A. H. Reeder to Franklin Crane
Creator: Reeder, Andrew H. (Andrew Horatio), 1807-1864
Date: September 1, 1858
Andrew Reeder, former governor of Kansas Territory, wrote from Easton, Pennsylvania, to inform Franklin Crane of the eastern response to elections in Kansas, and the prospects for the Leavenworth Constitution. Reeder also discussed the value of Topeka lots and a request to donate one lot for a church.

A. H. Reeder to Franklin Crane
Creator: Reeder, Andrew H. (Andrew Horatio), 1807-1864
Date: November 28, 1859
Andrew Reeder, former governor of Kansas Territory, wrote from Easton, Pennsylvania to Dr. Franklin Crane of Topeka. The letter discussed business interests in Kansas Territory and prospects for its admission to the union. Reeder also suggested it might be beneficial to replace place names, which had been established by the bogus legislature, that had pro-slavery connections.

Andrew Horatio Reeder to Franklin Crane
Creator: Reeder, Andrew H. (Andrew Horatio), 1807-1864
Date: December 23, 1856
This letter by Andrew Reeder, former governor of Kansas Territory, was written from Easton, Pennsylvania, where both Reeder and Crane had lived before coming to Kansas. Reeder encloses payment for the taxes on his Topeka lots. He also reports that he has been in Washington, D. C. lobbying for the free-state cause and informs Crane of various issues being discussed in the capitol.

Biographical circulars
Date: 1890-1899
This collection consists of biographical forms sent by F. G. Adams, secretary of the Kansas Historical Society, to individuals whose names appeared in historically significant materials in the collections of the Kansas Historical Society. The responses are arranged alphabetically by last name. Biographical information may include full name, place and date of birth, place and date of settlement, present residence, place and date of death, official positions, and/or addresses of family members.

Bounty Land Grant for Franklin Loomis Crane
Creator: United States. General Land Office
Date: June 1, 1860
A bounty land grant was originally issued to Oliver Brown, a private during the War of 1812. This document declares that the tract of land described has been turned over to Franklin Crane, a resident of Topeka, who most likely purchased it from the original owner. This was done in accordance with an act of Congress passed on March 3, 1855, entitled "An Act in addition to certain Acts granting Bounty Land to certain Officers and Soldiers who have been engaged in the Military Service of the United States." It was signed by President James Buchanan.

Certificate of Service, Franklin L. Crane, Jr.
Creator: Kansas Volunteers for the Protection of the Ballot Box
Date: December 11, 1855
Franklin L. Crane, Jr., son of a prominent citizen in Topeka, Kansas Territory, served as a private from November 27 to December 11, 1855, in defense of Lawrence. This certificate of service was signed by several people active in the free state cause, including James H. Lane and Charles Robinson.

C. K. Holliday to Franklin Crane
Creator: Holliday, Cyrus Kurtz, 1826-1900
Date: January 18, 1857
Cyrus Holliday wrote from Meadville, Pennsylvania, to Franklin Crane, a prominent citizen in Topeka, Kansas Territory. Holliday discussed his efforts in Washington, D. C., as well as the elections, railroads, and the Topeka Bridge. He stated that it was important that the next Kansas delegate to Congress be from Topeka, as this would not only promote the interests of the Topeka community, it would also improve the status of Crane and Holliday's investments in Topeka.

C. K. Holliday to Franklin Crane
Creator: Holliday, Cyrus Kurtz, 1826-1900
Date: December 28, 1856
Writing from Meadville, Pennsylvania, Cyrus Holliday wrote to Franklin Crane concerning the need to make a lithograph of Topeka that could help attract emigrants during the upcoming season. He stated that Crane was an important asset for the Topeka Association. The rest of the letter dealt with other association business.

Cyrus K. Holliday to Franklin Crane
Creator: Holliday, Cyrus Kurtz, 1826-1900
Date: February 1, 1857
From Meadville, Pennsylvania, Cyrus Holliday writes to Franklin Crane, a prominent doctor in Topeka, Kansas Territory. Holliday is anxious to get back to Kansas Territory but family illness has prevented his departure from Pennsylvania. He reports on several people who had been involved in Kansas Territory, including pro-slavery supporters Colonel Titus and Preston Brooks (who had died recently). He also commends Gov. Roberts (?) for his efforts on behalf of Kansas Territory.

Cyrus Kurtz Holliday, et al, to Charles Robinson
Creator: Holliday, Cyrus Kurtz, 1826-1900
Date: December 26, 1857
In this brief letter from Topeka, Kansas Territory, signed by Cyrus K. Holiday, M. C. Dickey, F. L. Crane, Loring Farnsworth, and F. W. Giles, "Governor" Robinson is "respecfully and cordially" invited to participate in a "mass convention" on December 28, 1857, in Topeka. It is being convened "to deliberate upon the political questions of the day; and more especially upon the action of the late 'Lawrence Convention.'"

Cyrus Kurtz Holliday to Franklin Loomis Crane
Creator: Holliday, Cyrus Kurtz, 1826-1900
Date: November 24, 1856
Cyrus Holliday wrote from Meadville, Pennsylvania, to Doctor Franklin Crane, an influential citizen in Topeka, Kansas Territory. Holliday stated his opinions about the prospects for Kansas entering the union as a free state, and about the stand of the Democratic party. He also discussed the sale of part of his corn crop in Kansas.

