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From J. Locke Hardeman to George R. Smith
Title
From J. Locke Hardeman to George R. Smith
Description
On June 10, 1855, J. Locke Hardeman writes from Saline County, Missouri to George R. Smith in Georgetown, Missouri. Hardeman asserts that he differs "very widely" from Smith in his opinion on the Kansas question. "If Kansas be settled by Abolitionists," Hardeman asks, "can Missouri remain a slave state? If Missouri goes by the board what will become of Kentucky[,] Maryland, Virginia?...I know that Abolition & Union can not stand together."
Object Type
Letter
Date
June 10, 1855
From Florella Brown Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Title
From Florella Brown Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description
This letter was written January 28 and 30, 1861 by Florella Brown Adair in Lafayette, to her husband Samuel Lyle Adair. Florella describes her trip from Grafton, Ohio to Lafayette. She writes that everyone is talking about “Kansas & the political condition of the union…Many think war will be declared before many weeks. Democrats lay all the blame on Republicans & Kansas for all the trouble, but not many are ready to fight for the south.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
January 28, 1861-January 30, 1861
From Florella Brown Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair and Emma Adair
Title
From Florella Brown Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair and Emma Adair
Description
This letter, dated November 21, 1860, was written by Florella Brown Adair in Hudson, Ohio to her husband Samuel Lyle Adair and daughter Emma in Osawatomie, Kansas. Florella responds to their recent letters, which were “so complaining and discouraging, that I feel more like staying away, than hurrying home…it seems to me that the Territory is cursed of the Lord and that it is fighting against him to try to live there and do anything but barely to exist…I cannot help feeling a perfect disgust for Kansas life, and most of Kansas people.” Florella adds that she read about the “Montgomery and Fort Scott troubles” in the newspapers.
Object Type
Letter
Date
November 21, 1860
From G.H. Forkney to Col. Peery
Title
From G.H. Forkney to Col. Peery
Description
This letter, dated June 13, 1856, is from G.H. Forkney in Basin Knob, Missouri to Col. Peery. Forkney discusses business dealings, then goes on to describe the "deplorable state of affairs" in Kansas Territory: "murders are common & occasionally the women & children fall victim to the fury of the northern fanatics." He reports that President Franklin Pierce has put Kansas under martial law, and that Missourians are preparing for "a war of extermination."
Object Type
Letter
Date
June 13, 1856
From James W. Denver to Robert M. Stewart
Title
From James W. Denver to Robert M. Stewart
Description
This letter was written on August 18, 1858 by Kansas Gov. James W. Denver in Lecompton, Kansas, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Denver writes that he disagrees with Stewart's decision to "station an armed force along the borders” in response to "the unsettled state of affairs" in southeastern Kansas. Denver asserts that after he sent U.S. and volunteer troops to the “troubled districts,” peace has been fully restored, and that “the only marauders now in this Territory are organized bands of horse thieves, such as are too common in all new countries.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
August 18, 1858
From Wilson Shannon to Franklin Pierce
Title
From Wilson Shannon to Franklin Pierce
Description
This letter, dated June 27, 1856, was written by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in St. Louis to President Franklin Pierce. Shannon informs Pierce that after recent “troubles” in Kansas Territory, the area is no longer threatened by any “illegal military bodies” as far as he knows. Shannon believes that the presence of federal troops helped to restore peace, and states that these troops should be maintained in Kansas to help suppress future conflicts. Shannon is particularly concerned about the threat of civil unrest if the Free State legislature meets, as planned, on July 4, 1856.
Object Type
Letter
Date
June 27, 1856
From Samuel H. Robertson to Sterling Price
Title
From Samuel H. Robertson to Sterling Price
Description
This letter was written ca. October 7, 1854 by Samuel H. Robertson in Bates County, Missouri, to Missouri Gov. Sterling Price. Robertson states that Osage Indians have been crossing the state line into Missouri to steal horses and crops, and asks Price for protection against this “Indian outrage and oppression.” He suggests that Price call some military companies into service for this purpose, and says that the Osage should be prevented from crossing the state line without written permission from their agent.
Object Type
Letter
From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Title
From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Description
In this November 21, 1856 letter to his parents, Edward Fitch describes attending a fundraising dinner in Lawrence, Kansas for the Free State Prisoners in Lecompton. He reports that Governor Geary was not there and that, according to rumors, Judge Lecompton had ordered Geary arrested. He mentions that Governor Robinson and Lieutenant Governor Roberts were both in attendance and gave optimistic speeches about the future of Kansas as a free state.
Object Type
Letter
Date
November 21, 1856
From W.N. Drinkard to Robert M. Stewart
Title
From W.N. Drinkard to Robert M. Stewart
Description
This letter was written on September 12, 1859 by W.N. Drinkard, Acting Secretary of War, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart in Jefferson City, Missouri. Drinkard states that he received Stewart’s request “that the quota of arms to become due to the State of Missouri next year may be issued in advance.” Drinkard replies that “Such an issue of the whole quota is without a precedent and cannot be entertained, but…this Department will direct an advance of one half to be made upon your requisition.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
September 12, 1859
From Daniel Woodson to William Hutchinson and H. Miles Moore
Title
From Daniel Woodson to William Hutchinson and H. Miles Moore
Description
This letter, dated September 3, 1856, was written by Acting Kansas Gov. Daniel Woodson at Lecompton, Kansas to William Hutchinson and H. Miles Moore on behalf of the Kansas State Central Committee. Woodson refers to Gen. James Lane’s recent raid on Franklin, Kansas and several other areas of the Territory. He reminds Hutchinson and Moore about the proclamation issued August 25, 1856, declaring Kansas to be in a state of insurrection, and also cites the recent general order issued to Gen. Richardson and Gen. Coffey forbidding the burning of houses under any circumstances.
