The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-09-09

across a couple from the east, giving
an account of what was being done to
aid Kansas there. The thought struck
me that inasmuch as but a small por-
ton of the people who now live in Kan
sas could have much of an idea of the
condition of things in this territory in
1860. a description of matters at
that time might be of interest.
There had been a large immigration
into the territory in the preceding two
or three years, and particularly in 1859
There had been but little time to grow
crops or to accumulate cattle and hogs
There was a large immigration started
in in the spring of 1860, but as there
was no rain fell most of that immigra-
tion turned about and left for the east.
AS time progressed, and there continued
to be dry and hot winds came. people
who had come in the year before and
had had no opportunity to raise crops,
also began to leave the state AS early
as September and October there began
to be quite hegira eastward. 1 re-
member going from Centralia, Nemaha
county, to Hiawatha, to attend court,
early in October. There was not a par
ticle of vegetation to be seen on the
route-that is of any growing crops
that could be utilized to live upon.
About this time different localities in
the territory began to send out agents
to the eastern states soliciting aid.
There was no organization, and every
thing was in hap-hazard style. A
convention was called by Mr.. Pomeroy
and others to meet in Lawrence early
in November About fifty self-appoint-
ed delegates met at that time, and or
gained movement that would be gem
eral for soliciting aid from the east. 1
recollect that went from Centralia to
Lawrence on mule back There was
not a mile of railroad in the territory
at that time. This convention appoint
ed one person from each of the nine
Judicial districts in the territory, to
take charge of the business. This
committee organized and elected S. C.
Pomeroy as president, and then ap-
pointed an executive committee of three
persons to have whole charge of the
business
The Relief Committee.
That committee was composed of S.
e Pomeroy, F. P. Baker and Mr..
Mcdowell, then of Leavenworth-and
one time mayor of that city. and also
United States marshal. Arrangements
were at once perfected for field work
throughout the northern states. Kan
sas was only reached at that time by
rail over the Hannibald & St.-Joe road
running into Atchison. ARRANGEMENTS
were at once made with that road and
other roads to bring all goods free des-
tined for Kansas aid. But for this or
ganization, Kansas must have inevita-
ply been very nearly depopulated east
OF the river counties. w. F. NJ Army
was appointed general manager, and in
the main all goods were shipped to him.
"A large warehouse was secured in
Atchison, in which to store the goods,
and from which to send out loads to
dlnerent portions of the territory. The
leading papers of the north, and espec-
tally the Chicago Tribune, New York
Tribune, Boston and other New England
papers, and in fact nearly every paper
In the north had articles urging the
sending of aid. As an example of what
was done, and very largely by letters
that the women of Kansas wrote t.
friends in the east, I include extracts
from two of the many letters received