The archives of Kansas governors’ records held by the State Archives at the Kansas Historical Society are a great resource for primary sources on important issues in Kansas history. The Kansas State Archives houses the records of nearly all Kansas governors – a collection of materials totaling thousands of boxes. When compared to the collection's total volume, only a very small number of these records are currently available on Kansas Memory, but that number is steadily growing.
A few of these records have been featured in previous blog posts, like the Exoduster letters kept by Governor John St. John, the “slacker” file kept by Governor Arthur Capper, or the record of death sentences kept by governors from 1872-1908. To browse the many additional documents from governors’ records already available on Kansas Memory, select the category Collections - State Archives - Governor's Records. A few examples follow.
An anonymous Kansas resident writes the wife of Governor John Anderson Jr. of Topeka concerning a proposed atheist colony near Stockton, Kansas. The author expresses her opposition to the colony and regards it as a plot of communist Russia. August 20, 1963. Governor's records, Anderson, Box 37, Folder 7.
Governor Andrew F. Schoeppel of Topeka announces that Axis prisoners of war held at the "Camp Phillips Internment Camp" are available as laborers for farm or construction work. May 18, 1943. Governor's records, Schoepple, Box 64, Folder 6.
Robert W. Brown of Hill City, Kansas, writes Governor John Carlin of Topeka concerning Carlin's veto of a bill reinstating capital punishment. Brown expresses his disappointment with the governor's veto. April 4, 1979. Governor's records, Carlin, Box "Constituent Serices."
John L. Minck of Palo Alto, California, writes the Kansas Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, concerning the Board's decision to remove the teaching of evolution from the state's science curriculum. August 24, 1999. Governor's records, Graves, Box 7 (Constituent Services: Issues), Folder "Evolution."
The Southwest Regional Director of President Herbert Hoover's Employment Commission, J. F. Lucey, writes Governor Clyde Reed of Topeka to request that railroad companies operating in Kansas return all transient Mexican laborers to Mexico and give preference to American laborers. November 18, 1930. Governor's records, Reed, Box 3, Folder 8.
In this letter, P. J. McBride, the Commissioner of Labor and Industry, responds to Emma Grimm's letter to Governor Arthur Capper. Grimm had expressed her displeasure with the enforcement of the child labor law in her hometown of Sabetha, which had forced her 10-year old son Theodore to leave his job as a grocery delivery boy. December 12, 1917. Governor's records, Capper, Box 10, Folder 3.
H. C. Ericsson, special investigator into illegal liquor sales, reports his findings directly to Governor Walter Stubbs of Topeka. This report regards Ericsson's visit to Pittsburg, Kansas. The report lists five "places" at which he was able to purchase liquor or beer. March 27, 1911. Governor's records, Stubbs, Box 10, Folder 3.
Mrs. G. Monroe, of Topeka, Kansas, writes Governor John Martin, also of Topeka, requesting he veto a bill that would give women equal suffrage in municipal elections. Monroe claims women do not want additional rights and suggests that women should not participate in political affairs. February 11, 1887. Governor's records, Martin, Box 30, Folder 2.
The colored citizens of Winfield, Kansas, send Governor Henry Allen of Topeka a resolution condemning the racial discrimination then occurring in Kansas and the United States. October 6, 1919. Governor's records, Allen, Box 2, Folder 9.
To browse the many additional documents from governors’ records already available on Kansas Memory, select the category Collections - State Archives - Governor's Records. See Governors for more information on our archives of Kansas governors' records.