Diary, Franklin L. Crane
Creator: Crane, Franklin L.
Date: February 23, 1855 - September 29, 1856
The entries pertaining to Kansas Territory began on page 18, with Franklin Crane leaving his home in Easton, Pennsylvania with his son, Franklin Jr. He described their journey to Kansas and their initial impressions and travels while in the territory. In June 1855, he returned to Easton to sell his property so he could then return to Kansas. The later entries began in September of 1856 and described tensions in Topeka with efforts to build a fort and rumors of armed Missourians in the area.

Ed Russell to Franklin Crane
Creator: Russell, Ed
Date: July 2, 1857
The letter was a follow-up to Franklin Crane's presentation in St. Joseph, Missouri, about efforts to build the St. Joseph and Topeka Railroad. Russell wrote to inquire what progress Crane had made to raise money to build the railroad. [Russell lived in Elwood, Doniphan County, and lobbied for the railroad to pass through that community.]

Ed Russell to Franklin Crane
Creator: Russell, Ed
Date: June 1, 1859
This letter, sent by Ed Russell to Franklin Crane, a prominent citizen of Topeka, Kansas Territory, concerns the proposed St. Joseph and Topeka Railroad. Russell is convinced that the people of Topeka had not acted in "good faith" by choosing to route the railroad through Doniphan rather than Elwood. Russell wants the railroad to go through his hometown of Elwood, which had been the initial plan. This letter illustrates how various communities competed for railroads, even if these railroads were never built.

Franklin Loomis Crane
Creator: Phillips, Wendell, 1811-1884
Date: Between 1861 and 1884
Franklin Crane, 1808-1884, was a prominent citizen in Topeka, Kansas Territory. He was a member of the Topeka Association and he helped to build the first bridge across the Kansas River from Topeka. He also established the Topeka Cemetery and served as director of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad beginning in 1860. This picture was most likely taken after Kansas was admitted to the Union in 1861.

Franklin Loomis Crane Journal
Creator: Crane, Franklin L.
Date: January 16, 1856 - March 29, 1857
This journal, compiled by Franklin Loomis Crane, chairman and member of the Topeka Association, described the activities of the Topeka Association during 1856 and 1857. Some entries consisted of the minutes from town association meetings, while others identified those settlers who applied for town lots. Crane also wrote of his daily work for the association, including comments about the weather.

Grand Mass Convention
Creator: Topeka Council of Safety
Date: June 9, 1856
This printed circular calls for a "grand mass convention" to be held by the Free State Party on July 3, 1856, to discuss the "perils of the times." It is signed by several Topekans and others involved in the free state cause.

Jesse H. Crane to Franklin Loomis Crane
Creator: Crane, Jesse H.
Date: July 14, 1856
Jesse H. Crane, writing from Manhattan, Kansas Territory, addressed this letter to his father Franklin Crane, a prominent citizen of Topeka. The letter begins with news about the family, and then moves to a discussion of Manhattan. Jesse recommended the town to his father as an excellent investment opportunity, and encouraged him to come for a visit. The letter includes a description of the town site.

Quit claim document donating land to the Topeka Mill Company
Creator: Topeka Association,
Date: March 20, 1858
The trustees of the Topeka Association herein agreed to donate to the Topeka Mill Company the entire block on which the mill was located (north of First Avenue between Kansas and Jackson).

R. P. Bourn to Franklin Crane
Creator: Bourn, R. P.
Date: October 18, 1856
R. P. Bourn, writing from Nicholasville, Kentucky, addressed this letter to Franklin Crane of Topeka, Kansas Territory. Bourn stated his anti-slavery beliefs clearly, and discussed politics both in Kansas and at the national level, including the Presidential election of 1856.

S.G. Jones to Franklin Loomis Crane
Creator: Jones, S. G.
Date: December 18, 1858
This letter, written by S. G. Jones of Jones, Kidney, and Co., was addressed to Franklin Crane, a member of the Topeka Association. It is a statement of debt owed by Crane, and a request for his payment of that debt.

Shareholders in the Topeka and St. Joseph Railroad Company
Creator: Topeka and St. Joseph Railroad Company
Date: Around 1858
Prepared by the temporary treasurer [perhaps Franklin Crane], this list identified the individuals who pledged capital to the Topeka and St. Joseph Railroad Company, the number of shares each held, and the communities each represented.

Topeka, Kansas Territory, land deeds
Creator: Crane, Franklin L.
Date: July 1, 1856 - May 3, 1860
This document identifies land deeds recorded in Topeka, presumably by Dr. Franklin Crane, a member of the Topeka Association. Each dated entry includes the name of the owner, the section or share number, the street address, and the price.

Topeka town lots map
Date: Around 1855
This map includes the lot numbers as laid out in the original plan for the city of Topeka, Kansas Territory. The map was probably created by Franklin Crane on behalf of the Topeka Association.

Town Share Certificate, Pawnee Association
Creator: Pawnee Town Association
Date: May 2, 1855
This certificate (no. 244) is made out to F. L. Crane. On the back was a notation made by Crane, probably at a later date, indicating that he had paid $250 for the share and that A. H. Reeder had intended that Pawnee be the state capital.