The LHS Newsletter Archive

Volume Twenty-five, Issue Number 2

Originally Published in Lecompton, Kansas : Summer 1999 Digitally Archived August 2006

UfI£1) ~fle£~VOL. 25, NO.2 < LECOMPTON, KANSAS SUMMER, 1999

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BARKER SCHOOL DISTRICT #20 --';r.,,~~

by lona Spencer

The Barker School District #20 was located on monththe Farmer's Turnpike southeast of Lecompton. On January 29, 1863,Dr. FrancisBarkerand hisOn May 14, 1859, a call was made for an assembly wife 8izabeth F. Barker drew up a deed in favor ofto organize a school district and board members School District No. 20, in consideration of the sumwere elected, composing of Dr. Francis Barker of $1.00, for one acre of land situated in theElias D. Hughsonand William Yates. ' Southwest corner of the S.W. 1/4Sec. 16, T. 12, R.

Also at this time, it was voted to employ a 19, "~ith the express understanding that theteacher for a three-months' school beginning June aforesaid land was to be used for religious or schoolI, 1859. A special meeting was called July 21, p~rposes only, and should the aforesaid land be1859, to talk over the erection of a schoolhouse. diverted from such use and purposes, then this

At a September meeting, a report was read, which obligation to be null and void."showed there were fourteen males and thirteen A special meeting held Mar. 23, 1863, at the

!emales between the ages of five and twenty hom~ o~Joseph H. Harrison, voted to receive intoInclusive, in the district and that twenty of these had the distrICtthose residing on a fraction of land lyingattended the summer school; that J. H. Muzzy had n?rth of the district and extending to the Kansastaught the school at an agreed salary of $25.00 a River, and to invite the following persons to comeinto the district: Chas.. Smith, Allen Gentry; G.

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Sweezer, Chas.. Emery, A. K. Burdit,J. Randolphand Mrs. Wall.

It was voted to change the size of theschoolhouse to be 24 feet by 36 feet, but only 10feet for the height of the wall, with seven windowsand a double door. A committee composed ofRobert Allen,Rev. Upham and Henry Leonard wasappointed to solicit aid in building the school.Another meeting in June, 1863, again changed theheight of the wall to 12 feet with a square ceilinginstead of an arched one as before planned, with atotal of eight windows, two of them being in front.The contractor was to receive $15.00 additionalfor the extra work and material involved inconsequence.

Finally1863 saw the schoolhouse actuallyunderconstruction and it was finished in September,1864, when Henry lserman had put on two coats ofbrown and one of white plaste'r. For this job,material and labor, he received .40 cents persquare yard.

The firstschool meeting held in the buildingwason Nov. 15, 1864, to secure fuel for heating it. F.Kayler contracted to furnish ten cords of goodwood for $3.50 per cord.

The annual meeting of 1865 was held withJoseph H. Harrison in the chair, and with thebusiness _of levying tax to pay debts _contractedduring the war, still to be reckoned with. It wasvoted to pay a teacher for six months of school thatyear, three months for the benefit of the coloredchildren, and three months for the white children.

However, in 1867 it was decided to have bothraces attend school together, there being 62 ofschool age inthe districtat the time.

In 1869 there was dissension over CountySuperintendent Starrett striking off ten quarter-sections from DistrictNo. 20 and attaching them toDistrictNo. 70 (WinterDistrict)west of Barker onthe Farmer's turnpike.

This stone schoolhouse did duty until 1898,when a brick buildingwas erected. In 1898, thedistrict board members were J. M. Harrison, C. A.RiChardsand Noah Hetrick.

Taken fromthe Lawrence Weeklv World, April21,1892. School at the Barker district No. 20 underthe instruction of Miss Marie Boone closed on the17thafter a seven months term. The districtvoted asix months term this year.

School records started to be saved in the year of1897-1898. Miss Lalia Wallingtaught 31 pupils inthe term of 1897-98, at a salary of $30.00 permonth.

