“Reminiscences of early Lawrence” by Agnes Emery, self-published in 1955, offers a deeply personal and detailed account of the author’s experiences and observations in Lawrence, Kansas, during its formative years. Emery’s narrative blends historical details with a vivid recollection of community life, making it a valuable resource for understanding the local history of Lawrence and the broader societal changes of the time.
The series contains original affidavits of registration that record personal information about each registrant, their photograph affixed to the majority of documents, and the registrants fingerprints. All of these are specific to Kansas, and most have the actual documents attached.
Jessie Lee, born July 2, 1884, to James and Charlotte Bumgarner, pursued her education at Female Seminary and in Lawrence, Kansas. She married K. C. Billings on March 30, 1902, in Spavinaw. K. C., born on August 10, 1818, was the son of John C. and America Billings. Together, they had six children: Beatrice, Love, Charlotte America, Edith Belle, Myrtle Ceaphine, and Iva Dell, highlighting their family’s legacy in the early 20th century.
Eliza Whitmire, born in 1833 in Georgia, recounts her life as a slave on a Cherokee plantation owned by George Sanders. She vividly describes the forced removal of Cherokees in 1838 and the hardships faced during their journey to the Indian Territory. After the Civil War, she settled in Oklahoma and witnessed significant historical events, including the founding of Tahlequah and interactions with Cherokee leaders. Eliza reflects on the relative kindness of her Indian masters compared to whites and the struggles of freed slaves in adjusting to freedom.
Frank P. MacLennan, born in 1855 in Ohio and raised in Kansas, exemplifies the industrious spirit of American journalism. After completing his studies at the University of Kansas, he became deeply involved in the newspaper business, transforming the struggling Topeka State Journal into a respected publication. Known for his courageous editorial stance and commitment to community interests, MacLennan also ventured into banking to advocate for fair interest rates. A dedicated farmer and family man, he remains a prominent figure in Kansas’s media landscape, driven by his love for journalism and public service.
Preston B. Plumb, born in Ohio in 1837, emerged as a pivotal figure in Kansas’ early settlement and politics. Following his enlistment in the Union army, he became a respected senator, playing an instrumental role in environmental conservation and land legislation. Plumb’s tireless advocacy led to significant laws, including the creation of the National Forest Reserve. His dedication to public service persisted until his untimely death in 1891, which brought profound sorrow to Kansas, a testament to his remarkable commitment to both state and nation.
Amos Hinsdale Plumb, born on January 31, 1869, in Emporia, Kansas, was the son of Senator Preston B. Plumb. Educated in local public schools and at Kansas State University, he built a career in real estate and mining. He founded and presided over the Mutual Building and Loan Association of Emporia and led the Kansas Bankers Association’s building and loan section from 1915 to 1917. Married to Elva Lawrence Gibson since 1897, they have one daughter, Roxanna Plumb.
James F. Legate, born on November 23, 1829, in Massachusetts, was a prominent figure in Leavenworth for nearly forty years. Initially teaching and engaging in politics in Mississippi, he opposed Jefferson Davis in the state legislature. Legate moved to Kansas in 1854, becoming a staunch supporter of the free-state movement. He played significant roles in Kansas’s early government, including the First House of Representatives and the State Senate, and served as a U.S. mail agent for several western territories, until his death in 1902.
Otis B. Gunn, born in Massachusetts on October 27, 1828, established a prominent career in railroad engineering after moving west. He worked on significant projects, including the Hoosac Tunnel Railroad and the Toledo, Wabash and Western, before settling in Wyandotte, Kansas, in 1857. Gunn served in the 1861 State Senate and as a major in the Fourth Kansas Infantry during the Civil War. Post-war, he contributed extensively to rail construction, notably building 600 miles of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas line. He passed away on February 18, 1901, in Kansas City.
Robert G. Elliott, born in Indiana in 1828, was a key figure in the founding of Kansas as a free territory and state. A graduate of the University of Indiana, he co-founded the Kansas Free State newspaper in 1855, which faced destruction during the sacking of Lawrence. Elliott played a significant role in the 1856 Fremont campaign and served in the Territorial Legislature. His leadership extended to roles as a state senator, president of the State Agricultural Society, and university regent, where he contributed to elevating the institution’s reputation.
Owen A. Bassett was a dynamic figure in the tumultuous era of the Border troubles and the Civil War, as well as the Reconstruction period. Born in Pennsylvania, he relocated with his family to Illinois and then Iowa. Initially aspiring to be a civil engineer, he shifted to law and became active in the free-state movement in Kansas. He served as an engineer during critical battles and later commissioned as lieutenant colonel of the Ninth Kansas. After the war, he was elected district judge and remained influential until his death in 1896.
