Early Kansas History

Written by L. W. Thavis

["Wellsville Globe," page 1, 18 Feb 1897]

Kansas in its early history is not without its romance, for it was on the plains of Kansas that Coronado and his band suffered so many hardships in their search for the country of Quivera and its fabled city of gold. He crossed the state in a northeasterly direction, reaching the Missouri river near the present site of Atchison. Here the Spaniards, disappointed at not finding treasure, erected a cross bearing the inscription: "Thus far cam Francisco De Coronado, general of an expedition"--and returned home to Mexico. They were the first white men to visit Kansas, and their letters describe it then as now, a country rich in fruits, with a heavy black soil similar to the finest regions of Spain.

In the early part of the eighteenth century. Kansas was visited and often explored by the French, who mixed freely with the numerous tribes located along the Arkansas and Kansas rivers. It became a part of the "Louisiana Purchase" in 1803, and afterwards found a portion of the Indian Territory in 1854, and admitted as a state into the Union in January, 1861. The name Kansas is derived from the name of the dominant tribe of Indians found in the Territory, when first visited by the white men. The word is said to signify in the language of the Kansas tribe, "smoky."

Kansas has gone through more trials in her early life as a territory and state than any other state in the Union. Over forty years ago the slavery oligarchy ruled the country. Fearing that the birth of new states in the west would rob it of supremacy, the slave power swallowed the Missouri compromise., which dedicated the northwest to freedom. The industrious north, aroused and indignant, struck quick and hard and Kansas, full armed, shouting the war cry of liberty, and nerved the invincible courage, sprang into the union. The territory was the scene of many exciting conflicts between the Abolitionists and the advocates of slavery. John Brown taking an active part against the latter. This enthusiastic and patriotic martyr, in the cause of freedom left his imprint in Kansas and when the war finally came on, the State gave voice and potency to the demand for abolition, and aided in burying secession I its grave.

Osawatomie is a historical city of national note, being a central point of the border wars from 1854 to 1860, made so by being the abiding place of John Brown, the great anti-slavery agitator, and the scene of the battle of "Osawatomie," on Aug. 30, 1856 between the pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces, the latter being commanded by John Brown. This keynote battle by the great war which was soon to sweep over the country is commemorated by a marble shaft, some 12 feet high erected on the Main street of the city, suitably inscribed with the names of those who fell in this battle, and in commemoration of their noted leader.

The war over, Kansas became the patron as she had been during its continuance, the exemplar of heroism, and a hundred thousand of the Union soldiers found homes within the shelter of her embracing arms. The agriculturist and the mechanic were charmed by her ample resources and inspired by her eager enterprise. Education found in her a generous patron, and to literature, art, and science she had been a steadfast friend.

Her pure atmosphere invigorated all. a desert disfigured the map of the continent and she covered it with fields of golden wheat and tasselling corn. She has extended to women the protection of generous laws and of enlarged opportunities for usefulness in war she was valiant and indomitable, and in peace she has been intelligent, energetic, and progressive and enterprising. The modern Athens, type of the great Greek goddess, is our "Kansas."

During the year of 1829 the Rev. Thomas Johnson (whom Johnson country was named after) a Methodist missionary from the Missouri conference, came onto the Shawnee Indian reservation in that county and by a special permit of the general government established a Mission school to civilize and christianize the red man. A large tract of land was secured and buildings erected, which were subsequently used as the capitol building. This school was kept in successful operation until 1862, when owing to the unsettled condition of the border, on account of the war it was closed by order of Mr. Johnson, its superintendent. In 1850 a movement was inaugurated by the few white men there then but principally by Mr. Johnson, with the object in view of organizing a territorial government of Kansas and allowing a settlement by the winter. In an election held by the whites and Indians in 1853 Mr. Johnson was elected a delegate to Washington to obtain legislation for Kansas' admission as a territory. He was accompanied by James Whitfield an agent for the Indians. In 1854 Mr. Johnson's efforts were crowned with success and in June the same year Hon. Andrew H. Reeder was appointed the first Territorial Governor. He was removed the following year for cause, and Hon. Wilson Shannon was appointed to his office. Reeder issued a proclamation and called the first legislature at Shawnee Mission April 17, 1855. Some of the laws enacted at this session are now in use.

Franklin county is among the historical counties of the West, and derived much historical note from the early days of the Indians, who made this section of the country their headquarters. The county is one of the oldest localities of Kansas and the starting point of a wonderful development and progress that has marked the country west of the Missouri line in many years past.