Following is a list of teachers, years taught and

salary.1898-99 Frances Albert, $28.00; 1899-1900

Lalia Walling, $32.00; 1900-01 Carrie Cothlin$30.00: 1901-02: R. N. Davis $30.00: 1902-03Alpha Lane $30.00: 1903-04 Mayme Brune$30.00: 1904-05 Stella Cressman $32.50: 1905-06 Minnie E. Lyons $39.00: 1906-07 & 1907-08AliceHammond $39.00: 1908-09 Stella M. Rudwill(Rudisill) $40.00: 1909-10 Florence Pringle$40.00: 1910-11 Florence Pringle $40.00: 1911-12 Mrs. Ira Hird $45.00: 1912-13 MargaretDeForest $45.00: 1913-14 Miss Alice Wolverton$56.50: 1914-15, 1915-16 & 1916-17 Janet E.Funk $56.50: 1917-18 Reta Brock$65.00: 1918-19 Opal Jones $65.00: 1919-20 Ida Steele$75.00: 1920-21 Leona Eberwein $80.00: 1921-22 Nora Norris $80.00: 1922-23 Marie Husted$80.00: 1923-24 Olive I. King $80.00: 1924-25 &1925-26 Roberta Nottingham $90.00: 1926-27 &1927-28 Lois Emick $95.00: 1928-29 ErmaRumsey: 1929-30 Gretchen Gabriel $90.00: 1930-31 & 1931-32 Erma Rumsey Allison $100.00:1932-33 & 1933-34 Miss Mildred Carter $70.00:1934-35 Alice Held (Hird)$65.00: 1935-36, 1936-37 & 1937-38 Miss Ruth Sawyer $70.00: 1938-39& 1939-40 Mrs. V. C. Springer $75.00: 1940-41 &1941-42 Irma Evans $80.00: 1942-43 Mrs. IrenePollocX$_90.00:1943-44 Erma Rumsey ~hank,also Etta Mitchell&V. C. Springer $72.00: 1944-45 Mrs. V.C. Springer $80.00: 1945-46 Mrs. FredaLee $80.00: 1946-47 Margaret Foley $80.00:1947-48 Mary Jamison & Mrs. Nellie Streib$170.00: 1948-49 & 1949-50 Mrs. Mary Jamison$170.00: 1950-51 & 1951-52 Mabel Nieder $235.00: 1952-53 & 1953-54 Mrs. Lou Ella Salisbury$260.00: 1954-55 Mrs. Lou Ella Salisbury$300.00: 1955-56 Lucile Horne $300.00: 1956-57& 1957-58 Alice Land $366.00.

Those serving on the school board are as follows:J. H. Harrison, C. A. Richards, Noah Hetrick, E. C.Holloway, R. W. Gorrill,Seigel Rose, Ed Manvill,Paul Winter, Charlie Titterington, John A.Anderson, Barr Gorrill, Norris Bryan, AmbroseBigsby, Grant Johnson, Robert Gentry, C. N.Hodson, J. W. Nason, Thomas Richardson, JoeFoley, F. C. Blackwood, Walter Arbuckle, RussellTuckel, John Foster, Cecil R. Allen,Jesse Wingert,Francis Wempe, Bennie Hughes and WesleyGrimes.

The followingare names of students attendingBarker school from 1898 tillclosing in 1958.Jessie &Harold ADY: Bessie, MinnieLouisa, (Eva)ADAMS: Earl, Eugene, Unis ARTMAN: Johnnie& Betty ANDERSON: Paul, Pearl & Ruby

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ATHEY: KatherineABBOTT: FloydANDREW:Robert, Betty ALLEN: Archie, VerdieBASHORE: Norris, Walter, Virginia, DorothyBRYAN: Clarence, Jakie BROWN: MyrtleBARDELL: Bessie, Qlin, Ethel, Minnie, JannieBUTTON: Prudy, Mable, Rena, Myrtle, Bertha,Roy BOWEN:Herbert, Clarence, Stella BELLES:Helen, Robert, Harold BIGSBY: MaryBARNES:Joan BOUTON:Wayne BENSO: MarianBELL:Glen, Ernest, Donald, William, Gerald, PhillipBREWSTER: Clarence, Sandra, Jan, SueBARTZ: . Debra, Dannie BOYLE: Bigl, DellaCRAGON: Sidney CLARK: Susan, Emmett,ElijahCREEL: Clarence CURRY: Clarence, EarlCALHOUN: Katy, Johnie, Flois?, RoyCHANNELL: Faunda, Francis, Thomas, Alma,COOK: Maurine CARPENTER: RaymondCOBB: Gordon COOPER: Wilbur CRISS:Mary, Lillie, Edith, Gladys DESKIN: Belle,Thomas, Gilbert,Eugene, Gladys DANIELS: Guy,George DAVIS: David, Herald DODDS: !va,Harry,Loyd, Mildred,Cynthia, Johnny DICK: MaryEDGAR: Mary, Forest, Phillip, Aileen, Doris,Virginia, Richard EVANS: Harold FERMAN:LloydFRAKER: Maxine,Charles FELD: Beverly,Francis FOLEY: John, David, Ronald, CarolynFOSTER: Maud, Barr, Robert, Marshall, VirginiaGORRILL: Daisy, Flossie, Walter, Lucile, Alta,Mildred, Robert, Dorothy, Marian GENTRY:Robert GILL: Beulah, Wesley, WilmaGRAMMER: Sharon GIBSON: Sandra, RuthGRIMES: Arleen GOINS: Maud, Anetta, CharlieHETRICK: Oscar, Nina, Marie, Ruby, MaxineHOLLOWA Y: Nellie (Millie) Mercy, George,Homer, Warren, Clarence HOUSTON: Carl,CarrieHIRD: Richard & Lloyd HAYWORTH: HelenHARSHBERGER: Merle, Louis, GraceHARPEL: Clarence HODGE: Lloyd, HazelHENICK: Philip, Lawrence, Sharon HODSON:James HOFFMAN: George & DonnieHENDERSON: Lloyd, Floyd, Shirley, Bobby &Charles HAAS: Larry & Robert HUGHES:Douglas & Mona Lee HARGADINE: ClaraHUNSINGER: Calvin & Lovel? ICE: Will,Robert,Jean & May JONES: Lulu, Ruby, Grace, Anna &Billy JOHNSON: Hany KING: Earl KELLER:Jeanne KERBY (KIRBY): CarolynKAMPSCH-ROEDER: Mildred,Geneva, Josephine, Georgia,Lizzie, Ida, Eddie, Freddie, Johnie, Ella, FrancesLEWIS: Ernest, Walter&EllamayLOGAN: Leo,Samuel LORRANCE: Caroline, Geneva, Anna &Josephine LAQUA: Howard, Jayne & Joe LEE:Luta & Theodora MAIN: Martin, Selma, Fred &Edna MOLINE: James, Ronald & William

