USA > Kansas > A standard history of Kansas and Kansans, Volume II > Part 20
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During his residence in Ohio, Governor Carney married Miss Rebecca Ann Canaday, who was born in Kenton, that state, and died in Leaven- worth, September 25. 1895. They were the parents of five sons, namely : Edwin L .; William W., both of Leavenworth; Harry C., of Butte, Mon- tana : Charles T., of Meeker, Colorado; and Frank, who died in infancy. -[From Chapman's Biographical Record of Leavenworth, Douglas, and Franklin Counties.]
CHAPTER XLVIII
GOVERNOR SAMUEL J. CRAWFORD
BY MRS. EDITH CONNELLEY ROSS
Samuel J. Crawford was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, April 15, 1835. He was reared on his father's farm, and, at the age of twenty-one years, became a law student in the office of Hon. S. W. Short, of Bedford, Indiana. In 1857, he entered the Cincinnati College Law School, where he was graduated in 1858. Inspired by a desire for newer, broader fields of endeavor, he emigrated to Kansas Territory in the spring of the following year. He located at the town of Garnett, the county seat of Anderson County, and opened a law office.
His law business grew steadily, and he soon had a good practice. He was elected a member of the first State Legislature, which met at Topeka, March 26, 1861. At the call of President Lincoln for volunteers, he re- signed his seat in the Legislature, and, returning home, reeruited a com- pany of soldiers. He was chosen Captain of the Company, which was known as Company E, and was assigned to the Second Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Infantry. Under General Lyon he fought in the Battle of Wilson Creek, and in other battles in the Missouri campaign of 1861. The regiment was reorganized in the winter of 1861-2 as the Second Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. This regiment fought nobly in many en- gagements under General Blunt. In March, 1863, he was assigned the leadership of the regiment, which during a hard campaign, covered itself with glory.
In October, 1863, Crawford was appointed Colonel of the Eighty- third U. S. Colored Infantry, which was in the Red River Campaign with General Banks. During this campaign, the colored regiment, under the skilful leadership of Colonel Crawford, gained a reputation for un- faltering bravery. Its sturdy stand at Jenkins' Ferry, April 30, 1864. is an immortal tribute to the negro as a soldier. Colonel Crawford sne- cessfully commanded his regiment when it was sent on an expedition into the Choctaw Nation against the rebel General, Standwatie, in 1864.
In 1864 Colonel Crawford was nominated by the Republican State Convention at Topeka for Governor. At the same time he was strongly recommended by many prominent soldiers and citizens for a Brigadier- Generalship.
Shortly after the nomination of Colonel Crawford for Governor, General Price invaded Missouri, with the object of entering and devas- Vol. II-12
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tating Kansas. Colonel Crawford was appointed aide to General Curtis, commanding the Union forces. He participated in the battles of the Blue, Westport, and Mine Creeks, displaying great gallantry. This marked the end of his military career during the Civil War. He had taken part in most of the battles of the war west of the Mississippi, excepting that of Pea Ridge. In 1865, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General by brevet, for meritorious service.
At the close of the war, soldiers from every State came to make homes in Kansas. And many came who had not been in the army-young men
GOV. SAMUEL J. CRAWFORD | Copy by Willard of Portrait in Library of Kansas State Historical Society ]
seeking an opportunity in the world. They faced hardships in starting anew in this good land of boundless prairie and sky. But they were equal to the difficulties of breaking the wilderness, and made the land teem with plenty.
With dauntless courage Kansas faced all evils and conquered them. And this was the brave thing she was doing when Colonel Crawford was elected Governor, November 7, 1864. Ifis administration covered some of the most stirring history of Kansas. Speaking of these times, Gover- nor Crawford says :
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Thus the new State of Kansas, having eseaped the dire calamities of an invasion by Price and his legions of demoralized outlaws, and made a clean sweep in the election of Lincoln Republicans to fill the various positions created by the Constitution, was now ready to take its proper position among the States of the Union and give the National Administration at Washington its loyal support.
During the winter of 1865, the Legislature groped bravely through a dark labyrinth of graft and ignoranee and selfishness to something of light and law. Governor Crawford said :
As a matter of faet, we had nothing with which to set up house- keeping exeept the State Seal, a lease on some leaky buildings, and quite an assortment of bills payable.
