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Donations to the
Territorial Capital Museum
♦ Ornate brass turn of the century National Cash Register, by Elaine Taylor.
♦ Two sewing baskets, President Eisenhower book and newspaper articles, by Ellen Duncan.
♦ Santa Fe Railroad identification board from Grover, Ks train station, three old medical needles, VOL. 30, NO.4 LECOMPTONKANSAS.COM WINTER, 2005
1951 Kansas River flood book, by Peg Wiser.
♦ President Eisenhower book, by Mildred Luckan.
♦ Newspaper collection of 911 events, by Debra Shirer.
♦ Lecompton High School photos from 1920, taken by Virginia (Winter) Anderson
♦ 1920 Kansas farm directory, by Darrell Grammer, in memory of his parents, Walter and Ruth
Grammer.
♦ Old Tom & Jerry comic books, Book, Presidents of the United States from Washington to
Eisenhower, by Elsie Middleton.
♦ President Eisenhower coffee mug, cream pitcher and plate, featuring a picture of Ike & Mamie, by
Iona Spencer.
#109
President *Paul Bahnmaier Mailing Labels *Sandra Nichols
Vice President *Rich McConnell Program *Beverly VanDyke
Secretary *Vicki Roberts Bahnmaier Membership *Georgia Simmons Trammel
Treasurer * Betty Leslie Genealogy & Historical Researcher *Iona Spencer
Board Members * Maxine Dark, George Simmons Tours *Charlene Winter Lecompton and Douglas County in 1856-57.Please note that Hamm Quarry #109 sits absolutely atop Camp Sackett, the
Keith Noe, Jason Dexter, Duane Wulfkuhle, Ron Meier Funding *Mae Holderman major U.S. Army encampment for the years of Bleeding Kansas. In the summer of 1856 about 600 troops were stationed here,
Curators *Opal Goodrick, Dorothy Shaner, Ann Dunnaway Illustrator *Ellen Duncan guarding Gov. Charles Robinson who had been charged with “high treason.” The Lecompton Historical Society believes it
George & Arloene Simmons, Darlene Paslay Assistant Treasurer *Sherri Neill would be a “high crime” to blast a gravel pit into hallowed ground, which also happens to border the historic Oregon Trail-
Membership Ass'ts. *Duane & Dorothy Wulfkuhle Kitchen *Helen Hildenbrand & Vicki Leochner California Road.
John Peterson *Editor Memorials *Ruth Ice
Camp Sackett: Ground Zero in 1856, A Quarry in 2005?
Change Service Requested Non-Profit Organization
Published by U.S. POSTAGE PAID In the summer of 1856 the ground zero of events and the Battle of Hickory Point. This was Bleeding
The Lecompton Historical Society Permit No. 1 that produced “Bleeding Kansas” and, ultimately, the Kansas.
Lecompton, Kansas Lecompton, KS Civil War, was Camp Sackett, a tent-city cantonment The epicenter of the activity was Camp Sackett where
where 600 U.S. Army soldiers sprawled along a tributary Colonel Edwin “Bull” Sumner ordered that the “rebel”
of Coon Creek. The five-mile-long swale neatly allowed continued on page 4
the force to maintain a separation between “Free State”
rebels in Lawrence and “pro-slavery” officials of Kansas
Territory in its capital of Lecompton.
DON'T FORGET
This swirl of violence began earlier in the year Lecompton High School Banquet - June 18, 2005
with battles some miles south at Black Jack, Ft. Saunders
and, twice to the east of Lawrence, at Franklin. The Territorial Days - June 25, 2005
action then moved north to Ft. Titus, a pro-slavery
stronghold a mile east of Camp Sackett. More violence Lecompton Historical Society will host 150 classic
followed: the sack of Lawrence, Pottawatomie Creek automobiles traveling toward Topeka on June 21, and
Massacre, Battle of Middle Creek, Battle of Osawatomie, 300 Border Raiders Bike Tour on June 25.
12
Illustration and story reprinted from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated
husband, Rob, Topeka; and Suzy Rousey and He was a Navy Veteran of World War II, serving
husband, Wayne, Mathews, N. C.; a son, Chris on the USS Sarasota.
