USA > Kansas > Kansas; a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence, Volume II > Part 103
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In Lawrence preparations for defense were going on. As soon as it was learned that a force was gathering on the Wakarusa, all those con- cerned with the rescue of Branson were requested to leave Lawrence. This was done to show that the town had taken no part in the rescue. A committee of safety was appointed which organized the citizens into guards of 15 or 20 men in a squad, by enrolling them and taking their residence, so that they could be called out at any moment. In this way they were enabled to pursue their business and still be ready to take up arms at a signal. The news of the threatened invasion and the intention to destroy Lawrence spread rapidly through the territory, with the result that the free-state men rushed to the aid of the besieged, until there were probably 800 men armed and equipped for defense in
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the town. The committee of safety appointed Dr. Charles Robinson commander-in-chief of all the forces, with Col. J. H. Lane second in com- mand. Lyman Allen commanded the Lawrence Stubbs; Samuel Walker, the company from Bloomington; Maj. Abbott, the Wakarusa company ; a man named Shore, the Ottawa Creek company ; McWheeney, the com- pany from Palmyra ; and the Pottawatomie company was under the com- mand of John Brown, who arrived with his four sons, arms and ammuni- tion just as the treaty of peace was about to be signed. Every house was filled with soldiers and the free-state hotel was used as a barracks. Five redoubts were built, which commanded every approach to the city. The largest was erected on Massachusetts street near the crossing of Pinck- ney. It was circular, made of hewn timber, against which an earth em- bankment was thrown up about 5 feet high and 4 feet wide at the top, while surrounding it was a deep intrenchment. It was designed as a retreat for the women and children in case of an attack. The second line of works was on Massachusetts street, consisting of three rude forts in a line across Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island streets coin- ciding to that of Henry street. The third was a circular redoubt built on an elevation a little north of Henry street between Massachusetts and New Hampshire streets. The fourth was south of the fort on Henry street and was built to repulse an attack from Mount Oread, should one be made from that direction. The fifth was on Kentucky street, com- manding an entrance from a ravine on the west. A cannon which had been sent to Kansas City was also smuggled into the besieged town.
The siege was really commenced on Saturday, Dec. I, and lasted about a week. The forces on both sides were prepared for war. The defenders spent much time in drilling and strengthening their position, while the invaders waited the command of Sheriff Jones to move upon Lawrence. The Sharp's rifles that had been shipped to Lawrence from New Eng- land became of immense value at this time, as the fear of them kept the enemy from a sudden attack. Blackmar, in his Life of Charles Robin- son, says: "It was a strange spectacle, almost a comedy had it not been so near a tragedy, and in any case was certainly a travesty on free government, for the United States Senator Atchison to be commanding this singular horde, while Gov. Shannon was hurrying other commands to the scene of war: There was no excuse for it all. The rescuers of Branson had left the town, and there was not a day in which Jones might not go through Lawrence unmolested in doing his duty. He actually did go to the town and return without being disturbed. Gov. Shannon became alarmed first for the safety of the attacking Missourians, and second for the safety of Lawrence. He sent to Col. Sumner, at Leaven- worth, for United States troops, but Sumner would not come without orders from Washington."
From the surrounding towns Lawrence continued to receive reinforce- ments, who were usually surprised to find that the inhabitants were strictly on the defensive instead of the aggressive as reported by the pro-slavery men. Finally the citizens sent a delegation to the governor
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to acquaint him with the true situation. Being incredulous, he was per- suaded to go to Lawrence to see for himself, and upon his arrival was aniazed at the situation. The besiegers and besieged were brought into conference by him. The governor, Col. Boone, of Westport, Mo., Col. Kearney, of Independence. Mo., and Gen. Strickler. of Kansas, were duly conducted to Lawrence and to the rooms of the committee of safety in the Free-State hotel. Dr. Robinson and Col. Lane conducted the nego- tiations on the part of the free-state men, as members of the committee of safety, and after both sides of the question had been discussed, the governor suggested that a treaty be drawn up and signed by the leaders, which was done. Blackmar, in his Life of Charles Robinson, says: "It was an excellent way out of a dilemma, but here was another scene in the drama of spectacular government ; the town of Lawrence in rebellion, treating with the Kansas militia, the latter commanded by officers living in Missouri."
