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Title | Creator | Date Made Visible | None
Isaac Tichenor Goodnow to Edward Everett Hale
Goodnow, Isaac T. (Isaac Tichenor), 1814-1894
Isaac T. Goodnow wrote from Manhattan, Kansas Territory to Edward Everett Hale, member of the New England Emigrant Aid Company's Executive Committee. Goodnow informed Hale about plans to establish Bluemont Central College (predecessor to Kansas State University) just west of Manhattan, Kansas Territory. He asserted that the college would only add to Manhattan's other advantages -- being on the "natural route of the Pacific" railroad and on the shortest route to the Pike's Peak gold mines. Goodnow asked Hale for a contribution to the building fund for the college.
previewThomas Hopkins Webb to Martin Franklin Conway
Webb, Thomas H. (Thomas Hopkins), 1801-1866
Thomas H. Webb, secretary of the New England Emigrant Aid Company, wrote from Boston, Massachusetts to Martin F. Conway, general agent for the New England Emigrant Aid Company in Kansas Territory. Webb informed Conway that the Company's Executive Committee had approved Isaac Goodnow's request for a donation for Bluemont College in Manhattan, Kansas Territory. Bluemont College later became Kansas State University.
previewIsaac Tichenor Goodnow to Eli Thayer
Goodnow, Isaac T. (Isaac Tichenor), 1814-1894
Isaac T. Goodnow wrote from Manhattan, Kansas Territory to Eli Thayer in Worcester, Massachusetts. Goodnow asked Thayer for his support for Bluemont Central College (predecessor to Kansas State University), a college chartered near Manhattan which would have "an Agricultural Department of a most thorough practical character." Goodnow asserted that "now when the victory [for free staters] in the main is won" it was time to focus attention on schools and churches.
previewEphraim Nute to Amos Adams Lawrence
Nute, Ephraim
Transcription of a letter from the Amos Adams Lawrence Collection, Massachusetts Historical Society. Ephraim Nute, minister of the Lawrence Unitarian Church, wrote to Amos A. Lawrence in Massachusetts, regarding the subject of a college. A well-attended town meeting had been held in which the idea had been discussed, though all seemed only "a castle in the air" but for Lawrence's "liberal offer" (presumably of funding) which was the "first step toward the realization of his project." The general opinion of the people was that the college should be constructed outside the town limits "on the high prairie or table land." Nute also mentioned the steps being taken to establish free public schools in the city, of upper and lower grades.
previewEphraim Nute to Amos Adams Lawrence
Nute, Ephraim
Transcription of a letter from the Amos Adams Lawrence Collection, Massachusetts Historical Society. In a letter marked "private", Ephraim Nute wrote from Lawrence, Kansas Territory, to Amos A. Lawrence in Massachusetts. Nute responded to Lawrence's suggestion that the college sit on the "broad table land on Mt. Oread or Capitol hill"; he supported the idea but feared that issues surrounding the land title would compromise the plan. Nute agreed with Lawrence about the importance of establishing schools, but he also concerned that the current political situation was not conducive to it, as the Territorial government was in the hands of "usurpers". He felt that "only one life now stands between us and the reopening of the civil war."
previewIsaac Tichenor Goodnow to Ellen Douglas Denison Goodnow
Goodnow, Isaac T. (Isaac Tichenor), 1814-1894
Isaac Goodnow wrote from Rhode Island, as he was traveling on the East Coast, to his wife in Kansas Territory, reporting on his efforts to fundraise for the creation of a college in the Territory. Goodnow thought he should "be able to put the college, through right, by staying East long enough." He made mention of contribution amounts he had garnered already, and was sending the cash home.
previewJoseph Denison to Isaac Tichenor Goodnow
Denison, Joseph, 1815-1900
Joseph Denison wrote from Parkville, Missouri, to Isaac Goodnow, who was traveling . Denison reported that his solicitations for support of a college in Manhattan, Kansas Territory, had recently been well received. Among the interested parties were C. Evans and P. Judson of Evanstan, Illinois, who had been successful in building up Northwestern University in that area. Samuel Pomeroy also conveyed his interest, having pledged an investment to the cause on behalf of the New England Emigrant Aid Company.
previewResolution of the Boston Preacher's Meeting
This resolution, "unanimously adopted" by the members of the Boston Preacher's Meeting, approved the establishment of Blue Mont Central College near Manhattan, Kansas Territory, by Reverend Joseph Denison, an "old friend" of the Boston Preachers. Denison had emigrated to K.T. following Isaac Goodnow, and was working with him to obtain support for the college.
previewIsaac Tichenor Goodnow to Ellen Douglas Denison Goodnow
Goodnow, Isaac T. (Isaac Tichenor), 1814-1894
Isaac Goodnow wrote from his travels in Ohio to his wife, Ellen, in Shannon, Kansas Territory. This letter serves as a good example of the many than Goodnow sent home to his wife during his travels in the States, as he fundraised for the construction of Bluemont College and a non-denominational church in Manhattan. In this instance, Goodnow answers the request of his friend, Joseph Denison, to return to the Territory early, without raising the remaining $500; Goodnow replied that is would "diminish his self respect" to do so, but asked his wife her opinion. He also gave her instructions for maintaining their land and homestead, imploring that she contract out as much work as possible, in order to ease her own duties.
previewIsaac Tichenor Goodnow to Ellen Douglas Denison Goodnow
Goodnow, Isaac T. (Isaac Tichenor), 1814-1894
Isaac Goodnow wrote from New York City to his wife in Shannon, Kansas Territory. This letter is one of many written from Goodnow to Ellen which update her on the status of his travels and fundraising. This particular example includes a mention of Goodnow's desire to solicit the support of Henry Ward Beecher, whose pamphlet "Defence of Kansas" speaks passionately against allowing slavery in the Territory.
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