Newell and wife, Karen, Topeka; a sister, Jane Allen He married Mary Lee Fitzpatrick on April 17,
and husband, Marvin, Lanesville, Ind. and 13 1942, in Topeka at Holy Name Church. She survives.
grandchildren. Other survivors include a son, Kirk and wife,
Alicia, of Wichita, and two brothers, John
Henry, Helen Louise, 85, died Feb. 14, 2005 at her Holzmeister, Topeka, and Ralph Holzmeister,
home. Albany, Calif. Burial Mount Calvary Cemetery in
She was born Oct. 8, 1919, near Lecompton the Topeka.
daughter of Willie I. and Georgia Dummer Brown.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church at
Big Springs and also a member of the Lecompton Membership Report
Historical Society.
She married William Henry, Sept. 17, 1942, at Life Membership:
Lecompton. He passed away July 18, 1985. She also Rod L. Spencer and wife
was preceded in death by two daughters; Linda Henry
Jeanette (Hartman) Spencer
in 1971 and Margie Whelan in 1998.
Other survivors include a son Roy and wife Marcia
Roger D. Spencer and wife
of Lecompton and two grandsons, Brian and Matthew Joyce (Smith) Spencer by Iona Spencer
Henry.
Inurnment will be in East View Cemetery in Big Memorial Life Membership:
Springs. Elmer Robert ‘Jake’ Shirley by
granddaughter
Holzmeister, Robert G. ‘Jerome’, 86, died Feb. 17, Kate Studdard
2005. He was born Oct. 22, 1918, the son of George
J. Holzmeister and Amelia Hertlein in Topeka. NOTE: Another member of the Lecompton
He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Historical Society went to the Lecompton Grade
Church in Topeka and also was a member of the School that burned. This is Merle Bartlett.
Lecompton Historical Society.
Frank Leslie’s hugely popular newspaper passed for what could be called a national newspaper in 1856. His daguerreotyp
the daguerreotype fades into the mist of the rolling Kansas countryside beyond Camp Sackett. To make our reproduction
did and her effort is a work of art itself.
U.S. CAMP UNDER COMMAND OF COL. COOK,
NEAR LECOMPTON, KANSAS TERRITORY.
Lecompton is the name of the site intended for prairie, surrounded by an encampment of United
the capital of Kansas Territory, and contains already States troops, over six hundred in number,
quite a population and the unfinished buildings commanded by Col. Cook. Our magnificent picture of
intended for the use of the State. It is, as a matter of the camp is from a daguerreotype, taken a few days
course, the official center of the Territory, the before the prisoners were released. Besides its
residence of the Governor and other territorial intrinsic merit, as a representation of an historic event,
officers. Upon the arrest of Governor Robinson and it must be admired for its faithful delineation of a
his associates, they were, through the United States scene from nature, enlivened by the pomp and
Marshal, confined in tents. As the difficulties in circumstance of slumbering war. The squad of
Kansas increased, these prisoners were found infantry drilling, the detached companies of
troublesome, and they were removed from place to dragoons—the teamster and his wagons, --the hangers
place, until finally they found themselves about a half on of the camp, --the log cabins interspersed among
mile from Lecompton, in the center of a beautiful the white tents, --the distant horizon, all tend to make
2 11
Newspaper, Oct. 4, 1856.
MEMBERS OBITUARIES
Morris, Lucille Marjorie “Marge”, 80, died Nov. 15, Springs.
2004, at her home.
She was born Mar. 26, 1924, in Topeka, the Leslie, Harold V., 90, Hollywood, Fla. died Dec. 17,
daughter of George and Mary Olds Powell. 2004, at Hollywood Medical Center.
She was a member of the Northland Christian He was born Oct. 2, 1914, in Lecompton, Kan., the
Church and also a member of the Lecompton son of Henry and Nettie McClure Leslie. He
Historical Society. graduated from Lecompton High school in 1932. He
She married Ralph F. Morris on Mar. 1, 1945, in was a Life member of the Lecompton Historical
Bremerton, Wash. He died June 26, 1986. Society.
Survivors include two sons, Steve Morris and Rob Mr. Leslie served in the U. S. Air Force during
Morris, both of Topeka; a daughter, Sherry Sieliet, World War II.
