Abraham Lincoln to Mark W. Delahay
Creator: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Date: May 14, 1859
Lincoln regretfully declines an invitation to attend the Osawatomie convention on May 18, 1859, which was to formally organize the Republican Party in Kansas. Lincoln warns against "the temptation to lower the Republican Standard [in whatever platform the convention might adopt] in order to gather recruits. "In my judgment," Lincoln continues, "such a step would be a serious mistake" that "would surrender the object of the Republican organization-- preventing the Spread and Nationalization of Slavery." This two-page, handwritten copy of a letter sent by Abraham Lincoln to Mark Delahay was probably given to the Kansas Historical Society by Delahay's daughter, Mary E. Delahay, in the early 1900s.

Absentee Ballots Not Counted
Creator: Kansas. Governor (1915-1919: Capper)
Date: 1915
This file includes correspondence and a newspaper article about absentee ballots that were not counted during the election. The correspondent from Salina, Kansas includes an article from a Salina evening newspaper about what happened to the absentee ballots. This is part of a bigger collection of Governor Arthur Capper correspondence.

Abstract of census returns
Creator: Undersigned Citizens of Kansas Territory, John Stroup (first signature),
Date: 1859
This 1859 abstract of census returns shows information at the township level for most Kansas counties. Some counties are listed without data. The census lists the number of voters in three different ways--the number of votes cast June 7, 1859; number of voters on June 7, 1859 who were under 6 month provision; and number of voters under 3 month provision. It also lists the number of inhabitants. The election on June 7, 1859, was to elect delegates to the Wyandotte constitutional convention.

Address to the American People on the Affairs of Kansas, pamphlet
Date: 1857
This address recounted the history and purpose of the formation of the Kansas State Government of Topeka, in peaceful opposition to that of the Territory. The free state message accused the systems of the Territorial Government of encouraging influence from abroad in their election process, and indicated that they had nothing inherently against Missouri's citizens as a whole, but implored that they not attempt to violate the rights of Kansas settlers. The address stated that the Territory was "organized for defence" by a pledge from Governor Walker, and appealed that outsiders remain in their homes for the benefit of all.

Admit Me Free flag
Date: 1856
In 1856 this cotton and wool flag was used by Walter Whitehead in a rally at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for Republican presidential nominee John C. Frémont. The oversized 33rd star and the words, "Admit Me Free" in the canton of the flag are in support of Kansas admittance as a free state. It was also used in the 1860 presidential campaign for Abraham Lincoln and other political campaigns.

A. Finch to Thaddeus Hyatt
Creator: Finch, H.
Date: December 22, 1856
This letter, written from Osawatomie by A. Finch to Thaddeus Hyatt, chairman of the National Kansas Committee, provided general information about the inhabitants of Osawatomie and neighboring areas. It included a list of about half of the settlers residing in Osawatomie at this time, including the four pro-slavery voters. Mr. Finch went into detail about the most fertile areas that would be excellent sites for free state settlements, and about the economic conditions and financial needs of the settlers.

A. H. Reeder to Franklin Crane
Creator: Reeder, Andrew H. (Andrew Horatio), 1807-1864
Date: September 1, 1858
Andrew Reeder, former governor of Kansas Territory, wrote from Easton, Pennsylvania, to inform Franklin Crane of the eastern response to elections in Kansas, and the prospects for the Leavenworth Constitution. Reeder also discussed the value of Topeka lots and a request to donate one lot for a church.

Albert C. Morton to Hiram Hill
Creator: Morton, Albert C.
Date: August 3, 1858
Albert Morton wrote from Quindaro, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill in Massachusetts. Morton had recently returned to Quindaro in order to vote on the Lecompton Constitution as submitted by the English bill. Having arrived there, he found the place to be "dull". Morton described many empty houses and buildings, left behind from settlers selling out to return home; money had also been lost in investments and bridges were washed out in floods. However, the Town Company had invested in a flour mill, which had commenced operations. Morton also discussed matters of buying and selling land warrants with Hill.

Albert C. Morton to Hiram Hill
Creator: Morton, Albert C.
Date: September 21, 1857
Albert Morton wrote from Quindaro, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill in Massachusetts, apologizing for his prolonged silence due to a lengthy illness. Morton referred to the upcoming October election, which would select the members of the Territorial Legislature. He also spoke of Governor Walker's attempts to regulate the election process by requiring that all voters be residents of the Territory for at least six months prior to casting a vote. Morton added that Samuel Simpson was in town again, but that nothing had been settled regarding his questionable business practices.

