A petition on Negro suffrage
Date: 1867
This petition by an unknown group of Kansas residents asks the state legislature to support suffrage for black males. The petitioners support removing the word "white" from articles five and eight of the state constitution. At that time the Kansas constitution limited suffrage to white males. The petition outlines six reasons why suffrage should be extended to black males. In 1867, the state legislature approved an amendment supporting black male suffrage but white male voters defeated the amendment in a public referendum. Voters also defeated a similar amendment supporting white, female suffrage. These proposed amendments followed the Kansas legislature's ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U. S. Constitution, which defined who were citizens, including Negroes.

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company depot, Peabody, Kansas
Creator: Zercher, M.L. Book and Stationery Co., Topeka, Kansas
Date: Between 1907 and 1919
This postcard shows the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company depot in Peabody, Kansas. The prairie-style station features a hipped roof, and a semi-hexagonal operator's bay and waiting bay.

Barber county organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1872 to 1873
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file is the memorial to Governor Osborn asking for a census to be taken of Barber County, an affidavit by H.T. McCarty to be the census taker, the completed census, and the proclamation by the governor naming county officials and designating Medicine Lodge as the temporary county.

Benjamin O. Weaver to Governor Andrew Schoeppel
Date: September 01, 1943
In this letter to Governor Schoeppel, Kansas House of Representatives member Benjamin O. Weaver explains that many of his constituents in Kiowa County, Kansas, are opposed to the use of Japanese Americans as laborers in the state. Included with the letter is a petition signed by numerous Kiowa County residents which states that they are against releasing the Japanese Americans because they "think it dangerous to the war effort." A searchable, full-text version of this letter is available by clicking "Text Version" below.

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.

Cherokee County organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1866-1912
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file are letters about the population of Cherokee County, issues on where the county seat should be located, and boundary line issues between Labette County and Cherokee County.

Comanche County organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1873-1875
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file is the memorial to the governor asking for a census to be taken, an affidavit by A. Updegraff to be census taker, the completed census, and the proclamation by the governor appointing county officials and designating Coldwater as the temporary county seat.

Cowley County organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1870
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file is the memorial to the governor and the proclamation from the governor appointing county officials and designating Winfield as the temporary county seat.

Crawford County organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: Between 1866 and 1868
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file is the memorial to the Kansas governor asking that a census be taken for the organization of Crawford County.

Edwards County organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1874
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file is the memorial to the governor asking that a census be taken, two completed censuses, and the proclamation by the governor appointing county officials and designating Kinsley as the temporary county seat. A complete transcription is available by clicking "Text Version" below.

Electors of Chautauqua County to Governor Lyman Humphrey
Creator: Electors of La Fayette Township, Chatauqua County
Date: December 20, 1889-[n.d.], 1890
The Grafton and Center [Farmers'] Alliances of Chautauqua County petition Governor Lyman Humphrey to call a special session of the state legislature to provide farmers relief from mortgages. The Farmers' Alliance and Labor's Union of America of Kansas produced the petition form and accompanying resolution circular. The circular claims that legislation is needed immediately since the financial failure of many farmers is imminent. The circular also claims other states have prospered with such legislation and the laws will not discourage financial institutions from operating in the state. According to the circular, farmers bear an unfair tax burden and their requests for financial relief are reasonable. G. W. Roberts, Chairman Committee, Bed Rock Alliance, Elk Falls, Kansas, produced the circular. See Governor Lyman Humphrey to John Hughes, December 11, 1889.

Ellis County organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1867-1870
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file is the memorial to the governor listing who should be Ellis County's county officials and designating Hays City as the temporary county seat. Also included is a letter certifying votes for Hays City as the county seat and for various county buildings to be contracted for.

Ellsworth County organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1867
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file is the memorial to the governor asking that a census be taken and that county officials be chosen. Also, a letter from a Mr. Edmonds giving a list of men who should have those offices. A complete transcription is available by clicking "Text Version" below.

Ephraim Huested, petition for payment of claim
Creator: Huested, Ephraim
Date: July 21, 1859
This petition by Ephraim Huested was addressed to "the honorable Board of Commissioners appointed to audit claims." During the warfare of 1856, Mr. Huested had a horse stolen by a group of Georgians who were camped near Osawatomie, Kansas Territory. Mr. Huested had never received any sort of compensation, so he now requested 150 dollars for his loss. The document also contained a footnote by Nelson J. Roscoe, justice of the peace, who verified the legitimacy of the petition.

Ford County organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1872-1873
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file is the 1873 census of Ford County, the memorial to the governor, miscellaneous letters, and the proclamation appointing county officials and designating Dodge City as the temporary county seat.

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.

Harper County organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1873
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file is the memorial to the governor asking for a census to be taken, the 1873 Harper County census, an abstract of votes from the county seat election, and the proclamation from the governor naming county officials and designating Bluff City as the temporary county seat.

Harvey County organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1872
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file is the memorial to the governor, the 1872 Harvey County census, and the proclamation from the governor naming county officials and designating Newton as the temporary county seat.

Howard County organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1869-1871
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file is the memorial to the governor, miscellaneous letters about organization, the 1869-1870 census of Howard County, and the official vote for the location of the county seat.

Jewell County organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1870
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file is the memorial to the governor and an abstract of the special election held to appoint county officers and the location of the county seat. A complete transcription is available by clicking "Text Version" below.

Kingman County organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1873-1874
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file is the memorial to the governor, the 1874 Kingman County census, and the proclamation appointing county officers and designating Kingman as the temporary county seat.

Kiowa County organization records
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1886
In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county. Included in this file is the memorial to the governor, the proclamation for a census to be taken, and the proclamation appointing county officers and designating Greensburg as the temporary county seat.

Leavenworth County election proclaimation
Creator: Halderman, John Adams
Date: June 3, 1857
John A. Halderman appears to have written this proclamation, signed by numerous other "residents and citizens" of Leavenworth County, Kansas Territory, calling upon the people of the county "to support at the coming election for members of the constitutional convention" at Lecompton a slate of twelve named delegates. The document assures the citizenry that the "undersigned" and their chosen delegates are committed to a fair process that will allow the people to vote to accept or reject any proposed constitution and to vote separately on the question of slavery.

Legislative assembly petitions for women's suffrage, 1859
Date: 1859
Petitions from the 1859 Kansas Territory Legislative Assembly focusing on women's suffrage. Signers include Clarina Nichols, Charles and Sara Robinson, Mary E. Lane, and Augustus and Susan Wattles. After more than fifty years, women in Kansas won the right to vote in November 1912, with the approval of the Equal Suffrage Amendment to the state constitution. Funds for digitizing this item were provided by Marilyn S. Blackwell and Kristen T. Oertel, authors of Frontier Feminist: Clarina Howard Nichols and the Politics of Motherhood. The publication was the winner of the Coalition for Western Women's History Armitage Jameson prize. A searchable transcription is available by clicking "Text Version" below.

Letter to the Topeka Board of Education
Creator: Sawyer, Daniel S.
Date: September 13, 1948
This is a carbon copy of a letter dated September 13, 1948, from Daniel S. Sawyer on behalf of the Citizens Committee for Civil Rights to the Topeka Board of Education. This lengthy letter outlined efforts in 1942 to make Superintendent McFarland aware of the concerns of the Topeka branch of the NAACP related to segregated elementary schools. It then discusses current conditions in the Topeka schools. In addition, the letter voices objections to the policies of Superintendent of Negro School, Harrison Caldwell, and Superintendent of Topeka Schools, Dr. Kenneth McFarland. It references a "supplement in regard to the achievements of Negroes" that was to be attached but was not included with this document.