Front matter
GEAKY AND KANSAS.
GOVERNOR GEARY'S ADMINISTRATION
IN
Preface
favor of the free-soil party. When he went to Kansas, all his proclivities were on the opposite side, which he did not hesitate to make known on all proper occasions, and among all elasses of people. The free-soilers regarded him as their enemy, and the pro-slavery leaders received him with marked favor as a new accession to their forces. With the latter he constantly associated, and his impressions were strengthened by their representations of territorial affairs. Hence his letters to the eastern papers, with which he corresponded, were severely condemnatory of the free-state party of Kansas. He resisted as long as possible the daily accumulating evidences of his error j but with many others like himself, was at length forced, though unwillingly, to acknowledge the truth of the statements contained in this volume.
Governor Geary, during his administration in Kansas, observed a strict neutrality in regard to the question of slavery, and invariably pursued that impartial line of policy which his official documents indicate. He was, however, a firm and unwavering Democrat, and for aught that has appeared to the contrary, still adheres closely to the party with which he has always been associated. The writer is also an advocate of the true principles of Democracy; but he repudiates that new plank which has been surreptitiously inserted into the Democratic platform, that gives to the single idea of slavery extension an ascendancy over every other consideration.
Chapter I. Page
Description of the Territory. — Its boundaries — rivers — prairies — woodlands— soil— climate — appearance — and general characteristics ......... « ... 15
CHAPTER H.
Discovery and early exploration of Ki nsas. — The Indians of the Territory. — Their reserves. — The Shawnee Mission . . . .18
CHAPTER HL
Application of Missouri for admission into the Union. — The restriction and compromise bills of 1818-19-20. — Debates on the Kansas- Nebraska Bill. — The Organio Act of Kansas Territory . . 24
CHAPTER 1Y.
The organio act a compromise measure. — Kansas intended for a slave state. — Conduot of the pro-slavery party. — Persecutions of free-state people.— New England Emigrant Aid Societies. — Publio meetings. — Blue Lodges. — Invasion from Westport — Arrival of Governor Reeder. — Judges of the Supreme Court 27
CHAPTER V.
Elections.— Gen. Whitfield's politics.— Meetings in Missouri to oontrol the Kansas elections.— The Missouri press.— The Lynching of William Phillips. — Outrages upon the free-state citizens approved.— Destruction of the "Parkeville Luminary" 83
1* (5)
vi
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VL
PAOB
Census returns, February, 1855. — The eleotion of Maroh 30th. — The Legislative Assembly . 38
CHAPTER VII.
Removal of Governor Reeder. — Seoretary Woodson. — Assumption of power by the Legislature. — Office-holders all pro-slavery men. — Free-state mass meetings and conventions. — Elections for delogate to Congress. — Free-state Constitution adopted. — Dr. Charles Robinson electod governor. — Meetings of the State Legislature. — Arrost of Robinson and others for high treason. — The Topeka Legislature dispersed by Col. Sumner 41
CHAPTER VIII.
The Kansas Legion. — Patrick Laughlin. — The murder of Collins. — Outrages upon J. W. B. Kelley. — Rev. Pardee Butler set adrift in the Missouri River on a raft — Disputes about land claims. — The murder of Dow. — Portrait of Sheriff Jones. — Arrest and rescue of Jacob Branson 47
CHAPTER IX.
Governor Wilson Shannon. — Consequences of the arrest and rescue of Branson. — Meeting at Lawrence. — Military organization for defence. — Sheriff Jones requires three thousand men. — The governor orders out the militia. — A general call to arms. — The governor issues a proclamation. — War excitement in Missouri. — The invading army. — Governor Shannon's excuse 53
CHAPTER X.
The governor calls upon Colonel Sumner for United States troops. — Proposition for the Lawrence people to surrender their arms. — The governor makes a treaty with the free-state generals. — Dispersion of the militia • 59
CHAPTER XI.
The murder of Thomas W. Barber 65
CHAPTER XII.