Perry; a brother, Dale Powell, Richmond, Va.: a His wife, Mary Leslie, died in 2001.
sister, Dorothy “Dot” Woods, Mayetta; 16 Survivors include a sister, Edythe Stevenson,
grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren and two great- Lawrence, Kan.; two brothers, William, Lecompton,
great grandchildren. and Homer, Perry, Kansas.
Burial in Maple Grove Cemetery at Lecompton.
Wilson, Dean Eldwin, 75, rural Tecumseh, died Dec.
Griffin, Teresa Anderson, 92, died Nov. 23, 2004, at 17, 2004, at his home, after a lengthy illness.
Olathe Medical Center. He was born Dec. 10, 1929, the son of Virgel L.
She was born Jan. 10, 1912, near Lawrence, the and Neta I. Milliken Wilson. He attended Milliken
daughter of Michael A. “Alex” and Helen O’Brien Grade School and Highland Park High School.
Anderson. She was an elementary school teacher in
Yarnold, Lecompton, Lawrence and Manhattan. She He was a member of Big Springs United Methodist
was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church’s Church, and also a member of the Lecompton
altar Society and also a member of the Lecompton Historical Society.
Historical Society. He married Elaine Barr on Dec. 10, 1949, in
She married Paul Griffin in 1944 in Lawrence. He Topeka. She survives of the home.
died in 1982. Other survivors include two daughters, Garnet
Survivors include a brother, Leo Anderson, Olathe. Marie By permission from the Kansas State Historical Society.
Burial in St. Peters Catholic Cemetery at Big Sherman, Saginaw, Mich., and Tanya Sue Howbert,
ype, an early photographic process, is a precise image of the vastness of Camp Sackett. Even in its original presentation
Tecumseh; two sons, Marcus Dean Wilson,
of the 148-year-old image legible, we asked the LHS illustrator, Ellen Duncan, to artistically enhance its qualities. She
Davenport, Iowa, and Warren Lee Wilson, Topeka; a
The Camp Sackett Neighbors - brother Merlin D. Wilson, Tecumseh; a sister,
Mildred Ann Nicks, Mayer, Ariz.; and nine a picture of unusual merit. On the right can be become tyrants over the helpless so as to disgrace the
Then and Now continued from page 9 grandchildren. Burial at Penwell-Gable’s Memorial recognized a group of figures which denotes the name of humanity, became subservient, and the
immediate area was home to H. Lewis and J.H. Oakley, Park Cemetery, Topeka. Ks. location of the free-state prisoners tents; it was on that judiciary found it possible to be merciful as well as
south of the California Road; T.H. Thomas and T. Oliver,
designated spot that our daguerrian artist took the just. On Monday, September 10th, the prisoners were
right in the valley; D. Hanston and J.E.D. Evans, just to Newell, Arthur E. ‘Bud’, 71, Lecompton, died, Jan.
the north, and to the west of them, G.W. Zinn, W. and A. 29, 2005 at a Topeka hospital. portrait of the group on our first page (and on page 4 brought into Lecompton from the camp, and about 11
Glenn and W.A. Cardwell. He was born Jan. 9, 1934, in Topeka, the son of of this Bald Eagle), and it is the foreground of the o’clock Judge LeCompte opened court. Mr. C.H.
Today, the other homes south of the Oregon Trail, Arthur Robert and Juanita Elizabeth Leuenberger camp scene, near the settler's; wagon, that he paced Grover appeared on behalf of the government, Mr.
perched on the ridge overlooking the proposed Hamm Newell. He served his country in the U. S. Army his instrument when he took the camp itself. To the Parrott in behalf of the prisoners. After the usual
Quarry No. 109, include the Holiday farmhouse built in and was stationed in Germany. weakness of Gov. Reeder, and the imbecility of Gov. nonsense, peculiar to all courts of law, Judge
the mid 1880s. Other neighbors are Betty Schirmer, He established Serenata Farms School of Shannon, we are indebted in a large degree to the sad Lecompte decided that the parties could be held to
Bruce & Sue Silkey, Alan & Judy Wheeler, George & Equestrian Arts . a equine-facilitated therapy chapter of history regarding Kansas Territory. The bail, and finally, for the sum of five hundred dollars
Deb Davis, Carol Higginbotham, Doc and Sue Carson, program for individuals with physical and emotional appointment of Gov. Geary, a man of character, each, they were released. It is said that Col. Cook
Steve & Lucy Hurst, Troy & Karen Robbins, Bryce & disabilities. He was a Life Member of the inspired confidence, and the anticipations of good congratulated himself on being relieved from the
Gina Schuman, Emmett & Sherri Tuckel, John & Vera Lecompton Historical Society. men have not been disappointed. The moment he custody of the prisoners.
