8,000 students affected, state officials see no trouble adjusting schools to new rule
Creator: Topeka Journal
Date: May 17, 1954
This article discusses how the state of Kansas will work to conform to the ruling made in the Brown v. Board of Education decision on May 17, 1954. The U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that the segregation of schools based on race was unconstitutional. Many cities in Kansas, including Topeka, Atchison, Salina, Wichita, and Pittsburg were already working to integrate their schools. Topeka had an estimated 625 African American students who would be affected by the court's ruling, and the article lists the numbers for other cities and towns in the state.

An appeal for help in behalf of the colored refugees in Kansas
Creator: Rust, Horatio Nelson, 1828-1906
Date: January 22, 1881
This flyer, distributed by the Southern Refugee Relief Association of Chicago, Illinois, describes the dire situation of the African-American refugees relocated in Kansas. The secretary of this association, Horatio N. Rust, had taken this opportunity to pass along information relayed to him by Elizabeth Comstock, an aid worker in Topeka. Comstock was thankful for the donations of food and other goods, but asked for more assistance in feeding, clothing, and sheltering these refugees. The flyer also includes short excerpts of letters by agents of the refugee association who had direct knowledge of the emigrants' situation.

Baxter National Bank, Baxter Springs, Kansas
Date: Between 1870 and 1900
A photograph showing the Baxter National Bank in Baxter Springs, Kansas. This bank was robbed by Jessie James in May 1876. At the time the photograph was taken, the structure was called the Douthit Building.

Baxter Springs as a military post
Creator: Thompson, Hugh L.
Date: Between 1900 and 1910
This pamphlet recounts the history of Baxter Springs, Kansas, as military institution during the Civil War. It also describes the murder of the Rev. John Baxter for whom the town was named. It describes the attack on General James G. Blunt and his forces at Baxter Springs on October 6, 1863. The author, Hugh L. Thompson, wrote the account from memory and claimed to be the "only man who was sent there at all times when the U.S. troops occupied the place." Thompson was a member of the 3rd Wiscosin Cavalry Volunteers, Company C.

Brewery and residence, Baxter Springs, Kansas
Date: Between 1955 and 1965
Photographs of a brewery and residence located on the site of the original spring in Baxter Springs, Kansas.

Bridge near Baxter Springs, Kansas
Creator: Grantham, J. W.
Date: 1908
This is a postcard showing a horse drawn carriage on a bridge near Baxter Springs, Kansas.

Civil War monument in Baxter Springs, Kansas
Creator: Galloway and Robertson
Date: May 31, 1886
A photograph showing a Civil War monument in Baxter Springs, Kansas. This monument is dedicated to the soldiers killed in the Battle of Baxter Springs, October 6, 1863, and other engagements in the vicinity.

Governor's proclamations
Date: 1869-1977
This collection of proclamations issued by Kansas Governors declares first, second or third-class status for Kansas towns and cities. Proclamations are arranged in alphabetical order by town name. Included are descriptions of city limits, plat maps and censuses.

K. O. & G - K. C. S. depot Baxter Springs, Kansas
Creator: Killam, H.
Date: 1959
A photograph of the K.O.& G. - K.C.S. depot in Baxter Springs, Kansas.

Kansas Adjutant General general correspondence
Creator: Kansas. Adjutant General's Office
Date: 1866
Correspondence received by the Adjutant General's Office. Colonel Thomas J. Anderson served as the Kansas Adjutant General from April 1, 1865-August 18, 1867. Some of the topics discussed include the newly elected officials of the Mission Creek township militia in Wabaunsee County, residents of Baxter Springs seeking militia protection from bushwhackers, correspondence with E.B. Taylor, Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Northern Superintendency in Omaha, relating to testimony given by Pawnee Indians on charge of murder at Solomon's Fork, monthly enlistment reports for the 13th U.S. Infantry and 18th U.S. Infantry, and a letter from Clara Barton on behalf of the Office of Correspondence with the Friends of the Missing Men of the United States Army.

Kansas Film Commission site photographs, subjects banks - bridges
Creator: Kansas Film Commission
Date: 1980s and 1990s
These are panoramic photographs of locations in Kansas created by the Kansas Film Commission to promote scenes to film companies. The panoramics were created by taking individual photos and taping them together. The photographs are arranged alphabetically by subject and then location. Subjects included in this part of the collection are: banks, bed & breakfasts, and bridges.

Kansas Film Commission site photographs, subject stadiums - trains
Creator: Kansas Film Commission
Date: 1980s-2000s
These are panoramic photographs of locations in Kansas created by the Kansas Film Commission to promote scenes to film companies. The panoramics were created by taking individual photos and taping them together. The photographs are arranged alphabetically by subject and then location. Subjects in this part of the collection include stadiums, stockyards, studios, theaters, and trains.

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.

Methodist Episcopal Church damage after cyclone, Baxter Springs, Kansas
Date: July 05, 1895
A photograph showing damage from a cyclone to the Methodist Episcopal Church in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Several people are gathered around the church or on the building rubble.

Military Street in Baxter Springs, Kansas
Date: March 1917
A postcard view of Military Street in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Downtown businesses can be seen as well as cars parked in the street, some with signs for the "Atlas Powder Co."

Plat book, Cherokee County, Kansas
Creator: Missouri Publishing Co.
Date: 1902
This atlas, compiled from county records and actual surveys, contains maps of each Cherokee County township with the names of landowners. It has a patrons' directory and plats of towns. A large fold out plat of Empire City and Galena is included and is also available as unit 225944.

Ralph William McKenzie, World War I soldier
Creator: McKenzie, Ralph W.
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 Ralph William McKenzie, Company H, 353rd Infantry, 89th Division.

