First Migrations

First Migrations of Early Settlers, 1854-1865

Lawrence’s earliest African American settlers migrated here by different routes, a few via the Underground Railroad and most as “contrabands” of the Civil War.¹ We know the arrival years of a few people based on their published obituaries. Before Kansas became a new frontier territory, Henry E. Smith, born enslaved in Kentucky, reportedly came with the Shawnee Indians around 1840. Others, such as Harriet (Adams) Harper and Mary Gray, who arrived in the 1850s included Peter Jones and Mark L. Freeman (1854), Bedford Drisdom (1855), and Elias L. Bradley (1856). (See their respective family biographies.)

Enslaved African Americans resolved to escape human bondage by fleeing to Lawrence based on the “Free-State Myth.” After Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act on May 30, 1854, the Kansas Territory was opened to white settlement. White abolitionists, opposed to human bondage, sought to make Kansas a “free state” in direct opposition to the neighboring proslavery state of Missouri, which held over 87,000 to nearly 115,000 enslaved people from 1850 to 1860. White families arrived in several parties of the Massachusetts (New England) Emigrant Aid Society and named the townsite of Lawrence on October 6, 1854 after Amos Lawrence, the society’s white benefactor.² Douglas County, named after US Senator Stephen A. Douglas, was established on August 25, 1855.

Kansas historians have pointed out how and why white free-staters and Black freedom seekers held different meanings of “freedom.” White free-staters wanted the freedom to own property stolen from American Indians and to work freely without competition from Black laborers. They initially exploited Black labor to build the town of Lawrence, to assist white farmers, and to serve white families, much like former plantation owners. In contrast, African Americans expected freedom from all forms of racial discrimination but soon discovered otherwise when the 1859 Wyandotte Constitution denied Black men voting rights. As William (Bill) Tuttle affirms, present-day Lawrencians tend to praise the city’s “free-state” roots in self-congratulatory ways without fully acknowledging the struggles for freedom that Black residents faced in Lawrence since the mid-19th century.³

The Underground Railroad, 1854-1860

During the contentious border wars of Bleeding Kansas, news of Lawrence as a “free state” stronghold spread quickly across the country and prompted many enslaved and mostly illiterate freedom seekers to make their way to Lawrence via the highly secretive Underground Railroad. White men and women in Douglas County assisted anywhere between 300 to 1,000 freedom seekers from April 1855 through 1860, despite the high penalties for doing so as instituted by the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law.⁴ As James B. Abbott recalled, slaves in Missouri especially feared being sold to planters in the deep South:

This action on the part of owners prompted slaves to secure their freedom before the  difficulties were increased and the opportunities were gone, and so it is not at all strange  that hardly a week passed that some way-worn bondman did not find his way into  Lawrence, the best advertised anti-slavery town in the world, and where the slave was  sure to receive sympathy and encouragement, and was sent on his way rejoicing either by  himself or with others, as the circumstances seemed to suggest was most wise.⁵

Historian Richard Cordley, a Congregational minister who arrived in Lawrence in 1857, noted, “There is no doubt that a good many slaves, fleeing from bondage, made their way to Lawrence, and there were aided on their journey towards Canada.” He was told “that not less than one hundred thousand dollars’ worth of slaves passed through Lawrence on their way to liberty during the territorial period.”⁶ In other words, Abbott and Cordley suggest that white residents assisted freedom seekers so they would leave Lawrence and not remain as residents. Harriet Harper was one of the few known freedom seekers who came here from Liberty, Missouri via the Underground Railroad and made Lawrence her long-time home.