Object Type
Letter
Date
September 3, 1856
From Brinkly Hornsby to George R. Smith
Title
From Brinkly Hornsby to George R. Smith
Description
This letter, dated August 18, 1856, is from Brinkly Hornsby in Big Creek, Missouri to Gen. George R. Smith. Hornsby predicts that the current political conflicts in Kansas and Missouri will soon lead to "a great deal of serious difficulty and bloodshed." He urges Smith to unite with the other conservative men of Missouri to "start a movement . . . and put a stop to the threatened catastrophe."
Object Type
Letter
Date
August 18, 1856
From George Miller to Dear Father and Mother
Title
From George Miller to Dear Father and Mother
Description
This letter, dated January 14, 1861, is from George Miller in Pleasant Hill, Cass County, Missouri, to his parents. Miller writes that Lt. Col. Daniel R. Anthony and his Kansas troops invaded Pleasant Hill, stealing 55 slaves and $10,000 worth of property. He complains that the Missouri Secessionists are "fast beginning to give up the contest" and laments that "the country is being ruined."
Object Type
Letter
Date
January 14, 1861
From J.T. Peery to Dear Mother and Father
Title
From J.T. Peery to Dear Mother and Father
Description
This letter, dated November 22, 1856, is from J.T. Peery to his parents. Peery, a preacher, mentions his new assignment to a church in Independence, Missouri. He describes the volatile conditions of the area: "The land is overrun with men who have thrown off all moral restraint & appear to act as if they do not fear God . . . in this part of the country some are becoming awake to a sence of the dangers."
Object Type
Letter
Date
November 22, 1856
From Dewitt C. Hunter to J.F. Snyder
Title
From Dewitt C. Hunter to J.F. Snyder
Description
This letter, dated January 21, 1861, is from Dewitt C. Hunter in Nevada, Missouri to Col. J.F. Snyder. Hunter describes himself as a "secessionist in favor of separate state action and immediate secession." He believes that Missouri is in danger of invasion from Kansas, and he urges Snyder to organize a regiment, procure arms, and prepare to defend the border.
Object Type
Letter
Date
January 21, 1861
From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Title
From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Description
In this letter of September 5, 1858, Calvin Iserman writes from Independence, Missouri to his brother William. Calvin declares that Independence is hostile to free-staters: “Most of the head men of this town, and the wealthiest, are slave holders who…hate a free-state man worse than they do the Devil.” Calvin adds that his father plans to move to Kansas Territory in the fall or spring to live “among some free state men.” The letter includes a separate note to “sister Gus,” possibly written by Calvin’s wife.
Object Type
Letter
Date
September 5, 1858
From Samuel Lyle Adair to Charles Adair and Ada Adair
Title
From Samuel Lyle Adair to Charles Adair and Ada Adair
Description
This letter was written on October 19, 1860 by Samuel Lyle Adair in Osawatomie, Kansas, to his son Charles and daughter Ada. Samuel warns that as Charles starts school in Ohio, “you will doubtless find many things to try your feelings in consequence of not having had better opportunities in times past.” Samuel reports on activities in Osawatomie, including two meetings to address the town’s shortage of bread for the winter, which he did not attend. "Money is growing scarcer all the time, and nothing but money will bring bread," he writes.
Object Type
Letter
Date
October 19, 1860
From Charles Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Title
From Charles Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description
This letter was written on October 3-5, 1860 by Charles Adair in Akron and Hudson, Ohio to his father Samuel Lyle Adair. Charles describes going to the fair and meeting various relatives. He reports that Uncle Edward has just returned from Cleveland, where he attended a Republican meeting. Charles remarks that he feels “very lonely to day for the want of something to do. I find visiting hard work.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
October 3, 1860-October 5, 1860
From William G. Blackwood to Robert M. Stewart
Title
From William G. Blackwood to Robert M. Stewart
Description
This letter was written on September 1, 1858 by William G. Blackwood in St. Louis to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart in Jefferson City, Missouri. Blackwood states that Frank Blair published a letter in the St. Louis Democrat accusing Stewart of issuing pardons to criminals in exchange for votes in a recent election. Blackwood says that the accusation is an attempt “to bring ‘Bleeding Kansas,’ with all her agonizing ‘shrieks’ into Missouri.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
September 1, 1858
From Josiah Miller to Dear Father and Mother
Title
From Josiah Miller to Dear Father and Mother
Description
This letter, dated January 25, 1856, is from Josiah Miller in Lawrence, Kansas to his parents living in a Southern state. Miller tells his parents about a recent election for Kansas state officers that ended in a skirmish between Free State men and proslavery men, including some from Missouri. He predicts that "this slavery question" will result in civil war, and urges his parents to move to a free state.
Object Type
Letter
Date
January 25, 1856
From Unknown to John Ament
Title
From Unknown to John Ament
Description
This letter, dated September 29, 1855, was sent by an unknown writer to John Ament. The writer proposes to buy John’s interest in the land and slaves on his father’s estate for $500 or 550 acres of land warrants. To defend his offer, he describes the estate land as “poor…and worn out,” and worth no more than $500. He adds that several of the estate’s slaves are too old or sick to be “worth much.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
September 29, 1855

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