Abstract of census returns
Creator: Undersigned Citizens of Kansas Territory, John Stroup (first signature),
Date: 1859
This 1859 abstract of census returns shows information at the township level for most Kansas counties. Some counties are listed without data. The census lists the number of voters in three different ways--the number of votes cast June 7, 1859; number of voters on June 7, 1859 who were under 6 month provision; and number of voters under 3 month provision. It also lists the number of inhabitants. The election on June 7, 1859, was to elect delegates to the Wyandotte constitutional convention.

Jonathan Coleman Burnett
Creator: Martin, T.H.
Date: Between 1870 and 1880
This sepia colored cabinet card shows Jonathan Coleman Burnett (1825-1899). A lawyer from Morristown, Vermont he migrated, in the spring of 1857, to Leavenworth, Kansas. His arrival in the Kansas territory prompted him and seven other Vermonters to organize a "Vermont Colony". The group set out for southeast Kansas, in May of 1857, and founded the town of Mapleton in Bourbon County. The town never developed into a thriving community but Burnett remained in the area. As anti-slavery forces debated the future of the territory, Burnett was chosen, in 1859, as a delegate to the Wyandotte Convention. He represented Bourbon, McGee and Dorn counties. After the convention he continued his career as a public servant by serving as a land office register in Humboldt, and in Ft. Scott. In 1861, Burnett was elected as a Republican to the first Kansas senate from the Ninth District of Bourbon County. Later in life he moved to Lawrence, Kansas to work as a director and land commissioner for the Leavenworth, Lawrence, & Galveston Railroad. He also pursed farming and livestock raising in Russell County. On July 2, 1899, Jonathan Burnett died at the age of 74 in Wichita, Kansas and was buried in Lawrence, Kansas.

Lecompton Constitution election returns
Date: 1857
Election returns from the first vote held on the Lecompton Constitution on December 21, 1857. Counties include Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Breckinridge (defunct), Brown, Calhoun (defunct), Coffey, Davis, Doniphan, Dorn (defunct), Douglas, Franklin, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Linn, Lykins (defunct), Marshall, McGee (defunct), Nemaha, Riley, Shawnee, and Woodson. Free-state candidates for state office included George W. Smith for Governor, William Y. Roberts for Lieutenant Governor, Philip C. Schuyler for Secretary of State, Joel K. Goodin for Auditor, Andrew J. Mead for Treasurer, and Marcus J. Parrott for Congress. Pro-slavery candidates for state office included Frank J. Marshall for Governor, William G. Mathias for Lieutenant Governor, William T. Spicely for Secretary of State, Blake Little for Auditor, Thomas Cramer for Treasurer, and Joseph P. Carr for Congress. Candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives are also listed, as well as a deciding vote to allow a constitution with slavery or "to hell with the Constitution" (without slavery).

Mitchell's Sectional Map of Kansas
Creator: Middleton, Strobridge & Co.
Date: 1859
A sectional map of eastern portions of Kansas Territory. The map was compiled from the field notes in the Surveyor Generals Office by David T. Mitchell, a U. S. Surveyor and Land Agent in Lecompton, Kansas. Towns, county boundaries, and Indian reservations are identified on the map. This map is provided through a co-operative project between the Lecompton Historical Society and the Kansas Historical Society. Partial funding was provided by the Ross and Margaret Wulfkuhle Charitable Trust and the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area. Copies of this map are available for viewing at both the Kansas Historical Society and Lecompton Historical Society.

Sectional Map of the Territory of Kansas
Creator: Halsall, John
Date: 1857
A sectional map of Kansas Territory compiled from field notes in the Surveyor General's Office. County boundaries, cities, rivers, and Indian reservations are identified on the map. This map is provided through a co-operative project between the Lecompton Historical Society and the Kansas Historical Society. Partial funding was provided by the Ross and Margaret Wulfkuhle Charitable Trust and the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area. Copies of this map are available for viewing at both the Kansas Historical Society and Lecompton Historical Society.

