet with them I don't wish you to attack them, but if they attack 
you, I don't want you to hold down your heads. 

Agents might prevent wars among these tribes. Had the Kanza 
agent seized the nine horses, or taken nine others of the Kanzas, and 
forbid a repetition of such tresspass upon a severer penalty, and re- 
turned the horses to Pawnee Agt. Dougherty; if the latter had re- 
stored them with damages, and forbidden retaliation by the Pawnees 
upon a penalty of witholding some of their next year's presents, how 
much better it would have been than for both agents in this indirect 
way to encourage hostilities among them ! 

I sent Connor to bring hither Maj. Campbell, to adjust our busi- 
ness with Quick. 

Saturday The Pawnees set out for their place. They are a naked 
Sep. 25 wretched looking people, more fierce and brave looking 
than the Kanzas, but not less miserable in appearance. 

Quick & I meeting some of them this morning, a chief entered into 
communication with Quick by signs. It was amusing to see them 
enquiring of each other how many nights journey they had to their 
homes, promising to be friendly &c. The Pawnee at length not well 
understanding the signs of the Delaware, invited him to the garri- 
son where they could obtain an interpreter. I went on & informed 

this post, was to apprise them, that the Government had sent the Rev. Isaac McCoy to run 
the Delaware lines; and to point him out to them, and advise them how they should treat 
him, should they meet with him. This I conceived necessary as a precautionary measure, to 
guard against any difficulty which might possibly ensue, should they meet with his party, 
without any knowledge of its character. They made professions of friendship in general, 
and furthermore promised, that if they met with Mr McCoy they would treat him friendly; 
and also would advise their young men to do the same. They informed me that they met 
with our Santa Fe traders last summer on the Arkansas, smoked and talked with them 
friendly. They left here shortly after the Council for their village, apparently much 
gratified, & well pleased with their visit. I thought it the more necessary that I should 
assemble and talk with the Pawnees, in regard to Mr. McCoy, as the Kanza Indians have 
recently committed a breach of the treaty of peace between them and the Pawnees, by 
stealing several horses, and taking one scalp; and supposing it n9t improbable that the 
Pawnees would endeavor to retaliate, in which cases their war parties in passing from the 
Republican to the Kansas village, might possibly fall in with the surveying party, and 
finding them not far distant from the Kansas village, might without being apprised of their 
character seriously interrupt them. After hearing of the conduct of the Kansas, I went 
to the Kansas Sub Agency ; on finding Genl. M. G. Clark Sub Agent absent, I requested of 
the Kansas a return of the Pawnee horses, which they declined doing. I have not been 
informed that the Pawnees have made any attempt at retaliation. . . . Very Respectfully 
Your Obt. Servt Jno. Dougherty, Ind. Agt." U. S. Indian Superintendency MSS., v. 6, pp., 
66, 57. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 359 

Maj. Dougherty. The chief difficulty was the Pawnee had under- 
stood that the Delaware had invited him home with him. Whereas 
the Del. had only stated that hereafter they should meet and talk 
more, and that if either should go to the others place, he should be 
received with friendship, as also their people severally. 

Sunday Was informed that Maj. Campbell had gone higher up 
Sep. 26 Kanza river (which turned out to be a mistake) Sent 
express to intercept him, and inform him where we are. We re- 
mained in camp. In the evening Shane and Connor arrived. Camp- 
bell is sick and cant come. 

Monday Took Quick and Shane and showed them where we in- 
Sep. 27 tended to run the lines of the garrison reserve. 88 

Tuesday Took a certificate trom Quick that he was satisfied with 
Fop. 28 th e land, the lines, &c. and he made a written request 
that government aid them in their new home, in making fields and 
houses, and in such other respects as the Govt. should perceive their 
wants required. He stated also that they had exchanged lands with 
the expectation that here their posterity would be allowed a resi- 
dence as long as any of them remained on earth. In order to satisfy 
them that all was secure, they wished to obtain from the U. States 
such an instrument of writing as that by which the U. States secured 
land to their own white citizens. This is perhaps the first instance 
of an Indian tribe asking a patent for their lands. 

We had the documents witnessed by several officers in the garri- 
son, and others and the two interpreters Connor & Shane. Fur- 
nished Connor & Quick with eight days' rations, and, in the after- 
noon, started them home. 

[Marginal note.] For Shane's communication relative to the 
wish of the Shawanoes for a school, see, page for Note Oct. 17. 

Quick on leaving gave many assurances of his satisfaction and 
friendship, &c. among which he stated, more than once, that he had 

33. "The treaty which had fixed the boundary of the Delaware country made no provision 
for reserving to the- use of the United States the site of Fort Leavenworth, and to make the 
survey according to my instructions would have rendered the site ineligible. I therefore 
assumed the responsibility of making an arrangement with Quick, who acted in behalf of 
his people, by which a suitable tract was reserved for the use of the garrison. This measure 
was afterwards approved by the Secretary of War." History of Baptist Indian Missions 
(Washington, 1840), by Isaac McCoy, p. 407. 

"The McCoy party arrived at Cantonment Leavenworth in the fall of 1830. ... A 
feeling of uneasiness . . . soon became manifest, for very soon it was discovered that 
no provision had been made for reserving the land upon which the Cantonment stood. In fact, 
if Issac McCoy had followed his instructions literally, he would have included the Post in 
the Delaware reservation. However, upon his own initiative, he arranged a conference with 
the Post Commander, Major William Davenport of the 6th Infantry, and the Indian Com- 
missioner, John Quick. Through arrangements with them, a survey of the land immediately 
surrounding the Cantonment was made and limits were established generally paralleling the 
present boundaries." History of Fort Leavenworth, by Elvid Hunt (Fort Leavenworth, 1926), 
pp. 39-41. 



360 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

travelled much, but had never been treated with so much kindness 
by any as he had by me, and our company. 

Wednesday We dined with Dr. Bryant 84 and attended to small 
Se P- matters. 

Thursday Move our encampment a little lower down Salt creek 35 
Sep. 30 on acc ount of obtaining food for our horses. Surveyors 
at work 

Friday Surveyors, I with them, worked on the lower line of the 
Oct. 1 Military reserve. 

Saturday Surveyors at work on the lines of the Military Reserve. 
Oct. 2 

Sunday Remain in camp. 
Oct. 3 

Monday On a hill not far from the garrison we discovered, as we 
Oct. 4 went out a few weeks since, eight mounds or heaps of 
stone. This morning we examined them, and excavated one. The 
stones were not hewn and were placed circular as though a build- 
ing had been the design. Within was earth. We found in the one 
excavated human bones, apparantly scorched with fire, coalburnt 
earth, and stone that had been in the fire. The bones were so much 
decayed that it could scarcely be seen to what part of the body they 
belonged except the sculs, some of which appeared to have belonged 
to adults and some to children, and a few other bones. They were 
situated as exhibited below. [MS. illegible] It was not a mere 
burying place, because the bodies had been burned. The burning 
was not intended to reduce the bones to ashes, because this had 
not been done. It was, I suppose, or rather, they were "High places" 
in which worship was performed anciently, agreeably to the ac- 
count in Scripture of heathenish customs. Human sacrifices had 
been offered on them, or rather in them for they had been a kind of 
kiln, or furnace, surrounded with a stone wall and the corps and 
fire within. I should think that the victim had been placed upon a 
wooden scaffold, or among a pile of wood. The corpse, or corpses, 
part consumed, had lastly been covered with earth, or with vegtable 
substance and earth mingled. 36 

34. Dr. T. S. Bryant, surgeon of Cantonment Leavenworth. 

35. Salt creek flows in a northeasterly direction across present Kickapoo township, Leaven- 
worth county, emptying into the Missouri river. 

36. "At frequent intervals along Salt Creek I have found evidences of aboriginal encamp- 
ments, showing that it was a favorite haunt of prehistoric man. ... In the northwest 
quarter of the northwest quarter, section 10, township 8, range 22, is a natural basin of 
perhaps one-half acre in extent, which was evidently at one time either a largely marshy 
spring or a small lake. It is situated on the east bank of Salt Creek, just south of the 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 361 

We then went to examine a coal mine we had discovered a few 
days before, and found it an extensive stratum in the bottom of Salt 
creek, a little within the military reserve, and apparently very good. 

Tuesday Two of our horses cant be found. Packed the others, and 
Oct - 5 about two o'clock left camp In crossing the creek at 
our encampment one of our horses fell back from a steep bank they 
had to ascend, into the water. He could not rise until the pack 
ropes were cut, and the packs removed packs in the water. 

Five of our soldiers are with the surveyor, two of those left too 
drunk to be of much service. Our packs very heavy, one especially, 
Calvin had a difficult time to get started and to get on. Overtook 
surveyors, and encamped on a branch of Salt creek about six miles 
from garrison. 

[Marginal note.] Our company now consists of 15 soldiers, and 
six of us who came from Fayette, in all 21 with 14 horses The 
two that were taken by express to Pawnees, much reduced. 

Calvin remained behind, with one of the soldiers to look for the 
lost horses. 

During the time we have been in the vicinity of the garrison, I 
have had a troublesome time, again, with Maj. Davenport the Com- 
mander. He from our first entering upon this work manifested a 
most disobliging Spirit. 

I gave him notice that we should need six additional men to make 
up our surveying party for our long route, and asked for such an 
escort as he deemed expedient. He appeared to get into a fever, 
insinuated that an escort was not necessary, but if one was neces- 
sary it wod. require three of his four companies. He said the com- 
manding General Atkinson had ordered that not more than twenty 
men in all should accompany us. I held all my intercourse with him 
in writing, so that these papers might speak for themselves. 

I at length informed him that I asked for no escort unless he 
deemed one necessary, I did not think he would have the hardihood 
[to] say one was not necessary. This however he ventured to say, 
as by this means he could take advantage of my remark, and not 
send any. He then endeavoured to keep me from getting the six 

public highway leading to Fort Leavenworth. On the shores of this now dessicated depression 
have probably been found more aboriginal relics than at any other spot in Salt Creek valley. 
It was no doubt the site of a workshop connected with the old Kaw village [the lower of 
two Kansas villages on the Missouri river, both of which had disappeared when Lewis and 
Clark visited the region in 1804]. ... On the high hill, along what is known as 
'Sheridan's Drive,' overlooking this camp site and the whole valley, is a group of ancient 
mounds, one of which was opened by Mr. McCoy, the government surveyor, in 1830, being 
the first Indian mound ever explored in Kansas. ... A chain of prehistoric dwelling 
sites extends the whole length of the Valley, and mementoes of a vanished race are turned 
up by every plowshare." "Salt Creek Valley," by George J. Remsburg, Leavenworth Times, 
February 15, 1905. 



362 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

additional men for the surveying company. When he found I in- 
sisted on these, and he dare not refuse, he then insisted that I should 
go on a week, and then send for them. I let him know that I was in 
immediate want of them. 

For five or six days previously I had informed him that I wished 
to leave the neighbourhood on monday morning. He still put the 
matter off. On tuesday early I wrote him I wished to leave that 
morning. He at length wrote me that they would be detailed that 
afternoon. On account of his delays we had not the requisite num- 
ber of persons to assist us. He seemed to wish to subject us to in- 
convenience. 

He had wheedled Maj. Beauchamp, the Sub. agt. to say he thought 
there was no danger. I saw Beauchamp and when I told him the 
story of the affair he appeared to feel embarrassed. I stated that no 
company, even down to one that came in a few days ago, ever 
thought of going almost half way to the mountains from State of 
Missouri without being prepared to defend themselves against the 
Pawnees. The Sec. War had thought an escort necessary Maj. 
Riley, who lately commanded the garrison, had thot. two companies 
necessary Genl. Clark, of St. Louis Dougherty, Campbell, M. G. 
Clark, and others thot. one necessary, and every body would think 
an escort necessary and even Davenport never ventured to say one 
was not necessary until from my remark, he by saying so could 
withhold the escort. 

Having discovered the disobliging disposition of Davenport on our 
first coming into this country, I had despaired of a competent escort, 
and therefore had conferred] with Dougherty on the best method 
of accomplishing the work without one. It was hoped that when the 
Pawnees would be absent on their huntings, we might get thro, their 
country undiscovered. We, therefore, in council the other day gave 
them no idea of our going into their country. 

Wednesday My son overtook us with the six men, having found 
their horses, and brought on the men's provisions. On 
crossing a little creek near camp, mired a horse, and had to pull him 
out of the mud with ropes, &c. Our horses so heavily packed, & the 
men so awkward, and some of them drunk [so] that we had some 
difficulty to get on. Encamped on a branch of Stranger creek. Sent 
a man to aid the surveyors to find the camp. He awkwardly led 
them much astray. I heard him blowing, & shooting, and took a 
man and went out and fired my gun several times, before we dis- 
covered them coming in. Found honey today 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 363 

Thursday Soon after we left camp, discovered a company which 
Oct. 7. turned out to be Kanzas, who had been out hunting, & 
trapping. The company halted in a vale out of sight and more than 
a mile from us, and one rode across in great haste to meet us. I 
gave him a small piece of tobacco. He said there was a man or 
more with them, who wished to speak to me. I informed him that 
on such a hill I would stop to speak to them. On which he rode back 
in equal haste, and brought a half-breed who could speak English. 
In the evening three more came to our camp, on Stranger creek. 
This creek was so deep that the chain men had to swim it. 

