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Used by Republican House Speaker George L. Douglass to smash doors to Populist-controlled House chamber during Kansas Legislative War, February 15, 1893. The dispute began when both the Republican and Populist parties claimed victory in the Kansas House elections in 1892. A number of contests were still being disputed when the legislative session began in January 1893. The conflict between the parties reached a crisis when the Populists locked themselves in the House Hall. The Republicans used a sledgehammer to break down the doors to the hall. The governor requested support from the state militia. After a three-day standoff, Governor Lewelling was able to negotiate an agreement with the Republican speaker of the house, which amounted to a Populist surrender. The state Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of the Republicans.
Creator: Atha Tool Company
Date: between 1891 and 1893
Item Number: 24861
Call Number: 1923.36.1
KSHS Identifier: 1923.36.1
Collections - Museum
Date - 1890s - 1893
Government and Politics - Political Parties - Populist
Government and Politics - Political Parties - Republican
Government and Politics - Reform and Protest - Populism
Government and Politics - State Government - Legislature
Objects and Artifacts - Tools & Equipment for Materials - Metalworking - Sledge
Thematic Time Period - Age of Reform, 1880 - 1917 - Populism, 1890 - 1900
Type of Material - Objects and Artifacts
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/24861