During the winter of 1865, Governor Crawford rounded up most of the eattle thieves and outlaws that had been terrorizing the border and turned them over to General Dodge for punishment.
The Legislature of 1866 passed aets providing for the erection of the State Capitol, the Penitentiary, Asylums, and other public institutions. Many new homesteaders settled in the State, the Kansas Pacific Railroad was pushed steadily westward toward Denver and the Pacific States. Prosperity seemed beginning to smile on Kansas.
But the Indians, constantly formidable after the Civil War, now beeame bold in their atrocities. The building of a Railroad through Western Kansas seemed to awaken their most fiendish impulses, and the mistaken policy of the government in supplying them with plenty of food, elothes, and above all, weapons, enabled them to perpetrate many outrages.
In the spring of 1866 hostile Indians appeared on the Santa Fe Trail, the Smoky Hill, Solomon and Republican rivers. Governor Crawford organized a battalion of troops along the Western border. Early in May he sent a company of State troops to the Northwestern border, which defeated a roving band of Cheyennes. This temporarily cheeked the Indians.
Senator James H. Lane died on the 11th of July, 1866. After care- ful consideration of the merits of the different candidates to fill the nnexpired term, Governor Crawford appointed the Hon. Edmund G. Ross. The Legislature of 1867 signified its approval of his choice by re-eleeting Ross for the full term. The Hon. S. C. Pomeroy was re- eleeted.
On the twenty-seventh of November, 1866, Governor Crawford was married to Miss Isabel M. Chase, daughter of one of the founders of Topeka. The two children born to them were George Marshall Crawford and Florence Crawford Capper, wife of the present Governor, Arthur Capper.
Governor Crawford was re-elected in 1867. The Legislature of that year pushed forward the work started by that of 1866, and many state institutions were planned and provided for.
After the adjournment of this Legislature, Governor Crawford pro-
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ceeded to New York to dispose of some State bonds. He then went on to Washington, D. C., to try to secure intelligent co-operation from the War Department in regard to the Indian situation in Kansas. He represented to the Secretary of the Interior, the mistakes in the policy of that department in supplying the savages with means to carry out their atrocious designs. The Secretary promised to give the matter his attention, but after the departure of the Governor, nothing more was done about it.
Hardly had Governor Crawford reached home before a great amount of ammunition and supplies was shipped to Kansas for the Indians, who were even then on the war-path. Governor Crawford by threat of burn- ing the supply-caravan, induced General Sherman to take it to Fort Larned instead of turning it over to the savages. There it was held until a compromise was made with the Indians in the fall of 1867. Gov- ernor Crawford, speaking of the Indian situation of that year, says:
Portions of five tribes of hostile Indians-allied for purposes of war and crime, thoroughly organized, armed, and equipped, and regularly receiving their ammities and other supplies from the Government, under treaty stipulations-constituted the main force which was operating with such deadly effect in Western Kansas.
The hostile Indians. having succeeded in murdering and scalping many men, women, and children, and capturing or destroying property to the value of millions of dollars, and in also completely blockading the routes of travel (except when opened by military escort ) from Kansas to the mineral States and Territories west; and believing, as they had reason to believe, that they would be sustained by the continued leniency of the Government, became so emboldened as seriously to threaten the destruction of our entire western border.
In 1868 a Cheyenne Band threatened Council Grove but were turned from their purpose. In August of that year people were murdered in the Solomon and Republican valleys. The climax of the wars with the plains Indians in Kansas, came in the Battle of Beecher Island, on the Aricaree. General Sherman, hearing that a small band of Indians were entering Northwestern Kansas, sent Colonel Forsythe of his personal staff. with fifty men, to turn them back. On the night of September tenth, the party camped on the north bank of the Aricaree, opposite a small, sandy island, known as Beecher's Island. The river was dry at that time of the year.
Early in the morning, a large band of Indians attacked the camp. The men, compelled to leave their camp equipment, retreated to the island, fighting bravely and driving their horses and mules with them. During the day two more attacks were made, but in each ease the savages were repulsed. More than half the white men were wounded, and all were without food or shelter. The situation seemed desperate. Ringed in by the enemy, there seemed no way of escape.
But two scouts, Jack Stilwell and James Trudeau, bravely volun- teered to try to reach Fort Wallace, ninety miles away, and bring back aid to their comrades. After three days of hairbreadth escapes, they reached the fort, and aid was sent to the beleagured men on Beecher
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Island. They had remained there nine days in all, hemmed in with Indians, waiting for help. It was afterwards aseertained that the Indians had lost between seven and eight hundred warriors in the nine days. The great Cheyenne Chief, Roman Nose, was killed.