Friday We found a good crossing for our horses, on Stranger 
Oct. 8 Creek, a mile above our camp, and where was a good 
mill seat water enough, now, to turn a grist mill most of the time. 
Found a piece of gypsum here Found a piece some days since 
on waters of Missouri. Encamped again on main Stranger creek. 

Saturday Discovered a large flock of elk. Sent three men, one of 
Oct. 9 whom fired and wounded one of them. But we did not 
get him. Encamped on a small branch of Stranger, 26 miles from 
the garrison. 

Thus far the country about the garrison and this way is very well 
supplied with springs of water, even at this time of great drought. 

Sunday Remained in camp on a small branch of Stranger. Jo 
Oct. 10 jj m) w hom I, the other day employed to go with us as 
interpreter, came to us. Brot. letter from M. G. Clark S. agt. for 
Kanzas. Clark advises that we take care to avoid depredation from 
both Kanzas, and Pawnees. A quarrel, a few days ago, took place 
between some white men hunting bees, and consequently trespassing 
on the Indians' lands, and in the affray a Kanza was killed. 

Jo Jim can speak no other Indian language than Kanza. I have 
not been able to procure a man who speaks Pawnee. This is a 
serious misfortune, and much increases our liability to be injured 
by them. 

Monday We encamped on the main Sautrell. 
Oct. 11 

Tuesday, Oct. 12 Encamped on a branch of Sautrell. 

Wednesday, Oct. 13 Reached the mound we erected, some weeks ago, 
at the commencement of the Delaware outlet. In running from the 
garrison to this place a distance of nearly 46 miles, the surveyors 
struck within less than two chains of the mound, distance, also, 



364 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

agreed with our calculations. I was much gratified with the ac- 
curacy of our work. 
We encamped a little above the mound. 

Thursday Grass for our horses, is every day becoming more scarce. 
The season is remarkably dry. The whole country around 
us, has burned over today. We had encamped in a creek bottom 
where there was least danger of the fire approaching us, and still, it 
sometimes seemed as though we should not escape. We were much 
annoyed by smoke and more than once, had to beat out the ap- 
proaching fire. We did not leave camp. Some of the soldiers 
erected a couple of mounds. 

Friday We steered our course due west and encamped on the 
Oct - 15 sources of the Soldier. Difficult to find tolerable food for 
our horses. Had to beat out the fire to save a little spot for our 
horses. In a day the whole country put on its black and dismal 
dress. The dust arising from the burnt grass, and the blackened 
weeds and shrubbery, annoys our eyes, and blackens face, hands, 
and clothes. 

Saturday Sent Jo Jim & a soldier, with two horses, to the garrison 
Oct. 16 f or our p a p erg) and for some additional supplies for the 
soldiers. After much searching for food for our horses, stopped in, 
not a good place, on another branch of Soldier creek, some two or 
three miles from our work. 

Sunday Remain in camp on the sources of Soldier creek. Omitted 
Oct. 17 m Note, Sep. 28. Shane informs that since my talk to 
the Shawanoes respecting a school, Cummins the principal U. S. 
Indian Agt. for the Dels, and Shawanoes, had stated to the Shaw- 
anoes, that he had been directed by the Prest. of the U. States to 
say to them that if they would send some of their male youths to 
Johnson's school, in Kentucky, it would be well for them, that they 
would there be instructed at a cost to the Shawanoe nation of two 
hundred Dollars a head. 37 

Again. If they would accept of a school in their neighborhood, he 
had been requested by the Methodist congregation to inform them 
that they should be furnished with a mission in their place. 

To the former, the Shawanoes replied that they wished to send 
their youths to school. But the tribe were poor, and could not spare 
the money it would cost them to send them to Ky. Moreover they 
would prefer sending to a school nearer at hand. 

37. See footnote No. 29. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 365 

To the latter proposition they replied, that I had lately offered 
them a school. They had deferred their answer until I should be 
returning from the tour. But they had determined to accept of my 
offer. 

Monday Had a little rain last night the country is exceedingly 
parched with drought. When we got on to the praries, 
the ashes from the recently burned praries, and the dust and sand 
raised so by the wind that it annoyed us much, the wind rising, I 
found that the dust was so scattered that it became impossible to 
perceive the trail of the surveyors, who had gone a few hours ahead 
of the horses. While conversing with Calvin about the course we 
should go, we discovered the atmosphere ahead darkening, & as it 
had become cloudy, we fancied that a misting rain was coming upon 
us, and made some inquiry respecting the security of our packs. A 
few minutes taught us that what we had fancied to be rain, was an 
increase of the rising dust, sand, and ashes of the burnt grass, rising 
so much and so generally that the air was much darkened, and it 
appeared on the open praries as though the clouds had united with 
the earth. Our eyes were so distressed that we could scarcely see to 
proceed, It was annoying to our lungs. The black burnt grass, 
lodging on our hands and faces, and each one rubbing his watery 
eyes with pain, soon occasioned a most horrid appearance, our 
clothes also blackening fast. The wind blew incessantly and ex- 
cessively severe. 

We succeeded in finding a mile stone, and steering our course as 
well as we could reached a wooded creek some four miles from our 
encampment. This afforded a partial relief from the wind and sand. 
Having left the horses and men in charge of Calvin, I with another 
man had just found the line along which the surveyors had passed, 
and was about to select a camping ground, when we met a man 
whom the Doctor [sent] to inform me that he could not proceed 
with his work, & that they waited for us in a wood a mile ahead. 

It being very difficult for me to look at my pocket compass I told 
the soldier who had just returned, to lead us back. He set off with 
great confidence that he could find the way and in a few minutes 
was leading us north instead of west. He was unwilling to be called 
back, and insisted that he was right. On finding the surveyors, we 
encamped for the' residue of the day. Even in this wood, and after 
the wind had somewhat abated, the black ashes fell on us consider- 
ably. 



THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Tuesday The wind and dust were severe, but not so bad as yester- 
Oct. 19 day. We w orked all day late before we encamped, 
which was on a large creek, supposed to be Vermillion. 38 

Wednesday Calvin surveyed today Had to turn out of our way 
Oct. 20 wo m ji es or more to find food for our horses. En- 

camped on a branch of Blue river. 

Thursday Again had to leave our course, with the packhorses, two 
Oct. 21 or three miles to find grass. Late before the surveyors 
came into camp. We had got into a tract of a few miles square, 
which had not been burned. While in the act of pitching our tents, 
we discovered the fire coming towards us with alarming rapidity. 
We set fire in the grass in self defense. 

The fires around us were sublime the long lines and the flame 
ascending ten, fifteen, and sometimes 20 feet high. On seeing these 
praries on fire in such a dry time as this we cease to wonder that 
the wood does not increase faster we only wonder that a vestige 
of wood is left. It was in the night before the surveyors got in to 
camp. We have seen sign of Beavers and Otters, for a few days. 

Friday Crossed the trail of about ten waggons, and perhaps 7 
Oct. 22 horses which had gone out to the Rocky mountains, and 
returned since last spring, in the employ of trappers of fur white 
men. Crossed an old beaten path. Reached & crossed Blue river, 39 
and encamped not far west of it. Saw fresh sign of Indians sup- 
pose they have discovered us, as we saw where one had been run- 
ning. Men killed two Deer Jo Jim & the soldier sent express to 
the garrison seven days ago, overtook us with flour, our papers, &c. 
Dougherty urges me to endeavour to establish a school on Missouri 
above the garrison as soon as possible, and beleives that a mission 
there would be greatly encouraged by the Indians. 

Saturday Encamped on a branch of Blue river. Grass poor 
Oct. 23 Nash killed a very fat buck. Fresh sign of Indians. Seen 
a trail of horses some tracks show that the Indians had been run- 
ning. 

Sunday Blue river is a stream of beautiful clear water 99 yards 
Oct. 24 wide, strong current, averaging one foot and a half in 
depth. Now very low. Heads near, and above the Grand island of 

38. Vermillion creek rises in present Nemaha county, flows across present Pottawatomie 
county and empties into the Kansas river near present Belvue. 

39. The Big Blue river is the largest tributary of the Kansas river. It rises in present 
Hamilton county, Nebraska, and enters Kansas through present Marshall county; forms the 
boundary between present Riley and Pottawatomie counties and joins the Kansas at present 
Manhattan. One hundred miles of its entire length of 250 miles are in Kansas. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 367 

the great Platt. It is a limestone country. Hilly near the river. 
Hills much washed, stony on sides, appearing white with the white 
limestone, sometimes of clay appearance vallies & level up land 
good. 

Oct. 24. One of our horses, a hardy little fellow 

Waters of Blue river, that I have long had in use, Broke his 

north of Kanza- left hind j in the ni ht b fastening it 

108 miles west of Cantonment , , , . , , , 

Leavenworth. At camp. Under the r ot f a tree ' aS he attem P te d 

to descend a bank ten feet high and 

almost perpendicular. The sentinel was driving him and another 
horse back to the company, when it occurred. I suppose the man 
had hurried them in the dark, and being hobbled before, the horse 
was forced down. 

The grass is so poor for our horses, which are fast failing for want 
of food, that we deemed it indispensable to move on, in hope of 
reaching the Republican fork of Kanza, where we hope to find better 
food. Before we left camp we gave our poor little horse a bucket of 
water, and a lick of salt, & left him to hop about on his three legs 
until he dies I have no hope of his recovering. 

Carrol, who, on the first tour, was twice found asleep on post, was 
again detected in the same offence last night. On the former oc- 
casions he had escaped with a mere reprimand. It now appeared 
necessary to punish in some way. Immediately after breakfast, the 
company were convened, Carrol plead guilty and begged pardon for 
this time only. He plead with tears, and I soon became quite will- 
ing to let him off, provided I could do it in a way that would do us 
no injury in future. I asked if any of his associates would be 
security for his better behaviour. Several spoke, but so far from 
even requesting his pardon, they refused to vouch for his good con- 
duct, expressed opinion that he ought to be punished. I told him 
then that I would compel him to carry a pack today This I did 
not so much for a punishment really, as to show him that we would 
punish him, more severely for a repetition of the offence. I di- 
rected the corporal to prepare such a load as he deemed proper, 
reserving to myself the right to lighten it in case I thought it too 
heavy. The fellow padded on, and was very attentive to business 
in the run 

After searching much for green grass for our horses, we encamped 
on a branch as we suppose of Blue river. Grass poor indeed. Men 
killed two deer some of the Deer are remarkably fat. 



368 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Monday Wind very high. Proceeding about three miles we came 
Oct. 25 ^0 a few acres of bottom land on a creek that had not 
been burnt, and where the grass was better than we had found it 
for a day or two, we encamped. Dried the venison we had lately 
killed. 

Tuesday Wind very high, scarcely allowing us to pass. Encamped 
Oct. 26 on a cr eek of the Republican, or Panee river. 40 Crossed 
a trail of Indians going to our left lately supposed to be Otoes or, 
Kanzas. Saw much iron ore today. 

Found a hill of iron ore indeed the most of the stone appears to 
be of that quality, though most of it is sandy. 

Wednesday Passed some high rocky isolated hills, in which cliffs of 
Oct. 27. sandy rocks appeared to contain much iron much of 

the stone looked as if it had been melted in a furnace, and when 
broken exhibited the appearance of newly broken pot metal. The 
stone is shelly the whole exhibiting volcanick appearance. We 
took some very curious specimens of hollow, and mineral stones. 

We found Coperas on a creek further on. And immense rocks of 
soapstone above ground. 

We had hoped to find food for our horses better on the river than 
on smaller streams. Today we reached the Republican, or Pawnee 
river, and to our great disappointment we found it more destitute 
of grass than any place we had seen where wood was to be found. 
The river runs over a bed of sand the banks low, and all the 
bottom lands are a bed of sand white and fine, and now as dry as 
powder ought to be. I never before saw a river along which we 
might not find some rich alluvial moist bottoms, on which, at this 
season of the year could be found green grass. But here there is, in 
a manner none. 

We examined along the river for grass until satisfied that none 
could be found and then turned back to a creek we had passed five 
miles back. We met the surveyors, and reached our creek a while 
in the night, having kept our poor horses in motion from 9 oclock 
in the morning. On reaching the creek we bogued along its banks 
by moonshine, a half a mile, and finding a little spot not burned 
over, we halted. Our poor horses had miserable fare. Some places 
along the river for half a mile or a mile in a place, there is no 
timber. A grove then occurs on one side, which, at a distance ap- 

40. See "Ferries in Kansas, Part IV Republican River," by George A. Root, The Kan- 
sas Historical Quarterly, v. 3, pp. 246-248. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 369 

pears, but on reaching it, no timber is found more valuable than 
cotton wood and Elm. 