Contraband Settlers during the Civil War, 1861-1865

Kansas was admitted to the union as a “free state” on January 29, 1861, with Charles Robinson serving as its first governor. Three months later, the outbreak of the Civil War sparked a massive influx of African Americans who freed themselves from human bondage by entering Union Army camps as “contrabands of war,” a Congressional act first proposed by Gen. Benjamin Butler and signed by President Lincoln in August 1861. Col. George W. Dietzler of the First Kansas infantry was one of many Union officers who enforced this law.⁷

An untold number of contrabands eventually made their way to Lawrence, having heard about General James H. Lane, who ordered Rev. Hugh D. Fisher to free all slaves in Missouri and neighboring states. Rev. Cordley characterized Lawrence’s enslaved persons as follows:

The most unique movement caused by the war was the influx into Lawrence of negroes escaping slavery...as soon as the war opened. At first it was only now and then one more energetic and enterprising than the rest. But they kept coming thicker and faster until they were coming by scores. The movement was doubtless accelerated by the measures taken by slaveholders to prevent it. Among other things they began selling their slaves down south where they would have no hope of escape. There was no horror in the negro mind more dreaded than being ‘sold down south’ into the gulf states. It was hopeless bondage there....One man came to Lawrence whose wife had been sold down into Alabama. He was to be sold also and to be sent in another direction. He took a direction of his own without consulting his master.

The same thing was occuring all along the border of the free states. Wherever union soldiers were stationed, slaves would escape from their masters and run into camp. They had the most implicit faith in ‘Massa Lincoln,’ and most thoroughly believed that the war was for their liberation....But their coming into the union lines raised a difficult question,....What must be done? The war had not changed the [1850 fugitive slave] law. Yet these negroes were enthusiastic for the union and loved the flag. It seemed cruel and absurd to send such men back to the enemy to be beaten and put in chains perhaps, because they loved their country and wanted to be free. General Ben Butler finally cut the knot [by declaring them ‘contrabands of war.’].... 

The slaves escaping from the Missouri border made their way to Lawrence as if by instinct. They had heard of Lawrence in her early struggles. They knew how their masters hated her; consequently they loved her. They all felt that they would be safe if they could only get to Lawrence. Lawrence became to them what the polar star had been to the fugitives of former years. Their "star of hope" had moved off several hundred miles. Whenever one had determined to escape and was fairly out of the toils of his master, he headed for Lawrence and plodded on by day and by night till he reached the goal.

The people of Lawrence did not need the ‘contraband’ subterfuge to keep these poor fellows from being sent back to their masters....But their ‘faith’ was very severely tried by the numbers that came. They began to feel that virtue was not always its own reward. They almost regretted the reputation their history had given them. Most of those who came were entirely destitute and had no idea or plan beyond getting to Lawrence. Now and then one had ‘spoiled the Egyptians’ and brought some little with him. But the great majority were kept from doing this either by conscience or a vigilant guard. They brought nothing with them but the clothes they had on,...They were old and torn, tied up with strings and pinned with thorns. The fear was very natural that these unfortunate men would be a serious burden to the people who had about all they could carry already. But in this they were happily disappointed. These people were strong and healthy and ready to work at anything that was offered. They were so glad to be free that they would accept any shelter they could find and were satisfied with the simplest food. By a little systematic planning, work was found for them as fast as they came, and this unique community of freedmen was self-sustaining almost from the start.

These people showed a great eagerness to learn. Very few of them could either read or write. They had not been allowed to learn in their condition as slaves. Teaching a slave was a crime punished with severe penalties. As soon as they were free, therefore, they were very eager to learn. To accommodate them a night school was established in Lawrence to which anybody could come who wished....They were of all ages; a class of restless little girls on one bench, and a class of grown men on another. They all began with the alphabet. In five nights some of them were spelling words of two syllables. Some who began when the school opened were able to read fluently and were ready to commence in [numerical] figures....⁸

The following Lawrence news articles detail these events in order to establish the perspectives of white editors and residents toward African Americans.

Contrabands Arriving

Republican Journal, September 19, 1861, 3

Capt. Cleveland arrived in Lawrence a few days ago with seventeen ‘Contrabands’ taken, we are informed, from a man who had contributed his money and horses to the secession army. To the question whether they could not have got a few more, one of the ‘boys’ responded that they ‘were in a hurry and it was a poor day for darkies.’ Amongst them are two families. The ‘Contrabands’ procured a large room, and tuning up an old violin and banjo, had a jolly time upon their arrival here. They have successfully ‘seceded’—gone ‘where the smart [people] go.’

