[1] Fourteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology.
[2] In 1819 the United States gave to Spain that part of Kansas lying south of the Arkansas River and west of the 100th meridian. This territory again became a part of the United States by the annexation of Texas in 1845.
[3] Coues, Expedition of Zebulon Montgomery Pike.
[4] A cache was made by digging a jug-shaped hole in the ground and lining it with dry grass, or sticks, or anything to keep out moisture. Then the goods were packed in and the opening closed very carefully by replacing the sod and carrying away the earth that was removed, so that no sign was left by which the cache might be discovered. Sometimes a camp fire was built over it to destroy all traces of the cache.
[5] Another phenomenon that makes the traveler in a dry or desert country afraid to trust his eyes is the mirage. He often sees what seem to be lakes, trees, buildings, cities, only to find on nearer approach that they all disappear. As Kansas has come under cultivation the mirage has become less frequent, but it is still seen in the western part of the State. Here is a description of one seen in early Kansas:
“On approaching the town of Lerny, about a mile and a quarter this side, we found the whole intermediate space between us and the grove of trees beyond the town apparently occupied by a beautiful lake. On the apparent shore next to ourselves the road ran down and disappeared in the lake, as did the fence upon one side of the road, while the placid and beautiful water extended upon the right and left, until lost in the distance. The trees in the distance appeared to be immersed for half their length in the lake, as if growing in the water. Even the reflection of the trees, and of the clouds above, was distinctly visible. We approached the vision and it vanished.”
[6] Because of the increasing migration westward, the National Government decided to send out expeditions for the purpose of discovering the best routes across the mountains to the Pacific. John C. Fremont was selected for this task, and between 1842 and 1850 he made four journeys across the plains. Among the scouts who acted as guides was the famous hunter and trapper, and Indian fighter, Kit Carson.
[7] The fact that Kansas was once an Indian country is shown by the many Indian names of counties, towns, and streams; as, Topeka, Pottawatomie, Hiawatha, Wyandotte, Shawnee, Cheyenne, Cherokee, and Kiowa.
[8] Among the schools established by the missions three have continued in existence and have developed into important schools of to-day: Highland College, established by the Presbyterians; St. Mary’s College, by the Catholics; and Ottawa University, by the Baptists.
[9] Named after Mount Oread Seminary at Worcester, Mass., of which Eli Thayer was the founder and proprietor.
[10] Named in honor of Amos A. Lawrence, of Boston, an active member of the Emigrant Aid Company.
[11] It should be borne in mind that many of the Missourians who took such an active part in Kansas affairs were not representative citizens of that state, but were of the unprincipled and outlaw classes. Many of them were hired for this work.
[12] Ingalls said of this period: “No time was ever so minutely and so indelibly photographed upon the public retina. The name of no State was ever on so many friendly and so many hostile tongues. It was pronounced in every political speech, and inserted in every political platform. No region was ever so advertised, and the impression then produced has never passed away.”
[13] This period has given rise to the expression “bleeding Kansas.”
[14] The origin of the word “Jayhawker” is uncertain, though a number of different accounts have been given of it. In recent years the term has come to be applied to our State and our people, and it is not unusual for a Kansan to be spoken of as a “Jayhawker.”
[15] One of Hamelton’s men was brought to justice five years later.
[16] A census taken in 1885 disclosed the fact that nearly 100,000 Kansans had served in the Union army.
[17] The Populist party was formed as a result of the political unrest following the collapse of the boom. The Populist measures attracted widespread attention, and the party, in fusion with the Democrats, succeeded in electing Governor Lewelling in 1892 and Governor Leedy in 1896. By that time conditions in the State had become more settled; with returning prosperity the political agitation died down and the Populists were soon absorbed into the other parties. Since that time many of the measures advocated by the Populists have been enacted into law or are being considered by the people of to-day.
[18] This line was at first called the Kansas Pacific.
[19] See map, page 28.
[20] The traveling library system in Kansas was adopted in 1900 and is now under state control through a Commission which maintains an office in the capitol at Topeka. These traveling libraries are made up of collections of fifty books each, selected in accordance with the wishes of the applicant. They are sent to schools, clubs, granges, and similar organizations without charge other than a fee of two dollars to cover the cost of transportation. The libraries may be retained six months, or exchanged at any time for others.
[21] The place was discovered in 1875 by Mrs. Elizabeth A. Johnson, who later purchased the land and presented it to the State.
[22] Died, Sept. 18, 1911.
[23] Died, July 7, 1911.
[24] Named Davis until 1889.
[25] Named Calhoun until 1859.
[26] Named Lykins until 1861.
[27] Named Wise until 1859.
[28] Named Weller until 1859.
[29] Named Richardson before 1859.
[30] The original name, Shirley, changed to Cloud in 1867.
[31] Part of Dorn County until 1861. Named Neosho until 1867.
[32] Named Breckinridge until 1862.
[33] Named Dorn until 1861.
[34] Originally named Hunter.
[35] Originally the northern portion of Howard County.
[36] First organization in 1873, later set aside as fraudulent.
[37] First organization in 1873, later set aside as fraudulent.
[38] Named Sequoyah until 1883.