Pro-slavery mob at Leavenworth. — Ballot-box stolen and clerk beaten. — The jail and printing office destroyed. — The election and fight near Easton.— Murder of Captain E. P. Brown. — Shannon receives authority to employ the troops. — Congressional Committee. — Arrival of Buford and his southern regiment — Sheriff Jones shot at Lawrence. — Rev. Pardee Butler tarred and feathered . . . .70
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIH.
PAGE
Charge of Jr.dge Lecompte to tho Grand Jury. — Presentment. — Arrests at Lawrence. — Travellers interrupted on the highways. — The murder of Jones and Stewart. — The sacking of Lawrence. — Burning of the hotel and destruction of printing offices . . . .VI
CHAPTER XIV.
Murderous assault on a pro-slavery oompany. — Captain John Brown. — The Potawattomie murders. — Outrages of Captain Pate at Osawattomie. — Battlo of Palmyra. — Fight at Franklin. — General Whitfield's army. — Colonel Sumner disperses the contending armies. — Murder of Cantral. — Sacking of Osawattomie. — The murder of Gay, an Indian agent. — Outrages at Leavenworth and on the Missouri River . 86
CHAPTER XV.
Removal of Colonel Sumner and appointment of General P. F. Smith. - -Free-state refugees driven from Fort Leavenworth. — Imor.gration from the North. — Destruction of pro-slavery forts by free-state bands. — Murder of Major Hoyt. — Defeat of the pro-slavery forces at Franklin. — Colonel Titus captured by Captain Walker, aud his house burned. — Alarm at Lecompton. — Governor Shannon makes . another treaty with the Lawrence people 92
CHAPTER XVL
Atchieon and Stringfellow call on Missourians for assistance. — Mr. Hoppe and a teamster scalped. — A German murdered at Leavenworth. — Outrages upon a young female. — Shannon removed, and Woodson acting-governor. — Atchison concentrates an army at Little Santa Fe. — General L. A. Maclean his commissary. — He robs the settlers and the United States mails. — Reid attacks Brown at Osawattomie, who retreats, and the town is sacked and destroyed. — Murder of Frederick Brown and insanity of his brother John. — Lane drives Atchison into Missouri. — Outrages at the Quaker Mission. — Burning of free-state houses. — Lane threatens Lecompton.— Dead bodies found and buried. — Captain Emory murders Phillips, and drives free-state residents from Leavenworth . . . .97
CHAPTER XVIL
Appointment of Governor Geary. — His departure for Kansas. — Arrival at JeflVrson City. — Interviews with Governor Price. — Removal of obstruc ions on tho Missouri River. — Departure on steamboet Keystone. — Scenes at Glasgow. — Captain Jackson's Missouri volunteers. — What Reeder did. — Arrival at Kansas City. — Description of Border Ruffians. — Who comprise the Abolitionists. — Appearance and condition of Leavenworth City 103 viii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVIII.
PAGE
Arrival at Fort Leavenworth. — General P. P. Smith. — Free-state men driven from Leavenworth City. — Pressed horses. — John D. Henderson. — Violation of the United States safeguard. — Arrest of Captain Emory. — Character of his company. — Governor Geary's letter to Col. Clarkson. — Rev. Mr. Nute. — District Attorney Isaeks . . 109
CHAPTER XIX.
Fort Leavenworth. — Departure for Leoompton. — Barricade at Leavenworth City. — Excuse for Border Ruffian outrages. — Terror of James II. Lane. — Hair breadth escapes. — Anecdotes of the times. — Robbery at Alexandria. — A ohase and race. — The robbers overtaken. — Arrival at Lecompton. — Letter to the Secretary of State. — Two men shot at Locompton 114
CHAPTER XX.
The town of Lecompton. — Its location and moral character. — The accounts of their grievances by the pro-slavery party. — Policy indicated by that party for Governor Geary. — The Inaugural address. — Proclamations ordering the dispersion of armed bodies, and for organizing the militia of the territory 122
CHAPTER XXI.
