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Title | Creator | Date Made Visible | None
Anna Margaret Watson Randolph, diary
Randolph, Anna Margaret Watson, 1838-1917
This brief diary, kept by Anna Margaret (Watson) Randolph, begins with her move to Kansas in an entry dated August 17, 1858. These six entries at the beginning of her diary provide details about her family's journey from Ohio to Kansas Territory, included a number of interesting accounts of their journey on a riverboat. Their boat ran aground several times and, interspersed among her descriptions of these difficulties, Anna wrote about her sister Mary Jane, the weather, and her personal observances of other passengers. She also filled her diary with her frustrations and concerns during their arduous journey west.
previewJohn James Ingalls to Elias T. Ingalls
Ingalls, John James, 1833-1900
On the first leg of his move to Sumner, Kansas Territory, John J. Ingalls, a 24-year-old Massachusetts lawyer, wrote this brief letter from Boston, Mass., to his father, Elias T. Ingalls. Here Ingalls wrote regarding the fare and "the best method of getting West."
previewJohn James Ingalls to Elias T. Ingalls
Ingalls, John James, 1833-1900
From Lawrence, K.T., where he went to lobby the territorial legislature on behalf of Sumner's city charter and a "Pikes Peak Express Company," John J. Ingalls wrote to tell his father about the journey that took him through Leavenworth. He made some interesting observations about the condition of the roads and the general discomfort involved in overland travel ("The coaches are constructed with special reference to safety in passing over corduroy roads, through sloughs and ravines, having no regard whatever to the comfort of the passengers."), as well as nice descriptions of both cities, Leavenworth and Lawrence.
previewJohn James Ingalls to Elias T. Ingalls
Ingalls, John James, 1833-1900
On the first day of the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention, Ingalls wrote from Wyandotte, Kansas, with observation on the city and the nature of the convention, which he considered "not a very superior one." Nevertheless, the Republicans had a big majority, and Ingalls was "on some of the most important committees in the convention and shall be obliged to do some hard work."
previewAlbert C. Morton to Hiram Hill
Morton, Albert C.
Albert Morton wrote from Quindaro, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill in Massachusetts. Morton related that the fall emigration had begun, Quindaro was crowded, and more buildings were being constructed than ever before. Morton also had found two men interested in renting the home owned by Hill upon its completion. He suggested that it would be best to "keep things quiet" about Samuel N. Simpson, and asked, on the behalf of Guthrie, if Hill planned to travel again to Quindaro.
previewCharles Chadwick to Hiram Hill
Chadwick, Charles
Charles Chadwick wrote from Quindaro, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill in Massachusetts, regarding economic conditions in town. Chadwick asked that Hill promptly pay his debt to Abelard Guthrie, a fellow Quindaro investor, who was on the brink of bankruptcy. He added that Clinton County, Missouri, had voted not to invest in the Parkville and Grand River Railroad that fall, which had damaged the possibility for a boom in economic activity for the coming fall. Chadwick reported that heavy rains had hindered transportation on local rivers, but was optimistic that October might bring some money to the town through land sales. No news had been heard from Causin, the Washington attorney who was assisting Hill to retain some disputed lands.
previewIsaac Tichenor Goodnow to Joseph Denison
Goodnow, Isaac T. (Isaac Tichenor), 1814-1894
Isaac Goodnow wrote en route to New England from Leavenworth, Kansas Territory, to Joseph Denison in Manhattan. Goodnow told Denison to expect a shipment of 36 tons of lumber and building supplies to be brought on the steamboat "Gus Linn", which was build specifically to navigate the Kansas River. He also wished that Denison dispose of two yokes of steers, in order to pay on the College.
previewJoseph Denison to Isaac Tichenor Goodnow
Denison, Joseph, 1815-1900
Joseph Denison wrote from Manhattan, Kansas Territory, to Isaac Goodnow, who was traveling in New England. Denison reported recent college construction expenditures to Goodnow, illustrating his attempts to "financier as faithfully and as economically" as he could, and updated his on the construction's progress. He encouraged Goodnow to sell city lots and obtain land warrants, both of which were in high demand.
previewJoseph Harrington Trego to an unidentified recipient [probably his wife, Alice Trego]
Trego, Joseph H. (Joseph Harrington), 1823-1905
Trego was in St. Louis, Missouri awaiting a boat trip to Kansas City. He describes his trip to that point as well as the weather. Trego was a doctor and he wrote about trying to locate his medicine chest for the second part of the journey. He also described his activities as he waited. It is not clear whether he had been to Kansas Territory before but he knew he was going to Sugar Mound in Linn County, Kansas Territory.
previewJoseph Denison to Isaac Goodnow
Denison, Joseph, 1815-1900
Joseph Denison wrote from Soldier Creek, Jackson County, Kansas Territory, to Isaac Goodnow. Denison reported on the construction of the Bluemont College building, advising him that the lower floor would need plastering before classes could be held there in the coming winter. He recounted the sinking of the steamer "Gus Linn," which was carrying building supplies for the College, on a sandbar in the Kansas River. Denison recommended that Goodnow purchase a common seal for the Trustees of Bluemont College to use on legal documents.
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