Kenneth Spencer Research Library Archival Collections

Overview

Typescript of the autobiography of Mary F. Beeson, including Beeson's account of the murder of her father, James Lot Warfield, by William Quantrill's guerrilla band on October 17, 1862 at Shawneetown, Kansas.

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The papers include (1) a testimony to his recent left-handness sworn before Douglas County Clerk in 1867, (2) a manuscript titled "A sketch of my military history" which he entered in a penmanship contest, sponsored by William Oland Bourne, editor of the "Soldier's Friend", (3) a letter from General U.S. Grant awarding Palmer first prize in the contest, and (4) letter awarding Palmer a $50 prize.

Overview Richards and William Connelley corresponded about Kansas territorial history. Richards, who participated in the border wars between Kansas Territory and Missouri (1854-1861), recounted the events for Connelley, a historian. The letters, dated 1902-1909, were written approximately 50 years after the events. Connelley and Richards were specifically interested in detailing the border war involvement of Richards himself as well as James Lane, John Brown, William Quantrill, and Governor...

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This letter from George Edwin Young, a survivor of William Quantrill's raid on Lawrence, Kansas, August 21, 1863, was written to his father two days following the massacre. A typed and annotated transcription of the letter is included.

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Elias Snyder, son of Ely Snyder, interview with William E. Connelley on the Marais des Cygnes Massacre, May 19th, 1858; William C. Quantrill; John Brown on the Snyder Claim; James Montgomery; Marshall Cleveland, and the last of the Jayhawkers. Lawrence, Kan., 1942.

Overview

The accounts in this collection relate to Reuben Randlett's experiences in the 1856 sacking of Lawrence, Kansas; his activities as a spy among the raiders; the Battle of Black Jack; the dissolution of the Free State legislature in Topeka on July 4, 1856; and Randlett's captivity by William C. Quantrill in 1862. The collection also includes a photograph of Randlett.

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The first two letters are from Banks, who preceded Hutchings to Lawrence, and they describe Lawrence, the lawyers, and law practice in the area. The third letter written by W. B. West mentions Quantrill's raid and asks about job opportunities in Lawrence.

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Andrew Williams' autobiographical narrative gives an account of Quantrill's raid on Lawrence, Kansas in 1863. Williams wrote it at the urging of William E. Connelley.

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This collection consists of a single, three-page typescript reminiscence by Caroline Updegraff Parker, relating the experiences of her brother William W. Updegraff and her own family in Osawatomie, Kansas from 1855 to 1869, as well as a photograph of her brother William later in his life.

Overview This collection includes letters from William Clarke Quantrill to his mother, Caroline Clarke Quantrill, preceding and up to the raid of Lawrence, Kansas in 1863. Also included in the collection is the correspondence of William W. Scott, editor of the Iron Valley Reporter and friend of Mrs. Quantrill, who attempted to help Mrs. Quantrill obtain the truth about her son. This correspondence consists of letters between Scott and people who allegedly had known...