Pletcher, Ann Wilson, Harry & Virginia Butler, Sue Bud was preceded in death by his parents and a
arrived in the territory, a change came over the whole
Cranston, Mick & Jane Baier, Jim & Patsy Chenhall, Joe sister, Arnita Selders.
& Neita Bahr, Noah & Sue Goodards, Mary Nelle Survivors include three daughters, Kim Mertz and administration of affairs, --men who had abused their
Huizenga, Steve & Nancy Zahniser. husband Joe, Manhattan; Courtney Cunningham and power, and under pretence of obeying the laws had
10 3
This daguerreotype was taken from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper and appeared in the Oct. 4, 1856 issue. Pictured are the
principal "Free State Prisoners", George W. Brown, John Brown, Jr., Judge Smith, Charles Robinson, Gains Jenkins, Mr. Williams,
and George W. Deitzler. This topographic map of the proposed Hamm Quarry No. 109 shows how it sits next to the Kansas turnpike, U.S. 40 and many
homes. Please see page one for a map showing its intrusion on historically important sites. The Bahnmaeir home pictured on
Camp Sackett: Ground Zero in 1856, A Quarry in 2005? the facing page is the black square on the map, top and just left of center. "The Clock House" sits just south of US 40.
continued from page 1
Mark Boose, Aaron Kaser,
prisoners be held. Colonel Philip St. George Cooke and his Kansas National Heritage Area. The Heritage Area would Dean & Jackie Christy, Mark
troops stood guard over the leaders of the rebellion— be expected to bring big tourist dollars and national Christy, Bill Maxwell, Vicki
Charles Robinson, George W. Brown, John Brown Jr., the attention to the role Bleeding Kansas played in the years Bahnmaier, Chuck & Sally
son of the zealot, and others. One of the Union officers was leading to the Civil War. Wright, Daniel & Tammy
a new graduate of West Point, Lt. J.E.B. Stuart, who would This immediate area abutting Lecompton, the Oregon Yergey, Dan & Leah Kuhlman,
become General Robert E. Lee’s illustrious cavalry Trail-California Road, and battle sites in addition to historic Paul Bahnmaier, and others.
commander. buildings will be key ingredients to the Heritage Area. A
What created the tense atmosphere around Camp rock quarry smack in the middle makes no sense and, to Nearly all of them still
Sackett that summer was the question of whether “Gov.” Lecompton Historical Society members, desecrates possess some native, virgin,
Charles Robinson and other rebels would hang. He was, hallowed ground. never-before-plowed prairie,
after all, charged with “high treason” and “usurping office.” just as the entire 175-acre
Gearing up for April 27 proposed quarry is. It is also an
High Crimes of 2005 important archeological site,
The Society has been active in rounding up support for proven by the collection of
What makes these events of 1856 so important today is its effort to thwart the quarry. Many organizations such as many pre-Civil War-era
what could euphemistically be called progress. the Kansas Preservation Alliance, other historical societies artifacts on exhibit from the
“A plan to build a new quarry to help expand the and more are considering active roles. The Society's valley in the Territorial Capital
Kansas Turnpike has pitted a contractor against a resolution (see it in full above) will be presented at the Museum at Lane University,
community steeped in history,” the Lawrence Journal- Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission’s April Lecompton.
World reported Feb. 7, 2005. The fight will involve much 27th meeting. By then the Society promises the Save Camp In 1857, the year Camp The original house was built by the Fitzpatrick family in 1905. Deb and George Davis began their
more than that. Sackett campaign will have gained real momentum. Sackett was abandoned, the ongoing restoration and rehabilitation work in 1980. They installed the clock, creating one of eastern
U.S. Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas is the leading This issue of the Bald Eagle describes Camp Sackett’s Kansas’ most notable landmarks, “The Clock House.” The quarry would fill the view from their front
continued bottom page 10
proponent to establish a multi-million-dollar Bleeding historical importance and the role the area continues to play porch.
continued on page 5
4 9
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE Lecompton Historical Society is opposed to the Lecompton Quarry #109
Conditional Use Permit requested by N.R. Hamm Quarry, Inc.
