J.F. Drake to Governor John St. John
Creator: Drake, J.F.
Date: September 12, 1879
Acknowledging the demands being made on Governor St. John's time, J.F. Drake of Emporia, Kansas, requests the Governor's presence at their October county Sunday School convention to give an address on temperance.

Soden's flour mill and dam, Emporia, Kansas
Creator: Walker, Russell W.
Date: Between 1920s and 1930s
These two black and white photographs show the Soden flour mill and dam along the Cottonwood River in Emporia, Kansas. The two-story structure was built in 1860 by William T. Soden. It later burned to the ground in the 1930s.

Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway wreck, Emporia, Kansas
Date: Between 1890 and 1899
This black and white photograph shows the wreckage of an ATSF steam locomotive near Emporia, Kansas.

William Allen White and President Theodore Roosevelt
Date: Between 1910 and 1912
This is a photograph of William Allen White with President Theodore Roosevelt, William Lindsay White, on far right, and two unidentified men at White's home in Emporia, Kansas.

William Allen White house in Emporia, Kansas
Date: Between 1915 and 1920
This is a photograph of William Allen White's house located at 927 Exchange in Emporia, Kansas. The home is made of bright sandstone from Colorado, which covers the first story. The top two stories of the house are red pressed brick, stucco, and wood strips. The red sandstone is believed to be from a quarry in Red Rock Canyon near the Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Almerin Gillett, a lawyer and cattle entrepreneur, began building the house around April 1888. Due to drought and a drop in the cattle market, Gillett was unable to complete the construction. The house was later purchased by William Allen White and in 1915 he wrote to architect Frank Lloyd Wright and suggested that he "do over" the house. Wright soon began to develop preliminary designs for the house. White and Wright continued their discussions of design until around November 1919, when White contacted the architectural firm of Wight & Wight in Kansas City. The renovation began in March 1920 under close direction from William Allen and Sallie White. The Wight design retained much from the Frank Lloyd Wright plans. The former Queen Anne was changed to a Tudor Revival. Here the White family entertained several U.S. presidents-- Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover-- and prominent Americans, such as Edna Ferber, Frank Lloyd Wright, Walt Mason, and Jane Addams.

LeRoy Austin Grubs, World War I soldier
Date: 1918-1919
Around 1919, the Kansas State Historical Society and the American Legion solicited biographical information from returning veterans (primarily members of the 35th and 89th infantry divisions) and the families of those who died in service, notably from the Gold Star Mothers. Each veteran or family member was asked to provide letters, photographs, a biography, and military records. This file contains information on LeRoy Austin Grub, Company C, 353rd Infantry, 89th Division. LeRoy was killed in action on October 21, 1918 while in France.

Lawrence V. Timbrook, World War I soldier
Date: 1918
Around 1919, the Kansas State Historical Society and the American Legion solicited biographical information from returning veterans (primarily members of the 35th and 89th infantry divisions) and the families of those who died in service, notably from the Gold Star Mothers. Each veteran or family member was asked to provide letters, photographs, a biography, and military records. This file contains information on Lawrence V. Timbrook, Company H, 354th Infantry.

Wesley and Elsie Hasenbank Tally collection
Creator: Tally, Wesley
Date: July 13, 1933 - October 8, 1936
A collection of letters written by Wesley Tally and Elsie Hasenbank in the mid-1930s. During this time, Wesley and Elsie were dating and the letters tell about their developing relationship. In 1933 and 1934, Wesley was a teacher in Council Grove, Kansas, and worked part time for the telephone company. Elsie worked as a housekeeper and au pair for several families in Emporia, Kansas. Elsie also spent some time in Fort Riley and Alma. In March 1935, they wrote about the dust storms and how they impacted their lives. That same year Wesley had difficulties finding a job and he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp. He was sent to Camp Burns Lake at Cass Lake, Minnesota, where he served in the 1765 Company working in the forests of northern Minnesota. Wesley describes the work he performed in the camp and his leisure activities. Elsie wrote about her work, the weather, her family and friends, and her leisure activities. After leaving the Civilian Conservation Corps in April 1936, Wesley enrolled in the Davey Tree Expert Co. He left the tree service training before finishing the course and returned to Kansas. The last few letters are about their impending marriage and moving to Kansas City, Kansas, to live.

Seth C. Beach, World War I soldier
Creator: Beach, Seth C.
Date: 1922
Around 1919, the Kansas State Historical Society and the American Legion solicited biographical information from returning veterans (primarily members of the 35th and 89th infantry divisions) and the families of those who died in service, notably from the Gold Star Mothers. Each veteran or family member was asked to provide letters, photographs, a biography, and military records. This file contains information on Seth C. Beach, 6th Field Artillery.

William R. Sayre, World War I soldier
Date: 1918-1919
Around 1919, the Kansas State Historical Society and the American Legion solicited biographical information from returning veterans (primarily members of the 35th and 89th infantry divisions) and the families of those who died in service, notably from the Gold Star Mothers. Each veteran or family member was asked to provide letters, photographs, a biography, and military records. This file contains information on William R. Sayre, Company L, 137th Infantry, 35th Division.

An illustrated historical atlas of Lyon county, Kansas
Creator: Edwards Brothers of Missouri
Date: 1878
This atlas shows maps of each township with the names of landowners. It has a patrons' directory, and plats of towns as of the year of publication. It contains lithographic views and portraits of residents. The History of Lyon County, Kansas, was written expressly for this work by Jacob Stotler.

