USA > Kansas > Wyandotte County > Kansas City > Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. Historical and biographical. Comprising a condensed history of the state, a careful history of Wyandotte County, and a comprehensive history of the growth of the cities, towns and villages > Part 8
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The work of the convention was practically completed on the twenty-first day. The various articles had each been considered and adopted, first in committee of the whole, then in convention, then referred to the committee on phraseology and arrangement, and, after report of the committee, again considered by sections and adopted. But so anxious were the members that every word used should be the
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right word, expressing the idea intended most clearly and directly, that when the reading of the completed constitution was finished, on the morning of the twenty-first day, it was decided to refer it to a special committee, consisting of Messrs. Ingalls, Winchell, Ross and Slough, for further revision and verification. This committee reported the same afternoon, and again the constitution was read by sections for final revision with the same painstaking carefulness and attention to the minutest details. All that afternoon and all the next day, with brief interruptions for action on the closing work, this rovision went on, and it was 5 o'clock in the afternoon of the 29th before the last section was perfected. Then occurred one of the most dramatic scenes of the convention. Mr. Hutchinson submitted a resolution declaring that " we do now adopt and proceed to sign the constitu- tion."
At once Mr. Slough addressed the chair, and after warmly eulogiz- ing the general features of the constitution, pronouncing it " a model instrument," he formally announced that political objections impelled himself and his Democratic associates to decline attaching their signa- tures to it. For a few moments after Mr. Slough concluded, the con- vention sat hushed and expectant. But no other Democratic member rose. It was evident that the caucus ruled. Then Judge Thacher, the president pro tem., addressed the chair, and in a speech of remark- able vigor and eloquence, accepted the gauge of battle thrown down. "Upon this constitution." he declared, "we will meet our opponents in the popular arena. It is a better, a nobler issue than ever the old Free-State issue. They have thrown down the gauntlet; we joyfully take it up." He then proceeded to defend, with great earnestness and power, the features of the constitution objected to by Mr. Slough. "The members of the convention," he asserted, "have perfected a work that will be enduring." The constitution, he affirmed, would "commend itself to the true and good everywhere, because through every line and syllable there glows the generous sunshine of liberty."
The twilight shadows were gathering about Wyandotte when this debate closed, and the convention proceeded to vote on Mr. Hutchin- son's resolution, which was adopted by thirty-four ayes to thirteen nays-one Republican and four Democrats being absent. The roll was then called, and the constitution was signed by all the Republican members except one, Mr. Wright, of Nemaha, who was absent, sick. The work of the convention was completed, and after voting thanks to its officers it adjourned without date.
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It is doubtful whether the organic law of any other State in the Union has more successfully survived the mutations of time and inconstant public sentiment, and the no less fluctuating necessities of a swiftly developing commonwealth. Of its seventeen articles only four, and of its one hundred and seventy-eight sections only eight have been amended. And of the eight amendments adopted, only five have revoked or modified the principles of policy originally formulated, the others being changes demanded by the growth of the State, or by the events of the Civil War. The first amendment, rati- fied in 1861, provides that no banking institution shall issue circulat- ing notes of a less denomination than $1-the original limitation being $5. In 1864 the provision requiring all bills to originate in the House of Representatives was repealed; and a section intended to prevent United States soldiers from voting, but which was so worded that it deprived our volunteers of that right, was also repealed. In 1867 an amendment was adopted disfranchising all persons who aided the "Lost Cause," or who were dishonorably discharged from the army of the United States, or who had defrauded the United States, or any State during the war. In 1868 the State printer amendment was ratified. In 1873 the number of Senators and Representatives, originally limited to 33 and 100 respectively, was increased to 40 and 125. In 1875 three propositions, each having in view biennial, instead of annual, sessions of the Legislature, were adopted; and in 1880 the prohibition amendment was ratified.