The good will of the people of Lawrence and their genuine desire to settle the war was shown by the treaty. After it was signed Robinson and Lane accompanied the governor to the camp of the militia, where Gov. Shannon persuaded them to accept the treaty and withdraw. This was not easily accomplished, but the Missourians finally started for home.
Wakeeney, the judicial seat of Trego county, is an incorporated city of the third class, located in the northern part of the county on the Union Pacific R. R. 254 miles west of Topeka. It has a handsome $40,000 court- house, 2 banks, hotels, 2 weekly newspapers (the Independent and the World), tri-weekly stages to Bosna and Banner, telegraph and express offices, and an international money order postoffice with two rural routes. All professions and all lines of retail trade are represented. The town is situated between the Saline and Smoky Hill rivers and is thus sur- rounded by rich bottom lands. It is a shipping point for live stock, grain and dairy products. The population in 1910 was 883, an increase of more than 200 per cent. over that of 1900. The town was founded in 1878 by James F. Keeney and Albert E. Warren, who purchased the land from the Kansas Pacific Railroad company. A station by the name of Trego, one mile to the west, was moved to the town site when it was located. The first building was erected by Peck & Ellsworth and used as a real estate office. A store was erected by C. P. Keeney. Dur- ing the years 1878-79 there was a rush of new comers to Wakeeney. They came so fast that it was almost impossible to house them. New houses grew up over night and all the contractors had scores of buildings promised ahead. The immense crop of 1878 added to the craze and early in the spring of 1879 the town was jammed with people. Some very fine business blocks were erected and fitted up in metropolitan style with plate glass windows. One of these belonging to a Mr. Thorpe was burned down in Feb., 1880, and the loss was $40,000. The United States land office which had been established here in Oct., 1879, was burned out in the fire. The first newspaper was the Wakeeney World, established
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in 1879 by W. S. Tilton. The poor crops of 1880 caused a reaction and people left as fast as they had come, with the result that in 1882 all that was left of the business concerns was five poorly patronized retail stores. The population in 1890 was 439, and that of 1900 was 394.
Wakefield, an incorporated city of the third class in Clay county, is located in Republican township on the river of that name and the Union Pacific R. R., 14 miles south of Clay Center, the county seat. It has a bank, 2 grain elevators, a flour mill, a weekly newspaper (the Pointer), a number of retail establishments, telegraph and express offices, and an international money order postoffice with five rural routes. The popu- lation in 1910 was 514. It is the receiving and shipping point for a large agricultural area, and a large amount of grain, produce and live stock is marketed yearly from Wakefield. The town was founded in 1869 by the Kansas Land and Emigration company and named for Richard Wake, a leading member of the company. The first house was built by J. S. Dodson. A. Maitland was the first postmaster, and the first store was opened by B. Budden. The railroad was completed past this point in 1873.
Wakefield Colony .- This colony was composed of English settlers, and its formation and settlement in Clay county was due as much to the efforts of Rev. Richard Wake as to any other agency. Wake was an English minister who came to the United States in 1854, and appreciating the opportunities for colonization on the cheap prairie lands of the West, succeeded in settling two English colonies in the vicinity of Lincoln, Neb. He became widely known in Great Britain through his advocacy of the prairie states as a field for immigration, and in June, 1869, he re- ceived word from John Wormald and Alexander Maitland, of England, saying: "Select 100,000 acres in Kansas for colony." Consequently, on July 8, he arrived in Topeka for that purpose. He inspected some lands of the Santa Fe railroad, but made no selections on account of the price. He then went west to Junction City and in company with Capt. A. C. Pierce, to whom he had a letter of introduction, drove out to view lands lying between the Republican river and Chapman creek. He reported his selections to London and early in August a party consist- ing of Wormald, Maitland, Batchelor and others sailed for the United States, arriving at Junction City on the 21st of that month, the first two named gentlemen being authorized and empowered to purchase the land if it was approved. They ratified the selections and steps were at once taken to organize the colony.
