Medium: Text

Thomas L. McKenney to James Barbour

Date: December 13, 1825

Thomas McKenney, the current Superintendent of Indian Affairs, wrote this letter to James Barbour, Secretary of War, explaining the perceived success of the government’s attempts to “civilize” Indian tribes. As…

Medium: Text

General Order No. 1, 18th Kansas Cavalry

Date: July 17, 1867

This order for the 18th Kansas Cavalry, located at Fort Harker, regulates the maintenance of cavalry horses. Fort Harker was established to provide protection for the Kansas Stage Line and…

Medium: Text

General Order No. 2, 19th Kansas Cavalry

Date: October 29, 1868

This order establishes the 19th Kansas Cavalry at Camp Crawford, which was located outside Topeka, Kansas. This camp had been named after Samuel Crawford, the former governor of Kansas who…

Medium: Text

General Order No. 2, 19th Kansas Cavalry

Date: January 2, 1869

This order established the daily routine that must be observed by the cavalry forces located near Fort Cobb. This includes reveille (5:45am), calls for meals, and finally taps (8:25pm).

Medium: Text

Henry Leavenworth to E.G.W. Butler

Date: May 8, 1827

In this letter Henry Leavenworth, founder of Cantonment Leavenworth (later Ft. Leavenworth) described the location he had chosen as the site of this military outpost. Leavenworth also mentioned that, because…

Medium: Text

Modernist Preacher

Date: 1932

An illustration copied from a pamphlet titled Three Modern Evils. The illustration claims a modernist preacher says that the Bible is not supernaturally inspired. Genesis is a lie. Evolution is…

Medium: Text

Darrow quizzes Bryan

Date: July 21, 1925

This headline appeared in the Topeka Daily Capital and highlights Clarence Darrow’s quizzing of William Jennings Bryan during cross examinations in the Scopes “monkey” trial. This image presents the headline…

Medium: Text

“Ape war” to high court

Date: July 22, 1925

This headline appeared in the Topeka Daily Capital and shows local reaction to the Scopes “monkey” trial on the teaching of evolution in schools. This image highlights the headlines only.

Medium: Text

I light a Lucky and stay slender

Date: February 28, 1929

This newspaper advertisement illustrates Hope Hampton star of the opera, stage, and screen promoting the benefits of smoking Lucky Strike cigarettes.

Medium: Text

Chrysler ’50’ Sedan

Date: December 4, 1926

This newspaper advertisement appeared in the El Dorado Times for a Chrysler ’50’ sedan by Hastie Motor Company in El Dorado, Kansas.

Medium: Text

What do they eat?

Date: November 22, 1926

This advertisement for Shredded Wheat appeared in the El Dorado Times.

Medium: Text

Tri-Monthly Field Return, 18th Kansas Cavalry

Date: July 20, 1867

This balance sheet lists the number of effective and non-effective officers of the 18th Kansas Cavalry stationed at Camp Crawford, outside Topeka, Kansas. It is signed by Captain George B.…

Medium: Text

Topeka High School Orchestra

Date: Between 1920 and 1921

A formal portrait of the members of the 1920-1921 Topeka High School Orchestra that brought home five silver cups from the State Musical Contest in Emporia, Kansas. Famed jazz tenor…

Medium: Text

Topeka High School Orchestra

Date: 1921

A formal portrait of the members of the 1920-1921 Topeka High School Orchestra that brought home five silver cups from the State Musical Contest in Emporia, Kansas. Famed jazz tenor…