On October 4, 1859, the constitution was submitted to the people for ratification or rejection, and for the first time in the history of Kansas, all parties cast a full, free and unintimidated vote. The Re- publicans favored, and the Democrats generally opposed its adoption. Nearly 16,000 votes were polled, of which 10,421 were for, and 5,530 against the constitution. The homestead clause, submitted as an in- dependent proposition, was ratified by a vote of 8,788 for, to 4,772 against it. Every county in the Territory except two, Johnson and Morris, gave a majority for the constitution.
Two months later, December 6, State and county officers and mem- bers of the Legislature were elected, and the people of Kansas, having exhausted their authority in State building, patiently awaited the action of Congress. On April 11, 1860, the House of Representatives voted, 134 to 73, to admit Kansas as a State, under the Wyandotte Constitution. Twice during the next eight months the Senate de- feated motions to consider the Kansas bill, but on January 21, 1861,
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several Southern senators having seceded, Mr. Seward "took a pinch of snuff" and called it up again. It passed by a vote of 36 to 16, and on the 29th of the same month President Buchanan approved it. Thus young Kansas, through many difficulties and turmoils, was " added to the stars."
Gov. Andrew H. Reeder, the first governor of Kansas Territory, was appointed June 29, 1854. He was removed from office July 28, 1855, received official notice of his removal and ceased to act as gov- ernor August 15. The secretary, Hon. Daniel Woodson, became act- ing governor during the remaining part of the session of the Terri- torial Legislature. August 10, Hon. Wilson Shannon was commis- sioned as governor. He resigned August 21, 1856, and on the same day received official notice of his removal and the appointment of Hon. John W. Geary as his successor. Gov. Geary resigned March 4, 1857. Secretary Woodson again became acting governor, from April 16, when Mr. Geary's political and official connection with Kan- sas affairs terminated, to May 27, when his successor arrived. The successors of both Geary and Woodson were appointed March 10, 1857, Hon. Robert J. Walker receiving the appointment of governor and Hon. Frederick P. Stanton as secretary of the Territory, to be acting governor until the arrival of Mr. Walker. On December 17, Gov. Walker resigned. December 21, John W. Denver took the oath of office and served until October 10, 1858, when he resigned. Sam- uel Medary was appointed governor November 19, and arrived in the Territory and entered upon the duties of his office December 20. De- cember 17, 1860, Gov. Medary resigned, and George M. Beebe, then secretary of the Territory, became acting governor, in which capacity he continued until the inauguration of the State government, Feb- ruary 9, 1861.
Since the establishment of the State government, the governors have been elected, and the gubernatorial vote at the successive elec- tions has been as follows: 1859-Robinson, Republican, 8,155; Me- dary, Democrat, 5,637. 1862-Carney, Republican, 9,990; Wagstaff, Union, 5,463. 1866-Crawford, Republican, 19,770; McDowell, Union, 8,151. 1868-Harvey, Republican, 29,795; Glick, Democrat, 1,388. 1870-Harvey, Republican, 40,667; Sharp, Democrat, 20,- 496. 1874-Osborn, Republican, 48,594; Cusey, Reformer, 35,301; Marshall, Temperance, 2,277. 1876-Anthony, Republican, 69,170; Martin, Democrat, 46,201; Hudson, National, 6,020. 1878-St. John, Republican, 74,020; Goodin, Democrat, 37,208; Mitchell,
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National, 27,057. 1882-St. John, Republican, 75,158; Glick, Democrat, 83,237; Robinson, National, 20,933. 1884-Martin, Re- publican, 146,777; Glick, Democrat, 108,284. 1886-Martin, Re- publican, 149,513; Moonlight, Democrat, 115,594. 1888-Hum- phrey, Democrat, 180,841; Martin, Republican, 107,480; Boekin, Pro- hibitionist, 6,439; Elder, Union Labor, 36,236.