Moccasins
Date: between 1890 and 1930
Slip-on leather moccasins decorated with beadwork on the uppers. Sinew wrap closure at ankle. Used by western artist Lawrence Coffelt as a prop in his Flint Hill Studio in Emporia, Kansas. Coffelt was born in Sycamore Springs, Kansas, in 1910, and died in Emporia in 1976. He operated outdoor advertising businesses in central Kansas for about 25 years before retiring and turning to art full-time in 1960. Coffelt was a largely self-taught artist who produced oil paintings and bronze sculptures.

Woman's hat
Creator: Mr. John
Date: between 1955 and 1965
Conical gray wool hat with a quilted brim. Point of crown is folded over, stitched to side, and trimmed with gray grosgrain bow. Found in the Emporia, Kansas, home of William Allen White and Sallie Lindsay White. William Allen White was a famous progressive era newspaper editor. This hat was probably worn by White's daughter-in-law, Kathrine Klinkenberg White, who married William Lindsay White in 1931. The couple lived in Emporia while editing the Gazette newspaper after William Allen White's death in 1944.

Soden's flour mill and dam, Emporia, Kansas
Date: Between 1900 and 1909
This black and white photograph shows the Soden flour mill and dam along the Cottonwood River in Emporia, Kansas. The two-story structure was built in 1860 by William T. Soden. It later burned to the ground in the 1930s.

Robert Carson, World War I soldier
Date: 1918-1919
Around 1919, the Kansas State Historical Society and the American Legion solicited biographical information from returning veterans (primarily members of the 35th and 89th infantry divisions) and the families of those who died in service, notably from the Gold Star Mothers. Each veteran or family member was asked to provide letters, photographs, a biography, and military records. This file contains information on Robert Carson, 17th Observation Battalion. Carson died from influenza at Camp Zachary Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky.

World War I souvenir scarf
Date: between 1914 and 1918
Souvenir silk scarf acquired in Europe during World War I by Emporia-native Arthur Joseph Ericsson (1889-1986). The scarf features images of Allied war heroes from World War I, including: French President Raymond Pioncare, King Albert I of Belgium, King George V of Great Britain, French Field Marshal Joseph Joffre, British General John French, and United States President Woodrow Wilson. The scarf also depicts a French Farman airplane and 75mm French cannon. Following the war, Ericsson gave the scarf to his niece. Ericsson was born in Emporia, Kansas and enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in 1912. He served in both World War I and World War II and achieved the rank of colonel. During World War I, he was awarded the Purple Heart medal for wounds received in France during the Battle of the Argonne. Ericsson returned to Emporia and served as a state legislator.

Freshman nurse's cap
Creator: Kay's Caps Inc.
Date: between 1955 and 1959
This nurse's cap of heavily starched linen belonged to Helen Marie Turner. Mrs. Turner graduated from the Newman School of Nursing, a partnership program between Newman Hospital and Emporia College, in 1959. She purchased this cap as a freshman student. During her 45-year career, Mrs. Turner worked at a number of institutions, including Newman Hospital in Emporia, Jefferson County Memorial in Fairbury, Nebraska, Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a cancer center in California.

Kansas, her resources and developments
Creator: Griswold, Wayne
Date: 1871.
A guide containing information on living in the state of Kansas. This booklet reports on various topics that include but are not limited to, emigration, population and education in Kansas.

Kansas in 1875
Creator: Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Company
Date: 1875
A pamphlet produced by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company to promote Kansas and its resources. It focuses on the Cottonwood and Arkansas Valleys of Kansas. Also included is a map of ATSF railroad connections with an advertisement of land for sale.

Kansas as she is
Creator: The Kansas Publishing Company
Date: 1870
An emigrants' and settlers' guide containing information on living in the state of Kansas. The guide reports on various topics such as the state's climate, its cities and towns, railroads, and the character of its people.

Mary Ann Hatten White with her grandchildren
Date: 1904
A photograph showing Mary Ann Hatten White with her grandchildren William Lindsay White and Mary Katherine White. The children's father was William Allen White, who was a well known editor, publisher, and author. The photograph was probably taken in Emporia, Kansas.

Kansas capital location
Creator: Kansas. Governor (1861-1863 : Robinson)
Date: January 13, 1862
The results of an election determining the permanent location of Kansas' capital. Topeka received the most votes, then Lawrence, Leavenworth, Emporia, and Baldwin City.

Governor Thomas Carney college and university lands, 1863, correspondence
Creator: Kansas. Governor (1863-1865 : Carney)
Date: 1863
Thomas Carney compiled this series of correspondence on college and university lands in 1863 from letters he received while governor of Kansas. A searchable, full-text version of this correspondence is available by clicking "Text Version" below.

A.H. Gufler to Representatives E.H. Rees and L.R. Cowden
Creator: Gufler, A. H
Date: March 3, 1927
A.H. Gufler, vice president of The Theo. Poehler Mercantile, writes to state representatives encouraging legalization of cigarettes in Kansas. The new cigarette law, H.B. 1 under consideration, was signed into law by Governor Paulen in 1927.

A. H. Gufler to Governor Ben Paulen
Creator: Gufler, A. H
Date: February 2, 1927
In this letter, A.H. Gufler expresses disappointment in the language of the new Kansas cigarette law and encloses a newspaper article by the associated press in which Governor Paulen is quoted.