The scarcity of wood on the river and the sandiness & poverty of 
the bottoms, greatly discouraged me as to the country While the 
great scarcity of food for our horses made us fear that we should 
not be able to proceed much further. 

Yesterday killed a Raccoon today killed a Deer and Turkey. 

Thursday Cannot proceed on our way westward today, for want of 
food for our horses Surveyors went on to run a few 
miles, and to cross the river with their line. We sent down and up 
Coperas creek in search of grass. Moved camp a mile up the creek, 
and guarded the horses, unhobled, along the brink of the water, 
where was still a little green though coarse & hard, grass that had 
escaped the destruction occasioned by the great drought, and the 
ravages of the fire. 

Friday Our line was seven miles ahead of us. We started early. 
Oct. 29 From appearances we were afraid to cross the river lest 
we should not be able to get food for our horses, and proceeded up 
a creek on the N. East side of the river, where after much searching 
we found a tolerable place, for these times. 

Saturday Started early, crossed the river travelled and searched 
Oct. 30 f or g rass till after sun set. Found a pretty good place. 
Surveyors urged on by our necessity for grass, made eleven miles. 
Encamped half a mile south west of the river, on a little creek. 
Our western line has now passed near the river 18 miles. The river 
averages in width 140 yards though where measured it was only 
126 yards, banks low no rocks all sand along it its waters 
turbid about half the bed covered with water now very low aver- 
age of water say 14 inches tolerably brisk current. Prarie bottoms 
four or five miles wide but little hill back land tolerably good, 
except the sand near the river. Quick sand in the river. Epsom 
salts are deposited in the sand beaches so as to be perceiveable both 
to the eye, and by the taste. Pass two isolated ledges, or heaps of 
iron looking sand stone, one on each side of the river. Picked up 
pieces of an earthen pot, made by the aborigines in olden times. A 
few days ago I found the iron and brass parts of a short gun, in the 
Prarie such as are much used by the Indians near the mountains. 
The wood part had been burned with the burning of the praries one 
of our men found a knife. Night before last Jo Jim caught two 
Beavers in steele traps that he set. Saw tracks of horses & mules 

245211 



370 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Indian sign yesterday & today not fresh. Many old tracks of 
Elks, tracks of one drove of Buffaloe. Crossed today three or four 
old paths leading to and from the river. Neither of our interpreters 
can tell whether we are below or above what is called the old Pani 
village, 41 though both are half-Indians, and have been in this 
country before. We know that we are below, but how far below we 
are at a loss to judge. Killed many fat turkies within two or three 
days. I shot one this evening. 

Sunday Remain in camp. Four men at a time, guarding the 
Oct. 31 horses, and keeping them along the banks of a little creek 
now dry, where they find a little grass. At the commencement of 
the high land of the river, a mile from our camp, is a Cliff, two or 
three hundred yards long, of very coarse sandstone undergoing de- 
composition. The process has rendered the appearance of the pile 
romantic in the extreme, excavations ready to pull in immense 
rocks, huge pillars standing alone, 15 or 20 feet high, castles rest- 
ing on a kind of tripod, &c. are exhibited to the fancy. The stone 
is generally of a reddish yellow, parts, however, are white sandstone. 

Monday We travelled about 4y 2 miles, and finding better grass 

November 1 ^ an usual, encamped about 12 oclock Surveyors 
went on further, & returned to camp. Passd. a very large encamp- 
ment of Indians, made last spring there must have been several 
hundreds of them. Killed six or seven rattle snakes on the open 
prarie. Killed two Deer & several turkies. 

Tuesday Dug out a root which bears a fruit like a small squash, 
Nov. 2 ^ e s j ze O f a p are on a vme resembling a squash vine. 
The root is three feet & a half long before branching and [blank in 
MS.] inches in diameter. I shot a deer, but had not time to follow 
it to recover it. Jo Jim caught a beaver, caught a badger yesterday 
and another today. Saw much Indian sign Saw also Buffaloe & 
Elk sign. Left the river bottom. Country high, pretty fertile 
Limestone land. Encamped on a creek of the river. Grass very 
poor water extremely bad. Light of prarie fire discovered to N. 
West. Johnson, was lost and slept out last night. We discharged 

41. McCoy's reference is doubtless to the Pawnee Indian village thought to have been 
established in present Republic county, S. 3, T. 2, R. 5W. The surveying party was below 
this location. John C. McCoy, a member of the party, states in his article "Survey of Kan- 
sas Indian Lands," Kansas Historical Collections, v. 4, p. 305: "On the 29th of October we 
reached the Republican, one hundred and thirty-four miles from Cantonment Leavenworth. 
This stream was called by the Kansas Indians Pa-ne-ne-tah, or Pawnee river. The river 
was twelve chains wide where we reached it, at a point near the present town of Clifton, in 
Washington county. Crossing to the south side, our course took us past near the present 
site of the town of Concordia. The terminus of our line, one hundred and fifty miles west 
of the initial points, was in what are now the limits of Smith county, on the top of a 
ridge west of Oak creek, not many miles from the present town of Cawker City." 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 371 

several guns last night and this morning to notify him where we 
were. 

Wednesday Jo Jim wounded a buffaloe, and others wounded 
Nov. 3d. another though neither could be found to day, and we 

have not time to stop to look after them tomorrow. Saw a flock of 
Antelopes. Old camping places of Indians seen. Encamped on a 
water of Solomon river. 42 

Thursday Saw two Buffaloes early did not stop to look after them. 
Saw a village of prarie dogs. Saw antelopes. In the 
evening saw five Buffaloes wounded two, but had not time to 
follow them. Travelling in a small part of the country which had 
not been burnt, we were stopped by the fire. We set fire in self- 
defence, but had barely time to get our horses on to the small place 
we had burned in time to escape disaster from the approaching fires. 
For a while we were surrounded by flame, tho. not near enough to 
injure us, and enveloped in smoke. Encamped on a water of Solo- 
mon. 

Friday Completed the line of the outlet to 150 miles, and stopped. 
Nov. 5 Y'OT some days we have discovered that our horses were 
failing so fast, that we must soon return, or lose them all. We have 
therefore risen before day & made extraordinary efforts to accom- 
plish as much as possible while the horses could live. We are sure 
that we ought not to proceed further, and hope to get our horses 
back. We are beyond all Indian villages, and 50 miles, or more, into 
the country of Bufaloes 

Fired on a flock of Antelopes. Passed another Village of Prarie 
dogs. I fired on one, anxious to examine him, but he disappeared in 
his hole. 

After we completed our survey, we turned on to a creek, and were 
looking for an encampment the day calm & fair when suddenly 
the atmosphere became darkened by a cloud of dust and ashes from 
the recently burnt Praries occasioned by a sudden wind from the 
north. It was not three minutes after I had first discovered its 
approach, before the sun was concealed, and the darkness so great, 
that I could not distinguish objects more than three or four times the 
length of my horse. The dust, sand, & ashes, were so dense that 
one appeared in danger of suffocation. The wind driving into ones 
eys seemed like destroying them. 

42. See "Ferries in Kansas, Part V Solomon River," The Kansas Historical Quarterly, 
v. 3, pp. 339-340. 



372 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

I was more than a quarter of a mile from the pack-horses, with 
three men, only one of whom was immediately with me, when the 
storm commenced. Had I not feared that Calvin, with the horses 
and company, would continue to travel to reach me, and lose him- 
self, I should have sought a low place and concealed my face until 
the storm had somewhat abated. I led on my horse, having the man 
who was with me to whip him on, sought the bank of the creek on 
which I had left the horses and proceeded on it until I reached them. 
Calvin had prudently halted in a low place, and was waiting for 
the abatement of the storm. We had great difficulty in making our- 
selves tolerably comfortable. One tent was prostrated after it was 
pitched. Mine could scarcely be made to withstand the wind, by 
tieing to trees. 

The Doctor had taken three men and gone to examine some 
mineral hills. They sheltered for a while beneath a bank of the 
creek and about dusk reached our camp. 

The storm commenced sun three quarters of an hour high in the 
evening, and blew tremendously all night. It had abated a little by 
morning. The dust was most annoying at the commencement. 
There was no clouds over us. 

The termination of our line was about four miles north of Solomon 
river, in a district remarkable for minerals. Since we came into 
the vicinity of Republican, or Pawnee river, wood has been more 
scarce than previously. The creeks, however, are all wooded. Fuel 
would be sufficient for a considerable population chiefly Elm, cot- 
tonwood, & willow near the rivers farther from the rivers is more 
wood on the creeks, and of different kinds. 

Some of the country between Pawnee & Solomon is of limestone 
character though stone scarce generally assuming more & more 
of a level character as we proceed westward Soil generally good 
some rich other of 2d. quality. Water not so plenty nor so good 
as east of Pawnee. 

We stopped 210 miles west of the State of Missouri. The country 
is habitable thus far. 

Saturday After a severe night, on us & our horses, which in addi- 
Nov. 6. ^j on t the wind and cold, were almost perishing with 
hunger, we set off as early as possible the day freezing cold, and 
the wind excessive. Killed a poor Buffaloe on Solomon. Took a 
part of it. Searched much for grass. Travelled about 12 miles, and 
encamped on the north side of Solomon. Found a little spot not 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 373 

burnt food miserable, yet better than we have had for a while. 
Passed some very large encamping places of Indians some made the 
last summer, and others longer ago. Many buffaloe sculs were 
placed together at one of them. 

Sunday Remain in camp. Solomon is here about 70 yards wide, 
Nov. 7 now lowwater at present, where the current is brisk, say 
25 yards, shallow on ripples. Water transparent. its shores, or 
rather sand beaches whitened with a deposit of salt, and in places, 
glauber salts. Glauber salts are deposited on the sand beaches of 
Pawnee river, & on the banks of [blank in MS.] creek where we 
terminated our survey. 

About half a mile above our camp is a salt spring which is a 
great natural curiosity. (See description on other side). 43 Fresh 
horse track seen, either Indians, or a wild horse is near. 

Monday We started early, & travelled till a half past three 

Nov. 8 oclock Encamped on the south side of Solomon, 

poor grass. Killed a Deer. Passed where Indians had been en- 
camped hunting & trapping, about 3, or 4 miles from where we had 
spent the two last nights. They had left there yesterday or early 
this morning went towards Panee river. They had probably dis- 
covered us. Passed many old and large camps. Much sign of 
Bufaloe. 

We had proceeded about four miles a little east of S. east, when 
we again came into a limestone country. 

Tuesday Made about 22 miles and encamped near Solomon, crossed 
Nov. 9 a little of running water, which was salt. Killed a deer, 
& Badger. 

43. McCoy probably intended to add a description of the salt spring but failed to do so 
and there is only a blank page in the Journal. However, he described it as follows in his 
History of Baptist Indian Missions, p. 411: "On the Solomon river, a middle branch of 
the Kauzau, is a salt spring, which is a great natural curiosity. About one hundred yards 
from the bank of the river, in an extensive level prairie, is a mound of stone, formed by a 
deep ravine which surrounds it ; it is one hundred and seventy yards in circumference at its 
base, and it rises above the bottom of the ravine thirty feet, and is level on the top, with a 
diameter of one hundred and twenty feet. The ravine, on one side, is about forty yards 
wide, and on the other ten. The summit of the mound is about a foot and a half higher 
than the adjacent plain. No stone pf any kind is seen in the vicinity of the place, except 
that which composes the mound, which appears to be a secondary, shelly, and porous lime- 
stone. The sides of the mound, being stone, form a striking contrast with the outer bank 
of the ravine, which is only earth. The salt water forms a stagnant pool in the centre of the 
mound, fifty-five feet in diameter, and rising to a perfect level with the summit, so that a 
wind from any quarter causes the water to run over the opposite side of the basin. About 
half-way up one side issues ?alt water, which runs off in a small rivulet into Solomon river. 
Along this rivulet, and generally on the sides of the mound, salt is chrystallized in such 
quantities that it might be collected for use. The pool on the top is deep. Solomon river is, 
by the Kauaaus, called Nepaholla meaning, water on the hill and derives its name from 
this fountain; but the fountain itself is by them called Ne W6h'k6n'daga that is, 'Spirit 
water.' The Kauzaus, Pawnees, and other tribes, in passing by this spring, usually throw 
into it, as a kind of conjuring charm, ome small article of value." Waconda, or Great Spirit 
Spring, is about two and one half miles southwest of present Cawker City in Mitchell county. 



374 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Wednesday Traveled east about nine miles, and then ten miles 
Nov. 10 E g E Encamped on a water of Solomon (as sup- 

posed) Killed two deer & a badger. No limestone for 12 miles 
back occasionally mounds & hill sides of iron looking sand stone. 
Soil good, for a few miles back resting upon sand of white & red 
colour, so that banks resembled an old lime kiln. 