The several governors of the State of Kansas have served succes- sively as follows:
1. Charles Robinson, February, 1861, to January, 1863.
2. Thomas Carney, January, 1863, to January, 1865.
3. Samuel J. Crawford, January, 1865, to November, 1868, when he resigned (in his second term) to take command of the Nineteenth Regiment of Kansas Cavalry, in active service against the Indians on the plains.
4. Nehemiah Green, serving as lieutenant-governor at the time of Gov. Crawford's resignation, was governor from November, 1868, to January, 1869.
5. James M. Harvey, January, 1869, to January, 1873 (two terms).
6. Thomas A. Osborn, January, 1873, to January, 1877 (two terms).
7. George T. Anthony, January, 1877, to January, 1879.
8. John P. St. John, January, 1879, to January, 1883 (two terms. )
9. George W. Glick, January, 1883, to January, 1885.
10. John A. Martin, January, 1885, to January, 1889 (two terms).
11. Lyman U. Humphrey, inaugurated January, 1889, and now in office.
The presidential vote of Kansas is shown by the following figures: 1864-Lincoln (Republican), 14,252; Mcclellan (Democrat), 3, 704. 1868-Grant (Republican), 30,019; Seymour (Democrat), 13,584. 1872-Grant (Republican), 66,948; Greeley (Liberal), 32,478. 1876 -Hayes (Republican), 78,319; Tilden (Democrat), 37,810; Cooper (National), 6,867. 1880 - Garfield (Republican), 121,548; Hancock (Democrat), 59,803; Weaver (National), 19,845. 1884-Blaine (Re- publican), 154,406; Cleveland (Democrat), 90, 132; Butler (Greenback), 16,341. 1888-Harrison (Republican), 182,914; Cleveland (Democrat), 102,728.
The Kansas State officers for 1889 were the following: Lyman U.
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Humphrey, governor; Andrew J. Felt, lieutenant-governor; William Higgins, secretary of State; Thomas F. Orner, assistant-secretary; Timothy McCarthy, auditor; S. S. McFadden, assistant-auditor; J. W. Hamilton, treasurer; R. R. Moore, assistant-treasurer; L. B. Kellogg, attorney-general; George W. Winans, superintendent of public instruc- tion; D. W. Wilder, superintendent of insurance; Clifford J. Baker State printer.
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CHAPTER IV.
KANSAS IN THE REBELLION-FIRST CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS-QUOTA ASSIGNED TO THE STATE MORE THAN FILLED-SKETCIIES OF REGI- MENTAL HISTORY-INFANTRY AND CAVALRY ORGANIZATIONS-BAT- TERIES-COLORED AND INDIAN TROOPS-CASUALTIES-THE GOVERN- OR's MILITARY STAFF, 1861-1863-1863-1865-COST TO KANSAS OF THE PRICE RAID AND CURTIS EXPEDITION - TEDIOUS SETTLEMENT OF WAR CLAIMS.
Ah me ! what perils do environ The man that meddles with cold iron .- Butler.
ANSAS when admitted as a State proved but a landmark in the continued struggle which, begun upon her soil seven years before, had culmi- nated in advantage gained but not in victory won. Compelled through the very instrumentalities it had summoned to its aid, to loosen its clutch upon Kansas, the slave-power had now thrown off disguise and challenged the nation to open battle for its life. In the renewed contest the infant State put on the strength of years, took her place in the foremost rank, and fought with unswerving fidelity and bravery to win again, for all, the battle she had al- ready won for herself. The citizens of a country which, after twenty years of peace, can boast that among them are numbered a million warriors who have done honora- ble service in the field, know too well the story of war, and what constitutes the true soldier, to look for invidious accounts of individual acts of heroism. Bravery during the war became the well- earned heritage of all American citizens both North and South. The simple story of the honorable part Kansas bore in this great struggle is best told in a plain recital of services performed, without futile attempt to enhance its interest by florid figures of speech or rhetorical
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display. The eloquence of suffering and privation and death is in each name and every line.