The lands selected consisted of 32,000 acres-odd sections of railroad lands-valued at $102,000, one-fifth of which was paid down at the time of purchase. The contracts were signed by the Kansas Pacific railroad and the National Land company. "On Aug. 25, 1869, the founders of the colony were incorporated as the Kansas Town and Land company, Richard Wake, president; John Wormald, secretary; Alexander Mait- land, Col. Loomis, C. Wake, R. H. Drew and J. D. Bennett." The fol- lowing day, Aug. 26, Wakefield was laid out by Wake, Wormald, Mait-
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land and Loomis, and was named by Col. Loomis, partly in honor of the president of the company and partly for Wakefield, Eng., the former home of the secretary.
The first large party arrived in Junction City on Oct. 6, and consisted of 77 persons. During the winter following many others came from time to time, and another party arrived the spring of 1870. A severe drought affected Kansas in 1870 and the new comers suffered a failure of crops. The founders of the colony were blamed and, in spite of anything the Kansas Land and Emigration company could do, emigration from that source was checked. Succeeding years, however, proved more fruitful.
Among the organizations in the colony the most important were the Kansas Land and Emigration company, the Wakefield Bridge and Ferry company, the Agricultural and Literary Society and the Wakefield Gen- eral Market company. A newspaper was also published in the settle- ment, called the Wakefield Herald, the first issue of which appeared early in 1871.
The religious makeup of the colony was divided between the Metho- dist Episcopal church, under the pastorate of Rev. Richard Wake; the Union church, with Revs. William Todd and Edward Moore, as copas- tors ; while the Congregationalists, Episcopalians and Baptists were also represented. These colonists suffered many drawbacks, the greatest of which was an ignorance of the dry climate, so different from that of Eng- land. Economic conditions were also unfavorable. Money was scarce, there was no local demand for their products, the Kansas City market was easily overstocked, and the visitation of grasshoppers in 1874 and 1875 also added to their misfortunes. Many of the colonists were thor- oughly discouraged, and some sold out and returned to England, but the greater part remained, though some sought other localities.
"The colony rapidly lost its associative character. The monthly mar- ket was early discontinued, and one by one the remaining corporations, including the Kansas Land and Emigration company, passed out of exis- tence." Of the colonists who remained all made a success, and their farms are now in one of the finest sections of the state.
Waldeck, a station on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific R. R. in Marion county, is located 18 miles northwest of Marion, the county seat, and about 4 miles from Dolespark, McPherson county, from which place its mail is distributed by rural delivery.
Waldo, a little town in Russell county, is located in the township of the same name on the Union Pacific R. R., 18 miles north of Russell, the county seat. It has a weekly newspaper (the Advocate), a bank, a number of retail establishments, telegraph and express offices, and a money order postoffice with one rural route. The population in 1910 was 250. It has a large tributary agricultural district for which it is the receiving and shipping point.
Waldron, one of the incorporated towns of Harper county, is a sta- tion on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific and the Kansas City, Mexico
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& Orient railroads, and is located 14 miles southwest of Anthony. It has a number of retail stores, a bank, a weekly newspaper (the Argus), telegraph and express offices, and a money order postoffice. The popu- lation according to the census of 1910 was 262.
Walker, a hamlet in Ellis county, is located in Walker township on the Union Pacific R. R., 14 miles east of Hays, the county seat. It has a hotel, a grain elevator, several retail stores, telegraph and express offices, and a money order postoffice. The population in 1910 was 65.