Thursday So foggy that we could not see from one end of the line 
Nov. 11 com p an y to the other. Set pocket compass, my son 
before, and I in the rear would observe the variation from the true 
course by the bend of our line. Often stopped to notice the compass. 
Finding this troublesome, and that the wind blew pretty constantly 
the same direction, I tied a ribbond to the end of my riding stick, 
and guided by the direction of the flag proceeded east until after 
noon, then bore southeast down Nishcoba or Deep water. 44 Fell 
in with a flock of about 70 Elks. Killed three, and encamped on 
Deepwater. 

Friday Travelled Southeastwardly down Nishcoba, and en- 
Nov. 12 camped on its south bank. We had intended to have 
travelled east from Solomon, until we fell in with Panic river, & 
made two attempts, but found that we should be thrown on to the 
smaller branches of streams, where we could find less food for our 
horses. Saw many elks. Killed a deer. Four Kanzas came to our 
camp & remained thro the night. 

Saturday Last night we had rain. The country here is moist, and 
Nov. 13 consequently more pleasant to us, & better for the horses. 
Left Deepwater travelled east reached Panee river about one 
proceeded down it east, and encamped on the point near the Junc- 
tion of Panee & Smokey hill rivers. A horse tired and was left be- 
hind. Five Kanzas came to us and spent the night. Almost every 
place burnt over. Little food for our horses. 

Sunday Remain in camp. Found & brot. in the tired horse. Put 
Nov. 14 our h orses on to the south side of Smokyhill river, where 
we found a spot of bottom land not burnt. An old Kanza came to 
camp, & staid most of the day. 

Monday Crossed Republican river, & proceeded down Kanza on 
Nov. 15 the north side. Two Indians, one an old man, overtook 
us running, in high state of perspiration, said a great company, re- 
turning from their Buffaloe hunt, had come to our camp since we 

44. Chapman creek, flowing into the Smoky Hill river near present Chapman, Dickinson 
county. 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 375 

started, and these two had run after us (some three or four miles) 
to speak to us, & to get a little tobacco. We gave them some, & left 
them. A horse tired. Left two men to bring him on, who reached 
camp before dark. Encamped near Kanza river. 

Tuesday Branded our tired horse with a stirrip iron, and left him 
Nov. 16 a t camp. Encamped on Black paint creek, near an en- 
campment of Indians, one of whom I hired to go and bring on, if he 
could, the tired horse to the Kanza agency. 

Wednesday Met several Kanza hunters give all we meet a little 
Nov. 17 tobacco. Encamped on Kageshingah, on crossing crk. 

Thursday Encamped on a small creek near Kanza river. 
Nov. 18 

Friday Reached the Kanza agency. Obtained corn for our 
Nov. 19 hungry and poor horses spoke to Clark, the Agent 
respecting a school, &c. for the Kanzas Made no definite arrange- 
ment. Clark promised to receive the tired horse. 

Saturday Messrs. McCallister & Johnson, Methodist preachers, ar- 
Nov. 20 rived last night. They purpose establishing a school &c. 
among the Kanzas. They, or, some others of that society had been 
here previously. I knew nothing of their intentions until since I 
spoke to Clark yesterday. They have, also, a few days since, made 
proposals to the Shawanoes to furnish them with a school, &c. I 
told them that our Society had made formal proposals to the Sec. 
War, a year and a half ago, to establish a mission among the 
Kanzas. Also, that I had spoken to the Shawanoes on my way up, 
& expected to receive their answer on my way down. But, I wished 
not to throw any obstacle in their way. They united in supposing 
there would be no disagreeing between them and us manifested 
no solicitude about our propositions, and spake with a good deal of 
confidence relative to carrying forward their propositions. I think 
they will not likely do much for the Kanzas. Their circumstances 
are such as to require the exercise of faith & patient perseverance, 
in labourious, and often discouraging operations, rather beyond 
what we can expect from that denomination. 45 

45. Two Methodist missions were established in what is now Kansas in 1830. The Shaw- 
nee Methodist mission was located near present Turner, Wyandotte county. It \yas moved 
to present Johnson county in 1839. Thomas Johnson was the first missionary. His brother, 
William Johnson, was the first Methodist missionary to the Kansas Indians and evidence 
supports the theory that he began his work among them at the Kansas agency. Marston 
G. Clark, U. S. subagent at the Kansas agency wrote from that place to U. S. Indian Super- 
intendent William Clark on November 21, 1830: ". . . Mr. McAllister & Mr. Johnson 
and myself have selected a site for a school house near the Agency. Those gentlemen say 
their school operations will commence at this place in a very short time. I am pleased with 
those gentlemen, and their views on the subject of teaching Indian children." U. S. Indian 
Superintendency MSS., v. 6, pp. 78, 79. 



376 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

I left the Doctor to bring on the horses and company generally 
by way of the garrison, where we have business, after he shall have 
rested and recruited the horses two or three days, and Calvin & I 
set out by way of Shawanoe Agency, taking two of the stronger of 
our horses. We had rain no tent fixed up a blanket, which parti- 
ally sheltered us. No grass for our horses had corn brot. with us 
from the agency. 

Sunday Passed the new settlement forming by the Delawares on 
Nov. 21 ^ ne j r j anc j Spent a few minutes with Anderson, their 
aged principal Chief. He, and his people are much pleased with 
their new country, as he declared to me. Govt. has not assisted in 
removal. They, anxious to come set out upon their own resources. 
Most of the tribe have either arrived, or are on the road. All will 
be here in the Spring. There is much difficulty, and some scolding 
among the agents, & superintendent, &c. about furnishing the Dela- 
wares. Some hopes had been entertained of profitable business in 
removing them, that are disappointed, now the Indians have re- 
moved themselves. Govt. has not furnished provisions, except to a 
very small amount, and nothing will be done by the Sec. War, or 
the superintendent until I make my report, and an appropriation be 
made by Congress for expenses of that concern. 

Monday Agreeably to my promise gave notice to the Shawanoes 
Nov. 22 ^j ia ^ ag t^y recollected what had passed as we went out, 
and as I had then promised to call on them on my return, I had done 
so because I was the same man every day. If they had any thing 
to say to me, I was there ready to hear. Only Cornstalk & Perry 
were present the others were absent from their villages. 

They replied that, since I had passed Mr. Johnson (the Method- 
ist) had offered them a school, &c. They had answered him, that 
schools had been offered them repeatedly. They could not accept 
all for there would not be room for them. They had been pleased 
with the talk I had given them relative to the manner of conducting 
schools, &c. and I had long been experienced in Indian matters, and 
they had therefore determined to accept of my offer. (This was 
not the time that the agent, Cummins, spoke to them for the Method- 
ists, to whom they gave a similar answer.) They then said to me 
we are pleased with your views of the subject, and with your prop- 
osition, and cannot do otherwise than accept your offer We do 
now accept it, & that matter is settled. 46 

4C. There seems to have been a lack of agreement among the Indians themselves on 
the subject of the proposed mission; also a tendency to accept the proposal of the last one 
to solicit their consent. Richard Cummins, Indian agent, Delaware A Shawnee agency, wrote 



BARNES: EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF 1830 377 

Major Campbell, the subagent in whose house we were, and who 
is my particular friend on this business, was transported with glad- 
ness that these two Chiefs had so cordially agreed to have a school, 
&c. Fish, and others were known to be friendly, and no unwilling- 
ness had been feared except from these two Chiefs. Campbell gave 
them his hand, and a present. I must now look out for missionaries 
& means, to build up affairs here, as soon as possible. May the Lord 
provide ! 

Sister Shane is sick thinks she will not live long has lately been 
very unwell, wept freely when I conversed with her said in her 
severe illness, she desired greatly to see me once more in the world, 
and now her requests had been granted. She did not fear to die, &c. 
Sick as she was she manifested a laudable solicitude for the estab- 
lishing of a mission among the Shawanoes. 

I made myself acquainted with the agency difficulties relative to 
the removal, and the provisioning of the Delawares, and promised 
to be the friend of Campbell on this, and some other Indian mat- 
ters, when I should go to Washington. I also promised to attend to 
some of Shane's requests. Left Campbell's at 2 o'clock P. M. and 
lodged in Independence. 

Tuesday, Nov. 23, at 8 o'clock P. M. slept at Young's Wed- 
nesday, 24 slept at Davis', and on Thursday, Nov. 25, at 8 o'clock 
P. M. entered the dear circle of my family. For favours to them, 
and to us who have been absent, let me again erect an Ebenezer. 
I was absent One hundred and two days. 

to U. S. Indian Superintendent William Clark on January 13, 1831 : "I have the satisfaction 
to state to you, that agreeable to your wishes expressive in a letter dated the 8th Nov. 1830, 
handed me by the Rev. Mr. McAllister & Thos. Johnson who were appointed to establish 
a school among the Shawnee Indians, that we have been able to get the consent of the 
Chiefs to establish a school among what is called Fish's or Jackson's band. The managers 
of the institution intend instructing the Indian children the arts of mechanism as well as 
that of literature. Mr. Johnson is at this time making arrangements, and I think shortly 
after the winter breaks will have the school in operation. I have great hope, that after this 
school is got into operation, the Indians within my Agency will not be so much opposed to 
complying with the wishes of the Government, in the arts of civilization." U. S. Indian 
Superintendency MSS., v. 6, p. 96. 



Ferries in Kansas 
PART XI GREAT NEMAHA RIVER 

GEORGE A. ROOT 

THE Great Nemaha river is formed by two branches the north- 
ern and longer rising in Panama township, Lancaster county, 
Nebraska, in T. 7 N., and R. 8 E. The stream's course is to the 
southeast, through the northeast corner of Pawnee county, through 
Richardson county towards the southeast and east, where it is 
joined by the south branch. The Kansas branch (south fork) is 
formed by the junction of Hickory and Tennessee creeks in Nemaha 
county, which unite at a point about two miles south of Seneca, and 
flow northward slightly to the east of Seneca, past the village of 
Taylor Rapids and on into Nebraska, at a point near the eastern 
boundary of Range 13 E. The northern branch is joined in Richard- 
son county, at the eastern edge of the city of Salem. From there the 
Great Nemaha flows in a slightly southeastern direction for about 
thirty miles to reach a point about fourteen miles east of the junc- 
tion of its two branches, and then crosses the Kansas line three 
separate times within a space of about two miles, near the north- 
east corner of S. 5, T. 1, R. 18 E., on the old Diminished Iowa 
Indian reservation. From there the stream continues to the north 
and east for about five miles to join the Missouri river at a point 
about two miles north of the Kansas-Nebraska boundary. 1 The 
south branch of the river is approximately fifty miles in length, 
while the larger one is about 150 miles long. The Great Nemaha 
usually has a brisk current. It is broken at convenient intervals by 
rapids, which generally fall over rocks, and has sufficient fall to 
furnish power for milling purposes if dammed or otherwise con- 
trolled. The same can be said of nearly all its tributaries. 2 

The earliest mention of the river we have discovered is in the ac- 
count of S. H. Long's expedition, in 1818-1820, in which it is spoken 
of as the Great Nemahaw. 3 Prince Maximilian, in the account of 
his travels, mentions the stream as the Great Nemawha. 4 Father 
Paul J. DeSmet, in his Letters and Sketches, mentions the stream 
in 1841-1842. 5 The word "nemaha" in the Otoe language signifies 

1. Everts & Kirk, Atlas of Nebraska. Everts, Atlas of Kansas. 

2. Parker, Kansas and Nebraska Handbook, p. 143. 

3. Thwaites, Early Western Travels, v. 15, p. 132. 

4. Ibid., v. 24, p. 110. 

5. Ibid., v. 27, p. 227. 

(378) 



ROOT: FERRIES IN KANSAS 379 

"water of cultivation," "ne," meaning water; "maha," denoting 
planting or cultivation. 6 

Very little is found in Kansas documentary history relating to 
ferries on the Great Nemaha, but from scattered data it is evident 
that an early-day trader named Roy or LeRoy operated the first 
ferry. George J. Remsburg, in a sketch of the Nemaha river, says 
that this early-day trader was John Baptiste LeRoy, of French- 
Canadian parentage, and originally from the French settlements in 
Illinois. The town of LeRoy, 111., was named for the family. LeRoy 
was an interpreter for the lowas, Sacs and Foxes, and also a trader 
with them, and it is thought that he may have come with the 
Indians in 1837. Their reservation embraced portions of what is 
now Brown and Doniphan counties, Kansas, and Richardson county, 
Nebraska. LeRoy married an Iowa woman and established him- 
self on the Nemaha river near the mouth of the creek that bears his 
name. It is thought that he died among the Indians, living near 
St. Joseph, Mo., as a small stream coming out of the Blacksnake 
Hills south of that city is still known as Roy's Branch. 

