Atlas map of Johnson County, Kansas
Creator: Heisler, E. F
Date: 1874
The atlas has over one hundred representative views of residences and public buildings, together with personal sketches of old settlers of the county and those contributing views as well as detailed plat maps with landowners' names.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok
Creator: Blakeslee, W.
Date: 1871
This studio portrait shows James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok in buckskins (1837-1876). The legendary lawman and gun-slinger began his career in 1858 as peace officer of the Monticello Township in the Kansas Territory of Johnson County. For a number of years Hickok also worked as a government scout, guide and deputy U.S. marshal across the Great Plains. His reputation as a skilled marksman proceeded him wherever he went. In 1869 Hickok was elected marshal of Hays, Kansas and sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas. A role he served until 1870. In 1871, he was hired as Abilene, Kansas' town marshal. As marshal he earned fame for being a quick draw and for spending most of his time playing cards. Hickok was killed on August 01, 1876 while playing a game of poker at a saloon in the Deadwood, Dakota Territory.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok
Creator: Forney's Studio
Date: 1870
This formal portrait taken in Abilene, Kansas shows James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837-1876). The legendary lawman and gun-slinger began his career in 1858 as peace officer of the Monticello Township in the Kansas Territory of Johnson County. For a number of years Hickok also worked as a government scout, guide and deputy U.S. marshal across the Great Plains. His reputation as a skilled marksman proceeded him wherever he went. In 1869 Hickok was elected marshal of Hays, Kansas and sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas. A role he served until 1870. In 1871, he was hired as Abilene, Kansas' town marshal. As marshal he earned fame for being a quick draw and for spending most of his time playing cards. Hickok was killed on August 01, 1876 while playing a game of poker at a saloon in the Deadwood, Dakota Territory.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok
Date: 1860-1880
This formal portrait shows James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837-1876). The legendary lawman and gun-slinger began his career in 1858 as peace officer of the Monticello Township in the Kansas Territory of Johnson County. For a number of years Hickok also worked as a government scout, guide and deputy U.S. marshal across the Great Plains. His reputation as a skilled marksman proceeded him wherever he went. In 1869 Hickok was elected marshal of Hays, Kansas and sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas. A role he served until 1870. In 1871, he was hired as Abilene, Kansas' town marshal. As town marshal he earned fame for being a quick draw and for spending most of his time playing cards. Hickok was killed on August 01, 1876 while playing a game of poker at a saloon in the Deadwood, Dakota Territory.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok
Date: 1869
This formal portrait take in Hays, Kansas shows James Butler " Wild Bill" Hickok. (1837-1876). The legendary lawman and gun-slinger began his career in 1858 as peace officer of the Monticello Township in the Kansas Territory of Johnson County. For a number of years Hickok also worked as a government scout, guide and deputy U.S. marshal across the Great Plains. His reputation as a skilled marksman proceeded him wherever he went. In 1869 Hickok was elected marshal of Hays, Kansas and sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas. A role he served until 1870. In 1871, he was hired as Abilene, Kansas' town marshal. As marshal he earned fame for being a quick draw and for spending most of his time playing cards. Hickok was killed on August 01, 1876 while playing a game of poker at a saloon in the Deadwood, Dakota Territory.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok
Date: Between 1850s and 1870s
This incased sixth plate tintype portrait shows James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837-1876). The legendary lawman and gun-slinger began his career in 1858 as peace officer of the Monticello Township in the Kansas Territory of Johnson County. For a number of years Hickok also worked as a government scout, guide and deputy U.S. marshal across the Great Plains. His reputation as a skilled marksman proceeded him wherever he went. In 1869 Hickok was elected marshal of Hays, Kansas and sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas. A role he served until 1870. In 1871, he was hired as Abilene, Kansas' town marshal. As marshal he earned famed for being a quick draw and for spending most of his time playing cards. Hickok was killed on August 01, 1876 while playing a game of poker at a saloon in the Deadwood, Dakota Territory.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok
Date: Between 1869 and 1871
This carte-de-visite shows James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837-1876). The legendary lawman and gun-slinger began his career in 1858 as peace officer of the Monticello Township in the Kansas Territory of Johnson County. For a number of years Hickok also worked as a government scout, guide and deputy U.S. marshal across the Great Plains. His reputation as a skilled marksman proceeded him wherever he went. In 1869 Hickok was elected marshal of Hays, Kansas and sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas. A role he served until 1870. In 1871, he was hired as Abilene, Kansas' town marshal. As marshal he earned fame for being a quick draw and for spending most of his time playing cards. Hickok was killed on August 01, 1876 while playing a game of poker at a saloon in the Deadwood, Dakota Territory.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok
