1888 Missouri Pacific railway system map
Creator: Rand McNally & Co., Engravers, Chicago
Date: 1888
This 1888 map illustrates the following rail lines: Mo.Pac, St. L., I, MT'N & S'N, MO., Kan. & Tex, Cent, BR. Un. Pac, INT & GT, and North'N, Texas & Pacific.

A.B. Campbell to Governor John Martin
Creator: Campbell, A. B.
Date: April 1, 1886
A.B. Campbell, Kansas Adjutant General, of Parsons, telegrams Kansas Governor John Martin, of Topeka, stating that another railroad engine has been killed and that he is leaving to investigate. This is in response to the local authority's request for National Guard troops during the railroad strike in the three state area.

A.B. Campbell to Governor John Martin
Creator: Campbell, A. B.
Date: April 9, 1886
Adjutant General Colonel A. B. Campbell of Parsons, Kansas, writes Kansas Governor John Martin of Topeka. He informs the governor that citizens are putting together a force of fifty special police to respond to striking railroad workers. Railroad employees at Parsons were striking and the governor granted permission to provide citizens with arms to keep the peace.

An address to the employees of the Missouri Pacific Railway Co.
Creator: Hoxie, H.M.
Date: March 8, 1886
In this address, H.M. Hoxie, First Vice President of the Union Pacific Railway Co. of St. Louis, Missouri, informs the employees of events that have led up to the strike involving several railway systems throughout the country. On December 16, 1885, the United States Court took possession of the Texas and Pacific Railway making the employees of the railroad employees of the agents of the court. In March, 1886 these employees inaugurated a strike and the Knights of Labor notified superintendents of the railroads down the line that they would appoint and place their own watchmen to protect railroad property from loss and damage.

A New Home in an Old Settlement: Come and see the "New Land in an Old Country"
Date: May 1, 1876
This paper advertises for sale land, formerly owned by the Pottawatomie Nation, from 1837 to 1868, and then purchased by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Rail Road Company. On the reverse side of the paper is a sectional map showing the area and identifying those lands that were still for sale by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Company. The text gives brief descriptions of the cities and towns in the area; the railroads available; fuel and lumber that are native to the area; and, descriptions and prices of the land.

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad and Missouri Pacific Railroad intersection in Franklin County
Date: 1957
This photograph shows the intersection of two railroad tracks with an HU tower along side. The two companies are reported to be the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Eastern Lines, Eastern Division, Second District and the Missouri Pacific, Central Kansas Division, Osawatomie Subdivision.

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company and Missouri Pacific Railroad Company tower, Osage City, Kansas
Creator: Killam, H.
Date: June 17, 1956
This photograph shows a water tower operated by both the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company and the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company tower in Osage City, Kansas. The structure was once part of the Eastern Lines, Eastern Division, First District at milepost 84.8 and the Central KS, Division, Osawatomie Sub. Division at milepost 386.20.

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company depot, Atchison, Kansas
Creator: Killam, H.
Date: March 15, 1958
This photograph shows the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company depot in Atchison, Kansas. The modern design depot, built around 1954, features a flat roof with large glass windows. It was part of the Eastern Lines, Atchison District, Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, and Missouri Pacific Omaha Division

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company sign board, Welda, Kansas
Creator: Killam, H.
Date: July 14, 1963
This photograph shows the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company sign board at Welda, Kansas. The tracks and sign are part of the Eastern Lines, Eastern Division, Third District at milepost 91.0.

Bishop car-coupler
Creator: M. M. Buck & Company
Date: between 1881 and 1884
The Bishop Car-Coupler was a special steel blade with a wood handle used by railroad brakemen and switchmen for coupling and uncoupling cars with particular couplers. The original patent for this device was obtained by Goodwin O. Bishop of Hannibal, Mo. On December 6, 1881. J.B. Sheehan used this one while he worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1884.

Black Friday meets its master
Creator: Garden City Daily Telegram
Date: April 10, 1935
Several articles about life in the Dust Bowl can be found on the front page of this newspaper from Garden City. Articles of particular interest include two articles on "raging dusters," one on the winter wheat crop, and a brief article discussing the postponement of community meetings to distribute aid under the soil erosion program. The newspaper also includes articles about other newsworthy events occurring in Garden City and around the state of Kansas.

Box depot, Michigan Valley, Kansas
Creator: Killam, H.
Date: October 20, 1957
This photograph shows the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company's box depot in Michigan Valley, Kansas. The structure was located on the Central Kansas Division, Topeka Sub Division, at milepost 374.47.

Business men, property owners to Governor John Martin
Creator: Kansas Community Leaders
Date: March 26, 1886
In this telegram, business men and property owners from several Kansas communities plead with the governor to issue a proclamation to resume traffic on all rail lines operated by the Missouri Pacific Railway Company during the railroad strike of 1886.

Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad & Missouri Pacific Railroad sign board, Pierce Junction, Kansas
Creator: Killam, H.
Date: June 22, 1958
This photograph shows the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad & Missouri Pacific Railroad sign board in Pierce Junction, Kansas. The sign and tracks were part of the Missouri-Kansas Division, Sub. Division at milepost 33.6.

City Flouring Mill, Hutchinson, Kansas
Date: 1899
This black and white photograph shows a group of men standing on the loading dock in front of the City Flouring Mill in Hutchinson, Kansas. Standing off to the side are two men, a young boy, and a gentleman seated in a wagon. In the foreground, boxcar #2058 from the Missouri Pacific Railroad is visible.

Correspondence to David Kelso from Governor John Martin
Creator: Martin, John Alexander, 1839-1889
Date: March 13, 1886
In this correspondence, Governor Martin tells David Kelso, attorney, that the sheriff of Labette County must exhaust all the civil powers of his office before military support can be sent.

Depot and grain elevator in Lancaster, Kansas
Date: Between 1915 and 1920
A photograph showing Woodhouse & Company grain elevator and the depot at Lancaster, Kansas. Lancaster is in Atchison County.

Draft basis of settlement
Creator: Kansas. Governor (1885-1889: Martin)
Date: March 1886
This document from Kansas Governor John Martin's correspondence may have been written by the Knights of Labor and outlines eleven demands termed the "basis of settlement" for strike negotiations. The railroad strike of 1886 resulted from failed negotiations between railroad management, mechanics, and shop workers dating back to October 1884 when workers were notified of a 10% pay reduction. This made them the lowest paid railroad workers in the tristate area (Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas). A few months later, hours were also reduced. Workers argued they could not support their families.

F. H. Belton to Governor John Martin
Creator: Belton, F.H.
Date: April 12, 1886
Railroad commissioner F.H. Belton writes to Kansas Governor Martin of Topeka from Kansas City, Missouri. Belton tells Governor Martin that there are a number of laborers at work at Cypress yards, and a lot of "green switch men, but skilled mechanics are very scare". Concerned about disorder and lack of progress during the strike of 1886, Belton reports "out of order" cars are rapidly accumulating on the side tracks. Few section men are at work. In February 1885, railroad shop workers walked off the job because of a cut in pay and reduced hours of work. Governor Martin was able to negotiate a settlement to the strike but problems continued throughout Kansas, Missouri, and Texas.

Flood, Bourbon County, Kansas
Date: September 7, 1915
View of a group of men and boys standing near train tracks on higher ground near John Baptist's at 8AM during a flood in Bourbon County, Kansas. The photograph includes a note that the flood waters were 6 feet deep at this point.

Flood in Kansas City, Kansas
Date: May 31, 1903
A photograph taken from the east side of the Missouri Pacific bridge over the Kansas River showing flood waters. Visible in the photograph are locomotives and cars on the bridge and debris lodged along the bridge and on the shore.

Flood in Kansas City, Kansas
Date: May 31, 1903
A sepia colored photo taken from the east side of the Missouri Pacific bridge over the Kansas River. In the background piles of debris are visible in the river as steam locomotives remain on the bridge.

Free Texas land excursion tickets
Creator: Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company
Date: 1881
This broadside promotes settlement in Texas and passage there through the Missouri Pacific Railway. It also promotes the landscape of the Indian territory as a scenic route, and addresses Texas land laws, the people of Texas, and the climate. The agent is listed as C. E. Styles, Sixth Street Depot, Atchison, Kansas. This item demonstrates the considerable involvement of railroad companies in immigration and land settlement in the American West, and the promotion of the West as a tourist destination.

G. B. Woodford to Governor John Martin
Creator: Woodward, C.B.
Date: April 1, 1886
In this letter, the local authorities of Labette County, Kansas, plead with Kansas governor John Martin for militia support to preserve order in Parsons during the railroad strike of 1886. In February 1885, railroad shop workers walked off the job because of a cut in pay and reduced hours of work. Governor Martin was able to negotiate a settlement to the strike but problems continued throughout Kansas, Missouri, and Texas.

Governor Clyde Martin Reed to railroad executives
Creator: Reed, Clyde Martin, 1871-1949
Date: November 20, 1930
Governor Clyde Reed of Topeka, Kansas, writes to executives of railroad companies operating in Kansas to discourage them from using foreign labor, especially Mexicans, during a period of high unemployment. The Governor quotes a representative from the Hoover administration who requests that preference be given to American labor in all cases and that the companies return all Mexican labor to Mexico. The six railroad companies include the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific; the Missouri Pacific; the Missouri, Kansas & Texas; the St. Louis, San Francisco; and the Union Pacific.