Contrabands

Republican Journal, November 7, 1861, 2

A few days ago, we met two wagons full of slaves this side of Kansas City and naturally stopped to inquire where they came from. ‘Are you running away?’ said we. ‘Oh, no,’ responded an old woman, ‘dey took us.’ ‘Who took you?’ ‘Why, some of Lane’s men! De blessed Kansas Jayhawkers. Dey Jayhawked us!’ Then changing tone and almost bursting into tears, she continued: ‘All but one, a fine chunk of a boy, ‘bout fifteen, dat de secesh [Confederate secessionist] hid in de brush wid de mules.’ They inquired how far it was to Lawrence, and marched onward to freedom. Five years ago, we passed over the same ground, under charges of rebellion, with a great deal less safety than these negroes now passed to a land of freedom. Blessed are the works of the Free State men.

“The Black Brigade” by Chaplain H.H. Moore of the Third Kansas

Republican Journal, November 21, 1861

Lawrence, Nov. 19, 1861.

FRIEND SPEER: I hope you will allow me room in this week’s issue of the REPUBLICAN to give your readers a brief account of the most remarkable exodus of slaves to a land of freedom, that has occurred since the time of Moses. For the sake of brevity, I will notice seriatim the various points which will be necessary to an understanding of this remarkable chapter in American history.

GEN. LANE’S WAR POLICY

He believes most religiously that slavery is the cause of the war—that conquering armies have not so terrible an effect upon secessionism and treason, as opening the way for the escape of slaves—that in the institution of slavery, we are to look for the vulnerable heel of the South; that this mode of warfare is human and life-saving to the master and merciful to those in bondage, and that this course is in accordance with the spirit of the age and will receive the sanction of posterity.

Kansas State Journal, November 28, 1861, 3

Our colored population is now not far from one hundred. A much greater number of this class have arrived here but have found good homes in the surrounding country. All who have so far arrived have managed in some way to get employment. The men saw wood and ‘do chores,’ and the females have many of them entered [white] families as servants.

John B. Wood added that “131 [contrabands] came into Lawrence in ten days, yesterday 27 had arrived by 2 pm. ...thus far they have been taken care of, as the farmers need help.” ⁹

Kansas State Journal, December 19, 1861, 3

The sooner our City Council urge forward the grading of Massachusetts street the better. The street would be much improved in appearance; less mud in rainy weather; it would make property more valuable; there would be greater inducement to build, and it would be an act of justice to those who have complied with the grade. [Mayor] Collamore who has been to an expense of $150 to make the necessary improvement, and we are satisfied that it is a good commencement. Now gentlemen, let the contrabands have employment and let us have a finished business street.

Our ‘Contraband’ School

by editor Josiah Trask, Kansas State Journal, January 9, 1862, 3 

‘Contrabands’ are becoming one of the ‘institutions’ of Lawrence. As they break their fetters, they very naturally strike for the center of abolitionism. For some months past, they have been thickening in our streets—filling and even crowding our few vacant houses and rooms. The question: ‘What shall we do with them?’ so perplexing in theological discussions, has become with a practical one that must be met at once. Gen. Lane’s ‘ocean’ is not at hand to let in between the two races, and the ‘mingling’ has become inevitable.

While many were speculating as to what course to take, and insisting that ‘something must be done,’ several benevolent ladies and gentlemen suggested and carried out the idea of an evening school, which should educate these refugees from Slavery, and fit them for the freedom they had acquired.

The school was started on the same principle with our Sabbath schools—one or two taking the general oversight and preserving order, and then having the scholars divided into classes large enough to occupy the time of one teacher during the evening. At first the school was held in a small room, and began with four scholars, but it rapidly increased until the room was full and crowded, and then it was moved into the Court House. Our citizens have been very liberal in contributing towards fitting the Court House in proper shape, and volunteer teachers have been sufficient to supply the demand. The school is held every night in the week, except Saturday.