After this, the Indians still continued to give trouble. Being con- stantly appealed to for aid, Governor Crawford, on November 4, 1868, resigned the governorship and was appointed Colonel of a newly recruited regiment-the Nineteenth Kansas Volunteers. After a hard winter campaign, the Indians were finally subdued for all time in Kansas, and the regiment was paid off and mustered out of service on April 18. 1869, at Fort Hays.
Governor Crawford, after fifty-two years of active influence for good in Kansas, died at his home in Topeka, in the year 1913, at the age of seventy-eight years. His last days were quiet and peaceful, and many of them were devoted to his beloved farm. But though retired from strenuous political life, he retained his interest in Kansas and her ad- vancement until the very last. Every suggestion for the advancement and help of mankind found in him an ardent advocate.
His funeral was attended by hosts of his old friends and admirers, men who honored him while alive and now reverence his virtues after death.
CHAPTER XLIX
NEHEMIAH GREENE
BY MRS. EDITH CONNELLEY ROSS
Nehemiah Greene, the only Kansas Lieutenant Governor to attain the governorship by resignation of his superior, was born in Hardin County, Ohio, March 8, 1847. He was educated in the Ohio schools and at the Wesleyan University. After his graduation he taught school in Logan and Champaign counties.
In March, 1855, he came to Kansas. He settled on a claim in Douglas County. However, as the times were not peaceful nor prosperous, he was almost forced to abandon it. It did not yield a living.
He was admitted to the bar in 1857, and practiced law for two years. At the end of that period he returned to the state of his nativity and there entered the ministry. His sincerity, brilliance, and kindness made him the beloved friend of all his flock.
But, in 1862, when Lincoln called for volunteers, Nehemiah Greene left his church, and became the Lieutenant of Company B, Eighty-fifth Ohio Infantry. In the Civil War, he served under General Cox in his famous West Virginia campaign. He was a brave soldier, and as gen- erous and kind as he was brave. After the West Virginia campaign, he, along with his regiment, was transferred to the Army of the Cumber. land, where he served in General William Tecumseh Sherman's army until 1864. He was appointed Major of the One Hundred anl Fifty- third Ohio, and with them took part in the famous One Hundred Days campaign in West Virginia.
Major Greene was never a strong man physically. His lungs always troubled him, and it was only the undaunted spirit of the man that sus- tained him in his arduous soldier-life. But in spite of his determination, his failing health finally ended his military career. This came about through the following circumstances.
One hot day, the men of his regiment were compelled to march steadily under the blazing sun. They were loaded heavily with equip- ment, and Major Greene, his sympathies excited by their plight, tried to relieve them by carrying as many knap-sacks as he could lift. This brought on a violent hemorrhage of the lungs, and left him so ill and exhausted that he was compelled to resign from the army.
In 1865 he returned to Kansas, in the capacity of a minister of the gospel. He was sent to Manhattan by the Kansas Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Here he remained for two years, serving his church faithfully and well.
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As the Republican candidate, he was elected Lieutenant-Governor of Kansas in 1866. When Governor Crawford resigned on November 4, 1868, Mr. Greene took the oath of office, and became Governor of Kan- sas. He held the office a few days over two months. Nothing of very great political importance happened in Kansas during the time.
Governor Greene had in his youth married Miss Ida Leffingwell, of Williamsburg, Ohio. She died in 1870, leaving three children-Glenzen S, Effie, and Alice. In 1873 Governor Greene remarried-to Miss Mary
GOV. NEHEMIAH GREENE
[Copy by Willard of Portrait in Library of Kansas State Historical Society 1
Sturdevant, of Rushville, N. Y. They had two children, Burtis U., and Ned M.
After the election of Governor Harvey, Mr. Greene still retained his interest in political affairs. In 1880, he was elected to the Kansas Legis- lature. At the end of his service there, he retired to private life. Trouble with his lungs caused him much pain and worry. Though not able to preach often, because of it, many residents of Manhattan and surrounding towns still recall his spirited and witty addresses on public and patriotic occasions.
Governor Nehemiah Greene died at his home in Manhattan, January 12, 1890.