Red Star School in Cherokee County, Kansas
Date: 1934
A photograph of the Red Star School in Cherokee County, Kansas. This school was located about one mile south of Baxter Springs.

Report of Kansas U.S.O. Committee
Creator: United Service Organization
Date: 1941
This item details the amount of contributions to the United Service Organizations (U.S.O.) from cities and counties in Kansas during 1941. Totaling almost $90,000, the U.S.O. campaign in Kansas was quite successful and helped support a number of services for Americans serving in uniform during World War II. The report lists the contributions by city and the nature of the fund raising. There was a campaign in movie theaters that raised almost $9,000 from 84 cities. The list includes the names of the theaters. Local newspapers, which provided publicity, are often listed as well. The members of the local U.S. O. committees are listed, occasionally.

Street scene in Baxter Springs, Kansas
Date: Between 1870 and 1900
A street scene in Baxter Springs, Kansas, showing the G.W. Koontz grocery store and an oxen drawn wagon.

Street scene in Baxter Springs, Kansas
Date: Between 1870 and 1910
A street scene showing the east side of Military Avenue between 11th and 12th streets in Baxter Springs, Kansas.

Whiz Kids baseball team from Baxter Springs, Kansas
Creator: Heeney
Date: 1948
This is a photograph of the Whiz Kids, the 1948 Cardinal Junior League championship team from Baxter Springs, Kansas. People in the photograph are (left to right): Rex Heavin (utility player), Jim Kenaga (pitcher), Bob Steele (pitcher), Ben Craig (pitcher), Billy Pace (outfield), Nick Ferguson (2nd base), Walter "Barney" Barnett (owner/manager), Mickey Mantle (shortstop), Buddy Ball (outfield), Willard "Billy" Johnson (3rd base), Jack Dorrell (outfield), Gene Lindeman (outfield), Delbert Lovelace (1st base), Leroy Bennett (catcher), Roger Yocom (bat boy) and Jim Goodwin (ball shagger). The man standing behind the players is Joe Becker, a former Joplin Miner baseball team executive, newspaper man, and Boston Red Sox "bird dog." The original photograph was autographed by Mickey Mantle in 1986.

Whiz Kids baseball team in Baxter Springs, Kansas
Date: 1949
The Baxter Springs Whiz Kids baseball team is pictured in this photograph from 1949. That year, the team competed in the Southeast Kansas Ban Johnson League, winning the first half of the league's split season. Individuals seated in the photo are (l to r): Charles Heavin, Delbert Lovelace, Bob Steele, Jim Kenaga, Wylie Pitts, Benny Lee, manager Barney Barnett, Duffy Harbaugh, George Garrison, Joe Daniel, John Garrison, Billy Joe Pace, and Red Lovelace. Standing in the back, on both the left and right, is coach Paul Pace. The Nilex 35 mm camera used to create the panoramic photo enabled Pace to appear twice by running in back of the photographer as the camera's field of view shifted from left to right. The first Whiz Kids team was organized in 1944 by manager Barney Barnett. During the Whiz Kids' eight-season run, the team was exceptionally successful. It became best known, however, for its most famous player, future Hall-of-Famer Mickey Mantle, who played for the Whiz Kids for a full season in 1948 and briefly in both 1947 and 1949.

Whiz Kids baseball team in Baxter Springs, Kansas
Date: 1944
This photograph shows the 1944 Baxter Springs Whiz Kids baseball team, the first of the Whiz Kids teams organized by manager Barney Barnett. That year, the team competed in the Gabby Street League based in Picher, Oklahoma, and won the league pennant with a record of 30-6. Standing in the photo are (l to r): Calvin Mishler (lf); Dean Cannon (1b, p); Dick Weaver (p, 2b); Bill Crow (rf); Jack Moore (ss, p); Ted Atkinson (1b, p); Richard Barnett (c, lf); Barney Barnett (mgr); Ben Craig (rf); Charles Heavin (3b); Wylie Pitts (cf); Lowell Crawford (c); and batboy R.H. Morgan. The batboy in the middle, in front of Barnett, is Guy Crow. The players ranged from 15 to 18 years of age. They are wearing 1939 New York Yankee uniforms donated to the Whiz Kids by Joe Becker, former business manager of the Joplin Miners, a minor league affiliate of the Yankees. The Miners wore the uniforms in 1942 but Joplin did not field a team again until after the war. During the Whiz Kids' eight-season run, the team was exceptionally successful. It became best known, however, for its most famous player, future Hall-of-Famer Mickey Mantle, who played for the Whiz Kids for a full season in 1948 and briefly in both 1947 and 1949.

Whiz Kids baseball team in Baxter Springs, Kansas
Date: 1946
The Baxter Springs Whiz Kids baseball team is pictured in this photograph from 1946. That year, the team competed in the Gabby Street League based in Picher, Oklahoma, and finished with a record of 32-16-3. Seated in the bottom row are (l to r): Charles Heavin, batboy Guy Crow, Billy Johnson, and Jim Kenaga. Seated in the middle row are (l to r): Wylie Pitts, Dick Weaver, unknown, Billy Crow, Bob Steele, Calvin Mishler, and Jim Bowers. Standing in the back are (l to r): manager Barney Barnett, Jack Moore, Lowell Crawford, Bob Myers, and Smokey Leonard. The first Whiz Kids team was organized in 1944 by manager Barney Barnett. During the Whiz Kids' eight-season run, the team was exceptionally successful. It became best known, however, for its most famous player, future Hall-of-Famer Mickey Mantle, who played for the Whiz Kids for a full season in 1948 and briefly in both 1947 and 1949.