Last Friday evening, we visited the school, and it is not often we have seen a more interesting sight. There were present that evening eighty-three scholars and twenty-seven teachers. The Court House was crowded, and we have seldom seen a more orderly school of any kind. Most of these people came among us entirely ignorant even of their letters. They had to begin like little children at the Alphabet. But the eagerness with which they learn is exceedingly interesting. They seem to be straining forward with all their might, as if they could not learn fast enough. One young man who had been to the school only five nights and began with the Alphabet, now spells in words of two syllables. Another, at the same time, had progressed so that he could read, quite readily, the simple lessons given in the spelling books. The scholars were of all ages. Here is a class of little girls, eager and restless; there is a class of grown men, solemn and earnest. A class of maidens, in their teens, contrasts with another of elderly women. But all alike showed the same intentness of application. We were especially pleased with the courteous frankness with which they all answered any questions in reference to their progress. Some who began when the school opened, can now read with some fluency, and are ready to commence with figures [numbers].

The school continued from seven to eight o’clock. After the lesson was finished, a short time was spent in singing. Their wild, untutored voices produced a strange but pleasing impression. One of their songs, altered from a familiar Sunday school hymn, seemed peculiarly fitted for the occasion, and they sung it as though they meant it:

‘Where, Oh where, is the Captain Moses,

Who led Israel out from Egypt?

Safe now in the promised land.’

It is worth one evening to see such a sight. Eighty-three scholars, just out of bondage, giving themselves intently to study, after working all day to earn their bread, and twenty-seven teachers—some of our most cultivated and refined ladies and gentlemen—laboring night after night, voluntarily and without compensation, is a sight not often seen.

The diffidence of the ladies and gentlemen engaged in this meritorious work is the only cause for the non-appearance of their names in this connection. Suffice it to say, they deem their reward sufficient in the unexpected complete success of the enterprise.

So we present to our readers a brief history of the inauguration and conduct of the first successful school for ‘Contrabands’ we have heard of in the country. We trust that it may be the means of calling attention to the mental training of these unfortunate people.

Kansas State Journal, January 30, 1862, 3

Col. Jennison, with his accustomed philanthropy, has given $250 towards building a school house and place of worship for the colored people of Lawrence. Week-days the building will be used for a school for children; in the evenings, for adults, and on the Sabbath there will be preaching and Sunday school. The building and lot will cost nearly $1,500. Let it go up! Who helps it?

Kansas State Journal, February 6, 1862, 3

We dropped into the ‘Contraband’ school last week, and heard the scholars ‘speak pieces.’ A general interest seems to be taken in this department, though sufficient care had not been observed in committing the pieces to memory. A vote was taken as to the continuance of the speaking exercises and decided in the affirmative. The same interest seems to be taken by the scholars as at first. We are glad of it.

The Contraband School

Kansas State Journal, March 20, 1862, 2

Since the soldiers vacated the Court room, the night school for the Contrabands has been opened again with renewed interest on the part of both teachers and pupils. Every night the room is filled with eager seekers for the blessed light of knowledge....

Those choice spirits [teachers] engaged in the good work of caring for the outcasts and teaching them how to become useful in the great field of progress, will have their reward in the lasting gratitude of the recipients of their beneficent attentions, and in the approval of watchful good men and women throughout the world. Indeed, this school may be regarded as an experiment, and much that affects the condition and relations of the negro race is to be settled by its success or failure. If such a school can be perpetuated and healthily sustained, and the colored children go forth from it upon the new scenes into which they are introduced self-helping, industrious and good men and women, they will be living exponents of the doctrine of the capacity of the race to own itself. So we are rejoiced that the work is earnest.

The Contrabands to have the First School House

Kansas State Journal, March 20, 1862, 3

Col. Jennison’s munificent donation pledged to the erection of a school house for the Contrabands of this city has furnished a most attractive nucleus for the aggregation of the precious matter out of which such institutions are fashioned. We learn from Mr. [Samuel] N. Simpson, to whose energy and enterprise the success of the present school is mainly indebted, that he has received in money and pledges of money from parties in Boston and other places East enough to raise the whole amount to nearly six hundred dollars. A committee of ladies has been organized to receive donations from abroad and from all who feel disposed to lend a helping hand in forwarding the good work. They are soon to start out on the business of seeking out the free hearted and philanthropic in our midst. Let all such be prepared to respond. The other kind will need no notice to enable them to respond as they are inclined.