William R. Smith, born on March 21, 1872, in Lecompton, Kansas, has served as the state printer since 1916, following a successful career in journalism and public service. With extensive experience in the printing industry, he has led the Kansas State Printing Plant to efficiency and cost-effectiveness, producing school textbooks at significant savings. Smith’s leadership has been vital in enhancing the institution, recognized for its advanced equipment and productivity. He is connected to various fraternal organizations and resides in Topeka with his wife, Bertha, and their daughter, Louise.
Marshall M. Murdock, born in 1837 in West Virginia, became a significant journalist and founder of the Wichita Eagle. His family moved to Kansas due to their opposition to slavery. Murdock initially sought gold in the Pikes Peak region, where he discovered silver at Leadville. During the Civil War, he returned to Kansas to support his family and eventually served as a lieutenant-colonel. He established the Eagle, advocating for Wichita’s growth and becoming a respected editor and influential community figure until his death in 1908.
Fred Schuyle Jackson, born in 1868, emerged as a key figure in Kansas history. The son of a notable border warfare participant, he educated himself through public schools and law studies, becoming a prominent lawyer by 1891. Jackson served as Kansas’s attorney-general, where he enforced anti-trust laws and prosecuted illegal liquor operations. Elected to Congress as a progressive Republican in 1910, he advocated for campaign finance transparency and contributed to significant legislation. He was married to Inez Sarah Wood, with whom he had one son.
Samuel Walker, born on October 19, 1822, in Pennsylvania, emerged as a significant figure in the tumultuous events surrounding Lawrence, Kansas. After moving to Ohio and then to Kansas in 1855, he quickly became involved in the free-soil movement, forming the Bloomington Guards. Rising through military ranks, he commanded various regiments during the Civil War and served in key positions, including sheriff of Douglas County and a state senator. Walker’s impactful legacy in Kansas ended with his death on February 6, 1893.
Josiah Miller, born November 12, 1828, in South Carolina, was a notable figure in Kansas’s early history, championing free-soil ideals. After graduating from Indiana University and a law school, he moved to Kansas in 1854. He founded the Kansas Free State in 1855, which faced hostility from pro-slavery factions, leading to the destruction of his printing office. Miller served as probate judge and was a member of Kansas’s first State Senate. He passed away on July 7, 1870, leaving behind a legacy that includes the Kansas state motto, “Ad astra per aspera.
Jacob Branson, an early Douglas County settler and leader among the free-soilers, resided at Hickory Point along the Santa Fe road. His community, largely composed of Hoosiers, faced significant conflict with pro-slavery Missourians over land claims. Tensions escalated when pro-slavery Franklin Coleman murdered free-state resident Charles W. Dow in 1855 after a dispute. Following Dow’s death, Branson led local settlers in demanding justice, confronting the biased sheriff, Samuel J. Jones, who ultimately retreated against the determined resistance of Branson’s supporters.
Col. John Fraser, born in Cromarty, Scotland, around 1823, was a distinguished educator and military officer. An accomplished mathematician, he taught in Bermuda and held a chair at Jefferson College, where he advanced local education and astronomy. During the Civil War, he swiftly rose through the ranks and was later held as a prisoner of war. Fraser served as the second chancellor of the University of Kansas, where he significantly contributed to its development, before becoming president of the State College at Bellefontaine. He died in 1878 from smallpox.
Col. Horack L. Moore, born February 25, 1837, in Ohio, served with distinction during the Civil War and in campaigns against Native Americans in the West. Initially a lawyer-in-training, he enlisted in the Second Kansas Infantry, rising to lieutenant colonel of the Fourth Arkansas Cavalry. After the war, he engaged in business and served as treasurer of Douglas County. A Democrat elected to Congress in 1892, he later became president of the Lawrence National Bank and actively participated in historical societies. Moore remained a prominent local leader in Lawrence until his later years.
Prof. Lewis L. Dyche, a distinguished figure in zoology and taxidermy at the University of Kansas from 1900 until his passing in 1915, was born on March 20, 1857, in West Virginia. He earned multiple degrees from the university and undertook numerous scientific expeditions across North America. His work greatly contributed to the university’s extensive collection of mammals, showcased notably at the 1893 Columbian Exposition. Additionally, he served as state game warden and fish commissioner, effectively balancing this role with his academic duties.