LeRoy had a trading establishment near the mouth of Roy's creek, 
in Brown county. It stood on the side of a hill overlooking both 
streams. His ferry was close to the north line of the state. This 
locality was probably the scene of a sanguinary battle between the 
lowas and Otoes on one side and the Pawnees on the other. Mark E. 
Zimmerman, of White Cloud, learned of this battle from members 
of the Iowa tribe. To the lowas the Nemaha Roy's creek site is 
known as the "Old Pawnee Village." It is thought to have been oc- 
cupied as early as 1765. 

Roy's ferry was located on a much-traveled route, and there must 
have been some sort of a crossing here at the time Kansas territory 
was created, for the first session of the territorial legislature estab- 
lished roads leading to that locality. It is said that most of the 
residents of this locality did their trading at Rulo, Neb. 

In I860, John W. Foreman and D. Vanderslice were granted 
authority by the territorial legislature to maintain a ferry across 
the Great Nemaha at a point near Elisha's creek. This act gave 
them a fifteen-year privilege for two miles above and two miles be- 
low. 7 No further history of this enterprise has been located. 

Territorial roads had been established leading to the site of Roy's 
ferry as early as 1855, the first starting from the Wyandotte ferry 

6. Ibid., v. 15, p. 132. 

7. Private Laws, Kansas, 1860, special session, p. 288. House Journal, 1860, special ses- 
sion, p. 461. Council Journal, 1860, special session, pp. 521, 538, 539. 



380 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

on the Kansas river, and running by way of Delaware, Leavenworth, 
Kickapoo, Port William, Doniphan, lola, and Iowa Point, to a 
point on the Kansas-Nebraska line, opposite Roy's ferry on the 
Great Nemaha. 8 Another ran from Doniphan to the Kansas-Neb- 
raska line, via Roy's ferry to Iowa Point. James F. Foreman, 
Charles Blakesley and S. G. Fish were named as commissioners to 
view and mark out this thoroughfare. 9 Another road was pro- 
jected by this same legislature, to start from a point opposite St. 
Joseph, Mo., via Whitehead, Great Nemaha agency, to Cramer's 
crossing of the Great Nemaha river, but apparently failed of pas- 
sage. 10 

So far as is known this is the extent of ferrying on the Great 
Nemaha river in Kansas. 

In the preparation of this story the writer has drawn heavily on 
newspaper articles written about the Great Nemaha river by George 
J. Remsburg. 

8. General Statutes, Kansas, 1855, pp. 950, 951, 954. 

9. Laws, 1857, p. 186. 

10. Howe Journal, 1857, p. 46. Council Journal, 1857, pp. 80, 89, 111, 112, 119. 



Letters of a Kansas Pioneer 
1855-1860 

(Concluded) 
THOMAS C. WELLS 

Manhattan, K. T. Jany 3d, 1858. 
My Dear Mother, 

I RECEIVED you letter of 6th, ult. with pleasure, about ten days 
ago. I am glad to hear that you have a new minister settled in 
Peacedale & Kingston and that you like him so well. I hope he will 
be a man that will wear well, it is too frequently the case that a 
minister is liked, admired and applauded for a few Sabbaths, until 
the novelty is worn off, and then he is regarded as commonplace, dis- 
liked and perhaps scandalized, until he comes to the conclusion that 
he is doing little or no good in his present situation, asks for a dis- 
mission, and leaves the church to hunt another pastor. I would like 
to have father write as often as he can, but I do not know by what 
process of reasoning, you came to the conclusion that your "letters 
are not very interesting." I am sure I have never written anything 
that ought to lead you to think so, and, indeed, I do not think so. 
I can 'certainly give you the credit of being a good correspondent; 
you answer more punctually and generally write fuller letters than 
any other correspondent that I have. I hope you will continue to 
do the same. 

It costs no more to send a letter to Kansas than to Kingston, and 
if you cannot write a long letter and make it interesting, we are 
glad to get a short one. 

We had no public thanksgiving in Kansas. You would have liked 
it no better than we should have done, to have had "all your chil- 
dren" there on Thanksgiving day. 

You ask my opinion about fathers building in Wakefield; I will 
give it and you may take it for what it is worth. No, not at pres- 
ent; and I will give my reasons. In the first place you are now very 
comfortably situated as you are. it will be time enough to build 
when you leave the bank, and then you may be better able to do so ; 
you might hire a tenement while building. Secondly, I would advise 
no man to build a house if obliged to run largely in debt in order to 
finish it; better hire than do that; make your money before you 
spend it, is a good motto. Thirdly if you put all the money that 
you have, and more too, into a house, and then leave the bank I do 

(381) 



382 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

not see how you are a going to live; you will have nothing laid by 
for a rainy day, and nothing to do any kind of business upon at 
present. If my reasoning is not good please give me better reasons 
to the contrary, and oblige. 

No one, certainly, would rejoice more to have father settled in a 
home of his own, free from debt and embarrassment, and in a fair 
way to get a comfortable living, than myself; but, really, if he 
leaves the bank I do not see how he can do so in Wakefield. 

He certainly would not attempt to live by farming or gardening 
in W., he would have ten chances of success here to one there, at 
that kind of business. What would he do? I would have written 
in the same strain if I had been in any other part of the country 
than Kansas, even if I were living in W. I think I should have said 
substantially the same. Nevertheless, I did hope that if father 
ever left the bank you would all come and live near us. I would 
not advise you to move here just now. Wait and see what congress 
does for us this winter, and if our troubles are amicably settled I 
would like to have father come and make us a visit in the spring, 
and see the country for himself, he can then decide whether it would 
be wise to come here with his family. And now I will just state 
what appear to me, to be some of the advantages you would have 
in coming here instead of staying in W. You would be near at least 
one of your sons and his wife, whom I doubt not you would like as 
a daughter. You will have forty acres of good land, near a market 
(which I have already offered you) to commence upon. If you 
intend to get your living by farming you will have the benefit of my 
experience of two or three years which is certainly worth something 
and you would have to expend less, for a team and farming imple- 
ments than you would in any other place as we could to some extent 
use the same. You could live with us until you could build a house 
for yourself. Being freed in a great measure from the demands of 
fashion, and the customs of a too aristocratic and extravagant east, 
your wants would be less, and you could live more simply and 
cheaply, yet no less comfortably, and not lose caste in the best of 
society around you. For the same reason I have written briefly &, 
I think, to the point, and with the feelings, if not the show of kind- 
ness and respect. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 

Manhattan, K. T. Feby 27th, 1858. 
My Dear Mother 

I have just finished writing a letter to Lizzie and will now com- 
mence one to you. We were very glad to get your last, began to 
think you were putting off writing a long time, and think it about 
time we heard from you again. Should have written this, in answer 
to your last, before, had I not just written to Herbert. Why do 
you most always put "Susy" in quotation marks when you write of 
Lizzie's little girl? Do you wish to hint of another "Susy" to me? 
Perhaps you think I would have done well to have tried to get her 
for my wife ; perhaps I should, but I don't think so. I am well satis- 
fied with the one that I have, and I think you would like her well if 
you were acquainted with her. I hope you may be sometime. I 
have never had reason to regret being married to her, and surely I 
have had time to get acquainted, now. I cannot help laughing when 
I think of my being uncle and you grandmother &c., it seems odd 
enough. I hope Henry will not confine himself so closely to his 
business as to injure his health, that is worth more than money. We 
hear from him every few months. We too have had a very mild 
and pleasant winter, but not so warm as the papers state that it has 
been in the east, so that flowers will bloom out of doors, we do not 
want it so warm as that in the winter, it cannot be healthy. Am 
glad to hear that the people continue to like Mr. Brown. What 
kind of a minister is Albert Palmer? Why does not Theodore write 
us? Does he improve any at school? 

I am sorry that you and Herbert have been so much troubled 
with colds and coughs, you ought to be careful; that is the frequent 
cause and commencement of consumption. You had better come 
out here and live. I will warrant that you would not be much 
troubled with colds in this country. Glad to hear that father is so 
well. I thought from what you wrote that he was going to write 
soon and have been expecting a letter from him every week but none 
has come yet. I thought "Susy" and Atmore were pretty good 
friends before I left R. I. "Things looked like it" then. I did think 
from what you wrote that father thought of leaving the bank 
soon if he built a house in W. If he is really determined to spend 
the remainder of his days in W. and can build a house on his land 
without running in debt for it, perhaps it is the best thing that he 
can do. It would certainly be much pleasanter for him to have a 
home of his own, and as you say he could cultivate his land much 
more profitably. 



384 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

I have got any quantity of work to do this spring. Twenty five 
acres to plow and plant, a mile and three quarters of fence to build, 
&c. &c. The first two or three years are always pretty hard in a 
new country, but it is getting old very fast. It is nothing like what 
it was two years ago. (Feby 28th.) We are anxiously waiting to 
know what Congress will do in refference to Kansas at this session. 
The Lecompton Constitution, if confirmed by congress, will never be 
submitted to by the people of Kansas, civil war first. If Calhoun 
gives certificates of election to the free state officers elected on 4th 
of Jany under that Constitution all may be right even if that 
swindle passes congress, for they will all of them immediately resign 
and leave the thing dead, without an executive department, and a 
new constitution formed by the people will be put in operation. We 
do not despair of a free state yet. The people of Kansas will not be 
the slaves of the administration or the South. There are wise heads 
here as well as in Washington and the plans of the slave power for 
our subjugation will be thwarted, peaceably if they can be, forceably 
if they must at all events Kansas must be free. 

Ella joins with me in sending love and hopes father will come and 
see us. 

Do write often as you can and tell us how you all are &c. &c. 

Yours very truly 

Thomas C. Wells 

Dear parents, Manhattan, K. T. Mar. 13th 1858. 

I received a letter from Mother yesterday morning and hasten to 
reply. 

We were indeed surprised to hear that Theodore was in Beloit, it 
was entirely news to us. I hope it will prove to be a good move for 
him. It does seem most too bad that he should be obliged to leave 
school. 

I am glad that Mr. Brown is the means of doing so much good, 
and that there is so much religious interest manifested in the socie- 
ties over which he is pastor. I think it was unkind in you to write 
what you did about "five children" and as soon as they were old 
enough to be useful and to be company for you, if one should go to 
Europe, another to Africa &c., "you would then know how good it 
is." Would it please you better to have me come to R. I. and suffer 
with some disease of the lungs and die, than to remain in Kansas 
and enjoy excellent helth? I know that you would not have me do 
so. Were I sure that I should enjoy good health, in the east, I 



WELLS: LITTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 385 

would tell out tonight if I had opportunity and come and settle near 
you; indeed, I would not have remained here so long as I have, 
would not have come back at all the last time did I not feel that 
justice to myself demanded it. 

Wife and I, both of us frequently mourn that we are so far away 
from all our relations and would be glad to live nearer to them, but 
dare not on account of my health. 

We have very good society here and we are pleasantly situated 
and like the country very much, and were you and some of Ella's 
friends out here would have no wish to leave. 

Had I remained in R. I. I do not believe that I should be living 
now, and I dare not go back there to live, but as I could not do that 
I have done the next best thing that I could. I have tried my best 
to have you come and live near us. I have offered to pay father's 
expenses back, if he should come to see the country and not like it, 
have offered him land if he would come here and live, and to share 
my house with him until he could build one for himself ; and he has 
not taken any notice of my propositions, made no reply to my 
letter. I do not think it is kind in him to do thus. I hope to get a 
letter from him soon. 

You did not say that you were glad or sorry to get Ella's likeness, 
I would not have had it sent you did I not think you would like to 
have it. We would be very glad to have your likenesses. Will you 
not send them to us? 

It was rainy this morning and I drew a plat of some of the sec- 
tions near me and marked the names of the claim-holders on it, for 
father. I know about where a good many others live, but cannot 
tell exactly what quarter section they are on. I have written the 
names of a few that I am not certain about with pencil In the 
township east of me the red dotted lines indicate fractions and I do 
not know just what lots the claimants hold, where I have written 
their names with a pencil ; they have a right to take four forty acre 
lots, in any shape they choose, if they are contiguous to each other. 
Manhattan city proper comprises those lots that I have marked thus 
(1) but the corporation extends one mile and three quarters north of 
the Kansas on the township line, and from thence directly east to 
the Blue river including all between those lines and the river. All 
the claim holders within the corporation have to pay a corporation 
tax of course. March 14th. The lines are so faint on this paper 
that I cannot see to follow them by candle light, but I think you 

25-5211 



386 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

can read what I have written, and I will not attempt to write it 
over again. 

I will send you several copies of the minutes of the General 
Association of Congregational Ministers and Churches in Kansas. 

It is quite warm here now and some of our farmers have com- 
menced plowing I shall commence, soon. Ella is not very well, she 
frequently expresses the wish that father would come and see us, 
and that some of my folks or her folks or both would come and 
settle near us. 

