A Story of Real Life on The Plains
Creator: Van Sickle, S.S.
Date: 1875
A story written by Captain S.S. Van Sickel, in which he recounts his time on the Plains, his experiences with the Indians, and his narrow escape from death during the winter of 1874-75. He was a citizen of Bull City, Kansas (now known as Alton) for several years and also spent time in Dodge City, Great Bend, and Russell.

Arthur Strange Tisdale, 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 Arthur Strange Tipton, 16th Balloon Company. While in France, Arthur died of influenza on February 17, 1919. He was born in Russell, Russell County, Kansas, on February 7, 1892. He graduated from high school in 1911 and attended Hutchinson Business College. He held numerous positions is Russell, including city clerk.

Baseball game probably in Russell, Kansas
Date: Between 1900 and 1910
This is a photograph showing a baseball game probably played in Russell, Kansas.

Bucking Ford in Russell, Kansas
Date: Between 1945 and 1949
This is a slide showing a "bucking Ford" in Russell, Kansas. The back wheels were off set to make the barrell buck. It was driven in parades and other local events. It was probably built by Fred "Fritz" Strecker.

C. A. Shirley to J. C. Ruppenthal
Creator: Shirley, C. A.
Date: October 25, 1909
A letter from the Western State Normal School committee to Judge J.C. Ruppenthal announcing the winners of the schoolchildren map contest of 1909. The winners were Frances Palkovsky (first prize), Maggie Hitt (second prize), Merle Hitt (third prize). The contest was organized by Judge J. C. Ruppenthal of Russell, Kansas. The maps were to meet a "requirement of presenting historical data, together with excellence and accuracy of drawing."

Children sledding in the snow, Russell, Kansas
Date: Between 1905 and 1915
This photograph was produced from a dry plate glass negative showing, possibly, Wentworth children sledding in Russell, Kansas.

Dean O. Smith Map of Township 13 South, Range 14 West, Russell County
Creator: Smith, Dean O., 1897-
Date: 1910
A map drawn by Dean O. Smith, showing creeks, the Union Pacific Railroad, the state road to Nebraska and Russell City in Township 13 South, Range 14 West, Russell County. In a separate five page note, Dean, who would later become a surveyor, includes an extensive legend of the map which acts as a history of the township and Russell City. This is one of several maps drawn by school children for a contest organized by Judge J. C. Ruppenthal of Russell, Kansas. The maps were to meet a "requirement of presenting historical data, together with excellence and accuracy of drawing."

Double wedding in the Rein and Keil families, Russell County, Kansas
Creator: Koernes, Charles L.
Date: February 24, 1903
This photograph shows the people attending the double wedding of George Rein, Jr. and Beatrice (Keil) Rein and Emanuel Keil and Elizabeth (Rein) Keil in Russell County, Kansas. The wedding was held in the German Ebenezer Church located south of Russell, Kansas. George Rein, Jr. and Elizabeth Rein were the children of George Rein, Sr. and Eva Elizabeth (Lass) Rein. Emanuel Keil and Beatrice Keil were siblings.

Drug Store and businesses on Main Street, Russell, Kansas
Date: 1885
This photograph shows a view of the businesses along Main Street between 7th and 8th Streets in Russell, Kansas. At the left side of the picture a drug store is visible. Other businesses visible include Butler Brothers Jewelers, a bakery with a sign for ice cream, Ahsing Laundry, W. E. Banks Hardware, Land Office of K. W. Robbins, a law office, a bank, and the Spot Cash Store grocery. Most of the buildings on this block later burned in 1889, except for the ones on the far left end of the block. A few boys are visible standing in front of the businesses, and a few horses are visible in the street. Several wooden crates and a wooden barrel are visible in front of the Spot Cash Store, and a large clock hanging from a pole is visible in front of the Butler Brothers Jewelers store. (The W. E. Banks building and the First National Bank building were rebuilt after the fire, and in 2006 they were nominated for the National Register of Historic Places as virtually unaltered examples of Victorian-era commercial buildings.)

Eagle wheat weaving
Creator: Banbury, Joyce
Date: 1986
Wheat weaving artist Joyce Banbury presented this eagle to Governor John Carlin in Topeka on August 18, 1986. The weaving was given on behalf of the Kansas Wheat Commission (KWC) to recognize Governor Carlin's support for wheat producers. Joyce Banbury, of Russell, Kansas, was commissioned by KWC to complete the weaving. She was a skilled artist who wrote books on wheat weaving and was frequently featured in craft magazines. Banbury and her son specialized in growing vintage wheat breeds with long stems suitable for weaving. The eagle took two days to weave and it is made from a vintage hard winter wheat grown by Banbury on her Russell farm.

Embroidered flour sack
Creator: Russell Milling Company
Date: between 1915 and 1916
This cotton sack for Russell Milling Company flour was heavily embroidered and embellished with a linen ruffle. The printed company emblem and text have been over-embroidered, and there is a small appliquéd silk U.S. flag as well as the sentiment "God bless you!" The sack's back includes the names of the needleworker, Caroline Gielen, and the town Bilzen (Belgium). This sack originally contained Kansas flour sent overseas during World War I for relief efforts organized by the Commission for Relief in Belgium. Some of the sacks were embroidered by Belgian women and returned to the United States as an expression of gratitude. The Kansas Belgian Relief Fund received this sack and placed it on display in a downtown Topeka store before donating it to the Kansas Historical Society.

