Free State Hotel ball invitation
Date: 1859
An invitation to a ball held on January 29, 1859, at the Free State Hotel in Lawrence, Kansas Territory, with proceeds going toward refurnishing the hotel "and in some degree retrieving the loss sustained by Col. Eldridge in the destruction of the Eldridge House on the 21st day of May, 1856." Music would be performed by the Lawrence Cornet Band.

George W. Hutchinson, Charter of the City of Lawrence
Creator: Hutchinson, George W.
Date: c. 1857
This reports that a meeting was held to approve the charter of the city of Lawrence, Kansas Territory. The text of the charter was included. In addition, this report included a message from five citizens regarding reasons for establishing city government.

Hiram Hill to Dear Wife
Creator: Hill, Hiram, 1804-
Date: November 26, 1855
Hiram Hill, a resident of Williamsburgh, Massachusetts wrote to his wife from St. Louis, Missouri, on his way to Lawrence, Kansas Territory, where he owned property. Hill had traveled by railroad and boat and was now a passenger on the steamboat Senora. Ticket prices were high due to the late season. Also on board were Erastus D. Ladd, who was elected to the Topeka free state legislature on March 30th, and Thaddeus L. Whitney, a friend and business associate. Hill also mentioned Mr. Pom[e]roy and Mr. Eldridge. Interestingly, a second letter dated December 20 and perhaps from Hill's wife to her sister-in-law (the wife of Hiram's brother Otis) was written on a blank page.

Ho! For Kansas! Eldridge Brothers' Express & Daily Post Coach Line
Creator: Eldridge Brothers' Express & Daily Post Coach Line
This printed notice for the Eldridge Brothers' coach line advertised the fare to Lawrence as $3.50. The coach line had routes from Kansas City to Lecompton, Lawrence to Osawatomie, and Lawrence to Leavenworth City. The notice includes information about the coaches, food, and changes of horses.

Invoice of property received of Col. Shalor W. Eldridge
Creator: Kansas State Central Committee
Date: n.d.
This is a copy of an invoice most likely created during the late fall or winter 1856-1857. Starting with five Colt Revolvers, the invoice identifies over thirty separate listings for various firearms, foodstuffs, harness, etc., plus a good number of horses and mules, received from Colonel Shalor W. Eldridge. Among the different items listed are cartridges, blankets, canvas tents, shovels, bayonets, tin cups, and "25 old Sabors."

James M. Winchell to Thaddeus Hyatt
Creator: Winchell, James M
Date: September 20, 1856
James M. Winchell wrote from Burlington to Thaddeus Hyatt, president of the National Kansas Committee, regarding an emigrant train of 500 settlers heading south from Iowa City. The author intended to travel to speak with Governor Geary before he met up with the emigrants. Winchell also included in this letter a private insert pertaining to the unscrupulous dealings of a Kansas politician named Dr. Root.

National Kansas Relief Committee, Minutes
Creator: National Kansas Committee
Date: June 9, 1856 - June 26, 1856
This document details the minutes of three meetings of the Kansas Relief Committee, otherwise known as the National Kansas Committee, held in 1856 on June 9th, June 21st, and June 26th. It also includes information about the membership of this emigrant aid company. The first of these meetings adopted resolutions to aid the plight of free-state settlers in Kansas Territory. Furthermore, the members of the committee decided to establish five thousand settlers in Kansas Territory and to give them a year's worth of provisions.

Petitions to S. W. Eldridge to rebuild his hotel in Lawrence, Kansas
Date: 1863
These two petitions relate to efforts to rebuild the Free State Hotel. The first petition is from the citizens of Kansas to hotel owner Shalor W. Eldridge urging him to rebuild his business and promise their assistance. The second petition is from citizens and property owners in Lawrence urging the City of Lawrence to issue $10,000 of bonds to aid in the rebuilding of the hotel. The bonds would be paid in six, eight, and ten years at a rate of 6% per year. The hotel, along with many other Lawrence businesses and homes, was burned down during Quantrill's Raid on August 21, 1863.

Report of the Treasurer, Kansas State Central Committee
Creator: Kansas State Central Committee
Date: January 6, 1857
Dated "Topeka, January 6, 1857," this document is a "report of Money & goods received and Paid out, by Treasurer." Its initial entry is for July 24, 1856, and the last October 29, 1856, and it includes the names of Charles Robinson, W. F. M. Arny, and S. W. Eldridge.

Shalor W. Eldridge and family
Date: November, 1854
This portrait of Shalor W. Eldridge, his wife, and their four daughters was taken November, 1854 in Westfield, Massachusetts. Eldridge was involved with the New England Emigrant Aid Company and operated a company hotel in Lawrence, Kansas Territory, which was a center for the Kansas free state movement.

Shalor Winchell Eldridge and family
Date: November 1854
Shalor Winchell Eldridge and family in Westfield, Massachusetts.