Creator: Neuman, A., Rolla, MO.
Date: Between 1865 and 1866
This formal portrait shows James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837-1876). The legendary lawman and gun-slinger began his career in 1858 as peace officer of the Monticello Township in the Kansas Territory of Johnson County. For a number of years Hickok also worked as a government scout, guide and deputy U.S. marshal across the Great Plains. His reputation as a skilled marksman proceeded him wherever he went. In 1869 Hickok was elected marshal of Hays, Kansas and sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas. A role he served until 1870. In 1871, he was hired as Abilene, Kansas' town marshal. As marshal he earned fame for being a quick draw and for spending most of his time playing cards. Hickok was killed on August 01, 1876 while playing a game of poker at a saloon in the Deadwood, Dakota Territory.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok
Date: Between 1870 and 1876
This formal portrait represents James Butler " Wild Bill" Hickok. (1837-1876). The legendary lawman and gun-slinger began his career in 1858 as peace officer of the Monticello Township in the Kansas Territory of Johnson County. For a number of years Hickok also worked as a government scout, guide and deputy U.S. marshal across the Great Plains. His reputation as a skilled marksman proceeded him wherever he went. In 1869 Hickok was elected marshal of Hays, Kansas and sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas. A role he served until 1870. In 1871, he was hired as Abilene, Kansas' town marshal. As marshal he earned fame for being a quick draw and for spending most of his time playing cards. Hickok was killed on August 01, 1876 while playing a game of poker at a saloon in the Deadwood, Dakota Territory.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok
Date: 1873
This formal portrait shows James Butler " Wild Bill" Hickok. (1837-1876). The legendary lawman and gun-slinger began his career in 1858 as peace officer of the Monticello Township in the Kansas Territory of Johnson County. For a number of years Hickok also worked as a government scout, guide and deputy U.S. marshal across the Great Plains. His reputation as a skilled marksman proceeded him wherever he went. In 1869 Hickok was elected marshal of Hays, Kansas and sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas. A role he served until 1870. In 1871, he was hired as Abilene, Kansas' town marshal. As marshal he earned fame for being a quick draw and for spending most of his time playing cards. Hickok was killed on August 01, 1876 while playing a game of poker at a saloon in the Deadwood, Dakota Territory.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok
Creator: Smith, Charles T.
Date: Between 1869 and 1876
This formal portrait shows James Butler " Wild Bill" Hickok. (1837-1876). The legendary lawman and gun-slinger began his career in 1858 as peace officer of the Monticello Township in the Kansas Territory of Johnson County. For a number of years Hickok also worked as a government scout, guide and deputy U.S. marshal across the Great Plains. His reputation as a skilled marksman proceeded him wherever he went. In 1869 Hickok was elected marshal of Hays, Kansas and sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas. A role he served until 1870. In 1871, he was hired as Abilene, Kansas' town marshal. As marshal he earned the reputation for being a quick draw and for spending most of his time playing cards. Hickok was killed on August 01, 1876 while playing a game of poker at a saloon in the Deadwood, Dakota Territory.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok
Creator: Weinsell, S., Art Gallery, Junction City, Kansas
Date: 1867
This formal portrait shows James Butler " Wild Bill" Hickok. (1837-1876). The legendary lawman and gun-slinger began his career in 1858 as peace officer of the Monticello Township in the Kansas Territory of Johnson County. For a number of years Hickok also worked as a government scout, guide and deputy U.S. marshal across the Great Plains. His reputation as a skilled marksman proceeded him wherever he went. In 1869 Hickok was elected marshal of Hays, Kansas and sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas. A role he served until 1870. In 1871, he was hired as Abilene, Kansas' town marshal. As marshal he earned fame for being a quick draw and for spending most of his time playing cards. Hickok was killed on August 01, 1876 while playing a game of poker at a saloon in the Deadwood, Dakota Territory.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok
Date: Between 1850 and 1870
This cabinet card shows James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, (1837-1876). The legendary lawman and gun-slinger began his career in 1858 as a peace officer of the Monticello Township in the Kansas Territory of Johnson County. For a number of years Hickok also worked as a government scout, guide and deputy U.S. marshal across the Great Plains. In 1869 Hickok was elected marshal of Hays, Kansas and sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas. A role he served until 1870. In 1871, he was hired as Abilene, Kansas' town marshal. As marshal he earned fame for being a quick draw and for spending most of his time playing cards. Hickok was killed on August 1, 1876 while playing a game of poker at a saloon in the Deadwood, Dakota Territory.

