“The year 1855 has passed away and 1856 has quietly stepped upon the platform. Quietly did we say? Ah no, not so quiet as may be imagined by those who were shut up in their shake houses, trying to keep off the chill blasts of the departing year.”
So announced the Topeka Kansas Freeman of Jan. 2, 1856, with trepidation for the future.
“Why, there have been ‘war’ and ‘rumors of war,’ bloodshed, thieving and all manner of incendiary and murderous work carried on in our young state.”
Although harmony and union had been the watchwords for truth and freedom, editor Edward C. K. Garvey foreshadowed troubled times ahead writing “...before another year rolls around, you and I dear reader may be numbered with those who have gone before. It is a solemn contemplation, yet if we are prepared, ‘Jordan’ will prove an easy ‘road to travel.’”
As Topeka’s first newspaperman, Garvey had witnessed human nature in all its frailty.
A rapid reversal of influence in the territory had been seen in 1855 with the initial organization of the 1854 pro-slavery government. Territorial Governor Andrew Reeder, initially a pro-slavery presidential appointment, was relieved of his responsibilities by U.S. President Franklin Pierce in August after he pivoted to support the abolitionist cause.
The pro-slavery territorial government was deemed the “Bogus Legislature” by abolitionists who responded to what they believed was an illegitimate government by organizing the Free State party to represent anti-slavery sentiments in September 1855. A day later, President Pierce appointed Wilson Shannon to replace Governor Reeder.
In late October, the Free State party pushed for the abolishment of slavery in a new constitutional convention at Topeka. At Leavenworth, the pro-slavery faction organized the Law and Order Party to offset abolitionist momentum.
Charles W. Dow was killed at Hickory Point by a pro-slavery supporter instigating the Wakarusa War southeast of Lawrence. Pro-slavery forces amassed at Franklin, near the mouth of the Wakarusa River, with plans to sack Lawrence, Topeka and Manhattan. They were ordered to stand down by Governor Shannon on Dec. 7, but not before Thomas Barber, a Free State man, was killed on his way home from Lawrence.
At Topeka, delegates were gathered Dec. 15, 1855, to approve the definitive version of the Topeka Constitution, while at Leavenworth, Garvey reported that Law and Order men were forcing judges from their seats “...with revolvers pointed at their heads.”
“The ballot box for approval of the Topeka Constitution was destroyed. The Kansas Register office was ransacked and the Kansas Register press was thrown in the Missouri River. A considerable lot of newspaper was burned.” Luckily its editor, Mark Delahay, was in Topeka.
Delahay had arrived in Leavenworth in March 1855. A northern Democrat, Delahay supported popular sovereignty, the new policy of allowing the residents of Kansas Territory to establish slavery or not according to the popular vote of the people. He was not necessarily averse to slavery if that was what the citizens wanted. However, after witnessing the tactics of the pro-slavery element, Delahay recognized the danger of their misplaced loyalties.
His change of heart toward southern proclivities drew the ire of those who would have been his allies. Lucias J. Eastin, editor of the competing Leavenworth, Kan., Weekly Herald made a point of deriding Delahay at every turn, writing “...he is as good at perverting facts; and in making misrepresentations as any of them; and in the article of inconsistency he can beat the smartest Yankee among them.” Delahay’s reputation reached as far east as the Lexington (Kentucky) Express, drawing the ire of those who feared and reviled abolition.
“It will and ought to be remembered that the Register was established as a pro-slavery paper, but was at heart Abolition to the core ... Such double dealing is unbearable, and this is not the first instance in which the South has been called to exclaim ‘Save us from our secret enemies.’”
Yet, Mark Delahay had never felt he was an enemy to anyone. He sold his interest in the Register, but advanced his presence as one of two men elected to represent Kansas Territory as a delegate to the United States Congress.
For Edward C.K. Garvey’s part, his prophetic words for 1856 proved to be painfully true as the coming year would be remembered as “Bloody ’56.” On that January day, at the beginning of a new year, Garvey offered hopeful words. “...To you kind readers we wish a year of joy and happiness; may you all live to see Kansas a free state, adding another * (star) to the bright constellation that composes this glorious Union.”
Both Garvey and Delahay, and even opposing editor Eastin, lived many more years — long enough to see Kansas’ star added to the red, white and blue “Banner for Truth and Freedom,” unfurled before the coveted Union of States on The Way West.

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