Gloomy prospect for Governor Geary's administration. — Determination to make Kansas a slave state. — Opposition to the new governor. — Address 'to the people of the slave states. — Secretary Woodson's proclamation • . 127
CHAPTER XXIL
The Missouri army. — Orders to the adjutant and inspector-generals of the territory. — Dispatch to Secretary Marcy. — Dispatches from General Heiskell. — Message from the governor's special agent — Requisition for troops. — Visit of the governor to Lawrence, and return to Lecompton 133
CHAPTER XXIII.
Excitement at Lecompton. — Affidavit of W. F. Dyer. — Requisition for troops. — The battle at Hickory Point — Arrest of one hundred and one free-state prisoners. — The killing of Grayson, a pro-slavery man. Treatment of the prisoners. — Conduct of Judges Lecompte and Cato. — Trial and sentence of the prisoners, and their subsequent treatment 139
CONTENTS.
ix
CHAPTER XXIV.
PAGS
The Missouri army of invasion, — Letter from Theodore Adams. — Governor Geary proceeds with troops to Lawrence, and protects the town. — The governor visits the camp of the Missourians, addresses the officers, and aibbands the force 148
CHAPTER XXV.
Improved condition of things. — Attempt to resurrect the courts and incite the judges to the performance of their duty. — Judges Burrell, Cato and Lecompte. — The examination and trial of free-state prisoners. — Directions to Judge Cato. — Letters to the Supreme Judges. — Replies of Judges Cato and Lecompte. — Great criminals permitted to run at liberty. — Discharge of free-state men on bail. — Judge Lecompte's defence ........ 157
CHAPTER XXVL
The murder of Buffum.— Warrant for the arrest of the murderer. — Partial conduct of the marshals. — Reward offered. — Indignation of free-state citizens. — Arrest of Charles Hays 16S
CHAPTER XXVII.
Discharge of Hays by Judge Lecompte. — Order for his re-arrest, — Conduct of Marshal Donalson. — Col. Titus re-arrests Hays, who is again set at liberty by Lecompte on a writ of habeas corpus. — President Pierce and the United States Senate on the case of Lecompte. — Letter from Secrotary Marcy asking explanations. — Governor Geary's reply. — Judge Lecompte's letter of vindication .... 172
CHAPTER XXVIIL
The United States Marshal. — His, deputies. — Requisitions for United States soldiers. — Visit of the governor to Topeka, and arrest of prisoners. — An address to the citizens of Topeka. — Report of the marshal. — Requisition declined, and an^evil practice discontinued . 181
CHAPTER XXIX.
Arrival of free-state immigrants, and their treatment and discharge . 187
CHAPTER XXX.
Pence and quiet prevailing. — ViBit to Lawrence. — Proclamation of the Mayor of Leavenworth. — Suspension of the liquor traffic in Lecompton. — Organization of militia. — Escort for wagons furnished. — Another election . ■ 192
X
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXI.
PAOP,
Notes of a journey of observation 195
CHAPTER XXXII.
The cnpitol building. — Captain Donaldson dismisses Justice Nelson's court. — Captain Walker surrenders himself. — Dragoons required for detached service. — Bad postal arrangements. — Free-state prisoners removed to Tecumseh. — The governor at Leavenworth. — Report of a deputation sent to arrest marauders 205
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Pay of the militia. — Settlers ordered from Indian reserve. — Sales of Delaware trust lands. — No prison in Kansas. — The capital appropriation. — Governor Geary between two factions. — False reports. — Settlement of Hyattville. — Peace still prevailing .... 209
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The Topeka Legislature. — Arrest of its members. — Appropriation of Vermont Legislature for the suffering poor of Kansas . . . 214
CHAPTER XXXV.