United States versus David Downing for harboring a horse thief
Date: 1858
These legal documents relate to the case of the United States versus David Downing. Downing was accused of harboring horse thief A. E. Blythe on July 1, 1858 within the Cherokee Neutral Lands, present-day Crawford and Cherokee counties, in the Kansas Territory. According to witness Lafayette Shamblin, Downing hid Blythe in a thicket near the Spring River. Downing was arrested on August 26, 1858.

United States versus James Combs for the murder of Ambrose Holt
Date: 1858
These legal documents relate to the case of the United States vs. James Combs for the murder of Ambrose Holt on October 22, 1858 in McGee County, Kansas Territory. According to witnesses, Ambrose Holt and John Holt engaged in a fight with Combs while he was at work. Combs was stabbed by John Holt and then shot Ambrose Holt with a rifle, resulting in Holt's death. Combs was acquitted of the murder on the grounds of self-defense on November 9, 1858 by Judge Joseph Williams.

United States versus James Conley for larceny
Date: 1860
These legal documents, including a warrant, bail bond, and indictment, relate to the case of the United States vs. James Conley for larceny. Conley was accused of stealing a yoke of oxen from John E. Short on September 1, 1858 in the Cherokee Neutral Lands. He was indicted during the May term of 1860 by the Third Judicial District Court. The Cherokee Neutral lands were located in the southeast corner of Kansas in present-day Cherokee and Crawford counties.

United States versus James H. Carr for introducing liquor Indians
Date: October 1858 - December 20, 1859
This indictment and arrest warrant relate to the case of the United States vs. James H. Carr. Carr was accused of introducing whiskey into "Indian Country" in McGee County, Kansas Territory at various times between July 1, 1858 and early September 1858. Carr was indicted during the October term of 1858 by the Third District Court. McGee County was located in present-day Crawford and Cherokee counties and was part of the Cherokee Neutral Land. Alcohol was prohibited on Native American land from 1832-1953.

United States versus John J. Baxter for selling liquor to Indians
Date: crime June to October 1857; indictment October 1858
These legal documents, filed from 1858 to 1859, relate to the case of the United States vs. John J. Baxter for selling liquor to Indians. Baxter was accused of selling whiskey to members of the Cherokee tribe between June and October of 1857 in McGee County, Kansas Territory. Baxter was indicted in October of 1858 by the U. S. District Court for the Kansas Territory, Third District. The majority of the Cherokee Nation was forcibly relocated to Oklahoma from 1838-1839, resulting in thousands of deaths. They were given 800,000 acres in the southeast corner of Kansas, but few Cherokee settled there. (See item 444759 for related documents)

United States versus John J. Baxter for selling liquor to Indians
Date: crime June to October 1857; indictment October 1858
These legal documents, filed from 1858 to 1859, relate to the case of the United States vs. John J. Baxter for selling liquor to Indians. Baxter was accused of selling whiskey to members of the Cherokee tribe between June and October of 1857 in McGee County, Kansas Territory. Baxter was indicted in October of 1858 by the U. S. District Court for the Kansas Territory, Third District. The majority of the Cherokee Nation was forcibly relocated to Oklahoma from 1838-1839, resulting in thousands of deaths. They were given 800,000 acres in the southeast corner of Kansas, but few Cherokee settled there. Pages 20 and 21 list Thomas Baxter as defendant. Thomas is included on several subpoenas ordering him to testify in the case of John J. Baxter. Documents additionally list T. R. Roberts as a defendant along with J. J. Baxter for Baxter's forfeigted recognizance, or bail. (See item 444760 for related documents)

United States versus Levi Cox for stolen property on Indian land
Date: September 4, 1858
This affidavit was sworn by James Goddard on September 4, 1858. In the affidavit, Goddard provides testimony regarding the theft of horses from Lewis Mogray (Moggrie/Mogria) by Levi Cox in July of 1858 in the Cherokee Neutral Lands in southeast Kansas Territory. Mogray was a member of the Osage Tribe. Goddard states he has no knowledge of the crime. (see item #444913 for more information)