It was but three months from the time that Kansas was admitted as a State, when she was called upon to furnish her quota toward sup- pressing the Rebellion. During the years 1859-60, the military or- ganizations, formed for the protection of the people during the turbu- lent years preceding, had fallen into disuse, or been entirely broken up, and at the breaking out of the Civil War, the State government had no well-organized militia, no arms, accoutrements or supplies. The first call of the President for 75,000 militia was made April 15, 1861. Kansas furnished 650 men, and the Legislature immediately took measures to amend the military condition of the State. April 22, 1861, an act was passed providing "for the organization and disci- pline of the militia," under which, during Gov. Robinson's adminis- tration, that branch of the service was very generally organized throughout the State-180 companies being formed, and organized into two divisions, four brigades and eleven regiments. Many of these companies entered the volunteer service, entire, under the various calls thereafter made, and of the remainder, the number was very much diminished from the same cause. Under the second call of President Lincoln, May, 1861, for 400,000 volunteers, the First and Second Reg- . iments were recruited, many whole companies marching to the place of rendezvous and offering their services, besides those accepted. At each succeeding demand of the Government, the response of Kansas was cordial and earnest; and this in the face of the stern fact that no extra pecuniary recompense could be offered by the young and by no means wealthy State for their services, it being all she could do to meet the ordinary expenses of the situation. Kansas, neither as a State, nor by counties or cities, was obliged to resort to the system of offering bounties, extra pay to families of soldiers, or any of the other expedients commonly employed to encourage recruiting.
Statistics show that the losses of Kansas regiments in killed in battle and from disease are greater per thousand than those of any other State. The peculiarly unhealthy localities in which a large part of their service was performed, with the laborious nature of the serv- ice itself-long marches through a wild and unsettled country; out- post and scout duty; poor hospital accommodations when ill-all combined to produce this result. It is noticeable that in the Northern regiments doing duty in like localities, the mortality was also very great. The entire quota assigned to the State was 16,654 and the number
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raised was 20,097, leaving a surplus of 3,443, to the credit of Kansas.
The First Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry was organized May 8, 1861, rendezvoused at Camp Lincoln, near Fort Leaven- worth, and was mustered into the United States service June 3, under the following officers : George W. Deitzler, of Lawrence, col- onel; Oscar E. Learnard, of Burlington, lieutenant colonel; John A. Halderman, of Leavenworth, major; Edwin S. Nash, of Olathe, adju- tant; George H. Chapin, of Quindaro, quartermaster; George E. Buddington, of Quindaro, surgeon; Ephraim Nute, of Lawrence, chaplain. The regiment served in Missouri, at Wilson's Creek, having . seventy-seven men killed and 333 wounded. After further brave serv- ice in the South and Southwest, it was mustered out at Fort Leaven- worth June 17, 1864, except two veteran companies which continued in the service until August 30, 1865, after the close of the war.
The Second Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry was recruited in May and June, 1861, rendezvoused at Lawrence, and was mustered in June 20, under the following officers: Robert B. Mitchell, of Mansfield, colonel; Charles W. Blair, of Fort Scott, lieutenant- colonel ; William F. Cloud, of Emporia, major; Edward Thomp- son, of Lawrence, adjutant; Shaler W. Eldridge, of Lawrence, quartermaster; Aquila B. Massey, of Lawrence, surgeon; Randolph C. Brant, of Lawrence, chaplain. This regiment also participated in the battle of Wilson's Creek, and its connection with that engage- ment is peculiarly interesting, historically. Col. Mitchell, at a most critical juncture, was about to move his regiment forward to the aid of the hard-pressed regiments in front. As the regiment was moving to its position, Gen. Lyon, already bleeding from two wounds, joined Col. Mitchell at the head of the column, and swinging his hat in the air, called upon the soldiers to prepare for a bayonet charge on the enemy. The Second had scarcely time to rally around him, when their own brave leader, Col. Mitchell, fell, severely wounded, exclaim- ing as he was borne from the field: "For God's sake, support my regiment." His soldiers, deprived of their commander, cried out: " We are ready to follow -- who will lead us?" "I will lead you," answered Gen. Lyon; "come on, brave men." The words were hardly uttered before he fell, mortally wounded by a bullet which struck him in the breast. The command of the Second now devolved upon Lieut .- Col. Blair. The men sprang forward, the charge was made, the enemy driven quite over the hill, and the command brought back to the brow of the hill and reformed. For a time Lieut .- Col.