McGOLDRICK: Thomas R. Jr. McROY: FloraMcCLANAHAN: Fay, Eunice, Dorothy, Grace &GladysMILLS: Charles MAYOR: Charley, Arthur,Caroline MAIR: Irene MANVILLE: Elvin,Clarence, Lawrence & McKinleyMORRIS: Liebu?& Murry MARTIN: Louise & Glenn MARKEL:Lorene MANN: Kenneth MIRACLE: RomyMOORE: Dennis MOLES: Ralph & MarionNASON: Roger NIEDER: Henry, Charlie,George, Emily, Lillian & Mary & LouisaOBERBAUGH (OBERBACK): Martha, Harold,Carroll,Mayme,Marvin&RubyOTTINGER: Ethel,Winter, Brook, Barrett, Beth Jeanette, Philip,Clayton, Olla, Alma, Vaughn, Thelma & BellePONTIUS: Alene, Eva & Ronald PERDUE:Roland PURVIS: Ernest, Ruth, Edith, Esther &Charles RICHARDS: Hattie, Harrison, Leslie, Leo,CliffordEsther & Fay ROSE: Ernest, Gertrude,Lucile & Lois ROTHWELL: Katie REED:Norraine & Lee ROLL: Geraldine RHODES:Mattie,Walter, Ruby, & Floyd RIST: Luta, Nellie&Cora SCRANTON: Hattie, Harry, Roslan, Samuel& Rosco SKINNER: Jessie, Louis, Florence &Mabel STRAWN: Agnes SHOOK: DelmarSLINKARD: CliffordSPARKSChaney & Hazel SILVERS: Everett, Lawrence &May TITTERINGTON: Oliver THORTON: EarlTOBLER: Myrtle, Nellie & Solam TUCKER:Ethel THOMAS: Clarence, Albert, VIOla& IvanTRANSMIER: Edwin THATCHER: Glen, Marie& Stanley TYER: Mary, Ruby, Leonard, Leon &Elsie TROWBRIDGE: Donna FE1.D (TELD):Russell, Jr. & Roger TUCKEL: EricTHORSTEINSON: Granville, Henry, Lehman,Arthur,Richard, Charles, Bennie &Mable UNDER-WOOD: Loretta, Twila, Joyce, Martin, Bruce,Terrence, Marsha, Frances, Teresa, Velma &Georgia UNFRED: Linden, Mayetta & RaymondVOIGHT: William,Bobby, Billy,Jeanne & JoyceWILSON: Elizabeth, Bennie & BernieceWIGGINS: Bennie, Bnora, Mabel & DarleneWALLACE: Lois & DixieWATERS: Lois& IrmaWATKINS: Carroll, James & Alfred WINGERT:Donald & Constance WEMPE: FreddyWYMORE: Robert YOUNG:References: Spencer Libraryschool recordsDouglas Co. Register of deeds school recordsWatkins Museum picture of Barker SchoolNegatives of Barker school from Helen HarshbergerDolbier.See pictures at Museum.Picture of Francis Barker &his lifein Barker Districtby MarilynSharkeyArtdrawings by EllenDuncanArticles:complimentsof Kansas HistoricalSociety.

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Rev. Francis Barker

Barker Neighborhood Namedfor Missionary to Indians

The origin of names of districts or, as they aremore usually called, "neighborhoods" in DouglasCounty are quite often unknown, even to some ofthese who live in the district.

Barker neighborhood, about five miles west ofLawrence and in the vicinity of Lakeview, is namedfor the Rev. Francis Barker, a missionary to theShawnee Indians, who homesteaded there. TheRev. Mr. Barker was the grandfather of two presentday residents, Charles Titterington, now 81, wholives on the old homestead, and LawrenceTitterington, 62, of Lawrence city.

Barker,who was a physicianas well as a minister,came to Kansas from Southampton, Mass, in 1836,having been appointed to the Baptist Mission atShawnee. There through an interpreter, he taughtthe Indians until the mission was discontinued in1855.

He had a church built a mile from his home andpreached, also through an interpreter, to theIndians. He was a graduate of Newton TheologicalSeminary and had also been educated in medicine.