CHAPTER L JAMES MADISON HARVEY
BY MRS. EDITH CONNELLEY ROSS
James Madison Harvey, known in this day as "Old Honesty," was born in Monroe County, Virginia, September 21, 1833. He removed with his parents to Illinois, and received his education in the schools of that State. He later studied civil engineering. In 1854 he married Char- lotte Cutter, of Adams County, Illinois. They came to Kansas in 1859, and located in Riley County.
Mr. Harvey became a firm Anti-slavery man, and fought bravely in the war. He served as Captain of Company G, Tenth Kansas Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the Battle of Prairie Grove. Afterwards, he was in a strenuous campaign through Missouri, Arkansas, and the Indian Territory. Ile was also chosen Colonel of a volunteer regiment sent to repel Price, in his raid. In 1865 Captain Harvey was mustered out with his regiment.
In the fall of 1865 he was elected to the Legislature, where he ren- dered valuable aid in untangling many of the problems left by the war, and the unsettled state of Kansas affairs. He was re-elected by the Republicans against Thaddeus H. Walker, candidate of the Liberal Republicans. The Democrats put forward no candidate. In 1866 he was chosen to represent the Seventh District in the State Senate.
In the fall of 1869, he was elected as the Republican candidate for Governor. He was re-elected to that office in 1873. During his admin- istration the State of Kansas advanced steadily along all lines of prog- ress. Governor Harvey pretended to no great erudition-his was rather the homely knowledge and philosophy, the native shrewdness of the surveyor and farmer. But his unswerving honesty, his tenacity of purpose, his really superior mind, were all at the service of Kansas, and she profited richly by them.
The Legislature of 1869, under Governor Harvey, was the first body to meet in the State Capitol, after the completion of its first wing, the cast one. Before, all the official business had been conducted in a small row of buildings on Kansas Avenue, known as "State Row."
Indian troubles were still rife, at this time, though not so serious as during the administration of Governor Crawford. The Indians harried the border, entering at the northwest. Militia, sent to the Republican. Saline and Solomon valleys, together with the presence of the United States troops, kept the Indians fairly within bounds.
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The cattle trade grew by leaps and bounds, at this time, and the "cowboy" and the "Longhorn," were thick on the Kansas prairies. Also, at this time, the state received a liberal contribution of the worst elements of the older states-men and women, eager to prey on the rich and reckless cowmen. This it required stern measures to check. Sheriffs and vigilance committees were kept busy by the disorder and violence rife in the western towns. Saloons, dance-halls, and gambling dens ran wide open for the benefit of the cowboy. But law and order gradually
GOV. JAMES M. HARVEY [Copy by Willard of Portrait in Library of Kansas State Historical Society ]
grew, and prosperity increased. The shipments of cattle at Wichita and Dodge City seldom were less than 200,000 head a year.
In March, 1869, the first train on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad reached Topeka, and on the first of September, 1870, the Union Pacific Railroad reached Denver. This, of course, brought immense bands of emigrants to Kansas. In 1872, Kansas cast a larger vote than any New England state, excepting Massachusetts. Under the census of 1870, Kansas became entitled to three Representatives in Congress. Land companies all over the world advertised Kansas. Her advantages to the new settler were described in many languages. The Kansas Pacific Rail-
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road also worked along this line, and brought immense numbers of for- eigners to Kansas. These became good, steady citizens, and are today among the foremost farmers and tradesmen of the State.
The emigrants were settled in colonies, and many quaint old-world eustoms and legends were transplanted to Kansas, and are still preserved intaet on the prairies. Swedish, Scotch, English, and Welsh were the leading colonists of this time.
During the administration of Governor Harvey, the Grand Duke Alexis, of Russia, with his suite, made their celebrated exploring and hunting trip over the Kansas plaius. They were received in Topeka by Governor Harvey, and the Legislature. Some old people of to-day can recall the "amazing splendor" of that occasion.
In 1870, the Labor Party organized. It held its first state convention in September of that year. A platform was determined on. Two of the "planks" were: two thousand dollars exempt from taxation, and the natural right to land.
At this time, the farmers of Kansas were beginning to feel keenly the need of co-operation and protection. With the growing of agriculture and trade, came the demand for system and advice. In consequence of this feeling, eame the demand for a grange, which was accordingly organ- ized, in 1872. Many thousands of farmers joined the organization.