Meeting of the Territorial Legislative Assembly at Lecompton . . 218
CHAPTER XXXVL
Act of the Legislative Assembly, to authorize courts and judges to admit to bail in all cases. — Veto message of the governor. — The bill passed. — Clarke and others bailed under the new law . . . 222
CHAPTER XXXVIL
Resolution of the legislature asking the governor's reasons for not commissioning Win. T. Sherrard — Governor Geary's reply — Conduct of the legislators — Violence of Sherrard 227
CHAPTER XXXVIIL
Sherrard's abettors — Attempt to assassinate Governor Geary — Action of the legislature — Conduct of Judge Cato — Publio indignation meetings — Outrage at a Lecompton meeting, resulting in the shooting and death of Sherrard 233
CONTENTS.
xi
CHAPTER XXXIX.
PAGE
How the pro-slavery leaders in Lecompton held large and enthusiastic town meetings — Incendiary meeting at Lecompton — Calhoun's speech and sentiments — The Kansas laws not created to punish pro-slavery criminals 244
CHAPTER XL.
Meeting of a pro-slavery convention at Lecompton. — Discussion between Hampton and Maclean. — Sheriff Jones endorsed. — Organization of the national democratic party of Kansas. — A novel platform. — The national administration favors the pro-slavery movements in Kansas. — Analysis of the cabinet. — Governor Geary offered the United States senatorship. — Calhoun's address to the people of the United States. — Misrepresentations of its author exposed . . . 252
CHAPTER XLI.
Passage of the census bill. — Governor Geary's veto message. — The manner in which the census was taken. — Repeal of the test laws. — Adjournment of the Legislature. — Secretary Marcy and the Topeka Legislature. — Letter to the Secretary of State. — Arrest of a fugitive. — Rencontre at Topeka. — Complaint of prisoners. — Breaking up of the Kansas River 260
CHAPTER XLIL
Governor Geary's instructions. — The United States troops. — Enrolment, mustering and discharge of the militia. — The troops withheld from the service of the governor 272
CHAPTER XLIIL Resignation of Governor Geary. — His Farewell Address . . . 287
CHAPTER XLIV.
Election of a free-state mayor at Leavenworth. — Arrest of the murderer of Hoppe. — Resignation of Judge Cunningham. — Appointment of Judge Williams. — Removal of Judge Lecompte. — Taking of the census.— Hon. Robert J. Walker 299 xii
CONTENTS. '
CHAPTER XLV.
PAGB
Arrival in Kansas of Secretary Stanton and Governor Walker. — The polioy of the new administration. — Disapprobation of the pro-slavery party 305
Appendix
Message of Gov. Geary to the Legislative Assembly ...» 309 Inaugural Address of Gov. Walker S28
HISTORY OF KANSAS.
CHAPTER I.
Description of the Territory, — Its boundaries — rivers — prairies — woodlands — soil— climate — appearance — and general characteristics.
The territory of Kansas is a strip of land over two hundred miles in width, extending from the western boundary of Missouri to the highest ridge of the Rocky Mountains. It is bounded on the north by the territory of Nebraska; on the east by the state of Missouri ; on the south by the Indian Territory and New Mexico; and on the west by the territory of Utah.
Its principal river is the Kaw or Kansas, which empties into the Missouri in latitude 39°, and longitude 94°, at the southern point, where that river separates the territory from the state of Missouri. It flows eastward to this point, receiving in its course many tributaries, some of which, the Republican and the Smoky Hill Forks, take their rise in the Rocky Mountains.
The north-western portion of the territory is watered by the tributaries of the Platte, which flows through Nebraska ; and the eastern and southern districts by the Osage and Upper Arkansas and their branches.
None of these streams are navigable. A light-draught steamboat has passed up the Kansas more than one hundred miles, to Fort Riley; but very few attempts have been made 2 (13)
HISTORY OP KANSAS.
to repeat the experiment. They might be successful, with a boat drawing from twelve to twenty inches of water, two or three months in the year. The bed of this river is wide, and the bottom a quicksand, which is constantly shifting with, the current, forming bars and changing the course of the channel. Its water is always muddy, like that of the Missouri, whilst some of the streams that empty into it are remarkable for their clearness and purity. A number of these branches which, during the seasons of freshets, swell to streams of considerable magnitude, are perfectly dry the greater portion of the year, although in many places pure water can be obtained a short distance below the dry surface.