A young woman, Miss Efizabeth Churchill, ofIpswich, Mass., was also appointed as a teacher tothe Shawnee Mission. She came alone from herhome to Kansas. A romance developed and MissChurchill and Barker were married at the mission,Oct. 2°, 1839, and their children were born there.

While at the mission, Barker freed two slavecouples, by purchasing them from their master.One of the couples returned to the mission andworked out the price of his freedom. But Barker's

act antagonized other missionaries at the station.Sometime between 1854 and 1857 the Barker

family left the mission and came to Lawrence,settling in the area which now bears their name. Dr.Barker gave several acres of land and some moneyfor the school. In 1862 a stone school building wasbegun, and was finished just before Quantrill's raid.Dr. Barker died Feb. 1, 1863, and his dying wishwas that the building he had presented shouldnever be used for other than educational orreligious purposes, and his wish has beenrespected.

When Quantrill's men were sacking Lawrence, sixmonth after Barker died, five of the raiders came tothe Barker home and asked a neighbor who metthem at the door. "Where is Dr. Barker?"

When told he had died, their next question was,"Where are those guns he had?" The neighborassured the raiders that Barker was a minister andhad no guns; in return for this information theraiders took the man's watch, and left.

The Barkers' daughter, Sophronia, who was bornSept. 5, 1847, at the mission married MiltonTitterington, March 25, 1871. They were theparents of Charles and Lawrence Titterington,previously mentioned. Four other children wereborn to the union, two dying in infancy. A son,Everett and daughter, May Rose, are alsodeceased.

Milton Titterington had been born in Edgington,III., in 1848, and came to Kansas in a coveredwagon in 1858. In 1867 as a student of 19, heaccompanied a scientific party of 12 persons undera Major Powell to Colorado to collect specimens.He later taught school two years at Barker and twoyears in the Brackett district. He died in 1936.

In 1931 Mrs. Titterington was honored at theKansas Day celebration in Topeka, on Jan 29, asthe oldest native born pioneer woman in Kansas.She was presented a painting, "The PioneerWoman" by Bryant Baker.

Besides the two sons of Mr. & Mrs. Titteringtonthere are four grandchildren, Milton Rose, Mrs.Ruth Ward and Mrs. Helen Chappell of Lawrence,and Mrs Gladys Parker of Topeka; five greatgrandchildren, Mrs. Delores Miller, Marilyn, Russelland Rose Marie Ward, and Everett and LauraParker, and two great great grandchildren.

One of the treasured possessions of the family isa 123-year-old "friendship book" in whichautographs and sentiments were written by friendsand relatives of Elizabeth Churchill and broughtwith her when she came from Massachusetts to theShawnee mission.

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ARRESTOFE~HTOFTHECH~AGOPARTY

Eight of the Chicago party on Thursday eveningstarted from Topeka for Lawrence. BelowTecumseh they missed the road. getting instead.upon the road to Lecompton. That night theyencamped. Starting on, in the morning. they soonfound themselves in the town of Lecompton. Theywent into a store for the purpose of buyingrefreshments. placing their arms. as they went in.against the wall of the building. Soon, personsbegan to gather in the store. standing betweenthem and their arms; after a sufficient crowd hadgathered. a rush was made for their arms by some,and others, under the lead of Colonel Titus. seizedthe Chicago men and made them prisoners. Theywere thrust into a back room of the store, andshamefully insulted by Titus and his crew, whocharged them with being abolitionists. andconnected with Lane's party; they also threatenedto hang them; and Colonel Titus, with a revolvercocked and aimed at the head of one of them,decfared, .you are a d--d abolitionist, and I am ad---n good mind to blow you through." All of thembelieved they would be unable ever to leave thetown alive, and so the fiends around them said.One of the Chicago party was acquainted with JohnShannon, having been to school with him in Ohio,and he requested to see him. Young Shannoncame forward and was recognized by him. Soonafter this, they were taken from the room wherethey were confined and carried to the buildingwhere the prisoners from Franklin were. TheFranklin prisoners had heavy chains about theirankles. In a short time Colonel Titus came andasked one of the party to come out; he did so; wastaken round to the corner of the building where arope was sent for, which Titus placed about hisneck, and by threats. now of hanging---then theshooting---compelled him to give that informationtte knew concerning what they termed Lane'sparty. He then sent him as a prisoner to his cabin.This person whom Titus so cowardly and rudelytreated was the youngest of the party, hardlytwenty years of age, and small in stature. That"high toned gentleman.' ---as the border ruffianpapers term him--Sheriff Jones, then saw theprisoners. and endeavored. by threats. to extortfrom them a promise not to meddle in the contest inthe territory. He finally told them they might go, butthey must go without their arms.--Compliments of the Kansas State HistoricalSociety .

CLAIMS OF CITIZENS OF KANSAS35TH Congress 2nd Session House-Misc.

documents No. 43

No. 246 Account for loss of an arm.Territory of KansasCounty of DouglasTo the commissioner appointed to audit and certifyclaims in consequence of, or growing out of. thedifficulties in Kansas Territory by act of legislativeassembly. approved February 23,1857.