The primary purpose of the Lecompton Historical Society is to promote and preserve the history of this area that was
so important to Kansas and the United States during the mid-1850s.
The area in question is near the site of pre-Civil War Camp Sackett where seven Free-State men, including a Kansas
Governor, were held prisoner while awaiting trial for treason at Territorial Capital Lecompton. Among the guards
were J.E.B. Stuart and John Sedgwick and Major T.W. Sherman. Artifacts from that period have been found in the
area.
The area is also the site of the California-Oregon Trail. Depressions left from buffalo wallows can still be seen on
the property. With tourism being promoted by the State, Douglas County and Lecompton, it is important to keep this
pristine native grass valley reminiscent of the Flint Hills intact.
RESOLVED and signed this 19th day of February 2005, at Lecompton, Kansas.
Paul Bahnmaier, president; Rich McConnell, vice president; Vicki Roberts Bahnmaier, secretary; Betty Leslie,
Treasurer; Maxine Dark, Jason Dexter, Ron Meier, Keith Noe and George Simmons, Duane Wulfkuhle, board
members.
The idea was to publish a picture of the Paul Bahnmaier home, but he asked us to consider Ellen
Duncan’s excellent painting. The home sits in the northern-most section of old Camp Sackett, its
view full of a pristine valley now threatened by Hamm Quarry No. 109.
in the community. Today it is a 175-acre piece of the less Society has restored. Constitution Hall would soon be
The Camp Sackett Neighbors - Then and Now than one percent of virgin prairie still left in Douglas built so to host the framers of the "Lecompton
County. In 1856 it was home to momentous events and Constitution." It is a state and national landmark.
The Hamm Quarry No. 109 would become the front quarry on a neighborhood, please drive to Big Springs historically significant characters. For example, 0n Page 7 The Lecompton Historical Society, housed in the
yard of many houses lining the old Oregon Trail/ and turn south on East 100 Road. That area, for several please read excerpts of imprisoned Gov. Robinson’s Territorial Capital Museum—the old to-be capitol turned
California Road, which is now US 40. The stately square miles, has been turned into rubble, a war zone. moving letter to General John C. Fremont, the 1856 and into Lane University in 1882, strongly suggests the
Fitzpatrick house was built in 1905 and then fabulously The other homes surrounding the proposed quarry first-ever Republican presidential candidate. pristine, never-before-plowed prairie where Camp Sackett
remodeled in 1980 by Deb and George Davis. We know site, north of the Kansas Turnpike, in the Coon Creek In her book, Kansas: Its Interior and Exterior Life, stood be the focal point of the proposed Bleeding Kansas
it today as “The Clock House,” one of Douglas County’s Valley, belong to Kevin Powell, Paul & Anne Kirk, written at Camp Sackett that summer, Sara Robinson National Heritage Area. Many archaeologists’ treasures
most prominent landmarks. Roxie & Ted Sumner, Darlene Paslay, Bill & Kathy characterized Camp Sackett as “Uncle Sam’s Bastille on have been discovered in the valley and many await further
The Hamm Quarry No. 109 also would become the Fair, Gary & Deborah Powell, Bill & Dorothy Smith, the Kansas prairies.” See Page 6 for excerpts from her discovery. Some are on display in Lane Museum.
front yard of many historic farms, most notably that of Robert & Mary Sue Christman, Bob & Carey Treanor, book. For Kansans, Camp Sackett plays a role similar to Fort
the pioneer-era Bahnmaier farm. George M. Bahnmaier Sara Kirk, Tom Hutton, David Breitenback, Karen & According to the authoritative Frank Leslie’s Sumter in South Carolina, Valley Forge in Pennsylvania,
homesteaded the family’s first acreage just west of the Ron McCoy, Brad & Debbie Sorrick, Eric Lee, Heather Illustrated Newspaper of Oct. 4, 1856, Camp Sackett was and the Little Big Horn Valley in Montana. These are
Camp Sackett valley in 1856. He would daily walk to Ledon, Gary & Vicki Loechner, Sally & Joe Yost, Jeff at “the center of a beautiful prairie…a scene from nature hallowed, historic grounds where brave men defended
Lecompton where he was a noted tailor. Bean, Jennifer Hurley, Roy & Pam Cook, Gerry Luther, enlivened by the pomp and circumstances of slumbering their country. This is another of those places where our
Toni Kalousek, Skip & Robin Saylor, David & Sheila war.” (See Pages 2-3 for the Leslie daguerreotype and nation suffered to build its beginnings, where momentous
The Sixth Child Robles, Cindy Dameron, Doug Flemming, William & description of Camp Sackett in 1856.) events occurred.
