The Way West revisits Kansas history, telling little known stories that give us all a better understanding of this place called Kansas and the people who have gone before us. We all should have a better awareness of our origins. The actions of the founding fathers who forged the 34th state are every bit as dramatic as any in the history of the nation.

The following story ran 10 years ago as “The ‘Goose Question’ on the Kansas Border.” It’s one of those stories left untold in Kansas history books, but one that gives depth to the struggle that was waged to make Kansas free. In 1854, it clearly mattered how you stood on the goose.

“How does he stand on the goose?” When John McNamara first heard that question, he had no idea what it meant. The date was Oct. 15, 1854. McNamara, an Episcopal minister, was in the dining hall of the Saint George Hotel in Weston, Mo. Being new to the territory, the pro-slavery crowd was anxious to know the preacher’s stance. What “strange cabalistic!” McNamara would soon come to understand the cryptic remark.

Weston was a stronghold for a pro-slavery group led by the Chaplain at Fort Leavenworth known as the Self Defensives. Once members of the Platte County Self-Defensive Association were examined and approved, they were declared “sound on the goose.”

David R. Atchison, namesake of Atchison, was an avid supporter of the Self-Defensives with a great deal of political sway. Atchison was presently serving as the President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate, and although not officially appointed Vice President of the United States following the death of Vice President William R. King, Atchison was considered by many to be the vice president. McNamara called Atchison a “true knight of the manacle of slavery.”

The United States government was in the hands of the very powerful Southern Democratic Party. Under the Franklin Pierce administration, federal interests, including U.S. troops at Fort Leavenworth, supported the institution of slavery in the south, and by extension, slavery for Kansas.

Assembling a government for a territory with aspirations of statehood was no small task. Presidential appointee for Governor of Kansas Territory, Andrew Reeder, established a temporary executive office in Leavenworth on Oct. 7, 1854.

Throughout the next month he toured the territory. An election for a Congressional delegate to the U.S. Congress was held in November. John W. Whitfield, a pro-slavery supporter, easily defeated two Free State candidates.

A general election to select representatives for the Kansas Legislature was slated for March 30, 1855. A throng of northern abolitionists daily arrived in Kansas, taking up the Free State cause. Slaveholders in the terrtory who were sound on the goose question were becoming the minority.

The Self-Defensives were undeterred. Their flagship newspaper, the Platte County Argus published in Weston, helped guide the cause as they met to prepare for an “invasion” of pro-slavery men into Kansas Territory.

The Argus counseled with “orders from headquarters.” Everyone was to have a saddle horse ready. Tents were constructed for their sojourn were filled with whiskey and old dragoon coats were “borrowed” to give the invasion a military flare.

“Everything depended upon the point of destination, which had been assigned to the different corps … If A.’s company was designed to carry the polls at Marysville … Mr.

A. must start at least five days before the opening of the polls. If B.’s company had been ordered to take Leavenworth … B. could wait until the last moment and go down to the sound of fife and drum.”

There were two ferry crossings into Kansas.

One of the operators was definitely sound on the goose question, but the other, John Ellis, being from Indiana, was suspect. “Put no money in John Ellis’ purse,” was the word. Alas, the electionday invasion would be a great windfall for his business if only he could gain the trust of the Self Defensives.

Hoping to change their opinion, Ellis placed an ad in the Argus. “Some illy-disposed persons have tried to injure my ferry by stating that I refused to cross persons last fall to go to the election. This is false — it will be difficult to find one more sound on the ‘goose,’ than I am. (Signed,) JOHN ELLIS.” Standing with the goose was a fortunate financial decision. Business flourished on Election Day. So much so that in a short time, his business sported a new ferry boat.

One day before the election, a party of Platte County men rode into Weston. “They had tufts of hemp (the staple of Platte County) in their hats and in their button holes.” They carried a long pole with a live goose strapped to the highest point as if it were a military crest.

McNamara thought the goose was “emblematic of slavery, the object of the conquest of Kansas.”

He railed at the idea.

“From henceforth, let this animal be mentioned with honor. O ye future historians, give it a place in your annals; when you mention Roman Eagles, say a word in behalf of Missouri Geese!”

Those elected became a part of the “Bogus Legislature,” and even though they were sound on the goose, their cause was eventually lost to the principle of freedom on The Way West.

“The Cowboy” Jim Gray can be reached at 220 21st Rd., Geneseo, KS 67444, (785) 531-2058 or kansascowboy@