The only portion of the territory that possesses any peculiar value for agricultural purposes, is the eastern district, extending from the northern to the southern boundary, and varying from one hundred to two hundred miles westward from the Missouri line. This district is remarkable for the exquisite beauty of its scenery, and the unrivalled fertility of its soil. It is a high rolling prairie, covered in the summer months with tall grass, sprinkled with an immense variety of beautiful flowers, and over which the eye has an unbroken prospect for many miles in extent.
The soil is a rich bla"k loam, several feet deep, with a porous clay subsoil, resting upon a limestone basis, and is capable of producing hemp, maize, wheat, and all the grains, vegetables and fruits common to temperate regions, in vast abundance and in great perfection.
Timber is confined exclusively to the margins of the numerous rivers and creeks, along the smaller of which it consists chiefly of stunted oaks, cotton-wood, &c, insignificant in quantity and of but little value. But the banks of the Kansas, Osage, Arkansas, Wakarusa, and other of the more important streams, are lined with wide strips of forest, embracing large quantities of heavy and valuable timber, among which are found white and black oak, walnut, hickory, elm, ash, sycamore, maple, cotton-wood, and other useful varieties.
There is an abundance of excellent stone for building purposes in all this region, and good coal is said to be plentiful.
The only game worth naming is the prairie-fowl or grouse, and this is not so abundant as in Illinois. But few fish are found in the streams, the varieties being chiefly the buffalo and catfish, the latter attaining an enormous size, and, like those of the Mississippi River, scarcely fit for food.
DESCRIPTION OP THE COUNTRY.
The country west of this district, for a Dumber of miles, is well described in a letter dated December 27th, 1856, addressed to Governor Geary by Lieutenant Francis T. Bryan, of the United States corps of Engineers, and furnishing an account of a journey he had just completed.
" My route," he says, " can easily be followed on the map accompanying Stansbury's report, or, indeed, any other reliable map of the Territory. Leaving Fort Riley, I went up the Republican River for one hundred and five miles. This valley is fertile, and is cut by many creeks, with wooded banks. Out of the valley, or bottom of the river, the country is high and covered with short buffalo grass. The stone of the country is limestone.
" Leaving the Republican, the route led over the high prairie thirty-five miles to the Little Blue River, crossing several small creeks, with wooded banks. This country, I think,, would be too dry for agricultural purposes. Crossing the Little Blue, the route lies along its banks for about fifteen miles, and then leaving the river, goes to the Platte, touching several water holes. From the point where the road first touches the Platte to Fort Kearney, is about fifteen miles, and along the valley of the Platte. The distance from Fort Riley to Fort Kearney we made one hundred and ninety-three miles.
" From Fort Kearney the route lay along the valley of the Platte for about two hundred miles. This valley is too well known to need any description. There is little or no wood, and the soil is sandy. Any attempt at agriculture, I think, would prove a failure.
" Crossing the South Platte below the mouth of Pole Creek, we followed the creek to its head in the Black Hills. The country is generally high, grass mostly short, and no wood for most of the distance. Buffalo chips are used for fuel. Pole Creek breaks through two ranges of hills, which we called Pine Bluffs and Cedar Bluffs. These are the only points where wood can be obtained along the creek until the Black Hills are reached. Grass can be found in spots.
"The route then crossed the Black Hills, where was plenty of fuel and water, but very little grass. Leaving these hills, we found ourselves in the Plains of Laramie, and crossed the east branch of the Laramie River at about five miles from the foot of the hills. About four miles further appears the first
HISTORY OP KANSAS.
fork of Laramie River. Both of these streams have good water and good grass, but little fuel.