Carolyn Simpson, Jeff & Tammy Morris, Jay & Connie This valley should not be blown apart, desecrated to
The sixth child of George Michael and Caroline Robertson, Jeff Robertson, Frank & Carol Stevenson, On the Oregon Trail ease another mile of paving. The Lecompton Historical
Bahnmaier, George Jacob, bought the farm a mile to the Ann McGarity, Jerry & Mary Ice, Joyce Poietevint, Jeff Society strongly opposes Camp Sackett becoming be a
east of the homestead which contained the beautiful, & Barbara Haney, Ione Paslay, Melvin & Venora Dark, The Oregon Trail and the California Road bordered gravel pit quarry—No. 109—for Hamm Construction
three-story stone home built in 1880. His grandson, Paul Vicki & Steve Marino, Bob & Mary Lou Morris, John & Camp Sackett’s valley to the south. Just three miles to the Company. This Society prays that Hamm Construction
Marion Bahnmaier, lives on the family farm today. Our Jeanne Fries, Darin & Patricia Christman, Regina & Scot southwest down the California Road, the Territorial Free and the Kansas Turnpike Authority leaders have not
painting by the Society’s illustrator, Ellen Duncan, might Clement, Ronda Banks, Bret & Ruthanne Sanford, State Party was founded in Big Springs. forgotten their history and their obligation to the historical
be the last bucolic recollection of the farm and valley if David Dark, Dusty & Susan Dark, Craig & Sherri Neill, A couple miles to the north of the Camp in past of Kansas and of the Nation.
Hamm Quarry No. 109 starts loosening the plate glass in Gary & Cindy Merritt, Ethel Clement, Jim Oldham, Lecompton, the new Kansas Territorial Capitol Building
the windows. If there is any debate about the effect of a Freda LaDuke, Dusty & Susan Dark, Tanya & Mark was beginning to rise and on the banks of the Kansas --John Peterson
Bartling, James & Cindy Stansill, Kate & Shawn Welch, River, a hundred yards to the north, the Territorial
Democratic Party was founded in the stone structure this
8 5
Col. E.V. "Bull" Philip St. George Cooke Sara Robinson Chas. Robinson Lt. Jeb Stuart Gov. John Geary Samuel LeCompte Gen John C.Fremont
Sumner
Editor’s Note: Camp Sackett in 1856 was full of famous people. Famous people wrote letters to Capt. Sackett, a noble-looking man, has the prisoners Gov. Robinson’s release
other famous people from or about Camp Sackett. Some of most illustrious military leaders of the era now in charge….
were either stationed at, or detailed to pass through, Camp Sackett. One famous woman, Sara We have moved camp again to-day, two miles On the afternoon of the 10th September, just
Robinson, wrote a book about Kansas while at Camp Sackett in 1856. Detailed information about further from Lecompton. It was my first experience in four months from the day my husband was taken
these characters can be found at LecomptonKansas.com and TerritorialKansasonline.org. the inside of these huge covered wagons. I protested prisoner, and nearly four months since the arrest of the
that I would rather walk than attempt to mount into others, the tents on “Traitor Avenue” were struck.
Excerpts from Sara Robinson’s book: such a vehicle; but they all said ride. By extra effort E. Three wagons were filled with the furniture and
and I got it, attempting to find a place to sit among the valuables of the prisoners…. Within a mile of
Kansas: Its Internal and Exterior Life mattresses. At first move, one of the mules, by rapidly (Lawrence)…we were met by Gen. Lane and his staff,
throwing up his feet, was soon out of harness. The who led the way into Massachusetts-street, where
Chapter XXI. The U.S. Camp – Dispersion of the Legislature jolting of the wagon was intolerable when the mules crowds of people had gathered to greet their long-
Early on the morning of the 17th, traveled faster than a walk…. absent townsmen.