James Butler 'Wild Bill" Hickok
Date: Between 1870 and 1875
This formal portrait shows James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837-1876). The legendary lawman and gun-slinger began his career in 1858 as peace officer of the Monticello Township in the Kansas Territory of Johnson County. For a number of years Hickok also worked as a government scout, guide and deputy U.S. marshal across the Great Plains. His reputation as a skilled marksman proceeded him wherever he went. In 1869 Hickok was elected marshal of Hays, Kansas and sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas. A role he served until 1870. In 1871, he was hired as Abilene, Kansas' town marshal. As marshal he earned fame for being a quick draw and for spending most of his time playing cards. Hickok was killed on August 01, 1876 while playing a game of poker at a saloon in the Deadwood, Dakota Territory.

James Butler (Wild Bill) Hickok family collection
Creator: Hickok family
Date: 1851-1904
A collection of fifty-six letters from the family of James Butler ("Wild Bill") Hickok. The letters describe the adventures of the Hickok children (including Wild Bill) in California, Kansas, Missouri and elsewhere, and their parents and family in Troy Grove, Illinois. After Wild Bill's death in Deadwood, Dakota Territory, in 1876, the letters mostly concern his burial, the maintenance of his grave, and his reputation. Correspondents also include Agnes Hickok (Wild Bill's wife), William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, and Charlie H. Utter ("Colorado Charlie"). Ethel Ann Hickok, the last surviving niece of Wild Bill, donated fifty-four letters to the Kansas Historical Society and two letters to historian Joseph G. Rosa in the 1980s. The two Rosa letters (June 6, 1861; March 23, 1880) are included here by permission. The William F. Cody letter to Horace Hickok dated March 23, 1880 originally owned by Joe Rosa was donated to the Kansas State Historical Society on January 9, 2017. Ethel Hickok passed away in 1985 eight months before her 100th birthday. Ethel's niece Edith Harmon and historian Joseph G. Rosa assisted with the donations.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok to Horace D. Hickok
Creator: Hickok, Wild Bill, 1837-1876
Date: November 24, 1856
A letter from James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, [Monticello?, Kansas Territory] to Horace D. Hickok. He writes about his experiences in Kansas and includes a description of the land and people. Hickok gives an account of Hickory Point, and admits that if "Uncle Sam's" troops would have arrived 15 minutes earlier he might have joined them. He also comments on the political situation in Kansas and describes it as quiet now. Hickok later became a well known gunfighter, sheriff, and marshal.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok to Horace Hickok.
Creator: Hickok, Wild Bill, 1837-1876
Date: August 14, 1858
Letter written by James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, Monticello, Kansas Territory, to his brother Horace Hickok. He relates that he was in Lecompton tending to his claim and has the best lawyer in Kansas. Hickok will have 160 acres soon. He talks about recipient possibly coming to Kansas in the spring. Says to tell mother he has not been drinking or gambling and the next time he goes to Lawrence, he'll send a photo so she can see if he looks "clean." Hickok has been haying for 5 days. His roommate, Guy, is deathly sick. He [Hickok] is quiet much of the time. Asks about acquaintances and talks about marriage. Guy has bought land in Douglas County and he doesn't swear or drink. Hickok has been hunting and game is plentiful.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok to Lydia Hickok
Creator: Hickok, Wild Bill, 1837-1876
Date: September 28, 1856
James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, [Monticello?, Kansas Territory] to his sister Lydia Hickok, Troy Grove, Illinois. He is disappointed to have not received many letters upon his arrival. Hickok has written to many acquaintances but received few letters. He gives regards to friends, especially certain women; wishes he had a photograph of Hannah Edwards. He tells of having seen [James A.] Harvey, a captain of "abolition trators" [sic].

Jennie Piper to Governor John St. John
Creator: Piper, Jennie
Date: October 08, 1880
A letter from Jennie Piper to Kansas Governor John St. John. Jennie is concerned about a saloon opening in Monticello on "the eve of the election" and wants to confirm if the saloon is properly licensed and if anything can be done to close the establishment.

Notes for Old Settlers Meeting
Date: September 04, 1926
This item, which was prepared for the Old Settlers Meeting of 1926, provides details regarding the arrival of the Shawnee tribe, the prominent Shawnee missions, Mormon missionary work, and also addresses other items that were discussed at the meeting.

S. Coker General Merchandise store, Monticello, Johnson County, Kansas
Date: Between 1890 and 1899
A photograph of the S. Coker General Merchandise store in Monticello, Johnson County, Kansas. Pictured from left to right are Henry Coker (born June 17, 1878), Wesley Coker (born, July 30, 1882), Arthur Coker (born June 25, 1894, Solomon Coker (born November 21, 1836), Martha Christine Hodges Charlton Coker, Edward Coker (born June 17, 1878) on porch. The three men on the right are unidentified.

Standard atlas of Johnson County, Kansas
Creator: Geo. A. Ogle & Co.
Date: 1902
This atlas includes plats of townships and principal towns in Johnson County with names of landholders. It also includes a patrons' directory and portraits.

Standard atlas of Johnson County, Kansas
Creator: Geo. A. Ogle & Co.
Date: 1922
This atlas includes plats of the villages, cities and townships of the county, a map of the state, the United States and world, a patrons directory, and a reference business directory.

Virginia School, Monticello, Kansas
Creator: Compton, Roy
Date: 1899
This is a photo of the Class of 1899, Virginia School, District #33, Monticello Township, Johnson County, Kansas. The school was opened around 1865 and was probably named for the wife of Isaac Parrish, who was the leader of the Virginia Town Company. The last class held at this school was in 1962. Those in the picture are Miss Matty Hoy (teacher), Joe Curry, Alvin Hodges, Alice Hodges, Ernest Brokaw, Ethel Daniel, Lena Woodward, Florida Brokaw, Charles Hodges, Harry Wagner, Milton Wagner, Joe Moffitt, David Hodges, John Wagner, Clyde Moffitt, Hattie Mize, Gertie Coker, Ola Brokaw, unidentified Brokaw, and Earl Frisbie. The photo was taken by Roy Compton.