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Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company's Fred Harvey lunchroom, Emporia, Kansas

This photograph shows the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company's Fred Harvey lunchroom in Emporia, Kansas. At the horse shape counter a group of Harvey Girls are serving and taking orders from customers.

Cyrus Kurtz Holliday to Mary Dillon Holliday

Holliday, Cyrus Kurtz, 1826-1900

Writing from Topeka, Kansas Territory to his wife, Mary Holliday in Meadville, Pennsylvania, Cyrus K. Holliday joyfully reported receiving a letter from her. He planned to return to Meadville by the middle of April. He encouraged their friend Mr. Ingram to consider returning to Kansas Territory, but cautioned that investing in property was like buying lottery tickets. Holliday described cold weather, with snow indoors and out, and also inquired after family members' health.

Cyrus Kurtz Holliday to Mary Dillon Holliday

Holliday, Cyrus Kurtz, 1826-1900

Cyrus K. Holliday wrote from Lawrence, Kansas Territory to his wife, Mary Holliday, in Meadville, Pennsylvania of his journey to Kansas City to obtain a land warrant for Topeka and to attend the Free State Convention. Two of his articles had been published in The Herald of Freedom, a Lawrence newspaper, and he sent copies. Mentioning political difficulties, Holliday suggested that his wife wait until fall to travel to Kansas. He rented out his cabin in Topeka for profit. A deadly cholera epidemic at Fort Riley had ended.

Samuel Newell Simpson to Hiram Hill

Simpson, Samuel Newell

S. N. Simpson wrote from Kansas City, Missouri to Hiram Hill in Williamsburgh, Massachusetts, where Edmund Jones had recently returned (see Hill's letter to Jones of October 11, 1855). Simpson described development and rising property values in Lawrence. He detailed his attempts to collect rent from Mrs. Hall, who had cleaned in exchange for a month's rent. In language reminiscent of documents from the American Revolution, the last paragraph declared that Kansas could but would not break ties with the United States, partly because Kansas needed financial assistance. As evidence, Simpson asked Hill for church-building funds.

Hiram Hill to Dear Wife

Hill, Hiram, 1804-

Hiram Hill, a resident of Williamsburgh, Massachusetts wrote to his wife from St. Louis, Missouri, on his way to Lawrence, Kansas Territory, where he owned property. Hill had traveled by railroad and boat and was now a passenger on the steamboat Senora. Ticket prices were high due to the late season. Also on board were Erastus D. Ladd, who was elected to the Topeka free state legislature on March 30th, and Thaddeus L. Whitney, a friend and business associate. Hill also mentioned Mr. Pom[e]roy and Mr. Eldridge. Interestingly, a second letter dated December 20 and perhaps from Hill's wife to her sister-in-law (the wife of Hiram's brother Otis) was written on a blank page.

William E.Goodnow to Harriet Goodnow

Goodnow, William Eaton, 1807-1876

William Goodnow wrote from his settlement near Wild Cat Creek, Kansas Territory, to his wife Harriet in New England. Goodnow related his wintertime experiences in the Midwest, which included descriptions of travel and hunting expeditions. He anticipated the prosperity of Manhattan, reporting that "claims that were taken here last spring are now fetching hundreds of dollars advance, & some will soon bring a thousand." Goodnow added that propositions of new bridges, roads, and ferry service would further improve the town.

Barclay's Business Directory of Leavenworth for 1859

Pierse, Allen

In addition to a listing of businesses and advertisements, the directory included the elected officials for the city of Leavenworth for 1858-59 and the newspapers published in Leavenworth. A few women are listed as owners of businesses. The information for the directory was compiled by Allen Pierse.

Atchison city directory and business mirror for 1859-60

Sutherland & McEvoy

This was the first city directory published for Atchison, Kansas. In addition to advertisements, a street directory, and information about various civic institutions in Atchison, it also contained an historical sketch of the city written by Dr. J. H. Stringfellow, one of Atchison's "earliest pioneers." Some women are listed in the directory if they operated a business such as a boarding house, if they had a job, or, apparently, if they were widowed or unmarried. The "business mirror" section listed individual businesses grouped by the type of business or profession. The appendix included a listing of city and county officials.

Land buyers visit Satanta, Haskell County, Kansas

Steele, F. M. (Francis Marion), 1866-1936

View of James Septer Patrick's business building (Jas. S. Patrick Agent for Satanta Lots And Santa Fe Lands) in Satanta, Kansas. Also visible in the photograph are the Deal building and a water tower, both under construction, and people seated in four automobiles. The first two cars contain land buyers from Wichita, Kansas (only John Jacob Miller, seated next to the driver in the first car, is identified ), the third car contains Mr. and Mrs. John Henry Johnson from Sublette, Kansas, and James Septer Patrick is alone in the fourth car. Note the steering wheels are on the right side of the cars.

Dixons' Laundry, Junction City, Kansas

Men and women at work in Dixons' Laundry in Junction City, Kansas.