AbsaIom White, complainant. says; That owing tothe difficulties in Kansas Territory. in the month ofAugust, A. D. 1856. this complainant. in companywith several others of his companions, met inhostile array a company of southerners, therecamped and fortified at the house of H. T. Titus, inDouglas county. at which time and place a battleensued; and this complainant states that a ball froma rifle or musket in the hands of one of the party ofsaid southerners struck the left arm of yourcomplainant. and so shattered the same thatamputation became necessary. and that said armwas amputated, as may be seen by inspection; yourcomplainant says that he is damaged and injured tothe amount of two thousand dollars; he states thathis loss was occasioned by, and in consequenceof. the difficulties in Kansas Territory, in the year A.D. 1856, and that he is a resident of Kansas. Hestates that the matters and things set forth in theabove are true.

ABSALOM WHITE.Sworn to and subscribed before me. this 17th day

of November A. D. 1857.E. D. LADD, Notary Public

The foregoing claim of Absalom White was notallowed, upon the ground that he was engaged inrebellion and making unwarranted attack upon theperson and property of a private citizen, not inobedience to the laws of the country, or commandsof any legal authority.

H. J. STRICKLER, Commissioner*********************************************************

LECOMPTON ALUMNI BANQUETJUNE 19, 1999

Anyone who attended High or Gradeschools in Lecompton are welcomed.The more the merrier. Please send yourreservations to Lecompton AlumniBanquet, Box 63. Lecompton, Ks 66050Meals $8.50 per person. Reservationsmust be received by June 14th.*********************************************

CIVIL WAR HISTORY HISTORIC LECOMPTONTERRITORIAL CAPITAL FESTIVAL

SATURDAY JUNE 26,1999

6:00-9:00 P.M.FRIDAY. June 25thCarnivalandGames-OttawayAmusementInc. (Familynight)RegistrationforTurtleRaceandFrogJumping

9:00 AM.

SATURDAY. June 26thPancake Feed: Community Building-Campfire GroupFrog and Turtle RaceHorseshoe Tournament-Call 887-6326Softball Tournament-co-rec-caIl887-6720Pioneer Skills living History and Demonstrations:1. Blacksmith 8. Woodcarvers2. Soap maker 9. Water Color Artist3. Broom maker 10.WheatWecNer4. Post Rock Cutter 11.FurTraderCraft5. Spinners 12.OregonTrailTravelers6. Weavers 13.Magicians7. Potter

7:00-10:00 AM.8:30 AM.

11:30 A.M.

Territorial Capital Museum and Constitution Hall (Open)Book signing "Lecompton's Well Kept Secret" by Florence B. Smith, Authorat Territorial Capital MuseumDedication of Shelter House in Rowena ParkJudging ParadeScenic River Road Bike Tour (Fun Race) call 887-6192Parade call 887-6075 ("145 Years of Wonderful Memories" Theme)Carnival and Games - Ottaway Amusement Inc.United Methodist Church Dinner

9:00 AM.

10:00 A.M.10:30 A.M.11 :00 A.M.

1:00 P.M. Re-enactment "Pre-Civil War Battle of Fort Titus" Eastof TerritorialCapitalMuseum

Prelude to Civil War-10 character play by Howard Duncan atTerritorial Capital Museum

John Brown Sr.-dramatization by Marvin Stottl.mlre at TerritorialCapital Museum .

Historic 111 year old Grand Piano Recital and singing at UnitedMethodist Church

Ice Cream SocialWomen's Quartet

7:00 P.M. Lawn and Garden Awards8:00 P.M. Country Line Dance-Dena Grandstaff9:00 -12:00 P.M. Evening Concert- "Crow Canyon"*********************************************************************************************

2:00 P.M.

3:00 P.M.

4:30 P.M.

6:00 P.M.

SUNDAY. June 27th1:30 P.M. "Re-enactment Pre-Civil War Battle of Fort Titus"

Carnival Rides, Games, Crafts, Foods &Flea Market

For Information call (785) 887-6691 No Alcoholic Beverages

THE REAL HEROESWORE BLUE UNIFORMS

By MaJor Scott Price, USAR

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In just five short years.-2004, Kansas and theAmerican people will begin an odyssey of self.ex-ploration when we begin to officially commemoratethe 150th Anniversary of the establishment of theKansas and Nebraska Territories in May of 1854.Shortly after the dawn of a new millennium Kansanswill commemorate the beginning of the epicstruggle.that gave birth to our state. As a peoplewe need to seize this opportunity to honestlyexamine our past, warts and all, and to questionsome of the myths that have been handed down tous from our state's founders.

We may not like what we find. I suggestthat theNew England based Free-soil movement was notthe innocent victim in a one-sided onslaught fromthe barbarian hordes from Missouri and the South.An honest evaluation will prove that the free-soilersgave as good as they got. The struggle in BleedingKansas was not a 'good guy verses bad guy' fight.When you examine the long list of terrible crimescommitted by both sides from 1855-1860, one ishard pressed to find many good guys worthy of awhite hat.