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Blair held his position, with but eight companies of his regiment, and with no field or staff officer to assist him. Afterward, a section of a battery and four companies of the First Kansas were sent to his aid. Three of these companies were soon ordered to another position, and the battery withdrawn, but Col. Blair, having been rejoined by his own Company B, and the other regimental officers, held his ground, though totally unsupported and with ammunition nearly spent. Before the rebels had been fairly repulsed after their last and deadli- est assault on the whole line, Maj. Sturgis, believing the ammunition of the Second exhausted, ordered its withdrawal, but it remained in its old position an hour and a half with unbroken line, and withdrew only after the departure of the enemy, being the last regiment to leave the field. It saw other creditable service in Missouri and else- where, and was discharged at Leavenworth, with instructions to reorganize, Col. Mitchell, Lieut. - Col. Blair, Maj. Cloud and Capt. Crawford being retained in the service. The organization which proved to be the germ of the Second Kansas Cavalry was effected through the labors of Alson C. Davis, of Wyandotte County, Kas., who, in October, 1861, obtained authority from Maj .- Gen. Fremont, then commander of the Western Department, to raise a regiment of cavalry in the State of Kansas, such regiment to be designated the Twelfth Kansas Volunteers, with place of rendezvous at Fort Leav- enworth, Kas. The organization, as commenced, consisted of the fol- lowing officers: C. L. Gorton, adjutant; Julius G. Fisk, quartermas- ter; J. B. Welborne, surgeon. The dates of the organization of the several companies were as follows: Company A, November 22, 1861; Company B, December 9, 1861; Company C, December 11, 1861; Company D, December 11, 1861; Company E, December 15, 1861. December 26, by order of the governor, Companies F, G, H and I, of Nugent's Regiment of Missouri Home Guards, were attached to the organization, and its designation was changed to "Ninth Kan - sas Volunteers." December 31, 1861, Joseph P. Root was mus- tered in as surgeon, vice J. B. Welborne. January 4, 1862, Owen A. Bassett was mustered in as lieutenant-colonel, Julius G. Fisk as major, and Luther H. Wood as quartermaster. January 7, Thomas B. Eldridge was mustered in as major and Rev. Charles Reynolds as chaplain. On the same day, Company K was organized. Jannary 9, Alson C. Davis was mustered in as colonel, and Dr. George B. Wood as assistant surgeon, completing the organization of the Ninth Kansas Volunteers as follows: Colonel, Alson C. Davis, of Wyandotte
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County; lieutenant-colonel, Owen A. Bassett, Douglas County; major, Julius G. Fisk, Wyandotte County; major, Thomas B. Eldridge, Douglas County; adjutant, C. L. Gorton, Leavenworth County; quar- termaster, Luther H. Wood, Wyandotte County; surgeon, Dr. Joseph P. Root, Wyandotte County; chaplain, Rev. Charles Reynolds, Douglas County. The regiment left Fort Leavenworth on January 20, 1862, with orders to establish winter quarters at Quindaro. On the 4th of February, the four companies formerly attached to Nugent's Regiment were mustered out, their enlistment being for home service, thus reducing the regiment to six companies. The Ninth now being below regulation size, Col. Davis resigned, and Maj. Eldridge was, at his own request, mustered out. Company K from this time was designated as Company F. On February 28, 1862, Maj .