Commission, James Montgomery, captain
Date: September 16, 1857
This printed commission, issued from the "Head-Quarters Kansas Volunteers, For the Protection of the Ballot-Box," was given to James Montgomery and signed by J. H. Lane and M. F. Conway, adjutant general, on September 16, 1857. Montgomery was commissioned captain of the "Little Sugar Creek Company." [This would have been specifically for the territorial election held October 5, 1857.]

Election, location of capital of Kansas, Topeka Convention, 1855
Date: October 23, 1855
The Free-State government held a constitutional convention in Topeka, Kansas Territory, from October 23 through November 11, 1855. One of its actions was to vote on the location for the capital of Kansas. According to these tally sheets, Topeka defeated Lawrence on the second ballot, 20 to 16. Numerous other towns received votes from the convention delegates on the first ballot.

Election Results, Geary City, Doniphan County
Creator: Porter, R. J.
Date: August 3, 1857
This is one example of several official statements of the results of the "State Election," held under the authority of the Topeka Constitution. This one--Geary City, Doniphan County-- is certified by election judges R. J. Porter, John M. Curtis, and Alexander Paterson, and, among the offices tallied, recorded 55 votes for the "State Constitution."

Muster Roll, Kansas Volunteers for the Protection of the Ballot Box, Wyandotte County
Date: 1857
The Kansas Volunteers for the Protection of the Ballot Box were free state supporters who were determined to see that fair elections were held in Kansas Territory. James Lane was appointed to organize companies throughout the territory. General Order No. 1 (which may be found on this web site), included instructions for listing the members of each company, and this muster roll was prepared as a result of that order. The muster roll for Captain A. H. Macauley's company identified the officers and enlisted men, their age, birthplace, place from which they came to Kansas, and their Kansas residence. A "Remarks" column was used to record the type of weapon the individual was either issued or brought with him: e.g., Sharps, western rifle, and carbine. [All the men listed appear to be residents of Quindaro, Wyandotte County in their twenties or early thirties.]

Poll Book, Atchison, Lecompton Constitution
Creator: Adams, F. G. (Franklin George), 1824-1899
Date: January 4, 1858
On January 4, 1858, by act of the free-state territorial legislature, the Kansas Territory voters were given a second chance to vote on the Lecompton Constitution. This poll book identifies the 319 individuals who voted against the Constitution as framed at Lecompton. The authenticity of the document was attested to by election judges, including F.G. Adams, and two clerks.

Polling Book, delegate election, Wyandott nation, Nebraska Territory
Creator: Walker, William
Date: October 12, 1852
This three-page document identified the "return of votes polled at the election held in the Wyandott nation, Nebraska Territory, October 12th 1852, for a delegate to represent the aforesaid Territory in the thirty-second Congress of the United States." Abelard Guthrie, who was also on the voter roll, received all 35 votes cast. [Guthrie, who married into the Wyandot tribe, was later involved in the development of Quindaro. With one or two exceptions--e.g.., Thomas Coon Hawk--the names on the roll appear to be Anglo-American in origin.]

Poll List, Leavenworth, Topeka Constitution
Creator: Anthony, Scott A.
Date: August 3, 1857
On August 3, 1857, the free-state legislature gave Kansas Territory voters another chance to vote on the Topeka Constitution (first approved in December, 1855) when they went to the polls to elect new legislators. Few, if any, pro-slavery voters participated, and the territory-wide tally was 7,257 for the constitution, and 34 against. The polling list for Leavenworth contained the names of 721 voters, "seven hundred and six (706) being in favor of said Constitution, and two (2) against."

Tally List of Voters, Geary City, Doniphan County
Creator: Porter, R. J.
Date: August 3, 1857
An example of numerous like documents collected at the Kansas Historical Society, this "tally list" accompanied the official record of voting in the "state election," on August 3, 1857, at Geary City in Doniphan County. The 57 voters identified here also had the opportunity to vote on the Topeka Constitution.