Upon Moving Camp Sites
John Brown, Sr. with a brother of my husband, and a friend, I All kinds of vegetables have been bountifully
left for Lecompton, or for Uncle Sam’s …At last we were packed in with supplied to the prisoners for many weeks by their Mrs. Robinson’s book is available unabridged at
Bastille on the Kansas prairies, which had bags, baskets, and anything we preferred friends. In some cases they have brought the first fruits www.kancoll.org.
been moved a mile and a half, or two miles carrying in our own care, and jolted along of their fields. Wild grapes and apples are growing
from that tribunal of justice. It was only a the mile and a half in the scorching sun. A plenty now. To-day some gentlemen, concert singers,
day or two since persons had been allowed mule team was in advance, some of the blue brought their melodeon and sang to us. It made quite a
to go in, and some doubt existed whether I coats rode each side of us, and the main variety in camp life….
could have the privilege. We came in sight body of this portion of the President’s army Gov. Robinson’s Famous
of the tents. There were three in one row, of subjugation brought up the rear. Out on Cannon Balls Whizzing By Camp Sackett Letter
with poles set along in front, and cloth the prairie, less than a mile from
spread over them, and upon the tents, Lecompton, we came to a double log cabin, (August 15th.) In the night (Colonel) Titus’ Camp Sackett, Kansas July 28, 1856
making a long shady place, which E. told me and as we alighted, and our chairs were band was out, as usual, stealing horses. They had taken
three, when they came upon the advance guard of free- Hon. J.C. Fremont
was called the “pavilion.” The tents being a taken from the wagon, the captain pointing
James H. Lane few feet apart, the cloth stretching over to the right hand cabin, said, “You can go in state men. Titus, seeing the numbers upon which he
had fallen, fled, they following but a little way, taking Dear Sir:
them, made a fine place to sit, for the table there and stay.” We went in. There was no My friend J.S. Emery, Esq., of the State, is about going
and all culinary arrangements. Another row window and no air in the cabin…. So seven one or two prisoners.
East into the Campaign for Fremont & Dayton. Col.
of tents was pitched in front of these, with men and two women had to stay in one little About sunrise, the 16th, firing was heard near Emory is an excellent Stump Speaker & can do good
only a driveway between, while the room without a window. The mattresses lay our tents, and one of the cannon balls whizzed past us. service in the cause. Any favor you can show him will
captain’s tent was on a rise of ground a little so close upon the floors that ours was slid Two or three horsemen were standing upon a high hill be duly appreciated by
distant…. partly under the bedstead…. (the Bahnmaier hill) a half-mile distant, apparently
I ran down and met my husband just watching the troops in the camp…. The bugle call had Yours very truly,
sounded, and the troops were soon on their way to C. Robinson
outside the tent; the sentinel pacing back and Chapter XXII – “Law-and-Order”
forth, close to the pavilion, musket in hand. Lecompton. At the moment the troops started, the
Men – Free-State Men Aroused horsemen on the hill disappeared. As we sat in a little Affairs here are as bad as they can be.
He stopped a half moment at the sight of a Tyranny rules with a rod of iron. It is
new face, then resumed the everlasting tent, a la Turque, eating our breakfast, with our plates
July 7th. —We experienced a heavy in our laps, one of the persons looking out, said, “Titus’
unknown as yet whether (President)
tread…. rain yesterday. It poured through the tents, Pierce has fully decided to hang us or
John Sedgwick On the 23rd the prisoners received an house is on fire. The black smoke is rising over the not. However, if our hanging can
wetting everything. This tent-life in the
accession to their numbers in the persons of hill.” (Indeed, the battle of Ft. Titus, fought a mile to change this infernal administration
burning sun and pouring rains will be a good the east that day, was over with two pro-slavery men
Capt. John Brown, Jr., (son of the zealot they will not make much by the
recipe for ague or cholera. So, besides the and the free state captain killed.)
John Brown) and H.W. Williams, likewise investment.
discomfort of the present, we have these in
dignified with the name of “traitors.” anticipation. Capt. W. left on Saturday, and
6 7