Do write often. You do not know how much we enjoy a letter 
from home. Yours truly and affectionately 

Thomas C. Wells 

Manhattan, K. T. May 22/58 
My dear father & mother, 

I received your long letter, mailed Apr. 3d, two or three weeks 
ago, and shall endeavor to answer it, as nearly as may be, in the 
order in which it was written. You must not think that I am pro- 
voked, or angry, or even "spunky" because I have not answered it 
before, the truth is that I have been so very busy, plowing, planting 
&c that I have not been able to find time to write. Neither do I 
expect father to leave his business often to write me a long letter, 
but I have thought that he might frequently add a few words to 
mother's letters, without spending a great deal of time to the neglect 
of other duties. 

What mother wrote about "the children all going away" &c. was 
written as "your father says" &c as though he would have me feel 
that it was unkind in me to leave you and go so far away, how- 
ever I am satisfied from his letter that he does not blame me for so 
doing. 

I was not aware that I was usually very "sensative at any re- 
mark in mother's letters." I know that mother has "many cares," 
and that she does not generally enjoy very good health, though I 
was not aware that it had been unusually poor "for six months past" 
and am sorry to hear it, and I do not wonder that, sometimes, when 
sick or tired, or low spirited she should write things which she 
would not at another time, things which would convey false im- 
pressions, and that she should omit to speak of things that she had 
intended to notice; I would not blame her in the least for this, 
I doubtless do the same things myself, and for like reasons; you 
do not seem to have considered that I have a great deal to do, 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 387 

work hard, and frequently get very tired, am sometimes most sick, 
and once in a while though seldom feel a little "blue." You must 
remember too that I cannot always tell just what feelings may 
prompt a certain expression in your letters. I frequently mention 
things that I notice in your letters, which I do not understand or do 
not like, in order that you may explain if you feel disposed, and 
when you see anything objectionable in my letters I expect you to 
do the same. 

As for writing a "blow up" or being "spunky" or anything of that 
sort it was farthest from my thoughts and I hope you will so con- 
sider it. The hardest expression that I have used in writing home 
was "unkind" and I know not how I could have used a milder term 
and expressed my feelings. Perhaps if either of you had at my age 
been obliged to leave home and be separated so far from your 
parents, you would have mourned over the necessity as much as I, 
and after thinking over every plan that might suggest itself for 
getting them to settle near you should at last make a proposition 
to them which you thought it posible might be excepted, perhaps I 
say, you would have thought it a little "unkind" if when they 
answered your letter they did not even notice your proposition. I 
am willing to think, however, that the neglect to notice was un- 
intentional and pass it by. 

I give mother the credit of being generally a very good cor- 
respondent and have wondered, sometimes, that she should write so 
long and so interesting letters as she has done and I hope will con- 
tinue to do. If she sees anything that she does not like in my let- 
ters I hope she will mention it and I assure you I shall take it most 
kindly. I do wish I could see you both and talk with you. I hope 
I shall be able to make a visit east with Ella before many years but 
hope first that some way will be provided so that father can come 
and make us a visit in Kansas. Perhaps if Henry goes home as he 
talks of doing, he will, if nothing more, take charge of the bank 
long enough for father to make such a visit next fall. I am very 
glad father wrote me what he did about his purchases of house, 
land &c. I like to know how he gets along, and if he cannot make 
up his mind to come to Kansas and live am glad he has the prospect 
of a pleasant home in Wakefield, and that too without running in 
debt for it. 

If you (father) wish to sell that lot in Kingston, we will sign the 
deed, of course, and you may apply one tenth, or less if you think 
that too much, to my notes at Bank. I would be glad to pay those 
notes but times are hard, it takes a good deal of money to get the 



388 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

necessaries of life, make improvements on my farm &c., and I 
would rather sell the stock, if the notes must be paid soon, than 
send the money from Kansas. As to what I wrote about Ella's 
dagueratype (by the way we had a copy of it sent us and I think it 
looks no more like her than I do it was taken several years ago.) 
I did it more than any thing else for the purpose of finding out how 
you felt toward Ella. I had reason to fear, not from anything in 
your letters alone, however, that you and other eastern friends, had 
obtained an unfavorable opinion of her, although it had not, of 
course, been told me so in so many words. I am glad to learn that 
I was mistaken. I hope you will have an opportunity to become 
acquainted with her some time and have no doubt but that you will 
like her well. If ever I see you I will tell you the reason of my fears. 
Whatever idea you may have got from my letters I do not think 
that mother does not love Theodore, but I have feared that she did 
not show that love in such a way as to lead Theodore to feel it. I 
judged thus from T's letters to me before he went to Kingston to 
school. He wrote me that he could not stay at home, he wanted to 
go away some where, and would do so if he had to run away, and 
he wanted me to send him money that he might come to K, and he 
would pay me in work; That of course I would not do without 
your approval. I discouraged the feelings of discontent that he 
manifested, urged him to be a better boy, and try to obey and 
please you both as much as possible, and I did not doubt but that 
he would be far happier and find that you were interested in him 
and loved him. I wrote so strongly and scolded him so for think- 
ing of running away, that he has not written us since, until very 
recently, since he has been in B. Theodore wrote me confidentially, 
and I hope you will not say anything about this to him, I think 
he feels differently now. As for the reason that T. left K., I 
acknowledge that I did get "tried" with him, and that he needed a 
"father's care" and I could not "afford" to keep him unless he 
showed more interest in my affairs, but still I should have tried to 
get along with him, and would not have sent him home for any of 
these things, he went of his own accord, and said that he did not 
like to have father alone and wanted to go and help him. Yet I 
thought then and so did others, that one, if not the great reason of 

his going was because he was homesick. (May 23d 

As to what I wrote about "Susy," I can scarcely help laughing, 
and yet I feel sorry that mother should take it so much to heart. 
I did not think of giving offence. I had noticed, that whenever 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 389 

Mother wrote of Susy Cross, she always put "Susy" in quotation 
marks, and very naturally wondered what was the reason. I 
know that Susy Watson and I were always good friends in the 
east, and are now for aught I know, and I supposed that mother 
had done so as a kind of joke on me; I did not suppose that she 
wished to offend me, and I am sure she did not. Mother has not, 
however, given me any light on the subject and I am more curious 
than ever to know why she thus wrote "Susy." 

Though as mother says, I "do not need letters to cheer me up" 
so much as when I first came to K. yet I feel as much interested 
to know how you all get along at home as I did then, and look for 
a letter from you now as anxiously and read it as eagerly, I think 
as I did then. As for criticising your letters I was not aware that 
I did so, any more than those of my other correspondents, I am 
sorry if I have written anything that has unnecessarily occasioned 
any bad feelings. I am glad to hear that you have a cow. I 
know you will enjoy it. I do not know how we could get along 
without one. Much obliged for the pepper seeds. Thank you, 
mother, for offering to write Ella how to make mangoes, &c. it will 
not be necessary however. You may write if you please how you 
make what you call "fritters." 

I hear through Henry that Lizzie has another daughter, think 
she is doing up business pretty fast two children in two years and 
a quarter. How is Saml getting along in his business now? I have 
not heard from them directly in some time. I hear nothing from 
the Lyme people yet. I wrote a letter to grandmother Johnson 
about two months ago. Am sorry to hear that she hurt her back a 
while ago. 

Professor Smyth of Bowdoin College Maine preached at Man- 
hattan this morning. He gave us a very good sermon from the 
text, Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no Physician there. 

Ella has got a letter from the M. E. Church and is going to unite 
with the Church of which I am a member. She does this entirely 
of her own accord, without any urging or persuading on my part. 
It will be pleasanter and better for us both I think to be members of 
the same Church. Had a letter from Amos not very long ago also 
one from Dr Clarke. 

And now my dear parents I must close. Hope there will be no 
occasion for the shedding of any more tears over my letters. If 
I do write any thing that displeases you, do write plainly about it 
immediately, and not wait until you get a large stock of grievances 
on hand. 



390 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

With best wishes for your happiness in this world and the next I 
remain as ever 

Yours truly & affectionately 

Thomas C. Wells 

Ella sends love and hopes you may come and see us. We are both 
pretty well now. Hope to hear that mother is better when you write 
again. Do write often. 
Our ink is so miserable that I cannot write a decent letter. 

Manhattan, July 8th, 1858. 
My dear Mother, 

I received a letter from you yesterday and hasten to answer it. 
I had begun to think my old friends had all forsaken me, as I had 
not heard a word from home for two and one half months and it is 
two months at least, I should think, since Lizzie, Henry or Theodore 
have written me. I received a letter from Grandmother Johnson 
and aunt Mariann about three weeks ago which I will endeavor to 
answer soon. I am always glad to hear from them, and from home 
and indeed from all my friends. 

Have you received my last two letters one written Apr 21st and 
the other about three weeks before? Ella thinks it was in my last 
that I asked you how to make fritters if that is so you must have 
received it. Much obliged for the receipts. I am glad Mr. Brown 
is liked so well and that his labors are so highly blessed in the con- 
version of souls. Wish we might have a revival here. I believe 
only one person has united with our church since it was organized, 
I mean by profession. 

I thought by Henry's last letter that he would be home before 
this time and was in hopes that he would get initiated, so that he 
could take charge of the bank and let father come and make us a 
visit this fall. By the way, you wrote nothing about father ; Is he 
well, and how does he get along improving his land? How is your 
health now? better I hope. The "man" that called to see you "from 
Kansas" was Mr Peleg Westcott, I wonder whether he will come 
here again, he has a pretty good claim and would have brought his 
family here long ago if he could have sold property that he had in 
R. I. without too much sacrifice. What has Mr. Stedman been out 
west for? his health? or on business? Wish he had come far 
enough to see us. How did you like Whitinsville and the people 
there? Have you had any garden vegetables yet? We have had 
new potatoes, beets, and beans and had peas, turnips and radishes 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 391 

in June. Our garden looks finely now, and we shall have summer 
squashes and cucumbers in a week or two. Ella has quite a flower 
garden this summer. My sweet potatoes are doing very well. I 
do not remember whether I wrote you that I had some or not. 
How is Lizzie now? have you heard from her lately? and how does 
Samuel get along in his business? Does Bertie go to school now? 
I suppose he has got to be quite a large boy; he has not written us 
in a long time. Does Theodore like [it] in Beloit as well as ever? 

We heard a speech from Ex. Gov. Stanton yesterday ; he gave us 
a very good speech, very strong anti Lecompton. He is a fine look- 
ing man. The Steamboat Minie Belle 8 has made two trips to Man- 
hattan this Summer expect her up again soon. We have a daily 
mail now. 

Corn and grain look finely; some farmers think they will get 
forty bushels of wheat to the acre. I never saw corn grow as it has 
this year. 

We have a little pet prairie squirrel, you know I sent you one or 
two skins, he is real pretty. We have over a hundred this years 
chickens. Have a first rate cow, she gave milk over a year, gave 
nearly seven quarts a day within five weeks of the time she calved. 
We have picked about three quarts of wild raspberries this summer; 
they were real nice. 

Have commenced building the Congregational Church, hope to 
have it ready for use before winter. 

What kind of weather have you had this summer. The ther- 
mometer was up to 106 in the shade one or two days in June but 
we did not mind that more than you would 95 in the east. What 
did you do on the 4th? We went and picked raspberries. 

We are both pretty well. Ella sends love. Hope you will write 
often Yours very truly 

Thomas C. Wells 

My dear Mother, Manhattan Feb. 24th 1859 

It is a long time since I have written home. I have two of your 
letter [s] before me now, as yet unanswered, one mailed Dec. 30th 
and the other Feb. 2d. and my reasons for not writing before are 
the same as you sometimes give very busy and want of time. 

Farming in the west especially in a new country like this is very 
different from what it is in New England; there a farmer needs 
several hands to cultivate twenty or twenty five acres of corn and 

8. See "The Kansas River Its Navigation," by Albert R. Greene, in Kantai Historical 
Collections, v. 9, p. 342. 



392 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

when they come to harvest they make short work of it, but here one 
man, with team, can plow, plant, and cultivate as many acres, but 
harvesting is a pretty long job. 

A neighbor (Mr. Pattee) and myself have shucked or husked 
about thirty five acres of corn this winter and got it in, sixteen acres 
for him and the rest for me. We drive into the field with a two 
horse team, husk the corn as it stands, and throw into the wagon. 
I had several acres shucked on shares. You wonder why we did not 
get our corn in in the fall. You must always remember that this is 
a new country and only three years ago we "settled" or "squated" 
on the naked prairie, everything was to be done, and we cannot do 
that in three years. We had lived two winters in an unplastered 
house and we determined if possible to have at least one comfort- 
able room this winter, and I did nearly all the work myself, then I 
had to attend court a week as juror, &c. &c., so that we did not 
commence on our corn until toward the middle of December. 