The Contraband School House and the Contrabands

Kansas State Journal, May 1, 1862, 2

The contraband School House is rapidly and certainly emerging from the impalpable nebular of talk and project into the recognizable and measurable outlines of a brick and mortar fact. A handsomely located lot on Kentucky street has been secured and the foundations of the building are laid already for the superstructure. It is to be built of brick. The dimensions are 27 feet by 35 feet on the ground, one story, finished in one room, 14 feet in the clear [tall]. It is designed to arrange the interior so that it will be adapted to the purposes of a school room, and also pleasant and commodious room for religious meetings. The building will be finished outside and inside in a neat and substantial style, and in its architectural character will really be a commendable improvement.

The principle part of the funds collected to construct the house have been received as voluntary contributions from philanthropic persons in various parts of the country. Still, no inconsiderable share of the honor connected with its completion will be justly due the colored people who are to enjoy its privileges. They have very generally contributed periodically each his or her might to the consummation of the enterprise, and now that the work has actually commenced, all that are needed give their labor cheerfully to help it forward.

The deep interest which this down-trodden and much abused race so generally manifest in the building up of civilizing institutions, and in all projects having in view their advancement and elevation, most successfully explodes that comfortable theory of the slave drivers and their friends in the free States, that they are essentially incapable of improvement. We see here in Lawrence what they can and will do when they have their freedom. Freedom is only opportunity. To embrace it there must be an inherent aspiration after higher developments of character. God never endowed a sentient being with that faculty which yearns after objects and qualities, the possession of which constitute a higher and better life without a corresponding capacity to improve in that direction.

The colored people of the city have already organized a Benevolent Society, which has its weekly meetings and lecturer. The first object is to help the needy and helpless of their color in their midst. This broader purpose is improvement.

City Improvements

Republican Journal, May 29, 1862, 3

A brick building on Kentucky street, intended for a school house for the contrabands, is being built through the agency of S[amuel] N. Simpson. Many of the contrabands have given a week or more of labor, others have given five, ten, fifteen and twenty cents a day, while others have variously subscribed between ten and twenty-five cents a week during the time that the building shall be constructing....

**

In addition to constructing a school house, freed men and women also desired their own church, as Rev. Cordley explained:

Work in religious lines was commenced about the same time. A Sunday school was carried on among these people every Sunday; and Sunday services were conducted for them whenever it was possible. The evening services soon outgrew the room in which they were held and moved over into the [Plymouth] Congregational church. Evening after evening that house was filled with an earnest congregation. They seemed to be all of one mind, and no sectarian name was mentioned. They had been members of different churches, but all seemed to go together. We began to think that the sectarian divisions which so hinder Christian work among white people did not exist among these colored brethren. We afterward learned our mistake,...  Before the year had passed, several of their own ministers appeared, and they divided into various ecclesiastical camps. Most of their preachers were very ignorant, some of them not able to read. But the less they knew the more confident they were, and the more bigoted. We felt that our work was not done, so we kept on with our Sunday school and Sunday evening services. Quite a number of earnest souls clave to us, and after a time desired to be formed into a church. The following account of the forming of the church is found in the Congregational Record, April, 1862:

‘On Sabbath evening, March 16, a Church was organized among the ‘Contrabands’ at Lawrence, as the ‘Second Congregational Church.’ Eight persons covenanted together, and others are expected to unite. Only one of these persons [Anthony Oldham] had a letter of dismissal from the Church from which he came. His letter was made out for himself and wife. We asked him where his wife was. He replied, ‘they had sold my wife and children down South before I got away. But I got a letter for both, hoping I might find her sometime.’ We have seldom seen Slavery in so odious an aspect.

