Albert D. Searl to Thaddeus Hyatt
Creator: Searle, Albert D., 1831-
Date: August 21, 1856
The author wrote from Tabor, Iowa to Thaddeus Hyatt, president of the National Kansas Committee. He began the letter by mentioning a skirmish between pro-slavery and free state forces somewhere between Lawrence and Topeka. This correspondence also deals with emigrant settlements within the territory, the shipment of weapons and provisions, and the morale among the emigrants as they struggled to make ends meet. Furthermore, Searl mentioned a great deal about James Lane and his activities within Kansas Territory.

Charles Robinson to Emma Millard
Creator: Robinson, Charles, 1818-1894
Date: March 30, 1860
In response to Millard's letter of March 22, Robinson writes from Quindaro, Kansas Territory, that he is "gratified" to learn of her interest in Kansas history, and that she is "disposed to examine for yourself the random thrusts of the press." Robinson makes some interesting observations regarding his interpretation of Kansas events and the importance of the various factions--free state and proslavery.

Daniel Boone Delaney, pamphlet "The Issue Fairly Presented"
Creator: Delaney, Daniel Boone, 1877-1956
Date: ca. 1856
This pamplet, voicing the opinions of the Democratic National Committee, charged Black Republicans with inciting violence by their opposition to Kansas' admission to the Union under the Lecompton Constitution. As abolitionists, their "fanatical organization" purposely prolonged the conflict by promoting chaotic Territorial politics via their support of the Topeka movement. The document pointed out the role of emigrant aid societies in settling Kansas, blaming them as a source of conflict since Nebraska had had no aid sociey assistance and was not experiencing violence. Also included in the pamphlet was a summary of a debate in which Michigan's settlement and admission to the Union was compared to the current situation in Kansas Territory.

Edward Hoogland to Thomas Nesbit Stinson
Creator: Hoogland, Edward
Date: July 6, 1856
Edward Hoogland, a resident of Tecumseh, KT who was visiting his family in New York, described a meeting with Governor Wilson Shannon in St. Louis concerning territorial politics. Hoogland displayed a pro-slavery perspective in his comments on Kansas affairs. He described efforts to encourage settlement in Kansas Territory, especially Tecumseh, and to promote economic development in the territory. He mentioned an acquaintance who hoped to establish a sawmill and a gristmill in the territory.

Hiram Hill to Charles A. Wright
Creator: Hill, Hiram, 1804-
Date: June 18, 1856
Hiram Hill wrote from Williamsburg, Massachusetts, to Charles Wright in Kansas Territory. Hill expressed disbelief at the reports of violence and destruction that crossed his ears, but accepted them to be true based on his experiences in Missouri the previous winter. To Hill, it appeared that they would have to "take the field to Regain our Liberties that have been struck down". He also referred to actions of the National Republican Convention in Philadelphia (which named John Fremont as their presidential candidate) and dubbed the nomination "their only hope -- short of a Bloody Revolution".

Kansas Territory, U.S. District Court versus Charles Fugit
Date: 1857
Testimony given at the trial of Charles Fugit in the muder of William Hoppe on August 19, 1856 in Leavenworth County, Kansas Territory. Witnesses testified that Fugit shot and scalped his victim and exhibited the scalp in a pro-slavery camp. Fugit was acquitted on June 23, 1857 by Samuel D. Lecompte, appointed chief justice of the territorial supreme court.

Leavenworth, Kansas Territory, proclamation
Creator: Murphey, William E.
Date: September 29, 1856
This proclamation, written by William E. Murphy, the mayor of Leavenworth, Kansas Territory, announces that he would use the forces of the law against any person who sent an anonymous communication requesting that a citizen of Leavenworth leave the territory. Murphy encourages the citizens of the city to "frown down any secret Conspiracy against law." It also mentions that such action is contrary to the interests of both the government and the Law and Order Party.

Oscar E. Learnard to friends
Creator: Learnard, Oscar E.
Date: May 23, 1856
Written just two days after the sack of Lawrence, this letter contained Learnard's observations of and reflections on "the fearful disaster to which this unfortunate town has been subjected." The town's citizens, wrote Learnard, chose not to resist the authority of the U.S. marshal but were nevertheless brutalized by Sheriff Jones and a posse of Missourians. He also mentioned Governor Reeder, Governor Shannon and David R. Atchison, who "made a speech."

Robert L. Mitchell to Cyrus Kurtz Holliday
Creator: Mitchell, Robert L.
Date: October 12, 1856
Robert L. Mitchell wrote from Topeka, Kansas Territory to Cyrus K. Holliday, president of the Topeka Town Association, who was in Pennsylvania. Holliday had returned to his home state, nicknamed "Key stone," to speak on behalf of the free state cause and John C. Fremont. Mitchell requested Beecher Bibles and reported arrests of free state men, including [Carmi William] Babcock, the Lawrence postmaster. Mitchell withheld details since Holliday's name had gained notoriety in Missouri. A post script mentioned the October 6th election and discussed the upcoming trial of John Rich[ie] and Charles A. Sexton.

The Voice of Kansas, Let the South Respond
Creator: Atchison, David Rice, 1807-1886
Date: June 24, 1856
The Law and Order Party made this appeal to southerners to provide support for the proslavery cause in Kansas Territory, in the form of emigration, financial donations, and/or moral support. The main portion of this pamphlet was written by David Atchison, William H. Russell, Joseph C. Anderson, A. G. Boone, B. J. Stringfellow, and J. Buford. A printed note at the end of the text was addressed to Col Jefferson Buford, and encouraged him to go to the South to solicit support for the proslavery advocates in Western Missouri and Kansas Territory.

Thomas John Wood
Date: 1860
Portrait of Captain Thomas John Wood, U.S. Army, First Cavalry station at Fort Scott in 1858. Wood and a deputy U.S. Marshall arrested members of Colonel Harvey's free-state party after the Battle of Hickory Point. The captives were taken to Lecompton where they were imprisoned and charged with murder. About twenty of Harvey's soldiers were tried, convicted, and sentenced.