I shall try to plan things differently this year so as to commence 
gathering my corn as soon as it is fit. You know I was a perfectly 
green hand at farming when I came here and have had to learn 
everything by experience; sometimes such knowledge has cost me 
considerable but take it all together I have got along very well. I 
shall have about six hundred bushels of corn to sell. It was the 
first crop on the land or I should have had much more. You know I 
lost all my old ground. Corn is worth but thirty cents here now, but 
we think the Pike's Peak emigration, &c., will raise the value to 
perhaps one dollar or more per. bush, in a month or two, even if it 
gets as high a[s] fifty cents per bush, it will [be] worth waiting for. 

I am glad you write so often as you do, even if you are obliged to 
write short letters sometimes, we are always glad to hear from home. 
Sometimes we get most tired waiting for a letter but probably you 
as often have to wait a long time to hear from us. You are a very 
good correspondent, and I hope will continue so. We are very much 
obliged for the "pictures" you sent. Mother's looks very natural, 
better than father's which is most too light, but both are so good 
that it gives me much pleasure to look at them. We will try to get 
our miniatures, as soon as we can get them taken here, and send 
them to you. You can tell nothing by that likeness you now have 
of Ella, it looks no more as she does now than I do. Wish we had 
Herbert's and Theodores likenesses and also Lizzies and Samuels. I 
had a letter from aunt Mariann not long ago, and will try to answer 
it soon. Does Mr. Gillies have his printing office where he used to 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 393 

over Mr. Robinson's store? I should be very happy to receive a 
letter from aunt Elisabeth, and also from grandmother Wells. I 
have not heard from Dr. Clarke in a long time, I wish he would 
write. 

I wish father to give J. A. Ward a receipt for me, for any money 
that he may receive from him on my account and when he pays 
the am't that I specified in my letter to him give a receipt in full. 
(I think the am't. was $35.) I supposed the dividends at the Banks 
were of sufficient am't to pay the discount on my notes and also a 
trifle on the principal at every renewal and so gave myself no un- 
easiness about it, but if necessary, I, of course, want father to use 
the money that he may receive of James A Ward for that purpose. 

Perhaps if father can sell the stock for enough to pay the notes he 
had better do so, and square them up; I do not like to be in debt 
anywhere. If I get more money here than I need to pay current 
expenses, and make necessary improvements on my farm, I want 
to save it to defray the expenses of a visit east sometime, and if I 
did not want it for that, I could use money here to better advantage 
than to invest it in Bank stock. It is "shamefull" indeed, the way 
that Mr. Wright behaves toward his wife. I should not think she 
would live with him another day. 

Several buildings will be put up on the College land this summer 
two are already commenced and it is expected the main building 
for school or College purposes will be built between now and next 
winter. It is probable that they will have something like a Seminary 
or high school for a few years, although they intend eventually to 
have a regular College. The trustees intend to put up public build- 
ings for educational purposes only; and they have laid out their 
lands as a town or village where people can build and board the 
students &c. They call the town "Blue Mont," from a large hill or 
mountain near by and the College "Blue Mont Central." 9 A good 
chance for 'you and father to come and keep boarders ! 

We shall have a very neat and pretty church edifice when finished, 
which will be in a month or two I hope. We expect one or two more 
churches will be built during the coming season at Manhattan and 
a good many other houses, stores &c. There seems to be more than 
usual interest here now in religion. Besides the regular preaching, 
Sabbath schools, and so forth on the Sabbath, we have a union 
prayer meeting in the evening conducted in turn by the ministers 
of the four denominations. These meetings are well attended and 

9. See "The Kansas State Agricultural College," by Prof. J. D. Walters, Kansas Historical 
Collections, v. 7, p. 169. 



394 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

generally the time is well occupied. Besides this there are at least 
three prayer meetings held during the week at private houses. We 
are hoping and praying for a revival of religion here that profess- 
ing Christians may be quickened and many turned unto the Lord. 
Will not you pray for us that our faith may be strengthened and 
our prayers answered? We are too apt, especially, in a border 
country, to let the things of time occupy all our thoughts instead of 
laboring in earnest to save souls and build up the Redeemer's King- 
dom. Is there much religious interest in South Kingstown now? Is 
Mr. Brown liked as well as ever? Ella says she is much obliged for 
the paper that father sent her, and she sends love to you both. 

Ella's middle initial is S. not B. I send a Herald of Freedom 
once in a while. Our Manhattan paper does not get printed yet. I 
have got most tired waiting for it The man that they expected to 
conduct it failed to come, and they are now trying to get some one 
else. 

We have had a very fine winter, most of the time quite warm and 
pleasant. There is a great deal of interest here on the subject of 
temperance now; a great many have joined the "Sons," and many of 
those that had been in the habit of using intoxicating drink. Our 
taxes are very high this year, owing, in part, at least, to a miserable 
set of county officers. 

It is getting quite late and I must close, so good night to all. 

Yours truly 

Thomas C. Wells 

The lines are so faint on this paper that I can scarcely see them at 
night, so you will excuse for not writing on them all the time. 
(Friday morning) 

The frost is all out of the ground now. 

Manhattan, K. T. Apr 19/59. 
My dear parents, 

It is a long time since I wrote you, and still longer since you 
wrote a letter to me. Your last letter was dated Feb. 5th I believe. 
I have been watching the P. 0. pretty closely lately in the hope of 
finding a letter from home, but not a letter comes. I hope none of 
you are sick. 

We are as busy as ever, spring you know is an unusually busy 
time for farmers. I have sown my wheat and oats, my wheat is up 
and looks finely, and my oats if not up now, will be in a day or two. 
I have set out a good many forest trees and shrubs about the house, 
some of them will probably die, but I hope the greater part of them 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 395 

will live. I have a small forest of black locusts & cottonwoods 
growing. Have set out 25 or 30 peach trees and 16 apple trees, also 
a dozen or more Kansas plums. Ten of the apple trees were three or 
four years old and grafted the rest were last years seedlings. I 
think two or three of the plums that I set out last year will bear 
this year, they are now in full bloom. Have planted only some 
potatoes in my garden yet, though it is time some other seeds were in. 

I have been making a good sized yard for my hens for a few days 
past, so that I can shut them up while the things ar[e] coming up 
in the garden ; hope to get it done tomorrow and then will go at the 
garden. I have shot quite a lot of prairie chickens and ducks this 
spring, and have not spent much time about it either, they have been 
very plenty in my cornfield. There have been hundreds of cranes 
in the cornfield, and flying around, for a few days past. I should 
like to get one to examine, but they are very wild. They are very 
large birds almost or quite as large as turkeys. Hundreds and I 
don't know but I might say thousands of people are passing through 
here continually for Pikes peak. They come from all parts of the 
country, from various classes in society and they travel in all sort 
of ways. Some come with horses, mules, or oxen, and others come 
drawing handcarts, rolling wheelbarrows, or lugging packs on their 
backs. 

They make a brisk trade for the merchants in town, and they 
almost double the price of corn for the farmers. I am afraid, how- 
ever, that very many of them have much more gold in their posses- 
sion now than they will have six months hence. Manhattan con- 
tinues to grow and improve, some buildings are going up all the 
time they have two steam saw mills there now. 

They have let the contracts for the college building, both for the 
stone and wood work. They are going to work on it very soon 
I do not know but they have already commenced. It is to be three 
stories high and I believe 40 ft x 60 ft on the ground. Two other 
buildings are now in process of erection in Blue Mont one a stone 
dwelling house about 25 ft x 30 ft the other a frame building 16 x 24 
with ell, to be used in part for a store. 

It was quite cold last week, so that it froze considerably nights, 
but it has been growing warmer for two or three days, and today it 
is uncomfortable with a coat on. The prairies begin to look quite 
green, and some of the earlier trees are putting out their leaves. 

You were talking some of moving, when I last heard from you, 
I believe. Have you moved? Is business any better in the Bank 
than it was last year? 



396 THE KANSAS HISTOKICAL QUARTERLY 

I hear quite often from Henry and occasionally from Theodore 
and Saml & Lizzie Had letter from aunt E. Hagadorn and Uncle 
Frank a few weeks ago. 

Mr. Blood has been away two Sabbaths, and Mr. Paulson, a 
Methodist Minister from New Hampshire preached twice for us, 
and he gave us two very good sermons. It is expected that he will 
preach for the Methodists here next year, commencing soon. The 
Sunday evening meetings continue to be well attended, I believe, 
though I have not been able to attend for three Sabbaths. 

Ella sends love. I hope to hear from you soon. 

Yours truly 

Thomas C. Wells 

I enclose a few ducks feathers. We think they are very pretty. It 
lightens quite sharply in the North and I think we shall have a 
shower during the night. 

[Ella S. Wells to Mrs. T. P. Wells] 

Manhattan K. T. May 14th/59 
Mrs. Ths. P. Wells 
Dear Mother 

It has been a cold rainy day, so cold that I have [to] sit by a 
fire, something I have not had to do for a number of weeks before. 
I hope it will not be so cold long for I have worked very busily this 
week to get my flower seeds in and I fear they will rot. I have had 
more seeds to plant this Spring than ever I have had before and 
should feel very sorry [to] lose them. I had but few winter roots, 
nearly all of them lived. How I wish I could have some of your spare 
roots I love flowers so much. I took up a petunia last fall and put 
it in a segar box. (A flowerpot is out of the question here my 
friends sent me one but I had the misfortune to break it.) It com- 
menced blooming in Mar. and has been in blossom ever since. I 
think very much of it house plants are so scarse here. 

I have one sensitive plant up but they are so sensitive I fear this 
cold weather will kill it. I can plant them over again if it does. I 
brought the seed out with me. T. says he thinks you do not have 
them so I will send you a few seeds They have to be planted every 
year, they will not live long after frost comes but the seeds will 
ripen after the stalk is apparently dead. They do not require more 
than a quart of dirt, little less will do. I usually let two or three 
grow in a pot have one to touch and let the other grow they will 
be more sensitive if you do not let the wind blow them. I think 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 397 

them quite a curiosity, they will drop if a fly lights on them if kept 
out of the wind, keep the dirt pretty wet and warm when you plant 
the seeds. I don't know as all the seeds are good. Excuse me for 
writing so particularly about them I thought if you never had any 
you would like to know. 

I was glad to get a line from you it seems a little different when 
it is directed to me although it is hard to write interesting letters to 
strangers as we are and strangers in each others locality. I some- 
times tell T. when I read his letters that if folks were like mine 
they would like to know more of our every day life, he says he 
presumes you would but he can't write it "These women are so 
curious they want to know everything" I am glad you have a sew- 
ing machine and that you like it. Thank you for your kind wish 
that you could do my sewing Ijwould like it very much although I 
am not driven with sewing just now. I got my sewing pretty well 
done up last winter for the first time since I was married I braided 
all the woolen rags I had and sewed them in a mat my first attempt 
at such work. I never saw any one do it except grandmother when 
I was a little girl. The forepart of winter I braided & sewed three 
husk mats that is work I never did until since I was married. I 
also cut & pieced all the new calico I had not enough for a spread 
but may be I shall have enough sometime. I will not buy new & 
cut it up but when one has small pieces I think it pays if one has the 
time. I expect you would say as many do were you to visit us 
that I was cut out for an old maid. I tell them I can't help it if 
having a place for everything & everything in its place is going to 
make me one I am willing to be one all my life. I am going to tell 
you something that T. has said repeatedly that I should not just 
to hecter him perhaps I am naughty but I do like to hecter him 
once in a while just for variety. That is that your son Thomas is 
Dea. & has been for more than a year, they have three Dea. here 
they choose one every year each to serve three years but at first 
they chose one for one year one for two & one for three years, he 
was chosen at first for one year now he is chosen for three. I felt 
to[o] bad at first to hecter him about it much but I have to a little 
now. the worst of it is I have to take care of the service & prepare 
bread & wine & I have nothing but grape jelly to make wine out of 
& I don't like to do it. Mrs. Blood says that is my cross but I 
don't think so. Our good neighbor Mr. Browning hectered us with- 
out mercy last year but has got chosen himself this so he keeps 
pretty still 



398 THE KANSAS HISTOKICAL QUARTERLY 

You ask if I ride horseback. I have ridden a great deal but not 
much since we have had a buggy. I rode more or less for three 
years before I came out here. I have no saddle but T's. that does 
very well for a short distance I can gallop on that. I have ridden 
twenty three or four miles in a day since I came out here. I have 
ridden with another on the same horse many a time. I have heard 
my mother and grandmother tell of such things but never expected 
to do it. I have no chickens yet expect to have some next week. 
I have ten hens setting. We have between 70 & 80 fowls now. I have 
two little young doves & an old one we think much of them. It is 
getting late & I must close. I have written more than I intended 
when I commenced. I have written about ourselves as I would to 
my own relations thinking perhaps it would not be wholy uninter- 
esting to you. We have not had a letter from Sister Lizzie in a 
very long time, hope she got our last letter. We are in usual health 
although I cannot endure much T. says sometimes he has more 
sympathy for mother since he has had a wife your health is not 
good, but he did not realize that it made such a difference. My 
love to father & Herbert it is after ten o'clock & I must close. 
Hope we shall hear from you again soon. 