All the rest united on profession, although they had been members of churches before. They came away in too much of a hurry to get letters. Their experiences were distinct and very satisfactory. They seemed to understand very clearly the grounds of their hope. One of them said he always thought that if he ever experienced religion he should keep it to himself; he would not go around telling about it. But when he was converted he went right in among the white folks praising God; he could not keep it to himself. They said he was drunk; but he thanked God for such drunkenness as that. His story reminded us of what was said of the apostles on the day of Pentecost: ‘These men are full of new wine.' ¹⁰

Dedication

Kansas State Journal, September 25, 1862, 3

The Dedication Services of the New Contraband Church on Vermont Street will be held next Sabbath at 7 o’clock P.M. Sermon by [white] Rev. J. W. Fox, Ridgeway [Osage County].

[unknown newspaper]

The ‘Freedmen’s Church’ of Lawrence was dedicated Sabbath evening, September 28th, 1862. The house was filled with an attentive congregation of ‘freedmen’—all lately from bondage, and all neatly dressed as a result of their short experience of free labor. Rev J. W. Fox, of Ridgeway, preached from the text, ‘They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat.’ The most eloquent passage of the sermon was where the preacher drew a parallel between that old Dutch ship coming up the James River, two hundred and forty years ago, freighted with twenty slaves, and the moving of the vast armies of the time up that same river, washing out in blood the crime then inaugurated. That old Dutch ship brought in the first instalment of the accumulating curse that has at last brought our nation to the verge of ruin.

At the conclusion Mr. Fox presented the church with a pulpit Bible which had been sent by a lady in Worcester, Massachusetts, for the ‘first Freedmen’s Church.’¹¹

**

Daniel Ellex served as the church’s first pastor sometime in 1863 for two years.¹² Although his racial identity remains unclear, a Black “day laborer” by the name of Daniel Elix (born in Missouri in 1817) resided in Lawrence with his family in June 1865 on New York street between 7th and 8th in 1866. Under his leadership, membership rose from eight members (six men and two women) to twenty-three (ten men and thirteen women), and 100 persons attended the Sabbath school during the first year. Unfortunately, this church building was burned during Quantrill’s raid but was later rebuilt. ¹³

**

Kansas State Journal, February 5, 1863, 3

The “Contraband” School in this city is moving along finely, and we have heard several compliments for its discipline and good order.

Kansas State Journal, March 12, 1863, 3

At the Contraband Congregational Sunday School, a collection was taken up the Sunday before Christmas for the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, and over seven dollars raised. So says the Congregational Record. Few of the scholars have been more than a year out of slavery.

Kansas State Journal, June 18, 1863, 3

A festival for the benefit of the Contraband school was held in Eldridge’s Hall last Friday evening. The hall was appropriately trimmed. The word ‘Liberty’ was most beautifully wreathed upon the east wall. The hall was crowded, and the music of the Lawrence Band was particularly attractive. The receipts were large, netting a very nice little sum for the colored school.

One year later, contrabands were now known as “refugees.”

Kansas State Journal, June 23, 1864

On Monday, quite a number of refugees black and white from the war-blighted region of Arkansas and the Cherokee country [future Oklahoma], came to our town. About two hundred of them encamped across the river and intend stopping here. Others passed on to Leavenworth.

Mr. Simpson, who in himself is a sort of sanitary commission to care for the welfare and to investigate the wants of such unfortunates, has visited them and reports that the mass of them are anxious to secure opportunity for labor—to ‘pitch in’ and do what is necessary to earn their livelihood. Some of them are very poor and in need of aid.

Such unfortunate beings are entitled to sympathy and charity. Whatever encouragement and aid can be offered them should be given them.

