Page 6 University Daily Kansan Friday. Jan. 13, 1956
Small Stone Marker Tells Of Turbulent Kansas Past
By KAY HUBBARD
(Of The Daily Kausan Staff)
Probably few of the students who pass Hodder Hall, 1115 Louisiana St., ever notice the small stone marker pictured below, in the southeast corner of the lot, and know even less of the history behind it.
The event it marks was a part of Kansas' exciting past.
On this inconspicuous little marker are inscribed the words:
"Site of Gov. Robinson's First House Burned By Sheriff Jones, May 21, 1856."
Charles Robinson, who was later the first state governor of Kansas, was a leader of the abolitionists in Kansas and claimed to be the territorial governor. He was opposed by Sheriff Samuel Jones and leaders of the pro-slavery element.
Grand Jury Was Pro- Slavery
The grand jury of Kansas composed of pro-slavery men, had sent out indictments against two Lawrence newspapers, the Herald of Freedom and the Kansas Free State, and against the Lawrence hotel which was a military fortress of sorts for the abolitionists.
The leaders of the abolitionists in Lawrence were all gone, A. H. Reeder "fleeing the grand jury in the disguise of a wood chopper," J. H. Lane "out of the territory," and Gov. Robinson a prisoner of Federal Col. W. J. Preston who was bringing him back to Lawrence to face the jury.
Marshal J. B. Donaldson summoned pro-slavery men from all the neighboring towns to meet at Lecompton and march on Lawrence to wipe out the newspapers
and headquarters of the Lawrence abolitionists.
Several hundred marched on Lawrence, dragging five pieces of artillery with them. The Lawrence people tried to surrender, but the posse was not to be stopped.
Newspapers Wrecked
They wrecked the newspaper offices, throwing two printing presses into the river.
The hotel was harder to demolish and the artillery failed to destroy it. They then tried to blow it up, but to no avail. Finally they sacked the liquor cellar and set fire to the building. All the tenants had fled the building.
Stores were pillaged, houses rummaged, and Gov. Robinson's residence was burnt to the ground. One author. Alice Nichols, writes that Gov. Robinson later collected fabulous damages when his group got control of the territory.
This was just a very small part of Kansas history, but it is marked to this day by the unimposing marker in front of what we know as just another piece of land on the side of a steep hill.
A survey by the South Dakota soil conservation service indicates that shelterbelt windbreaks increase crop yields an average of eight and a half bushels an acre.
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THE KANSAN
KANSAN DINING GUIDE
For Hamburgers or Steaks... Dining or
Dancing... you'll find it in the Dining Guide
Rock Chalk Cafe
Special club sandwich—whole meal 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Sunday 3 p.m. to midnite
Old Mission Inn
The best hamburgers in town
1904 Mass. VI 3-9737
Jim's Drive-In
Regular meal and drink 85c U.S. prime steaks—Channel catfish 732 N. 2nd VI 3-9741
Jim's Hamburgers
627 Mass. We never close
Dinner, breakfast anytime—short orders 616 Mass. 24 Hour service
1307 Mass.
Eldridge Hotel Coffee Shop Serving good food all the time 5 a.m.-8 p.m. daily 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun.
The Castle Tea Room
Specializing in chicken & juicy steaks
Dancing nightly all week
V1 3-9727 for reservation
Serving 12-12 Sunday 12-9 p.m.
The Flamingo
10-40 Cafe
Weekend Special—16 oz. broiled T-bone Steak $2.00
1310 W. 6th VI 3-9757
Steaks, Hamburgers, home made pie 609 Vt. Open until 10 p.m.
Open all night
838½ Mass. VI 3-9801
Granada Cafe
(next to the Granada Theatre) Hamburgers & Chili Breakfast Served Anytime Open 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Chris's Cafe
Gemmell's Cafe
The Chuck Wagon
Serving steaks and Bar-B-Q South on Highway 59
Always ready to serve good food 5 a.m.-7:30 p.m.—Open Sunday 717 Mass. VI 3-9766
Italian Spaghetti and meatballs Delicious home made pies 832 Mass. Closed Sunday
Big Buy Drive-In
For the best in burgers, malts & french fries—Open 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. week days, 1 a.m. on Fri. & Sat.
Dinner Bell Cafe
912 Mass. Open Sunday Week days 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Blue Hills Drive-In
Extra large drive-in menu—jumbo steakburgers, bar-b-q burgers, home made apple pie 1601 E.23rd East on hi-way 10