Aaron A. Platner, World War I soldier
Date: 1918-1921
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 Aaron A. Platner. Aaron died in late 1918 from wounds he received in the Battle of the Argonne.

Advertisement for Nicodemus, Kansas
Creator: Hill, W. R.
Date: April 16, 1877
This advertisement for Nicodemus, Graham County, Kansas, describes the location of the colony near the Solomon River and the town company's plans to build more houses, businesses, and other public buildings. The trustees were quick to note that they will not build any saloon or "houses of ill fame" during the first five years of settlement. Nicodemus was settled in 1878 and is the oldest surviving all-black settlement west of the Mississippi River founded by former slaves. Today the town is a National Parks Service site and is open to visitors.

Albert Dewey Baughman, 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 Albert Dewey Baughman, 27th Aero Squadron. Baughman died in France on August 29, 1918 from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Celebrating "Walter Chrysler Day," Ellis, Kansas
Date: 1955
These two unidentified men are examining a valve trombone, during the 1955 Walter Chrysler Day celebration in Ellis, Kansas. Also visible is a band uniform coat and hat hanging on the door in the background. Walter Chrysler, whose boyhood and machinist apprenticeship was spent in Ellis, was founder of the Chrysler Corporation.

Celebrating "Walter Chrysler Day," Ellis, Kansas
Date: 1955
These two unidentified men, one of whom is playing a valve trombone, are participating in the 1955 Walter Chrysler Day celebration in Ellis, Kansas. Chrysler, whose boyhood and machinist apprenticeship was spent in Ellis, was founder of the Chrysler Corporation.

Coral Bell to Governor Andrew Schoeppel
Creator: Bell, Coral
Date: October 4, 1944
This letter from Coral Bell to Governor Schoeppel, concerns the treatment of the African American citizens of Ellis, Kansas. Bell explains that the Victory Café in Ellis has a sign in the front window that states "We Cater to White Trade Only" and questions is this the type of freedom he fought for while serving in the U.S. military.

G.W. Arbuckle to Governor John St. John
Creator: Arbuckle, G.W.
Date: July 18, 1879
G.M. Arbuckle, who together with his daughter, has been campaigning for the prohibition movement throughout Kansas, asks Governor St. John to please arrange a railroad pass for them to help with their expenses.

G.W. Arbuckle to Governor John St. John
Creator: Arbuckle, G.W.
Date: July 11, 1879
Kansas Governor John St. John receives a rather vague letter from G.W. Arbuckle of Ellis, Kansas, offering his services, reminding the Governor of an impending "application" which needs his attention and referencing a "song" sent to "musicians for revision."

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.

Governor George Anthony Dull Knife's Raid correspondence received
Creator: Kansas. Governor (1877-1879: Anthony)
Date: 1878
Governor George Anthony received these telegrams and letters from various people concerning raids by a group of Cheyenne Indian in Kansas in 1878. The incident is often labeled Dull Knife's Raid. The correspondence request assistance and other actions on the part of the Governor. Letters and telegrams were received from the following Kansas communities: Cimarron, Dodge City, Leavenworth, Ellis, Medicine Lodge, Cherokee, and Topeka. One letter is from Congressman W. A. Phillips, who represented Kansas in Washington, D. C. Many letters include a reference to the governor's reply in letterpress books. A complete transcription is available by clicking "Text Version" below.

Guide map of the great Texas cattle trail from Red River crossing to the old reliable Kansas Pacific Railway
Creator: Kansas Pacific Railway Company
Date: 1874
This railroad guide book was produced by the Kansas Pacific Railway to aid cattle ranchers in getting their herds to market.

I-70 across Kansas
Creator: Kansas Highway Commission
Date: 1970
This is a foldout pamphlet and map of Interstate 70 across Kansas. A history of the Kansas interstate system, brief town descriptions, and photographs are included.

Kansas illustrated. An accurate and reliable description of this marvelous state for the information of persons seeking homes in the great west
Creator: Bodine, L.T.
Date: 1879
This Kansas Pacific Railroad promotional pamphlet highlights the important natural and economic resources of Kansas. It includes lists of crop production by county, inducements for emigrants, and county descriptions.

Kansas suffrage mass meetings for June
Creator: The Farmer's Wife
Date: May 1894
This article lists the upcoming suffrage meetings for June and their locations. The first section's meetings will have Carrie Chapman-Catt, Annie Diggs, and Theresa Jenkins as the speakers; the second section's meetings will be addressed by Susan B. Anthony, Anna Howard Shaw, Helen Kimber and Rachel Child.

Line etchings. A trip from the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains via the Kansas Pacific Railway
Creator: Spec
Date: 1875
This Kansas Pacific Railroad promotional advertisement highlights all the geographic attractions and resorts located on its rail line leading through Kansas to the Rocky Mountains.

President Theodore Roosevelt in Ellis, Kansas
Date: June 18, 1903
This is a photograph of President Theodore Roosevelt speaking to a group of people in Ellis, Kansas.

Raymond Armbrister video interview on experiences in World War II (transcript)
Creator: Armbrister, Raymond F.
Date: 25 July 2006
Corporal/Specialist Raymond Armbrister enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1946 and served until 1951 in the Third Brigade service battery (Korea). Interviewed by Judy Walker on Jul 25, 2006, Armbrister talked about military experiences in the Second World War. He was born in Ellis County, attend Ellis county country schools, and Ellis High School. He married Evelyn Hendrickson. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the nine community institutions that received these grants. The transcript from the interview is presented here; the original video copy of the interview is available through the Ellis County Historical Society (Hays) and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

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.

River scene and bridge in Ellis County, Kansas
Date: Between 1905 and 1925
This postcard is an image of a river and bridge in Ellis, Kansas.

Sod house, Ellis, Kansas
Date: Between 1880 and 1900
This sod house belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Caspar Sack in Ellis, Kansas.

Standard atlas of Ellis County, Kansas
Creator: Geo. A. Ogle & Co.
Date: 1905
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.

Standard atlas of Ellis County, Kansas
Creator: Geo. A. Ogle & Co.
Date: 1922
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, a map of the state, United States, and world. It has illustrations, portraits and photographs of homes.

U.S. 40. The main street of America
Creator: U.S. 40 Highway Association, Inc.
Date: 1920s
This pamphlet by the U.S. 40 Highway Association promotes U.S. Route 40 as the trans-continental highway from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to San Francisco, California. At the pamphlet's creation, the highway had not yet been completed and reached to eight miles west of Topeka, Kansas. Raymond M. Sawhill of Glasco, Kansas, was the secretary of the local organization. The pamphlet contains a map of the route and there are charts listing the distance between all the cities through which the highway would pass. The charts also list the population of each of the cities. This pamphlet proposes a northern and southern route through the middle and western portions between Manhattan, Kansas, and Limon, Colorado.

Union Pacific Hotel in Ellis, Kansas
Date: Between 1890 and 1899
This is a photograph of the Union Pacific Hotel in Ellis, Kansas.

Union Pacific Railroad Company depot, Ellis, Kansas
Date: Between 1950 and 1959
This photograph shows the Union Pacific Railroad Company depot and tracks in Ellis, Kansas.