To order images and/or obtain permission to use them commercially, please contact the KSHS Reference Desk at KSHS.reference@ks.gov or 785-272-8681, ext. 117.
For more information see the Copyright and Permission FAQ.
This group picture, taken during or after the Legislative War of 1893, depicts the members of the Dunsmore House (Populist), and a few women and children, standing on the statehouse steps in Topeka, Kansas. The validity of the election of 1893 had been called in question, and thus two houses, the Douglass House (Republican) and Dunsmore House (Populist), both occupied Representative Hall and claimed to be the legally elected legislative body. On February 13, 1893, the Populist Dunsmore House barricaded the hall and prevented the Republican congressmen from entering the chambers. The Republican Douglass house responded by attacking the doors of the hall with sledgehammers. The Douglass House then recruited six hundred guards (called sergeants-at-arms) to guard the hall, refusing an order from Governor Lorenzo Lewelling to vacate the premises. Finally, on the night of February 16, the ousted Populists agreed to wait for the verdict from the Supreme Court while the Republicans maintained control of the House, and on February 25, the Supreme Court affirmed the validity of the Republican House. This event, although it lasted only twelve days, came to be known as the Legislative War or the Populist War.
Creator: Farrow, W. F.
Date: 1893
This can be grouped with other sources related to the Populist War, including the photograph of Governor Lewelling, his order to vacate the hall, his orders for militia colonel Hughes, the statement of the Republican House, Remington's postcard, Spencer's travel pass, Floyd Bull's reminiscence of the war, and the copy of the agreement that ended the standoff.
KS:7th:4.2:Populism (2005)
Item Number: 208043
Call Number: FK2.2 H.1893 Pop *5
KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 208043
Built Environment - Function - Government - Capitol
Business and Industry - Occupations/Professions - Politicians
Collections - Photograph
Curriculum - 7th Grade Standards - Kansas History Standards - 1880s to 1920s (Benchmark 4) - Populism (Indicator 2) - Legislative war of 1893
Curriculum - 7th Grade Standards - Kansas History Standards - 1880s to 1920s (Benchmark 4) - Populism (Indicator 2) - Rise of the third-party system
Date - 1890s - 1893
Government and Politics - Political Parties - Populist
Government and Politics - Reform and Protest - Populism
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Documentary Artifact - Photograph
Places - Cities and towns - Topeka
Places - Counties - Shawnee
Thematic Time Period - Age of Reform, 1880 - 1917 - Populism, 1890 - 1900
Type of Material - Photographs
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/208043