First annual fair of the Western Kansas Agricultural Fair Association
Creator: Western Kansas Agricultural Fair Association
Date: September 30 - October 1, 1879
This poster announces a fair at Russell, Kansas, sponsored by the Western Kansas Agricultural Fair Association. The poster includes an illustration of a sulky race with horses and riders.

Flower garden and houses in Russell, Kansas
Date: Between 1945 and 1949
Here is a slide showing a flower garden and houses in Russell County, Kansas.

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.

Halloween party at Southside Grade School in Russell, Kansas
Date: 1943
This is a photograph showing a kindergarten class Halloween party at Southside Grade School in Russell, Kansas.

Henry B. and Amalia (Mollie) Rein Milberger's 50th wedding anniversary
Date: January 1958
This photograph shows Henry B. and Mollie Rein Milberger and family at their 50th wedding anniversary celebration in the fellowship hall at the Trinity Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas. They were married on January 23, 1908, at the Ebenezer German Methodist Church in Russell County. People in the photograph are front row: (left to right) Barbara Michaelis, Carolyn Olson, Patricia Michaelis (behind Carolyn), Linda Michaelis and John Olson; middle row: Henry Rein (Mollie's brother), Henry B. Milberger, Mollie Milberger holding Wesley Dean Milberger, Emma Eichman (Henry B's sister), and Katie Rein (Henry Rein's wife); back row Wesley B. Milberger (son of Henry B. and Millie) holding his daughter Mary Louise, his wife Verda Moore Milberger, Eva Michaelis (daughter of Henry B and Mollie) and Martha Milberger (daughter of Henry B. and Mollie).

Henry Rein and Katharina (Katie) Rein
Creator: Star Studio
Date: Between 1905 and 1907
This is a photograph of Henry Rein and Katharina (Katie) Rein. They are the children of George Rein Sr. and Eva Elizabeth Lass Rein. Henry Rein was born October 20, 1888, and Katharina (Katie) Rein was born December 31, 1891. They were born in Friedenfeldt, Russia.

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.

Ice storm damage in Russell, Kansas
Creator: Michaelis, Herbert James, 1913-2011
Date: Between 1950 and 1959
Seven photographs showing ice storm damage in Russell, Kansas. The second photo shows a downed utility pole. The remaining photos show snow and ice covered trees and broken tree limbs. Two unidentified boys are in the first and sixth photos.

Ice storm in Russell, Kansas
Date: Between 1945 and 1949
Here are two slides showing ice on power lines, trees, grass, and fences in Russell, Kansas.

Indian Attack near Russell, Kansas
Creator: Gogolin, Jakob
Date: 1931
Adolph Roenigk, of Lincoln, Kansas, commissioned Jakob Gogolin to complete this painting in 1930. Roenigk wanted to reproduce the image for a book he was writing entitled, "Pioneer History of Kansas." This painting, along with two others, documents a Cheyenne Indian attack experienced by Roenigk while he was working for the Union Pacific Railroad near Russell, Kansas. Gogolin was a German-born artist living in Denver, Colorado. The set is believed to have originally consisted of six paintings.

Indians Destroying Railroad Tracks near Russell, Kansas
Creator: Gogolin, Jakob
Date: 1930
Adolph Roenigk, of Lincoln, Kansas, commissioned Jakob Gogolin to complete this painting in 1930. Roenigk wanted to reproduce the image for a book he was writing entitled, "Pioneer History of Kansas." This painting, along with two others, documents a Cheyenne Indian attack experienced by Roenigk while he was working for the Union Pacific Railroad near Russell, Kansas. Gogolin was a German-born artist living in Denver, Colorado. The set is believed to have originally consisted of six paintings.

Indians Surround Buffalo near Russell
Creator: Gogolin, Jakob
Date: 1930
Adolph Roenigk, of Lincoln, Kansas, commissioned Jakob Gogolin to complete this painting in 1930. Roenigk wanted to reproduce the image for a book he was writing entitled, "Pioneer History of Kansas." This painting, along with two others, documents a Cheyenne Indian attack experienced by Roenigk while he was working for the Union Pacific Railroad near Russell, Kansas. Gogolin was a German-born artist living in Denver, Colorado. The set is believed to have originally consisted of six paintings.

Indians exchanging gunfire with Union Pacific track workers
Creator: Gogolin, Jakob P., 1865-1940
Date: 1869
This painting by Jakob Gogolin showing Indians on horseback exchanging gunfire with Union Pacific track workers near Russell, Kansas. Several workers are standing on a railroad handcar.

Interior of L. Banker Mercantile in Russell, Kansas
Creator: Michaelis, Herbert James, 1913-2011
Date: Between 1950 and 1959
This is a photograph showing the interior of L. Banker Mercantile in Russell, Kansas. The photograph was possibly taken during the store's 75th anniversary.