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The LHS Newsletter Archive Volume Thirty-One

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The LHS Newsletter Archive Volume Thirty-One The LHS Newsletter Archive Volume Thirty-one, Issue Number 1 Originally Published in Lecompton, Kansas : Spring 2005 Digitally Archived August 2006 sat]) \!aet\! ~.~~-~/21 ,.v.-. ._~--- --- ~. 'VOL. 31,NO. ~ SPR~NG, 2005)5 '~'-''''''''''" ,, . iIIJ ;. 1.t Lecompton and Douglas County in 1856-57.Please note that Hamm Quarry #109 sits absolutely atop Camp Sackett, the major U.S Army encampmentfor the years of Bleeding Kansas. In the summer of 1856 about 600 troops were stationed here, guarding Gov. Charles Robinson who had been charged with "high treason." The Lecompton Historical Society believes it would be a "high crime" to blast a gravel pit into hallowed ground, which also happens to border the historic Oregon Trail- California Road. Camp Sackett: Ground Zero in 1856, A Quarry in 2005? In the summer of 1856 the ground zero of events and the Battle of Hickory Point. This was Bleeding that produced "Bleeding Kansas" and, ultimately, the Kansas. 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-Iong swale neatly allowed continued onpage 4 the force to maintain a separation between "Free State" ********************************** rebels in Lawrence and "pro-slavery" officials of Kansas ~ DON'T FORGET ~ Territory in its capital ofLecompton. * * 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 100 classic ~ followed: the sack of Lawrence, Pottawatomie Creek * automobiles traveling across Kansas from 30 states, hosted * Massacre, Battle of Middle Creek, Battle of Osawatomie, ~ by Representative Tom Sloan, on June 21; and 300 Border ~ * Raiders Bike Tour on June 25. * ********************************** Illustration and story reprintedfrom Frank Leslie s Illustrate - Frank Leslie's hugely popular newspaper passedfor what could be called a national newspaper in 1856. His daguerre01 the daguerreotype fades into the mist of the rolling Kansas countryside beyond Camp Sackett. To make our reproductiOJ did and her effort is a work of art itself. u.s. CAMP UNDER COMMAND OF COL. COOK, NEAR LECOMPTON, KANSASTERRITORY. 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 'Ii Newspaper, Oct. 4, 1856. j//- a picture of unusual merit. On the right can be become tyrants over the helpless so as to disgrace the recognized a group of figures which denotes the name of humanity, became subservient, and the location of the free-state prisoners tents; it was on that judiciary found it possible to be merciful as well as designated spot that our daguerrian artist took the just. On Monday, September 1ath,the prisoners were portrait of the group on our first page (and on page 4 brought into Lecompton from the camp, and about 11 of this Bald Eagle), and it is the foreground of the o'clock Judge LeCompte opened court. Mr. C.H. camp scene, near the settler's; wagon, that he paced Grover appeared on behalf of the government, Mr. his instrument when he took the camp itself. To the Parrott in behalf of the prisoners. After the usual weakness of Gov. Reeder, and the imbecility of Gov. nonsense, peculiar to all courts oflaw, Judge Shannon, we are indebted in a large degree to the sad Lecompte decided that the parties could be held to chapter of history regarding Kansas Territory. The bail, and finally, for the sum of five hundred dollars appointment of Gov. Geary, a man of character, each, they were released. It is said that Col. Cook inspired confidence, and the anticipations of good congratulated himself on being relieved from the men have not been disappointed. The moment he custody of the prisoners. arrived in the territory, a change came over the whole administration of affairs, --men who had abused their power, and under pretence of obeying the laws had 3 I I Ii I Ii This daguerreotype was taken jrom 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. Deitz/er. Camp Sackett: Ground Zero in 1856, A Quarry in 2005? continuedfrom page J prisoners be held. Colonel Philip St. George Cooke and his Kansas National Heritage Area. The Heritage Area would troops stood guard over the leaders of the rebellion- be expected to bring big tourist dollars and national Charles Robinson, George W. Brown, John Brown Jr., the attention to the role Bleeding Kansas played in the years son of the zealot, and others. One ofthe Union officers was leading to the Civil War. a new graduate of West Point, Lt. J.E.B. Stuart, who would This immediate area abutting Lecompton, the Oregon become General Robert E. Lee's illustrious cavalry Trail-California Road, and battle sites in addition to historic 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 Sackett that summer was the question of whether "Gov." Lecompton Historical Society members, desecrates Charles Robinson and other rebels would hang. He was, hallowed ground. after all, charged with "high treason" and "usurping office." Gearing up for April 27 Hallowed Ground The Society has been active in rounding up support for What makes these events of 1856 so important today is its effort to thwart the quarry. Many organizations such as what could euphemistically be called progress. the Kansas Preservation Alliance, other historical societies "A plan to build a new quarry to help expand the and more are considering active roles. The Society's Kansas Turnpike has pitted a contractor against a resolution (see it in full above) will be presented at the community steeped in history," the Lawrence Journal- Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission's April World reported Feb. 7,2005. The fight will involve much 27thmeeting. By then the Society promises the Save Camp more than that. Sackett campaign will have gained real momentum. U.S. Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas is the leading This issue ofthe Bald Eagle describes Camp Sackett's proponent to establish a multi-million-dollar Bleeding historical jmportance and the role the area continues to play continued onpage 5 4 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. At1ifacts from that period have been found in the area. J 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 19thday 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. in the community. Today it is a 175-acre piece ofthe less Society has restored. Constitution Hall would soon be than one percent of virgin prairie still left in Douglas built so to host the framers ofthe "Lecompton County. In 1856 it was home to momentous events and Constitution." It is a state and national landmark. historically significant characters. For example, On Page 7 The Lecompton Historical Society, housed in the please read excerpts of imprisoned Gov. Robinson's Territorial Capital Museum-the old to-be capitol turned moving letter to General John C.
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