Walker, Robert James, the fourth territorial governor of Kansas, was born at Northumberland, Pa., July 23, 1801, a son of Jonathan H. Walker, a Revolutionary soldier and later a judge in the state and Fed- eral courts in Pennsylvania. Robert graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1821, and the following year began the practice of law in Pittsburgh. He soon won distinction as a lawyer, became active in politics' as a Democrat, and was an enthusiastic supporter of Gen. An- drew Jackson for the presidency in 1824. In 1825 he married a Miss Bache, a grandniece of Benjamin Franklin, and about a year after his marriage removed to Natchez, Miss. He was appointed to the United States senate from Mississippi in 1836, and in 1840 was elected for a full term over S. S. Prentiss. While in the senate he introduced the first homestead bill and the bill recognizing the independence of Texas. In his political career he supported Jackson and Van Buren, opposed Cal- houn, and it was through his influence that the Mississippi legislature adopted resolutions denouncing nullification and secession as treason. On the question of slavery he advocated gradual emancipation and set an example by liberating his own slaves in 1838. He was a prominent factor in securing the nomination and election of Polk in 1844, and on March 5, 1845, he resigned his seat in the United States senate to enter Mr. Polk's cabinet as secretary of the treasury, where he served until 1849. As secretary of the treasury he played an important part in formulating the tariff of 1846, which became widely known as the "Walker tariff." On March 26, 1857, he was appointed governor of the Territory of Kansas by President Buchanan. Holloway says: "Gov. Walker was undoubtedly the greatest and most distinguished man that was ever appointed to any position in Kansas by the general govern- ment." He resigned the office of governor on Dec. 15, 1857, his resigna- tion having been forced upon him because he showed a disposition to accord fair treatment to the free-state men in Kansas. At the begin- ning of the Civil war he took a firm stand in favor of the Union and was appointed financial agent of the United States in Europe, where he negotiated the sale of $250,000,000 of United States bonds and pre- vented the sale of $75,000,000 of Confederate bonds. Gov. Walker died at Washington, D. C., Nov. II, 1869.
Walker's Administration .- When Mr. Walker was first tendered the appointment as governor of the Territory of Kansas by President Bu- chanan, his first impulse was to decline. He was fully acquainted with the conditions in the territory, and had no desire to immolate himself
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upon the altar where Reeder and Geary had been so ruthlessly sacri- ficed. The president insisted upon his acceptance, however, and after several discussions as to the policy to be pursued, he consented, with the understanding that he was to be given a free hand, unhampered or uninfluenced by the acts of any of his predecessors. It was under- stood between him and the president that he was to enforce the laws enacted by the territorial legislature, using the military forces of the United States if necessary ; that he would encourage the movement then on foot to form a constitution preparatory to admission as a state; and that he should guarantee the submission of such constitution to a full and fair vote of the people. Daniel Woodson was removed as secre- tary of the territory, and in his place the president appointed Frederick P. Stanton, who fully understood the course to be followed by Gov. Walker and himself.
On March 30, 1857, four days after the appointment of Gov. Walker had been officially announced, the president advised him that "when a constitution shall be submitted to the people of the territory they must be protected in the exercise of their right of voting for or against that instrument, and the fair expression of the popular will must not be inter- rupted by fraud or violence."
In his letter of acceptance Mr. Walker said: "I contemplate no appeal. to military power, in the hope that my countrymen of Kansas from every section will submit to a decision of this matter by a full and' fair vote of the people of that territory. If this decision cannot thus be made, I see nothing in the future for Kansas but civil war, extending its baleful influence throughout the country, and subjecting the Union itself to imminent hazard. I will go, then, and endeavor to adjust these difficulties, in the full confidence, so strongly expressed by you, that I will be sustained by all your own high authority, with the cordial coop- eration of your cabinet."
Gov. Walker arrived at Leavenworth on May 25. ' With a firm reli- ance on the promises of the president, in a speech at Lawrence on the 27th he made the strongest promises to the free-state people of a fair election and a vote on the Lecompton constitution. The same day he delivered his inaugural address at Lecompton, in which, after referring to his instructions of March 30, he said: "I repeat, then, as my clear conviction, that unless the convention submit the constitution to the vote of all the actual residents of Kansas, and the election be fairly and justly conducted, the constitution will be, and ought to be, rejected by Congress."
At a great mass meeting at Topeka on June 6 he urged the people to vote for or against the constitution, explaining as his doctrine that "when the constitution shall be submitted to the vote of the citizens of Kansas, that it shall be submitted to the vote of the whole people." In the course of this speech he was frequently interrupted by questions, and when he promised the people a fair election, "impartially and fairly conducted by impartial judges," some one in the audience asked : "Have
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you got the power?" Gov. Walker promptly answered: "If I have not the power to bring it about; if the convention will not do it, I will join you in lawful opposition to their proceedings."