- Gen. Hunter, commanding the department of Kansas, assigned to the Ninth Kansas Volunteers the following officers and companies, for- merly belonging to the Second Kansas Volunteer Infantry: Colonel, Robert B. Mitchell; majors, Charles W. Blair and William F. Cloud. John Pratt was appointed adjutant; Cyrus L. Gorton, quarter- master; Luther H. Wood, first battalion quartermaster, and David C. Coleman, first battalion adjutant. On the 11th of March Col. Mitchell assumed command of the Ninth Kansas, and on the 12th the regiment left winter quarters at Quindaro, and, pursuant to orders, moved to Shawneetown. On March 15 the name of the regiment was changed to Second Kansas Volunteers, and again changed on the 27th of the same month to the name hy which it was thereafter known -Second Kansas Cavalry. The officers of the regiment were the fol- lowing: Robert B. Mitchell, colonel, Mansfield; Owen A. Bassett, lieutenant colonel, Lawrence; Charles W. Blair, major, Fort Scott; John Pratt, adjutant, Lawrence; David R. Coleman, battalion adju- tant, Paris; Cyrus L. Gorton, quartermaster, Leavenworth; Joseph P. Root, surgeon, Wyandotte; Charles Reynolds, chaplain, Fort Riley. Col. Mitchell, having been promoted to brigadier-general, April 8, 1862, with command of the proposed New Mexico expedi- tion, June 1, Col. William F. Cloud, of the Tenth, was assigned to the command of the Second Cavalry. May 16, Capt. Henry Hopkins, First Lieut. Robert H. Hunt, Second Lieut. John K. Rankin and Second Lieut. Joseph Crocklin, with a detail of privates, were assigned to Hopkins' (formerly Hollister's) Battery, and were ordered with the brigade of Gen. Mitchell to Tennessee. Maj. Julius G. Fisk, with squadrons A and D, was ordered to New
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Mexico. The regiment served in the southwest principally, going by way of Fort Riley In March, 1864, the Second was assigned to Lieut. - Col. Bassett's Cavalry Brigade, under Maj. Fisk. In Sep- tember, 1864, Col. Cloud was assigned to the staff of Maj .- Gen. Curtis. The different companies were mustered out between March 18 and June 22, 1865, at Little Rock, Fort Leavenworth and Fort Gibson. The men were paid and discharged at Lawrence, August 17.
The Fifth Kansas Cavalry was organized in July, 1861, under the following officers: Colonel, Hampton P. Johnson, Leavenworth; lieu- tenant-colonel, John Ritchie, Topeka; major, James H. Summers; adjutant, Stephen R. Harrington, Washington, D. C .; quartermaster, James Davis, Leavenworth; surgeon, E. B. Johnson, Leavenworth; chaplain, Hugh D. Fisher, Lawrence. Col. Johnson assumed com- mand of the Fifth at Fort Scott in August, 1861. The regiment served principally in Arkansas. In September, 1864, several com- panies were mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, their term of service having expired. During the year, members of the remaining com- panies were mustered out at Leavenworth, Pine Bluff and Little Rock. June 22, 1862, the re-enlisted veterans of the Fifth were mustered out at Duvall's Bluff, Ark.
The Sixth Regiment Volunteer Cavalry was organized in the spring of 1862, by the reorganization of several "Home Guard" companies, then lately mustered out of the service, officered thus: Colonel, Will- iam R. Judson; lieutenant-colonel, Lewis R. Jewell; major, William T. Campbell; adjutant, Isaac Statten; quartermaster, Simeon B. Gordon; surgeon, John S. Redfield; chaplain, Richard Duvall-all of Fort Scott. The duties required of the Sixth were not such as to call forth the impetuous daring that marks men in desperate engage- ments, but rather such as test a soldier's endurance and strength of nerve-long and weary pursuits of an enemy over his native country, scouting through the forests and passes of Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas-but, such as they were, they had their peculiar perils, and they were bravely met. The regiment was mustered out late in 1864 and early in 1865.
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