Tribune, June 28, 1864

SUFFERING COLORED REFUGEES.—We have been absent several weeks, and our attention has never been called to the sufferers alluded to, until we received the following note. These refugees are on the north side of the Kansas river, opposite Lawrence, and Mrs. O’Neill’s appeal ought to be sufficient:

North Lawrence, June 26th, 1864

Mr. Editor—You are aware that a number of black people were landed on this side of the river; but I feel sure you do not know the condition that these poor creatures are in, or you would have noticed it in your columns. For two or three days I have heard of much sickness among them; so I felt bound to go and offer my assistance. I found eleven lying sick in an unfinished building. They had the measles, whooping cough and diarrhea; some have died, others are nearly dead. One poor little babe is now dying. It would touch the feelings of the most indifferent spectator to see those children without beds or bedding—not even a change of garments—mere skeletons lying on bundles of dirty rags; no nourishment, no medicine, no soothing cordial to ease the way to the grave. Can anything be done for these sufferers? If so, it should be done quickly.

Yours truly, Alice V. O’Neill.

Tribune, July 13, 1864

THE REFUGEES.—There are now some one hundred and thirty refugees across the river. A large number have found homes and employment. Those remaining are mostly women and children. Many are sick, and others are in a helpless condition, having the charge of children needing their care and attention. A portion of them are in two or three houses, which will accommodate less than twenty each. The others are in poor tents, or without any shelter except miserable blankets.

Some of our citizens have interested themselves in these sufferers, and their condition has been ameliorated somewhat but not as it should be. A general movement should be made by our philanthropists to secure comfortable houses, of a cheap kind for them.

A large number are still to come. We understand that Colonel Phillips has sent word that some six hundred more will soon arrive. Humanity and Christian benevolence should prompt our citizens to active efforts for these sufferers. Aid can be obtained from abroad by the proper efforts being made. Places for labor, for all who can work, should be secured as fast as possible; and those who remain, unable to work, should be kept from suffering. It is true this appeal from these unfortunates for assistance is not addressed to a common desire for public improvement; it is no benefit to have these refugees here. Selfishness is a very low prompter to generosity and should be ignored in this case.

Tribune, August 7, 1864

Editors of the Tribune: 

Is it true that there are persons living in Lawrence whose business it is to attend to and labor for the refugees in the vicinity? Is it true that these persons are drawing liberal salaries from the Government? How many poor colored refugees are allowed to sicken and die around us, uncared for, while these Federal appointees are living at ease in our midst? INQUIRER.

Tribune, August 11, 1864

EDITORS TRIBUNE: In answer to “Inquirer’s” note in Sunday morning’s issue, we wish to say there are those living in Lawrence whose business it is to supervise the interests of freedmen and refugees, and that we are laboring for their good. Let facts be stated.

The camp is visited almost daily by one or both of the supervisors, when possible. We have procured medicines from Leavenworth City, and Chaplain Brooks has bought with his own money $15 worth of medicines (for which he will receive no pay) and issued them. We have made coffins with our own hands, dug graves, hauled the dead to their graves with our own private conveyances, and regularly issued rations every five days, for all whom we can draw. Once, when there were none to be had this side of Paola, and the refugees were suffering for food, we gave money ourselves, and asked others to give. Chaplain Brooks issued out of his own private larder no longer since August 6th. Mr. Brooks dug the grave of a woman who had died, had her taken a part of the way to the grave on a wagon, and the help of a black man, carried her the rest of the way, and there, with his own hands, he filled up the grave.

That there is suffering and sickness, we do not deny. How could it be otherwise? But that we are neglecting our duty we do most positively and unequivocally deny. We are not living at our ease to the damage of the interests of these people. We have no means of relieving them which we do not use. We are not allowed half the regular rations. We cannot employ a surgeon or physician. We cannot rent houses, buy lumber, or any such thing. When we find a home for a family, we cannot hire and pay for a wagon or get a Government wagon to transport from the main road of travel. We are not even allowed means to buy coffins for the dead; and yet we have tried to do our duty.

We have complimentary letters from headquarters and the endorsement of commanders at Fort Scott, Paola, Topeka and other places. We are trying to get homes as fast as refugees are able to work; but we are not allowed to issue to persons who have been at work here in families until they are worn out, and then (as in some cases), turned away helpless.

“Inquirer” assumes that we “draw large pay and are living at ease,” while these helpless ones are by us neglected. This is a mere assumption. Why don’t he, like a man, write over his own name?