Governor Harvey died, April 15, 1895. He was survived by four daughters and two sons.
Kansas sineerely mourned the honest, far-seeing man who had given so freely of his life to her service. And she is far richer for his steady, kind guidance and help, and his unassuming upright life.
CHAPTER LI
THOMAS A. OSBORN
BY MRS. EDITH CONNELLEY ROSS
Thomas A. Osborn, the sixth governor of Kansas, was born at Mead- ville, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1836. There he attended the publie schools, and also began his printer's apprenticeship. By his work at the printer's ease he paid his way through Alleghany College.
In 1856 he commenced the study of law in the office of Judge Derrick- son, of Meadville. He was admitted to the bar in Michigan in 1857. In November of the same year he came to Kansas. He stopped at Lawrence, and obtained employment as a compositor on the Herald of Freedom. By industry and ability he soon became foreman, and the paper was often left completely in his hands.
Before he was twenty-two years old Thomas A. Osborn was practicing law at Elwood, Doniphan County. Ile was recognized as a good lawyer and a man of integrity and ability. He was a firm Republican and Free- State man.
In 1859 he was elected Senator from Doniphan County, and took his seat in 1861. The following term he was chosen President of the Senate. He filled this position during the absence of the Lieutenant- Governor, and during the impeachment trial of Governor Robinson.
Mr. Osborn was elected Lieutenant-Governor of Kansas in 1862, defeating John J. Ingalls. At the expiration of his term of office he was appointed United States Marshal of Kansas by President Abraham Lin- coln. He held this position until 1867, during which time he made his home in Leavenworth. He was removed from office for opposing the poliey of President Johnson.
The wedding of Mr. Osborn to Miss Julia Delehay, of Leavenworth, took place in 1870. Miss Delehay was a beautiful and talented woman, a blood-relation of Abraham Lincoln. They had one son, Edward, born in 1871.
In 1872 Mr. Osborn was nominated as the Republican candidate for Governor of Kansas. He was elected, and began his term in 1873. The year of 1874 was the dreadful "Grasshopper Year" of Kansas-the year when these pests destroyed all erops and caused famine and untold suffering. Governor Osborn called a special session of the Legislature, which decided the emergency must be met by the issue of county bonds. Relief committees were organized, and relief sent to the sufferers. Also,
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during this year, the Indians began stealing from the settlers of Barber County, and the southern border generally. United States Cavalry, sent to recover the plunder, unfortunately killed a son of Little Robe, a Cheyenne Chief. This precipitated murder and raids.
Governor Osborn was in a position requiring great diplomacy. Some citizens demanded immediate vengeance, and some urged unlimited for- bearanee. However, he steered a successful middle course, subduing the savages, keeping the militia on the border, and yet not offending the more timid eitizens by reckless fighting.
Gov. THOMAS A. OSBORN [Copy by Willard of Portrait in Library of Kansas State Historieal Society ]
Governor Osborn was a far-sighted and prudent man, and urged on the Legislature the necessity of economy. ITis administration was noted for careful handling of the State funds.
Also. at this time, much was done toward colonizing and settling more land. Every encouragement was given the settler. A huge band of Mennonites from Southern Russia settled in the Arkansas Valley in 1874. Owing to the increase of population a number of new counties were organized.
In 1876 came the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia. Thirty
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thousand dollars was spent for a beautiful Kansas exhibit. This brought Kansas much before the public eye. Her merits were more than ever discussed and investigated, and many new citizens were added to her people as a consequence.
On January 29, 1873, the two houses of the Legislature met in a joint session, to ballot for a United States Senator to succeed Pomeroy, whose term had expired. Before the vote was taken State Senator Alexander M. York rose and accused Pomeroy of bribing him to vote for him- Pomeroy. Pomeroy was defeated.
On the twenty-fourth of March, Senator Caldwell resigned and Gov- ernor Osborn appointed Robert Crozier to fill his unexpired term. Also, he appointed John Francis to succeed the State Treasurer, Josiah E. Hayes, who had been impeached and resigned.
In 1877, Governor Osborn was defeated for United States Senator by Preston B. Plumb.
He was appointed United States Minister to Chili by President Hayes in 1877. He filled this distinguished position for four years, at the end of which time he was sent by President Garfield to Brazil as United States Minister. His diplomatie career was distinguished for its serupulous care and attention to the business and interest of the United States.
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