Lecompton, Kansas: Where the fuse was lit, igniting the Civil War
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On Jan. 29, 1861, Kansas gained its statehood, setting in motion a chain reaction that led to this country’s most devastating war. States seceded, militias were raised and stay-at-home politicians blustered their constituents with orations of a gallant war that was sure to come.
Many in the North and South had romantic images of battle. The southern conceit with their “gentleman fighter,” pictured themselves being able to easily lick a northern invader or the north's hubris that the rebellion would be “squashed,” in 90 days.
After the first major battle, Shiloh, where America suffered more casualties in this one clash than all other previous wars combined, both sides realized the truth, this would not be over anytime soon ... and war is hell!
Rhett Butler knew what the outcome would be.
”I’m not hinting, I’m saying very plainly the Yankees are better equipped than us. They have factories, coal mines, a fleet that can bottle up our harbors and starve us to death. All we got is cotton, slaves and arrogance," he said.
The little town of Lecompton, Kansas -- with todays population of 600 -- was supposed to be the Capital of the 34th state if just four votes in Congress had swung the other way, passing the pro-slavery Lecompton Constitution. Free-Staters won with the Wyandotte Constitution, making Topeka with 125,000 current residents the Capital.
It’s not like everyone accepted the decision easily and played nice with one another. Lecompton had a history of violence.
Pro-slaver Henry Titus moved just outside Lecompton in April of 1856, building a small fort-like home to be used as a rendezvous spot for Missourians and other like-minded supporters. It was dubbed Ft. Titus and marked as a target by Free-Staters to destroy.
In one of the earliest skirmishes in Bleeding Kansas, Samual Walker -- with 400 Free-Staters from Lawrence -- attacked Ft. Titus, which was defended by 20 men on Aug. 16, 1856.
In the fire fight, most men were carrying revolutionary age muskets. It became a standoff until Walker's militia rolled up “Old Sacramento,” a 6” cannon that quickly blasted the flimsy Fort to pieces. Three men were killed in this precursor of what was to come.
Titus retreated out of the state, fleeing to Florida where he founded the thriving city of Titusville, just outside present day Cape Canaveral.
Along with Constitution Hall, Lecompton started building what they believed would be the capital building of Kansas. As we know, their effort for a pro-slavery capital was thwarted by the vote, then that little thing called the Civil War. Nonetheless, in 1865 a very sound limestone building was taking shape.
The new powers that be decided to open the building as a university. But of course, they needed funding. An idea was concocted, whomever donated the most dollars would earn naming rights for the institution.
Jim Lane, the first U.S. Senator from Kansas and former leader of the ruthless Jayhawks, jumped at the naming opportunity. How fitting for the head of the opposition to out bid and put his name on the University in the town that harbored his enemies, talk about “salt in the wound!”
To the dismay of many, Lane pledged $2500 and obtained the naming rights thus, Lane University was born.
Needless to say, he never came up with the money, dying of an odd self-inflicted gunshot to the head months later while getting out of a carriage in Leavenworth.
Ida Stover had a hard early life. She had lost her Virginia parents at the age of 5 and was handed off several times to relatives. Wanting an education at the age of 21, which for a woman was socially unacceptable to many in those days, she moved to LeCompton in 1885 and joined her two older brothers.
As one of the few women enrolled, she must have been a force, catching the eye of a cocky suitor named David. Soon David mellowed and the two were wed on Sept. 23, 1885, Ida Stover became Mrs. David Jacob Eisenhower.
Their marriage ceremony was held on the second floor of the University building that was supposed to be the meeting chamber for the pro-slavery delegates in the capital.
The Eisenhower's went on to parent seven sons, including General Dwight David Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied Commander in World War II and 34th President of the United States.
As the father of the interstate highway system, David and Ida’s son President Eisenhower touches many of our lives daily.
My grandfather, Albert Bartlett, experienced all this history. Born in 1852, he lived in Kansas, survived Bleeding Kansas, the Civil War, reconstruction, the industrial revolution, World War I, the roaring 20’s, the great depression and World War II.
Imagine a life starting out on horseback without electricity or running water then living into the nuclear age. What he must have seen!
Albert was a man of conviction, losing his father at age 9. He and his mother moved to St. Joseph to be with extended family.
Grandfather was smart and opportunistic, relying on the times to build a successful Land and Mortgage business, Bartlett Brothers, but never, as they say, “forgot where you came from.”
It's a life well lived to experience an injustice then have the ability to do something about it. He and his family left a legacy of extending a helping hand-up: Bartlett High School, The Bartlett Center, Bartlett Park and Lincoln University. Along with countless actions that didn’t bear the family name.
We should all do better at giving back. What’s your passion, life’s fuller if you have one.
Lecompton, Kansas, isn’t far and has two of the most important museums in the area. The quaint town's legacy influences our lives to this day, no place else can properly use these tag lines, “Civil War Birth Place,” and “Where Slavery Began to Die.”
So take a drive and find your passion.
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Bob Ford’s History will appear in each edition of the Midweek,
Weekender and Corner Post. To find more of Bob’s work go to his website bobfordshistory.com and his videos on YouTube, TikTok and Clapper.