The governor remained in Topeka until the assembling of the free- state legislature on June 9. No quorum was present in the house, but on the IIth a quorum was obtained by declaring vacant the seats of thirteen members, thus reducing the number of representatives to twen- ty-five. In his message Gov. Robinson referred to former attempts of the legislature to convene, when they had been dispersed by the terri- torial authorities, and said : "There is not much of 'popular sovereignty' and 'self-government' here. This usurpation is repudiated by the peo- ple, but it is recognized by Congress and the president."
The legislature adjourned sine die on the 13th. While it was in ses- sion Gov. Walker visited Big Springs on the Ioth and there made a speech- in which he reiterated his promise of a fair election and a full vote on the Lecompton constitution. The main point that he tried to impress on the people was that "they would be as much bound by the act of the majority of those who did vote, as if all had participated in the election. On the 12th, the day before the Topeka legislature adjourned, another convention was held in that town, at which it was decided by the free-state men not to take part in the constitutional con- vention movement; the territorial laws were declared of no force; and Gen. Lane was authorized to organize the free-state men into mil- itary companies. Gov. Walker was present at the convention, but made no remarks there. However, at the hotel he spoke for an hour, again urging the people to vote and again promising the free-state people fair play in the election.
During the remainder of June, he traveled over the territory, and early in July attended the land sales at Paola. Later he wrote to Gen. Cass, Buchanan's secretary of state, as follows: "I have met many dis- tinguished Democrats of the South on visits to Kansas, all of whom have expressed to me, as well as on proper occasions to others, their cordial approbation of my course."
On June 15 occurred the election of delegates to the Lecompton con- vention. The free-state men refrained from going to the polls, and the result was that only 2,071 votes were polled. Had the free-state men voted they could have controlled the election, as the census in the counties where it was taken showed 9,251 voters. (See Constitu- tional Conventions.)
The pro-slavery people, under the name of the National Democratic party, held a convention at Lecompton on July 2 to nominate a candi- date for delegate to Congress. Epaphroditus Ransom, an ex-governor of Michigan, was nominated. A resolution was introduced pledging Ransom to support the constitution in Congress, whether it had been submitted to a vote of the people or not. Gov. Walker made a speech before the convention and the resolution was laid on the table by a vote of 42 to I. This was followed by the adoption of a resolution pledging
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support to Gov. Walker in maintaining the laws and promoting peace in the territory.
So far the policy of the new administration had worked well, and it began to look as though the "free hand" of Gov. Walker would bring peace, justice and prosperity to the people of Kansas. But Gov. Walker was soon to learn the fallibility of promises made by those high in power. He was permitted by the administration at Washington to speak in general terms of fair elections, but when he came to carry out his pledges he found himself immediately opposed by that administra- tion. Promises are one thing, performance is another ; and Gov. Walker was not allowed to perform. Connelley, in his Territorial Governors, says: "In the light of later developments, the president was insincere in his approval of Mr. Walker's policy, or he was gained over by the rabid members of his cabinet, who were never in favor of it. In either event the conduct of the president was most reprehensible."
Early in July the people of Lawrence refused to organize their city government under the charter granted by the bogus legislature, and on the 13th they held an independent city election under a charter adopted by themselves. The next day Gov. Walker asked Gen. Harney, command- ing the United States troops in Kansas, to send a regiment of dragoons to the vicinity of Lawrence "to act as a posse comitatus and aid in the execution of the laws." On the 15th he issued a proclamation relating 10 the subject.
"I have learned," said he in the proclamation, "that a considerable number of the citizens of Lawrence have adopted, as they claim, a char- ter for their local government. A copy of that charter has been placed in my hands; upon comparing which with that granted by the territorial legislature last winter, I find they differ intentionally in many essential particulars. The new charter, then, is set up, not only without any authority of law, but in direct and open defiance of an act of the terri- torial legislature on the same subject."
The committee which framed the charter said in its report: "Under ordinary circumstances, the more regular method of proceeding would be to obtain a charter from the territorial authorities. As the territorial government, however, in no sense represents the people of Kansas, was not elected by them, and can have no right to legislate for them, we can- not accept of a charter at its hands.".
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