If we have the courage to honestly examine thefacts, some of our Kansas folk heroes will beexposed as free-booting opportunists with feet ofclay. A handful, were murderers who led groups ofmen whom today we call terrorists.

Throughout his life, President Harry Trumanoften reminisced about growing up in Lamar,Missouri. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas hisgrand mother and mother began the family'sholiday meal by reminding them all that anotherfamily, somewhere in Kansas, was setting down todinner using their good silverware and plates thatwere stolen by marauding Jayhawkers. We laugh abit now but, to some extent this lingering legacy ofbitterness haunts us to this very day.

In their own minds Jayhawkers were patriotswhowere merely fighting fire with fire. And, in the finalanalysis, most were. When they won the armedstruggle for the prairies of Kansas. they earned theright to write their version of history in theirchildren's test books.

However, as a Kansan, I refuse to celebratethememory of men who hacked five men and boys todeath with broad swords. I refuse to call thesemurderers heroes, the very words stick in my throat.To call them such would cheapen the memories of

the pantheon of genuine Kansas heroes who gavetheir lives fighting to preserve our nation. Our realheroes' bones lie in their graves on a hundredbattlefields scattered from Missouri to NorthCarolina. We must never confuse vigilantes andterrorists with heroes. The words are mutuallyexclusive.

We must remember that men who attempt tomurder law enforcement officers during thedischarge of their official duties are nothing morethan cowards. Political considerations should notbe taken into consideration. Murder is murder evenwhen the terrorists are killing or maiming thosewhom with we disagreed.

It is all too easy to forget when we mourn thedead who were killed when William Quantrilland hismen burned Lawrence in 1863,that it was Kansanswho initiated the practice of burning undefendedcivilian towns and murdering noncombatants in1861. While Colonel James Mulligan and hisFederal Irish Brigade were fighting for their livesduring the siege of Lexington, Missouri, inSeptember 1861, Kansas troops. who might wellhave raised the siege were too busy, looting andburning the town of Osceola, Missouri. The menlynched there following their so-called "courtmartial" as well as their families considered theirdeaths to be cold blooded murder. Today, Armytroops under arms who committed such acts wouldbe prosecuted as war criminals.

Modem Kansans have forgotten thatdepredations including looting, arson and murder,committed by Kansas troops. stationed in westernMissouri from 1861-1862 drove thousands of loyalmen into the ranks of the secessionists andguerrillas. Hence, it can be argued by reasonablemen that we ourselves sowed the seed of theLawrence massacre by filling the ranks of theguerrillas with desperate men who had nothingmore to lose who thirsted for revenge.

Now, with almost 150 years behind us, we tendto forget that the first constitution overwhelminglyadopted the Kansas free-soilers called for ALLblacks, both free and slave, to leave our state withwithin 90-days after she was admitted into theunion. A strange notion indeed coming from agroup of men and women who claimed to bededicated to destroying slavery and freeing thosein shackles.

A lot of water has gone under the bridge since1854, when our nation's leaders decided tounleash the genie called Popular Sovereignty fromits bottle, a decision that would ultimately lead tothe Civil War that spelled doom for over 600,000

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Americans.For betteror worse, American's Civil War altered

the destiny of our nation and its people forever andmost historians agree that both the political andeventually, the military struggle began in Kansas.

Like so many watershed events in our history,the looming struggle over slavery didn't look all thatdangerous in 1854. Nationwide, only a handful ofabolitionists were working themselves into hysteriaover the institution of slavery.

A handfulof powerful men in Congress from boththe North and South continued the tradition ofplaying the game of hardball politics, always, almostimperceptible, raising the stakes. Some, like Illinois'senator, Stephen Douglas, were busy positioningthemselves for future bids for the presidency andhoped to be all things to all people. Although mostdidn't recognize it at the time, the days of the trulygreat sectional leaders in Congress were over.Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun and Daniel Websterwere all gone and the lesser gods' grasp exceededtheir reach.

Most Americans failed to recognize, muoh lessheed, the warning signs that indicated that thetraditional system of compromise had broken down.Earlier compromises on the issue of slavery had lefta bad taste in everyone's mouths and few of thenew leaders wanted to appear "weak." Partisans ofboth the North and South had finally managed topaint each other into corners.

As a result of Popular sovereignty and themirage-like opportunities it seemed to otter bothsides, northerners and southerners, rushed menand weapons into Kansas preparing for an armedstruggle. When the fighting eventually broke out, aten-year reign of terror descended in Kansas andJater,western Missouri.

The real heroes in that titanic struggle were thesoldiers of the United States Army. The troopsbased at Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley did theirbest to disarm both sides and keep the peace.Serving much like our present day Peace Keepersin Bosnia, these troops overcame incredibleobstacles and hardships to accomplish theirmissions and looking back with the hindsight ofHistory, did a credible job of intercepting illegal armsshipments, freeing political hostages and facingdown armed bodies of vigilantes. Each and everytime they rode out onto the contested crimsonedprairies,they laid their lives on the line. Sometimes,certain of our Kansas "heroes" lurking in ambushtook these men's lives.