H. D. Fisher, Chaplain 5th Kansas Calvary and Supervisor of Refugees

S. Brooks, Chaplain 9th Kansas Volunteer Calvary

Tribune, August 13, 1864, Congregational Church, Lawrence, Aug. 11th.

The ladies appointed to devise means for the relief of the suffering refugees in this place met at [3:30 p.m.]. Mrs. [Helen E.] Starrett was appointed Secretary, and Mrs. S.S. Snyder, Treasurer.

A communication was read by Mrs. [H.D.] Fisher, the President, from Rev. Mr. Brooks, stating that there are about seventy-five refugees to whom Government rations have been issued heretofore, who must shortly become dependent upon public charity, as but a few more rations are allowed to be issued.

It was resolved to form a society for the purpose of aiding such of these as are destitute and helpless, and to obtain employment for as many as are able to work. The Society to be known as “The Ladies’ Refugee Aid Society of Lawrence.”¹⁴

After consultation, it was resolved to divide the city into districts, and to appoint for each district, a committee whose business it shall be to secure subscriptions in the form of a small amount per week, which the subscribers will be called upon to pay weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly, as the treasury may need replenishing.

Tribune, March 16, 1865

We understand that the influx of “refugees” is about to commence again. Some eighty or a hundred women and children, white and black, will be here in a day or two. They hail from Arkansas and Missouri.

Kansas State Journal, April 13, 1865, City Council Chamber, Lawrence, April 6th, 1865, 9 a.m.

….The Council being called to order, Councilman Kimball presented a preamble and resolutions setting forth the destitute condition of the refugees and contrabands in this city and county—the onerous tax imposed upon the city and county for their support, and such other facts calculated to awaken a feeling of responsibility on the part of those in command of the Military Department of Kansas—asking its adoption by the City Council [and] by the Board of County Commissioners. [A copy of this adopted document was forwarded] to Major Gen. Dodge at Fort Leavenworth, commander of the Military Department of Kansas.

**

Rev. Cordley summarized the contraband migration in Lawrence as follows:

What occurred in Lawrence was only a specimen of what was happening all along the border. In all the border communities and in all the Union camps the freed slaves made their appearance. The question of their education and of their Christian training became at once a grave one and has been a serious one ever since. All denominations have entered into the work heartily and it has become recognized as a distinct department of missionary operations. The question can hardly be made too prominent—what we do for these people, we do for ourselves. They are a part of the nation, and no wish or will of ours can separate them from us or separate their destiny from ours. We may restrict immigration as we will, but these people are already here. It is of no use to shut the door. They are already in….

The negroes are not coming. They are here. They will stay here. They are American born. They have been here for more than two hundred and fifty years. They are not going back to Africa….They are not going to other parts of our own land. They are going to stay where they are….They are to remain, and they are to increase. They are with us and with us to stay. They are to be our neighbors, whatever we may think about it, whatever we may do about it. It is not for us to say whether they shall be our neighbors or not. That has been settled by the providence that has placed them among us. It is only for us to say what sort of neighbors they shall be, and whether we will fulfill our neighborly obligations.¹⁵

Rev. Cordley also observed the following and made this critical point:

Most of the early fugitives were among the most energetic and enterprising of the slaves. Most of them remained in Lawrence, and they and their families are among the most prosperous and well to do of our colored population. If the spirit of common sympathy and helpfulness which was so marked at first, could have been kept up, it would have been vastly better for both races and for all concerned.”¹⁶

Indeed, his lament over the prejudicial racism that followed among some white Lawrencians would come to pass after the Civil War.

Quantrill’s Raid, 1863 

On August 21, 1863, William Quantrill and hundreds of his guerilla raiders entered Lawrence where 2,000 people resided. During their four-hour deadly rampage, they massacred over 200 men and adolescent boys and burned about 185 buildings to the ground. Around 400 formerly enslaved people were among the main targets of Quantrill’s cruelty.

For details, please obtain a booklet “African American Survivors and Victims of Quantrill’s Raid” by Jeanne Klein ($15) at Watkins Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS 66044, or ask staff to mail you a copy by calling (785) 841-4109.