A.L. Coffman campaign photo and card
Creator: Hathaway, Corliss
Date: 1960
This studio portrait of Albert Leaverne Coffman of Topeka was taken in 1960 to be used in his primary campaign for Shawnee County Sheriff. Also shown is a small campaign card. Coffman (who was known as Al, Vern, or most often, by his nickname 'Pooch'), operated a service station on the southeast corner of California and 10th streets in Topeka. He was perhaps best known in the community as manager of the Topeka Decker Oilers semi-pro baseball team in the late 1940s and 1950s. During that period, the Decker Oiler team was a perennial contender for the state semi-pro title, competing each year in the state tournament in Wichita. The team won the state championship in 1948, placed second in three consecutive years (1950-1952), and finished third in 1955 and 1957. Coffman's political campaign for sheriff was unsuccessful; he finished second of three contenders in the Democratic primary. Digital reproduction of the photograph was accomplished through a joint project sponsored by the Kansas Historical Society and the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame.

Alfred Landon campaign button cap
Date: 1936
Beige cap covered with campaigns buttons promoting the 1936 Presidential campaign of Alfred Landon and William Knox. Landon served as governor of Kansas from 1933-1937.

Alfred Mossman Landon
Date: 1936
This is a studio portrait of Alfred Mossman Landon that was used during his campaign as the Republican nominee during the 1936 Presidential election.

Alfred Mossman Landon and Theo Cobb Landon
Date: June 11, 1936
This photograph shows Alfred M. Landon and his wife Theo Cobb Landon standing before several microphones during the 1936 campaign for U. S. President between Governor Landon and the incumbent president Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Alfred Mossman Landon and William Franklin Knox campaigning
Date: 1936
Here are seven photographs showing Alfred Mossman Landon and William Franklin (Frank) Knox campaigning in 1936 on the Republican Party ticket for President and Vice President of the United States.

Alfred Mossman Landon convention photographs
Date: 1936
This set of twelve photographs are of Alfred Mossman Landon at different conventions during his 1936 Presidential campaign. Landon accepted the Republican party's nomination to run as the Republican nominee for the 1936 Presidential race where he eventually lost to the Democratic incumbent President Franklin Roosevelt.

Alfred Mossman Landon, Kansas Governor
Creator: Hodge, L. Cady
Date: 1936
This portrait of Alfred Mossman Landon (1887-1987), represents him during his unsuccessful campaign as the Republican nominee for the 1936 Presidential campaign against President Franklin Roosevelt.

Alfred Mossman Landon, Kansas Governor
Creator: King
Date: 1936
Alfred Mossman Landon, 1887-1987, Kansas Governor and presidential candidate.

Alfred Mossman Landon, Kansas Governor
Creator: Harris & Ewing
Date: 1936
A portrait of Alfred Mossman Landon, 1887-1987, Kansas Governor and presidential candidate.

Alfred Mossman Landon, Kansas Governor
Date: Between 1932 and 1934
Portrait of Alfred Mossman Landon, 1887-1987, Republican candidate for Kansas Governor in either 1932 or 1934.

Alfred Mossman Landon, presidential campaign portrait, 1936
Date: 1936
Alfred Mossman Landon, 1887-1987, presidental campaign portrait, 1936. Landon lost in a landslide to Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Alliance songster
Date: Between 1890 and 1897
This Farmer's Alliance pamphlet includes populist political songs used to organize the farm community behind its political banner.

Alphabetical correspondence, A-B
Creator: Kansas. Governor (1879-1883: Glick)
Date: 1883-1885
These letters are from Kansas citizens as well as out-of-state reporters and organizations to Kansas Governor G. W. Glick. The correspondents discussed various topics including coal, congress (i.e.- bills and elected officials), land and road issues, farming, events in Kansas, making appointments to meet, publications (i.e.- Emporia Gazette and The Herald) and giving thanks/congratulations. Due to the large amount of correspondence Kansas Governor G. W. Glick received from the public, the letters are divided and listed in alphabetical order.

Amos A. Lawrence to Charles Robinson
Creator: Lawrence, Amos Adams
Date: October 19, 1858
Amos A. Lawrence, the benefactor of the city of Lawrence and much free-state activity generally, writes Robinson from Boston, Massachusetts, about several issues, including the establishment of a college, and business/financial matters. Lawrence made interesting reference to his own candidacy for governor on the American Party ticket. He did not expect to win, but instead proposed to simply be working to keep the "Americans" in line for a unified opposition to the Democrats in 1860.

An Act to provide for the election of Delegates to a Convention to frame a State Constitution
Creator: Deitzler, George Washington, 1826-1884
Date: 1858
This act pertains to the election of delegates to the Leavenworth Constitutional Convention in the Kansas Territory.

An act to repeal all poll tax laws in the state of Kansas
Creator: House of Representatives
Date: January 1913
This act was created by the Kansas House of Representatives in an attempt to do away with any poll taxing which required Kansas voters to pay a small fee before being able to cast their ballot. Poll taxing affected people of all races in Kansas. This act was not passed. Poll taxing continued in Kansas until the early 1960s when a federal amendment was passed which made poll taxing unconstitutional in all states.