All of this in addition to their regular duties ofpatrolling and safeguarding settlers and

commence along the territory's vast network oftrails, exploring the new region and conductingcampaigns against hostile Indiantribes.

As taxpayers our ancestors got a tremendousreturn on the $11 a month pay they invested inthese men. And 145-years later, as taxpayers, westill do.

So I ask that in the year 2004, let all Kansans jointogether and raise a toast to the memory of the realheroes of the struggle for Kansas the nameless,faceless troopers of the United States Army.

ARTICLES LOANED OR DONATED TOTHE TERRITORIAL CAPITAL MUSEUM

1. Spinning wheel made in the 1870's; 13 oldgrade school books printed from 1870 - 1926:Framed picture of Wm. Franklin Spencer home.Loaned by Frank and Freda Spencer.2. Gettysburg plate (Battleof American Civil War)and 6 Gone With the Wind figurines. by PaulBahnmaier.3. Pictures, one of August Glenn, one of Frances(Peggy) Drake, one of Arlette M. Fulton, from WilmaTibbs estate.4. Jones School records by Everett O'Conner5. Laser scanned image of the Territorial Seal byKansas State HistoricalSociety and Tim Rues.6. Copy of Dale Bartlett's speech at 1982Dedication by Martha Bartlett Letcher.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

LIFE MEMBERS:Joseph A. WorrellDale FaustSharon Hodson EngleDale GlennElizabeth Hansen MellenUla Bates ArmstrongE. Lorene Matney Maxwell

MEMORIALS:Shipman Winter by Wint Winter, Sr.

DIRTY DISHES

"Thank God for dirty dishesThey have a tale to tell;While other folks go hungry,We're eating very well.With Home and Health and HappinessWe shouldn't want to fuss

For by this stack of evidenceGod's very good to us"

OBITUARIES

HEMME, Thelma, 82,died Nov .14, 1997 at SaltLakeCity,Utah. .

She was bom Oct. 25, 1915 in Oklahoma, thedaughter of William and Blanche Schimmel.

She was married to Robert Osborne, he died in1970and later married Albert Hemme who precededher in death.

She is survived by two sons, Robert Osbomeand Carl Osborne both of Salt Lake City, and 6grandchildren; three brothers Raymond Schimmeland Walter Schimmel both of Lawrence, and WilliamSchimmel, Oak Ridge, Tenn.

She was a member of the Lutheran Church atSalt Lake City. Burial in Salt Lake City.

NICHOLS, Charley Harold, 63, died Wednesday,Feb. 17, 1999, at his home.

He was born Sept. 18, 1935, at Eminence, Mo.,the son of Harold Gus and Wilma Lee NicholsBrune.

He married Sandra Kay French on July 8, 1972,at Lawrence. She survives.

Other survivors include three sons, HaroldDavid Nichols, Eudora, and Richard Nichols andMichael Nichols, both of Lecompton, fourdaughters, Ann Clark, Lenexa, Donna Davis,Tonganoxie and Susan Wood and Dee Nicholsboth of Lecompton, his father, Harold G. Brune,Lawrence, and 12 grandchildren. Burial in MapleGrove Cemetery at Lecompton.

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MILLIKEN, Russell Wilfred, 85, Paris, Tx. diedMay 2, 1999 at his home.

He was born Oct. 23, 1913, at Tecumseh, Ks.,the son of Harley Churchill and Mary Bien WilsonMilliken.

He married Lou Ann House on May 5, 1946, inParis. She survives.

Other survivors include two daughters, SarahAnn McGuire, Coweta, OK. and Marilyn LouBoudreaux, Lake Charles, LA.; a son, MichaelDickson Milliken, Lenexa, KS.; a brother, Harley V.Milliken, Overland Park, KS: two sisters, Ona MaeDaseier, Stockton, CA., and Doris Rogers, Carmel,IN.: and six grandchildren.

HANSON, Margery Day, 95, East Poultney, VT.died March 2, 1999 at Eden Park Nursing home inRutland.

Margery was bom July 18, 1903 in Lecomptonthe daughter of Eldred G. and Nance AdalineFleenor Day. She graduated from the University ofKansas.

She married Richard E. Hanson in 1928. Hepreceded her in death. They were married 65 years

Other survivors include two sons, Rev. PeterHanson, Fairfield, CT.; Richard E. Hanson, Jr.,Atlanta, GA.; two daughters; Nancy Stevenson,Kent, OH. and Elizabeth Mel/en, Manhattan, NY.10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

She compiled two genealogy books: "Day byDay" and "Fleenor Family". .

She was a member of the Poultney United Meth-odist church. Burial in East Poultney Cemetery.

GRANT, James Albert, 91, Oskaloosa, died Sun-day, February 14, 1999.

He was born Oct. 28, 1907, at Lawton, OK., theson of John C. and Rose Clayton Grant.