Your aff daughter Ella S. Wells 

My dear father, Manhattan, K. T. May 14, 1859. 

We received your letter, and, also, one enclosed from mother to 
Ella, just three weeks ago today, and should have answered before 
had we not both been unusually busy, Ella attending to her usual 
in door work, planting her flower seeds and planting some seeds 
for me in the garden, and I planting my garden, plowing my field 
&c. I am rather behind with my corn planting have not done 
plowing yet but hope to get all my corn in, as soon, at least, if not 
sooner, than I did last year. I did not finish planting until May 
25th last year, and then had a very good crop. Corn ought to be 
planted here from the middle of April to the middle of May accord- 
ing to the season, though some times a very good crop is harvested 
from corn planted after the 1st of June. 

The season is a week or two later than it was last year. I have 
been troubled about getting help this spring have had two men, 
one left for Pike's Peak just when I needed him most and the other 
I sent away because he was a miserable poor hand to work. Though 
we have no relatives here we have very good neighbors and from 
what you write I should think that we visit and receive visits as 
often as you. 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 399 

We attend meeting at the Methodist Church now as our church 
is being plastered &c., and will not be ready to occupy again in two 
or three weeks. The Methodists have a new minister this year, 
Mr. Paulson, from N. Hampshire a very interesting preacher, he 
preach [ed] twice for us when Mr. Blood was away. The Sunday 
evening union prayer meetings are still pretty well attended, but 
there does not seem to be so much interest manifested as a month or 
two ago. We hope and pray for better times. The "Association of 
Cong. Ministers and Churches" meets at Lawrance week after next, 
and I have been appointed or rather chosen one of the delegates 
from our church to that body, but think it very doubtful about my 
going. We have about thirty members connected with our church 
now. 

They had speeches &c at the,, laying of the corner stone of the 
"Blue Mont Central College" last Tuesday afternoon, the first 
ceremony of the kind that has occured in Kansas. About three 
hundred people were present and some very good speeches were 
made. Quite a number of documents were placed in the cavity of 
the stone. The college building will be 40 ft. x 60 ft. on the ground 
and three stories high, all stone underpinning corners, and window 
and door caps to be hewn, the rest rough work. It will be in full 
view from our house, half a mile distant. We are expecting to 
receive the first copy of the "Manhattan Express" 10 every day now. 
I cannot think of the name of the editor he used to be connected 
with the "N. Y. Express" N. Y. City. I will send you a copy. 
Nearly all of the trees, both forest and fruit trees, that I set out this 
spring appear to be alive and growing. There are about two hun- 
dred in all. 

Under the circumstances I am glad that you applied the money 
that you received of J. A. Ward, to my notes. I wish they were 
both paid up, and if Bank Stock should rise so that you think it 
advisable I hope you will sell my stock and pay my notes. If you 
will send us a deed made out in due form, or give me the boundaries 
so that I can write out a deed we will deed to you our right in the lot 
at K. and let you apply the $75. to my notes. 

You wrote as though you might sell your place in W. before you 
occupied it. Did you mean only that such a thing was possible or 
that you really had some intention of doing so. I wish we lived 
nearer each other. The prairies look splendidly now, covered with 
a most beautiful green, and there are quite a variety of flowers in 

10. First called The Western Kansas Express. Charles F. DeVivaldi was the editor and 
publisher. 



400 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

bloom also. Most of our garden vegetables are up of some the 
second planting. 

Love to Mother and Herbert. Hoping to hear from home soon 
again I am yours affectionately T. C. Wells 

Has M. B. Sweet any property in S. Kingstown? he is owing con- 
siderable here. 

[Ella S. Wells to Mrs. T. P. Wells] 

Mrs. T. P. Wells. Manhattan, K. T. July, 8th 1859. 

Dear Mother 

I have had your letter almost three weeks, & I am ashamed to 
think it has not been answered, but it seems as if I had been un- 
usually busy for the past month or two. 

Perhaps you will wonder what I find to do, no one but my hus- 
band to do for. I should not have any more than I could do with 
ease if I confined my labors to the house, although a farmers wife 
who has to be Bridget mistress & all can always keep busy. But 
come to add to that 150 chickens 50 old hens shut up to feed & 
water, flower garden to take the whole care of & a good deal of 
labor in the vegetable garden & you may be sure I keep busy. I 
get so tired most every day that I have to lay down & that takes 
time. It is a good deal of work to pick & shell beans & peas & 
prepare vegetables, but as we are very fond of a boiled dinner I get 
one two or three times a week. T. comes as near scolding at me 
as he can because he says I try to do to [o] much, but when I see him 
driven with work that must be done that I cannot do I feel as if I 
must do all I can to help him. 

If I were only strong I should not mind the work but as it is I 
often get so tired that writing or anything else seems a burden to 
me. I have been waiting to see if I could not find a little more of a 
leisure day to write but fear I shall not at present so please excuse 
a hasty scroll. I hope you are not out of patience looking for this. 
You say you would like me to write all about our house, Have I 
never sent you a rude plan of it & what is in it? I do not remember 
if not I will sometime when I am little more at leisure. That is if 
you would like it. 

Have the seeds I sent you come up? mine are up and doing 
nicely. My flowers as a whole do first rate, some kinds the soil 
does not seem to agree with, but most of them do look nicely. 

I enjoy it very much. I have the cypress vine I never saw it 
before it is real pretty full of buds. Have you got it? if not & 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 401 

have seeds I will send you some in the fall, if you would like. I 
have that & morning glories planted in a circle with a stick in the 
middle & strings run from the circle to the top. 

Our vegetable garden [grows?] nicely. I think much of a good 
garden. I shall have some summer squash tomorrow. We have had 
beets two or three weeks, they are as large as coffe cups now. We 
have had string beans & peas some time, we have carrots parsnips 
cabages asparigus salsify rubarb sage &c growing well. I think 
most of our sweet potatoes if they do well we shall have bushells 
of them this fall. If you are fond of them send your erand boy 
arround in the fall & we will give you a few bushells. 

You say you should like me all the better for having things in 
their place. T. often says "mother will like you for that she likes 
to have things in order & will i it is a possiable thing" I am very 
glad, if anything makes me feel disagreeable it is to see a house 
look as if a gust of wind had been in at one door & gone out at 
another. You ask where we find market for our chickens we never 
have sold many we eat them as freely as we want & keep the hens 
to lay. Their eggs more than pay for keeping. Last year the 
wolves took as many as 75 I think. 

I remember once last year I cooked two a week for eight weeks in 
succession. I get tired of them some times. I boil bake fry & make 
them in pies anything for a change. Did I ever tell you how many 
eggs I got last year? I will tell you now. please excuse me if I 
have done it before. 2905 of the number we sold 1818 none less 
than 20 cts. per. doz. thus far this year they have laid 2775 this 
year we have sold a few dollars worth for 10 cts a doz. but most 
of the time for 15 cts. 

When T. read what you wrote about Dea wife "there" said he 
"I do feel all most provoked with you for writing that," but you 
know it will not do for a Dea. to get angry so I have the advantage 
of him You say you have those feathers in a wine glass perhaps 
you could put in some more. I saved a lot of them & as I can send 
them as well as not I will put in a few. 

We had a Sabbath [s]chool before our church was impared by the 
tornado since then it has been broken up we expect to use the 
church again week from next Sabbath. M. B. Sweet owes T. a little 
but would not had he known he drank & acted so. 

I must tell you we have 6 little pigs a few weeks old they can 
get out of the pen & run arround, they look real cunning. 

T. bought me a couple of turkeys this week, they will be proffit- 

265211 



402 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

able if they live & do well. You must excuse me for writing so 
much about our little affairs, life is made up of little things. 

The college is getting up some the stone work is as high as the 
top of some of the lower windows, the longest side is toward us. 

A dwelling house & store near the college has been occupied some 
time also Bro. Denison has the walls to a stone house up, so you 
see we are close to town. 

I do wish you & father could come & see us. You would be 
pleased to see how quietly & happily we live. I am not as fond of 
society as most people; my home is everything to me. if I am 
happy there I am content & most certainly I am. I do sometimes 
long to see old friends at home but my husband is more to me than 
all the world besides so I get along very well. 

T. sometimes says he has heard people say marriage divided the 
sorrows and doubled the joys of life but he never believed it until 
he tried it. 

I will not finish this until he comes for I dare say he will have a 
word to write or send. Hope we shall hear from you again soon. 
T. thinks it a long time from one letter to another & I presume 
you do. 

Saturday afternoon. 

Ths. sends his love & says he hopes to hear from one or both of 
you again soon & then we will try to write. 

We are as well as usual. It is very warm & I am weary so I 
will close. Love to all. Yours in love, 

Ella S. Wells. 

Manhattan K. T. Aug. 27th. 1859. 
Mrs Thos P. Wells, 

Dear Mother, 

Ella received your letter mailed Aug. 2d in due time and will 
answer it when she gets a little leisure. She is not very well and 
is very busy now. We have had a man with us for two or three 
weeks, and she has had considerable extra work to do, so that she 
is pretty well tired out. We are alone again now and I hope she 
will soon get well and strong again. 

I am about sick today have been threatened with a fever but 
feel better than I did last night and hope to be able to go to work 
again Monday. I have been fencing in a pasture and getting up 
hay and have worked most too hard for this hot weather but hope a 
little rest will cure me up ; I have been taking some medicine, how- 
ever, to help along. I have now, besides cow-yard, stack-yard? 



WELLS: LETTERS OF A KANSAS PIONEER 403 

dooryard &c around the house, a pasture of about 45 or 50 acres 
fenced in, and a field of about 37 acres. 20 acres of which is in corn. 
I hope to put in 12 acres of winter wheat this fall. My spring wheat 
and oats, especially the latter, did very well. We have a very good 
garden, and about half an acre of potatoes. Wish we could send 
you some of our vegetables and fine melons. We have about fifty 
fruit trees set out which are doing well. 

Do you receive the "Kansas Express" regularly? and how do 
you like it? The foreman in the printing office ran away a few 
days ago and they have been able to print only half a sheet this 
week. I have been helping them for a day or two and they want me 
to stay until they can get another regular printer, which they hope 
to do in a week or so. I should have been helping them to day had 
I been well. 

All kinds of stock are very cheap and money very scarce now, 
as many of our settlers are obliged to sell property at any price in 
order to obtain money to pay for their lands previous to the public 
sales which take place on and after the 29th day of Aug. 

We went graping a few days ago, and got over two bushels of 
Kansas grapes, and Ella is making jelly today. The wild grapes 
here and all through the west and in California are very small, 
not much, if any, larger than good sized blueberries. We have no 
plums of any consequence this year, a late frost killed most of them 
and the curculio have made sad work among the rest. Our sweet 
potatoes are looking very finely, the vines if streched out would ex- 
tend eight or ten feet all around the hills. I have not dug into any 
of the hills yet, and therefore do not know how well the tubers are 
growing. By the way, I would be glad if you would send us some 
grape seed in a letter. 

I will send you some seeds of the wild sensative plants that grow 
on the prairie; they are perennial, very fragrant and very pretty. 
It would be a good plan to plant some of them this fall and those 
that are planted in the spring should be soaked twenty four hours 
before they are put into the ground. I will send, also, a few seeds 
of a yellow flower that grows on the bluffs. I would treat them in 
the same way. They both require a deep rich soil, but the seed 
should not be covered more than half an inch. It would be well 
to protect them by a little straw or coarse manure during the winter. 

As I am rather tired I will write no more today. Hope to hear 
from you soon. 

Ella sends love. Yours truly Thomas C Wells. 



404 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY 

Manhattan, K. T. Oct 28th 1859. 
Thos P. Wells, Esq. 

My dear Father, 

Your letter of Sept 18th was received about a month ago and I 
have been waiting only for time to answer it. 

You write that mother and Herbert were in Lyme, had been gone 
some twelve days when you wrote that would seem to us a long 
time to be separated, we have never been apart from each other 
twentyfour hours at one time since we were married. Had we 
either of us relatives to visit, within visiting distance, the case would 
doubtless be quite different. 

You had been having "very cold weather," we had a light white 
frost on the night of the 5th of this month, but did not have a kill- 
ing frost until the 17th and last night it froze a little again. 

I wish you and mother too might come and see us and the 
country, guess you had better come and keep boarders (students) 
for the college now building. Keeping boarders is first rate business 
here if any one likes it. They are just putting on the roof to the 
college building. No, we do not cut stalks as you do in the east, 
it would be rather tiresome work should we attempt it for very 
many of the ears are higher than our heads and some of them as 
high as I can possibly reach; but we generally cut up a portion of 
our corn from the ground, before the leaves are dry and cure it for 
feed in the winter, though a great many do not, but turn their cattle 
into the field after their corn is gathered and let them pick for 
themselves. Most of my corn is very good, better than it was last 
year. Corn is not worth more than 25 cts a bushel here now. It 
does not pay very well to raise corn to sell, but we can make some- 
thing by feeding i