" We then struck the emigrant road near the Medicine Bow Mountains, and followed it to the crossing of the South Platte, having wood, water and grass at convenient distances. The road ia over a gravelly soil, and is generally very good and hard. Hard stone, such as granites, &o., is found in these parts.
" Crossing the South Platte, we struck for the head of Sage Creek, over a most barren and desolate-looking country. Very little fuel or grass. Water was iii abundance, and small patches of grass and clumps of trees were found in the hills. Coal was found on the South Platte, a few miles from where we crossed it, and in a situation where it could easily be worked.
" Buffaloes were seen in large numbers, from the Republics q over to the Platte, and for some days up the Platte. Then the game consisted almost entirely of deer. In the Black Hills, and through the Plains of Laramie, antelopes, wolves, and elks were seen and killed, besides prairie dogs, hares, sage chickens, &c.
"The country through which we had passed on the outward route, was, with little exception, sterile, being too high, dry and stony to possess much value in an agricultural point of view. Along the creeks were some small strips of wood land.
"The return route was over the same country as the outward route until we reached the east fork of the Laramie River. Then turning to the south we followed the Cache-la- Paudre to its mouth in the South Platte, passing over several very pretty valleys, and having plenty of wood and grass. Following down the South Platte for several days, we came to where the river turns to go north. The country is the same as elsewhere on the Platte. Then sixty miles across a barren region of land and hills, with little water or grass, to a creek emptying into the Republican. For the first one hundred miles down the Republican the country is barren and sandy, with little wood. It then improves. The soil is better, and there are numerous creeks with wooded banks. The river bottom is of good soil, and furnishes excellent grass in large quantity, which affords pasturage to immense numbers of buffaloes. This kind of country continues on to Fort Riley.
" Along the main streams of the Platte, Republican, and Solomon's Fork, the wood is almost entirely cotton-wood. On
DESCRIPTION OP THE COUNTRY.
the creeks which empty into them, it is generally hard wood, such as ash, elm, walnut, &c. On the Solomon's Fork, the soil of the bottom land appears even better than that on the Republican, and the wooded creeks quite as numerous. These bottoms are very wide in places, and covered with excellent grass. Buffaloes and elk are found in this region also, and in great numbers.
" I have thus given you a hasty view of the country over which we have passed. That along the lower part of the Republican and Solomon's Fork appears to be by far the best that we saw, though there are some very pretty spots on the creeks in the mountains; but there is no good land in large bodies in that region."
The section beyond that travelled by Lieut. Bryan, embracing the space between the Black Hills and the m?in shain of the Rocky Mountains, is thus described by another writer : — ■
" Here nature has presented us with every variety and aspect of soil. There are stupendous mountains, the grandeur and sublimity of which create mingled emotions of awe and terror. There are beautiful valleys, embosomed by amphitheatres of hills, where Calypso and her nymphs might have delighted to ramble, variegated by hill and dale, traversed by sparkling rivulets, and adorned with placid lakes. Fruits and flowers spangle the green sward ; vines hang in festoons from tree to tree ; cascades spring in rainbow hues from the cliffs; pines and cedars, the growth of ages, spread their sombre shade upon the mountain sides, and the stupendous peaks, shooting up into the skies, are crowned with a glittering coronet of snow.
" A few hours' travel leads us out of this scene of primeval beauty into one in intense contrast with it. Here we find a sterile expanse of many miles in extent, covered with waving lines of sand, producing only stunted artemesia and a few other miserable plants. The rivulets are lost as they descend from the bare ridges around ; their hollow murmurs may be heard beneath the feet; and the surrounding peaks are immense piles of bare granite, which seem to have been thrown by some great convulsion into inextricable confusion."
The climate is not so agreeable as in the' same latitudes nearer the Atlantic sea-toard. It is dry and variable. The changes of weather arj frequent, sudden, and severe, the thermometer not unftvo uently rising and falling thirty or forty degrees in a few hours. This is specially the case during the 2* B
HISTORY OP KANSAS.
winter season. High winds are very prevalent, sweeping fiercely and almost daily over the unbroken prairies.
