Clara Frost to Joseph Snell
Creator: Frost, Clara
Date: May 05, 1978
This is a letter from Clara Frost, Seattle, Washington, to Joseph Snell, Kansas Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas. In the letter, Frost recounts what her childhood was like growing up in the late nineteenth century in Hugoton, Kansas. NOTE: In the letter, Frost refers to the election of David Overmeyer as Governor of Kansas but that is incorrect. He was a candidate for that office several times.

From the river to the mountains via the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad
Date: 1876
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad promotional advertisement encouraging travel on its western line to the Rocky Mountains from the east. Includes timetable and illustrations by Topeka artist Henry Worrall.

James R. Mead to his father and others
Creator: Mead, James R. (James Richard), b. 1836
Date: November 7, 1859
In this letter, James R. Mead describes his first buffalo hunt to his family and friends. He had recently returned from this adventure and apparently he was extremely successful, having killed thirty buffalo. He provides a rather detailed description of a buffalo's appearance so his friends and family would have a mental picture of this magnificent animal. Mead also mentions other wild animals, such as prairie dogs and rabbits, commenting on their plumpness. These typed copies of the James R. Mead's letters were donated to the Kansas State Historical Society by Mr. Mead's family in 1940 when the originals were still owned by the family. The originals are now held by Wichita State University.

Prairie dog, at prairie dog town, Abilene, Kansas. 447 miles west of St. Louis Mo.
Creator: Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882
Date: 1867
This stereograph shows a "Prairie Dog, at Prairie Dog Town, Abilene, Kansas." It is from Alexander Gardner's series, Across the Continent on the Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division.

Prairie dog town, Abilene, Kansas
Date: 1867
A photograph from Alexander Gardner's Photographic Art Gallery, showing prairie dog town in Abilene, Kansas.

Prairie dog town, Abilene, Kansas. 447 miles west of St. Louis Mo.
Creator: Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882
Date: 1867
This stereograph shows prairie dogs and a prairie dog town where they lived, Abilene, Kansas. It is from Alexander Gardner's series, Across the Continent on the Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division.

Scenes on the Line of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad.
Creator: Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad Company
Date: 1870s or 1880s
This is an Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad promotional advertisement of wild life, rock formations and frontier settlements to be found on the railroad line. The second sheet includes engravings, possibly by Henry Worall, of sites along the route including prairie scences with antelope, prairie dogs, and bison; a dugout on the plains; the Rocky Mountains; and the Garden of the Gods. The document also includes a map of the AT&SF route.

The Kansas picture book
Creator: Tewksbury, George E.
Date: 1883
This early picture book of Kansas includes many illustrations promoting Kansas people, places, and events. It may have been funded by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad to promote immigration and settlement.

The mayor of Prairie dog town, Abilene, Kansas. 447 miles west of St. Louis Mo.
Creator: Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882
Date: 1867
This is a stereograph showing two men observing prairie dogs and a prairie dog town, Abilene, Kansas. It is from Alexander Gardner's series, Across the Continent on the Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division.