He was married to Mildred E. James on Feb. I,1931, at Des Moines, IA. She died May 4, 1984.

He is survived by a stepson, Robert Davis,Lawrence; and a brother, Fred Grant, Salem, OR.

He was cremated. Inummentwill be at a later date.

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THE LECOMPTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Lecompton, Kansas 66050, is a non-profit corporation for thepreservation of historical sites. We are eager for continued membership and new members.

Dues are $5.00 per year for individual membership and $7.00 for a couple's membership. The duesare from December to December. Life membership is $50 per individual, contributions are tax deductible.Checks should be made payable to the Lecompton Historical Society, and mailed to GeorgiaTrammel,11 N 2064 Rd, Lecompton, KS 66050

$5.00 Annual Individual Membership

$7.00 Annual Couple's Membership

$50.00 IndMdual Ute or Memorial Membership

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CONFER. Marie, 95, Lawrence, died SaturdayMarch 13, 1999.

She was born Aug. 24, 1903, in Hoxie, thedaughter of Theodore and May Houser Eppler.

She married Samuel Archie Confer Sept. 24,1919, in Clay Center. He died July 16, 1990. Shewas preceded in death by two sons, KennethConfer July 23,1981 and Melvin Confer April 11,1991.Other survivors include a daughter, Carol McCune,

Lawrence, a brother, Alan Eppler, Topeka: twosisters, Beulah Grimm, Green, and Marjorie Head,Coffeyville; 6 grandchildren; 10 great grand-children; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

KENT, Roberta M., 79, of Lecompton, died March11,1999.

She was born Feb. 14, 1920, to James Arthurand Fannie C. Klingensmith Chandler in Trenton,Mo.

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She married Merton W. Kent July 11, 1936, inTrenton. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include six daughters, ArdithSmith, Overbrook, Jeanie Vestal, Winchester,Louise Wallace, Grantville, and Carolyn Glenn,Verna Pletcher and Dorothy Kent all of Lecompton;two brothers, Walter Chandler, St. Louis, and GlenChandler, Trenton, Mo.; two sisters, Ruby May,Tustin, Calif., and Bertha Fisher, Rio Linda, Calif.;12 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and onegreat great granchild.

She attended the Lecompton United MethodistChurch.. Burial in Maple Grove Cemetery atLecompton.

LINQUIST, Edwin, Sr. 77, Lawrence, died Friday,March 19, 1999.

He was born July 18, 1921, in Kansas City, Mo.the son of Edwin Carl and Eva Baile Linquist.

His wife, Rita Linquist,died in 1996.Other survivors include a son, Edwin R. Linquist,

Jr., Topeka; daughters, Deena Linquist, OverlandPark, Cindy Linquist, Denver, Marcy Meyers-Cook,Olathe, and Carla Linquist, Topeka, a sister, VirginiaLinquist Craig, Lenexa and 6 grandchildren.

CHAPPELL, Helen, 86, Lawrence died Wed.March 24, 1999.

She was born April 24, 1912, in Lawrence, thedaughter of Robert and May Titterington Rose.

She married Edward Nelson Chappell in Aug.,1931, in Lawrence, He died Sept. 3, 1989.

Survivors include a daughter, Delores Miller,Lawrence; a sister, Ruth Ward, Lawrence; twograndchildren and five great grandchildren.

HALL, Ida Mae, 85, Downers Grove, lit, died April21, 1999.

She was born March 14, 1914 the daughter ofGeorge and Lillie Mae Doddridge Richards six mileswest of Lawrence. She attended Winter school &graduated from Lecompton High School in 1931.

She married Verne R. Hall Jan. 27, 1935. Hesurvives. They were married 64 years.

Other survivors include sons, Richard Hall ofDowners Grove and Thomas of Solomons, MD, fivegrandchildren and six great grandchildren.

She was a member of the United MethodistChurch

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HistoricalWriter-Sara Walter

MerTtJership * Georgia Sill'l!T()nSTrammelGenealogy & Historical researcher*lona Spencer

Tours*01ar1ene VVinter

Funding*Mae HoldermanlIIustrator*Ellen Duncan

Assistant Treasurer *Sherri NeillKitchen * Helen Hildenbrand

Merrorials* Ruth Ice

Program- Beverly VanDykePresident* Paul BahnmaierVice President * Rich r/cConnell

Secretary * VICki Roberts

Treasurer * Betty LeslieBoard MerTtJers * Maxine Dark, George SimmonsKeith Noe, Jason Dexter, Duane VVulfkuhle,Ron MeierCurators * Marguerite Bowman, Opal Goodrick, Dorothy ShanerGeorge & Artoene Simmons, Darlene PaslayMerrOOrshipAss'ts. *Duane &DorothyVVulfkuhle

Forwardingand Address~ Requested

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PlbIished by

The ~on HistoricalSocayLECOMPTON,KANSAS66050

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDPemit No. 1

Lecol1l>ton, Kansas

Const. Hall Hist.% Tim Rues

PO Box 198

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Lecompton KS 66050

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