Along the banks of the rivers and smaller streams, the only places where settlements to any extent have yet been made, bilious and intermittent fevers are a° common as in more southern latitudes on the Mississippi River. The progress of agriculture will not improve the condition of the country in this regard, as an unhealthy miasma must necessarily arise from turning under to any great extent the heavy sod, and exposing the rich soil to the atmosphere and the rays of the sun. This will in a measure be counterbalanced by the erection of more substantial and suitable habitations for the people, the supply of a greater variety of wholesome food, and other sources and means of health and comfort. To the want of these, as well as to the unsteady habits of a large portion of the population, may justly be attributed much of the sickness that has heretofore prevailed.
CHAPTER H.
Discovery end early exploration of Kansas. — The Indians of the Territory. — Their reserves. — The Shawnee Mission.
The discovery of the valley of the Missouri is said to have been made by Father Marquette, a French missionary, about the year 1673 ; and that portion of the country now embraced in the Territory of Kansas, appears to have first been explored by M. Dutisne, a French officer, sent by his government for that purpose, in 1719. At that time it was claimed as part of the empire of Louis XIV. In 1762, it was ceded by France to Spain, and thus passed under the dominion of the Spanish crown j but subsequently, ("in 1800,) it was ceded back to France. In 1801 it came into the possession of the United States, through the negotiation of Thomas Jefferson, by which, for fifteen millions of dollars, ho purchased all the western territory belonging to the French government.
When first discovered to the civilized world, and until within a very few years, the Territory of Kansas was occupied §olely by a few roving tribes of Indians, whose subsistence was obtained by hunting. There were no civilized residents,
INDIAN RESERVES.
in fact, until about the time of its organization, except the few Christian missionaries who went there to convert the Indians ; the soldiers by whom the forts were garrisoned ; the fur traders; and such, of the Indians who had mingled with the white people in other districts, or were connected with the missions.
No use was made of this country by the government, until, it becoming necessary to remove the Indian tribes occupying districts where the progress of civilization rendered it inexpedient for them to remain, some of its best lands were granted to them by treaty, upon which they settled, and have since possessed. These tribes are the Shawnees, Delawares, Potawattomies, Wyandots, Kickapoos, Ottowas, Chippewas, Sacks and Foxes, Peorias and Kaskaskias, Weas and Piankshaws.
The immense tracts of laud appropriated to the use of these Indians, were, at the time the treaties were severally made, considered of little importance ; but the great flood of civilized emigration that has steadily been pouring westward, has so increased their value as to render their owners the wealthiest, though the most miserable population in the world.
The reservation of the Wyandots, but few in number, was purchased from the Delawares, and is, perhaps, the most eligible and valuable in the Territory. It is the fork at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers. It extends six miles from the mouth of the Kansas, and embraces twentythree thousand, nine hundred and sixty acres. • The towns of Wyandot and Quindaro, both of which promise to be of some importance, are upon this reserve. The shares in these towns have recently attracted the attention of speculators, and have reached and obtained almost fabulous prices. A Wyandot Indian, (half breed,) named Walker, is at the head of this speculative movement, and was a member of the late Legislative Assembly of Kansas. He is a shrewd and intelligent man, and will make the most of his opportunities to acquire a princely fortune.
Immediately above the Wyandot begins the Delaware reserve. It stretches along the north side of the Kansas River westward forty miles, and to an equal or greater distance northward on the Missouri. It is a beautiful tract of prairie and woodland, and lies in a position to give it eminent advantages and make it especially valuable. Leavenworth City is built upon this reservation, the entire northern portion of which has for some time been covered with squatters, in violation of
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You’ve reached the end of Geary and Kansas : Governor Geary's administration in Kansas : with a complete history of the territory until July 1857, embracing a full account of its discovery, geography, soil, rivers, climate, products, its organization as a territory : all fully authenticated.